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Year: 2024

Massachusetts Senate Proposes Free Community College for All

By Contributor
Education

Expanded Opportunity

 

On May 6, Senate leaders unveiled MassEducate, a proposal for tuition-free, universal community college for all Massachusetts residents, aimed at boosting the state’s workforce and expanding opportunity for students and families in every part of the Commonwealth.

The announcement was made during an event at Middlesex Community College in Lowell, where Senate President Karen Spilka, Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and Senate Higher Education Chair Jo Comerford gathered with members of the Senate, presidents of the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges, business leaders, students, and advocates.

“Today, we shift conversations about college from ‘I wish’ to ‘I will’ for thousands of students and families in Massachusetts,” Spilka said. “We are investing in talent that is right here at home and opening the workforce floodgates to employers who are starved for graduates, so Massachusetts keeps the competitive edge that we pride ourselves in.”

MassEducate would invest $75.5 million in new spending to cover tuition and fees for all residents, as well as up to $1,200 for books, supplies, and other costs to students who make up to 125% of median income in the state. Pell-eligible students already eligible for a books stipend through state financial aid would also be eligible for a stipend for books, supplies, and costs of attendance, for a combined amount of up to $2,400 per year.

“Today, we shift conversations about college from ‘I wish’ to ‘I will’ for thousands of students and families in Massachusetts.”

“With the historic investments announced today, ushering in universally free community college and more, the Senate doubles down on our commitment to build back the power and promise of public higher education,” Comerford said. “The Senate investments will propel the Commonwealth forward toward greater social equity and greater economic competitiveness.”

The Senate’s plan, which will be included in the chamber’s FY 2025 budget, would continue to invest in programs created in the FY 2024 budget, including $18 million in free nursing programs at community colleges and $24 million in free community college for residents over age 25.

Students would be eligible for free tuition, fees, and the stipend in the fall 2025 semester if the proposal is included in the Commonwealth’s final FY 2025 budget.

To support students whose education paths can be jeopardized by unanticipated life events, Senate leaders announced the creation of the Student Persistence Fund, a $10 million investment that would go directly toward aiding community colleges and state universities in supporting low-income students with such costs that are shown to put someone’s chance of finishing school at risk, such as transportation, childcare, or food insecurity.

Understanding that retention and graduation is directly tied to support systems like advising and career planning, the Senate also proposed an $18.3 investment in the Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services (SUCCESS) program, which is designed for community colleges to invest in wraparound supports and services using models proven to strengthen outcomes for students facing systemic barriers, especially for colleges’ most underserved populations.

To ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of the program, the Senate’s proposal would institute annual tuition-increase caps at community colleges set at an inflation index. And to hold community colleges accountable for producing positive outcomes, the proposal creates a working group to re-evaluate community-college performance funding, aimed at better aligning state funding with key metrics such as student success and workforce alignment.

Recognizing that many Massachusetts students opt directly for four-year universities, the budget makes a $105 million investment in the Massachusetts financial-assistance program MassGrant Plus, which keeps college costs low for students at all public colleges in the Commonwealth. This increased investment builds on recent investments that have allowed all Pell-eligible students in Massachusetts to go to a community college, state university, or UMass campus without paying tuition or fees.

The proposal additionally includes policy directives to study future paths to success for the Commonwealth’s students. It directs the Department of Higher Education to improve the credit transfer pathway between two- and four-year institutions so students can easily transfer to a public four-year institution. It also creates a new commission to evaluate current state financial assistance for students to attend state universities and UMass and evaluate ways to further ensure accessibility and affordability of an education at these institutions.

Research Probes Relationship Between Sleep, Memory in Infants

By Contributor
Technology

The Science of Naps

A UMass Amherst sleep scientist, funded with $6.7 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has launched two unprecedented studies that will track over time the brain development of infants and preschoolers to confirm the role of napping in early life and to identify the bioregulatory mechanisms involved.

Rebecca Spencer, a professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences who is well-known for her groundbreaking research into napping, is testing her theories about what’s happening in the hippocampus — the short-term-memory area of the brain — as babies and young children undergo nap transitions.

This new research is expected to become the gold standard of scientific evidence that emphasizes the importance of healthy sleep for young children as their brains develop. The findings will help inform nap policies for preschool and pre-kindergarten and be useful to teachers and parents of both neurotypical and neurodiverse children.

“The work we’ve been doing has always pointed to this interaction of sleep and brain development,” said Spencer, who carries out research in her Somneurolab at UMass Amherst. “We think that kids get ready to transition out of naps when the brain is big enough to hold all the information of the day until nighttime sleep.”

The study involving preschoolers is a collaboration between Spencer at UMass Amherst; Tracy Riggins, a developmental psychologist specializing in memory development at the University of Maryland (UMD); and Gregory Hancock, a UMD professor of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology. Previous research by Spencer and Riggins showed differences in the hippocampi of kids who nap compared to those who have transitioned out of naps.

“The work we’ve been doing has always pointed to this interaction of sleep and brain development. We think that kids get ready to transition out of naps when the brain is big enough to hold all the information of the day until nighttime sleep.”

“So far, we’ve used cross-sectional approaches,” said Spencer, referring to research that analyzes data at one point in time, as opposed to longitudinal studies that involve repeated observation over time. “We really need to show longitudinally within a child that the point when they transition out of naps is predicted by a transition in the development of their hippocampus.”

The hippocampus is the short-term location for memories before they move to the cortex for long-term storage. Naps allow children with an immature hippocampus to process memories. Young children give up their afternoon nap, not based on their age, but their brain development, Spencer hypothesized.

“Naps are beneficial to everybody. Naps protect memory for everybody, no matter what age. Kids who are habitual nappers really need the nap. If they don’t nap, they get catastrophic forgetting. That’s the difference between habitual and non-habitual nappers — not how good is the nap, but how bad is staying awake,” she explained.

Added Riggins, “in the end, being able to tell parents that those little deviations from routine that keep their children from napping might not have these huge implications for a neurotypical child in the long run would be great. And the more we know about how the brain works in a typically developing child during this nap transition, the more we will be able to know about where we could possibly intervene to help neurodiverse children — like children with autism and ADHD, whose sleep patterns tend to be disrupted — since we will have some sort of scientific basis.”

 

Go to Sleep

The research team is recruiting 180 children, ages 3 to 5. The researchers will track their brain development, memory performance, and nap status over the course of one year at three checkpoints. During the first and second sessions, the children will wear activity-tracking watches and EEG equipment to record naps and overnight sleep. They will also play memory games before and after naps. The children will undergo an MRI brain scan during the third session.

Monica and David Dumlao signed up their son Miles, 4, for the preschool study after watching the Netflix documentary series Babies, which features Spencer in the episode about sleep. “We like learning about the neuroscience behind brain development,” Monica Dumlao said at a recent study session in Spencer’s lab. “We thought this was a good opportunity to contribute to the science about the importance of naps.”

In the three-part infant study on nap transitions and memory, Spencer is studying the period before and after babies transition from two naps — one in the morning and one in the afternoon — to one, richer afternoon nap. She is recruiting 140 infants 7 to 9 months old. The babies will play a memory game before and after their naps. Their brain activity will be recorded during their naps using a non-invasive electrode cap. The sessions will take place at 9, 12, and 15 months.

“We think as they are getting ready to drop the morning nap, staying awake in that morning interval will be less and less damaging to their memory,” Spencer said. “But we don’t think that’s going to happen with the afternoon nap at this age. We think the afternoon nap stays superimportant.”

Monson Savings Bank Welcomes Lirianna Powers as Assistant Branch Manager in Ware

By
Daily News

Lirianna Powers

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) recently announced the hiring of Lirianna Powers as assistant branch manager of the Ware Branch located at 136 West Main St.

“Lirianna’s expertise in banking is a tremendous asset to our team and extends benefits to our customers and the local communities as well,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Her positive outlook is perfectly in sync with the culture at Monson Savings Bank, and we are truly fortunate to have her as part of our organization.”

Powers will assist the branch’s manager and oversee the operation of branch functions. She aims to provide the bank’s customers with superior customer service and help them find the financial products that best suit their unique needs.

Powers comes to Monson Savings Bank with eight years of experience in banking and finance. She previously worked at Florence Bank as a teller operations manager and customer service representative. In this role, she oversaw and managed her branch’s teller line, educated team members, and provided customer service while serving as a positive role model.

“I am genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply the skills I have acquired throughout my banking career to my new role at Monson Savings Bank,” Powers said. “As a local bank that is deeply committed to its employees, customers, and the broader community, Monson Savings Bank has established a remarkable reputation for integrity and community engagement. I am very excited to be a part of this. I am eager to contribute to the dynamic team, where I believe my background in finance and customer service will not only be valued but will also flourish.

“Joining MSB feels like the perfect alignment of my professional skills and my personal values, where I can actively participate in initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives locally,” she added. “This role represents a unique chance for me to grow while also helping to sustain and enhance the bank’s legacy of empowering local individuals and businesses.”

Eversource Launches 2024 Main Streets Program

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — As part of its ongoing commitment to helping customers across the Commonwealth take control of their own energy use with optimized solutions, Eversource announced it will bring its successful Main Streets program to more than 40 Massachusetts communities in 2024.

Through Main Streets, sponsors of Mass Save, including Eversource, partner with municipalities to connect small-business owners with approved contractors that offer no-cost energy assessments to discuss upgrades that lower energy use and reduce costs.

“Since Eversource first launched Main Streets nearly a decade ago, it has evolved from a few events per year into an equity-driven statewide initiative that serves, on average, more than 1,000 commercial customers annually,” said Tilak Subrahmanian, Eversource’s vice president for Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility. “Main Streets provides opportunities for small and microbusinesses to improve their energy efficiency and gain a competitive edge by lowering their energy costs or demonstrating a reduced carbon footprint.

“In 2024, we continue to prioritize outreach in environmental justice communities, which often face an undue energy burden,” Subrahmanian added. “It is essential for us to connect with those customers who would most benefit from energy-efficiency measures, while supporting Massachusetts in reaching its ambitious decarbonization goals.”

Evolving from a small, Eversource-only initiative, Main Streets has continued to grow over the years, with more than half of all planned events in communities across the Commonwealth in 2024 in collaboration with other sponsors of Mass Save, including several events outside the Eversource service territory organized solely by other sponsors.

Through Main Streets, customers have saved on average nearly 13 million kWh per year — equivalent to the greenhouse-gas emissions saved from recycling over 3,000 tons of waste — as well as more than 100,000 therms of natural-gas savings annually. This year, Eversource will continue building on that success through close collaboration with local community partners, multilingual marketing efforts, and language support at in-person events.

Main Streets energy-efficiency solutions start with a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment to identify energy-saving opportunities for small businesses, such as weatherization, insulation, occupancy sensors, programmable thermostats, refrigeration controls, lighting controls, and more. Improvements like installing aerators and spray valves happen on the spot at no cost to the customer. More involved projects, like the installation of energy-efficient motor controls, are scheduled for a future date. Eversource offers increased incentives for a range of energy-efficiency improvements to further offset the cost of upgrades, and interest-free financing is available for any remaining costs.

Local licensed electricians contracted by Eversource will complete approved projects and ensure minimal disruption to daily business operations, and all high-efficiency products installed as part of this initiative include warranties for both materials and labor.

Businesses interested in scheduling a no-cost, no-obligation assessment, including those in communities not part of an official Main Streets partnership this year, can click here to complete the registration form.

GCC Names Lauren Bell Jean Simmons Nursing Faculty Chair

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Community College (GCC) nursing faculty has named Lauren Bell the third Jean Simmons Nursing Faculty Chair. Bell was chosen for her dedication to the GCC nursing program and her students. She will be honored at the nursing department’s pinning ceremony on Saturday, May 25 at 9 a.m.

The Jean Simmons endowed chair was established in 2013 with a $1 million gift from anonymous donors. It was the first endowed faculty position at a community college in Massachusetts.

“Lauren always puts her students first and demonstrates professionalism and exceptional patient care in the clinical setting,” said Melanie Ames Zamojski, GCC dean of Nursing Programs. “Within our laboratory, she’s developed simulations that test our students in ways that allow them to show their knowledge and the patient-centered care they’ve learned in the classroom.”

Since joining the GCC nursing faculty in 2012, Bell has guided faculty through curriculum and program assessments and outcomes, a critical part of state and national accreditation processes, and she has helped her colleagues incorporate the newest style of NCLEX questions in order to better prepare students for their licensing exams. She has also served on several college committees, including student activities and professional development. She co-teaches the second-year medical-surgical courses and has led the graduating class in organizing their pinning ceremony.

Bell earned her bachelor’s degree at Elmira College and her master of science degree at the University of New Hampshire. In addition to her work with GCC, she is a nurse at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in the Progressive Care unit.

Surprised to be named the Simmons chair, Bell was characteristically student-focused in her response. “A lot of students want to make a difference, and a lot of them have the ability to do so. If I can support these talented students in pursuing their education, I feel honored for that,” she said.

She further expressed appreciation for being part of a rigorous program that helps students achieve their dreams. “We produce and support these strong graduate nurses who have a great reputation moving forward in the profession.”

While the endowed fund supports the faculty position, GCC uses the personnel cost savings to fund a nursing advisor as well as a scholarship program for GCC students at all levels of nursing education. This year, scholarships have been awarded to three members of the associate-degree class who will be continuing on to bachelor degree programs in nursing: Marylou Bliss, Kassidy DiGeorge, and River Edwin King.

The endowed nursing chair was named for longtime GCC nurse educator Jean Doherty Simmons. She was the first nursing program applicant to be admitted as a GCC nursing student, and she graduated with the first class from the program in 1965. Considered the face of the nursing program, she taught at GCC for more than 35 years and served as coordinator of the associate in science nursing program from 1998 to 2003.

The recipient may hold the Jean Simmons Nursing Faculty Chair throughout their tenure at the college. Previous honorees were Cheri Ducharme (2014-18) and Mary Phillips (2018-24).

Zamojski sees Bell as an ideal choice to carry on this legacy. “Lauren will continue to be an asset to our program and to the college. She is a shining example of how our faculty not only teach our students how to be nurses, they teach our students how to be great nurses.”

Freedom Credit Union Announces Free Community Shred Day on June 8

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In cooperation with PROSHRED Springfield, Freedom Credit Union will offer a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, June 8 at two branches. The event will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 1976 Main St., Springfield; and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 296 Cooley St., Springfield.

The public is invited to bring old bills, bank statements, tax returns, and other sensitive documents for free, quick, and secure on-site shredding. Credit union members and non-members alike may bring up to five file boxes or paper bags per vehicle. There is no charge for this service.

Mary McGovern Takes the Reins as President of Country Bank

By
Country Bank president Mary McGovern
Banking and Financial Services Cover Story

A Community Asset

 

Country Bank president Mary McGovern

Country Bank president Mary McGovern

 

Country Bank, according to its slogan, is “made to make a difference.”

Mary McGovern has taken that as a personal challenge.

“I’ve been at several institutions, public institutions, that run a little differently than mutuals, having to answer to shareholders every quarter,” said McGovern, who recently became Country’s first female president in its 174-year history. “With a mutual bank, we feel we take a different approach with our customers, and our involvement in the community means a lot to them. It’s a differentiator.”

McGovern brings three decades of context and experience — at different types of institutions — to that philosophy.

Prior to her 13-year rise at Country Bank, where she has served as chief financial officer, executive vice president, and chief operating officer, McGovern served in management roles at Danversbank, Capital Crossing Bank, and Boston Private Bank & Trust. Her areas of expertise include finance, operations, information technology, retail banking, commercial lending, financial and credit analysis, compliance, risk, sales, and strategic business and relationship development.

“With a mutual bank, we feel we take a different approach with our customers, and our involvement in the community means a lot to them. It’s a differentiator.”

“I started at Boston Private when it was a de novo with $80 million in assets. I was the 20th or 22nd person they hired. I came in on the ground floor in a finance role, in accounting, and grew with the department,” she recalled.

After that institution went public and was acquired, she left, earned her MBA, and moved to Capital Crossing in the late ’90s, doing a lot of work with distressed real estate. Danversbank, her next stop, was a reunion of sorts with some individuals she had worked with at Boston Private.

“They were like Country Bank is today, a nice, local, mutual community bank,” she said, adding that she served Danversbank as senior vice president and chief accounting officer. “But they went public in 2008 and were sold in 2011, and my position was eliminated.”

So, the same year, she joined the team at Country — and has never looked back.

“The mission is to be the bank of choice in Central and Western Massachusetts,” McGovern told BusinessWest. “I’m excited to lead as the first female president of Country Bank as we approach our 175th anniversary. It’s a good opportunity to get out and talk in the community, talk to our customers, put a new face in front of them. It’s been really exciting.”

Country Bank’s productive partnership with the WooSox

Country Bank’s productive partnership with the WooSox is reflected by its prominent right-field signage.

From a bottom-line perspective, she said, Country is doing well, even showing growth in the mortgage market, despite high rates and higher prices.

“Obviously people still have to buy and sell homes and move different places. The pipeline may not be as robust, but there’s still a lot of activity.”

On the commercial side, the bank is being selective, focusing on building lasting relationships and not targeting huge volume for its own sake, to maintain liquidity. “We’re looking for 5% to 6% growth in loans this year, so we’re keeping busy for sure.”

Geographically, the bank is in a growth mode as well. With a physical footprint that currently stretches from Springfield to Worcester, with the Ware headquarters between those two cities, County is adding two additional locations to the east this year — a second in Worcester and one in Uxbridge — while making plans to add two more branches to the west, in Springfield and another community.

Earlier this year, the board of trustees announced it had full confidence in McGovern to lead that strategy, as well as all of Country’s other operations and activities in the community. Paul Scully, who has been president and chief executive officer since 2004, remains in the CEO role.

“We are thrilled to announce Mary’s appointment as the next president of Country Bank,” James Phaneuf, board chair, said when the selection was announced. “Mary’s proven track record, dedication, and strategic vision make her the ideal candidate for this role.

“In a challenging time of food insecurity and other challenges out there, it’s important to give back to local nonprofits. They need our support to do their important work. That’s valuable to our staff, and I believe it’s valuable to our customers as well.”

“The board is confident that Mary’s leadership will drive the bank’s continued success and growth,” he added. “With her extensive experience, strategic mindset, and dedication to excellence, Mary is poised to lead the bank into a new era of innovation and customer satisfaction while maintaining its position as one of the most highly capitalized financial institutions in the region.”

 

Community Partner

Country is also well-known for its community involvement. Those efforts have focused in recent years on a number of priorities, including food insecurity, health, and education, as well as homeless shelters, senior-serving programs, youth organizations, and more.

To that end, Country reported more than $1.2 million in donations in 2023, with 463 organizations receiving grants. In addition, the bank’s team members volunteered 1,255 hours of community service in 2023, while 37 employees served on a total of 65 nonprofit boards and committees.

“We are a valued piece of the community. We try to give back to all the communities we serve,” McGovern said, adding that the bank’s financial-literacy programs continue to be a priority, as is a partnership with the WooSox — signified by a very prominent Country Bank sign in right field at Polar Park — and the team’s WooStars awards and its teacher-recognition program.

“We’re just continuing to build on a great foundation set by Paul in his 20 years here,” she added. “Being a community bank, we’re really invested in the health of our communities.”

McGovern speaks the language of community-bank presidents in Western Mass. that place a high value on local philanthropy.

“We’ll continue to do a hybrid approach. It seems to be working. The staff seems to be happy. We don’t see that changing — in the foreseeable future, anyway.”

“We’re different from a big commercial bank that’s not as worried about the individual communities that they serve,” she said. “As a mutual bank, obviously it’s important to make money, but making money also allows us to give back. So we’re trying to give back to our communities. In a challenging time of food insecurity and other challenges out there, it’s important to give back to local nonprofits. They need our support to do their important work. That’s valuable to our staff, and I believe it’s valuable to our customers as well.”

Also of value to customers is a physical presence in their communities, even at a time when online banking is dominant.

“There are differences of opinion among financial institutions, some of whom are pulling back from their banking centers,” McGovern said. “But we feel it’s important to support the different ways our customers want to bank.

“There are plenty of the younger generation who don’t want to talk to people, who would prefer to do everything online; self-service is important to them,” she added. “But we have a good component of customers who like to go in and talk to people face to face. Even younger people want to sit down and talk to somebody when they’re buying their first house; it’s an important, life-changing kind of event.”

In addition, she said, “I feel it’s important that we show our presence. It’s hard to say that you’re in Springfield without having signage there. We have a business center in Tower Square, but it’s not quite as visible as having a branch location with a sign.”

Country Bank has consolidated in some cases as well — for instance, it used to have three branches in Ware, but now only houses its headquarters and a digital banking center there. And many branches are staffed with fewer employees than in years past, to reflect how many customers bank online only.

“But while there’s less foot traffic, we’re still there to serve people, allowing customers to bank how they want.”

Other elements of the bank experience have changed over the years as well, including how — and where — employees work.

“Since the pandemic, it’s been a different way of working,” she told BusinessWest. “For some time, we were fully remote. Over time, we went with a more flexible work arrangement. So the average employee works three days in and two days out. There are some with a little more flexibility based on what kind of job it is.”

While some employees prefer to come in five days a week, and do so, McGovern added, for most of them — those who don’t deal face to face with the public, anyway — working remotely at least part of the time is a valued part of their job. “I don’t see how we can be competitive without that. I know different institutions that have lost staff when they requested people come in five days.

“So we’ll continue to do a hybrid approach,” she went on. “It seems to be working. The staff seems to be happy. We don’t see that changing — in the foreseeable future, anyway.”

 

Making a Difference

McGovern also doesn’t want to change a culture at Country Bank that she feels benefits both employees and customers.

“It’s hard to be a differentiator when all banks sell the same products, but I feel we are different,” she said. “Our people are spending a lot of their life doing something they like in an institution they like with peers they like. And we’re trying to keep that culture going.”

The challenge, she said, is understanding that employees want and appreciate hybrid work schedules, while maintaining a positive office culture whether they’re in the office or not.

“It’s a fine line managing both aspects,” she said. “But I think we’ve got a good thing going, and hopefully I can keep it going into the future.”

The Urban Food Brood Thrives with a Unique Model

By
Andrea and Tim Monson
Restaurants Special Coverage

Good Vibrations

Andrea and Tim Monson

Andrea and Tim Monson, owners of Monsoon Roastery, are two of the original partners who brought the Urban Food Brood to life.

Almost a decade ago, Tim and Andrea Monson started a small business roasting and selling coffee, which grew to the point where they opened a retail and operating space on Albany Street in Springfield in 2019.

Not long after, the owners of Monsoon Roastery began talking to the owners of two other small businesses — Nosh, a downtown Springfield eatery, and Urban Artisan Farm, which specializes in hydroponic food production — about a concept that has now become one of the city’s most unique food-centric success stories.

“It started after COVID when small businesses were struggling to survive,” Andrea said. “We already did business with Nosh — we would carry her food products, and then they would carry our coffee. So that kind of social capital started very early on. We actually did that with a lot of small businesses. So we started to think … what if we were a small business corporation — a bunch of us kind of fighting together?”

That’s how the Monsons, Nosh owner Teri Skinner, and Urban Artisan Farm owner Jack Wysocki launched their concept, envisioning a place where small businesses could support each other in a shared space with a common kitchen and other amenities, and people could come stop by for lunch or a coffee and bring home some fresh produce, meat, or other items.

“We started to think … what if we were a small business corporation — a bunch of us kind of fighting together?”

“It took us three years to get financing and to get organized,” Monson explained. “This was an office building. So we had to transform it into food-manufacturing collaborative, which cost a lot of money. In the middle of COVID, there were a lot of shortages, a lot of delays. But we kept fighting for this dream and investing our own funds and sacrificing a lot of time and a lot of sweat equity, and it finally came together in July of last year.”

Skinner recalls collaborating with the other founders on ideas, looking into grant funding to turn the building on Albany Street — a stretch of road known as Gasoline Alley, due to the giant fuel tanks that line it — into a collaborative workspace that eventually became known as the Urban Food Brood.

“The three of us sort of came together, wanting to expand our businesses,” she said, adding that the project ran into a lot of infrastructure and renovation issues that weren’t expected, and cost more money than expected. “But now it’s flourishing,” she added.

Nosh is actually the latest — and largest — operation to move into the space, which, along with Monsoon and Urban Artisan Farm, also includes Corsello Butcheria, Happy Man Freeze Dried, Wicked Whisk, and Rocka Docka Foods.

Vincent Corsello

Vincent Corsello says the Urban Food Brood offers fresh options amid a food desert.

“Happy Man had a certified home kitchen, but he was expanding tremendously. He needed a kitchen, so he ended up taking a room here,” Skinner said. “Wicked Whisk acquired a food truck, but she also needed a commercial kitchen so she could produce her products, as she was growing as well.”

Vincent Corsello, who runs Corsello Bucheria, an Easthampton business that has expanded into the Urban Food Brood, said he took part in a pig roast on Albany Street a few years ago and was struck by the uniqueness of the setup.

“This place is magic. There’s such a vibe here,” he remembered thinking. “So I started coming — I don’t know to what end, exactly, but they were open to a collaboration. They got a grant to do a community kitchen, and I said, ‘can I be a part of it?’ And they said ‘yes.’ And then we went from there.”

 

Creating a Vibe

The building, with its community spirit and that creative vibe — the walls are lined with works from local artists, which are displayed on a rotating basis and available for sale — is a stark contrast to its surroundings, Corsello said.

“It’s in the middle of a brownfield, essentially. They call it Gasoline Alley for a reason; we’re surrounded by a million gallons of gasoline.

“I have a big window, and I did a brick facade outside the bakery so you can look through the window and see the bakers cooking.”

“But it’s easy to get to, and there’s plenty of parking, so it’s a good location,” he was quick to add. “And the vibe really attracted me to this this campus; it’s like a modern-day boys’ club, only it includes all different types of people.”

Indeed, Monson noted that she’s seen people of different backgrounds, experiences, and even religious persuasions enjoying the welcoming vibe of the space together.

“We have students, we have professionals, we have the police, we have the firefighters, we have EMTs, social workers, teachers … we have so many different people that come in here to enjoy the food or the coffee or the environment. Everybody’s here.

“The one thing I hear over and over again — unfortunately — is, ‘wow, I can’t believe this is in Springfield,’” she went on. “I both love and hate that. As a Springfield resident, a Springfield business owner, someone who grew up in Springfield, I feel like Springfield always gets the short end of the stick. There’s a lot of negative perception about Springfield. And we’re trying to disprove that. We’re saying, ‘hey, look, we built this thing, and people are coming.’

“I’ve heard, ‘this feels like I stepped into Northampton,’ which is, I guess, a compliment. But we’re not Northampton; we’re Springfield.”

Teri Skinner

Teri Skinner, seen here at her downtown Nosh location, is the most recent of the original Urban Food Brood partners to move to Gasoline Alley; she will continue to operate at both sites.

Corsello said the uniqueness extends to the business model, with the various tenants sharing one register, and the businesses sharing their products.

“So when I make sandwiches, I use Teri’s bread, and I use Jack’s vegetables. We use each other’s products to create. So you not only have an opportunity to get something for yourself, but if you like what you taste, you can buy any of those components here at the market. Plus, a lot of Springfield is kind of a food desert, and we’re small businesses offering locally created food products.”

He said patrons appreciate being able to eat or drink something on site, then bring something home to prepare.

“Anybody can come in here and get a cup of coffee, they can shop, they can get some vegetables, they can get some meat, they can get something freeze-dried. For us, it’s a model that doesn’t come without its challenges, and we’re still figuring some of that stuff out, but it’s very unique. People like a one-stop shop.”

Skinner, whose downtown Nosh location has long had an artistic, funky décor, appreciates the way the Urban Food Brood prioritizes art as well.

“People come here, and they’ll pick up some sausage and go, ‘you know, let me get a kombucha, let me get some mushrooms, let me get some spinach.’ And you go home, and you have all of this really good product that’s manufactured here in Springfield.”

“We have lots of artists that come in and display their work on a monthly basis, and then people can purchase their artwork. They’re in a rotation; if the art is there for too long, it seems like it’s just part of the décor. So it moves in and out, and there are some super talented artists that provide works for us.”

Monson said many artists have sold works in the space, or even gotten commissions based on their displays. “So it’s very cool that we can provide that.”

Skinner appreciates other elements of the Urban Food Brood vibe, like how it feels like the center of a town, only indoors and on a smaller scale, with each of the businesses acting as a storefront of sorts.

“I’m super happy with how it all came out,” she said. “I have a big window, and I did a brick facade outside the bakery so you can look through the window and see the bakers cooking. Vincent has the same idea; so do the others. That’s kind of neat.”

The complex, which is open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., also hosts regular events, such as food truck Fridays and Thursday farmers markets from 4 to 8 p.m., which have already begun for this season.

“It’s early in the season for farmers markets, but hopefully, as the season progresses, we’ll have more and more items. We’re also going to try to do music,” Skinner said.

A sign outside the Urban Food Brood

A sign outside the Urban Food Brood lists the businesses currently operating there.

“The thing that’s great about the nighttime market is that all of our downtown Springfield markets have always been during the day, when people are at work. What are they going to do with their products after they’ve purchased them? Are they going to put them in the car or bring them back to the office? So this is kind of nice. People can just stop on their way home.”

 

Fueling Growth

Andrea Monson said the partners in the Urban Food Brood have been pleased with the organic growth of the Gasoline Alley complex.

“We don’t actively market; we rely on word of mouth,” she told BusinessWest. “And I have to say that the people who come here are very cool. They’re great customers. They’re great to my staff, they’re great to all of us, and they’re very supportive. They tell people who tell people who tell people, and now we have this amazing group of people that come here to support us.

“The cool thing is, we all have our own following. Wicked Whisk has their own following. Nosh has their own following. People come here, and they’ll pick up some sausage and go, ‘you know, let me get a kombucha, let me get some mushrooms, let me get some spinach.’ And you go home, and you have all of this really good product that’s manufactured here in Springfield.”

And it’s not just people from the city, Corsello said. Urban Food Brood has been drawing from all the surrounding towns, steadily developing a reputation … not as something vaguely Northampton-ish, but something uniquely and vibrantly Springfield.

“We’re really excited about it,” he said. “It’s only the beginning.”

Dave Hayes Cultivates Community Around Weather

By
Dave Hayes
Features Special Coverage

Beyond the Forecast

Dave Hayes

Dave Hayes

Like many New Englanders, Dave Hayes remembers the significant weather events of his childhood, like the Mother’s Day snowstorm that struck the region in 1977, dropping more than a foot of snow on parts of Massachusetts, and the Blizzard of 1978 that crippled much of Southern New England the following February.

But he also remembers something else weather-related from his youth: watching a Boston-area forecast, intrigued by the bright colors of the radar display, and then almost immediately watching the skies outside his living room grow dark, and a storm suddenly arise.

“Five minutes later, what was on the radar was overhead, and something lit up inside of me. I became obsessed with the weather,” he said — to the point where he’d flip between local TV forecasts to compare them. “I found I gravitated toward the meteorologist who explained why the weather is doing what it’s doing, rather than just what it’s doing.”

Hayes never lost that obsession with the weather, and it led to an unlikely, donation-funded career as Dave Hayes the Weather Nut, through which he posts and discusses the day’s current weather and upcoming forecast on social media, as his myriad followers converse about it all in the comments.

And there are a lot of followers — more than 57,000 on Facebook, in fact, and 6,600 on Twitter.

But while Hayes is widely known on Facebook today, early in 2011, he had become disenchanted with the site and deactivated his account.

“I didn’t get it yet. I didn’t understand virality and sharing with people and the idea that this might possibly be useful in some way.”

However, when a tornado struck Springfield and a host of other communities on June 1 of that year, he heard talk of his friends chattering online about what he thought about the destructive event. So he eventually logged back on and started talking more often about weather events. When an acquaintance complained that he was doing too much of that, Hayes decided to create a page separate from his personal account, called Dave Hayes the Weather Nut, where friends — or anyone else — could follow him if they wanted to.

And what a year that was for weather in Western Mass. — 2011 featured not only the tornado, but Tropical Storm Irene in August, the freak pre-Halloween snowstorm that felled countless trees, and a few other events. His reporting between 2011 and the summer of 2012 had about 200 people taking part in the local weather conversation, and his reports in the fall of 2012 on Hurricane Sandy — which seemed to be threatening New England before turning toward New Jersey — tripled that, to more than 600.

“People wanted to know what was going on,” he said. “I didn’t get it yet. I didn’t understand virality and sharing with people and the idea that this might possibly be useful in some way — a hub for weather that’s interesting. But I kept doing it.”

Dave Hayes collects raw data from numerous sources and uses it to craft his daily reports.

Dave Hayes collects raw data from numerous sources and uses it to craft his daily reports.

A blizzard in February 2013 saw Hayes’s audience crest to more than 1,000 people. “People said how helpful my work was to them. And as someone who hadn’t really launched in life yet, I wanted to be helpful to people. So that lit a fire inside of me, and I said, ‘I’m going to do this daily. This is something that people find useful.’”

When he began daily reports, which continue today, the audience doubled to 2,000, then swelled above 10,000 early in 2014, during a colder and snowier winter than any Western Mass. has seen since. Around the same time, he was laid off from a sales job when his company downsized due to the lingering effects of the Great Recession.

“Without a job, looking for work, not finding anything, I went deeper into weather reporting,” he said, and began attracting the attention of public radio, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and other media — and wondering if this could actually become a career.

 

Weather or Not

Indeed, when the page was taking off in 2014, Hayes’s father and others in his life started asking him seriously if he could make a living at this, he recalled. “I said I didn’t know. I hadn’t even thought of it. I was just doing something I love.”

But around that time, crowdfunding was becoming more popular, so he threw up a GoFundMe link.

“Without a job, looking for work, not finding anything, I went deeper into weather reporting.”

“I figured, if people want to support my work financially, they’ll do it. If they think it has value, they’ll kick me a few bucks. I linked to it during big storms, and during 2015, I produced a crowdfunded support drive, about four or five weeks, talking about different aspects of what I was doing. I was teaching myself as I went along. It was a very unorthodox way of making a living.”

But Hayes did, in fact, begin to slowly generate a steady income through voluntary donations, and while he still does some paralegal work on the side, Dave Hayes the Weather Nut is, in fact, his living now. He compares the model to Patreon, a popular site through which people can directly support artists and writers producing content.

“It’s very unorthodox, how my life has played out,” he added. “You never know what’s going to happen until you work on something and share it with others.”

In creating daily content, Hayes curates his reports by gathering information from multiple sources, gathering data and modeling from the National Weather Service, private meteorological subscriptions, and personal weather stations, then creates his own forecasts and analysis that people from across Massachusetts and parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut have come to rely on.

“I’m not a meteorologist,” he said. “I pay for data subscriptions, read multiple forecast discussions from regional National Weather Service meteorologists, and obtain other trusted weather data in the Northeast region. I take all that information, along with my 35-plus years living in the Western Mass. region, and use my own process to produce my reports.”

Dave Hayes says winter storm trends can be slow-moving

Dave Hayes says winter storm trends can be slow-moving, while severe summer weather can emerge with little warning.

The next phase for Hayes will be a mobile app, which he plans to introduce in 2025, and which he hopes will replace his social-media presence, given a widespread problem of algorithms restricting the reach of social-media content creators — a real problem during fast-developing storms.

“Three out of four people look at my info from their smartphone, so I figured I need to have a way to reach people more directly, especially during the summer severe events,” he explained. “Winter storms develop more slowly. You see them building across the country over three or four days. But thunderstorms, microbursts, and tornadoes can form within five, 10, or 15 minutes.”

He plans to offer both free and paid versions of the app with different features, and will definitely retain the all-important interactive aspect, with users able to comment. After all, that may be the most compelling and popular aspect of his passion turned unlikely career.

“The way we watch the forecast has traditionally been on TV; you consume the forecast, and that’s it. There’s no conversation about it,” Hayes explained. “What I’ve tried to create with social media is a two-way street where we can go back and forth and answer as many questions as we can.”

It essentially adds another dimension to weather reports, one he’s been delighted to find so many people are passionate about.

“The way we watch the forecast has traditionally been on TV; you consume the forecast, and that’s it. There’s no conversation about it. What I’ve tried to create with social media is a two-way street where we can go back and forth and answer as many questions as we can.”

“People are talking to each other — ‘I got this much snow in Belchertown.’ ‘Oh, I got this much down in Palmer.’ It’s a whole community vibe around something that we all have to deal with. Everyone has unique lives, but we all have to deal with the weather. So by fostering this community, we can all talk about what’s impacting all of us.”

It also lends an element of “ground truth” in real time, he added. Because a temperature difference of a degree or two can turn rain into snow quickly, not only can he quickly adjust a report based on comments, but a weather forecast becomes not a static report, frozen in time, but a living, evolving thing.

 

Seeing the Light

Speaking of evolving, Hayes has taken note of the trend toward warmer, wetter winters over the past decade, as well as more flooding events. But he says he’s not a climatologist and continues to focus on his bread and butter — forecasting, reporting, and talking about each day’s weather with a growing fanbase in the tens of thousands.

Even “space weather,” as he put it, got plenty of attention recently, as followers snapped, shared, and commented on photos of the aurora borealis making a rare appearance across the U.S. on May 10. With the solar maximum not having hit its peak yet, such a shared experience might happen again within the next year or so.

“It was beautiful and otherworldly; humans think they’re amazing, and it really puts things into perspective, shows how small we are,” Hayes told BusinessWest. “But you don’t want too many solar storms. The Carrington Event in 1859 fried the entire telegraph system. One hundred and sixty-five years later, we’re a lot more reliant on the power grid for a lot of things. So while the aurora is fun to see, I don’t want to see it too often.”

Bay Path Goes All In with Acquisition of Cambridge College

By
Bay Path University President Sandy Doran
Education Special Coverage

A Bold Step Forward

Bay Path University President Sandy Doran

Bay Path University President Sandy Doran

 

As she talked about how Bay Path University’s acquisition of Cambridge College came about — and, more importantly, why — Sandy Doran, Bay Path’s president, turned the clock back almost a year to when the university undertook a ‘strengths and opportunities’ analysis to understand where its growth opportunities might lie.

This led to creation of a cross-disciplinary leadership task force to conduct an analysis of strategic growth opportunities, building on the things the school does well while also focusing on ways to amplify those traits.

This task force eventually identified five opportunities for growth — everything from graduate programs to business-to-business corporate sponsorships; from expansion of its online American Women’s College to growth in enrollment among Latino populations.

As it considered these opportunities and how to seize them, Doran said Bay Path, its leadership, and its board could “do some things around the edges” with all or several of them, as she put it, or “do something bold and think about our future in a transformational way.”

Given Bay Path’s recent history — one that has seen it achieve dramatic growth and rise from a two-year college to a four-year university with a growing slate of degree options and national recognition in fields like cybersecurity — the latter course was essentially a given, said Doran, now in her fifth year as president of the college, adding quickly that the question became what this bold move would be.

“Outside of Puerto Rico and New York City, Western Massachusetts has the largest Hispanic population in the United States. We knew that, in order to meet the needs of that population, we needed to grow our student services, we knew we needed additional support, and we identified it as a potential growth opportunity.”

As different opportunities were considered, the answer became an acquisition of Cambridge College, a Boston-based, private, nonprofit institution established in 1971, a move that should enable Bay Path to double its overall enrollment; gain a presence in other markets, including Boston and Puerto Rico, which Cambridge as a campus; and, overall, achieve growth in all those areas identified by the task force.

This includes enrollment among Hispanic populations, she said, noting that this is one of the fastest-growing constituencies in this region.

“Outside of Puerto Rico and New York City, Western Massachusetts has the largest Hispanic population in the United States,” Doran told BusinessWest. “We knew that, in order to meet the needs of that population, we needed to grow our student services, we knew we needed additional support, and we identified it as a potential growth opportunity.

“We wanted a partner that had experience serving this Hispanic market,” she went on, adding that Cambridge College, which is a designated Hispanic-serving institution, has this experience, among many other qualities.

Indeed, overall, Bay Path and Cambridge share a number of other strengths — everything from online programs (locally, Cambridge, which had a location in Springfield’s Tower Square, now offers programs only online) to meeting the needs of first-generation college students, said Doran, adding that the schools also share missions and values.

Longmeadow campus

Much of Bay Path’s growth is taking place beyond the borders of its Longmeadow campus.

“Those cultural aspects — of serving the same student populations, of thinking about our values and joining together with another organization and making sure that their values were compatible and strengthened ours — are key; we just knew that, without that shared mission, those shared values, we wouldn’t be able to move forward,” she said, adding that this merger represents the latest in a series of bold moves for Bay Path.

The ones to come before have taken it to levels that might not have been imagined 25 years ago. This latest one will build on those efforts and take the university to different places — quite literally, in the case of Puerto Rico and the Boston market — and figuratively when it comes to needed size and higher status among the region’s and country’s higher-ed institutions.

For this issue and its focus on education, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at this intriguing merger — how it came about and what it means for Bay Path as it continues its recent history of taking bold steps.

 

Course of Action

Sounding much like area bank presidents, which have been harping on the need for size in a changing financial-services environment for years now, Doran said growth is perhaps more important than ever for institutions of higher education.

Given the spiraling costs of doing business and the many challenges facing colleges and universities, including demographics in the form of smaller high-school graduating classes, growth in overall enrollment is critical.

“To be a financially sustainable institution, it’s important to have 5,000 students or more,” she said, adding that Bay Path now surpasses that number. “Five thousand students gives you the resources, it gives you the financial strength, the revenue streams — all those things that are essential to a sustainable institution.”

And, as in the banking industry, there are different ways to achieve growth in higher education. One method is organic growth, through everything from more aggressive marketing to creation of new degree programs, especially at the graduate level, a course taken by many schools locally, including Bay Path.

But there are also opportunities to partner with other schools and, increasingly, to acquire them, especially as more struggle with enrollment, face uncertain futures, and, in some cases, even close their doors.

Doran said Bay Path has been looking at many growth strategies, including acquisition, and had looked at several different institutions.

“We talked to some colleges in the Southeast, we talked to some in the Southwest, we talked to some in the middle of the country, and ultimately, we were very fortunate to find a partner here in Massachusetts,” she said, adding that Cambridge College emerged as the option that made the most sense, for many reasons, especially those shared traits and values, as well as areas of focus — particularly online programs and service to Hispanic students — that would provide Bay Path with avenues for growth. “They had so much of what we were looking for in a partnership. What they have to offer lines up beautifully with what we were looking for.”

Doran said she didn’t know if Cambridge was looking to be acquired, but did know that it was looking to partner, as many schools are in these challenging times. Elaborating, she said Cambridge certainly suffered during the pandemic — again, as many schools did — but coming out of COVID, its enrollment has been increasing over the past few years, with much of that growth coming in online programs.

“It’s not a just a checklist of how you communicate with students and families whose first language is Spanish. Are we offering all the right supports? Do we understand the cultural nuances of how to serve the Hispanic market, which is very much growing in Western Mass.?”

And while talks with other potential acquisition candidates progressed to different degrees, Bay Path eventually crossed the finish line with Cambridge College because the ‘fit’ — the word you hear so often in these transactions — was right for both sides, and especially Bay Path.

“It’s one thing to read about mission and culture and values on a website and talk about it with people inside an organization,” Doran said. “But it’s really when the boards sit down, the leaders sit down, and you have a chance to meet with students that you get a true picture. I had the chance to meet with students at Cambridge College, and that is really what convinced me, the board, and others that this is really the right fit.

“And that’s because their students are our students,” she went on. “Half are students of color, half are first-generation students, 60% of their students are in graduate programs, and 60% are online.”

 

Class Acts

Getting back to the growth-strategy exercises of a year ago and the establishment of a matrix to determine whether a potential partner might be right for Bay Path, Doran said several necessary common threads were identified, with shared mission and values being just one.

Others include everything from a strong culture of innovation to an opportunity to “expand our reach,” as she put it; from a commitment to workforce development to strong business-to-business partnerships.

When it comes to expanding reach, this is a broad term that covers considerable ground, said Doran, encompassing everything from expansion into new geographic regions to reaching new populations to expansion of online and graduate programs.

Merging with Cambridge College allows the university to do all of that, she said, adding that the acquisition brings with it a number of huge growth opportunities.

As one example, she returned to the Hispanic population and Bay Path’s desire to better serve — and, yes, capture more of — that market, explaining why this acquisition makes sense for the institution.

“We have here a limited experience in terms of fully serving the Hispanic market,” she explained. “We’ve developed some student supports; we’ve given them some academic supports. If you peruse our website, you’ll see that many of our web pages are now in Spanish, so we can speak directly to students whose native language is Spanish and to their parents.

“But we knew that we didn’t know enough because there’s a huge cultural component,” she went on. “It’s not a just a checklist of how you communicate with students and families whose first language is Spanish. Are we offering all the right supports? Do we understand the cultural nuances of how to serve the Hispanic market, which is very much growing in Western Mass.?

“We really wanted to reach into that marketplace because we knew how important it was for Western Mass., and for the nation, for that matter,” she continued. “This is the fastest-growing population in the country, and as an institution, our job, our mission, is to serve those students with equally robust and dedicated resources.

There are other benefits to be gained from this acquisition, obviously, said Doran, who listed Cambridge College’s portfolio of graduate programs as another of them.

Elaborating, she explained that developing new graduate programs and bringing them to market is a costly, very involved process that can take years, when time is a luxury few institutions have.

“To bring a new program to market can take two to five years,” she explained. “So the opportunity to grow graduate programs by acquiring another college was absolutely essential to what we were thinking about, and with Cambridge, we’re acquiring about 30 new graduate programs.

“So if you think about it, even taking two years to bring a program to market, it would have taken 60 years,” she went on. “That’s a long time, even for me.”

 

Grade Expectations

Doran said full integration of Cambridge College into Bay Path will take 18 to 24 months, and over that time, several issues will be settled, including whether — and in what ways — the Cambridge College name will live on.

That name has some value in various markets, she said, adding that she hopes the brand lives on in some form.

Meanwhile, she’s more certain about other aspects of this acquisition, especially the part about it being a bold, decisive step at a time when such actions are required of higher-ed institutions looking to fully emerge from the challenging pandemic and post-pandemic periods in a position to not merely survive, but grow and thrive.

“I will credit our board with being such strong partners,” he said. “They’ve always been bold, they’ve always been strategic — we were the first in the region to have online education — and that kind of support is very critical.”

And it’s yet another example of how a school with a rich past is focused, as Doran put it, on thinking about the future in a transformational way.

Brendan Greeley Charts a Course for the Family Business

By
Brendan Greeley, president of the R.G. Greeley Co.
Commercial Real Estate Special Coverage

The Next Chapter

Brendan Greeley, president of the R.G. Greeley Co.

Brendan Greeley, president of the R.G. Greeley Co.

Growing up, Brendan Greeley never thought much about going to work for his father at the commercial real-estate firm he started the same year Brendan was born — the R.J. Greeley Co.

But as his undergraduate work was wrapping up at St. Michael’s College in Vermont, his father, Robert Greeley, asked him to start thinking about it.

And there was a lot to think about. Brendan didn’t really know much about this business, or business in general, and his college work didn’t exactly prepare him for that industry.

“I was a sociology and anthropology major with a minor in religion,” he said. “I was a singer in a band … and I never really thought much about my career.”

After telling his father he’d think about his invitation, Brendan sought the advice of one of his uncles, who told him, among other things, that commercial real estate was a good business for meeting … well, all kinds of people in many different businesses, exposure that could lead to different types of career opportunities.

“He said, ‘at the very least, you can go work for your dad for a little while, get a snapshot into different kinds of businesses, and see what you like,’” he recalled, adding that he went to work for his father for more than a little while, and eventually determined that commercial real estate was something he liked.

Fast-forwarding a little (we’ll go back and fill in some details later), Brendan learned a lot from his father, gradually assumed more responsibilities for running the business, and eventually became its president in 2017. After what he described as a somewhat difficult transition process, he bought his father out in 2019 and steered the company through the difficult COVID years and their aftermath.

Now, just over a year after his father passed away at age 73, the younger Greeley is writing new chapters in the history of the 43-year-old company. The firm is smaller now, with a staff of just two, but “doing more with less,” as he put it.

He is continuing to build on the portfolio of properties the firm handles, which is anchored by the Technology Park at Springfield Technical Community College in a collection of buildings that were once part of the Springfield Armory and later home to a massive Digital Equipment Corp. operation.

“My father always impressed upon me, from the beginning, that you have to go out and establish your network, the people you’re going to be doing business with — the people, as my father used to say, that you’re going to be in the trenches with.”

The Tech Park, as it’s called, has been around about as long as Brendan Greeley has been with the family business (which calls the park home itself), and it has been a career-long focal point and passion, he said, adding that the company has successfully filled most of the space vacated by a Liberty Mutual call center and continues to work to fill remaining vacancies in the sprawling complex.

“We had a great year last year — we brought on the Department of Developmental Services with a lease for just under 30,000 square feet for 10 years,” he said, adding that the state agency and other signed tenants now fill most of the 55,000 square feet once occupied by Liberty Mutual.

Meanwhile, the R.J Greeley Co. continues to respond to changes and trends within the market — everything from growing inventories on the office side of the ledger (a byproduct of remote work and hybrid schedules at businesses in virtually every sector) to an extreme tightening of the industrial and distribution markets, a byproduct of rising interest rates that have produced an environment in which it is far more advantageous to buy or lease than build new.

Technology Park at STCC

Brendan Greeley continues to build on his firm’s portfolio of properties, which is anchored by the Technology Park at STCC.

For this issue and its focus on commercial real estate, BusinessWest talked with Greeley about the market and what the future might bring, and about what might come next for the company that was started by his father and still bears his initials, but is now being steered by his youngest child.

 

Right Place and Time

As he talked about his time with the company, and especially about life in a family business, Greeley spoke for everyone who has ever had that experience when he said, “it’s not all rainbows and sunshine, that’s for sure.”

Elaborating, he described his father as a great real-estate broker, teacher, and mentor — “I wish I had his ability to mentor people and bring them along” — but not the easiest person to work with or for, and someone who didn’t think much about succession planning, didn’t really want to think about it, and did so only when the matter was pressed.

Indeed, when asked when his father first started talking to him about succession planning, Greeley laughed and said, “never.”

“That was a painful process,” he recalled. “Succession planning was really hard for him. He never really thought about wanting to retire, it seems, and he was pretty reluctant to think about it.”

So much so that Greeley admitted to thinking about perhaps doing something else because of that reluctance.

“I had to impose some timelines to move things along,” he went on. Eventually, a successful transition was achieved, made easier by some very strong years leading to that changing of hands, punctuated by the brokered sale of the former Westinghouse property to one of the players trying to bring a casino to Springfield.

Flashing back further, Greeley recalled that, as he entered the business, he certainly learned a lot from his father, especially when it came to the all-important work of getting in front of people building and maintaining relationships — duties that he referred to collectively as the “grunt work.”

“Those first few years, I was going out and getting to know people,” he told BusinessWest. “My father always impressed upon me, from the beginning, that you have to go out and establish your network, the people you’re going to be doing business with — the people, as my father used to say, that you’re going to be in the trenches with.

“So the first few years were filled with inserting myself into circles of attorneys, accountants, bankers, insurance people — those we work with often — and just making friends with them and creating a network,” he went on.

“There was a lot of driving around, pulling up to businesses, knocking on doors and saying, ‘I’m Brendan Greeley with the R.J. Greeley Co. — I just want to let you know that we’re out there and that, if there’s anything you need with commercial real estate, give us a call.’ There was a lot of going to lunches, playing in golf tournaments, and just … being out there.”

This grunt work has certainly paid off over the years, as the Greeley company has continued its run of success, even during times of stress and duress for the commercial real-estate industry, which is still coping with many lingering effects from the pandemic.

“When I came into the business, a manufacturing building was $50 a square foot, and now, it’s commonly $100 a square foot or more. To build new would be $200 a square foot.”

Foremost among those is the sea change in the office market, which has definitely slowed since the pandemic and has seen vacancies increase as remote work impacts whether companies will renew leases, as well as how much space they take if they do renew.

“Firms are creating opportunities for people to work at home, and that has certainly created some shifts in the office market,” he said. “We have some big chunks of office space that are available or coming available; as leases expire, people are renewing for less space, and that adds up to more inventory.”

This shift is certainly countered by a tightening on the industrial and distribution side of the ledger, where fewer properties are coming on the market and those frequented by ‘for sale’ or ‘for lease’ signs are not on the market for long, and for obvious reasons.

“There are far fewer construction projects taking place in this market because of higher interest rates, and this obviously helps with the value of existing inventory,” Greeley said, citing the laws of supply and demand. “The alternative is to build new, and building new is going to be very expensive.

“When I came into the business, a manufacturing building was $50 a square foot, and now, it’s commonly $100 a square foot or more,” he went on. “To build new would be $200 a square foot.”

As for the value of commercial properties — a huge issue in most major markets and communities of all sizes in the wake of COVID — Greeley said that, by and large, most properties in the region are holding their value, but this ability is being sternly tested by rising interest rates.

“Someone can afford to pay less for an investment property if they’re financing some portion of the transaction,” he explained. “So I would say that investment real estate has deflated some, although the quality inventory seems to be holding value better than the lesser-quality inventory.”

 

Bottom Line

Looking ahead, Greeley said his company will continue to do more with less in terms of office staff, but continue to look for growth opportunities.

This could include hiring an additional broker or perhaps more, he said, adding that he is always looking for good fits. Meanwhile, the firm is looking at opportunities on the property-management side of the ledger and on the development side as well.

“I have an open mind for opportunities that may present themselves in the future,” he said. “I’m always looking at ways to grow.”

Not bad for someone who never gave much thought to working at the family business growing up — and is now the owner of the family business.

STCC Creates Career Opportunities for Non-traditional Students

By
Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC.
Special Coverage Technology

Inside the IT Academy

Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC.

April Bellafiore teaches the IT Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC.

The IT Academy at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is a “life changer” for Juan Burgos.

Echoing comments from other students enrolled in the IT Academy at STCC, Burgos said he’s excited to be working toward certifications that are tickets to good-paying jobs in the cybersecurity industry. Students in the first cohort, held this spring, are enrolled for free, supported by a grant.

“This opportunity came up, and I jumped on it,” Burgos said one Wednesday afternoon at STCC, where he was seated in a classroom with the other students. “This is a life changer. This is going to change everything.”

Launched on March 12, the IT Academy’s Pathway to Cybersecurity program at STCC supports non-traditional students who are new to information technology (IT) and computer technology. They are learning skills that set them up for entry-level IT careers. Students also have the option of moving into the two-year Cybersecurity program, which can lead to an associate degree.

The comprehensive curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The program includes a part-time option running classes three evenings a week for nine months. A summer and winter boot camp will be offered that runs for 10 weeks (full-time day program), which allows students to attend classes five days a week.

Eventually, students who follow the cybersecurity track will use the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Springfield, scheduled to open later this year. The facility will serve as a dynamic hub for advancing cybersecurity awareness, education, innovation, and battling global security threats.

“This opportunity came up, and I jumped on it. This is a life changer. This is going to change everything.”

The 6,000-square-foot facility will include a cyber range, which is a simulated training environment, and security operations center, which is envisioned as a support service for Massachusetts municipalities, as well as regional businesses, to detect cybersecurity events in real time and respond quickly.

STCC offers a number of training opportunities through its Workforce Development division, from a free program that prepares students to be paraeducators in Springfield to the Hampden Prep program, which provides basic computer skill training.

“We are excited to offer a wide range of training programs that help non-traditional students pursue their dream careers,” said Gladys Franco, assistant vice president of Workforce Development at STCC. “Our goal is to make it easier for people looking to get started in a career. We’re particularly excited about the IT Academy, which provides a pathway to build a career in IT and cybersecurity. It’s a growing field with many opportunities.”

 

Immersive Education

Students in the Pathway to Cybersecurity program are learning in person in a classroom taught by April Bellafiore, Cruz Antonio Pagan, and Andrew Collins, a professor for the Cybersecurity program at STCC.

Students also participate in interactive computer training labs focused on obtaining CompTIA certifications, which are industry standards that IT professionals can use to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to potential employers.

The training is “beginner-friendly,” Bellafiore said. The course provides students with skills to be successful in the Cybersecurity program and in the workforce.

Students enrolled in the course come from a variety of backgrounds. Shelby Kiendzior graduated from STCC with a degree in dental hygiene and worked in the field, but plans on changing her career.

“We are excited to offer a wide range of training programs that help non-traditional students pursue their dream careers.”

“I will be getting four certifications in different IT-related courses,” Kiendzior said. “This course will set me up for where I want to go in IT or tech.”

Luz Padilla, who hails from Puerto Rico, called the IT Academy “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

She added, “I love computers. I love troubleshooting, and I would like to work in homeland security someday. The class is amazing. The teacher’s great. I got a lot of encouragement from everybody here, especially Miss April.”

She was referring to Bellafiore, an instructor who has taught in-person and online courses for more than 20 years.

“I am excited to work with the IT Academy students to prepare them for a dynamic and exciting industry,” Bellafiore said. “We also encourage students to continue their education and apply for the STCC Cybersecurity two-year degree program. In today’s digital age, every industry relies on IT expertise. It’s a growing field with many rewarding and diverse job opportunities.”

Neal Announces $4.1 Million Earmark for Springfield Union Station Streetscaping

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Springfield Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Amanda Pham on Tuesday to announce a $4,116,279 earmark to invest in streetscaping surrounding Springfield Union Station.

The allocation was made possible through congressionally directeded spending from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Neal included funding for this project in the FY 2024 spending bill that was signed into law by President Biden on March 9.

“With the rebirth of Springfield Union Station, the city of Springfield re-established itself as the crossroads of New England. Significant investments have been made to refurbish and beautify the inside of the station, and as ridership continues to increase, we now turn our attention to the outside of the station,” Neal said. “This investment will have a profound impact not only on Union Station, but also on surrounding neighborhoods, marking a substantial investment in green infrastructure that will greatly benefit the downtown community. Union Station has been at the center of Springfield’s renaissance and an anchor in the city’s downtown. As we continue celebrating historic milestones that stimulate significant economic growth and activity, I will continue working with Mayor Sarno and his administration to explore funding opportunities that will further build upon the city’s tremendous success.”

The redevelopment of Springfield Union Station is the culmination of a 40-year effort, dating back to Neal’s time as a Springfield city councilor. After closing its doors in 1973, Springfield Union Station reopened in 2016. From the time he was elected to Congress in 1988 until the station reopened in 2016, Neal has brought home tens of millions of dollars for the rehabilitation of Springfield Union Station, including $15 million in 1989 and $30 million in 2011. Most recently, he secured $3 million for Springfield Technical Community College to establish a cybersecurity center at Springfield Union Station, a project that, once completed this fall, will bring the main concourse level to 100% occupancy.

“The transformation of Springfield’s historic Union Station into a world-class transportation center would not have been possible without the support of Congressman Neal,” Sarno said. “We are fortunate that Congressman Neal understands the importance and positive impact of these infrastructure projects on communities. Public transportation provides people with mobility and access to employment, community resources, medical care, and recreational opportunities in communities across the commonwealth. We have seen increased ridership, and now we are continuing to build on the incredible investments in Union Station with enhanced access, safety, and aesthetics, creating positive spinoff effects throughout downtown, our city, and the whole region.”

This project will build upon the nearly $100 million that has been invested in Springfield Union Station by improving the surrounding streetscape, ultimately creating a gateway to downtown Springfield and its many amenities. The project will improve roadway safety for vehicular and pedestrian travelers through improved crosswalks, signage, and lighting. Additionally, a significant investment will be made in green infrastructure, including the planting of street trees that will provide beautification and increased sustainability of the improved streetscape.

“We are very proud of the transformational outcome of the Union Station redevelopment project and deeply grateful for the support of Congressman Richard Neal,” Pham said. “We are also extremely proud of the positive environmental impact of our Union Station project, which included critical environmental cleanup. Now, with this federal earmark, we have an opportunity to further develop Union Station with enhanced sidewalks, lighting, and signage so our regional transportation hub will be further prepared for its role as an area economic driver. This earmark for additional green infrastructure also supports our continued focus on sustainability.”

Greenfield Housing Study Community Meeting to Take Place Tonight

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Community and Economic Development Department welcomes residents and community stakeholders today, May 22, for a Housing Study Community Meeting. The gathering will take place at the John Zon Community Center and remotely via Zoom from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The meeting kicks off the public-engagement process of the city’s housing study. Greenfield received a Community Planning Grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to hire a planning consultant to conduct a housing study. The city contracted CommunityScale LLC to spearhead this work.

The study involves a housing assessment and developing a vision for meeting Greenfield’s housing needs. This first meeting is focused on the needs assessment, including analysis of housing data and an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the city’s housing inventory. After CommunityScale LLC presents preliminary findings from the housing needs assessment, the meeting will transition to an interactive conversation with attendees that will help inform the plan’s goals and priorities.

There will be a second meeting later this summer to share the results and to talk about plans and strategies for meeting goals.

Click here to join the meeting remotely via Zoom.

Freedom Credit Union Raises Nearly $3,000 for Local Nonprofits

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Committed to supporting local nonprofits that help its members and community, Freedom Credit Union raised $2,925 during its Month of Giving campaigns during the first three months of 2024.

Funds were split between four organizations: Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (January), the Foundation for TJO Animals and Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter (February), and Griffin’s Friends (March).

“All of these organizations have been included in our monthly giving campaigns for years because they are causes that are important to our members, staff, and community,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “They each provide essential services that make our region a better place for all.”

The mission of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is “to create lasting solutions to housing, income, health, education, and racial inequalities in all parts of the Commonwealth.”

The Foundation for TJO Animals supports the Thomas J. O’Connor Adoption Center, which provides animal shelter and adoption services for the cities of Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke.

The Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter is a volunteer-led group serving the communities of Franklin County. Its mission is to protect and improve the lives of stray, lost, and unwanted dogs.

Griffin’s Friends is committed to helping ease the hardships of children in treatment for cancer and the families who love and support them.

Freedom’s May Month of Giving campaign supports A Bed for Every Child. The community is invited to stop by any Freedom branch throughout the month to support this endeavor with cash donations. Over the summer, in June, July, and August, Freedom will again collect funds and nonperishable food items in support of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Girls Inc. of the Valley’s Teen Advocacy Board to Host Fundraising Event

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Girls Inc. of the Valley’s Teen Advocacy Board (TAB) will host a fundraising event on Friday, May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. to benefit Hope for Holyoke, a local organization welcoming all people in recovery from substance use and those affected by substance use.

The event will take place at Girls Inc. of the Valley’s headquarters at 480 Hampden St., Holyoke. Parking for the event is located at 16 Linden St., Holyoke.

TAB will be selling bracelets with inspirational quotes at the event to spread awareness and support those struggling with substance abuse. Substance abuse is TAB’s chosen cause as it effects an overwhelming amount of people in the community, and there is not an abundance of resources for those impacted.

“The Teen Advocacy Board, or TAB, is a group of teens in the Pioneer Valley area who are passionate about creating change and want to give back to our community. Every year, TAB picks a cause that we advocate and fundraise for,” said Lita Pierson, a current member of TAB.

The event is open to the public, and drinks and refreshments will be provided. For people who would like to support the cause but are unable to attend the event, bracelets can be purchased by emailing Amy Bonilla, Girls Inc. MHSP facilitator, at [email protected].

“Activism is important in order to create change and make the world a better place,” Pierson said. “We are fundraising for Hope for Holyoke. From support groups to career-readiness programs and much more, Hope for Holyoke provides free and accessible resources to community members impacted by substance abuse.”

Another Bold Step for Bay Path

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

As you likely know, BusinessWest marked its 40th anniversary this month.

Over that time, the magazine has told many intriguing stories involving entrepreneurship, innovation, risk taking, and pioneering.

And one of the best — one that involves all those qualities and more — has been the meteoric rise of the institution now known as Bay Path University.

Roughly 30 years ago, this was a small — make that tiny — two-year school with a reach that barely extended beyond its campus in Longmeadow. Over the course of the past three decades, under the leadership of two presidents, first Carol Leary and now Sandra Doran, the school has taken dramatic strides, adding four-year and then graduate programs, creating new degree programs in areas ranging from cybersecurity to healthcare, launching the annual Women’s Leadership Conference, taking dramatic steps in online education, including creation of the American Women’s College, and much more.

The university now has a reach that is national and even global, and it has achieved this status by being what it encourages its students to be — innovative, bold, and entrepreneurial.

The latest example of all these traits coming together in a powerful way is the school’s recently announced acquisition of Cambridge College (see story on page 26). This bold move speaks not only to Bay Path’s intention to continue its efforts to grow enrollment and expand its reach, but to the trends and challenges in higher education today as well.

Indeed, due to a series of factors, especially heightened competition for enrollment and the rising costs of doing business, many schools have found it difficult to continue their missions. Many, in fact, have looked to merge or partner with other schools.

Meanwhile, Bay Path was developing a growth strategy, one that called for everything from new graduate programs to a broadening of its healthcare offerings; from geographic expansion to profound growth in enrollment among the Hispanic population — the fastest-growing population in the region.

As Doran told BusinessWest, there were several options for achieving these various goals, and one alternative was to nibble at the corners, as she put it. Another was to take a bold step, which was far more likely given the school’s recent track record.

Several acquisition options were considered in several different parts of the country, before Bay Path’s leadership eventually set its sights on Cambridge College, the Boston-based institution created a half-century ago.

This acquisition will essentially double Bay Path’s enrollment and take the institution (and probably the Bay Path name itself, although the specifics still must be worked out) to different markets, including Boston and Puerto Rico, where Cambridge has a campus in San Juan that provides graduate programs in business and technology as well as education and counseling to working professionals.

It will also allow the school to add another 30 graduate programs to its existing portfolio and better serve the growing Hispanic population — Cambridge is ranked among the best colleges and universities for Latinos.

Full integration of Cambridge College into Bay Path will take 18 to 24 months, and it will be interesting to see what the combined schools will look like then.

But we expect that this will be another success story for an institution that has written several of them over the past 30 years.

Fostering a Culture of Respect

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By John Henderson

Let’s face it: we are living and working in a socially and politically divisive world that can have a negative impact on a company’s culture. So what can an organization do about this in order to create and sustain a culture of respect in their workplace?

It really comes down to courtesy — being polite and aware of other’s concerns and feelings, and practicing the good manners of saying “hello,” asking “how are you?” and actually waiting for the person to respond rather than continuing to walk by them.

We foster a culture of respect by appreciating everyone for their uniqueness and intrinsic worth as a person — what they bring to the team and organization. We realize that we must create a place where people can be their authentic self at work. We show that we value and support others. And the most important thing is that we accept people for who they are and what they do, but we don’t necessarily need to agree with their opinions or values.

The last one is where many organizations fall short by allowing people’s differences to get in the way of having a productive and positive environment where people feel valued and feel that they belong.

As in real estate, where the most important things are location, location, and location, the things that are most important to creating a respectful workplace are communication, communication, and communication. We must lead by example and communicate openly and constructively.

We must also have embedded in our culture the willingness to effectively address disrespectful behavior, not turn and walk away from it. When communicating, make sure it is clear, specific, and understood by the recipient by asking them to repeat back what they heard and what you agree upon. Most importantly, remember that our non-verbal communication is 70% of what is conveyed.

To foster a culture of respect does not have to be a difficult undertaking. Ensuring that the values and norms of the organization are understood by all is the first step, but living them is the next step that needs to be part of everyday life in your organization.

 

John Henderson is director of Learning and Development at the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast. This article first appeared on the EANE blog; eane.org

Picture This

By
Square One’s school-age childcare program
Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Education and Fun

Square One’s school-age childcare program recently received a $5,000 boost from Liberty Bank. The funds will be used to enhance the experiences of Square One’s children, kindergarten through grade 5, who attend after-school and summer programming. Enhancements will include a partnership with Mass Audubon and educational and recreational field trips. “Exposure to engaged learning opportunities and fun, recreational experiences in a community-based setting is key to further advancing our future leaders,” Liberty Bank president and CEO Dave Glidden said.

Square One’s school-age childcare program

Square One’s school-age childcare program

 

 

Bringing Back the Music

Florence Bank recently announced it has donated $100,000 to the Iron Horse Music Hall, supporting a $750,000 capital campaign for renovations and updates to the well-loved music venue in downtown Northampton, which its new owner, the Parlor Room Collective, reopened on May 15.

Parlor Room Collective

Pictured, from left: Randy Krotowski, president of the Parlor Room Collective board of directors; Chris Freeman, executive director of the Parlor Room Collective; and Matt Garrity, president and CEO, Florence Bank. (Photo by Jim Gipe, Pivot Media)

 

 

A Nursing Career Awaits

American International College celebrated National Student Nurses Day on May 8 as its nursing students gathered for the annual class photo on the steps of the college’s Esther B. Griswold Theatre. With campus therapy dog Woody adding to the excitement, these soon-to-be nurses were eager for their pinning ceremony on May 10 and graduation at the MassMutual Center on May 11.

American International College nursing students. (Photo by Leon Nguyen)

American International College nursing students. (Photo by Leon Nguyen)

 

 

Lifetime Achievement Award

On May 3, state Sen. John Velis joined community members at Hope for Holyoke’s eighth annual Hopey Awards. During this event, which recognized individuals, businesses, staff, peer leaders, and volunteers, Velis received Hope for Holyoke’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his work to support those in recovery. Throughout Velis’s career, he has championed legislation and support for programs focused on supporting those with substance-use disorders.

On May 3, state Sen. John Velis joined community members at Hope for Holyoke’s eighth annual Hopey Awards.

On May 3, state Sen. John Velis joined community members at Hope for Holyoke’s eighth annual Hopey Awards.

 

 

Learning with a Purpose

On April 30, students in the Communication department at Westfield State University presentation a $915 check to Shannon Rudder (second from right), president and CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services of Springfield. The students had built an awareness and fundraising campaign for the organization during the spring semester. To date, this Advanced Public Relations class taught by Professor Suzanne Boniface has raised more than $18,000 for nonprofit organizations.

Students in the Communication department at Westfield State University

Students in the Communication department at Westfield State University presentation a $915 check to Shannon Rudder (second from right), president and CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services of Springfield

 

 

Team Spirit

Members of Mercy Medical Center’s Family Life Center team (pictured) recently celebrated the hospital’s recognition as a TeamBirth site. Mercy implemented TeamBirth in 2023 to optimize teamwork and communication before, during, and after labor and delivery. Through structured huddles and a shared planning board, TeamBirth empowers patients, their support people, and their clinicians to reach care decisions together. The result is more dignified, respectful care that gives patients the role that they want.

Members of Mercy Medical Center’s Family Life Center team

Members of Mercy Medical Center’s Family Life Center team

 

Agenda

By
Agenda

Designer Showhouse at Cassilis Farm

June 1-30: Construct Inc., a nonprofit provider of affordable housing and supportive services to residents in 15 towns across the Southern Berkshires, announced its first Designer Showhouse fundraising exhibition. Slated for the entire month of June, the Designer Showhouse will highlight the elegant, creative work of more than a dozen local and regional designers, as well as landscape architects and visual artists. Each exhibitor has been assigned a space at Cassilis Farm, an iconic, 27-acre, Gilded Age estate that Construct, along with the New Marlborough Housing Development Committee, purchased at auction with the intention of renovating and converting it into 11 much-needed affordable-housing apartments. The Designer Showhouse pays homage to the theme “Nature in the Berkshires” and displays the transformative, custom work of award-winning designers, whose areas of focus range from real-estate staging and interiors to styling and iconic textile design. Room themes range from a swan nursery inspired by a local swan rescue area to a picnic-under-the-stars nod to Tanglewood to an equestrian-heavy library drawing inspiration from the estate’s former existence as a hackney horse-breeding farm. The Showhouse will be a timed, ticketed walk-through and will be open to visitors through five weekends in June. Timed tickets cost $40 per person and can be purchased online only, at constructberkshires.org/construct-designer-showhouse.

 

Real-estate Licensing Course

June 3 to July 11: The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will host a 40 hour, 14-class, sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. Tuition costs $425 and includes the book and materials. For an application, call the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley at (413) 785-1328 or visit www.rapv.com.

 

A Better Life Homecare Cocktail Hour

June 5: A Better Life Homecare will host a cocktail hour at Dewey’s Jazz Lounge in Springfield from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This networking event serves multiple purposes. First, it’s an opportunity for the company to introduce its newest home-care programs, designed with the aim of enhancing quality of life for clients. Additionally, A Better Life has exciting news to share. Attendees will connect with fellow healthcare experts and community leaders in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, discover more about A Better Life’s innovative homecare programs and how they can benefit those in need, and join in celebrating the company’s successes and look forward to a future of continued collaboration and growth. RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling (413) 285-5929.

 

Free Shred Days

June 8, 22: bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free shred days at local offices. Events will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on the following dates and at locations: Saturday, June 8 at 770 Main St., Agawam; and Saturday, June 22 at 241 Northampton St., Easthampton (two trucks at this event). No appointment is necessary. Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and shredding them safely and securely for free. A professional document destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

 

40 Under Forty Gala

June 20: BusinessWest will celebrate the 18th annual 40 Under Forty at the MassMutual Center in Springfield with fine food, music, networking, and the presentation of the class of 2024, profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com. The 40 Under Forty sponsors include presenting sponsor PeoplesBank and partner sponsors the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Live Nation, Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, and Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health. The event will also feature the announcement of the 10th annual Alumni Achievement Award, presented by Health New England. Tickets cost $125 per person and are available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40underforty. 

 

Hooplandia

June 21-23: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the second annual 3×3 basketball tournament and festival, at www.hooplandia.com. The three-day event includes levels of play for all ages and divisions. Hooplandia launched in 2023. Taking place in the heart of Greater Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, the event is hosted by Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Most games will be played on the ESE grounds, with special games held at the Hall of Fame. Seventy-five basketball courts will be set up to accommodate more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Divisions of play have been created to provide an all-inclusive environment for players of all ages and playing abilities. The diverse divisions include young girls, boys, women, men, high-school-level, college-level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name and uniforms, and register at www.hooplandia.com. Team fees range according to age, and children in the under-8 category are free of charge. Hooplandia will once again partner with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the region as its designated philanthropic partner, providing $10 from every paid team registration to support the mission and programs of the clubs. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For inquiries, email [email protected].

 

Yidstock

July 11-14: Tickets are now on sale for Yidstock: the Festival of New Yiddish Music. Now in its 12th year, Yidstock brings the best in klezmer and new Yiddish music to the stage at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. Highlights this year will include the Klezmatics, Frank London, Eleanor Reissa, Judy Bressler, Daniel Kahn, and many more. Concert passes are available and include admission to all concerts and the two dance workshops. Individual tickets are also available for purchase for those who can only attend for part of the weekend. This year, livestream concert passes will allow friends from afar to experience Yidstock from the comfort of their homes. These passes only include access to the seven concerts; they do not include access to talks, workshops, or the film screening. Visit yiddishbookcenter.org/yidstock for more information and to purchase tickets.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Megan Moynihan

Megan Moynihan

United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) announced that Megan Moynihan, who has been serving as interim CEO since February 2023, has officially been appointed CEO of the organization, effective immediately. Moynihan was selected by the UWPV board of directors after a nationwide search. Moynihan has more than 18 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including 12 years at UWPV. She joined the organization in 2012 as a finance and accounting analyst and worked her way up to chief operating officer in 2022. In that role, she oversaw the development and implementation of UWPV’s strategic plan, grantmaking, and community partnerships. She also led the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including launching the COVID-19 Relief Fund and shifting programming in response to community needs. Scott Grodsky, chair of the UWPV board of directors, said Moynihan was the unanimous choice of the board after a rigorous and competitive process.

•••••

Jie Chen

Dietz & Company Architects announced that Jie Chen, AIA has completed the Architectural Registration Examination and met all of the requirements for architectural licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Chen joined Dietz & Company in 2017 as an architectural associate upon graduating with her master of architecture degree from UMass Amherst. Since then, she has grown within the company and shown her talent and enthusiasm working on a variety of projects in the hospitality, public, and multi-family housing sectors. Now as a licensed architect, she has been promoted from her role as architectural staff to the position of architect.

•••••

Westfield State University President Linda Thompson appointed William Salka as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Salka will begin his duties on July 5. Among talented candidates, Salka was distinguished by his academic leadership as provost for Eastern Connecticut State University for the past six years, during which time he was widely recognized as a champion of faculty scholarship and research and students’ academic pursuits. He believes in the importance of a dynamic undergraduate and graduate learning experience in which faculty and employees work cooperatively to develop the knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens. Salka received a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Lewis & Clark College and a doctorate in political science and government from Colorado State University. Prior to serving as chief academic officer for Eastern Connecticut State University, he taught numerous courses in American government, environmental policy, and globalization in his capacity as professor of Political Science since 2000.

•••••

Brooke Barre

Brooke Barre

Phillips Insurance Agency Inc. announced that Brooke Barre, senior account management in the Commercial Insurance department, has earned the prestigious CPCU (chartered property casualty underwriter) designation. The CPCU is considered the most valuable credential in the industry for demonstrating insurance and risk-management skills. The CPCU program is a multi-year program focusing on in-depth risk-management analysis of complex insurance risks. Barre will attend the CPCU induction ceremonies this November at the Coronado Springs resort in Orlando, Fla. A graduate of Bridgewater State University, she joined Phillips Insurance in 2020.

•••••

Michelle Raskevitz

Michelle Raskevitz

bankESB recently promoted Michelle Raskevitz to vice president, Learning and Development. Raskevitz joined bankESB as a teller in the bank’s College Highway, Southampton office, and is about to celebrate her 30-year work anniversary at bankESB. She has held various roles, primarily in the realm of training, and was most recently assistant vice president, Learning and Development. Over the course of her career, she has grown the Learning and Development department into a place where everyone is both a teacher and a student, continuously growing, sharing, and innovating together, all under her leadership. She enjoys helping others unlock their full potential, and she has had a hand in developing many of bankESB’s leaders. Raskevitz obtained her associate degree in business administration from Greenfield Community College, as well as multiple diplomas and certificates from the Center for Financial Training. She also graduated with honors from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2013. She has an extensive background of community involvement and volunteer experience with organizations like Credit for Life and the Easthampton High School Council, and currently is chairperson of the executive board of directors for the Center for Financial Training.

•••••

Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) announced the promotions of 14 team members. Jeremy Payson is being promoted to executive vice president, Finance. He holds an MBA in finance and economics from Western New England University and has been with the bank since 2022. Chris Wilkey is being promoted to vice president, Information Systems. He has been with GCB since 2007. Casey Cusson is being promoted to vice president, Treasury Management officer. He joined the bank in 2017. Julie Gonzales is being promoted to assistant vice president, Human Resources. She has been with Greenfield Co-op since 2012. Siobhan Tripp is being promoted to marketing director. She has been with GCB since 2020. Harlin Glovacki is being promoted to branch manager-in-training. He has been with GCB since 2022. Annette Baker is being promoted to customer service representative. She has been with GCB since 2021. Brandi Knowlton is being promoted to customer service representative. She has been with GCB since 2024. Aaron Thompson is being promoted to customer service representative. He has been with GCB since 2023. Sarah Beresford is being promoted to head teller. She has been with GCB since 2022. Samantha Kelley is being promoted to assistant manager. She has been with GCB since 2013. Kim Fontaine is being promoted to senior underwriter. She has been with GCB since 2023. Angie Macleay is being promoted to senior underwriter. She has been with GCB since 2009. Aaron Frentzos is being promoted to senior technology specialist. He has been with GCB since 2013.

•••••

Zachary Gundler

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Zachary Gundler to its Commercial Lending team as a vice president. He has significant experience in commercial lending, commercial real-estate assessment, credit risk analysis, portfolio management, relationship management, and business development. Gundler joins the bank after working for the previous 10 years at Berkshire Bank in its Commercial Lending and Business Banking departments. For the last four and a half years, he has been a vice president, Business Banking officer, managing customers with annual revenues ranging from $3 million to $25 million and originating loans up to $3 million. “Coop Bank is excited to add Zach to our growing team,” CEO J. Jay Anderson said. “He has significant experience in lending, commercial real-estate valuation, relationship management and development, and risk analysis.”Gundler has a bachelor’a degree in business administration and an MBA from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). He currently serves on the Vermont Banking Assoc. commercial lending committee and previously served on the MCLA alumni board.

•••••

Kuhn Riddle Architects & Designers announced the promotion of Garrison Piers-Gamble to the position of senior project manager. Piers-Gamble brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this elevated role, having demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of sustainable architecture principles throughout his career. As a certified passive house consultant, and with experience working on a Living Building Challenge project, he is poised to drive the firm’s commitment to sustainability to new heights. Piers-Gamble has played a pivotal role in the firm’s engagement in the AIA 2030 Commitment, with a goal that all the firm’s projects will achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. His dedication to excellence, coupled with his strong background in architectural project management and enthusiastic approach to sustainable design, has earned him recognition from clients and colleagues alike. As senior project manager, he will lead the firm’s efforts in advancing sustainable and passive house design principles across all projects. He will work closely with clients, design teams, and industry partners to develop tailored solutions that minimize environmental impact while maximizing energy efficiency and exceeding clients’ expectations.

•••••

Veera Patel

Veera Patel

Dana Burton, scholarship chair for the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley, announced that Veera Patel is this year’s Young Women in Public Affairs scholarship recipient. Patel is a senior at Minnechaug Regional High School. She is president of the National Honor Society, plays on the girls’ varsity volleyball team, and is involved with Student Council, Key Club, International Club, and World Care Club. She also enjoys volunteering at community organizations and working with and mentoring youth in sports and social skill building. Looking forward, Patel would like to pursue the fields of business finance and law at Bryant University in Rhode Island.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

AIC to Launch Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Development

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined American International College (AIC) interim President Nicolle Cestero to announce a $1,050,000 earmark to launch a Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Development. The allocation was made possible through congressionally directed spending from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Neal included funding for this project in the FY 2024 spending bill that was signed into law by President Biden on March 9. The Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Prosperity at AIC is a transformative initiative that will bolster the financial well-being of Springfield residents. Funding will support the rehabilitation of an AIC campus building to house the center, underscoring its commitment to community development. This project seeks to combat financial illiteracy and empower economically disadvantaged individuals and families in Springfield by providing comprehensive financial education, research, and outreach programs. AIC’s longstanding dedication to accessibility and opportunity aligns seamlessly with the center’s mission to address economic disparities in the region. With the support of key stakeholders, including Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno and the Springfield Housing Authority, the center will offer free, multilingual services focusing on education, research, and community engagement. By fostering financial empowerment and economic resilience, the Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Prosperity at AIC aims to catalyze economic development in Springfield and beyond, driving sustainable progress and prosperity for all.

 

Ja’Duke Inc. Expands Programming into Greenfield

GREENFIELD — Ja’Duke Inc. owners Kimberly Williams and Nicholas Waynelovich announced their intent to expand their childcare, driving-instruction, and performing-arts program through the purchase and renovation of 270 Main St. in Greenfield. Formerly occupied by Greenfield Community College, this 25,000-square-foot facility has been vacant since 2020 and has remained unused even after Dave Mell purchased the building in January 2023. If approved, Ja’Duke plans to utilize the 270 Main St. site as a satellite location to its Turners Falls facility located at 110 Industrial Blvd., which currently houses seven of Ja’Duke’s businesses. After opening in 2004, Ja’Duke Inc. has grown to include driver’s education through the Ja’Duke Driving School, 75 weekly performance-art classes under Ja’Duke Center for the Performing Arts, 14 early-education and childcare classrooms through Ja’Duke Preschool, and dozens of performances hosted annually in Franklin County’s largest theater, Ja’Duke Theater. Additionally, owners Williams and Waynelovich operate Ja’Duke Backdrops, with an on-site coffee shop, Ja’Duke Café, and ice-cream shop, Ja’Duke Scoops. Williams and Waynelovich plan to focus the Greenfield site’s programming on childcare, driving, and performing-arts education. The 270 Main St. site would house 14 classrooms, accommodating 150 new childcare slots per day serving children ages 0-5. The basement floor will host Ja’Duke Driving School offices, which hopes of serving hundreds of new Franklin County drivers ranging from teens to adults. According to Williams, the third floor will hold Ja’Duke’s performing-arts classrooms. The proposed project would create at least 30 new jobs and significantly increase foot traffic in the downtown district.

 

Real Pickles Wins Good Food Award

GREENFIELD — Real Pickles, a worker cooperative based in Greenfield, has won a Good Food Award for its organic sauerkraut. The winners were announced on April 29 at the historic Portland Center Stage at the Armory in Portland, Oregon. Real Pickles co-op members Kristin Howard and Katie Korby received the award at the ceremony celebrating 218 of America’s best food crafters. In operation since 2001, Real Pickles produces organic, fermented vegetables, including sauerkraut, kimchi, dill pickles, and other traditional pickled foods. The co-op buys more than 450,000 pounds of certified organic produce each year, exclusively from Northeast family farms. The organic green cabbage used in the winning recipe was grown by area farms, including Atlas Farm in South Deerfield and Harlow Farm in Westminster, Vt. Other winners from New England include Stoneman Brewery in Colrain, Tavernier Chocolates in Brattleboro, Vt., and Champlain Orchards in Shoreham, Vt. The winners rose to the top in a tasting of 1,650 entries, then passed a rigorous vetting to confirm they meet Good Food Awards standards regarding ingredient sourcing and environmentally sound agricultural practices. In addition to purchasing from Northeast organic farms and distributing its products only within the Northeast region, Real Pickles’ commitment to sustainability includes operating out of an energy-efficient, solar-powered facility.

 

MSB Receives Highest Rating for Financial Strength, Stability

MONSON — Bank rating firm BauerFinancial Inc. announced that Monson Savings Bank has earned its highest, 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability for the 57th consecutive quarter. Having maintained its financial strength and stability for more than a decade, Monson Savings Bank has also earned another designation as an Exceptional Performance Bank. Only banks that have earned and maintained this highest 5-Star rating for 10 years (40 consecutive quarters) or longer may claim this distinction. This latest rating was assigned in March 2024 based on Dec. 31, 2023 financial data.

 

Health New England Honors Tania Barber with Grant to Caring Health Center

SPRINGFIELD — In honor of Tania Barber’s eight years of service on the board of directors of Health New England (HNE), the not-for-profit health plan is donating $5,000 to Caring Health Center. Barber recently retired from the HNE board and is currently the president and CEO of Caring Health Center, the only federally qualified community health center in Springfield. The grant will focus on Caring Health Center’s new Tania M. Barber Learning Institute, which offers training for professions in the healthcare industry. The model of the Learning Institute, developed by Barber, pays students, often individuals from historically underrepresented groups, while they undergo training for jobs. Barber’s vision for the Learning Institute is to address systemic barriers affecting BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee communities in Springfield. She prioritizes hiring from within the community to respond to workforce shortages and disparities, like racial wealth gaps and barriers to access education. During her two decades at Caring Health Center, she has been committed to lifting others up.

 

Tenth Local Farmer Awards Help 100 Farms Make Improvements

AGAWAM — Checks of up to $2,500 have been sent to 100 Western Mass. farms that are recipients of this year’s Local Farmer Awards. Supporting a diverse range of farm operations and infrastructure projects, the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, along with other funders, issued a record number of awards in the program’s 10th year. A team of independent reviewers read each of the 199 applications submitted this year. These reviewers selected 100 farms to receive a 2024 grant from the Local Farmer Awards. The capital projects include the purchase of an egg-washing machine, livestock pasture expansion, reusable harvest bins, a cover-crop flail mower for reduced tillage, mobile chicken coops, and many more. The program funders collectively contributed more than $230,000 this year to assist these local farmers. Funders include the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, Big Y, Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, PeoplesBank, Ann and Steve Davis, Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour, Barbara Deslauriers, Audrey and Chick Taylor, Andrews, Farm Credit East, Hood, the DeNucci Group at Merrill, Baystate Health, Country Bank, Eastern States Exposition, Three County Fair, bankESB, and Franklin First Federal Credit Union. Anyone interested in supporting the 2025 Local Farmer Awards should email Cari Carpenter, director of the program, at [email protected].

 

Cambridge College Launches MBA Degree in Spanish

BOSTON — Cambridge College has launched a master of business administration (MBA) degree program taught in Spanish for learners looking to delve into the rigor and complexity of graduate-level business courses in their native language. The MBA in Spanish is a 36-credit program delivered completely online. It can be completed in 18 months, with students devoting their focus to just one course per five-week session. As of 2021, it was estimated that 2.6 million Spanish speakers have recently (within the past five years) immigrated to the U.S.; 27% of them have bachelor’s degrees, compared to 37.7% of the entire U.S. population. Being multilingual an important asset in the global business sector. According to a recent survey by Schwartz Insurance and reported by the Financial Post, bilingual or multilingual employees, particularly those who speak Spanish, earn 5% to 20% more than their monolingual colleagues. In addition to all coursework being conducted in Spanish, Cambridge College also provides support and advising in Spanish. The MBA in Spanish program is currently accepting applications, and fall-term classes begin Sept. 2.

 

Berkshire Bank Foundation Contributes to 107 Nonprofits

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank announced that its foundation made $401,190 in philanthropic investments during the first quarter of 2024. The grants covered a wide range of projects that foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual success in the communities the bank serves. The investments also support the company’s BEST Community Comeback program. In all, the Berkshire Bank Foundation gave 107 local nonprofits grants to assist with critical projects in the areas of education, youth, food insecurity, housing, healthcare, substance-abuse prevention, veterans, and employment. In addition, the foundation supports programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth.

 

Liberty Bank Funds Programs at Dress for Success Western Mass.

SPRINGFIELD — The Liberty Bank Foundation, an extension of Liberty Bank’s commitment to the communities it serves, granted Dress for Success Western Massachusetts (DFSWM) $10,000 in support of its mission to provide professional attire and a network of support to help women thrive in work and life. The funding will help make possible DFSWM’s continuum of support, which helps underserved women and gender non-binary people in the community find not just any job, but sustainable career paths with upward mobility that will change their lives, the lives of their families for generations, and the community on whole. The continuum of support includes suiting for professional attire, the Foot in the Door workforce-readiness training, the Margaret Fitzgerald Mentorship Program, the Professional Women’s Group, and digital-literacy training in partnership with another local nonprofit Tech Foundry. In addition to its grant, Liberty Bank also provides financial-literacy programming covering basic budgeting, paths to homeownership, building and rebuilding credit, paying for higher education, and more.

 

Legacy Counsellors, P.C. Celebrates 30 Years in Business

EASTHAMPTON — On April 19, Legacy Counsellors, P.C. celebrated 30 years in business with a celebration at Springfield Country Club. In attendance were the firm’s two partners, Kevin Quinn and Michael Gove, as well as Legacy’s attorneys and support staff, clients, and professional partners such as CPAs, financial advisors, bankers, real-estate agents, and more. Everyone celebrated with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, a slideshow of the firm’s memorable moments, raffle prizes, and a speech from Quinn, the firm’s founder. Also during the event, Quinn launched his new book, titled Everyone You Love, Everything You Have. Legacy Counsellors, P.C. is an estate-planning and real-estate law firm with offices in Easthampton, Ludlow, Amherst, Sturbridge, and Northampton, as well as Bloomfield, Conn. It offers services such as estate planning, real-estate transactions and landlord representation, supplemental needs planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, and more.

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

CHICOPEE

ALS Habitat Services Inc., 26 Call St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Mark Johnston, same. Retail and residential habitat maintenance and service.

RB&C Financial Services Inc., 117 Dejordy Lane, Chicopee, MA 01020. Ryan Boisselle, same. Investment planning services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Barton & Weston Corp., 121 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Shequinna Barton, same. Clothing company and chronic kidney disease caretakers.

FLORENCE

Iyengar Yoga Center of Western Massachusetts Inc., 76 Maple St., Florence, MA 01062. Susan Esquivel, 575 Bridge Road, Unit 11-8, Florence, MA 01062. Iyengar yoga studio and classes.

LONGMEADOW

180 Construction Inc., 190 Englewood Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Garrett Moulton, same. Construction, contracting, real-estate management, and disposition.

NORTH ADAMS

Kinetek Inc., North Adams, MA 01247. Debra McGrory, 490 Reservoir Road, North Adams, MA 01247. Media production.

NORTHAMPTON

Taipei Taipei Corp., 16 Crafts Ave., Northampton, MA 01060. Kung Huan Chen, same. Restaurant.

PITTSFIELD

Fluent Force AI Business Solutions and Consulting Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Aykut Turkoglu, same. Customized business solutions and management consulting services, focusing on enhancing business operations at tactical, strategic, and operational levels.

Say Play Therapy Inc, 56 Saratoga Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Gillian Bianchi, same. Speech therapy.

Viva Brooklyn Festival Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Nathalie Coupet, 2108 North St., Suite N, Sacramento, CA 95816. Large-scale choral-orchestral concerts in the U.S. performed by the next generation of singers and instrumentalists.

SOUTH HADLEY

Naxiz Inc., 19 Spring Meadows, South Hadley, MA 01075. Shahid Habib, same. Investments.

SPRINGFIELD

Choi’s TKD Inc., 469 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA 01108. Changheon Choi, same. Taekwondo instruction.

OM Feeding Hills Inc., 752 Belmont Ave., Springfield, MA 01108. Shilpaben Patel, same. Smoke shop.

Walckner Law Office, P.C., One Monarch Place, Suite 1810, Springfield, MA 01144. James Walckner, same. Law practice.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Prime Trans Inc., 72 York St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Natalia Babinov, same. Trucking services.

WILBRAHAM

Advanced Data Systems Inc., 2 Crane Park Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Steven Bearse, same. IT consulting and software, website setup and support.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of April and May 2024.

BELCHERTOWN

Bridge the Gap Property Partners
240 Stebbins St.
Juliana Salva

JB Excavation
63 Barton Ave.
Jonathon Bish

Pelham Auto Service
1315 Federal St.
Gwendolyn Hubler, Eyituoyo Amoye, Jeremy Smith

Soundscape Imaging LLC
40 Front St.
Brian Giggey

VIP Petcare
30 Turkey Hill Road
Community Veterinary Clinics LLC

EASTHAMPTON

D&D Auto Machine
9 Northampton St.
Brent Thayer

The Embodymind Clinic
1 Adams St.
Danielle Martineau

Hometown Glow
35 Kenneth Road
Evan Sears

Mike Orzel Tree Service
79 West St.
Michael Orzel, Dean Downer, James Liv

satellite.works
29 Parsons St., #2
Harry Grillo

T Birdy Salvage
14 Ward Ave., Apt. F
T Birdy Green

Wheelwright Consultants of Easthampton
97 Cottage St.
Kimberly McCarthy

PITTSFIELD

Affordable Mobile Detailing & Window Tinting LLC
681 North St.
Affordable Mobile Detailing LLC

Berkshire County Caregivers
55 Hancock Road
Kristen Hinckley Morrison

Berkshire Tires Security Inc.
607 West Housatonic St.
Berkshire Security Services Inc.

Black Luxe Limousine
555 East St.
Victor Diaz

Bloom Creativity
36 Elizabeth St.
MaeEllen Scarpa

By George Home Improvement and More
44 Winship Ave.
George Berne

Can Corp.
15 Westbrook Ter.
Lit Alerts Corp.

Carolgi House Cleaning
23 Jubilee Ter.
Carolina Tenorio Cuyago

Cosmoprof
19 Cheshire Road, Suite 6
Beauty Systems Group LLC

Eastside Café
378 Newell St.
Dolores Capitanio

Investigative Essentials
85 East St., Suite 14
Louie Perkins

JD’s Computer Services
951 Cascade St.
Jennifer Downs

Jeff Malderez Artist
123 Onota St.
Jeffrey Malderez

Jessie Ferdinando
337 Elm St.
Jessie Ferdinando

La Rotta Home Improvements
184 Dalton Ave.
Victor Herrera

Lenco Armored Vehicles
10 Betnr Industrial Dr.
Lenco Industries Inc.

Miracle Ear
180 Elm St., Unit 180F
Quality Hearing Instruments LLC

Northeast Drone Video
11 Woodland Dr.
Hugh Holland Jr.

OPM CWAC
97 Ridge Ave.
Anthony Contenta

Pittsfield Pharmacy LTC
294 First St.
Berkshire Hills Health Inc.

Real Property Management Shire Team
54 Churchill St.
KOW Management LLC

Redbox Automated Retail LLC
555 Hubbard Ave.
Brian Rady

A Thing or Two Variety
228 Francis Ave.
Beam-W Enterprises LLC

West Street Wine & Spirits
200 West St.
George Garivaltis

SOUTH HADLEY

A.L. Bristol & Sons Inc.
634 Amherst Road
A.L. Bristol & Sons Inc.

Always Reliable Sewer & Drain
35 Fairlawn St.
Always Reliable Excavating Inc.

Drain Defense LLC
19 East St.
Drain Defense LLC

Stop and Go
4 Bardwell St.
MS Traders LLC

VJ’s Convenience
460 Amherst Road
V&V Brothers

WSK Resource
25 Riverboat Village Road
Whitney Keaton

WESTFIELD

Cabral Concepts
14 Day Lily Lane
Brad Cabral, Michele Cabral

Dan’s Tile
359 Holyoke Road
Daniel Shokov

Evltr3 Productions
140 Union St., #22
Nina Gonzales

The Hangar Pub and Grill
29 School St.
Hangar of Westfield Inc.

Ideal Health & Body
41 Court St.
Kristen Hook

James Ryan Electrician
691 Russell Road, Apt. 9
James Ryan

Law Offices of Zachary M. Strasser
10 School St., #600
Zachary Strasser

Major Home Improvement
22 Verona St.
Vasilie Kukharchuk

OMG Coffee
45 Northridge Road
Denis Slivca

Optimum Health Therapeutic Massage
120 Elm St.
Christine Bissonnette

Perry Enterprise
63 Big Wood Dr.
Jordan Perry

Royal Cleaning Services
49 Little River Road
Mariya Lisitsina

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Berkshire Heating and Air Conditioning LLC
8 Capital Dr.
Merrimack Valley Corp.

Bertera Collision Repair Center
83 Worthen St.
Bertera Collision Repair Center

Broken Edge Deburring Inc.
42 Norman St.
Broken Edge Deburring Inc.

Joseph Desrosiers Photography
1332 Amostown Road
Joseph Desrosiers Photography

Karma Karo Gas LLC
562 Westfield St.
Karma Karo Gas LLC

Longwood Eye and Lasik
180 Daggett Dr.
Longwood Eye LLC

Off the Wall Games
1654 Riverdale St.
War Stories LLC

Tender Care Helping Hands LLC
1434 Memorial Ave.
Tender Care Helping Hands LLC

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Ames, Lucas H.
472 Union St., Apt. B
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/17/2024

Anello, Heather
732 Main St.
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/29/2024

Bess, Matthew Eugene
188 East Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/23/2024

Bourgeois, Kenneth A.
28 Saint John St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/19/2024

Brownstein, Robert Mathew
PO Box 803
Greenfield, MA 01302
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/30/2024

Desmond, Rachel Nicole
32 Dunhill Ave.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/26/2024

Diaz-Burgos, Rosa
65 Broadway St., Apt. 12
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/25/2024

Franco, Edna
93 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/24/2024

Gosselin, Robert L.
Gosselin, Tanya M.
95-B Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/29/2024

Guinen, Alan R.
Guinen, Audrey L.
93 Davis St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/29/2024

Gustafson, Faith Marie
a/k/a Burns, Faith M.
a/k/a DeGennaro, Faith M.
105 Saint Kolbe Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Date: 04/30/2024

Harris, Tina Marie
24 Main St., Apt. 2F
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/30/2024

Hicks, Arthur D.
Hicks, Jacqueline H.
519 East River St., Lot 122
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/30/2024

Howard, Katherine Anna
36 Blue Sky Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/18/2024

Innis, Gideon
47 Grande St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/23/2024

Lafleche, Nicole M.
491 Bridge Road, Apt. 622
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/25/2024

LaRose, Richard Albert
105 North Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/30/2024

Lemoine, Joseph A.
182 Overlook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/30/2024

Longto, Brandy Phyllis
182 Rolling Green Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/26/2024

Lucia, Raymond E.
77 Madison St., Apt 2
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/27/2024

Makkiya, Maria F.
122 Barna St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/30/2024

McNally, Regina Marie
a/k/a Drozdal, Regina Marie
48 Cahillane Ter.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/25/2024

Menzie, Jermaine
87 Garfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/26/2024

Mexcalito Taco-Bar, Inc.
281 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 11
Date: 04/16/2024

Molyneux, Melissa Ann
a/k/a St. Andre, Melissa Ann
49 Bessemer St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/25/2024

Murphy, Erin E.
107 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/18/2024

Orszulak, Bozena Maria
56 Montvue St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/18/2024

Page, David Michael
Page, Christy Lynn
64 East St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/17/2024

Parrott, Tyson J.
114 Joseph Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
24301747
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/17/2024

Richard, Janet
116 Fieldston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/30/2024

Pinkney, Stacy R.
119 Nonotuck St., Apt 2A
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/29/2024

Richards, Victoria O.
86 Redden St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/19/2024

Rios-Martinez, Miriam D.
1029 Elm St., Apt. 2A
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/26/2024

Rodriguez, Myrnali Ortiz
1440 Riverdale St., #B3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/16/2024

Sanabria, Sammy
Sanabria, Nicole
a/k/a Santiago, Nicole Shannon
18 Southern Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/25/2024

Shaw, Maria
523 Tyler St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/18/2024

Smith, Stacey Nicole
43 Pasco Road
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Date: 04/25/2024

Weaver, Kristopher R.
53 Cross St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 04/25/2024

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

449 Main St.
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Craig Gibson
Seller: Susan A. Gambino
Date: 04/16/24

BERNARDSTON

84 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Robert Graves
Seller: Eric M. Boliski
Date: 04/17/24

BUCKLAND

7 Mary Lyon Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Choegar Gong Inc.
Seller: Natural Light Retreat LLC
Date: 04/26/24

CONWAY

1076 Roaring Brook Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Roaring Brook Camp LLC
Seller: New England Church Of God
Date: 04/17/24

DEERFIELD

594 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $178,321
Buyer: Arpc LLC
Seller: Winn, Mildred G. (Estate)
Date: 04/26/24

ERVING

21 East Main St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Ryan A. Bailey
Seller: John D. McAuley
Date: 04/19/24

GREENFIELD

111 Bungalow Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $335,100
Buyer: Abdelilah Safir
Seller: Annette Kilminster
Date: 04/26/24

270 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Anthony Stokes
Seller: Francisco Santiago
Date: 04/22/24

291 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $264,600
Buyer: Carrington Mortgage Services LLC
Seller: Cayla Plasse
Date: 04/22/24

7 Cooke St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Scherrer Holdings LLC
Seller: Kaminski, Kevin P. (Estate)
Date: 04/19/24

100 Fairview East
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Pioneer Valley Redevelopment LLC
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopment LLC
Date: 04/18/24

73 Ferrante Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Jeanne T. Canteen
Seller: Sigsworth Int.
Date: 04/18/24

20 Frederick Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Michael McCormack
Seller: Judith A. Karpinski
Date: 04/19/24

169 Old Albany Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Old Albany Rd LLC
Seller: Jeanne T. Canteen
Date: 04/17/24

50 Petty Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Bethaney L. Messer
Seller: Christian J. Dodge
Date: 04/26/24

HAWLEY

124 East Hawley Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: 124 East Hawley Road LLC
Seller: Lien Vuong
Date: 04/18/24

LEVERETT

475 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Si C. Zhu
Seller: Hong T. Cai
Date: 04/17/24

MONTAGUE

411 Federal St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Anne L. Moore
Seller: Justin D. Killeen
Date: 04/19/24

54 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Maxwell V. Over
Seller: Jared L. Porter
Date: 04/26/24

NORTHFIELD

59 Strowbridge Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $426,000
Buyer: Jospeh F. Montanaro
Seller: Christina L. Williams
Date: 04/25/24

ORANGE

12 Chase St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Ismael A. Silva
Seller: Homestead Real Estate Investment LLC
Date: 04/22/24

78 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $160,298
Buyer: 1900 Capital TI
Seller: Ellen L. Adams
Date: 04/17/24

67 Fountain St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: DPM Consult LLC
Seller: Bruce A. Gabrenas
Date: 04/16/24

250 Holtshire Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Dennis Piragis
Seller: Cathy L. Cronin
Date: 04/26/24

23 Stone Valley Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $154,732
Buyer: Jean Maurin
Seller: Pennymac Loan Services LLC
Date: 04/19/24

SHELBURNE

169 Old Albany Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Old Albany Road LLC
Seller: Jeanne T. Canteen
Date: 04/17/24

23 Mechanic St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: RB Realty Associates LLC
Seller: Phillips Int.
Date: 04/22/24

7 Warren Court
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: T. W. Flanders
Seller: Kathleen T. O’Rourke
Date: 04/19/24

SHUTESBURY

309 Montague Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Bryan D. Beneitone
Seller: Patricia Convery
Date: 04/16/24

WHATELY

105 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jake Skroski
Seller: Cynthia A. Skroski
Date: 04/26/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

85 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Jayden D. Cho
Seller: Peggy C. Risley
Date: 04/17/24

540 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Anna Waite
Seller: Bruna M. Morassi
Date: 04/26/24

75-77 Hope Farms Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Tatyana Gingeruha
Seller: Neis FT
Date: 04/26/24

84 Norris St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Philemon Kosgei
Seller: Fred U. Sisson
Date: 04/19/24

120 Oak Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Murat Karaarslan
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 04/24/24.

74 Pleasant Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Ryan S. Stork
Seller: Stuart W. Stork
Date: 04/18/24

92 Poplar St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $2,200,000
Buyer: Car Wash Holdings LLC
Seller: Prestige World Wide Enterprises
Date: 04/22/24

114 South West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $578,000
Buyer: George Timmons
Seller: Michael A. Mirski
Date: 04/23/24

304 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Jonathan Beaty
Seller: Ahmet Gunay
Date: 04/26/24

40 Stewart Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Sergey Skovorodin
Seller: James V. Afflitto
Date: 04/25/24

BLANDFORD

87 Chester Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: American Towers LLC
Seller: Lloyd J. Martin
Date: 04/24/24

47 North St.
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Shannon Kanelong
Seller: Michael L. Thomas
Date: 04/26/24

BRIMFIELD

128 Old Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: John A. Sciaraffa
Seller: Jesus Gonzalez
Date: 04/25/24

CHESTER

674 Skyline Trail
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Adam Washburn
Seller: Keith Orr
Date: 04/25/24

CHICOPEE

39 Ashgrove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Kyle Laplante
Seller: Sandra J. Burgess
Date: 04/24/24

93 Beeler Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Arthur W. Boutin
Seller: Timothy B. Martin
Date: 04/19/24

51 Blanchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Woytych, Carol A. (Estate)
Date: 04/16/24

58 Bonner St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Kerry-Ann McLean
Seller: Nexius LLC
Date: 04/22/24

590 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Marvin Ventura
Seller: Ivan Carrasquillo
Date: 04/18/24

99 Cobb Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $267,500
Buyer: Maksim Gladysh
Seller: Laurel Placzek
Date: 04/24/24

134 Farnsworth St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Todd S. Allegreto
Seller: Zakory Christian
Date: 04/16/24

74 Hilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: KSM Home Properties LLC
Seller: Joel R. Colon
Date: 04/26/24

73 Kaveney St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Kelly Ryan
Seller: Normand R. Lussier
Date: 04/22/24

66 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Rachael Kwasnik
Seller: Sergey Dikan
Date: 04/24/24

31 Ruskin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $488,500
Buyer: Pawel A. Karbarz
Seller: Arthur W. Boutin
Date: 04/19/24

88 Skeele St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $243,750
Buyer: Michael F. Lacoste
Seller: Norman L. Lacoste RET
Date: 04/19/24

175 Szetela Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Christopher R. Dupont
Seller: Mark S. Lukas
Date: 04/17/24

286 Szetela Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Jennifer Wallace-Johnson
Seller: Jan Makselon
Date: 04/23/24

75 Thomas St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Wayne L. Mecteau
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 04/24/24

40 West St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $377,500
Buyer: 40 West Street Properties LLC
Seller: MD Realty LLC
Date: 04/16/24

49 Wilson Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Raghdah H. Aldoghani
Seller: Pezda, Thomas R. (Estate)
Date: 04/18/24

127 Woodcrest Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Mohammed Alkhabi
Seller: Fahmia A. Charanek
Date: 04/18/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

76 Alpine Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Michael Carabetta
Seller: Richard H. Brent RET
Date: 04/19/24

286 Benton Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Center For Human Development Inc.
Seller: MPT Development LLC
Date: 04/17/24

60 Highlandview Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Kristina M. Ranieri
Seller: Jim F. Arroyo
Date: 04/19/24

25 Mill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Timothy M. Giguere
Seller: Maria Russo-Appel
Date: 04/25/24

541 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Hannah Byam-Mooney
Seller: David G. Abad
Date: 04/22/24

25 Speight Arden
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Lucia Zachowski
Seller: Mary L. Donohue
Date: 04/26/24

24 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Bordoni
Seller: B. J. Anzalotti-Colby IRT
Date: 04/25/24

HOLYOKE

25 Amherst St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Julia A. Meslener
Seller: Elise M. Roy
Date: 04/22/24

151 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Coterie Investment Group
Seller: Joseph Lynskey
Date: 04/18/24

52 Belvidere Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Aisling Buckley
Seller: Joyce G. Smalley
Date: 04/22/24

93 Chapin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kenyatta R. Titus
Seller: Aldo Properties LLC
Date: 04/17/24

31 Columbus Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jane A. Heye
Seller: Smith, Madeline R. (Estate)
Date: 04/25/24

67 Edward Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Brian T. Jackson
Seller: Peter N. Papineau
Date: 04/22/24

24 Fairfield Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: John R. O’Connell
Seller: Meara Properties LLC
Date: 04/25/24

17-19 Gates St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $462,000
Buyer: Germika L. Davis
Seller: Amanda Bialas
Date: 04/17/24

19 Greenwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Michael J. Gaugh
Seller: Brett A. Scott
Date: 04/16/24

151 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Alexander Alfano
Seller: Gloria D. Neves
Date: 04/25/24

14 Orchard St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Kenneth Revett
Seller: Daigle, Joan M. (Estate)
Date: 04/26/24

7 Stanford St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Markeisha Hill
Seller: Gretchen Siegchrist
Date: 04/17/24

15 Village Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Sunscape Investments LLC
Seller: Hohenberger, Ann T. (Estate)
Date: 04/19/24

108 West Meadowview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $380,985
Buyer: Brett A. Scott
Seller: Macmillan, Patricia L. (Estate)
Date: 04/16/24

LONGMEADOW

73 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,125,000
Buyer: Herka Diamond NT
Seller: Alexander Farhadi
Date: 04/19/24

28 Farmington Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $558,000
Buyer: Michael Harper
Seller: Quentin Sweeney
Date: 04/19/24

29 Longview Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $436,000
Buyer: Craig Kasprzak
Seller: Carol C. Spelman
Date: 04/16/24

138 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $368,000
Buyer: Jenna Schwartz
Seller: Gregory L. O’Connor
Date: 04/18/24

308 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Benjamin R. Baraldi
Seller: Kirankumar P. Chauhan
Date: 04/22/24

131 Western Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Erika Hajati
Seller: Jennifer J. Langieri
Date: 04/26/24

LUDLOW

214 Americo St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Melissa Premo
Seller: Bho Realty LLC
Date: 04/16/24

Balsam Hill Road, Lot 60
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Waclaw Plewa
Seller: Nelson G. Duarte
Date: 04/19/24

158 Highland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jose Marchi
Seller: Jaime I. Thayer-Awoniyi
Date: 04/19/24

13 Lillian St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Anthony Gagnon
Seller: Thomas F. Hodgins
Date: 04/26/24

142 Marion Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Jennifer Rivera
Seller: Stebbins, Jennie A. (Estate)
Date: 04/23/24

158 Munsing St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Megan Delrosario
Seller: Bertilia Goncalves IRT
Date: 04/26/24

111 Pine St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Shannon K. Tucker
Seller: Jose F. Santos
Date: 04/23/24

175 Sewall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Susana A. Williams
Seller: Manuel D. Silva
Date: 04/17/24

15 Victor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Eric E. Rivas
Seller: Darlene L. Kennedy
Date: 04/17/24

149 West Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Keturah M. Kreps
Seller: Chris E. Dempsey
Date: 04/23/24

MONSON

257 Hovey Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Lauren L. Libiszewski
Seller: John C. Durham
Date: 04/22/24

1 Lakeshore Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $439,900
Buyer: Ryan Cox
Seller: Timothy Marquis
Date: 04/18/24

163 Moulton Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: N. Jr. & Diane Baril LT
Seller: Laurie A. Jacobsen
Date: 04/19/24

PALMER

17 Country Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Jacob
Seller: Lloyd E. Lords
Date: 04/25/24

7 Crawford St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $448,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Besancon
Seller: Vision Invest Rental Properties LLC
Date: 04/19/24

60 East Palmer Park Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Diane M. Santos
Seller: Cole, Brenda (Estate)
Date: 04/22/24

2038 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Eric M. Gilbert
Seller: Karen L. Noakes
Date: 04/18/24

39 Smith St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Lake Thompson Realty LLC
Seller: Kelly Davis
Date: 04/25/24

46 Smith St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Laura R. Quintero
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 04/26/24

102 State St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jennica Huff
Seller: Nicholas Mardirosian
Date: 04/16/24

120 State St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Forever Home Improvement LLC
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 04/25/24

RUSSELL

4 Park St.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Derek Vaughan
Seller: Sean J. Zielinski
Date: 04/24/24

SPRINGFIELD

127 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Naples Homes Buyers TR
Seller: Elaina A. Mendrala
Date: 04/17/24

339 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Millennia Development LLC
Seller: Sonia Velazquez
Date: 04/19/24

32 Aldrew Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Binh T. Le
Seller: Guadalupe M. Defriedson
Date: 04/24/24

339-441 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Changin Lee
Seller: Mindruns Properties LLC
Date: 04/25/24

769 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Pamela Gomes
Seller: Tavernier Investments LLC
Date: 04/22/24

61-63 Ames St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Carmen Shaver
Date: 04/24/24

153-155 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Tony & Tong LLC
Seller: Fatima Marques
Date: 04/18/24

17-19 Banbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Xiumei Ye
Seller: Donaldsons Development TR
Date: 04/16/24

27 Aspen Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $294,500
Buyer: Elizabeth Cruz
Seller: Deblois, Jr. George C. (Estate)
Date: 04/26/24

16 Athol St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Daniel Tellez
Seller: Barbara Dobronski
Date: 04/23/24

52 Bairdcrest Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Anthony M. Santaniello
Seller: Laflamme, Joseph R. (Estate)
Date: 04/23/24

1342 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Alexandra P. Leon-Fils
Seller: Felix B. Suren
Date: 04/25/24

129 Bellevue Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Christian Cherisclair
Seller: Burns, Karin E. (Estate)
Date: 04/22/24

52 Berkshire St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Nery G. Rodriguez
Seller: Buitrago & Ballesteros LLC
Date: 04/17/24

517 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Mental Health Assn. Inc.
Seller: Shwee-Tian Chou
Date: 04/17/24

1165 Bradley Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $405,500
Buyer: Hong S. Jang
Seller: Joseph J. Deburro
Date: 04/19/24

114-116 Breckwood Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sharnett T. Thomas
Seller: Karl-Marx Delphonse
Date: 04/18/24

6 Brookburn St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Margaretta F. Robert
Seller: Ilyssa O. Zippin
Date: 04/19/24

147 Carnavon Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Lester C. McDonald
Seller: Nathaniel T. Sanders
Date: 04/22/24

28 Chilson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Kenneth R. Spear
Seller: Patriot Living Properties LLC
Date: 04/22/24

642 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $237,157
Buyer: Abby Wilson
Seller: Sarah A. Baiye
Date: 04/19/24

1-3 Decatur St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Kayla M. Bieber
Seller: Mary T. Popko
Date: 04/26/24

558 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ryan Shaver
Seller: Deirdre Alton
Date: 04/26/24

770 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Agape Haguma
Seller: Samuel A. Pava
Date: 04/25/24

72 Druid Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Teilyn Lopez
Seller: Anne M. White
Date: 04/19/24

185 East St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Mark Lucente
Seller: Bernice C. Salvas
Date: 04/24/24

79 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Carlos A. Rosado
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 04/16/24

90 Elijah St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: George Petropulos
Seller: Montes, Celestino (Estate)
Date: 04/23/24

76-78 Enfield St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Marco Reis
Seller: Greitcha M. Velez
Date: 04/26/24

1 Factory Road
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Astro Chemicals Inc.
Seller: Burke Hendee Realty LLC
Date: 04/23/24

14 Fairfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Nathan Andary
Seller: Michael R. Ferrier
Date: 04/17/24

18 Fenway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $346,500
Buyer: Anwar L. Thomas
Seller: Santana Real Estate Inc.
Date: 04/16/24

16 Fordham St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Pedro Alicea
Seller: Chenevert Properties LLC
Date: 04/26/24

23 Foster St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ramona Flores
Seller: Belvid Realty Group LLC
Date: 04/19/24

53 Foster St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Shalina B. Wray
Seller: Springfield Ventures RT
Date: 04/24/24

125 Frank B. Murray St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Glaze Realty LLC
Seller: 621-625 Center Street RT
Date: 04/19/24

166 Grayson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Edgardo Rivera
Seller: Francesco Siniscalchi
Date: 04/24/24

246-248 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Omar Awkal
Seller: Oussama Awkal
Date: 04/23/24

284 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sarahi Rivera
Seller: Murat Karaarslan
Date: 04/24/24

25 Kazbeck St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Evan Springer
Seller: Methuselah RT
Date: 04/26/24

156 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: San J. Harrison
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 04/24/24

221 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Juan A. Cintron
Seller: Methuselah RT
Date: 04/26/24

39-41 Lyndale St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $116,600
Buyer: Waiwai RT
Seller: Stephen T. Kowal
Date: 04/26/24

34 Macomber Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $294,800
Buyer: Veronica Morales
Seller: Ramon Rivera
Date: 04/26/24

184-186 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Paradise 1971 Star Realty
Seller: Hanna Kucharczyk
Date: 04/19/24

254-256 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Rafael A. Martinez
Seller: Winners O. LLC
Date: 04/26/24

74-78 Manitoba St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Faruq M. Stokes
Seller: Diane T. Sheets
Date: 04/25/24

46 Marsden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Tamarah R. Chinn
Seller: William E. Higgins
Date: 04/26/24

39 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jose H. Quintana
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 04/19/24

126-128 Maynard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: App Realty TLLC
Seller: Yochana R. Mitchell RT
Date: 04/22/24

83 Mazarin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Michelle Love
Seller: Judithann M. Campbell
Date: 04/23/24

14 Meredith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Phung Le
Seller: Thuy T. Nai
Date: 04/23/24

69 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Abdullah M. Jashaami
Seller: Robert E. McNulty
Date: 04/23/24

62 Midway St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Maria Mead
Seller: Joeilys D. Ofray
Date: 04/26/24

88 Newton Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Austin Hamel
Seller: Raymond Hamel
Date: 04/24/24

13-15 Noel St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Ahmat A. Hilal
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 04/24/24

383 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Lissette Saillant
Seller: Snhst LLC
Date: 04/19/24

120 Paramount St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Luis E. Rivera
Seller: Wendy R. Kearney
Date: 04/26/24

1840 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Fernando O. Walker-Rivera
Seller: Janet Staples
Date: 04/26/24

362 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Oscar Castro
Seller: William Pacheco
Date: 04/26/24

23 Preston St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $256,280
Buyer: Emmanuel Tirado
Seller: Melvin Cordero
Date: 04/16/24

49 Rimmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Rodriguez
Seller: Elizel Martinez
Date: 04/19/24

41 Rosella St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Tiburcio Romero-Martinez
Seller: Boland, Suzanne (Estate)
Date: 04/25/24

239 Saint James Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Tyler Rae
Seller: Tok Chang
Date: 04/18/24

 

115 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: India M. Colon
Seller: Chelsea Wait
Date: 04/25/24

220 Senator St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Juliana B. Ocampo
Seller: Thomas Davis
Date: 04/22/24

663 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: North East Construction Services Inc.
Seller: Spring Forth Properties LLC
Date: 04/24/24

124-126 Westford Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Plastoid LLC
Seller: Onota Rental LLC
Date: 04/16/24

995 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,900,000
Buyer: Guidewire Inc
Seller: Mental Health Assn. Inc.
Date: 04/19/24

92 Wrentham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Joshua Rios
Seller: David A. Bennett
Date: 04/24/24

SOUTHWICK

103 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Moccio FT
Seller: Danette Peters
Date: 04/17/24

9 Gargon Ter.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: William F. Lavigne
Seller: Michael Tefts
Date: 04/16/24

6 Shirley Ter.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $302,500
Buyer: Kimberly Morrissey
Seller: Michelle Bertrand
Date: 04/26/24

Silvergrass Lane, Lot 17
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 04/19/24

247 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Petrona B. Hodges
Seller: Anne D. Viets
Date: 04/25/24

TOLLAND

82 Stones Throw Dr.
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $448,200
Buyer: Mark Cohen
Seller: Gerald F. Devokaitis
Date: 04/24/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

225 Butternut Hollow Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Matthew N. Slowick
Seller: Timothy E. Slowick
Date: 04/19/24

26 Exeter St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Brianna M. Brush
Seller: Matthew N. Slowick
Date: 04/18/24

62 George St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Zulimar Rios
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 04/22/24

73 Herrman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Lou Lou Holdings LLC
Seller: Lee, Vergie Mae (Estate)
Date: 04/23/24

23 James Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Lok B. Bhattarai
Seller: Islam Niyazov
Date: 04/26/24

35 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Alisha Orwat
Seller: Susan M. Vandal
Date: 04/18/24

161 New Bridge St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: Natalia Varela
Seller: Angeljoy Co. LLC
Date: 04/26/24

6 Primrose St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Suk Rai
Seller: Arpc LLC
Date: 04/16/24

714 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Joanne J. Hamel
Seller: John J. Yiznitsky
Date: 04/17/24

9 Willard Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Marties Floating Event
Seller: Masjid Al-Baqi Inc.
Date: 04/26/24

WESTFIELD

37 Buschmann Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Richard M. Stephens
Seller: Thomas Tomasini
Date: 04/26/24

9 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Joshua C. Cyr
Seller: Deborah L. Burkott
Date: 04/22/24

45 Jaeger Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Martin Millan
Seller: John S. Hezik
Date: 04/26/24

14 Mather St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Rebeka L. Hoffman
Seller: MJ Real Estate LLC
Date: 04/16/24

76 Meadow St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Eric K. Lacombe
Seller: Kaitlin Davis
Date: 04/26/24

97 Mechanic St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Francis A. Hastings
Seller: Lou M. Sanchez
Date: 04/17/24

400 North Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Kevin Dansereau
Seller: Daniel Gilbert
Date: 04/18/24

100 Rachael Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $632,500
Buyer: Christopher M. Bannish
Seller: Dawn M. Bonneau
Date: 04/24/24

535 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $617,000
Buyer: Kelly A. Freeman
Seller: Cheryl Denardo
Date: 04/22/24

3 Shadow Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $431,500
Buyer: Todd G. Clark
Seller: Gregory E. Freeman
Date: 04/22/24

236 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $487,500
Buyer: Mariah L. Bouchard
Seller: Arshad Mehmood
Date: 04/26/24

30 Summer St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Blonairz
Seller: James R. Jylkka
Date: 04/26/24

WILBRAHAM

224 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Monique Worthy
Seller: Amjad Real Estate LLC
Date: 04/24/24

2138 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $2,200,000
Buyer: Car Wash Holdings LLC
Seller: Prestige World Wide Enterprises
Date: 04/22/24

3 Branch Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $444,900
Buyer: D. J. Bozak Eclaration Of TR
Seller: Joyce M. Butler 2010 RET
Date: 04/16/24

21 Brooklawn Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Amanda Ingerson
Seller: Sarah Hauser
Date: 04/25/24

59 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Victoria W. Kirton
Seller: Connor Courtney
Date: 04/26/24

417 Mountain Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Positive Spin Real Estate Investments Inc.
Seller: Raschi, John A. (Estate)
Date: 04/26/24

102 Sandalwood Dr., Lot 102
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $554,900
Buyer: Bryan D. Jamgochian
Seller: Ac Homebuilding LLC
Date: 04/16/24

3 Weston St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $238,500
Buyer: Lucielle A. Spindola
Seller: Jennifer Wallace-Johnson
Date: 04/23/24

12 Wilbraview Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Margaret A. Treacy
Seller: Alfred W. Patrie
Date: 04/26/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

161 Chestnut St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $695,800
Buyer: YG Chestnut 161 LLC
Seller: Melida D. Dyar
Date: 04/22/24

60 Country Corners Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: David Sandak
Seller: Kira Kmetz
Date: 04/16/24

306 Northampton Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: A1N1 LLC
Seller: North Pleasant St. Partner
Date: 04/16/24

22-24 Nutting Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Eastern Realty LLC
Seller: ACS 22-24 Nutting Ave Inc.
Date: 04/19/24

28-30 Nutting Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Eastern Realty LLC
Seller: ACS 28-30 Nutting Ave
Date: 04/19/24

BELCHERTOWN

122 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Greige Belchertown Realty LLC
Seller: Federal Building LLC
Date: 04/19/24

620 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: D. & Susan Coates LT
Seller: Timothy E. Spears
Date: 04/19/24

479 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $574,900
Buyer: Ryan Donoghue
Seller: Kara F. Kirchner
Date: 04/16/24

17 Sabin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: John E. Nelson
Seller: Laliberte Home Builders Inc
Date: 04/17/24

BELCHERTOWN

365 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Alee T. Morgado
Seller: Johnny C. Allen
Date: 04/23/24

CUMMINGTON

88 Nash Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Cameren R. Granger
Seller: Delbert H. Robbins
Date: 04/19/24

EASTHAMPTON

10 Beyer Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Lorna K. Hunt
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 04/19/24

18 Gaugh St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Thom Properties LLC
Seller: 18 Gaugh LLC
Date: 04/22/24

148 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Emma P. Shumeyko
Seller: Jill J. Cooney
Date: 04/23/24

122 Parsons St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: W. Marek Inc
Seller: Parda, Lynn F. (Estate)
Date: 04/26/24

5 Plaza Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $398,000
Buyer: Cheryl J. Davis
Seller: Villamora Homes LLC
Date: 04/19/24

GRANBY

92 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: PTB Realty LLC
Seller: Roach, Kathleen (Estate)
Date: 04/24/24

7 Lanebrook Circle
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Marvin W. Jackson
Seller: Paula Leclair
Date: 04/18/24

119 School St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Golden Lotus RT
Seller: Nawrockis Inc.
Date: 04/25/24

HADLEY

1 Adare Place
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Rosemund LLC
Seller: Adare Place Properties LLC
Date: 04/18/24

8 Colony Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Bercume Construction LLC
Seller: Yuhua Li
Date: 04/16/24

12 Indian Pipe Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: Max Borten RET
Seller: Shaun McConkey
Date: 04/25/24

9 Middle St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Michael S. Macdonald
Seller: Shane R. Conklin
Date: 04/18/24

NORTHAMPTON

14 Claire Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: James F. Roberts
Seller: Patricia V. Huff
Date: 04/19/24

29 Ford Xing
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Ulsh Ft
Seller: Sarah Myrth Diggon TR
Date: 04/16/24

20 Ormond Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Irhe Sohn
Seller: Mark W. Erba
Date: 04/24/24

PELHAM

33 Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Pamela J. Taylor
Seller: John H. Marshall
Date: 04/16/24

206 North Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $825,000
Buyer: Currie Larkin Barron TR
Seller: John R. Mullin
Date: 04/17/24

PLAINFIELD

49 North Union St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Frank Reyes
Seller: Scott, Ronald A. (Estate)
Date: 04/26/24

SOUTH HADLEY

11 Ashton Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Bryan Gleason
Seller: Jason M. Walker
Date: 04/25/24

19 Dartmouth St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Amanda Walker
Seller: Francis Geraghty
Date: 04/25/24

25 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Julie E. Steiner
Seller: Kevin McCarthy
Date: 04/24/24

24 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $629,500
Buyer: Julie E. Sansoucy
Seller: J.N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 04/26/24

160 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Nicholas Fieldging
Seller: Altagracia Ramirez
Date: 04/24/24

SOUTHAMPTON

20 Katelyn Way
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Michael F. Seklecki
Seller: Ninsheng Zhu
Date: 04/26/24

75 Lead Mine Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: New England Remodeling
Seller: Vera K. Gaughan RET
Date: 04/19/24

535 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01085
Amount: $617,000
Buyer: Kelly A. Freeman
Seller: Cheryl Denardo
Date: 04/22/24

Russellville Road (rear)
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $617,000
Buyer: Kelly A. Freeman
Seller: Cheryl Denardo
Date: 04/22/24

WARE

35 Bacon Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: Chad Balicki
Seller: Christine Stochlinski
Date: 04/26/24

62 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Noah P. Shields
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 04/19/24

1 Pleasant Ter.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Fumi Realty Inc.
Seller: Lynn A. Liquornik
Date: 04/24/24

45 South St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Henry Valerio
Seller: MacKenna Hogan
Date: 04/23/24

Upper North St., Lot 2
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Robert Rucki
Seller: Donald Williams
Date: 04/25/24

WILLIAMSBURG

4 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $682,500
Buyer: E. Waverly Realty LLC
Seller: Brewmasters Realty LLC
Date: 04/25/24

87 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Douglas W. Laroche
Seller: Torrey, Dannie T. (Estate)
Date: 04/18/24

WESTHAMPTON

68 Reservoir Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Timothy A. Reilly
Seller: Eds Enterprises LLC
Date: 04/19/24

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the months of April and May 2024.

CHICOPEE

Magdalene D’Angelo
147 Broadway St.
$40,000 — Roofing

Hershal LLC
600 Memorial Dr.
$350,000 — Exterior cosmetic renovation, including roofing and repainting stucco

Eric Szlachetka et al.
10 Center St.
$65,000 — Replace storefront glass and frames, two knee walls, and flooring, and paint existing areas, all due to motor-vehicle accident

HADLEY

E&A/I&G Campus Plaza LP
458 Russell St.
N/A — Interior demolition for incoming tenant fit-up

E&A/I&G Campus Plaza LP
458 Russell St.
N/A — Interior refresh of existing AAA branch to include new flooring

Mish Potato and Produce Packers
15 Railroad St.
N/A — Demolish partially collapsed wood structure

NORTHAMPTON

10 Bright LLC
10 Bright St.
$1,218 — Insulation and weatherization

32 Masonic Street LLC
32 Masonic St., Unit 1
N/A — Roofing

35 Ladd Ave. LLC
35 Ladd Ave.
$9,600 — Replace bulkhead

175 Main Street LLC
175 Main St.
$4,000 — Remove non-structural studs in basement and other select non-structural materials

American Tower Corp.
114 Glendale Road
$50,000 — Modify cellular site

Bang Bang LLC
29 Pleasant St., Unit C
$14,195 — Repoint back wall on three stories

Captive Energy LLC
474 Easthampton Road
$78,000 — Add second-floor bathroom to attic space

Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County Inc.
593 Elm St.
$9,900 — Roofing

Colvest/Northampton LLC
303 King St.
$12,000 — Demolish and repair masonry column wrap

Coolidge Northampton LLC
249 King St.
$17,500 — Build ADA unisex bathroom and shower area for staff in Suite 104

CS-MA LLC
40 Hatfield St.
$14,950 — EPDM repairs and Gaco coating

DA Sullivan & Sons
504 Easthampton Road
$417,840 — Erect four-bay garage

Day Avenue Properties LLC
30 Day Ave.
$10,000 — Renovate third-floor bathroom and kitchen, roof repairs

Ellendave LLC
971 Bridge Road
$1,102 — Non-illuminated wall sign for Goodwill

Kilerine Properties LLC
97 State St.
$11,000 — Roofing

Livett, Lovett & Crumberg LLC
184 Main St.
$2,300 — Non-illuminated wall sign for Tunic

Matt & Nick LLC
199 Pine St.
$10,000 — Add partition walls to office space

Meadowbrook Preservation Associates LP
491 Bridge Road
$11,999 — Roofing on buildings 1301 and 1302

Mill River Realty
23 Main St.
$29,000 — Roofing

New England Deaconess Assoc.
37 Coles Meadow Road
$7,400 — Install sprinklers

Our Lady of the Hills
173 Main St.
$105,000 — Update existing egress stair

Smith College
15 Ahwaga Ave.
$44,000 — Demolish single-family house and detached garage

Smith College
144 Green St.
$174,645 — Renovate Room 215 at Sage Hall

Smith College
44 College Lane
$123,000 — Renovate Room 338 at Sabin-Reed Hall

Trident Realty Corp.
5 Strong Ave.
$7,500 — Install suspended ceiling in kitchen

SPRINGFIELD

1441 Main Street LLC
1441 Main St.
$774,000 — Alter interior tenant office space on third floor for Balise corporate offices

Amelia Harrell
355 St. James Ave.
$14,000 — Install handicap ramp to left side of funeral home

HB&B Corp.
827 State St.
$145,000 — Alter interior space for first-floor assembly uses, upgrade restrooms and kitchen areas, add rear addition for entrance area

Maple Properties LP
55 Maple St.
$143,750 — Install new pergola to existing outdoor dining area at Hot Table

Mittas Hospitality LLC, DD Development, Rudra Realty LLC, Sai Ra
1500 Main St.
$143,750 — Install new pergola to existing outdoor dining area at Hot Table

Northeastern Conference Corp. of Seventh Day Adventists
797 State St.
$69,000 — Repair front entry steps, remove granite, and install poured concrete at Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church

Revitalize Community Development Corp.
240 Cadwell Dr.
$9,390 — Insulation and air sealing

Sanchez Family Enterprise LLC
586 Berkshire Ave.
$120,000 — Roofing

Solutia Inc.
730 Worcester St.
$230,000 — Roof repair at Eastman Building #100

Springfield Foodservice Corp.
1 Performance Blvd.
$24,400,000 — Expand existing building for a cold-storage warehouse, docks, and office uses

Springfield Gardens LP
90 Westminster St.
$18,000 — New fire-alarm system

St. Peter & St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church Inc.
118 Carew St.
$5,000 — Redo front concrete stairs

Sunflower Property Inc.
113 Vermont St.
$9,000 — Insulation

Worthy III LLC
280 Worthington St.
$140,000 — Modify existing building shell for egress stairs, elevator, and exterior shell upgrades

Baystate Health, MassMutual Partner to Build New, State-of-the-art Community Health Center

By
Breaking News Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In an effort to improve health equity and meet the growing needs of the Springfield community, Baystate Health announced a plan to build a comprehensive community health center in the heart of the city, made possible by the support of its longstanding partner, MassMutual.

MassMutual is donating approximately 10 acres of land valued at an estimated $5 million in the southeast corner of its Springfield campus, as well as providing financing and other support for the project. In addition, the MassMutual Foundation is donating $5 million over five years to support the new, state-of-the-art health center that will be owned and operated by Baystate Health.

The expected total cost for the project is $45 million to $50 million.

The proposed 90,000-square-foot community health center, which will be accessible at the intersection of Wilbraham Road and Alden Street, will centralize services, creating a medical neighborhood caring for children, families, and adults and providing comprehensive primary care, integrated behavioral health, and ancillary services for the Greater Springfield area. The new center will have greater access by public transportation, ample free parking, and easy access from major thoroughfares.

Prior to conveyance to the Baystate Health Foundation, MassMutual will clear the site of the existing buildings, and the lot will be subdivided into its own parcel, separate from MassMutual’s headquarters. Construction is expected to begin sometime in 2025 and be completed in 2027.

“Thanks to the generous donations and substantial support provided by MassMutual and the MassMutual Foundation, Baystate Health’s vision to create a comprehensive, integrated community health and wellness center to serve the most vulnerable populations in Greater Springfield can advance towards realization,” Baystate Health President and CEO Dr. Mark Keroack said.

With the new community health center and wellness hub in place, Baystate Health will consolidate services from four of its existing Springfield health centers to the new building, where they will continue to provide services, plus more, for adult and pediatric patients at the new location. These centers will remain open and fully functional until their services can be transitioned to the new health center, and Baystate Health is committed to engaging the community and local leaders during the planning phase of the project.

The centers and their services that will be transitioned to the future Wilbraham Road location include Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center, Baystate High Street Health Center, Baystate High Street Pediatrics, and Wesson Women’s Clinic.

These existing community-based facilities are limited in size and scope with many infrastructure challenges that require significant upgrading and capital investment to  allow for growth and expansion of services. The new center will provide Baystate Health with a state-of-the-art, modern facility to provide robust care for patients as well as attract top providers.

“We intend to co-locate four of our existing Springfield community health centers into a larger, modern facility to create this unified healthcare delivery wellness hub,” Keroack said. “Several convergent factors have informed our vision. The positive outcomes we have demonstrated in our Medicaid accountable care organization, involving more than 50,000 of the region’s most underserved patients, have provided value to this population, improved health, and allowed us to begin to address health disparities and inequities. We could not do this without the generosity of MassMutual and the MassMutual Foundation.”

In addition to MassMutual’s support, the project will also benefit from some expected state and federal grants. The land that will be donated to Baystate Health represents roughly 10% of MassMutual’s approximately 100-acre Springfield campus. The company’s move toward digitization and bringing its employees together in its iconic main office building on State Street has left a portion of its property underutilized, including two vacant buildings. Rather than leave this space unused, the company wanted to find a better, more long-term meaningful use for the land, one that would serve the community MassMutual has called home since 1851.

“Throughout our long histories in Springfield, both MassMutual and Baystate have had an enduring commitment to each other’s success as we’ve worked toward our own respective, yet similar pursuits, helping people live better, more fulfilling lives,” said Roger Crandall, chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual. “We are incredibly proud that a portion of our property will serve a more meaningful purpose and a greater good, expanding access to high-quality medical care to improve the health and well-being of our community for generations to come.”

Combined, the four existing community health centers planned for the move currently serve 125,000 patient visits annually. In the envisioned community health center campus on the land to be donated by MassMutual, Baystate Health expects patient visits to increase to 145,000 annually by 2028.

Caolo & Bieniek Commences Public-safety Projects in Taunton, Lenox

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Caolo & Bieniek Architects joined the communities of Taunton and Lenox at groundbreaking ceremonies for their new public-safety facilities. City officials, key stakeholders, and residents gathered to celebrate the kickoff of construction for both community projects.

It has been nearly 114 years since the city of Taunton has had a building constructed for the Police Department, and first responders have been operating out of temporary facilities for more than 50 years. This new complex, estimated to cost $50 million, will allocate 62,000 square feet to Police and Fire headquarters, 17,000 square feet to an auxiliary storage and maintenance building, and 3,000 square feet to a training facility.

The town of Lenox broke ground as well, kicking off its new public-safety complex project. With an overall budget of $25 million, this complex will house the Lenox Police, Fire, and EMS headquarters. The single-story, 21,000-square-foot facility provides much-needed space for each department’s operational needs and allows for future growth, all within a new facility designed with the architectural character of the town of Lenox.

Diana Szynal Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society

By
Daily News

Diana Szynal

SPRINGFIELD — Diana Szynal, president of the Springfield Regional Chamber, was honored with induction as an honorary member into the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma AACSB Honor Society on April 25. The induction ceremony was hosted by the College of Business Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter at Western New England University (WNE).

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a student can receive in an AACSB-accredited business program.

Szynal’s honorary induction acknowledges her professional achievements, leadership, and commitment to advancing business education. According to Sharianne Walker, dean of the WNE College of Business, Szynal was selected as an honorary inductee not only because of her rich business experience, but because she has played a pivotal role in fostering economic growth, advocating for local businesses, and supporting entrepreneurship in the Springfield region.

“Szynal’s induction serves as an inspiration for aspiring business leaders and highlights the strong partnership between academia and industry as well as the powerful impact it has on our regional business ecosystem,” Walkers said. “The recognition not only celebrates her personal and professional journey to her current role at the Springfield Regional Chamber, but also reinforces the importance of her commitment to supporting business education and serving as a role model for emerging business professionals.”

The induction ceremony was attended by faculty members, students, inductee families, and guests from Western New England University. The 2024 Beta Gamma Sigma class featured 19 undergraduate and graduate inductees who had demonstrated requisite member levels of achievement in academics and service. Szynal delivered the evening’s keynote address and encouraged students to never forget the value of hard work and perseverance throughout their business careers.

Five College Campuses Collaborate for Third Annual Job Fair on May 29

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The Five College campuses of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith colleges and UMass Amherst are collaborating to offer job seekers one-stop shopping for hundreds of jobs at a late May event in Northampton.

The third annual Five College Job Fair, taking place on Wednesday, May 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Smith College’s indoor track and tennis complex, will feature high-priority openings in a wide variety of departments. Attendees will be able to talk with campus representatives and explore job opportunities. Refreshments will be available, and gift bags of campus souvenirs will be raffled off to attendees.

“Our first two job fairs attracted hundreds of job seekers from our communities, so we’re excited to offer it again this year,” said Kim Kenney-Rockwal, director of Talent Acquisition at Smith College. “Something for people to keep in mind is that residential colleges are self-contained communities, with the same range of jobs found in most towns and cities. There may be openings for electricians, landscapers, hospitality staff, security personnel, and nurses, as well as professors and provosts. So if you’re looking for a job in a certain field, there’s a good chance we’ll have that job on one of our campuses.”

The campus departments with the most openings include administration, campus safety (security officers), dining services (cooks, kitchen assistants, and cashiers), facilities and custodial services, financial services, and IT technicians.

For more information about this event, visit fivecolleges.edu/jobfair.

Siobhan Tripp Graduates from American Bankers Assoc. Bank Marketing School

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Daily News

Siobhan Tripp

GREENFIELD — Tony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank, announced that Marketing Director Siobhan Tripp has successfully completed the American Bankers Assoc. (ABA) Bank Marketing School. This intensive program, which was held April 10-19 in Atlanta, is designed to equip banking professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to develop and execute effective marketing strategies in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

“Completing the ABA Bank Marketing School has been an enriching experience,” Tripp said. “The program provided me with invaluable insights into the latest marketing trends and best practices specific to the banking industry. I’m confident that the knowledge and skills I gained will allow me to make a significant contribution to the continued success of Greenfield Co-op.”

The program emphasizes practical application through a collaborative marketing planning case study, allowing participants to grapple with real-world scenarios and refine their marketing problem-solving abilities.

“Siobhan’s dedication to professional development is a valuable asset to our team,” Worden said. “The expertise gained through the ABA Bank Marketing School will be instrumental in helping us achieve our marketing goals and better serve our customers.”

BusinessTalk with Ashley Muspratt, president and CEO of the Florence-based Center for EcoTechnology, and Emily Gaylord, the organization’s director of Communications & Relationship Development

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 214: May 20, 2024

Editor Joe Bednar talks with Ashley Muspratt and Emily Gaylord

Since its inception in 1976, the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) has been on the cutting edge of big issues like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and, more recently, decarbonization. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Ashley Muspratt, president and CEO of the Florence-based Center for EcoTechnology, and Emily Gaylord, the organization’s director of Communications & Relationship Development, about CET’s evolving mission and broad impact, why the organization expects to grow dramatically in the coming years, and how individuals and businesses can take steps to move toward a greener, healthier future. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.

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Caolo & Bieniek Architects Promotes Ashik Mubarak

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Daily News

Ashik Mubarak

CHICOPEE — Caolo & Bieniek Architects announced the promotion of Ashik Mubarak to an architectural staff position.

This promotion comes as Ashik recently graduated from UMass with a master of architecture degree, marking a significant milestone in his career journey. He was also recipient of the second-place honor in the Metal Building Manufacturers Assoc. Student Design Competition, which sought to foster innovation in sustainable design for a marine nature center in Gloucester.

“We are thrilled to see him grow and develop within our team,” the firm said, “and we are confident that he will continue to excel in this new role.”

Girls on the Run Annual Spring 5K Slated for June 8

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts will host its annual spring 5K on Saturday, June 8 at Western New England University, an event expected to draw 3,000 to 3,500 people.

Girls on the Run is a physical-activity-based, positive youth-development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in third to eighth grade. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season, celebratory 5K event.

This spring season, Girls on the Run has 970 participants in 67 sites around all four Western Mass. counties, with 270 volunteer coaches that bring the curriculum to life. Participants learn many important life skills throughout the lessons. One participant wrote, “I like Girls on the Run because it makes you more confident when you’re talking to others, and it helps you control your emotions when you’re feeling sad or anxious.”

This 5K is the culmination of a 10-week, 20-lesson, social-emotional program, bringing together all participants, coaches, running buddies, and families. This season, Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts served its 10,000 girl since it started.

The run starts at 10:30 a.m., but the group warm-up will begin at 10 a.m., with participants arriving for fun events at 9 a.m. Participation in the 5K event is open to the public, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. The registration cost is $25 for adults and $10 for youth under 12 and includes an event 5K shirt for the first 700 registered. Early arrival is suggested. Registration opens at 9 a.m.

Girls on the Run is also looking for volunteers for this event. For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

Congressman Neal Secures $700,000 for North Adams Flood Chutes Project

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Daily News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal celebrated a significant step in bringing the North Adams Flood Chutes Project to fruition.

After being in frequent communication with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) over the last several months, Neal has secured $700,000 through USACE’s FY 2024 budget to complete a feasibility study of the project.

“The residents of North Adams have long advocated for much-needed improvements to the city’s decades-old flood chutes. This announcement is a substantial victory for the city, one that reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to making this project a reality,” Neal said. “As a former mayor, I know first-hand the importance of these issues, especially when it comes to the safety and well-being of residents. That is why I have prioritized funding for this project, one that will not only enhance protections along the Hoosic River Basin and reduce flood risk, but also make much critical improvements to the city’s infrastructure and create jobs.”

Built by the USACE in 1961, the flood chutes play a vital role in providing flood protection to about 85% of the city’s industrial and commercial firms and about 25% of residential property. After nearly 60 years of use, the flood chutes are in severe disrepair and in need of significant structural improvement.

“We are pleased to be able to continue the work on the Hoosic River flood-control project,” North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey said. “We are delighted with the continued support of the federal delegation, including Congressman Neal, Senator [Ed] Markey, and Senator [Elizabeth] Warren. This project is ever so important to the city, not only from a safety perspective, but also for the overall well-being of the river and the community at large.”

Neal previously secured $200,000 in the FY 2023 omnibus spending package for USACE to begin the feasibility study. The additional funding will allow for the completion of the study before the project can move on to the next phase.

“I applaud Mayor Macksey and her administration for their continued advocacy on behalf of the city of North Adams,” Neal said. “We are all in on this project, and I will continue working with the mayor and the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure future funding is made available.”

Massachusetts Unemployment Holds Steady in April

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Daily News

BOSTON — The state’s April total unemployment rate was 2.9%, unchanged from the revised March estimate of 2.9%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced. The Massachusetts unemployment rate was 1.0% lower than the national rate of 3.9% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down by 0.3%.

The labor force increased by an estimated 12,200 from the revised estimate of 3,757,000 in March, with 10,100 residents more employed and 1,900 more residents unemployed over the month. The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — increased 0.2% over the month to 65.1%. Compared to April 2023, the labor-force participation rate was unchanged.

The BLS preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts lost 500 jobs in April. This follows March’s revised loss of 4,100 jobs. The largest over-the-month private-sector job gains were in education and health services; professional, scientific, and business services; and trade, transportation, and utilities. Employment now stands at 3,733,000. Massachusetts gained 669,500 jobs since the employment low in April 2020.

From April 2023 to April 2024, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 21,800 jobs. The largest over-the-year gains occurred in education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and government.

Florence Bank Awards $150,000 to 40 Local Nonprofits

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Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank awarded $150,000 to 40 area nonprofits through its annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program, through which bank customers cast votes to determine how funds are dispersed.

“Last year, for our 150th-anniversary celebration, we increased the total amount of our Customers’ Choice grant awards to $150,000 because it drew a nice parallel, and we wanted to continue that level of giving this year,” President and CEO Matt Garrity said during a celebration at the Garden House at Look Park on May 14.

“We are proud of the history of our unique grant program, and we respect our customers and enjoy giving them a chance to help decide where we allocate funds in the region,” Garrity added. “It gives our customers a voice and offers much-needed assistance to many organizations serving people in need.”

For the second year in a row, 13 organizations received $5,000 grants: Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Cancer Connection Inc. in Northampton, It Takes a Village in Huntington, Friends of the Williamsburg Library, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Florence, Friends of Forbes Library in Northampton, Manna Soup Kitchen in Northampton, Goshen Firefighters Assoc., Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Chicopee, Our Lady of the Hills Parish in Haydenville, Amherst Survival Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, and Northampton Survival Center. Click here for a full list of the 40 recipients and their awards.

“I appreciate Florence Bank’s focus on community involvement and its expansion of this program in recent years,” said Lev BenEzra, executive director of the Amherst Survival Center, which has received a grant annually for many years. “We love the approach of bank leaders looking to their customers who are community members in the region to identify meaningful organizations that are highly effective and doing good work. It’s an inclusive process and simplifies the process for organizations.”

Florence Bank’s community grants program is an annual offering founded in 2002 and, through it, Florence Bank customers are invited to vote for their favorite local nonprofit in hopes it will receive a share of grant funding.

Voting takes place all year long, online at florencebank.com/vote and in bank branches, and each customer has only one vote. To qualify for a community grant, organizations must receive at least 50 votes. In 2023, roughly 7,168 votes were cast, making 40 nonprofits eligible for a grant.

Tony Worden Elected Director of Cooperative Banks Employee Retirement Assoc.

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Daily News

Tony Worden

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced that President and CEO Tony Worden has been elected as a director of the Cooperative Banks Employee Retirement Assoc. (CBERA), a specialized organization dedicated to overseeing the retirement benefits of employees at member banks in Massachusetts.

“I am honored to be elected to the board of directors of CBERA,” Worden said. “I look forward to working with my fellow directors to ensure CBERA continues to provide its members with the highest-quality retirement benefits and resources.”

Established in 1946, the Cooperative Banks Employee Retirement Assoc. was formed to administer the pension programs for the employees of the Massachusetts cooperative bank industry. Today, CBERA serves not only cooperative banks, but all financial institutions.

Worden brings a wealth of knowledge in the financial-services industry to the CBERA board. He has nearly 30 years of banking experience and has served as president of Greenfield Cooperative Bank since 2021.