BusinessWest Staff, Author at BusinessWest

SPRINGFIELD — Regional law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that attorney Karolina Weagle was accepted into the 2023 Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Leadership Academy.

“We are grateful to the Massachusetts Bar Association for continuing its commitment to cultivating leaders who work toward the improvement of our profession and our society,” founding attorney Steven Schwartz said. “Attorney Weagle exemplifies the bright young talent here at the firm, and we’re proud to have her leading the new generation of attorneys who will guide us into our next 50 years of service to the Western Massachusetts area.”

Believing exceptional leaders are essential to the improvement of the legal profession and understanding there are few leadership training opportunities for young attorneys, the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. developed its Leadership Academy to better prepare young attorneys to assume leadership roles at the bar, both in their firms or organizations and in government.

Weagle concentrates her practice in estate planning. Prior to joining Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin in 2022, she worked at a Boston firm representing clients in litigation and criminal-defense matters, and later returned to Western Mass., where she practiced in the areas of real estate, estate planning, and estate administration.

Weagle graduated summa cum laude from Westfield State University in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and political science. Soon after, she enrolled at New England Law Boston, where she graduated cum laude in 2018. While in law school, she made the dean’s list every semester, was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Property II in the spring of 2016, and earned the New England Scholar Award for 2015-16. She is also fluent in Polish.

Berkshire Bank Announces Collaboration with MGH Dementia Care Collaborative

By BusinessWest Staff November 15, 2023

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank and its Center for Women, Wellness & Wealth (CWWW) announced a new effort to support the Dementia Care Collaborative (DCC), a program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Division of Palliative Care & Geriatric Medicine. This innovative collaboration will bolster the support patients and families living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias receive in Boston and beyond. The partnership also includes a philanthropic contribution from the bank’s foundation.

There are an estimated 6.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 11 million caregivers who are unpaid family members and friends, according to the DCC annual report. Alzheimer’s disease is twice as common in women. Berkshire Bank understands there is a need to educate and support those living with dementia, caregivers, healthcare providers, and the community. By joining together with the DCC, it will assist with financial wellness and financial security, which are crucial to the aging population and their caregivers.

Supporting women through various stages of life is core to Berkshire Bank’s CWWW, which seeks community collaborations to help women gain confidence in their personal finances and pursue their dreams and goals. By joining efforts with the DCC, Berkshire Bank can enrich the financial stability, balance, and growth for women in the Boston community and beyond.

Berkshire Bank will co-host signature events in 2024 with the MGH Dementia Care Collaborative to help with the intersection of wellness and wealth. These impact conversations will be held in person in February 2024 and virtually during the spring with Dr. Christine Ritchie, a geriatrician and palliative-care physician who has cared for people living with dementia and their caregivers throughout her entire professional life. Massachusetts General Hospital is a leading institution in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research.

Happier Valley Comedy Raising Funds for Expanded Performance Space

HADLEY — It’s just a purple door painted onto a solid wall right now, but Pam Victor, Happier Valley Comedy’s head of happiness, hopes to one day open a real door to the local improv theater’s expanded performance space.

“When I started the ‘can I make a living doing what I love? experiment’ in the fall of 2014, I never could have imagined the ups and downs of the last nine years,” Victor said. And when the space next door to their original theater became available, Victor, Artistic Director Scott Braidman, and Program Manager Maddy Benjamin had a big decision to make. Should they take a leap of faith to sign a five-year lease in both spaces, even though they were still getting back on their feet post-pandemic?

They decided to take that leap.

“If we didn’t take this major, calculated risk to take on both spaces, we knew the opportunity to expand might not come along again for at least five years, if ever. Our expanded dream theater gives us plenty of room to continue growing our community while keeping our cozy Happier Valley Comedy vibe,” Victor said. “And it provides a performance space worthy of the quality of work our improv community has grown to perform.”

The additional space, directly adjacent to the existing theater, will provide the only improv-comedy theater in Western Mass. with an accessible stage, an improv-friendly set, theatrical lighting, improved acoustics, a tech booth, and tiered seating for 72 people.

Happier Valley Comedy is working with two Northampton companies on the project: general contractor Keiter Corp. and architect Tom Douglas of Thomas Douglas Architects.

Happier Valley will kick off the “Open the Door” fundraiser to raise the next $30,000 of the $300,000 capital campaign on Saturday, Nov. 18 with a phone-a-thon event called “Call from a Castmate,” when professional improvisers pick up the phone to gather donation pledges.

“Happier Valley Comedy was born of a dream to make a living in the Valley doing what I love,” Victor said. “Building a more professional improv performance space is the final step in making even my wildest dreams come true.”

Kuhn Riddle Architects Welcomes Ruoqi Zhong

AMHERST — Kuhn Riddle Architects announced that Ruoqi Zhong has joined its growing architectural team. Ruoqi was drawn to Kuhn Riddle Architects because she is inspired by architecture that connects to its surroundings, is public-oriented, and will make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Ruoqi will continue to follow her integrative, transformative design focus at KRA. She applies her expertise and attention to detail to K-12 educational projects, community organizations, and multi-family and private homes.

Ruoqi received her bachelor of architecture degree in 2011 from Harbin Institute of Technology in Heilongjiang, China. In 2014 she was awarded two degrees at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne: master of architecture and master of science in civil and environmental engineering.

STCC Speaker to Address Financial Literacy on Nov. 17

SPRINGFIELD — On Friday, Nov. 17, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will host personal-finance educator Jamila Souffrant in a free event open to students and the community.

Souffrant will discuss financial literacy and explain the steps people can take to reach financial freedom starting at 6 p.m. at STCC’s Scibelli Hall Theater. The School of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) will present the in-person event.

Souffrant will give her perspective on how decisions around money are shaped from a young age, but how everyone holds the power to improve it. She has been featured in the New York Times, Good Morning America, and other national media.

Freedom Credit Union Collecting Donations for Westover Galaxy Community Council

SPRINGFIELD — During the month of November, Freedom Credit Union is collecting cash donations at all its branches throughout Western Mass. to help Westover Galaxy Community Council support military service members and their families at Westover Air Reserve Base (ARB) in Chicopee.

“At Freedom Credit Union, our members and staff are honored to support our military and the brave individuals who give so much to protect and defend our nation,” President Glenn Welch said. “Throughout the year, and especially around the holidays, being away from family is one of the biggest challenges they face. The Westover Galaxy Community Council works to ease this difficulty by helping keep the members of our military connected to their families and homes, while also providing resources to their family members.”

Formed in 1988 as a committee within the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and incorporated as an independent organization in 1989, the Westover Galaxy Community Council is an organization made up of veterans, local businesspeople, and other citizens who support the men, women, and mission of Westover ARB. Within Department of Defense guidelines, Westover Galaxy Community Council raises funds to contribute to events and special needs at Westover, the largest Air Reserve base in the nation.

“Whether or not you are a Freedom member, please join us in supporting those who keep us safe,” Welch said. “Stop by any one of our branches to make a cash donation.”

BusinessTalk with Tech Foundry CEO Tricia Canavan

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 187: November 13, 2023

Joe Interviews Tech Foundry CEO Tricia Canavan

Since its launch almost a decade ago, Tech Foundry has trained hundreds of students and partnered with scores of employers across Western Mass. to get people trained for good IT careers and help businesses grow with local talent. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Tech Foundry CEO Tricia Canavan talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about how the organization continues to play a key role in the region’s high-tech ecosystem — and how its new partnership with Holyoke Community College, called Tech Hub, promises to help even more people navigate the digital world and improve their job prospects. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

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Country Bank Supports Senior Centers with $42,000 in Donations

WARE — Country Bank recently announced donations to 21 local senior centers throughout the region, totaling $42,000. These donations are made without restriction for necessary items that may not be met within the centers’ annual budgets.

“We are so fortunate to have a community partner like Country Bank,” said John Zienowicz, executive director of Ware Senior Center. “Countless members of their staff have volunteered at our events and special projects that have ranged from holiday parties at the senior center to personally delivering boxes of food items to seniors in need. This donation helps to sustain our meal program, which, over the past five years, has provided in excess of 38,000 home-cooked meals for the seniors. Their commitment to service, volunteerism, and community is what makes Country Bank the gold standard when it comes to being true difference makers.”

In addition to its annual monetary support, Country Bank also sends teams of employees to volunteer at local senior centers on a monthly basis.

“We know what a difference this makes for the senior centers, and we are honored to be able to support the great work that they do to help our seniors,” said Jodie Gerulaitis, vice president of Community Relations at Country Bank.

Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestras to Kick Off Season in Belchertown on Nov. 19

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestras (SSYO) will hold their first performance of the season, featuring more than 70 youth musicians, on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. at Belchertown High School.

Adult tickets cost $20, and admission is free for those under 18. Tickets can be purchased in advance at springfieldsymphony.org or at the door beginning at 2 p.m.

The concert program will feature pieces performed by the Springfield Youth Sinfonia (SYS) and conducted by Matt Bertuzzi, including “The Muppet Show Theme,” “Lincolnshire Posy,” and “Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty.”

Following the SYS pieces, the Springfield Youth Orchestra (SYO), conducted by Jonathan Lam, will perform “Rienzi Overture” (Richard Wagner) and “Lieutenant Kijé Suite Symphonique” (Sergei Prokofiev).

The SSYO consists of two ensembles, the Springfield Youth Orchestra, which has 37 students, and the Springfield Youth Sinfonia, with 33 students. The SYO and SYS are merit-based orchestras sponsored by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for talented young musicians (through grade 12) living in the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Musicians rehearse weekly. Those interested in auditioning to become part of the SSYO should contact Rocio Mora at [email protected].

Following the Nov. 19 concert, upcoming public performances of the SSYO include their Winter Concert on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 at Longmeadow High School, and their Season Finale Concert on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Springfield Symphony Hall.

Award-winning Journalist Caleb Gayle to Give 2023 MCLA Hardman Lecture

NORTH ADAMS — Caleb Gayle will present the 2023 MCLA Hardman Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in MCLA’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation Atrium.

Gayle is an award-winning journalist who writes about race and identity and is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine. His book, We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power, was published in 2022. He is a professor of Journalism and Africana Studies at Northeastern University.

Gayle’s writing has been recognized by the Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award, the PEN America Writing for Justice Fellowship, the Center for Fiction Emerging Writers Fellowship, a fellowship at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and the New America Fellowship, among others. His writing has been featured in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Threepenny Review, Guernica, the Atlantic, Harvard Review, Pacific Standard, the New Republic, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Review of Books, the Root, the Daily Beast, and more. His writing has been anthologized as a notable essay in the 2019 Best American Essays.

Gayle completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Oklahoma as a Truman scholar. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Oxford and has an MBA and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School, respectively. In addition to writing, he serves as a visiting scholar at the Arthur Carter Journalism Institute at NYU. He is currently completing his next book, Pushahead: The Story of Edward McCabe and an Epic of American Empire.

This event is free and open to the public. Call (413) 662-5224 for more information or Zoom details.

East Village Tavern Donating Thanksgiving Meals to Those in Need

LONGMEADOW — East Village Tavern and the East Longmeadow Rotary Club will once again team up for their annual Thanksgiving basket drive. Thanksgiving baskets with all the fixings, for families who may not otherwise be able to afford them, will be distributed by local volunteers on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m.

Food collection will run now through Nov. 21. Non-perishable items can be dropped off at East Village Tavern, 53 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Thanksgiving family baskets, varying by size of family, will include one turkey, two bags or boxes of stuffing mix, five pounds of potatoes, two pounds of butternut squash (cut squash typically requires refrigeration), two cans of corn or green beans, two pounds of onions, a dozen dinner rolls, two cans of jellied cranberry sauce, a half-gallon of sweet cider (cider typically requires refrigeration), and one pumpkin pie.

East Village Tavern (EVT) is also accepting donations of $75, which will feed a family of four.

EVT thanked several local businesses and volunteers it partners with on this community-service project. “Our business is built around friends and family coming together to eat, drink, and enjoy each other’s company,” co-owner John Sullivan said. “It’s our responsibility to feed those in our community that may not be able to afford to join us for times of celebration. It’s our honor to give back.”

Forest Park Zoo Wins Third National Award for Education Programming

SPRINGFIELD — For the third time in as many years, the Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center has been nationally recognized for its innovative education programs.

On Oct. 19, the zoo received the Educational Award of Excellence from the Zoological Assoc. of America for its zookeeper internship program.

The program combines classroom and hands-on learning in a way that creates a well-rounded internship experience for college-aged students. In addition to providing basic care for the 225-plus animals that call the zoo their home, interns also participate in a 12-week professional-development curriculum and complete a capstone project.

“The keeper internship provides college students an opportunity to participate in professional development that includes scholarly articles and educational videos relevant to a weekly topic,” said Caroline Cay Adams, the zoo’s director of education.

Weekly topics are selected by the zoo’s education and animal-care teams and cover a wide range of themes in the field of zoological studies. The program culminates with the enrichment capstone project, in which participants research a species to create an enrichment item based on the animal’s individual needs. Enrichment is an important component of an animal’s daily care and aims to provide mental or physical stimulation by encouraging natural behaviors.

“Seeing the interns combine what they’ve learned about a species’ natural behaviors with their own creativity to provide the animals with physiological exercise and psychological stimulation is rewarding for the animals and people at the zoo,” said Gina Sciartilli-Jorud, the zoo’s animal care manager. “I’m proud to offer these opportunities that inspire forward thinking about animal wellness for up-and-coming animal-care professionals.”

In December 2021, the zoo won the same award for its creation and implementation of the Kids Go Wild program, and in August 2021, Adams received the Janet McCoy Excellence in Public Education Award from the American Assoc. of Zookeepers for her work on Kids Go Wild.

“We are so honored to have won these three education-related awards,” Adams said. “It showcases the importance of education within our organization. And this newest award represents an incredible collaboration between our amazing education and animal-care teams.”

Internships at the Zoo in Forest Park are offered in the fall and spring semesters, as well as summer break. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. While the program is most popular with biology, animal science, pre-veterinary, and environmental studies majors, there is no requirement as to the field of study for those applying. Interested individuals can fill out an application on the zoo’s website at www.forestparkzoo.org/internship.

Big Y Named a Forbes Best-in-State Employer for Fifth Straight Year

SPRINGFIELD — For the fifth year in a row, Big Y has been named a Forbes Best-in-state Employer. Honorees have been identified across all industries based upon an independent survey of employees who anonymously recommend their employers for this award.

Employers, such as Big Y, neither have the knowledge of which employees are polled, nor do they have the ability to influence the results in any way. According to Forbes, employees are asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Employees are also asked to give their opinions on a series of statements surrounding topics such as working conditions, salary, potential for development, and company image. Big Y’s award spans 25 different industries.

“Big Y is honored to be recognized as a Forbes Best-in-state Employer for the fifth year in a row,” Chief Operating Officer Michael D’Amour said. “We remain grateful to every one of our over 10,000 employees for providing essential food and products for our communities every day. We are proud of their efforts and share this honor with each and every one of them.”

East Village Tavern to Donate $5,000 to East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Fund

EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Committee is building a memorial located in front of the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St., East Longmeadow, to honor all veterans who have served and, in some instances, made the ultimate sacrifice for the U.S. Armed Forces.

On Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., the veterans of the East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial Fund and American Legion Post 293 will march from the Legion Post, located at 3 Legion Court, East Longmeadow, to East Longmeadow Town Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony. Immediately following will be a check presentation at East Village Tavern, 53 North Main St., East Longmeadow, where tavern owners Joe, John, and Jessy Sullivan, along with owner Matt Dessereau, will donate $5,000 to the Veterans Memorial Fund.

“This country’s service members have always been an integral part of our businesses, our lives, and our communities,” John Sullivan said. “We’re proud to make this donation, as well as offer a complimentary lunch to all veterans on Saturday, November 11, courtesy of Charlie Arment Trucking.”

MiraVista Launches New Website Resource for HR Professionals

HOLYOKE — MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, which provides inpatient psychiatric care and outpatient substance-use recovery programs, has dedicated a section of its website to assist human-resources professionals in staying current on related services available across the state, as well as having easy access to recently published information on mental health, substance-use treatment, and wellness in the workplace. Click here to visit the page.

The page includes links to government-issued reports such as the U.S. Surgeon General’s “Impact of Not Addressing Mental Health,” the American Psychiatric Assoc. Foundation’s Center for Workplace Mental Health, and Mental Health America’s “2022 Mind the Workplace — Employer Responsibility to Employee Mental Health.”

It lists national, state, and regional crisis helplines and includes access to mental-health-related articles by MiraVista staff members. Links are also provided to local and statewide substance-use treatment resources.

Erica Trudell, MiraVista’s assistant chief Nursing officer, recently spoke to the Human Resources Management Assoc. of Western New England on “Improving Resiliency and Promoting Self-care in the Workplace.” The hour-long presentation covered such points as creating environments in which employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health and are comfortable in providing feedback on workplace mental-health initiatives.

Joel Doolin, executive vice president of MiraVista and its sister, TaraVista Behavioral Health Center in Devens, has addressed how these psychiatric hospitals are important resources in their communities.

In a recent interview, Doolin spoke of MiraVista’s outreach efforts since opening in April 2021 to inform businesses, schools, and parents of resources available at MiraVista and in the community.

“As a leading provider of mental-health and substance-use treatment, MiraVista staff has extensive expertise in these topic areas. We are actively working with partners in our community to make sure those resources are available to anyone who needs them,” he said. “We reach out to workplace professionals through the HR associations in the area or work directly with HR departments. We are a ready and willing partner to support the needs of those who are seeking treatment.”

Kimberley Lee, chief of Creative Strategy and Development at MiraVista, said she hopes the new resource page will prove beneficial as workplaces move to adapt their environments to a post-pandemic world in which the importance of mental healthcare has emerged as a top priority.

“HR professionals work hard to educate themselves on best mental-health and wellness programs to help employees in this post-pandemic world stay healthy, manage work-life balance, and address those issues that are starting to interfere with daily life,” Lee said. “We hope our page will prove beneficial for them, and we are ready to assist, whether through these new online resources or workplace-based presentations.”

HCC Hosting Cannabis Career and Resource Fair Today

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will host a cannabis career and resource fair today, Nov. 9, at the HCC Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development, where individuals interested in working in the cannabis industry can learn about training programs and talk with employers about jobs.

The fair will run from 4 to 7 p.m. in the PeoplesBank Conference Room on the third floor of the Kittredge Center. It is sponsored by the Cannabis Education Center, a partnership between HCC and Elevate Northeast, and Mass CultivatED, a social-equity ‘jail-to-jobs’ program for the cannabis industry.

The fair is free and open to anyone looking for a job in the cannabis industry, which in Massachusetts is close to surpassing $5 billion in sales since cannabis was legalized in the state in 2016. Among the cannabis companies sending representatives to the fair are INSA, Curaleaf, EZ Hire, GTI, 6 Brick’s, and DMC Cannabis.

To register for the fair, visit hcc.edu/canna-fair.

“Whether you’re a job seeker looking to break or an employer seeking talented individuals, this event is the perfect opportunity to discover a wide range of career options and resources in the cannabis industry,” said Jeffrey Hayden, HCC’s vice president of Business and Community Services.

The Cannabis Education Center will run its next two-day, 12-hour Cannabis Core training program on Dec. 2-3, followed by another session on Feb. 3-4, 2024. To register, visit hcc.edu/cannabis-core.

The Cannabis Education Center is a partnership between HCC and Elevate Northeast and based out of HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development. Elevate Northeast is a Massachusetts-based, women-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit, created to support the Northeast’s cannabis industry through workforce training, education, and advocacy. More information on these and other cannabis-industry programs can be found at cannabiseducationcenter.org or by calling (413) 552-2320.

Skoler Abbott Receives Empowering Women Award

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., a labor and employment law firm serving employers in the Greater Springfield area, has been named to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s inaugural Empowering Women list.

The award recognizes Skoler Abbott for its strong commitment to hiring and promoting women, providing mentoring and opportunities for professional advancement to women attorneys, and establishing programs and policies to help women attorneys thrive professionally. Skoler Abbott was the only law firm in Western Mass. to receive this honor.

“Skoler Abbott is committed to providing female attorneys with the time, mentorship, and support to promote their success within the firm, to become recognized leaders in the legal profession, and to build meaningful relationships within the community,” said attorney Erica Flores, a partner at the firm. “Three of our five partners are females, all of whom were promoted from within. Our female attorneys have been recognized with a variety of awards, including Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Top Women of Law. We are incredibly proud of our women attorneys and staff, and we will continue to make the empowerment of women a high priority.”

East Longmeadow Voters Approve Funding for New High School

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow residents approved two ballot questions on Tuesday regarding funding for construction of a new high school at 180 Maple St. and a new natatorium/pool at the school.

Funding for the $177 million high-school project ($82 million of which will be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority) passed by a margin of 3,577 to 1,617, while the pool question passed 3,219 to 1,948.

Monson Savings Bank’s Community Giving Initiative Is Back

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) is inviting the public to submit their votes for the bank’s 2024 Community Giving Initiative.

For more than a decade, MSB has sought the help of community members to plan the bank’s community giving activities. Each year, the bank encourages the public to vote for the nonprofit charitable organizations they would like the bank to support during the coming year. Everyone is welcome to cast their vote online at www.monsonsavings.bank/cgi.

Voters may provide the names of up to three organizations they would like MSB to donate to in 2024. The only requirements are that a nominee is designated a nonprofit and provides services within the bank’s geography. Monson Savings allows each person one vote for three organizations. Voting ends on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m.

Monson Savings Bank pledges to support the 10 organizations that receive the highest number of votes. The top 10 vote recipients will be announced by mid-January.

Visitors to the voting page can also view a compiled list of organizations that the bank has supported in years past, as well as previously nominated organizations.

“The Monson Savings Bank team supports thousands of community members each year. By holding the Community Giving Initiative and gathering input from locals, we ensure that the voice of the community is heard and their chosen charitable organizations will be supported,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “This tradition is one we look forward to each year. We are incredibly grateful for the public’s feedback and support.”

Picture This

Picture This

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

Two Key Donations

The KeyBank Foundation recently awarded the Springfield Boys & Girls Club (SBGC) a $10,000 grant to support the club’s Brain Gain program, an after-school program designed to bolster grade-level reading skills for inner-city, at-risk youth. .

Pictured at top, from left: SBGC board member Aleana Laster; KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer Analisha Michanczyk, KeyBank Branch Manager Vanity Bryant, SBGC Director of Development Karen Natsios, KeyBank Area Retail Leader Sarah Germini, and SBGC Executive Director Vinnie Borello with students in the Brain Gain program

KeyBank also recently awarded Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) a $39,000 charitable grant during the bank’s Volunteer Build Day on Chestnut Street in Holyoke. The donation will assist Habitat’s environmental-stewardship program.

Pictured above, from left: KeyBank employees Janis Deynes, Sharia Coley, Josh Flores, Norbert Grant III, Priya Tater, Tom Morace, Jeff Guyott, Kendle Taylor, and Tito Ramon with Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Aimee Giroux.

Honoring Social Responsibility

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union received the first-place Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award for 2023 in Massachusetts. This annual award is given out by the Cooperative Credit Union Assoc. and the Credit Union National Assoc. to honor a credit union for its social-responsibility projects within the community. UMassFive earned this award in recognition of its participation and fundraising for the UMass Cancer Walk and Run and Will Bike 4 Food.

Pictured, from left: UMassFive’s Ruth Yanka, Craig Boivin, Taylor Robbins, CEO Rich Kump, Cait Murray, Lauren Duffy, Sarissa Markowitz, Jacqui Watrous, and Robert Harrison.

Supporting the Community

Monson Savings Bank recently donated $1,750 to Friends of Wilbraham Recreation as part of the bank’s annual Community Giving Initiative. The community organization received this donation by obtaining enough votes by community members to place in the top 10 vote recipients of the Community Giving Initiative. The donation will support work to improve and maintain the Spec Pond recreational area and the town’s sports programs.

Pictured, from left: Mark Manolakis, Friends of Wilbraham Recreation president; Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO; and Bryan Litz, Wilbraham Parks & Recreation director.

Court Dockets

Court Dockets

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Robert Bauer v. Oakridge Custom Home Builders Inc.

Allegation: Breach of implied warranty of habitability, breach of contract and express warranty, fraudulent misrepresentation, violation of consumer protection law: $150,000

Filed: 9/22/23

Albert Woszczyna and Donna Woszczyna v. Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, American Enterprise Investment Services Inc., and Daryl Devillier

Allegation: Breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, negligence, negligent supervision, negligent/intentional misrepresentations: $700,000

Filed: 9/27/23

Joshua Petit and Dahlia Petit, p/p/a Joshua Petit v. Fun Z Trampoline Park Westfield LLC and Jiamen Chen

Allegation: Negligence causing personal injury: $50,000+

Filed: 9/28/23

Theresa M. Worrell v. Pyramid Management Group LLC, Holyoke Mall LP, UG2 LLC, Gallagher Bassett Services Inc., and Sompo American Insurance Co.

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $17,693.86+

Filed: 9/29/23

Bruce Schulze and Cheryl Schulze v. Jonathan Starkman MD and Pioneer Valley Urology P.C.

Allegation: Medical malpractice: $50,000

Filed: 10/3/23

Alan Best v. S&H Goodies Realty LLC and S&H Goodies Convenience Inc.

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $123,789

Filed: 10/3/23

Southern Connecticut Tackle Co. Inc. v. Christopher Pepe a/k/a Christopher M. Pepe a/k/a Chris Pepe d/b/a Blackbeard’s Bait & Tackle

Allegation: Breach of contract: $312,861.37

Filed: 10/6/23

Jennifer Benoit v. Joanna E. Sampson MD

Allegation: Medical malpractice: $75,000+

Filed: 10/12/23

People on the Move

People on the Move

Tracy Friedenberg

Bacon Wilson announced that Tracy Friedenberg has joined the firm as its new executive director. She comes to Bacon Wilson with more than 25 years of corporate and law-firm experience, including human resources, operations management, and information technology. She will work directly with Managing Shareholder Jeffrey Fialky across all levels of firm management in each of Bacon Wilson’s four offices. Friedenberg previously served as chief of staff for Odin Labs Inc. in New York City. Prior to that, she worked for Day Pitney LLP in Hartford, Conn. for 14 years. Her career path there advanced from project management to senior manager up to director of Technical Services and Project Management in 2020. Day Pitney is an East Coast-based comprehensive law firm with national and international reach, housing more than 300 attorneys and 13 offices throughout the Northeast, as well as in Southeast Florida. Friedenberg holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the UMass College of Arts and Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in apparel marketing from the College of Food and Natural Resources. She serves as president of the board of directors for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization that empowers women to gain economic independence.

•••••

Amanda Sbriscia, vice president of Institutional Advancement at Holyoke Community College (HCC), has been selected for a fellowship for aspiring college presidents by the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education. Now entering its fifth year, 27 college administrators from institutions around the country began their fellowships with an in-person symposium in Washington, D.C. in September. To date, 18 past participants have become presidents or chancellors of higher-education institutions, and many other participants have successfully progressed on the pathway to the presidency with commendations and new positions. The program consists of two symposia, four online workshops, attendance at the AGB National Conference on Trusteeship, and a shadowing experience with a sitting president. The institute features more than 30 higher-education expert presenters, including current and former presidents, trustees, search consultants, and other sector professionals. Sbriscia holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Cedar Crest College, a master’s degree in higher education from Drexel University, and a doctorate in education in educational leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University. Before being hired at HCC as vice president of Institutional Advancement in 2017, she served as senior director of Advancement at Bay Path University, following her role there as director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. Before Bay Path, she worked in fund development for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts and as director of Annual Giving for Anna Maria College in Paxton.

•••••

Rachel Rushing

Holyoke Community College (HCC) welcomed Rachel Rushing as director of the college’s Taber Art Gallery. Originally from Louisiana, Rushing is an interdisciplinary artist with a special interest in photography. She comes to HCC by way of Dallas, where she worked with the Nasher Sculpture Center to develop the Visitor Experiences program and manage special projects, such as the 2022 exhibition of CARNE y ARENA, a virtual-reality exhibition written and directed by Academy Award-winning Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu that integrates viewers into the true accounts of refugees in their journey across the southern U.S. border. Rushing also founded and co-directed Sunset Art Studios, a social-practice art gallery, residency, and studio in Dallas. She becomes only the second director since the gallery opened in 1998, succeeding founding director Amy Johnquest, who retired last spring. Her first show as Taber director was an exhibition of photographs by John Leni Marcy titled “The City on Paper: Representations of HolyoRícan Life,” which was curated and captioned by HCC students enrolled in Latinx Studies classes. The Taber Art Gallery, located off the lobby of the HCC Library on the second floor of the HCC Donahue Building, is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., during regular school sessions.

•••••

American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Christopher Putnam as director of Institutional Assessment, Research, and Effectiveness. This appointment reflects AIC’s recognition of Putnam’s dedication, expertise, and valuable contributions to the college. In his new role, Putnam will be responsible for overseeing assessment and evaluation processes designed to measure the effectiveness of the institution’s programs and services. Additionally, he will provide leadership in research and analysis, strategic planning, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. Prior to assuming his new role, Putnam served as AIC’s student-success data analyst and demonstrated exemplary leadership in several key areas. This included the supervision of AIC’s New England Commission for Higher Education five-year report, a mandated periodic evaluation of the content and relevance of the college’s mission. Before joining AIC, Putnam held positions as a graduation and transfer credit specialist and manager of Student Services at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif. He began his career in higher education at California State University (CSU) Sacramento, where he worked in admissions and records and academic advising. During his time at CSU, Putnam pursued his master’s degree in higher education leadership. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and subsequently obtained a certificate in web programming from Cosumnes River College.

•••••

Pamela Sandler AIA Architect recently welcomed Norman Anton, senior designer and project manager; and Amy Pulver, office manager, to its fast-growing team. Anton is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has lived and worked in Europe and Saudi Arabia. He attended Washington University School of Architecture in St. Louis and has worked extensively in the field with carpenters, electricians, and landscape designers. Prior to joining the Sandler AIA team, he was an architectural designer at Clark and Green. He has a wide range of experience, including historic preservation, corporate interiors, retail showrooms, and residential projects. Pulver is at the helm of the firm’s mission to create spaces with joy for new and existing clients. Her duties include event planning, facilities management, project coordination, and budget planning, ensuring that the office runs smoothly so that the design team can continue to deliver unique projects to clients and grow its relationship with the community. She brings years of experience to the Stockbridge-based architecture firm. Prior to working with Sandler, she served for nearly a decade in multiple positions and departments within the town of Great Barrington, including Public Works, Planning, and most recently as executive secretary to the town manager and Select Board.

•••••

Celia Hickson

One year after joining the Square One team as fiscal manager, Celia Hickson has been named the agency’s chief financial officer. Hickson brings 25 years of accounting and finance experience in a variety of industries. She has worked as a controller and financial analyst in the publishing, software, biotech, and nonprofit industries. She began her career at Ernst & Young, where she earned her CPA. She is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. An active volunteer with Horizons for Homeless Children, she has held various leadership roles on several volunteer boards.

•••••

After 25 years at the helm, Anne Teschner will step down as executive director of the Care Center. She will continue in that role to support succession planning with the Care Center’s board of directors to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership. The Care Center helps young mothers and low-income women resume their education wherever they left off, from HiSET preparation to an onsite college. Designed for busy mothers living in poverty, the Care Center offers childcare, transportation, counseling, food, and healthcare so that women can concentrate on their studies. During her tenure, Teschner has been instrumental in steering the Care Center through pivotal changes, establishing the organization as a leader in the realm of women’s education and empowerment. Under her leadership, the Care Center has launched visionary initiatives, such as the Bard Microcollege Holyoke and the Moving Women Forward Endowment campaign. Each year, approximately 200 young mothers and other low-income women benefit from the holistic support provided by the Care Center, based at 247 Cabot St. in Holyoke. The process of identifying the next executive director to build upon this foundation is underway.

Company Notebook

Company Notebook

UMass System Generates $8.3 Billion in Economic Activity

AMHERST — The five-campus University of Massachusetts system generated a record $8.3 billion in economic activity and supported nearly 40,000 external jobs across Massachusetts, according to a new Donahue Institute report. The analysis found that the economic impact generated by the five-campus UMass system translates into a 9-to-1 return on the state investment in the university. According to the report, each of the five university campuses generated a significant economic impact for its region and the state. The major drivers of economic impact are student, faculty, and staff spending; construction projects; and the university’s purchase of goods and services required for university operations. Besides the spending captured in the economic-impact formula, the report highlights several other UMass contributions to the Massachusetts economy. For example, more than 330,000 of the university’s alumni live in Massachusetts, contributing skills and knowledge to the economy, purchasing goods and services from Massachusetts businesses, and paying local and state taxes. Each year, the university’s five campuses award approximately 20,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees, and nearly three-quarters of its undergraduates are working in Massachusetts five years after graduation. Furthermore, the university’s five campuses house more than 90 core research facilities that are made available to small and medium-sized Massachusetts companies to accelerate their job-creating research and development activity; users of the core facilities make a $364 million contribution to the Massachusetts’ economy, beyond the $8.3 billion cited in the report. The university’s $813 million research enterprise — the third-largest behind Harvard and MIT in Massachusetts — results in patents and technology licensing that creates jobs in established companies and forms the basis for startup companies. In FY 2022, UMass inventions generated $41 million in licensing revenue for the university and 242 patent applications. Finally, UMass campuses attract thousands of people for campus tours, conferences, performances, and sporting events, generating significant economic benefits through spending for transportation, restaurants, lodging, cultural attractions, and retail shops.

Girls Inc. of the Valley Receives $2 Million Earmark

HOLYOKE — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal recently joined Girls Inc. of the Valley Executive Director Suzanne Parker to announce a $2 million earmark to support the renovation of the Girls Inc. of the Valley headquarters and program center. The allocation was made possible through congressionally directed spending from the Department of Education. Neal included funding for this project in the FY 2023 spending bill that was signed into law on Dec. 29, 2022. With this funding, Girls Inc. of the Valley will be able to complete the $7 million renovation of its 16,000-square-foot facility at 480 Hampden St. in Holyoke. Their new location will serve as their permanent headquarters and program center where it will serve more than 1,000 girls from underserved communities. Students in the organization range from ages 5 to 18 and participate in programs offered year-round to help them make better decisions about their health and lifestyles, set and achieve higher academic goals, and put themselves on track to lead independent, successful lives.

Longtime Listener Bequeaths $3 Million to NEPM

SPRINGFIELD — The late Walter Wolnik of Amherst has bequeathed New England Public Media $3 million, the largest gift in NEPM’s history. The transformational gift will support NEPM’s ongoing commitment to presenting classical music on the radio in Western Mass., with a specific focus on access to classical music overnight. Wolnik passed away on Sept. 20, 2022 at the age of 76. He was born and raised in Indian Orchard, where he attended a local high school before graduating from Harvard University in 1969. Wolnik then studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a systems programming consultant for labs at several hospitals in the Boston area and spent a significant portion of time researching and managing his investments. He lived in Newton before moving to Amherst in 2000, where he was active in local politics and enjoyed gardening. He was a longtime listener to NEPM and was especially fond of classical music in the overnight hours.

Berkshire Bank Foundation Donates $426,000 in Third Quarter

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank announced more than $426,000 in Berkshire Bank Foundation philanthropic investments during the third quarter of 2023 in communities Berkshire Bank serves. According to foundation Director Lori Gazzillo Kiely, “the Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that provide equitable opportunities for economic prosperity. During the third quarter of 2023, we assisted 124 nonprofit organizations with funding to support community needs. In addition, we supported programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth that provides opportunities for women to build a future enriched with financial stability, balance, and growth.”

Freedom Credit Union Raises More Than $2,700 for Food Bank

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout the months of July and August, Freedom Credit Union raised more than $2,700 through its annual summer food drive for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. In addition to cash donations, Freedom also collected non-perishable food items. Since 1982, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has helped provide much-needed food to area residents in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. It sources its products from donations, which it distributes to participating pantries, meal sites, and shelters throughout the region.

United Way Opens Holyoke Community Cupboard

SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) opened its Holyoke Community Cupboard on Nov. 2 at 164 Race St. in Holyoke. The result of a partnership among Holyoke Community College (HCC), the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, and United Way of Pioneer Valley, this new food pantry will have the capacity to serve many Holyoke residents, as well as neighbors in nearby towns. The Holyoke Community Cupboard is located within the Culinary Arts Institute building on Race Street, an area identified as a food desert in the city. UWPV and HCC are excited to use the Culinary Arts Institute space to build collaborative solutions to food insecurity.

Happier Valley Comedy Awards ‘Free Happiness’ to Nonprofits

HADLEY — The Happier Valley Comedy board of directors announced their selection of two Western Mass. nonprofits as the fall 2023 recipients of its Free Happiness Program: Community Health Center of Franklin County (CHCFC) and Transhealth. The Free Happiness Program offers a free Happier Valley Comedy private event, such as a professional-development event or private improv show, to local nonprofit organizations that benefit underrepresented, underserved, and/or BIPOC individuals and communities. Community Health Center of Franklin County is a nonprofit agency operating medical clinics in Greenfield and Orange to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. It will use its award to bring a professional-development event called “An Improviser’s Guide to Building Resilience & Connection” to its fall retreat. Transhealth is a trans-led Northampton medical center that provides affirming and empowering healthcare services to transgender and gender-diverse individuals and their families. It will use its award to help support the staff’s continued work in healthcare, advocacy, and education in the local trans community. Applications for the Free Happiness Program are accepted on a rolling basis and awarded twice a year. Any organization who would like to be considered for future awards must be a registered 501(c)(3) and can apply at www.happiervalley.com/free-happiness. The next round of awards will be presented in the spring of 2024.

Bulkley Richardson Named 2024 Best Law Firm in 14 Practice Areas

SPRINGFIELD — Best Lawyers, in partnership with U.S. News and World Report, ranks Bulkley Richardson as 2024 Best Law Firm in the Springfield region in the following 14 practice areas: banking and finance law, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, business organizations (including LLCs and partnerships), commercial litigation, corporate law, criminal defense – general practice, criminal defense – white collar, employment law, litigation – labor and employment, medical-malpractice law – defendants, personal-injury litigation – defendants, real-estate law, tax law, and trusts and estates law. To be eligible for a ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer included in the list of Best Lawyers. Bulkley Richardson has 15 lawyers included on the 2024 Best Lawyers list, and two of the firm’s partners, Michael Burke and John Pucci, were named 2024 Springfield-area Lawyers of the Year. Rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer reviews from leading attorneys in their field.

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies

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

Alston-Brown, Keisha
18 Aster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/02/2023

Arsenault, Kelly A.
84 Eastwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/30/2023

Athol Memorial Hospital
2033 Main St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 11
Date: 10/01/2023

Athol Memorial Hospital NMTC Holdings, Inc.
2033 Main St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 11
Date: 10/01/2023

Boivin, Lynn Ann
240 Arthur St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/09/2023

Clemonts, Carrie M.
105 Lancaster St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/12/2023

Felton, Eric C.
35 Forest Hill Road
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/05/2023

Fletcher, Ian E.
93 Park Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/05/2023

Goodrow, Clayton John
36 West St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/03/2023

Gordon, Shirleyanna
1518 Dwight St., Apt. L1
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/05/2023

Kaczamarek, Michael W.
51 Crane Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/04/2023

Kunesch, Felicia Mae
73 Wheeler Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/10/2023

Larzazs, Keith F.
210 Greenwich Plains Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/30/2023

Laureano, Maria
86 Malden St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 10/10/2023

Line, Kellee A.
108 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/09/2023

Montovani, Shirley M.
15 Hanward Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 09/30/2023

Morrow, Johannes G.
a/k/a Ansgaar, Johannes
PO Box 183
South Lee, MA 01260
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/10/2023

Olander, Diana M.
32 Felicia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/14/2023

Parsley, David W.
42 Clarkson Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/05/2023

Roca, Rafael A.
14 Katelyn Way
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/30/2023

Sawyer, Rebecca L.
33 Elm St.
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/05/2023

Thomas, Timothy E.
229 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/13/2023

Visneau, Michael F.
Surprise, Lauren E.
14 Rittenhouse Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/30/2023

Wagner, Tina R.
99 Northridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 10/10/2023

Zoschak, Andrea
1 Longview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 09/29/2023

Real Estate Transactions

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

BUCKLAND

119 Elm St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $680,000
Buyer: Steven C. Parsons
Seller: J. T. McConnell Investment
Date: 10/03/23

40 Mechanic St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $350,500
Buyer: John MacGibbon
Seller: Sachs Int.
Date: 10/13/23

CONWAY

638 South Deerfield Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $150,700
Buyer: Herlinda Tuesca
Seller: Pioneer Valley Habitat For Humanity
Date: 10/10/23

GILL

4 Set Back Lane
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Paul D. Viens
Seller: Richard Cramm
Date: 10/10/23

GREENFIELD

11 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Eagle Real Estate Ventures LLC
Seller: Monahan Int.
Date: 10/06/23

110 Cottage St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Dauntless Path LLC
Seller: Lovell, George L., (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

38 Ferrante Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $476,000
Buyer: Ryan Lavoie
Seller: Lawrence P. Interlande
Date: 10/11/23

150 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Joshua M. Levin
Seller: Steiner, Mary L., (Estate)
Date: 10/05/23

23-25 Haywood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Hillary E. Smith
Seller: William Spencer
Date: 10/04/23

75 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Kerry Heathwaite
Seller: Yestramski, Francis J., (Estate)
Date: 10/10/23

462 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Zachary Fry
Seller: Richardson, Sally Tam, (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

99 Meadow Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Corissa E. Tripp
Seller: Wong, Yoshiko, (Estate)
Date: 10/02/23

4 Michelman Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Douglas Simon
Seller: John F. Lobik
Date: 10/10/23

36 Robbins Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $281,750
Buyer: Freeland J. Tuden
Seller: Joseph R. Lavallee
Date: 10/13/23

LEVERETT

2 Laurel Hill Dr.
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $778,750
Buyer: Linda A. Bullock
Seller: Peter Longiaru
Date: 10/12/23

LEYDEN

168 Kately Hill Road
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $781,000
Buyer: 168 Kately Hill LLC
Seller: Donald R. Adams
Date: 10/05/23

6 Stephen Lane
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: 168 Kately Hill LLC
Seller: Donald R. Adams
Date: 10/05/23

MONTAGUE

111 Federal St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $147,250
Buyer: Edward Terault
Seller: Warsawski, Rose A., (Estate)
Date: 10/12/23

110 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $1,350,000
Buyer: L St. Corporate Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopers LLC
Date: 10/06/23

132 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $1,350,000
Buyer: L St Corporate Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopers LLC
Date: 10/06/23

19 Morris Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Tomas Ovalle
Seller: Vivier, Pearl, (Estate)
Date: 10/11/23

NORTHFIELD

571-E Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Lavallee
Seller: David Gorzocoski
Date: 10/13/23

ORANGE

475 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: 475 East Main St. RT
Seller: Avila, John B., (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

188 Pleasant St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Wickline
Seller: TCS Home Group LLC
Date: 10/13/23

SHUTESBURY

Summer Mountain Road, Lot 2
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Lugosch Int.
Seller: Joan A. Antonino
Date: 10/12/23

SUNDERLAND

Brown Cross Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $195,500
Buyer: Wiseacre LLC
Seller: Monterey Rose LLC
Date: 10/11/23

River Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $195,500
Buyer: Wiseacre LLC
Seller: Monterey Rose LLC
Date: 10/11/23

WENDELL

95 Lockes Village Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $242,533
Buyer: Donald Kuzmeskus
Seller: Chicorka, Katrina L., (Estate)
Date: 10/04/23

WHATELY

167 Haydenville Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: Allissa T. Jukiro
Seller: Grace G. Dwight RET
Date: 10/04/23

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

28 Center St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Whitehead. Donald R., (Estate)
Date: 10/04/23

52 Edgewater Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Daniel M. Geiger
Seller: Dorothy A. Sliech
Date: 10/10/23

28 Maynard St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Douglas Delaroche
Seller: Thomas E. Schnepp
Date: 10/13/23

832 North West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $342,500
Buyer: Thomas C. Williams
Seller: Colin O. McLean
Date: 10/06/23

20 Ottawa St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Brian Cote
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 10/12/23

99 Pineview Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Caroline A. Scherpa
Seller: Charles H. Heimann IRC
Date: 10/10/23

79 Poinsetta St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Brian F. Moriarty
Seller: Daniel Geiger
Date: 10/10/23

362 Poplar St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Wodecki
Seller: Viktor Savonin
Date: 10/05/23

435 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $429,000
Buyer: Colin M. Deforge
Seller: Longo, Robert L., (Estate)
Date: 10/03/23

966 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Mark R. Magistri
Seller: Rising, Daniel Cesan, (Estate)
Date: 10/05/23

277 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $2,562,500
Buyer: Maya Associates LLC
Seller: 277 Silver LLC
Date: 10/11/23

558 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Maven Investment Co. LLC
Seller: Cynthia A. Kozak
Date: 10/04/23

647 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Brett Bamford
Seller: Kevin J. Davidson
Date: 10/03/23

784 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Tracy
Seller: Tomroc Holdings LLC
Date: 10/02/23

BRIMFIELD

108 Cubles Dr.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Chad Carter
Seller: Joseph Lace
Date: 10/10/23

26 Hollow Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Jennysa Singvongsa
Seller: Methuselah RT
Date: 10/11/23

85 Hollow Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $218,500
Buyer: Kristen Wood Special Need
Seller: Jockamo H. Baldina
Date: 10/11/23

230 Park Ave.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Paige Hill Properties LLC
Seller: Rcfam LLC
Date: 10/10/23

Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Paige Hill Properties LLC
Seller: Rcfam LLC
Date: 10/10/23

CHESTER

92 Old State Hwy.
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Lisa Estrada
Seller: Terence M. Pease
Date: 10/13/23

CHICOPEE

18 Bemis St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Meg Realty LLC
Seller: Dalton Alexis
Date: 10/10/23

415 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: SS Enterprises Inc.
Seller: C&H Investments Inc.
Date: 10/12/23

8 Grace St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Ahmed Al Jashaam
Seller: Brodeur, Gail A., (Estate)
Date: 10/03/23

138 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Jack Watson
Seller: Andrew J. Crane
Date: 10/06/23

131 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Shirley Donkor
Seller: Bozek Realty Inc.
Date: 10/04/23

30 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Priscilla Goldman
Seller: Jonathan W. Moulton
Date: 10/13/23

106 Lawrence Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $344,900
Buyer: Nancy M. Benard
Seller: Kazimiera Bak
Date: 10/11/23

1752 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Matthew Yacavone
Seller: Carolyn Z. Vickers
Date: 10/04/23

36 Mercedes St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $246,500
Buyer: Patrick E. Goonan
Seller: Michael J. Goonan
Date: 10/11/23

Pleasantview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Ahmed Al Jashaam
Seller: Brodeur, Gail A., (Estate)
Date: 10/03/23

123 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Adivio V. Gomes
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 10/13/23

12 Tenney St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Donald A. Houle
Seller: Daniel A. Brosseau
Date: 10/04/23

27 Thornwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Phillip Rankin
Seller: McEwan, Joyce M., (Estate)
Date: 10/05/23

115 Tolpa Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Brendan Levesque
Seller: Donald J. Roy
Date: 10/13/23

44 Wallace Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Barbara Paulo
Seller: Kyle J. Partridge
Date: 10/13/23

EAST LONGMEADOW

Denslow Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Laplante Construction Inc.
Seller: Richard G. Elfman
Date: 10/13/23

41 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Megan Sullivan
Seller: Hugh K. Martin
Date: 10/10/23

11 Kenneth Lunden Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Brandon Obrien
Seller: David C. Malchow
Date: 10/11/23

39 Lenox Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Sara Margoles TR
Seller: Lynn M. Bolton
Date: 10/02/23

260 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $281,500
Buyer: Kyle T. Palazzi
Seller: Darlene M. Collins
Date: 10/05/23

136 Meadow Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Brian Gurski
Seller: Walter J. Crawford
Date: 10/11/23

32 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Nicholas Gero
Seller: Grigely, Anne M., (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

32 Melwood Ave., Lot 12
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Nicholas Gero
Seller: Grigely, Anne M., (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

4 Millbrook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Amanda Torres-Alvarado
Seller: Quercus Properties LLC
Date: 10/06/23

91 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Ryan B. McGuire
Seller: Erin Ahart
Date: 10/13/23

Purves St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: 60 Munson Meeting Way LLC
Seller: Laplante Construction
Date: 10/13/23

48 Wellington Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Jaafar M. Hamadeh
Seller: Thomas C. Williams
Date: 10/06/23

70 Wood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Robert McCarthy
Seller: Michelle McCarthy
Date: 10/12/23

HAMPDEN

50 Baldwin Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Terbush
Seller: Joseph Hutchison
Date: 10/10/23

102 Baldwin Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $166,200
Buyer: Lumturi RT
Seller: Polley, David M., (Estate)
Date: 10/02/23

522 Main St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: 522 Main St. Realty LLC
Seller: Hatch Property Mgmt. LLC
Date: 10/03/23

HOLYOKE

30 Ashley Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Megan E. Fanning
Seller: Mark J. Dizek
Date: 10/12/23

44 Congress Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Gabriella Phelan
Seller: Pedro Berrios
Date: 10/11/23

1519 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,451,412
Buyer: Cadet 23 LLC
Seller: Oliver Auto Body
Date: 10/04/23

26 Florence Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Jason Laboy
Seller: Sky RET
Date: 10/03/23

278 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Maria M. Aquino
Seller: Ameilia M. Czarnik
Date: 10/05/23

50-52 Vernon St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Sarah Jerome
Seller: Hann Realty LLC
Date: 10/12/23

LONGMEADOW

Brookside Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Camille Burger
Seller: Mark E. Salomone
Date: 10/12/23

112 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Anthony G. Dallessandro
Seller: Luigi Chiarella
Date: 10/06/23

55 Cedar Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: John Stocks
Seller: Reginald D. Smith
Date: 10/03/23

120 Crestview Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Eileen Castellanos
Seller: Daniel R. Schwarting
Date: 10/11/23

58 Fairfield Ter.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $492,500
Buyer: Jeslyn Carr
Seller: Jonathan A. Bubier
Date: 10/05/23

24 Herbert St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Xuan Tang
Seller: Matthew Gaffney
Date: 10/02/23

389 Inverness Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Neil Greene
Seller: Jacob B. Webber
Date: 10/11/23

549 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Gregory J. Hughes
Seller: David A. Hirsh
Date: 10/04/23

64 Redfern Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: G. B. & Susan R. Gravel RET
Seller: March Thompson
Date: 10/05/23

1112 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Matthew Sandler
Seller: Gregory Dumeny
Date: 10/02/23

42 Woodlawn Pl
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Christen Brownlee
Seller: Woodlawn Property LLC
Date: 10/05/23

57 Woolworth St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Goodman LLC
Seller: Morgan, Marjorie S., (Estate)
Date: 10/13/23

LUDLOW

66 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Antonio G. Norton
Seller: Robert J. Lefebvre
Date: 10/02/23

504 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Galina Mashitlova
Seller: Transform Property Group LLC
Date: 10/02/23

415 Holyoke St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Robert F. Bourdeau
Seller: Bourdeau Sr., Robert D., (Estate)
Date: 10/11/23

16 May Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $302,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Behnk
Seller: Flowers, Steven A., (Estate)
Date: 10/11/23

455 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Nathanial Mizula
Seller: Nicholas R. Fales
Date: 10/05/23

13 Salli Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Christopher H. Newman
Seller: Stephanie A. Richard
Date: 10/02/23

15 Victor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $265,300
Buyer: Darlene L. Kennedy
Seller: Shawn N. Thompson
Date: 10/12/23

MONSON

59 Beebe Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Heather Garvie
Seller: Judith C. Chlebus
Date: 10/05/23

MONTGOMERY

217 Pitcher St.
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Amy Varner
Seller: David W. Tourville
Date: 10/05/23

PALMER

4001-4003 Hill St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Stan Properties LLC
Seller: Jose Miranda
Date: 10/05/23

1505-A-C North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Abdul Bashier Sroosh
Seller: Linda S. Pardo
Date: 10/03/23

1644-1646 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Steven Mercure
Seller: A To Z Property Mgmt.
Date: 10/12/23

1061 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Ana Hernandez
Seller: Mt Home LLC
Date: 10/11/23

RUSSELL

541 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Jonathan Fannin Special TR
Seller: Tony L. Lewis
Date: 10/10/23

SPRINGFIELD

86 Anniversary St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Lismarie S. Negron-Morales
Seller: Mark A. Wikar
Date: 10/11/23

234 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Frederick Collins
Seller: Douglas J. Dichard
Date: 10/12/23

438 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Yulaska G. Aguasvivas
Seller: Shaynah M. Orr
Date: 10/04/23

665 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Thomas Wilson
Seller: Joanne L. Lupi
Date: 10/13/23

726 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $740,000
Buyer: Shariyfah Lupus Fund LLC
Seller: Airbel Real Estate LLC
Date: 10/04/23

788 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $740,000
Buyer: Shariyfah Lupus Fund LLC
Seller: Airbel Real Estate LLC
Date: 10/04/23

818 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Padam Gajmer
Seller: Ravin Sharma
Date: 10/02/23

24-26 Berkshire St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Okeila S. Ledgister
Seller: Franco Henriques IRT
Date: 10/06/23

220 Birchland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Jennifer D. King
Seller: Ann Hughes
Date: 10/04/23

333 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: 1 Root Inc.
Seller: Boston Road RT
Date: 10/03/23

212 Bowles Park
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Andrea Giordano
Seller: Rene Ricardi
Date: 10/04/23

392-394 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $163,500
Buyer: Posiadlosc LLC
Seller: Steven E. Zeimbekakis
Date: 10/10/23

145 Carr St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Nickolas S. Demetrius
Seller: Robert M. Gleason
Date: 10/02/23

66 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $156,800
Buyer: JR & Dee Realty LLC
Seller: Peter E. Sares
Date: 10/02/23

11 Champlain Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: P. & R. Investments LLC
Seller: Stacy L. Jacobs
Date: 10/03/23

43-45 Clayton St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Robinah Kintu
Seller: Kevin Kitchens
Date: 10/02/23

66 Clement St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Kristopher G. Hills
Seller: Robert H. Wilder
Date: 10/05/23

66 Crystal Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Keys Upgrade LLC
Seller: Sullivan Property Preservation
Date: 10/13/23

631-633 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Earl N. Reed
Seller: Khai D. Do
Date: 10/06/23

98-100 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $754,500
Buyer: Round Two LLC
Seller: Junior Properties LLC
Date: 10/03/23

37 Dubois St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $131,700
Buyer: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Seller: Emily A. Linzi
Date: 10/06/23

116 Edgemere Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Sasha Ramos
Seller: M. & F. Vazquez Home Improvements
Date: 10/06/23

57-59 Eloise St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $754,500
Buyer: Round Two LLC
Seller: Junior Properties LLC
Date: 10/03/23

156 Fair Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Wolfpack Realty Corp.
Seller: Anthony S. Cremonti
Date: 10/06/23

31 Freeman Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Beacon Cornerstone LLC
Seller: Paul L. Keyes
Date: 10/12/23

32-34 Fresno St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Idamaris Vega
Seller: Dimetrius A. Hatcher
Date: 10/11/23

27 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Jonathan Schroeder
Seller: Christopher J. Castellano
Date: 10/04/23

63 Gilman St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Anissa L. Nieves
Seller: Royal Hill LLC
Date: 10/11/23

128 Glenmore St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Alex J. Tsang
Seller: Czeslaw Kierkla
Date: 10/06/23

130 Glenmore St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Alex J. Tsang
Seller: Czeslaw Kierkla
Date: 10/06/23

71 Grape St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Keron Leslie
Seller: Rosalyn Champlain
Date: 10/10/23

18 Greenacre Square
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Aramis Ruiz
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 10/10/23

517-519 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Silvia Gonzalez
Seller: Sonia C. Marte
Date: 10/13/23

54 Hood St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Sandra Roman
Seller: Wilson & Family Real Estate LLC
Date: 10/11/23

157 Jamaica St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Daliza M. Burgos-Ramos
Seller: Darryl E. Moss
Date: 10/06/23

56-58 Jefferson Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Bright Day Care LLC
Seller: Jose J. Feliz-Gonzalez
Date: 10/03/23

96 Magnolia Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Emily Sprague
Seller: 96 Magnolia Terrace LLC
Date: 10/13/23

403-405 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $344,000
Buyer: Lassarone Charlemagne
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 10/11/23

1628-1640 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $758,000
Buyer: Mago Inc.
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 10/06/23

49 Mallowhill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Shaynah M. Orr
Seller: Carla M. Sylla
Date: 10/05/23

28 Medford St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Jjj17 LLC
Seller: Gonzalez, Pedro M., (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

255 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Giovanni Paz
Seller: Relegacy Investments LLC
Date: 10/10/23

151 Packard Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Shanu Shanmugampillai
Seller: Alethea A. Haines
Date: 10/13/23

63 Park Edge Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Coffee
Seller: Skerker FT
Date: 10/06/23

676 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Andrea M. Bushman
Seller: Betty Deluca
Date: 10/10/23

174 Pineywoods Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $248,500
Buyer: Camilla J. Miller
Seller: Accredited Mtg. Loan TR 200
Date: 10/13/23

85 Pocantico Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Lisa Holland
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 10/06/23

12 Prescott St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $367,000
Buyer: Robert Foster
Seller: Patricia A. Maione
Date: 10/13/23

50 Riverview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Will J. Severe
Seller: Riverview Street RT
Date: 10/11/23

6 Rogers Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $131,000
Buyer: Lee A. Dutil
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 10/13/23

34-36 Ruskin St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Steven Hayes
Seller: Diane N. Kadzik
Date: 10/02/23

30 Sachem St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $754,500
Buyer: Round Two LLC
Seller: Junior Properties LLC
Date: 10/03/23

239 Saint James Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Eric Chang
Seller: Fnma
Date: 10/13/23

288 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $127,260
Buyer: Mortgage Assets Mgmt LLC
Seller: Annie L. Davis
Date: 10/06/23

22 Savoy Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: John Lizardi
Seller: Caroline R. Malaquias
Date: 10/06/23

116 Sierra Vista Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Sherilyn K. Small
Seller: Amanda C. Alvarado
Date: 10/06/23

12 Skyridge Lane
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Anthony Quinones
Seller: Casey L. Brown
Date: 10/12/23

34 Sonia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jason G. Peskurich
Seller: Anna M. Maliga
Date: 10/06/23

1193 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: SRS Partners LLC
Seller: Pogman Realty LLC
Date: 10/02/23

52-54 Stockman St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nelson Luciano
Seller: JJJ17 LLC
Date: 10/10/23

261 Sunrise Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Emilio J. Bruno-Diaz
Seller: JJJ17 LLC
Date: 10/10/23

19 Taft St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $218,530
Buyer: United Wholesale Mtg. LLC
Seller: Michael Sandberger
Date: 10/04/23

35 Trafton Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Mohamed Bendrao
Seller: Garken Realty LLC
Date: 10/02/23

201 Verge St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: James H. Burrell
Seller: Scott J. Denesha
Date: 10/02/23

80 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $235,500
Buyer: Round Two LLC
Seller: AJN Rentals LLC
Date: 10/03/23

122 West Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Graham & Lumpkin LLC
Seller: Paul R. Hanney
Date: 10/06/23

208 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Tandeka Hicks
Seller: Td Bank
Date: 10/02/23

111 Winterset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Magaly M. Vazquez
Seller: Stephen Farr
Date: 10/03/23

50 Winthrop St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Alfred Shattelroe
Seller: Alfred Shattelroe
Date: 10/13/23

45 Yale St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ebony Badger
Seller: David Givans
Date: 10/06/23

SOUTHWICK

62 Davis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Elizabeth R. Imelio
Seller: Joseph M. Carnevale
Date: 10/02/23

25 Fernwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Scott Denesha
Seller: Streeter, Leland E., (Estate)
Date: 10/02/23

210 Hillside Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Connor J. Birchall
Seller: Paula Wells
Date: 10/11/23

105 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Launa Klimowicz
Seller: Jason K. Lichtenberger
Date: 10/13/23

7 Pineywood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: James Foley
Seller: Shirley Cross
Date: 10/12/23

TOLLAND

227 Lakeside Dr.
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Gary P. Fredericks
Seller: Susan M. Bullock
Date: 10/02/23

2000 New Boston Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Diane C. Christian
Seller: Dina Dumezil
Date: 10/13/23

WALES

77 Mount Hitchcock Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jeffrey R. Latour
Seller: Sherry Latour
Date: 10/10/23

WEST SPRINGFIELD

2 Elizabeth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Mass Housing LLC
Seller: McNulty, Thomas O., (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

512 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Joseph J. Czarnik
Seller: Samuel Sevelo
Date: 10/05/23

69 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: URL Properties LLC
Seller: Alan N. Sharpe
Date: 10/05/23

26 Southworth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sean M. Fitzpatrick
Seller: Charles T. Disponett
Date: 10/04/23

38 Upper Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Anthony Pelletier
Seller: Trevor Cupp
Date: 10/03/23

2165 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Nathaniel M. Mish
Seller: Andrew J. Gasperini
Date: 10/11/23

48 Worthen St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Stephen A. Alvord
Seller: West Co. Investments LLC
Date: 10/02/23

WESTFIELD

21 Allen Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Christopher Ramos
Seller: Paul R. Troy
Date: 10/13/23

55 Apple Orchard Heights
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Theodore R. Alvord
Date: 10/02/23

90 Berkshire Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Oleksak
Seller: Constance J. Tkaczek
Date: 10/06/23

25 Big Wood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $577,300
Buyer: Jonathan Zuber
Seller: Kelly J. Cieplinski LT
Date: 10/11/23

30 Cardinal Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Tatyana Sevostyanov
Seller: Gil D. Talamayan
Date: 10/06/23

51 Crescent Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $489,900
Buyer: Charles Marsland
Seller: Thomas M. Bregoli
Date: 10/06/23

108 Elizabeth Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Dario Duchi
Seller: Aldo Palazzi
Date: 10/13/23

149 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Mary B. Tichacek
Seller: Edward P. Andreski
Date: 10/13/23

7 Harvest Moon Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Robert M. Levesque
Seller: Chad H. Nelson
Date: 10/06/23

95 Honey Pot Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Andrew R. Loftus
Seller: Robert M. Lafrance
Date: 10/02/23

66 Janis Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Tyler Simmitt
Seller: Kimberly A. Constance
Date: 10/03/23

33 Jessie Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $498,000
Buyer: Stephen Dowd
Seller: William E. O’Neill
Date: 10/06/23

109 Joseph Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Andrey Nesen
Seller: Jeevan Kafley
Date: 10/10/23

39 Magnolia Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Shannon N. Anderson
Seller: Sandra L. Fiedler
Date: 10/11/23

67 Mainline Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Morestate LLC
Seller: Three Brothers LLC
Date: 10/06/23

30 Medieros Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $950,000
Buyer: NGL Supply Terminal Co. LLC
Seller: Mongeau Realty LLC
Date: 10/03/23

199 Munger Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Bregoli
Seller: Michael A. Mundorf
Date: 10/06/23

30-32 Park St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $468,000
Buyer: Viktor Pikulskyi
Seller: Jeremy J. Beltrandi
Date: 10/13/23

Pitcher St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Amy Varner
Seller: David W. Tourville
Date: 10/05/23

7 Westwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $512,000
Buyer: Richard Howitt
Seller: Randolph R. Calvo
Date: 10/10/23

139 Wyben Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Benjamin Gillespie
Seller: Courtney M. Gagne
Date: 10/03/23

WILBRAHAM

291 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: William D. John
Seller: William L. Meeker
Date: 10/12/23

103 Burleigh Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $303,333
Buyer: Ashlee M. Tromblay
Seller: David T. Tromblay
Date: 10/10/23

12 Delmor Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Valerie P. Huard
Seller: Christopher J. Behnk
Date: 10/11/23

161 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Joan A. Devitto
Seller: Elizabeth Damato
Date: 10/11/23

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

18 Bayberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $827,500
Buyer: Dominick C. Lacapra
Seller: Jonathan J. Kane
Date: 10/13/23

80 Fearing St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $642,500
Buyer: Enhan Wang
Seller: Kruppres LLC
Date: 10/11/23

85 Hillcrest Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $695,000
Buyer: Thomas E. Brennan
Seller: Nicholas J. Dufresne
Date: 10/06/23

29 Justice Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $404,000
Buyer: Rongjuan Liu
Seller: Francis X. O’Connor
Date: 10/10/23

BELCHERTOWN

256 Cold Spring Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Sean P. Garcia
Seller: Theresa A. Przybylowcz
Date: 10/03/23

459 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Mary B. Gunther
Seller: Kelly O. Galster
Date: 10/12/23

73-A Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $153,647
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Shirley D. Desroches
Date: 10/12/23

73-B Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $153,647
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Shirley D. Desroches
Date: 10/12/23

73-C Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $153,647
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Shirley D. Desroches
Date: 10/12/23

18 Ledgewood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Monica Fowler
Seller: Michael A. Siniscalchi
Date: 10/06/23

Woodland Lane Lot R
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: JHP Builders LLC
Seller: Bell Property Corp.
Date: 10/03/23

EASTHAMPTON

41-43 Chapman Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $780,000
Buyer: North Harlow LLC
Seller: Arc Investments LLC
Date: 10/04/23

26-28 Federal St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: KMAK LLC
Seller: Christine E. Rucinski
Date: 10/10/23

3-3A Franklin St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Elaine M. Bryan
Seller: James R. Witmer
Date: 10/11/23

26 High St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $780,000
Buyer: North Harlow LLC
Seller: Arc Investments LLC
Date: 10/04/23

1-3 Lincoln St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: David Walter
Seller: Amy E. Linnell
Date: 10/06/23

106 Lovefield St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $456,200
Buyer: Stela J. Conyer
Seller: Brian J. Murphy
Date: 10/02/23

9-11 Lovell St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Jeremy D. O’Ber
Seller: John A. Knybel
Date: 10/04/23

16 Lyman St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Jose Faria
Seller: Canal Real Estate LLC
Date: 10/11/23

65 Phelps St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Kelly R. Lewis
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 10/13/23

22 Willow Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Indenture Of T. Eli T. Harr
Seller: Matthew F. Sandler
Date: 10/02/23

GRANBY

21 Center St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Charles J. James
Seller: Cynthia J. Ames
Date: 10/03/23

61 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Cherie L. Braun
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 10/11/23

HADLEY

139 Mount Warner Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jeffery M. Campbell
Seller: Steven B. Constant
Date: 10/02/23

255 River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Justin R. Yezierski
Seller: Yeszierski, Claire, (Estate)
Date: 10/10/23

NORTHAMPTON

343 Brookside Circle
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Kaitlynne Hard-Pieczarka
Seller: Kelly R. Lewis
Date: 10/13/23

1041 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Justin L. Sheffler
Seller: Mildred Jimenez
Date: 10/10/23

25 Finn St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Allyson M. Garcia
Seller: Carmen M. Santiago
Date: 10/05/23

1095 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Day Farm LLC
Seller: Duga 3rd, Paula, (Estate)
Date: 10/11/23

5 Highland Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Bradley J. Levay
Seller: Justin T. Serpone
Date: 10/02/23

11 Kensington Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $729,000
Buyer: Amy A. Kassalty
Seller: Baker & Titelman 2012 RT
Date: 10/13/23

1095 Park Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Day Farm LLC
Seller: Duga 3rd, Paula, (Estate)
Date: 10/11/23

57 Pine St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Rachel G. Wolk
Seller: Ann M. Konieczny
Date: 10/04/23

PELHAM

290 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Kerri A. Tester
Seller: Doris M. Sherburne IRT
Date: 10/11/23

SOUTH HADLEY

48 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Brightwood Properties LLC
Seller: Paul D. Viens
Date: 10/06/23

11 Dale St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jonathan Jasmin
Seller: Julianne F. Barkman
Date: 10/12/23

70 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $341,250
Buyer: Vantage Home Buyers LLC
Seller: Brian A. Corriveau
Date: 10/03/23

6 Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Yahdiel E. Torres
Seller: Donna M. Pellissier
Date: 10/06/23

143 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Zachary C. Wright
Seller: Lisa L. Schechterle
Date: 10/05/23

550 New Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Moynihan Realty Group LLC
Seller: Morningstar Enterprise LLC
Date: 10/04/23

37 Searle Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Carly A. Robinson
Seller: Benjamin T. Judge
Date: 10/12/23

23 Spring St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sean Dawkins
Seller: Andrew J. Schnitzer
Date: 10/05/23

SOUTHAMPTON

12 Couture Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Prystowski
Seller: Simone Prystowski
Date: 10/06/23

5 Pomeroy Meadow Ext.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Fumi Realty Inc
Seller: Moeller, Beverly Dean, (Estate)
Date: 10/06/23

153 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Carly A. Phillips
Seller: Benjamin C. Gillespie
Date: 10/03/23

WILLIAMSBURG

67 Depot Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $175,000
B uyer: Gregory Harry
Seller: Kathryn J. Harry
Date: 10/13/23

Building Permits

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of October 2023.

CHICOPEE

Acclaim Properties Inc.
2 Dwight St.
$42,600 — Roofing

Acclaim Properties Inc.
78 Front St.
$62,250 — Roofing and siding

Amy Deauseault
25 Grace St.
$18,999 — Roofing

Dino Facente
520 East St.
$22,000 — Roofing

Veronique Leroy
229-231 Grove St.
$6,575 — Demolish and rebuild both chimneys

Albert Mason, Maureen Mason
145 Springfield St.
$8,750 — Roofing

RL New Life LLC
200 Exchange St.
$3,000 — New partitions and doors in sanctuary, new panic bar at rear entry with upgrade to exit signs

UFPT MA LLC
300 Burnett Road
$209,930 — Roofing

EASTHAMPTON

60-62 Main Street LLC
60-62 Main St.
$5,000 — Remove pergola and deck

Massachusetts Audubon Society
127 Coombs Road
$12,000 — Attach accessibility ramp to existing deck structure

HADLEY

Parmar & Sons Inc.
24 Bay Road
N/A — Install air handlers and heat pump condensing unit

Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
120 Russell St.
N/A — New bell tower

LEE

705 Pleasant Street LLC
705 Pleasant St.
$382,983 — Install rooftop-mounted photovoltaic solar modules and related electrical equipment

Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy NFP
780 Tyringham Road
$18,500 — Roofing and siding

Alan Wilcox, Lynn Bertelli
29 High St.
$4,000 — Roofing

LENOX

Chucky’s LLC
90 Main St.
$25,000 — Selective demolition

Hillcrest Educational Center
349 Old Stockbridge Road
$408,245 — Replace windows, siding, decking, and shingles

Hillcrest Educational Center
242 West Mountain Road
$318,330 — Replace siding and windows; add new exterior porch, roof, and walkways; re-roof main roof areas; HVAC work to provide ventilation of fresh air

NORTHAMPTON

4-6 Market Street LLC
4 Market St.
$60,000 — Office renovation and add kitchen

14 Conz St. LLC
14 Conz St.
N/A — Deck repairs

1924 LLC
46 Round Hill Road
$2,700,000 — Convert Coolidge Hall building into apartments

Ballybunion Realty LLC
102 Main St., Unit A
$4,340 — Illuminated sign for Smoke Shop

City of Northampton
20 West St.
$7,950 — Chimney liner at Forbes Library

DDM Properties LLC
14 Market St.
$30,000 — Roofing

Florence Congregational Church
130 Pine St.
$35,000 — Fire system upgrade and add-on

Healthy Neighbors Group LLC
321 Bridge St.
$5,000 — Repairs and replacement windows

Scher Mass LLC
10 Michelman Ave.
$10,000 — Two-car garage addition

Smith College
186 Elm St.
$10,000 — Ceiling repairs at Jordan House

Smith College
100 Green St.
$96,740 — Install and relocate growth cambers

Valley Go West LLC
3 North Main St.
$4,300 — Two roof vents and insulation

PITTSFIELD

Cross Development Berkshires LLC
41 Cherry St.
$147,000 — Patch, paint, carpentry, tile, new vanities and cabinets

L&S LP
1035 South St.
$92,000 — Machine demolition of structure, including slab and foundations

OBCC Holdings LLC
74 Downing Parkway
$168, — Roofing

Regan Development
592 North St., Building 2
$2,925,402 — Renovate building

Regan Development
592 North St., Building 3
$4,130,845 — Repair/improve commercial and residential apartments

South Street Associates LLC
153 South St.
$400,000 — Repair existing parapet

SPRINGFIELD

Citywide Associates LP
513 Main St.
$19,873.55 — Insulation and air sealing

Citywide Associates LP
64 Myrtle St.
$30,918.10 — Insulation and air sealing

Holy Name Catholic Assoc.
323 Dickinson St.
$121,964 — Roofing at Holy Name Church

Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Road
$237,451 — Alter third-floor space in Sleith Hall for six faculty offices

Guyseymore Wilson
708 Main St.
$125,000 — Full remodel and addition to rear of property for new kitchen

United Way, HCC Celebrate Grand Opening of Holyoke Food Pantry

HOLYOKE — Last week, the United Way of Pioneer Valley and Holyoke Community College (HCC) celebrated the opening of the Holyoke Community Cupboard, a downtown food pantry that will allow residents to pick up free frozen and refrigerated foods in addition to the usual dry goods and shelf-stable items.

The Holyoke Community Cupboard is located on the basement level of the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., the scene of a Nov. 2 ribbon-cutting and grand-opening event.

“This is a really special occasion,” HCC President George Timmons said. “It’s important, and we want to do our part to try to be good community partners and help the city of Holyoke meet this need, and so we want to do that by providing healthy choices and healthy food and making it easy to access.”

The new food pantry, part of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ network, will serve Holyoke residents as well as those from neighboring towns. It is open Thursdays from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the collaboration,” said Megan Moynihan, CEO of the United Way of Pioneer Valley. “Thank you so much for opening your arms to the United Way. We saw that there was a gap in services and that it was very important to get a food pantry into Holyoke. Capacity-wise, we couldn’t do it alone.”

Among those present and taking part in the ribbon cutting were state Rep. Patricia Duffy; Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; and Jordan Hart, executive director of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.

“Over my 10 years of working here, it’s been really great to see the evolution and how much HCC has really invested in downtown Holyoke,” Hart said. “Economic development in downtown is so important to all the businesses in the community, so HCC’s presence down here with the culinary institute and the Picknelly Center [at 206 Maple St.] is really important. Congratulations to the United Way and HCC for your continued involvement in downtown Holyoke.”

This is the third pantry operated by UWPV after the agency opened sites in Springfield and Chicopee.

“We hope to use this collaboration as a means of finding innovative solutions to food security and to collectively support other initiatives,” said Lee Drewitz, UWPV’s director of Program Operations. “This includes offering food demonstrations using food-pantry staples and educating the community about the emergency food pantry system.”

HCC also operates a food pantry on campus as part of its Thrive Student Resource Center, which was founded in 2015 with assistance from the United Way of Pioneer Valley.

Balise Auto Raising Funds for Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD — Now through Nov. 30, Balise Auto, with nine locations throughout Western Mass., will be donating a portion of the proceeds from every set of four tires it sells to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) as part of its Tires to Inspire campaign.

“It’s an honor to once again be supporting Junior Achievement with our Tires to Inspire program,” said Alex Balise, director of Marketing at Balise Auto. “Tires to Inspire is our way of raising money and awareness for local organizations like JAWM and the incredible work they do to empower young people in our community through work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial-literacy programs.”

JAWM is dedicated to providing economic-education and financial-literacy programs to youth throughout Western Mass., opening their minds to their potential and preparing them for life after graduation.

“Thanks to the financial support we receive from great corporate partners like Balise Auto, we are able to continue offering our academically challenging programs to local schools and community groups free of charge,” said Jennifer Connolly, JAWM president. “The Tires to Inspire campaign was a huge success last year, and we’re thrilled Balise has decided to continue it.”

Balise added that “winter will be here soon with its snow and ice; now is the perfect time for people to make sure their tires are in good shape. Even if you don’t need tires, we encourage anyone who can to support Junior Achievement through a direct donation.”

To make a direct donation to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, visit jawm.org/donate.

GCAi Appoints Nathan Dion as Digital Public Relations Analyst

SPRINGFIELD — Another chapter has started at Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) and its ‘success amplification’ through PR efforts with the appointment of Nathan Dion as digital PR analyst. Dion is an experienced video producer and is already telling local stories with GCAi’s new vlogging camera.

“Upon meeting him, you get a feeling of quiet confidence, but also empathy from Nate. He is a calm and quiet guy,” said John Garvey, president of GCAi. “Yet, in my experience, that is what is necessary on a PR shoot. Interviewees are nervous, and Nate’s demeanor and technical expertise dissipates tension and yields a great shoot.”

Dion will continue to grow GCAi’s digital PR video services and subsidiary New England Corporate Video.

“Video allows companies and businesses to tell their story in an engaging way,” he said. “Through video, you’re able to see and feel the emotions and story on screen. I really feel that it is my job to capture all that in the shoot and the subsequent edit.”

Dion is a graduate of Westfield State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a dual concentration in media arts and analysis and public relations. He also minored in graphic design.

Garvey thanked Westfield State for referring Dion to GCAi. “It’s not easy to find qualified employees these days. For those of us working in communications, Westfield State University is incredibly important as they are essentially building our workforce year after year. I am very grateful for their support.”

TommyCar, Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office Partner for No Shave November

NORTHAMPTON — TommyCar Auto Group is once again teaming up with the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Patrick Cahillane to make a significant impact in raising awareness about cancer and supporting vital initiatives in cancer prevention, research, and education.

Throughout November, the deputies and staff of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office have the unique opportunity to opt out of their usual dress code and grow out their facial hair in exchange for a $20 donation. All proceeds go the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament, which directly supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

TommyCar Auto Group is committed to matching the total amount raised by the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, doubling the impact of the contributions. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a significant difference.

“My brother and I have seen firsthand what these families have to go through,” said Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group. “That is why this organization is so close to our hearts, and we are grateful they were there for us when we needed them. We are so thankful for the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office for helping us raise funds to one day find a cure.”

No Shave November focuses on growing cancer awareness and generating funds to support various aspects of cancer prevention, research, education, and assisting those bravely battling cancer. It’s a month-long journey during which participants refrain from shaving and grooming to encourage conversations and raise cancer awareness.

The community is invited to be a part of the No Shave November movement by submitting a donation at putdownyourrazor.com.

Business Confidence in Massachusetts Rises in October

BOSTON — Massachusetts employers appear to be just as ambivalent about the state of the economy as many experts.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index continued to hover around the dividing line between optimism and pessimism last month. The Index rose 1.4 points to 51.2 during October, leaving it 0.3 points higher than in October 2022.

The Index has moved for most of 2023 in a narrow range as employers attempt to gauge an economy that has proved surprisingly resilient in the face of rising interest rates, predictions of recession, and war in both Ukraine and the Middle East.

The strengthening of employer sentiment in October reflected brightening views of both the U.S. and Massachusetts economies. The nation’s economy grew at a brisk 4.9% rate in the third quarter, while Massachusetts maintained a record low unemployment rate of 2.6%. At the same time, financial markets weakened, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones falling during October to post their first three-month losing streaks since 2020.

“Rapid increases in consumer and government spending continue to fuel the economy, suggesting the Federal Reserve may have to keep interest rates high for longer than it originally anticipated. A persistently tight labor market is exerting upward pressure on wages, leaving price inflation uncomfortably high,” said Sara Johnson, chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advisors (BEA).

The Central Massachusetts Business Confidence Index, conducted with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, fell from 46.9 to 45.7. The North Shore Confidence Index, conducted with the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, rose from 53.5 to 54.2. The Western Massachusetts Business Confidence Index, developed in collaboration with the Springfield Regional Chamber, also gained ground, from 52.5 to 54.1.

The constituent indicators that make up the Index were mostly higher during October. The confidence employers have in their own companies gained 0.2 point to 51.9, ending the month 1.7 points down from October 2022.

The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth increased by 3.2 points to 53.6, leaving it up 3.0 points from a year earlier. The U.S. Index measuring conditions throughout the country ended the month at 46.7, which is 3.8 points higher than a year ago.

The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, rose 1.3 points points to 52.2. The Future Index, measuring projections for the economy six months from now, was up 1.5 points to move into optimistic territory at 50.1.

The Manufacturing Index lost 1.2 points to 48.5, falling 2.2 points below its level of a year ago. Confidence among non-manufacturing companies was up 2.3 points to 52.1. The Employment Index fell 1.8 points to 50.1. Large companies (50.9) were slightly more optimistic than medium-sized companies (50.5) and small companies (50.5).

Alan Clayton-Matthews, professor emeritus of Economics and Public Policy at Northeastern University, senior contributing editor at MassBenchmarks, and a BEA member, said the Massachusetts and U.S. economies have so far defied expectations of a slowdown, but all indications are that growth can be expected to slow in the coming months.

“Unemployment in Massachusetts remains at record lows, but we hear anecdotally from some companies in the survey that they have been able to find more qualified workers than they did a year ago. Massachusetts must still reckon with the structural demographic, educational, and other factors that will affect labor supply in the long term,” he noted.

AIM President Brooke Thomson, also a BEA member, said the Healey administration’s recent $4 billion proposal to address the critical shortage of housing in Massachusetts will create economic benefits for employers and workers alike.

“Virtually every employer in Massachusetts has at one time heard a valued employee say, ‘I love working for this company, but my family can’t afford a house here,’” she noted. “AIM looks forward to working with the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Legislature to ensure those conversations become a thing of the past.”

Kuhn Riddle Architects Welcomes Project Designer Salabat Khan

AMHERST — Kuhn Riddle Architects recently welcomed Salabat Khan to its architectural team. Khan’s architectural interests began at MEASI Academy of Architecture in Chennai, India, where he acquired a strong foundation in design principles and cultivated his love for innovation. He completed his master of architecture degree at UMass Amherst in 2023.

Khan’s approach to architecture is human-centric: he most enjoys creating designs that enhance the user’s quality of life and sense of belonging. His work is focused as well on contextual integration into the historic, cultural, and natural environment surrounding any project. Kuhn Riddle’s leadership noted that his collaborative design philosophy and appreciation of diverse perspectives integrates perfectly with that of the firm.

Khan likes to travel, noting that it “fuels my creativity and reminds me of the diversity and wonder the world offers. It enriches my approach to design with a global perspective.” When not sketching or designing, he explores the outdoors and nurtures his love of animals by volunteering locally at several shelters.

KRA was recently awarded the prestigious Emerging Professionals Friendly designation from the American Institute of Architects. This award recognizes supporting emerging architects like Khan on their journey to registration and ultimate success in the architectural field.

Country Bank, Bank Director Announce First Fully Certified Board

WARE — James Phaneuf, Country Bank board chair, announced that the bank’s board of directors recently became the first fully certified board through Bank Director’s certification program.

The certification provides participants with a thorough grounding in corporate governance and important industry issues that enhance the performance of individual directors. The board completed the comprehensive training program this past year and was certified in September.

Participants must complete 31 designated online training videos and board briefs focused on the role of the board, audit and risk, compensation, governance, and fiduciary responsibilities. In addition to Bank Director’s online training series, participants must attend a day-long corporate-governance workshop in the Bank Director certification program or, alternatively, complete a virtual version of the program.

Completing the program and becoming a certified bank director sends a clear message to state and federal regulators that board members take their fiduciary duties seriously and want to be top-performing members of the bank’s board.

“Country Bank’s board of directors is deeply committed to the bank’s continued growth and prosperity. They understand their responsibilities to ensure Country Bank remains one of the strongest community banks in the region,” Phaneuf said. “I look forward to the future with great optimism, knowing that we have such a dedicated group of business professionals and the difference they make for the bank’s long-term success.”

“Bank Director is grateful for Country Bank’s enthusiastic support for the certification program,” said Editor-at-large Jack Milligan, who created the course curriculum. “This sends a very powerful message that the Country Bank board of directors takes its governance responsibilities seriously. It is a testament to our motto that ‘strong boards build strong banks.’”

Square One Announces New Board Leadership

SPRINGFIELD — Square One recently elected a new slate of officers to its board of directors. The election was held at the agency’s annual meeting on Oct. 13.

Taking on the role of chairperson is Corrine Ryan of Community Legal Aid. The vice chair seat will be filled by Colleen Stocks of Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center. Moving into the treasurer position is Julie Quink of Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C. Jessica Dupont of HealthOne Alliance/Alliant Health Plans will serve as the board’s clerk.

New to the full board of directors are Shenell Ford, Terry Maxey, Edward Nunez, Gillian Palmer, and Aundrea Paulk. They will join existing board members Andrea Hickson-Martin, Amy Selvia Smith, Lavar Click-Bruce, Leonard Underwood, Kate Kane, Ryan McCollum, and Peter Testori.

“This is an exciting time for Square One,” said Dawn DiStefano, Square One’s president and CEO. “This leadership team is the perfect group to propel us into the future. We looking forward to working together to continue to serve the children and families in our community.”

Manager Named to Lead Cybersecurity Center in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has named a cyber range manager for the Springfield Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCE) at Springfield Union Station. Following a comprehensive search, the college has hired Gene Kingsley, who will be responsible for a host of facility operations.

Supported by local, state, and federal funding, the center is scheduled to open in 2024 and will serve as a regional center for Western Mass. and beyond. The CCE is a collaboration between STCC, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, and CyberTrust Massachusetts.

The 6,000-square-foot CCE will include a cyber range, which is a simulated training environment, and a security operations center, which will be a support for Massachusetts municipalities to detect cybersecurity events in real time and respond quickly. Students who train at the CCE could move into paid internships or employment, where they would work with professionals to confront the growing global problem of cybersecurity threats.

“We are looking forward to the opening of the Cybersecurity Center next year and are pleased to announce the CCE range manager. Gene brings the technical and leadership skills needed for this key position,” STCC Vice President and Chief Information Officer Mary Kaselouskas said. “He has a strong background in cybersecurity and a passion for cybersecurity training and development. He began his higher-education journey as a community-college student and has a deep understanding of the mission of STCC.”

Kingsley’s experience includes managing Information Security at Reliant Medical Group. He also served as director of the Security Operations Center at UMass Amherst. He holds a master’s degree in Communications and Information Management from the Graduate School at Bay Path College and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State College and an associate degree from Holyoke Community College.

“I am truly thrilled to join the Springfield Cybersecurity Center of Excellence as its new cyber range manager,” Kingsley said. “With my background in information security at Reliant Medical Group and experience leading the Security Operations Center at the University of Massachusetts, I am well-prepared to take on this role. The opportunity to contribute to the growth of the cybersecurity industry and foster the development of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in vital sectors is a challenge I eagerly embrace.”

LiftTruck Launches Statewide Fundraiser to Benefit Head Start

WEST SPRINGFIELD — LiftTruck Parts & Service Inc., a local, family-owned business, launched its 2023 Fill a Forklift fundraiser to benefit Head Start Brockton and Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start.

For 35 years, LiftTruck has been a family-owned business providing forklift sales, rentals, parts, and service to the Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Connecticut, and Rhode Island areas. LiftTruck invites the community to help it raise funds throughout November and December, as it will be collecting monetary donations at its Brockton and West Springfield locations and accepting donations online.

Head Start Brockton and HCS Head Start aim to provide family and parent support and opportunities for families to engage in a child’s education. Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has improved the lives of more than 32 million children and their families.

Holyoke Rotary Club Welcomes Return of Eat, Drink, & Be Holyoke

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Rotary Club announced the return of Eat, Drink, & Be Holyoke, its premier tasting fundraiser and silent auction, on Thursday, Dec. 7. The event will take place at the Holyoke City Hall Ballroom at 5:30 p.m. following the sealing of the Holyoke 150th-anniversary time capsule.

“We are proud to bring back Eat, Drink, & Be Holyoke and excited to be the final event of the Holyoke 150th-anniversary celebrations,” said Barbara Baran, co-president of the Holyoke Rotary Club. “Our community has a long and rich history, and the Holyoke Rotary Club is proud to be a part of it since 1915.”

Eat, Drink, & Be Holyoke will feature food prepared by 110 Grill, Amedeo’s, Crave, Fame, Hamel’s Summit View, Iona’s Kitchen, Kate’s Kitchen, Pics Pub, Rusty’s Place, the White Hut, and Woodstone Tavern. Additionally, Brennan’s Place will provide various alcohol tastings from local and regional breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Tickets cost $50 and can be purchased online at edbh.eventbrite.com.

Proceeds will go toward supporting Rotary projects, mostly within the Holyoke Rotary district of Holyoke, South Hadley, and Granby. Ongoing Holyoke Rotary projects include providing several annual scholarships, providing food for those in need through community collaborations, and funding international clean-water initiatives.

Since 2008, the Holyoke Rotary Club has raised more than $150,000 to fund various projects, including the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts Inclusive Playground at Kennedy Field, the media room at the Holyoke Library, K-9 vests for the Holyoke Police Department, and literacy projects with Kelly School and Holyoke Boys and Girls Club, among others.

Eat, Drink, & Be Holyoke is sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center (platinum sponsor) and the Center for School Crisis Intervention & Assessment, Dowd Insurance, Marcotte Ford, and PeoplesBank (silver sponsors).

Polish National Credit Union Hosts Announces Two Events

CHICOPEE — Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced two community events.

A veteran’s coffee hour and Galaxy Community Council food drive for servicemen is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Goodworks Coffee House, 46 Center St., Chicopee.

Meanwhile, a toy drive to benefit Westover military families is ongoing until Monday, Nov. 20. All PNCU branches will accept donation drop-offs.

BusinessTalk with Dakin Humane Society executive director, Meg Talbert