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Daily News

ENFIELD, Conn. — Asnuntuck Community College has scheduled several virtual information sessions with the Admissions and Financial Aid departments during the summer.

The sessions will be held on Tuesday, June 30 at 5 p.m.; Monday, July 13 at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, July 22 at 3 p.m.; Tuesday, July 28 at 5 p.m.; and Thursday, Aug. 6 at 3 p.m. Prospective students need to attend only one of the sessions.

Participants will be able to learn about the admissions and financial-aid process. The June 30 and July 13 sessions will feature information regarding Connecticut’s community-college debt-free scholarship, Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT), during the 60-minute session. Students must apply and be registered for a full-time schedule of courses by July 15 to be eligible for PACT. It is free to apply to the college.

The sessions will also include time for questions and answers. To register for a session and learn how to register for classes, visit asnuntuck.edu/admissions/how-to-enroll. Registration for the fall semester is now open.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Since the phrase COVID-19 came into our lexicon, those working in the broad healthcare field have emerged as the true heroes during a pandemic that has changed every facet of life as we know it.

And over the past several months, the world has paid tribute to these heroes, and in all kinds of ways — from applauding in unison from apartment-complex windows to bringing hot meals to hospital and nursing-home workers; from donating much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to people putting hearts on their front lawns and mailboxes to thank first responders, healthcare workers, postal workers, and others.

BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, will pay tribute in their own way, by dedicating their annual Healthcare Heroes program in 2020 to those who are have emerged as true heroes during this crisis. The deadline for nominations is July 17.

Healthcare Heroes was launched by the two publications in 2017 to recognize those working in this all-important sector of the region’s economy, many of whom are overlooked when it comes to traditional recognition programs. Over the years, the program has recognized providers, administrators, emerging leaders, innovators, and collaborators.

For 2020, the program will shift its focus somewhat to the COVID-19 pandemic and all those who are working in the healthcare field or helping to assist it at this trying time. All manner of heroes have emerged this year, and we invite you to nominate one — or several — for what has become a very prestigious honor in Western Mass.: the Healthcare Heroes award.

Here are some examples of those who have become real heroes:

• Doctors and nurses;

• Emergency-room personnel, including doctors, nurses, orderlies, techs, triage, receptionists, and others;

• EMTs;

• Police and firefighters;

• Nursing-home personnel, everyone from frontline providers to administrators;

• End-of-life care providers;

• Administrators leading the efforts to battle the pandemic;

• Behavioral-health practitioners helping people and families navigate this crisis;

• Individuals and groups from our community who have stepped up to help healthcare workers with everything from hot meals to PPE;

• Companies that have pivoted and commenced production of materials such as PPE to help those in healthcare confront the pandemic;

• Scientists working behind the scenes to develop a vaccine or new types of PPE; and

• Truck drivers delivering supplies to hospitals and other providers.

These are just a few examples, and there are myriad others. In truth, everyone who goes to work in a hospital, nursing home, assisted-living facility, or other healthcare facility, thereby risking their own health, and perhaps their life, is a hero.

In many respects, all these heroes will be honored at the Healthcare Heroes event, now scheduled for this fall at the Springfield Sheraton. And to honor all of them, we want to bring to the podium a number of individuals and groups that represent everyone who has become a hero in these trying times.

To assist those thinking of nominating someone for this honor, we are simplifying the process. All we desire is a 400- to 500-word essay and/or two-minute video entry explaining why the group or individual stands out as an inspiration, and a truly bright star in a galaxy of healthcare heroes. These nominations will be carefully considered by a panel of independent judges, who will select the class of 2020.

For more information on how to nominate someone for the Healthcare Heroes class of 2020, click here. Videos can be sent via dropbox to [email protected].

Healthcare Heroes is sponsored by Comcast Business and Elms College.

COVID-19 Daily News

HOLYOKE — A long-awaited independent report investigating the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, released Wednesday, identifies a number of poor decisions made by suspended Superintendent Bennett Walsh that ultimately led to what the author of the report called “the opposite of infection control.”

The report also levels criticism at the Department of Veterans’ Services for putting Walsh in that position when he had no experience managing a long-term-care facility, and for lack of oversight.

“While the home’s leadership team bears principal responsibility for the events described in this report, Mr. Walsh was not qualified to manage a long-term-care facility, and his shortcomings were well known to the Department of Veterans’ Services — yet the agency failed to effectively oversee the home during his tenure,” the report states. Walsh was suspended with pay at the start of the outbreak.

On Tuesday evening, Veterans’ Services Secretary Francisco Urena confirmed he had been asked to resign ahead of the report’s release and complied.

The 176-page report, authored by Boston attorney Mark Pearlstein, was commissioned by Gov. Charlie Baker in early April as the death toll from the outbreak rose. The report reviews actions taken over a several-day period, but zeroes in on critical decisions made on March 27 to herd dozens of men into one unit that was staffed by employees who did not use proper personal protective equipment.

“Mr. Walsh and his team created close to an optimal environment for the spread of COVID-19,” the report states.

The outbreak ultimately left 76 veterans dead and 80 others sickened, along with many staff members.

“The Soldiers’ Home leadership team made substantial errors in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak,” the report notes. “Even the best preparations and most careful response cannot eliminate the threat of COVID-19. But this does not excuse a failure to plan and execute on long-standing infection control principles and to seek outside help when it is required to keep patients safe — indeed, the extraordinary danger of COVID-19 makes these steps all the more important.”

In addition, “the worst decision made during the Soldiers’ Home’s response to COVID-19 occurred on the afternoon of Friday, March 27, 2020. On that afternoon, a number of staff members had called in sick for the evening shift that was about to begin. Because of the looming staff shortage, the chief Nursing officer, with Mr. Walsh’s approval, decided that one of the home’s two locked dementia units (2-North) would be closed and consolidated with the other (1-North). One social worker recalled raising concerns with the chief Nursing officer about the risk of COVID-19 spreading, and the chief Nursing officer responded that “it didn’t matter because [the veterans] were all exposed anyway, and there was not enough staff to cover both units.

“This decision was a catastrophe,” the report continues. “Staff describe the move as ‘total pandemonium,’ ‘when hell broke loose,’ and ‘a nightmare.’ One staff member stated that she ‘will never get those images out of my mind — what we did, what was done to those veterans,’ and ‘thought, my God, where is the respect and dignity for these men?’ Other witnesses, including a command-response leader brought in three days later to stabilize the situation, reported that this ‘hot’ unit had veterans ‘crammed in on top of each other,’ some of whom ‘were clearly dying.’”

In a statement Wednesday announcing the report’s release, the governor pledged to take “immediate action to deliver the level of care that our veterans deserve.”

Daily News

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank, together with Reevx Labs, will host a third part to its “Reimagining America” town-hall series today, June 25, in which it will address how white allies can help build an equitable and inclusive economy that ensures all communities can thrive.

Berkshire Bank’s goal in hosting this town-hall series is to start a dialogue about how everyone — from economic experts and policy makers to philanthropists and entrepreneurs — can work together to rebuild a stronger, more inclusive economy, and how supporting this initiative on a community level can motivate change on a national level.

Malia Lazu, executive vice president and chief culture and experience officer at Berkshire Bank, noted that, “on the heels of two impactful panels on the future of black and Latinx economies earlier this month, and in the midst of a national upswelling against racial injustice, we believe it is equally pertinent to discuss what it truly means to be an effective ally and help facilitate change in our communities. Reevx Labs was established as a place for community leaders to realize their shared vision of building opportunity and prosperity. With this panel, we intend to continue this dialogue with white allies who are seeking solutions to achieve equity in our economy.”

Participants in today’s event, to be held at 4 p.m., include Pete Dominick, comedian, radio and TV personality, and host of the “Stand Up with Pete” podcast; Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s; Barbara Clark, lead investor in Portfolia’s Rising Tide, Enterprise, and First Step Funds; Jonathan Metzl, director of Medicine, Health, and Society at Vanderbilt University; and Malia Lazu, executive vice president and chief culture and experience officer at Berkshire Bank.

To register, click here. The livestream is available here.

Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank announced that Dawn Harrington was recently selected as a recipient of its President’s Award.

The President’s Award was established by the bank in 1995, affording employees the annual opportunity to nominate their peers for this prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Harrington was nominated by numerous colleagues.

Harrington, a senior mortgage underwriter in the main office’s Mortgage Origination department, joined Florence Bank in 2016 and has 19 years of banking experience. She earned her associate degree in legal studies from Bay Path University.

“Dawn has been a reliable asset to our organization since day one,” said Kevin Day, president of Florence Bank. “Her energy is boundless, and her ability to encourage her team is admirable. Dawn is the consummate employee to receive the President’s Award.”

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On June 11, John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Frank Colaccino, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame governor, CEO of the Colvest Group, and chair of the Westfield Bank 2019 Service Above Self Luncheon committee, presented a check for $6,500 to the Rotary Club of Springfield.

The contribution was from proceeds of the 10th annual Service Above Self luncheon held at the Hall of Fame last November. The Westfield Bank 2019 Service Above Self Award winners were local honoree the Jimmy Fund Golf Committee of Western Massachusetts. National honorees were Bob and Chris Hurley for living out the Rotary motto ‘Service Above Self.’

This is the largest contribution the Basketball Hall of Fame has made to the Springfield Rotary Club since the inception of the awards luncheon 10 years ago.

Next month, the Rotary Club of Springfield will award $10,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations that benefit the Greater Springfield community. This year, all grant projects will relate to serving the Springfield community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daily News

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve detailed guidelines outlining the minimum requirements for the reopening of the state’s two resort casinos and single slots facility. During a remote public meeting, the five gaming commissioners adopted health and safety rules that MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino must meet in anticipation of the resumption of casino operations, scheduled for phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan.

The minimum requirements adopted by the commission address key areas, including cleaning and sanitization, social distancing, guest screening, occupancy limits, and reporting measures, among others. Each licensee will be required to submit a detailed plan at least seven days in advance of reopening. The licensee plans must identify the steps and measures taken to achieve compliance with the guidance and protocols issued by the CDC, the Department of Public Health, the Board of Health in the host community, the Baker-Polito administration, and the guidelines adopted by the commission.

“The MGC is working to ensure a safe and sustainable reopening, issuing guidelines today that will no doubt shift to reflect the changing public-health data over time,” MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said. “We are confident that our three licensees will work in good faith to implement and enforce these measures. We also know that the success of a reopening will require the casino patrons’ cooperative efforts, thoughtful awareness, and empathy for one another and the greater community.”

The guidelines require the casino properties to sanitize routinely in compliance with CDC guidelines. Guests will be screened upon entry and required to wear face masks, which will be provided if needed. Employees will also be subject to screening procedures, including temperature checks, and will be required to wear face masks.

The commission agreed that all three casinos will promote social distancing of slots play, either by maintaining a minimum of six feet between operating slot positions or by installing plexiglass dividers not fewer than six feet high between operating slot positions.

For table games at MGM and Encore, licensees will install plexiglass dividers at blackjack-style tables separating dealer from player positions and between player positions. There will be no more than three player positions at each blackjack-style table, with chairs for unavailable positions removed. The commission also ruled that there will be no poker, craps, or roulette until further notice.

Each licensee will be required to limit occupancy based on its number of gaming positions available multiplied by three plus gaming-area employees of the licensee and the MGC and capacity of open amenities (utilizing the occupancy limits set by the governor’s guidelines for each amenity).

The required minimum health and safety standards put forth in this guidance are subject to adjustment or modification based on evolving information and/or mandates from the state.

Daily News

BOSTON — Massachusetts’ community colleges and state universities, while financially able to operate this year, could face serious financial trouble in coming years, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Massachusetts higher-education officials said the state’s community colleges and four-year institutions, which serve primarily low-income and minority students, will be able to make it through the upcoming fiscal year by drawing on reserves, making budget cuts, and restructuring debt, according to the Boston Globe. But they are likely to run through their financial cushions and face much more difficulty in the years ahead.

The report was issued by consulting firm EY-Parthenon and commissioned by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. The state has 15 community colleges, six state universities, and three specialized colleges. The University of Massachusetts system, which does its own financial forcasting, was not included in the report.

EY-Parthenon projected that community colleges face between $27 million to $118 million less in revenue next year, depending on how badly enrollment and state aid falls. For state colleges, the drop could be between $74 million and $248 million.

In the worst-case scenario, the Globe notes, if the institutions see a 20% decline in state funding and an additional 15% drop in tuition and fee revenue from declining enrollments, four community colleges and four state colleges wouldn’t have enough cash next spring to cover one month of expenses. Typically, such schools have enough cash to cover four to six months of expenses.

Daily News

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced that the annual sales-tax-free weekend will take place the weekend of Aug. 29-30. This marks the second sales-tax holiday held under the new law signed by Gov. Charlier Baker in 2018 that made the weekend an annual occurrence.

“The annual sales-tax holiday is an opportunity for us to support small businesses and consumers, and this year, it’s a great way to support our economy that’s been impacted by COVID-19,” Baker said. “This pandemic has created enormous challenges for the Commonwealth’s small businesses, and the sales-tax-free weekend is one way that we can encourage more economic activity to help Main Street businesses and local economies.”

Added Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, “as the Commonwealth continues its phased reopening process, we recognize that many small businesses continue to face difficulties. We are proud that our administration worked with the Legislature to enact legislation making the sales-tax holiday permanent and look forward to this year’s tax-free weekend and the economic activity that will come with it.”

Daily News

PIONEER VALLEY — ValleyBike Share  — the electric-assist bike-share program of the Pioneer Valley that includes Amherst, Easthampton, Holyoke, Northampton, South Hadley, Springfield, and the UMass Amherst campus — has launched the 2020 season in select locations. Remaining stations will be opened over the following weeks.

ValleyBike boasts more than 40,000 active members, who have ridden more than 280,000 miles on 126,940 trips.

Due to the situation with Covid-19, ValleyBike is urging members to sanitize the handles, seat, and PIN pad before and after using the bikes. Every time the maintenance team touches a bike, it will be fully sanitized, but the public can do their part to keep themselves and others safe.

Visit www.valleybike.org for more information and to find out how to become a member.

Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Monson Savings Bank announced the expansion of its branch network into East Longmeadow. This new office, located at 61 North Main St., is expected to open in late summer.

The full-service branch will offer an extensive array of consumer and commercial products, traditional banking products, wealth-management products, and several robust digital solutions that have grown more important in today’s environment.

It has been the bank’s goal to further expand the markets it serves. “We are thrilled to be expanding our footprint into the vibrant community of East Longmeadow,” said Steve Lowell, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “We look forward to helping and serving the people and businesses of East Longmeadow and neighboring towns.”

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) has submitted a letter of intent and project proposal to the Massachusetts Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality to expand psychiatric bed capacity.

The letter, sent on June 19, notified the Determination of Need Program that HMC will be completing an application for an additional 64 psychiatric beds. If approved, this will increase the hospital’s total capacity to 84 psychiatric beds, which will serve adult and geriatric populations.

“Our plan is to build a three-level, 68,000-square-foot, 84-bed behavioral-health pavilion on our campus and near the medical center,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems. “We have completed a comprehensive review and been working with architects and community stakeholders on finalizing building design.”

The Holyoke Medical Center Behavioral Health Pavilion proposal includes 48 adult psychiatric beds, 36 geriatric beds, and 4,000 square feet of shell space for future expansion or uses to be determined later. Population statistics and competitive analysis suggest that there is a need within a 14-mile radius of Holyoke Medical Center for 52 adult psychiatric beds and 36 geriatric psychiatric beds.

The proposal also includes a parking analysis and parking-garage study, which could provide an additional 60 to 180 parking spaces.

Holyoke Medical Center is partnered with Signet Health Corp., assisting the hospital in the delivery of behavioral-health services by providing management and consulting services. The Leo Brown Group, a full-service healthcare real-estate development and solutions company, will design and build the facility.

It is estimated that, once approved by state and local officials, the new facility will take 18 months to complete and become operational.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Girls Inc. of the Valley is sharing a new campaign on social media this week, called #BlackGirlFuture. 

Girls Inc. of the Valley has created social-media graphics and messaging addressing both disparities that impact girls and the future the organization wants to see for them. #BlackGirlFuture will consist of social-media posts across multiple platforms with a graphic and accompanying message each day to encourage girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Upon completion of #BlackGirlFuture, Girls Inc. of the Valley aims to have inspired all girls to see themselves as leaders with the skills and capabilities to improve and influence their local communities. 

Girls Inc. of the Valley’s Instagram account is @girlsincvalley. Anyone interested in the campaign or with questions regarding #BlackGirlFuture may e-mail Jessica Colson at [email protected].

Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Applied Mortgage Giving announced a new campaign, the Vitality Grant, which will be donated to six local community organizations: Downtown Amherst Foundation (Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and Amherst Business Improvement District), Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Franklin County, and United Way of Hampshire County.

These organizations will each receive a portion of the gift to use at their discretion to support their work in the community. The Vitality Grant — sponsored by Applied Mortgage Giving, the charitable arm of Applied Mortgage, a d/b/a of HarborOne Mortgage, LLC — is designed to positively influence and provide opportunities for the success of small businesses and nonprofits in Hampshire and Franklin counties. Applied Mortgage Giving will be partnering with the local chambers and United Ways, hoping to enhance these organizations’ opportunities to meet the specific needs of their communities. 

“The Vitality Grant speaks to our commitment to the success and wellness of our local communities,” said Lindsay Barron LaBonte and Todd Barron, co-branch managers. “During these challenging times, it is essential to support the many businesses and nonprofits that help sustain the cultural and economic vitality of our communities.” 

For more information or questions regarding the Vitality Grant, e-mail LaBonte at [email protected].

Picture This

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

 


Breaking Ground

 

Florence Bank broke ground earlier this month on its third Hampden County branch at 705 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee, the former Hu Ke Lau site. The full-service location will open later this year. The bank has been working with Marois Construction of South Hadley, HAI Architecture of Northampton, and R. Levesque Associates, an engineering firm in Westfield, on the project. Pictured: Florence Bank President and CEO Kevin Day (left) poses with Chicopee Mayor John Vieau at the groundbreaking.


Feeding the Front Lines

 

Ludlow-based Pioneer Valley Financial Group and Mill’s Tavern & Grille recently partnered to cook and deliver food to front-line workers during the pandemic. Starting on April 10, PV Financial donated $350 to Mill’s Tavern each week to help pay for the cost of food and delivery, while a GoFundMe campaign raised more than $2,280 from the community. The donations have allowed Mill’s Tavern and PV Financial to deliver more than 400 meals to hospitals, police and fire departments, and pharmacies across Western Mass., including the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke (pictured), Baystate Mary Lane in Ware, and CVS Pharmacy in Ludlow.

 


Deserving Scholars

This spring, the Holyoke Community College Foundation awarded nearly $210,000 in scholarships to 200 incoming, current, and transferring HCC students and will set a record for the number of scholarships it distributes for the 2020-21 academic year, with 233. The number of applications for scholarships this year increased by 22%, from 391 to 479. Pictured: HCC business major Alexandra Clark is the recipient of this year’s Marguerite I. Lazarz Memorial Scholarship from the HCC Foundation.

 

Agenda

‘Interrupting Racism’ Training

June 25, 29: Learning to be an active bystander and interrupting racism before it escalates is critical to creating cultural change in the workplace, schools, and communities. Human in Common is poised and ready to help. This innovative business teaches individuals to effectively interrupt bias and discrimination and create policies and practices that amplify racial equity. The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce has invited Human in Common to offer its timely training, “Interrupting Racism: Policies, Practices, and Everyday Acts of Solidarity for Businesses and Nonprofits.” This two-part Zoom training will occur on Thursday, June 25 from 1 to 4 p.m., and Monday, June 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. This training begins with a timeline of the history of racism in the U.S. to bring awareness to the conditions that have led to systemic racism. Participants will develop a diversity mission statement, practice six ‘ethical upstander’ methods for interrupting racism in the workplace, explore policies and practices to amplify racial equity, and engage in small breakout groups to practice anti-racism skills using real-life scenarios. The event webpage is bit.ly/2MMrNmr, or visit www.facebook.com/events/193655011884223.

Small-business Resource Series

June 25, July 2: Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will continue its series of online workshops for area employers who want to explore programs, services, and grant-funded workforce-training opportunities to boost their small businesses. The 45-minute remote sessions will meet from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and focus on a different government funding source. On June 25, Oreste Varela, branch manager for the U.S. Small Business Administration office in Springfield, will talk about SBA programs and services available to prospective and current entrepreneurs who need assistance starting or expanding their businesses. On July 2, Melissa Scibelli, director of Workforce Development Programs for MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, will discuss the Registered Apprenticeship program, an innovative, work-based learning model for new hires and incumbent employees that provides funds to assist businesses in closing critical workforce-gap shortages through on-the-job learning and related technical industry training. The Small Business Resource Series is being offered by HCC and STCC through their Training and Workforce Options (TWO) partnership. Advance registration is required for all sessions. To register, visit hcc.edu/business-series. Log-in information for each remote session will be supplied after registration is complete.

Healthcare Heroes Nominations

Through July 1: Since the phrase COVID-19 came into our lexicon, those working in the broad healthcare field have emerged as the true heroes during a pandemic that has changed every facet of life as we know it. And over the past several months, the world has paid tribute to these heroes, and in all kinds of ways — from applauding in unison from apartment-complex windows to bringing hot meals to hospital and nursing-home workers; from donating much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to people putting hearts on their front lawns and mailboxes to thank first responders, healthcare workers, postal workers, and others. BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, will pay tribute in their own way, by dedicating their annual Healthcare Heroes program in 2020 to those who are have emerged as true heroes during this crisis. Healthcare Heroes was launched by the two publications in 2017 to recognize those working in this all-important sector of the region’s economy, many of whom are overlooked when it comes to traditional recognition programs. Over the years, the program has recognized providers, administrators, emerging leaders, innovators, and collaborators. For 2020, the program will shift its focus somewhat to the COVID-19 pandemic and all those who are working in the healthcare field or helping to assist it at this trying time. All manner of heroes have emerged this year, and we invite you to nominate one — or several — for what has become a very prestigious honor in Western Mass.: the Healthcare Heroes award. To assist those thinking of nominating someone for this honor, we are simplifying the process. All we desire is a 400- to 500-word essay and/or two-minute video entry explaining why the group or individual stands out as an inspiration, and a truly bright star in a galaxy of healthcare heroes. These nominations will be carefully considered by a panel of independent judges, who will select the class of 2020. The deadline for nominations is July 1. For more information on how to nominate someone for the Healthcare Heroes class of 2020, visit businesswest.com/healthcare-heroes/nomination-form. Videos can be sent via dropbox to [email protected]. Healthcare Heroes is sponsored by Comcast Business and Elms College.

Estate Planning Conference

June 30: Mark Esposito, an attorney at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., will speak at the 21st Annual Estate Planning Conference of Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Inc. (MCLE) on Tuesday, June 30. He will contribute to an expert panel discussion titled “What’s Up in the World of Fiduciary Litigation?” at the 2020 conference, which will take place as a live webcast from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The recorded webcast will be shown during that timeframe on Tuesday, July 14. Esposito joined Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in 2017 and concentrates his practice in general litigation, with particular emphasis on commercial, trust and estate, and employment and labor litigation. He has counseled various public-sector labor unions and employees in collective bargaining, negotiations, arbitration, and litigation, representing clients in state and federal court as well as before administrative agencies.

Nominations for Humane Awards

Through July 31: Dakin Humane Society is accepting nominations from the public for its Dakin Humane Awards until July 31. Nominees should be people who go out of their way to care for animals in need, people who volunteer to help animals, or people and/or animals who have provided significant public service or shown courage in a crisis. Finalists in each of the award categories will be picked from among the nominees and notified of their selection in August. The award ceremony will be livestreamed at a later date in the fall, and one winner in each of the categories will be announced. There are five awards to be bestowed: the Frances M. Wells Award, given to an individual recognized for notable contributions to the health and welfare of animals; the Youth Award, honoring a hero, age 16 or younger, whose extraordinary care and compassion makes a difference in the life of an animal, and makes the world a kinder and gentler place; the Champion Award, given to a public servant who makes life better for tens of thousands of animals and people in their community, and recognizing their dedication and compassion on behalf of animals and people in need; the Richard and Nathalie Woodbury Philanthropy Award, paying homage to an individual who displays a remarkable sense of stewardship in sharing time, talent, and financial resources to improve the lives of animals and people who love them; and the Animal Hero Award, recognizing an exceptional animal and handler (when applicable) whose valor and extraordinary devotion to people proved life-saving in disastrous or challenging heath circumstances. Nominations are being accepted online only at bit.ly/2NOcgps. Mail-in nominations will not be accepted.

Submission Period for Virtual Art Show

Through Aug. 13: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NAMI Western Massachusetts will present a virtual art show this year, and is now accepting artwork for the show. Submissions are limited to individuals living with a mental-health diagnosis, and the artwork will be displayed on the organization’s website and social-media pages for a limited time, then switched out for new artwork. To submit, e-mail a picture of the art to [email protected]. Note the size of the piece, the medium, and the price if it is for sale. The artist should also specify if they want their name used. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 13.

MCLA Gallery 51 Virtual Artist Series

June 27 to Aug. 8: MCLA Gallery 51 announced that its new online program, the G51 Virtual Artist Series, will be held live on Zoom, at noon on alternating Saturdays. Local, regional, national, and international artists will give virtual tours of their studios and discuss their practices. Discussions with the artists will also be recorded for later viewing. The series kicked off on May 16. The gallery’s full spring programming schedule is available on its website. Upcoming artists include Gladys Kalichini (June 13), who is known for paintings, digital work, and installations that explore history and the marginalization of certain groups; Todd Elliott (June 27), a multi-disciplinary artist whose work is inspired by shapes and forms used in architectural motifs, transpiration design, typography, and logos; Sula Bermudez-Silverman (July 11), whose conceptual work intertwines multiple issues, investigating and critiquing the issues of race, gender, and economics; Kim Faler (July 25), a local, multi-disciplinary artist working in painting, drawing, installation, sculpture, and photography, whose art practice unpacks the emotional weight found within everyday objects and architecture; and Anina Major (Aug. 8), who works with topics of identity, slavery, the female body, Bahamian culture, and more. She considers her creative practice to be a response to continuous erasure and a culture that is constantly being oversimplified.

Elms College Executive Leadership Breakfast

Sept. 22: Elms College has rescheduled its third annual Executive Leadership Breakfast due to state-mandated caution regarding large crowds and coronavirus. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal is still slated to be the keynote speaker for the event, which was originally scheduled for April 9. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold, the college will announce more details as necessary. This annual event features talks by the region’s leaders on topics of relevance that impact all sectors of business and the economy in Western Mass. Speakers at past events have included Dennis Duquette, head of Community Responsibility at MassMutual and president of the MassMutual Foundation, and Regina Noonan Hitchery, retired vice president of Human Resources at Alcoa.

People on the Move
Stephen Creed

Stephen Creed

Big Y Foods Inc. announced the appointment of Stephen Creed to the new position of senior director of Distribution and Logistics. Creed is responsible for leading Big Y’s distribution teams as they transition into their newly expanded, 430,000-square-foot space. He reports to Michael D’Amour, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Creed has more than 40 years of experience in the distribution industry, mostly within the supermarket realm. He began his career in 1979 with Stop & Shop Inc., where he held various positions, including produce and grocery receiving and operations. Throughout his career, he’s held positions of increasing responsibility at companies such as Spartan Stores in Michigan, where he was the assistant warehouse manager. At C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. in Massachusetts and Vermont, Creed started as facility manager and then became director of Perishables Distribution. In 1997, he was appointed director of operations for Quality King Distributors Inc. in New York, where he managed nationwide distribution from five separate warehouses consisting of food, pharmaceuticals, health and beauty care, fragrances, and general merchandise. He later became director of distribution for Supervalu in Suffield, Conn., before being promoted to project director for Corporate Distribution at its headquarters in Minnesota and later promoted to general manager, Logistics Services in its Midwest Regional Headquarters Distribution Center in Kenosha, Wis. Returning to his roots in New England from 2005 to 2019, Creed joined Associated Grocers of New England in Pembroke, N.H. He started as vice president, Warehousing and Transportation, and became senior vice president, Warehousing and Transportation until his most recent position there as senior vice president, Supply Chain Management. Creed has served on the New Hampshire Motor Transport Assoc. and the Ryder National Food & Beverage Advisory Board. His professional training includes the Cornell University Executive Food Management Program along with Dale Carnegie Executive Management and Zenger-Miller Quest Training.

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Max Scherff

Max Scherff

Max Scherff has been appointed general manager at the Red Lion Inn. He will oversee the historic hotel’s operational strategy to ensure execution of Main Street Hospitality’s quality standards of service and hospitality. As general manager, Scherff will be responsible for creating and maintaining a customer-driven hotel. He will also oversee and inspire employees to meet and exceed guest expectations by consistent delivery of both product quality and service excellence. Additional responsibilities include collaborating with Main Street’s vice president of Operations and director of Finance on budget concepts for the entire property. Prior to his new role at the Red Lion Inn, Scherff worked at Canyon Ranch in Lenox. While there, he served as hotel director and, before that, food and beverage director. Additional experience includes roles as assistant food and beverage director/director of banquets at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C., and assistant food and beverage director at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh. Before heading to the East Coast, Scherff worked in San Francisco, holding leadership roles at the Palace Hotel and the Fairmont, where he was named employee of the year in 2011.

•••••

Daniel Bradbury

Daniel Bradbury

Associated Builders recently welcomed Daniel Bradbury into the newly created position of director of Sales and Marketing for Massachusetts Operations. Sales Associate Scott Downie will remain with Associated Builders and focus on sales and business development in the Connecticut market. Bradbury comes to Associated Builders with 20 years of experience working in the construction industry, having previously worked with several premier custom home builders and remodeling companies in Western Mass. “Despite the challenges of starting a new sales position during a global pandemic, I am excited to join the strong team at Associated Builders and hit the ground running,” he said. “It is my belief that clear communication and follow-through are the keys to building a trusting business relationship, and my goal is to provide exceptional customer service. In my new role, I hope to facilitate our customers’ business growth by helping them realize the full potential of their existing work environment or paving the way for expansion into a new, purpose-built facility.”

•••••

Keith Fairey

Keith Fairey

Way Finders’ board of directors announced that Keith Fairey will serve as its next president and CEO, succeeding Peter Gagliardi, who will retire on June 30 after nearly 30 years of service with the organization. Way Finders began a national search for its new CEO following Gagliardi’s retirement announcement in December. The search process was led by six members of Way Finders’ board of directors in partnership with consultants from Marcum LLP. Fairey most recently served as senior vice president at Enterprise Community Partners Inc., where he led the management, oversight, and strategic guidance of Enterprise’s 11 regional market teams across the U.S. Fairey has extensive experience in community development and real-estate finance, organizational development, and strategic planning. Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit organization that brings leaders in policy and investment together to advance local affordable-housing development. Since its inception 35 years ago, Enterprise has created more than 660,000 homes nationwide with more than $50 billion in investment. Prior to joining Enterprise, Keith was chief operating officer of Mount Hope Housing Co. in the Bronx, N.Y. He has also served as the assistant director of Community Pride, the community-building program of the Harlem Children’s Zone. Fairey has a master of public administration degree with a concentration in public finance and financial management from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and a bachelor’s degree in history education from the University of Delaware.

•••••

Nearly 100 colleagues recently joined an online celebration to honor Professor Hava Siegelmann of the UMass Amherst College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS), as she received the rarely awarded Meritorious Public Service Medal from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense. It is the third-highest honor the Department of the Army can bestow on a private citizen. Siegelmann’s citation noted that “she created and managed some of DARPA’s largest and most advanced AI programs, including L2M — developing next-generation advanced AI systems capable of learning in real time and applying learning to environments and circumstances not specifically trained for.” Siegelmann, whose career is characterized by thinking outside the box, created a different atmosphere for the L2M project than is usual at DARPA. With its support, she insisted that the large, diverse teams of scientists she chose from the nation’s top university and industry research organizations must actively collaborate. The medal cites another major DARPA program Siegelmann created called GARD (Guaranteeing AI Robustness Against Deception), which aims to establish the theoretical machine-learning system vulnerabilities, characterize properties that will enhance system robustness, and encourage the creation of effective defenses. As systems become more advanced, these advancements open new avenues by which they can be attacked. GARD identifies often-obscure, technically complex vulnerabilities and builds new-generation defenses for them. DARPA also points out that Siegelmann’s “exceptionally productive” term included developing a system that administers insulin plus dextrose to maintain glucose at safe levels for patients in critical care and those with diabetes; sensors to identify dangerous chemicals from a safe distance; collaborative, secure learning systems that allow group collaboration without revealing sensitive data; and methods to identify attacks by reverse engineering to secure the system and find the attacker.

•••••

Mark Dunn

Mark Dunn

Holyoke Medical Center announced the appointment of Mark Dunn as director of Health Information Management (HIM), a role in which he will ensure efficient and compliant handling of all patient records and related documents. In addition to his role at Holyoke Medical Center, Dunn is also an adjunct instructor of Health Information Management at both Manchester Community College and Charter Oak State College in Connecticut. Most recently, Dunn served as corporate director of HIM and privacy officer at Masonicare, a senior-health and retirement-living organization in Connecticut. His prior experience included information-management positions with Cornell-Scott Hill Health Corp., Yale New Haven Hospital, and Smart Document Solutions, all in New Haven, Conn.; Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, N.Y.; and Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. Dunn is a registered health information administrator. He received his bachelor’s degree in administration from SUNY University at Stony Brook, N.Y., and his master’s degree in health services administration from Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. He also holds a post-master’s certificate in long-term post-acute care, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in health information administration.

•••••

Western New England University’s board of trustees announced the unanimous appointment of Robert Johnson as the institution’s sixth president, according to Kenneth Rickson, board chair. Johnson succeeds Anthony Caprio, who has served as WNEU’s president for more than 24 years — the longest presidential tenure in the history of the university.

Johnson currently serves as chancellor of UMass Dartmouth. He will begin his new role as president of WNEU on Aug. 15.

Johnson’s 30-year leadership career spans nonprofit colleges and universities in the Northeast and Midwest, including public, private, urban, rural, small, and large institutions with enrollments from 2,000 to more than 25,000 students. Prior to becoming chancellor at UMass Dartmouth, he served as president of Becker College in Worcester from 2010 to 2017. He has held leadership positions with Sinclair College, the University of Dayton, Oakland University, and Central State University in Ohio. His career reflects several firsts — not only as an African-American leader, but also as the youngest person to hold senior administrative roles.

Johnson’s tenure at UMass Dartmouth resulted in a number of significant accomplishments, including leading the region to create a framework for the blue economy, which will be an ecosystem to drive job creation, economic development, and entrepreneurship; launching a $188 million construction and renovation project for new housing and dining; the renovation of its Science and Engineering building; and securing the largest single research grant in the history of the university, $4.6 million from the Office of Naval Research.

As President of Becker College from 2010 to 2017, Johnson led enrollment growth for seven consecutive years by 23%, increased degrees awarded by 53%, and boosted the graduation rate by 29%. His innovative leadership elevated the reputation of the digital games program, ranked third in the world, and first in New England, by the Princeton Review. He also helped create the first bachelor’s degree in the U.S. in global citizenship. The U.S. Department of Economic Development designated the college as one of 60 schools as a University Center. Creating the Agile Mindset positioned its curriculum with a unique niche in the higher-education landscape.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick appointed Johnson to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and Gov. Charlie Baker appointed him to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and the Hate Crimes Task Force and the Black Advisory Council.

Company Notebook

Mill Town Buys Bousquet Mountain

PITTSFIELD — Mill Town, a community-impact investment firm, announced it has acquired Bousquet Mountain, one of the oldest ski areas in the country and a training ground for many top U.S. ski racers, from the Tamarack Ski Nominee Trust and owners Sherry and P.J. Roberts. The sale includes 155 acres across four parcels, including the summit of Yokun Ridge, 22 trails, multiple buildings, and operational equipment. “We are excited to keep Bousquet as a vital recreational resource for the region,” said Tim Burke, Mill Town’s CEO and managing director. “A significant focus of our work is to invest in and improve businesses, real estate, and outdoor recreational assets in Pittsfield to make it a stronger city and an appealing place for families and employers. Bousquet met all of these criteria. We plan to invest in the ski-operation infrastructure and the lodge, and we are excited to work with strong partners to enhance the on-mountain experience.” On that front, Mill Town and Berkshire East Mountain Resort of Charlemont announced a collaboration agreement. As part of this agreement, Berkshire East and Catamount management, including owners Jon and Jim Schaefer, will advise Bousquet on capital and operational decisions and investments. Bousquet will also be a component of the Berkshire Pass, joining Berkshire East and Catamount as the third mountain to be featured as part of this season-pass program. “We are thrilled to partner with Mill Town to ensure Bousquet will be a respected skiing and outdoor-recreation asset for years to come,” Jim and Jon Schaefer said. “Positioned between Berkshire East and Catamount, we feel that Bousquet will provide significant value to Berkshire Pass holders as another great skiing and riding option in Western Massachusetts. We think there is a great future here.”

Springfield College Students Assist with COVID-19 Data Project

SPRINGFIELD — Students from the Springfield College health science major have been working on a national project to track the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. Students Yue Li, Ashley Tanner, Alexandra Christine Jones, Brenna Keefe, Dhruvi Patel, and Callie Dowd have been taking part in an internship to assist with this project. Participating students are responsible for tracking historical data and collecting daily data, as well as participating in special-interest team projects that include computer-based automation, data visualization, infectious disease, policy, social media, and fundraising. This internship is part of BroadStreet’s COVID-19 Data Project, a collaboration of more than 200 students, statisticians, epidemiologists, healthcare experts, and data scientists throughout the country, Springfield College Assistant Professor of Public Health Sofija Zagarins explained. The project is a collaboration of more than 40 colleges and universities throughout the U.S., bringing together people who are committed to having the most accurate, community-level data about COVID-19 positive tests and fatality rates. Along with Springfield College, colleges and universities also taking part include Harvard University, Yale University, Boston University, Temple University, and Duke University. Through BroadStreet’s COVID-19 Data Project Internship, healthcare professionals have access to data that can help them to improve how they spend their time and resources on improving community health. “We have been humbled by the outpouring of support, especially from the collegiate community,” BroadStreet co-founder Tracy Flood said. “We know that, right now, students have a unique set of challenges trying to navigate these difficult times. Despite this, we wanted to recognize students who have graciously donated their time and talent to our project.” For more information about the project, visit covid19dataproject.org to follow along with information and updates from the participants.

Eversource Completes Westfield Reliability Project

WESTFIELD — Eversource has completed construction of the Westfield Reliability Project, installing a three-mile-long electric circuit on an existing 115-kilovolt overhead transmission line in Westfield to help ensure the continued and safe delivery of reliable power. Part of the energy company’s work to ensure reliability for customers, the Westfield Reliability Project is one of many transmission upgrades to help meet the electric system’s evolving needs to support a clean-energy future. “With many people continuing to work and learn from home, the safe and reliable delivery of power has never been more essential than it is during these uncertain times,” said Eversource President of Transmission Bill Quinlan. “The completion of the Westfield Reliability Project is an exciting development in our efforts to serve our customers and to support economic growth in the future. As restoration and landscaping continue through the spring and summer, we will maintain close communication and collaboration with our host communities, property owners, and businesses while adhering to social distancing and other best practices to safeguard health and prevent the spread of COVID-19.” The power lines have been installed on existing structures along the right of way from the Pochassic substation, near Oakdale Avenue, to the Buck Pond substation near Medeiros Way. The Westfield Reliability Project also includes constructing new equipment adjacent to Eversource’s existing Pochassic substation and related upgrades to the Buck Pond substation. Eversource representatives have been working closely with city officials. As the energy company’s crews and contractors work to complete final construction activities, including environmental monitoring and reporting, they continue to follow strict safety precautions, including practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings, and using enhanced sanitation practices. “We are grateful to our host communities for their input and partnership throughout the planning process, as well as their understanding and patience, as we work together to serve the public during the pandemic,” Quinlan said. “We remain committed to being a good neighbor and environmental steward as this project will deliver benefits to the region for years to come.” This project is one of several designed to strengthen the electric system serving Pittsfield, Greenfield, and surrounding areas.

Area Nonprofits Receive $230,000 from Harvard Pilgrim Foundation

WORCESTER — A total of 25 Central and Western Mass. nonprofits have received nearly $230,000 from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for COVID-19 relief efforts. Most organizations in the region received a $10,000 grant for supporting community needs during the pandemic, such as food access and meal delivery, services for older adults and immigrant families, social and community services, and emergency response. “Now more than ever, it is so critical to support our communities and organizations who are providing services to those residents of Central and Western Mass. impacted by COVID-19,” said Patrick Cahill, vice president and Massachusetts market lead for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, the foundation’s parent company. “The impact of this pandemic is enormous, and right from the start, we responded to the immediate needs facing nonprofit partners and communities. We are very grateful to all who are helping to feed and care for our community members, and we are committed to supporting them in the weeks and months ahead.” Among the 25 recipients, the following 10 Western Mass. organizations received funding as part of the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation’s COVID-19 Assistance Fund: Berkshire County Arc (Pittsfield), Gardening the Community (Springfield), Greater Springfield Senior Services (Springfield), Grow Food Northampton (Northampton), Just Roots Inc. (Greenfield), Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry (Chicopee), Nuestras Raices Inc. (Holyoke), Rooting Rises (Pittsfield), Stone Soup Café Inc. (Greenfield), and UMass Amherst. The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation committed more than $3.5 million in initial grants for COVID-19 relief efforts in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

Iki Iki Inc., 1325 Springfield St., Unit 5, Agawam, MA 01030. Louis Ryu, 170 East Hadley Road #36, Amherst, MA 01002. Full-service restaurant.

EASTHAMPTON

Lock and Key Realty Inc., 218 East St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Jordan Healy, same. Real estate brokerage.

HOLYOKE

Pay4education Inc., 28 Stanford St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Patrick Kandianis, same. Marketing and development of software.

HOUSATONIC

JMP Carpentry Inc., 8 Meadow St., Housatonic, MA 01236. Derk Potoski, same. Carpentry and construction services.

LEE

Lee Softworks Inc., 71 Main St., Lee, MA 01238. Patrick H. Consolati, 145 Via Maria, Lee, MA 01238. Software development and sales.

MONSON

Let’s Bee Kids Playcenter Inc., 238 Silver St., Monson, MA 01057. Tuanny Arruda Chase, same. Entertainment center.

NORTH ADAMS

Notch Ventures Inc., 385 Notch Road, North Adams, MA 01247. Mark Meehan, same. Full-service restaurant.

NORTHAMPTON

New England Hydrofarm Inc., 12 Lawn Ave., Northampton, MA 01060. Peter Alan Curran, same. Provide experience, education, and training with greenhouses and hydroponics, as well as innovative tech in food production and other related activities.

PITTSFIELD

Lumiere Eye Care Associates, PC, 82 Wendell Ave, Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Laroushna Witty, same. Optometry services.

SHUTESBURY

Moran & MacCartney Inc., 20 Schoolhouse Road, Shutesbury, MA 01072. Rachael L. Moran, same. Full-service restaurant with alcohol service.

SPRINGFIELD

KLK Distribution Corporation, 1396 Parker St., Springfield, MA 01129. Jose M. Gautreaux, same. Distribution.

Ministry of Restoration Community Development Inc., 82 Tilton St., Springfield, MA 01109. India I. Kyles, same. Faith-based organization serving community by engaging in a broad range of strategies that promote health, education, and development.

Paula’s Barn Inc., 48 Burdette St., Springfield, MA 01108. Paula A. Echeverri Durango, same. Own and operate childcare facilities.

WARE

Mak-8-Mass Inc., 54 West Main St., Ware, MA 01082. Ho M. Mak, same. Restaurant.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

JVA Transportation Inc., 16 Amostown Road, West Springfield, MA 01089. Alla Rossoshanskiy, same. Trucking.

MR Siding Inc., 96 New Bridge St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Maksim Reznichenko, same. Construction.

WESTFIELD

Opik Corp., 53 Orange St., first Floor, Westfield, MA 01085. Oleh Pikulskyi, same. Construction.

WILBRAHAM

Innovative Mobile Electronics Inc., 11 Ridgewood Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Nicholas B. Frazier, same. Automotive and marine electronics and accessories.

DOING BUSINESS
AS CERTIFICATES

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of May and June 2020. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

BELCHERTOWN

Palette to Page
74 Bay Road
Paige Chiarette

EAST LONGMEADOW

Hazel the Salon
634 North Main St.
Dianne Caron

Murphy Plumbing and Heating
P.O. Box 564
David Grimaldi

Petco #3783
440 North Main St.
Petco

Rage Worldwide Photography
29 5th St.
Morgan Belanger

Sons of the Desert
19 North St.
Scott Davis

Sweat Power Yoga
219 Shaker Road
Krystal Say

Well Being Therapeutic Massage
143C Shaker Road
Vivian Bresnitz

LONGMEADOW

The Chili Station
98 Longview Dr.
Jeffrey Belkin

Dream Nail & Spa
927 Shaker Road
Guanghao Han

Fibrenew Springfield
82 Canterbury Lane
Brian Newburn

PawsCalls
75 Rugby Road
Kara Ryczek

Pressure Point Washing
113 Chiswick St.
Anthony Heim

WESTFIELD

413 Auto Repair
128 Meadow St.
128 Meadow Street, LLC

All-Stars Dance Center
209 Root Road
Kimberlee Starsiak

DB Tractor Works
177 Bates Road
Don Bienvenue

Good Choice Home Improvement
21 Paper St.
Igot Khomichuk, Vitaly Khomichuk

The House Doctor
Chris Black
40 Crane Ave.

Igor’s Construction & Remodeling
134 Little River Road
Igor Kravchuk

Lux & Linen
132 Northridge Road
Yelizaveta Tverdokhlebov

The Maple Leaf
11 Arnold St.
Arnold St. Enterprises, LLC

Sweet JJs
38 Orange St.
Sweet JJS

Thermal Control
110 Park River Dr.
David Amedeo

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of May and June 2020. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

BELCHERTOWN

Palette to Page
74 Bay Road
Paige Chiarette

EAST LONGMEADOW

Hazel the Salon
634 North Main St.
Dianne Caron

Murphy Plumbing and Heating
P.O. Box 564
David Grimaldi

Petco #3783
440 North Main St.
Petco

Rage Worldwide Photography
29 5th St.
Morgan Belanger

Sons of the Desert
19 North St.
Scott Davis

Sweat Power Yoga
219 Shaker Road
Krystal Say

Well Being Therapeutic Massage
143C Shaker Road
Vivian Bresnitz

LONGMEADOW

The Chili Station
98 Longview Dr.
Jeffrey Belkin

Dream Nail & Spa
927 Shaker Road
Guanghao Han

Fibrenew Springfield
82 Canterbury Lane
Brian Newburn

PawsCalls
75 Rugby Road
Kara Ryczek

Pressure Point Washing
113 Chiswick St.
Anthony Heim

WESTFIELD

413 Auto Repair
128 Meadow St.
128 Meadow Street, LLC

All-Stars Dance Center
209 Root Road
Kimberlee Starsiak

DB Tractor Works
177 Bates Road
Don Bienvenue

Good Choice Home Improvement
21 Paper St.
Igot Khomichuk, Vitaly Khomichuk

The House Doctor
Chris Black
40 Crane Ave.

Igor’s Construction & Remodeling
134 Little River Road
Igor Kravchuk

Lux & Linen
132 Northridge Road
Yelizaveta Tverdokhlebov

The Maple Leaf
11 Arnold St.
Arnold St. Enterprises, LLC

Sweet JJs
38 Orange St.
Sweet JJS

Thermal Control
110 Park River Dr.
David Amedeo

Bankruptcies

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

Allen, Sandra Lea
c/o Julie A. Mercure POA
37 Roosevelt Ave. Apt. 3
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/19/2020

Caloon, Thomas J.
Caloon, Kathleen M.
125 Bemis Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/22/2020

Chickering, Sue E.
P.O. Box 302
Bondsville, MA 01009
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/26/2020

Draper, Mark O.
Draper, Jacqueline W.
34 McCauley Lane
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/31/2020

Duquette, Benjamin J.
Duquette, Jeannine M.
20 Graham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/22/2020

Essential Wellness Center
Longevity Massage and Skincare
Lebedinskaya, Olesya Yuryevna
59 Pochassic St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/22/2020

Gemme, Dennis Raymond
79 Federal St.
Millers Falls, MA 01349
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/27/2020

Giminiani, John Patrick
18 Raymond Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/28/2020

Goad, Stephen Clayton
Goad, Arleen Janet
181 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/28/2020

Gonzalez, Esther M.
15 Girard Ave. Apt. 212
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/29/2020

Hamelin, Ruth
52 Mohawk Forest Blvd.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/29/2020

Harper, Virginia Davis
170 East Hadley Road #33
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/28/2020

Krause, Heidi Lillian
133 Jabish St. Apt. G4
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/27/2020

LaChance, William Michael
28 Revere Circle, Apt. B
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/18/2020

Loncrini, Eugene G.
832 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/18/2020

Mavis, Susan M.
17 Stratfield Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/28/2020

Macedo, Karen Ann
118 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/19/2020

Messier, Traci J.
47 Terry Lane
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/18/2020

O’Donnell, Sean C.
73 Hall Road #18
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 13
Date: 05/28/2020

Paynter, Patricia
297 Daniel Shays Highway
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/20/2020

Pollack, Dereck
60 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/29/2020

Rijos, Xiomary Garcia
153 First St. Apt. B
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/22/2020

Severns, Thomas J. W.
PO Box 238
West Warren, MA 01092
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/27/2020

Slade, Mackenzie
20 Easthampton Road, Apt. J1
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/29/2020

Stone, Peter
295 Bromley Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/28/2020

Stucklen, Kenneth Howard
628 Mill St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/20/2020

Ward, Samantha Marie
79 Montague City Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/22/2020

Wassmann, Nathanael Kirk
42B Princeton Ter.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/27/2020

Wemett, Thomas W.
83 Royalston Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/28/2020

Wheatley, Rodney Y.
P.O. Box 262
Leeds, MA 01053
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/31/2020

Williams, Tammy
216 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/29/2020

Zajchowski, David Paul
71 Edwards Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 05/31/2020

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

30 Avery Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: William E. Sparks
Seller: Keith W. Wall
Date: 06/01/20

COLRAIN

236 Ed Clark Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $225,500
Buyer: Clinton M. Patenaude
Seller: Barrett G. Martin
Date: 06/01/20

309 Main Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: David Conlon
Seller: Rockwell J. Lively
Date: 05/29/20

CONWAY

408 Wilder Hill Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Dakota Deane
Seller: Holbrook, Sue E., (Estate)
Date: 05/22/20

DEERFIELD

89 Mill Village Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Craig J. Tiedemann
Seller: Kenneth W. Perkins
Date: 05/29/20

108 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Roxanne E. Smead
Seller: Steven Boro
Date: 05/29/20

ERVING

6 Forest St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: David Property Management
Seller: Allan R. Young TR
Date: 05/27/20

GREENFIELD

109 Birch St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Edward J. Hinge
Seller: Jamie T. Coffin
Date: 05/29/20

180 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Allisia Cole-Williams
Seller: Ananda I. Larson
Date: 05/29/20

40 East Wayland Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Jamie T. Coffin
Seller: K. McIntyre-Bernier RET
Date: 05/29/20

53 Elm St.
Greenfield, MA 01376
Amount: $119,587
Buyer: Keith Goduti
Seller: Nathan W. Keefe
Date: 06/02/20

82 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Ruggeri LLC
Seller: Ruggeri, Alphonse A., (Estate)
Date: 05/28/20

9 Ferrante Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Sautter
Seller: Rachel Reffsin
Date: 06/01/20

103 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Joshua Ruder
Seller: Stuart R. Provost
Date: 06/02/20

243 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Sean M. Roe
Seller: Allen Fowler
Date: 05/22/20

72 Maple St.
Greenfield, MA 01376
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Daniel T. Mickus
Seller: William D. Markert
Date: 05/20/20

25 Mary Potter Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: David White
Seller: Bradford K. Marks
Date: 06/01/20

19 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Eloise Michael
Seller: Mariette L. Poginy
Date: 05/22/20

13-15 Osgood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Ruggeri LLC
Seller: Ruggeri, Alphonse A., (Estate)
Date: 05/28/20

167 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Brian N. Dew
Seller: David J. Larue
Date: 05/22/20

15 Summer St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Joel E. Corbin
Seller: Petru Balan
Date: 06/01/20

HAWLEY

86 W. Hill Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $446,240
Buyer: Thomas S. Justice
Seller: Robert R. Harding
Date: 05/29/20

LEVERETT

253 Shutesbury Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $467,527
Buyer: Zachary L. Katz
Seller: Margaret J. Speas
Date: 05/26/20

MONTAGUE

111 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $191,923
Buyer: Pioneer Valley Redevelopers
Seller: Carlton, William 2nd, (Estate)
Date: 06/01/20

288-290 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Kevin R. Gnoza
Seller: Tonya M. Gnoza
Date: 05/20/20

15 Norman Circle
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: John J. Zywna
Seller: Kevin Randall
Date: 05/22/20

91 Taylor Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Anna R. Leschen-Lindell
Seller: Allen Ross
Date: 06/02/20

NORTHFIELD

83 Captain Beers Plain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Tyler L. Inman
Seller: Eugene Rice
Date: 05/28/20

33 Gill Center Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Lebaron
Seller: Alcide A. Lecuyer
Date: 05/22/20

SHELBURNE

1 Little Mohawk Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Moro
Seller: Michael Browning
Date: 06/01/20

67 Percy Roberts Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Michael C. Hayes
Seller: Stephen R. McCabe
Date: 06/01/20

SHUTESBURY

46 Locks Pond Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Joanna Weinberg-Lawless
Seller: Sarah A. Mitzel
Date: 05/27/20

SUNDERLAND

82 South Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $412,000
Buyer: Terry Randall
Seller: Jason Viadero
Date: 05/28/20

WHATELY

144 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Thomas E. Borawski
Seller: Irene P. Farrick IRT
Date: 05/22/20

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

27 Belvidere Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Piquette
Seller: Kathleen S. Bishop
Date: 05/21/20

67 Colemore St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sean Stevenson
Seller: Patriot Living LLC
Date: 05/29/20

164 Colemore St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Siegel
Seller: Christina D. Kalashian
Date: 05/21/20

250 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $154,250
Buyer: Daniel Beauregard
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 05/28/20

69 Forest Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Gary M. Bisiniere
Seller: David Sgueglia
Date: 05/22/20

23 Giffin Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Scott E. Skolnick
Seller: Eric Lottermoser
Date: 05/22/20

105 High St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Angela M. Gauthier
Seller: Thomas H. Fox
Date: 05/22/20

49 Letendre Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Tirone Development Corp.
Seller: Stephen M. Buynicki
Date: 05/29/20

62 Northwood St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $148,100
Buyer: Alex Vilkhovoy
Seller: USA VA
Date: 05/29/20

117 Princeton Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Craig Fiermonte
Seller: Christopher P. Counos
Date: 05/22/20

106 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $194,200
Buyer: David Williams
Seller: Williams, John H. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/20

349 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Michael Matuh
Seller: Nancy M. Power
Date: 06/02/20

6 Spencer St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Fabio Montefusco
Seller: Petro Boyko
Date: 05/29/20

58 Valley Brook Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kevin Russell
Seller: Aleksandr Salagornik
Date: 05/21/20

230 Valley Brook Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: David Zuev
Seller: David R. Gallerani
Date: 05/27/20

51 Wrenwood Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Thomas H. Fox
Seller: Dustin L. Ruby
Date: 05/29/20

BRIMFIELD

86 1st St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: David Markham
Seller: Ronald M. Lombardi
Date: 05/21/20

CHICOPEE

48 Alvord Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Avet RT
Seller: Robert H. Allen
Date: 05/27/20

21 Barby Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Luz M. Garcia
Seller: James A. Geoffroy
Date: 05/29/20

108 Blanchwood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Ethan L. Gross
Seller: Brian M. Keough
Date: 05/28/20

91 Borys Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Eric R. Lasante
Seller: Elizabeth A. Theroux
Date: 05/26/20

126 Boucher Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Sara M. Brown
Seller: Steven Parentela
Date: 05/29/20

411 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Juan Morales-Matos
Seller: Gene Ostrovoskiy
Date: 06/01/20

63 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Eduardo Zayas
Seller: Christopher Nascembeni
Date: 05/22/20

475 Dale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Michael P. Brown
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 05/21/20

207 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Keith Farrell
Seller: Andrew K. Warner
Date: 05/22/20

77 Glendale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Katie Desnoyers
Seller: Donald D. Desnoyers
Date: 05/27/20

1321 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Monnette Martin
Seller: Efrosini Sullivan
Date: 05/22/20

69 Hillcrest St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Marcal Gaynor
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 06/01/20

78 Labelle Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $302,500
Buyer: Ruby A. Rivera
Seller: Nicole K. Maslar
Date: 05/29/20

78 Laramee St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Anette T. Gonzalez
Seller: Stephen P. Malanaphy
Date: 05/22/20

Madison St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Christopher N. Jarrett
Seller: Timothy J. Rzeszutek
Date: 05/26/20

15 May St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Dahlke IRT
Seller: Patrick E. McGrath
Date: 05/28/20

232 Montcalm St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: Works Of Art LLC
Date: 06/01/20

101 Sunflower Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Beatrice Matos
Seller: Thomas M. Luce
Date: 06/01/20

Sycamore Lane #7
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Jan Poplawski
Seller: Grandview Development Assocs. LLC
Date: 05/29/20

EAST LONGMEADOW

45 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Paul T. Carr
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 05/22/20

155 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Tiffany N. Chhibber
Seller: Bernard V. Gaudette
Date: 06/02/20

326 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: James Williamson
Seller: Michelle S. Siciliano
Date: 06/02/20

228 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Barbara J. Nutbrown
Seller: Carine Bryan
Date: 05/28/20

18 Poplar St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Olinda I. Trejo
Seller: Michael D. Akers
Date: 05/21/20

33 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Erika M. Noble
Seller: Susan E. Obrien
Date: 05/29/20

278 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Robert Bryan
Seller: Adele C. Hill
Date: 05/29/20

28 Powder Hill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Brian M. Keough
Seller: 28 Powder Hill Road NT
Date: 05/28/20

271 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Deidre L. Fitzpatrick
Seller: Christopher M. Eckers
Date: 05/28/20

151 Smith Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Lynda M. Bishop
Seller: Paul J. Fydenkevez
Date: 06/01/20

569 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Janine Prokop
Seller: Frank H. Twyeffort
Date: 05/26/20

25 Vreeland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Grazia Caputo
Seller: Julia L. Frigo
Date: 06/02/20

311 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Joseph P. Martin
Seller: Alexander Ortiz
Date: 05/29/20

HAMPDEN

30 Mohawk Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Juan C. Rodriguez
Seller: Jason W. Sheridan
Date: 06/01/20

2 Scantic Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Justin Shuma
Seller: Mark J. Gentile
Date: 05/22/20

31 Stafford Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $217,550
Buyer: Sara Biscaldi
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 05/27/20

94 Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Jason W. Sheridan
Seller: Cumberland Blues RT
Date: 06/01/20

HOLLAND

384 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jean Solaroli
Seller: Central Western Mass. Holdings
Date: 05/22/20

100 May Brook Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Nathan A. Letendre
Seller: Robert F. Terbush
Date: 05/22/20

77 May Brook Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Kristen Houatchanthara
Seller: Derek Wales
Date: 05/26/20

7 Williams Lane
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Brian P. Leduc
Seller: William Wakefield
Date: 05/20/20

HOLYOKE

9-11 Arlington St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Duclos
Seller: John A. Vassallo
Date: 05/29/20

26 Edbert Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Jennifer Bonnano
Seller: Robert E. Wojcik
Date: 05/27/20

8 Harrison Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $187,100
Buyer: Perry McDonnell
Seller: Karen M. Lasante
Date: 05/26/20

10 Keefe Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Gregory Medina
Seller: Rodphey Sholem Cong
Date: 05/22/20

158 Ontario Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Alexander S. Nielsen
Seller: Alexandro S. Laftsidis
Date: 06/02/20

LONGMEADOW

108 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Boniface A. Anoje
Seller: Russell, James A., (Estate)
Date: 05/27/20

10 Elmwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Nicole M. Forys
Seller: David H. Cosgriff
Date: 05/29/20

324 Farmington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Jonathan Moseley
Seller: Erica Broman
Date: 06/01/20

50 Hilltop Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $629,500
Buyer: Elie Semaan
Seller: Richard W. Purrington
Date: 05/22/20

249 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Roy FT
Seller: Jennifer D. Santos
Date: 05/26/20

270 Park Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Andrew Michael
Seller: Robert Kushner
Date: 05/27/20

86 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $409,000
Buyer: John W. Miller
Seller: Benjamin J. Weiss
Date: 05/22/20

Summit Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Laurianne Gentile
Seller: 51 Summit Ave LLC
Date: 05/22/20

27 Wendover Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $637,000
Buyer: Kar Grassetti-Stolpinski
Seller: Elizabeth H. Carando
Date: 05/26/20

LUDLOW

43 Arch St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Michael F. Jacquinet
Seller: John E. Jacquinet
Date: 05/27/20

27 Arnold St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Jason Maurice
Seller: Letourneau, Rejeanne M., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/20

23 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sandra Salmeron
Seller: Michele M. Mesheau
Date: 05/22/20

259 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Stephen M. Koziol
Seller: Gregory H. Allen
Date: 05/29/20

800 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Olivia Beaudette
Seller: Nicole J. Allen
Date: 05/22/20

805 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Rachael Witt
Seller: William R. Falconer
Date: 06/02/20

108 Kendall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $383,000
Buyer: James J. Huff
Seller: Dennis A. Sieracki
Date: 06/01/20

230 Kendall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $276,900
Buyer: Ian S. Mitnick
Seller: Paul T. Carr
Date: 05/22/20

88 Kirkland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Justin M. Gelinas
Seller: Karen Szlosek-Welch
Date: 05/22/20

65 Paulding Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Jose M. Bermudez
Seller: Richard J. Abdow
Date: 05/29/20

190 Sewall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Alyssa Dailey
Seller: Fernando Blanco
Date: 05/29/20

81 Willard Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Karen L. Szlosek
Seller: Tomasz Marszalek
Date: 05/22/20

MONSON

28 Ayers Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Christopher Fontaine
Seller: Jill L. Ingrassia
Date: 05/21/20

171 Hovey Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $679,900
Buyer: Fisher RET
Seller: John M. Leone
Date: 05/27/20

33 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $242,926
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: George M. Gignac
Date: 05/29/20

76 Waid Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Clifford W. Zimmer
Seller: Thomas M. Joseph
Date: 05/22/20

MONTGOMERY

83 Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Taylor V. Smith
Seller: Eva A. Yusenko
Date: 06/02/20

PALMER

1426 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Cody L. Allen
Seller: Randall G. Ketterman
Date: 05/29/20

125 Thompson St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Gary Labonte
Seller: Joseph S. Mastalerz
Date: 05/28/20

RUSSELL

961 Blandford Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $194,900
Buyer: Paul D. Sporbert
Seller: Newrez LLC
Date: 05/29/20

883 General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $349,500
Buyer: Ryan Lombardini
Seller: Jamie Desormier
Date: 05/22/20

SPRINGFIELD

616 Alden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Aura L. Geoffrey
Seller: Erica L. Allen
Date: 05/27/20

47-49 Algonquin Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Natasha Vazquez
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 05/22/20

107 Ardmore St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Yaritzi Troche
Seller: Chelsi K. St.Amand
Date: 05/21/20

120 Atwater Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Christopher D. Dougherty
Seller: Elizabeth S. Belle-Isle
Date: 05/21/20

13 Beauregard St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Eren V. Martinez-Garcia
Seller: Sandra L. Giroux
Date: 05/29/20

19 Beechwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Mohammad S. Raghfar
Seller: Dellaera-Smith, Rosa A., (Estate)
Date: 05/26/20

438 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Shaynah M. Smith
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 06/02/20

818 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Ravin S. Acharya
Seller: Chandra Bhattarai
Date: 05/28/20

19-21 Belmont Place
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Nicholas Albert
Seller: David L. Kwasnik
Date: 05/29/20

206 Bowles Park
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Christian L. Perez
Seller: Mark D. Rossini
Date: 05/28/20

95 Briggs St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jasmen Caraballo
Seller: Ileana Garcia
Date: 05/29/20

56 Burton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: David K. Nikolov
Seller: John L. Moylan
Date: 05/29/20

1762 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Tomas L. Flores-Pagan
Seller: Mohammed Al-Bayati
Date: 05/29/20

48 Carlisle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Tonya C. Powell
Seller: Cabral FT
Date: 05/29/20

131 Carnarvon Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jason J. Linton
Seller: Ramon Mercado
Date: 05/29/20

135-137 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Migdalia Valentin
Seller: Simon Shapovalov
Date: 05/29/20

642 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $129,231
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Date: 05/22/20

14 Cottonwood Lane
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Riley Pascall
Seller: John Lewis
Date: 05/22/20

83 Dana St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Alicemar Bruno
Seller: Michael D. Wiggins
Date: 05/28/20

10 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $206,900
Buyer: Veronica Arroyo
Seller: Sean M. Forys
Date: 05/29/20

28 Drury St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Yvonne Grondin
Seller: Eggleston, Russell A., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/20

90 Embury St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Gayemarie E. Poole
Seller: William J. Guilbe
Date: 05/29/20

16 Emily St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Ronald Pelletier
Seller: Brandon M. Tessier
Date: 05/28/20

51 Farnsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Daniel Cortes
Seller: Joseph D. Zukowski
Date: 05/29/20

66 Flint St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Diane L. Rattelle
Seller: Orlando Rosario
Date: 05/28/20

34-36 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Donald Mitchell
Seller: B. Michael Destasio
Date: 05/29/20

257 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Luis J. Rattia
Seller: Bruce E. Urbschat
Date: 05/28/20

526 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Kelnate Realty LLC
Seller: Kathryn M. Lick
Date: 05/21/20

67 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Gabriela Santiago
Seller: Alfred Shattelroe
Date: 05/29/20

814 Grayson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Madeline Ruiz
Seller: Yamaira Gonzalez
Date: 05/29/20

216 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jose M. Vazquez
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 05/28/20

226 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Heriberto Merced
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 05/29/20

90-92 Grover St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Claudia P. Brito
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 06/01/20

45 Hartwick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christina Maynard
Seller: Stephanie E. Maynard
Date: 05/22/20

254 Hartwick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Carly R. Kimball
Seller: Aaron D. Baboval
Date: 06/01/20

12-14 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: L. F. Victoriano-Martinez
Seller: Aguasvivas Realty LLC
Date: 05/29/20

60-62 Humbert St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jannette Rivera-Vega
Seller: MBC Properties LLC
Date: 05/26/20

70 Jennings St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: James Yates
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 05/26/20

57 Johnson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Wayne Lawrence
Seller: Xiuyu Ma
Date: 06/01/20

76 Keith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Clary I. Rosario
Seller: Robert L. Hertz
Date: 05/20/20

73 Lois St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Elijah G. Cruz
Seller: Antigone Panidis
Date: 06/02/20

30-32 Los Angeles St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Julio Rodriguez
Seller: Edite R. Fragoso
Date: 05/29/20

Ludlow Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Grace Y. Rosado-Nieves
Seller: Juan C. Rodriquez
Date: 05/29/20

17 Marble St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Audriana L. Vargas
Seller: Timber Mills LLC
Date: 05/22/20

16 Mayfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Emanuel H. Williams
Seller: Fabio Montefusco
Date: 05/29/20

53 McKnight St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $151,750
Buyer: Manuel Rivera-Delvalle
Seller: Nolava LLC
Date: 05/27/20

62 Midway St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Joeilys Diaz-Ofray
Seller: Jose M. Bermudez
Date: 05/28/20

251 Morton St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Shalon Merriman
Seller: Corey Pascuzzi
Date: 05/28/20

379 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $125,500
Buyer: Rise & Walk Ministry
Seller: J&J Genesis LLC
Date: 05/22/20

24 Old Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Maria M. Gonzalez
Seller: Bally David LLC
Date: 05/29/20

418 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $139,700
Buyer: Cynthia Santiago
Seller: SLC Associates LLC
Date: 05/29/20

1342 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Stacy Serrano
Seller: Scott G. Griffin
Date: 05/27/20

282-284 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Elton N. Fernandes
Seller: Andrew M. Gagnon
Date: 05/22/20

31-33 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Anselmo A. Linares
Seller: Walkis Figueroa
Date: 05/20/20

76 Penncastle St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Reinaldo Nieves-Negron
Seller: William Sweeney
Date: 05/21/20

149 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Elizabeth H. Mercieri
Seller: Diana-Jo Mominee
Date: 05/22/20

168-170 Prospect St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kim D. Saul
Seller: Heriberto Merced
Date: 05/29/20

295 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Carlos Lopez-Rivera
Seller: Western Mass. Property Developers
Date: 05/28/20

17-21 Rupert St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Kenneth E. Osorio
Seller: Oussoud Abdulbaki
Date: 05/22/20

265 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Janine M. Jarvais
Seller: Kevin Panetta
Date: 05/27/20

1062-1064 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Arleni Cruz
Seller: William Rodriguez
Date: 05/20/20

27 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Jason Boulanger
Seller: Irina Ros
Date: 06/01/20

107 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Emanuel Correa-Cruz
Seller: Erika Santiago
Date: 05/27/20

423 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Khadga B. Pradhan
Seller: Michael J. Commisso
Date: 05/22/20

95 Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Juan Martinez
Seller: Kevin C. Ward
Date: 06/02/20

94 Upland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Eurico M. Vega
Seller: John Diamond
Date: 05/29/20

35 Vadnais St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Tiany A. Saldana-Reyes
Seller: Migdalia Vega
Date: 05/29/20

66 Wait St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Felix Padilla
Seller: Sonia N. Rodriguez
Date: 05/27/20

24 Van Horn Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Zahoor U. Haq
Seller: Jose Rijo
Date: 05/21/20

29 Warriner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Wayne Lawrence
Seller: Xiuyu Ma
Date: 06/01/20

119 West Canton Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Xiomara Ortiz
Seller: Jacqueline I. Larochelle
Date: 05/21/20

875 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Mayra Martinez-Montalvo
Seller: Jonathan R. Geoffroy
Date: 05/27/20

103 Winterset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Brandon L. Kenfield
Seller: Erin E. Fontaine
Date: 05/21/20

42 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Cintia I. Ruiz
Seller: Malibu Rentals LLC
Date: 05/20/20

109-111 Woodmont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Oakley
Seller: Rental Properties LLC
Date: 05/22/20

1397 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Savier Hernandez
Seller: Yevgeniy Rudenko
Date: 05/22/20

SOUTHWICK

31 Congamond Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Jessica M. Taylor
Seller: Cigal, Clayton A. Sr., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/20

21 Lauren Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Robert Jedlicka
Seller: Harry C. Lane
Date: 06/02/20

16 Oak St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: My Three Sons Investments
Seller: Shauna J. Cox
Date: 06/02/20

10 Southwick Hill
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Eladio Soto
Seller: Cancks Properties LLC
Date: 06/02/20

TOLLAND

250 Harvey Mountain Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Gary E. Bliven
Seller: Richard Deblois
Date: 05/20/20

237 Slope Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Sureyya Iscan
Seller: Anthony V&A Falcone RET
Date: 05/22/20

WALES

12 Haynes Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Porfirio N. Espinosa
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/02/20

107 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Luke A. Smith
Seller: Richard Anischik
Date: 06/02/20

WESTFIELD

96 Apple Blossom Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Amy M. Gendron
Seller: Henchey, Gertrude S., (Estate)
Date: 05/28/20

84 Bates Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $324,413
Buyer: Travis K. Lucia
Seller: BP LLC
Date: 06/02/20

9 Big Wood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Melanie M. McNamara
Seller: Stephen H. Collins
Date: 06/01/20

296 Buck Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Vladimir Telelyuyev
Seller: Nancy R. Pasquini
Date: 05/29/20

18 Canterbury Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Roman Kizilov
Seller: Oak Ridge Custom Home Builders
Date: 05/29/20

5 Crane Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Nancy L. Stebbins
Seller: Elizabeth Dansereau
Date: 05/29/20

14 Cross St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Cocrane
Seller: Travis K. Lucia
Date: 06/02/20

20 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Zachary A. Coderre
Seller: Richard G. Piper
Date: 05/28/20

104 Elizabeth Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Charles A. Courchesne
Seller: Paul D. Sporbert
Date: 05/29/20

43 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Morgan M. Schneider
Seller: Vladimir Burnusuz
Date: 05/28/20

35 Grandview Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Brooke W. Matuszko
Seller: Goodwin, Ellen E., (Estate)
Date: 05/26/20

1097 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Dansereau
Seller: Joseph M. Scamardella
Date: 06/01/20

11 Grove Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Yurii Chmut
Seller: Beatrice Matos
Date: 05/29/20

28 Joseph Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: John A. Vassallo
Seller: Jeffrey C. Keating
Date: 05/29/20

6 Livingstone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Hiba M. Al-Bandar
Seller: Andrey Kulyak
Date: 05/29/20

222 Munger Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $424,900
Buyer: Meagan A. French
Seller: Diana J. Petersen-Wiggs
Date: 06/01/20

73 Overlook Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $357,450
Buyer: William Villecco
Seller: Robert H. Capell
Date: 05/28/20

22 Pinewood Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Zachary S. Mackenchnie
Seller: James C. Ruffo
Date: 05/22/20

95 Prospect St. Ext.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Saad Q. Mohammed
Seller: Jean C. Boyden
Date: 05/22/20

16 Ravine Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Bethany E. Healy
Seller: Tina Lacroix
Date: 05/29/20

30 Raymond Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Dionysios Koulianos
Seller: Thomas D. Vitro
Date: 05/22/20

40 Robinson Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Nicholis J. Hope
Seller: Maryjo C. Rood
Date: 05/29/20

434 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $895,000
Buyer: Evelyn Rose LLC
Seller: J&F Management LLP
Date: 05/21/20

42 West Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Donald G. Finamore
Seller: Janice N. Phillips
Date: 05/29/20

56 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Crossroads Property Investments Inc.
Seller: Brenda J. Fedora
Date: 05/29/20

19 Woodland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Clark
Seller: Clarence Cormier
Date: 05/28/20

WILBRAHAM

123 Bartlett Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Joseph Belanger
Seller: Melissa Sullivan
Date: 05/27/20

436 Dipping Hole Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Jason S. Balut
Seller: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Date: 05/29/20

12 Hickory Hill Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Lindsay M. Tanguay
Seller: S. W. Andwood Construction
Date: 06/02/20

445 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Jennifer Darcy
Seller: Cynthia A. Scott
Date: 05/28/20

86 Oakland St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: David Z. Gardner
Seller: Jeffrey L. Vanderscoff
Date: 06/01/20

8 Red Bridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Roger R. Duguay
Seller: Michael S. Sheehan
Date: 05/29/20

847 Ridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $532,000
Buyer: Howard Hoffman
Seller: Marc H. Long
Date: 05/28/20

427 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: William H. Kemple
Seller: Lois J. Ganieany
Date: 05/29/20

10 Stirling Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: John D. Piatelli
Seller: Clifford W. Zimmer
Date: 05/22/20

713 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jonathan D. Meyer
Seller: James M. Gouin
Date: 05/28/20

WEST SPRINGFIELD

125 Charles Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $168,500
Buyer: Eugenio V. Bermudez
Seller: SRV Properties LLC
Date: 06/01/20

13 Cora St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Bethany A. Dirocco
Seller: John T. Langlois
Date: 05/26/20

95 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,550,000
Buyer: Saremi LLP
Seller: Peoples United Bank
Date: 05/29/20

48 Highland Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: Stanislav Pchelka
Seller: Dianne M. Broderick
Date: 05/29/20

33 Jeffrey Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Frank N. Roda
Seller: Bryan M. Bengle
Date: 05/29/20

33 Kelly Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Gina M. Lewis
Seller: Gary E. Lubas
Date: 05/22/20

139 Monastery Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: John T. Langlois
Seller: Christopher J. Battista
Date: 05/26/20

1103 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Nataniel H. Brathwaite
Seller: Vladimir Nakhabenko
Date: 05/22/20

175 Morton St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $116,560
Buyer: Beaver Brothers Realty
Seller: Reverse Mortgage Solutions
Date: 05/29/20

103 Pheasants Xing
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Bryan M. Bengle
Seller: Kimberly A. Jedlicka
Date: 05/29/20

573 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Sara E. Collier
Seller: Michael Ford
Date: 05/29/20

811 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Brian D. Siebold
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 05/28/20

110 Quarry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Gia Z. Catanzarite
Seller: James L. Mack
Date: 06/01/20

67 Redden Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Adam K. Bourdon
Seller: Timothy J. Garand
Date: 06/02/20

59 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Nicholas A. Henchey
Seller: Richard Guillemette
Date: 05/28/20

530 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $790,000
Buyer: Community Developers Inc.
Seller: John J. Strauss
Date: 06/01/20

56 Stone Path Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Andrew Carney
Seller: First Baptist Church
Date: 05/27/20

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

23 Potwine Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Yuki Yoshimura-Takahashi
Seller: Nathan Baruch-Green
Date: 05/22/20

82 Rambling Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Nianqiang Wu
Seller: Orrin B. Clifford
Date: 05/26/20

233 Stanley St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Timothy Gassler
Seller: Lily F. Meadows
Date: 05/20/20

40 Summerfield Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $601,750
Buyer: Golbon Zakeri
Seller: Janet Bordwin
Date: 05/22/20

28 Tanglewood Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Kalavally Sriharan
Seller: Daniel J. Miller
Date: 05/20/20

BELCHERTOWN

29 Dogwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $429,900
Buyer: Albert Grimaldi
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 05/22/20

483 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Justin Collin-Allen
Seller: Dorothy E. Lane
Date: 05/27/20

685 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Cynthia S. Bright
Seller: GJL RNL NT
Date: 05/29/20

48 Magnolia Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $424,900
Buyer: James McNamara
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 05/29/20

49 Mountain View Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Charlyn N. Oliva
Seller: Matthew C. Dufresne
Date: 06/01/20

231 Summit St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Mary E. Medeiros
Seller: Alexander Kubacki
Date: 05/27/20

EASTHAMPTON

96 Briggs St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $311,700
Buyer: Dack FT
Seller: Aurelia E. Sudnick
Date: 05/20/20

6 Chapman Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Christopher Thompson
Seller: Jason J. Buikus
Date: 05/29/20

103 Cottage St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: John R. Cowan
Seller: Milo Properties LLC
Date: 05/20/20

53-55 Emerald Place
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Herman R. Copen RET
Seller: Gladys T. Lithanstanski
Date: 05/20/20

94 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kelsey S. Hall
Seller: Christa C. Chiarello
Date: 05/28/20

18 Lawson Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Todd Carson
Seller: Marie Bolduc RET
Date: 05/29/20

88 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Edward Cohen
Seller: Kerren A. Errico
Date: 05/20/20

52 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $2,100,000
Buyer: Easthampton Savings Bank
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 05/29/20

51 Mount Tom Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $123,150
Buyer: Carrie L. Hague
Seller: Mark L. Rollins
Date: 05/26/20

98 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Cheryl J. Oakley
Seller: Amber Barlow
Date: 05/29/20

6 Olympia St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Justin A. Albert
Seller: Marja J. Davenbrie
Date: 05/22/20

64 Parsons St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Malibu Rentals LLC
Seller: Michael J. Skubiszewski
Date: 05/21/20

20 Pine St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Dean T. Couture
Seller: Pelkey, Phoebe E., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/20

39 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Cindy Suarez
Seller: Karen E. Bacon
Date: 05/27/20

103 Strong St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Gabriel Aquino
Seller: Carol A. Taylor
Date: 05/22/20

GRANBY

193 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Jonathan S. Szymonik
Seller: Brian S. King
Date: 06/01/20

117 South St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Lindsey A. Whitacre
Seller: Lori Ellison
Date: 05/29/20

HUNTINGTON

118 County Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Cody R. Lussier
Seller: Jason G. Paquette
Date: 05/29/20

227 Norwich Lake
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Kate Albright-Hanna
Seller: Kimberly R. Lucey
Date: 05/26/20

NORTHAMPTON

42 Bliss St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Bliss Hampshire TR
Seller: US Bank
Date: 05/28/20

120 Coles Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Eileen Wynne-Ball
Seller: Cynthia A. Suopis
Date: 05/21/20

170 Federal St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $301,100
Buyer: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Seller: Jones, Cynthia A., (Estate)
Date: 05/29/20

7 Gilrain Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Colleen C. Currie
Seller: Luis C. Granda
Date: 05/22/20

15 Hampden St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Paula Turow
Seller: Cynthia T. Dolgoff
Date: 06/01/20

9 Harlow Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Melissa A. Barillaro
Seller: Barry H. Daggett
Date: 05/29/20

291 Locust St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: John M. Harner
Seller: Jill McCutcheon
Date: 05/29/20

224 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Brent M. Durbin
Seller: Constance G. Burkhardt
Date: 06/01/20

808 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Alison Schoen
Seller: Martha B. Izer RET
Date: 05/22/20

264 South St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Jonathan M. Roberts
Seller: Christopher J. Cowan
Date: 05/21/20

277 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: William W. Reymond
Seller: Francis A. Cushing
Date: 05/28/20

PELHAM

30 Boyden Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Mei
Seller: Christopher S. Sutherland
Date: 06/01/20

30 Jones Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jennifer Benham
Seller: Norman L. Page
Date: 05/21/20

SOUTH HADLEY

28 Berwyn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Bridget Duplisea
Seller: David B. Beiser
Date: 05/27/20

47 Charon Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $284,900
Buyer: Evan M. Oroark
Seller: Jonathan S. Szymonik
Date: 06/01/20

23 Jewett Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $374,900
Buyer: Sheri E. Kurtz
Seller: Holly E. Hanson
Date: 05/29/20

55 Judd Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Grey
Seller: Kaylan Macinnes
Date: 05/29/20

11 Laurie Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Marissa Montemagni
Seller: US Bank
Date: 05/28/20

3 Lincoln Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Matthew A. Travis
Seller: Stefania Farace
Date: 06/01/20

33 Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $145,900
Buyer: Nicolette M. Henderson
Seller: Debra Bombard
Date: 05/29/20

536 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Nathan Bergeron
Seller: Michael J. Dubuc
Date: 05/21/20

149 Old Lyman Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Josue Colon
Seller: USA VA
Date: 05/28/20

35 Woodlawn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Geri S. Leporati
Seller: Lance R. Cote
Date: 05/27/20

SOUTHAMPTON

387 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Marc A. Labrie
Seller: David D. Eichstaedt
Date: 05/22/20

94 County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Alexandr Carapunarli
Seller: Todd Carson
Date: 05/29/20

63 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Carl A. Prucnal
Seller: Pariseau, Barbara J., (Estate)
Date: 05/22/20

9 Glendale Woods Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Tina M. Lacroix
Seller: Justin Tilton
Date: 05/29/20

95 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $462,000
Buyer: Michael S. Browning
Seller: Peter Janocha
Date: 06/01/20

9 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Brittany E. Grout
Seller: Michelle Eldridge
Date: 05/22/20

WARE

51 Coffey Hill Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Christopher D. Fielding
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 05/21/20

13 Juniper Hill Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Dustin R. Pennington
Seller: Christopher D. Dymon
Date: 05/26/20

3 Mattson Blvd.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Deanna D. White
Seller: Eric Allard
Date: 05/29/20

150-R North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: James E. Beauregard
Seller: Marlene T. Beauregard
Date: 05/21/20

68 Shoreline Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Licia J. Galinsky
Seller: Girard, Alvenia M., (Estate)
Date: 06/02/20

5 Warebrook Village
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Alise Sampson
Seller: Karla Harder
Date: 05/22/20

WESTHAMPTON

45 Perry Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Justin A. Prucnal
Seller: Carl A. Prucnal
Date: 05/22/20

WORTHINGTON

14 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Eric B. Rice
Seller: Robert Baillargeon
Date: 05/29/20

388 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $215,900
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Colin Keefe
Date: 05/28/20

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the months of May and June 2020. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

CHICOPEE

101 Front Street Trust
101 Front St.
$12,000 — Expand four existing openings

Broadway Street, LLC
421 Broadway
$26,590.67 — Roofing

Etan Shalem
591M Memorial Dr.
$375,000 — Fit out existing retail space for Spectrum service center

Shawn Peabody
18 Victoria Park
$2,300 — Remove six windows and install six vinyl replacement windows

Rai Ram
60 School St.
$16,000 — Rebuild staircases, decking, handrails, rails, and posts

GREENFIELD

Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin
56 Wisdom Way
Demolish garage

Tapestry
278 Main St., Suite 307A
$25,000 — Divide room for storage area, new door and frame, new sink location, upgrade ductwork, minor electrical work, hot-water tank

Valley Medical Group
329 Conway St.
$20,000 — Repair building after vehicle collision

LEE

Berkshire Corporate Realty, LLC
480 Pleasant St.
$5,650 — Relocate existing wet sprinklers to accommodate new floor plan

MKJ Real Estate, LLC
195 Water St.
$53,885 — Install 60 solar panels via roof mount

LENOX

Adams Community Bank
7 Main St.
$20,710 — 36 white vinyl replacement windows with internal gridwork

Stanley Rosen
91 Walker St.
$9,000 — Roofing

SPRINGFIELD

299 Page Blvd., LLC
299 Page Blvd.
$1,270,786.76 — Alter space at former shooting range for new tactical training center for Springfield Police Department

Astro Logistics, LLC
126 Memorial Dr.
$27,955 — Alter space for additional concrete tank support pedestal and containment walls in existing interior tank containment area

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
759 Chestnut St.
$79,748 — Install new partitions, doors and frames, drywall on existing studs, and acoustical ceilings

Charles D’Amour, Donald D’Amour
90 Memorial Dr.
$30,000 — Add three cellular antennas and three remote radio units, replace six remote radio units on existing AT&T tower

Commonwealth Academy Holdings, LLC
7 Ames Hill Road
$39,000 — Alter space for accessible restroom in Ray House at Commonwealth Academy

Crown Atlantic Co., LLC
22 Birnie Ave.
$30,000 — Remove and replace three antennas and three remote radio units on existing AT&T tower

Gulmohur 546 Sumner Corp.
544 Sumner Ave.
$30,000 — Alter vacant commercial space for new beauty salon

Norley Realty Inc.
350 Albany St.
$25,000 — Remove and replace six antennas, remove three remote radio units and install 12 remote radio units and one DC-only squid on existing AT&T tower

Remic Properties
455 Breckwood Blvd.
$125,000 — Alter tenant space for future interior fit-out for Family Dollar

WILBRAHAM

2030 Boston Road, LLC
2030 Boston Road
$3,000 — Sign for Executive Real Estate

COVID-19 Daily News

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced that the second step of phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s four-phase reopening plan will begin today, June 22, to allow additional industries to resume operations under sector-specific guidelines.

The following will be eligible to reopen today: indoor table service at restaurants; close-contact personal services, with restrictions; retail dressing rooms, by appointment only; and offices, at 50% capacity.

In order to give those businesses time to prepare, the administration had previously released sector-specific guidance in advance of phase 2 for industries including restaurants, close-contact personal services, and sectors not otherwise addressed.

Before these sectors can resume operations under the guidelines, businesses must meet all safety standards, create a COVID-19 control plan, and complete a self-certification.

On May 18, the administration released a four-phase plan to reopen the economy based on public-health data, spending at least three weeks in each phase. Key public-health data, such as new cases and hospitalizations, have been closely monitored and shown a significant decline, allowing for the second step of phase 2 to begin.

Daily News

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 16.3% in May following a revision to the April rate of 16.2%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts added 58,600 jobs in May. This follows last month’s revised loss of 646,700 jobs. Over the month, the private sector added 65,700 jobs as gains occurred in construction; leisure and hospitality; education and health services; professional, scientific, and business services; trade, transportation, and utilities; other services; manufacturing; and financial activities. Information and government lost jobs over the month.

From May 2019 to May 2020, BLS estimates Massachusetts lost 605,000 jobs. Losses occurred in each of the private sectors, with the largest percentage losses in leisure and hospitality; other services; construction; and trade, transportation, and utilities.

The labor force increased by 123,200 from 3,406,900 in April, as 100,000 more residents were employed and 23,200 more residents were unemployed over the month.

Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 13.4%.

The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — increased to 62.4%. Compared to May 2019, the labor force participation rate is down by 5.1%.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — After COVID-19 broke, applications to the President’s Student Emergency Fund at Holyoke Community College (HCC) soared. The fund, established by President Christina Royal through the HCC Foundation, is meant to assist students facing unanticipated financial burdens, such as a lack of affordable housing, childcare expenses, and transportation.

For the 2019-20 academic year, 93% of student requests to the fund have come since mid-March. As HCC transitioned to remote learning, nearly $25,000 has been distributed to help students facing income loss and struggling to pay their bills in the midst of the pandemic.

“We are talking about an average gift of $500,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation, the college’s nonprofit fundraising corporation. “That is often the difference between staying on a path to a college degree or never being able to return to the classroom. Studying and learning remotely has meant added an unanticipated expenses for our students. Faster internet, upgraded technology, housing and food costs, utility bills — seemingly simple shifts in daily life are easy to manage for some, but for many HCC students, they can derail their entire education.”

This week, the President’s Student Emergency Fund at HCC received a $35,000 boost in the form of a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) designated for COVID-19 relief. The HCC Foundation was one of 29 area nonprofits receiving financial assistance in the latest round of COVID-19 relief funds from the Community Foundation.

“You are receiving this grant thanks in part to funding from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund,” Jim Ayres, CFWM vice president for Programs & Strategy, said in an e-mail to Sbriscia. “The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund works in concert with regional community foundations and nonprofit leaders to support those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations, including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities, and those facing food insecurity.”

With the Community Foundation grant, the HCC Foundation has now raised $72,480 for the President’s Student Emergency Fund since late March when it launched the “TogetherHCC” fundraising campaign in response to the pandemic, placing the total amount of dollars available for student relief at $190,000.

The largest single donation to the campaign was $20,000 from HCC alumna Margaret “Peg” Wendlandt (’58) and her husband, Gary, who have supported the emergency fund since it was established three years ago. The rest of the contributions have come in much smaller increments from 160 individual donors and area businesses.

“We are so grateful to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, our alumni, and HCC employees and friends for believing in the power of our emergency fund to help our students,” Sbriscia said. “In one way or another, all our students have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sense of relief and comfort we’re able to provide thanks to the generosity of so many is honestly life-changing for them.”

Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts unveiled the Power Up Activity Kit to help keep Western Mass. girls active and healthy through the summer while inspiring creativity, encouraging movement, and teaching new skills. Girls on the Run is a leader in developing and delivering life-changing programs for girls through more than 75 sites across Western Mass. and has served more than 5,400 girls since it was founded in 2015.

After the cancelation of schools, implementation of social distancing, and the restrictions around large public events due to the coronavirus pandemic, the nonprofit adapted quickly to alter its spring season to continue to deliver on its mission to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. This new offering also delivers on that mission.

“Providing girls with opportunities to develop empathy, build resiliency, and identify and understand their values, choices, and emotions are important now more than ever before,” said Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts. “It is never too early for girls to learn how to put these important skills into practice. This kit will help girls move, laugh, and grow, and in the process find their inner girl power.”

The at-home kit includes 50 activities to fuel girls’ mind, body, and spirit that emphasize the important connection between physical and emotional health. Each activity helps girls learn important skills, such as how to cope when things get difficult, demonstrate care for self and others, and practice positivity. From silly starters to fun movement games and challenges, the activities were designed to get girls to laugh, create, and grow.

Available at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org, the kit costs $49 and includes the Power Up Activity Book, an exclusive GRL PWR T-shirt, a physical-activity training plan, a completion certificate, and a few other fun surprises, delivered directly to each girl’s doorstep.

The nonprofit organization is also raising funds to provide sponsored kits to girls within the community. Visit the website to make a donation.

“For five years, we have always done everything we can to support all girls as they navigate adolescence,” Berman said. “This kit will help her grow her confidence and realize the potential she has to power up.”

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, 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

Episode 5: June 29, 2020

George Interviews Bob Nakosteen of UMass Amherst, Isenberg School of Management 

George O’Brien interviews Bob Nakosteen, Department Chair & Professor of Operations & Information Management for UMass Amherst, Isenberg School of Management and discusses the economic, health, and political climate as it pertains to education, business, and consumer confidence.

Sponsored by:

Also Available On

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, 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

Episode 3: June 22, 2020

George Interviews Christina Royal, President of Holyoke Community College

Christina Royal

George O’Brien interviews Christina Royal. O’Brien and Royal discuss how the pandemic has disrupted and impacted higher education, its students, and the plans of adaptation for Fall 2020.

Sponsored by:

Also Available On

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, 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

Episode 4: June 24, 2020

Thom Interviews Rick Sullivan 

Thom Fox interviews Rick Sullivan, President & CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. Thom and Rick discuss the unique opportunities COVID presents for WesternMA’s future, local employer’s approach to the region’s unemployed, and resources to support small business owners.

Sponsored by:

Also Available On

Daily News

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo announced additional administrative tax-relief measures for local businesses that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors.

This tax relief builds upon previous, similar tax extensions and includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room-occupancy tax for small businesses that would be due from March through August, so that they will instead be due in September. Additionally, all penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.

“We are proud to join our colleagues in the Legislature to announce this additional relief for local businesses throughout Massachusetts while we all continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and work to protect the health and safety of the Commonwealth’s residents,” Baker said. “These administrative changes extend tax-relief measures put into place earlier in March and will allow additional support for local companies, including small businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industries.”

Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending Feb. 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and businesses that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending Feb. 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room-occupancy taxes.

For businesses with meals tax and room-occupancy tax obligations that do not otherwise qualify for this relief, late-file and late-pay penalties will be waived during this period.

“The Commonwealth is carrying out a historic response to the COVID-19 crisis,” Polito said. “We continue to seek ways to provide local businesses with tools, resources, and support to help reopen the Massachusetts economy while also ensuring key public-health measures are in place.”

COVID-19 Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) received a $35,000 grant to help students affected by the COVID-19 health crisis.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts awarded the grant through the COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley. STCC was one of several organizations to receive financial help in the latest round of awards through the COVID-19 Response Fund.

The Community Foundation, which announced the grant on June 16, said the award is made possible in part through funding from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, which works in concert with regional community foundations and nonprofit leaders to support those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis.

The grants are designed to address immediate needs for families, mental health, and food justice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

STCC President John Cook said the financial help is much-needed and appreciated during the pandemic, which has had a significant impact on populations served by STCC, including students of color.

“On behalf of a grateful college, we would like to express our appreciation for this award,” Cook said. “These are very difficult and complex times for public higher education, and we could not be more thankful for support from the Community Foundation.”

COVID-19 Daily News

AMHERST — In one of the latest COVID-19 response projects at UMass Amherst, the Advanced Digital Design and Fabrication (ADDFab) laboratory is collaborating with a global network of design, engineering, and manufacturing experts to help develop an open-source N95 face mask.

ADDFab, one of the core facilities at UMass’s Institute for Applied Life Sciences, has been rapidly preparing 3D prints of prototype parts and molds for Cofab Design in Holyoke. Cofab business partner and design engineer Aaron Cantrell is one of the primary leaders of the Open Standard Respirator project, a nonprofit effort to broaden protective equipment supply for COVID-19 and beyond. The other leaders are biomechatronics engineer Matt Carney of the MIT Media Lab Biomechatronics Group and Philip Brown, assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

The project grew out of a grassroots desire to address the critical shortage of N95 masks caused by the pandemic. “There was a huge increase in demand that was beyond the ability of existing manufacturers to keep up with in a quick way,” Cantrell said. “There were no designs for people who wanted to chip in and start to help with this problem.”

Cantrell and Cofab’s two other partners, Mike Stone and Jake Horsey, with whom ADDFab has previously worked, needed a prototyping partner that could produce parts overnight and economically for the modular, reusable, filtering facepiece respirator. ADDFab student workers were able to turn around prototype pieces in both laser-sintered nylon and UV-cured polymer the day after the designs were digitally received in the lab.

“This project is a really good fit for our lab,” ADDFab Director David Follette said. “We can use high-end printers to print molds for silicone parts, which have very demanding requirements for accuracy and surface finish.”

Both Follette and Stone agree that the ongoing, local working relationship between ADDFab and Cofab quickly pushed the project forward. “To get prototypes that quickly from a third party or online service bureau would just be astronomically expensive, and then require overnight shipping,” Follette said.

Added Stone, “there was a huge amount of pressure to do this quickly, and we were sprinting to get things done. We had a trusted relationship with someone within driving distance from us who can deliver high-quality components using world-class materials and processes. This was the best-case scenario.”

Among other parts, ADDFab printed the mold tooling for the silicone face piece, allowing Cofab to test it out before committing to expensive metal tooling necessary for mass production.

“By locally 3D printing the molds and testing them quickly, they could be much more confident in their design when beginning to manufacture at scale,” Follette explained.

Cofab used the prototypes to finalize its design of the mask, which is now being field-tested at sites around the world. “It’s free for people who want to produce it,” Stone said. “At the end of the day, we want safe, reliable PPE to be in the hands of more people.”

A nonprofit will hold the license for the respirator design, and the makers will be responsible for seeking any certifications or approvals, if desired.

“On a bigger-picture front,” Stone said, “this is how open-source medical products might be able to work in the future.”

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Since the phrase COVID-19 came into our lexicon, those working in the broad healthcare field have emerged as the true heroes during a pandemic that has changed every facet of life as we know it.

And over the past several months, the world has paid tribute to these heroes, and in all kinds of ways — from applauding in unison from apartment-complex windows to bringing hot meals to hospital and nursing-home workers; from donating much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to people putting hearts on their front lawns and mailboxes to thank first responders, healthcare workers, postal workers, and others.

BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, will pay tribute in their own way, by dedicating their annual Healthcare Heroes program in 2020 to those who are have emerged as true heroes during this crisis. The deadline for nominations is July 1.

Healthcare Heroes was launched by the two publications in 2017 to recognize those working in this all-important sector of the region’s economy, many of whom are overlooked when it comes to traditional recognition programs. Over the years, the program has recognized providers, administrators, emerging leaders, innovators, and collaborators.

For 2020, the program will shift its focus somewhat to the COVID-19 pandemic and all those who are working in the healthcare field or helping to assist it at this trying time. All manner of heroes have emerged this year, and we invite you to nominate one — or several — for what has become a very prestigious honor in Western Mass.: the Healthcare Heroes award.

Here are some examples of those who have become real heroes:

• Doctors and nurses;

• Emergency-room personnel, including doctors, nurses, orderlies, techs, triage, receptionists, and others;

• EMTs;

• Police and firefighters;

• Nursing-home personnel, everyone from frontline providers to administrators;

• End-of-life care providers;

• Administrators leading the efforts to battle the pandemic;

• Behavioral-health practitioners helping people and families navigate this crisis;

• Individuals and groups from our community who have stepped up to help healthcare workers with everything from hot meals to PPE;

• Companies that have pivoted and commenced production of materials such as PPE to help those in healthcare confront the pandemic;

• Scientists working behind the scenes to develop a vaccine or new types of PPE; and

• Truck drivers delivering supplies to hospitals and other providers.

These are just a few examples, and there are myriad others. In truth, everyone who goes to work in a hospital, nursing home, assisted-living facility, or other healthcare facility, thereby risking their own health, and perhaps their life, is a hero.

In many respects, all these heroes will be honored at the Healthcare Heroes event, now scheduled for this fall at the Springfield Sheraton. And to honor all of them, we want to bring to the podium a number of individuals and groups that represent everyone who has become a hero in these trying times.

To assist those thinking of nominating someone for this honor, we are simplifying the process. All we desire is a 400- to 500-word essay and/or two-minute video entry explaining why the group or individual stands out as an inspiration, and a truly bright star in a galaxy of healthcare heroes. These nominations will be carefully considered by a panel of independent judges, who will select the class of 2020.

For more information on how to nominate someone for the Healthcare Heroes class of 2020, click here. Videos can be sent via dropbox to [email protected].

Healthcare Heroes is sponsored by Comcast Business and Elms College.

Daily News

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission met this week to discuss detailed guidelines for reopening the state’s casinos. The full report, to be voted on next week, is available by clicking here.

Among the guidelines are copious instructions about what casinos must do to clean and sanitize the facilities, both before the yet-to-be-determined reopening date and each day thereafter.

Also, craps, roulette, and poker will be unavailable at first, and plexiglass dividers at blackjack tables will separate players from dealers and each other. Slot machines must be spaced a minimum of six feet apart, or separated by plexiglass shields.

Food service and consumption will be limited to designated areas. While beverage service will be allowed in the gaming area, guests must still wear masks and may lower them only to drink.

The commission could also limit occupancy to as few as 25% of each casino’s regular capacity. For MGM Springfield, that would lower capacity from 7,400 to 1,870.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums hope to reopen to the public soon, in cooperation with Gov. Charlie Baker’s four-phase plan. The museums could begin welcoming visitors inside in early July in alignment with phase 3. Currently, visitors are welcome on the museums’ outdoors grounds.

Looking forward to reopening, the museums have been purchasing CDC-recommended cleaning supplies in abundance; adding plexiglass shields and no-touch credit card machines at the Welcome Center desk, Museum Store, and Blake House Café; increasing the signage for safety protocols, including wearing masks, social distancing, and frequent washing of hands; installing one-way traffic indicators for each museum and the Quadrangle green; and securing personal protective equipment for staff.

“The museums are working to ensure we offer a wonderful a museum experience, as our visitors have come to expect from our unique, multi-disciplinary museums,” said Kay Simpson, president and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “And we are putting into place protocols to help ensure visitor-experience is as safe as possible. Each of us plays a role in a safe reopening, with social distancing, face masks, and additional health and safety precautions in place.”

For those comfortable with hands-on experiences, the museums have all interactive exhibits in place and have added more hand-sanitizing stations and more frequent cleaning by the staff. Visitors will be encouraged to sanitize their hands before and after they use an interactive exhibit.

For those who look forward to a low- or no-touch experience still informed by educators and curators, the museums have introduced a mobile guide available through visitors’ smartphones. “The guide includes virtual gallery tours and maps,” said Larissa Murray, director of Education. “And it features interactive scavenger hunts that integrate learning with fun facts and beautiful images.”

The Museums have also enhanced smartphone audio tours, adding more stations to the Science Museum, D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. The Seuss Museum audio tour is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

“We really miss everyone,” Murray said. “Having families back at the museums, ready to celebrate this summer, will be such a great treat. And we are ready to make sure they have a great time.”

Educators in each of the museums’ facilitated spaces — the Cat’s Corner, the Smithsonian Spark!Lab, and the Art Discovery Center — have created single-use packets and set up activities that can be done at social distance.

“For centuries, museums have offered a place of solace,” said Heather Haskell, vice president of the Springfield Museums and director of its art museums. “We are a place where people can be together with plenty of room for social distance while still enjoying an experience in community.”

Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Eastern States Exposition (ESE) is introducing “A Taste of the Big E,” a drive-thru event that previews 11 of the fair’s favorite food vendors and their offerings, including the iconic Big E Cream Puff and more, on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“It brings me great pleasure to welcome guests to our grounds and provide a sample of their favorite Big E foods at this unique event,” ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy said. “It is our hope that people will come from far and wide to get a taste of what’s to come in September at the fair.”

There is no entry fee, and drivers will enter the grounds at Gate 9 and be directed by parking staff to follow a designated path to New England Avenue. Food stands will be set up on each side of the road, and vehicles will enter single file.

Guests will be able to order, pay, and pick up their food before moving forward to the next two stands. Vendors will work quickly to take orders, process cash and credit-card payments, and deliver food to the vehicles. Guests will be asked to remain in their vehicles at all times and wear face masks or coverings when ordering and accepting food from vendors.

The final stop will be the Big E Cream Puff Mobile Bakery, situated on the Court of Honor. This marks the first time in the bakery’s history that Big E Cream Puffs and Big Eclairs will be available outside of the fair. Guests will then be directed to exit the grounds via Gate 2 onto Memorial Avenue.

Menus and more information can be found at www.thebige.com/tasteofthebige.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the West Springfield Parish Cupboard. Through financial contributions and food donations, the Parish Cupboard has been able to help thousands of citizens in West Springfield and Agawam for more than 30 years.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield College Art Therapy/Counseling master’s-degree program has been granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), effective immediately.

Awarded after a peer review by the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education and the CAAHEP board of directors, this accreditation determined the Springfield College Art Therapy/Counseling program was in substantial compliance with nationally established accreditation standards.

“This truly is such a great day for Springfield College, and I want to say thank you to everyone who helped in this process. It truly was a team effort,” said Springfield College Art Therapy/Counseling and Art Education Director Simone Alter-Muri. “We had such an amazing advisory committee helping us through this process. We can’t thank everyone enough for their dedication and support.”

Students enrolled in the program will have the option to either pursue a master of science or master of education degree. Graduates are master’s-level clinicians who can jump right into the workforce or pursue additional licensure opportunities, which will allow them to earn a license in the mental-health field after graduation and to obtain board certification as an art therapist.

“To all of our Springfield College alumni, who through art therapy are making the world a better place, thank you, and this couldn’t have occurred without you,” Alter-Muri said.

Daily News

BOSTON — The University of Massachusetts and Chapman University System announced their intent to form an exclusive strategic partnership between UMass Online and Brandman University to expand educational opportunities for adult learners in Massachusetts and across the nation.

This partnership, expected to be finalized later this year, will be launched as millions of adults in Massachusetts and across the U.S. need flexible, high-quality, and affordable online-education alternatives now and as they recover from the economic dislocation caused by COVID-19, which has disproportionately impacted communities of color.

Based in Irvine, Calif., Brandman was established in 1958 by Chapman University, a 159-year-old private institution in Orange, Calif. Originally founded to deliver high-quality education to active-service military, Brandman has evolved into a widely recognized leader in online education, with a strong record of serving veterans and a diverse range of adult learners.

The partnership will augment UMass Online, which now supports more than 25,000 students, strengthening its technology platform and student-support services tailored to adult learners.

“As our state and national economies are rapidly shifting, we need to do more for adults who are already in the workplace and those who have been displaced to enhance their current skills and develop new ones,” said UMass President Marty Meehan, who first announced plans to scale up online programs for adult learners last year. “Quality, affordability, and flexibility in higher education are needed more than ever to address the troubling lack of economic mobility. Through this partnership, we will deliver for the citizens of the Commonwealth and for learners across the nation. Given the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the vivid impact of racial inequality, a venture that previously seemed important to us is now nothing less than essential.”

Meehan recently cited dramatic declines in the number of high-school graduates and employers’ need for a highly skilled workforce in announcing plans to scale up online programming at UMass. He also cited the “troubling lack of economic mobility” among African-Americans and Hispanics. The economic disruption caused by COVID-19 has accelerated these challenges, and the need for new online education programs that remove the obstacles adult learners often face is now even more urgent.

A key target group for the partnership will be adult learners in underserved communities. According to a Strada Network survey of 4,000 adults, most Americans (62%) are concerned about unemployment, but African-Americans are moreso (68%), and their Latinx and Asian counterparts are even more worried (72%). The same study indicated that 53% of adult learners prefer online education opportunities.

“It is not a simple matter to accommodate adults who have to juggle children, jobs, elder care, and college attendance when the classes we offer are largely available during the work day,” said Katherine Newman, chancellor of Academic Programs fior the UMass system. “By far the best solution is to be found in rigorous, creative online education. All of us in higher education discovered how important distance learning is when the pandemic made on-campus classes impossible. But to scale up online education, we are going to need to do much more than translate our current curriculum to Zoom. We need to grow an affordable, flexible form of online education.”