BusinessWest Staff, Author at BusinessWest

A Time for a Deep Dive

By BusinessWest Staff April 30, 2020

Coronavirus

Opinion

As we survey the new landscape created by COVID-19, it’s very difficult to find any positive news.

Indeed, businesses are shuttered, jobs are being lost, the closure order for non-essential businesses has been extended until May 18, question marks dominate talk of restarting the economy, and, overall, fear and uncertainty hang over the region like dark rain clouds.

If there is positive news — beyond the ways that individuals and businesses are rallying to support first responders and frontline workers during this crisis — it is that businesses are using the pandemic as a learning experience. And beyond that, they’re utilizing the pause that many of them are enduring to take a long, hard look at everything they do and how they do it — and essentially question everything.

And when we question everything, we often find some intriguing answers.

There are many reasons why we don’t question everything. Often, we’re busy doing other things, such as running our business day to day. Also, this is a difficult exercise that requires not only time but a deep commitment to peeling layers, getting to the bottom of things, and not being afraid of hearing answers to our questions. But often, the reason why we don’t question everything is because things are going well — or we think they’re going well. And why would we stop and question things when we’re doing well?

The pandemic has changed all that. For starters, most people aren’t doing particularly well at the moment. And some, tragically, aren’t doing anything at all. They are completely shut down because they are not considered essential. Meanwhile, some people have more of that most precious commodity — time — than they’ve ever had.

And some others have been left with no option but to rethink what they do and how they do it, because they simply can’t do it that way in the middle of a pandemic when everyone has been ordered to stay at home.

Add it all up, and most businesses, institutions, and nonprofits are using these times to do the proverbial deep dive.

Restaurants are looking at their menus, their presentation, their staffing, their locations, even their wine lists. Nonprofits are looking at how they raise funds and when. They’re also looking at their missions and how they might be altered, broadened, or even tightened. All businesses are looking at how they communicate, how they meet, how many employees they really need, how many of these employees can actually work better from home, and how many square feet of space they actually need. They’re also looking at whether they need to diversify and develop more revenue streams moving forward.

The word you hear over and over and over again is ‘pivoting.’ Some businesses and nonprofits are already doing it. Others know they have to do it. Still others are asking the questions needed for them to know how to do it.

We call this a positive development, because this is what entrepreneurs and companies need to be doing all the time. The best, most efficient companies in the world are constantly looking at what they do and how they do it in a search for ways to continuously improve.

It took a pandemic, but now most every company is doing it. They’re questioning everything.

At a time when positives are hard to come by, this one stands out.

Sharianne Walker Named Dean of WNEU College of Business

By BusinessWest Staff April 29, 2020

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Sharianne Walker has been named dean of the Western New England University (WNEU) College of Business. Linda Jones, university provost, recently made the announcement, citing Walker’s dedication and commitment to the College of Business and her record of spearheading accreditation, strategic planning, and assessment projects at the university.

Walker joined the College of Business faculty in 1996, most recently serving as chair and professor of Sport Management, as well as co-director of the master of science in Sport Leadership and Coaching graduate program.

Walker is the co-author of the texts Managing Intercollegiate Athletics, Managing Sport Organizations: Responsibility for Performance, and Strategic Management in International Sport Management. Her current research focuses on revenue- and resource-development models in sports organizations, strategic management, and leadership. She has presented her research on leadership development, business operations, and revenue generation at various international, national, and regional conferences.

An influential figure in the growth of WNEU’s athletics program, she has served as a faculty fellow, an NCAA faculty representative, and chair of the Western New England Athletics Council, Athletic Direct Report, and was inducted into the university’s Downes Athletic Hall of Fame.

Walker was previously named Career Woman of the Year by the Massachusetts Business and Professional Women’s Assoc. and served as director of the Springfield Leadership Institute. She is currently chair of the board of trustees of Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park in Florence.

Walker earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Smith College, and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in sport management from the University of Massachusetts.

Pearson Wallace, Arbella Offer Premium Relief for Auto-insurance Customers

By BusinessWest Staff April 29, 2020

Daily News

AMHERST — Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, Arbella has committed to providing a 20% credit for three months on all personal auto policies until June 30. This is a per-vehicle refund that applies to existing and new policies from Pearson Wallace Insurance, said Alex Bennett, the agency’s vice president.

“During these trying times, one thing is for certain — we will continue to be there for our valued customers, business partners, and friends,” he added. “Now, more than ever, is a great time to review your insurance coverages while saving money on your personal auto insurance.”

Arbella Insurance also announced the Arbella Here. For Good. Give Back Program. Subject to approval by state regulators, Arbella’s personal auto customers will receive a credit equal to 20% of their auto premium for the months of April, May, and June. These savings would result in an estimated average of $60 per vehicle, and customers with multiple vehicles on their policy could see significant savings, Bennett noted.

Ascent Laser Aesthetics Introduces Innovative Hair-removal System

By BusinessWest Staff April 29, 2020

Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Ascent Laser Aesthetics, a medical spa located in East Longmeadow, has partnered with Cartessa Aesthetics to bring the hair-removal system Motux AX to the practice.

Motux AX is the most effective laser wavelength for hair removal for the widest array of skin types, Dr. Kevin Coughlin said, adding that the procedure is virtually pain-free and significantly more comfortable than standard methods, while providing quicker treatment of large areas (less than five minutes) and fewer subsequent treatments to achieve optimal results. Through proprietary Moveo technology, risk of side effects is virtually non-existent.

“In the fast-paced, changing world of non-surgical aesthetics, knowledge and investing in the latest cutting-edge technology and equipment is crucial in providing the best results,” Coughlin added. “We understand the busy lifestyle our clients live and want to deliver the best results in the quickest time so they can get the results they want. We continue to bring cutting-edge technology to Western Mass.”

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Non-essential Business Closures to May 18

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

BOSTON — In what will surely be frustrating, if understandable, news to most Massachusetts businesses, the Baker-Polito administration has extended the statewide essential-services emergency order by two weeks.

Gov. Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 essential services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers, and the public will be extended until May 18. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18.

Local economic leaders told BusinessWest that, while their frustration is real, it’s not targeted at the state, and they understand the delicate balance between public health and economic health.

“While the Springfield Regional Chamber expected and understands Governor Baker’s decision to extend the stay-at-home advisory, that tough decision underscores the challenging circumstances we find ourselves in as a business community,” chamber President Nancy Creed said. “We’re doing a balancing act between wanting to get back to work and getting back to work in a safe manner.”

In a poll of its members last week, she noted, the chamber asked what worried them more: the spread of the virus if restrictions were loosened too soon, or the negative economic impact of not reopening quick enough. It also asked if Massachusetts was ready for a May 4 reopening.

“Seventy-seven percent responded that the spread of the virus was more worrisome, and an overwhelming number — 91% — responded that Massachusetts was not ready for a May 4 reopening,” Creed said, “clearly revealing that much of the business community is concerned about protecting those most vulnerable and stopping the spread of the disease, and demonstrating the commitment our business community has to the community as a whole.”

Rick Sullivan, president of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, took a similar outlook.

“I do not think that anyone is surprised that the shutdown has been extended, as the governor has been clear he will follow the data as to when to begin reopening the economy,” Sullivan said. “We may be seeing the number of cases plateauing, but [development of] a vaccine, or treatment medication, is still in its infancy, so the data still says go slow. I do think some businesses previously deemed non-essential could have protocols put in place to allow partial reopening. However, nobody wants to reopen prematurely and see worse spikes later in the year.”

Baker also announced that the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) stay-at-home advisory will remain in effect. Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person-to-person contact during this time period. Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.

The administration also extended the guidance issued to executive-branch employees on protocol during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure state government can continue to provide key services while protecting the health and safety of the public and the executive-branch workforce. Under the guidance, all employees performing non-core functions who are able to work remotely should continue to do so until May 18.

Baker also announced the formation of a Reopening Advisory Board, which will be co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. The board brings public-health officials together with leaders from the business community and municipal government from across the Commonwealth. This group is charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics. It will meet with key stakeholders and solicit input from a variety of constituencies over the next three weeks to develop a report by May 18 that will include DPH-approved workplace-safety standards, industry frameworks, and customer protocols and guidelines, including enforcement mechanisms and coordination with municipal leaders. While this report is due on the 18th, the administration has made clear that public-health data and guidance from healthcare experts will dictate the timeline of the reopening process.

The 17-member Reopening Advisory Board is composed of three public-health officials, including Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel, three municipal officials, and 11 leaders from the business community, including MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. Members of the board bring a range of perspectives to the table, such as an understanding of workplaces and workforces and insights into key areas like financial markets, education, manufacturing, and transportation.

SBA Begins Accepting Loan Applications for Second Round of PPP

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on April 27 from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower, following an infusion of $310 billion into the program last week.

“The PPP has supported more than 1.66 million small businesses and protected over 30 million jobs for hardworking Americans. With the additional funds appropriated by Congress, tens of millions of additional workers will benefit from this critical relief,” SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. “We encourage all approved lenders to process loan applications previously submitted by eligible borrowers and disburse funds expeditiously. All eligible borrowers who need these funds should work with an approved lender to apply. Borrowers should carefully review PPP regulations and guidance and the certifications required to obtain a loan.”

For more information on the PPP, visit sba.gov/paycheckprotection.

HCC Running Free Digital-literacy Program Starting May 5

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will run a free online program starting Tuesday, May 5 for people who want to sharpen their digital-literacy skills to become more effective remote workers and learners.

“How to Work & Learn Online,” offered through HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development, is a four-part workshop series that will be conducted in a live, interactive, streaming forum on May 5, May 7, May 12, and May 14 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Participants will learn how to navigate computer settings, create and organize files, and safely use the internet and digital communication tools such as Zoom. Sessions will cover best practices for being an effective online learner, including tips on study habits, expectations of online learning, and how to use Google Drive and other computer applications.

The course was developed and will be taught by Jose Pedraza, assistant coordinator of HCC’s Gill Community Technology Center, which promotes technology literacy for HCC’s education and workforce-training programs.

“Our staff and faculty have been working hard to find creative ways to help students and people from the community during these challenging times,” said Michele Cabral, HCC’s executive director of Professional Development and Corporate Learning. “Knowledge of computers and online literacy have become more important than ever lately. This course is really designed for anyone — students, parents with young children, people forced to work at home because of COVID-19 restrictions, and others who want to develop a greater mastery of digital technology.”

Those enrolled will be sent a link to the class, which they can join using any device with an internet connection, such as a desktop computer, laptop, Chromebook, or smartphone.

For more information or to register, contact Valentyna Semyrog (413) 552-2123 or [email protected].

Mass2-1-1 Reaches 50,000 Calls Related to COVID-19

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

BOSTON — On April 24, Mass2-1-1 and its Call2Talk emotional-support and suicide-prevention hotline reached more than 50,000 calls regarding COVID-19. Mass2-1-1 is a program created and staffed by the United Ways of Massachusetts and designated by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency as the official hotline for COVID-19.

“All of us at United Way and Mass2-1-1 are proud of our Mass2-1-1 and Call2Talk call takers for doing such an outstanding job over these last 50,000 COVID-19-related calls from the citizens of the Commonwealth,” said Paul Mina, executive director of Mass2-1-1. “As time goes on, calls are becoming much more stressful and emotional, so stay strong, team!”

Any resident of Massachusetts with questions about COVID-19 or needs such as unemployment or food caused by the pandemic can call 2-1-1 at any time, from any phone in Massachusetts, in more than 150 languages.

STCC Respiratory Care Program Lends Ventilators to Hospitals

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College’s respiratory care program is lending its five ventilators to area hospitals preparing for a surge in patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christopher Scott, dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation, said STCC is prepared to donate or lend any equipment hospitals need during the coronavirus emergency. The school recently donated all of its personal protective equipment to area hospitals, medical centers, and first responders.

STCC is lending its ventilators to Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center, both in Springfield, and to Holyoke Medical Center.

“We knew that hospitals are preparing for an influx of patients and will need ventilators,” Scott said. “We work closely with Baystate, Mercy, and Holyoke on a regular basis. We are grateful for all their support over the years, so we are happy to let them use whatever equipment we have to help their patients.”

Scott said STCC respiratory care students have trained on the ventilators, which are the same type the hospitals use. “Our semester is winding down, and we feel these vents can be put to better use on the front lines in hospitals.”

Ventilators are used by some patients infected with COVID-19 who have breathing problems. The breathing devices have been in demand since the start of the pandemic. Ventilators are one of the tools used to help some COVID-19 patients.

The coronavirus crisis has put a spotlight on the profession of respiratory care. In addition to helping patients with COVID-19, respiratory therapists treat people suffering from a range of chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea, and chronic bronchitis.

The two-year associate degree program at STCC trains students in the treatment, management, diagnosis, and care of patients with diseases related to the heart and lungs. Training includes the use of therapeutic gases, ventilator support, breathing exercises, aerosol administration, medications, humidification, and maintenance of airways. Graduates of the program can transfer to a four-year college or university to continue their education or begin working at a hospital or other healthcare facility.

Over the last several weeks, several STCC respiratory care students applied for limited-permit licenses to work at area hospitals and help meet the demand to help patients.

Commercial Real Estate

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Commercial Real Estate

For Sale, for Lease

A listing of available commercial real estate properties in western Mass. April 2020

Download the PDF HERE

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Picture This

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

Meeting the Need

Action Ambulance Supervisor Kyle Rondeau, HMC President and CEO Spiros Hatiras, and HMC Chief Operating Officer Carl Cameron.

Holyoke Medical Center has shared personal protective equipment (PPE) with local first responders, including Action Ambulance, South Hadley Fire Department, and the city of Springfield. The donations included 700 face shields, 1,000 KN95 face masks, and 1,500 standard face masks for the responders to give to people they interact with at a distance closer than six feet. Holyoke Medical Center executives also spoke with officials in other surrounding municipalities, most of which had an adequate current supply of masks and face shields.

Bedtime Stories

Link to Libraries recently launched a new initiative called “Link Live: Bedtime Stories,” airing on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. on Facebook Live. Children’s book authors are reading their own books and then taking questions from participants. With the use of Facebook, children and their parents can not only enjoy being read to, but also have the unique opportunity to interact with the author in real time. The first authors who participated were Ashley Morse (The Big E Book, pictured), Jamie Michalak (The Coziest Place), Anika Aldamuy Denise (The Love Letter), Josh Funk (Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast), and Cynthia Platt (A Little Bit of Love). Link to Libraries is planning to extend the program into May and will release an updated schedule soon.

Mask Maker, Mask Maker, Make Me a Mask

When the COVID-19 pandemic made wearing face masks a public health concern, those masks suddenly become hard to find — and Lauren Hummel and Donna Fournier sprang into action. Fournier’s mother taught her to sew long ago, and she had a lot of fabric on hand, so she started making masks — 50 to begin with, mostly for her family. Hummel started by making a mask for herself, and friends reached out wondering if she would make masks for them. Both eventually connected with the Mental Health Assoc. to make masks for staff who work in MHA’s group homes, who are considered essential workers. Hummel got her daughter, Kellie, involved as well (pictured), and MHA continues to look for volunteer sewers.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Agenda

Zoom Series on Elder Law, Estate Planning

May 4, 11, 18: Adapting to COVID-19 restrictions, Attorney Karen Jackson of Jackson Law will teach a series of Holyoke Community College classes through Zoom, highlighting the latest developments in elder law and estate planning. An elder-law and estate-planning attorney, Jackson will present her six-hour course, called “Elder Law and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know,” on Zoom in three two-hour sessions on consecutive Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $99. To register, e-mail Valentyna Semyrog at [email protected], leave a message at (413) 552-2123, or visit www.hcc.edu/bce. Participants will be sent a link to join the class and can join using PCs, laptops, or smartphones. In the first session, Jackson will explain each document in the core estate plan. She will discuss the problems that can occur when proper documents are not prepared before a loss of mental capacity or physical health or before sudden loss of life. The second session will address four areas: trusts, the probate court process, Medicare hot topics, and options for community care and home care. Jackson will provide pertinent information and details about each to assist attendees in their planning now. In the third and final session, Jackson will introduce the various Medicaid programs that provide long-term skilled nursing-home care in Massachusetts and the financial assistance associated with each. While participants may choose to attend any or all of the sessions, they must still pay the full course cost of $99.

Difference Makers

Sept. 10: BusinessWest has moved its 12th annual Difference Makers event, originally scheduled for March 19, to Sept. 10 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2020 was profiled in the Feb. 3 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com. Tickets cost $75. To reserve a spot, e-mail [email protected] or visit businesswest.com. Event sponsors include Burkhart Pizzanelli, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health Of New England, Royal, P.C., and TommyCar Auto Group, while the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament, MHA, and United Way of Pioneer Valley are partners.

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

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

People on the Move

David Cisek

Florence Bank announced that David Cisek 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. Cisek was nominated by numerous colleagues. Cisek, a senior accounting associate in Florence Bank’s main office, has been with the bank for five years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in ethnic and gender studies and a master’s degree from Westfield State University. In addition, he also serves as an adjunct professor at Westfield State’s Department of Ethnic & Gender Studies. “The long list of comments we received about David tells the story — from ‘he consistently goes above and beyond’ to ‘his enthusiasm and commitment to his job puts everyone in a positive, happy mood,’” said Kevin Day, president of Florence Bank. “David is a true asset to the bank, and the President’s Award is well-deserved.”

•••••

Berkshire Money Management (BMM) recently welcomed Tammy Gaherty to its fast-growing team. Gaherty is the second hire for 2020 and will be handling scheduling for advisors, managing content distribution, and helping with the flow of operations throughout the firm. Prior to joining BMM, she worked for nearly two decades as an administrative assistant with the Dalton Housing Authority. “Everyone is going through a difficult time right now,” BMM president Barbara Schmick said. “We are hiring in order to better service our clients now and in the future. We are getting far more requests and questions during this pandemic. At this time, our clients need more services than ever, and Tammy is our answer to that growing need.” Gaherty is a Berkshire native and graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School. She has been the volunteer secretary and president of the Friends of the Lanesborough Public Library, and an active participant there for fundraisers to support library programming.

•••••

The Springfield Thunderbirds announced that Paul Thompson has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Springfield community during the 2019-20 season. In his third season as a Thunderbird and his second as team captain, the New England native has continued to show his commitment to the community beyond the ice surface. Before the 2019-20 season began, Thompson was a regular sight at a number of offseason functions, including the Thunderbirds’ Street Hockey Tournament, which was born following the untimely passing of a young local hockey player, Alex Blais, two summers ago. Thompson also gave back to the youth-hockey community of Western Mass., starting and running the Paul Thompson Hockey Camp out of MassConn United for beginning hockey players. In November, in advance of the club’s second annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night, Thompson lent his hand to share a deeply personal story to aid a cause near and dear to his family — his cousin Angela’s cancer battle and #AngelasArmy initiative. Angela’s Army makes ‘care packages’ for patients undergoing cancer treatment, and was born out of Angela’s desire to assist other patients, providing comfort to them even as she was going through her own battle. In addition to participating in a number of team events, one that shined through the most was during the holiday season. Along with teammates Ethan Prow, Rob O’Gara, and Tommy Cross, Thompson led a selfless journey to brighten the lives of a mother and two young children who suddenly had to endure the passing of their father just weeks before the Christmas holiday. The captain and his teammates spent hundreds of dollars on toys and essential items to make the family feel special during their most trying time. Thompson is now one of 31 finalists for the AHL’s 2019-20 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced by the AHL at a later date.

•••••

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kellie Welch has found that writing is a way to help. Welch has taken pen to paper for a project she founded called Write Aid. Her mission is to write for people in return for donations to GetUsPPE (getusppe.org), a new website founded by a group of medical professionals on the front lines of the pandemic. GetUsPPE coordinates donations of needed masks, gloves, and gowns to hospitals and healthcare professionals. Since the launch of Write Aid on Instagram (@welchkell), Welch has written sonnets about dogs and cats, poetry about sourdough and happiness, a fictional Twitter thread, and a play about birds. Requests have come from friends locally, as well as from Boston, New York City, and Texas. “Words are my reliable outlet and really all I have to offer while at home, but even they have felt empty lately,” Welch said. “Let’s work together to raise money and use storytelling to uplift each other. I will write you anything — a letter to a friend, a sonnet about your labradoodle, a eulogy for someone you’ve lost, a Dear John letter to that person you were sort of seeing before this happened. The sky’s the limit. Tell your friends! The more random things I write, the more money we raise.” After having lived in New York City for nearly 10 years, Welch moved back to Western Mass. last fall. She is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of General Studies, where she studied anthropology and was part of the university’s Honor Society. She is a singer and songwriter whose lyrics have won awards in international songwriting competitions, including American Songwriter and Songdoor International. She currently works as a writer for an educational nonprofit organization.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Company Notebook

Country Bank Donates $50,000 to First Responder Recovery Home

LUDLOW — To help the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department successfully operate the First Responder Recovery Home for COVID-19-diagnosed first responders, Country Bank announced it will contribute $50,000 to the efforts. The contribution from the Ware-based financial institution comes with the aim of inspiring other similar organizations to do what they can to assist the department’s effort to help the people who typically help others. The donation, which brings the overall community contributions above $87,000, will help ensure that every COVID-19-positive first responder who comes to stay at the facility has the food and comforts necessary for recovery. The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department opened the First Responder Recovery Home this week to fill an unmet need in the Commonwealth of providing a safe haven for our doctors, nurses, EMTs, police, firefighters, and corrections professionals who are diagnosed with COVID-19, but can’t safely go home to recover without jeopardizing the health of a vulnerable family member. Located at the department’s Pre-Release Center on its campus in Ludlow, the refuge is provided free of charge, thanks to the department’s community supporters and partners. Cocchi and staff started accepting guests this week, with 84 single-occupancy rooms available. Anyone coming to stay must be healthy enough to care for themselves; however, a pool of voluntary medical professionals from the community, led by Ludlow physician Dr. Shaukat Matin, will be making rounds, and if someone needs more comprehensive medical care, the Sheriff’s Department will help coordinate transportation. Any doctor, nurse, police, firefighter, EMT, correctional professional, or military member can call (413) 858-0801 or (413) 858-0819 to request a room or ask questions. The facility needs the person’s full name, gender, and expected length of stay, among other information, and all correspondence will be kept confidential. Community partners include Country Bank, Anthony Ravosa and the 91 Supper Club, Charlie D’Amour and Guy McFarlane of Big Y Foods, Bob Bolduc and Pride Stores, Cesar Ruiz Jr. and Golden Years Home Care, Jim Brennan on behalf of the Edward J. Brennan Jr. Family Foundation, Anthony Cignoli of A.L. Cignoli Co., Jeff Polep of J. Polep Distribution Services, Jay Caron of Bee-Line Corp., Larry Katz of Arnold’s Meats, Andy Yee and Peter Picknelly, and Matin. Anyone wishing to contribute to the First Responder Recovery Home initiative can send tax-deductible donations to Criminal Justice Organization, 627 Randall Road, Ludlow, MA 01056, and write “First Responder Recovery Home” on the memo line.

Ohana School of Performing Arts Looks to Community for Support

CHICOPEE — The future of small businesses hangs in the balance due to the coronavirus pandemic, and despite uncertainty and disruption, one local dance studio stands firm in its mission: to spread peace and positivity through performance. Ohana School of Performing Arts, located at 41 Sheridan St. in Chicopee, had to make significant changes to its business model as social-distancing guidelines and safety initiatives were put into place. The studio transitioned to online classes and continues to support families with an interactive Facebook group for dancers and their families, where instructors share craft ideas, new dance moves, story time, and messages of hope and joy. “We are bringing 50 virtual classes to our studio family each week,” said Ashley Kohl, owner and creative director. She explained that teachers are recording classes from their own homes to ensure that the dancers are staying engaged and active. In addition to moving to virtual programming, Ohana also shifted tuition terms for the studio — pay what you can, if you can. Due to the stay-at-home advisory, which Gov. Charlie Baker has implemented until further notice, it is likely that Ohana will not be hosting its June performance, which is the studio’s only for-profit recital of the year. The funds from this performance are typically used to cover overhead costs in the summer months. In addition to the annual performance, Ohana hosts two charity performances as fundraisers for local nonprofits. To date, Ohana has donated more than $30,000 to various organizations, including Make-A-Wish Foundation Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Willpower Foundation, Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, We Love Riley Fan Club, Arik(q)ue, in addition to Ohana’s nonprofit, One Ohana Inc., that provides scholarships to dancers across the Pioneer Valley. The impact of lost revenue comes at a particularly challenging time, as the studio was forced to relocate last year, and the business had to secure significant loan funding. Without the consistent tuition and performance revenue, Kohl fears she may have to close Ohana’s doors. With that in mind, two of Kohl’s close friends, Danielle Barone and Tanyelle Duchesne, organized a fundraiser with a goal of $20,000. For more information on how to support Ohana School of Performing Arts, visit gofundme.com/we-are-ohana or ohanaperformingarts.com.

TommyCar Auto Group Donates $10,000 to Support Health Workers

NORTHAMPTON — TommyCar Auto Group — consisting of Country Hyundai, Country Nissan, Genesis of Northampton, Northampton Volkswagen, and Volvo Cars Pioneer Valley — announced it has donated a total of $10,000 to local healthcare workers through its “Donate to Feed” and “Donate to Protect” initiatives. With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on the doctors, nurses, and frontline medical workers at local hospitals, TommyCar Auto Group launched a two-part campaign to help support these local heroes. Members of the TommyCard Rewards loyalty program were able to donate up to 50 points to help the cause, making it easy to support the efforts without having to leave the safety of home to make an in-person donation. The points were then matched in dollars by TommyCar Auto Group. By early April, $5,000 was raised to provide meals to the Emergency Department staff at Baystate Medical Center. As of April 10, another $5,000 was donated to Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which is used to purchase needed equipment such as N95 masks, gowns, gloves, and more. To learn more and follow the “Donate to Feed” and “Donate to Protect” campaigns, visit the Country Hyundai, Country Nissan, Genesis of Northampton, Northampton Volkswagen, and Volvo Cars of Pioneer Valley Facebook pages.

Holyoke Company Tools Up to Manufacture Medical Face Shields

HOLYOKE — Walter Drake Inc., a Holyoke manufacturing company, has responded to the urgent need for medical face shields by healthcare systems. In a matter of days, workers have designed, prototyped, built tooling for, and manufactured a medical face shield of the type that is in desperate demand by hospitals, nursing facilities, and other essential workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Joseph Feigen, company president, announced that the face shield is called ‘Corona Shield’ for the time being, but will be renamed for permanent use in the healthcare field after the current pandemic ends. Walter Drake staff is now contacting dozens of hospitals around the country to deliver this badly needed personal protective equipment and to help ensure employment opportunities during this extended Massachusetts business shutdown. Established in 1962, Walter Drake Inc. primarily manufactures custom thermoformed packaging in the form of clamshells, trays, and blisters for medical, electronic, consumer, and industrial packaging applications.

MGM Springfield Donates Sleeping Cots, Outdoor Heaters

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield announced a donation of 160 portable sleeping cots and 16 outdoor heaters to Mercy Medical Center and the city of Springfield. A portion of the cots will provide much-needed overflow support for the hospital, while the other portion of cots and the outdoor heaters will assist the city’s work to help the homeless population amid the COVID-19 crisis. “We are a strong community, but this is a challenging time, and MGM Springfield will continue to do what we can to support those impacted and those on the front line,” said Chris Kelley, president and chief operating officer of MGM Springfield. Added Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, “I want to thank MGM President and COO Chris Kelley and his MGM team for stepping up in support of our city’s ongoing and continued efforts in responding to this coronavirus situation. These much-needed items will go a long way in assisting our city’s coronavirus response.” Deborah Bitsoli, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates, added that “we are grateful to MGM Springfield for the generous donation of cots for use during the pandemic. This is another example of the local area’s remarkable community partnerships that assist our efforts to care for patients during this difficult time.”

UMass Amherst Food Scientist Helps Unravel COVID-19 Mysteries

AMHERST — With the rapid onset of smell and taste loss emerging as symptoms of COVID-19, scientists around the world — including a sensory expert at UMass Amherst — have united to investigate the connection between the chemical senses and the novel coronavirus. The wave of reports from patients and clinicians about anosmia, or smell loss, inspired the creation of the Global Consortium of Chemosensory Researchers. Alissa Nolden, UMass Amherst assistant professor of Food Science, is among the 500 clinicians, neurobiologists, data and cognitive scientists, sensory researchers, and technicians from 38 countries gathering data in a worldwide survey to unravel how the virus is transmitted and how to prevent its spread. Nolden was invited by a colleague at the National Institutes of Health to help develop strategies around measuring the sensory-related symptoms of the coronavirus. “Smell and/or taste loss may be an early indicator of COVID-19, as individuals appear to report loss of smell or taste prior to other symptoms,” she said. “We also want to better understand the mechanism behind taste and smell loss as a result of this virus.” Nolden noted that some people with COVID-19 who experience sensory losses may not have any other coronavirus symptoms. The researchers hope to learn more about this from the survey, since people with sensory symptoms alone are not likely to qualify for a COVID-19 test. “This has been a tremendous effort from collaborators from around the globe to gain a better understanding of the negative impact of COVID-19 on loss of taste and smell,” she said. “We hope to learn a lot about these symptoms and believe it will have a great impact on our understanding of the virus.”

Log Cabin, Delaney House Launch ‘Feed a Local Hero/Someone in Need’

HOLYOKE — Many people and organizations are looking for ways to help others during this trying time. In that spirit, the Delaney House and Log Cabin have created the “Feed a Local Hero/Someone in Need” meal-donation program. People can purchase meals at a discounted rate, which will then be distributed to local businesses with essential employees or community members struggling to gain access to fresh food during this difficult time. Some of the organizations that will receive these donations are Baystate Health System, Providence Ministries (Loreto House), Amherst Survival Center, Mercy Medical Center, Springfield first responders, Holyoke first responders, and many others. To donate, visit www.delaneyhouse.com/feedalocalhero.

MassHire Holyoke Career Center Continues to Offer Services Remotely

HOLYOKE — The MassHire Holyoke Career Center is letting the public known it is open for business remotely for new and current customers and members of the career center. Individuals can visit www.masshireholyoke.org to access information and staff contact numbers for career-counseling and job-search services. Staff members are available to answer questions and provide support such as résumé review and career counseling. These services are available in English and Spanish. Job postings are also available on the website. People with questions about job-seeker services can call (413) 532-4900 and leave a message, and a staff member will be in contact as soon as possible. People who need to file an unemployment claim can call (877) 626-6800 or visit www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-unemployment-benefits. Businesses can call (413) 654-1650, and a business service representative will be in touch.

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Barking Stoat Inc., 870 South East St., Amherst, MA 01002. Catherine Bell, same. Agriculture and related business.

BRIMFIELD

Daniel Beaulieu Custom Carpentry Inc., 1010 Dunhamtown Road, Brimfield, MA 01010. Daniel Beaulieu, same. Custom carpentry.

CHICOPEE

Capital Auto Finance Inc., 55 Taylor St., Chicopee, MA 01105. Zachary Mourad, 54 Woodcrest Dr., Chicopee, MA 01020. Exports of automobiles.

DALTON

Always Grow Green Inc., 890 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226. Diana Noble, same. Applying for license with cannabis control.

Crustpz Corp., 95 Main St., Dalton, MA 01226. James Cervone, same. Pizza restaurant.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Am Medical P.C., 741 Parker St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. May A. Awkal, 135 Anvil St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Primary care medical services.

HADLEY

Born-Digital Inc., 84 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035. Noah W. Smith, 25 Main St., Montague, MA 01351. Digitalization of media.

HOLYOKE

Arman Tours Inc., 18 Canby St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Yasser Arman, 145 Lawndale St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Tourism.

Car&Truck Max Inc., 395 Maple St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Mazen Awkal, 24 Hickory St., Agawam, MA 01030. Purchase, re-sale, reconditioning of automobiles.

LENOX

American BCG Laboratory Inc., 10 Birchwood Lane, Lenox, MA 01240. Tsungda Hsu, same. Developing, manufacturing, and marketing of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG for use as BCG immunotherapeutic agents to treat patients with early-stage bladder cancer.

LONGMEADOW

4run3 Inc., 680 Bliss Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Timothy Murphy, 117 Longwood Ave., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Retail sales of shoes, clothing, and apparel.

PITTSFIELD

A+ Integrative Brain Restoration Program, A Nursing Corporation, 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Dennis Redubla, same. Nursing services.

C&C Luxury Coach Inc., 11 Glenwood Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Anthony Baptiste, same. Bus operation.

Desert Insurance Solutions Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Carrie Babij, same. Property and casualty coverage for customers with admitted and non-admitted authorized multi-line carriers.

Dorsey Consortium Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Ste 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Andrew Dorsey, same. Animal husbandry.

SPRINGFIELD

Dr. Dental of Massachusetts P.C., 1101 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Julia O. Faigel, 20 Boulder Road, Newton, MA 02459. Dental practice.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

All American Carpeting and Flooring Corp., 204 New Bridge St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Imran Manzoor, 697 Elm St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Residential and commercial construction and renovation.

America Go Tours Inc., 203 Circuit Ave., Suite 124, West Springfield, MA 01089. Xiu Hua Wang, 33 Arizona Ave., Syosset, NY 11791. Bus tour services.

Central New England AG Service Inc., 39 Timber Ridge Road, West Springfield, MA 01089. Donald R. Chase, same. Services with respect to farming, fertilizing, lime and appropriate chemicals to agricultural pastures.

WESTFIELD

C&M Finishes Inc., 63 Russellvillage Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Milan P. Peich, same. Painting services.

Day Way Express Inc., 73 Cranston St., Westfield, MA 01085. Samer Khaleel, same. Transportation.

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the month of April 2020.

DEERFIELD

Andrea Mizula
110 North Hillside Road
Andrea Mizula

Coldwell Banker Community Realtors
4 Elm St.
Christine Aubrey

Laura Pontani, LMHC
110 North Hillside Road, #17
Laura Pontani

BELCHERTOWN

Hutchinson Logging
49 Sabin St.
Robert Hutchinson

M & K Cattle Co.
270 West St.
Michael Austin. Katherine Austin

WESTFIELD

Bhatnagar Enterprises
19 Winding Ridge Lane
Nitin Bhatnagar

Direct Home Improvement
71 Wyben Road
Mark Sychev

Forever Dream Boutique
20 Goose Hollow Road
Holly Janisieski

Little River Agency
88 Knollwood Dr.
David Bubois

M.D. Siebert Renovations
51 Barbara St.
Mark Siebert

Phenomenails
17 Jeanne Marie Dr.
Elizabeth Potts

Rick’s Home Improvement
63 Country Club Dr.
Richard Doiron

Rosanna Wagner
37 Broadway St.
Rosanna Wagner

Sergey Express
44 Mill St.
Sergey Lisitsin

Wilmary Martinez
549 Russell Road, 6C
Wilmary Martinez

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court (bankruptcy petitions omitted from our last are include hereunder). Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Ayr, Diane M.
a/k/a Lyncosky, Diane
a/k/a Klein, Diane
490 Gooseberry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/20/2020

Bergeron, Kenneth William
399 Pinedale Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/19/2020

Bray, Sarah Yoon Na
40 Amherst Ave.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/20/2020

Crystal Haven Reiki
Hermitage, James Henry
Hermitage, Patricia Girardin
58 Regency Park Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/20/2020

Kosowski, Edward
P.O. Box 1243
Westfield, MA 01086
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/19/2020

Masse, Michael D.
73 Jericho Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/20/2020

Mills, Kevin Carroll
32 Gay St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/18/2020

Mizell, Mindy
a/k/a Norton, Mindy
775 Springfield St. 2B
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/20/2020

Reed, Joshua James
29 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/17/2020

Vargas, Elvin
Vargas, Brenda L.
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/19/2020

Vorobei, Vladislav
1004 North St., Ext
Feeding Hills, MA 01030|
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/18/2020

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 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

BERNARDSTON

68 Cross St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Suzanne J. Sumner
Seller: Maria E. Carey
Date: 03/27/20

BUCKLAND

277 Ashfield Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Stephen E. Smith
Seller: Howes, Doris L., (Estate)
Date: 03/27/20

33 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Ann A. Lofquist
Seller: Sidney C. Anderson
Date: 03/27/20

86 East Buckland Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kurtis A. Williams
Seller: Ricky L. Sumner
Date: 03/27/20

CHARLEMONT

240 E. Oxbow Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $367,400
Buyer: Levi J. Roman
Seller: James E. Ovitt
Date: 03/27/20

COLRAIN

Greenfield Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Marden
Seller: Phillips B. Sherburne
Date: 04/03/20

Prolovich Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Marden
Seller: Phillips B. Sherburne
Date: 04/03/20

DEERFIELD

394 Long Plain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Patrick Finn
Seller: Sheila A. Wentzel
Date: 03/31/20

4 Porter St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $213,450
Buyer: Amy Herfurth
Seller: Thorpe, Donald J., (Estate)
Date: 03/31/20

31 Thayer St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Debra A. Laberge
Seller: Donna L. Blackney
Date: 04/03/20

ERVING

29 Forest St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Richard T. Breor
Seller: Robert S. Roy
Date: 03/31/20

GREENFIELD

398 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Sheila Orecchio
Seller: Meadows Café & Golf Center
Date: 04/03/20

11 Pickett Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Lorian A. Tonna-Lamuniere
Seller: Emily R. Rowell
Date: 04/03/20

MONTAGUE

100 2nd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Crystalyn A. Russell
Seller: Shawn Johnson
Date: 04/02/20

106 Turnpike Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $157,800
Buyer: Brent Walton-Griffin
Seller: Michael J. Whiteman
Date: 03/25/20

NORTHFIELD

21 Linseed Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Peter Black
Seller: Stephen P. Gaughan
Date: 03/31/20

ORANGE

58 Stone Valley Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $243,500
Buyer: Judy A. Vantrece
Seller: John M. McCarthy
Date: 03/25/20

SHELBURNE

904 Mohawk Trail
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Hilltown Lodge LLC
Seller: Caldwell Richard, (Estate)
Date: 04/01/20

SUNDERLAND

22 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $478,000
Buyer: Martha E. Lorantos
Seller: Goodyear FT
Date: 03/30/20

145 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Weiai Xu
Seller: Paul Stavropulos
Date: 03/30/20

WARWICK

60 Athol Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jacob Cooke
Seller: Kevin M. Cooke
Date: 04/03/20

WHATELY

394 Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Patrick Finn
Seller: Sheila A. Wentzel
Date: 03/31/20

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

71 Bridge St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Pavel Duducal
Seller: Joseph Frigo
Date: 03/23/20

32 Center St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Christina Duquette
Seller: James G. Couture
Date: 03/27/20

52 Deering St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Mark E. Benoit
Seller: Cynthia Fern-King
Date: 03/26/20

38 Depalma St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: MAA Property LLC
Seller: Michael Sohay
Date: 03/26/20

56 Dutchmaster Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $396,250
Buyer: Timothy Loudon
Seller: David L. Morrie
Date: 04/03/20

41 Elm St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Fatima Obaid
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 03/23/20

23 Giffin Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $178,592
Buyer: Eric Lottermoser
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 03/30/20

144 Hendom Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Andrew Bortolussi
Seller: Joann Juliano-Nadolny
Date: 04/01/20

30 Hunting Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Roxanne S. Lamb
Seller: Jacqueline L. Rivers
Date: 04/06/20

36 Juniper Ridge Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Cristina M. Cintron
Seller: Brian P. Machos
Date: 03/20/20

104 Kanawha Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Oleg Zgherea
Seller: Posiadlosc LLC
Date: 04/03/20

231 Lancaster Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Brian Brady
Seller: Peter Panchelyuga
Date: 03/23/20

16 Lealand Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Christopher Quigley
Seller: JMQ RT
Date: 03/20/20

172 Leonard St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Edmund S. Salva
Seller: Yelena Kizilova
Date: 03/31/20

60 Liberty St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $227,900
Buyer: Ashley K. Brodeur
Seller: Karen M. Brown
Date: 03/20/20

1031 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $262,400
Buyer: Gerald L. Nicholson
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 03/27/20

1077 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: John Houle
Seller: 26-Tov LLC
Date: 04/07/20

40 Marlene Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Brian P. Machos
Seller: Thomas E. Marmo
Date: 03/23/20

351 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Norman Cheever
Seller: Richard M. Lewis
Date: 03/27/20

23 Portland St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Keith R. Laflamme
Seller: Leo J. Hamel
Date: 03/25/20

829 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Joan Vilmenay
Seller: Denise V. Scibelli
Date: 03/30/20

61 South Park Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Anthony F. Lopes
Seller: Sandra A. Viens
Date: 03/27/20

3 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Stephen Nelson
Seller: Rita M. Lollio
Date: 04/03/20

129 Wagon Wheel Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Griffin
Seller: Michael J. McElligott
Date: 03/27/20

103 White Fox Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jason D. Desclos
Seller: Brian P. McCabe
Date: 03/26/20

BLANDFORD

125 Chester Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Donald Arel
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/20/20

BRIMFIELD

116 Wales Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Kathryn Chicione
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 03/27/20

CHESTER

14 Johnson Hill Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $695,000
Buyer: Brookside Springs LLC
Seller: William J. Thomas
Date: 03/27/20

CHICOPEE

139 Casey Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Ethan Baird
Seller: Roland A. Robidoux
Date: 04/03/20

7 Charbonneau Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,355,000
Buyer: Nolava LLC
Seller: Gladysh Capital LLC
Date: 03/20/20

395 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Reynaldo Santana
Seller: Premium Properties Inc.
Date: 03/23/20

924 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,355,000
Buyer: Nolava LLC
Seller: Gladysh Capital LLC
Date: 03/20/20

82 Dillon St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Ivelisse Hicks
Seller: Rufino Rodriguez
Date: 04/03/20

3 Emery St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: J&M Premier Properties
Seller: Emery Street LLC
Date: 03/27/20

36 Felix St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Gene M. Desko
Seller: Paul A. Lebeau
Date: 03/27/20

1066 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: 1066 Granby Road LLC
Seller: WGW Assoc
Date: 04/06/20

26 Holland St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Blanco Realty LLC
Seller: John P. Meroski
Date: 03/23/20

79 Huntington Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $167,772
Buyer: James M. Sydrak
Seller: David W. Sirard
Date: 03/31/20

22 Hyde Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Tyler J. Sexton
Seller: Christopher Rzeszutek
Date: 04/01/20

169 Joy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Johnathan H. Bernard
Seller: Debra Leclerc
Date: 03/31/20

87 Keddy Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Tracie L. Santiago
Seller: Edward S. Wolowicz
Date: 03/31/20

13 Keith St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,500
Buyer: Sergey Dikan
Seller: David F. Lamontagne
Date: 04/03/20

60 Marble Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $145,900
Buyer: JBD Empire LLC
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 04/03/20

420 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: Amys Landscaping LLC
Seller: Chicopee Acquisitions LLC
Date: 03/26/20

21 Overlook Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Dominic V. Alfano
Seller: Ashley K. Shinkwin
Date: 03/23/20

143 Sesame Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Jerome J. Maczka
Seller: Dee A. Civello
Date: 03/31/20

564 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Dominique Properties LLC
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 03/23/20

128 Sunnymeade Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $151,700
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Ruthie M. Therrien
Date: 03/23/20

106 Taylor St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Leonce Obas
Seller: Thomas M. Marshall
Date: 03/24/20

32 Thaddeus St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Javon C. Myers
Seller: Christopher P. Harry
Date: 03/31/20

106 Tolpa Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Pablo Colon
Seller: Patrick M. Lathrop
Date: 04/01/20

32 Walsh St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Carleny Henriquez
Seller: Robert N. Dougherty
Date: 03/26/20

34 Woodcrest Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Diana Frappier
Seller: Eric Graziano
Date: 04/07/20

EAST LONGMEADOW

136 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $197,600
Buyer: Quang Luu
Seller: Prabhdeep S. Sethi
Date: 03/27/20

55 Alpine Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Kathleen B. Kelly
Seller: Karen L. O’Connor
Date: 03/27/20

18 Channing Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Heather Chaplin
Seller: Jennifer L. Fijol
Date: 03/31/20

130 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Forrest Devine
Seller: Brian J. McNally
Date: 04/06/20

360 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Alexandrea Sears
Seller: AEM Property Investment
Date: 04/07/20

70 Fairview St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Chuck Ferros
Seller: Cbatts Properties LLC
Date: 03/27/20

36 Fraser Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Alex J. Serra
Seller: James M. Serra
Date: 03/27/20

6 Garland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: John E. Chase
Seller: William O. Kerr
Date: 03/20/20

16 Lori Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Frederic Almeida
Seller: Gary C. Pomeroy
Date: 04/03/20

29 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Robert R. O’Connell
Seller: Robert W. Benns
Date: 04/03/20

62 Pembroke Ter.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Daniel T. Loftus
Seller: Michael E. Martin
Date: 03/31/20

145 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Todd G. McCauley
Seller: Moltenbrey Builders LLC
Date: 03/20/20

122 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $252,900
Buyer: Daniel Castro
Seller: Amberly K. Matt
Date: 03/20/20

421 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Emilio Guadalupe
Date: 03/20/20

16 Ramonas Way
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: James J. Zera
Seller: Daniel Loftus
Date: 04/03/20

198 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Chad P. Herrick
Seller: Megan Hall
Date: 03/27/20

GRANVILLE

146 Silver St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $241,200
Buyer: Neal D. Colburn
Seller: Daniel G. Dubay
Date: 04/07/20

HOLLAND

15 Cherokee Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Christopher Knight
Seller: Brian Gagnon
Date: 04/02/20

HOLLAND

16 Vinton Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Keith M. Corey
Seller: Dishington Construction
Date: 03/26/20

HOLYOKE

461-463 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $880,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Bosco
Seller: Appleton Exchange LLC
Date: 04/02/20

44 Bay State Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Samuel C. Gaskin
Seller: Lawlor, Brian J., (Estate)
Date: 03/20/20

21-31 Essex St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: B&LG Realty LLC
Seller: Fisette Realty Corp.
Date: 03/31/20

83 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Meghan M. Brown
Seller: Robert R. O’Connell
Date: 04/01/20

650 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $433,500
Buyer: High Street Apartments
Seller: 650 High Street LLC
Date: 04/07/20

887 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Amy E. Hutchins
Seller: Ronald P. Methe
Date: 03/23/20

29 Magnolia Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joseph G. Lamour
Seller: Kenneth Voorhees
Date: 03/31/20

1319 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Philip F. Langevin
Seller: Matthew C. Love
Date: 03/31/20

180-182 Oak St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: B&LG Realty LLC
Seller: Fisette Realty Corp.
Date: 03/31/20

100 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $377,500
Buyer: Joseph Greene
Seller: Alex S. Engelson
Date: 03/25/20

34 Pinehurst Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Marcos Marrero
Seller: Diego Garcia
Date: 03/27/20

40 Sherwood Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Sean G. Kelly
Seller: Martha E. Stewart RET
Date: 03/27/20

LONGMEADOW

44 Birnie Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Alexander M. Byrne
Seller: Susan K. Thomas
Date: 03/30/20

10 Chatham Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Ruixiu Lin
Seller: Robert C. Barkman
Date: 03/25/20

95 Colton Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Sarah Morgan
Seller: Michael A. Smith
Date: 03/31/20

1197 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Mohammad J. Bhuyan
Seller: Alliance Of Orthodox Congregation
Date: 03/20/20

11 Harwich Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $638,145
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Michael V. Porcello
Date: 03/24/20

4 Hillcrest Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Matthew P. Tanis
Seller: Richard J. Ward
Date: 04/03/20

59 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $502,000
Buyer: Lori Goldsmith
Seller: Sheila Goodless RET
Date: 03/20/20

285 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Lori Russo
Seller: James J. Garvey
Date: 04/01/20

185 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Lei Zhao
Seller: Ruolin Zhou
Date: 04/03/20

181 Prynnwood Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Howard A. Dickstein
Seller: Jeffrey L. Kaufman
Date: 03/26/20

44 Riverview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Hogan
Seller: Cheryl N. Boone
Date: 03/24/20

104 Williston Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Tovy Haber-Kamine
Seller: Meadows RE LLC
Date: 03/30/20

LUDLOW

34 Carol St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Margaret E. Mayberry
Seller: Donna Beaulieau
Date: 03/24/20

33 Evergreen Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Linda Nawracaj
Seller: AJ Electric LLC
Date: 03/30/20

194 Highland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Emily Supernant
Seller: Ashleigh M. Ouimette
Date: 04/01/20

115 Howard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Jazmin Serrano
Seller: Mpower Capital LLC
Date: 03/25/20

71 Woodside Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Monique L. Verteramo
Seller: Michael J. Turgeon
Date: 03/26/20

MONSON

4 Country Club Heights
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: David Parson
Seller: Brandon W. Houle
Date: 04/03/20

4 Fern Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $159,075
Buyer: Denali Properties LLC
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/27/20

19 Flynt Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Cascade Funding 2017-1
Seller: Jerome E. Wayson
Date: 04/07/20

6 Hilltop Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $146,500
Buyer: Michael Pelland
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 03/26/20

Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Kyle R. Howell
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 03/27/20

MONTGOMERY

509 Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01050
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: G&H Homes LLC
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 04/06/20

PALMER

9 Cabot St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $221,900
Buyer: Patricia A. Cable
Seller: Kristina M. Hawley
Date: 04/06/20

12-16 Commercial St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Roger Parker
Seller: Melissa K. O’Connell
Date: 03/25/20

22 Dublin St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Jerrid J. Aldrich
Seller: Brian Seibold
Date: 04/03/20

198 Emery St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Donald J. Potter
Seller: Roger W. Barnes
Date: 03/27/20

2142 Palmer Road
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Jonathan E. Towne
Seller: Judy Bergdoll
Date: 03/25/20

42-44 South St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Kimberly E. Clarke
Seller: Jill A. Laganas
Date: 03/24/20

RUSSELL

170 South Quarter Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Travis Walker
Seller: Carla E. Gesek
Date: 03/20/20

550 South Quarter Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Timothy C. Healy
Seller: Ronald Johnson
Date: 03/31/20

SPRINGFIELD

245 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Dinessa Figueroa
Seller: Buong V. Le
Date: 03/25/20

491 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Sham Petroleum LLC
Seller: Arya Petroleum Corp.
Date: 04/01/20

803 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Darren D. Petraske
Seller: Lisa J. Russell
Date: 04/02/20

18 Beaufort Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Hector R. Baez
Seller: Karen R. Waterman
Date: 03/31/20

61 Bellwood Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Daniel T. Beauregard
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 03/27/20

1274 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Madison L. Taylor
Seller: Stephen M. Nareau
Date: 03/26/20

128-130 Breckwood Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Opus Durum LLC
Seller: Marc V. Costanzi
Date: 03/27/20

34 Brewster St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: John J. Callahan
Seller: Denali Properties LLC
Date: 03/30/20

36 Burns Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Matthew T. Moylan
Seller: Yarlene Sanchez
Date: 03/23/20

30 Burnside Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Carlos Estrada-Castillo
Seller: Adilenys Z. Rivera
Date: 04/01/20

625 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $6,050,000
Buyer: N. M. Baron Las Villas LLC
Seller: 625 Carew Street LLC
Date: 04/02/20

49 Caseland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Lucky 13 Homes LLC
Seller: Sheila M. Grassetti
Date: 03/26/20

253-255 Center St.
Springfield, MA 01013
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Charles B. Proctor
Seller: Michael J. Cavatorta
Date: 03/31/20

225 Circle Dr.
Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $233,000
Buyer: James L. Discenza
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 04/03/20

17 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Damaris Lopez-Robles
Seller: Anthony Bourget
Date: 03/27/20

9-11 Cloran St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Michael Gardner
Seller: Bank New York Mellon
Date: 03/27/20

237 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Aguasvivas Realty LLC
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 03/31/20

77 Corey Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Jennifer Bilodeau
Seller: Jason G. Bilodeau
Date: 03/31/20

12 Danaher Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Marzena Sochacka-Medina
Seller: Richard D. Baez
Date: 03/27/20

38 Dexter St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Suarez-Agosto
Seller: Terry-Lee A. McCarthy
Date: 04/07/20

69 Dexter St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jianneng Wu
Seller: Isairis Estrella
Date: 03/20/20

100 Eleanor Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Sandra K. Henry
Seller: Glen D. Horrigan
Date: 03/23/20

99 Elliot St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Wesley Yu
Seller: Sarah A. Germain
Date: 03/30/20

126 Fair Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $183,900
Buyer: Aimee K. Lessard
Seller: Luis A. Diaz
Date: 03/27/20

23 Fairway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Nicholas Benoit
Seller: Emerald City Rentals LLC
Date: 03/27/20

45-47 Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Hector L. Marte
Seller: Modesto Delgado
Date: 03/25/20

43 Flower St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Michael Hess
Seller: Eric Geldart
Date: 03/31/20

166 Garland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $117,111
Buyer: William T. Raleigh
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 03/20/20

208 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Ruben L. Rivera
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 03/26/20

Groton St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Molly A. Biechle
Seller: Home Investment Fund 5 LP
Date: 03/25/20

16 Hall St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Aurea E. Soler
Seller: Ely Realty LLC
Date: 03/30/20

16-18 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jevaughn McMillan
Seller: Erica N. Alvarez
Date: 03/20/20

89 Harrow Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jeffrey P. Bouyea
Seller: William R. Herman
Date: 03/20/20

51-53 Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Nhung T. Nguyen
Seller: Claire Mastey
Date: 03/30/20

15 Hazen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Ibrahim Abdi
Seller: Tina M. Cordi
Date: 03/20/20

23 Hillside Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Melanie Bisson
Seller: Minh T. Lam
Date: 04/01/20

5 Kay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Wade D. Thurston
Seller: Value Properties LLC
Date: 04/07/20

75 Leyfred Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Fyxer Up Properties LLC
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 04/06/20

185 Lower Beverly Hills
Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Karen O’Connor
Seller: Donald C. Bechard
Date: 03/27/20

100 Marengo Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $228,700
Buyer: Mark Jones
Seller: Cecelia Mendez
Date: 03/31/20

51 Marmon Court
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Leo J. Williams
Seller: Jerald E. Jacobs
Date: 03/31/20

52 Marmon Court
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Cindy Vera
Seller: Alyssa L. Williams
Date: 03/31/20

22 Mary St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: John T. Leydon
Seller: Constance E. Allen
Date: 03/26/20

61 Mayher St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jazlyn N. Dejesus
Seller: Tricia A. Stallman
Date: 03/31/20

94 Monmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Uziel Q. Martinez-Barrios
Seller: KG Holdings Inc.
Date: 04/06/20

83 Moss Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $235,800
Buyer: Ariel R. Clemmer
Seller: Sawyer B. Pellegrino
Date: 03/30/20

16 Nelson Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $140,300
Buyer: Kevin D. Tran
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 03/20/20

336 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Matthew Byrnes
Seller: Blueline Management LLC
Date: 03/24/20

125-127 Noel St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Mabel Ramos-Solares
Seller: AAD LLC
Date: 04/07/20

47 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $128,500
Buyer: Basile Realty LLC
Seller: Claire L. Ives
Date: 03/30/20

45 Orpheum Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Robert L. Mook
Seller: Andrew T. McAlary
Date: 03/30/20

162 Packard Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Nelson Cruz-Resto
Seller: Georgina Roy
Date: 03/26/20

623 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Asia Kenney
Seller: Matthew J. Spence
Date: 03/24/20

1730 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $200,500
Buyer: Allison M. Hanna
Seller: A. Plus Enterprises Inc.
Date: 03/23/20

46 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Tyrie J. Pearson
Seller: Dulce M. Garcia-Vasquez
Date: 03/27/20

174 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Jose L. Mojica
Seller: Prime Partners LLC
Date: 04/03/20

202 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Edward Perez
Seller: Simone S. Carvalho
Date: 03/27/20

71 Peach St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $174,999
Buyer: Janet L. Franklin
Seller: District Capital LLC
Date: 03/27/20

210 Peekskill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: John Martin
Seller: Kent L. Woods
Date: 03/27/20

29-31 Ralph St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Gabriel Ortiz
Seller: MHFA
Date: 03/27/20

33-35 Rittenhouse Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $147,600
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Roberto Villalba
Date: 03/31/20

820 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $146,300
Buyer: Cynthia M. Vives
Seller: Amber C. Haywood
Date: 03/27/20

377 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Yveline M. Hulse
Seller: Darrly O. Pollard
Date: 03/27/20

12 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $164,800
Buyer: Whitney L. Serrano
Seller: Patriot Living LLC
Date: 03/20/20

191 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Nydia Burgos
Seller: John Martin
Date: 03/25/20

14 Silas St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Jose H. Perez
Seller: Shi X. Wu
Date: 03/30/20

120 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Katherine L. Boyle
Seller: Stephen Lonergan
Date: 03/24/20

380 Tinkham Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $252,300
Buyer: Addison R. Brewer
Seller: Ryan J. McDowell
Date: 03/27/20

367 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Christinas House Inc.
Seller: Patrick O. Murray
Date: 04/06/20

27 Vail St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Gregory C. Parrott
Seller: Janet S. Crum
Date: 03/20/20

50-52 Vermont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Benitez-Garcia
Seller: MEG Realty LLC
Date: 03/24/20

42-44 Virginia St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: On The Mark LLC
Seller: Helder Nunes
Date: 03/23/20

170 Walnut St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: David Pujols
Seller: Djuan Barklow
Date: 03/24/20

18 Walsh St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $287,900
Buyer: Emely Santiago
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 04/07/20

62 Washburn St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Claire Carter
Seller: Michal S. Czerwinski
Date: 03/26/20

236 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Luis Figueroa-Ortega
Seller: Ravin S. Acharya
Date: 03/20/20

94 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Richardson Oise
Seller: Amaan Realty LLC
Date: 04/03/20

119 White Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Cole D. Stuart
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/30/20

477 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Carolyn Morera
Seller: Tommy Espinal
Date: 03/25/20

SOUTHWICK

94 Bungalow St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Robert E. Matthews
Seller: Laura I. Ferrentino
Date: 03/23/20

18 Matthews Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Richard S. Lempke
Seller: Marcia J. Pickard
Date: 03/24/20

59 Miller Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Mark F. Jerusik
Seller: Anne S. Miller
Date: 03/25/20

6 Pine Knoll
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Adam Hart
Seller: Robert Hart
Date: 03/24/20

23 Pine Knoll
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $406,000
Buyer: Clara Conklin
Seller: Brian R. Pray
Date: 04/03/20

5 Revere Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $344,000
Buyer: Ryan C. Lehrmitt
Seller: George J. Poulo
Date: 04/03/20

75 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Wade R. Modestow
Seller: Vanessa Filiault
Date: 03/24/20

112 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Sean P. Bruno
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 03/30/20

WALES

2 Monson Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Thomas Trafford
Seller: JTL Construction LLC
Date: 03/24/20

4 Monson Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $171,796
Buyer: David M. Vanwagoner
Seller: Crystal L. Ryan
Date: 03/27/20

10 Polly Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $139,330
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Brad C. Buteau
Date: 03/30/20

WESTFIELD

54 Beverly Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Luke Paull
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 03/27/20

16 Clinton Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Richard E. Clark
Seller: Sinh La
Date: 03/20/20

43 Darby Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Kyle A. Murphy
Seller: Mary A. Tatro
Date: 03/26/20

38 Dickens Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Cheryl Giusti
Seller: Strong, David R., (Estate)
Date: 03/20/20

7 Dubois St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Peter Chrzanowski
Seller: Gerald P. Pierce
Date: 04/02/20

98 George St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jorge G. Paredes-Bermejo
Seller: Jason D. Desclos
Date: 03/26/20

46 Highland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: David E. Nitsch
Seller: Eric H. Nitsch
Date: 04/03/20

26 Holland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Craig B. Schacher
Seller: Rose A. Nash
Date: 03/27/20

30 Kane Brothers Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jessica E. Obrzut
Seller: Kristine M. Cook
Date: 03/31/20

52 Marla Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $452,400
Buyer: Andrea Strom
Seller: Carlos Bermejo-Tenesaca
Date: 03/20/20

1 Meadowbrook Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Cory Page
Seller: Joshua J. Walts
Date: 04/01/20

469 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Robert J. Iacovelli
Seller: Daniel P. Morrissey
Date: 03/31/20

13 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Devon B. Hicks
Seller: Lori L. Laplante
Date: 03/27/20

2-4 Morris Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Nilda I. Santiago-Rivera
Seller: Mark Sears
Date: 03/31/20

3 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Hunter
Seller: Scott P. Martell
Date: 03/25/20

13 Pleasant St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Brent Chalmers
Seller: Moore, Daniel E., (Estate)
Date: 04/01/20

691 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Gebop LLC
Seller: Jazab LLC
Date: 04/01/20

482 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Paul W. Fisher
Seller: Mahlon G. Cashman
Date: 03/27/20

243 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Jennifer L. Bennett
Seller: Evelyn Tirado
Date: 03/20/20

41 Southview Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Valerie L. Longey
Seller: Jamie F. Murphy
Date: 03/30/20

19 West School St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Jennifer McDonnell
Seller: Squire, Jane A., (Estate)
Date: 04/03/20

16 Whitaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $408,000
Buyer: Deborah J. Czupkiewicz
Seller: Susan M. Robert
Date: 03/31/20

55 Woodside Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Robert R. Morin
Seller: Frances A. Slasienski
Date: 03/20/20

WILBRAHAM

39 Bennett Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Michael J. Duquette
Seller: Joanne O. Robinson
Date: 03/24/20

2661 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Kathleen A. Bailey
Seller: Gail M. Richmond
Date: 03/30/20

8 Bruuer Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Zachary H. Keaton
Seller: Daniel T. Corthell
Date: 03/23/20

3 Mountainbrook Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Anthony Roberts
Seller: Renata Nowak-Skar
Date: 04/07/20

728 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jasmin Lowe
Seller: Joseph P. Martial
Date: 04/03/20

870 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jack McIntyre
Seller: Mathew N. Chaplin
Date: 03/20/20

1003 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: John P. Severin
Seller: Richard G. Tomchik
Date: 04/03/20

46 Weston St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Hugh C. Scott
Seller: Lisa A. Bessette
Date: 04/03/20

11 Woodland Dell Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Aidan P. Butler
Seller: Derek J. Chandonnet
Date: 03/26/20

WEST SPRINGFIELD

243 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: CIG 4 LLC
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/24/20

106 Greystone Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,900
Buyer: Matthew J. Plasse
Seller: Vincent T. Bovino
Date: 03/20/20

96 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Egor M. Cheremushkin
Seller: Yekaterina Dipon
Date: 04/01/20

51 Lantern Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Nathan E. Staples
Seller: Brian S. Brady
Date: 03/20/20

91 Larivee Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Christopher Rzeszutek
Seller: Ellen A. Glosick
Date: 04/01/20

754 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Patrick R. Inglesby
Seller: Timothy E. Cupp
Date: 03/27/20

34 Nelson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Vasila Usmonova
Seller: Wyman, Lena M., (Estate)
Date: 04/07/20

60 Neptune Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Charles C. Cooley
Seller: Ronald E. Lohnes
Date: 03/27/20

15 North St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Jessica Diaz-Campbell
Seller: Shannon Kumiega
Date: 03/27/20

45 Oakland St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $176,603
Buyer: Guild Mortgage Co.
Seller: Ashley R. Cabana
Date: 03/30/20

62 Paulson Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Amina Asvandiyeva
Seller: Christopher A. Nyman
Date: 03/27/20

615 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Mark D. Hunter
Seller: Angel R. Villar
Date: 03/27/20

137 Squassick Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Henry F. Spadoni
Seller: Spadoni, Melissa C., (Estate)
Date: 03/24/20

4 Worthy Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Todd B. Thebodo
Seller: Omar I. AlJuboori
Date: 04/06/20

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

15 Eames Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Frederik Baumgardt
Seller: Maeve Howett
Date: 03/31/20

464 Market Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Stephen Brevik
Seller: Robert Stebbins
Date: 03/26/20

236 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: J. Curtis Shumway
Seller: Gray Street LLC
Date: 04/01/20

BELCHERTOWN

27 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Jill Hoover-Attebury
Seller: Jacquie Kurland
Date: 04/06/20

11 Blacksmith Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Douglas Sourdiffe
Seller: Nicholas E. Bernard
Date: 03/31/20

25 Lexington Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $512,000
Buyer: Niloufar Shoushtari
Seller: Norman B. Veroneau
Date: 03/27/20

Magnolia Lane #CB
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Rheal Duquette
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 03/30/20

23 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Russell S. Annis
Seller: Michael E. Sroka
Date: 03/27/20

108 Sabin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Teresa J. Halperin
Seller: Suzanne M. Meehan
Date: 03/27/20

248 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Daniel Veratti
Seller: Maurice J. Lalumiere
Date: 03/31/20

57 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Robert N. Dougherty
Seller: Keem LLC
Date: 03/26/20

CHESTERFIELD

409 Main Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: David W. Stratton
Seller: Erin M. McEnaney
Date: 04/03/20

EASTHAMPTON

21-23 Clinton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $146,904
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Traci Bartlett
Date: 03/26/20

36 Groveland St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $315,500
Buyer: Alexandra Sheskin-Hurd
Seller: Rebecca Lansky
Date: 04/07/20

217 Hendrick St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $210,909
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Scott A. Bergeron
Date: 04/02/20

57 Parsons St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Amy K. Teffer
Seller: Michael F. Huard
Date: 03/30/20

42 Peloquin Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Christopher C. Barcomb
Seller: Scott E. Wark
Date: 04/03/20

14 Winter St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Rod Motamedi
Seller: Eagle Home Buyers LLC
Date: 03/31/20

GRANBY

35 Lyn Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Martin Cepeda
Seller: Robert T. Brisebois
Date: 04/03/20

HADLEY

148 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Michael Colwell-Lafleur
Seller: Plumtree Real Estate LLC
Date: 03/26/20

HATFIELD

140 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Logan M. Ebbets
Seller: John E. Ebbets
Date: 03/31/20

21 Linseed Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Peter Black
Seller: Stephen P. Gaughan
Date: 03/31/20

HUNTINGTON

25 Montgomery Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Robert T. Brisebois
Seller: Katie L. Boisseau
Date: 04/03/20

MIDDLEFIELD

139 Arthur Pease Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: John P. Waldheim
Seller: Roger E. Pagerey
Date: 04/01/20

45 Chester Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Michael F. Huard
Seller: Elaine D. Gorham
Date: 03/30/20

NORTHAMPTON

34 Cahillane Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $242,500
Buyer: Andrew J. Fleming
Seller: Katherine Oberwager
Date: 04/01/20

18 Dickinson St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Sofia A. Frydman
Seller: James P. Krawczynski
Date: 04/07/20

547 Easthampton Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Meetinghouse Realty Investment
Seller: Robert D. Raymond
Date: 03/27/20

19 Ellington Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Nancy A. Koleski
Date: 03/25/20

193 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Suzanne Allen
Seller: Emerson Way LLC
Date: 04/03/20

11 Ford Xing
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $693,472
Buyer: Jamie Elkin
Seller: Wright Builders Inc.
Date: 03/30/20

17 Highland Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Ana Arregui
Seller: Tadeusz J. Grygorcewicz
Date: 04/03/20

72 Lake St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Langlais FT
Seller: Linda L. Adams
Date: 04/03/20

99 Massasoit St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Sabina Knight-Deirdre
Seller: Tytell, Barbara P., (Estate)
Date: 04/03/20

107 Moser St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $515,888
Buyer: Caie Ma
Seller: Blessing From God
Date: 04/06/20

11 School St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Timothy Pitkin
Seller: Ethan Vandermark
Date: 04/03/20

15 Sumner Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Claire Christopherson
Seller: Ryan, Michael T., (Estate)
Date: 04/06/20

55 Winterberry Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Julia Brown
Seller: Patrick J. Joyce
Date: 04/01/20

PELHAM

12 Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Alison Annes
Seller: E. A. Blumgarten RET
Date: 04/01/20

17 Jones Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Noah A. Wartenberg
Seller: Donald F. Archer
Date: 03/27/20

SOUTH HADLEY

1 Burnett Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Lucy M. Conley
Seller: Kathleen M. Cole
Date: 04/02/20

12 Hickory Place
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Anthony G. Schiappa
Seller: Michelle A. Liberto
Date: 03/27/20

26 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Michael Kuhn
Seller: Kevin Haczynski
Date: 04/01/20

141 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Cassandra R. Ahern
Seller: Kyle E. Hajec
Date: 03/27/20

266 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Kevin Haczyneki
Seller: David A. Langone
Date: 04/06/20

12 Young Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Scott Family Properties
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 03/27/20

SOUTHAMPTON

Cook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $148,313
Buyer: Barbara M. Laflam
Seller: Richard P. Gwinner
Date: 04/01/20

93 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Baron
Seller: Armond J. Baron TR
Date: 03/31/20

8 Strong Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $238,500
Buyer: Miranda J. Jacobus
Seller: Louis P. Migliozzi
Date: 03/27/20

WARE

95 Babcock Tavern Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Joseph O. Critelli
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 03/31/20

9-17 Canal St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $165,500
Buyer: J. R. Real Estate LLC
Seller: Jeffrey VonDauber
Date: 03/27/20

198 Fisherdick Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Josepjh E. Metcalfe
Seller: Goodreau, Gary F., (Estate)
Date: 03/27/20

19 Gilbert Court
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Scott Tkatz
Seller: Mechanic Street Assocs. RT
Date: 03/26/20

408 Palmer Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Christine Hadley
Seller: Cooper LT
Date: 03/26/20

139 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.
Seller: PJC Realty MA Inc.
Date: 04/02/20

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff April 28, 2020

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of April 2020.

AMHERST

Jeffery Brown
253 Triangle St.
$170,000 — Renovate former bank space for new tenant, Hometown Bank

CHICOPEE

Ron Anglio
43 West St.
$90,000 — Interior remodeling on first and second floors

Big Y
650B Memorial Dr.
$30,929 — Install new wet/dry sprinkler system throughout new addition and rack storage

LEE

Berkshire Corporate Realty, LLC
480 Pleasant St.
$2,400 — Relocate 11 existing sprinklers from existing wet sprinkler system

LENOX

Kenneth Harrison
260 Pittsfield Road, A12
$7,200 — Replace damaged floor and wall sheetrock from burst pipe

SPRINGFIELD

299 Page Blvd, LLC
299 Page Blvd.
$1,270,786.76 — Interior demolition of existing gun range for future buildout

Dennis Everett
320 Parker St.
$367,500 — Install replacement cyclone unit at WestRock Sheet Plant

40 Under Forty to Be Unveiled May 11

By BusinessWest Staff April 27, 2020

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Ready for a break from the non-stop COVID-19 news and a diversion — well, sort of — from life during a pandemic?

Great. So are we.

And BusinessWest will provide one with its announcement in two weeks of the 40 Under Forty class of 2020, a group that might become known as the ‘pandemic class’ years down the road, because life has certainly been different for this group of winners. Indeed, the annual gala, scheduled for June, has been pushed back to late August, and even taking photos of the winners became a real challenge due to social-distancing efforts, and many wound up taking photos themselves.

As for the unveiling … it will come in a special section in the May 11 issue of BusinessWest, and, in many respects, it will be a lot like the recent NFL draft. By that, we mean it will go on, as always, but it will be a little different. And there are likely to be some dogs and young children in the images.

Beyond that, this announcement is similar to the draft in that we hope that it will provide a quick respite from the tedium of the pandemic and offer an enthusiastic look at the many rising stars now taking the stage here in Western Mass.

The unveiling of the 40 Under Forty has always been a special moment for us, and the region, and this year, we expect it will be even more so. It will be an opportunity to bring some much-needed light into some otherwise dark times.

First American Insurance Agency Launches New Client Portal

By BusinessWest Staff April 27, 2020

Daily News

CHICOPEE — First American Insurance Agency, an independent insurance firm, announced the launch of a new online customer portal designed to enhance service and support for its customers.

The portal, called CSR24, enables clients to access insurance ID cards and insurance documents (including renewal paperwork), request policy changes, and more. Clients can also submit claim photos, such as a cracked windshield. For truckers, the portal allows the quick and straightforward download of certificates.

“During this unprecedented time of COVID-19, we need to make the insurance processes easier and improve communication for clients,” President Corey Murphy said. “The portal speaks to our commitment to providing a more valuable and simplified experience for our clients. CSR24 allows easier access to their documents and information.”

The portal is accessible on any device via the agency’s website and requires a login and username. The agency will release a matching app later in the year.

Phillips Insurance Agency Delivers Pizza, Food Boxes to Clients, First Responders

By BusinessWest Staff April 27, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

CHICOPEE — Phillips Insurance partnered with clients Fazio’s Ristorante of East Longmeadow and Simos Produce of Springfield to deliver pizza and grocery boxes to its clients and first responders.

Phillips Insurance delivered dozens of grocery boxes from Simos Produce to clients so they could avoid going to the supermarket. In addition, Phillips and Fazio’s Ristorante delivered pizzas and grinders to first responders and heathcare providers, while Phillips Insurance delivered pizza and subs to the Chicopee Police Department in appreciation of all they do for the community.

Phillips Insurance Agency was established in 1953 and is a full-service risk-management firm with a staff of 28 professionals.

bankESB Promotes Erin Joyce to Vice President, Special Assets

By BusinessWest Staff April 27, 2020

Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of bankESB, announced that Erin Joyce has been promoted to vice president, special assets.

Joyce has more than 30 years of banking experience, much of it in the areas of residential and consumer collections. She joined bankESB in 2014 as special assets manager, and since then has been promoted to special assets officer and assistant vice president, special assets.

Prior to joining bankESB, Joyce was the credit and collections manager for Greenfield Savings Bank and the residential and consumer collector for Florence Savings Bank. She also previously served as an online instructor for the Center for Financial Training.

She attended UMass Amherst and holds several diplomas and certificates in financial services and lending from the Center for Financial Training. She is also very active in the community, delivering meals and offering money-management and bill-pay services to Highland Valley Elder Services, and serving as a board member and co-treasurer of Northampton Dollars for Scholars and a board member and auditor for the Northampton High School Alumni Assoc. For 12 years, she also participated in the Volunteer in Tax Assistance program.

Massachusetts Reports Weekly Initial Unemployment Claimant Data

By BusinessWest Staff April 24, 2020

Daily News

BOSTON — Massachusetts had 80,153 individuals file an initial claim for unemployment insurance from April 12 to April 18. This represented a decrease of 22% over the previous week, as most of the workers who have been laid off as a result of work closures related to COVID-19 have already filed claims in the previous weeks.

As in the previous week, retail trade (12,669), food and accommodation (9,564), and health and social assistance (9,249) continued to show the largest number of initial claims filed this week. Since March 15, a total of 651,457 initial claims were filed. Food and accommodation, retail trade, and health and social assistance accounted for more than 41% of all initial claims filed, at 16.8%, 12.8%, and 11.8%, respectively.

Currently, the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is paying unemployment benefits to nearly 400,000 people. Over the last month, the customer-service staff at DUA has grown from around 50 employees to nearly 1,000. The remote customer-service operation is now making more than 20,000 individual contacts per day, and DUA continues to host daily unemployment town halls, held in both English and Spanish, which have been attended by nearly 200,000 constituents.

This week, Massachusetts launched Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for groups like the self-employed, becoming one of the first states in the country to begin providing financial assistance to those not traditionally eligible for unemployment compensation. In just the first few days of the program launch, DUA has already received more than 200,000 PUA applications.

Graduation Sign Fundraiser to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County

By BusinessWest Staff April 24, 2020

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Franklin County announced the launch of its 2020 Graduation Sign Fundraiser. Be it kindergarten, sixth grade, eighth grade, high school, or college, graduation is a huge milestone, and Big Brothers Big Sisters wants to help celebrate.

“An Awesome 2020 Graduate Lives Here” signs are available for sale on the Big Brothers Big Sisters website, www.bbbs-fc.org. Each single-sided sign measures 24 inches wide by 18 inches high, comes complete with a metal-frame sign stand, and will be delivered free anywhere in Franklin County. The cost is $22 per sign, with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County. Anyone outside of Franklin County is welcome to order and arrange for pickup or to meet a BBBS staff member.

“There are two styles to choose from,” said Ericka Almeida, Development director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. One is printed to the full size of the sign, and the other has extra space, making it self-customizable. “It has about 9 inches of space to add a pic of your graduate, a sticker of their school, a personal message, or simply their name,” she added.

Questions about this fundraiser may be directed to [email protected].

Western Mass. Wedding Vendors Say ‘Thank You’ to Frontline Workers

By BusinessWest Staff April 24, 2020

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The wedding industry is being hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Couples are being forced to restructure or delay their wedding plans, leaving wedding vendors struggling with the financial challenges of delayed business.

Thankfully, the wedding industry is also one marked by resilience and camaraderie. That is why a group of Western Mass. wedding vendors has come together to give back and say ‘thank you’ to frontline workers. Spearheaded by local DJ Anthony Corlis from TC’s Disc Jockey Services with assistance from the Log Cabin/Delaney House meal-donation program, more than 75 meals will be delivered to employees of Stop and Shop in Westfield today, April 24, at 11 a.m. by Corlis and Peter Rosskothen, owner of the Log Cabin/Delaney House. One of those employees just happens to be a Log Cabin groom who needed to reschedule his April 26 wedding.

Meals were donated by Vivan B Photography, Events by Jackie M., Aliber Bridal Shops, Michelle Anne Hair Design, SHO Productions, Durocher’s Florist, Catherine Jindela, Kasey Richards of Mountain Rose Inn, TC’s Disc Jockey Services, and Log Cabin/Delaney House.

Anyone looking to donate meals should visit delaneyhouse.com/feedalocalhero.

COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley Issues Fourth Round of Grants

By BusinessWest Staff April 24, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — A fourth round of grants, totaling $226,000, from the COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley has been announced, with healthcare and medical centers in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties receiving the largest portion of the new round as they battle the impact of the disease on the region with surging admissions to hospitals.

Grants were also directed to youth-serving organizations and to programs providing food access to those impacted by the crisis. To date, the Response Fund has granted more than $1.3 million to local organizations.

Grants were made to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, and Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield (through the Baystate Health Foundation); Holyoke Medical Center; Mercy Medical Center in Springfield; Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield; and Cooley Dickinson Health Care in Northampton.

Also receiving grants were the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield; the Brick House Community Resource Center in Turners Falls; the Center for Human Development, for its Family Outreach program in Amherst; the Community Adolescent Resource and Education Center in Holyoke; Franklin County DIAL/SELF in Greenfield; Friends of Children in Hadley; and Our Community Table/Westfield Soup Kitchen in Westfield.

Since launching the COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts has raised $3.6 million from 350 individuals, families, foundations, and companies within and outside the region.

“As the impact on our region unfolds, more urgent needs are emerging, and the healthcare systems in the three counties have been hit particularly hard,” said Katie Allan Zobel, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. “These grants to the healthcare institutions in the three-county area recognize the critical importance of the healthcare infrastructure in Western Massachusetts. This latest round also targets programs that are working with isolated youth of low-income families who are particularly vulnerable during this crisis. Grants also help to provide more food and nutrition access to those in need.”

With the announcement that public schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year, Zobel added, the Community Foundation will be conducting additional outreach to determine needs going forward for young people in the region. “We are striving to be strategic in our grant making, and needs related to youth, who are increasingly vulnerable, are emerging as a priority.”

The Community Foundation welcomes additional donations to the COVID-19 Response Fund for the Pioneer Valley. Gifts can be made online at www.communityfoundation.org/covid19.

Healthcare Heroes 2020 to Honor the Heroes of COVID-19

By BusinessWest Staff April 24, 2020

Healthcare Heroes

Healthcare Heroes 2020 to Honor the Heroes of COVID-19

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 staging parades in front of these institutions to donating much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE).

BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, will pay tribute in their own way, by dedicating our annual Healthcare Heroes program in 2020 to those who are have emerged as true heroes during this crisis. 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 heroes:

Doctors and nurses;
ER nurses, orderlies, techs, triage, reception;
EMTs;
Police and firefighters;
Nursing-home staff
Administrators leading the efforts to battle the pandemic;
End-of-life care providers;
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; and
Scientists working behind the scenes to develop a vaccine or new types of PPE.

These are just a few examples, and there are a myriad of others.

To assist those thinking of nominating someone for this honor, we are simplifying the process. All we desire is a 400-500-word essay, and/or 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.

Judging

The judging process will commence July 2020 and be completed by end of July 2020. Nominees cannot serve as awards judges. All eligible nominations received will be judged by a panel of health care industry experts whose evaluations will determine winners of the “Healthcare Heroes” Awards from among the nominees under consideration.

Nominations

Nominations must be submitted via the designated online form. Mail-in nominations will not be accepted. Nominations may be submitted beginning December 2019 and must be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 1, 2020.

Notification and Recognition

BusinessWest plans to notify the winners of the “Healthcare Heroes” Awards by August, 2020 and will be profiled in the September 14 edition of BusinessWest and September issue of Healthcare News. Winners will be invited to attend the “Healthcare Heroes” Awards gala scheduled for Autumn 2020 at the Sheraton Springfield One Monarch Place Hotel.

Eligibility

Nominees must work in either Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire county and organization nominees must have offices in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire county (may be for-profit or not-for-profit).
Nominations may be self-nominated or nominated by another person.
Nominees cannot be a member of the judges’ panel or member of the judges’ immediate family.

If using mobile device to submit nomination, please make sure your phone is in Portrait view mode.

Submitting multiple duplicate nominations does not enhance your chances of winning.

Healthcare Heroes Nomination Form

Nominee's Contact Information:
Nominee's Name*
First Last
Job Title/Position*
Current Company Name*
Current Company Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Honoree's Email Address*
Company Phone Number*
Nominated by (your information):
Your Name*
First Last
Job Title/Position*
Company Name*
Email Address:*
Phone Number*
Essay Portion:
Please provide 400-500-words explaining why this group or individual stands out as an inspirational Healthcare Hero.
Video Uploads Portion:
You may choose to provide a video nomination along, or in replace of, your essay. Please upload your video here. Videos may not exceed 2 minutes in length or 2MB in size. If you are unable to upload your video via this nomination form. Please send your video file, via Dropbox, to [email protected]
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, doc, tiff, avi, flv, wmv, mov, mp4, Max. file size: 2 MB.
Supporting Documents Portion:
Supporting documents such as resumes, press articles, awards, and commendations may be uploaded with the nomination form here.
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, doc, docx, tiff, avi, flv, wmv, mov, mp4, Max. file size: 2 MB.
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BusinessWest, HCN Will Honor the Heroes of COVID-19

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2020

COVID-19 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.

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.

The deadline for nominations is July 1. 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].

Local Writer Starts Write Aid to Raise Money for PPE

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

HOLYOKE — In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kellie Welch has found that writing is a way to help.

Welch has taken pen to paper for a project she founded called Write Aid. Her mission is to write for people in return for donations to GetUsPPE (getusppe.org), a new website founded by a group of medical professionals on the front lines of the pandemic. GetUsPPE coordinates donations of needed masks, gloves, and gowns to hospitals and healthcare professionals.

Since the launch of Write Aid on Instagram (@welchkell), Welch has written sonnets about dogs and cats, poetry about sourdough and happiness, a fictional Twitter thread, and a play about birds. Requests have come from friends locally, as well as from Boston, New York City, and Texas.

“Words are my reliable outlet and really all I have to offer while at home, but even they have felt empty lately,” Welch said. “Let’s work together to raise money and use storytelling to uplift each other. I will write you anything — a letter to a friend, a sonnet about your labradoodle, a eulogy for someone you’ve lost, a Dear John letter to that person you were sort of seeing before this happened. The sky’s the limit. Tell your friends! The more random things I write, the more money we raise.”

After having lived in New York City for nearly 10 years, Welch moved back to Western Mass. last fall. She is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of General Studies, where she studied anthropology and was part of the university’s Honor Society. She is a singer and songwriter whose lyrics have won awards in international songwriting competitions, including American Songwriter and Songdoor International. She currently works as a writer for an educational nonprofit organization.

Contribution Clothing Supports Women-focused Nonprofits

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2020

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Kelly Partridge, founder of Contribution Clothing, launched her mission-driven online boutique (contributionclothing.com) last June. The boutique, which retails women’s apparel and accessories, provides quarterly monetary donations to Western Mass.-based nonprofit organizations that have a vision of empowering women and girls as well as community support.

Contribution Clothing is currently working to gift 15% of its net profits to the Care Center of Holyoke, a nonprofit organization that helps young mothers grasp how powerful they are, gives them tools to learn, and provides them with an exciting and engaging learning environment. Since its website launch, the boutique has provided monetary donations to Dress for Success, Empty Arms Bereavement Support, Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer, Shriners, Girls Inc. of the Valley, and Safe Passage.

In additional to the boutique’s quarterly contributions, Partridge, a Bay Path University alumna, has worked with the university to create the Contribution Clothing Scholarship Fund, which annually provides a Bay Path student with $500 toward tuition. The clothing line has also supported community-based events and fundraisers such as the Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage, the Women Empowered calendar for Girls Inc., and the Unify Against Bullying fashion show, where Partridge provided six different outfits to help raise awareness against bullying.

Partridge’s goal for her business is to use her story and passion for social justice to make a positive impact within her community. She hopes to use fashion as a way of helping women feel confident and empowered.

“I want Contribution Clothing to be more than an online boutique — I want it to become a community of women that support, encourage, and inspire each other to be better versions of themselves,” she said. “Women can do anything, and every single one of them needs hear that and believe it.”

EforAll Holyoke Launches Accelerator Program for Spanish-speaking Entrepreneurs

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2020

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Continuing to expand its proven approach to help under-resourced individuals successfully start and grow their businesses, Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Holyoke announced that it is accepting applications for its new EparaTodos program in Holyoke, which will focus on supporting Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in the Greater Holyoke community.

“The mission of Entrepreneurship for All is to accelerate economic and social impact in communities nationwide through inclusive entrepreneurship”, said Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, executive director of EforAll Holyoke and EparaTodos Holyoke. “orty-two percent of the population of Holyoke speaks Spanish, so launching our EparaTodos Holyoke program is filling a need for the many Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in our community.”

EforAll’s free, one-year business-accelerator program helps under-resourced individuals successfully start and grow their businesses or nonprofits across a wide range of industries, including personal and professional services, food, manufacturing, and both online and traditional retail. The program offers a combination of immersive business training, dedicated mentorship, and access to a professional network. The organization typically offers its programs in person, but it is prepared to deliver classroom training and mentor sessions online if necessary.

Among the businesses started by EforAll participants, 75% are owned by women, 56% are owned by people of color, 54% are owned by immigrants, and 56% are owned by people who were previously unemployed.

EforAll is accepting applications for this new Spanish-language accelerator, as well as its English accelerator program (EforAll), through Wednesday, May 20 at 5 p.m. Interested applicants can learn more and apply at www.eforall.org, where they will find information in both English and Spanish.

To support its new Spanish-language programming, EforAll Holyoke has hired a dedicated EparaTodos program manager, Gabriella Candelario. Before joining EparaTodos Holyoke, she worked with the Springfield Public Schools as a program coordinator. She can be reached at [email protected].

“The opportunity to work with the EforAll Holyoke team to expand its impact with the Hispanic and Latino communities is an exciting opportunity,” Candelario said. “I’m ready to hit the ground running.”

PeoplesBank Issues 2020 Corporate Green Report

By BusinessWest Staff April 22, 2020

Daily News

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank issued its 2020 annual Corporate Green Report in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Through its green values and actions to support environmental sustainability, PeoplesBank believes it can help make the region a healthier place in which to live, work, and raise a family. The bank puts these values to work throughout the year through its charitable donations, volunteerism, support of green-energy projects, and construction of LEED-certified offices.

“A lot of things have been canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus. Earth Day is not one of them,” said Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank. “Environmental sustainability is really the meeting place of all of our corporate values. This year might be a remote celebration, but we will not forget our commitment to the community and the environment.”

PeoplesBank is also a longtime leader in sustainable-energy financing, and the bank’s commercial lenders are recognized for their expertise in creating financing packages for green-energy power generation. To date, the bank has financed more than $188 million in wind, solar, and hydroelectric power-generation projects.

Over 2019-20, PeoplesBank supported several green community projects in Western Mass., including the Center for EcoTechnology’s ‘eco fellows’ and more than 100 community-education events; the Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) Food for All campaign; e-recycle and shred day at the bank’s Suffield Banking Center; Grow Food Northampton; the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s Local Farmer program and awards; scientific environmental education at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment; a mobile farmers’ market that travels to underserved/food-desert areas of Springfield and surrounding communities; the Source to Sea Cleanup of the Connecticut River, which also includes hands-on participation by a team of volunteers from the bank; and ValleyBike Share, the region’s new bike-sharing program.

Community banks, like PeoplesBank, are not generally known for building green offices, but PeoplesBank has a LEED Gold-certified office in Northampton, a LEED Gold-certified office in West Springfield, and a LEED Silver-certified office in Springfield. The LEED-certified office in Springfield, the first of its kind in the city, won a Green Seal from the city of Springfield. The bank will pursue a fourth LEED certification for its Pedlar Banking Center in Holyoke in the near future.

Three PeoplesBank offices (Northampton, West Springfield, and 330 Whitney Ave. in Holyoke) have electric vehicle-charging stations. The bank also launched a “Choose to Reuse” campaign designed to eliminate the use of disposable paper products internally.

In the past, PeoplesBank has been recognized by Independent Banker magazine for its environmental sustainability efforts and voted a five-time winner of “Best Local Green Business” by Daily Hampshire Gazette readers. PeoplesBank is also a past recipient of the Sustainable Business of the Year Award and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ Sustainability Award.

PeoplesBank has traditionally commemorated Earth Day by giving away tomato plants and seeds at several banking centers throughout the region. Due to the extenuating circumstances this year, in lieu of those customer giveaways, a donation will be made to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to assist in its COVID relief outreach.

“A business’ responsibility is to try and influence their communities toward being more sustainable,” said Matthew Bannister, first vice president, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at PeoplesBank. “The environment is a core belief that is built into the fabric of our organization. That goes a long way toward what we do in the community.”

Bacon Wilson Continues Free Legal Living Room Web Discussion Series

By BusinessWest Staff April 22, 2020

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In light of the COVID-19 health crisis, the law firm of Bacon Wilson is hosting Legal Living Room, a free series of web discussions, allowing attorneys to communicate directly with the public about important legal topics. After presenting informative sessions for estate planning on April 14 and employment on April 21, Bacon Wilson will continue the Legal Living Room series with an additional estate-planning presentation and a family-law session.

The estate-planning ‘encore’ presentation is set for Thursday, April 23, at 6 p.m. Attorneys Hyman Darling, Gina Barry, Benjamin Coyle, Todd Ratner, Lisa Halbert, and Valerie Vignaux will outline the essential elements of a successful estate plan and answer questions from participants, including subjects such as how documents can be signed while maintaining safe social distancing, considerations when nominating guardians for minor children, and more. The firm added this additional estate-planning session due to high interest and participation in the Legal Living Room kickoff event, held April 14.

The Legal Living Room series then continues on Tuesday, April 28 at 6 p.m., when attorneys Julie Dialessi-Lafley and Melissa Gillis will present family-law topics including issues of custody and parenting time, family-court actions, divorce, mediation, child-support and alimony modification, and related issues.

Bacon Wilson is hosting its Legal Living Room web discussions on the Zoom platform, allowing participants the opportunity to talk from the safety and comfort of home. Legal Living Room web discussions are free and open to the public.

For more information or to reserve a spot, click here for the April 23 event or here for the April 28 event, or e-mail Carolyn Coulter at [email protected].

MGHPCC Expands Computing Access to Researchers Working on COVID-19

By BusinessWest Staff April 22, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC), operated by a consortium consisting of Boston University, Harvard University, MIT, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts system, announced it will provide access to outside researchers working on projects in which high-speed computing would accelerate resolution of the COVID-19 crisis.

The MGHPCC’s member institutions are already heavily engaged in coronavirus-related research in areas that include understanding the fundamentals of the disease, contributing to the development of vaccines, treatment and tests, and public-health solutions. Much of this research, and most scientific academic research today, rely on high-performance computing.

The MGHPCC, which is among the largest high-performance computing facilities in the country, is now expanding access to its storage and computational systems to academic and commercial enterprises beyond the facility’s member institutions. Total available capacity across all systems includes more than 200,000 CPU cores, 2,000 recent-generation GPUs, and 5 petabytes of temporary storage. The additional work will not impact day-to-day university needs.

“Our goal is to help leverage as many scientific resources as possible to combat this pandemic,” said John Goodhue, executive director of the MGHPCC. “We can enable and support individual teams while also creating opportunities for collaborations that accelerate solutions.”

The MGHPCC consortium is also working with Mass Open Cloud and two of its sponsors, Red Hat and Intel, to launch a site that connects potentially impactful projects with people who have strong computing skills but are unable to work on their regular assignments due to travel restrictions.

Local Vehicle Detailers Provide Disinfecting Service for Law Enforcement, First Responders

By BusinessWest Staff April 22, 2020

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Certified Air Force One detailer Paul Frasco and business partner Chris Vella of Pro & Local Mobile Detailing are offering mobile disinfecting and antibacterial services for the Springfield Police Department, and they are opening up the service to community law-enforcement departments and first responders across the area, including West Springfield, Ludlow, Chicopee, and Agawam.

Pro & Local Detailing is fully insured and certified by the International Detailing Assoc., and all its services follow IDA protocol based on guidance received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We are offering a mobile detail service to help disinfect cruisers and emergency vehicles for police officers and other frontline responders who must be on the streets and vulnerable to exposure to the coronavirus,” Frasco said. “Our interior detailing services have always focused on what we call a flu shot for your vehicle.”

That process involves steam-cleaning fabrics and hard services, including HVAC vents, with 350-degree vapor and environmentally friendly disinfecting chemicals that remove deeply embedded dirt and odor-causing bacterial stains. They focus on completely sanitizing all touchpoints, such as door handles, steering wheel, control buttons, keyboards, dashboard, cupholders, seatbelts, and door panels, using a hospital-grade, EPA-registered cleaner. This process is followed by an ozone treatment to kill pathogens that may be inside the vehicle.

“Exposure to germs has always been a concern for us,” Frasco said. “Never has this service been more essential. We must keep our police officers and first responders working in as safe and as healthy an environment as possible while they are fighting this pandemic.”

Frasco said they can offer departments a service that is weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or on an as-needed basis. They will also provide a W-9 and proof of insurance on the spot and provide free estimates to anyone who needs one. Interested parties may contact Springfield Police Department Sgt. Ken Turowsky as a reference at (413) 348-9773 or [email protected].

Greater Holyoke Chamber, City Launch Business Emergency Operations Grant Program

By BusinessWest Staff April 21, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

HOLYOKE — In an effort to provide assistance to Holyoke businesses to meet the challenges of COVID-19, Mayor Alex Morse and Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andréa Marion introduced the COVID-19 Holyoke Business Emergency Operations Grant Program.

The primary purpose of this program is to help Holyoke-based businesses withstand and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 public-health emergency. The grant program is administered by the Holyoke Office for Community Development and the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Funds can be used by businesses to help them remain open, retain employees, or adapt business operations remotely or online during the public-health emergency. According to HUD eligibility requirements, a recipient business must be owned by a low- or moderate-income household, employ at least one full-time-equivalent low- or moderate-income person, or provide a service (like a restaurant or grocery store) in a primarily residential neighborhood where at least 51% of the residents are low- or moderate-income.

Applications are available now, and application reviews will continue on a weekly basis until all funds are committed. The review committee consists of representatives from the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, the city of Holyoke, and EforAll Holyoke.

Total fund availability at this time is $90,000, and while there is currently no specific maximum request amount, resources are extremely limited, and the city will seek to maximize the community impact of the COVID-19 Business Emergency Operations Grant Program. More program details and an electronic application are available at the chamber’s COVID-19 resource page accessible at www.holyokechamber.com. Questions may be directed to Andréa Marion at [email protected].

Wellfleet, EIS Group Partner on Innovative Insurance Solution

By BusinessWest Staff April 21, 2020

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Wellfleet, a Berkshire Hathaway insurance company, and industry technology leader EIS Group are building a next-generation insurance-administration platform to meet the evolving demands of the employee-benefits market.

In the complex voluntary-benefits landscape, brokers and their clients commonly work with multiple systems, fighting to integrate with carriers’ patchworked legacy systems. Whether it’s product sophistication, internal workflow monitoring, enrollment and third-party integration, or communications across multiple modules, carriers struggle to administer plans in a digitally unified way.

Wellfleet Workplace entered the voluntary market last year, on a mission to be the digitally enabled carrier of choice. Partnering with EIS Group helps drive this differentiation by jointly creating an open-architecture and cloud-based software system designed to support the full broker and customer life cycle.

“We’re building a web-based, customer-centric platform with a consistent, multi-channel experience,” said James Ocampo, executive vice president and head of Wellfleet’s Workplace division. “At Wellfleet, we have no legacy systems; we’re building our API-driven platform from the ground up, enabling true data integration among apps to power customer-facing processes across multiple channels. Our platform will also improve data agility and operational efficience, and enhance the overall customer experience — all while enabling the rapid introduction of new products to market.”

The software provider’s cloud-based platform supports broker and customer life cycles, including rating and quoting, policy issuance and administration, and billing and claims management. Multi-channel touch points are easily created and managed through EIS Group’s digital-experience platform.

“Wellfleet and EIS Group are making an investment into the future of workplace benefits. If brokers are to keep pace with digital economy demands and engage their clients how they want to be engaged, they need something different,” said Tony Grosso, head of Marketing at EIS Group. “A customer-first approach to solution design and an open architecture that easily connects to a rapidly changing ecosystem of products, services, exchanges, and other channels is critical. Our partnership with Wellfleet will push boundaries and raise expectations.”

UMass Amherst Donates PPE Face Shields to Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing

By BusinessWest Staff April 21, 2020

COVID-19 Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — UMass Amherst has donated 300 face shields to the skilled-nursing center at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing. The face shields were developed by UMass researchers, engineers, nurses, and other health care professionals, and arrive at a time when personal protective equipment (PPE) is in very short supply for many nursing facilities in the region and throughout the country.

The design created by UMass enables the face shields to be mass-produced quickly by existing manufacturers. The first order placed by the Face Shield COVID-19 Response Team at UMass Amherst produced 80,000 face shields, manufactured by K+K Thermoforming, a company based in Southbridge.

“During challenging times such as these, we celebrate the spirit of collaboration and cooperation evidenced by the donation of needed face shields to Loomis by the University of Massachusetts,” said Marge Mantoni, CEO of the Loomis Communities. “The shields are being immediately employed in the Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing nursing center by our medical and related staff in serving our nursing-center residents. Many times over the past 12 years, the Loomis Communities has collaborated with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and we welcome this generous gift of face shields as we work together in this time of crisis.”

UMass contributed more than $30,000 toward the initial production of face shields and hundreds of volunteer hours designing, testing, revising, and manufacturing the shields.

Relief and Resiliency Microgrant Program Launched In Amherst

By BusinessWest Staff April 20, 2020

Coronavirus Sections Special Coverage

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Amherst Business Improvement District’s launch of the Relief and Resiliency Microgrant Program to provide financial relief to Amherst-wide small businesses affected by COVID-19 closures, through the newly formed Downtown Amherst Foundation (DAF). The foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was formed as a means to develop downtown Amherst cultural projects, such as a permanent outdoor performance space, but has shifted its focus to support Amherst economic stability during this difficult time.

Now, the Downtown Amherst Foundation is expanding its focus to all of Amherst, with the launch of the Relief and Resiliency Microgrant Program, executed and managed in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. The goal is to raise $500,000, and $80,000 has been raised so far.

The negative economic impact of COVID-19 is unprecedented. In downtown Amherst alone, more than 70% of surveyed businesses said they could not survive a shutdown through May. The Downtown Amherst Foundation’s program intends to offer microgrants to small, local businesses and individual contractors to meet their short-term financial needs. The grant can cover employee wages and benefits (including benefits associated with employment, such as health insurance), accounts payable, fixed costs, inventory, rent, and utilities. The grants are available for Amherst small businesses, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals who operate brick-and-mortar businesses.

The foundation hopes to have funds in place and be open for applications on May 1, with an initial deadline of May 10. Subsequent deadlines will be announced. Individual donations are needed and will be tax-free. Checks can be sent to the Downtown Amherst Foundation, 35 South Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002, and gifts can also be made online at www.downtownamherstfoundation.org.

The new focus addresses the challenges and shortfalls of the federal stimulus package as a way to manage continual fiscal costs to help Amherst businesses weather the uncertainties of the pandemic and put them on sound footing. Amherst’s economy is uniquely aligned with higher education, and the shutdown and closures of the colleges and university hit the town earlier than other communities in the state.

The grant review committee includes Irvin Rhodes, organizational development consultant; Ellen Brout Lindsay, nonprofit consultant; Tony Maroulis, executive director of External Relations & University Events, UMass Amherst; Ralph Tate, investment-management specialist and treasurer of Kestrel Land Trust; and Glenn Barrett, CEO of Ortholite. These community members say they are united in their love of Amherst and have no conflicts of interest as business owners or landlords.

The initial push will be fundraising through Patronicity, an organization that partners with state agencies, foundations, private corporations, and granting organizations to offer pools of funding, often in the form of grants, to the organization’s constituent communities. Thomas Moore of TigerWeb, a digital marketing firm, donated the program’s logo design.

E-mail Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, with any inquiries at [email protected].

Opinion

For Sale, for Lease

Meeting the Need

Bedtime Stories

Mask Maker, Mask Maker, Make Me a Mask

Zoom Series on Elder Law, Estate Planning

Difference Makers

Elms College Executive Leadership Breakfast

Country Bank Donates $50,000 to First Responder Recovery Home

Ohana School of Performing Arts Looks to Community for Support

TommyCar Auto Group Donates $10,000 to Support Health Workers

Holyoke Company Tools Up to Manufacture Medical Face Shields

MGM Springfield Donates Sleeping Cots, Outdoor Heaters

UMass Amherst Food Scientist Helps Unravel COVID-19 Mysteries

Log Cabin, Delaney House Launch ‘Feed a Local Hero/Someone in Need’

MassHire Holyoke Career Center Continues to Offer Services Remotely

FRANKLIN COUNTY

HAMPDEN COUNTY

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

Healthcare Heroes 2020 to Honor the Heroes of COVID-19

Judging

Nominations

Notification and Recognition

Eligibility

Healthcare Heroes Nomination Form

Nominee's Contact Information:

Nominated by (your information):

Essay Portion:

Video Uploads Portion:

Supporting Documents Portion:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Daily News

News

Contact

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