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Marketers Discuss the Best Way to Get an Audience’s Attention

By
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Cover Story Sales and Marketing Sections

Getting the Message

bwcovermegaphone

Marketing was never an example of a simple exercise, but in today’s multi-media landscape, it is even less so. To help business owners and managers with this critical assignment, BusinessWest asked four area marketing firms to discuss the art and science of getting one’s message across in today’s world. Slicing through their commentary, one point becomes clear: it’s at least as important to focus on the message as it is on the vehicles used to deliver it.

 

It’s All About Storytelling

By Darby O’Brien
Focus more on the message and less on the delivery system   More …

The Name of the Game

By Michelle Abdow
Get their attention, and you needn’t worry about attention span   More …

By Any Measure

By Meghan Lynch
To boost profits, appeal to the heart, not the head   More …

Rock Relevance

By John Garvey
In this age, a relevant message is everything   More …

Women Remain Underrepresented in IT — but Why?

By
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Sections Women in Businesss

Missed Connections

Robin Saunders

Robin Saunders says the job opportunities and flexible working options in the IT field make it an ideal landing spot for talented women.

Despite the fact that women comprise roughly half the workforce and the majority of college enrollment, the world of computers and information technology remains a largely man’s world, with women accounting for just over one-quarter of all professionals. Many reasons have been posited for this disparity, but most industry leaders agree that opportunity abounds for talented women willing to, as one local professor put it, “just jump in.”

The numbers aren’t surprising anymore, but they’re still striking.

According to the National Science Foundation, though women make up roughly half of the college-educated workforce — and well over half of current college students — they comprise just 25% of the nation’s workforce in ‘computer and mathematical sciences,’ the name the Bureau of Labor Statistics gives to the broad industry most people call IT, or information technology.

“When I graduated in the mid-’80s, it wasn’t quite 50-50, but there were more women for sure,” said Brian Candido, associate professor and program chair of Computer Information Technologies at Springfield Technical Community College, noting that the field is slowly diversifying racially, but not along gender lines. “What’s interesting is that colleges are 60-40 female, and the projections are 70-30 in the next five years — but not in IT. It still tends to be white males. We’re seeing more Latinos, which is good, but not as many women as I’d like to see.”

Robin Saunders, director of Graduate Programs in Communications and Information Management at Bay Path University, agrees — even from her perspective at a women’s university.

“It is absolutely a problem,” she said. “If you look at the studies done by Google, women represent less than a third of the people in information-technology fields. They partly attribute that to women not being encouraged in high school to get into computer science. They’re told it’s difficult, it’s boring, it’s technology. When I was in my graduate cybersecurity degree program, I was the only woman. It can be pretty intimidating.”

And that’s unfortunate, she said, considering the opportunity that exists in IT, citing projections that, by 2020, some 1.4 million computer-science jobs will need to be filled, making IT one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. (see table below). It’s that growth, she said — and increased efforts to engage women at a younger age about those opportunities — that will start to shift the trend, she added.

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“Many of those jobs will be filled by women,” she said. “It’s a perfect place for women to be; these are jobs that can be done full-time, part-time, or in an entrepreneurial way. If women are looking for something that’s flexible, it’s a perfect field to be in, and the jobs are expanding exponentially.”

In short, now is the time for young women — and older career changers, for that matter — to consider a field that, despite lingering stereotypes, is as promising and diverse as any. And that message is being delivered in myriad ways.

“The Girl Scouts just developed a coding badge, which is wonderful and something that teaches girls computer science is not just for your quintessential computer geeks, guys sitting in the basement with headsets,” Saunders said. “Women say that’s not what they want to be. But they don’t understand what the definition of information technology is. It’s such a broad field.”

She cited examples of applied computer science, which uses computers to examine and solve problems in a variety of industries, from healthcare to finance to precision machining. Meanwhile, professionals in her own specialty, cybersecurity, are increasingly in demand in virtually all types of businesses.

“Women are so sought after when they graduate,” she added. “Employers are looking for women to fill those positions. There’s a big push to equalize the genders in business, so if you’re a women with a degree in computer science, it pretty much guarantees a job.”

Breaking the Code

If that’s the case, why that nagging 25% statistic?

ISACA, a nonprofit that specializes in developing knowledge and practices for the IT industry, recently tried to get at the answer from within, surveying women who currently work in IT about the greatest barriers they face.

The top five were lack of mentors (48%), lack of female role models in the field (42%), gender bias in the workplace (39%), unequal growth opportunities compared to men (36%), and unequal pay for the same skills (35%).

“Women are vastly underrepresented in the global technology workforce. This is not only a societal concern, but also a workforce problem, given the critical shortage of skilled technology professionals faced by many enterprises,” said Jo Stewart-Rattray, board director of ISACA. “The survey findings reinforce that there is much work left to be done. By providing more opportunities, including career-advancement programs, we can make long-overdue progress in ensuring that women are more equitably represented in the technology workforce.”

When asked about opportunities for professional growth, 75% of respondents said their employer lacks a gender leadership development program. Additionally, 80% report that their supervisors are male, and just 8% report never experiencing gender bias in the workplace.

One big takeaway, Stewart-Rattray said, is that women hunger to learn and benefit from the presence of other women in technology.

Brian Candido

Brian Candido says STCC’s female enrollment in computer programs has mirrored national statistics, but the college is taking steps to increase it.

Saunders said it needs to start early, with clubs as young as middle school that get girls together to talk about technology and coding, and organizations like Girls That Code. And those networks need to extend into adulthood; a good example is Saunders’ own participation with the Women in Cybersecurity network, whose national conference she addressed two years ago.

“Women love mentoring and love networking, and they’re good at it. That’s the way to get them interested.”

Candido agreed that outreach and engagement should begin long before college if the industry wants to turn around its drastic general imbalance.

“We see four or five female graduates a year, and the ones that do finish do quite well,” he told BusinessWest. “The companies we partner with, MassMutual, Baystate Health, they want diversity. They want employees that reflect the community at large.”

Everyone uses technology and social media, and some of that is spurring interest in what’s making it tick, what’s behind the software, what makes it happen.”

STCC has made efforts to create that diversity on its own campus, such as the STEM Starter Academy, which financially supports first-year students entering the STEM fields, with a particular emphasis on women and students of color; this year’s cohort is 50% female. Then there’s Candido’s mobile-programming course he teaches at Commerce High School, a project-based course that has teenagers developing apps in an effort to pique their interest in an IT career. Of the 18 current students, six are female.

“Everyone uses technology and social media, and some of that is spurring interest in what’s making it tick, what’s behind the software, what makes it happen,” he said, adding that there’s a meritocracy in the tech world that rewards what someone can do, not necessarily what demographic they are. “Some of these opportunities now, they don’t even meet with people; they work remotely over the Internet, develop apps and deploy them, or work on networks. We’re seeing that people can work everywhere and work virtually.”

Because they’re working in virtually every industry, Saunders noted, Bay Path’s applied computer science degree is especially attractive to students who see technology as a way to create tools and apps that solve real-world problems, rather than as an end in itself. Meanwhile, the school’s master’s degree in applied data science prepares them for an economy that is expected to need an influx of 190,000 big-data experts by 2018.

Meanwhile, Bay Path’s Center of Excellence for Women in STEM provides a number of supportive resources for students pursuing IT and other STEM-related degrees, including professional-development, mentorship, and networking opportunities; guest speakers, workshops, and forums; and honors programs.

It’s enough to make women want to take the plunge into IT, she said, and that’s the point.

“Just jump in, I say,” she told BusinessWest. “You know this industry is going to explode. So get in and see how it feels.”

Shift Key

While colleges are doing their part, the industry itself bears some responsibility for creating a more female-friendly culture, Stewart-Rattray argued.

“There also is much that enterprises can do, such as ensuring they are offering equitable pay for men and women and providing flexible working arrangements,” she noted. “Having ‘keep in touch’ days when women are on maternity leave, in addition to encouraging professional-development opportunities such as webinars and online courses, are other worthwhile ways to ensure that women remain connected to the organization while on leave.”

After all, she added, cultivating a more diverse work culture just makes economic sense.

“In addition to promoting a more just society, enterprises have bottom-line motivation to hire and promote women,” she said, citing research from the Peterson Institute for International Economics suggesting that organizations with at least 30% female leaders add up to 6% to their profit margin, on average. “This does not surprise me. The women I have worked with are highly motivated, focused, and encouraging of their colleagues. They are as knowledgeable — if not moreso — than their male counterparts.”

Saunders knows that to be true, and she tells prospective students as much.

“My recommendation is just to be fearless. We all had to start somewhere. The only problem is, the future doesn’t wait for anybody. If you don’t jump off the diving board, you’re going to be left behind.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2017.

AGAWAM

EG Partners, LLC
646 Springfield St.
$84,375 — Interior renovation of existing administrative office space

Town of Agawam
128 Southwick St.
$69,250 — Roofing at Agawam Golf Course

CHICOPEE

American Tower Corp.
645 Shawnigan Dr.
$20,000 — Install six replacement antennas

Elms College
291 Springfield St.
$33,000 — Update and renovate two bathrooms

Matthew 11:28 Church of God
16 Bolduc Lane
$4,556 — Air-seal attic and basement

EASTHAMPTON

On the Hill, LLC
100 Mountain Road
$6,500 — Interior wall framing, drywall

EAST LONGMEADOW

Cartamundi
443 Shaker Road
$168,000 — Roofing

Jet Auto Service
40 Shaker Road
$11,900 — Roofing

Lenox
301 Chestnut St.
$115,052 — Curtain wall

GREENFIELD

First Congregational Church
43 Silver St.
$25,995 — Roofing

Jimbob Realty, LLC
36 Hope St.
$11,780 — Roofing

John Lowe
192-200 Main St.
$1,500 — Repair fallen metal panel

Town of Greenfield
14 Court Square
$69,062 — Roofing at Town Hall

HADLEY

Chamisa Corp.
31 Campus Plaza Road
$2,980 — Disconnect miles of flex and install hard pipe from supply and return ducts to grills

Justin Killeen
231 Russell St.
$5,000 — Remove seven non-bearing walls, rebuild bathroom walls, new finish work and flooring

MDGR Holding Corp.
322 Russell St.
$32,000 — Build two-car garage

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco, LLC
367 Russell St.
$11,000 — New sign for Planet Fitness

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco, LLC
367 Russell St.
$17,000 — Install hood, fans, and stainless-steel exhaust ductwork; fabricate and install make-up air ductwork at Pinz

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco, LLC
367 Russell St.
$50,000 — Relocate freezer, add new refrigerated cases and new display shelving, demo existing semo room, expand and relocate utility sink, and construct new pre-fab bridge with door at Trader Joe’s

Pyramid Mall of Hadley Newco, LLC
367 Russell St.
$22,000 — Two new wall signs

Shipman Realty Trust
142 Russell St.
$10,000 — Fabricate and install ductwork fir new HVAC system and install hoods at Dunkin’ Donuts

Vertical Assets, LLC
165 Russell St.
$6,500 — Install ductwork for heating and AC units to feed new space

LONGMEADOW

Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph
92 Oakwood Dr.
$31,500 — Kitchen renovation, remove interior wall

Genesis Lifecare Corp.
832 Converse St.
$141,210 — Roof replacement

Rinaldi’s Realty, LLC
398 Longmeadow St.
$171,400 — Renovate existing space into bagel shop

LUDLOW

Ludlow Dentistry & Braces
433 Center St.
$7,200 — Illuminated sign

Julian Popko
438 Center St.
$7,100 — Reshingling

NORTHAMPTON

City of Northampton
300 North Main St.
$165,000 — Renovate existing toilet rooms at Look Park with new partitions, accessories, sinks, paint, and lighting

Hampshire Regional YMCA
286 Prospect St.
$45,750 — Roofing

Northampton Historical Society
46 Bridge St.
$2,500 — Cover cinderblock with paneling

ServiceNet
91 Grove St.
$37,386 — Install 39 solar panels

Smith College
4 Tyler Dr.
$42,150 — Classroom renovation, including new flooring, paint, and lighting

SPRINGFIELD

Avid Ironworks
17 Rose Place
$64,000 — Pre-engineered building addition

Brian Hamill
915 Plumtree Road
$12,600 — Remove and reinstall gutters and downspouts, repair columns, install 28 windows

Devine Holdings, LLC
111 Carando Dr.
$291,000 — Alter tenant office space

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St.
$63,142 — Replace kitchen hoods

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St.
$375,785 — Renovate and relocate operating rooms

WESTFIELD

Chapel Street Realty, LLC
9 Chapel St.
$40,936 — Demo walls and construct new walls for office space, new bathroom on second floor

Westfield Court Associates, LLC
224 Elm St.
$75,688 — Add new toilet fixtures to renovated bathrooms, provide new office space

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Nicholas Katsoulis
865 Memorial Dr.
$45,135 — Install rooftop solar array

The Morgan Group, LLC
1126 Elm St.
$500,000 — Construct new commercial office building

Real Estate Transactions

By
Departments 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

40 Hoe Shop Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Manuel D. King
Seller: Ian P. McGinn
Date: 12/13/17

157 Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $118,750
Buyer: D. Scott Holden
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 12/08/17

BUCKLAND

75 Charlemont Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Dewayne Matthews
Seller: Douglas N. Decoigne
Date: 12/08/17

CONWAY

624 Cricket Hill Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $512,000
Buyer: Edwin Spencer
Seller: Thomas H. Lewis
Date: 12/08/17

350 Reeds Bridge Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $239,500
Buyer: Peter B. Farber
Seller: Joellen Reino
Date: 12/07/17

DEERFIELD

32 Elm St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Dawa Tsering
Seller: Lauri A. Fennell
Date: 12/06/17

63 Hawks Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Xuliang Jiang
Seller: Donald A. Junkins
Date: 12/15/17

88 Hillside Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Lauri Fennell
Seller: Abbott Lowell Cummings LT
Date: 12/06/17

68 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Leonard T. Grybko
Seller: William F. Kieras
Date: 12/12/17

59 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Brian T. Johnson
Seller: Malcolm J. Cichy
Date: 12/15/17

ERVING

87 Old State Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jared Ewart
Seller: Melinda A. Chase
Date: 12/15/17

GREENFIELD

188 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Brittany A. Senn
Seller: Gary King
Date: 12/15/17

614 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Samuel H. Clarke
Seller: Joyce L. Muka
Date: 12/05/17

36 Cooke St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Timothy R. Putnam
Seller: Rosemarie E. Deskavich
Date: 12/05/17

2 Fiske Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Dolkar Gyaltsen
Seller: Steven J. Schechterle
Date: 12/04/17

18 French King Hwy.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: CA Cole Properties LLC
Seller: Baker, Charlotte A., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

93 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Merrill J. Gagne
Seller: Hayer, Lorraine D., (Estate)
Date: 12/08/17

221 Hope St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $145,842
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Vanessa L. Fortin
Date: 12/12/17

54 Riddell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Chandra A. Sanchez
Seller: Melissa A. Caloon
Date: 12/15/17

42 Washington St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Paul E. Montplaisir
Seller: Gordon E. Cranston
Date: 12/08/17

HEATH

4 East Main St.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jordan J. Lively
Seller: David J. Zahniser
Date: 12/08/17

MONTAGUE

3 Bridge St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Stillwater Properties LLC
Seller: John J. Mackin
Date: 12/08/17

76 Broadway
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Timothy C. Mercer
Seller: Dean P. Wonsey
Date: 12/15/17

63 Central St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Charles A. Henderson
Seller: Karen Sturtevant
Date: 12/15/17

127 Chestnut Hill Loop
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Maylis Atkins
Seller: Sandy J. Beauregard
Date: 12/15/17

NEW SALEM

144 Neilson Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Richard H. Oliver
Seller: Debra J. Annis
Date: 12/08/17

NORTHFIELD

667 Gulf Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Cory D. Norwood
Seller: Linda M. Norwood
Date: 12/05/17

22 Old Turnpike Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Frances Deluca-Hadsel
Seller: Marion E. Ward IRT
Date: 12/04/17

ORANGE

118 Congress St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $192,400
Buyer: Kevin L. Rheault
Seller: Manuel D. King
Date: 12/08/17

SHUTESBURY

5 Birch Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $263,200
Buyer: Philip Parker
Seller: EDS Enterprises LLC
Date: 12/08/17

SUNDERLAND

495 Montague Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Laryssa Kachorowsky
Seller: Kelley M. Sullivan
Date: 12/15/17

WARWICK

409 Gale Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Norman K. Ma
Seller: Donald A. Walter
Date: 12/05/17

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

116 Anthony St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Steven D. Costa
Seller: Thomas L. Vollrath
Date: 12/06/17

92 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Vitaliy Izoita
Seller: Beverly S. Follis
Date: 12/08/17

120 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Lawrence P. Valliere
Seller: Johnny Ramos
Date: 12/15/17

11 Charest Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Vincent R. Cimmino
Seller: Edmund G. Beauvais
Date: 12/15/17

26 Dartmouth St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Laurie L. Addoms
Seller: Brahman Holdings LLC
Date: 12/15/17

35 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Nicole M. Megazzini
Seller: Winter, Steven T., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

82 Florida Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Gable
Seller: Vitaliy I. Izoita
Date: 12/08/17

227 Maple St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Kathleen A. Morissette
Seller: Dana L. Shouse
Date: 12/05/17

24 Marlene Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $258,500
Buyer: Conor Martin
Seller: John P. Lombard
Date: 12/08/17

8 Robin Ridge Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Scott M. Cassidy
Seller: Shirley J. Smith
Date: 12/15/17

11 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Anthony Grassetti
Seller: Mary Mastroianni
Date: 12/08/17

225 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Vladimir P. Kozlov
Seller: Peter Cecchi
Date: 12/08/17

92 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Stanislas G. Coly
Seller: Crystal L. Johnson
Date: 12/08/17

23 White Fox Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Michael D. Mclean
Seller: Vitaliy V. Gladysh
Date: 12/06/17

45 Zacks Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Robert E. King
Seller: Flora C. Main
Date: 12/15/17

BLANDFORD

14 Kaolin Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Frank S. Rice
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/07/17

BRIMFIELD

130 5 Bridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $236,500
Buyer: Richard A. Gendreau
Seller: Paula M. Gendreau
Date: 12/06/17

1109 Dunhamtown Brimfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $518,000
Buyer: Michael A. Gallan
Seller: Karen L. Wallace
Date: 12/04/17

1172 Dunhamtown Brimfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Darlene A. Molett
Seller: David G. Carpenter
Date: 12/08/17

176 Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Kristina Ruel
Seller: Thomas P. Dowling
Date: 12/15/17

6 Saint Clair Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Lucimar Venades
Seller: Michael Pomarole
Date: 12/07/17

CHICOPEE

58 Acker Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jose M. Dones
Seller: Christopher Chutkowski
Date: 12/08/17

460 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Laurel A. Landon
Seller: Richard A. Czelusniak
Date: 12/06/17

22 Grove Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Angela B. Pelletier
Seller: William Soja
Date: 12/05/17

115 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: David R. Heywood
Seller: Michael W. Guiel
Date: 12/05/17

57 Martha St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: James Huffer
Seller: James A. Chartier
Date: 12/15/17

12 Morton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $162,500
Buyer: Jonathan R. Shelkey
Seller: Diane M. Gay
Date: 12/04/17

450 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: RJ 6 Enterprises LLC
Seller: Ronald R. Barthelette
Date: 12/08/17

85 Orchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Ghaeth Alsamraay
Seller: Diplomat Property Manager
Date: 12/15/17

48 Percy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Matthew Pasterczyk
Seller: Charlene M. Ruel
Date: 12/08/17

80 Post Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Kristina Laplante
Seller: James M. Matte
Date: 12/15/17

41 Ruskin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Sam M. Methe
Seller: Felix M. Romero
Date: 12/15/17

41 Wilmont St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Felix L. Lopez
Seller: Jeffrey J. Turgeon
Date: 12/04/17

51 Woodcrest Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Daryl R. Kirby
Seller: Jeffrey Guyott
Date: 12/08/17

EAST LONGMEADOW

29 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Luke Saglimbeni
Seller: Michael G. Robare
Date: 12/15/17

201 Gates Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Francisco A. Rosa-Toledo
Seller: Jeffrey M. Doe
Date: 12/15/17

346 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John Bacevicius
Seller: Robert R. Barry
Date: 12/15/17

11 Kronvall Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Ralph E. Cooley
Seller: John D. Santos
Date: 12/05/17

281 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Dores Dental Realty Co.
Seller: Maple Street Building LLC
Date: 12/14/17

3 North St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Marc Magnani
Seller: Magnani, Faye S., (Estate)
Date: 12/11/17

178 Patterson Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jessica Northup
Seller: Laurie Kimball
Date: 12/15/17

225 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Jason Guinipero
Seller: Michael Pluta
Date: 12/05/17

12 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $645,000
Buyer: Madrid Realty 9 LLC
Seller: Secure Energy Realty LLC
Date: 12/08/17

5 Voyer Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michael White
Seller: Tram T. Nguyen
Date: 12/08/17

38 White Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Jeyline T. Moulier
Seller: John M. Handzel
Date: 12/04/17

GRANVILLE

37 Old Westfield Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Landon D. Demay
Seller: Annmarie Maceyka
Date: 12/04/17

122 Sodom St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Stuart Hayden
Date: 12/15/17

HOLLAND

164 Stafford Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Peter M. Faria
Seller: Wright, Carolyn A., (Estate)
Date: 12/08/17

91 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Matthew R. Tolson
Seller: George A. Phillips
Date: 12/11/17

HOLYOKE

10 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Michelle J. Dailey
Seller: Allison M. Wolohan
Date: 12/15/17

380-R Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Marjos LLC
Seller: 380R Dwight Street LLC
Date: 12/05/17

85 Eastern Promenade St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $233,400
Buyer: John A. Kennedy
Seller: Marguerite Marino
Date: 12/11/17

66 Ely St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $181,200
Buyer: Jesus R. Perez
Seller: Janusz Lecko
Date: 12/12/17

42-44 Florence Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Saray Nop
Seller: No Place Like Home Properties
Date: 12/15/17

56 Francis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Emily M. Monfette
Seller: Flippin Good Home Buyers
Date: 12/05/17

291 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Chester N. Bennett
Seller: Coakley Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

305 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Meghan R. Morton
Seller: Olive R. Cameron
Date: 12/15/17

31 Hitchcock St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Luis A. Rivera
Seller: Noreen M. Geraghty
Date: 12/14/17

956 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Bernard E. Lafond
Seller: Carmen M. Potvin
Date: 12/07/17

142 Michigan Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Dominic Perri
Seller: Brian F. Baker
Date: 12/15/17

1684 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Gallagher Properties LLC
Seller: Lisa A. Reed
Date: 12/13/17

19 Norwood Terrace
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,500
Buyer: Coakley Corp.
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 12/15/17

405 Southampton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Michael B. Callini
Seller: Misdalia Robles
Date: 12/15/17

131 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,500
Buyer: Matthew Goulding
Seller: Daniel A. Leclair
Date: 12/15/17

LONGMEADOW

139 Ashford Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $980,000
Buyer: Susanne D. Osofsky
Seller: Sumner E. Karas
Date: 12/06/17

28 Briarcliff Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Matthew Bertuzzi
Seller: JGS Lifecare Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

383 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Andrew S. Felix
Seller: David H. Burstein
Date: 12/11/17

168 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: 88 Casino Terrace LLC
Seller: Robert E. Loughman
Date: 12/14/17

2 Hilltop Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Sean M. Kenney
Seller: Michael Kennedy
Date: 12/15/17

148 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Gregg R. Skowronski
Seller: Christopher D. Burke
Date: 12/14/17

111 Nevins Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $209,700
Buyer: Brianna J. Butcher
Seller: Alexander Kubacki
Date: 12/15/17

Tanglewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Lynn B. Larochelle
Seller: Andrea Moses
Date: 12/08/17

146 Tanglewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Steven J. Danishevsky
Seller: Baker, Eugene Z., (Estate)
Date: 12/14/17

54 White Oaks Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Erin Rauseo
Seller: Andrew M. Anderlonis
Date: 12/15/17

LUDLOW

23 Adams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Joshua E. Picard
Seller: Stone Bear LLC
Date: 12/04/17

28 Brimfield St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Lauren Mettey
Seller: Ryan J. Leveille
Date: 12/12/17

206 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Katherine M. Dias
Seller: Anthony E. Pelletier
Date: 12/05/17

66 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: John Heckman
Seller: Elaine Sabourin
Date: 12/07/17

48 Jackie Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Stephen Nembirkow
Seller: Nicholas Cocchi
Date: 12/04/17

38 King St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Adam J. Babiec
Seller: Donald E. Burrage
Date: 12/15/17

519 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Ryan J. Leveille
Seller: Ryan E. Allore
Date: 12/14/17

85-87 Oak St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: 85-87 Oak Street LLC
Seller: Ezequiel Mauricio
Date: 12/13/17

Sunset Ridge #3
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Daniel Matias
Seller: Baystate Developers Inc.
Date: 12/11/17

128 Williams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jordan A. Liszka
Seller: Sally A. Zielinski
Date: 12/08/17

156 Windwood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Jason R. Pease
Seller: Victor Felix
Date: 12/14/17

MONSON

91 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: 91 Bethany Road LLC
Seller: Gordon, Wayne D., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/17

6 Flynt Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $241,080
Buyer: Flynt Green LLC
Seller: Lewis T. Garreffa
Date: 12/15/17

36 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: 36 Main Street LLC
Seller: Darlene A. Falcone
Date: 12/07/17

210 Moulton Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Nichole M. Malone
Seller: Brien A. Couture
Date: 12/15/17

102 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $190,130
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: David A. Wood
Date: 12/15/17

121 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Luke W. Cardone
Seller: Craig G. Worrall
Date: 12/08/17

MONTGOMERY

1579 Russell Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Arthur S. Cantler
Seller: Edward J. Healy
Date: 12/05/17

PALMER

58 Ruggles St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $174,990
Buyer: Roberto Ramos
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/12/17

17 Searle St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Richard M. Atkinson
Seller: Thomas R. Maciag
Date: 12/11/17

SOUTHWICK

16 Granaudo Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Gagnon
Seller: Daniel J. Gagnon
Date: 12/12/17

3 Secluded Rdg
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $376,500
Buyer: Diamantis Diamantopoulos
Seller: Lucindy M. Napoli
Date: 12/13/17

17 White St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $145,601
Buyer: John Gulbrandsen
Seller: NRZ Reo 6 Corp.
Date: 12/11/17

8 Wintergreen Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Peter J. Olson
Seller: Edward G. Montagna
Date: 12/15/17

SPRINGFIELD

154-156 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $123,700
Buyer: Miguel A. Rodriguez
Seller: Robert A. Arcott
Date: 12/04/17

752-754 Alden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Jeremy D. Harrington
Seller: Bessie L. Anderson
Date: 12/14/17

65 Aldrew Terrace
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Antonio P. Dangelo
Seller: Andrew A. Bolduc
Date: 12/15/17

76 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $177,700
Buyer: Dawlin Jimenez
Seller: Capital Income Growth Fund
Date: 12/15/17

75 Anniversary St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Emmanuel M. Galanis
Seller: Mirian D. Detres
Date: 12/08/17

74-76 Appleton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Purna Ramdam
Seller: Nanette Figueroa
Date: 12/04/17

155 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $146,900
Buyer: James Kneeskern
Seller: Lisa M. Carpenter
Date: 12/08/17

147 Atherton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Josiah D. Cook
Seller: Charles D. Sullivan
Date: 12/15/17

46 Audley Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Erik S. King
Seller: Conor R. Martin
Date: 12/08/17

102 Avery St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Joshua Ocasio
Seller: Terrell M. Hill
Date: 12/11/17

57 Bremen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Kathleen M. Diederich
Seller: Luis A. Escobar
Date: 12/15/17

791-793 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Alexander Perez
Seller: Ahmad Habboub
Date: 12/12/17

838-840 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Aaron Nugent
Seller: Sullivan, Thomas J., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

17-19 Castle St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Paul R. Connors
Seller: Elaine A. Connors
Date: 12/05/17

679-681 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Pedro D. Perez-Urena
Seller: Linda G. Menard
Date: 12/05/17

87 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Rosario
Seller: Debra Deleon
Date: 12/15/17

33 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Justin G. Worthington
Seller: Ysabel Espinal
Date: 12/08/17

11 Denesley Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Randall J. Fortunato
Seller: Amy E. Butler
Date: 12/08/17

120 Devens St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Norberto C. Silva
Seller: Jamie Tomas
Date: 12/15/17

223 Drexel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Juana Corporan
Seller: Real G. Roy
Date: 12/13/17

120 Entrybrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Debra Phillips
Seller: Rebecca A. Cabana
Date: 12/08/17

19 Eton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Anne M. Lamothe
Seller: Robert E. Freeman
Date: 12/08/17

36 Euclid Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $128,800
Buyer: Midna L. Ramos
Seller: Anthony C. Scibelli
Date: 12/08/17

75 Gillette Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Daniel Triggs
Seller: Dean M. Rossi
Date: 12/15/17

67-69 Hamburg St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Adriana Bledsoe
Seller: Maria R. Dapiedade
Date: 12/07/17

90 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $141,500
Buyer: Jacob Maier
Seller: Ian R. O’Donnell
Date: 12/04/17

85 Harmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Emily Troczynski
Seller: James Niedbala
Date: 12/15/17

35 Heywood St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $9,189,000
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Honore LLC
Date: 12/14/17

84 Hilltop St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Shernet A. Reid
Seller: Lester C. McDonald
Date: 12/15/17

18-20 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: William D. Kelley
Seller: Shawn P. Johnson
Date: 12/13/17

353 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Teshena I. Jones-Swaby
Seller: Ryan D. Deane
Date: 12/07/17

46 Jerilis Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Olga Gardner
Seller: Daisy Arrechea
Date: 12/07/17

417 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $9,189,000
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Honore LLC
Date: 12/14/17

23 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Christine M. Jalbert
Seller: Michael T. Zolkiewicz
Date: 12/08/17

91 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Maxime Sarpong-Aduna
Seller: Lourdes Mazza
Date: 12/15/17

104 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: David Torres
Seller: Ana M. Ladeira
Date: 12/15/17

28 Manchester Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Rebecca H. Rees
Seller: Brian T. Morrissette
Date: 12/15/17

55 Marengo Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Mark E. Flowers
Seller: Emerald City Rentals LLC
Date: 12/15/17

4 Mary St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Orville A. Lugg
Seller: Christopher G. Rossman
Date: 12/05/17

20 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Winsome A. Roberts
Seller: Winston Roberts
Date: 12/15/17

34 Mattoon St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Sanshah LLC
Seller: David Funai
Date: 12/15/17

34 Mayflower Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Demaio
Seller: Erin L. Hogan
Date: 12/15/17

88 Meadow St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jessica Morales
Seller: Christine Wurszt
Date: 12/08/17

10 Monroe St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $152,337
Buyer: Alexandra Fortich
Seller: AAD LLC
Date: 12/11/17

67 Mulberry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Second Chance Animal Services
Seller: Commonwealth Academy Holding
Date: 12/11/17

203 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Zarouhe Kebabjian
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/06/17

273 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Khadija H. Tuitt
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/11/17

123 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jeffrey McDonald
Seller: Robert W. Horne
Date: 12/06/17

124 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Eagan
Seller: John W. Barrett
Date: 12/08/17

54 Newland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Roxie Alison
Seller: Lee J. Reyes
Date: 12/11/17

64-68 Osgood St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,350,000
Buyer: 64-68 Osgood Street LLC
Seller: Oleg Pashchenko
Date: 12/07/17

11 Ozark St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Gelson D. Rosario
Seller: Onota Rental LLC
Date: 12/04/17

130 Packard Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Stovall
Seller: Parent, Edeltraud E., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

715 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Flora C. Main
Seller: Robin M. Pelletier
Date: 12/15/17

15 Prince St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Billy L. Clark
Seller: Lisa A. Stovall
Date: 12/15/17

55 Ravenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Diane Anderson
Seller: Strzempek, Jennie R., (Estate)
Date: 12/06/17

125 Rochford Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $130,380
Buyer: Citizens Bank
Seller: Angel G. Perez
Date: 12/07/17

57 Rochford Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Melanie R. Patterson
Seller: Angel Angelov
Date: 12/08/17

261 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Mon Tiwari
Seller: Michael A. White
Date: 12/08/17

811 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Doris Fernandez
Date: 12/07/17

90 Spear Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $162,740
Buyer: Western Mass Property Development
Seller: AJN Rentals LLC
Date: 12/08/17

377 Stapleton Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Gadiel Ruiz
Seller: Nasser Zebian
Date: 12/08/17

700 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Pride LP
Seller: Developspringfield Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

1043 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $123,795
Buyer: Opus Durum LLC
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/07/17

5 Teakwood Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Diana Ortega
Seller: Citimortgage Inc.
Date: 12/08/17

Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Pride LP
Seller: Developspringfield Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

97 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Sheileen Feliciano
Seller: Cooper Properties LLC
Date: 12/08/17

22 Warner St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Greenfield Development
Seller: Noemi Cruz
Date: 12/07/17

101 Wason Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $12,387,500
Buyer: 101 Wason Avenue LLC
Seller: Yukon Group LLC
Date: 12/13/17

36 Westernview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Elmer J. Baez
Seller: Tania Ruiz
Date: 12/15/17

80 Woodcrest Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Matthew S. Bouffard
Seller: Margaret M. Johnston
Date: 12/12/17

TOLLAND

1403 Burt Hill Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $296,500
Buyer: Gordon S. Yocher
Seller: John J. Cournoyer
Date: 12/15/17

WALES

10 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Christopher Matczak
Seller: Jennifer M. Hartmann
Date: 12/15/17

WEST SPRINGFIELD

201 Bonnie Brae Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Keith L. Laster
Seller: Michael J. Higgins
Date: 12/05/17

81 Braintree Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Zemanek
Seller: Marcia L. Landon
Date: 12/04/17

34 City View Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Fontaine
Seller: Paul Breveleri
Date: 12/06/17

209 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Premont
Seller: Cardinal Homes Inc.
Date: 12/12/17

30 Druids Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Eagle Home Buyers LLC
Seller: Lee, Christopher B., (Estate)
Date: 12/12/17

135 Grandview Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: David P. Wanczyk
Seller: AJMPC Inc.
Date: 12/08/17

326 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Osamah H. Aljanabi
Seller: Richard P. Senk
Date: 12/14/17

116 Jensen Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Jamie Bishop
Seller: John J. Taskey
Date: 12/15/17

50 Orchardview St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Brittany A. Valentine
Seller: Donald C. Bain
Date: 12/12/17

WESTFIELD

250 City View Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Leclair
Seller: Moreno, Daniel H., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

30 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Caltrap Realty LLC
Seller: Barcross Partners LLC
Date: 12/11/17

12 Demond Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $156,120
Buyer: Charles E. Lisowski
Seller: Bazanchuk, Mary A., (Estate)
Date: 12/14/17

19 Hawks Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Kimberly Arnone
Seller: Heather M. Cabral
Date: 12/15/17

420 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: Thomas L. Disanto
Date: 12/12/17

186 Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Dustin Taudal
Seller: Michael R. Thomas
Date: 12/15/17

109 Miller St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Robert G. Rivest
Seller: Aleksandr Shtyba
Date: 12/14/17

15 Ridgecrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Julia Kimball-Whitney
Seller: Constance E. Johnson
Date: 12/06/17

27 Ridgeway St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Elise A. Lynch
Seller: Vanessa Filiault
Date: 12/08/17

142 Yeoman Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Matthew Perrier
Seller: Ernest A. Baker
Date: 12/06/17

WILBRAHAM

5 Anvil Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anthony W. Bond
Seller: Santiago Canosa-Oliver
Date: 12/13/17

36 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Philip H. Gosselin
Seller: Susy M. Martins
Date: 12/06/17

599 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Mountain Landscape Inc.
Seller: Poineer Valley Property
Date: 12/06/17

911 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Hesham M. Asif
Seller: Sherry A. Marchessault
Date: 12/04/17

5 Sherwin Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: Kevin M. Farrell
Seller: AC Homebuilding LLC
Date: 12/15/17

171 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: RC&L LLC
Seller: Mitchell D. Opalinski
Date: 12/13/17

175 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: RC&L LLC
Seller: Mitchell D. Opalinski
Date: 12/13/17

916 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Busker
Seller: Sally A. Cavanaugh
Date: 12/14/17

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

351 Henry St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Zayac Construction Co. LLC
Seller: Richard S. Bari
Date: 12/14/17

Lindenridge Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Bercume Construction LLC
Seller: Tofino Associates LLC
Date: 12/05/17

47 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $242,444
Buyer: Michael S. MacDonald
Seller: Oscar Liang
Date: 12/05/17

51 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $242,444
Buyer: Michael S. MacDonald
Seller: Ching Leang
Date: 12/05/17

1535 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $133,620
Buyer: Jean A. Kentfield
Seller: Theodore C. Kentfield RET
Date: 12/08/17

28 South Mount Holyoke Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Xiaowei Li
Seller: Carol Creswell-Betsch
Date: 12/08/17

BELCHERTOWN

12 Alden Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $239,500
Buyer: Steven M. Prejsner
Seller: Gary A. Parker
Date: 12/11/17

365 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Antunes
Seller: Ivette Rodriguez
Date: 12/08/17

44 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Michael B. Mackay
Seller: Douglas E. Dickey
Date: 12/07/17

1 Brenda Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Roger L. Menard
Seller: Sivart RT
Date: 12/15/17

23 Lloyd Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: William N. Alderman
Seller: Servicenet Inc.
Date: 12/12/17

16 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Kristin Moyer
Seller: Chapter 7 Of US Bankruptcy Court Trustee
Date: 12/06/17

107 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $256,500
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Michael E. Allen
Date: 12/04/17

660 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $344,500
Buyer: Kevin W. MacMenamin
Seller: Riverbend 2 Properties
Date: 12/15/17

EASTHAMPTON

43 Bayberry Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Raymond Vieira
Seller: Bricker, Paul R., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/17

10-12 Briggs St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jessica B. Accorsi
Seller: John F. Wiseman
Date: 12/06/17

26 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $242,500
Buyer: Kani M. Brown
Seller: Goshen Mortgage REO LLC
Date: 12/04/17

21 Pine Hill Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Matthew E. Brelsford
Seller: Dewayne A. Matthews
Date: 12/08/17

56 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Kenneth P. Bachand
Seller: David A. Hardy Contractor
Date: 12/04/17

15 School St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $186,900
Buyer: Susan G. White
Seller: Anne M. Leitl
Date: 12/15/17

50 Williston Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Boone W. Shear
Seller: Mary S. Cantler
Date: 12/04/17

GOSHEN

130 Spruce Corner Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Gerik J. Sienkiewicz
Seller: Nancy E. Grove
Date: 12/08/17

GRANBY

342 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Ryan Bouvier
Seller: Roger P. Neveu
Date: 12/08/17

113 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Shaun E. Moser
Seller: Frank Costabile
Date: 12/04/17

115 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Shaun E. Moser
Seller: Frank Costabile
Date: 12/04/17

251 Old Goshen Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Jessica A. Riley
Seller: John Godden
Date: 12/14/17

58 Center St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Samuel R. Duda
Seller: Taylor, Maudetta A., (Estate)
Date: 12/11/17

HADLEY

13 Hockanum Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $451,000
Buyer: DU R. Shinn
Seller: LFT Transformations LLC
Date: 12/15/17

49 Middle St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Bakurental LLC
Seller: Walter D. Thayer
Date: 12/08/17

River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Town Of Hadley
Seller: James C. Hoynoski
Date: 12/15/17

HATFIELD

98 Prospect St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Stanley L. Symanski
Seller: Malone, Geraldine M., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

NORTHAMPTON

76 Carlon Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,235,000
Buyer: Safe Passage Inc.
Seller: Carlon Medical LLP
Date: 12/08/17

22 Claire Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Holly H. Young
Seller: Sarah D. Haessler
Date: 12/08/17

337 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $542,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Lonsway
Seller: Lawrence P. Whalen
Date: 12/08/17

60 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $649,000
Buyer: Mark Haselkorn
Seller: Richard Cianflone
Date: 12/06/17

16 Fruit St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $397,000
Buyer: Edith Mor
Seller: Irene M. Slabinski TR
Date: 12/13/17

Glendale Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Waggin Trails Dog Park
Seller: Bill Willard Inc.
Date: 12/15/17

173 Greenleaf Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Eric Patrick
Seller: Robert B. Berenson
Date: 12/15/17

64 Lilly St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Aleta J. Mills
Seller: Barbara J. Allen
Date: 12/08/17

61 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01039
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Tragin Properties LLC
Seller: Whalen FT
Date: 12/07/17

32 Myrtle St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sherry L. Taylor
Seller: Bernice K. Bohnenberger
Date: 12/11/17

971 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Dutch I. Cosmian
Seller: Harriet K. Smith
Date: 12/15/17

40 South Park Terrace
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Hailey E. Fleury
Seller: Susan J. Benoit
Date: 12/15/17

47 Winterberry Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Melissa J. Mattison
Seller: Richard Wentzel
Date: 12/04/17

80 Woodmont Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Paul A. Hacking
Seller: Jaime Caron
Date: 12/15/17

SOUTH HADLEY

155 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Willaim VanDuzer
Seller: Frances Strzempko-Ahmad
Date: 12/11/17

234 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Michelle Williams
Seller: Robert J. Celi
Date: 12/15/17

283 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kelly Ye
Seller: Megan M. Kuszewski
Date: 12/15/17

20 Meadowood Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Bengal NT
Seller: Vincent Muto
Date: 12/08/17

301 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Matthew Gage
Seller: Arthur J. O’Donald
Date: 12/08/17

18 Sunset Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Ryan D. Spahl
Seller: William VanDuzer
Date: 12/11/17

34 Yale St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Tetyana G. Buescher
Seller: Shaun E. Moser
Date: 12/04/17

SOUTHAMPTON

27 Mountain View Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $209,900
Buyer: Ayn K. Toppin
Seller: Evan R. Huff
Date: 12/15/17

WARE

62-64 Chestnut St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Juan A. Santana
Seller: JNB Property Investment
Date: 12/05/17

4 East St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $143,500
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Seller: Edward B. Woods
Date: 12/14/17

93 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Daniel Bruso
Seller: Merrie J. Brown
Date: 12/08/17

152 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Michael P. Aiesi
Seller: Joseph M. Lanouette
Date: 12/12/17

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Alicea, Hipolito
31 Biddle St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/07/17

Beauchamp, Elizabeth A.
20 Marquette St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/07/17

Blanco-Munoz, Jacinto
165 Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/07/17

Boutet, Tiziana
63 Peterson Circle
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/10/17

Brown, Mary Ann
121 Lincoln St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/01/17

Christy, Natasha Irene
67 Marmon St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/12/17

Ciborowski, Paul A.
Ciborowski, Beverly J.
27 First Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/17

Condron, Raymond A.
71 Daniels Terrace
Cheshire, MA 01225
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/11/17

Dascanio, Shane R.
119 Sampson Parkway
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/08/17

DeMatos, Christine Elizabeth
152 Ferncliff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/17

Doe, Season
PO Box 609
West Warren, MA 01092
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/14/17

First Security / Pro Se
Harris, Roney Louis
615 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/13/17

Freeman, Kenneth
26 Washigton St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/17

Hill, Josephine A.
152 Old Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/13/17

Hill, Mark
152 Old Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/13/17

Jacobs, Jeffrey D.
217 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/04/17

Joe’s Remodeling
JS Home Improvement
Smith, Joseph E.
Smith, Susan A.
a/k/a Rivera, Susan A.
36 Montvue St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/06/17

Josefiak, Tammie Fawn
a/k/a Fawn, Tammie Griffen
32 Luther St. #1
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/14/17

Kailo Mentoring Group
Bacon, Paul Charles
65 Logtown Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/17

Kiniry, Jacob Daniel
21 Victoria St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/13/17

Liberti, John P.
5 Somerset Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/17

Lugo, Angel L.
7 Harlan St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/17

Luzanova, Aleksandra
51 VanDeene Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/14/17

Mansfield, Sean E.
39 Neptune St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/06/17

Mosher, Tina M.
PO Box 304
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/01/17

New England Building and Renovation
Boutet, Steven M.
63 Peterson Circle
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/10/17

Novikov, Dmitriy
41 Day St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/01/17

O’Brien, Kimberlie
a/k/a Depoutot, Kimberlie
113 Winton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/17

Parsons, James
151 Bryant Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/13/17

Payson, Stephen Carl
Payson, Michelle Lee
87 Pilgrim Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/07/17

Perez, Lena A.
12 Longwood Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/12/17

Peters, Robyn L.
106 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01036
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/12/17

Ramirez, Omar Azpurua
Flores, Wanda E.
41 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/14/17

Ricks Complete Lawn Care
Ricks Complete Lawn Care
Shove, Richard M.
Shove, Kathleen E.
PO Box 392
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/17

Rose, Marilyn S.
Rose, Terrence B.
137 Lexington St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/14/17

Rowe, Elizabeth L.
22 Pasadena St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/01/17

Rubner, Lisa A.
73 Maple St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/17

Sady, Lisa M.
a/k/a Perry, Lisa M.
20 North Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/17

Schroth, Marc J.
43 Bluebird Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/07/17

Stirlacci, Eleanor A.
92 Wildflower Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/17

Streeter, Myra N.
231 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/17

Thomas Anthony Curtis Computer Consulting
Curtis, Thomas Anthony
a/k/a Curtis, Tony
a/k/a Curtis, T.A.
27 Highland St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/01/17

Thompson, Christine
a/k/a Runyan, Christine
120 Hamilton St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/05/17

Trade Press Inc.
Barrows, John W.
30 Fairview St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/17

Voyik, Jason R.
113 Geneva St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/17

Voyik, Kaitlyn M.
30 Greenwich St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/06/17

Ward-Walsh, Heather Ann
107 Second St.
Leominster, MA 01453
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/06/17

Wesson, Pamela
a/k/a Sweatland, Pamela J.
18 Paper St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/17

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2017.

AMHERST

Amherst Knights of Columbus #1619
45 Boltwood Walk
William Dion

The English Pub
15E Pleasant St.
Gerald Jolly

Harvest Market
1150 West St.
Peggy Thibbitts

Ichiban Asian Bistro
104 North Pleasant St.
Hangzhang Huang

Leslie Lauf, LICSW
150 Fearing St.
Leslie Lauf

Mixed Nuts Cooperative
893 West St.
Trustees of Hampshire College

Paradise of India
87 Main St.
Tarlochan Singh, Kuldip Khinda

The Prescott Bakery
893 West St.
Trustees of Hampshire College

Rafters Sports Bar & Restaurant
422 Amity St.
Gerald Jolly

Wings over Amherst
181D University Dr.
Harold Tramazzo

BELCHERTOWN

Tom’s Odd Jobs & Snowblowing
11 Laurel Ridge Dr.
Thomas Hresko

CHICOPEE

Lopuk Realty
125 Broadway
Gary Lopuk

TrueHeart Enterprise
234 Exchange St.
Lolitta Trueheart Lowe, Angela Trueheart

EASTHAMPTON

Rail Trail Auto Sales
1 Loomis Way
Kevin Netto, Jovita Netto

Realized Learning
47 Clark St.
Abigail Forcier

EAST LONGMEADOW

Alpha Waves DJs
84 Oakbrook Dr.
Dan Chrisis

Redstone Wealth Management, LLC
264 North Main St.
Anthony Cianflone

Spray Right Foam Insulations
49 Gerrard Ave.
Nathan Abdelmaseh

HADLEY

Dunkin’ Donuts
331 Russell St.
Mason Donuts, LLC

Dunkin’ Donuts
142 Russell St.
Mason Donuts, LLC

Friendly’s
455 Russell St.
Gary Glenn

Hillside Pizza
173 Russell St.
JKBC, LLC

Huaning Services
10 Indian Pipe Dr.
Jianhua Yang

Plainville Farm
135 Mt. Warner Road
Walter Czajkowski

HOLYOKE

K & D Auto Sales
18 Kay Ave.
Alexander Oquendo

Posters
214 Maple St.
Waybe Worsham, Nancy Worsham

TWC Auto Body & Repair
56 Jackson St.
Jamil Roman

LONGMEADOW

Night Owl Knots
38 Chiswick St.
Nicole Loud

Q5 Analytics
573 Wolf Swamp Road
Michelle van Schouwen

LUDLOW

Fresh Cuts By Toni
123 Shawnigan Dr.
Toni Marcus

Roy’s Auto Service
935 Center St.
Roy Cote

NORTHAMPTON

Brightworks Inc.
15 Higgins Way
Douglas McCarroll

Context Capital Asset Management, LLC
123 South St., #2
Melissa Frydlo

Ernie’s Towing
376 Easthampton Road
Frank Fournier III

Finding Earth Works
29 Columbus Ave.
Alexandra Risley

Haven Body Arts
108 Main St.
Penelope Silverstein, Peter Kerantzas

Lean Innovation Institute
9½ Market St.
Paul Silva

More Than Skin Deep
150 Main St.
Diana Cerutti

Richard Huntley & Sons
254 Easthampton Road
Richard Huntley

TommyCar Auto Group
347 King St.
Carla Cosenzi Zayac

Wayside Auto & Truck Sales
376 Easthampton Road
Frank Fournier III

PALMER

Palmer Motorsports Park
58 West Ware Road
Fred Ferguson

Ramadon’s Package Store
2020 Main St.
Charles Ramadon

Sam’s Food
1078 Park St.
Muhammad Javid

Spera Landscaping
64 Commercial St.
Anthony Kinley

Van Zandt Snow Plowing
19 Forest St.
Robert Van Zandt

You R Special
1020 Central St.
Roslyn Banks

SOUTHWICK

Moolicious Farm
258 Feeding Hills Road
Joseph Deedy

Southwick Civic Fund Inc.
258 Feeding Hills Road
Joseph Deedy

Wolfe Path Farm
76 Coes Hill Road
Clifford Wolfe

SPRINGFIELD

Carney Diggs Construction
212 Ambrose St.
Martin Carney Jr.

Chef It Up Catering
57 Macomber Ave.
Carla Edmonds

CM Carpentry and Remodeling
232 Ambrose St.
Chris Monette

Comics and Cards
890 Carew St.
Maeghan Denise

E and Jay Transport
34 Mansfield St.
Elvis Malone

Joseph Mini Mart
125 Dwight St.
Hamidah Imran

Law Offices of Alice E. Kundl
115 State St.
Alice Kundl

Massachusetts Barber Expo
74 Oklahoma St.
Tyrone Miranda

Mi Cultura
304 Worthington St.
Horaida Cardona

Reynoso Construction
92 Grenada Terrace
Florencio Reynoso

Ron DeSellier Electric
97 Goodwin St.
Ronald DeSellier

Rosegold Lavish
145 Marsden St.
Edaysha Garrett

Sam’s Food Store
266 Belmont Ave.
Nasim Khalid

The Sporting Edge Marketing
208 Island Pond Road
Edard Guczek

Tatted Lace Creations
137 Bacon Road
Karen Northwood

Venta Pro, LLC
34 Front St.
Alec Upperton

Yabucoa Used Tire
218 St. James Blvd.
Francisco Ortiz

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness
155 Ashley Ave.
Marina Lebo

In and Out Deli Market
205 Elm St.
Goksal Cicek

Lee’s Painting Co.
105 Heywood Ave.
Dwight Lee

Lincare Inc.
53 Capital Dr.
Susan Yanush

Pavel Pavement Maintenance
70 Windsor St.
Michael Crean

Sarah Albert, LICSW
111 Elm St.
Sarah Albert-Perry

Sibley Property Services
101 Sibley Ave.
John Alexander

WILBRAHAM

The Burger Bar
2341 Boston Road, Unit 101
Laurie Bongioni

HobbyCosmo.com
1028 Stony Hill Road
Xuan Le

Inside-Out Home & Garden, LLC
2040 Boston Road, Unit 15
Norman Corigliano

Sugar DL’s Baked Goods
2133 Boston Road, Unit 6B
Berneice Dixon

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

EAST LONGMEADOW

Fitness Jerks Inc., 45 Baldwin St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Michael Zolkiewicz, same. Physical fitness and training.

FL Landscaping Inc., 6 Kensington Ave., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Luisa Cardaropoli, same. Landscaping services.

LENOX

F17 Lennox Heights Inc., 260 Pittsfield Road, Apt. F17, Lenox, MA 01240. Suraj Sharma, same. Real estate.

LONGMEADOW

Forest Park Sports Inc., 102 Pinewood Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Katharine A. Pacella, same. Non-profit that raises, manages, and distribute funds to support competitive sports.

PITTSFIELD

Egremont PTO Inc., 84 Egremont Ave., Pittsfield MA, 01201. Andrea Wilson, same. Provides a forum for parents, guardians, teachers, and school administration may share ideas and carry out projects for the benefit of the students of Egremont Elementary School.

Express Bus Inc., 10 Wendell Ave., Ext #210, Pittsfield, MA 01201. De Yue Chen, same. Bus tour company.

SPRINGFIELD

El Salto Inc., 1411 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Jose G Torres, same. Full-service restaurant.

Escuela De Capacitacion Biblica Antioquia, 25 Terrence St., Springfield, MA 01109. Raul Medina, same. Place of worship.

Exterior Remodeling Group Inc., 23 Benham St., Springfield, MA 01109. Eugeniu Ciubotaru, same. Remodeling.

Harnum Construction Inc., 53 Metzger Place, Springfield, MA 01104. William Harnum, same. To operate a construction company.

SUNDERLAND

Gwen D Gannon Inc., 31 Garage Road, Sunderland, MA 01375. Gwen D Gannon, same. Consulting program development and evaluation.

WILBRAHAM

Gardenrus Inc., 7 Evangeline Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Brian Patrick Griffin, same. Online sales.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

UMass, Research Partners Aim to Improve Flu-season Forecasts
AMHERST — Research teams, including one led by biostatistician Nicholas Reich at UMass Amherst, are participating in a national influenza-forecasting challenge to try to predict the onset, progress, and peaks of regional flu outbreaks to aid prevention and control. This year, the Reich Lab is leading an effort to improve the forecasting by increasing the collaboration between groups. “Every year, the Centers for Disease Control host a flu-forecasting challenge,” Reich said. “It’s the most organized and public effort at forecasting any infectious disease anywhere in the world. Our lab is now in our third year of participating, and we find that each year we get a little better and learn a bit more. This year, we wanted to take it to the next level, so we worked with other teams year-round to develop a way that our models could work together to make a single best forecast for influenza. This entire effort is public, so anyone can go to the website and see the forecasts.” While this flu season has started earlier than usual in the northeastern and southern regions of the U.S., according to the most recent data, the forecasts are still showing a fair amount of uncertainty about how big a season it will be, Reich said. “The holiday season is a notoriously difficult time to forecast because typically fewer people go to the doctor, and yet everyone is traveling around spreading or being exposed to infections such as flu.” Reich and colleagues at UMass Amherst’s School of Public Health and Health Sciences collaborate with teams at Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, and a group at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, in a group they have dubbed the FluSight Network. It issues a new flu season forecast every Monday for public-health researchers and practitioners that compares the flu trajectory this year to past years. In a recent publication, Reich and colleagues state that their aim is to “combine forecasting models for seasonal influenza in the U.S. to create a single ensemble forecast. The central question is, can we provide better information to decision makers by combining forecasting models and, specifically, by using past performance of the models to inform the ensemble approach.” Added Reich, “we are working closely with our collaborators at the CDC to determine how to improve the timeliness and relevance of our forecasts.” To prepare for this flu season, he and colleagues spent many hours designing a standard structure that each team needed to use when submitting models. This allowed for comparison of methods over the past seven years of flu data in the U.S. They also conducted a cross-validation study of data from the past seven flu seasons to compare five different methods for combining models into a single ensemble forecast. They found that four of their collaborative ensemble methods had higher average scores than any of the individual models. The team is now submitting forecasts from their best-performing model and are posting them once a week this season to the CDC’s 2017-18 FluSight Challenge. Reich estimates there are about 20 teams this year participating in the CDC challenge nationwide, who produce about 30 different models. Each model forecasts the onset of the flu season, how it will progress over the coming few weeks, when it will peak, and how intense the peak will be compared to other seasons. In a heavy flu season, between 5% and 12% of doctor’s visits are for influenza-like illness, and that number varies regionally in the U.S. This metric is one of the key indicators for the CDC of how bad the flu season is, and it is the measure used in the forecasting challenges. “Certainly for the CDC, there are policy decisions that could be impacted by these forecasts, including the timing of public communication about flu season starting and when to get vaccinated. Models can help with all of that,” Reich said. “Also, hospitals often try to have enhanced precautions in place during a certain peak period for the disease. If you do that too early, or for too long, you run the risk of individuals getting tired of taking the extra time to comply with the policies.” Hospital epidemiologists and others responsible for public-health decisions do not declare the onset of flu season lightly, he noted. In hospitals, flu onset — a technical set of symptoms reported to physicians — triggers many extra time-consuming and costly precautions and procedures such as added gloves, masks, and gowns; donning and doffing time; special decontamination procedures; increased surveillance; and reduced visitor access, for example. There is also healthcare worker fatigue to consider. Hospitals want to be as effective and efficient as possible in their preparations and response to reduce time and money spent and worker burnout. The public-health effort to improve flu season forecasts is relatively recent, Reich said. “There has been tremendous progress in how we think about infectious disease forecasting in just the last five years. If you compare that to something like weather forecasting, which has been going on for decades, we’re in the middle of a long process of learning and improvement. Someday, we might be able to imagine having a flu forecast on our smartphones that tells us, for example, it’s an early season and I’d better get Mom to the clinic to get her vaccination early this year. We’re close, but that’s not here quite yet.”

Massachusetts Adds 6,700 Jobs in November
BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate dropped to 3.6% in November, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts added 6,700 jobs in November. Over the month, the private sector added 7,300 jobs as gains occurred in leisure and hospitality; education and health services; construction; professional, scientific, and business services; and manufacturing. The October estimate was revised to a gain of 3,200 jobs. From November 2016 to November 2017, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 65,200 jobs. The November unemployment rate was five-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.1% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Year-to-date the jobs and labor force estimates indicate a strong and stable economy in the Commonwealth. Since December 2016, Massachusetts is estimated to have added 62,200 jobs, 64,300 more residents are participating in the labor force, and the unemployment rate remains low, averaging 3.8%. November also marks the 13th consecutive month of private-sector job growth, with manufacturing adding 1,600 jobs,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said. The labor force decreased by 8,200 from 3,656,000 in October, as 4,000 fewer residents were employed and 4,200 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased five-tenths of a percentage point from 3.1% in November 2016. There were 18,300 more unemployed residents over the year compared to November 2016. The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 65.4% over the month. The labor-force participation rate over the year has increased by 0.7% compared to November 2016. The largest private-sector percentage job gains over the year were in construction; professional, scientific and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services.

Applications Open for 2018 Local Farmer Awards
AGAWAM — The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in partnership with Big Y and a sponsorship team, announced the fourth year of the Local Farmer Awards, supporting local farmers in Western Mass. with funds for infrastructure improvements and farm equipment. Launched in 2015, the awards draw attention to the importance of local farmers to the region’s economy and health. “Big Y has been supporting local farmers since we began over 80 years ago,” said Charles D’Amour, Big Y president and COO. “Through our partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, we are providing one more way to help the local growers to thrive in our community.” Awards of up to $2,500 will be given to each recipient farmer. The 2017 awards were made to 49 of the 116 applicants. Essential to the program’s success has been the ongoing advice and assistance from the two regional Buy Local farm advocates, Berkshire Grown and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). “Local family farms are a part of our culture and economy and the reason we call this area home,” said Philip Korman, executive director of CISA. “This unique farm awards program makes it possible for family farms to strengthen that connection in our communities.” Added Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown, “we’re thrilled about the continuation of these financial awards for farmers in Western Massachusetts. This helps build the local food economy in our region.” The application is open through Jan. 31, 2018. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the website for more information: www.farmerawards.org.

DevelopSpringfield Sells 700 State St. to Pride Stores for Redevelopment
SPRINGFIELD — DevelopSpringfield announced the sale of property at the corner of Thompson and State streets to Pride Stores for redevelopment. The site had been identified as a priority for redevelopment in the State Street Corridor Redevelopment Program, a plan focused on the economic revitalization of State Street and adjacent neighborhoods. DevelopSpringfield acquired the former River Inn at 700 State St. in 2013 with adjacent lots on Thompson Street to remove a blight on the neighborhood, promote revitalization, and prepare the site for appropriate commercial redevelopment. The organization performed extensive asbestos remediation, demolished the building, and prepared the site for redevelopment. “We listened closely to the interests of community members, including the Springfield Food Policy Council and the McKnight Neighborhood Council, to identify a developer whose project would meet community needs and be a good neighbor to the many residents near the site,” said Nicholas Fyntrilakis, DevelopSpringfield’s chairman. “Pride’s new store will offer fresh food and produce and address the community’s interests for healthier food options.” Added Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, “this is exactly why my administration created this public/private partnership of DevelopSpringfield. This in-question property had been a troublesome area for the neighborhood for many years. I look forward to the redevelopment of this site with a project that will bring jobs, tax revenue, and a quality retail operator who cares about our community.” The sale of the property was complete on Dec. 15. Construction is targeted to begin in the spring. The new store will include a Pride gas station and convenience store and will feature a variety of convenient food items, Pride Café Bakery, local produce, and fresh healthy food offerings. In addition, incubator space will be provided to a local food entrepreneur. “We are excited to bring Pride Markets to this important area of the State Street corridor,” said Bob Bolduc, owner of Pride Stores. “Not only will the store have the amenities our customers traditionally expect, but it will also have fresh local produce available through an innovative collaboration led by local food advocate Liz O’Gilvie, who will coordinate a farmer’s market on the site.”

MassDOT: $1B Invested in Infrastructure in 2017
BOSTON — The Mass. Department of Transportation announced that approximately $1 billion was invested in improving and upgrading roads, bridges, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and intersections across the state in calendar year 2017. This $1 billion in capital investments included repairs and improvements to 386 bridges in 123 communities and improved road conditions in more than 155 cities and towns across Massachusetts. An additional $30 million was programmed through the Complete Streets and Municipal Small Bridge programs in order to support local transportation planning and community bridges not eligible for federal aid. “The Baker-Polito Administration has focused on improving the reliability and resiliency of our transportation infrastructure to ensure that people throughout the Commonwealth are able to drive, walk, bike, or use public transit and reach the places they need to go,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “By investing in our roads, bridges, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and intersections, we can provide better options to travelers and allow them to utilize their preferred mode of transportation to reach their jobs, homes, businesses, and places that improve their quality of life.” Among the notable construction project highlights from 2017 are reaching the full beneficial use milestone for the $148 million I-91 viaduct rehabilitation project in Springfield approximately eight months ahead of schedule. The majority of the work has now been completed, and the lanes and ramps on I-91 have reopened.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

AIC Offers Puerto Rico Relief Scholarship
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced the opportunity for college students in Puerto Rico to continue their education at AIC at a greatly reduced cost. Through the Puerto Rico Relief Scholarship, the college anticipates that this temporary program will allow students to continue their studies while Puerto Rico rebuilds its infrastructure following the impact of Hurricane Maria. Students who have been displaced from Puerto Rico are invited to apply to AIC to continue their education for the spring 2018 or fall 2018 semester. Students will be offered a flat tuition rate of $10,000 per year. Individuals in this program will be able to apply for additional federal financial aid, which can assist in covering their remaining balance. The college will guide prospective students through the application and financial-aid process. “American International College was founded in 1885 to educate newcomers to the United States and prepare their children for citizenship and success,” said President Vince Maniaci. “Today, AIC boasts an extremely diverse and vibrant student body with a vision of access and opportunity for all. We are proud to take an active role in the Springfield community, including close ties to our Puerto Rican neighbors. With these things in mind, all of us — faculty, staff, and students alike — are aware of the devastation in Puerto Rico and want to provide assistance.” While some educational and residency restrictions may apply, students interested in learning more are invited to call the AIC admissions office at (413) 205-3700 or e-mail [email protected].

Family Business Center Welcomes PeoplesBank as Strategic Partner
AMHERST — The Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley is a learning organization of more than 60 member companies, providing opportunities for improvement since 1994. An important resource it provides is the wisdom and experience of expert advisors, who are the center’s strategic partners. Beginning in January, the center welcomes PeoplesBank onto its team of experts, joining Meyers Brothers Kalicka, Bacon Wilson, Giombetti Associates, Epstein Financial Services, Charter Oak Financial, the Axia Group, Johnson & Hill Staffing, and BusinessWest magazine. “PeoplesBank is very happy to be a supporter of the great work of the Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley,” said Matthew Bannister, PeoplesBank’s first vice president of Marketing & Innovation. “Family businesses are the lifeblood of our community and our regional economy, and we recognize how valuable the services provided by the center are.”

Baystate Wing Hospital Awards Grants to Local Agencies
PALMER — Baystate Wing Hospital announced an investment of $43,226 in grants to benefit local social service, health, and educational programs to area community-based nonprofit organizations. “These grant investments represent Baystate Wing Hospital’s commitment to support and work with our community partners to focus on public-health-related programs and initiatives that reduce health disparities, promote community wellness, and improve access to care in our region,” said Michael Moran, president and chief administrative officer for Baystate Health’s Eastern Region, which includes Baystate Mary Lane and Baystate Wing Hospital. Programs supported by the hospital’s grant investments include:
• Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp., $30,000 to support the Quaboag Connector, addressing the serious lack of transportation to employment, education, healthcare, workforce training, shopping, and benefit services within and outside the region;
• The Ware High School Fire Science Program led by Ware Fire Department Deputy Chief Edward Wloch, $7,034 toward the goal of improving Emergency Medical Service (EMS) care in the region; and
• Ware River Valley Domestic Violence Task Force, $6,192 to continue improved screening and response to those facing domestic and sexual violence in the Baystate Health Eastern Region.
“Our physicians, nurses, and staff all strive to improve the health of the people we serve through exceptional care and innovative health initiatives,” said Moran. “The Baystate Wing Corporation is proud to partner with area agencies to help us do this important work together to improve the health and well-being of our community.”

PeoplesBank Receives Green-business Award
HOLYOKE — The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of Massachusetts named PeoplesBank the 2017 Massachusetts Sustainable Business of the Year for mid-sized business in Western Mass. The bank has been a long-time leader in environmental sustainability, having built three LEED-certified offices and financed more than $145 million in wind, hydroelectric, and solar-energy projects. “As the largest mutual bank in the Pioneer Valley, we deliberately invest in environmental sustainability in our communities,” noted Thomas Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank. “That includes large-scale hydroelectric and solar projects, but also grassroots work with mobile farmers markets and local agriculture.” SBN was founded in 1988 as the nation’s first business trade association, with a mission of making business a vehicle for social, environmental, and economic change.

Bay Path Launches MS in Healthcare Management
LONGMEADOW — Healthcare today requires multi-dimensional leaders whose knowledge spans professional leadership, healthcare, science, and information technology. Coupled with the dynamic complexities of the healthcare system, increasing compliance regulations, technical advances, and higher costs, the demand for professionals who have expertise in both healthcare management and organizational leadership is rapidly rising. Medical and health service managers have strong career prospects, with projected employment growth of 17% from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. To respond to this growing need, Bay Path University has launched a master of science (MS) degree program in Healthcare Management, now enrolling for February 2018. “As with all of our programs, the curriculum for the MS in Healthcare Management supports the candidate in developing his or her skills in decision making, communication and presentations skills, interpersonal relations, and being an agent of change — all of which are needed for key level management positions,” said Liz Fleming, associate provost and dean, School of Education, Human and Health Sciences. “We are proud to add it to our increasing catalog of undergraduate and graduate certificates and degree programs in health-related fields that have been shown to result in immediate job placements upon completion.” Healthcare administrators come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some may have direct patient-care experience, while others may have specialized in business, administration, public health, or a specific area of healthcare, including human resources. This program is designed for individuals with or without a related undergraduate degree who hope to shape the future of healthcare. Bay Path University’s MS in Healthcare Management, led by Terry DeVito, aims to prepare graduates for leadership roles in both traditional and non-traditional settings and industries including healthcare organizations and facilities, consulting, law, insurance and government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare informatics and analytics. The program is designed to address the multi-dimensional complexities facing the 21st-century healthcare industry as it transforms into a business model while maintaining the humanistic needs of patients’ individual needs. The curriculum is structured in a manner that embeds foundational information that prepares candidates for additional credentialing opportunities for professional career advancement. DeVito’s practice as a registered nurse, hospital administrator, and educator bring firsthand knowledge regarding quality in healthcare service delivery and the qualities required in leadership roles. To learn more about this program, visit www.baypath.edu/healthcaremanagement.

O&P Labs Steps Up Again to Fulfill Christmas Wishes
SPRINGFIELD — For many years, Orthotics & Prosthetics Labs Inc. of Springfield has been a Secret Santa to the children and youth of CHD. This year, Maria Burke of O&P Labs visited CHD’s main office in Springfield and left with a handful of ‘wish tags,’ each noting a specific holiday wish, that she took from the giving tree on display in CHD’s reception lobby. Following the company’s tradition, O&P gave their staff time to shop for the gifts together during work hours, then paid for the gifts and returned them to CHD. “We are delighted to again be the Secret Santa for the kids of CHD,” said Maria Burke of O&P Labs. “Every single staff member agrees that this ‘work activity’ is their favorite. We are grateful to CHD for reaching so many in need during this season and throughout the year.” Added Kimberley Lee, vice president of Development for CHD, “all the tags were hung by reception with care, in hopes that O&P Labs soon would be there … and they were there! It’s heartwarming to have O&P Labs return year after year to help make Christmas a happy occasion for children and youth by providing a holiday gift — everything from a teddy bear to a toddler bed. It’s fitting that a company whose business is helping people year-round makes a special effort during the holidays to help those most in need.” O&P Labs provides high-quality, physician-directed orthotic- and prosthetic-related services, including custom-made braces and prosthetic limbs fabricated on site, as well as off-the-shelf braces.

Robinson Donovan, Gray House Partner on Adopt-a-Family Program
SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. ‘adopted’ three families as part of the Gray House Adopt-a-Family Christmas program. During the event, the Gray House pairs local businesses with underprivileged families to fulfill Christmas wish lists for their children. “Robinson Donovan takes pride in giving back to our community,” said Nancy Frankel Pelletier, a partner with the firm. “We’ve made a commitment to donate to a charity in the surrounding area every month, and we couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up this amazing year.” Robinson Donovan stepped up this holiday season to join forces with the Gray House to help make Christmas wish lists come true for three families, who would otherwise struggle to put gifts under the Christmas tree. In addition to the Adopt-a-Family Christmas program, the Gray House hosts a general toy drive for children in the community, and with the help of local schools and shelters, it collected toys for an additional 500 children. Throughout the past year, Robinson Donovan provided donations to the following nonprofit organizations benefiting the Pioneer Valley, many of which members of the firm regularly volunteer for, including Providence Ministries Service Network, Friends of the Homeless Inc., the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Bay Path University, Cutchins Center for Children, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Hampden County, Community Legal Aid, Dakin Humane Society, the Gray House, Homework House, the Hampden County Bar Assoc., and Springfield Museums. “Robinson Donovan participates in many philanthropic events throughout the year, and staff consistently donate their time to those in need,” said attorney James Martin. “This is another opportunity where we can give back to those less fortunate. Christmas can be a stressful time for families, and our team strives to help ease the burden.”

Berkshire Bank Awards $14,000 to Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank, in partnership with New England Sports Network (NESN), has awarded a $14,000 grant to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Berkshire Bank Exciting Assists Grant Program. Dr. Pasi Janne, program director, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, accepted the contribution from Gary Levante, Berkshire Bank’s assistant vice president of Community Engagement, during NESN’s broadcast of the Boston Bruins hockey game on Dec. 16. The Exciting Assists Grant program runs through March 31, 2018 and raises funds to support three charitable causes. Berkshire Bank’s Foundation provides $100 per hockey assist to the program. An assist is defined as a Boston Bruins player who shoots, passes, or deflects the puck toward a scoring teammate, or touches it in any other way which enables the goal. During the first portion of the season, the Bruins had 140 assists, resulting in a $14,000 grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation. The Jimmy Fund, the first nonprofit beneficiary of the Exciting Assists Grant program, supports Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. In addition to the Jimmy Fund, two other nonprofit organizations will receive funding during the remainder of the season, including Bridge Over Trouble Waters, which provides life-changing services for homeless and high-risk youth (promotion period: Dec. 16 to Feb. 9); and Boston Cares, which mobilizes and trains individual and corporate volunteers to fill more than 20,000 volunteer spots annually in support of more than 165 Greater Boston schools and nonprofit agencies (promotion period: Feb. 10 to March 31).

AIC Launches Rex’s Pantry to Assist People in Need
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) recently launched Rex’s Pantry, a food and necessities pantry housed on the AIC campus to assist community members in need. On Dec. 22, the inaugural deliveries took place, with 100 Rex to the Rescue kits going to Friends of the Homeless on Worthington Street. The kits contained an assortment of hats, socks, gloves, and foot and hand warmers. Later, AIC personnel delivered 100 Rex to the Rescue kits to the Springfield Rescue Mission, containing boxed lunches, bottled water, snacks, and non-perishable food items. “This time of year is celebratory for many, but we cannot forget those who are homeless or who struggle with food insecurity on a daily basis. While American International College reaches out to the community in many ways throughout the year, Rex’s Pantry is an opportunity for us to do more to help those in need of assistance,” said Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Jeffrey Bednarz. Later that day, AIC staff members stopped by Springfield Fire Department Station 8 and the Springfield Police Department with trays of lasagna in gratitude for first responders’ dedicated service to the college. The donations are a collaborative effort at AIC. Food was prepared by Chartwells Dining Services for Higher Education, a division of Compass – USA Foodservice. C&W Services and G4S, in charge of facilities and campus security, respectively, at the college, donated hats, socks, gloves, and warmers. The AIC Campus Bookstore provided backpacks to hold the contents of the Rex to the Rescue kits. Community members interested in donating non-perishable food items, toiletries, or other necessities to Rex’s Pantry are invited to call (413) 205-3231.

CHD Receives Planning Grant for Opioid Treatment, Recovery
SPRINGFIELD — RIZE Massachusetts, a statewide philanthropic initiative, chose the Center for Human Development (CHD) as one of six organizations throughout the state to receive $50,000 in design grants for its inaugural “Saving Lives, Improving Health: Redesigning Opioid Use Disorder Care” program. CHD was the only organization based in Western Mass. to receive funding. The goal of the grant program is to establish or expand systems of low-threshold, on-demand treatment to prevent death, support long-term recovery, and improve health and quality of life. An estimated 4% of people in Massachusetts have an opioid-use disorder, and 2,107 people died of an overdose last year. The six grant recipients will collaborate with dozens of different agencies and organizations within their communities to provide a more comprehensive system of care that will serve the most vulnerable populations throughout the Commonwealth. “It’s quite clear there is enormous potential and energy in Massachusetts to address the opioid epidemic in a thoughtful, innovative, and evidence-generating manner. This first round of design grant recipients all have proven track records of taking on tough healthcare challenges with creativity, compassion, and rigor,” said RIZE board chair Dr. David Torchiana, president and CEO of Partners HealthCare. The other five grant recipients are the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Cambridge Health Alliance, Community Healthlink in Worcester, and Lynn Community Health Center. The grantees proposed promising approaches to delivering care for people at greatest risk of opioid overdose and addiction, including the use of medication-assisted treatment. “We need a treatment model specifically focused on our rural geography and more resources to fight this crisis in Western Mass. This RIZE grant will provide a critical infusion of funds to the area,” said CHD President and CEO Jim Goodwin. RIZE Executive Director Julie Burns said the organization will evaluate the effectiveness of the design grants using shared measures and data protocols and will fund two-year implementation grants for the programs that demonstrate the greatest potential. Implementation grants will be awarded in June 2018.

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move
Charlotte Hansen

Charlotte Hansen

Charlotte Hansen joined Polish National Credit Union as senior vice president, chief financial officer. Hansen, a certified public accountant, has an extensive financial background and a broad knowledge of community banking gained in her 27 years in the financial-services industry. Her areas of experience include financial and regulatory reporting, budgeting, strategic and capital planning, interest and liquidity risk management, process improvement, credit management, and product profitability and development. Her background includes senior management, CFO, and treasurer experience and responsibilities. She chairs the Financial Institutions Interest Group of the Connecticut Society for CPAs, an organization comprised of professionals in the banking/credit-granting industry. She is also a member of the Financial Managers Society Boston Chapter and a regular attendee of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. CFO Forum.

Hansen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting from the University of Hartford and an associate degree in accounting from Manchester Community College. An active volunteer, she is treasurer and a board member of Connecticut Farmland Trust, secretary of Stafford Grange No. 1, and a member of the Stafford Family Services advisory board, and serves as treasurer of Down to Earth Community Farm in Stafford, Conn. She is also a member of the Danish Society of Massachusetts. “We are pleased to welcome Charlotte to our management team,” said James Kelly, president and CEO of Polish National Credit Union. “Her professional background, experience, and career accomplishments will be extremely beneficial for our continued success going forward.”

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Nancy Garrabrants

Nancy Garrabrants

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, which serves communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire through programs, grants, and service, announced the appointment of Nancy Garrabrants to its board of directors. Garrabrants is the former associate dean of the Center for Agriculture at UMass Amherst, where she was responsible for the Nutrition Education and 4-H Youth Development programs. She was previously director and assistant dean of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass. She is an award-winning education professional with 32 years of in-depth expertise in agriculture from the business, academic, and youth-development sectors. “With Nancy’s experience in strategic planning, youth development, and nutrition education, she will bring a fresh perspective to our already robust board, helping us to further define and meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said Eric Schultz, president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and chair of the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation board of directors. Garrabrants holds an associate degree in floriculture from the State University of New York at Cobleskill, and a bachelor’s degree in vocational education and master’s degree in plant and soil sciences, both from UMass.

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PeoplesBank announced the promotions and appointments of several key associates.

• Donna Charette was promoted to first vice president, Finance. She previously served as vice president of Finance. She has more than 28 years of banking experience, and earned a Leadership Certificate at the New England School of Banking.

• Christine Phillips was promoted to first vice president, Human Resources. She previously served as vice president, Human Resources. She has more than 15 years of human-resources experience, and earned a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst.

• Tammy Bordeaux was promoted to vice president, regional manager. She previously served as assistant vice president, regional manager. She has more than 20 years of banking experience, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University and an associate degree in business administration from Springfield Technical Community College.

• Meghan Parnell-Gregoire was promoted to vice president, Business Lending Center manager. She previously served as assistant vice president, Business Lending Center manager. She has more than 15 years of banking experience, and earned an associate degree in mathematics from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

• Catherine Snow was promoted to vice president, commercial credit officer. She previously served as assistant vice president, commercial credit analyst. She has more than 30 years of banking experience, primarily in credit-related functions, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State University.

• Paul Hillsburg was appointed assistant vice president, PeoplesWealth Advisory Group. He has more than 30 years of financial, sales, and business-development experience, and earned an associate degree in business management from Springfield Technical Community College. He holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

• Xiaolei Hua was promoted to assistant vice president, portfolio manager II. He previously served as assistant vice president, portfolio manager I. He has more than 11 years of banking experience, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

• Matthew Krokov was promoted to assistant vice president, portfolio manager II. He previously served as assistant vice president, portfolio manager I. He has more than eight years of banking experience, and earned an MBA from American International College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Westfield State University, and an associate degree in marketing from Holyoke Community College.

• Timothy Wegiel was promoted to assistant vice president, electronic banking officer. He previously served as electronic banking officer. He has more than 12 years of financial-services and banking experience, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University.

• Cherlynne Mills was promoted to Business Banking officer. She previously served as assistant vice president, Consumer & Business Banking Center manager at the St. James Avenue office in Springfield, and has more than 30 years of banking experience. She attended Holyoke Community College and Elms College and is presently pursuing a degree at UMass through its University Without Walls program.

• Jeffrey Reinke was appointed to operational risk officer. He has more than 16 years of operations and financial-services experience, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance, from Western New England University.

• Victoria Thompson was promoted to internal audit officer. She previously served as internal auditor. She has more than seven years of auditing experience, and earned a master’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, from Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

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Kimberly Santos joined the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) as membership and meetings coordinator. She joins the association with several years of managerial experience in customer-success roles and training in operations management at Bay Path University. Santos said she is excited to leverage her experience and commitment to strong customer service to support RAPV members and produce a wide roster of events for members to enjoy. She invites prospective members to reach out to her to learn more about joining the association at [email protected] or (413) 785-1328.

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Springfield Rotarian Paul Lambert received a District Governor’s Citation at the Rotary Club of Springfield’s Dec. 8 meeting. Lambert, a Rotarian since 2008, received the citation for his dedication and hard work as the Rotary liaison and Basketball Hall of Fame representative to the committee for the eighth annual Service Above Self award luncheon. The award honors those in the local community and in the world of basketball who exemplify the Rotary’s motto of ‘service above self.’ “If Rotary founder Paul Harris wanted to put together a Rotary dream team, Paul Lambert would absolutely be on it,” said Lamont Clemons, president of the Rotary Club of Springfield. “He is a hardworking, dedicated, and caring Rotarian.” Lambert is vice president, Enshrinement Services & Community Engagement at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He has been with the Hall for 15 years.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

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Chamber Corners Departments

1BERKSHIRE
www.1berkshire.com
(413) 499-1600

• Jan. 27: BYP Winter Ball, 7-11 p.m., hosted by Country Club of Pittsfield. Let’s take an evening to dress up and enjoy a ball together. It’s an inexpensive way to enjoy an elegant evening with music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, elegance, and an excuse to dress to the nines — and much more — with friends. Cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• Jan. 23: B2B Roundtable, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Polish National Credit Union, 923 Front St., Chicopee. Sponsored by CHH Engraving Inc. An opportunity to connect and increase your contacts, generate leads, and establish relationships with other businesses. Cost: free to chamber members, but limited to one representative per business industry. Call Sarah Williams at (413) 594-2101, ext. 103, for more information or to sign up.

• Jan. 31: ChamberMaster Training, 9-11 a.m., hosted by Hampton Inn Chicopee, 600 Memorial Dr. This is a brief presentation on how to use ChamberMaster for chamber members. This is a great tool for all chamber members for some free advertising. Cost: free to chamber members. Sign up online at chicopeechamber.org/events.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Jan. 18: Celebrate Success Event, 5-8 p.m., hosted by Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. The evening will celebrate the successes of 2017, share what has been learned along the way, and examine where the chamber is headed in 2018. The event will honor winners of the Business, Business Person, and Innovative Entrepreneur of 2017. In addition, we will reveal winners of the President’s Award and the Ambassador of the Year. We will also celebrate member milestones. For more information, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org, or call the chamber office at (413) 527-9414.

• Feb. 8: Networking by Night, 5-7 p.m., hosted by the Boylston Rooms, 122 Pleasant St., Suite #112, Easthampton. Sponsored by Tanya Costigan Events. This is a great networking opportunity and an opportunity to tour the new Boylston Rooms.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holyokechamber.com
(413) 534-3376

• Jan. 10: The Chamber Coffee Buzz Morning Networking, 7:30-9 a.m. Check the chamber website for location. The Coffee Buzz is a great way to jump-start your day with an opportunity to meet business and community leaders while enjoying coffee and a light breakfast. Coffee sponsored by Spradley Deluxe Coffee. Cost: free to the business community. Sign up online at holyokechamber.com or call (413) 534-3376.

• Jan. 17: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted and Sponsored by Applebee’s, 225 Whiting Farms Road (at intersection of Holyoke Mall). Join us for a casual networking experience. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drink specials. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Sign up online at holyokechamber.com.

• Jan. 24: Candidate & Elected Officials Reception, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Gary Rome Hyundai, 150 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by bankESB, Dowd Insurance, the Republican, Marcotte Ford, Comcast Business, Holyoke Medical Center, and Ferriter Law. An enjoyable evening where local and state legislators, administrators, and dignitaries are celebrated. Mingle with this year’s candidates and elected officials in a casual setting. Ticket price includes appetizers, food stations, and drinks. Cost: $40. Sign up online at holyokechamber.com.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• Jan. 10: January Arrive @5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West St., Amherst. Sponsored by PeoplesBank. A networking event. Cost: $10 for members.

• Feb. 7: February Arrive @5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Christopher Heights, 50 Village Hill Road, Northampton. A networking event. Cost: $10 for members.

• March 7: March Arrive @5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by 50/50 Fitness, 251 Russell St., Hadley. Sponsored by Applied Mortgage, a division of Merrimack Mortgage Co. A networking event. Cost: $10 for members.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• Jan. 8: January Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Western Massachusetts Hospital, 91 East Mountain Road, Westfield. Join us for our monthly Mayor’s Coffee Hour with Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan. This event is free and open to the public. Call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618 to register for this event so we may give our host a head count.

• Jan. 10: January After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Armbrook Village, 551 North Road, Westfield. Refreshments will be served. A 50/50 raffle will benefit the chamber scholarship fund. Bring your business cards and make connections. Cost: free for chamber members, $10 for potential members (cash or credit paid at the door). Online registration will be available at www.westfieldbiz.org. For more information, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

SOUTH HADLEY and GRANBY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.shgchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

• Jan. 23: Annual Meeting, 5:30-8:30 p.m., hosted by Willits-Hallowell Center, Mount Holyoke College, 26 Park St., South Hadley. An opportunity for chamber members to socialize with old friends in the business community and make new ones. A cocktail hour will be followed by dinner. The brief meeting will introduce the board of directors, describe the chamber’s various committees and their functions, and open discussion of 2018 calendar/plans/suggestions for the coming year.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER
www.springfieldregionalchamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• Jan. 10: Professional Women’s Chamber Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Carriage House, Storrowton Tavern, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Featuring author Dr. Valerie Young on “The Imposter Syndrome.” Sponsored by the Eastern States Exposition. Cost: $35 for members, $40 general admission, $25 for students. To make a reservation, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

• Jan. 11: Lunch ‘n’ Learn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by the Colony Club, 1500 Main St., Springfield. Panel discussion, “Workplace Sexual Harassment in the Wake of the Harvey Weinstein Scandal: What Employers Need to Know to Protect Themselves,” presented by Skoler, Abbott & Presser. Cost: $30 for members ($35 at the door), $40 general admission ($45 at the door). To make a reservation, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

• Jan. 23: C-Suite Conversations & Cocktails, 5-7 p.m., hosted by CityStage, One Columbus Center, Springfield. Members-only event. Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. To make a reservation, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880

• Jan. 18: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, West Springfield. Only members or guests of members may attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately that day. We cannot invoice you for these events. Register online at [email protected].

• Feb. 13: Lunch & Tour at the Bistro LPVEC – West Springfield, noon to 1:30 p.m. Join fellow members and non-members for a networking lunch at the Bistro at Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, followed by an informative discussion on the value of gaining skills in the trades industry and how we can promote to fill local jobs. Sponsorships are available for this event. Register online at [email protected].

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
springfieldyps.com

• Jan. 18: January Third Thursday, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Springfield Country Club, 375 Elm St., West Springfield.

Agenda

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Agenda Departments

Women’s Fund Mentor Match
Jan. 13: January is National Mentoring Month, and the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) announced its second annual Mentor Match, a networking event that aims to engage emerging leaders with seasoned professionals. The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the UMass Center at Springfield, and is open to the public. Featuring Bay Path University Professor Janine Fondon, WFWM board and committee members, participants and alumni of the Women’s Fund’s Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI), and community members, the Mentor Match is designed to connect members of the Women’s Fund family as mentors and mentees to share resources, experiences, and work together in order to achieve professional and personal goals. All members of the Women’s Fund community are invited to attend. RSVP by Jan. 10 by visiting www.mywomensfund.org/event/mentor-match.

Pet CPR, First Aid Course
Jan. 14, 21: Many people remember learning CPR and basic first aid in health class, but have you thought about taking a course which covers this topic as it relates to your pet? Jim Helems of Pet Tech has made it easier for pet owners to understand first aid with his PetSaver Training class. He travels throughout the Pioneer Valley offering this training, and next month he will offer this course at the Good Dog Spot. Pet Tech’s trainings have helped save the lives of thousands of pets. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the one-day course. The cost is $120 and will take place at the Chicopee location (35 C Chicopee St.) on Sunday, Jan. 14 and at the Northampton location (139 King St.) on Sunday, Jan. 21. Interested participants can register by visiting www.gooddogspot.net.

Caregiver Options Workshop
Jan. 17: Linda Manor Assisted Living in Leeds will host a seminar on caring for an aging relative or spouse, featuring expert advice from Sheryl Fappiano, a professional geriatric care manager. The session is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., and will include dinner. To RSVP, call Linda Manor Assisted Living at (413) 588-3301. Fappiano is a licensed social worker specializing in gerontology. She has worked for more than 35 years in a variety of settings all relating to geriatrics. Her team’s specialty is to help seniors age in place, with dignity and peace of mind for the elder and their family. She is affiliated with Elder Care Access, LLC in Florence and owns Golden Moments Adult Day Health Spa in Florence.

Equal Pay Act Roundtable
Jan. 18: The Massachusetts Equal Pay Act has been amended, and new provisions will begin on July 1. Attorney Timothy Netkovick will discuss the new provisions, its impact on employers, and discuss how employers can take advantage of the safe-harbor provisions from 8 to 9 a.m. at Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. The amendments present several substantive changes to multiple definitions in the Equal Pay Act, such as employer defenses, comparable work, statute of limitations, and salary-history inquiries. The new provisions provide employers with safe-harbor provisions if the employer takes affirmative steps within the previous three years and prior to the filing of a lawsuit. The cost is $30 per person. Checks may be made payable to Royal, P.C. and mailed to 270 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA 01060. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. Contact Heather Loges at [email protected] to register, or if you have any questions about this workshop.

40 Under Forty Nomination Deadline
Feb. 16: BusinessWest magazine will accept nominations for the 40 Under Forty Class of 2017 through the end of the work day (5 p.m.) on Friday, Feb 16. The annual program, now in its 12th year, recognizes rising stars within the Western Mass. community, which includes Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. This year’s group of 40 will be profiled in the magazine’s April 30 edition, then toasted at the June 21 gala at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke (see below). The nomination form, which can be found HERE, requests basic information and can be supported with other material, such as a résumé, testimonials, and even press clippings highlighting an individual’s achievements in their profession or service to their community.

Difference Makers
March 22: The 10th annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The winners will be announced and profiled in the Jan. 22 issue. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. Tickets to the event cost $75 per person, with tables of 10 available. To order, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100 or visit HERE. Sponsors to date include Sunshine Village and Royal, P.C. Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

40 Under Forty Gala
June 21: BusinessWest’s 12th annual 40 Under Forty Gala is a celebration of 40 young business and civic leaders in Western Mass. The lavish cocktail party, to be held starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, will feature butlered hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and entertainment — and, of course, the presentation of the class of 2017. Also, the third Continued Excellence Award honoree will be announced. Tickets will go on sale soon at $75 per person (tables of 10 available), and the event tends to sell out quickly. For more information, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected].

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments

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

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT
LKQ Corp. v. E & T Auto Body Inc.
Allegation: Money owed for goods sold and delivered: $3,647.50
Filed: 11/20/17

Angel N. Quintana v. Karaaslan Realty, LLC and Pizza Works
Allegation: Negligence, slip and fall causing injury: $6,688.04
Filed: 12/7/17

McCormick-Allum Co. Inc. v. Atlantic Furniture Inc.
Allegation: Money owed for HVAC and gas repair work: $14,891.69
Filed: 12/11/17

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
John Maloni v. James Garini
Allegation: Breach of contract: $25,000+
Filed: 12/1/17

Raymond Tirrell v. Eastern States Exposition
Allegation: Wage and hour violations, misclassification of employee as part-time and withholding of overtime pay: $100,000
Filed: 12/6/17

Specialty Bolt & Screw Inc. v. Stored Solar J&WE, LLC
Allegation: Money owed for goods sold and delivered: $28,695.06
Filed: 12/6/17

Ellen Zordani v. Centro Enfield, LLC and Global Management Solutions Inc.
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $20,000+
Filed: 12/11/17

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT
Split Excavating Inc. v. Wildwood Court Management Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay for plowing services: $11,525
Filed: 12/6/17

Melissa O’Neill v. Full Tilt Auto Body Inc.
Allegation: Unfair and deceptive business practices, conversion of automobile: $15,000
Filed: 12/13/17

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Donald Kendall v. Home Depot USA Inc. and Electric Eel Manufacturing Co.
Allegation: Product liability, negligence causing injury while using electric-powered plumbing snake: $50,000
Filed: 11/27/17

Richard P. Halgin v. William J. Botempi, DMD, MD and Berkshire Facial Surgery Inc.
Allegation: Dental malpractice
Filed: 12/7/17

Picture This

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Departments Picture This

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

Shoot to Win

mercedes_9333mercedes-9217Nathan Vila became a Mercedes owner and overnight sensation with his dramatic shot in the Springfield Thunderbirds’ Shoot to Win contest just before Christmas. He ventured to Chicopee and the Mercedes-Benz of Springfield dealership on Dec. 28 to pick up the keys from owners Peter and Michelle Wirth, and it was quite the media event. Vila, who will ship out soon for Army basic training in Georgia (his mother will drive the car for the time being), is seen (at top) with, from left, Paul Picknelly, one of the Thunderbirds’ owners; Nathan Costa, the team’s president; and the Wirths.

Retirement and Elder-care Planning Seminar Slated for Feb. 3

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — A retirement and elder-care planning seminar will take place on Saturday, Feb. 3. Presenters include David Fedor, certified financial planner, practitioner, and chartered retirement planning counselor from Commonwealth Financial Network; Sharon Connor from Choices Elder Support; Mary-Anne Schelb from JGS Lifecare; Jennifer Kinsman from Acti-Kare; and Lisa Beauvais, estate-planning attorney.

This event will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Church in the Acres, 1383 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. Although this event is free and open to the public, seating is limited, so call (413) 726-9044 to RSVP. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Feb. 10.

AIC to Host 78th Annual Model Congress

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The 78th annual Model Congress at American International College (AIC) will convene on Thursday, Jan. 11. Founded in 1940, AIC’s Model Congress is the longest-running continuous congress of its type in the nation, and one of the college’s oldest campus traditions.

Each year, AIC’s Model Congress brings high schools from throughout New England to campus to write, debate, and pass legislation in a simulated congress. The program is completely student-run from program development, coordination, and hospitality to the organization and facilitation of the legislative sessions. With strong support of faculty and staff, AIC student leaders have kept the program thriving and secured its place as an educational opportunity for high-school students throughout the Northeast for more than seven decades.

The AIC Model Congress is also one of the Commonwealth’s long-standing academic traditions during its rich history. Committee sessions will be held throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12 and 13. The keynote speaker, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, will address students on Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. in the Karen Sprague Cultural Arts Center/Griswold Theatre located on the AIC campus.

A Holyoke native, Morse was elected the youngest mayor of Holyoke in November 2011 at age 22. Now 28, he is currently serving his fourth term as mayor, having been re-elected in November.

Morse graduated from Holyoke High School, where he developed his strengths as a leader and devoted his energy to public service. He served as president of the citywide youth commission; founded the high school’s first-ever Gay Straight Alliance; helped with the formation of the annual Pride Prom for gay, bisexual, and transgendered students in the region, and was the student representative on the school committee. Morse attended Brown University, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. While at Brown, he pursued urban studies and interned for David Cicilline, then the mayor of Providence, R.I., who currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The AIC Model Congress awards scholarship opportunities to its top delegates. This year’s top delegate will receive the Kathryn Mauke Scholarship, a full four-year tuition scholarship to American International College. Second- and third-place delegates will receive half and quarter four-year scholarships to AIC. All delegates will receive a $1,000 scholarship should they chose to attend the college in the future. In addition, Best Bill, Outstanding Delegation, and School Spirit awards are given to the schools that submit the most outstanding legislation and demonstrate the highest level of participation, enthusiasm, and team spirit.

The 2018 Model Congress has 10 participating schools, including Agawam High School, Chatham Central High School, East Longmeadow High School, East Windsor High School, Minnechaug Regional High School, Pope Francis High School, Poultney High School, SABIS International Charter School, Southwick Regional School, and Wilbraham and Monson Academy.

CSW Inc. Names New CEO, President, and Technical Director

By
Daily News

LUDLOW — Packaging prepress provider CSW Inc. announced a strategic re-shaping of company leadership.

Longtime company President Laura Wright has transitioned to a new role as CEO. “My grandfather founded CSW in 1937, and I’m proud to continue moving us forward,” she said. “Although I will continue to actively manage all aspects of the company, I decided to share the day-to-day decision making with someone I trust. This lets me address long-term strategies for company growth.”

That trusted advisor is new company President Scott Ellison, formerly CSW’s vice president of Sales. Ellison brings more than 15 years of executive leadership experience, including five years in the packaging industry, to CSW. He will manage sales, marketing, customer service, operations, IT, and R&D. According to Wright, “Scott comes to us with new ideas developed from both inside and outside our industry, and has already identified and pursued new growth opportunities for CSW.”

Rounding out the organizational shift is former director of Graphics Marek Skrzynski’s new position as technical director. CSW has a long-standing reputation for producing creative solutions to package printing challenges, Wright said. Ellison noted that “Marek has been instrumental to the development of innovations such as WhiteFX ink transfer, X-Color EG separations, and 3D visualization services. This new role allows him to focus on expanding new initiatives such as Web2Plate, an automated prepress workflow for narrow to wide web flexo printers.”

Added Wright, “CSW has thrived for over 80 years, thanks to our ability to creatively adapt to our client’s changing needs. These changes are realigning us once again so we can continue to succeed for another 80 — or longer.”

Springfield College Basketball Team Welcomes Elementary Students

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College Athletics and the Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement will host more 300 students representing three Springfield elementary schools during the Pride’s men’s basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 10, starting at noon at Blake Arena. Students from Lincoln Elementary School, Elias Brookings Elementary School, and William N. DeBerry Elementary School will have an opportunity to learn while watching a collegiate basketball game.

As part of the event, Springfield College will provide transportation for the youngsters to attend the game, the college will provide lunch for the kids starting at 11 a.m., and the students will be treated to a popcorn snack at halftime of the game. There will also be a math activity and interactive promotions during halftime of the contest.

“We are excited to open the Blake Arena doors to the Springfield community and its youth for a day of basketball in the ‘classroom’ in which the sport was created,” said Springfield College Director of Athletics Craig Poisson. “We are looking forward to an enthusiastic environment for Wednesday’s game and are happy to facilitate the positive experiences of these elementary students.”

The Springfield College men’s basketball team recently captured the 2017 Hampton Inn West Springfield/Naismith Classic at Springfield College. The highlight of the tournament was the Pride defeating previously unbeaten and 12th-ranked Wesleyan University, 72-67, in the championship game.

Led by head coach Charlie Brock, the Pride has defeated a nationally ranked team six straight seasons, a stretch that has included eight wins over teams ranked in the top 15. Brock recently earned his 529th career victory and the 300th win on the sidelines at Springfield College. He became just the second coach in the history of the program to reach the 300-win milestone while on Alden Street.

The Division of Inclusion and Community Engagement aims to promote and maintain a campus culture of inclusive excellence while simultaneously providing the community with a central point of contact for those wishing to explore ways they can connect with and support the college’s outreach efforts. The division provides students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to work, live, and play across lines of identity and difference.

Inclusive Sports Sampler Offered to Young Adults with an IDD

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — For parents of young adults who have an IDD (intellectual or developmental disability), there is one challenge shared by all: identifying inclusive and accessible recreational experiences in their local community that offer opportunities for peer connections and fun, at low cost.

Best Buddies, CHD Disability Resources, and Extra Innings understand this challenge firsthand and have combined resources to offer a solution. These organizations are teaming up to present the Young Adult Sports Sampler. This event gives members of the community who have an IDD, ages 14-22, an opportunity to sample several activities at once, in one location.

The Young Adult Sampler takes place on Saturday, Feb. 17 (snow date: March 3) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Extra Innings, 340 McKinstry Ave., #250, Chicopee. A wide range of accessible and inclusive activities will be offered, including dance and movement, martial arts, intro to sled hockey, Wiffle ball, baseball simulator, and intro to adaptive bikes.

“It can be challenging to find sports and activities that are inclusive, accessible, and fun,” said Sarah Akenhead-York, Best Buddies program manager in Western Mass. “But every activity at the Young Adult Sampler combines all three. This is a great opportunity for young adults and their families to see and experience several activities in a short time. Participants can drop in or out of whatever activities interest them, and since it’s only two hours midday on a Saturday, it won’t eat up all your time.”

There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is appreciated. Contact Jessica Levine at [email protected] by Saturday, Feb. 10.

Barron & Jacobs Offers Tips for a Successful Construction Project

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Planning and scheduling are crucial for any project, from a small-scale remodel to a complex addition build. No matter the scope, it is important to know what needs to be done, when it needs to happen, and how to accomplish the process. Barron & Jacobs, a Northampton-based design/build/remodeling firm, offers the following considerations to ensure a successful construction project.

• Failing to plan is planning to fail. Chris Jacobs, president of Barron & Jacobs, recommends that a certified licensed contractor be consulted at the onset of the project. In addition to understanding and possessing the skills to execute the build, a professional’s keen design eye can lend itself to the overall concept.

“Homeowners may underestimate the number of steps involved in a build and the amount of time needed to complete the project,” he added. “Many variables exist; for example, permitting can take a day, months, or more, and should be factored in to planning.”

• Great remodeling happens by design. While it is the home or business owner’s responsibility to communicate the objectives of a particular project, it is the responsibility of the designer to prioritize requirements to bring the design to life. This is the stage of the project where the scope will be determined. The use of 3-D CAD and rendering technology can allow the finished project to be viewed even before construction has started.

“One of the benefits of working with Barron & Jacobs are the real-looking renderings we offer as part of our services,” Jacobs said. “Having the benefit of considering the design, particularly over the fall and winter months when many welcome in visitors, will give the homeowners a chance to consider if the design, as laid out, meets their needs. That way, when the project begins in the spring, it does so with everyone’s full confidence.”

• Check references. In addition to calling references, it might behoove a homeowner to visit projects completed by the prospective contractor. If enough time is built in to a project, the fall and winter months lend themselves to car rides to investigate a team’s design aesthetic on completed projects.

As they say, perfection takes time. It is unrealistic to expect an addition to be completed in time for a summer family reunion if the project begins a few weeks prior, in the spring. While there are variables to consider when factoring in the length of a project, there are some estimations that can be offered: attic conversions can take four to eight weeks, kitchen remodels 12 to 16 weeks, and decks one to three weeks.

“If you are considering a home remodel, it is best to approach a professional at least four months prior to your desired completion date,” Jacobs said. “Aside from initiating the process, our team at Barron & Jacobs can ensure a smooth process from concept to completion.”

Berkshire Hills Announces Employee and Community Investments

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc., the parent of Berkshire Bank, announced additional investments in its employees and communities following the recent passage of federal tax reform legislation. These investments include:

• Raising Berkshire’s minimum wage to $15 per hour;

• Providing a one-time bonus of $1,000 to more than 1,000 employees. This grant benefits all full-time employees below a certain compensation threshold, covering more than 70% of the bank’s workforce, and augments the $500 holiday bonus these colleagues received in the fourth quarter;

• Enhancing Berkshire’s investment in employee development and training programs to benefit employees and bolster the bank’s current offering at AMEBU – American’s Most Exciting Bank University; and

• Contributing $2 million to the Berkshire Bank Foundation, which supports charitable organizations, scholarships, and volunteerism across Berkshire’s local communities. This will bolster the foundation’s endowment and allow for increased local giving. Last year, it provided over $2 million to our local communities, complementing the employee volunteer program, which helps employees contribute more than 40,000 hours of volunteer service each year.

“Berkshire’s unique culture is built on the recognition that our employees are our most important asset,” CEO Mike Daly said. “As an organization, we believe that taking care of our employees leads to more satisfied customers, healthier communities, and higher returns to shareholders. We’re pleased to have the opportunity to further reward the team for their hard work and dedication to our customers, while also investing in their long-term professional development and furthering our overall commitment to the communities we serve.”

Hazen Paper Co. Honored with International Award for Holography

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Hazen Paper Co. was recognized with an Excellence in Holography Award from the International Hologram Manufacturers Assoc. (IHMA) at its annual conference in Barcelona, Spain. The annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in pioneering innovative holographic products or techniques, as well as the best use of holography in commercial applications. Singled out from a record number of entries, Hazen was awarded Best Applied Decorative Packaging Product for its own promotional 2017 calendar and supporting brochure.

The six-panel brochure and related poster/calendar each highlight different capabilities and product characteristics, though they both feature a dramatic image of a woman dressed in a gown of gold satin, who appears radiant and three-dimensional, thanks to custom Hazen Holography. According to the IHMA, the two are “a beautiful display of holographic art with many technical features.”

The brochure, which showcases more than 50 holograms to inspire design and packaging innovators, was constructed of holographic film laminated to both sides of a paperboard cover stock. The film acts as a hinge at the folds and seals the stock, resulting in enhanced lay-flat properties and durability. Holography on the front is registered to print as well as to the holography on the back, without re-combine lines.

The poster/calendar demonstrates Hazen’s large-format holographic capability and compatibility with green objectives, digitally printed on transfer-metallized Hazen Envirofoil, an environmentally friendly product that uses less than 1% of the aluminum of traditional foil laminate, none of the film, and is recyclable as paper. Film-free Envirofoil’s ultra-thin metallized layer also delivers exceptional lay-flat results on this oversized piece.

The IHMA, a nonprofit organization registered in the United Kingdom, promotes the cooperation of over 100 of the world’s foremost holographic companies to maintain the highest professional, security, and quality standards in support of its customers. IHMA members, who are scrupulously vetted, adhere to a “strict code of practice governing standards, business ethics, customer service, respect for and protection of customers’ and each others’ intellectual property.” In 2016, the IHMA presented Hazen President John Hazen with the Brian Monaghan Award for Business Innovation. Hazen Paper has been a member of the IHMA since 2005.

Inspired Marketing Makes a Splash!

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Custom Content Sales and Marketing Sections

Diving into the deep end once again.

inspired-marketing

(Left to right) back row: Lauren Mendoza, Kristin Carlson, Noelle Myers, and Lynn Kennedy; front row: Nikia Davis, Amanda Myers, Jill Monson-Bishop, and Crystal Childs
Photo by: Seth Kaye Photography

A new year is marked by many traditions: the ball drops, ‘Auld Lang Syne’ chimes, people kissing; but for local marketing agency, Inspired Marketing, 2018 started with the biggest ‘Splash’ yet. Inspired Marketing is ecstatic to announce the recent acquisition of Splash Marketing & Creative.

“ I have wanted to continue to grow the team,” shares Monson-Bishop, “and doing so through acquiring a company like Splash was a natural fit. I had been watching Crystal Childs for a while; impressed with the company’s work, commitment to the community, passion for helping businesses grow, and her desire to be a marketing educator. I truly believe our like-mindedness make this a perfect match.”

The objective of this addition is to provide the region with cutting-edge, customized solutions all under one roof. The Inspired Marketing team is now eight members strong including Splash founder, Crystal Childs, and her colleague, Amanda Myers.

Crystal Childs will be Inspired Marketing’s first Creative Director. She brings a vast array of experience to the team including graphic design, creative direction, social media skills, and management. Childs began her career as a graphic designer before transitioning into the world of social media in 2009. She’s trained at organizations such as Twitter and Facebook in California along with both the New York and California Google offices. Throughout her career she has learned all the various aspects of marketing; spending ten years in automotive marketing with the mega-dealership Balise Auto Group.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the Inspired Marketing team,” Childs shared, “I am excited to continue offering my clients the outstanding customer service and creative Splash Marketing is known for; with the ability to now offer additional resources such as media buying and public relations. As Creative Director I can’t wait to work with the team to generate award-winning work on behalf of our clients.”

Area businesses will now benefit from affordable, user-friendly websites built in-house with the addition of Web Developer, Amanda Myers. Myers is a graduate of Roger Williams University where she majored in Web Development and double minored in Graphic Design and Marketing. She combines creativity and savvy technical skills to build or redesign websites for clients; improving the aesthetic, functionality and overall usability of a brand or company’s web presence. In addition to agency-life, Myers has built websites for several industries including non-profits, manufacturing, and higher education.

 

Many Years of Hard Work

It is remarkable to think how much Inspired Marketing has grown over the years. Starting as a sole proprietorship with a part-time employee and growing to an S-Corporation with a full-time team is no easy feat. All while becoming a Certified Women Owned business, adding a Connecticut office, becoming an award-winning agency and expanding services, client portfolios and geographical reach.

In addition to all of this excitement, the last six-months Inspired Marketing has promoted from within and added key new team members.

  • Lauren Mendoza was promoted to Operations Manager and oversees all the HR, finances, and traffic for the agency. Mendoza had previously worked for Inspired Marketing when it was just a team of three, but needed the opportunities afforded by a larger company. Fortunately, when the company got bigger Mendoza was in the position to come back.
  • Kristin Carlson was promoted to Intern Supervisor. Carlson has been with Inspired Marketing since graduating Fitchburg State University in 2014. Her role now includes overseeing two interns per semester from colleges all over New England. In addition, she handles media buying; digital and social media; and analytics.
  • Lynn Kennedy joined the team as an Account Executive. Kennedy has an extensive history of marketing experience including 15 years of retail marketing with Yankee Candle and Pyramid Management and a decade of global marketing knowledge as well.
  • Nikia Davis has joined Inspired Marketing as Graphic Designer. Davis had a long and outstanding career in design with BusinessWest and The Healthcare News. Her creativity and passion produces some truly unique options for clients.
  • Noelle Myers also joined Inspired Marketing as Marketing & Event Specialist. Most recently she was the Director of Marketing for The Arbors Assisted Living. Prior she was the Director of Chamber Management Services and the Vice President of the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. She brings to the team a plethora of media and C-Suite relationships, a vast knowledge of event management, and a creative flair to writing.

 

Out of Sadness Came the Spark

An entrepreneurial idea typically stems from a personal moment in one’s life; Jill Monson-Bishop, founder of Inspired Marketing, is no exception. After a long career as a deejay on radio stations such as WMAS, Rock 102, and Mix 93.1; it was 2009 and she was selling advertising and seemingly content. All of that changed on June 2nd, when her Mom passed away suddenly at only 55-years-old.

Monson-Bishop pictured at her college graduation, with her mother, Sue McCormack

Monson-Bishop pictured at her college graduation, with her mother, Sue McCormack, the company inspiration.

The next day, Monson-Bishop was walking up the stairs to the family home and encountered a blue butterfly floating along next to her. Surprised by its appearance, she felt it had deeper meaning, “It was such a powerful symbol and message, like my Mom was saying I’m still here for you. Now it’s time to follow your dreams!”

In addition to the immense shock of losing her Mom came a realization that tomorrow is promised to no one. It was a sobering idea – one she pondered for days. “If I only get 55 years on this earth, how do I want to spend my time, and what do I want to be remembered for?” Those questions lit the spark for Monson-Bishop and, inspired by her Mom’s legacy, she began mapping out this new adventure – Inspired Marketing. The butterfly was incorporated into the logo as a reminder for each of us to always follow our dreams.

 

A Butterfly Takes Flight

In December of 2009 Inspired Marketing officially launched as a sole proprietorship. Like many start-ups, Monson-Bishop also held a full-time position as the Director of Marketing for Adam Quenneville Roofing and Siding for the first year. Throughout 2010 the business basics were developed, including the company Vision & Values Statement. This process is usually difficult for new businesses, for Monson-Bishop she used her Mom’s rules:

  • Don’t lie.
  • Respect others.
  • Be a team player.
  • Live with no regrets.
  • Always do what you say you’re going to.
  • Laugh often.
  • Listen.
  • And make your bed! (They don’t make beds, but they do have great coffee!)

In 2011, Monson-Bishop took the leap into the deep end of the pool. With $1,500 from her personal bank account and a rented desk at a friend’s office, she became a full-time solopreneur. In 2014 the company was proud to relocate to its current downtown Springfield office space and become a part of the city’s renaissance.

 

Our Story Is Just Beginning

Inspired Marketing is a full-service marketing agency specializing in creative services, digital and traditional marketing, and public relations. Working over the years with some of the region’s best companies including American International College, Adam Quenneville Roofing & Siding, The Good Dog Spot, Fuel Services, Square One, Bob Pion Buick GMC, Smith & Wesson, Deep River Plastics, Bounce Springfield and Bounce NY, PayLess For Oil, and MGM Springfield. Their objective is to make your business stand out with customized solutions to increase revenue. If you are ready to stand out in a cluttered world and really make a splash give Inspired Marketing a ring at 413-303-0101 or [email protected].

inspired-marketing-logo

Facebook: GetInspiredMarketing

Instagram: InspiredMktg   

LinkedIn: Inspired Marketing 

Twitter: #InspiredMarketing

 

 

 

Columbia Gas of Massachusetts Offers Winter Safety Tips

By
Daily News

WESTBOROUGH — As winter continues to have a frigid grip on New England, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is reminding customers of important safety tips during snowy and icy conditions.

To be safe and avoid hazards, customers should:

• Keep natural-gas meters clear of snow and ice to ensure they are visible and accessible at all times for maintenance by Columbia Gas. Keeping natural-gas meters clear also ensures proper venting;

• Remove snow from the meter with hands or a broom. Never use a shovel or kick or hit the meter to break away snow or ice. If the meter is encased in ice, contact Columbia Gas for assistance at (800) 688-6160;

• Keep fresh air and exhaust vents for natural-gas appliances free of snow, ice, and debris to prevent equipment malfunction;

• Use caution when removing snow from flat rooftops, especially on commercial and industrial buildings, as there may be heating and cooling equipment and electric or fuel lines that may not be visible under the snow;

• Make sure all appliances and heating equipment are inspected and operating properly;

• Never use cook tops, ovens, or outdoor grills as a source of heat;

• Check your carbon-monoxide detectors and smoke detectors to ensure they operate properly; and

• As always, if you smell natural gas at any time, leave the area and call 911 or Columbia Gas at (800) 525-8222.

“The safety and comfort of our customers is a high priority,” said Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. “We ask, during these winter months when temperatures are well below freezing, that you check on your families and neighbors, particularly those that are elderly or need special attention.”

STCC Offers Extra Hours, Late Registration for Spring Classes

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College will be open until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday from Jan. 8 through Jan. 18 to serve prospective students planning to register for spring semester classes.

Classes begin Monday, Jan. 22. During this late registration period, prospective students may apply to a program, meet with an advisor, select and register for courses, pay their bill, and receive their schedule in one visit.

Dean of Admissions Louisa Davis-Freeman said there is still plenty of time to enroll at STCC for the spring semester, and many programs are still accepting applicants.

“To be accepted into a program, please bring your official high school transcript(s) or GED or HiSET certification with you,” she added. “In order to be considered eligible for financial aid, you must be enrolled in a degree-granting or eligible certificate program.”

New for the spring semester is STCC’s mechanical engineering technology transfer program partnership with Northeastern University, Davis-Freeman noted. “Our partnership with Northeastern allows students to earn bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering technology and advanced manufacturing systems on site at STCC. The agreement with STCC marks the first time Northeastern has partnered with a community college to offer bachelor’s degrees on site.”

In addition, STCC’s new online degrees in business and business transfer continue to be a popular option for prospective students looking to complete their associate degree completely online, she said.

The College will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15.

For more information about beginning spring semester classes on Jan. 22, call the Admissions Office at (413) 755-3333, e-mail [email protected], or apply online at stcc.edu/apply.

North Brookfield Savings Bank Promotes Jennifer Plassmann

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Daily News

NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced the recent promotion of Jennifer Plassmann to the role of branch manager at the 1051 Thorndike St. branch in Palmer.

In her new role, she will supervise and oversee all aspect of banking within the Palmer branch, including managing the teller line, scheduling, opening accounts, taking loan applications, and assisting customers with their banking needs.

“Jennifer’s promotion is very well-deserved. She has proven herself to be a very valuable asset to the community and customers of Palmer, to the staff at her branch, and to the entire team at North Brookfield Savings Bank,” said Donna Boulanger, NBSB President and CEO. “We are confident she will continue to deliver many great benefits by sharing her experience, product knowledge, excellent customer-service skills, and her dedication to the community.”

Plassmann most recently served as assistant branch manager and acting branch manager at North Brookfield Savings Bank’s Palmer location, where she excelled at being a leader for the branch staff and providing customers with exceptional care and attention, Boulanger said. In addition, she is a strong community supporter, often volunteering her time and efforts for various local community events, including but not limited to the Palmer 300th Anniversary Parade, the Palmer Historical and Cultural Center Tree and Wreath Festival, the Ware Flair Parade, the West Brookfield Asparagus Festival, and annual financial-aid nights at local high schools.

“I am so pleased to continue my banking career with North Brookfield Savings Bank and within the community of Palmer,” Plassmann said. “I know and appreciate this neighborhood and all of the wonderful people and businesses who call this home. I am very excited to develop my existing relationships, expand to make some new relationships, and to increase my community involvement.”

United Bank Welcomes Michelle Chase

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Daily News

LUDLOW — United Bank announced the hiring of Michelle Chase, a local banker with 16 years of banking and financial experience throughout Western Mass. and North Central Conn., as its new vice president/branch manager of the Ludlow branch at 528 Center St.

Chase brings extensive banking experience and financial expertise to United Bank, holding key roles throughout her career in commercial lending, consumer lending, operations, loan servicing, and retail banking.

Most recently, Chase spent more than six years with PeoplesBank, where she managed its Westfield branch and led a team that turned it into one of the bank’s top-producing banking offices. Prior to PeoplesBank, Chase was a small-business lender with the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund from 2008 to 2011 and a Loan Operations manager with New England Bank, formerly Enfield Savings Bank. Her 16-year career in banking started in 2001 as a lending specialist with Southbridge Savings Bank.

Chase earned a bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and went on to receive an MBA from Bay Path University. She also studied at the Center for Financial Training.

Her reputation in the banking industry spans beyond her professional and educational successes. In addition to winning internal company awards, Chase was selected to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2017, which recognizes young civic leaders in Western Mass. She also received the Young Professional Society’s (YPS) Excellence in Leadership Award in 2014 for excellence in leadership skills and initiative and for her mentorship of other YPS members.

STCC Offers EMT Program for Spring Semester

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College will offer an Emergency Medical Training (EMT) program during the upcoming semester, beginning Monday, Jan. 22.

The course consists of 177 hours of lectures and workshops in trauma, medical, behavioral, and environmental emergencies, including 28 hours of online instruction and an auto-extrication field trip that prepares the student to take the National Certification Examination.

The program, based on the Department of Transportation curriculum for Basic Emergency Medical Technician, is approved by the state Office of Emergency Medical Services. The EMT program gives students a strong foundation in basic life-support skills and techniques, patient assessment, and safe transportation.

The college is accepting applications. Students have the option of enrolling in day or evening classes. Visit stcc.edu/wd or call (413) 755-4225 to enroll.

Berkshire Bank Launches $52,500 Scholarship Program

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Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced it will honor 35 high-school seniors across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for their volunteer service with Berkshire Bank scholarships. The scholarships recognize students who excel academically, have a financial need, and share the bank’s commitment to community service. Additionally, students must attend a high school that is located in a county with a Berkshire Bank or Commerce Bank office. The recipients will share in $52,500 in scholarship funds.

Through the program, 35 $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to high-school seniors who will be attending a two-year or four-year college in the fall. Applications are evaluated based on the student’s record of volunteerism in the community, academic standing, and financial need. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 and a family household income under $100,000 to be eligible to apply. A team of 200 bank employee volunteers will review the applications and select this year’s recipients.

Recipients will include 15 students in Massachusetts, nine in New York, three in Connecticut, three in Vermont, three in New Jersey, and two in Pennsylvania. Students can apply online at www.berkshirebank.com/scholarships. To be considered, all applications must be submitted online by Wednesday, March 21 at 4 p.m. Additional information about this year’s program can be obtained through the bank’s website or by e-mailing the Berkshire Bank Foundation at [email protected].

Beetle Press Celebrates 20th Anniversary This Year

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Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Janice Beetle, principal of Beetle Press, a public-relations and communications firm, recently announced she will celebrate 20 years in business in 2018.

Beetle established the business in 1998 after working as a journalist for 15 years, first as a beat reporter for the Springfield Republican and then as a writer and editor at the Daily Hampshire Gazette. That training has helped her assist clients in connecting with the media via press releases.

Beetle works with a diverse range of clients from the nonprofit and private sectors. She writes for and edits print pieces such as magazines and annual reports; creates editorial calendars that include print and online media channels; and supports digital-marketing efforts for clients, writing blogs, e-newsletters, and website content. In 2013, she introduced book development to her roster of services, and has since helped launch many authors’ publications.

To mark the 20th anniversary for the business, Alison Winkler, a graphic designer native to Northampton who now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., adapted the original Beetle Press logo design by Lisa Stowe of Florence, creating an anniversary version.

For a number of years, Beetle promoted her business as a one-stop shop, offering writing, editing and graphic-design services. Today, she has returned to her roots, focusing on writing, editing and PR services. When clients need more comprehensive services, she partners with colleagues Ruth Griggs, a marketing strategist, and Maureen Scanlon, a graphic designer, in a collaborative called the Creative.

Beetle holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Westfield State College. Since 2003, she has mentored dozens of interns from Westfield State and UMass Amherst. She now employs four former interns on a freelance basis: Shelby Ashline, a graduate of UMass; Shannon Grossman and Ashley Pond, graduates of Westfield State; and David Kennedy, a current Westfield State student.

Clients of Beetle Press include Westfield State University, Glenmeadow, Florence Bank, Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, Sports Travel and Tours, and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Springfield Central Cultural District Receives $25,000 Grant

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Morgan Drewniany, executive director of the Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD), announced the receipt of a $25,000 Beveridge Family Foundation grant to help the organization create an artist database, as well as increase internal capacity.

Part of the grant from the Beveridge Foundation will be utilized to hire the UMass Arts Extension Service, a nationally renowned thought leader in the arts field, to help create a grassroots network of artists. This network will increase the economic growth of the creative-economy sector in Springfield by connecting artists to paid opportunities, as well as making it easier for local businesses, nonprofits, and individuals to find an artist of a specific discipline.

The mission of the Beveridge Family Foundation is to preserve and enhance the quality of life by embracing and perpetuating Frank Stanley Beveridge’s philanthropic vision, through grant-making incentives in support of programs in youth development, health, education, religion, art, and environment, primarily in Hampden and Hampshire counties.

The Springfield Central Cultural District encompasses an area of the metro center of Springfield, and is membership-based, involving many of the downtown arts institutions. Its mission is to create and sustain a vibrant cultural environment in Springfield.

East Village Place Again Ranks in Top 1% of Senior-care Providers

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Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Village Place has been awarded a Best of Senior Living Award for 2018 by SeniorAdvisor.com, the largest ratings and reviews site for senior care and services in North America and Canada. This represents the third consecutive year the assisted-living and memory-care community has been so ranked. Located at 50 Benton Dr. in East Longmeadow, East Village Place is operated by Watermark Retirement Communities, a company that has been helping people thrive for more than 30 years.

SeniorAdvisor.com is in its fifth year of hosting the Best of Senior Living Awards. According to the site, the named recipients represent the best of the best of in-home care, assisted living, and other senior-living services, based on the online reviews written by seniors and their families. This exclusive designation honors the top 1% of senior-care providers across the U.S. and Canada.

“We are honored to be the only community in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts to receive this prestigious award three years running. Our commitment to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive is evidenced by each positive review we receive from residents, families, associates, and guests,” said Pam Skiba, executive director. “I attribute our excellent track record to the longevity of our experienced staff. We extend a cordial invitation to those unfamiliar with our community to visit East Village Place and experience in person why our residents and their families consider us one of the best senior living communities.”

Public Invited to Kickoff Event for Dementia Friendly Longmeadow

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Daily News

LONGMEADOW — The Dementia Friendly initiative, active across the state of Massachusetts as well as the country, helps communities better understand and relate to individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. JGS Lifecare in Longmeadow, along with the Longmeadow Adult Center and Glenmeadow Retirement Community, have come together to form the Dementia Friendly (DF) Longmeadow Initiative Team to facilitate educational programs, training, and awareness for the Longmeadow community about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The goal is to make Longmeadow a dementia-friendly community. The initiative will be overseen by the Alzheimer’s Assoc.

The public is invited to attend the kickoff of a yearlong series of events on Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at JGS Lifecare, 770 Converse St., Longmeadow, in the Gloth Family Auditorium. The program will include remarks from state Sen. Eric Lesser and state Rep. Brian Ashe, as well as core team members of the DF Longmeadow Initiative team. Emily Kearns, coordinator for Dementia Friendly Massachusetts, will present about the benefits of a community becoming dementia-friendly.

“We encourage members of the community, local business owners, agency leaders, and other professionals to come and learn what the Dementia Friendly Initiative is all about, and how they can play a role in making it a reality in Longmeadow,” said Mary-Anne Schelb, director of community relations for JGS Lifecare, who spearheaded the DF Longmeadow Initiative Team. “By working together through better understanding, we will be supporting individuals living with dementia as well as their friends and families. A dementia-friendly community is informed, safe, and respectful, thus enabling people living with dementia and those who care about them to live full, engaged lives.”

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Registration is appreciated; call (413) 567-6212, ext. 3105.

Single-family Home Sales in Pioneer Valley Up Slightly in November

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales crept up 0.6% in the Pioneer Valley in November compared to the same time last year, while the median price rose 13.5% to $213,500, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.

In Franklin County, sales were down 19.1%, while the median price rose 15.8% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were up 3.6%, while the median price was up 11.4%. And in Hampshire County, sales rose 8.1% from November 2016, while the median price was up 10.0%.

Attorney John Gannon Named Partner at Skoler, Abbott & Presser

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that attorney John Gannon was named a partner in the firm on Jan. 1. Gannon, who has been with the firm since 2011, focuses his practice on employment litigation, workplace-safety laws and OSHA compliance, enforcing non-competition and confidentiality agreements, and wage-and-hour compliance. He also provides day-to-day advice to businesses with questions about workplace-related issues.

“We are thrilled that John has accepted partnership in the firm,” said attorney Marylou Fabbo, a partner at Skoler Abbott. “John has demonstrated the expertise and leadership necessary to provide our clients with the best possible legal service, whether that means taking a case to trial or helping businesses protect their rights and assets.”

Gannon is a frequent speaker on employment-related legal topics for a wide variety of associations and organizations, and was selected by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty honoree in 2016. He is a member of the Massachusetts, Hampden County, Connecticut, and American bar associations. He also sits on the board of directors for Riverside Industries, a not-for-profit human-services agency that serves people with perceived limitations and disabilities, and Educational Resources for Children, an Enfield nonprofit that provides out-of-school-time programs for children.

“I am excited to enter this next phase in my career, and am honored to be a partner in one of the leading labor and employment law firms in the country,” Gannon said. “I look forward to helping the firm further expand its expertise on behalf of our current and future clients, and I’m privileged to be a contributing member to the Pioneer Valley business community for the foreseeable future.”

TommyCar Auto Group Gives Back to Local Veterans

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group, recently presented Jack Collins, director of the Northampton Veteran Affairs Medical Center, with a check for $1,480.

All three of the TommyCar Auto stores, Northampton Volkswagen, Country Nissan, and Country Hyundai, held the same promotion throughout the entire month of November. For every car sold, each dealership would donate $10 to the Northampton Veteran Affairs Medical Center. The stores were able to raise a total of $1,480.

“Our veterans have dedicated and sacrificed their lives to protect and keep our country safe. As a business owner, it’s my obligation to give back to our veterans when our veterans give so much,” Cosenzi said.

The Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides primary, specialty, and mental-health care to 120,000 men and women. The money donated will assist in several services and healthcare programs available for veterans.

Country Bank Donates $48,000 to Local Food Pantries

By
Daily News

WARE — Community outreach has been a part of Country Bank’s mission since its inception in 1850. During this season of giving, the bank is supporting organizations whose missions are similar, helping friends and neighbors in area communities.

In addition to the bank’s annual donation of $28,000 to its local food pantries, Country Bank recently made an additional $10,000 donation to both the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Worcester County Food Bank to help those in need.

“With the spirit of the holiday season in mind, the greater need for food and shelter this time of year is critical. These donations were made on behalf of the banks’ employees, corporators, and trustees” said Paul Scully, Country Bank president and CEO.

Susan Hillis Named VP of Clinical Services at AdCare Hospital

By
Daily News

WORCESTER — Susan Hillis has been promoted from treatment director to vice president of Clinical Services at AdCare Hospital.

“Ms. Hillis has been a vital component of the clinical team at AdCare Hospital for many years,” said Patrice Muchowski, senior vice president of Clinical Services. “As vice president of Clinical Services, Ms. Hillis will be able to redesign existing treatment programming and develop new modalities to ensure that AdCare remains a leader in substance-use treatment.”

A licensed independent clinical social worker, Hillis has served as treatment director since 2006. Prior positions include director of Rehabilitation Services at AdCare Hospital and director of AdCare Outpatient Services offices in Worcester and Boston. She received the 2015 Massachusetts Assoc. of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors’ Robert Logue President’s Award for her long-standing support of membership and her dedication to substance-use treatment, recovery, and professional credentialing in Massachusetts. A former board member and chair of the Massachusetts Professional Recovery System, she currently oversees clinical practicums for students in the Addiction Counselor Education program at AdCare, and provides clinical supervision for students in MSW programs at a number of schools.

Hillis presents frequently on substance-use related topics such as “Addiction 101,” “Co-occurring Disorders,” “Motivational Interviewing,” and “Designer Drugs” to community, school, and professional organizations locally, regionally, and nationally. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Boston College and an undergraduate degree in music therapy from Anna Maria College in Paxton.

Royal, P.C. to Host Roundtable on Equal Pay Act Changes

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The Massachusetts Equal Pay Act has been amended, and new provisions will begin on July 1. Attorney Timothy Netkovick will discuss the new provisions, its impact on employers, and discuss how employers can take advantage of the safe-harbor provisions on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton.

The amendments present several substantive changes to multiple definitions in the Equal Pay Act, such as employer defenses, comparable work, statute of limitations, and salary-history inquiries. The new provisions provide employers with safe-harbor provisions if the employer takes affirmative steps within the previous three years and prior to the filing of a lawsuit.

The cost is $30 per person. Checks may be made payable to Royal, P.C. and mailed to 270 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA 01060. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. Contact Heather Loges at [email protected] to register, or if you have any questions about this workshop.

MassDOT: $1B Invested in Infrastructure in 2017

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Daily News

BOSTON — The Mass. Department of Transportation announced that approximately $1 billion was invested in improving and upgrading roads, bridges, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and intersections across the state in calendar year 2017.

This $1 billion in capital investments included repairs and improvements to 386 bridges in 123 communities and improved road conditions in more than 155 cities and towns across Massachusetts. An additional $30 million was programmed through the Complete Streets and Municipal Small Bridge programs in order to support local transportation planning and community bridges not eligible for federal aid.

“The Baker-Polito Administration has focused on improving the reliability and resiliency of our transportation infrastructure to ensure that people throughout the Commonwealth are able to drive, walk, bike, or use public transit and reach the places they need to go,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “By investing in our roads, bridges, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and intersections, we can provide better options to travelers and allow them to utilize their preferred mode of transportation to reach their jobs, homes, businesses, and places that improve their quality of life.”

Among the notable construction project highlights from 2017 include is reaching the full beneficial use milestone for the $148 million I-91 Viaduct Rehabilitation Project in Springfield approximately eight months ahead of schedule. The majority of the work has now been completed and the lanes and ramps on I-91 have reopened.

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