Departments Archives - Page 125 of 148

By BusinessWest Staff October 12, 2009

Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
(413) 787-1555
www.myonlinechamber.com

Oct. 14: ACCGS After 5 Table Top Exhibit, hosted by the MassMutual Center in Springfield, 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets: $125 for members, $175 for non-members.

Oct. 15: West of the River Legislative Breakfast, hosted by Chez Josef in Agawam, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Guest speaker is Dolores Mitchell, executive director of the Group Insurance Commission. Tickets: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Oct. 23: Super 60, hosted by Chez Josef in Agawam, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $45 for members, $65 for non-members.

Oct. 27: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, hosted by Captain Charles Leonard House, 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Oct. 28: Executive Power Networking, hosted by TD Banknorth Conference Center,7:30 to 9 a.m. Tickets: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Oct. 15: Third Thursday, hosted by Hofbrauhaus restaurant in West Springfield.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
(413) 594-2101
www.chicopeechamber.org

Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Exhibitor tables cost $90; reserve online at www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101. Admission; $5 for members, $10 non-members

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
(413) 773-5463
www.franklincc.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber Of Commerce
(413) 527-9414
www.easthamptonchamber.org

Oct. 14: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange , hosted by Nini’s Ristorante, 124 Cottage St., Easthampton, 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by Greater Easthampton Jr. Miss Program. Event will include door prizes, hors d’ouevres, and a cash bar. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
(413) 534-3376
www.holycham.com

Oct. 14: Fall Salute Breakfast, hosted by the Delaney House, Country Club Road, Holyoke, 7:45 a.m. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center. Tickets are $18. Tables reserved for parties of eight.

Oct. 21: Chamber After Hours, hosted by Holiday Inn, 245 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by Yellowbook. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
(413) 584-1900
www.explorenorthampton.com

Oct. 16: Chamber Information Session, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 12 noon to 1 p.m. Considering membership? Come to an information session.

Northampton Area Young Professionals
www.thenayp.com

Oct. 8: October’s Party with a Purpose, hosted by dani. fine photography in the Eastworks building in Easthampton.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
(413) 283-2418
www.qvcc.biz

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
(413) 532-6451
www.shchamber.com

Oct. 20: Beyond Business, hosted and sponsored by Olde Hadleigh House & Patio, 5 to 7 p.m. No guest speaker. Cost: $5 members, $10 for general public, who are welcome. RSVP at (413) 532 6451 by Oct. 16.

Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Cost: $5. To reserve a table, call (413) 532-6451.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
(413) 283-6425
www.threeriverschamber.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
(413) 568-1618
www.westfieldbiz.org

Oct. 21: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce WestNet After Hours Networking, hosted by East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield, sponsored by Sovereign Bank. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected], or register at www.westfieldbiz.org.

Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Display tables cost $90 for members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected] , or register at www.westfieldbiz.org.

By BusinessWest Staff October 12, 2009

Departments

MassMutual Honored for Benefits to Working Moms

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has been named one of the 2009 Working Mother 100 Best Companies, a recognition of its commitment to provide programs and services to help ensure the retention and advancement of working mothers. The Working Mother 100 Best Companies is a 24-year-old research initiative by Working Mother Media that has become one of the most important benchmarks for work-life practices in corporate America. Profiles of the 100 Best Companies are in the October issue of Working Mother magazine and will be available at workingmother.com. Companies were selected based on an extensive application with more than 500 questions on workforce, compensation, child care, flexibility programs, leave policies, and more. For this year’s 100 Best, particular weight was given to benefits, flexibility, and parental leave. According to Working Mother Media, MassMutual and the other companies on the list are leading the way in pioneering programs that support families, with 100% of the companies on the list offering flex time, on-site lactation areas, and telecommuting; and 98% offering job-sharing and wellness programs. Financial programs — including tuition reimbursement, retirement planning, and pre-tax flexible spending accounts for child care — available to employees of the 100 Best are on the rise, a much-needed boost for families in today’s economy, according to Working Mother Media.

Atlantic Fasteners Receives STAR Award

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Lockheed Martin-Electronic Systems formally presented the STAR Supplier Award recently to officials at Atlantic Fasteners. The award recognizes high-performing suppliers of electronic systems and Lockheed’s other three business areas. Atlantic Fasteners met the quality, delivery, and other business requirements set and evaluated by Electronic Systems for at least 12 months. Of the Lockheed division’s 4,625 vendors, only 36 received the award, placing Atlantic Fasteners in the top 1% of suppliers. Companies are re-evaluated annually to ensure they remain worthy of keeping the STAR Supplier status. Marc Dionne, military-aerospace division leader at Atlantic Fasteners, noted that the award is an honor and a great motivator for all employees in the aerospace division. Atlantic Fasteners is a worldwide, ISO 9001:2000-certified supplier of commercial and military-aerospace fasteners.

Foundation Awards $80,000

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $79,535 to a variety of initiatives designed to enrich life in communities served by the bank. Several of the awards were directed to education-related endeavors, including a $5,000 grant to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts to fund economic education and financial literacy programs for youngsters in East Longmeadow, Agawam, and Northampton; and $5,000 to the Science, Math and Reading Tutoring (SMART) program offered by the Springfield School Volunteers. Holyoke Community College received $10,000 for its ENLACE program, which promotes the increase of high-school-graduation and college-enrollment rates among Latino students in Holyoke. Also, education services provided by the Gray House Inc. in Springfield for adults living in poverty will benefit from a $7,500 grant. The Foundation awarded $2,000 to Westfield High School for the high school and middle school science fair, and $1,000 to Homework House Inc. for tutoring low-income families in Holyoke. The Foundation also supported efforts underway to improve the physical infrastructure of organizations that deliver vital services in the community. A $10,000 grant was made to American International College for capital improvements to the Schwartz Campus Center and renovation of the school’s athletic stadium and fields. Forum House, Human Resources Unlimited Inc.’s Westfield-based program for adults with mental illness, will use its $5,000 award to install new, energy-efficient windows and lighting. A $15,000 award to support renovations in the Emergency Department of Noble Hospital will be made over the course of two years.

Bay Path Ranks in Top Tier of Report

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path College earned the #31 spot among Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North in the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. This is the sixth year in a row that Bay Path has been included in the top tier. The exclusive rankings were published in the magazine’s September issue. The annual rankings represent the most comprehensive look at how schools stack up based on a set of 15 indicators, and help consumers evaluate and compare data compiled from more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools. For more information on the magazine’s rankings, visit www.usnews.com/sections/rankings..

By BusinessWest Staff October 12, 2009

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.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

New Horizon Communication v. Suffield Oxygen Supply
Allegation: Failure to pay for services rendered: $7,909.78
Filed: 8/25/09

Perry Auto Parts v. Kustom Performanz
Allegation: Non- payment of goods received: $21,898
Filed: 9/15/09

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT

FM Kusmekus Inc. v. American Defenders of Pittsfield Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay for use of services: $7,898.79
Filed: 8/27/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Cost Recovery Associates Inc. v. Catuogno Court Reporting and Sten-Tel Transcription Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $169,200
Filed: 9/01/09

Lindsay Wieland v. Baystate Medical Center
Allegation: Negligent administration of an epidural injection: $22,000
Filed: 8/28/09

Nancy Drury v. Lowe’s Home Center Inc. and High Tech Laboratories Inc.
Allegation: Product liability and negligence causing severe and disabling personal injuries: $1,200,000
Filed: 8/28/09

Peter Kantos v. Sunnyside Corporation
Allegation: Oil spill clean up costs: $41,000
Filed: 8/28/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Albert R. Santopietro v. Robert I. White, M.D. and Pioneer Valley Urology, P.C.
Allegation: Metastasis of cancer due to negligent failure to diagnose: $226,701.29
Filed: 9/2/09

Morse & Erin Bradford v. D.D.P.S.R. Inc. & David Parker
Allegation: Negligence in construction project: $200,000
Filed: 8/27/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Carol Ryan v. Northampton Ford Inc.
Allegation: Breach of Lemon Law and breach of warranty: $22,500
Filed: 9/2/09

Marmot Mountain v. Mass Outfitters Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,030.95
Filed: 9/18/09

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Howlett Lumber, LLC v. Pheasant Hills Estates, LLC and Donald Zucco
Allegation: Breach of contract and statement on account for supply of materials to defendant in construction project: $20,624.81
Filed: 9/4/09

Killingly Building Products Inc. v. Lee Margadonna Plastering and Ann Marie & Charles T. Kuss
Allegation: Non-payment of materials supplied: $5,194.72
Filed: 8/21/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Affordable Property Services, LLC v. Boston Billiards Club Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of landscaping services rendered: $3,520
Filed: 9/10/09

Andree Michelle Petigny v. J.E. Robison Service Company Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices: $9,000
Filed: 9/11/09

Gilbert & Sons Insulation Inc. v. The Auction House
Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $3,400.85
Filed: 9/11/09

United Rentals v. JVO Corporation
Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services for a construction project: $20,612.98
Filed: 9/08/09

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Capital One Bank, N.A. v. The Clip Shop
Allegation: Non-payment of goods and services charged on a credit card: $7,137.92
Filed: 7/28/09

Jennifer M. Cook Company v. A.J. Virgilio Construction Inc.
Allegation: Breach of agreement and non-payment of land clearing services rendered: $13,903.31
Filed: 8/6/09

By BusinessWest Staff October 12, 2009

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of September 2009.

AGAWAM

APEX Energy Efficiency Consultants Inc.
157 Cambridge St.
Jonathan Wollmerhauser

Norm’s Courier Business
238 River Road
Norman Gaboury

Specialized Reo Services LLC
229 Pineview Circle
Sean Walsh

The Cookieman
42 Stony Hill Road
William Faust

The Pink Elephant LLC
981 River Road
Robert G. Webb

U.S. Energy
316 Regency Park Dr.
Todd Joseph Bard

AMHERST

A Personal Touch Painting & Landscaping
10 Gatehouse Road
Shawn Rivard

Citadel Studios
161 Thatcher Way
Thomas Quinn

Persona
236 North Pleasant St.
Doreen St. John

Salon Divine
189 North Pleasant St.
Kelli Richardson

CHICOPEE

GB Cleaning Service
36 St. James Ave.
Geraldo Borges

Oquendo Driving School
527 Grattan St.
Jorge Oquendo

Source Diamonds
15 Carriage Road
Christopher Plewa

EAST LONGMEADOW

American Martial Arts Academy
15 Benton Dr.
Nathan Nadeau

Carlson Roofing Company
176 Porter Road
Robert Carlson Jr.

Impressions
43 Maple St.
Richard Remillard

Martin Roofing, LLC
85 Lee St.
Robert Martin

Pioneer Valley Painting
149 Braeburn Road
Vincent Settembre

GREENFIELD

Albee Hearing Services
489 Bernardston Road
Lisa Alber

Alotta Hoopla
30 Robbins Road
Shenandoah Sluter

C.A.B. Transportation
76 Vernon St.
Cynthia Aldrich

House of Lawrence
20 Mohawk Trail
Loreen Flockerzie

Pizza is a Grillin
18 Princeton Terrace
Lori Seymour

The Monkey Tree
250 Main St.
Carrie Timberlake

HADLEY

Barnes & Noble
335 Russell St.
Leonard Riggio

Ecuador Andino
206 Russell St.
Antolin Garay

Full of Grace Farm
105 Stockbridge Road
JoAnne Huff

HOLYOKE

Chamberlain Consulting
50 Holy Family Road
Susan Chamberlain

Hartig Associates
11 Grant St.
Carl F. Hartig

Main Street Subway
636 Main St.
Taha Kidwai

Master Heo’s Tae Kwon Do
225 South St.
Hoon Heo

Perennial Solutions
145 Brown Ave.
Eric Toensmier

Pops Café
191 High St.
Elysia Pete

LONGMEADOW

Balanced Books
435 Converse St.
Virginia McCabe

Comprehensive Consulting
144 Cooley Dr.
Joseph Zimakas

Computer Tech
153 Inverness Lane
Zeev Dragon

Homestead Realty
149 Homestead Blvd.
Tzupin Shih

Ishops
145 Kenmore Dr.
Stephanie Neveu

NORTHAMPTON

All Cordless
43 Murphy Ter.
Francis St. Germain II

Banana Watercolor
87 Water St.
Christopher Gentes

Manna Yoga & Creative Arts
58 Belmont Ave.
Malia C. Werle

Mill River Films
8 Nonotuck St.
O. Stan Freeman

Village Antiques
7 Main St.
Gordon Murphy

Zoe Designs
181 Main St.
Zoe Pappenheimer

PALMER

A+Coach
3205 Main St.
Abigail Dudda

AAAA Snow Removal
120 River St.
Mark Newhouse

ESDA, LLC
2 Wilbraham St.
Eric Sanderson

Oakridge Building & Remodeling
4 Laurel Road
Justin Kania

On 3 Photography
9 Carriage Dr.
Mary Ellyn Roche

Outpost Psychotheraphy
1622 North Main St.
Michael Ramone Devine

SOUTHWICK

Environment 1st Pest Management
174 South Loomis St.
Brian Morrissey

Jericho Builders
6 Hidden Place
Bernard Berard

Vintage Finds
691 College Highway
MaryBeth Sherbo

SPRINGFIELD

KDM Accessories
1535 Wilbraham Road
Kridtoffer Manalokon

Kinder Rides Transportation
65 Morgan St.
Deona L. Rivera

Kostin Ruffkess Themistos
1 Monarch Place
Richard Y. Kretz

Latin Mark
1655 Main St.
Rene Romero

Lids
1655 Boston Road
Robert Dennis

M & MB Express
164 Jeffrey Road
Edwin Milton McCray

Malone-Howard Cleaning Service
67 Suffolk St.
Erica Frances Howard

Metindu
225 Rosewell St.
Bryan D. St. Amand

Navarro Enterprises
1655 Boston Road
Alberto Navarro

New Faith Convenience
115 Chestnut St.
Umar F. Bhatti

NLB Appraisal Services
36 Sunapee St.
Christopher Bertelli

No. 1 Chinese Restaurant
2946 Main St.
Yong Kang Lui

Photo Technique
30 Montgomery St.
Marek Tracz

Precious Commodity Transport
480 Hancock St.
Dorothy E. Jacobs

Project 100 Youth at Home
29 Anawon St.
Desilynn Gladden

R & B Auto Service
380 Bay St.
Richard L. Ricketts

Scope Spot 2
451 State St.
Francis K. Okyere

Smoothie Delight
1535 Wilbraham Road
Kristoffer Manalokon

Stan’s and Fran’s Flooring
5 Paramount St.
Michael Burelle

Stevenson Electric
53 Wilbraham Road
Charles Stevenson

Stunin Records
1655 Main St.
Virgen Lopez

Tony’s Place
739 Liberty St.
Hector H. Diaz

Victor Figueroa Communications
145 Nassau Dr.
Victor Figueroa

Walnut Soda and More
136 Walnut St.
Maxwell Phan

Wilson’s Leather
1655 Boston Road
Stacy Kruse

WESTFIELD

Cadence Creations
53 Bristol St.
Evelyn Dean Casey

European Headlines
420 Union St.
Tatiana Lazareva

David E. Kingsley Electric
168 Root Road
David E. Kingsley

Edge Restoration
8 Sunrise Ter.
John J. Cepiel

European Fashion
264 Elm St.
Sergio Paliy

Heaven Scent Cleaning
126 City View Road
Carisa Beauregard

Here to There Photography
3 Logan Ave.
David Owen Burgess

Pauline’s
45 Meadow St.
Pauline Thomas-Wright

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Absolute Clean Sweep
164 Windsor St.
Leilah Cortis

Brothers Covers
239 Western Ave.
Kenneth LaBelle

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
955 Riverdale St.
Carrabba’s Ltd.

Distinctive Works
31 Lowell St.
Realm Mercier

Expo Liquors
1122 Memorial Ave.
Dadson Inc.

Grosso Chiropractic P.C.
615 Westfield St.
Cynthia R. Grosso

Hair By Claire
1027 Westfield St.
Claire D. Charland

Mass Veterinary Cardiology Service
148 River St.
Nancy Morris

Panera Bread
935 Riverdale St.
PR Restaurants, LLC

Photo-A-Gogo
65 Clyde Ave.
Nicholas Bissette

RG Management
425 Union St.
Robert H. Guarente

Salamon Flooring Inc.
103 Myron St.
Mitchell Salamon

TBR Auto Reconditioning
21 Sumner St.
Anthony P. Cecchetelli

Twins II Hairstyling Salon
1421 Westfield St.
Lois M. Olearcek

Unique Landscaping
10 Sheridan Ave.
Carlos E. Santiago

Venetian Bakery
90 Baldwin St.
Mark Maniscalchi

By BusinessWest Staff October 12, 2009

Departments

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

CHICOPEE

D-N-D Construction Inc., 299 Columbia St., Chicopee, MA 01020. George E. Doup, same. Construction.

HOLYOKE

Rogers Fuel Inc, 181 West Franklin St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Roger Harfoush, 288 West Franklin St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Gas mini mart.

LUDLOW

NANAMARK TEK INC, 787 East St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Grace E. Queros, same. Asbestos abatement and removal.

SOUTHAMPTON

Passion For Snacks Vending Inc., 25 Noreen Dr. Southampton, MA 01073. Teresa L. Harwood, same. Vending services.

TLC Trucking Inc., 10 Gunn Road, Southampton, MA 01073. Jonathan J. Levin, same. Providing trucking services to businesses and members of the general public.

SPRINGFIELD

1700 Main Street Inc., 1694 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Steven C. Stein, 359 Pease Road, East Longmeadow, MA. Theater-function facility-bar-restaurant.

ARGO Express Inc, 419 Taylor St., Springfield, MA 01105. Vadim Romanchenko, 14 Leyfred Terrace, Springfield, MA 01108. To engage in the business of operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, general freight and other commodities

Ava’s Construction Inc, 59 Fox Hill Road, Springfield, MA 01118. Linda Fieldhouse, same. Construction.

Blessed Travel Plus Inc., 29 Rush St., Springfield, MA 01109. Diane G Johnson, Same. Transportation services.

Capture The Moment Studios Inc., 1655 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Danny Rosa, 66 Norman St., Springfield, MA 01104. Photography services and sales.

SOUTHWICK

Campari’s Inc, 784 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077. Tracy V. Mountain, 35 Woodland Way, Russell, MA 01071. Restaurant.

WESTFIELD

Compusultts Inc, 12 Winding Ridge Lane, Westfield, MA 01085. Norman Wroblewski, Same. Database consulting, maintenance and management.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

General Contracting Solutions Inc, 61 Forris St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Thomas E. Beaulieu, 50 Labelle St., West Springfield, MA 01089. General contracting and home improvements.

Lynch Flooring Inc, 115 Frederick St.,West Springfield, MA 01089. Peter Lynch, same. Carpentry and floor installations.

OPINION

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Opinion

A Step to Manage Health Costs

Massachusetts managed care organizations lead the nation in quality of care and consumer satisfaction. So it is no surprise that the percentage of people in the Commonwealths private health insurance market who use managed care is the highest in the nation.

But 325,000 of the 750,000 Massachusetts residents receiving full benefits under the federal Medicaid program are not enrolled in managed care plans. These individuals are enrolled in a fee-for-service plan, called the Primary Care Clinician plan. Moving enrollees from the Primary Care Clinician plan into managed care plans would achieve two important outcomes: improve their care and, according to three recent studies, save the Commonwealth anywhere from $600 million to $1 billion over five years, easing the fiscal pressures of paying for health care reform.

Medicaid will cost the Commonwealth $8.6 billion this year, and the costs are increasing much faster than either economic or overall budget growth. Between 2001 and 2006, costs grew at an average of 8 percent annually. The result was that 35 cents of every new tax dollar went to pay for Medicaid. Clearly, the status quo is unsustainable.

With a deep recession making new revenue a pipe dream, Massachusetts faces a clear choice. We must either find a way to make Medicaid more efficient, or choose from among a slate of unappealing options like eliminating coverage for some, limiting services or cutting provider reimbursements.

Under the Commonwealths landmark 2006 health care reform law, almost 240,000 formerly uninsured residents have signed up for state-subsidized health insurance, either through Medicaid or the Commonwealth Care program. Finding a way to pay for that coverage makes the need to improve the efficiency of Medicaid service delivery even more urgent.

Managed care provides efficient, high-quality care by aligning financial incentives with clinical outcomes. It combines prevention and wellness services with programs to help individuals address specific conditions like obesity, diabetes, asthma and smoking that drive up health care costs. Patient outcomes are carefully tracked.

Massachusetts organizations have proven adept at combining access to quality care and cost control. Their quality outcomes are among the best in the nation as measured by prevention data, patient satisfaction and outcomes. In 2007 and 2008, Fallon Community Health Plan was rated the countrys top Medicaid health plan by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Despite high quality and the overall acceptance of managed care, Massachusetts has lower managed care penetration among Medicaid recipients than most other states do.

Eliminating the Medicaid PCC plan would yield an additional $40 million in savings over two years by foregoing the cost of infrastructure and program enhancements needed to bring the plan up to par with existing managed care programs. It suffers from limited accountability and lacks a reliable mechanism for ensuring coordination among various providers. It also would appear to support the efforts of the Commonwealths Payment Reform Commission to move away from fee-for-service reimbursement arrangements.

Savings wouldnt come at the cost of patient care, as the Commonwealths Medicaid Managed Care providers consistently outperform the fee for service plan on many quality of care measures.

Massachusetts goal of universal coverage requires that we maximize the efficiency of services offered under Medicaid. Dismantling the Commonwealths fee-for-service Primary Care Clinician plan and moving all recipients of full Medicaid benefits to a managed care model would do just that. Even more importantly, it would improve the quality of care for some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Eric Schultz is president and chief executive officer of Fallon Community Health Plan. Jim Stergios is executive director of Pioneer Institute.

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

Ten Points About : The Newly Amended Identity Theft Regulations

By AMY B. ROYAL, Esq.

1. On August 17, the state Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations announced a new round of revisions to the identity theft regulations that are intended to be less onerous on smaller businesses and more consistent with federal law.

2. The regulation’s new effective date is March 1, 2010. This is the third time that these regulations have been extended.

3. The most dramatic change to the newest proposed set of regulations is the adoption of a “risk-based” approach to information security.

4. With the new risk-based approach, size matters. Under this new approach, businesses are permitted to take into account their particular size, scope, amount of resources, nature and quantity of data collected or stored and the need for security when creating and implementing their information-security program.

5. The changes in the regulations are especially important to small businesses that do not handle and store large amounts of personal information.

6. The regulations soften the requirements for businesses that only store personal employee information as opposed to those businesses that also store personal customer information.

7. The regulations clarify that they apply to “those engaged in commerce,” meaning those who collect and retain personal information in connection with the provision of goods and services or for the purpose of employment.

8. The computer security requirements of the new regulations apply to a business if they are technically feasible. This means that if there is a reasonable means through technology to accomplish the required result, then those reasonable means must be used.

9. Whether your business is small or large, your information security program must be in writing.

10. The regulations require encryption of portable devices where it is reasonable and technically feasible. The definition of encryption has been amended to make it technology neutral.

Although the regulations have again been delayed, it is still important to begin planning for compliance now, especially since the information security program must be developed, written and implemented, which includes training employees in the program, by March 1, 2010.

Amy B. Royal, Esq. is a partner in the law firm of Royal & Klimczuk, LLC. She specializes in management-side labor and employment law; (413) 586-2288 or [email protected].

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

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

Ablicki, Jonathan S.
Ablicki, Jennifer L.
PO Box 177
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/10/09

Algozer, Lorraine
99 3rd St. #1
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/27/09

Andrews, James J.
Andrews, Debra S.
42 Homestead Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/01/09

Arena, Luis A.
Arena, Carmen L.
75 Lyman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Arnold, Gary B.
Arnold, Linda D.
a/k/a Lewis, Linda D.
847 South West St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/07/09

Atayan, Svetlana
a/k/a Mnatsakanyan, Svetlana
67 Manor Court
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

Auto Test World
LaPorte, Judy M.
LaPorte, John J.
30 Westbrook Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/10/09

Axas, Theodore D.
47 Oakwood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Bailey, Lisa M.
482 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Bauer, Robert B.
11 Anderson Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Bergeron, Adam J.
36 Charles St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/01/09

Bergeron, Jeremy D.
32 Lewis St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/13/09

Bergeron, Kyle E.
89 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Berry Construction
Berry Transportation
Berry, David W.
106 Coes Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Bird, Deborah A.
323 East St., Apt. E
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Blais, Eric C.
Blais, Tracy L.
340 Montcalm St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Boothe, Barbara A.
a/k/a Ruelle, Barbara A.
297 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Bouchard, James A.
Bouchard, Karla A.
586 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Bourdeau, Gyslain M.
Bourdeau, Sheila M.
20 Sterling St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Bowers, James L.
Bowers, Tammy A.
a/k/a McDonald, Tammy A.
79 Laurel St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Boyd, Christopher Stephen
Brown-Boyd, Roxanne
831 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Boyd, Tracie H.
60 Allen Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Brown, Eric
16 West Summit St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/03/09

Brozo, Nancy Jean
154 Cutler Road
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Bruno, Arianna Koren
11 Katelyn Way
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Buah-Miezah, Lydia
a/k/a Ampong, Lydia
17 Berkshire Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/07/09

Calderon, Celines
115 Ranney St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

Calkins, Jennifer L.
a/k/a Platt, Jennifer L.
146 Reynolds St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Camilleri, Richard P.
14 Upland Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Carlson, Paul
Carlson, Doris L.
137 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

Carmon, Paul M.
Carmon, Michelle L.
a/k/a Strauch, Michelle
58 Euclid Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Carnahan-Gavin, Prudence A.
182 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Carrasquillo, Jr., Roberto
8 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Carrero, Seleida
a/k/a Candelaria, Seleida
70 Broadway St., Apt.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Cassella, Albert J.
172 Windsor St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Castro, Luis A.
Santiago, Ruth I.
a/k/a Castro, Ruth I.
18 Leyfred Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Cat, Buff Charlie
Kowaleck, Elizabeth A.
a/k/a Kowaleck, Becky A.
42 Park Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/14/09

Cavanaugh, Dawn M.
224 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/27/09

Chandler, Ruth E.
18 Duclos Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Charbonneau, Ruthann C.
8 Ruel St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Choinski, Stanley R.
145 Little Alum Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Clapp, Susan Emerson
Clapp, Brian E.
109 Pixley Road
Great Barrington, MA 01245
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Clark, Walter L.
179 Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

CMiel, Jason Luke
245 Greystone Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Coburn, Kathleen
102 Ohio Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/23/09

Coffey, Ginger
a/k/a Silva, Ginger
31 Grove St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Comiskey, Michael P.
43 Dickinson St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Connor, Lisa M.
PO Box 118
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Courchesne, Alan M.
8 Chudy St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/25/09

Cox, Bernard
PO Box 91211
Springfield, MA 01139
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Creamer, Guillermo David
1 Ladd Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

Cuesta, Ricardo
140 Union St., Apt. D64
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

Cuevas, Eligio L.
Cuevas, Aida
9 Bradford Dr., Apt. B9
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/10/09

Cusson, Kathleen Ann
a/k/a Parrott, Kathleen A.
156 Old Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Cusson, Paul Edward
156 Old Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Damato, Carlo P.
826 East St., Unit #13
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Davila, Nelson
44 Governor St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Dawkins, Ann M.
a/k/a Forrester, Ann M.
23 Miller St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

DeFlumere, Gloria L.
125 Silvin Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/27/09

Dellagiustina, Sharon
253 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Dolinski, Steven
Dolinski, Jane
57 Garfield Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Doney, Michael George
Doney, Lisa Ellen
109 Cottage St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Doyle Trucking
Doyle, Dennis Shawn
Doyle, April Dawn
a/k/a Houle, April D.
1282 1/2 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Duprey, Matthew R.
Duprey, Laura M.
114 Brainard St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Duquette, William G.
91 Mulberry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Dyer, Dana R.
a/k/a Dyer, Dana Ross
Dyer, Saramarie H.
390 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/14/09

Elfman, Jeremy J.
833 Riceville Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/18/09

Ellis, Donald W.
Ellis, Roxann
2 Greystone Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/18/09

Elmer, Jennifer L.
25 Westerly Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Emken, Jeffrey
146 North Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Emken, Julie
32 Denise Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Ercolino, Richard Joseph
1139 Westfield St., Apt. 23
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Fabbri, Julie Anne
108 Washington Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Fellows, Michael J.
205 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Finch, Henrietta M.
21 Bringham St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Gagne, Gerard L.
Gagne, Linda L.
36 Josephine St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

Gamble-Eddington, Brandi
42 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Garbiel, Michael J.
Garbiel, Brenda L.
28 Newcomb Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/27/09

Garcia, Heriberto
760 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Garcia, Tammie J.
760 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Gaudreault, Jeffrey M.
Gaudreault, Lisa A.
147 Central St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Germain, Robert E.
410 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Gignac, Maryanne E.
283 Whitney Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/07/09

Godere, Tara M.
15 Felix St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Goodreau, Beth Anne
1391 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Goyette, Wallace A.
Goyette, Loretta T.
582 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Green, Shanard M.
Cordeira, Carlie
a/k/a Green, Carlie
a/k/a Cordeira, Carlie A.
342 Southwick Road #85
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

Greene, James R.
43-45 Ringgold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Grogan, Doreen Ann
a/k/a Mallett, Doreen A.
185 Call Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Hahn, Petrina E.
c/o George R. Hahn
34 Jefferson St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

Hall, Nancy Norwood
383 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Hamdan, Sonya Ree
23 N. River Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Hanssen, Elizabeth S.
9 Winter St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Hart, Francis J.
Hart, Cheryl L.
936 South Athol Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/18/09

Hastings, Jon P.
3 Mineral Springs Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Hennessey, Michael W.
140 Chestnut St., Apt. 602
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Hickling, Linda A.
a/k/a Rosazza, Linda Anne
321 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

Hodges, Donna J.
a/k/a Martin, Donna J.
61 South Westfield St., Apt. 30
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Hoffman, Yael
214 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Houle, Sandra I.
1439 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

Howard, Matthew A.
Howard, Tammy J.
3 Pine Meadow Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

Hurley, David J.
282 Beauchamp Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Ingersoll, Michael R.
Ingersoll, Melissa L.
229 B Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Jackson, James R.
Kuzmeski-Jackson, Joanne M
PO Box 1463
Belchertown, MA 01007-1463
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/03/09

James, Kate Theresa
2 Childs Cross Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Jeff’s Lawn & Landscaping
Bellefleur, Jeffrey A.
Bellefleur, Donna A.
340 Poplar St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/27/09

Jessie’s Roofing & Siding
Vazquez, Efrain
83 Prospect St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/09

JIT Manufacturing, Inc.
Croteau, Paul Francis
Croteau, Elizabeth G.
517 Ideal Lane, Unit 306
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Joubert, Richard H.
110 Saffron Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/23/09

Juda, Thomas E.
Juda, Mellissa R.
1085 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Kacoyannakis, Kenneth J.
Kacoyannakis, Susan A.
292 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

Kampew Trucking
Kampew, Jean-Claude
4 Cypress Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Kampew, Albertine T.
a/k/a Mwandjombi, Albertine T.
4 Cypress Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Kassel, Elizabeth A.
1450 North St., #404
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/24/09

Keaton, Amy Theresa
43 Juliette St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Kendall, Scott M.
a/k/a Kittredge, Scott M.
Kendall, Tiffanie V.
195 Oakham Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Kenney, John J.
Kenney, Eleanor M.
43 Plinn St., Apt. #2
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Kibler, Anthony John
Kibler, Tammy Ann
2358 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

King, Sherrie A.
573 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Kingsley, Shawn J.
Kingsley, Tiffany A.
1055 Fairview St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Kostanski, Brenda E.
36 Fabyan St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Kristek, Stephen P.
66 Lapa Farm Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/10/09

Kustra Real Estate Trust
Kustra, Walter E.
Kustra, Cynthia L.
121 Washburn Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/15/09

Landry, Bonnie
16 Roy St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Landry, Paul H.
Landry, Wanda L.
17 Sunrise Ter.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Langevin, Robert A.
64 Shepard Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

LaPlante, Roberta J.
169 Bates Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/07/09

Le, John B.
88 Brunswick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Levesque, Philip J.
Bosques-Levesque, Nancy
653 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Lewis, Randy J.
26 1/2 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

MacKinnon, William Gordon
MacKinnon, Maureen Margar
t
a/k/a Faust, Maureen M.
46 Brittany Road
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Maher, William M.
73 Donna Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/14/09

Mailloux, Robert J.
645 Warren Wright St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Maio, Ernesto Manuel
Maio, Christine Marie
Maid, Christine M.
Burne, Christine
9 Clover Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Marini, Heather E.
87 West Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Martinez, Jennifer A.
105 West Main St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

McAuliffe, William T.
18 Water Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/13/09

McCorkindale, Jeffrey C.
McCorkindale, Carrie L.
18 Wareham St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

McCormack, Edward J.
McCormack, Mary R.
57 Old Farm Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

McCoy, Sarah L.
a/k/a Kunda, Sarah L.
6 David St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

McCullough, Lori A.
a/k/a Webster, Lori A.
42 Day St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

McDonough, Paul E.
McDonough, Karen A.
208 E. Quincy St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/09

McNaughton, Howard D.
McNaughton, JoAnn
203 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/10/09

Mcneice, Joseph F.
Mcneice, Jennifer B.
a/k/a Mangano, Jennifer
110 Columbia St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/24/09

Mello, Kimberly I.
71 Lincoln Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/13/09

Mendel, Mark H.
Mendel, Jennifer A.
26 Reuter Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Mercier, Rachel M.
PO Box 1125
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Messer, Bart Douglas
Messer, Laurie Marie
341 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/13/09

Mills, Joshua C.
52 Lindsay Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Moreno, Denise L.
a/k/a Jemenez, Denise
181 South St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Moresi, Robin T.
47 Forest Place, Apt. 4
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Murphy, Kevin W.
Murphy, Patricia A.
49 Field St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Nee, Patrick J.
Nee, Patricia L.
26 Greensleaves Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

Nicoletti, Nicholas T.
Nicoletti, Kathleen S.
a/k/a Coleman, Kathleen S.
54 West. River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Nunes, Thomas J.
54 Saint James Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040-2321
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/13/09

Ocasio, Gilbert Michael
Ocasio, Candy Lynn
98 Turkey Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/09

O’Donnell, Peter K.
O’Donnell, Nancy E.
32 Chickering St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/23/09

On the House Builders
Van Iderstine, Bruce
176 Hawk Hill Road
Charlemont
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/23/09

Opalenik, Daniel
108 Camden St.
S. Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Pagan, Alba N.
112 Marble St.
Springfiled, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/06/09

Palmer, Christofer A.
Palmer, Cynthia M.
a/k/a Palmer, Cindy M.
a/k/a Marinello, Cynthia
32 Birch St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/10/09

Pape, Kathleen H.
74 Common St.
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

Parker, Jeremiah J.
Parker, Debra E.
20 Michigan Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Peirce, Herbert J.
152 East Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Pereira, Candace Ann
a/k/a Driscoll, Candace Ann
639 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Perez, Lena A.
Perez, Hector L.
12 Longwood Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Peterson, Kurt E.
473 Wilder Hill Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/13/09

Peterson, Kurt Ernest
473 Wilder Hill Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Phommasith, Bounleung
1448 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Pickard, Elizabeth
59 Factory St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Placanico, Anthony J.
131 Breckinridge St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/03/09

Place, Ransom Y.
94 Summer Dr.
Southwick, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Powell, Russell M.
Powell, Jennifer L.
1954 Main St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Preston, David
1159 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Quick Tan
Gubala, Mary M.
311 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Rachmaciej, Deborah J.
a/k/a Hatt, Deborah Jean
170 Rocky Hill Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Raines, Patricia A.
424 Michael Sears Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Rapport, Pamela I.
a/k/a Sutowski, Pamela I.
10 Sumner Ave.
Apt. 17
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Rarick, David F.
Rarick, Grayce E.
1 Mark Lane
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/24/09

Raymond, James M.
3 Cypress Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Reynolds, Courtney T.
95 Creamery Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Richards, Donna M.
21 Chantilly Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Riether, Cathy J.
59 Mandaley Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Rivas, Herlyn Jessica
a/k/a Simon, Herlyn Jessica
35 Hadley Road, #205
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Rizzo, Georgina
6 Crestwood St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Robert, Danielle M.
176 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Roberts, Delmore A.
31A Church St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/23/09

Robinson, Craig M.
142 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Rock, Michael J.
34 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

Rodriguez, Elier
124 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Rood, Thomas J.
Rood, Diane L.
41 West Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Rosa, George J.
805 East Guinea Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Roy, Brett G.
299 Grattan St., #3
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Rupprecht, Delia
92 Cummings Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Rutherford, Joseph W.
Rutherford, Marylouise
202 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Rydzak, John P.
Rydzak, Linda L.
13 Edward Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Sakowicz, Jeffrey M.
Sakowicz, Angela M.
350 River Bend St., Unit 8
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/18/09

Santos, Luz B.
40 Summit St., Apt. 6
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Saulsberry, Leslie A.
990 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Shaughnessy, Patrick J.
170 West King St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/23/09

Shephard, Paul James
Shephard, Stephanie Marie
31 Eldridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/24/09

Sierra, Gladys
112 Pembroke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Skowera, Paul C.
28 Riverside Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/10/09

Smith, Diane K.
155 Marble St., Apt 47
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Sousse, Heidi Lynn
a/k/a Kellogg, Heidi L.
81 Conz St. #628
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Spence, Katherine M.
22 Lessey St., Apt 102
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Spong, Elizabeth A.
10 Trumbull Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Staton, Phoebe Cherrie
100 Forest Hills Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 08/07/09

Stephenson, Henry H.
Stephenson, Kathleen A.
a/k/a Davenport, Kathleen A.
26 Westview Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Stibolt, Kirsten J.
36 Buena Vista Plaza
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

Styckiewicz, Sheri L.B.
955 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/18/09

Sunnyside Up Restaurant
Nunes, Gerald E.
Nunes, Karen A.
179 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/05/09

Swanner, James M.
Swanner, April M.
37 Apremont St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Talbot, Vanessa D.
549 Russell Road, Unit 11-C
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Thompson, Barry S.
Thompson, Carolyn A.
46 McClellan Farm Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

Thornton, Carol D.
45 Washington St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

Toporowski, Kenneth Lee
30 Old Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/04/09

Torres, Jose E.
Vazquez, Mariel
80 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/22/09

Torres, Rosa
117 Sanderson St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Truong, Thuy
88 Brunswick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/09

Vacirca, Joseph W.
Vacirca, Marsha Y.
29 Carlton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/03/09

Vega, Richard
21 Cyman Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Vennert, Daniel D.
316 South Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/21/09

Vera, Jose A.
421 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/24/09

Wadman, Carol L.
510 South Barre Road, Apt. 1
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/09

Washburn, Trinity Marie
Washburn, Shimon
104 Dunphy Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/11/09

Waters, Mary A.
109 Oak Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Watkins, Mark A.
221 Cloverdale St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201-8526
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/17/09

Weaver, Minette C.
245 Main St.
PO Box 202
Ashfield, MA 01330
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Wentworth, Dennis E.
Wentworth, Kathleen N.
7 Reed Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Weselovs, Shannon Leigh
7 Eddy St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/23/09

White, Bertha L.
47 Alden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/20/09

Whittaker, Karen S.
a/k/a Bergeron, Karen S.
77 Overlook Dr.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/23/09

Wilde Bonzek, Jeffrey
Wilde Bonzek, Andreya
16 Juckett Hil Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Willhite, Gary
Willhite, Candace
440 Twichell St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/16/09

Wood, Eric S.
Wood, Elizabeth L.
a/k/a Popp, Elizabeth L.
219 Saratoga Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/29/09

Woodward, Cynthia I.
124 Washington Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/12/09

Wright, Regina
117D Ashley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/30/09

Yacovone, Leia C.
28 Orange St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/24/09

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

Health Insurers Expect to Raise Rates by 10%

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose to $13,375 annually for family coverage this year — with employees on average paying $3,515 and employers paying $9,860, according to the benchmark 2009 Employer Health Benefits Survey recently released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET). Family premiums rose about 5% this year, which is much more than general inflation (which fell 0.7% during the same period, mostly due to falling energy prices). Workers’ wages went up 3.1% during the same period. Since 1999, premiums have gone up a total of 131%, far more rapidly than workers’ wages (up 38% since 1999) or inflation (up 28% since 1999). For the past few years, the annual rise in premiums has been more moderate than the double-digit growth experienced earlier this decade. As Congress considers health reforms building on the existing employment-based system, the annual Kaiser/HRET survey provides a detailed picture of private health insurance coverage and costs. The survey found that 60% of firms offer health benefits to any of their workers this year. As in the past, the smaller the firm, the less likely it is to offer health benefits — with fewer than half (46%) of the smallest employers (three to nine workers) offering health benefits. Among those firms offering benefits, 21% report they reduced the scope of health benefits or increased cost sharing due to the economic downturn, and 15% report they increased the worker share of the premium. The survey also reveals that a growing number of workers who are covered by their employer are facing high deductibles in their plans in addition to contributing to the premiums for their coverage. In 2009, 22% of covered workers must pay at least $1,000 out of pocket annually for single coverage before their plan generally will start to pay a share of their health care bills, up from 18% last year and 10% in 2006.

Retail Sales Top Expectations

WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that retail sales rose 2.7% in August, well above the increase of 2.0% private analysts had expected. Motor vehicle sales jumped 10.6%, while sales excluding motor vehicles increased 1.1%, and sales excluding motor vehicles and gasoline rose 0.6%. Also, the Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $351.4 billion, an increase of 2.7% from the previous month, but 5.3% below August 2008. Total sales for the June-through-August 2009 period were down 7.6% from the same period a year ago.

Initial Unemployment Claims Decrease

NEW YORK — In the week ending Sept. 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 545,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 557,000. The four-week moving average was 563,000, a decrease of 8,750 from the previous week’s revised average of 571,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.7% for the week ending Sept. 5, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week’s unrevised rate of 4.6%. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending Sept. 5 was 6,230,000, an increase of 129,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 6,101,000. The four-week moving average was 6,180,250, a decrease of 5,500 from the preceding week’s revised average of 6,185,750. The fiscal year-to-date average for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment for all programs is 5.636 million. Extended benefits were available in several states, including Massachusetts. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending Aug. 29 were in Puerto Rico (6.8%), Oregon (5.7%), Pennsylvania (5.7%), Nevada (5.5%), Michigan (5.2%), Connecticut (5.1%), New Jersey (5.1%), California (5.0%), Wisconsin (5.0%), North Carolina (4.8%), and Rhode Island (4.8%). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending Sept. 5 were in Washington (+2,620), Pennsylvania (+2,573), Massachusetts (+1,565), North Carolina (+1,332), and Illinois (+1,218), while the largest decreases were in California (-2,751), New York (-2,479), Wisconsin (-1,149), Texas (-809), and New Jersey (-700).

Holyoke Establishes Energy Committee

HOLYOKE — As the city pursues its goal of reduced reliance on fossil fuels, a new Holyoke Energy Committee will work together with Mayor Michael J. Sullivan to further the efforts being done to capitalize on Holyoke’s green assets. A primary goal will be to reduce the energy consumption of the municipality as well as improve the overall level of sustainability of Holyoke through programs to encourage residents and businesses to be more green on a day-to-day basis. Committee members serving on the new board are William Fuqua, superintendent of public works; James Lavelle, director, Holyoke Gas & Electric; Kathleen Anderson, Office of Planning & Development; Fire Chief David Lafond; Melinda Lane, Police Department; and Whitney Anderson, maintenance administrator, Holyoke School Department. The first task of the committee will be to satisfy the requirements of the state’s Green Communities Act to be considered a Green Community. The city was recently awarded a Green Communities Technical Assistance Grant from the Mass. Department of Energy Resources, Green Communities Division, to assist in the completion of these requirements. Once considered a Green Community, Holyoke will qualify for portions of a $10 million grant and have higher priority in some grant rounds in the state.

Output Figures Give Economists Bright Outlook

WASHINGTON — Industrial output rose 0.8% in August, following an upwardly revised increase of 1.0% in July. Production in manufacturing expanded 0.6% in August, and the index excluding motor vehicles and parts increased 0.4%. The gain in July for manufacturing was revised up 0.4 percentage point, to 1.4%; in addition, factory output for April through June is now somewhat less weak than reported previously. Production at mines moved up 0.5% in August. The output of utilities gained 1.9%, as temperatures swung from an unseasonably mild July to a slightly warmer-than-usual August. At 97.4% of its 2002 average, total industrial production was 10.7% below its level of a year earlier. In August, the capacity utilization rate for total industry advanced to 69.6%, a level 11.3 percentage points below its average for the period 1972 through 2008.

Bernanke Sees Difficult Challenges Ahead

WASHINGTON — A year ago, the expression “systemic risk” became the new clarion call for policy-makers and regulators as they took unprecedented steps to avoid a collapse of the global financial system. On Sept. 15, one year after the Lehman Brothers collapse, the Brookings Institution hosted a forum to explore the tumultuous events of last September, where financial markets stand today and the status of regulatory reforms to prevent the next financial crisis. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave the keynote address, noting that during the past year the world has “been through the most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression.” Bernanke added that the crisis in turn sparked a deep global recession from which we are now only beginning to emerge. He noted that although the country has avoided the worst, “difficult challenges” still lie ahead. Bernanke said we must work together to build on the gains already made to secure a sustained economic recovery, as well as to build a new financial regulatory framework that will reflect the lessons of the crisis and prevent an occurrence of the events in the past two years. He concluded that he “hopes and expects” after reviewing developments a year from now, the country will be able to claim substantial progress toward both objectives.

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of September 2009.

AGAWAM

Frank Ferrentino
1676 Main St.
$14,000 — Install 4-foot foundation under existing cement pad

Riverbend Medical, LLC
230 Main St.
$32,000 — General renovations to expand IT/telephone and data room

Town of Agawam
760 Cooper St.
$7,000 — Renovations to the high school

AMHERST

Jones Properties, LTD
15A Pray St.
$8,000 — Renovate interior of hair salon

CHICOPEE

AHH Inc.
10 David St.
$20,000 — Interior renovations

Daniel O’Connell’s Sons Inc.
275 Meadow St.
$175,000 — Replace existing shed

LTL, LLC
14 Duncan St.
$10,000 — Repair porch, exterior doors, and windows

EAST LONGMEADOW

Berg Family Trust
130 Shaker Road
$25,000 — Renovate office space

Meadowbrook School
607 Parker St.
$61,000 — Install new alarm system

GREENFIELD

Fair Business, LLC
74 Fairview St.
$52,000 — New roof

Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$13,000 — Installation of two-hour fire separation partition and ’90-minute’ doors

Roman Catholic Church
221 Federal St.
$7,000 — Roof renovations

Town Of Greenfield
1 Lenox St.
$4,500 — Remove and replace existing guard/hand rails at high school

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Machine Inc
514-522 Main St.
$21,000 — New roof and insulation

O’C Ingleside LLC
361 Whitney Ave.
$719,000 — Construction of new laboratory for Baystate Health

LUDLOW

Big Y Trust
433 Center St.
$54,000 — Partitions

NORTHAMPTON

Crocker Building Company Inc.
296 Nonotuck St.
$30,000 — Install metal siding by loading dock

John Scott
52 Round Hill Road
$35,000 — Interior renovations at Clarke School

Sackrey Construction
30 Crafts Ave.
$114,000 — Construction of handicap ramp and bathrooms

SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Medical Center
471 Chestnut St.
$12,000 — Reline chimney

Block Realty
504 St. James Ave.
$9,000 — New roof

Diocese of Springfield
155 Eddywood St.
$240,000 — Minor classroom renovations and construction of new vestibule enclosure

Falcon Management
One Monarch Place
$100,000 — 8th-floor build out

Hampden County Physicians
300 Stafford St.
$259,000 — Interior renovation of 3,000 square feet of space for doctor’s office

Holyname Parish
37 Alderman St.
$153,000 — Interior renovations

Javal, Inc.
1801 Page Blvd.
$39,500 — New roof

O’Connell Oil
570 Sumner Ave.
$41,000 — Remodel existing building

Yellow Brick Property
270-272 Center St.
$30,000 — Repair front and side porches

SOUTH HADLEY

PVPA School
15 Mulligan Dr.
$57,000 — Renovations

WESTFIELD

Berkshire Bank
31 Court St.
$370,000 — Interior renovations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

SUK Realty Trust
1144 Elm St.
$18,000 — Re-roof apartment building

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
(413) 787-1555 www.myonlinechamber.com

Oct. 2: Hampden/Wilbraham Golf Classic, hosted by the Country Club of Wilbraham. Registration at 10 a.m., lunch at 11 a.m., shotgun start at 12:00 noon. Tickets: $110 for golf entry, $440 for a golf foursome. Sponsorships available.

Oct. 7: ACCGS Breakfast, hosted by the Springfield Marriott, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Tickets: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Oct. 14: ACCGS After 5 Table Top Exhibit, hosted by the MassMutual Center in Springfield, 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets: $125 for members, $175 for non-members.

Oct. 15: West of the River Legislative Breakfast, hosted by Chez Josef in Agawam, 7:15 to 9 a.m. Guest speaker is Dolores Mitchell, executive director of the Group Insurance Commission. Tickets: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Oct. 23: Super 60, hosted by Chez Josef in Agawam, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $45 for members, $65 for non-members.

Oct. 27: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, hosted by Captain Charles Leonard House, 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Oct. 28: Executive Power Networking, hosted by TD Banknorth Conference Center,7:30 to 9 a.m. Tickets: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Oct. 4: Hike for Habitat, Mt. Tom, Holyoke, 10 a.m. Join the YPS team for the annual Hike for Habitat to benefit Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. The hike features two courses: a leisurely, 90-minute hike, or a more difficult, three-hour route to the summit. To register, hikers must raise a minimum of $25 per person, due on the day of the hike. To join the YPS team, contact Maureen Picknally at [email protected] or Nicole Williamson at (413) 739-5503 or [email protected].

Oct. 15: Third Thursday, hosted by Hofbrauhaus restaurant in West Springfield.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
(413) 594-2101 www.chicopeechamber.org

Oct. 1: BusinessWest Speed Sales, hosted by the Bartley Center at Holyoke Community College, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Program Sponsors include the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Kittredge Center, HCC, Marcotte Ford, and First American Insurance Agency Inc. Cost: $350 for members, $450 for non-members.

Oct. 7: CheckPoint ’09, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 12 noon to 2 p.m. Keynote speaker is Robert A. DeLeo, speaker of the state House of Representatives. Sponsors include Our Dentist, Future Works, Westmass Area Development Corp., and Health New England. Tickets: $30 for members, $35 for non-members; tables of 8: $200 for members, $240 for non-members.

Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Exhibitor tables cost $90; reserve online at www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101. Admission; $5 for members, $10 non-members

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce (413) 773-5463
www.franklincc.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber Of Commerce (413) 527-9414
www.easthamptonchamber.org

Oct. 14: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange , hosted by Nini’s Ristorante, 124 Cottage St., Easthampton, 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by Greater Easthampton Jr. Miss Program. Event will include door prizes, hors d’ouevres, and a cash bar. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce (413) 534-3376
www.holycham.com

Oct. 1: BusinessWest Speed Sales Business Event, hosted by the Bartley Center at Holyoke Community College, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by BusinessWest, First American Insurance Agency Inc., Holyoke Community College, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., Log Cabin and Delaney House, and Marcotte Ford.

Oct. 14: Fall Salute Breakfast, hosted by the Delaney House, Country Club Road, Holyoke, 7:45 a.m. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center. Tickets are $18. Tables reserved for parties of eight.

Oct. 21: Chamber After Hours, hosted by Holiday Inn, 245 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by Yellowbook. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (413) 584-1900
www.explorenorthampton.com

Oct. 7: Arrive@5 Open House at the Chamber, 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by Crocker Communications Inc., Innovative Business Systems Inc., and Pioneer Training. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for guests.

Oct. 8: Northampton Area Young Professionals Party with a Purpose, hosted by dani. fine photography in the Eastworks building in Easthampton, 5 to 8 p.m. Cost: free for members, $5 for guests.

Oct. 16: Chamber Information Session, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 12 noon to 1 p.m. Considering membership? Come to an information session.

Northampton Area Young Professionals
www.thenayp.com

Oct. 8: October’s Party with a Purpose, hosted by dani. fine photography in the Eastworks building in Easthampton.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce (413) 283-2418
www.qvcc.biz

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce (413) 532-6451
www.shchamber.com

Oct. 20: Beyond Business, hosted and sponsored by Olde Hadleigh House & Patio, 5 to 7 p.m. No guest speaker. Cost: $5 members, $10 for general public, who are welcome. RSVP at (413) 532 6451 by Oct. 16.

Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Cost: $5. To reserve a table, call (413) 532-6451.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce (413) 283-6425
www.threeriverschamber.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce (413) 568-1618
www.westfieldbiz.org

Oct. 9: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Annual Fall Breakfast, hosted by the 104th Fighter Wing, Dining Hall, 175 Falcon Dr., Westfield. Guest speaker will be Rick Forgay, president of the Rich Forgay Leadership Institute. Sponsors include Noble Health Systems, Westfield Gas & Electric, NewAlliance Bank, FieldEddy Insurance, and the Carson Center for Human Services Inc. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected] , or register at www.westfieldbiz.org . The deadline for reservations is Oct. 5.

Oct. 21: Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce WestNet After Hours Networking, hosted by East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield, sponsored by Sovereign Bank. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected] , or register at www.westfieldbiz.org .

Oct. 27: 12th Annual Table Top Meeting, hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Presented by South Hadley/Granby, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and Greater Westfield chambers of commerce. Display tables cost $90 for members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, e-mail [email protected] , or register at www.westfieldbiz.org.

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

Springfield College Receives $1.6M AmeriCorps Grant

SPRINGFIELD — A new AmeriCorps grant of $1,606,527 will enable Springfield College to continue to help Greater Springfield schools and nonprofit organizations meet human needs for the next three years. The grant will support 85 students per year who become AmeriCorps members, with each contributing 900 hours of community service. Mostly graduate students, they will provide services consistent with their fields of study that are targeted to community needs. Their services will help school children, individuals, and families receiving physical and mental health services, and organizations recruiting, training, and managing volunteers. Springfield College AmeriCorps services for school children include academic coaching for 600 students; counseling, advising, and outreach for 300 students; and out-of-school leadership development programs for 185 youth. Springfield educational sites served include the four city high schools; William N. DeBerry, German Gerena, and White Street elementary schools; Duggan and Van Sickle middle schools; the Renaissance School; and the Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence. AmeriCorps members assigned to health counseling and case management also will provide health screenings and wellness guidance. They serve 2,500 individuals and families annually at Sisters of Providence Health System, Mercy Medical Center, Baystate Medical Center, Square One, Behavioral Health Network, and other sites. The new grant will also allow the Springfield College AmeriCorps Program to expand services to organizations outside of Springfield that serve Springfield residents. AmeriCorps was created in 1993 as part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency.

‘Outstanding’ Ratings Achieved by Hospital

WARE — Baystate Mary Lane Hospital has received ‘outstanding’ scores in recent H-CAHPS (Hospital-Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey results. The surveys, required by the federal government, gauge how well physicians and nurses communicate, whether patients believe they received help in a timely manner, and whether they would recommend a hospital to others. Christine Shirtcliff, president, noted that the hospital received outstanding scores in several categories including overall quality, communication with doctors and nurses, responsiveness of hospital staff, communication about medicine, and discharge information.

Mohawk Communications Partners with Falcons

SPRINGFIELD — Mohawk Communications has become the official communications provider of the Springfield Falcons for the 2009-10 season, according to Falcons Vice President of Business Development Chris Thompson. As part of the partnership, Mohawk Communications will receive maximum exposure inside of the MassMutual Center for all 40 Falcons’ home games, including in-ice signage, a corporate ticket package and web site exposure on www.falconsahl.com. In other news, the Falcons are currently accepting deposits on full and partial ticket packages for the 2009-10 season. For more information, call the Falcons office at (413) 739-3344.

Westfield Bank Opens New Branch

AGAWAM — A New Orleans-style grand opening recently ushered in the latest Westfield Bank branch at 241 South Westfield St. The Feeding Hills location is the bank’s 11th branch and has 15 employees. Westfield Bank also has branches in Westfield, Agawam, East Longmeadow, Holyoke, Springfield, Southwick, and West Springfield.

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

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.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Allied Fire Protection Inc. v. Delancey Clinton Associates, L.P.
Allegation: Non-payment for services rendered: $5,900
Filed: 8/10/09

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

The Yankee Candle Co. Inc. v. Changing Paradigms, LLC et al
Allegation: Breach of agreements relating to electric fragrance diffuser products, conversion of property, and unfair and deceptive conduct: $200,000+
Filed: 8/10/09

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Country Oil Inc. v. River Maple Farm Inc.
Allegation: Balance due on heating oil and service delivery: $5,685.75
Filed: 8/12/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Dorene M. Vadnais v. Karen E. Kupner, M.D., Chanel G. Bouchereau, M.D., and Mercy Medical Center
Allegation: Medical malpractice: $2,080,000
Filed: 8/19/09

Lutron Electronics v. Bottaro-Skolnick, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $29,927.05
Filed: 8/7/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Ace Fire and Water Restoration Inc. v. Village at Hospital Hill, LLC and The Community Builders Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of restoration and repair services rendered: $36,820.37
Filed: 8/18/09

Kemper Insurance Cos. v. Five Colleges Inc.
Allegation: Action for insurance premiums unpaid by defendant: $356,304.04
Filed: 8/7/09

Mark L. and Pamela Linnehan v. Caracas Construction Corp. and Luis P. Gomes
Allegation: Police officer struck by excavator, while on duty, resulting in head trauma: $10,586.31
Filed: 8/10/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

TBF Financial LLC, assignee of GE Capital Corporate v. Somatic Systems Institute Inc.
Allegation: Damages for lease of a business lease agreement: $8,149.47
Filed: 7/22/09

The Darcy Co. v. Northampton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Allegation: Non-payment of refrigeration goods and services rendered: $4,844.87
Filed: 7/27/09

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Fetch Logistics Inc. v. Quaboag Transfer Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay freight charges for transportation of goods: $5,825
Filed: 7/21/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Bradco Supply Co. v. Copperworks Inc. and Ronald McGowan
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,115.60
Filed: 8/5/09

Capital One Bank, N.A. v. Ty Lucia Plumbing and Heating, LLC
Allegation: Monies owed for credit advanced: $5,020.22
Filed: 7/28/09

Carrier Sales & Distribution, LLC v. All Phases Mechanical and Yvette & Paul Tucci
Allegation: Non-payment of freight services rendered: $15,564
Filed: 8/13/09

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of September 2009.

AGAWAM

Beaver Camper Service
721 Springfield St.
Thomas L. Beaver

Gurukrupa’s Subway, LLC
840 Suffield St.
Navin Patel

Hair Spectrum
303A Springfield St.
Eloise Anderson

Poggi Transport
27 Howard St.
Lee J. Poggi

Smart Start Pre-School
21 North Westfield St.
Robin Jensen

Stellato Brothers Inc.
19 Losito Lane
James Stellato

AMHERST

Amherst Nails
9 East Pleasant St.
Thu T. Hoang

Citadel Studios
161 Thatcher Way
Thomas Quinn

One Metaverse Engineering
401 Main St.
James Triplett

Persona
236 N. Pleasant St.
Doreen St. John

CHICOPEE

Fiona’s Spa
1888 Memorial Dr.
Fenghua Yu

HSF Cleaning
20 Park St.
Hugo Ferreira

Just Windows
36 Mercedes St.
Robin Campbell

Sport It Now
74 Skeele St.
Joel Rios

EASTHAMPTON

Bermudez Auto Repossession & Transport
3 West St.
Aneudi Bermudez

EAST LONGMEADOW

Ciao Bella Salon
128 Shaker Road
Deanna Hansen

Vanle’s Hair & Nails
613 North Main St.
Mina Tran

GREENFIELD

MetLife Home Loans
22 Mohawk Trail
Clayton J. Herbert

HADLEY

Befit
245 Russell St.
Holly Leonard

Readings by Margurite
249 Russell St.
Margurite Miller

S & M Builders
75 Lawrence Plain Road
Carl Johnson

HOLYOKE

ABC Sales and Services
621 S. Canal St.
Rober J. Celi

Button It
540 County Road
Terry A. Paquin

CCO Investment Services Inc.
28 Lincoln St.
Xiomara Corral

Massachusetts Academy of Ballet
4 Open Square Way
Charles Flachs

Pet Pillows
50 Holyoke St.
Shashi Sharma

Tic Toc Jewelry and Watch Repair
50 Holyoke St.
Diane Oliveras

NORTHAMPTON

Amedisys Home Health
320 Riverside Dr.
Celeste Peiffer

Dolphin Daycare
33 Hawley St.
Elizabeth Cole

Overlook @ Northampton
222 River Road
Pamela Jones

National
72 King St.
Mary K. DeLassus

Studio 112
9A Bankroft Road
Ethel Poindexter

The Mirage Group
16 Market St.
Mirage Management Inc.

Universal Kids
33 Hawley St.
Elizabeth Cole

PALMER

Fire Fighting Equipment
2146 North Main St.
Alan P. Fateux

American Ecological Services
124 River St.
Kal Thiphavong

Paramount Pizza
1620 North Main St.
Aydin Oflu

The Retro
3031 Main St.
Damon Johnson

SPRINGFIELD

Jam Tock Restaurant
17A Rutland St.
Michael R. Marshall

Mackenzie Landesign
30 Carroll St.
Joel Mackenzie

Miracle
187 Monrovia St.
Miguel A. Cruz

Pioneer Valley Yard Service
332 Naismith St.
Zachary Macutkiewicz

Pure Freedom
55 Meadow St.
Daniel J. Kudla

Solunas Communications
101 Mulberry St.
Patricia A. Truitt

Springfield’s Finest Cuts
427 State St.
Angel Luis Castillo

Stanpak Company
19 Forbes Circle
Mohammed Tanvir

Sullivan’s Pool Service
387 Main St.
Brian Glenn Sullivan

Technical Certification
125 Paridon St.
Wayne P. Liggan

The Tag Sale Store
157 Main St.
Tracey B. Hines

WESTFIELD

Countryview Primitives
71 Elm St.
Tanya Rogalski

Izzy’s Barber Shop
243 Elm St.
Isidro Acosta

Party Patrol Rental
869 North Road
Daniel M. Gagnon

Pignatare & Sagan, LLC
6 Main St.
Andrew J. Pignatare

Westfield Computer
24 Old Holyoke Road
Michael Patton

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bart Truck Equipment Company Inc.
358 River St.
Martin Tourtelotte

Bay State Instrument Repair
248 Elm St.
Carl Ippolito

C-Mac
136 Riverdale St.
Craig McCarthy

Kia M. Brokos, L.M.T.
425 Union St.
Kia Marie Brokos

Lubanski Construction Company
57 Hill St.
Brandon Lubanski

Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria
60 Park St.
Maria Alfarone

Pioneer Valley Hobbies Inc.
54 Myron St.
Dennis A. Gamelli

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

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

AMHERST

People’s Acupuncture Clinic Inc., 228 Triangle St., Amherst, MA 01002. Benjamin F. Feeley, 222 East St., Amherst, MA 01002. Acupuncture and other health issues.

CHICOPEE

Complete Restoration Solutions Inc., 165 Front St., 4th floor, Chicopee, MA 01013. Joseph M Gillette, 6 Shady Lane, West Simsbury, CT 06092. Fire restoration.

D-N-D Construction Inc., 299 Columba St., Chicopee, MA 01020. George E. Doup, same. Construction.

SMV Construction Inc., 148 Labelle Dr., Chicopee, MA 01020. Stephen M. Vitorino, Same. General contracting and residential home improvements.

EAST LONGMEADOW

New England Mezzanine Inc., 100 Denslow Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. John Maybury, 215 Prospect St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Manufacturing and construction of office parts fabricated from steel or other material.

GRANBY

The Granby Firefighter’s Association Inc., 250 State St., Granby, MA 01033. Matthew Bail, 10 Summit Road, Belchertown, MA 01007. To provide entertainment.

HOLYOKE

A&B Tax and Bookkeeping Service Inc., 326 Appleton St., Suite 10, Holyoke, MA 01040. Armando Santiago, 80 West St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Tax and bookkeeping services.

Applied Light Manufacturing Inc., 48 Commercial St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Kathleen M. Macy, same. Manufacturing laser job shop-equipment fabrication.

NORTHAMPTON

16 Main Street Inc., 16 Main St., Unit 2, Northampton, MA 01060. Thomas Chow, same. To own and lease rental property and manage real estate.

Daley Clinical Research Consulting Inc., 34 Warburton Way, Northampton, MA 01060. Charles Daley, same. Consulting.

SOUTH HADLEY

Gestation Miracles Corporation, 62 McKinley Ave., Apt 1 RT, South Hadley, MA 01075. Kelly Marie Mojica-Pozo, Same. To provide financial assistance for in-Vitro Fertilization and certain necessary medications to couples, families, and individuals through the United States.

SOUTHWICK

Campari’s Inc., 784 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077. Tracy V. Mountain, 35 Woodlawn Way, Russell, MA 01071. Restaurant.

SPRINGFIELD

El Probocon Restaurant Corporation, 152 Rifle St., Springfield, MA 01105. Maria Celeste Pacheco, 4 Langdong St., Springfield, MA 01104. Selling cooked food, specializing in fried chicken.

Meche Beauty Salon & Spa Inc., 894 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Ana M. Cortes, 104 Melha Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Beauty Salon.

TNM Enterprises Inc., 1038 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01109. Mark Bajek, 118 Lincoln Park, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Retail sales of beer, wine, and spirits.

WESTFIELD

Bandjo Enterprises Inc., 571 Granville Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Brian D. Cook, Same. Personal fitness training.

WILBRAHAM

Gravel Partners Company, 2660 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Nancy Schechterle, 14 Rice Dr., Wilbraham MA 01095. Truck and equipment leasing.

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Departments

Cradles to Crayons

Comcast’s Western New England Region is a lead sponsor of the Cradles to Crayons (C2C) Backpack program. Through Comcast’s support, C2C delivers back-to-school backpacks throughout Western Mass. to children in key communities. C2C volunteers were recently in Springfield for a drop-off event at Square One’s Faith Church Children’s Center. Following a short speaking program, Comcast and C2C volunteers presented 140 backpacks to children. At left, Doug Guthrie, senior vice president of the Western New England Region, and Joan Kagan, president and CEO of Square One, are presented with a thank-you gift from the children at Faith Church, Elizabeth Diaz (left) and Karaun Taylor. Above, everyone is all smiles as Jen White, director of development for Cradles to Crayons, shows Quah’mar Hazel Todman, left, and Christina Brazoban their new backpacks.

Memory Stroll

A purple pathway of balloons framed a parade of 90 seniors, caregivers, volunteers, and staff led by Jewish Geriatric Services Board of Directors Chairman Michael Hurwitz on the recent JGS Alzheimer’s Memory Stroll around the JGS campus. Hurwitz was the grand marshal of the Third Annual Stroll and is pictured here with Ginny Sinkoski of the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts. The Memory Stroll is held to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and generate support for the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk later this month.

Putting a Plug in the Brain Drain

By BusinessWest Staff September 28, 2009

Opinion

Its encouraging to see the state and this region taking such a keen interest in young people these days. Among the many other pressing matters at hand, elected officials and economic-development leaders have made the younger populations and the challenge of keeping them within the confines of the Bay State a top priority.

Which is good, because as weve said many times, they are one of the keys to the relative health and well-being of both Western Mass. and the state as a whole.

The focus on young people has manifested itself in a numbers of ways from a video produced earlier this year to promote this region (it touts everything from the low cost of living to a high quality of life), to a new Web site www.massitsallhere that trumpets the Commonwealth and all it offers, to a series of forums designed to pick the brains of young people to find out what they like and dont like about this state.

The first of these forums was staged in Springfield last week, and a small group of area young people turned out to listen and offer some feedback.

All this, as we said, is well and good, but the efforts to date seem to be focusing almost exclusively on marketing putting a good face on both this region and state and reminding everyone of all the good things we have in Massachusetts, from fine colleges and culture to mountains and the seashore, separated by only a few hours.

Marketing is important, but from our perspective, the way to plug or at least control the brain drain in this state comes down to one simple thing: jobs.

Its a fact that people dont stay where they grew up like they did a generation or two ago, but the reason for this isnt necessarily the cost of living or the quality of life (although those certainly play a role), Rather, it comes down mostly to job opportunities.

People dont flock to North Carolina for the weather or the school systems or the golf courses or the beaches or the health care facilities. They go there because thats currently where the jobs are. People arent leaving places like Boston or Buffalo, or many other older industrial cities (yes, like Springfield and Holyoke) because they dont like it there. Theyre leaving because there are fewer opportunities.

This is the message that people in government and economic development need to hear, and theyre not going to hear it from people who have decided to stay. Thats why they need to talk to the people who are leaving, as well.

And they need to borrow a page or two from the script followed by North Carolina and other states that are seeing their populations increase, not decrease. They need to find ways to make this state and this region more business-friendly and create more opportunities.

There are some opportunities in several fields, from health care to the biosciences, from education to sustainable energy, but simply not enough of them, and not across the broad spectrum of education and training levels.

The proposed high-performance computer center, a decision on which is due from state and Holyoke officials in a few weeks, is an example of the type of job-creation work that the state needs to see more of in the years to come if it is keep more of its vital resource young talent within the Commonwealth.

In the final analysis, marketing is good, and its no doubt a necessary part of this equation, but marketing wont keep young people here or attract them to the Bay State from other regions.

Only good, solid job opportunities can do that.

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Departments

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

AGAWAM

Felicita Food Service Inc., 71 Cooley St., Agawam, MA 01001. Oleg Fronchkevich, 71 Cooley St., Agawam, MA 01001. Mobile food service.

CHICOPEE

Edward J. Chapdelaine Inc., 356 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Edward J. Chapdelaine, 120 Maximilian Dr., Chicopee, MA 01033. Surveying, civil engineering, developing site plans.

IP portfolio administration Inc., 525 Suffield St., Agawam, MA 01001. Barbara Thibodeau, same. Providing custom software to regulate IP portfolio.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Esmanur Corp., 565 Main St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Ayse Karaarslan, 556 Grattan St., Apt. 1, Chicopee, MA 01020. Pizza Restaurant.

NORTHAMPTON

Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra Inc., 41 Valley St., Northampton, MA 01060. Peter Donald Blanchette, same. Exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes.

SOUTH HADLEY

R-Adapt Corporation, 65 Brigham Road, South Hadley, MA 01075. Robert Melanson, Same. Engineering.

SPRINGFIELD

E-Z Bagger Corporation, 106 State St., Springfield, MA 01103. Diane Saia, 502 Frank Smith Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Will exploit the patent applied for a transporter/barrel system.

The International League of Muslim Women Inc., 28 Southern Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Doretha Guess, Same. Exclusively for charitable, educational, and social services.

Irene E and George A Davis Foundation, 1 Monarch Place Suite 1450, Springfield, MA 01144. John H. Davis, Same. Private grant-making foundation.

North End Towing and Auto Repair Inc., 1655 Main St., Suite 504, Springfield, MA 01103. Julio C Feliciano, same. Towing and auto repair.

Secure Energy Auto Leasing Inc., 146 Chestnut St., Suite 400, Springfield, MA 01103. Kevin Mattson, 44 Letendre St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Motor vehicle leasing.

The Life You Save May Be Mine, 650 Belmont Ave., Springfield, MA 01108. Matthew B. Harrison, same. Operates for charitable, educational, religious and/or scientific purposes.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Fuel First Front Inc., 592 Birnie Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Sanjay Patel, same. Gas station and convenience store.

WESTFIELD

Eagle Construction Group Inc, 24 Sylvan Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Sergio Bonavita, Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Construction company.

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Departments

Attorney Franklin L. Baxley has joined the Springfield law firm Robinson Donovan, P.C. Baxley specializes in employment-law counseling and litigation.

•••••

The Forest Landowners Assoc. has announced the appointment of Cinda Jones as the new Massachusetts State Coordinator. As President of W. D. Cowls Inc., Jones oversees the timberland management, lumber manufacturing, and real-estate divisions of her family’s ninth-generation business in Amherst. State coordinators work with other volunteer leaders from their region to oversee membership and outreach efforts.

•••••

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County has appointed Joel Morse to its newly created position of Director of Partnership Development. In his role, Morse will be responsible for driving strategic growth through cultivation, recruitment, stewardship, and support of corporations, colleges, and other organizations that can provide sustained volunteer resources.

•••••

The public accounting firm of Gomes, Dacruz & Tracy, P.C. of Ludlow has named Mark A. Germain, CPA as Manager.

•••••

Vanessa Van Stee, M.D., has joined Fred Mudawwar, M.D., and Jonathan Bayuk, M.D., of Hampden County Physician Associates, LLC, Westfield, in the practice of allergy and immunology. Van Stee specializes in the treatment of allergic diseases, asthma, and other diseases of the immune system.

•••••

Avon Products Inc. recently recognized Linda Shea for being a top Avon Leadership/Sales Representative during the President’s Recognition Program Celebration on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The annual event brings together the nation’s top-achieving Avon representatives who have distinguished themselves as top performers in sales or leadership.

•••••

Samuel J. Nutter has been named New England Business Development Director of the Conservation Services Group in Westborough. He is a native of Longmeadow. He will represent the company’s interests at regulatory proceedings, advisory council meetings, and other industry forums in the region. Nutter will also be responsible for monitoring state energy legislation.

•••••

Ashley L. Mickiewicz, a Project Manager at O’Reilly, Talbot and Okun Associates in Springfield, has become a licensed professional Engineer. She specializes in providing geotechnical services including the design of foundation systems, temporary earth-support systems, basements, retaining walls, pavements, vapor-intrusion-mitigation systems, and general earth work. Mickiewicz is also involved in the evaluation of seismic considerations on construction projects.

•••••

Juliet Locke of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin recently earned her professional Traffic Operations Engineer certification. She is a Transportation Engineer in the firm’s Springfield office. To earn the designation, engineers must demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability in the specialized application of traffic operations engineering.

•••••

Quality Printing Company Inc. of Pittsfield announced the following winners in its 2010 “A Closer Look at the Berkshires” Photography and Art Contest:
• Daniel Morgan was awarded the top prize for his image of the Hoosac Tunnel in Florida. Morgan also won the third prize for his image of Outlook Summit in Florida.
• Ruth Pierce won second prize for her image of a Cheshire lake.
• Runner-up winners included Anne Kotowicz, Nancy Choquette, Mick Garrold, David Stein, Jane McWhorter, Debbie Storie, and Jerry Christopher.

•••••

The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross announced the following:
• Brenda Brouillette has been promoted to Deputy Director of Chapter Services.
• Mary Nathan has been named Director of Disaster.

•••••

Lisa K. Baltronis has been appointed a Mortgage Consultant at PeoplesBank.

•••••

Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer announced the following:
• Dr. Philip Cohen, a board-certified surgeon, now performs general, bariatric and minimally invasive surgeries using the laparoscopic technique.
• Dr. A. Daniyal Siddiqui now provides oncology and hematology services to cancer patients.
• Dr. Vijay Kasturi now performs oncology and hematology services to cancer patients.

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Departments

Work of Arts

Wendy Rosen of the Rosen Agency presents the 2009 Niche magazine Top Retailer Award to Don Muller, owner of the Don Muller Gallery in Northampton. The award recognized 30 craft retailers who are committed to growing and strengthening the North American crafts community.

Moving In

On Sept. 1, Springfield officials and those involved in the project to renovate 60 Congress St. gathered to mark the completion of those efforts and the pending arrival of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) as lead tenant. In 2008, local businessmen, Jerome Gagliarducci and Zane Mirkin purchased the foreclosed property and invested just under $4 million in renovations. Full-scale gutting and restoration transformed the building into Class A office space. From left are Gagliarducci; Mirkin; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Tim Brennan, director of the PVPC; Richard Butler, PVPC chairman; and Bob Greeley, president of RJ Greeley Co., which handled leasing efforts.

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Departments

Identity-theft Seminars

Sept. 22, Oct. 13: Representatives of Royal & Klimczuk, LLC, of Northampton and Springfield, in conjunction with Whalley Computer Associates, will present several seminars on revisions to the identity-theft regulations that will impact businesses. The regulations will be effective March 1, 2010, according to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. The most dramatic change to the new regulations is its adoption of a ‘risk-based approach’ to information security. Both seminars will be held at Whalley headquarters, One Whalley Way, Southwick. For more information on registration, call (413) 586-2288 or e-mail at [email protected].

Exhibition Opening and Reception

Sept. 14-Oct. 2: The Augusta Savage Gallery at UMass Amherst will host an art exhibition titled “My Journey Through Line: Paintings and Drawings by Carolyn Mae Lassiter,” beginning with an opening reception Sept. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. Lassiter, a self-taught Santa Fe artist, was inspired by the art she observed in the early 1970s while living in Mexico with a family of indigenous Nahuatl artists. Her current works include recurring themes of soulful and thoughtful female energy, as well as of dreams, spirituality, life in the country, family, and animals. The Augusta Savage Gallery is located at 101 New Africa House, 180 Infirmary Way. For more information, call (413) 545-5177. The event is free and open to the public.

Dinner Forum

Sept. 15: For individuals feeling trapped in a family business, a lecture planned by the UMass Family Business Center may be the answer. The lecture will be presented as part of a dinner forum from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Northampton. For complete details, visit www.umass.edu/fambiz or call (413) 545-1537.

Lecture on Debt as Venture Capital

Sept. 22: Darian Ibrahim, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, will launch the fall speaker series at the Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship on Wilbraham Road, Springfield, at noon. Ibrahim specializes in corporate and securities law and its application to entrepreneurial activity. He is interested in the legal and economic issues involved in financing rapid-growth start-up companies, which he examines in recent work on angel investors, venture debt, and the geography of entrepreneurship. Ibrahim teaches courses in business associations, securities regulation, law and entrepreneurship, and corporate governance. The lecture is free and open to the public; lunch will be provided. For more information, call (413) 796-2030 or e-mail [email protected]. For details on upcoming programs, visit www.law.wnec.edu/lawandbusiness.

Breakthrough Executive Board Luncheon

Sept. 24: Noah Berger, executive director of the Mass. Budget and Policy Center, will be the speaker at the quarterly business luncheon of the Breakthrough Executive Board. The meeting is planned from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Red Rose Restaurant in downtown Springfield. Berger will address issues concerning the state budget, including an overview of the state fiscal crisis, the role of federal stimulus funding in Massachusetts, and state budget transparency. The fee for the luncheon is $20 per person, payable at the door. All members and sponsors can invite guests to attend the luncheon.

Charity Auction

Oct. 2: The fifth annual Charity Auction to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee is planned at the club’s gymnasium at 580 Meadow St. Festivities get underway at 6 p.m. with both a silent and live auction. Admission is free. New this fall is an online auction feature at www.bgcchicopee.cmarket.com. The event will also showcase a mini Taste of Chicopee with local restaurants highlighting signature dishes. Items available for bid include gift certificates to area restaurants, sporting event tickets, jewelry, golfers’ packages, fitness club memberships, and much more. The Chicopee Savings Charitable Foundation is the auction’s presenting sponsor. Donations are still being accepted, and a variety of sponsorship levels are available. For more details, call (413) 206-4110.

Realtor Assoc. Trade Show

Oct. 14: The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley Inc. will host its 16th annual Education Fair & Trade Show from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Springfield Sheraton. The annual affair combines educational opportunities and a trade show for realtors and affiliates. Highlights include speakers on real estate education, a continental breakfast and luncheon, networking opportunities, and a wine and cheese party. For more information, contact Catherine V. Hannum at (413) 785-1328.

Oktoberfest

Oct. 14: An After 5 & Tabletop Expo is planned from 4 to 7 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, sponsored by the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. Exhibitors are still sought for the business-to-business event. The general price to exhibit is $175, $100 for Chamber members. Parking is $5 at the MassMutual Center Garage. General admission is $20 and $10 for Chamber members. For complete details, visit www.myonlinechamber.com.

YPS New Year’s Celebration

Dec. 31: The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield has once again chosen downtown Springfield for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Only 300 tickets will be available for the affair at the Marriott Hotel in Tower Square. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship of the event should visit www.springfieldyps.com for more details. For ticket information, call Jill Monson of YPS at (413) 219-9692.

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of August 2009.

AGAWAM

Bob Wilcox
1100 Springfield St.
$246,000 — Renovate existing site for a new insurance office

AMHERST

Jones Property LTD Partnership
553 Main St.
$8,900 — Take off and replace roof

Town of Amherst
603 East Pleasant St.
$18,900 — Relocate one overhead bay door at town hall

CHICOPEE

Waycon Inc.
28 Ward St.
$60,000 — Renovations

GREENFIELD

Edward Wierzbowski
285-291 Main St.
$59,500 — Installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system

Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$11,000 — Installation of lead lined drywall and lead-lined door

HADLEY

48 Bay Road LLC
48 Bay Road
$15,000 — Replace siding

220 Russell Street LLC
220 Russell St.
$4,700 — New roof

Jennifer Snyder
216 Russell St.
$40,000 — Interior and exterior renovations

LaComb Holdings
189-191 Russell St.
$10,500 — Tenant build-out for new curtain shop

Leon Markowski
226 Russell St.
$73,000 — Convert part of building to show room, office and shop

Peter Grandonico
102 Russell St.
$1,000 – Repair existing ramp

Steve Volpe
291 Russell St.
$5,800 — New vinyl siding

HOLYOKE

City of Holyoke Schools
596 South Bridge St.
$7,000 — Fill in sunken areas with concrete

Dennis Walsh
195 High St.
$10,000 — Repoint brick and repair cornice

Holyoke Public Library
335 Maple St.
$25,000 — Install protection fence from falling limestone panels

McDonald’s USA, LLC
2194 Northampton St.
$15,000 — Install new arches and fascias

PBHQ Whitney Inc.
330 Whitney Ave.
$15,500 — Upgrade finishes and fixtures

LUDLOW

Town Of Wilbraham
558 Miller St.
$600,000 — New construction

Walter S. Wood, LLC
32 East St.
$39,750 — New roofing system

NORTHAMPTON

College Church Inc.
58 Pomeroy Ter.
$6,000 — Rebuild existing 7-by-12 porch

Lawrence & Mary Cadorette
417 Westhampton Road
$14,000 — Install vinyl siding

Mauro & Claire Aniello
96 Main St.
$1,500 — Install three rear replacement windows

Northampton Brewery
11 Brewster Court
$4,500 — Re roof

William & Evelyn Mock
108 Damon Road
$7,000 — Install vinyl siding

SOUTH HADLEY

All Saints Church
14 North Sycamore Knolls
$10,000 — New windows and siding

Mt. Holyoke College
50 College St.
$2,000 — Fire suppression

SPRINGFIELD

American International College
963 State St.
$202,000 — Create computer lab and offices

Baystate Medical Center
3300 Main St.
$26,000 — Create two new exam rooms

City of Homes Association
908 Wilbraham Road
$9,500 — New roof

Salvation Army
840 Boston Road
$219,000 — Miscellaneous repairs

Springfield Day Nursery
947 Main St.
$25,000 — New roof

WESTFIELD

Ron Schortmann
170 Lockhouse Road
$25,500 — Renovations

Roots Youth Facility
209 Root Ave.
$331,000 — Commercial addition

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Century Park, LLC
171 Park Ave.
$12,650 — New roof

Making Things Happen in the Green Industry

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Opinion

It was Kermit the Frog who immortalized the words its not easy bein green.

There are some entrepreneurs who can relate, and perhaps alter the lyrics slightly and offer that its not that easy being in the green business world.

There are opportunities in that sector, certainly, but, as the stories in this issues focus on green energy will attest, there are some serious challenges as well. Many are common to those in practically every business sector such as the hurdles being faced by George Huber as he attempts to raise capital and complete the other steps necessary to take what looks like a dramatic breakthrough a development some call grassoline from the laboratory to the marketplace (see story, page 21).

But there are other challenges that would have to be considered unique, or at least unique to this sector. Specifically, theres the inconsistent nature of this broad industry and the nagging reality that, while people often want to do the right thing when it comes to their carbon footprint, they often need to have some real incentive. For some businesses and instituitions, such as colleges and universities, public relations is enough of an incentive. But for most, it comes down to dollars and cents.

Consider the case of Justin Carven, the young entrepreneur who has made the term Greasecar a household name sort of. Actually, its a household name among those who read Car & Driver and the New York Times. These are just a few of the dozens of regional and national publications that have chronicled his success in developing technology that will enable diesel-powered vehicles to also operate on common kitchen grease hence the name.

The technology works extremely well, but thats not the big concern anymore. At issue is the nerve-wracking manner in which consumers respond to the technology. In short, when diesel prices go through the roof, Carven cant keep up with orders. When they fall or stabilize, hes challenged to keep his people busy. Such fluctuations make it nearly impossible to plan long-term or even short-term and to even remotely gauge cash flow.

This would be enough to drive any business owner crazy, and Carven is at that juncture.

Consider also the plight of solar-array installers and others in this sector. Given all the attention solar is getting, the economic advantages, and the growing tendency to go green, one could say that these business owners are in the right place at the right time.

But for some, its taken many years to get to this point, because its taken awhile for many individuals and businesses to warm to the notion of solar power. And now that more of them have, the economy has softened to the point where interest is cooling off, making the right time portion of this equation a moving target.

But it appears that it will come, and perhaps quite soon. As for Carven, well, he recognizes that such wild swings on the ledger sheet cant continue. The good months and years have been really good, but the inability to know if and when they will come again has prompted Carven to revisit his business plan with the goal of fine-tuning it to gain much-needed measures of consistency and control over his own destiny.

In the end, there appear to be better days ahead for those in this sector, and some very good days for this region and the country if grassoline and the so-called Q microbe, being developed by another area firm called Qteros, become reality.

It may not be easy to thrive in the green sector, but were certainly happy that dozens of entrepreneurs are persevering. Their determination is not simply creating jobs and the potential for many more of them, but it is fueling the imagination of others both literally and figuratively.

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
www.myonlinechamber.com

Sept. 14: Ludlow Golf for Kids, hosted by Ludlow Country Club. Registration and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.; shotgun/four-person scramble at 1 p.m. The cost is $110 per person or $400 for a foursome. Sponsorships are available.

Sept. 22: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by Captain Charles Leonard House in Agawam.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Sept. 23: Chamber After Five, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Emily Dickinson Museum, sponsored by Amherst Insurance Agency/The Nathan Agencies. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for guests.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org

Sept. 16: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The cost is $18 for members and $25 for non-members. Register online at www.chicopeechamber.org

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org

Sept. 18 and 19: Electronic Recycling Collection, hosted by Red Rock Shops, College Highway, Rte. 10, Southampton. Sponsored by Duseau Trucking LLC, Autumn Properties, and Greater Easthampton Chamber. Event allows people to responsibly dispose of their old computers, monitors, TVs, stereos, and small home and office appliances.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com

Sept. 16: Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Annual Outing, 5 to 7:30 p.m., hosted by Holyoke Country Club, Country Club Road, Holyoke. Featuring a chance to win $1,000. Tickets cost $25. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 for tickets or to become a sponsor, or visit www.holycham.com for more information.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber Of Commerce
www.shchamber.com

Sept. 22: Premier Beyond Business, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Sycamores. The guest speaker will be Ken Williamson of the South Hadley Historical Society, who will speak on the Sycamores’ history and renovations. Sponsored by Premier members Berkshire Bank, Chicopee Savings Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, Florence Savings Bank, Jubinville Insurance Group, PeoplesBank, and Private Financial Design. The cost is $10 at the door for chamber members. Reservations are necessary; RSVP at (413) 532-2480 by Sept. 18.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org

Sept. 19: 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, 5 p.m. to midnight, hosted by Tekoa Country Club, Route 20, 459 Russell Road, Westfield. Sponsored by Berkshire Bank. The theme for the evening is ’50s Diner. A Cruise Night will be set up in the parking lot. Bands include the Drifters and Corey and the Knightsmen. Tickets cost $35 through September 13, and $45 thereafter. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, E-mail [email protected], or sign up at www.westfieldbiz.org.

Sept. 23: Mini Trade Show, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by Westfield State College, Ely Campus Center, Main Lounge Area, 577 Western Ave., Westfield. The event aims to acquaint the college community, faculty, and students with local businesses and their goods. Call (413) 568-1618 with any questions, or E-mail [email protected].

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Sept. 17: Third Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Café Lebanon in Springfield. Relax after work and socialize with other area young professionals.

By BusinessWest Staff September 14, 2009

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of August 2009.

AGAWAM

A V Tech
205 Barry St.
Richard Weld

Maid to Impress
230 School St.
Jamie Pavelcsyk

Pheasant Hill Village Associate
25 Pheasant Hill Dr.
Earnest A. Gralia Jr.

Parks Photoz
118 Hendom Dr.
Robert Parker

Valenti Properties
1138 Main St.
Joseph Valenti

AMHERST

Amherst Computersmiths
948 North Pleasant St.
Andrew Berg

Sherwood Trunks
85 Mt. Holyoke Dr.
Kaye Dougan

Super Clean
40 Palley Village Place
Chunling Zhu

CHICOPEE

Advanced Seemless Gutter
44 Blanche St.
Konstontin Tkochenko

Dishin’ it with Alexis
397 Front St.
Alexis Miller

Extreme Excavating
42 Oriole Dr.
Eric Krusz

Source Diamonds
15 Carriage Road
Christopher Plewa

EASTHAMPTON

David Adler Consulting
18 Pepin Ave.
David Adler

EAST LONGMEADOW

G & S Commercial Services
81 Brynmawr Dr.
Ari Delgado

Marx Entertainment
21 Amy Lane
Mark Ashe

GREENFIELD

Budget Blinds of Amherst
336 Log Plain Road
David Senecal

Designs by Monique
227 Colrain Road
Monique Richardson

HADLEY

Peter’s Nails
458 Russell St.
Dhuong Dinh

Show Your Marbles
105 East St.
Melanie Poole

Split Excavating Inc.
8 Mill Valley Road
Brenda Fydenkevez

HOLYOKE

Angela Gerhard Jewelry
62 Main St.
Angela Gerhard

Cayey Social Club
273 Main St.
Angel L. Saez

Megan’s Treasures
50 Holyoke St.
Nancy A. Oles

The Right Touch
1069 Main St.
Ramon Ortiz

Willie Wonka’s Candy Shoppe
50 Holyoke St.
Amid Alimuradov

Wuglyees
34F Maplecrest Circle
Deborah Malloy

NORTHAMPTON

Common Threads
4 Barrett Place
Georgia Barwick

Cooper Green Design
102 Bridge Road
Erin Nunes Cooper

Dare to Dream
33 Hawley St.
Nadine Sterste

Jane’s Cleaning Service
32 Day Ave.
M. Jane Rogers

Mineral Hills Winery
592 Sylvester Road
Lawrence Goddard

Sarah Did It
24 Elizabeth St.
Sarah Margaret Hougen

Spectrum Painting
151 Riverside Dr.
Ramona Madzunovic

PALMER

April Eve Images
4329 High St.
April Eve Jasak

Palmer Foundry
22 Mount Dumplin Road
Robert Logan

Palmer Variety Country Store & Deli
1365 Main St.
James Carvalho

The Turtle Road Tavern
349 Wilbraham St.
Karl M. Benware

SPRINGFIELD

Affordable Airport Car Service
16 Malcolm Rd.
Ervin Earl Carelock

Amara’s Dressmaking & Alterations
677 Newbury St.
Paula D. Alrutz

Ananda Hair Extensions
26 Dearborn St.
Manuel Reyes

Bling Blings By Val Val
148 Chalmers St.
Valerie A.S. Munyon

Café Divang
405 Dickinson St.
Tay Huynh

Dexom Mobile Corp.
390 Dickinson St.
Hai V Le

Discount Deli
158 Island Pond Road
Thomas Libiszewski

Double A Construction Company
60 Silver St.
Anthony W. Albano

GDH Property Management
156 Brewster St.
Gary Dwayne Hunter

Gina’s Hair Salon
111 Clearbrook Dr.
Gina M. Grassetti

Imani’s Candy Store
423 State St.
Melissa Garnett

WESTFIELD

Aging at Home
57 Franklin St.
Bethany Corbett

Caldwell Banker Residential Broker
48 court St.
NRT New England, LLC

Eagle’s Nest Roadside Grill
600 Southampton Road
Tina Ritchi

Laurinda’s Bird Services
136 Sunset Dr,
Laurinda E. Pudlo

Mokan Floors
190 Pontoosic Road
Eduard Mokan

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Family Chiropractic
364 Main St.
Filomena Larroca-Strobel

Diamondhead Designs
44 Allston Ave.
John DeLuca

Dot’s Hair Care
975 Elm St.
Dorothy Dougherty

Estilo Isla Barbershop
61 Century Way
Jorge Perez

New England Printers
191 North Blvd.
Pari Hoxha

Practical Computer Solutions
126 Jeffrey Lane
Joanne Frank

Steven’s Jewelers Inc.
2068 Riverdale St.
Joseph Stevens

Thermotech Heating & Cooling
40 Fairview Ave.
Julian Mecher

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Departments

Ten Points of Joint Tenancy:
By: Todd C. Ratner

Joint tenancy is a form of co-ownership. An advantage is that, when one co-owner dies, the surviving co-owner has instant access to the jointly held property, eliminating the need for probate. However, joint tenancy can have its perils.

1 Control Issues. By providing someone with co-ownership, you give them control of your asset. If you add another person as co-owner of your home, you cannot sell or mortgage the home unless that person agrees.

2 Creditor Issues. If creditors seek out your co-owner for outstanding debt owed, the creditors may be able to obtain part of your home or bank account that is held in joint tenancy.

3 Relationship Issues. If you and your co-owner experience a falling out, the co-owner may be able to take all of the money out of the bank account.

4 Substitute for Will Issues. Parents of several children may place one child’s name on an account and assume he will divide assets equally among all siblings. Unfortunately, this method provides no stipulations over control of the money. The surviving co-owner can do with it what he pleases, with no legal obligation.

5 Uncertainty Issues. Unplanned ownership of property often leads to unwanted results, especially for people unable to manage assets.

6 Tax Issues. Careful planning to eliminate or reduce estate taxes can be completely thwarted by a joint tenancy that passes property outright to a surviving joint owner.

7 Long-term Care Issues. Thoughtful planning to reduce long-term care financing can also be thwarted by a joint tenancy that passes property outright to a surviving joint owner.

8 Marriage Issues. Individual property may become marital property once it is transferred into a joint tenancy.

9 Incompetency Issues. If a co-owner becomes incompetent, part of the property may go into a conservatorship, making it burdensome if the other joint tenant wants to sell the jointly held property.

10 Distribution Issues. Joint tenancies deprive you of the flexibility of a will or trust, where you can stagger the distribution ages of the beneficiaries. In a joint-tenancy arrangement, the joint tenant receives the asset all at once.

Todd C. Ratner is an estate planning, business, and real-estate attorney with the Springfield-based law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; (413) 781-0560; [email protected]; bwlaw.blogs.com/estate_planning_bits

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Departments

Women in Business Luncheon

Sept. 9: The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will host a “Celebrating Women in Business” Luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield. Jane Iredale, president and founder of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, will be the keynote speaker, while Jessica Layton of NewsChannel 13 will serve as emcee. The public is welcome to attend the event. Admission is $30 for chamber members and $45 for non-members, and includes a plated lunch. To register, call (413) 499-4000, ext. 26, or register online at www.berkshirechamber.com.

Identity Theft Seminars

Sept. 11, Sept. 22, Sept. 23: Representatives of Royal & Klimczuk, LLC, of Northampton and Springfield, will present several informative seminars on revisions to the identity-theft regulations that will impact businesses. The regulations will be effective March 1, 2010, according to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. The most dramatic change to the new regulations is its adoption of a ‘risk-based approach’ to information security. The Sept. 11 seminar is planned in Northampton, while the Sept. 22 seminar is slated in Springfield, and the Sept. 23 seminar is in Westfield. For more information on locations and registration, contact Amy B. Royal, Esq. at (413) 586-2288, or e-mail [email protected].

Family Business Dinner Forum

Sept. 15: For individuals feeling trapped in a family business, a lecture planned by the UMass Family Business Center may be the answer. The lecture will be presented as part of a dinner forum from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Northampton. For complete details, visit www.umass.edu/fambiz or call (413) 545-1537.

Rick Thorpe Golf Classic

Sept. 26: The 8th Annual Rick Thorpe Memorial Golf Tournament will be staged at the Country Club of Wilbraham, with the tournament starting at 12:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. The event, named in honor of Rick Thorpe, who died in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11, will support the Rick Thorpe Memorial Fund. Two $1,500 scholarships are awarded respectively to graduating male and female seniors from Minnechaug Regional High School. The tournament will be staged a week after the start of the fourth year for Rick’s Place Inc. (also named after Thorpe), which provides a supportive, secure environment where families can remember their loved ones and avoid the sense of isolation that loss can produce. All families with children ages 5-18 who have experienced the loss of a close family member are invited to be a part of this support group free of charge. Children meet in small groups led by trained and supervised adult volunteers in projects, games, and activities meant to facilitate their grieving process. Adult family members meet separately with other caregivers to talk about how to support their children, who may or may not outwardly show their grief. Rick’s Place Inc. is located at Kids Village, 35 Post Office Park, Suite 3514, in Wilbraham. For more information on the golf tournament or Rick’s Place, call (413) 348-3120 or visit www.ricksplacema.org.

Oktoberest

Oct. 14: An After 5 & Tabletop Expo is planned from 4 to 7 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, sponsored by the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. Exhibitors are still sought for the business-to-business event. The general price to exhibit is $175, $100 for chamber members. Parking is $5 at the MassMutual Center Garage. General admission is $20 and $10 for Chamber members. For complete details, visit www.myonlinechamber.com.

YPS New Year’s Celebration

Dec. 31: The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield has once again chosen downtown Springfield for its New Year’s Eve celebration. Only 300 tickets will be available for the affair at the Marriott Hotel in Tower Square. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship of the event should visit www.springfieldyps.com for more details. For ticket information, call Jill Monson of YPS at (413) 219-9692.

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2009.

AGAWAM

Frank Ferrentino
1676 Main St.
$14,000 — Install 4-foot foundation under existing cement pad

Riverbend Medical, LLC
230 Main St.
$32,000 — General renovations to expand IT/telephone and data room

Town of Agawam
760 Cooper St.
$7,000 — Renovations to the high school

AMHERST

Jones Properties, LTD
15A Pray St.
$8,000 — Renovate interior of hair salon

CHICOPEE

AHH, Inc.
10 David St.
$20,000 — Interior renovations

Daniel O’Connell’s Sons Inc.
275 Meadow St.
$175,000 — Replace existing shed

LTL, LLC
14 Duncan St.
$10,000 — Repair porch, exterior doors, and windows

EAST LONGMEADOW

Berg Family Trust
130 Shaker Road
$25,000 — Renovate office space

Meadowbrook School
607 Parker St.
$61,000 — Install new alarm system

GREENFIELD

Fair Business, LLC
74 Fairview St.
$52,000 — New roof

Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$13,000 — Installation of two-hour fire separation partition and ’90-minute’ doors

Roman Catholic Church
221 Federal St.
$7,000 — Roof renovations

Town Of Greenfield
1 Lenox St.
$4,500 — Remove and replace existing guard/hand rails at high school

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Machine Inc
514-522 Main St.
$21,000 — New roof and insulation

O’C Ingleside LLC
361 Whitney Ave.
$719,000 — Construction of new laboratory for Baystate Health

LUDLOW

Big Y Trust
433 Center St.
$54,000 — Partitions

NORTHAMPTON

Crocker Building Company Inc.
296 Nonotuck St.
$30,000 — Install metal siding by loading dock

John Scott
52 Round Hill Road
$35,000 — Interior renovations at Clarke School

Sackrey Construction
30 Crafts Ave.
$114,000 — Construction of handicap ramp and bathrooms

SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Medical Center
471 Chestnut St.
$12,000 — Reline chimney

Block Realty
504 St. James Ave.
$9,000 — New roof

Diocese of Springfield
155 Eddywood St.
$240,000 — Minor classroom renovations and construction of new vestibule enclosure

Falcon Management
One Monarch Place
$100,000 — 8th-floor build out

Hampden County Physicians
300 Stafford St.
$259,000 — Interior renovation of 3,000 square feet of space for doctor’s office

Holyname Parish
37 Alderman St.
$153,000 — Interior renovations

Javal Inc.
1801 Page Blvd.
$39,500 — New roof

O’Connell Oil
570 Sumner Ave.
$41,000 — Remodel existing building

Yellow Brick Property
270-272 Center St.
$30,000 — Repair front and side porches

SOUTH HADLEY

PVPA School
15 Mulligan Dr.
$57,000 — Renovations

WESTFIELD

Berkshire Bank
31 Court St.
$370,000 — Interior renovations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

SUK Realty Trust
1144 Elm St.
$18,000 — Re-roof apartment building

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
www.myonlinechamber.com

Sept. 2: ACCGS Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke. The speaker will be Kevin Rhodes, conductor of the Springfield Symphony. The cost is $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

Sept. 7: ACCGS After 5, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Café Lebanon in Springfield. The cost is $10 for members, $20 for non-members.

Sept. 14: Ludlow Golf for Kids, hosted by Ludlow Country Club. Registration and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.; shotgun/four-person scramble at 1 p.m. The cost is $110 per person or $400 for a foursome. Sponsorships are available.

Sept. 22: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by Captain Charles Leonard House in Agawam.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com

Sept. 3: UMass/Chamber Community Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by the UMass Student Union Ballroom. The cost is $8 for members.

Sept. 9: Chamber Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by Courtyard by Marriott, sponsored by Back In Motion, Auto Express, and Summerline Floors. The guest speaker will be Tony Marx. The cost is $12 members and $15 for guests.

Sept. 23: Chamber After Five, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Emily Dickinson Museum, sponsored by Amherst Insurance Agency/The Nathan Agencies. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for guests.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org

Sept. 16: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The cost is $18 for members and $25 for non-members. Register online at www.chicopeechamber.org

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org

Sept. 9: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Apollo Grill, 116 Pleasant St., Eastworks, Easthampton. Sponsored by Clarke school for the Deaf. Event features door prizes, hors d’ouevres, and a cash bar. Tickets cost $5 for members and $15 for non-members.

Sept. 18 and 19: Electronic Recycling Collection, hosted by Red Rock Shops, College Highway, Rte. 10, Southampton. Sponsored by Duseau Trucking LLC, Autumn Properties, and Greater Easthampton Chamber. Event allows people to responsibly dispose of their old computers, monitors, TVs, stereos, and small home and office appliances.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com

Sept. 16: Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Annual Outing, 5 to 7:30 p.m., hosted by Holyoke Country Club, Country Club Road, Holyoke. Featuring a chance to win $1,000. Tickets cost $25. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 for tickets or to become a sponsor, or visit www.holycham.com for more information.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber Of Commerce
www.shchamber.com

Sept. 22: Premier Beyond Business, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by the Sycamores. The guest speaker will be Ken Williamson of the South Hadley Historical Society, who will speak on the Sycamores’ history and renovations. Sponsored by Premier members Berkshire Bank, Chicopee Savings Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, Florence Savings Bank, Jubinville Insurance Group, PeoplesBank, and Private Financial Design. The cost is $10 at the door for chamber members. Reservations are necessary; RSVP at (413) 532-2480 by Sept. 18.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org

Visit the chamber online to learn more about upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org

Sept. 9: WestNet Opening Networking Evening, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Nora’s Restaurant, 106 Point Grove Road, Southwick (across from Louie B’s), celebrating its grand opening under new ownership. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards. Tickets cost $10 for members and $15 for non-members. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, E-mail marcia@westfieldbiz. org, or sign up at www.westfieldbiz.org.

Sept. 19: 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, 5 p.m. to midnight, hosted by Tekoa Country Club, Route 20, 459 Russell Road, Westfield. Sponsored by Berkshire Bank. The theme for the evening is ’50s Diner. A Cruise Night will be set up in the parking lot. Bands include the Drifters and Corey and the Knightsmen. Tickets cost $35 through September 13, and $45 thereafter. For reservations, call (413) 568-1618, E-mail [email protected], or sign up at www.westfieldbiz.org.

Sept. 23: Mini Trade Show, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by Westfield State College, Ely Campus Center, Main Lounge Area, 577 Western Ave., Westfield. The event aims to acquaint the college community, faculty, and students with local businesses and their goods. Call (413) 568-1618 with any questions, or E-mail [email protected].

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

Sept. 11: United Way’s 16th annual Day of Caring. Each year, more than 1,400 volunteers from 45 companies participate in the Day of Caring, which pairs volunteers with agency service providers to accomplish a variety of projects.YPS will be paired up with Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity and will be working on one of the homes currently under construction in Springfield.

Sept. 17: Third Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Café Lebanon in Springfield. Relax after work and socialize with other area young professionals.

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

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.

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Edward, Mary and Christopher Muenkel v. Greenwood Technologies, LLC
Allegation: Malfunction of wood-burning furnace causing property damage and personal injury: $83,000
Filed: 7/7/09

Theresa Rice v. Deerfield Academy
Allegation: Negligent property maintenance causing injury: $67,500
Filed: 7/10/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Hallinan Capital Corporation v. Mountain Road Estates and John Hansen
Allegation: Breach of promissory notes: $884,870.63
Filed: 7/13/09

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame v. Wazoo Sports Inc.
Allegation: Default of broadcasting rights agreement: $54,500
Filed: 7/9/09

Republic Ironworks Inc. v. Barr Inc. and Travelers Casualty & Surety Co. of America
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment of labor, equipment, and materials provided: $42,426.00
Filed: 7/9/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Frank C. Corriveau v. Gentiva Health Services
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $850,883
Filed: 7/15/09

Town of Hatfield v. Mount Vernon Group Inc., Moriece & Gary Inc., and Aquadro & Cerruti Inc.
Allegation: Breach of construction contract for the Dorothy M. Breor Elementary School: $100,000
Filed: 7/15/09

Tyron A. Patruno v. Town of Hadley
Allegation: Breach of employment settlement agreement: $50,000
Filed: 7/15/09

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT

Leader Home Center Inc. v. A.R. Green & Son Inc. & Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $45,266.17
Filed: 7/3/09

Cook Builders Supply Co. v. Berry Construction
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,305.13
Filed: 7/16/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

SWB Properties, LLC v. Equity Builders Realty, LLC
Allegation: Breach of purchase-and-sale agreement: $8,750
Filed: 7/13/09

The Darcy Co. v. Northampton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $4,844.87
Filed: 7/27/09

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

IGM International Granite & Marble Corp. v. Blarney Stone
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,644.33
Filed: 6/25/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. BMS Paper
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services provided: $9,896.73
Filed: 7/1/09

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Rebello Construction Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of workers’ compensation insurance: $7,307.43
Filed: 7/8/09

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Berkshire Bank v. Your Cleaning Services and Alena V. Mozolevskaya
Allegation: Non-payment of balance due under credit agreement: $24,940.57
Filed: 6/19/09

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of August 2009.

AGAWAM

365 Degrees Consulting
40 Kathy Ter.
Brian Edgarly

Agawam Landscaping
396 Main St.
Shana Marie

Employee Physicals Service
77 Riverview Ave.
Frank Benson

JSC Painting
24 Jennie Circle
Joseph Sciartelli

Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Weisser
2 South Bridge Dr.
Jeffrey S. Weisser

My Tan Factory
850 Suffield St.
Sal Mancuso

Quality Inc. and Toner
360 North Westfield St.
Jeffrey Lavoine

Yan David Landscaping
25 Walnut St.
Pavel Sinigur

AMHERST

Five College Storage Inc.
159 Bay Road
Parker Holcomb

Dunn Et Al
989 South East St.
David V. Dunn

Mystery Train Records
178 North Pleasant St.
Josh Burkett

Panda East
183 North Pleasant St.
Yi-Ching Chiang

Traveling Man Art & Jewelry
248 Flat Hills Road
Joseph Chenelle

CHICOPEE

DND Construction
399 Hampden St.
George E. Doup

Elion Construction
116 Hampden St.
Denis B. Borison

Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 104
168 Chicopee St.
Michael Dean Langone

EAST LONGMEADOW

Benjamin & Bers
382 North Main St.
Peter Benjamin

Premier Choice Realty Rentals
444 North Main St.
Russell Sabadosa

GREENFIELD

Distefano & Son Stable
1093 Bernardston Road
John A. Distefano

Needful Things
199 Deerfield St.
Michael Spence

Walgreens
5 Pierce St.
Margarita Kellen

Wendy’s
138 Federal St.
Ed Rafter

HADLEY

Riverside Fencing Club
162 Russell St.
Taro Yamashita

HOLYOKE

Almonte Market
549 South Bridge St.
Evaristo Almonte

CCO Investment Services Inc.
2265 Northampton St.
Xiomara Corral

Eddy’s Connection
1375 Dwight St.
Eduardo Rosado

Gene’s Ford & Chevrolet
103 North Bridge St.
Christopher A. Wenzel

Miracles Sweets
329 Main St.
Milagros Reyes Aponte

LONGMEADOW

A2Z Hypnotherapy
361 Wolf Swamp Road
Robert Cocchi

CCO Investment Services Corp.
53 State St.
Xiomara Corral

Maritime Smarts Inc.
141 Lawnwood Ave.
Stephen Larivee

Redbeard Guitar
1255 Williams St.
Eric Racicot

LUDLOW

Birch Pond Farm
1709 Center St.
Marcy J Reed

Mr. Home
14 Aslak Dr.
Bill Sweeney

Northstar Diesel Services
409 West St.
William Heyn

Russell’s Automotive & Small Engine Repair
409 East West St.
Russell A. Nugent

Toner Town
120 East St.
Joel J. Natari’s

NORTHAMPTON

Hess Express
237 King St.
Richard J. Lawlor

My Taxi Inc.
One Round House Plaza
Katherine E. Hogan

Pizza Amores
18 Green St.
E. Atmaca

Sitalab Architecture & Design
33 Roe Ave.
Caryn Brause

Tapestry Health
16 Center St.
Leslie Tarr Laurie

The Turn-Around Shop
30 North Maple St.
Elizabeth M. Hamilton

Toe & Soles
502 North Farms Road
Diane Boeder

PALMER

Palmer Package Store
1615 North Main St.
Jorge Martins

Steaming Tender Inc.
28 Depot St.
Robin Lamothe

Teng China Garden
1427 Main St.
Feng En Teng

U Call We Haul
1294 South Main St.
Blake Lamothe

SOUTHWICK

Granfield Tree Service
50 Hastings Road
Kerry M. Granfield

Nail Tique
535 College Hwy.
Nga Kieu

Susan’s Sanctuary Bed & Breakfast
68 Powdermill Road
Susan Drapeau

The Sweet Leaf
535 College Hwy.
Tanya Carr

SPRINGFIELD

A2Z Painting
19 Forbes Circle
Mohammed Tanvir

Answer Connecticut
989 Main St.
Frederic Seigel

Baystate Children’s Hospital
759 Chestnut St.
Mark R. Tolosky

Beauty World New Beginning
196 Chestnut St.
Ivette Reyes

Boubacar General Enterprises
68 Federal St.
Boubacar Amadou

Bridge Pizza
565 Main St.
Esmanur Corp.

CNEJ Trucking
1655 Main St.
Clyde N. Epps

Carol-Ann Boardway’s Shop
1196 Parker St.
Carol-Ann Boardway

Clark Administrative Services
22 Lakeside St.
Dorothy M. Clark

E & M Concrete
385 Worthington St.
Egidio Morales

Fabulous Ink
1655 Main St.
Melvin Louis Lockett

Famous-N-Broke
327 State St.
Javier H. Colon

Felix’s Auto Repair
914 Sumner Ave.
Jill A. Crosby

Fidan Express
95 Sumner Ave.
Farkhad Abbasov

Game World
2475 Main ST.
Thu T. Nguyen

Georgia’s Fashion
229 Windemere St.
Georgina Coogan

Glow Commercial Cleaning
38 Pasco Rd.
Richard Rowe

Gus & Magda Tropical Fish
38 Narragansett St.
Magda Benjamin

Hair Cuttery
1712 Boston Road
Ben A. Teicher

WESTFIELD

Center City Serv & Muffler
709 Russell Road
Frank Scigulinsky

Eagle’s Nest Roadside Grill
600 Southampton Road
Craig LaPierre

Ergo Home Design
246 Elm St.
Mark Edward Ethier

For K-9’s and Felines
45 Southwick Road
Nicoll Vincent

Mokan Floors
190 Pontoosic Road
Eduard Mokan

My Favorite Place
48 Elm St.
Lori Lisheness-Hooten

Pioneer Valley Property Management
16 Harrison Ave.
Stephanie Callahan

Prima Vidya Center
24 Elm St.
Jennifer L. Eckard

Scott’s Medical Billing
58 Deer Path Lane
Cynthia A. Scott

Stanley Laundromat
3 White St.
Yong Ja Noh

Steals & Deals
485 East Main St.
Jordan Phillips

Valentine Sign & Design
197 Little River Road
Lance Valentine

Westfield Equipment Services
11 Airport Dr.
Josh Tooney

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Adlord
104 Hampden St.
Earl Stephen Lord

AHA Services
17 Healy St.
C. Howard Pevlin

Applied Software Technologies
59 Interstate Dr.
Edward R. Garibian

Hess
341 Memorial Ave.
Richard J. Lawlor

J. H. Miller Framing & Gallery Inc.
86 Elm St.
James P. Hutchinson

Martin’s Upholstery
811 Memorial Ave.
Martin A. Dean

Pat’s Home Maintenance Service
45 Lynne Dr.
Pasquale A. Stirlacci

St. Ann’s Society
110 Winona Dr.
Nancy Tessier

Strong Arm Cleaning
17 Pleasant St.
Jackson Haines Laverne

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Departments

Transforming Young Minds

The Electrical/Robotics Technology Department at Springfield Technical Community recently staged its annual summer robotics camp. Eleven middle-school students from Springfield took part in the two-week camp, which gave them an opportunity to learn about the field and build their own robot. At left, Kamari Long displays his robot, while below, Aailyah Gordon (left) and Daryen Ramsey-Thomas show what their creation can do. Sponsors for the camp again this year included the Hampden County Regional Employment Board and the Black Men of Greater Springfield.

A Cut Above

Paul DiGrigoli, owner of DiGrigoli’s Salons, put his talents on display at a recent trade show of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, providing free haircuts to attendees. Here, he chats with BusinessWest Sales and Marketing Coordinator Melissa Hallock.

Practical Lessons from the Great Recession

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Opinion

With the possible exception of the bill-collection business, virtually every sector of the economy has been negatively impacted by the current recession. But perhaps none more than the hospitality industry, and especially the restaurant business.

It is a simple truth that, when money is tight, people (even current generations) will splurge less and stay home more. In reaction to this fact of life, area restaurateurs have responded with determination and imagination, necessary ingredients if one is to not merely survive but somehow thrive in these challenging times.

As outlined in a piece in BusinessWests annual Restaurant Guide (page 23), steps taken have been as varied as the items on a typical dinner menu; from reducing lighting and energy costs to expanding the menu with lower-priced items; from cutting down on printing costs to staying visible through aggressive, targeted marketing.

Restaurateurs typically run a tight ship they have to because margins are so low to being with but these days, that ship is much tighter.

The hospitality sector is certainly not alone in its creative, determined response to the softened economy and its ongoing implications, but its actions serve as strong testimony to the fact that, while this recession is in all ways painful, there are practical lessons to be learned from it, and ones that could help this region become more competitive in the long run.

The biggest lesson, clearly, is that companies shouldnt wait until the storm is upon them to look at their operations and devise ways for them to run more efficiently and creatively. This mentality should prevail 24/7/365, regardless of whats happening with the economy.

But as everyone knows, reality is different. Companies and the people who manage them tend to become complacent when times are better. Theyre less concerned with how long the air conditioning is on and what the thermostat reads when people go home for the night. Theyre not as likely, perhaps, to market themselves aggressively and remain visible because they believe the business will find them. And theyre not as willing to look at a department or a division and wonder whether it is properly staffed and if the same amount of work can be done with fewer people.

It is when times are tough that people turn over every rock in search of ways to cut expenses and increase revenues. As one restaurateur put it, this is the time for everyone in an operation to think like an owner.

Hes right, of course, but the time for such thinking, for such a mindset, is all the time.

And if area business owners and managers can learn this lesson, then maybe there will be something actually gained from whats being called the Great Recession.

Indeed, newspapers and business magazines often run collections of stories on businesses large and small surviving a recession. They are replete with tales of business leaders being daring and entrepreneurial as they blueprint ways to do what they do better, to reach new audiences, and cultivate new groups of customers.

Add it all up, and it seems that people in business do their best, most creative, thinking when their backs are up against the wall and their survival is quite possibly at stake.

What we hope people take away from these troubling times is that they dont have to wait until trouble strikes to be entrepreneurial or to really think like an owner. If they act in such a manner during all economic seasons, then this region will have better, stronger small businesses and, overall, a much more resilient economic base.

OPINION

By BusinessWest Staff August 31, 2009

Opinion

Casino Jobs Aren’t Enough

Last year, House opposition stopped Gov. Patricks proposal to build three resort casinos in Massachusetts. With a worsening fiscal crisis and Speaker Robert DeLeo taking a more casino-friendly stance than his predecessor, the issue is sure to reemerge this fall.

Proponents argue that casinos will add new tax revenue and much-needed jobs a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce study estimates that three resort casinos would add between 10,000 and 11,500 temporary construction jobs and 17,000 to 21,000 permanent jobs. Opponents cite the societal costs associated with gambling.

Our organizations havent taken a position on casinos. But we believe the much bigger issue is that, while the country added about 25 million jobs over the last two decades, the number of jobs in Massachusetts stayed the same.

Flat job growth is not a strategy for long-term success. Skilled workers have made Massachusetts a leading destination for high-paying jobs. But focusing only on high-end employment is a recipe for disaster, creating a society of haves and have-nots. Broader job growth creates social mobility, encourages affordability, and enhances the regions ability to attract the best talent.

Creating a level playing field should be the foundation of an overall vision for long-term job growth. It begins with streamlining the process for starting a business. Massachusetts must be a destination that holds opportunity for new immigrants and other start-up entrepreneurs, not just the established and affluent. And while Massachusetts will never be inexpensive, costs matter, and there is much that can be done to reduce them.

A 2006 study prepared by Global Insight for Pioneer Institute found that the cost of land was the source of the states high residential and commercial rents, wages, and overall cost of living. The problem often stems from rigid local zoning ordinances that discourage development. In the midst of a deep recession, its easy to lose sight of problems such as the supply of affordable commercial space not keeping up with demand. But over time, this has been a main driver of rising costs, making each new job more expensive to create.

The cost of employer-provided health insurance continues to rise much faster than inflation. The Commonwealths 2006 health care reform law was a first step toward addressing the problem. It has successfully expanded access to health insurance, but a laser-like focus on cost containment will be necessary if it is ultimately to succeed.

Massachusetts cost of electricity, one of the highest in the nation, is also hindering economic growth. With the states reliance on expensive fuels to generate power, escalating costs to replace an aging infrastructure, and the willingness to constantly add surcharges to customer bills to fund unproven renewable technologies and other costly experimental programs, further double-digit rate increases are certain.

Massachusetts employers also pay more than $1.5 billion annually in unemployment insurance taxes double the national average on a per-employee basis. The taxes support a system that offers the richest benefits in the country, and one in which its easier to qualify for benefits and recipients can collect for longer than in other states.

With people hurting across the state, this isnt the time to cut unemployment benefits. But a set of reforms proposed last year by Associated Industries of Massachusetts would have saved $366 million without slashing benefits.

Today, businesses in seasonal industries like construction and tourism routinely lay off the same employees every year, using unemployment benefits as kind of a payroll subsidy. Some small-business owners take advantage of this loophole by laying themselves off and collecting for part of each year. Charging those companies much higher unemployment insurance tax rates would provide a disincentive for bad behavior and lighten the load for companies that arent abusing the system.

Whether to build casinos in Massachusetts is an issue that merits spirited debate. But casinos alone arent nearly enough to make up for the Commonwealths failure to grow jobs. Regardless of how the casino debate turns out, state policymakers should spend far more time and effort on reforms that will spur substantial long-term job growth.

Rick Lord is president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts. Jim Stergios is executive director of Pioneer Institute.

By BusinessWest Staff August 17, 2009

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.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Tamara Gordievsky v. Spring Valley Mart
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance, causing injury: $2,557.03
Filed: 7/14/09

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Cindy Foster, Executor of the Estate of Karen Marquis v. Uma Raghunathan, M.D.
Allegation: Defendant’s failure to properly treat Marquis’ medical condition led to her death: $25,000
Filed: 6/30/09

Mary English and Margaret Perri v. Lifetyme Exteriors, LLC
Allegation: Breach of home repairs and painting contract: $37,946.15
Filed: 7/10/09

Sally Orluk and Walter Jarvi v. Richard & Paula Sheridan and Orange Oil Company Inc.
Allegation: Improperly installed heating unit, causing property damage and personal injury: $546,192.15
Filed: 7/23/09

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Crystal L. DeMaria v. Green River Honda
Allegation: Negligent failure to repair motorcycle, causing accident and personal injury: $3,262.05
Filed: 6/18/09

Leader Home Center Inc. v. W. Kulig Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $14,073.85
Filed: 6/11/09

Oldcastle Precast Inc. v. Blue Waters Marine Aggregates, LLC
Allegation: Defendant’s agent, while driving a tractor, negligently damaged the trailer in an accident: $12,000
Filed: 6/10/09

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Alan E. Pranka v. Harman Stove Co., et al
Allegation: Product liability: $209,070.65
Filed: 6/22/09

JoAnne Grybosh v. Hartley Brother Landscaping Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $118,000
Filed: 7/2/09

Mark P. Soticheck v. CRS Environmental, LLC
Allegation: Breach of employment contract: $53,500
Filed: 6/30/09

Marlin Controls Inc. v. Lapinsky Electric Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $35,584.32
Filed: 7/2/09

Michael A. Lind and Lisa A. Bishop, Jointly as Administrators of the Estate of Corey M. Lind v. Domino’s Pizza Inc. and Alex A. Morales
Allegation: Compensatory and punitive damages resulting from negligent supervision and wrongful death: $15 million
Filed: 6/16/09

OFC Capital Corporation v. Berkshire-Westwood Graphics Group Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of promissory notes: $417,149.06
Filed: 7/14/09

Ryder Transportation Services v. Berkshire-Westwood Graphics Group
Allegation: Non-payment of truck lease and service agreement: $36,289.64
Filed: 6/08/09

Susan Mani v. United Bank and Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury, and Murphy, P.C.
Allegation: Breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment, and conversion: $13,441,340
Filed: 6/25/09

United Cooperative Bank v. Washington Mutual Bank
Allegation: Breach of warranty; defendant cashed forged instrument and then presented to United Bank for payment: $38,066.89
Filed: 6/15/09

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Christopher G. and Sarah D. Pelkey v. Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 8006
Allegation: Dram shop liability: $111,731.49
Filed: 7/06/09

Don Lia, et al v. Environmental Compliance Services Inc.
Allegation: Damages resulting from breach of contract for environmental consulting services: $20 million
Filed: 7/21/09
Green & Sons Inc. v. Protestant Episcopal Church
Allegation: Non-payment of construction goods and services: $576,953.20
Filed: 7/20/09

Universal Forest Products Eastern Division Inc. v. Trak Petroleum, LLC and Patrick Tannous
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $15,184.45
Filed: 7/30/09

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT

Cook Builders Supply Company Inc. v. Ryan Landscaping
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,412.41
Filed: 7/16/09

Lora Barrett v. B.F. Donuts Inc. d/b/a Dunkin Donuts
Allegation: Failure to maintain entryway, causing injuries: $17,690
Filed: 6/08/09

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Designcrete of America, LLC v. Stone Soup Concrete, LLC d/b/a Kustom Decokrete
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $2,693.02
Filed: 7/8/09

L. Francis Dionne v. Northampton Ford Inc.
Allegation: Failure to deliver purchased vehicle and failure to return purchase price upon written demand: $12,221
Filed: 6/26/09

Premier Supply Group Inc. v. Al’s Heating & Cooling Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $4,886.24
Filed: 6/30/09

Premier Supply Group Inc. v. Advanced Mechanical Services, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $24,179.57
Filed: 6/30/09

TBF Financial, LLC v. Somatic Systems Institute Inc.
Allegation: Plaintiff seeks to recover damages for breach of a business lease: $8,149.47
Filed: 7/22/09

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Alexander and Karen Averette v. Good Deal Auto
Allegation: Breach of contract for purchase of motor vehicle: $10,000
Filed: 6/16/09

BRT Extrusions Inc. v. Ledlight Illuminated Signs, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $4,168.17
Filed: 6/15/09

Capital One Bank, N.A. v. Carter McLeod Realty Company, LLC
Allegation: Monies owed for credit advanced: $4,279.37
Filed: 6/05/09

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. F.W. Dwyer Co., LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of workers’ compensation insurance: $19,480.66
Filed: 7/8/09

Michael R. Tryon v. Home Depot USA
Allegation: Defendant sold and installed a defective door causing damage to plaintiff’s home: $8,417.42
Filed: 6/25/09

New England Industrial Uniform Rental Services v. Herb Holden Trucking
Allegation: Breach of uniform rental agreement: $15,739.72
Filed: 6/30/09

Poultry Products Inc. v. Li’s Brothers
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $4,662.03
Filed: 6/22/09

Robin Belgrade v. Six Flags Inc.
Allegation: Defect in pavement, causing injury: $25,000
Filed: 7/13/09

Zulma Sinisterra v. Giggle Gardens Child Center
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance, causing slip and fall: $6,382
Filed: 6/19/09

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Amerifirst Home Improvement Finance Co. v. Custom Craft Industries
Allegation: Breach of contract: $10,228.37
Filed: 7/3/09

BKM Total Office v. Floors Above and Brian Glynn
Allegation: Defective installation of flooring at Barnes Aerospace: $19,878.88
Filed: 6/16/09

By BusinessWest Staff August 17, 2009

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of July 2009.

AGAWAM

AIM Marketing Communications
55 Christopher Lane
Anthony Ieraci

Bancroft Bridals
967 Springfield St.
Bancroft Bridals

Bruburger
241 South Westfield St.
Constantino Dino Gravanis

Cardinal Security Consulting
16 Lawnwood St.
Phillip Leclair

Fournier Woodwork
940 Main St.
Ann Fournier

My Tan Factory
950 Suffield St.
Becky Lanza

Pheasant Hill Village Associates
25 Pheasant Hill Dr.
Ernest A. Gralia

Shean Remodeling & Home Improvement
2 Royal Lane
Dan Shean

Tiger Power Wash
221 Springfield St.
Kenneth Rose

United Research Bureau
24 East View Dr.
United Research Bureau

AMHERST

3C Communications
157 Aubinwood Road
James R. L. Holdsworth

Amherst Coffee
28 Amity St.
A Fine Café Company Inc

Caseify
96 Larkspur Dr.
Lauren Kopec

Five College Laundry
22 Whipple Tree Lane
Zachary Zetlin

H20 Amherst
431 Pinest Road
Christopher O’Keefe

Human Rights Action International
4 Chadwick St.
Joseph Wronka

International Center for Psychological Trauma
26 South Pleasant St.
James Helling

Orrpaz Auto Repair
48 Belchertown Road
Craig Eyal Tornovish-Block

The Humble Baker
460 West St.
Brieta M. Goodwin

CHICOPEE

Chaput Electric
90 Royalston St.
William C. Chaput

Chicopee Hearing Center of Pioneer Valley Audiology
500 Front St.
Kathryn S. James

Homestyle Café
1780 Westover Road
Hollie Warren

JL Construction
39 Swol St.
Jared Laravee

MacroPlan & Associates
48 Rose St.
Obukohwo Urhiafe

Our Dentist
747 Memorial Dr.
Mitesh G. Brahmbhatt

Vehicle Ventures, LLC
1840 Memorial Dr.
Jason Spellacy

EAST LONGMEADOW

Consignment Plus
46 Baldwin St.
Carla Germain

Dr. Handyman
48 Braeburn Road
Dmitry Rokhkind

Gasperini & Sons
45 Longview Dr.
Michael Gasperini

Graziano Bros. Landscape Inc.
280 Elm St.
Christopher Graziano

Salon Chiala
44 Harkness Ave.
Chiala Marvici

GREENFIELD

Aia Sign Travel Company
15 Chandler Lane
Kimberlee McAulay

Barlow Tree, Landscaping, & Excavating Inc.
77 Davis St.
Bryan Barlow

Calins Home Repair
297 Chapman St.
Calin D. Giurgio

Glamorous
114 Wells St.
Ryan Kus

M & M Auto Center, LLC
295 Federal St.
Mahmut Omeragic

New Inkwell News
78 Federal St.
Rozina N. Butt

Real Pickles
311 Wells St.
Daniel S. Rosenburg

Save A Life Certification
332 Deerfield St.
Dan Violel Oros

HADLEY

General Co.
32 North Maple St.
James C. Ting

Wind in the Woods Farm
229 Russell St.
Anna Rose Sample

Zephyr Rugs
227 Russell St.
Victoria Sheikh

HOLYOKE

Abercrombie
50 Holyoke St.
Marjorie Brody

Charles Schwab & Co.
330 Whitney Ave.
Michael Cavanaugh

Corners Delight Grocery & Deli
95 High St.
Luis A. Alvarado Sr.

Dairy Market
1552 Dwight St.
Sagheer Nawaz

High Style
364 High St.
Besaida Diaz

J & C Auto Sales
9 Avon Place
Cynthia Geiring

J. M. Hollister, LLC
50 Holyoke St.
Marjorie Brody

No Static
37 Temple St.
Brian Robidoux

Wongshing Inc.
2223 Northampton St.
Neil Wong

LONGMEADOW

Christian Psychotherapy Associates
861 Converse St.
Bernard Marshall

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
1 Campus Dr.
NRT New England, LLC

Pioneer Valley Tree Professionals
167 Wimbledon St.
Ryan O’Leary

Solomon Communications
62 Prynn Ridge
Susan Solomon

Total Health Acupuncture
86 Greenmeadow Dr.
Mei Han

LUDLOW

Annie’s Cutting Corner
183 Prospect St.
Anne Clement

Joe’s Auto Body Inc.
199 West St.
Joaquim Mateus

Lost Pond Farm
975 Lyon St.
Edgar R. Minnie II

Monzi’s Café
390 West St.
Joseph A. Monzillo

Performance Diesel Services
566 Holyoke St.
Todd Ely

NORTHAMPTON

Columbia Delta Company
32 North Elm St.
Richard N. Kowalski

Just B
30 Strong Ave.
Bianca Jackson

Layla Vera
150 Main St.
Jessica Sokol

Noho Pride
221 Pine St.
Cindy S. White

Sakura
261 King St.
Hao Chen, Inc.

Scrappy Do
284 Sylvester Road
Michael Samson

The Taxi Inc.
One Round House Plaza
Chester Krusiewski

PALMER

Bob’s Auto & Small Engine Repair
106 Belchertown St.
Robert E. Cain

Chicken Coop Café
103 Thorndike St.
Li Jia

Dancing Keys
1 Laurel Road
Carolyn Gibbs

Handy Man Unlimited
15 Smith Ave.
John D. Gilmore

Lyon Home Improvement
1235 Park St.
Troy M. Lyons

Millenium Die Group
2022 Bridge St.
Richard J. Sweeting

Palmer Auto Wash
1219 Thorndike St.
Robert W. Ainsworth

P & H Excavating
148 Gates St.
Michael Francis Piechota

S & S Food Mart
1520 Main St.
Syed Hashmi

Tenczar’s Food Town
2004 Main St.
Keyur Patel

The Wedgewood Motel
1430 Park St.
Stanley R. Lamb

Wayne’s Truck Service
75 North St.
Wayne Chapin

SOUTH HADLEY

Alphabet LTD.
11 Cedar Ridge
Cynthia L. Meyer

Denise’s Designs
491 Granby Road
Denise Pelletier

Family Cuts
189 East St.
Mary Quesnel Sudyka

South Hadley Farmers’ Market
10 Pheasant Lane
Ann Pembleton

Tailgate Picnic
7 College St.
John A. Magri

T. I. Painting
77 Ferry St.
Timothy H. Lawler

The Center for Functional Nutrition
514 Amherst Road
Russell Mariani

SOUTHWICK

A Healing Spirit
44 Charles Johnson
Wendy Marie Birchall

Angco-Vieweg Distributors
24 Laro Road
Jason Vieweg

Choice Home Improvements
3 Matthews Road
Thomas E. Delnegro IV

Country Auto Sales
532 College Highway
Al Gendron

Friends of Jaime S. Rivera
203 Feeding Hills Road
Jefferey E. Bovat

Ideal Home Reality
155 Fred Jackson Road
Bernadette Bain

Red Oak Paving
610 College Highway
Philip G. Bellinghausen

SPRINGFIELD

American Career Institute
365 Cadwell Dr.
Robert Payne

American Traditional Carpet
43 Shepherd Dr.
Thomas N. Edens

Amiracle Construction
225 Durant St.
Jonathan Barry Hall

Happy Feet
170 Main St.
Latoya Granesha

Hilda’s Sewing
55 Armory St.
Hilda L. Martinez

I Wireless
607 State St.
Long Nguyen

JB High Quality Dental
1655 Main St.
Jose A. Bautista

JJ Beauty Salon
1614 Main St.
Yoanda Carpio

Jasm Enterprises, LLC
805 Newbury St.
Jefferey Adam

Jezy’s Cake Wedding Plan
47 Longview St.
Jezenia Delgado

Lupi Illustrations
665 Belmont Ave.
Michael Robert Lupi

Main Connection
2670 Main St.
Jacqueline Alban

Main Kitchen
1343 Carew St.
Bun Chan

Mary T. Tzambazakis
1120 Main St.
Mary Tzambazakis

Melanie’s Beauty Salon
494 Central St.
Radhames Rodriguez

Mercado’s Painting
122 Temby St.
William Mercado

MMY Convenience Inc.
295 Allen St.
Mahir Elssir

Montessori School
1644 Allen St.
Path Mangi

New York Fried Chicken
7 Audubon St.
Mahboob Ali Shah

Next Level Supplements
80 Lois St.
Brandon J. McCloud

North East Performance
113 Vermont St.
Derek Dang

PCX Corp
1531 Main St.
Soo Bong Lee

Platinum Auto Spa, LLC
1122 Bay St.
Michael F. McCarthy

PR Hotdogs
20 Summit St.
Noel Mercado

Premier Automotive Sales
694 Berkshire Ave.
Luis Antonio Rivera

R & R Grocery
344 Orange St.
Rohail Uddin A. Khan

RAMI Photography
1655 Main St.
Belal I. Awkal

Reliable Handyman Service
36 Upland St.
Frank Sterlin

Rise and Shine Auto Sales
890 Boston Road
Julia V. Vargas

R. J. Majowicz Electrical
65 Main St.
Robert J. Majowicz

Ruff Edge Entertainment
23 Goldenrod St.
Gina M. Emanuel

RYS Family Fashion
2460 Main St.
Luis E. Liriano

Sally A. LaFleur
24 Gardens Dr.
Sally A. LaFleur

TMB Consultants
24 Dorne St.
Thomas M. Belton

Trust Associates
77 Lyons St.
Debra J. Woods

Valhalla Labs
148 Allen St.
Corrie Jean Platten

York Street Establishment
1 Federal St.
Michael Mastriani

WESTFIELD

Angela’s Hair Salon
78 Frank St.
Angela Poon

BPR Concrete Service
11 Laurel Terrace
Brian Rousseau

Disposable Friend
248 Western Ave.
Timothy Wylie

D. J. Webber & Associates
64 Deer Path Lane
David Webber

EMT & SSTA
577 Western Ave.
Edward Mello Jr.

Hess
310 East Main St.
Amerada Hess Corporation

H & C Plumbing and Heating
75 Beverly Dr.
Heath Allen

Lansing Home Improvement
29 Noble Ave.
Nicholas Lansing

Mary Leavy, ATP
156 Western Ave.
Mary Leavy

Morin Home Improvement
98 Old Farm Road
Christopher Morin

Musical Beginnings and Story Time Magic
287 Shaker Road
Donna Omega Liese

Naugatuck River Review
45 Highland Ave.
Lori Desrosiers

New Corner Variety
2 Crown St.
Laura Parker

North Country Harvest
639 Shaker Road
Michael Kosinski

Oleksak Home Services LLC
31 Schumann Dr.
James Oleksak

Property Services Plus
40 Montgomery Road
Stephen C. Poteat

The Home Depot
111 Southampton Road
Steven Taplits

Valley View Property Management & Services
65 Deborah Lane
Steven J. Morse

World Peace Beads
4 School St.
Suzanne Tracy

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Alex Izoita Electric
40 High St.
Aleksander Izoita

Apex Oil Inc.
57 Norman St.
George R. Martin Jr.

Bertucci’s Brick Oven Ristorante
847 Riverdale St.
David G. Lloyd

EC4WDA Northeast Region
110 Kings Highway
Angel L. Matthews

Edible Arrangements
1702 Riverdale St.
Louise Beauchemin

Fat Boyz Kustoms
33 Heywood Ave.
Eric J. Cross

Friendly Hair Salon
559 Union St.
Tatyana Gitsman

Gooseberry Farms
201 Gooseberry Road
Leonard Lapinsky

Home Mart
366 Memorial Ave.
Brian Christopher Clarke

Hooters
1290 Riverdale St.
West Springfield Wings, LLC

Life Uniform
935 Riverdale St.
Healthcare Uniform Corporation

Massachusetts Power Saver
179 North Boulevard
Galen Plourde

Noho Pet Sitters
576 Dewey St.
Melanie M. Miller

Parsons Sewing Connections LLC
2009 Riverdale St.
Marlene P. Warren

Speed & Hegeman Insurance Agency
103 Van Deene Ave.
McClure Insurance Agency Inc.

Sterling Motors Inc.
130 Norman St.
James M. Chojnowski

Subway
1329 Riverdale St.
Steven Petau

Sweeney Associates
84 Cedar Woods
Kathleen H. Sweeney

The Big Remodeling
53 Hill St.
Eugeniu Banaru

V & K Auto Sales
44 Exposition Ave.
Anthony Valentino

By BusinessWest Staff August 17, 2009

Departments

An Exciting Chapter

As part of a program called “Putting the Accent on Literacy, One Book at a Time,” BusinessWest and its Difference Makers Class of 2009 coordinated a book drive in conjunction with the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, which links young people with books during the summer months when they are away from school. On Aug. 5, program participants gathered for a reception and book reading at the Dunbar Community Center in Springfield. At right, Maura Geary, project coordinator for the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, reads Mia Hamm’s “Winners Never Quit” with Tea Webster; below, right, Trevis Wray, representing the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield, reads “Where the Wild Things Are” with Chris Benoite; below, BusinessWest Associate Publisher Kate Campiti reads “A Chair for My Mother” with Tahjai Lewis.

Community Colleges Need Real Stimulus

By BusinessWest Staff August 17, 2009

Opinion

Since President Obama put his American Graduation Initiative a plan to pump $12 billion into the nations community colleges over the next decade on the table, regional and national commentators have hailed the plan as a giant step forward for these important institutions.

Obama has been hailed as a visionary and a president who gets it when it comes to the importance of community colleges in the broad realm of economic development. Meanwhile, the initiative, with grant funds tied to performance specifically with regard to graduation rates is seen as a means to get community colleges focused on results rather than mere enrollment numbers.

Thats what the plan looks like from afar. But when one gets a little closer, it becomes clear that maybe this initiative, usually accompanied by the adjective bold, doesnt really deserve such a descriptor. The money certainly wont hurt every little bit helps at this time of severe state budget cutbacks but it is a far cry from what these schools really need to handle the huge assignment theyve been given: to play a large role in training the next generation of workers for emerging new business sectors.

What the Obama initiative does quite effectively, we believe is at least open a dialogue on community colleges, shed light on some of their unique challenges, and stimulate debate on just what can be done to effectively support these institutions moving forward.

Historically, community colleges, which have been part of the American landscape for just over a century now, have lacked state and federal support, with rare exceptions such as the original GI Bill, passed just after World War II. Perhaps the reasons for this are the role played by the colleges and the constituencies they serve.

In short, community colleges provide education for those who have few, if any, other options for obtaining a degree. They cater to mostly non-traditional students, older individuals who are balancing school, work, and family obligations. Many of these people are the first in their families to go beyond high school.

This is not what elected leaders envision when they think of college, and perhaps thats why community colleges have traditionally been underfunded by state and local governments, at least when compared to four-year schools. But enrollment at the nations community colleges is soaring, in part because of changing demographics new waves of immigrants coming to this country and also because of the economy and the need that many have to improve their job skills to re-enter the workforce.

This surge in enrollment, however, is juxtaposed against dramatic budget turmoil at the state level, especially here in Massachusetts, where cuts have led to budget reductions of 14% or more at area community colleges.

Which brings us to Obamas American Graduation Initiative. It represents a dramatic increase in federal support for community colleges 60% if averaged out over the next decade but to say there are strings attached to the money is a huge understatement.

Indeed, most of that $12 million will be apportioned on the basis of grant applications that link money with graduation-rate performance. While this sounds admirable, it will likely coerce schools into lowering graduations standards, toughening entrance requirements, or both. The often-criticized, deeply misunderstood graduation rates may in fact climb, but at the likely expense of accessibility to higher education which is what community colleges are all about.

While these schools will applaud Obamas actions and gladly pursue the money, they should also press for more substantial, more meaningful, and more consistent federal support of community colleges. Thats what they really need and truly deserve.

By BusinessWest Staff August 17, 2009

Departments

Ten Points about :forming a new business

By SEAN WANDREI, CPA

1. What type of owners will there be? A sole proprietor has one owner (an individual), a partnership/limited liability company (P/LLC) has at least two owners, C-corporations have no restrictions, and S-corps a maximum of 100 owners.

2. Choice of tax year? A C-corp can have any year-end. A sole proprietor has the individual owner’s calendar year-end. Generally, a P/LLC must have the same year-end as the majority owner, and S-corps must have a calendar year-end.

3. Who pays the taxes? A C-corp pays the taxes on its own tax return. Sole proprietor, P/LLC, and S-corp income flows through to the owner, and taxes are paid on the owner’s return.

4. Is there liability protection? Sole proprietors and partnerships have no liability protection, while C-corps, S-corps, and LLCs have certain liability protection.

5. Availability of fringe benefits to owners? Fringe-benefits exemptions from tax are not available to a sole proprietor or P/LLC owner. Fringe-benefit exemptions are available to owners of C-corps and fewer than 2% owners of S-corps.

6. Is the contribution of property to the entity by an owner taxable? An owner can contribute property to a SP and P/LLC tax-free, while contribution of property to a C-corp or S-corp by the owner could be a taxable event.

7. Taxation on the sale of an ownership interest? Disposition of C-corps and S-corps are treated as a sale of stock, while the sale of a SP is treated as a sale of assets. The sale of P/LLC ownership interest is generally treated as a sale of a capital asset.

8. Can the entity pay its owner wages? A sole proprietor and P/LLC cannot pay its owner’s wages, while a C-corp and S-corp can pay wages to its owners.

9. Are earnings of the entity subject to self-employment tax on the owner return? Earnings from a trade or business of an SP or P/LLC are subject to self-employment tax. Earnings of an S-corp are not subject to self-employment tax.

10. What else should be considered? C-corps and S-corps are subject to tax on their inventory and manufacturing equipment at a rate of $2.56 per $1,000 of value on their Mass. Corporate Income Tax Return.

Sean Wandrei is a tax manager with Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.. His technical concentrations are in multi-state taxation as well as real estate entities; (413) 536-8510.

OPINION

By BusinessWest Staff August 17, 2009

Opinion

Retooling the Medicare/Medicaid Model

National health reform is on a fast track. And most proposals draw heavily on the experiment in Massachusetts, which has led to a phenomenal coverage success. But there is a lesser-known innovation in Massachusetts that may offer greater lessons to our nation in improving health and lowering cost. It is called Senior Care Options, and it targets a population largely ignored by health reform seniors. To understand its novelty, a quick review of Medicare and Medicaid is instructive.

Both public programs are overseen through one federal agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare is administered by the federal government and provides health insurance to seniors 65 and older. Medicaid is funded by the states and the federal government, but administered by individual states. It provides insurance to low-income families, disabled individuals, and seniors. Families represent three-quarters of Medicaids enrollment, but only 30% of the costs. Seniors account for much of the rest.

A child on Medicaid costs $1,700 per year. A senior in a nursing home costs $70,000. Herein lies an irony. Medicare was created to provide care for seniors. But that care is putting the greatest pressure on state Medicaid budgets. Why? Medicare does not pay for most long-term care services the most expensive care for this population. And since most seniors cannot afford long-term care, once they become frail they spend down their assets (or previously transferred them to their children) to qualify for Medicaid.

In order to deal with this growing burden, states are investing in innovative community supports and services like home health and personal-care services to keep seniors out of nursing homes. To do this well, a state must effectively manage the entire care for this population. But for the 9 million nationally who are on both Medicaid and Medicare, it is almost impossible to do so. This is because each program operates in its own silo with different rules, providers, and services, resulting in enormous fragmentation and added cost. And this cost is significant. Seniors in this circumstance so-called dual-eligibles account for more than $200 billion in spending per year.

Enter Senior Care Options. Massa-chusetts and CMS entered into a novel experiment in 2004. For dual-eligible seniors, Medicare and Medicaid both provide funding to Senior Care Options organizations, which are responsible for managing all care. The organizations provide care that best meets the needs of individuals without separate funding sources and rules to fragment care. Care is fully coordinated, and patients and their families are actively involved in decisions about their health.

The program has had impressive results. Enrollment in this state now tops 11,000 and has increased each year. (Senior Care Options is not available in all regions of the state, and as a voluntary program does not cover all those eligible.) One recent survey found that customer satisfaction was generally very high. Another showed that those in these organizations entered nursing homes at a rate that was 25% lower than those not in the program.

Senior Care Options teaches that seamless coordination of care is critical to success. Yet, the arcane design of Medicaid and Medicare presents major obstacles. As a result, very few other states have successfully replicated this model, and the care for most dual-eligibles remains largely unintegrated.

As Congress considers a new public plan, shouldnt we better align the public plans that already exist? The Obama administration can reorganize CMS so that it focuses as much on the unique needs of populations as it does on the rules of payment. CMS should create a program integration unit devoted exclusively to breaking down silos between the two programs and working with states to eliminate barriers to seamless care for dual-eligibles. Doing so will go a long way to reducing costs and free up resources for more far-reaching reform.

Douglas S. Brown is senior vice president and general counsel of UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester and a former state Medicaid director.

Departments

OPINION

A Step to Manage Health Costs

Putting a Plug in the Brain Drain

Making Things Happen in the Green Industry

Practical Lessons from the Great Recession

OPINION

Casino Jobs Aren’t Enough

Community Colleges Need Real Stimulus

OPINION

Retooling the Medicare/Medicaid Model

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