Departments Archives - Page 143 of 148

By BusinessWest Staff April 3, 2006

Departments

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

Anderson, Duane
51 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/04/06

Arguello, Ana
36 Harvard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/06

Beckett, Jesse
42 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/06

Bissaillon, Mary Kathryn
71 Craig Dr., Apt. J-3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/16/06

Boucher, Dennis J.
15 Craig Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/21/06

Boudrau-Anderson, Alicia J.
51 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/04/06

Braak, Colleen Ann
74 Bridge St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/28/06

Caceres, Carmen I.
37 Converse St., Apt. 1
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/06

Cardinal-Greaney, Patricia Ann
19 Florence Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/21/06

Curtis, Cynthia L.
802 Alden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/27/06

Delisle, James J.
14 Walker Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/06

Figueroa, Esther
130 Bacon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/27/06

Franconeri, Jason M.
1480 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/28/06

Gladkowski, John F.
2126 Baptist Hill Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/01/06

Graveline, Michael J.
34 Greenwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/06

Graveline, Sharon A.
34 Greenwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/06

Hadley, Karen M.
49 Bristol St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/18/06

Hall, David
265 New Ludlow Road, Apt
D1
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/05/06

Harvey, Sophia J.
15 Rochelle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/16/06

Lovering, Shirley M.
33 Springfield St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/23/06

Melendez, Tricia D.
16 Stuart St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/21/06

Messenger, Susan Diane
38 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/16/06

Moreau, Michael J.
25 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/22/06

Morin, Steven J.
191 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/06

Murphy, Kevin W.
49 Field St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/06

Murphy, Patricia A.
49 Field St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 03/03/06

O’Brien, Thomas L.
67 Rollins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/16/06

O’Connor, Deirdre Lynn
1347 Worcester St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/27/06

Orr, James J.
12 Morris St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/21/06

Pardee, Stephen H.
366 Turkey Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/17/06

Remillard, Raymond
922 Berkshire Ave.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter:
Filing Date: 02/21/06

Seabrooks, Cleveland
38 Olive St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/06

Segel, Jonathan Eric
156 Shephard St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/22/06

Simpson, Diane Mary
137 Undine Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/16/06

Thompson, Woodrow W.
64 Ellsworth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/23/06

West, Jennifer A.
11 Plymouth Ave
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 03/03/06

White-O’Brien, Debora A.
67 Rollins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/16/06

By BusinessWest Staff April 3, 2006

Departments

Manpower: Positive Job Market for Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield-area employers expect to hire at a steady pace during the second quarter of 2006, according to the recent Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. From April to June, 27% of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 10% expect to reduce their payrolls. Another 53% expect to maintain their current staff levels, and 10% are not certain of their hiring plans. For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in wholesale/retail trade, education, and services. According to the national seasonally adjusted results of the survey, U.S. employers show no signs of changing their healthy hiring pace in the second quarter. Of the 16,000 U.S. employers surveyed, 30% foresee an increase in hiring activity for the second quarter of 2006, while 6% expect a reduction in payrolls.

Cities Receiving River Cleanup Grants

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), in cooperation with the Connecticut River Clean-Up Committee, recently announced that Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee will receive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funding totaling $1.5 million for cleanup of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Connecticut River. Springfield will receive $1,178,551 for the correction of CSOs in the Clinton Street/Washburn Street area, while Chicopee will receive $50,449 for sewer separation in the Jones Ferry/McKinstry Street area and $114,286 for sewer separation in the Fairview Street area. Holyoke will receive $175,871 for sewer separation in the Jones Ferry Road area.

Baystate Health Replacing Garage

SPRINGFIELD — A three-level parking garage will soon be under construction by Baystate Health at 280 Chestnut St. to replace its current aging structure. Visitors and vendors are asked to park across the street at the Holiday Inn on Congress Street. Signage will designate the parking spaces for Baystate patrons. The new garage is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Officials Back Off Hotel Project

SPRINGFIELD — Developers will revise their proposal for a riverfront hotel project off West Columbus Avenue after Mayor Charles V. Ryan and David B. Panagore, deputy executive director of the Springfield Finance Control Board, recently rejected their bid. Both Ryan and Panagore instead have chosen to put the riverfront project out to bid. Ryan and Panagore cited several demands by Connecticut River Development LLC and NYLO Partners LLC that were too demanding for the city to consider at this time. Among the developers’ demands cited by Ryan included a 10-year period free of property taxes and freedom from sales tax on construction costs.

Tavern Restaurant Slates Summer Opening

SPRINGFIELD — The former owner of the Tavern Restaurant on Mill Street will once again take the helm this summer and reopen the popular eatery which was shut down last fall when the current owner, Frank L. D’Agostino, fell behind on rent payments. John J. Bonavita of East Longmeadow had owned the Tavern for almost 24 years until he sold it to D’Agostino in 2004. Bonavita had still owned the building that housed the restaurant and hired sheriff’s deputies on Oct. 7 to close the restaurant because D’Agostino was $5,625 behind in rent payments. Bonavita also reported to the License Commission that D’Agostino had let the insurance on the restaurant lapse. In a 5-0 vote, the License Commission granted a liquor license to Bonavita as part of his plan to reopen the restaurant.

State Rep. Wagner Seeks Tighter Control over Transit Authorities

SPRINGFIELD — With 15 regional transit authorities across the state, state Rep. Joseph F. Wagner, D-Chicopee, would like to see stricter state oversight since all are run by local advisory boards. In light of the recent fallout from the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority’s corruption probe, a legislative committee will soon begin seeking answers to increasing management and legal issues. A meeting of the Committee on Transportation was conducted March 27 at 4 p.m. in Room 303 at Holyoke Community College. Wagner stressed that the authority has far more independence on spending public funds and too little accountability to the Legislature. In addition, Wagner said that the transit authorities tend to run annual budget deficits, which forces the state to pick up as much as 75% of the additional costs.
Podcasting Teaching Communications Technology

SPRINGFIELD — Gordon Snyder, a professor of Electronic Systems Engineering Technology at Springfield Technical Community College, and Michael Qaissaunee, department chair for Engineering and Technology at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J., have begun recording weekly podcasts on communications technology for listeners worldwide to download. Their conversations have ranged from ‘2006 Technology Predictions’ to ‘Security 101: What Every Employee Should Know.’ Snyder and Qaissaunee said their listener base – at approximately 850 — grows each week as the site becomes better known. They use Skype in recording their podcasts, which can be downloaded free, or subscribed to through RSS (Really Simple Syndication). The podcasts can be played on an iPod or through a personal computer at any time that’s convenient for the user. The podcasts are available free at Apple iTunes and at www.nctt.org. Snyder is also executive director of the National Center for Telecommunications Technologies (NCTT), and Qaissaunee is director of the Mid-Atlantic Institute for Telecommunications Technologies, a regional partner of the NCTT.

By BusinessWest Staff April 3, 2006

Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of March 2006.

AGAWAM

Six Flags New England
1623 Main St.
$300,000 — Pour footings for
Whitewater Family ride

Six Flags New England
1623 Main St.
$75,000 — Frame new building
for Whitewater Family ride

AMHERST

Amherst Housing Authority
3 Kellogg Ave.
$24,140 — Install rooftop
exhaust fans for bathrooms

Cres Development
181 University Dr. A (Plato’s)
$10,000 — Hang slat wall,
construct dressing rooms,
install clothing racks

Lucky’s Tattoo & Piercing
178 North Pleasant St.
$7,000 — Construct partitions
to create individual rooms

Luke Zbylut
398 Northampton Road
$18,000 — Complete interior
buildout of existing shell

Mathews Properties
39 South Pleasant St.
$48,000 — Convert mercantile
space to restaurant

Peter Sylvan
491 Pine St.
$9,000 — Install commercial
exhaust hood

Stavros Foundation Inc.
210 Old Farm Road
$30,000 — Renovate lower
level of building

Western Mass Electric Co.
325 Sunderland Road
$16,000 — Erect two storage
buildings

CHICOPEE

A. E. Jodoin
37 Telegraph Ave.
$7,500 — Remodel warehouse

EAST LONGMEADOW

Westbank
6 Somers Road
$27,100 — Work on island

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Mall Co., L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$18,000 — Remodel Deb Shop

Stiebel Properties Inc.
167 Chestnut St.
$11,950 — Re-roof

NORTHAMPTON

Babbott-Bryan LLC
202 State St.
$219,913 — Demo rear and
front porch, construct twostory
addition w/ramp.

Professional offices
Dimitri & Pope Vissas
259 Main St.
$9,450 — Minor repairs for
new restaurant

PDMG LLC
34 Bridge St.
$300,000 — Demolish gas
station and canopy and
construct car wash

SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Health
280 Chestnut St.
$7,115,836 — Pre-cast
parking garage to be built
C & W Realty

87 State St.
$1,400 — Renovate bar
Crown Atlantic Co.
22 Bernie Ave.
$9,800 — Antenna swap out

Derf Realty 1 Carando Road
$90,000 — Office renovations
Francesco Crivelli
1506B Allen St.
$15,000 — Renovate for
chiropractic office

Lido Restaurant
555 Worthington St.
$7,500 — Re-roof

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Morgan Road Realty
66 Morgan Road
$75,000 — Remodel existing
commercial space and add
ramp and vestibule

WESTFIELD
Clayton Jarvis
53 Airport Road
$186,203 — Addition

By BusinessWest Staff April 3, 2006

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.

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Vistar Corporation v. Todd Denis d/b/a Pizza, Wings & Things
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $5,563.20
Date Filed: Feb. 22

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Spencer White and Prentis Foundation Corporation v. A.J. Virgilio Construc-tion Co. Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for service, labor and materials: $18,745.85
Date Filed: March 3

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Allied Waste Services Inc. d/b/a BFI Waste Services v. Advanced Drain Systems Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Liquidated damages. Did not have exclusive rights to waste and recycle materials as contract stated: $23,172
Date Filed: Feb. 17

Pro-Tech Waterproofing Solutions Inc. v. Michelson Properties Inc. and Samjay Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for work, labor, supplies, and materials: $2,515.50
Date Filed: March 2

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Zurich American Insurance Co. v. Daniel Ransom d/b/a Five Star Towing
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay insurance premiums: $16,070.73
Date Filed: Feb. 22

The Southern New England Telephone Co. v. Robert Hawley d/b/a Environmen-tal Airtechs
Allegation: Failure to pay judgment of $5,300.39 entered October 2005: $5,096.51
Date Filed: Feb. 28

Langeveld Bulb Co. Inc. v. Phildante Inc. d/b/a Fini’s Plant Farm
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $4,121.17
Date Filed: March 3

By BusinessWest Staff April 3, 2006

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of March 2006.

AGAWAM

Agawam Music
326 Walnut
St. Ext.
John Stokosa

The Buccaneer
Lounge/Buc Inc.
86 Maple St.
Michael Fila Claire’s

Errand Professionals
36 Mountainview
St. Claire Cardin

D & D Remodeling
48 Cedar Knoll
Dr. Dan and Dave
MacWilliams

Earthly Designs
577 Mill St.
Heather Tourigny

Mowin’ n Blowin’
38 River St.
Gregory Barnette

Premium Landscape
Design
39 Vadnais
St. Matthew Biza

Tan Factory
850 Suffield St.
Jason Mancuso
Utopia Convenience Store
713 Main St.
Zafar Rana

AMHERST

Ben & Jerry’s
19 South Pleasant St.
Twilight Tone Inc.

Brazilian Fashion Style
321 Main St.
Henrique Daveiga, Ester
Rodrigues

Diana Ditmore
44 Summer St.
Diana Ditmore Beechhaven

Ink Solutions
233 North Pleasant St.
Serges LaRiviere

Louis J. Manfredi Consulting
1055 South East St.
Louis J. Manfredi

Quiznos Sub
181D University Dr.
Paul Bogacz, John Pielock

Short Story Press
60 Echo Hill Road
Michael Jenson

Yoga Center Amherst
17 Kellogg Ave.
Patty Townsend

CHICOPEE

DC Property Management
138 Grattan St.
Daniel Crane

J & B Property Maintenance
148 State Road
Britt Richards, Joseph Labonte

Johnson Interiors
77 Beauchamp Ter.
William Johnson III

Monkeys with Hammers
21 High St.
Elaine Schultz-Kehoe

EAST LONGMEADOW

Beauty Skin & Hair Studio
143 Shaker Road
Mary Jane Kelley

J & E Contractors
388 Elm St.
Eric and Joel Bousquet

Operational Success LLC
48 Shaker Road
Pedro Caceres

Premier Limousine
1 Panama St.
Wayne Roberts

Spartan Sport Shots
70 Bayne St.
William Sharon

Tranghese Auto Detailing
95 Hampden Road
James Tranghese

HADLEY

Emjoca
37 Spruce Hill Road
Tsuneo and Sachite Ichimura
QRSTUVR
71 Lawrence Plain Road
Christopher Gendron

HOLYOKE

AOK Improvements
120 Front St.
Edward Owen
Diva Fashion
303 High St.
Suk Hui Forrester
Sacrifice Recordings
168 West St.
Marvin Santiago

LONGMEADOW

Angel Feathers
362 Converse St.
Kelleen Batchelor

Kristine Kulesa Dineen
1617 Longmeadow St.
Kristine Kulesa Dineen

Nancy J. Miller-Sanborn CLU
666 Bliss Road #5
Nancy Miller-Sanborn

Strategic Property Solutions
19 Lincoln Park
Christine Tamsin

NORTHAMPTON

Baystate Medical Practices
118 Conz St.
Baystate Affiliated Practice
Organization Inc.

Direwolfe PC
1 Isabella St.
Dennison Wolf

German Automotive
286 Coles Meadow Road
Norbert and Renate Schulte

Jacobs Auto Transport
23 Cahillane Ter.
Paul Jacobs

What Do You Need?
16 Center St.
Thomas Herman

SOUTH HADLEY

Cumberland Farms #6718
507 Newton St.
Cumberland Farms Inc.

Lawns R Us Landscaping
193 Granby Road
David McAuliffe

Olde Time Service
609 Newton St.
Brian Kennedy

SPRINGFIELD

Alley Graphics
21 Clifton Ave.
Iasia Martin

Brown’s Painting
134 Malden St.
Lennie Brown Jr.

Diva Fashion
1153 Main St.
Suk Hui Forrester

413 Video Productions
40 Edgewood St.
Aaron Williams

HLW Consulting
4 Niagara St.
Haven Williams

Imagination Entertainment
101 Mulberry St.
Bianca Humphries
I Wireless
1156 Main St.
Phung Le

K.P. Bennett Trucking
100 Wheeler Dr.
Kevin Bennett

L.A. Construction
16 Athol St.
Barbara Dobronski

Lia Sophia
122 Cuff Ave.
Tracye Whitfield

Med Law Analysts
174 Patricia Circle
Joanne Kennedy

N.E. Auto Loans
242 Main St.
Jessica Amaro

Quick Cargo Services
44 Bissell Ave.
James Mbugua

Reyroso Construction
135 Oakland St.
Rascacio Reyrosa

Sullivan Factory Outlet
180 Avocado St.
Richard Spafford

Vibrations Hair Salon
120 Boston Road
Maureen Brown

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Affiance-Events Wedding
and Events
93 Charles Ave.
Angela Cooper

Baystate Medical Practices
West Springfield
46 Daggett Dr.
Baystate Affiliate Organization
Darlene Kurman & Assoc.
158 Edgewood Road

Darlene Kurman
Giovanni Pizzaria
88 Westfield St.

Gwendolyn Mirisis
Mass Trac
49 Prospect Ave.

Megan Landry
Pro Wireless
1362 Westfield St.

Rizwan Ahmed
R & G Heating & Air
155 River St.
David Goldrick

Roberts Executive Search
30 Capital Dr.
Robert Francoeur

Serguei Morozov Trucking
45 High St.
Serguei Morozov

V.R. Construction
96 New Bridge St.
Viktor Reznichenko

WESTFIELD

Crystal Childs Design
29 Stephanie Lane
Crystal Childs

Davenport Flooring
97 Fairfield Ave.
Michael Davenport

Frequency Deleted Records
342 Southwick Road
Anthony Cruz

Millwrite Machine Inc.
587 Southampton Road
Robert Valcourt

Quality Consultant
8 Pilgrim Dr.
Jason Lindwall

Stop & Go
35 Mill St.
Amir Paracha

By BusinessWest Staff April 3, 2006

Departments

Timothy S. Rice

Baystate Health Inc. in Springfield announced the following new Trustees:

• Timothy S. Rice, President, Rice Oil Co., Inc.;

Elaine A. Sarsynski

• Elaine A. Sarsynski, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, MassMutual Financial Group;

Richard B. Steele

• Richard B. Steele Jr., Managing Member, Longmeadow Capital Partners LLC; and

Dr. Howard G. Trietsch

• Dr. Howard G. Trietsch, Managing Partner, Baystate OB/GYN Group Inc.

•••••

Rebecca Bouchard has been named an Associate at Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy P.C. in Springfield. She will concentrate her practice in education and employment law as well as other civil litigation matters.

•••••

Dr. Andrew M. Scibelli, President Emeritus of Springfield Technical Community College, has been named Chairman of the Steering Committee for the 2006 Western Mass. Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

•••••

Maryanne Rooney has joined Elms College in Chicopee as Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

•••••

David P. Fontaine

David P. Fontaine, President of Fontaine Bros. Inc., has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Springfield Technical Community College. As a 1983 graduate of STCC’s Civil Engineering Technology program, Fontaine was honored in 2001 with the STCC Distinguished Alumni Award, which is given annually to recognize outstanding achievement by a graduate of the college.

•••••

Southbridge Savings Bank announced the following:

Thomas Dufresne

• Thomas Dufresne has been promoted to Vice President-Chief Technology Officer;

Todd Tallman

• Todd Tallman has been promoted to Vice President-Chief Financial Officer; and

Susan Gunnell

• Susan Gunnell has been promoted to Vice President-Director of Human Resources.

•••••

James M. Lavelle has been elected Corporator of PeoplesBancorp, MHC, the mutual holding company of PeoplesBank. Lavelle serves as General Manager at Holyoke Gas & Electric.

•••••

Karolina M. Sadowicz recently joined American International College in Springfield as Assistant Director of Public Relations.

•••••

Friendly Ice Cream Corp. in Wilbraham announced the following:
• James Sullivan has been named Vice President for Franchise and Real Estate Development for Friendly’s Restaurants Franchise Inc., a subsidiary of Friendly Ice Cream Corp., and

• Robert Sawyer has been named Vice President and General Counsel of Friendly’s Restaurants Franchise Inc.

•••••

David Chandler, an employee of Western Mass. Electric Company, was recently honored by Northeast Utilities with its NU Chairman’s Lifesaving Action Award, the company’s highest honor. Chandler was honored for his role in saving the life of Steven Peters, a 22-year-old Gill firefighter, on Oct. 9.

•••••

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Central New England announced the following:

• Karen King has been recognized for her ranking of 41 among 3,500 Coldwell Banker sales associates in Massachusetts for her achievements in real estate in 2005. King works out of the Wilbraham office;
• The following employees were recently honored with the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage International Sterling Society Award: Barbara Adornato, William Blair, Suzi Buzzee, Diane Fisher, Pat Ireland, Suzy Lyons, Gerry Marafioti, Joan McKenna, Cathy Mushenko, Lisa Oleksak-Sullivan, Dianne Schmidt, Cate Shea, Marcia Snyder, Mary Wait, Colleen Westberg and Linda Wortman. The award recognizes those sales associates for their listing and selling excellence in 2005;

• Priscilla Harman and Ann Turnberg received the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage International President’s Elite Award. Harman and Turnberg received the award for placing within the top 4% of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sales associates and representatives internationally;

• The following employees received the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage International President’s Circle Award: Bridget Donato, Carol Roy, Peg Ryan, Debbie Taylor, and Kathy Wallis-McCann. The award recognizes sales associates for their listing and selling excellence in 2005; and

• The following employees received the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage International Diamond Society Award: Tammi Adair, Ray Authier, Lisa Catrett, Shannon Donohue, Shawn Mitchell, Lisa McGrady, Marge Thibodeau, Roger Trombly, Barbara Vaughn, and April West. The award recognizes sales associates for their listing and selling excellence in 2005.

•••••

Rene “Pete” Ledoux has joined Westbank in West Springfield as a Senior Vice President in the newly formed Financial Services Division.

•••••

Joseph B. Collins

James Lee of Inspiria Salon & Day Spa in West Springfield has been promoted to Lead Massage Therapist.

•••••

The American College of Bankruptcy in Washington, D.C., announced that Joseph B. Collins, a shareholder of Hendel & Collins P.C., of Springfield, will be inducted as a Fellow of the College. Collins is one of 22 nominees from the United States and abroad being inducted in the 2006 Class of College Fellows. All are being honored and recognized for their professional excellence and contributions to the fields of bankruptcy and insolvency.

•••••

Susan Gay, Administrator at Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., has been elected President of the Association of Legal Administrators (Nutmeg) Chapter for the Western Mass. and Northern and Southern Conn. regions.

•••••

Robin Olejarz has joined Kostin, Ruffkess, Themistos & Dane LLC as a Manager, specializing in business valuation and litigation support.

•••••

William H. Booth has been named Chief Executive of Country Curtains.

•••••

Dr. Robert L. Matthews has opened a new facility, The Kids’ Dentist, on Park Street in West Springfield.

•••••

Thomas R. Creed has joined Sovereign Bank as Senior Vice President and Regional Executive in the Connecticut and Western Mass. market.

•••••

Benjamin J. Garvey has been appointed Senior Account Executive in the Commercial Insurance Division for the Insurance Center of New England in West Springfield.

•••••

The Mass. Association of Realtors announced the following:
• Corinne Fitzgerald, a Partner with Key 100 Real Estate in Greenfield, will serve as Vice President of Business Development for her second term; and
• Susan Renfrew, Co-owner of Renfrew Real Estate in Greenfield, has been named Vice President of Professional Development for the Association.

•••••

Dr. Andrew L. Karanas has been appointed to the Department of Surgery at Noble Hospital, Westfield. He has joined the practice of Dr. L. Willis Roberts, also a surgeon at Noble Hospital.

•••••

Aimee Griffin Munnings, founder of the New England Black Chamber of Commerce, has been named the 2006 U.S. Small Business Administration Massachusetts Minority Small Business Champion award winner. Munnings went on to win the New England competition for the award as well.

By BusinessWest Staff April 3, 2006

Departments

Grand Opening

Pazzo Risotorante, the newest addition to the Basketball Hall of Fame complex, staged a grand opening and VIP cocktail reception on March 27. The event drew hundreds of area dignitaries, including many from the business community. The restaurant, which features Sicilian-inspired cuisine, opened to the public on March 29.

cutting the ceremonial ribbon are, from left, partners Steve Degliuomini and Sal Mannino, manager Casey Petruccio, and partner Paul Astuto. State Rep. Mary Rogeness is at far right.

Above, Degliuomini and Mannino share a moment with Peter Carando, owner of Carando Gourmet Foods, second from left, and Paul Rothschild, a partner with the Springfield law firm Bacon & Wilson. At right, Pazzo Partners and hosts for the evening: Casey & Carmen Petruccio, Andrea & Paul Astuto, Sal Mannino, and Chris & Steve Degliuomini.

Survivors’ Day

Hundreds were in attendance last month for the 9th Annual Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day, staged at the Springfield Sheraton. The event featured a number of informational and educational programs and services for survivors.

Above, from left, Sandy Yarmac, Nancy Granger, Joan Methe, Nancy Galica, and Virginia Marotte share a moment.

A participant enjoys a massage, one of many services provided.

Colorful Landscape

Elaine Bristol of CMS Landscapes in Holyoke and Bernadette Giblin, owner of Safeground Organic Landcare in Northampton, compare notes at the first annual Landscape Job Fair staged late last month at Springfield Technical Community College

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

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.

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

R.P.S. Inc. d/b/a

Hampden/Zimmerman Electric Supply Co. v. Michelson Properties Inc., Keven B. Michelson a/k/a Kevin Michelson
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $30,949.59
Date Filed: Jan. 27

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Northeast Utilities Systems and Western Mass Electric Co. v. The Holyoke Card & Paper Co.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for services: $11,800.85
Date: Feb. 16

R.P.S. Inc. d/b/a Hampden/Zimmerman Electric Supply Co. v. James Leary a/k/a James E. Leary d/b/a Leary Electric
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $2,807.50
Date Filed: Feb. 16

N.R. Bergeron Drywall Contractor Inc. v. Grand champ & Pierce Builders Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods and services: $5,258.01
Date Filed: Feb. 16

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of March 2006.

AGAWAM

Bronze Stone
11 Randall St.
Eugene Smith Jr.

Champagne Dry Wall Inc.
36 Russo Circle, Suite D.
Ronald Champagne

Claire’s Professional Runners
36 Mountainview St.
Claire Cardin

CMD Rental Management Property
534 North St.
Cheryl Donatini

Eagle Inspections
42 Warren St.
John Wadolski

Extreme PC
15 Riviera Dr.
Nathan Samara

Heritage Hall South
65 Cooper St.
Patricia Blair

K & C Home Improvement LLP
420 Main St., #42
Kevin DeJoinville

Mass-Conn Fire & Security
44 Sunset Ter.
Melissa Magnolia

Meadow Farms and Bolducs
700 Silver St.
Robert Fagin

Mountaintop Woodworking & General Contracting
207 North West St.
Audrey Whitman

Olson Computer & Sec. Service
98 Hendom Dr.
Cynthia Olson

Quality Auto Care
76 Ramah Circle
Joseph Dempsey

Steve’s Appliance
324 Walnut St.
Steve Seay

Surprise Card & Gift
838 Suffield St.
Robert McElligott

CHICOPEE

On Sight Optical Services
1760 Westover Road
William Labonte

Spruce
309 Front St.
Carolyn Rettura

EAST LONGMEADOW

The Nels Design & Drafting
49 St. Joseph Dr.
Thomas Nelson Jr.

Progressive Massage
80 Denslow Road
Patricia Gill

HOLYOKE

Cabrera Surveillance Services
233 Maple St.
Jose Cabrera

Mi Plaza Restaurant
325-327 Main St.
Ortiz Group Inc.

Ruff Ryders Banquet Hall
26A Hadley Mills Road
Gilberto Perez

LONGMEADOW

Dr. Leon Gellerman
471 Longmeadow St.
Leon Gellerman

Mel’s Typhoons Swim Club
86 Green Meadow Dr.
China Access LLC

NORTHAMPTON

Fagan Entertainment
211 Westhampton Road
Mary Fagan

Happy Valley
229 Main St.
Nancy Cowen

More Than Sound Productions
11 Arnold Ave.
Hanuman Goleman

Robotparade
15 Williams St.
Marie Despres

Streamline Painting Co.
104 South St.
Charles Tormanen

Yogic Touch
45 Main St.
James Rutter

SPRINGFIELD

Ardel Investigations Inc.
1242 Main St.
Richard DelMastro

Café Trung Nguyen
392 Dickinson St.
Son Quang Luung

Chico’s Towing
2543 Main St.
Cecilio Rivera

E-Suede Productions
24 Victoria St.
Scott Jones

Exclusive Painting & Remodeling
53 Leland Dr.
Joel Rodriguez

Fashion Ave.
1228 Main St.
Aaron Mool

Fred’s Home Improvement
113 Euclid Ave.
Wilfredo Concepcion

Gonzalez Bus Line
499 Page Blvd.
Carlos Gonzalez

Heavyweight Productions
223 Fernbank Road
Husain Mohammad

Items Ark
32 Melon St.
Joel Marrero

JG Wholesalers
123 Leitch St.
Jerry Gonzalez

JoElla’s Closet
74 Temple St.
JoElla Stovall-Tarbutton

MLC Child Daycare
64 Fordham St.
Nereida Valentin

Perennial Landscaping
18 Redstone Dr.
Ronald Staples

Revstar
41 Amherst St.
Edrian Singleton

Tilbury Inc.
52 Sterling St.
Jamie Tilbury

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bay State Fuel Oil Inc.
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Bay State/Fast Fill
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Bay State/Vickers
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Best Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Cash & Carry Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Economy Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Grand International Auto Driving School
764 Main St.
Claudia Macznik

JRE Masonry & Restoration
65 Craig Dr.
Jerome Ezold

National Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Papa Nucci’s Pizza
2009 Riverdale St.
Antonio Patullo

R & S Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

Smith Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of Agawam

WESTFIELD

C & R Landscaping
82 Joseph St.
Matthew Rzegocki, Erik Czupta

Family Product Market
103 North Elm St.
Julian Mecher

Passion Parties
402 East Mountain Road
Suzanne Dimenno

Reed Hill Associates
29 Camelot Lane
Jeff Cloud, Fernando Flores

Todd’s Foreign Auto
11 Rear Bartlet St.
Todd Cimina

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

Departments

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

AGAWAM

A&N Waste Management Services Inc.,
1211 Springfield St., Agawam 01001.
Randy Zymroz, 755 North Westfield St., Feeding Hills 01030.
Waste management.

Commercial Grounds Maintenance Inc.,
26 Perry Lane, Agawam 01001.
Stephen A. Amato, same.
Lawncare, landscaping, installation, and maintenance
of irrigation systems, etc.

AMHERST

Twilight Cone Inc.,
19 Pleasant St., Amherst 01002.
Eric Szolka, same.
The purchase and resale of ice cream, frozen yogurt, etc.

BELCHERTOWN

Belchertown Fitness Center Inc.,
30 Tucker Lane, Belchertown 01007.
Kathleen T. Fitzpatrick,
45 Greenwich Hill, Belchertown 01007.
Fitness center.

CHICOPEE

Blue Kaktus Inc.,
70 Exchange St., Chicopee 01013.
Krzysztof Korczak, same, president;
Eliza Arlena Rupacz, same.
Restaurant.

G.T. Enterprises Inc.,
204 Arcade St., Chicopee 01020.
Cary L. Rivest, same.
Pizza shop/restaurant.

M. Demos & Son Inc.,
30 Haynes Circle, Chicopee 01020.
Susan R. Ackerman, 20 Oakwood Road,
Simsbury, CT 06070. William L. Ackerman,
30 Haynes Circle, Chicopee 01020, registered agent.
Furniture and antique restoration and refinishing, etc.

EASTHAMPTON

Adamo’s Inc.,
126D Northampton Road, Easthampton 01027.
Sara K. Adamos, 48 Tanglewood Road, Amherst 01002.
Restaurant business.

HAMPDEN

Topshelf Records Inc.,
171 Glendale Road, Hampden 01036.
Joshua Seth Decoteau, same.
The distribution, promotion, and selling of music.

HUNTINGTON

Lansing Distribution Services Inc.,
10 Pond Brook Road, Huntington 01050.
David L. Lansing, same.
Delivery, distribution, and installation of hot tubs.

LUDLOW

Reliable Home Solutions Inc.,
87 Reservoir Road, Ludlow 01056.
Kathleen F. Murdock, same.
To deal in real estate.

MONSON

Stirling’s Choice Inc.,
114 Upper Hampden Road,
Monson 01057. Susan Rodgers, same.
Retail of general merchandise.

SOUTHWICK

Zephire Corp.,
208 College Highway, Southwick 01077.
Amy Thompson, 356 Granville Road, Southwick 01077.
Healthy living solutions for women.

SPRINGFIELD

Chinese Qi Gong Tui Na Inc.,
1655 Boston Road, Springfield 01129.
Zhaowei Liang, 48 Tavistock St., Springfield 01119.
Massage therapy.

D & F Food Service Inc.,
355 Belmont Ave., Springfield 01108. Jesus Diaz,
22 Dutchess Dr., Orangeburg, NY 10962. Paul M. Kalill,
355 Belmont Ave., Springfield 01108, registered agent.
To own and operate a retail establishment.

J.C. Williams Community Center Inc.,
116 Florence St., Springfield 01105. Steven R. Williams,
141 Florence St., Springfield 01105. (Nonprofit)
To provide a Christian-based environment for services to family members of all ages, etc.

Pro Wireless Inc.,
40 Cliftwood St., Springfield 01108.
Rizwan Ahmed, same.
Operation of a mobile telephone store.

Wilmar Management Inc.,
340 Cooley St., Suite 282, Springfield 01128.
William A. Mann, 1357 East 40th St., Brooklyn, NY 11234. Stanley D. Komack, 117 Park Ave., Ste. 201, West Springfield 01089,
registered agent. To deal in real estate.

Yazel Construction Inc.,
1398 Plumtree Road, Springfield 01119.
John Yazel, same.
Real estate development.

WESTFIELD

Truly Mine Card Shop Inc.,
24 Glenwood Dr., Westfield 01085.
Mrs. Margaret Mannion, same.
Sales — greeting cards, consignments, lottery.

WILBRAHAM

Kristensen Decorating Inc.,
1347 Tinkham Road, Wilbraham 01095.
Julie Kristensen, same.
Decorating services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

F & G Development Corp.,
76 Wolcott Ave., West Springfield 01089.
Shaun C. Giberson, same.
Construction of single and/or multi-family dwellings.

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

Departments

David Pinsky has been named President and Chairman of the Board of Tighe & Bond of Westfield. Joining the firm in 1988, Pinsky has led many project teams with his expertise in water supply, distribution and treatment.

•••••

Debra Mahannah

Debra Mahannah has joined The O’Leary Company of Southampton. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the design and management of office renovation projects in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut.

•••••

Carla Oleska, Ph.D., former Associate Academic Dean of Elms College, Chicopee, will serve as Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Western Mass., based in Easthampton.

•••••

Architect Jeremy Toal, AIA, has joined Dietz & Company Architects of Springfield. Toal’s previous works incorporated renewable energy, energy efficiency, and healthy, durable, natural materials.

•••••

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Springfield announced the following:
• William F. Glavin, Jr. has been appointed head of the Individual Insurance Group at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. He moves to MassMutual from his position as President and CEO of Babson Capital Management LLC. Both MassMutual and Babson Capital are members of the MassMutual Financial Group family of companies.
• Charles Schuhmann has been named Western Life Sales Manager, and
• Bradford Smith has been named Eastern Life Sales Manager.
Both Schuhmann and Smith will be responsible for MassMutual’s field wholesaling force that delivers life insurance products to independent life brokerage agencies and third party marketing firms in the western and eastern regions respectively.

•••••

Susan L. DeFeo

Susan L. DeFeo has been elected Senior Vice President, Director of Operations and Technology at Florence Savings Bank.

•••••

Sarah J. Zingarelli recently joined the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission of West Springfield as a Planner in the Land Use and Environment section.

•••••

UMass Amherst alumni Ellen Ferraro and Regina Valluzi will be honored by Mass High Tech as Women to Watch 2006. Mass High Tech is a weekly publication, based in Boston, which focuses on business and technology challenges in New England. Ferraro is the deputy director of the system validation, test and analysis directorate for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, and Valluzi is the founder and chief scientific officer of Evolved Nanomaterial Sciences. Both women were among 10 New England-based women who were recently recognized as future leaders and innovators at an awards dinner in Boston.

•••••

T. David Constant

Webster Bank announced the following:
• T. David Constant has been appointed Vice President of the West Springfield office, and

Amybeth Perry

• Amybeth Perry has been named Vice President of the Westfield office.

•••••

Sherry Leastman has been promoted to Branch Manager of Countrywide Home Loans’ Northampton branch, where she will be responsible for developing Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties.

•••••

Matthew Nocton has been promoted to Senior Account Executive for MassLive.com. He will oversee major local and regional accounts.

•••••

Lisa Watts, owner of Cold Spring Events in Belchertown, has earned the designation of Certified Bridal Consultant through the Association of Bridal Consultants.

•••••

Crystal Carrol has joined the Palmer office of Carlson GMAC Real Estate as a Sales Agent.

•••••

Zoar Outdoor in Charlemont announced the following:
• Nicole Yezierski has been appointed Office Manager, overseeing customer service, reservations and group sales;
• Michael Porter has been appointed Assistant Rafting Manager.

•••••

Darryl Thomas has joined 84 Lumber in West Springfield as a Manager Trainee.

•••••

Lawyer Richard S. Ravosa Jr. has been recognized by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a “Rising Star/Up and Coming Lawyer.” Ravosa has offices in Springfield and Boston, and is the founder and executive director of Town & Country Legal Associates, with offices in Springfield, Boston, Salem and Natick.

Gregory M. Schmidt has been named an Associate in the commercial transaction and banking practice of Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy P.C.

•••••

Vicki S. Donahue has been named a Director for Cain Hibbard Myers & Cook PC in Pittsfield. She has been an Associate with the firm for eight years.

•••••

United Bank of West Springfield announced the following:
• Joseph Young has joined the staff in Westfield as a Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking, and
• Darilynn Nardi has joined the staff as Assistant Vice President of Branch Administration.

•••••

Noble Health Systems in Westfield announced the following:
• James C. Hagan has been elected Chairman of the Board;
• Mark A. Morin, Vice Chairman;
• James F. Shea, Treasurer;
• Timothy P. Scanlan, Secretary;
• George J. Koller, President, and
• Murray Watnick, M.D., has been elected as a Trustee.
Board members also include Robert J. Bacon, John M. Greaney, Carol A. Kauffman, Robert L. LaPalme and Richard K. Sullivan Jr.

•••••

Bruce Leshine has joined the law firm of Jorden Burt LLP, as a Partner in the technology practice group. The firm has offices in Simsbury, Conn., Washington, D.C., and Miami.

••••

Monson Savings Bank announced the following:
• Carolyn E.D. Szarlan has been named Vice President for Information Technology, and
• Daniel R. Moriarty has been named Vice President of Finance.

•••••

Country Bank in Ware announced the following:

Denise Jaworsk

• Denise Jaworski has been promoted to Treasurer, and will be in charge of the bank’s finance and budget functions;

Robert Paulsen

• Robert Paulsen Jr. has been named Vice President of Commercial Loans, and will oversee the development of new and existing business relationships; and

Christopher Wszolek

• Christopher Wszolek has been named Vice President of Commercial loans, and will also oversee the develop ment of new and existing business relationships.

•••••

Debra Mahannah recently joined the staff of The O’Leary Company of Southampton, MA. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the design and management of office renovation projects in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. Mahannah is a member of the Construction Institute and the National Association of Women in Construction. The O’Leary Company is celebrating its 50th year as a full service design-build firm specializing in large scale commercial and industrial construction.

•••••

Larry A. Letendre

Larry A. Letendre, Jr. recently joined Southbridge Savings Bank as the Branch Manager of the Ruthven Ave. location in Worcester. His responsibility is to establish new customer relationships with consumers and local businesses. Aside from his managerial duties, he plans to continue working with community groups in the area including Worcester Housing and the Worcester County Food Bank.

•••••

Beverly Ouellette

Beverly Ouellette joined the Phillips Insurance Agency Inc. as its new Benefits Director. Her responsibilities will include the management and marketing of the life, health, and employee sponsored benefits products.

•••••

Michelle N. Theroux, M.Ed., LMHC, has been named Executive Director of Child & Family Service of Pioneer Valley, Inc. Ms. Theroux served most recently as Director of Family Networks at Key Program, Inc., and was previously the Family Based Services Program Manager at Key. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Springfield College, teaching courses in Behavior Management and Life Span Development.

•••••

James C. Hagan was recently elected Chairman of the Board of Noble Health Systems. A Westfield resident, Hagan is the President of Westfield Bank. Other officers are Mark A. Morin, Vice Chairman; James F. Shea, Treasurer; Timothy P. Scanlan, Secretary and George J. Koller, President. Murray Watnick, M.D. was elected as a trustee. Other board members include: Robert J. Bacon, John M. Greaney, Carol A. Kauffman, Robert L. LaPalme and Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. Noble Health Systems is the parent corporation of Noble Hospital, Noble Visiting Nurse and Hospice Services and Westfield Medical Corporation.

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

Departments

Heart Ball 2006

Below, Red drapes decorated the banquet room at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke, site of Heart Ball 2006, staged by the American Heart Assoc. At right, Allison Belanger (left), account executive for the Healthcare News, BusinessWest’s sister publication, and Jaclyn Stevenson, senior writer for BusinessWest and The Healthcare News, pose with plaques awarded to the two publications in recognition of sponsorship and coverage of the AHA’s fundraisers and awareness events held in the Pioneer Valley this year.

The 2006 Heart of Gold Award was presented to Craig Rydin, CEO & Chairman, Yankee Candle Company.

Here, Linda, Craig and Brent Rydin and Lauren Ayers pause for a photo.

Attendees at the Heart Ball were able to take part in an extensive silent auction, as well as a live auction later in the evening. All proceeds went toward the continued fight against heart disease.

Fitness 5K

Above, runners and walkers at the starting line for the 13th annual Western Area Mass Dietetic Association (WAMDA) Fitness 5K Run/Walk, held on Saturday, March 4 at Look Park. WAMDA also held a fitness and health fair, celebrating National Nutrition Month.

Cindy Boutiette gets her blood pressure checked by Jayne Heede.

Grand Opening

U.S. Rep. John Olver chats with Jean Forget, a long-time supporter of the Holyoke Health Center, at the grand opening ceremonies.

Above, Executive director of the Holyoke Health Center Jay Breines poses with Joe Flatley, a guest speaker at the grand opening of the center’s new facilities in downtown Holyoke.

By the Book

On Feb. 27, Holyoke Mayor Mike Sullivan read to a group of children at the Holyoke Mall’s monthly Storytime. Sullivan is one of several special guest readers who visit the mall regularly.

‘Market’ Prep

Deb Boronski, vice president of the Affiliated Chambers of Greater Springfield, leads an informational program for exhibitors planning to take part in the 2006 Business Market Show at the MassMutual Center on April 5.

No Laughing Matter

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

Opinion

Usually, planners of Bay Path College’s annual women’s professional development conference pick a theme and then select speakers who can properly address it.

For 2006, however, that approach was turned inside out.

Organizers thought they had a theme — concerning how careers and lives evolve, said Caron Hobin, vice president of Planning and Student Development, and then went about assembling a program.

As they looked at the resumes and speaking styles of the keynote speakers, however, conference planners noticed that they all used humor to get their various points across, said Hobin, noting that this trend eventually shaped the 11th edition of the conference into an event titled Humor Incorporated.

“This won’t be a program about humor,” Hobin said of the day-long event set for May 5 at the MassMutual Center. “Instead, it will provide lessons in how humor can be an effective tool to help get a message across or to help people understand dry or complex material.”

Like punctuation.

Indeed, Lynne Truss used humor in her discourse on that subject in the #1 New York Times best-selling book Eats, Shoots & Leaves. She will be the morning keynote speaker at the conference, and should get the event off to a rousing start.

Other keynoters are noted journalist, novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and director Nora Ephron, who has directed such hit movies as Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally …, and You’ve Got Mail, and philosopher/comedian Emily Levine.

The three speakers will have different subjects to address, said Hobin, noting that Ephron will focus on her career and the subject matter that has been the focus of much of her work — the evolving relationships between men and women. Meanwhile, Truss will expound on civility in the world today (or the distinct lack thereof), which was the subject of her latest book, Talk to the Hand, and Levine will touch on a variety of subjects in a talk titled It’s Not You, it’s the Universe: How to Have Your Cake and Eat it Too and Lose Weight

But while what they have to say is important, said Hobin, how they say it is what this conference is really all about.

“By using humor, they’re going to provide some direct examples of how it can help people communicate better, and we all know how important that is,” she told BusinessWest, adding that there should be valuable lessons for women at any stage of their careers.

“This is something completely different for us,” said Hobin. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and very entertaining.”

In addition the keynote speakers and their focus on the effective use of humor, the conference will feature several break-out sessions designed to give attendees some knowledge and insight they can take to the office on Monday. This year’s offerings are:

• The Change Before the Change: Laura Corio, MD will address the subject of perimenopause, an important and highly misunderstood biological phase of womanhood. Corio, a board certified OB-GYN with a medical practice in New York City, will speak openly about perimenopause and suggest treatment options focusing on stress and diet, safe and natural hormonal treatment, and alternative therapies;

• Reading Between the Lines: Jo-Ellen Dimitrius, considered the nation’s leading jury consultant, and author of the book Reading People, will offer insight into how individuals can decode the hidden messages in appearance, tone of voice, facial expression, and personal habits to predict behavior and attitude. Dimitrius has used such skills as a consultant in more than 1,000 trials, including such high-profile cases as Scott Peterson, O.J. Simpson, and Rodney King, but she will show attendees how they can apply them to everyday situations, including job interviews, professional interaction, or even a date.

• The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life: Therapist and painter Rosamund Stone Zander will lead a workshop based on the book, The Art of Possibility, which she co-authored with her husband, Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic. Zander advocates that art can be a springboard for creating innovative ways to reach personal and professional fulfillment. She will show individuals how they can open their minds to the notion of possibilities and how it can play into their lives and careers to fulfill dreams large and small. For business leaders, the workshop will offer insight into many of the challenges people routinely face in organizations.

• Unfinished Business: A Democrat and a Republican Take on the 10 Most Important Issues Women Face: When Julianne Malveaux, a Democrat and writer and featured columnist, and Deborah Parry, a Republican and political commentator, met in 1998 on MSNBC to discuss a presidential scandal, they found their passionate viewpoints illuminated important political issues. In Unfinished Business, a book they co-authored and sessions they stage together, the two take on subjects that resonate with women such as child care, education, health care, reproductive rights, and foreign policy. Their program sheds light on issues from both sides that help individuals better understand and form opinions on those subjects.

Hobin said plenty of seats are still available for the conference — the move to the MassMutual Center will enable organizers to host more than 1,000 people, 200 more than in the past — but the event is expected to sell out. v

To register online, visitwww.baypath.edu. For more information, call (413) 565-1293 or (800) 782-7284, ext. 293.

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

Departments

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

Agouab, Ali
70 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/10/06

Agouab, Patricia A.
70 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/10/06

Alderman, Laura B.
6 Meadow Glen Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/06/06

Alderman, William N.
6 Meadow Glen Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/06/06

Bruce-Foster, Tammy B.
44 Lester St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/13/06

Canela, Basilia
25 Grove St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/15/06

Gouin, Nicole L.
14 Woodland Dr.
Monson, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/13/06

Griffith, Jacqueline
145 Allen Park Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/09/06

Harris, Antonio
50 Pine Grove St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/13/06

Harris, Teresa Ann
50 Pine Grove St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/13/06

Henry, Ethel
20 Five Bridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/07/06

Knight, Diane S.
333 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/08/06

Lemire, James P.
599 Skyline Trail
Chester, MA 01011
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/10/06

Lemire, Patricia A.
599 Skyline Trail
Chester, MA 01011
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/10/06

Milbier, Marco Eugene
50 Drumlin Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/06/06

Nareau, Todd M.
2009 East St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/06/06

Salgado, Jessica
264 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/02/06

Smith, Charles W.
6 Norbell St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/02/06

Smith, Sharon M.
40 Carriage Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 02/15/06

Torres, Margarita
84 Shamrock St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/03/06

Waring, Kenneth Patrick
81 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/08/06

Watson, William P.
28 Berbay Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/14/06

By BusinessWest Staff March 20, 2006

Departments

The following building permits were issued during
the month of March 2006.

AGAWAM

Valley Community Church
152 South Westfield St.
$50,000 — Install six antennas

HOLYOKE

Frederic Sellica
1632 Northampton St.
$3,255 — Interior renovation of kitchen, work counter, reception counter

Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House
500 Easthampton Road
$99,000 — Renovate floors, walls, ceiling

NORTHAMPTON

Bermor Limited Partnership
180 Main St.
$10,000 — Interior demo of existing restaurant

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$840,000 — Renovate P2000 basement to Cardiac Cath Lab

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$16,000 — Construct two bathrooms in administration building

Eric Suher
298 Main St.
$45,000 — Repair/replace floor framing and sub floor, repair roof

ES Realty Corp.
34 Bridge St.
$105,559 — Renovate and expand space, Talbot’s

Forty Main Street Inc.
23 Main St.
$80,500 — Construct stairs, corridors and bathrooms

Linda Valenti
36 Hawley St.
$5,900 — Replace sills and lolly columns

Northampton Nursing Home Inc.
737 Bridge Road
$21,000 — Rebuild portico roof

Robert & Patricia Normand
190 Main St.
$10,400 — Install new
EPDM roofing system

Suher Properties LLC
50 Main St.
$5,000 — Remove paneling and non-bearing wall

SPRINGFIELD

Daniel Roy
41 Sullivan St.
$5,500 — Renovations to warehouse

Mental Health Association
101 Mulberry St.
$52,600 — Renovate interior

Mental Health Association
101 Mulberry St.
$65,132 — Renovate interior

Merchants of Springfield
625 Carew St.
$1,200,000 — Erect Walgreens

Springfield Boys & Girls Club
481 Carew St.
$58,750 — Re-roof

Tim Driscoll
556 Sumner Ave.
$110,000 — Interior fix up for sub shop

Vornado Realty
1079 Boston Road
$5,000 — Renovate ceramic floor tile

WESTFIELD

PVS Therapy
65 Springfield St.
$30,000 — Build out

By BusinessWest Staff March 6, 2006

Departments

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

Brown, Randy
117 Spear Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/27/06

Caputo, Laurence A.
536 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/31/06

Colon, Wilfredo
140 Chestnut St.
Unit No. M-1
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/01/06

Daviau, Christopher M.
25 Taylor St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/01/06

Daviau, Lilaina W.
25 Taylor St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/01/06

Deliefde, Margaret J.
32 Daviau Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/01/06

Dion, Cathy J.
45 Hearthstone Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/30/06

Dumaine, Adelard Pierre
79 Woodsong Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/27/06

Dumaine, Darcy Jean
79 Woodsong Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/27/06

Feuerstein, Derrick P.
72 Barrett St., Unit #215
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/24/06

Harris, Sarah A.
28 Woodcliff St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/19/06

Harvey, Wayne J.
P.O. Box 733
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/06

LeBlanc, Arthur
262 County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/25/06

Matarazzo, Robert Philip
55 Stedman St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 02/01/06

Montagna, James J.
50 Armstrong St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/30/06

Morales , Ferdinan
979 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/23/06

Morgan, Gordon Samuel
86 Lakevilla Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/18/06

Normand Thebodo,
Melissa J.
161 Chesnut St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/24/06

Packard, Regina V.
24 Berwyn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/23/06

Pease, James R.
616 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/18/06

Schmidt, Rosemary
370 Pochassic St.
Woronoco, MA 01097
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/17/06

Tripoli, Frank C.
34 Aspen St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/19/06

Vondell, Nancy A.
19 Lindbergh Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/27/06

Zambrana, Magda
71 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/16/06

By BusinessWest Staff March 6, 2006

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.

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
a/s/o Mary Lakowsky v. Donald Lakowsky d/b/a One Source Electric
Allegation: Defendant’s breach of contract caused extensive fire damage to plaintiff’s insured dwelling: $114,714
Date Filed: Jan. 27

Energy East Solutions Inc. v. Bioshelters Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for services: $29,631
Date Filed: Jan. 31

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Home Lumber Co. Inc. v.
Richard A. Neis, Jr. a/k/a Rick Neis d/b/a Pioneer Valley Construction
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for supplies: $15,941.12
Date Filed: Feb. 9

Medforce Inc. v.
Northampton Healthcare Assoc. Inc. d/b/a Northampton Rehab and Nursing Center
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for services: $23,007.60
Date Filed: Feb. 13

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. v.
Young Women’s Christian Association of Western MA
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods and services: $100,305.73
Date Filed: Feb. 9

By BusinessWest Staff March 6, 2006

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or
renewed during the month of February 2006.

AGAWAM

Agawam Roofing & Siding
378 Walnut St. Ext.
Wesley LaCross

Cascio Company Inc.
262 Meadow
St. Thomas Cascio

CHH Engraving Inc.
430 Main St.
John Barber

Clinical Psychology Assoc.
46 Suffield
St. Richard Schwartz

Control Pak of New England
81 Ramah
Cir South Ronald Bennett

EHS Compliance Services
36 Danny Lane
Bradley Wright

EyeCare & Eyewear
170 Main St.
Madonna Santos OD

Halo Creations
37 Orlando St.
Hal Vermes

JRS Agawam Flea Market
870 Suffield St.
Prospect Enterprises

Mario’s Pizzeria
4 Southwick St.
Mario Bongiovanni

Mill Realty Co.
168 Elm St.
Vincent Zucco

St. Anne Country Club
817 Shoemaker Lane
Paul Napolitan

Suburban Appraisal Co.
499 Springfield St.
Michael Nicora

CHICOPEE

Affordable Overhead Door
1743 Memorial Dr.
Chris Zimmek

Project Management Services
76 Chapel St.
Daniel Cruz

Webtixdirect
1491 Memorial Dr.
Timothy Tlusty

EAST LONGMEADOW

Emerald Productions
33 Rankin St.
Michael O’Shea

HOLYOKE

Basic Prints
200 High St.
Richard Soto

Mamita’s Market
349 Main St.
Monica Valez, Luis Rivera

Pat’s Fine Foods
1693 Northampton St.
Robert Cardinale

T & T Variety
362 High St.
Isidro Herrera

LONGMEADOW

A.F. Carosella Electrical Services
56 Cobblestone Road
Alexander Carosella

LeDuc Racing
25 Shady Knoll
Timothy LeDuc

Utilx Corporation
22820 Russell Road
Steve Maasch

NORTHAMPTON

irrell Builders
35 West Farms Road
Ronald Birrell

Foley Investigations
947 Barts Pit Road
Deborah Foley

Harrison Programming & Development Services
579 Coles Meadow Road
Mark Harrison

Nova Books
48 Old South St.
Vivian Smith

Side St. Café
42 Maple St.
Bodacious Cowboy Dining
LLC

WW2 Diecast Models
11 Bridge St.
David Morello

SPRINGFIELD

Alex’s Market
234 Orange St.
Alexandra Torres

Between Friends
22 Dunbar St.
Nocole Belbin

Candy n’ More
166 Boston Road
Ernest Warren

Double A Construction Co.
29 Blodgett St.
Frederick Albano

Enfield Sports Café
207 Worthington St.
Ronald Ross

Express Flooring
580 Dickinson St.
James Beach

Fix My Bug Computers
501 Main St.
Francis Carter

Gold Coast Market
253 Bay St.
Martha Ansali

Hathaway Construction Co.
834 Sumner Ave.
Scott Hathaway

Inci te Network
35 Wrenwood St.
Wesley Downey

J.B. Enterprises
49 Dearborn St.
Jay Brown

J & S Contractor
501 Berkshire Ave.
Svetlana Barrios

K & W CAD
52 Mapledell St.
Kenneth Guidry

Montessori School of Springfield
1644 Allen St.
Rani Jayatiloka

Pink Lemonade Design
130 Powell Ave.
William Creech

Rumba Music Shop
1233 C Main St.
Felix Perez

WEST SPRINGFIELD

A-1 American Eagle Oil
26 Roanoke St.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

B & S Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Bay State/Cashway
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Bay State/Quick Stop
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Belmont Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Bunn’s Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Corbett Energy
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Electrical Cost Estimating
208 Sawmill Road
Bart O’Connor

MRW Realty LLC/Re/Max
Teamwork
10 Chestnut St.
John Wynne

Ortolani Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Saveway Oil
26 Roanoke Ave.
Bay State Fuel Oil of
Agawam

Sweeney Associates
84 Cedar Woods Glen
Daniel Garvey

Westside Shearing Demolition
190 Day St.
Keith Villeneuve

WESTFIELD

The Brothers’ Shop
2 Russell Road
Frankin Tompkins

Dragon Fly Books
71 Elm St.
Susan Newman

Franklin Auto Body
11 Dwight St.
Bruce Neumann

Phone Zone Wireless
2 Main St.
John Krok

Shear Paradise
22 Church St.
Diane Truitt

By BusinessWest Staff March 6, 2006

Departments

Westbank in West Springfield announced the following:
• Michael J. Harrington has been promoted to Vice President, Commercial Loans. He will be working from the Westfield branch;
• Robert D. Fluharty Jr., Vice President of Leasing, has been appointed the additional responsibilities of a Commercial Loan Officer, and
• Joseph S. Lemay, Vice President of Indirect Lending, has been appointed the additional responsibilities of Head of Consumer Loans.

•••••

Winstanley Associates of Lenox announced the following:
• Brenda Gelston has joined the firm as Director of Marketing. She will be responsible for developing new business and determining the needs, issues, concerns and priorities of clients;
• Jenny Wright has joined the firm as Art Director, and
• Kelly Galbraith has joined the firm as Graphic Designer.
In their roles, Wright and Galbraith will be responsible for developing creative concepts and executing designs for several of Winstanley’s larger accounts, including Spalding, Polar Beverages, Legacy Banks, Hardigg Industries, Adirondack Beverages and Smith & Wesson.

•••••

Paul Nicolai

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recently featured attorney Paul Nicolai in an article on the subject of lawyers collecting fees from clients. The Jan. 30 cover story, “At What Cost?” examined whether lawyers should sue clients to get paid. Nicolai is President of the Nicolai Law Group, P.C. in Springfield, and is Chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Fee Arbitration Board which settles attorney fee disputes.

•••••

Jeffrey L. Sedgwick, Associate Professor of Political Science at the UMass Amherst, has been nominated by President George W. Bush to be the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics in the U.S. Department of Justice. Sedgwick, who is on a year-long leave from his faculty post, is awaiting approval of his nomination by the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee. If the panel endorses his nomination, he must then be confirmed by the Senate. One of the nine largest statistical agencies within the federal government, the Bureau of Justice Statistics has a budget of nearly $46 million and 52 staff.

•••••

Commercial banker Michael J. Oleksak has been named Regional President for the Pioneer Valley for Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield. A separate business unit for the region has been established at 31 Court St., Westfield, with local management.

•••••

Jenna Lisella, Manager of the West Springfield McDonald’s on Riverdale Avenue, has received a 2006 Ray Kroc Award. The award is given to McDonald’s employees who have continued the legacy of Kroc, founder of the company.

•••••

Kathleen Lodge has been named Sales Manager for Applied Software Technologies of West Springfield.

•••••

Project manager James E. Graf will oversee a new southern New England office in Wilbraham for Enterprise Engineering Inc., with offices in Freeport, Maine, and Anchorage, Alaska.

•••••

American International College in Springfield announced the following:
• Richard F. Bedard has been named Executive Vice President of Administration. He will oversee athletics;
• Edward D. Meyer has been named Executive Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness. He will oversee the grant-funded office for institutional research;
• Roland E. Holstead has been named Vice President for Educational Enterprise. His role will include marketing and creation of new programs, and
• Gregory Schmutte, Dean of the School of Psychology and Education, will also serve as Vice President for Academic Affairs.

•••••

Jewish Geriatric Services in Longmeadow announced the following:
• Lois R. White has been named Executive Vice President of Ruth’s House,
• Jane W. Sullivan has been named Director of Resident Care.

•••••

Lavena Pleva has been promoted to Unit Organizer for Princess House, based in Taunton.

•••••

Denise Deslaurier has joined For K-9’s & Felines in Westfield.

•••••

Lowell McLane has been appointed National Sales Manager of WWLP-TV, Channel 22, in Chicopee.

•••••

Environmental Compliance Services Inc. in Agawam announced the following:
• Kevin C. Sheehan has been appointed Chief Executive Officer;
• Mark A. Haynes has been promoted to Vice President and Corporate Operating Officer;
• Christopher C. Parent has become an Associate Stockholder;
• John C. Siedel has become an Associate Stockholder, and
• Mark C. Hellstein, the company’s founder, will remain President and a member of the Board of Directors.

•••••

Wesley John has joined Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield as a Vice President and Commercial Lender.

•••••

Lisa Kraus has been promoted to Branch Manager of Countrywide Home Loan’s West Springfield office where she will oversee operations and sales.

•••••

Plastic surgeon Colleen Jambor, M.D. has joined the Johnson Memorial Hospital Medical Staff and is in practice at Johnson Professional Associates, P.C., in Enfield, Conn.

•••••

Anderson Green has joined Reliant Mortgage Co. in East Longmeadow as Vice President and Regional Manager for Western Mass. He will oversee loan production and recruiting in Hampden and Hampshire counties, and will create markets in Northern Conn.

•••••

Andrew T. Henshon has been named Managing Partner for Renaissance in West Springfield, Pearson’s new venture of residential communities.

•••••

Wallace W. Altes has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Berkshire Bank. He becomes the first Albany (N.Y.) Capital Region resident to serve as a Director of the Pittsfield-based financial institution. He is currently Executive-in-Residence at the Graduate College of Union University in Schenectady, N.Y.

•••••

Sales Agent Joyce L. Korona has joined Carlson GMAC Real Estate in its Westfield office.

•••••

St. Germain Investment Management announced the following:
• Paul J. Valickus has obtained the Certified Financial Planner designation from the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, and
• Brendon C. Hutchins has obtained the Certified Financial Planner designation from the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards.

•••••

Srisubha Gadey has joined the accounting firm of Kostin, Ruffkess, Themistos & Dane LLC in Springfield.

•••••

Fuss & O’Neill’s West Springfield office announced these promotions:
• Eric Bernardin has been named an Associate and promoted to Project Director in the Civil Engineering unit;
• Kurt Mailman has been named Senior Project Manager in the Environmental Planning and Infrastructure unit;
• Gregory Russell has been named Engineer II in the Civil Engineering unit;
• Kyle Spear has been named Engineer II in the Facility and EHS unit, and
• Rebecca Budaj has been named Hydrogeologist II in the Environmental Assessment and Remediation unit.

•••••

Big Y Foods Inc. in Springfield announced the following:
• Thomas Morin has been appointed Food Safety Auditor;
• Theresa Jasmin has been appointed Senior Accountant;
• James Billingsley has been appointed Staff Accountant;
• Marybeth McNamara has been appointed Assistant Food Service Sales Manager, and
• Jennifer Eichorn has been appointed Store Merchandising Assistant, Eastern Zone.

By BusinessWest Staff March 6, 2006

Departments

Picture This

At top, hundreds turned out last month for the annual Go Red Breakfast in the ballroom of the Springfield Sheraton. The event was staged by the American Heart Association to create awareness of heart disease, the number-one cause of death among women.

Monarch Place served as one of the most prominent reminders of the Go Red for Women movement.

Traumatic Experience

Students and staff in the Springfield Technical Community College School of Health recently presented an unscripted emergency scenario in the trauma unit of the school’s Virtual Hospital. Using one of the simulators, who for the occasion was designated Scott Willard, a 20-year-old car accident victim suffering from severe chest pain and difficulty breathing, the students responded as they would if the incident was real. At below, students and staff tend to the ‘patient,’ while above, they watch a videotape of their actions, analyzing what went well and also what could or should have been done better.

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

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

AMHERST

Consumer Exports Group Inc.,
495 Old Farm Road, Amherst 01002.
Michael Aronson, same. International and domestic sales.

P.H.E. Inc.,
55 University Dr., Amherst 01002.
Patrick Daly, 369 South Gulf Road, Belchertown 01007.
To operate a restaurant.

RJVM NR Inc.,
24 North East St., Apt. 6,
Amherst 01002. Nicholas Renzette, same.
Food service business.

Take5 Inc.,
61 Main St., Amherst 01002.
Huai Chin Chu, 94 Rambling Road, Amherst 01002.
Restaurant.

CHICOPEE

Bento Management Inc.,
1981 Memorial Dr., Suite 172,
Chicopee 01020. Arthur Paulino,
24 Westerly Circle, Ludlow 01056.
To deal in real estate.

New England Retirement Communities Inc.,
c/o Atlantic Capital Investors, 7 Coburn St.,
Chicopee 01013. Benjamin A. Surner Jr.,
55 Baker St., Amherst 01002.
Real estate development.

EASTHAMPTON

Salon O Inc.,
163A Northampton St., Suite RT 10,
Easthampton 01027.
A hairstyling salon including sale of hair care products.

FLORENCE

Hospitalist Management Solutions,
P.C., 860 Florence Road, Florence 01062.
Bipinchandra Mistry, M.D.,
90 Whittier St., Florence 01062.
To practice the profession of medicine.

HADLEY

Valley Vintage Cars Inc.,
81 River Dr., Hadley 01035.
Michael DiCola, 11 Crestview Dr., Hadley 01035.
Restoration of vehicles.

Valley ComputerWorks Inc.,
84 Russell St., Hadley 01035.
Delcie D. Bean, IV, same, president and treasurer;
Peter A. Gelinas, same, secretary.
Computer sales, consultation, service and repair.

HAMPDEN

All Propery Services Inc.,
42 North Monson Road, Hampden 01036.
Chris Lomascolo, same.
To clean and restore commercial, industrial and/or residential properties.

HATFIELD

Willflo Corp.,
122 Bridge St., Hatfield 01038.
Charles J. Florio, 3 Straits Road, Hatfield 01038.
To deal in real estate.

HAYDENVILLE

Natural Siding Associates Inc.,
206 Main St., Haydenville 01039.
Jennica L. Huff, 1 King Ave., Florence 01062.
To install fiber cement siding, exterior construction, etc.

HOLYOKE

E.C.M. Electronics Inc.,
6 Appleton St., Holyoke 01040.
Raymond M. Welch, 649 South Summer St.,
Holyoke 01040.
Repairing and upgrading industrial equipment.

LONGMEADOW

Ace Fire & Water Restoration Inc.,
95 Meadow Road, Longmeadow 01106.
Gary W. Brunelle, 125 Crest Lane, Granville 01034.
Fire and water restoration.

LUDLOW

Kara Evans-Scott Memorial Fund Inc.,
714 Fuller St., Ludlow 01056. Sandra Evans, same.
(Nonprofit) To establish an endowment fund to provide educational scholarships and the development of literacy programs.

Ultimate Motor Cars Inc.,
7 Spring St., Ludlow 01056. Bruno Fernandes,
190 Lakeview Ave., Ludlow 01056.
Sales and service of new and used motor and recreational vehicles, motorcycles, boats, etc.

MIDDLEFIELD

Happy Wednesday Inc.,
86 Chester Road, Middlefield 01243.
Joan L. Winberg, 2 Pickens St., Lakeville, 02347.
(Nonprofit) To build homes for deserving mothers through Habitat for Humanity’s women build program, etc.

MONTGOMERY

Pearl Property Management Services Inc.,
292 Main Road, Montgomery 01085.
David R. Champiney, same.
Real property management and services.

NORTHAMPTON

Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways Inc.,
341 Prospect St., Northampton 01060.
Nicholas Jon Horton, same. (Nonprofit)
To promote the proper use, development and care of the ongoing trail and greenway development, etc.

Northampton Cal Ripken Basebell Inc.,
351 Pleasant St., Suite B-PMB 189,
Northampton 01060. Robert K. Ostberg,
48 Greenleaf Dr., Florence 01060. (Nonprofit)
To provide all children interested in baseball a safe place to dream and succeed, etc.

Peri Hall & Associates Inc.,
16 Armory St., Suite 8, Northampton 01060.
Peri H. Hall, same.
A strategic consulting firm specializing in content rich media design and web development, etc.

PALMER

Accurate Auto Glass Inc.,
320 Wilbraham St., Palmer 01069.
Robert Corliss, 178 Bourne St., Three Rivers 01080.
Auto glass replacement and repair.

Akcess BioMetrics Corp.,
21 Wilbraham St., Palmer 01069.
Katrina Champagne, same.
(Foreign corp; NV) Manufacturing security equipment.

RUSSELL

Massachusetts Association of Professional Foresters Inc.,
260 Upper Moss Hill Road, Russell 01070.
Robert E.W. Collins, 109 Carson Ave., Dalton 01226. (Nonprofit)
To improve the conditions and grade of products of agricultural personnel.

SOUTHAMPTON

Law Offices of Michael Sacco, P.C.,
The, 116 Brickyard Road, Southampton 01073.
Michael Sacco, same.
The professional practice of law.

SOUTHWICK

Sunrise Mortgage Co. Inc.,
9 Bonnieview Road, Southwick 01077.
Georgios Karathanasoulos, same.
To operate a mortgage company, etc.

SPRINGFIELD

Ascher Zimmerman Funeral Home Inc.,
44 Summer Ave., Springfield 02208.
Robert P. Zimmerman, 97 Fillmore St.,
Chicopee 01020.
To operate a funeral home and related services.

J & M Partners Inc.,
1123 Main St., Springfield 01103.
Marc W. Sparks, One Pearl Brook Road,
Southwick 01077.
To own and operate bars, taverns, restaurants, etc.

Jagat Guru Inc.,
114 Lakeside St., Springfield 01109.
Jihan Ali, same. (Nonprofit)
To collect, analyze, and distribute information on third-world countries, etc.

Tavern Restaurant Springfield Inc.,
25 Mill St., Springfield 01108. John Bonavita,
26 Autumn Ridge Road, East Longmeadow 01028.
To own and operate a restaurant.

The Raging Red Rooster Co.,
64 Bronson Terrace, Springfield 01108.
Mark Alan Russett, same.
Production and sale of food items.

Ushirika Sacco Cooperative Inc.,
45 Copley Terrace, Springfield 01107.
John Wachira, same.
To engage in cooperative trade.

WESTFIELD

Galreal Inc.,
18 Whispering Wind Road,
Westfield 01085. Gail Ann Butler, same.
Real estate sales, brokerage and leasing.

Magic Printing Inc.,
14 Lisa Lane, Westfield 01085.
Richard B. Wechter, same.
Vinyl printing.

WILBRAHAM

Pioneer Valley Funding Inc.,
3 Foxhill Dr., Wilbraham 01095.
Anabela Basile, same.
Commercial lending for real estate.

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

Paul Petell

Chase, Clarke, Stewart & Fontana Insurance Agency Inc. in Springfield announced that Paul P. Petell II, formerly of the Paul Petell & Teece Insurance Agencies Inc., has joined its staff.

•••••

Benefits Consulting Group, LLC in Holyoke announced the following:
• Susan R. Retchin has completed the certification process through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries to earn her designation of Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), and
• Steve C. Vernale has completed the certification process through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries to earn his designation of Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA).

•••••

James A. Russell, Chief Executive of American Exterminating Co. of Springfield, will receive the Barlett W. Eldridge Award from the New England Pest Management Association. Russell’s grandfather, Abraham Russell, started the company in 1913. His father, Mathew Russell, also operated the business and now his son, Robert Russell, is active in the daily operations.

•••••

Sue Rheaume of Landmark Realtors in Hampden has earned the designation of Graduate Realtor Institute by the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

•••••

Matthew B. Hedenberg has been named Informational Technology Manager for OFS in Sturbridge.

•••••

Maryanne Rooney

Maryanne Rooney recently has been named Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Elms College in Chicopee. An Elms graduate, Rooney had been working at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn as Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

•••••

Byron S. Bullock has been named Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life at UMass Amherst. Bullock, who is currently Dean of Enrollment Services at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C., will assume his new post on April 2. He will oversee the new Center for Student Development (CSD), which coordinates programs and services aimed at promoting community and multiculturalism across campus. The CSD works closely with academic affairs units to develop students’ social, scholarly and leadership skills and improve student retention and success.

•••••

Glenn O. Steiger, a California utility executive with more than 35 years of experience in all facets of the electric power industry, has been named General Manager of the Mass. Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) in Ludlow. The MMWEC is a nonprofit, joint-action agency for public power in the state. Steiger will be responsible for the daily operations of the MMWEC, including management of administrative and plant operations in Ludlow, implementation of board policies, and interaction with the organization’s member and project participant utilities.

•••••

David J. Cameron, PWS, Senior Environmental Scientist, of Tighe & Bond Inc. in Westfield, recently became the company’s first Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB). The CWB designation is granted by the Wildlife Society, a nonprofit scientific and educational organization representing wildlife professionals in conservation and resource management. Cameron has 13 years of wetlands, waterways, and rare species regulatory experience, and provides project review services for many of the town conservation commissions in Massachusetts.

•••••

R. Patricia Grenier

R. Patricia Grenier, CFP, CSA with BRP/Grenier Financial Services of Springfield, has achieved the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP). The designation is awarded by the CFP Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who meet educational, examination, experience, and ethics requirements.

•••••

Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley recently announced the winners of the 2006 Women of Distinction award as follows:
• Vera Baker, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Springfield Public Schools;
• Dr. Mary Anne Herron, Director, The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation;
• Sr. Mary T. Quinn, President, Sisters of Saint Joseph;
• Marilyn Spedding, Educator, Springfield Public Schools, and
• Nancy Urbschat, President, TSM Design.
The women were chosen for their commitment, outstanding leadership and inspiration, and as exceptional role models for girls and young women.

•••••

Linda S. Rotti, a Real Estate Sales Manager at Jones-Town & Country Realty in Amherst, has been named President of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley for a one-year term. Rotti will be responsible for implementing the Association’s new strategic plan with includes an emphasis on education and government affairs.

•••••

Wallace W. Altes has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Berkshire Bank. He becomes the first Albany (N.Y.) Capital Region resident to serve as a Director of the Pittsfield-based financial institution. He is currently Executive-in-Residence at the Graduate College of Union University in Schenectady, N.Y.

•••••

Sales Agent Joyce L. Korona has joined Carlson GMAC Real Estate in its Westfield office.

•••••

St. Germain Investment Management announced the following:
• Paul J. Valickus has obtained the Certified Financial Planner designation from the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, and
• Brendon C. Hutchins has obtained the Certified Financial Planner designation from the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards.

•••••

Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield announced the following:
• Valerie Brosseau has joined the bank as Manager of the Chicopee branch at 1339 Memorial Dr.;
• Terrie A. Lucaroni has joined the bank as Senior Probability Analyst, and
• Lisa A. Lemon has been promoted to Account Executive for Insurance Sales in the bank’s affiliate Berkshire Life Insurance Group Inc.

•••••

Srisubha Gadey has joined the accounting firm of Kostin, Ruffkess, Themistos & Dane LLC in Springfield.

•••••

Fuss & O’Neill’s West Springfield office announced these promotions:
• Eric Bernardin has been named an Associate and promoted to Project Director in the Civil Engineering unit;
• Kurt Mailman has been named Senior Project Manager in the Environmental Planning and Infrastructure unit;
• Gregory Russell has been named Engineer II in the Civil Engineering unit;
• Kyle Spear has been named Engineer II in the Facility and EHS unit, and
• Rebecca Budaj has been named Hydrogeologist II in the Environmental Assessment and Remediation unit.

•••••

Big Y Foods Inc. in Springfield announced the following:
• Thomas Morin has been appointed Food Safety Auditor;
• Theresa Jasmin has been appointed Senior Accountant;
• James Billingsley has been appointed Staff Accountant;
• Marybeth McNamara has been appointed Assistant Food Service Sales Manager, and
• Jennifer Eichorn has been appointed Store Merchandising Assistant, Eastern Zone.

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

Political journalist Howard Fineman addresses the overflow crowd in attendance for Outlook 2006, the Affiliated Chambers’ annual start-of-the-year lunch staged Feb. 10 at Chez Josef. In addition to Finemans’ humorous and insightful keynote, attendees heard outlook addresses from Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and Northampton Mayor Mary Claire Higgins.

After 5
The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce staged its February After 5 networking event at Tower Square. At left, visitors crowd the booth of Silver Sponsor Springfield Teachers Credit Union.

Above, are Donna Fink, marketing coordinator, Mary Orr, media coordinator, and Brad Dakers, annual campaign coordinator of Mercy Medical Center, a member of the Sisters of Providence Health System and Catholic Health East, and the After 5 Presenting Sponsor.

Class Act
From left, LynnHuong Ly, UMass Amherst senior assistant director for Undergraduate Admissions, advises STCC graduate Danae L. Thomas and STCC student Katharine Collins about transfer opportunities. UMass and STCC have announced a new outreach partnership aimed at providing STCC students who wish to continue their degree studies with easier access to the Commonwealth’s flagship state university at Amherst.

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

v

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

Setting The Stage

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Opinion

Ten years ago, the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School was still very much a dream for its founders. But now, its student body, as well as its reputation for excellence and creativity, is growing. The school, in a new home in South Hadley, is embarking on a capital campaign designed to make the PVPA’s next act as exciting as the first.

Upon an initial walk-though, the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School looks much like any other high school. Students are hunched over books in classrooms and study halls, listening to iPods in the halls or pausing at the vending machines to talk to their friends.

Soon, though, subtle differences are noticeable. A Spanish class is held in a new theater, adjacent to the stage. A math class is one room over from a course in costume design, where the beginnings of Technicolor creations are fed into sewing machines.

A student on her way to class suddenly, randomly twirls, books in hand – a dancer’s spin to pass the time, or maybe some extra practice for an upcoming quiz.

From his new office on the first floor, Bob Brick, the school’s administrative director, observes all of this with a look of satisfaction. Only one semester into its 10th year and celebrating a new home in South Hadley, where the school recently relocated from Hadley, PVPA, a public charter school, has grown incrementally from its beginnings in 1996.

“Many people still don’t know we exist,” he said.

But the school is the culmination of a long-held dream for Brick. And the combination of PVPA’s move to South Hadley, the occasion of the school’s 10th anniversary, and its consistent success academically is beginning to move the school to center stage in Western Mass., and that’s a move that Brick hopes will help underscore PVPA’s unique mission.

Act One

Brick has been involved since PVPA was just a kernel of an idea – he founded the school along with educational director Ljuba Marsh. Previously, both had long careers in human services, but also in educational innovation – a fact they realized after knowing each other for years.

Brick was a founding member of the Project Ten experimental college at UMass Amherst in 1968, an attempt at revolutionizing the college experience. Similarly, Marsh has been involved with educational reform for more than 40 years, working with a number of institutions with a focus on academic and artistic integration.

“It had always been my dream to found a school that valued the performing arts, and it turned out it had always been a dream of Ljuba’s as well,” Brick said. “We never knew that about each other. But once we did, the process began to move very quickly.”

Coinciding with the Mass. Educational Reform movement, that process began with a call to the State Department of Education, initial approval, and that first class of freshmen in 1996, which included Brick’s daughter, now enrolled in medical school.

The PVPA now boasts a student body of about 400 in both middle school and high school, 40 full-time faculty members, and an additional 60 or so part-time faculty members and administrative staff. And Brick said he doesn’t want to see the school’s enrollment numbers grow too much more – that would affect the personal attention and small classes that are central to the school’s mission. But this year, the school received applications from more than four times the students it can accommodate – 300, with only 70 open slots available.

No auditions are necessary for admittance to the school – students are accepted based on a lottery system — but Brick says the large number of applications adds to the credibility of PVPA, and further bunks any notion that performing arts-based schools are heavy on creativity, but soft on academics.

In actuality, PVPA’s curriculum is one of the most stringent in the state, requiring students to attend classes for eight hours a day. Five of those hours are reserved for traditional, academic courses, and the remainder of the day is devoted to a variety of courses in performing arts, ranging from dance, theatre, and music to costume or set design.

“Everyone has to do eight credit hours per semester, four years of language, three years of lab sciences, and three consecutive years of a foreign language,” Brick explained. “In addition to performing arts requirements in their chosen concentration, students must also complete an internship and hours of community service. That’s not to mention the commute many of our students have.”

High school and middle school students from across the state are welcome to apply to PVPA, although Brick said special priority is given to those living in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Still, even across Western Mass., the school’s reach is extensive – the current student body hails from 60 cities and towns from east of Worcester to the Berkshires. Many commute to school an hour each way.

“They want to be here,” Brick said. “They’re a happy group of students, and many are in the beginnings of very strong careers in the performing arts.”

And the academic model at PVPA, which puts emphasis on creative, critical thinking is working, he noted.

“We value the individual needs of every student,” said Brick, “both academically and creatively. We work toward goals with the understanding that without the arts, most people aren’t complete … and our kids get into great colleges, and study both the performing arts as well as more traditional subjects. Our MCAS scores are some of the highest in the state.

“High school can be a very negative experience for people who are different,” he continued, shifting his focus from the academic success of the PVPA to the social aspects of high school life. “At some public schools, for instance, male dancers get shoved in lockers. Here, they’re gods. And everyone has something that makes them special, and that is appreciated.”

Set Design

Over the past decade, the school has existed at varying levels in terms of both its physical and academic presence in Western Mass. Brick explained that the school once offered only the ninth grade, sending students to different public or private schools for the remainder of their education. PVPA soon expanded, however, to include a full four-year curriculum in 2000 (the seventh and eighth grades were added in 2004) and to hold classes within several historic buildings on Route 9 in Hadley.

But Brick said the school was quickly outgrowing its facilities, and plans have been in motion for some time to relocate the school to a larger, more-consolidated location.

“Students had to walk 15 minutes sometimes to get to classes,” he explained of PVPA’s former digs. “They were rushing from building to building, crossing Route 9 … it could be awful, especially in the winter.”

Brick said the PVPA actually made five different attempts to relocate, conducting feasibility studies at three potential sites and actually purchasing 20 acres of land in Hadley with the hope of developing it at a later date – that land is still owned by PVPA, and Brick said the school is now planning to sell it.

None of the first four locations were suitable for a school, but a fifth option in South Hadley, situated on a hill on Mulligan Drive adjacent to the Ledges Golf Club, proved to be more promising. The property in which the school now operates had been vacant for years, having once served as a research and development facility for a chemical engineering firm, Intelicoat Technologies (formerly Rexham Graphics).

“It had been sitting around for five years, empty,” said Brick. “I don’t know exactly why … I can only surmise that the building hadn’t been right for a new business because it’s quirky – it’s only suited for certain uses, it’s big, and it’s sort of hidden up here.

“But for a charter school with students from all over the region, it’s perfect,” he added. “We’re four miles from I-91, there’s plenty of space that can be converted for specialty uses, parking, and plenty of land surrounding us. We saw very early on that this could work.”

The building and the land it occupies were purchased from Joe Marois, president of Marois Construction, in 2005. After examining the building and its potential for housing a performing arts school, Brick said PVPA soon began the process of purchasing the site from Marois and hiring his firm to renovate it – a $4.5 million endeavor.

“We used funds from some long-term fundraising we had been involved with, and a tax-exempt loan from MassDevelopment,” said Brick, adding that the renovation of the building was extensive. “In the end, we renovated about 98% of this building – we gutted it, added a third floor, installed new electric and plumbing systems, and an elevator.”

In actuality, the school’s new home encompasses less area than the former location in Hadley – about 50,000 square feet. But Brick said the space is better suited for academic use, and the students are, for the first time, under one roof.

“There is much more usable space,” he said. “We have three dance studios with sprung floors, a theatre, two sound studios, insulated rooms for music classes, a set design and costume shop, and a chemistry lab, all brand new and all in one building. It’s a huge improvement.”

And Brick said they’re not done, either. The school is currently in the middle of a capital campaign, raising money for a new, 450-seat theater at the school. Brick said he hopes to break ground on the project within the next two years, with the help of continued support from area organizations, businesses, and individuals.

He said the school has benefited from the financial help of what he terms “a few angels,” but added that there is still a need to increase the school’s visibility within the region’s business community, in order to continue to develop both the school itself and its unique curriculum.

He explained that the PVPA model is so different from most, it can cause some confusion – many people don’t realize that the school is a six-year, academic middle and high school that is open to any student with an interest in the performing arts. Fewer realize that the school has an exceedingly young alumni base that is, for the most part, still unprepared to give back substantially to their alma mater, unlike more-established specialty schools, public or private. After only 10 years in existence and only six including graduating classes, most PVPA alumni are still in college or starting their first jobs.

It has become part of Brick’s general duties to market the school as well as its needs, speaking to professional organizations such as rotary clubs regularly.

“It’s one of the most difficult needs we have to translate – that of the need for private support, even though we are a public school,” said Brick. “It’s similar to the challenges that all public schools face – yes, we receive support from the government. But it doesn’t cover everything, especially with the extended curriculum. We can use that support.”

Fame Seekers…

As the bell rings at PVPA and students begin to filter into the halls, Brick pauses to listen to the voices in the hall.

There’s the usual chatter, but it’s punctuated by bits of song, excited gossip about upcoming auditions, and the swinging whoosh of the theater door … little bursts of creativity, further cementing Brick’s dream in reality.

Jaclyn Stevenson can be reached at[email protected]

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

Business Confidence Continued to Erode in January
BOSTON — The Associated Industries of Mass. (A.I.M.) Business Confidence Index lost 1.9 points in January to 54.7, a third consecutive loss that has left the monthly index at its lowest point since November 2003. There are rising concerns among employers about economic conditions in the state, especially as national growth appears to be weakening, according to Raymond G. Torto, co-chair of A.I.M.’s Board of Economic Advisors and Principal, CBRE Torto Wheaton. Torto added that employers surveyed were somewhat more positive about the situations of their own operations in the face of the slowdown. Confidence was off in January among both manufacturers and other employers. Manufacturers were on balance negative in their assessment of current and prospective conditions within the state, and expect national conditions to deteriorate as well. Readings were somewhat weaker outside Greater Boston, where confidence has declined in five of the last six months. Large employers were more positive than others on most questions. Rising energy costs, interest rates, and health insurance premiums erode both consumer and business confidence. The monthly survey of A.I.M. member companies across the state asks questions about current and prospective business conditions in the state and nation, as well as for their respective organizations. Readings above 50 on the 100-point scale indicate that the state’s employer community is generally optimistic, while a reading below 50 reflects a negative assessment of business conditions.

Five-Year Watershed Action Plan Underway
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), in partnership with the Westfield River Watershed Association and ESS Group Inc., has been awarded a contract under the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs to develop a five-year watershed action plan for the Westfield River. Created by watershed partners, the action plan will outline various issues and priority areas over a five-year period, charting a course of action for state agencies, watershed communities, and other decision makers within or related to the watershed. A steering committee is currently being formed to guide development of the action plan. Current members include The Nature Conservancy, the Westfield River Wild and Scenic Advisory Committee, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources, UMass Amherst and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. In addition, each of the 28 communities in the watershed has been asked to appoint a representative to the steering committee. A series of three public forums will be conducted this spring to solicit public comment and feedback on the plan. For more information, contact PVPC Senior Planner Anne Capra at [email protected] or (413) 781-6045.

Public Input Needed Online for Update-Use Plan on Land-Use Plan
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission invites public input via an online survey in the development of Valley Vision 2, the update of the region’s land use plan. Valley Vision 2 maps out a vision for smart growth in the Pioneer Valley based on more compact forms of development in and around existing community centers and preserved open space in outlying greenbelts. Public opinion is vital to developing this update, and PVPC relies on participation by citizens throughout the region in shaping the future vision of its landscape. To read the draft plan and take the survey, visit www.pvpc.org. For more information, contact Chris Curtis at the PVPC, (413) 781-6045,
or [email protected].

Mass. Hospitals Voluntarily Post Staffing Plans
BURLINGTON — Massachusetts hospitals delivered on the “Patients First” pledge beginning Jan. 27 to voluntarily post their staffing plans for public viewing. Through a Web site, www.patientsfirst ma.org, and notices in hospitals, consumers can now find the number and type of caregivers assigned 24/7 throughout each hospital in the state. A special consumer brochure, “It Takes A Team,” is also available at every hospital and explains the many professionals involved in patient care. The staffing plans that are posted on-site in each hospital and on the web will provide an overview of the staff available in each hospital unit, including RN’s and allied health professionals. In addition to the staffing plans, hospitals will document the quality of their care using a common set of nationally recognized measures. A pilot test of some of those quality measures is now underway, under the supervision of a team of leading patient care experts. The quality reports on all hospitals should be available by the end of this year.

Survey: Most Downsized Execs Anticipated News
HOLYOKE — The majority of recently downsized executives polled weren’t surprised to find themselves in career transition, according to a survey of 1,202 outplaced managers by Lee Hecht Harrison. Nearly 80% of executives anticipated their organization’s downsizing, and 57% weren’t surprised to learn they were among those to be laid off. Additionally, 35% of respondents said they had been downsized before and 65% had survived a previous downsizing with their most recent or prior employer. The good news for outplaced employees is that a significant number have become savvy about the changing world of work and have taken steps to ensure their future employability. For example, within the two years prior to their downsizing, 57% of respondents had updated their resumes, half pursued some form of career or skill development, 46% actively maintained their networks, and 44% explored other employment options. Lastly, one reason respondents had generally positive impressions of how their former employers handled their downsizings could be that they had received outplacement services.

Ashe: Housing Market Will Remain Strong in 2006
SPRINGFIELD — Residential real estate once again was the backbone of the U.S. economy last year, and in Hampden County, 2005 was statistically similar to the record-breaking year of 2004, according to Donald E. Ashe, Hampden County Register of Deeds. The number of deeds recorded in 2005 was only 0.7% less than the previous year. The total amount of money collected in 2005 did, however, increase by 3.6% over the prior year. The total number of documents recorded during 2005 was 122,837 and the amount collected from fees was $22.2 million. The most noteworthy change from 2004 to 2005 was the substantial decrease in attachments and foreclosures, according to Ashe. He predicts that the area housing market is in the process of “changing from record sales and double-digit price increases to a more stable condition.” Overall, Ashe said that the fundamental conditions in the housing market are strong and real estate activity will remain healthy in 2006. In other news, Ashe reported that the satellite office in Westfield completed its first full year of operation and collected more than $1.2 million in revenue and recorded more than 10,000 documents.

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of January 2006.

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

United Bank Reports Growth in Earnings
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Financial Bancorp Inc. recently announced a 23% increase in earnings in the fourth quarter of 2005. The company is the parent of United Bank, which has 11 branches across the region. Bank officials noted that earnings would have been up 19% without the effect of a charge resulting from a newly formed $3.6 million charitable donation for its new United Charitable Foundation. For the full year, net income stood at $4.4 million, compared with $5.5 million in 2004. Also, bank officials noted that total assets increased 17.4% to $906.5 million on Dec. 31, compared with $772.0 million in 2004, and deposits were $653.6 million at year’s end, when compared with $613.7 million a year earlier.

Berkshire Bank Reports Core EPS Growth
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. recently reported $2.11 in core earnings per diluted share for the year 2005, a 10% increase compared to $1.92 for 2004. Core earnings totaled $15.8 million in 2005, increasing by 44% primarily due to the acquisition of Woronoco Bancorp Inc. on June 1. Core earnings per share growth was less than core earnings growth, primarily due to the issuance of shares for the acquisition. Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the holding company for Berkshire Bank. The company also reported that a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share will be payable on Feb. 21 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 6. Total assets were $2.0 billion at Dec. 31, 2005, up from $1.3 billion at year-end 2004. Also, loans totaled $1.42 billion at Dec. 31, increasing by $588 million or 71% from year-end 2004.

Easthampton Savings Posts Strong Fourth Quarter
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank reported exceptional growth in assets, deposits, loans, and capital in the fourth quarter, according to William S. Hogan, Jr., president. Hogan also touted the success of its Fuel Line of Credit program which was developed to help the community deal with the rising cost of heating fuels. The program features special payment terms for those who prepay fuel expenses, as well as a special interest rate for low-to moderate-income families. For the record, the bank’s total assets increased $33 million over last year, up 5%, while total loans increased 6%, a total of $27 million. Total loans now stand at more than $495 million. Also, the bank’s deposit growth was $17 million for the year, an increase of 3%, according to Hogan. Total deposits now stand at $514 million.

Wingate Introduces Pavilion Suites
SOUTH HADLEY — Wingate Healthcare recently conducted a grand opening of the Pavilion Suites at its Wingate at South Hadley location. Pavilion Suites offer area residents an attractive alternative to short-term rehabilitation services. The state-of-the-art rooms offer care in private and semi-private suites. Also, the suites feature half baths, new furnishings, including built-in dressers, closets, nightstands, and flat screen televisions with cable and DVD player, wireless Internet access, and a private entrance. Wingate at South Hadley is a 132-bed skilled nursing facility that provides individualized long- and short-term rehabilitation services.

Thales Joins RTC As Corporate Sponsor
SPRINGFIELD — Thales Broadcast & Multimedia Inc. recently joined the Regional Technology Corporation (RTC) as a corporate sponsor. Thales, based in Southwick, designs, manufactures, sells and supports inductive output tube-based transmitters for UHF analog and digital television worldwide. In addition, the company re-sells and services a full line of solid state VHF and UHF analog and digital television transmitters. Thales can now benefit from RTC initiatives which include coordinating and managing the region’s technology economic development strategy as it relates to business development, attraction and creation. For more information on RTC, visit www.rtccentral.com or call (413) 755-1314.

Monson Savings Introduces e-Statements
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank customers now have access to their bank statements on-line with e-Statements. The e-Statements are similar to the bank statements that customers receive in the mail – only now are in an electronic format. Customers who sign up for e-Statements receive an E-mail each month alerting them when the statements are posted online. For more information, visit www.monsonsavings.com.

ReStore Offers Solution to Wood Disposal Ban
SPRINGFIELD — The nonprofit ReStore Home Improvement Center of Springfield recently announced plans to create a dimensional lumber and plywood recovery service to help contractors, waste haulers, and others comply with the new ban on disposal of clean wood that goes into effect July 1. The ReStore will charge a fee to accept clean, reusable dimensional lumber that is not treated, painted or stained, and is longer than six feet and separated from all other construction waste. Nails and/or splintered ends will be acceptable. The ReStore is also seeking a free or low-cost property to house the operation, as well as potential partners for providing the service to the public. For more information on the program, visit www.restoreonline.org or call (413) 788-6900.

AIC Dedicates Registrar’s Office To Local Woman
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) recently honored a living legacy during a dedication ceremony for its Registrar’s office when it was renamed the Esther Frary Hansen Registrar’s Office in honor of Agawam resident Esther Frary Hansen. She was honored for her more than 40 years of service to AIC, first as its women’s athletic director, later as dean of admissions and registrar. She graduated from the former Classical High School in Springfield, and received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from AIC in 1938. She was named director of athletics for women in 1938, and in 1946, was appointed director of admissions. Three years later, Hansen became the registrar too. During the dedication ceremony, AIC President Vince Maniaci acknowledged that Hansen has been a large part of AIC’s history and he was pleased she was given her proper recognition for her dedication to the college.

“Star Wars” Toys Propels Hasbro Profits
EAST LONGMEADOW — Star Wars-themed toys helped push up revenues and profits for Hasbro Inc. in the fourth quarter, while the game division reported declining revenue tied to its trading card games and plug-and-play electronic games. Hasbro announced net income of $94 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $81.9 million in the same quarter of 2004. For the full year, Hasbro had profits of $212 million on sales of $3.1 billion. Games sales across the country were $236 million in the fourth quarter, down 13% from 2004.

Rifle Is Latest Smith & Wesson Product
SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson recently unveiled its new military style rifle – the M&P15 tactical rifle – which is now available for sale in states that do not have restricted sales of assault weapons. The semiautomatic rifle is being marketed to the military and law enforcement agencies, as well as to hunters and target shooters in states where it is legal to sell them. The basic version, with a price tag of $1,200, features an adjustable stock, removable carry handle and adjustable sights. For $1,700, the rifle will feature folding sights and a rail system to add laser aiming devices and lights. The M&P15 is the first long gun being sold by the company in almost 20 years, according to company officials.

Westbank Earnings Up
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Westbank Corp. saw an 11% earnings gain in the fourth quarter of 2005, with net income of $1.2 million, compared with $1.1 million in the same quarter of 2004. For the year, Westbank had earnings of $5.1 million, compared to $4.6 million in 2004. Also, deposits increased by 2%, or $9.3 million, to total $599.4 million at year’s end. Total assets increased to $808.7 million which was up 7% over the previous year. Westbank Corp. is the parent company of Westbank, with 17 offices in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Aucella & Associates Garners Award
WESTFIELD — Aucella & Associates, a full service advertising agency, has received an American Graphic Design Award, presented by Graphic Design USA, a leading publication in the commercial arts industry. The award cited excellence in “communication and graphic design” and honored a presentation folder created by Aucella & Associates for Thales Broadcast & Multimedia. An international broadcast products and systems supplier serving radio, television, and wireless systems, MPEG-2 digital video processing, and multimedia distribution systems. Thales, Broadcast & Multimedia are located in Southwick. A nationwide panel of judges selected the project, which Aucella & Associates completed this year, to win the prestigious award. Graphic Design USA is in its 43rd year of publication; Aucella & Associates is in its 22nd year offering a wide range of advertising, graphic design, and Internet communications needs.

WGGB-TV Channel 40 Features High Definition
SPRINGFIELD — At year’s end, WGGB-TV Channel 40, the local ABC affiliate, began broadcasting some of its programming in high definition. Company officials said the move to high definition was based in part on the increased sale of flat-screen plasma and LCD television sets that needed the high-definition signal. High-definition broadcasts can be found on adjacent channels to the traditional analog signals.

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

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.

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Industrial Residential Security Co. v.
Guardian Systems Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $10,990
Date Filed: Jan. 18

Quality Care Nurse Staffing Agency v.
Northampton Nursing & Rehab
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for services: $7,044.26
Date Filed: Jan. 20

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Anixter Inc. v.
Regenerated Resources MA f/k/a
Associated Professional Engineering Consultants Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $7,885
Date Filed: Jan. 17

The Street Lumber Co. v.
A.J. Virgilio Construction Inc. a/k/a Virgilio Construction
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $6,354.94
Date Filed: Jan. 11

J.R. Kakley & Sons Inc. v.
CS & K Inc. f/k/a Coll, Sacchetti & Karpells Inc., Christopher C. Karpells a/k/a Christopher Karpells
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $12,426.14
Date Filed: Jan. 11

Custom Packaging Inc. v.
TDB Inc. d/b/a Taxi’s Dog Bakery
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for goods and services: $38,497.05
Date Filed: Jan. 12

Old Dominion Freight Line v.
Dorchester Industries Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for freight services: $3,260.77
Date Filed: Jan. 13

Granite Creations Inc. v.
Mountainview Builders Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract —
Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $6,956.83
Date Filed: Jan. 13

By BusinessWest Staff February 20, 2006

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of February 2006.

AGAWAM

Auto Sport Distributors
396 Main St.
Walter A. Messner Jr.

Belmorie Consulting
101 Sylvan Lane
Jeffrey Hastings

China Star
382 Main St.
Hung Ye Zhao

James Hansmann
54 Colonial Ave.
James Hansmann

Santo C. DeSpirt
2 South Bridge Dr.
Santo DeSpirt

AMHERST

Baystate Tax Service
409 Main St.
Alison and Richard Holbrook III

George Parks Drum Major Academy
98 Wildflower Dr.
George Parks

Strongbridge Associates LLC
19 Amity Place
T.R. Rosenbury

CHICOPEE

The Grattan St. Grind
591 Grattan St.
Valerie Patrick

Jenco Property Maintenance Services
5 Newall St.
Marco Jenco

EAST LONGMEADOW

Dances with Stoves
134 Old Farm Road
Lisa Goldberg

The Energy Store
42 Harkness Ave.
Felina McIntosh

HADLEY

Fancy Nails
367 Russell St.
Bau Diep

HOLYOKE

J.B. Renovations
128 Westfield Road
Johnny Boucher

Liberty Tax Service
331 High St.
Robert Leekowski

LIDS
50 Holyoke St.
Hat World Inc.

LONGMEADOW

Family Wireless
749 Maple Road
Adam Kasperek

Lexington Development LLC
31 Hawthorn St.
Vincenzo Tirone, Laura Stevens

TLS Systems
29 Englewood Road
Jason Aronson

NORTHAMPTON

Leeper Business Services
92 Main St.
Kari Leeper

Pioneer Valley Dietetics
5 Fruit St.
Polly Obremski

SOUTH HADLEY

The Global Group
17 College St.
Christopher P. Asselin, Paul Tirone

Transformational Healing
23 College St.
Todd LePine, MD, Teresa Hubkova, MD

SPRINGFIELD

Bronto and Amrah’s Inc.
51 Macbeth St.
Ryan Edwards, Raoul Harvey

Cumberland Farms #6717
70 Parker St.
C.F. Inc.

Diyha Animation Production Studios
33 Littleton St.
Barrington Dyer

East Coast Swappers
20 Warehouse St.
Paul Scott, Jr., Matthew Seyller,
James White

El Fogan Market
526 Chestnut St.
Maria Ayala

HIBA Food Mart
471 Cooley St.
HIBA LLC

His Praise Worship Sound
42 Suffolk St.
Ronnie Berrios, Juan Leon

Jem Offices
191 Trafton Road
Leonard Jemiolo

Kevin Conway Auto Sales
200 Orange St.
William McCarthy

Lillian’s
1480 Page Blvd.
Perez Florists Inc.

Mini Mart
298 Hancock St.
Rolando Rijo

Netwerks 31 Brunswick St.
Michael Giovaninni

O-Mi Oriental Grocery
1096 Main St.
Kyung Won Kim

Pick Quick Paper
372 Pasco Road
Pick Quick Papers LLC

Ronald R. DeSellier Electric
97 Goodwin St.
Ronald DeSellier

Santiago’s Tree & Landscaping Service
2048 Page Blvd.
Harry Santiago

Stepping Stones Daycare
307 Commonwealth Ave.
Keri Keane

Torrel Jr. LLC
53 Wilbraham Road
Torrel Harris

Wayne’s Delivery Service
48 Campechi St.
Wayne Poyser

X-Diman/Export
44 Massachusetts Ave.
Ronald Brown

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bel-Air Inn
387 Riverdale St.
Richard Harty

Complete Pest Control Service
528 Main St.
John Boudreau

Electrology Associates
1111 Elm St.
Doreen Prouty

Fred Astaire Dance Studio
54 Wayside Ave.
R.K.R. Dance Studio Inc.

Hoodtech Inc.
20 Connecticut Ave.
Paul Saletnik

L.A. Nails
634 Kings Hwy.
Ninh Luu

Maaco Auto Painting & Bodyworks
78 Sylvan St.
H & T Enterprises Corp.

O’Donnell Landscaping
1612 Riverdale St.
John O’Donnell

Phycho Hobb’s Entertainment
17 Exposition Ter.
Tim Balestri

WestSide Customs/Cap and Hitch of New England
2001 Riverdale St.
Shane Duffy

WESTFIELD

Carlson Carpentry
12 Dewey St.
David Carlson

Frost Notification Solutions
32 Overlook Dr.
Philip Frost

In & Out PC
77 Main St.
Shawn Maxfield

Westfield Cleaners
423 East Main St.
Gary and Kathy Mirek

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

Departments

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

Blair, Cristie A.
89 Leo Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/09/06

Emond, John D.
229 Straits Road
North Hatfield, MA 01066
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/11/06

Hatcher, Robert Major
PO Box 7000
Hampshire County Jail
Northampton, MA 01061
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/13/06

Macurkiewicz, Shawn E.
16 Park Ridge Dr.
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/12/06

Moody, Nelson MC
840 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/12/06

Morris, Lisa M.
26 Harvey Johnson Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/12/06

Morris, Patricia A.
47 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/09/06

Murphy, Christopher A.
103 Audubon St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/04/06c

Thiphavong, Kalinthone
8 Old Stafford Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 01/11/06

Zych, Richard S.
494 Lyons St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 01/09/06

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of January 2006.

AMHEREST

Amherst Shopping Center
Assoc. LLC
181 University Dr.
$65,000 — Create Quiznos sub
shop

Friends of Hospice House
Inc.
1165 North Pleasant St.
$155,000 — Addition for
mechanical room,
add heating and air
conditioning to entire building

EAST LONGMEADOW

E.L. Center Village
85 Center Square
$950,000 — New buildings

HOLYOKE

City of Holyoke Engine
Houses
490 South St.
$85,400 — Interior and exterior
renovations

D’Action Enterprises LLP
232 Lyman St.
$173,000 — Total remodel to
existing restaurant

LONGMEADOW

Jim Furlong
819 William St.
$11,450 — Renovate stores into
offices

NORTHAMPTON

Annex Development LLC
21 State St.
$1,360,950 — Construct 2-story
building attached to existing
building, interior and exterior
modifications

City of Northampton
20 West St.
$22,600 — Replace handicap
lift, alterations

Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Inc.
30 Locust St.
$6,194 — Convert
administration offices to
therapy area

Curran Associates
72 Masonic St.
$16,000 — Expand staircase
width, open walls to connect
rooms

Julia M. Freedgood
15 Merrick Lane
$13,850 — Renovations

Reza and Jennifer Shafii
155 Industrial Dr.
$440,000 — Construct single
story addition with mezzanine

Valley Community
Development
16 North Maple St.
$20,000 — Renovations

SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Health
280 Chestnut St.
$1,095,000 — Interior
renovations

JNF Inc.
1011 East Columbus Ave.
$18,500 — Addition to bar and
restaurant

Mass Mutual
1500 Main St.
$70,224 — Alter Suite 1906

Mr. D’s Sports Bar
578 Main St.
$5,745 — Install fire alarm
system

PeoplesBank
1900 Wilbraham Road
$650,000 — Erect bank

S.R.A.
11 Wilbraham Road
$36,000 — Alter reception area

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bob’s Discount Furniture
135 Memorial Ave.
$120,000 — Electrical work

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

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.

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Book Distributors Inc. d/b/a Koen Book Distributors Inc. v.
Bookline Booksellers Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $8,450.94
Date Filed: Jan. 3

Advogue Carpet Gallery Inc.
d/b/a National Carpet Center v. Kenneth Lynds d/b/a A-2-Z Home Improvements
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $4,691.29
Date Filed: Jan. 6

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

United Rentals (North America) Inc.
v. Adams Enterprises
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $4,999.15
Date Filed: Jan. 3

United Rentals (North America) Inc. v. J.C. Stevens Co. Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $14,691.00
Date Filed: Jan. 3

United Rentals (North America) Inc. v.
Daniel J. Dunn d/b/a Bay View Development
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $10,056.92
Date Filed: Jan. 3

United Rentals (North America) Inc. v.
Beacon Site Development Corp. and Philip J. Montalto
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $19,733.52
Date Filed: Jan. 3

Conversent Communications of MA Inc. v.
F.L Roberts & Co. Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for services: $17,018.87
Date Filed: Jan. 9

Construction Service, a division of Dauphna’s & Sons Inc. v.
Ames Design Inc. a/k/a Ames Design, Leslie Clement a/k/a Leslie A. Clement a/k/a Leslie McCarthy
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $3,201.00
Date Filed: Jan. 11

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or
renewed during the month of January 2006.

AGAWAM

Almac Industrial Flooring
63 Silverlake Dr. Joseph
Aldrich

Candies Dent Master’s
116 Anthony St. Joseph Hebert

Home Comfort Windows & Exteriors
240 Pineview Circle
Joel Hayden

P & E Vending
55 Royal Lane Edward Filkoski

Silva Real Estate
92 Cricket Road Jose Silva

AMHERST

Amherst Bulletin
55 University Dr. H.S. Gere & Sons Inc.

Daily Hampshire Gazette
55 University Dr. H.S. Gere & Sons Inc.

Mind Body Systems
109 Pelham Road
Michael Ruscio, Johnathon Sieruto

CHICOPEE

Digital Vision
54 Trudo St.
Adam Warzybok

J & M Siding & Replacement
Windows 34 Arlington St.
Julio Gonzalez

Mike Darsch Home Improvements
30 Coolidge Road
Michael Darsch

EAST LONGMEADOW

Affordable Home Improvement
42 Greenacre Lane
Robert Moriarty

E.L.S.
65 Ridge Road
Jean Grayiani

Triad Therapeutic Massage
4 Crane Ave.
Beth Morin

HOLYOKE

Herrera Auto Sales
395 Maple St.
Jose Herrera

LCR Distributors
107 High St.
Eddie Rivera

LONGMEADOW

ABC Home Day Care
361 Wolf Swamp Road
Cheryl Cocchi

Gunta Ringa-Jekabsone Wholesale
295 Ellington Road
Gunta Ringa-Jekabsone

NORTHAMPTON

Audible/Visible
323 Coles Meadow Road
Richard Rothenburg

Paper Gems
81 Prospect St.
Mary Wiseman

Wonderment Images
12B Randolph Road
Andrew Farkas

SOUTH HADLEY

Chaffee Logging
63 Woodbridge St.
Scott Chaffee

Natural Races
10 Hildreth Ave.
Thomas P. Smith

SPRINGFIELD

Bermudez Transportation
96 Calhoun St.
Victor Bermudez

Corey’s Landscaping Service
157 Cherokee Dr.
Corey Palm

Debra’s Beauty Solutions
64 Boston Road
Debra Watson

EZ Services
463 State St.
Ricardo DelValle

El Bohio Rest #2
248 Dickinson St.
Miguel Martinez

First Class Shuttle
1500 Main #270
Jamie Gasperini

His Praise Worship Sound
42 Suffolk St.
Ronnie Berrios, Juan Leon

J x 2 Productions LLC
1 Federal St.
Andrew Jensen

Jessie’s Roofing & Siding
83 Prospect St.
Efrain Vazquez Jr.

Kim’s Nails
1003 St. James Ave.
Insook Kim

Millennium Nails
1055 Boston Road
Mai Hoang

MultiLingual Communications
1655 Main St.
Vadim Romanov

New England Janitorial Services
15-17 Sycamore St.
Waverly Rhone II, Joan Rhone

Payson & Williams
46 Clearbrook Dr.
Scott Williams

Pinnock Transport
1662 South Branch Pkwy.
Kurt Pinnock

Samuel’s Communications
34 Wayne St.
Evenad Samuels Jr.

She Has Everything
42 Cliftwood St.
Emma Perkins

Springfield Diocesan Cemeteries Inc.
421 Tinkham Road
Diocesan Cemetaries of the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Springfield

V.I.P. Cuts
445 Main St.
Antonio Melendez

Western MA Medical Billing
93 Woodrow St.
Joanna Gonzales

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Accent Interior Redesign
12 North Boulevard
Phyllis Boucher

Boston Cullinary Group Inc.
1305 Memorial Ave.
Joseph Armstrong

David Camp Sales & Furniture Restoration
23 Bonnie Brae Dr.
David Camp

Fathers & Sons Inc.
434 Memorial Ave.
Damon Cartelli

Geraldine’s Lounge
1519 Elm St.
Ares Inc.

“Huny Do List”
66 Larchwood St.
John Leary

Larry’s Painting
79 Lathrop St.
Lawrence Kelly

New England Van & Truck Equipment
104 Memorial Ave.
Gary Stubblefield

Oreck Vacuum Stores/Oreck Home Care
223 Memorial Ave.
P.A.E. Enterprises

R.B.C.
92 Garden St.
Richard Buteau Sr.

WESTFIELD

BP Courier
1 Oak St.
Bernadette Parker

The Country Store
518 Southampton Road
Talat Khawaja

Fuller Enterprise
295 Springdale Road
Brenden Fuller

The Red Case Co.
70 Wood Road
Bryan Dean

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

Departments

Paul A. Tierney

United Bank announced the following:
• Paul A. Tierney has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking. He specializes in commercial real estate lending;

Doug Bourbeau

• Doug Bourbeau has been promoted to Vice President, Commercial Banking. He is responsible for generating new commercial loans and specializes in equipment financing;

• Dena M. Hall has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing and Communication Relations. She has overall responsibility for the bank’s marketing and community relations efforts and manages the Investor Relations program for United Financial Bancorp, a publicly owned corporation and the holding company for United Bank, which is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol UBNK. She also serves as Vice President of the United Charitable Foundation.

Joanne Sheedy

• Joanne Sheedy has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Credit Department. She manages the credit department and ensures the bank’s high standards for credit quality are met and maintained.

Steve Piubeni

• Steve Piubeni has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Management Information Systems (MIS). He has overall responsibility for the Information Systems Department, designing and maintaining the bank’s computer networks and plays a key role in the implementation of the bank’s technology plan.

Kim Merritt

• Kim Merritt has been promoted to assistant vice president, Operations. She is responsible for managing the operations staff including loan and deposit operations and the bank’s call center.

Kim Merritt

A. Rima Dael has been named the Administrative Director for the Woronoco Savings Charitable Foundation, based in Westfield. She will be responsible for administering the grants program of the Foundation. The Foundation supports education and youth development, health and human services, cultural activities, humanities, and public and civic projects.

•••••

Lynn F. Boscher, owner of the Travel Bureau in Westfield for more than 30 years, was recently appointed Executive Director/Affiliate Coordinator for the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. He is responsible for managing the Chamber, and supporting and enhancing the economic health of the Westfield business community. A resident of Westfield since 1967, Boscher is a former city councilor, and served as president of the Westfield Rotary Club, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, and St. Mary’s PTO. He has also played an active role with the Westfield Area Drug Council, Westfield Community Development Corporation, and City of Westfield’s Planning Board.

•••••

Michael P. D’Amour has been named Fresh Foods Director for Big Y Foods, Inc. in Springfield. The position was created to further the company’s emphasis on high quality fresh products. D’Amour will be responsible for sales and marketing for the produce, floral, deli, bakery, food service, seafood and meat departments. In addition to developing a long-term fresh food strategy for the company, he will be responsible for all aspects related to these departments including financials, training and development, merchandising and advertising.

•••••

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. of Holyoke and Greenfield announced the following:
• Kelly A. Druzisky has completed the requirements to obtain her Certified Public Accountants (CPA) license. She has also been promoted to Senior Associate;
• Deb Kaylor, CPA, has been promoted to Senior Manager;
• Yong No, CPA, has been promoted to Senior Manager;
• Kristi Reale, CPA, has been promoted to Manager;
• Catherine West, CPA, has been promoted to Manager;
• Jamie Naughton has been promoted to Senior Associate;
• Maureen M. Hogarty has joined the firm as an Associate;
• Emily S. Bassett has begun a 10-week internship at the firm, and
• Karen Cheng has begun a 10-week internship at the firm.

•••••

Sue Rheaume of Landmark Realtors in Hampden has earned the designation of Graduate Realtor Institute by the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

•••••

Matthew B. Hedenberg has been named Informational Technology Manager for OFS in Sturbridge.

•••••

Benefits Consulting Group, LLC in Holyoke announced the following:
• Susan R. Retchin has completed the certification process through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries to earn her designation of Qualified 401(K) Administrator (QKA), and
• Steve C. Vernale has completed the certification process through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries to earn his designation of Qualified 401(K) Administrator (QKA).

•••••

James A. Russell, Chief Executive of American Exterminating Co. of Springfield, will receive the Barlett W. Eldridge Award from the New England Pest Management Association. Russell’s grandfather, Abraham Russell, started the company in 1913. His father, Mathew Russell, also operated the business and now his son, Robert Russell, is active in the daily operations.

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

Departments

Top, DiGrigoli Salons owner Paul DiGrigoli speaks to his staff at the company’s annual staff appreciation night, dubbed ‘The DiGrigoli Grammys.’ The chain on the podium was made and signed by DiGrigoli staff from all three of salon locations in West Springfield, Easthampton, and Lee.

Above, DiGrigoli poses with the staff from DiGrigoli Berkshires in Lee, which earned the Salon of the Year award.

The Longmeadow Rotary Club recently welcomed four new members. Pictured here are Jay Leib, president of the club, and new members James Nittoli, Mark Sirulnik, Jean Deresienska, and Michael McCarty.

Pat Hassett, president of Sales Now! based in Springfield, speaks to a crowd on behalf of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce at First American Insurance’s 20th anniversary celebration last month.

Members of the management team break ground on a new Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital in South Deerfield. The land was purchased from the Yankee Candle Corporation and is located next to their corporate headquarters. From left, Steve Upton; hospital co-owners Dr. Erika Mueller, Dr. Kirstin Losert and Brenda Salyer; Florence Savings Bank Vice President Mark Grumoli; and Kelly Bowman, Upton Enterprises, Inc. (Yankee Candle Corp. distribution center and headquarters appear in the background).

State Cant Be Lax on Higher Education

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

Opinion

Higher education is to Massachusetts what the citrus industry is to Florida.

It is simultaneously our greatest natural resource and one of our leading industries. Maintaining and strengthening the public and private higher-education institutions and their students is critical to maintaining the state’s economic competitiveness.

In recent years, Massachusetts has fallen dangerously behind competitor states in its funding of grant aid for needy students. From 1989 to 2004, Massachusetts joined, Alabama, North Dakota, and Hawaii as one of only four states to allow a decline in its state appropriations for student financial aid.

In our case, it dropped by 13.5%.

Massachusetts is the only state in the nation where more students are enrolled in independent colleges than in public institutions. About 40% of these students are Massachusetts residents. Moreover, those who come from out of state to attend college here contribute to a brain gain for the Commonwealth. Many out-of-staters choose to remain in Massachusetts after graduation at least for their first jobs.

The public benefits of our private higher-education sector are vast, but undervalued. The independent sector educates nearly 80% of the minority students attending four-year colleges in Massachusetts.

The independent sector also graduates a disproportionate share of students majoring in math, science, and other disciplines critically important to the Massachusetts economy. These graduates are well prepared to move into key industries, such as health care, biotechnology, nonotechnology, and telecommunications — industries the independent higher-education sector has helped spawn through research and development and entrepreneurial activity.

The bottom line: The independent sector simultaneously attracts billions of research dollars to the state, invests billions in payroll, construction, and other purchases, and annually saves billions of dollars in public expenditures. Massachusetts, unlike many competitor states, has had the luxury of not needing to allocate double-digit percentages of its annual state budget to higher education, precisely because of the breadth, depth, and quality of our higher education sector. That is not to say, however, that we are spending adequately on education.

Per-student spending on higher education in Massachusetts has been among the lowest in the nation. Massachusetts invests less than 4% of its budget on higher education. In comparison, North Carolina invests more than 14%. This decline in state funding has forced students to take out more loans or not enroll at all. This can only result in a brain drain and weakening of the Massachusetts economy. Last year, the independent colleges and universities in Massachusetts contributed $275 million from their own institutional resources to fund financial aid for Massachusetts residents. For many, this represents a significant portion of their operating budget.

The Legislature and the Romney administration should appropriate funding of operations, capital, and student financial aid for our higher education sector.

This year’s commitment to our public higher education system is an important step in the right direction. A significant investment in state appropriations for student financial aid for Massachusetts residents attending both our public and private independent colleges and universities is warranted and desperately needed. The governor and the Legislature should move ahead with the Board of Education’s cost-effective proposal released last month to increase the Commonwealth’s investment in higher education, including a $20 million increase in student financial aid for residents seeking to attend the college of their choice in Massachusetts.

Just as Florida invests millions of dollars each year to promote its signature citrus industry, so, too, must we invest in our signature industry — higher education and the students we educate to become productive citizens and lifelong contributors to our economy.

Richard Doherty is president of the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts.

How to Hire a Lawyer

By BusinessWest Staff February 6, 2006

Opinion

At some point in life, everyone needs to consult with an attorney, but there are many things that should be considered when trying to find the right one.

Knowing how to approach the task of choosing a lawyer is perhaps the first step in the process.

Where to begin?

The best references are from trusted associates. These can include accountants, friends, insurance agents, clergy, bankers, stockbrokers, etc. Consider people with whom you serve on civic boards or church organizations. Is there an attorney on the board whose manner of handling matters demonstrates leadership and intelligence?
If you do not have access to people who know an attorney, you can consider contacting your local bar association to request a recommendation. There are also professional organizations and publications that you can consult for recommendations, including Boston Magazine’s “Super Lawyers” issue, BusinessWest magazine, and Martindale-Hubbell, (martindale.com.) This well-established organization rates attorneys and law firms on both legal ability and professional ethics, and it is widely used throughout the legal and business communities. The highest quality lawyers will be rated AV.

Making Your Initial Contact:

Once you have identified potential attorneys with whom you would like to speak, it is recommended that you contact them by phone and explain the type of problem you have, to see if they are interested in handling that type of matter. You should ask if they offer a free initial consultation, or whether you will be charged for the first meeting.

Ask their experience level within your particular area of the law. Several of the basic legal areas include family, business, estate planning, personal injury, employment, litigation, real estate, immigration, tax, and banking. Even general practitioners tend to specialize in a few of them. Ask how many similar cases they have handled, the number of years that they have been in practice, and the size of their firm and support system.

Next, check the background of the attorney and his or her law firm. A good way to do that is to review the firm’s Web site. See what awards the attorney has won, undergraduate and law schools attended, and whether he or she has published articles that correspond with your practice area. All of these are indicators that will help you to further gauge the attorney’s level of expertise within your required field. You may also want to check with the state licensing authority to see if there have been any ethics violations brought against the attorney. In Massachusetts, that information can be obtained from the Mass. Board of Bar Overseers, located in Boston.

Discuss Fees and Billing Procedures:

Ask how the attorney sets legal fees. There are a few fee options, including hourly, flat, and contingency. An attorney provides knowledge in return for a fee, which normally includes charging you for phone call consultations as well as office visits, so you should clarify how fees are calculated.

Hourly fees are most often used by an attorney in non-personal-injury cases, whereby the attorney will charge an agreed-upon fee for the amount of time spent on your behalf;
Flat fees are most common in certain types of consumer cases, including real estate closings, simple wills, simple bankruptcies, and other matters that can usually be estimated to take a certain amount of time. This should be discussed and agreed upon before the work is done;
In personal injury cases, and sometimes in other instances, an attorney will agree to handle a matter on a percentage basis, called a contingent fee. In those cases the attorney is paid a percentage of the money that is recovered on your behalf;
In some cases, an attorney will consider a combination of the above fee distinctions; for instance, a reduced hourly fee may be agreed upon in combination with a contingency fee.

In regard to attorney bills, you should ask how they are determined and how often they will be sent. Will you be required to pay a retainer? If so, will you be billed monthly, quarterly, annually; and what does the fee you are paying include? In addition to legal fees, will you be responsible for filing fees and additional expenses if a lawsuit is filed?

Come Prepared for the Meeting

To best prepare yourself for that initial meeting with your attorney, you should be organized. This will ensure that you present all of your important facts to the attorney, and this will better allow him or her to address your issues. It is a good idea to provide a written narrative of the facts as you understand them, and bring copies of all of your documents so that the attorney can retain a set for further review and discussion.

It is important that you disclose all of the facts to the attorney, both good and bad, and that you do not hide any information. Full disclosure is the only way that an attorney can give you honest advice and a fair assessment of the viability of your case. Generally, all of the facts eventually come to light, and it is both embarrassing and disheartening to realize that had you disclosed all of the facts at an earlier stage, your attorney may have been able to dramatically improve your case.

Finally, remember that the attorney wants to succeed on your behalf and needs to know that you are as committed to your case as he or she will be. You should have a clear expectation of your prospects for successfully obtaining your goals after the attorney has presented his or her analysis of the potential outcome. If you do not get a positive feeling from your discussion with the attorney, or you sense a lack of enthusiasm for your case, you are probably better off to consult with another attorney to see if you can make a better connection.

Most attorneys are educated, compassionate, and caring people, who genuinely want to do well for their clients. Working together as a team with your lawyer will substantially improve your chances for success, whether purchasing your first house, obtaining immigration status for your aunt, forming your new business, or obtaining damages from the contractor who failed to properly finish your kitchen.
Hopefully, you will have a successful outcome and will have made a new friend for life.

Michael B. Katz, Esq. is a senior partner with the law firm of Bacon & Wilson, P.C. A frequent author and lecturer on business and health care matters, he specializes in business, insolvency and health care legal matters in the firm’s Springfield, Westfield and Northampton offices; (413) 781-0560;[email protected].

By BusinessWest Staff January 23, 2006

Departments

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

CHICOPEE

Beautiful Escape Massage Therapy and Tanning Inc.,
690 Grattan St., Chicopee 01020.
Anne M. Marin, 59 Carew Terrace,
Springfield 01101. Massage, therapy and tanning salon.

Glen A. Ladd Accounting & Tax Service Inc.,
169 Grove St., Chicopee 01020.
Glen A. Ladd, 9 Horseshoe Lane,
Wilbraham 01095. Accounting and tax service.

Ideal Kitchens Home Improvement Inc.,
838 Grattan St., Chicopee 01020.
Steve L. Wenninger, 31 Eastwood Circle,
Ludlow 01056. To engage in the installation, r
e-facing, construction of cabinetry and countertops, etc.

Leclerc Brothers Inc.,
45 Worthington St., Chicopee 01020.
Paul L. Leclerc, same.
Construction — home improvement.

EAST LONGMEADOW

MJR & Sons Inc.,
3 Town View Circle, East Longmeadow 01028.
Michael Raschilla, same.
To assist non-profit organizations with fundraising.

FLORENCE

Arete Computer Consulting Inc.,
37 Drewson Dr., Florence 01062.
George Burton Scheurer, same.
Computer sales and service.

GRC Contracting Inc.,
24 Bayberry Lane, Florence 01062.
Gary R. Campbell, same.
Construction business.

Shai Inc.,
94-96 Maple St., Florence 01062.
Rekha H. Patel, 22 Chestnut St.,
Easthampton 01027.
To carry on a general “convenience store”.

Sireci Psychometric Services Inc.,
43 Whittier St., Florence 01062.
Stephen G., Sireci, same.
Psychometric and statistical consultation.

GRANBY

Jimmo Contracting Inc.,
37 Crescent St., Granby 01033.
Brian K. Jimmo, same.
Construction — home improvement.

GRANVILLE

Noble & Cooley Center for Historic Preservation Corp.,
42 Water St., Granville 01034. Matthew Jones, 156 Granville Road,
Granville 01034. (Nonprofit)
To preserve the history of manufacturing, rural crafts, and agricultural pursuits in the Granville area, etc.

HOLYOKE

Gilburg Leadership Institute Inc.,
110 Lincoln St., Holyoke.
Alan Gilburg, same.
Leadership training.

Mapmcg Enterprises Inc.,
489 Whitney Ave., Holyoke 01040.
Mark A. Preston, 96 Washington Ave.,
Northampton 01060. Residential cleaning services.

Mark Shar Consulting Inc.,
44 Parker St., Floor 2, Holyoke 01040.
Mark J. Shar, same.
Customized tutoring, advice for computers/software.

Martinelli, Martini & Gallagher Realtors Inc.,
1763 Northampton St., Holyoke 01040.
Francesco Martini, 42 Willow Creek Ave.,
Suffield, CT 06078. Paul R. Gallagher,
36 Charon Terr., South Hadley 01075.
To operate a real estate sales business.

Ortiz Group Inc.,
274 Rock Valley Road, Holyoke 01040.
Raymong L. Ortiz, same.
To operate a restaurant business.

PB Partners Inc.,
314 High St., Holyoke 02040.
Joseph D. Lobello, same.
To deal in stocks, bonds and other securities on its own behalf and not as a broker.

School Services Diagnostic Center Inc.,
1913 Northampton St., Holyoke 01040.
John A. Foley Jr., 1308 Northampton St.,
Holyoke 01040. To provide consulting and treatment
services for all aspects of special education, learning and development.

DP Polymers Inc.,
127 Green Hill Road, Longmeadow 01106.
Paul N. Dikan, same.
The purchase, sale, and processing of plastics.

New England Centers for Academic Success Inc.,
44 South Brook Road, East Longmeadow 01028.
John F. Schuster, same.
Supplemental educational services.

Ottani Landscape Design Inc.,
200 West Road, Longmeadow 01106.
Daphne Ottani, same. Landscape design.

Sondrini Corp.,
103 Williamsburg Dr., Longmeadow 01106.
Todd J. Sondrini, same.
Financial services.

MONSON

Monson Financial Services Corp.,
146 Main St., Monson 01057.
Roland G. Desrochers, same.
A bank holding company.

Monson Interim Subsidiary Bank,
146 Main St., Monson 01057.
Roland G. Desrochers, same.
To transact the business of a savings bank.

NORTHHAMPTON

Pioneer Valley Internal Medicine,
P.C., 45 Washington Ave., Northampton 01060.
Susan J. Mosler, same.
Practice of medicine.

SOUTH. HADLEY

A & H Real Estate Co. Inc.,
27 Lyman Terrace, So. Hadley 01075.
Kyle D. Steinbock, same.
Real estate sales.

Bergen Construction Inc.,
187 East St., Suite 2, South Hadley 01075.
Taffzal Miah, same.
Construction.

Neumann Industrial Inc.,
3 Ashfield Ave., South Hadley 01075.
Gus E. Neumann, same.
Welding.

RP Trading Corp.,
187 East St., Suite 1, So. Hadley.
Rajinder Pal Singh, same.
Wholesale.

Walton Excavating Inc.,
10 Plainville Circle, South Hadley 01075.
Wayne E. Walton, same.
Excavation and construction.

SOUTHAMPTON

NorCor Autowash Inc.,
22 Pequot Road, Southampton 01073.
Richard Lemelin, same.
To operate a car wash.

SPRINGFIELD

Bacon Strip Film Corp.,
35 Kimberly Ave., Springfield 01108.
Christopher James Bailey, same.
Independent/big screen films.

City Opticians,
P.C., 1624 Main St., Springfield 01103.
Kenneth M. Duda, 701 Center St., Ludlow 01056.
The practice of optometry.

Dan Wyman Books Inc.,
47 Dartmouth St., Springfield 01109.
Daniel D. Wyman, same.
Sale, purchase, appraisal of new and used books.

Danny Boy Realty Corp.,
807 Cottage St., Springfield 01104.
Francis Santaniello, 19 Eleanor Road, Springfield 01108.
Realty estate investment.

Line-X of Western Massachusetts Inc.,
480 St. James Ave., Springfield 01109.
Adam D. Shramek, same.
Installlng bed liners in pick up trucks.

O’Hare & Gentile Associates Inc.,
346 Springfield St., Agawam 01001.
Nancy J. G. O’Hare, same.
Handyman and cleaning household services.

Ron’s Oil Burner Service Inc.,
254 Slater Ave., Springfield 01119.
Ronald J. McClements, same.
Oil burner sales and service.

Secret Identities Inc.,
40 Wide Oak Road, Springfield 01128.
James Joseph Martin, II, 49 Kenwood Park, Springfield 01108.
Comic book shop.

WESTFIELD

Creative Machining & Molding Corp.,
54 Mainline Dr., Westfield 01086. Christopher C.
Araujo, 230 Pleasant St., Dalton 01226.
To provide metal machining and injection molding manufacturing services.

Kitchens Direct Inc.,
67 Cardinal Lane, Westfield 01085.
Richard A. Metivier, same.
To market, install and remodel kitchen cabinetry, etc.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Kelly Bouchard, D.M.D.,
P.C., 103 Van Deene Ave., West Springfield 01089.
Kelly Bouchard, 19 Reservoir St., Holden 01520.
To engage in the practice of dentistry.

True Precision Industries Inc.,
17 Allston Ave., West Springfield 01089.
Richard J. Champigny, 219 Pitcher St., Montgomery 01105.
To manufacture parts for aerospace, optical, medical industries.

By BusinessWest Staff January 23, 2006

Departments

Renaissance Manor in Holyoke announced the following:
• Diane Tillman has been named Nursing Home Administrator, and
• Gretchen A. McDonough has been named Director of Marketing and Admissions.

•••••

William Steplar

• William Steplar has joined the Investment Services Department of Easthampton Savings Bank. He will work out of the 21 Locust St., Northampton, office.

•••••

Sonya Williams has joined the Agawam office of Carlson GMAC Real Estate as a Sales Agent.

•••••

Nancy L. Velozo

• Chicopee Savings Bank announced the following:
• Nancy L. Velozo has been promoted to Vice President, and
• Teri Szlosek has been promoted to Administrative Officer.

•••••

Terri Szlosek

• Jeanmarie Deliso, owner of Deliso Financial and Insurance Services in Springfield, has been elected to New York Life Insurance Co.’s Agents Advisory Council. She has been a New York Life agent for 10 years.

•••••

Gregory M. Schmidt

• Gregory M. Schmidt has been named an Associate at Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C. in Springfield. Schmidt’s practice includes general bank, commercial and real estate law.

•••••

The Mass. Association of Realtors in Waltham announced the following:

Corinne Fitzgerald

• Corinne Fitzgerald, a partner with Key 100 Real Estate in Greenfield, has been appointed Vice President of Business Development for the second consecutive term. Fitzgerald is responsible for coordinating the initiatives of the organization’s business plan relative to research and business development, standard forms, and electronic information services;

Charles Sawyei

• Charles Sawyer, broker with Dayspring Inc. Realtors in Pittsfield, has been elected Western Region Vice President. Sawyer will coordinate objectives and activities within the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley, and meet regularly with local and regional leadership to discuss real estate industry issues of statewide importance, and

Susan Renfrew

• Susan Renfrew, broker and co-owner of Renfrew Real Estate in Greenfield, has been appointed Vice President of Professional Development. Renfrew is responsible for coordinating the association’s internal and external communications programs and its educational outreach efforts to realtors.

•••••

John B. Hesslein has been named Station Manager at WSHM, Springfield’s CBS affiliate. He will oversee the daily operations of the station.

•••••

Mass. State Rep. Daniel F. Keenan has been named Vice President, Government Relations, for the Sisters of Providence Health System, based in Springfield. Keenan currently represents residents in the Third Hampden District. He assumes his new role in February.

•••••

The Hotel Northampton in Northampton announced the following:
• Mark Schoenberg has been named Food and Beverage Director, and
• Connie Foster has been named Sales Manager.

•••••

Robert Cartelli, President of Fathers & Sons Inc. in West Springfield, has been named Chair of the American Heart Association’s 2006 Greater Pioneer Valley Heart Ball. The event is planned March 3 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke and raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke.

•••••

Catherine H. Snow

PeoplesBank in Holyoke announced the following:
• Catherine H. Snow has been named Assistant Vice President in the Commercial Lending Division;
• David Thibault has been named Assistant Vide President in the Commercial Lending Division, and
• Colleen A. Brown has been named a Loan Officer in the Residential Lending Division.

•••••

Francis D. Dibble Jr., a Partner at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, was recently inducted as a Fellow into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

•••••

Kimberly A. Andrews has been elected President and Chief Executive of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Connecticut.

•••••

William C. Jones, Executive Vice President of Berkshire Healthcare Systems in Springfield, has been elected Chairman of the Massachusetts Extended Care Federation.

•••••

Dr. John Frangie of the NorthEast Laser Center in West Springfield is among the first physicians in Western Massachusetts to receive an IntraLase Luminary Award for his commitment in refining the surgical techniques used with IntraLase-initiated LASIK.

•••••

Dr. William Smith recently opened an adult medicine practice at 170 University Dr., Amherst. He has practiced medicine in Hampshire County for 18 years.

•••••

Bernadette Harrigan was named a Shareholder of Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy.

•••••

David M. Clark has joined Berkshire Bank as Assistant Vice President and Mortgage Origination Officer in the Westfield and Springfield areas.

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