| The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of January 2005. | |
| AGAWAM Chemex New England Country Boutique Crystal Ice and Fuel D & G Suffriti Construction Co. Gemini Therapeutic Massage Gorgo’s Kitchen Greenright Design The Hair Salon at Quail Run Lido Graphics M & M l Inks Mark’s Auto Detail Service McCarthy’s Liquors Michael’s Quality Life Systems Red Coach Transportation of Western MA Sapphire Art & Photo Sasha Speaks Seminars Segway of Western MA Steve’s Home Improvement Vannah Hair & Nail Techniques AMHERST After Five Silver Jewelry & Accessories Amherst Computersmith Casimir Kocot Gladius Jane Taylor Jewelry Jones Properties LP Love Myself Toys Painting Unlimited Co. Red Barn Music Whirlwind Fine Garden Design CHICOPEE AJ Chimney Services DeMatos Enterprise 8 Wire Mall Hair of the Dog HRS Trading No Bones About It No Heat Call Tommy Robert Bernash Electrician Royal Cigars EAST LONGMEADOW Crystal Nails Salon Hampden Capital Funding Holistic Health Center James Scanlon Insurance Salon Karma HOLYOKE Aurylius the Salon Desert Moon Downtown Delight Elegant Affairs Holyoke Sporting Goods Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Phantom Security Service Project Works Silvana Net Specialized Security Service 3B’s Variety Tuty Mini Mart & Restaurant LONGMEADOW Bri McCarroll Creative Edge Edward Joseph Bauchiero Firehouse Entertainment Mortgage Giver Today’s Window Fashion NORTHAMPTON Bacon & Wilson P.C./Morse & Sacks Claytopia Curran & Berger KC Consulting Mindful Touch Bodyworks Seeds of Transformation Snook & Mohan Insurance Agency Youth Development Consultant: Guidance/College Counselor |
Zuzzy’s SOUTH HADLEY Home Facelifters SPRINGFIELD A Cut Above the Rest A Cut Above the Rest II All Service Al’s Used Cars Austin Auto Sales Beautiful Nails Cleaning Galore DA-V Delivery Double Door El Behio Rest 809 Liberty St. El Mayimbe Barber Shop Fabricated Computers Family Floor Sanding Fancy Nails Harry Van Wart Painting Home Image Jeh Pro & Co. Kimmy’s Quality Cleaning The Lions Den New York Pizza Official Lifestylez Clothing 68 Federal St. Office Enterprise Phones-n-Such Quality Disc Seafood Market Springfield Nails Sunny Day Communications Torres Insurance Agency Total Property Maintenance Ultimate Anime Vintage International W.T.C. Williams Training Center WEST SPRINGFIELD Ace Beauty Systems Advantage Staffing Associates Inc. Affordable Decks-Beautiful Decks Alkhabi Custom Installations Angelo Bertelli’s Liquor Mart Inc. Army Barracks Convenient Cards LLC Dean Auto Sales Duquette Electric Co. E-Zee Mart E-Zee Mart First Choice Brokerage Corp. Greenough Paper Co. Inc. Gokul LLC K & M Auto Sales The Kid’s Place Inc. Mike’s Heavy Hauling Pak Grocery PAKD Professional Acoustics SSK Construction S.S.R. Construction Summerwood Construction Totally Floored Trane United Sureties Fugitive Task Force US Construction WESTFIELD A.G.E. Electric Accounting Associates Construction Unlimited The Hairport Hartley Brothers Landscaping LABA Dry Cleaners Magic Tan Western MA & Vermont Mohan Home Improvement Opportunity Knocks Republic Iron Work Inc. Western Parish Orchards |
Departments
The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2004.
AMHERST
E.V. Realty Trust
106 North Pleasant St.
$10,500 — Repair termite damage, repair roof
CHICOPEE
City of Chicopee
650 Front St.
$82,358 — Install 40-foot telecommunications pole
Colucst Group
620 Memorial Dr.
$310,000 — Build Starbucks Coffee Shop
EAST LONGMEADOW
Aditus Inc.
11 Glendale St.
$30,000 — Interior alterations
HOLYOKE
BPS Realty Corp
26 Hadley Mills Road
$16,800 — Construct accessible entrance, new toilets, interior renovations
Greek Orthodox Church
410 Main St.
$19,000 — Re-roof
Richard Cooper/Cooper Masonry
5 Canal St.
$20,000 — New shingles
St. Jermain Catholic Association
169 Hampden St.
$28,846 — Install steel fence
NORTHAMPTON
Atwood Drive LLC
23 Atwood Drive
$16,240 — Install new rafters, decking, re-roof and side on loading dock roof
The Coca Cola Company
45 Industrial Dr.
$6,500 — Erect guard house
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$34,500 — Reconfigure rooms to create new office area
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$27,324 — Renovate emergency radiology room
Danrich Realty Trust Co.
225 King St.
$2,500 — Construct walls
Danrich Realty Trust Co.
225 King St.
$8,000 — Remove walls, add windows and skylight
David Pelis & S. Szawlowski
Bridge Street
$3,400 — Replace panels, Webster’s Fish Hook
Edwards Church of Northampton
297 Main St.
$24,600 — Replace rubber section of roof
George Goodridge
574 Haydenville Road
$76,000 — New commercial building
Glandore LLC
766 North King St.
$60,000 — Build-out for medical suite
Lloyd Tarlin and Jacob Rabinov
238 King St.
$26,000 — Install roof
Lloyd Tarlin and Jacob Rabinov
238 King St.
$3,000 — Replace existing Stop & Shop sign
Northampton Co-op Bank
8 Main St.
$1,693,674 — Construct new retail building
Pookydink LLC
33 Main St.
$115,000 — Interior demolition and renovation for restaurant
293 Northampton Realty LLC
293 King St.
$2,893,579 — Construct car dealership (foundation only)
SPRINGFIELD
Ali Mousa
942 Worthington St.
$10,000 — Alterations to laundromat
Berkshire Auto & Truck
850 Berkshire Ave.
$22,400 — New insulation
Eastfield Mall
1655 Boston Road
$130,000 — New tenant improvements
Frank Newman
67 Liberty St.
$19,000 — Interior renovations to restaurant
John Salema
1228—1236 Main St.
$150,000 — Renovate existing building for Dunkin Donuts store
Mass Mutual
1500 Main St.
$54,000 — Install security doors
Picknelly Family LLC
1414 Main St.
$44,340 — Create offices
Springfield Industrial Center
665 Page Blvd.
$326,000 — Major rehab of building
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Lower Pioneer Valley
Educational Corp.
174 Brush Hill Road
$562,823 — Erect addition
WESTFIELD
Angy’s Food Products
771 Servistar Way
$300,000 — Addition
General Dynamics
33 Ellis St.
$67,868 — Addition
Heather Real
East Main Street
$394,000 — Build KFC
Patrick Boland
385 Southampton Road
$165,000 — Remodel
INCORPORATIONS The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden and Hampshire counties between mid-November and mid-December, the latest available. They are listed by community.
AMHERST
Craftsbury Kids Inc., 310 Montague Road, Amherst 01002. Cecilia Leibovitz, same. Online retail of handmade products
Sharevision Inc., 800 Main St., Amherst 01002. Richard Baldwin, same. Therapy, counseling, coaching, training, and consulting services, etc.
Ultimate Hall of Fame & Center for Cultural Change through Sport Inc., 352 East Hadley Road, Amherst 01002. James D. Pitts, same. (Nonprofit) To celebrate the living history of ultimate, to promote the continuing growth of the ultimate sport (frisbee), etc.
CHICOPEE
Electronic Distribution Corp., 698 Chicopee St., Chicopee 01013. Michael Roth, 477 Main St., Hackensack, NJ 07601. C T Corporation System, 101 Federal St., Boston 02110, registered agent. (Foreign corp; DE) Data base typesetting.
Northeast Construction Roofing Services Inc., 140 Joy St., Chicopee 01013. Elliott Beals Jr., same. To deal in real estate, perform roofing services, etc.
EASTHAMPTON
Blue Moon Grocery Inc., 3 Chapman Ave., Easthampton 01027. Deborah Robinson, 41 Edwards Road, Westhampton 01027. To operate a natural food store.
Easthampton Tire Inc., 141 Northampton St., Easthampton 01027. George R. Dion, 205 Elm St., Northampton 01060. To sell and service all types of motor vehicles — trucks, autos, and vans.
HOLYOKE
ElderCare Initiatives Inc., 4 Mill Valley Road, Holyoke 01040. Constance A. Clancy, 73 School St., South Hadley 01075. (Nonprofit) To provide elderly and handicapped persons with appropriate housing and services, etc.
Iglesia de Cristo LA.vidverdadera, 326 Appleton St., Holyoke 01040. Noemi Torres, 137 Cobb St., Springfield 01119. (Nonprofit) To engage in all community services, improve the social status, etc.
Massachusetts Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Inc., 225 High St., Suite 410, Holyoke 01040. Hector Bauza, 101 Cabot St., Suite 601, Holyoke 01040. (Nonprofit) To promote the industrial, commercial, civic, and cultural welfare of the four counties of Western Mass., etc.
United Trading Corp., 110 Lyman St., Holyoke 01040. Shahzad Ahmad, 380 Hatfield St., Northampton 01060. Import, export (wholesale).
INDIAN ORCHARD
SKCS Inc., 537-539 Main St., Indian Orchard 01151. Karen Scott, 11 Maximillian Dr., Granby 01033. To own and operate one or more bars, taverns, restaurants, grilles, etc.
Smith & Son Jewelers II Inc., 568 Main St., Indian Orchard 01151. Andrew W. Smith, 11 Woodside Dr., Wilbraham 01095. To deal in watches, timepieces, jewelry, giftware, etc.
LUDLOW
Baystate Bookkeeping Services Inc., 18 Keith Circle, Ludlow 01056. Lisa L. Roger, same. Bookkeeping and income tax preparation.
Poppi’s Pizzeria Inc., 351 West Ave., Ludlow 01056. Jorge Martins, 35 Mass. Ave., Ludlow 01056. To operate a restaurant.
NORTHAMPTON
Bailey Tebaldi Enterprises Inc., 348 King St., Northampton 01060. Adam A. Tebaldi, same. (Foreign corp; DE) (Foreign corp; GA) Auto parts sale.
Edible Atoms Inc., 38 Gleason Road, Northampton 01060. Paul Hathaway, same. To operate a restaurant.
Pioneer Valley Food Factory Inc., The, 320 Riverside Dr., Suite 10, Northampton 01060. Van Sullivan, 323 Prospect St., Northampton 01060. To conduct a catering service for on- and off-premises consumption.
R B & G Inc., 223 Pleasant St., Northampton 01060. Peter St. Martin, 7 Lyman St., Easthampton 01027. To operate a restaurant.
Urban Design Group Inc., The, 20 Strong Ave., Northampton 01060. Lynne Elizabeth Lande, 537 West Road, Ashfield 01330. Land development and construction.
PALMER
Katie-Sue Inc., 166 Peterson Road, Palmer 01069. John W. Morrison, same. Real estate development.
SOUTH HADLEY
Wall Tax & Financial Group Inc., 34 Bridge St., South Hadley 01075. Edward Wall, same. Tax preparation and financial services.
SPRINGFIELD
B Big Boys Social Club Inc., 827 1/2 State St., Springfield 01109. Tennison S. Clark, 255 College St., Springfield 01109. (Nonprofit) A fraternal organization to promote the development of its members, etc.
Better Homes Liberty Hill Inc., 5 Northampton Ave., Springfield 01109. Jeffrey Sullivan, 300 Florentine Gardens, Springfield 01108. To deal in real and personal property.
Iglesia Pentecostal Maranata Inc., 22 Ringgold St., Springfield 01107. Osvaldo Colon, same. (Nonprofit) To promote the teaching of the Gospel of God among members and non-members.
Liberty Grill Inc., 67 Liberty St., Springfield 01103. Frank L. Newman, 89 Hill St., West Springfield 01103. Restaurant.
Northstar Recycling of New Jersey Inc., 89 Guion St., Springfield 01104. Seth Goodman, same. Paper recycling.
O’Shea, Getz & Kosakowski, P.C., 1500 Main St., Suite 912, Springfield 01115. Patrick J. O’Shea, 61 Wilkin Dr., Longmeadow 01106. Professional legal services.
Pioneer Valley Diagnostic Center Inc., 7 Sorrento St., Springfield 01108. Dmitriy Shlemanov, same. To operate an ultrasound medical facility.
Potters House of Refuge Inc., 802 Alden St., Springfield 01109. Cynthia L. Curtis, same. (Nonprofit) To provide housing, personal, and educational services to needy veterans in Massachusetts, etc.
Springdale Education Center Inc., One Carando Dr., Springfield 01104. John A. Foley, Jr., 1308 Northampton St., Holyoke 01040. To provide highly structured programs for people with severe emotional disturbances, etc.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Foley Insurance Group Inc., 37 Elm St., West Springfield 01089. Brian T. Foley, 100 Jonquil Lane, Longmeadow 01106. Insurance agency.
Rental Remarketing Inc., 74-80 Baldwin St., West Springfield 01089. Michael M. Gentile, 8 Devonshire Dr., Wilbraham 01005. To deal in automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, etc., of all kinds.
WESTFIELD
CMS Transportation Inc., 46 Sheppard St., Westfield 01085. Joseph S. Cressotti, 33 Harold Ave., Westfield 01085. General freight — refrigerated and non-refrigerated, trucking and hauling.
SS and CJ Corp., 524 Pochassic Road, Westfield 01085. Guy E. Waldo, same. To operate a package store.
The Light House Fellowship Inc., 110 Union St., Westfield 01085. Pari Lirim Hoxha, 50 1/2 Jefferson St., Westfield 01085. To spread the Gospel through ministries, via media, evangelical services, etc.
WILBRAHAM
Harrington Trace Corp., The, 198 Main St., Wilbraham 01095. John D.L. McBride, 196 Main St., Wilbraham 01095. (Foreign corp; DE) The importation of specialty foods and beverages.
| Agueda, Natividad Anderson, Sharon A. Ardison, Robert J. Atkins, Ida Mae Avelino, Elizabeth Baer, Albert Thomas Baer, Edward Charles Bakes, Debra C. Beaudry, Jason M. Beaulieu, Jacques Bednaz, Antonia Belanger, Giles Belanger, Miriam Bennett, Amy L. Bessone, Martha Blackwood, Anne M. Boucher, Lynnette M. Bowens, Helene Anne Brathwaite, Richard D. Burns, Sarah Cameron, Moises M. Carrasquillo, Luisa I. Challet, Mark Edward Chapman, Ann M. Chlastawa, Judith M. Clegg, Michael T. Colon, Fernando A. Corrigan, Cathleen G. Cortesi, Mildred M. Cotto, Gloria M. Cruz, Carlos Cruz, Marta Darada, Zachariah D. Delgado, Evelyn Dimucci, Laurie A. Donohue, John T. Dougherty, John K. Dupre, Tammie A. Durette-Luckham, Karola E. Durkee, Louise M. Ely, James Escalera, Emiliana Factor, Scott N. Farnham, Donna Ferrer, Sonia Fitzpatrick, Mary F. Forest, James J. Fournier, Robert M. Freeman, Susan Fuller, Jennifer A. Galloni, Dominick Ganley, Laura Gauthier, Dorothy J. Gauthier, Leslie C. | Gauvin, Dennis P. Gearing, Edward Melvin Gibbs, Richard R. Glynn, Melanie A. Gonzalez, Digna L. Gonzalez, Oscar Gonzalez, Ramonita Gorman, Joeann Gosselin, Judith A. Gourley, Jean A. Gourley, Warren Graychase, Naomi R. Haas, Arnold Hebda, Gary S. Herbert, Andrew J. Hess, Kristen A. Heywood, Ronald G. Hill, Cynthia M. Johnson, Brenda Kamansky, Dina J. Kelly, Cara F. Kenney, Todd S. Keough, Robert T. Korsah, Florence Kozak, Philip W. Kuhn, Joseph J. Kuhn, Kimberly Lacharite, Merridith Ladner, Diane M. Lawrence, Marcus A. Linton, Mary O. Lombardi, Jennifer J. Long, Tony M. Lopes, Patrice A. Louise, Anita Lungulescu, Dumitru Lussier, Robert J. MacKenzie, Scott N. Maratea, Domenico N. Masten, Vincent F. McGillicuddy, John M. McLaughlin, Scott P. McLeod, Sheila A. McMahon, Charles A. Miranda, Noel Moctezuma, Victor M. Morales, Jose M. Morales, Jose N. Moylan, Jennifer H. Muckinhaupt, Melissa K Nashville, Judith E. Nashville, Todd R. Nazario, Frances Newport, Christine Jamie | O’Rourke, William Henry Ortega, Jose Owens, Darren G. Parczyh, Walter Perez, Ramonita Perlak, Joseph E. Pietrucci, Lawrence Victor Pioneer Dairy, Inc. Pittman, Sharon Louise Poirier, Gail H. Poland, Ruth J. Pouliot, Roger D. Proeum, Sarith Prout, Kenneth W. Quinn, Michael R. Rackliffe, Frederick J. Rodriguez, Shelby J. Roldan, David B. Romaniak, Robert G. Rosa, Ramiro R. Sanchez, Lourdes E. Sanchez, Nephtali Santiago, Luis A. Santiago, Nadia M. Santiago, Rigoberto F. Schindler, Brian J. Schneider, Margaret M. Seng, Lay Shean, Gary R. Shomes, Michael Slaughter, Patricia A. Starke, Judith A. Stone, Kimberly M. Swearingen, David W. Swearingen, Katherine M. Szczygiel, Brenda Marie Tauscher, Robert Thepbouasone, Ou Torres, Gisela Tourtellotte, Jennifer M. Towne, Alan R. Ukandu, Bright C. Vargas, Barbara J. Venditto, Joseph Anthony Vincent, Ronald F. Westbrook, Minniett Whitten, Holly E. Wilder, Stella M. Wojciak, Vanessa Woytowicz, Deborah L. Yarrows, Patrick H. Young, Gary W. Zajaczkowski, Caroline Ziba, Stephen J. |
The following building permits were issued during the month of November 2004.
AGAWAM
Olympic Manufacturing Group
153 Bowles Road
$4,800,000 — Construct manufacturing warehouse facility
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.
1615 Suffield St.
$117,384 — Miscellaneous alterations, heating, electric, doors
AMHERST
Amherst College Trustees
151 College St.
$130,000 — Install wireless telecommunications facility on smokestack of Amherst College
Amherst Housing Authority
32 Chestnut Court
$13,000 — Re-roof
Amherst Pelham Reg. School District
21 Mattoon St.
$10,400 — Install new kitchen hood vent system
Amherst-Pelham Regional School District
21 Mattoon St.
$992,000 — Remove existing roof, add new roofing
Amherst Shopping Center Assoc.
181 University Dr.
$812,500 — 13,500-square-foot addition to Big Y shopping center. Shell construction only
The Brook at Amherst Green
170 East Hadley Road
$19,620 — Remove and replace existing roof
University of Mass Alumni
778 North Pleasant St.
$8,000 — New kitchen
Verizon
20 Fearing St.
$800,000 — Upgrade interior electrical and mechanical systems
CHICOPEE
Mountainview Landscape & Lawncare Inc.
67 Old James St.
$15,000 — Temporary office building
New Beginning Church of God
17 Quarry Ave.
$146,000 — Build church
EAST LONGMEADOW
Chestnut Hill Nursing Home
32 Chestnut St.
$149,000 — Re-roof
Eb Games
436A North Main St.
$14,000 — Interior renovations
HOLYOKE
Bobala Tech Center
55-59 Bobala Dr.
$25,950 — Build out building for American Cancer Society
MAP Development LLC
198-210 High St.
$5,000 — Remove two partitions, repair ceiling
Open Square Inc.
383 Dwight St.
$25,000 — Interior partitions
Pyramid Co. of Holyoke
50 Holyoke St.
$113,100 — Remodel Verizon store
Pyramid Co. of Holyoke
50 Holyoke St.
$61,000 — Remodel Desert Moon
Sunoco Products Co.
200 South Water St.
$6,975 — Install new entrance
SPRINGFIELD
Cathedral High School
260 Surrey Road
$54,125 — Refinish girls locker room
Eastfield Mall
1655 Boston Road
$95,000 — Interior renovations to several stores
Lestal Inc.
44 Rost St.
$6,000 — Interior repair
Marci Webber
18-20 Springfield St.
$200,000 — Convert to bed and breakfast
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
368 Bay St.
$8,000 — Repair handicap ramp
Northgate Center
1985 Main St.
$47,500 — Renovations
Northgate Center
1081 Main St.
$81,000 — Renovations
Pride
1211 East St.
$353,000 — New gas station
Shirley’s Handy Variety
469-475 Boston Road
$25,000 — Interior repairs
Third Baptist Church
148 Walnut St.
$32,800 — New roof
NORTHAMPTON
APC Realty Trust
32 Main St.
$28,519 — Replace roof
B’Nai Isreal Congregational
253 Prospect St.
$2,500 — Construct two walls
Carl and Edith Gutowski
206 King St.
$49,000 — Enclose existing porch for retail space, renovate second-floor apartment
City of Northampton
137 High St.
$10,500 — Strip and shingle roof
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$8,500 — Remove bathroom and construct walls in admin. building
Dimension Realty LLC
59 Service Center
$39,000 — Install new roof
Kollmorgen Corporation
347 King St.
$120,000 — Interior renovations
Northampton Co-operative Bank
8 Main St.
$1,693,674 — Construct new bank and retail space (foundation only)
| The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of November 2004. | |
| AGAWAM Adversitees Plus/Logo’s In Motion Children’s Therapy Christina’s Country Store DMS Construction Jubco Landscaping Julie’s Fashion Not Just Brown Bags Power Hose Tips and Tangles Vinnie’s Auto AMHERST Amherst Market Inc. B & B Appliance Bumdiddies Ingenious Interiors Little Black Dress Revealbusiness.com Tora Nova Counseling Center Your Promotional Consultant CHICOPEE ABM Clothing Ed’s Fashion-Plus Equity Painting Harmony Rental Property Healing Hands Impressive Home Improvement Innovative Microplate Matured Nails by Jolene T & L Web Makers EAST LONGMEADOW Bank of America Electronics Boutique of America Learning Styles HADLEY Isman Consultants Ronkese Financial Services HOLYOKE Akinson Enterprises El Supreme Supermarket Emanuel Christian Book & Retail Store 4 D’s Corp. Izzy’s Repair Old School Customs Real Dry Waterproofing Sean’s Food Mart Torrid: Plus Sizes NORTHAMPTON A Second Opinion! ALT Healthcare Consultants Amy Diamond Consulting B & G Associates Bank of America Bank of America Colly Construction Copper Beech Millwork Eminent Energy Promotions Errands Etc. Grace Bodywork Jeanne Schubmehl, MS,OTR/L Jupiter Girl | Pioneer Valley Balloons SPRINGFIELD Abandon Inhibition Affordable Computer Storage B & B Trucking Beautiful Nails II C & D Variety Cali Nail Care Certified Auto Glass Cobalt Club & Restaurant Emerald City Cafe Express Repair Family Gifts JC Grocery J.G. Home Improvements Joe’s Deli Mart Joyce Insurance & Financial Service K & R Sports Karen’s Gifts Karmil Grocery Store Nova Care Rehab Nova Care Rehab O’s Auto Detailing & Towing Olympic Cleaning Painters Plus Paramount Hippodrome Parkin Design Roma’s Auto Sales Spring Food Mart WEST SPRINGFIELD ACP Management DSG Drywall Company Fastsigns Inc. G & B Construction Health South Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center JMJ Easy Vac K & M Electronics Inc. Lisa M Beauvais, Attorney at Law Marhaba Restaurant Package Machinery Company Inc. Poorboys R.D. & Asociates Tanto Mane Inc. ’Xplicit Customz’ Performance Car Parts WESTFIELD B & S Realty Trust Bank of America Coggin Creek Stables Jean Demers Real Estate Madison Construction Mariano Mavarro Towing Prestige Carpentry & Remodeling Shahid Enterprise Swayger Plumbing & Heating Theberge Consulting W.R.B. Auto Detailing Whip City Candle Co. With Heart & Hand |
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden and Hampshire counties between mid-October and mid-November, the latest available. They are listed by community.
AGAWAM
1813 Main Street Corp., 1813 Main St., Agawam 01001. Carlo P. Bonavita, 68 Old Feeding Hills Road, Westfield 01085. To own and operate a restaurant/bar.
AMHERST
Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C., South East St., Amherst 01002. Matthieu J. Massengill, same. The practice of law.
Valley Arts Project Inc., 129 Glendale Road, Amherst 01002. Michael Brooks, 192 Belchertown Road, Amherst 01002. (Nonprofit) To create performance opportunities to showcase the talents of young artists in the Pioneer Valley, etc.
ZX Inc., 135 Belchertown Road, Amherst 01002. Xiaoda Xiao, same. To sell newly invented Vector Blind Spot Mirrors to completely eliminate blind spots.
BELCHERTOWN
CBA Marketing USA II Inc., One Main St., Belchertown 01007. Irene A. Kane, 684 Ridge Road, Wilbraham 01095. Freight forwarding and freight management.
Uncommon Photography Inc., 145 River St., Belchertown 01007. Robert Wallace, same. Photography.
CHICOPEE
DJDF Real Estate Inc., 40 Nichols Road, Chicopee 01013. David Deslauriers, 82 Lord Terrace, Chicopee 01020. Real estate.
J.M.B.B. Company Inc., 45 Doverbrook Road, Chicopee 01022. Joyce Chapin, same. Consulting for mortgage brokers.
New Tour Corp., 9 Stanley Dr., Chicopee 01020. Si Yuan Tseng, same. Chartered bus.
Two-Putt Inc., 1469 Granby Road, Chicopee 01020. Joseph L. Larrivee, 27 Windpath E., West Springfield 01089. Real estate holding.
EASTHAMPTON
Uncommon Clarity Inc., 3 Payson Ave., Easthampton 01027. Ann Latham, same. Business operations consulting.
FEEDING HILLS
CMBW Inc., 22 Kathy Terrace, Feeding Hills 01030. Robert J. Wierdo, same. Ladies physical fitness.
FLORENCE
NCP and Associates Inc., 60 Platinum Circle (Rear), Florence 01062. Patricia Haynes Nnaji, same. To provide practical advice for individuals undergoing occupational change, financial stress, etc.
HOLYOKE
Appleton Pre-School, Early Learning Center and Childcare Inc., 397 Apppleton St., Holyoke 01040. Sharon Zayas, 18 White Birch Dr., Springfield 01119. To provide pre-school, early learning and childcare services to the public.
T.W.C. Towing Inc., 56 Jackson St., Holyoke 01040. Juan Figueroa, same. Towing, selling automobiles and automobile parts, detailing automobiles.
LONGMEADOW
M.W.C. Construction Inc., 1661 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow 01106. Michael C. DeMarche, 46 Mohawk Dr., Longmeadow 01106. Construction.
R.F.L. Electric Inc., 195 Redfern Dr., Longmeadow 01108. Robert Lipp, same. Electrical contracting.
LUDLOW
Sekoswki Family Inc., 67 Bluebird Circle, Ludlow 01056. Gabriela Sekowski, same. To own and operate a package store.
Your Choice Insurance Agency Inc., 120 East St., Ludlow 01056. Samuel R. Hanmer, 123 Englewood Road, Longmeadow 01106. An insurance agency.
NORTHAMPTON
Healing Across the Divides Inc., 72 Laurel Park., Northampton 01060. Lawrence Lowenthal, American Jewish Committee, 126 High St., Boston, 02110. (Nonprofit) To promote cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian health organizations/individuals, etc.
Pioneer Valley Travel Medicine, P.C., 69 State St., Northampton 01060. Ann K. Markes, 124 Maple Ridge Road, Florence 01062. To engage in the practice of travel medicine.
PALMER
New Millenium Appraisal Inc., 11 Diane St., Palmer 01069. Barry J. Cook, same. To offer real estate appraisal services, develop methods and materials to appraisers of real estate.
SPRINGFIELD
Antique and Specialty Flooring Company Inc., 169 Paridon St., Springfield 01118. Anthony Frogameni, 76 Pembroke Lane, Agawam 01001. Purchase of antique wood and manufacturing and sale of flooring products made therefrom.
Compass Car Rental Inc., 155 Allen Park Road, Springfield 01118. Olga Arnst, 107 Chestnut St., West Springfield 01089. Car rental agency.
Gordies Gourmet Inc., 1209 Sumner Ave., Springfield 01118. Gordon Richard Weissman, 174 Abbott St., Springfield 01118. The manufacturing, packaging and sale of snack food.
J.T. Home Improvements Inc., 38 Jenness St., Springfield 01004. Jeff Lariviere, same, president, treasurer, and secretary. Home improvements and repairs.
Latin Flava Cafe Inc., 1677 Main St., Springfield 01103. Isabel Pellot, same. To provide Spanish food and beverages in a cafe atmosphere.
Law Offices of Brian Shea, P.C., 127 Mulberry St., Springfield 01105. Brian Shea, same. To operate a legal practice.
Law Offices of Frank A. Caruso, P.C., 127 Mulberry St., Springfield 01105. Frank A. Caruso, same. To operate a legal practice.
Orr Chevrolet Inc., 10 Mill St., Springfield 01104. Sterling A. Orr, II, 12 Winterberry Dr., Wilbraham 01095. Automobile dealership.
RGoodridge Inc., 206 Marsden St., Springfield 01109. Winifred Renee Haskins, same. E-commerce retail.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Canterbury Development Inc., 84 Cedar Woods Glen, West Springfield 01089. Kathleen H. Sweeney, same. To own real property, remodeling, construction, etc.
Carl Yam Inc., 1051 Elm St., Unit 9, West Springfield 01089. Koang Cheu Yam, same. The sale of food.
Rural Lane Inc., 1771 Riverdale Road, West Springfield 01089. Mark S. Lyon, 53 Rural Lane, East Longmeadow 01028. Purchasing for resale or the consignment of household/business furnishings and household-related items.
Sullivan Private Label Inc., 42 Progress Ave., West Springfield 01089. Paul Fortini, 120 Greystone Ave., West Springfield 01089. To design and distribute retail packaging products to major department stores and specialty stores.
Valley Convenience Plus Inc., 242 Cayenne St., West Springfield 01089. Olga Alkattan, same. Convenience store and mini market.
WESTFIELD
Codru Transport Inc., 14 Sycamore St., #22, Westfield 01085. Stepan Foksha, same. A local, interstate and coast-to-coast trucking business.
Crane Marketing Associates Inc., 362 Granville Road, #105, Westfield 01085. Donald F. Hogan, same. The marketing of specialty chemicals and related products.
New England Pizza Restaurant of Westfield Inc., 280 Southampton Road, Westfield 01085. Jose M. Davila, 10 So. Maple St., Enfield, CT 06082. Jose M. Davila, 280 Southampton Road, Westfield 01085, resident agent. Restaurant.
WILBRAHAM
Halon Estates Homeowners Association Inc., 2148 Boston Road, Wilbraham 01095. Jason Sares, 168 Fuller St., Ludlow 01056. (Nonprofit) To maintain the common open space areas and subdivisions of “Halon Estates”.
JLS Architects Inc., 7 Rice Dr., Wilbraham 01095. John L. Strandberg, same. Architectural services.
Taste of Greece, Springfield Inc., 6 Evergreen Circle, Wilbraham 01095. Christine Dourountoudakis, same. To operate a deli and variety store, distribute food supplies to individuals, stores and restaurants.
The following building permits were issued during the month of November 2004.
AMHERST
Bank of America
1 South Pleasant St.
$42,800 — Roof replacement
Echo Hill Townhouse Condo
15 Bedford Court
$25,000 — Replace roofs at 15-20 and 27-32 Bedford Court
Florence Savings Bank
381 College St.
$49,850 — Renovate existing space for attorney’s office
Reynold Gladu
46 Belchertown Road
$5,000 — Add office, waiting area and bathrooms to auto repair shop
Sandra M. Southwick
7 North Pleasant St.
$140,000 — Reconfigure office space
CHICOPEE
New Beginning Church of God in Christ
17 Quarry Ave.
$146,000 — Erect church
HOLYOKE
Holyoke Hospital
575 Beech St.
$19,700 — New floors, ceilings. Walls resurfaced
Holyoke Hospital
575 Beech St.
$114,200 — Remove CT scanner and remodel
NORTHAMPTON
Bruce Macmillan
243 Main St.
$5,000 — Replace awning with lettering for Fresh Pasta Co.
Chamisa Corporation
25 Main St.
$4,850 — Replace awning with lettering/Fitzwilly’s
City of Northampton
221 Riverside Dr.
$137,600 — Interior remodeling
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$3,500 — Install wall and doorway in existing locker room to surgical day care
Florence Savings Bank
176 King St.
$5,000 — Replace interior and exterior doors
Hampshire Franklin & Hampden Three County Fair
54 Fair St.
$6,000 — Re-roof Youth Exhibitor’s Hall
Hampshire Franklin & Hampden Three County Fair
54 Fair St.
$8,000 — Replace/repair siding on sheep barns
Levee LLC
163 Conz St.
$40,000 — Frame new entrance roof, re-roof, gutters, and patch siding
Lloyd Tarlin & Jacob Rabinov
238 King St.
$13,000 — Erect new Stop & Shop wall sign
Lloyd Tarlin & Jacob Rabinov
238 King St.
$6,000 — Erect departmental signs
New England Deaconess Association
25 Coles Meadow Road
$39,890 — Renovate existing commercial kitchen
SPRINGFIELD
AT&T
351 Bridge St.
$19,000 — Office alterations
BSC Realty Inc.
350 Worthington St.
$13,050 — Addition
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints
376 Maple St.
$136,097 — Cosmetic upgrade
Dr. Chein Duong
586 Belmont Ave.
$56,000 — Interior remodel
Eastfield Associates
1655 Boston Post Road
$14,999 — Alterations
Ellen Boynton
666 State St.
$15,000 — Remodel restaurant
Marjorie Bianchi
925-933 Belmont Ave.
$17,500 — Create three offices
786 Three Partners Inc.
130 Walnut St.
$30,000 — Interior renovations for Kennedy Fried Chicken
WP Realty
1355 Liberty St.
$50,000 — Add antennas to roof
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Bob Simins
171 Dody Circle
$7,500 — Renovate office space
Clark Paint & Varnish Co. Inc.
966 Union St.
$5,000 — Erect partitions in store
LPUE Corp.
174 Brushill Ave.
$110,000 — Pour foundation
Walter and Leslie Lailer
1446 Riverdale St.
$10,000 — Renovate for tattoo parlor
WESTFIELD
Hussein Kobeissi
21 Southwick Road
$1,600,000 — Erect building to house convenience store, car wash and gas station
| Acevedo, Elisa Acevedo, Manuel Afonso, John J. Almeida, Lisa A. Alshenwah, Ahmed S. Alvaro, Joseph M. Avila, Ruth M. Beaupre, Carrieann L. Bennett, Treagan Benoit, Roger M. Bessette, Francis Thomas Blasotto, David P. Boardway, Kyle Bolduc, Angela S. Bonafe, Eddie A. Bowler, Brian P. Bozek, John T. Breault, Richard Brown, Mildred A. Browning, Arlene Ann Bruso, John D. Bruso, Stacy M. Burlin, Kimberly A. Burry, Martin E. Bush, Faye Ellen Campbell, Steven P. Capellan, Pilar Caraballo, Efrain Carey, Andrea K. Carrano, Michelle Lynn Clarke, Thomas C. Conroy, Kevin J. Cooper, Ricky R. Corriere, Ronald R. Cosgrove, Christopher J. Costigan, Melissa Cotter, Anna L. Cotto, Carmen M. Cottrell, Elizabeth F. Craik, Ian W. Craven, Fay D. Cummings, David R. Cusson, Jay R. Dacosta, Sonia C. DeMars, Edward E. DeMars, Nancy Lee Dempsey, James J. Draper, John P. Dubois, Julie A. | Eger, Jeffrey R. Ezold, William J. Felton-Stephenson, Betty Flynn, Mark E. Forry, Robert J. Foss, David L. Friedman, Edward Garcia, Radames Golash, Stanley P. Gonyea, David P. Gonzalez, Jesus M. Gore, Richard W. Goshea, John F. Grandbois, Roland Joseph Granger, Michael F. Greaney, Elaine M. Harrington, James E. Himmelreich, Philip J. Hogan, Daniel J. Hoynoski, Edward R. Iglesias, Anthony Jalbert, Angela E. Jimenez, Margarita Kantor, Marc David Killeen-Seipel, Margaret M. Kissee, Susan C. Klipstand Manufacturing Co. Kornilieff, Lorri Kuzdzal, Joseph P. LaCrosse, Norman D. LaPointe, Roland E. LeBlanc, Normand P. Lewis, Stephen D. Lockwood, James Brian Louder, Sandra S. Lowell, Alan R. MacInnis, Robert J. Mariani, Chad V. Marquez, Esperanza Martinez, Lana Martino, Lynne A, Maspo, Madge Irene McCurdy, Kimberly McDonald, Rose McLane, Louis H. Merchant, Michael S. Milillo, Katie J. Milillo, Kenneth J. Miller, Michael | Moore, Dawn Moquin, Sherri L. Morgado, Maria M. Mulvenna, Thomas J. Neil, John D. Nickless, Maureen L. Ocasio, Omayra Ortiz, Benigno Ortiz, Jessica Paige Pagan, Yvette Palazzi, Lisa M. Parenteau, Peter L. Passo, Jillian I. Paul, Linda A. Pellegrino, Nancy L. Perreault, Roger N. Poirier, Steven A. Pouliot, Melissa A. Provost, Donald L. Quinones, Samuel Reyes, Mary M. Riopelle, Lewis George Rivera, Eddie Robert, Annette M. Sanchez, Benjamin J. Sanchez, Jovanni A. Sawyer, George T. Seibold, Marshall A. Seiffert, Gregory J. Seipel, Roy B. Shields, James S. Slowik, Theodore A. Smith, Joseph Tangredi, Bethany A. Tardy, Arthur William Vega, Herodita Vilanova, Sarah Lee Villanueva, Roberto Watt, Adrion I. Wegiel, Patricia L. Whalen, Kevin T. Wildes, John S. Williams, Denise M. Williams, Lula L. Wilson, Timothy H. Woodworth, Amanda A. Wrubel, Ilana B. Yusko, John T. Zerwitz, Lisa R. |
The following building permits were issued during the months of September 2004.
AGAWAM
Silver Street Associates
104 Silver St.
$205,000 — Interior construction of warehouse and offices
United Methodist Church
454 Mill St.
$25,000 — Vinyl siding
AMHERST
Amherst College Trustees
Kirby Theater
$13,000 — Install steel to support scenery-rigging equipment
Amherst College Trustees
Kirby Theater
$21,300 — Install acoustical material on walls
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
170 University Dr.
$9,000 — Repair retaining wall, add guardrail
Hampshire College
Greenwich House
$19,998 — Extend roof overhang
Paul C. Shumway
330 College St.
$6,000 — Interior renovations
Trustees of Hampshire College
Music and Dance Building
$7,483 — Renovate recital hall
CHICOPEE
Mcork Realty Trust
510 Front St.
$521,925 — Erect First American Insurance building
EAST LONGMEADOW
East Longmeadow Center Village for Walgreens
31 Maple St.
$1,160,000 — New building
Maybury Association
90 Denslow Road
$1,898,891 — New building
HOLYOKE
Benderson Development Co.
375 Whitney Ave.
$6,148,410 — Erect five-story hotel
Homestead Grocery
625 Homestead Ave.
$125,000 — Interior renovations and addition
Joseph Miller
56 Jackson St.
$4,000 — Interior renovations — prefab spray booth
Nicholas Sierros
1735 Northampton St.
$7,200 — Modify to operate Domino’s Pizza
Sisters of St. Joseph
34 Lower Westfield Road
$246,903 — Modify offices and bedrooms
NORTHAMPTON
Birch Hill LLC
4 Lawn Ave.
$10,000 — Interior renovations
City of Northampton
274 Main St.
$95,000 — Construct handicap ramp
Hampshire Property Management
51 Clark Ave.
$40,000 — Strip and shingle roof
Levee LLC
163 Conz St.
$67,000 — Reconfigure two rooms, repair sidewalk
Locust Professional Condo
51 Locust St.
$23,500 — New roof
Matthew Pitoniak and B. Feeney
21 Main St.
$99,800 — Interior renovations for bar/tavern
Rockwell Management Corp.
17 New South St.
$22,000 — Interior renovations
Trustees of Smith College
15 Arnold Ave.
$30,000 — Demolish fire-damaged structure
Ten Main Street Florence LLC
10 Main St.
$112,865 — First-floor interior renovations
SPRINGFIELD
Charter One Bank
296 Cooley St.
$120,000 — Interior and exterior remodeling
First Park Memorial Baptist Church
4 Garfield St.
$90,750 — Remove and replace roof
WNEC D’Amour Library
1215 Wilbraham Road
$1,222,441 — Three-story addition
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Bank of America
225 Memorial Ave.
$27,145 — New roof
Discount Office Furniture
2131 Riverdale St.
$51,800 — New roof
WESTFIELD
Elm Development
40 Court St.
$6,000,000 – New building
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden and Hampshire Counties between mid-August and mid-September, the latest available. They are listed by community.
AGAWAM
All Tek Builders Inc., 105 Edward St., P.O. Box 662, Agawam 01001. Wayne Albrecht, 939 Granby Road, Chicopee 01020. General contracting, remodeling, roofing, etc.
Lazkani Corp., 51 Riviera Dr., Agawam 01001. Mustapha Lazkani, same, president and treasurer; Samar Lazkani, same, secretary. To own and operate a laundromat business.
Pananas Realty Inc., 1673 Suffield St., Agawam 01001. Leonidas Pananas, same. A real estate holding company.
AMHERST
Medsource Solutions Inc., 6 University Dr., Suite 206-232, Amherst 01002. Alan Tomasko, 36 Greenleaves Dr., #57, Hadley 01035. Medical consulting/education related equipment sales and services.
BELCHERTOWN
57 Sheffield Inc., 14 Maplecrest Dr., Belchertown 01007. Gail M. Flood, same. Retail & wholesale business, related manufacturing.
LC Sand & Gravel Inc., 21 Summit St., Belchertown 01007. Claude Whitman, same. Material removal. Material removal.
CHICOPEE
A.H.H. Inc., 1195 Granby Road, Chicopee 01020. Craig R. Authier, same. General contractor, real estate improvement.
Network Employment Services Inc., 1036 Chicopee St., Chicopee 01013. Luz A. Velez, 126 Peace St., Chicopee 01013. Employment staffing and placement.
SE Holidays Inc., 9 Stanley Dr., Chicopee 01020. Ming Sum Kwan, same. Chartered bus.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Bonneville International Inc., 20 Deer Park Dr., East Longmeadow 01028. Christopher Southey, 274 Duchesnay St., Skte. Marie, Quebec CAN. CT Corporation System, 101 Federal St., Boston 02110, registered agent. (Foreign corp; NH) Manufacture and sale of windows and doors.
Vehicle Inspections Inc., 200 North Main St., Ste. 6, East Longmeadow 01106. David W. Townsend, 227 Farmington Road, Longmeadow 01106. Electronic vehicle inspections.
FEEDING HILLS
On-Hold Marketing & Communications of Western New England Inc., 97 Columbia Dr., Feeding Hills 01030. Laurie Fay, same. To create and provide personalized marketing messages and hardware for businesses to help retain callers, increase sales, etc.
HADLEY
Valley Vodka Inc., 20 Maple Ave., Hadley 01035. Paul Kozub, same, president, treasurer and secretary. Distiller and distributor of spirits.
HAMPDEN
Elegant Creations Inc., 5 Bayberry Road, Hampden 01036. Pamela M. Clark, same. Retail fruit arrangements.
HOLYOKE
Bijou Bijou Inc., 50 Holyoke St., #G301, Holyoke 01040. In Jae Lee, 631 Division Ave., #1st Fl., Carlstadt, NJ 07072. In Jae Lee, 50 Holyoke St., #G301, Holyoke 01040, registered agent. Retail fashion jewelry.
MD2 Inc., 30 Holyoke St., Mrs. Fields Store, Holyoke Mall, Holyoke 01040. Samir N. Dave, 91 Beacon Terr., Springfield 01119. To operate a Mrs. Fields Original Cookies store, etc.
Sunoco of South Street Inc., 580 South St., Holyoke 01040. Adib Mohsen, same. Retail gas.
LONGMEADOW
Advanced Contracting Enterprises Inc., 658 Converse St., Longmeadow 01106. Brian J. Walker, same. General contracting.
Race Aviation Inc., 70 Warren Terrace, Longmeadow 01106. John T. Race, Jr., same. Professional pilot services, aircraft management, and aviation consulting services.
LUDLOW
Brad Willard Professional Painters Inc., 89 Woodland Circle, Ludlow 01056. Jonathan B. Willard, same. Arranging of painter to provide painting services to the public.
SOUTHWICK
Southwick Foodmart Corp., 610 College Hwy., Southwick 01077. Sunil R. Patel, 80 Mill St., North Easton 02356. A general convenience store.
SPRINGFIELD
AA Glass & Mirror Inc., 62 Tremont St., Springfield 01105. Michael A. Romanelli, same. Glass and mirror sales and services.
Biff-Bam-Boom Inc., 92 Parallel St., Springfield 01104. Anthony Rivera, same. Comic sales.
Branch Street Realty Management Inc., 417 Springfield St., Ste. 139, Agawam 01001. Michael P. Margiotta, 7 Forest Hill Road, Feeding Hills 01030. Realty management.
Crown Fried Chicken Inc., 1208 Main St., Springfield 01103. Mohammed Asif, same. Fast food restaurant.
E J Bara and Son Plumbing Contractors Inc., 8 Raymond Circle, Westfield 01085. Edward J. Bara, Jt., same. Plumbing.
Eman Corp., 1324 Boston Road, Springfield 01119. Maqsood Cheema, 55 Rosewood Dr., Rocky Hill, CT. 06067. Muhammed H. Warasat, 30 Wyndward Road, Longmeadow 01106, treasurer. Restaurant business.
The Falls Fruits and Vegetables Inc., 1003 St. James Ave., Springfield 01104. Ahmet Akin, 29 Manitoba St., Springfield 01108. Fruits and vegetables.
Falls Pizza Inc., 103 Main St., Springfield 01020. Ilyas Yanbul, 59 Cedar St., Ludlow 01056. Pizza shop/food service.
Feeds Inc., 95 State St., Ste. 1100, Springfield 01103. David V. Bloniarz, 33 Atwater Road, Springfield 01107. (Nonprofit) To assist the community at large, including the minority community, in entrepreneurial and business endeavors.
Sisters in Struggle Inc., 76 Amherst St., Springfield 01109. Sabriyya Abdur-Rauf, same. (Nonprofit) To holistically develop individuals, families, and the community in compliance with the Qur’an, etc.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Miten Mart Inc., 50 Morgan Road, West Springfield 01089. Kaushik D. Patel, 109 Raffeale Dr., Waltham 02454. To carry on a general mercantile business.
With the retirement of founder and artistic director Richard Rescia, the Florence-based Commonwealth Opera is entering a new era. Its leadership team, comprised of Artistic Director Alan Schneider and Executive Director Kara Noble, has ambitious goals to bring opera to new and wider audiences, and thus create new opportunities for the institution as it approaches its 30th birthday.
Kara Noble says many people have preconceived notions about opera assumptions that often keep them from experiencing something wonderful.
"They have it in their head that ëthis is what opera is, but they dont really know what its about,î she told BusinessWest. "When they come to opera and actually see it, they are absolutely blown away by the real experience by the pageantry, the theater, the acting, the music, and simply by how much fun it is.î
Bringing this experience, which blends music and theater, to new and wider audiences is one of Nobles primary goals as she takes a leadership role with the Florence-based Commonwealth Opera (CWO). She and recently named artistic director Alan Schneider, who succeeds founder Richard Rescia, will usher the 28-year-old regional opera company into a new era.
They plan to build on the solid foundation laid by Rescia and an active board of directors and expand the companys reach and its horizons.
"The company is in a very exciting place right now,î said Noble. "Its really starting to grow, and it has chances to develop new audiences, new partnerships with area organizations, and to re-enliven an already rich cultural community.î
Schneider, a tenor who has sung in five of the CWOs productions and with a number of other companies as well, agreed.
"This is an exciting time for the Commonwealth Opera,î he said. "We want to take full advantage of the opportunities in front of us, and make this company more visible and relevant.î
As they talked about their plans for the CWO, both Schneider and Noble drew many comparisons to the business world. Managing an opera is much like directing an actual business, they said. It requires both short- and long-range planning, a focus on continued growth, good customer service, effective marketing and new product development, which, in the case of an opera company, is an intriguing assignment.
"What weve been presenting up to this point has been the classical repertoire, both in terms of what we choose for an opera things that are well-established and have been performed for centuries in many cases and for our musical theater component, where we lean toward the popular shows,î said Noble. "We would like to open up opportunities to have some new productions; a lot of people dont realize that new opera is being composed right now.
"Wed like to have some opportunities to present some of the newer works, and even to commission artists to write works expressly for us,î she continued. "Weve done some of this, and wed like to do much more.î
Tenor of the Conversation
Schneider told BusinessWest that an opera company is much like a business a successful one, at least in that its managers must keep one eye on today and the other on tomorrow.
Indeed, while he is busy with details of the two upcoming performances of Bizets classic Carmen (Nov. 19 and 21 at the Fine Arts Center at UMass), Schneider is already planning for what will be the CWOs 30th season next fall and well beyond.
The Barber of Seville has been scheduled as the opera for that anniversary season, he said, while Mozarts Cosi Fan Tutte is on tap for 2006 to mark the composers 250th birthday. Such a long-range focus is necessary, he said, because top opera singers are booked years in advance and it takes several months of planning to pull together the myriad details and subtle nuances that make a performance successful.
"You have to be a visionary and look well down the road and make sure you have all the resources you need for a performance; you need to choose the works to be done four or five years out, and then focus on how youre going to do them,î said Schneider, adding that it was the opportunity to become involved in all aspects of operatic production and to flex his creative muscles that drew him to the CWO. Like Noble, he brings a diverse resume to the opera company.
A native of Westfield, Schneider later relocated to Conway. He studied music and theater at UMass, in the early ë90s, and became versed in set design, costume, and lighting, talents that helped him emerge from a field of 60 candidates to succeed Rescia, who will still play an active role with the company and assume the title artistic director emeritus.
Schneider started performing for the CWO a decade ago, while he was still a student at UMass, and he has worked with the company off and on over the years. After graduating, he went to Boston, where he performed with several opera companies. After six years in the Hub, he and his wife relocated to the Pioneer Valley. He still sings with a number of companies, including Opera Boston, the Boston Lyric Opera, the Florida Grand Opera, and others.
When asked to offer a job description for a companys artistic directors role, he laughed, and said the role defies description.
"What I do is essentially choose the repertoire that is to be produced, and I do so based on a lot of considerations, including personal taste, operas that I think we can do well, and variety, which is important for us because we produce both an opera and a musical theater piece every year,î he said. "Within the course of a season I want some variety a tragedy for one, a comedy for the other, different historical time periods, and different musical styles.î
After choosing the works, the artistic director will, in time, run auditions, hire singers, conductors, and stage designers, and facilitate the entire process. "Its taking a performance all the way through, from start to finish,î he said. "And thats what attracted me to this job.î
Noble, who assumed the directors position in early July following the departure of Dara Lewis, brings a background in publishing and the music industry to the CWO.
Her husband, Clifton, is a well-known professional pianist who has performed with the Commonwealth Opera, providing her exposure to the group and its broad mission. Professionally, she worked for a number of years with Merriam-Webster, first as an editor, and later as director of electronic product development.
She then started her own business, Artisttec, which brought technical support to musicians and other musicians. Services included Web page design, digitizing music, type-setting score electronically, and computer consulting. Through that venture, Noble began working with several area colleges and universities, especially Smith College, where she became facilities manager for the music department.
She was in that role when she heard about the pending opportunity at CWO, a position that affords her the chance to utilize many of her acquired skills.
"I was very interested in working with a company that was in a transition state and in a place where I could help it grow and move in new directions,î she said. "Because both Alan and I are new, there are a lot of opportunities to set a new course; this gives me a chance to try some new things and to use some of the talents I have to help the company.î
Orchestrating Growth
Schneider and Noble inherit a rich tradition of quality performances, one they want to continue and enhance.
The CWO was founded by Rescia in 1972 as Project Opera, and was designed as a vehicle for area singers interested in grand opera. Its first endeavors were concerts of arias, ensembles, and operatic scenes for small audiences in mainly the Project Opera studio on the third floor of the building at 160 Main St. in Northampton.
The company produced its first fully staged opera in 1976, a production of Carlyle Floyds Sussanah, conducted in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Symphony as part of celebrations for the nations bicentennial. A year later, the opera undertook its first solo, in-house production, Die Fledermaus, with Rescia as artistic director and conductor. It also launched its annual Messiah sing-alongs.
Over the years, the opera developed an educational component. It has coordinated a number of in-school productions, conducted workshops, and introduced students to the world of opera. Last year, for example, the company bussed more than 1,000 students to the Calvin Theater for performances of Hansel & Gretel.
In 1989, the company changed its name to Commonwealth Opera. As Schneider explained, the groups productions had grown in professionalism, to the point where it was auditioning people from hundreds of miles away. The name Project Opera did not convey permanence or stability, he said, so the name was changed so singers would feel comfortable with putting the opera on their resumes.
The road has not always been smooth for the company. Twice over the past 25 years it found itself without enough money to produce a scheduled opera. On both occasions, the general public helped the institution get out of debt.
For the past several years, the CWOs season has featured four main performances; an opera in the fall; a Broadway musical in the spring this season, it will Cole Porters Kiss Me Kate; two Messiah sings each December, one in Northampton and the other in Springfield; and a Guild Concert each spring.
Looking forward, Schneider and Noble want to bring opera to a wider audience and bring different types of performances to area theaters and schools and grow as a business in the process.
One priority is to expand the companys base, which is the Northampton-Amherst area. "Were starting to see people come down from the Greenfield-Brattleboro area and discover the company,î she said. "Were also trying to increase our visibility in Springfield and Holyoke, so that people there are more aware of what we have to offer, and also how we can help them and enrich their communities.î
Noble said the CWOs leadership, working in conjunction with its board, is engaged in strategic planning initiatives.
"Like any business, you need a long-range plan and a day-to-day plan to make things happen,î she explained, adding that the group plans an in-depth study of its fund-raising activities, repertoire of shows, and educational programs with an eye toward improving both the quality and quantity of each one.
"I think this market will support more shows, and thats one of things were going to be looking at, "she said. "We want to reach more people and conduct more educational programs as well.î
Among the planned new initiatives is an apprenticeship program for singers, to be coordinated with UMass, that will involve several students with this falls production of Carmen. Its part of the CWOs broader mission to introduce people, especially younger populations, to opera and then provide them a place to get started.
"There are a lot of singers in the area who dont have a place to perform,î said Noble, "especially young singers who want to try it and see if opera is a career opportunity for them. Right now, theres no place for them to go; if youre a young person who plays the violin, there are young peoples symphonies and community orchestras there are performance opportunities that help you determine if you can pursue this as a career. For singers, there is nothing.î
Schneider concurred, and noted that performing an opera involves much more than singing. "To be an opera singer requires more skills acting, working on stage, working with costumes and we want to help people acquire those skills.î
While planning for the future, Schneider and Noble are immersed in Carmen, a four-act drama set in early 19th century Spain, that is based on the novel by Prosper Merimee. It is, as Schneider described it, "the story of an independent and self-destructive woman (Carmen) and a very violent man that ends badly.î
The basic storyline can be adopted in a number of ways, he said, and the CWO will look to puts its own mark on a story that has stood the test of time.
Carmen is a very special work that can be played in so many ways,î he explained. "It doesnt depend on a particular setting or musical style. And its got love, jealousy, betrayal all the biggies; theres a lot of stuff there.î
Its a show that people should come see, said Noble, whether they are opera fans or, like many, think they know what operas about but dont really know.
Curtain Call
Schneider joked that the planned 2005 opera, The Barber of Seville, should be familiar to many people. There was a famous Bugs Bunny episode that borrowed the story and music, and a Seinfeld episode that did the same sort of.
By the time the CWO is done with its performances, he hopes hundreds of area residents have a better, more grounded understanding of the story.
Exposing more people to the drama, the music, and the fun, as Noble put it, is at the top of the to-do list for the companys new leadership team. Doing so will be an accomplishment of note, in more ways than one.
George OBrien can be reached at[email protected]
| Adams, Eleanor B. Aguayo, Gladys Albert, Leanna M. Alicea, Nelson All American Concrete Inc. Allen, Charles A. Almiron, Rosa E. Alves, Hugo Andrews, Jewell Yvonne Bahadur, Sean J. Bailly, Danielle Baker, Franklin A. Barker, Jeffrey Dean Barre, Cynthia L. Bassette, Matthew W. Bazzurro, JoAnn M. Beach, Dede A. Bennett, Mark Beroth, Chad W. Berthiaume, Roland F. Bessette, Jeannette C Bigelow, Jessica L. Blanchard, Todd T. Brenes, Bryand E. Brown, Christopher Van Lee Brumley, Brandi Brunelle, Steven Bryant, Edward C. Buell, Richard Burnett, Ami R. Cameron, Lucretia D. Camerota, Deborah A. Camilleri, Donna M. Canavan, Phillip J. Carver, Angela Catalano, Valentino Chan, Jimmy M. Chene, Anthony D. Cinq Mars, Peter N. Coleman, Jeffery Colli, David J. Collier, Brian G. Colon, Carmen M. Colon, Victor M. Converse, Patricia A. Corcoran, Thomas E. Cordero, Luis A. Correa, Elena Costella, Raymond A. Covington-Hairston, Tangela Danenza, William U. Deprey, Olivia Desclos, Jason D. Desrochers, Linda M. Diaz, Jose A. Dore, Christine A. Dubay, Wilfred Dunne, Pamela Dusza, Melissa A. Emery, Deborah May Emery-Ferrero, Denice L. Falken, Zoe Ferrero, Michael J. Figueroa, Jose A. Flatt, Dawn E. Flores, Vivian Forcier, Michael P. Fountain, Douglas J. | Fountain, Joseph R. Gelinas, Sandra I. Gleason, Kevin P. Gloth, Harvey W. Glynn, Roy C. Gomez, Carlos Miguel Goncalves, Amaro Gonzalez, Antonio Goyette, Robert R. Gray, Kevin F. Gray, Ruth Gruska, Matthew J. Guyotte, Kenneth J. Hall, Beverly J. Hallock, David J. Haney, Morris A. Harbert, Joseph E. Harvey, Richard J. Hawk, Tiffany K. Herbele, Robert Loring Hernandez, Linda I. Herrera, Jacqueline Heywood, Julie A. Hibbard, Franklin D. Hobert, Mary R. Isham, Clark G. Jackson, Tawanda A. Jessup, Deborah Joyce Jones, Joseph L. Kalmar, Elaine Ruth Kantianis, Constandina L. Keil, Eleanor M. Kim, Thu Koksnsky, Thersa J. Koroski, Sharon F. Krawiec, Walter L. Kulas, John P. Lajewski, Jason Lama, Khunga Lampson, Donna J. Lampson, Jonathan M. Langevin, Denise Gail Lannon, Earl D. Lataille, Phyllis A. Lauder, Karen J. Leak, Charles A. Libian, Joseph Lowell, Ellen A. Lucia, Robert M. Luciano, Catalina Luu, Le G. Lynge, Carl H. Mailloux, Cheryl-Ann Martinez, Jorge Luis Martinez, Jose L. Matos, Ramonita Maxton, Timothy S. Mays, Raymond S. McCluskey, David D. McCullough, Kevin McDonald, Jessica M. McKenzie, Laura L. Medeiros, Kathleen M. Mitchell, Eyvonne Mock, Avery K. Mogue, Evelyn E. Mongeau, Yvon E. | Nadler, David A. Nadler, Judith M. Nally, David F. Negron, Marilyn Nieves, Jessica Nieves, Radames Nimchick, Matthew J. Pachot, Valentin Paquette, Tracy L. Paradise, Dennis A. Parent, Constance M. Piaga, Elleen S. Provost, Sean S. Provost, Tania M. Pryor, Melanie R. Ramirez, Eliezer F. Reilly, Megan K. Rhodes, Diane L. Rios, Faustine N. Rivera, Wallis L. Rivera, Julio Rocke, Jeanne L. Rodriguez, Cherie Anne Rodriguez, Hiram Rodriguez, Migdalia Ross, Gregory Allen Ross, Karen Kristine Rouse, Christina B. Rousseau, Eva M. Saalfrank, Darrin J. Sacco, Stephen J. Sanchez, Eddie S. Sanchez, Elba Scott, Sandra L. Sell, Janet L. Serrenho, Nancy F. Sevastyanova, Nataliya Sherman, Judith Shufelt-Scott, Rose S. Sienkiewicz, Edward M. Smith, George E. Spadea, Joseph G. Spencer, Larry W. Steinbock, Kyle D. Stevens, Harriet E. Stevenson-Pope, Christina Ann Summers, Sarah Dorothy Taylor, John Tebbetts, Carolyn L. Terlecky, Lisa M. Torres, Jose Turek, Marjorie Ann Utterback, Thomas D. Velazquez, Samuel Vercauteren, Keith Wahrmann, Courtney L. Walsh, David Emil Ward, Danny E. Wemyss, William F. Wheeler, Linda M. Williams, Allie V. Wills, Katrina Marie Withee, Mark Woods, Gary L. Wright, Beatrice B. Young, Melissa A. |
The following building permits were issued during the months of August 2004.
AGAWAM
Steven Richter
104 Gold St.
$242,000 — Build steel structure
Town of Agawam
760 Cooper St.
$540,000 — Remodel office area
AMHERST
Amherst College Trustees
College St.
$7,810 — Create new exam room at Alumni Gymnasium
Amherst College Trustees
81 Lessey St.
$45,000 — New roof
Boyden & Perron Garage Inc.
41 South Whitney St.
$249,358 — Construct shell only — pre-engineered steel building with concrete foundation
Peter Grandonico
19 North Pleasant St.
$19,000 — Renovate for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop
Tofino Associates Inc.
43 Kestrel Lane
$15,000 — Foundation
Trustees of Hampshire College
Health Services
$30,000 — Addition for two bathrooms;
Prescott House 97
$13,500 — Repair water damage in dormitory;
$9,600 — Install three pre-manufactured Gazebos
CHICOPEE
BJ’s Wholesale
650 Memorial Dr.
$525,000 — Expand tire center, renovate existing building
First Congregational Church
302 Chicopee St.
$35,000 — Vinyl siding
Memorial Drive Association Inc.
1976 Memorial Dr.
$150,000 — Renovate Freedom Credit Union
HOLYOKE
Bear Properties
108 Whiting Farms Road
$90,000 — Partial re-roof
Pyramid Co. of Holyoke
50 Holyoke St.
$138,500 — Remodel Torrid Store
NORTHAMPTON
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$26,520 — Alter third-floor office 222A
Eric Suher
84 Pleasant St.
$2,100 — Erect awning for Luna Pizza
Hampshire Property Management
351 Pleasant St.
$2,000 — Repair water damage to front overhang
Hampshire Regional YMCA
286 Prospect St.
$75,000 — Renovate locker rooms, fitness room, new front desk
Northampton Terminal Assoc.
1 Roundhouse Plaza
$9,190 — Office renovation
SOUTH HADLEY
Mount Holyoke College
Newhall Admissions
$650,000 — Addition
Mount Holyoke College
Porter Hall
$140,000 — Convert to office space
Mount Holyoke College
Stafford Hall
$30,000 — Interior and exterior alterations
SPRINGFIELD
Banknorth
1441 Main St.
$40,000 — Interior renovations
Baystate Medical Center
354 Birnie Ave.
$429,473 — Interior renovations
Baystate Medical Center
759 Chestnut St.
$1,800,000 — Interior renovations
CAMAR
180 Avacado St.
$137,500 — Renovate landing dock
Francis Rosso
896 Allen St.
$70,000 — Renovate package store
Mass Mutual
1500 Main St.
$15,000 — Alter office space
Orchard Auto Wrecking
420 Oak St.
$47,800 — Renovate buildings for storage
Plimpton & Hills
25 Mill River Lane
$5,000 — Add loading dock
The Republican
1860 Main St.
$8,000 — Renovate conference room;
Western New England College
13A Breck Place
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
16A Breck Place
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
17L Park Place
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
22A Park Place
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
30L Park Place
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
47A Breckwood Circle
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
53L Park Lane
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
133L Breckwood Circle
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
1206L Wilbraham Road
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
1212A Wilbraham Road
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
1220L Wilbraham Road
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
1224A Wilbraham Road
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
1232L Wilbraham Road
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
5R Park Lane
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
116L Gateway Dr.
$12,000 — Bedroom addition;
9R Gateway Dr.
$12,000 — Bedroom addition
WEST SPRINGFIELD
30 Capital Inc.
30 Capital Dr.
$25,000 — Interior and exterior renovations
1150 Union St. Corp.
1114 Union St.
$50,000 — Renovate retail space
1150 Union St. Corp.
1136 Union St.
$86,000 — Renovate retail space
Eastern States Exposition
1305 Memorial Ave.
$10,000 — Erect circus tent
Lower Pioneer Valley
Educational Corp.
784 Amestown Road
$80,000 — Renovate school
WESTFIELD
Applebee’s
441 East Main St.
$94,839 — Interior renovations
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden and Hampshire counties between mid-July and mid-August, the latest available. They are listed by community.
AGAWAM
Agawam Family Physicians, P.C., 141 Main St. Agawam 01001. Michael J. Jawitz, 17 Wyman St., Agawam 01001. To practice medicine.
Atlas Founders Inc., 36 Hampden Lane, Agawam 01001. Peter J. Carras, 28 Powder Hill Road, Middlefield, CT 06455. George L. Vershon Jr., 36 Hampden Lane, Agawam 01001, treasurer. A foundry manufacturing products of tin and other metals, etc.
Deluxe Limousine Inc., 81 Ramah Circle, Agawam 01001. Edward Dersarkis, same. Limousine service.
P & G Realty Holding Corp., 36 Hampden Lane, Agawam 01001. Peter J. Carras, 28 Powder Hill Road, Middleton, CT 06455. George L. Vershon Jr., 36 Hampden Lane, Agawam 01001, treasurer. A real estate holding company.
Sports Performance Inc., 11 South Bridge Dr., Agawam 01001. Steven J. Hurwitz, 467 Laurel St., Longmeadow 01106. To enhance performance in sports and sport-related activities for children and adults.
Vallid Laboratories Inc., 295 Silver St., Agawam 01001. Debra Vallides, same. (Foreign corp; CT) To test food and portable water, acquire related instruments, etc.
AMHERST
Artshow Amherst Inc., 409 Main St., c/o Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Amherst 01002. March Lambert, 83 North Whitney St., Amherst 01002. Nonprofit) To attract visual artists to the area, provide related services, etc.
Tiancheng International Inc., 345 Lincoln Ave., #511, Amherst 01002. Wai Ning Chan, same. Import and export agent.
CHICOPEE
Cardinal Complete Door Distributor Inc., 38 Wheatland Ave., Chicopee 01013. Francis D. Cardinal, same. To sell and install doors, hardware,
security products, etc.
Chicopee Storage Inc., 1981 Memorial Dr., #187, Chicopee 01020. Barbara E. Donahue, 105 Hampshire Ct., Deptford, NJ 080965. John J. Santanielle, 134 Carol Ann St., Springfield 01128. To provide warehousing.
Multiline Warehousing and Transportation Inc., 181 Kendall St., Chicopee 01020. Stanislaw Borawski, 1221 Dundix Road, Unit 153, Miississaugo, On Lay 3Y9 CAN. Agnes Ruszczyk, 181 Kendall St., Chicopee 01020, registered agent. Warehousing and transportation.
Pauly Whally Inc., 205 Chicopee St., Chicopee 01013. Paul L. Boyd, same. To operate a restaurant.
FEEDING HILLS
Agawam Alexander’s Inc., 660 North Westfield St., Feeding Hills 01030. Barry Szymojko, 373 North Westfield St., Feeding Hills 01030. To operate a restaurant and bar.
FLORENCE
Easthampton Mortgage Company Inc., 28 Sylvan Lane, Florence 01062. Anthony Andersen, same. Mortgage brokerage.
Parent-Teacher Organization of John F. Kennedy Middle School Inc., 100 Bridge Road, Florence 01062. Cathleen E. Santosus, 73 Barrett St., #2098, Northampton 01060. (Nonprofit) To provide resources to support an excellent, well-rounded education for JFK Middle School children, etc.
GRANBY
Granby Grain Inc., 108 West State St., Granby 01033. Paul E. Grenier, 29 1/2 Sczygiel Road, Ware 01082. To sell, at retail, grain and other farm products.
Stony Falls Mini Golf Inc., 84 East St., Granby 01033. Stephen Douglas McCray, same. Leisure time activities.
HADLEY
Asian International Imported Food Market Inc., 206 Russell St., Hadley 01035. Ry B. Som, 447 Amherst Road, Belchertown 01007. Retail sale of groceries.
Western Massachusetts Gymnastics Association Inc., 200 Old Lyman Road, South Hadley 01075. Marie Boucino, 86 Sabin St., Belchertown 01007. (Nonprofit) To improve the sport of gymnastics in Massachusetts, foster national and international amateur sports competition, etc.
HAMPDEN
Radharaman Corp., 63 Somers Road, Hampden 01036. Prahaladbhai V. Patel, 4308 Newkirk Ave., North Bergen 07047. To operate convenience stores-gas stations.
HOLYOKE
Certified Real Estate Appraisers Inc., 330 Whitney Ave., Suite 232, Holyoke 01040. Chris E. Monalakis, 219 Christopher Terrace, West Springfield 01089. Real estate appraisals.
Gangster Enterprises Inc., 245 Stafford Road, Holland 01521. John Reed, same. Manufacturing, selling, franchising of motorcycles, etc., related goods and restaurant related thereto.
Lean On Me Inc., 48 Franklin St., Suite 1, Holyoke 0040. Yvonne Garcia, 361 Chestnut St., Holyoke 01040. (Nonprofit) To educate and improve the lives of young people and their families living around the intersection of Franklin and Chestnut St., in Holyoke, etc.
Patriot Towing and Recovery Inc., 81 Brook St., Holyoke 01040. Roselee T. Williams, same. Towing of vehicles.
School Based Services Inc., 72 Front St., Holyoke 01040. John A. Foley Jr., 1308 Northampton St., Holyoke 01040. To provide a complete range of administrative and financial services to educational entities, etc.
LONGMEADOW
Saillant Realty Corp., 908 Shaker Road, Longmeadow 01106. Eduardo A. Saillant, 34-10 84th St., Apt. H, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Donna Taylor, 908 Shaker Road, Longmeadow 01106, registered agent. Real estate investment.
LUDLOW
Big John Inc., 60 Ravenwood Dr., Ludlow 01056. John P. Green, P.O. Box 115, Ludlow 01056. Machine shop and metal works.
Leonard Enterprises Inc., 17 Deponte Dr., Ludlow 01095. William B. Leonard, same. To purchase, renovate and sell renovated houses.
Starlight Entertainment Inc., 83 Church St., Ludlow 01056. Charles J. Stagnaro, same. Sales and service of vending machines.
NORTHAMPTON
The Breast Form Fund Inc., 14 Center St., Northampton 01060. Judith Pine, 28 Perkins Ave., Northampton 01060. (Nonprofit) To provide breast prosthesis and/or post-mastectomy bras to uninsured or under-insured women, etc.
Class Action Network Inc., 245 Main St., #207, Northampton 01060. Felice Yeskel, 137 State St., Amherst 01002. (Nonprofit) To educate people about issues of social class and money, publish related literature, etc.
Comprehensive Life Coaching Inc., 349 Coles Meadow Road, Northampton 01060. Cheryl L. Pascucci, same. To address health and wellness of individuals by self-assessment, self-management, etc.
ESD Electronics Inc., 64 Gothic St., Suite 6, Northampton 01060. Wilfried Voss, 158 Log Plain Road, Greenfield 01301. Software and hardware development and sales.
Harlow Inc., 196 Main St., Northampton 01060. Robert G. Burdick Jr., 67 Cherry St., North Adams 01247. To deal in leather and silver items.
James E. Clayton Jr., DMD, P.C., 243 King St., Suite 112, Northampton 01060. James E. Clayton Jr., 63 Prospect St., Northampton 01060. To provide dental services.
MMY Associates Inc., 41 Main St., Northampton 01060. Teh-Jing Sun, 40 Appalossa Lane, West Springfield 01089. To operate a bar and restaurant.
Northampton Aeronautics Inc., Old Ferry Road, Northampton 01060. Robert J. Bacon, 22 Overlook Dr., Westfield 01085. To operate an airport.
Precision Audio Inc., 376 Easthampton Road, Northampton 01060. Jose R. Fernandez, 89 Edgewood Ave., Chicopee 01013. To operate an automobile accessories business.
R.G. McGee Inc., 76 Crescent St., Suite 1, Northampton 01060. Richard G. McGee, same. Planning, development and restoration of historical structures.
The Western Massachusetts Library Club Inc., 20 West St., Northampton 01060. Dorothy O. Carmody, 281 Chauncey Walker St., #22PVP, South Hadley 01007. (Nonprofit) To promote library services and librarianship in Western Mass.
PALMER
Shree Vallabha Krupa Corp., 1458 North Main St., Palmer 01069. Virendrakumar Dahyabhai Patel, 37 Whytleville Road, London E7 9LP, England. Ashokkumar Dahyabhai Patel, 1040 North Pleasant St., Apt. 518, Amherst 01002, treasurer. Restaurant and food service.
SPRINGFIELD
Hands for Change Outreach Inc., 38 Hunter Place, Springfield 01109. Lawrence Johnson, 39 Lamont St., 2nd Fl., Springfield 01109. (Nonprofit) To provide various outreach programs to benefit the residents of Hampden County, etc.
Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal, Un Nuevo Renovacion Inc., 758 Main St. West Springfield 01089. Luis A. Baes, 30 Laurel St., Springfield 01107. (Nonprofit) To provide for the civic, social and educational welfare of people in need of supportive services, etc.
Laravee Builders Inc., 83 Pilgrim Road, Springfield 01118. David B. Laravee, 65 Woodbridge Circle, Chicopee 01020. Residential construction.
Last Frontier of Springfield Inc., 477 State St., Springfield 01105.
Charles Burlingham, 238 River Road, Agawam 01001. (Nonprofit) To own and operate a general restaurant, cafe, lounge.
NACCE Inc., 1 Federal St., Springfield 01105. Thomas A. Goodrow, 33 Cynthia Place, Feeding Hills 01030. (Nonprofit) To foster economic vitality for local communities through entrepreneurship education programs in community colleges, etc.
Paramount Pizza Inc., 1626 Main St., Springfield 01105. Halil Turan, 49 Lancashire Road, Springfield 01104. A restaurant business.
Salsakids Inc., 1242 Main St., Suite 301, Springfield 01103. Nector Garcia, 120 Oak Grove Ave., Springfield 01109. (Nonprofit) To improve the lives of at-risk children, teens and their families, etc.
Sergey Inc., 1725 Page Blvd., Springfield 01104. Sergey Privedenyuk, same, president, treasurer and secretary. Catering.
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., 2100 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield 01102. Roy C. Cuny, same. (Foreign corp; NY) Manufacture of firearms and related products.
Springfield School Volunteers Foundation Inc., 195 State St., P.O. Box 1410, Springfield 01102. Robert Bolduc, 49 Woodsley Road, Longmeadow 01106. (Nonprofit) To assist and carry out the purposes of Springfield School Volunteers, Inc., etc.
TMS Cartunes and Electronics Inc., 100 Verge St., Springfield 01129. George A. Romano III, 17 Aldrew Terrace, Springfield 01119. Auto electronics sales and installation.
Universal Kitchen & Bath Inc., 113 Harkness Ave., Springfield 01108. Craig S. O’Connor, same. General contracting.
Western Medical Supply Inc., 1500 Main St., Suite 2308, Springfield 01115. Bradford A. Miller, 6 Valley Ln., Garrison, NY.10524. Jerry B. Plumb, 1500 Main St., Suite 2308, Springfield 01115, registered agent. To supply durable medical equipment.
Worthington Associates Inc., 21 Prescott St., Springfield 01108. Michael E. Chagnon, 52 DePalma St., Feeding Hills 01030. To deal in real estate.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Ashley Management Inc., 117 Park Ave., Suite 201, West Springfield 01009. Donna M. LaFond, 27 Hilton St., Chicopee 01020. To deal in real estate.
Pioneer Valley Enterprises Inc., 209 Main St. West Springfield 01089. Kristin L. Salha, same. Financial and consulting services.
Power Seal Inc., 80 Wilder Terrace West Springfield 01089. William D. Berte, same. Cleaning, maintenance, pressure washing.
WESTFIELD
Diversified Restaurant Concepts of Westfield Inc., 15 Knox Circle, Westfield 01085. George Flevotomos, same. Restaurant and related services.
K & B Lumber Inc., 100 Apremont Way, Westfield 01085. Keith B. Cressotti, 60 Piper Road, West Springfield 01089. To deal in construction materials and supplies.
Motorsports Policy and Prevention Network Inc.,
60 Lindbergh Blvd., Westfield 01085. Michael G. Pease, same. (Nonprofit) To engage in any civic, educational, charitable and benevolent purpose.
Piper Green Estates Inc., 60 Cardinal Lane, Westfield 01085. Mark T. Bergeron, same. To deal in real estate.
This has been a truly trying time for Springfield.
Under former mayor Michael J. Albano, the city became a poster child for poor municipal management, economic malaise, and wide-spread corruption. Its image has taken some serious hits as well from the recent headlines concerning murders, scandals, the homeless, and a control board, and some locally have started to wonder whether its a matter of if, and not when, things will get better for this proud community.
Heres where we borrow Dave Gliddens term to describe Springfields current state of affairs: temporary.
Glidden, regional president for Banknorth, believes Springfield has started to turn the corner, and we agree. There are certainly some painful times ahead as the city grapples to close its huge budget deficit and address its large block of poverty, but we can sense that there are better days ahead, and not merely from a public relations perspective.
Our optimism is grounded in leadership, specifically in the person of Mayor Charles Ryan. He is the type of leader Springfield needs at the moment one who will confront the problems and not ignore them or leave them for someone else as the former mayor did. He wont sugarcoat matters, and he wont give up until the problem is solved. Our optimism is also fueled by a commitment on the part of many in the business community, led by the local chamber of commerce, to work with the administration to help Springfield conquer the myriad challenges it is facing.
Just what are those challenges?
At the top of the list is the budget crisis. The Albano administration spent more than it took in for years, and when state aid the lifeblood of communities throughout the Commonwealth was cut by the governor and Legislature due to budgetary shortfalls, the city paid a heavy price in terms of layoffs, canceled programs, and, ultimately, the loss of fiscal autonomy to a control board.
That panel will now run things in the city until June, 2007. The mayor can still sign contracts, but neither he nor the City Council has much influence over how and where money can be spent.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. While it is never good to lose local control of your budget thats what we elect people to do, dont forget we see a real opportunity in the years ahead to change the way this city functions and make it more efficient and responsive. At the very least, a large dose of politics will be removed from the budget-management equation, and this can only lead to more effective spending.
As the city tackles its budget woes, it must also address the social and demographic challenges as well as the lack of economic development that have contributed to the fiscal crisis.
Springfield has become a ward of the state because a large percentage of its residents live at or below the poverty line and are thus dependent on some (usually many) forms of government assistance. Breaking the cycle of poverty is a job that is truly national in scope, and it starts with a focus on young people and the education they receive, starting with pre-school.
Locally, there is a genuine desire to confront these issues, not walk away from them, through programs like the Davis Foundations Cherish Every Child and the Step-up Springfield initiative, which works to involve the entire community in the task of preparing children for the workplace of tomorrow.
As for economic development, the city needs tax revenue, and this means private, not public, development, which, with a few rare exceptions, is all Springfield has mustered in recent years.
The Economic Development Council of Western Mass. has adopted a truly regional focus to its task, with the thinking that development anywhere in the Pioneer Valley helps communities across the region. This mindset should continue, but we feel it is incumbent on development leaders to stretch their imaginations and their resources to bring new jobs and new tax dollars to Springfield.
This includes both new business development, which is happening in many neighborhoods in the city, and the attraction of employers from outside the region, which isnt happening for reasons that remain the subject of much debate. Image may be part of the problem, which brings us full-circle.
Indeed, for Springfield to become healthy again something that everyone agrees is critical for this region to thrive it must fix its finances, improve its image, and attract new jobs. The assignments are all intertwined, and the relative success enjoyed with each one will go a long way toward determining how temporary temporary is.
Perhaps the most intriguing marketing story of the year comes in the form of a dancing, old (at least he looks old), bald man with oversized glasses wearing a black tuxedo. Hes Mr. Six, and while his true identity may be a mystery, his ability to capture the imagination certainly isnt.
Debbie Nauser says its way too early to even think about quantifying the bottom-line impact of Six Flags new branding icon, a mysterious dancing sensation known only as Mr. Six. The character was introduced only a few months ago, she explained, and his influence on attendance and revenues cannot yet be gauged at parks that opened seven days a week on Memorial Day.
But if success can be measured in press clippings, appearances on network talk shows, sales of bobblehead dolls, look-alike contests, and home videos featuring 9-year-olds emulating their new hero, then Mr. Six, a character created by the ad agency Doner/Detroit, is an unqualified hit, said Nauser, vice president of public relations for Oklahoma-based Six Flags.
And she has another early measuring stick the amount of her time spent answering reporters questions about who this guy is, what his message is, and what it all means for the corporation. "It seems as if thats all Ive been doing,"she said, adding quickly that she is certainly not complaining. "He is generating press that we could not have imagined, and thats great for Six Flags."The success of the character and the promotional materials that involve him has been attributed to a number of factors, including Mr. Sixs ability to stir the imagination with his dancing routines, done to the strains of the Vengaboys "We Like to Party."But theres also his clear message about the need for overworked people to get out and have some fun, and especially that all-important element of mystery.
Indeed, while no one seems to care who plays Ronald McDonald or who wears the Mickey Mouse costume, there is widespread conjecture about who is behind the man in the tux. The Internet has been alive with theories about who is behind the mask guesses range from Martin Short to Paris Hilton but the corporation has been reluctant, and apparently wise, to dance around those inquiries, no pun intended.
"He is Mr. Six,"said Nauser, using phrases that appear carefully scripted. "Hes the spirit of Six Flags; hes our official ambassador of fun who shows the general public and, hopefully, our guests the fun and excitement they can enjoy at a Six Flags theme park. And he beckons them to join in a day of fun."Yeah, but who is he? And are we talking about a he?
"He is … Mr. Six. Hes the spirit of Six Flags; hes our official ambassador of fun who shows the general public…"Thats all anyone, including David Letterman and the team at Good Morning America, is going to get. And thats enough, said Nauser, who spoke with BusinessWest this month about the character, how he came to be, and what he means to the corporation and individual parks like Six Flags New England.
The Ride Stuff
Nauser said Doner/Detroit, a new agency for Six Flags, was given no specific charge when it was hired to be the corporations full-service advertising agency. The broad assignment, however, was to create a new message that would help propel the chain, which operates 30 theme parks and water parks across the country, out of the protracted slump that has engulfed the entire amusement industry since 9/11.
Instead of just a message, the corporation has an icon, something it never had before.
"This is a break from what weve done previously, because we have created a brand icon,"Nauser explained. "Its also a departure from what our competition has done, be it other theme parks or other entertainment venues that we compete with for the time and interest of our guests."The new character complements other marketing vehicles used by the chain, including Looney Toons characters several of which greet visitors to the individual parks and DC Comics characters whose names and /images grace many of the rides at Six Flags parks, including Superman Ride of Steel and Batman the Dark Knight.
The Mr. Six character now used in print and television ads, as well as billboards and in-store displays was one of several concepts created by Doner/Detroit, the largest independently owned ad agency in North America, with more than $1.5 billion in combined billings. The firm does work for companies in 30 countries, and its client list also includes Mazda, Minute Maid, Blockbuster, Dupont, and the May department stores.
Mr. Six was test-driven in several cities before a number of different audiences, Nauser explained, and it scored well across the board. "He appealed to children, he appealed to adults, he appealed to teens … everyone liked him."Despite those encouraging test scores, Mr. Six has easily surpassed even the most optimistic of projections, she said. "We expected it to be popular, but we had no how popular."For starters, television commercials hes appeared in have soared near the top of Advertising Ages most recent rankings of most-recognized ads (it was third in a mid-July poll, ranked just behind a KFC spot). Meanwhile, the press has attacked the story, yielding more of the so-called free press than Six Flags executives could have imagined.
Feature pieces on the character have appeared in USA Today, The Washington Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, and scores of other papers. Meanwhile, Mr. Six made an appearance on Good Morning America early in July and taped an appearance with Letterman (air date unknown) later in the month.
"The response he has gotten has simply blown us away,"said Nauser. "Weve had calls and letters to corporate and all of our parks; weve been in papers across the country; when we went to do Good Morning America, there was paparazzi that came to take his picture outside the studio. Its been incredible."Locally, Mr. Six has generated a good deal of attention, said Mary Ann Burns, marketing director for Six Flags New England in Agawam. She told BusinessWest that the park has received a number of calls and letters about the character and the ads in which he appears. At the same time, sales of merchandise bearing the characters image everything from T-shirts and watches to mugs and mousepads have been strong sellers.
"Hes definitely created a buzz,"said Burns who, like Nauser, did not want to speculate on what the character has meant to attendance and revenue. "Hes given Six Flags a face."Mr. Sixs vintage bus started making personal appearances at Six Flags parks last month, and it made a week-long visit to Agawam at the end of July. Burns said the park marked the visit with dance contests and a look-alike contest that drew a number of contestants.
When asked why Mr. Six fascinates the public as he does, Nauser said the mystery surrounding his identity is part of it, as is the contrast between his appearance and his dancing ability.
But perhaps the biggest reason is his message that people need to stop working so hard and instead find the time to enjoy themselves.
"His energy and his appetite for fun is contagious,"she said. "He makes people smile, and he gets their feet moving."But are those feet then propelling people to the chains theme parks? Nauser said she has no hard numbers yet, but she is confident that the campaign will translate into stronger attendance figures.
"I think Mr. Six has been very effective in showing people, young and old, that they need to put some fun in their lives,"she explained. "Thats his message fun and I think people are getting that message."Positive Steps
The Mr. Six campaign has done more than give Six Flags a new corporate image. It has put "We Like to Party"into the American consciousness.
Indeed, the song has been among the most-requested tunes at radio stations in several markets. Locally, Rock 102 plays it as DJs Bax and OBrien deliver the sports in the morning. At ballparks in Atlanta and New York, the song is played after a member of the host team hits a round-tripper.
And while it remains to be seen whether Mr. Six will give Six Flags a home run at the gate, it appears that he has already become a pop-culture icon one that can dance.
Ronald McDonald couldnt dance.
George OBrien can be reached at[email protected]
The following building permits were issued during the months of June and July 2004.
AGAWAM
Agawam Silver
630 Silver St.
$110,000 — Convert warehouse to clean-component assembly
BankNorth
40 Springfield St.
$40,000 — Renovate interior
Microtest Lab
630 Silver St.
$110,000 — Renovate interior
Palatium Realty
1359 Springfield St.
$400,000 — Bank with drive-thru
Palatium Realty
1349 Springfield St.
$100,000 — Construct building
Raymond Lucia
777 Silver St.
$100,000 — Build showroom
AMHERST
Amherst College Trustees
Jenkins Dormitory
$150,000 — Demolish south section and rebuild south wall
Amherst College Trustees
Chapin Hall
$288,494 — Renovate Room 101 creating two classrooms, renovate Room 210
Amherst College Trustees
Chiller Plant
$500,000 — Construct addition to existing plant. Phase 3 expansion
Amherst College Trustees
James Dormitory
$7,850,500 — Construct new dormitory
Amherst College Trustees
Stearns Dormitory
$7,850,500 — Construct new dormitory
Amherst College Trustees
New Geology
$18,000,000 — Construct New Geology, academic building and museum
Cooley Dickinson Hospital
170 University Dr.
$112,000 — Renovate existing rooms
Filion Leasing Inc.
150 College St.
$22,330 — Replace roof
Jeffrey Eisman
650 Main St.
$90,000 — Construct addition to dental office
Trustees Hampshire College
Enfield House 63 & 64
$175,780 — Renovations
Trustees Hampshire College
Dakin House
$14,000 — Renovations
CHICOPEE
Chicopee Falls Lodge 1849
244 Fuller Road
$20,000 — Build enclosed pavilion with storage
Chicopee Savings Bank
229 Exchange St.
$30,000 — Construct three offices
City of Chicopee/Telecom Facility
816 James St.
$112,600 — Re-roof
Diocese of Springfield
30 College St.
$10,400 — Exterior repairs
Litwin Elementary/City of Chicopee
165 Litwin St.
$350,00 — Re-roof
Stefanik Elementary/City of Chicopee
720 Meadow St.
$300,000 — Re-roof
Streiber Elementary/City of Chicopee
40 Streiber Dr.
$239,000 — Re-roof
The Westmoreland Co.
140 Lonczak Dr.
$2,482,000 — Build Fedex facility
EAST LONGMEADOW
Peoples Bank
201 North Main St.
$603,000 — Erect building
HOLYOKE
Cruz Rosario
497-499 High St.
$9,000 — Install handicap bathrooms in tavern
O’Crossroads LLC
600 Kelly Way
$1,390,000 — Erect office building
Pyramid Co. of Holyoke
50 Holyoke St.
$42,000 — Alterations to security offices
Pyramid Co. of Holyoke
50 Holyoke St.
$20,000 — Remodel Nailque
West Holyoke Plaza LLC
250-274 Westfield Road
$33,500 — Construct office partitions
Westfield Bank
1642-1650 Northampton St.
$19,000 — Repairs to drive-up
NORTHAMPTON
Chamisa Corporation
29 Main St.
$82,000 — Interior renovation for restaurant
City of Northampton
178 Florence Road
$83,600 — New roof
City of Northampton
212 Main St.
$6,000 — Renovations
City of Northampton
274 Main St.
$473,847 — Install new heating system and upgrade sprinkler system
Continental Cablevision
790 Florence Road
$65,000 — Erect pre-fab building, remove dishes
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$16,000 — Convert shower area to office
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$70,115 — Relocate switchboard & volunteer space, create new offices
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$20,000 — Install 3 temporary above-ground seated trailers
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$607,243 — Renovate lab, first-floor buildings C&D
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$1,191,883 — Install two generators
Easthampton Savings Bank
297 King St.
$14,000 — New roof
First Congregational Church
129 Main St.
$37,350 — Renovations
Florence Savings Bank
81 Main St.
$21,000 — Canopy revisions
The Fugo Group
32 Industrial Dr.
$83,007 — Interior and exterior renovations
Hampshire Regional YMCA
286 Prospect St.
$75,000 — Renovate first and second floors
Hess Realty Corporation
215 King St.
$21,700 — Renovate interior for Blimpie Sub Shop
James and Maureen Cahillane
375 South St.
$260,320 — Renovate showroom and office areas
Laurel Ridge Realty Associates
312 Hatfield St.
$22,000 — New roof, buildings 2 & 3
Norma Lee Realty Trust
90 King St.
$30,500 — Sheetrock and replace ceiling tiles
Northampton Co-operative Bank
67 King St.
$12,000 — Install footing drain
Northampton Co-operative Bank
67 King St.
$35,000 — Install replacement windows
Northampton Housing Authority
96 Bridge St.
$18,800 — New roof
Northampton Terminal Associate
Old South St.
$10,865 — Interior partitions
Pramukh Corp.
117 Conz St.
$57,560 — Construct indoor pool and spa
Service Properties Inc.
82 Conz St.
$54,889 — Expand showroom
Smith College
College Lane
$25,000 — Demolish walls, new interior windows
Smith College
33 Prospect St.
$765,741 — HVAC replacement and upgrade
Star Northampton Inc.
36 King St.
$12,000 — Repair front stairs
State Street Twenty-Five Inc.
31 State St.
$53,500 — Replace existing roof, renovate
State Street Twenty—Five Inc.
31 State St.
$50,000 — Complete repairs and alterations
Stephen Cahilland and W. Wood
267 Locust St.
$154,101 — New walls for medical offices
Trident Realty Corp.
76 Main St.
$105,000 — Interior renovations for
ice cream parlor
Valley CDC
3 North Main St.
$1,298,000 — Renovate structure
SPRINGFIELD
Baystate Medical Center
759 Chestnut St.
$39,060 — Renovations
Clark & Demosthenais
490 Page Blvd.
$48,500 — Remodel for office and bathroom
Cobalt Realty Trust
155 Maple St.
$53,900 — Expand office, renovate
Final Markdown Inc.
88 Birnie Ave.
$90,725 — Renovate
Greater New Life Christian Center
1323 Worcester St.
$49,800 — Interior renovations
Keystone Seniors LLC
942 Grayson Dr.
$185,000 — Foundation for three-story residential building
Laundry Capital LLC
315 Boston Road
$135,000 — Renovate, new washers and dryers
Maria Ricardo
906 Carew St.
$17,000 — Repair sagging foundation
Mark Simonds
1219 Parker St.
$92,400 — Interior and exterior renovations
Mass Mutual
1500 Main St.
$20,000 — Alterations
Mass Mutual
1500 Main St.
$98,811 — Alterations
P & P Realty
235 Chestnut St.
$72,000 — Demolish and build out first and second floors
Pearson Liberty Dev. Co.
95 Liberty St.
$25,000 — Renovate office space
Picknelly Family LLC
1 Monarch Place
$55,470 — Renovate for new tenant
Praise & Glory Church of God in Christ Inc.
145 State St.
$63,800 — Renovations
Realty Income
65 Sumner Ave.
$69,500 — Interior and exterior renovations
Sprint Spectrum L.P.
1060 Wilbraham Road
$50,000 — Ad antenna
WP Realty
1377 Liberty St.
$32,000 — Install handicap bathroom, split space
Warren Smith
90 Memorial Dr.
$57,000 — Renovations
WEST SPRINGFIELD
C’Jack Realty Assoc.
1053 Riverdale St.
$50,000 — Renovate facade of commercial property
Fountain Prospect Realty Corp.
492 Prospect St.
$943,597 — Addition
Kam Mistri
1329 Riverdale St.
$30,000 — Renovate interior of Subway
Louise Noel
87 Norman St.
$325,000 — Erect building for dance studio
McDonald’s Corp.
352 Riverdale St.
$325,000 — Construct restaurant
Pearson Group
138 Memorial Ave.
$22,000 — Renovate office space
West Springfield Council on Aging
128 Park St.
$12,000 — Addition
WESTFIELD
Bargain Outlet ’B’
101—103 East Main St.
$209,994 — New store interior renovations
Daniel B. Peters
131 Servistar Lane
$146,000 — Building renovations
Dollar Tree Space ’C’
101-103 East Main St.
$85,196 — New store interior renovations
| The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of June and July 2004. | |
| AGAWAM A & J Drywall AAA Signs & Rentals Div. of Aardvark Tent Rentals Advance Telemessage Service Inc. Agawam Landscaping American Classics Restaurant Annalees’s Sweet Creations Bambi Nursery School Blackwells Beds & Borders Bob Lareau Remodeling brivers.com Business Promotional Ideas Chicago Hair Company Inc. E. Wayne Smith Used Cars Easterntronics Five Star Transportation Inc. Gail’s Cleaning Service The Homeowner’s Handyman J.R. Sweeping Service Jay Morin Liner Replacements Joslad & Associates Kit and Kaboddle Inc. Leaflitter of New England Inc. Low Temp Refrigeration M & S Painting Malkoon Motors Maria’s Pizza & Restaurant Nemil’s Subway Park Place Realty Patriot Marketing Services Poolman Pools R C Construction Royal Air/Rainbow Vacuum S.G.M. Quality Products Shear Illusions Silver Leasing Associates Six Flags New England Six Flags New England Southgate Liquors Suff Telephone & Super Models Unlimited Top Shelf Entertainment Yankee Mattress Factory AMHERST Amherst Nails Amherst Nutrition Center Amherst Office Park Atlas Computer Atticus Glass Christine Enterprises Direct Financial Aid Professional Services The Early Childhood Center for Teaching & Learning Fat Lady Productions Hair East Hawkins Meadow Apartments Helping Hands Law Office of Patricia A. McChesney Market America Mary Miller Baskets Massachusetts Space Exploration Systems Middle Ridge Design Old Friends Farm Random Element Music Roy Young Interior/Garden Smart Cat Media Twinkle Import & Export ZX Inc. CHICOPEE A-1 Pizza Bee Happy Homes Berkshire County Enterprises C & C Lamination Chicopee Food Saver Chicopee Wireless Cruise Genies.com I.D. Gourmet Coffee House Interstate Towing Jak-of-All-Trades Lavender Nails Salon Lidiya’s Floral Creations Lukasik Construction Marty’s Real Estate Multiline Warehousing & Transportation Inc. On Route Services PJT Productions Penwise Print & Packaging Recruiting Rivervalley Woodworking Scissorsmith TechDoneRight.com YourDentalTech.com EAST LONGMEADOW A&L Holistic Health Spa Bosworth Landscaping Civil Engineering Association Ferrero Property Management Lussier & Sons Construction White Stone Marketing Group HADLEY Dwight Home Improvements Fancy Nails Mojoe’s Old American Antiques and Renovation HOLYOKE Al’s Daily Grind Cafe Commercial Auto Sale Contemporary Auto Sales D & M Painting Dean’s Mini Mart Fashion Nails Greenfield Stamp & Coin Ingleside Gift Baskets JMC Auto Detailing Kirkland’s Lechonera Bavamon Lucky Footwear Inc. Manny’s Auto Sales MA Career Development Institute Inc. Mr. Bill’s Parts & Cycle Service T & T Variety Tony’s Radiator Shop NORTHAMPTON Accurate Dispersions AkiAnn LLC Baboon Productions & Chaffee Weddings Bobbie Turnbull Carla A Bernier, MA, CCC-SLP and Abigail B. Jaffee, MA, CCC-SLP Century Message Conco Paints Cornerstone Builders Correctional Billing Services Delong Construction Essentials Glidden Drywall Graphic Leesign In Home Handyman Services JB Auto Lia Honda Luna Pizza LV Style Nature’s Creations Northampton Home Improvement Northampton Marketing Northampton Oriental Rugs Northampton Veterinary Clinic LLC Nuva Medi Spa Quezno’s Sub Pioneer Therapeutics Roger Menard Insurance Agency Sew Good Tailoring Student Initiative Gallery of Hampshire College T.W.C. Towing | The Townhomes at Hathaway Farms Valley Fabrics VIA Development Yankee Matress Factory Zoomshot SOUTH HADLEY NBP Roofing, Siding & Windows Superior Shed Works SPRINGFIELD A & P Computer Design Abrantes Remodeling Kitchens & Baths AC Siding Accurate Despersions Acres Dental Care Adam’s New Age Construction & Advanced Nutrition Affordable Home Improvements American Construction Co. Arzola Cleaning Co. Balance Massage Therapy Bass Pond Press Bella’s Massage Bongos Studio Branch Security Co. CSR Wire LLC Chestnut Park Dairy The Church of Jesus Christ Inc. Cindy’s Modern Style Conco Paints Cost Less Electronics & Machinery Crown Fried Chicken D. Melody Records Dad’s Variety Store Dallas & Sons Automotive Center Devon Farrell Association Drive USA El Campo Market First Time Hospitality Forest Park Mini Flea Market Freedom Wireless G & J Home Improvements Gold Coast Market Have Not Entertainment Hong Kong Garden Restaurant Hummingbird Restaurant Industrial Control Solutions J & B Woodcrafters Jan Reynolds Design Jantize of Springfield Joy’s Creations Lawncare Just B. K.C.’s Vac All Law Offices of Jonathan R. Goldsmith, Esq. Lee Nails Line Up Barbershop Little Angels Child Enrichment Lopez Multiservice Los Monchys Martinez Towing Meadowbrook Lane Capital Media Copiers Media Group International Merit Security Millennium Nails Monique Heavenly Braid Shop Mortgage Services Nancy’s Transportation One Shrimp PD Auto Sales Palm Tech Paradise Pizza Professional Handyman Service RYJ Enterprises Rapid Locksmith Reggae Vibes SK Stores Smile Hair Plus Beauty Supplies Smily’s Handy Variety Store TLC Vending Timmak Clothing Company Tom James of Springfield Traveling Hands Massage The Underground Uniquely Gifted Victor Carpet Cleaning Waynerworks Zhen Bo House WEST SPRINGFIELD AJ Kendall Able Caning Abound Inc. All About Va Andrey’s Home Painting Beautiful Rooms Breast Care of Western The Car Place Champ Computers Countrywide Home Loans Inc. The Cozy Cricket Dana’s Cleaning Service Di’s Daycare East Coast Tooling First Emmanuel Assembly of God Church FishFrenzy.net Flower Design Game Hunters II Hair East Inc. Hiland Group Inc. of Katrina’s Flowers and More The Loft Mama Mias Pizzeria Mike Gentile Auto Sales Murphy’s Carpentry Murphy Construction Northern Granite Patriot Towing and Recovery Paul’s Auto Repair Quality Inn R. Hudson Painting St. Jean’s Plumbing & Heating Town Line Flea Market Venckai Consulting Western Mass. Compounding Center & Palliative Care Zykan Distribution WESTFIELD Affordable Flooring Belleview Billing Services Brian S. Whitehall Century 21 Home Town Associates Colors Galore Colors of the Future Cummings & Cioch Home Inspection Inc. Electronics to the Max Corp. European Headlines G & E Seafood Hartwell Concrete & Masonry Systems Ken’s General Repair King’s Cleaners L & L Pools L.J. Electric Linda Nails MA Career Development Institutes Inc. Musical Beginnings Nu-Style Records Professional Freight Carrier Sara’s Organizing Solutions Sneakel Jam Specials Inc. Useful Things White Services Zanto |
| Alves, Jose C. Bahre, Maureen M. Banerjee, Gautom Baptiste, Dierdra A. Barna, Stephen P. Batalha, Deborah A. Bazinet, Roland L. Beaupre, Melissa A. Bermudez, Jose A. Black, Amelia J. Blaxland, Gloria J. Blyther, Cornelius L. Boileau, Lisa M. Borchers, William Richard Bosse, Audrey Boudreau, Stephanie A. Boulanger, Jason T. Bowens, Frederick A. Brooks, Lisa A. Brown, William H. Burns, Michael J. Burnup, Robert D. Campbell, Clifford Campbell, Eletha Chalfin, James A. Champagne, Paul H. Chase, Andrew M. Chevalier, John F. Cignoli, Ronald C. Cimino, Frank J. Cobb, Steven D. Coffin, Amy Collins, James W. Concepcion, Adela Connell, Joann Cook, Lisa M. Cortez, Ruben Cotto, Wilfredo Couture, Claude L. Couture, Marcia L. Craven, John A. Cruz, Ricardo R. Daly, Bennie M. De Souza, Erica Sue DeMontigny, David W. Deprey, Rickey Despres, James J. Diaz, Angel G. Drenning, Ellen M. Duclos, Nathan P. Dulude, Mark A. Durocher, Michael J. Dyer, Gary W. English, Brian M. Fallis, Bessie J. Famiglietti, Bernardo Feliciano, Milton L. Fletcher, Ralph J. Flowers, James J. Fountain, Robert B. Freitag, Richard F. Gabriel, John Gallo, Thomas J. Gilmartin, John T. | Ginman, Sheila M. Gobeille, Suzann Gomez, Earnest Goodhue, Delevan Goolsby, Hattie Mae Gore, Sean D Gower, Eric James Green, Brian K. Green, Richard S. Green, Lori-Beth Gregoire, Richard A. Griswold, Marc C. Grucci, Charles T. Guarnera, Jessica L. Guttierres, Rosita Hathorne, Timothy J. Higgins, Debra Ann Holland, Julie A. Hughes, James E. Hunter, Diana M. Jabri, Charles E. Johnson, Owen Edward Jones, Thurman S. Keyes, Linda A. Lacas, Wilfred Joseph Lamothe, Mark LaVertue, Jennifer Lee Lecca, Matthew M. Lenville, John J. Leonard, Carol G. Leroux, Louis Lyszchyn, Carol A. Macomber, Jane A. Maiers, Victoria L. Manzi, Salvatore A. Marchese, John L. Marquez, Rafael Massey, Virginia G. McKane, John T. Mendez, Luciano Messier, Raymond Miller, Mark A. Miller, Erin Elizabeth Mills, Harry V. Mitchell, Penny Mojica, Melissa Monet, Richard Monks, John L. Moorash, Marc J. Moran, Mark J. Morris, Roger L. Moulton, Stuart D. Nally-Ribeiro, Gloria New England Granite Works, Inc. Nguyen, Tai G. Nivers, Joshua Odierna, Giuseppe Ortiz-Nieves, Doris Parker, Jacob D. Parsons, Herman B. Patrick, Chris Scott Pellerin, Patricia A. Pelletier, June M | Platner, Jessica L Pluta, Linda J. Poteat, Charles S. Redfield, Eurius L. Redin, Frederick C. Reed, Earl Richardson, William A. Rivera, Andre Rivera, Carmen Maria Rivera, Davis Rivera, Maria Magdalena Rivera, Michelle Rivers, Robin L. Roberts, Wayne A. Rodrigo, Mark Anthony Rodriguez, Roberto Rodriguez, Robin D. Roldan, Blanca A. Rolo, Jacalyn E. Rooney, Eugene E. Rosado, Ruben Rosario, Vicky J. Rostam-Abadi, Gita Ruon, Rady L. Russo, Debora E. Sacco, Debbi L. Sampson, Judith C. Sassi, Evelyn M. Secor, David B. Shaw, Rollin C. Shea, Catherine E. Shea, Tami J. Sicard, Nelson E. Sikes, Dorothy A. Silva, Carlos A. St. John, Mark A. St. Pierre, Frank H. Starodomsky, Pamela A Suglia, Charles A. Suscietto, Marieanne Tanhauser, Mary J. Taylor, Tina L. Tetreault, Laurie A. Thomas, Kevin Tobiasz, Jeffrey P. Torres, John Touw, Margaret H. Trites, Yolanda M. Urban, John B. Westbrook, Davita J. Whitacre, Christopher A. White, Constance A. Wiggins, Victoria L. Wilcox, James B. Wilkins, Enid L. Wills, Katrina Marie Windoloski, Tommy R. Wojcik, Robert E. Wyckoff, Kerry Elizabeth Wyckoff, Timothy Stewart Yannikos, Larry Yell, Randall S. Young, Tanya Zapata, Jorge |
The following building permits were issued during the month of April 2004.
AGAWAM
Bondi’s
188 M St.
$25,000 — Prefab building
Perry Lane Park
108 Perry Lane
$5,000 — Repair bridge
AMHERST
Amherst Associates Inc.
370 Northampton Road, Bldg. 5
$24,848 — Replace 120 windows
Amherst College Trustees
Heating Plant – Old
$25,000 — Remove existing roofing, install new
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
170 University Dr.
$34,285 — Re-roof
Pauline Lannon
1151 West St.
$15,000 — Convert portion of existing storage area into ice cream shop and sales area
PPG Nominee Trust 1
17 Kellogg Ave.
$11,500 — Change two existing restaurants into one, alterations
Warren Hall
252 West St.
$12,000 — Re-roof
CHICOPEE
WalMart Stores Inc.
545 Memorial Dr.
$7,708,000 — Build store
EAST LONGMEADOW
Big Y Foods
433 North Main St.
$165,000 — Renovate interior
HOLYOKE
OC Ingleside LLC
360 Whitney Ave.
$518,000 — Rebuild interior walls
SPRINGFIELD
Family Dollar Stores
1070 St. James Ave.
$37,500 — Interior renovations
Gregory Bonneau
33 Amity Ct.
$30,000 — Install spray booth
MEG LLC
1350 Main St.
$130,500 — Interior renovations and electric
Mohammad Sohail
471 Carew St.
$200,000 — Convert service bays and store
Pioneer Valley Discount Liquor
28 Verge St.
$7,000 — Interior renovations
St. Anthony’s
1579 Island Pond Road
$18,000 — Remodel prayer room
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Pearson Daggett Development Co.
45 Daggett St.
$200,000 — Build out 2,400 square feet to accommodate dentist’s office
WESTFIELD
City of Westfield — Headstart
390 Southampton Road
$10,000 — Addition
| Aiken, Raymond J. Alexander, David B. Amell, Jason J. Auclair, Paul M. Avery, Eric P. Banning, Joseph E. Bartlett, Judith T. Bartley, Nancy A. Baskerville, Ruby J. Bates, Danielle B. Benoit, Melany Lynn Bergeron, Monique R. Bessette, Yvon J. Black, Robin E. Blaney, Douglas J. Bliss, Margaret J. Bourque, David A. Brady, Barry H. Brazee, Jason A. Breton, John P. Brisbois, Daniel L. Brohman, Richard D. Brown, Angilene S. Brown, Paul A. Burke, Donna Marie Butler, Wayne E. Calabrese, John P. Camacho, Evelyn Centeno, Crusita Chabot, Lori A. Chartier, Julie T. Christie, Donald S. Cichon, Mary Lou Clapp, Angela M. Clemons, Susan E. Cleveland, Florence Mary Comtois, Jane M. Connors, Steven C. Cookish, Richard F. Coombs, Carrie Courchesne, Robert R. Courtney, Howard W. Craig, Michael J. Cranson, Ralph S. Cruz, Manuel A. Cruz, Maria D. Cruz, Patricia A. Cruzado, Juan Curtis, Randall J. DeGennaro, Regina M. Desjardins, Nathan V. Discawicz, Dennis E. Dodge, Billy J. Doming, Cheryl Ann Doming, Rene A. Dominique, Ross J. Dougherty, James M. Douglas, Florence E. Downey, Scott Driscoll, Cheryl Dube, Lucille M. Duque, Jose H. Duquette, John L. Duval, Bruce A. Dwight, Kathleen M. Dwight, Tori F. Egan, John M. Feliciano, Margarita Ferrara, Christine A. Flathers, Linda L. Fronrath, Roberta J. Gallup, Edward C. Gamelli, Elizabeth P. Garcia, Carmen Gilbert, Nancy M. Giordano, Edward H. Gonzales, Henry Joseph Gonzalez, Adilia Gonzalez, Raul | Gordon, Peter L. Granger, Arthur L. Gravelin, Louis J. Green, Chester Anthony Griffin, Kenneth J. Guthrie, Lorraine E. Guyette, Herbert C. Guyton, Cindy D. Hampton, William Hannum, Peter D. Hansmann, James F. Harris, Linda P. Hendricks, Edward D. Hernandez-Martinez, Rita Hiltbrand, Amy L. Ho, Tuequang Hulla, Virginia Iwanicki, Joan M. Jackson, Cheryl L. Jedziniak, Robert F. Jordan-Bivins, Sally S. Joyce, John T. Karowski, Joan Ann Kellogg, Patricia A. Kendall, Donald P. King, Grace B. Krueger, Karl G. Kuzmeski, Melissa N. Labrecque, Kathryn Marie Labrecque, Peter Girerd Lacasse, Douglas T. LaFleur, Robert E. Lafrance, Thomas A. Lage, James M. Lagimonier, Robert R. Lamontagne, Stella L. Landry, Phyllis J. Ledesma, Julian P. Lucio, John A. Lusignan, Yvon J. Maciolek, Thomas S. Malanson, Virginia Marie Maldonado, Ramon Mangold, Cheryl L. Marshall, Alden E. Martinez, Nansy Maynard, Leah K. Mayo, Wayne R. McCarthy, Charles McGoldrick, Robert S. McIntyre, Kathleen J. Mead, Melany L. Mecteau, Wayne L. Medina, Israel Melendez, Ruben Menard, Terry Messier, Frank W. Milar, William T. Molin, Michelle M. Monette, Aimee Phyllis Montalvo, Carmen M. Moody, Nelson M. Moore, James K. Moore, Linda G. Moran, Kimberly A. Morin, Paul J. Morin, Phillip J. Morith, Bradford J. Moye, Daniel Nareau, Lawrence L. Neale, Marie Doris Beatri Nieves, Eunice J. Nieves, Jose E. Orren, Ellen B. Osgood, Richard M. Otero, Luis H. Ouellette, Beverly J. Ouellette, Theresa | Owens, Ruth Paez, Pablo Page, William C. Pandolfi, Andrew J. Papuga, Donald Parker, Mary G. Passidakis, Nicholas M. Patel, Maheshwari Perez, Jose A. Petrucci, Kelly L. Pike, Sarah Pinero, Juana Provo, Diane Marie Quesnal, Brian R. Quintier, Rita A. Rice, Marcus W. Richard, Jason Philip Rivera, Angel L. Rivera, Luis A. Rivera, Ramon L. Rivera, Rosa E. Rivers, Michelle L. Robert A. Koch Industries Inc. Roberts, Carol J. Roberts, Cecile E. Roberts, Jo-Anne R. Robinson, Lisa A. Rodriguez, Juana Rodriguez, Marilyn Roe, Deborah A. Rogers, Evelyn L. Rogers, Kimberley A. Rogers, Nancy R. Roldan, Brant D. Rollins, John K. Romani, Thomas D. Salazar, Olga Salicrup, Emma N. Sanchez, Marilu Santana, Carlos Santiago, Edwin Medina Savides, Gena M. Scarfo, Paula J Scavotto, David R. Scholpp, Lizbeth A. Sears, Michelle M. Semb, Krisinda S. Shah, Javed A Shattuck, Jason T. Shetty, Shekar T. Siano, Anthony Silva, Ana L. Smigiel, Shawn P. Son, Raith P. Soto, Joseta Starks, Waleska Streeter, Candice Y. Stuart, Jennifer C. Sullivan, Thomas C. Swayger, Thomas C. Tessier-Brown, Denise Tetreault, Mary Ann Thibodeau, Ralph L. Thomas, Beverley N. Vanzant, Charles Vargas, Edgardo L. Vera, Eduardo Villani, Elizabeth A. Vivenzio, Terri A. Vo, Sean T. Walker, Bertha Wall, Scott D. Weibel, Mia R. White, David B. Williamson, Eddie J. Wilson, Curtis Wood, Larry Allan Yergeau, Richard J. Young, Ruth A. Zayas, Elizabeth |
| The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of April 2004. | |
| AGAWAM Advanced Tactics & Firearms Car Perfections Colcord Coatings Fortune 500 Group Muttis Sheet Metal R. Holmes Construction Scott Mitchell Town Motors II AMHERST Danielle’s Accessing Espresso Time Herbal Commerce, LLC Music Awareness Webmaster Commerce, LLC CHICOPEE B & D Couriers Bill of All Trades CCA Painting Service Country Kettle Cafe DSD Carpentry Health Claim Billing Jennifer Nail MJ Nails Paradise Pizza Sweetwater Cycles Twins Variety EAST LONGMEADOW Americare Inc. Employment Essentials Mary-Jane Kelly Panera Bread Subway Vulcan USA HADLEY Blades Lawnmower Services Lean Business Services Little Bird Daycare Pioneer Valley Upholstery River Valley Realty Services HOLYOKE McDermott’s Soft Serve Neoteric Ventures Piercing Pagoda Racing Mart Revon Management Shell Gas SKDL Design Tony’s Auto Sales Tony’s Shop Whitley’s Fitness Center LONGMEADOW AMS Caren & Company Coughlin’s Concrete & Masonary Inc. North Star Benchmark The Sports Connection Zap Electric NORTHAMPTON Butcher & Briggs Doomsday Promotions Gems & Jewelry by Bobs Good Thyme Deli Homeworks Inspiration Soaps Kosmo Enterprises Lisa Scollan Fine Art/Illustration |
Noema Development Northampton Medical Spa Sid Vintage Signs & Such Sparkles Cleaning Service Two Joys! Valley Free Whiting Energy Fuels SOUTH HADLEY Choice Property Liberty Installations SPRINGFIELD ADT Specialties Amsterdams A Touch of Class Remodeling Brad Convenience Store Chinese Gift Shop Creative Remodeling Gray Enterprises Heavenly Home Care JC’s Enterprises Jasran Construction MTR Auto Detailing NJ Rehab Nuevavida Systems Picture Perfect Subway UBC Surface Specialties US Transit Co. Unique Ryders Motorcycle Club Wounded Lamb Ministries You Body Spa Salon WEST SPRINGFIELD Barbara Belz Cori’s K9 Clip Custom Railing Tech. Inc. e Biz Opz Euroimage Guyette Framing & Home Improvement Hampden County Cycle I-Deal Solutions Jobber’s Auto Electric North Garden Inc. PPI Professional Pool Installations Ron’s Income Tax Service St. Pierre Enterprises Sorrento Pizza of West Springfield Inc. Soundworks Mobile Disc Jockeys Tomas Stanelis WESTFIELD A & G Transport Bodysmart Celebrations Cheryl’s Trucking Diver Down Computers EZ Tech Group Inc. Estate Accents Everest Communications The Gavel Dili Home Grown Art Joe’s Mobile Auto Repair Old Time Auto Body & Repair Simple Treasures Westfield Variety & Deli |
When asked recently about the fiscal health of the Commonwealths cities and towns or, in many cases, the lack thereof Gov. Mitt Romney hinted strongly that many communities are in trouble simply because they spent too much money, especially on municipal employees.
Hearing those remarks, Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan replied, "the governor must be talking about someone else I havent spent a dime since I got here."
The two sets of comments show exactly where the citys at with its finances a current mayor having to cope with the mistakes of his predecessor, and a governor talking in generalities about municipal workers making too much money and unions holding cities and towns hostage.
Soon, we hope both sides can come together and find some real solutions for Springfield and avoid receivership, a situation that would be regretful for the city, its business community, the state, Romney, and everyone else. In other words, its time to stop focusing on how Springfield got into this mess the many indulgencies of the Albano administration and to turn our attention on how it is going to get out.
At issue is the matter of a $14 million to $22 million shortfall projected in the budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1. This is a big number, one that will not be made up through collecting overdue property taxes, tightening the proverbial belt, or putting consultants from MassMutual to work on ways to create more efficiencies in how the city operates. Making up that deficit will involve pain, lots of it, and quite possibly require receivership.
That step, which essentially strips city officials of their decision-making authority when it comes to the communitys finances, is now being talked about more as a probability, rather than a possibility, as it was during last falls election, during which Ryan was criticized for using the word and accused of trying to scare residents. Now, receivership is very real because the city is showing visible signs of not being able to meet some of its financial obligations, most notably the raises that have been owed to city workers for two years now.
That word receivership scares people, and it should, because it is never good when the people who have been elected to make fiscal decisions for a community lose that responsibility. In reality, though, few will actually notice any difference in day-to-day life if it does happen. Those most affected will be city employees who will have to live with a wage freeze for the foreseeable future and thus may be tempted to explore other employment options and individual departments that wont have the money to take on new programs or continue some existing ones.
Instead, much of the damage that will be done by receiv-ership will be psychological. This citys reputation has already been heavily scarred by the scandals of the Albano administration and recent convictions of several city officials, including the managers of a city-operated entrepreneurial fund. Add the stigma of receivership to the equation, and it will be even more difficult for economic development leaders to attract new businesses to the area.
This is why the state must step to the plate and work with the city to steer it out of the current whitewater. A $20 million bailout would be a nice gesture, but it is not likely to materialize. Doing so would be tantamount to rewarding fiscal irresponsibility, and Gov. Romney isnt about to do that.
There are things the state can do, however. It can further adjust its aid formulas to assist cities like Springfield, Lowell, Lawrence, and others that have high percentages of lower-income individuals. The state could also provide oversight that assists the city with the process of moving forward, but without the trauma of actual receivership.
The bottom line here is that the city doesnt need receivership, and the state doesnt need to have its third-largest city humbled in this way. On the campaign trail in 2002, Romney talked about an economic development strategy grounded in making each of the Commonwealths regions more competitive. He was talking in terms of education, health care, workforce, and entrepreneurialism when he used that word, but fiscal health is also an important consideration, and Springfield will be far less competitive if it is burdened with the humiliation of receivership.
There are no easy solutions to Springfields fiscal woes, and it is clear to us that the city and state will have to work together fix the problem and, as we said, focus not on the past, but on the future.
| Abdow, Joseph J. Adorno, Miguel A. Albano, Carl Alicea, Eddie Alicea, Yasmin L. Altimo, David Alves, Francisco M. Amato, Jamie L. Annino, Charles J. Annino, Louis J. Antonuzzo, Deborah Lynn Arbelaez, Carlos A. Arnold Ward, Kathleen M. Arroyo, Braulio Barnes, Tammy L. Barry, Robert K. Bass, Eric M. Belton, Wynter P. Beyer, David Robert Binkley, Kathleen A. Birriel, Carlos Bolduc, Brandon J. Bonzagni, Francis A Boucher, Donna J. Bragg, Stephen W. Brinkmann, Holly A Brodeur, Donald A. Buck, Joann S. Bui, Kevin Khoa Burgess, Dana E. Butler, Wayne E. Buxton, Scott T. Byrum, Susan F. Caceres, Josefina R. Candido, Kathleen M. Card, Thomas A. Carroll, Sonja M. Chartier, Johanna Lea Cintron, Michael A. Cole, Milton R. Colon, Osvaldo Comforte, Judith A. Concepcion, Hector L. Connor, Donald Cortina, Rocco Costigan, Michele Lee Cruz, Felix R. Curtis, Lucille Yvette Dart, Daniel J. Davis, Linda M. Davis, Marilyn Dean, Alden L. Demers, Mary Ellen Dodge, Garvin Duca, Jacqueline K. Eberlein, Christopher Robert Engelson, Christine M. Falcon, Lois Fasolino, Giovanna N. Fields, Dwayne R Figueroa, Eric Fischer, Blanche Lauria Fitzpatrick, Betty L. Flores, Federico Flynn, Barbara A. Fondakowski, Sandra J. Forrester, Rose C. Francis, Lucien J. | Gadreault, Lisa K. Garrigan, Duane C. Gendron, Ellen J. Glancy, Cheryl M Glasgow, Robin K.F. Golenski, Amy Beth Gonzalez, Rafael Goyette, Katherine A. Graham, Terri Graveline, Barbara J. Grigsby, Joseph T. Guilbault, James J. Guzman, Luis A. Hamilton, Jeffrey C. Harris, Ronald C. Hart, Joseph P. Haynes, Sandra Healy, John S. Hebert, Scott Allen Hemminger, Sylvia Ann Herring, Claire Hetu, Lionel Howell, Ann V. Hundley-Slater, Lisa Hunting, Brandi K. Hutchinson, Aimee E. Johnson, Russell E. Johnson, Tammie M. Jordan, Toni Keenan, Julie Kelley, Deborah Kelley, Todd W. Kenney, Wallace A. Kindness, Christopher J. Smith, Frances Staltare, Paul E. Stanley, Kenneth H. Stasiak, Thomas Francis Stasiowski, Gary Steven Sullivan, Joanne M. Surian-Villalvazo, Yissel Szklarz, Linda B. Taft, Beverly M. Talbot, Paul A. Texidor, Carmen A. Thomas, Tracey Monique Tierney, Timothy N. Tobiasz, Nancy Tomasauckas, Todd Raymond Tomolillo, Richard David Torres, Elizabeth Vanderpool, Jean M. Verdejo, Celestino Washington, Patricia R. Wawrzyniak, Evelyn L. Williams, Nathaniel Wilson, Nangwaya K. Young, Kerry Ann Young, William G. Zades, George C. Kuphal, Denise M. Kurzeski, Jason M. Ladouceur, Joylene Lamagdelaine, James E. Langley, Caroline Joan Larussa, Rose A. Lavalle, Robert W. | Lavigne, Francis Paul LeBlanc, Dennis W. LeClair, Raymond E. Lenkowski, Farilyn Lipinsky, Edward K. Liverseidge, Jay M Lopez, Hector L. Lucey, Dorinda Kerns Lyden, Raymond J. Lynch, Christopher M. MacDonald, Bruce R. Madru, Brian Keith Magurn, Brian W. Malcolm, Walter F. Maleshefski, Richard T. Mancini, Rosemary B Manuel, Dean A. Marcano, Hector J. Mathieu, Richard J. McAlpine, Jennie T. McCray, Diane M. McCullough, Diane G. McGovern, Mark R. Meara, William R. Medina, Elizabeth Mendez, Alejandro Miller, Jennifer L. Montes, Abigal Moorman, Jennifer E. Murry, Melvin Nareau, Jason A Nolan, Thomas James Norton, Frank E. Otero, Thelma Joy Palsa, Richard H. Parzych, John R. Paul, Erin H. Pelletier, Peter J. Pena, Carlos Ramon Pendergrast, Damien A Perez, Jesus Phelan, Deborah J. Phillips, Herman L. Powers, Jennifer Dawn Price, Sylvia A Redfern, Christopher Ripley, Debra Jean Roberts, Roy E. Robinovitz, Daryl Rodriguez, Jacqueline Rowell, William E. Rudzik, David P. Ryan, John J. Ryan, Robert E. Sadlowski, Mark A. Sample, Randy W. Sanchez, Ana I. Sanchez, Miguel A. Sanderson, Todd N. Santana, Juan Santerre, Robert E. Santiago, Adelaida Santiago, Elsa Savoy, Brenden T. Schools, Heather C. Scibelli, Mary T. Scott, Gregory Anton |
The following building permits were issued during the month of March 2004.
AGAWAM
Quail Meadow Holdings
270 Main St.
$127,250 — Fire sprinklers
Town of Agawam
109 Perry Lane
$50,000 — New locker room and bathrooms
AMHERST
Amhad Developement Corp.
23 Greenleaves Dr.
$100,000 — Construct garage for 10 vehicles
Amherst Nursing Home Inc.
150 University Dr.
$22,000 — Convert existing lounge to two-bed patient room with bathroom
Town of Amherst Recreation
179 Triangle St.
$49,000 — Storage building
Trustees of Hampshire College
Enfield House 57 & 58
$99,000 — Renovations, install sprinkler
Trustees of Hampshire College
793 Farm Center
$25,000 — Support beams, renovate stairwell, smoke alarms, emergency lighting
CHICOPEE
Nextel Communications
481 Center St.
$50,000 — Install antennas, lines and equipment
Paul Amaral
1271 Memorial Dr.
$9,500 — Convert to Domino’s Pizza
EAST LONGMEADOW
Saga Communications
45 Fisher Ave.
$91,000 — Install modular unit
HOLYOKE
Holyoke Prudential Plaza
276 High St.
$6,000 — Renovate first floor
Holyoke Water & Power Co.
1 North Canal St.
$13,566 — Pour concrete slab
South Street Plaza Assoc.
287 South St.
$41,000 — Interior renovations
NORTHAMPTON
American Legion Post #28 Home
63 Riverside Dr.
$18,000 — Convert storage space to office, renovations
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$17,500 — Interior renovations to McCallum building
Leeds Village Associates
260 Main St.
$35,500 — Replace flat roof
Northampton Co-operative Bank
67 King St.
$12,000 — Install new roof and insulation
Smith College
44 Green St.
$9,400 — Construct built-in counters, benches, shelves in Chocolate Store
Strong Block Partners LLP
10 Strong Ave.
$148,000 — Interior build-out for five stores
SPRINGFIELD
AIC
15 Montrose St.
$16,000 — Bathrooms
Ames Design Inc.
132 Wollaston St.
$10,000 — Build two-car
garage
Bernie’s TV & Appliance
1522 Boston Road
$430,000 — Interior
renovations
Better Built Transmission
1201 South Branch Parkway
$10,000 — Two-car garage
Dollar Dreams
756 State St.
$20,000 — Interior
renovations
Durham Mfg.
5 Fisk Ave.
$60,000 — Install concrete pad
Hampden Dodge
1414 State St.
$140,000 — Re-roof
Mountain Development
1655 Boston Road
$55,000 — Interior renovations
Richard Hartman
4 Bernie Ave.
$20,000 — Fix loading dock foundation
Ryder Truck Rental
220 Tapley St.
$52,983 — Interior renovations
Ultra Sound Diagnostic School
365 Cadwell Dr.
$26,000 — Handicap ramp
WEST SPRINGFIELD
1150 Union St. Corp.
1150 Union St.
$160,000 — Fit-out 20,450 square feet for retail
Beth El Temple
37-39 Pipin Road
$11,700 — New roof
Dollar Dreams Management Co.
1150 B Union St.
$100,000 — Interior renovations and sprinklers
Equity Residential
Properties
51 Van Deene Ave.
$50,000 — Renovate office space
Zi Gao Chau
364 Westfield St.
$10,000 — Renovate for restaurant
WESTFIELD
E. Brouse/Berkshire Ind.
109 Apremont Way
$511,500 — Addition
Lawry Realty
140 Apremont Way
$92,395 — Re-roof
Shaker Farms
866 Shaker Road
$50,000 — Renovations
Richard Goyette was sworn into office as Chicopee mayor in January after surviving a close (350-vote) race with former mayor Joseph Chessey. He assumes the corner office at a time when Chicopee remains in an expansion mode, with a new high school nearing completion, a new city library set to open, and Wal-Mart planning to come to Memorial Drive. These are all projects set in motion during the administration of Richard Kos, who is credited with taking Chicopee, the regions second-largest city, out of the doldrums and putting it on the road to sound fiscal health and economic vitality. Goyette, who served on the Board of Aldermen during the Kos years, says his predecessor built a solid foundation. Now, he wants to build a house on top of it. BusinessWest talked with the new mayor about his goals for the city, his strategies for reaching them, and his thoughts on everything from Wal-Mart to a planned womens prison.
BusinessWest:Before we get into a deep discussion about business, economic development, and your vision for Chicopee, tell us why you wanted this job, and at this time in your life and career.
Goyette:"This is something Ive always had an interest in. I told my wife this, and when Mayor Kos announced that he was not going to run, she and I sat down and had a long talk about it. I didnt want to look back 20 years from now and say, wouldve, couldve, shouldve. Being mayor is something I always wanted to do, and this was my opportunity."
BusinessWest:Youre following Kos, a man who is credited with having not only vision, but the ability to make that vision reality. Is he a hard act to follow?
Goyette:"He is. He did a wonderful job for the city. He built a wonderful foundation not only with the citys finances but with a number of projects across the city and now Im hoping to build a house on top of that foundation."
BusinessWest:What did you do in the private sector, and do you believe any of those experiences will help you handle the duties of being mayor?
Goyette:"I was sales manager at the Springfield Sheraton for a few years, and before that I was in the aerospace industry; I was in charge of manufacturing at a company called Fountain Plating in West Springfield. After Sept. 11, things in the aerospace industry took a real nosedive, so I took a career change. And I really think my job as a sales manager will help me here. When youre in the hospitality industry, customer service is important you have to deal with people on a one-to-one basis. Its very similar when youre mayor; Im basically the salesman for the city.
BusinessWest:How else would you define your responsibilities in this position? Give us your job description.
Goyette:"The mayor is the chief executive officer, so obviously, you have to make a number of financial decisions. Beyond that, though, the mayor sets the agenda and tries to move forward with a vision for the city and what it should be. Ive lived in Chicopee most of my life Im the fourth generation of my family living in the same house in Aldenville and I have a vested interest in this city. I want businesses to locate here, I want to see investment in my community, and Im the point person for that."
BusinessWest:Speaking of moving agendas forward, what are your priorities when it comes to economic development in Chicopee?
Goyette:"Like every community in the area, we want to attract companies that are going to bring good-paying jobs. Weve had some good success stories in the past few years Channel 22, Williams Distributing, MassMutuals conference center, and some businesses in the Westover industrial parks. We want to build on that. We have an attractive location, and we have some places for companies to go. There are some lots left in the Westover parks, and we have the Chicopee River Technology Park, as well.
"In addition to attracting new, larger companies, we want to take in some smaller companies and give them the space to get to that next stage. There is room in Cabotville for this type of development. I know Springfield has been successful with very small businesses in the STCC incubator; were looking at trying to market Cabotville and some of our other old mills as the place to take the next step when a company outgrows its space in a smaller facility, we want it to think about Chicopee."
BusinessWest:Wal-Mart is coming to town in the former Fairfield Mall complex. What does this mean for Chicopee and for Memorial Drive?
Goyette:"I think this is going to work out very well for this city. One of the biggest complaints that I hear from people is that they live in the second-largest city in the region, but they have to go to Holyoke or Springfield to do their shopping. There are no major stores here. Wal-Mart is just going to be the start. There is room at the site for six small boxes, and I think youll see a lot of interest on the part of major retailers our first national chain, the Ninety Nine, is going into the spot in front of the old mall.
"This development is also going to bring more people into Chicopee; its going to be a huge boost for the businesses currently there. Because of its location just off the Turnpike, its very accessible, and people will be coming to Memorial Drive who havent come that way in the past. I think this will develop the same way Riverdale Road did first you had Home Depot, and then Costco, and it took off. Now, you have Chilis, an Outback, and a lot of other restaurants. Were expecting similar things.
BusinessWest:Is that good or bad? Can Memorial Drive handle the kind of development thats being talked about? Are there fears that you could have traffic problems similar to those seen on Riverdale Road?
Goyette:"I think its good. People want to spend their dollars in their own community. As far as the traffic goes, I think we have a better arrangement than Riverdale Road theres better access and better traffic flow. Once Wal-Mart is in place and those box stores fill up, things are really going to take off; it will be great for our tax base and great for our residents, and it will provide jobs.
BusinessWest:Chicopee is an industrial city that has many large employers. But is fast running out of developable land. What does this mean, and how can the city continue to attract jobs with this apparent handicap?
Goyette:"As our land gets filled up, were going to look at redevelopment of existing buildings and underutilized parcels. One site were looking at for the long term is the former Uniroyal complex and the adjacent Facemate property (see related story, page 22). There are some environmental concerns, but down the road, this will become space that we can utilize."
BusinessWest:Plans to build a womens prison at the site of the former canine control center are now on hold due to the states budget problems. Most people dont think of a prison as economic development, but you and your predecessor both believe this is an opportunity for Chicopee. Why?
Goyette:"It does represent economic development its going to bring jobs, probably 100 or more, into the city. And that project brings a number of infrastructure improvements with it. There are plans for a major reconstruction of Center Street from the Springfield line to downtown. That project is on a separate track from the jail, but, realistically, it wont happen until the jail does."
BusinessWest:Is there a new timetable for the jail?
Goyette:"Not that Im aware of. The state is currently conducting a needs assessment of its correctional facilities, and doesnt want to spend money on projects like this if it doesnt have to. Obviously, were hoping this project gets back on track."
BusinessWest:Unlike many cities and town in this region, and especially Springfield, Chicopee is in good fiscal health. How did it get that way, and how will you keep the city on that course?
Goyette:"Four or five years ago, the mayor and the Board of Aldermen worked on a lot of things, and while many communities were just handing out things and creating new jobs like Springfield adding 100 new police officers we were tightening our belts and looking at the situation and saying, the good times arent going to last forever we need to save for a rainy day and put some money away.
"When I took office as an alderman, the stabilization fund had $5,000 in it. Now, its got $10.5 million. Obviously, we worked very hard to do that, and now that times are tougher, we may not be able to save a lot of money. We may have to continue to scale back, but at least we have that cushion."
BusinessWest:What else do you have on your to-do list?
Goyette:"One of the projects in front of us is redevelopment of the old (current) Chicopee High School. When we move into the new one this fall, were going to have a very large, vacant building on our hands. Were looking at combining some city departments in there, or perhaps a senior center, or even moving the school administration offices in there. Theres a lot of consolidation that can take place, and a lot of options for us to look at.
"Ultimately, I think were looking at mixed uses for that building, and there are a lot of things we have to take a look at. Thats why the city is paying to have a facilities study done of all city buildings, including the schools, City Hall, any municipal building. Once we get that back, then we can determine what our options and priorities are, and decide where and how to spend money on these buildings. To this point, weve never had something like this; weve traditionally waited until something is broken and then found the money to fix it."
BusinessWest:Youre wrapping up those proverbial first 100 days in office. What has the experience been like? Is being mayor about what you expected when you decided to run for the seat?
Goyette:"It was a real advantage to me to be on the Board of Aldermen for six years, two years as president. I had a chance to work with a lot of the department heads and cope with the issues the city was confronted with; I was part of the process, and as a result I had a pretty good handle on things.
"That said, theres a lot to do, and much of it is things that people dont see or fully appreciate. People dont see the nights, the weekends, and the events youre expected to attend the Boy Scouts, the banquets, the church services … theres so much, and people expect to see the mayor there; its part of the job, and an important part.
BusinessWest:How long do you think you want to do this?
Goyette:"I just got here, so its really hard to say how long I might want to keep this job. I hope its a while. I very much enjoy the job, but it puts some constraints on how much time I can spend with my wife and family I have two children and five stepchildren. Weve tried to make this experience fun for the kids. During the campaign, they would come out and hold signs … it was a learning experience for them in how government works; its one thing to go in the classroom and talk about how people get elected, but its another thing to be part of the process."
BusinessWest:One more question: Youre one of the very few Republican mayors in this state. Is that going to help you or the city in any way?
Goyette:"The governor and I are on a first-name basis, but Im not sure being a Republican is going to be a big help. But at the moment, it doesnt hurt, either."
| Alicea, Daniel | Leigner, Arthur R. |
The groups involved with development of Springfields riverfront issued a request for proposals, or RFP, for the old Basketball Hall of Fame last month. The old Hall is the last piece in the new Hall development project, and officials thought that after 18 months of futility, they would shake the trees, in a manner of speaking, and see if the development community had any new ideas on what to do with the former Hall of Fame building.
The RFP has already generated one, very unofficial response. In a letter to theRepublican, an area resident proposed turning the old Hall into a transit center for the region. He argued that the site was well-positioned right on the railroad tracks and right off I-91 and had plenty of parking, and abundant space for the buses, trains, and whatever else would run out of a transit hub in Springfield. And he argued that the project would cost a fraction of what it will take to turn the long-vacant Union Station into the intermodal transportation center envisioned by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.
The letter writers arguments are valid, although there are two large problems. First, it is highly unlikely that planning officials would take a facility they have designated for a tourist-oriented use and relegate it (thats the word they would use) to a future as a transportation center. The hope is for the old Hall to be used as a museum or retail center that will bring a wider demographic to the riverfront and not merely those who like basketball or the food at Maxs Tavern.
The second problem is that the state and federal money to be used for Union Station which will constitute a large portion of the projects $100 million price tag has already been committed. The wheels are in motion, as they say, literally and figuratively, and Union Station is moving forward.
We really wish it wasnt.
From the start, we have tried to find the logic in taking the 80-year-old station, vacant since the early 60s, and bringing it back to life. But we really cant find any. This is a project rooted far more in nostalgia than it is in common sense, and we fear that those state and federal dollars may well wind up being wasted.
It isnt the transportation component of this project that has us skeptical. People will go to wherever the buses and trains are centered; currently, the trains run out of a small depot at Union Station while the buses are run out of the Peter Pan terminal across Main Street. Consolidating the buses, trains, and taxis at one facility makes sense although the price of renovating Union Station for this purpose is quite steep.
Which is why the scope of this project has been broadened. Indeed, like other old train facilities around the country many of them named Union Station Springfields landmark is being eyed as an economic development engine.
Plans call for filling the vast spaces above the main concourse with offices, retail outlets, a Challenger Learning Center, and other facilities. The goal is to make the grand old train station a destination, and this is where we turn skeptical.
Union Station is only a half-dozen blocks from downtown, but it might as well be a few miles. People will need some compelling reasons to visit the station, and were not sure they will have them. Very few individuals ride the train these days, and in this part of the state, the buses are used primarily by those who dont have cars.
Thus, it will take a first-class restaurant (or maybe two) and a fine shopping experience to get most people to visit Union Station. And while a restaurant is possible, we dont see retail succeeding in that space not without a critical mass of daily visitors with disposable income. As for office space, there is already a glut of Class B and C space in the downtown area, and more is planned.
We sincerely hope that were wrong about Union Station. It would be great if it becomes not only a transportation hub, but a true destination worthy of a state/federal investment of nearly $100 million. It would be a great boost for Springfield if its train station could become what Union Station in Washington, D.C. has become the largest tourist attraction in that city, a facility visited not only by commuters, but many looking for a place to grab lunch, do some shopping, or have a business meeting.
Unfortunately, we see this project as a nostalgic leap of faith, one we dont consider worth taking.
| AGAWAM |
