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Court Dockets

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Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Stewart Staffing Solutions, LLC v. Spic n Span Cleaning Company, LLC
Allegations: Non-payment of services rendered: $9,846.11
Filed: 12/30/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Ellen Simes v. Drug Stores II, LLC d/b/a Innovo Specialty Compounding Solutions
Allegations: Breach of contract: $435,000
Filed: 11/26/14

Maurice Christopoher Chin v. Garda CL New England Inc.
Allegations: Negligence, libel, and defamation: $93,000
Filed: 11/24/14

SPEC Process Engineering and Construction Inc. v. Vertrolysis, LLC and Ricar, LLC
Allegations: Breach of contract: $341,467.96
Filed: 12/3/14

VIP Physical Therapy Inc. v. Elco Administrative Services
Allegations: Breach of contract and unfair and deceptive practices: $1,000,000
Filed: 11/24/14

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Christian A. Fitzgerald, personal representative of the estate of Rebecca A. Turner v. Richard Romano, M.D., Jena Marie Comeau, R.N., and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital
Allegations: Medical negligence resulting in pain, suffering, and death: $5,075,000
Filed: 12/30/14

Miranda Design Studio Inc. v. Flat World Knowledge Inc.
Allegations: Failure to pay for services rendered: $46,288
Filed: 12/9/14

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Denise Lussier v. Bob’s Aluminum Supply and Robert Lamy
Allegations: Failure to complete proposed three-season room in accordance with contract: $29,484
Filed: 12/15/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company v. SMP Real Estate Investment & Development Company, LLC d/b/a SMP Realty Development, LLC
Allegations: Balance owed for insurance premiums: $7,778.56
Filed: 12/23/14

Ted Ondrick Company, LLC v. GML Construction Inc. and Victor R. O’Brien Jr.
Allegations: Non-payment of construction materials and landscaping services rendered: $20,768.19
Filed: 12/16/14

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
W.W. Grainger Inc. v. Odd Job Doctor Inc.
Allegations: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $9,448.90
Filed: 11/13/14

Picture This

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Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

PicThis0115b

Hoophall Honors

From left, Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper, sport management major Emily Vance, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva, and sport management major Eric Pouliot take part in the 2015 Hoophall Classic Leadership Award ceremony on Jan. 19 at Blake Arena on the college campus.  Both Vance and Pouliot were named the 2015 Hoophall Classic Leadership Award recipients, an honor that recognizes both a male and female junior majoring in sport management who has demonstrated a combination of service to Springfield College and the Hoophall Classic, and who has maintained a successful grade point average.

Court Dockets

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Court Dockets Departments

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

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Majk Samic v. Sarah Kennedy, Vicki Kennedy, Kevin Kennedy, proprietors of Kennedy’s Bostons & Frenchies
Allegation: Breach of contract, unjust enrichment, misrepresentation, and fraud regarding the sale of a puppy: $25,000
Filed: 11/21/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Interstate Fire and Casualty Co. v. The Dennis Group Inc.
Allegation: Plaintiff seeks reimbursement of deductible pursuant to terms of commercial general liability insurance policy: $75,000
Filed: 11/14/14

Helesant Inc. d/b/a Scores v. Baystate Gas Co.
Allegation: Negligence causing property damage and lost revenue: $5,000,000
Filed: 11/13/14

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame v. Grey Flannel Auctions Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $225,000+
Filed: 11/18/14

Starlight Entertainment v. Baystate Gas Co. d/b/a Columbia Gas
Allegation: Negligence causing explosion and loss of revenue: $322,800
Filed: 11/13/14

U.S. Financial Services Inc. v. Berry Berry, Inc. Happy Treats Center Inc., Dalen and Samantha Pham
Allegation: Breach of equipment lease agreement: $67,162.36
Filed: 11/14/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Anthony Choquette v. All Seasons Painting and Decorating
Allegation: Breach of contract and deficient and unworkmanlike labor while painting: $12,000
Filed: 11/19/14

Bassett Printers, LLC d/b/a Bassett Co.v. Minutemen Press of Worcester Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $19,472.84
Filed: 11/20/14

Datagram Inc. v. CSR Wire, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $5,420.71
Filed: 11/21/14

FXI Inc. v. Sleep Inc. d/b/a Mattress World
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,286.74
Filed: 11/12/14

Mass Park Inc. d/b/a Valet Park of America v. Nora’s Restaurant Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of valet services: $5,265.68
Filed: 11/19/14

Performance Food Group Inc. d/b/a Roma Pizza v. Todd P. Denis d/b/a Red Rock Pizza
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $8,577.70
Filed: 10/31/14

Stewart Staffing Solutions, LLC v. Hot Mama’s Acquisition Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of staffing services rendered: $16,997.44
Filed: 11/18/14

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Sassne Enterprise Inc. d/b/a Service Master Assured Cleaning v. Target Restoration Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $10,993.50
Filed: 10-21-14

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Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

Head-Start-Team-PhotoSpecial Delivery
PV Financial Group teamed up with Hasbro to provide the children of Parkside Early Learning Center, a division of Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, a holiday to remember. The Advising team delivered toys to Parkside’s three classrooms of children ages 3 to 5, including 27 girls and 21 boys. PV Financial Group has been working with the organization for more than a decade. Pictured, from left, are Chuck Myers, Peter Leonczyk, Lou Curto, Carole Bolduc, Ed Sokolowski, and Joe Leonczyk of PV Financial Group with the children from Parkside Early Learning Center.

GCAiPionierGarageNot a Foreign Concept
Recently, a group of 11 students from the Student Assoc. for Entrepreneurship at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany visited Springfield-based Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) for some tips on digital marketing for startups.  The students were on an innovation tour of the Northeast which GCAi helped facilitate, which included several stops in New York City and Boston as well as the VentureWell in Amherst and GCAi in Springfield. Attorney Scott Foster, founder of Valley Venture Mentors, also presented to the group, describing his organization’s support of both startups and innovation. John Garvey, president of GCAi, later hosted the group for dinner at the Munich Haus in Chicopee. Pictured with the students are, from left, Mary Fallon, media director at GCAi; Jamie Duncan, accounts analyst at GCAi; and Garvey.

Building Permits

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Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2014.

AGAWAM

Corbin & Tapases Accountants
711 Silver St.
$19,000 — New roof

Friendly’s
19 Springfield St.
$32,000 — Interior renovation

Paul Martin
153 Bowles Road
$60,000 — Install new bathrooms and new breakroom

AMHERST

Brode Block, LLC
69 S. Pleasant St.
$20,000 — Install 71 replacement windows

Jones Property, L.P.
1 Pray Street Olde
$4,000 – Install commercial door into existing space

WD Cowles Inc.
68 Cowles Road
$47,000 — Interior renovations for new hair salon

CHICOPEE

City of Chicopee
274 Front St.
$11,000 — Slate repairs

Falls View Association
76-88 West Main St.
$20,000 — Strip and re-roof

GREENFIELD

Bryan Hobb
576 Leyden St.
$18,000 — Exterior renovations

O Ice, LLC
200 Mohawk Trail
$17,000 — Interior renovations

PALMER

Baystate-Wing
40 Wright St.
$10,000 — Alterations to conference rooms

Haley’s Grain Store
1103 Park St.
$4,500 — New roof

Sergio Dias
1 Shearer St.
$50,000 — Renovations to apartment building

SOUTH HADLEY

Bell Atlantic
Amherst Road
$18,000 — New cell tower

Verizon
274 Granby Road
$12,500 — New antennas

SOUTHWICK

Ralph DePalma
691 College Highway
$14,000 — Renovation for funeral home

SPRINGFIELD

Basketball Hall of Fame
800 West Columbus Ave.
$35,000 — Renovation to existing office space

Chestnut Street Middle School
355 Plainfield St.
$1,360,000 — New roof

Donna Bisson
175 State St.
$10,500 — Exterior renovations to fire escape

Edmund Etti
263/265 Union St.
$4,500 — Exterior renovations

Key Point Partners, LLC
1290 St. James Ave.
$625,000 — Dining and bathroom renovation in restaurant

Pynchon Associates
1380 Main St.
$7,200 — Interior renovations

WESTFIELD

FL Roberts and Company
90 South Maple St.
$10,000 — Exterior renovation

George T. Abdow
311 East Main St.
$20,000 — Interior renovation

Real Estate Transactions

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Departments Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

259 South St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $345,700
Buyer: Beverly A. Allard
Seller: Mary R. Lightner
Date: 12/02/14

COLRAIN

15 Calvin Coombs Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Jacob R. Coburn
Seller: Clayton R. Dodge
Date: 12/02/14

29 Dwight Cross Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $175,871
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Paul A. Bonneville
Date: 12/04/14

GREENFIELD

770 Country Club Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Benjamin A. Foberg
Seller: Norman W. Morris
Date: 12/05/14

110 Hastings St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $223,500
Buyer: Gretchen Zwart
Seller: Angela Recchia
Date: 12/01/14

58 Lincoln St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $145,500
Buyer: Shaun M. Coughlin
Seller: Kelleigh A. Weld
Date: 12/01/14

LEVERETT

48 Cave Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Mark L. Roch
Seller: Eva L. Claeson
Date: 12/03/14

MONROE

95 North Road
Monroe, MA 01350
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: William F. Phelps
Seller: Ryan RT
Date: 12/03/14

MONTAGUE

181 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $305,900
Buyer: Robert R. Stockwell
Seller: Joseph E. Landry
Date: 12/05/14

NORTHFIELD

65 Saint Mary’s St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Elizabeth J. Knapp
Seller: May L. Hnath
Date: 12/05/14

ORANGE

174 Pleasant St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $127,445
Buyer: Athol Savings Bank
Seller: Carey, Navarette S. M., (Estate)
Date: 12/04/14

SUNDERLAND

160 Old Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kuei L. Lo
Seller: Paul J. Dauenhauer
Date: 12/02/14

WARWICK

808 Orange Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Corey M. Lafrenier
Seller: James C. Goodwin
Date: 12/01/14

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

Agawam Terrace
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: William P. O’Hare
Seller: Donald Blanchard
Date: 12/05/14

113 Channell Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Ryan Chisholm
Seller: Saw Construction LLC
Date: 12/05/14

74 Kosak Ct.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Brian F. Leavy
Seller: Joseph M. McDonald
Date: 12/05/14

723 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Gina M. Williams
Seller: Francis A. Mancini
Date: 12/05/14

18 Phil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Heather C. Mansur
Seller: Daniel L. Sullivan
Date: 12/05/14

BRIMFIELD

Little Alum Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Baillargeon
Seller: Christine M. Ronan
Date: 12/01/14

15 Prospect Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $161,748
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Cynthia Macgowan
Date: 12/05/14

CHICOPEE

41 Bristol St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Tricia M. Viafara
Seller: Edward A. Como
Date: 12/04/14

729 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Munsing Ridge Realty LLC
Seller: Timothy J. Driscoll
Date: 12/05/14

64 Dulong Circle
Chicopee, MA 01022
Amount: $238,350
Buyer: 64 Dulong Circle LLC
Seller: Christopher P. Lapinski
Date: 12/04/14

98 Edgewood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: James Hogan
Seller: Joseph R. Hogan
Date: 12/05/14

914 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $117,400
Buyer: Lisa A. Bessette
Seller: Kim E. Cournoyer

777 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Brian Fournier
Seller: Dennis K. Francis
Date: 12/05/14

27 Helen St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $119,104
Buyer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Seller: Daniel J. Salamon
Date: 12/04/14

169 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Cesar Liriano-Tolentino
Seller: Roy Properties LLC
Date: 12/02/14

35 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $178,400
Buyer: Naomi Reyes
Seller: Gerald R. Coderre
Date: 12/02/14

26 Loretta Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Chang X. Jiang
Seller: Jeanne E. Bennis
Date: 12/05/14

43 Pendexter Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Sreymom Suong
Seller: Kerri A. Labonte
Date: 12/02/14

833 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $117,500
Buyer: Kenneth E. Towsley
Seller: Jarid C. Cusson
Date: 12/04/14

8 Riverview Place
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Brandy Magdalino
Seller: Alfred G. Laflamme
Date: 12/01/14

25 Stedman St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $166,018
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jonathan H. Pope
Date: 12/04/14

EAST LONGMEADOW

74 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Ersilia Sarno
Seller: Thomas D. Stevens
Date: 12/03/14

22 Indiana St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Eric Hirschberg
Seller: Dawn A. Sanel
Date: 12/01/14

5 Redin Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Nathan J. Martin
Seller: Christopher L. Calcasola
Date: 12/03/14

104 Stonehill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Christopher L. Calcasola
Seller: Charles E. Hulton
Date: 12/03/14

HAMPDEN

93 Sessions Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Bruce Coolidge
Seller: Lawrence R. Bauer
Date: 12/03/14

246 South Monson Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $214,500
Buyer: Jennifer R. Daviau
Seller: Katelyn R. Marcelina
Date: 12/05/14

HOLLAND

11 Lakeview Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Laura Small
Seller: Alice H. Hunt
Date: 12/05/14

HOLYOKE

140 Allyn St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Kathleen M. Fahy
Seller: Aldis B. Cauley
Date: 12/02/14

209 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,500
Buyer: Melissa A. O’Connell
Seller: Neftali Cruz
Date: 12/02/14

71 Davis St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Travis M. Wells
Seller: Isaac Santana
Date: 12/03/14

12 George Frost Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Joshua C. Rickman
Seller: Maria H. Knoller
Date: 12/03/14

34 Lower Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,495,000
Buyer: Mont Marie Property LLC
Seller: Sisters of Saint Joseph
Date: 12/02/14

109 Madison Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Michael G. Washut
Seller: Richard A. Charpentier
Date: 12/05/14

42 Mount Tom Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Gregg J. Harrison
Seller: Christopher J. Cabrini

141 Saint Jerome Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Carolyn D. Roberts
Seller: O’Donnell, Helen, (Estate)
Date: 12/04/14

LONGMEADOW

76 Barrington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Lauren E. Wundt
Seller: Ashley A. Grant
Date: 12/03/14

80 Mill Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Daniel P. Yerrington
Seller: Susan McFarlin
Date: 12/04/14

43 Wildwood Glen
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $228,500
Buyer: Kenneth R. Holt
Seller: William S. Whittlesey
Date: 12/05/14

LUDLOW

40 Brunelle St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $209,900
Buyer: Melody L. Fontaine
Seller: Scott Stuckenbruck
Date: 12/05/14

348 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Kelly R. Boudreau
Seller: Andrew V. Panek
Date: 12/05/14

MONSON

102 Stebbins Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Samantha M. Cummings
Seller: Brian A. Scansaroli
Date: 12/05/14

3 Stewart Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Glen D. Johnson TR
Seller: AJES Enterprises LLC
Date: 12/03/14

PALMER

1156 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Rebecca J. Kelly
Seller: Albin Les
Date: 12/03/14

RUSSELL

883 General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jamie Desormier
Seller: Douglas B. Mayhew
Date: 12/01/14

SPRINGFIELD

118 Arthur St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Elisamuel Camacho
Seller: Francis L. Crogan
Date: 12/03/14

14 Colorado St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Cornelius L. Blyther
Seller: William M. Hickson
Date: 12/01/14

128 Duggan Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Tahir M. Graham
Seller: Laura A. Graves
Date: 12/05/14

240 Garnet St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Joshua C. Florence
Seller: David P. Chapdelaine
Date: 12/05/14

256-260 Laconia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Michael S. Freitas
Seller: Walter L. Black
Date: 12/05/14

57 Lyndale St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Patrice M. Gresham
Seller: William R. Vershon
Date: 12/01/14

27 Lynwood Terrace
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Liana Rivera
Date: 12/01/14

10 Mill St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $2,300,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: Orr Realty Co.
Date: 12/01/14

420 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Nuntana Savanorke
Seller: Josephine F. Banas
Date: 12/05/14

47 Sierra Vista Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Michael R. Sears
Seller: John P. Ballcok
Date: 12/05/14

3 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Mikaela M. Spence
Seller: Norwich Properties LLC
Date: 12/05/14

2175 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $137,000
Buyer: Elizabeth P. Lancaster
Seller: Paul Duquette
Date: 12/03/14

499 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Franco Fomuki
Seller: Home Equity Assets Realty
Date: 12/02/14

1062 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Lisa Orenstein
Seller: Anthony Wray
Date: 12/02/14

SOUTHWICK

11 Fred Jackson Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Elias N. Baenziger
Seller: James P. Hannon
Date: 12/02/14

WEST SPRINGFIELD

84 Clarence St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Raymond J. Barbieri
Seller: Darlene E. Woolson
Date: 12/05/14

32 Glenview Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Jason D. Leary
Seller: James R. Manley
Date: 12/05/14

52 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Kenneth A. Grass
Seller: Judith G. Pashko
Date: 12/05/14

11 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Old Oak Holding Co. LLC
Seller: Gail Terranova
Date: 12/03/14

WESTFIELD

40 Arnold St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,875,000
Buyer: Vandeusen Apts. LLC
Seller: Sonjack Realty LP
Date: 12/03/14

42 Arnold St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,875,000
Buyer: Vandeusen Apts. LLC
Seller: Sonjack Realty LP
Date: 12/03/14

54 Arnold St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,875,000
Buyer: Vandeusen Apts. LLC
Seller: Sonjack Realty LP
Date: 12/03/14

55 Beverly Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: John J. Pretola
Seller: Karl Baush
Date: 12/04/14

91 Elm St.
Amount: $2,825,000
Buyer: Chalmers Enterprises LLC
Seller: William Foggle
Date: 12/03/14

25 King St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Roger Eaton
Seller: Earl Smith
Date: 12/04/14

15 Kylie Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Raina A. Patel
Seller: Richard W. Perigord
Date: 12/03/14

11 Monroe St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pilgrim Apts. LLC
Seller: William Foggle RET
Date: 12/03/14

8 Monroe St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pilgrim Apts. LLC
Seller: William Foggle RET
Date: 12/03/14

600 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kyle E. Konrad
Seller: Robert J. Burke
Date: 12/01/14

34 Orange St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Victor L. Vela
Seller: Nicolos C. Sanabria
Date: 12/05/14

8 Woodside Terrace
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $118,900
Buyer: Jpmorgan Chase Bank
Seller: Charles W. Medeiros
Date: 12/03/14

WILBRAHAM

17 Scenic Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Kathleen E. Moriarty
Seller: Kirstin M. Joyce
Date: 12/04/14

21 Warren Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Robert M. Wallace
Seller: James M. Moriarty
Date: 12/04/14

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

18 Birchcroff Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $366,000
Buyer: Joshua F. Lombard
Seller: James G. Geiger
Date: 12/05/14

65 Harlow Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kenneth W. Barber
Seller: Frank S. Sottile
Date: 12/05/14

35 Kestrel Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Harry J. Flood
Seller: R. K. Fradet
Date: 12/01/14

1401 Sourth East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Thomas E. Johnson
Seller: Stephen S. Hixson
Date: 12/04/14

BELCHERTOWN

334 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Kevin R. Beaulieu
Seller: Erika L. Grundstrom
Date: 12/05/14

275 Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Chad L. Rose
Seller: Roger F. Hitchcock
Date: 12/05/14

35 Spring Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Carl W. Shafer
Seller: Vance P. Walberg
Date: 12/02/14

420 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $248,500
Buyer: Daniel A. Barroso
Seller: Joseph E. Wojnas
Date: 12/05/14

EASTHAMPTON

15 Garfield Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Philip P. Smith
Seller: Betsy M. Ducharme
Date: 12/01/14

28 Golden Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Cabrini
Seller: Marcel A. Boisvert
Date: 12/01/14

126-128 Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,860,000
Buyer: Denmark Property Group LLC
Seller: H. Fitzgerald LLC
Date: 12/02/14

29 Paul St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Franklin D. Anglin
Seller: David Garstka Builders
Date: 12/01/14

31 Plymouth Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Soutra
Seller: Susan B. Brion
Date: 12/03/14

16 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Adam M. Fox
Seller: Joshua C. Stearns
Date: 12/01/14

GRANBY

12 Aldrich St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $499,500
Buyer: Doest G. Ter
Seller: Ernest R. Tremblay IRT
Date: 12/05/14

130 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Michael J. Breault
Seller: David M. Bessette
Date: 12/02/14

235 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Noah Clock
Seller: Joseph E. Clark
Date: 12/04/14

HATFIELD

68 Prospect St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $270,697
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jeffrey A. Ranney
Date: 12/01/14

HUNTINGTON

11 Mountain View
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Holly B. Whitaker
Seller: Bates, Gordon F., (Estate)
Date: 12/05/14

NORTHAMPTON

80 Barrett St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,212,741
Buyer: Aster Associates LLC
Seller: Betandri LP
Date: 12/05/14

95 Barrett St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Sunwood Development Corp.
Seller: Veronica Lap
Date: 12/05/14

18 Bright Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Franz Pedit
Seller: Justin M. Wheatley
Date: 12/03/14

137 Clement St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Jeanne M. Borfitz
Seller: Richard S. Kueny
Date: 12/02/14

43 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Daniel G. Gonzalez
Seller: John M. Grab
Date: 12/01/14

41 Lincoln Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: John G. Gibbons
Seller: Barbara Morgan
Date: 12/04/14

217 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $317,500
Buyer: Marylou Dodge
Seller: Jeanne M. Borfitz
Date: 12/02/14

91 Round Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,495,000
Buyer: A. K. Saal
Seller: Edgecliff TR
Date: 12/01/14

511 Sylvester Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anthony A. Vacchelli
Seller: Zawalick, Timothy P., (Estate)
Date: 12/05/14

17 Vernon St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Glenn Alper
Seller: John J. Meehan
Date: 12/02/14

SOUTH HADLEY

97 Ferry St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Joseph E. Clark
Seller: Melinda M. Costello TR
Date: 12/02/14

20 Hillside Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Michael J. Slater
Seller: Robert F. Caselden
Date: 12/01/14

1 Valley View Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Nabish RT
Seller: Edward L. Schwalm
Date: 12/05/14

SOUTHAMPTON

11 Jonathan Judd Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $264,900
Buyer: Joshua C. Stearns
Seller: Theodore A. Midura
Date: 12/01/14

WARE

113 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Julie N. Boucher
Seller: Paul F. Russell
Date: 12/04/14

2 Gwen Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Steven M. Spano
Seller: Timothy P. Lagrant
Date: 12/04/14

16 Pinecrest Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Crystal L. Russell
Seller: Mathew A. Biron
Date: 12/04/14

18 Prospect St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: N. M. St.Laurent
Seller: Forrant, Allan M., (Estate)
Date: 12/03/14

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Beaumier, Zayne F.
33 River St.
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/14

Blasco, Dana V.
P.O. Box 214
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/10/14

Boucher, Robert J.
360 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/14

Brown, William J.
Brown, Donna M.
a/k/a Conte, Donna M.
PO Box 1278
Westfield, MA 01086
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/14

Burlin, Kimberly A.
97 Grape St., Apt. D
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/01/14

Celiz, April Joy S.
321 Athol Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/14

Chlosta, Stephen
Chlosta, Diane Jeanne
6 Brittany Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/14

Cooney, Jessie C.
41 Lloyd Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/01/14

Della Giustina, Sarah
95 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/14

Dietz, William M.
PO Box 882
Chicopee, MA 01021
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/14

Dwyer, Philip Edmund
48 Birch Lane
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/14

Fairchild, Ronald R.
Fairchild, Laura J.
PO Box 742
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/14

Giard, Jeanne E.
42 Purington Lane
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/01/14

Gonzalez, Francisco
Gonzalez, Rosael
PO Box 6826
Holyoke, MA 01041
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/14

Jes’ Custom Cleaning
Whitehead, Frank Scott
Whitehead, Jessica M.
a/k/a Maria, Jessica P.
41 Oleander St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/08/14

Jurek, Karen T.
739 Daniel Shays Hwy. Box
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/14

Lopez, Melito
425 South Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/09/14

Lovejoy, Glen Matthew
Lovejoy, Karen Meyers
38 Orchard St. #2
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/14

Martin, Richard P.
138 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/09/14

Martinez, Valentin Rodriguez
310 Stafford St., #703
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/14

Martunas, Patrick F.
Martunas, Jolene M.
67 Kittredge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/14

Millette, Daniel A.
19 Norwood Terrace
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/01/14

Moreau, Roger A.
38 Continental St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/11/14

Morgado, Fernando M.
34 Alvin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/14

Peloquin, Mark Francis
1 Normandy Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/12/14

Rivera, Hilda
17 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/13/14

Rosewarne, Jennifer L.
a/k/a Stetson-Rosewarne, Jennifer L.
358 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/11/14

Sinclair, Rodney F.
147 Westhampton Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/03/14

Snow, Michael J.
15 Clapp Road
P.O. Box 204
Hardwick, MA 01037
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 12/08/14

Songer, Donna E.
a/k/a Knowlton, Donna E.
431 South Main St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/02/14

Starsiak, Ryszard
a/k/a Starsiak, Richard
Starsiak, Jolanta
100 Huntington Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/04/14

Stasiowski, Lindsey Marie
925 Muddy Brook Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/14

Trzcinski, Susan J.
19 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/14

Vega, Jose
Vega, Ingrid
59 Davis St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/13/14

Velazquez, Osvaldo
Velazquez, Zoraida
50 Brickett St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/14

Webster, Christopher D.
42 Waid Road, Apt. B
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/12/14

Weeks, Kris L.
Weeks, Karyn F.
20 Settright Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/15/14

Whitley, Dawn E.
44 Klondike Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 12/05/14

Editorial

By
Opinion
A Role Model on Many Levels

Two decades ago, BusinessWest launched a new recognition initiative. We called it our ‘Top Entrepreneur’ award. (We would have called it ‘Entrepreneur of the Year,’ but that phrase was, and still is, copyrighted.)

And besides, most of the people we’ve honored over the years weren’t recognized for accomplishments in a given year, but instead for what they’ve done over a lifetime — or at least to that point in their career.

We started this award to honor those who are continuing what would have to be a called a tradition of entrepreneurship, not only in Springfield, but across the region. It’s a tradition started by people like Milton Bradley, gunmakers Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson, Everett Barney, inventor of the clip-on ice skate, and many others, and continued by people like Peter Rosskothen, co-creator of the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House (honored by BusinessWest in 1997) and the extended Sandri family in Greenfield (honored just last year for the expansion and diversification of their energy business).

In the process of telling these stories, what has become clear is that the winners, while entrepreneurial at heart, are committed to much more than making money. Each one has been passionate about giving back, and in a number of ways.

This year’s honoree, Delcie Bean, is no exception. He’s being honored, in large part, for his exploits with Paragus Strategic IT, a company that can essentially trace it roots to when Bean was 14 years old (that was just 14 years ago, by the way), and is now a fixture on Inc. magazine’s list of the fastest-growing technology companies in the country.

But his story goes much deeper, and it should serve as an inspiration to all business leaders in this region — and well beyond.

Indeed, Bean made it clear in his wide-ranging interview with BusinessWest (see page 14) that, while he’s passionate about growing his companies and taking them to the next level, that energy also applies to his desire to play a large role in the revitalization of Springfield and the region as a whole.

He’s off to a very solid start, not only through the creation of Tech Foundry, a unique educational facility designed to address the Valley’s nagging skills-gap problem, but also through his involvement with Valley Venture Mentors and other groups and initiatives focused on creating what’s been called an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

As part of these efforts, Bean mentors young entrepreneurs, both formally and informally, and helps individuals (especially young people) determine if they have the many skills and attributes needed to be a successful entrepreneur.

As he mentioned to BusinessWest, Bean has a number of mentors himself, or business leaders who inspire him. Chief among them is Zappos founder Tony Hsieh, who is committed not only to continually growing his company, but also to playing a direct part in efforts to revitalize sections of Las Vegas, which was devastated by the Great Recession and its aftermath.

“It’s rare that somebody with that much money, where there’s so little that he’s going to gain from this personally, is so passionate about a city and its revitalization,” Bean said of Hsieh.

Rare indeed, but this is the philosophy that also drives this year’s Top Entrepreneur.

Who knows where and to what levels his business exploits will take him in the years and decades to come? As he mentioned, to continue growing at its current and profound rate, Paragus will certainly need to expand its footprint well beyond Western Mass.

What seems apparent, though, is that, when it comes to returning this region to its status as a center of entrepreneurship, innovation, good jobs, and vibrancy, Bean is in it for the long haul.

And the Valley will certainly benefit as a result.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2014.

AGAWAM

Alpha Nine
23 Losito Lane
Daniel Renaud

Bessette Hardscapes
76 Pheasant Run Circle
Gene R. Bessette

Best CPR Certifications
313 Springfield St.
Thomas Devine

C. Trimboli Landscaping
49 Center St.
Cosmo Trimboli

M. Perry Appraisal Services
57 Hunting Lane
Michael Perry

CHICOPEE

Boutin Rental Properties
726 Chicopee St.
Robert Boutin

Northeast Industrial Diesel
63 Dorrance St.
William Heyn

Santana’s Kung Fu Studio
4 Center St.
Maria Santana

GREENFIELD

Aromatic Fillers
127 Leyden Road
Todd Green

Art’s Tire Inc.
10 Silver St.
James LaFleur

Greenfield Garden Cinemas
361 Main St.
George Gohl

Novelli Computer Consulting
25 Pine St.
Thomas Novelli

Padula Brothers Inc.
191 Shelburne Road
Caroline Mansfield

Pristine Orientals
16 Butternut St.
William Noyes

HOLYOKE

Best Buy Mobile
50 Holyoke St.
Todd G. Hartman

Herrera Auto Sales
395 Maple St.
Jose Herrera

Holly’s Nail
2257 Northampton St.
Loan Tran

Jay’s Auto Repair
170 Main St.
Jesus Vargas

Jiordany’s Grocery
301 High St.
Veronica Roman

MC Transportation
219 Elm St.
Manuel Contin

Sam’s Quality Motors
170 Main St.
Samuel Rosa

Twin Stop
625 Homestead Ave.
Rajendra I. Swadia

LUDLOW

C.O.P. Transportation
270 West St.
Frank Arduino

Purely Caribbean Sunless Tanning
271 East St.
Katie Schebel

Studio Dic
48 Pine St.
Denise L. Catrogno

The Luxy
200 Center St.
Lisa Tereso

PALMER

Griswold Glass & Aluminum
1184 Park St.
Jeffrey Griswold

Lasting Impressions
1552 North Main St.
Mark Corbett

Walnut Street Café
8 Walnut St.
Doris Theodore

SOUTHWICK

Athena’s by Bev
25 Gillette Ave.
Beverly Labombard

Cote Property Maintenance
68 Granville Road
David Cote

Extreme Custom Embroidery
25 Gillette Ave.
Beverly Labombard

Helping Hands Elder Care
268 Feeding Hills Road
James Bouley

J & R Consulting
8 Pearl Brook Road
Janet Brodalski

Jimmy’s Pizza, LLC
81 Point Grove Road
Travis Softic

New England Peddler
23 Feeding Hills Road
Michael Albro

Tastefully Tan
610 College Highway
Angela Rivera

Whalley Precision Inc.
28 Hudson Dr.
John Whalley

SPRINGFIELD

ABC Supply Company
270 Rocus St.
American Builders

Acacio M. Serranzina
88 Enfield St.
Acacio M. Serranzina

Admiral Building Products
75 Page Blvd.
Todd Buehl

AsapcompuTerracenet
414 Walnut St.
Aaron Blanine

Asian Bazaar
607 Dickinson St.
Yasmin Siddiqui

Asian Market
19 Pomona St.
Truong Nguyen

Atwater Associates
140 Atwater Terrace
Carmen Rosa

B & R Leasing, Inc.
622 Cottage St.
Faramarz Bahrehmand

BMT Lock and Key
306 Hermitage Dr.
Walter Kulas

Bradco Supply
270 Rocus St.
American Builders

BTJ Transport
37 Newport St.
Traceyann Anderson

Cabo Fashion and Footwear
795 Liberty St.
Edwin Acevedo

Fara Leasing, Inc.
622 Cottage St.
Faramarz Bahrehmand

Felix Auto Sales
237 Dickinson St.
John DeCesare

WESTFIELD

Angela’s Hair Salon
78 Franklin St.
Yevgeniya Gnidenko

Bee Tree Acres
67 Old Quarry Road
Bee Tree Acres

CJ’s Electronic Cigarettes
26 North Elm St.
Round of Nine Inc.

Granddaddy Frank’s Barbeque
57 Katherine St.
Claude G. Stanley Jr.

Meadowbrook Antiques
658 Montgomery Road
Timothy J. Crane

Pat’s Platoon
350 Elm St.
Joshua M. Kelsey

Editorial 2

By
Opinion
A Big Blow to Cape Wind

Last week, two power companies, National Grid and Northeast Utilities, terminated their contracts with the developers of the controversial, $2.5 billion offshore wind-farm project known as Cape Wind.

Analysts immediately began speculating that the action taken by the two utilities, which cited missed deadlines contained in the 2012 contracts outlining this bold initiative as the reason for their decision to terminate, could put the future of the turbine project’s future in serious doubt.

We certainly hope they are right.

Indeed, while we’ve opined on numerous occasions that this state and this region, in their efforts to secure new sources of jobs and economic vibrancy, must aggressively pursue renewable-energy sources as one means to that end, we’ve come to acknowledge that, while Cape Wind might help the state accomplish those goals — that’s might — it will come at too steep a price.

That price, in the form of some of the highest prices for electricity ever negotiated, would certainly constitute a serious burden to both taxpayers and the state’s business community at a time when neither constituency needs another one.

We have said on a number of occasions that, while Massachusetts has made some progress in recent years to shed itself of that old ‘Taxachusetts’ moniker, it still has a lot of work to do in that regard.

From higher-than-average rates for unemployment insurance and workers-comp insurance to its highly regulated business environment, to high energy rates stemming from its location at the end of the supply lines, the Bay State has historically been a very expensive state in which to do business, and it still is.

And this is an extreme handicap at a time when the competition for businesses and jobs is truly global, and it becomes more intense with each passing year.

Now-former Gov. Deval Patrick made renewable energy one of the priorities of his administration, and he was right to do so. Such a philosophy makes a degree of sense from an economic-development standpoint (jobs) and an environmental one as well.

But renewable-energy initiatives often do not translate into what would be considered reasonable rates for electricity, and that is certainly the case with Cape Wind.

Officials leading that initiative are already making the case that missed deadlines with regard to the start of work on this project are the result of “extended, unprecedented, and relentless litigation by the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound,” a leading opponent of the project, and they will fight to see that the utilities hold off on voiding their contracts.

They face an uphill battle, and that’s a good thing for the Commonwealth.

Advances in the state’s renewable-energy and efficiency policies have lessened the importance of Cape Wind when it comes to the overall energy landscape, and the expensive power that it would produce would be a burden to the state’s business community as it strives to make a full recovery from the recession.

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

JM Funding Inc., 24 Royal St., Agawam, MA 01001. Jake Malkoon, same. Finance consultant for auto dealers.
 
BELCHERTOWN

Homerun Property Group Inc., 331 Old Springfield Road, Belchertown, MA 01007. Daniel Hennessy, same. Purchase, sale, and lease of real estate.
 
CHICOPEE

Lucky Traders Inc., 205 Newbury St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Rafael Medina, 16 Sheldon St., #1L, Springfield, MA 01107. Gas station.
 
FLORENCE

Inward Bound Mindfulness Education Inc., 221 Pine St., Suite 206 Florence, MA 01062. Lori Deckert, same. Charitable organization established to make distributions to organizations that qualify as tax exempt.
 
HOLYOKE

Hampden County Pest Control Service Inc., 60 Pine St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Armando Santiago, same. Pest control or extermination services to commercial customers and private dwellings.
 
MM Senior Housing Inc., 32 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. Yitzchok Rokowsky, 274 Ridge Ave., Lakewood, N.J. 08701. Purchase, sale, lease, and maintenance  of real estate.
 
PITTSFIELD

Morawski Inc.,  343 Pecks Road, Suite 3, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Brad Morawski, 81 Longview Terrace, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Installation and servicing of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and commercial appliances.
 
SPRINGFIELD

Hand in Hand Lyme Disease Inc., 111 Garland St., Springfield, MA 01118. Edward Closser, same. Nonprofit organization established to provide assistance to individuals with Chronic Lyme Disease to receive proper medical treatment, provide education, and raise awareness.
 
Ogun Inc., 1371-1374 Allen St., Springfield, MA 01118. Halil Kuru, same. Turkish restaurant.
 
STURBRIDGE

Integrated Healthcare Logistics Inc. 7 Fiske Hill Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566. Francis McNeill III, same. Consulting, healthcare-management consulting.
 
WEST SPRINGFIELD

New England Professional Group Inc., 105 Lennys Way, West Springfield, MA 01089. Wayne Gavryck, 705 Lampblack Road, Greenfield, MA 01031. An organization committed to the education of healthcare professionals about chemical dependency and addiction treatment, providing a path to a lifetime of recovery for healthcare professionals. The loosely formed group has been holding annual educational conferences since 1978.
 
WILBRAHAM

In Home Child & Family Services Inc., 2324 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Kimberly Anderson, same. Counseling services.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

$5 Million Allocated to UMass Amherst for R&D Center at Westover
CHICOPEE — Gov. Deval Patrick recently released a business plan on growth opportunities at Westover Airport, outlining numerous steps the Commonwealth and Greater Chicopee region can undertake to grow the economy in Western Mass. and to support the mission of Westover Air Reserve Base (ARB), the joint user of the military and civilian airfield. As a result of the plan’s findings, Patrick announced four initiatives to benefit the Westover region, including the proposed creation of a UMass Amherst Research, Development, and Training Center in Chicopee. “Westover Airport and Westover Air Reserve Base are two stellar assets with so much potential for smart growth,” said Patrick. “To support the region’s economy and potential for more private and commercial air service, I commissioned this report to look at a wide variety of options. I’m pleased with the team’s effort and with UMass Amherst’s plan to open a research, development, and training center in Chicopee to tap into the innovative minds in the city and region.” Patrick has allocated up to $5 million to UMass Amherst to support the creation of a research and development partnership program at Westover ARB. This funding would be used to lease and renovate a vacant Westover ARB building to establish a National Aeronautics, Research, Development, and Training Center with UMass Amherst as the lead institution. UMass Amherst is in the process of partnering with NASA on several innovative research projects leveraging promising new technologies to promote efficiencies, safety, and economic growth in aviation. This research would be performed at the proposed center by UMass Amherst and its industry partner M2C Aerospace, a Massachusetts-based, woman-owned small business. The Commonwealth’s funding leverages $15 million in private investment and sponsored research to be conducted by UMass Amherst and benefiting federal agencies. This site would also host a school to train air-traffic controllers and pilots and provide aviation-related courses for the next generation of researchers and engineers to develop future technologies. The proposed aeronautics center will also serve as a nexus for government and industry to collaborate on future aviation initiatives. The Westover site will house state-of-the-art laboratories, including a high-fidelity, 3-D, simulation-based training capability that meets the FAA’s requirements for certifying air-traffic controllers at U.S. aviation facilities. A significant number of air controllers in the New England region are expected to retire in the next 10 years, which will increase the demand for a modern educational facility. This approach could be adapted for new civilian controllers, which — in combination with the transitioning military controllers — would help alleviate the FAA’s shortage of certifiable controllers and allow for joint military training with Westover’s staff. It is estimated that this partnership could generate millions of dollars annually in research, education, and training from a combination of government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as the aviation industry. This fall, Patrick celebrated the grand opening of the UMass Center in Springfield, and the Chicopee site will add to its already-strong educational assets in Western Mass. “This partnership involving UMass Amherst, NASA, and industry will address vital national needs in the aviation sector and help revitalize the Western Massachusetts economy,” said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, who also serves as a member of the Military Task Force. “This is a perfect match for our role as one on the country’s top research universities, applying our expertise to enhance the safety of air travel and foster economic opportunity.”

Feb. 6 Deadline Set for 40 Under Forty Nominations
BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 2015 class of its 40 Under Forty program. Launched in 2007, the initiative identifies 40 rising stars in Western Mass., individuals excelling in business, nonprofit management, and service to the community. The process begins with nominations, which will later be sent to a team of five judges for scoring. Nominations should be thorough and essentially answer the question, ‘why is this individual worthy of a 40 Under Forty plaque?’ The winners (those with the highest total scores from those five judges) will be announced in BusinessWest’s April 20 edition, and they will feted at the annual gala on June 18 at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House. Nomination forms can be found in the next few issues of BusinessWest and also online HERE.

Festival of Trees Breaks Fund-raising Record
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Boys & Girls Club’s 14th annual Festival of Trees had a record-breaking year, drawing more than 13,000 visitors and raising more than $116,000 to support the club’s mission. Featuring 141 trees in 2014, the hallmark holiday event for families and children raises much-needed funds for after-school and summer programs that serve 1,500 inner-city youth each year. The 2014 Festival of Trees officially kicked off on Nov. 28 and closed its doors for the season on Dec. 14. After the final viewing, volunteers made 141 phone calls to the lucky winners of the fully decorated trees that were raffled off as part of the event. All of the trees were donated by businesses, organizations, families, and individuals. The majority of the festival’s visitors participated in the raffle hoping to win one of the trees, valued between $200 and $2,000. The Springfield Boys & Girls Club provides youth-development programs for more than 1,500 children each year in the areas of recreation, educational enrichment, technology training, career development, substance-abuse prevention, health and fitness, and leadership. All of the proceeds from the Festival of Trees directly fund the club’s operations. For more information, visit www.sbgc.org or call (413) 785-5266. The names of all sponsors, and tree winners, can also be found on the website.

Unemployment Up Slightly in November, Down for Year
BOSTON — The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for November were up in 20 labor market areas and two areas remained unchanged over the month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the year, unemployment rates were down in all the labor market areas. The preliminary statewide unadjusted unemployment rate estimate for November was 5.2%, up 0.1% from October.  Over the year, the statewide unadjusted rate was down 1.5% from the November 2013 rate of 6.7%. During November, eight of the 12 areas for which job estimates are published recorded job gains. The largest job gains were in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Framingham, New Bedford, Peabody, Worcester, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, and Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner areas. Losses occurred in the Barnstable, Springfield, Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, and Pittsfield areas. Since November 2013, all 12 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains occurring in the Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, Worcester, Barnstable, Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, and Peabody areas. 

State to Strengthen Manufacturing Industry
AMHERST — Building on the Patrick administration’s historic commitment to strengthening the advanced-manufacturing industry in Massachusetts, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki recently joined Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rachel Kaprielian and State Senate Majority Leader Stan Rosenberg to announce nearly $2 million in funding to support manufacturing workforce training across the Commonwealth. The announcement was made at the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) Pioneer Valley Summit, held at UMass Amherst. “I am proud of the work the AMC has accomplished over the years, creating opportunities for workers with a range of skill levels that will strengthen our economy for years to come,” said Bialecki. “Collaborative efforts like this are a critical reason why Massachusetts is leading the nation in growing a 21st-century advanced-manufacturing sector.” Nearly $1.5 million of the total funding was awarded through the Advanced Manufacturing Pipeline Training Grants Program to support five regional workforce-investment boards throughout Massachusetts. This funding will help recruit and train approximately 280 unemployed or underemployed participants for careers in advanced manufacturing. The grants program is a cross-secretariat initiative between the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Two Western Mass. organizations are among those receiving funding:
• The Hampden Regional Employment Board received $219,960 to conduct the Advanced Manufacturing Training Program, in partnership with the Western Mass. Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Assoc. The Hampden Regional Employment Board will contract with local community colleges, part-time instructors from two vocational technical high schools, and an advanced-manufacturing company to train unemployed or underemployed adults of Hampden County.
• The Franklin/Hampshire Regional Employment Board received $276,705 to continue collaboration with employers from across the region, as well as community partners such as Greenfield Community College (GCC), the two area vocational-technical schools, and two adult-education sites, to enable the Regional Employment Board and GCC to offer three additional cycles of entry-level precision-machine training over the next two years in Franklin County. This will expand it from 220 hours to 300 hours and add skill building in the areas of blueprint reading, metrology, grinding, and lean manufacturing.
“The quick turnaround in awarding these grants reflects the urgency the Patrick Administration has adopted in scaling up these pipelines to help fill current job openings in advanced manufacturing all over the state,” said Kaprielian. “These awards will allow the grantees to build upon their proven successes and their capacity to work collaboratively through industry partnerships to increase the number of seats in their existing pipelines.” Through a separate grant program, the Industry Training Capital Equipment grant program, also aimed at supporting the manufacturing industry in Massachusetts, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton was awarded $400,000 to rebuild its precision-manufacturing training program. With the support of more than 25 regional manufacturing and workforce leaders in Hampshire County, the rebuilt training program will be a site for daytime students and evening adult learners, in partnership with the Franklin-Hampshire Regional Employment Board.

EDC Sounds Alarm on Rising Energy Costs
CHICOPEE — The Economic Development Council of Western Mass. recently voiced its concerns regarding the rising costs of natural gas and electricity in the region. “More expensive energy affects all of us negatively. All of us need to be concerned. Individuals face a reduction of disposable income and increased hardship,” the agency said in a prepared statement. “Businesses face reduced competiveness that threatens job growth and retention. Municipalities face increased energy costs while facing decreasing revenues. Hospitals and higher-education institutions must divert more resources to energy purchases, thus diverting resources from their core missions. Shrinking business and consumer spending reduces investments in those things that define quality of life in Western Massachusetts.” Through a series of meetings and discussions with entities familiar with the issues, the EDC infrastructure committee released the following findings:
• Recent and future closings of oil- and coal-fired plants have boosted, and will continue to increase, Massachusetts’ dependency on natural gas for electric power generation. Nearly 50% of all electricity in Massachusetts is generated by natural gas, and that proportion is rising. These conditions, when combined with inadequate supplies of natural gas, are resulting in dramatically increased power costs during the winter.
• Gas companies serving this region are reaching the limits of their capacity to serve new customers. Berkshire Gas will stop adding customers in Greenfield at the end of 2014, and in Amherst in 2016. Columbia Gas is reaching the end of its capacity to serve Northampton and Easthampton. It could serve 10,000 more customers in the region if it had additional capacity. The inability to serve new customers will negatively affect economic growth in the region.
• Kinder Morgan is proposing a pipeline-extension project through Northern Mass. that will increase natural-gas supply to Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampshire counties as well as Eastern Mass.
• NU/Spectra proposes an expansion of the Algonquin Pipeline that would increase natural-gas supplies available to the Springfield area and Eastern Mass.
• Several New England states have been working to bring electricity generated by Hydro Quebec to the region.
EDC Infrastructure Committee Chair Paul Nicolai summarized the committee’s work, suggesting that “supplying cost-effective, responsibly clean energy for our people and businesses is a complicated problem requiring balanced approaches and moderate thinking. EDC has struck that balance and encourages policymakers to do so as well.” At a recent meeting, the EDC board of directors approved a resolution supporting the following actions, which, if implemented, will help to provide an adequate, stable supply of energy at competitive prices:
• Increase natural-gas supply by permitting both natural-gas pipeline-expansion projects proposed for the region and state;
• Increase the sources of power generation by enabling the purchase of hydro-generated electricity from the north;
• Continue support of conservation and renewable-energy technologies; and
• Encourage a regulatory environment that promotes market stability and competitive outcomes.

Leaders Celebrate Springfield Park and Recreation Investments
SPRINGFIELD — State Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno recently celebrated Camp STAR Angelina, Mary Troy Park, and Balliet Park, all park projects reflecting the more than $7.7 million invested in parks and open space in Springfield by Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration. “Open space and outdoor recreation investments are a critical component of building robust, healthy communities,” said Bartlett. “Gov. Patrick has made urban neighborhoods a top priority, and the evidence of that is clear today in Springfield and across the Commonwealth.” Sarno thanked Patrick and Bartlett “for your continued vision in providing funding to increase and revitalize recreational and green spaces in urban areas. The legacy you are leaving here in Springfield is one of inclusion and opportunity, which is evidenced by the $3.5 million investment made here in Springfield, which demonstrates the Patrick administration’s commitment in creating strong and healthy communities.” Located in Springfield’s Forest Park and operated by the city, Camp STAR Angelina offers inclusive recreational programs for youth and young adults with and without disabilities, medical concerns, and hearing and visual impairments. EEA provided more than $1.325 million in capital funding to help fund the construction of a nearly complete, fully accessible pool and accessible bath house, as well as a universal outdoor amphitheater, construction of which will begin soon. As part of Monday’s celebration, Sarno announced that the pool and bath-house facility would be named after Gov. Patrick, in recognition of his efforts to increase access outdoor recreation for all children. North Riverfront Park sits along the northern end of Springfield’s portion of the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway, a proposed 20-mile corridor that would run through Agawam, Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke. EEA invested $1.2 million in North Riverfront Park to transform a property surrounded by barbed wire into a welcoming, vibrant site that will better connect Springfield’s North End to the riverfront. The city’s design features a reduction of pavement, installation of picnic tables, and an increase of pervious lawn areas, plant beds, rain gardens, and additional trees to provide shade. The city is contributing an additional $300,000 toward the project, and construction will be beginning shortly. Mary Troy Park, a new park in the densely populated Liberty Heights neighborhood, will provide green space and access to outdoor recreation for residents. The park, set to be completed next spring, was made possible by a $400,000 Parkland Acquisition and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant from the Patrick administration. The city will use this funding to design and build a new park, including a universally accessible series of free-standing play structures, including a water-spray feature and exercise equipment along a central pathway, as well as park amenities like drinking fountains and trash receptacles. The city of Springfield is contributing $380,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding toward the project. Balliet Park received a $400,000 PARC grant to renovate the baseball diamond and tennis courts, install a playground and swingset equipment, establish a picnic area, and improve access to park entrances and walkways. Springfield is using its Our Common Backyards Grant to construct a splash pad at the park, which will be completed by the year’s end. Springfield is one of seven cities to receive funding through the governor’s Signature Urban Parks program.

Construction Employment Expands in Most Areas
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction employment expanded in 224 metro areas, declined in 64, and was stagnant in 51 between November 2013 and November 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data by Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said contractors in many parts of the country were benefitting from growing demand, yet labor shortages threaten to undermine the sector’s recovery. “It is good news that construction employment is now rising in two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “But now that the unemployment rate for construction workers has fallen to a seven-year low, it has become a major challenge to find qualified workers in many fields.”

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

United Financial Unveils Restructuring Initiatives
GLASTONBURY, Conn. — William H.W. Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank of Glastonbury, Conn., announced that the company expects to record certain charges in its fiscal 2014 fourth-quarter earnings, aggregating to a total of approximately $5.5 million pre-tax. The company has initiated certain restructuring initiatives in order to achieve greater operational efficiencies. The charges relate to a reduction in an unspecified number of management and staff positions and the implementation of a branch-optimization strategy, which includes the closure of five non-strategic branches in United’s branch network, pending regulatory approval. The five branch locations are 180 Main St. in Northampton, 491 Pleasant St. in Northampton, 6 Church St. in Northborough, 701 Church St. in Whitinsville, and 124 Main St. in Broad Brook, Conn. These branch closures are in addition to the four branches United said it would consolidate after it announced its merger in November 2013. Those four branches officially closed in October 2014. The company expects to realize approximately $3 million pre-tax in ongoing cost savings as a result of this restructuring. Nearly all of these benefits will be fully realized in fiscal 2015. “A continuing focus on cost efficiency has always been a key driver in making our company a success. We said we would continue to look for ways to strengthen United when we announced our merger last year, and we are delivering on that promise,” said Crawford. “Therefore, it requires some difficult but prudent financial decision making to make the company stronger and more efficient without compromising our commitment to exceptional customer service or our unwavering commitment to our communities. With expectations of continued pressure on spread income in 2015 due to the likely interest-rate environment, we thoughtfully and strategically identified key operational efficiencies that will result in significant ongoing costs savings in 2015.” The bank considered many factors before making a final decision, including the location of the branches and whether they supported its branch network, performance of the branches and deposit levels, demographics, and the level of customer foot traffic at these locations as well as business activity in the area. “Deciding to close these branches is not a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the employees who work at these locations. Instead, based on many factors, we just couldn’t make these five branches successful,” said Crawford. “We know change is not easy for employees and our customers. However, we will always be focused on delivering great customer service, providing convenient access to full-service banking through different channels, and giving back to the communities we serve. Implementing this branch optimization plan does not deter us from those priorities.” The company also announced that Scott Bechtle, chief risk officer, will be leaving United Bank effective Dec. 30. The bank’s risk-oversight responsibilities will be divided into a credit-risk function overseen by current Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer Mark Kucia. The enterprise risk-management and compliance will now be overseen by United’s newly-appointed chief risk officer, Elizabeth Kenney Wynnick, its current executive vice president and director of Internal Audit, who is replacing Bechtle.

American Benefits Group Receives Innovator Superstar Award
NORTHAMPTON — Helping companies navigate healthcare-benefit options while controlling costs and improving service has earned the American Benefits Group an Innovator Superstar Award from the Institute for HealthCare Consumerism (IHHC). The Annual HealthCare Consumerism Awards, published in the journal HealthCare Consumerism Solutions last month, recognize companies who excel in executing innovative health and benefit management programs or providing those solutions to organizations. As healthcare costs have steadily increased, employers nationwide have been responding with large-scale adoption of high-deductible health plans paired with pre-tax, employee-controlled benefit spending accounts. American Benefits Group provides employers with turnkey, third-party administration of a wide range of pre-tax employee benefits, including health reimbursement accounts (HRA), health savings accounts (HSA), and flexible spending accounts (FSA). These accounts help companies and their employees offset the cost of deductibles, co-pays, and other medical expenses that are not covered by their healthcare plan, allowing employees and employers to contribute pre-tax funds into accounts designated for healthcare expenditures. Since pre-tax account contributions are not subject to employment and personal income taxes, they create substantial tax savings for the employees. The company also provides COBRA administration and compliance, as well as pre-tax commuter accounts. “We’re honored to be recognized by the Institute for HealthCare Consumerism,” said Robert Cummings, CEO and managing principal of American Benefits Group. “Our company delivers concierge-level services with cutting-edge technology for our customers who range from Fortune 1000 organizations to Main Street businesses. Using leading-edge technology, such as consumer web and mobile applications and a smart-benefits, debit-card payment system, we’re delivering efficiencies and a superior consumer experience for our customers and their employees.” American Benefits Group was founded by Cummings in 1989 and has 27 Northampton-based employees. Current customers include more than 650 companies nationwide with 50 to 15,000 employees, including international, iconic brands like Ferrari Maserati, Wall Street giant Cantor Fitzgerald, and Mitsubishi, as well as many area employers, such as Mount Holyoke College and Florence Savings Bank.

Conca Brings Elite Baseball Development Program to Palmer- Wilbraham Area
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Elite Baseball Development Program that helped develop Arizona Diamondback Nick Ahmed into the powerful shortstop he is today has come to Palmer.  Conca Sport & Fitness, LLC (CSF) will be bringing its Conca Sports Performance division to AP Player Development in Palmer, located at 1 Chamber Road. Conca Sports Performance is the highly specialized athlete-development division of Conca Sport & Fitness, LLC, which offers sport-specific strength and conditioning. One such program, the Elite Baseball Development Program, has been offered at its West Springfield facility since 2009, training high-school, collegiate, and professional athletes. Athletes in Palmer and surrounding areas will have the same opportunity. With the dynamic collaboration between CSF and AP Player Development, athletes will now have the opportunity to train on and off the field, using AP’s outdoor and indoor resources. “We’re pleased to have him bring Conca Sports Performance to our facility and provide the expert strength and conditioning for the talent we are developing,” said Peter Fatse, owner and director of AP Player Development. The Elite Baseball Development Program includes individual assessments and program design, supervised strength and conditioning, and nutrition education. Pitchers and hitters are assessed using cutting-edge ZenoLink 3-D technology to create an accurate performance profile that serves as the basis for their training programs. These programs are tailored to the players’ specific needs, including strengths, deficiencies, and injury history. “What happens in the offseason is just as important, if not more so, than what happens during the season with regard to strength and conditioning,” said Steve Conca, owner of Conca Sport and Fitness. “The proper program design can make all the difference on the field, and our Elite Baseball Development Program identifies the individual needs of the players to ensure they perform their best while reducing the chances of an overuse injury.”

Elms Upgrades Library to Meet Evolving Needs
CHICOPEE — To help today’s digitally advanced students get the best possible use out of their library system, Elms College is giving the Alumnae Library a facelift this month in the form of a new ‘learning commons’ that will encourage learning through collaboration, discussion, research, and inquiry. Learning-commons spaces are an exciting trend at higher-education institutions, driven by the increasing availability and use of digital modes of information retrieval and sharing. Students now get their information not only from texts, but also online and from each other, and academic libraries are evolving into dynamic, integrated spaces that do far more than house books. Such spaces combine the library, computer lab, research center, support services, and meeting places to give students every possible resource for learning. Education has grown more collaborative over the years, and these common landing spots allow groups to innovate and collaborate much more freely than they could in the past, establishing connections and improving participation to promote learning and academic development. “Students need space to work together on learning projects, access technology, utilize academic support, and explore library resources,” said Joyce Hampton, dean of Student Success and Strategic Initiatives at Elms. The college has invested approximately $50,000 for the technology and the collaboration-friendly furniture, and also invested in a new transformer. The investment gives all Elms students — undergraduates, graduate students, and non-traditional students — a common space that is devoted to them and their scholarship, with resources designed to enhance academic success, facilitate degree completion, develop interpersonal skills, and ultimately make students more marketable. “I am hopeful that students will view the investment in their library as an investment in themselves, and will begin to treat the library as if it were their second home,” said Anthony Fonseca, Alumnae Library director. It’s also an investment in Western Massachusetts, as the library and its resources are open to the public. The new area will include computer workstations; lounge chairs with tablet tabletops that can be powered up; Backbone media platforms with 50-inch, wall-mounted flatscreens that allow for media sharing and collaboration; mobile whiteboards; café-height worktable areas with power and data access; mobile worktables with power access; laptops available for library use; new printer technology; and upgraded wireless capacity.

Holyoke Medical Center Named a Top Hospital
HOLYOKE — For the first time, the Leapfrog Group has named Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) to its annual list of Top Hospitals. An elite distinction awarded to hospitals nationwide for demonstrating excellence in hospital safety and quality through the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is given to fewer than 7% of all eligible hospitals. “Earning the Leapfrog Top Hospital award tells us that we are succeeding in our mission to set a new standard in patient care,” said Spiros Hatiras, HMC President and CEO. “We believe that being a premier medical institution requires a commitment to safety and quality, as well as a fundamental respect for the patient. At Holyoke Medical Center, we treat patients with authentic compassion and empathy, as we would our own families.” Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group, noted that the Top Hospital award “is widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious distinctions any hospital can achieve in the United States. It recognizes institutions for their excellence in quality of care and patient safety, as well as their commitment to transparency. By achieving Top Hospital status, Holyoke Medical Center has proven it’s a premier institution and deserves to be recognized for its dedication to the families and patients in Western Massachusetts.” Holyoke Medical Center was one of 94 Top Hospitals recognized nationally, including academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, and community hospitals, and children’s hospitals in rural, suburban, and urban settings. The selection is based on the results of the Leapfrog Group’s annual hospital survey, which measures hospitals’ performance on patient safety and quality, focusing on three critical areas of hospital care: how patients fare, resource use, and management structures established to prevent errors. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including rates for high-risk procedures and a hospital’s ability to prevent medication errors. To see the full list of institutions honored as a 2014 Top Hospital, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

ENERGIA Fitness Studio Opens Second Location
HADLEY — ENERGIA Fitness has announced its second location and the launch of 50/50 Fitness/Nutrition, a Balanced Approach to Health & Wellness, at 226 Russell St. in Hadley. ENERGIA changed ownership late last year and has rapidly expanded, outgrowing its space. “50/50 Fitness/Nutrition wasn’t established simply because we ran out of space or were just looking to expand on our class and personal-training offerings,” said Justin Killeen, program director and owner of ENERGIA. “We’re completely revitalizing our systems and rebranding to ensure that people really get the full ENERGIA experience. A lot of what we provide our clients with is extremely unique, almost unexplainable in a way. Every client is different. We all learn differently, respond differently to various methods of teaching, and obtain very different results. Our method of coaching and relationship building takes the average training experience and drives it where other trainers, other gyms, won’t go.” He went on to note that one of the biggest initiatives in the new space will be to bridge the gap between healthcare professionals — doctors, nutritionists, physical therapists, massage therapists, etc. — and fitness professionals. “We don’t prescribe diets, we don’t promise instant results, and we don’t injure anyone. What we do offer is a renewed sense of balance, a promise for lifestyle change, and a community of support unlike any other.”

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

L. Alexandra Hogan

L. Alexandra Hogan

The Springfield-based law firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., announced that attorney L. Alexandra Hogan has been appointed the new vice chair of the New England division of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC). In 2012, Hogan was voted in to join the organization’s board of directors. The New England IWIRC is a networking organization pursuing the goal of creating a vibrant community of restructuring practitioners from every discipline. For more than two decades, IWIRC has been connecting women worldwide through a global membership of more than 1,200 attorneys, bankers, corporate-turnaround professionals, financial advisors, and other restructuring practitioners. “IWIRC provides valuable networking opportunities and leadership roles on a global and local level,” said Hogan. “Whether members are just beginning their careers or they are looking to take their profession to the next level, IWIRC has a platform to help them get there. I am proud to serve on the board of an organization devoted to improving the professional opportunities for women in my field, and I’m excited to take my own involvement with the organization to the next level as the vice chair for the New England division.” Hogan concentrates her practice primarily in bankruptcy, litigation, and business law. She graduated from Western New England University School of Law with cum laude honors in 2008 and from Bay Path University with summa cum laude honors in 1996. For the years 2011-14, she has been selected by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star and a Top Woman Attorney. She also currently serves as vice chair of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. Bankruptcy Division. Hogan volunteers to the Financial Literacy Program for U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts and the Boston Bar Assoc. to aid high-school students in personal finance, and also provides pro bono services through the Law Consortium for Western Mass.
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Peter Hazel

Peter Hazel

North Brookfield Savings Bank announced that Peter Hazel has been hired as vice president and commercial loan officer. Hazel has more than 30 years of commercial-lending and business-development experience, including as senior vice president/business banking officer at Fidelity Bank in Gardner and vice president of Business Development and senior commercial lender at GFA Federal Credit Union, also in Gardner. He is proficient in Small Business Administration and USDA Rural Development lending programs. Hazel joins NBSB’s growing team of business-lending experts located throughout the bank’s business centers and seven branches in Central and Western Mass. The bank has been named an SBA preferred lender, with membership in the program given only to financial institutions that have a proven capability and commitment to small-business lending and strict adherence to SBA guidelines. Involved in a number of local community organizations, Hazel is a Gardner Chamber of Commerce board member and finance committee member, a Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts board member and grant committee member, a North Worcester Country Development Corp. board member, a board member and treasurer of RCAP Solutions, and a former president of the Gardner Rotary Club, where he twice received the Paul Harris Award for community service.
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Avital Levy Carlis has joined Cooley Dickinson Hospital as administrative director of the Massachusetts General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and service-line development. Carlis earned a master’s in public health, with a concentration in health policy and management, from the University of California, Berkeley, and holds bachelor’s degrees in both biology and international history from the University of Rochester. Most recently, she served as director of Finance for the Mass General Cancer Center and was the administrative director for the division of Hematology and Oncology at Mass General. Cooley Dickinson and the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center have collaborated in providing cancer care since 2009. In 2015, the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital will open.
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Salon Herdis announced that Tara Abramowicz, a Redken creative colorist and image consultant, has joined the staff. She holds several certifications, including Redken certified hair colorist and Redken certified design and finish specialist, and sharpens her skills regularly with continuing education. She also travels and educates other hairstylists on color. “I’ve always been inspired by fashion, since I was a little girl,” Abramowicz said. “It’s great to be a part of something bigger than myself, in making people look and feel their absolute best.” Salon Herdis is an 11-year old downtown Northampton institution, providing a full range of hair and spa services to clients looking for a big-city experience in the Pioneer Valley. “The beauty industry is one of the few industries where women take the lead,” said Salon Herdis owner Linda Hannum, “and Tara is truly a leader among her peers.”

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

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Chamber Corners Departments

AFFILIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
 
• Jan. 14: Speed Networking, 3:30-5 p.m., at the Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield. Meet up to 50 contacts in under an hour. Don’t miss this high-speed way of working the room. Tickets are $20 for members ($25 at the door), and includes complimentary admission to the After 5 immediately following so you can continue to network. For more information, contact Sarah Mazzaferro at (413) 755-1313.
 
• Jan. 14: After 5, 5-7 p.m., at the Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield. Enjoy networking in a casual atmosphere and expect some surprises. Event sponsors: Wolf & Co. P.C.,  DevelopSpringfield Corp., Springfield Falcons Hockey Club, United Way of Pioneer Valley Inc., and BusinessWest. Tickets are $5 for members, $10 general admission. Complimentary with purchase of January Speed Networking. For more information, contact Sarah Mazzaferro at (413) 755-1313
 
• Jan. 28: January 2015 Lunch & Learn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Springfield College (Dodge Room in Flynn Campus Union), 263 Alden St., Springfield. The event topic is “Question 4: Mandated Sick Leave … Now What?” presented by Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. Core concepts discussed include who is eligible and who isn’t, what it means for your workforce, and the subtle nuances of the law. Sponsored by Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 general admission. For more information, contact Sarah Mazzaferro at (413) 755-1313.
 
• Feb. 4: February Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Crestview Country Club in Agawam. The guest speaker will be Dr. Steve Sobel, humorist and motivational speaker, who will present “You’re a Piece of Work! Celebrate Joy, Passion, and Influence!” This presentation will illuminate all of life’s possibilities and provide attendees with the tools  to embrace all things coming their way and bring their ‘A game’ to their customers. Sponsored by United Personnel. Salutes: FIT Solutions, 10th anniversary; GZA GeoEnvironmental, 15th anniversary; and Shriners Hospital for Children, 90th anniversary. Tickets are $20 for members ($25 at the door), $30 for non-members. For more information, contact Sarah Mazzaferro at (413) 755-1313.
 
AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700
 
• Jan. 13: Business Buddies: Grow Your Business with Co-hosted Events, 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St., Hadley. Join Liz Provo, authorized expert for Constant Contact, and Thom Fox, business advisor, for a free workshop. Learn how to plan, hold, and run successful events for your business. Special focus on collaboration, online registration tools, e-mail and social media. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

• Jan. 13: Chamber Brown Bag, noon to 1 p.m., at Downtown Mindfulness, 67 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Topic: “Rewiring the Brain For Success.” Start the new year learning skills to rewire the brain for success. The brain is naturally wired to be more sensitive to failure, which can limit people from knowing their full potential and power. What distinguishes successful people is their attitude toward failure. In this workshop, become familiar with your explanatory style — how you talk to yourself when you experience a setback — and learn mindfulness-based practices to overcome your negativity bias. Admission is free and open to the public. Register at downtownmindfulness.com.

• Jan. 14: Chamber Annual Meeting, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Chandler’s Restaurant. Guest speakers will be Kerry Miller, director of Membership Services, and Stephen Clark, director of Government Affairs. The meeting will also feature the formal election of the 2015 chamber board of directors, including the installation of Nancy Buffone as board president. Sponsored by the UMassFive College Credit Union. Tickets are $25. For more information, e-mail the chamber at [email protected].
 
• Jan. 29: Chamber After 5, 5-8 p.m., at artALIVE, 35 South Pleasant St., Amherst. Ever try a Wine & Paint night? Here’s your chance to do so. Don’t know how to paint? Who cares, neither do we. We’re all on the same level, folks — that’s why we will have an instructor. Admission is $20, and the price includes wine and two and a half hours with a personal instructor.
 
GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
 
• Jan. 21: January Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., 
at the Munich Haus, 13 Center St., Chicopee. 
Tickets are $23 for members, $29 for non-members.

• Jan. 28: January Business After Hours,  5-7 p.m., at H & R Block, 1475 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

• Feb. 11: CEO Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hosted by Collegian Court Restaurant, 89 Park St., Chicopee.
Tickets are $25 members, $30 for non-members.

• Feb. 18: February Salute Breakfast & Annual Meeting, 7:15-9 a.m., at the MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, Chicopee. Tickets are $23 for members, $29 for non-members.
 
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
 
• Jan. 22: Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, 5 p.m., at Southampton Country Club. The event will feature presentation of Business of the Year awards and celebrate member milestones. For more information, contact the chamber.
 
• Feb. 9: Getting Down to Business about Business, 8-9 a.m., on the second Monday of each month.  Mayor Karen Cadieux will be hosted by one of Easthampton’s businesses for casual question-and-answer sessions.
 
• Feb. 14: Second annual Easthampton WinterFest, starting at 11 a.m. The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce invite you to the second annual Easthampton WinterFest. This community-wide event features family-friendly winter activities held throughout the day, featuring an historical ice harvest on Nashawannuck Pond, horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing, snow sculpture, a chili cook-off, a community bonfire, and much more. There will also be winter-themed indoor activities for all ages. Most events are free or by donation. A lineup of the day’s events will be posted on www.nashawannuckpond.org.
 
GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
 
• Jan. 13: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Finding a Location,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the chamber, 177 High St., Holyoke. Join us in this workshop series as members of the chamber teach members of the community the steps it takes to build a successful business. Tickets are $20 per session or $175 for the series. Series sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery in partnership with Holyoke Creative Arts. Call the Holyoke chamber at (413) 534-3376 to sign up or online at holyokechamber.com.

• Jan. 30: Legislative Coffee Hour, 7:45-9 a.m., at the Summit View Banquet House, 500 Northampton St., Holyoke. Speakers will be state Sen. Donald Humason and state Rep. Aaron Vega. Tickets are $25 for members with reservations, $35 for non-members and at the door. Price includes a continental breakfast.
 
• Feb. 3: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Staff – Hiring and Firing,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the chamber conference room. This program, the latest in a series, will provide all you need to know about employee handbooks, insurance, performance evaluation, job descriptions, sexual harassment, sensitivity training, and human resources. Tickets are $20. Series sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery in partnership with the Holyoke Creative Arts. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or sign up online at holyokechamber.com.
 
• Feb. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m. Business networking event includes complimentary appetizers, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes. Sponsored and hosted by Gary Rome Hyundai, 1000 Main St., Holyoke. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for the public. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or sign up online at holyokechamber.com.
 
• Feb. 24: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business: Marketing Your Business,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the chamber conference room, 177 High St. This program, the latest in a series, will provide all you need to know about designing a logo, branding your business, advertising opportunities, social media, and developing a website. Tickets are $20. Series sponsors: PeoplesBank, Common Capital, Mass Cultural Council/the Artery in partnership with Holyoke Creative Arts. Call the Holyoke chamber at (413) 534-3376 to sign up or online at holyokechamber.com.
 
GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• Jan. 27: New Member Orientation at Northampton Chamber of Commerce, noon to 1 p.m. This is the chance to tell us more about your business and how the chamber can best serve you, meet other new members, and learn how to make to the most of your chamber membership. RSVP to (413) 584-1900 or [email protected]. Cost: free.
 
GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
 
• Jan. 14: January After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at the Arbors of Westfield, 40 Court St. in Westfield. Sponsored by Susan Allen Financial. Cost is $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members. Refreshments will be served. Bring your business cards and make connections. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
 
• Feb. 2: Mayor’s Coffee Hour with Westfield Mayor Dan Knapik, 8-9 a.m., at McDonald’s, 182 North Elm St., Westfield. This event is free and open to the public. Call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618 to register.

• Feb. 11: February After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at Betts Piping Supply Co., 14 Coleman Ave., Westfield. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310
  
• Jan. 21: 2015 Tabletop Expo/Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Storrowton Tavern at Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Reservations are being accepted for the 17th annual Tabletop Expo. Last year’s successful Expo was a sellout. Sign up today to showcase your company’s products and services or to attend the event. Display price includes a draped table and lunch for one. General-admission tickets include specialty sandwiches, fruit, chips, and dessert. Please note on your reservation form if your exhibitor’s table will require electricity. Luncheon admission: $25 for members, $35 for non-members. Tabletop exhibitors (includes one luncheon ticket): $75 for members, $105 for non-members. For more information, contact Sarah Mazzaferro at (413)755-1313.
 
WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
 
• Jan. 15: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Lattitude, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. One must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. Please note that we cannot invoice you for these events.
 For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
 
• Feb. 4: Wicked Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Flowers By Webster 82 Elm St., West Springfield. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events hosted by various businesses and restaurants. These events bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. Free for chamber members, $10 for non-members. Event is open to the public; you must pay at the door if you’re a non-member. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
 
• Feb. 19: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Lattitude, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. One must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. Please note that we cannot invoice you for these events.
 For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

• Feb. 25: Legislative Breakfast, 7-9 a.m., at Storrowton Tavern,  1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. The breakfast will feature a panel of various leaders, including state Sen. James Welch, state Sen. Donald Humason, Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen, and West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members. For more information on ticket sales, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].
 
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.springfieldyps.com
  
• Jan. 15: January Third Thursday, 5-8 p.m., at Nadim’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Grill, 1390 Main St., Springfield. All are welcome; admission is free for non-members. Community spotlight: Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Come learn more about SSO and their upcoming events. They’ll be raffling off pairs of SSO tickets at the event and selling tickets at a discount for YPS members.

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

Speed Networking Event
Jan. 14: Back by popular demand, the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) will hold an afternoon of speed networking on at the Sheraton Springfield, followed by an evening of informal networking at its After 5. The combination of events will provide attendees the opportunity to meet new contacts in a formal manner, then continue conversations in an informal and casual setting. The core concept to speed networking is the ‘elevator speech,’ a short summary of an individual, business, organization, product, or service that a person could deliver in the time span of a short elevator ride. Attendees will be divided into groups A and B. Members of each group will be seated across from each other. Each member of Group A will have 60 seconds to give his or her elevator speech to a member of Group B. A bell will ring, signaling the 60-second time is up, and each member of Group B will then get a chance to speak. The facilitator will signal when the 60 seconds are up again, and members of Group A will then move one seat to the right and begin the process again with a new partner. The round-robin format of networking will continue until the event is over, at which time attendees can then move to the casual atmosphere of the MVP Pub for the ACCGS “Score a Touchdown” After 5, sponsored by Wolf & Co. and DevelopSpringfield with support from the Springfield Falcons, United Way of Pioneer Valley, and BusinessWest. The event begins at 3:30 p.m. with registration and instructions. To accommodate the event, no admittance will be allowed after 3:55 p.m. The event ends at 5 p.m., and the After 5 runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Reservations are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and only members of the ACCGS, Springfield Chamber of Commerce, or East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce are eligible to participate. Reservations include a complimentary ticket to the After 5. Reservations for the After 5 only are $5 for members, $10 for general admission. The After 5 is open to the general public. Reservations may be made online in advance at www.myonlinechamber.com or by contacting Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected]. 
 
Employment-law Seminar
Jan. 27: Now that the new year here, it’s an ideal time to review the past year’s changes in labor and employment law. Royal LLP will host a seminar from 8 to 9 a.m. to review some of the most interesting and significant labor- and employment-law changes from 2014 and provide timely and practical advice on how these changes will affect businesses in years to come. Attorney Sarah Torres will conduct the roundtable-style seminar, where she will provide practical pointers to assist organizations in ensuring they are up-to-date and in compliance with these new laws. She will cover topics such as sick leave, domestic-violence leave, minimum-wage increases, and more. The cost for the seminar is $30 per person, and it will take place at Royal LLP, 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. Advance registration is required, and seating will be limited. Contact Ann-Marie Marcil at [email protected] to register or if you have any questions about the seminar. Checks should be made payable to Royal LLP and mailed to 270 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA 01060.

WNEU Mini-Law School
Feb. 10 to March 10: Western New England University School of Law will open its doors to the community with a five-week program focused on demystifying the law. Starting on Feb. 10, the Mini-Law School will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Blake Law Center, Room D, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. “Individuals interested in becoming better-informed and engaging in stimulating dialogue will find this program rewarding,” said Pat Newcombe, associate dean for Library and Information Resources. “No legal knowledge is necessary, just a curious mind.” Mini-Law School offers non-lawyers an understanding of legal topics that impact their everyday lives. Each class is taught by School of Law faculty and moderated by the Hon. Kenneth Neiman, magistrate judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. Blending theory and practice, the classes will focus on family law, health law, constitutional law, and environmental law. The sessions include:
• Feb. 10: “Welcome to Mini-Law School: An Inside View of Law School and the Courts,” presented by Neiman and School of Law Dean Eric Gouvin;
• Feb. 17: “Family Law: What Defines a Family?” presented by 
Professor of Law Jennifer Levi and Neiman;
• Feb. 24: “Health Law: End-of-Life Choices,” presented by 
Professor of Law Barbara Noah and Neiman;
• March 3: “Constitutional Law: Real Law or Just Another Kind of Politics?” presented by Professor of Law Bruce Miller and Neiman; and
• March 10: “Environmental Law: Legal Solutions to Pollution Challenges,” presented by 
Professor of Law Julie Steiner and Neiman.
“After five weeks, you won’t be a lawyer,” said Western New England University Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Beth Cohen, “but you will be able to better understand laws that have an effect on your life, and, unlike traditional law school, there are no tests or homework.” Tuition is $35 for all five sessions, or $10 for each individual session. The program is free of charge for any high-school, college, or graduate student with a valid student ID. To register by phone or for more information, call Newcombe at (413) 782-1616. Registration will continue through Jan. 19. Learn more at www.law.wne.edu/minilaw.

PAWSCARS Fund-raiser
Feb. 28: Dakin Humane Society will present a fund-raising event on at the MassMutual Center in Springfield that will affectionately spoof Hollywood, the Oscars, and red-carpet fashion. Dubbed “The PAWSCARS & Red Carpet Fashion Parade,” the show will be emceed by Ashley Kohl and Seth Stutman, hosts of Mass Appeal on WWLP-22News. Beginning with a VIP Reception at 6 p.m. and a plated dinner at 7 p.m., the evening will also include a red-carpet fashion parade featuring local people of prominence, accompanied by rescue dogs (among them former Dakin dogs, now adopted). Short videos of animals recreating iconic moments in cinematic history, created by members of the public, will also be screened during the evening. “We’re looking forward to presenting a one-of-a-kind event with the PAWSCARS,” said Dakin Executive Director Leslie Harris. “We’re blending fashion, fun, and film with a healthy dose of humor for an unforgettable night. Plus, as our major fund-raising event of the year, it will be a terrific opportunity for our supporters to come together and enjoy themselves while providing much-needed aid for the many animals in our care.” With a targeted audience of 500, The PAWSCARS is Dakin’s most ambitious fund-raising event in its 45-year history. Tickets for the event are available at www.dakinhumane.org for $125 per person (dinner and show) or $50 (show only). Dakin is currently seeking video submissions from the public for viewing at the event, and the deadline is Saturday, Jan. 31. All videos will be reviewed, and a committee will select nine finalist videos to be screened at the PAWSCARS. Each of the nine people submitting a video will be awarded a free ticket to the PAWSCARS event (including dinner and entertainment). Corporate sponsors for the PAWSCARS include Baystate Health, Piepul’s Camera Center, Clinical & Support Options, United Personnel, C.A.R. Data Management and Program Evaluation Services, Hampden Bank, and Robinson Donovan. The Republican, Reminder Publications, WMAS, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and the Recorder are among the media sponsors for the event. Visit www.dakinhumane.org for complete contest and video-submission information, as well as additional information about the event. Dakin Humane Society provides shelter, education, advocacy, and assistance for animals and people in need from its two locations in Springfield and Leverett. The organization shelters nearly 6,000 animals every year and provides low-cost spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations to 12,000 more. Dakin is a local, private, nonprofit organization that relies solely on contributions from individuals and businesses that care about animals to bring its services to the community.

Difference Makers
March 19: The sixth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event will be published in upcoming issues of the magazine. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. This year’s class will be profiled in the Feb. 9 issue.

40 Under Forty
June 18: The ninth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event, which honors the region’s most accomplished and civic-minded professionals under age 40, will be published in upcoming issues. Nominations are now open for the class of 2015, and are due by the end of the day (5 p.m.) on Feb. 6. The nomination form can be found HERE.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Easthampton Savings Bank to Acquire Citizens National Bank
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of ESB Bancorp Inc., announced that ESB Bancorp has signed a definitive merger agreement with Citizens National Bancorp Inc., under which ESB Bancorp will acquire Citizens National Bancorp in a transaction valued at approximately $51.3 million. Citizens National Bancorp is the holding company for the Citizens National Bank, a $333 million bank located in Putnam, Conn. Following completion of the merger of ESB Bancorp and Citizens National Bancorp, the Citizens National Bank will merge with and into Easthampton Savings Bank. The transaction will expand Easthampton Savings Bank’s market presence into the Northeast Conn. and Central Mass. markets. Following completion of the transaction, ESB Bancorp will have consolidated assets of more than $1.3 billion and a branch network of 15 full-service offices. The transaction is expected to be accretive to ESB Bancorp’s earnings in the first year of combined operations. Easthampton Savings Bank will continue to be well-capitalized under applicable regulatory requirements following completion of the transaction. Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of Easthampton Savings Bank, stated, “we are very pleased to announce our acquisition of Citizens National Bank and to welcome the Citizens employees and customers into the ESB family. We are very familiar with Citizen’s market area, and we are excited to grow through an expansion into the Northeast Connecticut and Central Massachusetts markets. Given Citizens’ excellent reputation and franchise value in their market area, we expect to operate Citizens’ five branches under the Citizens trade name after the transaction is completed. That structure will allow us to remain acutely attentive to our existing customers and communities in the Pioneer Valley, while allowing us to expand and further develop Citizens’ market share.” Added David Conrad, president and CEO of the Citizens National Bank, “we believe this truly excellent opportunity to join ESB, a top-performing mutual bank, will serve our customers, employees, and communities very well.” The merger is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Citizens National Bancorp and receipt of customary regulatory approvals. The merger is expected to be completed early in the third quarter of 2015.

Elms College Garners $27,000 Grant to Expand Mobile Healthcare
CHICOPEE — The Elms College School of Nursing’s caRe vaN has received a one-year, $27,000 grant from the Raskob Foundation of Wilmington, Del. to expand its mobile healthcare project, which offers free nursing services to the homeless and underserved of Chicopee. The caRe vaN is a mobile clinic run by Br. Michael Duffy, assistant clinical professor, coordinator of the Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing Program, and conventual Franciscan friar. He and nursing students provide free healthcare services, including blood-pressure checks and monitoring, blood-sugar checks, foot care, episodic first aid, minor wound care, and patient education. Since 2013, the van has set up shop on Sundays in the former CVS parking lot of the Exchange Street plaza and on Tuesdays at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry. With this grant, “we’ll be able to expand mobile healthcare to the homeless. It also provides ongoing maintenance of our 1988 vintage van, which has a leaky roof and leaky window seals,” Duffy said. “We could bring on board a psychiatric nurse practitioner a couple hours a week. We also could bring on a driver, which could let us expand to a third day a week on the street.” He also plans to use grant funds for monthly visits from a podiatrist and a barber, and even for monthly laundry vouchers for the van’s clients — all of which are services greatly needed by local homeless people. “Everyone who gets their blood pressure and blood sugar checked would get $5 toward laundry,” he said. Without the grant, expanded services would have had to wait, Duffy said. “We wouldn’t be able to contemplate having a psychiatric RN on board. We’d have to be begging elsewhere for funding to fix our particularly leaky windshield — the rubber is shot.” The caRe vaN helps Elms students prepare for their future nursing careers, he added. “Long-range, healthcare is somewhat headed out of the typical hospital-based model we saw years ago. It’s much more clinic-based and accessible.” Students with experience in this kind of setting will be more marketable upon graduation, too. “It’s real hands-on work,” he said. “They’re working with folks in the community where they are. And it makes them think on their feet. The homeless are with us for a short period; it’s a transient culture, so they’re there for five to 10 minutes. How much can we get done? Can we encourage them to stay longer than just blood pressure and blood sugar?” Working in the van also helps students live the Elms College mission of empowering students to effect positive changes in the community and in the world, Duffy said, adding it “teaches them creative ways to respond to the demands of their chosen profession — nursing — and allows them advocate for people in need. They go hand in hand, no doubt about it.”

Berkshire Bank Earns Community Impact Award
ALBANY, N.Y. — Berkshire Bank was recently honored by the Stakeholders Foundation in Albany, N.Y. with the 2014 Capital Region Community Impact Award. The foundation’s annual awards honor exemplary companies for their philanthropic and volunteer work in the Capital Region. Berkshire Bank received the Corporate Volunteer of the Year award recognizing its X-TEAM employee-volunteer program. The awards were presented in a ceremony at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, N.Y. on Nov. 12. The Corporate Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Berkshire for its exemplary volunteer strategy that effectively integrated volunteerism into the company’s business culture, had a sizeable impact on the community, and served as an inspiration to others. Nearly 100% of bank employees in the Capital Region have participated in one of Berkshire’s company-supported projects over the last two years. With projects including fund-raising efforts for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and work with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Capital Region employees completed more than two dozen volunteer service projects in 2014, impacting thousands of lives and dozens of communities. Berkshire Bank’s X-TEAM provides all employees with paid time off to volunteer at company-supported projects. Bank employees help identify, select, plan, and execute all of the company’s volunteer work. This approach allows the bank to engage staff and choose volunteer opportunities that are important to local stakeholders. The program is also another way for Berkshire to give back to the community in addition to financial contributions of more than $2 million annually through its charitable foundations and corporate support.

WSU Names Presidential Search Committee
WESTFIELD — The Westfield State University board of trustees formally approved a motion at its Dec. 15 meeting naming campus and community leaders to serve as members of WSU’s presidential search advisory committee. The committee will be led by trustees Steven Marcus and Terrell Hill, who were appointed to serve as the chair and vice-chair, respectively, at the April board meeting. “The professionals selected for the presidential search committee offer a diversity of backgrounds, opinions, and experiences that will be essential when developing criteria, evaluating credentials, and identifying candidates for the university’s next president,” Marcus said. Committee members include Katheryn Bradford, director, Alumni Relations (APA); Junior Delgado, director, Career Services (APA); Evelyn Dina, SGA member, student representative; Joshua Frank, student trustee; Margot Hennessy, chair, Ethnic and Gender Studies, MSCA chapter president; Terrell Hill, trustee; Robin Jensen, chair, Foundation Board; Ron’na Lytle, administrative assistant, Ethnic and Gender Studies (AFSCME); Steven Marcus, trustee; Luis Perez, trustee; Carlton Pickron, vice president, Student Affairs (NUP); Henry Thomas, BHE representative; and Edward Welsh, associate professor, Mathematics (MSCA). The Presidential Search Committee members are responsible for selecting the university’s 20th president. The committee’s first task will be the selection of an executive search firm to assist in the process. A request for proposals (RFP) was posted nationally this fall, and four firms have responded. Marcus plans to convene the search committee in early January to review the four proposals and to select a finalist for presentation to the board at its next meeting on Feb. 5. As the search gets underway, a website will be established to to serve as the official resource for information and updates on the process.

G.M. Morisi Insurance Relocates to Longmeadow
LONGMEADOW — The G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency has moved to a new address after being in Springfield for 65 years. The current address is 175 Dwight Road, Suite 309, in Longmeadow. G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency is a full-service insurance agency that has been family-run for more than 65 years. It is a third-generation family business with extensive experience in a full range of personal lines and business insurance.
 
Q Smokin’ Good Food Opens in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — It’s been said there’s no place like home for the holidays, which was a challenge for Craig and Chris Spagnoli, co-owners of the new Q Smokin’ Good Food in Springfield. Craig and his son, Chris, recently opened the restaurant, with a menu influenced by Chris’ wife, Sarah Anne, who is originally from South Carolina. Together, they saw an opportunity to fuse southern-style barbecue with local flavor in their restaurant on State Street. “Mason Square and the surrounding community is a really vibrant, diverse area,” said Chris Spagnoli. “There are college students and professors, businesses, public schools, and a well-established community, so we want to see the local flavor start to reflect that diversity.” The menu includes authentic, southern-style barbecue made daily from old family recipes that are complimented by local, artisan craft beers, not to mention fan favorites for the kids, including the ‘little piggy’ pulled-pork sandwich and macaroni and cheese. “The holiday season is a great time to get together and enjoy a family meal,” said Sarah Anne Spagnoli. “At Q Smokin’ Good Food, we have great gifts ready just in time for the holidays. From gift certificates to catering for your holiday events, we can do it all.” Gift cards are 20% off during the holidays. Q Smokin’ Good Food is available as take-out and delivery as well as dine-in. The restaurant regularly features vintage Indian Motorcycles, as it is located directly across the street from the Indian Motorcycle Apartments that were previously the old Indian Motorcycle factory.

People On The Move

By
Departments People on the Move

David Greenblatt

David Greenblatt

Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C., one of the area’s largest independent accounting firms, announced that David Greenblatt, CPA, has been appointed manager, joining the firm’s healthcare practice. Greenblatt has 15 years of experience in public accounting with a specialty in healthcare, which will augment the firm’s current healthcare team that provides assurance, compliance, tax, and advisory services to Connecticut- and Massachusetts-based physicians, specialists, dentists, and related entities. Most recently, he was a manager at a regional accounting firm in Boston. Greenblatt received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bryant University. He is a member of the Medical Group Management Assoc. and the Healthcare Financial Management Assoc.
•••••
United Personnel announced that Dave Malloy has been named client services manager. Malloy will plan, direct, and implement business development, account retention, community relations, and marketing activities for United Personnel’s Hampden County and Northern Conn. territory. He will also assist with recruiting and placement activities within the organization. Malloy has built his operations experience in production of electronic components serving customers such as American Power Conversion. He also has coordinated retail manufacturing and distribution for various clients, including Walmart. Most recently, Malloy leveraged these operational experiences to provide business development in healthcare services. He holds master’s degrees in communication and business administration from Bay Path University. 
•••••
The Williams Inn has announced several appointments to its leadership team:
• Greta Kipp, the inn’s new general manager, arrives from Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vt., where she held several positions, including director of rooms, director of revenue management, and director of owner relations. She is a veteran of the U.S. Army and completed a five-year enlistment as an Arabic translator. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Old Dominion University;
• Pam Knisley, the inn’s new sales manager, comes from the Wheatleigh Hotel in Lenox. Prior to her position at Wheatleigh, she was general manager/innkeeper at the Inn at Richmond and owner of I’ll Do It! Concierge Service in Pittsfield. She graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia;
• Tim Hajduk, the new food and beverage manager, joins the Williams Inn from the Embassy Suites in Waltham, where he spent five years as food and beverage manager. He began his hospitality career at Blantyre in Lenox, after which he spent 11 years in food and beverage management positions. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire.
• Other staffing changes within the inn include the appointments of Roger Gavin to maintenance manager and Adam Brassard to executive chef, and the promotions of Janine Velluci to catering sales manager and Jane Schnopps to guest services manager.
•••••
James Leahy

James Leahy

Nancy Coley

Nancy Coley

The International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke announced it has appointed James Leahy as its new president and Nancy Coley as a new member. A lifelong resident of Holyoke, Leahy has been on the board of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame for two years and brings extensive expertise in fund-raising and operations to his role as board president. While his professional career is in the pharmaceutical industry, he is also co-director of marketing and sponsorship for the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke Inc., a nonprofit that operates one of the largest St. Patrick Day parades in the country. He has also served on numerous other nonprofit boards, including the Holyoke Merry-go-round, the Boys and Girls Club of America, Holyoke Youth Soccer, the Westfield State University Foundation and the Greater Holyoke YMCA and Children’s Museum boards. Coley is currently the director of Admissions at St. Michael’s Academy in Springfield and was previously a member of the communications team at Holyoke Medical Center for 29 years, serving as its public relations manager. Coley’s marketing and public-relations background will be invaluable as the Hall of Fame continues to unveil its new brand and strategic direction over the next two years.
•••••
Lou Curto

Lou Curto

PV Financial Group announced that Lou Curto, one of its top retirement-plan advisors, has earned the specialized designation of professional plan consultant (PPC). Recent regulatory changes to the qualified-retirement-plan industry have made navigating through the process more difficult for business owners. These regulations have sparked an urgency to ensure that retirement-plan service professionals have specialized training and the resources to help sponsors meet their fiduciary and prudent-practice obligations. The PPC designation was developed by Financial Service Standards to help professionals who specialize in this increasingly regulated niche. Curto sat for a two-day training class, passed a comprehensive final exam, signed off on the FSS Code of Ethics, and committed to ongoing training in retirement-plan management. Curto specializes in working with business owners to help develop retirement-savings-plan options that help ensure maximum benefit to employees.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners Departments

AFFILIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• Jan. 7: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Ludlow Country Club, One Tony Lema Drive, Ludlow. “Putting the PIONEER Back in Pioneer Valley” is the name of the program, to be led by Paul Silva, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors, and Natasha Clark, founder of LionessMagazine.com. Saluting: Dr. Mark Keroack, new CEO of Baystate Health, and Andrew Associates, celebrating its 30th anniversary. Cost: $20 for members ($25 at the door), $30 for general admission.

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

• Jan. 12: “Getting Down to Business about Business,” 8-9 a.m., hosted by Web-tactics Inc., 83 Main St., Easthampton. Mayor Karen Cadieux will be available for casual question-and-answer sessions. RSVP to the chamber at (413) 527-9414 by Jan. 1.
• Jan. 22: Chamber Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, 5 p.m., hosted by Southampton Country Club. The event will feature presentation of Business of the Year awards and celebrate member milestones. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 527-9414 or e-mail [email protected]
• Feb. 14: 2nd Annual Easthampton WinterFest — Fall in Love with Winter, starting at 11 a.m. The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce invite you to the WinterFest, a community-wide event that features family-friendly winter activities held throughout the day. They include an historical ice harvest on Nashawannuck Pond, horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing, snow sculpture, a chili cook-off, a community bonfire, and much more. There will also be winter-themed indoor activities for all ages. Most events are free or by donation. A lineup of the day’s events will be posted on www.nashawannuckpond.org.

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

• Jan. 8: Winners Circle 2015 Reception, 5-7 p.m., at the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Ross Insurance. We invite you to attend this enjoyable event where we honor all of our local and state elected officials. Tickets are $27. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Jan. 13: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business — Finding a Location,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the chamber office, 177 High St., Holyoke. Join us in this workshop series as members of the chamber teach members of the community the steps it takes to build a successful business. Cost: $20 per session or $175 for the series.

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

• Jan. 7: Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., at McKenney Electric, 100 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by King & Cushman. Cost: $10 for chamber members.
• Jan. 27: New member orientation, 3-4 p.m., at the chamber office, 99 Pleasant St. This is the chance to tell us more about your business and how the chamber can best serve you. Meet other new members and learn how to make to the most of your chamber membership. Admission is free. RSVP to (413) 584-1900 or [email protected].

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

• Jan. 5: January Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at MoFroYo, Little River Plaza, 617 East Main St., Westfield. This event is free and open to the public. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618 or e-mail [email protected].
• Jan. 14: January After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at the Arbors of Westfield, 40 Court St. Sponsored by Susan Allen Financial. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members. Refreshments will be served. Bring your business cards and make connections. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

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

• Jan. 15: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Lattitude, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. One must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while social networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. Please note that we cannot invoice you for these events. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

Business@Breakfast
Jan. 7: The entrepreneurial spirit of the region will take center stage at the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s Business@Breakfast on Jan. 7, from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Ludlow Country Club, One Tony Lema Dr., Ludlow. Paul Silva, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors (VVM), will discuss “Putting the PIONEER Back in Pioneer Valley.” He will be joined by Natasha Clark, founder of LionessMagazine.com, a Western Mass.-based, all-digital magazine for the female entrepreneur. VVM is a nonprofit based in Springfield that provides key support to the entrepreneurial ecosystem through its mentorship and accelerator programs. Silva is the manager of the River Valley Investors angel-investor network and co-founder of the Valley Venture Mentors entrepreneurship-mentoring program and All in Play, a company creating software that helps the blind socialize with their fully sighted friends and families as equals. He is the former president of the co-working space and incubator Click Workspace. The breakfast will also honor Dr. Mark Keroack on his new role as CEO of Baystate Health, and recognize Andrew Associates on its 30th anniversary in business. Reservations are $20 for ACCGS members in advance ($25 for members at the door) and $30 for general admission. Reservations are suggested and can be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

WNEU Mini-Law School
Feb. 10 to March 10: Western New England University School of Law will open its doors to the community with a five-week program focused on demystifying the law. Starting on Feb. 10, the Mini-Law School will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Blake Law Center, Room D, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. “Individuals interested in becoming better-informed and engaging in stimulating dialogue will find this program rewarding,” said Pat Newcombe, associate dean for Library and Information Resources. “No legal knowledge is necessary, just a curious mind.” Mini-Law School offers non-lawyers an understanding of legal topics that impact their everyday lives. Each class is taught by School of Law faculty and moderated by the Hon. Kenneth Neiman, magistrate judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. Blending theory and practice, the classes will focus on family law, health law, constitutional law, and environmental law. The sessions include:
• Feb. 10: “Welcome to Mini-Law School: An Inside View of Law School and the Courts,” presented by Neiman and School of Law Dean Eric Gouvin;
• Feb. 17: “Family Law: What Defines a Family?” presented by 
Professor of Law Jennifer Levi and Neiman;
• Feb. 24: “Health Law: End-of-Life Choices,” presented by 
Professor of Law Barbara Noah and Neiman;
• March 3: “Constitutional Law: Real Law or Just Another Kind of Politics?” presented by Professor of Law Bruce Miller and Neiman; and
• March 10: “Environmental Law: Legal Solutions to Pollution Challenges,” presented by 
Professor of Law Julie Steiner and Neiman.
“After five weeks, you won’t be a lawyer,” said Western New England University Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Beth Cohen, “but you will be able to better understand laws that have an effect on your life, and, unlike traditional law school, there are no tests or homework.” Tuition is $35 for all five sessions, or $10 for each individual session. The program is free of charge for any high-school, college, or graduate student with a valid student ID. To register by phone or for more information, call Newcombe at (413) 782-1616. Registration will continue through Jan. 19. Learn more at www.law.wne.edu/minilaw.

Difference Makers
March 19: The sixth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event will be published in upcoming issues of the magazine. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. The magazine’s editor and publishers are currently reviewing nominations, and this year’s class will be profiled in the Feb. 9 issue.

Origami-inspired Art Exhibit
Through April 26: “Origami Interpretations,” an exhibit of 25 vibrant paintings, sculptures, and prints by New York artist Gloria Garfinkel, will be on view at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum through April 26. The works, produced in the late 20th century, feature bold color, energetic patterns, and abstract compositions inspired by Japanese designs and origami forms. The artist, whose work combines complex geometry and painterly invention, is particularly fascinated by the kimono, the traditional dress of Japan, and the obi, the wide sash that is worn as a belt with it. She appreciates the “beauty and tenacity” expressed through the garments and notes that Japanese women continually recycle and layer fabrics to create unique looks and patterns. Garfinkel is also inspired by the color-field artists of the mid-20th century who explored different optical effects by manipulating their canvases. Garfinkel carefully arranges her forms in very specific ways to create a uniquely approachable and participatory aesthetic experience. The exhibition features pieces from Garfinkel’s series “Gingko Kimono,” collaged etchings from the late 1980s; paintings inspired by the obi; etchings from the “Kiku” (chrysanthemum) series; Kado woodcut prints; Hanabi maquettes; and aluminum flip paintings.

40 Under Forty
June 18: The ninth annual 40 Under Forty award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event, which honors the region’s most accomplished and civic-minded professionals under age 40, will be published in upcoming issues. Nominations are now open for the class of 2015, and are due by the end of the day (5 p.m.) on Feb. 6. The nomination form can be found at HERE, in this issue, and in upcoming issues.

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments

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

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Hikaru Taketani, father and next friend of Kazuki Takeni, a minor v. Northfield Mount Hermon School
Allegation: Breach of educational services and wrongful expulsion: $10,000+
Filed: 11/12/14

Roy Varney v. General Motors, LLC
Allegation: Product liability, breach of express and implied warranties. Vehicle airbags did not deploy causing serious injury and permanent injury: $25,000+
Filed: 11/7/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
B.S.C. Realty Inc. v. Baystate Gas Co. d/b/a Columbia Gas of MA
Allegation: Explosion caused by negligent puncture of an underground pipe at 91 Taylor St.: $500,000
Filed: 11/13/14

Frances Jacques v. Suburban Propane Gas Co. d/b/a Punderson Oil Co.
Allegation: Negligence in fuel-oil delivery causing release into basement of home: $175,000
Filed: 11/5/14

Gordon L. Goldsmith Jr. v. Axiom Capital, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment of promissory note: $100,017.59
Filed: 11/21/14

Plumbing and Heating Supply Inc. a/k/a Langone Pipeline and Utility Contractors v. Carlysle Engineering Inc.
Allegation: Negligence and failure to follow required job specs causing damage: $31,697.25
Filed: 11/5/14

TerraSmart, LLC v. Sunpin Solar, LLC and Deming Family Nominee Trust
Allegation: Failure to pay under the terms of a construction contract: $196,463.05
Filed: 11/6/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Astro Chemicals Inc. v. Lansal Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,798.16
Filed: 10/23/14

Lisa Johnson v. M-Scribe Technologies Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay wages: $3,500+
Filed: 11/7/14

Marlent Johnson v. A.T.C. Home Improvement and Kenton Johnson
Allegation: Confirmation of an award set by arbitrator: $7,824.72
Filed 11/10/14

Olivia Weson v. Briarwood Three, LLC, Madison Square Realty Management, Clark HVAC, Union Mutual of Vermont
Allegation: Negligence and breach of duty to maintain property causing carbon-monoxide poisoning: $13,560.77
Filed: 11/3/14

Robert Billings III v. New Castle Building Products Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay overtime: $5,633.56
Filed: 11/10/14

Warren Slates v. Hulmes Transportation
Allegation: Negligence in operation and failure to attach restraints: $5,000
Filed: 10/29/14

WMECO v. Associated Building Wreckers Inc.
Allegation: While digging with heavy equipment, Defendant struck plaintiff’s electrical facilities: $12,248.02
Filed: 10/29/14

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Mount Tom Box Co. v. Renz America Co. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $19,520.94
Filed: 10/20/14

Picture This

By
Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

Holiday Party

Christmas-PresentsChristmasBookPartyThe annual children’s party held by WTCC 90.7 FM, the community radio station at Springfield Technical Community College, provides gifts (including books donated by Barnes & Noble), games, and a visit with Santa Claus for area children in need. Held on Dec. 20, the party also featured a visit by STCC Professor F. Davis Johnson, a member of the WTCC board of directors, who donated copies of the children’s book he wrote.














Meeting of the Minds

FamilPorttraitSpringfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper recently hosted a holiday gathering at her residence on campus for the presidents of the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield (CCGS). Pictured, from left, are Springfield Technical Community College President Ira Rubenzahl, Cooper, Holyoke Community College President William Messner, Elms College President Sr. Mary Reap, Westfield State University Interim President Elizabeth Preston, Bay Path University President Carol Leary, and American International College President Vincent Maniaci. Due to a prior commitment, Western New England University President Anthony Caprio was unable to attend. The CCGS, formed in 1971 by the presidents of its eight member institutions, is an educational consortium that fosters the sharing of programs, talents, and facilities in an effort to bring to the Greater Springfield area the educational resources of a university while retaining the initiative and vitality of independent institutions.

Editorial

By
Opinion
Five Reasons to Be Optimistic About 2015

As the curtain comes down on 2014, a memorable year in many respects and one that produced large doses of momentum across the region, there are many reasons for optimism when it comes to the year ahead.

No one can truly predict what will happen regionally, nationally, or internationally in the months to come, but most signs are pointing to new levels of properity and vibrancy for the region. Here are five reasons for the business community to welcome the new year with its head up.

• An Improving Economy. Granted, not all businesses or business sectors saw bottom-line improvements in 2014, but many did, and both hard and anecdotal evidence reveals that something approaching real recovery may finally visit this region after steering clear of it since the Great Recession officially ended in 2009.

Indeed, jobless rates have improved, the housing market is slowly inching its way back up, and business confidence, as measured by Associated Industries of Mass. and other groups, has been steadily rising.

Even gasoline prices are cooperating in a big way. While they scare investors because of their potential to stifle the all-important energy industry, cheaper gas and oil are boons for consumers and business owners alike, and they amount to a huge stimulus package that puts money into the economy.

• The Casino. It will be at least two and a half years before anyone pushes the buttons on a slot machine, doubles down at the blackjack table, or brings a convention to the hotel being built by MGM. But one can already sense that the $800 million facility soon to rise in the South End is generating not only excitement, but opportunity.

Downtown Springfield’s commercial real-estate market is finally picking up steam; the long-suffering construction sector will soon have some long-term, lucrative work; and the tourism sector is aglow with expectation about what the casino will mean for the convention business. Meanwhile, the casino’s promise is spurring action on some long-delayed projects like the Court Square revitalization.

• Subway Cars. As we’ve written before, the announcement that Changchun Railway Co. will be building subway cars at the former Westinghouse site in East Springfield is positive news on several levels. It will bring jobs, and the kinds of well-paying jobs that everyone wants, but it has also brought a sense of accomplishment, a feeling that, yes, things like this can really happen here. And sometimes, developments like this one can give a region and its economic-development leaders a huge boost of confidence.

• A Surging University of Massachusetts. President Robert Caret announced recently that he will be leaving the university to take the helm at the University of Maryland. While that’s a setback in some ways — Caret brought strong direction to the school — UMass has in many ways reached a critical turning point when it comes to being the economic engine the state and this region always hoped it would be, and there seems little chance of it falling back.

While many of the recent developments at the school have involved Springfield, the impact is truly region-wide, with projects ranging from the High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke to the recently announced plans to establish a National Aeronautics Research, Development, and Training Center at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, with UMass Amherst as the lead institution. Expect more of the same in the months and years to come.

• A Focus on Entrepreneurship. This may well be the most compelling reason for optimism in the region, because this area will need much more than a casino to recover. It will need thousands of new jobs and opportunities to retain the young people who grew up here or attended college here. And the recent focus on fostering entrepreneurship — best exemplified by Valley Venture Mentors, its new accelerator program, and MassMutual’s Springfield Venture Fund — has the potential to provide both.

Springfield is not going to turn into Boston or Cambridge overnight, or even in a decade, most likely, but it will become a hub of entrepreneurial activity, and thus it can become home to dozens and perhaps hundreds of new startup companies.

For all these reasons and many more, 2015 is worthy of the growing sense of optimism this region is experiencing.

Editorial 2

By
Opinion
Another Company Bets on Springfield

It has been written — and Aaron St. John believes it’s true — that economic development is a three-legged stool, with the legs being access to talent, quality of life, and access to capital. A region with all three, the theory goes, should be able to attract and retain businesses and, in some cases, foster entire industries.

When it comes to Western Mass., quality of life has never been in question. Families and employers alike praise the region’s lower cost of living than, say, Boston, as well as its natural resources, myriad recreation opportunities, and access to major highways and Bradley International Airport, just to name a few traits.

And the talent being pumped out by the Pioneer Valley’s colleges and universities is unquestioned; the challenge has always been keeping them in the region with attractive career opportunities.

But St. John, co-founder of video-game developer HitPoint Studios (see related story page 6), says accessing capital hasn’t always been easy for entrepreneurs in Western Mass. — but that’s changing. His company recently won $1.25 million in funding from River Valley Investors and MassMutual’s Springfield Venture Fund, two entities that provide capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses trying to grow in Western Mass.

And efforts to keep talent local have picked up steam in recent years as well, with the rise of entities like Valley Venture Mentors, Tech Foundry, and others dedicated to mentoring and training the kind of workforce that companies looking to locate or grow here will need.

HitPoint is only six years old, but its rapid growth and reputation in the social and mobile gaming world — and its rising image as an independent game developer — makes its move last week to downtown Springfield big news. More accurately, it’s one more headline in what has become a string of activity downtown, with entrepreneurs, established businesses, and colleges all clamoring to have a presence on or near Main Street.

But is Springfield really a better landing spot for a promising game developer than, say, Cambridge or Silicon Valley, just to name two regions where investors were actively checking out HitPoint? St. John and company co-founder Paul Hake say yes — and they believe there’s room for many other firms in their field to grow alongside them.

In fact, some are already here. Two years ago, Hampshire College hosted a symposium of area companies involved in video-game design and development, and the overriding message that day was that there’s no reason why Greater Springfield or the broader Pioneer Valley can’t become a recognized hub for that industry.

Cambridge didn’t become the impressive high-tech cluster it is today overnight. Neither did the Research Triangle in North Carolina. Both, however, took advantage, in various ways, of those three stool legs: access to talent, quality of life, and access to capital.

They also benefited from huge doses of creativity, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit, and we believe this region possesses those in spades. And every bit of news about a company growing in the Valley or taking a chance on Springfield only makes that clearer.

St. John said he wants people to look at his industry, and other high-tech clusters, and ask, “why not Western Mass.?”

Good question.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2014.

AGAWAM

JK Real Estate, LLC
221 Springfield St.
$1,300,000 — Alterations to existing building for car dealership

Six Flags
1623 Main St.
$20,000 — Renovations to create Blackout Maze

AMHERST

Jeffrey Krauth
373 Main St.
$9,000 — Renovations for massage room

Mercantile Buildings of Amherst
45 South Pleasant St.
$3,000 — Interior renovations

WD Cowles Inc.
113 Cowles Road
$10,000 — Structural stabilization and repairs

CHICOPEE

Curry Honda Body Shop
765 Memorial Dr.
$54,000 — Re-roof

Pioneer Valley Condo Association
114-120 Colonial Dr.
$56,000 — Strip and re-roof

Pride Convenience Inc.
167 Chicopee St.
$12,000 — 504-square-foot accessory building

GREENFIELD

D & G Holding Company, LLC
39 Beacon St.
$25,000 — Install new tile floor

John Chakalos
130 Colrain Road
$13,000 — Roof repairs

LUDLOW

PV Financial Group
535 Main St.
$23,000 — Re-shingle

PALMER

Allen Block
1005 Church St.
$45,000 — Build-out for hair salon

Pro Tech Energy Solutions
2183 Baptist Hill St.
$4,200,000 — Ground-mount solar PV

SOUTH HADLEY

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$25,000 — Install antennas

South Hadley Police Department
41 Bridge St.
$12,000 — Roof repairs

SOUTHWICK

Episcopalian Church
784 College Highway
$9,000 — Re-roof

SPRINGFIELD

Curtis Industrial
4 Birnie Ave.
$77,000 — Interior renovation of office

Dan Lauber
551 East Columbus Ave.
$20,000 — New roofing

Eastfield Mall
1655 Boston Road
$44,000 — New roofing

Edgeland Partners
162 Fort Pleasant Ave.
$20,000 — Fit-out for new business

JGT Mass, LLC
1391 Main St.
$120,000 — Fit-out for new business

WESTFIELD

City of Westfield
57 Twiss St.
$4,000,000 — Solar voltaic facility

Virginia Galaska
215 East Main St.
$5,500 — Exterior renovation

Real Estate Transactions

By
Departments Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

25 West Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $326,500
Buyer: Henry A. Kaminski
Seller: Edward V. Callahan
Date: 11/14/14

BERNARDSTON

75 Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Joseph E. Gruszkowski
Seller: Paul S. Fisher
Date: 11/20/14

49 Shedd Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Ament
Seller: Russell J. Woods
Date: 11/14/14

COLRAIN

13 Griswoldville St.
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $131,250
Buyer: Jade L. Mortimer
Seller: Aaron S. Cusimano
Date: 11/14/14

DEERFIELD

56 Boynton Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: 56 Boynton Road NT
Seller: Noyes, Edna J., (Estate)
Date: 11/10/14

18 Meadow Wood Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Stephanie Purington
Seller: Gretchen D. Burdick
Date: 11/25/14

ERVING

22 Wheelock St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Elinor L. Britt
Seller: Ursula J. Kersavage
Date: 11/21/14

GREENFIELD

918 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Joseph D. Stafford
Seller: Joseph E. Gruszkowski
Date: 11/20/14

55 Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Chani Craig
Seller: Richard A. Caracciolo
Date: 11/13/14

201 Davis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Jakob T. Conway
Seller: Richard D. Larsen
Date: 11/25/14

182 Fairview St. West
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Brian T. Lafave
Seller: Meagan L. Veith
Date: 11/21/14

41 Haywood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Chelsea Bailey
Seller: Timothy M. Gorts
Date: 11/26/14

43 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Oliver W. Steele
Seller: Gretchen Zwart
Date: 11/10/14

12 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Louis K. Barlow
Seller: Stephen M. Amidon
Date: 11/26/14

38 Spruce St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Vladimir Gheorghita
Seller: Kimberly A. Purvis
Date: 11/21/14

8 Woodard Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Fenwick LLP
Seller: Dougosz, Josephine M., (Estate)
Date: 11/13/14

HEATH

64 8 A S
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Sandra I. Oyola-Pike
Seller: FNMA
Date: 11/21/14

12 Town Farm Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Lee Griswold
Seller: Peter J. Bernard
Date: 11/25/14

LEYDEN

39 Frizzell Hill Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $304,935
Buyer: Flagstar Bank
Seller: Daniel R. Murley
Date: 11/10/14

MONTAGUE

58 Oakman St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Allyson A. Greene
Seller: Makarewica, Alice A., (Estate)
Date: 11/12/14

26 X St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Diane M. Morrison
Seller: Stephen Fishman
Date: 11/13/14

5-7 Church St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Richard J. Widmer
Seller: Shelley B. Kick
Date: 11/25/14

168 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01301
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Pamela J. McNamara
Date: 11/26/14

NORTHFIELD

40 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Sheridan
Seller: Callahan, John T., (Estate)
Date: 11/28/14

95 Hinsdale Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $140,333
Buyer: USA VA
Seller: Sean M. Klay
Date: 11/10/14

282 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Andrew R. Campbell
Seller: Thomas A. Sheehan
Date: 11/20/14

ORANGE

176 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $146,219
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Matthew C. Kimball
Date: 11/26/14

59 High St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $127,420
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Mignonne D. Davis
Date: 11/20/14

47 Shelter St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Workers Credit Union
Seller: Wilfred J. Bolduc
Date: 11/19/14

Wheeler Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: DVK LLC
Seller: Wheeler Avenue RT
Date: 11/21/14

ROWE

6 Kings Hwy.
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Paul E. Hurtig
Seller: Helene S. Glass RET
Date: 11/13/14

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

74 Bessbrook St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Henry E. Alvarado
Seller: Wisam Yacteen
Date: 11/21/14

10 Columbus St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $253,500
Buyer: Jiwan K. Chuwan
Seller: Gayle Akumianakis
Date: 11/21/14

39 Fordham Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: James M. Monteith
Seller: Robert W. Perry
Date: 11/21/14

26 Hemlock Ridge
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Robert G. Rowe
Seller: David A. Kraus
Date: 11/14/14

11 Highland Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Anthony B. Torino
Seller: Lisa N. Wild
Date: 11/12/14

47-49 James Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Muhammad A. Razzaq
Seller: Francesco R. Depergola
Date: 11/21/14

60 James St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Alexis K. Simmons
Seller: Francis B. Liebel
Date: 11/21/14

41-43 Ley St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Baldwin Street Realty LLC
Seller: 253 Center St Props Inc.
Date: 11/18/14

30 Logan Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Fox
Seller: John J. Martin
Date: 11/14/14

455 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $166,400
Buyer: Paula S. Wittenberg
Seller: Stephen Labun
Date: 11/25/14

1410 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $189,500
Buyer: Denis M. Lachapelle
Seller: William A. Saltman
Date: 11/14/14

Mark Dr. #12A
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Langone Realty Corp
Seller: Norman A. Pelley
Date: 11/13/14

104 North St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Alan E. Boissonneault
Seller: Suzanne Griffin
Date: 11/26/14

32 Oak Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Michael Lyman
Seller: Lee J. Simmons
Date: 11/21/14

111 Pineview Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Michael E. Crean
Seller: Robert G. Rowe
Date: 11/14/14

41 Stewart Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Edward Lisouski
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 11/24/14

BRIMFIELD

110 John Haley Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $187,655
Buyer: Michael C. Egan
Seller: Pelletier, Brian P., (Estate)
Date: 11/14/14

6 Saint Clair Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Bank New York
Seller: Michelle Cox
Date: 11/10/14

295 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Brian S. Sacerdote
Seller: FNMA
Date: 11/20/14

151 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $272,450
Buyer: Lauryn N. Fennell
Seller: Benjamin J. Kreft
Date: 11/25/14

CHESTER

102 Old State Hwy.
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Alos
Seller: Robert E. Hohenberger
Date: 11/25/14

CHICOPEE

100 Angela Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Jeremy Redmond
Seller: Donoghue, Kahtleen, (Estate)
Date: 11/21/14

99 Beaumont Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Joshua T. Malone
Seller: Marzena K. Samek
Date: 11/14/14

60 Beech St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $169,500
Buyer: Shaun R. Cote
Seller: DGL Properties LLC
Date: 11/14/14

90 Cambridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: John M. Mikkola
Seller: Wayne J. Conti
Date: 11/17/14

22 Cherryvale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Cecelia A. Devine
Seller: Jonathan J. Cassella
Date: 11/12/14

465 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Paul S. Greene
Seller: Jeffrey K. Toler
Date: 11/25/14

34 Clairmont Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $161,900
Buyer: Roger G. Williams
Seller: Donna M. Rowe-Scott
Date: 11/25/14

58 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $140,274
Buyer: Bank of America
Seller: Wesley C. Drum
Date: 11/24/14

23 Cochran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Brian W. Farnsworth
Seller: Michael Minkos
Date: 11/21/14

9 Deslauriers St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Alexander J. Rock
Seller: Shirley A. Gibson
Date: 11/25/14

48 Edward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Philip M. Donnelly
Seller: Diane M. Lapite
Date: 11/26/14

23 Farmington St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Joshua D. Provost
Seller: John J. Florek
Date: 11/18/14

247 Grove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Christine K. Racette
Date: 11/28/14

40 High St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $641,000
Buyer: Double D. Investments LLC
Seller: KV Properties LLC
Date: 11/10/14

16 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $219,170
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Shannon M. Gaud
Date: 11/20/14

77 Labelle Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $231,500
Buyer: Rafael Santos
Seller: Ellen M. Pray
Date: 11/25/14

37 Lapa Farm Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $235,625
Buyer: Christine M. Halama
Seller: Maria Koziol
Date: 11/17/14

28 Lucretia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,300
Buyer: MJT Properties LLC
Seller: Rooftop Properties Inc.
Date: 11/25/14

68 Mandalay Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Alyssa M. Os
Seller: Sharon E. Doucette
Date: 11/14/14

42 Monroe St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Alan L. Beaudry
Seller: James M. Roy
Date: 11/19/14

542 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Kelly R. Ryan
Seller: Lori A. Stpierre
Date: 11/19/14

10 Myrtle St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Anthony Resnick
Seller: Dorothy Randall
Date: 11/18/14

25 Myrtle St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $132,170
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Marc E. Chevalier
Date: 11/20/14

N/A
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Michael S. Poggi
Seller: GKRR Assocs.
Date: 11/20/14

162 Narragansett Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Oleksiy Zhyboyedov
Seller: Dennis J. Dunigan
Date: 11/14/14

12 Paradise St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $151,900
Buyer: Maria Maziarz
Seller: Gerald J. Carney
Date: 11/21/14

20 Park St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Daniel Branco
Seller: Alda M. Carreira
Date: 11/20/14

36 Rivers Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Helen Properties LLC
Seller: 36-38 Rivers Ave. Realty LLC
Date: 11/25/14

216 Rolf Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Robert J. Czajka
Seller: Paul Kreminec
Date: 11/28/14

46 Saint James Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Seller: Yellowbrick Management Inc.
Date: 11/20/14

4 Searles St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $123,500
Buyer: Bruce A. Benson
Seller: Nicki M. Brunetti
Date: 11/20/14

51 Sunnyside St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Sandra Mosher
Seller: Cheryl Boissonnault
Date: 11/14/14

14 Westport Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Dawson
Seller: Stoner FT
Date: 11/26/14

57 White Birch Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $186,712
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Steven Gonet
Date: 11/13/14

EAST LONGMEADOW

100 Franconia Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ryan T. Morton
Seller: Gary O. Metzger
Date: 11/21/14

40 Mapleshade Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Jeffrey S. Zuccalo
Seller: Hall, Phyllis, (Estate)
Date: 11/10/14

216 Mapleshade Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Stephen Bilia
Seller: Latourelle, Robert L., (Estate)
Date: 11/26/14

11 Savoy Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: John F. Benjamin
Seller: Mark J. Hardy
Date: 11/10/14

143 Windham Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Lynn M. Rowland
Seller: Ned S. Schwarz
Date: 11/26/14

77 Wood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Jung Kang
Seller: Jambazian, Barbara F., (Estate)
Date: 11/14/14

GRANVILLE

421 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Ashley N. Rescigno
Seller: Jay C. Goguen
Date: 11/24/14

133 South Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Paula J. Cross
Seller: Judith M. Smith
Date: 11/14/14

HAMPDEN

548 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: David J. Nadeau
Seller: Jenifer P. Fasano
Date: 11/21/14

9 River Park Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $178,900
Buyer: Jeffrey P. Jones
Seller: Joan E. Gentile
Date: 11/17/14

HOLLAND

17 Brandon St.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Lee M. Vaillancourt
Date: 11/28/14

28 Forest Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $214,700
Buyer: Vanessa Suarez
Seller: Bruce N. Laprade
Date: 11/17/14

4 Maybrook Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: William J. Fonner
Seller: Mackenzie E. Langley
Date: 11/21/14

HOLYOKE

43 Arden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Kristen A. Shea
Seller: Terrance W. Leary
Date: 11/17/14

10 George St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Todd A. McGee
Seller: Kathleen Plasse
Date: 11/26/14

22 Knollwood Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Connor M. Dooley
Seller: Robert J. Rose
Date: 11/21/14

653 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Melinda S. Couture
Seller: Joan M. Archambault
Date: 11/24/14

12 Roosevelt Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Jessica Rosario
Seller: John Henriques
Date: 11/26/14

226-230 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: 228 Sargeant Street LLC
Seller: Warren T. Barnshaw
Date: 11/21/14

31 Sheehan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $154,500
Buyer: Joseph Zurheide
Seller: Roger W. Fournier
Date: 11/12/14

44 Taylor St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $194,500
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Cynthia A. Ward
Date: 11/13/14

6 Upland Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: James Brunelle
Seller: Richard C. Page
Date: 11/24/14

276 Whitney Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Elaine A. Pluta
Seller: Lisa P. Thomas
Date: 11/12/14

LONGMEADOW

104 Albemarle Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $227,200
Buyer: Christopher E. Distefano
Seller: George B. Ackley
Date: 11/21/14

21 Ashford Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Michael A. Waterhouse
Seller: Anna M. Camerota
Date: 11/14/14

105 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Daniel B. Waterman
Seller: I Buysellhomes LLC
Date: 11/25/14

52 Fairway Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Ryan Lee
Seller: Thomas C. Corbett
Date: 11/21/14

22 Falmouth Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Rolland M. Combe
Seller: Daniels, Margaret P., (Estate)
Date: 11/10/14

256 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Peter M. Stearns
Seller: Cecelia I. Braica
Date: 11/21/14

154 Lawrence Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Daniel E. Blakesley
Seller: David L. Dambrov
Date: 11/21/14

951 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $673,930
Buyer: Aaron D. Kugelmass
Seller: Cynthia A. Pratt
Date: 11/21/14

207 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Donald J. Collins
Seller: Kurt S. Rachdorf
Date: 11/24/14

128 Meadow Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Penguin Realty Inc.
Seller: Ralph A. Merullo
Date: 11/12/14

183 Meadowbrook Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $269,467
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Cynthia J. Kulle
Date: 11/24/14

70 Shady Side Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Mark A. Camossi
Seller: Michael J. Pistrich
Date: 11/18/14

48 Willett Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Sharon A. Hart
Seller: Michael N. Taniwha
Date: 11/18/14

LUDLOW

845 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Moran
Seller: Qualahnia K. Suggs
Date: 11/25/14

49 Essex St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Christine Casagrande
Seller: David M. Garcia
Date: 11/12/14

50 Maple St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Katherine M. Charron
Seller: Alain H. Ricard
Date: 11/25/14

15 Richmond Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Ryan B. Churchill
Seller: Peter M. Roxo
Date: 11/17/14

258 Sewall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Michael T. Stierle
Seller: Robert A. Chrzan
Date: 11/24/14

41 Susan Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Fernandes
Seller: Patrick D. Meffen
Date: 11/10/14

88 Wedgewood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Joel Marrero
Date: 11/25/14

211 Wedgewood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Eric J. Lacoste
Seller: David A. Gamache
Date: 11/19/14

111 Williams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Arlindo M. Alves
Seller: Clara Alves
Date: 11/19/14

26 Wilson St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Laurinda Marques
Seller: Peter W. Leonczyk
Date: 11/24/14

MONSON

55 Brimfield Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Christopher T. Harris
Seller: Diane M. Oppel
Date: 11/28/14

57 Carpenter Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Jessica J. Biron
Seller: Andrew P. Beaulieu
Date: 11/17/14

73 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Keelin White
Seller: Bank of America
Date: 11/10/14

4 Country Club Heights
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Brandon W. Houle
Seller: Normand M. Evon
Date: 11/14/14

121 Fenton Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Danielle L. Beaulieu
Seller: James R. Hosey
Date: 11/17/14

270 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Paul E. Kida
Seller: Kevin M. Brown
Date: 11/12/14

65 Stafford Hollow Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Christopher Lepoer
Seller: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Date: 11/12/14

13 Stewart Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $314,900
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Wicks
Seller: Peter A. Kuselias
Date: 11/13/14

PALMER

196 Breckenridge St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Kyle Gouvin
Seller: Angel S. Santiago
Date: 11/21/14

27 Converse St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Ronald P. Christensen
Seller: Thomas A. Curtis
Date: 11/17/14

3041 Hillside Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Tina R. Serrazina
Seller: Elizabeth A. Pobieglo
Date: 11/24/14

11 Holbrook St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: David G. Walker
Seller: Gerald F. Quesnel
Date: 11/14/14

22 Linda St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Joan L. Boudreau
Seller: Carol Pederzani
Date: 11/26/14

21 Norma St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $177,464
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Richard Zwyrbla
Date: 11/19/14

95 North St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Thomas F. Catarino
Seller: Mark A. Maynard
Date: 11/25/14

3005 Prospect St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $191,500
Buyer: Robert W. Manseau
Seller: High Street RT
Date: 11/26/14

RUSSELL

1067 General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Jeremy M. Donnelly
Seller: Joseph J. Malcovsky
Date: 11/14/14

50 Highland Ave.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Joseph T. Walsh
Seller: John L. Berry
Date: 11/24/14

SPRINGFIELD

763 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Christian R. McCollum
Seller: Robert E. McCollum
Date: 11/21/14

Andrew St. (ES)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $651,543
Buyer: Hunter Place Apartments
Seller: Hunter Place Associates
Date: 11/13/14

67 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Claudia Labour
Seller: Melro Associates Inc.
Date: 11/25/14

980 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: HS Holding LLC
Seller: Quality Properties LLC
Date: 11/21/14

50 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Bhola Gautam
Seller: Cheryl A. Stone
Date: 11/28/14

48 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Carol J. Flouton
Seller: Kevin R. O’Brien
Date: 11/25/14

36 Bonnyview St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $129,800
Buyer: Marlene Marshall
Seller: KGL Group LLC
Date: 11/20/14

1105 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Margarita Nieves
Seller: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Date: 11/12/14

628 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Kayrouz Realty LLC
Seller: Nicholas Ghaname
Date: 11/20/14

630 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Kayrouz Realty LLC
Seller: Nicholas Ghaname
Date: 11/20/14

115 Carnavon Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $124,000
Seller: Bonetti, Catherine B., (Estate)
Date: 11/14/14

14 Castle St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Evan Long
Seller: R. S. Cook
Date: 11/28/14

21 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 11/12/14

780 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Baystate Medical Center Inc.
Seller: Seven Eighty Club LLP
Date: 11/20/14

833 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Meggan M. Meade
Seller: Heriberto Flores
Date: 11/28/14

91-93 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $206,734
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Maritza Tejada
Date: 11/25/14

40 Covington St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Jashon A. Williams
Seller: Richard D. Horne
Date: 11/21/14

45 Duggan Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Wilmarie Crespo
Seller: Juan Valdes
Date: 11/20/14

22 Dunbar St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Tony D. Vo
Seller: Igor Gustev
Date: 11/26/14

8 Ellery St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Malynda M. Riopelle
Seller: Joseph C. Basile
Date: 11/10/14

146 Endicott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Adrian Piris
Seller: Jason Balut
Date: 11/17/14

86 Fairfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Julia Estela
Seller: Sanyalee Dejesus
Date: 11/25/14

26 Flora St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Joseph P. Raiche
Seller: Calvin P. Richard
Date: 11/14/14

155 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Joanne O’Connor
Seller: Eagle Home Buyers LLC
Date: 11/12/14

103 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Ernestine C. Bess
Seller: Iswald, Tanya, (Estate)
Date: 11/19/14

36 Gates Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Warren L. Barnett
Seller: John P. Jarzabski
Date: 11/20/14

128 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $155,500
Buyer: Johanna C. Cecilia
Seller: Jermaine J. Barnett
Date: 11/14/14

33 Hardy St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Nana Anowuo
Seller: Connie-Jo Russo
Date: 11/19/14

60-62 Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $120,600
Buyer: Eric D. Gordon
Seller: Robert F. Chalero
Date: 11/13/14

161 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 11/12/14

22-24 Lawndale St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Lawndale Street RT
Seller: William A. Dowell
Date: 11/26/14

83 Mallowhill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Brett D. Kalish
Seller: Couture Partners LLC
Date: 11/20/14

60 Marmon St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Nancie B. Anzivino
Seller: Marek Dybacki
Date: 11/21/14

75 Merida St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $121,500
Buyer: Aniceto R. Reyes
Seller: John W. Bryant
Date: 11/14/14

13 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Orange Park Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Roxanna Fredette
Date: 11/26/14

306 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Best Pizza Inc.
Seller: Elmon LLC
Date: 11/14/14

199 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $151,500
Buyer: John P. Cadigan
Seller: Paul M. Lafleur
Date: 11/21/14

125 Roanoke Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Wayne D. Robinson
Seller: Michael T. McNally
Date: 11/14/14

718 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Nadine S. Michel
Seller: John B. Young
Date: 11/13/14

105 South Shore Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Joyce Porter-Debose
Seller: Gladys E. Cousineau
Date: 11/12/14

156 Spikenard Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Easton A. Coffie
Seller: Nancie B. Anzivino
Date: 11/21/14

99 Strong St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Alex Dobiecki
Seller: James F. Moriarty
Date: 11/20/14

501 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Petrakis Realty LLC
Seller: David Seaman
Date: 11/24/14

176 Tamarack Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $180,300
Buyer: Juliana F. Castrillon
Seller: Kathleen M. Brenner
Date: 11/17/14

23 Thornfell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Anned M. Soto
Seller: Kevin J. Tessier
Date: 11/17/14

471 Trafton Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: John W. Zizik
Seller: Kevin M. O’Connor
Date: 11/12/14

40 Westbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Barbeau
Seller: Sandra J. Moore
Date: 11/20/14

72 Westbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jason Hansen
Seller: Agnes A. Barber
Date: 11/17/14

62 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,500
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Tony Anthony
Date: 11/20/14

625 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Tuan Truong
Seller: Chuong T. Nguyen
Date: 11/13/14

Williamsburg Dr. #36
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Raban LLC
Seller: FNMA
Date: 11/25/14

83 Wilton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Victor M. Aguirre
Seller: James F. Fahey
Date: 11/28/14

73 Woodcrest Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Marianne Alvarado
Seller: Josephine C. Muska
Date: 11/21/14

SOUTHWICK

14 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Seller: Gail J. Lariviere
Date: 11/19/14

71 Buckingham Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Bank of America
Seller: Marjorie A. Keating
Date: 11/18/14

114 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joshua D. Bradway
Seller: Glowacki, Jean M., (Estate)
Date: 11/14/14

117 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Erin M. Laughlin
Seller: Janet A. Ghareeb
Date: 11/17/14

17 George Loomis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Larry H. Phillips
Seller: RBS Citizens Bank
Date: 11/21/14

298 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Matthew J. King
Seller: Paula S. Wittenberg
Date: 11/25/14

28 Grove St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $447,000
Buyer: Donald E. Coffin
Seller: William D. Acquaro
Date: 11/25/14

Mort Vining Road #3
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Valeriy Solokhin
Seller: B&B Construction Inc.
Date: 11/20/14

27 Pineywood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Kerri Francis
Seller: New England Remodeling
Date: 11/25/14

124 Point Grove Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Jeremy R. Becker
Seller: Regina F. Bates
Date: 11/14/14

53 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Jason M. Derosier
Seller: Mark S. Fletcher
Date: 11/18/14

24 Veteran St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Margaret G. Graveline
Seller: Robert J. Rzasa
Date: 11/12/14

154 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Irene Roy
Seller: Margaret A. McCool
Date: 11/24/14

33 Woodland Ridge
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $199,719
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Jeffrey A. Stenberg
Date: 11/17/14

WEST SPRINGFIELD

217 Ashley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Ann M. Clark
Seller: Maria Villandry
Date: 11/14/14

6 Austin Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $446,500
Buyer: Sanjana Pai
Seller: John D. Eaton

61 Chestnut St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Joseph W. Renaud
Seller: David Gamelli
Date: 11/21/14

30 Cottage St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $134,500
Buyer: Paw Htoo
Seller: KANDC Associates LLC
Date: 11/13/14

674 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Brice W. Herrick
Seller: Scott T. McCoy
Date: 11/14/14

72 George St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Sarupa Rai
Seller: John J. Murphy
Date: 11/21/14

10 Lower Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Dzemal Jusufbegovic
Seller: Richard F. Seidell
Date: 11/21/14

16 North St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Christine M. Langone
Seller: David D. Delnero
Date: 11/21/14

76 Old Barn Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Jeffrey K. Toler
Seller: Robin M. Parent
Date: 11/25/14

14 Orchardview St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Christine M. Amsden
Seller: Cheryl A. Hohmann
Date: 11/26/14

146 Overlook Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: I. Fernandez-Almodovar
Seller: Gerard Desjardins
Date: 11/28/14

55 Partridge Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Michael N. Beaudry
Seller: Frederick C. Bell
Date: 11/18/14

18-20 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Cumberland Farms Inc.
Seller: Julia Reynoso
Date: 11/14/14

74 Russell St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Parsu R. Sinchuri
Seller: Lilia Dzhenzherukha
Date: 11/28/14

35-A Summit St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $158,500
Buyer: TEL Properties LLC
Seller: Thomas J. Alouise
Date: 11/26/14

39-41 Summit St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $158,500
Buyer: TEL Properties LLC
Seller: Thomas J. Alouise
Date: 11/26/14

WESTFIELD

35 Bowdoin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $131,000
Buyer: Derek Burdick
Seller: William T. Daley
Date: 11/28/14

7 Brentwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: William F. Carlin
Seller: Luiz, Bernardino Jr., (Estate)
Date: 11/21/14

15 Briarcliff Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $156,052
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Patrick J. Flynn
Date: 11/12/14

48 Brookline Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Albert D. Bakalis
Seller: Henry E. Rivera
Date: 11/10/14

40 Butternut Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $266,500
Buyer: Scott McCoy
Seller: William J. Persch
Date: 11/14/14

34 Cross St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Jason R. Fiore
Seller: Brian S. Winters
Date: 11/21/14

27 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $116,900
Buyer: Scot A. Lambert
Seller: Killips, Robert J., (Estate)
Date: 11/21/14

40 Darby Dr.
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: William Lemanski
Seller: Alcide E. Galarneau
Date: 11/24/14

32 Denise Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $149,330
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jeffrey A. Emken
Date: 11/25/14

14 Grandview Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $174,500
Buyer: Phoebe L. Harris
Seller: David G. Carpenter
Date: 11/25/14

498 Loomis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Benjamin A. Lisheness
Seller: Ian A. Scott
Date: 11/14/14

191 Munger Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Alyssa M. Goodreau
Seller: Joseph F. Rizza
Date: 11/14/14

49 Old Farm Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: William Daley
Seller: Michael J. Callahan
Date: 11/28/14

209 Pochassic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Maureen A. Phelon
Seller: Sandra J. Oliver
Date: 11/25/14

466 Pochassic Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Carl M. Schwarzenbach
Seller: Leah R. Swords
Date: 11/13/14

167 Prospect St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $278,500
Buyer: David S. Prouty
Seller: Kathryn V. Roberts
Date: 11/26/14

60 Riverside Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Sonia Aube
Seller: Edward J. Barrett
Date: 11/13/14

538 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Robert E. Calsetta
Seller: Susan M. Tatro
Date: 11/13/14

28 Southgate Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Brian G. Chen
Seller: Scott A. Spear
Date: 11/21/14

20 Stephanie Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,900
Buyer: Christopher Wiggs
Seller: Aspen Props Holdings LLC
Date: 11/19/14

WILBRAHAM

5 Beechwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Blake H. Gelonese
Seller: Bronislaw L. Sajdak
Date: 11/20/14

2 Brooklawn Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: William F. Brenner
Seller: Edward C. Coffey
Date: 11/26/14

2 Carla Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Patrick Meffen
Seller: AC Homebuilding LLC
Date: 11/10/14

77 Cherry Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $329,605
Buyer: Bronislaw L. Sajdak
Seller: 2301 Boston Road LLC
Date: 11/20/14

35 Decorie Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $233,000
Buyer: Willard W. Boss
Seller: Ronald C. Nobbs
Date: 11/21/14

151 East Longmeadow Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Juan C. Rodriguez-Lopez
Seller: Joseph P. Raiche
Date: 11/14/14

1 Manor Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Julie A. Russell
Seller: Richard S. Stamm
Date: 11/12/14

11 Merrill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Megan R. Buckley
Seller: Andrew E. Litowitz
Date: 11/26/14

7 Red Gap Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Scott Kertenis
Seller: H&L Tassinari Builders Inc.
Date: 11/20/14

34 Sandlewood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $419,779
Buyer: Joseph R. Kennedy
Seller: Mile Oak Land Holdings
Date: 11/21/14

Sandlewood Dr. #36
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $406,746
Buyer: Joanne Mary Guadio TR
Seller: Mile Oak Land Holdings
Date: 11/14/14

180 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Peter Goodale
Seller: Annie C. Zheng
Date: 11/10/14

1 Winterberry Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Gary D. Poehler
Seller: Winterberry LLC
Date: 11/13/14

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

7 Bayberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $344,000
Buyer: Mary V. Dougherty
Seller: Paul E. Drummond
Date: 11/20/14

66 Bridge St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $168,500
Buyer: Zachary B. Fried
Seller: Fina, Angela C., (Estate)
Date: 11/21/14

16 Edge Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Lei Lian
Seller: Kimberly Y. Chicone
Date: 11/24/14

40 Elf Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $271,300
Buyer: Ramin Soltani
Seller: Matthew J. Pogoda
Date: 11/21/14

Harris St. #69
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: UFP Eastern Division Inc.
Seller: Harris Milk Transport Co.
Date: 11/12/14

25 Merrick Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $160,155
Buyer: Dennis Cavaliere
Seller: David H. Glassberg
Date: 11/10/14

29 Mill Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: 29 Mill Lane TR
Seller: Mill Lane NT
Date: 11/14/14

132 Northampton Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Keedy
Seller: Ashley D. Keedy
Date: 11/18/14

80 Pine St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $297,750
Buyer: Killian O’Connell
Seller: Liza A. Bouchard
Date: 11/24/14

89 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $319,684
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Lewis R. Fleischner
Date: 11/24/14

BELCHERTOWN

202 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $314,900
Buyer: Jonathan J. Cassella
Seller: Daren E. Winckel
Date: 11/13/14

25 Chestnut Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Christine E. Wanat
Seller: Francesco Dellolio
Date: 11/10/14

14 Edelcy Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Caitlin M. Waskiewicz
Seller: Max W. Bock
Date: 11/21/14

617 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Jane E. Jalbert
Seller: Stanley H. Libucha
Date: 11/20/14

234 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Ferrier
Seller: Elizabeth A. Jekot
Date: 11/25/14

88 Gold St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $132,678
Buyer: USA
Seller: Bruce J. Sibya
Date: 11/13/14

123 Granby Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $383,000
Buyer: Jacqueline M. Fredenburgh
Seller: Jeffrey H. Mckie
Date: 11/26/14

39 Grenwich Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Donald J. Powers
Seller: Thomas A. Ciolek
Date: 11/14/14

24 Nathaniel Way
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Pacheco
Seller: Jacqueline Fredenburgh
Date: 11/26/14

Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: LJ Development LLC
Seller: Wilson, Robert A., (Estate)
Date: 11/26/14

29 Old Pelham Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Kate A. Sypek
Seller: Brenda M. Silva
Date: 11/26/14

27 Sherwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Rosary M. Blair
Seller: Richard D. White
Date: 11/24/14

64 South St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $265,500
Buyer: Michael T. McNally
Seller: Tadeusz Szadkowski
Date: 11/14/14

60 Summit St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Samuel O. Walker
Seller: David P. Wanczyk
Date: 11/25/14

255 West St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Frank E. Dzwonkoski
Date: 11/25/14

53 Wilson Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Joseph Baffour
Seller: Maxon, Kathleen, (Estate)
Date: 11/21/14

CUMMINGTON

13 Potash Hill Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Carol R. Stevenson
Seller: Judith M. Moore
Date: 11/14/14

EASTHAMPTON

12 Ballard St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $269,910
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Catherine Newsome
Date: 11/26/14

31 Bayberry Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $368,000
Buyer: Linfei Liu
Seller: Richard J. Shea
Date: 11/17/14

52 Campbell Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Edward J. Parr
Seller: William G. Massey
Date: 11/26/14

8 Clark Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Mary E. Bowen
Seller: Douglas A. Bowen
Date: 11/17/14

42 Division St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Sylvia A. Buzzee
Seller: Jacob Schrader
Date: 11/21/14

25 Dragon Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Michael B. Sundel
Seller: Joseph Wozniak
Date: 11/14/14

27 East Green St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Allison E. Guidry
Seller: Andrew R. Tilbe
Date: 11/19/14

17 Kingsberry Way
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Maria A. Colpack
Seller: Czelusniak Custom Homes
Date: 11/18/14

34 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Joseph Wozniak
Seller: Kyle M. Adamski
Date: 11/14/14

32 Treehouse Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Michelle Meyers
Seller: EH Homeownership LLC
Date: 11/25/14

34 Treehouse Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Regis Corvee
Seller: EH Homeownership LLC
Date: 11/14/14

15 Truehart Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: William Gnatek
Seller: Krieger, Dolores C., (Estate)
Date: 11/19/14

4 Wendell Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jesus J. Vega
Seller: Donald E. Macleod RET
Date: 11/25/14

48 Westview Terrace
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Eve S. Eichwald
Seller: Stanley E. Michalski
Date: 11/14/14

29 Zabek Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Kenneth P. Bachand
Seller: Thomas J. Colpack
Date: 11/14/14

GOSHEN

27 West St.
Goshen, MA 01026
Amount: $219,500
Buyer: Sherri L. Andrews
Seller: Clayton, Jenna, (Estate)
Date: 11/21/14

GRANBY

11 Acrebrook Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Jeremy L. Redmond
Date: 11/14/14

1 Greystone Ave.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $159,500
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Labrecque
Seller: James B. Bright
Date: 11/26/14

148 School St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $196,500
Buyer: Kenneth J. Poulin
Seller: William Martin

HADLEY

53 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Jason M. Kicza
Seller: Michael H. Spanknebel
Date: 11/24/14

13 Laurana Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $263,700
Buyer: Matthew Olszewski
Seller: Susan A. Scranton
Date: 11/21/14

15 Mount Warner Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Mark R. Moriarty
Seller: Russell, Elizabeth A., (Estate)
Date: 11/13/14

HUNTINGTON

2 Allen Coit Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Sandra L. Dunn
Seller: Westcott FT
Date: 11/20/14

13 East Main St.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $227,800
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Joshua M. Noonan
Date: 11/13/14

NORTHAMPTON

68 Bliss St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Ann S. Knickerbocker
Seller: Ellen T. Miller-Mack
Date: 11/14/14

18 Fairview Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Susan E. Stebbins
Seller: Kathleen Denning
Date: 11/26/14

78 Hawley St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Erin A. Moore
Seller: Paul L. Holt
Date: 11/21/14

202 Jackson St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Diane K. Merritt
Seller: Jonathan D. Richmond
Date: 11/12/14

14 Liberty St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Teresa J. Pianta
Seller: Adam L. Zucker
Date: 11/13/14

56 Lincoln Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Michael E. Staub
Seller: Gabriel T. Cade
Date: 11/14/14

17 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: EZMJ LLC
Seller: Marie L. Papillon
Date: 11/21/14

196 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $1,050,000
Buyer: 300 Elm Street LLC
Seller: Anne G. Marley
Date: 11/25/14

46 Marshall St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $268,500
Buyer: Rebecca M. Allen-Oleet
Seller: Panayotis Kevrekidis
Date: 11/26/14

127 Overlook Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Netania Shapiro
Seller: James L. Zieminski
Date: 11/25/14

155 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $369,000
Buyer: Kathryn I. Dominguez
Seller: Donna M. Riley
Date: 11/14/14

269 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Anne W. Hopkinson
Seller: Jane C. Kulis
Date: 11/14/14

242 South St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Lawson R. Wulsin
Seller: Edward A. Sr. & J. M. Towles TR
Date: 11/20/14

185 Spring Grove Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Engebretson
Seller: Thomas J. Coogan
Date: 11/14/14

305 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Lisa M. Lococo
Seller: James K. Dimos
Date: 11/21/14

PELHAM

44 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $292,075
Buyer: Gregory M. Chilenski
Seller: Ernest D. May
Date: 11/18/14

55 Buffam Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Alvarez
Seller: R. Mason Bunker RET
Date: 11/14/14

SOUTH HADLEY

10 Grandview St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $252,445
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Megan Smith
Date: 11/25/14

14 Hunter Terrace
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Devin R. Crawley
Seller: Edward F. Jackson
Date: 11/21/14

1 Lansing Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Susan Wilson
Seller: Alice H. Haber
Date: 11/14/14

23 Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Michael T. Wimer
Seller: Anthony T. Iannolo
Date: 11/13/14

8 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Patricia M. Stefanelli
Seller: Ronald Baldwin
Date: 11/24/14

286 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Amy L. Galik
Seller: Helen C. Casey
Date: 11/14/14

49 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Angela B. Haggerty
Seller: Anne M. Downey
Date: 11/24/14

6 Pheasant Run
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $378,000
Buyer: Mark R. Marion
Seller: Joseph M. Nolan
Date: 11/20/14

31 Pine Hill Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Mary H. Damato
Seller: Kimberly R. Greaney
Date: 11/18/14

4 Rita Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Ian P. Lariviere
Seller: Stephen C. Scherlin
Date: 11/14/14

21 Spring Meadows
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Jason S. Balut
Seller: Ruth A. Doyle RET
Date: 11/17/14

36 Summit St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Brandon Adams
Seller: William F. McManus
Date: 11/20/14

3 Woodcrest Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $399,990
Buyer: Timdee Rainey Inv. LLC
Seller: Robert L. Mathieu
Date: 11/26/14

14 Young Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Ellen Miller-Mack
Seller: Linda S. Samano LT
Date: 11/14/14

SOUTHAMPTON

34 Bissonnette Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Florida Corp.
Seller: Joseph C. Sampson
Date: 11/17/14

113 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Haley E. Pearl
Seller: Andrew P. Murphy
Date: 11/24/14

29 Hillside Meadows Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $405,800
Buyer: Michael Chmura
Seller: David Garstka Builders
Date: 11/26/14

41 Lead Mine Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Keith M. Holbrook
Seller: Charles L. Filkoski
Date: 11/18/14

5 Old County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Amy R. Adamski
Seller: Theodore H. Blais
Date: 11/14/14

WARE

320 Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Aaron M. Sundberg
Seller: Craig S. Harder
Date: 11/21/14

241 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Lars R. Stanley
Seller: Willard W. Boss
Date: 11/21/14

26 Pulaski St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $182,750
Buyer: Matteo Colletta
Seller: Richard Binns
Date: 11/14/14

27 Sczygiel Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $415,625
Buyer: Bank New York
Seller: Joseph C. Ragno
Date: 11/17/14

WESTHAMPTON

36 Clapp Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,775,000
Buyer: Jennifer Milikowsky
Seller: James H. Averill TR
Date: 11/20/14

80 Easthampton Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Meehan Estates Inc.
Seller: Sarah W. Hollis
Date: 11/14/14

51 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Guy B. Delozier
Seller: Sylvia A. Buzzee
Date: 11/20/14

15 Pine Island Lake
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Benjamin B. Bedell
Seller: Carolyn A. White IRT
Date: 11/18/14

290 Southampton Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Thomas Raschi
Seller: Ricardo Portalatin
Date: 11/14/14

WILLIAMSBURG

77 Hemenway Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Gregory Kilbride
Seller: Cross, Norman H., (Estate)
Date: 11/17/14

17 Mountain St.
Williamsburg, MA 01062
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Diane M. Lacasse
Seller: Richard A. Nelson
Date: 11/19/14

WORTHINGTON

43 Old Post Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Gabriel K. Shippee
Seller: Tanya E. Lerose
Date: 11/28/14

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Allbee, Jonathan G.
126 Bridges Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/14

Barclay, James K.
2 Anita Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/14

Barszewski, Daniel J.
89 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Bella Bags by Marcia
Mazochia-Harms, Marcia M.
12 Willow Lane
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Bernard, Richard H.
PO Box 790
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Biddle, David W.
P.O. Box 701
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/14

Bouchard, Linda M.
55 Athol Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/14

Bowe, Sandra
a/k/a Commesso, Sandra
138 Three Rivers Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/14

Bowes, Suzanne Lynn
a/k/a Brandt, Suzanne Lynn
79 Jackson St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/14

Chartier, Donald Alfred
Chartier, Joyce May
735 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Cooper, Brian R.
19 Ave. C Apt #2
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/14

Cote, Beth A.
6 Smith St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/14

Coyne, Kelly P.
a/k/a Lyons, Kelly P.
54 Yorktowne Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Dapper, Joseph E.
Russo, Susan J.
670 Old Petersham Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Davis, Robert J.
14 Ellington St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Deauseault, William Frank
20 Boulay Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/14

DePace, Katelyn M.
a/k/a Morin, Katelyn M.
a/k/a Burke, Katelyn M
18 Robbins Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Deschenes, Robert R.
32 Berbay Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/26/14

Durand, Andrew
94 Erin Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Fortier, Jerome S.
Fortier, Sandra A.
PO Box 1186
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/20/14

Fournier, Joshua Adam
62 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Fox, Michael T.
Fox, Cheryl A.
a/k/a Stratton, Cheryl A.
735 Memorial Dr., Lot 1
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/14

Gardner, Todd D.
Gardner, Barbara B.
1562 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/14

Gayac, Diosdado L.
104 Johnson Road, Unit 10
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/14

Girard, James A.
Girard, Margaret S.
58 Freeman Dr., Apt. 12
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/14

Grandy-Merkel, Pamela Y.
31 Tulsa St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/14

Grimaldi, Jane K.
a/k/a Cyranowski, Jane K.
379 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/18/14

Hatchett, Johnnie A.
644 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/14

Hooper, Debra J.
46 Balis St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Kelley, Lawrence T.
Kelley, Tracy M.
a/k/a Fitzgerald, Tracy M.
15 Crestmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/14

Krawiec, Walter L.
36 1/2 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/14

Ly, Hung Van
Nguyen, Hang
245 Allen St
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Marrero, Venancio
111 Manning St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/18/14

Meagher, Robert C.
41 Tracy Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Miller, Lawrence
Miller, Susan
150 Ashalnd St., #503
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Miner, Annette Y.
384 Tokeneke Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/20/14

O’Connell, William J.
82 Broad St., Apt. 4
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/14

Ortiz-Rivera, Lourdes M.
27 Bancroft St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Partlow, Michael R.
PO Box 325
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/14

Peyron, Joanne M.
54 Acrebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Rehayem, Abdullah B.
Rehayem, Lynn C.
41 Laurel St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/14

Roy, Annmarie
155 Balance Rock Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Ruge, Anna
356 Valley View Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/14

Ruge, Oksana P.
145 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/14

Santos, Nancy A.
62 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/14

Spirito, Mark A.
99 Tilley St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Timberlake, Aaron C.
32 Olive St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/14

Velazquez, Marelin
293 Cortland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Vizard, Jonathan Jason
Vizard, Jennifer Anne
328 New Boston Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Wiggins, Charles W.
117 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/14

Wilson, Robert R.
Wilson, Suzanne I.
a/k/a Eisermann, Suzanne
17 Noble Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/20/14

Young, Vera S.
a/k/a Young, Shauntae V.
47 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/14

Zamboni, Silvia O.
122 Polaski Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/14

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2014.

AGAWAM

Bags on the Go
55 Ramah Circle
Chellis Collins

Feeding Hills Wellness Center
567 Springfield St.
Christine Bailey

J & E Repair Service
47 Valentine Ter.
Joseph Catania

JH Walmart Tax
15 Worthington Brook Circle
Meenaxi H. Gada

RST Training
499 Springfield St.
Raymond Boissonault

CHICOPEE

Eric’s Sales
103 Lukasik St.
Eric Ladabouche

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Tattoo
6 Center St.
Andrew Barrett

Michael J. Ash Construction
30 East Street Ave.
Michael J. Ash

Rogers Auto Body
26 Old James St.
Roger Castonguay

GREENFIELD

Abram Son’s Renovations
111 Beacon St.
Brian Abramson

Chinese Body Work
91 Main St.
Yon Xia

Goodies Restaurant Inc.
256 Federal St.
Idanis Dimitrion

Ken’s Tax Prep
280 Main St.
Kenneth Lang

Meadows Café & Golf Center
398 Deerfield St.
Constant Poholek

The Vocal Artists Studio
38 Alden St.
Eileen Ruby

HOLYOKE

Epic Kids Clothing
134 High St.
Richard R. Rodriguez

Executive Vending
154 Rock Valley Road
John P. Larose

F & M Motor Sales
414 South St.
Michael Gruszka

Goodwill Industries of Pioneer Valley
235 South St.
Steven Mundhal

High Class Cuts
451 High St.
Gamaliel Soto

JGL Truck Sales
27 Jackson St.
Javier Gonzalez

Reyes Auto Sales
100 Main St.
Oscar Reyes

Sears Beauty Salon
50 Holyoke St.
Joni Jacobson

LUDLOW

Angle Home Building & Remodeling
65 Meadowlark Circle
Todd Goncalves

Joseph Testori Electrical Contractor
71 New Crest St.
Joseph Testori

Open Door Café
247 Cady St.
Arlinda Alves

PALMER

Go Mobile
1581 North Main St.
Kevin Elder

On 3 Photography
9 Carriage Dr.
Maryellen Roche

Payless Auto Repair
26 Wilbraham St.
Kelly Doyle

SOUTHWICK

4 Life Entertainment Organization
389 North Loomis St.
Spencer Lavoie

Five Star Transportation
809 College Highway
Theresa Lecrenski

Ger-Pal, Inc.
610 College Highway
Geraldine Bshara

JD Berry Contracting
274 Granville Road
James Berry

Linen Lady Gifts
60 Miller Road
Clara Scott

R2 Prints
22 South Longyard Road
Robert Slate Jr.

Systems Personnel
414 College Highway
Edward Carroll

Tanya Salon
627 College Highway
Tatyana Brathichenko

SPRINGFIELD

Georgie’s Barber Shop
776 Liberty St.
Jorge L. Cruz

Innovative Concepts
29 1st St.
Tiffany Lissa

La Zona Supermarket Corporation
24 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Mindy L. Torres

Millennium Leasing Inc.
622 Cottage St.
Faramarz Bahrehmand

Mindy’s Cleaning Service
132 Mayfair Ave.
Mindy L. Torres

Orange Scarf
677 South Branch Parkway
Diane R. Sabato

Pars, Inc.
622 Cottage St.
Faramarz Bahrehmand

Property Maintenance
56 Gilbert Ave.
Daniel Rivera

Ron Zundell
92 Bairdcrest Road
Ronald K. Zundell

Shelby Motors, LLC
180 Boston Rd.
Khalid Albaghadadi

The Day Spa
78 Maple St.
Jun Sun

United Way of Pioneer Valley
1441 Main St.
Raymond Berry

Vraceworks MA
556 St. James Ave.
Juan E. Maldonado

WESTFIELD

Bertera Chrysler Dodge
167 Springfield Road
Bertera Motors of Westfield

Fisher Health & Wellness
110 Christopher Dr.
Kimberly Fisher

Hair Design by Leah
37 Broad St.
Leah A. Huffmire

Isander Robles
37 Elm St.
Isander Robles

Sunset Oil Company
17 Old Quarry Road
Christopher F. Grady

Your Marketing Place
503 West Road
Gail Roberts

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

Global Platform Solutions Corp., 46 Cottonwood Lane, Agawam, MA 01001. Chester Stanley Wojcik, Jr. Sale and lease of equipment.
 
CHICOPEE

Al Lafleur Inc., 467 East Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Albert Lafleur, same. Auto repair and sales.
 
FEEDING HILLS

Get Done Cleaning Services Inc., 26 Day Ave., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Leandro De Siqueira, same. Janitorial services.
 
GNG Discount Shop Inc., 662 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Gina Calabria, 61 S. Westfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Nonprofit organization to collect donations for homeless veterans.
 
GREENFIELD

Deputy Sherriffs Association of Franklin County Inc., 160 Elm St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Joseph Lachance, 440 Leyden Road, Greenfield, MA 01301.
 
HOLYOKE

Dean Nimmer Arts Inc., 146 Allyn Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Dean Nimmer, same. To create, sell, distribute and provide art related projects, art publications, art books and art material to the general public for public use.
 
LONGMEADOW

CB Leasing Inc., 60 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Gerald Coia, same. Derek Rodrigues, same. Equipment leasing.
 
LUDLOW

Global Compass Inc., 116 Warwick Dr., Ludlow, MA 01056. Derek Rodrigues, same. Construction industry with a focus on asbestos, lead, and mold removal.
 
SOUTHAMPTON

Gargan Paint and Paper Inc., 7 Center St., Southampton, MA 01073. Joseph Gargan, same. Painting and wallpapering services.
 
SOUTHWICK

Gardner Aerospace Services Inc., 2 Amberleaf Way, Southwick, MA 01077. Bernard Gardner, same. Aviation consultant providing various services including evaluation, maintenance oversight and damage assessment for new and pre-owned aircraft.
 
SPRINGFIELD

A & M Gas Mart Inc., 1390 Allen St., Springfield, A 01118. Asem Aydah, 68 Grover St., Springfield, MA 01104. Convenience store with gasoline.
 
Dreamz Made True Inc., 20 Rupert St., Springfield, MA 01108. Alycya Raquel Cook, same. The mission of this organization is to empower and encourage young ladies with positive interactions that helps build self-confidence and self-esteem where they are prepared to be successful as women.
 
Excellent Cuts Basketball Organization, 121 Wait St., Springfield, MA 01104. Willie Arthur Evans Jr., same. Basketball team and individual instruction; participation in various basketball leagues and tournaments (local and out of state); mentorship.
 
WEST SPRINGFIELD

EZ Transport Inc., 134 New Bridge St., Second Floor, West Springfield, MA 01089. Shakhmardan Shakirov, same. Business operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, and other commodities via flatbed, container, and heavy hauling trailers on a for-hire basis.
 
WESTFIELD

Aliganism Inc., 358 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Gani Dinc, 398 Page Blvd., Springfield, MA 01104. Pizza and other fast foods restaurant.
 
Gee Force Trans Inc., 19B Otis St., Westfield, MA 01085. Igor Banar, same. Business operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, and other commodities via flatbed, container, and heavy hauling trailers on a for-hire basis.
 
American Colors Inc., 77 George St., Second Floor, Westfield, MA 01085. Dmitriy Kaplyuk, same. Auto body painting.
 

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

UMass President Robert Caret to Step Down
AMHERST — University of Massachusetts president Robert Caret has announced he will leave his job after four years to become the next chancellor of the University of Maryland system. Caret, who became president of the five-campus UMass system in July 2011, begins his new position in July. Before coming to Massachusetts, he had spent much of his career at Towson University, near Baltimore, where he worked as a faculty member, dean, executive vice president, president, and provost. “I could not say no to an offer to return to my home state, where I will be closer to my family,” Caret wrote in a statement. He will succeed chancellor William “Brit” Kirwan, who has led the 12-institution Maryland system for the past 12 years. In a statement, Kirwan praised his successor, saying, “I’ve known Bob Caret for several years. He has had significant positive impact on each institution he has led. The University System of Maryland and the state will benefit greatly from his leadership in the years ahead.” Caret, who will be formally introduced to the University of Maryland community at a news conference Friday, will earn $600,000 a year, and his contract will run for five years. At UMass, he was paid about $500,000 a year. He will be taking over a much larger system, with 162,000 students and an operating budget of $4.9 billion. UMass has half as many students and a budget of $2.9 billion.

MassBenchmarks Report Optimistic About Area’s Economic Prospects
HADLEY — The state’s workforce and job seekers have reason for optimism, according to the economists behind MassBenchmarks, a study of the state’s economy prepared by the UMass Donahue Institute. “State gross product growth has kept pace with strong national growth for the past two quarters,” according to the report. “State job growth has been steady, with software, information technology, and staffing-services sectors doing well. The Commonwealth’s labor force has grown consistently since June, as workers who were previously discouraged re-enter the labor market. And strikingly, Massachusetts has the fastest-growing population not only in New England, but in all of the Northeastern U.S. This is in large part due to international immigration and a lower level of domestic net outmigration than has been experienced in recent recoveries.” The state also appears to be benefiting from a national economic expansion that is gaining traction. The national jobs report for October was strong, with more than 300,000 jobs added, an increase in the average workweek, modestly rising wages, and upward revisions in job growth for August and September. Falling oil and gas prices are putting more money in the pockets of consumers and lowering business costs. Still, challenges remain, the report notes. “Electricity prices in Massachusetts are expected to rise steeply this winter largely as a result of the New England region’s ongoing difficulties in accessing a sufficient supply of natural gas to power its electricity generators. Rising electricity prices can be expected to partially offset the beneficial effects of the drop in oil prices and will create significant financial challenges for energy-intensive industrial users. Federal-government expenditures, long an important funding source for a variety of private-sector contractors and nonprofit research institutions (universities and hospitals), will continue to be squeezed. And, absent action on the part of the incoming governor and Legislature, state infrastructure spending will be significantly constrained in coming years now that state voters have determined that the gas tax will not be indexed to inflation.” In addition, housing production, especially single-family units, remains well below pre-Great Recession levels. “Despite these challenges,” the report goes on, “the Massachusetts economy continues to experience solid economic growth, particularly in the Greater Boston region, and the prospects for continued growth remain strong. After a weak first quarter of the year, the Massachusetts economy has rebounded strongly. While there continue to be serious concerns about the geographically and financially imbalanced nature of this recovery, the MassBenchmarks editorial board is as optimistic as it has been in some time and expects the state’s economic expansion to continue for the foreseeable future.”

Valley Gives Day Brings In More than $2.67 Million
SPRINGFIELD — Western Mass.-based nonprofits sent out the call, and their supporters gave — and gave and gave. In 24 hours, 14,189 donors made 28,824 gifts for a grand total of $2,676,595 at the third annual Valley Gives Day. In addition, a prize pool of $225,000 was distributed among several nonprofits. Organizations in three budget categories competed for bonus grants presented to the top three slots for ‘most unique donors.’ First prize was $5,000, second was $4,000, and third was $3,000. In keeping with a In addition, nonprofits in 12th place in each category were awarded a $1,200 bonus grant. In the category of large nonprofits, the winners were New England Public Radio (839 unique donors), Dakin Humane Society (739 donors), and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (696 donors). Among medium-sized nonprofits, the winners were New Spirit Inc. (641 donors), Whole Children (632 donors), and Pioneer Valley Symphony (384 donors). Among small nonprofits, the winners were Friends of the Hilltown Cooperative Charter School Inc. (437 donors), Grow Food Northampton (342 donors), and the Jackson Street School PTO Inc. (299 donors). Other awards were given in the category of money raised by first-time participants, with first place going to the Jackson Street School PTO Inc. with $24,356. Also, hourly beginning at 9 a.m., a randomly selected donation to a participating nonprofit had a $1,000 golden ticket added to the total. Throughout the day, there were five bonus power hours (10 a.m., noon, 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m.) when a total of $22,000 golden tickets were added to randomly selected donations. The full list of nonprofits and their totals raised is available at www.valleygivesday.org. 

Leadership Pioneer Valley Launches Leadership 2.0
SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) is offering offering a new series of bite-sized training sessions beginning in January to enhance leadership skills and understanding of the region. The sessions are open to LPV alumni and other emerging and established leaders. LPV recognizes that leadership is a lifelong process, and the Leadership 2.0 series features six two- to three-hour training sessions on a variety of topics with the goal of deepening leadership skills, creating new and diverse connections, and making an impact on the region. The sessions are open to LPV alumni who want to continue their learning or others who are unable to be part of LPV’s 10-month program. The intent is to diversify Leadership Pioneer Valley’s offerings and create new opportunities. Workshop topics include “Effective Communications,” “Becoming a Superhero Board Member,” and a field experience to explore the Agawam area. The series sponsors include Sisters of Providence Health System/Mercy Hospital, Appleton Corp., the Beveridge Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Springfield Chamber Opposes Recommended Tax Rates in City
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, announced that it has reviewed the city of Springfield’s proposal for property taxes for fiscal year 2015 and has issued a position paper opposing the rates recommended. “The Springfield Chamber, on behalf of its more than 500 members, has consistently advocated for a reduction in the heavy tax burden that has been shifted from the residential community onto the backs of the business community,” said chamber President Jeffrey Ciuffreda. “While the recommended tax rates being proposed by Mayor [Domenic] Sarno reduces both classes of rates, his proposal actually increases the burden again onto the business community, and that is something the chamber cannot accept.” The chamber has a stated, long-term goal of reducing the heavy burden of taxes that has been shifted onto the business community, especially over the past 10 years, to a level that is more reasonable and one that has been used in past years, it said in its position paper. “In 2004, the business classification of properties paid 12.93% more in property taxes than its percentage of overall value. The chamber refers to this increased business-tax burden as the ‘gap.’ Businesses made up 26.86% of all property values in Springfield, yet paid 39.79% of all the property taxes, and used less municipal services. The gap provides for the business community to pay additional taxes so that the residential tax rate can remain lower. Since 2004, the chamber has consistently advocated for a reduction in the gap. Despite these efforts, that gap has seen a steady increase, to its current level of 15.37%.” Ciuffreda said that, while the chamber firmly believes that reducing this burden will spur economic growth, it recognizes the current economic fragility of the city and, for fiscal year 2015, is simply recommending a freeze in the extra level of taxes borne by the business sector. The chamber recommends that the difference between what the business community pays and the percent of value it comprises overall remain at the current level of 15.37%. Under the chamber’s recommendation, all classes of property taxes would be reduced (to $19.68 for residents and $38.72 for businesses), but, more importantly, the gap between the business tax rate and the residential tax rate would remain level. Under the mayor’s proposal, the tax rates would be reduced, but the business sector would pay an even higher rate of taxes, increasing the gap to 15.57%, again shifting more of an already burdensome tax level onto the business community, the chamber argues.

Red Cross Seeks Nominations for Hometown Heroes
SPRINGFIELD — Each year, the American Red Cross of Western Massachusetts hosts the Hometown Heroes Breakfast to honor local individuals and groups that have shown courage, kindness, and unselfish character when a friend, family member, or stranger faced a life-threatening situation, or who have had an extraordinary impact on his or her community. Next year’s breakfast will take place on Thursday, March 19 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Members of the community are invited to nominate local heroes for consideration by sharing their story. Honorees will be selected by a committee of individuals from the community, including former Hometown Heroes. Submissions for nominations are welcome from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Nomination forms and criteria are available on the chapter website at www.redcross.org/news/event/ma/springfield. Nominations must be submitted online or postmarked no later than Dec. 31. This year’s event is being sponsored by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Channel 22 News, the MassMutual Center, and OMG Inc. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event. Hometown Heroes is the chapter’s largest annual fund-raising event and supports the ability to provide the resources necessary to serve its communities. The American Red Cross of Western Massachusetts serves Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, assisting families affected by disaster, helping military families relay emergency communications to their deployed loved ones, and providing life-saving training programs. For further information, contact Gina Czerwinski at (413) 233-1035 or [email protected].

State Issues $12.2M to Reduce Healthcare Costs
LOWELL — Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rachel Kaprielian awarded more than $12.2 million in the latest round of grants to help train healthcare providers to improve patient service and reduce healthcare costs. The funding goes to 53 organizations across the state as part of the Patrick administration’s effort to encourage economic growth by supporting innovation in the Commonwealth’s healthcare industry. “These grants will help ensure healthcare providers succeed in implementing new models of service delivery and adapt to new payment structures,” said Kaprielian. “By providing resources to develop new and innovative training and education programs, Massachusetts will continue to solidify its place as a leader in healthcare modernization and advances.” In 2012, Gov. Deval Patrick signed a law making Massachusetts the first state in the country to enact healthcare quality-improvement and cost-containment legislation. The act allocated $20 million to prepare the healthcare industry for the new demands and innovations called for in the legislation. Patrick announced the first round of grants in March, allowing businesses to assess their workforce and determine what skills and training they will need to change operations and deliver more efficient healthcare. For many of this week’s grantees, the training activity ahead builds on that planning work. All the grantees have identified a set of operational changes that are driving their need for increased workforce skills. The training activity will support new models for coordinating care across professions, institutions, and settings; focus on patient-centered care, stronger patient engagement, and health education to promote health and wellness; and spur the integration of primary care and behavioral health. In Western Mass., grants were awarded to Berkshire Health System ($249,286), Community Health Programs ($148,349), Baystate Medical Center ($249,682), Gandara Center ($250,000); Springfield Technical Community College ($156,338); and Carson Center for Human Services ($249,996).

Park with Ease Program Continues in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — As the temperatures continue to drop, the Springfield Business Improvement District (SBID) plans to continue its Park with Ease valet program through the winter. “We are thrilled the community has responded so positively to our valet program,” said Chris Russell, executive director of SBID. “After many conversations with stakeholders downtown, including building owners, business owners, and community members, we kept hearing the same comment about parking issues, so we have addressed the concern.” Two valet stations are set up each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday along Main Street; simply look for the signs and valet kiosk. The first is at Court Square across from the MassMutual Center, and the other at the corner of Worthington and Main streets. Car acceptance runs from 5 to 9 p.m., with retrieval continuing until midnight. The SBID is underwriting the service, lowering the customer’s cost to just $5. For more information, visit www.springfielddowntown.com/parkwithease.

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Alicea, Jessenia
5 Camp Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/14

Arnold, Charles Joseph
Arnold, Michelle
249 Scott Road
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/07/14

Arnold, Nathalie
1 K St., Apt. 2
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/04/14

Bergeron, John A.
28 Riverboat Village Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/14

Bernier, Jeffrey Arthur
28 Alpha St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/14

Clarke, William P.
12 Western Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/14

Core Spinal Solutions
a/k/a Orvieto-Fasoli, Darlene A. Orvieto, Darlene A.
19 East Greene St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/14

Cruz, Ivan A.
66 Hitchcock St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/14

Daugherty, Christine E.
21 Laurel Lane
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

Dean, Heidi A.
47 Kurtz St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

DeCaires, Martha N.
20 Hampton Ave., Apt. 3
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/14

DiPenta, Jane I.
45 Miller Ave.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Eastman, Timothy L.
Eastman, Ryan I.
a/k/a Lynch, Ryan I.
PO Box 676
Heath, MA 01346
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/14

Gagnon, Frances M.
a/k/a Konieczny, Frances M.
79 Comins Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Gallo, Joseph A.
Gallo, Barbara J.
PO Box 507
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

Giroux, Kenneth A.
Giroux, Kathleen A.
a/k/a Giroux, Kathleen
123 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

Gour, Lee
5 Oakdale Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/14

Harlin, Amie M.
78 Kensington Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/14

Henriquez, Enrique J.
34 Meadow St., Apt. 4
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/14

Ireland, Siobhan C.
39 Waterman Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/14

Lariviere, Paul A.
27 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

Lopez, Amanda
149 Memory Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/14

Loranger, Earl Frederick
Zoschak-Loranger, Andrea Lauren
3003 Oak St.
Bondville, MA 01009
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/14

Manewich, Jane M.
a/k/a Manewich, Norma J.
P.O. Box 95
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/14

Martin, Meri E.
a/k/a Fulchino, Meri E.
365 State Road
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/11/14

Martinez, Rudolph Tony
137 Muzzy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/14

McFarlane, Sherry A.
52 North Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/14

Nadeau, Christine M.
15 Daley St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/13/14

Orcutt, Miranda Lee
24 Parker St., Apt. 3
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Pahl, Charlotte A.
350 Meadow St., Apt. 18
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/14

Parenteau, Cecile A.
31 Grove St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/14

Perez, Brittany M.
134 Union St., Apt. 55
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/14

Pike, Frederick B.
429 Main Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/14/14

Quinn-O’Connor, Robert J.
146A Mormon Hollow Road
Millers Falls, MA 01349
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/14

Ramos, Ileana
64 Groveland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/14

Rivera, Maria S.
2 Willow St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Robles, Sandra
Taveras, Ambioris
74 Mary St., 1st Fl.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Rohunta Investments Inc.
Harrison, Gary M.
96 Glendale Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/14

Sanchez, Emeily
253A Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

Scribner, James O.
Scribner, Tracy A.
98 Tower Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/14

Shipmon, Linda D.
101 Wrentham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/14

Signs Plus
Mission, Adam J.
6 Magnolia Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/14

Smith, Amanda
300 Intervale Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Smith, Jean Alice
140 Fish St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Thibeault, Mark A.
19 Broz Terrace
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/14

Tirsch, Louis A.
Tirsch, Linda A.
255 Vineland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/14

Tucker, Ronald D.
Tucker, Melissa D.
a/k/a Lanpher, Melissa D.
85 Channel Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

Tudryn, Jeremy Richard
20 Jackson St., Apt. 2
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/07/14

Wood, Susan J.
552 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/14

Young, Ryan J.
5 Granaudo Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/14

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the months of November and December 2014.
 
AGAWAM

GR33N Lift Skateboards
611 Suffield St.
Jeffrey Auld

Laser Tag Adventures
37 Overlook Dr.
Newton Vezina

Mass Gutter Cleaning
231 Lancaster Dr.
Yuriy Panchelyuga

Tailor Made Paintless Dent Repair
11 Albert St.
Timothy J. Rapa

Tribute Designs
75 Elm St.
Cheryl Terramagra

CHICOPEE

Dependable Daycare
62 Old Fuller Road
David Dunn

John’s Draft Service
56 Montcalm St.
John Martin

Veras Mini Market & Deli
830 Chicopee St.
Santana Veras

View Street Tavern
92 View St.
Aristides Nunes

HOLYOKE

EZ Exchange
324 Appleton St.
Mimi Mai

Jerry’s Auto Repair & Sales
901 Main St.
Victor M. Gomez

JP’s Restaurant
200 Whiting Farms Road
James Lavelle

Maria Gift Shop
252 Maple St.
Maria M. Rondon

Murry’s Ductwork
2103 Northampton St.
Matt McNee

Pelletier Insulation
143 Suffolk St.
Donald W. Pelletier

NORTHAMPTON

King Street Convenience Store
60 King St.
Zahoor Mian

On Point Full Service Salon
1 North Main St.
Deanna Subocz

Pleasant Journey Used Cars
5 Fulton Ave.
John Davey

Straight Up Hair Design
59 Conz St.
Tammis Lander

Uniquely Greener Massachusetts
6 Conz St.
Seth Fischer

Willow Works Construction
16 Plymouth Ave.
Devin Ray

PALMER

Apple Automotive
1205 South Main St.
Raymond Labonte

BJC Realty Trust
2193 Palmer St.
Bernard Croteau

Class Act Events
75 Mason St.
Michael Perkins

J.P. Auto Services
364 Boston Road
Jean Carbonneau

Love & Light Energy Healing
164 State St.
Pamela Hutchins

Palmer House of Fine Jewelry
1512 North Main St.
Nancy Theriault

Stolar Realty, LLC
2001 Calkins Road
Renee Niedziela

SPRINGFIELD

A+ Family Child Care
37 Waldorf St.
Avril Reid

Action Auto Sales
78 Lincoln St.
Frank S. Rocco

Asian Bazaar
607 Dickinson St.
Rizvan Merza

Autobahn Express Motors
501 St. James Ave.
Luz Z. Lopez

Bay Street Barber Shop
318 Bay St.
Joe Morales

Be Attitude
233 Savoy Ave.
Kimberley Renay

Brylo Auto Window Tint
51 Dale St.
Bryan Lora

Cabrera Market
520 Union St.
Adelzo Lantigua

Cape Cod Nutrition Corner
1728 Boston Road
Michael Craven

Foxy’s Gift Baskets
98 Woodside Terrace
Edwin J. Pagan

Gabbidon Tile Works
109 Malden St.
Ian K. Gabbidon

Good Management
590 Main St.
Gustavo Parra

Harley’s Treasurer Trove
30 Parker St.
Michele A. Tarr

Inspired Marketing Inc.
20 Maple St.
Jill C. Monson

JMS Business Services
6 Macomber Ave.
James M. Skarbek

WESTFIELD

Bodywise Physical Therapy, LLC
82 Broad St.
Bodywise Physical Therapy, LLC

Bright Sail Cleaning
51 Southwick Road
Alla Bazukin

Chez Louise
3 Harrison Ave.
Julie L. Duris

Pignature Farm
380 East Mountain Road
Marla J. Pignature

Tangles
43 Union St.
Cinda, Inc.

Tanning Zone
47 Southwick Road
The Tanning Zone

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

BusinessWest Owner Donates $500,000 to Cathedral High School
SPRINGFIELD — Cathedral High School has received a $500,000 donation from Cathedral alumnus John Gormally, owner of BusinessWest magazine. Cathedral High School President Dr. Ann Southworth said the gift “will be used to provide immediate tuition assistance to students desiring a Cathedral High School education, as well as support faculty.” But the money is more than just a donation. Gormally is also challenging the business community in Western Mass. to “step up to the plate and show their support” like he has done. “I have confidence in Catholic education,” said Gormally, a 1978 graduate of the school. “I think it is important to have a Catholic high school in Springfield. It is my hope and desire that the Springfield Diocese finds a way to rebuild Cathedral on Surrey Road in Springfield. I would also hope that the business community steps up to recognize Cathedral as the important resource it is in the community and financially support it.”

Bay Path Commits to Expand College Access
LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University President Carol Leary joined President Obama, the first lady, and Vice President Biden, along with hundreds of college presidents and other higher-education leaders, to announce new actions to help more students prepare for and graduate from college. The White House College Opportunity Day of Action helped support Obama’s commitment to partner with colleges and universities, business leaders, and nonprofits to support students across the country. “I am honored to participate in this important initiative and to represent the 76.6 million adult women in this country who do not have a baccalaureate degree,” said Leary. “Through the launch of the American Women’s College at Bay Path University, we are making a bold commitment to provide a truly revolutionary model of higher education for underserved adult women. It is time that we as a country focus on this population. Higher education has the potential to transform a woman’s life and, in so doing, positively impact her community, her workplace, and her family. The generational impact of educating adult women is profound: research demonstrates that only 13% of children of women without a degree go on to college. When a woman earns a degree, that figure escalates to 49%. A focus on the education of adult women is critical to President Obama’s goal of restoring our nation as a global leader in college-educated citizenry.” Leary is among the participants being asked to commit to new action in one of four areas: building networks of colleges around promoting completion, creating K-12 partnerships around college readiness, investing in high-school counselors as part of the first lady’s Reach Higher initiative, and increasing the number of college graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Expanding opportunity for more students to enroll and succeed in college, especially low-income and underrepresented students, is vital to building a strong economy and a strong middle class. Today, only 9% of those born in the lowest family income quartile attain a bachelor’s degree by age 25, compared to 54% in the top quartile.

Chief Executives Expect Firms to Keep Growing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Business Roundtable said Tuesday that 40% of its member CEOs plan to hire more workers, up from 34% in the third quarter. Nearly three-quarters project their sales will rise, roughly the same as the previous quarter. The findings suggest that slowing growth overseas hasn’t caused large corporations to pull back on their hiring plans. Still, the CEOs say they are less likely to invest in new facilities or equipment; 13% say they plan to cut such spending, up from just 10% in the previous quarter. The survey was conducted between Oct. 22 and Nov. 12, and is based on 129 responses from the Roundtable’s 200 member CEOs.

Panel Calls for Changes in State Officials’ Pay
BOSTON — A seven-member advisory commission created by legislation to review compensation for the state’s constitutional officers and the Legislature presented its findings and recommendations Monday in a detailed report to the public and policy makers. The commission, chaired by Ira Jackson, dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston, was established by Section 239 of the state budget and appointed in September 2014 to analyze compensation for public officials, including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor, and the Legislature. The commission was mandated to issue its report by Dec. 1. “The Advisory Commission conducted a transparent, open, data-driven review of the current compensation of public officials and developed a series of major reforms and recommendations based on its research, as well as input from the public,” said Jackson. “We recommend that the Legislature strongly consider implementing important reforms to the process of calculating compensation, while at the same time making appropriate increases in compensation levels for the governor and other elected officials to more adequately reflect their responsibilities.” Recommended reforms include:
• Eliminating legislative per diem payments;
• Determining the biennial adjustment in legislative pay through a consistent process using 
data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis to measure the quarterly change in salaries and 
wages in Massachusetts for the most recent eight quarters;
• Calculating any increase or decrease in compensation for all constitutional officers and the 
House speaker and Senate president using the bureau’s data on a biennial basis;
• Limiting outside employment through a first-in-the-nation measure precluding the 
constitutional officers, House speaker, and Senate president from earning outside income, other than passive income; and
• Establishing future special advisory commissions on a biennial basis to conduct a thorough 
review of compensation and reforms.
Specific recommendations on compensation include:
• Ensuring that any compensation increases must be cost-neutral to the taxpayer through efficiencies and savings identified by the constitutional officers and Legislature and reported on an annual basis to ensure accountability and transparency;
• Establishing the salary for the governor at $185,000, which, when adjusted for cost of living, would rank 10th among the 50 states. Massachusetts is one of only six states that does not provide a governor’s residence or a housing allowance. The commission recommends that the governor receive a housing allowance of $65,000;
• Providing a salary of $175,000 for the attorney general and the treasurer and receiver general;
• Setting a salary of $165,000 for the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, and the state auditor;
• Establishing compensation for the House speaker and Senate president at $175,000 annually; and
• Increasing the legislative office expense to $10,000 for legislators whose districts are within a 50-mile radius of Boston, and to $15,000 for legislators located outside that radius.
“While any recommendation to increase compensation for state leaders may be controversial, the commission believes these increases are appropriate based on the data we reviewed, and the recommended reforms are important foundations for public trust,” said Jackson. “The commission’s recommendations were guided by a thorough review of data comparing Massachusetts with other states, a strong desire to ensure that the state attracts and retains highly talented individuals regardless of means or geography, and the principle that officials should be fairly compensated based on the significant responsibilities of the offices they hold.”

Christopher Heights Project Breaks Ground
NORTHAMPTON — Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein recently joined representatives of the Grantham Group, Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones, and state and local officials to break ground on the Christopher Heights assisted-living community in Northampton. “Christopher Heights is an important step toward the goal of expanding our supply of affordable housing for all of our citizens in the Commonwealth,” said Gornstein. “DHCD is pleased to assist with this development that will not only provide new housing opportunities for the elderly, but will stimulate local economic activity. We congratulate Grantham Group and appreciate the leadership of Mayor Narkewicz and other local, state, and federal officials who have helped make this project a reality.” Christopher Heights will be the newest development in Village Hill, a 126-acre mixed-use community located on the site of the former Northampton State Hospital. Christopher Heights is expected to open in the fall of 2015 and will have 83 assisted-living units, of which 43 are designated for low-income seniors. Seventeen of the 43 affordable units will be reserved for households earning less than 30% of the area median income. Christopher Heights also has locations in Worcester, Webster, Attleboro, and Marlborough. “We are excited to bring our expertise in assisted-living development and management to the Northampton State Hospital redevelopment known as Village Hill,” said Grantham Group Managing Director Walter Ohanian. “We look forward to serving the senior population who will benefit from the housing and services of an affordable assisted-living community.” The Grantham Group estimates that the project will create 65 construction jobs for the area. Once built, there will be another 40 permanent jobs at the facility. “This exciting new addition to the Village Hill community will provide affordable assisted-living housing for our local seniors,” said state Rep. Peter Kocot. “I want to congratulate the Grantham Group, Undersecretary Gornstein, and Gov. Patrick for their leadership and commitment to developing affordable housing for people of all ages.” Since 2007, the Patrick administration has invested more than $1 billion in state and federal resources to create 24,000 units of housing, of which approximately 22,000 are affordable. In Northampton, DHCD has invested more than $7.6 million to preserve or create 98 units of housing, 95 of which are affordable, for veterans, those who are institutionalized or at-risk of institutionalization, and low-income households.

Funding Awarded for Environmental Projects in Berkshire County
LENOX, PITTSFIELD — Gov. Deval Patrick recently joined state environmental officials and local officials to announce $1.2 million in capital funding to support environmental projects at Baker’s Pond in Lenox and Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, enhancing existing natural habitats and improving recreational opportunities for residents. “Growth requires investment, and creating and upgrading recreational parks and open spaces while also providing important community resources will help create growth and opportunity across the commonwealth,” Patrick said. “This investment will improve the lives of Massachusetts children and families now and for generations to come.” The administration’s $125,000 investment in Baker’s Pond will assist in the final phase of restoration of the pond. The removal of invasive species and water-quality improvements will preserve the habitat for wildlife species and make it a more appealing destination for visitors to Kennedy Park. Berkshire Community College’s Life Sciences Department will work with the town to ensure proper removal of any invasive species and the complete restoration of the pond. “Safe, reliable drinking water has always been a critical need. In the 21st century, we will need to develop new technologies to meet growing demand,” said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern. “I’m pleased that the federal government is joining with the Commonwealth and UMass Amherst in this promising effort.” Baker’s Pond has a history of recreational use, but, after a small dam breach, the pond fell into disrepair, resulting in the growth of invasive plant and animal species. With ongoing improvements, the pond is once again becoming an attraction for tourists and hikers, as well as a habitat for endangered amphibian species. The city of Pittsfield was also awarded $1.1 million to ensure proper drainage and wetland protection as Berkshire Community College works to construct an athletic field on campus, the first of its kind in Berkshire County. The athletic-field location is north of a vernal pool, certified by the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program, making it important for the project to be environmentally sensitive in order to preserve habitat for plants and animals. “Gov. Patrick has demonstrated a strong commitment to Pittsfield an Berkshire County,” said Mayor Daniel Bianchi. “The city of Pittsfield is pleased to join the governor in a financial commitment for the environmental restoration and construction of the new Berkshire Community College turf field. The new field will provide an athletic hub from Berkshire County and beyond. I look forward to the new events that the BCC turf field will bring to Pittsfield.”

Construction Spending Increases in October
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction spending increased in October amid growing public-sector demand for construction and continued modest growth in residential work, according to an analysis by Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new spending figures underscore the need for measures to increase the supply of qualified construction workers as firms worry about growing labor shortages. “Today’s data shows that construction growth remains volatile,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “While overall construction spending jumped by more than 1% in October, the gain followed two months of stagnation. Public construction was the fastest-growing segment for the month but the slowest-growing over the past year and for the first 10 months of 2014 combined. Conversely, private, non-residential construction inched down from September to October but has risen at double-digit rates — 11% — for the combined January-through-October period. And private residential construction continues to grow very modestly, with multi-family construction taking the lead on an annual basis.” Construction spending in October totaled $971 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 1.1% from the September total and 3.3% higher than in October 2013, Simonson noted. Private residential spending edged up 1.3% from September and 1.9% from a year earlier, while private non-residential spending dropped 1.0% for the month but rose 6.4% year-over-year. The third component of the total — public construction spending — increased 1.5% from September and 2.3% from a year ago. Single-family home construction gained 1.8% for the month and 13.2% over 12 months, and multi-family work increased 1.0% from the September level and jumped 27.2% from a year earlier. The largest private non-residential type, power construction — which includes oil and gas fields and pipelines as well as electric power — slumped 1.9% in October but rose 0.3% from the prior year. Commercial construction — comprising retail, warehouse, and farm projects — decreased 2.6% for the month but increased 9.3% for the year. Manufacturing construction increased 3.4% for the month and 23% year-over-year. Among the largest public segments, highway and street construction inched up 1.1% for the month and declined 0.1% from October 2013. Public-education construction inched up 2.2% and 6.1%, respectively. “For 2014 as a whole and 2015, private non-residential spending and multi-family spending should be the strongest segments, followed by single-family construction, with very limited prospects for public construction,” Simonson said. Association officials said the spending increases come as many firms report growing labor shortages. They urged elected and appointed officials to act on a series of measures the association has identified that will help expand the supply of qualified construction workers. “We need to make sure there are enough workers available to meet growing demand for construction,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO.

Unemployment Rates Down in Massachusetts
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) reported that seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for October were down in 20 Massachusetts labor market areas and up in two areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the year, unemployment rates were down in all the labor market areas. The preliminary statewide unadjusted unemployment rate estimate for October was 5.1%, down 1.1% from September. Over the year, the statewide unadjusted rate was down 1.8% from the October 2013 rate of 6.9%. During October, 10 of the 12 areas for which job estimates are published recorded job gains. The largest job gain was in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy area, followed by the Worcester, Springfield, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, Peabody, New Bedford, Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner, and Framingham areas. The Pittsfield area had no change in its jobs level over the month, while the Barnstable area recorded a seasonal loss. Since October 2013, all 12 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, Worcester, Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, Springfield, and Pittsfield areas. The seasonally adjusted statewide October unemployment rate, released on Nov. 20, remained unchanged over the month at 6.0% and down 1.2% over the year. The rate was 0.2% above the 5.8% national unemployment rate. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 1,200-job gain in October and an over-the-year gain of 52,600 jobs. The labor force, unemployment rates, and job estimates for Massachusetts and every other state are based on several different statistical methodologies specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.

ABC Forecasts Continued Growth in Construction Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a steady and ongoing economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2015. The reasonably brisk industry recovery in 2014 should continue in 2015, with momentum especially growing in segments closely related to the current American energy and industrial production resurgence. “ABC forecasts non-residential construction spending will expand by roughly 7.5% next year,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The segments that will experience the largest growth in construction spending in 2015 include power (e.g. natural-gas-related construction), lodging (leisure and business spending), office space (professional-services employment creation), and manufacturing (rebounding industrial production). The public sector will see far more sluggish growth in construction spending; however, this fits a multi-year pattern with private non-residential spending exceeding public non-residential spending by 28% in 2014, up from 15.6% in 2013.”

DevelopSpringfield Buys 77 Maple St.
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Preservation Trust (SPT) announced the sale of 77 Maple St. to DevelopSpringfield for $35,000. The property, built in 1832 as the Springfield Female Seminary, had fallen into a state of disrepair and near-collapse in 2009 when the trust intervened to save the property from demolition. “Today’s sale represents the completion of the trust’s important preservation work and the transfer of the property to a responsible owner who is doing great things next door at 83 Maple St.,” said Don Courtemanche, president of the Springfield Preservation Trust. “We believe having these properties together under single ownership will ultimately be in both properties’ best interests in terms of preservation and marketability.” Added Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield, “we are thrilled to add this wonderful property to our portfolio. It makes so much sense for us to include the rehabilitation of this building in our plans for rehabilitation of the Ansel Phelps House at 83 Maple St.” Since purchasing the property, SPT has made significant structural repairs, including the critical rebuilding of a collapsed wall as well as foundation repairs, roof and trim repairs, and the repair and restoration of 24 of the building’s large, historic windows. The project has been the beneficiary of a great deal of public support, including contributions from the Springfield CDBG Program, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the 1776 Foundation, MassMutual Financial, the Hampden Bank Foundation, Bob McCarroll, and a vast number of SPT members and friends through year-round SPT special events. “We are an all-volunteer organization and could not have saved this building without the support of the community and funders,” said Courtemanche. “This truly was a community effort.” In addition to the Ansel Phelps House, DevelopSpringfield also owns a former carriage house and row of garages on an abutting parcel and an adjacent vacant lot that will provide parking, access, and green space to support both buildings. For information on leasing opportunities, contact Minkarah at (413) 209-8808 or [email protected].

Leadership Pioneer Valley Launches Leadership 2.0
SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) is offering offering a new series of bite-sized training sessions beginning in January to enhance leadership skills and understanding of the region. The sessions are open to LPV alumni and other emerging and established leaders. LPV recognizes that leadership is a lifelong process, and the Leadership 2.0 series features six two- to three-hour training sessions on a variety of topics with the goal of deepening leadership skills, creating new and diverse connections, and making an impact on the region. The sessions are open to LPV alumni who want to continue their learning or others who are unable to be part of LPV’s 10-month program. The intent is to diversify Leadership Pioneer Valley’s offerings and create new opportunities. Workshop topics include “Effective Communications,” “Becoming a Superhero Board Member,” and a field experience to explore the Agawam area. The series sponsors include Sisters of Providence Health System/Mercy Hospital, Appleton Corp., the Beveridge Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

Paragus Recognized as Model Employer
HADLEY — Paragus Strategic IT was recently honored with an Employer of Choice award by the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast at the organization’s Employment Law and HR Practices Conference in Sturbridge. Paragus CEO Delcie Bean was also a featured speaker at the 21st Century Talent event focused on how top employers are changing today’s workforce. Winners of the Employer of Choice award are recognized for developing a culture of transforming and rewarding employee performance. Entrants are judged in categories including company culture, training and development, communication, recognition and reward, and work-life balance. Past winners include Maybury Material Handling, PeoplesBank, and Health New England. The 21st Century Talent conference was organized by Bank of America, Commonwealth Corp., and Grads of Life. Along with representatives from Harvard and Udacity, Bean was invited to speak about Paragus Strategic IT’s commitment to the next generation of workforce. With a 546% growth rate over six years, Paragus is the second-fastest-growing outsourced IT firm in New England. Most recently, Bean started Tech Foundry, a nonprofit education program designed to provide area high-school students with strong education and career training in technology.

Nuclea Biotechnologies Secures Design Patent
PITTSFIELD — Nuclea Biotechnologies Inc. announced that it has secured a new U.S. design patent for the design of its beam-dump assembly, a mechanical component that will be utilized in multiple diagnostic applications. The beam-dump assembly is used for the detection of low-abundance proteins within microfluidic-based environments. It identifies a change in biological samples by reading laser light. This detection instrument will be used for protein detection in Nuclea’s fatty-acid synthase (FAS), HER-2/neu, and CAIX diagnostic tests, with future potential use in additional diagnostic tests. The design patent is an important step for Nuclea as the company continues to expand its intellectual property surrounding its proprietary tests and methods. “This is another milestone for Nuclea in developing new diagnostic-based technology as it relates to the analysis of fluids in a variety of diseases,” said Patrick Muraca, the company’s president and CEO. Based in Pittsfield, Nuclea, with additional operations in Worcester and Cambridge, has developed and is commercializing unique diagnostic tests for colon, breast, leukemia, lung, and prostate cancer, as well as for diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. Nuclea also performs research leading to novel molecular oncology companion diagnostics for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Dowd Agencies Merges Indian Orchard Offices
HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, a leading insurance provider serving New England for more than 115 years, announced a merger of the firm’s two Indian Orchard-based offices. Moskal-Dowd, previously located at 20 Parker St., and Orchard-Dowd, previously located at 144 Main St., have officially merged and will now operate as the Indian Orchard-based location of the Dowd Agencies located at 485 Main St. The new, 2,500-square-foot office is officially open for business. Customers and the general public are invited to visit, and an open house is planned for the spring of 2015. “One centralized location for our Indian Orchard office will increase accessibility for our customers,” said John Dowd Jr., president and CEO of the Dowd Agencies. “The benefits of the new office include ample parking, a large conference room for meetings, and, most importantly, a larger staff to provide our customers a broader service offering from one location.” The Dowd Agencies will continue to be headquartered in Holyoke, which houses the firm’s human resources department and administrative staff.

Comcast Lends Support to New Agawam YMCA
SPRINGFIELD — In response to the recent opening of the Agawam YMCA Wellness & Program Family Center, the YMCA of Greater Springfield is announcing the donation of $10,000 from Comcast. The Agawam YMCA is the latest addition to the YMCA of Greater Springfield’s many locations, providing membership and program opportunities to the Agawam region. With support from Comcast in the way of public-service announcements and direct financial contributions, the Agawam YMCA is slated to impact more than 3,000 youth, teens, families, and seniors in Agawam and its surrounding communities. The YMCA of Greater Springfield serves 115,000 members and program participants in 14 cities and towns throughout the region. The Agawam YMCA includes a health and wellness center, sauna, group exercise space, café, technology center, and community meeting space. Naming opportunities for donors are still available. To learn more about the YMCA of Greater Springfield, contact Nikki Durham at [email protected] or visit www.springfieldy.org.

Editorial

By
Opinion
Diocese Must Rebuild Cathedral High

In many ways, Bishop Mitchell Rozanski’s decision to hit the pause button with regard to the planned rebuilding of tornado-damaged Cathedral High School is to be expected. He is the new bishop for Greater Springfield and needs to be comfortable that a Catholic high school in the city is viable.

There are persistent and difficult-to-answer questions about why attendance at parochial schools has decreased in recent years — Cathedral once boasted nearly 3,000 students, and now there are just over 200 attending a makeshift facility in Wilbraham — and about whether they will ever rise sufficiently to make rebuilding Cathedral a sound investment.

And we emphasize the word ‘investment,’ because that is how this must be viewed. For the Catholic Church to continue being relevant, it must invest in Catholic education. For these reasons, we believe the bishop is approaching this exercise with the wrong mindset.

Instead of asking whether Cathedral High School has a future — which is essentially what he’s been doing since he announced last month he was reviewing the matter and not fully committing to rebuilding, despite repeated assurances to the contrary from the diocese — and determining how to answer that question, he should instead be focused on making sure Cathedral has a strong, viable future.

For inspiration, he needs only to revisit the building of the present Cathedral on Surrey Road in Springfield’s East Forest Park. Before that facility was built, attendance at Cathedral was limited, probably because of the school’s cramped, limited facilities on Elliott Street.

The new Cathedral was state-of-the-art in every way, and students from not only Springfield but also a host of surrounding communities that had just built their own glimmering new high schools (that list includes Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and Wilbraham), and all faiths, flocked to it. By the early ’70s, there were nearly 800 students in each class, and Cathedral was synonymous not only with size, but with excellence.

Granted, times have changed, and enrollment at Cathedral has fallen precipitously in recent years. There are many theories about why — ranging from strict oversight of the school by a dogmatic diocese to limited financial assistance to families — but it’s clear that parents faced with paying nearly $10,000 a year in tuition for Cathedral or sending their children to high school in a community where they are already paying taxes are, in many cases, choosing the latter.

Building a new, smaller Cathedral isn’t about trying to relive the past, continue a tradition, honor the previous bishop’s pledge to rebuild when the high school was destroyed in 2011, or answer pleas from alums who don’t want their alma mater to be referred to only in the past tense. It’s about preserving a Catholic education and providing young people and their parents with an important option.

As we said, we can understand (almost) why Bishop Rozanski is hitting that pause button. He’s waiting for some kind of affirmation that this is the right step for the diocese to be taking. The community has responded in a resounding way, pledging millions of dollars to help with the rebuilding effort. We believe he shouldn’t have to wait any longer.

The money (from FEMA and insurance) is there to rebuild. And the sentiment is there as well, as evidenced by impassioned, controlled outrage and strong school spirit exhibited since the bishop made his announcement to put rebuilding on hold.

The time to build is now. And it doesn’t have to be the size of the former Cathedral. Plans on the table presently allow for a much smaller, more manageable high school that can easily be expanded along with increasing enrollment. The challenge is to build not just a new school, but an institution of excellence, so parents will be proud to make Cathedral their school of choice once again.

People on the Move

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Departments People on the Move

Robert Ziomek

Robert Ziomek

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) have elected Robert Ziomek, director of major and planned gifts at Western New England University, to lead the organization’s Legislative Steering Committee. Ziomek was elected for a two-year term as chairman of the panel. “I am humbled to be chosen the chair of a group that is so committed to the success of the Greater Springfield business community,” said Ziomek. “The city of Springfield is going through an insurgence of new business development right now, and I’m confident this committee will continue to play a significant role in keeping our federal, state, and local officials focused on the issues that affect the Western Massachusetts business community.” The legislative steering committee identifies and researches issues of major concern to the business community, then recommends positions on them. The committee is also charged with educating members on these issues, soliciting member support, and encouraging elected officials to adopt the ACCGS’ positions. The committee has four subcommittees that perform in-depth research on specific issues: budget, workplace issues, healthcare, and education/workforce development. Ziomek is in his 10th year of service to the committee and previously served as the chairman of the subcommittee that studies workplace issues.
•••••
Darlene Libiszewski

Darlene Libiszewski

Junior Achievement of Western Mass. recently elected new officers and welcomed new members to its board of directors. JA’s 2014-15 officers include chair Darlene Libiszewski of Chicopee Savings Bank; co-vice chairs John Boudreau of Contractor’s Edge LLC and Michael Ginsberg of Insurance Industry Consulting Services; treasurer Nicole Denette of Savage Arms; and clerk Margaret LaMotte of Paragus Strategic IT. Rounding out the executive committee are former chairmen Al Kasper of Savage Arms and Phil Goncalves of Country Bank. Junior Achievement also announced the addition of William Sepaniak of Baystate Medical, Brendan Greeley of RJ Greeley, Tracey Alves-Lear of TD Bank, Christine Quiterio of Comcast, and Jon Feeney of Smith & Wesson.
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Barry Waite

Barry Waite

Holyoke Medical Center announced that Barry Waite has been named corporate director of Human Resources. Waite, a native of Holyoke, served five years as corporate director of Human Resources for the Loomis Communities in South Hadley and seven years as regional director of Human Resources with HealthBridge Management in Concord. Previously, he served as director of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications for Baystate Health in Springfield, and as director of Communications and Marketing for Qualidigm in Middletown, Conn. “This is an exciting time for Holyoke Medical Center, as we bring a new vision and strategic plan into action. The people who work here every day, providing the excellent care that our community hospital is recognized for, are the reason I’m here,” said Waite. “In HR, we have a real impact on how that care is provided, whether the focus is on the morale of the workplace, employee benefits, or creating a healthier workplace environment for our employees — creating an environment where they can thrive and serve our patients to the best of their ability.” Waite attended Boston College and earned his master’s degree in health communications at Emerson College/Tufts University School of Medicine. Among Waite’s plans for HMC are to introduce a new employee-wellness program including an initiative for achieving a healthy work-life balance.
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Catherine Turowsky

Catherine Turowsky

Farmington Bank announced the appointment of Catherine Turowsky as vice president of Cash Management Sales and Services Representative. Turowsky operates out of Farmington Bank’s Western Mass. Commercial Services Office, located at 138 Memorial Ave. in West Springfield. Turowsky, with more than 28 years of banking experience in Massachusetts, comes to Farmington Bank from People’s United Bank, where she served as senior vice president/market manager of cash management services. She is a member of the Treasury Management Assoc. of New England and the Assoc. for Financial Professionals. In September, Connecticut-based Farmington Bank announced its plans to enter Massachusetts with the establishment of the commercial services office now open in West Springfield and two de novo hub branches planned to open, subject to regulatory approval, in West Springfield and East Longmeadow in 2015.
•••••
Dawn Henry has been elected president of the 1,700-member Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley. The election took place at the association’s annual membership meeting held last month at the Yankee Pedlar in Holyoke. Henry is a real-estate sales agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Longmeadow. As president, she will oversee the association’s activities and operations, including meetings of the board of directors, and act as a liaison to the association’s various committees. She is the official spokesperson of the association on issues related to the real-estate industry and the local housing market. The other 2015 officers and directors include Louis Mayo, president-elect; Richard Sawicki Jr., treasurer; Janise Fitzpatrick, secretary; and Patrick Nolan, immediate past president. Directors include Elias Acuna, Edward Alford, Kelly Bowman, Shawn Bowman, Suzi Buzzee, Susan Drumm, Susan Rheaume, and Russell Sabadosa. Organized in 1915, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley is a professional trade organization serving Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.

Opinion

By
Opinion
Money Can’t Buy Vision

By PAUL McMORROW

In most formerly industrial Massachusetts cities, big, game-changing real-estate developments — the kinds of projects that have the potential to turn an entire city around — can’t get built because they don’t make sense economically for developers. And if the state started lining up smart but unfinanceable development projects from New Bedford and Haverhill to Pittsfield, and handing out subsidies to each one, the tab would quickly soar into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Instead, the state earmarked just $16 million.

The notion that $16 million is enough to turn around a handful of economically lagging cities, let alone more than two dozen of them, should be absurd. The need in places like New Bedford, Lawrence, and Springfield is several orders of magnitude bigger. Even so, the state has managed to turn the sum into a big pile of money. It did so by focusing first on the thing that makes the state’s older industrial cities so compelling — the fact that they’re not faceless suburban subdivisions.

From Cambridge to Cleveland, cities are surging. Economic development is largely an urban game, because urban centers offer residents and businesses something they can’t get in a subdivision — authentic, compelling environments.

The comeback of the American city is a place-based phenomenon. It’s about tapping into what’s unique and vibrant about a specific neighborhood in a specific city. Boston’s Back Bay, Brooklyn’s gritty waterfront, and Pittsburgh’s booming public market are all contextual; they don’t happen in the abstract, which is why they’re all so difficult to replicate at the bottom of a suburban highway off-ramp.

From the canals in Lowell and Holyoke to New Bedford’s port, Malden’s classic downtown, and Chelsea’s industrial architecture, Massachusetts’ smaller cities are full of the types of urban amenities that have catalyzed development in other cities. Most just haven’t put all the pieces together in a systematic way yet. The $16 million the Legislature committed to turning these cities around was earmarked for a fund for transformative redevelopment projects. As one slug of money in a real-estate deal, the money won’t transform much. So the fund is being stretched as far as it’ll possibly go, by asking cities across the state to think deeply about the characteristics that make them compelling places.

MassDevelopment, the quasi-public agency administering the fund, put out a call earlier this year, asking cities to identify priority redevelopment districts for transformative projects. The agency put a few parameters on the call: cities could focus on just one development district, it had to be compact enough to walk through in five minutes, and cities had to identify private and civic redevelopment planning partners. Three winning cities would receive a slice of the state’s $16 million, in the form of a redevelopment planning fellow.

The MassDevelopment program asks cities to take a far more granular approach to development planning than they usually take. It leads with an authentic vision for a specific urban place.

“The older approach would be just putting something in, and assuming that, naturally, others would come after it,” says Anne Haynes, the director of the transformative development program at MassDevelopment. “We want to focus on the types of places and spaces that generate activity. So when the larger project comes in, it feeds off what’s around it.” For example, if a large new development rises in a downtown that’s full of storefronts that don’t make sense, the downtown won’t get the kind of boost it should.

This approach assumes that there will be more money coming down the line for large, transformative real-estate developments, but it also recognizes that these larger developments will work only if they’re tapping into a strong sense of place and a workable local development vision. It acknowledges that money to make unfinanceable developments financially feasible is important, but it also acknowledges that money can’t buy vision, and it can’t conjure a strong neighborhood out of nowhere.

Paul McMorrow is an associate editor at Commonwealth Magazine.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

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Chamber Corners Departments

AFFILIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• Jan. 7: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Ludlow Country Club, One Tony Lema Drive, Ludlow. “Putting the PIONEER Back in Pioneer Valley” is the name of the program, to be led by Paul Silva, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors, and Natasha Clark, founder of LionessMagazine.com. Saluting: Dr. Mark Keroack, new CEO of Baystate Health, and Andrew Associates, celebrating its 30th anniversary. Cost: $20 for members ($25 at the door), $30 for general admission.

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

• Dec. 17: December Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee. Cost: $20 for members, $26 for non-members
• Dec. 18: Mornings with the Mayor, 8-9 a.m., at the MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Coffee and light breakfast refreshments will be served, while Mayor Richard Kos provides updates and news about what’s happening in Chicopee. The mayor invites chamber members to submit questions, concerns, or ideas for discussion by Dec. 16 to chamber President Eileen Drumm at [email protected]. This event is for Greater Chicopee Chamber members only and is free, but registration is required.

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

• Jan. 12: “Getting Down to Business about Business,” 8-9 a.m., hosted by Web-tactics Inc., 83 Main St., Easthampton. Mayor Karen Cadieux will be available for casual question-and-answer sessions. RSVP to the chamber at (413) 527-9414 by Jan. 1.
• Jan. 22: Chamber Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, 5 p.m., hosted by Southampton Country Club. The event will feature presentation of Business of the Year awards and celebrate member milestones. For more information, contact the chamber at (413) 527-9414 or e-mail [email protected]
• Feb. 14: 2nd Annual Easthampton WinterFest — Fall in Love with Winter, starting at 11 a.m. The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce invite you to the WinterFest, a community-wide event that features family-friendly winter activities held throughout the day. They include an historical ice harvest on Nashawannuck Pond, horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing, snow sculpture, a chili cook-off, a community bonfire, and much more. There will also be winter-themed indoor activities for all ages. Most events are free or by donation. A lineup of the day’s events will be posted on www.nashawannuckpond.org.

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

• Dec. 17: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m. Sponsored and hosted by the Delaney House in Holyoke. This business networking event includes a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and money (scratch ticket) tree. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for the public. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Jan. 8: Winners Circle 2015 Reception, 5-7 p.m., at the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Ross Insurance. We invite you to attend this enjoyable event where we honor all of our local and state elected officials. Tickets are $27. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Jan. 13: “How to Start and Maintain Your Business — Finding a Location,” 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the chamber office, 177 High St., Holyoke. Join us in this workshop series as members of the chamber teach members of the community the steps it takes to build a successful business. Cost: $20 per session or $175 for the series.

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

• Dec. 10: Free Internet Marketing Seminar, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the chamber office, 99 Pleasant St. Continental Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. Admission is free. Topics include:
— How the world has gone mobile;
— The importance of responsive mobile sites;
— The power and accountability of search;
— The effectiveness of display, Facebook, and news feed ads; and
— Twitter, GooglePlus, and other social media.

• Dec. 15: New member orientation, 3-4 p.m., at the chamber office, 99 Pleasant St. This is the chance to tell us more about your business and how the chamber can best serve you. Meet other new members and learn how to make to the most of your chamber membership. Admission is free. RSVP to (413) 584-1900 or [email protected].
• Jan. 7: Arrive @ 5, 5-7 p.m., at McKenney Electric, 100 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by King & Cushman. Cost: $10 for chamber members.
• Jan. 27: New member orientation, 3-4 p.m., at the chamber office, 99 Pleasant St. This is the chance to tell us more about your business and how the chamber can best serve you. Meet other new members and learn how to make to the most of your chamber membership. Admission is free. RSVP to (413) 584-1900 or [email protected].

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

• Dec. 19: Holiday Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Road, Westfield. Platinum sponsor: Westfield State University. Gold sponsor: Berkshire Bank. Silver sponsor: Easthampton Savings Bank. The guest speaker is Beth Cardillo, executive director of Armbrook Village, who will present “Westfield: A Dementia-friendly City.” The chamber will be collecting the following high-demand items for the Westfield Food Pantry: Pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, tuna, soup, rice, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, juice, coffee, and tea. A cash donation to the Westfield Food Pantry will also be accepted. Cost: $25 for members, $30 for non-members. For more information or to donate a raffle, contact Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.
• Jan. 5: January Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at MoFroYo, Little River Plaza, 617 East Main St., Westfield. This event is free and open to the public. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618 or e-mail [email protected].
• Jan. 14: January After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., at the Arbors of Westfield, 40 Court St. Sponsored by Susan Allen Financial. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members. Refreshments will be served. Bring your business cards and make connections. To register, call Pam at the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

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

• Jan. 15: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., at Lattitude, 1338 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. One must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while social networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. The only cost to attend is the cost of your lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately the day of the event. Please note that we cannot invoice you for these events. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected]

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.springfieldyps.com

• Dec. 17: CEO Luncheon, 1:15 p.m., at Cambridge College, Tower Square, 1500 Main St., Springfield. The guest speaker will be Amy Scott of Wild Apple Design Group.
• Dec. 18: December Third Thursday, 5 p.m., at the Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State St., Springfield. CMSS is dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to begin or renew a lifelong journey into the joy of music and the arts, making this experience accessible and affordable to all people in our community. It offers instruction in classical, jazz, Latin, gospel, and other popular music styles to individuals and families of diverse backgrounds and cultures, ages, abilities, talents, and financial needs. During the event, tour the facility and listen to live music from the talented CMSS students. Parking is available in the CMSS lot on Stockbridge Street. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be provided by Elegant Affairs.

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Affiliated Chambers’ Business@Breakfast
Jan. 7: The entrepreneurial spirit of the region will take center stage at the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s Business@Breakfast on Jan. 7, from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Ludlow Country Club, One Tony Lema Dr., Ludlow. Paul Silva, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors (VVM), will discuss “Putting the PIONEER Back in Pioneer Valley.” He will be joined by Natasha Clark, founder of LionessMagazine.com, a Western Mass.-based, all-digital magazine for the female entrepreneur. VVM is a nonprofit based in Springfield that provides key support to the entrepreneurial ecosystem through its mentorship and accelerator programs. Silva is the manager of the River Valley Investors angel-investor network and co-founder of the Valley Venture Mentors entrepreneurship-mentoring program and All in Play, a company creating software that helps the blind socialize with their fully sighted friends and families as equals. He is the former president of the co-working space and incubator Click Workspace. The breakfast will also honor Dr. Mark Keroack on his new role as CEO of Baystate Health, and recognize Andrew Associates on its 30th anniversary in business. Reservations are $20 for ACCGS members in advance ($25 for members at the door) and $30 for general admission. Reservations are suggested and can be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

WNEU Mini-Law School
Feb. 10 to March 10: Western New England University School of Law will open its doors to the community with a five-week program focused on demystifying the law. Starting on Feb. 10, the Mini-Law School will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Blake Law Center, Room D, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. “Individuals interested in becoming better-informed and engaging in stimulating dialogue will find this program rewarding,” said Pat Newcombe, associate dean for Library and Information Resources. “No legal knowledge is necessary, just a curious mind.” Mini-Law School offers non-lawyers an understanding of legal topics that impact their lives. Each class is taught by School of Law faculty and moderated by the Hon. Kenneth Neiman, magistrate judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts. Blending theory and practice, classes will focus on family law, health law, constitutional law, and environmental law. They include:
• Feb. 10: “Welcome to Mini-Law School: An Inside View of Law School and the Courts,” presented by Neiman and School of Law Dean Eric Gouvin;
• Feb. 17: “Family Law: What Defines a Family?” presented by 
Professor of Law Jennifer Levi and Neiman;
• Feb. 24: “Health Law: End-of-Life Choices,” presented by 
Professor of Law Barbara Noah and Neiman;
• March 3: “Constitutional Law: Real Law or Just Another Kind of Politics?” presented by Professor of Law Bruce Miller and Neiman; and
• March 10: “Environmental Law: Legal Solutions to Pollution Challenges,” presented by 
Professor of Law Julie Steiner and Neiman.
“After five weeks, you won’t be a lawyer,” said Western New England University Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Beth Cohen, “but you will be able to better understand laws that have an effect on your life, and, unlike traditional law school, there are no tests or homework.” Tuition is $35 for all five sessions, or $10 for each individual session. The program is free of charge for any high-school, college, or graduate student with a valid student ID. To register by phone or for more information, call Newcombe at (413) 782-1616. Registration will continue through Jan. 19. Learn more at www.law.wne.edu/minilaw.

Difference Makers
March 19: The sixth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event will be published in upcoming issues of the magazine. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. The magazine’s editor and publishers are currently reviewing nominations, and this year’s class will be profiled in the Feb. 9 issue.

Origami-inspired Art Exhibit
Through April 26: “Origami Interpretations,” an exhibit of 25 vibrant paintings, sculptures, and prints by New York artist Gloria Garfinkel, will be on view at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum through April 26. The works, produced in the late 20th century, feature bold color, energetic patterns, and abstract compositions inspired by Japanese designs and origami forms. The exhibit will also serve to complement the extensive collection of Japanese decorative art from the 18th and 19th centuries on view on the second floor of the museum, and masterpieces of Japanese arms and armor in the gallery at the south end of the building.