Home Posts tagged 2021

BusinessTalk with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 94: December 27, 2021

George Interviews Rick Sullivan, President and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council

Rick Sullivan

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council. The two talk about the year that was … and what the region might expect in 2022 when it comes to everything from the workforce crisis to supply chain issues to attracting individuals and businesses to Western Mass.  It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

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COVID and Its Many Side Effects Dominate the Headlines

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Features Special Coverage

The Year in Review

You could have called it ‘COVID — year 2.’ Many people did. It was supposed to be the year the pandemic was put in the rear view. But it didn’t work out that way. Instead, 2021 was a year in which COVID-19 not only stayed with us, but multiplied its impact in numerous ways, especially within the business community. The shutdowns, heavy restrictions, canceled events, and long lines for testing in 2020 gave way to vaccinations, a general reopening of the economy, and the return of many events and institutions — from the Big E to the Thunderbirds to the local chambers’ After-5 gatherings — in 2021. But there was also inflation, supply-chain issues, a workforce crisis, profound changes in how and where work is done, and something that came to be known as the Great Resignation. But it was also a year when the local cannabis industry continued to grow and broaden its already significant impact on the region, Smith & Wesson announced it was moving its headquarters to Tennessee, tourism bounced back in a big way, and the region lost one its iconic entrepreneurs and restaurateurs. It was another year to remember — or forget, depending on your point of view. With that, here’s a look back at the biggest stories of the past year.

 

 

COVID-19

Actually, COVID wasn’t one story; it was perhaps a dozen different stories all happening at once, some of which you’ll read about below. There was the virus itself, which evolved into different variants, including Delta and, most recently, Omicron. But there were many side effects from the pandemic, each one being a big story in its own way.

That list includes vaccinations — and there are several different aspects to that story — and also ongoing changes to the workplace, a workforce crisis spawned in many ways by the pandemic, supply-chain shortages, inflation generated by huge amounts of money being infused into the economy at a time when there were shortages of many items, and much more.

The news that everyone had been waiting for — the lifting of all restrictions placed on businesses as a result of COVID — came just before Memorial Day. BusinessWest announced this critical turn with the cover headline ‘The Next Stage.’ In actuality, the next stage wasn’t all that most businesses thought it would be, as many of them were now facing new challenges, such as severe labor shortages, the inability to order parts and supplies, lingering issues regarding remote work, and, much later, matters regarding vaccination (more on all these later).

“In most all respects, things were much better in 2021 than they were in 2020, but ‘normal,’ as in pre-COVID, was elusive for many businesses, large and small.”

Still, in most all respects, things were much better in 2021 than they were in 2020, but ‘normal,’ as in pre-COVID, was elusive for many businesses, large and small. From car dealerships with very few new cars on the lots — and used cars taking up showroom space — to restaurants having to close an extra day during the week because they couldn’t get enough help, there were many signs that the pandemic wasn’t going to be relegated to the past tense any time soon. And with the number of cases and hospitalizations spiking this month, it seems certain there will be a ‘year 3’ of COVID — and, for now, great uncertainty about what that will bring.

The Workforce Crisis

Perhaps the most enduring image from this past year, at least within the business community, was the help-wanted sign. It appeared in the window of every kind of business imaginable, from restaurants to manufacturing plants; from roofing companies to landscapers; from golf courses to supermarkets. The list goes on. Everyone was looking for help. And most of them still are.

Indeed, what can only be called a workforce crisis shows no signs of letting up, with signs saying ‘Help Wanted,’ ‘Join Our Team,’ and ‘We’re Hiring’ still dominating the landscape. BusinessWest covered the story extensively and from many different angles in 2021, interviewing everyone from law-firm managing partners to hospital administrators to restaurant owners. They were all saying the same thing: good help is very hard to find, and for many reasons.

For much of the year, one of the presumed factors was attractive (many would say too attractive) federal unemployment benefits. But when those benefits ended in September, the problem did not improve appreciably. Meanwhile, the workforce crisis has had a number of side effects of its own, including higher wages, the need for sign-on bonuses and other incentives, and, most importantly, lost business opportunities from simply not having enough help. And the matter of finding help became greatly complicated by the growing need for help.

“Perhaps the most enduring image from this past year, at least within the business community, was the help-wanted sign. It appeared in the window of every kind of business imaginable.”

That’s why the phrase ‘Great Resignation’ entered the lexicon in 2021, a reference to the millions of people who left their jobs over the course of the year for reasons ranging from the ability to retire early to job dissatisfaction to mandated vaccinations. Overall, it was a good year to be looking for work, and a very difficult year for those looking for help.

 

Inflation and the Supply Chain

‘The Rising Cost of Everything.’ That was the headline on a BusinessWest cover story in late May. That same headline could have worked in every month since. Indeed, the price of just about everything, from steak to lumber to used cars, kept heading skyward.

Last month, in fact, inflation hit its highest point in almost 40 years. The Consumer Price Index, which tracks the price of a broad range of goods, rose 0.8% in November and is up 6.8% from a year earlier. The biggest risers included food, housing, cars (both new and used), and gasoline. Energy costs in November were up 33% over a year earlier, food costs were up 6%, and used car and truck prices climbed 31%.

The most recent echo of such severe inflation took place in the 1970s, a situation spurred by disruptions in global oil supplies. Inflation rose from below 3% in 1972 to above 13% in 1979, prompting the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates to as high as 20%. By 1982, inflation had receded, but the experience shaped monetary policy for decades.

“One of the main drivers to the current inflation crisis, of course, has been a broken global supply chain — an issue with so many interlocking factors, it’s hard to see it resolving any time soon.”

One of the main drivers to the current inflation crisis, of course, has been a broken global supply chain — an issue with so many interlocking factors, it’s hard to see it resolving any time soon. The earliest factor was a widespread economic shutdown in the spring of 2020; when the economy began reopening at high speed later that year, supply chains — for products like steel, lumber, and other key supplies — were slow to respond to growing consumer demand, and never caught up.

Add in serious delays in freight shipping, a bottleneck of shipping containers across the globe, and a persistent shortage of workers, and the result is additional strain on businesses and soaring prices all the way down the supply line — which eventually reach consumers in the form of, you guessed it, inflation. Untangling all of this will be one of the big challenges facing policymakers and business leaders in 2022.

 

Changes in the Workplace

If 2020 was the year of remote work, then 2021 was the year of deciding if, when, and under what circumstances people would continue to work remotely. And for many businesses, deciding just what to do became a stern challenge.

Many arrived at a hybrid format as the most common-sense solution, a mixed approach that had employees working remotely most days but in the office at least one or two. However, many employees, citing how well they worked at home, questioned whether the hybrid approach was needed or even effective.

Meanwhile, the changing dynamic created still more challenges for those confronting the ongoing workforce challenge. Indeed, beyond salary, benefits, and workplace culture, many job seekers put the ability to work remotely high on their wish list — or demand list, as the case may be.

Sarah Rose Stack, recruiting director for Holyoke-based Meyers Brothers Kalicka, summed things up poignantly in a piece she wrote for BusinessWest in October. “Employees are actively seeking remote or hybrid work opportunities just as many companies are now demanding that employees return to in-person work,” she explained. “Some have even pre-emptively started seeking flexible work opportunities out of fear that their current remote-work situation might change. Many are expressing that the ability to work from home and have more flexible work schedules in general have helped to prevent burnout. People have enjoyed ditching the morning commute and 5 p.m. rush hour. The returned pockets of time have come with myriad benefits, including more sleep, more time with family before and after work, less wear and tear on vehicles, more time with pets, and an overall more comfortable environment.”

“If 2020 was the year of remote work, then 2021 was the year of deciding if, when, and under what circumstances people would continue to work remotely. And for many businesses, deciding just what to do became a stern challenge.”

But while remote work presents challenges, there are opportunities for businesses as well; managers in many different sectors told BusinessWest that remote work gives them the opportunity to recruit talent from across the country, not simply from within the 413. That same opportunity could be a boon for this region and, especially, rural areas like the Berkshires and Franklin County, which offer quality of life, lower cost of living, and, now, an opportunity to live there and work almost anywhere. Like many of the stories on our list, this one will take some time to play out.

 

Smith & Wesson Heads to Tennessee

The press release found its way into the inbox of area media outlets early in the morning of Sept. 30. And it was a bombshell. Smith & Wesson President Mark Smith was announcing that the company was moving its corporate headquarters — and roughly 500 jobs — from Springfield, where the company was launched more than 150 years ago, to Blount County, Tennessee.

The stated reason was that the company did not want to remain headquartered in a state where legislation had been filed that would ban the manufacturing of more than half the products (specifically assault weapons) made by the company. Smith & Wesson’s new home is a county that bills itself as a ‘Second Amendment sanctuary.’

While the stated case for leaving was greeted with significant skepticism — many elected officials stated that the company was simply taking advantage of huge tax breaks and other incentives — there was considerable discussion about just what Springfield and this region would be losing. The 500 jobs were at the top of that list, obviously, but some were saying the city was also losing some of its business and manufacturing heritage (even if 1,000 of the company’s jobs were staying in the city) and some bragging rights, given that S&W is among the most recognizable brands in the world.

As for the lost jobs, some elected officials, and some area manufacturers as well, see this as an opportunity for the region, given the ongoing workforce crisis and shortage of good help (see how the stories on this list are all interconnected?). One firm, Indian Orchard-based Eastman, actually started advertising directly to those impacted Smith & Wesson workers, welcoming them to seek work at that firm.

 

Cannabis Continues to Flourish

In the three years and one month since NETA opened on Conz Street in Northampton and became the state’s very first dispensary for legal, recreational cannabis, almost 200 cannabis businesses — not just retail shops, but growers, manufacturers, labs, and wholesalers — have cropped up across Massachusetts. Last month, total sales in Massachusetts crossed the $2 billion mark … and the second billion arrived in a much shorter timespan than the first billion.

What this tells industry proponents is that constant expansion of competition isn’t simply spreading out a limited pool of customers; it’s creating more, and many believe there remains a significant well of individuals who haven’t yet turned on, but will eventually, as they hear good things from friends and family and the last barriers of stigma fall.

Locally, that’s good news on a couple of economic fronts: municipal tax revenues and jobs. In Northampton, for instance, which boasts at least 20 cannabis-related businesses, excise taxes have brought in more than $4.3 million over three years, to help pay for much-neede city services. And just down the road in Holyoke, a surge in employment in this new industry — hundreds of jobs and counting in that city alone — has led to new job-training programs to feed the growing demand.

If there has been one hiccup, the Cannabis Control Commission’s stated commitment to social-equity opportunities — with the goal of helping communities and demographics negatively impacted by the war on drugs to access entrepreneurship opportunities in cannabis — has met with inconsistent results. But commissioners have heard those complaints, and the conversation continues.

“Last month, total sales in Massachusetts crossed the $2 billion mark … and the second billion arrived in a much shorter timespan than the first billion.”

Meanwhile, the sheer number of cannabis businesses in Massachusetts is actually making it easier for all players — even small ones — to succeed, because of the cross-pollination making vertical integration less of a necessity these days. It’s an industry of many niches, and every niche is reporting tremendous oppportunity.

 

Tourism Industry Rebounds

While full recovery is still a ways off, the region’s large and vital tourism and hospitality industry staged an inspiring comeback in 2021. The biggest story, on many levels, was the return of the Big E after a one-year hiatus due to COVID. The 17-day fair drew large crowds — nearly 1.5 million in total — and on the final Saturday, it topped the all-time single-day attendance mark with 177,238 visitors.

Meanwhile, the fair boosted the fortunes of a number of other businesses, from hotels and restaurants to tent-renting companies. But there were other signs of progress as well, including solid visitation numbers at a renovated Basketball Hall of Fame, the return of live performances at Jacob’s Pillow and a host of other cultural venues, a steady if unspectacular year for MGM Springfield, and, of course, the return of the Springfield Thunderbirds, which were in first place as of this writing.

As for restaurants, they rebounded as well, with patrons returning in large numbers, especially after the state lifted all restrictions on such businesses just before Memorial Day. But for most all restaurants, reopening came with challenges, especially on the workforce side, with many forced to close more than one day a week (the traditional number) because of a lack of workers.

“While full recovery is still a ways off, the region’s large and vital tourism and hospitality industry staged an inspiring comeback in 2021. The biggest story, on many levels, was the return of the Big E after a one-year hiatus due to COVID.”

As for hotels and event venues, weddings and similar events returned in full force, but the story was different on the corporate side, with travel and events still well below pre-COVID levels. So, while the tourism sector has recovered to some degree, there is still some work to do.

 

The Vaccination Issue

Businesses already facing a number of challenges as a result of COVID were handed another with the arrival of vaccinations to combat the virus.

The efficacy of vaccines isn’t in doubt. While they don’t totally prevent spread or infection, their impact on severity is well-documented, with hospital ICUs reporting that 95% or more of the most severe cases — and deaths — in 2021 have been among the unvaccinated. And those deaths are nothing to scoff at. As the pandemic approaches the end of a second year, the U.S. is about to surpass 800,000 deaths from the virus, hitting the elderly the hardest; roughly one in 100 older Americans has died from the virus, while, for people younger than 65, that ratio is closer to 1 in 1,400.

So it’s natural that business and political leaders have been frustrated by vaccine hesitancy among wide swaths of Americans. While the vaccines have certainly prompted decreases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID, they have left employers with hard decisions — and some dilemmas.

“While the vaccines have certainly prompted decreases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID, they have left employers with hard decisions — and some dilemmas.”

Many business owners didn’t want to be in a position to require vaccinations, but this fall, the Biden administration made the decision for them, requiring vaccinations for all businesses with more than 100 employees and those working on federal contracts (or subcontracts), healthcare workers, and federal government workers.

Legal challenges have gone back and forth on these vaccination mandates, putting the mandate for federal workers in limbo for a time (though it’s back on for the time being), while private employers moving forward with the mandate must cope with employees leaving because they don’t wish to be vaccinated, adding to an already-difficult workforce environment. It’s another story that will play itself out over the coming weeks and months.

 

Data Center Proposed in Westfield

It’s being called the largest private-sector development proposal in the region’s history. That some of the language attached to a plan to build a $2.7 billion data center on a 165-acre parcel off Servistar Industrial Way in Westfield.

The proposal’s developers, Servistar Industrial Realties, have presented plans calling for a complex of 10 buildings totaling more than 2.74 million square feet, with projected customers expected to include the likes of Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook. The project, which still has a number of hurdles to clear before it becomes reality, has received approval from the Planning Board and City Council, with the state now considering a 40-year tax-abatement package.

The developers focused in on Westfield and the large parcel in question — actually, several smaller parcels knitted together — because the site could check a number of boxes, including the ability to draw power, and large amounts of it, directly from the grid, as well as access to a reliable, high-speed fiber communications network. Competitive cost of doing business is also high on the list, as is a skilled workforce and easy access to major markets.

Area economic-development officials note that, while sites for such massive initiatives, called ‘hyperscale’ projects, are rare, there is the potential for smaller-scale data-center ventures, and success with the Westfield project could create other opportunities for the region.

 

Housing Prices Soar

Have you tried to buy a house lately? How frustrating has it been?

Probably plenty frustrating, because of a simple supply-and-demand equation: there are far fewer available houses on the market, especially in Western Mass., than there are buyers, and that’s caused prices to soar. Homes are often publicly on the market for a day or two before they’re snapped up, often at more than the asking price, sometimes without an inspection.

Statistics from the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley bear this out. Last December, home sales in the Pioneer Valley were up 29.2%, and median price was up 10.1%, from December 2019. And the trend has continued through 2021, with sales down slightly from 12 months earlier, but the median price up another 15%.

A few different factors have been in play. Since the start of the pandemic, especially since the advent of widespread remote work, families have been trying to escape urban areas, driving sales in Berkshire and Franklin counties, but also in more populous Hampden and Hampshire counties as well. Demand has outpaced supply, and home buyers aren’t putting their own houses on the market until they’ve got a new home nailed down.

Meanwhile, interest rates have been at historic lows, even creeping below 3%. “The rates are so low that a lot of people are realizing it’s much cheaper than renting,” Realtor Tanya Vitale-Basile told BusinessWest earlier this year, adding that sellers from the Boston area find they can get much more living space for their money in the Pioneer Valley.

In short, families spending much more time at home have decided they want a different one — and for many, it’s been tough to buy one.

 

Other Stories from 2021

There were many of them, including the death in May of serial entrepreneur and restaurateur Andy Yee. What would have been his 60th birthday a few weeks later was one of the bigger parties of the year. It was a celebration of a life well-lived.

There was a loss of another kind in late November, when a four-alarm fire ravaged the Maple Center Shopping Plaza in Longmeadow, which left five businesses, which collectively employed 74 people, homeless. The community has rallied around the business owners and employees to help them recover.

In news that affects businesses of all kinds, 2021 will be a record-breaking year for data breaches. According to Identity Theft Resource Center research, the total number of data breaches through three quarters has already exceeded the total number of events in 2020 by 17%, with 1,291 breaches from January through September 2021 compared to 1,108 breaches in 2020.

Ambitious proposals for east-west rail, connecting Pittsfield and Boston along the southern half of the state and North Adams and Boston up north, have gained steam, with MassDOT just last week convening stakeholders and launching a study of the latter. Meanwhile, north-south service on the Amtrak Valley Flyer and Vermonter lines was restored over the summer after pandemic cutbacks.

“In news that affects businesses of all kinds, 2021 will be a record-breaking year for data breaches. According to Identity Theft Resource Center research, the total number of data breaches through three quarters has already exceeded the total number of events in 2020 by 17%, with 1,291 breaches from January through September 2021 compared to 1,108 breaches in 2020.”

Plans by Carvana to build a large car-processing facility in Southwick were scuttled over the summer when the company withdrew its proposal hours before a public meeting where residents were expected to oppose it by a wide margin, mainly due to traffic concerns.

One ongoing story from 2021 is an apparent surge in entrepreneurship prompted by COVID and its many side effects. Indeed, the pandemic left many with the time and inclination to move on with their dreams of owning their own businesses, and many of them seized the opportunity, with new ventures ranging from breweries to a Latino marketing agency to a wine-distribution business.

As for BusinessWest, it was a busy year, especially when it came to events. Due to COVID, there were actually six this year, with two slated for late in 2020 rescheduled for this past January. Live events returned with a raucous 40 Under Forty gala at the Log Cabin in September, followed by the Healthcare Heroes and Women of Impact celebrations in October and December, respectively. Nominations are open for these recognition programs for 2022.

 

Reflecting on an Uncertain Year

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Opinion

Editorial

 

Well, that year was … something.

It was certainly something different than 2020, when COVID-19 took everyone by surprise, not only launching a serious health crisis, but disrupting the economy in ways both immediate — many businesses were shut down for weeks and even months — and in the longer term (the broken supply chain).

Everyone learned to pivot — yes, the word everyone got sick of in 2020 — and that made us all more resilient during 2021, a year when business began getting back to normal in some ways, while in other ways, we wondered if we’d ever see normal again.

Take remote work, which may prove to have the longest legs when it comes to trends that emerged from COVID. By the fall of 2020, employers were crafting plans to bring homebound workers back to the office. Plenty of those workers didn’t want to return, and made it clear they were perfectly productive without a commute or face-to-face contact with co-workers. More than a year later, many of those employers have backed off and have made remote work, or at least a hybrid schedule, a more or less standard model.

We certainly hope supply-chain and inflation challenges don’t prove to have the longest legs, because those are problems no one can afford to live with forever. We’ll see what the federal response is in 2022 — rising interest rates seem inevitable — and how these issues continue to depress the ability of businesses to invest and grow.

The other factor suppressing business growth, of course, is an ongoing workforce crunch — a combination of older workers retiring early and younger ones wielding newfound leverage in surprising ways. Whatever the factors, the Great Resignation is real, and will continue to reverberate into 2022.

That said, all that pivoting created a more resilient business culture in Western Mass. this year, one that has become more nimble, more adaptable, and more entrepreneurial. Sectors like tourism rebounded nicely, while cannabis continued its unimpeded progress. .

But back to that hard-earned sense of resilience. Whatever industry we covered this year — construction, auto sales, manufacturing, nonprofits, you name it — when we spoke with business leaders, no one shied away from the lingering pandemic and its global side effects, and how those factors continue to make it difficult to do business.

But there’s a sense of optimism in the air, too. Many feel like, if they’ve made it this far, 2022 can only get better, even if no one can be sure when the pandemic and its ill effects will recede. They’ve survived, they’ve rebounded, they’ve learned — and they know their customers want to get back to normal, to buy and invest and experience as they used to.

In some ways, it’s frustrating to think we’d be in better shape than we are now, on many levels. But for most, things did get a little better in 2021 — and we’re sensing plenty of optimism for 2022. And we’ll stay on top of it, as always. Happy holidays from BusinessWest.

BusinessTalk with Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 93: December 20, 2021

George Interviews Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center

Dr. Robert Roose

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center.  The two talk about everything from the state of the pandemic and the arrival of the Omicron variant, to the immense challenges facing hospitals today, to the ongoing workforce crisis and the many ways it is impacting this important sector of the economy.  It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

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BusinessTalk with Peter Rosskothen

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 92: December 13, 2021

George Interviews Mark Keroack, President & CEO of Baystate Health

Peter Rosskothen

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Peter Rosskothen, owner of the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, the Delaney House restaurant, and other hospitality-sector businesses.  The two talk about everything from the state of the pandemic and its many implications for that sector to the ongoing workforce crisis in the region, to the price of steak, and how it keeps going up.  It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

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Giving Guide 2021

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Giving Guide Special Coverage

2021 Annual Giving Guide

To Our Readers

While philanthropy is a year-round activity, the holidays are a time when many of us think about those who are in need, and how, in general, we can help make Western Mass. a better community for all who call this region home.

To help individuals, groups, and businesses make effective decisions when it comes to philanthropy, BusinessWest and the Healthcare News present their annual Giving Guide. In this section are profiles of several area nonprofit organizations, a sampling of the region’s thousands of nonprofits.

These profiles are intended to educate readers about what these groups are doing to improve quality of life for the people living and working in the 413, but also to inspire them to provide the critical support (which comes in many different forms) that these organizations and so many others so desperately need.

View the 2021 Giving Guide PDF Flipbook HERE

And while the need to support these nonprofits is constant — year-round and every year — at this challenging time, the need is even greater. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a huge toll on many of the nonprofits in this region, at a time when the collective needs within the community have perhaps never been greater, not just because of COVID, but also a struggling economy, inflation, and even natural disasters.

These profiles within the Giving Guide list not only giving opportunities — everything from online donations to corporate sponsorships — but also volunteer opportunities. And it is through volunteering, as much as with a cash donation, that individuals can help a nonprofit carry out its important mission within our community.

BusinessWest and HCN launched the Giving Guide to 2011 to harness this region’s incredibly strong track record of philanthropy and support of the organizations dedicated to helping those in need.

The publication is designed to inform, but also to encourage individuals and organizations to find new and imaginative ways to give back. We are confident it will succeed with both of those assignments.

 

George O’Brien, Editor and Associate Publisher

John Gormally, Publisher

Kate Campiti, Sales Manager and Associate Publisher

 

The Giving Guide is Presented by:

BusinessTalk with Jessica Collins, one of BusinessWest’s recently named Women of Impact for 2021

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 89: November 22, 2021

George Interviews Jessica Collins, one of BusinessWest’s recently named Women of Impact for 2021

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Jessica Collins, one of BusinessWest’s recently named Women of Impact for 2021, several of whom will be spotlighted over the coming weeks. The two talk about everything that went into this honor, from her passion for public health to her remarkable track record for forging collaborative efforts to address some of the most pressing public health issues facing our region. It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

Also Available On

BusinessTalk with Madeline Landrau, one of BusinessWest’s recently named Women of Impact for 2021

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 88: November 15, 2021

George Interviews Madeline Landrau, one of BusinessWest’s recently named Women of Impact for 2021

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Madeline Landrau, one of BusinessWest’s recently named Women of Impact for 2021, several of whom will be spotlighted over the coming weeks. The two talk about everything that went into this honor, from her many responsibilities as Program Engagement Manager at MassMutual, to the many facets her involvement within the community, to her ongoing work as a mentor to a number of young women in the region.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

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BusinessTalk with Bob Nakosteen, a professor of Economics at UMass Amherst

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 87: November 8, 2021

George Interviews Bob Nakosteen, a professor of Economics at UMass Amherst

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Bob Nakosteen, a professor of Economics at UMass Amherst. The two talk about everything from the recent jobs report and what it means, to soaring inflation; from supply chain issues and how they will impact the rate of recovery, to projections for the year ahead. It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

Also Available On

BusinessTalk with Tim Netkovick, a partner with the Royal Law Firm

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 86: Nov. 1, 2021

George Interviews Tim Netkovick, a partner with the Royal Law Firm

Timothy M. Netkovick, Esq

George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Tim Netkovick, a partner with the Royal Law Firm. The two talk about COVID, vaccines, and especially the mandates ordered by the Biden administration and what they will mean for area businesses already struggling with the pandemic, a workforce crisis, inflation, and a host of other issues. It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

Also Available On

Announcing the 2021 Women of Impact

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Cover Story Women of Impact Women of Impact 2021

View the 2021 Celebration Video Here

View the 2021 Celebration Photo Gallery Here

[Show thumbnails]

To order prints go to Leah Martin Photography

Women of Impact Awards Ceremony

Thursday, December 9, 2021 • 5- 8 p.m. • Sheraton Springfield

Tickets $85 per person • Call: (413) 781-8600 or Email [email protected]

Honorees to Be Saluted on Dec. 9

Leader. Inspiration. Pioneer. Mentor.

You will read plenty of words like these over the next eight profiles as BusinessWest introduces its fourth annual cohort of a program called, appropriately enough, Women of Impact.

Appropriate, because these women aren’t only business successes and community leaders; they are, indeed, impactful — in ways that reverberate far beyond their office, their sector, and even this present time.

These are compelling stories about remarkable women, and as you read them, you’ll quickly understand why BusinessWest added Women of Impact to its list of annual recognition programs four years ago. In short, these stories need to be told — or told in a different way than you’ve heard before.

These eight stories detail not only what these women do for a living, but what they’ve done with their lives. Specifically, they’ve become innovators in their fields, leaders within the community, and, most importantly, inspirations to all those around them. Crucially, they’re creating a legacy for other women to build upon.

The stories are all different, but there are many common denominators: these are women and leaders who have vision, passion, drive to excel, and a desire to put their considerable talents to work mentoring and helping others.

View the 2021 Women of Impact Special Section HERE

 

Individually and especially together, they’re making this a much better place to live, work, raise a family, and run a business.

And they will be celebrated on Dec. 9 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel. So, after reading their stories, we invite you to come and applaud some truly impactful women. The 2021 honorees are:

• Jessica Collins

Executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts;

• Elizabeth Dineen

CEO of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts;

• Charlene Elvers

Director of the Center for Service and Leadership at Springfield College;

• Karin Jeffers

President and CEO of Clinical and Support Options;

• Elizabeth Keen

Owner of Indian Line Farm;

• Madeline Landrau

Program Engagement manager at MassMutual;

• Shannon Mumblo

Executive director of Christina’s House;

• Tracye Whitfield

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer for the town of West Springfield; and Springfield City Councilor.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors

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Supporting Sponsors

Meet the Judges

Michele Cabral

Michele Cabral is interim executive director of Professional Education and Corporate Learning at Holyoke Community College and director of Training & Workforce Options. She started her career as a CPA for KPMG Peat Marwick, graduated from the Leadership Development Program at CIGNA Insurance Companies, and joined Farm Credit Financial Partners Inc. as CFO and COO. At HCC, Cabral has held positions as an Accounting professor, then dean of the Business and Technology Division, and she currently leads the HCC Women’s Leadership Series.

Dawn Fleury

Dawn Fleury is the first senior vice president of Corporate Risk at Country Bank in Ware. In her current role, she oversees the bank’s comprehensive risk-management programs. Before joining Country Bank, she had a 21-year career with the FDIC as a commissioned senior bank examiner in the Division of Supervision. Fleury serves on the board of Christina’s House in Springfield, which provides transitional housing for women and their children, as well as educational programming as families transition from homelessness to permanent, stable living environments.

Ellen Freyman

Ellen Freyman is a shareholder with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. in Springfield. Her practice is concentrated in all aspects of commercial real estate: acquisitions and sales, development, leasing, permitting, environmental, and financing. She has been recognized for her community work and was named to Difference Makers and Women of Impact by BusinessWest, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in the Law, and the Professional Women’s Chamber Women of the Year. She also earned a Pynchon Award from the Ad Club of Western Massachusetts.

Shannon Mumblo

By
Women of Impact 2021

Executive Director, Christina’s House

She Helps Homeless Moms and Kids Achieve Stability and Independence

One Sunday morning in 2010, Linda Mumblo was sitting in church when she felt God calling her to minister to homeless women and children.

“She noticed there were a lot of services for men in the area, but she felt there weren’t a lot of services for women,” said Linda’s daughter-in-law, Shannon Mumblo, adding that Linda turned the idea, which she called Christina’s House, into a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit within the month.

Shannon was a nurse and licensed clinical social worker at Baystate Medical Center at the time, but she was intrigued by Linda’s vision — for a very personal reason.

“I knew I wanted to be a very big part of what she was going to do because, growing up, I was the child who lived in a situation with an alcoholic mom, who lived in an apartment with just a mattress on a floor and didn’t always know where my next meal was going to come from.”

Fortunately, her grandmother stepped in. “She became the person for me that was my encouragement, that provided me with the love and support that I needed to allow me to have opportunities in life that I feel like I would not have been able to have with my mom,” Mumblo told BusinessWest.

And she saw Christina’s House as a way to help children be reunified with their mothers, and to help women realize their full potential and be the best parents they could be, she explained, “so that those children can grow up with their moms or have the opportunity to have a relationship with their mom that they might not otherwise have had. That’s how I started to be involved.”

Today, as executive director of Christina’s House, Shannon Mumblo has grown the organization to two large homes in Springfield, each serving up to 16 individuals at any given time, who live there for up to two years not only to escape homelessness, but to develop the skills and education necessary to live independently, with financial security, afterward — and deliver it all through a faith-based model.

“Growing up, I was the child who lived in a situation with an alcoholic mom, who lived in an apartment with just a mattress on a floor and didn’t always know where my next meal was going to come from.”

“In 2012, when we incorporated and formed the board,” she explained, “our mission was to educate, embrace, and encourage mothers and their children who are homeless or near-homeless through the love of Jesus Christ.”

The results — specifically, the many lives changed not only in the moment, but for the long term — speak for themselves, and demonstrate why Mumblo, by taking her mother-in-law’s vision to new heights, is certainly a Woman of Impact.

 

Teach a Woman to Fish…

At its heart, Christina’s House provides a program for moms and their kids to transition out of homelessness or near-homelessness and into independent living, Mumblo explained.

“It’s not a shelter — it’s a transitional, educational facility. We didn’t just want to house people, we wanted to teach them then skills they needed to break the generational patterns of poverty, abuse, trauma, all the barriers that keep people in a place of poverty. It’s education.”

The first Christina’s House location on Madison Avenue

The first Christina’s House location on Madison Avenue was followed last year by a second site on Union Street.

The program can last anywhere from 18 to 24 months, Mumblo said. “It can take six months just to earn their trust that we don’t want anything from them, just the best of who they are, and the motivation to be part of the program — six months to let their walls down and receive what we’re giving them.”

Early on, she and her team members break down with each client what their goals are — financial, educational, employment, health, parenting, even spiritual — and create a syllabus to help them achieve those goals. “Every week, we look at each of those categories and more and go through them and start to unpack them — look at what they need in each area and seek resources to help fill the gaps.”

Those resources include community partners ranging from Dress for Success and Springfield WORKS to local churches and community colleges. And the program ranges from job-training initiatives to classes that bolster life skills from parenting to anger management. Counseling is a part of every client’s schedule, including financial counseling from the United Way of Pioneer Valley’s Thrive program. After about a year in the program, discussions begin on planning for independent living, whether in a house or apartment.

Mumblo said she wants to stay in contact with graduates for at least five years after they leave, not only to track their self-sustainability and independence, but because the stories can be inspiring.

“It literally saves lives; some of our moms have been on the brink of suicide because they just didn’t have somebody to help them.”

“Once you’re really invested in the program, this becomes like a family. Most of our moms and kids didn’t have a family coming in here, so this becomes their family, and we don’t let them go,” she said, noting that one of the program’s first graduates came back to volunteer, and Christina’s House sent her son to summer camp for two weeks.

“She’s saving up for a house now. She’s still independent, still growing, still getting raises in her job. She’s a corrections officer — that was always her dream, and that’s what she’s doing.”

Even those who don’t finish the program can reap its benefits, she noted, recalling a woman who left the program early, and how devastated she felt about that. But then the woman stopped by recently to donate some of her granddaughter’s clothes.

“It was such a healing experience,” Mumblo said. “She shared that the seeds planted during her time here never left her. She kept hearing our words about what it meant to be financially independent, kept hearing our words about boundaries and parenting and all the things that were taught during her time here. So even though she didn’t finish, she’s still a success.

“I gave her a big hug and said, ‘whatever you need, we’re still here; we never left,’” she went on. “And for her, she felt like it was one last piece she needed to have healing and wholeness. So we never understand the full impact of the seeds we plant. Experiences like that make me excited to get up and be in a job where this is my calling.”

 

From the Ground Up

That calling took plenty of work — and faith. The first Christina’s House on Madison Avenue was owned by Cottage Hill Church, which gave the keys to Shannon and Linda at a time when the fledgling nonprofit had $300 in the bank, so they could give tours and raise awareness of the mission.

A fundraising ball later that year netted $8,000, and between that and donations from supporters, they were able to put a down payment on the house and move in.

A connection with the Springfield Police Department proved to be a key source of early support. Mumblo wanted to name a room after the late Kevin Ambrose, an officer who died while protecting a mother and child in a domestic-abuse situation. After visiting the house, Ambrose’s widow, Carla, decided to make Christina’s House her charity of choice.

Later that year, police Sgt. John Delaney launched the Ride to Remember, a fundraising bike ride in honor of fallen first responders, which donated $64,000 to Christina’s House in its second year to help repair the leaking roof and paint the house.

These days, donations — from individuals, businesses, and churches, as well as a few grants — are more steady, and the annual ball, now in its ninth year, is a $100,000 fundraiser.

“I feel like it started on faith, and every step of the way, we had faith,” Shannon said, and that went for buying and renovating a second Springfield location on Union Street in April 2020, to serve even more families. “The vision started in a church, and everything we do here has been a leap of faith, so to speak.”

Asked why she emphasizes a faith-based model, with a program delivered from a Christian perspective, with regular Bible studies, and her answer was simple yet firm.

“If we took God out of it, it wouldn’t be the program that it is. I’ve said it from the beginning — this has been about faith; this has been God’s mission and vision that was placed on my mother-in-law’s heart, and we give him all the glory for everything here every day. It’s not about us, it’s not about me — it’s about God working through me to do this work that I do every day.”

Mumblo believes it’s a model that can be replicated in other areas that need such a facility.

“I see God growing Christina’s House; it’s so needed,” she said. “It literally saves lives; some of our moms have been on the brink of suicide because they just didn’t have somebody to help them.

“And it’s about giving these kids the ability to have a mom and to have love around them and be in a safe environment where they don’t have to have drugs around them, and they don’t have to worry about what they’re going to eat,” she went on. “They’re fed, they’re cared for, they have a beautiful house to live in, and they have us long-term. We don’t go anywhere.”

Her clients, meanwhile … well, they’re going places.

“The most gratifying thing is watching the moms and kids grow and be successful and realize their potential, realize their goals, get that CNA certificate, get their GED, get a scholarship to attend school,” Mumblo said. “It’s more than I could have ever asked for in this lifetime.”

 

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

 

Madeline Landrau

By
Women of Impact 2021

Program Engagement Manager, MassMutual

A Success in Business, She Is Also a Force in the Community

Maddy Landrau was returning home from a lengthy business trip to Texas. As the car that picked her up at the airport was approaching her home in the Brightwood section of Springfield, she was surprised to see a small crowd of people, including her husband, Carlos Landrau, gathered on her porch.

As she walked toward the door, she recognized the five young girls who lived next door and other children from the neighborhood, but still didn’t know quite why they were there. She would soon find out.

“They were there … with their report cards,” she told BusinessWest as she fought back tears (unsuccessfully), adding that the girls, especially, couldn’t wait — quite literally — to show them off to the person they deemed most responsible for the higher grades they’d achieved.

“They would come to me, and I’d be saying to them, ‘this is your education … you have to do well; education is your ticket out of here. No one can take away that A, no can take away your grades,’” she said, adding that the girls from her neighborhood are just some of the many she’s counseled on a wide range of matters, but especially education and its importance to quality of life.

There are many ways to explain why Madeline (Maddy) Landrau has been named a Woman of Impact for 2021, but that story — and the setting for it — probably do it best.

Indeed, mentoring young people has long been a big part of her life and career, the latter dominated by a series of assignments at MassMutual, the latest as program engagement manager, a position with a broad range of responsibilities in (and on behalf of) the community, as we’ll see.

As for the setting … that’s another huge part of this story.

Landrau left Brooklyn for Springfield at the behest of a friend more than 30 years ago. She settled in the North End and the Brightwood neighborhood, one of the poorest in the city (and the state, for that matter) and home to many Hispanics … and never left, even when friends, colleagues, and Realtors alike were advising her to look elsewhere when she and her husband decided to build a home.

“There was an opportunity to purchase land in the Plainfield area of Springfield, and my husband and I took a deep dive — we said, ‘let’s do this,’ she recalled. “There were appraisers and contractors who would say, ‘what are you doing? You could move to Agawam, South Hadley, or Wilbraham.’ And I said, ‘you’re missing the big picture, the sense of community.’ That’s what I wanted to leave my children.”

Landrau’s devotion to Brightwood, the people who live there, and the region as a whole is summed up by Jean Canosa Albano, herself a Woman of Impact (class of 2018), who nominated her for the same honor.

“Maddy believes that there is a narrow path — be it to education, financial literacy, or workplace success. All you have to do is make the path wider. And she does it! She is inclusive and representative of communities who in some places may not find a place on that path.

“She believes in leading from the rear, not seeking the spotlight, and recognizes others’ humanity,” Albano continued. “She doesn’t seek to shatter the glass ceiling as much as to open the windows and welcome more people in.”

That comment, one of many poignant takes in the nomination, explains what drives Landrau and why she has touched so many lives in so many ways.

So does this comment from Lydia Martinez-Alvarez, assistant superintendent of Springfield Public Schools and another Woman of Impact (class of 2019).

“Many young adults call her ‘mom’ because of the impact that she has had on their lives,” she wrote. “Maddy is always helping someone with whatever they need. She often puts others ahead of herself; she is a mentor to many in our community and volunteers her time to ensure that our community is a better place for all to live in.”

 

Moving Thoughts

As noted earlier, Landrau grew up in Brooklyn, specifically the Bay Ridge neighborhood.

It was a close-knit, very diverse community, but there were few Hispanics, she told BusinessWest, using ‘mixed salad’ rather than ‘melting pot’ to describe it, adding that it was a very welcoming and tolerant environment.

“Many young adults call her ‘mom’ because of the impact that she has had on their lives.”

As much as she liked those elements of home, she desired to make a new life for herself and her two young sons, and, at the behest of a friend in Springfield who promised to help her get settled, packed her bags.

“I did not want to raise them in New York City, the fast and the furious — I needed something slower,” she said. “I felt bad when I told my dad I was leaving, but I knew that I needed this challenge, this opportunity to start afresh — a white canvas.”

The picture that now fills that canvas is one that tells of a young women taking advantage of opportunities afforded her, but mostly making her own opportunities — while never, ever forgetting that neighborhood she moved to and the people, like her, who still call it home.

Upon arriving in Springfield, in quick order, she secured an apartment, a job, and daycare so she could work that job. She married Carlos, a police officer, and the two created a blended family and “pulled it together,” as she put it.

That same phrase applies to her career and her ladder climbing at MassMutual.

She started in Accounts Receivable and quickly advanced, first to a leadership role in that department, then the IT department, and later Sales and a management position in that department. In 2011, she became director of Life Company Marketing and, among other initiatives, led the development and execution of marketing and recruiting strategies to help the company reach the U.S. Hispanic and Latino markets.

Maddy Landrau engages in a game of dominoes with some North End residents.

Maddy Landrau engages in a game of dominoes with some North End residents.

In her current role, Landrau has a number of responsibilities. She manages the MassMutual Foundation’s Anchor Institution Grantee Portfolio, which represents $5 million in funding to more than 20 organizations across the state. She also leads the company’s national LifeBridge life-insurance program, which offers free life-insurance coverage to eligible parents for the benefit of their children’s education. And she also leads and executes the FutureSmart Challenge Program in markets across the country. On pause because of COVID-19, the program is MassMutual’s proprietary financial-education program that educates middle- and high-school students about making smart financial decisions and career choices.

All throughout her career, she has been active within the community, and especially the North End. Early on, she volunteered on the board of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and also served on the New North Citizens Council. Currently, she serves as a trustee at Westfield State University — she’s the first Latina to serve in that capacity — and is now vice chair of a subcommittee of the Finance & Capital Assets Committee, as well as a trustee with the Baystate Health Foundation.

But while influential in the boardroom, she has been most impactful in the community itself and working with people (especially young Latinas) as a mentor, second mother on many occasions, and role model in every way imaginable.

She said she is connected with mentees through the New North Citizens Council, Springfield Technical Community College, neighbors, and other channels. Slicing through what she tells them and she guides them, she said there is a dominant message.

“They create these challenges for themselves … and I tell them that, if only they were to make the right choice at the given time, I foresee that they wouldn’t have so many challenges,” she explained. “If they only took a pause and said, ‘this isn’t life the way it’s supposed to be,’ and if they created this opportunity for themselves to be happy and not allow others to make them happy, but also to become financially sound.

“I see many of these mentees living beyond their means,” she went on. “The ‘wants’ become more important than the ‘needs,’ and in my mentoring I’m trying to change that — how do you create the ‘needs’ as a priority? I stress the importance of being financially sound and educated, and that these are the things they need to pass on to their children.”

She said she mentors mostly young people, in the 13-18 age bracket, but also young adults and even a few grandmothers raising their grandchildren, whom she advises to look at things differently and not try to raise young people the way they were raised.

“When I meet with them, I tell them they have to meet me halfway. They have to do their part; let’s build trust, build the communication pattern, and share the good, the bad, and the ugly. I tell them that I want to hear more good, but don’t be afraid to share the bad — and the ugly.”

With each mentee, the basic ground rules for the relationship are the same.

“When I meet with them, I tell them they have to meet me halfway,” she continued. “They have to do their part; let’s build trust, build the communication pattern, and share the good, the bad, and the ugly. I tell them that I want to hear more good, but don’t be afraid to share the bad — and the ugly.”

 

Passing It On

That’s what you might expect from someone who’s made it her life’s mission to not necessarily shatter that glass ceiling, as Albano noted (although she has done that in some respects), but rather open the windows and welcome more people in.

It’s what you would expect from someone who had a crowd of young people waiting to show her their report cards as she returned from a trip, and what you would expect from someone who passed on Wilbraham and Agawam and stayed in the neighborhood where she raised her children.

And it’s what you would expect from someone who personifies the phrase ‘Woman of Impact.’

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Elizabeth Keen

By Contributor
Women of Impact 2021

Owner, Indian Line Farm

She’s Continuing an Agricultural Legacy — and Cultivating Her Own

 

By Mark Morris

Elizabeth Keen’s journey to becoming a successful farmer in Western Mass. began in Mexico and Guatemala.

Shortly after graduating from Colorado College, Keen joined an effort by Witness for Peace to work with Guatemalan refugees living in the south of Mexico who were looking to return home. In the three years she spent with the Guatemalans, Keen saw how their entire subsistence was based on working and growing food. It left a lasting impression.

“I thought I would return to the states and work for a nonprofit,” she said. “But I also wanted to learn about and understand sustainable agriculture so I could someday return to Guatemala and offer a technical skill to the people looking to go back to their homeland.”

Upon her return to the U.S., friends who had accompanied Keen on the Central American trip invited her to take part in a 1,000-mile bike tour of New England as a fundraiser for an organization called the Guatemala Accompaniment Project.

During the bike tour, she reconnected with a friend who lived in Great Barrington who knew a farmer in need of apprentices. Keen committed to a year-long apprenticeship at what is known as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm.

Through a CSA farm, the public can support local agriculture by purchasing farm memberships. In return, members are offered a weekly bounty of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. According to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, CSAs are a way for the food-buying public to create a relationship with a farm and bring home plenty of healthy produce to boot.

“It was amazing to work with your hands and see the results of your work. The physical strain also made me feel that what I was doing was valuable.”

While she did not have previous experience with this type of work, Keen said she fell in love with the physical-labor part of farming.

“It was amazing to work with your hands and see the results of your work,” she said. “The physical strain also made me feel that what I was doing was valuable.”

During the apprenticeship, she met Al Thorp, and they began a relationship that would eventually lead to their marriage — and to an intriguing agricultural success story.

In January 1997, Robyn Van En, owner of Indian Line Farm in South Egremont, died suddenly of an asthma attack at age 49. Members of the community were stunned and worried about what would happen to this historic land, site of the first CSA farm in the U.S. Meanwhile, Keen and her husband had just completed their apprenticeship and were considering their next move. Keen had worked briefly with Van En before she died and appreciated the beauty and viability of Indian Line.

People in the community feared the land was vulnerable to developers and wanted to make sure it would stay a working farm, so they encouraged the young couple to take over the operation of Indian Line.

“With six months experience for me and a year and a half for Al, we started a farm,” Keen said. “We started from scratch and did not know what we were doing.”

Along with Keen and Thorp, the Nature Conservancy and the Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires worked together to keep Indian Line a working farm. The couple purchased the buildings on the property, and the other entities secured the land with a lease to ensure its exclusive use as a farm for the next 99 years.

Now with a mortgage to pay, Keen took on running the farm while Thorp, an engineer by training, began working three days a week in a surveyor’s office. Keen explained her husband’s role at the farm as “the person who fixes everything that breaks.” Now a licensed surveyor and engineer, Thorp continues his roles on and off the farm. It’s a division of labor that has worked well for both of them.

Elizabeth Keen’s impact extends beyond her own farm to broader efforts like the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training.

Elizabeth Keen’s impact extends beyond her own farm to broader efforts like the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training.

“I do all the member interaction, employee management, and the daily work of the farm,” Keen said. “But when I need a new greenhouse, Al will take that on and get it done.”

 

Growing Community

Currently, 200 members belong to the Indian Line Farm CSA. Keen pointed out that each membership represents a household, so her farm is providing food for well over 400 people in the Berkshires through this one program.

From arugula and kale to carrots and a variety of radishes, the farm offerings vary by season. Keen provides members with familiar as well as not-so-familiar vegetable offerings.

“Our climate doesn’t allow us to just grow the most popular vegetables,” she said. “I have to grow what the seasons will allow.” That means daikon radishes and Japanese turnips become part of the vegetable selection. “I introduce my members to lots of new things and try to provide recipes for vegetables that might not be as familiar to people.”

Vegetables are only part of what grows and develops at Indian Line Farm. Keen and Thorp are longtime participants in the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT), a program that enhances educational opportunities for apprentices through visits to a number of farms and networking with fellow apprentices and farmers. The couple were part of this program during their apprentice days and wanted to pay forward their experience as a CRAFT farm.

“I’m able to share some knowledge with our apprentices, but CRAFT visits give them a much wider perspective of what’s going on in agriculture,” Keen said. For the last 20 years, three or four workers each year complete an apprenticeship at Indian Line, with nearly half of them pursuing a career in agriculture.

More than half of Keen’s apprentices over the years have been women, many of whom have told her the example she sets as a female farmer is meaningful to them.

“I came to farming at age 26 with no experience in how to mow, use sharp tools, or drive a tractor,” she said. “I benefited from wonderful mentors, and now I have the opportunity to share these experiences with other women. It’s empowering for them and for me.”

“Getting to know other farmers reinforces that we are all in this together; we recognize all the challenges and complications that come with this life, and we’re not facing it alone.”

While she has also taught plenty of men how to drive a tractor, women are often less likely to have had the opportunity to learn these types of skills.

While the demands of the farm can easily keep Keen busy from dawn to dusk, she and Thorp felt it important to develop a community among others who were farming in the area. They began by informally reaching out to other farmers to get together and socialize. Keen wanted something more intentional, so she started a group called Farmers Gather.

“A meeting consists of a tour at an area farm with a potluck dinner to follow,” she explained. Before COVID-19 put a damper on regular meetings, the gatherings often brought together farmers who had lived in the area for many years, but didn’t really know each other.

“In a social sense it’s been terrific, but it’s even more than that,” she said. “Getting to know other farmers reinforces that we are all in this together; we recognize all the challenges and complications that come with this life, and we’re not facing it alone.”

Margaret Moulton, executive director of Berkshire Grown, noted that, on top of Keen’s contributions to the farming community, her work to eradicate food insecurity ranks among her most impressive efforts.

“Through Berkshire Grown’s Share the Bounty program in partnership with the People’s Pantry, Elizabeth provides tons of fresh food to low-income residents in the county,” Moulton said.

Keen estimated that 10 shares of food reach the People’s Pantry through her personal contributions, and other members spend a little extra for their shares to help out. The arrival of COVID last year greatly increased the need — and the generosity of even more members who donated extra money to make more food available to their neighbors who needed it.

“It’s easy for me to be generous because, over the years, people have been so generous to us,” she said. “There are also many people helping in important ways, such as transporting the food from the farm to those who need it; that’s a huge part of the effort.”

 

The Next Generation

During her time in Guatemala, Keen learned to speak Spanish. When snowfall covers the farm, one of her winter passions is practicing her Spanish as an interpreter for Volunteers in Medicine, a clinic located in Great Barrington with a mission to improve access to healthcare for Berkshire residents.

And, yes, she did return to Guatemala. In 2016, she and her children, Colin and Helen (ages 18 and 15, respectively), spent six months in one of the small indigenous communities where Keen had worked many years before. After a humbling moment when she realized Guatemalans have survived for centuries without her farm knowledge, Keen instead taught English in the middle school.

“This was a chance to give back in a way that felt concrete,” she said. As a bonus, Colin and Helen learned Spanish while there.

“I’m really proud that Al and I have been able to parent two children who can say they grew up on a farm,” she said. “I don’t think they are going to be farmers, but they know how to work, use tools, and they are both strong.”

Keen feels her greatest professional achievement has been to keep the farm where the CSA movement started a success today and into the future. “It’s an honor to keep Robyn Van En’s vision alive here at the birthplace of CSA.”

With everything she does for the farming community and neighbors in need, many would say Keen is forging her own legacy — as a true Woman of Impact.

Karin Jeffers

By Contributor
Women of Impact 2021

President and CEO, Clinical & Support Options

She’s Growing Her Agency and Cultivating the Next Crop of Behavioral-Health Leaders

By Mark Morris

Karin Jeffers knew she was taking a big risk.

It was 2005, and she had the opportunity to take the reins at Clinical & Support Options (CSO) — a nonprofit community behavioral-health agency that had lost several large contracts and had just parted ways with its third CEO in five years, the last one under investigation for Medicaid fraud in Vermont.

At the time, Jeffers was the regional director for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), a job she greatly enjoyed. However, though secure in that role, she decided to take the risk and accept the top job at CSO. Reactions from her colleagues ranged from the polite — “we’re surprised to see you do that” — to the blunt: “what are you thinking?”

But during the interview process, Jeffers met the CSO staff and found people who were passionate and capable, and who cared about providing quality service.

“At that moment, it became clear the problem was leadership and not the staff or the agency mission,” she said. So she accepted the position with a realistic attitude. “We’re either going to fall on our face, or we’re going to make something of this.”

Fortunately for people all over Western Mass., she did make something of it. When Jeffers first joined CSO, it was a $4 million agency with 90 employees. Today, she manages a $45 million budget with more than 600 employees who provide services to 19,000 families and individuals.

This impressive growth resulted in large part from Jeffers adopting the philosophy that a nonprofit organization is a business and should be run like one.

“Nonprofit is a tax status, not a business model,” she said. “As important as our employees and clients are to us, profit and loss statements matter, too.”

To achieve the right balance, she believes in open communication. “Our manager meetings include behavioral-health people as well as fiscal staff,” she explained. “When there is something we would like to do but can’t, we are transparent about it so everyone understands how we reached our decision.”

Paying close attention to both the service and fiscal parts of the organization was key to CSO surviving and now thriving.

“When I joined CSO, we were days away from closing down, and there were weeks when we struggled to make payroll,” she recalled. “Now that we have enough capital to invest in the company, we are able to look at providing services five, 10, even 15 years out.”

 

Ladders to Success

That willingness to take risks goes back to her days as a sports physical therapy student at Springfield College. Physical therapy seemed like a logical major for Jeffers, who was a runner on the SC track team. Three years into her studies when the clinical practicum began, Jeffers discovered that working in physical therapy no longer appealed to her as a career.

“At that same time, I was taking an abnormal psychology class that was fascinating to me,” she recalled. She switched her major to psychology, then remained at SC, earning a master’s degree and later became a licensed mental-health counselor.

“We’re either going to fall on our face, or we’re going to make something of this.”

“I was the typical soon-to-graduate student,” she said. “I sent out 50 résumés and landed only one interview.” That interview was with MSPCC, which hired her as a therapist.

“I could not have asked for a better place to learn so much about the industry,” Jeffers noted. “Thanks to some fabulous mentors who were willing to teach and guide me, I kind of grew up professionally at MSPCC.”

Karin Jeffers says trauma-informed care informs not just clinical operations at CSO, but all departments, from IT to maintenance.

Karin Jeffers says trauma-informed care informs not just clinical operations at CSO, but all departments, from IT to maintenance.

In nearly 14 years, she rose through the ranks, holding several management positions, until she became regional director, overseeing operations across all of Western Mass.

As a leader, she appreciates that her success was due in large part to the internal promotions she received at MSPCC and the mentors who were willing to take a chance on her. “I wasn’t always the most experienced person, and I didn’t have all the answers, but there were people willing to invest in me and provide the opportunity.”

Because of that experience, internal promotions are strongly supported at CSO. Among 135 managers, she noted, 67% were promoted from within.

“Whether I’m mentoring women or men, I believe in giving someone an opportunity to take a risk and let them learn instead of looking for what they are doing wrong,” she said, adding that the result is a team of people who are invested and who can shine in their work.

“Promoting from within has helped define who we are as an agency,” she added. “It’s helped us grow, become more innovative, and provided stability in our management.”

While women outnumber men in direct human-services positions, the ratio reverses at top leadership levels, where women are less likely to be found. Jeffers became president and CEO at age 35, and, while she felt up to the task, there were some who questioned her abilities based on her age and gender.

“There is some truth to the idea that a woman has to work a little harder to get a seat at the table,” she told BusinessWest. “Once at the table, though, I’ve had wonderful experiences feeling very much on a level playing field among colleagues who are respectful to me.”

Behavioral-health workers often hear they are doing “God’s work.” While Jeffers agrees with that sentiment, she believes it’s also important to recognize these are medical professionals and should be compensated as such.

To that end, she serves on several influential boards, most notably the Assoc. of Behavioral Health and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, where she advocates for parity in the way behavioral-health professionals are paid compared to those in physical care. Jeffers has testified to the state Legislature about where the disparities are and how to address them.

“Whether I’m mentoring women or men, I believe in giving someone an opportunity to take a risk and let them learn instead of looking for what they are doing wrong.”

“Investments in the workforce will make or break the future of community-based behavioral healthcare,” she said. While pandemic-relief money has been helpful in providing some immediate support, the goal is long-term salary increases.

“We have a seat at the table, and people are listening,” she added. “Now we need to see this turn into action.”

Currently, the state is looking at a redesign of its behavioral-health services, which gives Jeffers hope for lasting change. “It could really turn the tide for behavioral health in Massachusetts.”

 

Stepping Out

CSO is one of the first agencies in Western Mass. to adopt a training technique known as trauma-informed care (TIC). Because trauma can impact every aspect of health, TIC encourages a more compassionate approach in client interactions.

According to one TIC training website, asking someone “what happened to you?” instead of “what’s wrong with you?” is a simple example of the attitude shift when using this method. More than a treatment plan for clients, Jeffers sees TIC training as a model for how to do business at CSO.

“Our maintenance staff, IT, front desk, everyone is included in this training,” she said. “The goal is to shift the way we interact with clients and each other toward a culture of care.”

 

For Jeffers, risk taking is not limited to work. Her husband, Scott, lost his sales job after his company was acquired by a larger entity. As his next act, Scott considered purchasing the Daily Pint, a small pub that was for sale in Wilbraham, where he had grown up.

“Using all the risk taking we had applied at CSO, we took a leap of faith and said, ‘why not?’” Jeffers explained. So they acquired the Daily Pint, two years before the pandemic threw a wrench into plenty of business plans. After the initial impact of having to close and endure layoffs, the hometown pub has been making a comeback with the same staff returning to work.

“It’s really Scott’s day job, but since I’m a co-owner, I have to pull my weight there, too,” she said with a laugh.

When she can take time to reflect, Jeffers appreciates all the challenges CSO has overcome since she joined the agency in 2005.

“We serve about 19,000 people each year, and over the last 15 years, that’s a lot of people,” she said. “I feel privileged that the great team here at CSO allows me to be their leader.”

She also expressed gratitude that her team is willing to follow her and take risks as well.

“There were times when I’ve asked people to just trust me,” she said. “I’m so lucky to have people who do trust me and then get things done. It’s a real can-do attitude we have here.”

Smart risks and a can-do spirit — they’re just part of what makes Karin Jeffers a Woman of Impact.

Charlene Elvers

By
Women of Impact 2021

Director, Center for Service and Leadership at Springfield College

She’s Built Stronger Bridges Between the College and the Neighborhoods Around It

 

Charlene Elvers says she and others at Springfield College affectionately refer to it as the “listening tour.”

It happened around seven years ago, she noted, and as that name suggests, there was a lot of listening going on — and there is still a good bit of it today. This tour, if you will, was prompted by her desire to build more and stronger bridges between the college and the two neighborhoods that surround it — Old Hill and Upper Hill — which, when you get right down to it, is her basic job description as director of the school’s Center for Service and Leadership.

The assignment, which had many components, included asking residents in those neighborhoods if they saw any tangible benefits to having the college in their backyard and, likewise, asking SC students if they saw any benefits, as in learning or growing opportunities, from being in that neighborhood. When both constituencies answered, for the most part, ‘no,’ Elvers knew she had to take some steps to change those responses.

“I wanted to someday talk with people who said, ‘one of the great benefits of living here is having Springfield College as a neighbor,’” she said, adding that, as a result of all that listening and the answers garnered, she spearheaded the creation of the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, an arm of the Center for Service and Leadership. It’s located in a three-story house a few blocks from campus and is, quite literally, a bridge between the community and the school.

It is mostly quiet now as a result of the pandemic, but before COVID-19 arrived, it housed a homework-help drop-in center and a middle-school mentoring program — initiatives that are both being carried out remotely.

“It is great when college students really see things from a different perspective, when they develop relationships with people who come from a different place than they came from.”

In the future, Elvers sees vast potential for the site also housing a bicycle-repair shop — her listening revealed that there isn’t one anywhere in the city, and there’s a real need for one — and that the large open space adjacent to the house can be used for fitness and recreation programs.

The Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement is perhaps the most visible manifestation of a 20-year stint at Springfield College that has been spent developing high-impact programs that seek to foster connections between the college and the community while working collaboratively with partners to identify and serve their needs.

Elvers told BusinessWest this is very rewarding work, and one of the biggest rewards is seeing how this involvement with those in the neighborhood prompts students to ask poignant questions about what they see and hear — and start to develop the resolve to help answer them.

“It’s great to have one foot solidly on this campus and another foot solidly in the community to bridge those two organizations,” she told BusinessWest. “It is great when college students really see things from a different perspective, when they develop relationships with people who come from a different place than they came from.

“I see them really begin to gain a broader a broader understanding of some of the social issues that are happening, and that’s when they begin to ask questions,” she went on. “They ask, ‘how did this happen? How did we end up here? Why are we in a neighborhood where there isn’t a grocery store?’”

Through her work to build these bridges between the college and the community, and through her efforts to inspire those kinds of questions from students, Elvers has clearly shown she is a true Woman of Impact.

 

School of Thought

Elvers, who has spent her entire career in higher education, came to Springfield College after a stint at Mount Holyoke College as director of Student Activities. In that capacity, her work drew her increasingly toward helping students connect with — and serve in — the communities they call home.

She summed up her career, and her time at Springfield College, this way. “While I have taught in a classroom from time to time, mainly my teaching is outside the classroom, and it comes through facilitating experiences for students to enhance their educational experience as well as to develop them into leaders.”

This passion, and it can only be called that, has been taken to new and higher levels at Springfield College, where, for more than a decade, Elvers oversaw the school’s annual Humanics in Action Day, which provided direct service throughout the community, and also transformed it — from a day of service to ongoing grants and support for individuals and groups wishing to partner and serve with community organizations.

“There has to be more that we can do to come together as a college and a local community and work together to make this neighborhood everything it can be and everything we want it to be.”

She also succeeded in building upon several existing programs, including a mentoring initiative, called the Partners Program, that has linked students at the college with young students at DeBerry and Brookings elementary schools for nearly three decades now.

“We have 80 pairs of mentors between the two schools,” she said, adding that the college has worked extensively with those elementary schools as well with organizations combating some of the long-standing issues in those neighborhoods, including food insecurity, homelessness, and others.

It was through these initiatives that Elvers came to understand that the college could, and should, take its involvement to a higher plane.

“Over the years, and from just getting to know a number of the families from the DeBerry school and the Brookings school, I began to realize that, in these two neighborhoods, there were a lot of families that had great ideas and things they wanted to see in their neighborhoods that weren’t there. And I began to wonder if there were ways to connect our students and facility and staff directly with the community. Working together, I thought we could start to facilitate some of the changes that we would all like to see.”

Thus commenced the listening tour, which was launched with a basic premise. “There has to be more that we can do to come together as a college and a local community and work together to make this neighborhood everything it can be and everything we want it to be.”

To that end, the school, with Elvers taking a leadership role, acquired the property that became the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.

Now in its fifth year, the center is a work in progress, Elvers said — progress that has in some ways been limited or slowed by COVID, but progress nonetheless.

From countless discussions with those in the neighborhood and from listening at dozens of school and church meetings, Elvers said two clear needs emerged: educational opportunities for young people outside of school, and health and wellness programs and activities for people of all ages.

The first initiatives launched were the middle-school mentoring program and the homework-help drop-in center, both of which have continued with virtual platforms, a shift that has actually enabled them to help more young people — and get more Springfield College students involved with the community.

And this brings Elvers back to the reason why it is so important to build these bridges between the college and the community. The biggest is to, in some ways, improve quality of life for those in Old Hill and Upper Hill. But there are others, especially the manner in which these programs help open students’ eyes to the challenges facing those living in these neighborhoods, prompt them to ask questions, and perhaps inspire them to help come up with answers.

Referencing the fact that there is no supermarket in that area of Springfield, Elvers said students will hear stories from the families and individuals they work with that really open their eyes.

“I have students who will say, ‘I’m working with these young people, and they have a hard time getting food, and when I ask them about it, they say they have to go somewhere else to go to a grocery store. And they’ll say they take the bus, but the driver only lets my mom take on two bags of food — and we need more food than that.’

“Our students often don’t realize the challenges that sometimes face these families,” Elvers went on. “And when they hear these stories, they start to realize, and that’s when they start to ask questions, like ‘why would there not be a grocery store in this neighborhood?’ and ‘who’s doing something about that?’ and ‘how do we get involved in that?’ and ‘what’s the process by which that can happen?’

“I have seen more college students ask the really important questions and start to engage after they’ve developed a relationship with a local family and learn of the challenges that are happening,” she continued. “These are challenges that some of them would never have faced.”

 

Grade Expectations

Opening students’ eyes to these challenges, these problems confronting those living just outside the campus, has become part of Elvers’ mission and work.

Her business card says she is the director of the Center for Service and Leadership. But she’s really a builder — a builder of relationships, of connections, of bridges between two entities that share a zip code but often little else.

And her success as a builder explains why she’s a Woman of Impact.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Elizabeth Dineen

By
Women of Impact 2021

CEO, YWCA of Western Massachusetts

Her Advocacy for Women and Children Has Taken Many Powerful Forms

 

Liz Dineen was always a bit different from her young peers. During the 1960s, when they were listening to the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones, she would scour her local library for famous speeches — in print and on vinyl — from the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Winston Churchill, and John and Robert Kennedy.

“I was very intrigued by the power of the word to mobilize people into action for good, and to motivate people to change,” she said.

At age 12, watching Bobby Kennedy’s funeral and procession, “I remember saying to my mother and father that day, ‘I want to be a lawyer. I want to make a difference.’ I’ve wanted to be an advocate for women and children my whole life, from when I was 12 years old, and I’ve kind of directed the rest of my life that way.”

Dineen wasn’t interested in criminal law when she entered law school, but an internship in the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office hooked her. So she kept working there, and stayed after graduation — for the next 27 years, in fact.

“I just loved being an advocate, being a trial lawyer and being able to fight in that legal arena for justice for women and children,” she said, specifically on wrenching cases involving physical and sexual child abuse, adult rapes, child murders, and domestic-violence murders.

“I’ve wanted to be an advocate for women and children my whole life, from when I was 12 years old, and I’ve kind of directed the rest of my life that way.”

“Liz Dineen was the epitome of a caring, supportive, and compassionate champion for those victims,” said attorney Stephen Spelman, who met her while working with her in the DA’s office in the 1990s, and later married her. “She was a zealous advocate in the courtroom, renowned throughout the state, and the nation, for getting decades-long sentences on those who had sexually assaulted children and women, or brutally harmed them physically.”

Always thinking innovatively, she also began a series of lectures and meetings among various professional groups (nurses, doctors, law enforcement, and prosecutors) to ensure, while women and children were receiving medical care after being assaulted, that crucial items of evidence were not tossed out or ignored. “These meetings not only improved the collection of evidence for trial, but also improved the medical care of the victims, particularly in sexual-assault cases,” Spelman said.

It was critical, deeply gratifying work, but after 27 years, Dineen felt it was time to step away. She had been teaching law in an adjunct capacity at Elms College and Bay Path University, and when an opportunity arose to chair Bay Path’s Criminal Justice department, she pursued and landed that role in 2009.

 

Liz Dineen with the most recent Springfield Police Academy class, which made a donation to the YWCA’s programs.

Liz Dineen with the most recent Springfield Police Academy class, which made a donation to the YWCA’s programs.

“I reinvented the department,” she said, “with a strong emphasis on developing women leaders within the criminal-justice arena.”

But in 2015, it was time to shift gears again, and this time, for the first time in her adult life, she took six months off to really think about the future. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next, and I knew I was too young to retire,” she said, so she asked people who knew her well what they envisioned for her. “The answer that kept coming back was to go for a judgeship.”

So, with encouragement from judges and others she had interacted with, she applied for a Superior Court judgeship in December 2015. But then something unexpected happened — something that would completely alter Dineen’s life and career, but made perfect sense along her journey as a Woman of Impact.

 

Opportunity Knocks

It was the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, which was looking for an interim executive director, and reached out to ask if she would consider the role.

Coincidentally, Dineen had just finished reading Year of Yes, a book by TV production powerhouse Shonda Rimes. “The whole message was, ‘don’t be afraid to say yes, even if you’re not 100% qualified,’” she said. “Men will say ‘sure,’ while women make sure every ‘T’ is crossed and every ‘I’ is dotted. So I said, ‘sure — I will throw my hat in that arena.’”

Two weeks later, she was on the job — with no nonprofit experience, but plenty of exposure to some of the Y’s programmatic issues, like domestic violence and sexual assault. “It was a real learning curve in terms of how nonprofits work, how to go about maintaining the funding we already have, obtaining new funding, and seeking new opportunities to expand.”

In March, just a few months into the job, the state’s Judicial Nominating Committee contacted Dineen, wanting to interview her for that judgeship. When she told the executive committee of the YWCA board, they didn’t want to lose a good thing — and offered her the CEO position permanently. She said she’d need some time to think about it.

“But the more I thought about it, the more I thought, ‘if I take this position, I can be proactive. If I’m on a bench, I have to be reactive, meaning I have to wait for cases to come to me.’ And you can’t be political at all if you’re a judge. You have to be very selective in terms of who you’re associating with so you avoid any appearance of impropriety or preference. So I said, ‘OK, let’s try it. Let’s stay here and see what happens.’”

“Everyone realized, when the pandemic hit, that this community would need us now more than ever, and people just really stepped up. I’m proud that we could keep offering those services. We didn’t let the community down.”

Importantly, she noted, “I saw it as an opportunity to continue to serve women and children. I saw it as an opportunity to grow this organization and to be a changemaker in the nonprofit arena, especially on issues relating to women and children. And I have not regretted it.”

Besides growing the organization from 70 employees to 150 in just five and a half years, she has developed and expanded a number of programs, all with the YWCA’s mission — to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote social justice — in mind.

The YWCA offers 22 programs, residential and non-residential, to support women and girls, including a large domestic-violence shelter, residential housing for teen mothers, residential housing for women who are survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, sexual-assault counselors who respond to local hospitals when a woman has been raped, in-court counselors for domestic-violence survivors, a 24-hour hotline, workforce-development programs, and many others.

Programs take a forward-looking approach to immediate crises. For example, the Children Who Witness Violence program provides therapy to kids (ages 3 to 17) who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. “We’re trying to change the paradigm so they don’t replicate what they saw — so we can change generations going forward.”

Meanwhile, a financial-empowerment program considers that the vast majority of victims of physical domestic violence are also victims of financial abuse. This fiscal-education program dovetails with the YWCA’s workforce-development programs in that they aim to cultivate independence for women down the road, and they are also open to the public, not just to those who enter through the Y’s crisis services.

The YWCA also visits college campuses to talk about domestic violence and sexual assault, both counseling students and teaching about awareness and intervention in the classrooms, with an eye toward preventing those crisis situations to begin with.

Back on her own campus, Dineen finds satisfaction in seeing troubled lives change.

“I go into the shelter every day — it fuels me,” she said. “I particularly like to see the kids because the kids in the shelter are really happy. That surprised me, but it’s a little like camp — they’re around other kids — and they’re happy because they’re safe and they know their mom’s safe. You see a transformation within 24 hours; they come alive again.

“I can’t even imagine being a kid and seeing my mother get abused like that,” she went on. “Especially the little boys — you can see they’re very, very protective of their mothers. Some of them have said to me they feel bad they didn’t protect their mom. And I just keep saying, ‘you’re just a kid; it’s not your job. Your job is to do well in school and then go outside and play and scream and yell.’”

 

Shelter from the Storm

While the pandemic threw the social-service world into disarray, Dineen said she’s proud that all YWCA programs continued — many virtually, but some in person, including the domestic-violence shelter, two teen residential programs, and the supportive-housing program — “and we kept COVID out the entire time, which was a miracle.”

At the same time, many needs became more urgent. “So many women were looking for help, saying, ‘I’m trapped at home with my abuser. How can I get out, how can you help me?’”

The YWCA raised large amounts of money during that time, as individuals and organizations recognized those needs — including the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, which awarded $200,000, some of which was used to place women in hotels because the shelter was full.

“I’m so proud of my staff and my board of directors,” Dineen said. “Everyone realized, when the pandemic hit, that this community would need us now more than ever, and people just really stepped up. I’m proud that we could keep offering those services. We didn’t let the community down.”

Throughout all of that, she’s never forgotten the legacy she’s forged, of empowering women — some in crisis, some learning from her, some working beside her — to move forward in their own lives. “The thing that gives me the most joy and causes this 65-year-old Irish Catholic girl, who never cried before, to actually cry is seeing another woman succeed.”

That goes for the women of color who direct the YWCA’s programs, and are encouraged to continually advance their education and training.

“I keep saying to them, ‘you are the future leaders of nonprofits of Western Mass. I want to be 80 years old, reading in the newspaper that you just got made a director or CEO of some organization.”

A four-decade career spent not only standing up for women, but helping them become advocates for others — that’s a real Woman of Impact.

 

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

 

Jessica Collins

By
Women of Impact 2021

Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts

She Builds Coalitions to Tackle the Pressing Issues Facing Our Communities

Jessica Collins majored in history at Wellesley College. Her specific focus, the one she developed her thesis around, was the 1960s, specifically the Kennedy years and the men and women who defined them.

“I always found that time period very inspiring, and I think we’re still leaning from it today — there’s certainly some unfinished business,” she said. “I loved the oratory, the power, and the poetry of so many of the people at that time. I was always touched by it.”

So it probably shouldn’t be surprising that, upon graduating from the elite women’s school, she would heed Kennedy’s mantra of service to country and others and leave for the Pacific Northwest to serve as a Jesuit volunteer care coordinator for people living with HIV and AIDS. Her next stop after that was a two-year stint in West Africa with the Peace Corps — a tour of duty that ended when a coup erupted in Guinea-Bissau.

In both cases, it was public health — and a desire to help populations in need — that prompted which direction she took, both in terms of the compass and her career. And it’s the same today as she serves as executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM), formerly Partners for a Healthier Community.

The population in need is the one living in the 413 and especially Greater Springfield, and Collins and her growing team have responded with initiatives addressing issues ranging from asthma and obesity to food insecurity and oral health.

But they never address issues alone. Instead, it is in partnership with other nonprofits and healthcare providers, which illustrates what has become perhaps Collins’ strongest attribute among many — her ability to forge coalitions that can bring about meaningful change with regard to some of the most pressing, and persistent, public-health issues facing this region.

One of the latest engagements of this nature is called DASHH (Doorway to an Accessible, Safe and Healthy Home), a broad collaborative effort involving the PHIWM, Baystate Health, the Revitalize Community Development Corp., and other players that was recently honored with BusinessWest’s Healthcare Heroes award in the Collaboration in Health/Wellness category.

Through the program, launched in 2015, these organizations not only identify families in need of intervention for environmental health issues and educate them on lifestyle changes, but actually make the needed physical changes to their homes.

This is the kind of collaborative effort that not only brings about positive change within the community, but inspires individuals and groups to think about what else can be done, said Colleen Loveless, herself a Woman of Impact, who nominated Collins for the award this year.

“Jessica has made impactful contributions to the local and statewide community that have had positive ripple effects throughout the nation,” Loveless wrote. “She exemplifies spirit, service, compassion, and empathy for others, and exhibits a high sense of professionalism in everything she does.”

These traits, and especially her ability to listen, learn, and then mobilize forces to combat health and wellness issues and build stronger neighborhoods, have made Collins a true Woman of Impact.

 

Healthy Attitude

Returning to her time at Wellesley, Collins said that, while history and the Kennedy years were — and still are — a fascination, volunteering, or giving back, was — and still is — a passion.

And it took her first to the Northwest and her work with those living with AIDS.

“It was still tearing communities apart at that time,” she said of the disease. “This was still before they developed the ‘cocktail,’ a blend of medications that really came through in the late ’90s. At that time, people were dying, and it was people across all socio-economic classes; it was a very eye-opening experience.”

So, too, was her time in West Africa and the tiny nation of Guinea-Bissau, where she worked at a health center in a small village of 1,700 people. Working with a midwife and a nurse, she provided lessons in health education. “I obviously learned 100% more than what I taught,” she recalled.

Jessica Collins has devoted her career to public health and addressing some of the larger health problems facing society.

Jessica Collins has devoted her career to public health and addressing some of the larger health problems facing society.

“From both of those experiences, I knew I wanted to be part of something that would allow people to be healthy,” she explained. “It just fit my groove.”

Elaborating, she said she came to understand that she didn’t want to do this work one-on-one, but rather in a community-health setting, and with that goal in mind, she went about earning a master’s degree in food policy and applied nutrition from the Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy at Tufts University.

With that degree, she took a job as project manager of the Institute for Community Health in Cambridge, where she oversaw an overweight-prevention pilot study. Later, she served as project manager for Tufts’ “Shape Up Somerville: East Smart. Play Hard” study that received national recognition for reducing BMIz scores in high-risk third-grade students in Somerville Public Schools.

“ Jessica has made impactful contributions to the local and statewide community that have had positive ripple effects throughout the nation.”

When she relocated with her family to Western Mass., she joined PHIWM as director of Special Initiatives, and in 2015 she became executive director. She described the assignment as one that also fit her groove and gave her an opportunity to be a part of broad efforts that would change lives on many levels.

One of her first initiatives was to work with others to form the Live Well Springfield Coalition, which has been successful in increasing access to healthy eating and physical activity for residents and implementing a number of strategic initiatives, including the Go Fresh Mobile Market.

When asked about PHIWM, its mission, and how the agency carries it out, Collins said that, in essence, it watches, listens, identifies issues to be addressed, builds coalition to address them, creates action plans (with the actions varying from case to case), and, eventually, hands the issue off another group to handle and moves on to the next challenge — or challenges, to be more precise.

“We take on issues where we have heard from the community that there needs to be attention paid to that particular health issue,” she explained. “We look at the health issue both from stories we hear from people in the community as well as hard, quantitative data, and then we build a team.

“We invite people to the table with whatever strengths and value they’re going to add, and we lead the process,” she went on. “Sometimes there’s policy outcomes, sometimes there’s programmatic outcomes, and sometimes … there’s all of it. And we hold it close until there’s another group that’s poised to take it over.”

As an example, she cited the GoFresh Mobile Market, which was recently handed over to Wellspring Cooperative, a Springfield-based nonprofit that boasts Wellspring Harvest, a commercial hydroponic greenhouse in Indian Orchard that brings healthy, locally grown produce to area hospitals, schools, and residents.

“That’s just one example of how we incubate, and it’s another opportunity for another organization to take it on, build their mission out, and bring in new funding for themselves,” she said, adding that this has been the pattern followed with several public-health matters, including oral health, asthma, and transportation for patients who need it to get to appointments.

DASHH is another example, she said, adding that the PHIWM incubated the large and persistent problem of asthma and essentially handed off the healthy-homes initiative to the CDC, which can take action to address the matter on a much higher plane.

“It went from basically health education and showing up with a flyer to Colleen’s agency showing up remediating homes,” Collins said, adding that this work eventually led to a broadening of that specific mission to air quality, climate change, and the creation of a new coalition called Social Justice for Climate Change.

And that’s just one example of how interconnected the problems concerning public health are and how difficult it is to generate meaningful change.

“Public health and community health are never cut and dry — there’s not just one solution that’s going to help people lead balanced lives,” she explained. “It’s far more complicated than that, and that’s why we appreciate that this work takes decades, and we’re here to stay with it and to test different programs. It’s slow going.”

 

History Lessons

The next challenge for the PHIWM and Collins will be youth mental health, an issue essentially chosen by the city of Springfield even before the pandemic, which has only added more layers to an already complicated problem.

“We’ve been working on it for a year, and we’re in the phase of building our team and identifying strategies that we want to test in order to support families and kids around anxiety, depression, and suicidality,” she said, adding that still another priority for her agency, being addressed in partnership with the state Department of Public Health, is trying to understand how to “build capacity around the conversation of racial equity in this region,” as she put it.

“When you control for lots of different things when you’re doing data analysis around health indicators, it is clear that the color of people’s skin is still a top indicator for health,” she said. “And bringing health indicators to a level playing field will not be done until we can truly address one of the most significant root causes, which is racism in this country — so we’re working with a lot of different people to try to figure it out.”

That last comment effectively sums up what has become Collins’ life work and her significance to this region. Since arriving here, she has worked with countless individuals and groups to ‘figure it out.’

She is an administrator and advocate for those in need, but mostly she is a builder — of powerful collaborations that are changing the landscape when it comes to public health. It’s happening slowly, as she said, but it’s happening.

And that’s what makes her a Woman of Impact.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

BusinessTalk with Tony Cignoli, president of ther A.L. Cignoli Company

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 85: Oct. 25, 2021

George Interviews Tony Cignoli, president of ther A.L. Cignoli Company

George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Tony Cignoli, president of the A.L. Cignoli Company. The two talk about everything from Smith & Wesson’s recent decision to move its headquarters to Tenessee to redistricting and what it means for the region, to the pandemic and the lessons learned from it. It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

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BusinessTalk with Peter Picknelly

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 84: Oct. 18, 2021

George Interviews Peter Picknelly, chairman and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines

Peter Picknelly says fuel prices affect more than the transportation sector he works in

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Peter Picknelly, chairman and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines. The two talk about everything from the ongoing workforce crisis to people getting back on the roads — finally; from the many challenges facing those in the restaurant business, to the loss of his good friend, business partner, and restaurant industry icon Andy Yee. It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

Sponsored by:

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BusinessTalk with John Garvey, president of Garvey Communication Associates

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 83: Oct. 11, 2021

George Interviews John Garvey, president of Garvey Communication Associates

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with John Garvey, president of Garvey Communication Associates. The two talk about Facebook’s long, difficult week, the testimony of a whistleblower, comparisons of social media to Big Tobacco, and cries that something should be done to control this industry. It’s a compelling discussion and must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

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BusinessTalk with Lenny Underwood, owner of Underwood Photography and Upscale Socks

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 82: Oct. 4, 2021

George Interviews Lenny Underwood, owner of Underwood Photography and Upscale Socks

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Lenny Underwood, owner of Underwood Photography and Upscale Socks. The two talk about both of those intriguing businesses — especially his ever-expanding sock line — and also about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, especially in the middle of a global pandemic. It’s must listening so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

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Scenes from the 40 Under Forty Gala 2021

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Class of 2021 Event Galleries Special Coverage

[Show thumbnails]

To order prints go to Leah Martin Photography

40 Under Forty Class of 2021

Nicholas Amanti
Amy Ashford
Chris Bakker
Samantha Bilal
Ashley Bogle
Dr. Jessica Bossie
Lauren Figy Cadigan
Carly Camossi
Jes Charette-Fallon
Julissa Colón

Jessye Deane
Xiomara Albán DeLobato
Lindsey Gamble
Kiyota Garcia
Brendon Holland
Christopher Howland
Matthew Kushi
Kelly Lamas
Pema Latshang
Vonetta Lightfoot

Crystal Maldonado
Laura Mangini
Kevin Mattson
Joel McAuliffe
Chad Moir
Sarah Murphy
Matthew Nash
Lauren Ostberg
Kishore Parmar
Anne-Alise Pietruska

Joseph Popielarczyk
Claudia Quintero
Michael Regan
Yadilette Rivera-Colón
Victoria Ann Rodriguez
Elizabeth Sauer
Deepika Bains Shukla
Christopher Thibault
John Thomasian
Erin Zwisler

Presenting Sponsor

PeoplesBank_line

Sponsors

Alumni Achievement Award

When BusinessWest launched its 40 Under Forty program in 2007, it did so to identify rising stars across our region – individuals who were excelling in business and through involvement within the community –and celebrate their accomplishments. In 2015, BusinessWest announced a new award, one that builds on the foundation upon which 40 Under Forty was created. It’s called the Alumni Achievement Award (formerly the Continued Excellence Award). as the name suggests, will be presented to the 40 Under Forty honoree who, in the eyes of an independent panel of judges, has most impressively continued and built upon their track record of accomplishment.

This year’s nominations are CLOSED. Nominate next year’s Alumni Achievement Award recipient HERE.

2021 Alumni Achievement Award Presenting Sponsor

BusinessTalk with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 81: Sept. 27, 2021

George Interviews Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council

Rick Sullivan

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council. The two discuss everything from the ongoing workforce crisis, to the proposed data center project in Westfield, to the region’s prospects for gaining population — and business opportunities — as a result of the pandemic and the accompanying changes in how people work. It’s must listening so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

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Doorway to an Accessible, Safe and Healthy Home

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Healthcare Heroes

Collaboration In Health/Wellness

Collaborators in DASHH include Revitalize CDC, Baystate Health, Health New England, the BeHealthy Partnership, Holyoke Medical Center, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, and the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative.

This Coalition Keeps People Healthy in Ways Its Partners Couldn’t Achieve Alone

If there’s anyone who understands the impact of asthma in Greater Springfield, it’s Sarita Hudson.

Specifically, as director of programs and development for the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts and manager of the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, she understands the connections between one’s physical environment and health — and the factors that have consistently placed Springfield high on lists of riskiest places to live with asthma. But even the Asthma Coalition has its limits.

“We had been doing asthma interventions, working with community health workers, working with clients, doing education, helping them identify triggers,” she said. “But it’s not enough if we can’t actually fix anything in the home.”

Meanwhile, as vice president of Public Health for Baystate Health, Frank Robinson understands the many ways the system’s community health programs and providers promote preventive health and wellness.

“We had been doing asthma interventions, working with community health workers, working with clients, doing education, helping them identify triggers. But it’s not enough if we can’t actually fix anything in the home.”

Still, “Baystate would never be going out and creating healthy homes by doing environmental changes and mitigations,” he explained. “That is not the work of the healthcare system. To be aligned with someone who does that work and gets the health implications and health impacts is perfect, though — it makes a perfect marriage.”

That organization would be Revitalize Community Development Corp. (CDC), which does have a long history of making critical repairs, modifications, and rehabilitation on the homes of low-income families with children, military veterans, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

When these three organizations started talking — about asthma and other issues — they were intrigued by what they might accomplish by working together, said Revitalize CDC President and CEO Colleen Loveless.

“We’d been doing some of this work — mold remediation, pest control — but hadn’t formalized the process in collaboration with insurance companies and the healthcare system,” she told BusinessWest.

Now, thanks to a collaboration called Doorway to an Accessible, Safe and Healthy Home (DASHH), these three organizations are not only identifying families in need of intervention for environmental health issues, and not just educating them on lifestyle changes, but actually making the necessary physical changes to their homes.

“We started talking, and we applied for a technical-assistance grant from the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative in Baltimore. They’ve been doing this work for decades,” Loveless explained. “We were one of five sites awarded that technical-assistance grant.”

Baystate followed with a capacity-building grant, other state grants followed, and DASHH was in business. Since its beginning in 2015, the program has served 130 households with asthma remediation and education, as well as 101 households for age-in-place modifications. Last year, it launched a COVID-19 response project (more on that later), impacting more than 1,550 households and approximately 6,881 individuals.

“It’s a business model that shows that, by intervening and creating healthy homes through environmental remediation, removing asthma triggers, and improving the physical environment, we could reduce asthma incidence in high-risk populations,” Robinson said.

Families referred by Baystate for environmental interventions receive three to five visits to conduct testing, at the start and end of the process, and provide education on how to keep the home clean and safe. If needed, Revitalize CDC brings in services ranging from air-duct cleaning to mold remediation; from pest control to floor covering and replacement, and also provides air purifiers, HEPA vacuums, and cleaning supplies.

By partnering with health-centric organizations, Colleen Loveless (center) and Revitalize CDC was able to infuse its home-rehab efforts with a focus on wellness.

By partnering with health-centric organizations, Colleen Loveless (center) and Revitalize CDC were able to infuse home-rehab efforts with a focus on wellness.

“The goal is to keep people from having to access primary care or the emergency room, and not miss school or work,” Loveless said. “Asthma has such a ripple effect.”

 

Better Together

The initial goal of DASHH was to help older people by improving their housing conditions related to asthma and falls, most notably by providing home assessments and home repairs to help them stay healthy and age in place. Breaking down this enterprise that has earned the title of Healthcare Hero for 2021 in the Collaboration category, the individual honorees are:

• Revitalize CDC; which performs assessments and interventions for adults and children with asthma and COPD and makes safety modifications and aging-in-place improvements so seniors may safely remain in their home;

• The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, which provides support on asthma issues; measurement evaluation; support and coordination for referrals, education, and outreach; coordination and support for asthma home-visiting services; and technical assistance and support, as well as providing materials and services in Spanish;

• Baystate Health and the BeHealthy Partnership (a MassHealth accountable-care partnership plan option made up of the Baystate Health Care Alliance and Health New England), which provide referrals to DASHH through five health centers: Baystate General Pediatrics at High Street, Brightwood Health Center, Caring Health Center, High Street Health Center Adult Medicine, and Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center; and

• The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, a national network that provides technical assistance on planning, database services, and access to best-practice strategies. The organization worked with the other partners on feasibility studies to come up with ways to fund interventions in the home and determine how those efforts might impact healthcare costs and decrease healthcare utilizations regionally.

After its initial success with Baystate, Revitalize CDC expanded its service area in 2019 to begin collaborating with Holyoke Medical Center and its team of community health workers and navigators. To boost such efforts, the city of Holyoke recently awarded Revitalize CDC’s Healthy Homes Program $100,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds.

DASHH serves low-income families in Hampden County, which ranks last among the Commonwealth’s 14 counties for health outcomes and health factors for racial/ethnic groups. Springfield had been the asthma capital of the U.S., according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, until 2019, and now ranks 12th — still not the most desirable ranking, but an improvement, to be sure.

“You talk to the families, and you see that this is the kind of impact that changes their health,” Hudson said of DASHH’s efforts. “It means they can breathe easier and get the supplies they need.”

For instance, in some cases, “the ventilation ducts have never been cleaned, and every time the heat comes on, they have an asthma attack. Now they’re clean, and it doesn’t happen,” she went on. “Some of these are small, simple repairs.”

This issue has been important to Hudson for a long time, through the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, which was formed 15 years ago to address childhood asthma by improving medical and self-management of the condition, as well as by reducing environmental triggers.

The coalition focuses on outdoor air pollution and indoor air quality and has successfully advocated for new policies, including statewide regulations to prohibit tobacco sales to those under 21; green cleaning policies and procedures adopted by Holyoke Public Schools; an ordinance against burning construction and demolition debris; and asthma protocols and an idle-free vehicle policy adopted by Springfield Public Schools, among many other successes.

It’s work — not just the physical interventions, but education of homeowners, landlords, and primary-care physicians — that should be happening on a wider scale, Hudson said, not just in homes, but in schools and other older buildings where people gather.

“We really see a lot of our housing stock as old, with deferred maintenance, including so much of our rental housing. That’s why we are pleased to see more funding around whole-house renovations.”

 

Quick Pivot

Last year, the DASHH coalition began supporting patients at risk of contracting COVID-19 by providing them with essential supplies and access to nutritious food at home. It made contactless deliveries that also included COVID-prevention supplies, including disinfectants, microfiber cleaning cloths, cleaning gloves, dish detergent, food-storage containers, hand soap, disinfectant wipes, paper towels, and food from local pantries.

“These are people who were quarantining, and we were providing them with cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and facemasks — and we found many were food-insecure, so they were provided food from local food pantries,” Loveless said. “The whole DASHH program just expanded from asthma to COVID, and we’re still seeing it now.”

Meanwhile, she’s excited about seeing the coalition continue its broader work — and those regional asthma statistics improve further.

“It’s been a really, really great partnership. It’s a win-win situation — the healthcare system saves money, we’re serving more low-income families in need, and patients are healthier. So it’s really a win-win-win.”

Robinson agrees. “I think the role of Revitalize and other housing providers that understand these issues have made a difference — and make healthcare providers’ jobs much easier,” he said. “They have been instrumental partners in creating safe and healthy houses for older adults as well as creating healthy homes for folks with respiratory diseases, asthma in particular.”

The work is both deeply collaborative and, dare we say, heroic.

“I’m so appreciative,” Loveless said. “Together, we’re able to serve more people in need.”

 

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

J. Aleah Nesteby

By Contributor
Healthcare Heroes

Innovation In Health/Wellness

Director of LGBTQ Services, Cooley Dickinson Hospital

J. Aleah Nesteby

J. Aleah Nesteby

She Pioneered Appropriate Care for a Population That Sometimes Lacks It

By Mark Morris

Healthcare was Aleah Nesteby’s second career goal.

“My first career goal was to be a standup comic, but I eventually realized I didn’t have the stomach for all the rejection that involved,” she said.

As it turned out, comedy’s loss was healthcare’s gain. For the past several years, she has been a family nurse practitioner and director of LGBTQ Health Services at Cooley Dickinson Health Care — and is now beginning a new career at Transhealth Northampton.

In doing so, she will continue her pioneering work providing culturally sensitive healthcare for often-marginalized populations — work that many health organizations have since adopted, long after Nesteby became an early pioneer in this region — and a true Healthcare Hero.

“I thought, if my friends can’t access good care in San Francisco, is there anywhere they can? I also thought, well, I could do that.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, members of the LGBTQ community face an increased risk of health threats due to discrimination and stigma. In her role with Cooley Dickinson, Nesteby has worked to bring more equity and compassion to healthcare for the LGBTQ community. As a practitioner, she has maintained a patient panel of about 500 people, many of whom are transgender.

It’s a passion that predates her medical career, to be sure. Since college, Nesteby has had an interest in healthcare among marginalized populations, but at the time, care focused specifically on LGBTQ people didn’t exist. In the early 2000s, while in San Francisco, she learned that some of her LGBTQ friends were not able to access healthcare.

“I thought, if my friends can’t access good care in San Francisco, is there anywhere they can?” she said. “I also thought, well, I could do that.”

So she did. And for her years of cutting-edge advocacy for this broad and sometimes misunderstood population, Nesteby certainly merits recognition in the category of Innovation in Healthcare.

 

Training Ground

In addition to treating patients, Nesteby’s responsibilities include training providers and staff on how to make medical facilities more welcoming and inclusive.

Much of the training I would call LGBTQ 101,” she said. “It’s a discussion on how to treat people respectfully and how to engage them in language they would like you to use.”

After years of pioneering work at Cooley Dickinson, Aleah Nesteby is taking her passion and talents to Transhealth Northampton.

After years of pioneering work at Cooley Dickinson, Aleah Nesteby is taking her passion and talents to Transhealth Northampton.

One common question — she’s heard it countless times — challenges why LGBTQ patients should be treated differently than anyone else. She explains that everyone has unconscious biases that play into their decisions about treatment for people.

“I try to help providers understand that, even though they think they are treating everyone the same, some of what they are saying isn’t being received by the patient in the way it might have been intended.”

For instance, microaggressions are a common issue — those backhanded compliments and minor comments that might not be insults, per se, but add up in a negative way to the person who hears them. A gay or lesbian person might be told, “I couldn’t tell whether you were gay or straight,” and a transgender person might be asked what their old name was.

“It’s these low-level, unpleasant interactions that many medical folks aren’t even aware they are doing,” Nesteby said, emphasizing that training should include all employees in the medical setting, not just direct care providers. For example, a visitor to the doctor’s office typically first speaks with someone on the front desk, then a medical assistant or nurse, and, finally, with the physician or nurse practitioner.

“Even when all the providers are trained and great to be around, if the staff aren’t trained, it can still be a negative experience for some,” she explained.

Nesteby also helps providers with more detailed training that addresses health issues specific to the LGBTQ community, such as hormone therapy for transgender adults and working with transgender children.

“I’ve also trained doctors on PrEP, a pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV,” she said. “It’s a medication people can take before being exposed to HIV to help prevent transmission.”

In some ways, Nesteby has always been an LGBTQ trainer. She was studying to be a nurse practitioner back when the transgender health movement — commonly called trans health — was just beginning. Because it wasn’t included in the curriculum, she invited a lecturer to speak to her class about trans health.

“In the beginning, there were lots of things to learn and new ground to break,” she recalled.

Nesteby is now in demand as a speaker at conferences around the country, though her appearances during the pandemic have been virtual. She also participates in TransLine, an internet-based consultation service. “People can e-mail their questions about trans health to volunteers like me, and we answer them as they come in.”

As she became established and word got out that her practice included trans health, patients would travel from hundreds of miles away just to be seen by Nesteby. However, “as trans health has become a more accessible field and more providers have become comfortable with it, there’s less need for people to travel long distances.”

 

Continuing the Conversation

Reflecting on her work with Cooley Dickinson gives Nesteby a great deal of satisfaction. From training medical staff to policies to make the hospital more inclusive, she appreciates all the progress that’s been made so far.

“While there is still work to be done, there has been a cultural shift in Massachusetts on how we view our LGBTQ patients,” she noted.

Jeff Harness, director of Community Health and Government Relations for Cooley Dickinson, called Nesteby’s work critically important to the LGBTQ community.

“It is rare to find a primary-care provider who understands the unique health and social needs of LGBTQ patients,” Harness said. “It’s exceedingly rare to fine one who is so skilled, passionate, and caring.”

This month, Nesteby is leaving Cooley Dickinson to join Transhealth Northampton, a clinic that provides primary care for children and adults. Her role will be similar to her current one in providing primary care and hormone management for her patients. In her new position, she will continue to educate clinicians and will also focus on educating the general public about working with the LGBTQ community.

“I’m an advocate of asking people how they want to be addressed and what pronouns they use,” she said. adding that people often get nervous they might offend if they ask, but the conversation has to start somewhere. “If you are respectful and polite, people will usually respond in kind. They only get upset when someone is rude or asking for information that is gratuitous or not needed.”

In general, Nesteby would like to see a more welcoming and affirming atmosphere in medicine.

“Ideally, I’d like all providers to have some degree of knowledge about how to work with LGBTQ patients because within that there is more opportunity for people to specialize in that care.”

Harness credited Nesteby with making positive changes in the system while always providing excellent care to the person in front of her. “Aleah has improved her patients’ sense of well-being by showing them their medical provider cares about, understands, and welcomes them,” he said.

In her eyes, though, showing compassion is similar some ways to the old adage about a rising tide lifting all boats.

“If we are more open and understanding to folks in one group,” she said, “we tend to be more open and understanding to everyone — and that helps all of us.”

Alicia Ross

By Contributor
Healthcare Heroes

Health/Wellness Administrator

Medical Director, Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care

Alicia Ross

Alicia Ross

This Administrator Has Been a Pioneer, a Mentor, and an Inspiration

By Mark Morris

Growing up in the Philippines, Alicia Ross always hoped to become a doctor. Her father, a dentist, had other plans and wanted his daughter to take over his practice.

“I didn’t want to go into dentistry, so I went into medicine,” Ross recalled. Shortly after graduating from Manila Central University and passing her medical boards, she emigrated to the U.S.

In 1971, Ross joined the staff of Holyoke Medical Center, specializing in hematology and oncology. At the time, she worked with cancer patients, with the single goal of healing them. But for patients with advanced cancers, doctors can often reach a point where there are no more treatment options. Ross understood those patients needed something else.

“It’s huge for the patient to be reassured they’ve done all they can do to fight their illness. It’s also just as important for family members because they will remember this for the rest of their lives.”

“We had to refocus our goal,” she said. “For those cases, instead of a cure, we would instead work toward comfort measures for the end of life and do our best to ease their pain.”

So began what could be called a new career for Ross, or at least a new, exhilarating, and rewarding chapter in a remarkable — and ongoing — career. In 1991, she would become the founding medical director of Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care.

Over the past 30 years, she has changed countless lives, and not just those who come under her care. Indeed, as an administrator, she has been a leader, a mentor, and an inspiration to those she has worked with, primarily by challenging them to continuously find ways to bring comfort and, yes, quality of life to those in hospice care.

“Someone referred to Dr. Ross as a ‘pioneer,’ and I think that is a very apt term for her,” said Maureen Groden, director of Hospice and Palliative Care, adding that Ross has changed the way many think when they hear that word ‘hospice,’ and she has spent her career educating and innovating.

Alicia Ross says many people recoil at the idea of hospice without realizing what a benefit it can be.

Alicia Ross says many people recoil at the idea of hospice without realizing what a benefit it can be.

Jennifer Martin, director of Operations and IT for Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care, agreed.

“As medical director, Dr. Ross has always been our go-to; she is the backbone of the hospice program,” she said. “In our weekly team meetings, she goes above and beyond to make sure we provide the absolute best care for every patient and every situation.”

Those sentiments certainly help explain why Ross has been named a Healthcare Hero for 2021 in the always-competitive Administration category. Over the years, that honor has gone to those who don’t simply manage, but lead; those who not only care for those in need, but inspire others to reach higher and find ways to continually improve that care.

Ross certainly continues that tradition.

 

Life-changing Decisions

Getting back to that word ‘pioneer,’ it is used to describe those who break new ground and blaze a trail for those who would follow.

As Groden said, that term suits Ross because of the way she studied hospice care and adopted best practices, but also because she sought to keep raising the bar in all aspects of this field of healthcare.

Turning back the clock to the late ’80s, Ross said she traveled to England to study under Dr. Cicely Saunders, considered the founder of the modern hospice movement.

“Before we started our hospice services in Holyoke, I went to England to better understand how they did it,” she told BusinessWest. While she worked primarily with the doctor’s staff, Ross also met with and learned from Saunders herself.

Ross turned her knowledge into action in 1990, joining others in creating Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care. They did so, she said, with a simple philosophy: that “dying is a part of living.”

With hospice care, it’s possible to bring dignity and acceptance to patients and families when they are making difficult decisions about end-of-life care. But it is never an easy conversation.

“We still see patients who have a strong negative reaction to the word ‘hospice,’” Ross said, adding that this is unfortunate because people who could benefit from hospice care are not always referred early enough to enable them to gain some benefit from it.

“In addition to nurses who provide pain relief, hospice also offers other services to make a person’s last days more comfortable,” she noted. “Home health aides, chaplains, social workers, even volunteers can all bring comfort to the patient.”

No matter what faith a person follows, she added, the chaplain’s role is part of providing comfort and pain relief. “During this time, many patients have emotional and spiritual pain. When the chaplain can reduce some of that emotional pain, it also eases some of the physical pain.”

Volunteers also play an important role. While COVID restrictions have curtailed in-person visits to patients, volunteers also make an important contribution in providing comfort.

“We try to match volunteers to the patient,” Ross said. “For example, if the patient is a veteran, our volunteer is a veteran.” By aligning interests, the volunteer becomes a welcome face and often develops a friendship with the patient.

Administering medicine is an important part of hospice, but there are often non-medical ways to ease a patient’s pain. Ross gave an example of how a patient with lung disease will regularly experience shortness of breath.

“While morphine is a good treatment, oxygen is too, so a fan blowing in the room can be very effective,” she said, adding that anxiety also contributes to difficulty in breathing. “Many patients feel they are burdening their family, so we work on lessening their stress and anxiety to help them understand they are not a burden on their family.”

According to Groden, family members often struggle and wonder if they’ve done the right thing in referring a loved one to hospice. She said Ross approaches that conversation by reassuring the family that, at this point in time, additional treatments would actually cause more harm than good, and that hospice is the most compassionate approach.

“It’s huge for the patient to be reassured they’ve done all they can do to fight their illness,” Groden said. “It’s also just as important for family members because they will remember this for the rest of their lives.”

While modern medicine can extend people’s lives, many still need hospice in their later years. Ross also pointed out that hospice is not just for the elderly. “We have a lot of illnesses that can affect relatively younger people, like Lou Gehrig’s disease, early-onset dementia, and, of course, cancer, which affects people at all ages.”

No matter the age, she noted, the goal of Hospice Life Care remains the same. “Our main purpose is to give patients comfort through the end of life, to make them as comfortable as possible, and treat their symptoms so they don’t suffer.”

After 50 years at Holyoke Medical Center, 30 of which were at Hospice Life Care, Ross has certainly seen many changes in healthcare. She listed electronic medical records and advancements in medication as two of the most significant.

While many physicians choose to retire rather than confront new technology, she took time to learn electronic medical records and embraced the advances in both technology and medicine. Her colleagues say she never misses a beat, one of the reasons she’s an effective leader and healthcare provider.

At the urging of her husband, Ross had planned to retire by 2015. But when he became ill in 2014 and passed away quickly, she decided to continue her work.

“I thought if I retired, I would only sit around the house and mourn, so a better choice was to keep working,” she said, adding that, with each life she impacts, she embraces that decision.

 

A True Leader

Martin observed that Holyoke VNA Hospice Life Care admits approximately 275 patients to hospice each year.

“When you multiply that number times 30 years, it gives you an idea of just how many lives Dr. Ross has touched,” she said, adding that her lasting impact is measured not in numbers, but in words, especially those used by family members of patients to describe the compassionate care they received.

Those words convey many things, including just how much of a pioneer she has been throughout her career, and how she has convinced so many that dying really is a part of living.

Mostly, though, they convey that she is a true Healthcare Hero.

 

Dr. Sarah Haessler

By
Healthcare Heroes

Emerging Leader

Hospital Epidemiologist, Baystate Medical Center; Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Department of Medicine, Baystate Health

Dr. Sarah Haessler

Dr. Sarah Haessler

She ‘Stands on a Wall Between the Community and Infectious Diseases’

Dr. Sarah Haessler has already been honored as a Healthcare Hero. Actually, a ‘Healthcare Superhero,’ to be more precise.

That was the unofficial title bestowed upon 76 fully vaccinated healthcare workers from across New England who attended the Super Bowl last February as guests of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The group flew down on the Patriots’ team plane and got to see Tom Brady win his seventh Super Bowl — and promote vaccination while they were at it.

Haessler, hospital epidemiologist at Baystate Medical Center and vice chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Medicine at Baystate Health, was one of three from this region to be so honored; she was joined by Baystate colleague Stephen Boyle Sr., senior director of Hospitality; and Cherie Rodriguez, a respiratory therapist at Mercy Medical Center.

Haessler has many memories from that day, with only some of them involving the action on the field.

“It was the quintessential American experience,” she recalled, noting that healthcare workers from across the country were recognized at the game. “It was big. Everything about it was big. The music was loud, there were fireworks for everything, there were military flyovers, the jumbo screens had the president on them … America doesn’t do anything small. This was very big and very American.”

“Her role is to stand watch on the wall between our patients, our team members, our community, and the infectious agents that threaten their health. And she has successfully done this for more than a decade, not only in the face of a global pandemic the likes of which we have not experienced for more than 100 years, but every day of the year. Because in healthcare, those threats never cease.”

Haessler said pairs of tickets to the game were made available to various hospitals, and she was chosen by officials at Baystate to attend; she’s not sure how or why.

Matters are a little more clear when it comes to her being chosen as the winner in the intensely competitive Emerging Leader category for BusinessWest’s Healthcare Heroes awards. She has been chosen in large part for her many efforts to prepare those at Baystate for what was coming in early 2020 and for her ongoing work throughout the pandemic to plan, educate, and help carry out all the operations of a hospital during extraordinary circumstances. But there is certainly more to the story. Indeed, COVID-19 wasn’t her first experience with a highly infectious disease, and she acknowledged, with some resignation born from experience in her voice, that it won’t be her last.

Meanwhile, she has taken on more leadership roles over the years, serving as interim chief medical officer at Baystate Noble Hospital and currently sitting on the board of the Society of Healthcare Epidemiologists of America.

Her work in her chosen field, and her status as an emerging leader in Western Mass. and beyond, is best summed up by Dr. Andrew Artenstein, chief physician executive and chief academic officer, incident commander, COVID-19 Response, at Baystate Health, who nominated her for this honor.

“Her role is to stand watch on the wall between our patients, our team members, our community, and the infectious agents that threaten their health,” he wrote. “And she has successfully done this for more than a decade, not only in the face of a global pandemic the likes of which we have not experienced for more than 100 years, but every day of the year. Because in healthcare, those threats never cease.”

In a candid interview, Haessler talked about that harsh reality, her work at Baystate, her chosen career in epidemiology, and the many kinds of rewards that come with it.

 

At the Top of Her Game

When asked how she chose epidemiology as a specialty, Haessler started by saying that, during her residency at Dartmouth, she was interested — make that fascinated — by all aspects of medicine. It soon became clear to her that she needed to pick something broad that would cross all other specialties.

“When I sat down to pick one, I ultimately decided that the specialty where the cases that kept me up late or got me up early in the morning to learn more and read more and try to figure out what was wrong with this person — these puzzles — were the cases that were most interesting to me, and the most satisfying and challenging. And that was infectious disease,” she told BusinessWest.

Dr. Sarah Haessler was one of many ‘Healthcare Superheroes’

Dr. Sarah Haessler was one of many ‘Healthcare Superheroes’ in attendance at last February’s Super Bowl in Tampa.

“I’ve never looked back — I’ve always loved it,” she went on, adding that, in this field, she does get to interact with specialists of all kinds. “It’s been an interesting career — I’ve never been bored. And the other thing about it is that it just keeps moving. I’m a high-energy person — I keep moving — so it suits me very well.”

Things were certainly moving in the latter days of 2019, said Haessler, noting that the information coming to her from hospital epidemiologists in China, and later the state of Washington, made it clear that something ominous was on the horizon.

“We saw the pandemic potential for it because it was so swift and had created a huge influx of patients in those hospitals in Wuhan,” she recalled. “It essentially overwhelmed those hospitals immediately, and the fact that China’s approach was to put the area in lockdown … that is the kind of organism, like SARS, that causes a pandemic.”

She said Baystate was ready, in large part because it had gone through this before with other infectious diseases and had learned many valuable lessons. And she was at the forefront of these efforts.

“We had been through H1N1, and then we had been through the Ebola epidemic,” she explained. “And this really created an impetus, and a framework, across the United States for preparedness for the world’s most contagious diseases.”

Because of Ebola, Baystate had created a Special Pathogens Unit to manage extremely contagious patients, said Haessler, who manages this unit and the team that operates it. And as part of that team’s work, it created protocols and procedures for how it would manage patients, took steps to ensure that there would be adequate supplies of PPE, put in place scenarios for how patients would be cared for and where, determined if, when, and under what circumstances elective surgeries would be halted, and much more.

In short, as Artenstein noted in his nomination, Haessler was the point person for preparing the medical center for what everyone could see was coming.

“Her work provided great comfort to all, knowing that we had such an expert in such a key role,” he wrote. “Her team’s magnificent work in collaboration with employee health services led to the earliest possible recognition of infectious contacts and allowed us to limit the risks for patients and staff during a time of great uncertainty and fear.”

While the past tense is being used for most of these comments, the work battling COVID is obviously ongoing, said Haessler, adding that the Delta variant brings a new and very dangerous thread to this story.

When asked about what the past 18 months has been like, personally and professionally, she said, in essence, that it’s been the culmination of all her training and hard work.

“It’s been one of biggest events that I’ve had to participate in, and while it’s been challenging, it’s also been very gratifying, because Baystate has been an incredible organization, rising to the occasion in this. I’m so proud of Baystate; I’ve never been more proud to work at this organization and to be part of the leadership team.

“The responsiveness, the focus on what was important and what remains important, has been incredible,” she went on. “It’s been a laser focus on the safety of the healthcare workers, and protecting our patients and our healthcare workers from getting and passing this disease, getting the resources we needed to enable safe management of these patients, and staying really, really focused on what’s important here has been a phenomenal experience and an opportunity for tremendous personal and professional growth.”

 

Passing Thoughts

Returning to Raymond James Stadium and Super Bowl LV, Haessler said she had the opportunity to meet with healthcare workers from across the country who had been, at that time, battling with COVID for roughly a year.

“It was an opportunity to meet with other people, commiserate, and just be among kindred spirits — people had been through so much,” she said, adding that, seven months later, the fight continues, and in some ways, it has escalated.

In the future, there will be other fights against infectious diseases, she said, adding that the best hospitals and healthcare systems can do is try to be prepared, because, as Artenstein noted, these threats never cease.

That, in a nutshell, is what her career has been all about. Her ability to exceed in that role and many others has made her a Healthcare Hero — and a ‘superhero’ — as well as an emerging leader in Western Mass. and her chosen field.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Dr. Louis J. DeCaro

By
Healthcare Heroes

Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider

Doctor and Owner, DeCaro Total Foot Care Center

Dr. Louis J. DeCaro

Dr. Louis J. DeCaro

This Specialist Has Helped Patients of All Ages Take Huge Strides

Dr. Louis J. DeCaro is firm of the opinion that no one actually has good feet.

Rather, experience tells him that everyone has one of 24 variations of bad feet.

“That includes high arches, low arches, no arches … people come in and they think flat feet are the only bad feet,” said DeCaro, owner of Hatfield-based DeCaro Total Foot Care Center, referencing a chart of what he calls the ‘24 Foot Structures.’ “But you can have an arch that causes not foot pain, but back pain. So often, high-arch people have back pain, but they don’t realize it’s coming from their feet.”

This chart, and DeCaro’s extensive use of it to explain problems people are having now — or might have later — is just one of many reasons why he was named the Healthcare Hero for 2021 in the always-competitive Provider category. Indeed, he has made pediatric podiatry his specific specialty, and throughout his career he has helped people of all ages, but especially children, make great strides, both figuratively and quite literally.

“To get a hug from a parent who tells me that their child is finally walking or is able to run or keep up with their friends … that’s really priceless.”

He has done this through everything from education to complex surgical procedures, to the development of new orthotic products, such as littleSTEPS, orthoses created specifically for young people and designed to improve coordination, balance, pain, posture, and strength, while aiding in the development of a more stable and functional gait.

He even makes an impact through his photography. DeCaro, who travels often with his family and through his work, photographs animals wherever he goes and winds up selling prints of some of his best shots, with the proceeds going to help families in need offset the cost of orthotics.

Thus, his work can be — and often is — described as life-changing, and that’s why he finds all facets of it, but especially his work with children, so rewarding.

Dr. Louis DeCaro, seen here with his children, Eliza and Lucas, and wife Jamie, says foot issues impact people of all ages, starting with the very young.

Dr. Louis DeCaro, seen here with his children, Eliza and Lucas, and wife Jamie, says foot issues impact people of all ages, starting with the very young.

“People often ask me why I do pediatrics,” he said. “And I tell them that one of the wonderful things I get to experience is when a child follows up who couldn’t walk, and I helped them walk; that’s got to be one of the most rewarding things in the world. To get a hug from a parent who tells me that their child is finally walking or is able to run or keep up with their friends … that’s really priceless.”

Over the years, DeCaro has received many hugs like that, and that just begins to explain why he is one of the Healthcare Heroes for 2021.

 

Positive Steps

Like many in healthcare, DeCaro said that, while he ultimately chose his specialty, in many ways, it chose him.

Relating the story of how he ventured into podiatry, he said he had just finished his junior year at Stony Brook University on Long Island and was on a path to a career in allopathic medicine when he got a letter from someone at Barry University, a podiatry school in Florida.

“I didn’t know anything about podiatry at all,” he recalled, adding that the school was impressed with his MCAT scores and offered to fly him down for a visit. He took them up on their offer and came away impressed with the school, the specialty, and the opportunities it presented.

“Podiatry seemed like a wonderful profession because I could specialize in whatever I wanted — I could do surgery if I wanted to, I could treat kids if I wanted,” he said, adding that he wound up skipping his final year at Stonybrook and getting on an airplane to attend Barry.

“It was the best decision I’ve ever made; getting into this specialty has been wonderful, “he went on. “It was an opportunity-knocks moment — and I opened the door to see what was behind it.”

Dr. Louis DeCaro photographed this bear while visiting Alaska. The image is one of many he has sold to help families pay for needed orthotics for their children.

Dr. Louis DeCaro photographed this bear while visiting Alaska. The image is one of many he has sold to help families pay for needed orthotics for their children.

To say that DeCaro has made the most of his opportunity and had a profound impact on patients and their families during his career in his chosen field would be a huge understatement. Indeed, as noted, he has been changing and improving lives in many ways — through education, treatment, and the development of new orthotic solutions, such as littleSTEPS.

DeCaro Total Foot Care Center now counts 30,000 active patients, with some of them coming from other states and the four corners of Massachusetts.

“Besides Boston Children’s, which is two hours away, there’s really no other pediatric specialist in this state for foot care,” he explained. “So we get patients all the time who travel two or three hours to see me, just because of the lack of pediatric specialists.”

He said podiatry is regarded by many as a specialty focused on the elderly and the diabetic, and while many of the practice’s patients are in those categories, foot issues impact people of all ages. And many problems of the foot develop when people are young.

DeCaro said he treats many children on the autism spectrum with sensory-processing disorders, others with neuromuscular diseases like cerebral palsy, children who are late walkers or delayed walkers with low muscle tone, athletes with injuries that start with their foot structure, kids with growing pains, and those with other ailments.

“Often, orthopedic issues, especially in the pediatric population, are caused by poor mechanics in the foot,” he explained. “And it starts with the minute we walk.”

He said he sees roughly 20 patients a day, fewer than many specialists, because he enjoys spending time not only with his younger patients, but their parents as well, because they often must be educated about their child’s condition.

Similarly, when he sees a child, he will often then examine the parents as well because, by looking at their respective foot structures, he can often gain some perspective on where that child might be headed when it comes to overall foot health. “Like hair color and eye color, foot structure is genetic,” he explained.

As noted earlier, treatment of his patients is just one of the reasons why DeCaro has become a standout in his field — he has been listed among the 150 Most Influential Podiatrists in America by Podiatry Management magazine — and why he will join seven others as Healthcare Heroes on Oct. 21 at the Log Cabin. He’s also an educator who lectures often; pens articles such as one called “Assessing the Role of Gait Analysis in Pediatric Patients with Flatfoot,” which appeared in Podiatry Today magazine; and teaches the ‘24 Foot Structures’ to many of his colleagues.

Within the 24 different foot structures there are six distinct foot types or categories — A to F — and given each names, like ‘John Wayne.’ “You actually turn your legs out and walk like a gunslinger,” he explained, adding that there are fun names for each category, and they are designed to help patients understand their feet and the treatment being given them.

He’s also an entrepreneur; in addition to littleSTEPS, he and business partner Roberta Nole have also developed the RX24 Quadrastep System, a state-of-the-art alternative to traditional custom orthotic management.

There’s also his photography — and philanthropy, by which he uses his hobby to help children and families in need.

The walls of the rooms in his office are covered with photos — his favorite is one of a puma he “met” in the rain forest of Costa Rica, although he’s also fond of a bear he photographed in Alaska — primarily his feet (paws), which are prominently on display.

When asked how he gets so close to his subjects, he quipped, “big lenses.”

 

Toeing the Line

In many ways, DeCaro has spent his career  helping patients, and especially the younger ones, understand the proverbial big picture when it comes to their feet and how they are never to be overlooked when it comes to one’s health, well-being, and quality of life.

Suffice it to say that he has made the most of that opportunity-knocks moment when he got on a plane bound for Florida and podiatry school. He found a profession that has been rewarding in every way imaginable.

But the real winners from that decision he made are his patients, who have benefited from his compassion, his desire to educate, and even his ingenuity and prowess as an entrepreneur.

His ability to change their lives has made him a Healthcare Hero.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Richard Johnson

By
Healthcare Heroes

Community Health

Counseling and Testing Prevention and Education Program Director,
New North Citizens Council Inc.

Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson

He Has Made a Career of Being There for People Who Need Help, Direction

Richard Johnson has a simple and laudable philosophy when it comes to those seeking help. And it goes a long way to explaining why he’s a Healthcare Hero for 2021 in the always-competitive Community Health category.

“When people who are in need find the fortitude to step out of themselves and ask for assistance, there should be somebody to respond,” he told BusinessWest. “That’s because it takes a lot sometimes for many people to ask for help. And so, I like to make sure that, if I’m able, I can be that person to respond.”

For more than two decades now, during a lengthy career in public health, most recently as Counseling and Testing Prevention and Education Program director for the New North Citizens Council Inc., Johnson has been able — and ready — to respond and provide that help, in the many forms it can take.

His title is a mouthful, and there is a lot that goes into it.

Indeed, from his office at the Deborah Hunt Prevention and Education Drop-in Center, Johnson helps those in the Mason Square area of Springfield and beyond cope with issues ranging from HIV and sexually transmitted diseases to opioid and other addictions; from sickle-cell anemia awareness to treatment for mental-health issues.

And with the arrival of COVID-19, that list has only grown, with new responsibilities including everything from securing PPE for those in need to educating residents about the importance of vaccination. In short, he and his team have been helping people live with everything else going on in their lives and COVID.

“When people who are in need find the fortitude to step out of themselves and ask for assistance, there should be somebody to respond. That’s because it takes a lot sometimes for many people to ask for help. And so, I like to make sure that, if I’m able, I can be that person to respond.”

“We wanted to provide an education for these individuals so they could limit or at least mitigate some of their risk factors for contracting COVID and other things,” he explained. “So 2020 became COVID-intense. Our focus changed; our priority was educating people on how communicable this disease was, and saying to them, ‘yes, I understand that you have addiction challenges and housing challenges, but you really need to pay attention to how to prevent contracting COVID, and then we can work on some of the other things.’”

A day in the life for Johnson takes him to the drop-in center, but also to the neighborhoods beyond for off-site presentations and testing at various facilities on subjects ranging from substance abuse to prevention of communicable diseases to overdose prevention and Narcan distribution. These sites include the Friends of the Homeless facility, Carlson Detox Center, Opportunity House, Bowen Center, and Valor Recovery Center.

Richard Johnson, center, with many of the team members staffing the Deborah Hunt Prevention and Education Drop-in Center

Richard Johnson, center, with many of the team members staffing the Deborah Hunt Prevention and Education Drop-in Center in Mason Square.

COVID has reduced the numbers of such visits, but the work goes on, he said, adding that it is highly rewarding in many respects, because through it, he is helping not only individuals but neighborhoods and the larger community become more resilient.

This has become his life’s work, and his devotion to that work, that mission, has made him a Healthcare Hero for 2021.

 

Source of Strength

As he talked with BusinessWest in the tiny lab set up in the drop-in center, near the Rebecca Johnson School, Johnson said the facility lives up to every word over the door.

It is, indeed, a drop-in center, where one can find testing, counseling, education, and help with prevention. There is a team of individuals working there, but Johnson is the leader, in every aspect of that word. Meaning, he sets a tone for the work there, one born from experience working with this constituency and trying to meet its many and diverse needs.

He first became involved in community health in 2002, when he volunteered for an agency called Northern Educational Services, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

“There were a number of folks I knew who were impacted by substance use and HIV,” he explained. “So this provided an opportunity for me to be directly involved in trying to navigate them to some sort of care.”

After this stint as a volunteer, he joined Northern Educational Services as a relapse counselor, and from there, he went from relapse prevention to HIV case management, starting first as an assistant and then working his way up to senior case manager. Ultimately, he became the director of Counseling and Testing Prevention and Education Services.

“Much of my work as a case manager centered on really just helping people to adjust to a new reality with regard to being diagnosed with HIV and confronting some of the stigmas associated with that,” he told BusinessWest. “I helped them understand that there are treatments that were effective, and helping them to communicate with their physican or medical provider as to what their concerns were and how their lives worked in terms of some of the stigmas associated with it and being able to talk to loved ones about their new status.

“That was really challenging for some,” he went on. “And so, case management at that time was a very hands-on thing; we made a great difference in the lives of those who were living with HIV, but equally so those who were unaware of how it was transmitted, and what prevention methods could be deployed by them, and that it was OK to have dinner with someone who was living with HIV, as opposed to some of the rumors, stories, or myths that they’d heard.”

Elaborating, he said that, for many, substance use and HIV went hand-in-hand, and efforts focused on helping people find recovery through detox and treatment facilities and helping these individuals understand that it was OK to live substance-free and face and confront some of their challenges involved with having a diagnosis that was highly stigmatized.

In 2010, he assumed that same title — director of Counseling and Testing Prevention and Education Services — with the New North Citizens Council, and has been continuing that challenging but needed work to counsel those in need and help with the medical and social aspects of HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and substance abuse, while connecting people with healthcare providers.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have built relationships with medical providers that lend themselves to understanding that when we have an individual, that service, that treatment, needs to be provided, and they’re willing to provide it,” he said, listing Baystate Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, and the Caring Health Center among the providers he and his team work with.

Over the years, Johnson has become involved with a number of community groups, boards, and commissions, including the Mason Square C-3 Initiative, the Massachusetts Integrated Planning Prevention Committee, Baystate Health’s Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center Community Advisory Board, the Baystate Health Community Benefits Advisory Council, and the Springfield Food Policy Committee.

As noted earlier, COVID has added new layers to the work and the mission for Johnson and his team. While helping individuals and families cope with what would be considered everyday matters, there is also a once-in-a-century pandemic to contend with.

Work to distribute PPE and other needed items, from masks to hand sanitizer, socks to toothpaste, goes on, said Johnson. “We still go about daily and provide PPE to people who are on the margins and often don’t have ready access to such items.”

Critical work on vaccination goes on as well, and comes in many forms, from education to dispel myths and misinformation to getting shots in arms. He mentioned a clinic at the drop-in center the day before he talked with BusinessWest, at which nine people received their second shot and two more got their first.

“Vaccination has been a challenge because there is a lot of information out there, and not all of it is accurate,” he explained. “There’s a significant amount of resistance based on information that individuals have received, so it’s really about re-educating people and helping them achieve a level of comfort receiving new information. As great and wonderful as the internet and social media are, sometimes it doesn’t provide both sides of a story.”

 

Bottom Line

Helping individuals and families achieve a needed level of comfort with many aspects of their lives — from living with HIV to battling substance abuse — has long been the best way to describe Johnson’s work and his commitment to the community.

As we noted that at the top, he fully understands just how hard it is to seek help. And that’s why it’s been his mission to be there for those who find the strength and fortitude to take that step.

His unwavering commitment to that mission has made him a Healthcare Hero.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

BusinessTalk with David Godaire, president and CEO of MassHire Holyoke

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 79: Sept. 13, 2021

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien interviews David Godaire, president and CEO of HassHire Holyoke

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with David Godaire, president and CEO of HassHire Holyoke. The two discuss the ongoing labor shortage impacting virtually all businesses in the region, the many different forces behind it, and the outlook for the short term as federal unemployment benefits, specifically the $300 weekly bonuses expire.  It’s must listening so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

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Company Notebook

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Company Notebook

Basketball Hall of Fame Taps White Lion for Enshrinement Release

SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and White Lion Brewing Co. announced the two will collaborate and release a special ale with a commemorative collector’s label designed to capture the imagery of the Hall of Fame’s annual enshrinement program. The collector’s label melds the Hall of Fame’s iconic dome with the city of Springfield skyline into White Lion’s award-winning brand. “White Lion is extremely honored to partner with the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame for an annual release affectionately dubbed Enshrinement Legend Series, which pays homage to the birthplace of basketball, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and class honorees,” said Ray Berry, White Lion president. “The city of Springfield is the home of this global sport, and we are excited to play a role in the annual enshrinement-ceremony experience.” The Basketball Hall of Fame will present the class of 2021 Saturday, Sept. 11 at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield.

Keiter Corp. Donates $10,000 for Northampton Gift-card Promotion

FLORENCE — Keiter Corp. has donated $10,000 to the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce for a promotion that will allow consumers to purchase a $25 Northampton gift card and receive $50 in actual spending power. This investment by Keiter, aimed at helping to continue to boost the local economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be supplemented by a $2,500 contribution from the chamber’s Community Revitalization Fund, allowing for 250 of the double-valued, $25 Northampton gift cards to be sold. Billed as a “Kickstart the Community with a Keiter Card” campaign, the promotion launched on Aug. 12, with the cards sold exclusively at the chamber offices at 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Based in Florence, Keiter has provided general-contracting and construction-management services in the Valley since 2010 for its commercial and residential projects. Scott Keiter is a member of the chamber’s board of directors and its finance committee, so he is personally aware of the financial hit that local merchants took during the pandemic. Knowing the gift-card program has been successful, he thought an investment focused on it would be a win-win-win for his business, the chamber, and shoppers around the region who have also been hard-hit. The Northampton Gift Card is currently accepted at 65 restaurants, shops, and other establishments.

Asnuntuck, Enfield Partner on Early-childhood Initiative

ENFIELD, Conn. — The town of Enfield’s Family Resource Center, a division of the Enfield Department of Social Services, partnered with Asnuntuck Community College’s Early Childhood Education program last month on a creative collaborative program. The two partners provided an educational experience at the Enfield Public Schools’ Stowe Early Learning Center to preschool-aged children who are entering preschool and kindergarten in the fall, and who have had a limited preschool experience due to the pandemic. The summer program was three weeks long, with three classes of 16 children each going to kindergarten and two classes of 10 children each going to preschool. Funding for the program came from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, and it was partially staffed by teaching assistants who are Asnuntuck students or recent graduates.

Businesses Pull Together to Help YMCA’s Camp Weber

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The YMCA of Greater Springfield reached out to several local business for their help with upgrades at its Camp Weber in West Springfield this past year. Over the course of a few months this spring, various projects were completed to upgrade Camp Weber, including paving, new roofs, painting, landscaping, consulting, new equipment, and more. The YMCA was also fortunate to receive donations and grant awards to help with other expenses on the project. In addition, some community friends came together and helped raise enough money to send nearly 300 kids to one-week sessions of camp. Among those who helped the YMCA make improvements at Camp Weber are Adam Quennville Roofing & Siding, anonymous donors, the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust, Big E Trust – Town of West Springfield, Construction Dynamics, Eastman Chemical Co., Excel Dryer, Graybar Electric Supply, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Kelly Building Group, Kittredge Foodservice Equipment & Supply, Noonan Energy, Nora Roberts Foundation, Ondrick Materials & Recycling, Szlachetka Dubay, P.C., West Springfield Rotary Club, and West Springfield Rotary District 7890.

WNEU School of Law Co-Hosts Workshop to Support Asian-American Women

SPRINGFIELD — More than 100 current and aspiring law professors participated in the inaugural Workshop for Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Women in the Legal Academy on Aug. 5-6. The event included workshops focused on professional development, scholarship, wellness, and Asian-American history. The AAPI workshop was co-hosted by Sudha Setty, dean and professor of Law at Western New England University (WNEU) School of Law, along with Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, associate dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Samuel Weiss Faculty Scholar; clinical professor of Law; and director of the Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Penn State Law in University Park. In addition to providing inspiration, the workshop offered tangible support to individuals from populations that are historically underrepresented in the legal field. Given the workshop’s success in its inaugural year, Wadhia said organizers hope it will be an annual event hosted by a rotating group of law schools across the country. Institutional support, she added, is key to making progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal academy.

Dam Upgrades, Repairs to Begin at Springfield Armory Site

SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield recently announced it is beginning the $3.6 million project to repair and upgrade the Watershops Pond Dam at the historic former Springfield Armory manufacturing site. GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., a multi-disciplinary firm providing ecological, geotechnical, environmental, water, and construction-management services, designed and provided permitting support for this major infrastructure project. Watershops Pond, which is created by the dam, is surrounded by several historic industrial buildings that were part of the Springfield Armory, the first federal armory and the primary manufacturing center for U.S. military firearms from 1794 until its closing in 1968. Gardner Construction & Industrial Services Inc. of Chicopee was awarded the general contract to construct the improvements at this high-hazard-potential dam. One of the key elements of the dam-improvement project includes replacing the 65-year-old crest gate. The three-foot-tall, 105-foot-long, flap-like structure can be lowered in advance of major storms and hurricanes to release water and reduce the level of the pond to mitigate potential flooding and protect the safety of the dam and downstream areas.
Several other measures will be implemented to bring the dam in compliance with Massachusetts dam-safety regulations and improve access to the gate-control house for city of Springfield personnel. The project is being funded through a $17 million grant the city was awarded in 2017 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s National Disaster Resilience Program. In advance of construction, GZA has facilitated and overseen a controlled draw-down of the 200-acre pond for inspection of the dam and pre-construction activities.

Home City Development Secures Permit for Affordable-housing Development in Pelham

PELHAM — Home City Development Inc., a Springfield-based affordable-housing developer, has received a comprehensive permit from the Pelham Zoning Board of Appeals for the construction of 34 mixed-income rental units. On Aug. 10, the Zoning Board approved the comprehensive permit for the property to be known as Amethyst Brook Apartments. This is the first affordable-housing development approved in the town of Pelham and the first time the Zoning Board of Appeals has awarded this type of permit. Two new buildings will be constructed at 20-22 Amherst Road; 22 Amherst Road will be designed to ‘passive house’ standards, which includes energy-efficiency specifications that drastically reduce the building’s ecological footprint. Notable additions to the site construction include a stormwater-management system and electric-vehicle charging stations. Next, Home City Development will finalize project financing, and construction is expected to be completed within 12 to 14 months after the start date, to be announced. The design team is led by Architecture Environment Life of East Longmeadow. Berkshire Design Group of Northampton will conduct civil engineering and landscape design.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County Celebrates 25 Years in Community

BELCHERTOWN — SERVPRO of Hampshire County, a cleanup and restoration company, is recognizing its 25th anniversary in the local business community. The company will celebrate its milestone with an open house on Thursday, Sept. 16 at its offices at 50 Depot St. in Belchertown. Fall has been in business since Aug. 16, 1996. SERVPRO clients include insurance companies seeking restoration services, as well as commercial and residential property owners who require routine cleaning services. With more than 50 years of experience, the SERVPRO system’s time-tested techniques and proprietary cleaning products have earned its franchises a spot as a leader in the restoration and cleaning industry. SERVPRO of Hampshire County is capable of cleaning and restoring a fire-, mold-, or water-damaged building and its contents, including wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces; furniture; fabric; fixtures; and more. Many franchisees also offer cleaning and restoration of special items, such as HVAC duct systems; building exteriors; electronic equipment, including computers; and documents that have sustained water damage.

New Community Center, Housing Coming to Carriage Grove

BELCHERTOWN — MassDevelopment and the Belchertown Economic Development and Industrial Corp. (BEDIC) announced the selection of Brisa Ventures, LLC to develop a 12-acre parcel of land at Carriage Grove into a new mixed-income residential community featuring approximately 100 units of housing. Brisa Ventures will also preserve and redevelop the existing former Belchertown State School administration building into a community center, museum, cultural space, meeting space, and either a restaurant, brewery, or distillery. Construction of the development is projected to begin by the end of 2022 and is expected to be complete within 18 to 24 months. The sale of this BEDIC-owned parcel and building to Brisa Ventures will represent the first phase of a multi-phased, mixed-use project under negotiation with the company intended to include additional commercial, residential, and community-oriented investments. The new rental housing units will be designed as a mix of two- and three-story apartment- and townhome-style residences and built to ultra-low energy-use standards; they are planned to use solar energy to meet net-zero energy use. The development will also include extensive common green areas with play areas, community gathering spaces, and pathways that connect the housing units to each other and to the neighboring trail network.

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Brown, Malo L.
888 State St., Apt. 44
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/10/2021

Bushey, Christy M.
76 1/2 Maple St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/03/2021

Carrano, Francesco A.
Forte, Pasqualina
15 Dale St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/05/2021

Drohan, Margo A.
85 Pixley Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230-8512
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/09/2021

Eckstein, Theresa
a/k/a Sanbula, Theresa
34 Eloise St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/03/2021

Fusco, Nicholas
245 Cheshire Road, #33
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/05/2021

Grandchamp, Kathleen
Global, Monat
28 Adams St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/31/2021

Greeley Scamby, Mairi J.
10 Lincoln Road
Ashland, MA 01721
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/13/2021

Hardy, Joshua L.
46 Gold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/03/2021

Hornsby, Mario
69 State Street Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/09/2021

Jennie’s Farm
Stevens, Timothy M.
Stevens, Tammy M.
190 Prospect Hill Road
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/13/2021

Kazalis, Michael G.
Kazalis, Inna
200 Lambert Ter., Unit 22
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/30/2021

Kuruca, Sefa
Hebert-Kuruca, Angela M.
11 Brookfield St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/03/2021

McCarthy, John M.
McCarthy, Catherine M.
PO Box 72
Cheshire, MA 01225
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/11/2021

Mentzen, Eric
Mentzen, Cheryl F.
163 Crane Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/07/2021

Montemagni, Gina Maria
130 Lawndale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/04/2021

Opalenik, Diane R.
5 Bach Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/05/2021

Petrucelli, Andrew
17 Beveridge Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/31/2021

Prendergast, Daniel J.
Prendergast, Megan E.
a/k/a Bergman, Megan E.
21 Sonia St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/05/2021

Shea, Jeffrey S.
Shea, Melissa D.
474 East State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/04/2021

Shea, Kelsey D.
474 East State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/03/2021

Sullivan, Jeffrey M.
164 Druid Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/02/2021

Vautrin, Elyse A.
a/k/a Rivers, Elyse A.
39 Belvidere Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/09/2021

Williams, Lula L.
52 Savoy Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/30/2021

Wordbound Media, LLC
Mayer, John Jakob
833 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/11/2021

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

32 Turners Falls Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Amy C. Shattuck
Seller: Virginia M. Waterman
Date: 07/30/21

BUCKLAND

38 Williams St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Todd A. Boutwell
Seller: Boutwell, Cecelia B., (Estate)
Date: 07/28/21

3 Union St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Jonathan Magee
Seller: Richard Purtle
Date: 08/05/21

CHARLEMONT

1205 Route 2 East
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: William C. Brunner
Seller: Peter J. Daly
Date: 07/30/21

COLRAIN

229 Thompson Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Steven G. Danowitz
Seller: Ruth B. McDowell
Date: 07/26/21

CONWAY

1497 Main Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Erin Phillips
Seller: Detra C. Sarris
Date: 07/30/21

28 Main St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Mikayla A. Reine
Seller: Jeffery A. Greenwood
Date: 07/26/21

DEERFIELD

20 Elm St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Philip K. Peake
Seller: Robert Stockwell
Date: 08/04/21

236 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $223,075
Buyer: Hsien F. Chang
Seller: Jayne L. Stetson
Date: 07/30/21

82 Whately Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $337,000
Buyer: Samuel A. Urkiel
Seller: Zukowski, Henry J., (Estate)
Date: 08/06/21

GREENFIELD

6-8 Beech St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Colleen A. Champ
Seller: Moon Morgan
Date: 08/06/21

633 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $251,100
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Janet G. Peers
Date: 08/03/21

255 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $267,050
Buyer: Harriet F. Peterson
Seller: Thatcher RET
Date: 07/30/21

260 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jon S. Nelson
Seller: Norbert A. Belliveau
Date: 08/04/21

26 Eliza Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Jenifer M. Ollis
Seller: Min L. Lu
Date: 07/30/21

16 Grinnell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Michael C. Pfitzer
Seller: Rodolfo Florencio
Date: 07/30/21

21-23 Harrison Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: David E. Bruffee
Seller: Donald F. Weld
Date: 07/30/21

180 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Greenerside Holdings LLC
Seller: Town Of Greenfield
Date: 07/27/21

36 Linden Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Nicholas Hathaway
Seller: Jeremy R. Mailloux
Date: 07/30/21

99 Log Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $489,442
Buyer: Jason A. Constantine
Seller: Robert P. Lafleur
Date: 07/27/21

17 Mackin Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $422,001
Buyer: Jeremy Lessard
Seller: Roland P. Currier
Date: 07/30/21

38 Overland Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $327,500
Buyer: Mark A. Collins
Seller: Leeanne P. Hadsel
Date: 07/30/21

20 Prentice Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $118,200
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Jessie L. Graham
Date: 08/05/21

18 Solon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Claudia Black
Seller: James Frost
Date: 07/30/21

28 Vernon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Mladen Baudrand
Seller: Paul D. Viens
Date: 07/30/21

3 Vernon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Terrance H. Kennedy
Seller: Lindsey M. Doolen
Date: 07/30/21

37-39 Walnut St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Valeriu Vizitiu
Seller: Pavel Tutunzhiu
Date: 07/27/21

HEATH

44 Long Hill Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Gale E. Hubley
Seller: Maureen Barclay
Date: 08/04/21

62 Papoose Lake Dr.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Todd C. Gross
Seller: John H. Traynor
Date: 07/26/21

66 Papoose Lake Dr.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Todd C. Gross
Seller: John H. Traynor
Date: 07/26/21

LEVERETT

335 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Tod R. Loebel
Seller: Lorraine Re
Date: 08/04/21

Route 63
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Matthew W. Corcoran
Seller: Sondra K. Corcoran
Date: 07/28/21

LEYDEN

266 Alexander Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Katelyn McVety
Seller: Daniel P. Viens
Date: 07/30/21

135 George Lamb Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Jared Garfield
Seller: Ricki Newman-Benzie
Date: 08/03/21

Wilson Road
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Peter Siegel
Seller: John F. Tinker
Date: 07/30/21

MONTAGUE

25 Central St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Natan M. Cohen
Seller: Michael E. John
Date: 07/29/21

11 Coolidge Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Jesse Sevoian
Seller: Christopher J. Bailey
Date: 08/06/21

390 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Daniel R. White
Seller: Viencek III, Maryon F., (Estate)
Date: 08/04/21

8 Unity St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Robert W. Wasielewski
Seller: Steven P. Levin
Date: 07/30/21

NEW SALEM

2 Old County Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Irving
Seller: Amanda K. Piper
Date: 07/28/21

NORTHFIELD

39 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Sarah R. Kerns
Seller: Van Brothers Co. LLC
Date: 08/06/21

181 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: David Kelly
Seller: Lesley A. Safer TR
Date: 07/30/21

76 Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Jody P. James
Seller: Megan A. Barnes
Date: 07/26/21

ORANGE

18-20 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Waipong Woo
Seller: Blaise Berthiaume
Date: 08/02/21

20 Fieldstone Dr.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Kevin W. Colo
Seller: James L. Basford
Date: 08/06/21

245 Hayden St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jay M. Guilmette
Seller: Gerald C. Stone
Date: 07/28/21

179 Holtshire Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Divina Dias-Prata
Seller: Gerald Stone
Date: 08/04/21

46-48 Kelton St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $215,400
Buyer: Jefferson J. Lett
Seller: Philip J. Harris
Date: 08/06/21

11 Perry Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $432,511
Buyer: Robert Fichtel
Seller: Saverio F. Kaczmarczyk
Date: 07/27/21

9 Rogers Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: David C. Simpson
Seller: Kimberly J. Valliere
Date: 07/30/21

416 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Deborah A. Ericson
Seller: Thavath Sayarath
Date: 07/27/21

41 Stone Valley Road East
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Nathaniel Herzig
Seller: Gregory M. Leblanc
Date: 08/06/21

30 Terrace St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Kyle Kilhart
Seller: Nancy M. Holston
Date: 07/30/21

18 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Jameson P. Reardon
Seller: Gregory S. Bryant
Date: 07/30/21

SHUTESBURY

64 Cushman Road
Shutesbury, MA 01002
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Nathan J. Heard
Seller: Gail M. Carroll RET
Date: 07/30/21

481-483 Montague Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Chiheng Lee
Seller: Andrew J. Baird
Date: 07/27/21

176 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Jeremy R. Mailloux
Seller: Lisa D. Sanders
Date: 07/30/21

527 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Leah C. Jack
Seller: Skyway Properties LLC
Date: 07/30/21

WHATELY

199 River Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $440,900
Buyer: Kurt M. Brazeau
Seller: Donald L. Webster
Date: 07/28/21

Route 10
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Sovereign Builders Inc.
Seller: Sharyn A. Holich
Date: 08/04/21

Route 5
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Sovereign Builders Inc.
Seller: Sharyn A. Holich
Date: 08/04/21

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

29 Briarcliff Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bridget A. Dionne
Seller: Thomas M. Roberts
Date: 08/04/21

104 Broz Ter.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Daniel C. Eutiquio
Seller: Walter C. Kos
Date: 08/06/21

35 Candlewood Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $519,000
Buyer: Mert E. Basarir
Seller: Marshia G. Regnier
Date: 08/02/21

70 Carr Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Douglas Vye
Seller: Mark E. Cole
Date: 08/02/21

71 Columbia Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Madeline A. Joyal
Seller: Calabrese Construction LLC
Date: 07/30/21

70 Independence Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Cindy Houle
Seller: Lawrence A. Mayo
Date: 07/30/21

37 Maynard St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Tammy L. Martin
Seller: Richard A. Sisk
Date: 08/06/21

73 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Rebecca A. Leithoff
Seller: Cindy A. Houle
Date: 08/06/21

56 North West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Luis Lizardi
Seller: Brandon M. Tessier
Date: 08/02/21

22 Oriole Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Cara Raschilla
Seller: Raymond A. Nadeau
Date: 07/26/21

76 Pheasant Run Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Eric Rooney
Seller: Joseph A. Bergeron
Date: 08/05/21

71 Riverview Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Eric Seibert
Seller: William P. O’Hare
Date: 07/30/21

618-620 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Nicholas Blais
Seller: Nancy A. Baker
Date: 08/06/21

BRIMFIELD

20 Agard Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Brian Sheridan
Seller: Linda A. Vecchione
Date: 07/28/21

226 East Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: John D. Dalton
Seller: Donna S. Shalvoy
Date: 07/28/21

153 Haynes Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $216,500
Buyer: Jewel Real Estate Inc.
Seller: Margery J. Wilburn
Date: 08/05/21

23 Prospect Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jerome J. Ryan
Seller: Heather E. Larson
Date: 07/29/21

68 Saint Clair Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Kirsten M. Desjardins
Seller: George S. Demos
Date: 07/30/21

44 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Emily J. Eshleman
Seller: Brian D. Delnegro
Date: 08/06/21

CHESTER

5 School St.
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Mary M. Judson
Seller: Robert C. Mazeika
Date: 07/30/21

CHICOPEE

32 Bemis St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $208,625
Buyer: Tito Demond-Lewis
Seller: Michael A. Judkins
Date: 08/06/21

47 Bourbeau St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Samuel C. Bernash
Seller: Tougas, Phyllis M., (Estate)
Date: 07/29/21

23 Chapin St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: College Of Our Lady
Seller: Judith M. Corridan-Danek
Date: 07/30/21

22 Cherryvale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: David J. Cote
Seller: Cecelia A. Velasquez
Date: 07/30/21

6 Connecticut Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Janery M. Negron
Seller: Jo A. Hastings-Bineault
Date: 08/03/21

167 Crestwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Bethany T. Sullivan
Seller: Eleanor T. Appleton
Date: 08/05/21

244 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Victor Alonso
Seller: Keith Rattell
Date: 08/06/21

22 East Street Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Rosemary Soto
Seller: Igor Revniuk
Date: 07/30/21

18 Fanwood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Stephen Badura
Seller: Wesley Gumlaw
Date: 08/05/21

210 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Edwin E. Cabrera
Seller: Tammi J. Adair
Date: 07/29/21

73 Hilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Maryangelie Jimenez
Seller: Stephen J. Badura
Date: 08/05/21

71 Kaveney St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Rafael Nouel
Seller: Dominic A. Iannuzzi
Date: 07/28/21

79 Madison St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: 79-81 Madison St. Realty LLC
Seller: Christopher Petropoulos
Date: 07/30/21

35 Marten St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Marissa Swentinckus
Seller: Nancy S. McKay
Date: 07/28/21

30 Mary St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Amanda J. Weinberg
Seller: Michael Parnell
Date: 08/05/21

68 Nonotuck Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Alex Franco
Seller: Amanda Bonci
Date: 08/02/21

235 Nonotuck Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kate M. Kuzmeskus
Seller: Sherri M. Duffy-Denaut
Date: 07/30/21

62 Ohio Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Patricia Robicheau
Seller: Nancy F. Papalardo
Date: 07/28/21

820 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Luz E. Sanchez
Seller: Mathieu A. Toczek
Date: 08/06/21

7 Ralph Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Luz E. Marcano
Seller: Sodi Inc.
Date: 08/02/21

221 Rolf Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Madaline Colon
Seller: David E. Macneil
Date: 07/30/21

46 Saint Jacques Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Sylvia Conant-Peterson
Seller: Carole J. Hubbard
Date: 07/30/21

75 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Becken Realty LLC
Seller: Leclerc Holdings LLC
Date: 08/06/21

79 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Becken Realty LLC
Seller: Leclerc Holdings LLC
Date: 08/06/21

28 Woodcrest Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Robert A. Boucher
Seller: Robert A. Boucher
Date: 07/27/21

68 Yvette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Sandra Y. Torres
Seller: Linda M. Pulaski
Date: 07/30/21

EAST LONGMEADOW

167 Fernwood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Justin Fernandes
Seller: Jean A. Towle
Date: 08/06/21

22 Granby St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Timothy A. Bates
Seller: Jeffrey A. Deliefde
Date: 08/02/21

346 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Karisa M. Calderon
Seller: John Bacevicius
Date: 07/26/21

9 Linden Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $399,700
Buyer: Nicholas Lanci
Seller: Mei N. Li
Date: 08/06/21

5 Mereline Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Robert Hunter
Seller: Tia M. Lawrence
Date: 07/27/21

149 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Alicia N. Chakrabarti
Seller: Gail B. Gwozdz
Date: 08/02/21

538 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Brian M. Lech
Seller: Johannes G. Devries
Date: 07/29/21

566 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: Kingdom Home LT
Seller: Tyde R. Richards
Date: 08/04/21

53 Ridge Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Kathrina Hardy
Seller: Joseph A. Ford
Date: 08/06/21

73 Rural Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Corey J. Robinson
Seller: Michael G. Robie
Date: 07/29/21

54 Schuyler Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Ilsa Y. Cintron-Madera
Seller: Ronald A. Griffith
Date: 08/04/21

95 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: 21 Shillingford RT
Seller: 95 Shaker LLC
Date: 07/27/21

184 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Cameron M. Champigny
Seller: Baxter, Donna L., (Estate)
Date: 08/03/21

33 Taylor St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Fabian Gusovsky
Seller: Allan B. Sonoda
Date: 08/06/21

256 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Joshua Montes-Rodriguez
Seller: Marie L. Chaban
Date: 08/06/21

GRANVILLE

597 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Keith Curbow
Seller: James R. Shimp-Jylkka
Date: 07/30/21

50 McCarthy Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $153,660
Buyer: William Dolan
Seller: US Bank
Date: 07/30/21

HAMPDEN

153 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Robert M. Dennis
Seller: William D. Dubois
Date: 08/04/21

417 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Joshua R. Sterling
Seller: Matthew Chapin-Sterling
Date: 07/27/21

39 Kelly Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Daryl M. Johnson
Seller: Alexander M. Lagunowich
Date: 07/28/21

14 Meadow Brook Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Caitlyn J. Bates
Seller: Christopher W. Bates
Date: 07/29/21

159 North Monson Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: James K. Bor-Woo
Seller: Felicia A. Leclerc
Date: 07/26/21

60 Old Orchard Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Christina N. Brodeur
Seller: Skowron, Richard F., (Estate)
Date: 08/05/21

HOLLAND

3 Old County Way
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Hannah R. Guertin
Seller: Elizabeth A. Sigaty
Date: 08/03/21

171 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $376,500
Buyer: Frederick Gehring
Seller: Leah M. Palmer
Date: 08/02/21

179 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Leah M. Palmer
Seller: Rachel E. Palmer
Date: 08/05/21

HOLYOKE

14 Alderman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Stephen F. Field
Seller: Ovila J. Gadbois
Date: 08/04/21

21-23 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Johnny Calderon
Seller: Erika N. Reyes
Date: 08/06/21

9 Charles St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: KNC Home Renovations LLC
Seller: Finn, Martin J. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 08/06/21

26 Concord Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Dency C. Sargent
Seller: Aldenis Garcia
Date: 07/30/21

17 Highland Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $194,755
Buyer: Abraxas RT
Seller: Krista J. Alberti
Date: 07/29/21

41 North Summer St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Manuel E. Rivera
Seller: Juan Pedrosa
Date: 08/03/21

1635 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: DIB Realty LLC
Seller: Robert J. Orsucci
Date: 08/02/21

1-3 Orchard St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $258,800
Buyer: Christopher N. Jarrett
Seller: Brian D. Moynihan
Date: 07/28/21

216 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Ricky Jones
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 07/27/21

71 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Jayne Marshall
Seller: Shanice Brown
Date: 07/30/21

417-419 South Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Vincent M. Ortiz
Seller: Domingos Verissimo
Date: 08/02/21

LONGMEADOW

73 Allen Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Atkin
Seller: John Perenick
Date: 08/05/21

77 Fairhill Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Christopher McKillop
Seller: Brian J. Grayboff
Date: 08/03/21

335 Inverness Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $705,000
Buyer: Thomas F. Donnelly
Seller: Jared R. Tivnan
Date: 07/30/21

52 Laurel Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Edward M. Sluis
Seller: 52 Laurel Lane LLC
Date: 07/30/21

196 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: John T. Wittbold
Seller: Terfera, Raymond O., (Estate)
Date: 07/29/21

68 Massachusetts Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Delores J. Thayer
Seller: Daniel T. Beauregard
Date: 07/30/21

88 Meadowlark Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $332,100
Buyer: Mathieu A. Toczek
Seller: Gary B. Mantolesky
Date: 08/06/21

50 Oak Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Quercus Properties LLC
Seller: Joel A. Pava
Date: 08/02/21

123 Wild Grove Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Tracie L. Dagostino
Seller: Romona S. Dromgold
Date: 07/30/21

43 Wildwood Glen
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Harrison J. Liebman
Seller: Tammy R. Rex
Date: 07/29/21

LUDLOW

31 Acorn Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Emily Dewolf
Seller: Ryan C. O’Neil
Date: 08/04/21

16 Brimfield St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Israel Rivera
Seller: Peter A. Gaudreau
Date: 07/29/21

592 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $412,500
Buyer: P&B Properties LLC
Seller: CJM Properties Inc.
Date: 07/29/21

826 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Goncalves
Seller: Christopher E. Moore
Date: 07/30/21

351 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Goodchild
Seller: Jack C. Mendes
Date: 08/02/21

354 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $339,500
Buyer: Hoyt Forbes
Seller: Jeffrey A. Lambert
Date: 08/06/21

35 Funston Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Michelle M. Liaszenik
Seller: Michael Mole
Date: 08/05/21

84 Grimard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Marie Finnerty
Seller: Jane E. Costa
Date: 07/29/21

31 Harlan St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Kathleen M. Nevins
Seller: Marsha Cote
Date: 08/05/21

Keefe St. #24
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: West Street Village LLC
Seller: Bonnie L. Kennedy
Date: 07/26/21

24 Lehigh St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Nicholas T. Moutinho
Seller: Betty B. Moutinho
Date: 08/05/21

64 Oak Knoll Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Shauna Leblanc
Seller: Robert C. Table
Date: 07/26/21

55 Ray St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Colin F. Cook
Seller: Antonio A. Sosa
Date: 07/30/21

156 Swan Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $288,500
Buyer: Justine P. Anderson
Seller: Daniel S. Honorio
Date: 07/27/21

59 Tower Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Home Rehabit LLC
Seller: Ann L. Irvine
Date: 08/06/21

390 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jackson Cali LLC
Seller: David G. Belanger
Date: 07/27/21

West St. #24
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: West Street Village LLC
Seller: Bonnie L. Kennedy
Date: 07/26/21

391 Westerly Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Michael A. Buoniconti
Seller: Michael A. Buoniconti
Date: 07/26/21

MONSON

225 Bumstead Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $614,000
Buyer: Pamela J. Ellis
Seller: Arlo K. Skowyra
Date: 07/26/21

78 Butler Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Vincent Nuzzolilli
Seller: Nicholas Turnberg
Date: 07/27/21

19 Harrison Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Aaron K. Rittlinger
Seller: Peter C. Beaupre
Date: 07/30/21

57 Lakeshore Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $343,500
Buyer: Lyndsay M. Vickers
Seller: Charles L. Secrease
Date: 08/06/21

125 Lower Hampden Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $546,000
Buyer: Anthony Patalano
Seller: Douglas Delisle
Date: 07/29/21

33 Thompson St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Phillip Arnold
Seller: Keith D. Beaulieu
Date: 08/02/21

PALMER

5-7 Beech St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Timothy Romeo
Seller: Whitney Kusy
Date: 08/02/21

28 Beech St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Katherine H. Balcom
Seller: William D. Harris
Date: 07/29/21

11 Christine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $131,200
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Randall E. Paxton
Date: 08/03/21

1 Juniper Dr.
Palmer, MA 01095
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jaroslaw Lebida
Seller: Leszek Lebida
Date: 08/02/21

2004-2008 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Sawkat Wally
Seller: OM 3 Rivers LLC
Date: 07/29/21

2358 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Rygiel
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 07/30/21

3117-3119 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $293,500
Buyer: Jazmin Rubet
Seller: Marek Dybacki
Date: 08/06/21

3165-3171 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: John Sullivan
Seller: Constance M. Kos
Date: 08/02/21

3001 Maple St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: John Sullivan
Seller: Constance M. Kos
Date: 08/02/21

1 Meadow Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Paul O. Garcia
Seller: Scott L. Poulin
Date: 07/29/21

1469 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: 1469 North Main Street RT
Seller: Karnavati Express Inc.
Date: 08/05/21

1500 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Joao A. Dias
Seller: 413 RSCS2 LLC
Date: 08/06/21

6 Norbell St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Samantha K. Cardin
Seller: Charles W. Smith
Date: 08/02/21

RUSSELL

21 Main St.
Russell, MA 01008
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: David Serotkin
Seller: FHLM
Date: 07/28/21

78 Patriots Path
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Yehor Kovaliuk
Seller: Tia M. Doherty
Date: 08/04/21

SOUTHWICK

109 Bungalow St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Tara Gorenc
Seller: Martin Gorenc
Date: 08/02/21

139 College Hwy.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Collins
Seller: Wesley D. Kupchunos
Date: 08/03/21

14 Davis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Michael F. Sullivan
Seller: Peter M. Coppa
Date: 08/06/21

32 Davis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $331,000
Buyer: Michael Monti
Seller: David A. Wall
Date: 08/02/21

27 Eagle St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $737,000
Buyer: John Haftmann
Seller: Brian B. Beger
Date: 07/27/21

102 Sheep Pasture Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Joseph B. Axenroth
Seller: Mary K. Reagan
Date: 07/30/21

35 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Brooke L. Matranga
Seller: Jesse Rizzo
Date: 08/05/21

233 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: 233 South Loomis LLC
Seller: Sodom Mountain Campground Inc.
Date: 08/02/21

98 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $612,500
Buyer: Tyler Hutchison
Seller: Charles P. Lippert
Date: 07/30/21

15 White St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $655,000
Buyer: Mark Merrow
Seller: Tracey L. Davis
Date: 07/27/21

SPRINGFIELD

124 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jennifer Cordero
Seller: Samuel Vazquez
Date: 08/05/21

73 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Denis Ryzhikov
Seller: FP Realty LLC
Date: 08/04/21

132 Alderman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Guy Meyitang
Seller: Sapana Sinchury
Date: 08/06/21

1644 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kenneth S. Constanza
Seller: C. P. Bulathsinghala
Date: 07/27/21

140 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Andrew Robinson
Seller: Jennifer Y. Perlera
Date: 07/29/21

114 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Derrick E. Murphy
Seller: Janet Curbelo
Date: 07/30/21

47-49 Ashley St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Webley
Seller: Edwin Ortiz-Gonzalez
Date: 08/06/21

38 Barrington Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Biji G. Joseph
Seller: Marlo McCants
Date: 08/06/21

189 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: JJJ17 LLC
Seller: Diane Jubrey
Date: 07/29/21

41-43 Beaudry St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Om Sai Property Investment LLC
Seller: Carlos M. Alves
Date: 08/05/21

177 Belvidere St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Ghasaq Al-Kowami
Seller: Anthony S. Wright
Date: 07/28/21

1340 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jonathan Gomez
Seller: Deanna M. Autry
Date: 08/03/21

62-64 Bither St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Christopher P. Ferreira
Seller: Caleb J. Gomez
Date: 08/06/21

133 Brandon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Jesus Alicea
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 08/06/21

135 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jose R. Llanos
Seller: Jalissa I. Masarone
Date: 07/30/21

73 Bridle Path Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Katherine A. Carman
Seller: Pamela L. Hill
Date: 07/30/21

97 Bristol St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Duane Victory
Seller: Karl S. Exantus
Date: 08/06/21

124 Buckingham St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: JJJ17 LLC
Seller: Diane Jubrey
Date: 07/29/21

1542-1548 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Fahad LLC
Seller: Wahid Uddin
Date: 08/05/21

158 Chapin Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Fallah Razzak
Seller: Richard Negrin
Date: 08/03/21

37 Cherrelyn St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Manal Alluhaibi
Seller: Bassam Mawla
Date: 08/02/21

24 Chilson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Quadnesa N. Kelly
Seller: Kimberly A. Kirkland
Date: 07/27/21

40 Church St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $176,500
Buyer: Joannie Suarez
Seller: Jose Suarez
Date: 07/30/21

297 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Damaris Resto-Colon
Seller: Roman Zdorovets
Date: 07/29/21

272 Connecticut Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Damaris L. Morales
Seller: Celany Z. Valdez
Date: 07/28/21

59 Corona St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Angelica Colon
Seller: Meghann L. Whittemore
Date: 07/28/21

39 Crow Lane
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Dawn E. Taylor
Seller: Brian J. Sears
Date: 07/30/21

134 Devens St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Catalino Maldonado
Seller: Manuel D. Silva
Date: 08/04/21

558 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Deirdre Alton
Seller: Daniel Lozada
Date: 08/04/21

251 Dorset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Vanessa Portalatin
Seller: Robert J. Schroeter
Date: 07/30/21

313-315 Dorset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Michael P. Rodgers
Seller: Verba S. Fanolis
Date: 08/06/21

Dwight St. (WS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: 401 Liberty Street LLC
Seller: D&K Realty Inc.
Date: 07/27/21

223 East St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Xavier D. Machuca
Seller: Diana Rios-Sheldon
Date: 07/29/21

70-72 East Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Edgar O. Nieves
Seller: Alpha Homes LLC
Date: 08/02/21

49 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Moises R. Velasquez-Perez
Seller: Eliezer Soto
Date: 07/30/21

340-342 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Amanda Torres
Seller: Rafael A. Reyes
Date: 08/06/21

9-11 Ellsworth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Holly L. Fredericks
Seller: MPower Capital LLC
Date: 08/02/21

37 Endicott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Amy Bedore
Seller: Turgeon, Roland H. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 07/27/21

47 Felicia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Hedge Hog Industries Corp
Seller: Chmura, Jane V., (Estate)
Date: 07/27/21

396-398 Fernbank Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michael Huang
Seller: Michael R. Heaton
Date: 07/30/21

59-61 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Emtay Inc.
Seller: Wilmington Svgs Fund Soc
Date: 07/29/21

139 Fox Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Aubri N. Bailly
Seller: Grundstrom, Dena L., (Estate)
Date: 07/26/21

306 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Mickelia A. Pearson
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 07/30/21

519 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Andre M. Walker
Seller: Minh Lam
Date: 08/05/21

185 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kimberly Dupuis
Seller: Dannys Solis
Date: 07/30/21

16 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: George C. Carter
Seller: Katie E. Byrne
Date: 08/02/21

30 Herbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Rebecca Lesnett
Seller: RAW Land Ltd
Date: 07/26/21

59 Hillside Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Uriel Burgos
Seller: Deanne D. Duclos
Date: 07/29/21

33 Hunt St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Y&M Home Solutions LLC
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 08/03/21

87 Ingersoll Grove
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Stephen Cyr
Seller: Paul A. Nuckols
Date: 07/30/21

38-40 Jenness St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Robert A. Arnett
Seller: John F. Kearns
Date: 07/28/21

90 Jenness St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Tamara Barbee
Seller: Micheline A. Martin
Date: 08/05/21

20-24 Kelly Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Nilsa Laboy
Seller: Fernando J. DosSantos
Date: 07/30/21

214 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Darwin Gomez
Seller: 11 RRE LLC
Date: 07/29/21

36-38 Lakeside St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Richard M. Johnson
Seller: Riccardo R. Carroll
Date: 08/06/21

62 Laurel St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Stephane Figueroa-Vidal
Seller: Daisy Rivera
Date: 07/29/21

135 Lloyd Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Mercedes I. Pineiro
Seller: Norma A. Dywer
Date: 07/30/21

25 Lloyd Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Blythewood Property Management LLC
Seller: Harris Properties LLC
Date: 07/30/21

40 Mallowhill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Amarilis Torres
Seller: Alison Fernandes
Date: 07/28/21

84-86 Manhattan St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: John E. Torres-Astacio
Seller: John D. Caldwell
Date: 07/28/21

128 Marion St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Springfield Ventures RT
Seller: Martyn Berliner
Date: 08/02/21

70 Martone Place
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Saint James Place Property
Seller: WBGLA Of Westfield MA LLC
Date: 07/26/21

27 Mattoon St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Eric D. Boccio
Seller: Robert S. McCarroll
Date: 07/30/21

39 Montmorenci St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Rios
Seller: Daniel E. Grandon
Date: 07/30/21

365 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Salgari Ramirez
Seller: Chad Lynch
Date: 07/30/21

507-509 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Nathaniel J. Jones
Seller: Blythewood Property Management LLC
Date: 07/30/21

66 Northway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Allen B. Hayden
Date: 07/27/21

143-145 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Jony Hidalgo
Seller: Round 2 LLC
Date: 08/06/21

152 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Dominga Dominguez-Diaz
Seller: Jerry A. Gonzalez
Date: 08/03/21

3 Oakwood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Norman J. Major
Seller: Eich Estates Inc.
Date: 07/27/21

322-324 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Carlos E. Martinez
Seller: William Delgado
Date: 07/29/21

31 Palmer Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Randolph Wills
Seller: Tatcepsy 1 LLC
Date: 07/29/21

110 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Watson James
Seller: Francisco Alarcon
Date: 07/26/21

41 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Anthony Flores
Seller: Gail Catjakis
Date: 07/28/21

53 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anastasia M. Clements
Seller: Jessica Cordero
Date: 07/27/21

23 Parkwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Round 2 LLC
Seller: John Tran LLC
Date: 07/28/21

115 Pasadena St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Lamont Clemons
Seller: Rene A. Bernier
Date: 08/06/21

144 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Alex N. Wright
Seller: McNally, John M., (Estate)
Date: 08/05/21

72 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Marco Scibeli
Seller: Albert R. Breton
Date: 08/06/21

67 Plumtree Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Thomas St.Amand
Seller: Charles L. Binsbacher
Date: 07/27/21

30 Prince St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Cristalee Velazquez
Seller: Jose Goncalves
Date: 07/30/21

51 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Sridhar Tipirneni
Seller: Denise Rivera
Date: 07/29/21

61 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Delilah M. Figueroa
Seller: Mary C. McBride
Date: 07/29/21

16 Riverview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Luis Ibarra
Seller: Alan R. Towne
Date: 07/26/21

31 Rockland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Bobbie Jo Murray
Seller: Patrick J. McCarthy
Date: 07/30/21

89 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Kyle J. Ahearn
Seller: Daniel W. Shannon
Date: 08/02/21

620 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $145,010
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Shirely Lu
Date: 08/05/21

837 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jorge L. Pagan
Seller: Courtney J. Axenroth
Date: 07/30/21

233 Savoy Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Alexander Munera-Garcia
Seller: Kimberley Strother
Date: 07/30/21

35 Shefford St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: A. Brickhouse-Fitzemeyer
Seller: Andreas Aigner
Date: 08/04/21

78 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Llajaira Maldonado
Seller: Tascon Homes LLC
Date: 08/02/21

170 Springfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Matthew Martinez
Seller: Jose E. Martinez
Date: 08/04/21

43 Sullivan St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $388,000
Buyer: 43 Sullivan Street Inc.
Seller: Hann Realty Berkshire LLC
Date: 07/29/21

407 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: James Schmidt
Seller: Karl A. Haywood
Date: 08/05/21

52 Sunrise Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: David G. Boucher
Seller: Wiers Ralph N., (Estate)
Date: 07/30/21

289 Tremont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Joejoe Properties LLC
Seller: Elliott F. Rainville
Date: 07/30/21

39 Venture Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Daine D. Hamilton
Seller: Richard Dionne
Date: 07/26/21

32 Wellfleet Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Jessica E. Majkowski
Seller: Stephen R. Perry
Date: 08/02/21

80 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Rohan Heron
Seller: Jennifer Carter
Date: 07/26/21

28 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Rodman Capital Group LLC
Seller: Dawn E. Taylor
Date: 07/30/21

38 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: David D. Mixon
Seller: Joshua M. Glicksman
Date: 08/02/21

83 Wilton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Cindy M. Corchado
Seller: Victor M. Aguirre
Date: 07/30/21

27 Woodcliff St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Adam Curtis
Seller: Jenna L. Hayden
Date: 08/04/21

19 Woodrow St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Alexander Perez
Seller: Parker Point Property LLC
Date: 08/02/21

1166 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: S. W. Proctor TR
Seller: Deirdre Alton
Date: 07/30/21

557 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Rose Entertainment LLC
Seller: Damascus Holdings LLC
Date: 07/27/21

WALES

10 Woodland Heights
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Margaret Powers
Seller: Ronald W. Gresty
Date: 07/30/21

WEST SPRINGFIELD

91 Amherst St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Ryan N. Tellier
Seller: Tomasz Kisiel
Date: 07/28/21

36 Bliss St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Marc Mamoun-Dulaimy
Seller: Debra Whiting
Date: 08/03/21

25 Chestnut St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Katharina Neumann
Seller: Richard A. Silvano
Date: 08/02/21

73 Elmdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Choubert St.Florant
Seller: Kenneth A. Whiting
Date: 08/04/21

182 Ely Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Deborah A. O’Neill
Seller: Jeremy M. Rankin
Date: 07/30/21

17 George St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Mahmoud Jnaed
Seller: Alexander Frazier
Date: 07/26/21

45 Heritage Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Kathryn Gelonese
Seller: Kathleen A. Weiss
Date: 08/05/21

42 Houston Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Larkspur LLC
Seller: Armstrong, Samuel D., (Estate)
Date: 08/02/21

193 Laurel Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Bhim K. Bhattarai
Seller: Robert S. Lawless
Date: 07/27/21

155 Loomis Ridge
West Springfield, MA 01085
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Phillip E. Parker
Seller: Scott W. Hodges
Date: 07/29/21

1393 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jonathan M. Minney
Seller: Roman Lavrov
Date: 08/06/21

29 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Nancy H. Weld
Seller: Nico Paolucci
Date: 08/02/21

WESTFIELD

35 Carpenter St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Ventura
Seller: Douglas J. Fuller
Date: 08/02/21

28 Colony Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Robert L. Gramolini
Seller: Kristen Cimini
Date: 07/29/21

51 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Johnson
Seller: Christopher R. Judson
Date: 07/27/21

102 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Timothy A. Delhagen
Seller: Concetta Lane
Date: 07/30/21

26 Crescent Ridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Mears
Seller: Paul R. Swenson
Date: 07/30/21

41 Dickens Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Amber R. Plante
Seller: Tonya L. Plante
Date: 08/03/21

 

70 Forest Glen Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Evan C. Marshall
Seller: Tracey L. Tristany
Date: 07/30/21

982 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01089
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Michael Navarro
Seller: Jeffrey J. Daly
Date: 07/27/21

14 Harrison Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Robinson Miranda
Seller: Raymond J. Wright
Date: 07/30/21

99 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Margaret Ferraro
Seller: Roberta J. Belanger
Date: 08/03/21

182 Joseph Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Doug Fuller
Seller: Noret, Eleanor A., (Estate)
Date: 07/27/21

11 King Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Phillip M. Gildersleeve
Seller: Double D. Investments LLC
Date: 08/06/21

25 Leonard Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: TM Properties Inc.
Seller: Michael D. Jones
Date: 07/29/21

35 Llewellyn Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Michelle R. Leblanc
Seller: Susan S. Emery
Date: 07/29/21

452 Loomis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Steven MacMaster-Jones
Seller: David C. Colton
Date: 07/27/21

666 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Ryan Karolides
Seller: Douglas L. Puza
Date: 08/05/21

52 Ridge Trail Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Michael J. Falcetti
Seller: Jeffrey A. Neece
Date: 08/06/21

11 Saint Dennis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Karina Pratt
Seller: Eric J. Dewey
Date: 07/26/21

55 Salvator Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Joseph F. Pescitelli
Seller: Larry T. Lenston
Date: 07/30/21

159 Sunset Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: Lori Assad
Seller: Robert Pitts
Date: 08/04/21

31 William St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Eugeniu Corja
Seller: Phillip H. Sousa
Date: 07/30/21

19 Zephyr Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Michael Parnell
Seller: Mitchell S. Chambers
Date: 08/05/21

WILBRAHAM

238 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Francis A. Hall
Seller: Michael R. Peckham
Date: 07/26/21

3 Burt Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Karly Cordova
Seller: Nicole Gray
Date: 08/04/21

33 Delmor Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $258,800
Buyer: Matthew Enzor
Seller: Anthony L. Renzulli
Date: 07/28/21

436 Dipping Hole Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $307,500
Buyer: Hilary P. Diebold TR
Seller: Jason S. Balut
Date: 07/28/21

21 Grassy Meadow Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $524,900
Buyer: Mathew F. Nelson
Seller: John F. McBride
Date: 07/30/21

4 Highland Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Emily E. Casella
Seller: Ryan, Joseph J., (Estate)
Date: 07/27/21

3 Horseshoe Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Ryan Dufour
Seller: ZF 2021 1 LLC
Date: 08/04/21

8 Karen Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Corey A. Diaz
Seller: Elisa M. Baird-O’Brien
Date: 08/06/21

3 Kensington Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Krzysztof Checiek
Seller: Dennis P. Lopata
Date: 07/30/21

9 Laurel Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Marc J. Reidy
Seller: Janice F. Kozub
Date: 07/27/21

26 Merrill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Lisandra Figueroa
Seller: Jessika Arcouette
Date: 08/06/21

12 Oaks Farm Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $424,900
Buyer: Alexandria L. Biela
Seller: AC Homebuilding LLC
Date: 08/06/21

9 Porter Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Cleide C. DosSantos
Seller: William E. Manseau
Date: 07/28/21

16 Primrose Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Shannon Gumlaw
Seller: Felipe O. Goncalves
Date: 08/05/21

29-31 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Hazel Zebian
Seller: Michael J. Pluta
Date: 08/06/21

776 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Szumski
Seller: Megan E. Danio
Date: 07/30/21

799 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Tyler S. Anderson
Seller: John Lewis
Date: 08/06/21

44 Weston St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Campagnari Construction LLC
Seller: Carla M. Verducci
Date: 08/02/21

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

10 Allen St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: John W. Kinchla
Seller: 10 Allen Street LLC
Date: 07/27/21

38 Fearing St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Jennifer E. Larsen
Seller: David A. Ettelman
Date: 07/30/21

31 Foxglove Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Pavel Machala
Seller: John E. Ritter
Date: 07/30/21

15 Grove St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Historie Reno & Rental Property
Seller: Green Tree Family LP
Date: 07/29/21

738 Main St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $456,000
Buyer: Historie Reno&Rental Prop
Seller: Green Tree Family LP
Date: 07/29/21

44 Potwine Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: Jaime T. Knox
Seller: Lynne Chase
Date: 08/06/21

85 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Jessica Jay
Seller: 85 South East St. LLC
Date: 08/06/21

BELCHERTOWN

171 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Kelsey Basak
Seller: Property Group Inc.
Date: 08/03/21

9 Brenda Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Peter VanBuren
Seller: John E. Hawley
Date: 08/02/21

881 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Esteban Sanabria
Seller: Henry J. Walas
Date: 07/28/21

107 Howard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Joshua M. Smith
Seller: Lynn M. Hurst
Date: 07/27/21

32 Howard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: David Melanson
Seller: Rothwell, Renee C., (Estate)
Date: 07/29/21

30 Metacomet St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Michael Dailing
Seller: David T. Hindman
Date: 07/30/21

122 Old Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Nikolas Goulas
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 07/28/21

170 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $354,300
Buyer: Anna E. Jacke
Seller: Janet M. Jourdain
Date: 08/03/21

2 Rainbow Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $403,200
Buyer: Robert E. Williams
Seller: Michael A. Fuller
Date: 07/30/21

16 Shea Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $655,000
Buyer: Brian Hurst
Seller: Jared Moriarty
Date: 07/27/21

31 Summit St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Scott Bonafini
Seller: Maureen A. Moynihan
Date: 07/28/21

73 Turkey Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Gordon
Seller: Morgan H. Lavalle
Date: 08/02/21

205 Ware Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $238,350
Buyer: Linh Tran
Seller: Daniel W. Shelton
Date: 07/30/21

632 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Tyler A. Miller
Seller: Michael Burstein
Date: 08/04/21

CHESTERFIELD

109 East St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $354,500
Buyer: Ronald P. Altimari
Seller: Alex L. Kassell
Date: 08/06/21

371 Ireland St.
Chesterfield, MA 01084
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Conan R. Deady
Seller: Spencer L. Timm
Date: 08/02/21

105 South St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $569,000
Buyer: Jon T. Garcia
Seller: David A. Hewes
Date: 08/02/21

CUMMINGTON

323 Berkshire Trail
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Frederick Whitin
Seller: Mary J. Sullivan
Date: 07/28/21

EASTHAMPTON

62 Campbell Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Lusmari Roman-Martinez
Seller: Michael J. Falcetti
Date: 08/06/21

22 Drury Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $376,500
Buyer: Gershon Rosen
Seller: Carl S. Growhoski
Date: 08/06/21

13 Florence Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Lyann A. Sanchez
Seller: Diane L. Gorenstien
Date: 07/29/21

145 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Blythewood Property Management LLC
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 08/02/21

12 Maxine Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: John Piskor
Seller: Alaina Carpenter
Date: 07/30/21

185 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: James A. Mills
Seller: Mills, Jean K., (Estate)
Date: 08/06/21

33 Treehouse Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $467,500
Buyer: Richard Connell
Seller: Phebe B. Sessions
Date: 08/03/21

GRANBY

131 Burnett St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Daniel P. O’Neil
Seller: Timothy R. Mikkola
Date: 07/30/21

23 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: James Roy
Seller: Alan Shaw
Date: 08/03/21

160 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Jared R. Moriarty
Seller: James Edwards-Banas
Date: 07/27/21

162 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Jared R. Moriarty
Seller: James Edwards-Banas
Date: 07/27/21

29 Easton St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $483,316
Buyer: Alexander L. Miller
Seller: Chocorua Investments LLC
Date: 07/29/21

284 East State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Frank Santos
Seller: MBL Management LLC
Date: 08/02/21

12 Greenmeadow Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Tenzin Jamyang
Seller: Refined Design Homes Inc.
Date: 08/02/21

149 Harris St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Robert M. Jurkowski
Seller: Heather R. Labonte
Date: 08/06/21

80 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Jorge L. Perez
Seller: Fabio Alves-Cardoso
Date: 08/03/21

144 School St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Bennett O. Fields
Seller: Lisa A. Courchesne
Date: 08/02/21

555-A State St.
Granby, MA 01007
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: John J. Murray
Seller: Ronald H. Archambault
Date: 07/27/21

HADLEY

14 Arrowhead Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $447,500
Buyer: Cheryl J. Noble
Seller: Robert J. Tessier
Date: 07/30/21

230 River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: John T. Boisvert
Seller: Green Tree Family LP
Date: 07/30/21

HATFIELD

155 Pantry Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Robert M. McKittrick
Seller: Barry Moser
Date: 08/02/21

NORTHAMPTON

25 Baker Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $749,900
Buyer: Kathryn Kothe
Seller: Nu Way Homes Inc.
Date: 08/02/21

48 Blackberry Lane
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Jessica M. Westermann
Seller: J. Riley Caldwell-O’Keefe
Date: 07/30/21

63 Bradford St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Heather F. Diaz
Seller: Chris Figge
Date: 08/06/21

212 Damon Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Teddy Pacheco
Seller: Olufemi Aina
Date: 08/02/21

25 Diamond Court
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Chadbourne Gillette
Seller: Nadine L. Salem
Date: 07/26/21

47 Golden Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Matthew W. Litalien
Seller: Steven D. Goodwin
Date: 07/30/21

43 Ice Pond Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Steven Archibald
Seller: Samantha A. McVay
Date: 08/06/21

5 Kingsley Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Amy C. Haedt
Seller: Avital Nathman
Date: 08/02/21

30 Ladyslipper Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Arthur B. Moser
Seller: Meehan FT
Date: 08/03/21

12 Munroe St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $564,000
Buyer: Lauren E. Bullis
Seller: J. F. & Kathleen B. O’Neil FT
Date: 08/02/21

480 North King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Kenneth F. Courge
Seller: Jeri K. Casca
Date: 07/29/21

117 Olander Dr. #21
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $517,465
Buyer: Marc Gurvitch
Seller: Sunwood Development Corp.
Date: 07/30/21

7 Rust Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $422,500
Buyer: Janet L. Kelly
Seller: Ecovisual LLC
Date: 08/06/21

44 Sheffield Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $705,700
Buyer: J. Riley Caldwell-O’Keefe
Seller: David P. Wicinas
Date: 07/30/21

67 Water St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Rondina Acquisitions Corp.
Seller: Anna M. Dolan
Date: 08/02/21

46 Woodbine Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $471,000
Buyer: Scott D. Edmands
Seller: Munska FT
Date: 08/02/21

PELHAM

312 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Julianna R. Stevens
Seller: Kristen L. Rhodes
Date: 08/04/21

8-B Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Alan E. Smetzer
Seller: Jeremy A. Spool
Date: 07/30/21

PLAINFIELD

116 South Central St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ronald M. Benedict
Seller: Nicole L. Meehan
Date: 08/02/21

SOUTH HADLEY

97 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Wyzga
Seller: Nicholas Vaselacopoulos
Date: 08/02/21

9 Brook St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $299,500
Buyer: Thomas L. Giampietro
Seller: Kevin P. Whalen
Date: 07/28/21

101 College St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: PSJS LLC
Seller: 101 College LLC
Date: 08/06/21

15 Fulton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $236,900
Buyer: David Laliberte
Seller: PCI Construction Inc.
Date: 08/04/21

6 Industrial Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: 6 Industrial Drive LLC
Seller: Adrian G. MaGrath TT
Date: 08/03/21

5 Linden Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: James Woolley
Seller: Elissa K. Dingman
Date: 08/06/21

10 Lloyd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Athena M. Fleury
Seller: Janice F. Beaulieu
Date: 08/02/21

131 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: John Roberts
Seller: Kimberly A. Davine
Date: 07/27/21

208 Mosier St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $471,000
Buyer: Suzanne E. Corwin
Seller: Simon J. Neame
Date: 07/30/21

7 Overlook Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Dina M. Bevivino
Seller: Samuel I. McArthur
Date: 08/03/21

96 Pittroff Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kaittlyn Gilliam
Seller: Patrick Grafton-Cardwell
Date: 07/30/21

42 Stanton Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Anne R. Browning
Seller: Natasha Z. Matos
Date: 08/06/21

11 Virginia Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Margaret Scecina
Seller: Gary P. Johnson
Date: 07/26/21

52 Westbrook Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Tessa Miller
Seller: Thorton, Ronald M., (Estate)
Date: 07/27/21

65 Westbrook Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joseph D. Whalen
Seller: Gary E. Werbiskis
Date: 08/03/21

SOUTHAMPTON

120 Brickyard Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Peter J. Mularski
Seller: Miguel A. Gonzalez
Date: 07/29/21

27 Gilbert Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $569,500
Buyer: Lisa M. Bartlett
Seller: Pawel Misniakiewicz
Date: 08/06/21

2 Glendale Woods Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Alexandra F. Mooney
Seller: James L. Ulm
Date: 07/29/21

WARE

69 Babcock Tavern Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: David Miner
Seller: Harold R. Swift
Date: 08/06/21

4 Coldbrook Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Adam M. Leecock
Seller: Scott C. Romani
Date: 07/28/21

276 Old Gilbertville Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Yu M. Li
Seller: Frederick C. Disley
Date: 07/27/21

344 Palmer Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Andrew Lombard
Seller: Flak Brook Farm TR
Date: 07/30/21

76 South St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Vicente E. Acevedo
Seller: Ross K. Kiely
Date: 07/29/21

17 Willow St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Sadie R. Turner
Seller: Paul G. Deslongchamp
Date: 08/06/21

WILLIAMSBURG

59 Chesterfield Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $364,000
Buyer: Eli Ahrensdorf
Seller: Matthew D. Zacks
Date: 07/29/21

5 Pondview Dr.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Shea
Seller: Jason T. Novak
Date: 07/28/21

WORTHINGTON

Ireland St.
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Conan R. Deady
Seller: Spencer L. Timm
Date: 08/02/21

302 Old Post Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Pamela W. Wicinas
Seller: E. Douglas Karmer
Date: 07/30/21

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2021. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

CHICOPEE

EJL Realty, LLC
1625 Memorial Dr.
$40,800 — Roofing

J & E Real Estate, LLC
1973 Memorial Dr.
$15,500 — Roofing

Archie Moe
1260 Memorial Dr.
$9,985 — Roofing

RT Commercials, LLC
185 Grove St.
$70,000 — Add addition for storage and entrance

Timdee Rainey Investments, LLC
788 Sheridan St.
$41,000 — Roofing

GREENFIELD

Greenfield Glass Co.
52 River St.
$26,000 — Roofing

Kostanski Funeral Home
220 Federal St.
$11,000 — Replace rotting pipe columns with concrete piers and pressure-treated posts that support existing front porch

Rise Above Bakery
282 Main St.
$15,000 — Install type-2 hood system and fan

Stoneleigh-Burnham School
574 Bernardston Road
$9,000 — Install NFPA 13-compliant sprinkler system for gym expansion

Washington Street Head Start
86 Washington St.
$49,521.89 — Replace 45 windows

HADLEY

E&A/I&G Campus Plaza, LP
454 Russell St.
Electrical equipment for vehicle-charging equipment

Gordon Smith
100 Mill Valley Road
Add walk-in cooler to new addition

Town of Hadley
21 River Dr.
Construct classroom dividers at Hadley Elementary School

LENOX

Lenox Housing Authority
6 Main St.
$20,000 — Tenant buildout to construct non-load-bearing partition dividing single office into two offices with vestibule from Main Street entrance

NORTHAMPTON

Matt & Nick, LLC
199 Pine St.
$17,600 — Roofing

Brian McLaughlin
388 King St.
$17,000 — Move sign due to roadwork at D’Angelo’s

Pella Products Inc.
129 Water St.
$6,400 — Install five replacement windows

ServiceNet Inc.
30 Straw Ave.
$7,600 — Roofing

Smith College
22 Elm St.
$9,000 — Modify alcove for millwork

Smith College
3 Green St.
$25,000 — Install ramp at Hubbard House

PALMER

Iberia Foods
21A Wilbraham St.
$1,151,875 — Roof coating

NE Recreation & Health, LLC
1235 Thorndike St.
$21,780 — Demolish two-story building

Sam Paixao
2052 Main St.
$1,500 — Reface existing sign

PITTSFIELD

AM Management, LLC
253 East St.
$15,000 — Install new fire-alarm system

Claudia Coplan
262 Appleton Ave.
$16,000 — Rebuild two multi-flue brick chimneys

CTB Inc.
323 Dalton Ave.
$13,809 — Replace RTU on single-story building

El Gato Grande, LP
455 Dalton Ave.
$26,950 — Modify overhead fire-sprinkler system and install new in-rack sprinklers to accommodate storage of plastics at the new Big Lots store

Hibrid, LLC
1315 East St.
$5,000 — Deconstruct and remove steel building

Carol Keeler
56 Churchill Crest
$2,550 — Window replacement

Pat Mickle
489 Dalton Ave.
$30,000 — Roofing and siding

 

Premium Waters Inc.
22 Central Berkshire Blvd.
$713,634 — Construct tanker-truck loadout facility

Three Seventy Six Tyler Street, LLC
558 East St.
$2,200 — Drop ceiling in main area

WDM Properties, LLC
28 First St.
$10,890 — Install new fire-warning system

WJK Realty, LLC
850 Crane Ave.
$140,136 — Interior framing and finishes

SPRINGFIELD

3 Chestnut, LLC
122 Chestnut St.
$12,700 — Remove and replace steel beam on fourth level of Chestnut Parking Garage

A1 Sumner Plaza, LLC
876 Sumner Ave.
$2,000 — Demolish and reframe walls for bathroom and office in salon

Walter Kroll
109 Mill St.
$30,000 — Add insulation to attic of the Offices at Mill Park

MGM Springfield Redevelopment, LLC
12 MGM Way
$5,000 — Install new railings in two locations along perimeter walkway of casino floor

Northgate Center, LLC
1985 Main St.
$65,000 — Remodel interior of former H&R Block into physical-therapy office for Boston Orthopedics

David Ratner
105 Avocado St.
$2,000 — Install fire-alarm system at Johnson Supply

Rising, LLC
133 Maple St.
$9,200 — Roofing

Haq Zahoor Ul
3111 Main St.
$420,300 — Alter interior of convenience store for KFC tenant space with drive-up window

BusinessTalk with Dr. Robert Roose

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 77: August 30, 2021

George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center

Dr. Robert Roose

On the next installment of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center. The two discuss the changing scene with COVID-19, the emergence of the Delta variant, the outlook for the fall — and beyond, and the many factors that will determine the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

Also Available On

BusinessTalk with Peter Rosskothen

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 76: August 23, 2021

George O’Brien interviews Peter Rosskothen

Peter Rosskothen

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Peter Rosskothen, owner of the Log Cabin Banquet & meeting House, the Delaney House restaurant, and other hospitality-related businesses. The two talk about the changing numbers when it comes to the pandemic, the emergence of the Delta variant, and what all this could mean for businesses already facing a number of challenges as they seek a return to something approaching normal. It’s must listening so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

Also Available On

Anticipation Mixes with Anxiety as Big E Approaches

By
Cover Story

Fair Amount of Intrigue

Eugene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Big E

Eugene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Big E

As the calendar turns to late summer, all eyes in the region turn to the Big E in West Springfield and the much-anticipated 2021 edition of the fair. The show did not go on in 2020 due to COVID-19, a decision that impacted businesses across a number of sectors. There will be a fair this year, and the goal is to make it as normal — there’s that word again — as possible. But it will be different in some respects. Meanwhile, as COVID cases surge in other parts of the country and uncertainty about the fall grows with each passing day, the anticipation for the fair comes with a healthy dose of anxiety.

 

In a normal year — and this isn’t one, to be sure — what keeps Gene Cassidy up most at night is the weather.

Cassidy, president and CEO of the Big E, has been quoted many, many times over the years saying that just a few days of steady rain — especially if they come on weekends — can turn a great fair, attendance- and revenue-wise, into an average one, or worse, just like that. So even though there’s nothing he can do about the weather, he frets about it. A lot.

This year … while ‘afterthought’ might be too strong a word when it comes to the weather, it might not be, either.

Indeed, Cassidy has other matters to keep him up at night, including a pandemic that is entering a dangerous and unpredictable stage, a workforce crisis that has already forced the cancellation of a giant Ferris wheel that was scheduled for this year’s fair and may pose a real challenge for vendors and other participating businesses during the fair’s 17 days, and even concerns about whether one of the organizers of his massive car show can get into this country (he’s been given the AstraZeneca vaccine, which isn’t recognized in the U.S.).

“I have a fear … that the long arm of the government can suddenly change our lives — we lived through that in 2020, to be sure,” he noted. “And the Eastern States Exposition is surviving on a very thin thread; we cannot withstand being shuttered for another fair because the vacuum that would occur in our economy is nearly three quarters of a billion dollars, and there’s no way that anyone is going to able to replace that.”

“I have a fear … that the long arm of the government can suddenly change our lives — we lived through that in 2020, to be sure. And the Eastern States Exposition is surviving on a very thin thread; we cannot withstand being shuttered for another fair.”

As the Big E enters the final countdown before it kicks off on Sept. 17, there are equal amounts of anticipation and anxiety. The former is natural given the fact that the region hasn’t gone without a fair, as it did in 2020, since World War II; Cassidy noted that advance ticket sales are “off the charts,” and running 80% higher than in 2019, which was a record-setting year for the Big E.

The fair will offer a welcome escape for all those who have spent much of the past 18 months cooped up and not doing the things they would traditionally be doing. And it will provide a much-needed boost for businesses in several sectors, from hotels and restaurants to tent-renting enterprises, for those homeowners in the area who turn their backyards into parking lots, and for countless vendors who had a big hole in their schedule (actually, lots of holes) last year.

People like Sharon Berthiaume.

The Chicopee resident has been coming to the Big E with her booth, A Shopper’s Dream — which features animal-themed merchandise (mugs, ornaments, floormats, metal signs, etc.) — for 30 years now. She said the Big E is by far the biggest show on her annual slate, and one she and others sorely missed last year.

“It was a major loss, a huge disappointment last year,” she said. “We’ve been coming back for so many years, and we have a lot of regulars who come back year after year looking to see if we have anything new. I’m looking forward to being back.”

But the anxiety comes naturally as well. Indeed, the tents, ticket booths, and other facilities are going up — more slowly, in some cases, because of a lack of workers — as COVID-19 cases are spiking and as states and individual communities are pondering mask mandates, vaccination passports, and other steps.

While there are dozens, if not hundreds, of other area events and gatherings that might be impacted in some way by the changing tide of the pandemic, from weddings to the Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies early next month, none will be watched more closely than the Big E.

Gene Cassidy says there is pent-up demand for the Big E

Gene Cassidy says there is pent-up demand for the Big E, but because of the pandemic and fears among some people about being in crowds, he’s not expecting to set any attendance records this year.
Photo courtesy of The Big E

Cassidy told BusinessWest he watches and reads the news every day. He’s concerned by the trends regarding the virus, but buoyed by the fact that fairs of this type have been going off, mostly without hitches, across the country. And the turnouts have certainly verified a high level of pent-up demand for such events.

Overall, the sentiment within the region, and the business community, concerning the Big E and the fate of this year’s fair was perhaps best summed up Stacey Gravanis, general manager of the Sheraton Springfield.

“It’s huge … and it’s not just the business side, it’s the emotional side as well,” she said of the Big E and losing it for 2020, “because it’s been around for so many years. It’s something we’ve looked forward to every year for as long as I can remember. So we’re super happy to have it back this year, and we all have our fingers crossed right now.”

And their toes as well. That’s how important the Big E is to the region and its business community.

 

The Ride Stuff

As he talked with BusinessWest about the upcoming fair and ongoing planning for it, Cassidy joked about how much he and his staff had to tap their memory banks after their forced and certainly unwanted hiatus.

“It’s been two years since we’ve produced a fair, and even though you’ve done this 30 times before, it’s surprising how much you forget,” he said, noting quickly that institutional memory has certainly kicked in for the staff of 26, down from 31 — a nod to one of the many ways the pandemic has impacted the Big E.

“It’s been two years since we’ve produced a fair, and even though you’ve done this 30 times before, it’s surprising how much you forget.”

And while getting the show ready for primetime, Cassidy, who also chairs the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expositions, a worldwide trade association, has been on the phone and in Zoom meetings with others from his industry. Such conversations have gone on with those in this time zone and others with institutions on the other side of the world. And the reports cover a broad spectrum.

“Australia has shut itself down again — after only nine deaths from this Delta variant,” he said. “And that’s a scary development; I think there are 24 million people in Australia, and to have that country impacted like that … it’s been devastating to their economy, and people are quite anxious there.”

Closer to home, and as noted earlier, the news has been much better.

It’s been a very long 18 months for the vendors who work the Big E

It’s been a very long 18 months for the vendors who work the Big E, and they are among the many people happy to have the 17-day fair back on the slate.
Photo courtesy of The Big E

“At the fairs that have been produced, the crowds have not been diminished,” he said, listing successful events in Indiana, Wisconsin, and California as evidence. “At those fairs that have run, people have really returned — and in a large way; there have been a lot of attendance records set.”

At home, those off-the-charts advance ticket sales tell Cassidy that some people are interested in eliminating some contact points and avoiding the crowds at the ticket booths. But mostly, they tell him there is certainly pent-up demand for the fair.

“People are ready to get back to normal,” he said, adding, again, that the overriding goal for the staff was, and is, to make the fair as normal — as much like previous years — as possible.

But more important than normal is the safety of attendees and employees, said Cassidy, noting that a wide range of cleaning and sanitizing protocols are being put in place, and steps are being taken to try to thin crowding in some areas.

“We’ve have intentionally thinned out the grounds a little bit,” he explained. “There’s going to be roughly 10% more space on the fairgrounds as we have tried to space things out a little bit.”

Elaborating, he said there has been some attrition when it comes to food and other types of vendors, and some of the “lower performers,” as he called them, have been eliminated.

“We thought that space was more important than that commercial activity,” he explained, adding quickly, though, that the science is inexact regarding whether creating more space reduces lines and points of contact.

Gene Cassidy says his overriding goal is to make the 2021 Big E as ‘normal’ as possible.

Gene Cassidy says his overriding goal is to make the 2021 Big E as ‘normal’ as possible.
Photo courtesy of The Big E

When asked about what he expects for attendance this year, Cassidy said he believes last year’s record of 1.62 million is, in all likelihood, not in danger of being broken, because there are some — how many, he just doesn’t know — who will not want to be part of large crowds of people this year. He’d like to see 1.4 million, and notes that he needs 1.2 million to pay for the fair.

“My goal is simply to provide a great, healthy, family experience for the fairgoing public,” he said, adding that several factors will determine overall turnout. “Our demographic is a little bit older than in other parts of the country, and I think some people are going to be hesitant about large crowds, and I think that will have an impact on us. At the same time, if you look at some of the other events, their popularity has been very high. So I suppose it can go either way, but I think we will see some scaling back of attendance, and that’s OK.”

While crowd control is an issue, there are other concerns as well, as Cassidy, especially workforce, which will be more of a challenge for vendors than for the Big E itself, which has seen most of the regular workforce it hires come back again this year.

Indeed, he noted that work on several of the larger tents that dot the fairgrounds started earlier this year because vendors had fewer people to handle that work. This trend, coupled with cancellation of the Ferris wheel, which demands large operating crews, obviously leaves reason for concern.

However, Cassidy believes the clock, or the calendar, to be more precise, may be working in the favor of employees.

“We open on Sept. 17, and the unemployment bonus checks will cease in the first week of September,” he said. “So, hopefully, people will be wanting to get back to work.”

 

Impact Statement

While there is anticipation and some anxiety within the confines of the Big E, there’s plenty of both outside the gates as well.

As was noted earlier and in countless stories on these pages over the years, the Big E impacts the local economy, and many individual businesses, in a profound way. Gravanis tried to quantify and qualify it.

“It’s thousands of dollars in room and beverage revenue,” she said. “It’s keeping our people employed on a full-time basis. It’s seeing these people, these vendors, that we’ve worked with over the past 20 to 30 years — we missed them last year. It has both financial and impact for our staff and our local businesses.”

The Avenue of States will be open for business at the Big E

The Avenue of States will be open for business at the Big E, which is seeing record numbers of advance ticket sales for the 2021 fair.
Photo courtesy of The Big E

Elaborating, she said the hotel, like all others, suffered a seemingly endless string of hits last year as events were canceled, tourism came to a screeching halt, and airlines (who book crews into the hotel on a nightly basis) all but shut down. But the Big E, because of its duration and scope, was perhaps the biggest single hit of all.

Which is why having it back is so important, and also why those fingers are crossed.

“We get hundreds, if not thousands, of room nights, as well as the incremental spending in our restaurants — it’s extensive,” said Gravanis. “We sell out every weekend of the year with a combination of vendors and attendees; right now, there are very few rooms left.”

Berthiaume certainly has her fingers crossed. She told BusinessWest that the return of fairs, and especially the Big E, could not have come soon enough for vendors like her. She said the Charleston (R.I.) Seafood Festival, staged earlier this month, was the first event she’d worked in roughly 18 months, and it has been a long, rough ride since gatherings started getting canceled in March 2020.

“It was crazy last year because you couldn’t plan — life was in limbo,” she said, adding that events were postponed early in the year and there was general uncertainty about when or if they would be held. This year, there was less uncertainty, but also nothing in the calendar, for most, until very recently.

She said a good number of vendors have been forced to pack it in or take their businesses online. “I know a lot of people who have gone out of business because of this. Many had been in business, like us, for 30 years or more, and they figured, ‘what the heck, I’m not going to do this anymore — it’s too hard.’”

Like Cassidy, she senses a strong urge on the part of many people to get back to doing the things they’ve missed for the past year and half, and she cited the seafood festival as solid evidence.

“They had people waiting for two hours to get off the highway to get in — the traffic was so backed up,” Berthiaume recalled. “We hadn’t seen people like that in maybe five years.

“Everyone is ready to get out there,” she went on, with some enthusiasm in her voice. “People are just so happy to be out in public. So the Big E, based on what I’ve seen with their tickets for the concerts … everyone is ready to roll; everyone is waiting for the Big E.”

 

Fair Weathered Friends

Getting back to the weather … yes, Cassidy is still concerned about it on some levels. And why not? There has been record rainfall this summer and extreme conditions in other parts of the country and across the globe.

He’s hoping all that is in the past tense, with the same going for the very worst that this pandemic can dish out.

The weather can never be an afterthought at the Big E, but this year it is well down the big list of things that keep organizers up at night.

Indeed, this is a time of anticipation and anxiety — and for keeping those fingers crossed.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Senior Planning Guide 2021

By
Guide to Senior Planning Special Coverage Special Publications

 

View the 2021 Senior Planning Guide HERE

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2000, the number of adults age 65 and older was 35 million, or 12% of the total population. In 2020, the number of seniors had risen to 56.1 million or 17% of the population. By 2030, the bureau estimates, more than 21% of U.S. residents, about 73.1 million, will have passed their 65th birthdays.

What does all this mean?

It means it’s time to prepare — the sooner, the better.

Americans are living longer than ever. But what that life will entail, post-65, can wildly vary depending on lifestyle preferences, health status, finances, and more. Achieving your goals — and your desires for your loved ones — requires careful thought, and that’s where our annual Senior Planning Guide comes in, offering advice on everything from choosing a care facility to living safely at home; from estate planning to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The questions are myriad, and no single guide can answer all the questions. But hopefully, this special section will sort through some of the confusion and get those conversations started.

BusinessTalk with Mary Flahive Dickson, chief development officer and chief medical officer for Golden Years Homecare Services

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 75: August 16, 2021

George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Mary Flahive Dickson

Mary Flahive-Dixon

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Mary Flahive Dickson, chief development officer and chief medical officer for Golden Years Homecare Services. The two talk about what has become a very serious workforce crisis in healthcare, the reasons behind it, the impact on area healthcare providers, and the outlook for the future. It’s must listening so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

Sponsored by:

Monson Savings Bank logo

Also Available On

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