Construction Archives - Page 22 of 53

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Resorts International announced that MGM Springfield is inviting site-fencing and demolition/abatement contractors to attend meetings to learn more about contractor opportunities for early work.

This outreach follows recent MGM Springfield news of tenant-relocation planning and communications, as well as important changes to parking in the South End. These recent activities reflect a continuum of site preparations for MGM Springfield’s spring groundbreaking, as well as an announcement of its general contractor.

“We are picking up steam as we head into spring,” said Michael Mathis, MGM Springfield president. “Much of the early construction activity will involve preparing the site for initial demolition so we have a productive construction season and stay on schedule.”

The upcoming information appointments will take place at the MGM Springfield Community Office located at 1441 Main St. Contractors must schedule an appointment ahead of time to avail a 30-minute slot. Walk-in appointments are discouraged. Site-fencing contractor appointments will be scheduled on Friday, Feb. 6, and the demolition/abatement contractor appointments will be set for Monday, Feb. 9. Call the MGM Springfield Community Office at (413) 735-3000 to make an appointment or for additional information regarding these opportunities.

In order to stay compliant with permitting requirements, demolition of the Zanetti School will begin in the coming weeks, said Mathis, adding that MGM Springfield’s construction-management representatives will interview interested bidders for site-fencing and demolition/abatement services only for the Zanetti School demolition area. Interested bidders will learn about the scope of work for site fencing and demolition/abatement, how to participate in the pre-qualification process, and MGM Springfield’s policy on minority contractors, vendors, and purchasing.

According to Hunter Clayton, executive vice president of MGM Resorts Development, “we will continue to offer these types of opportunities on individual components of the project as they become a priority. That will allow us to set specific terms and expectations and make the best use of everyone’s time. We look forward to meeting potential project partners.”

The construction of MGM Springfield will offer opportunities in a wide range of property components, such as early work and offsite work for the garage, casino, hotel tower, and retail plaza. Each component will allow for various bid opportunities for local contractors, in both prime and sub roles.

Construction Employment Increases in 40 States over Past Year

By BusinessWest Staff January 28, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction firms added jobs in 40 states and the District of Columbia between December 2013 and December 2014, while construction employment increased in 38 states and D.C. between November and December, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by Associated General Contractors of America.

“Part of the reason for the positive December construction employment figures was the exceptionally harsh weather in much of December 2013 and November 2014 and milder-than-normal weather in December 2014,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Nevertheless, the underlying trend is very positive, with construction employment expanding at more than double the rate for total non-farm payroll jobs.”

Texas added more new construction jobs (47,500 jobs, 7.7%) between December 2013 and December 2014 than any other state. Other states adding a high number of new construction jobs for the past 12 months included Florida (34,300 jobs, 8.9%), California (26,000 jobs, 4.0%), Illinois (20,200 jobs, 10.6%) and Washington (14,100 jobs, 9.5%). North Dakota (25.7%, 8,300 jobs) added the highest percentage of new construction jobs during the past year, followed by Utah (13.4%, 10,100 jobs), Wisconsin (12.7%, 12,400 jobs), and Arkansas (12.6%, 5,800 jobs).

Ten states shed construction jobs during the past 12 months. West Virginia lost the highest percentage (-9.1%, -3,000 jobs). Other states that lost a high percentage of jobs include Mississippi (-7.5%, -4,000 jobs), Hawaii (-4.5%, -1,400 jobs), and Arizona (-3.4%, -4,300 jobs). Arizona lost the most construction jobs between December 2013 and December 2014, followed by Mississippi, West Virginia, and Ohio (-2,500 jobs, -1.3%).

Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between November and December. New York (6,400 jobs, 2.0%) added the most jobs, followed by Illinois (6,000 jobs, 2.9%), Texas (5,100 jobs, 0.8%), and North Carolina (4,100 jobs, 2.3%).

Association officials said the latest construction employment figures are consistent with the optimism many contractors expressed in the association’s recently released annual “Construction Hiring and Business Outlook.” According to the outlook, 80% of contractors report plans to add new construction jobs in 2015. In addition, a majority of contractors expect demand for most construction-market segments this year to grow.

“The construction industry appears on track to add many new construction jobs in 2015,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO.

Declaration of Inspiration

Construction Sections

Recreation of Monticello Was A Project for the Ages

S. Prestley Blake takes a photo of the replica of Monticello he had built in Somers.

Bill Laplante remembers the phone call like it was yesterday.

That’s because it seemingly came out of nowhere, and also because it marked the unofficial start of easily the most intriguing — and also one of the more challenging — endeavors in his long career as a home builder, and what he would repeatedly call “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

On the other end of the line was S. Prestley Blake, the then-98-year-old co-founder of Friendly Ice Cream and admirer of both Jefferson and the Laplante company’s work — it built the home his daughter and son in law now reside in, and also the new residence for the president of Springfield College (erected a dozen years ago), for which Blake developed a deep appreciation regarding both its design and workmanship.

“He said ‘Bill … I’m thinking about building a replica of Monticello in Somers,’” said Laplante, president of the East Longmeadow-based firm launched by his father, Ray. “He said he wanted me to come over and assess the property, take a look at things, review the site plans … that’s how it all started.”

It all ended just a few months ago, with a black-tie party that was combination early 100th birthday bash and open house attended by more than 250 people at what would have to be called ‘Blake’s Monticello,’ although it’s highly unlikely that he’ll ever spend a night in it.

This Monticello, slightly smaller than the original, Thomas Jefferson’s home in Charlottesville, Va., is what Blake, reached by BusinessWest in Florida, called, alternately, a “gift to the community,” his “swan song,” and “something I’m doing for posterity, not profit.”

Indeed, he expects to certainly lose money on the home currently on the market with a sticker price of $6.5 million, roughly $1 million less than what it cost to buy the land, raze what was on it, and build the landmark. There have been a few inquiries, and those interested will have to eventually impress Blake, who has the final say on this sale and insists he’ll only sell to someone who has both the requisite financial wherewithal and the same commitment to the community that he does.

As for Laplante, his crews, and lead design consultant Jennifer Champigny (not to mention Prestley Blake and his wife Helen) the endeavor quickly became a labor of love, a project no one really wanted to see end, although everyone involved was firmly committed to getting things done before Blake became a centenarian last November. Overall, the huge undertaking was completed in an impressive 14 months, more than three decades less than it took Jefferson to complete the original.

“The whole project, from start to finish, was a lot of fun … everyone who worked on it, from day one, thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Laplante. “It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The building process, began in the spring of 2013, soon after Blake closed on the nine acres of land off Hall Hill Road, just a few hundred yards from the Massachusetts border, and the structures built on it (owned then by the estate of the late Big Y co-founder Gerry D’Amour and his wife Jeanne). It was preceded by a visit to the original Monticello by Laplante and his father.

They took hundreds of photographs, made volumes of notes, and purchased the book Monticello in Measured Drawings, which soon became invaluable.

Bill Laplante, standing in the foyer at the
Somers Monticello, called the project the “opportunity
of a lifetime.”

Using these resources, the Laplante company built an almost exact replica of the exterior of Jefferson’s home, and an ultra-modern, luxurious — and ‘green’ —interior. Both elements can certainly turn heads.

“I think this is the most prominent private house in the country,” Blake told BusinessWest in reference to his creation, noting that this assessment is based on aesthetics and the model that inspired it, not sheer size or features. “The White House is the most prominent house in the country, but that’s owned by the government. This is a private house I built on my own.”

For this issue and its focus on contruction, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at why Blake’s Monticello came to be built and how. In the course of doing so, it became clear why those who view the house use the same word to describe it as those called upon to recount the building process: memorable

Landmark Decisions

They eventually dubbed it ‘Monticello Highway.’

That was the name given to the path that Blake had carved between the site of the Somers Monticello and his own home, just a few hundred yards away (the properties abut).

Blake would take that path on his small, four-wheel-drive motorized vehicle called a ‘Gator,’ said Laplante, adding that he was at the construction site by 7:30 a.m. almost every day he was in this region to observe, take photos, and offer both suggestions and commentary — mostly the latter, because he gave great latitude to the builders.

What the Blakes saw emerge on the gently rolling parcel is one of the few replicas of Monticello in this country — there’s a bank modeled after it in Monticello, Ind., and a chiropractor’s office in Paducah, Ky., for example — and certainly the most extensive and expensive.

The Monticello in Somers has a number of things the one in Charlottesville doesn’t, including:

• A three-car garage;
• A tiled patio atop the three-car garage, which was a very popular gathering spot during the party in October;
• An elevator;
• Laundry rooms on the first and second floors;
• A wine chiller;
• Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances;
• A pantry with floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a so-called library ladder to reach those heights, and leathered granite counter tops;
• Five full baths complete with walk-in showers, towel warmers, and other amenities;
• Coffee stations in most of the rooms and a second-floor kitchenette; and
• Geothermal heating and cooling.

It does, however, have many of the same exterior features, including the white columns, roof ballustrades, and signature dome at the front of the structure (or the back at the original Monticello; the back entrance was the main entrance in Jefferson’s time), and some interior elements as well, including a tea room, a lavish foyer (although the one in Somers has a double staircase), ornate hard-wood floors, and so-called great room.

At top, the dining room in the Somers Monticello, and above, the bathroom off the master bedroom.

Retelling the story of how it all came about, Laplante said Blake was never particularly fond of the large estate built by the D’Amours, and has always been enamored with Monticello, architecturally and otherwise, and conceived a project to replace one with the other and, in the process, build something memorable and lasting.

As Blake was finalizing his purchase of the site, he was also engaging Laplante on the undertaking to come.

The trip to Charlottesville was educational and therefore quite helpful, said Laplante, adding that this was his first visit to the landmark.

“We met with the people giving the tours of Monticello, we toured the entire facility, and took a number of photographs, including many detailed photographs,” he explained. “We were focusing on the exterior of the building, because the original plan called for building a replica of Monticello, especially with regard to the exterior façade, but make it into a modernized single-family home on the inside — something that someone would be interested in purchasing and living in.”

Monticello in Measured Drawings became a valuable resource, he went on, adding that it was assembled by an architectural group that recreated scaled drawings of the original.

“It was very difficult, because there were areas that were 1:32 scale, because of the size of the house and obviously the size of the book,” Laplante explained. “We were dealing with very, very small scale, but it was very helpful having that, as well as the photos we took of the original and the tours we took.”

Glory Details

Beyond the basic mission of reproducing the original Monticello’s exterior, the Blakes’ only real instructions to the builders were simple, said Laplante, adding that he was told not to spare any expense, to build a replica as exacting as possible, and, inside “to make every room spectacular.”

And by all accounts, he and his crews followed those instructions to the letter.

Attention to detail can be seen in many aspects of the recreation work, including the brick used. Bricks in the original were hand-made made on-site in Virginia, said Laplante, adding that those used in Somers were also hand-made and cast to look like what was used in the early 19th century.

The decision was made early on to place the dome at the front of the house, the side facing Hall Hill Road, said Laplante, adding that the ‘front’ façade of the replica is, by his estimation, 98% accurate to scale.

One of the main differences between the two Monticellos is that the one in Virginia has an open porch, complete with arched-brick openings, on the left side, while the one in Somers has an enclosed hearth room, located just off the kitchen, in that location.

Also, Jefferson’s Monticello had a room inside the dome, while the one in Somers does not, and the second-floor windows in the replica are larger than those in the original to meet modern building codes.

“Working around the windows was perhaps the biggest challenge in designing this, because we were designing an interior around an exterior that was built 200 years ago,” he said, adding that both the original and replica (at least from the ‘front’ view) are two-story homes that don’t look like two-story homes.

The kitchen in the Somers Monticello is certainly different than the one in Thomas Jefferson’s original in Charlottesville, Va.

And while creating a modern interior within a two-century-old shell came complete with many challenges, that assignment gave the builders and designer plenty of opportunities to stretch their collective imaginations.

“From the beginning, the Blakes said, ‘we want every room we walk into to be spectacular,’” said Laplante. “But they didn’t micro-manage the design and the details; they let us come up with what we thought should be done.”

Some of the details were taken from the original, he went on, citing such things as floor patterns (although slightly different wood species were used), but the interior obviously bears little resemblance to the one in Charlottesville.

The kitchen in Jefferson’s Monticello was a simple facility in the basement. The kitchen in Somers is massive, with the most modern appliances and quartz countertops. The Monticello in Virginia had five outdoor privvys; the one in Somers has nine baths, many of then featuring Carrara marble.

The biggest difference between the two landmarks, however, is the ‘green’ nature of the replica. Jefferson heated with wood. The Somers home features geothermal heating and cooling equipment (which Laplante said is becoming increasingly popular due to attractive tax credits). It also has LED lighting, energy-efficient windows and doors, and icynene spray foam insulation. Meanwhile, raw materials from the site, including oak and cedar trees and red stone harvested from the parcel were used in the construction.

Overall, the buildings are worlds apart in terms of building materials and processes and creature comforts, but they look remarkably similar in large, framed photographs hanging side by side in the wood-paneled garage.

History in the Remaking

In addition to the party in October, the Blakes had a small gathering in the Somers landmark just before the holidays.

For the event, dubbed ‘Christmas at Monticello,’ the Blakes actually borrowed a few pieces of furniture and had some tables placed in the great room, said Laplante, who was among those invited.

The scene was a little strange, he recalled, but understandable because while the Blakes built the home, technically, it’s not theirs.

Soon, if the right buyer and right price come together, it will belong to someone. But it many respects, it will always belong to the community, said Blake, adding that, like the original, it was built to last and built to inspire.

And it is already doing just that.

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

A Changing Landscape

Construction Sections

Outlook Improves for Commercial Builders, Despite Stiff Competition

Fred Snyder, left, and Eric Forish spend a moment outside the new Westfield Senior Center, one of many projects keeping Westfield-based Forish Construction busy.

It’s only January, but Keiter Builders Inc. in Florence already has challenging projects on its roster for spring and summer.

“We’re seeing signs that 2015 will be busy, and the year is shaping up to be a good one,” said company President Scott Keiter, as he went through a list of contracts the firm was recently awarded. “We don’t have all the work we need yet, but we’re looking forward to getting more in the spring. This time of year is always slow for us, but the jobs we have are multi-dimensional and we’re excited about what we have lined up.”

Dave Fontaine Jr. said Fontaine Brothers, Inc. in Springfield is also doing quite well and has enough to work to last through the end of the year.

In fact, he expects 2015 to be better than 2014, which was solid.

“Public projects slowed down last year compared to what we saw immediately following the recession. It wasn’t dramatic, but there was a little less work,” said the company’s vice president. “We do a lot for the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and they didn’t have as many jobs. But things seem to be normalizing and we have a lot of good opportunities for 2016; a decent amount of large-scale public work and private clients who want projects done; things seem to finally be settling into a relatively normal economic climate.”

Eric Forish agrees. “The recession has passed,” said the president of Forish Construction in Westfield as he explained that private projects diminished significantly for a few years during the downturn in the economy, but are on the rise again. “Last year was our best year ever and I believe that 2015 will be a very good one.”

Renaissance Builders in Turners Falls has also had plenty of work. “We were extremely busy last year. We hired four new field personnel and one new office worker,” said President Stephen Greenwald, adding that most of the company’s commercial projects were privately funded. “While they haven’t been large in volume, they were extremely steady throughout the year.”

Still, commercial builders agree that competition is stiff, particularly for public jobs, which requires meticulous attention to detail and an ability to bid low, but not too low.

“The economy has stabilized, but it’s a new reality; we’re still adjusting to it and don’t know whether we can trust it,” said Greenwald. “The margins are better, but they will never go back to what they were before the recession. If you want to stay competitive, and busy, you have to be extremely accurate in your bidding. There is no room for mistakes.”

Keiter concurred, and said his company works very hard to estimate projects appropriately, and more importantly, execute them. “Margins are lean, but we are bidding to be successful. We win some and lose some, but we believe our systems are efficient, which helps us stay more cost effective than some of our competitors,” he explained. “We put a lot of energy into developing systems across the board from sales and estimating to production.”

Local companies say that downsizing their expectations helped some of them weather the recession. “Things got tight for a few years and a lot of companies dove after work and lost money. But we knew what we needed to do; we were cautious and realistic and did not try to maintain the same volume,” Fontaine said.

Forish Builders took a similar approach. “One of the keys to our success is that we have always been a very lean and aggressive company,” said its president. “This was not the first recession our company has gone through, and because we have learned from our experience, we made adjustments quickly.”

Competitive Arena

Although the economy is improving, the landscape has changed for commercial builders, as national companies are now competing for local projects.

“Firms are setting up offices in Springfield,” Fontaine said, adding that there are two ways that commercial builders get public jobs. The first is by prequalifying as a general contractor and bidding competitively; and the second is to be selected as a construction manager at risk. In this scenario, the property owner or agency chooses a contractor based on its experience and fees, and they join the project team during the design phase.

Dave Fontaine Jr. says the volume of both public and private construction projects has increased in recent months, and the trend should continue into 2015.

“It’s a fee-based system and that’s the market where a lot of larger companies are competing with us,” said Fontaine, adding that very large firms typically have sophisticated sales and marketing departments. “But we have been relatively successful. We have hard bid cost-efficiency experience as well as the expertise it takes to be a construction manager, which sometimes works to our advantage, especially with clients we’ve worked for in the past.”

Greenwald also noted an influx of competition.

“We showed up to walk through a simple job priced at $50,000, and there were 16 builders there, so we didn’t bother to bid on it,” he said. “In the last two years, we have seen more and more builders from out of the area bidding on public-works jobs that range from $50,000 to $2 million, so if we think we will be outbid, we don’t follow through.”

Renaissance Vice President Tricia Perham added that it takes time and money to put together a bid, and in the current market, the investment is not always worthwhile. “As a result, we’re focusing our energy on referrals and past clients. But ironically, sometimes a municipality wants to hire us but has to hire someone else, because they are mandated to take the lowest bid,” she said, adding that this happened recently in the town of Montague.

Forish recalled a recent public job that he believes might have drawn four to six bids prior to the recession. “There were 12 companies bidding for it,” he told BusinessWest. “There is less opportunity right now in the public sector than in the private sector. But I don’t worry about what other companies are selling. We are selling ourselves and our product is very strong.”

Some local contractors speculate that the national companies opening offices in the area are doing so because of the $800 million MGM Resorts International Casino that will be built in Springfield’s South End.

However, area commercial builders don’t expect to be hired to build the casino and although it is far too early to tell who will get the job, they believe it will go to a massive national or international company.

“But there may be other opportunities as companies relocate or find they need to expand when they begin providing services to the casino, so, it may indirectly help area contractors,” Forish said, adding that suppliers and subcontractors are likely to benefit from the casino complex.

Plentitude of Work

The firms BusinessWest interviewed say they are doing well, however, despite fierce competition and other factors.

Fontaine Brothers recently finished a new $85 million high school in West Springfield and is close to finishing work on the new, $33 million Auburn High School, which was done under construction management at risk.

In addition, the firm recently completed a new junior/senior high school in East Bridgewater as well as Monomoy Regional High School in Chatham.

“Worcester has also been a very strong market for us for the past 15 years, and we have a presence in Eastern Mass.,” said Fontaine. “But Western Mass is our home market.”

His company will continue to be busy throughout the winter as it begins work on a new elementary school in Athol and ground is broken for a library renovation in Shrewsbury. “We are also finishing up the renovation of the old Chicopee High School,” Fontaine said, adding that the entire interior was gutted.

Other projects include demolishing the Plains Elementary School in South Hadley and building a new one, as well as additions to Pioneer Valley Chinese Charter Immersion School in Hadley and Southwick High School.

“Our work through 2015 is solid, so we are focusing on picking up projects late in the year that will carry us through 2016-17,” Fontaine said.

Keiter Builders does some residential work and has contracts to build a few new homes this year. But it has also landed a significant number of commercial jobs, and recently finished the Convino Restaurant in the basement of Thornes Market in Northampton, which opened several weeks ago.

“The work was very involved, because the space had never been used for a restaurant before,” Keiter explained.

The builder also completed demolition and reconstruction of the entryway to the Smith College Conference Center last summer, and is wrapping up work on the Carroll Room in the Campus Center at the college, where it installed maple paneling.

Other projects include shoring up a number of large granite stairways for a private client on an historic, commercial building in Northampton and a residential housing upgrades project at Smith College.

“It’s multifaceted, involves multiple buildings, and will include roofing, new windows, paint, and upgrades to their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems,” Keiter said of the work at Smith. “The work will be done during an eight-week period over the summer when students are on break.”

In addition, Smith hired the firm to handle the McConnell Hall Observatory project, which includes removing a flat roof and putting a domed ceiling on the structure.

“We’re also working for Western Builders on a commercial project in Holyoke,” Keiter said, noting that it’s not uncommon for his company to subcontract with other area builders on large projects.

Forish said his firm is also busy. “We’re finishing a fire-protection system at the UMass Dubois Library as well as a wastewater treatment plant for Kanzaki Specialty Papers in Ware. And last summer we completed a highway department complex in Deerfield and a large addition to Holyoke Charter School,” he said, adding that work on the new Westfield Senior Center and a new facility for Sarat Ford Lincoln in Agawam is underway, as are large additions to Pioneer Valley Christian School and Astro Chemicals Inc.

Renaissance Builders also has its share of contracts. It is upgrading a manufacturing facility, renovating a multi-family apartment building for a commercial landlord in Northampton, and will replace a condominium complex in the spring in Gill that burned to the ground.

Paradigm Shift

Greenwald said the margins on private work have improved compared to what they were a few years ago. But improvement is relative, he added, because five to seven years ago, the numbers were a lot better. “We bid on projects if we think we have a good chance of getting the work, especially if it is a unique job with difficult logistics or circumstances and we have a good idea of how to solve the problem,” he told BusinessWest.

Indeed, the ability to do specialized work helps local commercial contractors. Fontaine said 90% of its work involves green building, and last year the firm was named as one of the “Top 100 Green Building Contractors” by the Engineering News Record.

Renaissance Builders also does its share of green building, and Perham said that has given the company an edge over other commercial builders. “We’ve put a lot of energy into training our employees in green-building techniques and energy efficiency. We have also done work for chemically sensitive clients,” she said.

Since the economy has improved, contractors agree that the forecast appears bright for the coming year. “Things in our network are slowly progressing in the right direction, and the year ahead in the Pioneer Valley looks good,” Keiter said.

Fontaine agreed. “The landscape has changed as larger firms have entered our market. But we are also competing with local firms that have been in the valley for decades,” he said. “Overall, we’re excited to see what 2015 will bring, and we certainly hope other local contractors do well, as it helps the local economy to have work stay here.”

Forish concurred. “Everyone had at least one tough year during the recession,” he said. “But we adjusted quickly, and things look better, at least for the short term. We hope it continues in the long term.”

Real Estate Transactions

Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

219 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Craig S. White
Seller: Joel M. Cole
Date: 12/12/14

165 Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Joshua McMahon
Seller: UMass Five College Federal Credit Union
Date: 12/15/14

74 West Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Merton E. Fisher
Seller: Melinda D. Connors
Date: 12/11/14

BUCKLAND

22 Wellington St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Justin T. Bardwell
Seller: Richard L. Bardwell
Date: 12/15/14

COLRAIN

42 Adamsville Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Judith A. Slowinski
Seller: James F. Underwood
Date: 12/17/14

181 Call Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Oona Morrow
Seller: Martina Kacurova
Date: 12/18/14

ERVING

71 State Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $215,750
Buyer: Jay R. Niedbala
Seller: Erwin P. Steiner
Date: 12/12/14

GREENFIELD

19-21 Alden St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Samantha J. Brook
Seller: Richard Brook
Date: 12/22/14

230 Barton Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: John J. Demo
Seller: Cindy T. Mason
Date: 12/10/14

643 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Joseph N. Ruggeri
Seller: Richard E. Sigda
Date: 12/19/14

309 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Valley Farms Properties
Seller: Adam T. Marchacos
Date: 12/12/14

3 Greenway Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Regina A. Henry
Seller: Stanley K. Holmes
Date: 12/16/14

271 Log Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Mathew J. Lindner
Seller: Craig S. White
Date: 12/12/14

26 Mary Potter Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Emmy Y. Phelps
Seller: Thomas J. Thompson
Date: 12/16/14

81 Meadowood Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Amy S. Burnside
Seller: Robert L. Cummings
Date: 12/19/14

128 Mountain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Kenneth A. Shurman
Seller: Marlowe, Linda C., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/14

21 Prospect Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Pamela G. Adams
Seller: Joseph N. Ruggeri
Date: 12/19/14

26 Sunrise Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Ethier
Seller: Peter F. Fein
Date: 12/16/14

MONTAGUE

223 Federal St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Goscenski
Seller: Frederick R. Momaney
Date: 12/09/14

NORTHFIELD

9 Pine Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Meredith A. Brouillette
Seller: Martha E. Stinson
Date: 12/26/14

ORANGE

15 Meadow Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Michael J. Verock
Seller: Nathan P. Burdick
Date: 12/22/14

SHELBURNE

9 Barnard Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Peter A. Buchanan
Seller: DRC RT
Date: 12/17/14

655 Patten Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Anne I. Naughton
Seller: Lawrence W. Bruns
Date: 12/24/14

450 South Shelburne Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Luke R. Dejnak
Seller: Regina A. Henry
Date: 12/16/14

106 Shelburne Center Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Richard M. Miller
Seller: Diane D. Rapp
Date: 12/17/14

SUNDERLAND

137 Hadley Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $274,900
Buyer: Jens Meinig
Seller: Nancy Bachand
Date: 12/19/14

WARWICK

520 Orange Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jamie D. Munson
Seller: Rummell, Joseph G., (Estate)
Date: 12/23/14

WHATELY

Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Walter R. Thayer
Seller: Diana Kelly
Date: 12/18/14

Masterson Road (ES)
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Fleming Pancione FT
Seller: Louise D. Hannum TR
Date: 12/09/14

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

9 2 If By St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Michael J. Millett
Seller: Robert Roy
Date: 12/11/14

523 Franklin St. Ext.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Charlene A. Harnish
Seller: Elizabeth Demaio
Date: 12/19/14

41 Hemlock Ridge
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Kevin A. Ritchie
Seller: Dorothy M. Plante
Date: 12/12/14

456 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Francis Detoma
Seller: Circosta, Dorothy, (Estate)
Date: 12/11/14

70 Provin Mountain Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Alfred T. Ingham
Seller: Robert S. Nelsen
Date: 12/23/14

170 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Petr Privedenyuk
Seller: Major, Marion T., (Estate)
Date: 12/17/14

29 Senator Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Sage L. Lteif
Seller: Laura L. Sullivan
Date: 12/12/14

22 Simpson Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $150,898
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Jennifer L. Graveline
Date: 12/22/14

604 South West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Anton Melnikov
Seller: Sandra L. Messenger
Date: 12/08/14

577 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Yelena Baranov
Seller: Charles R. Kronoff
Date: 12/19/14

235 Valley Brook Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Lindsey N. Surprenant
Seller: Richard H. Wodell
Date: 12/17/14

Valley Brook Road (rear)
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Lindsey N. Surprenant
Seller: Richard H. Wodell
Date: 12/17/14

BLANDFORD

5 Glasgow Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Buyer: Daniel J. Gelina
Seller: Rebecca L. Lagasse
Date: 12/18/14

16 Russell Stage Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Berkshire Land Co. LLC
Seller: Donna L. Arnold
Date: 12/19/14

BRIMFIELD

27 7th St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $412,500
Buyer: Michael Maysky
Seller: Matthew A. Toth
Date: 12/08/14

27 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Rusty J. Corriveau
Seller: Adolph S. Jurczyk
Date: 12/12/14

203 Wales Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Lauren Temple
Seller: Susan E. Caldbeck
Date: 12/22/14

CHESTER

96 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Dennis J. Rabtor
Seller: Carl M. Baldasaro
Date: 12/19/14

CHICOPEE

67 7th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Casandra Kobylanski
Seller: Donna M. Bitzer-Langlois
Date: 12/12/14

57 Arthur St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Stephanie M. Potter
Seller: David C. Labrie
Date: 12/19/14

68 Boileau Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Brian A. Moreau
Seller: Ronald G. Moreau
Date: 12/15/14

430 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Richard P. Mienkowski
Seller: Cecilia G. Znoj
Date: 12/23/14

82 Dillon St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Rufino Rodriguez
Seller: Oscar Velazquez
Date: 12/19/14

7 Dunn St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,500
Buyer: Robert M. Stahlberg
Seller: GFY Enterprises LLC
Date: 12/19/14

31 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: 91 East Park Inc.
Seller: 18 Piece Chicopee LLC
Date: 12/15/14

39 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: 91 East Park Inc.
Seller: 18 Piece Chicopee LLC
Date: 12/15/14

14 Fairmont St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Kyle R. Larose
Seller: Carol L. Edwards
Date: 12/19/14

57 Felix St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Christina M. McCoy
Seller: Evelyn Robinson
Date: 12/15/14

74 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Grzegorz Czartoryski
Seller: Sacadura, Carlos J., (Estate)
Date: 12/24/14

70 Marguerite St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Steven D. Duffy
Seller: Joseph W. Duffy
Date: 12/19/14

882 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $147,355
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Matthew Messer
Date: 12/10/14

88 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joseph T. Trombley
Seller: Alfred C. Bobek
Date: 12/19/14

56 Mount Carmel Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Valley Opportunity Council
Seller: Scott L. Caney
Date: 12/12/14

95 Nash St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Kathleen Reed
Seller: Lauria C. Demers
Date: 12/23/14

265 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $3,732,000
Buyer: Mason Manor LLC
Seller: Manor Realty Apts. LLP
Date: 12/08/14

443 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Rihab A. Zubaidi
Seller: Albert R. Beaulieu
Date: 12/10/14

59 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $4,226,000
Buyer: Partridge Hollow Apts. LLC
Seller: PH Realty Apts. LLP
Date: 12/08/14

425 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Jeremy Durand
Seller: Paul E. Lafleur
Date: 12/23/14

36 State St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Bradley V. Schultzki
Seller: James A. Brough
Date: 12/19/14

29 Sullivan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Rabtor
Seller: Kathleen M. Gay
Date: 12/15/14

EAST LONGMEADOW

115 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jeane W. Clay
Date: 12/11/14

116 Colony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Steve Wenninger
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/23/14

73 Hanward Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Paul A. Jorczak
Seller: Raymond I. Weiner
Date: 12/08/14

345 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Brendan A. Greeley
Seller: Barry M. Stephens
Date: 12/16/14

21 Kingman Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Christian A. Martin
Seller: Daniel A. Mastroianni
Date: 12/15/14

30 Mill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Michael Carabetta
Seller: Dawn Q. Zimmerman
Date: 12/12/14

139 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Leonard A. Scarnici
Seller: Ruth M. Sulser
Date: 12/12/14

381 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Bryan H. Joyce
Seller: Christopher J. Wakefield
Date: 12/12/14

384 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Larry L. Stone
Seller: Richard W. Westerberg
Date: 12/16/14

231 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Tracee A. Smith
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/11/14

140 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: William P. Kane
Seller: Raymond C. Caputo
Date: 12/19/14

2 Winterberry Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $387,000
Buyer: Douglas R. Bessette
Seller: Winterberry LLC
Date: 12/11/14

GRANVILLE

7 Crest Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Melissa Yezierski
Seller: Patricia A. Turner
Date: 12/11/14

631 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: R. S. Cook
Seller: Theresa H. Phelon
Date: 12/22/14

HAMPDEN

24 Brookside Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Ephraim Carron
Seller: Stephen B. Crafts
Date: 12/19/14

9 Deerfield Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Linda T. Roy
Seller: Ottilie Owsijuk
Date: 12/08/14

HOLLAND

7 Hamilton Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $245,500
Buyer: Kim R. Horyn
Seller: Steven T. Anderson
Date: 12/12/14

64 South Cottage Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: James A. Reith
Seller: Leeanna Babineau
Date: 12/18/14

HOLYOKE

6 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anderson Industries LLC
Seller: S&N Industries Inc.
Date: 12/12/14

143 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $146,145
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Anthony Soto
Date: 12/17/14

18-20 Canal St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $441,250
Buyer: American Supplies & Rental
Seller: CK Realty LLP
Date: 12/16/14

90 Carlton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $254,500
Buyer: Nao Sakurai
Seller: Justin J. Carven
Date: 12/19/14

74 County Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Nicholas W. Kane
Seller: William F. Kane
Date: 12/16/14

66 Fairfield Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Marco Crescentini
Seller: Steven A. Wardlaw
Date: 12/18/14

12 Florence Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Abby W. Ingram
Seller: Brian D. Michaud
Date: 12/16/14

18 Hemlock Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Clayton
Seller: Alan Czerniak
Date: 12/08/14

77-79 Hitchcock St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $155,000
Seller: Kathleen Wresien
Date: 12/18/14

349-351 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Cook & Assocs. Property Investment
Seller: Cedarstone Management LLC
Date: 12/08/14

8 Michelle Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Fritz Schmidt
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 12/23/14

39 Moss Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Tyler D. Spath
Seller: Laura R. Christoph
Date: 12/11/14

111 Nonotuck St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Michelle L. Walsh
Seller: Jeanne Taylor
Date: 12/08/14

22 Old Rock Valley Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Jessica A. Messier
Seller: Dicarlo, Patricia, (Estate)
Date: 12/23/14

282-284 Suffolk St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $528,000
Buyer: Holyoke Property Management LLC
Seller: Nottingham Place LLC
Date: 12/12/14

LONGMEADOW

247 Crestview Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Goetz
Seller: J&D Realty LLP
Date: 12/15/14

48 Drury Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Andrew C. Matz
Seller: James R. Willett
Date: 12/11/14

108 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Leonard Groeneveld
Seller: Karen A. Lapienski
Date: 12/23/14

99 Knollwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Maximilian J. Bennett
Seller: Barbara M. Whitehouse
Date: 12/19/14

80 Longview Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $284,572
Buyer: Jason L. Boggus
Seller: Barbara A. Young
Date: 12/19/14

1617 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Mark W. Baker
Seller: Daniel V. Dineen
Date: 12/12/14

196 Meadowlark Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: William Raleigh
Seller: Donoghue, Thomas J., (Estate)
Date: 12/17/14

54 Ridge Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $237,413
Buyer: Tiffany Shapiro
Seller: Paul D. Feen
Date: 12/12/14

96 Tanglewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $765,000
Buyer: Arun S. Uthayashankar
Seller: Robert B. Schwerin
Date: 12/12/14

LUDLOW

Dinis St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Jorge S. Laires
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 12/22/14

286 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Gregory R. Gay
Seller: Robert P. Fido
Date: 12/10/14

35 Karen Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Eric W. King
Seller: Lauren A. Dansereau
Date: 12/26/14

135 Lockland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Judie M. Garceau
Seller: Vincent A. Gabriello
Date: 12/19/14

31 Maple St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $137,000
Buyer: Eric A. Pescetta
Seller: Eric W. King
Date: 12/24/14

36 McKinley Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Daniel Archambault
Seller: Charlotte A. Clough
Date: 12/08/14

43 Watt Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Desare Easley
Seller: Robert G. Gordon
Date: 12/12/14

137 West Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Katimae Strycharz
Seller: Lloyd A. Mills
Date: 12/24/14

236 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Michele M. Aguilar
Seller: Jan E. Reynolds-Ziter
Date: 12/10/14

673 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Laura L. Poehler
Seller: Bethany A. Ketchale
Date: 12/17/14

55 Yale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Brian Chaffee
Seller: Joseph M. Dasilva
Date: 12/09/14

MONSON

32 Green St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $150,000
Seller: Roberto Botta
Date: 12/15/14

10 Moores Cross Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Clarke
Seller: Tina M. Elgin
Date: 12/08/14

156 Stafford Hollow Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Michelle Heroux
Seller: David F. Fratini
Date: 12/17/14

187 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $183,500
Buyer: Matthew J. Guerri
Seller: Polish National Credit Union
Date: 12/23/14

MONTGOMERY

219 Pitcher St.
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Charles S. Wheeler
Seller: Richard J. Champigny
Date: 12/19/14

PALMER

307 Breckenridge St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Alexander R. Zerwitz
Seller: John W. Lizak RET
Date: 12/19/14

4073-4075 Church St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Donald R. Wood
Seller: Catherine M. Barnes
Date: 12/19/14

41 Ruggles St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Kaileen A. Russell
Seller: Pamela A. Robak
Date: 12/26/14

46 Strong St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Justin V. Bailey
Seller: Gail L. Conde
Date: 12/12/14

14 Whalen St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Jeshua G. Charette
Seller: Scott A. Anderson
Date: 12/19/14

21 Whalen St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Monica L. Turgeon
Seller: Scott Lincourt
Date: 12/19/14

RUSSELL

450 Dickinson Hill Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Bryan K. Hawley
Seller: Brett A. Stevens
Date: 12/10/14

Dickinson Hill Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Brenton Keefe
Seller: Frederick J. Wojick
Date: 12/16/14

SOUTHWICK

107 Coes Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Nicholson
Seller: Karen B. Legace
Date: 12/15/14

241 College Hwy.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Benjamin Hallmark
Seller: Benjamin Hallmark
Date: 12/09/14

143 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $134,500
Buyer: Melissa A. Shanahan
Seller: Strong, Kenneth W., (Estate)
Date: 12/12/14

11 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: John Lynch
Seller: Dori Neuwirth
Date: 12/19/14

64 Honey Pot Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Michael J. Kuzdzal
Seller: Angela D. Delbuono
Date: 12/22/14

73 Klaus Anderson Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Francis A. Mancini
Seller: Michael P. Paulin
Date: 12/08/14

47 Lexington Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Harry L. Opal
Seller: Raymond W. Zenkert
Date: 12/12/14

292 North Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Dorsey
Seller: Tessier, Joseph H. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 12/17/14

297 North Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Angela D. Delbuono
Seller: Valerie Lane
Date: 12/22/14

132 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $222,500
Buyer: Richard J. Girard
Seller: Paul A. Miles
Date: 12/12/14

144 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $194,900
Buyer: Joseph A. Menzone
Seller: Barbara A. Miffert
Date: 12/23/14

SPRINGFIELD

81 Alexander St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

115 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Joseph B. Lewis
Seller: Denise M. Dangelantonio
Date: 12/15/14

24-26 Beauregard St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Delissa S. Kraus
Seller: Edwin Torres
Date: 12/23/14

411 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Mister Mister LLC
Seller: Hallerin Realty LLP
Date: 12/11/14

906-908 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: 906-908 Belmont RT
Seller: John Olszewski

234 Birchland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Dion Creative Construction LLC
Seller: Grace A. Lavalley
Date: 12/19/14

50 Bissell St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $130,579
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Maria Rivas
Date: 12/22/14

16 Bliss St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $8,400,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: C&W Real Estate Co. LLC
Date: 12/12/14

27 Bliss St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $8,400,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: C&W Real Estate Co. LLC
Date: 12/12/14

53-57 Bliss St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: 300 State St Realty Co.
Date: 12/12/14

Bliss St. (SS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: Lyman Taylor Realty Co.
Date: 12/12/14

21 Brentwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Ronald Doe
Seller: Kristen M. Smidy
Date: 12/19/14

80 Burns Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: John W. Kiah
Seller: Darlene F. Sandman
Date: 12/18/14

1508-1514 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $124,425
Buyer: Yuk Chang
Seller: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Date: 12/22/14

246 Central St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $119,415
Buyer: AHAP LLC
Seller: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Date: 12/24/14

5 Crest St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Nelson Rios
Seller: Angela Cosenzi
Date: 12/17/14

22-24 Crown St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

1524-1526 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

1357 East Columbus Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: Lyman Taylor Realty Co.
Date: 12/12/14

94 Eddywood St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Sarah Bys
Seller: Center Court Apts. LLC
Date: 12/22/14

64 Euclid Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

52 Fresno St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Brittney T. Karowski
Seller: Brian P. Heroux
Date: 12/17/14

109 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Ernestina C. Bess
Seller: Colleen E. Palmer
Date: 12/12/14

271 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $148,500
Buyer: Abrah N. Orth
Seller: Maureen K. McNeely
Date: 12/22/14

106 Gillette Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Brianna H. Stellato
Seller: Mary T. Petrone
Date: 12/22/14

187 Hampshire St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

21-23 Harlan St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $116,500
Buyer: Nancy Santiago
Seller: Patricia A. Fairbanks
Date: 12/08/14

131 Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Robert Wanzo
Seller: Sergey Savonin
Date: 12/22/14

24 Helberg Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: James P. Habel
Seller: Curtis K. Andrews
Date: 12/12/14

34 Herman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Janet R. Topey
Seller: Ly T. San
Date: 12/17/14

Howard St. (NS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $4,450,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: Lyman Taylor Realty Co.
Date: 12/12/14

Howard St (NS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Red LLC
Seller: Marvin Gardens of Conn. LLC
Date: 12/22/14

26 Howard St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $4,450,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: Lyman Taylor Realty Co.
Date: 12/12/14

48 Howard St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: 300 State St Realty Co.
Date: 12/12/14

10 Ingraham Terrace
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Hampden Bank
Seller: Alan James LLC
Date: 12/12/14

12 Ingraham Terrace
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Hampden Bank
Seller: Alan James LLC
Date: 12/12/14

29 Joanne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Brandon A. Lapointe
Seller: Sherry O’Neill
Date: 12/09/14

17 Keddy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Steven R. Dudeck
Seller: William Lambros
Date: 12/19/14

72 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

25-27 Kopernick St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Anthony C. Fowler
Seller: Henry A. Lizon
Date: 12/09/14

260 Lake Dr.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Ronald Krupke
Seller: Virgilio Rios
Date: 12/10/14

88 Lorimer St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Justin C. Tracy
Seller: Deborah M. Tracy
Date: 12/10/14

29 Louis Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Irene Kaminaris
Seller: Church In Acres
Date: 12/17/14

19 Macomber Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Karen Laughlin
Seller: Terrence M. Leahy
Date: 12/09/14

83 Magnolia Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Mark R. Blackmon
Seller: Stephen H. Cosenke
Date: 12/22/14

1008 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $2,135,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Red LLC
Seller: David R. Dudley
Date: 12/23/14

1090-1104 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Red LLC
Seller: Main & Howard Realty LLC
Date: 12/23/14

1106-1114 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: C&W Equities LLC
Date: 12/12/14

1156-1178 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: M&I Frost Realty LLC
Date: 12/12/14

1200 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $8,400,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: C&W Real Estate Co. LLC
Date: 12/12/14

67-69 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Joshua A. Reid
Seller: Akinlabi Olawuni
Date: 12/16/14

52 Mattoon St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Chart Organization LLC
Seller: Susan N. Rice
Date: 12/08/14

370 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $161,349
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Carlos M. Seixas
Date: 12/23/14

62-64 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Hyacinth C. Henry
Seller: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Date: 12/19/14

76-78 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Kevin K. Darjee
Seller: Brian J. Cunnane
Date: 12/09/14

1070 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Brian G. Howard
Seller: Kathleen Beane
Date: 12/23/14

153 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $559,000
Buyer: TMRE LLC
Seller: RAM Construction LLC
Date: 12/17/14

1291 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $131,875
Buyer: Christopher T. Phelps
Seller: Kathleen A. Hydal
Date: 12/15/14

45 Pocantico Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Patrick M. McGinity
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank NA
Date: 12/16/14

408 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Muna Tiwari
Seller: William J. Lodi
Date: 12/12/14

198 Saffron Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $156,500
Buyer: Luis A. Lopez
Seller: Jennifer L. Cianflone
Date: 12/18/14

106 Saint James Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Jennie Rivera-Gonzalez
Seller: Phillip A. Lees
Date: 12/23/14

1271 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Freddy Correa
Seller: Jabir Jebir
Date: 12/11/14

128 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Andrew Famiglietti
Seller: Mary M. Wright
Date: 12/19/14

Spring St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Britalian LLC
Seller: Abdou Mourad
Date: 12/08/14

95 State St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $8,400,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment
Seller: C&W Real Estate Co. LLC
Date: 12/12/14

1079 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Marta Subira
Seller: Daniel J. Murray
Date: 12/12/14

167 Sunrise Terrace
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Jose M. Sanchez
Seller: Mario A. Campora
Date: 12/23/14

53 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Damrais Morales
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 12/09/14

23 Treetop Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $140,071
Buyer: Bank New York
Seller: Beverly Gomes
Date: 12/10/14

3 Ventura St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: 855 Liberty Springfield LLC
Seller: Corey Fisher
Date: 12/12/14

50-52 Vermont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

288 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Arlene F. Howe
Seller: Paula J. Hodecker
Date: 12/11/14

77 Wilmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Catfish Properties LLC
Seller: Macfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/12/14

65 Wilshire Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Steven R. Gaynor
Seller: FHLM
Date: 12/16/14

800 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $209,769
Buyer: Super Worcester LLC
Seller: Beam Worcester Street LLC
Date: 12/11/14

1391-1393 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Trevor W. Gordon
Seller: Grace Dias
Date: 12/16/14

557 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Britalian LLC
Seller: Abdou Mourad
Date: 12/08/14

TOLLAND

16 Chipmunk Xing
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Gregory T. Ullen
Seller: Stephen P. Thomas
Date: 12/19/14

WESTFIELD

28 Butternut Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Justin A. Tietze
Seller: Martin P. Bannish
Date: 12/12/14

1 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Kyle T. Smith
Seller: Kathleen T. Miller
Date: 12/12/14

178 Llewellyn Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Paul A. Miles
Seller: Cynthia J. Geiger
Date: 12/12/14

253 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $167,600
Buyer: Janet Ruiz
Seller: Clifford J. Edgerton
Date: 12/10/14

6 Highland Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: James M. Moriarty
Seller: Patricia A. O’Brien
Date: 12/12/14

135 Hillside Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Elena Pascal
Seller: Daniel G. Kotowski
Date: 12/09/14

52 Janelle Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Jason Polan
Seller: Fernando J. Carreira
Date: 12/23/14

23 Meadowbrook Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Karl Baush
Seller: Deane, Truxton, (Estate)
Date: 12/09/14

257 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $323,500
Buyer: Paul E. Cesan
Seller: Bent Tree Development LLC
Date: 12/18/14

N/A
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Joseph J. Maslar
Seller: Donna J. Forte
Date: 12/24/14

76 Orange St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: East Mountain Inc.
Seller: William F. Barry
Date: 12/22/14

Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Marc J. Denoncourt
Seller: Gordon T. Smith
Date: 12/09/14

100 Squawfield Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: James E. Davenport
Seller: Laurene B. Bertera
Date: 12/23/14

WEST SPRINGFIELD

70 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Yager
Seller: Louis W. Champiney
Date: 12/22/14

34 Harwich Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Seller: Hugh B. Mickel
Date: 12/22/14

39 Irving St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Denis Rahubenco
Seller: Matthew B. Gray
Date: 12/24/14

24 Kelly Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $181,500
Buyer: Thomas L. Sudnick
Seller: Patricia M. Marotte
Date: 12/09/14

134 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Gulnara Lachinova
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 12/19/14

1059-1071 Memorial Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Shreeji Shayona LLC
Seller: Brian C. Slayton
Date: 12/12/14

45 Merrick St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Maytham A. Almashhadi
Seller: KOT Realty Co. LLC
Date: 12/12/14

133 Morton St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Betsy Arseneau
Seller: Carol L. Young
Date: 12/08/14

103 Ohio Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Lizbeth T. Doubleday
Seller: Peter J. Bushnell
Date: 12/08/14

67 South Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Maria Rivera
Seller: Vitaly Dzhenzherukha
Date: 12/24/14

WILBRAHAM

15 Bellows Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $417,500
Buyer: William J. Aguilar
Seller: Thomas E. Leoni
Date: 12/12/14

12 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jeanne D. Kubik
Date: 12/22/14

3 Longfellow Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Melanie A. Secundino
Seller: Carol A. Ball
Date: 12/18/14

33 Longview Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $246,500
Buyer: Aniello Denardo
Seller: Peter N. Hassiotis
Date: 12/18/14

499 Ridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Elizabeth J. Pecoy
Seller: Joel K. Pecoy
Date: 12/19/14

Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Mary T. Petrone
Seller: Richard C. Teed
Date: 12/17/14

75 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Pellegrino
Seller: Nancy S. Williamson
Date: 12/26/14

740 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Richard T. Martins
Seller: Norman F. Rauscher
Date: 12/17/14

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

31 Blossom Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Marie A. Hess
Seller: Barbara G. Rollinson
Date: 12/11/14

49 Glendale Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Martha Toro
Seller: Elizabeth B. Musto
Date: 12/08/14

758 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: HGMS LLC
Seller: HAZ 2 LLC
Date: 12/19/14

1057 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: North East Awad Group LLC
Seller: 1057 N. Pleasant St. RT
Date: 12/12/14

149 Pomeroy Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Adriana Powell
Seller: May L. Chen
Date: 12/10/14

261 Potwine Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Eric J. Gonzales
Seller: Robert A. Levitt
Date: 12/12/14

BELCHERTOWN

20 Green Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Michael J. Bishop
Seller: Wanda L. Cote
Date: 12/23/14

20 Hemlock Hollow
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $217,348
Buyer: Nataliya B. Versace
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 12/12/14

107 Howard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Lynn M. Arthur
Seller: Bryan D. Adamski
Date: 12/18/14

45 Jabish St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Allen F. Wentworth
Seller: Oberly, Clare M., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/14

44 Maple St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Max W. Bock
Seller: Ellen L. Lord
Date: 12/19/14

56 Pine St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sarah F. Zelechoski
Seller: Betty P. Lamery
Date: 12/19/14

136 Railroad St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Steven R. George
Seller: Melva L. Toutant
Date: 12/23/14

S Gulf Road #6
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Heidi A. Dollard
Seller: Robert Mileski
Date: 12/15/14

356 Springfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Grace Lavalley
Seller: Dion Creative Construction Inc.
Date: 12/19/14

EASTHAMPTON

45 Kingsberry Way
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Katie A. Morin
Seller: Crown Meadow Corp.
Date: 12/19/14

12-14 Knipfer Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Larkin
Seller: Kevin C. Netto
Date: 12/11/14

53 Mount Tom Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Richard T. Schlosser
Seller: Donald Carr TR
Date: 12/08/14

1 Park Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Sandra M. Costello
Seller: Robert A. Canon
Date: 12/18/14

10 River Valley Way
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $278,334
Buyer: Nathan A. Costa
Seller: EH Homeownership LLC
Date: 12/23/14

95 Union St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Cheryl S. Campbell
Seller: Judy D. Peloquin
Date: 12/16/14

43 Westview Terrace
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $289,500
Buyer: Sarah A. Liles
Seller: Henry R. Geryk
Date: 12/12/14

GRANBY

266 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $270,100
Buyer: Julie R. Jackson
Seller: Lafleur & Son Inc.
Date: 12/08/14

122 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Alexandr Nejelski
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/22/14

HADLEY

82 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Fikriye King
Seller: William Korzec
Date: 12/10/14

15 Frost Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Walter C. Schaeffler
Seller: Lois A. Hartman
Date: 12/19/14

11 Indian Pipe Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $583,000
Buyer: Guoping Zhang
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 12/23/14

4 Indian Pipe Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: 4 Indian Pipe Drive TR
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 12/17/14

HATFIELD

6 Church Ave.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Black
Seller: Daniel J. Barch
Date: 12/22/14

40 King St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Scott R. Yarosh
Seller: Dorothy J. Yagodzinski
Date: 12/22/14

HUNTINGTON

11 Kennedy Dr.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Kathleen F. Harmon
Seller: Rosemary S. Caputo
Date: 12/17/14

NORTHAMPTON

Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $222,500
Buyer: Harold R. Fitzgerald
Seller: Garrett Fitzgerald
Date: 12/15/14

13 Finn St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Tyler E. Boudreau
Seller: Kathryn M. Reagan-Talbot
Date: 12/23/14

41 Locust St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: 41 Locust Street LLC
Seller: Omasta LT
Date: 12/16/14

65 Nonotuck St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Mary E. Asher
Seller: Christopher J. Tarvit
Date: 12/10/14

157 North Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: John D. Dahl
Seller: Helen Driscoll
Date: 12/23/14

33 Northern Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Sumanth Prabhaker
Seller: Anne E. White
Date: 12/12/14

22 Phillips Place
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Michael P. Stoddard
Seller: Edward J. Canzano
Date: 12/19/14

222 River Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $3,200,000
Buyer: Leeds Landlord MA LLC
Seller: Overlook Health Center
Date: 12/23/14

24 Summer St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Kevin Brigham
Seller: Brigham FT
Date: 12/19/14

6 Wright Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Mathieu J. Tebo
Seller: John W. Kowalski
Date: 12/12/14

PELHAM

54 Arnold Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $193,800
Buyer: Mary S. Booth
Seller: David L. Parrish
Date: 12/16/14

57 South Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Carol M. Johnson RET
Seller: Zachary B. Rubinstein
Date: 12/12/14

SOUTH HADLEY

50 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Douglas
Seller: Marc A. Bisson
Date: 12/12/14

329 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $467,000
Buyer: Andrew K. Carey
Seller: Scott R. Keen
Date: 12/12/14

7 Landers St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Amy S. Hermans
Seller: Brian S. McClaflin
Date: 12/17/14

1 Lexington Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Elizabeth M. Goulet
Seller: Sandra M. Costello
Date: 12/18/14
36 Lincoln Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: Christine Kane
Seller: Rose M. Zdybel
Date: 12/26/14

36 Noel St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Margaret E. Perri
Seller: Christopher D. Fontaine
Date: 12/12/14

2 Normandy Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Sylke M. Avalo
Seller: Marijcke Lamers-Tilman
Date: 12/26/14

41 Old County Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jared Carver
Seller: Richard M. Bradley
Date: 12/16/14

416 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $385,500
Buyer: Liza G. Smith
Seller: Letellier FT
Date: 12/17/14

7 Ralph Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Kristina F. Nadeau
Seller: Wayne E. Gilbert
Date: 12/19/14

33 Upper River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Scibelli
Seller: Steven D. Vautrain
Date: 12/23/14

SOUTHAMPTON

18 Camp Jahn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: William F. Garrand
Seller: Matthew P. Giguere
Date: 12/15/14

9 Glendale Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Meghan L. Labonte
Seller: Charles D. Graves
Date: 12/08/14

6 Nicholas Lane
Southampton, MA 01085
Amount: $440,640
Buyer: Alan B. Czerniak
Seller: James F. Boyle
Date: 12/15/14

Old Harvest Road #12
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: RCT T LLC
Seller: Triple 7 LLC
Date: 12/19/14

Old Harvest Road #7
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Theodore H. Blais
Seller: Triple 7 LLC
Date: 12/24/14

105 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $242,500
Buyer: Sara Lamontagne
Seller: Kevin P. Larkin
Date: 12/11/14

37 Strong Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $475,919
Buyer: Heather A. Vigue
Seller: Thomas M. Bacis
Date: 12/15/14

WARE

58 Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Dustin Sanderski TR
Seller: Dennis J. Dennis
Date: 12/19/14

122 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Todd Russo
Seller: Todd A. Maki
Date: 12/15/14

124 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Todd Russo
Seller: Todd A. Maki
Date: 12/15/14

WESTHAMPTON

101 Montague Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Silvio J. Baruzzi
Seller: Barbara Debold
Date: 12/19/14

WORTHINGTON

116 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Frances S. Crossman
Date: 12/23/14

Doing Business as Certificates

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of January 2015.

CHICOPEE

Arbour Cuts
1523 Memorial Dr.
Debra Arbour

Diamond Nails
325 Front St.
Van K. Cao

Doogan’s Deli & Pizza
140 Broadway St.
Douglas Girorard

Dream Star Nails
347 Chicopee St.
Hoa Phu

Gary’s Barber Shop
471 Grattan St.
Gary Ruel

Herbarium
258 Exchange St.
Jonathan Evans

Jenco Property Maintenance
5 Newell St.
Mark Jenco

HOLYOKE

Jadhai
254 Maple St.
Oneida Rivera

Majeya’s Avon
254 Maple St.
Ana D. Torres

Merrell
50 Holyoke St.
Hush Puppies Retail Inc.

Riverside Auto & Cycle
85 North Bridge St.
Michael Richardson

LUDLOW

J.B. Meats
141 Center St.
Joseph Batista

Joy’s Restaurant
481 Center St.
Aziz Turan

Ludlow Public Market
46 Birch St.
Isidoro Fernandes

Manuela’s Designs
116 Southwood Dr.
Manuela Docarmo

NORTHAMPTON

A Better Move
141 South Main St.
Terry Blanchard

Ancient Roots Healing Arts
160 Main St.
Sheila Petigny-Perry

Applied Mortgage
211 North St.
Gregory Korn

Asenka Consulting
67 Old South St.
Wendy Aasenkamp

Crimson & Clover Farm
215 Spring St.
Jennifer Smith

Gemini Research
220 Grove St.
Rachel Volberg

Pleasant Street Laundry
185 Pleasant St.
Sun Chong

Ralph’s Blacksmith Shop
36 Smith St.
Arthur Grodd

Strong’s Healthy Smiles Inc.
40 Main St.
Suzanne R. Keller

PALMER

Griswold Glass & Aluminum
1184 Park St.
Jeremy Griswold

Lasting Impressions
1552 North Main St.
Mark Corbett

SPRINGFIELD

Bay Street Bottles
836 Bay St.
Khan H. Nguyen

Baystate Builders
44 Bither St.
Gino Decesare

Beyond Shoes
10 Kendall St.
Vito Resto

Big Daddy Boomerangs
88 Coral Road
Jeffrey LeBeau

Bosslife Inc.
2383 Main St.
Rafael Nazario

CCNE
27 Carver St.
Monica J. Caldwell

Charlotte Julienne
77 Wayne St.
Amy B. Dewar

Concentra Advanced
140 Carando Dr.
Joan O. Lenahan

Fragrant Elegance
13 Lawn St.
Malachi Tresch

J. Horne Photography
143 Main St.
Jesse E. Horne

J.J. Knox Food Market
17 Knox St.
Jabir Khan

Jay Harland Corporation
504 St. James Ave.
Richard M. Black

JPML Holdings Inc.
380 Dickinson St.
Phung M. Le

Knots Indeed
63 Lakevilla Ave.
Rita F. Bartholomew

WESTFIELD

Ace Vapor
227 East Main St.
Ace Vapor

China Star
36 Southwick Road
Westfield China Star Inc.

J.E. Hibert Auto Body
32 Chapel St.
James E. Michael

Pizza Works
18 School St.
Yagmur, Inc.

Raja Mart
286 Southampton Road
Raja Mart

San-Man Graphics
16 Union Ave.
Edgardo Sanchez

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bertera Chrysler Jeep
539 Riverdale St.
Bertera Motors

Cornerstone Construction
105 Hampden St.
Anatoliy Paliy

Market One
70 Robinson St.
Nicholas Toma

Mortgage Master
371 Park St.
Peter MacDonald

Once Upon a Child
1458 Riverdale St.
Lawrence A. White

Windy Ridge Enterprises
1530 Piper Road
Geraldine E. MacDonald

Agenda

Agenda Departments

ACCGS Lunch ‘n’ Learn
Jan. 28: The November election has passed, and the voters have spoken, approving ballot question #4 approving of mandated sick leave, making Massachusetts only the third state in the nation to guarantee paid sick days for workers. Timothy Murphy, Esq., partner with Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. and leading expert on the subject for the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) Legislative Steering Committee, will explore the impact of the law at the ACCGS Lunch ‘n’ Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dodge Room of the Flynn Campus Union at Springfield College, 263 Alden St., Springfield. Murphy will discuss what the law entails for both large and small businesses, how the law will impact companies already providing sick leave or those that provide personal time off incorporating sick leave, which workers are eligible and which are not, what it means for a company and its workforce, and the subtle nuances of the law. Murphy joined Skoler, Abbott & Presser in 2001 after serving as general counsel to an area labor union. He represents and advises both union and non-union employers in a wide range of labor and employment matters. He regularly represents employers in matters before state and administrative agencies and courts. His work includes assisting employers to remain union-free, defending unfair labor practices, negotiating collective-bargaining agreements, and handling grievance arbitrations. Murphy is on the executive committee of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and, is the former chair of the ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee, and is the go-to resource for the ACCGS on the issue of mandated sick leave. Reservations for the January Lunch ‘n’ Learn are $25 for members, $35 for general admission. Registration includes lunch and one-on-one discussions with Murphy. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected].

ACCGS Breakfast
Feb. 4: Shriners Hospitals for Children will be among the honorees at the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s (ACCGS) Business@Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. Shriners Hospital for Children will be honored for its 90th anniversary. The hospital provides medical care to children with orthopaedic, neuromusculoskeletal, cleft-lip, and palate disorders and diseases. As well, GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., a professional-services consulting firm focused on geotechnical, environmental, water, ecological, and construction-management services, will be saluted for its 50th anniversary, and FIT Solutions, a leader in IT staffing, will be honored for its 10th anniversary. The breakfast will feature Dr. Steve Sobel, humorist and motivational speaker. Sobel will present “You’re a Piece of Work! Celebrate Joy, Passion, and Influence.” Sobels’s presentation will use humor to illuminate life’s possibilities and provide attendees with the tools needed to help them bring their ‘A’ game to their companies and customers. Sobel, a speaker, educator, success coach, and trainer throughout the U.S. and Canada, blends humor with targeted and inspirational messages to companies, businesses, athletic teams, and professional groups. He is a former award-winning school principal and continues to teach part-time at the college level, including many courses on entrepreneurship and visionary leadership. Reservations are $20 in advance for ACCGS members in advance ($25 at the door) and $30 for general admission. Reservations can be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

Chicopee Chamber CEO Luncheon
Feb. 11: The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce will present its first CEO luncheon of 2015 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Collegian Court Restaurant, 16 Park St., Chicopee. The speaker will be Elizabeth Barajas-Román, CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Mass. Barajas-Román has been a leader in progressive movements, including advocating at the national level for the health and rights of immigrant women and their families. Most recently, she was a manager at the Pew Charitable Trusts, where she directed a portfolio of partners that campaigned for state and federal policy change to improve government performance on issues that impact children’s health. Barajas-Román brings a background in impactful philanthropy, data-driven strategy design, fund-raising through philanthropic partnerships, creating coalitions, and mobilizing partners. Previously, she served as the director of Policy at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and directed the organization’s Washington, D.C. office. Barajas-Román was frequently invited to be a voice in national-policy discussions at the White House and on Capitol Hill. She is a graduate of Oberlin College and received her master’s degree in international policy from Harvard University. To register for the luncheon, visit ‘Upcoming Events’ on the chamber’s website, www.chicopeechamber.org. The cost is $25 for chamber members and $30 for non-members.

‘Pink in the Rink’
Feb. 21: Noble Hospital is the major sponsor the Springfield Falcons’ “Pink in the Rink” event against the Portland Pirates. This annual event helps to raise funds for and awareness of breast cancer. Falcons players wear special pink jerseys that will be autographed and auctioned off after the event. Visit www.ebay.com/usr/springfieldfalcons to bid on the pink jerseys after the game. In addition to the hockey game, breast-cancer survivors will be honored, there will be giveaways and raffles, and Noble Hospital will provide an information booth. Members of a support group, the Pink WAY, will also attend. Noble Hospital’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Health, under the direction of Dr. Steven Schonholz, provides a wide range of options and services in a single location. Pink bracelets will be available for donations at the Noble table; funds raised will go towards Noble’s breast-cancer awareness programs and to help local patients going through treatments. Area residents can support Noble Hospital by purchasing tickets to the game at give.noblehospital.org/pinkintherink. For more information, contact the hospital’s Community Development Office at [email protected] or (413) 568-2811, ext. 5520.

West of the River Chamber Legislative Breakfast
Feb. 25: The West of the River Chamber of Commerce announced that it will stage its Legislative Breakfast, an event that brings members and non-members together for a morning of breakfast and legislative updates, from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Storrowton Tavern Carriage House in West Springfield. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local business people over breakfast, and later will enjoy an informational session presented by a panel of legislators including state Sens. Donald Humason and James Welch, state Rep. Michael Finn, Agawam Mayor Mayor Richard Cohen, and West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan. Political consultant Anthony Cignoli will emcee the event and offer economic updates. Sponsors for the event are Health New England, OMG, the Insurance Center of New England, Ormsby Insurance, and Spherion. The cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. For more information, call the chamber office at (413) 426-3880.

PAWSCARS Fund-raiser
Feb. 28: Dakin Humane Society will present a fund-raising event at the MassMutual Center in Springfield that will affectionately spoof Hollywood, the Oscars, and red-carpet fashion. Dubbed “The PAWSCARS & Red Carpet Fashion Parade,” the show will be emceed by Ashley Kohl and Seth Stutman, hosts of Mass Appeal on WWLP-22News. Beginning with a VIP Reception at 6 p.m. and a plated dinner at 7 p.m., the evening will also include a red-carpet fashion parade featuring local people of prominence, accompanied by rescue dogs (among them former Dakin dogs, now adopted). Short videos of animals recreating iconic moments in cinematic history, created by members of the public, will also be screened during the evening. “We’re looking forward to presenting a one-of-a-kind event with the PAWSCARS,” said Dakin Executive Director Leslie Harris. “We’re blending fashion, fun, and film with a healthy dose of humor for an unforgettable night. Plus, as our major fund-raising event of the year, it will be a terrific opportunity for our supporters to come together and enjoy themselves while providing much-needed aid for the many animals in our care.” With a targeted audience of 500, The PAWSCARS is Dakin’s most ambitious fund-raising event in its 45-year history. Tickets for the event are available at www.dakinhumane.org for $125 per person (dinner and show) or $50 (show only). Corporate sponsors for the PAWSCARS include Baystate Health, Piepul’s Camera Center, Clinical & Support Options, United Personnel, C.A.R. Data Management and Program Evaluation Services, Hampden Bank, and Robinson Donovan. Visit www.dakinhumane.org for more information about the event.

Difference Makers
March 19: The sixth annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. Details on the event will be published in upcoming issues of the magazine. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. The class of 2015 will be unveiled and profiled in the upcoming Feb. 9 issue. Tickets on sale for $60 each. Table of 10 available. Call (413) 781-8600.

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

Court Dockets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fueling Speculation

Features

Will Falling Gas Prices Be Good for Business?

The downward trend in fuel prices has delighted consumers, but businesses have mixed thoughts when assessing the long-term impact.

In 2008, as gas prices hit $4 per gallon, the blame game heated up as well, with Congress berating oil-company CEOs for profiteering during an economic slowdown, and the execs sniping at Congress for restricting drilling and refining at home, contributing to a dependence on oil-rich but often-unfriendly foreign governments.

Caught in the middle of that exchange were average Americans, who — already buffeted by an economic crash that bled jobs and drained retirement portfolios — increasingly found themselves diverting money from other household needs in order to fill up the gas tank.

At the same time, businesses of all kinds were forced to make tough decisions, from retail stores pondering whether to pass hefty shipping surcharges to customers, to construction firms seeing profits shrink as the cost of fuel and supplies far outstripped what they had anticipated during the bid process.

Now that gas prices have reversed course and plummeted, even dipping below $2 for regular at many stations in Massachusetts, one would expect those trends to be reversed, giving businesses some reprieve from six years of sky-high rates.

Not so fast.

“What I’ve found funny is that a lot of our paper suppliers — paper companies and different media outlets that make deliveries here — put on a gas surcharge,” said Steve Lang, president of Curry Printing in West Springfield. “But it never seems to come off. When we’re dealing with UPS, they’ll add their little surcharge in there for high gas prices, but it doesn’t come off when the prices come down.”

In fact, some analysts say the plunge in global oil prices will eventually affect small businesses in negative ways. Expected cutbacks and layoffs in the oil industry could be felt in related industries, such as the housing market in areas where petroleum companies operate, as well as restaurants and retailers that rely on oil-industry workers as their customers, Rohit Arora, CEO and co-founder of Biz2Credit, wrote in Inc.

“Lower oil and gasoline prices have many, many benefits for consumers and will likely help vitalize auto-industry sales and the spending of newly found disposable income,” he noted. “This is good news for small-business owners, of course. However, prices that are too low could eventually have serious negative implications longer-term.”

In short, while consumers are pleased with more money in their pockets, the impact on businesses of all kinds remains mixed, and uncertain.

Food for Thought

Retail businesses are anticipating that more disposable income will trickle down as increased sales. But so far, that hasn’t happened at Big Y, said Claire D’Amour, the chain’s vice president for corporate communications.

“Right now, it’s hard to tell, I think,” she told BusinessWest. “Low gas prices means there’s more disposable income, more cash in people’s wallets, but whether that’s translated into opportunities for higher sales, well, we haven’t seen anything specifically pointing to that this year.”

In reality, she noted, “after 2007, people changed their shopping patterns; they became more thrifty. With more money in their wallets now, will we see that change? We did have robust sales for the holiday season, which we’re happy about. But is that a reflection of gas prices? It’s hard to be sure.”

In fact, consumers aren’t seeing lower prices at food stores, for reasons that extend far beyond the retail sector. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recent food-production challenges include a cattle herd that’s been much smaller than normal, which affects beef prices, and poor weather in the West that has hindered certain crops. High wheat production, on the other hand, has kept cereal and bread pricing relatively stable.

Still, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items rose just 0.8% over the past 12 months, the second-lowest rise in the past 50 years, exceeded only by 2008, the year financial markets — and the economy in general — spun into crisis. The 2014 CPI has much to do with energy costs, which fell 10.6% over the year, with gasoline falling 21%.

The drop is due mainly to the highest global oil production since 1989, but industry analysts differ when it comes to how long this period might last.

“Most of us in the industry are surprised that it’s fallen as hard and fast as it has,” Ryan Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips, said at a meeting of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “I don’t know that I have a real good answer to that question, other than it doesn’t feel like the fundamentals would support that kind of fall.”

Instead, Lance predicts oil prices will rebound faster than anticipated, as they did in 2009, on the heels of the Great Recession. “People were worried about the global economy, and prices went to $30, $40 a barrel, and just a matter of months later, it was back to $100 a barrel,” he said. “And that’s the kind of volatility we’re in.”

After a strong holiday season, Big Y executives are unsure how gas prices will affect consumer behavior heading into 2015.

On the other hand, Larry Zimpleman, chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group, told the Wall Street Journal that he predicts the era of relatively tight supplies controlled by OPEC, and resulting high energy prices, to be coming to an end.

The reasons why are numerous, including continuing sluggish growth in both emerging and developed economies, reducing the demand for oil; new technologies, such as fracking, making previously shuttered oil fields productive once again, increasing the volume of oil coming onto the market; and continued incremental improvement in alternative sources of energy, like wind and solar. “Thus,” he said, “I think pressure is likely to remain on oil prices for an extended period.”

That’s good news for general contractors, said Craig Sweitzer, president of Craig Sweitzer & Co., a construction firm in Monson with seven employees.

“It’s absolutely huge,” said Sweitzer, who has seven gas-powered vehicles in his fleet. “We’re lucky, because we decided to upgrade and give everyone a truck last year, which we’d never done before. Add in insurance and taxes and fuel, and it was a huge windfall to have gas prices go down. We drive big trucks that consume a lot of fuel; it’s a very big part of our expenses.”

He noted that some contruction-related industries — like road pavers, which use oil in their asphalt products — have clauses built into their contracts that protect against sudden increases in fuel prices, “but we’re the little guys, and people don’t typically do that with us. The airlines, for instance, pre-buy on their contracts, but we’re completely prey to the market.”

Moving On Down

The drop in energy prices is equally welcome at other businesses that use a lot of gas, like commercial movers.

“In our case, there are two parts to our company,” said Rod Sitterly, president of Sitterly Moving & Storage in Springfield. “One would be local household and commercial moving. Gas prices have very little effect there because everything is local; the truck sits there for five hours, then goes two miles to its destination. So, for the local household and local commercial jobs, there’s very little effect. Some moving companies were charging a fuel surcharge for those moves, but we never did.

“The long-distance moves, that’s a totally different story,” he continued. “Obviously, fuel is a bigger segment of the cost. The major movers, the major van lines — we’re with Atlas, for example — for the moment, they have an 8% fuel surcharge that has been as high as 14%, so there has been a significant decline in that.”

He noted that this environment stems from the days when industry rates were regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and companies were allowed to tag on fuel surcharges to reflect rising gas prices.

“Since deregulation, you can charge whatever you want, and over time, a lot of charges have gone away — but the fuel surcharge never did,” Sitterly said. “For long-distance moving, obviously it has a big effect. Even people moving themselves to Florida or someplace long-distances often don’t consider how much they’ll pay to get to their new location.”

Big Y, with more than 50 stores across the region, saw its fuel surcharges on produce trucked from California and other distant locales increase by $1 million in just six months in 2008, when oil prices shot up. While those fees are not an issue right now, D’Amour said, the company is not yet benefiting in other ways one might expect now that energy prices have fallen.

“In terms of our utilities, a lot of utility rates get locked in, so they’re not fluctuating,” she said, adding that the chain has also seen little decrease in production costs — say, for canned goods — passed down to retailers. “We’re not seeing reductions, but there’s a huge lag time.”

As for how less-expensive gas might change customer spending habits, she reiterated that Big Y, like other businesses, are still waiting for positive signs.

“There were lots of lessons learned from 2008 in terms of how people buy — whether they might splurge here or there [with extra cash] or pay off another credit card. Right now, it’s hard to tell.”

For others, like Sweitzer, the benefits are clear and immediate — and come with a political upside.

“Now that America is one of the largest oil producers, you feel good buying gas; it’s a win-win economically and culturally,” he told BusinessWest. “Everyone feels it. I’m sure a lot of people had a better Christmas because of the extra money in their pockets.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Ludlow Mills Riverwalk Project to Begin Construction

By BusinessWest Staff January 26, 2015

LUDLOW — The Westmass Area Development Corp. announced that it will begin Phase I of its riverwalk project this month, part of the approved Ludlow Mills Preservation and Redevelopment Comprehensive Master Plan.

Westmass will begin construction on the riverwalk with a planned completion of Phase I this July. The initial phase of construction will cost $600,000 and is being funded through a partnership between HealthSouth and Westmass.

The riverwalk is one of the early commitments that Westmass made to the town of Ludlow and its residents to promote public health and recreation along the river. The riverwalk will offer public space for pedestrian use and passive recreation, opening up the Chicopee River to the Ludlow Mills businesses and to residents of the community.

Westmass has selected a local contractor, Gomes Construction Co., for this phase of the project. Phase I will feature a loop design and will start near Center Street, just east of the Town Common, run along the river toward the new HealthSouth Hospital, and then return through the proposed future park and reconnect with the recently installed municipal sidewalk system on State Street.

The length of this phase of the riverwalk will span 3,575 feet and will incorporate the use of recycled brick materials, historic timeline markers and river observation areas along the walk. Together, the proposed riverwalk and future public park will cover approximately 52 acres, or nearly one-third of the Ludlow Mills site.

Westmass seeks to convey that open space to the town so that it will remain in protected public use. The open space is intended to integrate the Ludlow Mills project into the neighborhood and community as well as support the many existing and new businesses that are attracted by the revived vibrancy of the Ludlow Mills.

HCC Benefactor Elaine Marieb Wins National Alumni Award

By BusinessWest Staff January 22, 2015

HOLYOKE — The American Assoc. of Community Colleges has selected HCC professor emerita, alumna, and major donor Elaine Marieb for its 2015 Outstanding Alumni awards.

Marieb taught anatomy and physiology at Holyoke Community College for 25 years after receiving her Ph.D. in zoology from UMass. While teaching, she enrolled in HCC’s Registered Nursing program, earning her associate degree. Her teaching and education led her to write a series of anatomy and physiology textbooks that have gone on to become international bestsellers.

Last year, Marieb donated $1 million toward HCC’s Building Healthy Communities fund-raising campaign, which is supporting two building projects at the college, a new Center for Health Education on Jarvis Avenue, and the Center for Life Sciences on campus. The AACC award recognizes community-college alumni for their career achievements, philanthropic contributions, and inspirational impact.

“We are incredibly grateful and fortunate not only to have Elaine Marieb as an alum but as a professor emeritus,” said Erica Broman, vice president of Institutional Development. “Her work in the classroom was exemplary, and she has continued to foster a relationship with students at the college, where she has been enormously generous with both her time and resources. She certainly deserves this recognition.”

Marieb grew up in Northampton and now lives in Sarasota, Fla. She will receive her award at the AACC’s annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, on April 21.

When it opens for the fall 2015 semester, the Center for Health Education will be the new home of HCC’s Nursing and Radiologic Technology programs. After that project is complete, HCC will begin construction on the Center for Life Sciences, which will be located on the first floor of the school’s main science building, the Marieb Building, which was named for Elaine Marieb, who over the years has been one of the school’s most significant benefactors.

Marieb’s financial support led to the creation of HCC’s Marieb Chair for Teaching Excellence, which is awarded annually to one member of the HCC faculty. Through the HCC Foundation, she has endowed numerous scholarships for students in HCC’s Nursing and New Directions programs. The study lounge used by the HCC Pathways program was named the Marieb Center in recognition of her support.

Last March, Marieb issued a challenge gift as a way to spur participation in the HCC Foundation’s Building Healthy Communities campaign: if 1,000 donors contributed gifts of any amount by Dec. 31, Marieb said she would donate $1 million. Thanks to that incentive, dubbed “Mission: Marieb,” the campaign had exceeded its $5.3 million goal by June, raising a total of $5.5 million — the most successful fund-raising effort in HCC history.

American River Nutrition Begins Construction in Hadley

By BusinessWest Staff January 22, 2015

HADLEY — Westmass Area Development Corp. announced that American River Nutrition, founded by former UMass Amherst Professor of Food Science and Nutrition Barrie Tan, has begun construction of a 25,000-square-foot office and manufacturing building at the Hadley University Business Park. With the coordinated permitting efforts of the Hadley Planning Board and Conservation Commission, construction is able to commence.

American River Nutrition manufactures vitamin E, a dietary supplement, from plant material through a proprietary distillation process that produces no toxic or harmful byproducts. Its vitamin E product is known as DeltaGold. The company is also involved in research that may lead to the introduction of pharmaceutical versions of its products. The company was launched in 1998 in Hadley in response to the market need for innovative products that are natural, have little to no known side effects, and positively affect conditions associated with age-related and/or degenerative disease states.

Many people take vitamin E in the rapidly-growing vitamin and supplement industry in hopes that the vitamin’s antioxidant properties will help to prevent diseases and build a strong immune system. American River Nutrition has also recently qualified its vitamin E product as a food supplement, opening new avenues for this growing company. American River Nutrition currently employs nine people, and, according to Tan, up to 20 people will be employed when the company opens its new manufacturing operation later this year on its 16-acre site at Hadley University Business Park.

“We are happy to be able to bring our manufacturing operations to Hadley, where our home office has been located since we began the company,” said Tan. “And we look forward to a continuing role as a strong member of the local business community.”

According to Westmass President Kenn Delude, “Westmass is pleased to make this announcement today. We believe that American River Nutrition is on an exceptional growth track and is exactly the type of innovative company that our region needs to support and retain. It is the combination of the quality job growth that the company offers coupled with the extraordinary focus and purpose of their efforts to promote good health that makes Westmass proud they chose the Hadley University Business Park for their new facility.”

Delude said one site remains available for new development in the Hadley Park. The remaining site can accommodate a 20,000- to 25,000-square-foot building on a 3.5-acre, developable parcel. Westmass is seeking interested businesses for that parcel. In addition to Hadley University Business Park, Westmass is developing available business sites at Chicopee River Business Park, Deer Park Industrial Center in East Longmeadow, and its latest development at the Ludlow Mills.

American International College to Renovate Dining Commons

By BusinessWest Staff January 19, 2015

Community Spotlight Features

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) is embarking on an $8 million renovation of its dining commons.

The new, state-of-the-art facility will occupy the existing dining-commons space and include a building expansion, a wider variety of seating, and a more abundant variety of food options and services, including customized food preparation, an exhibition kitchen featuring hands-on cooking classes, a wood-fired oven, and more, presented in a contemporary, dynamic, and open setting.

Construction is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the fall semester. In the interim, the existing dining commons will be closed for the spring semester, and transitional dining has been set up in the Schwartz Campus Center. Chartwells, AIC’s dining-services vendor, will continue to provide the same quality of food and service throughout the process. AIC will provide additional benefits and flexibility to those students with current all-access meal plans that will allow them to expand food venues and options to include the Hive and the Yellow Jackets Express food truck in addition to the transitional dining commons.

While there was a cosmetic remodel of the dining room in 2007, the last complete renovation of the dining commons took place in 1966, nearly 50 years ago. The new facility will be a place for students to come together in a much more comfortable and modern setting. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for early spring.

Community Spotlight: Holyoke

By BusinessWest Staff January 13, 2015

In Holyoke, Municipal Investments Pay Dividends

Mayor Alex Morse says Holyoke has been a leader among area communities in efforts to build a creative-economy sector.

When Alex Morse was elected mayor of Holyoke in 2011, he was determined to revitalize the city and alter the way people thought about it.

“My number-one job was to change the perception that Holyoke’s best days were behind us,” he said.

His efforts have been largely successful, and dedicated planning and teamwork have led to major investments in infrastructure and noteworthy projects.

“Good things have happened in the last year, and there are a lot of shovels in the ground. People can see things moving forward, which is a sign that the economy in Holyoke is getting better, and we will continue to put more shovels in the ground this year,” Morse said. “The city is on a positive trajectory.”

The most significant undertaking is the new, $3.5 million passenger-rail platform being built on Dwight and Main streets. “We broke ground on Dec. 22, and when it is finished in September, it will be the first completed rail platform in Western Mass.,” the mayor said.

The project is a reflection of foresight, because when Morse took office, there were no plans for a commuter-rail stop in Holyoke. “But it was a huge economic-development opportunity, and although there were times when funding was short, we were able to get $4 million in state and federal funds for it through MassWorks grants; it has been paid for without taking any money from local sources,” Morse said, adding that Marcos Marrero, the town’s Planning and Economic Development director, worked closely with the state Department of Transportation, “and we made it a priority project, as it is integral to the revitalization of our downtown.”

In addition, Morse said new businesses have opened and apartments are under construction (more about that later) that will help to reinvigorate the city.

“We see ourselves as part of the Springfield/Hartford metro area, and have a lot of space available that is very affordable. People are recognizing that, and folks from as far away as San Francisco are investing here,” he told BusinessWest, citing the purchase of the Wauregan building on 384 Dwight St., which is co-owned by San Francisco artist Scott Reilly, and adding that Vertitech IT moved its national headquarters to Holyoke last year, and the city helped the company work with Holyoke Community College to find employees.

Expanding the creative-arts community has been a cornerstone of the city’s economic-development strategy, and Morse hired a creative-economy coordinator shortly after he took office. “We’re the first community in the state to have a full-time person dedicated to bolstering the creative economy. It is a job creator that generates a lot of revenue, and we have seen an uptick of artists moving here, and a spike in the development of makers spaces,” he said.

They include Gateway City Arts on 91-114 Race St., which was founded in 2012 by artists Lori Divine and Vitek Kruta with a cash incentive from the city. “The business provides space in which craftspeople work, teach, and hold events. It has become an incubator space for artists,” Morse said.

“People are amazed at the amount of talent we have in Holyoke, and on any given night, you can see cars parked on Race Street for an art gallery, opening show, or performance,” he added. “We’ve taken it very seriously.”

He also pointed to the Brick Co-workshop Co. on Dwight Street as another example of success. Artists representing 10 different trades have made it their home and are helping to promote the city as a center for arts and crafts. Plus, the Holyoke Creative Arts Center, which provides classes at a minimal cost, has plans to move from 400 South Elm St. into the three-story, red-brick Wauregan Building, located in the newly designated Art and Innovation District, later this month.

Time and effort has also been spent to encourage people in the community to open businesses, and Holyoke was one of six cities named as a winner of the Working Cities Challenge. It was sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, which identified 21 working cities whose median income was lower than the state average, then challenged them to create innovative proposals that would help provide employment.

Holyoke’s winning program is called the Stimulating Potential and Accessing Resources or Knowledge Initiative (SPARK). Its goal is to link the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center with the city’s innovation-economy strategy and increase the number of businesses owned by Latinos. The initiative is being led by the city in partnership with the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and is supported by other partners in the public, private, and nonprofit realms.

Morse said the idea is to create a pipeline that will help Latinos who are interested in the creative arts see themselves as entrepreneurs and open businesses. “We want to continue to build on our local talent and have hired a director for the program,” he said, adding that the city will receive $250,000 over three years to implement the program.

Plethora of Projects

When a city invests in itself, Morse said, it sends a message that it is willing to partner with businesses to grow the economy.

To that end, Holyoke boasts a new library and senior center, and also kicked off Phase 2 of a $4.3 million Canal Walk project on Race Street over the summer. Phase 1, which runs between Dwight and Appleton streets, is complete, and the second section of the walkway will include a foot bridge over the canal.

“This is just one of the improvements we’ve made to catalyze retail businesses along the canal and make our downtown walkable,” Morse said.

Vibrant metropolises also contain residential living space, he added, noting that the city is making progress on this front as well. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in August for a $20 million project that will transform the former Holyoke Catholic High School into 55 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The city has been working with Denis Walsh, who owns Weld Management, for several years on his vision to create the new residences in the 74,000-square-foot building, which is set on 2.3 acres.

“The prospect of getting more people to live downtown is exciting, and this is a great example of a public/private partnership,” Morse said, noting that the city contributed $750,000 toward the project. He added that a $1.4 million renovation of Veterans Park, which can be seen from the building, was completed last year.

The Holyoke Transportation Center also overlooks the park and contains a café on the first floor operated by the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House. Holyoke Community College holds classes in the building, and it is also home to a Head Start program.

“The conversion of Holyoke Catholic High School will complete that block and bring more life to the neighborhood,” Morse said, adding that Walsh is also developing high-end, market-rate apartments on the upper floors of a few other buildings.

One challenge the city faces, however, is a lack of eateries downtown. Attracting restaurateurs has been difficult because liquor licenses have not been available. In order to mitigate the problem, Morse put together a proposal that received approval from the City Council and the state, which will give Holyoke 13 additional liquor licenses.

“The caveat is that they can only be used for full-service restaurants in the downtown urban-renewal district,” the mayor said. “Although a liquor license can go for upwards of $100,000 on the open market, these will only cost $10,000 because they’re being offered as an economic incentive. We plan to hold an event later this month to explain what is involved, and have invited people in town as well as restaurant operators from places that include Worcester, Hartford, Amherst, and Pittsfield.”

Plans have also been made to address the former Parsons Paper Co. site, which has been an eyesore since a fire devastated the property in 2008. Northeast Utilities has provided $250,000 to assess the contamination, demolish what remains of the buildings, and clean up the brownfields, as part of a mitigation agreement connected to a former electric plant near the dam and canal.

When the work is complete, the property will be put on the market, and Morse said a business has already expressed interest in the site.

Meanwhile, Divine and Kruta, who opened Gateway City Arts, also purchased the Steam Building on Race Street last year and are turning it into office space.

“The city and Holyoke Community College recently announced that HCC is moving its entire culinary-hospitality department downtown, and the Steam Building is being considered as one of the potential sites,” Morse said. “We are hoping to pair the college program with a full-service, privately owned restaurant.”

Private-sector growth is also occurring, and Marcotte Ford on Main Street recently broke ground on an $8 million expansion. “We worked hard to keep them here,” Morse said. “They were landlocked, but were able to purchase an old dealership next to them. We’re working to help them get some city land between the properties as well as negotiating a tax incentive.”

Bright Future

Morse said a number of other projects are on the horizon, among them the redevelopment of the old Lynch Middle School.

The project was put out to bid last spring, and the city chose Frontier Development from the firms that responded. It will create 25,000 square feet of retail space in the building with the opportunity for expansion, which will lead to jobs and turn a non-taxpaying property into one that generates taxes, Morse told BusinessWest. “Plus, we think it will bring people to the city, as it’s right off the highway.”

In addition, the recently decommissioned Mt. Tom coal plant will be assessed to determine what it would take to clean it up and reuse the property.

The mayor said the projects that have come to fruition have not happened overnight, and the effort and thought that have gone into them will continue.

“Today,” he concluded, people see Holyoke as a city on the rise.”

Holyoke at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1850
Population: 40,135 (2012) 
Area: 22.8 square miles 
County: Hampden 
Residential Tax Rate: $19.04
Commercial Tax Rate: $39.74
Median Household Income: $33,030
Family Household Income: $36,262
Type of government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Holyoke Medical Center; Holyoke Public Schools; Holyoke Community College; Amica Mutual Insurance Co.
* Latest information available

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff January 13, 2015

Departments Real Estate

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

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

COLRAIN

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

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

GREENFIELD

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

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

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

LEVERETT

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

MONROE

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

MONTAGUE

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

NORTHFIELD

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

ORANGE

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

SUNDERLAND

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

WARWICK

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

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

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

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

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

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

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

BRIMFIELD

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

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

CHICOPEE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EAST LONGMEADOW

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

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

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

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

HAMPDEN

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

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

HOLLAND

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

HOLYOKE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LONGMEADOW

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

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

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

LUDLOW

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

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

MONSON

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

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

PALMER

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

RUSSELL

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

SPRINGFIELD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOUTHWICK

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

WEST SPRINGFIELD

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

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

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

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

WESTFIELD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WILBRAHAM

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

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

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

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

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

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

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

BELCHERTOWN

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

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

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

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

EASTHAMPTON

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

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

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

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

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

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

GRANBY

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

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

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

HATFIELD

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

HUNTINGTON

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

NORTHAMPTON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOUTH HADLEY

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

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

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

SOUTHAMPTON

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

WARE

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

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

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

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

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff January 13, 2015

Briefcase Departments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ACCGS Breakfast to Fete 90th Anniversary of Shriners Hospital

By BusinessWest Staff January 8, 2015

SPRINGFIELD — Shriners Hospitals for Children will be among the honorees at the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s (ACCGS) Business@Breakfast on Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam.

Shriners Hospital for Children will be honored for its 90th anniversary. The hospital provides medical care to children with orthopaedic, neuromusculoskeletal, cleft-lip, and palate disorders and diseases. As well, GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., a professional-services consulting firm focused on geotechnical, environmental, water, ecological, and construction-management services, will be saluted for its 50th anniversary, and FIT Solutions, a leader in IT staffing, will be honored for its 10th anniversary.

The breakfast will feature Dr. Steve Sobel, humorist and motivational speaker. Sobel will present “You’re a Piece of Work! Celebrate Joy, Passion, and Influence.” Sobels’s presentation will use humor to illuminate life’s possibilities and provide attendees with the tools needed to help them bring their ‘A’ game to their companies and customers.

Sobel, a speaker, educator, success coach, and trainer throughout the U.S. and Canada, blends humor with targeted and inspirational messages to companies, businesses, athletic teams, and professional groups. He is a former award-winning school principal and continues to teach part-time at the college level, including many courses on entrepreneurship and visionary leadership.

Reservations are $20 in advance for ACCGS members in advance ($25 at the door) and $30 for general admission. Reservations are suggested and can be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

Construction Employment Increased in 224 out of 339 Metro Areas Over the Past Year

By BusinessWest Staff December 31, 2014

Construction employment expanded in 224 metro areas, declined in 64 and was stagnant in 51 between November 2013 and November 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said contractors in many parts of the country were benefitting from growing demand, yet labor shortages threaten to undermine the sector’s recovery. “It is good news that construction employment is now rising in two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “But now that the unemployment rate for construction workers has fallen to a seven-year low, it has become a major challenge to find qualified workers in many fields.” Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas added the largest number of construction jobs in the past year (16,200 jobs, 9%), followed by Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (11,000 jobs, 10 %), Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill. (9,100 jobs, 7%) and Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash. (8,900 jobs, 12%). The largest percentage gains occurred in Pascagoula, Miss. (24%, 1,500 jobs), Fargo, N.D. (19%, 1,600 jobs), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla. (18, 700 jobs) and York-Hanover, Pa. (18%, 1,700 jobs). The largest job losses from November 2013 to November 2014 were in Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, Md. (-3,600 jobs, -11%), followed by Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz. (-3,000 jobs, -3%), Edison-New Brunswick N.J. (-2,700 jobs, -6%), Gary, Ind. (-2,500 jobs, -14%) and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (-2,500 jobs, -4%). The largest percentage decline for the past year was in Steubenville-Weirton, Ohio-W.Va. (-39%, -900 jobs), followed by Cheyenne, Wyo. (-17%, -600 jobs), Fond du Lac, Wis. (-15%, -400 jobs) and Gary, Ind. Association officials noted that most contractors report they are having a hard time finding qualified workers to fill key positions as demand rebounds. They cautioned that if labor conditions get even tighter, contractors will have to pass on new projects, and possibly delay existing ones, because of a lack of workers. Indeed, 25% of contractors reported over the summer they were already declining to bid on certain projects because of the lack of available workers. “It is time to start rebuilding the once robust career and technical education programs that used to exist in most school districts around the country,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Without a solid network for preparing future workers, we are likely to spend much of 2015 talking about how the construction industry is failing to keep up with demand.”

Real Estate Transactions

Departments Real Estate

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

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

BERNARDSTON

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

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

COLRAIN

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

DEERFIELD

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

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

ERVING

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

GREENFIELD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HEATH

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

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

LEYDEN

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

MONTAGUE

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

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

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

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

NORTHFIELD

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

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

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

ORANGE

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

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

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

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

ROWE

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

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRIMFIELD

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

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

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

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

CHESTER

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

CHICOPEE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EAST LONGMEADOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

GRANVILLE

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

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

HAMPDEN

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

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

HOLLAND

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

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

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

HOLYOKE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LONGMEADOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LUDLOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MONSON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PALMER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RUSSELL

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

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

SPRINGFIELD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOUTHWICK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WEST SPRINGFIELD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WESTFIELD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WILBRAHAM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BELCHERTOWN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CUMMINGTON

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

EASTHAMPTON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOSHEN

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

GRANBY

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

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

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

HADLEY

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

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

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

HUNTINGTON

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

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

NORTHAMPTON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PELHAM

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

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

SOUTH HADLEY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOUTHAMPTON

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

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

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

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

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

WARE

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

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

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

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

WESTHAMPTON

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

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

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

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

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

WILLIAMSBURG

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

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

WORTHINGTON

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

Doing Business as Certificates

DBA Certificates Departments

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

AGAWAM

Bags on the Go
55 Ramah Circle
Chellis Collins

Feeding Hills Wellness Center
567 Springfield St.
Christine Bailey

J & E Repair Service
47 Valentine Ter.
Joseph Catania

JH Walmart Tax
15 Worthington Brook Circle
Meenaxi H. Gada

RST Training
499 Springfield St.
Raymond Boissonault

CHICOPEE

Eric’s Sales
103 Lukasik St.
Eric Ladabouche

Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Tattoo
6 Center St.
Andrew Barrett

Michael J. Ash Construction
30 East Street Ave.
Michael J. Ash

Rogers Auto Body
26 Old James St.
Roger Castonguay

GREENFIELD

Abram Son’s Renovations
111 Beacon St.
Brian Abramson

Chinese Body Work
91 Main St.
Yon Xia

Goodies Restaurant Inc.
256 Federal St.
Idanis Dimitrion

Ken’s Tax Prep
280 Main St.
Kenneth Lang

Meadows Café & Golf Center
398 Deerfield St.
Constant Poholek

The Vocal Artists Studio
38 Alden St.
Eileen Ruby

HOLYOKE

Epic Kids Clothing
134 High St.
Richard R. Rodriguez

Executive Vending
154 Rock Valley Road
John P. Larose

F & M Motor Sales
414 South St.
Michael Gruszka

Goodwill Industries of Pioneer Valley
235 South St.
Steven Mundhal

High Class Cuts
451 High St.
Gamaliel Soto

JGL Truck Sales
27 Jackson St.
Javier Gonzalez

Reyes Auto Sales
100 Main St.
Oscar Reyes

Sears Beauty Salon
50 Holyoke St.
Joni Jacobson

LUDLOW

Angle Home Building & Remodeling
65 Meadowlark Circle
Todd Goncalves

Joseph Testori Electrical Contractor
71 New Crest St.
Joseph Testori

Open Door Café
247 Cady St.
Arlinda Alves

PALMER

Go Mobile
1581 North Main St.
Kevin Elder

On 3 Photography
9 Carriage Dr.
Maryellen Roche

Payless Auto Repair
26 Wilbraham St.
Kelly Doyle

SOUTHWICK

4 Life Entertainment Organization
389 North Loomis St.
Spencer Lavoie

Five Star Transportation
809 College Highway
Theresa Lecrenski

Ger-Pal, Inc.
610 College Highway
Geraldine Bshara

JD Berry Contracting
274 Granville Road
James Berry

Linen Lady Gifts
60 Miller Road
Clara Scott

R2 Prints
22 South Longyard Road
Robert Slate Jr.

Systems Personnel
414 College Highway
Edward Carroll

Tanya Salon
627 College Highway
Tatyana Brathichenko

SPRINGFIELD

Georgie’s Barber Shop
776 Liberty St.
Jorge L. Cruz

Innovative Concepts
29 1st St.
Tiffany Lissa

La Zona Supermarket Corporation
24 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Mindy L. Torres

Millennium Leasing Inc.
622 Cottage St.
Faramarz Bahrehmand

Mindy’s Cleaning Service
132 Mayfair Ave.
Mindy L. Torres

Orange Scarf
677 South Branch Parkway
Diane R. Sabato

Pars, Inc.
622 Cottage St.
Faramarz Bahrehmand

Property Maintenance
56 Gilbert Ave.
Daniel Rivera

Ron Zundell
92 Bairdcrest Road
Ronald K. Zundell

Shelby Motors, LLC
180 Boston Rd.
Khalid Albaghadadi

The Day Spa
78 Maple St.
Jun Sun

United Way of Pioneer Valley
1441 Main St.
Raymond Berry

Vraceworks MA
556 St. James Ave.
Juan E. Maldonado

WESTFIELD

Bertera Chrysler Dodge
167 Springfield Road
Bertera Motors of Westfield

Fisher Health & Wellness
110 Christopher Dr.
Kimberly Fisher

Hair Design by Leah
37 Broad St.
Leah A. Huffmire

Isander Robles
37 Elm St.
Isander Robles

Sunset Oil Company
17 Old Quarry Road
Christopher F. Grady

Your Marketing Place
503 West Road
Gail Roberts

Incorporations

Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

Global Platform Solutions Corp., 46 Cottonwood Lane, Agawam, MA 01001. Chester Stanley Wojcik, Jr. Sale and lease of equipment.

CHICOPEE

Al Lafleur Inc., 467 East Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Albert Lafleur, same. Auto repair and sales.

FEEDING HILLS

Get Done Cleaning Services Inc., 26 Day Ave., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Leandro De Siqueira, same. Janitorial services.

GNG Discount Shop Inc., 662 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Gina Calabria, 61 S. Westfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Nonprofit organization to collect donations for homeless veterans.

GREENFIELD

Deputy Sherriffs Association of Franklin County Inc., 160 Elm St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Joseph Lachance, 440 Leyden Road, Greenfield, MA 01301.

HOLYOKE

Dean Nimmer Arts Inc., 146 Allyn Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Dean Nimmer, same. To create, sell, distribute and provide art related projects, art publications, art books and art material to the general public for public use.

LONGMEADOW

CB Leasing Inc., 60 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Gerald Coia, same. Derek Rodrigues, same. Equipment leasing.

LUDLOW

Global Compass Inc., 116 Warwick Dr., Ludlow, MA 01056. Derek Rodrigues, same. Construction industry with a focus on asbestos, lead, and mold removal.

SOUTHAMPTON

Gargan Paint and Paper Inc., 7 Center St., Southampton, MA 01073. Joseph Gargan, same. Painting and wallpapering services.

SOUTHWICK

Gardner Aerospace Services Inc., 2 Amberleaf Way, Southwick, MA 01077. Bernard Gardner, same. Aviation consultant providing various services including evaluation, maintenance oversight and damage assessment for new and pre-owned aircraft.

SPRINGFIELD

A & M Gas Mart Inc., 1390 Allen St., Springfield, A 01118. Asem Aydah, 68 Grover St., Springfield, MA 01104. Convenience store with gasoline.

Dreamz Made True Inc., 20 Rupert St., Springfield, MA 01108. Alycya Raquel Cook, same. The mission of this organization is to empower and encourage young ladies with positive interactions that helps build self-confidence and self-esteem where they are prepared to be successful as women.

Excellent Cuts Basketball Organization, 121 Wait St., Springfield, MA 01104. Willie Arthur Evans Jr., same. Basketball team and individual instruction; participation in various basketball leagues and tournaments (local and out of state); mentorship.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

EZ Transport Inc., 134 New Bridge St., Second Floor, West Springfield, MA 01089. Shakhmardan Shakirov, same. Business operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, and other commodities via flatbed, container, and heavy hauling trailers on a for-hire basis.

WESTFIELD

Aliganism Inc., 358 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Gani Dinc, 398 Page Blvd., Springfield, MA 01104. Pizza and other fast foods restaurant.

Gee Force Trans Inc., 19B Otis St., Westfield, MA 01085. Igor Banar, same. Business operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, and other commodities via flatbed, container, and heavy hauling trailers on a for-hire basis.

American Colors Inc., 77 George St., Second Floor, Westfield, MA 01085. Dmitriy Kaplyuk, same. Auto body painting.

Court Dockets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community Spotlight: Enfield, Conn.

Community Spotlight Features

In Enfield, Growth Efforts Focus on Thompsonville

Peter Bryanton says Thompsonville was a thriving center in its heyday, but may be on its way back.

Enfield town officials have had a revitalization plan for the village of Thompsonville for more than two decades now. It was created in 1992 after the former Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Co. was transformed into a 470-unit apartment complex.

Community Development Division Director Peter Bryanton said that Thompsonville was a thriving center in its heyday, with stores, eateries, and businesses that benefitted from the people who lived in the neighborhood and worked in the Bigelow factory. But after the mill closed in 1971, the area began to languish, and many neighborhood businesses closed their doors.

However, when construction on Bigelow Commons began, small businesses began to open again. “Town officials thought Bigelow Commons was a new starting point and formed a committee to work toward revitalizing the village. The Thompsonville Revitalization Strategy Plan was created as a result of their effort, and although it was a good plan, it was never implemented due to a lack of funding and resources,” Bryanton told BusinessWest, adding that updates were made in 2010.

But over the past year, a great deal of progress has occurred, and what was once a dream is fast becoming a reality. In fact, the town held a recent breakfast for commercial real-estate investors, developers, consultants, and other interested parties, which was attended by more than 100 people. The goal was to let them know about projects and new initiatives that have drawn residents and tourists into Thompsonville, and why it is has become a desirable investment.

“We told people what we’ve done and where we are headed, and we also created a book for them that shows every piece of property available in Enfield,” said Courtney Hendricson, assistant town manager of Development Services, adding that the impetus behind the recent initiatives was the announcement that a commuter rail line linking New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield will begin operating in 2016.

“Our plan revolves around building a new, multi-modal transit center that will include commuter rail and bus service; we know that many people want to live near these stations,” she said. “Rail service will make it easy to get to different places without owning a car, and surveys show that people in their 20s and 30s overwhelmingly want a walkable lifestyle. There is generally a 30% increase in property values within a half-mile of a transit station.”

Bryanton agreed. “Revitalization is finally happening; five years ago it was just an idea, but now it’s a reality. Once Enfield has commuter rail service, it will become a destination for people looking for a lifestyle based around public transit — we just need to get the transit center built,” he said, adding that it will be located in the former Westfield Casket Hardware building on 33 North River St.

He added that the four-story structure, which sits on the Connecticut River, is owned by Enfield Community Development Corp. and is in good shape.

“The ground floor will be used as the entranceway to get upstairs to the second floor, where the rail platform will be located. The third and fourth floors will be turned into loft apartments,” Bryanton said, adding that a portion of space on the first and second floors will also be designated for mixed use, which will allow people to shop, eat, and do business at the station.

However, land is needed to build a parking lot and a bus turnaround, and the town has been negotiating with Northeast Utilities about a plot adjacent to the building that was once home to a power plant. It is contaminated, so the negotiations are focused on who will pay for the cleanup, which will likely be a joint effort financed with brownfield grant money and funds from NU.

“In addition to the parking lot and bus turnaround, we also plan to build a new riverfront park on the property,” Bryanton said.

Town officials are lobbying the state and federal government to get funding to build the transit platform. “State officials told us they will build it after the rail service begins, but that means it would not stop in Enfield when it starts up, which is key to our development focus,” Hendricson said.

However, work is progressing, and Connecticut recently launched the Hartford Line. The commuter rail service will use Amtrak’s New Haven–Springfield Line and supplement existing intercity rail services between the two cities. The project is a joint venture between Connecticut and Massachusetts, with support from the federal government.

Once the line is operational and the transit platform has been built, Enfield officials say, they plan to focus their efforts on promoting public transportation, which will help spur private investment in the village.

Multi-faceted Approach

Hendricson said the town’s economic-development efforts rest on five pillars.

The first is an initiative called Riverfront Recapture, which involves capitalizing on access to the Connecticut River. “It’s our greatest natural resource and borders many of our neighborhoods as well as downtown Thompsonville, so we feel it has a lot of potential,” she explained, adding that the town plans to build a hiking and bicycling trail along the river, extending from Fresh Water Pond to the business corridor and down to the river. It is currently in the design stage.

The second and most important pillar is the revitalization plan for Thompsonville. “But we don’t want to ignore our other neighborhoods, which include Hazardville,” Hendricson said, noting that lessons learned from a successful streetscape plan implanted there, as well as from projects completed in other areas of town, will be employed in Thompsonville’s revival.

She also stressed that town officials feel it is important to celebrate the businesses that stayed open after the Bigelow carpet factory closed and have done well.

The fourth pillar is to continue to attract new businesses and retain the 3,000 companies that make Enfield their home. “They include many Fortune 100 companies,” said Hendricson. “We share the headquarters for MassMutual and are home to the headquarters for the North American and South American branches of Lego. The Hallmark Distribution Center and Advanced Auto Distribution Centers for the entire East Coast are also in Enfield, and we have many small, mom-and-pop businesses and home-based operations.”

Finally, town officials also plan to take advantage of the traffic that the MGM casino in Springfield will generate. “We believe Enfield could serve as a secondary destination because we have so many retail businesses and restaurants,” Hendricson said, discussing how the commuter rail platform in Thompsonville will play into the equation.

The revitalization of that village is being done in stages. The infrastructure around Fresh Water Pond, located in the center of the neighborhood, has been upgraded with new lighting, benches, planters, and trash receptacles. “We are also working to improve a walking path around the lake,” Hendricson said. “It is an ongoing effort.”

Engaging the interest of businesses and residents is another element in the plan. “It’s critical to make sure the neighborhood meets their needs,” she went on.

Hendricson noted that Thompsonville contains many multi-family homes, and although officials hope new residences will be built, they want to retain the character that was established when the carpet mill was thriving. “We’re not looking to change the proportion of multi-family housing. But we are looking to increase the number of housing options, so people can choose to live in a loft apartment, a multi-family residence, or a single-family home,” she told BusinessWest.

Town officials have staged new events over the past year to attract people to the center. The signature event was a Community and Farmer’s Market, staged from June through October on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. in front of Fresh Water Pond. There were 30 to 40 vendors each week, including artisans, farmers, food trucks and community groups, said Hendricson, adding that the market was a great success and went far beyond expectations.

Festivals were also held for families on Earth Day and Halloween, which generated positive feedback, while a presentation for business owners allowed officials to share their vision for the future. “We gave awards to businesses who have been in Thompsonville for years; we wanted to recognize and thank them. We plan to do this annually,” Hendricson said.

In addition, land was set aside to create a community garden. “There were 50 plots, and we asked people to pay $25 to become a member. They received soil and seeds, and they shared equipment. The town provided water, porta-potties, and security cameras, and a master gardener from the University of Connecticut gave a weekly seminar,” Hendricson said. “The garden was run by volunteers, and people are already asking if we are going to do it again next summer. We’ve been really working to engage the community.”

Another initiative, which focused on the use of alternative transportation, proved highly successful. Called the Magic Carpet Shuttle, it’s a bus service that takes people through the town with a number of dropoff spots. It connects to the Hartford Express (run by the Connecticut Department of Transportation) in the Macy’s parking lot.

“We started the shuttle to prove that residents will use other modes of transportation, but it has taken off beyond our expectations,” said Hendricson. “We expanded the route and the hours because 100 to 150 people ride on it every day.”

The success of these programs is being used to show investors that the outlook for Thompsonville is bright. “We’ve been meeting with developers in Greater Hartford and Springfield who are looking for opportunities,” she went on.

The town is also in the process of changing the zoning in the village, Bryanton added. It is mostly residential, but will soon have more areas designated for mixed-use development.

Moving Forward

Town officials believe their vision for Thompsonville will be realized over the next few years.

“We’ve done our homework and are making it into a desirable destination by bringing back its economic vitality,” Hendricson said. “There is so much potential, and I can easily picture it becoming a walkable, safe, attractive downtown for tourists and residents. I have no doubt it will happen.”

Bryanton agreed. “It’s been a long process to get where we are today, but we are finally on the doorstep,” he said. “We have a vision, and we know that, once the transit center is in place, people will come here.”

Enfield at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1683 in Massachusetts; annexed to Connecticut in 1749
Population: 44,654 (2010)
Area: 34.2 square miles
County: Hartford
Residential Tax Rate: $29.13 (plus fire district tax)
 Commercial Tax Rate: $29.13 (plus fire district tax)
Median Household Income: $69,356
<strong>Family Household Income: $80,997
Type of government: Town Council; Town Manager
Largest Employers: MassMutual; Hallmark Cards Distribution Center; the Lego Group

* Latest information available

Editorial

Opinion

Five Reasons to Be Optimistic About 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sustaining Success

Architecture Sections

Caolo & Bieniek Associates Has Designs on Innovation

Curtis Edgin, principal with Caolo & Bieniek Associates.

It’s not easy being green, but for today’s architects, it’s necessary.

“We’ve definitely had a mix of sustainable-design projects,” said Curtis Edgin, one of the principals of Caolo & Bieniek Associates in Chicopee, noting that some of them have been certified by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program, but not all.

“Some of our clients seek to pursue that,” he added, “but whether or not they go for that official recognition, they tend to pursue the same design practices.”

LEED, a federal program that lays out stringent, and often costly, guidelines by which new buildings can earn ‘points’ toward different levels of sustainability, has been a driving factor in making construction and renovation projects more environmentally friendly. It involves everything from air quality to the paints and furniture used; from ventilation to energy efficiency, and much more.

The emphasis on green design has seeped so thoroughly into the design and construction industries that even developers who aren’t seeking LEED status are demanding many similar elements, and this is certainly true for Caolo & Bieniek, which is no stranger to sustainable design, including the new Easthampton High School, which features bigger windows to maximize daylight, a photovoltaic array on the roof to harvest solar power, and LED lighting.

“Codes are getting more and more stringent, and continue to evolve,” Edgin said. “Plus, people are more concerned about energy use and will take a long view of things — sometimes pay a little more to have a more cost-effective building throughout its life. That’s what sustainable design is all about. It’s not just about recycling materials and conserving energy; there’s a whole list of things we can do that utilize those defining practices in all our projects.”

Caolo & Bieniek will celebrate 60 years in business next year, providing architecture, planning, and interior-design services across the Pioneer Valley. And Edgin understands the need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to trends like sustainable design.

“It’s a more long-term view, rather than what’s cheapest on bid day,” he said. “Energy use is the first thing people think of, but it’s much more than that. You can insulate, insulate, insulate, but you still need to get ventilation into it, get fresh air into a very tight envelope.”

Then there’s long-lasting LED lightbulbs, which have become standard practice, replacing fluorescent bulbs. But green design and building extends to the work site itself, from efforts to reduce water runoff from the site to how materials are disposed of.

“When you’re doing demolition, does the debris end up in a landfill, or does it get separated?” Edgin said. “It used to be that everything got pushed off and sent to a landfill. Nowadays, we’re much more careful about what’s going on with these projects. Steel is sent off to be recycled, and maybe masonry is crushed and used for fill.”

The UMass police facility, designed by Caolo & Bieniek, was the first LEED-certified building on campus.

In theory, he added, a project like Easthampton can even turn its green features into an outdoor learning experiences, teaching students about bioswales and solar energy. “You can put a lot of technology into the building.”

For this issue’s focus on architecture, Edgin sat down with BusinessWest to talk about the going-green movement and also other challenges and opportunities posed by what has become a fiercely competitive, fast-moving industry.

Broad Palette

Although it has remained active in private development, Caolo & Bieniek wins about 75% of its work in the public sector, which includes plenty of public school construction and renovation. Besides the completed Easthampton project, Edgin said, “the old Chicopee High School is converting to a middle school, and we’re working with the Mass. School Building Authority on that. We also have a project with Phoenix Academy, a charter school in Springfield, up at the Tech Park, and a handful of smaller school projects for various communities.”

In addition, the firm has long been active with area municipalities, from the ongoing construction of the West Springfield public library to a number of public-safety jobs. “Police, fire, public safety … we have several projects ongoing, some in the study phase, some in the early construction phase,” he noted. Area colleges, including UMass, Westfield State University, and STCC, have also been a reliable source of work, from the UMass police station — the campus’s first LEED-certified project — to renovation and repair work on residence halls.

“We’ve also done projects for local public-housing authorities, and also some private, multi-family development in the Northampton area,” Edgin said. “And we’ve been keeping busy with work for financial institutions — banks and some investment companies.”

The sheer diversity of Caolo & Bieniek’s workload is a hedge against recessions, but Edgin admitted that the scale of the average project has decreased slightly over the past several years. That means more, smaller jobs, “which keeps you very busy meeting schedules, juggling multiple projects, and serving clients. We were very blessed to stay busy over the past 10 years. We attribute that to a good staff and good service. We continually strive to satisfy our clients.”

Caolo & Bieniek has taken jobs as far away as Ohio for a Veterans Affairs hospital, and conducted some far-flung work for the U.S. Postal Service, but most of its signature projects have been in or not far from the Pioneer Valley — from the aforementioned schools and colleges to work for MassMutual, Spalding, Raymour & Flanigan, Polish National Credit Union, Rocky’s, Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee, Subway, IHOP, and many others.

“We don’t go long distances away — generally within an hour or hour and a half radius,” Edgin said. “You can’t give good service in the car, so we stay close to home, and wind up seeing clients in the supermarket, in the hardware store, or out to buy a cup of coffee.”

The auditorium inside Easthampton High School, a recent Caolo & Bieniek project with many ‘green’ features.

The firm has also performed historic-preservation work, which comes with two distinct, and often competing, challenges: restoring buildings according to a client’s demands, or working with a client who doesn’t care about a structure’s historical elements, but local and state historical commissions do.

“Phoenix Academy has been reviewed by the National Park Service, the Springfield Historical Commission, and the Mass. Historical Commission,” Edgin said. “Some of the challenges with these projects is getting everyone on the same page. It’s often about balance, what’s practical.”

Older buildings pose myriad questions, he added. “What are the requirements of the building code in order to reuse or renovate historic properties? What is the use? It may have been built at a time when the code requirements — what the building has to withstand from a seismic perspective, especially — were much different than what they are now. And, of course, what does it cost? There are a lot of noble gestures you can make, but somebody has to fund them.”

Issues with historic buildings have come to the forefront at a time when renovation is more popular than new construction, and investors are taking a hard look at older properties they can rehab, as opposed to building from the ground up. “Not everyone wants new construction or can afford it,” Edgin said. “Sometimes there’s value in older buildings, but you have to weigh the cost of meeting present needs, and that goes back to building codes and what the long-term cost is going to be.”

Old and New

Architects and contractors have long told BusinessWest that clients are more demanding than ever before, and time windows are often compressed. On the other hand, technology has improved project planning and communication.

“With the computers these days, the visualization tools we can use now, we’re no longer showing just flat plans. People often can’t read two-dimensional plans, but now we’re showing them three-dimensional images, what it will really look like,” Edgin said. “But you have to keep up with the technology and the new software, and so does your staff.”

It helps that most of Caolo & Bieniek’s 10 employees have been with the firm for many years, bringing consistency to operations. The same goes for customers. “A lot of our clients are long-standing. Even cities and municipalities, we’ll do multiple projects — it might be a school, a public-safety project, and a library project in the same city or town.”

Customer loyalty is critical at a time when firms from Boston and Connecticut are raiding the Pioneer Valley for work, a trend that has developed and intensified over the past 10 to 15 years.

To keep those clients happy, “you have to plan ahead. Everything moves so much faster these days, but you still have to allow time for the process. It doesn’t just happen. If you want a successful project, sometimes it takes years of foresight, and hopefully clients are thinking in the long term, too, rather than just today, what the present need is. Ultimately, that should shape your decision making.”

That forward thinking is one driving force behind sustainable building, but Edgin said it’s important in any project.

“You have to manage expectations, understand what’s possible and what’s not; you have to be honest,” he added. “People have very lofty goals, but cost is often the driving factor. You try to bring your experience — communicate your knowledge and understanding of the process — as early as possible to the client to determine what the end result will be.”

The goal, of course, is something everyone can live with — both literally and figuratively.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Landmark Decisions

Architecture Sections

Gillen Collaborative Architects Offers a Unique Approach

Several years ago, William Gillen changed his business model to one where architects work independently but market themselves as a team.

When William Gillen created Gillen Collaborative Architects Inc. in Amherst, he based his business model on decades of honed experience. “There is no payroll here, so there is no pressure to generate a bill. If one of us wants to spend 24 hours working with a group, we do it,” he said, noting that the two registered architects under his umbrella are self-employed and can work independently on their own projects, or collaboratively as a group, while sharing resources and information from their own areas of expertise.

The trio, which includes Gillen, Carol Vincze, and John Krifka, have more than 100 years of combined experience, and venture into territory that most architects don’t have the time or interest to explore.

For example, when Krifka began working on a contract to renovate the Berkshire Family and Probate Court in Pittsfield and restore its north façade, he came up with an idea to create a documentary that would benefit the public, the city, the state, and groups interested in historic restoration.

After he spoke to city officials about obtaining a grant to pay for a detailed video production of the restoration and renovation, UMass graduate student John Dickson heard about it from the Pittsfield Historical Commission and received permission to document the work as part of his thesis. In addition to a written document, he created a seven-minute video with Pittsfield Community Television titled “Conserving the Old Berkshire Athenaeum,” which can be seen on YouTube.

Since the work on the courthouse is not yet complete, he is also working on another version, which he expects will be at least an hour in length. The finished product will be shown on public-access TV and will serve as a tribute to the artisans who created the 1876 building as well as those who painstakingly matched intricate patterns on the crumbling stone.

“City officials feared the project would disrupt parking and traffic to and from local business, so the idea was born partially to help to help establish liaisons,” Krifka said, explaining that he met with the Town Council and businesses owners to promote the video because he believed it would generate a lot of interest. “Stone structures aren’t built anymore, and I knew this was something that wouldn’t happen in Pittsfield again, so I really wanted it to succeed.”

A photograph was taken of every stone that was removed from the building, and Dickson interviewed a number of artisans about their restoration techniques, including a stained-glass specialist who described the process of reconditioning and replacing missing glass from original windows.

“People will learn many interesting things from the video, such as the fact that you can take a damaged stone with a decorative pattern and build up the missing part with modern materials,” Krifka said, adding that Dickson shared his work with the Western Mass. Historical Commission Coalition at its meeting in July.

“Bill, Carol, and I like to generate ideas,” he added. “But if we were just employees, it wouldn’t be in our interest to do things like this.”

Carol Vincze (right, with John Krifka) says the freedom she has at Gillen Collaborative Architects serves her well in her work.

Vincze agreed and said sharing space with co-workers is a growing trend that allows people to socialize while working independently or in collaboration with each other.

She explained that the freedom she has at Gillen Collaborative Architects served her well when she redesigned the Amherst Survival Center. It serves more than 4,400 needy individuals each year, and Vincze was determined to see firsthand how it used its existing space before she began forming ideas for a design.

“I visited the center at least six times and ate lunch there. I also watched people come and go, and interviewed members of the staff who told me it was important to build a feeling of community,” Vincze said. “They thought they needed six rooms for activities, but it quickly became clear which areas could be combined.”

As a result, she was able to create a workable design, assist with the client’s fund-raising efforts, oversee the bidding and construction administration, and do everything else required to finish the project on time and on budget.

Business Changes

Gillen, who farms 20 acres and owns several real-estate firms in addition to his architectural company, changed his business name several times and had a number of partners in the course of more than five decades of work.

In 1969, the Boston architectural firm that employed him asked him to move to Amherst to take over a satellite office, and all went well until the recession of 1975.

“A moratorium was placed on most state projects, and it knocked the wind out of our sails,” he recalled. “There was not enough work for the architectural firm to keep its Amherst office, so they allowed me to take it over.”

He named his new business William Gillen Architects, finished the projects started by his previous employer, and began paying the employees’ salaries.

A short time later, he formed a partnership with architects John Kuhn, Christopher Riddle, and Dennis Gray, and the business was renamed Gillen, Kuhn, Riddle and Gray Inc.

The firm grew quickly, and although Kuhn and Riddle left in 1988, Gillen and Gray stayed together and kept 10 of 30 employees. In the early ’90s, they were joined by former classmate Kevin Omarah, and the firm’s name changed to Gillen, Gray and Omarah Architects Inc.

“But Omarah died, and Gray moved to Salem, and I became Gillen Architects again; by that time, I knew I needed to be more than a one-man band to do sizeable projects,” Gillen said, explaining that it is risky for a client to do a project with only one architect.

In the late ’90s, Kathleen Ford joined him from New York City, and Ford Gillen Architects was born. The duo worked together for a decade, but after she left and Gillen found himself on his own again, he began collaborating with Vincze because he needed help to complete some large state projects.

“Several years ago, I changed my business name and model again to better reflect what I was doing and market more effectively,” Gillen said, adding that he formed a collaborative because he wanted to eliminate the stress of constantly having to meet payroll. “I created a model where we are all independent, but can also work together and market ourselves as a group.”

However, each of the architects has their own niche.

Gillen specializes in historic preservation and unpretentious architecture that is harmonious with a neighborhood. Meanwhile, Vincze is LEED-certified, and Krifka has done a number of institutional and commercial projects for nonprofit organizations.

Gillen provides space inside a building he owns on Main Street as well as a full-time receptionist who acts as an administrative manager and does all of the paperwork.

“We share resources and networking, but since each architect has their own business, there is no set time for any of us to arrive or leave. But we’ve been very fortunate; architecture is very competitive, and we’ve been awarded several half-million-dollar contracts,” he told BusinessWest, outlining projects that include renovations and updates to buildings at UMass Amherst and county courthouses.

A year ago, the trio was hired to create a master plan for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Northampton, which is located in the Elm Street Historic District.

“We marketed ourselves as a group, but Carol is the project manager,” Gillen said, noting that the renovation plan is in the design stage and includes adding an elevator, a social hall, and office space.

Vincze spent untold hours at the church, helping members of the building committee generate ideas.

“We work really well with committees made up of lay people. In fact, we spend more time figuring out what people need and how much it will cost than any architectural firm I have ever worked for,” she said, adding that she is also involved with a design for a new, large mixed-use building in South Amherst that is under construction.

Gillen’s project history is storied and includes the conversion of the former Northampton railroad station in 1980 into restaurants, as well as the 2002 design of the Strong Avenue shops and condominiums in Northampton, which won accolades from the city. Meanwhile, Krifla’s previous employment included stints with three architectural firms in New York.

Their combined experience has served them well. In fact, over the past three years, the trio has undertaken at least 100 projects.

“Many of them were small, but they were punctuated by the $3.5 million Pittsfield District Courthouse renovation and restoration and a $2.5 million upgrade to the Gardner District Courthouse,” Gillen said. “We also just completed the preliminary work to put a new boiler room in the Pittsfield Superior Courthouse, which will provide heat for the entire district.”

He added that he and designer Lisa Lindgren, who has also begun working collaboratively with him, are creating plans for a house in Hadley.

Attention to Detail

Vincze said one thing that sets Gillen Collaborative Architects apart from other firms is that the architects see their projects through from start to finish.

“We maintain continuity with our clients from the time of the first interview to opening-day ribbon-cutting ceremonies and the years beyond,” she told BusinessWest.

Gillen added that the architects take pride in being accessible, even when it involves little or no notice. “Yesterday at 7:48 a.m., a masonry contractor called me and asked if I could meet him at St. John’s in 40 minutes. I wasn’t dressed, but I got there on time. Then I was told a general contractor was going to remove the staging on the courthouse in Pittsfield over the weekend and needed our architects to take a close look at it, so I volunteered to go there on Friday so the contractor could meet his schedule.

“The bottom line,” he stressed, “is that, if one person is successful, we are all successful.”

Economic Outlook 2015 — Positively Charged

Cover Story Economic Outlook Sections

Region’s Economy Gets a Jolt of Vibrancy

Since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, economic expansion in Western Mass. — and many other parts of the country as well — has been, in a word, limited.

And these limits have resulted from a host of factors that have stood in the way of more profound recovery. They include everything from lackluster hiring trends to high energy prices and their impact on businesses and consumers alike; from economic turmoil abroad, especially in Europe, to political chaos in Washington, as with the so-called fiscal cliff of early 2013; from a floundering housing market to a persistent lack of confidence among business owners.

But as the new year approaches, say experts we spoke with, much of this whitewater seems to be giving way to smoother conditions that are much more conducive to progress. The coast isn’t clear, they imply, but it is much clearer.

Indeed, Bob Nakosteen, a professor of Economics at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, told BusinessWest that he sees positive signs almost everywhere he looks, something he hasn’t been able to say for at least the past seven years.

That includes the latest employment statistics for the Bay State, which show unemployment in Springfield at 8.4% (down from 10.6% a year ago), which he considers a bellwether.

“What’s happening now is that the economic recovery is actually permeating Western Massachusetts, something you couldn’t say over the past several years,” he noted, adding that Boston, Cambridge, and other communities have enjoyed a far-more-robust recovery. “If you look at the employment numbers, we’re adding jobs in this part of the state, and that’s a really good development.”

That also includes the gas pump, where the prices for regular are now below $3 a gallon in all but a few of the 50 states and below $2 in a few (Oklahoma, for example). By all indications, they should stay at those levels, or drop even further, in the weeks ahead.

“And this simply puts money in people’s pockets,” Nakosteen explained. “When you pay for gas at the gas station, most if that money leaves the state — some of it stays, but most of it just goes away. Now, that money is staying in people’s pockets, but hopefully not for long; there are some estimates that people will spend at least half of what they save at the pump, and that goes to local businesses.”

The positive trends also include the housing market, the balance sheets of both businesses and families (both are carrying less debt), and consistently rising numbers when it comes to business confidence.

And then, there’s that $800 million casino project in Springfield’s South End. It isn’t officially underway yet — at least in terms of demolition or construction — but it is already generating excitement, movement within the long-stagnant commercial real-estate market, and talk of opportunities in many forms.

“We’ve had two vendor fairs, and they were very well-attended by small and medium-sized businesses who are looking at the possibility of doing business with the casino, and that’s a real positive sign,” said Jeff Ciuffreda, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, noting that there is anticipation with regard to jobs — both construction and permanent — and the casino’s vast potential for bringing more meetings and conventions to the city and region as a whole.

Meanwhile, the announcement that Changchun Railway Co. will be building subway cars in the former Westinghouse site has spurred anticipation of more than 150 well-paying manufacturing jobs as well as hopes for further growth within the region’s once-prominent manufacturing sector.

Despite all this welcome news, there are some points of global economic concern, said Cliff Noreen, president of Springfield-based Babson Capital Management LLC. He cited everything from a slowing growth rate in China to falling bond rates in many European countries to the fact that, while corporate profits are soaring, that wealth is, by and large, not being shared with employees.

The $800 million MGM Springfield, due to start taking shape in Springfield’s South End, is one of many sources of optimism across the region.

“In the third quarter, U.S. corporate profits were up 9% on revenue growth of 4%,” he explained. “And this results from a very intense focus on managing expenses, which is to the detriment of employees; wages as a percentage of GDP have dropped to 43%, the lowest level in years.”

But, overall, Noreen and others are generally optimistic about the year ahead, so much so that the adverbs ‘guardedly’ and ‘cautiously,’ which have preceded that term since the recession officially ended nearly six years ago, have been generally dropped from most commentary.

“I do think that the mood of small-business owners is positive — I sense a better buzz, a better feel now than I have in the past several years,” said Ciuffreda. “Some of this is downtown-centric, with UMass here, the progress at 1550 Main Street, NPR’s new facilities, new tenants in 1350 Main St. … the feeling is a lot better; the city is more positive than I’ve ever seen it.”

Fueling Speculation

Like Nakosteen, Noreen called falling gas prices a form of economic stimulus, and he offered some eye-opening numbers to get his point across.

“Every penny that gas drops results in $1.3 billion of additional money or funds for consumers and business in the United States — discretionary spending,” he explained. “Gas has dropped approximately 55 cents from the beginning of the year, which should result in a savings of $73 billion, which is effectively stimulus, which comes out to about four-tenths of 1% of GDP.”

Nakosteen cited estimates that the average family will save perhaps $60 a month due to the falling gas prices. “And if you do the arithmetic, take half that and add that up over a whole lot of households, that’s really money being spent in the region,” he said. “And from all I’m reading, this decline in fuel prices is not going to be short-lived; it’s going to last for a while.”

This windfall — unexpected but in some ways not surprising, given the explosion in the production of shale oil in this country — is just one of many reasons, large and small, for rising optimism regarding the economy, even as those numbers are tempered by the damage done to the energy sector when oil falls to below $70 a barrel.

Nakosteen said the improving employment numbers are equally important, if not moreso.

Cliff Noreen says that, despite general optimism about the economy, there are many factors, here and abroad, that could impact the pace of growth.

Elaborating, he noted that, for the most part, whatever recovery this region has enjoyed over the past several years has been generally of the jobless variety. But recent employment reports show that perhaps that scenario is changing.

“It’s been really a slow slog,” Nakosteen said of employment in the four western counties and especially Springfield. “Maybe the recovery is really gaining traction in this part of the state, and recent developments are only going to help.”

With jobs come disposable income and a resulting trickle-down, said Noreen, noting quickly that optimism does need to be kept in check by the fact that many jobs being created, not only in Massachusetts but nationwide, are part-time in nature, and with wages that are not keeping pace with inflation.

“More than 321,000 new jobs were created on a net basis in November,” he said, citing the most recent jobs report. “Our concern, and we’ve been saying this to clients all year, is that the quality of jobs is not what it used to be, and many of these jobs are part-time jobs, they’re in service-type industries that are very low-wage, and many of the jobs are being taken by workers over 55 years old, either because they want to work or they need to work.”

But, overall, the job growth is being seen as a positive sign for the region’s economy, as is the growing confidence among business owners, said PeoplesBank President Doug Bowen, who cited not only the Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ monthly business confidence index and its recent steady improvement, but also trends and activity he’s noticed locally.

“The Massachusetts economy is on track to strengthen, with solid economic growth, and add more jobs in 2015,” he said. “We have a positive outlook for Western Mass. Companies in our portfolio, in general, are doing well and showing moderate growth. Some of these business owners are selectively investing in capital equipment and, to a lesser degree, new facilities.

“But we are seeing growth,” he went on. “We’re seeing some that are adding additional shifts, which always precedes the actual physical construction of new space.”

One of the sectors where he’s seeing such movement is aerospace, or machine shops, which he considers a positive sign because those jobs are generally well-paying. But he’s also witnessing growth in other manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and IT.

He said that most of these expansions are resulting not from speculation, but rather from current backlog and existing orders, which leads some to speculate on how long this might continue. However, Bowen noted that he’s seeing generally forward movement and, overall, less hesitation when it comes to additional hiring.

If there are speed bumps down the road for the region’s and nation’s economy, they will likely result from action — or inaction, as the case may be — in other corners of the globe, said those we spoke with.

“Japan is struggling, the Russian ruble has declined substantially, and China is growing at less than people thought,” Noreen explained, adding that these factors and others add up to less demand for U.S. products and commodities such as oil, iron ore, and concrete, which may eventually slow the pace of growth in this country.

“Over the past three years, China used more concrete than the U.S. used in the last 100 years,” said Jay Leonard, a director with Babson Capital Management. “That’s a stunning number, and it helps explain why, with China’s slower rate of growth, oil prices are down, copper prices are down, and steel is getting crushed.”

Meanwhile, Europe continues to be the biggest disappointment on the global economic stage, said Noreen, pointing to bond rates on 10-year government yields (2% in Spain, 1% in France, and 0.77% in Germany) that he called shockingly low.

Industry Terms

As 2015 approaches, those representing several economic sectors anticipate that this will be a year of change, but also challenge and, in many cases, opportunity.

For the long-suffering construction industry, one of the sectors hardest-hit by the recession and the lackluster recovery that followed, change is almost certainly good, said Dave Fontaine, president of Springfield-based Fontaine Brothers.

Doug Bowen says confidence among business owners is growing, and many are making investments in their ventures.

He told BusinessWest that, while 2014 has not been a banner year for his company — “we had work, but it was all booked in 2013” — there has been some improvement in several areas within construction, from home building to infrastructure work (roads and bridges). And the consensus is that 2015 will be better because of what he called “pent-up frustration.”

But easily the greatest source of optimism within the industry is the approaching start of work on the casino.

While the general contractor for this massive project will certainly be a firm from well outside the 413 area code, undoubtedly one with several casino projects in its portfolio, Fontaine said, there will be a trickle-down effect, with many area subcontractors and individual tradesmen (all unionized) in line to win much-needed work.

Just how much work remains to be seen, obviously, but Fontaine expects the project to have a deep impact on the sector and its workforce.

“The casino project is going to be good for the general trades, because I know that, for bricklayers, carpenters, and laborers, their hours were down significantly this past year,” he said. “These types of projects certainly employ a lot of people, and they employ them quickly and for a lot of hours, but then they’re done.”

What the sector will have to guard against, to whatever extent possible, is a shortage of manpower for other projects because of the attractiveness of the casino work in terms of hours, wages, and the opportunity for overtime.

“There’s the potential for some manpower shortages, because everyone would want to be down at the casino because they’re getting overtime and six days a week and whatnot,” Fontaine explained. “But our group of tradespeople that work for us, I don’t see them packing up and abandoning us to give their life to the casino for two years.”

Change is also expected in the banking sector, where Bowen believes the recent spate of mergers and acquisitions will give way to a more stable environment.

Indeed, 2014 saw the completion of the merger of equals between United Bank and Connecticut-based Rockville National, and the announced acquisition of Hampden Bank, the last institution based in Springfield, by Pittsfield-based Berkshire Bank.

“To a large extent, it’s pretty much over,” he told BusinessWest. “There may be one or two more organizations that come into play, but the organizations that positioned themselves for merger or acquisition have pretty much achieved their objective.”

These mergers present opportunities in several forms, especially for community banks like PeoplesBank, said Bowen, noting that, whenever such acquisitions take place and management of the acquired bank shifts away from Greater Springfield, commercial and consumer accounts will be moved to small institutions. Meanwhile, such unions generally result in downsizing, which enables banks to recruit talented individuals that already know the local market.

“As an independent, mutually owned bank with no shareholders, we often become the bank of choice for customers who have experienced some disruption in their banking experience,” he said. “This year alone, we’ve increased deposits by more than $100 million; a typical year might by three-quarters that amount.”

Another sector that bears watching in 2015 is healthcare, which is still struggling to cope with the changes brought on the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and the ongoing shift from a fee-for-service system to one focused much more on population health.

Such a shift requires providers to make significant investments in equipment, systems, and personnel, said Dennis Chalke, Baystate Health’s chief financial officer, treasurer, and senior vice president of Community Hospitals, adding that these investments come at a time when reimbursements for care are flat or declining and inpatient stays, a major source of revenue, are falling.

Thus, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make them, especially for stand-alone hospitals, he said, which explains why North Adams Regional Hospital closed in 2014 and why Stewart Health Care System announced that it was shuttering Quincy Medical Center, the largest hospital closing in the state in more than a decade.

“Right now, Medicare is penalizing people if their readmission rates are too high,” he explained. “That means you have to now invest in tools and other things to decrease readmissions, so when patients leave the hospital you have to make sure they follow up with physician office visits and they that they are adhering to their medications and so forth — and that takes investments in things you wouldn’t traditionally invest in.

“That’s a good thing,” he went on. “But we’re not getting paid to do that. We avoid losing dollars when we do that; it’s almost like a negative incentive. And that’s the biggest challenge facing the industry moving forward.”

As for the casino, Ciuffreda said that, overall, apprehension about the gaming facility is diminishing, at least within the business community, and it is generally being replaced with optimism, although some concern remains about its long-term sustainability.

“The mood is very positive — the only slightly gray cloud hanging over the casino is its sustainability 10 years out or so,” he said. “About 95% of the people feel very comfortable about the next five years, and 75% are comfortable about the next 10 years, but some questions start to creep in about what happens after that.”

Money Talks

Challenge and opportunity. Those two words sum up the outlook for each sector and the regional economy as a whole.

But, overall, the emphasis this year seems to be more on opportunity, as it pertains to jobs, growth through additional discretionary spending, expansion, and the many forms of trickledown anticipated from the casino.

As Nakosteen said, it appears that the economic recovery is actually permeating Western Mass.

And it’s about time.

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

The Suspense Is Building

Economic Outlook Sections

The Planning of 2014 Will Give Way to Construction in 2015

By JEFFREY S. CIUFFREDA

The year now drawing to a close might best be known for all of the planning that went into several projects, and therefore 2015 will likely become known as the year of construction, because many, if not all, of these planned projects entered into the construction phase.

Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda

Indeed, 2014 saw a fair amount of construction, and some of what took place was rebuilding from the 2011 tornado that ripped through Springfield and the surrounding area. Several schools in Springfield were either repaired or rebuilt, bringing construction volume to more than $100 million. While the construction trades had suffered double-digit unemployment for a few years, these public projects helped keep some of those workers employed.

Some long-time institutions spent considerable money in 2014 to upgrade their facilities, and in some cases add jobs. Mercy Medical Center completed a $20 million addition to its campus, and National Public Radio renovated a downtown building at the cost of $3 million, adding to the rebirth of the downtown that brought some jobs down from their Amherst location. Caring Health Center completed its renovations in the South End, spending $15 million to do so.

Looking ahead to 2015, there is more construction to come, but this time complete with new jobs.

This past year saw an up-and-down planning process with expanded gaming in Massachusetts, culminating in a final vote by the citizens of the Commonwealth to move forward with this concept. That gave the green light to MGM to commence its $800 million project in Springfield’s South End. It is expected that a general contractor will be named, and it will choose its subcontractors by spring, and construction will begin. Roughly 2,000 construction jobs are expected on site once the project is fully underway. The 3,000 permanent jobs this development promises will not be seen until 2017, but the planning for those jobs, including job training, will commence in 2015.

Another project that was in planning during 2014 and will begin construction in 2015 promises to bring 150 jobs to start. Changchun Railway Co., a Chinese firm, won the state’s bid to construct rail cars for the MBTA and chose to do so right here in Springfield. This company is a worldwide entity, yet, until this decision, it had no presence in North America. It hopes to make Springfield its North American headquarters and grow those original jobs to 300 within one to two years. These are good-paying machinist positions as well as countless other support jobs, all of which will greatly add to the economic well-being of our region’s major city and its people.

Adding to the region’s inventory of hotel rooms and, therefore, boosting the tourism sector of our economy is the new $ 5 million Hampton Inn on East Columbus Avenue in Springfield, which will open in 2015. The Silverbrick Co.’s rehabilitation of the old Morgan Square in downtown Springfield will remake those buildings into market-rate housing, and many of those units will be on the market for 2015. While these private-sector jobs are essential to economic development, there are several public-sector projects that will also be underway in 2015, many, again, related in some way to the devastating storms suffered over the past three years.

A new, $8 million South End Community Center, a $12 million senior center, and an $8 million police station will all add up to better facilities and better services. The year ahead will also be marked by the start of the largest infrastructure project the area has seen in a decade — the complete rehabilitation of the elevated section of I-91 that runs through Springfield from the I-291 intersection to just south of State Street.

This $235 million project will begin in late spring of 2015 and continue on for three years. While no project of this magnitude can be done without some inconvenience, it will guarantee the region a safe roadway, which is the crucial economic link to our Western Mass. region.

Meanwhile, the $82 million rehabilitation of Union Station into a transportation hub, complete with amenities and available office space, will be mostly completed in 2015, creating a true anchor for the North End of Springfield.

If 2014 was the planning year, and 2015 the construction year, 2016 will be filled with ribbon cuttings and new jobs, both construction and permanent. The outlook has not been this positive for our region’s major city in quite some time.

Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda is president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield.

Where Voices Matter

Business of Aging Sections

Emeritus of East Longmeadow Caters to Residents’ Requests

Philip Noto says the Emeritus of East Longmeadow building was carefully designed to accommodate the needs of aging seniors.

Philip Noto says the difference between Emeritus of East Longmeadow and other local assisted-living facilities can be found in the details.

“It’s easy to get the big things right, but small things play a major role in the happiness of residents,” said the facility’s executive director, noting that this is the reason why he fought to get granite countertops and full-size refrigerators installed in every unit when the building was under construction.

“I had managed other assisted-living facilities and listened to complaints from residents who wanted to keep ice cream in their freezers, but couldn’t do so because of their size. It might sound like a small thing, but paying attention to small things is what sets us apart from other communities,” he told BusinessWest, adding that his insistence on granite countertops was based on the knowledge that many people who move into residential communities are leaving upscale homes and don’t want to downgrade their kitchens.

Nathan Grenon, regional director of sales and marketing, agrees that small measures make a significant difference, and says everyone employed at Emeritus does their best to cater to residents’ requests. He cited an example of a 97-year-old woman who had been a gourmet cook who told them she hoped their chef would make homemade cream of carrot soup.

“She told us she had requested it for five years in another facility, but it was never prepared,” Grenon said. “So, we introduced her to our cook, who made it exactly the way she wanted, and today it is the most popular soup on our menu.”

Noto and Grenon cited myriad other examples of resident suggestions that have led to change within the state-of-the art, two-story, 90,000-square-foot building that opened April 21 on 10 acres of land on Parker Street. “Emeritus is a 25-year-old company; we recently merged with Brookdale Senior Living, and we now have more than 1,150 properties across the country,” Noto said, adding that decades of feedback from seniors were incorporated into the design of the East Longmeadow facility.

The building is airy, spacious, and well-lit. Comfortable chairs surround a cozy gas fireplace near the entrance, where residents gather to socialize or take part in activities. There is also an expansive dining room with a cathedral ceiling, a library, several courtyards, a business area equipped with computers with large touchscreens, a private dining room that can be reserved for family functions, a café where residents can prepare foods they like or enjoy snacks throughout the day or evening, a game room, a movie theater that seats up to 20 people in full-size armchairs, and a plethora of other common living spaces.

“We have 71 assisted-living units and one of the largest, most expansive memory-care neighborhoods in Western Mass.,” said Grenon. “There is a nurse on duty from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and we offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy on site.”

In addition to enjoying a full roster of activities, many residents stroll daily on a quarter-mile pathway that circles the building. Benches are set along it so they can stop and relax, and many gravitate to an outdoor gas firepit that burns brightly during inclement weather. In fact, residents enjoy going outside so much that a number of activities scheduled to take place inside are now held outdoors in response to their feedback.

Changing the Landscape

Noto reiterated that seemingly small details, including the food choices on the menu and the daily activities, make a difference in how happy residents feel on a daily basis.

To ensure that staff members know what residents want, Emeritus holds three monthly meetings and invites everyone who resides in the building. One is focused on general suggestions to improve the facility, the second gives people an opportunity to suggest new foods they would like to see served in the dining room, and the third allows them to vote on activities they want to engage in, as well as destinations for day trips.

“This is their home, and we want to get their input so we can adjust our program to meet their needs,” Noto said. “Our residents have a voice. Their concerns are heard, and we change things that are important to them.”

Grenon concurred. “We want to make their experience here as pleasurable as possible.”

Indeed, many changes have been made as a result of the meetings, which range from creating an area in the dining room where male residents can eat together, to rearranging the furniture in a common area and game room.

“The residents wanted to move the poker table into a room of its own, so we did it,” Noto said.

Grenon added that new activities have also been instituted, such as a Bible-study club that meets every Thursday. “The idea came from residents who were interested in spiritual activities,” he noted.

Brittany Sheehan shows off a life station in the memory unit at Emeritus at East Longmeadow, designed to evoke memories in residents who have children.

The fact that Emeritus does not require people to buy into the facility and residents rent on a month-to-month basis also gives them peace of mind. And although there are scheduled meal times, residents who miss a meal can be served at any time in the dining room. In addition, each unit has its own thermostat, which allows people to adjust the heat or air conditioning to their personal comfort levels.

These factors, combined with the dedication of employees, have led to success, and although the facility has been open only eight months, 45 of the 71 assisted-living units are occupied. Residents range in age from 66 to 99, and the ratio of females to males is about 50-50.

The assisted-living units include one- and two-bedroom suites with one or two baths. Each one contains a microwave, a full-sized refrigerator, and several large closets with a lockbox. The bathrooms have spacious showers with heat lamps and no lips, reducing the risk of tripping. In addition, the transitions between carpeting and wood floors are very smooth, making it easy for people to move through the community.

But Noto said the way residents are treated trumps the beauty and functionality of the real estate, and added that every member of his staff is passionate about their job. “We have an extensive interview process for job candidates. Every employee needs to feel they make a difference in the lives of our residents every day.”

Enhanced Memory Unit

Space has also filled quickly in the Acres, the memory-care unit, and Grenon said having it within the building allows people to “age in place,” giving them the option to move into it if they need extra help or support.

In fact, having assisted-living units and a memory neighborhood under one roof is ideal for some couples, he noted, explaining that one resident who lives in an assisted-living suite visits her husband every day in the Acres, where they stroll down the wide hallways within the secure neighborhood.

The thought that went into the design of the building can be seen in the layout of the shared rooms in the Acres. Although they were built for two people to live in, the only thing they actually share is the bathroom, which is situated between their private suites. Each person has their own door that opens into their living space, and shadowboxes are stationed outside that families fill with photos or mementos to help their loved ones easily recognize their personal entranceway.

Again, Grenon said families appreciate the attention to detail that is part of the program as much as the enhanced real estate.

“An example of this is that, when staff check on the residents every hour throughout the night, they have to enter each person’s bathroom and press a button to signal that they have actually been there,” he noted, explaining that the signals are recorded, which alleviates any anxiety as to whether the hourly checks actually occur.

The Acres also contains unusual ‘life stations,’ designed to promote activities that are familiar to residents. One contains a crib filled with baby dolls, a changing table with doll clothing, and a rocking chair. “Many of our residents are mothers, and when they see the dolls, they pick them up, change them, rock them, and even bring them to meals,” Grenon said.

Another life station contains a map and globe and was created to spark memories about places residents have visited, while a third has a collection of men’s and women’s hats, scarves, and jewelry they can don at a dressing table with a mirror.

“The life stations are part of our effort to keep them engaged and keep their brains stimulated. We don’t want people staying in their rooms,” Grenon said.

A special ‘quiet room’ was also built into the unit. It doesn’t have windows and is used by staff members as a place to bring residents who are agitated or suffering from the confusion that can occur when the sun sets. “They can turn on relaxing music and calm the person down in this quiet, secure place,” he explained.

Memory Care Director Brittany Sheehan says caretakers in the Acres are trained in how to deal with memory loss, and get to know each resident well. She added that the caregivers serve the residents’ meals and help them with daily tasks of living, such as dressing and showering, which allows them to build solid relationships through continuity and familiarity.

“It also helps them learn what each resident likes and dislikes,” Sheehan said. “But before they even move in, I have their families fill out a detailed, six-page questionnaire so we can provide personal touches they would have enjoyed at home. For example, a resident might like a cup of tea every night before going to bed. We do our best to customize our care to fit each individual’s needs.”

She runs a monthly support group for families and meets with them on a regular basis. “I call them if their loved one is having a bad day or a really good day. And every month I mail them ‘A Moment in Time,’” she said, explaining that it is a handwritten letter with pictures of their loved one engaged in activities.

Quality of Life

Grenon said Emeritus has quickly become a valuable community asset.

“Before it was built, many people were apprehensive because they didn’t know what to expect,” he explained. “But officials in East Longmeadow and people in the surrounding towns have been very supportive since we opened, as they appreciate what we have to offer.”

Noto agreed, and said the facility’s staff will continue to focus on improving small things that make a difference.

“Our residents have a voice, and we change things in response to their requests,” he said. “Everything we do is aimed at providing quality care, which is important because this is their home.”

Doing Business as Certificates

DBA Certificates Departments

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

AGAWAM

GR33N Lift Skateboards
611 Suffield St.
Jeffrey Auld

Laser Tag Adventures
37 Overlook Dr.
Newton Vezina

Mass Gutter Cleaning
231 Lancaster Dr.
Yuriy Panchelyuga

Tailor Made Paintless Dent Repair
11 Albert St.
Timothy J. Rapa

Tribute Designs
75 Elm St.
Cheryl Terramagra

CHICOPEE

Dependable Daycare
62 Old Fuller Road
David Dunn

John’s Draft Service
56 Montcalm St.
John Martin

Veras Mini Market & Deli
830 Chicopee St.
Santana Veras

View Street Tavern
92 View St.
Aristides Nunes

HOLYOKE

EZ Exchange
324 Appleton St.
Mimi Mai

Jerry’s Auto Repair & Sales
901 Main St.
Victor M. Gomez

JP’s Restaurant
200 Whiting Farms Road
James Lavelle

Maria Gift Shop
252 Maple St.
Maria M. Rondon

Murry’s Ductwork
2103 Northampton St.
Matt McNee

Pelletier Insulation
143 Suffolk St.
Donald W. Pelletier

NORTHAMPTON

King Street Convenience Store
60 King St.
Zahoor Mian

On Point Full Service Salon
1 North Main St.
Deanna Subocz

Pleasant Journey Used Cars
5 Fulton Ave.
John Davey

Straight Up Hair Design
59 Conz St.
Tammis Lander

Uniquely Greener Massachusetts
6 Conz St.
Seth Fischer

Willow Works Construction
16 Plymouth Ave.
Devin Ray

PALMER

Apple Automotive
1205 South Main St.
Raymond Labonte

BJC Realty Trust
2193 Palmer St.
Bernard Croteau

Class Act Events
75 Mason St.
Michael Perkins

J.P. Auto Services
364 Boston Road
Jean Carbonneau

Love & Light Energy Healing
164 State St.
Pamela Hutchins

Palmer House of Fine Jewelry
1512 North Main St.
Nancy Theriault

Stolar Realty, LLC
2001 Calkins Road
Renee Niedziela

SPRINGFIELD

A+ Family Child Care
37 Waldorf St.
Avril Reid

Action Auto Sales
78 Lincoln St.
Frank S. Rocco

Asian Bazaar
607 Dickinson St.
Rizvan Merza

Autobahn Express Motors
501 St. James Ave.
Luz Z. Lopez

Bay Street Barber Shop
318 Bay St.
Joe Morales

Be Attitude
233 Savoy Ave.
Kimberley Renay

Brylo Auto Window Tint
51 Dale St.
Bryan Lora

Cabrera Market
520 Union St.
Adelzo Lantigua

Cape Cod Nutrition Corner
1728 Boston Road
Michael Craven

Foxy’s Gift Baskets
98 Woodside Terrace
Edwin J. Pagan

Gabbidon Tile Works
109 Malden St.
Ian K. Gabbidon

Good Management
590 Main St.
Gustavo Parra

Harley’s Treasurer Trove
30 Parker St.
Michele A. Tarr

Inspired Marketing Inc.
20 Maple St.
Jill C. Monson

JMS Business Services
6 Macomber Ave.
James M. Skarbek

WESTFIELD

Bodywise Physical Therapy, LLC
82 Broad St.
Bodywise Physical Therapy, LLC

Bright Sail Cleaning
51 Southwick Road
Alla Bazukin

Chez Louise
3 Harrison Ave.
Julie L. Duris

Pignature Farm
380 East Mountain Road
Marla J. Pignature

Tangles
43 Union St.
Cinda, Inc.

Tanning Zone
47 Southwick Road
The Tanning Zone

Briefcase

Briefcase Departments

BusinessWest Owner Donates $500,000 to Cathedral High School
SPRINGFIELD — Cathedral High School has received a $500,000 donation from Cathedral alumnus John Gormally, owner of BusinessWest magazine. Cathedral High School President Dr. Ann Southworth said the gift “will be used to provide immediate tuition assistance to students desiring a Cathedral High School education, as well as support faculty.” But the money is more than just a donation. Gormally is also challenging the business community in Western Mass. to “step up to the plate and show their support” like he has done. “I have confidence in Catholic education,” said Gormally, a 1978 graduate of the school. “I think it is important to have a Catholic high school in Springfield. It is my hope and desire that the Springfield Diocese finds a way to rebuild Cathedral on Surrey Road in Springfield. I would also hope that the business community steps up to recognize Cathedral as the important resource it is in the community and financially support it.”

Bay Path Commits to Expand College Access
LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University President Carol Leary joined President Obama, the first lady, and Vice President Biden, along with hundreds of college presidents and other higher-education leaders, to announce new actions to help more students prepare for and graduate from college. The White House College Opportunity Day of Action helped support Obama’s commitment to partner with colleges and universities, business leaders, and nonprofits to support students across the country. “I am honored to participate in this important initiative and to represent the 76.6 million adult women in this country who do not have a baccalaureate degree,” said Leary. “Through the launch of the American Women’s College at Bay Path University, we are making a bold commitment to provide a truly revolutionary model of higher education for underserved adult women. It is time that we as a country focus on this population. Higher education has the potential to transform a woman’s life and, in so doing, positively impact her community, her workplace, and her family. The generational impact of educating adult women is profound: research demonstrates that only 13% of children of women without a degree go on to college. When a woman earns a degree, that figure escalates to 49%. A focus on the education of adult women is critical to President Obama’s goal of restoring our nation as a global leader in college-educated citizenry.” Leary is among the participants being asked to commit to new action in one of four areas: building networks of colleges around promoting completion, creating K-12 partnerships around college readiness, investing in high-school counselors as part of the first lady’s Reach Higher initiative, and increasing the number of college graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Expanding opportunity for more students to enroll and succeed in college, especially low-income and underrepresented students, is vital to building a strong economy and a strong middle class. Today, only 9% of those born in the lowest family income quartile attain a bachelor’s degree by age 25, compared to 54% in the top quartile.

Chief Executives Expect Firms to Keep Growing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Business Roundtable said Tuesday that 40% of its member CEOs plan to hire more workers, up from 34% in the third quarter. Nearly three-quarters project their sales will rise, roughly the same as the previous quarter. The findings suggest that slowing growth overseas hasn’t caused large corporations to pull back on their hiring plans. Still, the CEOs say they are less likely to invest in new facilities or equipment; 13% say they plan to cut such spending, up from just 10% in the previous quarter. The survey was conducted between Oct. 22 and Nov. 12, and is based on 129 responses from the Roundtable’s 200 member CEOs.

Panel Calls for Changes in State Officials’ Pay
BOSTON — A seven-member advisory commission created by legislation to review compensation for the state’s constitutional officers and the Legislature presented its findings and recommendations Monday in a detailed report to the public and policy makers. The commission, chaired by Ira Jackson, dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston, was established by Section 239 of the state budget and appointed in September 2014 to analyze compensation for public officials, including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor, and the Legislature. The commission was mandated to issue its report by Dec. 1. “The Advisory Commission conducted a transparent, open, data-driven review of the current compensation of public officials and developed a series of major reforms and recommendations based on its research, as well as input from the public,” said Jackson. “We recommend that the Legislature strongly consider implementing important reforms to the process of calculating compensation, while at the same time making appropriate increases in compensation levels for the governor and other elected officials to more adequately reflect their responsibilities.” Recommended reforms include:
• Eliminating legislative per diem payments;
• Determining the biennial adjustment in legislative pay through a consistent process using  data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis to measure the quarterly change in salaries and  wages in Massachusetts for the most recent eight quarters;
• Calculating any increase or decrease in compensation for all constitutional officers and the  House speaker and Senate president using the bureau’s data on a biennial basis;
• Limiting outside employment through a first-in-the-nation measure precluding the  constitutional officers, House speaker, and Senate president from earning outside income, other than passive income; and
• Establishing future special advisory commissions on a biennial basis to conduct a thorough  review of compensation and reforms.
Specific recommendations on compensation include:
• Ensuring that any compensation increases must be cost-neutral to the taxpayer through efficiencies and savings identified by the constitutional officers and Legislature and reported on an annual basis to ensure accountability and transparency;
• Establishing the salary for the governor at $185,000, which, when adjusted for cost of living, would rank 10th among the 50 states. Massachusetts is one of only six states that does not provide a governor’s residence or a housing allowance. The commission recommends that the governor receive a housing allowance of $65,000;
• Providing a salary of $175,000 for the attorney general and the treasurer and receiver general;
• Setting a salary of $165,000 for the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, and the state auditor;
• Establishing compensation for the House speaker and Senate president at $175,000 annually; and
• Increasing the legislative office expense to $10,000 for legislators whose districts are within a 50-mile radius of Boston, and to $15,000 for legislators located outside that radius.
“While any recommendation to increase compensation for state leaders may be controversial, the commission believes these increases are appropriate based on the data we reviewed, and the recommended reforms are important foundations for public trust,” said Jackson. “The commission’s recommendations were guided by a thorough review of data comparing Massachusetts with other states, a strong desire to ensure that the state attracts and retains highly talented individuals regardless of means or geography, and the principle that officials should be fairly compensated based on the significant responsibilities of the offices they hold.”

Christopher Heights Project Breaks Ground
NORTHAMPTON — Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein recently joined representatives of the Grantham Group, Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz, MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones, and state and local officials to break ground on the Christopher Heights assisted-living community in Northampton. “Christopher Heights is an important step toward the goal of expanding our supply of affordable housing for all of our citizens in the Commonwealth,” said Gornstein. “DHCD is pleased to assist with this development that will not only provide new housing opportunities for the elderly, but will stimulate local economic activity. We congratulate Grantham Group and appreciate the leadership of Mayor Narkewicz and other local, state, and federal officials who have helped make this project a reality.” Christopher Heights will be the newest development in Village Hill, a 126-acre mixed-use community located on the site of the former Northampton State Hospital. Christopher Heights is expected to open in the fall of 2015 and will have 83 assisted-living units, of which 43 are designated for low-income seniors. Seventeen of the 43 affordable units will be reserved for households earning less than 30% of the area median income. Christopher Heights also has locations in Worcester, Webster, Attleboro, and Marlborough. “We are excited to bring our expertise in assisted-living development and management to the Northampton State Hospital redevelopment known as Village Hill,” said Grantham Group Managing Director Walter Ohanian. “We look forward to serving the senior population who will benefit from the housing and services of an affordable assisted-living community.” The Grantham Group estimates that the project will create 65 construction jobs for the area. Once built, there will be another 40 permanent jobs at the facility. “This exciting new addition to the Village Hill community will provide affordable assisted-living housing for our local seniors,” said state Rep. Peter Kocot. “I want to congratulate the Grantham Group, Undersecretary Gornstein, and Gov. Patrick for their leadership and commitment to developing affordable housing for people of all ages.” Since 2007, the Patrick administration has invested more than $1 billion in state and federal resources to create 24,000 units of housing, of which approximately 22,000 are affordable. In Northampton, DHCD has invested more than $7.6 million to preserve or create 98 units of housing, 95 of which are affordable, for veterans, those who are institutionalized or at-risk of institutionalization, and low-income households.

Funding Awarded for Environmental Projects in Berkshire County
LENOX, PITTSFIELD — Gov. Deval Patrick recently joined state environmental officials and local officials to announce $1.2 million in capital funding to support environmental projects at Baker’s Pond in Lenox and Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, enhancing existing natural habitats and improving recreational opportunities for residents. “Growth requires investment, and creating and upgrading recreational parks and open spaces while also providing important community resources will help create growth and opportunity across the commonwealth,” Patrick said. “This investment will improve the lives of Massachusetts children and families now and for generations to come.” The administration’s $125,000 investment in Baker’s Pond will assist in the final phase of restoration of the pond. The removal of invasive species and water-quality improvements will preserve the habitat for wildlife species and make it a more appealing destination for visitors to Kennedy Park. Berkshire Community College’s Life Sciences Department will work with the town to ensure proper removal of any invasive species and the complete restoration of the pond. “Safe, reliable drinking water has always been a critical need. In the 21st century, we will need to develop new technologies to meet growing demand,” said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern. “I’m pleased that the federal government is joining with the Commonwealth and UMass Amherst in this promising effort.” Baker’s Pond has a history of recreational use, but, after a small dam breach, the pond fell into disrepair, resulting in the growth of invasive plant and animal species. With ongoing improvements, the pond is once again becoming an attraction for tourists and hikers, as well as a habitat for endangered amphibian species. The city of Pittsfield was also awarded $1.1 million to ensure proper drainage and wetland protection as Berkshire Community College works to construct an athletic field on campus, the first of its kind in Berkshire County. The athletic-field location is north of a vernal pool, certified by the Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program, making it important for the project to be environmentally sensitive in order to preserve habitat for plants and animals. “Gov. Patrick has demonstrated a strong commitment to Pittsfield an Berkshire County,” said Mayor Daniel Bianchi. “The city of Pittsfield is pleased to join the governor in a financial commitment for the environmental restoration and construction of the new Berkshire Community College turf field. The new field will provide an athletic hub from Berkshire County and beyond. I look forward to the new events that the BCC turf field will bring to Pittsfield.”

Construction Spending Increases in October
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction spending increased in October amid growing public-sector demand for construction and continued modest growth in residential work, according to an analysis by Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new spending figures underscore the need for measures to increase the supply of qualified construction workers as firms worry about growing labor shortages. “Today’s data shows that construction growth remains volatile,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “While overall construction spending jumped by more than 1% in October, the gain followed two months of stagnation. Public construction was the fastest-growing segment for the month but the slowest-growing over the past year and for the first 10 months of 2014 combined. Conversely, private, non-residential construction inched down from September to October but has risen at double-digit rates — 11% — for the combined January-through-October period. And private residential construction continues to grow very modestly, with multi-family construction taking the lead on an annual basis.” Construction spending in October totaled $971 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 1.1% from the September total and 3.3% higher than in October 2013, Simonson noted. Private residential spending edged up 1.3% from September and 1.9% from a year earlier, while private non-residential spending dropped 1.0% for the month but rose 6.4% year-over-year. The third component of the total — public construction spending — increased 1.5% from September and 2.3% from a year ago. Single-family home construction gained 1.8% for the month and 13.2% over 12 months, and multi-family work increased 1.0% from the September level and jumped 27.2% from a year earlier. The largest private non-residential type, power construction — which includes oil and gas fields and pipelines as well as electric power — slumped 1.9% in October but rose 0.3% from the prior year. Commercial construction — comprising retail, warehouse, and farm projects — decreased 2.6% for the month but increased 9.3% for the year. Manufacturing construction increased 3.4% for the month and 23% year-over-year. Among the largest public segments, highway and street construction inched up 1.1% for the month and declined 0.1% from October 2013. Public-education construction inched up 2.2% and 6.1%, respectively. “For 2014 as a whole and 2015, private non-residential spending and multi-family spending should be the strongest segments, followed by single-family construction, with very limited prospects for public construction,” Simonson said. Association officials said the spending increases come as many firms report growing labor shortages. They urged elected and appointed officials to act on a series of measures the association has identified that will help expand the supply of qualified construction workers. “We need to make sure there are enough workers available to meet growing demand for construction,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO.

Unemployment Rates Down in Massachusetts
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) reported that seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for October were down in 20 Massachusetts labor market areas and up in two areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the year, unemployment rates were down in all the labor market areas. The preliminary statewide unadjusted unemployment rate estimate for October was 5.1%, down 1.1% from September. Over the year, the statewide unadjusted rate was down 1.8% from the October 2013 rate of 6.9%. During October, 10 of the 12 areas for which job estimates are published recorded job gains. The largest job gain was in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy area, followed by the Worcester, Springfield, Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, Peabody, New Bedford, Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner, and Framingham areas. The Pittsfield area had no change in its jobs level over the month, while the Barnstable area recorded a seasonal loss. Since October 2013, all 12 areas added jobs, with the largest percentage gains in the Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, Worcester, Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, Springfield, and Pittsfield areas. The seasonally adjusted statewide October unemployment rate, released on Nov. 20, remained unchanged over the month at 6.0% and down 1.2% over the year. The rate was 0.2% above the 5.8% national unemployment rate. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 1,200-job gain in October and an over-the-year gain of 52,600 jobs. The labor force, unemployment rates, and job estimates for Massachusetts and every other state are based on several different statistical methodologies specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.

ABC Forecasts Continued Growth in Construction Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a steady and ongoing economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2015. The reasonably brisk industry recovery in 2014 should continue in 2015, with momentum especially growing in segments closely related to the current American energy and industrial production resurgence. “ABC forecasts non-residential construction spending will expand by roughly 7.5% next year,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The segments that will experience the largest growth in construction spending in 2015 include power (e.g. natural-gas-related construction), lodging (leisure and business spending), office space (professional-services employment creation), and manufacturing (rebounding industrial production). The public sector will see far more sluggish growth in construction spending; however, this fits a multi-year pattern with private non-residential spending exceeding public non-residential spending by 28% in 2014, up from 15.6% in 2013.”

DevelopSpringfield Buys 77 Maple St.
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Preservation Trust (SPT) announced the sale of 77 Maple St. to DevelopSpringfield for $35,000. The property, built in 1832 as the Springfield Female Seminary, had fallen into a state of disrepair and near-collapse in 2009 when the trust intervened to save the property from demolition. “Today’s sale represents the completion of the trust’s important preservation work and the transfer of the property to a responsible owner who is doing great things next door at 83 Maple St.,” said Don Courtemanche, president of the Springfield Preservation Trust. “We believe having these properties together under single ownership will ultimately be in both properties’ best interests in terms of preservation and marketability.” Added Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield, “we are thrilled to add this wonderful property to our portfolio. It makes so much sense for us to include the rehabilitation of this building in our plans for rehabilitation of the Ansel Phelps House at 83 Maple St.” Since purchasing the property, SPT has made significant structural repairs, including the critical rebuilding of a collapsed wall as well as foundation repairs, roof and trim repairs, and the repair and restoration of 24 of the building’s large, historic windows. The project has been the beneficiary of a great deal of public support, including contributions from the Springfield CDBG Program, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the 1776 Foundation, MassMutual Financial, the Hampden Bank Foundation, Bob McCarroll, and a vast number of SPT members and friends through year-round SPT special events. “We are an all-volunteer organization and could not have saved this building without the support of the community and funders,” said Courtemanche. “This truly was a community effort.” In addition to the Ansel Phelps House, DevelopSpringfield also owns a former carriage house and row of garages on an abutting parcel and an adjacent vacant lot that will provide parking, access, and green space to support both buildings. For information on leasing opportunities, contact Minkarah at (413) 209-8808 or [email protected].

Leadership Pioneer Valley Launches Leadership 2.0
SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) is offering offering a new series of bite-sized training sessions beginning in January to enhance leadership skills and understanding of the region. The sessions are open to LPV alumni and other emerging and established leaders. LPV recognizes that leadership is a lifelong process, and the Leadership 2.0 series features six two- to three-hour training sessions on a variety of topics with the goal of deepening leadership skills, creating new and diverse connections, and making an impact on the region. The sessions are open to LPV alumni who want to continue their learning or others who are unable to be part of LPV’s 10-month program. The intent is to diversify Leadership Pioneer Valley’s offerings and create new opportunities. Workshop topics include “Effective Communications,” “Becoming a Superhero Board Member,” and a field experience to explore the Agawam area. The series sponsors include Sisters of Providence Health System/Mercy Hospital, Appleton Corp., the Beveridge Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Court Dockets

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
A.J. Virgilio Construction v. Big Y Foods, Alteris Renewables, Inc. d/b/a RGS Energy, and Hudson Solar Corp.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $244,472.24
Filed: 10/16/14

Hanover Foods Corp. v. Hot Mama’s Food Acquisition Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $134,386.30
Filed: 10/20/14

Premier Source Credit Union v. Berkley Regional Insurance Co.
Allegation: Breach of insurance contract: $63,000
Filed: 10/12/14

Ramona Benbow v. Medeiros Williams Inc., General Motors, LLC, and Drive USA 2
Allegation: Product liability causing injury: $5,091,185.28
Filed: 10/14/14

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Amy Jennings and Walter Jennings v. Russell Realty Partnership and G&M Enterprise d/b/a Mr. Gutter
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance causing personal injury: $52,412.85+
Filed: 9/29/14

Safety Insurance Co. a/s/o Mary Edith Granlund v. Cory Kibbe d/b/a Adirondack Heating and W.E. Donavan & Co. Inc.
Allegation: Property damage caused by release of fuel oil into home: $329,000
Filed: 10/31/14

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Weslee Sicard v. Wildwood Barbeque
Allegation: Gross negligence leading to smoke inhalation: $5,000
Filed: 10/29/14

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Empire Distribution v. George Dubois d/b/a Turnpike Acres Stove Shop
Allegation: Non-payment for services and merchandise provided: $7,977.18
Filed: 10/10/14

Ronald Jansen v. Esis/Ace Insurance
Allegation: Failure to make fair, prompt, equitable offer to a demand for settlement: $4,493.97
Filed: 10/6/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Michael Boden d/b/a Michael’s Motor Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services provided: $3,243.73
Filed: 10/1/14

Olivia Wilson v. Briarwood Three, LLC, Madison Square Realty Management, Clark HVAC Services, LLC, and Union Mutual of Vermont Cos.
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance causing carbon-monoxide poisoning: $13,560.07
Filed: 11/3/14

Western Mass Electric Co. v. Maddox Realty, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of electric services provided: $2,138.01
Filed: 10/7/14

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Capital One Bank v. Gerard Mongeau and Target Restoration
Allegation: Unpaid credit balance: $5,771.75
Filed: 8/29/14

Granite City Electric v. Southwick Electric Co. and Louis Berrelli Jr.
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay: $7,902.17
Filed: 9/19/14

Springfield Park and Recreation Investments  Celebrated

SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, state Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno celebrated Camp STAR Angelina, Mary Troy Park, and Balliet Park, all park projects reflecting the more than $7.7 million invested in parks and open space in Springfield by Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration.

“Open space and outdoor recreation investments are a critical component of building robust, healthy communities,” said Bartlett. “Gov. Patrick has made urban neighborhoods a top priority, and the evidence of that is clear today in Springfield and across the Commonwealth.”

Sarno thanked Patrick and Bartlett “for your continued vision in providing funding to increase and revitalize recreational and green spaces in urban areas. The legacy you are leaving here in Springfield is one of inclusion and opportunity, which is evidenced by the $3.5 million investment made here in Springfield, which demonstrates the Patrick administration’s commitment in creating strong and healthy communities.”

Located in Springfield’s Forest Park and operated by the city, Camp STAR Angelina offers inclusive recreational programs for youth and young adults with and without disabilities, medical concerns, and hearing and visual impairments.

EEA provided more than $1.325 million in capital funding to help fund the construction of a nearly complete, fully accessible pool and accessible bath house, as well as a universal outdoor amphitheater, construction of which will begin soon. As part of Monday’s celebration, Sarno announced that the pool and bath-house facility would be named after Gov. Patrick, in recognition of his efforts to increase access outdoor recreation for all children.

North Riverfront Park sits along the northern end of Springfield’s portion of the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway, a proposed 20-mile corridor that would run through Agawam, Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke. EEA invested $1.2 million in North Riverfront Park to transform a property surrounded by barbed wire into a welcoming, vibrant site that will better connect Springfield’s North End to the riverfront. The city’s design features a reduction of pavement, installation of picnic tables, and an increase of pervious lawn areas, plant beds, rain gardens, and additional trees to provide shade. The city is contributing an additional $300,000 toward the project, and construction will be beginning shortly.

Mary Troy Park, a new park in the densely populated Liberty Heights neighborhood, will provide green space and access to outdoor recreation for residents. The park, set to be completed next spring, was made possible by a $400,000 Parkland Acquisition and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant from the Patrick administration. The city will use this funding to design and build a new park, including a universally accessible series of free-standing play structures, including a water-spray feature and exercise equipment along a central pathway, as well as park amenities like drinking fountains and trash receptacles. The city of Springfield is contributing $380,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding toward the project.

Balliet Park received a $400,000 PARC grant to renovate the baseball diamond and tennis courts, install a playground and swingset equipment, establish a picnic area, and improve access to park entrances and walkways. Springfield is using its Our Common Backyards Grant to construct a splash pad at the park, which will be completed by the year’s end.

Springfield is one of seven cities to receive funding through the governor’s Signature Urban Parks program. Through these projects, the Patrick administration seeks to revitalize urban communities by opening up or upgrading green spaces for outdoor recreation and improving access to natural resources such as waterways and historic neighborhood landmarks.

ABC Projects Continued Growth for Construction Sector in 2015

By BusinessWest Staff December 10, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a steady and ongoing economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2015. The reasonably brisk industry recovery in 2014 should continue in 2015, with momentum especially growing in segments closely related to the current American energy and industrial production resurgence.

“ABC forecasts non-residential construction spending will expand by roughly 7.5% next year,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The segments that will experience the largest growth in construction spending in 2015 include power (e.g. natural-gas-related construction), lodging (leisure and business spending), office space (professional-services employment creation), and manufacturing (rebounding industrial production). The public sector will see far more sluggish growth in construction spending; however, this fits a multi-year pattern with private non-residential spending exceeding public non-residential spending by 28% in 2014, up from 15.6% in 2013.”

Construction Spending Increases in October

By BusinessWest Staff December 3, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction spending increased in October amid growing public-sector demand for construction and continued modest growth in residential work, according to an analysis by Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new spending figures underscore the need for measures to increase the supply of qualified construction workers as firms worry about growing labor shortages.

“Today’s data shows that construction growth remains volatile,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “While overall construction spending jumped by more than 1% in October, the gain followed two months of stagnation. Public construction was the fastest-growing segment for the month but the slowest-growing over the past year and for the first 10 months of 2014 combined. Conversely, private, non-residential construction inched down from September to October but has risen at double-digit rates — 11% — for the combined January-through-October period. And private residential construction continues to grow very modestly, with multi-family construction taking the lead on an annual basis.”

Construction spending in October totaled $971 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 1.1% from the September total and 3.3% higher than in October 2013, Simonson noted. Private residential spending edged up 1.3% from September and 1.9% from a year earlier, while private non-residential spending dropped 1.0% for the month but rose 6.4% year-over-year. The third component of the total — public construction spending — increased 1.5% from September and 2.3% from a year ago.

Single-family home construction gained 1.8% for the month and 13.2% over 12 months, and multi-family work increased 1.0% from the September level and jumped 27.2% from a year earlier. The largest private non-residential type, power construction — which includes oil and gas fields and pipelines as well as electric power — slumped 1.9% in October but rose 0.3% from the prior year.

Commercial construction — comprising retail, warehouse, and farm projects — decreased 2.6% for the month but increased 9.3% for the year. Manufacturing construction increased 3.4% for the month and 23% year-over-year. Among the largest public segments, highway and street construction inched up 1.1% for the month and declined 0.1% from October 2013. Public-education construction inched up 2.2% and 6.1%, respectively.

“For 2014 as a whole and 2015, private non-residential spending and multi-family spending should be the strongest segments, followed by single-family construction, with very limited prospects for public construction,” Simonson said.

Association officials said the spending increases come as many firms report growing labor shortages. They urged elected and appointed officials to act on a series of measures the association has identified that will help expand the supply of qualified construction workers. “We need to make sure there are enough workers available to meet growing demand for construction,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO.

Briefcase

Briefcase Departments

EDC Names Sullivan New President, CEO
SPRINGFIELD — Richard Sullivan, former mayor of Westfield and currently chief of staff for Gov. Deval Patrick, has been chosen to become president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass., succeeding Alan Blair, who will retire Dec. 31. Sullivan prevailed in a lengthy search for Blair’s successor that began when Blair announced his intention to retire almost a year ago. Sullivan, an attorney, brings to the job a résumé that includes a lengthy stint as Westfield’s mayor as well as work with the Patrick administration, first as commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, then as secretary of the Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and then as chief of staff, a position he assumed in June.

Massachusetts Adds 1,200 Jobs in October
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) reported that preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show Massachusetts added 1,200 jobs in October for a total preliminary estimate of 3,424,600. The October total unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.0%. Since October 2013, Massachusetts has added a net of 52,600 jobs, with 50,400 jobs added in the private sector. The total unemployment rate for the year is down 1.2% from the October 2013 rate of 7.2%. BLS also revised its September job estimates to a 7,800-job gain from the 9,400-gain previously reported for the month. Here’s an October 2014 employment overview:
• Information added 1,900 jobs (+2.0%) over the month. Over the year, the sector added 7,900 jobs (+9.1%);
• Construction gained 1,300 jobs (+1.1%) over the month. Over the year, the sector has added 2,400 jobs (+2.0%);
• Education and Health Services added 800 jobs (+0.1%) over the month. Over the year, the sector gained 16,000 jobs (+2.2%);
• Professional, Scientific and Business Services gained 200 jobs (0.1%) over the month. Over the year, the sector added 14,500 jobs (+2.9%);
• Other Services had no change in its jobs level over the month. Over the year, Other Services are up 1,100 jobs (+0.9%);
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost 1,800 jobs (-0.3%) over the month. Over the year, the sector gained 7,200 jobs (+1.3%);
• Leisure and Hospitality lost 1,500 jobs (-0.4%) over the month. Over the year, the sector added 100 jobs (0.1%);
• Financial Activities lost 500 jobs (-0.2%) over the month. Over the year, the sector added 1,900 jobs (+0.9%);
• Manufacturing lost 400 jobs (-0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, Manufacturing lost 700 jobs (-0.3%); and
• Government added 1,200 jobs (+0.3%) over the month. Over the year, the sector gained 2,200 jobs (+0.5%).
The October 2014 estimates show 3,334,800 Massachusetts residents were employed and 211,000 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,545,800. The October labor force increased by 14,100 from 3,531,700 in September, as 16,400 more residents were employed and 2,300 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. The labor force was an estimated 61,800 above the 3,484,000 October 2013 estimate, with 100,600 more residents employed and 38,800 fewer residents unemployed. The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households. The job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different monthly trends.

Baystate Health Opens TechSpring Center
SPRINGFIELD — Representatives from companies that are developing new products to improve healthcare joined leaders from Baystate Health, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and a host of elected officials on Nov. 14 to celebrate the opening of TechSpring, Baystate Health’s technology innovation center based in Springfield’s emerging innovation district. The facility will match private enterprises with partners and expertise from Baystate to take on some of healthcare’s most difficult challenges.
TechSpring owes its existence in large part to a $5.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, an investment agency charged with implementing Gov. Deval Patrick’s 10-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative that supports life-sciences innovation, research, development, and commercialization. “Being part of the innovation ecosystem that’s developing in downtown Springfield was a major incentive for us in locating here,” said Joel Vengco, Baystate Health’s vice president of Information & Technology and chief information officer. “There is very real potential and a strong foundation in our community for real progress in creating employment and economic opportunities in the areas of healthcare technology and informatics. The fact that these innovators and companies have come here to invest time and resources is a testament to the potential here, and we’re thrilled to be part of it.” TechSpring, which is housed at 1350 Main St. in downtown Springfield, is already hosting work between Baystate and private-industry partners to create new technology solutions and products that could be used to improve health outcomes. TechSpring’s founding sponsors and innovation partners are IBM, Premier Inc., Cerner Corp., Dell, Medecision, and Mainline Information Systems. All are engaging in collaborative work and product development in the new space. “In this space, my colleagues and their industry partners are putting information technology to work in service of better health outcomes for people here in our community and across the nation,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health. “They’re also working toward bringing opportunity — a real potential for better economic health — for our city and our community. We’re very proud to be here downtown, and we’re proud of the partnerships on display, with industry, with academia. and with government.”

Patrick Announces $1.5 Million for Water-technology Innovation
AMHERST – Gov. Deval Patrick announced $1.5 million in funding to build on his administration’s efforts to make Massachusetts a hub for the emerging water-innovation sector. Patrick was joined by UMass Amherst and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials as they announced $4.1 million in federal funding for a national center for drinking-water innovation at the university. “All over the world and right here at home in the Commonwealth, water challenges are threatening the environment and the economy,” said Patrick. “Investing in the development of water-innovation technologies not only protects precious natural resources and public health, but creates high-quality local jobs.” The Water Infrastructure Bill, signed by Patrick in August, calls for $1.5 million in investments from the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection for water innovation. The federally funded center will be one of two national research centers focused on testing and demonstrating cutting-edge technologies for small drinking-water systems. The Patrick administration, through MassCEC, matched the federal investment with a $100,000 grant. “Under Gov. Patrick’s leadership, Massachusetts has pursued cost-effective innovations to address environmental concerns,” said Curt Spalding, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regional administrator for New England. “We are very pleased to join the governor as both the EPA and the Commonwealth announce investments in further research and technology development at UMass Amherst that will help continue to provide clean and safe drinking water to people.” Providing safe, clean drinking water is critical for maintaining the health and security of the Commonwealth, said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. “Researchers here at UMass Amherst are on the front lines of efforts to make sure that clean water is a reality for all our communities and citizens. This new funding will help the Commonwealth’s flagship campus make an important contribution to this key public need.” During the Massachusetts-Israel Innovation Partnership (MIIP) mission in May, Patrick announced the winners of the first MIIP water-innovation challenge. The governor made this announcement with Israeli Chief Scientist Avi Hasson during the U.S.-Israel Connected Summit “Going Global with Water Tech” forum. The MIIP was launched in 2011 as a direct result of Patrick’s first innovation-partnership mission to Israel. During that 10-day trade mission in March 2011, a coalition of the state’s leading business executives and senior government officials explored growth opportunities of common interest to Massachusetts’ and Israel’s innovation industries. During that mission, Patrick and Shalom Simhon, Israeli minister of Economy, signed a memorandum of understanding in Jerusalem resulting in this partnership. “Safe, reliable drinking water has always been a critical need. In the 21st century, we will need to develop new technologies to meet growing demand,” said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern. “I’m pleased that the federal government is joining with the Commonwealth and UMass Amherst in this promising effort.”

Women’s Fund to Issue $240,000 in Grant Funding
EASTHAMPTON — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) announced the availability of $240,000 in grant funding for organizations that serve women and girls in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. Grant recipients will each receive $60,000 over three years to deploy innovative programs that help shift the landscape for women and girls within the agency’s focus areas of educational access and success, economic justice, and safety and freedom from violence. Grant applications will be available on the WFWM website on Jan. 10 and will be due on March 23. “Due to renewed and expanded investments from community members in the Women’s Fund mission, we are thrilled to be able to offer another round of multi-year grants in 2015,” said Elizabeth Barajas-Román, chief executive officer of the WFWM. “Multi-year grants allow us to partner with organizations in a sustained way that helps make a significant impact in communities. This funding will increase our ability to scale up and positively affect the lives of women and girls.” Successful applications will demonstrate meaningful partnerships among two or more organizations, agencies, or projects. “We know that effective solutions require creative collaboration,” said Barajas-Román. In addition to the financial award, the Women’s Fund will invest an additional $20,000 into each grantee by giving each project the opportunity to select two staff, constituents, or board members as participants of the Women’s Fund’s Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI). LIPPI, a Women’s Fund program, has equipped 200 women from across Western Mass. to become civic leaders in their communities; to impact policy on the local, state, and national levels; and to seek and retain elected positions. Since 1997, the WFWM has awarded more than $2 million to more than 150 nonprofit organizations, impacting more than 80,000 women and girls.

Company Notebook

Company Notebook Departments

Florence Bank Opens New Hadley Branch
HADLEY — Florence Bank, a mutually owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through nine branch locations, celebrated the opening of its new Hadley location at 377 Russell St. last month, with local and state officials, as well as more than 100 well-wishers. Florence Bank CEO John Heaps Jr. and bank officials were joined by State Senate Majority Leader Stan Rosenberg, state Rep. John Scibak, Hadley Town Administrator David Nixon, and Amherst Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Don Courtemanche, along with customers, friends, and supporters who turned out to welcome the bank to its new home. In addition to the ribbon cutting, bank officials officially dedicated a new tractor weathervane, which sits atop the new building, to the Devine family of Hadley. John Devine, who was a lifelong farmer and a member of Hadley’s Planning Board, was instrumental in recommending that the bank consider a cupola and weathervane as part of the new building’s design. Bank officials wanted to do something to honor the memory of Devine, who passed away unexpectedly a year ago. Florence Bank Senior Vice President Sharon Rogalski presented a replica of the weathervane to John Devine Jr., who accepted the gift on behalf of his family. Toby Daniels, vice president and branch manager of the Hadley Branch, will continue in that role in the new location. “Hadley has been our home for nearly 20 years,” said Heaps. “We are especially pleased to renew our commitment to this community with our new location. We thank our many customers and friends for their ongoing support and look forward to serving everyone for years to come.”

PeoplesBank Named a ‘Top Place To Work’
HOLYOKE — Recently, the Boston Globe recognized PeoplesBank as a “Top Place to Work” for the third year in a row. Massachusetts-based companies that are eligible for Top Place to Work consideration undergo a rigorous evaluation by survey firm WorkplaceDynamics. More than 76,000 individuals’ responses were submitted by the companies regarding key factors related to employee happiness, company direction, execution, employee connection, work load and responsibility, management, and pay and benefits.  “While there is definite value in these indicators, many signs of recovery cannot be boiled down to pure economics,” said Boston Globe Business Editor Mark Pothier. “The companies on our Top Places to Work list foster productivity and innovation by investing in the happiness of their employees, which cannot solely be measured in dollars and cents.” Said Douglas Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, “our intent was to establish the values and culture necessary to support a great organization. Over time, we learned that those values and that culture would improve our bottom line and make PeoplesBank a top place to work.” Employee engagement is critical to a high-performance culture, according to Janice Mazzallo, executive vice president and chief human resource officer at PeoplesBank. “Associates become engaged when they know we care about them,” she said. “We want to know their ideas, so we have associate think tanks. We want them to grow, so we have innovative development programs, mentoring, and learning centers. And we want to encourage life-work balance because our values are abou more than just work. We need to have fun, too.” As part of the Top Place to Work award to PeoplesBank, the Boston Globe highlighted two efforts by bank associates. The first, called the Smoothie Patrol, started at an associates’ organized wellness fair and was so well-received that associates decided to take it on the road and make surprise visits to each of the bank’s 17 offices. Xiaolei Hua, an assistant vice president and credit officer at PeoplesBank and Habitat for Humanity volunteer, was interviewed by the Boston Globe regarding the bank’s support of volunteerism. “I know that the bank cares about more than just getting the work done,” Hua told the paper. “They care about me, my family, and the community.”

Polish National Credit Union Donates $15,000 to Westfield Senior Center
WESTFIELD — At a check-presentation ceremony last month, Polish National Credit Union made a $15,000 donation to the capital campaign of Friends of the Westfield Senior Center Inc. The donation was made at the Westfield River Branch of the PNCU by Branch Manager Cynthia Houle to Friends of the Westfield Senior Center’s board of directors. PNCU President and CEO James Kelly commented on the credit union’s commitment to the Westfield community. “Our branch in Westfield is one of our largest and most vibrant locations, and we enjoy being involved in supporting the community in any way we can. The new senior center is going to be a wonderful asset to the community, and PNCU is thrilled to be a part of it.” The donation will be used for furnishings at the new senior center, currently under construction on Noble Street in Westfield. “The Polish National donation will enable us to provide comfortable furniture and accessories for the new senior center that Westfield’s seniors will benefit from for years to come,” said board member Tom Keenan. “Polish National is genuinely concerned about the community and making Westfield a better place to live.” Founded in 1921, Polish National Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the Pioneer Valley. Headquartered on Main Street in Chicopee, the credit union operates full-service branches in Chicopee, Granby, Westfield, Southampton, Hampden, and Wilbraham.

Grainger Foundation Supports STCC Foundation
SPRINGFIELD — The Grainger Foundation, an independent, private foundation located in Lake Forest, Ill., has donated $5,000 to the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation in support of its Foundation Innovation Grant program. “This grant will be used to help us continue to support faculty and staff innovation here at STCC,” said President Ira Rubenzahl. “The Foundation Innovation Grant program helps us to improve excellence in the delivery of academic or student retention services at STCC. We are grateful to the Grainger Foundation for its generosity and in helping us to continue our mission.” In addition to the contribution from the Grainger Foundation, the STCC Foundation will match Grainger’s $5,000 contribution this year. Foundation Innovation Grants are awarded in the spring. “We want to thank the Grainger Foundation for its generous support,” said STCC Foundation President Kevin Sweeney. “With their assistance, the STCC Foundation will continue its commitment to support innovative projects at the college that promote community impact, economic growth, workforce development, and quality of life in our region.” The donation to the STCC Foundation was recommended by John Duffy, market manager of W.W. Grainger Inc.’s Springfield location. Grainger has been a part of the Western Mass. business community for nearly 40 years as the leading broad-line supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products. “We are proud to recommend the programs offered by STCC,” said Duffy. “We understand the need for active engagement and partnership between our technical education providers, businesses, and the community.” The Grainger Foundation was established in 1949 by William Grainger, founder of W.W. Grainger Inc.

Mercy Hosts Topping-off Event for Cancer Center
SPRINGFIELD — The construction project to expand the Sr. Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center is on schedule, and a topping-off ceremony was held Nov. 20 to mark the completion of the project’s main structure with the placement of the top steel beam. A topping-off ceremony is a tradition within the construction industry and is held when the highest structural point in the building construction is attained. To celebrate this event, the last steel girder is signed, lifted into place, and welded to the structure. A small evergreen tree and the American flag are also secured to the girder as it is hoisted to the top of the structure. The tree is meant to represent the strength of the new building and the desire for the construction project to remain injury-free. The $15 million expansion of the Sr. Caritas Cancer Center, which will add an additional 26,000 square feet of space on two levels, is designed to provide more comprehensive care delivery and added convenience for patients. In addition to radiation-oncology services, medical-oncology offices, physician offices, and exam rooms will be located on the first floor. Medical-oncology treatment and infusion space, an oncology pharmacy, and laboratory space will be located on the second floor.

Court Dockets

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Calise & Sons Bakery Inc. v. East Baking Co. Inc.
Allegation: False advertising and breach of contract: $26,000
Filed: 11/7/14

Datto Inc. v. Haselkorn Inc.
Allegation: Breach of equipment lease: $143,704
Filed: 10/30/14

Mark Lizak v. Apria Health Care, LLC
Allegation: Product liability: $13,593
Filed: 10/20/14

Perkins Paper, LLC v. Daily Harvest Café Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $91,147.42
Filed: 10/27/14

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Hap Inc. v. Certain Underwriters of Lloyd’s London and Bresnahan Insurance Agency Inc.
Allegation: Breach of insurance policy: $99,000+
Filed: 10/3/14

Kenneth Williams v. Thibault Fuel Inc.
Allegation: Negligent operation of motor vehicle causing injury: $25,444.86
Filed: 10/20/14

Teresa O’Shea v. Florence Pizza and Family Restaurant
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property causing injury: $289,365.20
Filed: 10/6/14

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
David W. Kretchmar v. Burris Logistics, Inc. d/b/a Burris Springfield, LLC and Jason James
Allegation: Violation of the Wage Act: $4,149.76
Filed: 11/5/14

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Lynn Baker v. East Longmeadow Methodist Church
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property causing slip and fall: $2,888.80
Filed: 11/5/14

St. Clair Landscaping Inc. v. Northern Tree Service
Allegation: Non-payment for labor and materials: $6,394
Filed: 9/4/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Amelia Goldrup p/p/a Trista Nadolski v. Peanuts Daycare Inc.
Allegation: Breach of duty of care and failure to adequately supervise: $912.50
Filed: 10/1/14

Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Adrian Construction Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services provided: $2,580.16
Filed: 10/6/14

Marlene Johnson v. Kenton Johnson d/b/a A.T.C. Home Improvement, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract: $7,824.72
Filed: 11/10/14

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Advance Me Inc. v. Lawrence Bannish d/b/a Feed Warehouse
Allegation: Breach of contract: $27,284.26
Filed: 8/28/2014

Capital One Bank v. Jason Liacos and Liacos Landscaping
Allegation: Non-payment on credit account: $12,934.94
Filed: 10/28/14

Patricia Scuderi v. Scuderi’s Inc. d/b/a Crabby Joe’s
Allegation: No compensation for hours worked: $11,942.87
Filed: 9/22/14

Community Spotlight: Palmer