Construction Archives - Page 25 of 53

Doing Business As Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

DBA Certificates Departments

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

HOLYOKE

Dominos Pizza
1534 Dwight St.
Chris MacPherson

Dream Décor Inc.
369 High St.
Abdul S. Chaudhry

Highland Non-stop Cuts
1375 Dwight St.
Carlos Fonseca

Holyoke Pizza
213 South St.
Hasan Kuruca

Mastercuts
50 Holyoke St.
Alison Pearce

LUDLOW

Chameleon Painting
58 Chapin Circle
Brian Foster

Cluett’s
433 Center St.
Mark Swett

Fancy Nails
207 Winsor St.
Minh Dang

NORTHAMPTON

Dependable Drywall Inc.
98 Birchwood Dr.
Lukas Rosou

Fairfield Inn & Suites
115 Conz St.
Mansour Ghalibaf

Fore
122 State St.
Matthew Bader

Juneberry Bags
181 Main St.
Natalie Goodale

Matusko Fire Protection
972 Park Hill Road
David Matusko

Milltown Productions
120 Williams St.
Zachary MacDonald

PALMER

Acropolis Pizza
1240 Park St.
Dimitrios Athanasiadis

American Independent
15 Knox St.
Scott Ingleman

ANC Building Construction, LLC
9 Harvey St.
Jocelyne Bolduc

Budget Blinds
80 Laurel Road
Robert Poulin

Depot Auto Sales Inc.
1221 Thorndike St.
Edward Wurszt

Gil’s Gum & Racquet Health Club
159 Wilbraham St.
Glen Gilmore

Kszepka Insurance
2376 Main St.
Paul Kszepka

Lamb Contracting
1430 Park St.
Stanley Lamb

The Private Practice Consultant
63 Belanger St.
Jason Brooks

SOUTHWICK

Crossover Fitness, LLC
208 College Highway
Nathania Consolini

Mark’s Welding
15 Fred Jackson Road
Mark Muniak

SPRINGFIELD

JM HVAC Solutions
112 Wallace St.
Javier Martinez

Jessie’s
70 Massasoit St.
Efrain Vazques

K Cookies
58 Eckington St.
Narelle Thomas

Kumasi African Market
159 Boston Road
Ernestina Kumah-Num

Love Lee Virgin Hair
95 Johnson St.
Larry J. Lee

Media Group International
26 Hanson Dr.
Vadim Vatnikov

Mike’s Boutique
112 State St.
Marsha Simpson

Mirels Beads
125 Greene St.
Aida L. DeJesus

Miss Teen Horizonte Massa
24 Warriner Ave.
Maria R. Lozada

Mitchell Landscaping
81 Cambridge St.
Brian Mitchell

Northstar Landscaping
89 Guion St.
Despina A. Costa

Oldies from the Estate
45 Parker St.
William D. Wallace

Panda House
1675 Main St.
Yong H. Chen

Phat Dat Seafood
103 Euclid Ave.
Phat Tran

Quality Cleaning Services
141 Wollaston St.
Yesenia Rodriguez

S & B Distributor
503 Newbury St.
Santiago Rondon

Salome Fashion
2662 Main St.
Luz Flores

Santiago & Sanchez Rent
9 Massasoit Place
Angel M. Santiago

Showcase Barbershop
701 Sumner Ave.
Esteban Vazquez

The Best Deals
318 Bay St.
Jesus Ortiz

The Lioness Group
396 Canon Circle
Natasha Z. Clark

Turn of the Century
30 Maplewood Terrace
Matthew Forte

Tuttis Desserts
1003 St. James Ave.
Madeleine Loyola

Upper Room Films
100 Whittier St.
Samuel Bradley

Wingate at Springfield
215 Bicentennial Highway
SRC Springfield Inc.

XClusive Auto Club
306 Liberty St.
Jamie Lopez

WESTFIELD

Psychic Bridges
56 Ridgecrest Circle
David Moquin

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bourque Real Estate
1233 Westfield St.
Bourque Group Inc.

Frank’s Auto Repair
25 Sumner St.
A.F. Demaio

J & V Painting
697 Elm St.
Vanessa Horsman

Luxe Consignment
85 George St.
Natalia Dumanetskaya

Quality Construction
85 Benedict St.
Jerzy Cebula

Spices of Asia
3 Central St.
Toralben Patel

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Departments Incorporations

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

ADAMS

Adams Police Association Inc., 4 School St., Adams, MA 01220. Joshua Baker, same. To receive gifts, contributions, and grants for money or property from individuals, private organizations, public sources and any agency of the town of Adams, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to apply, pay over, or disburse those gifts, contributions and grants or their proceeds for the benefit of the people residing in the town of Adams, with this objective to be furthered by funding, assisting, or undertaking programs and activities designed to strengthen the services, organization, performance, competence, and professionalism of the police department of the town of Adams (the “police department”) and its officers and members.

AMHERST

Cross the Waters Institute for Cultural Exchange Inc., 33 Kellogg Ave., #2, Amherst, MA 01002. Ingrid Claudia Askew, same.

CHICOPEE

A Child’s Potential Inc., 47 Royal St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Gabrielle Morgan, same. Education for families, professionals, and the public on increasing social, play, and communication skills for children on the autism spectrum. The focus will be to help all families, but especially those who may have more limited resources, develop strategies to help their children become more active participants in family and community life.

AGS Floors Inc., 49 Dakota Dr., Chicopee, MA 01013. Nikita Zhuk, same. Flooring sales and installation.

EAST LONGMEADOW

CrossFit Iron Will Inc., 288 Somers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. David Heath Speckman, same. Exercise and physical training programs and services.

HOLYOKE

A 3 Petroleum Corp. USA, 636 Main St., Holyoke, MA 01085. Adeeba Abdul Rehman, 14 Arnold St., Westfield, MA 01085. Gas station and convenience store

B.O.S.S. Prostaffing Inc., 3 Valley Mill Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. Tyler Fernandez, 24 Kenmore Dr., Bloomfield, CT 06002. Business of recruiting and staffing of personnel for employment on both a temporary and permanent basis, and shall engage in other business activities lawfully conducted by a corporation in Massachusetts.

Brick Stone Tavern Inc., 330 Whitney Ave., Suite 440 Holyoke, MA 01040. William Cunningham Sr., 71 Exeter Ave., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Restaurant.

ES Pleasant Street Car Wash Inc., 47 Jackson St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Eric Suher, 28 Jefferson St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Car wash.

LUDLOW

Bocage Inc., 247 Cady St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Arlindo R. Alves, 247 Cady St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Bar.

CLF Holdings Inc., 30 River St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Carlos Figueiredo, same. Distribution of bakery products.

PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Electric Transmission Consulting Corp., 47 Greenings Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. George Gela, same. Consulting services.

Big City Trails Inc., 10 Wendell Ave., Ext. Suite One, 2nd Floor, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Franklin Pena, 626 Mercer St., Albany, N.Y. 12208. Transportation of passengers in a motor coach.

Center for Chiropractic Care Inc., 510 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Christian Loidice, 126 Mountain View Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Chiropractic services.

SPRINGFIELD

Bowles Realty Inc., 281 State St., Springfield, MA 01103. Stephen Reilly Jr., same. Real estate sales.

Dunn-Wright Recovery Network Inc., 151 Prouty St., Springfield, MA 01119. Luz Mejia, same. Recover assets for creditors.

THREE RIVERS

EMC Masonry Inc., 19 Bourne St., Three Rivers, MA 01080. Eric Przybycien, same. Masonry and construction services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

A & E Transporation Inc., 76 Ashley St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Elshad Hasanzade, same.

WESTFIELD

And Inc., 4 Russell Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Mubeen Ishtiaq, 25 New Ludlow Road, Chicopee, MA 01020.

Davenport Flooring & Remodeling Inc., 97 Fairfield Ave., Westfield, MA 01085. Michael Davenport, same. Flooring installation and home remodeling.

EFE & Omercan Inc., 57 Southwick Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Nurcan Cayan, same. Pizza restaurant.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Briefcase Departments

Ludlow Riverwalk Moves Forward
LUDLOW — The Westmass Area Development Corp. has announced that it is seeking bids for phase one of the Riverwalk project, part of the approved Ludlow Mills Preservation and Redevelopment Master Plan, and has advertised for bids from contractors. Bids will be opened on Aug. 21, with construction expected to begin in the fall. The Riverwalk is one of the early commitments that Westmass made to the town of Ludlow and its residents, and is being funded through a partnership between HealthSouth and Westmass. The Riverwalk will offer public space for foot traffic and passive recreation, opening up the Chicopee River to Ludlow Mills businesses and residents of Ludlow. This phase of the project 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. This initial phase of construction is expected to cost more than $500,000. “The solicitation of bids to construct the Ludlow Mills Riverwalk represents another important development as the project begins to realize its potential as a significant mixed-use economic resource for Ludlow and for all of Western Mass.,” said Kenn Delude, president and CEO of Westmass. He noted that the Ludlow Mills project would not have been possible without the support of the Western Mass. legislative delegation, particularly the efforts of state Rep. Tom Petrolati and state Sen. Gail Candaras. Together, the proposed Riverwalk and future public park will cover approximately 52 acres, or roughly one-third of the Ludlow Mills project site. Westmass intends to convey that entire area to the town so that it will remain in public use. These open spaces and recreational areas are intended to integrate the Ludlow Mills project into the neighborhood and community, said Delude, and also support the many existing and new businesses that are attracted by the vibrancy of the Ludlow Mills. Redevelopment of the Ludlow Mills complex over the next 15 to 20 years will create and retain more than 2,000 jobs and stimulate up to $300 million in private investment, he said, adding that the initiative is a mixed-use project with a primary focus on commercial and industrial development.

Business Confidence Index Climbs in July
BOSTON — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index showed further strength in July, adding 2.5 points to 56.2. “Business confidence in Massachusetts, after sliding into the neutral range for more than a year, has climbed back to within a point of its post-recession high of 57.1 in April 2012,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. The index was up 3.7 points compared to July 2013. Last year, Torto noted, uncertainty arising from political deadlock in Washington and the threat of financial crisis in Europe, plus fiscal drag from tax increases and unsteady economic growth in the U.S. and globally, held down confidence. “However, this year, we have seen rising business confidence and, not coincidentally, more robust job creation,” he went on. “The biggest year-to-year gainers among our sub-indices are those tracking general business conditions in the state and nation, which appears to reflect a growing sense among employers that they are operating in something like a normal economy.” AIM’s Business Confidence Index has been issued monthly since July 1991 under the oversight of the Board of Economic Advisors. Presented on a 100-point scale on which 50 is neutral, its historical high was 68.5, attained in 1997 and 1998; its all-time low was 33.3 in February 2009. All but one of the sub-indices based on selected questions or respondent characteristics were up from June to July, and all were above their levels of a year before. The Current Index, tracking employers’ assessment of existing business conditions, added three points from June to 55.8, while the Future Index, measuring expectations for the next six months, rose two points to 56.6. “Since its stumble in the first quarter, the economy has rebounded well, and employment has been trending up,” remarked BEA member Michael Tyler, chief investment officer at Eastern Bank Wealth Management. “It is gratifying to see more people returning to the workforce and finding jobs. If this trend continues to gain momentum, the Federal Reserve will need to rein in overly optimistic expectations by raising interest rates sometime next year.” The U.S. Index of business conditions prevailing nationally rose 3.7 points in July to 51.9, and the Massachusetts Index of conditions within the Commonwealth gained 4.9 to 55.8. Compared to last July, these sub-indices were up 5.9 and 6.4, respectively. “The state indicator is higher and has risen more, but was at this level as recently as April 2012,” said Tyler. “The U.S. Index, by contrast, has not been this high since August 2007, or above 50 since October 2007, before the recession. The national economy faced something of a stress test in the first quarter of this year, and passed it.” The Company Index, which measures survey respondents’ overall confidence in the situations of their own operations, rose 1.5 points in July to 58.0. The Employment Index added 1.4 points to 56.0, and the Sales Index edged up three-tenths to 57.9. Each was up between two and three points on the year. “Many Massachusetts employers added staff in the first half of the year, with additions outweighing reductions by almost three to one (34% to 12%), and expectations for the next six months are similar,” said Sara Johnson, senior research director of Global Economics at IHS Global Insight, a BEA member. “Greater confidence in the stability of the economy is at last making employers more willing to hire.” Confidence was up in July among manufacturers (+5.1 to 56.6) and off slightly among other employers (-0.8 to 56.0). There was a similar small difference in confidence levels between employers outside Greater Boston (56.6, +3.8) and those within the metropolitan area (56.0, +1.8). Large employers were somewhat more confident than small ones, but all size groupings were on the positive side. “We have been seeing greater consistency in our survey responses across sector, geography, and size for several months, and that continued in July,” Johnson noted. “In Massachusetts, as in the country as a whole, some regions and industries came back from the recession much more quickly than others, but as time goes on, the differences are evening out, or at least becoming less stark.”

Attorney General Files Suit Against Evan Dobelle
WESTFIELD — Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a lawsuit against former Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle on Thursday, alleging that he improperly spent nearly $100,000 in university resources on personal expenses. Filed in Suffolk Superior Court, the suit alleges that Dobelle, who resigned his position in November 2013 amid searing controversy about his lavish spending, filed false reports to Westfield State to justify $59,000 in personal expenses and $39,000 in personal travel. The suit said Dobelle claimed to be attending conferences, raising money, or doing other university business when he was primarily there on personal business. “We allege the former president of the university blatently misued public funds for trips that were nothing but week-long vacations with family and friends,” said Coakley in a statement. “This pattern of inappropriate spending of state funds is unacceptable, as leaders of public schools should be enforcing their policies instead of knowingly violating them for their own personal benefit.”

State Labor Secretary Visits Tech Foundry
SPRINGFIELD — Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rachel Kaprielian recently sat in on the first class of students at Tech Foundry, a new workforce-development program that will recruit, train, and place urban high-school students, unemployed college graduates, and veterans in jobs within the high-tech industry in the Pioneer Valley. Tech Foundry is just one of a number of organizations participating in the Commonwealth’s YouthWorks program, which subsidized jobs and training for more than 4,800 at-risk teens and young adults in 31 communities this summer. “This is the kind of innovative use of YouthWorks funding that the Patrick Administration would like to see replicated across the state,” said Kaprielian. “Tech Foundry partnered with the Hampden Regional Employment Board (REB) and New England Farm Workers’ Council, which operates the YouthWorks program in Springfield, to introduce these students to in-demand careers and fill the shortage of computer-science professionals in Western Mass.” Kaprielian shadowed 17-year-old Arian Richardson, one of 22 students in the inaugural class who is taking classes and earning ‘badges’ in hard and soft skills to set them up for entry-level jobs in the tech industry. The high-school students are learning how to dress professionally and interview, as well as basic computer science like scripting and network management. In between classes, the students intern at local tech firms. “I know that successful business leaders have to know much more about technology than ever before to be competitive in their industry,” said Richardson. “I want to learn technology so that I can be a better leader down the road.” Added Delcie Bean, president of Tech Foundry and owner of Paragus Strategic IT, “we believe our approach to badge-based learning combined with a curriculum that is 100% driven by regional employers is a unique model that is not only going to someday make Springfield a large employer of IT talent in the country, but also serve as a model for other industries. We are incredibly grateful to have such a great relationship with the REB and Farm Workers’ Council.” David Cruise, executive director of the Hampden Regional Employment Board, noted that “Tech Foundry represents an innovative opportunity for students to experience a summer of work and learning that exposes them to educational and career pathways in a high-demand industry. The REB is excited about this partnership with Tech Foundry and looks forward to expanding its partnership going forward.”

Patrick Signs Bill to Stimulate Growth
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick has signed H.4377, “An Act to Promote Economic Growth in the Commonwealth,” building on his administration’s economic-development strategy of investing in education, innovation, and infrastructure. The economic-development package provides new tools and training to ensure the Massachusetts workforce meets the needs of employers, invests in Gateway Cities to promote development across the entire state, and provides incentives to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Patrick also refiled legislation that limits the use of non-compete agreements and adopts the Uniform Trade Secrets Act to ensure that government acts to retain talented entrepreneurs, supports individual career growth, and encourages the development of new, innovative businesses to drive future economic growth. The legislation also includes a provision to give local governments across Massachusetts control over the number of liquor licenses in their jurisdiction. Placing the authority to approve liquor licenses in the hands of municipal officials will allow local communities to make responsible decisions regarding their economic development and growth, helping to free the Legislature from time-consuming local issues. “In important ways, this legislation improves existing tools and provides a few new ones to continue our strong job growth, and I thank the Legislature for being so responsive,” said Patrick. “At the same time, we have unfinished business, so I am filing further legislation today to give innovators and municipalities all the tools they need to grow jobs and opportunity.” The act bolsters the economic revitalization of the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities with $15 million for the Gateway Cities Transformative Development Fund and encourages the reuse of brownfields in economically distressed areas of Massachusetts with $10 million in funding. “This legislation makes many targeted investments in our emerging industries, like big data and advanced manufacturing, that are necessary to create a competitive environment here in Massachusetts and grow our status as a leader in the world economy,” said Senate President Therese Murray. “By capitalizing on our state’s existing and developing industries, as well as investing in a strong, educated workforce, we are outlining a path to success for our residents and promoting economic development throughout the entire Commonwealth.” Added House Speaker Robert DeLeo, “this comprehensive bill will help ensure that residents, businesses, and communities are able to compete and excel in a dynamic economy. We’ve made substantial gains in strengthening our economy and must now focus on broadening the circle of prosperity beyond Greater Boston to all regions of the Commonwealth. This bill does just that while preparing future leaders through provisions like MassCAN, a computer-science-education partnership, and the Talent Pipeline Initiative.” In the area of workforce development and training, the act includes $12 million for the Middle Skills Job Training Grant Fund to support advanced manufacturing, mechanical and technical skills at vocational-technical schools, and community colleges. Also, the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund will receive $1.5 million to prepare Massachuse tts residents for new jobs in high-demand occupations, helping close the middle-skills gap and creating a seamless pathway to employment. The economic-development legislation also includes a number of initiatives to expand the Commonwealth’s world-class innovation economy, including $2 million for a Big Data Innovation and Workforce Fund to promote the use of big data, open data, and analytics, and $2 million for the Innovation Institute Fund at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The legislation also creates a $1 million talent-pipeline program that will provide matching grants aimed at increasing technology and innovation internships, and another $1 million for a startup mentoring program to connect early-stage entrepreneurs, technology startups, and small business with experienced business enterprises and capital financing.

Berkshire Museum Wins Energy-incentive Grants
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Museum has been awarded energy-incentive grants totaling $83,600 from Berkshire Gas and Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) in partial funding for a project to incorporate energy-efficiency measures into the museum’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) building systems. Berkshire Gas awarded $50,000, and WMECo provided $33,600 for an innovative solution to control humidity, which is necessary to protect the museum’s collections of art, historical objects, and natural specimens. The design innovation recycles the heat byproduct from a new high-efficiency chiller, thereby saving energy while providing humidity control. The HVAC improvements were implemented over the past year as part of the museum’s 21st Century Energy project, which included changes to the building envelope and lighting systems, also with the aim of reducing energy consumption. An engineering study determined that the museum will reduce both electricity and gas use for an annual savings of $60,000 at current prices. Lead funding for the museum’s 21st Century Energy project was provided by a $1 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory in September 2012. “We are thrilled to have contributed in this way to the important mission of the Berkshire Museum,” said Berkshire Gas President Karen Zink. “Innovative energy-management technologies and practices will allow visitors to experience the treasures of the past and present well into the future.” Berkshire Museum Executive Director Van Shields said that “the representatives from WMECo and Berkshire Gas played a critical role in helping us sort through different approaches to control temperature and humidity, while improving energy conservation. Having their expertise on the design team from the very beginning helped us create the innovative solution to meet our needs. We are very grateful to our energy providers for their proactive participation in helping design systems to conserve energy, and for the grants that helped us implement our plans.” Located at 39 South St. in downtown Pittsfield, Berkshire Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $13 for adults, $6 for children, and free for members and children age 3 and under. For more information, visit www.berkshiremuseum.org or call (413) 443-7171.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Company Notebook Departments

Baystate Wins Approval for Three Determination-of-need Requests
BOSTON — The Mass. Public Health Council approved three determination-of-need (DON) requests to support Baystate Health’s efforts to modernize its facilities and improve access to, and quality and value of, healthcare for patients in Western Mass. The approved requests relate to the transfer of ownership of Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers to Baystate Health from UMass Memorial Health Care of Worcester; construction of new operating rooms at Baystate Franklin Medical Center to replace aging facilities; and construction of a new inpatient pharmacy in shell space in the MassMutual Wing at Baystate Medical Center. “We’re very pleased to receive the approval of the Public Health Council for three initiatives that we expect to have a major positive impact on quality, access, and affordability of healthcare in Western Mass., and on our ability to continue to provide outstanding, high-value care for our patients close to where they live,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health. With the council’s approval in place, the transfer of ownership of Wing, announced prospectively in December 2013, is now expected to be complete in September. Wing will become an affiliate of Baystate Health, and its approximately 800 employees will join Baystate. Baystate officials expect that Wing’s proximity to Baystate’s Western Mass. network will mean improved access to doctors, cost savings, better coordination of care, and better alignment with local public-health efforts for patients in the Palmer/Quaboag region. Wing and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware will operate in close coordination with each other and with other local healthcare providers, and patients’ current options for choosing providers will not be affected. The Surgery Modernization Project at Baystate Franklin Medical Center (BFMC) in Greenfield addresses a need for contemporary facilities to replace the current ORs built in 1974, which will be renovated to relocate endoscopy services. The project, expected to begin this fall, will allow Franklin County and North Quabbin area residents to receive more healthcare services close to home, while also aiding in Baystate’s efforts to recruit additional physicians to the region. Moving the inpatient pharmacy at Baystate Medical Center (BMC) enables pharmacists to meet patients’ growing needs in a state-of-the-art, safe, and secure facility in the newest wing of the Springfield teaching and research hospital. The BFMC and BMC projects come with new community-benefit contributions from Baystate Health. BFMC’s Surgery Modernization Project will generate $228,921 per year for five years for community health-improvement projects in the Franklin County/North Quabbin region. The pharmacy at BMC comes with a community-benefit contribution of $342,146, which brings the total community benefit under the entire determination of need for the expansion of Baystate Medical Center to $13,144,765. Baystate’s Health’s community-benefit work at all of its hospitals is conducted in partnership with a wide array of community stakeholders to achieve the most inclusive process and effective outcomes possible.

Freedom Credit Union Announces $2.2 Million Springfield Expansion
SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union (FCU) President and CEO Barry Crosby announced a $2.2 million expansion of the company’s Springfield headquarters on Tuesday. Freedom will expand its facilities at 1976 Main St. to a building at 77 Boylston St., directly behind Freedom. Crosby said the company plans to relocate 26 Springfield employees to that location, along with 16 employees from Feeding Hills, and hire an additional 13 employees to staff the new building. FCU has had a presence in downtown Springfield since 1922, when it was known as the Western Massachusetts Telephone Workers Credit Union. Renovations of the Bolyston Street property, most recently home to Hampden County Physician Associates, are expected to be completed next January or February.

United Financial Shareholders Approve Executive Compensation
GLASTONBURY — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced that an overwhelming majority of its shareholders voted in favor of key proposals presented at its 2014 annual meeting held on Aug. 5, including the executive compensation plan and the re-election of three key United Financial Board members. The proposal to ratify its executive-compensation plan, or say-on-pay, received 93% of the vote by shareholders. The company’s executive-compensation plan is market-based, tied to performance and aligned with shareholders’ interests. They also voted overwhelmingly (94%) to re-elect three members of the board of directors to four-year terms: William Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank; Michael Crowley; and Raymond Lefurge Jr., vice chairman of the board. Since the proposals required only 50% of shares outstanding to vote in favor of the proposals to pass, both vote counts underscored the tremendous support shareholders have in the company, its leadership team, and bank employees. In addition to executive compensation and re-election of board members, a proposal to approve the appointment of Wolf & Co., P.C. as United’s independent auditor received 98% shareholder approval.

Gleason Johndrow Landscaping Makes Top 100 List for Snow Removal
NORTHAMPTON — Gleason Johndrow Landscaping, a Northampton-based snow-removal and landscaping contractor, has landed a spot among the top 100 snow-removal contractors nationwide as determined by SNOW magazine, an industry publication that bestows this honor every summer based on the previous year’s revenues. Mike Zawacki, editor of SNOW, views the list as “a reflection of those contractors’ operational excellence.” “We’re thrilled to be included,” said Tony Gleason, a partner in Gleason Johndrow. “We pride ourselves each and every year on logistical process and customer satisfaction. We’re very honored and grateful to be numbered among the best contractors in the country by our peers.” SNOW has been compiling this list (to be released in an article in September’s issue) for the past 10 years and focuses on revenues and operations for contractors submitting their yearly revenues. “It’s a pleasure to see contractors on this list keep growing. It’s a testament to their continued focus on improving their operation every year,” said Zawacki, adding that “2013 was a good year for snow. It was tougher to get on this list this year because so many contractors had a great year.” Gleason and Dave Johndrow have been providing landscaping and snow-removal services since 2002, with commercial and residential clients throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Michael Kelleher v. Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers of New York Inc.
Allegation: Negligence in food preparation causing illness and hospitalization: $11,972.83
Filed: 7/17/14

W & I Construction Inc. v. C.L. Diesel Repair Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract for failure to repair work vehicle: $3,000+
Filed: 7/8/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Sabrosura Supermarket Inc. v. Domingo Jiminez d/b/a Cuba Supermarket, LLC
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $300,000
Filed: 7/18/14

The Mack Group, LLC v. Greater Western Steel, LLC and Tower View, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract under a mechanics lien: $132,000
Filed: 7/9/14

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Jennifer Fernandez v. RBS Assoc., N.A. and Citizens Financial Group
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 5/22/14

Joan Tremblay and Dorothy Dougherty v. Ryder Funeral Home, et al
Allegation: Breach of contract and negligent interference with a dead body: $100,000+
Filed: 6/10/14

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Prospect Woods Homeowner’s Assoc. v. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Allegation: Failure to pay assessments imposed by homeowner’s association: $5,589.69
Filed 6/18/14

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Adler Tank Rentals, LLC v. GML Construction Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $6,817.51
Filed: 6/20/14

Commerce Insurance Co. a/s/o Judy Joaquin and Melinda Alves v. FedEx Ground Package System Inc. and Kenneth Allen Jr.
Allegation: Negligent operation of FedEx vehicle causing injury: $10,608.73
Filed: 5/22/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Liberty Mutual v. Larovere Design/Build Corp.
Allegation: non-payment of a workers’ compensation policy: $11,272.80
Filed: 6/27/14

Mary Perello v. Northeast Properties d/b/a F & P Realty Trust, 58 Realty Trust, and West Street Realty Trust
Allegation: Breach of implied covenant of habitability: $9,000
Filed: 7/9/14

Michelle Smith v. Swift Transportation
Allegation: Negligence causing injury: $24,999
Filed: 6/20/14

A Time to Reflect

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Features Sections Travel and Tourism

Clark Art Institute Reopens After Major Renovation

The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown celebrated the grand reopening of its 140-acre campus on July 4. It has been transformed by a $145 million renovation designed to give visitors a more coherent and expanded view of art and nature.

“It’s a whole new Clark; we have recast the public profile of the institution,” said Thomas Loughman, associate director for programs and planning. “We have maintained the beautiful, intimate experience we are known for, but created a better way to experience it so visitors can connect with the great pinnacle of human creation, which is art.”

Reflecting pools greet visitors to the Clark.

The changes, which include new architecture and the newly built Clark Center, the main entryway into the campus, are breathtaking and have attracted rave reviews. The building was designed by Pulitzer Prize-winning architect Tadeo Ando to direct people’s views as they enter through walls of glass and three-tiered reflecting pools outside, where trees and hillsides are mirrored in water that comes right to the edge of the glass. In addition to their aesthetic value, the pools are advanced water-management systems that will reduce the Clark’s potable water use by 1 million gallons a year.

“Ando is truly dedicated to the idea that great architecture needs to be in harmony with the landscape, and the reason the Clark Center has so much glass is because it was meant to bring the outside in,” Loughman said.

“The glass was installed to create a connection, historically and visually, with views to the left and right,” he continued, as he sat in a room backed by glass that looked out onto another pool of water. “The materials used in this building frame one’s view of the landscape, whether it is man-made and orderly or partially wild, with gradations in between.”

New ways to circulate between the buildings have also been created, which include a bridge outside and a hallway between the Clark Center and the museum. It has glass on one side, which changes as people travel along it, redirecting their view from a lily pond on the left to the reflecting pools on the right. Exhibit space has also been increased within the museum building itself, which had been closed for three years before the grand reopening last month.

Sally Majewski, manager of public relations and marketing, said reaction to the transformation has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve had an incredible response to what has been done, which has been very gratifying.”

She added that, when the museum building closed for the renovation, 75 French paintings from the Clark’s collection were sent on a three-year international tour in 11 cities. “They returned just in time to be reinstalled before we reopened,” Majewski told BusinessWest, noting that the international tour drew more than 2.6 million visitors.

In addition to the Clark Center and renovated museum building, other changes have been made, and the entire campus has become so inviting that locals can be seen walking their dogs along miles of pathways in the verdant landscape and pausing to sit beside the reflecting pools, while people from all over the world view art, study, and conduct research inside the buildings.

Ambitious Plan

Loughman said the expansion plans were first conceived in the late ’90s, when it became clear that the facilities at the Clark were too limited for their program, but they had ample room to grow.

Thomas Loughman says the design of the Clark and its surroundings help visitors make the connection between the beauty of nature and art.

“The population of the town is only 5,000, but we have a very big impact on the region and on the global mission of portraying the history of art,” he said. “The fellows who do research here come from all over the world, and we have exchange relationships with museums around the world in terms of lending and borrowing. And although we had 140 acres, we were hunkered down in two old buildings. So we commissioned Cooper Robertson and Partners in New York City to create a master plan. They told us we needed to change the circulation of the campus, which included moving the parking to one spot, and responsibly crossing two brooks via a bridge to allow access to the rest of the campus.”

In 2002, an architectural competition was launched, and Ando was chosen to design two new buildings. The first — the 42,600-square-foot Clark Center — includes more than 11,000 square feet of gallery space for special exhibitions, a multi-purpose pavilion for events, a dining area, a museum store, family spaces, and an all-glass museum pavilion that creates a new entrance to the original museum building.

The second new structure is the Lunder Center at Stone Hill, which houses smaller exhibits and contains a new art classroom, a seasonal café on a terrace that offers a sweeping view of the landscape, and the Williamstown Art Conservation Center’s facilities.

Phase 1 was completed in 2008 and included the Lunder Center, a new bridge, and a free shuttle service provided between that building and the main campus. Phase 2 involved the construction of the Clark Center with its reflecting pools, site work to the parking lot, and renovations to the museum building and Manton Research Center.

Consideration was also given to the environment, and the terraced reflecting pools that cover an acre were part of Ando’s master plan. They unite the museum’s campus by providing a peaceful view from inside and outside of Stone Hill Meadow, Christmas Brook, and its wetlands.

But they are functional as well and have helped position the Clark at the forefront of the museum world as a leader in sustainability and energy conservation.

Loughman said all the rainwater from the roofs and terraces is channeled into the pools and used to flush the toilets. “It’s a huge advance to have our stormwater-management system and gray-water system tied together in a sustainable fashion,” he told BusinessWest, as he gazed at the sheet of water, which is about 12 inches deep and has a bottom composed of Berkshire river rock and fieldstone.

Funding for the project came entirely from donations, with the exception of $1 million from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, and financial vehicles were created to keep it moving forward. “People care deeply about our mission, which is to bridge the distance that separates the general public from what is happening in art history,” Loughman said. “We try to connect our guests with ideas and objects, and our new facilities let us do this better.”

Unification Efforts

Each of the four buildings on the campus has a distinct character. “The museum, which was built in the ’50s, is clad in white marble and looks like a Greek temple or mausoleum, while the Manton Research Center, designed in the ’60s, is clad in purple granite and built in New Brutalist style,” said Loughman, pointing out some of the differences.

But today, thanks to Tadeo Ando Architect and Associates, Selldorf Architects, and Reed Hilderbrand and Gensler, materials used in the Clark Center mirror those used in the museum and Manton Center.
The museum’s interior has also undergone change. The building gained 15% more exhibit space, which equates to about 2,200 square feet. That was made possible by moving the loading docks, mailroom, and other service spaces. “It allows us to put a substantially greater number of works on view, many of which were held in storage,” Loughman said.

New lighting and environmental controls were also installed, and three small galleries were created to showcase silver and porcelain as guests move west to east throughout the building. “In the past, we had very primitive displays, but the new cases give us so much more space,” he continued. “There is also a purpose-built gallery for American paintings in the former mailroom that allows us to show off our great collection of Winslow Homer and George Inness. We originally had two of Inness’ works in our collection, but two years ago, we were given eight more of them. Now, we have a place to display them.”

Other changes made to the museum building included raising and reconfiguring the height of the academic gallery to mirror the Impressionist artwork on display there. In addition, new walls were erected to create small showcases within the larger gallery, and the color in some areas was changed to create a more spacious feel.

A new small room with special lighting allows the museum to showcase pastels, and is one of three areas carved out to spotlight select pieces of art. “Ando and the curators tried to create moments of surprise by creating them so they could highlight a small number of works,” Majewski said.

There has also been a change, which began seven years ago, in the type of work put on display. “We wanted to challenge ourselves to show things beyond what people expect to see at the Clark,” Loughman said.
In the past, that was a collection of great 19th-century French and American paintings. But today, the Clark has exhibitions of 20th- and 21st-century art as well as non-Western art and antiquity.

“What we’ve done on these fronts seems very provocative, but we have created immersive experiences that include contemporary art,” Loughman noted, referring to a number of exhibitions, including “Circles of Influence,” which showcases the work of the abstract expressionist Georgia O’Keefe and the modernist Arthur Dove.

Today, a show called “Unearthed: Recent Archaeological Discoveries from Northern China” is on display in the new Clark Center, while an exhibit titled “Raw Color: The Circles of David Smith” can be seen in the Lunden Center.

The multi-million-dollar, multi-phase project that began 15 years ago is almost complete, and a video presentation near the new entrance to the museum building documents the undertaking. Although it has taken time, the end result is a seamless experience, due to the work of four internationally renowned architects who added more than 13,000 square feet of gallery space, demolished the former physical plant building to make way for the new Clark Center and its three reflecting pools, upgraded major utilities, added a series of new geothermal wells, planted 1,000 new trees, and created new ways to circulate among the four buildings on the campus.

Unified Atmosphere

Other changes include upgrades and expansion of the walking trails, a new entry drive, and parking areas with water-permeable surfaces that lead to the rainwater-collection system.

A renovation of the Manton Research Center will complete the project. “The lobby will be turned into a public reading room. It’s one of the greatest art-history libraries in the world, but it has been behind doors, so it is critical to bring it out,” Loughman said.

Although this is important, he added, what has been already accomplished is extraordinary.

“The transformation allowed us to leap over something very old and non-functional and become something that is a generation ahead of our peers in terms of design and sustainability,” he said. “It was difficult to do everything at once, but our project was driven by unity and the historic connection to the earth, which is really art.”

Filling the Gap

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Back to School Sections

New Programs Prepare People for Careers in Manufacturing

Several weeks ago, Bob LePage met with a fourth-generation manufacturer who is having problems finding new employees with the right skills to fuel his company’s growth.

“He told me his competitors were also having a difficult time and he gained new customers when another fourth-generation manufacturing company went out of business because they could not find enough talent,” said Springfield Technical Community College’s vice president of Foundation & Workforce Training.

In response to the growing need for skilled workers in the manufacturing sector, STCC launched several new programs this summer and expanded existing programs that provide training and retraining for careers in the field.

Specifically, STCC’s associate-degree program in precision machining doubled in size last September from 40 to 80 students, thanks to a $2 million upgrade of the school’s Smith & Wesson Technology Applications Center. “We have all new CNC machines, computers, high-end computer workstations, and software. We also hired two new faculty members as well as technicians,” said STCC President Ira Rubenzahl, adding that there will be a total of about 250 students in non-credit and for-credit manufacturing-related programs this fall.

From left, West Springfield High School students Lexi Pastore, Jared Schelb, and Chris Brown prepare to make key fobs under the direction of STCC Professor John LaFrancis.

And on Aug. 28, a class of 15 students who were carefully honed from a field of 60 applicants will graduate from a free, 10-week, intensive accelerated manufacturing technician production program. It was created collaboratively by STCC and Holyoke Community College, with input from more than 50 manufacturers. Participants range from recent high-school graduates to an individual in his 50s returning to the field after years away from the industry.

The accelerated program includes a combination of classroom and hands-on training in machining, and will continue this fall, with a class at STCC’s Smith & Wesson Center and another sponsored by HCC. The latter will consist of evening sessions held at Dean Vocational Technical High School, with hands-on training there and in the Smith & Wesson Center.

“The program provides students with production, foundational machining, and fabrication skills,” said LePage. It includes classes on machinery, instrumentation, LEAN production, blueprint reading, teamwork, and manufacturing math. Students are also given exposure to the industry via speakers and field trips.

When the first class graduates later this month, members will receive certificates of completion, OSHA 10-hour cards, and mechanical-aptitude certificates. Companies have already interviewed them in anticipation of the upcoming commencement, and LePage said starting salaries should between average between $35,000 and $40,000.

The program was funded by the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, MassMutual, Suffolk Construction, and Smith & Wesson.

LePage said the college has weekly meetings with administrators at Smith & Wesson, who invested more than $200,000 in the center five years ago and continue to support it.
“Our plan is to expand the program; we want to offer it at UMass Amherst and in two other communities in addition to Holyoke,” he explained. “We need to grow capacity so we can meet the volume needs for the region.”

Other measures to fill the gap include an increase in the number of training sessions for employees of manufacturing companies, accomplished through a partnership with the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County (REB). It allows individuals and small groups working in the field to update their skills at the Smith & Wesson Center. Larger manufacturers with six or more employees have the option of sending them to the center or having instructors from the college conduct on-site trainings in their locations.

Credit and certificate programs are also part of the mix, and STCC offers a CNC certificate in design, a CAD-CAM certificate, and an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering technology. Classes are held four nights a week to meet the needs of people already employed who want to step up their careers, as well as those in traditional degree programs.

Early Exposure

STCC and its partners are also looking to the future, and this summer, the REB paid for a group of 10 students from West Springfield High School to attend a new, two-week summer session called “Pathways to Prosperity” at the Smith & Wesson Center.

The teens, who will be entering their sophomore year this fall, were selected by the school and were among a group of 60 students who toured the center in the spring. “The program gave us the opportunity to expose students from a non-vocational high school to manufacturing,” said John LaFrancis, professor of Mechanical Engineering.

The students learned how to design parts using computer software programs, then took the design for a small bottle-style container with four sides to a rapid prototyping machine.

LaFrancis said they worked as a group to decide what to emblazon on two sides of the container, and chose their high-school Terrier logo for one side and put their names and/or a quotation on the other.

“This was an additive process which required them to add material to manufacture their bottles,” said LaFrancis. “Each student got to keep their container, and they will make good holders for pens and pencils.”

The students also chose a design for a brass key fob, and emblazoned ‘STCC’ on one side and their name or something else on the flip side. “The key fob was a subtractive process in which they removed material to reveal their individual designs,” LaFrancis explained. “The program has been a real success, and we would like to hold it again. But we want to expand it to two campuses so we can expose more students to manufacturing.”

STCC and its partners are doing all they can to meet that goal and interest young people in manufacturing. “The program was part of a strategy to build awareness about career opportunities,” LePage said.
Rubenzahl added that exposure to opportunities in manufacturing should start in middle school. “Students can have careers as engineers, run CNC machines, do design work, programming, quality control, or go into sales and marketing,” he noted. “Manufacturing is a hot field for employment in the Pioneer Valley, and, given the economy, it’s important for people to understand this and take advantage of it, because if there are not enough new employees, companies won’t survive.”

One reason for the shortage of skilled workers is the number of Baby Boomers who are retiring. “We believe the region will need 300 to 400 workers in the next few years,” said LePage. “One company that recently partnered with us told me they expect to lose two-thirds of their staff to retirement.”

The need has echoed throughout the Valley, and the new programs have been created through proactive collaborations with the REB, Holyoke Community College, and high schools with vocational technical programs, as well as information elicited from local manufacturers.

“We’ve been working to improve our ability to educate students for the manufacturing sector for 10 years, and people are wowed by what we are doing,” said Rubenzahl. “Manufacturing is the most important sector for revitalization in the Pioneer Valley; the area was a center for manufacturing during the 19th century, and there are many legacy companies, new companies, and a lot of skill in terms of business acumen to build on. An expansion of manufacturing will be the basis for building a robust economy here. Plus, these jobs pay well, and the college wants to provide the education students need to get good-paying positions.”

He added that STCC’s partnerships with manufacturers are growing in number, which heightens the school’s ability to link graduates to jobs while raising awareness about career opportunities through tours and informational sessions.

Solid Foundation

LePage said many people are unaware of the number of small manufacturers in the region who provide specialized products for the medical, auto, and aerospace industries. Pay for entry-level positions averages from $12 to $17 an hour; people with a one-year certificate earn between $40,000 and $50,000, and those with an associate degree gross about $50,000, or $70,000 with overtime.

Bob LePage, left, and John LaFrancis show off one of the new machines in the Smith & Wesson Technology Application Center at STCC.

“Machinists, highly skilled machine operators, and those who support the process are in demand, and we now have training for all three levels,” LePage said.

Although STCC and HCC have created new programs, Rubenzahl said economic-development agencies and department heads need to place more emphasis on manufacturing. “I believe they need to make it an important priority because there is a huge potential future in terms of jobs and industry growth if we can all get on the same page,” he told BusinessWest.

He cited, as one example, the $1.5 billion appropriated by the Legislature to replace rail cars on the Mass. Bay Transit Authority Orange and Red lines, since it has been mandated that they must be manufactured in the state.

“We would like Western Mass. to become so prominent in the manufacturing sector that it would be the logical and most cost-effective place to do this work,” LePage said. “But we need to raise our game to be able to attract that type of business.”

This requires an educated workforce, especially since the manufacturing sector is very dynamic and large capital investments are required for companies to be successful. “We can’t compete with Mexico and India in terms of labor, but we can compete by making high-end devices, which are some of the key products which companies in this region specialize in,” Rubenzahl said, adding that he spoke to a manufacturer who showed him a $1 million machine and said he would be happy to pay someone $50,000 to $60,000 a year to run it.

“Companies have made huge investments in order to be successful, but they need highly educated people,” he went on. “And there are a lot of small, local companies here doing tremendously sophisticated work.”

Future Outlook

LePage argues that long-term planning has been critical in developing the new programs. “No one institution can solve the problem — it takes a collaborative regional approach,” he said. “But we plan to continue to add new components to our program at STCC meet the region’s needs.”

Gary Masciadrelli, chair of the Mechanical Engineering Technology Department, agreed.

“STCC is fully supportive of supplying the manufacturing industry with current and future workers today, evidenced by our programs in the high schools and for adult learners,” he said. “We look forward to continuing them in the future to meet demand.”

Community Spotlight: Southwick

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spirit Fuels Growth in Southwick

Russell Fox grew up in Southwick and remembers when it was primarily a farming town. Although that has changed, farming still plays a significant role in the town’s economy, and the close-knit community that developed generations ago continues to be a cornerstone of life there today.

“There’s a community spirit in Southwick that people want to be part of,” said Fox, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. “It is alive and well and is enhanced by the generosity of our residents. We’re also very fortunate to have an extremely active business community that invests time and money in the town, along with many boards and commissions manned by volunteers.”

Karl Stinehart concurred. “People willingly step forward to volunteer to improve the community and help move it forward,” said the town’s chief administrative officer.

A prime example is the town’s new Whalley Park, which exists thanks to the generosity of John Whalley III and Kathy Whalley, who donated a 70-acre parcel to Southwick in honor of their son John Whalley IV, then paid to outfit it.

Russell Fox says residents’ willingness to help the town makes Southwick an attractive place to live and work.

Fox said the park is in line with the town’s open-space plan and fulfills the need for more playing fields for youth sports, which were sorely needed. “The park also has a beautiful playscape, pavilion, underground irrigation system, and plenty of safe parking,” he told BusinessWest, adding that it will be run by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

It is located on 42 Powder Mill Road, adjacent to the Southwick Recreation Center, which stands as an example of the long history of private investment for public good. The center was formed in the ’60s by a group of farmers and residents, and is still run entirely by volunteers. “The people who created this nonprofit took out mortgages on their homes to raise the money they needed to acquire 24 acres for the center,” Stinehart said.

Today, it hosts sports teams that include soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, and floor hockey, serving hundreds of children and teens each year and boasting one of the best fields for travel soccer in Western Mass. “People love to come to Southwick and play on the field here,” Fox said.

A new, $500,000 animal shelter, called the Polverari/Southwick Animal Control Facility, is also being built, thanks to the generosity of residents Robert and Barbara Polverari, who approached town officials with the idea.

Stinehart said their proposal was timely, because the town had outgrown its old shelter, which was an outdated cinderblock building with electric heat. “It was so small, there was no way to separate different types of animals other than provide them with their own cages. It got to the point where we had to bring in temporary structures to house the kittens and cats,” he said.

The new facility not only fills a need, but also pays tribute to some town residents. For example, the adoption room was named after 22-year-old Haley Tierney, who was killed last year in a motor-vehicle accident, while the outdoor cat field is named for logger Tyler Granfield, who died in 2012 at age 28 while working at a job in East Longmeadow.

Southwick officials said there are many other examples of residents pitching in to address gaps the town cannot afford. For example, last year, when the police department needed bulletproof vests, residents and businesses came forward to pay for them. “And in the past few years, they also paid for two police dogs,” Stinehart said.

The town’s residents also support local businesses, who, in turn, do their share to contribute to the quality of life. “We were the first local community to have flags that welcome people to the town along our business corridor,” Stinehart said, noting that the business community paid for them. “There are also U.S. flags along College Highway that were donated and demonstrate the patriotism of the townspeople.”

Proactive Stance

Signs that greet drivers entering Southwick read, “Recreational Community,” and its attractions include the Congamond Lakes, the 6.3 mile Southwick Rail Trail, three golf courses, and a miniature golf course. “Southwick is also the home of motocross, plus we have two campgrounds and a very active Parks and Recreation Committee,” Fox said. “The town has also invested millions in cleaning up its lakes, and we have rehabilitated our boat ramp.”

The regional school system has expanded in the last two years and now includes Granville, in addition to Southwick and Tolland. The addition of the third town made the school system eligible for state funding not previously available, which prompted major renovations to Woodland Elementary School, Powder Mill Middle School, and the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School, which are all on one campus on Feeding Hills Road.

Fox said the three-year, $69 million project is nearing completion and includes additions as well as upgrades. “A new science wing and a wing that will become a junior high for seventh- and eighth-graders is being added to the high school,” he said, adding that the middle school currently houses grades 5 through 8.

Other improvements to the schools include new roofs, windows, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, and upgrades to make the buildings handicapped-accessible. “What’s unusual about this project is that the state typically only approves renovations to one school at a time, but they approved renovations for all of our three schools simultaneously,” Fox said. “This is a major step for the region, and everything is on schedule, so we are very happy.”

The state will pay for 40% of the work, and the three towns will share the remaining cost. “The voters of Southwick, Tolland, and Granville all approved debt exclusions to make this a reality,” Steinhart said. “They understand it’s important to keep our schools up-to-date so we can equip students with the skill sets they will need to enter the job market.”

A new, rubberized track at the high school is also under construction, thanks to a combination of Community Preservation Act funding and a $500,000 donation from alumnus Steven Nielsen via the Steven and Elizabeth Nielsen Gift Fund.

Nielsen graduated in 1981 and resides in Florida, but continues to support his alma mater. “He funds the Atkinson Scholarship, which is one of the largest scholarships given to a student at the high school each year. Plus, he has anonymously donated computers and school supplies,” Fox said, adding that Nielsen’s philanthropy is an example of the generosity of Southwick’s former and current residents and their dedication to the town.

Moving Forward

Economic growth has also occurred in the business arena. A new funeral home has been approved, Rite Aid expanded, and a CVS was built. “There is also a new Pride gas station, a new dollar store, and several new businesses in our industrial park,” Fox said.

In addition, in an effort to promote local businesses, the town partnered with Agawam to complete an expansion of Route 57, which will also benefit residents who use it to travel back and forth to work.
Other projects include $17 million of sewer infrastructure improvements downtown and around the lakes. Phase 1 was completed a few years ago, and the town is set to embark on Phase 2.

Karl Stinehart says Southwick takes a proactive stance to applying for state and federal money to improve quality of life.

Stinehart explained that part of the motivation for the sewer work comes from the fact that Southwick is growing. Its population has reached about 9,500, and once it exceeds 10,000, it will no longer qualify for federal funding aimed at towns with populations beneath that number. “We want to make sure we don’t lose out on any opportunities to offset future expenses.”

But the small-town community spirit remains strong and is boosted by a number of active civic organizations in town, which include the Rotary and Lions clubs. “The Rotary hosts an Interact Club in the high school and offers internships and job shadowing through their Business Education Alliance program. This things connect people and keep them integrated,” Stinehart said.

Fox agreed. “The Rotary took up a collection this year to pay for the annual fireworks display. They received donations as small as $1 from children and as large as thousands from adults, which says a lot about our community; there is a reason why Southwick is growing, and it’s that people want to live here,” he said, adding the town has seven churches for 9,500 people, which illustrates the diversity of the population.

Seniors are choosing to live in Southwick, too, and several new 55-and-over communities have proved popular. “The American Inn, which offers independent and assisted living, has more than 200 residents who came from towns that include Westfield and Agawam as well as states as far away as New York because they wanted to make Southwick their home,” Fox said.

He has given updates on town government at the inn and said the Board of Selectmen has held meetings there. “Many people who live there are active in the community and we want to reach out and welcome new residents and urge them to become involved. We are a whole community, from young to old.”

To that end, a new, 1,500-square-foot addition was added to the Council on Aging building to accommodate the increase in demand for services and activities for seniors.

There are also two solar projects under development. “They are being done very tastefully; we appreciate alternative energy, but want to keep our rural views and vistas,” Fox said, adding that the farms in existence are very active and profitable.

Bright Future

Many new developments are taking place throughout the town. “We’re very busy and have a lot of positive things going on. We’ve been proactive with our infrastructure as well as improvements to our schools, and our fire station, police station, library, and Town Hall have all been renovated or moved to new buildings,” Fox said. “So I’m optimistic that new businesses will continue to come to Southwick, which will help with our tax rate and make the town an even more desirable place to raise a family.”

However, he reiterated that the strong sense of community will continue to play a major role in Southwick’s development. “The spirit that began when the town was first settled carries down to this day.”

Commonwealth to Purchase Knowledge Corridor Rail Line

By BusinessWest Staff August 21, 2014

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Gov. Deval Patrick announced an agreement in principle allowing the Commonwealth to purchase the Knowledge Corridor rail line between East Northfield and Springfield from Pan Am Southern, a joint venture of Pan Am and Norfolk Southern.

The 49-mile segment of rail is currently undergoing a major restoration that will allow for more efficient passenger service, in response to increased demand, and will allow the Commonwealth to maintain and enhance freight service, which will take trucks off the roads, reducing congestion and greenhouse-gas emissions.

“For close to 100 years, the Commonwealth’s rail infrastructure was the lifeblood of economic vitality for communities in Franklin and Berkshire counties, and across Western Mass.,” said Patrick. “Through this agreement, we are realizing the renewed value this infrastructure can have in creating economic opportunities throughout the region.”

The agreement in principle to purchase the Knowledge Corridor rail line is an important milestone in the Knowledge Corridor/Restore Vermonter Project. The project will restore the original route of Amtrak’s Vermonter travelling between St. Albans, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. from its current routing via Palmer and Amherst.

The work on the project includes upgrades to the 50-mile Pan Am Southern Connecticut River Line running between Springfield and East Northfield, known as the Knowledge Corridor. The ongoing restoration project will lead to the relocation of the Vermonter, Amtrak’s north-south passenger rail service to the Knowledge Corridor, by the end of 2014, potentially reducing trip times by 25 minutes.

Starting in East Northfield, the restoration runs south to Springfield and includes the construction of three new station platforms in Greenfield, Northampton, and Holyoke. Passenger service on this line ceased in the 1980s and was rerouted southeast to Palmer, where trains reverse direction and head west to Springfield.

“It is clear that the residents of Western Massachusetts are hungry for rail service,” said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern. “Today’s announcement, coupled with state and federal investments to rehabilitate the Knowledge Corridor line, will make such service a reality.”

Added U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, “as an outspoken supporter of increased rail travel throughout New England, I am pleased the Commonwealth has agreed to purchase the rail line that runs along the Knowledge Corridor. The completion of this segment of track will lead to increased passenger and freight service from the Pioneer Valley to the Vermont border. Not only will this project will help improve our transportation infrastructure, it will also grow the local economy. It’s exciting news for Western Massachusetts.”

Initiated in August 2012, the restoration work consists of the replacement of approximately 95,000 rail ties, new continuously welded rail, new active warning signals and crossing gates at 23 public-grade crossings, upgrades to six bridges, and the first phase of a new signal installation. The restoration is funded through a $75 million grant awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration and approximately $40 million in state funds. The work is expected to be complete in 2016, after the start of passenger service. These improvements will improve safety, increase operating speeds for existing freight-train traffic and the Vermonter, and enhance capacity on the rail line to accommodate future increased levels of train traffic.

“The Knowledge Corridor is a rail asset that will play a key role in the region’s transportation system, both by delivering improved customer service in the form of faster travel times, as well as by being built to a standard that can accommodate more freight,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. “Purchasing the line will also allow us to preserve the line’s viability for the long term, and will position the Commonwealth to use this line for increased passenger service that could provide commuters in the region a competitive alternative to driving on I-91.”

The Knowledge Corridor/Restore Vermonter project is part of the vision for a New England high-speed, intercity rail network that will provide a foundation for economic competitiveness and promote livable communities from major and smaller cities to rural areas.

Beyond the Knowledge Corridor, the Commonwealth’s work to increase rail opportunities for commuters and tourists alike continues. MassDOT has been working closely with Pan Am Southern, the city of North Adams, and the town of Adams to have Berkshire Scenic Railway operate the Adams Branch railroad line between the two towns. The operation of a scenic railway between North Adams and Adams would be another draw for the thousands of tourists who flock to the Berkshires each year.

State Adds 13,800 Jobs in July; Unemployment Rate at 5.6%

By BusinessWest Staff August 15, 2014

Daily News

BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show Massachusetts added 13,800 jobs in July for a total of 3,422,100 jobs, and the total unemployment rate edged up 0.1% to 5.6% from the June rate. The rate is still the lowest since August 2008 and is below the 6.2% national unemployment rate.

Since July 2013, Massachusetts has added a net of 67,300 jobs, with 66,400 jobs added in the private sector. The total unemployment rate for the year is down 1.6% from the July 2013 rate of 7.2%. BLS also revised its June job estimates to a 2,500-job gain from the 3,700 previously reported for the month. Here is the July employment overview:

• Professional, scientific, and business services added 5,000 jobs (+1.0%) over the month. Over the year, professional, scientific, and business services added 13,300 (+2.6%) jobs.

• Education and health services gained 3,800 jobs (+0.5%) over the month. Over the year, education and health services gained 24,000 (+3.3%) jobs.

• Construction added 1,900 jobs (+1.5%) over the month. Over the year, the sector has added 2,400 (+2.0%) jobs.

• Trade, transportation, and utilities added 1,900 jobs (+0.3%) over the month. Over the year, trade, transportation, and utilities gained 12,800 (+2.3%) jobs.

• Financial activities gained 1,000 jobs (+0.5%) over the month. Over the year, the sector added 2,500 (+1.2%) jobs.

• Other services added 800 jobs (+0.6%) over the month. Over the year, jobs are up 3,300 (+2.7%) in this sector.

• Leisure and hospitality gained 600 jobs (+0.2%) over the month. Over the year, the sector added 4,300 (+1.3%) jobs.

• Manufacturing added 500 jobs (+0.2%) jobs over the month. Over the year, manufacturing lost 600 (-0.2%) jobs.

Baystate Health Wins Approval for Determination-of-need Requests

By BusinessWest Staff August 14, 2014

Daily News

BOSTON — The Mass. Public Health Council approved three determination-of-need (DON) requests to support Baystate Health’s efforts to modernize its facilities and improve access to, and quality and value of, healthcare for patients in Western Mass.

The approved requests relate to the transfer of ownership of Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers to Baystate Health from UMass Memorial Health Care of Worcester; construction of new operating rooms at Baystate Franklin Medical Center to replace aging facilities; and construction of a new inpatient pharmacy in shell space in the MassMutual Wing at Baystate Medical Center.

“We’re very pleased to receive the approval of the Public Health Council for three initiatives that we expect to have a major positive impact on quality, access, and affordability of healthcare in Western Mass., and on our ability to continue to provide outstanding, high-value care for our patients close to where they live,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health.

With the council’s approval in place, the transfer of ownership of Wing, announced prospectively in December 2013, is now expected to be complete in September. Wing will become an affiliate of Baystate Health, and its approximately 800 employees will join Baystate. Baystate officials expect that Wing’s proximity to Baystate’s Western Mass. network will mean improved access to doctors, cost savings, better coordination of care, and better alignment with local public-health efforts for patients in the Palmer/Quaboag region. Wing and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware will operate in close coordination with each other and with other local healthcare providers, and patients’ current options for choosing providers will not be affected.

The Surgery Modernization Project at Baystate Franklin Medical Center (BFMC) in Greenfield addresses a need for contemporary facilities to replace the current ORs built in 1974, which will be renovated to relocate endoscopy services. The project, expected to begin this fall, will allow Franklin County and North Quabbin area residents to receive more healthcare services close to home, while also aiding in Baystate’s efforts to recruit additional physicians to the region.

Moving the inpatient pharmacy at Baystate Medical Center (BMC) enables pharmacists to meet patients’ growing needs in a state-of-the-art, safe, and secure facility in the newest wing of the Springfield teaching and research hospital.

The BFMC and BMC projects come with new community-benefit contributions from Baystate Health. BFMC’s Surgery Modernization Project will generate $228,921 per year for five years for community health-improvement projects in the Franklin County/North Quabbin region. The pharmacy at BMC comes with a community-benefit contribution of $342,146, which brings the total community benefit under the entire determination of need for the expansion of Baystate Medical Center to $13,144,765. Baystate’s Health’s community-benefit work at all of its hospitals is conducted in partnership with a wide array of community stakeholders to achieve the most inclusive process and effective outcomes possible.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Pamela Jenkins-Lewis v. Tri-Wire Engineering Solutions Inc. and Jonathan Podmore
Allegation: Negligent operation of a motor vehicle: $2,625
Filed: 7/9/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Brigid M. Rolfe v. American Student Assistance
Allegation: Failure to provide validation of debt and breach of Fair Debt Collection Practices: $90,000
Filed: 7/1/14

Monson Savings Bank v. KAM Investments, LLC and John Murphy
Allegation: Default on commercial promissory note: $71,099.61
Filed: 7/8/14

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Joseph Lellman v. BMW of North America, LLC
Allegation: Breach of written and implied warranty: $28,000+
Filed: 6/10/14

Katherine S. Kopeski v. Ryder Funeral Home Inc., et al
Allegation: Breach of contract, negligence, and improper disposal of human remains: $250,000+
Filed: 6/20/14

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Sall Greenhouse v. Target Corp.
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property causing slip and fall: $3,279.27
File: 5/28/14

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Javier Rivera v. Commerce Insurance Co.
Allegation: Improper denial of coverage for failure to effectuate prompt, fair, and equitable settlement for plaintiff’s claim: $5,670.44
Filed: 6/3/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Aniya Morris, a minor, by her mother and next friend, Brittner Smith v. Toys R Us, Inc.
Allegation: Negligent assembly of bicycle causing injury: $24,999
Filed: 6/23/14

Beacon Sales Acquisition v. A. Jacevicius & Co. Inc. and Allen Jacevicius
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $19,437.36
Filed: 6/18/14

Blueline Rentals, LLC f/d/b/a Volvo Rents v. Patriots Environmental Corp.
Allegation: Breach of commercial trade credit agreement for the rental of construction equipment: $20,033.37
Filed: 7/23/14

Thurston Foods Inc. v. Early Childhood Centers of Greater Springfield Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $20,310.14
Filed: 7/15/14

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Beth Ingram and Brooke Quinn v. Six Flags Entertainment Corp. and Broadspire Services Inc.
Allegation: Negligent failure to properly monitor rides causing injury: $1,910
Filed: 6/12/14

Decisions, Decisions

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Employment Sections

Three Recent Rulings Issued by the MCAD Are Ones to Remember

By PETER VICKERY

Is a worker who had a heart attack ‘handicapped’ in the legal sense of the word? Is a manager handicapped even if he can work nine hours a day, five days a week? Can a professor win $200,000 in emotional-distress damages without presenting any medical records as evidence? According to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the answer to all three questions is ‘yes.’

Our Commonwealth’s fair-employment-practices law, Chapter 151B, prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, or handicap. The agency that has the job of adjudicating complaints under that law is the MCAD. If the MCAD finds probable course, the case goes to a public hearing. If the losing side appeals, it goes to the full commission. Either side can seek judicial review of the full commission’s decision.

Although the MCAD is not a court, its opinions influence the way judges interpret the statute. The judiciary tends to defer to the MCAD’s view of the scope and meaning of Chapter 151B — not always, but often enough. So when the full commission issues a decision, it matters.

Three of the decisions that the full commission issued over the past 12 months provide employers with some useful pointers about the legal presumptions and interpretations MCAD’s hearing officers use, and the potential cost of not knowing what they are. In all three cases, the hearing officer awarded the employee damages for emotional distress, the full commission affirmed the award, and it took at least five years from filing the complaint to the commission’s final decision — in one case, nine years. In addition to those commonalities, each of the three decisions is noteworthy in its own right.

Glynn v. Massasoit Industrial Corp.

One of the key questions in this case was whether the employee had a handicap. Chapter 151B defines a handicap primarily as “a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities of a person.” In the context of the statute’s ban against discrimination on the basis of immutable characteristics such as gender, race, ethnicity, and national origin, a reasonable reader could infer that the Legislature meant to prohibit discrimination against people with lifelong (or at least lengthy) disabilities.

But the way the MCAD interprets the word, an ‘impairment’ does not have to be permanent to qualify as a handicap. Even a temporary impairment may qualify, as in the case of 74-year old Mr. Glynn, who suffered pneumonia and a heart attack leading to a one-month hospital stay. Glynn’s employer terminated him, allegedly for his failure to show up at work or to call in.

A supervisor testified that the company had not known the reason for Glynn’s absence. But the testimony the hearing officer found more credible was that of Glynn’s daughter-in-law, who said that she had visited the workplace twice to explain about the pneumonia, heart attack, and hospitalization.

The hearing officer took into account Glynn’s 22 years of service with the company, his age, plus the difficulty of finding another job at age 74, and decided that he deserved compensatory damages of $54,600. Based on Glynn’s testimony about how he felt after losing his job (lost, lonely, and disappointed) she awarded him $35,000 for emotional distress. As well as affirming the damages, the full commission ordered the employer to pay almost $52,000 in legal fees and costs. In total, the company had to pay just under $142,000. This six-figure price tag should help serve as a reminder that even temporary ailments can constitute a handicap.

The MCAD has a duty to construe Chapter 151B liberally, which as a practical matter tends to help employees and hurt employers. The Legislature wrote this liberal-construction rule into the text of the law, but there are some equally important rules that do not appear in the statute itself. They have emerged through the common-law process of judges applying the law to individual cases.

Anderson v. UPS

One such rule, which employers may think of as a thumb on the scales in favor of employees, made its presence felt in Anderson v. UPS, namely the broad presumption in favor of finding individuals disabled.

A manager asked his employer to reassign him to the day shift because working 12-hour shifts at night exacerbated his bipolar depression and anxiety disorder. Noting that Mr. Anderson said that, despite his condition, he could work nine hours a day, five days a week, the company determined that he was not legally handicapped and refused to engage in a discussion with him. Instead, it terminated him. This was a mistake, and quite an expensive one.

In combination, the statutory liberal-construction rule and the judge-made presumption in favor of finding individuals disabled tilted the scales heavily against UPS. Applying those two principles, the MCAD hearing officer found that Anderson was handicapped, and that UPS should have realized as much on the basis of the medical records describing his symptoms in detail, plus his lengthy hospital stays.

Because Anderson was handicapped in the Chapter 151B sense of the word, the MCAD held that UPS should have engaged in an interactive dialogue about providing reasonable accommodations. The failure to do so led to an award of approximately $575,000 in damages (including $125,000 for emotional distress), $8,000 in costs, and legal fees of $90,000, for a grand total of $673,000.

Anderson v. UPS shows that, even if an employee can put in a full working week, the employer should not conclude, on that basis alone, that the employee is outside the definition of ‘handicapped.’ That employee may still be entitled to Chapter 151B protection as a ‘qualified handicapped person,’ triggering the employer’s duty to engage in a good-faith, two-way discussion about reasonable accommodations.

Lulu Sun v. UMass Dartmouth

Liberal construction and the presumption in favor of deeming employees disabled are legal principles that affect the cost of day-to-day decisions in the workplace. The third case, Lulu Sun v. UMass Dartmouth, highlights the impact of another rule: the deference that the full commission accords to the hearing officer’s decisions about witness credibility.

In this case, a professor filed two complaints against her employer, UMass Dartmouth. One alleged that the university had denied her promotion on the basis of her gender, race/ancestry, and national origin, and the second alleged retaliation. The professor prevailed at the hearing, and, in addition to awarding damages, the hearing officer ordered UMass to promote her to full professor, pay a civil penalty of $10,000, and undergo training.

UMass appealed only the civil penalty, the training, and the emotional-distress award, which amounted to $200,000. At the root of the emotional-distress award was the hearing officer’s assessment of the credibility of the professor and her witnesses (the professor’s father and two faculty members) regarding her sleeplessness, timidity, a rash on her hands and legs, and her loss of both weight and verve. The hearing officer stated, “the vivacity, confidence, and vigor the complainant exhibited prior to the events at issue are hard to square with the fragile and wan woman who presented herself for public hearing.”

Pointing to the dearth of medical evidence, UMass challenged the emotional-distress damages. But the full commission upheld the $200,000 figure and awarded attorneys’ fees of almost $425,000.

It is important to note that the commissioners do not rehear the case, so they are not in a position to see the witnesses in the flesh. Instead, in a rule that works somewhat like a presumption, they defer to the hearing officer. As it noted in Lulu Sun, the commission shows “great deference” to the hearing officer’s decisions about the credibility of witnesses, the weighing of disputed issues of fact, and the assessment of damages. So unless it concludes that the officer’s decision was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise unlawful, the commission will affirm that decision.

The main lesson of this case is simple: live testimony matters. The physical appearance and demeanor of a complainant-employee and the way witnesses comport themselves under questioning are factors that the hearing officer will take into account, both in deciding liability and calculating damages. Because the full commission will defer to the officer on these matters, employers would be wise — particularly when sums in the half-million-dollar range are at stake — to treat MCAD hearings as make-or-break events.

Bottom Line

In summary, these three cases help remind employers that: (1) hearings matter, and persuading the full commission to overturn the decision of the hearing officer is an uphill battle; (2) the MCAD can — and does — award damages for emotional distress, sometimes six-figure sums; and (3) even before judicial review, the amount of time likely to elapse between the employee filing the complaint and the full Commission rendering a decision may be upward of five years.

Sometimes, of course, this last point redounds to the employer’s advantage, so long as management and counsel alike prepare themselves for a marathon, not a sprint.

Peter Vickery, Esq., practices law in Amherst; www.petervickery.com

Zip It

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Sections Sports & Leisure

Area Recreation Facilities Raise the Game for Summer Fun

By KEVIN FLANDERS

Kevin McMillan, with canopy tour manager Nina Nunes, says Zoar Outdoor used to be one of the only such facilities in the region, but today, enterprises across New England are getting in on an increasingly popular activity.

The forest is cool and quiet, sunlight coruscating through the trees. In the distance, a high-pitched, mechanical whine tumbles down the mountain, growing steadily louder, closer, accompanied by screams of excitement. A look upward reveals a taut cable backlit by ripples of morning light, and then, moments later, a flash of color and joyful sound ripping past — another guest giddily speeding toward the next platform.

It’s a scene that plays out every day in Charlemont, a rural Franklin County town intersected by the Mohawk Trail and the Deerfield River. With a population scarcely exceeding 1,000, the town would be virtually unknown to most Massachusetts residents if not for two popular ziplining destinations that have transformed the burg into a hub of outdoor recreation.

Located almost directly across the river from each other, Berkshire East and Zoar Outdoor have become two of the premier ziplining and canopy-tour businesses in New England. Boasting advanced equipment, thrilling courses, and knowledgeable staffs, they have helped thousands of families learn how to ‘zip’ while enjoying the breathtaking scenery atop Massachusetts’ northwest woods.

“Our focus is on making a connection with guests,” said Kevin McMillan, director of guided programs at Zoar Outdoor. “We carefully train our staff, and they’re always excited to share their vocation with the guests. If you have a family with young teens, coming here is a great family adventure.”

The sentiment was echoed by Gabriel Porter-Henry, director of marketing and customer relations at Berkshire East, who encourages guests to sample both facilities.

“What’s nice is that both businesses provide different experiences and cater to people with different focuses,” he said. “Both are great businesses that have created a series of outdoor activities that draw people to Charlemont.”

For this issue’s focus on sports and leisure, BusinessWest zips up to Charlemont to learn about a fast-growing activity that is, quite literally, raising the game when it comes to outdoor fun.

High-flying Business

Berkshire East and Zoar Outdoor vary in terms of ziplining offerings, with programs geared toward different interests, McMillan and Porter-Henry said.

For example, Zoar puts a greater emphasis on the tree-to-tree exploration component of a canopy tour, with eleven zip lines and two sky bridges. The course is essentially an aerial hike, enabling guests to explore the woods from one platform to the next and experience nature in a new way. At times, when they’re cutting through the dense wilderness at 35 mph, guests feel what it’s like for birds to fly between the trees. The course’s highest point reaches 55 feet, and the tour takes about three hours to complete.

“We’re definitely different in what we offer, and I always recommend that guests try both places,” said McMillan, who has been with Zoar Outdoor for 23 years and previously worked at Berkshire East.

Meanwhile, across the Mohawk Trail, the Berkshire East course is perfect for those in search of speed, height, and distance, Porter-Henry noted, boasting zips that exceed 50 mph and rise nearly 200 feet into the air. The course’s most extreme lines, X1 and X2, are each a half-mile long and bring guests high above the treetops and across town lines. Berkshire East also offers an introductory tour for those who aren’t quite up for the intensity of X1 and X2.

“We have some of the longest lines in North America, and it’s great to see all kinds of people come out and enjoy them,” he said, adding that staff recently guided a 94-year-old woman through the course.

Both Zoar Outdoor and Berkshire East draw significant revenue from ziplining during a season that runs from spring to fall. For Berkshire East, a ski resort, the zips allow the mountain to maintain a steady stream of customers long after the snow melts.

Meanwhile, Zoar Outdoor generates revenue through a host of activities, including rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, the latter run through a partnership between Zoar and Hadley’s Central Rock Gym, which specializes in rock climbing and rappelling.

Ziplining has flourished in the last decade, not only regionally but nationally, with hundreds of operations starting up. Many of them are run by ski resorts, as the expansive, hilly terrain is ideal for the construction of zip platforms complete with sturdy cables that can support 14,000 pounds. Other zipline businesses are operated by companies that specialize in water sports and are interested in adding another source of income.

“The zip business is going well,” said Porter-Henry. “There is excellent interest locally and from people throughout New England, which is great for the local economy.”

For Zoar Outdoor, the zipping and canopy-tour business continues to thrive, but McMillan has seen growth slow slightly in recent years, mostly due to increased competition.

“When we first started, we were one of the only places in the region offering canopy tours,” he said. “Now there are many operations in New England, which means more competition for us.”

Still, Zoar Outdoor has hosted about 50,000 people since starting its canopy-tour business six years ago, and employs about 55 canopy tour guides, most of whom are also experienced in leading rafting and kayaking excursions. Many staff members have primary jobs in teaching or other occupations that give them significant time off in the summer, and they wind up serving as guides in a part-time capacity.

“It’s nice to have staff members that can do kayaking, rafting, and zipping, which gives them variation and keeps people fresh,” McMillan said. “Because of how we do it with the part-time work, our staff tends to be a little older and more experienced in each activity.”

Hanging Around

While both Berkshire East and Zoar Outdoor are constantly welcoming new zipliners to the thrill of sailing over the trees, it’s only natural that some participants arrive with a little anxiety. But Porter-Henry and McMillan both emphasized the role of their well-trained guides — and their safety equipment — in helping zippers build trust and let go of their fears.

In fact, they said, newcomers are often left speechless by the exhilarating freedom that sweeps over them while soaring through the air, suspended by just a few pieces of equipment, including harnesses, carabiners, ropes, and cables. Some guests curl their legs up tightly to maximize speed, while others spread themselves out to increase drag and prolong their views of the sprawling scenery.

As thrilling as the activity is, however, there are innate risks if the correct safety procedures aren’t used. Both Zoar Outdoor and Berkshire East employ dual locking mechanisms on each line that provide a secondary failsafe in the extremely unlikely event of a break from the cables. The equipment is carefully inspected each day, and when guests are waiting for their next zip on the platforms, the staffs at both sites ensure they are secured to the decks to prevent injury in case of a stumble.

“Whenever you’re working at height, it’s all about redundancy,” McMillan said. “Redundancy will minimize your exposure to risk.”

Guides also carefully explain the safety procedures and confirm that guests are comfortable and ready prior to each jump, and no one feels rushed.

Those positive experiences with ziplining have been a boon to Zoar, especially as families try other outdoor activities after coming down from the trees. They’ve also taken advantage of Zoar’s campground and lodge.

“A lot of people will raft one day, camp overnight, and zip the next morning, which I think is the perfect way to do it,” McMillan said. “You could leave one day in the morning and be back by noon the next day.”

Berkshire East also affords guests an opportunity to try various outdoor thrills in one day or weekend. As a partner with nearby Crab Apple Whitewater, the facility offers guests discounts for zipping and then heading down the road for a few hours on the Deerfield River. In addition, Berkshire East is nearing the completion of what will be the longest mountain coaster in North America. Carrying one to two people per car, the attraction is expected to open in late summer or early fall.

“We’re really excited about it opening. This will provide another activity for people to try and help increase our exposure,” said Porter-Henry, who used to work at Crab Apple Whitewater as a raft guide, and is gratified to see people enjoying a variety of activities that have helped put sleepy Charlemont on the map.

“Personally,” he said, “it’s very rewarding to work in the area where I grew up and see these businesses continue to develop.”

Life in the Fast Lane

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Sections Sports & Leisure

Pioneer Valley Indoor Karting Is a Venture on the Right Track

By KEVIN FLANDERS

PVIK owner Ryan Bouvier, left, pictured with manager Wilder Gulmi-Landy, is advancing plans to expand his venture.

As a youngster, Ryan Bouvier and his family would often vacation at Salisbury Beach on the Bay State’s North Shore. One of the annual stops would be at Go-Kart Land.

It was there, he recalls, that he not only developed an affection for the sport, but started dreaming about one day opening his own operation in Western Mass. In fact, he told his parents that this was his career ambition — or at least one of many.

It would take more than a decade for that dream to become reality, but today, Bouvier is the proud owner of Pioneer Valley Indoor Karting in Hatfield, a business that only two years after opening is already on the fast track, serving a growing number of customers in all age groups.

PVIK, as it’s called, has been a wild ride for this entrepreneur, who left a job as a commercial-lending officer to pursue this venture full-time, and it’s really just getting started. The operation boasts go-karts capable of reaching 35 mph and a winding, 1,000-foot track that keeps drivers on their toes.

PVIK attracts serious racers and families alike, hosting everything from leagues to birthday parties to corporate outings that offer something much faster — and exponentially more fun — than a conference-room table. Visitors come from across town, throughout the region, and even beyond, because there just aren’t many facilities like this.

“This is definitely a destination for people, many who don’t live around here; some people will travel one or two hours every week to get time on the track,” said Bouvier, who works closely with manager Wilder Gulmi-Landy to handle daily operations and promote the venture. “Just like any business, you want to always get the word out there about what you offer and keep people coming back.”

Bouvier spent more than nine years researching the karting industry, saving money, and honing his vision. Often, he thought it would be beyond his reach, because while the business is unique and has vast promise, there are also some considerable risks and expenses that come with the territory.

“When I was researching, I never thought it would be possible for me to open a business due to the expense involved,” he said, adding that, after much due diligence and introspection, he decided to take the plunge, and he hasn’t bothered to look in the rear-view mirror — not that there is one on these karts — since he opened the doors.

Instead, the focus is on what’s down the road, meaning likely expansion — on several possible levels.

Bouvier is already moving ahead with a plan to invest in new vehicles, double karts that will enable young children to ride with parents and also allow disabled individuals to also experience the track’s speed and tight turns. He’s also exploring the possibility of opening another karting operation, potentially farther south in the Pioneer Valley, and is already thinking about one day having multiple karting locations.

“We’ve done really well for a young business with young people operating it,” said Bouvier, who is 29. “I’d love to own multiple locations by the time I’m 40.”

For this issue and its focus on sports and leisure, BusinessWest goes behind the scenes at this operation, where the phrase ‘getting up to speed’ has many different connotations.

Start Your Engines

Take a walk through the PVIK facility, and you’ll be quick to spot its many auto-racing inspirations.

The track, flanked by carefully laid tire barriers, can be completed in less than 20 seconds by the expert drivers who take part in PVIK’s many leagues, perfecting the sharp curves over thousands of laps. The high-performance adult and junior karts meet the industry standard, and the track officials even use flags like those seen on the NASCAR circuit — blue and yellow to indicate a passing situation and checkered to signify the completion of a race, among others — to keep traffic moving smoothly.

It’s an environment designed to keep guests feeling like they’re in the fast lane, making each second of PVIK’s eight-minute, $20 sessions riveting.

Racers get ready to roll at Pioneer Valley Indoor Karting in Hatfield.

“The cool thing about karting is that you really feel like you did something when it’s over,” Bouvier said. “You get what you pay for every time, and we’ve never had anyone come out disappointed. We’re in the business of making people happy; that’s the most important thing for us.”

The PVIK staff is also in the business of keeping people safe, an emphasis reflected in its many course policies. Before they even step through the doors to the track, guests are required to watch a brief video explaining safety regulations and equipment. They are then guided by track officials in selecting a helmet and neck brace of the appropriate size prior to entering the karts. As yet another layer of safety, each kart is equipped with seatbelts to minimize the risk of injury in the event of a collision into the wall or another kart.

“Safety is our biggest priority,” Bouvier said. “We want to keep people safe at all times when they’re on our track.”

For Wyatt Pease and other track officials, ensuring guest safety and good track conditions are part of a multi-faceted job description. When officials aren’t helping guests with chinstraps and seatbelts, they’re monitoring the vehicles on the course and waving the correct flags for specific situations. In the instance of a spinout or another incident on the course, it’s up to the track officials to wave the red flags and indicate to drivers that they must stop.

“It’s awesome working here — we have a lot of fun every day,” said Pease, one of 20 PVIK employees who collectively serve as the engine that makes the business run.

The Road Ahead

From a revenue perspective, the race has just begun for the PVIK staff, and they believe they’re off to a fast start.

Bouvier estimates that about 80% of his customers are new to the facility, and his primary mission is to turn them into repeat customers, many of whom will participate regularly in events and leagues. He said PVIK has already developed a solid core of regulars, some of whom travel from other states to get behind the wheel of its karts.

“New customers walk through our doors all the time,” Bouvier said. “We’re constantly getting new people from all over the area, and we want to get as many of those people as we can to come back for more.”

Through leagues, shows, and ironman events, as well as promotions and occasional free races, Bouvier has seen a rise in repeat customers in the past year. But it’s PVIK’s future plans that are expected to significantly increase its exposure and customer base.

For example, there’s the plan to order several double karts to accommodate a broader spectrum of guests. The PVIK staff is excited about the opportunities these new karts will create for people who previously wouldn’t have been able to enjoy karting.

“We’re hoping to have them in by the holiday season,” Bouvier predicted. “If people know someone who’s disabled who has always wanted to do this, now they’ll be able to ride.”

Bouvier said the new karts will be equipped with specialized steering wheels located in the passenger compartments, which will enable individuals without the use of their lower extremities to steer the karts while the operator focuses on the brake and accelerator.

Meanwhile, Bouvier is hoping to make major improvements to the track as well, a project that could include the addition of 10,000 square feet of drivable space. One of Bouvier’s main goals for the planned upgrade is to elevate the track by adding a raised deck that spans other sections of the course, then loops around and connects back to the starting point. Currently the course doesn’t feature any elevation changes, but that could soon be a thing of the past.

“At this point, it’s just a matter of getting the financing together,” said Bouvier. “It’s hard to put a date on the project, but we’re definitely looking into the possibility of expanding.”

Indeed, Bouvier has researched several locations with good potential, and he may decide to partner with an investor if the right opportunity presents itself.

It’s an ambitious goal, but the word ‘complacency’ isn’t in Bouvier’s vocabulary, and while he’s still somewhat new to the industry, he’s knows that, like his kart drivers, he has to focus on what’s ahead and be ready for it.

Getting Revved Up

It isn’t always high speeds and smooth driving in the indoor karting business. When the doors close for the night and the customers head home, that’s when the hard work starts for Bouvier and Gulmi-Landy, long hours of readying the equipment for the next day and devising new marketing strategies, with the constant goal of making customers’ experiences as enjoyable as possible.

“It’s been a ton of work, a lot of 100-hour weeks,” recalled Bouvier, who has had a hand in every aspect of PVIK’s growth, even the initial construction of the building and the track design. “It was a huge help to have him [Gulmi-Landy] helping me when we first opened up. Sometimes we’d be here at 4 a.m. trying to figure out certain things and working on different projects.”

One of the biggest challenges is getting the word out and bringing people to the facility on West Street, just off I-91, he said. But once they get there, he added, they are drawn to the sport’s speed and exhilaration.

That’s because, like Bouvier, they enjoy life in the fast lane.

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Building Permits Departments

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

AGAWAM

American Tower Corporation
1804 Main St.
$15,000 — New tower for existing array

Joseph Walz
332 Suffield St.
$300,000 — Construct addition to existing building

Mass Vet Cardiology
305 Suffield St.
$10,500 — Exterior renovations

AMHERST

Left Hand Holding Company
893 Belchertown Road
$11,000 — Renovations

LUDLOW

West Street Realty Trust
399 West St.
$157,000 – New storage building

NORTHAMPTON

518 Pleasant Street, LLC
518 Pleasant St.
$5,000 — Construct partitions for conference room

GE Healthcare
22 Industrial Dr.
$50,000 — New roofing system

The Brush Works, LLC
221 Pine St.
$9,000 – Replace three antenna panels

Smith College
4 Tyler Dr.
$50,000 — Interior renovation at Bass Hall

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church
48 Elm St.
$15,000 — Replace antenna and existing equipment

PALMER

Camp Ramah of New England Inc.
39 Bennett St.
$3,000 — Install metal vent/chimney

Camp Ramah of New England, Inc.
39 Bennett St.
$5,000 — Alterations for staff housing

SOUTH HADLEY

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$95,000 — Renovations

Town of South Hadley
267 Granby Road
$21,391,000 — Construction of a new elementary school

Town of South Hadley
123 Willimansett St.
$3,000 — New roof

SOUTHWICK

Westfield River Brewing Company
707 College Highway
$5,000 — Remodel

SPRINGFIELD

Academy Hill School
1190 Liberty St.
$12,000 — Re-roof

American International College
144 Wilbraham Road
$155,000 — Interior renovations at Mallory Hall

Balise Automotive Realty, LP
440 Hall of Fame Ave.
$61,000 — Exterior facelift

Boston Medical
1350 Main St.
$32,000 — Create a break area

New Jerusalem Church
697 Union St.
$75,000 — Interior and exterior repairs

Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt Ave.
$441,000 — New roofing system

Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Road
$76,000 — New roofing system

WESTFIELD

Engineers Realty Corporation
53 Southampton Road
$95,000 – Commercial renovations

Russell Fox
4 Russell Road
$3,000 — Alterations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

380 Union Street Properties, LLC
380 Union St.
$18,000 — Upgrade antenna panels

James Blair
380 Union St.
$275,000 — Renovate 3,000 square feet of space

Mike Kravitz
30 Capital Dr.
$20,000 — Interior renovations

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

1979 Hawley Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Richard Campbell
Seller: Howard Bryant
Date: 07/11/14

510 Old Stage Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $156,500
Buyer: Garrett P. Kuta
Seller: L. R. Warriner
Date: 07/07/14

BERNARDSTON

17 Library St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Mary H. Loughlin
Seller: Charles F. Magoon
Date: 07/02/14

BUCKLAND

8 Maynard Hill Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $224,500
Buyer: Eric D. Leskowitz
Seller: Sean A. Benoit
Date: 07/01/14

58 North St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Sherri L. Moffatt
Seller: Snow FT
Date: 06/30/14

CONWAY

356 Ashfield Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $367,000
Buyer: John A. Crosby
Seller: Windswept RT
Date: 06/30/14

234 Mathews Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Lisa Fortin
Seller: Steven R. Hill
Date: 07/09/14

GILL

18 Hill Dr.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Mark A. Sirum
Seller: Richard A. Regan LT
Date: 06/30/14

8 Meadow St.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Philip Gilfeather-Girton
Seller: Max A. Brody
Date: 07/11/14

GREENFIELD

804 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Benjamin L. Sirum
Seller: Mark A. Sirum
Date: 06/30/14

94 Birch St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $128,900
Buyer: Michelle L. Dwyer
Seller: Beverly A. Streeter
Date: 06/30/14

25 Cedar St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $127,100
Buyer: GMAC Mortgage LLC
Seller: David Colby
Date: 07/08/14

62 Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Gordon Grant
Date: 06/30/14

729 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: John C. Anderson
Seller: Robert J. Heiss
Date: 07/10/14

295 Country Club Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Becky A. Richotte
Seller: Timothy B. Gerdes
Date: 07/02/14

74 Crescent St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Deborah Keisch
Seller: Allen W. Woods
Date: 06/30/14

3 Earl Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $157,385
Buyer: Lindsey R. Towne
Seller: Joseph E. Guidaboni
Date: 06/30/14

51 Ferrante Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Linda A. Lewandowski
Seller: Mary K. Dillon
Date: 07/01/14

254 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Sally D. Wright
Seller: Charles P. Barker
Date: 07/09/14

164 Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Michael Stempel
Seller: Lorene L. Massey
Date: 06/30/14

204 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: John M. Richardson
Seller: Anne M. Knurek
Date: 06/30/14

LEVERETT

18 Montague Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Sofia I. Buford
Seller: Jonathan A. Abbott
Date: 06/30/14

360 North Leverett Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Ann J. Delano
Date: 07/09/14

LEYDEN

North County Road #2
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Warren E. Facey
Seller: Dennis R. Carpenter
Date: 07/11/14

North County Road #3
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Warren E. Facey
Seller: Dennis R. Carpenter
Date: 07/11/14

MONTAGUE

15 Davis St.
Montague, MA 01301
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Walter F. Ramsey
Seller: Phyllis T. Boucher
Date: 07/11/14

29 East Taylor Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $276,200
Buyer: Suzanne Webber
Seller: David C. Mankowsky
Date: 07/03/14

8 Grant St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Chad D. Cocking
Seller: Joshua R. Martin
Date: 07/08/14

258 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Brian J. Kline
Seller: Lucas, Alfred P., (Estate)
Date: 07/02/14

NORTHFIELD

24 Old Elm Way
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $322,177
Buyer: Agnes H. Piscopo FT
Seller: Cersosimo Industries Inc.
Date: 07/11/14

16 Parker Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Allen
Seller: Donald S. Simms
Date: 07/11/14

ORANGE

52 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $151,119
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Richard A. Sarganet
Date: 07/09/14

3 Memory Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Daniel Stoodley
Seller: David M. Smith
Date: 06/30/14

SHELBURNE

19 Mechanic St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Edith Bingham
Seller: Jean M. Bruffee
Date: 07/03/14

42 South Maple St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $249,413
Buyer: Mauricia Alvarez
Seller: Buckland Center Partners 2
Date: 07/02/14

SHUTESBURY

10 Leverett Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Samuel Tobin
Seller: Diane L. Randall
Date: 07/01/14

185 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $157,000
Seller: Vanessa J. Paulman
Date: 07/07/14

SUNDERLAND

332 South Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Seller: Peter J. Rowell
Date: 07/02/14

WHATELY

48 State Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $191,400
Buyer: Justin J. Wentzel
Seller: MHFA
Date: 07/03/14

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

11 Anthony St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Joann Balakier
Seller: Michael Skala
Date: 06/30/14

30 Briarcliff Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Franklin P. Lary
Seller: William C. Ekstedt
Date: 07/09/14

396 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Trata Inc.
Seller: Walter A. Meissner
Date: 07/01/14

68 Peros Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Matthew R. Smith
Seller: Denise A. Moffat
Date: 06/30/14

188 Pineview Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Sezgin Turan
Seller: Ronald E. Wieners
Date: 06/30/14

4 Pleasant Valley Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: John K. Casanova
Seller: Hugh K. Martin
Date: 06/30/14

1036 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $212,430
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Lynne M. Desilets
Date: 06/30/14

23 Walter Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Ruslan Kuzmenko
Seller: Thomas B. Erkfitz
Date: 07/03/14

90 Woodside Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Robert F. Biza
Seller: Walter R. Makuch
Date: 07/07/14

BRIMFIELD

160 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Jeremy P. Hart
Seller: Kurt D. Schumey
Date: 06/30/14

CHESTER

14 East River Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: Laura J. Qualliotine
Seller: Gary R. Clark
Date: 07/07/14

CHICOPEE

123 Bay State Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $152,250
Buyer: William Dextradeur
Seller: Ernest B. Guillet
Date: 06/30/14

162 Boulay Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Francis H. Dixon
Seller: John E. Wells
Date: 07/10/14

169 Boulay Circle
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Jaron L. Menard
Seller: Marisa A. Beaudry
Date: 07/03/14

16 Debra Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Sandra J. Murphy
Seller: Robert Sadowski
Date: 07/10/14

161 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Jocelyn Nunez
Seller: Susan Andrukonis
Date: 07/01/14

252 Grove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $193,500
Buyer: Celina M. Correa
Seller: Kim R. Soukup
Date: 07/01/14

80 Hilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $194,900
Buyer: Larry S. Kelly
Seller: Katsiaryna Desyatnikov
Date: 06/30/14

4 Julia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Cynthia A. Scott
Seller: Michael K. Guyott
Date: 07/01/14

51 Keddy Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Timothy D. Skwira
Seller: Donald K. Howe
Date: 07/03/14

26 Lorraine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Fernando Ramirez
Seller: Paul R. Gallagher
Date: 07/10/14

299 Mandalay Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jose A. Rivera
Seller: Robert P. Maciolek
Date: 06/30/14

133 Ondrick Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $213,500
Buyer: John V. Ferraro
Seller: Jerzy Marszalek
Date: 06/30/14

26 Pleasant St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Morgan T. Healy
Seller: Nicholas M. Simonich
Date: 07/02/14

95 Quartus St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Linda S. Chartier
Seller: Phillip A. Dudas
Date: 07/10/14

83 Robak Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Steven J. Malke
Seller: Fontaine, James N., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/14

36 Schorr St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Dennis J. Stoltz
Seller: Briana L. Cloutier
Date: 07/02/14

111 Sherman Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $172,900
Buyer: Carlos J. Aguasvivas
Seller: Jeffrey A. Godere
Date: 07/10/14

78 Woodlawn St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Blanca Rodriguez
Seller: Ruth E. Rybak
Date: 07/02/14

EAST LONGMEADOW

24 Crescent Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Michael R. Sacenti
Seller: John Demarche
Date: 07/09/14

15 Franconia Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Scott J. Pevay
Seller: Donna A. Pevay
Date: 06/30/14

56 Gates Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Lori A. Kyle
Seller: M&D Ventures LLC
Date: 06/30/14

333 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Matthew A. Fioretti
Seller: Weyner, Harry C., (Estate)
Date: 07/03/14

35 Linden Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Nicole Bongiorni
Seller: Newhouse, Albert H. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 07/01/14

84 Meadow Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Brent P. Noyes
Seller: Lois L. Grigely
Date: 06/30/14

59 Oak Brook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Yvonne Diaz
Seller: Diane L. McIntosh
Date: 07/11/14

155 Patterson Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Angelo A. Gomez
Seller: Darrel W. Grant
Date: 07/07/14

88-90 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Erica Serrazina
Seller: Over Bars LLC
Date: 07/08/14

40 Rankin Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Steven L. Pratte
Seller: Ann H. Ferri-Majewski
Date: 07/11/14

23 Rogers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Jeffrey Brennan
Seller: Jessie A. Giorgini
Date: 06/30/14

HAMPDEN

66 Allen Crest St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Christine M. Burnett
Seller: Heather A. Sutherland
Date: 06/30/14

455 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Salvatore Santaniello
Seller: Dobles, David A., (Estate)
Date: 07/03/14

622 Main St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Maureen K. Liquori
Seller: Michael A. Hatch
Date: 07/01/14

13 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Christopher V. Flarida
Seller: Jennafer J. Bishop
Date: 07/11/14

31 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Jason B. Roath
Seller: Alvin E. Thorn
Date: 07/02/14

HOLLAND

17 Lakeridge Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Lauren E. Barker
Seller: Frank P. Dodd
Date: 06/30/14

29 Old Acres Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Matt R. Farraher
Seller: Raoul G. Ricard
Date: 06/30/14

South Wales Road #7
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Norcross Wildlife Foundation
Seller: Craig L. Howlett
Date: 07/02/14

HOLYOKE

162-164 Allyn St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Sokham Sing
Seller: Dina Sing
Date: 07/11/14

82 Beacon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Ismael Vazquez
Seller: Anna J. Klein
Date: 07/01/14

16 Carol Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: John Grossman
Seller: James C. Morrissey
Date: 06/30/14

83 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Robert R. O’Connell
Seller: John Brunelle
Date: 06/30/14

218 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: Chestnut Park Apts. LLC
Seller: Weld Partners 2 LLC
Date: 07/01/14

598 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Holyoke 1 LLC
Seller: Kelley R. Brown
Date: 07/01/14

164 Madison Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $241,500
Buyer: Brian J. Dickey
Seller: Frederick P. Barrett RET
Date: 06/30/14

10 North Bridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Antonio Dibenedetto
Seller: William R. Weber
Date: 07/10/14

2117-2119 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Todd Alvarez
Seller: Enola Nelson
Date: 07/09/14

73-75 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Ellis M. Oquendo
Date: 06/30/14

293-297 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $209,200
Buyer: Stephen J. Parmenter
Seller: Curtis J. Ziemba
Date: 07/01/14

446 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Nathan S. Murphy
Seller: Jean Hanus
Date: 06/30/14

15 Prew Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $153,820
Buyer: Beneficial Mass. Inc.
Seller: Gladys E. Cruz
Date: 06/30/14

346 Race St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Ralph Thompson
Seller: Vladimir Gelfand
Date: 06/30/14

40 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Wilfredo Cabrera
Seller: Jane D. Sullivan
Date: 06/30/14

LONGMEADOW

141 Avondale Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $324,900
Buyer: Michael J. Madsen
Seller: Sharon A. Lowery
Date: 07/11/14

202 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Stephen Hindley
Seller: Brad L. Albert
Date: 07/08/14

939 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Timothy S. Fallon
Seller: Jeffrey Kuselias
Date: 07/11/14

26 Edward Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Dunaisky
Seller: Richard N. Rerra
Date: 07/02/14

468 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Ember M. Johnson
Seller: Edward E. Comini
Date: 07/10/14

44 Kenmore Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Marissa A. Komack
Seller: Timothy S. Fallon
Date: 07/11/14

15 Parkside St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Vincent M. Maniaci
Seller: Lisa M. Duclos
Date: 06/30/14

42 Primrose Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Lan T. Lai
Seller: Wei Fu
Date: 07/01/14

108 Redfern Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Inna Stein
Seller: Aldo Rubinaccio
Date: 06/30/14

24 Shady Knoll Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Tracey M. Millet
Seller: Patrick J. O’Donnell
Date: 07/11/14

22 Villa St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Susan M. Collins
Seller: William E. Collins
Date: 06/30/14

LUDLOW

14 Adams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: James E. Grummell
Seller: Daniel J. Manewich
Date: 07/11/14

46 Americo St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $310,000
Seller: George E. Burtch
Date: 07/11/14

15 Armand St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Roxanne Wood
Seller: Patrick R. Ferris
Date: 07/07/14

181 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Jose L. Pederneira
Seller: Antonio Ferreira
Date: 06/30/14

1224-1226 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Emilio E. Santos
Seller: Placido Teixeira
Date: 07/11/14

42 Highland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Haiyan Breto
Seller: Albino Meireles

Olivia Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Mathew J. Pereira
Seller: Rosewood Meadows Inc.
Date: 07/01/14

10 Reynolds St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Ellen M. Pichey
Seller: Atwater Investors Inc.
Date: 07/03/14

407 State St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Jonathan Pio
Seller: Thompson, Robert J., (Estate)
Date: 07/03/14

385 Westerly Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $412,500
Buyer: Alexander H. Degobbi
Seller: Paulo R. Dias
Date: 06/30/14

36 Wilson St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: I Buysellhomes LLC
Seller: Marth E. LLC
Date: 07/11/14

309 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Steve J. McDaniel
Seller: Keith S. Nogueira
Date: 07/01/14

MONSON

202 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: John W. Tarbell
Seller: Amanda C. Patenaude
Date: 06/30/14

MONTGOMERY

42 New State Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Brandon R. Laliberte
Seller: David G. Brill
Date: 07/11/14

83 Thomas Road
Montgomery, MA 01050
Amount: $261,500
Buyer: Samuel E. Southard
Seller: Susan M. Beckwith
Date: 07/01/14

RUSSELL

1500 General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: CSB Service Corp.
Seller: Jane Noweill
Date: 06/30/14

SPRINGFIELD

139 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Pietrocola
Seller: Chad A. Kuzontkoski
Date: 07/01/14

320 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Joey Inidad
Seller: Hector Laureano
Date: 07/01/14

111-113 Audubon St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: Peter H. Appleby
Seller: Jaime L. Portier
Date: 07/07/14

22 Beaudry St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $119,530
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Shavarsh Manoogian
Date: 07/08/14

60 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Bechara M. Rouhana
Seller: Russell A. Thompson
Date: 06/30/14

69-71 Bliss St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $885,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment LLC
Seller: Josephine Calvanese
Date: 07/03/14

437 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Boston Road BLD LLC
Seller: Cumberland Farms Inc.
Date: 07/10/14

Brookdale Dr.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $1,800,000
Buyer: SFG Capital Partners 2
Seller: Berkshire Brookdale LLC
Date: 07/08/14

27 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $123,900
Buyer: Martha E. Thompson
Seller: Janet S. Rowe
Date: 07/03/14

56 Cara Lane
Springfield, MA 01028
Amount: $235,100
Buyer: Trevor J. Doyle
Seller: Joseph Q. Lee
Date: 06/30/14

162 Chalmers St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Narayan Adhikari
Seller: Jennifer L. Thomas
Date: 07/02/14

595 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Govinda Adhikari
Seller: Roland F. Berthiaume
Date: 06/30/14

141 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Michele J. Connors
Seller: Kenneth F. Mayberry
Date: 07/01/14

176 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Aaron P. Murray
Seller: Eliseo G. Cruz
Date: 07/11/14

48 Drexel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $118,900
Buyer: Richardo James
Seller: Arthur A. Ferrara
Date: 07/02/14

80 East Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Carlos H. Vazquez
Seller: Michael J. Madsen
Date: 07/11/14

173 Ellsworth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $138,100
Buyer: Brian E. Chicoine
Seller: Agnes E. Kenyon
Date: 07/10/14

90-92 Elmore Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $166,500
Buyer: Michael R. Bleau
Seller: Michael Torcia
Date: 06/30/14

31 Hazen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $182,400
Buyer: Brian T. Doak
Seller: Marjorie G. Nothacker
Date: 07/03/14

79 Fox Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: John N. Lawrie
Seller: John Olszewski
Date: 07/07/14

54-56 Home St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Ednaliz Cruz
Seller: Ela Tsikhotskaya
Date: 07/11/14

62 Inglewood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Rachel A. Donermeyer
Seller: Theresa M. Strong
Date: 07/07/14

64 Jefferson Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Antonio Zayas
Seller: Juan A. Zayas
Date: 07/10/14

51 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Stephanie B. Le
Seller: Serguei Bondarenko
Date: 07/09/14

318-1/2 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Edyta Halastra
Seller: Genowefa Wojcik
Date: 07/07/14

54 Melba St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $148,500
Buyer: Desiree S. Spencer
Seller: Brent P. Noyes
Date: 06/30/14

22 Montclair St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Omar V. Vazquez-Ramirez
Seller: Arthur D. Lafleur
Date: 07/02/14

379 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Maria E. Tavernier
Seller: Robert J. Flannery
Date: 07/11/14

85 Peekskill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Khuong Q. Pham
Seller: Gianna G. Nguyen
Date: 06/30/14

47 Ravenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Tri Nguyen
Seller: Alexandra Sternal
Date: 06/30/14

13-15 Thames St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Jose R. Francisco
Seller: Zouheir S. Elbakri
Date: 06/30/14

64 Treetop Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Mental Health Association
Seller: Angela Cosenzi
Date: 07/11/14

57 Westminster St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $142,510
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Caroline E. Cunningham
Date: 07/01/14

2-4 Wilmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Trang Nguyen
Seller: Dany H. Nguyen
Date: 07/11/14

SOUTHWICK

21 Congamond Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Patricia Pollicina
Seller: Jillian Cote
Date: 06/30/14

95 Congamond Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Kimberly J. Bombard
Seller: Marc A. Pereira
Date: 07/09/14

7 Coyote Glen
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Yuri Murzin
Seller: Steven M. Cournoyer
Date: 07/11/14

14 Crystal Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Donald J. Cote
Seller: John M. Mickalay
Date: 06/30/14

12 Evergreen St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Marcia Roy
Seller: Ricky Wylot
Date: 07/03/14

27 George Loomis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Scott A. Spear
Seller: William Pieczarka
Date: 07/11/14

140 Mort Vining Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: Janet G. Vincent
Seller: B&B Construction Inc.
Date: 07/03/14

181-A South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Vicheth Hong
Seller: Kenneth J. Florek
Date: 07/11/14

17 Sheep Pasture Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Cheryl M. Lachance
Seller: William M. Lakota
Date: 07/11/14

10 Tree Top Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Corey S. Daugherty
Seller: Stephen G. Krayski
Date: 07/10/14

62 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kevin A. Augustino
Seller: Russell S. Waters
Date: 07/01/14

7 Whalley Way
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Vincent J. Pallotta
Seller: Margaret Corsino
Date: 07/11/14

WALES

105 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Ryan K. Kress
Seller: James E. Nanstad
Date: 07/03/14

WESTFIELD

61 Apple Orchard Heights
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $274,500
Buyer: Russell L. Ramah
Seller: William Dow
Date: 07/08/14

14 Belvedere Gardens
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Anatoliy Lavrenchuk
Seller: Vladimir Molokvas
Date: 07/10/14

7 Charles St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Craigen Laiho
Seller: Mary P. Allen
Date: 07/03/14

15 Christopher Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $324,900
Buyer: Michael F. Gorman
Seller: Robert B. Collins
Date: 06/30/14

40 Christopher Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Meghan E. Woering
Seller: Kevin R. Pelletier
Date: 07/11/14

22 Cleveland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Mikhail Krikunov
Seller: Robert A. Rising
Date: 07/09/14

22 Dry Bridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: James Walsh
Seller: Russell W. Duval
Date: 07/01/14

1840 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Paul P. Wellspeak
Seller: Michael F. Gorman
Date: 06/30/14

126 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Leonardo F. Andrade
Seller: Jane F. Haq
Date: 07/09/14

143 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Felipe N. Pantoja
Seller: Gayle Begley
Date: 06/30/14

4 Linda Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $217,813
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Cindy L. Locklear
Date: 06/30/14

88 Lockhouse Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Jonathan J. Tooker
Seller: C&M Builders LLC
Date: 06/30/14

6 Lozier Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Bank New York
Seller: Anthony J. Roncalli
Date: 07/11/14

18-1/2 Malone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Joseph F. Beaton
Seller: Corey S. Daugherty
Date: 07/09/14

35 Miller St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $160,250
Buyer: Heather M. Rienti
Seller: Lisa C. Krause
Date: 07/01/14

61 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Wesley Pomeroy
Seller: Burlingame, Carol, (Estate)
Date: 07/11/14

51 Radisson Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $409,500
Buyer: Stephanie L. Martell
Seller: John J. Mulhall
Date: 07/09/14

7 Smith Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Erin K. Ramos
Seller: William E. Dupont
Date: 07/08/14

34 South Broad St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $845,000
Buyer: Commercial Distributing Co. Inc.
Seller: South Broad St. Realty LLC
Date: 06/30/14

419 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $278,999
Buyer: Syed Haq
Seller: Joseph C. Sampson
Date: 07/09/14

39 Susan Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Boniface Pedanou
Seller: Laurine M. Ferrarini
Date: 06/30/14

199 Susan Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Greta M. Redzko
Date: 07/07/14

WILBRAHAM

14 Brainard Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jerry Ortiz
Seller: MHFA
Date: 07/02/14

73 Cherry Dr. #73
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Estelle E. Nietupski
Seller: 2301 Boston Road LLC
Date: 06/30/14

3 Old Coach Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Steven C. Moriarty
Seller: Robert S. Forsman
Date: 07/11/14

1 Opal St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Jacob R. Motyl
Seller: Phyllis Sakowski
Date: 06/30/14

23 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Valerie Cross
Seller: Lisa M. Tinnirella
Date: 07/07/14

44 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Alessandra E. Mele
Seller: Scott J. Pevay
Date: 06/30/14

11 Valley View Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Antonio E. Dossantos
Seller: James C. Peters
Date: 06/30/14

WEST SPRINGFIELD

1156 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Marie T. Nadeau
Seller: Robert M. Gamelli
Date: 07/11/14

25 Chapin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Jash B. Baniya
Seller: Devins, Dorothy S., (Estate)
Date: 07/02/14

25 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $167,867
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Jane E. Dumas
Date: 07/10/14

114 City View Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Nash
Seller: Robert W. Briggs
Date: 06/30/14

66 Clarence St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Tommy Seidell
Seller: Salvatore, Evelyn B., (Estate)
Date: 07/01/14

283 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Aimeng Li
Seller: Sylvia A. Hunter
Date: 06/30/14

30 Morton St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Jay M. Bushey
Seller: Clinton S. Corbin
Date: 06/30/14

28-30 Moseley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Ishora Adhikari
Seller: Joseph T. Alouise
Date: 07/01/14

117 Park Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,580,000
Buyer: Coyote Realty LLC
Seller: C&GC Realty LLC
Date: 07/01/14

178 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Robert A. Bishop
Seller: David W. Holt
Date: 07/11/14

85 Wistaria St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Amy E. Phillips
Seller: Joan M. Murphy
Date: 07/03/14

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

14 Greenwich Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Dusko Cejic
Seller: Monica G. Robelotto
Date: 06/30/14

34 Jenks St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Ayumi Parsons
Seller: Thomas R. Knight
Date: 07/01/14

174 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Katherine S. Newman
Seller: Thomas L. Dumm RET
Date: 07/11/14

18 Merrick Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $286,500
Buyer: William T. O’Connell
Seller: Scott, Virginia P., (Estate)
Date: 07/11/14

14 Overlook Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Paul M. Collins
Seller: Carl A. Ditkoff
Date: 06/30/14

36 Ridgecrest Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: William S. Greene
Seller: Philippe A. Meyer
Date: 07/10/14

12 Sand Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $245,500
Buyer: Kathleen A. Bailer
Seller: Aaron L. Buford
Date: 06/30/14

98 Spring St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $739,000
Buyer: Peter D. Jacoby
Seller: 98 Spring Street LLC
Date: 06/30/14

45 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Eric N. Wolpin
Seller: Christopher J. Hurn
Date: 06/30/14

BELCHERTOWN

131 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Orelio D. Manduley
Seller: Eugene D. Robinson
Date: 07/01/14

Batchelor St. #10
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land Trust
Seller: FMJ Realty LLC
Date: 06/30/14

Batchelor St. #13
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land Trust
Seller: FMJ Realty LLC
Date: 06/30/14

21 Bay Path Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Richard A. Helm
Seller: Tilman Lukas
Date: 06/30/14

23 Brenda Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Ibrahim Deme
Seller: Leonard R. Breaulieu
Date: 06/30/14

8 Cadwell Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Tenzin Tsewang
Seller: Leonard G. Desrochers
Date: 07/09/14

14 Dana Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Carolina L. Rothkegel
Seller: Jonathan J. Crosby
Date: 06/30/14

10 Eastview Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: James D. Adams
Seller: Leja, Ruth E., (Estate)
Date: 07/09/14

343 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $175,000
Seller: Suzanne F. Laverdiere
Date: 07/11/14

572 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Davin T. O’Neill
Seller: Thomas H. O’Neill
Date: 07/02/14

72 Granby Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jonathan R. Brach
Seller: Dahila Development Ltd
Date: 06/30/14

100 Metacomet St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $224,636
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Michael J. Forgue
Date: 07/09/14

41 Spring Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: John C. Pearson
Seller: Raymond R. Phaneuf
Date: 07/10/14

333 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Joseph Ting
Seller: Kevin J. Pacunas
Date: 07/11/14

CHESTERFIELD

101 Old Chesterfield Road
Chesterfield, MA 01096
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Mican J. Blondeau
Seller: John P. Corey
Date: 06/30/14

EASTHAMPTON

47 Bryan Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Amy E. Quinlan
Seller: Matthew Carrasquillo
Date: 07/10/14

16-18 Knipfer Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $232,400
Buyer: Lisa A. Collette
Seller: Kevin C. Netto
Date: 07/01/14

65 Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $242,500
Buyer: Andrew R. Tilbe
Seller: Jay F. Oueliette
Date: 06/30/14

8 Old Stagecoach Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Paul E. Pelletier
Seller: Gerald R. Lapointe
Date: 07/02/14

1 Ranch Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Bryan J. Graham
Seller: Marc Labrecque
Date: 06/30/14

27 Treehouse Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $289,635
Buyer: James R. Jackson
Seller: EH Homeownership LLC
Date: 06/30/14

GRANBY

276 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Phillip A. Senecal
Seller: 274 Batchelor Street RT
Date: 07/03/14

193 East St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Shirley G. Warren
Date: 07/10/14

88 Ferry Hill Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Arleen A. Sassi
Seller: Bombardier RT
Date: 07/11/14

143 Kendall St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Andrew Mailloux
Seller: Rebecca Savage
Date: 06/30/14

HADLEY

2 Aloha Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Deepu A. Thomas
Seller: J. S. Payne
Date: 07/08/14

95 Huntington Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $344,900
Buyer: Barbara P. Goldstein TR
Seller: Sandra G. Knightly
Date: 07/03/14

122 Mount Warner Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Frederick H. Pratt
Seller: Thomas M. Leshey
Date: 07/01/14

20 Woodlawn Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Keith W. Shannon
Seller: Kathleen Zerneri
Date: 07/01/14

HATFIELD

14 Circle Dr.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Travis J. Yagodzinski
Seller: Mooney, Ann K., (Estate)
Date: 07/02/14

74 Dwight St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Gerald J. Gower
Seller: Flynn FT
Date: 06/30/14

161 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jillian N. Minor
Seller: Keith W. Chirgwin
Date: 07/01/14

5 The Jog
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: John F. Langhans
Seller: Thomas A. Michel
Date: 07/07/14

7 Upper Farms Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Matthew Marchand
Seller: Andrea J. Herring
Date: 07/07/14

HUNTINGTON

83 Thomas Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $261,500
Buyer: Samuel E. Southard
Seller: Susan M. Beckwith
Date: 07/01/14

MIDDLEFIELD

150 Skyline Trail
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Michael Hussey
Seller: John H. Smith-Jones
Date: 07/01/14

NORTHAMPTON

133 Barrett St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Fidel U. Hidalgo
Seller: Samuel J. Locono
Date: 07/03/14

340 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $435,600
Buyer: Paul M. Collins
Seller: Carl A. Ditkoff
Date: 07/03/14

153 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $678,510
Buyer: Apple & Elm LLC
Seller: Carol K. Melin
Date: 06/30/14

234 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $612,500
Buyer: Ronald Fontanetta
Seller: Jane A. Raye
Date: 07/02/14

35 Harrison Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $717,000
Buyer: Melissa Difatta
Seller: Mordechai Kamel
Date: 07/01/14

5 Hillcrest Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Philipp G. Galaski
Seller: Martha A. Ackelsberg
Date: 06/30/14

623 Kennedy Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $393,500
Buyer: Brian Eastwood
Seller: Elizabeth A. Fogle
Date: 06/30/14

295 Locust St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Wadim Timakov
Seller: Joseph Timakov
Date: 06/30/14

83 Massasoit St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: David H. Brewster
Seller: Jordi Herold
Date: 06/30/14

285 North King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $287,100
Buyer: Red Barn Realty LLC
Seller: Marion Dulong FT
Date: 06/30/14

33 Pine Brook Curve
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $226,900
Buyer: Eson Lor
Seller: Lima Funding TR
Date: 07/11/14

793 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: William A. Pitrat
Seller: Liliya Kulyak
Date: 07/02/14

38 Walnut St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $340,500
Buyer: YON LLC
Seller: Brian J. Dickey
Date: 06/30/14

PELHAM

55 Arnold Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $351,150
Buyer: Charles V. Grybko
Seller: Arnold Road NT
Date: 06/30/14

SOUTH HADLEY

73 Fairview St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,500
Buyer: Scott Family Properties LLC
Seller: Michael F. Walsh
Date: 07/08/14

134 Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Brian J. Lachapelle
Seller: Glenn R. Hanson
Date: 07/11/14

12 Midway St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $181,900
Buyer: Donald W. Lever
Seller: Amy L. Fay
Date: 07/11/14

37 River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Brent M. Robinson
Seller: Alice M. Jessup
Date: 07/01/14

40 Roosevelt Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Avigliano
Seller: Janice Bell
Date: 07/11/14

7 Susan Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Melissa Wanat
Seller: James P. Miller
Date: 07/03/14

SOUTHAMPTON

13 Belanger Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $195,075
Buyer: Richard L. Talbot
Seller: Elizabeth C. Heck
Date: 07/01/14

78 White Loaf Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Elizabeth S. Zuckerman
Seller: Morgan L. Jones
Date: 06/30/14

WARE

4 Briar Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: John P. Daniele
Seller: David A. Park
Date: 07/10/14

11 Dugan Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Roseann Cooke
Seller: Richard S. Rucki
Date: 06/30/14

WESTHAMPTON

60 Pine Island Lake
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Jonathan E. Moskin
Seller: Rachel E. Merrell
Date: 07/02/14

14 Shaw Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Pandora C. Redwin
Seller: Andrew M. Warner
Date: 07/01/14

WILLIAMSBURG

22 Fort Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $412,500
Buyer: Margaret L. Pryor
Seller: Sarah J. Peterson
Date: 07/08/14

WORTHINGTON

76 Radiker Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Donald R. Chase
Seller: FNMA
Date: 07/03/14

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

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

New England Recreation Association of the Deaf Inc., 62 Walnut St., Agawam, MA 01001. Pamela Szakowski, 54 Stagecoach Road, Granby, CT, 06035. To promote the general betterment of the deaf community.

Springfield 5A Buildings Inc., 361 Springfield St., Agawam, MA 01001. Wayne Barbour, same.

Verducci Asset Management Inc., 311 School St., Agawam, MA 01001. John C. Verducci III, same. Financial management services to business and general public.

CHICOPEE

Massachusetts Taekwondo & Breaking Association, 22 Center St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Ken Goodrich, 450 North Washington St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Taekwondo and Breaking.

Om Laxmi, Narayan Inc., 457 Granby Road, Chicopee, MA 01013. Amit Patel, 60R1 Mercury Court, West Springfield, MA 01089. Convenience store.

EASTHAMPTON

Wagner Inspection Inc., 441 East St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Edward Wagner, same. Real estate inspection services.

GREENFIELD

Thomas H. Suchanek Educational and Athletic Fund Inc., 28 ½ Pond St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Thomas H. Suchanek, same. To promote and carry out educational purposes for student enrolled in higher educational programs.

HADLEY

Thristland Beer & Wine Inc., 5 Woodlawn Road, Hadley, MA 01035. Hai Cheng, same.

HOLYOKE

Reiners Eye Care, P.C., 50 Holyoke St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Collin Wayne Reiners, same. Optometry practice.

S G Renovations Inc., 294 Pleasant St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Steven Reno, same. Building renovations and consultation.

MONSON

State-Line Riders ATV Club Inc., 6 Heritage Lane, Monson, MA 01057. Brian Connelly, same. Social club promoting safe and responsible use of 4-wheel drive motor vehicles.

NORTHAMPTON

Pioneer Valley Roller Derby Inc., 12 Glenwood Ave., Northampton, MA 01060. Sarah Lang, same. Organization designed to promote women’s flat track roller derby in Western Mass. by establishing teams for competition.

PITTSFIELD

OP USA Inc., 82 Wendall Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Grazia Giacobone, same. Sale of industrial equipment.

Sosua 75 Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Elihu Baver, 10 Centennial Dr., Dover, N.H. 03820. Non-profit organization.

SPRINGFIELD

New England Spine & Rehab, P.C., 80 Congress St., Suite 107, Springfield, MA 01104. Michael Semenovski, 33 Pond Ave., Apt. B 1204, Brookline, MA 02445. Medical rehabilitation services.

Potential Learning Inc., 87 Sunapee St., Springfield, MA 01108. Simone Phillips, same. Organization designed to provide youth with academic, physical, or mental health disabilities and their families with educational, clinical, technological, and/or financial support to assist with their acquisition of new skills and knowledge.

WESTFIELD

W Trucking Inc., 7 Park St., Floor 1, Westfield, MA 01085. Lyumbomir Tkach, same. Operation of 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.

WILBRAHAM

Multifamily Housing of America Inc. 2040 Boston Road, Suite 20, Wilbraham, MA 01095. David Kaufman, 50 Strawberry Hill, Florence, MA 01062. Charitable organization established to promote, acquire, manage, foster, construct, develop, operate and manage, or to facilitate the promotion, acquisition, construction, development, operation and/or management, of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for sale or rent meeting the safe harbor guidelines.

T7 Studio’s/The Media Warehouse Inc., 5 Grove St., Springfield, MA 01107. Xhristopher Gonzalez, same. Volunteer photography for religious organization.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Briefcase Departments

State IG Report: Dobelle ‘Violated the Public Trust’
WESTFIELD — A long-awaited report from the state inspector general’s office claims that former Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle improperly used hundreds of thousands of dollars from school accounts to pay for personal expenses, including a number of trips, and then covered these actions by filing false reports. “Dobelle knowingly disregarded university policies, misled the WSU board of trustees, abused his authority, and exploited public funds for personal benefit,” Inspector General Glenn Cunha wrote in his scathing, 60-page report. “Dobelle’s self-characterization as a ‘visionary’ does not absolve him from the obligation to follow the rules … Dobelle violated the public trust.” The report detailed dozens of incidents where Dobelle charged personal expenses to university credit cards, including more than $63,000 for 17 trips to San Francisco where, he told school officials, he was meeting potential donors and tech-sector business executives. However, the IG’s report found he was mostly attending social events. Dobelle resigned from the university in November 2013 amid a firestorm of criticism concerning his lavish spending. The Boston Globe reported that Cunha’s report raises the prospect that Dobelle could face criminal investigation. The paper quotes a spokesperson for Attorney General Martha Coakley saying, “this report raises serious concerns and allegations about the use of Westfield State resources by its former president. We have been conducting our own investigation into this matter and anticipate additional action soon.” In a prepared statement, WSU Interim President Elizabeth Hall Preston said, “while this has been a difficult period for all of us, the faculty and staff at the university have persevered and focused on the work of providing our students with an outstanding education. We approach the start of our new academic year with a sense of excitement and new momentum.”

State Economy Bounces Back in Second Quarter
BOSTON — Massachusetts real gross domestic product grew at an estimated annual rate of 4.9% in the second quarter of 2014, according to the MassBenchmarks Current Economic Index, released Wednesday by MassBenchmarks, the journal of the Massachusetts economy published by the UMass Donahue Institute in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. In contrast, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, national real gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 4.0% in the second quarter, based on the advance estimate of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. State and U.S. economic growth bounced back from the surprisingly weak first quarter as labor markets gained strength both locally and nationally. Based on the most recent data available, MassBenchmarks now estimates that, in the first quarter of 2014, the state’s economy contracted at an estimated annual rate of 0.3%, while the U.S. economy declined at an annual rate of 2.1%. “The steep downward revision in the estimate of Massachusetts economic growth for the first quarter (originally reported as positive 2.6%) is primarily due to the correspondingly large downward revision in U.S. economic growth in the first quarter, originally reported as positive 0.1%,” noted Alan Clayton-Matthews, MassBenchmarks’ senior contributing editor and associate professor of Economics and Public Policy at Northeastern University, who compiles and analyzes the Current and Leading Indexes.  “The downward revisions in U.S. GDP reflect large reductions in two components — consumer spending and exports — that were most affected by the unusually harsh winter weather. This sharply lowered estimates of national and state productivity growth, meaning fewer business sales per employee and thus a significant reduction in the first quarter estimates of economic growth.” Massachusetts payroll employment grew at a 1.7% annual rate in the second quarter, up from 1.2% in the first quarter, while U.S. payroll employment grew at a 2.2% annual rate in the second quarter up from 1.5% in the first quarter. During the second quarter, the unemployment rate in Massachusetts fell from 6.3% (in March) to 5.5% (in June), while the U.S. unemployment rate fell from 6.7% to 6.1% during the same period. Year to date (through June), the state’s unemployment rate has fallen 1.6%, while the national unemployment rate has fallen 0.6%.

Nominations Sought for ACCGS Super 60
SPRINGFIELD — The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield is seeking nominations for its annual Super 60 awards program. Now in its 25th year, Super 60, formerly the Fabulous 50, celebrates the success of the fastest-growing privately owned businesses in the region that continue to make significant contributions to the strength of the regional economy. Each year, the program identifies the top-performing companies in revenue growth and total revenue. Last year, one-third of the winners in the revenue-growth category experienced growth in excess of 50%, with the average growth of all the honorees in that category at more than 49%. Total revenue winners combined for revenues of more than $1 billion, with an average revenue of more than $35 million. To be considered, companies must be based in Hampden or Hampshire county or be a member of the ACCGS, have produced revenues of at least $1 million in the last fiscal year, be an independent and privately owned company, and have been in business for at least three full years. Companies are selected based on their percentage of revenue growth over a full three-year period or total revenues for the latest fiscal year. Companies may be nominated by financial institutions, attorneys, or accountants, or be self-nominated. Companies must submit a nomination form and provide net operating revenue figures for the last three full fiscal years, signed and verified by an independent auditor. All financial information must be reported under generally accepted accounting principles and will be held and considered confidential and not released without prior approval. Nomination forms are available by contacting Kara Cavanaugh at [email protected] or (413) 755-1310. Nominations must be submitted no later than Sept. 5. The Super 60 awards will be presented at the annual luncheon and recognition program on Nov. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Chez Josef in Agawam.

Bribery Probe Costs Smith & Wesson $2M
SPRINGFIELD — Gun maker Smith & Wesson has agreed to pay $2 million to settle civil charges by federal regulators that it bribed foreign officials to sell firearms in other countries. The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) said the company violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by making improper payments as it sought to sell guns overseas to police and military groups from 2007 to 2010. In 2008, according to the SEC, Smith & Wesson hired a third-party agent in Pakistan to help secure a sale with a Pakistani police department. Company officials also authorized the agent to provide more than $11,000 worth of guns to Pakistani police officials as gifts and to make additional cash payments to them. Smith & Wesson eventually won a contract to sell 548 pistols to the Pakistani police for a profit of $107,852, the SEC said.

Mohegan Sun Ending Lease of Site in Palmer
PALMER — The Republican reported that Mohegan Sun is ending its 99-year lease with Northeast Realty for the former casino site off Thorndike. The casino giant cited an inability to find a major retailer to anchor a proposed development there as the reason for its action. In a prepared statement, Northeast Realty said the move comes as no surprise and “confirms Northeast’s position that Mohegan Sun never intended to legitimately pursue non-gaming development” at the site. Former town councilor Paul Burns agreed with that sentiment. In a strongly worded statement e-mailed to BusinessWest, he said, “the statement today from Mohegan Sun regarding their desire to abandon Palmer is hardly surprising to those of us who have followed the trail of broken promises and misstatements since Mohegan entered into negotiations with Suffolk Downs in October, well before Palmer’s voters had even had their say.” He continued, “the premise, however, that Mohegan Sun has spent any significant amount of time trying to find a tenant is laughable. As recently as April, Mohegan Sun reps, in response to a request from three Palmer town councilors, indicated that they simply did not have time to pursue development in Palmer, as they were busy with the Revere project. Now barely three months later they have somehow completed an extensive search for a partner and came up empty? Clearly Mohegan Sun had no interest in developing this site for any purpose other than a casino. I believed, when they initially claimed interest in non-gaming development, that they were simply attempting to hold onto the site to prevent another company from building there should MGM not be awarded the Western Mass. license. Now, barely 30 days after MGM secures that license, Mohegan Sun’s actions speak loud and clear. From where I sit, it is clear — they had no intention of building here. Obviously Mohegan Sun is not the ‘good neighbor’ they claimed to be.”

Community Foundation Issues $1.2M to Nonprofits
SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is awarding more than $1.2 million in competitive grants to local nonprofit organizations. A total of 99 Pioneer Valley projects will receive funding, with awards ranging from $2,000 to $52,500. The Community Foundation awards competitive grants each year, with funds targeting projects addressing community needs inclusive of arts and culture, education, the environment, health, housing, and human services for residents of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. More than 60 of the projects funded were supported by trusts administered by Bank of America. The Community Foundation receives and reviews grant applications on behalf of Bank of America for four charitable trusts for which the bank serves as a trustee. “This substantial investment in our community is made possible through the generosity of our donors, the commitment of our many volunteers, and the hard work and dedication of the nonprofits that we are privileged to support,” said Community Foundation Vice President for Programs Nancy Reiche. Funding for the grant program comes from distributions from 47 funds established by various individuals and groups committed to supporting local nonprofits. These donors rely on the Community Foundation’s volunteers and staff to focus their funds for effective use by nonprofit agencies in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin county communities. Thirteen volunteer members of the Community Foundation’s distribution committee and 21 project reviewers evaluated 109 applications for funding requests totaling nearly $1.5 million.

Retail Trade Group Lowers Annual Sales Forecast
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nation’s largest retail trade group has lowered its annual sales forecast because of slower-than-expected growth during the first half of the year tied to winter storms and some lingering economic woes. The National Retail Federation said Wednesday that it now expects retail sales to rise 3.6% this year to $3.19 trillion, instead of its original projection of a 4.1%, released in early February. The figures include sales in stores and online, but exclude automotive sales and sales at gas stations and restaurants.

Construction Industry Added 6,000 Jobs in June
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. construction industry added 6,000 jobs in June, according to the July 3 report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, non-residential construction added only 700 of those jobs, and the heavy and civil engineering sector lost 700 jobs. “Although non-residential construction’s performance is somewhat disappointing, the general tenor of today’s employment report is upbeat. It is worth noting that non-residential construction tends to lag that of the overall economy,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Today’s jobs numbers are largely a reflection of the softer growth recorded by the U.S. economy for much of last year and during the initial months of 2014. Given that the economy added over 200,000 jobs for the fifth consecutive month in June, there is some optimism about improvement in the second quarter; however, the lack of monthly construction employment growth, particularly in the non-residential sector, is troubling.” Although the national construction unemployment rate stands at 8.2% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, there are parts of the nation in which unemployment is far lower, Basu added. “In fact, there are emerging shortages of industrial construction workers in growing segments of the south, which will trigger large increases in wages and per diems during the year ahead. By contrast, there are communities in which construction unemployment remains well above the 8.2% average, suggesting that wage inflation will be meaningfully experienced only in certain communities.” According to the BLS household survey, the national unemployment rate fell to 6.1% in June, reaching its lowest level since September 2008. The civilian labor force expanded by 81,000 in June. Individual sectors saw the following changes:
• Non-residential building construction employment increased by 2,100 jobs for the month, but is up by 22,200 jobs, or 3.3%, since June 2013.
• Residential building construction employment rose by 4,500 jobs in June and is up by 50,600 jobs, or 8.3%, on an annual basis.
• Non-residential specialty trade contractors lost 1,400 jobs for the month, but employment in that category is up by 29,500 jobs, or 1.4%, from the same time last year.
• Residential specialty trade contractors gained 2,100 jobs in June and have added 55,700 jobs, or 3.6%, since June 2013.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff August 12, 2014

Company Notebook Departments

Whittlesey & Hadley Announces Expansion
HARTFORD, Conn. – Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C., one of the area’s largest regional CPA firms, announced its plan to diversify geographically and grow in size, services, and staff, beginning with a merger with Lester Halpern & Co., P.C. of Holyoke, a leading regional CPA firm providing a broad range of accounting, audit, tax, and management-consulting services to closely held business, nonprofit, and governmental sectors of Western Mass. and throughout New England. The merger became effective Aug. 1. Whittlesey & Hadley provides accounting, audit, tax, technology, and business-consulting services to clients primarily throughout the Northeast, with access to a worldwide network of resources through PKF North America. For more than 50 years, the firm has served closely held businesses, including manufacturing, construction and distribution, real estate, financial institutions, healthcare, government, and technology industries, as well as the nonprofit sector, the firm’s largest niche focus. The firm has 100 professional and administrative staff located in downtown Hartford. “We moved to a larger office space in downtown Hartford, providing us with the resources to begin our future growth,” said Drew Andrews, managing partner of Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C. “It is a common vision, philosophy, and dedication to provide a superior client experience that we are seeking when merging with CPA firms. Lester Halpern & Co. brought that to the table. This merger represents our first step in an aggressive plan to grow our services and staff throughout the Northeast, while retaining our valued reputation as having the expertise of a national firm but the responsiveness of a local firm that clients expect and deserve from its professional services partner.” Established in 1959, Lester Halpern & Co.’s 25 employees will continue to serve their client base out of the Holyoke office, while acquiring the Whittlesey & Hadley brand.

United Financial Bancorp Announces Q2 Results
GLASTONBURY, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced results for the quarter ended June 30. These results include one month of the pre-merger Rockville Financial Inc. net income, and net income of the combined entity beginning on May 1. Rockville was the legal acquirer in the merger of equals with legacy United Financial Bancorp Inc., in a transaction that closed on April 30, and Rockville changed its name to United Financial Bancorp Inc. at that time. The company had a net loss of $5.6 million, or $(0.13) per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, compared to Rockville’s net income of $3.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. Operating net income for the second quarter of 2014 was $5.8 million (non-GAAP), or $0.13 per diluted share, adjusted for $21.3 million (pre-tax) of expenses related to the merger, $4.9 million (pre-tax) net impact of the amortization and accretion of the purchase-accounting adjustments (or fair-value adjustments) as a result of the merger, and $589,000 (pre-tax) net gains on sales of securities. Operating net income for the quarter ending March 31 was $2.2 million (non-GAAP), or $0.08 per diluted share, adjusted for $1.8 million (pre-tax) of expenses related to the merger of equals between Rockville Financial Inc. and United Financial Bancorp Inc., as well as income of $268,000 (pre-tax) from net gains on sales of securities. Operating net income for the second quarter of 2013 was $4.0 million (non-GAAP), or $0.15 per diluted share, adjusted for $809,000 (pre-tax) for the impact of a branch lease-termination agreement and $561,000 (pre-tax) for termination expense related to position eliminations, as well as income of $329,000 (pre-tax) from net gains on sales of securities. “During the second quarter, Rockville Financial Inc. and United Financial Bancorp Inc. successfully completed their merger of equals. Organic earning asset growth and operating earnings results for the quarter were strong, despite including only two months as a combined organization,” said William Crawford IV, CEO of United Financial Bancorp Inc. and United Bank. “The team is intensely focused on integrating the two companies and is on target to complete the data conversion in the fourth quarter of 2014.” Earnings in both 2014 and 2013 were affected by non-operating income and expense.

HCC Gateway to College Program Tops in U.S.
HOLYOKE — The HCC Gateway to College program, which takes high-school dropouts and puts them in college classes, leads the nation in both retention and graduation rates. The spring 2014 report from the National Network of Gateway to College lists the program at Holyoke Community College number one in both fall-to-fall persistence rate (87%) and graduation rate (80%) out of all 43 Gateway to College programs for the 2011-12 academic year. The network average was 53% for persistence (otherwise known as retention) and 27% for graduation. The Gateway to College program gives second chances to high-school students who have either dropped out of school or are at risk for dropping out by enrolling them in college classes. Students earn both their high-school diplomas and college credit. HCC’s largest Gateway class ever graduated on June 9, with 26 students from Amherst, Palmer, Holyoke, and Springfield receiving their high-school diplomas. Along the way, the class of 2014 also amassed a total of 387 college credits. Since 2010, 142 students have earned their high-school diplomas through the HCC Gateway to College program.

Easthampton Savings Bank Posts Solid Quarter
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank staged its quarterly directors meeting on July 16. President and CEO Matthew Sosik reported the completion of another successful quarter for the bank. “This past year represents yet another in a long string of excellent financial performances at Easthampton Savings,” he said. “Total assets were up $41.6 million from a year ago, an increase of 4.3%, while total loans increased 9% or $63.5 million.” Total loans now stand at $747.8 million. The bank’s deposit growth was $38.3 million or 5% from this time last year, with total deposits now at $840.2 million. “These continue to be challenging economic times for our region, and interest rates remain very low as a result,” said Sosik. “In spite of those conditions, the bank continues to outperform the industry. At the same time, we have continued to invest heavily in the communities that we serve through direct charitable donations and many, many hours of community service by our staff and our directors.”

North Brookfield Savings, FamilyFirst Finish Merger
NORTH BROOKFIELD — North Brookfield Savings Bank announced that the bank’s merger with FamilyFirst Bank is now complete, effective June 1. The deal, first announced in January 2014, recently became official thanks to approval of the corporators of North Brookfield Savings Bank, the shareholders of FamilyFirst Bank, and the banks’ regulators. With the addition of former FamilyFirst Bank branches in Ware, the Three Rivers Village of Palmer, and East Brookfield, North Brookfield Savings Bank now includes seven branches in addition to the Business Center at NBSB and online-banking components. North Brookfield Savings Bank, founded in 1854, is a mutual savings bank with over $200 million in assets. The bank has received the highest Five Star Superior Bank rating from Bauer Financial for 74 consecutive quarters. The combined bank will have in excess of $260 million in assets.

Berkshire Bank Renames Mortgage Division
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced the renaming of its mortgage-lending division to Berkshire Bank Home Lending. The line of business includes a home-lending call center, operations, servicing, and a team of mortgage-loan originators. This business line will transition Berkshire’s current mortgage-lending affiliate, Greenpark Mortgage, into the Berkshire Bank Home Lending brand. Along with its new home-lending call center and loan-servicing operations, Berkshire Bank Home Lending includes more than 90 mortgage-loan originators located in offices throughout New England and New York. Included in the business-unit rollout was the launch of a new consumer-lending website, berkshirebankhomelending.com. The new site features areas to get pre-approved for a mortgage, apply for a mortgage, and log in to check on an application’s status. It also includes helpful information on topics including mortgage-application checklists, calculators, glossary of terms, and homeowners’ insurance. “Berkshire Bank Home Lending’s goal is to provide individualized home-mortgage solutions because we know no two customers are alike,” said Kevin Inkley, senior vice president, Retail Lending. “With our network of local loan originators, competitive pricing, home-lending call center, and website, we partner with our customers to keep them informed, ensuring the highest-quality service and long-term satisfaction.”

Tighe & Bond Named a “Best Firm to Work For”
WESTFIELD — Based on the survey results of its 2014 “Best Firms To Work For” competition, ZweigWhite recognized Tighe & Bond as one of the best civil-engineering firms in the U.S. to work for. This annual awards competition is based on business-practice data collected from numerous participating firms across the country, including feedback solicited through an employee survey. ZweigWhite, a provider of management information and expertise to architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental-consulting firms worldwide, sponsors the program that recognizes the top firms leading the way in creating a workplace that inspires, motivates, and rewards employees. The competitive ranking that results is based on comprehensive evaluations of factors such as firm culture and workplace practices, employee benefits, career development and growth opportunities, compensation, performance and recognition, as well as recruiting and retention rates. All firms that apply for this prestigious ranking and recognition are evaluated against each other, not a set standard. “ZweigWhite has recognized Tighe & Bond several times as one of the best engineering firms to work for in the nation, and it is always a significant honor,” said David Pinsky, president and CEO of Tighe & Bond. “It also exemplifies our ongoing commitment to create a working environment where all of our employees feel valued and where they can see their contribution to the overall mission and success of the firm and our clients. Our ability to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented staff is crucial to providing the high-quality, responsive services that our clients have come to expect and deserve.”

Ludlow Mills Riverwalk Project Moves Forward

By BusinessWest Staff August 5, 2014

Daily News

LUDLOW — The Westmass Area Development Corp. has announced that it is seeking bids for phase one of the Riverwalk project, part of the approved Ludlow Mills Preservation and Redevelopment Master Plan, and has advertised for bids from contractors. Bids will be opened on Aug. 21, with construction expected to begin in the fall.

The Riverwalk is one of the early commitments that Westmass made to the town of Ludlow and its residents, and is being funded through a partnership between HealthSouth and Westmass. The Riverwalk will offer public space for foot traffic and passive recreation, opening up the Chicopee River to Ludlow Mills businesses and residents of Ludlow. This phase of the project 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. This initial phase of construction is expected to cost more than $500,000.

“The solicitation of bids to construct the Ludlow Mills Riverwalk represents another important development as the project begins to realize its potential as a significant mixed-use economic resource for Ludlow and for all of Western Mass.,” said Kenn Delude, president and CEO of Westmass. He noted that the Ludlow Mills project would not have been possible without the support of the Western Mass. legislative delegation, particularly the efforts of state Rep. Tom Petrolati and state Sen. Gail Candaras.

Together, the proposed Riverwalk and future public park will cover approximately 52 acres, or roughly one-third of the Ludlow Mills project site. Westmass intends to convey that entire area to the town so that it will remain in public use. These open spaces and recreational areas are intended to integrate the Ludlow Mills project into the neighborhood and community, said Delude, and also support the many existing and new businesses that are attracted by the vibrancy of the Ludlow Mills.

Redevelopment of the Ludlow Mills complex over the next 15 to 20 years will create and retain more than 2,000 jobs and stimulate up to $300 million in private investment, he said, adding that the initiative is a mixed-use project with a primary focus on commercial and industrial development.

CPA Firm Whittlesey & Hadley Expands Into Western Massachusetts

By BusinessWest Staff August 1, 2014

Daily News

HARTFORD, Conn. – Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C., one of the area’s largest regional CPA firms, announced its plan to diversify geographically and grow in size, services and staff, beginning with a merger with Lester Halpern & Company, P.C., of Holyoke, a leading regional CPA firm providing a broad range of accounting, audit, tax and management consulting services to closely held business, nonprofit and governmental sectors of Western Mass. and throughout New England. The merger is effective August 1. Whittlesey & Hadley provides accounting, audit, tax, technology and business consulting services to clients primarily throughout the northeast, with access to a worldwide network of resources through PKF North America. For more than 50 years, the firm has served closely held businesses, including manufacturing, construction and distribution, real estate, financial institutions, healthcare, government and technology industries, as well as the nonprofit sector, the firm’s largest niche focus. The firm has 100 professional and administrative staff located in downtown Hartford. “We moved to a larger office space in downtown Hartford, providing us with the resources to begin our future growth,” said Drew Andrews, managing partner of Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C. “It is a common vision, philosophy and dedication to provide a superior client experience that we are seeking when merging with CPA firms. Lester Halpern & Company brought that to the table. This merger represents our first step in an aggressive plan to grow our services and staff throughout the northeast, while retaining our valued reputation as having the expertise of a national firm but the responsiveness of a local firm that clients expect and deserve from its professional services partner.” Established in 1959, Lester Halpern & Company’s 25 employees will continue to serve their client base out of the Holyoke office, while acquiring the Whittlesey & Hadley brand. “Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C.’s presence and extensive resources offer an opportunity for Lester Halpern & Company to greatly expand the services available to our clients,” said Thomas Terry, the managing partner of Lester Halpern & Company, P.C. “Integrating our abilities and our experiences will result in a stronger base for future growth.”

Construction Employment Increases in 215 out of 339 Metro Areas

By BusinessWest Staff July 31, 2014

Daily News

Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 80 and was stagnant in 44 between June 2013 and June 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that uncertainty about a range of federal infrastructure and construction programs could weigh on future growth for the sector.
“Contractors have been expanding their work force in about two-thirds of the country for several months in a row,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Some metro areas are adding workers at a strong clip, but the gains remain modest and sporadic in many localities.” Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas added the largest number of construction jobs in the past year (11,700 jobs, 10%), followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. (10,000 jobs, 9%), Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, Ill. (8,200 jobs, 7%) and Baton Rouge, La. (5,900 jobs, 13%). The largest percentage gains occurred in Monroe, Mich. (29%, 600 jobs), Lake Charles, La. (25%, 2,700 jobs), Pascagoula, Miss. (25%, 1,500 jobs) and El Centro, Calif. (23%, 500 jobs). The largest job losses from June 2013 to June 2014 were in Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, Md. (-4,200 jobs, -13%), followed by Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz. (-2,900 jobs, -3%), Gary, Ind. (-2,300 jobs, -12%) and Putnam-Rockland-Westchester, N.Y. (-1,800 jobs, -6 %). The largest percentage decline for the past year was in Cheyenne, Wyo. (-18%, -700 jobs), followed by Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, N.J. (-13%, -300 jobs), Gary, and Steubenville-Weirton, Ohio-W.V. (-12%, -200 jobs). Association officials noted that signs of uncertainty about a range of federal infrastructure and construction programs could undermine future construction employment growth. They urged Congress to quickly pass a “continuing resolution” that would set federal spending levels for next year and to enact long-term surface transportation legislation. Having these measures in place would make it easier for many construction firms to make hiring, purchasing and expansion plans, they added. “Even as the overall economy continues to recover, many firms that work on federally-funded projects are having a hard time making hiring, equipment purchasing and expansion plans,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “It is hard to make sound business decisions when you don’t know how much work will be available in the near future.”

A New Reality?

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

Features

Is This as Good as the Recovery Is Going to Get?

Mike Oleksak says positive things are happening with the economy, but many business owners don’t believe what they’re seeing and hearing.

Andre Mayer says business owners who are still waiting for what would be considered a real economic recovery should probably stop waiting.

That’s because, in his view, this is about as real as it’s going to get.

“At this point, we’re really past the recovery phase; the recession ended five years ago,” said Mayer, senior vice president for communications and research at Associated Industries of Massachusetts. “We never had the recovery we were hoping for and expecting — that big burst of growth where GDP goes up quickly and rejoins the prior trend line. It never happened.”

And it’s very likely that it just won’t happen, at least not any time soon, he said, adding that business owners would be wise to accept this state of the economy and get on with hiring people, expanding their ventures, and moving forward rather than waiting for that aforementioned burst.

And he believes many are doing just that.

“We have been adding quite a few jobs in the first quarter of this year, when the national economy was contracting,” he said, adding that ‘we,’ in this case, refers to the state as a whole, but includes Western Mass. “And that, to me, seems to reflect a change of attitude. In other words, employers, instead of hunkering down and going all out to preserve productivity and not dilute it, because that’s what got them through the recession, are now taking a more sustainable path and sort of coming to the realization that this is the economy we have to live with.”

Bob Nakosteen, professor of Economics at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, agreed, and pointed to the latest unemployment figures as evidence of what he considered progress, at least in some respects.

Indeed, while the state’s jobless rate fell to 5.5% in June, the lowest since August 2008, and 3,700 jobs were added, the manufacturing sector lost more than 1,000 jobs, and the construction industry lost more than 900, what Nakosteen called “hidden disappointments.”

And he said they may provide more evidence of something that many are now calling ‘secular stagnation,’ or ‘economic immobilism,’ terms that aren’t new — they go back at least as far as the Great Depression — but are being summoned with greater frequency by many economists to help describe and explain the phenomenon that Mayer touched on: a recovery that certainly doesn’t look or feel like one.

“There are a number of factors in our economy, some of them demographic, some of them technological, some of them stemming from globalization, that imply that we’re simply not going to experience the growth in this economy that we have in the past, especially job growth,” said Nakosteen while explaining secular stagnation, which he said is now being hotly debated in the “economics blogosphere.” “The workforce is getting older and large numbers are retiring, technology is developing quickly — but it’s doing so in a way that seems to be removing jobs rather than adding jobs — and globalization continues to put great pressure on our domestic workforce, especially the blue-collar occupations and manufacturing.

“And the prospects for any of this changing are simply not good,” he went on, adding that some economists believe it may be decades before the current scene improves markedly.

Meanwhile, the tepid state of the recovery is being reflected by ongoing caution on the part of area business owners, said commercial lenders we spoke with, who noted that many, perhaps still waiting for that burst they have seen following other downturns, such as the ones in the mid-’90s and just after 9/11, are hesitant about pulling the trigger on expansions or new hiring.

“I don’t see anybody really jumping in full force to bring people back or undertake plant expansion,” said Michael Oleksak, executive vice president and chief lending officer at Holyoke-based PeoplesBank. “Everyone is still pretty hesitant.”

Luke Kettles, senior vice president and chief lending officer at Hampden Bank, agreed, summoning a phrase that has been given a thorough workout over the past several years.

“People are guardedly optimistic,” he said, adding that, in this case, that means they often lack the confidence to move ahead with expansion plans or new hiring.

“Employers are not adding people unless they really need to,” he explained, adding that most are still looking to improve efficiency and trim fat rather than add to their workforces.

For this issue, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at the state of the recovery, such as it is, and whether any change in the forecast can be expected any time soon.

Dollar Signs

While secular stagnation, if that’s what the region is experiencing, is a mostly negative term, there are some positives to be gleaned from recent economic statistics and trends, said both Nakosteen and Mayer.

Perhaps the most important of these is that the recovery — and job growth — has finally extended beyond the Greater Boston area, said Nakosteen, adding that both Central and Western Mass. are enjoying better unemployment numbers of late.

The June jobs report provides more evidence of this, he noted, but real signs of improvement started appearing earlier in the spring.

“Over the past few months, unemployment rates have come down dramatically in metropolitan areas in the Berkshires and Springfield, where they were the highest,” he noted. “This is a really good thing. It doesn’t mean they’re low enough to make you feel you’re in a true recovery, but for the first time since the recovery began, it now seems to be extending past Route 495.”

Mayer agreed. “Growth has evened out a good deal,” he told BusinessWest, adding that the Greater Boston area recovered quickly and profoundly after the recession while most of the rest of the state lagged well behind.

“Over the past year, the jobs have been added in the Worcester and Springfield metro areas at the same rate as in the Boston and MetroWest areas,” he noted. “At this point, we’re seeing growth, albeit modest growth, on the labor-market side almost everywhere.”

Luke Kettles says some sectors, such as senior housing, are experiencing growth, but by and large, many business owners are hesitant about expanding or new hiring.

Still, the recovery being witnessed in this region — and many other parts of the country, for that matter — is atypical of what is generally seen after prolonged downturns, said Mayer, citing a lack of growth in GDP and describing what much of the country, and this region, have experienced as a “watered-down version of a boom.”

“One reason, maybe the main reason, why this recession was such a bad one is that it seems to have knocked our GDP down a few percentage points long-term — we haven’t just bounced right back to that point where we left off,” he said. “And by now, waiting for that to happen doesn’t seem realistic, although we are on an upward track.”

Nakosteen concurred. “Sometimes after a recession, we’d have 9% or 10% gross-domestic-product growth for a year or two — it was just stunning,” he said. “We haven’t done better than two or three percentage points the past several years, and I just don’t think you’re going to see that big figure ever again.

“That’s a dangerous thing for me to say,” he added quickly, reflecting on the gravity of his own words. “But I’m buying into this secular-stagnation argument, and I don’t know what to tell people except that, however they have to adjust to the idea that there may not be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, they’d probably better at least think that through.”

Referencing the declines in both manufacturing and construction jobs, he said those numbers, if they don’t change, are ample evidence that the recovery lacks “oomph,” and that this is as good as it is likely to get.

“I thought manufacturing, and construction as well, were on very positive trajectories, and that this might continue more or less unabated,” he noted. “Now, there’s been an abatement.”

That said, both Mayer and Nakosteen anticipate further improvement in the economy, especially if business owners and managers can somehow gain the confidence needed to expand operations and add to their workforces — and consumers can buy again — possibly by recognizing the new economic reality for what it is, and making it better than it’s been.

“It’s time for us to not wait for magic, but to think hard about what we can do to continually make our economic climate better,” Nakosteen said.

Lending Credence

But Oleksak and Kettles said there are still a number of factors holding area business owners back when it comes to hiring and borrowing to expand.

And many are still continuing to do what essentially got them through the recession, said Oleksak, referring to everything from better inventory control to improving production efficiencies to controlling or, in many cases, reducing salary.

Uncertainty about health-insurance costs is one of the factors leading to hesitancy, he noted, adding that these expenses have been a drain on hiring for some time because they keep going up and there is little, if anything, to indicate that this trend will not continue.

Meanwhile, interest rates, which are still historically low but moving back up and projected to continue rising, are another impediment to progress.

“We’ve had such low interest rates for so long that’s there’s also concern about over-leveraging yourself in light of the fact that we’re going to see some higher interest rates down the road,” he explained. “And when interest rates start increasing, there’s more concern about the economy, with people asking if we’re going to fall backward again.”

Kettles said that some sectors, such as senior living, medical office facilities, social services, and even self-storage, are doing well, and Hampden Bank is having a solid year in commercial lending, due in part to the many bank mergers in recent years.

Still, he also sees hesitancy among many business owners, especially when it comes to hiring.

“Benefit costs are increasing, and healthcare costs are pretty significant, so people do not hire unless it’s really necessary,” he said. “Profit margins may be improving, nationally as well as locally, but I think it’s through improving efficiencies and doing more with less. People aren’t going out and adding a position unless they really need to, and a lot of times they’ll try to use part-time labor until they really need a full-time position.”

Kettles noted that many of the manufacturers the bank does business with have been willing to make investments in new equipment and technology, but these purchases often translate to fewer jobs, not more of them.

Overall, confidence, or the lack thereof, remains a factor as well, said both Kettles and Oleksak, noting that, while the June jobs report is generally positive, business owners aren’t necessarily buying into such reports.

“There is some improvement going on,” said Oleksak, “and people are being cautiously optimistic, but I’m not sure they’re really believing what they’re seeing.”

As evidence of this, he cited the residential real-estate market. While those at PeoplesBank and other institutions were expecting the refinancing market to slow this year, mainly because most everyone who could refinance already has, they were expecting sales to pick up, but they haven’t.

“If you look at the numbers, we’re about 5% to 10% behind last year,” he said, adding that an overall lack of confidence is the primary reason.

Whether confidence improves in the near future is likely a function of whether the news continues to improve, and whether it can actually convince people to believe what they see, said those we spoke with.

Nakosteen, for one, believes conditions will continue to improve.

“I think the next 12 months are going to be pretty good,” he told BusinessWest. “A lot of things, especially at the national level, but also at the state level, are getting better. Households are just in a much better position than they’ve been in for years to make healthy consumption decisions, and therefore employers will be making more job offers, buying more equipment, and so on. Over the next year, we’re going to see reasonable economic growth.”

Bottom Line

But what does ‘reasonable’ mean?

It probably doesn’t mean the kind of burst that traditionally accompanies the end of a recession, or the kind of oomph that economists expected and business owners are in many respects still waiting and hoping for.

As Mayer explained, that kind of jolt simply isn’t realistic a full five years after the recession was declared over.

This is the economy this region may have to deal with — like it or not.

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

Community Spotlight: Hadley

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

Community Spotlight Features

Hadley Takes Steps to Enhance Commercial Growth

David Nixon says Hadley’s mix of open space, farmland, commerce, and homes has positioned it well for the future.

The town of Hadley has always strived to achieve a balance between open land, agricultural enterprise, and retail business. But over the past year, special efforts have been made to enhance commercial opportunity along the 13-mile stretch of Route 9 that runs through the town. The effort includes proactive measures, partnerships, and infrastructure improvements.

“We admire and respect people who are trying to establish and maintain a business. It’s a very difficult thing to do and takes a lot of sacrifice,” said Town Administrator David Nixon. He added that building lots are available on Route 9 and the town has been approached by a number of business owners who want to expand, particularly in the shopping-mall area of the roadway.

“There is a lot of new construction taking place,” he told BusinessWest, listing several expamples. “Texas Roadhouse is in the permitting process, a Starbucks store is under construction, and other businesses are being built or are under design. It’s good for the community and good for America, so we are doing whatever we can to support them and give owners the opportunity to flourish.”

A major milestone was reached several months ago when the state granted the town 12 new liquor licenses it applied for last fall. “The restaurant/hospitality trade is very important to our local economy, and last November, the town reached its quota of liquor licenses,” Nixon explained. “We knew there was a market for them, and we wanted to be able to provide opportunity for new restaurants and stores that would address the need for dining and entertainment. As a result of our petition, six new licenses for malt and wine and six for all-alcohol were granted.”

The licenses are for establishments on Route 9. One has already been applied for, and interest has been expressed in the remainder. “We expect more applications for them in the near future,” he said.

Hadley has also been proactive in helping 13 small businesses recover from losses suffered in a fire last October that leveled the strip mall at 206 Russell St. that housed them. “We developed a coalition to help the owners get back on their feet and find new locations to re-establish their businesses. It includes the Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Hampshire County, the town of Hadley, and our legislative delegation, as well as banks and charitable institutions,” Nixon said.

The coalition worked to make sure the owners received insurance money and any benefits available to them, he explained, adding that some of the businesses were quite successful and had been established by immigrants who realized the American dream through hard work and sweat equity put forth by their families.

The coalition also helped the owners create business plans and document their history so they could receive bank loans and apply for grant money. “Some have reopened, and others are still looking for the right location, but our work with them is ongoing,” Nixon said.

For this, the latest installment of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest looks at how this town strategically positioned between Northampton and Amherst is certainly the right place at the right time for commercial development.

Setting the Stage

Nixon said the town has also been proactive in taking steps to ensure that existing and potential business owners have the infrastructure they need to thrive. To that end, town officials partnered with the Mass. Department of Transportation to improve travel along Route 9 for vehicular traffic as well as for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Progress is being made, and new walking paths will be installed within the next year that will connect residential neighborhoods to shopping areas. In addition, a plan to widen and recondition the road is in the design stage and is expected to be complete next summer. It includes bicycle lanes, which will be enhanced by an upgrade of the Norwottuck Rail Trail by the Department of Conservation Resources.

Nixon said promoting bicycle use is part of the town’s ongoing strategy to reduce energy consumption, and officials have collaborated with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to realize that goal. The project includes a study paid for by a Community Innovation Challenge grant received last year, and the final report is expected in the near future.

“We also just received grant money to purchase three bicycle racks,” Nixon said. Two will be installed on municipal property along Route 9, and the third will be stationed at a local business chosen by the Select Board.

Town officials are also working with the state Department of Transportation to install safe pedestrian crossings along Route 9. Nixon said this is critical because the town common, which stretches a mile and a half and is the longest intact town common in New England, is being used for an increasing number of events.

Over the past year, these have included a farmer’s market, a 5K road race, and the town’s annual Asparagus Festival, which was held in early June. The festival kicked off for the first time last year at the Seven Sisters Market Bistro & Long Hollow Bison Farm at 270 Russell St., and this year, it was moved to the town common.

“It was extremely successful,” said Nixon. “People came from as far away as Brooklyn, and a story about it was published in Yankee magazine.”

But parking and walking to the common is problematic. People who attend such events often park in the Hopkins Academy lot or along Route 9, which means they have to cross the busy road on foot. “If they park on the south end of the road, they have to walk across four lanes of traffic,” Nixon explained, adding that the new crossings will be a boon to pedestrian safety.

The problem of aging water lines is also being addressed. “The lines we have are about 75 years old and will be replaced with higher-capacity ones and better materials,” he noted. The town plans to borrow money to finance the project, and officials are working with legislators to procure state funding to help pay for the improvement. Nixon said the preliminary cost for phase 1 is $400,000, and an additional $500,000 will be needed to complete phase 2.

A program to upgrade the town’s fire hydrants is also underway, and water valves are being tested by the Fire Department and Department of Public Works.

“We are also repairing our wastewater lines because we want to be sure there is enough capacity for our wastewater-treatment plan to handle an expansion,” he said. “It’s important to have this infrastructure in place and working properly so business owners know there is abundant water for their needs as well as enough to put out fires.”

Growth Patterns

Agriculture has always been an important part of Hadley’s economy, and the steps taken to bring new business to Route 9 and support firms already there have the potential to spur economic growth, since the town’s agricultural profile includes enterprises such as Carrs Cider, which is sold in package stores and restaurants; Valley Malt, which provides ingredients to make locally produced beer; and V-One Vodka, which can be purchased in Hadley and has plans to expand.

“Many Hadley restaurants support local agriculture, and we have six dairy farms and thousands of acres used to grow vegetables and fruit, such as strawberries, asparagus, corn, potatoes, squash, and pumpkins. So opportunities for new restaurants are linked to an opportunity for growth in both commercial and agricultural areas,” Nixon said.

He told BusinessWest the town is a leader in land preservation and has thousands of acres protected for agriculture and wildlife.

“But we also want to have the right kinds of commerce to provide people with employment as well as services they need, want, and enjoy,” he said in conclusion. “The commercial base helps to keep our taxes affordable, and the mix of open land, commerce, and residences in small villages and neighborhoods has provided Hadley with a very stable and vibrant community that is well-positioned to handle the challenges of the future.”

Hadley at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1661
Population: 5,520 (2010)
Area: 24.7 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $10.64
Commercial Tax Rate: $10.64
Median Household Income: $51,851 (2010)
Family Household Income: $61,897 (2010)
Type of government: Open Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen
Largest Employers: Super Stop & Shop, Evaluation Systems Group Pearson, Elaine Center at Hadley, Home Depot, Lowe’s Home Improvement
* Latest information available

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

Opinion

Adjusting to a New Economic Reality

Andre Mayer appears to be right, but we sure hope he’s wrong.

Mayer, senior vice president for communications and research at Associated Industries of Mass., was talking with BusinessWest about the economy and, more specifically, the recovery and why it really hasn’t materialized (see story, page 6).

And he proffered the opinion that, five years after the recession ended, it might be time to say this just might be as good as the recovery is going to get.

Like we said, we hope he’s wrong about that.

The regional economy has really seen only modest growth since the end of the Great Recession, maybe a percentage point or two each year, and many business owners are still waiting for that surge, boost, spurt, whatever one chooses to call it, that officially signals the end of a downturn and the start of real recovery.

What Mayer is saying, and he’s apparently not alone in this thinking, is that what we’re seeing is real recovery, or at least the new reality when it comes to the economy.

It comes with modest growth in jobs (and even that has arrived mostly in recent months) and only slight gains in gross domestic product. These are just some of the defining elements of something called ‘secular stagnation,’ an economic theory supported by former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and many others, which contends that a host of factors, from advancing technology to globalization, are keeping this recovery from gaining any real steam in many sections of the country.

Secular stagnation might indeed be real, but our regional economy should be doing better. As Bob Nakosteen, professor of Economics at UMass Amherst, pointed out, conditions for pronounced growth are there, especially an improvement in the financial situation in many households, and businesses as well. Many have reduced debt and righted balance sheets that certainly contributed to the severe downturn at the end of the last decade.

What’s still missing, in many cases, is that all-important commodity known as confidence. A lack of it is still holding a number of business owners back when it comes to expanding their ventures and adding to their workforces. Some sectors are experiencing modest growth, including education and healthcare, the pillars of the local economy, but many are still treading water.

And while the state’s June employment report was encouraging — the jobless rate was at its lowest point since 2008, and another 3,700 jobs were added — there were disturbing declines in the manufacturing and construction sectors, two areas that were supposedly on the upswing.

As area commercial lenders told BusinessWest, business owners read and hear about improving conditions, job gains, and an uptick in business confidence, but don’t necessarily believe what they’re seeing or hearing.

Thus, many are still hunkering down and continuing to do the things that got them through the recession — tightening their belts, creating greater efficiency, and hiring only when they have to.

Mayer believes that some attitudes may be changing when it comes to the economy and the recovery. He believes that some business owners are recognizing that maybe that surge everyone is waiting for simply isn’t going to happen, and that it doesn’t make sense to continue waiting for it. Better still, he believes that some are coming to the conclusion that, by not waiting, they may actually help facilitate that surge.

On this point, we hope he is correct.

If he is, then maybe the current state of the recovery doesn’t have to be the new reality, and this is not as good as it’s going to get.

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

Building Permits Departments

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

AMHERST

Peter Grandonico
15 North Pleasant St.
$4,350 — Renovations in Unit 35

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Granby Road Solar, LLC
431 Granby Road
$5,000,000 — Solar panel project

333 Memorial Drive, LLC
333 Memorial Dr.
$27,000 — Strip and re-roof

LUDLOW

CA Smith Lumber
84 Hubbard St.
$50,000 — Commercial lumber rack

McDonald’s
420 Center St.
$732,000 — Construction of a new restaurant

SOUTH HADLEY

L. Shatz, Schwartz, Fentin
8 Industrial Dr.
$18,000 — Install new antennas

SPRINGFIELD

American Red Cross
150 Brookdale Dr.
$940,000 — Interior fitout

HGI, LLC
820 Hall of Fame Ave.
$60,000 — Interior renovation for Pizzeria Uno

Picknelly Family, L.M.
1414 Main St.
$800,000 — Interior build-out of new offices

Springfield College
263 Alden St.
$215,500 — Interior renovation of offices

WESTFIELD

RSP Realty, LLC
57 Union St.
$100,000 — Medical office build-out

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Comfort Inn
106 Capital Dr.
$140,000 — Interior renovations

Fentre Pearson
50 Century Way
$30,000 — Renovate 2,200 square feet of existing office space

John Monaghan
306 Westfield St.
$12,000 — Fit out for an 850-square-foot hair salon

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

Departments Real Estate

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

165 Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: UMass Five College FCU
Seller: Lawrence A. Hawks
Date: 06/27/14

65 South St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Charles M. Deming
Date: 06/20/14

167 West Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Brian K. Puchalski
Seller: Scudder Bay Capital LLC
Date: 06/27/14

COLRAIN

91 Foundry Village Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Gary L. Root
Seller: Nancy M. Purington
Date: 06/23/14

CONWAY

368 Williamsburg Road
Conway, MA 01096
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Jose O. Cruz
Seller: Michael R. Fredette
Date: 06/17/14

DEERFIELD

24 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Alexander G. Alvarado
Seller: Dayna English
Date: 06/24/14

16 West St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: William A. Erman
Seller: Frank J. Skawski
Date: 06/17/14

22 West St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $178,750
Buyer: Nathan K. Adams
Seller: Robert Kostecki
Date: 06/20/14

GILL

97 Boyle Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Nick Ruggiano
Seller: Michael J. Galipault
Date: 06/24/14

38 Center Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Angela M. Thorp
Seller: Craig E. Billings
Date: 06/23/14

GREENFIELD

111 Bungalow Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $233,500
Buyer: Karen E. Gillespie
Seller: Glatkowski, Edmund P., (Estate)
Date: 06/20/14

9 Devens Ct.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Bruce A. Palmer
Seller: Charles F. Lang
Date: 06/26/14

93 Harrison Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Stephen W. Oates
Seller: Liane Watts
Date: 06/26/14

61 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Sauser
Seller: Laurence C. Flynn
Date: 06/27/14

39 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $192,600
Buyer: Brandon Nash
Seller: Chris E. Singley
Date: 06/27/14

333 Log Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $173,500
Buyer: Danielle L. Lutenegger
Seller: Timothy J. Allen
Date: 06/23/14

22 Madison Circle
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Robert L. Varnon
Seller: Faith A. Kaufmann
Date: 06/20/14

69 Oakland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Jeffrey I. Scroggin
Seller: Lynda C. Short
Date: 06/20/14

59 Shattuck St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: John Mallon
Seller: Margaret M. Battelle
Date: 06/19/14

169 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $163,500
Buyer: Walter H. Kleeberg
Seller: Elaine Mundell
Date: 06/19/14

19 Woodleigh Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $182,400
Buyer: Sadie R. Miller
Seller: Robert D. Forman
Date: 06/16/14

HAWLEY

79 Middle Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Elise C. Smart
Seller: Topside Real Estate Agency
Date: 06/20/14

HEATH

64 Route 8A South
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $255,029
Buyer: Fairfield Financial Mortgage Group
Seller: Jason R. Endicott
Date: 06/23/14

LEVERETT

158 Rattlesnake Gutter Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Justin H. Costa
Seller: John F. Abbott
Date: 06/26/14

LEYDEN

12 Zimmerman Hill Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Robert G. Snedeker
Seller: Franklin Land Trust Inc.
Date: 06/26/14

MONTAGUE

102 Avenue A
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Ruserious LLC
Seller: Karkut IRT
Date: 06/23/14

54 Davis St.
Montague, MA 01301
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Craig E. Billings
Seller: Edward F. Cherwa
Date: 06/23/14

11 South High St.
Montague, MA 01376
Buyer: James B. Cassady
Seller: Fugere, Barbara A., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/14

64 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Kimberly H. Bergeron
Seller: Theresa Waryas RET
Date: 06/20/14

NORTHFIELD

210 Birnam Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Carrion
Seller: Scannell, Eileen M., (Estate)
Date: 06/16/14

352 South Mountain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: David M. Smith
Seller: Craig A. Hall
Date: 06/24/14

ORANGE

162 East Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Christine A. Horn
Seller: Steven J. Corriveau
Date: 06/27/14

130 Town Farm Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Michael J. Mallet
Seller: Carol A. Smith
Date: 06/24/14

62 Ward Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Randy A. Coffin
Seller: Brian S. Linstad
Date: 06/27/14

SHELBURNE

208 Peckville Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: West County Cider LLC
Seller: Robert W. McAllister
Date: 06/23/14

WARWICK

100 Shepardson Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Jerad R. Goulston
Seller: Charles H. Morrow
Date: 06/16/14

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

23 Agnoli Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $146,800
Buyer: Kostiantyn Lavrynets
Seller: Paul D. Pirnie
Date: 06/27/14

73 Alhambra Circle South
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Heather Boucher
Seller: St. John, Eileen P., (Estate)
Date: 06/26/14

34 Begley St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Viki Quick
Seller: Jean E. Tharin
Date: 06/27/14

48 Cedar Knoll Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Anthony M. Ruscio
Seller: W. D. Macwilliams
Date: 06/27/14

46 Central St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Stacey L. Kennedy
Seller: Mary A. Anderson
Date: 06/20/14

226 Colemore St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Julie Peiffer
Seller: Gregory R. Abbey
Date: 06/27/14

185 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Bryan M. Allard
Seller: Jeffrey R. McCarthy
Date: 06/25/14

38 Edward St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Bryan C. Crowther
Seller: James T. Murphy
Date: 06/27/14

75 Forest Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Marc J. Perrone-Rinaldi
Seller: Michael J. Romanko
Date: 06/23/14

67-69 Hope Farms Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Stephen Walsh
Seller: Stanley J. Chmielewski
Date: 06/27/14

56 Lawnwood St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Desere A. Ramsey
Seller: Christopher A. Duby
Date: 06/25/14

167 Meadowbrook Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $223,500
Buyer: Anthony F. Verteramo
Seller: Calvin Tang
Date: 06/20/14

73 North St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Raymond E. Pellerin
Seller: Jean E. Bell
Date: 06/17/14

128 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Stellato RT
Seller: Joseph Kierkla
Date: 06/20/14

143 North St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $186,500
Buyer: Kristy B. Consolini
Seller: Viateur Larochelle
Date: 06/24/14

693 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Cynthia A. Williamson
Seller: Sabina Papai
Date: 06/23/14

23 Ottawa St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Sean R. Wandrei
Seller: Donald B. Wandrei
Date: 06/26/14

32 Providence St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Michael A. Dugre
Seller: Walter C. Daviau
Date: 06/17/14

67 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $205,023
Buyer: Robert S. Ferrier
Seller: Bridget C. O’Malley
Date: 06/16/14

108 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $143,900
Buyer: Christopher D. Marble
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/24/14

345 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $146,500
Buyer: Joseph P. Catanzarite
Seller: Peter J. Johnson
Date: 06/26/14

955 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Telman K. Bilalov
Seller: Aleksandr Chuduk
Date: 06/25/14

10 Upton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Crystal L. Pajak
Seller: Robert B. Carroll
Date: 06/17/14

35 Valley Brook Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Nicole M. Karam
Seller: Philip L. Percy
Date: 06/27/14

42 Warren St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $417,500
Buyer: Melissa Lariviere
Seller: Hillcrest Capital Partner
Date: 06/27/14

21-23 Winthrop St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Stephen M. Buynicki
Seller: Gertrude Y. Spagnoli
Date: 06/26/14

CHESTER

117 Bromley Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Edward L. Meacham
Seller: Ardelle M. Diamond
Date: 06/20/14

698 Skyline Trail
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Eric J. Whitaker
Seller: Zielonka, Wladyslaw, (Estate)
Date: 06/25/14

CHICOPEE

109 Church St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Manasa LLC
Seller: Walter E. Gazda
Date: 06/25/14

54 Debra Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Larochelle
Seller: Mary L. Curro
Date: 06/27/14

980 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Dwayne Pafumi
Seller: Nowaks Auto Realty LLC
Date: 06/26/14

245 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Marwan Awkal
Seller: Donald V. Davis

293 Fairview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Laurenz F. Weimann
Seller: Janet C. Goodman
Date: 06/26/14

95 Fernwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Nicole L. Beebe
Seller: Michael W. Cormier
Date: 06/26/14

166 Hendrick St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anna Delossantos
Seller: David Merritt
Date: 06/20/14

1 Huntington Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Luke S. Vicente
Seller: Michelle R. Roy
Date: 06/20/14

81 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jorge Ruiz
Seller: Virginia L. Miller
Date: 06/27/14

183 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $173,500
Buyer: Pavel Pushkarev
Seller: David C. Martel
Date: 06/26/14

1697 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Stephanie S. Crews
Seller: Mary M. Lepkowski
Date: 06/25/14

129 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Philip R. Percy
Seller: Anthony M. Piela
Date: 06/27/14

114 New York Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: David E. Barnaby
Seller: Albert J. Salva
Date: 06/27/14

11 Rivers Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $122,130
Buyer: Wilmington Savings Fund Trust
Seller: Ivette Santos
Date: 06/19/14

69 Truro St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Richard S. Mongeau
Seller: Richard S. Soja
Date: 06/27/14

38 Whitman St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Josefina Soto
Seller: Lucia Miranda
Date: 06/27/14

EAST LONGMEADOW

19 Alvin St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Savannah A. Skiff
Seller: Sean E. Woodard
Date: 06/27/14

88 Birch Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Anthony V. Chiusano
Seller: Laura A. Mushenko
Date: 06/27/14

22 Braeburn Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Shaughn M. Dermody
Seller: James E. Brown
Date: 06/25/14

235 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Erin L. Beck
Seller: Mary D. Main
Date: 06/27/14

41 Evergreen Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Robert Tirrell
Seller: Corey R. Lucier
Date: 06/16/14

6 Glynn Farms Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $327,500
Buyer: Timothy R. Balut
Seller: John J. Stevens
Date: 06/20/14

4 Hedgerow Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Timber Development LLC
Seller: Ward, William J., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/14

23 Kenneth Lunden Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $331,150
Buyer: Michael T. Barbieri
Seller: Robert Tannen
Date: 06/24/14

64 Lee St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Robert Sopet
Seller: Kathy R. Caulton
Date: 06/27/14

6 Marshall St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Richard J. Webber
Seller: Richard M. Marble
Date: 06/20/14

227 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Leonard E. Belcher Inc.
Seller: Chalmers Enterprises LLC
Date: 06/19/14

30 Vreeland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,900
Buyer: Elizabeth O’Neill-Sheehan
Seller: NU Way Homes Inc.
Date: 06/26/14

HAMPDEN

778 Main St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Marcey Lindley
Seller: Lance W. Trevallion
Date: 06/26/14

104 South Monson Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Thomas O’Connor
Seller: Walter K. McLaughlin
Date: 06/24/14

41 Thresher Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $636,962
Buyer: Country Bank for Savings
Seller: Peter W. Sackrider
Date: 06/17/14

HOLLAND

1 Forest Ct.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Tiffany M. Letendre
Seller: Amber L. Macwhinnie
Date: 06/24/14

Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Keith T. Elmy
Seller: Sharon M. Suschana
Date: 06/27/14

HOLYOKE

393 Apremont Hwy.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Lizandro Cruz
Seller: Edward L. Beaudry
Date: 06/17/14

25 Bay State Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Elizabeth M. O’Dair
Seller: Andrea B. Leydon
Date: 06/27/14

85 Beacon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Alexander D. Webster
Seller: Francis J. Boudreau
Date: 06/16/14

22-24 Brookline Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Behnam Roohi
Seller: John R. Rigalis
Date: 06/16/14

3 Claren Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Gisela Costas
Seller: Timothy P. Ganieany
Date: 06/23/14

88 Dartmouth St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Charles C. Johnson
Seller: Daniel M. Glanville
Date: 06/17/14

65 Fairfield Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Crowley
Seller: Michael T. Siciliano
Date: 06/25/14

19 Florence Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Ashley A. Batlle
Seller: 21st Mortgage Corp.
Date: 06/20/14

510 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Rosa N. Izquierdo
Seller: Roland J. Laverdiere
Date: 06/27/14

4 Timber Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Morgan L. Jones
Seller: Roger V. Singh
Date: 06/18/14

24 Vassar Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Home Improvement Assocs.
Seller: HSBC Bank USA
Date: 06/27/14

LONGMEADOW

20 Brittany Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Danielle Macinnes
Date: 06/27/14

62 Chatham Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Mary Ellis
Seller: Michael R. Favreau
Date: 06/26/14

60 Cheshire Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Bryan Gross
Seller: Cynthia M. Galloni
Date: 06/16/14

39 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Taylor A. Buckholz
Seller: James G. Jones
Date: 06/19/14

86 Coventry Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $344,000
Buyer: Navatha Hannumagutti
Seller: Daniel C. Webster
Date: 06/19/14

44 Dunsany Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Ariel Karolinski
Seller: Andrew R. Maynard
Date: 06/20/14

31 Lincoln Park
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Andrew C. Nichols
Seller: Mary M. Ellis
Date: 06/26/14

98 Longfellow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Gregory J. Jones
Seller: Matthew R. Desmarais
Date: 06/19/14

233 Meadowlark Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Justin D. Franczek
Seller: Thomas J. Kent
Date: 06/19/14

20 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $512,000
Buyer: Vijay Gaddam
Seller: Edward P. Borowsky
Date: 06/23/14

764 Shaker Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Alan B. Cunningham
Seller: Richard M. Stevens
Date: 06/20/14

160 Wild Grove Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $517,000
Buyer: Michael W. Smith
Seller: Patricia G. Burden
Date: 06/26/14

325 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $359,000
Buyer: Nathan E. Pearce
Seller: Eric Day
Date: 06/17/14

347 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Wayne M. Robinson
Seller: Nazera A. Hynes
Date: 06/19/14

371 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Brian M. Quinn
Seller: Maryann Elkas
Date: 06/20/14

636 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Jeffrey D. McDonald
Seller: William J. Scott
Date: 06/16/14

LUDLOW

12 Barre Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: David Dominique
Seller: Michel S. Lebel
Date: 06/20/14

17 Brimfield St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Kelly Herlihy
Date: 06/17/14

31 Dowd Ct.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $327,500
Buyer: Jeffrey R. Fortune
Seller: David N. Vermette
Date: 06/27/14

58 Essex St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,250
Buyer: Violeta Alvarado
Seller: WMass Residential LLC
Date: 06/20/14

153 Highland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Michael A. Blake
Seller: Ezequiel D. Mauricio
Date: 06/16/14

111 Longview Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Joseph J. Arnone
Seller: Michael J. Doherty
Date: 06/27/14

189 Poole St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Michael W. Deschamps
Seller: Christine M. Janik
Date: 06/27/14

41 Susan Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Patrick D. Meffen
Seller: Armand Bazegian
Date: 06/23/14

220 Ventura St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Kevin Czaplicki
Seller: Paul E. Hillsburg
Date: 06/17/14

MONSON

200 Brimfield Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Michael J. Koske
Seller: Lisa A. Cecchini
Date: 06/24/14

1 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Cynthia Demers
Seller: David J. Fox
Date: 06/20/14

214 Munn Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Daniel J. Gackowski
Seller: David F. Bourcier
Date: 06/24/14

21 State St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Cara A. Lattell
Seller: Whitney M. Osborn
Date: 06/27/14

66 Zuell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Hurley
Seller: Debra A. Davis
Date: 06/24/14

MONTGOMERY

93 Pomeroy Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Colin D. Neylon
Seller: William M. Leahy
Date: 06/23/14

77 Thomas Road
Montgomery, MA 01050
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Wesley F. Fortier
Seller: James P. Hebert
Date: 06/24/14

PALMER

3 Country Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $227,630
Buyer: Jonathan B. Flebotte
Seller: Ghislaine M. Lizak
Date: 06/27/14

15 Memory Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Matthew J. Cartier
Seller: David H. Benedetti
Date: 06/26/14

70 Squier St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Country Bank for Savings
Seller: Zabadiah E. Morin
Date: 06/19/14

312 Ware St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Kailee Kozlik
Seller: Strom, Steven W., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/14

SPRINGFIELD

100-102 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Waseem Mudasar
Seller: Michael J. Sibilia
Date: 06/16/14

266 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Aaliyah LLC
Seller: Tedeschi Food Shops Inc.
Date: 06/23/14

15 Burns Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $118,500
Buyer: Alice L. Dezan
Seller: Janice M. Messier
Date: 06/27/14

180 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $122,500
Buyer: Jeremy E. Lindsay
Seller: Erin Keane
Date: 06/27/14

78 Chauncey Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: Alice A. Baiyee
Seller: George Santos
Date: 06/20/14

108 Corey Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Robert S. Lane
Seller: Joan M. Clark
Date: 06/26/14

54 Cumberland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Mister Mister LLC
Seller: Braemore 21 LLC
Date: 06/25/14

145 Dartmouth Terrace
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Marcia P. Tricoche
Seller: James V. Delorge
Date: 06/20/14

222 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Henry A. Urena
Seller: Alda Luvera
Date: 06/16/14

285 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Andrea M. Strom
Seller: John Labrecque
Date: 06/27/14

54 Ferncliff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $127,000
Seller: Sara M. Lantaigne
Date: 06/16/14

330 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $186,900
Buyer: Miguel A. Roman
Seller: Wayne A. Freeman
Date: 06/18/14

20 Green Way
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Ganga Tiwari
Seller: Gonzalo A. Chacon
Date: 06/17/14

121 Hartford Terrace
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Chelsea E. Ferguson
Seller: William R. Clow
Date: 06/25/14

43 Helberg Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Maria D. Morales
Seller: Tawnya A. Valentine
Date: 06/23/14

53 Helberg Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: William P. Talty
Seller: Ellen H. Alpert
Date: 06/26/14

114 Huron St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Vivian Pabon
Seller: Kelli D. Kefalas
Date: 06/27/14

59 Ingersoll Grove
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Sylvia Staub
Seller: Sean Boardway
Date: 06/23/14

314 Longhill St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Thomas W. Bolick
Seller: Kevin E. Hines
Date: 06/27/14

88 Margerie St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Jesenia Santiago
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 06/27/14

48 Morris St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $140,729
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Von M. Morales
Date: 06/24/14

105 Nagle St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Adriano G. Machado
Seller: Dorothy Belanger
Date: 06/20/14

299 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Jennifer V. Gautier
Seller: Kristie L. Larosa
Date: 06/23/14

224 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Zahra Taqi
Seller: JJS Capital Investment
Date: 06/27/14

420 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Orchard Auto Wrecking Inc.
Seller: Dwayne Pafumi
Date: 06/26/14

85 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Shirley L. Rodriguez
Seller: I Buysellhomes LLC
Date: 06/27/14

133 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $132,990
Buyer: Randy L. Knoll
Seller: Dorothy F. Brodrick
Date: 06/24/14

220 Russell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Maribel Acevedo
Seller: Sodi Inc.
Date: 06/27/14

269 Seymour Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Harry Berrios
Seller: Roberto Medina
Date: 06/20/14

267 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Edwar Velazquez-Gonzalez
Seller: Calvin C. Fox
Date: 06/23/14

65 Signal Hill Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Samuel Baidoo
Seller: Stanley Czaplicki
Date: 06/27/14

676 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Marvin Lovett
Seller: I Buysellhomes LLC
Date: 06/27/14

Sunnybrook Road
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $247,301
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Linda Bennett
Date: 06/17/14

73 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: HSBC Bank USA
Seller: Suzanne Murphy
Date: 06/23/14

67 Vincent St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $117,500
Buyer: Michele K. Medina
Seller: Carl T. Makuch
Date: 06/19/14

SOUTHWICK

12 Deer Run
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $405,500
Buyer: Jeffrey R. McCarthy
Seller: Steven F. Morrison
Date: 06/27/14

3 Hunters Ridge Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Kevin C. Stiles
Seller: James R. Dunn
Date: 06/20/14

27 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Bertrand
Seller: Adam Nicholas
Date: 06/27/14

4 Maple St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Brett D. Colson
Seller: Patricia P. Orlandi
Date: 06/17/14

14 Sterrett Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Robert L. Foskitt
Seller: Jeffrey W. Hart
Date: 06/23/14

WALES

98 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Rebecca A. Perri
Seller: Kenneth S. Longtin
Date: 06/27/14

87 Mount Hitchcock Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Bush IRT
Seller: Henry E. Peach
Date: 06/20/14

16 Reed Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Joel A. Orengo
Seller: Shaun P. Conroy
Date: 06/26/14

WESTFIELD

21 Dana St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Dmitriy Girich
Seller: Jacqueline M. Curran
Date: 06/17/14

15 Demond Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Joshua E. Redfern
Seller: Andrew J. Golden
Date: 06/18/14

894 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Jeremy Gold
Seller: John A. Gallo
Date: 06/18/14

43 Elizabeth Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Heneghan
Seller: Pok I. Szavoick
Date: 06/17/14

21 Foss St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Erica M. Bradstreet
Seller: Michael S. Ingraham
Date: 06/20/14

11 Hamilton Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: William C. Mullen
Date: 06/25/14

28 King St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Eric Charest
Seller: Stephen K. Phillips
Date: 06/24/14

19 Lozier Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $123,375
Buyer: Joseph J. Malcovsky
Seller: Malcovsky, Katherine M., (Estate)
Date: 06/18/14

183 Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $148,500
Buyer: Ilya A. Katykhin
Seller: Samel, John J., (Estate)
Date: 06/16/14

3 Maria Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Cassandra J. Garlo
Seller: James Lamountain
Date: 06/27/14

90 Northridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $237,400
Buyer: Robert F. Gazda
Seller: Corey J. Hinckley
Date: 06/23/14

12 Northwest Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Daina Vilinskis
Seller: William C. Sibley
Date: 06/16/14

15 Pleasant St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Derek R. Berard
Seller: Raymond P. Manos
Date: 06/20/14

1074 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Paul J. Gallagher
Seller: Goguen, Riger J., (Estate)
Date: 06/20/14

15 Sunbriar Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Volodymyr Stetsyuk
Seller: James T. Krupienski
Date: 06/27/14

25 Tiffany Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Robert T. Goyette
Seller: Nancy K. McBride
Date: 06/18/14

19 Tow Path Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: George J. Sobczyk
Seller: Gaylyn F. Heishman
Date: 06/27/14

32 Waterford Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $369,500
Buyer: Azra Peysakov
Seller: Jason A. Cromack
Date: 06/25/14

WILBRAHAM

3161 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Joshua Brodeur
Seller: Gary C. Roy
Date: 06/27/14

19 Briar Cliff Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Grozio
Seller: Gregory W. Hauber
Date: 06/20/14

8 Bulkley Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Stacy H. Hagenbaugh
Seller: Joseph Salvador
Date: 06/16/14

22 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $141,500
Buyer: Sarah E. Buckley
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/20/14

19 Millbrook Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Gary N. Stone
Seller: John W. Tarbell
Date: 06/16/14

568 Ridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Theodore D. Chesbro
Seller: Richard P. Benton
Date: 06/20/14

9 Westernview Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $239,600
Buyer: Shirley A. Babcock
Seller: Diana M. Hecht
Date: 06/26/14

WEST SPRINGFIELD

26 Clarence St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jesse D. Palermo
Seller: Robert A. Bishop
Date: 06/27/14

79 Ely Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Kristopher M. Forrette
Seller: Jessica A. Wozniak
Date: 06/19/14

25 Fairview Ave.
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: JWK Real Estate LLC
Seller: Karl F. Schwarzkopf
Date: 06/20/14

49 Fairview Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Battista & Sons Property Management
Seller: Kim M. Arsenault
Date: 06/27/14

52 Glenview Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Daniel T. Kane
Seller: Mark J. Gedmin
Date: 06/25/14

31 Guy Place
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Stephen M. Buynicki
Seller: Cardinal Homes Inc.
Date: 06/26/14

47 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Shauna N. Bennett
Seller: Christopher C. Robison
Date: 06/18/14

49 Heywood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: James T. Birchall
Seller: Patrick J. O’Toole
Date: 06/27/14

11 Ivy Hollow Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Patricia A. Connors
Seller: Beech Hill Construction Inc.
Date: 06/18/14

56 Janet St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Christina L. Palazzi
Seller: Denis Lamontagne
Date: 06/27/14

330 Massachusetts Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Gina C. Rondeau
Seller: Gary N. Stone
Date: 06/23/14

68 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: James L. Williford
Seller: Christie W. Amsden
Date: 06/24/14

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

194 Amity St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $599,000
Buyer: Chabad At 5 Colleges Inc.
Seller: Vernon D. Turner
Date: 06/16/14

Belchertown Road #MULTI
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Town Of Amherst
Seller: Kestrel Land Trust
Date: 06/24/14

57 Berkshire Terrace
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Stella S. Offner
Seller: Wilburn FT
Date: 06/27/14

26 Beston St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Janet L. Howard
Seller: Michelle A. O’Neill
Date: 06/23/14

70 Eames Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Kathy A. Weilerstein
Seller: Kristin B. Leutz
Date: 06/26/14

116 High St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Simon C. Leutz
Seller: Kevin J. Eddings
Date: 06/27/14

Market Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $359,000
Buyer: Town Of Amherst
Seller: W. D. Cowls Inc.
Date: 06/20/14

371 Montague Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: John J. Campbell
Seller: Kenton Tharp
Date: 06/18/14

11 Moss Ln.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Weibin Zhang
Seller: Michael J. McLaughlin
Date: 06/17/14

487 Old Farm Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Daniel Miller
Seller: Christine M. Barsby
Date: 06/27/14

40 Spaulding St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Clifton K. Jay
Seller: Alan Kennedy
Date: 06/20/14

BELCHERTOWN

151 Aldrich St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: John K. Horvath
Seller: James Rippa
Date: 06/20/14

101 Channel Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Melissa L. Roser
Seller: Lisa A. Hicks LT
Date: 06/16/14

Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Town Of Belchertown
Seller: W. S. Gerrish
Date: 06/26/14

258 Gulf Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Andrew C. Hulse
Seller: Eileen Howard
Date: 06/26/14

44 Juckett Hill Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Tessa Stuart
Seller: William T. O’Connell
Date: 06/27/14

51 Oasis St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Marco H. Matarazzo
Seller: Lori M. Smith
Date: 06/26/14

404 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Charron
Seller: M. J. Amara-Lemire
Date: 06/23/14

46 Underwood St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Jonathan T. Menard
Seller: John C. Farr
Date: 06/18/14

50 West St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $403,000
Buyer: John P. Labrecque
Seller: Laura A. Duquette
Date: 06/27/14

95 West St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $190,500
Buyer: Benjamin S. Jones
Seller: Irene F. Hearold
Date: 06/19/14

11 Willow St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Shaink
Seller: Cheri Ulrich
Date: 06/27/14

CHESTERFIELD

48 South St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Ronald P. Imig
Seller: Emerson J. Batchelder
Date: 06/20/14

EASTHAMPTON

2 Apple Tree Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Jacqueline L. Mandile
Seller: Karen L. Malouin
Date: 06/26/14

31 Ashley Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Cara E. Caminiti
Seller: Robert M. Harrison
Date: 06/17/14

38 Everett St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Robert E. O’Connell
Seller: John J. Higuera
Date: 06/16/14

23 Gula Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Tracy L. Routhier
Seller: Ann M. Boruchowski
Date: 06/20/14

16-18 Knipfer Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $243,700
Buyer: Stephen V. Silluzio
Seller: Kevin C. Netto
Date: 06/20/14

135 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: David R. Bartone
Seller: Jeffrey J. Wallace
Date: 06/16/14

312 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jeffrey S. Mason
Seller: Tamara Kupfer
Date: 06/16/14

9 West Green St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $161,500
Buyer: Erin E. Kolasinski
Seller: Melissa L. Zawadzki
Date: 06/20/14

110 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jake E. McCormick
Seller: David L. Fontaine
Date: 06/20/14

GOSHEN

6 Lake Dr.
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $125,200
Buyer: Ellen C. Putnam
Seller: Elizabeth Starr
Date: 06/27/14

23 South Main St.
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Karen J. Stevens
Seller: Judith E. Moynahan
Date: 06/16/14

GRANBY

16 Acrebrook Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Donna L. Helm
Date: 06/27/14

52 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Anthony Colozzi
Seller: Kimberly J. Hinkley
Date: 06/27/14

Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $230,600
Buyer: Mass. Commission Conservation and Recreation
Seller: Partyka Partners LP
Date: 06/26/14
HADLEY

5 Meadow St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Jason J. Goodhind
Seller: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Date: 06/20/14

194 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Richard J. Buckowski
Seller: Joseph E. Kulis
Date: 06/26/14

29 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Mark G. Smith
Seller: Kathleen K. Bame
Date: 06/24/14

17 Sylvia Hts.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $589,250
Buyer: Toan Do
Seller: Joseph F. Long
Date: 06/20/14

HATFIELD

11 King St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $199,250
Buyer: Corey Lebeau
Seller: Thomas J. Labelle
Date: 06/19/14

6 South St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jason M. Antosz
Seller: Mary E. Tacy
Date: 06/20/14

MIDDLEFIELD

245 Skyline Trail
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Marjorie Hershberg
Seller: Louise C. Gazda
Date: 06/23/14

NORTHAMPTON

32 Adare Place
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $484,000
Buyer: Perry L. Cohen
Seller: Paula Sakey
Date: 06/23/14

9 Bernache St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Joanna H. Smith
Seller: Alice B. Barr
Date: 06/24/14

31 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Cyrus H. Yau
Seller: John P. Cloutier
Date: 06/26/14

1226 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Joy C. Jansen
Seller: Andrus, Richard W., (Estate)
Date: 06/24/14

34 Cahillane Terrace
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $189,500
Buyer: Lacey A. Moore
Seller: Lynn R. Newdome
Date: 06/16/14

100 Chestnut St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Robert J. Sullivan
Seller: Maureen A. Carney
Date: 06/27/14

26 Conz St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $240,000
Seller: Valerie Durant
Date: 06/20/14

100 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $538,000
Buyer: Julie Starr
Seller: Stephen Ferrari
Date: 06/25/14

8 Garfield Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Mary C. Skinner
Seller: Anne M. Lucey
Date: 06/27/14

20 Greenleaf Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $564,000
Buyer: Frances P. Hack
Seller: Blaine A. Drysdale
Date: 06/17/14

241 Haydenville Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Edwin V. Bishop
Seller: Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass.
Date: 06/20/14

666 Kennedy Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Gail Hartnett
Seller: Christenson, Russell W., (Estate)
Date: 06/24/14

9 Leonard St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Susan F. O’Neill
Seller: Karen L. Marney
Date: 06/16/14

17 Madison Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $740,000
Buyer: Clara E. Barnhart
Seller: Michael L. Marotta
Date: 06/17/14

148 Maple Ridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $718,000
Buyer: Michael Lew
Seller: Roberta G. Laga
Date: 06/27/14

21 Middle St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Michael L. Harrington
Seller: Gordon W. Tibbetts
Date: 06/19/14

10 Mountain Laurel Path
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Kristin Mueller-Dembling
Seller: Carolyn T. Oppenheim
Date: 06/18/14

69 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Rebecca C. Flynn
Seller: Amy Pearsall
Date: 06/23/14

311 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Steve Ozcelik
Seller: Mt. Tom Properties LLC
Date: 06/27/14

17 Stoddard St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $451,000
Buyer: Alicia G. Purdy
Seller: Laura A. Battles LT
Date: 06/24/14

50 Walnut St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $378,500
Buyer: Fred W. Gohr
Seller: Asha R. Nadkarni
Date: 06/27/14

40 Winterberry Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Donna E. Lisker
Seller: Gail E. Scordilis
Date: 06/27/14

SOUTH HADLEY

35 Alvord St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $346,500
Buyer: Carole C. Bielizna
Seller: Jessica D. Zepke
Date: 06/17/14

170 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Michael J. Evans
Seller: Karl E. Reale
Date: 06/20/14

45 Fairview St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $136,500
Buyer: Patrick J. Spring
Seller: Betty B. Foley
Date: 06/26/14

340 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $121,500
Buyer: Glen E. Kotfila
Seller: Randall E. Hess
Date: 06/18/14

13 Karen Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Kirsten Doolittle
Seller: Mary B. Craig
Date: 06/26/14

51 Lawn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Karl E. Reale
Seller: Edward J. Lavallee
Date: 06/20/14

41 Red Bridge Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Karen B. Rippa
Seller: Raymond L. Brousseau
Date: 06/20/14

95 River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Megan E. Kludt
Seller: William T. Lyle
Date: 06/20/14

17 Sunset Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $194,500
Buyer: Thomas C. Labrie
Seller: Margaret Schulz
Date: 06/27/14

12 Sycamore Knolls
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Kelly A. Gray
Seller: Betty J. Giles
Date: 06/19/14

SOUTHAMPTON

242 College Highway
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: F&G LLC
Seller: Jeffrey D. Starcun
Date: 06/27/14

3 Crooked Ledge Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Barry L. Searle
Seller: Edward C. Searle IRT
Date: 06/25/14

8 David St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $960,000
Buyer: David Garstka Builders
Seller: Joanne C. Sinkwich
Date: 06/25/14

52 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Eli R. Stark
Seller: Malanson, Louis G., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/14

51 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Nelson P. Lacey
Seller: Jeanette Enko
Date: 06/17/14

81 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Michael R. Fredette
Seller: Sonia R. Hillios
Date: 06/17/14

46 Miller Ave.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Mark G. Lawrence
Seller: John Mallon
Date: 06/19/14

111 Pleasant St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $255,900
Buyer: Stacey Schmeidel
Seller: Gauri Luthra
Date: 06/23/14

153 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $245,500
Buyer: Mark Hardy
Seller: Patricia A. Boyle
Date: 06/27/14

WARE

51st Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: John J. Curylo
Seller: Anitra J. Pique
Date: 06/27/14

Walker Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Richard J. Mann
Seller: Joanne M. Demers
Date: 06/23/14

229 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mark J. Daigle
Seller: Connie A. Daigle
Date: 06/26/14

WESTHAMPTON

11 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Evan G. Scott
Seller: Brandy K. Buschini
Date: 06/27/14

WILLIAMSBURG

7 Depot Road
Williamsburg, MA 01038
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Liv I. Pertzoff
Seller: Heather A. Labonte
Date: 06/25/14

45 South Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jacob F. Smith
Seller: Karen J. McElroy
Date: 06/27/14

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

DBA Certificates Departments

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

AGAWAM

Alliance Med. Gas Corporation
630 Silver St.
Chester Wojcik

Hometown Home Improvement
855 Main St.
Ronald Pioggia

New York Alterations
322 Walnut St.
Jeong J. Yoo

VER-IMS
55 Avalon Place
Vincenzo E. Ronghi

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Convenience Mart
201 Exchange St.
Mohammad Salem

Home Renovation Post
41 Robbins Road
Robert Baranowski

Nova VC Construction General Service
41 Sullivan St.
Almir Dias

Scott Patterson Trucking
11 Garrity St.
Scott Patterson

HOLYOKE

Days Inn
1515 Northampton St.
Arvino Patel

Dollar General
250 Westfield Road
Carisa Murrell

Home Wood Suites
375 Whitney Ave.
David H. Baudaut

Massachusetts Academy of Ballet
4 Open Square Way
Charles Flachs

Moon Day Cleaning Services
16 Bayberry Dr.
Elizabeth Collins

Stop & Shop Supermarket 030
2265 Northampton St.
Sally Russell

Stop & Shop Supermarket 009
28 Lincoln St.
Sally Russell

NORTHAMPTON

Echo Entertainment
37 Cleveland St.
Alex Richardson

Intelligent Spark
115 Shelburne Road
Frederick Bliss

Looky Here
28 Chapman St.
Terry Johnson

Ocean Grill & Steak House
30 Federal St.
Greenfield Grille, LLC

Piggy’s Hair Station
30 Mohawk Trail
Margaret Sears

PALMER

Palmer Coin Op & Dry Cleaners
1331 Main St.
Vi H. Nguyen

Sunny Nails & Spa
1331 Main St.
Khoa H. Nguyen

Supczak Landscaping
42 Jim Ash St.
Justin Supczak

SPRINGFIELD

Janitzy Balloon & Decorations
1655 Main St.
Julie Rivas

Kidsandjeans.com
35 Berbay Circle
Nicole T. Wallace

King Nails
461 State St.
Nguyet Nguyen

Kirby Power America
205 Leyfred Terrace
Samuel E. Hayes

Main Street Auto Service
77 Main St.
Michael Belanger

MCP Unlimited
37 Parkwood St.
Clifford A. Roule

MVC & Sons
53 Thompson St.
Marlando Cargill

New England Dermatology
3455 Main St.
Matthew P. Tougias

New Gold Pizza
459 Main St.
Erdogan Yildirim

North Atlantic Trucking
100 Progress Ave.
James P. Craven

Oak Tree Life Coaching
56 Bruce St.
Amy A. Johnson

Pine Point Property Management
124 Belvidere St.
Nicholas W. Leigh

Pioneer Valley Oncology
274 Carew St.
Philip T. Glynn

Pregnant by Flor Diamant
24 Tracy St.
Magdalena Rodriguez

S & B Motors
1608 State St.
Joshua Figueroa

SW Maintenance Plus
313 Eastern Ave.
Marlon Stamps

Sam’s Quick Stop
266 Belmont Ave.
Samer M. Alkushtaree

Sunkissed Tanning
94 Island Pond Road
Delores Alvaro

Vertigo Smoke Emporium
395 Dwight St.
Joshua Mastey

Voltage Vape Shop
1212 Main St.
Joel Illouz

Yummy Yummy
882 Sumner Ave.
Xiao Liu

WESTFIELD

AGS Eyebrow Threading
160 Elm St.
Parlad Gurung

ATWB Inc.
20 Pearl St.
Thomas Burke

Compass Homes Inc.
108 Elm St.
Compass Homes Inc.

Energy Solutions
53 North Elm St.
Stacy Lavertu

Jonathan Aspinall Chimney Sweeps
16 Freemont St.
Jonathan Aspinall

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bounce House Rentals
900 Riverdale St.
Bryan Gagnor

Cellular Sales of Massachusetts
175 Memorial Ave.
Pamela Kimball

China Bodywork Center
2009 Riverdale St.
Guang Guo

Deleshaven Designs
50 Thomas Dr.
Brett Berchin

Dog Guard of Western MA
17 Wilbert Dr.
Jon Roberts

Family Dollar Stores
1120 Union St.
Angie Jones

New England Market
175 Memorial Ave.
Pamela Kimball

Preferred Auto
27 Heywood Ave.
Richard Larivee

Rah Discount
913 Main St.
Mohammad K. Bashir

Steve’s Sports
94 Front St.
Steve Bordeaux

The Lawn Division
81 Oakland St.
Thomas P. Shea

Verizon Wireless
175 Memorial Ave.
Pamela Kimball

VK Transport Inc.
534 Union St.
Vadim Kot

West Springfield Bounce House
900 Riverdale St.
Bryan Gagnor

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

Briefcase Departments

Valley Gives Opens Registration to Nonprofits
WESTERN MASS. — Valley Gives, the highly successful fund-raising event launched in 2012, has opened registration to nonprofits in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Set for Dec. 10, Valley Gives is a 24-hour e-philanthropy program that encourages supporters of nonprofits based in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties to log on and contribute via www.valleygivesday.org — a centralized, web-enabled, mobile giving platform. The initiative is organized and hosted by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Joining the effort as partners are eight of the leading funding organizations in Western Mass., including the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, the Jewish Endowment Foundation, the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, United Way of Hampshire County, United Way of Franklin County, United Way of Pioneer Valley, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, and the Beveridge Family Foundation. In its first two years, Valley Gives has raised more than $3 million from more than 15,000 donors. “This year’s goal is to encourage as many people as possible to donate to their favorite group or groups. Our survey last year indicated that an overwhelming 99% of participants that completed our survey want to donate again this year,” said Kristin Leutz, vice president of Philanthropic Services for the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. “Could we get to 20,000 participants this year? We think this is a realistic and exciting goal.” Nonprofits that participate this year will find some changes with the way the event is organized. Based on suggestions of past participants, nonprofits will find a more flexible sign-up period with easier registration, a new prize-pool structure making it easier for nonprofits of all sizes to win, and even more training opportunities that will be provided on an expanded schedule both in person and online. Nonprofit organizations that serve Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties have until Nov. 14 to register to participate. Interested nonprofits may register at www.valleygivesday.org. Nonprofits that register by Sept. 1 will be eligible to win one of three randomly selected $500 awards donated by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

UMass President Announces Science and Technology Awards 
BOSTON — UMass President Robert Caret announced $865,000 in grants to faculty members from the President’s Science and Technology Initiatives Fund to support several promising research projects. They range from using big-data analytics in climatology and healthcare to developing radar-like laser technology known as LIDAR to study wind energy and ocean and forested environments. The initiatives showcase a range of innovative research being undertaken by UMass faculty members that contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy, especially in the science and technology areas, and extend the boundaries of human knowledge. The grants help accelerate research activity across all five campuses and position researchers to attract larger investments from external sources to expand the scope of their projects. “With the level of the federal government’s support of R&D still in question, we must do all we can to support the university’s role in the state’s innovation economy,” Caret said. “We are committed to strengthening our economic engagement in strategic areas such as clean energy, the environment, life sciences, and big data, and these grants are another step in that direction.” This is the 11th year of awards from the President’s Science and Technology Initiatives Fund, one of three funds that Caret supports to help advance the work of UMass faculty members. The other two are the Creative Economy Initiatives Fund and the Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property Technology Development Fund. Since 2004, the Science and Technology fund has provided $10 million to UMass researchers, which in turn has helped to generate $240 million in funding from federal and private sources. These science and technology investments have been one of the factors in helping the university grow its research and development budget to nearly $600 million. The investments have helped to establish some of the most important R&D centers across the state, including the Center for Hierarchical Nanomanufacturing at UMass Amherst; the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy at UMass Boston; the Center for Scientific Computing and Data Visualization Research at UMass Dartmouth; the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center and New England Robotics and Validation & Experimentation Center at UMass Lowell; and the UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science at UMass Worcester. Nearly 80 projects representing the breadth of academic inquiry at UMass have been funded to date. This year’s projects receiving grants from the Science and Technology Initiatives Fund include:
• UMass Cancer Avatar Institute, Dale Greiner and Giles Whalen, UMass Medical School: a proposed multi-campus institute that would provide mice engineered as ‘avatars’ of individual human patient tumors, enabling technology developed for diabetes research to be used to integrate biomarker identification platform for multiple cancer types. The initiative has three components: establishment of a tumor bank, which has already begun via internal funds; clinical pathology evaluation of tumors in these specialized mice; and a new ‘humanized mouse core’ to link the tumor bank to individual investigators in multiple cancer-research fields. Award: $125,000 (not including an additional $25,000 matching grant provided by the medical school, for a total of $150,000 in funding to the research team).
• Center for Computational Climatology & Paleoclimatology, Robert DeConto and Raymond Bradley, UMass Amherst: an effort that brings together academic scientists and engineers, industrial researchers, and users of high-performance computing resources to the issue of climate change. The grant will help develop a center for climate-related computation and numerical modeling of value to the Commonwealth, and contribute to the field of climate science by applying big-data computational analysis, modeling, data mining, and visualization to climate-change research. Award: $104,000.
• Center for MicroBiome Research, Beth McCormick, UMass Medical School: a project that proposes to develop a center of research and education for the ‘microbiome,’ the term used to describe the ecosystem of the 100 trillion bacteria in the human body, in collaboration with UMass Amherst’s new Life Sciences Laboratories and the UMass Dartmouth Center for Scientific Computing and Data Visualization Research. The exploration of the microbiome — and its role in health, development, and disease — is a vast, mostly untapped area of biomedical research and therapeutic potential. The center proposes to use big-data analysis (advanced computational and bioinformatics) to research microbiome-related genomic and clinical data, and involves multiple industry partners. Award: $125,000 (not including an additional $25,000 matching grant provided by the medical school, for a total of $150,000 in funding to the research team).
• Mass. BioFoundry, Center for Discovery & Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules, Elizabeth Vierling and Susan Roberts, UMass Amherst: an initiative establishing a ‘biofoundry’ with the goal of discovering valuable molecules from unique plant and microbial species and developing processes, either biological or chemical, by which they can be produced in quantities sufficient for medical or industrial applications. This research center will include a natural-products library (3,500 plant species) donated by an industry partner, along with related research equipment, valued at more than $1 million. The team will work with the medical school’s Small-Molecule Screening Facility and Northeastern University’s Antimicrobial Discovery Center. Award: $150,000.

Developer Sought for Tornado-damaged Elias Brookings School
SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield has released a request for proposals seeking a developer for the former Elias Brookings School building located on Hancock Street in the Six Corners neighborhood. “We’re very excited about the potential of this property and bringing new life back to a former school building,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno. “There has been significant interest in this opportunity, and we expect that will translate into strong competition for the property.” The former Elias Brookings School site is an important part of the overall revitalization of the Six Corners and Old Hill neighborhoods. The building is located in the midst of significant infrastructure investments planned for the next two years, which include roadway improvements, upgraded streetscapes and lighting, a new middle school, a renovated park, and new, single-family homes along Central Street. The city has already committed $13 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for several projects in the neighborhood. Construction of the new Elias Brookings School has already begun, and the school is scheduled to open in 2015. Further, infrastructure-improvement projects such as the realignment of Central Street and installation of streetscape improvements are anticipated to begin in the next construction season. The RFP is available in the Office of Procurement, Springfield City Hall, 36 Court St., Room 307. Proposals are due on Sept. 12 by 2 p.m.

Community Foundation Awards Team Jessica $25,000 for Playground
BELCHERTOWN — Team Jessica Inc. has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Credit Data Services Inc. Fund and the Edwin P. and Wilbur O. Lepper Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Team Jessica will use these funds to support the building of Jessica’s Boundless Playground (JBP), an effort that has been ongoing for the past four years. JBP will be the only 100% all-inclusive playground in the area. It is designed to be a multi-generational activity structure that engages people of all ages and abilities. JBP will also allow wounded veterans in long-term rehab to experience the healing power and simple joy of playing with their own children. The playground equipment and poured-in-place rubber surfacing will cost approximately $405,000. Team Jessica has hosted several fund-raising events over the past four years, and the effort has raised more than $300,000, including three Community Preservation Act grants from the town of Belchertown totaling $140,000, and a $40,000 grant from the Beveridge Family Foundation. This $25,000 Community Foundation grant will bring the fund-raising total to $325,000. “We’re in the last phase of fund-raising, working very hard every day,” said Vicky Martins Auffrey, Team Jessica president and mother of the playground’s namesake. “We plan to order the equipment on Aug. 1 and start the community build Sept. 13. Being awarded this grant is such an honor and makes all our plans closer to reality.” Added Patti Thornton, Team Jessica’s grant writer, “these final weeks before ordering the playground equipment are crucial in regard to fund-raising. We are waiting to hear back from a few key players, so getting the letter from the Community Foundation was something we needed. It is helping us keep the momentum into the home stretch.” To learn more, visit www.teamjessicaonline.com, www.facebook.com/teamjessicainc, and www.twitter.com/teamjessicainc.

State Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.5% in June
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, citing preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reported that Massachusetts added 3,700 jobs in June for a total of 3,409,500 jobs, and the total unemployment rate edged down one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.5% from the May rate. The rate is the lowest since August 2008. Since June 2013, Massachusetts has added a net of 48,900 jobs, with 49,400 jobs added in the private sector and 500 jobs lost in the public sector. The total unemployment rate in June was down 1.6% from the June 2013 rate of 7.1%.

State Announces Grants for Water Protection, Habitat Restoration
BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary (EEA) Maeve Vallely Bartlett announced $429,239 in grants from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) for projects to protect and restore rivers, watersheds, and wildlife across the Commonwealth, including two awards in Western Mass. “The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has been a critical conservation leader in protecting the vital waterways of Massachusetts for over 20 years,” said Bartlett. “By communities and conservation partners collaborating and working together with the Commonwealth, we can develop important projects for maintaining and protecting our clean waters for generations to come.” Ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, the grants will help support 13 projects in Amherst, Great Barrington, Ipswich, Lee, Lincoln, Methuen, Newton, Plymouth, Provincetown, Taunton, Wareham, Weston, and Westport. The local projects include:
• Town of Amherst, $36,100 to study the contamination of Fearing Brook, and to develop and begin to implement remedial strategies to improve the water quality of the brook.
• Town of Great Barrington, $30,000 to study water quality in Lake Mansfield.
• Housatonic Valley Assoc. in Lee, $15,911 to design and install stormwater vegetative buffers to reduce roadway runoff into Churchill Brook in Pittsfield.
Since it was founded in 1988 as part of the Boston Harbor cleanup, MET has awarded more than $19 million in grants to organizations statewide that provide a wide array of environmental services, from supporting water projects in communities to protecting coastal habitats.

UMass President Awards $270,000 for Creative-economy Initiatives
BOSTON — President Robert Caret announced $270,000 in grants from the President’s Creative Economy Initiatives Fund to support eight projects by UMass faculty members in the arts, humanities, and social sciences that will bring new creative resources to Massachusetts communities. The initiatives include supporting an LGBT community archives and education center in Northampton, developing a marketing toolkit to help nonprofit arts and cultural organizations involved in the creative economy in the Fall River-New Bedford area, and collaborating with the Peace Institute in the Dorchester section of Boston to assist victims of violence. “The Creative Economy Initiatives Fund provides us with a unique opportunity to contribute the talent and resources of the University of Massachusetts to communities and organizations across the state that are helping to enrich the quality of life in the Commonwealth,” said Caret. “These projects — and the partnerships with nonprofits and creative industries that stem from them — are foundational to our role as an institution that is committed to making a difference wherever and whenever we can.” The fund was created in 2007 to complement the President’s Science and Technology Initiatives Fund. In its eight years of operation, the Creative Economy Initiatives Fund has made 73 awards totaling more than $2 million. It has supported preservation of the W.E.B. Du Bois boyhood home in Great Barrington and established both the Lowell Youth Orchestra and a permanent Jack Kerouac education and tourism site in Lowell. It has brought UMass Dartmouth students together with Durfee High School students to create a photographic history of Fall River’s neighborhoods, helped establish a women artisans’ cooperative in New Bedford, developed a workers’ upholstery co-op in Springfield, and sponsored numerous music, dance, and theatre performances in Boston, Amherst, and Lowell. This year, the Creative Economy Initiatives Fund will provide $270,000 in grants to the following local initiatives and faculty members:
• Judyie Al-Bilali, Gilbert McCauley, and Priscilla Page, Theatre Department, UMass Amherst: “Art, Legacy & Community.” Project staff will work with community groups in the Greater Springfield area to produce an original theater production and develop Du Bois Performance Workshops for education in multicultural theater, with both activities to take place in Springfield. Amount awarded: $32,000.
• Mitch Boucher, University Without Walls; Julio Capo Jr., History Department and Commonwealth Honors College; and Jessica Johnson, History Department, all at UMass Amherst: “A LGBTQI Community Archives and Education Center.” This project will support the Sexual Minorities Archives (SMA) in Northampton, helping SMA preserve, build, and provide wider access to its resources; develop regional walking tours and other interactive programs; and establish greater national and international community links for these unique and valuable historical materials. Amount awarded: $29,334.

Construction Industry Adds 6,000 Jobs in June
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. construction industry added 6,000 jobs in June, according to the July 3 report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, non-residential construction added only 700 of those jobs, and the heavy and civil engineering sector lost 700 jobs. “Although non-residential construction’s performance is somewhat disappointing, the general tenor of today’s employment report is upbeat. It is worth noting that non-residential construction tends to lag that of the overall economy,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Today’s jobs numbers are largely a reflection of the softer growth recorded by the U.S. economy for much of last year and during the initial months of 2014. Given that the economy added over 200,000 jobs for the fifth consecutive month in June, there is some optimism about improvement in the second quarter; however, the lack of monthly construction employment growth, particularly in the non-residential sector, is troubling.” Although the national construction unemployment rate stands at 8.2% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, there are parts of the nation in which unemployment is far lower, Basu added. “In fact, there are emerging shortages of industrial construction workers in growing segments of the south, which will trigger large increases in wages and per diems during the year ahead. By contrast, there are communities in which construction unemployment remains well above the 8.2% average, suggesting that wage inflation will be meaningfully experienced only in certain communities.” According to the BLS household survey, the national unemployment rate fell to 6.1% in June, reaching its lowest level since September 2008. The civilian labor force expanded by 81,000 in June. Individual sectors saw the following changes:
• Non-residential building construction employment increased by 2,100 jobs for the month, but is up by 22,200 jobs, or 3.3%, since June 2013.
• Residential building construction employment rose by 4,500 jobs in June and is up by 50,600 jobs, or 8.3%, on an annual basis.
• Non-residential specialty trade contractors lost 1,400 jobs for the month, but employment in that category is up by 29,500 jobs, or 1.4%, from the same time last year.
• Residential specialty trade contractors gained 2,100 jobs in June and have added 55,700 jobs, or 3.6%, since June 2013.
• The heavy and civil engineering construction segment lost 700 jobs in June, but job totals are up by 28,300, or 3.2%, on a year-over-year basis.

Home Prices Up,but Sales Slower
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. home prices rose 8.8% in May compared with a year earlier, but the pace of gains has slowed as more homes have come onto the market, data provider CoreLogic reported this week. On a month-to-month basis, prices rose 1.2% from April to May, but CoreLogic’s monthly figures aren’t adjusted for seasonal patterns, such as warmer weather, which can affect sales. Prices increased the most in western states, including Hawaii, California, and Nevada.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff July 29, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Diana Baker v. Davol, LLC and the Creative Pines Motel
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance causing fall: $3,269.56
Filed: 5/29/14

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Amanda Silva v. the Snows, LLC d/b/a Snowzees, and Agnes C. Ting and James C. Ting
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance and breach of duty of reasonable care regarding the construction of a handicap ramp with a defective gap at the bottom of the ramp causing trip and fall: $23,334.90
Filed: 5/1/14

Susan Lyons Watkins and Lee Mark Watkins v. the Town of Shutesbury
Allegation: Negligent storage of road salt causing contamination of residential well: $100,000+
Filed: 4/24/14

U.S. Electric Services Inc. d/b/a Hampden Zimmerman Electric Supply Co. v. D.A. Sullivan and Sons, et al
Allegation: Non-payment of goods, materials, and equipment: $52,142.51
Filed: 4/23/14

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
GEM Mechanical Services v. Advantage Construction Inc., Two Fathers, LLC, and JimBob Realty, LLC
Allegation: Plaintiff is seeking to enforce a mechanics lien claim arising from the provision of materials, equipment, and services for a construction project: $15,662.74
Filed: 6/17/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Anthony Trevelli v. Cyalume Technologies Inc., Zivi Nedivi, and Michael E. Bielonko
Allegation: Failure to pay commissions: $29,000
Filed: 6/12/14

Keating-Wilbert Vault Inc. v. Ryder Funeral Home
Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $45,302.95
Filed: 6/11/14

People’s United Bank v. Roofer’s Edge Inc. and Jeffrey S. Leader
Allegation: Failure to make payments on a promissory note: $13,235.05
Filed: 6/19/14

Timothy Scott and Frederick L. Scott v. David White, ITP VOIP Inc.
Allegation: Fraudulent use of credit card: $1 million
Filed: 6/12/14

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Granite State Insurance Co. v. Max Salvage Maintenance Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay: $13,316.05
Field: 5/27/14

Janet LaFond v. Manomednet, LLC
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property causing fall: $6,440
Filed: 5/27/14

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Commerce Insurance a/s/o Judy Joaquin and Melinda Alves v. Fed Ex Ground Package System Inc. and Kenneth Allen Jr.
Allegation: Negligence in the operation of a FedEx truck causing a rear-end collision: $10,608.73
Filed: 5/27/14

Javier Rivera and Igdalia Rivera v. the Commerce Insurance Co.
Allegation: Damages for improper denial of coverage: $5,670.44
Filed: 6/3/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
J. Roger St. Amand d/b/a Pro Pack Co. v. the Colad Group, LLC
Allegation: Failure to pay sales commission: $2,273.00
Filed: 6/11/14

Martin Topor Oil Inc. d/b/a Central Oil v. W & I Construction Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of distribution and oil services rendered: $14,644.03
Filed: 6/12/14

Holyoke Mall Marks 35 Years

By BusinessWest Staff July 28, 2014

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Mall, which changed the region’s retail landscape when it opened its doors in 1979, recently celebrated its 35th birthday with a host of events and announcements about future improvements. The mall staged a family friendly customer-appreciation event on July 26. Entertainment was provided by Forest park’s ‘Zoo of the Go,’ the Springfield Science Museum, the Valley Blue Sox, and others. There were also give-aways and a host of prizes. The mall also marked the occasion by announcing a series of enhancements, including new floor tile throughout the common area, restroom remodels, new directional signage, refinishing the oak paneling with a deeper color, and energy efficient lighting upgrades. Construction is projected to be completed this fall.

Jeffrey Niland Joins Shawmut Design’s West Springfield Office

By BusinessWest Staff July 22, 2014

Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Shawmut Design and Construction, an $860 million national construction-management firm, announced the hiring of Jeffrey Niland as senior project manager in the company’s West Springfield office. In this role, Niland will oversee the management of large and complex construction projects for educational, institutional, and commercial clients.

“I was drawn to Shawmut for its reputation and impressive client roster,” said Niland. “I’m looking forward to getting started on some exciting projects in both Western Mass. and Connecticut.”

Prior to joining Shawmut, Niland was a project manager for several other leading New England contractors and worked on renovations and new construction for public and private educational facilities. Niland is 30-hour OSHA-trained and graduated from the University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

“Jeffrey’s 20 years of experience in the industry is going to be a great asset to the Shawmut team,” said Michael Kearns, project executive and regional manager. “He has already brought a fresh perspective to the projects he’s managing.” The West Springfield office is currently working on projects at Greenfield High School, UMass Lowell, and College of the Holy Cross.

Construction Employment Mixed as Recovery Remains Choppy

By BusinessWest Staff July 21, 2014

Daily News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction firms added jobs in 38 states and the District of Columbia over the past 12 months, but they reduced headcount in 27 states between May and June, according to a recent analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA). Association officials said the employment gains help, but that construction employment remains below peak levels in every location except North Dakota.

“The overall trend in construction employment remains favorable, with three-fourths of states adding jobs on a year-over-year basis,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But the recovery remains choppy, not steady. In June, monthly gains occurred in fewer than half the states, and the nation added just 6,000 construction jobs.” Florida led all states in percentage and total gains in construction employment (11.5%, 41,700 jobs) between June 2013 and June 2014. Twelve states shed construction jobs during the past twelve months, with New Jersey losing the highest percent and total (down 8.1% and 11,200 jobs).

AGCA officials noted that the number of states adding new construction jobs for the month declined compared to the prior month. Uncertainty around the future state of federal infrastructure funding prompted some construction firms to put expansion plans on hold, officials suggested. They urged the Senate to enact a House-passed bill that keeps federal transportation funding at current levels through May of next year and act on unfinished appropriations bills to fund other infrastructure measures.

“It is hard for firms to grow when they don’t know how much work will be available in just a few weeks,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO. He added that a series of measures designed to make it easier for states to attract funding for infrastructure, announced recently by President Obama, should help boost construction employment.

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff July 15, 2014

Departments Real Estate

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

1230 Conway Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Maggy P. Potter
Seller: Mark L. Viehmann
Date: 06/06/14

BERNARDSTON

89 Hoe Shop Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Christopher D. Yetter
Seller: Calvin M. Brown
Date: 06/13/14

COLRAIN

318 Greenfield Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Joseph Starzyk
Seller: Lise M. Weller
Date: 06/02/14

320 Greenfield Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Joseph Starzyk
Seller: Lise M. Weller
Date: 06/02/14

322 Greenfield Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Joseph Starzyk
Seller: Lise M. Weller
Date: 06/02/14

CONWAY

137 South Shirkshire Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $404,500
Buyer: Mauricia Alvarez
Seller: Carl Doerner
Date: 06/12/14

Whately Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: Adelia A. Bardwell
Date: 06/06/14

DEERFIELD

39 King Philip Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Paul A. Pierce
Seller: Robert F. Scott
Date: 06/10/14

6 North Hillside Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Yan Yan
Seller: Deborah S. Dachos
Date: 06/02/14

GILL

141 Center Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Heather L. Powers
Seller: Robert L. Powers
Date: 06/13/14

GREENFIELD

270 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Fawn-Marie Santiago
Seller: Phyllis A. Canon
Date: 06/13/14

245 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $123,866
Buyer: Hess Realty LLC
Seller: Amerada Hess Business Facilities TR
Date: 06/12/14

159 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Erin R. Scanlon
Seller: Maxine R. Lewis
Date: 06/03/14

61 Madison Circle
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Anne R. George
Seller: 61 Madison Circle NT
Date: 06/13/14

51 Silver Crest Lane #51
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $313,400
Buyer: Nancy C. Wrisley
Date: 06/13/14

55 Silver Crest Lane #55
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $304,472
Buyer: Diane M. Burns
Date: 06/03/14

LEVERETT

Cave Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Leverett Conservation Commission
Seller: Gary L. Jensen
Date: 06/10/14

MONTAGUE

5 Lyman St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $179,914
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Michael P. Burek
Date: 06/05/14

371-373 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Lawrence G. Young
Seller: Adam T. Marchacos
Date: 06/05/14

ORANGE

64 Briggs St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Briggs Street RT
Seller: Philip C. Pedersen
Date: 06/11/14

88 East Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Pamela J. Koshinsky
Seller: John P. Currie
Date: 06/04/14

SHELBURNE

455 Colrain Shelburne Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Bruno D. Lerulli
Seller: Nancy L. Nichols
Date: 06/06/14

SUNDERLAND

211 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Ramhari P. Lamichhane
Seller: Toyoko Dirusso
Date: 06/10/14

44 South Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Korraine M. Carulli
Seller: Michael A. Labelle
Date: 06/13/14

WHATELY

3 North St.
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Ann E. Barker
Seller: Bombard, Pauline L., (Estate)
Date: 06/02/14

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

195 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: John W. Hendricks
Seller: CDC Realty Inc.
Date: 06/12/14

58 Bessbrook St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Lisa G. Doten
Seller: Bryan T. McEwan
Date: 06/06/14

27-29 James Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Natalia P. Sinigur
Seller: Charles A. Calabrese
Date: 06/03/14

927 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Buyer: GMAC Mortgage LLC
Seller: Michael J. Parzich
Date: 06/06/14

411 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Uladzimir Mamentau
Seller: Raymond E. Pellerin
Date: 06/13/14

395 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Kimberly L. Potito
Seller: John W. Hendricks
Date: 06/06/14

164-166 Walnut St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Yegor Muravskiy
Seller: Samuel P. Fay
Date: 06/03/14

BLANDFORD

Gore Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $134,981
Buyer: Berry Brook Forest LLC
Seller: Hull Forestlands LP
Date: 06/10/14

CHICOPEE

97 Arnold St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Steven P. Hebert
Seller: Richard A. Letendre
Date: 06/11/14

44 Bell St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,200
Buyer: Thomas Marszalek
Seller: Barbara Marszalek
Date: 06/03/14

90 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Chris Reome
Date: 06/06/14

14 Clyde St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Charles A. Urkiel
Seller: Rebecca M. Wolanczyk
Date: 06/11/14

75 Dejordy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Wodecki
Seller: Cecile I. Larose
Date: 06/09/14

75 Dobek Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Thomas Berta
Seller: David R. Descoteaux
Date: 06/02/14

150 Empire St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Jessica Ojeda
Seller: Luis Builders Inc.
Date: 06/06/14

17 Fay St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Michael J. Brushway
Seller: Eric J. Grenier
Date: 06/13/14

126 Garland St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Zawisza
Seller: Thomas J. Wodecki
Date: 06/09/14

163 Hafey St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Juan G. Hernandez
Seller: Regan, Genevieve E., (Estate)
Date: 06/09/14

91 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Ryan J. Watkins
Seller: Laurie A. Pafumi
Date: 06/12/14

130 Lawndale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Gina M. Montemagni
Seller: Lynn A. Bowler
Date: 06/03/14

114 Manning St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Lisa M. Pise
Seller: Jonathan Scully
Date: 06/06/14

136 Medford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Godere
Seller: Daniel Garrity
Date: 06/13/14

78 Old Lyman Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jonathan Scully
Seller: Michael Dean
Date: 06/06/14

39 Raylo St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Janina Lepecki
Seller: Fagerstrom, Mary, (Estate)
Date: 06/13/14

75 Savory Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Moreno
Seller: Michael K. Rose
Date: 06/13/14

EAST LONGMEADOW

66 Baymor Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Jennifer A. Buoniconti
Seller: Satoko Igarashi
Date: 06/03/14

15 Channing Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Tayyab Rahil
Seller: Carol A. Boudreau
Date: 06/12/14

116 Colony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $259,553
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Toni A. Cimino
Date: 06/02/14

83 Oak Brook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Shawn N. McGillveary
Seller: Maryanne Lheureux
Date: 06/06/14

103 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Maryanne R. Lheureux
Seller: Scott Q. Potter
Date: 06/06/14

228 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Timber Development LLC
Seller: Maria T. Lopez
Date: 06/05/14

28 Winterberry Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Balboni
Seller: Winterberry LLC
Date: 06/09/14

GRANVILLE

222 South Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Mark W. Scully
Seller: Samantha Alfano TR
Date: 06/09/14

HAMPDEN

232 North Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Cornelius R. Flynn
Seller: John D. Flynn
Date: 06/11/14

HOLLAND

54 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Chad R. Graves
Seller: Wilbert J. Fetzer
Date: 06/13/14

215 Stafford Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Gerald Germaine
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/11/14

HOLYOKE

22 Anderson Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Luis Gonzalez-Quinones
Seller: Sarah W. Adelman
Date: 06/06/14

1144 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Nestor C. Restrepo
Seller: Viva Development LLC
Date: 06/06/14

11 Labrie Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: John P. Cloutier
Seller: Leo W. Tisdell
Date: 06/13/14

22 Lexington Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Diane G. Martel
Seller: Sue C. Root
Date: 06/11/14

172 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Zafar Iqbal
Seller: Imran B. Raheel
Date: 06/12/14

200 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Lindsay A. Greenwood
Date: 06/02/14

44 Vassar Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $194,379
Buyer: Florence Savings Bank
Seller: Adele L. Weiniger
Date: 06/09/14

37 Woodbine Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Nancy J. Burns
Seller: John G. Mclean
Date: 06/13/14

LONGMEADOW

146 Brooks Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $504,000
Buyer: Cameron W. Donaldson
Seller: Mark Richardson
Date: 06/13/14

212 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Ruth Kurniawati
Seller: Brigid M. Wezowicz
Date: 06/09/14

37 Chatham Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Mark Drauschke
Seller: William S. Anderson
Date: 06/02/14

195 Eton Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $495,100
Buyer: Kathleen Kerrigan
Seller: Ann Q. Southworth
Date: 06/06/14

141 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Nigrano Properties LLC
Seller: Lionel Gemme
Date: 06/10/14

90 Jonquil Ln
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $406,000
Buyer: Jagdischandra B. Patel
Seller: Stanton, Alicia M., (Estate)
Date: 06/09/14

37 Lawnwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Carole Chatagner
Seller: Craig R. Stevens
Date: 06/11/14

24 Massachusetts Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Melissa Mehlman
Seller: Jean Deresienska
Date: 06/02/14

38 Prynnwood Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Stephen P. Hefner
Seller: Katherine C. Charbonneau
Date: 06/02/14

28 Sheffield Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $196,949
Buyer: Berkshire Land Co. LLC
Seller: Charles Kearse
Date: 06/03/14

33 Wildwood Glen
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: William P. Ciosek
Seller: Camille M. Forgues RET
Date: 06/10/14

LUDLOW

1400 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: RRR Homes LLC
Seller: Luso FCU
Date: 06/06/14

110 Clearwater Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: James M. Roy
Seller: Mark S. Gagnon
Date: 06/06/14

71 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Joseph W. Wilson
Seller: Richard C. Royce
Date: 06/13/14

35 Edison Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $170,500
Buyer: Manuel Coelho
Seller: Ida M. Methot
Date: 06/11/14

235 Kendall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: David N. Vermette
Seller: Thomas P. Cote
Date: 06/12/14

218 Lyon St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Rebecca M. Wolanczyk
Seller: Maryann Nowak
Date: 06/11/14

Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,990,000
Buyer: Ampersand Collins Hydro
Seller: I Maxmat Corp.
Date: 06/06/14

620 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Raymond A. Recor
Seller: Thomas M. Ahearn
Date: 06/13/14

117 Overlook Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Michael E. Kane
Seller: Sandra Kane
Date: 06/12/14

50 Ridgeview Circle
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Marcio A. Duarte
Seller: George Zina
Date: 06/03/14

69 West Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Andrew Rose
Seller: Joseph E. Clark
Date: 06/11/14

MONSON

156 Moulton Hill Road
Amount: $234,900
Buyer: Saul Lara
Seller: Garrett W. Sopko
Date: 06/12/14

180 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Marion E. O’Brien
Seller: Irene A. Guilmette
Date: 06/05/14
MONTGOMERY

286 Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Pais
Seller: David Vickers
Date: 06/13/14

PALMER

6 Deborah St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $167,827
Buyer: Bank New York
Seller: Mark A. Pascale
Date: 06/05/14

4474 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Kyle S. Tourville
Seller: Maryann F. Bacyk
Date: 06/13/14

20 Memory Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Julie A. Gromosky
Seller: Elizabeth O’Neill-Sheehan
Date: 06/12/14

1686-1688 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $163,900
Buyer: Gregory A. Bossie
Seller: Timothy R. Walder
Date: 06/13/14

1029-1033 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Penny Enterprises LLC
Seller: Richard Hamilton
Date: 06/06/14

10 Ruggles Court
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Erin Crawford
Seller: Kyle S. Tourville
Date: 06/12/14

1152 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Oleg Loginov
Seller: Sarmento J. Paixao
Date: 06/11/14

SOUTHWICK

119 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Jeremy M. Martin
Seller: Brian J. Morrissey
Date: 06/13/14

91 Foster Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: David T. Plakias
Seller: Western Mass Rendering Co.
Date: 06/05/14

7 Pine Knoll
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Scott J. Citro
Seller: Joseph Commisso
Date: 06/06/14

69 Will Palmer Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: WWD LLC
Seller: Berry Holdings LLC
Date: 06/03/14

73 Will Palmer Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: WWD LLC
Seller: Berry Holdings LLC
Date: 06/03/14

SPRINGFIELD

365 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Vannessa M. Gwin
Seller: PCI Construction Inc.
Date: 06/12/14

21-23 Beaudry St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Nancy Pereira
Seller: Natalia D. Quiterio
Date: 06/05/14

39 Briarwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $157,075
Buyer: Tuyet T. Nguyen
Seller: Peck, Charles E., (Estate)
Date: 06/13/14

44 Burns Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Glenda Lopez
Seller: MHFA
Date: 06/05/14

237 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Maria E. Morales
Seller: Zampiceni, John J., (Estate)
Date: 06/02/14

114-116 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $117,565
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Tuequang Ho
Date: 06/04/14

453 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $1,850,079
Buyer: Hess Realty LLC
Seller: Amerada Hess Business Facilities TR
Date: 06/12/14

377 Cottage St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: GEG Realty LLC
Seller: Francis Properties LLC
Date: 06/11/14

39 Hartwick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Autumn Ricci
Seller: Thomas S. Banes
Date: 06/04/14

35 Jonquil Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Champion Mortgage Co.
Seller: Phyllis L. Larson
Date: 06/13/14

233-235 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $156,750
Buyer: Jo A. Cadieux
Seller: Michael D. Jurkowski
Date: 06/13/14

198-200 Leyfred Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $174,079
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Mohammad S. Minhas
Date: 06/12/14

109 Loretta St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Joseph Carvalho
Seller: Walter M. Tassinari
Date: 06/05/14

6 Loretta St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Yesenia J. Jusino
Seller: Thomas R. Berta
Date: 06/05/14

39 Mapledell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $135,489
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Rosalda Martinez
Date: 06/04/14

2071 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: International Christ Center
Seller: Charles E. Talbot Building
Date: 06/06/14

32-34 Parallel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Roberto J. Bou
Date: 06/05/14

80 Rockland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Sabra P. Jacobs
Seller: Bradford H. Paskewitz
Date: 06/02/14

365 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Lorraine Flascher
Date: 06/06/14

230 Russell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Steven Exware
Seller: Sodi Inc.
Date: 06/10/14

1476 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Agostino D. Lopes
Seller: Joyce E. Lavoie
Date: 06/05/14

95 Saffron Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $158,545
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Melissa Lamb
Date: 06/04/14

25 Spear Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Terry L. Riley
Seller: Ann M. Commiskey
Date: 06/06/14

151 Springfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Michele A. Vanhal
Seller: Craig J. Kumiega
Date: 06/04/14

37-39 Tulsa St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Michelle M. Macklin
Seller: Aaron D. Hyte
Date: 06/13/14

WESTFIELD

12 Dug Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Jill-Anne H. Robinson
Seller: William J. West
Date: 06/06/14

12 Congress St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Kristin J. Martin
Seller: Nicholas B. Tooker
Date: 06/13/14

55 Kittredge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jason W. Stark
Seller: Margaret J. Stark
Date: 06/13/14

2 Long Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Denise Mrowka
Seller: Daniel Goodin
Date: 06/02/14

167 Loomis Rdg
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Brian J. Cusack
Seller: Gerard E. Proulx
Date: 06/12/14

N/A
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Michael L. Perrier
Seller: Drew J. Smith
Date: 06/06/14

N/A
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Noreen E. Jachym
Seller: David A. Wagner
Date: 06/10/14

51 Pineridge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Ian P. Noonan
Seller: Douglas A. Reed
Date: 06/12/14

14 Southgate Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Home Run Properties LLC
Seller: Gabrielle Collins
Date: 06/13/14

24 Toledo Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Peter E. Theroux
Seller: Jonathan C. Yvon
Date: 06/09/14

10 Violet Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Bryan T. Mcewan
Seller: RLP LLC
Date: 06/09/14

WILBRAHAM

22 Brooklawn Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Kelly M. Lemek
Seller: Lorraine S. Sartori
Date: 06/11/14

71 Cherry Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Sean J. Lundy
Seller: 2301 Boston Road LLC
Date: 06/02/14

37 Cypress Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $405,455
Buyer: Derrick L. Tallman
Seller: Mile Oak Land Holdings
Date: 06/11/14

965 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $334,900
Buyer: Peter L. Fitzgerald
Seller: Derrick L. Tallman
Date: 06/13/14

563 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $354,000
Buyer: Melinda J. Nadeau
Seller: Mark Pariseau
Date: 06/09/14

196 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $278,055
Buyer: Michael A. Hatch
Seller: Kelly B. Moran
Date: 06/03/14

9 Tinkham Glen
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Kenneth J. Knowles
Seller: Cynthia A. Russell
Date: 06/10/14

18 Wandering Meadows
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Kara A. Arcidiacono
Seller: Hampden Bank
Date: 06/06/14

WEST SPRINGFIELD

77 Albert St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $197,249
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Timothy Hart
Date: 06/13/14

18 Chestnut St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $171,500
Buyer: Tariq Rahmat
Seller: Marino Realty Corp.
Date: 06/13/14

115 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Jacqueline C. Laprise
Seller: Tracey L. Holden
Date: 06/06/14

15 Highland Park Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Mark G. Christodlous
Seller: Alice J. Zuvers
Date: 06/12/14

67 Maple Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Kenneth Hutchinson
Seller: Scott J. Citro
Date: 06/06/14

58 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Javed Naqvi
Seller: Dorothy G. Marquis
Date: 06/12/14

931 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Richard J. Champigny
Seller: David J. Piacentini
Date: 06/13/14

17 Morningside Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Diane T. Fortin
Seller: Vitaly Dzhenzherukha
Date: 06/13/14

81 Paucatuck Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Cote
Seller: David J. Redman
Date: 06/05/14

521 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: John Giavis
Seller: Daniel A. O’Sullivan
Date: 06/13/14

50 Van Horn St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Timothy W. Riley
Seller: Joseph L. Hart
Date: 06/04/14

50 Worcester St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $145,500
Buyer: Dmitriy Shapkin
Seller: Diane T. Fortin
Date: 06/13/14

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

49 Berkshire Terrace
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Ashley W. Lawrie
Seller: Brett A. Marquard
Date: 06/02/14

20 Clifton Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $302,000
Buyer: Mustin Williamsberg NT
Seller: Timothy I. Watt
Date: 06/10/14

75 Country Corners Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $549,900
Buyer: Luke Zbylut
Seller: Stephen J. Sweet
Date: 06/02/14

66 Curtis Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Ryan Bearer
Seller: Kimberly A. Chapin
Date: 06/11/14

130 Leverett Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Hong C. Chow
Seller: Bernard F. Mikelis LT
Date: 06/03/14

212 North East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $319,700
Buyer: Brenda L. Flanigan
Seller: Patnaude FT
Date: 06/12/14

50 Overlook Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $339,435
Buyer: Cynthia W. Kuusisto
Seller: Comerchero FT
Date: 06/02/14

648 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Peter F. Mackey
Seller: Peter G. Crouse
Date: 06/05/14

80 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: North Pleasant St. Partners
Seller: Lillian A. Gnatek
Date: 06/10/14

BELCHERTOWN

15 Blacksmith Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Keith Laflamme
Seller: Edward R. Mitnick
Date: 06/13/14

300 Cold Spring Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Shawn W. O’Rourke
Seller: David H. Kusnierz
Date: 06/05/14

9 Cottage St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Leon Milici
Seller: Donna S. Havens
Date: 06/02/14

31 Cottage St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: William J. Erikson
Seller: Christopher J. Hardiman
Date: 06/09/14

51 Howard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: David E. Turgeon
Seller: Shawn W. O’Rourke
Date: 06/05/14

66 Meadow Pond Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Peter M. Cardos
Seller: Lafleur & Sons Inc.
Date: 06/12/14

17 Moss Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $240,885
Buyer: Christian Hansen
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/11/14

31 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: John A. Benoit
Seller: Robert Morin
Date: 06/13/14

161 Warner St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Gagner
Seller: Richard L. Mallory
Date: 06/02/14

EASTHAMPTON

34 Broad St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Alanna L. Donnelly
Seller: Emily A. Pritchard
Date: 06/09/14

16 High St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Duprey
Seller: Sarah L. Overstreet
Date: 06/04/14

92 Line St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Brooke A. Silva
Seller: Ashtons Acquisitions LLC
Date: 06/06/14

166 Line St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Ashley V. Donovan
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 06/11/14

4 Sheldon Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Donna M. Mason
Seller: Edward A. Perreault
Date: 06/13/14

33 Stone Path Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Cynthia P. Frye
Seller: Barbara E. Lis
Date: 06/12/14

15 Taft Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Andrzej S. Ciborowski
Seller: Patricia A. Vachon
Date: 06/06/14

GRANBY

75 Cold Hill
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Sarah W. Adelman
Seller: Robert L. Ward
Date: 06/06/14

474 East State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $225,000
Seller: Anthoney C. Whalen
Date: 06/09/14

1 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Property Group Inc.
Seller: Richard L. Jarvis
Date: 06/05/14

HADLEY

21 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Daniel P. Gray
Seller: Massoud Rahmati
Date: 06/02/14

HATFIELD

239 Straits Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Nathan J. Carpenter
Seller: Anne C. Madocks
Date: 06/09/14

MIDDLEFIELD

25 Reservoir Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Jonathan E. Ziskowski
Seller: FHLM
Date: 06/06/14

NORTHAMPTON

8 4th Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $397,500
Buyer: Alisa Ainbinder
Seller: Richard D. Lloyd

71 Cherry St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Richard D. Lloyd
Seller: Tara K. Emery
Date: 06/05/14

113 Fern St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Cynthia J. Stahler
Seller: Steohen A. Korowski
Date: 06/13/14

49 Grant Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Erik K. Olsen
Seller: David J. Anusiewicz
Date: 06/04/14

85 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Emily Pritchard
Seller: Freferick G. Olander
Date: 06/09/14

27 Olive St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: William Sporer
Seller: Thomas H. Friedman
Date: 06/02/14

199 Pine St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Cabot Realty LLC
Seller: Sugar Hill Holdings LLC
Date: 06/04/14

492 Pleasant St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,550,000
Buyer: ES 480 Pleasant St LLC
Seller: Quickbeam RT
Date: 06/03/14

56 Summer St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Kristin K. Prentice
Seller: Donna M. Yerkes
Date: 06/05/14

PELHAM

378 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Isa Wang
Seller: Linda M. Goodman
Date: 06/04/14

97 Packardville Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Delbert M. Davis RET
Seller: Charlene Davanzo
Date: 06/04/14

SOUTH HADLEY

98 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Finnegan
Seller: Daniel M. Sherry
Date: 06/09/14

294 Morgan St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Buyer: Property Group Inc.
Seller: Richard L. Jarvis
Date: 06/05/14

50 Silver St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $226,900
Buyer: Daniel S. Egan
Seller: Cray FT
Date: 06/13/14

8 Silverwood Terrace
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Joel A. Prough
Seller: Marion, Raymond A., (Estate)
Date: 06/11/14

SOUTHAMPTON

254 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Kyle K. Lavalley
Seller: Nancy E. Johnson
Date: 06/05/14

11 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $302,500
Buyer: Mark Nimkoff
Seller: Duncan W. Crane
Date: 06/09/14

67 Moose Brook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Daniel M. Sherry
Seller: Joanne H. Alderman
Date: 06/09/14

74 Pleasant St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: James F. Boyle
Seller: Nicholas M. Simonich
Date: 06/13/14

Strong Road #A
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Bacis
Seller: Triple 7 LLC
Date: 06/04/14

Strong Road #B
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Bacis
Seller: Triple 7 LLC
Date: 06/04/14

Strong Road #C
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Bacis
Seller: Triple 7 LLC
Date: 06/04/14

WARE

73 Anderson Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Laura J. Miner
Seller: Gloria R. Gelinas
Date: 06/13/14

301 Beaver Lake Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: John E. Motyka
Seller: Catherine M. Beaupre
Date: 06/11/14

18 Grove St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Michael King
Date: 06/09/14

67 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Kate E. Masse
Seller: William Dickey
Date: 06/13/14

18 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $120,616
Buyer: Hess Realty LLC
Seller: Specon 5 LLC
Date: 06/12/14

WESTHAMPTON

61 Chesterfield Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Matthew F. Montague
Seller: Peter & Mary Montague LT
Date: 06/06/14

Spruce Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $248,423
Buyer: Berry Brook Forest LLC
Seller: Hull Forestlands LP
Date: 06/10/14

48 Tipping Rock Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Hathaway
Seller: MT Tom Properties LLC
Date: 06/02/14

WILLIAMSBURG

164 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Richard A. Krzanowski
Seller: Leigh A. Smith
Date: 06/06/14

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff July 15, 2014

Bankruptcies Departments

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

Aldrich, Denise R.
191 Brickyard Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/09/14

Alexander, William S.
Conniff, Nancy J.
19 Jerilis Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/14

Alvarez, Patrick
Alvarez, Barbie
77 East St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/14

Bass, Jessica J.
359 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/14

Bassett, Jennifer Leigh
21 Grove St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/14

Bensley, Brian P.
Bensley, Carolyn A.
a/k/a Chapin, Carolyn A.
166 Glenoak Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Benvenuti, Carri A.
465 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/14

Bianchi, Lucy A.
3 Springhouse Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Bimbane, Cory E.
465 Chapel St., #9
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/14

Cangemi, Tinamarie L.
1377 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Carner, Tracy Ann
19 G St.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/14

Carter, Stuart
PO Box 65
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/14

Castonguay, Robinann M.
15 Jared Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/14

Cleveland, James A.
Cleveland, Sheri L.
52 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Cone, George A.
50 South Westfield St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/14

Coogan, Chantal M.
86 Hopkins Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Daigneault, Paul J.
Daigneault, Laura L.
PO Box 105
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/10/14

Dance Connection
Lash, Carla J.
a/k/a Danos, Carla
a/k/a Tranghese, Carla
44 Wood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/14

Ethier, Mark E.
Ethier, Elzbieta B.
93 Meadow St.
2nd Floor, Front
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Ferris, Stephanie J.
a/k/a Seymour, Stephanie J.
104 Johnson Road, Unit 605
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/14

Feudo, John M.
157 South St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Finley, Paul E.
Finley, Melissa M.
a/k/a Blascak, Melissa M.
a/k/a Breton, Melissa M.
125 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/14

French, Dale Sheldon
French, Michelle Rose
21 Montgomery Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/14

Grand Home Design
Grand Construction
Duquette, Gregg
Duquette, Lisa M.
3824 Chestnut Hill Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Griswold, Elizabeth L.
11 Margerie St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Harfoush, Roger N.
193 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/14

Hart, John P.
Hart, Rosemary J.
249 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/14

Hartley, Lisa M.
65 Kane Brothers Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/14

Jones, Gina Marie
130 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01105-1014
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Kirkman, Robert R.
Kirkman, Ruth D.
57 Mckinley Terrace
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/14

Krokov, Christine
228 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/14

Lamson, Katherine
350 Meadow St. #38
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/14

Lapointe, Pierre J.
5 John Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/14

Larry’s Rubbish Removal
Patterson, Lawrence H.
Patterson, Suzanne E.
90 Mattawa Circle
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Lash, Thomas S.
44 Wood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/14

Lindquist, Lisa Ann
a/k/a Eddings, Lisa Ann
a/k/a Wilson, Lisa Ann
a/k/a Possiel, Lisa Ann
100 Narrow Lane
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Lobik, Kathleen M.
1385 South Branch Parkway
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/14

Matlasz, Jennifer L.
a/k/a Diloreto, Jennifer L.
340 Dale St., Unit G
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/14

McAuslan, Kathleen Joan
181 Glendale Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/14

Messinger, Robert Joseph
15 Goddu St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Nevins, Craig J.
60 Auburn St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/14

Noble, David A.
12 4th Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/14

Orellana, Carson L.
31 South St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/14

Ortiz, Fredesvinda
438 Carew St., 2nd Fl.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/14

Otero, Luis A.
PO Box 70025
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Pleasant, Helen F.
12 Main Road, Apt. 102
Gill, MA 01354
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/14

Rhodes, Marcia M.
126 Union St., Unit 813
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/14

Rodriguez, Eric
147 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/14

Santana, Veras
15 Edgewood St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/14

Schneider, Heather M.
102 Mill St., Apt. 2L
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Serra, Anthony G.
73 Barrett St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/14

Turniak, Annette L.
4 Stillbrook Lane
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/14

Vazquez-Prieto, Jacinda Ester
95 Linden St., 3L
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/14

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff July 15, 2014

DBA Certificates Departments

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

AGAWAM

Cirillo Realty
986 Main St.
Cirillo Realty

GD Courier Services
101 High St.
Gary Dionne

Moe’s Donuts
185 James St.
Maureen Weiner

Winnersatthewire.com
53 Provin Mountain Dr.
James Lockwood

CHICOPEE

Golden Mirror Hair Salon
218 Exchange St.
Gladys Pedrosa

Honey Land Farms
1296 Montgomery St.
Sattar Ahmed

Kind Discounts
585 Sheridan St.
Thomas Schofield

Storm Ready
1512 Memorial Dr.
Robert Prince

HOLYOKE

Cellular Galaxy
50 Holyoke St.
Swostik Magal

Classic Magic Beauty Salon
594 Dwight St.
Betsie Pagan

Holyoke Laundromat
556 High St.
Alexander Katsman

Indigo Painters
322 Pine St.
Raquel Figueroa

My Assistive Technology Resources & Services
214 Southampton Road
Michael Clark

Quick Stop Food Mart
172 Sargeant St.
Tariq Khan

Trak II Convenience, LLC
330 Main St.
Johnny Kayrouz

Wright’s Masonry
113 Westfield Road
Timothy J. Wright

NORTHAMPTON

Action Based Therapeutic Solutions
25 Bank Row
Adam Barcroft

Baseball Treasures
355 Main St.
George Price

Mobil Food & Tobacco
142 Mohawk Trail
Aneesa Batool

Nails 2 Go
30 Mohawk Trail
Rebecca Vishaway

Red Door Studios
13 Federal St.
Jason Blais

PALMER

A Plus Landscaping
1332 Thorndike St.
Eric Taylor

Evolution Limousine Service
3054 High St.
Kevin Wenzel

Woods Group Realty
1415 Park St.
Debra Woods

SPRINGFIELD

A & B Transport
2055 Allen St.
Freddy Rosario

Abacus Insurance
712 Boston Road
Pedro Berrios

Advanced Cash Services
931 Belmont Ave.
Angel Plaza

Ali Ozan Koseglu
16 Gold St.
Ali O. Koseglu

Anglin Superior Innovations
83 Hazen St.
Shari K. Anglin

Atwater Children’s Boutique
142 Springfield St.
Kathleen McCormick

Avado Clothing Company
1508 Plumtree Road
Anthony Tyrone

Baystate Wesson Women’s
3300 Main St.
Baystate Medical

Big D Jamaican Cuisine
646 Page Blvd.
Donovan Simon

Brodowski Home Improvement
38 Fallston St.
David Brodowski

Citizens Landscaping
88 Better Way
Frank J. Silva

D & G Jamaican Cuisine
5 Preston St.
Danail A. McKenzie

Dean’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning
134 Sunrise Terrace
Dean Veratti

Ebidbooks.com
731 Carew St.
Derek R. Remy

En Cellphone Accessories
279 Milll St.
Porfirio Diaz

Express Grocery
1133 State St.
Emiliano D. Rodriguez

Farone Inc.
1441 Main St.
Maria Alfarone

Fresh International
27 Terrace Lane
Kirk Rigg

General Contracting Services
656 Alden St.
Anny Mendoza

Handy Hammermen
152 Quincy St.
Alban Medina

J & J Market & Deli
1344 Dwight St.
Jose Duverge

J.P. Removal Services
116 Middlesex St.
Justin Patterson

WESTFIELD

Anytime Clock & Watch Repairs
48 Elm St.
Ray Messier

Black Dragon’s Kajunkenbo Karate
81 Main St.
Lynne M. Smith

Riverside Productions, LLC
77 Mill St.
Joseph Albano

S.K.
4 School St.
Sergey Kimenko

Ski’s Landscaping
708 North Road
Mike Szewczynski

T & T Cleaning Service
6 Crestwood Circle
Therese Trottier

WEST SPRINGFIELD

99 Second Hand
242 Memorial Ave.
Lien Chen

A Pittiefull World
49 Baldwin St.
Diminic Alfano

Apple Ridge Yard Services
129 Apple Ridge Road
Wendy Browning

Applied Chemistries Inc.
145 Western Ave.
Brian St. Pierre

Bobcat of Greater Springfield
181 Wayside Ave.
Brian St. Pierre

Car Hunter
54 Oleander St.
Roman Shtefan

Doggy Doody Disposal
165 Ohio Ave.
Theresa Selvoski

Elegant Nails
634 Kings Highway
Lien T. Tran

Global Dynamix Construction
26 Wilbert Dr.
Daniel Tarnovskiy

Over the Moon
206 Norman St.
Pauline R. Delton

Runze Center for Tai Chi
214 Elm St.
Wentao Wei

Spirit Halloween Superstore
219 Memorial Ave.
Barry Susson

US Trucking Express
56 Lathrop St.
Andrei Mineev

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff July 15, 2014

Departments Incorporations

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

ADAMS

Dealer Helpers of MA Inc., 69 Columbia St., Adams, MA 01220. Daniel Gendron, same. Advertising, marketing, consulting, and product enhancement.

BELCHERTOWN

Halon Landscapes Inc., 324 Barton Ave., Belchertown, MA 01007. Mitchell Halon, same. Landscape services.

BRIMFIELD

Autism In My Pocket Inc., 101 John Haley Road, Brimfield, MA 01010. Robin Lee Gamache, same. Nonprofit organization designed to help families understand what autism is and how they can get help. Dedicated to helping parents and their families learn about interventions and treatments and where they can turn to in finding the help they need.

CHICOPEE

Ace Metal Fabricators Inc., 1045 Burnett Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Mark Duda, same. Metal fabrication.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Bkaye Insurance Company Inc. 444A North Main St., Suite 230, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Bryan Kaye, same. Insurance agency.

FLORENCE

Capers Construction Inc., 423 Ryan Road, Florence, MA 01062. Michael Capers, same. Residential construction.

HOLYOKE

Care Improvement Inc., 17 Nick Cosmos Way, Holyoke, MA 01040. Jose Dias, 53 Christopher Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Commercial and residential building maintenance and repairs.

Holyoke Auto Glass Inc., 1584 Dwight St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Mark Sadler, same. Auto Glass sales and installation.

LENOX

Buddy Boys’ Specialty Foods Inc., 120 Reservoir Road, Lenox, MA 01240. Jason Macioge, same. Manufacturing of food products.

LONGMEADOW

Harrington Holdings Inc., 163 Western Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Robert Harrington Jr., same. Commercial real estate services.

LUDLOW

1ST American Sewer & Drain Inc., 58 Cross Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056. Matthew Faulha, same. Service of maintaining sewer and drain lines.

Cops Under Fire Project Inc., 261 Woodland Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056. Frank Joseph Gallo, same. Provides therapy and non-medical services (e.g., trainings).

MONSON

Chicopee Auto Farm Inc., 290 Wilbraham Road, Monson, MA 01057. Dwayne Pafumi, same. Sales and marketing of automobile parts and used automobiles.

NORTH ADAMS

East Drink Inc., 135 Bonair Ave., North Adams, MA 01247. Jared Bruce Decoteau, same.

PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Muslims, 5 Melville St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Gokseven Yidiz, 87 Michael Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. A mosque serving the communities of Western Massachusetts with attendant facilities.

Food Allergy Allies Inc., 93 Blythewood Dr., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Gail Cantor, same. Organization designed to educate people about restaurants, hotels, and other establishments that support and make accommodations for people with life-threatening food allergies

SOUTHAMPTON

Fitzgibbon Enterprises Inc., 31 Bissonette Circle, Southampton, MA 01073. James FitzGibbon III, same. Commercial real estate appraisal services.

SPRINGFIELD

Care Point Home Healthcare Inc., 155 Maple St., Suite 401, Springfield, MA 01105. Susan Kibaiya, 10 Primrose Way, St., Apt. 1108, Haverhill, MA 01830. Home healthcare services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Alsm Trucking Inc., 191 North Blvd., West Springfield, MA 01089. Alexander Blinov, same. General freight trucking service.

Badazz Runners Inc., 47 Southworth St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Jessica Lynn Pereplyotchi, same. Organization established to raise money for runners who either can’t afford or are in the need of running items.

WESTFIELD

EAA, 1561 Inc., 110 Airport Road, Care of Bruce Green, Westfield, MA 01085. Lindsey Pell, 23 Stafford Water St., Somers, CT 06071. Non-profit organization of aviation pilots and enthusiasts promoting general aviation through community outreach and awareness.

WORTHINGTON

Family FM Inc., 712 Route 112 South, PO Box 84, Worthington, MA 01098. Tim Allen, same. Radio broadcast designed to provide wholesome family programing and spread the love of God.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff July 15, 2014

Briefcase Departments

Legislature Approves UMass Funding Increase
BOSTON — UMass President Robert Caret commended the state House and Senate for approving a major funding increase for the UMass system, funding sufficient for a second consecutive tuition and mandatory-fee freeze for in-state undergraduate students. “UMass is poised at the brink of a new era as a result of what would be an extraordinary, two-year, $100 million state investment in its future and in the futures of the tens of thousands of students who bring their aspirations and abilities to our campuses every year,” Caret said. “We are honored by this expression of support from the Legislature, particularly because the members of the House and Senate, given how in tune they are with their constituents, take this step because they recognize the vital role that UMass plays in every corner of the Commonwealth.” Henry Thomas III, chairman of the UMass board of trustees, called the Legislature’s action “historic,” adding: “over the past two years, the University of Massachusetts has received one of the largest increases of any public university in the nation, and this provides opportunity for our students and a strong foundation for our Commonwealth’s future. In addition to thanking the Legislature and its leaders, I want to commend President Caret for his leadership and vision and note the key role the chancellors play in making this process work. We are here in part because we have demonstrated the significant steps the university has taken in the areas of efficiency, transparency, and accountability — and these steps have been championed by our leadership team at the system and campus levels.” He added, “this historic moment would not be occurring without the support of our governor, as Gov. Patrick has been our university’s staunch ally throughout his tenure in office, vividly understanding education’s transformative power.” The fiscal year 2015 state budget approved by the House and Senate funds UMass at $519 million — a $40 million increase over FY 2014 and enough for the second tuition-and-fee freeze as envisioned under Caret’s 50-50 proposal. The state budget approved by the Legislature now goes to Patrick, who has 10 days to review it. Because the $40 million appropriation increase the university received in FY 2014 carried with it an additional $10 million in state fringe-benefit funding, UMass actually saw a $50 million hike in state funding during the year — a pattern that would be repeated in FY 2015 if funding for UMass remains at $519 million. Advanced by Caret after he assumed the UMass presidency in July 2011, the 50-50 plan called for a two-year, $100 million increase in state funding for UMass, with the goals of strengthening the university overall and equalizing the amount of money students and the state provided for educational programs. UMass said it would freeze tuition and mandatory fees in each of the years it received full funding of the 50-50 program. UMass received the first year of 50-50 funding during 2013-14 and froze tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students. Student charges vary from campus to campus, but under the rates recently approved by the UMass board of trustees, tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students at UMass Amherst in 2014-15 will remain at $13,258. The cost of attending the university’s flagship campus with room and board factored in would be $24,215. “College affordability is an issue that is on people’s minds in every corner of the Commonwealth,” Caret said. “Students and parents want to be sure that there is going to be an affordable, high-quality educational opportunity available for the young man or young woman who has worked hard and has achieved at the K through 12 level. And that is what is so important about the action the House and Senate has taken. The Legislature is saying that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts stand ready to be your partners in achievement. That is a critical message, and one that is being heard across the state.”

State Business Confidence Off in June, Up on Year
BOSTON — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index recorded a reading of 53.7 in June, making for a second-quarter average of 53.8. “The positive quarterly average reflects the diminution in recent months of major economic-policy conflict in Washington, which has contributed to stronger business confidence,” said Raymond Torto, global chairman of research at CBRE and chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advisors (BEA). “With less ambient uncertainty, employers are becoming more positive about adding personnel, a sign of confidence that is reflected in our survey. The other notable improvement is in responses from small employers, those with 25 or fewer employees, who are now about as optimistic as mid-size firms.” The AIM Index has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. In June 2013 it stood at 48.9. Nearly all of the sub-indices based on selected questions or categories of respondent were down from May, but all were up from last June. The Massachusetts Index, assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth, was up 3.3 points on the year to 50.9, and the U.S. Index of national business conditions was 7.6 points ahead of last June at 48.2. “Massachusetts has generally outperformed the nation economically since the onset of the recession,” said Alan Clayton-Matthews, professor at the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University, and a BEA member. “Our state is well-positioned to continue to thrive, but is inevitably standing out less as the rest of the country returns to normal performance.” The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, was 4.1 points above last June’s level at 52.8, and the Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, was up 6.7 points from a year before at 54.6. “The consensus of economic forecasts calls for faster growth through the rest of this year and into 2015, and most respondents to our survey agree,” Clayton-Matthews noted. “Small and large employers are more optimistic about the near future than mid-size companies; manufacturers rate current conditions lower than other employers, but have similar expectations for the second half of the year.” The Company Index, reflecting survey respondents’ assessments of conditions for their own operations, was up 5.3 points on the year to 56.5. The Employment Index was up the same amount at 54.6, and the Sales Index gained even more, 7.6 points to 57.6. All three were off fractionally from May. “The employment results, even with a marginal loss for the month, continue to reflect a moderate upward trend,” said BEA member Elliot Winer, chief economist for Northeast Economic Analysis Group LLC. “Among employers responding to the survey, 41% expected to add personnel in the next six months, while only 10% foresaw staff reductions, a marked improvement from the already positive 38%-23% split for the prior six months.” Confidence fell in the manufacturing sector (down 2.9 to 51.5) but rose among other employers (up 2.8 to 56.8), and lower outside Greater Boston (52.8, down 1.5) than within the metropolitan area (54.1, down 0.2). Small employers (25 or fewer employees) were about as confident as mid-size firms (26 to 100 employees), while employers of more than 100 were more positive. “Responses on employment were, however, remarkably uniform,” Winer noted, “by region, for manufacturers and other employers, and for companies of all sizes.”

Construction Spending Inches Higher in May
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Total construction spending edged higher for the third straight month in May, as solid increases in private non-residential and public construction outweighed a downturn in residential projects, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the pickup in highway spending is in jeopardy of reversing sharply unless policy makers act urgently to shore up the federal Highway Trust Fund. “The May figures show that construction activity continues to expand, but with lots of variability by month and project type,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “These uneven patterns seem likely to continue for the rest of the year.” Construction put in place totaled $956 billion in May, 0.1% above the upwardly revised April total and 6.6% higher than in May 2013. For the first five months of 2014, total spending rose 8.2% from the January-May 2013 total. Private residential construction spending in May retreated 1.5% from April, when homebuilders may have put in extra hours to make up for adverse winter weather in many regions. The May total was 7.5% above the May 2013 level, representing an 11% increase in single-family spending, a 31% boost for multi-family, and a 2.4% decline in improvements to existing housing. Private non-residential spending rose 1.1% in May and 11% over 12 months. The largest private segment, power construction — comprising work on oil and gas fields and pipelines as well as electricity projects — rebounded 4.3% from a sharp drop in April and was up 30% year-over-year. Among other major private nonresidential segments, commercial construction climbed 6.5% over 12 months, manufacturing construction rose 6.7%, and office work jumped 23%. Public construction spending rose 1.0% for the month and 1.2% year over year.

Cost of Unemployment Insurance to Fall
BOSTON — Massachusetts employers will save money on unemployment insurance under legislation signed by Gov. Deval Patrick Thursday as part of a compromise to raise the state’s minimum wage. The new law freezes the rates for the insurance this year at 2013 levels, and lowers them slightly in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Currently, Massachusetts has the fourth-highest unemployment-insurance cost, with companies spending $714 per employee, on average. Under the new law, the minimum wage in Massachusetts will increase to $11 per hour by 2017, from $8.

Greenfield Launches Technology Master Plan
GREENFIELD — The town of Greenfield announced recently that implementation of the town’s technology master plan is underway. The master plan, an initiative started by Mayor William Martin in the fall of 2010, is another step in the mayor’s continuing “Stabilize and Expand Greenfield” Campaign, an effort to create a sustainable and resilient community that also prepares for opportunities created by external forces in the form of jobs, grants, loans, and recreational, cultural, and societal enhancements, as well as upgrades related to infrastructure, buildings, and quality of life. The plan includes upgrading the town’s information-technology assets and building a town-wide ‘last-mile’ broadband infrastructure to serve every business and resident that chooses to subscribe. “This is the culmination of three years of independent research and planning,” Martin said. “We have read and reread the information, discussed with internal and external experts, and now seek to follow a pathway outlined by this research and discussion that will produce a new, technology-rich future for the town of Greenfield. It will allow us, as local providers, to serve our citizens and businesses in a proactive, efficient, and user-friendly manner. We will have the ability to provide Internet access to many of our citizens who cannot currently access the Internet today or are prevented from a rapid and broad connection.” Beginning in 2010, Martin and Economic Development Director Robert Pyers began an effort to focus on the town’s lack of telecommunications and information-technology infrastructure. They believed that an investment in technology would help spur economic development, enhance public-health and public-safety communications, increase quality educational opportunities, and encourage government efficiency and local democracy. Research had also shown that investing in technology would help the town retain technology-based businesses and spur a knowledge-based economy while helping residents take advantage of the global educational, economic, and entertainment resources available through the Internet. “Over the course of the past three years, we have engaged three consulting firms to plan our approach,” said Martin. “The three Massachusetts-based consulting firms include Kelley Management Group Inc. of Wilbraham, JFK Systems of Somerset, and the Skyline Group from Uxbridge. Each has completed their studies and presented their strategic recommendations, which we are now deploying.” Kelley Management Group produced a Municipal Telecommunications Business Plan, which recommends that Greenfield move forward as a municipal telecommunications services provider with full town ownership and control. KMG’s business plan suggests the town will provide the best telecommunications services to every municipal entity, business, and residence at the lowest possible cost. Martin has accepted this plan and is moving forward with the creation of a town-owned Greenfield Technology Division, which will operate a break-even business with reserves for investment into future capital expenditures. JFK Systems developed a comprehensive municipal information-technology strategic plan, which defines and coordinates how the town focuses its IT resources and provides a consistent process necessary to link the various IT departments’ plans and initiatives with the needs of the citizens of Greenfield. The Skyline Group produced a municipal LAN/WAN site-assessment report and recommendations for the town’s municipally owned and town-occupied buildings. This report gives an assessment, inventory, and analysis of current network infrastructure, along with the risks associated with the current deployment. It also provides recommendations to achieve network enrichments in preparation for the town’s new municipal telecommunications network and services. Implementation of the technology master plan is a three-step process that is currently underway. The process begins with upgrading and/or selecting new municipal IT business applications that support the town’s business processes and incorporate industry standards and best-practice functionality and technologies. The next step in the process involves a redefinition of the technical requirements of the newly selected municipal IT business applications — requirements such as CPU speed, memory, data-networking speed, storage, data management, security, data sharing, etc. — and then building an optimal IT infrastructure, including computers, printers, servers, local area networking, etc., required to support it. The final step is the town’s most ambitious and will have the greatest impact on the community: Greenfield will build a low-cost, high-speed ‘last-mile’ broadband infrastructure to support the town’s new IT infrastructure, and to meet the voice, data, and Internet needs of every business and resident.

2015 Healthcare Costs Projected to Grow 6.8%
Growth in healthcare spending is expected to tick upward next year, in part because consumers are now seeking care they put off during the economic downturn, according to a report released this week. Authored by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute, the report forecasts medical cost growth of 6.8%, compared to 6.5% for this year. The projected increase is slight compared to double-digit increases seen before the downturn, but the rate of growth had been slowing in the past five years, so the upward shift is worth noting, said Ceci Connolly, managing director of the institute.

Number of Jobless Seeking Aid Falls
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined late last month, the latest evidence that an economic slowdown earlier this year hasn’t caused employers to cut jobs. Weekly applications fell 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 312,000, the U.S. Labor Department said. The four-week average rose 2,000 to 314,000, but the average has fallen 9% since Jan. 1.

Home Sales Post Largest Gain Nationally Since 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sales of previously owned homes posted the best gain in nearly three years in May, the National Assoc. of Realtors reported, rising 4.9% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.89 million. That gain was the fastest since August 2011; still, sales are 5% below the pace of May 2013. And the pace of home sales is well below the 5.1 million homes sold in 2013 and off the pace of 5.5 million annual sales that would reflect a healthy economy. Sales were dampened by last year’s rise in mortgage rates, tight supplies, and tougher lending standards.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff July 15, 2014

Company Notebook Departments

Bay Path Is Now Officially a University
LONGMEADOW — Bay Path faculty, staff and students marked July 1 as the official first day as a university — in fact, the first women’s university in the Commonwealth. Before a crowd of more than 250 members from the Bay Path community, President Carol Leary said, “we are enthusiastic about becoming Bay Path University as it more appropriately reflects the complexity, drive, and bold dreams of this institution. Our three campuses have been expanded by a location in downtown Springfield, bringing us back to our roots, that boasts the first online college in the country exclusively for women. Soon, we will have a new location in East Longmeadow with a 57,000-square-foot building to house our programs in health science.” She noted that 19 graduate degrees, online learning communities, and athletic fields round out the picture of “today’s Bay Path.” This spring, the college secured approvals for the transition to university status from the Mass. Department of Higher Education and the New England Assoc. of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). With this approval, the board of trustees also reaffirmed the university’s mission to the education of women at the undergraduate level. Bay Path is a four-year, private university with an enrollment of more than 2,400 students at its Longmeadow campus and satellite campuses in Sturbridge and Burlington. The university offers undergraduate degrees for women, graduate degrees for men and women on campus and online, and the American Women’s College, offering accelerated degrees programs for adult women online or on campus through its One-Day-a-Week program.

Jewish Lifecare Announces Campaign
LONGMEADOW — Dr. Robert Baevsky, chair of the Jewish Lifecare board of directors, announced that Susan Kline and Stephen Krevalin, longtime volunteers for the organization formerly known as Jewish Geriatric Services, are chairing Project Transformation: A New World of Care, a $9 million capital campaign in support of several projects that will transform elder-care services at Jewish Lifecare. “Jewish Lifecare has always prided itself on being a progressive, forward-looking organization that continuously engages the ever-changing needs of the elderly,” said Baevsky. “Project Transformation: A New World of Care continues our journey of culture change and person-centered care, as we enhance, build, and expand services and facilities to improve health outcomes and enhance resident dignity, independence, and quality of life.” Both Kline and Krevalin are former chairs of the Jewish Lifecare board of directors. Kline served as chair from 2012 to 2014, during which time she led the strategic-planning process leading to Project Transformation. Krevalin served as chair from 1996 to 2000, and has served on or chaired numerous committees, including the 2012 Centennial Celebration. Both Kline and Krevalin also served on the rebranding committee, leading to the organization’s rebranding as Jewish Lifecare. “For the past two years, it has been my privilege to chair the board of directors and help shape this transformational journey,” said Kline. “As we move away from traditional models of care and embrace the small-house model of care, we will not only improve the care provided, but also enhance the dignity of those living here.” In addition to her Jewish Lifecare volunteerism, Kline has also long been associated with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, currently overseeing all HGF programs and grants in Western Mass. Krevalin, a managing partner at Bacon Wilson, P.C., and his family have given back to the Jewish Lifecare community for generations. The Project Transformation: A New World of Care campaign will support the construction of a state-of-the-art, 24-bed rehabilitation facility; renovations to the Leavitt Family Jewish Home in the small-house model of care; and other significant upgrades to the entire campus. Other funding sources will include an owner’s equity contribution and bank financing. Jewish Lifecare has engaged the architectural firm of Perkins Eastman, as well as Jude Rabig, two of the foremost experts on culture change and small-house design in the U.S., to assist in the design of the upgrades and new facility. Groundbreaking for the new rehabilitation center is expected later this fall, with construction to be completed by the fall of 2015.

Plastics Manufacturer Pioneers New Technology
LUDLOW — Meredith-Springfield Associates Inc., a plastics manufacturer specializing in extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding, is pioneering the use of new technology to manufacture sustainable plastic packaging for major brands like Mrs. Dash, owned by B&G Foods. “An analysis of the Mrs. Dash packaging process revealed the need to create a more sustainable bottle,” said Mel O’Leary Jr., president and CEO of Meredith-Springfield. “While sustainable packaging has become a point of interest for manufacturers with regard to environmental benefits, significant cost savings can also be realized. Sustainable package innovation offered by advanced plastic molding technology minimizes packaging costs, which in turn reduces warehousing and transportation costs as well.” Meredith-Springfield constructed pilot molds and conducted design experiments with the objective of reducing the amount of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used in the creation of Mrs. Dash packaging. “Manufacturers seeking more sustainable plastic packaging should look for innovative ways to reduce PET,” said O’Leary. “For Mrs. Dash, we are using the most advanced plastic molding technology to alter the amount of plastic and place PET only where it most impacts package performance.” By adjusting the weight-bearing performance of the packaging, Meredith-Springfield was able to reduce the weight of a Mrs. Dash bottle by more than 25%. The more sustainable packaging saves B&G Foods an excess of 200,000 pounds of PET resin per year and reduces related costs of optimizing other aspects of the molding and delivery process. “In reducing the weight, we carefully engineered the placement of remaining mass of plastic to go into the areas of the bottle which would maximize top-loading ability,” said O’Leary. The entire redesign resulted in a significant cost savings for B&G Foods, but required in-depth research and development. The new extrusion blow molding machine produces more than 100,000 Mrs. Dash bottles in each 24-hour production period and is capable of delivering more than 35 million units per year. “This process is a major volume addition to our evolving PET business,” said O’Leary. “It provides economies of scale with resin, packaging, and transportation purchases, so it helps lower all costs and adds to our critical mass on both extrusion blow molding and stretch blow molding capabilities.” The machine is a one-step process for making specialty PET bottles versus a two-step process used to make carbonated beverage bottles. Beverage bottles require multiple steps; first, a ‘preform’ is molded in an injection molding machine and then transferred to a reheat-stretch machine. “Our technology is the most energy-efficient method available,” said O’Leary. “It goes from plastic pellets to finished bottles on one machine.”

Holiday Inn Express Ludlow Receives Recognition for Service
LUDLOW — Pioneer Valley Hotel Group announced that its Holiday Inn Express Ludlow received recognition from InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for service excellence among the 47 Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Expresses in the Greater Boston region. The three-story, 71-room hotel at 321 Center St. ranked first in overall service, first in lowest percentage of guest problems, and second for overall guest satisfaction. General Manager Melissa Labonte said that “it is an honor to be recognized for the hard work my staff puts in each day. We really do believe our guests are like family. When they are here, they are home.” The hotel is located just south of the Mass Pike. Guests enjoy complimentary high-speed wireless Internet throughout the hotel, as well as Express Start breakfast in the lobby each morning. The hotel also features a fitness center, indoor heated pool, and 24-hour business center. Holiday Inn Express Ludlow is owned and operated by Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, LLC. Reservations can be made by calling (413) 589-9300 or visiting hiexpress.com/ludlowma. Group and meeting inquiries can be directed to Connie Foster, the hotel’s director of sales, at (413) 750-3106 or [email protected].

Leavitt Family Jewish Home Accredited by Joint Commission
LONGMEADOW — The Leavitt Family Jewish Home at Jewish Lifecare has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare qualityand patient and resident safety in nursing homes. The accreditation award recognizes the nursing home’s dedication to continuous compliance with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. The Jewish Home underwent a rigorous, on-site survey on June 18. A Joint Commission surveyor evaluated the nursing home for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and residents, including infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management. “In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, the Leavitt Family Jewish Home has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients and residents that goes above and beyond federal and state requirements,” said Gina Zimmermann, executive director, Nursing Care Center Accreditation for the Joint Commission. “Accreditation is a voluntary process, and I commend the Jewish Home for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.” The Joint Commission’s Nursing Care Center accreditation program, formerly the Long Term Care accreditation program, was established in 1966 and accredits nearly 1,000 organizations offering nursing home services. The Joint Commission’s standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and residents and the management of nursing-care centers. The standards are developed in consultation with industry experts, providers, measurement experts, and consumers. “With Joint Commission accreditation, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence,” said Stephen Roizen, administrator of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. “Achieving Joint Commission accreditation, for our organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”

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