Construction Archives - Page 25 of 53

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

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

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

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

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.”

At the Crossroads

Features

At a Time of Change in Retail, Holyoke Mall Marks 35 Years

Holyoke Mall General Manager William Rogalski

When the Holyoke Mall opened in the Ingleside section of the city in 1979, shopping malls were the hottest trend in retail.

These days, as the center celebrates its 35th anniversary, they’re anything but, losing ground to online retail options and smaller shopping centers. But Holyoke Mall remains a draw, said General Manager William Rogalski.

“Certainly, our traffic is good. In recent years, sales have fluctuated with the economy, but we’re still a significant part of people’s shopping experience,” he told BusinessWest. “Online shopping does affect us, but I’m still of the belief that people still like to see it, touch it, feel it, and try it on before they buy.”

To get shoppers inside the mall, though, variety and a fresh experience are key — part of the mall’s mission to get visitors to “stay longer and shop more,” to quote an oft-repeated mantra at Ingleside.

“We’ve always tried to be a shopping center where everyone can go, from the high end — like Apple, Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and a new store opening up, Michael Kors — to traditional retail tenants, to value tenants like Burlington Coat Factory and everything in between,” said Rogalski. “That’s what makes the difference for people here — there’s something for everyone.”

The fact is, despite the surge in online retail, consumers still visit brick-and-mortar stores for the vast majority of their shopping, according to a 2013 Nielsen report titled “Brick by Brick: The State of the Shopping Center.”

“Shopping centers aren’t just places to buy things,” the report notes. “They’re social centers, places for entertainment, and employment hubs. They’re also transforming what consumers can expect from a shopping experience.”

With the increasing diversification and aging of the U.S. population, the report continues, the line between shopping, entertainment, and community building has blurred, and this blending of experiences has created an opportunity for retail centers to strengthen social ties within communities that are looking for communal experiences.

“It’s a gathering point, even for people who don’t even shop, like mall walkers; for them, it’s a social experience,” Rogalski said. “And it’s nice to have them. Frankly, they’re a good source of information. They’re here every day, as we are, but we don’t see everything. In some cases, they become our eyes and ears. We’ve made some relationships, made some good friends.”

The goal of any mall, of course, is to ring up sales, and to that end, Rogalski — and Pyramid Management Group, which owns Holyoke Mall and 19 other properties in Massachusetts and New York — are not sitting on past laurels, instead moving forward with a series of renovations and possible future additions to keep the crowds coming back and spending money.

For this issue, Rogalski — a West Springfield native who actually worked at the just-opened Holyoke Mall in 1979, at Blake’s department store — sits down with BusinessWest to discuss some of those changes, and why he believes malls are far from irrelevant in the 21st century.

The Mall’s Changing Face

Signage goes up at Holyoke Mall in 1979.

At its opening, Holyoke Mall was one of the largest shopping centers in the Northeast, with 125 stores covering 1.1 million square feet and surrounded by 5,000 parking spaces. Today, almost 200 stores (counting kiosks) sprawl across 1.6 million square feet of shopping space, and the construction of additional parking garages has expanded vehicle capacity to 7,052.

But the mall still needed some work, said Rogalski, who has managed the facility for a dozen years. “We’re working on a major renovation now, retiling the whole center. We’re redoing the wood trim, replacing the wooden handrails with metal handrails, upgrading restrooms, and putting in a new guest-services area.”

Other changes will include refacing the mall’s signature glass elevator, new directional signage in the hallways, a continuation of energy-efficient lighting upgrades, new interior landscaping, and what’s known in the industry as ‘soft seating areas’ to help guests relax and extend their stay.

“It’s a pretty significant renovation. People will notice,” Rogalski said, adding that the work is largely taking place overnight so as not to disrupt shoppers. During BusinessWest’s visit, much of the the top floor had been torn out, awaiting new white tile, and fire alarms were being tested in the future location of Michael Kors.

He added that customer feedback has guided some of the changes, and mall management is also listening when it comes to future additions — including, perhaps, a movie theater. The Ingleside Eight Screen Cinema, which opened in 1979 and was located downstairs, beside the current food court, was shuttered in 1998.

“Of [Pyramid’s] 14 enclosed centers, we are one of two that does not have a movie theater. That’s definitely in the cards somewhere down the road for us,” he said, noting, however, that the mall is currently about 95% leased. “In one regard, that’s a good thing. But in another, it’s not so good, because we need to create space to include a movie theater. We’d be fine from a parking aspect; it’s a matter of getting contiguous space to do a theater.”

Pyramid is exploring other entertainment options as well, Rogalski added. “There’s always a buzz that gets created when we bring in new stores, restaurants, or entertainment. A lot of the changes happen gradually, but it’s always good to add new blood.”

Holyoke Mall, which attracts between 18 million and 19 million visitors a year, saw a downturn when the economy went south six years ago, but the hit wasn’t as severe as it was for retail centers in other regions.

“That’s probably more a reflection of Western Mass. as a whole as related to the general economy. Maybe because it’s our Yankee roots’ we’re a bit more conservative,” he noted. “When the nation is on a high, we don’t hit the high peaks; we roll a little bit below that. And when the nation hits lows, we roll a little bit above that; we skew more along the center line and don’t waver too far. That’s not to say we don’t have ups and downs, but they’re not as dramatic.”

Rather, the dramatic shifts come with the seasons, especially the holiday rush, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, when many retailers find out whether they will turn a profit for the year.

“We’re in our second-best season now, back-to-school time,” Rogalski said. “Then we’ll have a little dip, accentuated by having the Big E for three weeks, drawing everyone’s attention. We certainly don’t shut down, but we feel the impact. Then we ramp up for the holidays. It’s a critical time, and it has been extended with the advent of gift cards — now it really flows into the end of December and the beginning of January.”

He added that malls tend to be slaves to the weather, citing a downturn in sales due to this year’s harsh, extended winter. “That impacted spring sales because people just weren’t in the mood. That’s one thing we can’t control.”

Gauging the Future

There’s plenty that malls can control, however, and it’s critical that they keep an eye on trends that have battered some shopping centers and helped others.

On the plus side for Holyoke Mall is its enviable location at the crossroads of two major interstates. While malls located away from highways have struggled in recent decades, Ingleside’s location draws shoppers from as far away as New York to the west, Hartford to the south, Worcester to the east, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north. “We are at the intersection of 90 and 91,” Rogalski said. “Pyramid definitely paid attention to Marketing 101: location, location, location.”

America’s first enclosed mall, Southdale Center in Edina, Minn., was a true innovation in the way it invited people to browse, eat, hang out with friends, or just wander about. Early malls encouraged walking by placing anchor stores as far apart as possible, forcing visitors to pass dozens of small shops.

The model caught on big time, and the number of regional malls more than doubled from 1973 to 2006, topping 1,500 nationally, according to CoStar Realty Information. But since 2006, only one traditional enclosed mall has been built, in Salt Lake City. Analysts point to a number of factors hurting enclosed malls, from the growing popularity of smaller outdoor shopping centers to the rise in e-commerce.

But Pyramid has been proactive with freshening up a number of its properties, Rogalski said, including Walden Galleria near Buffalo, N.Y., Destiny USA in Syracuse, N.Y., Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., and, of course, Ingleside.

Of course, no property that’s been around as long as Holyoke Mall will look much like it did 35 years ago, if only because the retail world is constantly in flux. Of the original 125 stores at Ingleside, only a few remain, including anchors JCPenney and Sears, as well as American Eagle Outfitters, Deb, Foot Locker, General Nutrition, Kay Jewelers, Motherhood Maternity, and Radio Shack.

Enclosed malls have been hurt by the decline of traditional anchors; Holyoke’s other two original anchors, G. Fox and Steiger’s, are long gone. But at the same time, the definition of an anchor has broadened significantly, and Holyoke Mall now boasts 12 anchors after launching with only four.

“We were probably the first developer out there that saw value in bringing in big-box retail,” Rogalski said. “Some said it can’t be done, that they want to be in strip locations, pad locations. But now you see the Targets, the Best Buys, you see Babies R Us, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, those type of retailers. We thought they would be successful in a closed shopping center, and they’ve been wildly successful.

“Sometimes it takes retailers a while to think out of the box and get them out of their comfort zone,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, this is the Northeast; we aren’t sunny and 70 degrees 12 months of the year. It’s a nice convenience for shoppers to have all this under one roof.”

That kind of convenience, he said, will continue to make the Holyoke Mall a destination, especially given its prime location at the crossroads of the Pioneer Valley.

“It’s easy to get to, easy to park, easy to walk,” Rogalski said. “It definitely is an attraction.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Commonwealth to Purchase Knowledge Corridor Rail Line

By BusinessWest Staff August 21, 2014

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

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

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.

Building Permits

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

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

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

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

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.”

Court Dockets

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

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

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

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.

Ludlow Mills Riverwalk Project Moves Forward

By BusinessWest Staff August 5, 2014

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

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

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.”

Doing Business as Certificates

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

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

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

A New Reality?

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

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

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

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

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

Holyoke Mall Marks 35 Years

By BusinessWest Staff July 28, 2014

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

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

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.

Company Notebook

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.”

Court Dockets

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Laura Zych v. Complete Restoration Solutions Inc.
Allegation: Negligence and failure to warn of accumulation of liquid on floor causing a slip and fall: $3,608.57
Filed: 6/11/14

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Jennifer Atlee and Marko Packard v. Michael G. John d/b/a Excavating, Etc. and Timothy E. Maginnis
Allegation: Negligence in the design and installation of a septic system: $28,000
Filed: 6/10/14

Kevin Davis, as parent of Nicole Davis, and Leah Davis v. Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort Inc.
Allegation: Failure to properly supervise a whitewater rafting trip and failure to respond to a medical emergency involving the minor plaintiff: $50,000
Filed: 6/6/14

Laura Doull, et al v. Anna C. Foster, N.P. and Robert J. Miller, M.D.
Allegation: Failure to adequately monitor and document dosage of progesterone therapy leading to right heart failure, severe VTE due to thrombophilia ascribed to progesterone: $1,000,000+
Filed: 5/15/14

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
M. Solomon Casket Co. of Rhode Island Inc. v. Fiske Funeral Home Inc., d/b/a Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $18,235.99
Filed: 6/9/14

Western Mass Electric Co. v. Somerset Long Term Care, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of electrical services provided: $24,795.63
Filed: 5/2/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Bakaert Corp. v. Rene America Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $27,579.93
Filed: 6/14/14

City of Springfield v. MGB Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $59,750
Filed: 6/9/14

Pedro T. Perez v. Pascacio Reynoso and Springfield Homeowners Assoc. Inc.
Allegation: Misrepresentation in the sale of a business and breach of contract: $130,000
Filed: 5/30/14

Raymond St. Hilaire v. Western MA Environmental, LLC
Allegation: Negligence and breach of warranty in connection with remediation work done at the plaintiff’s residence: $100,000+
Filed: 5/30/14

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Elena Reyes v. Premier Plus Consulting, LLC and Raymona Dube
Allegation: Defendant accepted payment for services they failed to provide: $5,495
Filed: 5/23/14

Jennifer P. Kalvinek v. Oscar Reyes d/b/a Reyes Auto Sales
Allegation: Fraudulent sale of vehicle, odometer fraud, breach of Truth in Lending Act: $20,000
Filed: 6/9/14

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Adler Tank Rentals, LLC v. GML Construction Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,817.51
Filed: 6/17/14

Country Development Corp. v. Maureen Basile d/b/a Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $11,957.30
Filed: 6/3/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Islam Agayev, a minor, by his parents and next friends, Ravshan Agayev and Dilbar Takhsilova v. Everett Beird, Eric Fleming, 3PD Inc., and Tony Walters Services
Allegation: Negligence causing the minor plaintiff to be struck by a refrigerator falling off of a truck: $60,000
Filed: 5/1/14

M.B. Haynes Corp. v. Alliance Medical Gas Corp.
Allegation: Enforcement of a previous judgment: $14,781.74
Filed: 5/19/14

Western Mass Electric Co. v. Ronald H. Lynde, Roy Bros. Inc., and Safety Insurance Co.
Allegation: Defendant struck and damaged plaintiff’s electrical facilities and failed to make a reasonable offer of settlement: $9,755.34
Filed: 5/15/14

Into the Unknown

Cover Story

All Bets Are Off on the State’s Casino Referendum

Paul Robbins calls it “casino fatigue.”

He describes this condition as being burned out by the long, drawn-out, often controversial process of bringing casino gambling to the Bay State, to the point where this frustration will manifest itself at the polls in November when state residents will vote on a referendum that will decide the fate of the industry here.

“You may have voters who say, ‘you know what? This was an experiment, it came and went, it’s a mixed bag, there’s a lot of questions … let’s just vote ‘no,’” said Robbins, principal with the marketing and public relations firm Paul Robbins Associates, adding quickly that the amount of casino fatigue that exists now — and will exist come Nov. 4 — is one of a great many unknowns when it comes to what will be perhaps the most expensive and most closely watched referendum vote in the state’s history.

Some others? Here’s just a short list:

• Will the casino operators come together and form an effective coalition to fight the referendum question?
• How hard will Mohegan Sun — which has proposed a casino at Suffolk Downs in Revere, but is the short answer to the question ‘who benefits most if the anti-casino forces prevail?’ because of its operation in Connecticut — fight to win this referendum battle?
• How will area communities (like Longmeadow and Northampton) that are not necessarily happy with MGM’s plans for a casino in Springfield, or the way they’ve been treated by the company, vote come November?
• How will MGM, which has drawn considerable praise for the campaign to win the vote in Springfield and then the Western Mass. license, scale up its campaign and make it statewide?
• How prominently will Springfield, the only community with a casino license, and its story, involving everything from high unemployment to tornado damage, be on display in this campaign? And how will that story be received?
• How will the highly publicized struggles of the casino industry in Atlantic City — several facilities have closed or gone bankrupt in recent months — play into the equation in Massachusetts?
• How will the casino referendum impact the many political races on the ballot this fall, from the governor’s contest to the pitched battle for the Senate seat being vacated by Gail Candaras?
• How will the confusing nature of the question itself — a ‘yes’ vote means opposition to casinos and a ‘no’ vote means you support them — impact the outcome?
• What will ultimately determine how this casino vote will go?

Mike Mathis, like Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, used the word ‘grassroots’ early and often as he talked about the upcoming campaign concerning the casino referendum question.

Many of these questions are not yet answerable, but BusinessWest put them to a host of key players, including analysts like Robbins and Tony Cignoli, president of A.L. Cignoli Co.; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Mike Mathis, president of MGM Springfield; and others.

They are, for the most part, predicting a close contest, one where Springfield’s story will get a considerable amount of play, and one where the outcome will likely be determined by how effective the rival camps are at getting their points across and separating fact from conjecture — words that have different meanings to different people.

For example, Mathis noted, casino opponents and some analysts say that economic conditions have changed considerably since the gaming legislation was passed in 2011, and believe there is sentiment that casinos are no longer needed as a stimulus for jobs and economic development. But Mathis said that whatever progress has been made is more or less confined to the eastern part of the state, and conditions elsewhere, and especially Springfield, remain dire.

“In November 2011, the state’s unemployment rate was 7%. Today, it’s about 5.5% across the state, but lower in the east, so clearly the Greater Boston area is in the middle of a recovery,” he explained. “In November 2011, the unemployment rate in Springfield was 10.5%, and today, it’s still 10.5%, and across the region it’s probably 7.5%. It’s great that the rest of the state is recovering, but Springfield still needs this economic injection.”

Cignoli said that sentiment has been borne out in some recent headlines, such as those from North Adams — the mayor there said the fiscally struggling city was “one cycle away from Detroit” — and suggested that a case can, and will, be made that cities and towns need casino revenue.

Tony Cignoli says Western Mass., and especially the city of Springfield, will likely play a big role in the upcoming referendum fight.

“I can see the gaming folks showing up in North Adams and saying, ‘gosh, we realize that you’re about to go under; you’re one year away from insolvency,’” he said. “They can make a case to the people of North Adams — ‘here’s your salvation, here’s that chunk of change you need.’”

Overall, there is no shortage of speculation concerning this referendum and the factors that will determine the outcome. For this issue, BusinessWest takes an indepth look at the many nuances of this critical moment in the state’s history and what will likely determine the fate of the casino industry in the Commonwealth.

Playing the Odds

Mathis told BusinessWest that MGM has not faced a referendum question quite like the one in Massachusetts — where companies that have earned licenses can have them swept away by a vote of the residents — but it has confronted statewide votes on casino issues, such as a recent, hotly contested bid to expand gaming in Maryland with a sixth license in Prince George’s County.

MGM learned a number of lessons from that campaign and others like it, he said, including several involving not underestimating the opposition — and the many forms it takes.

Indeed, he noted that, in addition to in-state opponents to the planned expansion, there were casino rivals in neighboring states that had a vested interest in the outcome, and thus injected themselves into the fray by secretly funneling money to those opposing the measure.

“When the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled that this question could go on the ballot, there were lawmakers and different businesses in Connecticut and Rhode Island that were given a real gift — the possibility that they can keep their operations in full force and Massachusetts would continue to give them hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues and tens of thousands of jobs,” he said. “We are very concerned about the outside influences that may impact this campaign and try to protect their own across state lines.

“Foxwoods is looking for a potential license in the southeast part of the state, and Mohegan is looking for a license in Boston, but a facility like Twin River in Rhode Island has no conflict of interest — they clearly want this law to go away so their slots facility can continue to generate the millions of dollars of revenue that they see,” Mathis went on. “So there’s a real potential for outside influence, and I suspect it will come through late financial contributions to casino opponents, and it will come in such a form that you won’t find out where the money came from until after the race is over.”

But outside influence is just one of many factors that those we spoke with believe could possibly determine the outcome of the referendum question. Others range from the amount of money that will be spent to present both sides of the argument to the tone of the messages that are sent, to that aforementioned ‘casino fatigue’ and just how much of it exists.

The most recent polls, including one conducted by the Boston Globe just before the SJC’s decision on the referendum, show there that there is still support for casinos in the state, with more than 50% of those queried backing the licensing of up to three facilities.

But Robbins said the poll numbers can, and often do, change quickly in the heat of campaigns. He noted that the numbers on this referendum are narrowing and that opposition forces have certainly picked up momentum in recent months, in part because of changing economic conditions since the legislation was passed, and also because casinos in other states are struggling.

But there are other factors in play as well, he said, noting that casino operators made a number of mistakes during the licensing-contest portion of this process that have cast the industry in a more negative light. He lists everything from Hard Rock’s proposal to place a casino on the Big E grounds — a plan that drew considerable criticism inside and outside West Springfield — to what he considers Mohegan Sun’s bungling of its plans to place a casino off Turnpike exit 8, a gambit that ended abruptly when Palmer voters narrowly rejected the proposal last November.

Paul Robbins says the so-called ‘casino fatigue’ factor is one of many unknowns going into what is expected to be an intense campaign leading up to the referendum question.

“Somehow, Mohegan took a consistent 20-point lead in polling over the past two years and lost a nail-biter — by less than one percentage point,” Robbins wrote in a recent blog post titled “The Massachusetts Casino Wars.”

“Some of this was just bad communications or a lack of communications,” he went on. “Mohegan presented its casino renderings — affectionately called by some opponents ‘the spaceship,’ because it looked like one and it landed in front of voters with no input from the local community. Mohegan also promoted one of the traffic options being a five-lane access road — communicating this proudly on the front of mailers to residents living in a two-lane, rural community. Not terribly smart.”

Robbins said the fate of the referendum may come down to how deep — and effective — a coalition of supporters becomes. And he threw into question, as other analysts have, just how hard Mohegan Sun will fight for this question.

“They’re conflicted, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “At the end of the day, they’re the ones that stand to benefit most if gaming is defeated.”

Mathis concurred. “What Mohegan is proposing at Suffolk Downs is a $1 billion facility; what they have in Connecticut is a $5 billion facility,” he explained. “They pay an 18% tax rate in Connecticut, and in Massachusetts they would pay a 25% tax rate — anyone can do the math. I think they do want a presence in Boston, and I think they are fighting hard for that license, but at the same time, I don’t think they’d be harmed if, at the end of the day, they didn’t have that license.”

Dicey Situation

Overall, Mathis expects the emergence of a broad pro-casino coalition, one that will involve not only the casino operators, but also labor groups, business and economic-development organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, and elected leaders in communities, like Springfield, that have the most at stake.

“The issue for us it to make it as broad as we can and make sure that all the different supporters who have a stake in this are part of the effort,” he explained. “When most people think about a coalition, they think about MGM Springfield and the other casino applicants, but that’s secondary to us; what we’re attempting to do is build a coalition around Massachusetts stakeholders who are already here.

“We compete for these licenses from time to time, and we understand that we go in not knowing if we’re going to be successful or not,” he went on. “Frankly, we can afford to lose and life will go on for us, and we’ll do it again in another jurisdiction, probably internationally. But what we’ll leave behind is a great gateway city like Springfield that is in the middle of a renaissance partly inspired by what we’re trying to do downtown. Those are the people that the rest of the Massachusetts residents need to hear from.”

Sarno agreed. He expects that the city’s story — all of it, from its economic struggles to its resiliency in the face of natural disasters — will be a big factor in the referendum battle. And he believes the task at hand is to convince those who don’t want a casino in their backyard that there will be benefits — for the state, this region, and especially Springfield — to putting one in someone else’s backyard.

“What’s important for people across the state to know is that, in Springfield, we’re trying to stand on our two feet, and that’s not easy because we don’t get a tremendous amount of unrestricted government or local aid,” he explained. “We have to send out a heartfelt message that, while someone may not want a casino in their community, this is important for our city, it’s an outside-the-box proposal, and it’s woven into the fabric and the mosaic of Springfield.”

MGM’s $800 million casino plan translates to $25 million in direct aid to Springfield each year, he went on, as well as 2,500 to 3,000 permanent jobs, a unique opportunity to revitalize 15 blighted, tornado-ravaged acres in the South End, and a real chance to move the city out of decades of stagnation. And he believes that story will resonate around the Commonwealth.

As they talked about the campaign ahead, Mathis and Sarno made repeated use of the word ‘grassroots.’ They said this was the tone of the initiative that was successful in Springfield, and it will be scaled up and taken statewide.

“The Springfield campaign was door-to-door, and we think that’s the key to a successful campaign statewide,” Mathis explained. “The question is how do you scale it up, and how do you make sure that the rest of the state, which isn’t directly impacted by all the great things that are happening in Springfield, understands at least how important it is to Springfield.

“We’re going to do that in a number of ways,” he went on. “Most importantly, we’re going to go back to our supporters in Springfield and Western Mass. and make sure that they’re engaged and they’re talking to their friends and neighbors and colleagues across the state about how important this industry and this development is to them; it’s as simple as that.”

Elaborating, he said the broad strategy will boil down to two primary missions: educating and communicating.

“This is a new industry in Massachusetts, so what we did in Springfield was educate them about the industry, which is not the old industry,” he told BusinessWest. “What the antis [opponents] want to do is put us in a box and rely on old, tired stereotypes. We at MGM are a Fortune 500, international hospitality company; we got that message across in Springfield, and we need help getting that message out to the rest of the state.”

Bill Mandel, a professor of Political Science at Western New England University who believes that pro-casino forces will prevail come November, said one key for gaming supporters is to drive home all the economic-development aspects of their argument and convince voters in every corner of the state that this is a critical matter for some communities — like Springfield.

“Leaders in Springfield really need to go out and sell this to the rest of the state as something that we need and want,” he explained. They need to go out there and say ‘we want it,’ and explain to the people of Arlington, Belmont, and Foxborough that, while it may seem abstract to them, it’s very important to us. That may be a critical strategy.”

Playing Their Cards Right

Cignoli told BusinessWest that, while there are many question marks concerning the upcoming referendum fight, some things are known.

For starters, it appears certain that the turnout will be high — perhaps record-setting, given the casino question and a number of high-profile races, especially the one for governor. What isn’t known, although there is speculation, is which side gets helped the most by that turnout.

Robbins said conventional wisdom holds that the side that spends the most money benefits from a high turnout. However, Cignoli said a high turnout generally brings out opponents.

What’s also certain is that this will be a lucrative year for the media, with the pro-casino forces expected to spend heavily on print, radio, television, and social media to get their message across, said Cignoli, who projects that $10 million and perhaps much more could be spent on the casino referendum, because of the stakes involved.

“There’s so much on the line, not only for the developers, but all the people around them who will try to motivate this issue,” he explained. “There are the political consultants, the lawyers, the lobbyists — this has been a full-employment bonanza for a lot of these people, especially in the Boston area. So they’re going to double down, no pun intended, and go the full nine yards.”

And he expects the Western Mass. market to get a decent share of that windfall, because he believes this region will play an important role in this contest, even though the vast majority of votes are concentrated in the eastern part of the state.

“It’s going to be close, so that means every vote is going to count,” he explained. “It’s polling 50-50 right now, and in a tight race, you have to pay attention to Western Mass., especially because of the urban base in Springfield, which can turn out a significant vote. You need every single vote you can get in Western Mass.”

And to get votes, in this region and elsewhere, Cignoli believes the pro-casino forces will lean heavily on MGM and the strategy that worked well for it in Springfield — primarily a focus on jobs, economic development, and revitalizing the tornado-ravaged South End — as well as Penn National’s slots parlor in Plainville, which is already under construction.

“MGM ran a fantastic public-relations campaign leading up to Sarno choosing them to move forward,” said Cignoli, “and they ran a very good referendum campaign. So you can use the better elements of that out and about and in the other 350 cities and towns. They were textbook perfect in their campaign in Springfield — can that translate and help them elsewhere? That’s the big question.

“Also, Penn National will be front and center as well,” he continued. “They won a license for slots, and they’re in the ground. They’re pouring concrete, you can see cranes, you can see jobs, you can see economic impact already.”

But while the stories in Springfield and Plainville may sway some of the voters in communities not directly impacted by casinos, the question of ‘what’s in this for me?’ may ultimately decide how this referendum question goes, he went on.

“That’s the big litmus test this year,” he told BusinessWest. “If I live in Pittsfield, North Adams, or Fall River, what’s in this for me? Why should I care if this benefits Revere, Everett, Greater Boston, Springfield, or Plainville? You have to motivate those voters in those other places.

“And if you’re a proponent of casinos, you have to worry about the parochial aspects of this,” he went on. “Longmeadow may be getting a settlement from MGM, but do the people there really want this? This is their first opportunity to vote for or against this. And in Northampton, there’s always been that rivalry with Springfield, and Northampton has been out there very clearly with their concerns about a revival in Springfield and MGM in Springfield and what that means to their nightlife and their entertainment district. Casino proponents have to make a case to everyone and explain what’s in it for them.”

Cignoli told BusinessWest, and several other media outlets, that conventional wisdom suggests that it’s easier to secure ‘no’ votes in such referendum questions, and in this case, ‘no’ is a vote against casinos.

But Mandel said that conventional wisdom may not apply in this case, because of the many factors mentioned earlier, and especially the large amounts of money that pro-casino forces will spend to get their messages out.

“There’s a good amount of time left, and there’s going to be a lot of money thrown into this,” he noted. “Any thoughts right now as to how this may go might well be off the mark.”

No Sure Bets

There is considerable time before November, leaving plenty of opportunities for speculation about the vote and what might drive its outcome.

What’s certain is that this will be a high-profile, high-stakes contest, where, as Cignoli suggested, all the parties involved will be doubling down.

That’s because, when this is over, all the chips will be in the middle of the table, and the winner really will take all. n

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

Community Spotlight: East Longmeadow

Community Spotlight Features

Balanced Growth Continues in East Longmeadow

Paul Federici says a favorable business climate bodes well for further economic development in East Longmeadow.

Paul Federici says East Longmeadow has undergone a growth spurt over the past several years, and the trend is continuing.

“The town has been fortunate to have new developments in both our residential and commercial areas,” said the clerk of the Board of Selectmen. “Real estate has picked up tremendously in terms of new construction as well as sales of existing homes, and there has also been a steady increase in commercial growth.”

He attributes the upswing to the availability of property, East Longmeadow’s favorable business climate, and the town’s many amenities. “Businesses and individuals like what we have to offer, and our single tax rate is a big incentive for businesses to move here. We’ve never had a serious discussion about changing the rate because town officials want to keep business owners happy and give them the ability to grow without additional tax burdens. Plus, residents and employees can take advantage of our restaurants, shops, and businesses.”

Robyn Macdonald agrees. “The school system is great, and the town is very safe. The crime rate is very, very low,” said the director of Planning, Zoning, and Conservation. “The single tax rate has a lot to do with the increase in business.”

This business growth is important because East Longmeadow suffered a loss of tax revenue during the recession. “We had a severe slowdown of residential building after the downturn in the economy,” Federici said. “A number of businesses moved out of our industrial area or ceased to operate, and the Appropriations Committee had to tighten their purse strings.”

Although the town fared better than others of its size, Macdonald added, foreclosures occurred for the first time in years. “There were also fears that other businesses would be forced to leave.”

But that has changed, and a surge in balanced growth has helped to improve East Longmeadow’s financial outlook. “Last year, the town was given a triple-A rating by Standard & Poor,” Federici said, referring to the upgrade in long-term bond rating from AA to AA+.

Federici credits the strong fiscal rating in part to dedicated efforts by the Appropriations Committee and town department heads to adhere to tight budgetary constraints while retaining high standards, which include working closely with new businesses to minimize the pain of relocating to the community or opening new.

“Building Commissioner Dan Hellyer does an outstanding job of helping builders get permits and other things they need, which range from utilities to curb cuts,” he said.

As a result, the landscape continues to evolve. “I’ve lived here since 1996, worked in East Longmeadow since 1986, and have witnessed tremendous growth over the years,” said Federici. “We foresee it continuing because we have a favorable business climate.”

Altered Landscape

Roughly 70% of the town is zoned for residential use, and a number of new, high-end housing developments have taken root over the past few years.

“It’s good to see so many developers have confidence in East Longmeadow and are willing to put their shovels in the ground and build houses in anticipation of selling them,” Federici said.

Al Joyce, president of Rose Bud Builders of East Longmeadow, said his company has a new subdivision on Wisteria Lane, off Somers Road (Route 83). “It contains eight lots. Five homes have been built and sold, and the remaining three are under construction,” he said.

In addition, the Great Woods development of single-family homes on Shaker Road and Prospect Street continues to expand. “Phase 11 is almost complete, and we are anticipating Phase 12,” Macdonald said.

Meanwhile, Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction Co. also has a new subdivision called Bella Vista that contains 30 lots, and Macdonald said the homes are all large, with five bedrooms.

“A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held after the first one was completed about 18 months ago, and they are selling as fast as they are built; prices start at about $500,000, and demand continues to be strong,” Federici said.

“Families see East Longmeadow as a good place to live and buy a home. It is a growing community with a great school system and a busy rotary area filled with shops and restaurants,” he added, noting that a new high school has been proposed as well.

Town officials are also happy that Bay Path University in Longmeadow has chosen to expand its campus to East Longmeadow. It is building a new, two-story, 56,000-square-foot structure that will be called the Center for Graduate Studies in Health Sciences; construction is underway, with a completion date expected in early 2015.

“It will be prestigious to have their graduate-studies program here, and it’s also nice to see a parcel of land that sat vacant for many years put to such a good use,” Macdonald said. “The building will be absolutely gorgeous and fits in well with the neighborhood, as there is a residential area across the street and subdivisions on the other side of it.”

Federici agrees. “It’s wonderful that they have chosen to expand from Longmeadow to East Longmeadow, and the college is already doing a lot for us,” he said, noting that Bay Path has made a commitment to provide the town with an annual payment (as a nonprofit, it is exempt from paying taxes), and plans to offer scholarships to East Longmeadow High School graduates and town employees.

Growth is also occurring a short distance away in the town’s Industrial Garden district. A vacant building on 126 Industrial Dr. was given new life when it was purchased by the Arbors Kids two years ago. “They renovated it and have been very successful. They offer full-time day care, after-school care, and summer camps, which is a great addition to the town,” Federici said, adding that, a short distance away, a new self-storage facility is also in the initial phase of construction.

Go Graphics is another firm that finds East Longmeadow attractive. It relocated from a shopping plaza on North Main Street to a 5,000-square-foot space on Benton Drive in the industrial park. “The company that was in the space before them left because they downsized, and Go Graphics took advantage of the opportunity to move there, which gave them room to expand,” Federici said.

Nearby, he added, the Deer Park section of the Industrial Garden district is also growing. “GMH Fence relocated from Parker Street to a space on Benton Road as they needed more space.”

Change has also taken place in the town center. “Bentley’s Bistro on North Main Street just celebrated its one-year anniversary, and Baystate Rug opened next door about a month ago,” Federici said, adding that the side of the building that houses Bentley’s had been vacant for close to a year, and the portion that is home to Baystate Rug had been empty for almost two years.

The former Spoleto’s restaurant building at 84 Center Square has also changed hands. It was sold to its long-term managers, has reopened as Center Square Grill, and has a staff of about 75 employees.

And Macdonald said a new gas station and convenience store have been approved at the corner of Chestnut Street and Shaker Road on an empty piece of property. “It will contain a 6,500-square-foot building,” she told BusinessWest.

Housing options for older adults are also expanding. The Fields at Chestnut, a condominium association with individual homes for people age 55 and over, continues to grow. “It’s in Phase 5. Most of the homes contain 2,200 square feet, and they are sold as fast as they are built,” Macdonald said.

The town also boasts a new assisted-living facility. Emeritus at East Longmeadow opened a few weeks ago on the grounds of the former Bluebird Acres apple orchard on Parker Street. The property had been vacant for a number of years, and Federici said it offers assisted-living apartments as well as a unit for people with dementia. “It is a well-staffed facility,” he told BusinessWest.

Solid Base

Federici is happy about the surge in residential and commercial activity, especially since East Longmeadow does not have an economic-development director and the marketing budget is limited.

“The town is definitely on the upswing, and the growth is balanced,” he said. “New businesses and families are moving here, and we still have our stalwarts — Lenox and Hasbro. Lenox has been growing and has spent tens of millions of dollars on their facility and training for their employees in the last decade.

“There is still plenty of open land and space available,” he went on. “The town has a lot to offer, and the future looks bright.”

East Longmeadow at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1894
Population: 15,720 (2010)
Area: 13 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $20.47
Commercial Tax Rate: $20.47
Median Household Income: $62,680 (2010)
Family Household Income: $70,571 (2010)
Type of government: Open Town Meeting; Board of Selectmen
Largest Employers: Hasbro Games, Lenox, Lower Pioneer Valley Educational, Redstone

* Latest information available

Fine Lines

Architecture Sections

Kuhn Riddle Continues to Build on a Solid Foundation

By KEVIN FLANDERS

John Kuhn, president of Kuhn Riddle Architects

When local architects John Kuhn and Chris Riddle began their first project together in 1978, they never imagined it would lead to a thriving partnership.

In fact, they had no idea where it would take them. But success, they’ve learned, is a lot like architecture — you start off with a foundation and steadily build your way upward.

Kuhn and Riddle made a risky decision back in 1978, quitting their jobs after receiving a $500 commission to complete a sketch for the Northampton Armory. Kuhn admits it wasn’t one of their most calculated moves, but looking back on it almost 40 years later, he realizes their decision built the foundation for what would eventually become Kuhn Riddle Architects (KRA), one of the most successful firms in the area.

“We were working for a firm in Springfield at the time and carpooling together,” recalls Kuhn, president of the Amherst-based firm. “We’d been talking about what it might be like to get work on our own, and then we saw an article about the building being renovated in Northampton. If we’d known better, who knew what would have happened?”

Fast-forward 36 years — past the initial years of uncertainty, past the fire that engulfed one of KRA’s early buildings, past the painstaking process of building not only structures but relationships — and the firm is prospering in a challenging climate. With 16 employees, it isn’t the largest or smallest firm around, which Kuhn believes is conducive for success in projects of varying scales.

“It’s been a spotty market, and we’ve been fortunate to stay fairly busy,” he told BusinessWest. “Being profitable in a competitive industry is a challenge, and you have to work hard to keep work coming through the door. We’re big enough that we can handle larger projects, but small enough where everyone still wears a lot of hats.”

Kuhn estimates that the firm completes between 50 and 100 projects a year, many of them involving major renovation and reuse efforts. This year, KRA designed renovations for the building that formerly housed the First Baptist Church of Amherst — which now serves as non-academic offices for Amherst College — in addition to renovating an Easthampton mill into affordable housing units and redesigning a Springfield building for National Public Radio.

With dozens of old, once-bustling buildings now sitting dark and abandoned, New England towns are perfect for renovation projects that save structures and money. Like many area architectural firms, KRA has mastered the ability to modernize and repurpose old buildings that would otherwise remain blights on their communities and eventually be torn down.

“Redevelopment and adaptive reuse of buildings brings a lot of work for us,” said Kuhn, who remembers being excited about architecture ever since he took a mechanical drawing class back in high school. “Oftentimes, a building will be renovated for a completely different use. The Amherst College project is a good example; it was once a church and is now used for office space.”

For this issue and its focus on architecture, BusinessWest goes behind the scenes at KRA to see how it takes concepts off the drawing board, or the computer screen, as the case may be, and makes them reality.

Growth — by Design

The building in which Kuhn and his staff work each day is also a testament to the power of redevelopment. The Amherst Cinema Building at 28 Amity St., which houses the KRA offices, Amherst Cinema, Arise Pub and Pizzeria, GoBerry Frozen Yogurt, and HB Financial, among other businesses, has become a major recreational and commercial hub in downtown Amherst. But it wasn’t always that way — many residents recall the building’s former distress before KRA completely overhauled it in 2006.

“The building was an empty black hole, a dead zone in the middle of town,” said Kuhn, who described the 28 Amity St. renovation as the most personally rewarding project in his career. “We were able to renovate it into a mixed-use building that everyone can enjoy. It was rewarding for us to transform a building that served no purpose into a vital part of the town center.”

The renovated Amherst Cinema Building is now one of the highlights of downtown Amherst and home to KRA’s offices.

For local business and civic leaders, the project was not only a restoration, but a reclamation. Don Courtemanche, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, described the work Kuhn and his staff put into the building as a major revitalization effort for the town and region.

“The building had fallen on hard times and was in desperate need of reinvention,” said Courtemanche. “Now it’s one of the most active parcels of real estate in downtown Amherst thanks to John’s design and vision for what it could look like. He took the project on full speed ahead, and the building has become a mixed-use, vibrant powerhouse of downtown activity.”

The project also emphasized Kuhn’s belief in the importance of strengthening cities and towns at their cores by renovating and redeveloping in downtown sections, as opposed to taking on multiple projects calling for new construction at the fringes of towns that offer few geographical benefits.

‘If it’s old and broken, fix it up’ would be a fitting summary of KRA’s stance on redevelopment — and at 28 Amity St., arguably the new heart of downtown Amherst, the benefits and opportunities are endless, even after normal business hours.

“The building doesn’t go dark at five o’clock like a lot of downtown buildings. With the cinema and the shops, it’s alive even on weeknights and weekends,” Courtemanche added.

Yet another advantage for Kuhn to renovating the building that would house his firm’s offices was the ability to include details to enable his employees to maximize their production each day. With spacious rooms and high ceilings comprised of the original beams and trusses, the building has a historical yet modern air, far removed from the standard office environment.

“It was a great opportunity for us to design our office and create new workspace,” Kuhn said.

Building Solid Relationships

A successful career can often distance business leaders from their early adversities, but Kuhn still remembers the struggles he and Riddle endured, the ones they had to persist through in order to build their firm into its current incarnation. Their first few projects were completed out of a cramped, rented space in 1978.

“That’s how we got started,” said Kuhn, “in someone else’s office” — until they partnered with Bill Gillen and began to establish an identity in the community. In November 1989, a fire totaled their office and forced the staff to move to another building. On several occasions thereafter, business threatened to dry up, but through it all Kuhn and Riddle stuck together and used their struggles as learning tools.

“We always had a solid relationship, both professional and personal,” Kuhn said of Riddle, who is now retired. “We were different, we worked well together, and I don’t think we ever said an angry word to each other in all of those years.”

This rendering shows an interior view of the renovated Fuller Block in downtown Springfield, which will house National Public Radio.

One of the most important lessons Kuhn and Riddle learned during their challenging years was the value of building lasting relationships. Recently, KRA has completed several projects for Yankee Candle, a relationship that has strengthened with each new endeavor. Local high schools and universities are also a wellspring for annual construction opportunities, as they are constantly expanding and evolving to better serve their student populations.

“For us, it’s more about looking for clients rather than projects,” said Kuhn, whose portfolio also includes the $22 million expansion and renovation of Amherst Regional High School and extensive work at River’s Landing Complex in Springfield. “We like to establish long-term relationships with companies and institutions. A primary source of work for us has been repeat customers.”

It’s always difficult to predict the future when it comes to the construction industry, but Kuhn anticipates housing will dominate KRA’s focus over the next five years. In a bustling college town like Amherst where apartment units don’t go vacant for very long, student housing is always a hot topic, but it’s become even more of a focal point in an economy that has seen student costs soar. There will also be an increased need, Kuhn believes, for affordable-housing opportunities for families living in and around Amherst.

“Housing of various types will continue to be a challenge, especially student housing and affordable housing,” said Kuhn, whose firm is also working on a project at Springfield’s American International College, as well as a renovation to the Common School in Amherst. “Housing for retirees is also a huge, untapped market.”

Following the recent completion of a successful affordable-housing project in what has been a busy 2014 for KRA, the firm is eagerly anticipating the opening of 43 units at Olympia Oaks in town. The conversion of abandoned mills, warehouses, churches, and other defunct buildings into affordable-housing units and senior-living facilities has become a popular construction approach over the past 10 years, one that KRA and other firms have taken advantage of with their expertise in adaptive reuse.

“It’s nice to be as flexible as we are in the marketplace,” Kuhn said. “We can handle a range of different projects.”

Drawing on Experience

No matter how big or small the project, Kuhn and his staff are ready to tackle it, not simply with the goal of renovating or constructing buildings, but continuing to transform promising real estate into vital assets for area communities.

In a nutshell, this is what the company has built on that foundation that Kuhn and Riddle laid all those years ago — and continue to build today.

Urban Renewal

Architecture Sections

Jablonski DeVriese Architects Strives to Preserve the Past

Steve Jablonski, left, and Brian DeVriese say the Northeast offers a rich lode of opportunity in preservation and renovation work.

Their business cards read ‘preserve, adapt, renew.’ That’s the philosophy Stephen Jablonski and Brian DeVriese bring to each of their architectural projects — whenever possible, anyway.

Take, for example, the Clifford A. Phaneuf Environmental Center at Forest Park, which has housed the Environmental Center for Our Schools (ECOS) program — utilized by thousands of Springfield public-school students and teachers annually — since 1970.

The structure was built in the 1930s as a warming house for ice skaters, Jablonski said. “It was built by the Springfield DPW, right after the Depression, but it’s basically sat there for 70, 80 years without any renovation whatsoever.”

Hence the $2.5 million expansion and renovation expected to go out to bid to contractors soon. The plan is to update the building and bring it up to safety codes; provide space for revenue-generating activities during after-school hours, weekends, and the summer months; and incorporate ‘green’ technologies such as a hydro-geothermal HVAC system; cutting-edge insulation; and energy-efficient windows, all of which will contribute to the project’s LEED Silver rating.

“It’s a fairly major expansion and renovation,” Jablonski said before detailing how the design reflects all three elements of Jabonski DeVriese Architects.

“We’re preserving it, maintaining its character; we had to submit documentation to the Mass. Historical Commission,” he explained. “We’re adapting it because it wasn’t originally designed as an educational facility. And we’re renewing it by adding on and preparing for the future.”

Nearby, however, another project at Forest Park does none of those things. The firm has designed a new storage facility for the Bright Nights displays, which Spirit of Springfield had been keeping in a ramshackle horse barn.

“Preserve, adapt, renew isn’t practical in this case because all the posts are rotted, and there aren’t any character elements to this horse barn,” Jablonski said, although the new structure will include classrooms for a skills-training center for the manufacturing and contstruction trades, part of a federally funded workforce-training program that will involve local unions, Springfield Technical Community College, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, and the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County.

So, yes, there is some ‘adapting’ going on.

“It’s kind of a niche market that’s prevalent in Western Mass., and in the Northeast in general — historical-preservation projects, adapting, preserving, renewing,” Jablonski told BusinessWest. When he and DeVriese merged their solo practices in 2011, “we figured, well, everyone seems to have a specialty. We were trained to do anything. But people want to know if you have a specialty now.”

Simply put, he said, “we preserve old buildings. It’s something that’s really starting to grab hold in society. Preservation is good. People are moving back to urban areas. Mid-size cities that have architectural character, like Springfield, are on their way up, no matter what people say about the city. I live in Springfield, I was born here, and I’m a big fan of Springfield. That’s not to say that problems don’t exist, but it’s on its way up. ”

When some people see a neglected building, DeVriese added, their first instinct is to knock it down, but he and and his partner see potential — not just to maintain and enhance the strucutre’s architectural heritage, but to improve its environmental impact. “After all,” he said, quoting noted architect Carl Elefante, “the greenest building is the one already standing.”

For this issue’s focus on architecture, Jablonski and DeVriese talked with BusinessWest about some specific ways in which they’ve preserved some of the region’s heritage by putting their names to some truly unique projects.

Together Again

Jablonski had been working as a sole practitioner in Springfield since 1995, and DeVriese had managed a solo practice in Shelburne Falls since 1997, when they began collaborating on projects, notably the design of the Museum of Springfield History at the Quadrangle — a classic adaptive-reuse project, since it’s housed in a former Verizon office building.

“Steve approached me about helping with the Springfield Museums project, and that was a significant project for both of us,” said DeVriese. “We started doing more and more together over the years, and in 2011 we incorporated as partners. We were very, very busy at the time.”

For example, the museum project led to Springfield College hiring the firm for its complete renovation of Judd Gymnasia, renamed the Stitzer YMCA Center. For that design, Jablonski DeVries received the Paul E. Tsongas Award from Preservation Massachusetts, as well as the Springfield Preservation Trust Award for restoration and stewardship.

“For me, there was a lot more activity in this area than in Franklin County, an opportunity to work on larger projects with a longer duration,” DeVriese said. “I like Steve, and he’s great to work with.”

As for Jablonski, he said he’d occasionally been frustrated by a reluctance by state and municipal officials to award large contracts to solo architects — and he wanted an occasional day off. “For me, taking on a partner made a lot of sense, just having the ability to take a vacation and share the burden of production.

“To be honest, a lot of people advised me not to do it,” he continued. “To them, it was counterintuitive: ‘you started it, you should keep it to yourself and benefit from it.’ What they don’t realize is keeping it to yourself is not strategic; sure, you can keep it to yourself, and not get bigger projects, or run yourself into the ground because you can’t take vacations. You can have it all to yourself, but life isn’t as good.”

The pair made headlines soon after their merger when Springfield College — a long-time Jablonski client — tapped the firm to work with Erland Construction of East Windsor, Conn. to repair three residence halls hard hit by the June 2011 tornado.

The pair went through every room in every dorm and itemized all the damage to help the contractor develop a repair estimate. Once they decided the structures were salvageable, the architects and contractors had a significant challenge: to complete the work in 10 weeks, in time to house returning students.

A rendering of the new Clifford A. Phaneuf Environental Center at Forest Park, which houses an environmental-education program for Springfield students but hasn’t been renovated in more than 70 years.

The goal was not just to repair, however, but to improve the dorms where possible. After seeing several architectural renderings, in addition to replacing windows and doors torn apart by the twister, the college decided to replace the original building exteriors with higher-quality, better-insulated panels than what had existed before.

Ten weeks and $5 million after the twister ripped through, little evidence remained of anything other than a summer remodeling job. That project earned a Rebuilding Project of the Year Award in 2012 from the New England chapter of the Construction Management Assoc. of America, which selected the effort from all renovation and modernization projects under $10 million.

College Try

Architectural design for college campuses is nothing new for the firm. “We’re identified really strongly with three or four sectors,” Jablonski explained, including higher education; municipal and government work, which includes schools, libraries, park buildings, and museums; and historical buildings of all kinds, which can cut across many sectors.

“It’s been harder than Brian and I ever thought to break into new markets,” he said, “but we both decided that we can’t put all our eggs in one basket — like the city of Springfield — especially when we have an economic downturn.”

That said, “I’d say about 90% of our clients are repeat customers,” he noted, citing Springfield College and the city of Springfield as two of the most long-standing, going back 20 years. “That says we have to be doing something right. It’s not just what drawings you do; it’s showing up on time and having some flexibility, because there’s always an issue, always some problem, so you have to be flexible. When we get repeat customers, we’re pretty sure we’re doing something right, or they’d go somewhere else. There’s definitely competition in the Valley.”

Jablonski said the firm is willing to do residential restoration, although they don’t actively market in that arena, but there isn’t enough of such work to make a living doing it exclusively. Still, “when someone approaches us, obviously we do it. We recently got a really nice, very large total rehab in Longmeadow.”

And they don’t limit themselves to high-profile jobs, recently taking on, for example, several dentistry offices and small projects for the city of Northampton, as well as preparing to tackle a cold-storage warehouse with a commercial kitchen on Warehouse Road in Springfield for the city’s school system, which recently expanded its free-lunch program to all students.

“I enjoy working with municipalities professionally and appreciate the quality of people involved in local government,” said DeVriese, who has been a selectman in Heath for 15 years. “I’ve done a lot of work with small towns over the years, so it’s nice to know they can come to us to get their problem solved.”

Meanwhile, the Springfield Museums project caught the attention of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., which tapped Jablonski DeVriese to design an addition to its athletic hall of fame.

“It’s not the first time someone called us up because they’d seen our work, but it is a good example of how we must be doing something right,” Jablonski told BusinessWest. “There is a lot of complexity in this business, and it’s nice to get some confirmation from someone looking at something and saying, ‘ooh, that’s nice.’”

Building for the Future

Things are looking equally good at the Springfield offices of Jablonski DeVriese, where the partners are growing a promising future.

For one thing, they’ve hired two junior architects. Nirati Shukla, who earned a bachelor’s degree from the Center for Environmental Planning & Technology in Gujarat, India, and a master’s from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is certified as LEED AP and specializes in sustainable design. Marcel Alvarez immigrated from Ecuador and is currently a U.S. citizen. He is a graduate of Holyoke Community College and the architecture program at UMass Amherst.

And, as both Jablonski and DeVriese repeatedly stressed, there’s no shortage of opportunities to turn inadequate or neglected buildings into something that will reflect the future while respecting the past.

“Smart people are finally putting two and two together,” Jablonski said. “Instead of a continuous cycle of building new, let’s preserve it, adapt it, renew it.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

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.

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