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Daily News

HOLYOKE — For now, it’s still, in the top left corner of the Campus Center roof.
But soon, that white steel beam will be hidden behind the building’s new façade. And there it will remain as long as the building stands, covered with the names of all the Holyoke Community College (HCC) students, faculty, staff, and construction workers who marked it before the beam was raised to its permanent home.

“Having the opportunity to sign this beam represents the last piece of the building that we’re erecting, the highest point,” said HCC President Christina Royal, “and while you won’t necessarily see it, everybody who signed it today, you’re leaving your imprint on history. And that’s what it is. This represents our history.”

Royal offered her remarks during a topping-off ceremony on Feb. 28 in front of the HCC Campus Center, now in the middle of a two-year, $43.5 million, top-to-bottom renovation. The building is expected to reopen for the fall 2019 semester.

Topping-off ceremonies are held before the last and highest beam is fixed to the frame of new buildings. Traditionally, the beam is painted white and signed by work crews and others involved in the project and adorned with a small evergreen tree and an American flag. The ceremonies are also meant to honor the construction workers, many of whom signed the beam.

The white beam was displayed outside the construction zone for a couple of hours before the ceremony so members of the HCC community would have a chance to sign it. By the time it was lifted, the 10-foot beam was covered with signatures written in green and black.

The nearly 40-year-old Campus Center was emptied and closed a year ago for the renovation. Since then, the first and second floors have been completely gutted, and reconstruction work has advanced significantly on both the interior and exterior. The renovation will add about 9,000 square feet to the 57,727-square-foot building.

The main changes include the squaring off of sloping surfaces and the addition of high windows on a new front façade to complement the look of the adjacent and more modern HCC Kittredge Center. The entire structure will be sealed in a watertight, energy-efficient envelope. A glass atrium entrance is being added to the campus-courtyard side of the building. An external balcony will be enclosed and the dining area extended on the second floor. A dedicated visitor parking lot will lead to a walkway bridge spanning a restored brook that was temporarily diverted underground.

The bridge will lead to a new main entrance and into a first-floor welcome center that will house the Admissions Office, Assessment Center, and Advising, Career and Transfer Center, which are all being relocated from the Frost Building.

A second floor student-engagement area will include the cafeteria and food court, the College Store (relocated from first floor); Student Activities and Student Clubs (relocated from the Donahue Building); Multicultural Academic Services (relocated from the Frost Building), and lounge areas with study pods and charging stations. The Electronic Media and Photography programs will return to the third-floor Media Arts Center, which is getting new ductwork, lighting, and ceilings.

“This Campus Center is a massive undertaking for the college,” Royal said. “It’s one of the largest footprints we have on campus. What’s so significant about this space is that it is for students, and this project will have a transformative effect as we bring offices together to help us better support and serve our students.”

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — It was in 1995 that Big Y expanded its three smaller distribution facilities into the former Rexnord Roller Chain Manufacturing Co. on Roosevelt Avenue in Springfield. At the time, a staff of 27 people distributed produce and other products to 31 supermarkets throughout the region. Three years later, Big Y’s corporate headquarters and store support center moved to the same site.

Fast-forward to 2018, when Big Y’s distribution now supports 70 supermarkets out of the same space, and it is easy to see the need for an expanded facility. The current 189,000-square-foot distribution center has 19 receiving bays and operates round the clock seven days a week with a staff of 92 moving product through this system. In 1995, 3.5 million cases of product were shipped each year from this facility. Even eight years ago, Big Y’s distribution-center team shipped out nearly 15 million cases to stores. By the end of last year, that number had increased to more than 20 million cases.

A rendering of Big Y’s future expanded distribution center.

Therefore, Big Y plans an expansion in order to provide capacity for the next 20 years, with includes plans for 20 new supermarkets. The company anticipates a total of 53 dock doors are needed to manage this growth, along with an additional 232,000 square feet of space for a total of close to 425,000 square feet — the size of nearly nine football fields. This expansion will improve the efficiency of the flow of goods to all of stores and will require an additional 32 full-time employees at this site. It will include 152,000 square feet of additional dry product storage and 82,000 square feet of specialized refrigerated storage for various products.

Big Y’s distribution center also houses a large recycling area for cardboard and plastic wrap and serves as a staging ground for meat donations as they are sent to area food banks.

Currently, local farmers have the option of delivering their fruits and vegetables to this distribution facility in order to save them the time and expense of driving to Big Y’s individual stores while ensuring freshness and speedy deliveries. This expansion will make it more efficient for them to get their fresh produce to the distribution center so that they can quickly get back to their farms.

Big Y has worked with Kevin Kennedy, Springfield’s chief Development officer, along with Mayor Domenic Sarno to develop a plan for this $35 million to $40 million project. In addition, Big Y is working with Springfield based Dennis Group, a local full service planning, architecture, engineering and construction management firm on this project. It is expected to be completed over the next 18 months.

Other elements of this expansion include some renovation within Big Y’s headquarters including a new employee café and a test kitchen to develop and test new recipes, concepts, meals, dietary and nutritional options, and products before rolling them out to consumers. In addition, the test kitchen can host food tastings and focus groups as well as serve as additional training for store teams each week. Plans also include a new employee entrance and visitors welcome and reception area.

Big Y Foods Inc. is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, operating 78 locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut — including 70 supermarkets, 39 pharmacies, Fresh Acres Market, Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors, and six Big Y Express gas and convenience locations — and employing more than 11,000 people.

Cover Story Employment Sections

Team-building Exercise

From left, Courtney Wenleder, CFO; Alex Dixon, general manager; and Mike Mathis, president and COO. Photo by MGM/Springfield Mark Murray

From left, Courtney Wenleder, CFO; Alex Dixon, general manager; and Mike Mathis, president and COO.
Photo by MGM/Springfield Mark Murray

Mike Mathis said he doesn’t use any of those ‘gotcha’ questions, as he calls them, when he’s interviewing job candidates.

He said he’s been on the other end of a few of these, like ‘describe your greatest weakness’ or ‘how well do you get along with your current boss?’ He didn’t particularly enjoy those experiences and, more to the point, doesn’t believe they were particularly effective in providing real insight to those asking those questions.

But Mathis, president and COO of MGM Springfield, said he does have some favorite — and effective — go-to questions (he wasn’t too revealing) that he likes to ask in an effort to get beyond the words printed on a résumé and determine if the candidate across the table would make a good fit.

And he’s had plenty of opportunities to put them to use in recent months as he’s interviewed finalists for the positions that make up the executive team that will open and then operate the $950 million resort casino complex taking shape in Springfield’s South End.

“The résumé gives me good insight into what their technical experience is,” he explained. “But I’m looking for personality and cultural fit, and you can usually get to that through them talking about their experiences.”

As he talked about his team members, or department heads, or ‘number ones,’ as he also called them, collectively, Mathis made early and frequent use of the word ‘diverse,’ and said it takes on the quality in many different respects. These include gender, age, race, geography (where they’re from), casino experience, and MGM experience.

As for those last two, some have it, and others, like Mathis himself when he was named to lead MGM Springfield, don’t.

“We have some who are internal MGM and others who are external to our company but in the industry,” Mathis explained. “We have a combination of young and those not as young, as I like to say, those with a little more experience. And we have a few from outside the industry; the company took a chance on me, and we’ve continued to take some of those chances on others.”

Anthony Caratozzolo: Vice President, Food & Beverage

Anthony Caratozzolo: Vice President, Food & Beverage

Anika Gaskins: Vice President, National Marketing

Anika Gaskins: Vice President, National Marketing

Brian Jordan: Director, Surveillance

Brian Jordan: Director, Surveillance

Monique Messier: Executive Director, Sales

Monique Messier: Executive Director, Sales

It is this team, featuring individuals with titles ranging from CFO to vice president, Table Games, to executive director, Arena Operations, that will lead the ambitious casino project through the most critical stage in this six-year process — the completion of construction, finalization of specific components such as dining options and other facilities, the assemblage of a team of roughly 3,000 people, and, finally, opening the doors (early September is the projected ‘go’ date).

At present, that team-building assignment is priority 1, said Mathis, adding that the members of the executive team will soon be, and in many cases already are, adding members to their own specific leadership teams, and soon these individuals will begin to assemble the larger teams they will lead.

“The number ones hire number twos, and the number twos hire number threes,” he explained. “And then, from there, you start building out your business plan and prepare for mass hiring.”

For this issue and its focus on employment, BusinessWest looks at the team Mathis has assembled and how it came together. Also, we’ll look at the daunting challenge this “dream team,” as Mathis called it, will face over the next six months and how it will go about making MGM Springfield ready for prime time.

A Strong Hand

Mathis told BusinessWest that he’s been a part of a few casino executive teams during his career “around but not in on a day-to-day basis” the casino industry, as he chose to phrase it.

Indeed, he was legal counsel for the Venetian Las Vegas, which opened in 1999, and also for a start-up operation, Echelon Place, also in Las Vegas.

Being the one on the other side of this equation, the one putting the team together, the one able to joke during meetings (and he’s already done this a few times) that ‘none of you would be here without me’ — well, that’s a completely different and quite rewarding experience.

“I have a great sense of pride when it comes to the group we’ve pulled together,” he said, emphasizing that this was a team effort. “What’s really nice is how, organically, this team reflects the personality of the community and our original vision. For me, as a day-one employee, I feel I’m a steward of the original vision of our president, Bill Hornbuckle, and of the mayor and the different community-group stakeholders I originally met with. And I want to reflect all that in the team we put together.”

Sarah Moore: Vice President, Marketing, Advertising & Brand

Sarah Moore: Vice President, Marketing, Advertising & Brand

Marikate Murren: Vice President, Human Resources

Marikate Murren: Vice President, Human Resources

Jason Rosewell: Vice President, Facilities

Jason Rosewell: Vice President, Facilities

Jason Rucker: Executive Director, Security

Jason Rucker: Executive Director, Security

Elaborating, he said this team is non-traditional in some respects, and, as noted, diverse in every sense of that word.

‘Non-traditional’ in that, in many cases within this industry, executive units travel as a team, Mathis explained. That was not the case here.

“Someone would come to my role already thinking about who their number two and number three would be,” he explained. “Some of those executive teams travel in groups. There’s nothing wrong with that … these people are used to working with one another, and there’s something to be said for that.

“But because I was new to the role, I came at it without some of those preconceived notions about who the team members should be,” he went on, adding that he actually worked with very few members of this executive team before MGM Springfield. “The group is really eclectic, and we make each other better.”

In total, there were hundreds of applicants for the 16 positions, Mathis went on, adding that, because the pools of candidates were strong and diverse, it was that much easier to create a very diverse team.

“One of things we believe in at MGM is that, if you have a diverse applicant pool, you’ll get great employees, and the diversity will be reflected in the hires,” he said. “So our focus has always been on making sure we’re getting great people in front of us before we make decisions.”

Elaborating, he explained that, for each of the positions, the company tried to have, as finalists, an internal (MGM) candidate, an external candidate, and a diverse candidate, and in most cases met that goal.

Overall, nine of the 16 members of the executive team are diverse or female, which, he said, makes it one of the most diverse teams not only within the MGM company, but within the industry.

Why is diversity important? “Within the hospitality industry and particularly with MGM Resorts, we’re a host to a wider range of customers than any industry I can think of,” said Mathis as he answered that question. “We’re the Disneyland for adults. We have international guests, local visitors, those who are interested in gaming, those who are interested in food and beverage, families … with that range of customers that we invite to our resort, we need our employees to reflect that diversity of customers. That’s a big part of our success, and diversity is one of our pillars — not only ethnically, but diversity in all respects.”

Great Odds ‘Relaxed.’

That’s the adjective Mathis summoned to describe not only how he wants those taking his interview questions to be, but also the kind of corporate environment, for lack of a better term, that he’s been trying to create at MGM Springfield.

Lynn Segars: Vice President, Slot Operations

Lynn Segars: Vice President, Slot Operations

Gregg Skowronski: Executive Director, Hotel Operations

Gregg Skowronski: Executive Director, Hotel Operations

Talia Spera: Executive Director, Arena Operations

Talia Spera: Executive Director, Arena Operations

That certainly sounds illogical given the nature of the casino industry in general and, more specifically, the ultra-challenging six months ahead for the team at MGM Springfield. But hear him out.

“I mean relaxed in terms of the collegiality between the team members,” he explained. “We’re all working hard, but time is going by quickly, and the work is hard enough without the environment being overly formal or not having that collegiality.

“People perform best when they’re happy; we believe in our business in the service-profit-chain model,” he went on, referring to the theory in business management that links employee satisfaction to customer loyalty and, therefore, profitability.

It was an unofficial goal, or milestone, to have this team in place, in this relaxed environment, at the start of 2018, and it has been met, said Mathis, adding that, while some team members still have some logistics to work out, such as finding homes and moving families, they are all at work now at MGM’s nerve center in at a renovated 95 State St.

They will meet collectively twice a week, said Mathis, adding that one of these sessions is an executive-team meeting at which specific information will be communicated about project status, timelines, and other matters, and decisions will be made that involve multiple departments. The second session is a weekly staff meeting, a 90-minute to two-hour roundtable with no set agenda.

Seth Stratton: Vice President and General Counsel

Seth Stratton: Vice President and General Counsel

Courtney Wenleder: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Courtney Wenleder: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Robert Westerfield: Vice President, Table Games

Robert Westerfield: Vice President, Table Games

“What we’ve learned is that meeting [the roundtable] is as productive as any other meeting we have,” he explained, adding that there are a host of smaller meetings involving some but not all of the executive staff members.

And as you might expect, there is quite a bit to meet about with the countdown now at or just under 200 days.

The biggest priority is building the individual departments, Mathis went on, adding that, while the casino is taking shape in a highly visible way on and around Main Street, the task of interviewing, hiring, and training 3,000 employees is already going on behind the scenes.

The top levels of each team will be filled out over the next few months, he continued, and mass hiring will commence in the early summer and hit high gear in the weeks just prior to opening.

Meanwhile, there are literally thousands of other tasks to be carried out, he said, listing everything from building the reservation system to creating training manuals; from interviewing vendors to detailing what will be needed in the warehouse.

“It’s a pretty incredible undertaking, and we’ve got a great team in place to carry it out,” noted Mathis, adding that this team will has borrowed heavily from the playbook created by another MGM casino that opened just over a year ago, National Harbor in Maryland.

“I don’t envy anyone that’s doing one of these as a one-off,” he told BusinessWest. “National Harbor is one of the most successful operations in the country, and we’ve taken their best practices, as well as lessons learned, and incorporated them into this project.”

Teaming with Excitement

Meanwhile, MGM Springfield will provide the playbook for the next MGM project, whenever it moves off the drawing board, said Mathis.

“Each time, the process gets better,” he noted. “One day, there will be a perfect opening; unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll be it. But with each one of these, you get a little closer to that standard.”

A perfect opening might be beyond the reach of Mathis’ executive team, but it will likely move the bar higher. In the meantime, by most accounts, it is already setting a higher standard for diversity.

It’s been an intriguing team-building exercise in every sense of that phrase.

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

Autos Sections

On the Move — Always

The new car wash in West Springfield is the latest addition to an ever-growing portfolio of facilities for the Balise Auto Group.

The new car wash in West Springfield is the latest addition to an ever-growing portfolio of facilities for the Balise Auto Group.

As he talked about the very latest addition to the already-expansive portfolio for the Balise Auto Group, a car wash just off Riverdale Street in West Springfield, Jeb Balise said it was a capital-intensive, very necessary supplement to the collection.

Capital-intensive because car washes, as some might know but others might not, are now very sophisticated, computer-operated facilities offering an ever-greater array of wash options. And necessary because … well, consumers are becoming ever-more demanding, and, likewise, the auto business is ever-more competitive.

So auto groups like Balise need to respond with the proverbial ‘more’ and ‘better.’ ‘More,’ as in more products and services to offer those customers, and ‘better,’ as in better than the competition.

And this mindset reflects itself in everything from the company’s growing stable of car washes (there are now three, including two in Western Mass.) to the ongoing work to replace or renovate the group’s large roster of dealerships, including the Balise Nissan store a half-mile east of the car wash on Riverdale Street, to an insurance agency in Rhode Island as part of the mix.

“We’re making sure we’re giving the customer everything they want for support instead of just selling them a car,” said Balise as he talked about additions to the number of collision centers, used-car facilities, and more. “So if someone buys a car from us, they don’t have to worry about collision repair or getting their car cleaned or insurance; we can pretty much provide holistically everything they need for the life of that car.”

He offered those thoughts in an interview in one of the sales offices at Balise Nissan, the latest of the company’s dealerships to be replaced, or, in this case, given a huge makeover. Long operated under the name Jerry Rome Nissan, the facility now bears the Balise name.

Open for just over two months, the ‘new’ dealership was essentially gutted and rebuilt from the ground up, said Balise, adding that it is the first store selling this brand to incorporate new imagery and design elements developed by the carmaker.

The Nissan dealership on Riverdale Street now carries the Balise name. It’s the latest of the company’s dealerships to undergo extensive renovations or new construction.

The Nissan dealership on Riverdale Street now carries the Balise name. It’s the latest of the company’s dealerships to undergo extensive renovations or new construction.

“There was nothing left of the showroom — we stripped it right down to columns and roof, basically,” he explained. “We really rebuilt it, and you can feel it; you would never know it was a retro.”

That’s the word he chose for a dealership built in the ’80s and ’90s — before they became far more spacious (50,000 square feet in the case of the Toyota dealership, also on Riverdale Street), comfortably equipped, and customer-friendly.

As he talked about the Nissan store and offered a quick tour, pointing out its larger, revamped showroom and well-appointed service waiting area, Balise said there are a few minor touches to be completed before a grand opening can be staged — probably later this month.

And as those final touches are made, thoughts are already turning to what’s next, said Balise, adding that the company embarked on a massive campaign to make over facilities for all the brands it sells more than a decade ago, and there are still a few projects left to undertake.

One is the Balise Mazda facility on the other (north) side of Riverdale Street. Built in 1984, it is certainly showing its age, said Balise, adding that plans will be on the drawing board soon for either new construction or another extensive renovation.

Meanwhile, another nameplate in line to have a new home is Kia, which became part of the Balise stable in 2015 and has been housed in a small facility that was once a Mercedes dealership a decade ago.

Kia is a rising star in the auto galaxy, said Balise, adding that it has an attractive mix of cars, vans, and SUVs, and it will soon have a home befitting that status. Various options are currently being reviewed, and no formal plans have been announced, he went on, noting that both the Kia and Mazda facilities will be upgraded within the next 24 months.

“Our plans will be really impressive,” said Balise in reference to both projects, still in the developmental stage. “These will be either brand-new buildings or significant renovations — total change.”

As for the car washes, Balise said they are part of broader efforts to serve the full gamut of customer needs and provide additional layers of value.

The company started with a facility in Hyannis, where it also has several dealerships, then added one on East Columbus Avenue in 2016; the West Springfield location opened in January.

There are two more car washes on the drawing board for the next 24 months, said Balise, adding that the specific markets have not been identified.

The car washes offer ample evidence of consumers taking better care of their vehicles, but also of the value that auto groups are trying to provide.

Indeed, the car washes are strategically located to serve customers at the Balise dealerships (there are three on Columbus Avenue and a half-dozen on Riverdale Street), he noted.

Those who buy a car at any of the Balise dealerships get 60 days of free washes, he went on, and they also get special pricing on both everyday washes and the hugely popular ‘unlimited plans,’ whereby consumers can wash their car as often as they want for one monthly fee.

As for new dealerships, the company is always looking for new opportunities — in this market and others, he went on, adding that, despite an ongoing wave of consolidation within the industry, there are still a number of single dealerships and small groups that could be added to the portfolio if the conditions were right.

“Even with all the consolidation, it’s still a fragmented business,” he told BusinessWest. “The majority of facilities are owned by someone who might have two or three stores, or one store.

“We’re just focusing on the best-location, best-franchise philosophy,” he went on, and then making sure our facilities exceed the customers’ expectations.”

— George O’Brien

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the months of January and February 2018.

CHICOPEE

J. and N. Salema Family
480 Burnett Road
$6,000 — Replace water-damaged sheetrock and ceiling tiles

U-Haul Real Estate Co.
878 Memorial Dr.
$4,000 — Demolish partition walls

EASTHAMPTON

Autumn Properties, LLC
161-165 Northampton St.
$8,850 — Add interior partitions to create extra offices

Cumberland Farms
2211 Northampton St.
$1,022,350 — Construct convenience store with fuel stations, canopy, and parking

Keystone Enterprises
122 Pleasant St.
$18,500 — Install HVAC system for Float Therapy Spa

U.S. Bank
13 Sterling Dr.
$24,500 — Remove and replace existing roof covering; interior renovations

EAST LONGMEADOW

The Arbor’s Kids
126 Industrial Dr.
$177,755 — Renovations

East Longmeadow Wellness Center
250 North Main St.
$18,000 — Sheet metal

Fairview Extended Care
305 Maple St.
$5,000 — Construction trailer

Irina’s Décor
100 Shaker Road
$3,000 — Sheet metal

HADLEY

220 Russell Street, LLC
220 Russell St.
$615,000 — New steel building for Wagging Tail, a new canine daycare center

Gibbs Oil Co., LP
110 Russell St.
$2,175 — Reface two signs

Town of Hadley
15 East St.
$15,000 — Verizon Wireless to replace antennas with new models and install remote radio heads to existing cell tower

LONGMEADOW

Longmeadow Country Club
400 Shaker Road
$15,900 — Demo and removal of walk-in coolers

Mario Davis Magnani
791 Maple Road
$2,550 — Add two illuminated signs to roof

LUDLOW

Country Bank
64 Cherry St.
$6,500 — Demolition

Country Bank
64 Cherry St.
$12,000 — Illuminated sign

Country Bank
64 Cherry St.
$2,100 — Illuminated sign

NORTHAMPTON

City of Northampton
6 Water St.
$5,688 — Reroof building for Water Department

City of Northampton
125 Locust St.
$11,368 — Reroof storage building at Department of Public Works

City of Northampton
23 Center St.
$664,350 — Concrete and masonry repair and waterproofing at Police Department; new plaza deck drain installations

Cumberland Farms Inc.
53 Main St.
$800 — Reface ground-mounted illuminated sign

Five College Realtors
92 Main St.
$2,800 — Illuminated wall sign

Five College Realtors
92 Main St.
$2,800 — Illuminated wall sign

O’Connell Oil Associates Inc.
506 Pleasant St.
$6,000 — Two illuminated canopy signs at Shell gas station

P + Q, LLC
110 Main St.
$1,000 — Non-illuminated wall sign

Saga Communications of NE Inc.
15 Hampton Ave.
$12,500 — Install new drop ceiling in conference room and install refrigerator in break room

SOUTHWICK

Westfield River Brewing Co.
707 College Highway
$20,000 — Lighting and windows on second floor

SPRINGFIELD

3640 Main St., LLP
3640 Main St., Suite 101
$289,934 — Interior renovations for use as an MRI center

Baystate Health
3350 Main St.
$988,766 — Renovate existing suite into infusion space

Mike Bergdoll
1271 Page Blvd.
$53,000 — Renovate Swift Trip gas station and convenience store

F.L. Roberts
275 Albany Ave.
$25,000 — Concrete pad for new building

GF Enterprises
633 Liberty St.
$202,000 — Upgrade building exterior of Taco Bell restaurant with new paint and signage, upgrade dining room, and ensure bathrooms are ADA-compliant

Liberty Medical Associates, LLP
125 Liberty St.
$14,820 — Construct wall to enclose future break room, add door, and remove sink in Suite 408; construct closet and add door in Suite 402

MassDevelopment Finance Agency
1550 Main St.
$55,580 — Renovate area into two conference rooms for Alekman DiTusa

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St.
$35,732 — Demolish casework, wall, and doors; install new finishes, new wall configuration, millwork, and doors

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St.
$17,107 — Build wall and hard ceiling to set back a door which is currently an egress/safety issue

Monarch Enterprise
1414 Main St.
$173,700 — Remodel existing space into a new Starbucks coffee shop

VIP Nail Salon
1704 Boston Road
$7,400 — Electrical and plumbing

WESTFIELD

City of Westfield
25 Dartmouth St.
Renovation to existing building

Governor’s Center RE, LLC
66 South Broad St.
Construct new bathroom and kitchenette

Rosow Westfield, LLC
66 South Broad St.
$36,900 — Install new garage door, construct new load-bearing walls, and construct new offices

Rosow Westfield, LLC
66 South Broad St.
$13,700 — Steel beam and support columns

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Century Investment Co.
219 Memorial Ave.
$54,400 — Interior tenant remodeling for purpose of retail sales

Crosslight Gospel Church
2611 Westfield St.
$10,000 — Construct storage area on side of building

General Equities
884 Westfield St.
$82,155 — Renovations, including new ceiling tiles, bathroom remodel, interior painting, new storefront glass, and siding

Drew Moyes
958 Riverdale Road
$2,000 — Alterations to interior space for Agri-Mark Inc.

Northern Rail Services Inc.
175 Circuit Ave.
$28,000 — Add dimising walls and two bathrooms

WILBRAHAM

75 Post Office Park, LLC
75 Post Office Park
$25,000 — Create interior office space for Proshred

Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

22 South St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Alexander F. Fiorey
Seller: Paul W. Allis
Date: 01/24/18

BUCKLAND

86 Main St.
Buckland, MA 01330
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Nancy Perry-Shinn
Seller: Edward M. Cahill
Date: 01/22/18

Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Gordon M. Glier
Seller: D&S Village Rentals LLC
Date: 01/16/18

COLRAIN

82 Christian Hill Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Urell
Seller: Diane E. O’Donnell
Date: 01/25/18

21 Heath Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Brian D. Godin
Seller: Heather Staas
Date: 01/26/18

CONWAY

1230 Main Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Sean L. Bowden
Seller: Anita Elise Rymer 2006 TR
Date: 01/26/18

641 North Poland Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Arieh Blowers
Seller: Douglas Blowers
Date: 01/26/18

936 South Deerfield Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $117,200
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Edward W. Matus
Date: 01/24/18

DEERFIELD

470 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Bittersweet Bakery & Cafe
Seller: Philip J. Savage
Date: 01/17/18

Mill Village Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: John G. Savage Realty Corp.
Seller: Dorothy H. Rosario
Date: 01/19/18

555 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: John E. Davis
Seller: Michael M. Fisher
Date: 01/23/18

102 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Trademark At Sugarloaf
Seller: Diane M. Lilly RET
Date: 01/19/18

104 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Trademark At Sugarloaf
Seller: Diane M. Lilly RET
Date: 01/19/18

GREENFIELD

1003 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Nathaniel Desroches
Seller: Carl T. Hoynoski
Date: 01/24/18

9 Bowles St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: James Richards
Seller: John B. Dunphy
Date: 01/26/18

31 Cedar St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Patrick Cote
Seller: Bruno INT
Date: 01/19/18

234 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Patrick Varner
Seller: Myra Tucker TR
Date: 01/19/18

118 Maple St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $179,500
Buyer: Stephen N. Ross
Seller: Catherine M. Letourneau
Date: 01/16/18

91 Montague City Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Elinor Janvrin
Seller: Theresa L. Holmes
Date: 01/18/18

241 Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Robert D. Ryan
Seller: Charlene James
Date: 01/16/18

LEVERETT

118 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $214,250
Buyer: Susan B. Lloyd
Seller: Christal Cutler
Date: 01/23/18

MONTAGUE

10 Gunn Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Christopher K. Newman
Seller: Henry Komosa
Date: 01/24/18

468 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Corey M. Sutton
Seller: Michael P. Fahey
Date: 01/26/18

20 Morris Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Cody R. Wells
Seller: Keith Mildren
Date: 01/26/18

27 Park St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Christian T. Bowman
Seller: Steven Keyes
Date: 01/26/18

NORTHFIELD

68 Capt. Beers Plain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jennifer C. Coleman
Seller: Christina M. Flynn
Date: 01/18/18

438 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Peter Moretti
Seller: Hanrahan IRT
Date: 01/19/18

447 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Amanda L. Knox
Seller: Herman W. Clark
Date: 01/19/18

515 Orange Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: David Skorupa
Seller: James A. Cullen
Date: 01/25/18

ORANGE

161 Drew Blvd. #23
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: James P. Gebo
Seller: Verne Goldsher
Date: 01/22/18

25 Fairman Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Cherish A. Eastman
Seller: Pamela E. Harris
Date: 01/24/18

31 James Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Omar Laza
Seller: Derek Catrambone
Date: 01/25/18

335 North Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Barbara A. Schneller
Seller: Tracy A. Clarke
Date: 01/19/18

526 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Michael J. Verock
Seller: James P. Gebo
Date: 01/22/18

SHELBURNE

28 Severance St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Krunal Y. Patel
Seller: FNMA
Date: 01/17/18

WARWICK

212 Old Winchester Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Emily L. Hemingway
Seller: Charles E. Lisowski
Date: 01/19/18

WHATELY

Egypt Road #C
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Marc-Alan Labreque
Seller: Walter R. Thayer
Date: 01/23/18

17-21 River Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $461,000
Buyer: Ashlee B. Haslett
Seller: Mary Lou Green RET
Date: 01/16/18

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

45 Cecile St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Audrey Suskind-Decosmo
Seller: Ryan J. Roberts
Date: 01/26/18

32 Coronet Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Conant
Seller: Edna J. Willets
Date: 01/19/18

107 Coronet Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Robert Landauer
Seller: Martin J. Andruss
Date: 01/26/18

53 Farmington Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $523,000
Buyer: Alyssa M. Luszcz
Seller: Hillside Development Corp.
Date: 01/26/18

79 Farmington Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Vyacheslav Babinov
Seller: Hillside Development Corp.
Date: 01/26/18

11 High Meadow Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $280,285
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Nichole D. Salvi
Date: 01/25/18

45 Lango Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Yuri G. Grechka
Seller: PBI Inc.
Date: 01/19/18

5 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $2,250,000
Buyer: Crossroads RT
Seller: Grand Run Holdings 1 LLC
Date: 01/25/18

9-11 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $2,250,000
Buyer: Crossroads RT
Seller: Grand Run Holdings 1 LLC
Date: 01/25/18

291 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Jessica Dominik
Seller: Joseph M. Pafumi
Date: 01/26/18

44 Royal St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Ann M. Trexler
Date: 01/17/18

4-28 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $2,250,000
Buyer: Crossroads RT
Seller: Grand Run Holdings 1 LLC
Date: 01/25/18

28 Spruce Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Frances G. Marthone
Seller: Deborah A. Duquette
Date: 01/26/18

BRIMFIELD

31 Echo Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $149,600
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Tonia L. Jacque
Date: 01/17/18

51 Knollwood Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $148,035
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: David G. Kindberg
Date: 01/26/18

74 Monson Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Calvin G. French
Seller: Christopher S. Elmore
Date: 01/16/18

280 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Steven R. Prest
Seller: Richard H. Phifer
Date: 01/16/18

CHESTER

27 Lyman Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Sarah A. Primack
Seller: William J. Guazzo
Date: 01/26/18

CHICOPEE

1103 Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Donna Rutkowski
Seller: Duprey, Edmund F. Jr, (Estate)
Date: 01/25/18

75 Charles St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Eliezer Burgos
Seller: Andrey Katalnikov
Date: 01/18/18

Dianna Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Steven W. August
Seller: Sodi Inc.
Date: 01/16/18

619 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: David M. Bouthilette
Seller: Gary F. Isabelle
Date: 01/22/18

45 Marion St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $137,000
Buyer: Brian J. Kolodziej
Seller: M&T Bank
Date: 01/17/18

762 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Gabriel Reyes
Seller: Jennifer L. Steil
Date: 01/26/18

1774 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $225,500
Buyer: Alejandra Torres-Ortiz
Seller: Propcity LLC
Date: 01/24/18

49 Oakwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Lucas Rosa
Seller: Michelle L. Vieu
Date: 01/26/18

193 Saint James Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Church Of God House
Seller: Order Of Ahepa Altis Chapter
Date: 01/22/18

447 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Apurv Realty LLC
Seller: Aura LLC
Date: 01/25/18

EAST LONGMEADOW

13 Acorn St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Hayley E. Durand
Seller: Plumtree Associates Inc.
Date: 01/22/18

3 Bettswood Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $184,935
Buyer: Stephanie J. Peterson
Seller: Kenneth A. Peterson
Date: 01/19/18

139 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Tiffany Holmes-Sears
Seller: Evert O. Lindgren
Date: 01/24/18

16 Fields Dr. #16
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Eric L. Berg
Seller: DR Chestnut LLC
Date: 01/16/18

45 Linden Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Dorothea K. Radzicki
Seller: Joseph P. Graveline
Date: 01/24/18

8 Mereline Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $184,500
Buyer: Michael J. Matos
Seller: Timothy Vecchiarelli
Date: 01/24/18

27 Old Farm Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Rajesh Nimbalkar
Seller: Koang Yam
Date: 01/22/18

248 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Steven Maynard
Seller: Linda J. Krause
Date: 01/26/18

53 Stonehill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $422,500
Buyer: Hanati Lubega
Seller: Susan R. Kravitz
Date: 01/25/18

HAMPDEN

8 Allen Court
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: David A. Feldott
Seller: Gerald R. Feldott
Date: 01/24/18

8 Highland Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Bernard F. Opitz
Seller: Stephen U. Kane
Date: 01/19/18

HOLYOKE

461-463 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,390,000
Buyer: Appleton Exchange LLC
Seller: MTCS Realty LLC
Date: 01/26/18

21 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Anthony K. Sillars
Seller: Joseph B. Blanchard
Date: 01/16/18

4 Brenan St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Andrey A. Katalnikov
Seller: Luis D. Martinez
Date: 01/26/18

290 Cherry St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Bernard R. Bergeron
Seller: Nicole M. Devlin
Date: 01/25/18

62-64 Commercial St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Appleton Exchange LLC
Seller: SCB LLC
Date: 01/26/18

137 North East St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $138,900
Buyer: Gizenia G. Boyd
Seller: Saw Construction LLC
Date: 01/18/18

87-89 Saint James Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Michael H. Henderson
Seller: Brian J. O’Connell
Date: 01/16/18

510 South Bridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Bridge St Equities LLC
Seller: 555 High Street LLC
Date: 01/26/18

65 Waldo St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Eladio C. Pacheco
Seller: Witman Properties Inc.
Date: 01/19/18

LONGMEADOW

141 Blueberry Hill Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $508,000
Buyer: Christopher Bushey
Seller: Rosa M. Falvo
Date: 01/26/18

39 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Michael W. Smith
Seller: Taylor A. Buckholz
Date: 01/26/18

128 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Deborah Michael
Date: 01/18/18

55 Fernleaf Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Lachenauer LLC
Seller: PLS Realty Inc.
Date: 01/22/18

19 Forest Glen Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Angeline Fernandez
Seller: Meredith E. Kane
Date: 01/23/18

31 Maple Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Carol Godbout
Seller: Nicole C. Esposito
Date: 01/26/18

33 Tedford Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Wei Liang
Seller: Albert Fine
Date: 01/19/18

70 Warren Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Taylor A. Buckholz
Seller: Jennifer A. Buentello
Date: 01/26/18

50 Wheel Meadow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $410,600
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jane W. Mackay
Date: 01/17/18

LUDLOW

563 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: 563 Center Street LLC
Seller: S&R Realty Properties LLC
Date: 01/26/18

631 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jeffrey H. Stratton
Seller: Grace Dias
Date: 01/23/18

Harvest Dr. #24
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: T. E. Marinello-Mazur RET
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 01/18/18

18 Lakeview Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Melanie Dias
Seller: Vautrain, Florence, (Estate)
Date: 01/18/18

19 Letendre Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Antonio Carvalho
Seller: Sharlene G. Dec
Date: 01/19/18

MONSON

261 Bumstead Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Edward A. Belben
Seller: Michael J. Dalterio
Date: 01/19/18

222 Cedar Swamp Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Kristin L. Converse
Seller: James P. Bailey
Date: 01/18/18

39 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: David A. Nelson
Seller: Mark R. Pafumi
Date: 01/19/18

14 Hampden Court
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Larry Desreuisseau
Seller: Donald J. Vacon
Date: 01/17/18

288 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Ellis Mill Monson LLC
Seller: Tower View LLC
Date: 01/18/18

299 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Adam G. Bousquet
Seller: Darius Taylor
Date: 01/22/18

258 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Belliveau
Seller: Alfred T. Dobson
Date: 01/16/18

PALMER

11 Converse St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Belinda L. Sellers
Seller: Arthur F. Bechard
Date: 01/18/18

65 Griffin St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Charles Dustin
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 01/26/18

SOUTHWICK

116 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Jeffrey V. Bertrand
Seller: AAA Homes LLC
Date: 01/22/18

12 Grove St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Craig R. Johnson
Seller: Charles Andrade
Date: 01/22/18

10 Lexington Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $542,500
Buyer: Justin R. Klaubert
Seller: Gonzo Aguilar
Date: 01/26/18

73 North Lake Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Cody Baron
Seller: Karl Schmidt
Date: 01/26/18

12 Ridgeview Terrace
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $369,400
Buyer: Viktor Moshkovskiy
Seller: Glenn J. Oski
Date: 01/22/18

SPRINGFIELD

41 Amos Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Nelson Torres
Seller: Kelly M. Worthen
Date: 01/23/18

30 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Luz P. Rios-Garcia
Seller: Rafael Garcia
Date: 01/24/18

30 Benham St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $201,500
Buyer: Jeffrey Cardoza
Seller: Janice S. Watson
Date: 01/16/18

60 Bissell St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Alex O. Owusu
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 01/25/18

104 Bretton Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Kyle A. Koloski
Seller: James J. Bertier
Date: 01/26/18

88 Brunswick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Van Truong
Seller: John B. Le
Date: 01/23/18

3 Canton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Romy Terry
Seller: Value Properties LLC
Date: 01/22/18

14 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Rachel A. Purcell
Seller: Arthur Ferrara
Date: 01/16/18

80 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Dal Ghimirey
Seller: Mary L. Shanahan
Date: 01/17/18

69 Edendale St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Keyla M. Rios
Seller: Juan Santana
Date: 01/24/18

61-63 Eloise St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $118,800
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Gerald Michel
Date: 01/17/18

149 Endicott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Ronald P. Chabot
Seller: Kevin C. Welz
Date: 01/16/18

14 French St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Karisha Gonzalez
Seller: Eliezer Burgos
Date: 01/18/18

61 Garland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Jennifer Holloway
Seller: Donald C. York
Date: 01/19/18

228 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $155,800
Buyer: PNC Bank
Seller: Rosa G. Cintron
Date: 01/17/18

164 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $149,400
Buyer: Ruby V. Jones
Seller: Liberty Onyx LLC
Date: 01/19/18

35 Healey St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Lillian Salgado
Seller: Thomas J. Gerrity
Date: 01/26/18

181 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $157,900
Buyer: Pedro Aguirre
Seller: Perri Clara M., (Estate)
Date: 01/22/18

15 Lavender Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Nicholas P. Diaz
Seller: William J. Laporte
Date: 01/23/18

112 Leavitt St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $124,184
Buyer: Pennymac Holdings LLC
Seller: Jeffrey A. St.Germain
Date: 01/23/18

91 Lorimer St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $122,500
Buyer: Sara M. Destromp
Seller: Christian Wiernasz
Date: 01/19/18

61 Ludlow Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Norman A. Kirschbaum
Seller: William Martin
Date: 01/24/18

2000 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $2,961,538
Buyer: FRE Springfield MA Realty
Seller: Bio Medical Applications
Date: 01/16/18

32 Marsden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Robert A. Desautels
Seller: Donahue, Mary S., (Estate)
Date: 01/16/18

182 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Luis D. Martinez
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 01/26/18

72 Orchard St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Templo Evangelistico Pentecostal
Seller: Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal
Date: 01/22/18

11 Pine Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Oliver Sinclair
Seller: Michael P. Kavanaugh
Date: 01/24/18

46 Ronald Dr.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Paul Baez
Seller: Young, Joanna M., (Estate)
Date: 01/17/18

28 Rutledge Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Edwin Ortiz-Gonzalez
Seller: Jose E. Urena
Date: 01/26/18

103 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Daniel M. Keyes
Seller: Daniel M. Keyes
Date: 01/16/18

1603 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Barnhart
Seller: Thomas J. Cocchi
Date: 01/26/18

94 Saint Lawrence Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Jose D. Martinez
Seller: Eric J. Pericolosi
Date: 01/19/18

260 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Sean P. Conway
Seller: Equity T. Co.
Date: 01/19/18

38 Upland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Maria
Seller: Daniel G. Atherholt
Date: 01/26/18

152 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Adam Carrington
Seller: S&C Homebuyers LLC
Date: 01/18/18

72 Westbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $127,920
Buyer: Loandepot Com LLC
Seller: Jason Hansen
Date: 01/25/18

100 White Birch Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $152,700
Buyer: Allison Crowner
Seller: Joann M. Lawrence
Date: 01/17/18

342 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Suarez
Seller: Blythewood Property Mgmt.
Date: 01/18/18

178 Windemere St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Alme Mercado
Seller: Wmass Residential LLC
Date: 01/22/18

31 Woodcrest Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Luke A. Dasilva
Seller: Pamela Kozlowski
Date: 01/16/18

WEST SPRINGFIELD

71 Cayenne St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Bayview Loan Servicing
Seller: Colleen C. Giroux
Date: 01/19/18

24 Chapin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Shahid M. Pasha
Seller: Pavel, Henry H., (Estate)
Date: 01/26/18

36 Craiwell Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Ryan D. Gawle
Seller: John R. Macrae
Date: 01/16/18

22 Hewitt St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Vladimir Selin
Seller: Soja, Tadeusz A., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/18

42 Hill St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Rasha Al-Attar
Seller: John F. Young
Date: 01/26/18

19 Lathrop St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Old Day Realty LLC
Seller: Michael J. Powers
Date: 01/25/18

84 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Old Day Realty LLC
Seller: Michael J. Powers
Date: 01/25/18

96 West Calvin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $194,150
Buyer: Gianna M. Diclementi
Seller: Matthew S. Lanpher
Date: 01/26/18

36 Worthen St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Som Rai
Seller: Duc Truong
Date: 01/26/18

WESTFIELD

138 Apremont Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Lawry Realty LLC
Seller: Timothy M. O’Connor
Date: 01/16/18

212 Barbara St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Dek Darjee
Seller: Paul H. Domaingue
Date: 01/18/18

75 Beveridge Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $199,500
Buyer: Aleksandr Yanyuk
Seller: Denise J. Begley
Date: 01/24/18

19 Carroll Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: C. Dudley Shaw
Date: 01/18/18

Falcon Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Koziar Capital LLC
Seller: DBLS Realty LLC
Date: 01/26/18

34 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Jacob O. Doser
Seller: Jeanette Griffin
Date: 01/19/18

739 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Bruce D. McClellan
Seller: Jesse J. Caisse
Date: 01/19/18

130 Lindbergh Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $115,989
Buyer: Home Point Financial Corp.
Seller: Carole J. McGregor
Date: 01/26/18

31 Mather St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Paul J. McCormick
Seller: Joseph C. Dunlap
Date: 01/22/18

268 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Jeffery J. Bednaz
Seller: Renee L. Hooben
Date: 01/19/18

44 Spruce St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $188,950
Buyer: Amanda E. Lajzer
Seller: Michael W. Egan
Date: 01/26/18

125 Union St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Ronald Schortmann
Seller: Joyce M. Paroline
Date: 01/19/18

11 Walker Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jeffrey P. Gavioli
Seller: Furkey, Shirley M., (Estate)
Date: 01/24/18

141 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Brian P. Mcewan
Seller: Kane, Dona M., (Estate)
Date: 01/16/18

WILBRAHAM

3123 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Jamie Kohn
Seller: Charles H. Dustin
Date: 01/26/18

9 Ely Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Nichole Gomes
Seller: Della Ripa Real Estate
Date: 01/16/18

6 Hawthorne Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Andrew Mcalary
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 01/25/18

62 Manchonis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Adam W. Howe
Seller: Nicole C. Rucki
Date: 01/16/18

416 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Patrick S. O’Brien
Seller: Elizabeth A. Murphy
Date: 01/18/18

89-91 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Bank Invest LLC
Seller: Richard A. Riga
Date: 01/22/18

400 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Patrick H. Yarrows
Seller: Lillian F. Corriveau IRT
Date: 01/24/18

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

660 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $178,200
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Kathryn A. Wilkens
Date: 01/16/18

110 Henry St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Dinsmore-Spence TR
Seller: Amherst Real Estate Services
Date: 01/26/18

3 Matoon St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $253,200
Buyer: Kay Gregory
Seller: Christine M. Donatone
Date: 01/17/18

3 Nathaniel Way
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Maxwell Scoon
Seller: Reed FT
Date: 01/25/18

501 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $415,400
Buyer: Aaron J. Guimond
Seller: Lafleur & Son Inc.
Date: 01/25/18

15 Sunset Court
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Lincoln Avenue Partners
Seller: Frances P. Fulcher
Date: 01/16/18

57 Valley View Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Alec Theilman
Seller: Sullivan, Agnes G., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/18

605 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Anthony Maietta
Seller: Stephen A. Rondeau
Date: 01/26/18

8 Westwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Tenzin Yangzom
Seller: John J. McCarthy
Date: 01/26/18

CUMMINGTON

21 Bush Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $238,500
Buyer: Alan J. Gagnon
Seller: Mary E. Niles-Howard
Date: 01/26/18

EASTHAMPTON

1 Doody Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Anthony M. Crimmins
Seller: Hing E. Seng
Date: 01/24/18

6 Dragon Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Samantha L. Lheureux IRT
Seller: Daniel G. Pouliot
Date: 01/17/18

11 Dragon Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Purple Heart NT
Seller: Jon C. Taber
Date: 01/18/18

68-78 Everett St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $574,000
Buyer: Laughing Brothers Properties
Seller: Kazimierz J. Kasa
Date: 01/19/18

8 Kania St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Michael P. Witzing
Seller: David N. Houle
Date: 01/26/18

29 Morin Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $128,200
Buyer: Patrick E. O’Neil
Seller: Bank New York Mellon
Date: 01/19/18

Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: Cumberland Farms Inc.
Seller: A-Z Storage & Properties
Date: 01/24/18

GOSHEN

68 Main St.
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $216,500
Buyer: Randall G. Baker
Seller: Timothy M. Mott
Date: 01/19/18

GRANBY

89 Aldrich St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Chad Rodrigue
Seller: Coakley Corp.
Date: 01/26/18

28 High St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Nathaniel L. Spear
Seller: Leroy H. Fredette
Date: 01/18/18

2 Hilltop Acres
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Robert M. Os
Seller: Stephen G. Goulet
Date: 01/23/18

148 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $116,993
Buyer: Deoclecio Artur
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 01/23/18

HADLEY

7 French St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: James G. Dubois-Sector
Seller: Rosenlund, Debra A., (Estate)
Date: 01/26/18

8 French St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: James G. Dubois-Sector
Seller: Rosenlund, Debra A., (Estate)
Date: 01/26/18

HATFIELD

10 North St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Marc P. Brugnoni
Seller: Cahill FT
Date: 01/16/18

NORTHAMPTON

319 Bridge St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Pioneer Property Services
Seller: Joseph E. Kielec
Date: 01/16/18

67 Chestnut Ave.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Dale M. West
Seller: Beaver Brook NT
Date: 01/26/18

27 Clark St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $143,035
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Ronald A. Lieberwirth
Date: 01/16/18

55 Damon Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,535,000
Buyer: American Dream Realty LLC
Seller: Robert S. Thomas
Date: 01/18/18

233 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Claudia Beldengreen
Seller: Emerson Way LLC
Date: 01/26/18

41 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Jaime L. Ginsberg
Seller: Douglas M. Kimball
Date: 01/16/18

SOUTH HADLEY

3 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Taugher
Seller: Robert P. Silvain
Date: 01/22/18

52 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: William A. Bradley
Seller: John E. Piskor
Date: 01/26/18

114 College St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Andrew L. Klepacki
Seller: David M. Conti
Date: 01/26/18

3 Greenwood Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: William F. Kent
Seller: Catherine Rigali
Date: 01/18/18

7 Pleasant St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Shah MA Realty LLC
Seller: Diane M. Bernashe-Lecca
Date: 01/17/18

11 Silver St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Joseph A. Stefanelli
Seller: Deborah S. Kearney
Date: 01/22/18

2 Silverwood Terrace
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: John E. Geoffroy
Seller: Lynn Ann McLaughlin RET
Date: 01/26/18

25 Sunset Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Maryann T. Sadowski
Seller: Carol A. Demerski
Date: 01/26/18

SOUTHAMPTON

132 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Evan R. Huff
Seller: Maureen Armstrong
Date: 01/26/18

10 Jonathan Judd Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Galica
Seller: Vijay V. Dalal
Date: 01/17/18

77 Moose Brook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $409,000
Buyer: David N. Houle
Seller: David Garstka Builders
Date: 01/26/18

WARE

136 Eagle St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Scott McCaughey
Seller: Lynn G. Mackinson
Date: 01/22/18

347 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Delia J. Butler
Seller: Victor J. Jacek
Date: 01/17/18

19 Smith Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ashlee Burns
Seller: Barbara R. Topor
Date: 01/22/18

WILLIAMSBURG
53 Hyde Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Gary D. Emerson
Seller: Kathaleen Emerson
Date: 01/17/18

35 Village Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Geoffrey S. Lebaron
Seller: Steven E. Thayer
Date: 01/18/18

DBA Certificates Departments

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the months of January and February 2018.

AMHERST

Capital Market Team
71 Country Corners Road
James Linfield

BELCHERTOWN

DuPuis Farm
734 George Hannum St.
Robert DuPuis

Everett Avenue Condominiums
21 Everett Ave.
James Moran

J. Fuller Locksmith
81 North St.
John Fuller Jr.

JL Construction
22 Mercier Dr.
Jason LaFleur

LeClerc & Son Forestry & Logging
91 Rockrimmon Road
Roland LeClerc

Ragaey M. Gobrial
209 Federal St.
Ragaey Gobrial

Sue Fay’s Salon
44 Stebbins St.
Suzette Fay

CHICOPEE

Comfy Cozy
57 Amherst St.
Nichole Bullock

Mike’s Clock Shop
81 Stedman St.
Michael Harry

RD Construction
32 Harding St.
Denis Rotar

Signature Hair and Threading
1889 Memorial Dr.
Asha Patel

Used Tire Maxx
519 Front St.
Moshe Ronen

DEERFIELD

Arts and Antiques on 5 & 10
717 Greenfield Road
Brickett Allis, Danielle Marie

Mycoterra Farm
75 Stillwater Road
Julia Coffey

EASTHAMPTON

Cynthia Apple, Hairdresser
121 Main St.
Cynthia Apple

Earth Clan
37 Franklin St.
Sarah Zazzaro-Williams

Parsons Street Press
61 Parsons St.
Erica Flood

Sharp
121 Main St.
Rachael Boido

Wood Crafts by Renée
13 Gula Dr.
Renée Hill

EAST LONGMEADOW

Sonic Urgent Care
406 North Main St., #170
Osazee Osagie

HADLEY

Foreign Auto Haus
12 Russell St.
Jeremy Ober

Hampshire Crossfit
220 Russell St.
Robert Migliaccio

Horton Tank Graphics
47 East St.
Arthur Lawson

Megan’s Valley Garden
8 Mill Valley Road
Brenda Fydenkevez

Mullins Center
200 Commonwealth Ave.
Global Spectrum FBD

Restore Physical Therapy
220 Russell St.
Patricia Young

Seymour Interior Decorating
9 Maplewood Terrace
Jennifer Seymour

Taco Bell
248 Russell St.
GF Enterprise, LLC

This and That Design
261 River Dr.
Pamela Hague

Time Out
341 Russell St.
Namco USA Inc.

HOLYOKE

Davans
245 Main St.
David Rodriguez

Glaze N Glory
532 Main St.
Shawna Rohan

Taylor Rental
14 Shawmut Ave.
Richard Clark Jr.

LONGMEADOW

Brais Builders, LLC
93 Westmoreland Ave.
Matthew Brais

LUDLOW

Butler Carpet Cleaners
23 Cady St.
Stephen McQueen

Garden Designs by Jacqueline
451 Miller St.
Jacqueline Clark

Pioneer Valley PDR
7 Circuit Ave.
Stephen Nodurf

NORTHAMPTON

Athol Media Co.
115 Conz St.
Michael Rifanburg

The Center for All Men and Sexual Health
40 Main St., #103
Jassy Casella-Timberlake

Daily Hampshire Gazette
115 Conz St.
Michael Rifanburg

Groundings
7 Main St.
Lauren Pacosa

Happy Valley
177 Main St.
Nancy Cowen

Kathleen Doe Creative Design
39 Garfield Ave.
Kathleen Doe

Measured Marketing Lab
152 Crescent St., Box 144
Christopher Chaput

Shop Therapy
189 Main St.
Ronny Hazel

Tim’s Used Books Inc.
90 King St.
Timothy Barry

PALMER

Cumberland Farms
1468 North Main St.
Cumberland Farms Inc.

Day & Night
1456 North Main St.
Karl Williams

Fancy Nails
1035 Thorndike St.
Diem Ndoc Nguyen

Jeffrey Ferreira Construction
2 Norbell St.
Jeffrey Ferreira

SOUTHWICK

ABC Masonry & Waterproofing
32 North Longyard Road
David Turner

Tasos Family Trust
5 Hummel Lane
Anastasios Karathanasopoulos

Valley Brook Restoration Group
299 College Highway
Douglas Seymour

SPRINGFIELD

Bakana Express Courier
5 Harbour Road
Joe Amoakah

Baked
196 Jasper St.
Yahaira Morales

Blazzin Pix
104 Lyons St.
David Torres

C.J. Pohner Home Improvement
215 Edendale St.
Christopher Pohner

David and Sons Transport
69 Clayton St.
David Hemmings

Dino’s Auto Repair
136 Nursery St.
Misael Colon

E & M Construction Service
19 Eddy St.
Egidio Morales

Eastfield Vapes
1655 Boston Road
Maxx Vapors Inc.

Ellectivity
80 Carver St.
Terrell Anthony

Focus
191 Chestnut St.
Fort Orange Claim

Focus Adjusters
191 Chestnut St.
Fort Orange Claim

Fort Orange Claims Unlimited
191 Chestnut St.
Fort Orange Claim

Frankie Painting
74 Mill St.
Frankie Santiago

Glamour Hair & Nail Salon
23 Hamburg St.
Francisco Rivera

Gonzalez Discount
2924 Main St.
Pedro Gonzalez

Medina Express
83 Clantoy St.
Victor Medina

MGM Springfield
1 MGM Way
Blue Tarp

Micro Scalp Clinic
143 Main St., Suite 104
Lord Smith

Pinguinos Construction
221 Hancock St.
Sadi Gonzalez

Price Cutter Inc.
2633 Main St.
Syed Shabib Ahsan

RLF & Assoc.
127 Carnavon Circle
Rickford Fraser

Skyline Maids
1188 Parker St.
Julio Cordero

VIP Spa
1704 Boston Road
Tommy Nguyen

Valley Blue Sox
100 Congress St.
Alfred Ciaglo

WESTFIELD

Advanced Quality Exteriors
18 Shepard St.
Vladimir Krylov

Beauregard Remodeling
286 Notre Dame St.
Beauregard Remodeling

CBD413
13 Dubois St.
Andrew Carmel

County Barber Shop
6163 School St.
David Munoz

Elite Tanning by Jennifer Amy
16 Union Ave., Suite 101
Elite Tanning by Jennifer Amy

Florek Family Farm
840 Granville Road
Christopher Florek

Hickory Hill Farm
325 Montgomery Road
Dennis Bishop

Krew
14 Turnpike Industrial Road
Robert Kraus

Linda Z. Gallo
45 Meadow St.
Linda Zomek-Gallo

Richards Fine Jewelers
461 East Main St.
M. Anthony Diamonds, LLC

Shea’s Barbers
243 Elm St.
J. Shea Enterprises

Van Sickle Custom Carpentry
22 Highland Ave.
Van Sickle Custom Carpentry

WEST SPRINGFIELD

AG Remodeling
45 Althea St.
Aleksander Glib

ATC Group Services, LLC
73 William Franks Dr.
Tanya Smith

ATF Cleaning Services
97 Ashley Ave.
Abraao Teixeira

DMP Supply Co. Inc.
759 Memorial Ave.
Donald Del Buono

Double J Western
1472 Riverdale St.
Brenda Hodge

Evergreen Events
67 York St.
Kristina Olberg

Liz’s Hair Care
242 Westfield St.
Elizabeth Porter

Mercy Companions
2112 Riverdale St.
Trinity Home Health

Mercy LIFE
2112 Riverdale St.
Trinity Health PACE

Mike’s Transportation
35 Kings Terrace
Michael Gagnon

Departments Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Oasisworks Inc., 239 Stanley St., Amherst, MA 01002. Tim Mortsolf, same. Visualization and automation techniques relating to Internet connected hardware.

BECKET

NVS Transportation Inc., 21 Stoney Brook Road, Becket, MA 01223. Natalia Ciloci, same. Transportation.

BRIMFIELD

Maw Electrical Inc., 45 Lyman Barnes Road, Brimfield, MA 01010. Mark Wedderburn, same. Electrical design, installation and automation.

CHICOPEE

Nova VC Construction & Cleaning Inc., 41 Sullivan St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Almir Dias, same. Carpentry and janitorial.

Nybles Bytes & Bits Inc., 48 Ceneter St., Chicopee, MA 01013. James Anthony Carter, same. Computer maintenance and repair service.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Michael R. Bertelli Electrician Inc., 238 East St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Michael R. Bertelli, same. Electrical contractor.

SPRINGFIELD

Ministerio Nada Es Imposible Para Dios Inc., 303 Maple St., Apt 119, Springfield, MA 01105. Luis Antonio Torres, same. The purpose of this ministry is to serve the community in the spiritual areas. Preaching the word of God. At the churches and streets, giving counseling, praying for the lives.

Nuts Auto Corp., 38 Merrimac Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Ksenia Orehova, same. Transportation.

O & M Distributions Corp, 23 Campechi St., Springfield, MA 01108. Marcos A. Gomez, same. Ethnic food wholesaler.

Om Belmont Shell Corp., 940 Belmont Ave., Springfield, MA 01108. Falguni Patel, same. Gas station.

Agenda Departments

Bar Talk for Isenberg Alumni

Feb. 20: No matter the establishment, bar talk can be engaging and insightful. That’s why Vinnie Daboul of Sage Benefits started hosting Bar Talk events for Isenberg School of Management alumni in Western Mass. These informal events are ideal for cultivating formal connections and alumni networks. The next Bar Talk session will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Max’s Tavern in Springfield. Attendees will be able to meet two Isenberg representatives: Jennifer Winkelman, executive director of Constituent Relations, and Thomas Moliterno, associate dean of Faculty & Engagement and overseer for the construction of the new Isenberg Innovation Hub. Appetizers will be served. Each attendee will receive one drink ticket. RSVP by e-mailing [email protected].

Lecture on Chronic Pain

Feb. 22: Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) will host a free discussion, “Living with Chronic Pain,” at 5:30 p.m. in the HMC Auxiliary Conference Center. Chronic pain can impact both one’s personal and professional life. HMC’s new Pain Management Center can help individuals manage that pain and get back to enjoying life. Dr. Joseph Strebel, director of the Pain Management Center, will discuss the comprehensive, multi-disciplinary treatment approach that HMC now offers, and what that can mean for one’s quality of life. This program is free and open to the public, and is part of Holyoke Medical Center’s community education programming, one in a series of workshops held throughout the year to help people learn about specific health issues, wellness, prevention, and treatment. To register for this event, visit www.holyokehealth.com/events or call (413) 534-2789.

Melha Shriners Last Dance

Feb. 24: As the Melha Shriners prepare to move from its current location, the Melha Shrine Center at 133 Longhill St. in Springfield, it will host a last hurrah of sorts: a Last Dance event. Beginning with a social hour at 6 p.m., attendees will enjoy a dinner of pasta and meatballs, salad, and rolls at 7 p.m. The evening will culminate with dancing to tunes presented by D.J. Rene Vadnais until midnight with chances to win 50/50 raffle prizes throughout the evening. The cost to attend the Last Dance is $15 per person. The Melha Shriners have been in their current location since 1959. “We have had such great support from the public and from our Shriners at so many events in our facility for the past 59 years, and we’re looking forward to being able to thank everyone for that support, which we hope will continue as we move into a new era,” said Glenn Suprenant, 2018 potentate of the Melha Shriners. Added Michael White, Shriners public relations chairman, “we want to have this special night for everyone to be able to celebrate our continued commitment to all that we represent as Shriners.” While the Shriners will be moving to a new facility within the next several months, its leadership team has continued to stress that the only change being made is the location of their facility, not their commitment to all that they represent. Those interested in purchasing tickets may do so by contacting the Shrine office at (413) 736-3647 or visiting melhashriners.com. Tickets will be sold at the door based on availability. For further information, contact Al Zippin at (413) 219-8655.

Springfield College Fit Fest

Feb. 26: The annual Springfield College Fit Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Springfield College Field House inside the Wellness and Recreation Complex. Fit Fest is free and open to the public. More than 40 exhibits and activities representing Springfield College groups and area businesses will address wellness topics including mental health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, financial literacy, social programs for kids and adults with disabilities, and physical-fitness testing. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive a free chair massage, have their body fat measured, participate in a functional movement screening, and learn about self-defense. Exhibitors in attendance will include the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Better Life Whole Foods, Tapestry Health, the Center for Human Development, and more.

MS Excel Skill Training

Feb. 26 to March 1: In conversations with area employers, Tech Foundry has learned that MS Excel is a pressing skill need for current workforce across Western Mass. Hundreds of workers in the Pioneer Valley alone use Excel on a daily basis, and only a small fraction have the training and skill needed to maximize job success and productivity. To meet this need, Tech Foundry is offering a four-day training class on Excel at its offices on the ninth floor of 1391 Main St., Springfield. The class will run each day from 9 a.m. to noon and cover the following skills: advanced formulas; tables and formatting; conditional formatting; advanced charting; pivot tables and pivot reporting; VBA and macros; using Excel productively; data tables, simulations, and Solver; Excel integration; and optimizing Excel. The cost per student is $750. However, employers with fewer than 100 employees are eligible for a 50% tuition reimbursement from Commonwealth Corp. To register, e-mail [email protected], or call Jonathan Edwards with questions at (413) 276-0609, ext. 100.

EMT Training Program

March 5 to June 20: Holyoke Community College, in collaboration with the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. and Emergency Medical Training Solutions, is offering an EMT training program at the E2E: Quaboag Region Workforce Training and Community College Center at 79 Main St., Ware. The EMT-B Emergency Medical Technician Basic course meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 10 p.m. and on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 13-week program consists of more than 170 hours of in-class lectures and additional online study, training, field trips, and workshops designed to prepare students for the state EMT certification exam. The course covers all aspects of emergency care, including patient handling, extrication, communication, working with law enforcement, legal issues, ethics, medical equipment, and safe transportation of patients. The course fee is $1,099 plus $200 for texts. For more information or to register, contact Ken White at (413) 552-2324 or [email protected], or visit www.hcc.edu/workforce.

Pricing and Positioning a Business for Sale

March 16: Attention all business owners: if you plan to retire, or think you might someday want to change gears in your life, you will eventually be faced with the task of selling or transferring ownership of your business.With this in mind, Philip Steckler and Eric Lineback of Country Business Inc. (CBI) will present a workshop titled “Maximize the Value of Your Business: Properly Pricing and Positioning Your Business For Sale” on Friday, March 16 from 9 to 11:30 
a.m. at Holyoke Public Library. CBI, a business-brokerage and merger-and-acquisition firm, has managed the sales of more than 1,200 businesses since 1976. Steckler and Lineback will introduce business owners to topics such as maximizing the value of a business, properly pricing and positioning a business for sale, attracting qualified buyers, minimizing taxes, and maintaining confidentiality. Additional topics covered will include analyzing a business’ strengths and weaknesses, understanding the marketplace, valuing a business and properly setting the purchase price and terms, and more.

Difference Makers

March 22: The 10th annual Difference Makers award program, staged by BusinessWest, will be held at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The winners were announced and profiled in the Feb. 5 issue. Difference Makers is a program, launched in 2009, that recognizes groups and individuals that are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. Tickets to the event cost $75 per person, with tables of 10 available. To order, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100 or visit www.businesswest.com. Sponsors to date include Sunshine Village, Royal, P.C., and Health New England. Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Caritas Gala

April 21: Plans are underway for Mercy Medical Center’s second annual Caritas Gala at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The gala, with its Motown-inspired theme “Reach Out,” will raise funds to support Mercy Behavioral Health Care and the Mercy Emergency Department’s Opioid Community Outreach for education, intervention, and treatment. Dr. Mohamed and Kimberly Hamdani, along with Paul and Anna Mancinone, are honorary chairpersons for the Caritas Gala. Longtime supporters of Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Hamdani has served as chairman of Surgery, chairman of Credentials, and president of the medical staff at Mercy, and Paul Mancinone serves on the board for Trinity Health Of New England. “Today, we are challenged by the opioid epidemic and its impact on individuals of all ages, races, and economic levels,” Dr. Hamdani said. “Mercy Behavioral Health Care looks beyond the stigma of addiction and provides treatment that supports people in their efforts to recover.” The Caritas Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, live entertainment from the band Motor City Magic, and a silent auction. Dinner will be served at 8 p.m., following by a live auction and dancing until midnight with music from the band Radiance. Preregistration is required by Friday, March 23. For more information or to purchase tickets to the Caritas Gala, visit www.mercycares.com/caritas-gala.

40 Under Forty Gala

June 21: BusinessWest’s 12th annual 40 Under Forty Gala is a celebration of 40 young business and civic leaders in Western Mass. The lavish cocktail party, to be held starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, will feature butlered hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and entertainment — and, of course, the presentation of the class of 2018. Also, the fourth Continued Excellence Award honoree will be announced. Presenting sponsors are PeoplesBank and Northwestern Mutual. Additional sponsors include Isenberg School of Management and the MP Group. Tickets will go on sale soon at $75 per person (tables of 10 available). For more information, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or e-mail [email protected].

Departments Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

A Sneak Peek

MGM Springfield gave area officials and the press a sneak peek at the Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute (MCCTI) Gaming School on Feb. 13. Located on the ninth floor of 95 State St., MGM Springfield’s headquarters, the facility was designed to develop and train individuals interested in applying for gaming positions with the resort casino slated to open this fall. MCCTI is operated by Training and Workforce Options, a collaboration between Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Below, from top to bottom, MGM President and COO Mike Mathis talks with guests at one of the poker tables. Middle, MGM Springfield General Manager Alex Dixon is flanked by STCC President John Cook and HCC President Christina Royal. Bottom, below, Cook is one of the interested spectators as Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, right, is given some lessons in how to deal blackjack from Robert Westerfield, vice president of Table Games for MGM Springfield.   Photos by MGM/Springfield Mark Murray



Grand Tour

The West of the River Chamber of Commerce (WRC) board of directors and elected officials recently toured the OMG Inc. manufacturing facility in Agawam. Employing more than 350 people in the Agawam facility alone, OMG is a domestic manufacturer of specialty fasteners, adhesives, tools, and related products for the commercial and residential construction markets. Below, pictured top to bottom, from left: West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, WRC Executive Director Robin Wozniak, Agawam Mayor Bill Sapelli, and state Rep. Nick Boldyga. Bottom, from left: Boldyga, Sapelli, and OMG CEO Hubert McGovern.

Daily News

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced $97,397 in state grant funds for priority projects in the City of Northampton, and the Towns of Duxbury, Middleton, and West Boylston to remove dams, aid in the restoration of rivers to their natural state, and increase climate readiness.

Benefits of river restoration include increased habitat for fish and wildlife, flood management, landscape development, and an increase in recreational opportunities and access. The grant funds are administered by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER). 

“By working with local communities and organizations, the Baker-Polito Administration is able to assist in the removal of aging dams, which will reduce the impact of floods, and improve ecosystems and habitats,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “The projects receiving funding benefit local, regional, and state economies by creating and sustaining jobs within the construction, engineering, and nursery industries.”

Locally, work will include Upper Roberts Meadow Brook Restoration and Upper Roberts Meadow Brook Dam Removal in Northampton, to be funded with a $25,000 state grant.

The brook is a cold water stream with a resident trout population. Removal of the 30-foot high dam will provide numerous environmental benefits, including conversion of the dam impoundment back to a free-flowing reach, re-connection of approximately nine miles of upstream habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms, and repair of ecological processes that support a healthy stream system including the movement of sediment and organic matter. This grant will support the city in completing the permitting phase, conducting the bid phase, and beginning the project implementation phase. 

Priority projects are evaluated by DER on their ecological benefit, cost, size, practicality, feasibility, contribution to climate readiness, opportunity for public education and recreation, available program resources, and partner support. They are chosen through a state-wide, competitive process, with selected projects commencing when the DER issues a pre-Request for Responses (RFR). Eligible applicants include municipalities, private property owners, non-profits, and academic institutions. Selected projects are also eligible to receive technical services such as data collection, engineering, design work, and permitting; project management and fundraising assistance from DER staff; and small grants.

Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Professional Drywall Construction Inc. (PDC) recently transferred ownership of the company to two of its employees. Ron Perry and Nick Shaink are now carrying on founder John Kendzierski’s legacy as a leading commercial drywall contractor in Southwestern New England. Former owner John Kendzierski will remain on the board of directors as a consultant.

PDC will continue to operate from its West Springfield office, but in order to better serve the construction industry in Connecticut, it recently opened a second office in South Norwalk, Conn. The new location allows PDC to react more quickly to requests from Connecticut customers and provide additional on-site consultation in the Southern Conn. area.

Affiliated with the carpenters and laborers union since 1997, PDC has grown to become a regional firm with more than employees, working in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. PDC is pre-qualified to work in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, and has a bonding capacity of up to $35 million, enabling it to accommodate virtually any size project.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — No matter the establishment, bar talk can be engaging and insightful. That’s why Vinnie Daboul of Sage Benefits started hosting Bar Talk events for Isenberg School of Management alumni in Western Mass. These informal events are ideal for cultivating formal connections and alumni networks. The next Bar Talk session will take place Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Max’s Tavern in Springfield.

Attendees will be able to meet two Isenberg representatives: Jennifer Winkelman, executive director of Constituent Relations, and Thomas Moliterno, associate dean of Faculty & Engagement and overseer for the construction of the new Isenberg Innovation Hub. Appetizers will be served. Each attendee will receive one drink ticket. RSVP by e-mailing [email protected].

Class of 2018 Difference Makers

Evan Plotkin Works to Fill in the Canvas Known as Springfield

006_plotkinevan-diff2017The small bronze plaque is starting to show its age.

Fastened to a rectangular stone near the former Court Square Hotel and the old Hampden County Courthouse, it proudly celebrates work done to clean up a walkway that connects Court Square with State Street. It reads:

COURT HOUSE WALK, one of the city’s most charming and historic landmarks, was restored by the Junior League of Springfield Massachusetts Incorporated in cooperation with the City of Springfield, 1979.

Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin, can’t really see this plaque from the south-facing window in his office on the 14th floor of 1350 Main St. (although he can see quite a bit, as will be noted later). But he references it when he can because, in many ways, it, like similar milestones around the city, presents a perfect segue into a discussion about what drives his efforts to revitalize Springfield, especially through the arts and restoration and celebration of existing treasures ranging from parks and fountains to the Connecticut River.

“You can almost imagine the ceremony there, with media standing by and the public officials, and everyone making a proclamation and galvanizing it on a plaque on the ground,” he told BusinessWest as he looked out his window and gestured toward the walkway. “There are a lot of plaques like that around the city, and they all say, in essence, ‘this is a commitment that we made, and we put in bronze, presumably so it would last longer than we are going to last so that future generations will know that at one time we had this vision of doing something.’

“When I first saw that plaque, and saw there were dead rats along that sidewalk and all the lights were out, I said, ‘this is not the vision that they had,’” Plotkin went on. “They had a vision of connecting this beautiful park to another very important commercial district with something special.”

There are, as he noted, a great many stories like that walkway scattered across downtown Springfield and beyond. Stearns Square is one of them. Pynchon Park, the elaborate, much-heralded space built in the late ’70s to connect the Quadrangle with the central business district and abandoned soon after it opened, is another. There’s also Riverfront Park, the Apremont Triangle area, and many more.

There are plaques at some of those sites, but there were gatherings of people and celebrations at all of them, said Plotkin, who has committed his adult life to restoring … well, something approximating what it was that people were celebrating when they gathered, made speeches, and maybe cut a ribbon.

In the case of that walkway, for example, Plotkin made sure that it was part of City Mosaic, what amounts to a giant mural on the Court Square property that he helped bring to fruition, one that features the likenesses of dozens of celebrities, from the Beatles to Louis Armstrong. Judy Garland, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, and John Lennon are among those who can be seen on the walkway portion of the mural.

plotkinplaguecourthousewalk

There are many other examples of Plotkin’s work to re-energize and enliven Springfield — from his hard work to revitalize the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival to his efforts to lead the Art & Soles public art project that placed colorful sneakers around downtown, to his success in turning 1350 Main into a kind of art gallery.

And there are many things, beyond those aforementioned plaques, inspiring Plotkin as he goes about this wide-ranging work. Part of it is what he fondly remembers from his youth, a half-century ago, when he, like countless others who grew up near the City of Homes, would get on a bus on a Saturday morning, travel to downtown Springfield, and spend literally all day there — at Johnson’s Bookstore, Herman’s World of Sporting Goods, Forbes & Wallace, the movie theaters, Friendly’s, and countless other destinations.

Another part of it is what he’s seen during his many trips to Europe, where squares and plazas in Rome, Madrid, Venice, Amsterdam, and other cultural centers are filled, not just with tourists, but locals.

Another part of it is recognition not of what Springfield was — 50 years ago or 150 years ago, for that matter — but what it could be. Especially at a time when we are told urban living is making a comeback, that Millennials want to live in places where they may not have to drive, that downtowns are hot again.

But what probably drives him most is the fact that not all downtowns are hot, and not all cities are attracting Millennials and retiring Baby Boomers alike.

No, only those cities that can create an attractive mix of things to do, places to live, cultural amenities, and a sense of safety and comfort are making their way into that category.

Plotkin has made what amounts to a second career out of efforts to make Springfield one of those cities. And for his tireless — and we mean tireless — efforts, he is certainly worthy of the designation Difference Maker.

Art of the Matter

Getting back to what Plotkin can see out his windows … there’s plenty, as we noted. There’s the river, the South End and the casino rising there, and, yes, Court Square, in which there is a slightly larger plaque he can actually see and took the opportunity to point out.

It commemorates the Parsons Tavern, which stood on that site. It was there that George Washington was “entertained” — it doesn’t say anything about him sleeping there — on June 30, 1775 while traveling on horseback from Philadelphia to Cambridge to take command of the American forces. And he stopped there again 14 years later, this time as president of the young country, while traveling by coach through the New England states.

Evan Plotkin with some examples of his ‘food art.’

Evan Plotkin with some examples of his ‘food art.’

“There are neat plaques and monuments like that all over the city, and most people don’t know they’re there,” said Plotkin, who pointed out another — the lion’s-head fountain on the east side of the square that was restored several years ago.

But Plotkin certainly doesn’t restrict his interests and his activity to what he can see out the window. Indeed, he walks the city pretty much on a daily basis, usually with his dog, George, at his side. While he’s walking, he’s always taking mental notes, he said, and thinking about what was, in some cases, and about what can be in all cases.

A real-estate broker and manager by trade, Plotkin is also an artist. The area once occupied by Santander Bank’s lobby at 1350 Main St., which Plotkin co-owns, has many of his works on display. They include some sculptures and a large collection of photos of images (mostly faces) he created on his plate by arranging various foods just so. Really.

“I call it food art, or face food — it’s a little goofy,” he told BusinessWest. “It’s not really a genre, it’s just something I do.”

So, in many respects, Plotkin the artist sees Springfield as his canvas, one that he is filling in through his various endeavors. Looked at another way, though — and this is probably the more accurate description — Springfield itself is a work of art in need of restoration work, and Plotkin, the artist but also the community activist, Springfield champion, and sometimes (often?) pain in the neck to those in City Hall, is heavily involved in that restoration work.

Overall, while his artistic portfolio is mostly about positioning meats and vegetables, his work with and on behalf of the city amounts to what he calls “activating space,” with ‘activating’ taking many forms.

They include everything from revitalizing spaces or facilities — such as the fountain at Stearns Square, which has been dismantled for repairs — to bringing vibrancy to a given location, such as efforts he’s led to bring the Springfield Jazz & Roots festival to Court Square (more on that later).

Plotkin’s not sure when he started doing all this, but as he looks back, he believes he’s pretty much always been involved in such efforts.

Speaking of looking back, Plotkin did a lot of it as he talked with BusinessWest, recalling, for example, those bus trips downtown, visits to the family business’s offices on Dwight Street, and walks with his father and grandfather through a much different downtown Springfield.

“All the shop owners, whether they were a furrier or a hatter or a print shop … all these different store owners would be out talking with people, and my grandfather knew every one of them,” he remembered. “It seemed like a really great community of small businesses, family businesses, and I think this is something that’s been lost in the downtown.”

The rise of the automobile and the construction of roads like I-91, I-291, and I-391 played a big part in this transformation, he went on, adding that, as people and businesses left for the suburbs and malls, downtown lost its vibrancy as well as its appeal.

But in some cities, he said, a reversal of that transformation is taking place, with people moving back downtown and cities putting more emphasis on infrastructure for pedestrians and bicycles and dedicating less space to surface parking lots, for example.

Can the same happen in Springfield? Plotkin offered what amounts to a ‘yes, but…’ And by that, he meant that there is still considerable work to do.

Past Is Prologue

Plotkin knows better than anyone that there is no turning back the clock to 1969, to those bus trips to downtown and on to Johnson’s bookstore, stops at the typewriter repair shop or record store while walking around.

But there can be a return to the type of vibrancy that existed then, he went on, adding that Springfield can be one of those cities to capitalize on the apparent surge in urban living and the return of the downtown.

When helping to bringing City Mosaic to reality, Evan Plotkin made sure Court House Walk was included in the project.

When helping to bringing City Mosaic to reality, Evan Plotkin made sure Court House Walk was included in the project.

Much will have to go right, he admits, and the city will have to somehow answer that perplexing urban version of the chicken-or-egg question, which goes something like: ‘which comes first — the people or the restaurants, coffee shops, retail, and jobs?’ The theory goes that you can’t have one without the other.

Plotkin believes the city needs to be focused on both sides of the equation at the same time, and especially the part about getting people here. All those other things will follow, he said.

But to get people here, the city must be more livable, he said, meaning it must be safe and vibrant, have places for people to live, offer culture, and provide an infrastructure that, as noted, is far more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly.

And he’s focused on all of the above through his work to activate spaces.

With that, he recalled his most recent trip to Europe and, more specifically, to Amsterdam and a plaza called Dam Square.

“It’s mobbed with people, it’s the epicenter of the city historically, it’s beautiful visually, and it’s the heart of the city; that’s where people to go to mingle and mix and shop and entertain themselves,” he said. “To draw a comparison to Court Square, I’ve looked on that as being one of those great public spaces, and the frustrating thing for me throughout my time in Springfield is that I see these public spaces and their potential — which is underutilized.

“And it frustrates me to no end,” he went on. “We have such incredibly important public spaces that have been dormant for some time. When you go to a place like Dam Square or Plaza Mayor in Madrid or other places like that, and see the activity that’s happening in those places, which isn’t contrived, it happens every day, you imagine the possibilities, but you also get frustrated.”

Perhaps the most glaring example of facilities being underutilized is Pynchon Park, he noted, adding that it had a very short life as a park before it was essentially locked down and abandoned amid safety concerns and other considerations.

“There was no plan for Pynchon Park,” said Plotkin with noticeable exacerbation in his voice. “I know from being in real estate that if you build something, that’s not the end of the game; you have to maintain that property. You have to think about security, infrastructure, maintenance, and keeping it clean so it is serviceable for the purpose for which it was intended.”

But, in a twist, Pynchon Park, which has long been a poster child for neglect and underutilization of resources, may soon be one of the more stunning examples of what Plotkin called a “sea change” taking place in Springfield.

Indeed, the park is slated for a $3.5 million facelift (funded by the MassWorks Infrastructure Program) that will include, ironically, a decidedly European form of conveyance, a funicular, to transport people from Dwight Street to Chestnut Street and the Quadrangle.

Other examples include Stearns Square and its fountain, Duryea Way, and Riverfront Park, also scheduled for a major renovation.

Accomplishments of Note

The jazz festival is part of this sea change, he went on, adding that his work to bring that event downtown and continue the tradition after it was discontinued for a few years is exemplary of his broader efforts to make downtown a gathering place and not just a Monday-through-Friday, 9-to-5 place.

Plotkin said his involvement with the festival began in 2005 when he served as a volunteer for what was known then as the Hoop City Jazz Festival, staged in the quad on the STCC campus and later at Riverfront Park. At first, he worked with founder John Osborne and other members of a committee to create a slate of performers, and later got involved with the fund-raising side of the venture.

017_plotkinevan-diff2017

“I really loved the idea, but I was troubled with the event not being in the downtown, and I said to John, ‘I don’t really want to do this anymore unless we move it to the heart of downtown in Court Square,’” Plotkin recalled, adding that, when he convinced Osborne and the mayor to make that move, the event, and the city, were energized by it.

When Osborne fell ill at the start of this decade and the event fell into limbo, Plotkin was instrumental in bringing it into a new era with a new name, the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival.

Now entering its sixth year, the festival is doing what Plotkin envisioned it would — it is using music to bring a diverse audience of people to celebrate music and energize the city and its downtown.

“When I look out the audience and see the faces and the different demographic groups that attend, and the overwhelming joy that people have congregating in that park and listening to music … it’s kind of like a Woodstock,” he explained. “It’s like a love fest.

“Music breaks boundaries, it breaks barriers, and it brings people together,” he went on. “I know that’s cliché of me to say, but it just … seems to work.”

Many other initiatives that Plotkin has led have worked as well. That list includes Art & Soles, which placed dozens of five-foot sneakers around the downtown area and beyond; City Mosaic; the conversion of the ninth floor of 1350 Main St. into what’s known as Studio 9, a community gathering space; use of the front lobby — and now other spaces — at 1350 Main for use as gallery space; work in partnership with artist James Kitchen to bring many of his metal sculptures to the downtown area; and much more.

As he reflected more on Springfield, its downtown, and what it will take to make the city a destination, Plotkin talked about building blocks and how his work and that of others represents putting such blocks on top of one another to build something substantial — and lasting.

“I think one of the next big things that needs to happen is to focus on how we can redevelop some of the class B and C office space into market-rate or affordable housing so we can attract people down there,” he said of just one the ‘blocks,’ the all-important housing component. “But that’s only going to happen when we restore our parks, reconnect the river to the city, and do something about the lack of attention given to those aspects of building a vibrant downtown.

“If you start making moves in these directions, and if you start restoring your public spaces, these efforts will all lead to that general sense of well-being that people have,” he went on, “and the positive feelings that people have about being here and living here.”

Walking the Walk

It’s safe to say few people have ever traveled down Court House Walk. And even fewer have noticed the small plaque commemorating its restoration four decades ago or taken the time to read it.

Evan Plotkin has, and while reading, he allowed his mind to drift back to the day people gathered at that spot, gave speeches, and cut a ribbon.

Although he recognizes that the walkway is a comparatively modest example of a space that needs to be activated, of something once celebrated that has since been forgotten, it is nonetheless symbolic of everything he has worked for and continues to work for.

It’s not about the past and bringing back good old days, but about the future, and creating a Springfield that people will want to live in and work in and visit to take in a jazz festival.

Like art, and, yes, even food art, this work has become a passion for Plotkin, and it has made him a true Difference Maker.

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

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

Geoff Kravitz (left) and Paul Bockelman

Geoff Kravitz (left) and Paul Bockelman say the town is studying what types of businesses would be best suited to its emerging mixed-use developments.

Anyone who has spent time in Amherst recognizes the town’s enviable mix of cultural institutions, restaurants, academic energy — more than 33,000 students attend UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, and Amherst College — and open space.

But town officials know they need to do more than tout those offerings; they need to leverage them to create the kind of community where college graduates will want to stay, and where families and businesses will want to locate.

A number of recent developments aim to meet that need. For example, Archipelago Investments, LLC of Amherst is building One East Pleasant, a mixed-use project featuring 135 residential units and 7,500 square feet of commercial space, with plans for the building to be completed and occupied by the fall.

Meanwhile, W.D. Cowls Inc. and Boston-based Beacon Communities are laying the groundwork for North Square at the Mill District, another mixed-use development in North Amherst, which will feature 130 residential units — including 26 affordable units for people at or below 50% of the area’s median income — and 22,000 square feet of commercial space. Construction on the project, which tapped into local tax-increment financing, is set to begin this spring.

Archipelago is also developing a third mixed-use project for the downtown area, at 26 Spring St., which will feature 38 residential units and 1,000 square feet of commercial space. That was recently permitted, as was Aspen Heights, on Route 9 at the former Amherst Motel site, where Breck Group Amherst Massachusetts LP plans a residential development that will include 115 units, 16 of them qualifying as affordable housing.

“There is a master plan which has focused development on the village centers, while taking tangible steps to preserve open space,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman, noting that municipal leaders want new development to occur downtown, in the North Amherst Village Center, in South Amherst, and East Amherst so the town can preserve existing neighborhoods and open space.

Amherst at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1759
Population: 39,482
Area: 27.7 square miles
County: Hampshire
Residential Tax Rate: $21.14
Commercial Tax Rate: $21.14
Median Household Income: $48,059
Median Family Income: $96,005
Type of Government: Select Board, Town Meeting
Largest Employers: UMass Amherst; Amherst College; Delivery Express; Hampshire College
* Latest information available

“Things are happening on campus, too,” said Geoff Kravitz, Amhert’s Economic Development director. “UMass opened its design building, they’re renovating Isenberg School of Management, and Amherst College is doing a big, new, quarter-billion science center.”

“That’s an interesting one,” Bockelman said of the latter. “At one point, they were saying 200 tradespeople were coming into town every day to work on one building. These sorts of investments from the colleges and university are making a spillover effect on the town. Clearly, as these institutions grow, it benefits the town.”

Meanwhile, the University/Town of Amherst Collaborative has been working since 2015 to create better connections between UMass and the town, from addressing student housing needs to leveraging opportunities related to university research, entrepreneurship opportunities, cultural opportunities, and retention of graduates.

It’s a town, in short, that is ripe for opportunities that spring out of such connections — and a place whose cultural profile makes it a true destination for visitors and transplants alike.

Speaking of Culture

The Amherst Central Cultural District is another connection-maker of sorts, a state designation issued in 2016 that aims to leverage the offerings of the Emily Dickinson Museum, Jones Library, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the Yiddish Book Museum at Hampshire College, the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College, and other cultural institutions.

“They can cross-promote; for example, the Emily Dickinson Museum has a poetry week, and Amherst College has a literary festival,” Kravitz said, adding that the Business Improvement District also presents an arts festival downtown that brings together artists of all kinds who normally work independently. “We have a lot of people who do their artwork at home, and this gets them out of the woodwork and shows a strong artistic presence downtown.”

Meanwhile, the Amherst WinterFest, an array of cultural and recreational offerings slated for Feb. 3-10, has been expanded this year from a weekend to a full week, due to popular demand.

The downtown district continues to attract new businesses — the Red Door Salon, Bart’s Ice Cream, and Ichiban are a few recent notables — but with a low vacancy rate, growth is limited until those mixed-use developments come online. And the town has streamlined its downtown parking options as well, making it easier for people to pay by phone, for instance, and issued maps showing where visitors can find parking, bathrooms, and other amenities.

Through it all, officials hope the new mixed-use developments downtown create more business growth, energy, and tourism.

“We’re looking to fill that commercial space, and that requires breaking out the crystal ball and looking into the future,” Kravitz said. Specifically, the down has engaged with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to develop an economic-development plan which will examine the market, local economic indicators, and the town’s so-called SWOT — strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats — to determine what types of businesses may be most successful, including but possibly going beyond the restaurants, retail, and entertainment options that have long thrived downtown.

As for housing, the new residential developments are welcome, as there hasn’t been much residential development over the previous couple decades, Bockelman said, noting that a 2015 study determined that Amherst could use some 4,000 more units. “People have been trying to fill that gap.”

But young people aren’t the only ones interested in the Amherst lifestyle. “Older people are retiring to college towns; it’s very attractive, between the cultural benefits and the 80 miles of hiking trails here and the access to nature,” he added, referring to the K.C. Trail, the Robert Frost Trail, and the Norwottuck Rail Trail. “Not everyone is going to Florida to retire. Some people grew up here and want to stay here; they’re not fleeing to warmer climes.”

The Kayon Accelerator, which opened last year on the second floor of the AmherstWorks co-working space downtown, can play a role in retaining people who grew upin Amherst and went to college here, Kravitz said, by attracting people trying to turn innovative ideas into businesses and may be looking for venture capital and other resources.

“If they like the lifestyle here, why not stay where they have friends and have a life already?” he said. “That’s one thing we’re trying to build — that 22-to-44 age group, people starting their families here. That’s really valuable to us.”

Green Thoughts

There is one other economic-development opportunity that towns have grappled with in myriad ways, but that Amherst is embracing. That’s the marijuana trade — both medicinal and recreational. Considering that the town’s voters favored the 2016 ballot measure legalizing recreational pot by a 3-to-1 margin, officials here are taking seriously how best to respect their wishes while emphasizing safe use of marijuana.

“This recreational use, or adult use, is something our residents want to see, and even if the town doesn’t think it’s a good idea, it’s going to have an impact on the town anyway, so it’s a good idea to have the businesses located here so we can take advantage of the tax revenue, and do it in a safe, responsible manner,” Kravitz said.

However, with a population that’s constantly changing — thousands of freshmen report to UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, and Amherst College each fall — the town is planning a significant educational component as well. It has also passed a number of marijuana-related regulations, including a 3% local-option sales tax, a ban on public consumption, and capping at eight the number of recreational-marijuana establishments in town.

“We thought that would create enough competition without overwhelming them,” Kravitz said. “The town is now looking at zoning that will help refine that.”

It’s just one more way a town with much to offer residents and businesses is working to weave those amenities into a tapestry that keeps people coming — whether for school, to live, or simply to enjoy the scene.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Construction Sections

Building Concern

David Fontaine Jr.

David Fontaine Jr. outside one of his company’s current high-profile projects, the new Pope Francis High School.

The good news for area contractors is that construction is humming along in Western Mass. The bad news? A limited talent pool has been stretched even thinner, and companies often struggle to find skilled workers. It’s actually a national problem, as a decades-long emphasis on college degrees has steered young people away from the trades as a viable career option. That needs to change, industry experts say, if they want to keep growing.

Long before the MGM Springfield casino project put hundreds of workers — carpenters, ironworkers, plumbers, electricians, you name it — to work, the region’s construction companies found themselves struggling with a critical element of the business: finding workers.

n some ways, it’s a good problem to have — it means construction activity is up regionally — but it may not be sustainable.

“In Western Mass., it’s a combination of things,” said David Fontaine Jr., president of Fontaine Brothers in Springfield. “Everyone is very busy, with a lot of large projects going on and demanding a lot of labor. And then, you’re seeing a shortage of people entering the trades. Its hard to distinguish which is more the culprit right now, but it’s definitely those two things going on.”

Fran Beaulieu, president of Phil Beaulieu & Sons Home Improvement in Chicopee, agrees.

“There is a shortage, and it’s hard to find new help; they just don’t come knocking on your door,” he told BusinessWest. “So we have to create from within. We do have a nice crop of younger guys working for us, under 30, and we’re doing everything we can to retain them — making a better work environment, making it profitable for them, and showing them there is a future in this. That’s how you retain them.”

Attracting new blood to the field? That’s a little more challenging.

“It’s hard work,” he said, perhaps referring to both the actual jobs and convincing people to do them. “When you decide you want to be a carpenter, plumber, or electrician, you know it will be hard work. And there will be days when it’s 28 degrees out — those are the bad days. But then there are a lot of good days — nice, sunny days when it’s 75 degrees out, and people sitting at their desks wish they were outside.”

It doesn’t help, he noted, that some elements of society have looked down at the construction trades over the past quarter-century, pushing hard the idea that young people need to earn a college degree.

Yet, “if you take the job professionally, you can do really, really well,” he said, noting that someone who starts at age 18 may be earning $80,000 to $90,000 by the time they’re 23 or 24, while someone who went to college is just starting out in an entry-level job, often saddled with six-figure debt.

“And that’s working for someone else; never mind venturing out and doing your own projects,” he went on. “I always tell young guys, ‘the carpenter becomes the builder, the builder becomes the developer, and the developer becomes the real-estate owner.’ After five or six years, they’re often no longer wearing a toolbelt, because they’re managing the people working for them. This business can be very lucrative; there’s a lot of opportunity. We all need a plumber from time to time.”

If You Build It…

America needs a lot more than that. Last year, the National Assoc. of Home Builders’ Economics and Housing Policy Group conducted a national online survey of 2,001 young adults (ages 18-25) in response to growing concerns over labor supply in the trades. The current scarcity is all the more concerning, the report noted, given projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the construction sector will add around 790,000 new jobs between 2014 and 2024.

Among respondents who say they want to work in construction, 80% cited good pay as a reason why — the top motivator, in fact. Other reasons include the ability to obtain useful skills (74%), the ability to work outside (53%), the ability to start one’s own business (50%), and the fact that it doesn’t require a college degree (37%).

On the other hand, when respondents who said they were not interested in a construction career were asked why, the top reason was the desire for a less physically demanding job, cited by 48%, followed by the difficulty of the work (32%), the desire for an office job (26%), the desire to open their own business (20%) and, interestingly, the desire to make more money than people in the trades make (19%).

Interesting, because there seems to be a perception gap when it comes to salary. Of the respondents uninterested in a construction career, almost half (44%) think annual salary averages less than $51,000, and only 2% think someone can earn more than $100,000.

Still, the report notes, “most young adults who have yet to make up their minds on a career see very little chance they would join the trades even if the pay was high. This decision is based more on their view that construction work is physically demanding and difficult, and less so on often-repeated presumptions that it is because they prefer ‘new economy’ type jobs, or because the work is seasonal or requires being outside in the elements.

Fran Beaulieu

Fran Beaulieu says recruiting talent is a constant challenge in the industry, which is why he focuses on creating a strong culture of retention and advancement.

“The helpful news for the construction industry is that many 18- to 25-year olds who in theory would not like to work in the trades would reconsider it for an annual salary of $75,000 or more,” it continues. “Although the average annual salary is below this for the trades relevant to the home building industry, $75,000-plus salaries are available for the top 10% to 25% of workers, and it may be worthwhile to make this more widely known.”

Fontaine is doing his part.

“I think this is a great career,” he said. “We have a lot of people here who have had long, successful careers. And certainly, a lot of other contractors in the area have employed a lot of the same people for years and years. A lot of that is the unions, which have great healthcare programs and pension programs that people can take advantage of.”

It’s the other side of the coin, the too-slow trickle of younger workers, that has contractors concerned. Take, for example, these comments published in BusinessWest during 2017 alone:

• From Joe Marois, president of Marois Construction in South Hadley: “Now we’re being faced with a labor shortage, which is always a challenge. That’s the nature of construction — it’s never perfect. I don’t know to what extent the casino is affecting that, but basically, the labor pool for tradespeople is very small.”

• From Laurie Raymaakers, co-owner of J.L. Raymaakers & Sons in Westfield: “What we’re not seeing is qualified or experienced people to hire to grow with us. The need for skilled tradespeople is not going away, and it’s not just us — everyone we talk to within the industry says the same thing. And it’s a field where you can make a very good wage.”

• And from Brian Ruud, owner of Vista Home Improvement in Chicopee, who noted that companies have to be willing to pay competitive wages for good talent: “It’s hard to find good people … We’re happy with where we are now. We could grow more if we had the right people, but we’ll find them.”

Jason Garand

Jason Garand says the local carpenters union has developed programs to introduce young people to well-paying careers in the trade.

Jason Garand, business manager of Carpenters Local Union 336 in Springfield, agreed that the promise of good pay is a must to attract young people, noting that, if an 18-year-old with no plans to go to college can earn $11 an hour at McDonald’s or $13 an hour on a job site, doing hard work in the elements, he might choose fast food, even though there’s a much lower career ceiling in that field — perhaps store management, but no higher.

“He might say, ‘I’ll take the easier path in the short term,’ but in the long term, it’s a dead end,” he noted.

As one of its efforts to raise the profile of its trade, the union recently partnered with Putnam Vocational Technical Academy to bring two students in as apprentices to work on the MGM Springfield project.

“We’re giving them a taste of what construction is all about, and our rate is $16 to start — that’s an apprentice, walking in with no skills,” Garand said, adding that, in the long term, “the union has a wage and benefit package that puts you in the middle class.”

Daily Grind

Fontaine was quick to note that the office side of the business isn’t seeing the same shortage, as the flow of young people graduating from schools like Wentworth Institute of Technology or Worcester Polytechnic Institute with degrees in construction management or engineering has been steady.

“We’re seeing more of a shortage of people going into the trades, the laborers — carpenters, plumbers, pipefitters.”

He added that young people who come from families with construction trades in their background are much more likely to enter the field themselves. Meanwhile, Beaulieu said, immigrants, many from South and Central America or Eastern Europe, are entering the field locally at a higher rate than American-born young people.

“There are some drawbacks,” Fontaine said. “There’s a lot of travel involved, a lot of driving to and from job sites. You’re up and on the road early; some people are averse to that. And there are fluctuations in the construction industry; the market is going to go up and down. It’s not a career where you expect to be employed 52 weeks a year. Especially in the early stage of a career, that can drive some people away, too.”

Beaulieu agreed that it’s not the easiest career. “It’s tough on the body; you have to take care of yourself and stay thin — but the job itself will keep you thin.”

For whatever reason, he went on, “I don’t think a lot of seniors and juniors, when they’re thinking about career opportunities, are necessarily thinking about a trade. But, on the other hand, you don’t have to leave college with huge debt, you’re going to get paid right out of the gate, and five or six years later, you can be a master at the trade.”

With that in mind, Beaulieu says he focuses on training from within, so that his own people can grow in their careers, stay with the firm, and advance to project management and beyond.

The Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry recently conducted its own study on why the construction business struggles to attract new talent, and emerged with five takeaways:

• Young people thrive on regular communication. They enjoy collaborating on teams. Mentoring programs will encourage them to stay on board with a company.

• What matters to a young person about work differs from older generations. Young people enjoy technology, and the construction industry is using more of it. Experts recommend appealing to young people’s interest in technology.

• Company culture is important. Young people want jobs that come with perks and ‘come and go as you like’ atmospheres, which are common among high-tech firms. To be appealing, construction firms need to create ‘good fit’ cultures.

• Companies need to develop new recruitment strategies to meet the long-term employment forecasts, which are positive.

• The construction industry needs to target the right group of young people for field positions — those out of high school but not in college. An older group, attending two-year community-college programs, is an up-and-coming recruitment target as well; they may have tried a career path or two and are ready to settle down.

Like others BusinessWest has spoken with recently about this challenge, Fontaine said there’s no one fix, but added that the tide may be turning when it comes to getting the word out that careers in the construction trades are more stable and lucrative than young people might think.

“I think it’s been a challenge for a while, but the unions have done a good job recruiting people into the trades the last couple of years; they’ve done a good job, especially with some projects like the casino, of reaching into the local market,” he noted. “People are becoming more aware of the opportunities than they were five years ago. But it’s still a constant challenge to get and keep good people.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Construction Sections

On the Horizon

In the construction industry, many firms, general contractors, and individual construction workers have done their job a certain way for decades. They learned a certain technique, process, or order of operations that they trust and has worked for them time and time again in the past. For this reason, many construction companies and workers are hesitant and skeptical of adopting new and emerging trends in the industry.

However, the technology developing for the construction industry has grown at an exponential rate, and companies that fail to adopt these new practices could seriously fall behind their competition.

Currently, the construction industry faces a variety of issues that have stifled many projects and raised concerns from the general public. One of the biggest issues facing the industry in 2018 is an overall shortage of laborers that are considered ‘qualified’ construction workers. Another major issue is the glaring number of fatal work injuries that the industry faces, highest among any sector in the U.S. Construction projects have grown increasingly intricate, causing contractors to underestimate the time it will take to complete the project on time and under budget. So, what will 2018 bring to help resolve these issues?

Cutting-edge Robotics

One of the ways the construction industry will try to address its issues with skilled labor is with cutting-edge robotics to streamline and standardize many of their work processes. There have already been great advances in this avenue of construction. Robotic bricklayers have been manufactured to correctly lay up to 3,000 bricks per day, equal to six times faster than a typical bricklayer. By using a combination of a conveyor belt, robotic arm, and concrete pump, this cutting-edge machine will not be able to fully take over a construction site but could offer a construction company huge efficiencies, when used in the right scenarios. These types of robots have only just started to be used in major construction projects.

So, why has this trend not already taken off? So far, the technology and reliance on these machines is still relatively new to the sector. As mentioned earlier, many general contractors are hesitant to adopt new technologies or new ways to complete projects, not to mention having to make a giant investment to do so. Plus, relying solely on a relatively new piece of equipment to lay thousands of bricks is a bold move. However, as these types of construction robots prove themselves more and more, work out their kinks, and skilled laborers become scarcer, a larger number of companies will be willing to make this plunge into the new age of construction robotics.

Internet of Things

As everyone has heard, the Internet of Things (IoT) is going to revolutionize everything: the manufacturing sector, retail, construction, even each individual household. Currently, there are companies offering machine-to-machine construction equipment that offers communication between the two, plus offering diagnostics on the machinery’s fluids, temperature, and even motion sensors. This instant communication between equipment and updates for operators means far less downtime for the construction company and easier maintenance.

So, why would the construction industry not have already adopted these IoT-connected machines, or be more hesitant to adopt these machines than a sector like manufacturing? Well, for the more sophisticated IoT-enabled machines, they can have a fairly high initial cost.

Now, this is the same for the manufacturing industry, too but with one major difference. A manufacturing environment is much more controlled and consistent than a construction environment. On a construction project, it can be very difficult to judge how much a company will use any particular set of machinery and, to go even further, how much they will use it from project to project. In a manufacturing environment, it is much easier to know exactly how often a piece of equipment is used for each process, and, therefore, it is easier to know where to invest in the IoT.

However, as these products become more common, prices will begin to decrease, and construction companies will find the smartest areas to invest in the IoT and begin to see just how beneficial it can be to the bottom line.

3D Model Videos

From architects to general contractors to the customers themselves, 3D models of a construction project helps the overall visualization of the project. For architects, a 3D tour of the structure allows them to see their building come to life rather than being a picture on a piece of paper or a CAD file. A 3D model allows them to see how the building will act and feel for the people using it, to see how each room compliments the next, and to see if everything makes logical sense.

General contractors have a similar reaction to the video, except in a practical sense, inspecting it for potential problems or issues in the construction process. It will not give as much information as a CAD file, but the 3D-model video could provide some insight that they may not have put together otherwise.

Finally, for the customer, they will get to see their final product. The customer will be able to familiarize themselves with the new structure and be able to point out the things they like and, potentially, the things they do not like.

Exoskeletons

Exoskeletons have drawn huge hype for the last few years, not just for the construction industry but for applications as far as military combat. These exoskeletons are mechanical suits that are worn outside of clothing that will help with lifting heavy equipment, machinery, or supplies. Basically, they give an outer shell that is sturdier and stronger.

However, these suits have had a hard time coming to fruition for a couple of major reasons. First off, the power supply of the exoskeleton has been very tough to develop (small engine doing lots of work over long periods of time). Second, they do not always provide the proper joint flexibility (can cause accidents on tough terrain).

However, strides have still been made in their development. Many of today’s exoskeletons use a combination of springs and counterweights in order to store potential energy and turn it into kinetic energy when you need it. There is still a long way to go for this technology, but these basic suits could prevent job-site injuries due to fatigue and general tiredness.

Autonomous Handling of Materials

Autonomous material handling is another technology that is easier served to a manufacturing or warehousing environment than a job site, and for the same reasons. A manufacturing environment has a set layout that can be programmed into the robot. The layout never changes, so the machine can easily predict where to go without things going awry. However, for a job site, things are constantly changing, not just from one job site to another, but even while the structure is being built. Plus, a construction site will not have the same uniform surface to travel over like a manufacturing facility.

So, how will the construction industry make it over these hurdles? One of the prevailing ideas is heavy-duty drones that provide a 3D map of the job site with designated loading and unloading zones. These drones would have a variety of cameras and sensors in order to account for variables not calculated in their original flight path. Also, it would use the Internet of Things to coordinate with other pieces of heavy machinery.

This article first appeared in Digital Journal.

Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

108 Hoe Shop Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Carla Greenburger
Seller: ALWS LLC
Date: 01/05/18

99 Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $156,906
Buyer: MTGHLQ Investors LP
Seller: Kathleen A. Cienkus
Date: 01/10/18

GREENFIELD

13 Garfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Derek J. Hancock
Seller: Joseph H. Nickerson
Date: 01/03/18

104 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Zachariah Wieler
Seller: Brandon T. Long
Date: 01/05/18

28 Revere Circle
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Troy Santerre
Seller: Leah Dupras
Date: 01/10/18

410 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Christopher M. Silva
Date: 01/09/18

HEATH

134 Route 8A
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Philip A. Lee
Seller: Lilin Tseng
Date: 01/05/18

NORTHFIELD

24 Parker Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Joseph B. Rappa
Seller: Jeffrey A. Leyden
Date: 01/11/18

15 South Mountain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Cynthia J. Harrington
Seller: Monica G. Frye
Date: 01/05/18

ORANGE

499 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: William A. Soto
Seller: Donald W. Knapp
Date: 01/10/18

37 Mayo Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: 88 Lambert Avenue NT
Seller: Matthew E. Peck
Date: 01/12/18

81 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Amanda M. Landry
Seller: Ranlyn Property Investments
Date: 01/02/18

69 Prescott Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $138,682
Buyer: Citimortgage Inc.
Seller: Kimberly A. Bacigalupo
Date: 01/05/18

SUNDERLAND

17 North Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $324,219
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Eric S. Banach
Date: 01/09/18

WARWICK

10 Echo Park Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Charles Webster
Seller: Nanette C. Spaulding
Date: 01/09/18

WHATELY

16 Eastwood Lane #35
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $492,000
Buyer: Barbara L. Endel
Seller: David A. Hardy Contractor
Date: 01/12/18

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

225 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Alexander White
Seller: Roland P. Brassard
Date: 01/03/18

95 Oak Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Angela J. Giberson
Seller: James Diciocco
Date: 01/05/18

163 Senator Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Joseph D. Valenti
Seller: Roger G. Adams
Date: 01/12/18

BRIMFIELD

52 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Kristy Mulcahy
Seller: Shari K. Haire
Date: 01/12/18

33 Champeaux Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Comunale
Seller: Maple Lane Development
Date: 01/12/18

81 Dunhamtown Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Timothy F. Haire
Seller: David G. Bachand
Date: 01/12/18

75 Monson Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Eric Kennedy
Seller: Sarah J. Buzanowski
Date: 01/10/18

5 Sutcliffe Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Christopher Cox
Seller: Donald A. Bouchard
Date: 01/08/18

76 Tower Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Sarah J. Buzanowski
Seller: Frank R. Jensen
Date: 01/10/18

CHESTER

72 Round Hill Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Michael R. Brut
Seller: Carol I. Chandler
Date: 01/08/18

CHICOPEE

145 Beauregard Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $129,560
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Dianne M. Potvin
Date: 01/10/18

58 Boivin Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Victor J. Monsalve
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 01/11/18

104 Catherine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $126,750
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Donna L. Foster
Date: 01/12/18

92 Champagne Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Michael A. Trumbull
Seller: Lewandowski Henry J., (Estate)
Date: 01/12/18,

61 Chester St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $155,400
Buyer: Mary M. Lamica
Seller: Carl D. Roy
Date: 01/05/18

43 Cyran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Joel Torres
Seller: Michael Fregeau
Date: 01/10/18

391 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Rimor Properties LLC
Seller: CJK Realty LLC
Date: 01/05/18

21 Hartford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Steven R. Desousa
Seller: Michal Kosciolek
Date: 01/12/18

872 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ramona M. Romero
Seller: NI Management LLC
Date: 01/11/18

45 Morgan Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Sondra L. Roy
Seller: CRA Holdings Inc.
Date: 01/09/18

151 Nonotuck Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Harry T. Figueroa
Seller: Frederick J. Borys
Date: 01/10/18

108 Oakridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Kyle G. Beaudreault
Seller: Carolann Courteney
Date: 01/12/18

132 Ondrick Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Darwin X. Chuquilla
Seller: Michael E. Sutton
Date: 01/08/18

71 Providence St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Pedro Infante
Seller: Gerald R. Dorval
Date: 01/05/18

269 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Kathryn E. Carr
Seller: Vladimir Telelyuyev
Date: 01/10/18

29 Silvin Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $133,520
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Daniel J. Lengieza
Date: 01/03/18

74 Stewart St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Brian Andraca
Seller: Debra A. Flood
Date: 01/05/18

EAST LONGMEADOW

14 Callender Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Ryan T. Daley
Seller: USA VA
Date: 01/02/18

295 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Michael Carabetta
Seller: Gary R. Wolpert
Date: 01/03/18

630 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $229,077
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Adam M. Hart
Date: 01/05/18

15 Pleasant Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Marie K. Greco
Seller: J. Owen Santer
Date: 01/05/18

52 Senecal Place
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Daniel Heiskala
Seller: Kenneth A. Santer
Date: 01/05/18

HAMPDEN

Mountain Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: John Kirsch
Seller: Joseph A. Dolben
Date: 01/11/18

HOLLAND

74 Dug Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Jennifer A. Wilson
Seller: Thomas B. Green
Date: 01/05/18

HOLYOKE

88-90 Beacon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Javier Flores
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 01/08/18

81 Bemis Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Robin T. Lazorik
Seller: David B. Warpula
Date: 01/02/18

42 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Jessica M. Dupont
Seller: Property Keys LLC
Date: 01/10/18

16 Hitchcock St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $144,900
Buyer: Brian J. Lepine
Seller: Angela Renaudette
Date: 01/05/18

49 Laurel St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Zachary J. Pinson
Seller: Nathan Charette
Date: 01/05/18

69-71 Linden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Brian Leong
Seller: Jeffrey E. Jean-Charles
Date: 01/05/18

54 Mayer Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Daniel Seidel
Seller: Donna M. Sugrue
Date: 01/12/18

1750 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Susan M. Davidson
Seller: Peggy A. McKay
Date: 01/11/18

186 West Meadowview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Michael J. Lesanto
Seller: Sandra A. Goss
Date: 01/05/18

337 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $169,700
Buyer: Alisyn C. Renzulli
Seller: Rose D. Summers
Date: 01/02/18

LONGMEADOW

130 Arlington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Alexander J. Zayac
Seller: Christine M. Schepps
Date: 01/09/18

45 Brittany Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Kyle P. Houser
Seller: Macchiaroli, Joann M., (Estate)
Date: 01/05/18

206 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Cole A. Nikodemus
Seller: Brian Jeffries
Date: 01/12/18

95 Colton Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Michael A. Smith
Seller: Anna M. Grassetti
Date: 01/05/18

104 Colton Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Samantha Rivera
Seller: Gina M. Hughes
Date: 01/12/18

36 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Andrew Shields
Seller: Joseph Santaniello
Date: 01/09/18

90 Dunn Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Joshua E. Orlen
Seller: Cowles, Warren P., (Estate)
Date: 01/12/18

158 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Lee C. Hession
Seller: Nicole Roberts
Date: 01/08/18

120 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Lily Bui
Seller: Petitt, Diane E., (Estate)
Date: 01/08/18

168 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Samantha M. Dubner
Seller: Kristy J. Ganong
Date: 01/09/18

50 Warren Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Kenneth R. Blackmer
Seller: David M. Decandio
Date: 01/05/18

LUDLOW

1410 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Deborah A. Tully
Seller: Martin D. Denette
Date: 01/08/18

1635 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Kyle J. Lewis
Seller: Kenneth L. Oddy
Date: 01/02/18

671 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Paulo Ferreira
Seller: Lance C. Koske
Date: 01/05/18

84 Clark St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kristopher Grimshaw
Seller: Robert F. Rickson
Date: 01/12/18

424 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Antonio Sebastiao
Seller: Madeline Warzecki
Date: 01/12/18

67 Lakeview Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Michelle E. Minnie
Seller: Justin R. Kochanowski
Date: 01/12/18

33 Lazarz St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Amy Maschi
Seller: Herman Hageman
Date: 01/08/18

16 Vienna Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Maria Jahn
Seller: Maple Ledge Assocs. Inc.
Date: 01/12/18

MONSON

52 Ayers Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $259,500
Buyer: Krzysztof Toczko
Seller: Justin Pelissier
Date: 01/11/18

1047 Baptist Hill Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Ulysses N. Arroyo
Seller: Sheehan, Grace A., (Estate)
Date: 01/09/18

15 Brown St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Thomas W. Hopper
Seller: Jane A. Filipek
Date: 01/10/18

19 Chestnut St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Jesse Griswold
Seller: Patricia M. Carr-O’Shea
Date: 01/03/18

15 King St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Steven Tompkins
Seller: Thomas W. Hopper
Date: 01/10/18

33-35 Knox St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Evan D. Crossman
Seller: Hans H. Mentzen
Date: 01/12/18

69-71 North St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Luis Santos-Teixeira
Seller: Louis D. Teixeira
Date: 01/09/18

140 Thompson St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Alexander D. Fleury
Seller: Mark S. France
Date: 01/12/18

PALMER

1069 Baptist Hill Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Paul Brandt
Seller: Timothy Miller
Date: 01/05/18

26 Old Thompson St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Scheer
Seller: Jesse M. Griswold
Date: 01/03/18

SPRINGFIELD

24 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Barbara A. Voudrin
Seller: Robert J. Schroeter
Date: 01/09/18

13 Bacon Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Charvelle D. Scott
Seller: Amy Harpin-Drake
Date: 01/08/18

68 Beaufort Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: Frank Roman
Seller: Robert E. Lauer
Date: 01/05/18

52 Blaine St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $143,500
Buyer: Junior Williams
Seller: Lindsay E. Kata
Date: 01/03/18

49-51 Cambridge St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: Carlos E. Restrepo
Seller: Sergey Savonin
Date: 01/10/18

878 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Gretchen M. Calderon
Seller: MBC Properties LLC
Date: 01/08/18

74 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Jimmy A. Vazquez
Seller: SAWX Holdings LLC
Date: 01/05/18

358 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Hillary E. Smith
Seller: Huan Huynh
Date: 01/12/18

763 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,276
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Brian M. Howlett
Date: 01/08/18

124 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Binh T. Le
Seller: Justo R. Sepulveda
Date: 01/05/18

125 Dorset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Dianna Martinez
Seller: Matthew B. Bean
Date: 01/12/18

80 Driftwood Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Chantel R. Letendre
Seller: Tatiana Flores
Date: 01/05/18

117 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Giovanni M. Solla
Seller: Amy E. Scribner
Date: 01/05/18

39 Eton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: William Appiah
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 01/11/18

21 Gladstone St. #45
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Dat H. Nguyen
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 01/05/18

77 Gralia Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Jeffrey E. Hess
Seller: Edward T. Pooler
Date: 01/05/18

66 Hall St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Bryant Ware
Seller: Arnold Construction Inc.
Date: 01/08/18

50 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $120,100
Buyer: Anthony H. Nguyen
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 01/12/18

79 Larchmont St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Thomas Perez
Seller: Patricia E. Lynn
Date: 01/12/18

35 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Hector Rivera
Seller: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Date: 01/05/18

56 Macomber Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Tyrese A. Tillman
Seller: Joseph Magagnoli
Date: 01/09/18

19 Madison Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Jonathan R. Laurent-Wood
Seller: Robert A. Wood
Date: 01/12/18

139 Magnolia Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $196,500
Buyer: Angel E. Lassalle-Romero
Seller: Rachel F. Moura
Date: 01/11/18

1021 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $239,500
Buyer: AW Real Estate LLC
Seller: AW Real Estate Corp.
Date: 01/03/18

345 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: 345 Main St LLC
Seller: National Loan Investors
Date: 01/05/18

982 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $172,440
Buyer: AW Real Estate LLC
Seller: AW Real Estate Corp.
Date: 01/03/18

30 Massasoit St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $149,400
Buyer: Majed Zaitoun
Seller: Lancelot V. Watson
Date: 01/10/18

66 Merida St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Taisha Burgos
Seller: Joseph P. Dibernardo
Date: 01/03/18

24 Merrick Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Jose A. Lopez
Seller: Antonio Rivera
Date: 01/05/18

67 North Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Hayley L. Nelson
Seller: Richard C. Morin
Date: 01/12/18

110 Oak Hollow Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: M&G Property Group LLC
Seller: US Bank
Date: 01/12/18

111 Oklahoma St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Eduardo Villafane
Seller: Peacey, Lois, (Estate)
Date: 01/11/18

54 Palmyra St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Lydia Bello-Santiago
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 01/09/18

1364 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $205,590
Buyer: Joseph L. Harris
Seller: Linda L. Hoch
Date: 01/05/18

1755 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Ricardo Colon
Seller: Brian Mucha
Date: 01/11/18

149 Patricia Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Domingo Cruz
Seller: Robert G. Martel
Date: 01/08/18

54 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Larritza Leon-Elias
Seller: Etterman, M. T., (Estate)
Date: 01/08/18

86 Signal Hill Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Shenee Robinson
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 01/09/18

90 Stephanie Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Herbert L. Singleton
Seller: Jason D. Sirois
Date: 01/05/18

686 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $116,605
Buyer: Junior Properties LLC
Seller: AJN Rentals LLC
Date: 01/11/18

59 Terrace Lane
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $211,900
Buyer: Dennis Warren
Seller: Shavone L. Gauthier
Date: 01/08/18

31 Tumbleweed Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Mary J. Soto
Seller: TRB Properties LLC
Date: 01/02/18

144 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Kathryn S. Durand
Seller: Ralph E. Cooley
Date: 01/08/18

52 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $156,450
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Kenel Laroche
Date: 01/09/18

585-587 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Michael Zheng
Seller: Losurdo, Celeste M., (Estate)
Date: 01/12/18

101-103 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,500
Buyer: Angel L. Nieves
Seller: Rachel V. Tapper
Date: 01/12/18

128-130 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Theresa James
Seller: Brandon Hunter
Date: 01/02/18

TOLLAND

181 Moreau Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: James F. Clark
Seller: Scott R. Clark
Date: 01/11/18

WALES

74 Mcbride Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: David Maloney
Seller: Marc H. Colcombe
Date: 01/02/18

WEST SPRINGFIELD

80 Cass Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Scott Dejesus
Seller: Brent K. Alexander
Date: 01/05/18

410 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Rana Al-Gburi
Seller: Matthew B. Gray
Date: 01/12/18

31 Highland Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: CIG 2 LLC
Seller: Paul Hrycay
Date: 01/05/18

25 Railroad St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Remoon Hawel
Seller: MS Homes LLC
Date: 01/05/18

8 Mercury Court
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Stephen M. Buynicki
Seller: UKR Selfreliance New England
Date: 01/12/18

54 Oakland St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Angela M. Foley
Seller: Robert J. Landauer
Date: 01/11/18

68 Plateau Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Philip J. Tardiff
Seller: Eben P. Wood
Date: 01/10/18

278 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: CA&DA Realty LLC
Seller: Noury FT
Date: 01/12/18

43 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $234,400
Buyer: Lisa M. Bachmann 2017 TR
Seller: Philip T. Huot
Date: 01/05/18

WESTFIELD

33 Airport Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: DR Beach Street LLC
Seller: Donald A. Carignan
Date: 01/02/18

32 Chapel St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Max&Buddy LLC
Seller: Elisa Kirkpatrick
Date: 01/05/18

800 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Julia V. Talbot
Seller: Tallage Adams LLC
Date: 01/05/18

121 Highland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Shannon M. Bein
Seller: Mary T. Edgerton
Date: 01/12/18

16 Hillcrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Steven Redman
Seller: Harry W. Thompson
Date: 01/03/18

19 Llewellyn Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Joseph H. Guay
Seller: Douglas A. Link
Date: 01/11/18

14 Miller St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Sean T. Kelly
Seller: Nicorn LLC
Date: 01/12/18

141 Mullen Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Rouse
Seller: Jason T. Meunier
Date: 01/08/18

11 New Broadway
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: David A. Morneau
Seller: Hampton Ponds Realty LLC
Date: 01/03/18

1 Roderick Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Nathan E. Charette
Seller: Kathryn M. Deland
Date: 01/05/18

115 Roosevelt Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Andre M. Felix
Seller: F&G Development Corp.
Date: 01/05/18

91 Susan Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Jared M. Pabis
Seller: Donald J. Lower
Date: 01/09/18

4 Woodland Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $317,450
Buyer: Joseph Sousa
Seller: Mark A. Boucher
Date: 01/12/18

WILBRAHAM

8 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Francesco Cardaropoli
Seller: Abilio J. Casimiro
Date: 01/02/18

2537 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: PNS Grove LLC
Seller: Grove Plaza LLC
Date: 01/11/18

8 Deer Run Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Ernest E. Smith
Seller: Leopold Kacprzak
Date: 01/11/18

58 East Longmeadow Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: HY Management LLC
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 01/10/18

6 Hawthorne Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Nancy E. Keenan
Date: 01/10/18

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

15 Carriage Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Marc Houlihan
Seller: Francine Krause
Date: 01/08/18

28 Carriage Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: John D. Sansoucy
Seller: Cynthia W. Digby
Date: 01/05/18

24 Flintlock Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Elizabeth J. Wheeler
Seller: Jeffrey H. Morgan
Date: 01/12/18

7 Foxglove Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $516,000
Buyer: William Brady
Seller: Jose N. Ornelas
Date: 01/10/18

7 Lilac Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $408,500
Buyer: William B. Devore
Seller: Nancy Farber
Date: 01/03/18

1185 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $417,500
Buyer: Cooper LLC
Seller: George R. Scialoia
Date: 01/12/18

294 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $229,500
Buyer: Mimsy Cove LLC
Seller: Christian J. Pulver
Date: 01/08/18

20 South Whitney St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kilerine Properties LLC
Seller: GC Rental Properties LLC
Date: 01/10/18

11 Wildwood Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Xian Du
Seller: Fawwaz Habbal
Date: 01/05/18

BELCHERTOWN

570 Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Alan Stanley
Seller: Robert B. Martin
Date: 01/08/18

265 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $412,500
Buyer: Amy Laramee
Seller: Derek D. Vigneault
Date: 01/12/18

10 Depot St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $294,500
Buyer: Livia J. Scrivener
Seller: Studios At Artist Common
Date: 01/03/18

CUMMINGTON

18 Plainfield Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Anthony K. Ezbicki
Seller: Robert Carver
Date: 01/12/18

200 Powell Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Dawn Dube
Seller: Kenneth J. Gazda
Date: 01/11/18

EASTHAMPTON

24 Center St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Christopher Thompson
Seller: Neal S. Larsen
Date: 01/05/18

16 Droy Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Steven P. Marcil
Seller: Shannon R. Clegg
Date: 01/12/18

120 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Dodge
Seller: Susan J. Hess Snape RET
Date: 01/12/18

22 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Bryan J. Emond
Seller: Craig, Florence M., (Estate)
Date: 01/03/18

11 Laurin Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Daniel G. Pouliot
Seller: Patricia A. Bonner LT
Date: 01/03/18

10 Pinebrook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $165,619
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Rodney S. Lucia
Date: 01/10/18

GRANBY

384 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jose A. Rosario-Lopez
Seller: Barbara A. Durbin TR
Date: 01/10/18

1 Bittersweet Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $840,000
Buyer: Thomas W. Senecal
Seller: Jonathan M. Conly
Date: 01/10/18

12 Hubbard Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Timothy M. Tremblay
Seller: Shauna Rohan
Date: 01/11/18

44 Lyn Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Musaddak J. Alhabeeb
Seller: Ryan E. Budny
Date: 01/10/18

HADLEY

30 Chmura Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $272,900
Buyer: William J. Horgan
Seller: Kathleen Lariviere
Date: 01/11/18

119 East St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Helen M. Sullivan
Date: 01/08/18

4 Highland Circle
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $204,500
Buyer: Daniel Kasal
Seller: Elizabeth Walsh
Date: 01/05/18

39 Middle St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: G&K Rentals LLC
Seller: Carolyn M. Hart-Lucien
Date: 01/11/18

5 Plainville Circle
Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Yi Sheng Inc.
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 01/09/18

HATFIELD

232 Linseed Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Dennis Carter Morin LT
Seller: Randy Barcomb
Date: 01/11/18

73 Main St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Michael D. Waltrip
Seller: Judith A. Strong
Date: 01/12/18

153 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Thayer Realty LLC
Seller: Roger A. Walaszek
Date: 01/12/18

157 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Thayer Realty LLC
Seller: Roger A. Walaszek
Date: 01/12/18

143 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Roger A. Walaszek
Seller: Roger A. Walaszek
Date: 01/12/18

HUNTINGTON

12 Sampson Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Billi J. Willard
Seller: Garry L. Welch
Date: 01/12/18

NORTHAMPTON

243 Bridge St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Brahman Holdings LLC
Seller: Joyce Skypeck
Date: 01/08/18

5 Calvin Terrace
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Robert N. Pollin
Seller: Asaf Pollin-Galay
Date: 01/08/18

Easthampton Road #1
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: Wilson Realty LLC
Date: 01/12/18

54 Finn St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Aaron L. Simms
Seller: Suzanne L. Krause
Date: 01/05/18

300 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $204,500
Buyer: Maria N. Lala-Inamagua
Seller: Dennis C. Morin
Date: 01/11/18

112 Island Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Rachel K. Walker
Seller: Melissa J. Mattison
Date: 01/12/18

303 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $2,250,600
Buyer: Colvest Northampton LLC
Seller: Jonathan R. Goldsmith
Date: 01/10/18

189 North Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Carey L. Aubert
Seller: Kathleen A. Hutchins
Date: 01/02/18

24-34 Pleasant St. #3
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Green Corduroys LLC
Seller: Key West 77 Unit LLC
Date: 01/08/18

9 Washington Place
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Jennife Prewitt-Freilino
Seller: Lawrence P. Hunt
Date: 01/09/18

Wilson Ave. #2
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: City Of Northampton
Seller: Wilson Realty LLC
Date: 01/12/18

PELHAM

59 Enfield Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Crystal Griswold
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 01/10/18

SOUTH HADLEY

554 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $226,500
Buyer: Jackson K. Koskey
Seller: Ken Wood
Date: 01/05/18

27 Judd Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: David Hilton
Seller: Barbara M. Perkins
Date: 01/09/18

11 Kimberly Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Rebecca A. Stefan
Seller: Guy A. Pelletier
Date: 01/12/18

131 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Devine
Seller: Robert A. Laramee
Date: 01/12/18

311 River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Guy A. Pelletier
Seller: Gerald R. Coderre
Date: 01/12/18

27 Waite Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: William Rokowski
Seller: US Bank
Date: 01/10/18

SOUTHAMPTON

84 Line St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Michael T. Kopyscinski
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 01/11/18

36 Wolcott Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Day
Seller: Thomas E. Quinlan
Date: 01/09/18

WARE

30 Anderson Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $125,587
Buyer: Yasser E. Fares
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 01/11/18

47 Crescent St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Nancy D. Bartkowiak
Seller: Carol A. Breton
Date: 01/05/18

9-11 Otis Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Michael Moorhouse
Date: 01/10/18

12 Spring St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: John J. Rossner
Date: 01/12/18

WESTHAMPTON

10 Laurel Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Mark D. Umstot
Seller: Christopher J. Bean
Date: 01/05/18

145 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Anthony A. Pipczynski
Seller: Billi J. Willard
Date: 01/12/18

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

K2C2 Inc., 76 Pembroke Lane, Agawam, MA 01001. Scott Leven, same. To operate a bar restaurant.

EAST OTIS

Kti Restaurant Associates Inc., 1898 East Otis Road, East Otis, MA 01029. Peter D Sullivan, 9 Moreau Road, Tolland, MA 01034. Own and operate a restaurant and banquet facility.
LENOX

Leenies Paninis and More Inc., 17 Franklin St., Lenox, MA 01240. Darleen Zradi, same. Restaurant.

LEVERETT

Jamrog Hvac Inc., 481 Long Plain Road, Leverett, MA 01054. Nicole Zabko, same. HVAC service, repair, sales and installation.
PITTSFIELD

Integrastone Landscaping Inc., 21 Spadina Parkway, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Anne L Dunham, same. Landscaping.

SPRINGFIELD

Kitchen Counsel Inc., 270 Maple St., Springfield, MA 01105. Michael L Talmadge, same. Kitchen and bath renovations and installations.

Law Office of Coreen Goodwin Limited, 64 Donbray Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Coreen D Goodwin, same. Provide free and low cost legal services to low income clients.

Lucky Auto Sales Inc., 93-97 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01104. Robinson Betances, 91 Mooreland St., 2nd Floor, Springfield, MA 01104. Sale & repair of automobiles.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Lilly’s Lodge Inc., 9 Norman St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Dominic Pompi, 12 Laurel Ridge Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Bed and breakfast.

LSS Trucking Inc., 58 Lathrop St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Serghei Mineev, same. Transportation services.

WILBRAHAM

Lakay Building & Remodeling Inc., 749 Ridge Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Jason F. Pecoy, same. Construction, building and remodeling.

Briefcase Departments

Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.5% in Massachusetts

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% in December, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts lost 300 jobs in December. Over the month, the private sector lost 200 jobs; gains occurred in construction, manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, and financial activities. The November estimate was revised to a gain of 7,800 jobs. From December 2016 to December 2017, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 63,000 jobs. The December unemployment rate was six-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.1% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The labor force decreased by 500 from 3,647,500 in November, as 1,900 more residents were employed and 2,500 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point from 3.1% in December 2016. There were 17,900 more unemployed residents over the year compared to December 2016. The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 65.3% over the month. The labor-force participation rate over the year has increased by 0.7% compared to December 2016. The largest private sector percentage job gains over the year were in construction; professional, scientific, and business services; other services; and leisure and hospitality.

Union Station Wins Prize for Brownfields Redevelopment

WESTFIELD — Springfield Union Station has won the prestigious Phoenix Award grand prize for the best brownfields-redevelopment project in the nation. Announced during the December National Brownfields Training Conference in Pittsburgh, the Union Station project also won the Region 1 Phoenix Award. Both awards recognize exemplary brownfield redevelopment and revitalization. These awards highlight the critical environmental cleanup phase at Springfield Union Station, as well as the demolition and removal of a massive baggage warehouse and the remediation of the former site of the Hotel Charles. It also celebrates the redevelopment of a long-vacant historic train station into a state-of-the-art intermodal transit center. Built in 1926, the original Union Station was boarded up for 44 years before taken over by the Springfield Redevelopment Authority in 1989. After many fits and starts, the $94.1 million redevelopment project was funded by numerous federal, state, and local sources. This included grants from the EPA Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup program, MassDevelopment, the Federal Transit Administration, state transportation bond funds, a state parking grant, and more. Tighe & Bond provided extensive hazardous-building-material evaluations, abatement monitoring, building demolition design, and the assessment and remediation of widespread areas of subsurface contamination. After almost 10 years, Union Station has been transformed and repurposed into a LEED-certified building that opened last June, and is the new headquarters for Peter Pan Bus Lines. It has also spurred a new, adjacent, $15 million, 265-unit housing redevelopment. Besides the Phoenix Award, the project has already won other statewide awards for historic preservation, including the Preservation Massachusetts Paul & Nikki Tsongas Best Then & Now Award for 2017.

Expedia Names Lenox ‘Best Place to Escape in Massachusetts’

LENOX — The Lenox Chamber of Commerce announced that travel-booking website giant Expedia has named Lenox as the “Best Place to Escape in Massachusetts.” Expedia released its “Best Place to Escape in Every State” feature on Jan. 3. These places made the list for being ideal for a relaxing getaway where visitors can recharge, take a breather, and revel in serene solitude. “From quaint small towns to quiet nature preserves, this country is full of places to escape to, and we’ve chosen our favorite in each state, highlighting the perfectly restful things to do there. So, sit back, relax, and start dreaming of better times ahead — these calm places are calling your name,” Expedia author Lily Rogers wrote. Lenox and Berkshire notables highlighted in the article included Blantyre, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, and Berkshire Grown.

Study Examines Veterans’ Addiction Risk Related to Childhood Adversity

AMHERST — Results of a national study led by public health scientist Elizabeth Evans at UMass Amherst, along with others at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and UCLA, suggest that risk for alcohol- and drug-use disorders among U.S. military veterans is increased by childhood adversity, and in ways that are different between women and men and different compared to the civilian population. According to Evans, assistant professor of Health Promotion and Policy at UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences, in the general population, fewer women than men have an alcohol- or drug-use disorder. “Veterans are different in that there is no gender difference in the prevalence of these problems,” she explained. “Among veterans, a similar proportion of women and men — about 37% — have ever had an alcohol or drug-use disorder. This finding that women veterans are similar to men veterans, and are so different from civilian women, is unexpected. Also surprising are the high rates of childhood adversity among veterans, especially among women; 68% of women veterans report some childhood adversity, and they have the highest rates of childhood sexual abuse.” The study results appeared in a recent early online edition of Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology and will be in print this year. “One of the implications of this study is the need to assess for childhood adversity, to help people recognize its relationship with substance use and cope with its health impacts,” Evans noted. “When people join the military or when veterans access healthcare at the VA or in the community would be good times to assess and treat childhood adversity, and we’re often missing those opportunities now.” The researchers found that, with increasing exposure to adversity in childhood, risks of alcohol-use disorder among civilian men and women grew more similar, but for drug-use disorder, the gender differences in risk widened. By contrast, among veterans, more childhood adversity elevated men’s alcohol risk and increased women’s drug risk. “In general right now, we don’t assess for childhood adversity until there’s a problem, in particular with alcohol or drugs, or attempts to harm oneself or others,” Evans said. “However, we know that childhood adversity is an early life experience that is associated with anxiety, depression, and other risk factors for later health and social problems. We in public health, along with others in the community, can do more to prevent childhood adversity altogether. Also, more can be done to assess and address childhood adversity when it does occur so that we mitigate or undo its harmful effects. The need for such efforts is especially critical now given the devastating impacts of the current opioid epidemic on families and communities.”

Nominations Open for Ubora and Ahadi Awards

SPRINGFIELD — The African Hall subcommittee of the Springfield Museums is seeking nominations for the 27th annual Ubora Award and the ninth annual Ahadi Youth Award. The African Hall subcommittee is a volunteer group comprised of educators, business people, and community leaders from the African-American community. The nomination deadline for both awards is March 31. The Ubora Award is presented to an African-American adult who has demonstrated a commitment to the Greater Springfield area and exhibited excellence in the fields of community service, education, science, humanities, or the arts. The Swahili word ‘ubora’ means ‘excellence.’ Named for the Swahili word for ‘promise,’ the Ahadi Youth Award is presented to a young African-American who has excelled in academics and performed admirable service to the Greater Springfield community. Eligible candidates must be age 19 or younger, live in or have strong ties to the Greater Springfield area, and be currently enrolled in grade 10, 11, or 12. The Ubora and Ahadi Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Springfield Museums in September. Nominations forms can be downloaded by visiting springfieldmuseums.org/ubora. For additional information, call (413) 263-6800, ext. 325, or e-mail to [email protected]. Nominations may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to African Hall Subcommittee, c/o Valerie Cavagni, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103.

Berkshire Bank Launches $52,500 Scholarship Program

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced it will honor 35 high-school seniors across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for their volunteer service with Berkshire Bank scholarships. The scholarships recognize students who excel academically, have a financial need, and share the bank’s commitment to community service. Additionally, students must attend a high school that is located in a county with a Berkshire Bank or Commerce Bank office. The recipients will share in $52,500 in scholarship funds. Through the program, 35 $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to high-school seniors who will be attending a two-year or four-year college in the fall. Applications are evaluated based on the student’s record of volunteerism in the community, academic standing, and financial need. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 and a family household income under $100,000 to be eligible to apply. A team of 200 bank employee volunteers will review the applications and select this year’s recipients. Recipients will include 15 students in Massachusetts, nine in New York, three in Connecticut, three in Vermont, three in New Jersey, and two in Pennsylvania. Students can apply online at www.berkshirebank.com/scholarships. To be considered, all applications must be submitted online by Wednesday, March 21 at 4 p.m. Additional information about this year’s program can be obtained through the bank’s website or by e-mailing the Berkshire Bank Foundation at [email protected].

Company Notebook Departments

MGM Springfield Moves to On-site Corporate Offices

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield has moved into new corporate offices at 95 State St., soon to be called One MGM Way. Located across from the Hampden County Superior Court, and adjacent to what will be MGM Springfield’s South End Market, the building will be home to members of the MGM Springfield executive and administrative teams. “Moving on site is a great way to kick off the year of our opening,” said Michael Mathis, president and COO of MGM Springfield. “We have a growing workforce, and this office space better suits our ever-expanding needs as this momentous year unfolds. It’s an exciting transition for all of us.” Like other elements of the property’s integrated downtown design, the 11-story building celebrates Springfield’s heritage while preserving its iconic past. Built in 1929, the building was designed in the classical revival style by Burton Geckler as an annex to 1200 Main St. It was formerly known as the MassMutual building at 95 State St., and has since undergone a complete renovation, including new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and finishes. MGM carefully conserved the exterior façade and maintained many of the lobby’s original features. “I am proud of the effort and care that our first-in-class construction team has put into preserving Springfield’s history throughout the property,” Mathis said. “This building is just one example of the many that will be unveiled this year.” Springfield firms Specs Design Group and Dietz & Co. Architects collaborated on the outfitting and design of the employee space with Las Vegas-based Friedmutter Group. Springfield-based Fontaine Bros. Inc. served as general contractor and stewarded the project through the construction phase. “As a company that has called Springfield home for over 85 years, we were excited to oversee construction of this critical portion of the MGM resort, and we are proud to have played a role in helping bring this unprecedented economic-development project to our city,” said David Fontaine Jr., vice president of Fontaine Bros. MGM Springfield’s new corporate offices boast collaboration and work areas, conference and meeting spaces, open cubicle areas, and private executive offices. The design scheme includes warm colors, reclaimed wood, and brick veneers throughout the space. The corporate offices will be located on floors two through eight. Approximately 50 employees have moved into the space. At full staffing, the area is expected to accommodate more than 300 employees. Activities at the approximately 85,000-square-foot employee offices will cover all aspects of the day-to-day operations for MGM Springfield. Anyone interested in learning about career opportunities should visit MGM Springfield’s Career Center, which will be open 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 1-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. During those hours, an MGM representative may be reached at (413) 273-5052.

ICNE Announces Addition of Eastman & Davis Insurance

AGAWAM — The Insurance Center of New England (ICNE) announced the addition of Eastman & Davis Insurance Agency Inc. in West Springfield to its growing company. “We are thrilled to not only have the Eastman & Davis Insurance clients join our agency, but also to have longtime employee Marilyn Loudon join the ICNE team as a personal lines account manager,” said William Trudeau, president and CEO of ICNE. Many ICNE clients have been with the agency for generations, Trudeau noted, so he understands what an important role Bill Eastman has played in the lives of his clients through the years. “I feel so honored that Bill trusts the ICNE team to take over the responsibility of caring for his clients.” Over the past several years, Eastman had been seeking out a business partner to ensure that his business would continue to thrive and that his clientele would be well-taken care of for decades to come. While Eastman & Davis clients may experience a few minor changes in process and procedures, the ultimate goal is to make the transition seamless. “When Eastman & Davis clients join ICNE, they will quickly learn that we are much more than an insurance agency,” Trudeau said. “We are a local team of insurance professionals who will get to know them personally and will always be there to answer their questions, review their policy, and help them make informed decisions to safeguard their family, home, car, and everything that is important to them.” As part of the transition, Eastman & Davis’ West Springfield office will be closing. However, for the convenience of clients, Marilyn Loudon will move to ICNE’s main office in Agawam, just five miles down the road from the current West Springfield location.

Speaker Sisterhood Announces Partnership with Baystate Health

SPRINGFIELD — Twenty-eight female medical providers from Baystate Health are set to begin a six-month pilot of a public-speaking training program uniquely crafted for women in academic medicine. The program is a collaboration between Women Advancing and Achieving in Medicine, a Baystate Health organizational resource group, and Speaker Sisterhood, a public-speaking training company for women founded by CEO Angela Lussier and headquartered in Holyoke. The program is focused on learning and practicing proven techniques to enhance participants’ communication so they are more effective and confident. The goal is for each participant to hone her own authentic voice so that she has greater impact both within her department and from behind the podium at major conferences. The program kicked off Jan. 10 and runs until June 6. “For years, I have noticed a lack of female speakers at many high-profile medical conferences, and I figured that there had to be a systemic way to change this, and our pilot project is a first step,” said Dr. Jeannette Wolfe, associate professor of Emergency Medicine at UMass Medical School’s Baystate campus. “We have partnered with Speaker Sisterhood to develop a very unique curriculum that addresses some of the specific challenges many women in academic medicine face in becoming recognized as source experts within their fields. I’m very excited about the potential of the program because creating a group of polished public speakers not only benefits those speakers, but also increases the regional and national recognition of Baystate Health.” Participants, who were nominated by their chairs and program directors, will meet monthly in a three-hour evening session. Each meeting will begin with a brief lecture covering topics ranging from effective storytelling to slide development to tips on how to break into conference speaking circles. Next, participants will move into their breakout groups of eight or nine women for hands-on experiential learning and practice giving speeches and feedback to each other. Each group has deliberately been created to include women from a mix of medical specialties and experience levels with the intention that this will help naturally facilitate beneficial networking and coaching within the groups. The pilot program is built upon the Speaker Sisterhood’s signature speaker development program, “The Secret Life of Speaking Up,” which was crafted to help professional women enhance their speech-writing skills, build on presentation effectiveness, and grow confidence while speaking. “We’ve been running this program for the last 18 months in various communities, and over 100 women have benefited from the Speaker Sisterhood curriculum. We’re excited to see the impact it will make in a hospital setting and in the medical community at large,” Lussier said. The aim of the pilot is to demonstrate its success though participants’ reports so that it can be expanded throughout Baystate Health and used as a template to benefit women in other academic centers.

The Drama Studio Secures Permanent Home

SPRINGFIELD — The Drama Studio was founded in 1987 by Steve Hays and a group of educators and parents who envisioned an institution where youth could study acting as seriously as they could study music. Located at 41 Oakland St. in Springfield, in close proximity to Forest Park, the Drama Studio had been a 30-year renter of space from St. Barnabas & All Saints Episcopal Church when the call came from the diocese that the building was no longer to be utilized as a place of worship. “When that call came, our board sprang into action,” Hays said. “Funds were quickly raised from a small group of generous donors, and thanks to the hard work of our board and the generosity of the diocese, we were able to negotiate a fair price. On December 22, 2017, we purchased the church and are thrilled to begin steps toward major renovation.” The mission of the Drama Studio is to enrich and validate the adolescent experience in this diverse community via excellence in a conservatory-style acting training program. It serves more than 250 students annually from the region. One alum, Gregory Boilard, of New York City, was involved with the Drama Studio from grade 6 until he graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham in 2010. He credits Hays with “shaping his childhood” and enabling him to land his dream job working in publicity for the Disney Theatrical Group on Broadway. While many alums have gone on to have careers in theater, film, and television, others attribute their success as lawyers, surgeons, administrators, teachers, and other professionals to the confidence they gained as students at the Drama Studio. The Drama Studio is one of a handful of after-school acting conservatories in the U.S. where young actors ages 6 to 18 can study intensively and advance through a theater curriculum before graduating from high school. It offers a coordinated program including both classroom and performance training with more than 25 after-school classes and six vacation camps. Two community outreach programs, DramaTours and TheaterReaders, currently serve more than 3,000 Springfield public elementary-school children each year.

River Valley Co-op Explores Potential Second Store Site

EASTHAMPTON — River Valley Co-op has secured an option agreement for the potential purchase of the Easthampton property at 228 Northampton St. (formerly the Fedor Automobile Dealership) as a second store location. River Valley Co-op is a cooperatively owned grocery store with one location in Northampton. Since 2014, the cooperative business has been discussing a second store location with co-op owners, customers, and employees in order to accommodate its growth as well as furthering the mission of building a strong local food system. “We’ve been looking for a suitable location for a second store for several years to serve our community better,” said Andrea Stanley, board president. “Our goal is to expand our community-owned grocery business to further our local economic impact and build the resiliency of our local food system through year-round purchases to even more local farmers. We believe that Easthampton is an ideal match for River Valley Co-op. In fact, we have many co-op owners and vendors from Easthampton already, so we feel a strong connection to the community and look forward to expanding our working relationships even further with this project.” The option agreement gives the co-op a year to conduct its due diligence, planning, and fund-raising before exercising its exclusive right to purchase the property. River Valley Co-op’s leadership team met recently with Easthampton Mayor Nicolle LaChapelle to discuss the dynamics of the plan. “River Valley Co-op is a natural fit for Easthampton residents as consumers and job-seekers. High-quality food and jobs is a combination that is hard to beat,” LaChapelle said. “I had the opportunity to sit down with the River Valley team last week. They conveyed deep understanding of Easthampton and shared their plans with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. As the co-op is ready to grow, Easthampton is ready to support that growth to ensure success for everyone.” Property owner Eddie Fedor said his family is enthusiastic about the potential of River Valley Co-op expanding in Easthampton. “This is a great location and will be very convenient for a lot of people. River Valley Co-op’s support of local farmers and other local vendors would make them a great addition to our community.” The co-op expects to employ 100 people in its Easthampton store. More than 95% of Northampton store employees are full-time with benefits and are represented by UFCW Local 1459.

United Financial Bancorp Announces Q4 Results

HARTFORD, Conn. — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, announced results for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2017. The company reported net income of $9.5 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2017, compared to net income for the linked quarter of $15.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share. The company reported net income of $14.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2016. Net income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017 was $54.6 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, compared to net income of $49.7 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016. On Dec. 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which, among other things, lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Companies must recognize the effect of tax-law changes in the period of enactment under the generally accepted accounting principles. This tax reform resulted in a $2.8 million negative net-income impact in the fourth quarter of 2017. Of the $2.8 million impact, $1.6 million flowed directly through the provision for income taxes, and was primarily related to a re-measurement of the company’s deferred tax asset. Additionally, there was a $1.2 million pre-tax adjustment related to the write-down of legacy United limited partnerships due to the aforementioned tax reform. Other significant events during the quarter included the  company surrendering $32.8 million of under-performing bank-owned life insurance policy value, resulting in a $2.4 million negative impact to the provision for income taxes. The company subsequently reinvested $30 million into higher-yielding product in early January 2018. “The United Bank team delivered strong loan and non-interest bearing deposit growth in the fourth quarter of 2017. Asset quality, capital, and liquidity remained strong and stable,” said William Crawford IV, CEO and President of the company and the bank. Assets totaled $7.11 billion at Dec. 31, 2017 and increased $137.7 million, or 2%, from $6.98 billion at Sept. 30, 2017. At Dec. 31, 2017, total loans were $5.34 billion, representing an increase of $134.2 million, or 2.6%, from the linked quarter. Changes to loan balances during the fourth quarter of 2017 were highlighted by a $76.7 million, or 4.3%, increase in investor non-owner occupied commercial real-estate loans; a $24.9 million, or 9.3%, increase in other consumer loans; a $21.4 million, or 3.8%, increase in home-equity loans; and a $18.9 million, or 2.3%, increase in commercial business loans. Loans held for sale increased $24.7 million, or 27.6%, from the linked quarter, as the company increased the held-for-sale portfolio for delivery to third-party investors at the end of the quarter. Total cash and cash equivalents decreased $9.8 million, or 10%, from the linked quarter. Deposits totaled $5.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2017 and increased by $45.2 million, or 0.9%, from $5.15 billion at Sept. 30, 2017. Increases in deposit balances during the fourth quarter of 2017 were highlighted by a $53.4 million, or 7.4%, increase in non-interest-bearing checking deposits, as well as a $77.3 million, or 4.5%, increase in certificates of deposit. Offsetting these increases was a $75.5 million, or 3.4%, decline in NOW checking and money-market deposits, largely due to seasonal withdrawals in municipal funds.

Departments People on the Move
James Harnsberger

James Harnsberger

After an extended national search, James Harnsberger has been named associate vice president for Graduate Education, Grants, and Sponsored Research at Springfield College. President Mary-Beth Cooper and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Martha Potvin recently made the announcement. Harnsberger will join the college on Feb. 15, and will be responsible for elevating the status of graduate education at Springfield College as well as for increasing the college’s capacity to generate and support externally funded grants and sponsored funding. “In both of these primary responsibilities, his thoughtful approach, his experiences in supporting students and the work of faculty, and his success in managing large contracts and overseas operations will serve him well,” said Potvin. A linguist and speech scientist with extensive experience in experimental phonetics, forensic acoustics, and clinical applications, Harnsberger comes to Springfield College from the University of New Haven, having previously overseen the launch of an international branch campus as campus dean. His responsibilities included international grants and contracts, program development, and operations, as well as the inaugural Academic Bridge Program for international students at UNH. Harnsberger earned his doctorate in linguistics from the University of Michigan, where he conducted research on cross-language variation in the perception of non-native speech sounds. Following a post-doctoral fellowship at Indiana University, he served at the Department of Linguistics at the University of Florida, conducting research on the perception of speaker characteristics such age, gender, emotion, dialect, stress, and deception. His research has been published in numerous academic journals and reported in the popular media, including ABC News Primetime, BBC Radio, and Science News. He has served as a linguistic consultant in numerous criminal and civil cases in the U.S., as well as government agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Defense Academy for Credibility Assessment, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Armed Services Committee.

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Dr. Mark Dumais

Dr. Mark Dumais

Dr. Mark Dumais was appointed to the position of chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center. In this position, he provides clinical leadership and administrative direction in developing and attaining strategic and operating objectives related to medical practice and patient care at Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. He also serves as a liaison between administration and the medical staff and provides leadership in advancing quality initiatives, clinical care, patient satisfaction, and physician/employee satisfaction. With almost 20 years of clinical leadership experience, Dumais most recently served as a medical hospitalist at Massachusetts General Hospital and as an instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Before coming to Boston, he served as chief medical officer and Senior Vice President of the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UMCRMC) in LaPlata, Md., where he oversaw performance management, quality, safety, risk management, compliance, and privacy, and gained extensive experience in population health, physician network planning, and information technology. Prior to his role at UMCRMC, he served as vice president of Medical Affairs, clinical chief of Internal Medicine, and director of hospitalists at Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dumais received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in Boston and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C. In addition to his medical education, he holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. “Dr. Dumais brings a wide range of clinical, operational, and leadership experience to this important position at Mercy Medical Center. We are pleased to welcome him to the Mercy team,” said Mark Fulco, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. Added Dumais, “Mercy Medical Center has a longstanding reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, and I welcome the opportunity to serve as a leader at this outstanding facility.

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Karri May

Karri May

Pinck & Co. Inc., a comprehensive real-estate-development and project-management services firm, announced Karri May joined the firm’s Springfield office as senior project manager. May brings to the firm 13 years of design and planning experience with a focus on healthcare, design for the aging, commercial, and higher education. She also has extensive client-management and business-development experience and will help grow the firm’s portfolio in Western Mass. and Connecticut. She previously worked at Steffian Bradley Architects as senior associate, where she specialized in the design and planning of healthcare projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Prior to that, she worked at Amenta/Emma Architects as a project architect, focusing on design for higher education, commercial, and senior housing/accommodations. May earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Pratt Institute and is a registered architect in Connecticut, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and a LEED-accredited professional. She also holds a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official Program designation and a Lean for Healthcare certificate. She is a frequent keynote speaker at industry and community events, has volunteered as a design mentor with CANstruction — a charitable organization for the design and construction industry — and has received several awards, including a Woman on the Rise designation from the Connecticut Professional Women in Construction. “As we continue to position our business to grow in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, I am thrilled that Karri has joined our team,” said Jennifer Pinck, president and founder of Pinck & Co. “Not only does she bring a high level of expertise in planning and design and project management, she is passionate about the lasting impact built environments have on communities. Karri shares our commitment to putting our clients’ best interests first and going above and beyond to help them realize their vision.”

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MGM Springfield President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Mathis announced that his full executive team is now in place. The team, a diverse group of industry professionals, will lead operations for MGM Springfield, set to open later this year. “This is an all-star team,” Mathis said. “Together, they bring years of experience and a broad expanse of skills that strengthens the deep bench of talent we already have in place. Each of them is committed, not only to the day-to-day objectives of their positions, but also to the greater role this property will play in the community. This team is the backbone of MGM Springfield, and we will proudly reflect and represent the diversity of the region in which we work.” For the 12th consecutive year, MGM Resorts International has been recognized as a Top Company for Diversity by DiversityInc, one of the nation’s leading sources on workplace-diversity management. Almost 69% of the company’s employees are minorities. About 44% of employees in MGM Resorts’ management ranks are women, while minorities comprise 43% of MGM Resorts’ management ranks. “The beating heart of MGM Springfield is our commitment to diversity,” Mathis said. Besides Mathis, the MGM Springfield management team also includes Anthony Caratozzolo, vice president, Food & Beverage; Alex Dixon, general manager; Anika Gaskins, vice president, National Marketing; Brian Jordan, director, Surveillance; Monique Messier, executive director, Sales; Sarah Moore, Vice President, Marketing, Advertising & Brand; Marikate Murren, vice president, Human Resources; Jason Rosewell, vice president, Facilities; Jason Rucker, executive director, Security; Lynn Segars, vice president, Slot Operations; Gregg Skowronski, executive director, Hotel Operations; Talia Spera, executive director, Arena Operations; Seth Stratton, vice president and general counsel; Courtney Wenleder, vice president and chief financial officer; and Robert Westerfield, vice president, Table Games. In 2000, MGM Resorts became the first company in the gaming and hospitality industry to voluntarily adopt a formal diversity and inclusion policy. This is a critical pillar of the company’s enterprise-wide social-responsibility platform, which also includes community giving and environmental sustainability as key elements.

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Mary Chiecko

Mary Chiecko

AdCare chose Mary Chiecko, Community Services representative for Western Mass., as its Employee of the Month for January. “Mary Chiecko is always positive and a great listener, which is key to knowing what our referral sources need and want,” said Georganna Koppermann, vice president of Marketing and Development at AdCare. “As part of ‘Team Springfield,’ Mary has connected new patients with our expert clinical staff helping to make Springfield the second-largest outpatient office in our system.” Chiecko’s diverse sales experience includes working as a toxicology representative, presenting services to addiction-treatment facilities, primary-care physicians, and pain-management practices regionally. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American International College in Springfield.

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Megan Murphy Wolf

Megan Murphy Wolf

The Solidago Foundation, a Northampton-based national social-justice foundation, announced it has hired Megan Murphy Wolf as director of partnerships. A newly created position, the director of partnerships will focus on developing, supporting, and enhancing partnerships for the Solidago Foundation. Wolf will be responsible for the design and implementation of donor cultivation and engagement, as well as foundation partnership strategies. “Megan joins our team with deep expertise in creating meaningful partnerships across unlikely actors, as well as a legislative background that will enhance our support of grassroots advocacy groups,” said Elizabeth Barajas-Román, CEO of the foundation. “We are happy to welcome her at this exciting time for the organization.” Wolf brings a strong background in both development and public-policy work. Prior to joining Solidago, she worked as director of class campaigns and annual fund leadership giving at Amherst College. During her time at Amherst, she was successful in her personal solicitations, securing multi-year pledges and outright gifts, increasing the yearly totals by 300% and successfully breaking Amherst giving and participation records every year. She has also worked as legislative director for two congressmen in the U.S. House of Representatives. “This is an incredible opportunity to be a part of an organization with a long history of impact within the field of social justice, sustainability, and the fundamental right to work,” Wolf said. “I have focused my career on these important issues, and I believe we have the ability to create positive social change through collaboration and collective support for shared goals. I’m honored to join the Solidago family and be a part of this impressive group of people dedicated to support for the common good.” Throughout her career, Wolf has worked to create partnerships, both political in nature and as fund-building coalitions, to bring about positive social change. As director of partnerships, she will be responsible for working on developing programming and content for donor recognition and campaign-related programs and events for the foundation. “I am thrilled to have Megan join our team and looking forward to working with someone with her expertise as we move forward with our new business model,” said Jeff Rosen, chief financial officer of the foundation. “Adding Megan to the team will enhance our ability to bring resources to the field and amplify our impact at an important time for our partners.”

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Marty Holmes was recently named top corporate search consultant at Management Search Inc. Holmes, president of the West Springfield division of the privately held recruiting firm, was recognized with the organization’s prestigious President’s Club Award for sales excellence in 2017. This year also marked Holmes’ 30th anniversary with Management Search Inc. Throughout his tenure, Holmes has worked to perfect a time-tested recruitment process and, in the process, has established deep roots in the market with a diverse client base in manufacturing and a niche focus within the shooting-sports industry. His hands-on consultative approach, along with his extensive knowledge of the industries he works in, have worked together to build and strengthen his reputation among clients and candidates alike. Headquartered in West Springfield with an office in Providence, R.I., Management Search Inc. has grown to become one of the largest privately held recruiting firms in New England, boasting 35 years of recruiting experience and 15 established consultants.

•••••

On Jan. 1, Aelan Tierney became the third principal and the president of Kuhn Riddle Architects. Tierney joins Jonathan Salvon and Charles Roberts, who became principals in 2010 when Chris Riddle retired. John Kuhn passes the torch of leadership and ownership to these three, and he will continue to work on selected projects at Kuhn Riddle. Kuhn Riddle Architects moves into the future as a woman-owned architecture firm as Tierney now owns the majority share of the company. She will continue to work on architectural project design, while also taking on a larger role in day-to-day management of the firm, focusing on business growth and maintaining a strong connection with clients and business partners. “I see this transition as an opportunity to carry on the legacy of Kuhn Riddle Architects, as well as an opportunity for growth,” said Tierney, who has been an architect at Kuhn Riddle Architects since August 2005. “I am honored that the partners have put their faith and trust in me to take on such an important leadership role. We will continue the company culture and its legacy of good design, excellent service, commitment to the environment, and giving back to our community that John Kuhn and Chris Riddle have built over the last 40 years.” Kuhn Riddle projects in which Tierney has played a lead role include Amherst Montessori School and Children First in Granby, the Kringle Candle flagship store and Farm Table Restaurant in Bernardston, the historic Easthampton Town Hall performance space for CitySpace, the Northeast Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Center in Gardner, Olympia Oaks multi-family affordable housing in Amherst, PVPA Charter School Theater in South Hadley, and projects at American International College, Western New England University, and Elms College. Kuhn Riddle Architects has been in business since Riddle and Kuhn founded it in 1977, when they negotiated a $500 fee to produce a design for Northampton’s Armory building renovation and rented two drafting tables in a fellow architect’s office. Since that time, the firm has become a well-known architectural firm in the Pioneer Valley and designs commercial, educational, and residential projects throughout Massachusetts.

•••••

Terry Ramey

Terry Ramey

A seasoned chief information officer for some of the world’s largest healthcare payor organizations, Terry Ramey has joined Holyoke-based healthcare consultancy VertitechIT as an executive project officer (EPO). He will lead engagements with large healthcare systems as the company continues to expand operations throughout the East Coast and across the country. Ramey previously held senior technology titles at PerformRX (a subsidiary of AmeriHealth Caritas), Penn Mutual Life Insurance, CIGNA Health Services, and Dendrite International. As a nationally recognized healthcare technology executive, he says he was looking to make an impact on the provider side of the industry. “At CIGNA, Penn Mutual, and other major payor organizations, my responsibilities were to leverage technology to positively affect the bottom line,” he noted. “At VertitechIT, I have the opportunity to help transform hospital IT departments with a direct impact on patient care. It’s not often that an IT executive gets to do that.” VertitechIT CEO Michael Feld agrees. “Our work at work at major health systems goes far beyond designing and implementing cloud strategies, overhauling infrastructure, and streamlining operations. As an EPO, Terry will counsel clients on the IT initiatives that can literally change the way doctors do their jobs.” Working at the executive level within a healthcare organization, EPOs oversee a collaborative office of the CTO (oCTO), implementing VertitechIT’s proprietary LeverageIT process. Working side by side with senior internal managers, the oCTO refines strategic directives and implements tactical solutions that make organizations more profitable and efficient.

•••••

Max Kiperman joined the Red Lion Inn culinary team as executive chef of the Red Lion Inn’s Main Dining Room, Widow Bingham’s Tavern, and the Lion’s Den. As executive chef, Kiperman will work closely with Vice President of Culinary Development Brian Alberg and Sous Chef Jim Corcoran on all future food- and beverage-related development in addition to day-to-day kitchen management. With a tenure of more than 25 years in the culinary industry, Kiperman comes to the Red Lion Inn most recently from Lucca in Boston’s Back Bay, where he worked as sous chef, and as culinary consultant to the Viceroy Hotel and Resort in Zihuantanejo, Mexico. Kiperman began his culinary career at Rosalie’s Restaurant in Marblehead before training under three Michelin chefs, including Sylvain Portay and Alain Ducasse. Kiperman now brings his expertise and passion for cooking with locally sourced products to the Berkshires. “Max’s diverse culinary portfolio and his commitment to the farm-to-table movement make him the perfect addition to lead the Red Lion Inn’s culinary team,” said Alberg. “We are confident his leadership and expertise will elevate the inn’s dining experience and continue to evolve the offerings to exceed our guests’ culinary expectations.” Kiperman’s extensive résumé includes work in hotels and resorts such as the Ritz Carlton properties in San Francisco, New York City, and Boston, and the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort in Nevis West Indies; restaurants like On Lot Restaurant in Hong Kong and Mix Restaurant in Las Vegas; and work as a private chef in New York and Connecticut. Recently refreshed breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus await guests at the Red Lion Inn’s Main Dining Room and Widow Bingham’s Tavern, highlighting the inn’s long-standing relationships with local and regional purveyors. The inn offers guests two additional dining options, the Lion’s Den, with nightly live entertainment, and seasonal outdoor dining in the Courtyard from June through September.

•••••

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, in partnership with the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County and the Pioneer Valley Estate Planning Council, has awarded Kate Kane the 2018 Distinguished Advisor in Philanthropy Award. The award was presented by Katie Allan Zobel, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, and Amy Jamrog, wealth management advisor at the Jamrog Group, at a luncheon on Jan. 9. The purpose of the Distinguished Advisor in Philanthropy Award is to recognize the important work that professional advisors (estate-planning attorneys, financial advisors, and accountants) do in encouraging their clients to engage in local philanthropy for the region. As Zobel noted, “professional advisors play a quiet and often unsung role in advancing philanthropy. The Community Foundation has been working alongside local advisors for over 25 years, and we see first-hand the meaningful work they do by connecting their clients’ generous intentions to needs in our community. Their efforts have helped create a significant base of funding for scholarships and grants to nonprofits in our region.” Zobel also said she is pleased to be giving this award to its first female recipient. Past awardees include George Keady III, Dick Gaberman, Dennis Bidwell, Jack Ferriter, and Steven Schwartz. Kane received a plaque and $1,000 to recommend as a grant to the charity of her choice. Kane is managing director of Northwestern Mutual in Springfield, where she matches clients’ needs with innovative solutions utilizing insurance services and internationally recognized investment products. “Financial advising is a business of words and stories,” she said. “The numbers are simply tools to further the pursuit of hopes and dreams for ourselves, our families, and our communities. We give our clients the gift of listening to their stories and helping them connect with the right decisions to fulfill their aspirations and leave a legacy.” Well-known for her volunteerism and philanthropic spirit, Kane is a former board member (2008-15) and past board president of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. She currently serves on the boards of directors for Elms College and Girls Inc. of Holyoke and is vice chair of the board of trustees for Springfield Museums. She co-wrote the original business plan for the local chapter of the Dress for Success, which supports the career and economic advancement of women, and she serves as a business mentor for many young entrepreneurs in the region. Kane has been recognized with many awards in the past for her commitment to strengthening her community, including Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield’s Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year in 2015, Western Mass Women magazine’s Professional Woman of the Year in 2012, Professional Women’s Chamber Woman of the Year in 2011, and a BusinessWest Difference Maker in 2009.

•••••

Edward Alford of South Hadley was installed as president of the 1,800-member Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley on Jan. 9. The installation of officers and directors took place at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. More than 100 people attended the organization’s 103rd annual installation ceremony. Donald Thompson, the association’s 2008 president, served as emcee for the event. The other officers installed were Kelly Bowman as president-elect, Sue Drumm as treasurer, Elias Acuna as secretary, and Rick Sawicki as immediate past president. The directors installed include Shawn Bowman, Peter Davies, Janise Fitzpatrick, Sara Gasparrini, Sharyn Jones, Cheryl Malandrinos, Sue Rheaume, and Russell Sabadosa. Alford was joined by Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors (MAR) President Rita Coffey, who served as the installing officer. Coffey’s leadership team from MAR was also in attendance, including Anne Meczywor, president-elect; Kurt Thompson, secretary/treasurer; Paul Yorkis, immediate past president; and Rob Authier, CEO.

•••••

Heather Roy recently completed the Precision Nutrition Level 1 Pro Coach certification at Conca Sport and Fitness (CSF). Members have been losing more than 20 pounds thanks to the innovative nutrition and fitness plan offered by Precision Nutrition and Conca Sport and Fitness, CSF owner Steve Conca said. He added that being able to deliver comprehensive fitness and nutrition programming that gets results and is easily adaptable for busy lifestyles was paramount in the company’s decision to move forward with the certification program. CSF, which opened in 2009, provides fitness coaching both online and in the studio, either in a one-on-one or small-group environment.

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Arnold’s & Eddie’s Foods Inc. v. Pasquales Associates, LLC; Michael Chagnon; and Joseph Santaniello
Allegation: Breach of contact for goods purchased: $11,020
Filed: 12/22/17

Natasha Wheeler v. Wilbraham Common Associates, LP; SHP Acquisitions II, LLC; and SHP Acquisitions V, LLC
Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing injury: $7,000
Filed: 1/5/18

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Theresa Gibson, executrix of the estate of Lillian Sydlo v. Genesis Healthcare Co., LLC d/b/a Heritage Hall
Allegation: Medical malpractice: $100,000+
Filed: 12/20/17

John Stagnaro v. J.F. White Contracting Co.; Schiavone Construction Co., LLC; and White-Schiavone Joint Venture
Allegation: Negligence; failure to maintain safe worksite, causing fall and injury: $783,750
Filed: 12/22/17

Kristine Greco v. Delivery Express Corp. and Michael Greco
Allegation: Unjust enrichment: $27,300
Filed: 12/29/17

Michael Devine and Donna Devine v. W & I Construction Inc. and Mansion Woods Condominium Trust
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $161,501.86
Filed: 12/29/17

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT
Wanda Deitnet v. Elijah Thompson and Performance Food Group Inc.
Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing injury: $6,793.06
Filed: 12/28/17

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Edwin J. Scagel v. Brian A. Corriveau individually and d/b/a AML Construction Services, et al
Allegation: Breach of contract; money owed for services, labor, and materials: $123,000
Filed: 12/20/17

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Michael A. Herbert v. South County Emergency Medical Services, Town of Deerfield, Town of Sunderland, and Town of Whately
Allegation: Employment disability and sex discrimination
Filed: 1/8/18

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
K. Sacco Electric Inc. v. Mr. Home
Allegation: Failure to compensate for services rendered: $7,758.12
Filed: 12/22/17

K. Sacco Electric Inc. v. Decosmo Construction, LLC
Allegation: Failure to compensate for services rendered: $4,500.52
Filed: 12/27/17

K. Sacco Electric Inc. v. Shaha Food and Fuel, LLC
Allegation: Failure to compensate for services rendered: $16,197.14
Filed: 12/29/17

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Students who graduate from Holyoke Community College (HCC) with an associate degree will see an average increase in annual earnings of about $10,000 a year compared to those with only a high-school diploma, according to a new report that calculates the total economic impact of HCC on the Pioneer Valley at nearly $215 million annually.

“By comparison,” the report says, “this contribution that the college provides on its own is almost as large as the entire arts, entertainment, and recreation industry in this area.”

The analysis of HCC’s economic value was conducted by Emsi, an economic modeling firm whose clients include colleges and universities as well as some of the largest for-profit corporations in the U.S., such as Amazon and Coca-Cola. For this, Emsi based its conclusions on academic and financial reports from HCC, industry and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, and other surveys related to education and social behavior. The study, commissioned by the college, looked at data from 2015-16.

“When you talk about our impact, most people don’t think about our economic impact,” said HCC president Christina Royal. “They think about HCC offering education and the impact the college has directly on students’ lives in terms of their academic studies and career pathways. I don’t think people realize that HCC is an economic powerhouse in this region. This study puts a numerical value on what we do every day.”

For fiscal year 2016, which ended June 30, 2016, the study found that the total economic impact of the college on the economy in the three counties of the Pioneer Valley (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin) was $214.6 million, or about 0.7% of the region’s gross regional product.

That number includes direct spending by the college’s 991 full-time and part-time employees as well as operational spending by the college itself, and accounts for a multiplier effect, which measures how that money works its way through the regional economy. The total also includes short-term construction projects and spending by students who relocate to the Pioneer Valley as well as spending by students who choose to remain in the area for college rather than go elsewhere. In FY 2015-16, HCC served 8,243 credit students and 3,024 non-credit students.

The largest impact, though, comes from alumni — former students who continue to live and work in the region: $155.1 million, or enough to support 2,642 jobs, the report notes.

The study also examined the economic benefits of HCC from a student’s perspective, noting that those who complete their associate degree could expect to earn an average of $9,600 more per year than those with only a high-school diploma. “In return for their investment, HCC’s students will receive a stream of higher future earnings that will continue to grow through their working lives.”

Put another way, for every $1 students invest in their education (out-of-pocket expenses, interest on loans, foregone income while in school), they will earn $3.2, an average return of 12.7%. “This is an impressive return, especially when compared to the 30-year average 10.1% of the U.S. stock market,” the report says.

The study also concludes that HCC represents a “a solid investment” for taxpayers, generating more in tax revenue than it takes in through state and local funding — $54.6 million compared to $31.6 million, or a benefit-cost ratio of 1.8, an average rate of return of 4.5%.

Massachusetts also benefits as a whole from the presence of HCC in two major ways: increased prosperity from an expanding economic base and savings generated by the improved lifestyles of students, most notably in a reduction in medical costs through improved health, reduced crime, and lower employer contributions toward unemployment.

“The results of this study demonstrate that HCC creates value from multiple perspectives,” Emsi concludes. “The college benefits local businesses by increasing consumer spending in the region and supplying a steady flow of qualified, trained workers into the workforce. It enriches the lives of students by raising their lifetime earnings and helping them achieve their individual potential. It benefits state and local taxpayers through increased tax receipts across the state and a reduced demand for government-supported social services. Finally, it benefits society as a whole in Massachusetts by creating a more prosperous economy and generating a variety of savings through the improved lifestyle of students.”

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Pinck & Co. Inc., a comprehensive real-estate-development and project-management services firm, announced Karri May joined the firm’s Springfield office as senior project manager.

May brings to the firm 13 years of design and planning experience with a focus on healthcare, design for the aging, commercial, and higher education. She also has extensive client-management and business-development experience and will help grow the firm’s portfolio in Western Mass. and Connecticut.

She previously worked at Steffian Bradley Architects as senior associate, where she specialized in the design and planning of healthcare projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Prior to that, she worked at Amenta/Emma Architects as a project architect, focusing on design for higher education, commercial, and senior housing/accommodations.

May earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Pratt Institute and is a registered architect in Connecticut, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and a LEED-accredited professional. She also holds a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official Program designation and a Lean for Healthcare certificate.

She is a frequent keynote speaker at industry and community events, has volunteered as a design mentor with CANstruction — a charitable organization for the design and construction industry — and has received several awards, including a Woman on the Rise designation from the Connecticut Professional Women in Construction.

“As we continue to position our business to grow in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, I am thrilled that Karri has joined our team,” said Jennifer Pinck, president and founder of Pinck & Co. “Not only does she bring a high level of expertise in planning and design and project management, she is passionate about the lasting impact built environments have on communities. Karri shares our commitment to putting our clients’ best interests first and going above and beyond to help them realize their vision.”

Commercial Real Estate Sections

Vehicle for Growth?

The Willys-Overland building on Chestnut Street

The Willys-Overland building on Chestnut Street has a proud past, and developers now believe it has an intriguing future as market-rate housing.

Chuck Irving says the property at 151 Chestnut St. in Springfield — known to the well-informed as the Willys-Overland Building because the long-defunct car maker had a showroom on its first floor and a 1,000-car garage above — caught his attention some time ago, after it was damaged and then abandoned after the natural-gas explosion in late 2012.

And he thought it had some potential.

But what really opened his eyes was the rebirth of an almost identical property in Detroit also built by Willys-Overland.

Irving recalled googling ‘Willys-Overland Lofts,’ the name of the housing complex the site was converted into (just as BusinessWest did, and you can) and seeing headlines about relatively small but well-appointed units selling for north of $500,000. And going fast.

“We started reading the articles about the same building in Detroit,” recalled Irving, a principal with Boston-based Davenport Properties. “We went online, looked at the pictures … and it was an incredibly attractive property. And so we started looking at this building, thinking, ‘if it’s structurally sound, this is a great opportunity, because it comes with parking.’”

Indeed, seeing what happened in Detroit and coupling that with what readily appears to be a growing need for market-rate housing as the countdown to MGM Springfield’s opening hits eight, maybe nine months, the Springfield property’s potential soared in Irving’s eyes.

Enough to make the 70,000-square-foot, four-story structure Davenport Property’s latest investment in the City of Homes and the region as a whole. Others include the Springfield Plaza, the Hadley Mall, and the Walmart in Westfield.

“Our company is involved with MGM,” said Irving, noting that the company considers itself MGM’s development partner in Springfield. “And we’ve been watching the employees of the company come into the area, especially the young ones, and looking at their perception of the inventory of available apartments. Through their eyes, it became really clear that there was a need for more market-rate housing in Springfield.”

Whether the Chestnut Street property in Springfield can follow the lead of its twin in Detroit is a huge question mark, one that will hopefully be answered by extensive cost-benefit analysis work in the weeks and months to come, or what Irving called “calibrating Springfield’s market rents with construction costs.”

But he believes the property is certainly a sound investment and that the building will play a key role in the revitalization of the city and especially the area that has come to be known colloquially as the ‘blast zone.’

Kevin Kennedy, Springfield’s chief Development officer, agreed. He said the Willys project, if it develops as Davenport believes it could, might become a catalyst for the blast zone, an area bordered, roughly, by Lyman Street to the north, Dwight Street to the west, Pearl and Hillman streets to the south, and Spring Street to the east.

“There are other investors looking into that area, which we’re calling the ‘next frontier’ in Springfield,” he told BusinessWest, adding that the conditions are favorable for more housing initiatives and related businesses in that zone.

These conditions include everything from MGM and other job-creating ventures in and around downtown to the revitalization of Union Station, just a block or so to the north of the Willys building, to an interest among Millennials and also some retiring Baby Boomers in what Kennedy called “urban living.”

“When you calculate all the jobs that are going to be happening in the downtown and the Springfield area in general, and also take into account the fact that urban living is making a comeback, as well as the growing entertainment options in that area … all these things make this project viable and add up to something good for Springfield,” he said.

A new life as housing would only be the latest chapter in the intriguing history of what has come to be known as the Willys-Overland Block Local Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Built in 1916 as an automobile sales, service, and garaging area, the property became part of what would later be described as an auto-industry legacy in Springfield. Indeed, the Duryea brothers created the first marketable auto in Springfield — there’s a statue depicting their creation near Stearns Square — and Rolls-Royce located a plant in the city to capitalize on its highly skilled workforce.

But Willys-Overland, like the others, did not enjoy a long history in the city. Indeed, it closed its property here in 1921 due to slumping sales, and it has seen a number of uses since.

It was a primarily a parking garage for some of the downtown hotels before they were converted into condominiums, said Irving, and after that, it served as home to a host of businesses, ranging from Square One to a construction company.

These operations were forced out by the gas explosion in late November 2012, he went on, adding that the building was completely gutted and has been vacant, with most of the windows covered with plywood, ever since.

willys-overland-building-union-sept-24-1916

Above, a news story announces the opening of the Willys-Overland building in 1916. At right, the Willys-Overland property in Detroit, which has been transformed into lofts selling for more than $500,000.

Below, a news story announces the opening of the Willys-Overland building in 1916. At right, the Willys-Overland property in Detroit, which has been transformed into lofts selling for more than $500,000.

The previous owner applied for a demolition permit in January 2015, but the city sought and won a delay of that move due to the property’s historic significance.

It was this delay that essentially gave the property a reprieve — time for more progress to take shape in Springfield, time for a recognized need for more market-rate housing to emerge, and, yes, time for the Willys-Overland Lofts project to catch fire — and catch Davenport’s attention.

As noted, the Springfield Willys-Overland property is an intriguing addition to an already large and diverse portfolio of properties in Western Mass.

Perhaps the most visible is the Springfield Plaza, which has undergone an extensive facelift and added new tenants ranging from a trampoline complex to a new home for Springfield’s Registry of Motor Vehicles office, which, said Irving, has brought a significant surge in traffic to the plaza.

The portfolio also includes a retail complex across the street from the Eastfield Mall and what’s known as Davenport Square in Springfield, at the corner of Union and Main streets across from MGM Springfield. The development will include MGM’s daycare facility as well as some retail.

As for the Willys-Overland building, the next steps in the process of writing the next chapter in its history are finalizing designs, crunching the numbers, as noted earlier, and requesting support for historic tax credits, said Irving, adding that redevelopment is dependent on such tax credits and other forms of assistance.

While the reuse plans are still in their infancy, Irving anticipates perhaps 60 units of relatively small size, with a portion of the building to be used for parking.

“It’s got great bones, and it’s absolutely perfect for apartments with the column spacing,” he noted. “What we’re trying to go after is small — really small units for young professionals who don’t want the price of having a big space.

“Our take on it is that it’s a great investment,” he went on. “We’re not certain that the market rents will support the construction costs, and we’re still verifying that. But in the long run, we think Springfield is on the upswing, so whether it’s this year or next year, we’re convinced that this will be a great residential investment.”

As for the blast zone, or Springfield’s ‘next frontier,’ as Kennedy called it, progress has come slow to that area, with the gas explosion now more than five years in the rear-view mirror.

This can be attributed to several factors, he went on, including the slow pace of insurance settlements on many of the properties in the zone (including the Willys-Overland building) and a desire among investors to see how and in what ways Springfield continued its revitalization.

But Kennedy believes the Willys-Overland project could trigger other developments in that area and other housing initiatives as well. And Irving agreed.

“The Springfield market, in our mind, is about to blossom,” he told BusinessWest. “And so, this is a good place to be on the ground level.

“This is a small project at 60 units,” he went on. “If this tests out and verifies that market rates can support new construction, then this will be a catalyst for that entire area.”

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

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

Apple Valley Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $514,995
Buyer: Gary Epstein
Seller: Robert L. Pratt
Date: 12/28/17

BERNARDSTON

808 Brattleboro Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Bradley J. Letourneau
Seller: Clifford C. Spatcher
Date: 12/28/17

61 Deane Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Robert A. Deane
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 12/18/17

COLRAIN

1 Church St.
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Megan N. Weller
Seller: Ann M. Martin
Date: 12/19/17

CONWAY

34 Academy Hill Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Josephine Lally
Seller: Nicholas Potter
Date: 12/19/17

38 Academy Hill Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Josephine Lally
Seller: Nicholas Potter
Date: 12/19/17

201 Maple St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Scott Hoffman
Seller: William Sheehan
Date: 12/29/17

2701 Shelburne Falls Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $180,500
Buyer: Bear River Investments
Seller: Sara Logan
Date: 12/21/17

GILL

143 Barney Hale Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Nicole A. Coombs
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 12/29/17

GREENFIELD

12 Armory St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Claire Huttlinger
Seller: George R. Marchacos
Date: 12/26/17

117 Beacon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Judith M. Maloney
Seller: Laurel J. Brocklesby
Date: 12/29/17

1 Harrison Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Jody P. James
Seller: PDV Inc.
Date: 12/29/17

22 Little Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Jodie L. Suhl
Seller: Kempf, Jean P., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/17

86 Meridian St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: James A. Hazel
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/29/17

125 Mohawk Trail
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $1,597,650
Buyer: Parmar Properties North
Seller: Shree Vinayak Inc.
Date: 12/29/17

33 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Dorothea L. Melnicoff
Seller: PDV Inc.
Date: 12/28/17

33 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $171,963
Buyer: PDV Inc.
Seller: Jason M. Thompson
Date: 12/20/17

69 Oakland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $259,500
Buyer: Nancy Y Conant
Seller: Jeffrey I. Scroggin
Date: 12/22/17

49 Phyllis Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Yuriy Kovrizhnykh
Seller: Kenneth J. Cook
Date: 12/28/17

30 River St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Christopher H. Martenson
Seller: Robert G. Wallitis
Date: 12/28/17

98 River St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Darren S. Schmidt
Seller: George M. Sanford
Date: 12/19/17

35 Sauter Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Silvio Lima
Seller: Michael S. Mota
Date: 12/21/17

204 Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Patricia Simmons
Seller: Laurie A. Newsome
Date: 12/20/17

LEYDEN

West Leyden Road
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: S. Lisa Hayes
Seller: Damon, Edwin H. Jr. (Estate)
Date: 12/29/17

MONTAGUE

14-16 3rd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: 108 Properties LLC
Seller: Steven W. Rossetti
Date: 12/27/17

79 7th St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Jesse Hall
Seller: David W. Bartlett
Date: 12/29/17

6 Gunn Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Cameron T. Gray
Seller: Trevor J. Allenby
Date: 12/28/17

43 Hillside Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Steven S. Gochinski
Seller: PDV Inc.
Date: 12/22/17

74 Montague St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: James E. Adams
Seller: Balboni, Robert H., (Estate)
Date: 12/19/17

NORTHFIELD

54 Pine St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Walter A. Smith
Seller: Donald B. Randall
Date: 12/28/17

ORANGE

136 Brookside Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $493,000
Buyer: WM Realty Holdings NH LLC
Seller: BD Waterford Real Estate
Date: 12/22/17

53 Burrill Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Maureen D. Wright
Date: 12/22/17

167 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $493,000
Buyer: WM Realty Holdings NH LLC
Seller: BD Waterford Real Estate
Date: 12/22/17

3 Memory Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: John A. Gallagher
Seller: Daniel Stoodley
Date: 12/22/17

SHUTESBURY

7 Oak Knoll
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Phil Potts Roaring Bluff
Seller: Aaron M. Snow
Date: 12/20/17

SUNDERLAND

41 South Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Vincent J. Tran
Seller: Michael A. Wissemann
Date: 12/29/17

WENDELL

9 Davis Turn Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Aaron M. Snow
Seller: David M. Beck
Date: 12/21/17

WHATELY

63 Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Bailey
Seller: Wilcox Builders Inc.
Date: 12/22/17

100 State Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: P&M Holding LLC
Seller: ALDT Realty LLC
Date: 12/29/17

31 Swamp Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: David J. Limero
Seller: Eileen Buckowski
Date: 12/20/17

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

84-86 Bridge St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $171,500
Buyer: Valley Building Co. LLC
Seller: Frederick D. Fusco
Date: 12/19/17

5 Elmar Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Devin T. Galloway
Seller: Mark R. Verville
Date: 12/29/17

Franklin St. Ext.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Yegor Muravskiy
Seller: Shirley G. Drenzek
Date: 12/29/17

19 Horsham Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Mark L. Berthiaume
Seller: Robert L. Loomis
Date: 12/28/17

515 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Yegor Muravskiy
Seller: Shirley G. Drenzek
Date: 12/29/17

131-137 Moore St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Susan Grossberg
Seller: RAK Realty Assocs. LLC
Date: 12/29/17

703 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Andrei Klimov
Seller: Thomas J. Davis
Date: 12/29/17

326 North West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: William G. Grimaldi
Seller: Robert P. Ollari
Date: 12/22/17

51 Peros Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $194,900
Buyer: Marta M. Rodriguez
Seller: Teresa A. Frogameni
Date: 12/20/17

107 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Viktoriya Tikhomirova
Seller: Edward A. Walters-Zucco
Date: 12/29/17

521 South West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Breton
Seller: David J. Limero
Date: 12/20/17

371 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Southwick Street RT
Seller: Dion L. Berte
Date: 12/29/17

576 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: James K. Burghoff
Seller: Donna M. Santos
Date: 12/22/17

399-401 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Tina Nguyen
Seller: Geraldo V. Perez
Date: 12/20/17

1673 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Igor Banar
Seller: Carol J. Pananas
Date: 12/22/17

2 Westview Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $254,238
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Mikhail S. Sergeychik
Date: 12/21/17

17 Wilbert Terrace
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kathleen A. Klimoski
Seller: Kristen L. Buoniconti
Date: 12/29/17

BLANDFORD

6 Wyman Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: James Start
Seller: Ian T. McEwan
Date: 12/22/17

BRIMFIELD

167 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Gail L. West
Seller: Burnham, Patricia M., (Estate)
Date: 12/21/17

CHICOPEE

21 Academy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Michelle R. Filiau
Seller: Suzanne Murphy
Date: 12/29/17

6 Dejordy Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Eugene R. Lapierre
Seller: David Geoffroy
Date: 12/29/17

428 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: John R. Wolowicz
Seller: Edward S. Wolowicz
Date: 12/21/17

19 Freedom St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Stephanie M. Marotte
Seller: Karen J. Chlosta
Date: 12/27/17

76 Lawndale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Veniamin Telelyuyev
Seller: Vasiliy Telelyuyev
Date: 12/22/17

15 Leclair Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: O’Connor Rentals LLC
Seller: Peter A. Desrosiers
Date: 12/29/17

49 Mary St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Eirielle Granger
Seller: Adrien F. Goulet
Date: 12/26/17

665 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Dowd
Seller: Lemieux, Janet E., (Estate)
Date: 12/29/17

49 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Nzabandora Appolinaire
Seller: MS Homes LLC
Date: 12/26/17

17 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Stephen S. Storozuk
Seller: Lisa A. Lonczak
Date: 12/22/17

71 Nye St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Sylwia A. Boryczka
Seller: Deborah A. Kvarnstrom
Date: 12/29/17

7 Otis St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Adrian Cedeno
Seller: Jane M. Wysocki
Date: 12/28/17

40 Pickering St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: J. Townsend-Butterworth
Seller: David Abert
Date: 12/18/17

40 Plymouth St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Karen M. Boisjolie
Seller: Constance A. Houle
Date: 12/28/17

89 Royalton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Joshua Donohue
Seller: John E. Duda
Date: 12/29/17

35 Savory Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Todd A. Beaudoin
Seller: Kevin T. Laplante
Date: 12/22/17

22 Suzanne St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: Steven J. Niedbala
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/18/17

58 Taft Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Gabriel Morales-Velez
Seller: Amy L. Guyott
Date: 12/22/17

164 Wheatland Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Derek T. Topulos
Seller: Scott M. Haselkorn
Date: 12/29/17

EAST LONGMEADOW

Baldwin St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Baldwin Street LLC
Seller: D&C Properties Inc.
Date: 12/22/17

11 Crescent Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Metcalf
Seller: Peter D. Abel
Date: 12/21/17

5 Donamor Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Cynthia R. Palmer
Seller: Imogen Foster
Date: 12/20/17

14 High Meadow Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Robert A. Weishaus
Seller: Hal B. Jenson
Date: 12/29/17

6 Kelsey St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Michael C. Healey
Seller: Charles M. Healey
Date: 12/21/17

28 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Mark E. Evans
Seller: Brian M. McGrath
Date: 12/22/17

313 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Fairview Extend Care Services
Seller: Meadows Realty Holdings
Date: 12/28/17

7 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Donna M. Prather
Seller: Victor Degray
Date: 12/22/17

Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Love Of FT
Seller: William F. Johnson
Date: 12/21/17

43 Pembroke Terrace
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Ruben Vaidya
Seller: R. Bruce Snyder
Date: 12/29/17

472 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Mariano Dross
Seller: Irving C. Ostrander
Date: 12/22/17

10 Silver Fox Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $323,839
Buyer: C&M Builders LLC
Seller: John F. Cassidy
Date: 12/19/17

23 Wilder Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Alan P. Coppolo
Seller: Dennis M. Welch
Date: 12/20/17

GRANVILLE

1572 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: David A. Burl
Seller: Anthony Melchionno
Date: 12/28/17

HAMPDEN

25 Kibbe Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $479,000
Buyer: Gregory W. Simonelli
Seller: Custom Homes Development
Date: 12/28/17

HOLLAND

10 Julia Ann Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Edward L. Fisher
Seller: David A. Lopez
Date: 12/29/17

HOLYOKE

94 Beacon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Ileana M. Cruz
Seller: Donna W. Hoener
Date: 12/18/17

209 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Marcela Gebara
Seller: Melissa A. O’Connell
Date: 12/22/17

36 Elliot St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $274,900
Buyer: Reinaldo Cruz
Seller: Steven J. Moran
Date: 12/21/17

25 Erie Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Philip A. Momnie
Seller: Wesley Lukas
Date: 12/29/17

81 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Ray A. Phillips
Seller: William T. Lyle
Date: 12/18/17

330 Mackenzie Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Kathryn J. Fleming
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 12/29/17

1655 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Seller: Jane L. Rodrigue
Date: 12/21/17

1678 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Gallagher Properties LLC
Seller: Elizabeth A. Cartier
Date: 12/18/17

1698-1700 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Andrew R. Weibel
Seller: Champigny, Thomas R., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/17

158 Ontario Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Alexandro S. Laftsidis
Seller: Ernest E. Smith
Date: 12/20/17

9 Vadnais St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Ailin Borkowski
Seller: Maureen A. Connor
Date: 12/28/17

57 West Glen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $136,595
Buyer: Bank Of America
Seller: Tina Leclair
Date: 12/28/17

44-46 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $146,500
Buyer: Max C. Hebert
Seller: Carolyn E. Henneman
Date: 12/20/17

LONGMEADOW

111 Captain Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $626,000
Buyer: Nehal P. Patel
Seller: Williams J. Dupont
Date: 12/18/17

71 Lawrence Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $557,000
Buyer: Gregory S. Diamond
Seller: Martin E. Upperton
Date: 12/22/17

863 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Chuan Lin
Seller: Timothy J. Bannon
Date: 12/29/17

270 Park Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $343,875
Buyer: Robert Kushner
Seller: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Date: 12/18/17

550 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $681,000
Buyer: JBSB 550 Pinewood RT
Seller: Patti G. Glenn
Date: 12/21/17

80 Primrose Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Katz
Seller: Lawrence B. Katz
Date: 12/29/17

LUDLOW

38 Circuit Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $176,278
Buyer: Melissa L. Smith
Seller: Mark J. Reilly
Date: 12/22/17

134 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $317,615
Buyer: Linda E. Bourcier RET
Seller: Artur D. Demoura
Date: 12/22/17

24 Holy Cross Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Colm E. Landers
Seller: Mary A. Driscoll
Date: 12/29/17

115 Howard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Seller: Kimberly A. Pellegrini
Date: 12/27/17

371 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Joseph S. Pio
Seller: M&G Investors LLC
Date: 12/26/17

630 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: E&G Joint Venture NT
Seller: Aimee Y Arizmendi-Pagan
Date: 12/27/17

36 Williams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Hussein T. Alsammaraee
Seller: Lucille K. Hancock
Date: 12/20/17

MONSON

20 Chestnut St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Boyer
Seller: Michele D. Byrne
Date: 12/27/17

3 Country Club Lane
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Thomas D. Piendak
Seller: David Z Podworski
Date: 12/20/17

32 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: BG Real Estate Inc.
Seller: Robert S. Dix
Date: 12/29/17

PALMER

152-156 Bourne St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Robert A. Smus
Seller: Warren H. Spears
Date: 12/22/17

215 Burlingame Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Keith E. Leaning
Seller: Ronald G. Belling
Date: 12/29/17

7 Desimone Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Paul Eusebio
Seller: Peter D. Baruffaldi
Date: 12/21/17

61 East Palmer Park Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: HSBC Bank USA
Seller: Kelly L. Robbins
Date: 12/28/17

153 Jim Ash Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Wess F. Jarvis
Seller: William W. Gravel
Date: 12/22/17

7 Kelly Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Collin Vartanian
Seller: Aram Vartanian
Date: 12/29/17

1427 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Gaoli LLC
Seller: David Chau
Date: 12/22/17

9 South St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Charles G. Nothe
Seller: James F. Kapinos
Date: 12/19/17

42-48 Stewart St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Edward J. Philbrook
Date: 12/29/17

SOUTHWICK

185 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Elizabeth Gomez
Date: 12/19/17

12 Hunters Ridge Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: J. A. Santos-Villanueva
Seller: Richard D. Bossie
Date: 12/29/17

33 Miller Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $205,500
Buyer: Denise A. Dorazio
Seller: William W. Motyl
Date: 12/22/17

283 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Daniel M. Felix
Seller: Dorothy R. Cauthen
Date: 12/29/17

SPRINGFIELD

100-102 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Luis G. Vergara
Seller: Edward Boczon
Date: 12/22/17

93 Agnes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Maxine D. Moultrie
Seller: Connie L. Johnson
Date: 12/28/17

6 Andrew St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $3,687,750
Buyer: BMG Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

41 Ansara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Jose Rivera
Seller: Michelle L. Bilodeau
Date: 12/20/17

90 Atwater Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: J. R. Villanueva-Figueroa
Seller: Nahabed L. Charkoudian
Date: 12/27/17

71 Avon Place
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Rawal Realty LLC
Seller: Glory Realty LLC
Date: 12/29/17

73-R Avon Place
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Rawal Realty LLC
Seller: Glory Realty LLC
Date: 12/29/17

34-36 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $3,687,750
Buyer: BMG Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

65 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,012,250
Buyer: 65 Belmont Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

102-104 Blaine St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Anthony Thornton
Seller: Mark B. Pease
Date: 12/28/17

819 Bradley Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: Christopher C. Walker
Seller: Timothy Flouton
Date: 12/29/17

45 Burnside Terrace
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Omotunde M. Bailey
Seller: Randy E. Nick
Date: 12/19/17

122 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $4,800,000
Buyer: 3 Chestnut LLC
Seller: 122 Chestnut LLC
Date: 12/29/17

151-157 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Chestnut Acquisitions LLC
Seller: Ciocca Construction Corp.
Date: 12/28/17

32-34 Continental St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Edid T. Figueroa-Santiago
Seller: Henry J. Vargas
Date: 12/19/17

31 Cottonwood Lane
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Matthew P. David
Seller: Catherine E. Adornato
Date: 12/28/17

79 Dana St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Felix Rosado
Seller: Lisa Santaniello
Date: 12/19/17

11 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Shavone L. Gauthier
Seller: Bryar, Phyllis H., (Estate)
Date: 12/28/17

178 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Amanda Duda
Seller: Chad Lynch
Date: 12/18/17

48 Drexel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Andrea Martinez
Seller: Richardo James
Date: 12/21/17

19 Edendale St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Shelby R. Bouchard
Seller: Christian B. Wiernasz
Date: 12/21/17

42 End St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Firas I. Kotaich
Seller: Junior Properties LLC
Date: 12/28/17

33 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $3,687,750
Buyer: BMG Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

80 Greaney St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Arelis Roy
Seller: Megazzini FT
Date: 12/29/17

141 Hadley St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Kari A. Stewart
Seller: Lori A. Blocher
Date: 12/29/17

16 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Katie E. Byrne
Seller: Tina Forbes
Date: 12/22/17

44 Herman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Elsie M. Rodriguez
Seller: Ethep P. Donahue
Date: 12/29/17

26 Huntington St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $145,500
Buyer: Nicholas R. Dejesus
Seller: Christopher Michniewicz
Date: 12/22/17

125 Ithaca St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Amanda J. Hill
Seller: Ting Chang
Date: 12/29/17

45 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $124,100
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Patrick Gonzalez
Date: 12/19/17

7 Lancaster St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: David A. Rivera
Seller: Donald H. Ayotte
Date: 12/22/17

17 Leyfred Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,012,250
Buyer: 65 Belmont Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

288 Locust St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $3,687,750
Buyer: BMG Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

75 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: C. M. Fernandez-Garcia
Seller: Kavork M. Merigian
Date: 12/19/17

3111 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Zahoor U. Haq
Seller: GDK Spring Realty LLC
Date: 12/27/17

79 Maplewood Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Michael P. Riggins
Seller: Constance H. Ryder
Date: 12/22/17

206 Marsden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $116,450
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Nikia M. McCoy
Date: 12/20/17

24 Michigan St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Noel Twagiramungu
Seller: Tiara L. Warren
Date: 12/26/17

70 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Vaycheslav Foksha
Seller: Sean F. Curran
Date: 12/21/17

N/A
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Maria C. Lopez
Seller: Joan Lupa
Date: 12/21/17

7 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Edwin Torres
Seller: Franciso Bruno
Date: 12/29/17

17 Northway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $147,900
Buyer: Roger Francis
Seller: Agnes Kearon
Date: 12/21/17

39 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Drama Studio Inc.
Seller: Episcopal Missions of Western Mass.
Date: 12/22/17

752 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: Kasa Springfield Realty
Seller: H&S Olson Of Springfield
Date: 12/27/17

69 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Lazy Valley Winery Inc.
Seller: WN Management LLC
Date: 12/27/17

11-13 Pauline St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Extremely Clean 2 LLC
Seller: Michael Paton
Date: 12/29/17

66 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Rosemary Perez
Seller: Sigmund C. Barnes
Date: 12/22/17

25 Redstone Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Anthony Santiago
Seller: Tooker, John S. Jr. (Estate)
Date: 12/19/17

42 Redstone Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,900
Buyer: Ashley M. McFarlane
Seller: Jacob P. Goodin
Date: 12/22/17

304 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Lisa A. Folvi
Seller: Kenny Nguyen
Date: 12/28/17

120 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Miguel Acosta
Seller: Chappella Hernandez
Date: 12/19/17

118 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $116,300
Buyer: Brett A. Staples
Seller: Nelson Santos
Date: 12/22/17

17 Sherwood Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jonathan A. Goldman
Seller: Pamela A. Greaney
Date: 12/27/17

81 Signal Hill Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $378,000
Buyer: Ryan Walsh
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 12/29/17

17 Silvia St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Mohamed Smaili
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/29/17

886-892 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $3,687,750
Buyer: BMG Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

50-52 Stebbins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: John E. Harley
Seller: Gihad A. Awkal
Date: 12/22/17

73-75 Sterling St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Jens Martinez
Seller: Richard Decoteau
Date: 12/22/17

76 Strong St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Chatherine Y. Brantley
Seller: Mirna Chennaoui
Date: 12/22/17

1179 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $121,600
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Beneficial Mass Inc.
Date: 12/29/17

14 Taber St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Debra Deleon
Seller: Errol L. Holloway
Date: 12/29/17

249 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $157,350
Buyer: Travis A. Greeley
Seller: James Fiore
Date: 12/26/17

Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Mario Nascimento
Seller: Wendy S. Mascaro
Date: 12/22/17

110 Treetop Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Nelson Santos
Seller: Kristin Wampler
Date: 12/22/17

104-106 Washington Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Gerson Souza
Seller: Nancy Conway
Date: 12/28/17

71 Wexford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: William Hollwedel
Seller: Joel T. Senez
Date: 12/19/17

114 William St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Isidoro R. Sanchez
Seller: Fernando J. Lucio
Date: 12/29/17

98-100 Woodside Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Fabian L. Holness
Seller: Onyx Investments LLC
Date: 12/20/17

183 Woodside Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $3,687,750
Buyer: BMG Holdings LLC
Seller: Lorilee 1 LLC
Date: 12/19/17

614-616 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Field Group Holdings LLC
Seller: Sylvia M. Maynard
Date: 12/29/17

177 Wrentham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Hawa N. Busolo
Seller: Joseph L. Harris
Date: 12/29/17

WALES

10 Shaw Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $268,900
Buyer: Steven E. Frank
Seller: Tatyana Y Komarova
Date: 12/28/17

32 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Ricky J. Mustion
Seller: Wendy V. Johnson
Date: 12/29/17

24 Woodland Dr.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Diblasi
Seller: Edward L. Fisher
Date: 12/29/17

WEST SPRINGFIELD

13 Alderbrook Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Heritage Ventures LLC
Seller: Bank Of New York Mellon
Date: 12/21/17

60 Armstrong St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Tek Gautam
Seller: Sean L. Poirier
Date: 12/28/17

17 Blossom Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $162,100
Buyer: Stephen Buynicki
Seller: William F. Bennett
Date: 12/29/17

16 Bonair Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Murat Selim
Seller: Justin H. Carr
Date: 12/22/17

7 Bond St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: Peter A. Slepchuk
Seller: Ryan M. Walsh
Date: 12/29/17

89 Burke Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Marc H. Gendron
Seller: Naura C. Lutat
Date: 12/21/17

63 Elm Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $151,672
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Tammy Lamountain
Date: 12/19/17

25 Fox St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Abdul AlQaisy
Seller: Brian W. Clark
Date: 12/22/17

29 Neptune Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Christopher McRobbie
Seller: Kevin P. Malloy
Date: 12/18/17

130 Pine St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Mykola Persanov
Seller: MHFA
Date: 12/28/17

176 Woodbrook Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: John A. Peterson
Seller: Joseph C. Kelley
Date: 12/21/17

WESTFIELD

76 Alexander Place
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Stephen L. Thomas
Seller: Amanda R. Collins
Date: 12/29/17

189 Barbara St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Suzanne M. James
Seller: Stephen F. Cook
Date: 12/29/17

Birch Bluffs Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: DDLP Development LLC
Seller: Edward F. Szuba
Date: 12/21/17

289 Buck Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Alexandr Botyan
Date: 12/27/17

30 Cara Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Paul G. Piquette
Seller: Dawn L. Obitz
Date: 12/18/17

16 Casimir St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,144
Buyer: Nicholas A. Maratea
Seller: Terence P. Bray
Date: 12/22/17

12 Cortez St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Damon A. Blanchette
Seller: Stephanie M. Marotte
Date: 12/21/17

193 Falley Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Kim E. Clifton
Seller: Helen Vardakas
Date: 12/29/17

23 Family Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Jacob T. Allen
Seller: Nicholas Johnson
Date: 12/21/17

120 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Sanaa Oprecht
Seller: Jeffrey W. Jason
Date: 12/22/17

40 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Bruce Scott
Seller: Gary E. Russolillo
Date: 12/29/17

204 Hillside Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Daniel M. Szalankiewicz
Seller: Mark A. Szalankiewicz
Date: 12/22/17

340 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: Patricia A. Madamas
Date: 12/20/17

50 Loomis Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jessica Kelso
Seller: Luis E. Santos
Date: 12/28/17

20 Malone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $124,500
Buyer: Kyle M. Amberman
Seller: Jason M. Seybold
Date: 12/27/17

33 Morningside Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Alexandrea M. Rees
Seller: Jeffrey W. Gilmer
Date: 12/22/17

77 Moseley Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Ruslan S. Kravchenko
Seller: Craig A. McRobbie
Date: 12/18/17

20 Myrtle Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Carolyn M. Wall
Seller: Tina M. Benson
Date: 12/28/17

North Westfield St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Michael J. McElligott
Seller: John D. West
Date: 12/29/17

27 Noble Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $130,001
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Angelo Rivera
Date: 12/27/17

119 Northridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Nadine M. Cignoni
Seller: Jesse Babcock
Date: 12/28/17

68 Plantation Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: MTGLQ Investors LP
Seller: Mark C. Bydlak
Date: 12/18/17

15 Smith Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Tina Benson
Seller: Jessica Kelso
Date: 12/28/17

700 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $145,800
Buyer: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Seller: Michael F. Szenda
Date: 12/26/17

89 Sunset Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Ellen M. Unsderfer
Seller: Matthew B. Osowski
Date: 12/20/17

WILBRAHAM

36 Decorie Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: David Z Podworski
Seller: Mark A. Butterfield
Date: 12/20/17

11 Grassy Meadow Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $468,000
Buyer: Jeffrey B. Iafrati
Seller: Miriam J. Siegel
Date: 12/29/17

9 Millbrook Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Maureen L. Obrien
Seller: S. Bertolacini & B. Mann TR
Date: 12/28/17

115 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: Shaughn Dermody-Cadieux
Seller: Pamela S. Wallace
Date: 12/22/17

47 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Miriam Siegel
Seller: Melissa A. Donohue
Date: 12/29/17

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

16 Alpine Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $255,500
Buyer: Alicia K. Kuzia
Seller: Lauren A. McCarthy
Date: 12/29/17

870 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Alexandra Bradspies
Seller: Snyder, Mary S., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/17

99 Chestnut St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Owen Shufeldt
Seller: Freiband, Evelyn, (Estate)
Date: 12/21/17

156 Columbia Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $264,610
Buyer: Sonja Kadziolka
Seller: Catherine E. Bell
Date: 12/18/17

160 East Leverett Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $494,000
Buyer: James Cuomo
Seller: Alka Indurkhya
Date: 12/29/17

23 Owen Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Arya Mazumdar
Seller: Chun I. Song
Date: 12/22/17

109 Potwine Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Robert W. Adair
Seller: Elizabeth G. Horvay
Date: 12/21/17

870 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $437,500
Buyer: Karl E. Zimmerman
Seller: Margaret A. Riley
Date: 12/18/17

258 Strong St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Boyoung Seo
Seller: Sun-Hee Kim
Date: 12/22/17

2 Wintergreen Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Natalie McKeon IRT
Seller: John A. Tesauro
Date: 12/22/17

BELCHERTOWN

99 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jeffrey W. Stpeter
Seller: Byron L. Miltz
Date: 12/22/17

30 Brandywine Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Rachel Mandel
Seller: Robert T. Beauchamp
Date: 12/28/17

884 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: American Advisors Group
Seller: Robert C. Follette
Date: 12/26/17

175 Jabish St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: H. Scott Grondin
Seller: Gary L. Brougham
Date: 12/21/17

166 North Liberty St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Katherine R. Polanco
Seller: Alfred A. Benoit
Date: 12/29/17

328 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Capell
Seller: M. T. Bergeron-Cichaski
Date: 12/18/17

160 Sargent St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Shawn M. Harris
Seller: Jackson Brothers Property
Date: 12/26/17

245 Ware Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Alexandra M. Weigel
Seller: George B. Jackson
Date: 12/28/17

350 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Thomas E. Whiteley
Seller: Musaddak J. Alhabeeb
Date: 12/29/17

60 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kenneth P. Slate
Seller: Cynthia K. Schneider
Date: 12/27/17

EASTHAMPTON

13 Bayberry Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $423,000
Buyer: Stanley Gajda
Seller: John J. Hasper
Date: 12/28/17

7 Hannum Brook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Bacis
Seller: Samora, Eunice M., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/17

6 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bernhard K. Kober
Seller: Kober, Bernhard W., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/17

13 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $381,500
Buyer: Martin W. Fleming
Seller: Shirlee B. Williams
Date: 12/19/17

15 Wilton Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Gregory R. Blackburn
Seller: Thomas E. Whiteley
Date: 12/29/17

GOSHEN

25 Aberdeen Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Mary C. Colwell
Seller: Luanne B. Knox FT
Date: 12/29/17

GRANBY

143 Chicopee St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Leonard Camano
Seller: Mark L. Drapeau
Date: 12/22/17

131 School St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Matthew R. Dennis
Seller: 131school Street NT
Date: 12/21/17

HADLEY

9 East St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $394,835
Buyer: Michael J. Lengieza
Seller: East Street Commons LLC
Date: 12/22/17

152 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Lynn C. McKenna
Seller: James V. Foley
Date: 12/29/17

HATFIELD

28 Linseed Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Francis C. Lyman
Seller: Matthew N. Lyman
Date: 12/18/17

8 School St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $451,407
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Carla J. Brannan
Date: 12/19/17

117 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Wind River Properties LLC
Seller: Ursula M. Donaldson
Date: 12/28/17

HUNTINGTON

15 Bromley Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: 15 Bromley Road Land TR
Seller: Charles A. Blackman TR
Date: 12/22/17

114 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christofer Thrasher
Seller: Andrew B. McCaul
Date: 12/26/17

208 Norwich Lake
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Sarah E. White
Seller: Richard W. Wiernasz
Date: 12/28/17

NORTHAMPTON

50 Avis Circle
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Timothy R. Johnson
Seller: Michael J. Dibrindisi
Date: 12/29/17

65 Baker Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: David Butts
Seller: Josland & Associates PC
Date: 12/22/17

36 Beattie Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Matthew T. Donovan
Seller: Phyllis J. Maggiolino
Date: 12/19/17

20 Bridge Road #25
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $675,513
Buyer: Roy G. Jinks
Seller: Bridge Road LLC
Date: 12/22/17

93 Cahillane Terrace
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $170,300
Buyer: Matthew A. Motamedi
Seller: Elise M. Russell
Date: 12/18/17

76 Gothic St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Melnik
Seller: Roger A. Walaszek
Date: 12/20/17

44 Graves Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $730,000
Buyer: Black Dogs LLC
Seller: Noho Partners LLP
Date: 12/28/17

41 Henry St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Nancy L. Bak
Seller: Bak 2008 RET
Date: 12/22/17

7 Higgins Way
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $641,568
Buyer: Patricia J. Aslin
Seller: Sturbridge Development
Date: 12/22/17

28 Maple Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Kysa Nygreen
Seller: Mark A. Sayre
Date: 12/20/17

12 Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $233,174
Buyer: V. Mortgage REO 2 LLC
Seller: Monica T. Toomey
Date: 12/22/17

110 Market St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Seller: Timothy S. Cotton
Date: 12/18/17

256 Pleasant St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,055,000
Buyer: Lumber Yard Northampton
Seller: Valley Community Development Corp.
Date: 12/28/17

193 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Ilene Berezin
Seller: Dora M. Onhilevich
Date: 12/20/17

282 Spring St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Steven M. Sanderson
Seller: Roger P. Clark
Date: 12/19/17

65 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: APE Realty LLC
Seller: Josephine F. Cavallari TR
Date: 12/29/17

88 Village Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Denmark Property Group
Seller: Hospital Hill Development
Date: 12/19/17

54 Washington Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $644,000
Buyer: Andrew S. Leland
Seller: Charles Mick
Date: 12/19/17

101 Washington Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Trysquare LLC
Seller: Edward J. Grady
Date: 12/28/17

38 Willow St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $296,500
Buyer: Marvin Cable
Seller: Lucille R. Crowther
Date: 12/20/17

SOUTH HADLEY

16 Berwyn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $174,500
Buyer: Ryan Kennedy
Seller: Moore, James J. Sr., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/17

16 Doane Terrace
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Christopher P. Guilmette
Seller: Durand, Mary K., (Estate)
Date: 12/22/17

281 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Robin D. Giroux
Seller: Rehm Family Properties
Date: 12/28/17

2 Hillside Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Thomas G. Poole
Seller: Casey Belieu
Date: 12/28/17

9 Hillcrest Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Stephen S. Templeton
Seller: Gail B. Fitzgerald
Date: 12/20/17

20 Meadow Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Stephen A. Rondeau
Seller: Nelen FT
Date: 12/22/17

3 Tigger Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $439,000
Buyer: Brendan P. Cronin
Seller: Matthew T. Lapinski
Date: 12/29/17

SOUTHAMPTON

43 Coleman Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $255,250
Buyer: Kevin J. Evelti
Seller: Roger E. Jette
Date: 12/29/17

46 High St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Caryl J. McPherson
Seller: Janet L. Johnston
Date: 12/28/17

45 Pleasant St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Wynter H. Howland
Seller: William D&E A. Schaffer TR
Date: 12/29/17

Valley Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Bacis
Seller: James R. Labrie
Date: 12/19/17

6 Woodmar Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Howard A. Koski
Seller: David Garstka Builders
Date: 12/27/17

WARE

16 Coldbrook Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Michael Messier
Seller: Benchmark Custom Homes
Date: 12/20/17

7 Kelly Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Collin Vartanian
Seller: Aram Vartanian
Date: 12/29/17

WILLIAMSBURG

7 Laurel Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $125,500
Buyer: Jason C. Harder
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/28/17

100 Petticoat Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Brian Moriarty
Seller: Richard A. Barnard
Date: 12/21/17

6 Williams St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Brittany Superba
Seller: Greenwood, Richard E., (Estate)
Date: 12/29/17

WESTHAMPTON

177 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Brian McLain
Seller: Sequoia Properties LLC
Date: 12/29/17

Pine Island Lake #46
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Laura A. Pompei
Seller: Hart FT
Date: 12/22/17

Pine Island Lake #46A
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Laura A. Pompei
Seller: Hart FT
Date: 12/22/17

Pine Island Lake #47
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Laura A. Pompei
Seller: Hart FT
Date: 12/22/17

26 Pine Island Lake
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Michael D. Tiskus
Seller: Stanne, Anthony J., (Estate)
Date: 12/28/17

Departments Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Hyperion Ives Capital Inc., 433 West St., Suite 7, Amherst, MA 01002. Nick Stern, same. Wealth management.

CHICOPEE

INF Contractors Inc., 337 Hampden St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Kyle Rosa, same. General contracting, construction.

LUDLOW

Head to Toe Day Spa Inc., 36 East St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Dan Yun Huang, same. Spa store.

NORTHFIELD

Harrison Anglers Inc., 232 Old Vernon Road, Northfield, MA 01360. Thomas E Harrison, same. Fishing guide services.

SPRINGFIELD

Iglesia Cubierta Con El Manta De Jesus Inc., 109 Tiffany St., Springfield, MA 01108. Elizabeth Perez-Villamil, same. Non-profit organization, church-related activities.

TURNERS FALLS

Hug Your Student Debt Inc., 348 Montague City Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376. Frances Rahaim Ph.D., same. Student debt assistance.

WESTFIELD

Harry Dhamotra 06 Inc., 45 Montgomery St., Westfield, MA 01085. Harish Kumar, same. Cell phone accessories store.

I.P.O. Concrete Service Inc., 289 Buck Pond Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Ivan Okhrimenko, same. Installation and repair of concrete flatwork.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

HGL Transport Inc., 59 Lowell St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Khakim Kasimov, same. Long-haul trucking business.

IG Transportation Inc., 1111 Westfield St. Apt C4, West Springfield, MA 01089. Vyacheslav Babinov, same. Trucking.

Hot Brass Inc., 1050 Main St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Edward David Knapik, 17 Beauview Terrace, West Springfield, MA 01089. Sporting retail and indoor range.

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
Eduardo Carattini v. Sargeant West II Apartments and Mount Holyoke Management, LLC
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $1,949
Filed: 12/13/17

Carmen Esquilin-Campos v. Sahara & Sahara, LLC
Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing injury: $6,362.20
Filed: 12/18/17

HAMPDEN DISTRICT COURT
EP Floors Corp. v. District Cider Co. Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract; failure to pay contractually required down payment for agreed-upon services: $19,742
Filed: 12/27/17
HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Antonia Rodriguez v. Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, et al
Allegation: PVTA bus negligently struck plaintiff’s vehicle, causing injury: $8,969.95
Filed: 12/11/17

Linda Mansur v. 270 West Street Ludlow Realty Trust, Frank Arduino, and Holly Arduino
Allegation: Slip and fall causing injury: $60,890.60
Filed: 12/12/17

Alton E. Gleason Co. Inc. v. Ed Speight & Co. Inc. and Edward T. Speight
Allegation: Money owed for services, labor, and materials: $74,700
Filed: 12/13/17

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
A.J. Virgilio Construction Inc. v. Town of Ware through its selectmen Nancy J. Talbot, Alan G. Whitney, Tracy R. Opalinski, John E. Carroll, and Michael P. Fountain
Allegation: Breach of contract; money owed for labor, materials, and equipment: $15,705.55
Filed: 12/19/17

Robert Shover v. G4S Secure Integration, LLC; Adesta, LLC; and John Doe as agent/manager
Allegation: Failure to pay prevailing wages, failure to pay overtime wages, fraud and misrepresentation: $100,000
Filed: 12/19/17

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Michael J. Duda v. Hulmes Transportation Services Ltd. and Michael Silva
Allegation: Negligence; failure to use shoulder belt to strap in plaintiff on Hulmes bus and failure to slow down at flashing yellow lights, causing injury when bus hit bump and plaintiff lifted out of his wheelchair and slammed back down: $152,106.75
Filed: 11/14/17

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Pedro Perez and Travelers Insurance Co. v. Gilberto Rivera d/b/a Gil’s Auto Repair & Performance
Allegation: Negligence; failure to perform motor-vehicle inspection properly; plaintiff injured when vehicle’s suspension failed and wheel collapsed on the highway: $24,999
Filed: 12/14/17

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Robert A. Staniewicz v. Riverview Auto Sales, LLC
Allegation: Fraud in sale of goods; breach of warranty: $10,000
Filed: 12/22/17

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Krysten Gasparrini v. Massachusetts Willows Limited Partnership d/b/a the Willows Apartment Home
Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing injury: $2,400.84
Filed: 1/5/18

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

Linda Tyer

Linda Tyer says the city has taken several steps to support business growth.

When she issued her annual state-of-the-city address recently, Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer spoke at length about issues ranging from schools to public safety; from recreation to housing, and much more.

But she summed up many of her feelings early on, with five simple words: “Pittsfield is good for business.”

As an example, she cited the creation of a new municipal position, business development manager, a yet-to-be-named appointee who — under the guidance of the newly formed Mayor’s Economic Development Council, comprised of Tyer; Mick Callahan, chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority; and Jay Anderson, president of the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp. — will promote and foster economic development, job growth, and capital investment by working to retain and grow existing businesses and by attracting new businesses.

“Another key feature of this collaboration includes the creation of a ‘red-carpet team’ made up of city and state officials whose purpose is to develop strategies and explore incentives to support business expansion or startups,” Tyer said, noting that the team was deployed several times last year, assisting local businesses such as Modern Mold and Tool and LTI Smart Glass with their expansion efforts.

She said the next step in supporting businesses is building the Berkshire Innovation Center, which recently received a $1 million pledge from the City Council. “This commitment has opened up more dialogue with state officials, and I anticipate that soon we will have a complete financing package that will secure all the necessary funding for construction and two years of operations.”

The Berkshire Innovation Center, she explained, will be a state-of-the-art facility located at the William Stanley Business Park, featuring cutting-edge equipment available to advanced manufacturers for research and development of new products. In partnership with Berkshire Community College, the center will be a place of teaching and learning, creating a pipeline of trained employees that area companies desperately need.

“It will revolutionize how we support advanced manufacturers here in Pittsfield and the Berkshires and how we build a skilled workforce,” she explained.

At the same time, Tyer noted, the city has seen the opening of several new small businesses, including floral-arrangements outfit Township Four, Red Apple Butchers, and the Framework co-working space, all on North Street, as well as Hangar Pub and Grill on East Street.

The city has seen movement on the residential front as well, said Tyer, who noted that Millennials want to live in locations with hip housing, convenient access to work, and work-life balance amenities. She cited the former St. Mary the Morningstar Church on Tyler Street, which was acquired by local developer David Carver and his company, CT Management Group, and will be redeveloped into 29 units of market-rate rental housing and include campus-style pathways and inviting common areas.

Pittsfield at a Glance

Year Incorporated: 1761
Population: 44,737
Area: 42.5 square miles
County: Berkshire
Residential Tax Rate: $20.01
Commercial Tax Rate: $39.98
Median Household Income: $35,655
Median family Income: $46,228
Type of Government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Berkshire Health Systems; General Dynamics; Petricca Industries Inc.; SABIC Innovative Plastics
* Latest information available

“Our neighborhoods deserve our efforts too,” she was quick to add, “and while we seek new market-rate housing, we also want to help shore up our city’s older housing stock.”

To that end, she will soon announce the details of a city-sponsored home-improvement initiative in collaboration with MassHousing, which seeks to provide funding to improve the exterior of owner-occupied dwellings who qualify under relaxed eligibility guidelines. The program will allow for the repair or replacement of features such as windows, doors, porches, siding, and roofs. “Giving our residents the resources they need to enhance the value of their homes and to improve their quality of their life is the primary objective of this initiative,” the mayor noted.

Multi-pronged Approach

Tyer said the issue of community housing, along with parks, open space, and historic preservation, are the four designated categories that will comprise a formal plan developed by the city’s Community Preservation Committee, and $420,000 in Community Preservation funding will be invested in one or more of the four categories. Creating the plan will include public input to make sure the community’s priorities are considered.

Still, Pittsfield has moved ahead with a number of municipal quality-of-life projects. A permanent pavilion will be installed this spring at Durant Park with the support of Greylock Federal Credit Union, while Clapp Park will benefit from a $400,000 state grant.

“Clapp Park is truly a four-season destination in Pittsfield, and this funding aligns two strong community partners, Rotary International and the Buddy Pellerin Field Committee,” Tyer said. “Both will partner with the city on Clapp Park improvements, including the construction of a splash pad, enhancements to the playground and fields, and increased accessibility.”

Elsewhere, 75% of the design is complete for the bike path extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail from Mall Road to Crane Avenue, and construction on the path is expected to begin this spring. “This is great news for many in our community who relish the outdoors and enjoy hitting the trails on foot or on bike.”

Finally, due to a growing interest among active seniors for the game of pickle ball, the city striped four pickle ball courts at Reid Middle School for their use.

Meanwhile, an emphasis on neighborhood revitalization can be seen in the Tyler Street Transformative District Initiative, a partnership between Pittsfield and MassDevelopment. A streetscape-improvement program on Tyler Street will include more lighting, landscaping, bike lanes, and improved pedestrian accommodations.

In addition, a storefront-improvement project there allows businesses to apply for funding for exterior improvements. Hot Harry’s, Panda Garden, Goodwill Industries, and Quillard Brothers Garage are among the operations taking advantage of the program.

Finally, the Tyler Street Pilot LED Light Project, a collaborative effort between the city, Pine Ridge Technologies, and Eversource, aims to improve lighting, environmental stewardship, and cost savings. Two LED streetlight fixtures were incorporated into existing banner poles on Tyler Street at Grove and Plunkett streets, and will be monitored throughout the spring.

Speaking of power, the city’s electrical aggregation program allows local government to combine the purchasing power of residents and businesses to provide them with an alternative to the existing basic service costs offered by Eversource.

“Considering the increases in Eversource’s delivery rates, we wanted to ensure that residents had an ability to offset those increasing costs,” Tyer said, adding that, beginning this month, the Community Choice Power Supply program will provide city residents and businesses with a collective savings of more than $780,000 over the next six months.

In a similar vein, the city officially launched its newest 2.91-megawatt solar-power-generation facility at the former landfill located off of East Street. Ameresco will operate and maintain the project at no charge to the city. In exchange, the city entered into a 20-year agreement to purchase the power generated by the solar array.

“Combining the reduced utility costs and the personal property taxes paid by Ameresco, this project is estimated to save the city up to $140,000 annually,” Tyer noted. “That’s $2.6 million over the duration of the contract.”

Safety and Numbers

On the public-safety front, the Pittsfield Fire Department grew its ranks with the addition of eight new hires made possible through a federal SAFER grant, helping to reduce the city’s overtime costs by 60%. The department also recently purchased a 2014 ladder truck in mint condition at 60% of the cost of a new truck, as well as new hydraulic rescue tools.

The Police Department saw an even bigger change, hiring Police Chief Michael Wynn after a decade with no one in that role. Meanwhile, 14 officers completed field training in 2017, and the department recently hired six additional officers who will begin their training this year.

At Pittsfield Municipal Airport, reconstruction of two runways will begin this spring, enhancing overall safety by eliminating potential hazards caused by deteriorating runway pavement, Tyer said. The state Department of Transportation Aeronautics division also identified the airport for a rebuild of its terminal starting in 2020.

“The airport is also a perfect landscape for environmental stewardship,” she added. “Underway is the planning and development of a solar array that will provide revenue for the airport and cost-saving energy for municipal facilities.”

Even amid all that progress, Tyer said the city is challenged by serious fiscal constraints.

“Pittsfield is at its levy ceiling, and our ability to provide services that the community expects and deserves is impacted by diminished financial resources. This year our revenue growth remains limited, and we do not foresee dramatic increases in state aid or local receipts. This is a serious matter that requires a lot of difficult decisions, persistence over time, and sheer determination.”

She added, however, that “I view this circumstance as an opportunity to sharpen our thinking about the role of government and to access expertise at every level. We’ve already tapped into the state’s community compact program to develop a model for financial forecasting and to produce an improved, more informative budget document. And there’s more work to do.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Cover Story Sections Top Entrepreneur

T-Birds’ Owners and Managers Continue to Push the Envelope

Front row, from left,

Front row, from left, Dante Fontana, Nathan Costa, Frank Colaccino, and Brian Fitzgerald; second row, from left, Paul Picknelly, Dinesh Patel, Chris Bignell, Chris Thompson, Sean Murphy, Francis Cataldo; third row, from left, Derek Salema, Peter Martins, Jerry Gagliarducci, John Joe Williams, Vidhyadhar Mitta, and James Garvey.

An Exercise in Teamwork

Back in the spring of 2016, a consortium of owners came together, bought the Portland Pirates AHL franchise, and relocated it to Springfield. It was said that this group brought hockey back to the City of Homes 10 days after it left. In reality, though, it has brought much more, including excitement, energy, innovation, and vibrancy — along with hockey. For doing all that, the team of owners and managers has been named BusinessWest’s Top Entrepreneurs for 2017.

If you go on eBay this morning, you can buy a bobblehead featuring Red Sox slugger David Ortiz wearing sunglasses and a Springfield Thunderbirds jersey. List price: $59.99.

But while you can buy it now, you can’t get it for at least a month or so.

That’s because no one actually has one to send to you. These items won’t be distributed until the Feb. 17 Thunderbirds game against the Providence Bruins.

The fact that this bobblehead is already for sale online demonstrates many things — from the incredible popularity of Big Papi to the awesome power of capitalism at work (60 balloons for a bobblehead?).

But it demonstrates something else as well: Just how far hockey has come in Springfield in 20 short months. Indeed, in the late spring of 2016, there was no hockey in Springfield. Well, there was no American Hockey League franchise, anyway.

Red Sox legend David Ortiz

Red Sox legend David Ortiz belts a foam baseball into the crowd during the game on Nov. 11. His appearance in Springfield represents just one example of the outside-the-box thinking that defines the new ownership and management team.

The Falcons, who had been playing at the MassMutual Center for more than 20 years, had pulled up stakes and were heading to Arizona. Into this void stepped what would become, by AHL standards (or any standards, for that matter), a huge ownership group of 28 that brought professional hockey back to Springfield.

Only, all 28 of them would be put off by that last phrase to some extent.

Indeed, they would prefer to say that hockey is just one of the things they’ve brought to the City of Homes. They’ve also brought imagination and entrepreneurship; Star Wars Night and $3 Coors Light draughts on Friday night; free parking in the Civic Center Garage (actually, it’s back by very popular demand) and … David Ortiz bobbleheads.

Evidence of all this was in abundance on Jan. 6, a frigid Saturday night when the wind chill was well below zero, representing a microcosm of what the team has accomplished and what it has become.

This was Blast from the Past Night, with the team donning Springfield Indians jerseys from the early ’90s for a tilt against the Providence Bruins. The night became a mix of nostalgia, high energy, and record sales at the merchandise shop.

“It was 6 below zero, and we had more than 6,000 people in this arena,” said Paul Picknelly, president of Monarch Enterprises and managing partner among the owners. “We sold out the place with families that are coming to downtown Springfield, feeling comfortable bringing their families downtown for professional sports.

“It’s not just about hockey,” he went on. “The previous owners’ mindset was ‘we have hockey in Springfield.’ What we’re saying is that we have something different that we’re offering the community.”

For bringing this family entertainment, this ‘something different,’ as well as much-needed vibrancy and even validity to downtown Springfield, the Thunderbirds team — not the one on the ice (although it is also a big part of the story), but rather the ownership and management team — has been selected by the leaders at BusinessWest as the recipients of the magazine’s Top Entrepreneur Award for 2017.

Several of the team’s owners and managers

Several of the team’s owners and managers gather on the ice in a host of jerseys worn by the team over the past season and a half. The ownership group is large (28 individuals and groups) but very engaged.

This group was chosen among a host of other intriguing candidates for many reasons, but especially the manner in which it has changed the landscape since that headline announcing that the Falcons were flying southwest — and we don’t mean the airline.

There is considerably more energy downtown on 36 game days and nights (there are actually a few morning contests as well, as we’ll see) between October and April, and maybe beyond.

But that’s just part of the story. Indeed, the T-Birds are a year-long phenomenon and a region-wide resource as well, thanks to an omni-present mascot and a management team laser-focused on keeping the team top of mind, even in the middle of summer.

The phrase ‘weaving our way into the fabric of the community’ was uttered by more than a few of the owners we spoke with recently, and this is exactly what the team has done.

For their ability to do that, and especially for their efforts to bring not only hockey but much more back to Springfield, the ownership and management team is truly worthy of BusinessWest’s Top Entrepreneur honor.

Owning the Solution

They sound like characters on one of those Saturday morning cartoon shows.

But ‘Boomer’ and ‘Squeaky’ are real — well, sort of. They are the mascots, respectively, for the Thunderbirds and Balise Motors’ growing stable of car washes in Western Mass.

They appear together sometimes, and increasingly, and these joint appearances are just one example of the many ways in which the 28 owners of the Thunderbirds — Jeb Balise, a principal with the family-owned Balise corporation, is one of them — are involved and invested in the team and its success in Springfield and across the region.

Other examples abound, from construction company owner Dave Fontaine putting banners for the team at his construction sites, to Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners Peter Martins and Derek Salema running promotions at their stores (more on one of those later); from employees at Red Rose Pizza wearing T-Birds jerseys on game nights (principal Anthony Caputo is one of the owners) to Picknelly, a local partner with MGM Springfield, convincing that corporation to not only be a sponsor of the T-Birds, but to actively help market it after the casino opens this fall.

It happened very quickly, and the reason it did, and the reason everyone got involved from the ownership standpoint, is because everyone loves Springfield. We have diverse backgrounds, but we all love Springfield, and it’s an easy ask when you ask someone to invest in it.”

Indeed, just before a slot machine pays out to a winner, a screen will pop up asking the lucky player if he or she would like to buy a ticket to a Thunderbirds game, said Picknelly, adding that this is one of many ways the casino will help promote the team.

Collectively, these initiatives, and this involvement, speak to how unified these owners are in their desire to secure a long, prosperous future for this franchise. They have different businesses and different backgrounds — and many of them didn’t know much about hockey when they were approached about this venture — but they understood the importance of the team to the city, especially at that critical time in its history.

Indeed, using different words and phrases, the owners we spoke with said that the spring of 2016, when they all came together in this enterprise, was not the time (if there really ever is a good time) for Springfield to be without a hockey team.

Elaborating, they said that, with MGM coming in the fall of 2018, Union Station set to open soon, greater vibrancy downtown, and a general sense of optimism, the city needed to maintain momentum, not lose any.

So when Picknelly called and asked them to be part of a growing consortium of owners, they found it easy to say ‘yes.’

“I remember getting the call from Paul on a Friday afternoon; he said, ‘did you see the paper today?’” said Fran Cataldo, a principal with C&W Realty, referring to the day the Falcons’ owners announced they were selling the team to the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. “I said, ‘yeah, I did.’ And he said, ‘it’s not going to happen; we’re going to keep hockey here.’

“And in the course of 72 hours, we identified a team, negotiated a purchase-and-sale agreement, and made a deposit on the team,” he went on. “It happened very quickly, and the reason it did, and the reason everyone got involved from the ownership standpoint, is because everyone loves Springfield. We have diverse backgrounds, but we all love Springfield, and it’s an easy ask when you ask someone to invest in it.”

Thunderbirds players wore replica Indians jerseys

Thunderbirds players wore replica Indians jerseys on Blast from the Past Night on Jan. 6, an event that became a microcosm of the team’s efforts to create energy and an experience at the MassMutual Center.

Cataldo, a long-time friend of Picknelly’s, said he’s worked with him on a number of initiatives that fall into the broad categories of economic development and improving the public perception of Springfield. And the purchase of the Thunderbirds fell into both categories, so be called it a “natural,” especially in the context of the question everyone was asking 21 months ago: ‘what if we lost hockey?’

“It’s more than losing hockey,” he said, answering the question himself. “You’re losing 4,000 or 5,000 people 30-plus nights a year downtown. They’re bringing their families downtown, they’re parking, they’re eating, they’re going out afterward; it’s a huge, huge economic engine for Springfield.

Frank Colaccino, CEO of the Colvest Group, who admits that he didn’t know a red line from a blue line when Picknelly called him, tells a similar story.

“He called me and said, ‘we’ve got to move quick; we need the support of people who work in Springfield and care about Springfield,’” he recalled. “I think it took me all of about five minutes to say, ‘Paul, do you think we’ll get our money back?’ He said, ‘yeah, I think we will,’ and I was in.”

Collectively, the ownership team being assembled needed to raise $5.5 million for the down payment on the team, and as it went about doing so, it focused on keeping the group local and committed to the region.

It even turned down more than $1 million from a New York investor that wanted in, but also wanted some controls in exchange for its investment.

“We all sat around this table and said, ‘we don’t want that,’” said Colaccino. “The person’s not from the area, doesn’t care about the area, and we decided we didn’t want to give up some of those controls. And it took some guts to walk away from that and say, ‘we’re going to raise this money.’”

In the span of about 10 days, Springfield lost hockey and got it back, but the act of buying the Portland (Maine) Pirates and bringing them to Springfield would be only the first expression of entrepreneurship with this franchise.

Net Results

The second, whether the ownership team realized it at the time or not (and they probably did), was hiring Springfield native Nate Costa to lead this venture.

Costa had most recently been working in the American Hockey League office in its Business Services Department, but he also had extensive experience in the field, if you will, working for the league’s San Antonio Rampage.

He arrived in Springfield with what he called a “blueprint” — one that called for not just hockey, but affordable family entertainment — but also with his hands full.

Indeed, the team didn’t have a name at that point, or colors, a uniform design, or even a lease with the MassMutual Center. All that got done, and Costa set about putting to work the lessons he learned in San Antonio, but also from watching some of the league’s most successful franchises.

From the outset, he said the focus has been on providing an experience, not just three periods of hockey, and also on making the team visible and active within the community. Doing those things requires a real commitment from ownership and the requisite resources to get the job done properly, something the previous ownership didn’t provide.

Chris Thompson, the Thunderbirds’ senior vice president of Sales & Strategy, who has worked with the team for nearly a decade and for three different ownership groups, described the difference between then and now.

“It’s a breath of fresh air having the support of the local investment group to give us the resources to be able to go out there and tell the story,” he explained. “We did some cool things with the Falcons back in the day, but we could never tell the story; the biggest difference between then and now is that the local group is fully engaged.”

It is also more entrepreneurial, a word that could be used to describe both ownership and management, said Costa, adding that this has become the team’s mindset largely out of necessity.

Elaborating, he said that, from his vantage point in the AHL offices, he saw what he called missed opportunities in Springfield, especially with regard to ticket sales at all levels, especially group sales and season tickets.

His goal upon taking over the team was to seize those opportunities.

“I put together a plan that I almost had in the back of my mind,” he recalled. “It was really focused on grassroots efforts — beefing up our season-ticket sales, doing more with marketing and on social media, and really taking an entirely fresh look at the franchise.

“I had absolute confidence, if we stuck to our plan when it came to ticket sales and having a sales mindset, that this could work here,” he went on. “And I think we’re starting to see that. It’s taken some time, but year one was a huge success on a number of levels.”

This was made clear by the team’s haul when it comes to year-end awards handed out by the league. The credenza in the conference room is crowded with such plaques, which recognize achievement in areas ranging from group ticket sales to “recovered revenue.”

Costa said those plaques result from a systematic look at all aspects of the operation with an eye toward making changes when they were needed, and that was often the case.

As it was with ticket prices, for example, said Costa, noting that, with the previous administration, all seats were priced the same. The new ownership has introduced price flexibility, dividing the seating bowl into several areas, with different prices for each one.

Another focal point was concessions. Using the team’s relationship with MGM, management was able to negotiate a Friday-night special on concession and beer sales in an effort to get more younger people and families in the arena.

Still another matter was parking, which was a recognized deterrent for many potential fans. So the club negotiated a deal whereby the team would make a payment to the city, enabling patrons to park in the Civic Center Garage for free, a step that brought immediate and lasting results.

“We really tried to take all the things we had heard from the previous couple of years and take them head on and find ways that we could make a tangible impact,” said Costa. “We did this not only for the casual fan, but the season ticket holders; they’re going to reap the biggest benefit from this because they’re coming every night.”

Goal Oriented

As for that aforementioned promotion at Dunkin’ Donuts, one that involved giving away two game tickets with purchases at the drive-up window on a specific day, the mere mention of it brought some wry smiles and looks toward the ceiling among those talking with BusinessWest.

This wasn’t a promotion gone wrong, per se, but one that didn’t go exactly as planned. And this created one of those good problems to have — sort of, but not really.

To make a long story a little shorter, far more people redeemed the tickets for this early-season game than management anticipated, leaving far fewer seats available for walk-up customers, a scenario the team has worked very hard to avoid.

Previous Top Entrepreneurs

• 2016: Paul Kozub, founder and president of V-One Vodka
• 2015: The D’Amour Family, founders of Big Y
• 2014: Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT
• 2013: Tim Van Epps, president and CEO of Sandri LLC
• 2012: Rick Crews and Jim Brennan, franchisees of Doctors Express
• 2011: Heriberto Flores, director of the New England Farm Workers’ Council and Partners for Community
• 2010: Bob Bolduc, founder and CEO of Pride
• 2009: Holyoke Gas & Electric
• 2008: Arlene Kelly and Kim Sanborn, founders of Human Resource Solutions and Convergent Solutions Inc.
• 2007: John Maybury, president of Maybury Material Handling
• 2006: Rocco, Jim, and Jayson Falcone, principals of Rocky’s Hardware Stores and Falcone Retail Properties
• 2005: James (Jeb) Balise, president of Balise Motor Sales
• 2004: Craig Melin, then-president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Hospital
• 2003: Tony Dolphin, president of Springboard Technologies
• 2002: Timm Tobin, then-president of Tobin Systems Inc.
• 2001: Dan Kelley, then-president of Equal Access Partners
• 2000: Jim Ross, Doug Brown, and Richard DiGeronimo, then-principals of Concourse Communications
• 1999: Andrew Scibelli, then-president of Springfield Technical Community College
• 1998: Eric Suher, president of E.S. Sports
• 1997: Peter Rosskothen and Larry Perreault, then-co-owners of the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House
• 1996: David Epstein, president and co-founder of JavaNet and the JavaNet Café

“It was the Friday after David Ortiz, so we were topical and people wanted to check us out,” Cataldo recalled. “The redemption, which is typically low for those tickets, was through the roof, and we essentially sold out of our tickets.”

Said Costa, “at the end of the day, we were turning people away at the box office, which you don’t want to do all the time.”

If the Dunkin’ Donuts promotion was something that went wrong — and that’s not the term most would prefer to use in reference to that night — then not much else has for this team.

Indeed, just about everything has gone exceedingly right.

Including the so-called ‘Shoot to Win’ promotion involving one of the team’s newest sponsors, Mercedes-Benz of Springfield.

In case you missed it — and that was almost impossible to do — young Nathan Vila managed to shoot a puck into a hole not much wider than the puck itself from about 150 feet away to win a new Mercedes GLA SUV. But that’s only part of the story.

“It was just before Christmas, and the young man [Nathan] was heading into the service in a few weeks and gave the car to his mother to drive,” said Peter Wirth, a principal with the dealership. “You really couldn’t script it any better.”

There hasn’t been a script, per se, for anything the Thunderbirds and their management team have done since they started scrambling to get the team ready for the start of the 2016-17 season in that hectic summer other than do what entrepreneurs do famously — think outside the box, innovate, invest in the company, and take some calculated risks.

And these are exactly the personality traits that inspired Wirth and his wife, Michelle, to want to be part of what was happening with the Thunderbirds.

“We went to a few games, and they seemed to be doing things the right way … it might as well have been the NHL; they were delivering a really good product,” he said. “They think outside the box, and they create energy and excitement, and we wanted to be part of that.”

And nothing personifies those qualities more than the night David Ortiz came to Springfield.

In case you missed it — and that, too, was almost impossible to do — the Red Sox slugger appeared before and during the Nov. 11 game against the Laval (Quebec) Rocket. He drove an ATV on the ice, signed a ton of autographs, and whacked some foam baseballs into the sellout crowd.

It was a huge success, but it was also a considerable risk given the huge sticker price attached to an appearance from Big Papi. But it was a risk the ownership team was more than willing to accept it.

“That was a huge commitment — those big stars certainly don’t come cheap,” said Colaccino. “But when that idea was presented, everyone around this table said, ‘what a great idea.’ The number being tossed around to get him here was a big one, but not one person said, ‘no, that’s not a good idea.’ Having a baseball guy come to a hockey arena … that’s outside-the-box thinking, and it was hugely successful.”

Costa quantified the matter by saying the team reaped a three-to-one return on that sizable investment thanks to a mix of corporate sponsorships, additional ticket revenue, a VIP event, merchandise, and special Red Sox-themed team jerseys made possible through the team’s relationship with MGM. Elaborating, he called the Ortiz night not only a microcosm of that blueprint mentioned earlier, but an example of his mindset when it comes to the team and its ownership.

“From day one, I’ve looked at this as a business venture because they’ve put their trust in me to make this work from a business perspective, and I’ve never lost sight of that,” he explained. “So when I presented the Ortiz piece, it wasn’t ‘give me what I need to get him,’ it was ‘here’s what it’s going to do for us, here’s what the return is going to be, here’s what it’s going to do for the community and the Thunderbirds name in general.’

“And coming from the American Hockey League and seeing what other AHL franchises need to do in a market like Springfield … it’s very entrepreneurial,” he went on. “It’s grassroots; it’s rolling up sleeves and doing the dirty work.”

Knowing the Score

Meanwhile, Costa said the Ortiz night was a very needed step to raise the bar in the team’s critical second year.

Indeed, calling on his extensive experience in the league, he said it’s not uncommon for a team to do well in its first year as it brings something new and different to a region. It’s also common for teams to struggle in their efforts to maintain that momentum.

“I knew it was going to be a challenge in year two to continue that momentum moving forward, and I knew we needed something special,” he said, referring to the Ortiz promotion but also a full year’s worth of events.

The Thunderbirds sold $10,000 worth of gin and juice

The Thunderbirds sold $10,000 worth of gin and juice at the Jan. 6 game, thanks to Snoop Dogg, his Indians jersey, and effective use of social media.

While Ortiz’s appearance in Springfield has probably been the high-water mark for this franchise, there have been plenty of other examples of outside-the-box thinking, risk taking, and, overall, an entrepreneurial mindset.

All those were on display on Blast from the Past Night, which highlighted the team’s success not only in creating an experience on the ice and in the arena, but in fully capitalizing on the awesome forces of social media.

In this case, the team put Snoop Dogg to work — or, more specifically, the Springfield Indians jersey he famously wore in the video for his song “Gin and Juice” — in its promotions for Blast from the Past Night. It was a natural tie-in to the evening’s festivities and inspiration for a $5 gin and juice special sold at the MassMutual Center that night.

“We sold $10,000 worth of gin and juice,” said Picknelly, noting that he and his son split one that night.

And then, there was Hockey Week in Springfield, staged in the middle of this month in an effort to bring people out during a difficult time of year and a few difficult days of the week.

The week started with a 1:05 p.m. tilt against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Martin Luther King Day. Youngsters were admitted to end zone seats for $5.55 courtesy of Friendly’s. The week continued with a Wednesday contest (those dates are always challenging) against one of the league’s most iconic franchises, the Hershey Bears. If the T-Birds won (and they did), then patrons’ ticket stubs would be good for the Feb. 7 game (yes, another Wednesday).

The week wrapped up with a Friday-night tilt against the Binghampton (New York) Devils, or a ‘3-2-1 Friday,’ as they’re called because a Coors Light, as noted, is $3, a hot dog is $2, and sodas are $1.

The unofficial goal moving forward, said Costa, with several owners nodding their head in agreement, is to make what happened on the night of that Dunkin’ Donuts promotion the norm.

Well, not exactly what happened that night, but the part about a game being sold out and patrons not to expect to be able to walk up to the ticket window a few moments before a game starts and buy some tickets.

“People are used to just walking up on game night and buying a ticket and getting a great seat,” Costa explained. “It’s not necessarily the case anymore, and from the beginning, that’s what we set out to do.

“What we’re trying to manufacture is urgency,” he went on. “That was the biggest thing we didn’t have coming into this. There was no urgency to buy tickets, no urgency to buy season tickets, no urgency to buy tickets early; we’ve tried to lay the foundation to change that — to create a sense of urgency.”

From all accounts, the team’s owners and managers are well on their way to doing just that.

Bottom Line

As he talked about the ownership group that he reports to, Costa acknowledged that 28 is a big number and one that most people would see as ungainly and something of a disadvantage.

He says this group is anything but that.

That’s because it’s not only large, but also visible on game nights and, most importantly, fully invested in the team, in every sense of that word.

“It’s been a huge benefit, and we couldn’t do what we do without it,” he said of the large group of owners. “We lean on them for support within the local community.”

Support comes in many forms — from getting much-needed introductions to exercising connections such as those needed to secure those Red Sox-themed jerseys for David Ortiz night, to bringing people to the MassMutual Center, as that Dunkin’ Donuts promotion did.

All that support has resulted in a changed landscape — where sometimes one can’t get a ticket on game night, and, yes, where David Ortiz bobbleheads are for sale on eBay two months before they’re actually handed out.

It’s a story of determination. A story of teamwork. But mostly, it’s a story of old-fashioned entrepreneurship.


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

Daily News

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% in December, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts lost 300 jobs in December. Over the month, the private sector lost 200 jobs; gains occurred in construction, manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, and financial activities. The November estimate was revised to a gain of 7,800 jobs.

From December 2016 to December 2017, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 63,000 jobs. The December unemployment rate was six-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.1% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Throughout 2017, the Commonwealth continued to experience steady economic growth, adding 63,000 jobs, over 64,000 additional residents participating in the labor force, and closing out the year with a low unemployment rate of 3.5%. While much of these job gains continue to be in sectors like professional, business, and scientific services, manufacturing also posted a preliminary 2,800 over-the-year job gain, the first over-the-year over job gain in that sector in 18 years,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said.

The labor force decreased by 500 from 3,647,500 in November, as 1,900 more residents were employed and 2,500 fewer residents were unemployed over the month.

Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point from 3.1% in December 2016. There were 17,900 more unemployed residents over the year compared to December 2016.

The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 65.3% over the month. The labor-force participation rate over the year has increased by 0.7% compared to December 2016.

The largest private sector percentage job gains over the year were in construction; professional, scientific, and business services; other services; and leisure and hospitality.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield has moved into new corporate offices at 95 State St., soon to be called One MGM Way. Located across from the Hampden County Superior Court, and adjacent to what will be MGM Springfield’s South End Market, the building will be home to members of the MGM Springfield executive and administrative teams.

“Moving on site is a great way to kick off the year of our opening,” said Michael Mathis, president and COO of MGM Springfield. “We have a growing workforce, and this office space better suits our ever-expanding needs as this momentous year unfolds. It’s an exciting transition for all of us.”

Like other elements of the property’s integrated downtown design, the 11-story building celebrates Springfield’s heritage while preserving its iconic past. Built in 1929, the building was designed in the classical revival style by Burton Geckler as an annex to 1200 Main St. It was formerly known as the MassMutual building at 95 State St., and has since undergone a complete renovation, including new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and finishes. MGM carefully conserved the exterior façade and maintained many of the lobby’s original features.

“I am proud of the effort and care that our first-in-class construction team has put into preserving Springfield’s history throughout the property,” Mathis said. “This building is just one example of the many that will be unveiled this year.”

Springfield firms Specs Design Group and Dietz & Co. Architects collaborated on the outfitting and design of the employee space with Las Vegas-based Friedmutter Group. Springfield-based Fontaine Bros. Inc. served as general contractor and stewarded the project through the construction phase.

“As a company that has called Springfield home for over 85 years, we were excited to oversee construction of this critical portion of the MGM resort, and we are proud to have played a role in helping bring this unprecedented economic-development project to our city,” said David Fontaine Jr., vice president of Fontaine Bros.

MGM Springfield’s new corporate offices boast collaboration and work areas, conference and meeting spaces, open cubicle areas, and private executive offices. The design scheme includes warm colors, reclaimed wood, and brick veneers throughout the space.

“With an inviting new layout and fresh faced finishes, this tired, 1930s office building becomes a hip, flexible environment for a young, energetic workforce,” said Elise Irish, principal of Specs Design Group.

The corporate offices will be located on floors two through eight. Approximately 50 employees have moved into the space. At full staffing, the area is expected to accommodate more than 300 employees. Activities at the approximately 85,000-square-foot employee offices will cover all aspects of the day-to-day operations for MGM Springfield.

Anyone interested in learning about career opportunities should visit MGM Springfield’s Career Center, which will be open 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 1-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. During those hours, an MGM representative may be reached at (413) 273-5052.

Community Spotlight Features

Community Spotlight

At last week’s inauguration of Chicopee officials

At last week’s inauguration of Chicopee officials, Mayor Richard Kos (center) is flanked by, from left, state Rep. Joseph Wagner, City Council President John Vieu, Elms College President Harry Dumay, and D. Scott Durham, Airlift Wing commander at Westover Air Reserve Base.

Mayor Richard Kos is fond of pointing out that Chicopee is alone among Western Mass. communities in having two exits off the Mass Pike — and now it has a third ‘beacon’ of sorts, as he calls it, with the new Mercedes-Benz dealership lighting the night as it overlooks the Pike at exit 6.

“One of the benefits of Chicopee is its convenience, as well as being a great place to do business,” Kos told BusinessWest. “That’s why Mercedes chose to build in that location. Having two exits on the turnpike is unique in Western Mass., let alone being close to four interstates — 90, 91, 291, and 391. As time goes by, society changes, especially in terms of technology, but being able to get places quickly is always a priority.”

In that vein, the mayor is gratified by a number of businesses choosing to locate or expand in Chicopee, as well as a raft of municipal projects and public-private partnerships that continue to raise the quality of life in this multi-faceted community of more than 55,000 people.

“Last year’s announcements have become this year’s ribbon cuttings, and Mercedes is one of them,” he said. “They’re a beacon advertising quality and prestige for everyone who enters the city off the turnpike or 291. That’s a major investment in the city — $12 million for acquisition, demolition, and construction. And Tru is another $15 million investment in our community.”

That would be Tru by Hilton, another major project, this one bordering the Mass Pike at exit 5. The owners of a Days Inn demolished the outdated hotel on Memorial Drive to make way for the new structure, and the property will include a fast-foot restaurant, a gas station, a coffee shop, and a sit-down restaurant.

“For people coming to Western Mass. from the eastern part of the state, these projects send a nice message,” Kos said — that message being that things are happening in Chicopee. “We’re a community that has always been responsive to businesses, with the conveniences we afford, while still being a very competitive community in terms of electric rates, taxes, and fees.”

Chicopee
at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1848
Population: 55,298
Area: 23.9 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $18.31
Commercial Tax Rate: $34.65
Median Household Income: $35,672
Median Family Income: $44,136
Type of Government: Mayor; City Council
Largest Employers: Westover Air Reserve Base; J. Polep Distribution Services; City of Chicopee; Callaway Golf Ball Operations; MicroTek
* Latest information available

Other success stories involve long-time businesses like Callaway Golf, which sits on the Meadow Street property synonymous with Spalding for many decades.

“Callaway not only chose to remain here and expand here, but with their Chrome Soft ball and all their other high-end balls, they’re running a 24-hour, seven-day operation to keep up with demand,” the mayor said. “That’s one of the fastest-growing balls in use on the tour, and we’re proud that it’s made in Chicopee.”

One key, he went on, whether dealing with new businesses or existing ones that want to expand and invest, is streamlining the permitting process.

“We’re trying to be responsive to business needs and timing,” Kos said. “A lot of times, government has a pace that leaves a little bit to be desired, and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen in our city. Chicopee has a history of being extremely business-friendly and responsive. You come in and meet all the boards at once — fire, electric, building, water, all the various departments you need — to have your ideas vetted and see what issues might arise, and to make sure your project goes smoothly. Time is money.”

Downtown Rise Up

At the same time, money is an investment — at least, that’s the way municipal leaders see it as they continue to raise the profile of Chicopee’s downtown. Those investments range from a $2.6 million MassWorks grant to improve water and sewer infrastructure to Mount Holyoke Development’s housing project at Lyman Mills, set to open this spring with 110 market-rate units — specifically, loft-style work/live spaces designed to appeal to young entrepreneurs.

Kos hopes that development and others like it — such as Valley Opportunity Council’s renovation of the former Kendall House into 41 affordable studio apartments — spur further restaurant, bar, and retail development and create a more walkable, active downtown. Community events, such as the city’s holiday tree lighting, Halloween spectacular, and the late-summer Downtown Get Down, just add to that effort.

“We want foot traffic and to get more people down there, which is why we’re investing time and effort to get people to live down there, and make it safer, too,” he added, noting that the City Council recently approved $300,000 to add more cameras downtown and throughout the city to fight and, more importantly, deter crime.

“Our cooperation with the City Council has been remarkable. And the city leaders and the state delegation have worked together to solve problems, come to a consensus, and move forward.”

Meanwhile, at the former Facemate site, David Spada from Lawrence is building a $21 million, 92-room assisted-living facility on a West Main Street parcel across from the Chicopee Falls Post Office, situated off a new road which leads to the RiverMills Senior Center. Ground will be broken this spring.

“So we’re providing opportunities for Millennials to live and work in lofts on one end of the city,” Kos said, “and assisted living on the other.”

Other innovative reuse of property includes a three-megawatt solar farm on a 26-acre site off of Outer Drive and Goodwin Street, near Westover Air Reserve Base. In 2016, the city razed 100 units of military housing units on the site, which had sat unused for two decades and become problematic.

Once a solar farm was approved by neighbors and city leaders, Chicopee was awarded a $1 million MassDevelopment grant to remediate the property, and with money came from the state’s grant program to support the Clean Energy Assessment & Strategic Plan for Massachusetts Military Installations, the housing was finally torn down. Finally, a lease agreement was signed with Chicopee Solar LLC, a subsidiary of ConEdison Development, to build a solar farm.

The city’s investment will be recouped in 10 years through tax revenue and income from the lease agreement, and the government will also benefit because Westover will receive a 5% discount each year on electricity, amounting to $100,000 in annual savings.

“Those properties were deteriorating and vagrant,” Kos told BusinessWest. “This was a win-win for the neighborhood as well as the city.”

Hometown Appeal

Other recent quality-of-life developments in the city include a $225,000 investment in Sarah Jane Park, a grant to the Valley Opportunity Council to support a culinary-arts program and expand nutrition programs in Willimansett, and grants to Porchlight, the Boys & Girls Club, and Head Start to improve infrastructure and programming. For the latter, the city helped leverage more than $600,000 in building improvements to the former Chicopee Falls branch library so Head Start can expand programs for hundreds of children in that neighborhood.

Meanwhile, the city’s public-safety complex recently saw $9 million in improvements, including a new training facility, central dispatch, and locker rooms. “Both chiefs agree that facility will last multiple generations in terms of the improvements made there,” Kos said, adding that other additions include a new ladder truck and an expansion of the police K9 program.

Not all these developments have the splash of a well-lit Mercedes-Benz dealership making a dramatic impression on Mass Pike motorists, but they are all beacons in their own way, testifying to a city on the move, and also a community with plenty of hometown pride.

“We’re the third-largest city west of 495,” the mayor concluded, “but it’s the old Cheers bar mentality — everyone seems to know your name.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Banking and Financial Services Sections

Growth Engine

Tracey Gaylord of Granite State Development Corp. (right) with Shannon Reichelt, who used Granite State’s services to finance a new property for her company, S. Reichelt & Co.

Tracey Gaylord of Granite State Development Corp. (right) with Shannon Reichelt, who used Granite State’s services to finance a new property for her company, S. Reichelt & Co.

Certified development companies, or CDCs, are entities that partner with banks to help small businesses secure financing to grow their operations. But in doing so, they’re also growing the economy by promoting economic development, which is, in fact, a key element of their mission. Since its inception in New Hampshire in 1982 — and its subsequent, ever-expanding work across Massachusetts — Granite State Development Corp. has been executing that mission.

Shannon Reichelt recently purchased a building in Holyoke to consolidate her CPA organization, S. Reichelt & Co.

Meanwhile, Ben LaRoche and Jared Martin purchased a property in Lanesboro to house their technology-integration business, Amenitek; Gordon and Patricia Hubbard bought Hidden Valley Campground in Lanesboro and renamed it Mt. Greylock Campsite Park; and Pat Ononibaku purchased the adult day-care operation known as ThayerCare and renamed it Bakucare.

Then there are Anthony Chojnowski, who is building a new structure for his clothing store, Casablanca, in Lenox, and Frank Muytjens and Scott Cole, who are developing the Inn at Kenmore Hall in Richmond, near the New York line.

While those are six very different businesses, the common thread is how they financed their property purchases: through the certified development company (CDC) called Granite State Development Corp. (GSDC).

“We work with businesses looking to either acquire an existing business that has tangible assets, or take a loan on real estate or piece of equipment,” said Tracey Gaylord, Granite State’s vice president and business development officer.

Specifically, Granite State is a nonprofit lender authorized to process and service Small Business Administration (SBA) loans utilizing the 504 lending program (more on that later). It’s the second active certified development company (CDC) in New England and provide financing in the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.

“The main goal is to promote economic development and job growth,” Gaylord said. “We help banks do loans they might not be able to do otherwise.”

Those loans are spread among a broad range of sectors, she added. “We do anything from manufacturing companies to wineries to restaurants to healthcare facilities to assisted living to campgrounds. And equipment financing for manufacturing — big machines they might buy every 10 or 15 years — we do a lot with those types of projects as well.”

For this issue’s focus on banking and financial services, Gaylord explained why companies find the 504 loan program — and Granite State’s services — an attractive option when financing a purchase or investing in future growth.

Impressive Growth

GSDC President Alan Abraham created the company in 1982 in Portsmouth, N.H., with a geographic territory initially limited to three counties in that state. In 1986, its territory expanded to include the entire state of New Hampshire, and it has since grown to provide statewide coverage for the four northernmost New England states, including Massachusetts.

Granite State Development is one of the largest CDCs nationwide, ranking fifth in both loan volume and dollars, and has been the most active 504 lender in New England for almost a decade. Since 1990, in cooperation with its bank lending partners, the nonprofit has participated in more than 4,000 transactions worth more than $1.5 billion, helping create more than 20,000 jobs in New England in the process, based on borrower growth stemming from the loans.

Meanwhile, 2017 was a banner year for GSDC in Western Mass., where it has poured increasing resources in recent years, as most of its Bay State projects have historically been farther east.

Those projects fall under the SBA’s 504 loan program, which provides approved small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing to acquire assets for expansion or modernization. These 504 loans are made available through CDCs like Granite State. CDCs — there are more than 260 nationwide — are certified and regulated by the SBA, and work with SBA and participating lenders, typically banks, to provide financing to small businesses.

A typical 504 loan is structured in three parts: 50% is a lien from the bank, 40% is a second lien through the CDC, and 10% is a required down payment from the borrower.

This is an important element in the program, Gaylord noted, as many banks require 20%, 25%, even 30% down for certain loans, simply as a matter of policy, “and this actually allows them to do projects people may need.”

At the same time, it’s a win for the borrower, she added, because a bigger down payment may cut into funds they need to get through a lean time. “Maybe it’s a seasonal business, and they need money to get through the winter, to fill that gap.”

The bank sets its own interest rate and term for its 50% share of the loan, she went on. “If they want to do a fixed five-year rate, they can do that. They do not have to match what we do. That’s the benefit for the bank.”

As for GSDC’s portion, it determines terms based on the type of project, she explained. A real-estate project might come with a 20-year term, while 10 years might be more appropriate when purchasing a piece of equipment with a useful life of 10 to 15 years.

“Whatever the type of project, the bank chooses what to do with the other 50%,” Gaylord said. “People say, ‘why would I use this program?’ My quick response is, ‘it’s a low capital investment and a low fixed rate.’”

There are limits to what 504 loans may be used to purchase, however. They are specifically intended for fixed assets and certain soft costs, including the purchase of existing buildings; the purchase of land and land improvements, including grading, street improvements, utilities, parking lots, and landscaping; the construction of new facilities or modernizing, renovating, or converting existing facilities; the purchase of long-term machinery; or the refinancing of debt in connection with an expansion of the business through new or renovated facilities or equipment.

The 504 program cannot be used for working capital or inventory, consolidating or repaying debt, or refinancing, except for projects with an expansion component.

Bigger Picture

At its heart, the 504 lending program and CDCs like Granite State exist not only to help small businesses, but to boost economic development over an entire region. In short, applicants must demonstrate that their purchase or investment will create jobs.

“That’s one of the primary purposes of this,” Gaylord said. “We have to track the number of jobs the business has at the current time and how many jobs they’re predicting they’ll have in the first year and the next 24 months.”

That calculation incorporates job retention as well, she noted. “If they have only two employees but doing the project means they’ll be able to retain those two, that’s fantastic. If they can create more jobs, that’s even better.”

According to the SBA, community-development goals of the 504 loan program include improving, diversifying, or stabilizing the local economy; stimulating other business development; bringing new income into the community; and assisting manufacturing firms and production facilities located in the U.S.

Public-policy goals include revitalizing a business district of a community with a written revitalization or redevelopment plan; expanding exports; expanding small businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and minorities; aiding rural development; increasing productivity and competitiveness; modernizing or upgrading facilities to meet health, safety, and environmental requirements; and assisting businesses in, or moving to, areas affected by federal budget reductions, including base closings; reduction of energy consumption by at least 10%.

There are a few environmental goals as well, including increased use of sustainable design, building design that reduces the use of non-renewable resources and minimizes environmental impact; reduction in the use of greenhouse-gas-producing fossil fuels; and production of alternative and renewable forms of energy.

These are worthy goals, obviously, but businesses that qualify for 504 loans are typically more concerned with how the program affects their bottom line.

“We see ebbs and flows, just like conventional banks do, but we’re obviously in a good market right now,” Gaylord said. “This is a good opportunity for people to lock in those loan rates before they start to rise. Now is a really good time.”

There have been many of those good times since Granite State Development Corp. took root in New England 35 years ago, with a mission to help small businesses expand and grow, thereby helping the New England economy.

“It’s a very easy process,” Gaylord told BusinessWest. “I think that the bankers are comfortable with it, and look to us for guidance. We’re bankers and want to work with them.

“People ask, ‘are you competing with banks?’” she went on. “No, we don’t compete with banks, we work with them. We look at banks as our partners. And I get excited when I see the jobs and economic growth. That’s the best part.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

40 Hoe Shop Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Manuel D. King
Seller: Ian P. McGinn
Date: 12/13/17

157 Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $118,750
Buyer: D. Scott Holden
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 12/08/17

BUCKLAND

75 Charlemont Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Dewayne Matthews
Seller: Douglas N. Decoigne
Date: 12/08/17

CONWAY

624 Cricket Hill Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $512,000
Buyer: Edwin Spencer
Seller: Thomas H. Lewis
Date: 12/08/17

350 Reeds Bridge Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $239,500
Buyer: Peter B. Farber
Seller: Joellen Reino
Date: 12/07/17

DEERFIELD

32 Elm St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Dawa Tsering
Seller: Lauri A. Fennell
Date: 12/06/17

63 Hawks Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Xuliang Jiang
Seller: Donald A. Junkins
Date: 12/15/17

88 Hillside Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Lauri Fennell
Seller: Abbott Lowell Cummings LT
Date: 12/06/17

68 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Leonard T. Grybko
Seller: William F. Kieras
Date: 12/12/17

59 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Brian T. Johnson
Seller: Malcolm J. Cichy
Date: 12/15/17

ERVING

87 Old State Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jared Ewart
Seller: Melinda A. Chase
Date: 12/15/17

GREENFIELD

188 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Brittany A. Senn
Seller: Gary King
Date: 12/15/17

614 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Samuel H. Clarke
Seller: Joyce L. Muka
Date: 12/05/17

36 Cooke St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Timothy R. Putnam
Seller: Rosemarie E. Deskavich
Date: 12/05/17

2 Fiske Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Dolkar Gyaltsen
Seller: Steven J. Schechterle
Date: 12/04/17

18 French King Hwy.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: CA Cole Properties LLC
Seller: Baker, Charlotte A., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

93 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Merrill J. Gagne
Seller: Hayer, Lorraine D., (Estate)
Date: 12/08/17

221 Hope St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $145,842
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Vanessa L. Fortin
Date: 12/12/17

54 Riddell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Chandra A. Sanchez
Seller: Melissa A. Caloon
Date: 12/15/17

42 Washington St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Paul E. Montplaisir
Seller: Gordon E. Cranston
Date: 12/08/17

HEATH

4 East Main St.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jordan J. Lively
Seller: David J. Zahniser
Date: 12/08/17

MONTAGUE

3 Bridge St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Stillwater Properties LLC
Seller: John J. Mackin
Date: 12/08/17

76 Broadway
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Timothy C. Mercer
Seller: Dean P. Wonsey
Date: 12/15/17

63 Central St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Charles A. Henderson
Seller: Karen Sturtevant
Date: 12/15/17

127 Chestnut Hill Loop
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Maylis Atkins
Seller: Sandy J. Beauregard
Date: 12/15/17

NEW SALEM

144 Neilson Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Richard H. Oliver
Seller: Debra J. Annis
Date: 12/08/17

NORTHFIELD

667 Gulf Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Cory D. Norwood
Seller: Linda M. Norwood
Date: 12/05/17

22 Old Turnpike Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Frances Deluca-Hadsel
Seller: Marion E. Ward IRT
Date: 12/04/17

ORANGE

118 Congress St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $192,400
Buyer: Kevin L. Rheault
Seller: Manuel D. King
Date: 12/08/17

SHUTESBURY

5 Birch Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $263,200
Buyer: Philip Parker
Seller: EDS Enterprises LLC
Date: 12/08/17

SUNDERLAND

495 Montague Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Laryssa Kachorowsky
Seller: Kelley M. Sullivan
Date: 12/15/17

WARWICK

409 Gale Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Norman K. Ma
Seller: Donald A. Walter
Date: 12/05/17

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

116 Anthony St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Steven D. Costa
Seller: Thomas L. Vollrath
Date: 12/06/17

92 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Vitaliy Izoita
Seller: Beverly S. Follis
Date: 12/08/17

120 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Lawrence P. Valliere
Seller: Johnny Ramos
Date: 12/15/17

11 Charest Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Vincent R. Cimmino
Seller: Edmund G. Beauvais
Date: 12/15/17

26 Dartmouth St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Laurie L. Addoms
Seller: Brahman Holdings LLC
Date: 12/15/17

35 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Nicole M. Megazzini
Seller: Winter, Steven T., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

82 Florida Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Gable
Seller: Vitaliy I. Izoita
Date: 12/08/17

227 Maple St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Kathleen A. Morissette
Seller: Dana L. Shouse
Date: 12/05/17

24 Marlene Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $258,500
Buyer: Conor Martin
Seller: John P. Lombard
Date: 12/08/17

8 Robin Ridge Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Scott M. Cassidy
Seller: Shirley J. Smith
Date: 12/15/17

11 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Anthony Grassetti
Seller: Mary Mastroianni
Date: 12/08/17

225 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Vladimir P. Kozlov
Seller: Peter Cecchi
Date: 12/08/17

92 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Stanislas G. Coly
Seller: Crystal L. Johnson
Date: 12/08/17

23 White Fox Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Michael D. Mclean
Seller: Vitaliy V. Gladysh
Date: 12/06/17

45 Zacks Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Robert E. King
Seller: Flora C. Main
Date: 12/15/17

BLANDFORD

14 Kaolin Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Frank S. Rice
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/07/17

BRIMFIELD

130 5 Bridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $236,500
Buyer: Richard A. Gendreau
Seller: Paula M. Gendreau
Date: 12/06/17

1109 Dunhamtown Brimfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $518,000
Buyer: Michael A. Gallan
Seller: Karen L. Wallace
Date: 12/04/17

1172 Dunhamtown Brimfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Darlene A. Molett
Seller: David G. Carpenter
Date: 12/08/17

176 Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Kristina Ruel
Seller: Thomas P. Dowling
Date: 12/15/17

6 Saint Clair Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Lucimar Venades
Seller: Michael Pomarole
Date: 12/07/17

CHICOPEE

58 Acker Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jose M. Dones
Seller: Christopher Chutkowski
Date: 12/08/17

460 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Laurel A. Landon
Seller: Richard A. Czelusniak
Date: 12/06/17

22 Grove Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Angela B. Pelletier
Seller: William Soja
Date: 12/05/17

115 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: David R. Heywood
Seller: Michael W. Guiel
Date: 12/05/17

57 Martha St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: James Huffer
Seller: James A. Chartier
Date: 12/15/17

12 Morton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $162,500
Buyer: Jonathan R. Shelkey
Seller: Diane M. Gay
Date: 12/04/17

450 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: RJ 6 Enterprises LLC
Seller: Ronald R. Barthelette
Date: 12/08/17

85 Orchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Ghaeth Alsamraay
Seller: Diplomat Property Manager
Date: 12/15/17

48 Percy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Matthew Pasterczyk
Seller: Charlene M. Ruel
Date: 12/08/17

80 Post Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Kristina Laplante
Seller: James M. Matte
Date: 12/15/17

41 Ruskin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Sam M. Methe
Seller: Felix M. Romero
Date: 12/15/17

41 Wilmont St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Felix L. Lopez
Seller: Jeffrey J. Turgeon
Date: 12/04/17

51 Woodcrest Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Daryl R. Kirby
Seller: Jeffrey Guyott
Date: 12/08/17

EAST LONGMEADOW

29 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Luke Saglimbeni
Seller: Michael G. Robare
Date: 12/15/17

201 Gates Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Francisco A. Rosa-Toledo
Seller: Jeffrey M. Doe
Date: 12/15/17

346 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John Bacevicius
Seller: Robert R. Barry
Date: 12/15/17

11 Kronvall Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Ralph E. Cooley
Seller: John D. Santos
Date: 12/05/17

281 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Dores Dental Realty Co.
Seller: Maple Street Building LLC
Date: 12/14/17

3 North St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Marc Magnani
Seller: Magnani, Faye S., (Estate)
Date: 12/11/17

178 Patterson Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jessica Northup
Seller: Laurie Kimball
Date: 12/15/17

225 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Jason Guinipero
Seller: Michael Pluta
Date: 12/05/17

12 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $645,000
Buyer: Madrid Realty 9 LLC
Seller: Secure Energy Realty LLC
Date: 12/08/17

5 Voyer Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michael White
Seller: Tram T. Nguyen
Date: 12/08/17

38 White Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Jeyline T. Moulier
Seller: John M. Handzel
Date: 12/04/17

GRANVILLE

37 Old Westfield Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Landon D. Demay
Seller: Annmarie Maceyka
Date: 12/04/17

122 Sodom St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Stuart Hayden
Date: 12/15/17

HOLLAND

164 Stafford Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Peter M. Faria
Seller: Wright, Carolyn A., (Estate)
Date: 12/08/17

91 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Matthew R. Tolson
Seller: George A. Phillips
Date: 12/11/17

HOLYOKE

10 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Michelle J. Dailey
Seller: Allison M. Wolohan
Date: 12/15/17

380-R Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Marjos LLC
Seller: 380R Dwight Street LLC
Date: 12/05/17

85 Eastern Promenade St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $233,400
Buyer: John A. Kennedy
Seller: Marguerite Marino
Date: 12/11/17

66 Ely St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $181,200
Buyer: Jesus R. Perez
Seller: Janusz Lecko
Date: 12/12/17

42-44 Florence Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Saray Nop
Seller: No Place Like Home Properties
Date: 12/15/17

56 Francis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Emily M. Monfette
Seller: Flippin Good Home Buyers
Date: 12/05/17

291 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Chester N. Bennett
Seller: Coakley Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

305 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Meghan R. Morton
Seller: Olive R. Cameron
Date: 12/15/17

31 Hitchcock St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Luis A. Rivera
Seller: Noreen M. Geraghty
Date: 12/14/17

956 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Bernard E. Lafond
Seller: Carmen M. Potvin
Date: 12/07/17

142 Michigan Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Dominic Perri
Seller: Brian F. Baker
Date: 12/15/17

1684 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Gallagher Properties LLC
Seller: Lisa A. Reed
Date: 12/13/17

19 Norwood Terrace
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,500
Buyer: Coakley Corp.
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 12/15/17

405 Southampton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $192,500
Buyer: Michael B. Callini
Seller: Misdalia Robles
Date: 12/15/17

131 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,500
Buyer: Matthew Goulding
Seller: Daniel A. Leclair
Date: 12/15/17

LONGMEADOW

139 Ashford Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $980,000
Buyer: Susanne D. Osofsky
Seller: Sumner E. Karas
Date: 12/06/17

28 Briarcliff Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Matthew Bertuzzi
Seller: JGS Lifecare Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

383 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Andrew S. Felix
Seller: David H. Burstein
Date: 12/11/17

168 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: 88 Casino Terrace LLC
Seller: Robert E. Loughman
Date: 12/14/17

2 Hilltop Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Sean M. Kenney
Seller: Michael Kennedy
Date: 12/15/17

148 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Gregg R. Skowronski
Seller: Christopher D. Burke
Date: 12/14/17

111 Nevins Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $209,700
Buyer: Brianna J. Butcher
Seller: Alexander Kubacki
Date: 12/15/17

Tanglewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Lynn B. Larochelle
Seller: Andrea Moses
Date: 12/08/17

146 Tanglewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Steven J. Danishevsky
Seller: Baker, Eugene Z., (Estate)
Date: 12/14/17

54 White Oaks Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Erin Rauseo
Seller: Andrew M. Anderlonis
Date: 12/15/17

LUDLOW

23 Adams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Joshua E. Picard
Seller: Stone Bear LLC
Date: 12/04/17

28 Brimfield St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Lauren Mettey
Seller: Ryan J. Leveille
Date: 12/12/17

206 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Katherine M. Dias
Seller: Anthony E. Pelletier
Date: 12/05/17

66 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: John Heckman
Seller: Elaine Sabourin
Date: 12/07/17

48 Jackie Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Stephen Nembirkow
Seller: Nicholas Cocchi
Date: 12/04/17

38 King St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Adam J. Babiec
Seller: Donald E. Burrage
Date: 12/15/17

519 Moore St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Ryan J. Leveille
Seller: Ryan E. Allore
Date: 12/14/17

85-87 Oak St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: 85-87 Oak Street LLC
Seller: Ezequiel Mauricio
Date: 12/13/17

Sunset Ridge #3
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Daniel Matias
Seller: Baystate Developers Inc.
Date: 12/11/17

128 Williams St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jordan A. Liszka
Seller: Sally A. Zielinski
Date: 12/08/17

156 Windwood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Jason R. Pease
Seller: Victor Felix
Date: 12/14/17

MONSON

91 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: 91 Bethany Road LLC
Seller: Gordon, Wayne D., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/17

6 Flynt Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $241,080
Buyer: Flynt Green LLC
Seller: Lewis T. Garreffa
Date: 12/15/17

36 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: 36 Main Street LLC
Seller: Darlene A. Falcone
Date: 12/07/17

210 Moulton Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Nichole M. Malone
Seller: Brien A. Couture
Date: 12/15/17

102 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $190,130
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: David A. Wood
Date: 12/15/17

121 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Luke W. Cardone
Seller: Craig G. Worrall
Date: 12/08/17

MONTGOMERY

1579 Russell Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Arthur S. Cantler
Seller: Edward J. Healy
Date: 12/05/17

PALMER

58 Ruggles St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $174,990
Buyer: Roberto Ramos
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/12/17

17 Searle St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Richard M. Atkinson
Seller: Thomas R. Maciag
Date: 12/11/17

SOUTHWICK

16 Granaudo Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Gagnon
Seller: Daniel J. Gagnon
Date: 12/12/17

3 Secluded Rdg
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $376,500
Buyer: Diamantis Diamantopoulos
Seller: Lucindy M. Napoli
Date: 12/13/17

17 White St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $145,601
Buyer: John Gulbrandsen
Seller: NRZ Reo 6 Corp.
Date: 12/11/17

8 Wintergreen Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Peter J. Olson
Seller: Edward G. Montagna
Date: 12/15/17

SPRINGFIELD

154-156 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $123,700
Buyer: Miguel A. Rodriguez
Seller: Robert A. Arcott
Date: 12/04/17

752-754 Alden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Jeremy D. Harrington
Seller: Bessie L. Anderson
Date: 12/14/17

65 Aldrew Terrace
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Antonio P. Dangelo
Seller: Andrew A. Bolduc
Date: 12/15/17

76 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $177,700
Buyer: Dawlin Jimenez
Seller: Capital Income Growth Fund
Date: 12/15/17

75 Anniversary St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Emmanuel M. Galanis
Seller: Mirian D. Detres
Date: 12/08/17

74-76 Appleton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Purna Ramdam
Seller: Nanette Figueroa
Date: 12/04/17

155 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $146,900
Buyer: James Kneeskern
Seller: Lisa M. Carpenter
Date: 12/08/17

147 Atherton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Josiah D. Cook
Seller: Charles D. Sullivan
Date: 12/15/17

46 Audley Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Erik S. King
Seller: Conor R. Martin
Date: 12/08/17

102 Avery St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Joshua Ocasio
Seller: Terrell M. Hill
Date: 12/11/17

57 Bremen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Kathleen M. Diederich
Seller: Luis A. Escobar
Date: 12/15/17

791-793 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Alexander Perez
Seller: Ahmad Habboub
Date: 12/12/17

838-840 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Aaron Nugent
Seller: Sullivan, Thomas J., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

17-19 Castle St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Paul R. Connors
Seller: Elaine A. Connors
Date: 12/05/17

679-681 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Pedro D. Perez-Urena
Seller: Linda G. Menard
Date: 12/05/17

87 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Rosario
Seller: Debra Deleon
Date: 12/15/17

33 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Justin G. Worthington
Seller: Ysabel Espinal
Date: 12/08/17

11 Denesley Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Randall J. Fortunato
Seller: Amy E. Butler
Date: 12/08/17

120 Devens St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Norberto C. Silva
Seller: Jamie Tomas
Date: 12/15/17

223 Drexel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Juana Corporan
Seller: Real G. Roy
Date: 12/13/17

120 Entrybrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Debra Phillips
Seller: Rebecca A. Cabana
Date: 12/08/17

19 Eton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Anne M. Lamothe
Seller: Robert E. Freeman
Date: 12/08/17

36 Euclid Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $128,800
Buyer: Midna L. Ramos
Seller: Anthony C. Scibelli
Date: 12/08/17

75 Gillette Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Daniel Triggs
Seller: Dean M. Rossi
Date: 12/15/17

67-69 Hamburg St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Adriana Bledsoe
Seller: Maria R. Dapiedade
Date: 12/07/17

90 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $141,500
Buyer: Jacob Maier
Seller: Ian R. O’Donnell
Date: 12/04/17

85 Harmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Emily Troczynski
Seller: James Niedbala
Date: 12/15/17

35 Heywood St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $9,189,000
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Honore LLC
Date: 12/14/17

84 Hilltop St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Shernet A. Reid
Seller: Lester C. McDonald
Date: 12/15/17

18-20 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: William D. Kelley
Seller: Shawn P. Johnson
Date: 12/13/17

353 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Teshena I. Jones-Swaby
Seller: Ryan D. Deane
Date: 12/07/17

46 Jerilis Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Olga Gardner
Seller: Daisy Arrechea
Date: 12/07/17

417 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $9,189,000
Buyer: Behavioral Health Network
Seller: Honore LLC
Date: 12/14/17

23 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Christine M. Jalbert
Seller: Michael T. Zolkiewicz
Date: 12/08/17

91 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Maxime Sarpong-Aduna
Seller: Lourdes Mazza
Date: 12/15/17

104 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: David Torres
Seller: Ana M. Ladeira
Date: 12/15/17

28 Manchester Terrace
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Rebecca H. Rees
Seller: Brian T. Morrissette
Date: 12/15/17

55 Marengo Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Mark E. Flowers
Seller: Emerald City Rentals LLC
Date: 12/15/17

4 Mary St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Orville A. Lugg
Seller: Christopher G. Rossman
Date: 12/05/17

20 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Winsome A. Roberts
Seller: Winston Roberts
Date: 12/15/17

34 Mattoon St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Sanshah LLC
Seller: David Funai
Date: 12/15/17

34 Mayflower Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Demaio
Seller: Erin L. Hogan
Date: 12/15/17

88 Meadow St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jessica Morales
Seller: Christine Wurszt
Date: 12/08/17

10 Monroe St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $152,337
Buyer: Alexandra Fortich
Seller: AAD LLC
Date: 12/11/17

67 Mulberry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Second Chance Animal Services
Seller: Commonwealth Academy Holding
Date: 12/11/17

203 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Zarouhe Kebabjian
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/06/17

273 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Khadija H. Tuitt
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 12/11/17

123 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jeffrey McDonald
Seller: Robert W. Horne
Date: 12/06/17

124 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Eagan
Seller: John W. Barrett
Date: 12/08/17

54 Newland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Roxie Alison
Seller: Lee J. Reyes
Date: 12/11/17

64-68 Osgood St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,350,000
Buyer: 64-68 Osgood Street LLC
Seller: Oleg Pashchenko
Date: 12/07/17

11 Ozark St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Gelson D. Rosario
Seller: Onota Rental LLC
Date: 12/04/17

130 Packard Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Stovall
Seller: Parent, Edeltraud E., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

715 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Flora C. Main
Seller: Robin M. Pelletier
Date: 12/15/17

15 Prince St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Billy L. Clark
Seller: Lisa A. Stovall
Date: 12/15/17

55 Ravenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Diane Anderson
Seller: Strzempek, Jennie R., (Estate)
Date: 12/06/17

125 Rochford Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $130,380
Buyer: Citizens Bank
Seller: Angel G. Perez
Date: 12/07/17

57 Rochford Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Melanie R. Patterson
Seller: Angel Angelov
Date: 12/08/17

261 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Mon Tiwari
Seller: Michael A. White
Date: 12/08/17

811 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: HSBC Bank
Seller: Doris Fernandez
Date: 12/07/17

90 Spear Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $162,740
Buyer: Western Mass Property Development
Seller: AJN Rentals LLC
Date: 12/08/17

377 Stapleton Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Gadiel Ruiz
Seller: Nasser Zebian
Date: 12/08/17

700 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Pride LP
Seller: Developspringfield Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

1043 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $123,795
Buyer: Opus Durum LLC
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/07/17

5 Teakwood Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Diana Ortega
Seller: Citimortgage Inc.
Date: 12/08/17

Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Pride LP
Seller: Developspringfield Corp.
Date: 12/15/17

97 Wachusett St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Sheileen Feliciano
Seller: Cooper Properties LLC
Date: 12/08/17

22 Warner St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Greenfield Development
Seller: Noemi Cruz
Date: 12/07/17

101 Wason Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $12,387,500
Buyer: 101 Wason Avenue LLC
Seller: Yukon Group LLC
Date: 12/13/17

36 Westernview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Elmer J. Baez
Seller: Tania Ruiz
Date: 12/15/17

80 Woodcrest Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Matthew S. Bouffard
Seller: Margaret M. Johnston
Date: 12/12/17

TOLLAND

1403 Burt Hill Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $296,500
Buyer: Gordon S. Yocher
Seller: John J. Cournoyer
Date: 12/15/17

WALES

10 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Christopher Matczak
Seller: Jennifer M. Hartmann
Date: 12/15/17

WEST SPRINGFIELD

201 Bonnie Brae Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Keith L. Laster
Seller: Michael J. Higgins
Date: 12/05/17

81 Braintree Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Zemanek
Seller: Marcia L. Landon
Date: 12/04/17

34 City View Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Fontaine
Seller: Paul Breveleri
Date: 12/06/17

209 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Premont
Seller: Cardinal Homes Inc.
Date: 12/12/17

30 Druids Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Eagle Home Buyers LLC
Seller: Lee, Christopher B., (Estate)
Date: 12/12/17

135 Grandview Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: David P. Wanczyk
Seller: AJMPC Inc.
Date: 12/08/17

326 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Osamah H. Aljanabi
Seller: Richard P. Senk
Date: 12/14/17

116 Jensen Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Jamie Bishop
Seller: John J. Taskey
Date: 12/15/17

50 Orchardview St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Brittany A. Valentine
Seller: Donald C. Bain
Date: 12/12/17

WESTFIELD

250 City View Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Leclair
Seller: Moreno, Daniel H., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

30 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Caltrap Realty LLC
Seller: Barcross Partners LLC
Date: 12/11/17

12 Demond Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $156,120
Buyer: Charles E. Lisowski
Seller: Bazanchuk, Mary A., (Estate)
Date: 12/14/17

19 Hawks Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Kimberly Arnone
Seller: Heather M. Cabral
Date: 12/15/17

420 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: Thomas L. Disanto
Date: 12/12/17

186 Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Dustin Taudal
Seller: Michael R. Thomas
Date: 12/15/17

109 Miller St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Robert G. Rivest
Seller: Aleksandr Shtyba
Date: 12/14/17

15 Ridgecrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Julia Kimball-Whitney
Seller: Constance E. Johnson
Date: 12/06/17

27 Ridgeway St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Elise A. Lynch
Seller: Vanessa Filiault
Date: 12/08/17

142 Yeoman Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Matthew Perrier
Seller: Ernest A. Baker
Date: 12/06/17

WILBRAHAM

5 Anvil Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Anthony W. Bond
Seller: Santiago Canosa-Oliver
Date: 12/13/17

36 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Philip H. Gosselin
Seller: Susy M. Martins
Date: 12/06/17

599 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Mountain Landscape Inc.
Seller: Poineer Valley Property
Date: 12/06/17

911 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Hesham M. Asif
Seller: Sherry A. Marchessault
Date: 12/04/17

5 Sherwin Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: Kevin M. Farrell
Seller: AC Homebuilding LLC
Date: 12/15/17

171 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: RC&L LLC
Seller: Mitchell D. Opalinski
Date: 12/13/17

175 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: RC&L LLC
Seller: Mitchell D. Opalinski
Date: 12/13/17

916 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Busker
Seller: Sally A. Cavanaugh
Date: 12/14/17

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

351 Henry St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Zayac Construction Co. LLC
Seller: Richard S. Bari
Date: 12/14/17

Lindenridge Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Bercume Construction LLC
Seller: Tofino Associates LLC
Date: 12/05/17

47 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $242,444
Buyer: Michael S. MacDonald
Seller: Oscar Liang
Date: 12/05/17

51 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $242,444
Buyer: Michael S. MacDonald
Seller: Ching Leang
Date: 12/05/17

1535 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $133,620
Buyer: Jean A. Kentfield
Seller: Theodore C. Kentfield RET
Date: 12/08/17

28 South Mount Holyoke Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Xiaowei Li
Seller: Carol Creswell-Betsch
Date: 12/08/17

BELCHERTOWN

12 Alden Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $239,500
Buyer: Steven M. Prejsner
Seller: Gary A. Parker
Date: 12/11/17

365 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $276,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Antunes
Seller: Ivette Rodriguez
Date: 12/08/17

44 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Michael B. Mackay
Seller: Douglas E. Dickey
Date: 12/07/17

1 Brenda Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Roger L. Menard
Seller: Sivart RT
Date: 12/15/17

23 Lloyd Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: William N. Alderman
Seller: Servicenet Inc.
Date: 12/12/17

16 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Kristin Moyer
Seller: Chapter 7 Of US Bankruptcy Court Trustee
Date: 12/06/17

107 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $256,500
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Michael E. Allen
Date: 12/04/17

660 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $344,500
Buyer: Kevin W. MacMenamin
Seller: Riverbend 2 Properties
Date: 12/15/17

EASTHAMPTON

43 Bayberry Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Raymond Vieira
Seller: Bricker, Paul R., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/17

10-12 Briggs St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jessica B. Accorsi
Seller: John F. Wiseman
Date: 12/06/17

26 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $242,500
Buyer: Kani M. Brown
Seller: Goshen Mortgage REO LLC
Date: 12/04/17

21 Pine Hill Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Matthew E. Brelsford
Seller: Dewayne A. Matthews
Date: 12/08/17

56 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Kenneth P. Bachand
Seller: David A. Hardy Contractor
Date: 12/04/17

15 School St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $186,900
Buyer: Susan G. White
Seller: Anne M. Leitl
Date: 12/15/17

50 Williston Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Boone W. Shear
Seller: Mary S. Cantler
Date: 12/04/17

GOSHEN

130 Spruce Corner Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Gerik J. Sienkiewicz
Seller: Nancy E. Grove
Date: 12/08/17

GRANBY

342 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Ryan Bouvier
Seller: Roger P. Neveu
Date: 12/08/17

113 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Shaun E. Moser
Seller: Frank Costabile
Date: 12/04/17

115 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Shaun E. Moser
Seller: Frank Costabile
Date: 12/04/17

251 Old Goshen Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Jessica A. Riley
Seller: John Godden
Date: 12/14/17

58 Center St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Samuel R. Duda
Seller: Taylor, Maudetta A., (Estate)
Date: 12/11/17

HADLEY

13 Hockanum Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $451,000
Buyer: DU R. Shinn
Seller: LFT Transformations LLC
Date: 12/15/17

49 Middle St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Bakurental LLC
Seller: Walter D. Thayer
Date: 12/08/17

River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Town Of Hadley
Seller: James C. Hoynoski
Date: 12/15/17

HATFIELD

98 Prospect St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Stanley L. Symanski
Seller: Malone, Geraldine M., (Estate)
Date: 12/15/17

NORTHAMPTON

76 Carlon Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,235,000
Buyer: Safe Passage Inc.
Seller: Carlon Medical LLP
Date: 12/08/17

22 Claire Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Holly H. Young
Seller: Sarah D. Haessler
Date: 12/08/17

337 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $542,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Lonsway
Seller: Lawrence P. Whalen
Date: 12/08/17

60 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $649,000
Buyer: Mark Haselkorn
Seller: Richard Cianflone
Date: 12/06/17

16 Fruit St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $397,000
Buyer: Edith Mor
Seller: Irene M. Slabinski TR
Date: 12/13/17

Glendale Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Waggin Trails Dog Park
Seller: Bill Willard Inc.
Date: 12/15/17

173 Greenleaf Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Eric Patrick
Seller: Robert B. Berenson
Date: 12/15/17

64 Lilly St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Aleta J. Mills
Seller: Barbara J. Allen
Date: 12/08/17

61 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01039
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Tragin Properties LLC
Seller: Whalen FT
Date: 12/07/17

32 Myrtle St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sherry L. Taylor
Seller: Bernice K. Bohnenberger
Date: 12/11/17

971 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Dutch I. Cosmian
Seller: Harriet K. Smith
Date: 12/15/17

40 South Park Terrace
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Hailey E. Fleury
Seller: Susan J. Benoit
Date: 12/15/17

47 Winterberry Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Melissa J. Mattison
Seller: Richard Wentzel
Date: 12/04/17

80 Woodmont Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Paul A. Hacking
Seller: Jaime Caron
Date: 12/15/17

SOUTH HADLEY

155 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Willaim VanDuzer
Seller: Frances Strzempko-Ahmad
Date: 12/11/17

234 Brainerd St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Michelle Williams
Seller: Robert J. Celi
Date: 12/15/17

283 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kelly Ye
Seller: Megan M. Kuszewski
Date: 12/15/17

20 Meadowood Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Bengal NT
Seller: Vincent Muto
Date: 12/08/17

301 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Matthew Gage
Seller: Arthur J. O’Donald
Date: 12/08/17

18 Sunset Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Ryan D. Spahl
Seller: William VanDuzer
Date: 12/11/17

34 Yale St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Tetyana G. Buescher
Seller: Shaun E. Moser
Date: 12/04/17

SOUTHAMPTON

27 Mountain View Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $209,900
Buyer: Ayn K. Toppin
Seller: Evan R. Huff
Date: 12/15/17

WARE

62-64 Chestnut St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Juan A. Santana
Seller: JNB Property Investment
Date: 12/05/17

4 East St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $143,500
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Seller: Edward B. Woods
Date: 12/14/17

93 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Daniel Bruso
Seller: Merrie J. Brown
Date: 12/08/17

152 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Michael P. Aiesi
Seller: Joseph M. Lanouette
Date: 12/12/17

DBA Certificates Departments

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2017.

AMHERST

Amherst Knights of Columbus #1619
45 Boltwood Walk
William Dion

The English Pub
15E Pleasant St.
Gerald Jolly

Harvest Market
1150 West St.
Peggy Thibbitts

Ichiban Asian Bistro
104 North Pleasant St.
Hangzhang Huang

Leslie Lauf, LICSW
150 Fearing St.
Leslie Lauf

Mixed Nuts Cooperative
893 West St.
Trustees of Hampshire College

Paradise of India
87 Main St.
Tarlochan Singh, Kuldip Khinda

The Prescott Bakery
893 West St.
Trustees of Hampshire College

Rafters Sports Bar & Restaurant
422 Amity St.
Gerald Jolly

Wings over Amherst
181D University Dr.
Harold Tramazzo

BELCHERTOWN

Tom’s Odd Jobs & Snowblowing
11 Laurel Ridge Dr.
Thomas Hresko

CHICOPEE

Lopuk Realty
125 Broadway
Gary Lopuk

TrueHeart Enterprise
234 Exchange St.
Lolitta Trueheart Lowe, Angela Trueheart

EASTHAMPTON

Rail Trail Auto Sales
1 Loomis Way
Kevin Netto, Jovita Netto

Realized Learning
47 Clark St.
Abigail Forcier

EAST LONGMEADOW

Alpha Waves DJs
84 Oakbrook Dr.
Dan Chrisis

Redstone Wealth Management, LLC
264 North Main St.
Anthony Cianflone

Spray Right Foam Insulations
49 Gerrard Ave.
Nathan Abdelmaseh

HADLEY

Dunkin’ Donuts
331 Russell St.
Mason Donuts, LLC

Dunkin’ Donuts
142 Russell St.
Mason Donuts, LLC

Friendly’s
455 Russell St.
Gary Glenn

Hillside Pizza
173 Russell St.
JKBC, LLC

Huaning Services
10 Indian Pipe Dr.
Jianhua Yang

Plainville Farm
135 Mt. Warner Road
Walter Czajkowski

HOLYOKE

K & D Auto Sales
18 Kay Ave.
Alexander Oquendo

Posters
214 Maple St.
Waybe Worsham, Nancy Worsham

TWC Auto Body & Repair
56 Jackson St.
Jamil Roman

LONGMEADOW

Night Owl Knots
38 Chiswick St.
Nicole Loud

Q5 Analytics
573 Wolf Swamp Road
Michelle van Schouwen

LUDLOW

Fresh Cuts By Toni
123 Shawnigan Dr.
Toni Marcus

Roy’s Auto Service
935 Center St.
Roy Cote

NORTHAMPTON

Brightworks Inc.
15 Higgins Way
Douglas McCarroll

Context Capital Asset Management, LLC
123 South St., #2
Melissa Frydlo

Ernie’s Towing
376 Easthampton Road
Frank Fournier III

Finding Earth Works
29 Columbus Ave.
Alexandra Risley

Haven Body Arts
108 Main St.
Penelope Silverstein, Peter Kerantzas

Lean Innovation Institute
9½ Market St.
Paul Silva

More Than Skin Deep
150 Main St.
Diana Cerutti

Richard Huntley & Sons
254 Easthampton Road
Richard Huntley

TommyCar Auto Group
347 King St.
Carla Cosenzi Zayac

Wayside Auto & Truck Sales
376 Easthampton Road
Frank Fournier III

PALMER

Palmer Motorsports Park
58 West Ware Road
Fred Ferguson

Ramadon’s Package Store
2020 Main St.
Charles Ramadon

Sam’s Food
1078 Park St.
Muhammad Javid

Spera Landscaping
64 Commercial St.
Anthony Kinley

Van Zandt Snow Plowing
19 Forest St.
Robert Van Zandt

You R Special
1020 Central St.
Roslyn Banks

SOUTHWICK

Moolicious Farm
258 Feeding Hills Road
Joseph Deedy

Southwick Civic Fund Inc.
258 Feeding Hills Road
Joseph Deedy

Wolfe Path Farm
76 Coes Hill Road
Clifford Wolfe

SPRINGFIELD

Carney Diggs Construction
212 Ambrose St.
Martin Carney Jr.

Chef It Up Catering
57 Macomber Ave.
Carla Edmonds

CM Carpentry and Remodeling
232 Ambrose St.
Chris Monette

Comics and Cards
890 Carew St.
Maeghan Denise

E and Jay Transport
34 Mansfield St.
Elvis Malone

Joseph Mini Mart
125 Dwight St.
Hamidah Imran

Law Offices of Alice E. Kundl
115 State St.
Alice Kundl

Massachusetts Barber Expo
74 Oklahoma St.
Tyrone Miranda

Mi Cultura
304 Worthington St.
Horaida Cardona

Reynoso Construction
92 Grenada Terrace
Florencio Reynoso

Ron DeSellier Electric
97 Goodwin St.
Ronald DeSellier

Rosegold Lavish
145 Marsden St.
Edaysha Garrett

Sam’s Food Store
266 Belmont Ave.
Nasim Khalid

The Sporting Edge Marketing
208 Island Pond Road
Edard Guczek

Tatted Lace Creations
137 Bacon Road
Karen Northwood

Venta Pro, LLC
34 Front St.
Alec Upperton

Yabucoa Used Tire
218 St. James Blvd.
Francisco Ortiz

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Healthtrax Fitness and Wellness
155 Ashley Ave.
Marina Lebo

In and Out Deli Market
205 Elm St.
Goksal Cicek

Lee’s Painting Co.
105 Heywood Ave.
Dwight Lee

Lincare Inc.
53 Capital Dr.
Susan Yanush

Pavel Pavement Maintenance
70 Windsor St.
Michael Crean

Sarah Albert, LICSW
111 Elm St.
Sarah Albert-Perry

Sibley Property Services
101 Sibley Ave.
John Alexander

WILBRAHAM

The Burger Bar
2341 Boston Road, Unit 101
Laurie Bongioni

HobbyCosmo.com
1028 Stony Hill Road
Xuan Le

Inside-Out Home & Garden, LLC
2040 Boston Road, Unit 15
Norman Corigliano

Sugar DL’s Baked Goods
2133 Boston Road, Unit 6B
Berneice Dixon

Departments Incorporations

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

EAST LONGMEADOW

Fitness Jerks Inc., 45 Baldwin St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Michael Zolkiewicz, same. Physical fitness and training.

FL Landscaping Inc., 6 Kensington Ave., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Luisa Cardaropoli, same. Landscaping services.

LENOX

F17 Lennox Heights Inc., 260 Pittsfield Road, Apt. F17, Lenox, MA 01240. Suraj Sharma, same. Real estate.

LONGMEADOW

Forest Park Sports Inc., 102 Pinewood Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Katharine A. Pacella, same. Non-profit that raises, manages, and distribute funds to support competitive sports.

PITTSFIELD

Egremont PTO Inc., 84 Egremont Ave., Pittsfield MA, 01201. Andrea Wilson, same. Provides a forum for parents, guardians, teachers, and school administration may share ideas and carry out projects for the benefit of the students of Egremont Elementary School.

Express Bus Inc., 10 Wendell Ave., Ext #210, Pittsfield, MA 01201. De Yue Chen, same. Bus tour company.

SPRINGFIELD

El Salto Inc., 1411 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Jose G Torres, same. Full-service restaurant.

Escuela De Capacitacion Biblica Antioquia, 25 Terrence St., Springfield, MA 01109. Raul Medina, same. Place of worship.

Exterior Remodeling Group Inc., 23 Benham St., Springfield, MA 01109. Eugeniu Ciubotaru, same. Remodeling.

Harnum Construction Inc., 53 Metzger Place, Springfield, MA 01104. William Harnum, same. To operate a construction company.

SUNDERLAND

Gwen D Gannon Inc., 31 Garage Road, Sunderland, MA 01375. Gwen D Gannon, same. Consulting program development and evaluation.

WILBRAHAM

Gardenrus Inc., 7 Evangeline Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Brian Patrick Griffin, same. Online sales.

Briefcase Departments

UMass, Research Partners Aim to Improve Flu-season Forecasts
AMHERST — Research teams, including one led by biostatistician Nicholas Reich at UMass Amherst, are participating in a national influenza-forecasting challenge to try to predict the onset, progress, and peaks of regional flu outbreaks to aid prevention and control. This year, the Reich Lab is leading an effort to improve the forecasting by increasing the collaboration between groups. “Every year, the Centers for Disease Control host a flu-forecasting challenge,” Reich said. “It’s the most organized and public effort at forecasting any infectious disease anywhere in the world. Our lab is now in our third year of participating, and we find that each year we get a little better and learn a bit more. This year, we wanted to take it to the next level, so we worked with other teams year-round to develop a way that our models could work together to make a single best forecast for influenza. This entire effort is public, so anyone can go to the website and see the forecasts.” While this flu season has started earlier than usual in the northeastern and southern regions of the U.S., according to the most recent data, the forecasts are still showing a fair amount of uncertainty about how big a season it will be, Reich said. “The holiday season is a notoriously difficult time to forecast because typically fewer people go to the doctor, and yet everyone is traveling around spreading or being exposed to infections such as flu.” Reich and colleagues at UMass Amherst’s School of Public Health and Health Sciences collaborate with teams at Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, and a group at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, in a group they have dubbed the FluSight Network. It issues a new flu season forecast every Monday for public-health researchers and practitioners that compares the flu trajectory this year to past years. In a recent publication, Reich and colleagues state that their aim is to “combine forecasting models for seasonal influenza in the U.S. to create a single ensemble forecast. The central question is, can we provide better information to decision makers by combining forecasting models and, specifically, by using past performance of the models to inform the ensemble approach.” Added Reich, “we are working closely with our collaborators at the CDC to determine how to improve the timeliness and relevance of our forecasts.” To prepare for this flu season, he and colleagues spent many hours designing a standard structure that each team needed to use when submitting models. This allowed for comparison of methods over the past seven years of flu data in the U.S. They also conducted a cross-validation study of data from the past seven flu seasons to compare five different methods for combining models into a single ensemble forecast. They found that four of their collaborative ensemble methods had higher average scores than any of the individual models. The team is now submitting forecasts from their best-performing model and are posting them once a week this season to the CDC’s 2017-18 FluSight Challenge. Reich estimates there are about 20 teams this year participating in the CDC challenge nationwide, who produce about 30 different models. Each model forecasts the onset of the flu season, how it will progress over the coming few weeks, when it will peak, and how intense the peak will be compared to other seasons. In a heavy flu season, between 5% and 12% of doctor’s visits are for influenza-like illness, and that number varies regionally in the U.S. This metric is one of the key indicators for the CDC of how bad the flu season is, and it is the measure used in the forecasting challenges. “Certainly for the CDC, there are policy decisions that could be impacted by these forecasts, including the timing of public communication about flu season starting and when to get vaccinated. Models can help with all of that,” Reich said. “Also, hospitals often try to have enhanced precautions in place during a certain peak period for the disease. If you do that too early, or for too long, you run the risk of individuals getting tired of taking the extra time to comply with the policies.” Hospital epidemiologists and others responsible for public-health decisions do not declare the onset of flu season lightly, he noted. In hospitals, flu onset — a technical set of symptoms reported to physicians — triggers many extra time-consuming and costly precautions and procedures such as added gloves, masks, and gowns; donning and doffing time; special decontamination procedures; increased surveillance; and reduced visitor access, for example. There is also healthcare worker fatigue to consider. Hospitals want to be as effective and efficient as possible in their preparations and response to reduce time and money spent and worker burnout. The public-health effort to improve flu season forecasts is relatively recent, Reich said. “There has been tremendous progress in how we think about infectious disease forecasting in just the last five years. If you compare that to something like weather forecasting, which has been going on for decades, we’re in the middle of a long process of learning and improvement. Someday, we might be able to imagine having a flu forecast on our smartphones that tells us, for example, it’s an early season and I’d better get Mom to the clinic to get her vaccination early this year. We’re close, but that’s not here quite yet.”

Massachusetts Adds 6,700 Jobs in November
BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate dropped to 3.6% in November, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts added 6,700 jobs in November. Over the month, the private sector added 7,300 jobs as gains occurred in leisure and hospitality; education and health services; construction; professional, scientific, and business services; and manufacturing. The October estimate was revised to a gain of 3,200 jobs. From November 2016 to November 2017, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 65,200 jobs. The November unemployment rate was five-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.1% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Year-to-date the jobs and labor force estimates indicate a strong and stable economy in the Commonwealth. Since December 2016, Massachusetts is estimated to have added 62,200 jobs, 64,300 more residents are participating in the labor force, and the unemployment rate remains low, averaging 3.8%. November also marks the 13th consecutive month of private-sector job growth, with manufacturing adding 1,600 jobs,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said. The labor force decreased by 8,200 from 3,656,000 in October, as 4,000 fewer residents were employed and 4,200 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased five-tenths of a percentage point from 3.1% in November 2016. There were 18,300 more unemployed residents over the year compared to November 2016. The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 65.4% over the month. The labor-force participation rate over the year has increased by 0.7% compared to November 2016. The largest private-sector percentage job gains over the year were in construction; professional, scientific and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services.

Applications Open for 2018 Local Farmer Awards
AGAWAM — The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in partnership with Big Y and a sponsorship team, announced the fourth year of the Local Farmer Awards, supporting local farmers in Western Mass. with funds for infrastructure improvements and farm equipment. Launched in 2015, the awards draw attention to the importance of local farmers to the region’s economy and health. “Big Y has been supporting local farmers since we began over 80 years ago,” said Charles D’Amour, Big Y president and COO. “Through our partnership with the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, we are providing one more way to help the local growers to thrive in our community.” Awards of up to $2,500 will be given to each recipient farmer. The 2017 awards were made to 49 of the 116 applicants. Essential to the program’s success has been the ongoing advice and assistance from the two regional Buy Local farm advocates, Berkshire Grown and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). “Local family farms are a part of our culture and economy and the reason we call this area home,” said Philip Korman, executive director of CISA. “This unique farm awards program makes it possible for family farms to strengthen that connection in our communities.” Added Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown, “we’re thrilled about the continuation of these financial awards for farmers in Western Massachusetts. This helps build the local food economy in our region.” The application is open through Jan. 31, 2018. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the website for more information: www.farmerawards.org.

DevelopSpringfield Sells 700 State St. to Pride Stores for Redevelopment
SPRINGFIELD — DevelopSpringfield announced the sale of property at the corner of Thompson and State streets to Pride Stores for redevelopment. The site had been identified as a priority for redevelopment in the State Street Corridor Redevelopment Program, a plan focused on the economic revitalization of State Street and adjacent neighborhoods. DevelopSpringfield acquired the former River Inn at 700 State St. in 2013 with adjacent lots on Thompson Street to remove a blight on the neighborhood, promote revitalization, and prepare the site for appropriate commercial redevelopment. The organization performed extensive asbestos remediation, demolished the building, and prepared the site for redevelopment. “We listened closely to the interests of community members, including the Springfield Food Policy Council and the McKnight Neighborhood Council, to identify a developer whose project would meet community needs and be a good neighbor to the many residents near the site,” said Nicholas Fyntrilakis, DevelopSpringfield’s chairman. “Pride’s new store will offer fresh food and produce and address the community’s interests for healthier food options.” Added Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, “this is exactly why my administration created this public/private partnership of DevelopSpringfield. This in-question property had been a troublesome area for the neighborhood for many years. I look forward to the redevelopment of this site with a project that will bring jobs, tax revenue, and a quality retail operator who cares about our community.” The sale of the property was complete on Dec. 15. Construction is targeted to begin in the spring. The new store will include a Pride gas station and convenience store and will feature a variety of convenient food items, Pride Café Bakery, local produce, and fresh healthy food offerings. In addition, incubator space will be provided to a local food entrepreneur. “We are excited to bring Pride Markets to this important area of the State Street corridor,” said Bob Bolduc, owner of Pride Stores. “Not only will the store have the amenities our customers traditionally expect, but it will also have fresh local produce available through an innovative collaboration led by local food advocate Liz O’Gilvie, who will coordinate a farmer’s market on the site.”

MassDOT: $1B Invested in Infrastructure in 2017
BOSTON — The Mass. Department of Transportation announced that approximately $1 billion was invested in improving and upgrading roads, bridges, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and intersections across the state in calendar year 2017. This $1 billion in capital investments included repairs and improvements to 386 bridges in 123 communities and improved road conditions in more than 155 cities and towns across Massachusetts. An additional $30 million was programmed through the Complete Streets and Municipal Small Bridge programs in order to support local transportation planning and community bridges not eligible for federal aid. “The Baker-Polito Administration has focused on improving the reliability and resiliency of our transportation infrastructure to ensure that people throughout the Commonwealth are able to drive, walk, bike, or use public transit and reach the places they need to go,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “By investing in our roads, bridges, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and intersections, we can provide better options to travelers and allow them to utilize their preferred mode of transportation to reach their jobs, homes, businesses, and places that improve their quality of life.” Among the notable construction project highlights from 2017 are reaching the full beneficial use milestone for the $148 million I-91 viaduct rehabilitation project in Springfield approximately eight months ahead of schedule. The majority of the work has now been completed, and the lanes and ramps on I-91 have reopened.

Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Planning and scheduling are crucial for any project, from a small-scale remodel to a complex addition build. No matter the scope, it is important to know what needs to be done, when it needs to happen, and how to accomplish the process. Barron & Jacobs, a Northampton-based design/build/remodeling firm, offers the following considerations to ensure a successful construction project.

• Failing to plan is planning to fail. Chris Jacobs, president of Barron & Jacobs, recommends that a certified licensed contractor be consulted at the onset of the project. In addition to understanding and possessing the skills to execute the build, a professional’s keen design eye can lend itself to the overall concept.

“Homeowners may underestimate the number of steps involved in a build and the amount of time needed to complete the project,” he added. “Many variables exist; for example, permitting can take a day, months, or more, and should be factored in to planning.”

• Great remodeling happens by design. While it is the home or business owner’s responsibility to communicate the objectives of a particular project, it is the responsibility of the designer to prioritize requirements to bring the design to life. This is the stage of the project where the scope will be determined. The use of 3-D CAD and rendering technology can allow the finished project to be viewed even before construction has started.

“One of the benefits of working with Barron & Jacobs are the real-looking renderings we offer as part of our services,” Jacobs said. “Having the benefit of considering the design, particularly over the fall and winter months when many welcome in visitors, will give the homeowners a chance to consider if the design, as laid out, meets their needs. That way, when the project begins in the spring, it does so with everyone’s full confidence.”

• Check references. In addition to calling references, it might behoove a homeowner to visit projects completed by the prospective contractor. If enough time is built in to a project, the fall and winter months lend themselves to car rides to investigate a team’s design aesthetic on completed projects.

As they say, perfection takes time. It is unrealistic to expect an addition to be completed in time for a summer family reunion if the project begins a few weeks prior, in the spring. While there are variables to consider when factoring in the length of a project, there are some estimations that can be offered: attic conversions can take four to eight weeks, kitchen remodels 12 to 16 weeks, and decks one to three weeks.

“If you are considering a home remodel, it is best to approach a professional at least four months prior to your desired completion date,” Jacobs said. “Aside from initiating the process, our team at Barron & Jacobs can ensure a smooth process from concept to completion.”