Construction Archives - Page 32 of 53

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff June 4, 2013

Opinion

Drivers Should Pay for the Roads They Use

Gov. Patrick is displeased with our legislators. Instead of his 10-year, $13 billion transportation plan, supported by an increase in income tax, the Legislature has put forward a more modest approach, making fewer promises for big projects and asking travelers to pay more of the costs of their transportation. However disappointing to Patrick, this more limited approach comes closer to how we ought to be raising money for transportation.
Legislators are dead right to expect commuters — not general taxpayers, who would pay the income tax hike Patrick proposed — to cover the costs of transportation infrastructure.
A key feature of the Legislature’s plan is a modest hike in the state gasoline tax. This approach, Patrick maintains, “taxes the middle class every time they pump a gallon of gas.” But drivers should pay for the cost of their roads. Taxpayers who rarely drive shouldn’t have to subsidize sprawl and long commutes. People will drive too much if they don’t pay for the social costs of driving, including the congestion, pollution, and highway deterioration.
Instead, American taxpayers have long subsidized the automobile. Gas taxes were supposed to fill a federal trust fund used for highway construction. When gas-tax collections fell short, President Obama signed a measure that added more than $16.6 billion in other revenue to the fund. Yet, the effect of building more highways isn’t to reduce congestion, but to encourage more driving. The only way we can make our roads less congested is to charge people to drive, ideally with electronic tolls, but also with gas taxes.
The House proposal to bring tolls back to the westernmost part of the Massachusetts Turnpike is a step forward, not backward. These roads may not be crowded, but they cost money to maintain. My rough estimate, based on state data, suggests that $1.50 per trip is needed to cover those expenses.
For years, transportation planners have taken a rise in the number of long-range commuters as an inevitable fact of life. Indeed, a 2009 study used such an anticipated increase as an argument for the long-proposed South Coast commuter rail line to Fall River and New Bedford. Yet, that assumption need not be true. Most people would live close to work if they paid the full costs of driving — especially if some far-sighted Legislature also limited the local regulations that make it hard to build nearer to Boston.
There are two obvious exceptions to the idea of making transportation users, rather than general taxpayers, pay for infrastructure. One is when a system has large fixed costs of construction and low costs of usage. The other is when a system serves a particularly disadvantaged population, such as the disabled, whom we want to make more mobile. The MBTA’s paratransit program exemplifies this second case for subsidy; the Legislature should ease the MBTA’s budget woes by separately funding that program. The MBTA as a whole meets both criteria for subsidy; it serves the poor and carless, and it has high fixed costs — which helps explain why only 32% of the MBTA’s budget comes from its users.
But the non-Bostonians who complain that outsiders pay too much of the system’s costs also have a point. The fairest way to embrace the ‘user-pay’ principle, while keeping fares low enough to reduce traffic, is to increase the portion of the MBTA’s budget that comes from local property assessments — and reduce the share that comes from statewide sales taxes. To the extent that statewide taxes are involved, they should be targeted toward the costs of poorer passengers, both in Boston and elsewhere. Addressing non-Bostonians’ concerns about subsidizing a system they don’t use will help get a fair transportation bill passed.
More local funding of the MBTA would also move us to a better dialogue about further rail extensions. If New Bedford and Fall River had to pay the full $1.8 billion cost of the proposed South Coast line, they would be far less enthusiastic about it.
In any case, the Legislature is right to reject a vast transportation program funded by income taxes. Patrick proposed a significant gas-tax hike in the past. And if the governor wants to spend billions on transportation infrastructure now, he should once again be open to a plan where drivers pay for the roads they use.

Edward L. Glaeser, a Harvard economist, is director of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston.

Community Profile: West Springfield

By BusinessWest Staff May 21, 2013

Features

West Springfield Aims to Grow, Casino or Not

West Springfield Mayor Greg Neffinger says his city doesn’t need a casino.
But that doesn’t mean he and other municipal and economic-development leaders aren’t excited about the bid put forth by Hard Rock International to site a destination casino on the Eastern States Exposition grounds.
When asked what that would mean, however, Neffinger paused for a moment before bringing up a favorite topic.
“I’ve just lowered taxes for the second time in my budget,” he said, noting that the town, recently saddled with the fifth-highest commercial tax rate in the state, now ranks around 16th, and the mayor would like to drop it further in an effort to attract more companies. “So I feel that West Springfield doesn’t need a casino for its economic vitality.”
Instead, he makes a regional argument for a casino, one that would benefit surrounding communities, including Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and Agawam. “I think the casino in West Springfield should be a regional benefit, and the money that’s generated by the casino should be seen as a benefit to all the communities around us. We’re hoping to partner with all our adjacent communities to see how everyone can see the various benefits from the casino.”
But, just as Springfield officials across the Connecticut River have vowed not to stop growing organically even while they promote a casino bid by MGM Resorts International, Neffinger said his town’s economic growth will not be dependent on a gaming resort.
“We are now developing plans that we feel will be beneficial to West Springfield whether a casino is sited here or not,” he said, noting that a small army of consultants, planners, engineers, and attorneys are discussing the potential of the Big E site.
For instance, “there’s a large, undeveloped industrial area adjacent to the casino site, going from the Big E all the way to the power plant along the Westfield River. We hired a planner, Sasaki Associates out of Watertown, to look at those adjacent properties and see what type of commercial, entertainment, or recreation potential they have — either to enhance the entertainment-destination theme, or things that could be done without a casino.”
Memorial Avenue is only one course on Neffinger’s plate these days. To boost growth across the city, particularly in key areas like Memorial, Riverdale Road, and Westfield Street, he has created new positions for a planning and development director (Doug Mattoon) and an economic development director (currently vacant since Michele Cabral resigned earlier this year), and made efforts to streamline the permitting process and make the town more business-friendly.
The growing West of the River Chamber of Commerce, which encompasses West Springfield and Agawam, has taken notice, said Debra Boronski, president of the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, which manages the West of the River chamber.
“The mayor has been very active, making sure he is present at every event we have, and I think that speaks volumes in regard to him wanting to be connected to the business community,” she said. “He has embraced our quarterly coffee hour with the mayor, and he is always available for those forums as well. He is quite candid about how he feels about West Springfield being a great place to live, work, and do business.”

Architect of Change

Mayor Greg Neffinger says the properties bordering the proposed casino have great potential whether or not West Springfield wins the bid.

Neffinger, a former architect, noted that each of West Side’s major commercial centers has its own character and set of needs. “Westfield Street is more neighborhood businesses, while Riverdale Road has a life of its own; it’s a very popular location, and restaurants, retail, and car dealerships seem to do well there because of all the traffic going through. Places like CVS, Home Depot, and Costco also do well there.”
He conceded, though, that most of the buzz on Riverdale occurs south of Interstate 91, while the northern stretch of the thoroughfare, between the highway and the Holyoke Mall area, could use more development. A number of chain restaurants — Outback, On the Border, Hooters, and Five Guys, to name a few — have succeeded there, and a tenant is looking to move into the former Piccadilly Pub location. “We think that part of Riverdale Road has lots of potential.”
Armed with a larger planning and development team than past administrations have enjoyed, Neffinger expects progress on other fronts as well. Further development of Agawam Avenue Extension is a key goal in a 2005 report on the Merrick-Memorial section of the city — one of many recommendations he wants to set into action.
“We’re doing a whole rezoning of the Merrick section. That was part of the Merrick-Memorial study,” he told BusinessWest. “When we brought in planners to begin looking at it, they found that virtually 100% of the Merrick section was non-conforming, and [developers] would have to go for a special permit, and it’s questionable whether they’d do that. As an architect, I felt that builders, developers, and entrepreneurs would be more attracted to areas of town that were conforming.”
As a result, a new zoning structure for the area should be completed by June, and virtually all the parcels will be conforming, said Neffinger, who said full development of the area could add $1 million to the tax base.
The mayor repeatedly stressed the importance of a robust planning and economic-development staff, and said the town wants to fill Cabral’s position with someone savvy in 21st-century communication.
“We spoke with a number of retired economic-development directors, and I think the way of reaching out to business is changing, with social media and websites,” he explained, “and so we’re hoping that we can get someone with more of a marketing background who can reach out to businesses and let existing businesses know we’re here and we care about them doing business in West Springfield.”
In addition, he and various planning officials are talking about ways they can improve the process by which businesses locate in town. “One of those is electronic permitting, and hopefully, that’ll be in place next month.”
Neffinger said the Town Council is also discussing exempting businesses from taxes on equipment up to $10,000 in value. “We don’t make much on it, and our administrative costs are almost equal to the money that comes in. There’s a lot of paperwork involved for small businesses, so they’ll save some money and time.”

Rolling the Dice
Of course, it’s hard to ignore the prospect of one decidedly large business — that’s Hard Rock — that wants to call West Springfield home.
Boronski noted that the West of the River Chamber surveyed members and non-members alike about their desire for a casino, and based on the results, just last week, the chamber officially endorsed the $800 million Hard Rock proposal.
“Around the state and locally, no chambers of commerce have come out publicly to support a specific casino,” she said. “For the West of the River Chamber board of directors to do this shows that they are willing to put themselves out there and take a position that’s right for economic development.”
Michael Beaudry, who chairs the chamber, said members “are excited about the potential of the Hard Rock project for its impact to our regional economy and to small business in particular. The job creation and payroll will reverberate throughout the area, alongside new tax revenues for property owners and local government.”
He noted that Hard Rock is committed to a buy-local approach to the project. To strengthen ties between a casino and the business community, the chamber is pursuing:
• Development of a small-business network to identify area businesses that may provide goods and services to the casino resort;
• Coordination on a series of vendor fairs to facilitate additional information and communication on goods and services for the gaming facility;
• Affinity programs for casino employees, by which Hard Rock will offer chamber members the opportunity to directly market their services to the anticipated 2,000-plus casino workers; and
• Promotion by Hard Rock of regional destinations, attractions, shopping districts, and hospitality venues. Those efforts might include cooperative group sales, local training for resort personnel, and marketing and advertising.
That emphasis on making sure small businesses benefit from a casino is a theme that hits home with Neffinger.
“I think small businesses are the backbone of all communities,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have some pretty large companies in West Springfield, but for our economy, employment, and the general well-being of the town, I think small businesses are the lifeblood of the community.”

Natural Appeal
Still, the mayor added, “the casino coming in to the Memorial Avenue area would bring in a whole new dynamic.” One of his missions is to make sure the town’s traditional appeals are not lost in the gaming hype.
“I think, when businesses think of relocating in Western Mass., they’re interested in what the quality of life is, what’s the education system like, what the recreation possibilities are,” he said. “We in West Springfield are surrounded by natural beauty — the Connecticut River, the Westfield River, the Holyoke mountain range, Bear Hole Reservoir … we’re pretty much surrounded by natural resources, and I’m really hoping to capitalize on those.”
To that end, “we’ve already begun to do work on Mittineague Park to fix it up, and we took tons of trash out of Bear Hole Reservoir and put a ranger up there. We want that to be a natural resource for the residents of West Springfield.”
Neffinger also considers education a key part of making West Springfield an attractive destination for businesses and families. The construction of a new, $107 million high school, set to open in 2014, is a big part of that. “We’re also working on improving our MCAS scores and our graduation rate,” he told BusinessWest. “These things are very important for people, especially young families, who are thinking of relocating.”
In addition, he said, “we’re not far from skiing, hiking, beaches, Boston, New York … we’re in a very good location.”
In other words, West Springfield has plenty to offer — whether or not Hard Rock gets the chance to light up Memorial Avenue.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Just Passing Through

By BusinessWest Staff May 21, 2013

Sections Travel and Tourism

Robert E. Barrett Fishway Offers Learning Experiences on a Grand Scale

Paul Ducheney says the fishway was the culmination of years of study involving fish behavior, as well as considerable trial and error.

Paul Ducheney acknowledged that it’s difficult to look upon the elaborate, cutting-edge Frank E. Barrett Fishway and grasp that it was inspired by a net and a bucket.
But it was. Well, sort of.
As legend has it in Holyoke, in 1955, an Atlantic salmon was trying to make its way north on the Connecticut River, back to its birthplace to spawn, when it hit what was then a roadblock — the Holyoke Dam. The story goes that an engineer with what was then the Holyoke Water Power Co. caught the confused fish with said net, but then didn’t know what to do with it.
“So they said, ‘well, lets put it in a bucket of water and bring it up over the dam and dump it in,’” explained Ducheney, superintendent for Electric Production at the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department (HG&E), which acquired the dam in 2001. “And that was pretty much the start.”
Today’s Robert E. Barrett Fishway is the result of that ongoing story of how, through the use of exponentially more sophisticated means of fish attraction and larger buckets, HG&E has created a fishlift that has become a model for hydropower systems in this country and around the world.
The two-bucket system carries hundreds of thousands of anadromous fish — those born in fresh water (salmon, smelt, shad, striped bass, and sturgeon are common examples), and spend most of their life in the sea, but return to fresh water to spawn — over the dam each year so they continue their migratory journey north.
And while doing so, it provides powerful lessons to visitors, many of them schoolchildren on field trips, about these fish, hydropower, and how they can coexist.
This was the dream of Robert E. Barrett, former president of the Holyoke Water Power Co., whose imagination and perseverance made it reality.
The current fishway, opened in 1955, hosts more than 11,000 visitors a year between April and June, when the fish make their annual treks north, said Kate Sullivan, marketing coordinator for the HG&E, who told BusinessWest that the facility is still far too much of a best-kept secret from a tourism perspective, and that the utility is working to see that it loses that distinction.
“People are always amazed; they can’t believe this is in their own backyard,” said Sullivan. “And this was part of Robert Barrett’s mission, to make this an educational experience for kids, too.”
For this issue and its focus on travel and tourism, BusinessWest paid a visit to the fishway for an educational experience on a grand scale — in more ways than one.

Current Events

This illustration shows how the fishway enables migratory shad, Atlantic salmon, and other species to be collected, lifted in buckets over the dam, and released.
Illustration by Robert Oxenhorn

As she gave BusinessWest a tour of the facilities, Sullivan said the creation of such facilities to ferry fish over hydroelectric installations became a federal mandate for those seeking to hold licenses for such facilities decades ago, and there are many such lifts operating today.
But the fishway in Holyoke is somewhat unique because of the breadth and depth of the educational opportunities it provides and the large scale of the operation. Indeed, it is said to be most successful fishlift on the Atlantic coast in terms of the number of fish it ferries.
For visitors, it’s an opportunity to see how nature and modern technology can collaborate and create some powerful images.
Once through the entrance of the power station, visitors are led — on the right, past the giant HG&E turbines that harness the river’s power, and, on the left, past a series of historical pictures of the dam and older fish-assisting devices — out to the large outdoor observation deck. Standing high above the Connecticut River on the deck, they get a southern view of the river and the special canal, which shows the two ways fish enter the gathering area by way of a high-velocity water flow that attracts them to the main collection area just under the deck.
Visitors can then turn their attention to the north and experience the sights and sounds of water coming over a section of the dam, next to the lift structure. On the half-hour, a buzzer rings, signaling the start of the fishlift as its two large buckets begin carrying hundreds of fish and water more than 50 feet up and into an exit flume. This is the point where visitors then move inside to see the fish swim by the public viewing windows, giving them the feeling of being underwater with the fish.
Sullivan told BusinessWest that guided school-group tours take about an hour, which includes time for an activity.
“And this is very unique,” added Ducheney. “If you go to other lifts at other dams, they’re sort of separate from the powerhouse, so it’s pretty neat to see power generation integral with fish passage. It’s Holyoke’s best-kept secret.”
But that secret took some time to materialize.

Kate Sullivan says grassroots efforts have helped increase visitorship at the fishway, which is open only a few months a year.

Dams have been built to harness hydropower for centuries, and attempts to help fish on their migratory journeys have been part and parcel to those efforts, but finding a system that works effectively has often been a frustrating matter of trial and considerable error, said Ducheney, noting that Holyoke’s history serves up some good examples.
Since 1794, several dams have been constructed at South Hadley Falls, where the river drops more than 40 feet, and in October 1849, a large ‘timber crib’ dam was constructed, preventing upstream fish migration.
In 1866, Massachusetts enacted legislation requiring the construction of devices to permit passage of shad and salmon, which resulted in the first wooden fish ladder in 1873 — a system designed to replicate nature — on the South Hadley side of the river. However, the ladder was off the beaten path of the fish’s instinctual travels, said Ducheney, and fish passage didn’t go well; in fact, not one fish used any of the early ladders.
In 1900, the current, much larger dam made from Vermont stone was built, and in 1949, HWP received a license from the Federal Power Commission for the Holyoke Hydroelectric Project. As part of the license, HWP was required to “construct, maintain, and operate fish-protection devices.”
Soon after, the aforementioned lucky Atlantic salmon was saved and lifted over the dam. The stiffer federal mandate had engineers building a different type of fish passage because others hadn’t worked. More research into fish behavior resulted in the reason why: fish needed to sense the sound and current of rushing water on their journey, where a dam now stood. The solution was to create a gathering area by way of a high-velocity water flow that attracts the fish to the main collection area just under the deck, and the first lift, using a bucket in 1955, was built under Robert Barrett’s direction — the first successful fishlift in the country.
“It’s very important for the ecosystem,” Ducheney noted. “From a regulatory basis, today we have a mandate from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate the dam, and part of the conditions is to provide for safe and effective fish passage.”
Today, fish can continue upstream migration (if they’re not collected for hatcheries), where fishways further upstream at the smaller Turners Falls, Vernon, and Bellows Falls hydroelectric projects also provide a means to enhance passage for migrating species through a simpler elevated step process.

Hook, Line, and Sinker
When HG&E purchased the Holyoke Dam to operate the hydroelectric facilities and the Holyoke Canal System, more improvements were made to the fishlift, Ducheney explained to BusinessWest.
“It’s automated now, so it runs without operator intervention, and it’s tripled in size, so we can accommodate many more fish,” said Ducheney. “In fact, this lift has become a model for others, including the Susquehanna River and in Japan, China, Brazil, and European countries. Holyoke is pretty well-known for fish passage.”
And the fishlift is a first for something else that’s important.
“Literally, every fish is counted,” said Sullivan, noting that the Holyoke Dam is the first that fish encounter as they move north from Long Island Sound, so keeping accurate inventory is critical to tracking what happens to fish before and after they get to the Paper City.
The counters are biology students from Holyoke Community College who click a designated counter for each species of fish in a special viewing room just past the public viewing windows; its another form of educational experience of which Barrett would be proud.
Since the official counts started in 1965, the most prolific years for fish passage were in 1985 and 1992, at more than 1 million fish. In 2012, more than 500,000, mainly shad, were lifted over the dam.
Shad, said Ducheney, is a river herring, and while that may not sound delectable, he noted that shad is actually on the menu at New York’s famous Tavern on the Green restaurant at this time of year.
But restaurants aren’t the only interested parties when it comes to shad. The annual HG&E Shad Derby, one of the region’s largest fishing events, is held on two weekends in May and offers nearly 600 anglers of all ages the opportunity to win cash prizes and write plenty of their own fish stories as they enjoy the recreational benefits of the Connecticut River.
Marketing funds are tight, Sullivan said, so getting the word out about the fishway is a struggle. But thanks to HG&E’s newsletter to 18,000 customers, as well as more comprehensive grassroots efforts over the past couple of years to increase awareness of the facility, visitation has increased.
In just a short window of six weeks, from late April to mid-June, more than 11,000 visitors came through the fishlift last year, 2,000 more than in 2011, said Sullivan, noting that many of them are students from across the region.
The fishlift is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until June 16, due to the spawning season each spring. Also open on Memorial Day, the facility offers visitors of all ages a unique combination of science through tourism, and a chance to tell a real fish story about the ones that got away — or at least further upstream.

Elizabeth Taras can be reached at [email protected]

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff May 21, 2013

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of May 2013.

AGAWAM

American Tower Corporation
1804 Main St.
$12,500 — Exterior renovation

Bragaraus, LLC
60 North Westfield St.
$12,500 — Construction of a unisex handicap bathroom

Pioneer Tool
40 Bowles Road
$33,000 — Re-roof

CHICOPEE

Birch Manor
44 New Lombard Road
$20,000 — Insulate main building

Van Guard Consignment
450 New Ludlow Road
$12,800 — New roof

GREENFIELD

Fair Business, LLC
74 Fairview St.
$58,000 — New roof

Greenfield Corporate Center
101 Munson St.
$25,000 — New sprinkler system and renovations for new tenant

Super 8 Motel
21 Colrain Road
$2,000 — Install new door

Town of Greenfield
1 Lenox Ave.
$38,220,000 — Construct new 160,650-square-foot school

Town of Greenfield
1 Lenox Ave.
$51,000 — Create temporary entrance during construction of new high school

Quickfoods IV, LLC
461 Bernardston Road
$31,500 — New roof

HOLYOKE

O’Connell Development Group
15 Holyoke St.
$285,000 — Renovate existing retail space for Ulta Beauty

LUDLOW

Dave’s Pet City
433 Center St.
$26,000 — Alterations

Wing Memorial Hospital
34 Hubbard St.
$4,800 — Alterations

PALMER

Pride
1045 Thorndike St.
$5,000 — Alterations in store

Town of Palmer
4419 Main St.
$5,865,000 — Construction of a new police station

SOUTH HADLEY

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$20,000 — Install new canopy

SPRINGFIELD

Center Street Housing Inc.
71 Adams St.
$1,500,000 — Renovations

International Valve & Instrument
992 Bay St.
$24,000 — New roof

Kimball Tower Condominiums
140 Chestnut St.
$122,000 — First floor alterations

Mercy Hospital
233 Carey St.
$80,000 — First-floor renovations for new day rehabilitation facility

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Aldi Mart
903 Riverdale St.
$1,010,000 — Construct 16,202-square-foot commercial structure

Costco Wholesale
119 Daggett Dr.
$779,000 — Erect a 2,995-square-foot addition

FiberMark
70 Front St.
$88,000 — Renovate fourth-floor bathrooms

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff May 21, 2013

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

157 Steady Lane
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Roger E. Howes
Seller: John D. Kendrick
Date: 04/08/13

BERNARDSTON

42 South St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: William J. McGuirk
Seller: Linda A. Morey
Date: 04/19/13

BUCKLAND

73 Avery Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Maya Nayak
Seller: Katherine E. Brown
Date: 04/16/13

CHARLEMONT

49 Harmony Hts.
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Timothy Flaherty
Seller: Ronald M. Mansi
Date: 04/17/13

CONWAY

238 Warger Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $511,649
Buyer: Greenfield Savings Bank
Seller: Wesley B. Rowe
Date: 04/11/13

GREENFIELD

14 Cypress St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: William W. Schmidt
Seller: Bruce W. Vought
Date: 04/11/13

324 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: 151 Federla Street LLC
Seller: Irene Dejackome
Date: 04/19/13

59 Fort Square
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Edward F. Maeder
Seller: Welenc IRT
Date: 04/08/13

46 French King Hwy.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $145,900
Buyer: Teresa Conti
Seller: Stephen R. McCabe
Date: 04/16/13

19 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Tom Friedman
Seller: Stephen Sears LT
Date: 04/08/13

142 Oakland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Tsetan D. Thingdutsang
Seller: John D. Petrin
Date: 04/19/13

12 Prospect St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $118,500
Buyer: Stephen Poulin
Seller: Eaton FT
Date: 04/12/13

Route 2
Greenfield, MA 01376
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Franklin Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Wesley B. Rowe
Date: 04/10/13

27 Severance St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Eddie Martinez
Seller: James R. Knightly
Date: 04/12/13

ORANGE

150 Fountain St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Aaron T. Gannon
Seller: Adam M. Bouchard
Date: 04/17/13

SUNDERLAND

166 Old Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $218,500
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Seller: Brandts, Cynthia L., (Estate)
Date: 04/19/13

47 South Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kenneth D. Arnold
Seller: Hubbard, Eleanor S., (Estate)
Date: 04/19/13

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

55 Annable St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: MHFA
Seller: Joao Oliveira
Date: 04/08/13

70 Arbor Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $231,100
Buyer: Gerard R. Boucher
Seller: Lynn A. Gelineau
Date: 04/10/13

25 Barbara Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Mark A. Jamgochian
Seller: Martina Pocaterra
Date: 04/12/13

75 Fox Farm Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $174,100
Buyer: Johnathan S. Torres
Seller: Gifford, Donald L., (Estate)
Date: 04/19/13

22 Plumtree Way
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Fallah Razzak
Seller: Anthony D. Feato
Date: 04/09/13

181 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $165,274
Buyer: USA HUD
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 04/10/13

BRIMFIELD

15 Oakwood Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $149,836
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Theresa R. Willoughby
Date: 04/10/13

CHICOPEE

11 Burton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mark A. Haryasz
Seller: Patricia Cossaboom
Date: 04/10/13

378 Dale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Melissa K. Wackerbarth
Seller: Jeanne M. Boutelle
Date: 04/19/13

340 Grove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Sarah B. Fisher
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 04/19/13

7 Lucretia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Trudiann Pinnock
Seller: Brian Kolodziej
Date: 04/12/13

7 Montello Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Joshua H. Laplante
Seller: Robert W. Landry
Date: 04/17/13

EAST LONGMEADOW

28 Brookhaven Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Wayne D. Michaelian
Seller: John F. Ascioti
Date: 04/11/13

37 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $121,500
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: David Evans
Date: 04/12/13

49 Holy Cross Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Ian A. Bracht
Seller: David G. Bareiss
Date: 04/12/13

14 Lombard Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Paige Moylan
Seller: Eileen A. Verteramo
Date: 04/11/13

HAMPDEN

188 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Kristin J. Desilets
Seller: Rosella Whitney
Date: 04/12/13

10 Glendale View Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $950,000
Buyer: Barbara A. Greco
Seller: James W. Hoerle
Date: 04/12/13

39 Mill Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $267,500
Buyer: Jonathan Caruana
Seller: Scott W. Brubach
Date: 04/12/13

HOLYOKE

14 Bray Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Carrasquillo
Seller: Marie D. Worwood
Date: 04/19/13

18 Canby St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $123,500
Buyer: Alexandra T. Samets
Seller: Adam R. Methot
Date: 04/17/13

38 Claren Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Sara A. Hayden
Seller: Donald L. Kooken
Date: 04/16/13

1 Country Club Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $2,500,000
Buyer: D Hotel & Suites Inc.
Seller: Holyoke Hotels LLC
Date: 04/16/13

1035 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: John A. Tart
Seller: Clifford W. Laraway
Date: 04/17/13

44 Laurel St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Clara W. James
Seller: Cynthia A. Teel
Date: 04/12/13

193 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Gary W. Keefe
Seller: Nancy L. Osgood
Date: 04/11/13

5 Woodbridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Joseph F. Griffin
Seller: Joseph F. Griffin
Date: 04/16/13

LONGMEADOW

187 Cedar Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $222,900
Buyer: Gloyd D. Kimball
Seller: Freya J. Wolk
Date: 04/12/13

24 Fairfield Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: David J. Lecours
Seller: Jane F. Woodward
Date: 04/17/13

83 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Amy Monroe
Seller: Annie L. Zomermaand
Date: 04/08/13

69 South Park Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $237,900
Buyer: Bruce D. Haskins
Seller: Lisa K. Reilly
Date: 04/19/13

119 Thresher Road
Longmeadow, MA 01036
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Nicholas M. Tangredi
Seller: Mark G. Pearlman
Date: 04/10/13

LUDLOW

69 Aldo Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: Mark C. Howe
Seller: Scotty L. Afonso
Date: 04/16/13

Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Jason C. Martins
Seller: Rosewood Meadows Inc.
Date: 04/17/13

253 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Helder D. Santos
Seller: Peter C. & Joyce A. Shaw RT
Date: 04/16/13

107 Coolidge Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $117,500
Buyer: Ryan N. Merceri
Seller: Joseph A. Barbieri
Date: 04/08/13

19 Daisy Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Elin M. Zapka
Seller: Ireneu Freitas
Date: 04/11/13

N/A
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $251,000
Seller: Jason C. Martins
Date: 04/17/13

181 Pine St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Nicole K. Santos
Seller: Robert A. Sousa
Date: 04/19/13

MONSON

15 Hospital Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Beesh Sports LLC
Seller: River Hollow LLC
Date: 04/17/13

14 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $140,900
Buyer: James P. Moran
Seller: Marc A. Pelissier
Date: 04/10/13

313 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Christian M. Gainer
Seller: Thomas O. Moore
Date: 04/16/13

29 Stafford Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Richard H. Casler
Seller: Debra M. Jean
Date: 04/17/13

26 Stebbins Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: David E. Cote
Seller: John P. Lanucha
Date: 04/19/13

PALMER

2090 Oak St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $152,794
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Arlene L. Domey
Date: 04/17/13

PALMER

6 Caroline Circle
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Henry C. Lomba
Seller: Jeffrey P. Harris
Date: 04/08/13

2002 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Louis A. Brodeur
Seller: Valtelhas, Sophie J., (Estate)
Date: 04/12/13

SPRINGFIELD

307 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Donna Dunn
Seller: Barrett, Beatrice V., (Estate)
Date: 04/19/13

97 Avery St. #134
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Franklyn Torres
Seller: Elaine C. Graham
Date: 04/19/13
1333 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Salvatore A. Scibelli
Seller: Salvatore A. Scibelli
Date: 04/11/13

5 Caldwell Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Seller: Priscilla M. Schissel
Date: 04/17/13

149 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $180,159
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Kim M. Santinello
Date: 04/12/13

34 Dewey St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $132,910
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Richard Cruz
Date: 04/11/13

180 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $139,500
Buyer: Cynthia A. Galas
Seller: Pawel Misniakiewicz
Date: 04/08/13

117 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Jessie L. Scribner
Seller: Foster, Jane M., (Estate)
Date: 04/16/13

56 Felicia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Jose D. Pacheco
Seller: Henry C. Lomba
Date: 04/08/13

22 Hobart St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Seller: Priscilla M. Schissel
Date: 04/17/13

23 Mary St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $117,500
Buyer: John M. Friedson
Seller: Maroney RE Investments
Date: 04/16/13

56 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Kevin D. McCabe
Seller: Brian R. Wallace
Date: 04/17/13

43 Ontario St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Luis A. Torres
Seller: Jorge L. Colon
Date: 04/16/13

100 Perkins St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $151,250
Buyer: Connor M. Knightly
Seller: Julia A. Cross
Date: 04/17/13

82 Pheasant Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Dawn M. Triplett
Seller: Peter J. Ngige-Njenga
Date: 04/10/13

286 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Nicole T. Baker
Seller: Surtan Reatly LLP
Date: 04/19/13

42 Sylvan St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $117,500
Buyer: Carmen Rodriguez
Seller: Harvey Skerker
Date: 04/09/13

23 Tanglewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Eric Podgurski
Seller: Thomas J. Bonavita
Date: 04/18/13

115 Wrenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $176,464
Buyer: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Seller: John C. Eggleston
Date: 04/16/13

SOUTHWICK

16 Fenton Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: B&E Aricraft Component
Seller: Igor Babinov
Date: 04/10/13

1 Gillette Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Donald Nooney
Seller: Carole A. Hardick
Date: 04/10/13

26 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Kelly J. Duncan
Seller: FHLM
Date: 04/12/13

TOLLAND

305 Moreau Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $2,100,000
Buyer: Shores Museum Tower QPRT
Seller: Kenneth M. Poovey
Date: 04/16/13

54 Ona Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Shores Museum Tower QPRT
Seller: Kenneth M. Poovey
Date: 04/16/13

WALES

32 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $187,900
Buyer: David W. Fish
Seller: Steven W. Beyor
Date: 04/17/13

WEST SPRINGFIELD

30 Crestview Dr.
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Stephen L. Holstrom
Seller: Gene J. Galuszka
Date: 04/16/13

258 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: St.Francis De Salles LLC
Seller: Robert J. Schroeter
Date: 04/18/13

60 Mulcahy Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $497,000
Buyer: Robert J. Brodeur
Seller: Francis Wheeler Construction Inc.
Date: 04/08/13

117 Sibley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Paul R. Dickey
Seller: Kenneth G. Aubrey
Date: 04/11/13

59 Sprague St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Maria N. Ayala
Seller: RAK Realty Assocs. LLC
Date: 04/12/13

12 Therese Marie Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Svc Net Inc.
Seller: Robert J. Brodeur
Date: 04/08/13

23 Thomas Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Vyacheslav Dadayev
Seller: David H. Stahelski
Date: 04/19/13

115 York St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: York Street Realty LLC
Seller: Orograin Bakeries Sales
Date: 04/18/13

WESTFIELD

215 Bates Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Richard A. Grabiec
Seller: John A. Wallace
Date: 04/18/13

63 Crane Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Jeremy J. Moquin
Seller: Ryan W. Taylor
Date: 04/18/13

44 Darby Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jorge M. Delgado
Seller: Kathleen Puza
Date: 04/17/13

240 Eastwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Lisa A. Saltmarsh
Seller: Daniel Lech
Date: 04/12/13

75 Eastwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michael F. Messier
Seller: Kevin Malloy
Date: 04/12/13

28 Fowler Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Geoffrey C. Oldmixon
Seller: Maureen Wrobleski
Date: 04/17/13

88 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Martindell
Seller: Corriveau, Joanne F., (Estate)
Date: 04/09/13

59 Llewellyn Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Alexandra M. Tremblay
Seller: Stanley W. Stevens
Date: 04/17/13

10 Madison St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $128,900
Buyer: Charles Michaud
Seller: Bertrand, Patricia A., (Estate)
Date: 04/12/13

20 Oak Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $199,500
Buyer: Paul J. Boulanger
Seller: Genovese, Samuel C., (Estate)
Date: 04/10/13

155 Paper Mill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Seth Lamountain
Seller: Kimberly L. Gibney
Date: 04/16/13

155 Root Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Kevin W. Connolly
Seller: April J. Williams
Date: 04/11/13

49 Rosedell Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Michele L. Cardinal
Seller: Rosetta Grimm
Date: 04/16/13

130 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Marc J. Longtin
Seller: Catherine C. Berry
Date: 04/19/13

37 Summit Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $202,900
Buyer: Orlando Huertas
Seller: Daniel H. Knights
Date: 04/19/13

22 Wood Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Lance M. Phillips
Seller: Douglas E. Allard
Date: 04/12/13

124 Woodcliff Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $409,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Williams
Seller: Carolyn M. Hartt
Date: 04/11/13

WILBRAHAM

9 Brookside Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Patricia E. Perkins
Seller: Warren E. Newhouse
Date: 04/19/13

1 McIntosh Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $314,250
Buyer: Brian P. O’Connor
Seller: Paul A. Schreiner
Date: 04/16/13

28 Red Bridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Jeff W. Farnsworth
Seller: Robert G. Table
Date: 04/16/13

10 Stonington Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Peter D. Martins
Seller: Silo Farm Assocs. LLC
Date: 04/09/13

635 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Masada RT
Seller: Michael J. Sambor
Date: 04/10/13

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

48 Dana St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $367,500
Buyer: George D. Nichols
Seller: Patrick E. Brock
Date: 04/17/13

186 Harkness Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Servicenet Inc.
Seller: James J. Bess
Date: 04/17/13

112 Heatherstone Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Elizabeth B. Parker
Seller: Ivan S. Chow
Date: 04/12/13

241 Pomeroy Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Courtney J. Platt
Seller: George, John W., (Estate)
Date: 04/12/13

BELCHERTOWN

72 Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Marian T. Goodhin
Seller: Brenda M. Martin
Date: 04/09/13

17 Bay Path Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $199,300
Buyer: Vincent J. Tran
Seller: US Bank NA
Date: 04/17/13

6 Country Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $168,500
Buyer: Gregg D. Wing
Seller: Stephen F. George
Date: 04/12/13

48 Fletcher Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Keith M. Frazier
Seller: Michael F. Kobus
Date: 04/12/13

Gold St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Town Of Belchertown
Seller: Kestrel Land Trust
Date: 04/10/13

154 Gold St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Tina L. Agustine
Seller: Tony P. Hill
Date: 04/18/13

62 Mountain View Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kyle Savage
Seller: Delfina M. Stevens
Date: 04/12/13

40 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $334,900
Buyer: Allan A. Ruell
Date: 04/17/13

CUMMINGTON

3 Bates Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $157,593
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: William Lefleur
Date: 04/16/13

EASTHAMPTON

8 Arthur St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: James Duffy
Seller: Chad E. Gagne
Date: 04/10/13

21 Exeter St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Lindsay R. Barron
Seller: Stanley J. Kwiecinski
Date: 04/12/13

7 Lownds Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Steven M. Bilodeau
Seller: Joshua D. Driver
Date: 04/08/13

O’Neil St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Easthampton Savings Bank
Seller: Autumn Props. LLC
Date: 04/19/13

36 Strong St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Todd T. Dineen
Seller: John B. Anz
Date: 04/18/13

3 Summit Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Lori J. Carrier
Seller: Pauline E. Carrier
Date: 04/12/13

65 Taft Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Sage C. McKnight
Seller: Patricia H. Nadeau
Date: 04/17/13

36 Ward Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $175,400
Buyer: Eve S. Eichwald
Seller: Julie A. Laurence
Date: 04/08/13

14 Water Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Katie M. Spaulding
Seller: Wilfred J. Buri
Date: 04/08/13

40 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Bialy Dom Farm LLC
Seller: Diane K. Grzeskowicz
Date: 04/08/13

GRANBY

7 Greenmeadow Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $150,100
Buyer: Kevin R. Gendreau
Seller: FNMA
Date: 04/16/13

16 Hubbard Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Donald L. Derosia
Seller: Country Bank for Savings
Date: 04/10/13

129 South St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Whitacre
Seller: Gail D. Cosby
Date: 04/16/13

HATFIELD

115 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Florence M. Brisbois
Seller: Hatfield Village LLC
Date: 04/19/13

HUNTINGTON

4 Birchwood Dr.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Kevin A. Perrier
Seller: Crown Meadow Corp.
Date: 04/12/13

NORTHAMPTON

77 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $449,000
Seller: Wright Builders Inc.
Date: 04/16/13

Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Hampshire Property Mgmt. Group
Seller: Emerson Way LLC
Date: 04/18/13

28 Fox Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Christopher R. Amato
Seller: Patrick J. Mahoney
Date: 04/16/13

Front St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Colin J. Hoyt
Seller: Shel Horowitz
Date: 04/08/13

43 Rick Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Bonnie S. May
Seller: Renee A. Ceno
Date: 04/19/13

49 Woodlawn Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Joel W. Wolfe
Seller: Margaret S. Zelljadt
Date: 04/19/13

SOUTH HADLEY

35 Applewood Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Michael F. Kobus
Seller: Tonelli, Raymond J., (Estate)
Date: 04/12/13

45 Ashton Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: John B. Anz
Seller: Joni H. Zubi
Date: 04/18/13

7 Cedar Rdg
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Joshua D. Driver
Seller: Elizabeth Mazzocco
Date: 04/08/13

46 East Red Bridge Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $409,000
Buyer: David W. Scruggs
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 04/19/13

42 Hillside Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Nicholas Dube
Seller: Adam Boyer
Date: 04/12/13

60 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $221,568
Buyer: Robert A. Carrier
Seller: Alexander Desrosiers
Date: 04/17/13

36 Red Bridge Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $428,900
Buyer: Scott G. Newman
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 04/12/13

SOUTHAMPTON

67 Gllbert Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Joy A. Tailefer
Seller: Czelusniak Custom Homes
Date: 04/18/13

WARE

43 Moriarty Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Melissa L. Kratovil
Seller: Lisa M. Kerr
Date: 04/19/13

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff May 21, 2013

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

Amherst Landlords Association Inc., 1040 North Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. Stephan Walczak, same. Association designed to represent and advance the interests of landlords in Massachusetts.

BELCHERTOWN

Advantech Consultants MSP Inc., 40 Emily Lane, Belchertown, MA 01007. Crystal Calouro, same. IT management and consulting services.

CHICOPEE

Becki Martin Photography, 32 Freedom St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Rebecca Martin, same. Photography services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Burke Restoration Inc., 23 Sanford St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Restoration services.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Bachelorista Inc., 507 Main St., Suite 4 Great Barrington, MA 01230. Monica Bossinger, same. Retail sales of books, clothing, seminars, and videos.

LEE

ACC Building & Remodeling Inc., 75 Prospect St., Lee, MA 01238. Andrew Vuolo Sr., same. Remodeling.

LUDLOW

Aube Precision Tool Co. Inc., 54 Moody St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Michael Elkhay, same.

B and S Paving and Construction Inc., 145 Booth St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Maria Baltzar, 176 Stony Hill Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Paving and construction business and all related activities.

NORTHAMPTON

Al-Hamd Inc., 8 Green St., #10, Northampton, MA 01063. Maqbool Babar, 151 Church St., Barrington, R.I., 02806. Retail convenience store.

Atw Media, 7 Pleasant St., Suite 3, Northampton, MA 01060. Aaron Taylor-Waldman, same. Consulting services for small business owners.

SOUTHAMPTON

Alen Express Inc., 20 Helen Dr., Southampton, MA 01073. Yelena Krasun, same. Company operating specialty and dedicated services of transporting foods, commercial goods, vehicles, and other commodities via flatbed, container, and heavy hauling trailers on a for-hire basis.

Blue Paws Inc., 19 Helen Dr., Southampton, MA 01073. Jonathan Neumann, same. Restaurant and tavern.

SPRINGFIELD

All-In Labor Inc., 99 Arnold Ave., Springfield, MA 01119. Francis Mirkin, 72 Brookside Drive, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Provides contract labor to building/demo industry.

Bizzy Landscaping Inc., 95 Cliftwood St., 1L, Springfield, MA 01073. Berge Bernadeau, same. Landscaping services.

WARE

Align Hypnosis Inc., 18 Kingsberry Lane, Ware, MA 01082. Basil Allen Roman, 94 Sczygiel Road, Ware, MA 01082. To help people to improve their quality of life through hypnotherapy and hypnosis.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff May 21, 2013

Briefcase Departments

Grants Awarded for Municipal Water Projects
BOSTON — The Mass. Water Pollution Abatement Trust (MWPAT) announced the approval of more than $6 million in need-based principal-forgiveness grants on 20 water infrastructure loans from across the state. “This money will deliver relief to communities struggling to finance key water projects that provide for the health and well-being of their citizens,” said state Treasurer Steven Grossman, who serves as the chairman of the MWPAT. “This funding frees up additional capital to go to other important local priorities, such as transportation infrastructure, education, and public safety.” The 20 grants, administered by the state and funded by the federal government, were awarded on a competitive basis to cities and towns most in need of financial assistance associated with loan payments to the MWPAT. Because of the reduction of loan principal funded by the grants, impacted communities will see their biannual loan payments reduced, freeing up capital for other local needs. The loans were originated to pay for municipal water projects such as upgrades to water-treatment facilities and stormwater and sewer improvement projects. “As Governor Patrick has so clearly pointed out, the Commonwealth has a significant and expensive backlog of water infrastructure projects to address in order to fully protect the environment and the public health,” said Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell of the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection, who serves on the MWPAT board. “I am pleased to join our trust partners to provide this assistance to these communities to make their projects more affordable.” The $6 million in loan forgiveness is associated with a total original loan amount of $98 million, an overall principal reduction of 6%. “As the executive director of the trust, I am excited to announce $6 million in principal forgiveness to these communities that have shown a strong commitment to improving their water infrastructure,” said Sue Perez. “This award represents our third year providing principal forgiveness, and to date we have awarded roughly $33 million in principal forgiveness under this program.” The MWPAT lends financial assistance to the Commonwealth under the State Revolving Fund program by providing subsidized loans to cities and towns for water-infrastructure development. Since its establishment in 1989, the trust has loaned approximately $6 billion to improve and maintain the quality of water in the Commonwealth. An estimated 97% of Massachusetts’ citizens have benefited from the MWPAT’s financial assistance.

Massachusetts Economy Shows Positive Signs
BOSTON — After a period of lackluster economic growth, the Massachusetts economy sprang to life in the first three months of this year as hiring increased, incomes rose, and consumer spending rebounded, according to a new report by the University of Massachusetts and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The state’s economy grew at an annual rate of 3.9% between January and March, accelerating from 2.4% at the end of last year and outpacing the national economic growth rate of 2.5% during the three-month period. The state has recovered from the Great Recession faster than the nation as a whole, regaining as of January all the jobs lost in the downturn even as U.S. employment remains millions of jobs below the pre-recession peak. That has helped boost incomes here, which have been further supported by the strong stock market and rising home values, leading to stronger consumer spending. In fact, spending on discretionary purchases, including TVs, furniture, appliances, and motor vehicles, grew at an annual rate of 11.6%. The Massachusetts economy seems to have responded to the resolution of November’s elections and the ensuing budget battles and ‘fiscal cliff,’ but the UMass report noted that risks to the economy remain. Specifically, Massachusetts is particularly vulnerable to across-the-board sequestration cuts because the state receives billions annually in federal defense and research spending. The spending cuts, which took effect in March, have already led to slower hiring in many of the state’s key industries, including healthcare, higher education, and research and development.

Three Local Agencies Benefit from MMS Grants
WALTHAM — Three agencies in Western Mass. Are among 12 to receive grants from the Mass. Medical Society & Alliance Charitable Foundation as part of its 2013 allocations. The 12 grants total $160,000 and will help to support health and medical services that address vision care, healthy lifestyles, asthma reduction, prevention and screening services, and primary care for the uninsured. Eight agencies are receiving grants for the first time, while four have previously been awarded grants from the foundation. Community Health Programs of Great Barrington was awarded $35,000 to outfit a medical van with equipment to provide a mobile ophthalmic office that will offer patients of all ages comprehensive screening, diagnosis, and treatment for eye diseases. The van will focus care on populations that are disadvantaged due to mobility, health, or economic reasons. The agency serves people throughout Berkshire County. Amherst Survival Center Free Medical Clinic was awarded $15,000 to hire a part-time clinic manager to oversee expansion of the agency’s operation. The clinic serves more than 500 individuals in Hampshire and Franklin counties. This is the second grant to the agency from the foundation; it previously received $15,000 in 2011. Greater Westfield Free Health Services received $5,000 to support free health services for residents in the Westfield area who are uninsured or underinsured. Other recipients in Massachusetts include Heywood Hospital, Gardner, $20,000; UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, $15,000; Girls Inc., Worcester, $10,000; Metro West Free Medical Program, Sudbury, $10,000; Children’s Health Care and Nutritional Goals through Education, Shrewsbury, $10,000; Restoring Sight International, West Roxbury, $15,000; the Family Van Program, Roxbury, $10,000; Upham’s Corner Health Center, Dorchester, $10,000; and the Sharewood Project, Malden, $5,000. The foundation is a supporting organization of the Mass. Medical Society, the statewide association of physicians, and the MMS Alliance is the organization of physicians’ spouses committed to promoting good health among the citizens of Massachusetts. The foundation’s mission is to support the charitable and educational activities of the society and alliance and address issues affecting the health, benefit, and welfare of the community.

Springfield Museums Receives Prestigious Accreditation
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums recently announced that, after a two-year process, the nonprofit organization has received prestigious accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum or museum consortium. Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, only about 1,000 (or 6%) are currently accredited. Accreditation places the Springfield Museums in the same class as institutions like the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, and the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown. To be accredited signifies a museum meets or exceeds the standards and best practices of the museum field in all aspects of its operation — collections stewardship, community engagement, financial stability, governance, and security. Accreditation is often a prerequisite for, or integral to, loans of objects from other museums nationally and internationally, funding from many philanthropies and foundations, and support from local, municipal, and state government. Longtime private donors, elected officials, and museums staff and board members joined in a celebratory announcement at the Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts. According to Holly Smith-Bove, museums president, the museums draw a quarter-million visitors each year and add an estimated $28 million per year in tourism dollars into the region. The campus off State and Chestnut streets includes the Museum of Fine Arts, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, the Museum of Springfield History, and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. Accredited museums encompass the breadth of America’s museums that celebrate and display all forms of art, history, historic sites, natural history, science and technology centers, public and botanic gardens, zoos, and aquariums.

Construction Industry Loses 6,000 Jobs in April
The U.S. construction industry lost 6,000 jobs in April, according to the May 3 employment report by the U.S. Department of Labor, but the unemployment rate decreased to 13.2%, down from 14.7% in March and 14.5% in April 2012. Year over year, the construction industry has added 154,000 jobs, or 1.7%. The decline in unemployment is likely due to seasonality rather than meaningful improvement in underlying construction labor market conditions. The non-residential building sector lost 4,800 jobs for the month, but has added 17,700, or 2.7%, over the last year. The residential building sector added 6,200 jobs in April and has added 14,400 jobs, or 2.5%, year over year. Non-residential specialty trade contractor employment fell by 11,100 jobs in April compared to March, but is still up by 39,000 jobs, or 1.9%, compared to the same time last year. Residential specialty trade contractors added 7,100 jobs for the month and have added 69,300 jobs, or 4.7%, since April 2012. Heavy and civil engineering construction employment slipped by 3,800 jobs in April, but is up by 13,400 jobs, or 1.5%, over the last 12 months. Across all industries, the nation added 165,000 jobs, with the private sector expanding by 176,000 jobs and the public sector shrinking by 11,000 jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ household survey, the national unemployment rate fell to 7.5% in April, down from 7.6% in March. “Today’s report highlights the fact that different forms of economic activity require different levels of confidence,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Leading the way in job creation in April were segments such as leisure/hospitality and retail trade. It doesn’t take that much confidence to take a short cruise or eat at a restaurant; however, it takes a considerable level of confidence to move forward with a significant construction project, and that level of confidence is still lacking. “The recent construction spending report issued by the U.S. Census Bureau showed that both public and private nonresidential construction were down for the month, indicating that sustained momentum continues to elude the industry.” Today’s employment report reinforces the notion that sustained recovery remains elusive,” Basu said. “While non-residential construction employment is up by nearly 56,700 jobs on a year-over-year basis, the segment shed 15,900 positions in April. Further declines are possible in the near term given weak construction spending dynamics and the anticipated impacts of sequestration on construction starts.”

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff May 21, 2013

Company Notebook Departments

United Bank to Expand Longmeadow Branch
LONGMEADOW — Richard Collins, president and CEO of United Bank, announced recently that the bank will soon begin a significant expansion of its current branch located in the Longmeadow Shops on Bliss Road. “When the landlord, Grove Property Management, offered us the additional space next door to our existing branch, we jumped at the offer,” said Collins. “We have been in Longmeadow since 1997 and have been delighted by the warm reception given to us by the community. We opened our existing branch in the Longmeadow Shops in 2001. We believe that the Shops provides an excellent location for us to serve the banking needs of the Longmeadow community.” Collins said the future branch will be a financial center complete with retail banking, mortgages, commercial services, and business lending, as well as wealth-management and financial-planning representatives. “We understand the needs of the Longmeadow community,” said Jeff Sullivan, chief operating officer. “This expansion gives us the opportunity to create a new financial center that can serve all of the community’s needs in one convenient location.” According to Sullivan, the future branch will include a larger lobby, private offices, a walk-up ATM, and safe-deposit boxes. The branch expansion is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year, with a grand opening in early 2014. The present branch will remain open during the renovations. The promotion of current Longmeadow Shops branch Personal Banker Teresa Parker to the position of Springfield Region mortgage originator was also announced recently. She will work from the current Longmeadow Shops location in her new position. Personal Banker Nicole Skelly will transfer from East Longmeadow to the Longmeadow branch to fill that position.

NorthEast Solar Launches New Website
NORTHAMPTON — A new website (www.northeast-solar.com) and brand launched recently by NorthEast Solar reflects the company’s innovative approach to solar design and installation for homes, businesses, and farms, said the company’s president, Greg Garrison. “Our new brand reflects the fact that trust and a local leader is at the core of who we are and what we represent in the Pioneer Valley and beyond,” he explained. “Our leadership in the region comes from our unique solar-installation design work, but also from the fact that we live and work in the Pioneer Valley, and people know us and trust us to simplify the installation process.” The timing of the new brand parallels a rising awareness that Massachusetts is a national solar leader with strong incentive programs, he added, making solar power a cost-competitive electricity source. “If the solar industry can prove to residents and businesses across the Valley that solar is cost-effective, simple to install, and fits with the character of their town, then we will install a lot more solar.”

Tighe & Bond Moves Up in Design Firm Rankings
WESTFIELD — Last month, the Engineering News-Record (ENR) again ranked Tighe & Bond among the top 500 design firms in the nation, as it has for more than 10 consecutive years. ENR ranks companies on the previous year’s gross revenue for providing design services to domestic and international markets. This year marked a substantial bump for the firm, as it claimed the 250 spot in ENR’s 2013 report, which exceeds last year’s standing at 272. “Substantial growth across nearly all of our markets and an extension of our geographic reach drove last year’s record revenue,” said David Pinsky, president of Tighe & Bond. “We also significantly expanded our staff to provide existing and new clients with increasingly responsive and integrated services.”

Hampden Bancorp Reports Income Increase, Declares Cash Dividend
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Hampden Bank, recently announced the results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31. The company also announced that the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per common share, payable on May 31, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2013. The company had a $249,000 increase in net income for that nine months to $2.4 million, or $0.42 per fully diluted share, as compared to $2.1 million, or $0.35 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2012. The company had a decrease in net interest income of $131,000 for those nine months, compared to the same period in 2012. For the nine-month period ended March 31, 2013, interest expense decreased by $175,000, or 4.0%, compared to the same period in 2012. This decrease in interest expense included a decrease in deposit-interest expense of $417,000 due to a decrease in rates, which was partially offset by an increase in borrowing interest expense of $242,000 due to an increase in balances. Interest and dividend income decreased $306,000, or 1.7%, for the nine months ended March 31, compared to the same period last year, mainly due to a $270,000 decrease in loan-interest income. The provision for loan losses decreased $100,000 for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 mainly due to a decrease in specific reserves on impaired loans and charged-off loans. For the nine months ended March 31, there was an increase in total non-interest income of $885,000 compared to the same period in 2012. Also, the company originated $31.9 million and sold $24.8 million in residential mortgage loans, compared to originations of $27.0 million and $12.9 million in sold loans for the nine months ended March 31, 2012, and there was a $218,000, or 88.3%, increase in other non-interest income, which was mainly due to an increase in mortgage excess servicing fees, and a $182,000, or 13.9%, increase in customer service fees compared to the same period in 2012. The company had a $52,000 decrease in net income for the three months ended March 31 to $825,000, or $0.15 per fully diluted share, as compared to $877,000, or $0.16 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2012. It had a decrease in net interest income of $260,000, or 5.4%, for those three months, compared to the same period in 2012 due to a decrease in the net interest margin from 3.57% to 3.01%. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, interest expense decreased by $22,000, or 1.6%, compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2012. This decrease in interest expense included an increase in borrowing interest expense of $88,000 due to an increase in balances which was more than offset by a decrease in deposit interest expense of $110,000 due to a decrease in rates. Interest and dividend income decreased $282,000, or 4.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same period last year. The company’s total assets increased $51.6 million, or 8.4%, from $616.0 million on June 30, 2012 to $667.6 million on March 31, 2013. Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased $32.4 million, or 7.9%, to $439.7 million on March 31, 2013. The majority of the loan increase was in the commercial loan portfolio. Commercial construction loans increased $12.3 million, commercial real-estate loans increased $8.4 million, and commercial loans increased $7.0 million. The company’s strategy continues to be focused on obtaining business loans.

Design and Demand

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

Architecture Sections

Architects Are Seeing the Light — and So Are Their Clients

Kevin Chrobak feels that the public is increasingly motivated by the industrial design of products from companies like Apple and manufacturers with a high design aesthetic.

Kevin Chrobak, principal architect for Juster Pope Frazier LLC, doesn’t have a single light on in his conference room, or in his spacious office area that seems to ooze creativity. He doesn’t need any on a bright day.
His Northampton-based studio, located in a former brick mill building dating back to the 19th century, has the large full-story windows reminiscent of a time when the workday was governed by the sun.
“A lot of the concepts of this building, and others like it, was that you wanted a lot of daylight and a lot of volume of space, so the notion of ‘day lighting’ was a concept from before 1900,” said Chrobak. “For example, its 8:30 in the morning and there’s not a single light on, and it’s perfectly adequate.”
Day lighting, a new buzz term in the architectural realm but a concept that actually grew out of the Industrial Revolution, is back in vogue. But not just because of the cool aesthetics; rather, designers are drawn to the reduced costs for lighting, heating, and cooling when advanced, energy-efficient windows replace those that are more than 100 years old — which, in Chrobak’s case, they did.

Greg Zorzi, left, and Christopher Novelli see a return to city living in downtown structures, prompted by the younger generation’s demand for intelligent use of existing resources.

In addition to redesigning old or historic structures, Jonathan Salvon, principal at Kuhn Riddle Architects Inc. in Amherst, has seen a trend toward more-modern design styles. His firm is known for designing the new UMass Amherst marching band building, the Amherst Police Department headquarters, and the new broadcast facility for New England Public Radio (NPR) in the Fuller Block on Main Street in downtown Springfield.
“Organic forms, in general, are currently quite popular at the moment with generally modern architecture,” said Salvon. “And I mean modern with a capital ‘M.’
He was speaking of a rebirth of architectural Modernism, which roughly spanned the time between World War I and the early 1970s, and is generally characterized by simplification of form and an absence of applied decoration.
While Chrobak doesn’t see a specific ‘look’ today, he does see imitation, and more client attention to the carefully designed look of popular commercial products.
“There’s a saying that some of the best ideas out there are stolen, but you do see influences start to creep from one project to another,” said Chrobak. “There certainly is influence that runs from magazine to magazine, and I think the public is becoming more cognizant of design as being important in their lives.”
This, he feels, is motivated by the industrial design of products from companies like Apple, and manufacturers that have a very high design aesthetic. “That has helped to bring higher awareness of design in all different disciplines.”
Other advances have taken the act of designing architecturally to a whole new level. The advanced technology of computer-aided design, more affordable green-building products, urban awareness, and understanding new work/life behaviors have all contributed to expanding the choices that today’s architects have to make, both in form and function.
As the construction industry claws its way back from the most severe recession in decades, BusinessWest talked with area architects about the trends, and attitudes, shaping their industry. Overall, they are invigorated to see the public more demanding of creative design and energy-efficient function, which is giving way to a new generation of sustainable and smart structures that will reshape Western Mass. buildings, and even cities, in the years to come.

Trickle-down Effect
Any talk these days of architecture or construction will immediately become a conversation about green building. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a voluntary, market-driven program that provides third-party verification of green buildings. It provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green-building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions.
Even locally, as with every new program, costs eventually do come down, due to competition and becoming an industry standard.
“There was a time when doing a LEED building was a premium cost, but the industry has ramped up to meet the demand,” said Salvon. “So it’s not the premium that it used to be.”
Greg Zorzi, president of Studio One Inc. in Springfield, agreed.
“We’ve done a couple of LEED projects recently, and I don’t think there was a substantive percentage more that the owner paid to get a LEED building,” he said. “And if they did pay a bit more, they’re going to achieve that back in the energy savings.”
Globally, on the leading edge of the green-building movement is a strategy called biomimicry: using patterns in nature, particularly in biological systems, to inspire innovative and more-efficient designs within architecture and engineering. While global interests are not immediately adopted by those in the Western Mass. area, or even the New England region, the efforts are important.
Christopher Novelli, an architect at Studio One, sees biomimicry at this juncture as more limited to what he called ‘paper architecture’ — student work or architects’ projects that are mostly experimentation with the design of buildings that will never get built.
But design movements have to start somewhere, and there’s a trend, Salvon said, toward more attention to organic design or, rather, more care toward natural materials in either the form of the building or in the materials within. His examples: bamboo flooring, grass or bark-like wall coverings, and unique ceiling products that mimic outdoor scenery.
But to get some of those designs takes experimentation and advancements in technology, specifically computer-aided design and computer-driven routering that didn’t exist a decade ago.
Zorzi told BusinessWest that the future emergence of unique types of biomimicry, or new organic-design products, requires students and architects to write computer code and bypass the traditional design process. Thus, the design is then carved out from large-scale computer-aided machines.
“The computer code has its parameters and sort of creates itself, but that opens the door to experimenting with new forms, which find their way into more traditional building here,” Novelli added.
“Where the more experimental buildings tend to be constructed,” Zorzi added, “is based on where the money is — Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, for example.”
Salvon agreed. “Some of the newer elements are due to high-end computer-modeling software with deep-pocketed backers, and allow for fabrication that is different than conventional construction.”
While this extremely advanced technology has not yet entered into mainstream architecture and construction, it is an emerging technology that will change the way architects and contractors work in the future, Zorzi added.
“But, yes, computers are influencing everything,” said Chrobak, whose firm is known for its designs of the unique Eric Carle Museum in Amherst and the Elms College Center for Natural and Health Sciences, which is currently under construction in Chicopee.

Staying Power
“A common theme in our market is that a lot of work is renovation work — so how do you take a new design aesthetic and work it into an existing building that may be more than 100 years old?” Salvon asked rhetorically, as many of his clients have as well.
“Not just design, but sustainability has become extremely important, maybe moreso due to the downturn of the economy; folks want their building to be more efficient,” he said.
One of the more obvious energy-efficiency products has been glass.
Its usage has typically been a symbol of energy inefficiency, as heat exchange in large, translucent surfaces is higher than in insulated walling. But new glass systems are changing that.
As an example, Zorzi noted ‘curtain-wall’ systems that are the essence of the high-performance envelope. While not a new concept, what the systems are made of, and what they do now, certainly is.
“Years ago, you wouldn’t be able to achieve having full walls of glass,” he said. “There would be so much heat loss or gain, and as stylish as it is, it wouldn’t be functional.”
A glass wall today would have a ‘double-skin’ system — two layers, filled with a gas that allows the building to passively cool itself. But the quality of the glass, the curvature, and the ability to withstand wind and hold snow loads, said Zorzi, is what makes him marvel at buildings such as Springfield’s new federal courthouse on State Street, which makes heavy use of glass.
In his work, Chrobak also sees a lot of adaptive reuse, and he feels it is motivated by clients’ project costs.
“If you’re building with a shell, it’s often cheaper than building from scratch, so the concept of ‘reuse and recycle’ applies to buildings as well.”
Cities, in general, are seeing an enormous amount of reuse of former manufacturing buildings as well as old apartment buildings.
Both Zorzi and Novelli see a return to city living in those structures, prompted by the younger generation and their awareness of, and demand for, intelligent use of existing resources and the environment.
“Some people think that suburbs are the next ghettos,” said Zorzi. “When you see that return back to the city and how it relates to architecture in a single building, you have to shift your design focus to create more multi-purpose spaces, mixed-use, and live/work spaces.”
An example is more office and retail on bottom floors and living spaces above. Technology allows people to work from anywhere, and many companies are allowing employees to work from home, which has increased overall demand for office areas in new designs, regardless of the client’s age. “So the designs that we’re doing have to relate to that,” said Novelli.
But city living involves not just the redesign of one building these days, said Zorzi, but entails the entire urban environment around that building, which is a demand of the public.
“I think a good local example of that is the proposed casino,” Zorzi told BusinessWest. “We have MGM Springfield with an outward-facing real urban focus with livened streetscapes and retail shops, and bringing in the local businesses is part of that flavor. Then you had Penn National with an inward-facing focus. You look at the traffic patterns — the traffic comes in, gambles, and leaves.”
“The MGM proposal is very indicative of the trends that we’re seeing, more of a focus on the urban element, rather than the one isolated building,” Novelli pointed out.

Creative Economy
What the future holds for architects is a series of new challenges and opportunities.
The American Institute of Architects has put forth the 2030 Challenge, which Novelli described as a step-by-step pledge for architects to design ‘net-zero’ buildings, or those that literally produce their own energy through mini-turbines, solar power, high-performance building products, and, of course, smart design.
“There are always new materials and new approaches,” said Salvon. “And a lot of manufacturers are putting a lot of money into R&D to develop new materials to either meet existing demand or create new demand.”
And as the competition heats up for more sustainable products for both new construction and adaptive reuse, the prices will flatten out and the heyday of those net-zero buildings is nearer than ever.
In the meantime, architects continue to have designs on continued growth in an industry where the future is as clear as a glass wall.

Elizabeth Taras can be reached at [email protected]

Art and Science

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

Architecture Sections

Architecture EL Seeks a Balance Between Beauty and Function

Kevin Shea says his firm has stayed busy in its first five years with a very diverse roster of jobs.

Kevin Shea says many kids grow up watching their dad build a garage or repair a shed. In his case, helping out around the house inspired him to pursue an equally hands-on career.
“I remember seeing old blueprints, and that was of interest to me,” said Shea, owner of Architecture EL Inc. in East Longmeadow. “Architecture actually ended up fitting my personality, that blend of hands-on and creative, mechanical and artistic. It worked out to be a good balance.”
After graduating from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, he took a job with a small architecture firm for 18 years before deciding in 2008 to strike out on his own.
“I grew up in the Hampden-Wilbraham area, so this is pretty much my region,” he said. “Basically, we’re a small office built on the idea of direct design. The final product is never far from my hands.”
Architecture EL — the acronym stands for Environment Life — is essentially a two-person operation, though the firm will contract to bring on a handful of others for big jobs. “We’re trying to grow to the point where we can bring in some additional staff,” Shea said. “It’s just a matter of waiting for the economy to stabilize.”
In fact, the company has never operated in a thriving economy, launching in 2008, just before the financial crash kicked off the Great Recession, from which the region and nation are still trying to recover. But Shea — who repeatedly used the word ‘fortunate’ to describe the past few years while speaking to BusinessWest — said he has kept consistently busy, with dozens of projects on the docket now, albeit most of them small.
“Our work is commercial, municipal, residential … in Western Mass., most architects are jacks of all trades. And with the economy the past few years, you do whatever comes along.”

Built for Success
Shea has weathered an uncertain economic climate, he said, by focusing on personal service — working closely with clients from design conception through construction and occupancy — but also on that flexibility and diversity he mentioned.
“Historically, my base was strongly commercial. It started with medical and multi-family residential projects,” he said, adding that Architecture EL will take on most any type of proposal. “We’re small, so we’re pretty fortunate to have a nice volume of work and some good diversity.”
He detailed some of the firm’s recent and ongoing work to demonstrate that variety, from a demonstration center alongside the jet-engine fabrication facility at Pratt & Whitney in Middletown, Conn. to the Wilbraham Grange building on Main Street, which is being retrofit into a single-family residence.
In addition, “we’re currently bidding for improvements to the Hatfield Town Hall; we’re expanding their primary town offices and meeting rooms, and we also did a study for an elevator and accessible entry throughout the building. We also did a study for the Historical Society in hopes of fitting out the upper level for a museum.”
He also cited work for the Westfield Museum, which is moving into a historically registered building that once housed a whip manufacturing company. “We’re in the first phase — building envelope improvements, masonry restoration, windows, slate roof — and heading toward the next phase, which will really define the museum space. There’s a mix of historical elements, and it has its own host of issues, but it’s a neat little project.”
Almost all the firm’s assignments come from direct referrals, “people who are actually interested in doing the work, not just guys fishing.” The project log is mostly private work, but there are some public projects as well.
“It’s something different all the time,” he said, “but, at the end of the day, it’s all about solving a problem. Sometimes it’s the budget, sometimes it’s technical, sometimes it’s historical or accessibility … the reality is, it’s all about solving problems with a design solution.
“I think we do a pretty good job pulling everything together — the artistic and the technical sides,” Shea added, noting that some firms specialize in the technical side of the industry, while others were trained at universities that stress esoteric design concepts over functionality.
“My background is strongly rooted in creative design, but also supported by buildability and what will serve the client,” he explained. “And, of course, we look to be as forward-thinking as possible in energy-efficient design solutions.”
‘Green’ design is, of course, a hot trend in architecture and construction these days, but not only on large projects. For instance, homeowners and small businesses affected by the freak weather events of 2011 were also looking to rebuild in greener ways.
“There was a definite uptick with the hurricanes, tornadoes, and snowstorm; people were looking at better insulation, generators, better fuels; solar is certainly making inroads.”
The firm designed a few rebuilding jobs in Monson after the twister devastated that community, Shea recalled. “I felt fortunate to help people rebuilding their house or their business. Those were great jobs because people were really struggling, fighting with their insurance companies, and I felt good coming in and helping them, being part of the solution rather than part of the problem.”

Early Inspiration
As he works to meet client needs and eventually grow Architecture EL into a larger company, Shea recalled that his early life inspired not just his career choice, but his work ethic in general.
“Growing up, we were a small family that lived modestly. We used to fix everything that broke; we didn’t call people,” he said. “If we needed something built, we built it. Now, everyone hires someone to mow their lawn.”
He said a “Berkshires can-do mentality” was instilled in him early on. “It helped me all the way through my career. In college, I worked construction in the summer. They told me I was the first college kid who knew how to work. I’ve been working all my life, building and fixing things, very hands-on, and that just translated to how I tackle my business.”
And that work ethic is paying dividends today. “We get hired based on who we are, our experience, and our contacts,” he said. “We provide a great level of service and quality control. That’s what people are looking for.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

‘Pretty Good Justice’

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

Law Sections

Federal Judge Michael Ponsor Reflects on an Eventful Career

Judge Michael Ponsor

When Michael Ponsor was 8 years old, he wrote to Harvard Law School and said he wanted to enroll.
The registrar actually wrote him back, saying he looked forward to entertaining his application someday. As it turned out, that prediction wasn’t too far off; Ponsor actually attended Harvard as an undergraduate and then went to Yale Law School. That’s still a remarkably prescient career plan for a second-grader.
“I’m not sure why,” he told BusinessWest, trying to explain his early attraction to law. “I think, like most kids, I had a strong interest in what was fair and what wasn’t fair, and I had a vague sense that’s what the law was about. And I think I was right — that is what the law is about, trying to do what’s fair.”
Ponsor did more than parlay his childhood dream into a law career; he eventually ascended to the federal bench, and has served as a district judge in the U.S. District Court in Springfield for almost 20 years.
In a broad, candid conversation with BusinessWest at the twilight of his career, Ponsor — who began his career in criminal defense — kept coming back to that notion of giving everyone a fair shake.
“The goal is to give both sides a truly fair trial, and that is not easy,” he said, comparing his philosophy to Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery in Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, with its motto, “if you can’t get it here, you can probably get along without it.”
“I feel like I could put a sign out on the courthouse: ‘Ponsor’s Pretty Good Justice,’” he said in a bit of self-effacement. “I feel like pretty good justice is pretty darn hard, and human beings have struggled in the 10,000 years of recorded history to develop systems that deliver pretty good justice.
“I don’t have any illusions that I’m perfect; I think it’s important to be proud of our system of justice but also honest about its limitations,” he continued. “If anything, I would like people to remember me as a good, fair judge. I would like prosecutors and defense attorneys to remember me that way, people representing corporations and people suing corporations. That’s the most important thing.”
As a lengthy search for Ponsor’s successor continues — he announced his intention to semi-retire in 2010 (more on that later) — he sat down with BusinessWest to discuss his long journey in law, one bookended by a precocious child’s letter to Harvard and the novel he wrote nearly 60 years later.

Something Different
That work of fiction, published just last week, is called The Hanging Judge and deals with a drive-by shooting in Holyoke that evolves into a federal case.
“Like many first novels, it’s somewhat autobiographical in content; it’s about a judge who sits in Springfield,” he explained. And he hopes it won’t be the only novel in what may become an intriguing second career; he’s already at work on a follow-up.
But his first love has always been the law.

Ponsor’s first novel — he hopes it isn’t the last — was published at the end of April.

Ponsor, a native Chicagoan whose family moved to Minnesota during his childhood, didn’t establish Massachusetts roots until attending Harvard. During those years, he fed a sense of adventure and a desire to do something different by spending a year in Kenya, teaching at a training institute in Nairobi.
“It was an exciting place,” he said. “When I arrived in 1967, Kenya was only three years post-independence. There was such an extraordinary sense of hope. It would be like coming to the U.S. in 1800. I had a terrific year there, but I also saw a lot of poverty, and I had a chance to get to know a culture different from mine.”
After Harvard, he spent two years in England on a Rhodes scholarship before returning to New England to study law at Yale — during which time he developed an interest in mental-health law and joined a project to provide legal aid to patients at the state mental hospital in Middletown, Conn. “The legal rights of people who are labeled with mental disabilities has always been an area of interest for me,” he explained.
After law school, Ponsor clerked in Boston for federal judge Joseph Tauro for a year, then took a job with a small firm in the city, focusing exclusively on criminal defense.
“I wanted to be Perry Mason,” he said with a laugh, but then I decided I wanted to be Atticus Finch [the lawyer in To Kill a Mockingbird] and move to a smaller environment.” So, two years later, he began working at a firm in Amherst, blending his criminal-defense activity with other types of civil litigation and domestic work.
Soon after, in 1979, Frank Freedman, who was then the federal district judge in Springfield, tapped him to be a court monitor for a consent decree involving Northampton State Hospital.
“A lawsuit had been brought on behalf of patients, and the heart of the lawsuit was that there were many people institutionalized who could do just as well or better in the community, in smaller settings,” Ponsor explained. “The state of Massachusetts agreed, and the remedy was the creation of a community-based mental-health system.”
The plan was to move people from Northampton State Hospital to community facilities — residential centers, day programs, and other facilities — and Ponsor was charged with overseeing those transitions.
“That was very interesting work, and there was a nice mesh there; I had a real interest in that area of the law,” he said of the mental-health emphasis. “There were difficulties, and some bumps in the road with that process, but on the whole it was a good development, and a much more humane approach to dealing with people with mental disabilities.”

Donning the Robe
In 1984, Ponsor underwent his own transition, when he was appointed to the district court in Springfield as a magistrate judge — essentially the lowest echelon among federal judges.
Magistrate judges, he explained, oversee civil litigation but not criminal cases, although they do handle the preliminary phases of criminal work, such as conditions for prisoner release.
“Those decisions have to be made quickly, and sometimes you don’t have a lot of information,” he said, recalling the very first decision he had to make as a judge. “I was just getting used to wearing a robe and having people stand up when I walked in the courtroom. It was a new criminal case, and the question was, should the defendant be detained or released back to his home?
“There were very good arguments on both sides,” he continued, “and I remember thinking, ‘in about a minute now, the lawyers are going to stop talking, everyone’s going to look at me, and I have to make a decision, and I have no idea what that decision is going to be.’ The family was sitting in the courtroom, and the agents waiting to take him away were in the courtroom; there were strong feelings on both sides. The emotions were like a rollercoaster ready to go over the top, and I had to make the best decision I could under the circumstances.”
Notably, Ponsor doesn’t recall what that decision was; it’s the emotion of the moment that has stuck with him — the gut-churning realization that he had moved from arguing before a judge for a certain decision to having to make that decision himself, and that the calls he made would affect people’s lives in very real ways. That’s a responsibility, he said, that he’s taken seriously ever since.
“Even though you might have an inclination of what you’re going to do, it’s cheating to decide early; you have to come into the courtroom with an open mind and give both sides a chance to persuade you,” he said. “That relatively small bail decision was a kind of window into what I would be doing for the next 30 years.”
One of his most important cases as a magistrate judge involved the closure of the York Street Jail and the construction of the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow, he explained. “The York Street facility was horribly overcrowded, and there had been litigation pending for some time which was coming to a head, and the litigants consented to have the case handled by me.”
Ponsor made the decision to cap the population of the York Street Jail, which posed a serious conundrum because the Ludlow facility hadn’t been completed, and there were more people being sent to jail than could be accommodated. “That created a difficult and, to some, extent, frightening situation. People were getting out of jail early,” he recalled, while other criminals whom judges wanted to send to jail were being set free.
“I remember being quite concerned that some prisoners would be released early and do some terrible thing, and the community would be very offended and upset at what went on. By good luck, that never happened,” he continued. But it stands as an example of issuing a difficult ruling under the limitations of reality — not always a clear-cut call. “We had to work with both sides and make a firm decision and be sure it was complied with.”

Senior Status
After a decade as a magistrate judge, Ponsor was nominated by U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy — and eventually confirmed — to succeed Freedman as the federal district judge in Springfield.
“At that point, I began doing more criminal work,” Ponsor said. He pointed to two developments in particular — one a specific case, the other an overarching trend — that have especially impacted him.
The case was the first death-penalty action in Massachusetts in more than 50 years, the five-month trial in 2000 and 2001 of Kristen Gilbert, who was accused of murdering several patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northampton. She was found guilty, but avoided the death penalty.
“I felt a particularly heavy responsibility in that case to ensure that both the government and the defense got a fair trial,” Ponsor said. “Ms. Gilbert had done terrible things, and the families of the victims were heartbroken and looking to the legal system to provide a process for weighing her guilt or innocence. At the time, the consequences of the trial were pretty stark, and it was important that the defense got a fair trial. In the end, I’m satisfied that both sides got a fair trial. She’s serving life without parole in the federal Bureau of Prisons.”
The trend he cited was the movement toward mandatory minimum sentences for criminal convictions — in cases involving drugs, guns, and other matters — which started to gain steam during the 1990s.
“There were times when I felt the sentences were too harsh,” Ponsor said. “There is very little more painful for a judge than having to impose a sentence he knows is unjust and excessive, but, unfortunately, I was put in the position of having to impose sentences I didn’t agree with fairly regularly.
“That was part of the job, and I respected the role of Congress in determining these sentences and making sure judges imposed them,” he continued, “but during this time, we saw the prison population expand hugely, to where the U.S. is now, by far, the biggest jailer of its people of any country in the world. I think that’s excessive. There have to be better ways to deter crime and protect the public, but also bring people back into the mainstream and turn them into productive citizens, instead of just warehousing people.”
Ponsor said he’s been able to do some creative things in sentencing — and he wishes judges had a freer hand to dispense justice with the right blend of firmness, compassion, and case-specific context — but says his hands were tied far too often. “The criminal-justice system, not just in federal court but in the states as well, has meted out a number of excessive sentences, and that’s very disturbing. And I have a sense that’s something people are rethinking now.”

Winding Down
In 2010, Ponsor wrote to President Obama and told him he planned to take ‘senior status’ in August 2011 when he turned 65, a precursor to stepping back and ceding his seat to a new federal judge. But the wheels of justice turn slowly in the U.S. Senate, where the politics of federal judgeships can delay confirmations for years. That’s the case now; after one nomination was rescinded last year, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Mo Cowan are interviewing candidates for a new nomination.
The delay has made Ponsor more anxious to get on with partial retirement; originally ambivalent about stepping back, he’s now ready to begin the next phase of his life — which will include more traveling and other leisure activities with his wife, as well as more writing — with no regrets.
“There are a lot of really good attorneys in Western Mass. who can do this job and do it well,” he said. “Once my successor is appointed, I’ll probably cut back to about a 25% load. I still love the work, but I want to spend more time writing fiction. My whole life, I’ve had a deep interest in writing.”
Meanwhile, by taking senior status, he has been able to cut back to about 80% of his former load. That means he’s shuttling more cases to Boston while being more selective about the work he accepts. For instance, “I have decided to take no more child-pornography cases,” he noted. “The images you’re forced to look at as a judge in these cases are so appalling and so sickening … I’ve been compelled to do it enough.”
But the positives of being a federal judge far outweigh the negatives, Ponsor said, and have included triumphant moments such as the 2009 completion of a new District Court building on State Street.
“That’s one of the things that I’m proudest of in my 29 years here,” he said. “The court facility on Main Street was totally inadequate, so, in the late 1990s, we began the process of building a new courthourse.”
More than 90 architects submitted ideas; Ponsor was on the team of five who chose the design — by Moshe Safdie — from among those entries, and he participated in the project development and site selection. A sketch of the courthouse, drawn by Safdie seven years before it was actually completed, hangs in Ponsor’s office.
“For many years, I came here at least once a week to walk around the courthouse as it went up,” he said. “When it began to take shape and I saw how beautiful the two trees are in front, I was so excited. It’s an efficient, well-designed, beautiful facility. I love this building, and I hope the people of Western Mass. love it too.”

Another Day
No matter how slowly the succession process plays out in Washington, Ponsor has no plans to leave his post before a new appointment is made; doing so would shift his entire caseload to judges in Worcester and Boston, which he believes is unfair to them while shortchanging the citizens of Western Mass.
“I am so deeply fond of Western Mass. and its people,” he told BusinessWest. “I don’t want to abandon them until someone is here to do the job.”
And that, Garrison Keillor might say, is a pretty good attitude.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of April 2013.

AGAWAM

Agawam-Silver, LLC
604 Silver St.
$20,000 — Division of tenant space

Genesis Healthcare
61 Cooper St.
$150,000 — Renovations in shower area

Sander Family, LLC
77 Springfield St.
$10,000 — Renovations

AMHERST

25-35 University Dr., LLC
25-35 University Dr.
$24,000 — Divide single tenant space into two spaces

CIL Realty of MA
36 Longmeadow Dr.
$445,000 — Construction of R-3 group home

Friends of Hospice House Inc.
1165 North Pleasant St.
$9,000 — Interior office renovations

Good Ole Dave’s, LLC
219 Amity St.
$5,000 — New roof

CHICOPEE

Gotpat, LLC
13 Center St.
$15,000 — Strip and re-roof Munich Haus

Istar Bowling Center, LP
291 Burnett Road
$144,000 — Interior renovations to restrooms, lanes, bar/lounge

O’Leary-Vincunas, LLC
2160 Westover Road
$8,000 — Restroom renovations

Paul Gallagher
1643 Memorial Dr.
$3,500 — Install wheelchair ramp

US Tsubaki, Inc.
106 Lonczak Dr.
$112,000 — Construct 492-square-foot enclosure for new fire pump

HADLEY

Chamisa Corporation
31 Campus Plaza Road
$50,000 — Renovate 928 square feet of tenant space

Pearson Hadley, LLC
380 Ryssel St.
$688,000 — Add working stations to State Street Corp. on second floor

HOLYOKE

161 Lower Westfield Road, LLC
161 Lower Westfield Road
$375,000 — Construct charter school classrooms and offices

Wycoff Associates, LLC
233 Easthampton Road
$50,000 — Masonry wall and floor renovations

NORTHAMPTON

Cosenzi Automotive Realty, L.P.
361 King St.
$2,612,000 — Construction of a 18,421-square-foot Volkswagon car dealership

Northampton Lodge #997
17 Spring St.
$47,500 — Construct 40×80 pavillion

Smith College
23 Elm St.
$400,000 — Upgrades to data center

Smith College
79 Elm St.
$5,963,000 — Renovation

SOUTH HADLEY

Mount Holyoke College
5 Faculty Lane
$18,500 — Window remodel

SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Health
759 Chestnut St.
$556,000 — Renovation of existing patient pod

BFRC
1666 Boston Road
$61,750 — Remove existing roof and install new

City of Springfield
200 Birnie Ave.
$449,000 — Renovations at the Gerena School

Friendly’s Ice Cream, LLC
1809 Boston Road
$4,100 — Remove siding and install new

Springfield Group, Inc.
376 Bernie Ave.
$425,000 — Interior fit out for new tenant

Urstadt Biddle Property
380 Cooley St.
$53,500 — Install bar and seating area for restaurant/bar

WESTFIELD

2nd Congregational Church
487 Western Ave.
$6,000 — Add restroom on first floor

Chalmers & Kubeck
24 Elise St.
$500,000 — Rebuild office space

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Andrew Cohen
95A Ashley Ave.
$206,000 — Renovate existing space

Boys & Girls Club
615 Main St.
$24,000 — Re-roof

Jiffy Lube
780 Memorial Ave.
$300,000 — Renovate 244 square feet of commercial space

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

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

CHARLEMONT

48 Main St.
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: William J. Schaefer
Seller: Herbert H. Fitzrey
Date: 04/01/13

DEERFIELD

105 Plain Road West
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Greenfield Savings Bank
Seller: Scott A. Higgins
Date: 03/29/13

623 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $154,500
Buyer: Joel T. Monette
Seller: Stephen A. Anderson
Date: 03/25/13

791 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $120,100
Buyer: Amie L. Panek
Seller: Jasmin, Emma, (Estate)
Date: 03/29/13

ERVING

11 Holmes St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Nathaniel D. Rindone
Seller: Moore, Virginia G., (Estate)
Date: 03/26/13

GREENFIELD

94 Beacon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Brenda J. Davis
Seller: Melody A. Root
Date: 03/27/13

325 Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $115,301
Buyer: Beneficial MA Inc.
Seller: Pamela J. Avery
Date: 04/02/13

14 West St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $217,250
Buyer: William B. Noyes
Seller: West Street Properties Inc.
Date: 03/29/13

LEYDEN

64 Coates Road
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Birch Mountain Farm TR
Seller: Sharon A. Vinten RET
Date: 03/27/13

MONTAGUE

97 East Taylor Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Young K. Westort
Seller: Deborah J. Picking
Date: 04/01/13

154 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01301
Amount: $186,500
Buyer: Thomas J. Demers
Seller: William J. Doyle
Date: 03/28/13

NORTHFIELD

59 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Alexander G. Loud
Seller: Richard P. Rly
Date: 03/25/13

ORANGE

41 Lake Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $117,767
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Elizabeth Philbin
Date: 03/29/13

SHELBURNE

120 Bridge St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Carol Angus
Seller: Caleb Kissling
Date: 04/01/13

SHUTESBURY

69 Pratt Corner Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Robert B. Hayes
Seller: Jeffrey M. Davis
Date: 03/26/13

WENDELL

19 Old Stage Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Angela M. Ferris
Seller: Robert T. Rosser
Date: 03/27/13

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

176 Barry St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Tretheway
Seller: Justin T. Howes
Date: 03/26/13

43 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Lynn Griffin
Seller: Charles C. McCobb
Date: 04/03/13

24 James Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Muhammad A. Razzaq
Seller: Charles A. Calabrese
Date: 03/25/13

89 Katherine Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Mahmut Alkan
Seller: Harry M. Orell
Date: 03/29/13

10 Robin Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Danielle M. Pineau
Seller: Concetta S. Bruno
Date: 04/05/13

30 Stanley Place
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Nathan Kibbe
Seller: James L. Kopcinski
Date: 03/28/13

BRIMFIELD

273 Dunhamtown Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Adam C. Bradway
Seller: Robert F. Nelson
Date: 03/26/13

CHICOPEE

29 Armanella St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Rachel A. Uhlig
Seller: Vitaly Dzhenzherukha
Date: 03/29/13

38 Asselin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: John T. Rivest
Seller: Paul M. Heyl
Date: 03/28/13

94 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $156,850
Buyer: Wieslawa Mikula
Seller: Stephen A. Krupczak
Date: 04/05/13

93 Frink St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Scott L. Stefanowich
Seller: Sean P. Welch
Date: 03/26/13

1177 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: WRZMM LLC
Seller: Kayrouz Realty LLC
Date: 03/29/13

33 Hansen St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Matthew W. Picard
Seller: Geoffrion, Jeannette, (Estate)
Date: 03/29/13

66 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Lucinda Vega
Seller: Richard A. Obara
Date: 04/04/13

23 Jackson St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Kristal Douglas
Seller: Robert P. Langevin
Date: 03/28/13

58 Marlborough St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Lawrence A. Roberson
Seller: Roger A. Bonneau
Date: 03/29/13

317 Montcalm St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,900
Buyer: MKAA LLC
Seller: John P. Tarka
Date: 03/28/13

674 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Arsim Abdullahu
Seller: Sonoski, Genevieve J., (Estate)
Date: 03/28/13

107 Moreau Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Jody M. Bixby
Seller: Michael T. Boucher
Date: 04/01/13

32 Oliver St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $194,000
Buyer: Marcin G. Jandzis
Seller: Tonya M. Perron
Date: 03/26/13

85 Park St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: William J. Stetson
Seller: Steven R. Etheridge
Date: 04/03/13

65 Sampson St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Andrea L. French
Seller: Viktor Savonin
Date: 03/29/13

32 Terrance St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $149,999
Buyer: Edward J. Maldonado
Seller: Dion, John A., (Estate)
Date: 03/27/13

92 View St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Nunes Ventures LLC
Seller: 92 View Street LLC
Date: 04/03/13

162 Wildermere St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Kurt A. Wajda
Seller: Currin L. Walz
Date: 03/29/13

51 Willow St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Jennifer M. Pete
Seller: Melanie M. Sutton
Date: 03/26/13

EAST LONGMEADOW

15 Angela Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Lynn M. McColgan
Seller: Diane Robertson
Date: 03/28/13

19 Day Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Elizabeth K. Hobaica
Seller: Kathleen T. Kerrigan
Date: 03/26/13

135 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: John J. Needham
Seller: Kevin Czaplicki
Date: 03/29/13

33 Granby St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Strider Dev. Inc.
Seller: John P. Ford
Date: 04/05/13

227 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Laplante Construction Inc.
Seller: William E. O’Connor
Date: 03/29/13

16 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Brian D. Murray
Seller: Linda S. Fijal
Date: 04/01/13

56 Oak Brook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Oleg Anisimov
Seller: Henry J. Wawrzonek
Date: 03/25/13

283 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Cheryl A. Mandirola
Seller: Michael J. Molinari
Date: 04/03/13

9 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Mark E. Deehy
Seller: Jose B. Guimaraes
Date: 04/01/13

439 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $243,500
Buyer: Enrique Rosado
Seller: Winterberry LLC
Date: 04/04/13

40 Rogers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Robert Hanson
Seller: Heather J. Bliss
Date: 03/27/13

HOLYOKE

353 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Kelly A. Maher
Seller: Holyoke Housing Authority
Date: 03/29/13

24 County Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Michael C. Carriveau
Seller: Mark D. Mills
Date: 03/29/13

55 Francis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Brian T. Johnson
Seller: Gary Godbout
Date: 04/02/13

38 George St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Judge
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/29/13

29 Laura Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $244,169
Buyer: MetLife Home Loans
Seller: Mar C. F. Marinello
Date: 04/04/13

4 Loomis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Brian A. Lamirande
Seller: Laurence P. Cournoyer
Date: 03/29/13

33 Raymond Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Sean C. Mangano
Seller: Michael Cauley
Date: 03/28/13

281 Rock Valley Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Stephen L. Johnson
Seller: Bruce R. Gloutak
Date: 03/29/13

LONGMEADOW

45 Ardsley Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Louis P. Krzeminski
Seller: Joseph F. Partyka
Date: 03/28/13

96 Birnie Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $192,800
Buyer: Michael Gralia
Seller: Maria C. Pritchard
Date: 03/29/13

69 Chiswick St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Timothy Giguere
Seller: Dennis C. Spring
Date: 03/27/13

104 Crestview Cir
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Stephen Crane
Seller: Reidy, Madeline F., (Estate)
Date: 03/25/13

108 Dover Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Jo Ann W. Davis
Seller: John W. Davis
Date: 03/29/13

LUDLOW

14 Acorn Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Lisa G. Urban
Seller: William R. Ayers
Date: 03/27/13

46 Bowles Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Evette M. Rodrigues
Seller: HAP Inc.
Date: 03/28/13

1459 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Brian A. McDaniel
Seller: Diane D. Cousineau
Date: 03/28/13

1229 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Rui A. Pereira
Seller: Gordon G. Grimes
Date: 03/28/13

146 Highland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Schwerdtfeger
Seller: Schwerdtfeger, M. M., (Estate)
Date: 03/26/13

134 King St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Chase
Seller: Michael A. Florio
Date: 03/28/13

73 Laroche St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Katie L. Schebel
Seller: Anna M. Casagranda
Date: 03/27/13

5 Marion Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $196,500
Buyer: Pierre R. Bertrand
Seller: Cynda M. Rosenbaum
Date: 03/28/13

Olivia Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Shannon M. Chaves
Seller: Rosewood Meadows Inc.
Date: 03/26/13

Pinewood Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $426,430
Buyer: Maria A. Lavoie
Seller: Manganaro Home Builders
Date: 03/29/13

57 Tilley St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Kimberly A. Chase
Date: 03/26/13

314 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Melissa A. Moret
Seller: Marion M. Surprenant
Date: 03/29/13

MONSON

84 Bogan Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Claudette Jean Girard
Seller: Gerlad T. Davies
Date: 03/29/13

243 Moulton Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $199,683
Buyer: Bank of New York Mellon
Seller: Jennifer M. Toelken
Date: 03/28/13

17 Stafford Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Rachael K. McDonald
Seller: Timothy C. Lavoie
Date: 03/28/13

PALMER

1501 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Lazy River Housing Co. LLC
Seller: JEEJ Real Estate LLC
Date: 04/04/13

371 Rondeau St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: George L. Ortiz
Seller: Mark A. Stebbins
Date: 03/29/13

37 Saint John St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $271,402
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Donald J. Williamson
Date: 04/02/13

SPRINGFIELD

Allen St. (SS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $160,500
Buyer: Den V. Thai
Seller: Donald W. Lomascolo
Date: 03/28/13

35 Angelica Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Delva M. Campbell
Seller: Steven M. Leone
Date: 04/01/13

598 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Oscar A. Lopez
Seller: Global Homes Properties LLC
Date: 03/26/13

135 Bartels St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $175,500
Buyer: Joseph M. Paixao
Seller: Daniel J. Molta
Date: 04/05/13

80 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $189,665
Buyer: USA HUD
Seller: BA C. Home Loans Servicing LP
Date: 04/01/13

436 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: 436 Boston LLC
Seller: JAH Commercial Inc.
Date: 03/29/13

14 Carew Terrace
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Maria Lugo
Seller: Luis A. Cruz
Date: 03/29/13

24 Chilson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Kirkland
Seller: R. A. Fetterroll
Date: 03/29/13

276 Cottage St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $329,800
Buyer: Omicron Investments LLC
Seller: Inland American CFG Portfolio
Date: 03/28/13

87 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $157,608
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Christopher Senior
Date: 04/03/13

29 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $158,900
Buyer: Laurie S. Ratkiewicz
Seller: Douglas C. Phelps
Date: 03/28/13

245 Fair Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Kelly J. Keenan
Seller: Edward J. Haluch
Date: 03/28/13

79 Fox Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,772
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Joseph K. Jorgensen
Date: 03/25/13

446 Franklin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Michael P. Crean
Seller: Juan Medina
Date: 03/28/13

265 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Jamilette A. Reyes
Seller: Quetszy A. Cruz
Date: 03/29/13

90 Hartwick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Michael J. Regan
Seller: Nelson R. Colon
Date: 04/03/13

252 Lake Dr.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Adilen Negron
Seller: Barry, Joseph T., (Estate)
Date: 03/28/13

63 Loretta St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Natacha Nieves
Seller: Colleen M. Danahey
Date: 03/29/13

201 Overlook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Alfredo B. Vivenzio
Seller: Judith J. Heit
Date: 03/27/13

42 Marquette St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $122,500
Buyer: Aileen Ramos
Seller: CDM Properties LLC
Date: 04/05/13

120 Odion St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Thornton
Seller: David A. Starr
Date: 04/04/13

1569 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $119,091
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Justine A. Finn
Date: 04/01/13

332 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Nicholas M. Tangredi
Seller: Katherine M. Tangredi
Date: 03/28/13

15 Plumtree Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Judith A. Garrett
Seller: Armando Rodriguez
Date: 04/05/13

21 Rita St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: Tuyen Nguyen
Seller: Henrietta R. Ehrlich
Date: 04/04/13

28 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $144,229
Buyer: Debra A. Griffith
Seller: John Martin
Date: 03/29/13

148 Shefford St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Marco P. Carreira
Seller: Todd C. Emmons
Date: 03/29/13

15 Signal Hill Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Campagnari Construction LLC
Seller: Irene A. Jansen
Date: 04/04/13

41 Westbank Ct.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $155,900
Buyer: Deborah A. Kelly
Seller: Danielle Prendergast
Date: 03/26/13

332 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Luis Berrios
Seller: Rose Talbot-Babey
Date: 04/04/13

143 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Miguel Gonzalez
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 03/26/13

33 Worthy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $123,822
Buyer: Nationstar Mtg. LLC
Seller: Marion C. Larese
Date: 04/04/13

SOUTHWICK

9 Coyote Glen
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $543,500
Buyer: Sherri Digiacomo
Seller: Craig Digiacomo
Date: 03/28/13

307 North Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $237,020
Buyer: Cornelia R. Jacquier
Seller: Marcia L. Jester
Date: 03/27/13

WEST SPRINGFIELD

105 Albert St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: F. W. Maroni
Seller: Jerolyn L. Lareau
Date: 04/02/13

129 Apple Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Turner
Seller: Guiel, Annette R., (Estate)
Date: 04/01/13

17 Neptune Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $129,000
Buyer: Suraya Kapitonova
Seller: Joseph Desmarais
Date: 04/05/13

597 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Velvet Stamand
Seller: Cynthia M. Kennedy
Date: 03/29/13

36 Bonnie Brae Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Cynthia A. Kennedy
Seller: Joyce J. Niedzialkowski
Date: 03/29/13

56 Cynthia Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Carmino J. Santaniello
Seller: Roman Szarek
Date: 03/29/13

148 Dorwin Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $267,900
Buyer: Pamela J. Mott
Seller: Kevin R. Dowd
Date: 03/26/13

86 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Sean M. Duclos
Seller: Christopher S. Hjaftmann
Date: 03/29/13

110 High St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: First Slavic Pentecostal
Seller: Slavic Pentecostal Church
Date: 03/29/13

404 Massachusetts Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Donna Jones
Seller: John H. Jackson
Date: 03/25/13

22 Pleasant St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: First Slavic Pentecostal
Seller: Slavic Pentecostal Church
Date: 03/29/13

254 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Matthew W. Disbrow
Seller: Keith E. Harvey
Date: 03/29/13

22 Sprague St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Paul R. Ehrlich
Seller: Clarissa M. Young
Date: 03/29/13

9 Timber Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $417,500
Buyer: Costas D. Anamisis
Seller: John S. Ciborowski
Date: 03/29/13

68 Vincent Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Larry A. Wood
Seller: Sheridan, Norma A., (Estate)
Date: 03/27/13

WESTFIELD

78 Dana St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: James Laverty
Seller: Matthew T. Beattie
Date: 03/29/13

42 Daniel Ridge
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Mark J. Ankstitus
Seller: Luke Demoracski
Date: 04/03/13

16 Deepwoods Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: City Of Westfield
Seller: Alison Brule
Date: 04/05/13

77 George St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Valentin Bidyuk
Seller: Anatoliy Panchelyuga
Date: 03/29/13

156 Joseph Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: James R. Dufraine
Seller: Judith A. Maunsell
Date: 03/27/13

35 Knollwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $192,900
Buyer: Mary B. Bates
Seller: Barbara J. Sadler
Date: 04/03/13

76 Long Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Terrie J. Campbell
Seller: Richard, Kevin M. (Estate)
Date: 04/01/13

84 Otter Point Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Vincent Cross
Seller: Hampton Ponds Realty LLC
Date: 03/26/13

129 Ridgecrest Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: William F. Hoarle
Seller: Robert P. Hoernig
Date: 03/29/13

109 Ridgeway St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jean M. Ford
Seller: Fedora, Paul D., (Estate)
Date: 03/29/13

1232 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Brian Duggan
Seller: Pagliaro & Sons Dev. LLC
Date: 04/04/13

1244 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Brian P. Duggan
Seller: Pagliaro & Sons Dev. LLC
Date: 04/04/13

266 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Diane E. Dipietro
Seller: Rodman Financial Corp.
Date: 03/27/13

32 Violet Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $369,000
Buyer: Mark W. Sadler
Seller: Scarfo Construction Inc.
Date: 04/03/13

36 Whispering Wind Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Matthew E. Kessler
Seller: Rheal R. Duquette
Date: 04/02/13

WILBRAHAM

3 Blacksmith Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: John R. Turcotte
Seller: Manjit Sikka
Date: 04/01/13

940 Glendale Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Shawn R. Osmani
Seller: Monson United Methodist Church
Date: 03/29/13

358 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Amanda A. Bennett
Seller: Donald Dean
Date: 04/05/13

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

218 Alpine Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Alyson D. Miller
Seller: Joel W. Wolfe
Date: 03/29/13

155 Farmington Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $229,500
Buyer: Elizabeth E. Powers
Seller: John A. Root
Date: 03/28/13

207 Glendale Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Diana A. Navarro
Seller: Pinkham Joan, (Estate)
Date: 04/01/13

32 Hickory Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $284,900
Buyer: George G. Watson
Seller: 145 State St. Partners LLC
Date: 04/04/13

46 Hop Brook Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $485,105
Buyer: Deborah R. Neubauer
Seller: Timothy R. Hampson
Date: 04/04/13

1190 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: East Pleasant St. Partners LLC
Seller: Watroba, Chester E., (Estate)
Date: 04/04/13

Old Farm Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Amherst Village Inc.
Seller: Bank of America
Date: 03/27/13

Old Farm Road #1-5
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $372,500
Buyer: Tofino Assocs. Inc.
Seller: Bank of America
Date: 03/27/13

166 Summer St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Domeni C. J. Sebben
Seller: Judith Verchot
Date: 03/27/13

BELCHERTOWN

248 Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $229,203
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Larry J. Saccamando
Date: 03/29/13

12 Canal Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Leonard F. Delorenzo
Seller: Richard T. Collins
Date: 03/29/13

60 Canal Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Dennis M. Liptak
Seller: Frank A. Cowdrey
Date: 03/29/13

Crestview Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Stephen Rose
Seller: Crestview Acres Inc.
Date: 04/02/13

45 Juckett Hill Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Juliana Vanderwielen
Seller: Allen D. Forsythe
Date: 03/29/13

12 Ledgewood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $146,299
Buyer: Prop Enhancement LLC
Seller: Deutsche Bank National
Date: 04/01/13

86 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Patrick Loftus
Seller: Paul Lapinsky
Date: 03/28/13

4 Park St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Andres LLC
Seller: Mario Sotolotto
Date: 04/01/13

17 Pine Brook Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Jeremy A. Dunn
Seller: David M. Guy
Date: 04/03/13

EASTHAMPTON

212 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $212,399
Buyer: Kristin E. McLaughlin
Seller: Josephine A. Przada
Date: 03/29/13

119 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: K&A LLC
Seller: Deutsche Bank National
Date: 04/04/13

GOSHEN

Cape St. #9
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Rawlings Excavation Services
Seller: Mountain Stream Inc.
Date: 03/26/13

GRANBY

20 Pinebrook Circle
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Justin P. Beaupre
Seller: Carlos Gutierrez
Date: 03/29/13

HADLEY

27 Breckenridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Sean A. Mackin
Seller: Raymond G. Sylvain
Date: 04/05/13

4 Hawks Meadow
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Alan Sthilaire
Seller: Tomlinson Builders Inc.
Date: 04/01/13

226 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: DGG Realty Partnership
Seller: Creative Properties LLC
Date: 03/29/13

HATFIELD

25 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Northeast Ent. Realty
Seller: Elizabeth A. Porada
Date: 03/29/13

15 Main St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $204,573
Buyer: Thaddeus L. Kabat
Seller: Suzen J. Maxwell
Date: 03/25/13

11 Scotland Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Thomas P. Morse
Seller: Marie A. Chmura
Date: 03/29/13

255 Straits Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $198,500
Buyer: Kara A. Jagodzinski
Seller: Cynthia L. Streker
Date: 04/05/13

NORTHAMPTON

152 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Michelle L. Bouleyu
Seller: Lotus P. O’Connor
Date: 04/01/13

72 Crosby St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: W. Marek Inc.
Seller: Kumiega, John S., (Estate)
Date: 04/05/13

578 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Fola Fagade
Date: 04/05/13

22 Finn St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: David P. Goldstone
Seller: Delisi, Leborio G., (Estate)
Date: 03/29/13

83 Forest Glen Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Richard A. Saalfrank
Seller: Cindy Turner
Date: 03/29/13

40 Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $819,969
Buyer: Melodie P. Turner
Seller: David S. Turner RET
Date: 03/29/13

68 Prince St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Stuart B. Warner
Seller: James W. Holden
Date: 03/29/13

451 Rocky Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Richard P. Ely
Seller: Kyle P. Maurer
Date: 03/26/13

12 Sylvan Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Jonathan S. McFadden
Seller: Judith A. O’Brien
Date: 03/25/13

125 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Sullivan Real Estate LLC
Seller: American National Red Cross
Date: 04/02/13

48 Sterling Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kendra A. Dahlquist
Seller: Clifford, Eileen D., (Estate)
Date: 04/04/13

53 Strawberry Hill
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Curtis
Seller: Richard N. Norris
Date: 04/02/13

SOUTH HADLEY

45 Michael Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Havlak
Seller: Adam J. Bartlett
Date: 03/29/13

11 Pittroff Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Oliver O. Akamnonu
Seller: Cheryl L. Bisson
Date: 03/28/13

SOUTHAMPTON

15 Freyer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Daniel E. Fried
Seller: Stephen L. Johnson
Date: 03/29/13

Strong Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $586,823
Buyer: Triple Seven LLC
Seller: Edwin F. Goral
Date: 04/02/13

11 South Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $213,570
Buyer: Village Center Apts. LLC
Seller: Raymond M. Rice
Date: 04/03/13

WORTHINGTON

461 Old North Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $122,500
Buyer: William M. Powers
Seller: Sylvia J. Howes
Date: 03/25/13

215 Thayer Hill Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Noreen F. Ryan
Seller: John D. Ryan
Date: 03/27/13

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

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

Showtime Inc., 1664 Main St., Agawam, MA 01030. Diane Demarco, 778 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Bar.

AMHERST

Notch Consulting Inc., 535 West St., Amherst, MA 01002. Paul Ita, same. Market research and consulting.

BELCHERTOWN

Tian Yi Inc., 330 Chauncey Walker St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Fan Du, same. Food services.

CHICOPEE

Prescription Associates Corp., 90 Hendrick St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Brian O’Neil, same. Consulting services, including prescription information and patient counseling.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Richard Doleva & Associates Inc., 180 Denslow Road, Suite 7, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Richard Doleva, same. Accounting and tax preparation.

EAST LONGMEADOW

The Greater United Aweil Reconstruction and Development Inc., 58 Wellington Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Adim Malek, same.

Transfluenci Edu Inc., 46 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Barbara Rodriguez, 71 Spruceland Road, Enfield, CT 06082. Provides educational services, including translation and interpretation.

Zanetti Electric Inc., 126 Parker St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Glenn Zanetti, same. Electrical services.

EASTHAMPTON

Riffs Inc., 116 Pleasant St., Suite 150, Easthampton, MA 01027. Richard Lyman, 22 Hannumbrook Dr., Easthampton, MA 01027. Food service.

FEEDING HILLS

Repairs Plus Inc., 22 Oroile Dr., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Kelly Nadeau, same. Mortgage field services and home inspection.

GRANBY

Thomas Hill Inc., 118 Munsing Ridge, Granby, MA 01033. Thomas Hill, same. Tavern

GREENFIELD

Tea & Taxes Company, 473 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Wendy Marsden, same. Provide accounting, business and financial services.

HAMPDEN

Timber Heights Tree Service Inc., 12 Genevieve Dr., Hampden, MA 01036. Ryan Morton, same. Tree services.

LONGMEADOW

Pack Solutions Inc., 794 Frank Smith Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. William Klein Jr., same. Packaging services.

HADLEY

Skip Lunch Inc., 84 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035. Delcie Bean, IV, same. Product distributorship.

HOLYOKE

Rock Valley Enterprises Inc., 215 Mountain Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. Scott Sattler, same. Real estate management and renovations.

Venice Pizza Inc., 420 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Erol Kumas, 47 James Ave., Agawam, MA 01001. Pizza restaurant.

W & E Accounting and Tax Service Inc., 56 Suffolf St., Suite 607 Holyoke, MA 01040. William Rosario, 26 Scott Hollow Dr., Holyoke, MA 01040. Accounting and tax services.

PALMER

T R Stone Trucking Inc., 30 Lawrence St., Palmer, MA 01069. Thomas Stone, same. Over-the-road long haul trucking.

PITTSFIELD

Third Goat Inc., 11 Swan Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. John Michalski, same. Property maintenance.

Veronica De Yeso, MD, P.C., 261 South St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Veronica Deyeso, MD, 8 Webster Road, Tyringham, MA 01264. Full of range medical services by a licensed physician.

Yummy Treasures Inc., 98 Stratford Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Elizabeth Carpenter, same. Retail and wholesale sales.

SOUTH DEERFIELD

Wilcox Builders Inc., 7 Porter St., South Deerfield, MA 01373. Matthew Wilcox, same. Residential and commercial construction and develop.

SOUTHAMPTON

Ted’s Creative Jewelry Inc., 15 College Highway, Southampton, MA 01073. Theodore Blais, 5 Old Country Road, Southampton, MA 01073. Jewelry design, creation sales and repair.

SPRINGFIELD

RRI Consulting Group Inc., 1655 Main St., Suite 504, Springfield, MA 01103. Efrain Medina, 142 Pleasant St., Apt. 2 Southbridge, MA 01550. Business consulting services.

Tyler John Inc., 28 Verge St., Springfield, MA 01129. Samuel Wilson, same. Sales of beer, wine, and liquor.

Yigit Inc., 139 Dwight St., Springfield, MA 01103. Maryem Turan, 322 Meadow Street, Apt. 15, Agawam, MA 01001. Pizzeria.

WESTFIELD

Sound Cleaning On-Site Inc., 54 Hampden St., Westfield, MA 01085. Brian Zych, 25 Hampden St., Westfield, MA 01085. Window treatment, cleaning, and installation.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

One on One Fit Studio Inc., 176 South Blvd., West Springfield, MA 01089. Peter Samberg, same. Physical fitness studio.

Stuti Vending Services Inc., 1150 Riverdale St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Roht Teji, same. Vending machine services.

WESTHAMPTON

Paradox Surfaces Inc., 250 Southampton Road, Westhampton, MA 01027. Brendan Kavanaugh, same. Construction services.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

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.

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Alhamrah Corp. v. Irfan Raheel, Infi Wholesale, Imran B. Raheel, and Novelty Plus
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $96,049.94
Filed: 4/13/13

Crocker Building Co. Inc. v. Gaston Realty, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment for construction services provided: $47,220.72
Filed: 3/25/13

Jozev Products Inc. v. Safcol USA Inc.
Allegation: Sale of defective goods: $250,000
Filed: 3/27/13

Shameka Hackman v. Hampden County Visiting Nurse and Homecare Services Inc.
Allegation: Wrongful termination: $30,000
Filed: 3/7/13

Xerox Corp. v. John Roma d/b/a Vida Latina Magazine a/k/a Roma Marketing Group
Allegation: Breach of lease: $41,572.08
Filed: 3/25/13

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
John F. Edwards v. Valley Industries, Inc. d/b/a Armstrong Nautical Products
Allegation: Product liability: $44,321
Filed: 2/13/13

Kenneth I. Laprade v. Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Kindred Hospital Parkview, and Alvah Hinckley, M.D.
Allegation: Plaintiff was confined to bed for over one month, claiming false imprisonment: $483,600
Filed: 3/13/13

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Credit Cash NJ, LLC v. Priority Payment Systems, LLC
Allegation: Breach of agreement: $13,211.06
Filed: 2/25/13

Easthampton Savings Bank v. B&B Waste Services, Brian and Laura Maziarz
Allegation: Default on revolving line of credit: $17,049.72
Filed: 3/19/13

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Verizon New England Inc. v. F&J Construction Co. of Ludlow
Allegation: Defendant damaged Verizon equipment while excavating: $18,011.82
Filed: 2/13/13

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
International Container Co., LLC v. National Equipment Associates Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $37,419
Filed: 3/6/13

Joseph Kling v. Construction Services of Branford, LLC
Allegation: Negligence in equipment safety causing injury: $56,000
Filed: 3/2/13

Community Profile: East Longmeadow

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

Features

East Longmeadow Is on a Growth Trajectory

Robyn Macdonald says East Longmeadow’s popularity is growing, offering untold opportunities for businesses. “It’s a sleepy little town that’s starting to wake up,” said the town’s Planning, Zoning Board, and Conservation director.
George Kingston agrees, and says business plays an integral role in the economy. “When people think of East Longmeadow, they think of big houses with big lawns. We have those, but there are also important parts of the town that most people never see,” said the chair of the Planning Board. “And the voters recognize the importance of business and industry in supporting the tax base.”
The town has proved attractive to residential and industrial developers in recent years and has experienced a fair amount of growth. But its bucolic atmosphere, which dates back to its agrarian days, still remains, and even its Industrial Garden District and Deer Park Industrial Center are places where manicured lawns and flower gardens belie the scope of the commercial and manufacturing ventures there.
However, most businesses are small and located in and around the town center on Shaker Road and North Main Street. “The majority are owned by people who either live in East Longmeadow or live very close to town,” Kingston noted, adding that the wide variety of shops and services allow residents to get most of their needs met without leaving the town’s 13 square miles.
“We have grocery stores, 10 dental practices, Hampden County Physicians, a lot of salons, and many after-school programs, so people who move here can have a house on a half-acre and only travel a half-mile to take their kids to dancing or gymnastics. If they want to go out at night, they have their choice of 25 restaurants.

Robyn Macdonald calls East Longmeadow a sleepy little town that’s starting to wake up.

“And people can also work here,” he said, naming firms with sizeable workforces, such as Lenox, which is undergoing an expansion.
Maintaining the town’s pastoral atmosphere is something officials have put time and thought into, so a bylaw prohibits big-box stores. “Retail establishments are limited to 65,000 square feet, and drive-thrus with products for human consumption are not allowed,” Macdonald said.
But homes and building lots are in high demand, and a number of residential developments are under construction or have been built over the past two years. So, although the town felt the effects of the downturn in the economy that began in 2008, “businesses and residents dug in their heels and rode out the storm. And now, you can absolutely see that things are improving,” Macdonald said. “East Longmeadow is an up-and-coming community with a lot of new families. And the school system is tops, which is why a lot of people move here.”

Business Opportunities
Center Square was built in recent years on property that had sat vacant for decades. Today, it is filled with a variety of shops and eateries which include upscale clothing stores, Spoleto’s restaurant, Starbucks, Sleepy’s, a dry cleaner, a card shop, and a law office on the second floor of one of the retail strips. There is also a Walgreens and a Webster Bank branch on the property, which boasts Rocky’s Ace Hardware as an anchor.
Macdonald said the first permits for the complex were taken out in 2004, but it took several years before construction began. “But it has really enhanced the center,” she told BusinessWest, adding that Bentley’s Bistro had just opened within walking distance on North Main Street.
Kingston concurs. “There is lots of parking, and businesses in Center Square are doing really well,” he said. In addition, La Fiorentina bakery and Zonin’s deli opened in late December after renovations on a building a short distance down the street were complete. Their main locations are in Springfield, but Kingston said the town’s uniform tax rate makes moving or expanding to East Longmeadow an attractive prospect.
Large commercial ventures are concentrated in the Industrial Garden District, made up of 530 acres that were former cornfields. When it was originally designed, town officials wanted to preserve its natural beauty, so parcels must be at least 75,000 square feet and must have 250 feet of frontage for every 75,000 square feet they occupy.
The area has been marketed in conjunction with Westmass Area Development Corp., and about 30 companies and commercial manufacturers have settled there, including Milton Bradley (Hasbro), Rubbermaid, and Suddekor.
But although a decided effort has been made to separate commercial and residential areas, there are a number of older industries located along what used to be the railroad, including a wood-processing plant and a large metal-fabrication facility. “But newer industry goes into the industrial park,” Kingston said, adding that there are a few vacant buildings ready for tenants, along with vacant land, particularly in the Deer Park area, which was added to the complex in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
The Arbors Kids recently received Planning Board approval to locate in the district, and will offer day and after-school care as well as a summer camp. “They will take over a vacant industrial building and have plans to renovate the interior; it’s a large facility and will have athletic fields and a swimming pool,” Macdonald said.
In addition to the space in the industrial park, Kingston noted, there are a few other parcels that town officials would like see developed. However, they have some challenges, including the former Package Machinery plant on Chestnut Street, made up of 41 acres and a large building, as well as the former Community Feed property, which contains about three acres and is within walking distance of Center Square. “It has great potential and is a great place for retail development. But there could be traffic problems in the morning and evening.”
He told BusinessWest that the town has also seen an “explosion” of home-based businesses over the past five years, which many people are operating via the Internet. “They don’t have any impact on our residential areas, but are everywhere in town,” he said. “And there are a number of businesses who do things like pet grooming at other people’s homes.”

Steady Evolution
After World War II, the Speight Brothers built hundreds of Cape Cod-style homes in an area that ran from Blackman’s Pond on North Main Street to the town center. The development brought young families to the community, which is a trend that continues today.
However, Macdonald would like to see more affordable-housing complexes built for seniors who have lived in town all their lives, but no longer need large homes.
Some developers have moved to fill the niche. Bluebird Estates, an independent-living facility, was built in 2006 on 11 acres of former Bluebird Acres farmland on the west side of Parker Street. And a new assisted-living facility is being built on acreage across the street. “East Longmeadow Senior Living is under construction,” Macdonald said, adding that its 89,287 square feet will contain 71 assisted-living suites and 32 for people with memory loss.
In addition, the Fields at Chestnut, built by Roulier Associates as an over-55 community with plans for 120 high-end, single family dwellings, is in its final building phase.
“But we still need more projects to satisfy the empty-nester needs of people 55 and over,” Macdonald said, adding that three farm properties for sale in residential districts could be developed.
Younger homeowners have more choices, and the demand for expansive homes has spurred recent growth. “We have seen a pickup in housing builds — there are several new subdivisions started and others being talked about,” Kingston said. “There are also plans for new houses on fill-in lots where homeowners divided their land and are putting up a second house.”

George Kingston says the Industrial Garden District boasts about 30 companies, including Suddekor.

In addition, builders are purchasing older homes and renovating them. “A lot of people want to live in East Longmeadow, and land values are very high here,” Kingston said. “So, despite the housing slump, we have seen continued growth.”
The new Bella Vista Estates development contains 30 35,000-square-foot single-family lots with plans to build five-bedroom homes on each of them.
There is also a three-year-old development on Black Dog Lane, where six of the seven lots have been sold. “And Wisteria Lane, with six lots off of Somers Road, was just approved,” Macdonald said.
In addition, six lots on Winterberry Lane in the northeast corner of town have also been approved. “They are large and range from 25,000 to 40,000 square feet,” she noted. “The town continues to grow, as people love to live in East Longmeadow.”
While the homes being built are expensive, the town has become more upscale, added Kingston, and the new developments reflect an ongoing movement.

Bright Outlook
Macdonald said companies looking to move or expand should consider East Longmeadow. “We still have plenty of room, and the opportunities here are great. The town welcomes large and small businesses, and our Industrial Garden District is a beautiful area which is easy to get to from I-91.”
But despite continuing growth, officials say, East Longmeadow will not lose its beauty. “We work hard in planning to try to maintain a good quality of life, but also make sure we have tax generation so we can fund our schools, infrastructure, and services,” Kingston said. “And East Longmeadow has achieved a pretty good balance.”

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff May 7, 2013

Opinion

Springfield Makes Smart Choice with MGM

Endeavors to place a casino in downtown Springfield have a long way to go — the process is really only in stage one — but the city is off to what would have to be considered a very solid start.
Indeed, it chose the right development to take to the next stage — MGM’s proposal for the South End — and it negotiated smartly, securing a host-community agreement that benefits the city and region in a number of ways, but without putting too great a financial burden on the company.
That agreement includes everything from annual payments to the city totaling $25 million to improvements for Riverfront Park; from support for local entertainment venues, including the MassMutual Center, Symphony Hall, and CityStage, to so-called community-impact payments that have the potential to greatly improve overall public safety downtown. There’s even a provision for MGM to finance construction of a pavilion at Franconia Golf Course, one that will, in theory, enable the course to host more events and the city to net more revenue.
The challenge now is to continue working with MGM to shape a project that will not only win the favor of voters in the city and then the Gaming Commission — although both of those are critical — but also succeed in the broad and complex goal of transforming the South End neighborhood.
And it is that piece that ultimately makes this project the far better option for Springfield than Penn National’s proposal to build in the city’s North End.
That plan, which did have some merit, would have relocated two large businesses — Peter Pan and the Republican — thus creating what the developers called a ripple effect that would boost downtown (the Republican would have relocated there), Union Station (Peter Pan would have moved there), and an East Springfield industrial park (the newspaper’s printing operations would have gone there).
But those developments cannot be considered game-changing in stature. Those involving the city’s South End neighborhood are definitely worthy of that descriptive phrase, although it must be said that the game can be changed in many ways, and the jury is still very much out on whether a casino can positively transform a severely challenged urban area.
For now, though, this is clearly the right pick for Springfield.
The MGM plan could take a neighborhood that has, for the most part, been down and virtually out since the construction of I-91 fractured it, and give it the catalyst for progress that has been missing for four decades.
The MGM proposal, focused more on entertainment than it is on pure gaming, would bring people to the South End who would ordinarily avoid that part of town. And while doing so, it brings the promise of deeper change — new businesses, market-rate housing, momentum, and a real sense of hope.
When BusinessWest traveled with the City 2 City contingent to Bethlehem, Pa. last November, we heard from officials there who were determined not to simply put a casino within the city where it made sense from a traffic and parking perspective — although those matters figured into the equation. Instead, they focused on locating the casino where it would make a real difference — in that case, the site of the former steel mill that once gave the city its identity but then sat lifeless for years.
Today, there is plenty of life on that site, from new arts venues to fledgling businesses to new work/live projects that are bringing young people to Bethlehem and hope for the future. And little, if any, of it would have happened without the casino.
Springfield needs — and deserves — a project that can do the same thing. The MGM proposal has the vast potential for being the catalyst this city desires, and we’re encouraged by the fact that it is the last Springfield proposal standing.
As we said, there is a long way to go in this process, but the city is, to borrow a phrase from the industry, riding the right horse.
Now it has to get it to the finish line.

Walter Tomala Jr.

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

40 Under 40 The Class of 2013

Owner and President, TNT General Contracting, age 37

Walt Tomala Jr. says the speed-building endeavors he’s participated in — everything from two local Extreme Makeover: Home Edition projects to a blitz-build event for Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity — are in many ways a metaphor for how he lives his life.
In other words, he’s committed to simply not wasting a minute of his time. This attitude has enabled him to successfully balance his business, TNT General Contracting, with his family and especially his daughter, Lauren, and also his work in the community through those aforementioned projects, but also many others, especially his tireless service with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
But beyond maximizing his time, there is another common thread between Tomala’s extreme-building exploits and his own life. That would be the matter of dreams — making them, shaping them, and willing them to come true.
As a teenager, Tomala’s dream was to be a professional baseball pitcher, and he was on his way — he starred for Westfield High School — when a devastating shoulder and elbow injury took baseball out of the equation and forced him to recalibrate. He took work building and remodeling bowling centers, but a year into that job he was caught in a flash explosion when a sanding machine malfunctioned. He suffered third-degree burns over 60% of his body and spent a year in recovery and rehab.
Undaunted, he went back to building bowling centers, and eventually started his own construction company with a name, TNT, which has nothing to do with his family name, but everything to do with the explosion that nearly ended all his dreams.
Since then, he’s focused on other people’s dreams, from participating in the Extreme Makeover projects to designing and overseeing the blitz build for Habitat; from building four houses in a week for victims of the June 1, 2011 tornado to helping construct two homes for severely injured veterans.
Introduced to Make-A-Wish by his father when he was 13, Tomala has made that nonprofit one of his passions. And in 2000, the organization named him its volunteer of the year.
To say that he’s made the very most of all his time would be a huge understatement.

— George O’Brien

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

Editor's Corner Opinion

40 More Reasons to Feel Positive

BusinessWest launched its 40 Under Forty program in 2007 with a number of goals in mind. Identifying young leaders was the primary mission, and we have certainly done that, especially with the Class of 2013, which we introduce in this issue.
But through their stories, we wanted to inspire others to become leaders themselves, and in the process, show that, contrary to what might be popular belief, young people don’t have to leave this market to enjoy success in business, find fulfillment in their work, and make their mark in the community.
Like the six groups that came before, the Class of 2013 provides plenty of examples of people who are not only excelling in their fields, but also giving back to the cities and towns in this region, often with work that involves the young people who will shape this region’s future. Here are just a few examples:
• Tim Allen, the principal of the new South End Middle School in Springfield. Under his leadership, this facility, which serves lower-income children, many of whom are English Language Learners, has recorded more improvement on the English portion of the MCAS tests in its first year than any of the other six neighborhood middle schools in the city. Allen also does a considerable amount of mentoring, and gives time and energy to Big Brothers Big Sisters;
• Adrian Bailey Dion has developed imaginative — and entrepreneurial — strategies to enable the Grinspoon Foundation, which she serves as COO, to dramatically increase the number of books it distributes through its PJ Library, which supports literacy and values development in children ages 1-8 through the purchase and delivery of age-appropriate Jewish books. She also supports area food pantries and kitchens in their work to feed area residents in need;
• Melyssa Brown, an accountant with Meyers Brothers Kalicka in Holyoke, has made her mark professionally, as the youngest manager in the firm’s Audit & Accounting Division. But it’s her work in the community that is really adding up (figuratively speaking). She’s one of the prime movers with a new Girls Inc. initiative called Eureka, in which girls ages 12-15 spend four weeks each summer on a college campus to learn about math, science, computers, sports, and both personal and career development;
• Kam Capoccia is a pharmacist who is changing the way people might think about those in that profession. While she still dispenses pills during weekend shifts at a local Walgreens, she spends much of her time dispensing information, as an associate professor of Pharmacy at Western New England University, but especially as the director of the Consultation and Wellness Center at the Big Y on Cooley Street in Springfield. There, she’s assisted countless individuals with issues ranging from Type 2 diabetes to high blood pressure to problems with obesity;
• Walt Tomala Jr. knows what it’s like to triumph over adversity. He suffered third-degree burns over 60% of his body in a flash explosion that occurred when a sanding machine malfunctioned while he was remodeling a bowling center. He spent a year in recovery and rehab, and eventually started his own construction company, one that has played a lead role in helping others achieve a higher quality of life, through work on everything from blitz-build projects for Habitat for Humanity to construction of homes for severely wounded veterans. He’s also been a steady supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Space doesn’t permit us to tell all 40 stories here, but these five serve as effective examples of how this entire class is the embodiment of professional excellence, community activism, and true leadership.
Their stories begin on page A6. Read, enjoy, and become inspired.

In a Class by Itself

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

Commercial Real Estate Sections

Northampton Commercial Real Estate Market Remains Resilient

Patrick Goggins, owner of Goggins Real Estate, says the resiliency of the Northampton commercial real estate market is no accident — it results from the city’s welcoming atmosphere.

John Williamson says Northampton has a magnetic quality that draws a broad spectrum of people to its businesses, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. And that quality has allowed commercial real estate not only to weather the economic downturn, but register unprecedented growth over the past two years.
“It’s so far and away from other markets, there really is no comparison,” said the president of Williamson Commercial Properties LLC in Springfield.
Steve Jasinski agrees. “The Northampton area seems to have been isolated from the downturn in the economy, it didn’t suffer the same pitfalls that occurred in other areas,” said the broker at Delap Real Estate LLC in Northampton and Amherst, explaining that the city’s economic and social diversity, strong employment base, and unique character of its downtown have provided a formula for success that is reflected in the value of commercial property.
But Patrick Goggins, owner of Goggins Real Estate in Florence, who has been in this business for more than 40 years, says the steadiness of the market is no accident. Instead, it results from a collective commitment on the part of business owners who have devoted time, energy, and thought to creating an atmosphere that is personal and welcoming to visitors.
He told BusinessWest the reason for Northampton’s success is fairly simple. “People are doing their own thing, but many businesses on Main Street are run and managed by owners who are here day in and day out. It adds a personal touch, which brings with it personal attention and gives them a better chance of succeeding and understanding the community and its needs. They know that connecting the dots is important, so they are a very active group, and when they see something is needed, they pitch in.”
Officials at Smith College have also joined forces with business owners to keep downtown vibrant, and have played a significant role in its financial success. “The town and gown works well here,” Goggins said, adding that the college has supported the Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement District, Academy of Music, the new fire station under construction, and other organizations that play a role in the city’s unfalteringly robust economic climate.

Brokers John Williamson, left, and Steve Jasinski say downtown Northampton offers people a place to shop and dine in an intimate, personal setting.

Jasinski said the five colleges and the fact that many Smith College graduates choose to return to the area, adds to the vitality.
“People leave here and talk about the diversity of Northampton — we’re known throughout the country and you can go to different parts of the world and mention the city and people recognize the name,” he noted. “But people have been key to its success and keep the economy going.”
Downtown and King Street are home to most of the commercial real estate, and two new banks, three car dealerships and other businesses recently opened their doors or are under construction on King Street. “It’s our commercial strip,” Jasinski explained. “And it isn’t just growing, it’s booming.”
Williamson agrees, and points to new developments such as Northampton Crossing, (the former Hill and Dale Mall), which sat vacant for about 20 years, but was purchased two years ago and is being re-developed into medical offices and retail shops. “King Street plays an important role in the balance of the Northampton commercial market,” he said.
Signs of vitality can also be seen at the gateway to the city, which officials designate as the area off Exit 18 from I-91 near the Clarion Hotel. A new 30,000-square-foot office building was completed there about a year ago.
“It was fully leased three months later,” said Williamson, adding that a second, similarly sized building is under construction. “There is not another office market anywhere in Western Mass that has this amount of positive absorption.”

New Frontiers
Goggins said that when he was a student at UMass Amherst, the businesses in downtown Northampton existed to serve the needs of the local community.
“In the late 60s, there were five men’s clothing shops and five hardware stores downtown,” he recalled, adding that the marketplace catered to men.
Fast forward to the early ’70s, when Fitzwilly’s restaurant opened and proved that it was possible to have a business that could cater to both college students and their parents.
“It was a new marketing concept for the area,” Goggins said, noting that it was the catalyst that changed the complexion of the downtown landscape. “But the interesting part is that it was not something that was promoted or orchestrated. There was no magic plan; it just evolved naturally through entrepreneurship. But it took people with nerve to open businesses here.”
In time, it became fashionable to have an office downtown, which led to a demand for housing there, Goggins recalled.
Jasinski said the large number of residences in and around Main Street contribute to the economy and strength of the city. “One of the key components to the success of downtown is that it is a neighborhood,” he told BusinessWest.
However, Goggins said the character of the buildings has remained the same for generations. He noted that in the mid ’70s the city council voted 5-4 against urban renewal at a time when other communities were embracing it and knocking down buildings in blighted areas.
“It was a very, very important vote and presented the base from where we have grown,” Goggins said. So, although apartments and condominiums were carved out of underutilized space on the upper floors of buildings, “they never changed architecturally, although they have been enhanced.”
He cites education as the primary economic driver in the city and said it has been a steadying force.
Jasinski concurs, and adds healthcare to the conversation. “We have great employers here, and jobs create a strong economy,” he said, as he talked about the five colleges and Cooley Dickinson Hospital. “And anyone who comes to Northampton seems to fall in love with the city due to our diversity, uniqueness, and the warmth of the community. You can walk down Main Street to Smith College and go through the gardens and greenhouse and around Paradise Pond. There is a lot to do and people are key to the success of the economy as they keep it going.”
It is also significant that rents have not risen significantly. “I am renting some spaces for the same price per square foot that they went for 10 years ago,” Goggins said.
But that doesn’t mean they are low. Downtown rents range from $25 to $40 per square foot, with locations closest to Thornes Market on Main Street capturing the high end of the market.
“The average is about $25 per square foot, which is comparable to what you would find in much larger cities,” Goggins said. “There isn’t even a close comparison anywhere else in the area.”

Changing Landscape
King Street is experiencing rapid commercial growth due to zoning changes instituted two years ago. “It was the only area where there was available land, but it was not conducive to commercial development so in the past people couldn’t take advantage of it,” Goggins said.
The change resulted from efforts on the part of the City Planning Department, the chamber, a group of residents, and a number of individuals, including Goggins, to position that area for growth.
Since that time, auto dealerships and other businesses have sprung up and continue to grow. “There are really only two parcels left that are right for development,” Goggins said. “The growth there has been a real eye opener for people.”
Williamson said King Street plays an important role in the balance of Northampton’s commercial market and allows institutions such as banks to have drive-up windows, something that’s not possible downtown. “There are two new auto dealerships under construction and Baystate Medical Center plans to have a medical clinic at Northampton Crossing. Most of the space there has already been pre-leased,” he said.
Another development that has been well received is the River Valley Co-op at the extreme north end of King Street. “It does a really bustling business,” Williamson said.
Goggins told BusinessWest that the city Planning Department is also interested in developing the corridor off Exit 18 on I-91. Cooley Dickinson Hospital is one of the primary tenants in the new office building there, and he expects the site that is under construction to be dominated by medical offices.
Meanwhile, property on Village Hill, built on the grounds of the former Northampton State Hospital, has also been in demand. L-3 KEO (formerly Kollmorgen) relocated there from King Street, a boutique hotel is being created in a building that once housed male attendants at the state hospital, and 9,000 square feet in a new 12,000-square-foot office building under construction are already under lease.
Goggins played a role in the revitalization, and said 150 of the 300 housing units planned for the site are complete and there are plans for several more buildings, which will contain a combination of office, industrial, and retail space.
The site is only three quarters of a mile from downtown, and although most tenants and building owners have been downtown for a long time, real estate opportunities do exist. The building on Main Street that housed the Mountain Goat is for sale, and a building across the street was recently sold to an individual who plans to renovate it.
“There is a lot of demand for property to lease as well as buy,” Jasinski said, adding that businesses often open on side streets, then add a second location on Main Street or eventually move there.
But real estate doesn’t come cheap. “A high end multi-tenant building in downtown Springfield that was fully occupied recently sold for $41.25 per square foot, where a similar building in Northampton would cost in excess of $200 per square foot,” Williamson said. “That really illustrates the difference between the Northampton market and other central area district markets. But the amount of availability is just about perfect, and there is just the right amount of churn. There is not so much vacancy that it is a deterrent to the market, but there is enough to satisfy the requirements of businesses as they come into Northampton for the first time.”

Bright Outlook
Williamson said the demand for commercial space indicates there will be a need for additional construction in the city. “The future bodes well for continued office development, and people can expect to see the announcement of other developments in the next year. Plus, values on Main Street will continue to appreciate at very respectable rates,” he predicted.
Goggins agreed. “The image of Northampton is consistent as it is an oasis that people like to come to,” he said. “So, the value of property has held up, which is an indication of how solid the community is. It has been able to prosper and ride out the cyclical downturns because the real estate market is directly related to the perception of Northampton from the outside in.”
Which continues to be a magnetic force that lures visitors from the local area and beyond.

PictureThis

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

A Living Treasure

The annual Dorothy Jordan Pryor Award and Lecture at Springfield Technical Community College honors a “living treasure” such as Pryor, the former English teacher, Affirmative Action officer, and trustee. The 2013 recipient, Setta McCabe, retired director of Public Relations and Publication and current WTCC-FM board member, spoke on the history of the college and the radio station.

Sports Minded

The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) recently launched the new Western MA Sports Commission, which will purse, attract, and support sporting events and sports-related business opportunities that positively impact the Western Mass. economy. During ceremonies at the MassMutual Center, a new logo was unveiled, and John Heaps, president of Florence Savings Bank, was introduced as chairman of the commission, Other members of the board, seated from left, are: Thomas Burke, Granby High School Coach; Steve McKelvey, associate professor and graduate program director at UMass Amherst; Shannah McArdle, director of sports marketing for the Mass. Office of Travel and Tourism; Louise Hines, director of sports and event marketing for the MassMutual Financial Group; John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Paul Dinn, president of Dinn Brothers Trophy, Inc.; and J. Adam Filson, general counsel of Jiminy Peak Family of Companies. Other commission members not pictured include Kenneth Sinkiewicz, deputy director, of the Mass. Convention Center Authority, and Henry Thomas III, president & CEO of the Urban League of Springfield.

Naming Rights

Baystate Medical Center’s adult emergency department recently benefited from a $1 million gift from local philanthropic leaders Harold Grinspoon and wife, Diane Troderman. In appreciation, the Level 1 adult trauma facility’s new name will be the Harold Grinspoon & Diane Troderman Adult Emergency Department at the Baystate Medical Center Emergency & Trauma Center. It joins the Sadowsky Family Pediatric Emergency Department as the two named elements of the new Emergency & Trauma Center at Baystate, which opened in December 2012. The Emergency & Trauma Center encompasses more than three times the size of the hospital’s former emergency room, with twice the number of private, adult patient-care spaces. Grinspoon established the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in 1993 in Springfield, and Troderman has been his active partner in all of his philanthropic activities. Pictured (from left) during the announcement event are: Mark Tolosky, president and CEO of Baystate Health; James Sadowsky of the Baystate Health Board of Trustees; Grinspoon; Troderman; John Davis of the Baystate Health Board of Trustees; Dr. Benjamin Liptzin, chair of the Department of Psychiatry, Baystate Health; and Dr. Richard Engelman, chief of Cardiac Surgical Research at Baystate Medical Center.

Unlimited Pride

Human Resources Unlimited recently staged its annual Recognition and Fundraiser event at Springfield Country Club. Employer partners and volunteers were honored and successful program members were recognized. At top, from left, accepting the 2012 Armand Tourangeau Volunteer of the Year award is Jeff Lander, center, founder of Appilistic, flanked by (from left) Susan Smith, senior employment coordinator, Forum House; Renee Kosciusko, daughter of Armand Tourangeau; Carol Tourangeau, wife of Armand Tourangeau; and Susan Beckwith, program manager, Forum House. Middle left, 2012 Rookie Employer Award recipients (from left), Jackie Huntley, Tradewinds program member; Deb Post, HR manager, and Russell Prentiss, general manager, both of the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center; Michael Forest, program manager, Tradewinds; and Winnie Siano, senior employment coordinator, Tradewinds; Bottom, Donald Kozera, President of Human Resources Unlimited (second from right) poses with the winners of the Employer of the Year Award, representing Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Westfield. From left are: Arlie Meade, sales manager; Nathan Byrd, general manager, Ashish Patel, president, and Jacquie Clayton, guest services manager.
Photos by Paul Schnaittacher

Engineering Excellence

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA) presented Westfield-based engineering firm, Tighe & Bond, with a Gold Award during its 2013 Engineering Excellence and Awards Gala in Cambridge. The annual competition recognizes recent engineering achievements that demonstrate the highest degree of merit, ingenuity, complexity, and client satisfaction. This Gold Award recognized innovative upgrades that Tighe & Bond recently completed for the town of Sturbridge’s wastewater treatment facility, which became the first full-scale combined BioMag/CoMag wastewater system in the nation. The implementation of two new cutting edge and effective treatment processes, BioMag and CoMag, have increased wastewater treatment efficiency, improved water quality, as well as reduced costs and overall environmental impact. Sharing a moment after the awards ceremony are, from left, Ko Ishikura ACEC/MA president; Gregory Morse, Sturbridge DPW director; Ian Catlow, Tighe & Bond senior project manager; Mike Becker, Tighe & Bond construction observer; Peter Piattoni, ACEC/MA Awards chair; and Shaun Suhoski, Sturbridge town administrator.

Not Just Business as Usual

The Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Foundation hosted its fourth annual Not Just Business As Usual event on April 4 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In celebration of 40 years of excellence in Nursing at STCC, keynote speakers included “The Three Doctors,” Dr. George Jenkins, assistant professor of the Clinical Dentistry Section of Adult Dentistry at Columbia University; Dr. Rameck Hunt, board certified internist at University Medical Center at Princeton and assistant professor of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; and Dr. Sampson Davis, board certified emergency medicine physician at St. Michael’s Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center and Easton Hospital, and assistant medical director of the Emergency Department at Raritan Bay Medical Center. As teenagers surrounded by negative influences with few positive role models growing up on the streets of Newark, N.J., the three friends made a pact to stick together, graduate college, and achieve their dreams of becoming medical doctors. All are now well known for their work in delivering messages of hope and inspiration. Over the past two years, the STCC Foundation event has provided more than $100,000 to support college and student needs. At top (from left) Drs. Davis, Hunt, and Jenkins sign copies of their books, The Pact, We Beat the Street, and The Bond. Bottom, above, Ira Rubenzahl, president of STCC, poses with Frank Colaccino, CEO at Colvest Group (center), and John Heaps, Jr., president of Florence Savings Bank.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

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
Daiana Narvaez and Maria Fuentes v. T.G. Lawler Insurance Agency and Joshua Jimenez
Allegation: Breach of insurance contract: $2,379
Filed: 3/25/13

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Backyard Farms, LLC v. Hampden Structural Systems d/b/a Private Garden Greenhouse Systems, Joseph Michael Hickson, Jr. and Katherine Joyce Hickson
Allegation: Breach of contract, negligent performance of work, and misrepresentation: $20,758.40+
Filed: 3/11/13

Juliana Gore v. Baystate Medical Center, Stanley Access Technologies, LLC and John Doe Inc.
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property: $28,500
Filed: 3/21/13

Law Office of Michael D. Facchini v. Joe Smith d/b/a Joe’s Remodeling
Allegation: Breach of contract for construction services: $26,000+
Filed: 3/12/13

Oil Recovery Corporation v. Responsive Trucking Inc.
Allegation: Negligent repairs: $27,000
Filed: 3/15/13

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Kaleigh Ward v. Bino, Inc., BCC Realty, Inc., 265-271 Dwight Street Inc., and James and Helen Santaniello
Allegation: Negligence in service of alcohol: $540,388.86
Filed: 3/7/13

Matthew Boudreau and Shaylene Greenwood v. Affiliated Construction Services, Craig Urn and Ernie Austin
Allegation: Breach of contract for renovation services: $25,000+
Filed: 3/21/13

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
George Robert v. Kimball’s Auction and Estate Services
Allegation: Breach of contract: $25,000
Filed: 4/5/13

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
J. D. Contracting v. Premier Equipment
Allegation: Plaintiff rented equipment from the defendant that did not work as contracted: $12,640.00
Filed: 2/27/13

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Jacques J. Chicoine v. Star Pizzeria and Turkmen Lac Inc.
Allegation: Negligent property maintenance causing injury: $6,508
Filed: 3/14/13

Natasha Clark, as parent and next friend of Tianna Hillman v. Springfield Housing Authority
Allegation: Negligent property maintenance causing injury: $8,793.16
Filed: 3/13/13

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Constellation Newenergy Inc. v. Mary C. Donahue d/b/a M&M Restaurant
Allegation: Non-payment of energy services: $7,814.94
Filed: 3/13/13

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

Company Notebook Departments

Urgent Care of Wilbraham Opens Its Doors
WILBRAHAM — Urgent Care of Wilbraham, PC recently opened its doors at 2040 Wilbraham Road. The facility, owned and operated by Richard J. Freniere and Rock Jean-Guillaume, both board-certified emergency medicine physicians, provides professional medical care without an appointment. The clinic is equipped to handle a wide range of health-related issues, including aches and pains, allergies, asthma, bites and burns, bone injuries and fractures, cuts and laceration repairs, earaches, fevers, infections, pediatric illness, sprains and strains, sore throats, upper respiratory illnesses, vomiting and diarrhea, and other urgent illnesses or injuries. The facility is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, www.UrgentCareofWilbraham.com.

AIM Honors LENOX with Global Trade Award
EAST LONGMEADOW — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts International Business Council (AIM-IBC) announced that LENOX, based in East Longmeadow, is one of three winners of its18th annual Global Trade Awards, which recognize Massachusetts firms, institutions, and public agencies of all sizes that have demonstrated excellence in international trade. The other winners are Millipore, in Billerica, and Kinefac, in Worcester. The three companies will be honored at AIM’s 98th Annual Meeting on May 10 at the Waltham Westin Hotel. The event will include a keynote address by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Originally known as the American Saw & Manufacturing Company, LENOX, winner of the Ambassador’s Award, has been a leader in premium-performance tools such as band saw blades and power tool accessories since its founding in 1915. LENOX counts 900 employees worldwide, including over 600 in Massachusetts. Nearly half of production is exported around the world, to China and Asia, Brazil and Latin America, and Europe. LENOX has continued to grow by understanding its customers’ needs and adapting its products and services for new industries in global markets. Over the past 10 years, LENOX has invested $100 million in new capital for its only manufacturing facility worldwide, located in East Longmeadow. The company has hired more than 120 people in Western Mass. in the past two years. LENOX is part of Newell Rubbermaid, the global marketer of consumer and commercial products. “Our Global Trade Award winners are exemplary Massachusetts businesses that don’t think in terms of boundaries or borders, but in terms of opportunity,” said Richard Lord, president and CEO of AIM. “Taking advantage of all that Massachusetts has to offer positions companies like our winners for exceptional global success.”

United Bank Foundation Awards $43,000 to Area Non-profits
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation announced recently that it has awarded $43,000 to 11 non-profit organizations in the Springfield region in its most recent round of funding. The grants covered a variety of programs and initiatives throughout the Springfield area:
• The foundation awarded $10,000, to be paid over two years, to Elms College in Chicopee toward the construction of a Center for Natural and Health Sciences;
• The Gateway Education Foundation Inc., based in Huntington, received a grant of $5,000 for its “Funds for Learning Program.” The program supports school projects that fall outside of the budgets of the seven schools in the Gateway school district;
• Human Resources Unlimited Inc. in Springfield received $5,000 for its Changing Habits Transforming Lives job readiness and placement program;
• WestMass Eldercare was awarded $5,000 to fund services for low- income elders in Holyoke, South Hadley, Chicopee, and surrounding areas;
• Junior Achievement (JA) of Western Massachusetts was awarded $4,000 to expand programs in Holyoke, Northampton, and East Longmeadow;
• The Western Mass. Council, Boy Scouts of America received $3,500 for the continuation, enhancement, and expansion of the Scoutreach programs in Springfield;
• In Holyoke, the Public Library received $2,500 from the foundation to support the month-long series “Holyoke Points of View” in April;
• Springfield Partners for Community Action was awarded $2,000 for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Earned Income Tax Credit Program for low income individuals;
• The Westfield Public Schools received $1,000 to fund the purchase of materials needed for the high school science fair and advancement to the regional and state finals.
• The foundation awarded $2,500 to World Is Our Classroom to fund the Westfield Manufacturing Education initiative at Mestek Inc., a collaboration with the Westfield Public Schools to offer fifth-grade students a hands-on application of science and technology in a real life manufacturing plant setting; and
• In West Springfield, the foundation awarded $2,500 to the high school to fund the purchase of the National Archery in Schools curriculum.
The United Bank Foundation has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants since it was established in 2005 as a permanent source of funding to benefit communities in United Bank’s market area. The Foundation board of directors meets quarterly to review requests submitted by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in cities and towns served by United Bank branches. The foundation’s four primary funding areas of interest are education, health and human services, youth development and cultural programs. Foundation guidelines can be found online at bankatunited.com.

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

New England Intermodal Services Inc., 57 Barn Road, Agawam, MA 01001. Cynthia Herring, same. Trucking company.

AMHERST

Notch Consulting Inc., 535 West St., Amherst, MA 01002. Paul Ita, same. Market research and consulting.

CHICOPEE

Kelly’s Inc., 621 Center St., Chicopee MA 01013. Leo Buono, 44 Oak Hollow Road, Springfield, MA 01128. Lounge.

Mija Inc., 95 Ward St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Michael Gibson, same. Adult entertainment web cam.

EASTHAMPTON

Molly Montgomery Painting Inc., 69 Pleasant St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Molly Montgomery, same. Painting.

GRANBY

M.R. Cote Inc., 71 Kendall St., Granby, MA 01033. Michael Cote, same. Electrical contracting and carpentry.

HADLEY

Mathematical Staircase Inc., 278 Bay Road, Hadley, MA 01035. Sarah-Marie Belcastro, same. To educate mathematically talented secondary and tertiary students.

HATFIELD

Jessica Marie Photography Inc., 22 North Hatfield Road, Hatfield, MA 01038. Jessica Marie Kacsenski, same. Photography service.

HOLYOKE

La Copa Inc., 447 Main St., Holyoke, MA. Aida Dejesus, 34 Britton St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Bar and restaurant.

Movimiento Pentecostal Poder Y Uncion, 77 Hamilton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Organization of churches within the United States and abroad.

LUDLOW

JW Dobiecki Consulting Inc., 70 Applewood Dr., Ludlow, MA 01056. John Walter Dobiecki. Consulting services.

L&L Supply and Mechanical Inc., 399 Fuller St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Lindsay Lemek, 425 Fuller St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Equipment and materials for water and sewer mains.

MONSON

J & T Sisley Corporation, 194 Moulton Hill Road, Monson, MA 01057. Joan Lowbridge-Sisley, same. Information-technology consulting.

PALMER

M. Scott Construction Inc., 21 Wilbraham St., Office #203, Palmer, MA 01069. Michael Scott, 93 Hovey Road, Monson, MA 01057. Trucking and consulting.

PITTSFIELD

Jesters Inc., 35 Grant St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Christina Gillette, same. Food services.

SPRINGFIELD

Julie’s Hollywood Café Inc., 374 Allen Park Road, Apt. 374, Springfield, MA 01118. Julie Ratzenberger, same. Food and beverage service — bar.

Karss Inc., 1324 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119. Muhammed Warasat, 30 Wyndward Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Restaurant.

Mamarazzi Photography Inc., 6 Kenway Dr., Springfield, MA 01104. Jacqueline Slattion, 83 McKinley Ave., Ludlow MA 01058. Photography.

Marden Homes Inc., 86 Milford St., Springfield, MA 01107. Marshal Walden, same. To buy repair and sell real estate.

Maroon Corporation, 78 Randolph St., Springfield, MA 01108. Brennan Tougias, same. Food service.

Newton Road Press Inc., 986 Allen St., Springfield, MA 01118. Daivd Karwoski, same. Books and written materials.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

New Era Inc., 39 Rochelle St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Arshad Imam, same. Gas station.

WESTFIELD

Jayco Manufacturing Inc., 121 Summit Lock Road, Suite #1, Westfield, MA 01085. Joseph Michonski, 86 Joseph Ave., Westfield, MA 01085. Manufacturing of precision aerospace parts for various local businesses.

New England Eating Disorders Alliance Inc., 7 Fairview St., Westfield, MA 01085. Viktoria Filev, same. To prevent eating disorders through education, awareness, and support in recovery.

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

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

167 West Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Scudder Bay Capital LLC
Seller: Thomas R. Scott
Date: 03/21/13

BUCKLAND

18 Orcutt Hill Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Mark A. Amstein
Seller: Mark E. Pichette
Date: 03/20/13

70 Upper St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Luarie M. Benoit
Seller: FNMA
Date: 03/15/13

CHARLEMONT

215 Main St.
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $184,500
Buyer: Jodi M. Tanguay
Seller: Robert M. Gritzner
Date: 03/11/13

DEERFIELD

4 Braeburn Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $135,200
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Helan E. Page
Date: 03/18/13

34 Mathews Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jaime Recore
Seller: Tsay F. Jenn
Date: 03/21/13

GREENFIELD

103 Burnham Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Carrie H. Dubino
Seller: Morrison, Helen D. (Estate)
Date: 03/18/13

340 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Comfort Mechanical Inc.
Seller: RAM Construction LLC
Date: 03/18/13

106 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Darry C. Madden
Seller: Paul Ferrini
Date: 03/18/13

24 Linden Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Joshua S. Breitner
Seller: Gibson INT
Date: 03/15/13

54 Oak Hill Acres
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Terrence P. Monahan
Seller: US Bank NA
Date: 03/22/13

4 Spring Terrace
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: David A. Wemhoener
Seller: US Bank
Date: 03/21/13

44 Verde Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Greenfield Coop Bank
Seller: Scott McCoy
Date: 03/15/13

MONTAGUE

41 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Michelle L. Lefebvre
Seller: Elizebeth A. Prasol-Tyler
Date: 03/15/13

WARWICK

91 Hastings Heights Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: John W. Bradford
Seller: Michael J. Matilainen
Date: 03/14/13

95 Shepardson Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $132,822
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Patrick F. Warner
Date: 03/12/13

WHATELY

48 Claverack Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $193,670
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Michael S. Snyder
Date: 03/19/13

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

16 Belle St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Maryna A. Shalypina
Seller: David P. McDonough
Date: 03/18/13

279 Maynard St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $202,000
Buyer: Sean P. Burke
Seller: Torino, Barbara G. (Estate)
Date: 03/15/13

17 Stevenson Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Drew J. Smith
Seller: Alan R. Gates
Date: 03/20/13

33 Zacks Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Margaret A. McCarthy RET
Seller: T. Russo Construction Corp.
Date: 03/19/13

CHICOPEE

3 Elizabeth St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Norman P. Avey
Seller: Kenneth R. Riverin
Date: 03/22/13

63 Farmington St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: Erick Vazquez
Seller: Doris B. Raney
Date: 03/13/13

155 Holyoke Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Regina L. Lecours
Seller: Karen R. Fontaine
Date: 03/22/13

25 Juliette St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: James T. Griffin
Seller: Petro Boyko
Date: 03/15/13

20 Olivine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Gabriel M. Liaigre
Seller: Juliette A. Guertin
Date: 03/22/13

23 Olivine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Miriam A. Santiago
Seller: Andre Houle
Date: 03/15/13

68 State St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $125,500
Buyer: Pedro L. Olivo
Seller: Arthur Ladue
Date: 03/15/13

23 Sunset Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $188,900
Buyer: Trever J. Cardaropoli
Seller: Ashtons Acquisitions LLC
Date: 03/13/13

EAST LONGMEADOW

175 Braeburn Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: James M. Adcock
Seller: Roosevelt Hill LLC
Date: 03/18/13

55 John St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Neil J. Maloney
Seller: Norman Bolton
Date: 03/12/13

71 Wood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $162,500
Buyer: Christina M. Fiore
Seller: Stone Financing LLC
Date: 03/22/13

HAMPDEN

134 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jamie L. Shepard
Seller: Richard C. Armida
Date: 03/22/13

283 Somers Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Craig J. Morel
Seller: Charles P. McCarthy
Date: 03/21/13

HOLLAND

130 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Holland RT
Seller: David L. Hansen
Date: 03/12/13

154 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: James H. Gagne
Seller: Richard E. Hoyt
Date: 03/14/13

HOLYOKE

355 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Shamika Santos
Seller: Holyoke Housing Authority
Date: 03/15/13

357 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ana S. Perez
Seller: Holyoke Housing Authority
Date: 03/12/13

12 Crescent St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Barbieri Realty LLC
Seller: Stephen F. Bakos
Date: 03/22/13

284 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $143,700
Buyer: Betty Kaplowitz
Seller: Samantha J. Mjenzi
Date: 03/15/13

LONGMEADOW

62 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Corinne Ewing
Seller: Robert M. Thomas
Date: 03/19/13

68 Fairhill Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $309,600
Buyer: Daniel F. O’Malley
Seller: Bank of America NA
Date: 03/12/13

621 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Gordon E. Deshaw
Seller: Tatyana Shvakhman
Date: 03/11/13

244 Overbrook Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $790,000
Buyer: Gregory S. Schneider
Seller: Denis V. Laflamme
Date: 03/12/13

450 Pinewood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Leo Judge
Seller: Louis Durkin
Date: 03/11/13

7 Porter Lake Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $271,100
Buyer: Alison E. McDonough
Seller: Kenneth W. Moffett
Date: 03/12/13

Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Kenneth S. Ross
Seller: Mary L. Mehrtens
Date: 03/11/13

10 Wildwood Glenn
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $340,500
Buyer: Alesia H. Days
Seller: Robert J. Greeley
Date: 03/14/13

LUDLOW

145 Booth St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Henrique Baltazar
Seller: Antonio Fernandes
Date: 03/22/13

114 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Arlindo Valadares
Seller: Bernadette Bourbeau
Date: 03/22/13

Cislak Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Paul R. Dias
Seller: Andrew Tomaszewski
Date: 03/13/13

135 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Bruno A. Coelho
Seller: Tina M. Pellegrini
Date: 03/15/13

43 Manor Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jeremy M. Laduke
Seller: Timothy E. Moriarty
Date: 03/18/13

33 Marion Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Luszcz
Seller: Andrea D. Leite
Date: 03/18/13

266 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $145,664
Buyer: Vantium Reo Capital Mark
Seller: James H. Houle
Date: 03/11/13

40 Minechoag Hts.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $253,500
Buyer: Domingos G. Barroso
Seller: Jose A. Aguiar
Date: 03/20/13

126 Nash Hill Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $229,600
Buyer: Leslaw G. Jasinski
Seller: Bruno A. Coelho
Date: 03/15/13

15 Philip St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Michael E. Pietras
Seller: Jeffrey S. Pietras
Date: 03/12/13

MONSON

53 Bunyan Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: Richard C. Armida
Seller: Roger W. Barnes
Date: 03/22/13

17 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Laurent R. McDonald
Seller: Michael A. Foster
Date: 03/22/13

32 Zuell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Robert L. Carlson
Seller: Wini C. Findon
Date: 03/20/13

PALMER

119 North St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Michael V. Critelli
Seller: Jeffrey A. Sansoucy
Date: 03/15/13

SOUTHWICK

1 Brookview Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: William H. Berthiaume
Seller: Todd M. Wilson
Date: 03/15/13

11 Maple St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Brittany N. Castagna
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 03/15/13

68 Mort Vining Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Terrence J. Welch
Seller: Terrence J. Welch
Date: 03/14/13

SPRINGFIELD

252 Corcoran Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $148,400
Buyer: Terrance O’Connell
Seller: Christopher G. Valiquette
Date: 03/11/13

99 Dewitt St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Claudia S. Ribeiro
Seller: Glenn M. Spadoni
Date: 03/14/13

267 Edendale St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Amy F. Broderick
Seller: Stephen B. Rose
Date: 03/15/13

46 Gates Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Kyle Chase
Seller: Patricia H. Clancey
Date: 03/15/13

57 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Philip S. Cruz
Seller: Elaine C. Graham
Date: 03/18/13

11 Jefferson Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Maria A. Colon
Seller: North End Housing Initiative Inc
Date: 03/18/13

14 Jennings St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Deyanira M. Garcia
Seller: Kenneth Fitzgibbon
Date: 03/12/13

59 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $173,936
Buyer: TD Bank NA
Seller: James J. Marrin
Date: 03/14/13

188 Mallowhill Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Orlando S. Rosado
Seller: Natalie S. Thomas
Date: 03/13/13

28 Methuen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Nelson D. Otero
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 03/12/13

9 Montcalm St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: KAC Props. LLC
Seller: Shu Cheng
Date: 03/22/13

308 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Rafael Vargas
Seller: Marth E. LLC
Date: 03/21/13

41 Portulaca Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Brian Wood
Seller: Ricardo Gomez
Date: 03/15/13

58 Senator St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: David Deshais
Seller: Deborah M. Tracy
Date: 03/21/13

5 Squire Lane
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Luis A. Gonzalez
Seller: Douglas D. Smith
Date: 03/18/13

258 Stapleton Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Enyoc Inv. Props. LLC
Seller: Benjamin M. Coyle
Date: 03/15/13

33 Thorndyke St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Robert J. Tudryn
Seller: Matthew H. Ferri
Date: 03/11/13

13 Treetop Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $227,059
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Jeannette Cortes
Date: 03/14/13

1241 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Richard J. Mack
Seller: Luis N. Costa
Date: 03/22/13

WEST Springfield

95 Birnie Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Christopher W. Welch
Seller: Walter Zabik
Date: 03/14/13

297 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank NA
Seller: Barbara A. Boothe
Date: 03/11/13

42 Oakland St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Gary P. Moakler
Date: 03/15/13

764 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: John Huang
Seller: Barcomb Trowbridge 6714
Date: 03/15/13

72 Summit St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jonathan Rosado
Seller: Sergey Savonin
Date: 03/14/13

WESTFIELD

43 Cross St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,250
Buyer: Kostyantyn Kozhushok
Seller: Mary A. Chamberland
Date: 03/15/13

40 Maple Terrace
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Ashley R. Diduk
Seller: Susan E. Hentnick
Date: 03/11/13

9 Palma Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,500
Buyer: Lisa M. Wirth
Seller: Tina G. Lemire
Date: 03/15/13

168 Prospect St., Ext.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $173,703
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Walter F. Osowski
Date: 03/12/13

54 Orange St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: David C. Fazzino
Seller: Anatoliy Kulyak
Date: 03/22/13

54 Otis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: Pamela A. Bain
Seller: Askins, Michael (Estate)
Date: 03/18/13

94 Sandy Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Jacqueline M. Ayr
Seller: Jeffrey S. White
Date: 03/14/13

120 West Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $269,925
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Butcher
Seller: Stephen C. Strebel
Date: 03/21/13

Whitaker Road #3
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Keith M. Richards
Seller: Eric F. Laizer
Date: 03/12/13

57 Woodcliff Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jeffrey S. White
Seller: William D. Murray
Date: 03/14/13

WILBRAHAM

36 Burleigh Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Jon A. Rich
Seller: Susan M. Barnes
Date: 03/22/13

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

38 Lessey St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: Leslie Dubinsky
Seller: Timothy B. Soules
Date: 03/11/13

36 Morgan Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: E. S. Hopton
Seller: Servicenet Inc.
Date: 03/12/13

203 Rolling Ridge Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Daiheng Ni
Seller: Leonard Strauss
Date: 03/18/13

BELCHERTOWN

234 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Bryan F. Hauschild
Seller: Dahila Dev. Ltd
Date: 03/19/13

111 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Beverly M. Jackson
Seller: Summer Hill Estates Development LLC
Date: 03/19/13

396 Rockrimmon St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Lindsay Lacoille
Seller: Andrew J. Deren
Date: 03/15/13

151 Sargent St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Christopher D. Carlson
Seller: Jesse A. Ritter
Date: 03/15/13
40 South Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Kenneth H. Pincince
Seller: Lou A. Sirois
Date: 03/20/13

CHESTERFIELD

17 Farmhouse Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Slona
Seller: Joan E. Slowick
Date: 03/15/13

270 Main Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Sherry D. Quimet
Seller: Michael L. Welch
Date: 03/19/13

EASTHAMPTON

25 Brook St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jesse S. Harrison
Seller: Robert B. Riggs
Date: 03/15/13

25 Meadowbrook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $218,750
Buyer: Shane M. Calabrese
Seller: Alice P. Linnell
Date: 03/15/13

49 Ridgewood Terrace
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Laura F. Arbeitman
Seller: Steven Hawley
Date: 03/22/13

GOSHEN

197 South Chesterfield Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Mary E. Witt
Seller: Thomas J. Fitzell
Date: 03/22/13

GRANBY

164 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Buyer: Stephen F. Marion
Seller: Mitchell, Ruth E. (Estate)
Date: 03/11/13

HADLEY

70 Chmura Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $562,500
Buyer: Bhavnaben S. Parmar
Seller: Laxman Parmar
Date: 03/11/13

325 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: 325 Rocky Hill LLC
Seller: James Aronson
Date: 03/22/13

117 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Dennis J. Hukowicz
Seller: Edward J. Hukowicz
Date: 03/21/13

HATFIELD

151 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jeffrey G. Zgrodnik
Seller: Sadie H. Kochan
Date: 03/12/13

NORTHAMPTON

69 Brookwood Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $193,800
Buyer: Ronald K. Bachang
Seller: Tina Gagne
Date: 03/20/13

90 Haydenville Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $396,000
Buyer: SSTT LLC
Seller: Pierre R. Brisson
Date: 03/20/13

203 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,998,176
Buyer: G&G Real Estate Inv. LLC
Seller: Taco Bell of America LLC
Date: 03/15/13

23 Lilly St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: May C. Chan
Seller: H. G. Labrage
Date: 03/15/13

57 Longview Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Robert M. Kuzmeski
Seller: Kuzmeski IRT
Date: 03/21/13

28 Maple Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Mark A. Sayre
Seller: Louise Farrelly
Date: 03/22/13

219 North Main St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $136,140
Buyer: Jonna Sciacca
Seller: Florence Savings Bank
Date: 03/20/13

18 Powell St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: William A. Hansen
Seller: Dale W. Aldrich
Date: 03/15/13

SOUTH HADLEY

7 Joan St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $186,500
Buyer: Claude D. Lambert
Seller: Jane H. Bubnis
Date: 03/11/13

31 Lincoln Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Michael C. Cote
Seller: Jeffrey W. Jenks
Date: 03/18/13

32 Lorraine Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $168,200
Buyer: Kevin M. Quesnel
Seller: Michaeline S. Davidson
Date: 03/15/13

3 Pleasant St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Sheila D. Pennell
Seller: Pleasant St. South Hadley NT
Date: 03/22/13

5 Skinner Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Terry W. Monkaba
Seller: Mary J. Kocot
Date: 03/15/13

SOUTHAMPTON

104 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: William A. Tormey
Seller: James F. Boyle
Date: 03/15/13

8 Jonathan Judd Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Ashton Acquisitions LLC
Seller: Barry J. Sullivan
Date: 03/22/13

81 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Jason T. Millay
Seller: Ann M. Sarafin
Date: 03/15/13

5 Sara Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Pawel J. Robak
Seller: Edward H. Gwinner
Date: 03/15/13

117 White Loaf Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Olla N. Al-Shalchi
Seller: Czelusniak Custom Homes
Date: 03/15/13

WARE

290 Osborne Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $205,900
Buyer: Jennifer L. Bernier
Seller: Richard B. Rose
Date: 03/21/13

WILLIAMSBURG

18 Fort Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Michael M. Ban
Seller: Carl W. Rohrberg
Date: 03/22/13

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff April 23, 2013

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of April 2013.

AGAWAM

David St. John
441 Silver St.
$35,000 — Exterior renovation

Joseph Walz, DMD
302 Suffield St.
$3,000 — Siding repair

Pioneer Tool
40 Bowles Road
$33,000 — Re-roof

RHM Realty
207 Bowles Road
$10,000 — Renovations

AMHERST

Amherst Presidential Village, LLC
950 North Pleasant St.
$8,000 — Insulate attic and weather stripping

Bank of America
1 South Pleasant St.
$35,000 — Provide new ADA compliant ramps and sidewalks

IAT Partnership, LLC
49 Boltwood Walk
$5,000 — Interior renovations

CHICOPEE

Fannie Mae
607 Burnett Road
$12,500 — Strip and re-roof

IB Investments, LLC
64 Ames St.
$19,000 — Replacement windows

Our Lady of Elms
291 Springfield St.
$388,000 — Duct system for new science center

Van Guard Consignment
450 New Ludlow Road
$12,800 — Install new roof

River Valley Council Inc.
247 Exchange St.
$70,000 — Renovation for new mental health office

HADLEY

Justin Hoehn
206 Russell St.
$7,500 — Replace roof

Stephen Smith
367 Russell St.
$10,000 — Install new storefront

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Hospital
6 Isabella St.
$9,000 – Bathroom renovations

Mass Housing Finance
346 Maple St.
$10,000 — Replace windows

NORTHAMPTON

518 Pleasant Street, LLC
518 Pleasant St.
$50,000 — Replace roof

Atwood Drive, LLC
8 Atwood Dr.
$240,000 — Build out third floor

Chamisa Corporation
25 Main St.
$10,500 — Renovate Veracruzana loading dock

Coolidge Center, LLC
47 Pleasant St.
$47,000 — Renovate second floor

Serio Cosimo
69 State St.
$7,000 — Strip and shingle roof

SOUTH HADLEY

Pioneer Valley Photo Voltaics
11 Parker St.
$42,000 — Install solar panels

SPRINGFIELD

Freedom Credit Union
1985 Main St.
$67,000 — Tenant fit out

JRH Realty Inc.
1673 Main St.
$8,000 — Minor renovations for take-out restaurant

Robert Allen
1819 Page Blvd.
$71,000 — Build out front offices

Steve’s Alignment
170 Taylor St.
$16,000 — New roof

The MRI Centers of NE
3640 Main St.
$48,000 — Interior remodel

United Bank
1946 Wilbraham Road
$1,020,000 — Construction of a new bank branch

Yukon Group, LLC
101 Wason Ave.
$683,000 — Interior fit out for new tenant

WESTFIELD

Falcone Retail
66 Main St.
$9,000 — Interior renovation

FHB Realty
36 Elm St.
$18,000 — Renovation

WEST SPRINGFIELD

1275 LLC
1275 Elm Street
$49,000 — Renovate 2,450 square feet of office space

Bertera Fiat
657 Riverdale St.
$965,000 — New 12,054-square-foot pre-engineered steel building

Mercier Carpet
1343 Riverdale St.
$279,000 — Rooftop mounted solar array

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

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.

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

6 Woods Restoration Inc., d/b/a Rainbow International of Franklin County v. French King Realty Inc.

Allegation: Plaintiffs bring this action to establish and enforce a mechanics lien: $60,000

Filed: 1/7/13

Crop Produstion Services Inc. v. Scott and Wayne Hutkowski d/b/a Long Plain Farm

Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $225,107.60

Filed: 1/15/13

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Agriconserve Rega v. D.F.S. International LTD

Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $101,396.55

Filed: 2/22/13

Katie Graf v. Hospitality Mutual Insurance Co.

Allegation: Breach of insurance contract: $117,300

Filed: 2/21/13

Stephanie Harris Redfield, as personal representative of the estate of Eurius Lamonte Redfield v. AMR Response of MA Inc., Richard A. Aldrich, Rebecca L. Jarvis, and Justin E. Quinlan

Allegation: Negative care and treatment and improper intubation causing wrongful death: $26,534

Filed: 2/22/13

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Angela C. Evans v. Government Employees Insurance Co. and Jennifer A. Beauregard

Allegation: Failure to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of claim: $3,830.05

Filed: 1/22/13

J.D. Contracting Inc. v. Premier Equipment Inc.

Allegation: Plaintiff rented equipment from the defendant that did not work as contracted: $12,640

Filed: 2/27/13

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Jamie Lynn Labier, PPA Vicky Melbourne v. Walgreen Eastern Co.

Inc.

Allegation: Overdose of phenobarbital causing hospitalization: $16,183.35

Filed: 2/13/13

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Pinnick Construction and Associates

Allegation: Balance remaining on policy for workers’ compensation: $6,068.38

Filed: 2/14/13

Mark Schniers v. Ram Sai LLC, d/b/a/ Super 8 Motel

Allegation: Trip and fall at main entrance to motel causing injury: $7,792.40

Filed: 2/14/13

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Thomas Moran v. C.D.A. Roofing and Siding Contractors, LLC

Allegation: Breach of contract for work not completed properly: $2,125

Filed: 2/11/13

Lessons Learned

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

Construction Sections

Schools Say Green Construction Benefits Students, Teachers

The new West Springfield High School is expected to be certified as a LEED Silver building when it’s completed.

‘Green’ is definitely the hot trend when it comes to school construction — and a new, comprehensive report suggests that the benefits are wide-ranging.

While businesses of all kinds are increasingly calling for more environmentally friendly, energy-efficient building designs — with many seeking certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a rigorous program of the U.S. Green Building Council — in many ways the education sector has been leading the way.

And, according to a report recently issued by McGraw-Hill Construction titled “New and Retrofit Green Schools: The Cost Benefits and Influence of a Green School on Its Occupants,” schools of all levels — elementary, middle, and high — as well as universities, report significant benefits from studying and working in green buildings — advantages that extend well beyond economics.

It’s an area ripe for study; McGraw-Hill characterizes the education-construction market to be at the “vanguard” of green building, estimating that 45% of total construction starts in the education sector in 2012 had green components — a sharp increase from 15%
in 2008. “And that estimate,” the authors note, “does not even include the full scope of work being done to green existing buildings through retrofits and green operations and maintenance.”

In Western Mass., the trend is pervasive. Many recent and ongoing high-school projects in the region — including new buildings for Easthampton High School, West Springfield High School, Longmeadow High School, and Minnechaug Regional High School, to name a few — feature significant green aspects, from photovoltaic energy production to extensive natural light to a building materials relatively free of toxins and respiratory irritants.

“What is driving this market?” the report asks. “Like
all other sectors, schools are driven by
the goal of saving money and energy. However, this sector is unique among all those studied by McGraw-Hill construction … because the impact of green buildings on the health and well-being of their students is as important as energy in encouraging new green investments. In fact, the level of green work is so high in this sector because many report seeing the financial, health and well-being, and productivity benefits that they seek.”

The new Longmeadow High School offers copious amounts of natural light among its features.

Indeed, two-thirds of the surveyed schools report that they have an enhanced reputation and ability to attract students due to their green investments. Meanwhile, 91% of K-12 schools and 87% of higher-education institutions state that green buildings increase health and well-being, while 74% of K-12 schools and 63% of colleges and universities report improved student productivity.

Additionally, 70% of K-12 schools and 63% of universities report that student tests scores increased in the wake of green construction. Employees are happier, too, as 83% of K-12 schools and 85% of university leaders report increased faculty satisfaction as a result of teaching in a green building.

Whatever the metric, there appears to be growing evidence that green building design is more than a fad in the educational world, but a trend with real long-term benefits.

Cost and Effect

When deciding to go green at their facilities, many businesses look first at the cost, and that’s no different for municipalities or colleges looking to erect school buildings. And a 2006 study conducted by Capital E, a national clean-energy and green-building firm, argues strongly for the fiscal benefits of such construction.

Its cross-country review of 30 green schools demonstrates that green schools cost less than 2% more to build than conventional schools — or about $3 per square
foot — but provide financial benefits that are 20 times as large. In fact, the report argues, that extra $3 pays off in $71 worth of ancillary financial benefits, from energy and water savings to asthma and flu reduction, to decreased absenteeism and greater teacher retention.

“Greening school design,” notes Gregory Kats, managing principal of Capital E, “provides an extraordinarily cost-effective way to enhance student learning, reduce health and operational costs, and, ultimately, increase school quality and competitiveness.”

He concedes that his report — co-sponsored by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Institute of Architects, the American Lung Assoc., the Federation of American Scientists, and the U.S. Green Building Council — doesn’t quantify every possible benefit of green buildings, including reduced teacher sick days, reduced maintenance costs, reduced insured and uninsured risks, increased state competitiveness, and others.

The recent McGraw-Hill study isn’t all-encompassing, either, but it does delve deeply into the question of how significantly a school designed to reduce its environmental impact on the world
can affect the health and learning abilities of its students, in ways ranging from reducing respiratory illnesses
and absenteeism to improving test scores.

“Given the complexity of interactions between people and their environments, establishing cause-and-effect relationships between an attribute of a green school and its occupants has been a challenge,” the report notes. But it does detail several possible benefits of a greener environment, including:

• Indoor air. Plenty of research exists to demonstrate that the health of children and adults can be affected by indoor air quality, and that increased particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxins, irritants, and allergens from mold can lead to respiratory illnesses and asthma.

On the other hand, good indoor air quality is typically marked by effective ventilation, filter efficiency, temperature and humidity control, and stricter operations, maintenance, and cleaning practices. For instance, in a 2002 study in Finland, researchers identified an average 15% reduction in the incidence of the common cold in schools that had no moisture or
mold problems. And according to researchers at Lawrence Berkely National Laboratories, when ventilation rates drop below minimum standards, student performance test results drop by 5% to 10%.

“Good ventilation is the most impactful way to protect lung health in a green school, but reducing and preventing the source of indoor air pollutants is another key area,” notes Janice Nolen, assistant vice president of National Policy and Advocacy for the American Lung Assoc., in the McGraw-Hill report.

“Indoor air pollution such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and irritants can originate from various sources indoors, such as building equipment, furnishings, flooring, and cleaning equipment,” she continues. “For example, it is important not to use cleaning supplies within schools that are going to cause irritations and breathing problems such asthma or chronic lung diseases.”

• Lighting. As recently as the 1970s and even the 1980s, the report notes, conventional wisdom held that lack of daylight, while irksome to some students, had no discernible impact on test scores. But since then, studies have shown that daylight can affect student health and learning.

Indeed, 48% of K-12 survey respondents and 56% of university leaders said increased access to natural light and outside views from their classrooms increased student engagement. Among other studies, one conducted by the Heschong Mahone Group in 1999 showed that students in classrooms well-lit by natural sunlight had 7% to 26% higher test scores over the course
of a year, compared with students in windowless classrooms.

• Thermal comfort. Recent research, McGraw-Hill notes, has begun questioning the prevailing thinking that keeping indoor temperature within a narrow band — typically the low to mid-70s — year-round is ideal. One recent study showed that student speed on a standardized test increased as a result of lowering the temperature from 77 to 68 degrees. Meanwhile, research conducted from the 1990s and onward suggest that teachers have a strong preference for personal control over temperature and see it as having an impact on student performance.

• Acoustics. Significant research has been undertaken to study how classroom design impacts the ability of students to hear, pay attention, and absorb information. Outdoor noise can be a negative factor as well; a recent study shows that students in a school under the regular flight path of an airport performed up to 20% lower on a reading test than children in a nearby school.

McGraw-Hill also cites research suggesting that a room’s acoustic and sound-insulation properties have a direct effect on speech intelligibility and, consequently, student learning. Of its survey respondents, 44% of K-12 schools and 51% of university leaders who included improved acoustics in their green projects reported better student attentiveness as a result.

Crunching the Numbers

According to the study, 74% of green K-12 schools are attempting to measure the impact of the building design on student health, but only 47% in higher education are doing the same. That might be because K-12 schools can more easily track metrics such as absenteeism, asthma complaints, and visits to the school nurse. Meanwhile, colleges and universities are more likely to glean data from student and staff surveys.

Of the K-12 respondents, 32% of schools said their green-building efforts have reduced absenteeism, while just 2% found an increase; 67% reported no change. However, of the participating schools that achieved the stricter LEED certification, 45% reported decreased absenteeism, and 44% of the buildings that received an Energy Star label reported the same.

The study noted that the connections between green building design and student health and performance are still being developed and aren’t nearly as clear as those that compare physical activity and health. “Studies show that 15% of school-age children are overweight, and this number is three times higher than it was in the late 1970s,” the report notes. “Unfortunately, there is insufficient data to attribute success to any particular solution that relates to school buildings.”

At the same time, McGraw-Hill notes that much more data is necessary to fill in the gaps and presumptions that have arisen around environmentally friendly construction. For example:

• More research is needed into the lack of adequate ventilation in America’s classrooms, even though the codes and practices of the HVAC industry have been around for a long time. More information is needed on how HVAC system designs and maintenance procedures impact air quality. Also, more research is necessary on how materials selection, such as those that include VOCs, affect student health and learning.

• There is a need for more performance-based design guidelines that can reliably produce excellent visual environments in terms of natural light. And, as an emerging technology now making its way into school buildings, light-emitting diodes, otherwise known as LED lights, warrant more intensive research.

• As new technology is developed and low-energy heating and cooling methods become prevalent in high-performance buildings, their potential impacts on student health and well-being need to be researched. At the same time, more information is needed concerning the ideal temperature in a classroom and what level of teacher control is warranted.

• Finally, more information is needed on the factors that go into the acoustic performance of a classroom, and how best to provide for the needs of hearing-impaired children in classrooms.

Still, the education world — and the architecture and construction industries — are taking notice. “Building healthy, high-performance school buildings is now far more fiscally prudent and lower-risk than building conventional, inefficient, and unhealthy school buildings,” Kats argues.

There are educational benefits as well, says Darryl Alexander, health and safety director of the American Federation of Teachers, in the McGraw-Hill report.

“We’ve heard from teachers that green schools have been useful as learning tools and allowed them to incorporate sustainability into the curriculum — teaching them, for example, how to measure and track energy use,” he notes. “Green roofs have allowed them to explain benefits such as reduced energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced stormwater runoff.”

But perhaps the most significant benefit is healthier — and more focused — children and young adults.

“Teachers, whether they know much about green schools or not, once they enter one of these buildings, they are excited because these schools are quite different from conventional school buildings,” Alexander says. “The natural lighting, the acoustics, the air quality and comfort really allow them to focus on their jobs more easily. It is amazing to watch.”

— Joseph Bednar

Bright Ideas

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

Construction Sections

SolaBlock Wants to Drive Solar Power Up a Wall

Patrick Quinlan shows off a SolaBlock prototype.

Solar energy. It’s not just for rooftops anymore.

At least, not if Patrick Quinlan has anything to say about it. A longtime player on the national stage in the renewable-energy arena, he’s now developing some bright ideas in Springfield, as a tenant in the small-business incubator at the Scibelli Enterprise Center (SEC).

His latest project, SolaBlock, is a simple-enough concept: photovoltaic (PV) cells are built into cinderblocks, which are then used to build vertical walls — or laid over existing walls — where they generate energy from the sun.

“We’re so excited about all the possibilities,” Quinlan said. “I walk through the city and look up and say, ‘oh my goodness, that could all be SolaBlock.’ Or I drive down the road and see all the highway walls and say, ‘that could be SolaBlock.’” And the potential is not limited to the U.S., he noted. “We’re thinking globally.”

This summer, thanks to a $40,000 state grant (more on that later), the technology — for which Quinlan holds four patents — will be put to the test on a small building at the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Technical Park, which also houses the Enterprise Center.

But he’s already thinking big. Among the capabilities of SolaBlock units, Quinlan says they are expected to:

• ‘Solarize’ residential or commercial building walls, retaining walls, garden walls, or any wall receiving sun for a good portion of the day, and also harvest renewable energy from highway sound walls, bridges, parking structures, railroad rights of way, property walls, or any other conventionally walled location.

Sound walls on highways, in fact, are a particularly intriguing option, because they’re not obstructed by trees in the summertime, yet aren’t totally covered by snow in the wintertime, noted Marla Michel, SEC director. “Trees get in the way of solar, but they’ve already been cleared on highways.”

• Provide critical solar power to unattended buildings, signs, or off-grid buildings that would otherwise be susceptible to vandalism or theft. “We wanted to make it so you couldn’t steal it, couldn’t break it, and it’ll be there for the life of the building,” Quinlan said.

• Provide secure power to critical buildings or shelters that may lose grid power or conventional PV in hurricane-force winds. Quinlan noted that SolaBlock can withstand winds of above 100 mph.

• Enable substantial solar electric generation for buildings sited in complex urban settings. “We’re really interested in the notion that you could have an off-grid, completely autonomous apartment in the middle of New York City, or out in the woods, freed of needing any electricity from the grid,” he said, noting that cities can lose power on a wide scale, as Manhattan did during Hurricane Sandy. “There are a lot of reasons why people want to be green and energy-secure, even in the city.”

• Provide autonomous, solar-powered electric-vehicle charging stations at remote locations.

But the benefits don’t stop with energy conservation and access; SolaBlock can be an effective educational tool as well. “This would be great for schools, because the solar could be at ground level, and kids could walk to it,” Quinlan said, adding that the connections could be viewed indoors throughout the year.

All told, Quinlan and his partners — Jason Laverty, William Stein, and Danielle Thorburn — have high hopes for SolaBlock. To date, those hopes have been founded on untested hypotheses … but that’s about to change.

Testing, Testing

Enter the Mass. Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Mass. Technology Transfer Center, which recently awarded a total of $200,000 to five Bay State entrepreneurs as part of the MassCEC Catalyst Program, which aims to fund the commercialization of new clean-energy technologies from startup companies or being spun out of established research institutions.

“The clean-energy innovations developed in Massachusetts are driving the clean-energy sector forward,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, who chairs the MassCEC board of directors. “There are 5,000 clean-energy companies in Massachusetts, and these types of programs help support and grow this bustling industry.”

The $40,000 grants are intended to help early-stage researchers demonstrate the commercial viability of new clean-energy technology.

This will take place at Building 112 of the tech park, a small brick building used as a maintenance shed. The south and west walls, as well as the roof, will be covered with SolaBlock units, and meters will be installed to measure the energy production of the solar cells and compare the performance of the vertical and roof installations. An Internet connection will allow the public to read those meters and check the progress of the demo over the course of a full year. That project should go online by the fall.

“We’re grateful to the Clean Energy Center for having faith in us in Western Mass.,” Quinlan said, noting that the public often thinks of the Commonwealth’s clean-tech hub in terms of MIT and other Boston-area research institutions. “A $40,000 grant is a really big deal for us. And it’ll all be out there on the Internet for everyone to see.”

Quinlan said SolaBlock’s ‘concrete masonry units’ (CMUs) can be integrated into almost any existing wall specification, since the blocks retain their original insulation, compression, smoke, and fire-rating capabilities. And they’re economically attractive because the expensive metal frames used for both mounting traditional PV materials in a framed module and for mounting the modules to a building are eliminated. There is some additional cost of wiring from block to block, but at a fraction of the cost of the aluminum and steel needed for conventional construction.

He noted, however that the vertically placed blocks are expected to produce around two-thirds of the energy produced by a traditional, tilted PV array — hence the placement on both the walls and roof of the test building, to compare performance. However, he said, energy generation may be augmented by the placement of reflective materials (decorative white stone, for example) in front of the blocks.

Still, while vertical blocks may receive less sunlight than roof-mounted panels, SolaBlock walls can be installed over vast surface areas of a building that would not otherwise be providing electric power, therefore increasing the total energy production by the building — a key feature in achieving certification in the ever-popular Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“The kits have to be high-automation,” Quinlan said, noting that one building fitted with SolaBlock cells might require thousands of blocks.

To that end, Quinlan outlined a business plan in which the company assembles the PV ‘kits’ and ships them to regional partners in the form of masonry-supply companies. SolaBlock has already reached out to Chicopee Mason Supplies in this region.

“They will be manufacturing the modified blocks we’ll be using under an agreement that gives them exclusive license in the region,” he explained. “We are developing a regional distribution partnership with them to distribute the finished material.”

That example will be repeated across the country. “We’ll build all the electronics in Western Mass.,” he continued, “then we’ll ship the electrical parts to our regional contract manufacturers to combine them and sell them regionally using the same model.”

That makes sense, Michel noted, because concrete blocks are typically sold only regionally due to their weight.

“It’s uneconomical to distribute them beyond about 200 miles,” Quinlan added. “More to the point, we discovered that most of the businesses that make concrete products are longtime family businesses in their regions, and we’d rather work with them than compete with them.”

That appeals to Quinlan on a personal level.

“I have an affinity for the trades,” he said, noting that his father was a plumber, and he put himself through college working with him. “SolaBlock is a way for people in the trades to work in the clean-tech arena. It’s not just for the elite. This is basically clean tech for regular people. You build it, it’s green, and it provides energy independence.”

The Next Phase

Quinlan, the former associate director of the UMass Wind Energy Center, has plenty of experience in the field of renewable-energy technology development. He worked as a science fellow in the U.S. Congress and as a technology fellow at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He’s also a former employee of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “I’ve worked in energy since 1984, in both the technical and policy sides.”

For the current phase of his professional life, “instead of taking a job with someone else, I basically decided to start up new companies,” he said, adding that he wants to be a catalyst to grow the clean-tech industry in the region as a whole, and he sees the Enterprise Center as an ideal home for those efforts.

“I thought, I want to be part of that. I want Scibelli to be my home base for doing this,” he told BusinessWest, noting that, in addition to SolaBlock, he’s launched a second company, Black Island Wind Turbines.

Michel views the startup as an ideal tenant at the SEC. “The state is trying to grow this cluster both in Massachusetts and also regionally, throughout New England. The Enterprise Center has been active in supporting the regional growth of clean tech through support for companies like Pat’s.

“We’re a multi-use facility, but our vision of the tech park is really to have more support for clean tech. It’s a great place to do business,” she added. “And SolaBlock is innovating in an industry that’s hungry for innovation.”

Quinlan said the Enterprise Center has been critical to landing the kind of support — like the MassCEC grant — necessary to take the next step.

“I was drawn to this like a moth to a flame; this is the exact kind of environment I needed to have,” he told BusinessWest. “Without that, it would have been just us trying to do our best, competing with everyone else trying to get the attention of those who could help us. [Michel] has taken half the effort out of that.”

Down the road, if all goes as planned, he expects to begin looking for manufacturing space so SolaBlock can start building the kits. And Quinlan believes a huge market exists for the product — again returning to the appeal of vandal-resistant PV units in urban areas where the risk of theft has hindered consideration of conventional solar systems. Specifically, all electrical equipment of value is located behind the wall, making the systems unattractive for dismantling. Yet, individual concrete blocks can be repaired with a replacement kit.

“We can also use it for brick replacement — replacing bricks on walls,” he said. “It’s pretty weatherproof and vandal-proof. It’s not like regular solar panels where people are afraid to put them up on the chance they could be vandalized or stolen. We have utility customers who are very excited about this.”

So is Quinlan, who believes not just in his idea, but in this region.

“I’m a very strong supporter of Western Mass.,” he said. “I went to school here, and I want to live here. What I want to do is provide a means for myself and my colleagues in clean tech to have a really good quality of life and good occupations right here in the Valley — and that is very possible.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Strong Viewpoints

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

Cover Story

Crumpin-Fox Club Focuses on Providing an Experience

Mike Zaranek says Crumpin-Fox is a thought-provoking golf course, meaning that one needs a game plan to attack it.

Mike Zaranek describes the Crumpin-Fox Club as a “thought-provoking golf course.”

And by that, he meant that one can’t — or shouldn’t — plan on muscling their way around this picturesque track in Bernardston, just outside Greenfield. Rather, they have to think their way around.

“There’s a lot of shot-making that’s involved here,” said Zaranek, the head golf professional, gesturing with his hand to the 18th hole as he looked out on the course from a seat at Zeke’s Smokehouse Grill, the club’s 19th hole. “It’s not a bomber’s golf course where you hit your driver on every hole and try to get it as close as you can to the green. This course makes you think off each tee, and on every second shot as well.”

And just as the player needs a strategic plan for taking on this Robert Trent Jones Sr. creation, Zaranek and the rest of the management team needs one of their own to enable the club to continue growing at a time of stern challenges and mounting competition in the golf industry.

The essence of that plan is to let the course become not merely a destination, but an experience, said Zaranek, adding that it does this naturally, through its views and challenges, both of which create lasting memories.

“Each tee you stand on, and each green you look back to the tee on, is like a postcard,” he explained, adding that this effect is heightened by many changes in elevation and is especially dramatic at fall-foliage time. “There is a uniqueness to it, and that’s what brings people back.”

Repeat business is obviously one of the keys to success for any golf operation, but it’s especially critical for one that charges just under $100 a round for public play — which accounts for roughly 60% of the business at this semi-private course — and is tucked away in one of the most remote areas of the state, just a few miles from the Vermont border.

The Crump’s eighth hole forces the player to make a number of decisions.

Thus, the staff puts the accent on the total experience — from the golf to the meal afterward — and also on both driving first visits (which often prompt return trips) and convincing players that Crumpin-Fox should be a more than a once-a-year course.

“That sentiment is summed up in one of our marketing slogans — ‘minutes away, worlds apart,’” said Zaranek. “We’re a destination, but we don’t want to be just a destination; we’d love to have people visit us two, three, or four times a year. Overall, we want to make this an experience, one that you’ll enjoy and want to mark on your calendar every year.”

For this issue and BusinessWest’s annual Golf Preview, we take an indepth look at what is still a hidden gem, and Zarenek’s efforts to make it less so.

On the Hole

The eighth hole at ‘the Crump,’ as it’s called, is certainly one of the more thought-provoking holes on this 7,023-yard layout.

There is water along almost the entire left side of this lengthy par 5 (nearly 600 yards from the tips). And the decision making really begins after the drive, even if it’s a very good one.

The player is faced with the option of hitting a safer mid-iron to a still-relatively wide section of fairway for a third shot of roughly the same length over the lake to a narrow, undulating green, or bringing out more artillery and hitting down to a narrower strip of fairway, leaving just a wedge onto the putting surface.

There are many such decisions to be made on this course, which offers what Zarenek described as a Pine Valley-like feel, if not look, although it has some of that, too.

This is a reference to the George Arthur Crump-designed track in Southern New Jersey that is generally regarded as the world’s most difficult course, and one of its very best. The comparison doesn’t involve degree of difficulty — although Crumpin-Fox is certainly challenging — but rather the notion that every hole is an entity unto its own, with other holes rarely visible from tees, greens, or fairways.

“Each hole is set in its own scenery here — you play that hole, and then you move on to another piece of scenery, and that’s what we mean by a Pine Valley-like course,” Zaranek explained. “You barely see the group in front of you or the group behind you all day.”

The overall tightness of the layout also contributes to that description.

“At one time, especially on the back nine, it was basically the tee, the fairway, about five feet of rough, and then there was brush, the jungle,” he noted, adding that the course has been opened up somewhat over the years, but still demands accuracy. “What you see is what you get in front of you.”

This was the general idea when, in 1969, area businessman David Berelson engaged the services of Roger Rulewich, a noted golf-course architect then with Robert Trent Jones Inc., to locate a parcel for a destination golf course.

The current site in Bernardston was chosen, but the project stalled and didn’t begin to take shape until 1977, when Andy St. Hillaire, owner of Mohawk Plastics, bought the land and project, completed what are now the back nine holes, and built the present clubhouse.

The name Crumpin-Fox, said Zaranek, was derived from some of the old soda bottles found on the property as construction of the course commenced. The Bernardston-based Crump Soda Co. was eventually sold in 1853 to one Eli Fox, he noted, and then renamed the Crump & Fox Soda Co.

In 1987, St. Hillaire sold the club to William Sandri, president of the Sandri Co., which owned a number of gas stations in Western Mass., Vermont, and New York, and would eventually diversify into a number of business sectors, including real estate, clean-energy products, and golf.

The company now has three courses that operate under the name Fox Golf. The others are the Fox Hollow Club in Trinity, Fla., which opened in 1994 — its 18th hole was at one time rated the number-one par 4 in Florida by Florida Golf Central magazine — and Fox Hopyard in East Haddam, Conn., which opened in 2001.

Round Numbers

All three clubs operate under the same model — that of a semi-private course that has members but is also open to the public at most times during the week. Zaranek said this model is perhaps the most successful in golf today because it offers both the stability provided by a core of members (that number is roughly 235 at Crumpin-Fox, one Zaranek said he’s comfortable with) and the flexibility and additional revenue opportunities that come with making the course open to the public.

Membership at Crumpin-Fox has been steady, with relatively little fluctuation in the number in recent years despite turbulence in the economy, said Zaranek, adding that the public-play component of the equation has been more impacted by the downturn, as well as a number of other contributing factors.

These include everything from the weather — which has both helped and hurt; the 2012 season began on March 23 (a record for the Crump) after a nearly snowless winter, but the hurricane of 2011 took a heavy toll — to new competition in the destination-course market.

Indeed, while the pace of new-course construction has slowed in recent years, some additions in the eastern part of the state, especially a new cluster of tracks in the Plymouth area, as well as the Ranch in Southwick and some new venues in Connecticut, have had an impact on play in Bernardston, said Zaranek.

“From Route 3 down to the Bourne Bridge, they built 15 or 16 golf courses since 1997, and that took some of the traffic we used to get from the Boston area,” he noted. “We still get some, though, and we’re seeing those numbers climb because people are expanding their visions, and they’ve played all those new courses. People say, ‘have you ever played Crump?’ and once people come out here once, I think they like putting us back on their docket.”

Last year, even with that early start, the club recorded roughly 19,000 rounds between members and guests, he told BusinessWest, adding that, in banner years (such as the late ’90s), volume has exceeded 25,000, and the present goal is to get closer to 22,000.

To get there, the general strategic plan for the course, which hasn’t really changed since it opened, is to convince players from maybe a 75- to 100-mile radius that Bernardston is not that far away, and certainly worth the time and trouble for a course that is unique and challenging.

And this is the message being sent to a host of constituencies, from smaller groups (a foursome or two) to larger entities, such as leagues or clubs, to charitable organizations planning fund-raisers. The club already hosts a number of events, said Zaranek, including a large gathering for Big Brothers Big Sisters and another for the It Takes a Community foundation.

While the Crump name certainly resonates within the Western Mass. market, it is still somewhat of an unknown commodity in other areas, especially with younger golfers, he continued, adding that one of the club’s stated goals is to build brand recognition across the region it serves.

With each of those aforementioned constituencies, the key is providing value — and an experience — that will drive repeat business, Zaranek explained, adding that this goal, or mission, has prompted improvements ranging from extensive renovations to Zeke’s Grill, including the addition of a smoker, to an ongoing facelift in the locker rooms.

“There are a lot of elements that go into making a club successful,” he explained. “And you have to make each guest that comes through feel like a member that day, and make them feel like they had a great experience. And that all has to gel together. We keep trying to improve everything we do every day.”

Long-term, the club is exploring a possible expansion of the clubhouse and perhaps the addition of a large pavilion for outings, he said, adding that many events are currently staged under tents erected on the driving range.

Course of Action

Zaranek said the club has historically strived to be open by Masters weekend, the unofficial start of the golf season for those in the Northeast.

Looking out on a course that still had a number of areas covered by more than a few inches of snow, he said that goal is likely within reach (the Masters is set for April 11-14), but some assistance from Mother Nature will probably be needed.

She has already contributed a dramatic setting that has contributed to those postcards Zaranek described, and given the Crump a strong selling point to draw players for what will likely be the first of several visits.

“It’s one of the most unique, pretty, and, yes, demanding golf courses that you’re ever going to play,” he said in summation. “You don’t go away forgetting many of these golf holes as you play them.”

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

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of and March 2013.

AGAWAM

Alwayz Growing

1399 Suffield St.

Jezaida Lisella

Deb Hunter

339 Walnut St.

Deborah Hunter

EJW Associates

59 Reed St.

Edward Warzecka

Throttle Rocker Magazine

53 Fairview St.

Robert Alves

CHICOPEE

Beauty Rehab

559 East St.

Donna Bigos

IGM

30 Nye St.

Paul Poreda

Scentsational Marketing

59 Greenwood Terrace

David Girard

Somas Global Investment

221 Poplar St.

Amos Vmezuruike

GREENFIELD

Franklin Optical Shoppe

489 Bernardston Road

John P. Frangie

Lianna’s Pet Care Services

246 Wells St.

Joan James

Moose’s Gold, LLC

21 Mohawk Trail

Derrick Brooks

SS Floor Sanding

34 Franklin St.

Donald Schietroma

The Potter’s Touch

28 Chapman St.

Christine Hervieux

HOLYOKE

Fire Code & Education

540 County Road

Thomas G. Paquin

Pottery Barn

50 Holyoke St.

David R. King

Slainte Inc.

80 Jarvis Ave.

Debra Flynn

Swarovski

50 Holyoke St.

Emily Foster

LUDLOW

Hair On

733 Chapin St.

Maria Carvalho

Sosa Barber Shop

85 East St.

Antonio Sosa

T. Fiorentino Roofing

201 Cady St.

Thomas Fiorentino

PALMER

Rock Solid Landscape

128 River St.

Jacob Obrzut

S & S Food Mart

2019 Main St.

Syed Hashmi

Tebus at Crossroads

1701 Park St.

Paula Fitts

You Found Media

15 Cedar Hill St.

Paul Henry

SPRINGFIELD

Latina & Co. Hair Designer

876 Sumner Ave.

Yanitza Nogue

Leary Consulting

84 Tulsa St.

Sharon Michelle

Lewis Brothers International

667 Dickinson St.

Lisa M. Lewis

M & R General Automotive

419 Taylor St.

Miguel Gonzalez

Mass Techies Group

269 Greenaway Dr.

Moses K. Moses

Men’s Wearhouse & Tux

1267 Boston Road

The Men’s Wearhouse

Neighborhood Foods

1500 Main St.

Peter S. Choi

Noel Cleaning Services

1655 Main St.

Shirma N. Ferguson

Northway Services

1601 Page Boulevard

Carl A. Jasmin

Picks Computer Consulting

35 Gresham St.

David J. Pickrell

Precision Contracting

117 Shady Brook Lane

Mark Patterson

Proud 2 Persevere

75 Albemarle St.

Andre Yarns Jr.

Quality Home Care

123 Fort Pleasant Ave.

Christine Whyte

Quang’s Forest Park Barber

529 Belmont Ave.

Tuyen Q. Nguyen

Santos Home Improvement

70 Mattoon St.

Juan C. Santos

Springfield United Sports

19 Wentworth St.

Richard T. Moultrie

Superior Fashion

301 Belmont Ave.

Jerry L. Mattey Jr.

T.U.C.

261 Jasper St.

Juan Santiago

Tru By Mi

324 Arcadia Blvd.

Migyon Forbes

V II Cleaning Industries

164 Belmont Ave.

Aida J. Santiago

Vietnam Travel

465 Belmont Ave.

Benjamin Nguyen

WESTFIELD

Chintos 2 Go

78 Franklin St.

Jacinto Blanco-Munoz

Hobgoblin Entertainment

16 Princeton St.

David Kennedy

Father & Sons Hardscaping & Landscaping

32 Rosedell Dr.

Taras Mikhalinchik

Mike Barna Building and Carpentry

360 Prospect St.

Michael Barna

Roman Empire Truck Detailing & Services

140 Union St.

Orlando J. Roman-Rodriguez

Stay & Play Deluxe Laundromat Inc.

65 Franklin St.

Eric Meyers

TC Enterprizes

32 Woodcliff Dr.

Danielle M. Todt

The Begoodkids

12 Fowler St.

Joseph Bushior

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Kitchen Resources

64 Sean Louis Circle

Susan Hoey

L.T.D. Investigating

181 Park Ave.

Luke Gelinas

Lawn Pro

161 Great Plains Road

William J. Paquette

Mark Pagios Construction

302 Rogers Ave.

Mark S. Pagios

Massage Envy Spa

935 Riverdale St.

Mark S. Sarrazin

Maxim Seamless Gutters

920 Memorial Ave.

Maksim Barabolkin

Men’s Wearhouse & Tux

1321 Riverdale St.

Claudia Pruitt

Mike’s Welding

55 Church St.

Miguel A. Cordero

Mind, Body, Skin

117 River St.

Kristen S. Strojvus

Mr. Rooter Plumbing

309 Woodmont St.

David Tourville

On the Border

33 Border Way

OTB Acquisition, LLC

Pension & Benefits Association

131 Wayside Ave.

Mark F. Shea

Quick Stop

20 River St.

Earlene Oberlander

Re-Energize Massage

36 Therese Marie Lane

Regina M. Amato

Red Carpet Inn

560 Riverdale St.

Rajendra Patel

Rental Remarketing Inc.

74 Baldwin St.

Michael M. Gentile

Sanditz Travel

1053 Riverdale St.

Henry Richard

Sorcinelli Real Estate

29 Sikes Ave.

Antonio Sorcinelli

Soulful Kreations Designs

20 Hummingbird Lane

Karen M. Palanjian

Spartak Home Remodeling

1153 Elm St.

Serghei Chitu

Spherion Staffing

68 Westfield St.

Corp. Stix Inc.

Suburban Janitorial

1900 Westfield St.

Ralph E. Figueroa

Sunny’s Convenience

2260 Westfield St.

Sunil R. Patel

Team Rehab & Wellness

753 Union St.

Adnan Dhadul

The Guardians

104 Kings Highway

George Colon

The Kid’s Place Inc.

915 Memorial Ave.

Scott L. Petersen

The Q Bar & Grill

885 Riverdale St.

Hannahneena Inc.

Tip Top Nails

239 Memorial Ave.

Hoa C. Thach

Twins II Hairstyling Salon

1421 Westfield St.

Elaine Stanek

Usi Insurance Solutions

123 Interstate Dr.

Dana Scribner

Westfield Bank

206 Park St.

Gerald P. Ciejka

Westside Auto Sales

194 Baldwin St.

Anthony Lafromboise

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

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

Environmental Liquidity Fund Inc., 588 Silver St., Agawam, MA 01001. Douglas McVey, same. Provide liquidity for responsible parties for remediation of underground storage tank releases.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Franklin Street Assisted Living Inc., 200 North Main St., Suite 204, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Ernest Gralia. Management services.

GF Assisted Living Inc., 200 North Main St., Suite 204, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Ernest Gralia, same. Management services.

Gianna & Gabby Inc., 37 Fenway Lane, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Christopher Arillotta, same. Pub and restaurant selling food and liquor.

Industrial Drive Management Co. Inc., 200 North Main St., Suite 204, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Ernest Gralia, same. Management services.

EASTHAMPTON

Carrier Plumbing & Heating Inc., 15C Industrial Parkway P.O. Box 365, Easthampton, MA 01027. Scott Carrier, same. Plumbing and heating system installation and repairs.

Dependable Drywall Inc., 13 Northampton St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Lukas Rosov, same. Construction.

Full Tilt Auto Body Inc., 69 Ferry St., Unit 5, Easthampton, MA 01027. Zachary Ciaschini, 17 Sandra Road, Easthampton, MA 01027. Auto body repair and refinishing.

FEEDING HILLS

Country Flowers and Gifts, 501 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Barbara Viens, same. Flower and gift store.

GREENFIELD

Cole Ecological Inc., 15 Bank Row, Suite B, Greenfield, MA 01301. Michael Cole, 94B Laurel St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Aquatic ecological services.

Facey Plumbing and Heating Inc., 305 Wells St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Plumbing and heating.

HOLYOKE

Good Day Dining Inc., 930 Hampden St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Kimberly Foster, 54 Claremont Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040. Full-service restaurant.

MONSON

Cedar Mountain Contracting Inc., 332 Cedar Swamp Road, Monson, MA 01057. Any and all services related to an environmental remediation, mechanical installation, construction, demolition and general construction.

PITTSFIELD

Dewolf Electric Inc., 73 Emerson Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Mark Dewolf, same. Electrical contracting.

SPRINGFIELD

Chicken Outlet Inc., 1208 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Zia Asharf View Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. To operate a restaurant.

Health New England Inc., One Monarch Place, Suite 1500, Springfield, MA 01144. Peter Straley, 66 Country Corners, Amherst, MA 01102.

Help Kahemba Inc., 4 Cypress Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. Albertine Kampew, same. Provide financial aidfor services and support to the needy individuals of Kahemba, Africa.

Improvement on the Home Front

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

Landscape Design Sections

Landscape Architects Say People Are Investing in Their Backyards>

Brian Campedelli says landscaping is a way for people to extend their home into their yard.

Last summer, Brian Campedelli sat in a client’s backyard, enjoying a lobster dinner, while soft music played and low-voltage lighting lit up the plantings, firepit, and other improvements made to the property.
“You could hear the waterfall in the background and the sound of the grasses rustling, and my client told me she felt like she was in Hawaii,” said the president of Pioneer Landscapes Inc. in Easthampton.
His comments mirrored those of other local landscape architects who say that, although the economy has not fully recovered, business on the home front is improving, and many people are investing in their own backyards and turning them into private oases.
“People want to be able to utilize their property every day, and by creating an outdoor room, they are extending their home into their yard,” Campedelli told BusinessWest. “Last year was a stellar year, and we couldn’t even get everything done, so we are carrying over quite a bit of work and are already running in many directions. I have three full-time estimators for residential work.”
Drew DeMay, owner of Fountain Bleu Landscape and Outdoor Design in West Springfield, agreed, and noted that people’s interest in transforming their backyards is growing. “People want a private area where they can enjoy themselves, relax, have some food, and sit by water, because they are staying home and not going out as much.”
In fact, his company “switched lanes” a few years ago when construction died down and businesses stopped spending money. He invented the Water-Vac professional-grade vacuum to clean ponds that hit the market about a year ago, and said the company is doing more residential work, with homeowners requesting improvements that include patios and shrubs.
“Last year was a really good year. People got tired of holding onto their money and started to spend it,” he said. “But last year at this time the weather was 70 degrees, and people already had their yards cleaned up, so we are at the beginning of what will happen over the summer. But people want to be able to come home and have a place to relax,” he told BusinessWest.
And the trend is so strong that William St. Clair said his company, St. Clair Landscaping and Nursery Inc. in Hampden, is developing a program called Beautiful Backyards, which will allow people to incorporate plantings, patios, walls, perennial gardens, water gardens, sitting gardens, privacy hedges, firepits, and more into their personal landscape.
He said the company has done some extravagant projects during the past decade, including waterfalls that cascade into pools, firepits, sitting gardens, and more. And although this is not the norm and many people have downsized their dream of what a backyard retreat will entail, they still want to create a place that is tranquil.
“We’ve done a lot of work for college professors who like to sit on a bench in their backyard and read,” St. Clair said. The benches can be put next to a water garden or pondless waterfall, or “an area that has been created where people can sit and relax.”
Firepits are extremely popular, and last year St. Clair installed 18 of them. “One was elaborate and had a patio around it that can sit two to six people,” he said. Other homeowners want walls to surround their firepits, which creates additional seating.
“There are a lot of really neat things that can be done,” he said. “People tell us, when they come home at the end of the day, they want their yard to look pristine and be something really special.”
Steve Prothers, owner of Amherst Landscape and Design Associates, validated the trend. As the economy regains strength, he said, people are willing and ready to spend money on their homes again.
“We’ve seen a resurgence in spending over the past two years,” he noted, “and people are doing things they have wanted to do for a long time; their goal is to be able to enjoy their outdoor space without having to leave town.”
Commercial business is also on the upswing. “We’ve seen some vibrancy in the last few years in terms of the amount of work and competitiveness,” Prothers told BusinessWest. “I have a small company, but there is a feeling across the board in our industry that things are looking brighter, which is a good sign.”

Changing Climate
St. Clair said this past year was a “very, very good one.”
“Our forte is high-end residential projects, and last year we did several of them,” he reported. In fact, his business increased by about 32%.
But it has still not returned to what it was before the recession, and several years ago the company added maintenance to the services it offers, in part to fill the void, but also because people who spend a significant amount of money want their property professionally maintained.
“We used to have 18 people working for us, and last year we had between 10 and 13,” he said. “This year, we’re starting off with the same number. But we’re doing things to become more efficient — buying smarter and asking our employees to become more cognizant of waste.”
In addition, for the third year in a row, St. Clair’s employees are working four 10-hour days, which allows them to get more done and also gives them Friday and Saturday as makeup days in case of inclement weather, which can help them meet deadlines. Still, last year they weren’t able to finish up one of their biggest projects because the ground froze.
“And right now, we have enough work to take us through July 1, which is not bad for any business,” he said.
He attributes part of his success to the personal relationships he builds with clients. But the tornado of 2011 also resulted in work, such as a property in Longmeadow that suffered extensive tree damage. In addition to ripping out an entire row of pines damaged by the storm and replacing them with emerald-green arborvitae, the homeowners had their entire front and backyard landscaped.

Bill St. Clair says homeowners want to build spaces that promote relaxation, whether it’s a firepit, water feature, or a pergola like this one — a structure that’s becoming more popular.

“And right now, we have four jobs on the books to replace privacy hedges that were damaged by the tornado,” St. Clair added.
Walter Cudnohufsky, owner of Walter Cudnohufsky Associates Inc. in Ashfield, is also doing more residential work. In some cases, people are buying property and fixing problems that were never resolved, such as drainage issues, but in others they are upgrading their landscapes. “But the first words we hear from everyone are ‘low maintenance,’” he said.
Cudnohufsky also handles a lot of commercial work and has been busy for the past two years. He said towns, like homeowners, want to make improvements that the community can enjoy. But he believes there is a real misunderstanding about the importance of design.
“People have grown up in houses and yards, so they don’t think they need assistance. But even if they get a short consultation, it’s an insurance policy against making a major error and spending money frivolously and needlessly,” he explained. “You want to be able to do as much as you can with your budget.”
For example, a granite countertop for a barbecue could equal the cost of renovating the entire landscape, when there are other choices, such as outdoor concrete, which are attractive and durable, Cudnohufsky said.

Popular Features
Although people are spending money, DeMay said, many have “downsized their imagination,” especially when it comes to water features. “Bigger used to be better, and we used to build a lot of large ponds and courtyards.”
But today, people are spending less and want to avoid the maintenance that ponds with fish and vegetation require. “Many prefer to have a small pond with a waterfall for the simple fact that it costs a lot less money,” he said. “They can still get the sound and the effect of tranquility, but want be able to come home and just relax outside.”
St. Clair agrees that people don’t want to have to work to keep their landscape attractive. “There is no such thing as no maintenance, but everyone wants to minimize it. They don’t want to be married to a water feature or their yard,” he said.
So many are opting for waterfalls. “The sound of tranquility that comes from water flowing is mesmerizing, and people can sit by it, relax, and contemplate,” DeMay said.
Campedelli said pondless waterfalls free people from liability, and can be enhanced by ornamental grasses that complement the soothing sound of the water. “They grow seven to nine feet high, and when they are planted around seating areas and waterfalls, they are beautiful to look at, and the sound is soothing whenever a slight breeze blows through them.”

Drew DeMay says a slowdown in commercial work in recent years has coincided with increasingly strong residential demand.

Firepits are also enormously popular. “Everyone wants one. Their kids can sit and roast marshmallows, or they can have their neighbors over and put their feet up and relax,” Campedelli said. “Our clients want to keep their fires going during the summer, even when it’s really hot, because of the atmosphere it creates.”
St. Clair concurred. “We are also putting in a lot of firepits. They have really become a big trend, and we have clients who are using them throughout the winter.”
Some people choose gas burners, while others opt for the traditional wood-burning style, built with drains inside so the fire can be extinguished without having to leave coals smoldering.
“More and more companies are creating gas inserts, and some units are built to look like fireplaces,” DeMay said, adding that firepits and outdoor cooking have become so popular that some people are having outdoor kitchens built, a trend he expects to continue. “They are incorporating them into small courtyards.”
Another growing market is patios and walkways, which local landscape architects say are becoming more popular than wood decks. “Even the composite materials weather and need pressure washing or replacement,” Campedelli told BusinessWest, adding that the materials available today “are gorgeous and come in many different patterns.”
St. Clair said pergolas are also seeing interest. The structures are similar to a large arbor, and plants such as wisteria climb the sides and form a leafy roof as they grow to cover the rafters.
Lighting is another factor that plays a significant role in the ambience of outdoor spaces after the sun sets. Low-voltage lighting is being built into walls, hung on trees, or arranged to illuminate walkways or the entire perimeter of a landscaped area. It is also being installed around firepits, in sitting gardens, or on fireplaces.
“I’m also a big fan of torches,” Campedelli said. “They’re a key element in lighting. There is nothing like flickering light with shadows, so we create an atmosphere using a combination of torches and low-voltage lighting.”

Worthwhile Investment
Campedelli said some people are having outdoor areas wired for a TV, with speakers built into the sitting area. “It’s a theme-park type of feel with background music. Think of the worst day at work you ever had, then imagine coming home and opening your back door and feeling like you are on vacation or at the beach. We build that feeling.”
And once the work is done, families can stay home and relax in their surroundings. “People don’t want to have to drive anywhere once they get home from work,” DeMay said.
In short, the future looks bright indeed for landscape architects as homeowners take steps to create their own private refuges and places of relaxation.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

Briefcase Departments

State Approves Projects Aimed at Boosting Jobs

BOSTON — The state Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) recently approved nine projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), which are expected to create 1,209 new jobs and retain 5,935 existing jobs, in addition to leveraging nearly $267 million in private investment and supporting construction projects across the Commonwealth. Among the eight approved projects are four manufacturing companies and five projects located in Gateway Cities. The EDIP program helps reduce the cost of business for these companies, which is one of the five main focuses of the Patrick-Murray administration’s long-term economic-development plan. These are the first projects approved in 2013 by the Coordinating Council, which meets on a quarterly basis to review applications. “Supporting companies that are choosing to grow in Massachusetts is an important part of our effort to create economic opportunity for everyone,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki. “These investments will help these businesses expand here and fit with our overall economic-development strategy of making our businesses and communities stronger in the long term.” Two of the projects are based in Western Mass., at MassMutual in Springfield and Crane & Co. in Dalton. Last fall, MassMutual purchased the retirement plan portfolio of the Hartford Insurance Co., and will be moving back-office jobs from Connecticut to Springfield. The expansion at the Springfield facility will create 250 jobs while retaining 3,352 existing jobs. This project represents a private investment by the company of $59.4 million. The EACC has approved $3.75 million in EDIP investment tax credits (ITCs) to support MassMutual’s efforts and investments. Meanwhile, Crane & Co. is a seventh-generation, family-owned paper manufacturer that acquired a Kennebunk, Maine, company, William Arthur Inc., in late 2012. Crane & Co. will incorporate the Maine operations into its existing stationary operations located in North Adams. This project represents an investment of $5 million and will create 74 new jobs in Massachusetts while retaining 206. North Adams has awarded Crane a five-year special tax assessment valued at $291,030.

Sarno Argues Against Law That Limits Casino Tax Revenues

BOSTON — Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno recently asked state lawmakers to approve legislation that would exempt a proposed casino’s land from the state’s tax-limiting law, allowing Springfield to collect an additional $15 to $20 million in annual property taxes. Sarno and his aides met with the chief of staff for House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Sen. Stephen Brewer, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Sarno also testified on the bill before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue. Under Proposition 2 ½, Springfield cannot collect property taxes from ‘new growth,’ Sarno noted. “The Legislature has provided for a potentially huge economic driver in our city in the form of a casino,” he told members of the committee. “We all know that the benefits of a casino are still a few years away, but if we are lucky enough to have one, our benefits are even further away than you think due to the constraints of Proposition 2 ½ and its rules around how new growth is calculated.” Sarno is currently negotiating with two casino companies that are each proposing estimated $800 million casino resorts for Springfield. MGM Resorts International is planning a casino in the South End, and Penn National Gaming is planning a casino in the North End.

Springfield Wins $21.9M for Disaster Recovery

SPRINGFIELD — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced that it is allocating $21.9 million to the Springfield to aid its recovery from weather disasters in 2011.
The funding is in response to the June 1 tornado that swept through Springfield and surrounding communities, as well as Hurricane Irene, which brought flooding to many communities two months later; both events were declared federal disasters.
The funds are part of $514 million allocated among nine states nationwide through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program.
“In the last two years, many communities have had to deal with the reality of our changing climate and the increasing severity of natural disasters,” said Shaun Donovan, HUD secretary. “HUD is continuing to work closely with state and local partners to help them realize a locally driven vision for restoring and rebuilding housing, infrastructure, and businesses that have been affected.”

Springfield Unemployment Declines in February

SPRINGFIELD — The city’s unemployment rate fell in February to 10.6% from 11.7% in January. Springfield’s unemployment rate was 11.4% a year ago in February 2012, according to figures from the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a region, Greater Springfield’s unemployment rate was 8% in February, down from 8.8% the previous month and 8.5% a year ago in February 2012. At the same time, the number of employed Springfield residents rose from 57,039 in January to 57,566 in February. The numbers are not adjusted for seasonal changes in the economy, and unemployment rates typically spike in January as holiday-season jobs end before spring construction jobs begin. The statewide unadjusted unemployment rate was 6.8% in February. Adjusted for inflation, the unemployment rate was 6.5%. The national average, adjusted for seasonality, was 7.7% in February. Meanwhile, Massachusetts has surpassed pre-recession job levels statewide. Revised numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 3,318,500 jobs in February, compared to 3,304,300 in April 2008.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff April 9, 2013

Company Notebook Departments

V-One Founder Wins Entrepreneurship Award

HADLEY — Valley Vodka Inc., a Western Mass.-based company, announced that Paul Kozub, owner and founder of V-One Vodka, was one of three winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2013 Nightclub & Bar show in Las Vegas. Nightclub & Bar Media Group announced the winner of the first annual Nightclub & Bar show in late March. The national awards program celebrates emerging small businesses producing innovative products for the nightlife industry. Nightclub & Bar set out to find the next big company to take off in 2013. The Entrepreneurs Program is a unique opportunity for new companies to be recognized for their outstanding innovation and awarded with a complimentary booth at the 2013 Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, which took place in Las Vegas March 19-21. Companies that qualified submitted their brand, company, product, or new innovation to a panel of industry judges for review. “This is our first event outside of the New England market, so I was thrilled to be recognized on a national level,” said Kozub. “The Nightclub & Bar Show is the largest of its kind, with over 900 exhibitors. We are very humbled to be chosen out of this elite group of companies. The three winners are shining examples of originality and innovation in today’s tough marketplace.” The winners will be profiled on nightclub.com and highlighted in the BarIQ e-newsletter. V-One Vodka was started by Paul Kozub in 2005 as a way to honor his recently deceased Polish grandfather and his entrepreneurial father, who passed away a few months after Paul graduated from college. The V-One recipe was developed in the basement of his Hadley, home. V-One is now produced exclusively by Polmos Lublin in Poland. It is the only vodka made solely from 100% organic spelt wheat, the rarest and most expensive grain in the world. Today, a small amount of this wheat is grown in Hadley, while the majority is grown in Poland. BusinessWest named Kozub a 40 Under Forty honoree in 2007.

Greenough Packaging Certified as Minority and

Woman-owned Enterprise

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Greenough Packaging & Maintenance, a leading regional distributor of shipping, safety, break-room, janitorial, cleaning, and facility-maintenance supplies, was recently certified as a Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise by the Mass. Supplier Diversity Office of the Commonwealth’s Operational Services Division. The OSD’s standard of certification is a rigorous process that includes an in-depth review of the business as well as a site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm that the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a minority or woman. Greenough became a woman-owned business when controlling interest in the company was acquired by Sandy Cassanelli in 2003. As the majority shareholder and CEO of Greenough, Cassanelli provides strategic direction to the organization and oversees operations and accounting. “I am delighted that Greenough has been certified as a woman-owned business enterprise,” she said. “The certification will enable us to both expand our business and create new jobs as well as to better serve our customers by helping them meet their supplier-diversity initiatives.” By including woman-owned businesses among their vendors, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier/vendor diversity programs. The Mass. Operational Services Division (OSD) is the Commonwealth’s central procurement and contracting office. In 2010, Gov. Deval Patrick signed Executive Order 523, establishing a Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) in Massachusetts. The mission of the SBPP is to support the existence and growth of small businesses by directing state spending for non-construction goods and services to SBPP-participating vendors. The OSD is responsible for SBPP development and implementation, including policies, training, capacity building, and annual benchmarks. Greenough serves customers from a broad range of markets throughout the U.S., including manufacturing, education, property management, retail, medical, food processing, fulfillment, commercial cleaning, and distribution. In addition, it provides custom-packaging and food-packaging solutions.

People’s United Awards $5,000 to Gray House

SPRINGFIELD — The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced that it has awarded $5,000 to the Gray House in Springfield. The Gray House, a human-services agency, encourages neighbors in transition to achieve a more stable, safe, and productive life through education and community service. The grant from People’s United Community Foundation will support the Kids’ Club after-school and summer programs, which provide a safe, caring environment where children are served nutritious meals and participate in educational and creative activities. “The Gray House is honored to receive this grant from People’s United Community Foundation and continue our partnership,” said Dena Calvanese, executive director of the Gray House. “People’s United Community Foundation’s support helps us provide children opportunities to learn, engage in constructive activities, and have fun.” Timothy Crimmins Jr., officer of People’s United Community Foundation and president of the Massachusetts Division of People’s United Bank, said the Gray House is a valuable resource in the community. “We are proud to contribute to their success,” he continued. “By working together, we can truly build a better tomorrow for kids. The Gray House enhances the early-educational experience for many local children and supports the efforts of parents and caregivers in the community.” Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. It places special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education, and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods. The funding priorities of the foundation include community development, youth development, and affordable housing.

NAACP Backs Casino Plan

of MGM International

SPRINGFIELD — The general membership of the Greater Springfield NAACP voted recently to ratify the recommendation of its executive committee concerning a proposed casino in Western Mass. “Given the recent statements by city officials that they intend to only put one applicant on the ballot and intend to name that applicant in the coming weeks, this is the appropriate time to release our recommendation,” the organization stated in a release. While the branch did not vote to support gaming, it did take a position that the plan advanced by MGM International provides the best opportunities for African-Americans and other communities of color to be included in construction work, professional-services contracts, and employee hiring should it be selected to build a facility in the region.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff March 26, 2013

Company Notebook Departments

UMass Innovation Institute Forges Links Between Research, Industry

AMHERST — The UMass Innovation Institute (UMII) is accelerating connections between private business and advanced science and technology available in campus laboratories at UMass Amherst. Its most recent initiative is a five-year strategic partnership with BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, to develop new advanced materials for the automotive, building, construction, and energy industries. The new agreement was announced this week in Cambridge. The agreement between BASF and the UMII, along with Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is called the North American Center for Research on Advanced Materials, and is expected to create 20 new postdoctoral positions at the three universities. In addition to the new agreement with BASF, the Innovation Institute, in its first year, hit an all-time high in generating $14.3 million in industry-research awards. The UMII, established in June 2011, expects to grow industrial supported research to about $30 million annually in five years and to become financially self-sustaining during this period. Additional income is anticipated from licensing and startups through the Office of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property. James Capistran, executive director at UMII, says his organization is well on its way to meeting the initial goals. “Our key task is to quickly and efficiently move the new technologies and scientific capabilities developed in our laboratories at UMass Amherst into the real-world economy,” he said. “We have streamlined the process so that all parties to our agreements can realize the maximum benefit in a time frame that is responsive to the markets and business cycles.” Capistran also noted that, in addition to linking the top-notch researchers and scientists at UMass Amherst to the many high-technology businesses in Massachusetts and the New England region, UMII also plays a key role in boosting the overall reputation of UMass Amherst. “A lot of people in business know we do good work, but now they know we can move rapidly when developing new ideas and products.”

Arbors Kids to Open

New Childcare Center

EAST LONGMEADOW — The Arbors Kids will open an additional location at 126 Industrial Dr. in East Longmeadow, across from the Post Office. This will be the company’s largest childcare center, with a host of indoor and outdoor facilities. The new complex provides a full range of programs and activities, all under one roof. The center will house classrooms with interactive smart boards, indoor basketball courts, a turf field, an arcade, a music room, a dance studio, a cafeteria, a lounge, and more. The expansive space outdoors includes an inground pool and waterslides, a basketball court, soccer fields, a baseball field, and play areas. The new childcare center and summer camp will be opening this fall, and enrollment dates will be announced soon. The Arbors Kids provides childcare services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in a safe and nurturing environment, with a caring and professional staff. In addition, it offers summer camps and before- and after-school programs at locations throughout Greater Springfield. For more information, visit www.arborskids.com.

Asnuntuck, Bay Path Sign

Joint-admissions Pact

Asnuntuck Community College and Bay Path College announced that a joint-admissions agreement has been approved by the two institutions. The agreement is designed to provide barrier-free movement from the associate’s degree to the baccalaureate and graduate degrees for students enrolled at ACC. The presidents of the two schools signed the agreement at the Asnuntuck campus on March 5. Multiple opportunities will be afforded to ACC students choosing to take advantage of the agreement. Students participating in the process will receive consideration for various merit-based scholarships, they will be able to obtain jointly supported advisement, and students will be afforded early and conditional acceptance into graduate-school programs.

Changing Perceptions

By BusinessWest Staff March 26, 2013

Commercial Real Estate Sections

BID Strives to Improve, Promote Downtown Attractions

By KATHLEEN MITCHELL

Don Courtemanche lives in downtown Springfield. He walks to work and takes advantage of the cultural events, eateries, and other offerings readily available to him in the area.

“I think of downtown as a neighborhood. It’s a place where I want to live, stay, and raise my family,” said the executive director of the Springfield Business Improvement District, or BID, adding that he can walk to 40 restaurants from his home on Maple Street, which is not technically within the boundaries of the BID, but certainly impacted by the organization’s efforts.

BID board member Evan Plotkin says the ultimate goal of the organization is to make the downtown vibrant and culturally important to the region so it will attract new residents and businesses. “We want to see a return of the middle class and others who have left or abandoned the city,” said the president of NAI Plotkin on Taylor Street in Springfield, in the heart of the BID. “If you create a vibe that improves the perception of what downtown is, you will start to attract new retail businesses, restaurants, and a segment of the population that could move into apartments there.”

The boundaries of the 26-block BID stretch from the Connecticut River to Chestnut Street, and from Bliss Street to the railroad tracks. Union Station, which is undergoing renovation, is the northern bookend of the district. And although some people shy away from downtown because they think it’s unsafe, Cortemanche says that’s a false perception.

“People who are not familiar with the area tend to be skeptical in terms of its public safety,” he told BusinessWest. “But if you look at the statistics, the BID is the safest neighborhood in the entire city in terms of crime.”

The problem, he went on, is that, “since downtown is the face of the city, whenever anything bad happens, people associate it with Main Street.” For example, when the tornado hit, people watched it cross the southern part of the downtown area on their TV screens because that is where the weather cameras are situated. “As a result, business in the BID plummeted, not because the buildings there were destroyed, but because people assumed the streets were impassable since the media reported the news from the downtown area. The general consumer doesn’t know where the BID begins and ends.”

Plotkin agrees. “A lot happens downtown that is blown out of proportion,” he said.

Still, in spite of economic woes that have hurt urban centers across the country, the BID has held its own in recent years. Its focus now is to continue to collaborate with groups that stage cultural events, bring more people downtown, and, most importantly, take measures to make people feel safe when they visit the district.

This is going to become easier thanks to a recent change in the state’s BID statute, which was passed in July by the Legislature as part of a jobs bill. It no longer allows commercial properties to opt out of membership or paying a fee to an established BID, which they were able to do in the past, even though they benefited from services.

Those services range from keeping the area clean to upgrading streetscapes; from undertaking capital improvements to assigning representatives to act as ambassadors during conventions to help direct tourists and serve as extra security on the street, along with helping to beautify the area and promoting attractions and events.

Ongoing Maintenance

Courtemanche said Springfield’s BID, like others across the state, suffered when property owners opted out of the organization. “It became incumbent on us to do more and more with less and less,” he explained.

But, thanks to the new law, there will be more revenue with which to work. “The statute allowed property owners to reaffirm their faith in the BID,” Courtemanche said, adding that it has a 98% approval rating from its members. “We have had meetings with our members who had opted out to see what they want, and their number-one priority is clean and safe streets.”

To that end, the BID has purchased new cleaning equipment, which includes an additional street sweeper, and has also established two new lighting initiatives. One is the installation of LED lights in existing fixtures owned by Western Mass Electric Co., which will double the amount of illumination and reduce energy use by 25%.

The second is a pilot program that began in January on Worthington Street that allows property owners to install new light fixtures on their buildings, with the BID picking up 75% of the cost. “It contributes to the perception of public safety and will have a huge effect because it will light up the beautiful architecture we have downtown after dark,” Courtemanche said.

Keith Weppler, who co-owns Theodore’s Booze Blues & BBQ on Worthington Street with Keith Makarowski, said they chose to have the energy-efficient lights installed. “They really light up the whole building,” said Weppler, who is another BID board member.

He cited other benefits the organization provides. “I see how dirty the streets are early in the morning after a weekend and what a difference it makes after the BID’s cleaning crew comes by. I really appreciate it, and although belonging to the BID doesn’t directly affect my business, it helps the city. Their communication with the police department as well as their work with other businesses is part of the synergy that creates a positive downtown.”

He has also taken advantage of the BID’s affiliation with city officials. “They know who to call if you have a problem,” he said, citing an instance when he had an issue with outdated parking signage outside his establishment and the BID helped get the matter resolved.

The BID has 30 security cameras linked with the Police Department and Department of Public Works, which can spot someone illegally dumping trash or relay the news that a traffic light is out and creating a backup at an intersection, Courtemanche said. It also stages events, including the Stearns Square Concert Series, which brings 5,000 to 8,000 people downtown every week in the summer.

“It started with 10 concerts and has grown to 12, and the spinoff is huge for the parking facilities, businesses, and restaurants in the district,” Courtemanche added. In addition, the organization supports a multitude of events, ranging from those held at the Springfield Museums on the Quadrangle to the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, the annual Spirit of Springfield’s Big Balloon Parade, productions at CityStage, and basketball games at the MassMutual Center.

New Promotions

Recently, the BID launched a number of new promotions designed to bring people downtown.

These include giving away tickets to Falcons and Armor games via a weekly drawing for people who register on the BID Facebook page.

“While that might not seem like a huge move, these people park, go out to eat, may visit a bar after the game, have a great time, and become comfortable downtown,” said Courtemanche.

The BID also employs social media to keep people abreast of ongoing news, such as whether restaurants were open after a gas explosion in November that destroyed a downtown bar and sent glass and bricks flying down Worthington Street.

It also recently finished a promotion that began in December in which people who took photos of themselves in front of restaurants such as Nadim’s and Subway on Main Street, where sidewalk construction is underway, were entered into a drawing for restaurant gift certificates.

“It was hugely popular,” Courtemanche said. “And right now, we are gearing up for spring, which is arguably our busiest or second-busiest season.”

In addition to power-washing the sidewalks, BID employees also fill about 300 planters and 300 hanging baskets scattered throughout the zone with flowers. “We also want to generate a buzz about real -state property here,” he said.

The agency’s plan is to hold open houses in approximately a dozen empty storefronts over the next few months. The first will be in a 3,000-square-foot space beneath the Chestnut Park apartment complex that has sat empty for years. “We will have food and entertainment, and hopefully it will result in a new tenant,” Courtemanche told BusinessWest.

Although real-estate brokers are welcome, the hope is that people who live and/or work downtown will attend the events and convey information about these sites to people they know who may want to open or expand a business. “The downtown consumers have a built-in bias as to what type of retailer they would like to see,” he said.

However, BID officials admit that a lot needs to be done before the area becomes a thriving neighborhood. But they are steadily working toward that goal.

“We still have a lot of vacant space, but we are on the road to the day when we become an urban theme park, which is what successful cities do to attract entrepreneurs,” Plotkin said.

Courtemanche agrees, and says small things add up. “A rising tide floats all ships, and casino or not, the fact that the BID continues to make huge leaps during one of the worst economic climates in decades is telling,” he said. “Businesses are continuing to open, and the area continues to grow.”

Future Outlook

Courtemanche said the BID is doing well. “There is certainly room for improvement, but we are holding our own and seeing growth in terms of more employees and more foot traffic. The biggest elephant in the room is where the casino will go, but once it lands, there is a lot of pent-up development that will take place,” he said. “The BID really is a special place.”

Plotkin agrees. “Every downtown has problems from time to time,” he said, “but if we can populate our area with an eclectic mix of diverse people and promote the restaurants and businesses, we will be able to bring about a renaissance here.”

From the Ground Up

By BusinessWest Staff March 26, 2013

S. Hossein Cheraghi, dean of the College of Engineering

Environment and Engineering Sections

WNEU Creates New Civil and Environmental Engineering Program

Student Emily Lynch, seen here with Kenneth Lee, says she’s always been fascinated by bridges, and ultimately decided to make civil engineering a career.

When asked about the factors that drove Western New England University’s decision to create its new Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ken Lee summoned some telling numbers.

The first were from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which is projecting an employment growth rate of 19% for civil engineers and 22% for environmental engineers — one of the fastest-growing subspecialties within the broad realm of civil engineering — between 2010 and 2020.

Another number — and probably the one fueling those BLS projections — comes from the American Society of Civil Engineers, which, when assessing the nation’s aging infrastructure, projects that $71 trillion in infrastructure investments will be made by 2030.

“Everything we make in civil engineering has a lifespan,” said Lee, chairman of the new department, in an article announcing his appointment in the university’s alumni publication, the Communicator. “Buildings and bridges are crumbling, and transportation systems need overhauling. We need plenty of engineers to plan, design, analyze, develop, organize, and manage retrofits and new construction projects.”

Couple these projections with the university’s desire to grow its well-regarded College of Engineering, and civil engineering, with a strong focus on environmental engineering, was the logical path to take, said S. Hossein Cheraghi, dean of the College of Engineering.

“We want to grow, and one of the best ways to do that is with new programs,” he said, adding quickly that existing offerings are also being expanded. “And when we looked at different programs and at statistics from the Department of Labor in terms of future opportunities for employment, we realized that civil engineering made the most sense for us.”

He told BusinessWest that talks on such an expansion were initiated about three years ago, and they culminated with a program launched last fall with 13 students.

Emily Lynch is one of them.

A Connecticut resident, she said that, while growing up, she became fascinated by bridges — “I would drive over them and just be awestruck,” she explained — and by her junior year had decided to make civil engineering a career.

“I liked math more, but I didn’t want to make that my livelihood,” she went on. After being alerted by her guidance counselor to the new program at WNEU, she made that school one of three options — Wentworth in Boston and the University of New Haven were the others — and eventually decided to became part of the inaugural class at the Springfield campus. “There’s supposed to be a huge jump in demand for civil engineers in the years to come; I want to be part of that.”

Creation of the Civil Engineering program is one of the primary drivers of a planned expansion of Sleith Hall, home to the College of Engineering, said Cheraghi, noting that plans call for 8,600 square feet of new space, as well as renovations and upgrades to the entire building.

Work on the two-story addition, projected to cost between $12 million and $13.5 million, is expected to begin this summer, he went on, adding that the new area will house laboratory space for the new program, as well as labs for Biomedical Engineering, classroom space, and a computer lab. The project also includes building-wide HVAC improvements, the installation of a new sprinkler system, and technology improvements.

S. Hossein Cheraghi, dean of the College of Engineering, says the new civil engineering program will help “internationalize” the WNEU campus.

“The addition of new programs and growth in existing programs in the College of Engineering is driving the need for additional space,” said Cheraghi, noting that the school also added a doctoral program in Engineering Management and has seen increasing enrollment in its existing engineering programs — biomedical, electrical, industrial, and mechanical.

For this issue and its focus on engineering and the environment, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at the university’s new Civil Engineering degree and what it means for both the school and those currently enrolled in the program.

Bridging a Gap

When asked why he left a teaching position at UMass Lowell to come to WNEU, Lee broke into a wide smile.

“Opportunities to lead a new program, especially a civil engineering program … those are quite rare today,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to the many challenges involved with getting such an initiative off the ground, from hiring faculty to recruiting students to setting the tone academically. “This is a very exciting career opportunity.”

It came about, said Cheraghi, because the School of Engineering, and the university as a whole, has set some ambitious goals for continued growth, and civil and environmental engineering represented both the most glaring area of need and the best opportunity for expansion, given those projections from the BLS.

The new program also fits nicely into a recently developed strategic plan for the university, one component of which is the goal of greater “internationalization” of the campus and thus the student population.

“We want to bring more international students to our campus,” he explained. “And this is one of the most important programs for developing countries. There is a global need for civil engineers.”

Meanwhile, an analysis of the regional market revealed that there was a need for — and thus room for — another civil engineering program.

Departments exist at UMass Amherst and UConn, said Lee, and there is an associate’s degree program at Springfield Technical Community College. A two-year degree opens some doors to employment, he went on, but a baccalaureate or graduate degree offers access to many more opportunities.

Cheraghi told BusinessWest that the new program will play a large role in helping the College of Engineering continue its pattern of growth and reach ambitious targets for enrollment. Indeed, the Engineering department had 320 students in 2009, boasts 475 at present, and would like to be at 600 within five years, he said, adding that these numbers clearly indicate the need for the planned expansion of Sleith Hall.

While the Civil and Environmental Engineering initiative is new, Lee said, the university has a long history of excellence in engineering, and this will certainly help draw people to what’s called the CEE program. WNEU’s comparatively smaller class sizes and its so-called ‘theory to practice’ approach to engineering education, which provides hands-on experience that enables students to hit the ground running as they enter their chosen careers, are also effective selling points.

These were some of the factors that helped prompt Lynch to eventually choose WNEU. She’s still wrapping up her freshman year, but already has designs on what she wants to do professionally.

“I’m leaning toward the structural side of civil engineering — building roads and bridges and fixing the many that are crumbling,” she said. “I really want to fix our infrastructure.”

Students in the program will focus on the latest advances in the design, construction, and maintenance of today’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, water-treatment and supply networks, and environmental systems, said Lee, adding that students will study the many areas of civil engineering, from structural engineering to geotechnical engineering.

The WNEU program is somewhat unique, he went on, because of its separate environmental engineering concentration. Students who take that route will get a civil engineering degree, which provides great flexibility, he explained, but also a strong focus on issues involving water — from treatment to renewable energy.

Another unique aspect of the program will be the incorporation of ‘green’ engineering techniques and sustainable materials, he said.

“Until recently, efficiency and environmental impacts have not been major parts of the equation,” he told the Communicator. “But now, when you design a building, you want it to be as energy-efficient as possible and use as little water as possible.”

Original projections for the program’s first year were for 10 students, said Lee, adding that, without much (if any) advertising, 13 were chosen from roughly 75 applications. And both of those numbers project to go much higher for year two, with perhaps 140 applications and possibly 20 to 25 students admitted. The goal is to reach 100 students in the program by the time the first class graduates in 2016.

One popular route could be transferring into the program from STCC after completion of the two-year program there, he noted, adding that WNEU can begin accepting transfers when members of the inaugural class reach their junior year.

The university is set to hire a second faculty member for the program for year two, said Lee, who was the first, and add two more for the start of the 2014-15 academic year.

On the Right Road

Assessing his career shift and decision to both teach and administer WNEU’s new engineering program, Lee said he believes he’s in the right place at the right time.

And the same can be said of the 13 students in that program’s inaugural class and those who will enroll in the years to come.

Indeed, the projections made by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Bureau of Labor Statistics would seem to provide ample evidence that he’s right.

Time will tell if WNEU’s large investment will prove worthwhile, but already there are signs that the university is building momentum — in more ways than one.

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

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff March 12, 2013

Company Notebook Departments

Grant from MassMutual to Facilitate Local Junior Achievement Programs

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts recently announced a grant from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) that will help deliver critical personal-finance skills to the next generation of Western Mass. youth. Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts was one of four JA Areas across the nation selected to receive a MassMutual grant. “We are thrilled to receive this gift on behalf of our local students,” said Jennifer Connolly, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. “MassMutual has given tangible proof of its practical commitment to giving young people advantages through financial literacy.” The grant will provide additional elementary- and middle-school programs for students in the community. JA programs help young people gain the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Additionally, MassMutual employees will serve as JA volunteers, teaching the JA curriculum and sharing their personal and professional experiences with students. The Junior Achievement mission is a direct correlation with MassMutual’s mission to help families become more confident in their financial decisions and empower them to take control of their financial situations. According to the Council for Economic Education’s “Survey of the States 2011: The State of Economic and Personal Finance Education in our Nation’s Schools,” only 13 states require its schools to teach personal-finance skills to its students. “It is critical to teach our children the skills they need to manage their finances. Learning to make smart financial decisions early in life can help them make the transition to college and financial independence later in life,” said Nick Fyntrilakis, vice president, Community Responsibility. Indeed, college debt is a major concern for the next generation. Currently, more than 60% of all students take out loans, and the average college graduate has more than $24,000 in debt upon graduation, according to the New York Times.

AIC Receives Gold Award for Viewbook

SPRINGFIELD — American International College recently received the Gold Award in the print communications category from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Lynn Saunders, Janelle Holmboe, and Scott Whitney of Florence were recognized for their work on the school’s admissions viewbook. CASE District I annually bestows its Excellence Awards on individuals and schools doing innovative work in the fields of special events, fund-raising, stewardship, volunteer engagement, alumni relations, student-alumni initiatives, advancement services, and communications. Saunders, AIC’s art director and project manager, said the messaging inspired not just the viewbook’s content, but also its visual messaging and editorial tone. “We kept in mind our target demographic and repositioned our piece to be more friendly, accessible, and true to who we are. The bold copy reinforces the visual elements and makes us stand out from many of the pieces we see from other area colleges.” Holmboe, dean of Undergraduate Admissions at AIC, said one of the goals of the viewbook was to reclaim AIC’s image by articulating what the school stands for as an institution of higher education. “We intended to underscore our egalitarian ethos, our history of catering to an underserved population, and our commitment to academic support that would ensure students’ success.” Jennifer Grossman, director of Marketing and Communications at AIC, said the viewbook was a true collaboration between both Enrollment and Marketing. “It is great to see hard work pay off, and for AIC’s accomplishments to be recognized by our peers.”

Armbrook Village Set

for April 1 Opening

WESTFIELD — Armbrook Village, the region’s newest senior-living community, announced that it will open its doors April 1. The facility will be managed by Massachusetts-based Senior Living Residences, with a local management team headed by Executive Director Beth Cardillo. Armbrook Village will feature independent senior apartments with concierge services, service-enriched assisted living, and a state-of-the-art Compass Memory Support Neighborhood, affiliated with Boston University’s School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center, featuring research-based treatment for those with memory loss. Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik, who recently toured the facility with other civic and business leaders, said the complex will be an important addition to the local landscape. “Armbrook Village will add vitality to Westfield and our surrounding communities — not just for our seniors, but for other age groups in our local community. The more than 120 residents of Armbrook Village will make use of area amenities such as the YMCA, Noble Hospital, our shopping centers, grocery stores, and restaurants. And they will be involved in the fabric of our community through volunteering and other social and cultural pursuits.”

MassMutual Named a FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) announced that it has once again been named a FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company in 2013 in the life and health insurance industry and in the state of Massachusetts. Ranked third overall, MassMutual is the most-admired mutual company in the life and health insurance industry category this year. The 2013 FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company survey was conducted in the fall of 2012 among top executives, directors, and securities analysts in 57 industries. To be named to the World’s Most Admired list, a company’s overall score must rank in the top half of its industry survey. The survey assessed nine reputation drivers considered to be crucial to a company’s global success: financial soundness, long-term investment value, people management, social responsibility, use of assets, quality of management, quality of products and services, innovation, and global competitiveness. “We are honored to be a FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Company again this year, and especially proud to receive a top ranking in the social-responsibility category in recognition of our important contributions in communities across the U.S.,” said Roger Crandall, chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual. “As a leader in an industry built on trust and accountability, we are pleased to be included among this elite list of admired companies.”

Monson Savings Bank Announces Winners of Community-giving Vote

MONSON — For the third year in a row, Monson Savings Bank asked the community to help plan the bank’s community-giving activities by inviting people to vote for the organizations they would like the bank to support during 2013. “We received nearly 900 votes for more than 60 different organizations doing community-service work in Monson, Hampden, Wilbraham, and Ware, where we will be opening a branch later this year,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We were pleased to hear from so many people. It really shows that we live in a community of concerned and committed citizens, and that feels great.” The top vote getters are:

1. River East School-to-Career Inc.

2. Homefront Equestrians

3. Link to Libraries

4. Replanting Monson Tree Committee

5. Monson Bellman Antique Fire Apparatus Club/Museum

6. Blue Star Equiculture

7. Scantic Valley YMCA

8. Greene Room Productions

9. Boy Scouts of Western Massachusetts

10. Two Town Trolley

The organizations have been notified of the good news and will be receiving checks from the bank in the next few weeks. According to Lowell, the list continues to change every year. “Just like last year, four of the 10 organizations were new to the list, and we learned about new groups that we didn’t even know were out there. That reinforces our decision to reach out to ask people for their input. We think that’s part of being a community bank.”

Development Proposals Sought for Allis House

SPRINGFIELD — The Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS) has issued a formal request for development proposals involving the W.H. Allis House on the Mercy Medical Center campus. The request was initiated with the hope of creating a new use for the landmark, which was slated to be demolished to make way for construction of a $20 million medical office building at the northwest corner of the Mercy campus, near the intersection of Chestnut and Carew streets. Ground was broken for the project last October. The initiative is being developed by Carew Chestnut Partners, and under terms of a construction and land-lease agreement, Carew Chestnut Street Partners will develop and own the building. In recent weeks, discussions between SPHS and members of both public and private historicalpreservation groups have been conducted to gain input about methods for preserving the history of the building. “We remain mindful of the history of the W.H. Allis House and appreciative of the importance of effectively preserving that history, particularly as it relates to the legacy of care provided by the Sisters of Providence,” said Daniel Moen, president and CEO of SPHS. “At the same time, our ongoing role as stewards of our limited resources calls us to continue the transformation of the Mercy campus, ensuring our ability to continue to serve the needs of our community while furthering our mission.” A spokesperson for SPHS said that initial plans for this construction project called for the removal of four structures on the Mercy campus: the maintenance garage, the Mercy Hearing Center building, the St. Mary’s building, and the W.H. Allis House. Three of these buildings are located within the footprint of the medical office building project, while the W.H. Allis House is contiguous to it. “The decision to include the W.H. Allis House in the removal plan came after lengthy discussions and careful consideration,” the spokesperson said. “This difficult decision followed an internal evaluation that determined that the structure was unsafe and unusable, could not be renovated in a financially responsible way, and could not be used for patient care nor be adequately renovated for administrative functions. These findings were further validated by an outside engineering firm that SPHS engaged to assess the structural condition of the building. Steiger Engineering Inc. also determined that the renovation of the structure would be cost-prohibitive at $6 million to $7 million and would not result in a viable medical use. However, after discussions with Springfield city officials and members of the local historical-preservation community, SPHS has agreed to re-evaluate its position on demolition of the W.H. Allis House until such time as it can be reasonably determined if restoration is not only a workable option, but will not impede ongoing transformation of the Mercy campus.” To that end, SPHS was involved in the creation of a task force comprised of SPHS leaders, Springfield city officials, and private citizens who are members of the Springfield Preservation Trust and Preservation Massachusetts, and engaged the services of Greg Farmer, a leading expert on historical preservation, to advise SPHS and the task force on appropriate methods to preserve the history of the Allis House. The Task Force began its work on Jan. 23 and is investigating alternatives to the removal of the building, primarily focused on efforts to secure the involvement of an outside party who would be willing to invest in and oversee its restoration, the spokesperson explained.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff March 12, 2013

Briefcase Departments

Mass. Career Development Institute to Close Sept. 1
SPRINGFIELD — The Mass. Career Development Institute (MCDI) has announced it will close this fall. In a statement, MCDI Executive Director Timothy Sneed said the agency is currently working to “transition its remaining programs to other community providers” and that the center will close on September 1. In addition to the “steadily declining” funding, Sneed said that “job-training programs that were once unique to MCDI are being duplicated in other places in the community.” MCDI has an annual budget of $2.7 million, of which 41% of funding comes from federal sources and 39% from the state. There are about 250 students currently enrolled in MCDI programs. Those students currently enrolled will be able to complete their training by the end of the academic year this spring. The center’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program will be available until Sept. 1. “The good news,” Sneed said, “is that no one in our community will be without the services, as our core programming, such as nurses-aide training, is available in the community-college system or the vocational education system.” Regarding the 29 people who will lose their jobs because of the closure, Sneed said, “our hope is that, by announcing our plans well in advance of the closing of all operations in September, these workers will have ample time to be absorbed into the workforce where their skills in job training can be utilized.” Founded in 1970, MCDI was created to raise educational-attainment levels and develop workforce skills for individuals as part of a comprehensive program. The goal was to graduate participants into the economy through employment, where they could advance their own economic prospects while contributing to the area’s economic development.

Construction Spending Declines in January
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction spending snapped a nine-month string of monthly gains with a sharp decline in January but still rose from year-ago levels, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that across-the-board federal spending cuts known as sequestration, which took on March 1, along with a possible shutdown of the federal government later in March, could hit construction harder than most sectors and dampen demand for needed projects. “At first glance, January was a bad month for construction, with a sharp drop in private non-residential spending, along with small dips in residential and public construction,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, the January figure was higher than the year-ago level. Moreover, steep upward revisions … in the preliminary numbers for November and December suggest January may ultimately prove to have been positive as well.” Construction put in place totaled $883 billion in January, down 2.1% from the December total, which was marked up from an initial estimate of $885 billion to $903 billion on the basis of new data on power and energy construction. The January 2013 total was 7.1% higher than in January 2012. Private residential construction spending was flat for the month and up 22 percent year-over-year. Private nonresidential spending slumped 5.1% for the month but climbed 4.0% year over year. Public construction spending dropped 1.0% for the month and 3.0% over 12 months. “Once more complete data is available, power construction should prove to be a strong category in 2013, along with manufacturing, multifamily, and — at least in the first half of the year — single-family construction,” Simonson said. “But public construction, which has declined year over year for 28 straight months, appears to be headed still lower.” As for sequestration and its aftermath, association analysis suggests that an estimated $4 billion worth of federal construction projects will be cancelled this year alone. “These indiscriminate cuts run the risk of undermining the fragile recovery in demand many contractors are just now beginning to experience,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “It is hard to encourage major new private sector investments in capital projects when Washington can’t even find a way to avoid fiscal crises of its own making.”

MIT Urges Growth of ‘Industrial Ecosystem’
BOSTON — A new report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology urgently recommends that the nation rebuild its “industrial ecosystem” of manufacturers, suppliers, research, and skilled labor to support multiple industries, not just clusters of companies dedicated to one particular sector. The report claims that manufacturers with the ability and talent to produce the ideas of entrepreneurs are in increasingly short supply, as U.S. corporations have shifted production offshore and outstourced many other functions, such as research and development, over the last 30 years. “Across the entire industrial landscape, there are now gaping holes and missing pieces,” the report says. “It’s not just that factories stand empty and crumbling; it’s that critical strengths and capabilities have disappeared that once served to bring new enterprises to life.” The report, compiled by 20 MIT faculty members notes that, for innovation and the invention and creation of new products to occur, startup companies and manufacturers must operate close by so that they may draw on each other’s expertise. The MIT task force studied more than 250 companies in several states to better understand how to improve the nation’s ability to manufacture and benefit from products invented, designed, and brought to market by American entrepreneurs and engineers. The U.S. has lost about one-third of the manufacturing jobs it had more than a decade ago. About 30 years ago, the report says, American corporations began shedding large-scale research and development and manufacturing operations, realizing that leaner operations drove their stock prices higher. Increasingly, cutting-edge research and innovation is instead taking place in universities, startups, and government labs, which face challenges moving ideas to commercial production. “The anxieties of the public connected with many of our own deep concerns at MIT about where the American economy is heading,” the report says. “Our question was: what kinds of production do we need — and where do they need to be located — to sustain an innovative economy?”

Life Sciences to Benefit from $9M in Grants
HOLYOKE — During a recent visit to Holyoke Community College (HCC), Gov. Deval Patrick announced more than $9 million in grants for capital projects related to life sciences in Western Mass. He said the grants, paid for with money from the sale of state bonds, fit in with his current budget and its emphasis on spending on infrastructure and especially on education. An educated workforce, he noted, “is as important to us as oil is to Texas and corn is to Iowa.” The grants include $3.8 million to Holyoke Community College for the creation of the Center for Life Sciences in the Marieb Building, in space to be vacated by moving nursing and radiology programs to the former Grynn & Barrett photo studio building the college recently purchased. The grant is the largest received in the institution’s history, said HCC President William Messner. In addition, the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke will receive $4.54 million for life-sciences work. Bay Path College in Longmeadow will receive a $50,000 planning grant, and Springfield Technical Community College will reap $150,000 in planning-grant money. Industries included in life sciences include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, research, and bio-informatics, or the study of complex data in the field of biology. Through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Commonwealth is investing $1 billion over 10 years in the growth of the state’s life-sciences industry. These investments are being made under the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, signed into law by Patrick in 2008. The governor also announced smaller grants for vocational and technical high schools and high schools in Gateway Cities in Western Mass.: Dean Technical High School and Holyoke High School with $195,000, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy with $100,000, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School with $100,000, Taconic High School in Pittsfield with $88,000, and Westfield High School with $44,333. With the money, high schools will be able to invest in renovated labs and the latest equipment.

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