Home Posts tagged Construction (Page 37)

Incorporations

By
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

Sing This Summer Inc., 137 Pine St., Amherst, MA 01002. Jonathan Hirsh, same. Vocal training and coaching.

CHICOPEE

Zohra Inc., 659 Grattan St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Umar Bhatti, same. Convenience store.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Rude Movement Inc., 14 Berkshire Circle, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Jordan Ivey Weller, same. Organization designed to encourage good public behavior among citizens of Massachusetts.

HOLYOKE

Sybm Inc., 10 Beacon Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040. Alizabeth Bernadette Showers, same. To improve the communities in which we live by adding value through everyday contributions in the arts, education, and enterprise. Sybm hopes to create a renaissance like movement restoring the belief in our youth and young adults the ability to dream without fear.

Victory Home Healthcare Inc., 717 Northampton St., Unit 41, Holyoke, MA 01040. Jacob Waah, same. Home health care services.

Western Mass Safety and Fire Education Assoc. Inc., 600 High St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Michael Richard, 10 Heritage Lane, Monson, MA 01057.

HUNTINGTON

The Huntington Public library Foundation Inc., 7 Main St., Huntington, MA 01050. Karen Wittshirk, 143 Pond Brook Road, Huntington, MA 01050. Nonprofit organization formed to support and promote the Huntington Public Library.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Seven Oceans Inc., 967 Worcester St., Apt 3, Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Ramzan Ali, same. Convenience store.

Western Mass Hackerspace Corp., 34 Front St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Patrick Cagan, 11 Lewis St., Westfield, MA 01085. To promote and encourage technical, scientific, and artistic skills through individual projects, social collaboration and education.

LENOX

Stockbridge Motorcar Company Inc., 150 Hubbard St., Lenox, MA 01240. Automotive repairs and sales.

Women’s Interactive Network Inc., 213 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. Laura Fetherolf, same.

LONGMEADOW

Springfield Rifles Inc., 100 Jonquil lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Youth hockey program.

NORTHAMPTON

Rich Denno Inc., 551 Florence Road, Northampton, MA 01062. Richard Denno, same. Construction.

Wayde James Inc., 49 Pine Brook Curv, Northampton, MA 01060. Wayde James, same. Construction.

SOUTH DEERFIELD

Primo Pizzeria & Restaurant Inc., 4B Sugerloaf St., South Deerfield, MA 01373. Ismael Alvarado, 275 East Hadley Road, Amherst, MA 01002. Pizzeria and restaurant

SPRINGFIELD

Quality Import Management Inc., 626 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Jhoan Cruz, same. Roumeliotis Law Group, P.C. 51 Taylor St., Springfield, MA 01103. George Roumeliotis, same. Professional law services and consultation.

Royal Professional Inc., 101 Mulberry St., #113, Springfield, MA 01105. Avihen Levanon, same. Retail hair sales products.

Sh Wireless Inc., 1365A Liberty St., Springfield, MA 01104. Jin Hong, 2334 Founders Way, Saugus, MA 01906. Cellular phone sales and service.

Springfield Wildcats Inc., 179 Warrenton St., Springfield, MA 01109. Crystal Mendoza, same. Youth football and cheerleading program for grades 3-8.

St. James Property Mgmt. Inc., 706 Saint James Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Carlos Rivera, 90 Paramount St., Springfield, MA 01104. Commercial property-management company.

Varsity Entertainment Group Inc., 202 Northampton Ave., Springfield, MA 01109. Heath Richardson, same. Music composition.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Tri-State Fabricators Inc., 49 Apricot Hill Lane, West Springfield, MA 01089. Mark Edwards, same. Metal fabrications and construction.

WILBRAHAM

Wilbraham Construction Inc., 10 Beechwood Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Judy Bergdoll, same. Construction

WILLIAMSBURG

Scotti’s Inc., 151 Sugar Hill Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Pierre Brisson, same. Limited food service and recreation.

WILLIAMSTOWN

Willows For Holidays Inc., 480 Williamstown, MA 01267. Bhupinder Sabharwal, same. Motel.

Court Dockets

By
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
Ted Ondrick Co. Inc. v. Bruschi Brothers Inc.
Allegation: Breach of written agreement: $14,608.90
Filed: 6/13/11

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Kevin Bonfilio v. Main Street Bar & Grille, et al
Allegation: While at the defendant’s tavern, plaintiff was beaten by two intoxicated patrons, suffering permanent injuries: $235,840
Filed: 5/16/11
Patterson Farm, LLC v. Agronomic Field Services, LLC and Allan Smith
Allegation: Failure to pay for trucks purchased and services rendered: $51,380.41
Filed: 5/27/11

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Veronica Willard v. Fisher Express Inc.
Allegation: Breach of partnership conversion: $25,000
Filed: 5/27/11

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Concrete Services Inc. v. Bruschi Brothers Inc., et al
Allegation: Breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices: $6,161.52
Filed: 5/6/11

Barbara Ostrowski v. Robert S. Wool, M.D. and Women’s Health Group of Western Mass. Inc.
Allegation: Medical malpractice: $80,000
Filed: 5/5/11
Ted Ondrick Co., LLC v. Green River Development, LLC and John Christopher
Allegation: Non-payment of paving services rendered: $25,350.30
Filed: 5/6/11

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Falcetti & Clark Electrical Supply v. Specialty Loose Leaf Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of electrical services supplied: $5,000
Filed: 4/22/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Irene Spring v. Mass. Central Railroad Corp.
Allegation: While traveling in a car under a train-track overpass, part of the railroad support structure fell and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle: $9,576.33
Filed: 5/24/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Heritage Electric Inc. v. Lexington Development
Allegation: Non-payment of electric labor and materials: $5,470
Filed: 5/2/11

Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. v. NIHEN Construction Co. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment on two workers’ compensation policies: $16,925.34
Filed: 5/16/11

Nassau Lens Co. Inc. v. Occhali Eye Boutique, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,115.11
Filed: 4/11/11

The MVA for Rehabilitation v. Commerce Insurance Co.
Allegation: Denial of payment for medical bills: $3,870.52
Filed: 4/18/11

A Study in Perseverance

By
Greg Zorzi (right, with Chris Novelli)
Architecture Sections
At Studio One, Knocked Down Doesn’t Mean Knocked Out

Greg Zorzi (right, with Chris Novelli)

Greg Zorzi (right, with Chris Novelli) says it was important to get back to work after the tornado, for the sake of not just ongoing projects, but also Studio One employees.

When remembering the events that took place on June 1 and 2, Greg Zorzi paused and looked out the window onto the streetscape below in downtown Springfield, and when he began to talk again, his words were shaken, yet strong and clear.
Like many in Springfield and beyond, the historic tornado changed Zorzi’s world in a single day. The stately Civil War-era brick block known as South Commons that his parents, the original Studio One architects, had renovated and owned was badly damaged one day, then demolished the next. Among several other businesses were the offices of Studio One architects and planners, as well as the Zorzi home.
Sitting in the offices that became the latest headquarters for this architectural firm that has been in existence in Springfield since 1974, he said that, while the business was dealt a great blow both physically and spiritually, the show must go on.
“I strongly believe in the expression that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” he said, smiling. “We had a city water main break about 10 years ago down there, and we were flooded. We thought that was bad!
“But not only was it important for us to get back to work, to get to the projects that we had been working on right after the tornado hit,” he continued, “I’m responsible to all these people who work here. That is what kicked in. We can’t focus on the negative; we have to move forward.”
Talking about what has driven Studio One since the earliest days of the firm, back when his parents, Peter and Melinda Zorzi, were principals, he said that one of the greatest factors in their strength is wrapped in one word, endurance. “You need a tremendous amount of drive to succeed in this business.”
It’s not just all sweat that makes a good architect, he went on. “What we do, and what my father taught me from an early age, was to build goodwill with clients. That means going the extra mile, never mind whether something is an additional service or not. That’s the best advice I ever got. And because of that, folks call us back.”
Very soon after their offices were destroyed, Studio One relocated to 115 State St., and it was here that Zorzi spoke to BusinessWest. In a suite of rooms that doesn’t have the appearance of a makeshift space created on the quick, Zorzi told the story of how he came to be where he is today.
Glossy images of the buildings his firm has designed over the years line the walls, and with that backdrop, he said that the South Commons location may have been part of the firm’s identity — having been its home for over 25 years — but there’s a silver lining somewhere in that story, somehow.  It’s clear that the endurance he talks about will give Studio One a firm footing to set forth on its next endeavor (more on that later), to be started this fall.

Historic Preservation
A solid book of work in Studio One’s portfolio comes from multi-family housing and SRO (single-room occupancy) projects, and this goes back to the days when Greg’s father Peter was at the helm. Projects have ranged from luxury condo units to the redevelopment of historic properties for housing in Westfield, with a range that covers most of Southern New England.
The firm was one of the businesses instrumental in the revitalization of the historic Matoon Street area in Springfield. Years later, historically sensitive new construction took place in that district, and that, Zorzi said, is one area where his firm excels.
Reiterating the notion of goodwill that he mentioned earlier, he said this has been a great asset not just for his clients, but for his business as well. With many projects over the years funded by HUD money, sometimes going the extra mile meant a repeat customer — many times over.

South Commons, pre-tornado,

South Commons, pre-tornado, was Studio One’s home for more than 25 years.

“One of the distinctions of our firm is that we are very willing to work up front with our clients, especially with those HUD projects,” he said. “They might need assistance with funding, or any amount of assistance in getting their project off the ground. Oftentimes we’re not paid a nickel until the construction documents are 100% done. Then we receive DPG [demonstration program grant] monies from HUD — and then we’re paid. We’re way out there though from the start.”
Repeat customers, from HAP Inc. to Domus in Westfield to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, have been a significant component to how Zorzi’s firm has kept busy and how, unlike other firms its size, it has never had to downsize in staff. “Again, from working with my father, this is how I learned how to build a business,” he said.
With his father in a strong leadership role from the start, Zorzi laughed when talking about succession issues when he became president. While Peter is still active in the firm — “he knows so many people in the industry; he’s an incredible asset, and we still get work from his numerous contacts” — it was natural for the child who started running errands at the age of 10 to eventually take over someday.
After graduating from Boston Architectural College in the 1980s, Zorzi went to work for a large firm in the Hub. It was good experience, he said, but he knew he wanted to return to a smaller-sized shop.
“I was still working there,” he remembered, “when I asked my dad one day at a wedding, ‘are you going to ask me to join the firm or not?’ His response was, ‘I thought you were happy in Boston!’ and then, ‘of course!’”

Student Loans
There are many events that can shape the history of a business. While the events that took place after the tornado are a significant obstacle, Zorzi firmly said that this is a hurdle, but not a dead end.
His comments were carefully thought out, and it’s clear there’s a lot of hurt still there. But he repeated again that one word as an overarching answer to all of what transpired: “endurance.”
“When the city demolished South Commons, we were all greatly saddened,” he said. “I thought the city’s approach was heavy handed and capricious, and not thought out. Those buildings were secured. When we found that block in 1980, it was in worse shape than what happened by the tornado — the section of wall that was damaged and knocked down was a non-load-bearing wall.
“But the worst part,” he continued, “is that we’re licensed architects, and we weren’t even consulted on the fate of those buildings. We were told by City Hall that FEMA was calling the shots, but we later found out that was wrong, that the building commission was. No question in my mind, those buildings on the National Register of Historic Places could have been saved. It’s hurtful. I think the city has made some grave errors in judgment, and we’re calling them out on that.”
Then he stood up from the desk and called in his project manager, Chris Novelli. “There might be a good ending to this story after all,” Zorzi said.
It will start this fall, as Novelli teaches a graduate-level seminar in the Architecture + Design Department at UMass Amherst, to be held in Court Square. “It’s going to be a South End reconstruction studio,” Novelli said. “It’s still in the planning stages at this point for scope and focus. And this is not going to be a purely tornado-based program, but rather taking a broader-based look at the South End — the history of it, what problems exist, and how to create development opportunities.
“I think the biggest goal is that the students learn something,” he continued. “But I personally hope that some of these ideas that the students will eventually come up with will help the city leaders and planners see potential for what they can do, rather than trying to get in any developer who is just willing to do anything there.”
Zorzi added that he would like to see business and civic leaders engaged in the session as well, to act as ‘clients’ of a sort for the students’ projects.
“This is about healing. Even if it’s just a vision for what can be, it’s a healing process,” Zorzi said. He was referring specifically to the UMass program, but it was clear that this architectural firm’s president was also thinking about Studio One, and the city he has called home most of his life.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the months of June and July 2011.

AGAWAM

Agawam Plaza
67 Springfield St.
$30,000 — Fire sprinkler installation

CHICOPEE

Berkshire Retail
205 Exchange St.
$45,000 — Renovate Internet cafe

Callaway Golf Sales Company
425 Meadow St.
$19,000 — Renovate existing duct system

Con-Way Transportation
84 New Lombard Road
$82,000 — Roof repair

Faith Methodist Church
181 Montcalm St.
$9,500 — Install replacement windows

Hair Cuttery
1410 Memorial Dr.
$30,000 — Store remodel

Nineteenth Association Properties, Inc.
561 Sheridan St.
$8,000 — Add 8-by-14 deck with ramp

TFGC
425 Meadow St.
$35,000 — Erect wall partitions

HADLEY

Kevin Michelson
8 Pine Hill Road
$14,000 — Construct waiting room for customers

HOLYOKE

Jeffrey Wilga Jr.
269 Whitney Ave.
$13,600 — Build new addition

Jonathan M. David
2 Oscar St.
$22,300 — Re-build collapsed roof

Nicole Rodrigues
48 Portland St.
$5,000 — Renovations

Patrick Mangan Trust
317 Westfield Road
$3,800 — Install patio door

LUDLOW

Big Y Foods Inc.
433 Center St.
$98,500 — New roof

Lil’ Dogs
393 East St.
$7,000 — New roof

NORTHAMPTON

F. L. Roberts & Company
63 Main St.
$39,000 — Exterior renovations

Garden Building, LLC
361 Main St.
$10,000 — Exterior renovations

Leo P. Lachance
487-489 Bernardston Road
$208,000 — Interior renovations for a new community medical center

SOUTH HADLEY

Cumberland Farms
507 Newton St.
$350,000 — Store renovations

E Ink
7 Gaylord St.
$1,505,000 — Commercial renovation

Mount Holyoke College
1 Everett St.
$1,097,600 — Construction of a new public safety building

SPRINGFIELD

Fuller Development, LLC
1545 Main St.
$91,000 — Tenant fit-up

HGI
820 West Columbus Ave.
$6,000 — Build exterior deck

Mercy Hospital
233 Carew St.
$4,190,000 — Renovate fourth and fifth floor

WESTFIELD

Briarwood, LLC
70 Court St.
$1,500 — Interior renovations

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Acevedo-Barrows, Natasha
252 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Alves, Adam
72 Canal Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Anderson, Lynne S.
24 Hamilton Ave
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Ardizzoni, Thomas Joseph
Ardizzoni, Sandra Lee
22 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Baez, Evelyn
565 Riverside Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Baez, Pedro
a/k/a Baez, Peter
565 Riverside Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Ballester, Gloria I.
28 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Basu, Biswajit
Basu, Vandana
48 Holy Family Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/11

Beraldi, Michael E.
29 Pine St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Bernardos, Robert J.
Bernardos, Luce T.
a/k/a Bressette, Luce T.
54 Wing St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Bizon, Danielle M.
74 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/11

Block, John Chris
26 Mountain Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Blue Tomato Farm Food
Hu, Guang
a/k/a Hu, Phillip G.
55 North Main St., Unit 41
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Boniface, Christopher M.
252 Kings Highway
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Boos, Erica A.
2215 Main St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Bouchard, Denise J.
63 7th St.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Boucher Sr., Gilbert E.
P.O. Box 225
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Boulware, Stella M.
a/k/a Mims-Hylton, Stella
61 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Burnett, Ann E.
415 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Byrd, Leah
35 Hope Farms Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Carlson, Erik J.
37 Boutin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Carpenter, John H.
Carpenter, Joanne E.
23 Berkshire Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Chevalier, Marjorie A.
185 Chudy St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Conniff, Daniel J.
Conniff, Pamela D.
30 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Cullen, Courtney Jean
40 High St. Apt. N
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Dawson, Randall C.
Dawson, Brigitte A.
P.O. Box 292
Ashley Falls, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Demarco, Roberta M.
a/k/a Demarco, Robbie M.
84 Worthy Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Dimos, James K.
PO Box 882
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Dolan, Eileen T.
a/k/a Grimaldi, Eileen
11 King Place
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Dulude, Kenneth G.
Dulude, Kristie A.
162 Penrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

ELR designs
Interiors by ELR Designs
Rhindress, Erin Leigh
a/k/a Boughamer, Erin Leigh
343 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Enright, Benjamin P.
4 Highland Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Fernandes, Roberto
21 Jackson St., #2
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Fitch, Judith E.
21 Clayton Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Flynn, George F.
Flynn, Linda L.
41 Rabideau Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Furnia, Joseph C.
Furnia, Gloria G.
154 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Glover, Grady A.
Glover, Amanda R.
220 2nd St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Gonzalez, Joseph Perez
327 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/12/11

Griffin, Ruth F.
67 Clough St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Grimaldi, Jennie L.
525 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Gugenberger, Steven A.
36 Beauregard St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Hambley, Mark Gregory
190 Longhill St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Hector, James G.
62 Edwards St., Apt. 203
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Holzhauer, Mariah
121 Greenfield Road, Apt. 1
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Jahn, Maria Davina
50 Pine St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Jenco, Mark P.
5 Newell St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/11

JOE Construction Services
National Service
Prince, Joseph D.
Prince, Renee M.
153 Mt Vernon Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Kennedy, Cheri L.
31 Borys Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Kennedy, Jason D.
31 Borys Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Kirouac, Donna Lee
72 Washington St.
Lynn, MA 01902
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Knight, Norma L.
25 First St.
Hampton Ponds
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Krutka, James W.
Krutka, Julianne M.
74 King St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Lacki, Lester S.
Lacki, Mary Alyce
650 Silver Lake St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Lapointe, Steven J.
Lapointe, Lynn
36 Raymond Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Larder, Marc M.
Larder, Ellen M.
37 Helen Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/11

LeClair, Frank
14 Goodman Lane
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

LeVardi, Jerry P.
1125 Sandmill Road
Cheshire, MA 01225
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Lucia, Denise M.
6 Paper St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Mahoney, James L.
2460 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Marlow, Matthew Fredrick
46 Clinton Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Matta, Gerald
397 Palmer Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

McCarthy, Peter E.
Caballero-McCarthy, Minerva
a/k/a Reardon, Minerva C.
115 Barbara Lane
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Medvec, Stephen W.
P.O. Box 1046
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Moore, Edna M.
P.O. Box 82
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Mowe, Marcia Ann
74 Park Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Nassar, Micah G.
45 Williow St., Apt 30
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/11

Newton-Irelan, Robin F.
870 East St.
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Nielsen, Donald
735 Memorial Dr. #33
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Noonan, Michael W.
58 Summit St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

North Adams Regional Hospital
71 Hospital Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Northern Berkshire Health
71 Hospital Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Northern Berkshire Realty
71 Hospital Ave.
Doctors Building, Room 2
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

O’Neill, Roy
664 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/05/11

Pagan, Julio A.
1224 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Phillips, Christopher K.
Phillips, Melissa T.
a/k/a Torres, Melissa
73 Armstrong St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Phillips, Claiborne Hooper
120 Central St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Prouty, Frances A.
154 McIntosh Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Renaud, Michele A.
1073 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Rivera, Marisol
859 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Robinson, Brett L.
Robinson, Lauren A.
a/k/a Cardin, Lauren A.
P.O. Box 801
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Robinson, Ernestine
9 Sycamore St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Rubero, Jose F.
2 Old Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Senecal, Sharen A.
20 Faulkner Place
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Something Special Catering
Bernier, Laurie A.
P.O. Box 227
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Soto, Susan M.
a/k/a Craven, Susan M.
275 Main St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/11

Spencer, Allan L.
Spencer, Karen
298 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Springer, Edward P.
Springer, Laurie A.
47 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/11

Strong, Craig R.
95 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Sullivan, James M.
Sullivan, Rebecca E.
73 Somerset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/11

Surprenant, John Paul
Surprenant, Mary Elizabeth
PO Box 498
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Swayger, Michael J.
P.O. Box 83
Westfield, MA 01086
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Talbot, Erica J.
96 Anzio Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Talbot, James M.
324 Southwick Road, C-7
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Tavernier, Stephen A.
Tavernier, Marie E.
92 Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Thomas, Jason
Thomas, Teresa Lynn
92B Little Rest Road
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Trott, Brian A.
400 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Vadnais, Phillip G.
16 Monroe St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Vega, Henry A.
Vega, Catherine P.
a/k/a Dagastino, Catherine
13 Day Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

VG Janitorial Service
Govine, Vincent
42 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Visiting Nurse Association
535 Curran Highway
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Warner, Debra E.
111 Hope St., Apt. 3S
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Whalen, Michael Patrick
Whalen, Linda Rita
115 Shearer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Willaims, Dianne Marie
107 Monrovia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Williams, Jean
23 Monticello Ave
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Woods, Catherine Mary
105 East St.
Clinton, MA 01510
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Young, Mary Margaret
184 Coyote Circle
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2011.

AGAWAM

Healthy Homes
430 Main St.
Walter Thorne

Michael’s Home Improvement
88 Chestnut Lane
Michael Gregory

Noel E. Brown & Sons Farm
443 North West St.
Mark G. Brown

OCS Outstanding Customer Service
9 Henry St.
Albert McLean

Peppo’s Pizza
421 Springfield St.
Guiseppe Odierna

Primewickerfurniture.com
490 Southwick St.
Eleanor Stepanik

AMHERST

Amherst Media
246 College St.
Edward Severance

Auction Shipper Inc.
330 College St.
Aytac Candleviren

Buddhist Cultural Encounters
37 South Pleasant St.
Mark Hart

Ginger Garden
351 Northampton Road
Amherst Gourmet Inc.

Roger Magnus Research
19 Trillium Way
Roger Magnus

HOLYOKE

Bebe’s Pawn Shop
123 High St.
Ramon A. Gracia

Colly’s Barbershop
153 Sargeant St.
Rolando L. Pabon

Diamond Light
63 Jackson St.
Igor Poltalets

Ghost Armor
50 Holyoke St.
Justin Lomelivgen

Golden China
455 South St.
Dan J. Pan

NORTHAMPTON

Autumn Inn, LLC
259 Elm St.
Sheila Somers

Northern Lights
53C Hatfield St.
Daniel Ogrypziak

Outside Inn
50 Chapel St.
Gerard Sodano, Jr.

Purple Rose Healing Arts
245 Main St.
Chaya Aronson

The Collared Scholar
557 Easthampton Road
Debra Wysocki

Turnkey Imaging Consultants
161 Crescent St.
William Orr

SOUTHWICK

Gia Professional Service
1 Granaudo Circle
Virginia Schwarzenbach

Keenkut Landscaping
146 Vining Hill Road
Lailonnie Keene

Splatter Room
108 Congamond Road
Jeffrey Caron

SPRINGFIELD

Mass Food Safety Alliance
217 Cabinet St.
Gisela Elias

Metropcs & Connective Wire
296 Cooley St.
Barry Zenstein

Michael James Photography
24 Puritan Road
Michael W. Mettey

Mommasboyz Customs
256 Laconia St.
Andrea Weller

New Tech Wireless
135 State St.
Larry Beckett

Nu Yu Hair Studio
1366 Allen St.
Stacy Harris

Rodriguez Family Mart
119 Wilbraham Ave.
Jose O. Rodriguez

Royal Seasons Restaurant
339 Boston Road
Carlos A. Pereira

San Lorenzo Social Club
895 Carew St.
Alberto Medina

Savers
1277 Liberty St.
TVI Inc.

Soca Sweat
64 Denver St.
Kafi A. Martin

Son’s Landscaping Services
392 Page Boulevard
Sarinh P. Son

T & S Associates
668 Dickinson St.
Son T. Vo

The Cozy Cottage Garden
39 Lorimer St.
Kathleen M. Caban

Why Not Pen Pals
53 Lester St.
Morning Bambi

Your Best Accessories
180 Massachusetts Ave.
Perla Quioto

Zumba With Shelly
24 Arcadia Blvd.
Shelly A. Sankar

WESTFIELD

Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail
55 Franklin St.
Don Podolski

Gregory
356 Valley View Dr.
Grigoriy Ruge

LTW Custom Cosmetics
32 White St.
Lyn Wegiel

Northeastern Exterior Makeovers
2 Klondike Ave.
Michael Forrett

Street Hair Company
32 Main St.
Nancy Whittier

Tiny Paws
362 Montgomery Road
Eileen M. Scully

Union Mart
420 Union St.
Meet Patel

Wizard Cycle Supply
8 Schumann Dr.
Paul E. Jaeger

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bertera Mitsubishi
526 Riverdale St.
Bertera Automotive Corporation

Chili’s Grill & Bar
1175 Riverdale St.
John McGlone

Family Dollar Stores of Massachusetts
1120 Union St.
Christal D. Powell

Handi-Hands
617 Dewey St.
Jeffrey D. Paquin Sr.

Public Employees Retirement Insurance
37 Elm St.
Owen Freeman-Daniels

Smiling Stars
59 Irving St.
Catherine Well

Western Mass Chimney Service
103 Craiwell Ave.
Robert Boido

BANKRUPTCIES

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

American Inventories
Graveline, Ronald G.
PO Box 1111
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

Anthony, Aryn A.
a/k/a Breveleri, Aryn A.
40 Fredette St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Atlas Appraisal
Brayton, Peter J.
Brayton, Claudine A.
53 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Bailey, John Guy
172 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Barnes, Gordon W.
592 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Bigos, John S.
Bigos, Sally A.
44 Russell Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Birchem, Mark A.
6 Cowdry Lane
Wakefield, MA 01880
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Biskup, Robin H.
22 Enfield St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Blankenship, Rush G.
Blankenship, Diane G.
141 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Bonafilia, Joan M.
610 County Road, Unit 3
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Boyle, Francis Joseph
Boyle, Tammy A.
1369 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Bradley, Scott E.
51 Garfield St., Apt 1
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Cardin, Dennis Michael
Cardin, Debra Claire
22 Sanford St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Castilla, Johanna M.
75A Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Chaplin, Valerie R.
376 King Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Civilian Staff
Walton, James G.
1760 Westover Road, Trail
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Clark, Lynn Ann
63 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Clow, Sandra L.
47 Basil Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Coblentz, Linda S.
200 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Collette, Jason A.
Collette, Nikki S.
PO Box 310
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Colson, Raymond W.
Colson, Joan L.
138 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Complete Construction
Dave’s Painting
O’Brien, David P.
O’Brien, Veronica L.
a/k/a Orlich, Veronica L.
P.O.Box 1245
East Otis, MA 01029
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Cote, Keith D
Cote, Patricia M.
769 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Coughlin, Brian
Coughlin, Laura J.
80 Milford St.
Hanson, MA 02341
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Dassat, William P.
Dassat, Susan M.
22 Egremont Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201-7208
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

David Wood Electrician
Wood, David C.
Wood, Julie M.
325 Fenn St., #1
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

DeSimone, Richard D.
DeSimone, Stephanie L.
a/k/a Spence, Stephanie L.
4M Culdaff St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Deuso, Nicole
200 Narragansett Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

DiNicolantonio, Robert P.
DiNicolantonio, Jean M.
178 Legate Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Dones, Felipe
233 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Downer, David A.
18 Lynn Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Downer, Tertia M.
18 Lynn Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Dupee, William F.
32 Greylock Ave.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Egan, Richard C.
90 Harris St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Fortier, Russell James
575 Bridge Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Funari, Bethany Alice
16 Vermont St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Gambrell, James Oakley
61 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Gates, Justina M.
2 Balance Rock Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Gelinas, John P.
136 Amherst Road
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Gonzalez, James
42 King St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Gray, Shain Edwin
65 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Griffin Spirito, Donna M.
9 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Haesaert, Daniel L.
Haesaert, Carol J.
62 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Harris, Kim M.
a/k/a Gauthier, Kim M.
59 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Haueisen, Nathan P.
519 East River St. Lot 33
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Haymes, Michele L.
36 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Hennessey, Sean T.
3 Valentine Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Houghton, Brian R.
Houghton, Kerry Ann M.
9 Baltic Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Humphrey, Ellen G.
155 Marble St., Apt. 42
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Jablonski, Alan P.
47 Hillcrest St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Jediny’s Doggy Bed Breakfast
Jediny, Todd J.
Jediny, Julie
a/k/a Smith, Julie
4 Waterman Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Jeffery, Barbara E.
5 Weymouth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Johnson, Erik Raymond
Johnson, Erin Leslie
94 Marble St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

K C Air Duct Cleaning
Engley, David M.
14 Western Ave., Apt. 2
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Kelley, Gail S.
659 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Kendall, Jennifer A.
55 Searles St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Kimball, Lee H.
P.O. Box 450
Granby, MA 01033-0450
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Lassiter, Leslie
15 Shaw St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Lavalley, Lisa Jean
a/k/a Kibbie, Lisa J.
8 Dewey St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Lewis, Wesley F.
75 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Lindemann, Richard J.
Lindemann, Rita B.
421 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Lippman, Amber L.
16 Knightville Dam Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Llewellyn, James D.
108 Dartmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Lockett, Chekesha S.
15 Fern St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/11

Lone Wolf Design
Yost, Colleen R.
P.O. Box 801
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Love, James J.
59 Park St.
Lee, MA 02138
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Love, James J.
59 Park St.
Lee, MA 02138
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Lyons, Kevin A.
19 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Madeen, Mohammed Hassim
Madeen, Nona Lifthika
34 Meadow St. Apt #45
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Malin, Stephen W.
2 Dewey Way, Apt. 3
Sheffield, MA 01257-9603
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Mandel, Harvey S.
P.O.Box 60907
Longmeadow, MA 01106-5907
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Marek, Jennifer Jean
a/k/a Lastowski, Jennifer I.
3 Claren Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Market America
Arond, Daniel Joshua
a/k/a Lord-Arond, Daniel J.
Lord, Heather Amara
10 Deep Woods Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Martinez, Juan
PO Box 2735
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Martins, Katrina
70 Main St., Apt. 3
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Mattern, Elizabeth C.
4 Veterans St.
Millers Falls, MA 01349
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

McDonnell, Meaghan M.
225 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

McManus, Kirk W.
McManus, Marsha E.
108 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/11

McPheters, Stephen R.
153 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Messier, Robert C.
281 Chauncey Walker St., #546
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Miller, Christopher
PO Box 209
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Moran, Angel
82 Edbert St., Apt. D.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Muzzy, Susan M.
25 Clyde Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Naginewicz, David J.
116 John St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Nevue, Marie A.
16 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Newton, Josephine Catherine
66 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Nimtz, Kurt D.
Nimtz, Suzanne G.
5 Second St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Nitri, Michael A.
161 Hartford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

O’Connor, Sean Patrick
13 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Orlandi, Michael J.
811 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Ortiz, Irma E.
75 Balis St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Ouimette, Timothy J.
41 Sawmill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

Owczarski, Karl M.
Owczarski, Ellen J.
179 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/11

Pelchat, Thomas C.
51 Belleclaire Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Pereira, Ramiro Santos
Pereira, Cynthia Anne
34 East Palmer Park Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Perez, Lisa Marie
1157 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Pires, Alberto
Pires, Yvette C.
22 Wilson St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Powers, Pamela J.
298 New Boston Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Quirk, Alice Mary
281ChaunceyWalker St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Radiance Wellness Center
Llewellyn, Will G.
a/k/a Vance, William G.
108 Dartmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Reyes, Gladys
70 Alexander St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Robinson, Terez C.
31 Pomona St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Robles, Maria
49 Plante Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Roman, Andrea L.
47 North Main St., Apt. 1B
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Ross, Alyssa N.
785 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Roughley, Cynthia A.
15 Mead Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Roy, Alfred J.
46 Van Horn St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Roy, Eric M.
369 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Sayres, Ronald M.
176 Columbus Ave. #415A
Pittsfield, MA 01245
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Schilling, Rolf G.
248 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Scott, Lorraine H.
18 Amore Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Scruggs, Cheronique S.
49 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Seeling, Holly Anne
a/k/a Nipson, Holly Anne
68 Lake George Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Seymour, John W.
Seymour, Colleen M.
1608 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Smith, Stephen C.
Smith, Elizabeth M.
29 Kulig St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Soares, Elizabeth J.
290 State Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Spaulding, Robert N.
Spaulding, Julie A.
177 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

St. John, Michael P.
St. John, Darcy L.
28 Wellington Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Summers, Latasha R.
443 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Sweet, Jennifer L.
27 Royal Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Swierzewski, Paul J.
17 Western View Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Tatta, Louis T.
Tatta, Ellen F.
36 Highland St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Tolzdorf, Debra A.
90 Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Tremblay, Karen A.
2 Montgomery Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Turcotte, Teresa A.
11 Sherwood Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Vega, Jacquelyn
92 San Miguel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Vincent, Gerard Joseph
9 Plantation Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Ward, Victoria Jeanne
12 Williams St.
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Warren, David J.
4 Isabella St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Wetherby, Jennifer J.
PO Box 395
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Wiles, Barry David
Wiles, Marguerite Bessie
78 Colrain-Shelburne Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Williams, Roger A.
Williams, Inez
37 Grover St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Wilson, Frederick L.
54 Mathieu Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Winter, Paula A.
43 Garfield Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Wood, Edward M.
Wood, Kathleen E.
174 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Yando, Donna L.
61 Mark Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Yeomans, Katherine L.
179 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Zebrowski, Martin P.
122 Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

American Inventories
Graveline, Ronald G.
PO Box 1111
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

Anthony, Aryn A.
a/k/a Breveleri, Aryn A.
40 Fredette St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Atlas Appraisal
Brayton, Peter J.
Brayton, Claudine A.
53 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Bailey, John Guy
172 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Barnes, Gordon W.
592 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Bigos, John S.
Bigos, Sally A.
44 Russell Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Birchem, Mark A.
6 Cowdry Lane
Wakefield, MA 01880
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Biskup, Robin H.
22 Enfield St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Blankenship, Rush G.
Blankenship, Diane G.
141 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Bonafilia, Joan M.
610 County Road, Unit 3
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Boyle, Francis Joseph
Boyle, Tammy A.
1369 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Bradley, Scott E.
51 Garfield St., Apt 1
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Cardin, Dennis Michael
Cardin, Debra Claire
22 Sanford St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Castilla, Johanna M.
75A Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Chaplin, Valerie R.
376 King Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Civilian Staff
Walton, James G.
1760 Westover Road, Trail
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Clark, Lynn Ann
63 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Clow, Sandra L.
47 Basil Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Coblentz, Linda S.
200 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Collette, Jason A.
Collette, Nikki S.
PO Box 310
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Colson, Raymond W.
Colson, Joan L.
138 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Complete Construction
Dave’s Painting
O’Brien, David P.
O’Brien, Veronica L.
a/k/a Orlich, Veronica L.
P.O.Box 1245
East Otis, MA 01029
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Cote, Keith D
Cote, Patricia M.
769 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Coughlin, Brian
Coughlin, Laura J.
80 Milford St.
Hanson, MA 02341
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Dassat, William P.
Dassat, Susan M.
22 Egremont Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201-7208
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

David Wood Electrician
Wood, David C.
Wood, Julie M.
325 Fenn St., #1
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

DeSimone, Richard D.
DeSimone, Stephanie L.
a/k/a Spence, Stephanie L.
4M Culdaff St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Deuso, Nicole
200 Narragansett Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

DiNicolantonio, Robert P.
DiNicolantonio, Jean M.
178 Legate Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Dones, Felipe
233 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Downer, David A.
18 Lynn Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Downer, Tertia M.
18 Lynn Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Dupee, William F.
32 Greylock Ave.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Egan, Richard C.
90 Harris St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Fortier, Russell James
575 Bridge Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Funari, Bethany Alice
16 Vermont St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Gambrell, James Oakley
61 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Gates, Justina M.
2 Balance Rock Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Gelinas, John P.
136 Amherst Road
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Gonzalez, James
42 King St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Gray, Shain Edwin
65 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Griffin Spirito, Donna M.
9 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Haesaert, Daniel L.
Haesaert, Carol J.
62 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Harris, Kim M.
a/k/a Gauthier, Kim M.
59 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Haueisen, Nathan P.
519 East River St. Lot 33
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Haymes, Michele L.
36 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Hennessey, Sean T.
3 Valentine Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Houghton, Brian R.
Houghton, Kerry Ann M.
9 Baltic Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Humphrey, Ellen G.
155 Marble St., Apt. 42
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Jablonski, Alan P.
47 Hillcrest St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Jediny’s Doggy Bed Breakfast
Jediny, Todd J.
Jediny, Julie
a/k/a Smith, Julie
4 Waterman Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Jeffery, Barbara E.
5 Weymouth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Johnson, Erik Raymond
Johnson, Erin Leslie
94 Marble St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

K C Air Duct Cleaning
Engley, David M.
14 Western Ave., Apt. 2
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Kelley, Gail S.
659 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Kendall, Jennifer A.
55 Searles St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Kimball, Lee H.
P.O. Box 450
Granby, MA 01033-0450
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Lassiter, Leslie
15 Shaw St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Lavalley, Lisa Jean
a/k/a Kibbie, Lisa J.
8 Dewey St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Lewis, Wesley F.
75 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Lindemann, Richard J.
Lindemann, Rita B.
421 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Lippman, Amber L.
16 Knightville Dam Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Llewellyn, James D.
108 Dartmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Lockett, Chekesha S.
15 Fern St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/11

Lone Wolf Design
Yost, Colleen R.
P.O. Box 801
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Love, James J.
59 Park St.
Lee, MA 02138
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Love, James J.
59 Park St.
Lee, MA 02138
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Lyons, Kevin A.
19 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Madeen, Mohammed Hassim
Madeen, Nona Lifthika
34 Meadow St. Apt #45
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Malin, Stephen W.
2 Dewey Way, Apt. 3
Sheffield, MA 01257-9603
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Mandel, Harvey S.
P.O.Box 60907
Longmeadow, MA 01106-5907
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Marek, Jennifer Jean
a/k/a Lastowski, Jennifer I.
3 Claren Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Market America
Arond, Daniel Joshua
a/k/a Lord-Arond, Daniel J.
Lord, Heather Amara
10 Deep Woods Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Martinez, Juan
PO Box 2735
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Martins, Katrina
70 Main St., Apt. 3
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Mattern, Elizabeth C.
4 Veterans St.
Millers Falls, MA 01349
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

McManus, Kirk W.
McManus, Marsha E.
108 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/11

McPheters, Stephen R.
153 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Messier, Robert C.
281 Chauncey Walker St., #546
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Miller, Christopher
PO Box 209
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Moran, Angel
82 Edbert St., Apt. D.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Muzzy, Susan M.
25 Clyde Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Naginewicz, David J.
116 John St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Nevue, Marie A.
16 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Newton, Josephine Catherine
66 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Nimtz, Kurt D.
Nimtz, Suzanne G.
5 Second St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Nitri, Michael A.
161 Hartford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

O’Connor, Sean Patrick
13 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Orlandi, Michael J.
811 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Ortiz, Irma E.
75 Balis St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Ouimette, Timothy J.
41 Sawmill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

Owczarski, Karl M.
Owczarski, Ellen J.
179 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/11

Pelchat, Thomas C.
51 Belleclaire Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Pereira, Ramiro Santos
Pereira, Cynthia Anne
34 East Palmer Park Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Perez, Lisa Marie
1157 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Pires, Alberto
Pires, Yvette C.
22 Wilson St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Powers, Pamela J.
298 New Boston Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Quirk, Alice Mary
281ChaunceyWalker St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Radiance Wellness Center
Llewellyn, Will G.
a/k/a Vance, William G.
108 Dartmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Reyes, Gladys
70 Alexander St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Robinson, Terez C.
31 Pomona St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Robles, Maria
49 Plante Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Roman, Andrea L.
47 North Main St., Apt. 1B
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Ross, Alyssa N.
785 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Roughley, Cynthia A.
15 Mead Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Roy, Alfred J.
46 Van Horn St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Roy, Eric M.
369 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Sayres, Ronald M.
176 Columbus Ave. #415A
Pittsfield, MA 01245
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Schilling, Rolf G.
248 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Scott, Lorraine H.
18 Amore Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Scruggs, Cheronique S.
49 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Seeling, Holly Anne
a/k/a Nipson, Holly Anne
68 Lake George Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Seymour, John W.
Seymour, Colleen M.
1608 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Smith, Stephen C.
Smith, Elizabeth M.
29 Kulig St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Soares, Elizabeth J.
290 State Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Spaulding, Robert N.
Spaulding, Julie A.
177 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

St. John, Michael P.
St. John, Darcy L.
28 Wellington Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Summers, Latasha R.
443 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Sweet, Jennifer L.
27 Royal Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Swierzewski, Paul J.
17 Western View Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Tatta, Louis T.
Tatta, Ellen F.
36 Highland St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Tolzdorf, Debra A.
90 Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Tremblay, Karen A.
2 Montgomery Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Turcotte, Teresa A.
11 Sherwood Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Vega, Jacquelyn
92 San Miguel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Vincent, Gerard Joseph
9 Plantation Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Ward, Victoria Jeanne
12 Williams St.
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Warren, David J.
4 Isabella St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Wetherby, Jennifer J.
PO Box 395
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Wiles, Barry David
Wiles, Marguerite Bessie
78 Colrain-Shelburne Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Williams, Roger A.
Williams, Inez
37 Grover St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Wilson, Frederick L.
54 Mathieu Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Winter, Paula A.
43 Garfield Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Wood, Edward M.
Wood, Kathleen E.
174 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Yando, Donna L.
61 Mark Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Yeomans, Katherine L.
179 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Zebrowski, Martin P.
122 Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Financial Literacy

By
From left, STCU executives Michael Ostrowski, John Klimas, Jennifer Beylard, and Denny Keyes
Banking and Financial Services Sections
STCU Stays True to Its Roots by Providing Education to Its Members

From left, STCU executives Michael Ostrowski, John Klimas, Jennifer Beylard, and Denny Keyes

From left, STCU executives Michael Ostrowski, John Klimas, Jennifer Beylard, and Denny Keyes say their institution is focused on helping its members achieve their financial goals.

Michael Ostrowski was talking about doing the “right thing.”
But the president and CEO of STCU Credit Union, who took over the helm June 10, wasn’t referring to moral choices. Instead, he was explaining the importance of helping members make sound decisions about how to save, invest, and spend their money based on financial literacy and education, which he says is integral to the institution’s mission.
“People come in here and they think they know what they need,” he said. “But we get the broad picture of where they stand financially and then try to encourage them to do what we think is in their best interests. Credit unions are about people helping people, and we try to make sure each person has the ability to make payments on a loan and is making prudent financial decisions. For example, someone might think they want a home-equity loan because of the low rates, when it may be smarter for them to rewrite their first mortgage. We look at what is best for them, as it’s part of our mission to guide them to make better decisions than they might make on their own.”
STCU was founded during the Great Depression by a group of teachers at Commerce High School in Springfield. It has come a long way since its beginnings in 1929, and today serves about 11,000 members who reside in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Although it is open to the public, the majority of members are educators who come from Springfield Public Schools, American International College, Springfield Technical Community College, Minnechaug Regional High School, and the Massachusetts Career Development Institute, among others.
The credit union has always been a place where members give their all to benefit fellow teachers. In fact, its first full-time manager, Joseph Della-Giustina, left a teaching job he loved at Commerce High School in 1988 and took early retirement because state officials wanted to take the credit union over and gave it a month to find a full-time person to run it.
“I loved to teach, but we were going to lose it; there were many times when we had to stretch our necks out to help people,” said the 88-year-old. “We listened to people’s stories, and during my time there, I saw many who left here with things looking up for them. To this day, I have people who come up to me and thank me for what we did for them.
“We started in one room,” he continued, “and worked on the credit union, and as long as we had people interested and willing to stick their necks out, we got things done.”
For this edition, BusinessWest takes a look back at STCU’s history and the factors that allowed it to grow and remain financially healthy through turbulent times and difficult periods in history.

Pooling Resources
In 1929, 31 teachers at Commerce High School pooled their money to start the Springfield Teacher’s Credit Union. It was housed in Room 125 at the school, and the records were kept in a locked closet. The hours were few: it was only open for about a half-hour each day after school closed.
“But it was a place where teachers could save and borrow during one of the most difficult times in U.S. financial history,” Ostrowski said. “STCU was born out of necessity. These people needed loans, so the founders did what they had to do to fulfill their fellow teachers’ needs. There were a lot of bank failures at the time, and it must have been very difficult for people who were gainfully employed not be able to get a loan or save properly, so this provided a solution to the problem.”
The members pooled their savings, which were recorded at $2,160. After several meetings, on Oct. 5, 1929, the credit union received a certificate of incorporation from the Commissioner of Banks and the Secretary of State.
Anthony Serafino, who was a former teacher at Commerce, was one of the key players in its history, as was Della-Giustina, who joined the credit union in the ’50s when he was teaching business math at the high school.
He remembers people who needed to borrow as little as $150 and were thrilled to have their requests met at STCU. However, he made it a point to tell members that membership was a two-way street and that, in order for the credit union to successfully serve their needs, they needed to support it by borrowing and saving there. He also told them to keep in mind that it was their credit union, which meant they had the opportunity to have a say in how it was run, elect people to the board of directors, and directly influence the products and services that were provided.
“Our sole purpose is to serve our members in good times and bad, and all the benefits of membership derive from that single purpose,” he said in a statement made in 1988.
As the membership grew, it became necessary for the credit union to move its operation out of Commerce High. Della-Giustina said a three-story building was available next door on 427 State St., and they rented it for a time before purchasing it.
The ground floor was a store, and one of the teachers who was handy and lived a distance from Commerce was given free rent in an upstairs unit in exchange for doing the work necessary to make it operational. Della-Giustina and Serafino oversaw a lot of the construction and made sure it continued to meet the needs of the teachers it served.
“But as time went by, we grew, and it became too small,” Della-Giustina said. He had a friend in the construction business who had purchased the piece of property the current main branch stands on at 145 Industry Ave. in Springfield, who was unable to use it for what he wanted and sold it to the credit union at his cost so it could put up its own building.
Ground was broken on Nov. 4, 1988, and the credit union opened its doors on Aug. 7 that year. By that time, STCU offered a wide array of products and services, but as its new manager, Della-Guistina had to petition city officials to allow direct payroll deposits and deductions for members, which he successfully obtained.
The credit union has continued to expand since that time and opened a branch in the Westfield Shoppes in 2006. Ostrowski said the name was changed about 10 years ago from Springfield Teacher’s Credit Union to STCU as it hoped to attract more members from  the general public and didn’t want people to think it was only for teachers.

Bright Future
Ostrowski, who has spent his life in banking in the Greater Springfield area, said he’s excited to be at the helm of STCU. He knows what it’s like to struggle, as he worked his way through pre-med school with a night job before a chance encounter led him to switch career paths. He has handled mortgage banking at Boston Pioneer Financial Cooperative Bank, started the residential mortgage department at Multibank National Bank in Springfield, and was a commercial lender at Ludlow Savings Bank, vice president and chief lending officer at Freedom Credit Union in Springfield, and vice president and senior lender at Barre Savings Bank before coming to STCU.
He likes the fact that credit unions work together, and is very committed to continuing the education that has been part of the mission of the credit union. “Teachers are a close-knit group and want to do the right thing, which falls into place with this credit union. We have the same attitude, which is a tradition that has been carried on since its beginning,” he said.
One of his goals is to work with schools in Springfield and Westfield to develop programs that will teach high-school students financial literacy.
“It’s important; you see so many college students who are in trouble due to credit cards and solicitations because they don’t know how to handle money,” he said. “I want to make sure we are doing everything we can to get kids on the right track.”
Classes would include an introduction to checking and how to save, and may also include sending a credit-union representative to the schools each month to make it easy for students to make deposits.
“Teens need to learn to be savers and understand when to get loans and when not to get them,” Ostrowski continued. “We see a lot of people who have overextended themselves financially because they are not financially literate, and since we are a teacher’s credit union, it’s really important to build that bridge, which ties in wonderfully to our roots.”
Ostrowski says the board of directors has always been financially responsible, and although the credit union took some losses two years ago, “we have turned the corner and are very much on solid ground. We are well-capitalized and are earning money.”
In short, it all comes back to doing the right thing — first and foremost for individual members, which translates into the bigger financial picture of the entire credit union.
And to this day, as Della-Giustina said, people who go there for help don’t forget what they learned in the hallowed halls of this teacher-founded banking institution that is still dedicated to education.

Doing Business In: Ludlow

By
Bill Wagner, right, with Kenn Delude
Features
A Mill Town Writes a New Chapter in Its History

Aaron Saunders

Aaron Saunders says the Ludlow Mills site reflects one part of the town’s history, but farming has been another important aspect.


As he surveyed the landscape — old yet solid brick factory buildings bordered by broken expanses of asphalt with lanky grass growing in patches — Aaron Saunders said that this property is filled with the stories that gave birth to his town.
Walking around the Ludlow Mills, the chairman of the town’s Board of Selectmen remembered one particularly extreme tale — of the old smokestack, which he said was covered in diesel fuel and set afire to demolish it. “There are families living here that can trace their history there 100 years or more,” he said. “Those are the stories that maybe only one or two people still remember.”
Gesturing to the brick mills all around him, he added, “some of the older generations are still alive, and that means there’s a lot of living history here.”
He was at the property to tell BusinessWest about history in the making at this site bordered by State Street and the Chicopee River. The former Ludlow Manufacturing Associates jute mill has been selected as the latest property development undertaken by Westmass Area Development Corp. This past March, that organization secured funding to go forward with the remediation and redevelopment of this 170-acre site on the town’s southern border.
Bill Wagner, right, with Kenn Delude

Bill Wagner, right, with Kenn Delude, says the Ludlow Mills project, if done right, could serve as a blueprint for other cities’ riverfront development projects.

At Westmass headquarters in Chicopee, Kenn Delude, president and CEO of  the agency, and Bill Wagner, chairman of the board, sat before two posterboards: a present-day aerial shot of the property, and an historic etching of that same view.
Wagner said that, while Westmass has a history of successful site development, including the business and industrial parks at Westover, the project in Ludlow has some important and distinct qualities, some measured by the property itself, but also by the residents in town.
“When people in Ludlow first heard that we were involved in the property,” he said, “their first response was, ‘what can we do to help?’”
From the outset, the community has been invited to meetings intended to help determine the fate of this property, and both men agreed that Ludlow has been actively concerned with the property whose iconic clock tower graces everything from the town’s seal to its stationary to the high school’s class rings.
Doing business in Ludlow has long been reflective of many small towns in the area, with many primary services provided by locally owned operations. But as the mill property that gave the town much of its urban shape is redeveloped, an important aspect of this project stands a good chance to reinvent much of the way the Pioneer Valley looks at its riverfront industrial property.
It’s a big-picture perspective, but as Wagner pointed to a bucolic photograph of the greenway in front of the Ludlow Mills, he said, “the board’s opinion is that, if we revitalize this, and do it successfully, it will establish the blueprint for all the other communities to go forward with their riverfront property.”

Flower Power
Saunders was one of many people who spoke openly about their hopes for the future of the Ludlow Mills project. But he also mentioned the interesting nature of the town’s business profile. “Sure, this site is what built up all the houses in this part of town, but go just a couple miles east, and it’s all farmland.”
And while that agricultural legacy might have been eroded as the family farms were replaced by housing developments — another homegrown industry, you might say — Ludlow is still a place to get some of the finest local produce.
“Well, right now we’re in strawberry season,” Karen Randall said, “along with asparagus. This time of year is really the kick-off for the area’s growing season, and people have been busy putting in their perennial gardens, too.”
The second-generation owner of Randall’s Farm and Greenhouse on Center Street, she listed off all the local bounty that can be found in the market area of her operation. “Red and green leaf lettuces, summer squashes, tomatoes in late July, and then corn after the fourth of July. It’s really the exciting time of year for us. And if Mother Nature cooperates with sunny days, the ice-cream stand will be busy also.”
As she gets ready to celebrate the 50th birthday (next year) of the family business — what started out as a farmstand run by her mother and father — Randall said that her business has stayed in bloom throughout an otherwise down economy.
“The last two seasons have been good,” she explained, “and I’m really happy to say that. People do seem to be more relaxed. I haven’t quite figured out if people’s circumstances are better, or they’re just used to the way things are now, but people seem to be less nervous about the economy.”
While her business has a broad appeal far beyond the town limits, she said that efforts have been made to secure that market share. “We’ve developed our e-mail lists of customers, and our marketing through that. By touching our customers in that way, it has helped.”
But, as owner of one of the popular places for people to gather for coffee in the morning, she does see that there are other sectors that aren’t as rosy. “We do have a high concentration of construction companies in town who have taken a hit because there just isn’t a lot of new building out there,” she said.
That’s a sentiment that Bruce Libby said is unfortunate, but true.
He’s also a second-generation owner of a family business in Ludlow — Contemporary Structures Construction was started by him and his father back in 1975. They started as general homebuilders way back when, but in the early 1990s, during another downturn in the construction sector’s fortunes, a decision was made to hammer out some changes.
“We started doing staircases as a fill-in-the-gaps thing,” he explained. “Then it evolved into a great niche as the construction tide ebbed. So we focused on that, and today there are nine guys who work for me all year long — installers, shop people, estimators. Building finely crafted staircases is a nice area of focus.”
Today, that niche operation has ascended to a business that builds, on average, 200 to 300 staircases per year, from Worcester west to New York, up and down from Vermont to Connecticut.
In talking about the town’s construction economy, which saw a boom in houses built both in Ludlow and by its talented local builders in other communities, he tracked the changes from the perspective of his corner of the market.
“Five years ago, we probably did 95% new, and now it’s probably 50-50,” he explained. “There is still a market for new construction, but people are increasingly using remodeling as a means to get more out of their investment. New stairs, hardwood flooring, these are big improvements that add a lot of value to a home.”
He credits the Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. of Western Mass as a key player in keeping the industry on a solid tread. “I’d say 80% of my contractor clients are from there,” he said of that trade group. And as tornado reconstruction gets underway, he’s looking to those colleagues to help rebuild the area. Ludlow, he said, will be well-represented in that effort.
“In general, Ludlow has a lot of contractor companies,” he added. “You won’t see a harder-working group of people.”

Rolling on the River
The development-update materials from Westmass refer to the Ludlow Mills project as “Our Next Challenge.”
While it is the largest brownfield mill-redevelopment project in New England, with nearly 1.5 million square feet of space in 66 buildings on 170 acres, the property is still in decent overall shape, both Delude and Wagner said. And, they agreed, the people of Ludlow have been vocal and helpful about what they hope to see both before and after the official sale — on track for early this month.
“The larger issue for the people of Ludlow,” Wagner explained, “was that they didn’t want it to deteriorate like other riverfront mill properties in the area, and become a potential big environmental hazard. They were very pleased that we were going to come in while the mill was still in a useful state.”
Delude said that Ludlow’s citizens have been engaged in meetings from the outset, to help determine what would be a good shape for the final results of the project. And, of course, his office’s track record speaks for itself.
“When people found out it was Westmass,” he said, “they knew that we’re looking for business uses, industrial uses, maybe in some cases a small residential component. This is contrasted with what they’ve seen in the past, when maybe there was a fear that there was too much of an emphasis on residential development.
“The focus here is on the creation of jobs still, with some mixed-use development,” he continued. “And that scope gives the plan its strength. If one sector is a little softer than others, you’ve got the others to support it.”
To elaborate on much-anticipated details is premature, Delude said, but he did note that two businesses have expressed strong interest in the property. “And both of them would be embraced by the community,” he added.
But one component to the Ludlow Mills which has both men, and indeed most everyone attached to the project, brimming with enthusiasm is the greenway along the property’s river edge. “There’s been a fence along State Street for almost 160 years,” Delude said, “prohibiting the people who live in these houses just across the street from getting to the river. In fact, by virtue of the infrastructure in town, there is no public access to this beautiful stretch of water.”
In response, Delude said that 50 acres of the project is to be set aside for a greenbelt and walkway along the river, stretching from the westernmost point, close to the town common, all the way along the property’s waterfront, up to a rail trestle spanning the bridge.
Putting that into perspective, Wagner said, “almost since we started talking about doing this, about five years ago, everyone is struck by the fact that, here in the Pioneer Valley, some of our most valuable land — the land along these clean and beautiful rivers — is banked with these old mills that are becoming more and more functionally obsolete. The real estate isn’t being put to its highest and best use.
“That has an economic cost to Western Mass. and to cities like Holyoke and Springfield and Chicopee,” he continued. “The fact that, thus far, you can’t use this shore property is a big negative. It’s a monumentally important effort that we’re putting forward here for not just Ludlow, but the future of our valley.”
It might sound like a lofty goal, but, then again, Delude and Wagner don’t limit the scope of what their office can accomplish. Looking at the images behind him of not just the Ludlow Mills complex, but of other Westmass projects, Delude said, “I think you can see why we chose this site in Ludlow; it does have the beauty, and it has the ability to create a model that Westmass could use going forward.”

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2011.

AGAWAM

Commonwealth Cannon
1063 Main St.
Michael Mercadante

Francis Kelly Massage Therapy
1 South End Bridge Circle
Kathy Porcello

Sophia’s Nail Care
854 Suffield St.
Viet Q. Nguyen

The Sand Trap
1399 Suffield St.
Nicholas Ventrice

AMHERST

High Horse Brewery and Bistro
24 North Pleasant St.
Jason Dicaprio

Painting Unlimited Wood Carving
233 North Pleasant St.
Alvaro Ramos-Jaco

Rhys Davies Design
41 Blue Hills Road
Rhys Davies

Vici Hair Studio and Beauty Bar
189 North Pleasant St.
Maria Amarosa

HOLYOKE

Chris’ Cut & Design
910 Hampden St.
Kenneth A. Adams

Fashion Nails
293 High St.
Quynh Dao

Fish-on Tackle
98 Nonotuck St.
Elsa D. Tenczar

Old Navy
50 Holyoke St.
Thomas Croston

Strum’s Deli & Meats
502 Westfield Road
David Amedeo

The Creative Strategy Agency
4 Open Square Way
Alfonso Santaniello

NORTHAMPTON

Brewmaster Jack
13 Market St.
Tyler Guilmette

Champaca Journeys
35 New South St.
John Leupold

Country Comfort
153 Main St.
Eva Trager

Creative Roots Landscape Design
39 Matthew Dr.
Anthony Medeiros

Honeybee Reflexology
68 Cherry St.
Jeanell Innerarity

Kevin’s Haircuts
128 King St.
Kevin Ovitt

SOUTHWICK

Fox Den Restaurant
161 Sheep Pasture Road
Paul Bshara

LDLTS
18 Sheep Pasture Road
John Parker

Moo-Licious Farm
258 Feeding Hills Road
Joseph Deedy

SPRINGFIELD

AWU
41 Somerst St.
Germain Anthony Bryan

ACE Taxi
295 Allen St.
Yasir E. Osman

Apartment Listings
180 Massachusetts Ave.
Raja S. Akbar

Cathy’s Food Consulting
807 Worthington St.
Perla Quioto

Dales’ Corner
142 Dickinson St.
Tazeen Rafiq

Dearprisoner.com
53 Lester St.
Morning Bambi

E.T.K’s Nothing Fancy
65 Dickinson St.
Eugenia M. Finnell

Enoch Construction
118 Cornell St.
Clive L. Ryan

Finishing Touch
69 Clayton St.
Alfred Shattelroe

Glamorous Canine Salon
258 Main St.
Julie Slatton

Highly Blessed Entertainment
44 Prospect St.
Jennifer Ray

J & R Mowing Service
98 Orange St.
Roberto Vicente

Jenny Beauty Solon
618 Belmont Ave.
Jose J. Vargas

Larry’s Landscaping
410 Grayson Dr.
Larry Croteau

Law Office of Nancy Louise
83 State St.
Nancy Louise

Lazy Valley Winery
30-40 Front St.
Scott D. Santaniello

WESTFIELD

All-Stars Dance Center
209 Root Road
Kim Starsiak

DAS Alarm Systems, Inc.
845 Airport Industrial Park Road
David Schenna

Mama Cakes
31 Elm St.
Kimberly McNutt

Menard Construction & Design
46 Stuart Place
Dennis Menard

New Corner Variety
2 Crown St.
Laura Parker

Professional Handyman
20 Old Feeding Hills Road
Keith Meyer

Swayger Plumbing & Heating
18 Llewellyn Dr.
Michael Swayger

Yellow Stonehouse Farm
354 Root Road
Constance L. Adams

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Balise Collision Repair Center
1800 Riverdale St.
Balise Motor Sales Company

Balise Honda
400 Riverdale St.
Balise Motor Sales Company

Kohl’s
935 Riverdale St.
Cheryl Oswald

Masstrans Insurance Agency
54 Oleander St.
Roman Shtefan

New York Sound & Motion
180 Doty Cir.
Edward Brown III

Superior Cuts
450 Main St.
Ricardo Guzman

Top of the Line Goalkeeping
65 Craig Dr.
Matthew Andrea

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

BLANDFORD

Blandford Police Association Inc., 1 Russell Stage Road, Blandford, MA 01008. Dennis Flores, same. Nonprofit organization developed to purchase equipment for police officers.

EASTHAMPTON

Fluery’s Outdoor Power Equipment Inc., 126-L Northampton, St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Stephan Fleury, 9 Campbell Dr., Easthampton, MA 01027. Power equipment sales and service.

FEEDING HILLS

Asha Krishna Inc., 121 Elizabeth St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Rameshbhai  Patel, same. Package store.

FRANKLIN

Chez Mieux Inc., 140 Wachusett St., Franklin, MA 02038. Patricia Dowd, same. Domestic animal boarding facility.

GRANBY

Abelson Medical Career Advising Inc., 134 Gold Hill Road, Granby, MA 01033.Herbert Abelson, same. Advising and consultation for applicants applying to medical school.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Camille’s Market Inc., 389 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01245. Frank Savino, same. Food market for specialty food products.

GREENFIELD

Chabad Jewish Center of Franklin County Inc., 25 Haywood St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Menachem Hecht, same.  Community Center for worship.

HADLEY

Ethan’s Eden Landscape and Design Inc., 21 North Maple St., Hadley, MA 01035. Nikkie, Laforte, same. Landscape and landscape design services.

HOLYOKE

Farm Chef Corporation, 40 Mackintosh Terrace, Holyoke, MA 01040. Daniel Ross, same. Business networking.

Final Expense Insurance Services Corp., 10 Woodbridge St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Henry Smith, same. Insurance products and services.

LEE

Chapel River Inc., 1370 Pleasant St., South Lee, MA 01260. Philip Pryjma, 301 Great Barrington, MA 01230. Retail sales.

MIDDLEFIELD

Ezmereld Inc., 16 Bell Road, Middlefield, MA 02143. Adair Laurel-Cafarella, 48 Chester Road, Middlefield, MA 02143. Community recreation and activity center.

PITTSFIELD

BCC Engineering Scholarship Committee Inc., 85 Ridge Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Dirk Peterson, 128 Georgetown Road, West Newbury, MA 01985. Engineering Alumni scholarship fund.

SOUTH HADLEY

Ari Automotive Inc., 609 Newton St., South Hadley, MA 01075. Jeffrey Beaulieau, same. Auto repair services.

Colonial Carpentry Innovations Inc., 566 Amherst Road, South Hadley, MA01075. Jennifer Deforge, same. Design and building construction.

SPRINGFIELD

All Stars Youth Soccer Inc., 123 Patricia Circle, Springfield, MA 01119.Ozzie Alban, 215 Jasper St., Springfield, MA 01109. Youth soccer league.

Cogic Family Service Corporation, 35 Alden St., Indian Orchard, Springfield, MA 01109. Silena Kearse, 85 David St., Springfield, MA 01104. Nonprofit organization committed to the education or men, women and children; to assist those in the community in need; to promote social activities and promote public and human resources in the community.

Eternal Nail Salon Inc., 1195 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA 01118. Nicole Chen, 19 Abbott St., Springfield, MA 01118. Nail salon.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

ASG Seamless Gutters Inc., 76 Merrick St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Yuri Grechka, 77 Nicole Terrace, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Home construction and remodeling.

First Choice Transportation Inc., 249 Main St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Mustafa Gusenov, same. Commercial transportation of foods, specialty goods, vehicles, and other commodities via flatbed, container and heavy hauling trailers.

WESTFIELD

Direct Auto Promotions East Inc., 300 East Main St., Westfield, MA 01085. Michelle Dicienzo, 90 Southwood Dr., Ludlow, MA 01056. Motor vehicle and recreational vehicle sales and service.

Direct Auto Realty East Inc., 300 East Main St., Westfield, MA 01085. Michelle Dicienzo, 90 Southwood Dr., Ludlow, MA 01056.

WILLIAMSTOWN

Bamboo Star Inc., 412 Main St., Williamstown, MA 01267. Lan Ying Lin, same.  Chinese Restaurant.

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

A Skinner Family Tour
June 25: The curators of Wistariahurst and the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum will host a jaunt around Holyoke and South Hadley to learn more about the lives of the Skinner family from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. William Skinner and his descendants are famed as much for their philanthropic gifts to social and educational institutions in this region as they are for business innovation and expertise in producing the highest-quality silk thread and satin fabrics. As manufacturer of Skinner’s Satins, William Skinner came to be widely known, and his own success was generously extended to Holyoke and the working people who lived there. The Skinner family supported the construction of a chapel, a hospital, a city library, a gymnasium, a coffeehouse, and a state park. The program includes transportation and tours of various Skinner venues, including Wistariahurst, the Skinner Chapel of the United Congregational Church, the Orchards (former home of Joseph Skinner and his family), and will conclude with a tour of the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for students and seniors. To make a reservation, call (413) 322-5660.

Summer Business Summit
June 27-28: The Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis will be the setting for the Summer Business Summit, hosted by the Massachusetts Chamber of Business and Industry of Boston. Nominations are being accepted for the Massachusetts Chamber, Business of the Year, and Employer of Choice awards. The two-day conference will feature educational speakers, presentations by lawmakers, VIP receptions, and more. For more information, visit www.masscbi.com.

Jazz & Art Festival
July 8-10: A Mardi Gras theme will kick off the 5th annual Hampden Bank Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival on July 8, featuring Glenn David Andrews with the Soul Rebels, and hosted by Wendell Pierce, star of the HBO series Treme. The celebration, planned at Springfield’s Court Square on the Esplanade, continues throughout the weekend with a lineup of world-class entertainment. On July 9, performances are slated by Marcus Anderson, the UK Kings of Jazz Groove, Down to the Bone, 17-year-old jazz newcomer Vincent Ingala, and Gerald Albright. On July 10, performances begin with the Eric Bascom Quintet, followed by Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils. Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Orchestra will also perform, and Latin jazz performer Poncho Sanchez will close out the festival. Organizers will also be increasing the number of merchandise vendors, artisans, and crafters as well as food vendors. For more information, visit www.hoopcityjazz.org.

40 Under Forty Gala
June 23: BusinessWest will present its 40 Under Forty Class of 2011 at a not-to-be-missed gala at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, beginning at 5 p.m. The 40 Under Forty program, initiated in 2007, has become an early-summer tradition in the region. For more information call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or visit www.businesswest.com.

Western Mass.
Business Expo
Oct. 18: Businesses from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties will come together for the premier trade show in the region, the Western Mass. Business Expo. Formerly known as the Market Show, the event, produced by BusinessWest and staged at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, has been revamped and improved to provide exposure and business opportunities for area companies. The cost for a 10-by-10 booth is $700 for members of all area chambers and $750 for non-members; corner booths are $750 for all chamber members and $800 for non-members, and a 10-by-20 booth is $1,200 for all chamber members and $1,250 for non-members. For more information, log onto www.businesswest.com or call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments
The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Affordable Acupuncture
Rivenson, Alan Paul
5 Highland Dr.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Aiken, Amy B.
29 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Aiken, Randall G.
40A Hadley Village Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Allard, Deborah A.
89 Brentwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Angelica Brothers Electric
724 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040-5440
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/26/11

Angell, Stewart J.
Angell, Megan E.
45 Mansfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Banks, Michael A.
16 Silver St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Beaudry, Eric E.
Beaudry, Amy B.
65 Mountain Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Bell, Mark B.
5 Hummingbird Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Berthiaume, Joseph
Berthiaume, Carolyn J.
43 Asselin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Bistrek, Travis O.
Bistrek, Christy L.
31 High St.
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/02/11

Bullett, Michael L
Bullett, Dawn M.
449 1/2 East Main St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Burns, Leroy R.
Burns, Irene M.
248 Cole Ave.
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/17/11

Butler, Ruth M.
35 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Campofredano, Donald G.
Campofredano, Dorothy L.
a/k/a Johnson, Dorothy
a/k/a Desrosiers, Dorothy
144 Sikes Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Canales, Samuel
Canales, Belen M.
55 Cass St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Carlson, Brenda
160 Freenam Road
PO Box 781
Charlton, MA 01507
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Carpenter, Christine A.
163 Pleasant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Cassavant, Eric H.
Cassavant, Charlene L.
a/k/a Jones, Charlene
381 Springside Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/16/11

Chan-Ali, Kim
115 Bellevue Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Codding, James A.
Codding, Brigitte
950 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Cook, Thomas B.
18-20 O’Connor Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/19/11

Costigan, Gary Joseph
65 Maplewood Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Crosier, John F.
Crosier, Leigh B.
35 East Orchard Ter.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Damon, Clifford L.
Damon, Sharon M.
260 Ridge Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Darrin, Melissa C.
18 Saint Anthony St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Davis, Linda L.
79 Meadow St., Apt. 2L
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/26/11

Davis, Talonda C.
37 Gerald St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/21/11

DiGrigoli, Peter
25 Cliffwood St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/19/11

Dobbert, Colleen E.
149 Ashton Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Drew, Vickie J.
73 Barrett St. #2090
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Drinkwine, Barry
Drinkwine, Michelle
120 Paramount St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Dryjowicz-Burek, Alan F.
184 Hubbard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Ercolino, Linda A.
a/k/a Velthouse, Linda A.
50 Cleveland St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Ferriter, Tara Jean
17 Willow St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Flanders, Theresa M.
11 Francis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Gaouette, Leonidas
Gaouette, Carla
103 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Gassett, Erin L.
a/k/a Piatt, Erin L.
312 Regency Park Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Gebo, Heidi Lynne
366 Montague City Road
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Gero, Melissa A.
81 Woodcrest Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/22/11

Giarratano, Anthony C.
4 Rose Court West
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Gore, Brian
414 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Greenhalgh, Patrick Y.
1063 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Guiel Construction, LLC
Guiel, Allen Richard
63 Chesterfield Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Gulielmetti, Susan
671 Bay Road, Apt. 1
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Hagberg, Stephen S.
111 East St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Hansen, Jessica D.
P.O. Box 910
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Hanson, Jonathan
Hanson, Patti
58 East Longmeadow
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/26/11

Hayden, Jill R.
117 Lorraine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Hayes, John M.
665 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Hervieux, Mary C.
54 Bruni Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/26/11

Hill, Tamara W.
646 Alden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Hodgkins, Peter S.
15 Navin Ave.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Holmgren, John
Holmgren, Joy S.
481 Leadmine Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Honea, David H.
48 Greenwich St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/18/11

Hopkins, Theresa L.
227 Robbins Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Hudson, Joseph Lawrence
386 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Jackson, Gloria J.
32 Hampton Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Jacob, William Shawn
14 Cedar Lake Dr.
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Jerusik, Lori A.
17 Jeanette Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Jette, Susanne C.
PO Box 325
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/18/11

JKM Custom Builders, LLC
McComb, Joshua Kane
McComb, Breanne M
a/k/a Hawkins, Breanne M.
1 George Ave.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Johnson, Edward C.
7 Stebbins Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/18/11

Julian, Jacqueline C.
58 Emmett St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/19/11

Jurik, Michael Anthony
PO Box 475
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Kaleta, James W.
Kaleta, Melissa A.
11 Cherry St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Kneeskern, James K.
Kneeskern, Muriel A.
94 Senator St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/19/11

Knight, Deborah L.
950 Blandford Road
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Knight, Deborah L.
950 Blandford Road
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Lastowski, Richard A.
Lastowski, Kathleen J.
218 Montague City Road
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Lavalle, Frank Robert
538 Springfield St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Lavalley, Wesley W.
Lavalley, Sharon L.
56 Glendale St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Leavitt, Amanda
72 Paige St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Lemarier, Nicole M.
57 Water St.
Granville, MA 01034
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Lewis, Adam J.
25 Congress St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Lowe, R. Dennis
a/k/a Lowe, Richard D.
83-B Blunt Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Lund, Carol
82 Hewitt St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Lyon, Gregory J.
P.O. Box 482
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 12
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Magical Beadstalk
Spier-Kalmar, Terry Ellen
47 Brookline Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Mantzios, John M.
116 Tolpa Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Matthews, Roland A.
Matthews, Tammy S.
338 Vine St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

McBain Home Remodeling
McBain, Wesley H.
a/k/a Parsley, Wesley H.
McBain, Danielle M.
91 Springfield St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

McCarthy, Joanne Ellen
102 Popular Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

McClenathan, John R.
a/k/a Tinker, John
13 East Howe St., No. 3
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/23/11

McGeoghan, Joann Mary
75 Christopher Lane
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Medina, Jose
44 Ashley St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/19/11

Michalak, Anthony
Michalak, Carolyn
6 Varney St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Miller, Thomas F.
Miller, Cheryl A.
103 West Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Minor, Bernard S.
Minor, Lorraine M.
29 Pinecrest Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Montemagni, Rachel A.
a/k/a Lepage Montemagni, Rachel A.
141 Saint James Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Morris, Norman E.
Morris, Elizabeth A.
69 South Hampton Road
Amesbury, MA 01913
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Morton, Thomas R.
16 Fairgrounds Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Moses, Kimberly Ann
28 Birchwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Mousseau, William J.
Mousseau, Lori A.
116 South Main St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/22/11

Ortiz, Audrey J.
Ortiz, Luis M.
5 West School St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Parks, Leslie R.
a/k/a L’Kuicha Parks
86 Princeton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Perez, Elba
188 Wollaston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Perez, Margarita
a/k/a Kareh, Margarita
300 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Petrin, Adelaide Patricia
7 Oak Knoll Dr.
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Poprovo, Mark Joseph
Poprovo, Lynette H.
a/k/a Campbell, Lynette H.
419 Montcalm St., Apt. 47
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/26/11

Prevost, Tammy S.
119 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/22/11

Puustinen, Carla L.
25 Congress St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Ramos, Joanny
135 Jackson St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Remillard, Kara L.
132 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/19/11

Richard, Susan Hannah
a/k/a Race, Susan
464 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Richards, Angela M.
a/k/a Hebert, Angela Marie
P.O.Box 966
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Rivera, Armando
593 South Bridge St
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Romero-Benitez, Marylyn
35 Springdale Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Rosario, Felix
123 Massasoit St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/26/11

Roy, Jason T.
Roy, Aimee M.
a/k/a Procopio, Aimee
61 Pine Grove Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Ryan, John W.
Ryan, Rachel L.
a/k/a Machart, Rachel
a/k/a Tworkowski, Rachel
a/k/a Sinclair, Rachel
128 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/30/11

Sanchez, Carmen D.
77 Tokeneke Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Schieppe, Carrie A.
a/k/a Pierce, Carrie A.
100 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Sias, Annemarie
a/k/a Spear, Annmarie
155 Woodland Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Siefken-Watt, Jennifer L.
a/k/a Kratovil, Jennifer
94 Kensington St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Sikes, Bruce William
4 Hillside Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Soderberg, Brendon M.
Soderberg, Stephanie L.
24 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Sokhom, Ping
155 Baystate Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/17/11

Spaulding, Brian A.
Spaulding, Jillian E.
64 Audubon St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Spooner, Christina L.
a/k/a Prouty, Christina L.
157 Harugari St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Springfield Limo Airport & Car
Zamboni, Dino J.
Zamboni, Susan A.
12 Iroquois Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/25/11

Sterner, Gail A.
37 Smith St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Stetson, Melissa Anne
202 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/27/11

Tabb, Kevin B.
111 Glenoak Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/02/11

Taylor, William A.
Taylor, Joanne C.
86 Morton St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Thompson, Georgette Annmarie
72 Garfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Thorng, Kimsuor
155 Baystate Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 04/17/11

Thorpe, Jason G.
119 Montague City Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/28/11

Torres-Montes, Elias
415 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/23/11

Tremblay, Gerard N.
Tremblay, Tara A.
48 Flint St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/20/11

Wallace, David C.
Wallace, Jane L.
2 Howe Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Wellspeak, Ronald D.
549 Russell Road Apt. 13D
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/18/11

Whitlock, Sharen Jennice
37 Bacon Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Williams, Alice R.
38 Ahrend Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/21/11

Wilson, Princess G.
a/k/a Giarratano, Gail
4 Rose Court West
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Wood, David H.
17 Lincoln St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/26/11

Woods, Edwina D.
65 Quebec St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/19/11

Zapasnik, Stanley P.
Zapasnik, Diane L.
30 Fritscher Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/29/11

Zelaya-Oseguera, Mercedes
415 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 04/23/11

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Elms, HCC Launch Joint Programs
CHICOPEE — Elms College will launch two new accelerated degree-completion programs for Holyoke Community College (HCC) alumni and students beginning in August. Classes will be taught on the weekends by Elms faculty on the HCC campus, earning students bachelor’s degrees within 20 months. The Health Services Administration program will prepare students to serve in management positions in the health care industry. The Early Childhood Leadership program will provide students with a background in human resources, staff development, fiscal accountability, and legal issues necessary for assuming leadership roles in the field. This program is designed for experienced early-childhood educators who are not seeking PreK-2 licensure in Massachusetts. The new programs augment the existing degree offerings, which currently include accounting and information systems, business management, and psychology. “This joint program is faster and less expensive than the traditional route, enabling students to quickly see the rewards of higher education realized in their careers,” said Betty Hukowicz, associate academic dean of the Division of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education at Elms. For more information, call the Elms at (413) 265-2490.

Big Y Donates $100,000 to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief
SPRINGFIELD — In response to community interest in helping the millions of people affected by the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami, Big Y World Class Markets recently hosted a customer donation program in all of its 58 Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. For four weeks following the March earthquake and tsunami, Big Y collected donations from customers and employees, resulting in a total of $100,000 for the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund. Funds were raised through a special in-store customer/employee donation program and through employees in all other Big Y locations from the Store Support Center to distribution centers. A formal check presentation to the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter was staged May 25. Big Y President and COO Charles D’Amour, along with Jeff Hamel, store director for the Cooley Street Big Y, presented the contribution to Paige Thayer, deputy director of chapter support for the Pioneer Valley Chapter. Big Y customers and employees have a strong tradition of supporting those in need, according to D’Amour.  Past initiatives include campaigns to support relief efforts following both international and domestic disasters such as the 2004 tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and more. Following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customers and employees, resulting in a total of $108,277.32 for the American Red Cross International Response Fund.

Tighe & Bond Rated a Top National Design Firm
WESTFIELD — The Engineering News-Record (ENR) has again ranked Tighe & Bond among the top 500 design firms in the nation. ENR ranks companies on the previous year’s gross revenue for providing design services to domestic and international markets. The firm ranked 309th in ENR’s 2011 report, a reflection of its 2010 annual gross revenue of $32 million. “Although the recession in the engineering and construction industry seems to have bottomed out and the market is turning around slowly, the market is still soft, and that means competition remains tough,” said David Pinsky, president, in a statement. “However, as this rating suggests, our firm has more than held its own in these economically challenging times. In fact, this year marks our 100th anniversary. We owe our longevity and success, at least in part, to our careful strategic planning and our commitment to deliver the highest-quality services to our clients on time and within budget.” In other company news, the Boston Business Journal ranked Tighe & Bond as one of the largest engineering firms in Massachusetts. In its 2011 Book of Lists, the magazine ranked Tighe & Bond 15th among 25 top-billing firms.

Winstanley Partners
Wins ADDYs
LENOX — Winstanley Partners recently walked away with two gold ADDY awards. The agency was lauded for two entries created for its client, Smith & Wesson, based in Springfield. The first, a trade-show display for Walther America, a line of firearms imported by Smith & Wesson, won in the sales promotion category. The display featured photographed products on clean white backgrounds to portray a sense of high-tech, high-quality German engineering. The second entry won in the consumer or trade publication category, and highlighted the agency’s work with a Smith & Wesson company, Thompson/Center. A product promotion of the T/C Venture firearm included a bold headline, denoting anything “less” as a ridiculous proposition. Ralph Frisina, creative director for Winstanley Partners, noted in a statement that both executions were recognized for breathing new life into a category that has suffered in the past from a lack of sophisticated approaches and design. “Winning at the regional ADDYs this year was particularly rewarding because, for the first time, the participants included some of Boston’s largest ad agencies,” said Frisina. The annual ADDY competition is presented by the American Advertising Federation and locally by the Advertising Club of Western Mass. to honor exceptional work in advertising and marketing.

Hampden Bank Opens 10th Office
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bank opened its 10th office at 977 Boston Road on May 24, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Thomas Burton, president and CEO of Hampden Bank. William Marsh III, senior vice president/division executive, and Peg Daoust, manager of the Boston Road office, were also on hand for the festivities. Lobby hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bank features a drive-up window and SUM ATMs.

Entrepreneur Recognized for Performance
HOLYOKE — Rick Frasier, owner of the Sears Hearing Aid Center at Holyoke Mall at Ingleside and Eastfield Mall in Springfield, recently earned the prestigious 2010 Platinum Club Award from the Miracle-Ear franchise organization. Miracle-Ear presents the award to the top franchisees in their network for achievements in adhering to compliance standards and excelling in four weighted sales-performance categories. “It’s an honor for Frasier to be recognized amongst peers for this award,” said Diana Beaufils, senior vice president of franchise operations of Miracle-Ear. “This annual competition drives all of our franchisees to do their best in a friendly battle to deliver great service and the latest in hearing-aid technology to their customers.” The Platinum Club Award is Miracle-Ear’s longest-running contest among franchisees. This year’s winners earned a trip for two to the Netherlands Antilles. “Our Platinum Club winners represent the best of the best in an organization that prides itself on delivering world-class quality and service,” added Beaufils.

Comcast Introduces Xfinity Signature Support
BOSTON — Comcast Corp. recently launched a 24/7 technical-support and equipment-protection program for 1.8 million Comcast subscribers in Eastern
Mass., Southern N.H., and Maine, for the growing number of home-electronics devices — like laptops, home networking equipment, gaming consoles, wi-fi-enabled smartphones, and tablets — people are using to connect to Comcast’s services. Called Xfinity Signature Support, this service offers customers a single source for troubleshooting and support for their computers, home networks, and many other devices and is another step in the company’s focus on delivering an end-to-end exceptional customer experience backed by the Comcast Customer Guarantee. Comcast expects to offer the service in Western Mass. later this year, as well as to the rest of the U.S. not currently receiving the service. The new offering enables customers to select an enhanced level of technical support with monthly subscription plans and one-time support options, and is offered in addition to the 24/7 support Comcast already provides for its video, high-speed Internet, and phone services.

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

Classic Cars and Classic Music
June 10: The Holyoke Parks & Recreation Department and Wistariahurst Museum on Cabot Street invite area residents to enjoy a night of live entertainment and fun on the grounds of Wistariahurst, beginning at 6 p.m., with classic cars and music by Patrick Tobin, known for his international touring Tribute to Frank Sinatra. While attendees stroll the grounds and gardens, antique autos will be out for viewing. The family event is free and open to the public. Seating is not provided, however, so attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket, since the program is outdoors. For more information, call the museum at (413) 322-5660 or visit www.wistariahurst.org.

HR and Social Media Workshop
June 16: Representatives from Royal LLP and the Vann Group will present a free seminar titled “Social Networking Media and the Workplace: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the NUVO Bank community room, 1500 Main St., Springfield. Discussion will include the benefits and the drawbacks of using social media during the recruiting and hiring process as well as within the workplace. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m., and seating is limited. To register, contact Ann-Marie Marcil at [email protected] or call (413) 586-2288.

40 Under Forty Gala
June 23: BusinessWest will present its 40 Under Forty Class of 2011, at a not-to-be-missed gala at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, beginning at 5 p.m. The 40 Under Forty program, initiated in 2007, has become an early-summer tradition in the region. For more information call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or visit www.BusinessWest.com.

Skinner Family Tour
June 25: The curators of Wistariahurst and the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum will host a jaunt around Holyoke and South Hadley to learn more about the lives of the Skinner family from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. William Skinner and his descendants are famed as much for their philanthropic gifts to social and educational institutions in this region as they are for business innovation and expertise in producing the highest-quality silk thread and satin fabrics. As manufacturer of Skinner’s Satins, William Skinner came to be widely known, and his own success was generously extended to Holyoke and the working people who lived there. The Skinner family supported the construction of a chapel, a hospital, a city library, a gymnasium, a coffeehouse, and a state park. The program includes transportation and tours of various Skinner venues including Wistariahurst, the Skinner Chapel of the United Congregational Church, and the Orchards (former home of Joseph Skinner and his family), and will conclude with a tour of the Joseph Allen Skinner Museum. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for students and seniors. To make a reservation, call (413) 322-5660.

Summer Business Summit
June 27-28: The Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis will be the setting for the Summer Business Summit, hosted by the Massachusetts Chamber of Business and Industry of Boston. Nominations are being accepted for the Massachusetts Chamber, Business of the Year, and Employer of Choice awards. The two-day conference will feature educational speakers, presentations by lawmakers, VIP receptions, and more. For more information, visit www.masscbi.com.

Jazz & Art Festival
July 8-10: A Mardi Gras theme will kick off the 5th annual Hampden Bank Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival on July 8, featuring Glenn David Andrews with the Soul Rebels, and hosted by Wendell Pierce, star of the HBO series Treme. The celebration, planned at Springfield’s Court Square on the Esplanade, continues throughout the weekend with a lineup of world-class entertainment. On July 9, performances are slated by Marcus Anderson, the UK Kings of Jazz Groove, Down to the Bone, 17-year-old jazz newcomer Vincent Ingala, and Gerald Albright. On July 10, performances begin with the Eric Bascom Quintet, followed by Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils. Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Orchestra will also perform, and Latin jazz performer Poncho Sanchez will close out the festival. Organizers will also be increasing the number of merchandise vendors, artisans, and crafters, as well as food vendors. For more information, visit www.hoopcityjazz.org.

Western Mass. Business Expo
Oct. 18: Businesses from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties will come together for the premier trade show in the region, the Western Mass. Business Expo. Formerly known as the Market Show, the event, produced by BusinessWest and staged at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, has been revamped and improved to provide exposure and business opportunities for area companies. The cost for a 10-by-10 booth is $700 for members of all area chambers and $750 for non-members; corner booths are $750 for all chamber members and $800 for non-members; and a 10-by-20 booth is $1,200 for all chamber members and $1,250 for non-members. For more information, log onto www.BusinessWest.com or call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Court Dockets

By
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
The Levato Supply Co. Inc. v. Theroux’s Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of plumbing and heating goods and materials: $6,755.67
Filed: 3/17/11

HAMPDEN
SUPERIOR COURT
Bank of America v. Alactronic Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of a small-business loan: $135,077.38
Filed: 1/24/11

David Leishman v. Patient EDU, LLC; Steven Graziano; and Michael Schulman
Allegation: Non-payment of a promissory note: $150,000
Filed: 3/1/11

Dhanesh Dookhran v. Baystate Affiliated Practice Organization
Allegation: Breach of employment contract and non-payment of wages: $36,490.42
Filed: 2/18/11

Gail Hill and Johnny Mayweather, as guardians of Dwayne Mayweather v. Guidewire Inc.
Allegation: Negligent supervision in a group home causing harm: $182,781.92
Filed: 2/14/11

McNair Business Machines Inc. v. KRM Equipment
Allegation: Misappropriation and misuse of trade-secret information: $250,000
Filed: 3/1/11

Raymond and Kim West v. Sunnyside Corp., JKM Construction, and D.L. Bean Company Inc.
Allegation: Negligence in construction of a housing community causing flooding to adjacent property: $407,812
Filed: 3/3/11

Robert Donahue, M.D. v. Cataract and Laser Center West, LLC; John Frangie, M.D.; Nancy Balin, M.D.; and John Papale, M.D.
Allegation: Breach of fiduciary duties and breach of partnership agreement: $145,000
Filed: 3/4/11

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Viola A. Benoit v. Cooley Dickinson Hospital, et al
Allegation: Negligence in elevator maintenance causing injury: $30,103.52
Filed: 4/13/11

HOLYOKE
DISTRICT COURT
Day International v. Berkshire-Westwood Graphics Group Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $57,930.16
Filed: 3/7/11

NORTHAMPTON
DISTRICT COURT
Border Concepts Inc. v. Angelo’s Garden Harvest Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of landscape and garden-related goods: $5,725.46
Filed: 4/26/11

SPRINGFIELD
DISTRICT COURT
Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Nissan of Bourne
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services: $19,886.79
Filed: 3/11/11

Chase Management Services Inc. v. Bayview Loan Servicing Inc. and IB Property Holdings
Allegation: Non-payment of labor and services: $18,889.54
Filed: 3/14/11

Dollars and Sense

By
Sections Supplements
Construction Industry Benefits from Manufacturing Deduction

Cheryl Fitzgerald

Cheryl Fitzgerald

What was once an incentive for manufacturers who exported now benefits many more taxpayers. Better yet, you don’t even need to export to benefit.
A tax incentive enacted to help offset the repeal of a tax break for U.S. exporters actually benefits many contractors and engineers as well. This tax incentive provides a deduction for many U.S. businesses that’s allowed for both regular tax and alternative minimum tax (AMT) purposes. The deduction has become known by many different names. It’s been called, among other things, the ‘U.S. production activities deduction,’ the ‘domestic production activities deduction’ (DPAD), and the ‘domestic manufacturing deduction’. For simplicity’s sake, we’re calling it the DPAD deduction.
The DPAD deduction equals a percentage of the net income from eligible activities — 9% after 2009. However, the amount of the deduction for any tax year may not exceed the taxpayer’s taxable income or, in the case of individuals, the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income.
As noted above, the DPAD deduction equals a percentage of the net income from eligible activities. Among the more common eligible activities are:
• The manufacture, production, or growth of tangible personal property, in whole or in significant part within the U.S.;
• The construction of real property in the U.S.; and
• The performance of engineering or architectural services in the U.S. in connection with real property construction projects in the U.S.
Purely sales activities aren’t eligible for the deduction, nor are purely service activities, except for construction, engineering, and architectural services.
Construction activities are eligible for the DPAD deduction, but only if the construction is of real property performed in the U.S. The real property may consist of residential or commercial buildings; permanent structures (like docks and wharves); permanent land improvements (like swimming pools and parking lots); oil and gas wells, platforms, and pipelines; and infrastructure (like roads, sewers, sidewalks, and power lines). Real property doesn’t include machinery unless it’s a “structural component” — for example, an elevator.
Examples of businesses conducting eligible construction activities are residential remodelers; commercial and institutional building construction contractors; foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors; structural steel and pre-cast concrete contractors; and electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors.
Eligible construction activities don’t include tangential services such as hauling trash and debris, and delivering materials, even if the tangential services are essential for construction.
Construction includes ‘substantial renovation,’ but not decoration (or redecoration).
Substantial renovation does not include mere cosmetic changes, such as painting. However, painting is an activity constituting construction if it’s performed in connection with other activities (whether or not by the same taxpayer) that constitute the erection or substantial renovation of real property.
For purposes of the rules allowing the DPAD deduction for U.S. real property construction activities, real property construction includes substantial renovation of real property. Substantial renovation means the renovation of a major component or substantial structural part of real property that materially increases the value of the property, substantially prolongs the useful life of the property, or adapts the property to a new or different use.
For example, a plumbing contractor’s installation of a plumbing system in a new building may qualify as a construction activity eligible for the DPAD deduction. However, replacing the fixtures in the bathroom of an existing house won’t qualify because the job isn’t connected with a construction activity — unless the work is performed as part of a substantial renovation.
The DPAD deduction is allowed to all taxpayers — individuals, C corporations, farming cooperatives, estates, trusts, and their beneficiaries. The deduction is passed through to the partners of partnerships and the owners of S corporations (not to partnerships or the S corporations themselves), and may be passed through by farming cooperatives to their patrons. And, despite the deduction’s history, it’s fully available to taxpayers who don’t export.
In addition to taxable income limitations, the amount of the DPAD deduction can’t exceed 50% of the business’s ‘W-2 wages’ paid to employees working in the qualified activity. This means that businesses operated as sole proprietorships or partnerships with no employees aren’t eligible for the deduction.
There’s a lot more to the DPAD deduction — for example, determining whether your particular business construction activities are eligible for the deduction, how to compute the net income from activities that are eligible, and how to determine the amount of the deduction when you’ve got income from both eligible and ineligible activities. The statutory rules are complicated, and the IRS has issued voluminous — and equally complicated — guidance on those rules. You should contact your accountant if you think that your constructing business activities may fall into a category that would allow for this deduction.

Cheryl Fitzgerald is a senior tax manager with the public accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., in Holyoke; (413) 536-8510.

History Lessons

By
Donald Teagno, left, and Louis Gallinaro
Sections Supplements
Amherst Construction Company Has a Solid Foundation

Donald Teagno, left, and Louis Gallinaro

Donald Teagno, left, and Louis Gallinaro say the majority of the work handled by Teagno Construction is in residential settings.

When Donald Teagno was young, he never dreamed he would preside over an award-winning construction firm that would weather three recessions, employ 20 people, and specialize in historic renovations, museum work, and other niche services.
In fact, when the founder and president of Teagno Construction Inc. (TCI) in Amherst graduated from the UMass School of Education in the early ’70s, his plan was to teach English.
“I taught for six months at the junior-high-school level,” he recalled. “But I was in a fairly conservative school district, and I couldn’t use the creative techniques I had been taught at UMass.”
After that experience, he decided to embark upon an entirely different pathway that would allow him to utilize his natural talents. “I had always been pretty handy, and I started working as a carpenter for a developer in Amherst,” he said.
While doing so, Teagno became acquainted with a few local architects who needed work done on their own homes. He accepted one job at a time that included making custom furniture for some of his clients. By 1974, word of mouth had spread, and he began operating under the business name ‘Donald Teagno Building Contractor.’
“I was a lone carpenter and a sole proprietor,” he told BusinessWest. “When I became busier, I took on a partner. And little by little, the jobs got larger until I had three or four people working for me. But I had no preconceived notions that I would end up where I am today.”
However, by 1985, the company had grown substantially, and he incorporated under the name Teagno Construction. But he continued working in the field alongside his employees until it became necessary for him to remain in the office to give estimates and keep up with up with his payroll and other paperwork.
Leaving the construction sites to do office work was not an easy transition for the craftsman. “There are certain times during our company’s history when we made major leaps, and his was one of them,” Teagno explained. “But it was very difficult for me to delegate work to other people; I wanted things done in a certain way with a certain quality. Little by little, I was able to relax, once I was sure my reputation was being supported by my employees. But it was a slow process.”
In the early years, he worked almost exclusively with homeowners, putting on additions and doing interior renovations. “It was almost all negotiated work, but in 1985 I started doing larger jobs and branched out into multi-family work and the competitive market. And after about 10 or 15 years, I had built a reputation by doing unique projects,” he said. “We are not famous for it, but we have jacked up buildings to replace foundations, which we started doing in the ’80s.”
One of those jobs resulted in some recognition. TCI is certified by the state as a historical contractor, and its work on an 18-unit row house on South Street in Northampton won an award for historic preservation.
“We did a total renovation and extensive structural repairs there,” he explained. “The building was sliding down, and we had to pick up the foundation, level it, then pour a new foundation underneath it, which can cause some of the plaster inside to crack. These jobs are especially challenging, as it is really hard to figure out their cost. In the process of picking up a house, you find its weak points, so you have to look at it carefully to determine any problems that may arise. In the worst-case scenario, a project will become cost-prohibitive.”

On the Home Front
TCI’s portfolio is diverse and includes work in museums and local colleges. “We even built a ski lodge — the Swift River Inn in Cummington — which is now a school,” said general manager Louis Gallinaro. “And our marquee project on the industrial side was building All Saints Church in South Hadley.”
But the majority of the company’s projects have always been in the residential setting. It is in this realm where the business began and the reason TCI remains so sensitive to its customers’ ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
“Our residential work all started with my reputation for quality work and attention to people’s needs,” Teagno said.
In fact, almost 90% of his work comes from customer referrals. He does little advertising and relies mainly on word of mouth.
Teagno says he has been able to weather three recessions, two of them quite severe in nature, due to his company’s diversity, his commitment to listen closely to what customers say they want, and his quality work. In fact, these are core values that are adhered to during every project, although, on commercial jobs such as restaurant renovations, timing sometimes takes precedence.
“When you listen to people closely, you are able to do what they want in the way they want it,” Gallinaro explained.  “Most homeowners have never done this type of work before, and they want to be educated about the entire process.”
Teagno says his employees take the time to inform and explain exactly what they are doing each step of the way, which helps clients feel comfortable.
“Each customer is a whole new experience. We don’t just build things, we have relationships with our customers. And you can’t put a price on a relationship,” he said.
“We want them to have a good experience, so we do the absolute best job we can. Listening to our customers is not lip service for us, and it’s not always in our best financial interest. It would be easier to cut corners to save money, but we don’t do that.”
He says most homeowners are more concerned about quality workmanship than the length of time a project will take to complete.  Working in the industrial/commercial arena is a different story, however, as venues such as restaurants have opening dates and tight timelines.
Competitive bidding for such jobs makes up about 25% of TCI’s portfolio, and results in added benefits for residential customers. “It keeps our pencils sharp and allows us to give more value when we negotiate work with homeowners,” Teagno said.

Making History
TCI Inc. has done a considerable amount of work in local museums. Its most noteworthy project was a renovation made to the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst.
It was built as a private residence around 1856 and is the site where Dickinson composed the majority of her 1,800 poems. “We helped create the visitor’s room within the structure. One section was renovated extensively, but we left portholes in some of the wall sections so people could see how the building was initially constructed,” Gallinaro said.
He told BusinessWest that it was a privilege to work in such a historic setting. “We got to walk on hallowed ground in a building that is on the state and federal register.”
However, working on such old structures presents a stern set of challenges.
“Historic buildings were not built to the same standards we have today; in order to do the work, you need a good foundation, which is how the whole thing started,” Teagno explained, alluding to his firm’s diverse specialty work and the first time he had to raise a building to lay a new foundation. “I was brought in to make some repairs when I was on my own, and the jobs I got after that became increasingly challenging.”
The company is also responsible for renovating the Words and Pictures Museum in Northampton, which has since closed its doors. “The building had all kinds of structural issues. It had been renovated many times and was compromised over the years,” Teagno said.
TCI has also done work at local colleges, which runs the gamut from dormitory renovations to building new science labs and structures, such as an 18,000-square-foot classroom and administration building for the Bement School in Deerfield. Another noteworthy project was the construction of a 10,000-square-foot day-care center for Mount Holyoke College.
“We have also done a number of renovations for medical and dental facilities,” Gallerino said. “Nine years ago, we converted the gas station across the street into a successful practice. The building had been closed for years before we started the work.”
In addition, the company has built and renovated many area eateries, sometimes working in the same building more than once. “Restaurants are usually complicated because they involve a lot of equipment along with special heating and plumbing requirements and fire-safety issues,” Gallinaro said. “And the people we work with all have different needs.”

Plane Speaking
But no matter who their client is, their approach remains the same.
Teagno’s employees go in with an ear to the ground, making sure they understand the meaning behind a customer’s words so they can transform their dreams into reality.
It’s an interesting way to do business and perhaps not that far afield from the creative teaching methods Teagno wanted to employ long before he started his unique construction company.

All in the Family

By
From left, Ray and Bill Laplante
Sections Supplements
Two Generations Build on Laplante Construction’s Solid Foundation
From left, Ray and Bill Laplante

From left, Ray and Bill Laplante say their family has built a strong reputation over five decades in business.

Ray Laplante says he’s always been more of a “hands-on guy.”
He told BusinessWest that he was following in his father’s footsteps by starting his own framing and carpentry company back in 1964, and that, while he would subcontract some work for his dad’s firm — called Albert Laplante Construction — his own namesake business went through the roof in the early 1970s.
“When he got out of the service, my older brother went to work for our father,” he remembered. “And when they hired a project manager, there wasn’t really room for me to be there all the time. Even though I was on my own, they did hire me a few times for sub jobs.”
It was a handful of spec houses that he put up 40 years ago, though, that paved the way for Laplante to find his niche in the home-construction market, and he went on to build many such properties in East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, and Wilbraham. “That’s when my business took off,” he said.
But even though his business, R.E. Laplante Construction Inc., started to develop a reputation for fine home craftsmanship that endures to this day, it was his desire to be out in the field that prompted one of his biggest decisions in the company’s almost-five-decade history.
His son, Bill, currently the company president, went to college to get an economics degree. “Basically, I started working here when I was 12 or 13,” Bill said. “I would come after school, during school vacations, and continued that throughout high school.
“During college,” he continued, “I was still in the field, framing or doing finish work, and continued that after I graduated. But in four or five years’ time, I made the transition into the office, doing a lot of the day-to-day functions, and then eventually sales.”
As Bill told the story, Ray smiled and added, “I’m a framer, a carpenter. I don’t have any kind of management education. Although the business was very successful, my plan always had been for him to come in, and bring the business up to that level.”
And that level, as the elder builder called it, was for his son to take over the behind-the-scenes (and front-of-house) operational aspect of Laplante Construction, while he himself builds on the foundation he created and nails down the strategy that continues to bring success to the family business.

Father Knows Best
As president, Bill said, his job is not just to make sure all the bills get paid — “all the day to day financials,” as he called it — but also to be the top-tier salesman for the company. Which is easy when his number-one selling tool happens to be the man who built the reputation he’s pitching.
With a history of building homes that he designed himself, Bill called his father’s expertise “invaluable.”
“He meets with the customer, listens to them, and has an incredible knack for design and for coming up with ideas,” Bill said. “He can take a look at something, especially in renovations, and come up with the ‘good idea’ for that specific project.”
Ray added that some 90% of his clients don’t in fact work with an outside architect. “So when people call us, they’re looking for ideas and for layouts,” he added. “And we have that capability here — we can put it on the computer and do layouts. My brother, Paul, does all the CAD drafting, which we do in-house. Which is great for our customers because we can take them from the design stage all the way through to completion.
“We’re not architects,” he clarified, “but both Paul and I are very knowledgeable with regard to framing, structural needs, and putting things where they need to be. When we run into situations where we need an engineer, we will hire one, but a lot of it we can do ourselves.
“And we do that design work for a fraction of what you would expect a professional architect or designer to do,” he added, emphatically.
As a result of the economic downturn, Bill did say that he’s noticed an overall shift in priority, from new construction back to renovations. “People are staying put, and putting money into their existing homes,” he explained.
But while other firms might have historically shied away from smaller-profile jobs, focusing on bigger budgets and entire houses, Laplante has always made it an unofficial policy to take on all work that met its criteria for a job well done, no matter the size.
“This has always been the case,” Bill said. “We never let go of renovation, remodeling, and new-addition projects.
“Through the years,” he went on, “you get a dip in the economy, or a recession, and renovations pick up. Some builders, when they get busy, might not want to have to deal with the $20,000 remodel job; we always did, no matter how busy we were — just for that reason, to keep the company diverse. And this has served us well.”
Just because a project might be termed a renovation, Ray noted, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a small-scale project. “Some of these types of work can add up to $500,000 or $600,000.”
In addition, Bill said that a key facet to broadening the horizons for a building company is to always keep pace with developments in the industry. To that end, he has undertaken the necessary coursework through the National Assoc. of Home Builders to receive the designation as a certified green professional. What this means, he explained, is that his role as salesman for the firm now is fully compliant in all that a customer should and would want to know about available green technologies, processes, and products for their project.
“More and more people are looking for it these days,” he said. “But more than just using the word ‘green,’ I’d say that what they are after is energy efficiency. And they are looking for a payback on those investments.”
The key is to look at those technologies and discover what will give the payback that his clients expect, he said, whether that be spray-foam insulation, higher R-value windows, different construction techniques, or siting the house to take full advantage of the sun.
“There are a lot of ways to reduce the energy costs on a new home,” he added. “The nice thing is, we will give our customers that whole array of different products and technologies, and then help them make an informed decision, to decide if it works for them personally, or fits into their budget. That’s really why we tried to get out in front of the green-building process.”

The Family Way
“A lot of people that we work with aren’t price shopping,” Bill told BusinessWest. “They come to us through word-of-mouth referrals, and they trust that we’re going to give them a high-quality product at a fair price. We will bid against other contractors, but one thing we won’t do is compromise what goes into that house.
“I’d say that 75% of our business is just through word-of-mouth referral,” he continued. “That, and the reputation my father has built up over the years of being a high-quality and fair, responsible builder.”
To prosper in an industry that has suffered perhaps more than any other sector in this down economy, both men agreed that the best tack has been to proceed with business as usual. Provided, of course, that one has a track record like the Laplante company.
“It ultimately comes down to trust,” Bill stated. “In many cases this is the largest investment that someone will make in their lifetime. There are so many ways that builders can cut corners, to reduce price or increase their profit, and ultimately it comes down to being able to fully place your trust in the person you’re working with.”
To illustrate that point, Ray told of a recent meeting with a client, in this case someone with whom Laplante has worked in the past.
“We bid on this job; I think it was $80,000 or $90,000,” he said. “Now, they also had gotten a price of $20,000 less, and they wanted to know why. So they called me up and asked if I would go over the price bids. I put them both on the table. The other contractor hadn’t figured in painting, and hadn’t added a number of things — different materials. None of it was written into their contract. We try to be reasonable with our allowances, and because of that level of trust, we are doing that job now.”
Adding to their offerings as homebuilders, father and son have branched out both geographically and in their building envelope. Clients have asked them to build houses on Cape Cod, as well as light commercial structures.
But that doesn’t mean the pair are changing their direction at all. Rather, they’re just doing what their customers have asked of them. And when the conversation arrives at the next generation of Laplantes that might bring the company into the fourth generation of builders, the pair smiled. They aren’t ready to hang up their hammers yet.
Ray said he’d like to have the chance to play a bit more golf, but there’s plenty of time for that in the future.
“My main priority is to maintain the Laplante reputation,” he said. “That’s all I’m looking for.”
When the business of building homes can fall back on more than 40 years and multiple generations of service, that’s a pretty good sign this family is doing it the right way.

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

CHICOPEE

Sophie Adam Inc., 1747 Westover Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. William Stetson, same. Restaurant and tavern.

Spectators Sports Bar & Grill Corp., 154 School St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Robert Scribner, 28 Beaumont Ave., Chicopee, MA 01013. Sports Bar & Grill.

EAST LONGMEADOW

TJI Enterprises Inc., 56 Sanford St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Todd Illingsworth, same. Painting, varnishing, shellacking, enameling, oiling, and staining of buildings, structures, vehicles, and machinery.

HOLYOKE

Moskal-Dowd Insurance Agency Inc., 14 Bobala Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. John Dowd, same. Insurance agency.

U.S. Heyichang Technology Engineering Co., Ltd., 16 Maple Crest Circle, Apt J, Holyoke, MA 01040. Xinya Liu, same. Provider of goods and services through technology applications.

NORTH ADAMS

Shaw Shambhala Inc., 66 Summer St., North Adams, MA 01247. John Shaw, 5338 Main Road, Route 100, Stamford, VT, 05352. Charitable organization for the purpose of physical, spiritual, and emotional self-healing.

OTIS

Mountainview Campground Inc., 1856 South Main Road, Otis, MA 01253. Philip Bignacki, 15 Birch Hill Road, Northborough, MA 01532. Seasonal family campground.

PALMER

R.O.D. Freight Management Inc., 21 Wilbraham St., Palmer, MA 01069. Scott Desantis, 224 Boston Road, Palmer, MA 01069. Shipper of general building products.

Seven Railroads Chapter HRHS Inc., 29 Flynt St., Palmer, MA 01069. Philip Johnson, 9 Ester Ave., Palmer, MA 01301. Nonprofit organization established for historical and educational preservation.

PITTSFIELD

Mickey Bubbles Inc., 105 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Pamela Veazie, 32 Gwenn Lane, West Stockbridge, MA 01266. Hand car wash and detailing.

RUSSELL

Northeast Roofing and Construction Inc., 862 Blandford Road, Russell, MA 01071. Joseph Ravosa, same. Roofing and construction services.

SPRINGFIELD

J & P Green Partners Inc., 173 Pine St., Springfield, MA 01105. Jonathan Fonseca, same. Educate consumers and businesses on green technology initiatives.

JC Wireless Inc., 135 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01109. Ho Jeong Han, 9 Kimbell Ct., #811 Burlington, MA 01803. Retail wireless store.

L.V. Trucking Incorporated, 321 Orange St. Floor 2, Springfield, MA 01108. Luis Manuel Villa, same. Transportation, shipping, and delivery services.

Relevant Energy Concepts Inc., 1833 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield, MA 01109. Brian Tolliver, same. Smart energy practices and solutions for businesses and residents to create a smaller carbon footprint.

S.W.A.G.G.E.R. Corp., 94 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01109. Clarence Smith, 58 Berkshire St., Springfield, MA 01109. Retail clothing store.

Sky Home Improvement Inc., 27 Continental St., Springfield, MA 01108. Gregory Garcia, same. Home improvement services.

Sponsor a Student Ltd., 64 Denver St., Springfield, MA 01109. Kafi Akillah Martin, same. Charitable organization established to provide financial support to tax exempt 501 c(3) nonprofit organizations.

The Grime Fighters Corp., 57 Merrimac Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Luis Adams, same. Air duct cleaning for the purpose of improved energy efficiency.

Y.L.S. Inc., 442 Page Blvd., Springfield, MA 01104. Yorky Santos, same. Bar and lounge.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Shades of Jade & JB Studios Inc., 1138 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Fanta Simmons, 120 Longhill St., Apt. 8, Springfield, MA 01108. Hair salon

WESTFIELD

Quotemule Inc., 8 Darby Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Carlton Hale, same. Internet broker between contractors and engineers with materials suppliers worldwide.

Westfield Contracting Inc., 63 Country Club Dr., Westfield, MA 01085-5009. Richard Doiron, same. General contractor.

Chamber Corners

By
Chamber Corners Departments

CHamber corners: Upcoming Events

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
* May 12: ERC5 Parking Lot Party, 5–8 p.m., Eastwood Shops, Boston Road, Wilbraham. Cost: $10 for members; $20 for non-members.For more information, contact Sarah Tsitso, (413) 755-1318 or [email protected].
* May 13: ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee,      8–9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.
* May 18: ERC Board of Directors’ Meeting, 8–9 a.m., the Gardens of Wilbraham, Community Room, 2 Lodge Lane, Wilbraham.
* May 18: ACCGS Ambassadors Meeting, 4–5 p.m., EDC Conference Room, Springfield.
* May 18: Professional Women’s Chamber – Woman of the Year Banquet honoring Kate Kane, 6 p.m., Springfield Sheraton. Tickets: $50 per person. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Lynn Johnson at (413) 755-1310; or [email protected].
* May 19: ACCGS Board of Directors’ Meeting, 8–9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700
* May 18: Chamber After 5, 5–7 p.m., Cherry Hill Golf Course, 325 Montague Road, Amherst. Cost: $5 members; $10 nonmembers. For more information, call (413) 253-0700.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
* May 11: Global to Local;  a Workshop Series/Part 2 Reinventing Your Business Model, 8–11 a.m.,  the Hampton Inn, Chicopee. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.chicopeechamber.org
* May 13: Annual Auction/Beer and Wine Tasting, 6–9 p.m., the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee. Presented by Chicopee Saving Bank. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.chicopeechamber.org.
* May 18: Salute Breakfast, 7:15–9 a.m., Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
* May 12: Networking by Night, Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m. Come see Easthampton’s Solar Net Zero community. Sponsored & hosted by Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realty, Meadow River Valley Way, Easthampton. Hors d’ouevres, door prizes, host beer and wine. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
* May 15: Easthampton’s 11th Annual Big Rig Day, 9 a.m. To 3 p.m., rain or shine. Family fun with trucks of all sizes, construction equipment, safety vehicles, specialty cars and trucks. New location: Easthampton Municipal Building and Public Safety Complex, 32-50 Payson Ave., Easthampton. Free admission and parking. For more information, visit www.bigrigday.com.
* May 20: Wine & Microbrew Tasting, 6 to 8 p.m., One Cottage St., Easthampton. More than 50 wines and microbrews, fine food, raffle. Wine sponsor: Westfield Spirit Shop. Microbrew sponsor: Big E’s supermarket. Food sponsor: the Log Cabin and the Delaney House. Benefactor: Finck & Perras Insurance Agency. Cost: $30 in advance, $35 at the door. For more information, call (413) 527.9414. Purchase tickets online at www.easthamptonchamber.org. Proceeds to benefit chamber community programs.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
n May 20: Monthly Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m., Greenfield Grille, 30 Federal St., Greenfield. Member spotlight on the Sandri Company. Main speaker: Secretary of Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki. Sponsored by Greenfield Community College. Cost: Members: $12, Non-members $15.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
* May 16: 43rd Annual Chamber Cup Golf Tournament  2011, starting at 11 a.m., Wyckoff Park, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Registration and Lunch at 11a.m.; tee off at noon (scramble format); dinner following game with elaborate food stations catered by the Log Cabin. Cost: $125 per player includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner. Winner awards, raffles, and cash prizes follow dinner. Tournament Sponsors: Log Cabin and PeoplesBank.
Corporate Sponsors: Dowd Insurance, Goss & McLain Insurance Agency, Holyoke Gas & Electric, Mountain View Landscapes, Holyoke Community College, Holyoke Medical Center, People’s United Bank, and Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll. For reservations call  (413) 534-3376 or register online at holyokechamber.com.
* May 18: Chamber After Hours, 5–7 p.m., Pic’s Place/Highland Tap, 910 Hampden St., Holyoke. Sponsored by All Sales Consulting, LLC. Admission: $5 for members, $10 cash for non-members; (413)534-3376.

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
* May 12: Party with a Purpose, 5–8 p.m., the Delaney House, 1 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Free for members, $5 for non-members.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451
* May 20: Legislative Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., the Orchards Golf Club, South Hadley. Guest speakers: state Sen. Stan Rosenberg, state Rep. John Scibak, and others. Tickets: $15 per person. Space is limited. Must RSVP by Tuesday, May 17 to (413) 532 6451.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425
* May 21: Palmer Pick-Up Day,  9 a.m. to noon; [email protected]. Contact Chamber President Fred Orszulak, 413-283-7400. Following the pick-up, the Three Rivers Chamber is sponsoring a lunch cook-out at noon at Hryniewicz Park (AKA the Three Rivers Common).

West of the River Chamber of Commerce
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
* May 12: 2011 Annual Meeting and Breakfast, 7 a.m., Carriage House at Storrowton Tavern. Speaker: Jason Freeman, president of Six Flags New England. Presenting sponsor: Easthampton Savings Bank. Coffee bar sponsor: Environmental Compliance Services.  Cost: Members $25, non members, $30. Highlights: introducing Chairman-elect Remo Pizzichemi. For more information, learn about sponsorship opportunities, or to RSVP call (413) 426-3880; or email [email protected].

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
* May 11: WestNet after 5:00 Networking, 5–7 p.m., Tekoa Country Club. Putting Contest to benefit  GWCOC Scholarship Fund. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
* June 20: 50th Annual Golf Tournament. Register now by contacting Sandy Sorel at (413) 779-0075.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
May 19: Great Golf Escape 2011!, Tekoa Country Club, Westfield. The YPS Great Golf Escape sells out each year, attracting 144 golfers along with 100+ additional attendees at our Third Thursday social event immediately following the tournament; 10:30 a.m. registration;  11:30 shotgun start; scramble format. Price: $50 per player includes 18 holes of golf, cart, greens fees, YPS golf shirt, goody bag, lunch, refreshments on the green, beer ticket, and admission to YPS Third Thursday immediately following tournament. Presented by: St. Germain Investment Management.

Donald Mitchell: 39

By
Donald Mitchell
40 Under 40 The Class of 2011
Founder and Executive Director, Western Mass. Development Collaborative

Donald Mitchell

Donald Mitchell

BusinessWest 40 Under Forty
Class of 2011
40 under Forty, Class, 2011, community, leaders, young, professionalThe most important thing in Donald Mitchell’s life is his family. The father of three daughters, ages 12, 9, and 5, lost his wife, Traci, to cancer two months ago, and says he wouldn’t be where he is today without her.
Providing for his family has always been important to Mitchell, and from 2000 to 2003 he was a budding entrepreneur with a cleaning business. Although it didn’t work out, the experience was valuable and planted the seed for the role the Western Mass. Development Collaborative plays today. The first is providing resources and support to small businesses, primarily in the construction field. The second is linking these small businesses with larger private and public entities in the community.
“They use us as a clearinghouse to find small-business contractors,” he explained. “One of their biggest problems is that they cannot find quality minority or women contractors, so we bring them together, making sure the small businesses have the capacity to do the job.”
Mitchell wants everyone to succeed, and says giving up is never an option. He has always worked with children, and became a Big Brother when he was still in college. He and Traci were also foster parents to more than 10 boys in a five-year period.
Mitchell was Big Brother Big Sister of the Year for Hampden County in 1997, plays an active role in Black Men of Greater Springfield, and is Polemarch of the Springfield Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
This winter, he coached his daughter’s basketball team for the first time, and the team earned a division championship. But wins and losses aren’t as important to him as serving as a good example to his children — and to small businesses, helping them gain the tools they need to become more competitive and successful.
“Nothing comes easy, but you have to work as hard as you can and never, ever give up,” Mitchell said. “If I can do that in my professional and personal life, hopefully it will soak into my children’s spirits. Quitting is just not an option.”
— Kathleen Mitchell

Benjamin Garvey: 33

By
Benjamin Garvey
40 Under 40 The Class of 2011
Vice President, Insurance Center of New England

Benjamin Garvey

Benjamin Garvey

Bill Trudeau, COO of the Insurance Center of New England, called Benjamin Garvey “a tireless advocate for his clients and for the Western Mass. business community as a whole.”
Speaking more modestly of his business, Garvey offered, “the better that this area does, the more opportunity there is, and the more need there is for insurance. There’s a direct correlation.”
He said that his work allows him a decent amount of time to dedicate himself to volunteer organizations, which provide “many different ways to give back to the community.” And, as a quick glance at a list of his activities would attest, he doesn’t waste a moment of that time.
For example, Garvey sits on the Board of Directors for the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, is the sergeant at arms for the Chicopee Rotary Club, and volunteers for Junior Achievement.
He singled out two organizations in particular as important ways he helps others in the community. He is a member and former president of the Pioneer Valley Rebuilders, which has a mission of providing on-the-job construction and carpentry training for non-violent offenders emerging from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. Meanwhile, Garvey volunteers for the Community Accountability Board, which also helps people to transition back into society after having been incarcerated.
“It gives you an interesting perspective,” he explained, “and it reminds you that life can be tough, and there are many struggles that we all need to go through. Ultimately, you have people who are great individuals who had a bad break or made a bad decision, and it affects them in a negative way. You want to be able to help them turn it around, and leave them with the best life that you can.”
Greater Springfield is a special place, Garvey noted, with an incredible history of firsts.
“There is so much to be proud of here,” he said, “and in getting to help people — well, I’m fortunate that I get to do that in a number of different ways.”
— Dan Chase

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments
The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of April 2011.

AGAWAM

Compassionate Dental
850 Springfield St.
Agawam Dental Arts

Country Cottage Construction
44 Thalia Dr.
James Ayotte Jr.

Currier
50 Center St.
Connie Danek

EZ Green Pest Control
320 North St.
Dennis Gaynor

Granny’s Place
844 Main St.
Rick Seldomridge

AMHERST

Arts for the People
157 Columbia Dr.
Anne Krauss

Bramble Hill Farm
593 South Pleasant St.
Gordon Thorne

Dolma Cleaning Service
401 Old Farm Road
Tsering Dolma

Etta Art Studio
534 Main St.
C.A. Ezzell

George N. Parks Drum Major Academy
98 Wildflower Dr.
Jeanne Parks

CHICOPEE

AAA Commercial Cleaners
367 James St.
Larisa Mironova

Adams Vending Service
77 Neill Ave.
Christopher Pudelko

Garcia Cleaning Service
59 New Ludlow Road
Jackeline Garcia

MJ Nails Spa
1893 Memorial Dr.
Gai T. Vo

EASTHAMPTON

Frost Graphics
116 Pleasant St.
Jonathan D. Frost

Healy Guitars
116 Pleasant St., Suite 59
Trevor Healty

Renew Pilates
116 Pleasant St.
Nicole Kutcher

Sage of the Seven Sisters
46 Ladville Road
Susan Flynn

Skull Factory
12 Matthew Dr.
Eric Talbot

Union Mart
123 Cottage St.
Abdul M. Buff

GREENFIELD

Aliber’s Bridal
18 Federal St.
Cristen Rosinski

Fresh & Local
80 School St.
Gary Schaefer

Heavenly Sweet Nut Spreads
324 Wells St.
Munib Wober

HOLYOKE

Christian’s
330 Whitney Ave.
Nicholas DelBuono

H & M Mini Mart
46 Franklin St.
Sajio Zaman

Health, Beauty, and Success
119 High St.
Brenda Davila-Pacheco

Invisible Shield at Holyoke Mall
50 Holyoke St.
Fahol Issa

North American Kiosk, LLC
50 Holyoke St.
Max F. James

Pooltech
238 Linden St.
Richard J. Dupuis

Ray’s Barber Shop
451 ½ High St.
Edwin DeJesus

Skillwright Associates
17A Arbor Way
Michael D. Wright

Today’s Nails
50 Holyoke St.
Charles Tran

NORTHAMPTON

Full Circle Bike Shop
44 Maple St.
Jason M. Graves

Get Lost
58 Belmont Ave.
Brian P. Foote

M.E.A.I.
36 Menhan St.
Robert Soliwoda

Pine Street Publishing
10 Pine St.
Fred Contrada

Racing Mart
54 Easthampton Road
Lubna Ahmed

Seth Gregory Design
14 Northern Ave.
Seth H. Gregory

Viva Fresh Pasta
249 Main St.
Paul Milani

PALMER

Baldyga Services, LLC
16 Walnut St.
Bruce Baldyga

PC 360
1009 Central St.
Mark Bailey

Syriac General Contracting
49 Belanger St.
Wyatt Syriac

The Cute Kids Daycare
24 Lawrence St.
Ghada Ghrear

SPRINGFIELD

Pop’s Biscotti and Chocolate
26 Middlebrook Dr.
Maria Elizabeth

Prime Service Inspections
175 Oak Grove Ave.
Ralph M. Ward

Procleannow
100 Ambrose St.
John Andrew

Racing Mart RJ
363 Main St.
Robert Kayrouz

Realistic Expectations
85 Sumner Ave.
Dara J. Bartlett

Scores
453 ½ Worthington St.
Helen Santaniello

Springfield Home Owners Association
261 Locust St.
Pascacio Reynoso

Studio VP Photography
80 Milford St.
Victoria J. Pierce

Swanson Meetings & Event
3 Peer St.
Diane Swanson

The Brim and Crown Shop
439 White St.
Richard D. Little

The Wright House Café
281 State St.
Donald A. Mitchell

TJX Companies Inc.
1379 Liberty St.
Katherine Titus

Vida Latina Mass
38 School St.
Mildred Montalvo

Wayne’s Chimney Sweeps
340 Cooley St.
Wayne A. Huntoon

Wire Wizard
199 Laconia St.
Antonio Afonso

WEST SPRINGFIELD

A & A Furniture Repair
32 Partridge Lane
Alan Archambault

A & R Cleaning Service
40 Labelle St.
Renata Bialas

Class General Contracting
21 Murray Place
Brian St. Amand

Homegoods #716
1150 Union St.
Katherine Titus

Lees Milex Auto Repair
413 Main St.
Ali B. Kitchell

Park Street Convenience Store
54 Park St.
Patel Pravinbhai

Precision Manufacturing
54 Myron St.
Peter B. Urbanek

R & L Enterprises
287 Piper Road
Richard Lapinski

Village Pizza
1164 Westfield St.
Eray Arslan

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

State Adds 3,200 Jobs
in March
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development recently reported the total unemployment rate in March was 8%, down two tenths of a percentage point from the February rate. The rate remains below the national rate of 8.8% and is seven tenths of a percentage point less than the rate in March 2010. The preliminary March job estimates show 3.213 million jobs in Massachusetts, an increase of 3,200 jobs. The private sector added 4,400 jobs. The largest gain in employment occurred in leisure and hospitality, while construction had the largest growth rate. Job gains were also posted in professional, scientific and business services, information, manufacturing, and education and health services. Trade, transportation, and utilities; government; financial activities; and ‘other services’ lost jobs. The March job gain follows a revised 14,400-jobs gain in February, previously reported as a 15,400-job gain. Over-the-year, jobs are up 34,100 (+1.1%) with private-sector jobs up 38,600 (+1.4%). Jobs have now been added in each of the past six months. The three-month average seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate was 8.2% and the six-month average was 8.3%. Over-the-year, 31,100 more residents were employed, and 21,500 fewer residents unemployed. Trends for the labor force, unemployed residents, employed residents, the unemployment rate, and jobs continue to indicate improvement for the Commonwealth’s economy. The March estimates show 3,221,700 Massachusetts residents were employed and 281,800 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,503,500.  The labor force increased by 2,100 from 3,501,400 in February, as 8,400 more residents were employed and 6,300 fewer residents were unemployed over the month.

$1.5M Gift Establishes Research Center at PVLSI
SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, a scientific partnership involving UMass Amherst and Baystate Medical Center, has received $1.5 million from the Rays of Hope Walk Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer to establish a new center devoted to breast cancer research. The donation to create the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research will be delivered over five years beginning this year, and is intended to broaden and expand the breast cancer research already taking place at PVLSI. With new technology now in use at the institute, researchers can generate, capture, and analyze data on a much larger scale, making it possible to integrate and coordinate the work of multiple investigators for greater and more rapid progress in answering research questions. “The naming of this center is yet another indication of the enduring legacy that Rays of Hope and all its participants have created in our community,” said Carol Baribeau, director of annual fund and events for the Baystate Health Foundation, in a statement. “On the basis of their own experience, our Rays of Hope walkers are creating hope for future generations by supporting research that could take us much closer to a cure for the disease.” Breast cancer affects one in eight women. A major research goal of the new center is examining links between obesity and breast cancer. It is believed that obesity and metabolic syndrome, a complex illness whose symptoms include obesity, hypertension, and early indications of diabetes, can increase breast cancer risk; given increasing obesity rates in the U.S., there is concern about an accompanying increase in breast cancer diagnoses. “We are just beginning to unlock clues as to whether obesity and breast cancer may be linked, and what those links could mean for prevention, diagnosis, and management of the disease,” added UMass Amherst faculty member Joseph Jerry, science director for PVLSI and co-director of the new center. “With this more robust support to our continuing research, we are provided significantly improved tools for answering important questions about the cellular and metabolic processes that cause lesions and tumors to develop.” One of the strengths of the new center will be its multidisciplinary approach, combining Baystate Medical Center’s resources and expertise in medical specialties such as oncology, endocrinology, and pathology with UMass Amherst’s strengths in polymer and other sciences and bio-epidemiology. Bringing these strengths under one roof allows researchers to approach the complex and intertwined biological processes behind diseases like obesity, diabetes and breast cancer in an integrated and disease-focused fashion, rather than breaking out individual pieces and causative factors and looking at them one by one.

Constellation Energy Partnering with Holyoke G&E
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Gas & Electric Department (HG&E) and Constellation Energy of Maryland recently announced the development of a new 4.5-megawatt solar installation that will generate electricity for the municipally owned utility’s 18,000 customers in Holyoke. The system, which is scheduled for commercial operation this summer, will be among the largest solar installations in New England and the largest in Western Mass. Constellation Energy will build, own, and maintain the system, and HG&E will purchase all of the electricity generated from the solar panels under a 20-year power purchase agreement at a fixed cost that is less than projected market rates. “HG&E is committed to continuing to provide our customers with cost-competitive and clean electricity,” said James M. Lavelle, manager, HG&E, in a statement. “HG&E currently offers its customers some of the lowest retail electric rates available in the Commonwealth and has a carbon footprint that is 25% of the average New England utility. Through this solar-power-purchase agreement with Constellation Energy, we are able to ensure affordability and price stability for our customers, and promote Holyoke as a more attractive location for new and existing industry, with no upfront capital expenditure.” HG&E’s solar power system will be comprised of 18,400 SolarWorld photovoltaic ground-mounted panels at two locations, and is expected to produce nearly 5.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Generating the same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would result in the release of 3,950 metric tons of carbon dioxide or the equivalent emissions from 755 passenger vehicles annually. “Large-scale solar generation is an attractive option for municipal utilities to manage volatile energy costs for their customers and meet renewable energy goals,” added Michael D. Smith, senior vice president of green initiatives for Constellation Energy’s retail business. “In states like Massachusetts with strong market-based incentive programs, Constellation can provide solar power to municipal utilities at a rate that is significantly less than electricity from other generation sources, which benefits both the environment and power customers’ bottom lines.” Constellation Energy, a Fortune 500 company, currently owns and operates approximately 60 megawatts of solar installations that have been completed or are under construction throughout the country. For more information, visit www.constellation.com.

State Workers’ Compensation Rate Saves Businesses $65M
BOSTON — The Patrick-Murray Administration’s vommissioner of Insurance Joseph G. Murphy has signed an agreement that holds workers’ compensation rates at current levels, saving businesses $65 million in proposed increases. The agreement between the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspecting Bureau (WCRIB), the Division of Insurance’s State Rating Bureau, and the attorney general’s Office holds rates at current levels until at least September 2012. The WCRIB had originally asked for an overall 6.6% increase. “Our goal at the Division of Insurance is to make sure that these rates are fair, they protect workers, and that they do not overly burden employers,” said Commissioner Murphy in a statement. “This agreement does all of those things.” Last year, an agreement with WCRIB cut overall rates 2.4%, instead of increasing them 4.5% as originally requested. That agreement also saved approximately $65 million in annual workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Traditionally, WCRIB files rate proposals every two years, but last year’s agreement included a required filing in the next year. Holding down workers’ compensation rates complements other efforts by the Patrick-Murray Administration to bring down insurance costs. The administration’s work to contain health insurance costs saved small businesses and working families $106 million in the last year. The three-year-old reform of auto insurance has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in savings to drivers across the Commonwealth.

MMWEC: Connecticut Energy Tax “Unfair Burden”
LUDLOW — A proposed Connecticut tax on electric generation is “at the very least unfair” because it would cost Massachusetts consumers more than $9 million a year while Connecticut consumers pay nothing, according to the Mass. Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), which owns 4.8% of Millstone Unit 3, a nuclear power plant in Connecticut. Proponents of the tax, which is being proposed to address a Connecticut budget shortfall, say that the tax will not be passed on to Connecticut consumers by the electricity generators required to pay it. The proposed tax, which is working its way through the Connecticut General Assembly, would tax nuclear generation from Millstone at 2 cents/kilowatt hour, raising about $330 million a year in tax revenue for Connecticut from Millstone. Other proposed taxes on power plants that use oil and coal would raise about $10 million a year.  MMWEC resells its share of electricity from Millstone Unit 3 at cost to 27 Massachusetts municipal utilities. Those 27 utilities provide electricity to approximately 265,000 customers in Massachusetts. Based on the electric output of Millstone Unit 3 and MMWEC’s ownership share of that output, the proposed tax on Millstone generation would cost MMWEC, its Millstone project participants and their consumers approximately $9.3 million a year, according to David Tuohey, director of communications and external affairs at MMWEC. Because MMWEC and its municipal utilities are nonprofit, public entities with no profits to absorb the tax, the Connecticut tax would be a direct pass-through to consumers, Tuohey said.

Howdy Award Finalists Named
SPRINGFIELD — More than 40 individuals from across the Pioneer Valley are finalists for the 2011 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence, sponsored by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB). The finalists were recently honored at a reception to recognize front-line employees in the hospitality industry for providing outstanding service to their guests and customers. The finalists, who represent a variety of businesses, organizations and activities from throughout Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, now move up to the next level of competition — judging by a group of recognized industry professionals from outside the region. The winners will then be announced and honored at a gala dinner and awards presentation on May 10 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. A Spotlight Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the tourism industry in the Pioneer Valley, will also be presented that evening. Tickets to the gala are $65 per person, and $625 for a table of 10. For more information, call the GSCVB at (413) 755-1345. The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private, nonprofit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting the Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel. For more information, visit www.valleyvisitor.com.

Court Dockets

By
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.

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Frederick and Helga Schmidt v. Shree Vinayak Inc.
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance causing damage to neighbor’s roof: $50,000
Filed: 2/25/11

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Barbara Lane, as Administrator of I.U.O.E. Local 98 Health and Welfare, et al v. HD Westfield, MA Landlord, LLC, Home Depot USA, Inc, and RIV Construction Group Inc.
Allegation: RIV has failed to pay for work performed on a construction project: $250,108.07
Filed: 2/2/11

Chicopee Concrete Services Inc. v. Lampasona Concrete Corporation, RIV Construction Group Inc., and HD Westfield, MA Landlord, LLC
Allegation: Failure to pay under the terms of a construction project: $597,892.14
Filed: 1/13/11

D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. v. City of Springfield
Allegation: Breach of a construction contract: $364,260.33
Filed: 1/26/11

Kenneth H. Stomski Sr. v. Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.
Allegation: Plaintiff was eating chocolate covered cherries manufactured by the plaintiff when he bit into rust particles causing injury to his teeth: $26,200
Filed: 2/1/11

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Darren D. Powell and Paul S. Bargreen v. CBR Realty Corporation and John Regish
Allegation: Plaintiff claims that the defendant improperly conducted a foreclosure sale and dispensed monies from that sale: $295,474.41
Filed: 3/23/11

Moss Nutrition Products Inc. v. Everest Software Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to perform software services: $91,662
Filed: 3/30/11

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
American Express Bank, FSB v. Firehaus Studio Inc. and Liza Cunningham
Allegation: Non-payment of judgment: $10,468.04
Filed: 3/23/11

Land Air Express of New England Inc. v. Valley Marketing Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of freight services: $45,405.17
Filed: 3/8/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Gerald F. Belanger v. Stephens and Michaels Associates Inc., and World’s Foremost Bank
Allegation: Violation of consumer protection and fair-debt-collection practices: $6,000
Filed: 1/18/11

Western Mass Electric v. Pakam Warehouse Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of utility services: $3,346.27
Filed: 12/3/10

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Bank of America, N.A. v. Thomas Daly Painting
Allegation: Non-payment on a small business loan agreement: $36,568.63
Filed: 2/25/11

Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Dick’s Beantown Comedy Vault
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $4,622.60
Filed: 2/23/11

Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Stingray Body Art
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $4,927.03
Filed: 2/17/11

Plimpton & Hills Corporation v. Riverstone Plumbing & Heating
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $15,917.95
Filed: 2/17/11

Swenson Granite Company, LLC v. Maplescape Landscape, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $4,529.41
Filed: 1/20/11

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
CMC Joist & Deck v. Package Industries Inc., U.S. Builders, and Ronald E. Schortmann
Allegation: Breach of construction contract for services, labor, and materials: $24,847
Filed: 3/28/11

WWLP Broadcasting, LLC v. Aging at Home
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $14,180
Filed: 3/22/11

Building Blocks

By
Martin Kane
Commercial Real Estate Sections
Race Street Project Embodies Progress in Holyoke’s Innovation District

Martin Kane

Martin Kane says the Race Street building that has become the Holyoke Professional Arts Center has “great bones.”

It’s called the Holyoke Professional Arts Center, or PAC, a retrofitted old mill building on Race Street in Holyoke that was once home to a company that made slitter knives. Soon, the Providence Prenatal Center of Holyoke and Tapestry Health will be tenants and thus part of a revitalization that is helping to change the look and feel of the city’s downtown and a section known as the Innovation District.

The banner gracing the front of the building at 306 Race St. in Holyoke is 25 feet wide, and it needs every bit of that length to contain all the information crammed onto it.
If one has the time and inclination, he or she could stop, read, and learn that the more-than-century-old, two-story, 18,000-square-foot building is now called the Holyoke Professional Arts Center (PAC) at Mahoney Place, with the latter part of that name referring to family members of the property’s owner, Jeff Cunningham. One could also see the creative logo for this facility, with a flywheel, similar to the ones that can be seen in the ceiling on the second floor, inside the ‘C’ in PAC.
Reading on, one could learn that the Providence Prenatal Center of Holyoke, a component of the Sisters of Providence Health System, and Tapestry Health, an agency that provides a wide range of health services to women through several locations in Western Mass., will be the first new tenants in the center. And, when seeing the name of the brokerage firm (King & Newton) handling the building — as well as a phone number and Web site — one could surmise that there is still space to be leased — roughly 10,000 square feet of it, to be more specific. Reading still further, one would note that Southbridge Savings Bank financed this endeavor, and also see some commentary in the form of a line that announces this project as “a new era in the rebirth of Holyoke.”
But while this banner tells much of the story concerning this downtown landmark and what its reuse means in the larger scheme of things, it doesn’t tell it all. Indeed, there is a lot of history to this building, and an intriguing series of developments that led to an elaborate construction kick-off ceremony on April 7, said Martin Kane, the broker with King & Newton who has handled the building for years and worked with Cunningham to give it a new start.
Meanwhile, this project is just one of several that are changing the look and feel of this section of downtown Holyoke — a few nearby buildings have been converted into artists lofts and a new convenience store recently opened — and there is the promise of much more to come.
That’s because 306 Race St. sits directly across the canal from the property that will be transformed into the Green High Performance Computing Center that is expected to fuel additional development in the downtown area, across Holyoke, and perhaps well beyond.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest in properties in that section of the city,” said Kathy Anderson, director of the Holyoke Office of Planning and Development. “We’re meeting with people and talking, and in the meantime we’re looking at what we need to do to spark private development there.”
Anderson said there are more developments — from new stages of the city’s canal walk project to the possible reintroduction of commuter rail service after a more-than-40-year absence, that could spur more progress in the central business district of the Paper City and a section now known as the Innovation District. Taken together, the initiatives are a classic case of public-sector investments designed to inspire private-sector spending.
“There’s private development happening, and that’s what we were hoping for,” she said of the Race Street project and others like it. “The Innovation District Task Force is charged with creating ways to leverage the high-performance computing center, to take advantage of it and make something more happen in Holyoke and the region because of it.
“This is just one small project taking shape across the canal,” she said of the PAC. “They’ll be seeing what’s going on outside their windows; people are getting excited about this — there’s a lot of interest in downtown Holyoke.”
For this issue and its focus on commercial real estate, BusinessWest takes an indepth look at the Race Street project and how it is just one small example of progress in Holyoke’s downtown, and evidence of that new era in the rebirth of Holyoke that the banner announces.

Building Momentum
“Great bones.”
That was the descriptive phrase Kane used at least a few times to describe the L-shaped Race Street building as he gave BusinessWest a tour of all three levels. “Rock solid” was also tossed out a few times for emphasis.
Such language was deployed to convey the sentiment that while this property has seen better days, it certainly has intriguing ones ahead of it, and has the foundation, in more ways than one, for new and intriguing uses.
Tracing the history of the property, Kane said it dates back to the late 19th century, and has housed a number of different manufacturing operations over the years. Most recently, it was home to Service Machine, an outfit that made slitter knives, which was purchased by Cunningham, a Worcester-based real estate developer, several years ago.
After that business and its equipment were moved to another facility owned by Cunningham, the property stood vacant for some time, said Kane, adding that Cunningham approached him in early 2008 to explore new options for filling the square footage.
“He asked me what I thought the highest, best use was,” Kane recalled, “ and I told him I thought it would be a good location for offices and service businesses.”
Plans to lease out the property for such purposes hit a brick wall in the form of the Great Recession, which created a huge glut of manufacturing, office, and warehouse space in Holyoke and across the region. But when Kane offered the site as a possible option for administrators at the Providence Prenatal Center of Holyoke, who were looking to trade up from space on High Street, there was strong interest.
“We explored it, and it got to the stage where there were lease negotiations, but nothing came from them,” said Kane, adding that by the spring of 2010, Cunningham was ready to put the property on the market, when the SPHS was approached one more time.
This time, a deal was struck, he said, adding that several months later, Tapestry Health, which has an office on Main Street in Holyoke, signed a letter of intent to relocate to the Race Street facility. Those two agencies will occupy the first floor of the building, said Kane, adding that the 6,000 square feet on the second floor and roughly 4,000 square feet in the lower level have a number of potential uses.
As he gave his tour, Kane gestured out an open window on the second floor to the buildings across the canal that will become the high-performance computing center, and expressed the hope — and expectation — that the much-anticipated project would attract a number of technology-related ventures to the downtown area.
“This would be an ideal site for a Web-development company,” he said of the longer leg of the ‘L,’ which has several of those aforementioned flywheels in the ceiling. “The computing center could generate a lot of interest in this space.”
The same could be said for the whole of Holyoke’s so-called Innovation District, said Anderson, adding that the HPCC is the largest of several developments that could bring new businesses — and greater vibrancy — to the downtown.
Another is the potential for the return of commuter rail, last seen in Holyoke in the late 1960s, she said, adding that the Paper City would be part of service that would run from New Haven into Southern Vermont.
City officials are currently looking at two options for a train station — the former station on Bowers Street, designed by HH Richardson, built in 1883, now owned by the Holyoke G&E, and vacant for some time, and a site for new construction at the corner of Dwight and Main Streets.
“We’re trying to get a train station up and running by the time the train goes by,” said Anderson, adding that the larger mission is to make infrastructure improvements that will connect the recently opened intermodal transporation center on Maple Street, as well as the canal walk, to that train station, wherever it is located.
Meanwhile, the canal walk project is bringing more vibrancy to the downtown area, said Anderson, adding that open studios conducted by groups of artists now located in buildings on nearby Dwight Street are creating more foot traffic in the area. One goal, long term, is to utilize a section of Race Street between Appleton and Dwight Streets for open-air festivals.
Overall, city planning officials are talking with developers now making inquiries about downtown Holyoke and its Innovation District, while also working to determine what additional steps can be taken to inspire and facilitate private-sector spending.
“We’re looking at it from the prospective of what we need to do to create more growth in that area,” she explained. “What type of public investments do we have to make in order to spur private development? We’re looking under the street, on top of the street — do we need to work on our water-supply system or fiber optic infrastructure? We’re preparing for the future growth of the city for the next 30 to 50 years.”

Positive Sign
The banner across the front of the Race Street building provides some good reading, and the expectation is that there will be more of these to appear on downtown properties in the months and years to come.
In many ways, it is a sign of the times, a sign of progress, and a sign of how public investment can spur private development — in both a figurative and very literal way.

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

Breifcase

By
Briefcase Departments

Applicants Sought for Leadership Institute
EASTHAMPTON — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts has created the Leadership Institute for Political Impact to develop future leaders in civic affairs. The institute is now accepting applications for the 2011-12 training cycle. The organization encourages women to think seriously about becoming more involved as civic leaders in their communities and running for office, according to Carla Oleska, CEO of the Women’s Fund. Focusing on areas such as community organizing, the legislative process and policy-making, fund-raising and campaigning, and running for office, the institute gives women the tools and confidence they need to become political leaders. At each training session, a woman working at the elected level presents her experiences. The initiative “perfectly links” the foundation’s emphasis on social change with leadership development, added Oleska in a statement. “We believe that a critical way to address the problems facing our communities is to engage the talents and the input of women at all levels and in all sectors of decision making.” The year-long commitment will begin for new members in September; however, applications are being accepted through June. Applications are available on the foundation’s Web site, www.womensfund.net.

Architect Chosen for Union Station Project
SPRINGFIELD — Boston-based HDR Architecture has been chosen to oversee designs for long-dormant Union Station, which is slated to be renovated into a multi-modal transportation center. The announcement was made at a press conference in Springfield City Hall on April 4. Donald Warner, senior vice president of the company, said construction work on the $70 million project is slated to begin in the summer of 2012 and be completed in 2015. Plans call for renovations to the 200,000-square-foot main terminal building and a refurbished passenger train platform. The existing freight building will be razed and replaced with a 23-bay bus terminal and parking garage.

Bankruptcy Filings Fall 6%
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The number of Americans filing for bankruptcy dropped 6% in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the previous year, two industry groups announced recently. Monday. The number of filings in the first three months of 2011 dropped to 340,012, down from 363,215 filings recorded in the first quarter of 2010, according to data from the American Bankruptcy Institute and the National Bankruptcy Research Center. “Though bankruptcy filings are still elevated, consumers continue to take steps to reduce debt levels and shore up their finances,”said ABI Executive Director Samuel Gerdano said in a statement. The bottom line is that the sharp increase in bankruptcy levels in recent years might be starting to level off, and perhaps even decrease. Personal bankruptcy filings had been climbing steadily since 2007, when the U.S. fell into a deep recession that left millions of Americans unemployed. In 2005 Congress amended the Bankruptcy Code, making it more difficult for Americans to file and sparking a rush to file by October 2005, when the amendments kicked in. In 2005, bankruptcy filings totaled more than 2 million.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Tighe & Bond Plans ‘Centennial Project’
WESTFIELD — As part of its 100th-anniversary celebration in 2011, Tighe & Bond is lining up a series of events to give back to its communities, recognize its clients, appreciate its employees, and publish a book on the firm’s history. As part of the firm’s “Centennial Project,” two worthy projects for nonprofit agencies that are in need of Tighe & Bond’s services will each receive $50,000 worth of pro bono engineering services, according to Fran Hoey, senior vice president, who is overseeing the project. To identify potential projects for these services, Tighe & Bond has developed a request for proposals that nonprofit organizations can complete if they are interested. Tighe & Bond will be considering projects in the primary regions that it serves — Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. Preferably these will be projects that are in the planning stages and have a targeted construction date. “Tighe & Bond is looking forward to giving back to the community at large in a significant and meaningful way,” said Hoey in a statement. “We have a passionate and generous staff that believes strongly in helping others in need, so this is only natural.” For more information on the nonprofit project, visit centennialproject.tighebond.com. Submittals are due by April 29.

Hampden Savings Bank Foundation Donates to Link to Libraries
The Hampden Savings Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hampden Bank, announced recently that it has awarded $1,500 to Link to Libraries Inc. Celebrating its third anniversary this May, Link to Libraries has thus far donated more than 26,000 books to area schools and nonprofits in Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Link to Libraries’ newest initiatives include the Link Senior Project with Loomis Communities and the Welcome to Kindergarten Project, which will supply Link to Libraries literacy packets (a book and bookbags) to 1,200 kindergarten children entering Springfield Public Schools this August on screening and testing day. “We are deeply grateful to Hampden Savings Foundation for their support to our mission.” said Susan Jaye-Kaplan, president and co-founder of Link to Libraries. “We are delighted this much needed assistance to our Read Aloud Programs is being made possible through the generosity of Hampden Bank.” Link to Libraries is a not-for-profit organization based in Western Mass. Its mission is to collect and distribute to public elementary schools and nonprofit organizations throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn. new books to enhance reading, literacy, and language skills for children of all cultures.

Mahoney Place Construction Underway
HOLYOKE — A construction kick-off was held April 7 by Cunningham Equities, LLC for the development of Class A medical offices for the Sisters of Providence Prenatal Clinic and Tapestry Health at the former home of Charles Koegels & Sons Co. The manufacturing facility at 306 Race St. will be renovated to a first-class office building, with the first tenant, Sisters of Providence Prenatal Clinic, expected to take possession in June.

United Bank Foundation Pledges $83,500
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation recently awarded $83,500 to organizations and initiatives designed to benefit children, families, students, and schools in the Greater Springfield and Worcester regions, according to Dena Hall, foundation president. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County Inc. received a grant for $10,000 to support Chicopee youth in the community-based Mentoring Expansion Project. Also, a $25,000 grant was made to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield for its Raise the Roof Capital Campaign building expansion plans. Families will benefit from the foundation’s $4,500 award to the Community Music School of Springfield for a family concert Series. A grant of $10,000 to the Holyoke Community College Foundation will support the Community Technology Center located at the new Holyoke Transportation Center. In Ludlow, the Boys & Girls Club was awarded $5,000 to be used for scholarships and to provide access to subsidized child care for before- and after-school programs and summer camp for qualified families. Rebuilding Together Springfield was awarded a grant of $10,000 to support home repairs, modifications, and rehabilitations for low-income Springfield homeowners. The Western Mass. Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America received $5,000 for its Scoutreach Initiative for involving low-income urban youth in scouting. The YWCA of Western Massachusetts was awarded $5,000 to support renovations and the construction of additional rooms at its Clough Street facility. Also, Westfield Public Schools received a $2,000 grant. A $1,000 grant from the foundation to the Springfield Vietnamese American Citizens Assoc. will help the Family Empowerment Program provide educational support to Vietnamese students and families in Greater Springfield. With its $1,000 grant from the Foundation, Links to Libraries will provide new books to area preschools and elementary schools to promote language and reading skills. In Worcester, the foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to University of Massachusetts Medical School to support the UMass Labs Program for Worcester high school students. The foundation has awarded nearly $1.4 million in grants since it was established in 2005 as a permanent source of funding to benefit communities in United Bank’s market area.

Stitches & Ink Makes a Home at Fran Johnson’s Golf & Tennis
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Starting with embroidered hats and shirts, Tim and Rae Crary have built an apparel business into a growing offshoot of TC Sales. Calling on customers as a print broker, Tim Crary responded to customer requests to provide decorated apparel, and as the business grew, a decision was made to find a retail location. An open house was recently celebrated for Stitches & Ink at Fran Johnson’s Golf & Tennis on Riverdale Street. The new showroom includes two Brother 9100 embroidery machines, a Brother 782 digital garment printer, and a Logo Jet printer. Cindy Johnson, owner of Fran Johnson’s, noted that the opportunity for customers to get decorated apparel adds to the services already available at her store. “Customers can now get just about anything printed with their name, picture, or business,” said Johnson. “This now makes shopping for golf tournaments or special events even easier, and the no-minimum [policy] is significant.”

People on the Move

By
Ellen W. Freyman
Departments People on the Move

Beverly L. Herbert, Director of Development and External Communications for the Assoc. for Community Living in Springfield, was recently featured in Kaleidoscope magazine, discussing the fund-raising profession. Herbert, who has been active in fund-raising efforts for more than 35 years, has been with the association for more than 10 years.
•••••

JoMaria Velez

JoMaria Velez

JoMaria Velez has been appointed a Mortgage Consultant at PeoplesBank, based in Holyoke. She will be responsible for residential mortgage business in Springfield, Wilbraham, Monson, Palmer, and surrounding areas.
•••••
Robert F. Borawski has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Florence Savings Bank. Borawski is President of Borawski Insurance Co. He was elected a Corporator of Florence Savings in 1981 and a Director in 1992.
•••••
Roberta Hillenberg-Gang has been appointed Link Senior Project Coordinator for the Link to Libraries collaboration to offer read-aloud programs to area public elementary schools with Loomis Communities residents.
•••••
Monson Savings Bank announced the following:
John (Jack) W. Hibbard

John (Jack) W. Hibbard

• John (Jack) W. Hibbard has been promoted to Controller. He joined the Financial Department in 2004; and












Michele Ouhl

Michele Ouhl

• Michele Ouhl has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Monson branch. She joined the bank in 2010 as the Assistant Branch Manager of the Monson branch.

•••••
Attorney Robert Aronson has joined Royal LLP in Northampton. He has more than 35 years of litigation experience, and is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Massachusetts and New York.
•••••
Pierce R. Keefe has joined Aaron Smith of East Longmeadow as a Tax Manager. Keefe has more than 15 years of professional tax and accounting experience with manufacturing, construction, and closely held businesses.
•••••

Ellen W. Freyman

Ellen W. Freyman

Attorney Ellen W. Freyman has been named the 2011 winner of the Springfield Leadership Institute’s Community Service Award. The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield Inc. and Western New England College School of Business made the announcement. The award is given annually to a member of Greater Springfield who exemplifies outstanding leadership and service to the community. Freyman joined Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. in 1988. She is active in several professional and civic organizations and most recently worked with the Springfield Planning Department to revise the Springfield Zoning Ordinance.
•••••
Denise C. Remillard has been named Manager of Human Resources at the Insurance Center of New England in Agawam. She brings more than 14 years of human-resources experience to her new position.
•••••
Brenda D. Cuoco has joined Real Living Realty Professionals in Wilbraham as a Sales Associate.
•••••
Dr. Pranay Parikh

Dr. Pranay Parikh

Dr. Pranay Parikh has joined the Medical Staff at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware. He earned his medical degree from Alpert Medical School – Brown University in Rhode Island. He completed his residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and his fellowship at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. He is a faculty member of the Tufts University School of Medicine, specializing in plastic surgery. He is also a member of Baystate Plastic Surgery.
•••••
Pam Hixon, a Hall of Fame field-hockey coach and player, has been named AstroTurf’s ambassador to the sport. Hixon earned eight varsity letters in field hockey, softball, and basketball at Springfield College, and played for the U.S. National Team for 10 years. She coached field hockey, lacrosse, and basketball at Springfield College, as well as field hockey and lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts.

Court Dockets

By
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
Phyllis R. Perry, executrix of the estate of Richard R. Perry v. John G. Savage Realty Corp. and James Fitzgibbons
Allegation: While performing work on property owned by John G. Savage Realty and contracted by James Fitzgibbons, the plaintiff fell through the roof deck to the cement floor below and died: $10,774.27
Filed: 1/19/11

HAMPDEN
SUPERIOR COURT
Bernadino Smith v. American International College
Allegation: Loss of college tuition and false inducement to sign Sallie Mae loan: $24,000+
Filed: 1/7/11

Jimbob Aviation Inc. v. Taylor Companies Inc.
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $145,000
Filed: 1/11/11

Seaboard Drilling v. Pappas Enterprises Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of labor and materials for sub-surface testing and environmental engineering: $45,836.88
Filed: 1/6/11

Woronoco Hydro, LLC v. Ocean State Jobbers Inc.
Allegation: Outstanding balance for electrical services: $95,000
Filed: 12/15/10

HAMPSHIRE
SUPERIOR COURT
Kaestle Boos Associates Inc. v. the Town of Granby, by and through the Granby Safety Committee
Allegation: Breach of contract by failing to pay for services rendered: $115,000
Filed: 2/23/11

Michelle Papineau v. Mount Holyoke College
Allegation: Employment discrimination: $25,000+
Filed: 2/7/11

NORTHAMPTON
DISTRICT COURT
Jane Doe v. Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Allegation: Breach of contract and HIPAA violation: $100,000
Filed: 2/11/11

Swan Associates Inc. v. Boulanger’s Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay: $17,876
Filed: 2/15/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Mactec Engineering & Consulting Inc. v. Sub-Surface Informational Surveys Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract by failing to confirm the location of all utilities and failing to reimburse the plaintiff remediation costs: $12,536.65
Filed: 1/4/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Yanez Construction
Allegation: Non-payment of workers’ compensation policy: $32,326.34
Filed: 2/1/11

Linda Wortman v. Comcast of MA
Allegation: Negligent performance of work in plaintiff’s home, causing injury: $20,236.83
Filed: 1/31/11

NCMIC Finance Corp. v. Langlois Family Chiropractic Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment on judgment: $19,133.78
Filed: 2/1/11

Shirley Peaks v. Costco Wholesale Corp.
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance, causing slip and fall: $5,183
Filed: 2/14/11

WESTFIELD
DISTRICT COURT
Pioneer Valley Winnelson Co. v. Eric’s Plumbing and Heating
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $16,028.58
Filed: 2/4/11

Doing Business In: West Springfield

By
The Big E
Features
West Side’s Story Is One of Access and Diversity

Kevin Kousch

When it came time to launch his own business, Kevin Kousch says, it made good sense for him to stay in West Springfield.

These days you have to be ready to go boldly forward when it comes to strengthening your market position, Kevin Kousch told BusinessWest. And he should know.
He’s the owner of A Formal Affair, what he calls the “largest in-stock tuxedo rental this side of Boston,” and you might remember him from his days with the now-defunct clothier Yale Genton, also in West Springfield. Kousch was referring to the challenging circumstances facing everyone in business, and how his venture has wholeheartedly embraced new media, as well as good old-fashioned word of mouth, to secure a place as a go-to, top-of-the-line formalwear outfitter for the area.
In many ways, his comments were echoed by other business owners in this town, long a commercial destination for many in the region, due to the popular and thriving Riverdale Street thoroughfare. Cindy Johnson, owner of Fran Johnson’s Golf and Tennis along that strip, said that, since her much-publicized economic difficulties and comeback in 2010, she’s taken some creative steps to broaden the seasonal nature of her store’s offerings.
“It’s what you have to do in order to stay afloat,” she said, while describing an exciting new way for her customers to enjoy the game of golf — simulators that enable someone to play Pebble Beach without leaving the 413 area code.
But while there are businesses in town that are readily embracing new techniques to stay vital in a challenging economic time, there is one signature venue in West Springfield that believes it’s also important to keep in mind the past, and how history, specifically with regard to agriculture, is a key link to the future.
And where else could an agrarian industry be better represented than at the 17-day Eastern States Exposition, the Big E, held every September for almost 100 years along the town’s Memorial Avenue? Wayne McCary has been president of the Big E since 1991, and he told BusinessWest that “I think it’s important to know that we will continue to make sure that agriculture remains a part of this facility’s soul.”
With annual visitors to both the Big E and other events at the site totaling more than 2 million individuals, he also stressed the importance of the facility’s power to be an important agent for West Springfield, for both the town itself and the business community.

Go with the Flow
When asked what was happening in his office these days, Joseph Laplante, West Springfield’s Community Development director, said, “quite a bit, actually.”
The big news these days is forward momentum at the West Springfield Trade Center, a 5.750-acre parcel along Western Avenue that the town has been working on for several years. The property is adjacent to the CSX rail yards, said Laplante, adding that the town has just finished demolition and cleanup at the property, and now the redevelopment authority can proceed with a marketing plan.
An attractive aspect of the site is that proximity to CSX, which is also putting steam to a $10 million expansion and upgrade of its West Side yards, LaPlante continued, adding that the plan is to attract a new business, preferably in manufacturing, that will create new employment and a new tax base for the community.
“We’re trying to avoid, more or less, a warehousing operation, which doesn’t bring many new jobs in,” he said.
Additionally, he mentioned a project currently in the design phase to improve clearance at a railway underpass along Union Street, which will significantly impact larger tractor-trailer traffic flow to the south side of town, “which doesn’t exist right now.”
That $15 million project, with an estimated completion date in 10 years, will improve load-heavy traffic flow outside of the historic city center and some of the residential neighborhoods in town. But, he added, not all the good news is years away.
Some signs of economic recovery are coming from large stores along Route 5 that are in remodeling stages — Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the Stop & Shop, all in the Riverdale Shops. And near that plaza, construction of a town canoe ramp this spring will offer visitors access to the river — and increased visibility for the stores there.
“I think that people find it easy to come to West Springfield,” Laplante said, “because there is more of a small-town atmosphere, and it’s a safe and easy place to stop off and do business.”

Tailor Made
After working at Yale Genton for many years, Kousch said, it made good sense to stay in West Springfield when the time came for him to start his own business venture.
“I’ve been here for the majority of my professional career,” he explained. “When you come from a company that was in business for over 75 years, and you’ve devoted a lot of your time to the community, I don’t think it’s fair to uproot and go somewhere to start fresh where you don’t have any roots. You build relationships with people, and then, in turn, those people know that they can count on you when they need your services.”
The economy has put a dent in business, he said, adding quickly that he is confident in his strategies for keeping both his business and his clientele in the black — quite literally.
“Every customer here is custom-fit,” he said. “And because all of our stock is right here, we don’t deal with any of the issues that the competition does, where they have to get their merchandise from a warehouse and then try to navigate any complications.”
Solid word-of-mouth referrals are a key part of Kousch’s marketing strategy, but embracing Facebook and e-mail-blast advertising help keep a company on point. “You have to be with the times for a business to succeed,” he continued.
And as prom season approaches, Kousch said that he was employing another strategy for success — lowering his prices for 2011. “It doesn’t do me any good to have the stock sitting here on hangers; we’d rather rent it.” His old sign from Yale Genton — and those historic prices — are right out in front of his shop.
For those folks who might ‘like’ AFA on Facebook as they consider who will be their prom date this spring, he added, “there’s going to be lots of specials starting in mid-April; we’re expecting to be very, very busy.”
That’s something that Cindy Johnson is also happy to report.
She said the new Tee2Green2 high-definition golf simulators that Fran Johnson’s purchased last November represent a “welcome opportunity to be busy during the winter months, which is a first for me in about 30 years.”
Using these high tech video displays, customers can choose to ‘play’ 18 classic courses, from Pebble Beach to Casa de Campo. “They use their own clubs, play with real golf balls,” she said. “It’s completely different from something like PlayStation.”
While in the past, Fran Johnson’s suffered through the winter months when dedicated duffers couldn’t be on the links, the simulators have finally turned her operation into a year-round destination.
But as the area courses get ready for the approaching season, Johnson said that she’s excited to begin fitting customers for clubs — both new and used sticks. “You want to make sure your old clubs still have the right loft and lie for your swing. As with everything else, things change over the course of a few years.
“Then you can take your newly fitted clubs and try them out on the first hole at Doral,” she added.

Farmer’s Almanac

The Big E

The Big E established a trust fund for the city in 1994 that has amassed more than $2.3 million to date.

For 17 days a year, said McCary, the Big E becomes one of the largest cities in the state.
“We’re fortunate to be located in West Springfield where we have built these significant bridges with people who have to play a critical role in the outcome,” he said, “especially when it comes to public services and safety.”
The Big E is one of the few fairs of its kind in the nation not heavily subsidized by state government, and as a nonprofit, he emphasized the importance of those bridges within the town.
“One of the unique things here, and I think this is a model way for a nonprofit to behave in a community, is the Big E West Springfield Trust Fund, which we created in 1994,” he explained. “It cements the relationship with people in the community, and it provides a very important revenue stream, especially in these times when municipalities and states are economically hard-pressed for resources. Through 2010, we have contributed more than $2.3 million, through 1% of our gross annual revenues.” That’s in addition to contracting the town’s services — its largest vendor, adding an additional $1.2 million to the city’s coffers.
But, he added, the Big E — as an exposition and a multi-use facility for those other 11 months of the year — is very aware of the business community nearby.
With many thousands of vendors descending on Memorial Avenue throughout the year, McCary stressed the importance of marketing West Springfield’s private sector to visitors from outside the environs.
“We encourage people to patronize business in the area,” he said, adding that “our marketing department creates a directory of local enterprises. We’re trying to channel those individuals to look into the service stream on Memorial Avenue.”
The Big E is a nonprofit, though, and McCary highlighted the importance of economic strength for the facility itself. “The other 11 months are absolutely critical to maintaining the economic stability of the exposition,” he said. “No matter how successful the fair is in 17 days, in today’s world, in order to maintain a first-class physical plant of 175 acres with more than 30 buildings, it’s a challenge.
“These year-round events contribute very significantly not only to the overall economy of the Big E, but to all the area services we’ve been talking about,” he continued. “That’s important to our own economy, and our own health, but I think it’s critical to the Big E as an economic engine; there’s no question about it.”
But the message he likes to drive home, he said, is that, since 1916, agriculture has always been the heart and soul of the Big E.
“We are an important forum to bring together young people from 4H and Future Farmers of America, who have commitments to being in the food industry for their livelihood,” McCary said. “As many as 17 states send kids here to compete in the different fields of agriculture.
“While we’re talking about economics, and how important they are,” he added, “without agriculture, none of us could continue to exist.”

Rock Solid

By
Pioneer Landscapes
Sections Supplements
Pioneer Landscapes Strives to Be a One-stop Resource
Pioneer Landscapes

Brian Campedelli says Pioneer Landscapes tackles a wide variety of projects both residential and commercial.

    Brian Campedelli once wanted to clear the landscape of crime. Life had another plans.
    He originally aspired to become a state trooper, but then his brother suffered a serious car accident and wound up in a coma for six days, followed by weeks of rehabilitation. The experience gave Campedelli a new perspective.
    “My brother was into landscaping; we have a family background in it,” he said. “I asked him what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, and landscaping was it.” So Campedelli decided he would rather do something with his brother than become a trooper, and he enrolled in the landscape contracting program at Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Pioneer Landscapes was born soon after, in 1989.
    “We started out as a general maintenance company, and we built it into what we have today, with multiple divisions,” he said. In fact, in the early 1990s, still enrolled at Stockbridge, Campedelli kept his business afloat by working as a co-op student at Mountain View Landscapes in Chicopee, and heading off to his own jobs after work. Sometimes, he would work late into the evening, illuminated only by his truck headlights.
    Campedelli, who initially ran the operation from a 240-square-foot garage in Easthampton, hired his first employee in 1992 and moved Pioneer to its current 2,000-square-foot space on Industrial Way in 2000.
    From its origins tackling basic residential tasks such as seasonal cleaning, mowing, mulching, planting flower beds, and small construction, the company — now employing about 30 people — has a much more extensive menu.
    “We have construction crews for hardscapes, custom outdoor areas and kitchens, and commercial installation; an irrigation division doing installation and maintanance of irrigation systems; and a fertilization division for anything from the smallest residences to school athletic fields,” he explained, not to mention driveway paving, cabana and shed construction, and, of course, a wide range of residential and commercial lawn care. “If it’s outside, we do it.”

    Seeds of Success
    Campedelli was buoyed by his early success. “The first 10 years, business doubled every year in gross volume, then we leveled out a bit,” he said, adding that business was starting to accelerate again a few years ago when the Great Recession hit, and “contracting came to a screeching halt. Usually we’re going from one job to the next, but we had an eight-month period with nothing.
    “But this year, we’ve got a couple of nice jobs going,” he continued, citing the Center at Lenox shopping plaza and Butternut Farm, a residential complex in Amherst, as two examples. “We’re noticing there’s a lot of new jobs coming down the pike.”
    He noted that schools are active in the landscaping market again, which in past recessions has been a reliable harbinger of recovery.
    While most of the industry’s pain has been on the commercial side, Campedelli said, residential work hasn’t been as badly affected by the economy, particularly when it comes to higher-income customers. “Rich people are still rich, and those jobs didn’t slow down. We’re still doing some huge residential installs — anything from custom decks to fireplaces and firepits to pergolas and pavilions.”
    The past decade has seen an upswing in reinvesting in the home, he said. “We’re trying to make it so that, when you come home, you’re on vacation. That’s definitely a trend.”
    While outdoor kitchens and other projects to create indoor-outdoor spaces used to be popular mainly in warmer climates — “in the New England region, it used to be a faux pas to spend that kind of money on a three- or four-month season” — that’s no longer the case, and outdoor fireplaces and firepits, which range from simple to very elaborate, have stretched the warm season to seven months or more for many families.
    “You can start as early and quit as late as you can stand,” Campedelli said. “Firepits are really popular; they’re one of the more inexpensive ways to get out and enjoy your yard. We see a lot of built-in grills, too.”
    Taken together, these improvements — landscaping, hardscapes, outdoor kitchens and fire features — are meant to give people the feeling of coming home, walking outside, and not feeling like they’re at home, he told BusinessWest.
    “There aren’t many words to describe that feeling. No matter what happened at work, whatever kind of day you had, you and your family can go out to this nice area, and it makes you feel like you’re not even in New England,” he continued, noting that one customer told him he feels like he’s having dinner in Hawaii. Another recent client, a well-known business owner in Northampton, told him, “I’ve used my backyard more in the last three weeks than I have in three years.”
    That sort of talk gratifies Campedelli, who strives to create such experiences. At a recent trade show, he said he was situated near about 15 other landscapers, all of whom offered brick and block hardscapes, “but what I want to give you is a lifestyle.”

    Growth Pattern
    At the same time, he’s looking to raise the profile of his company, expanding into a 5,500-square-foot office and storage building on his current property, as well as planning educational events to teach people various aspects of DIY landscaping. He’s also planning fund-raisers for charitable organizations, and donates mulch for annual cleanup efforts in Easthampton.
    Campedelli is also committed to work-life balance for his staff. “Our mission is pretty unique,” he said. “I believe in the safety of our employees and family first. A day lost with your kids can never be found again. I’m in a good place right now, and I want them to have the same quality of life I have as I grow my business.”
    And whether commercial or residential, he said he wants to be a one-stop source for customers’ landscaping needs, continuing to grow the company by creating more loyal clients.
    “We want to be the vendor for all your needs, whether it’s fertilizer, sprinkler systems, parking-lot issues, gazebos and patios, and other enhancements of the property, because the first impression is curb appeal.”
    Campedelli told BusinessWest that 2011 began on the right note, with a January for the ages when it comes to snow — and people needing snow removal.
    “We were going out every two days,” he said with a laugh. “Now we’re back to normal paychecks, but we really appreciated that month.”
    With the spring thaw well underway, Campedelli will soon see if the rest of this year brings as much green promise.

    Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Bringing It All Back Home

By
Bringing It All Back Home
Sections Supplements
Landscape Architects Say More People Are Investing in Their Yards

Bringing It All Back HomeIt’s a concept that gained traction almost a decade ago, in the wake of 9/11: the ‘staycation,’ the desire of homeowners to cut down on travel and instead invest in their homes. Well, area landscape architects are hearing that word again, but for different reasons, namely a lingering recession and high gas prices. In such times, they say, people are more likely to use their vacation savings on something more permanent. That’s good news for a landscaping industry starting to bloom after a couple of years in the rough.

Gas prices have been on the rise for months, with airline fares following suit. That has plenty of people on edge, from would-be vacationers who might stay home this year to the many tourism-reliant businesses in Western Mass.
But there’s a silver lining for one group — landscape architects, who are increasingly hearing that magic word ‘staycation,’ along with rumblings that homeowners might use their vacation funds this year to create a bit of an oasis at home.
“It’s not just the middle- to lower-income people; I think that applies to everyone,” said Bill St. Clair, president of St. Clair Landscaping and Nursery in Hampden. “Let’s face it, people are watching the dollars they spend, and they’re looking to get the most bang for their buck. And I see more people staying home this year, especially since they’re saying gas could hit $5 by midsummer.”
Stephen Roberts, president of Stephen A. Roberts Landscape Architecture & Construction in Springfield, is hearing the same chatter.
“Staycation is the catchphrase — stay at home and enjoy your house; have people over and entertain without the hassles of traveling. It’s huge,” he said. “We’re really focusing on that — creating a nice environment for people at home.”
The stay-at-home trend rivals what the industry saw in the years immediately following 9/11, St. Clair said, but it’s re-emerging for a different reason, namely lingering anxiety over the economy mingled with pain at the pump. These factors, he and others told BusinessWest, are persuading families to reprioritize their extra dollars, putting them toward something more permanent than a week at a resort or on a cruise.
“In the past two years, our industry has been hit as hard as some other industries,” Roberts said, specifically citing the struggles of general contractors and those involved in moving real estate.
“People aren’t purchasing new homes; they’re staying where they are and investing whatever money they have into their homes, for their personal enjoyment,” he continued. “I see that continuing to happen as long as the housing market isn’t doing much. And I see our industry benefiting from people renovating their homes and fixing them up.”

Green Days
When it comes to outdoor spaces, some types of improvements have become especially desirable.
“Outdoor firepits and outdoor, built-in cooking areas are really big,” Roberts said. “Water features are still pretty popular, but people are going more toward urns and sculptural fountains as opposed to fish ponds, just as a way to add quality and the ambience of water without the higher maintenance of a fish pond. Outdoor lights and accent lighting are also gaining momentum with people.”
St. Clair has seen some of the same trends. “We did a good amount of firepits last year,” he said. “In talking to our clients and prospective clients, their outlook was, ‘we’re going to spend more time at home.’ That was helpful to us. People were staying home, and they wanted to fix up their palaces, so to speak. We were doing lots of firepits and water features. We rode that for a good part of the year.”
Brian Campedelli, president of Pioneer Landscapes in Easthampton (see story, page 30), also reports an uptick in homeowners asking for both water and fire features, mingled with hardscapes and different plant materials; he’s also found interest in audio installation outdoors to create additional atmosphere for staycationers.
One growing request, Roberts said, has a back-end economic — and ecological — benefit.
“Rainwater harvesting is another trend that’s hitting our industry. Instead of sending water down the street, you keep it on your property and use it for your irrigation system and general outdoor watering,” he said, noting that other ‘green’ trends are on the rise in landscaping as well.
For instance, some clients, mainly those with larger properties, are converting some portions of their yard to meadows instead of covering every inch with sod or seed. “By making them naturalized areas,” Roberts said, “you reduce the maintenance of the turf; you cut it a couple times a year and add groupings of native shrubs. That reduces rain runoff, and you’re not using as much ferilizer or chemicals.”
The Landscape Management Network blog (lmnblog.com) places such efforts in a general category called ‘ecoscaping,’ which involves making use of green solutions to improve the look of the landscape without sacrificing the health of the environment.
“Some examples of green solutions,” the blog explains, “include rainwater harvesting; a self-contained water feature that recycles the same water; decorative hardscapes, such as more patios, paths, and decks that reduce the need for water and pesticides; retaining walls, which work to reduce runoff; as well as erosion from household chemicals leaking into the yard.”
Roberts said he embraces these trends. “Landscaping makes a huge difference, and it’s up to us to promote these ways of being kinder to our environment.”

Work and Play
While the business of residential landscaping seems to be moving in the right direction, progress on the commercial side has been more sluggish, said Steve Corrigan, president of Mountain View Landscapes and Lawncare in Chicopee, which performs about 90% of its work in the commercial sector.
“We were down last year; we had projects on the books for one to three years prior to that, and once they wrapped up, we didn’t have a lot of projects to fill the bucket,” he told BusinessWest. “If you talk to any of us in the commercial trades, we’re all in the same boat. It’s the same story; competition is so fierce and margins have gotten very low, and it takes more to fill that bucket the way you need to.
“Entering this year, though, I’m cautiously optimistic. We have a bigger backlog than we had in 2010, and I actually have a larger backlog for 2012 projects than 2011 projects,” he added, explaining that landscapers are among the last tradespeople in on a new-construction project, so it might be two years or more between the bid process and actually performing the work.
In the meantime, Corrigan said, “we do some minimal residential design-build work, and we’re seeing a little uptick in that from last year. I’m not worried; I’m optimistic that this year will be better than 2010. But I still think it’ll be even better in a year or two.”
Roberts is anticipating a growth year, too, and St. Clair said 2011 is off to a busy start just based on calls from customers whose landscapes were damaged by the harsh winter, or who have discovered drainage issues. “I think the spring forecast this year is a little bit different than last year due to the winter we had.”
Overall, he said, last year was slightly better than the year before, when the recession was at full force, and he’s encouraged by what he’s hearing this spring from residential customers, even though he knows the industry is not moving at full speed yet.
“People are being cautious with their money because of the economy,” he said. “But you can’t get bored when you’re constantly being challenged. We have work on the books, but it’s been too wet to start. Spring is here, but Mother Nature isn’t letting us out yet. If we can get the weather in our favor, we can get rolling.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Energy Fields

By
Manager William Blanchard; and Director of Business Development Carl Frattini
Sections Supplements
WMECO Projects Shine Light on Solar Power’s Potential

Manager William Blanchard; and Director of Business Development Carl Frattini

From left, WMECO President and CEO Peter J. Clarke;Project Manager William Blanchard; and Director of Business Development Carl Frattini stand in the field of solar panels at the company’s Silver Lake solar-power facility in Pittsfield.

On the heels of its first large solar-power installation in Pittsfield, built on land once owned by GE, Western Mass. Electric Co. is ready to build an even-larger facility on the site of a capped landfill on Cottage Street in Springfield. The projects are breaking new ground in terms of the size, scope, and cost-effectiveness of solar power, while also putting brownfield sites to new and productive uses.

Last fall, Western Mass. Electric Co. embarked upon a difficult and ambitious project.
In October, the Springfield-based utility completed the largest solar-energy facility in New England at the William Stanley Business Park on Silver Lake Boulevard in Pittsfield. The photovoltaic system contains 6,500 low-profile solar panels and produces 1.8 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 300 homes. And in January, the company announced plans to build an even larger solar-energy facility on a capped landfill on Cottage Street in Springfield. When it is complete, it will contain more than 15,000 panels that will produce up to 4.2 megawatts of solar energy, or enough to power about 700 homes.
Several objectives led WMECO to this huge undertaking, including the question of economy of scale. Not only did the company want to be a leader in the utility industry in terms of solar power, it also wanted to discover whether large installations would prove more cost-effective to build than smaller ones.
“Solar power is one of the more expensive types of green technology,” said Carl Frattini, director of business development for Northeast Utilities. “The price is declining quickly, but it costs considerably more than wind power. It is so new that it has been a riddle to solve how to make it less expensive for the customer. Our bet with these projects was that we could build them for less than in the past. We also wanted to act as a catalyst to the development of solar infrastructure because we are trying to help develop the market. We are very pleased with the progress that has been made.”
The construction of both of WMECO’s solar power facilities has involved a multitude of environmental, business, energy, and technical challenges. “We have developed a new type of project in an area where there was very little activity,” said Frattini. “We did it with a considerable amount of collaboration with the solar industry, the state’s indigeneous technical resources, the administrations and local communities.
“The only way these projects can happen is through an aligning of interests,” he continued. “It is exciting work and really gratifying to see it come together.”
The new project in Springfield will bring $22 million in construction work to the region and is expected to contribute several hundred thousand dollars in annual property-tax revenue to the city.
In this issue, BusinessWest looks at the challenges these projects presented and the impact they will have on future solar installations.

Powerful Arguments
WMECO’s decision to build a large solar-energy facility was groundbreaking, and the first time a project of this size had been built in New England.
“By 2009, 1,200 solar projects had been built in the state. But the majority of them were residential roof-mounted installations or consumer-based systems. There were only 11 on a larger scale and nothing in the utility class,” Frattini said.
WMECO decided to take on the challenge due to a 2008 state initiative.
“Gov. Deval Patrick set a goal of having 250 megawatts of solar power installed by 2017; it is a formidable objective,” Frattini said, explaining that, at the time, the entire country only had 475 megawatts of solar power. The bulk of that was in California, and Massachusetts was producing less than 10 megawatts of solar power.
“The state had a very ambitious agenda for renewable energy. But to help it achieve the goal, the Legislature passed the Green Communities Act, which put policies and mechanisms in place to help with the transition,” Frattini said.
One new provision allowed electric utilities to own up to 50 megawatts of solar generation. Prior to that, they could purchase solar power, but were not allowed to produce it. And in the past, incentives had always been targeted toward small, residential, roof-mounted systems.
The Green Communities Act provided new incentives, tax credits, and zoning provisions for all types of solar-power development.
“Solar is a very expensive renewable technology which is not cost-competitive, so it has to be subsidized,” Frattini explained. “But there was nothing in the utility class, and we figured we could add value by going in where no one had gone before.”
He explained that, since the cost of research and development is built into electric rates, it is utilities’ responsibility to do what they can to reduce their customers’ bills. “So if we can figure out how to lower the cost of solar projects, we will need less in subsidies, which will reduce the burden on our customers,” he said.
In August 2009, WMECO became the first utility in New England to receive approval from the Department of Public Utilities to build solar-energy facilities in the region.
Initially, it began looking at doing rooftop installations on a variety of sites. But as company officials continued to explore options, using remediated brownfield property made more sense.
“The state has more than 490 landfills with 5,000 acres of site potential whose uses are very limited,” Frattini said. And since building a solar-energy facility requires a lot of open space, the company realized it could build large projects that were less expensive on remediated landfills.
The Pittsfield property, which is now owned by WMECO and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, seemed like the perfect fit for their needs. The eight-acre site was once owned by General Electric.
The project became a collaborative effort as the Berkshire Economic Development Corp. worked with the city of Pittsfield, WMECO, and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Pittsfield.
After obtaining permits and financing to move forward, WMECO put out requests for proposals to the solar industy. “We wanted to use indigenous resources. A lot of the solar equipment wasn’t made in Massachusetts, but we had the technical services already here,” Frattini said, referring to construction equipment, electricians, civil engineering, and legal services.
The utility also wanted to inspire solar firms to develop a new infrastructure. Its work has paid off, and the $9.4 million Silver Lake facility, which was completed last November, proved that large-scale solar projects were less expensive to develop than small projects.
The cost to produce 1.8 kilowatts in the new solar-energy facility was $5,200, said Frattini, adding, “if you build solar into a house, the cost is $6,000 to $8,000 per kilowatt.”
And solar development is continuing.
“In the past year there was more development in Massachusetts than in the total three years before as a result of the new energy policy,” Frattini said. He added that National Grid has two solar projects underway in the eastern part of the state that will produce a total of 5 megawatts of electric power.
“Since we built Pittsfield, we have seen an influx of projects such as these and the one in Amherst,” he said (see related story, page 23).
After completing the Pittsfield project, the question remained as to whether an even larger facility would be even more cost-effective. So, WMECO decided to build again in Springfield. “We are trying to verify if economies of scale are achievable and make the projects worth doing,” Frattini said.
WMECO began looking at the capped Springfield 60-acre landfill in June. And by fall, it decided to move forward. Company leaders were pleased to discover that the solar industry had made advances after the Pittsfield project.
“We were very pleased with the progress we saw in the requests for proposals that were submitted, not just in terms of cost but in their level of preparedness,” said Frattini. “We were trying to help develop the market, and they all came in with viable, actionable proposals. The day we signed the contract, they were ready to go.”

Watt’s Happening?
WMECO is currently in the final stages of formalizing the project, and expects to begin work in April and have the solar facility finished by November. Frattini said it will provide jobs for about 120 union workers.
“It is exciting, and we are verifying our original theory that larger projects can be done in a cost-efficient way. Once it is built, there will be very little maintenance over its 25-year lifetime because there are no moving parts and no fuel costs.
“The excitement is to go where no one else has gone, and do it in a way that resolves a lot of environmental, technical, and business challenges with a variety of stakeholders,” he continued. “In the end, this benefits the community, the people who work in it, the state as a whole, and our customers.”

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

BUILDING PERMITS

The following building permits were issued during the month of March 2011.

AGAWAM

Fitness First
60 North Westfield St.
$45,000 — Repairs to damaged roof system

Western Mass Electric Company
198 Springfield St.
$200,000 — Construction of retaining walls

AMHERST

IAT Partnership LLC
49 Boltwood Walk
$7,500 — Foundation only for mixed-use commercial and residential building

Slobody Development Corporation
101 University Dr.
$9,300 — Alter existing lab space

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Housing Authority
94 Riverview Terrace
$56,000 — Restore unit from fire damage

News Corporation Dow Jones
200 Burnett Road
$4,500,000 — Construct addition and new interior layout

EAST LONGMEADOW

Town of East Longmeadow
124 Pease Road
$376,000 — Pump station upgrades

GREENFIELD

Homesavers Council of Greenfield
2 Pray Dr.
$11,000 — Construct reception area

Saga Communications of New England
81 Woodward Road
$9,315 — Re-shingle

HADLEY

Edward and Joseph Hardy
165 Russell St.
$80,450 — Interior wall build out

Chamisa Corporation
31 Campus Plaza Road
$15,948 — Interior renovations

HOLYOKE

MISZ Realty LLC
104 Whiting Farms Road
$426,000 — Construct new bakery

SOUTHWICK

Town of Southwick
661 College Highway
$3,600 — Site work improvements

SPRINGFIELD

Caring Health
1049-1063 Main St.
$9,500,000 — Renovate three buildings for use as a walk-in health care center

Cutting Edge Pizza, LLC
1762 Boston Road
$110,000 — Remodel of existing retail space

Springfield Center I Associates, LLC
1365 Liberty St.
$86,000 — Construct new space in existing Hollywood Video

Stop & Shop
1600 Boston Road
$5,000 — Install temporary office partitions

WESTFIELD

Centro Heritage SPE 6, LLC
231 East Main St.
$80,000 — Interior renovations to commercial retail space

Lower Mill Inc.
77 Mill St.
$564,000 — Office build out of existing first floor

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Rasim Ibrahimov
205 Allen Park Road
$6,000 — Re-occupy existing retail store

Town of West Springfield
200 Park St.
$107,000 — Replace 18 windows in public library

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

Multiple Factors Drive Construction Prices Higher
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the fifth consecutive month, prices for construction materials increased, rising 1.1% in February, according to the March 16 Producer Price Index (PPI) report by the Department of Labor. Year-over-year, construction materials prices are up 6.1%. A number of categories experienced significant increases in materials prices in February. Steel-mill product prices jumped 4.7% for the month and are up 13.3% year over year. Iron- and steel-producer prices were up 2.8% in February and are up 16.8% over the last 12 months. In addition, prepared asphalt, tar roofing, and siding increased in cost by 0.6% for the month and are up 2% over the past 12 months. Categories in which prices declined include softwood lumber, down 2.7% in February, but up 0.2% compared to the same time last year. Crude-energy prices increased 0.9% for the month and are unchanged from the same time last year. Overall, the nation’s wholesale prices jumped 1.6% in February, the largest increase since June 2009. Year over year, wholesale finished-goods prices are up 5.8%. Anirban Basu, chief economist at Associated Builders and Contractors, noted that the data reflects a weakening U.S. dollar, ongoing expansion in the global economy, and unrest in the Middle East. He added that the current data does not reflect the recent events in Japan.

Gender Gap
Widening in
Retirement Confidence
SPRINGFIELD — Retirement plan investors had a “good year overall”; however, it appears that economic uncertainty and market volatility have contributed to lower levels of investing confidence and generally more conservative investing behavior among participants. MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division conducted an online survey between Nov. 15, 2010 and Jan. 15, 2011 of 1,517 participants in retirement plans on the MassMutual platform. MassMutual’s data indicates that men believe the stock market will improve vs. decline in the next 12 months at a ratio twice that of women. Overall, only 37.3% of participants are confident in making their own investment decisions. However, women were significantly less confident in making their own investment decisions (25.9%) compared to men (44.1%). At the same time last year, the percentages were 32.8% for women and 47.8% for men. The survey indicates that anxiety about having adequate savings to retire is increasing. Among participants who made a change in their approach to investing in the last 12 months, 61.7% became more conservative compared to 38.3% who became more aggressive.
‘A Closer Look at the Berkshires’ Contest
PITTSFIELD — The Quality Printing Co. is once again sponsoring “A Closer Look at the Berkshires” photography and art contest. The 2012 full-color calendar will feature the top 12 winners of the contest. Application forms are available at most Berkshire County libraries, as well as area Chambers of Commerce, the Prime Outlets in Lee, the Berkshire Mall, the Berkshire Visitors Center in Adams, and numerous photo and framing-supply stores throughout the region. Full-color photos, transparencies, slides, paintings, and digital images with a horizontal format are being accepted. Cash prizes totaling $1,050 will be awarded, and all entrants will receive a 2012 calendar. The deadline for submissions is April 29. For more information, contact June Roy-Martin, manager of communications, at (413) 442-4166, ext. 119, or [email protected].

Progress Report

By
Commercial Real Estate Sections
Ludlow Mills Project Takes Several Big Steps Forward

Kenn Delude says that, when officials at Westmass Area Development Corp. announced their intentions to acquire the former Ludlow Mills property in July 2008, they expected that it would take considerable time to secure the financing and handle the myriad other details needed to make the complex deal happen.
And they were right.
But most of the work on this phase of the ambitious project — amassing the $13.1 million in state grants, private debt financing, and equity investments for needed infrastructure improvements, site-remediation work, and acquisition of the buildings and land — can now be relegated to the past tense, said Delude, president and CEO of Westmass. He told BusinessWest that a purchase-and-sale agreement on the sprawling complex, identified by the clock tower that has become, in many ways, a symbol of Ludlow, should be completed in a matter of months.
And then … well, thus begins the next, probably equally challenging phase — re-tenanting the more than 1.4 million square feet of existing mill space in 66 buildings and developing more than 100 acres of adjacent green space. It is in many ways the most ambitious undertaking, and certainly the largest brownfields yet, for Westmass, which celebrated 50 years of doing business last fall, and an effort that will play out over at least the next 15 to 20 years and create and retain 2,000 to 2,500 jobs, said Delude.
“We knew it would be an exceptionally long lead time, but things should move much faster now,” said Delude, who expects the property to be ready for the marketplace by early 2013.
So, in a way, the protracted acquisition and site-preparation process should actually work to the benefit of WestMass, he continued, noting that, while the economy is in recovery mode and there is some pent-up demand for distribution and manufacturing space (which is what most of the Westmass inventory is targeted for), there should be much more by the time the Ludlow Mills project is fully ready for the market.
“We’ve been below the radar in a lot of ways on this project,” he explained. “During this recession, we’ve been doing our homework on this site; this is the time to get the i’s dotted and t’s crossed, and be prepared so that, when the economy does turn around, you’re there in the marketplace with a fresh resource that is hopefully attractive enough to spur economic development.
“I’m not going to suggest that we were market-timing by any means,” he continued, “but this was a prudent use of our time and resources in this recessionary period when we haven’t seen a great deal of activity.”
Breaking down that $13.1 million, where it came from, and how it will be allocated, Delude said the key to getting things moving was the securing of more than $5 million in state grants for road improvements, other infrastructure work, and site remediation.
“And that was the catalyst for us being able to go to private lenders, area banks, for a development loan for the project, and this request was well-received,” he explained, adding that Westmass borrowed from the scripts for previous projects, ranging from the Agawam Regional Industrial Park (built on the site of the former Bowles Airport) to the Chicopee River Business Park, and sought to involve a consortium of local banks.
At present, six such institutions are involved, he continued, adding that negotiations have been finalized with all but a few.
“With their participation comes the ability to share the risk that’s involved in a project of this type,” he said. “This is the model we’ve used in the past, one in which the local lenders would take portions of a project that had strong community benefits and regional impact.”
Delude said subsurface environmental and geotechnical investigations at the property were scheduled to commence on March 21 as a final step in advance of the acquisition of the property, with that work expected to be completed in early May, putting Westmass on track to acquire the property in June. Permitting, a zone change, and infrastructure commitments will be worked on simultaneously over the next two to three months.
These infrastructure improvements include the reconstruction of State Street, which runs parallel to the property, as well as water-distribution system upgrades, bringing a natural gas line down through the property so it can be converted from oil to gas, storm drainage, sidewalks, street lighting, and other amenities.
Marketing of the complex has already begun in some forms, said Delude, adding that it will become more comprehensive over the next several quarters, and, as with all Westmass projects, it will be local, regional, national, and even international in scope, with the efforts of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass. accounting for most all of the work in the latter two categories.
And with the Ludlow initiative, there will be one unique constituency to target, he continued, referencing the approximately 30 existing tenants in the mill complex, ranging from some warehouse and distribution operations to a kitchen-remodeling business to a fire-restoration company.
“We have businesses there that we need to work with and find accommodations for, and hopefully they can be the seeds for success moving forward,” he explained, noting that roughly 35% of the square footage is occupied with ventures employing a few hundred employees. “These businesses have strong potential for us; we want to sit down with them and talk about options we can make available to them that perhaps haven’t been available. If they fit the mold, perhaps this means new construction or owner opportunities as opposed to leasing.”
Meanwhile, with the acquisition, Westmass will assume property-management responsibilities, he continued, adding that this is another new challenge for the agency and will require additions to the staff.

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

Material World

By
Adam Ondrick
Sections Supplements
The Ondrick Group Takes It ONE Step at a Time

Adam Ondrick

Adam Ondrick says it’s important in the construction industry to figure out where the market is moving next.


If you’ve been in the construction business for almost 75 years, chances are you’ve made some good decisions along the way.
Adam Ondrick is the latest generation to lead the company that bears his grandfather’s name, the Ted Ondrick Co., and he said that one way to move forward in this industry is by figuring out where the market is heading next.
Ted Ondrick started the firm back in 1937, when the operation consisted of a tractor to create gardens and a horse and scoop loader to dig foundations. Mechanization was the next step, and with more machinery meant more jobs — Adam said that his father, Tadj, joined Ted in the business around this time, and the pair was taking on more utility work.
“When my dad entered the business,” he continued, “they were building sewer systems — larger infrastructure-type projects. But it was my father who started the company in the materials and environmental side of the business.”
He said this while driving around the extensive Ondrick yards off Fuller Road in Chicopee, and from this vantage point, it’s easy to see how construction material is still the biggest facet to this family operation. With a large asphalt-manufacturing plant and environmentally-sound remediation for contaminated construction and landscape debris, the Ondrick Group is one of the area’s leaders for building materials.
But, like the generations before him that saw the necessity of keeping ahead in the industry by broadening the scope of the business and adding diversity, Ondrick is focused on the future as well as the present. And he told BusinessWest how the newest component to what may soon be called Ondrick Materials Group is all about the next big thing.
The latest business venture is called Ondrick Natural Earth (ONE), and when the family members opened the doors to this showroom and material yard across the street from the larger offices almost five years ago, they knew that the time had come to do more business by expanding both what they sell, and to whom they sell it.
He called this a “vertical integration” of construction materials, “so that we can provide material to any type of project, and fit the needs of any type of client.
“Before we opened up ONE, we were serving larger customers,” he continued, “and we had to turn away a lot people, homeowners, masons, small contractors, and landscapers. We didn’t have the venue to facilitate working with them. Now we do.”

Rock and Roll
“In my grandfather’s time, we were primarily focused on construction; he really built the business on that,” Ondrick said. “My father ushered in the era of materials and construction.”
In that time, he elaborated, the business didn’t become the largest construction or commercial-materials firm, but large enough to handle some pretty big jobs.
“Rock crushing at Gillette Stadium, runways at Westover, that’s just some of things we’ve been involved in,” he explained. “Over the years, my dad did runways for about eight different airports. We have been doing roadways across New England for decades.”
But, he continued, the business has changed over time.
“Over the years, we had to evaluate what our company was made of,” he explained. “We realized that there’s a lot of competition out there in the construction business. Not that we don’t have a lot of competition for the materials business, but not everyone has the facility and permits to operate, or manufacture asphalt, or to recycle contaminated soil, buildings, and property to facilitate the manufacture of materials.”
The primary components of the Ondrick business are still asphalt and material construction, and material remediation. These operations dominate the back landscape at the yards in Chicopee.
But Ondrick explained how his grandfather’s approach gives the business a competitive advantage, using proprietary methods in material production.
“We crush concrete and asphalt and make hard pack, which is then used in roadway construction,” is how he explained one process. “We’re recycling construction debris and reusing it instead of using product from a quarry. It’s very popular in urban areas, not so much in rural areas, but in urban situations where there aren’t as many landfills, and hauling debris is more of a necessity.
“And with the remediation of the petroleum-impacted soil,” he continued, “we put the soil through a proprietary process where we encapsulate the hydrocarbons and make a reusable, non-leaching product. My father was at the forefront of that industry back in the 1980s. It has stood the test of time, that business. It still goes strong today.”

Material Witness
When the company officially celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2012, Adam Ondrick said one of his big plans as president of the company will be in name only.
“Probably at that time I’m going to rebrand,” he said, “perhaps to the Ondrick Materials Group, to show the different extensions and the scope of the business.”
That newest addition to the Ondrick portfolio, ONE, officially started five years ago, but Adam said the venture was a few years on the drawing board.
“In driving around New England, we had a lot of exposure to different companies that had diversified their holdings,” he explained. “But we noticed, in our area, a lack of a true landscape-product supply yard. There were many older models of how to do business in that field, where people would take a masonry yard and adapt it, or a nursery, greenhouse type environment would have a small selection of hard goods. We noticed in the Boston and Connecticut markets that yards were popping up where all they sold were hardscape materials — stone, concrete pavers, concrete retaining-wall block.”
The property across the street from the company’s headquarters was coming on the market, and the Ondricks knew that the time had come for that business model they had seen elsewhere to come a little closer to home.
Fast-forwarding to the opening of the Ondrick Natural Earth showroom and sales yard, with materials ranging from bluestone to mulch to engineered concrete-building materials, the company president said that everything they had always wanted to offer their customer base was finally all on one property contiguous to the Ted Ondrick facility. Everything was falling into place … except the economy.
“I had a lot of people coming up to me saying, ‘you picked the worst time to be getting into business,’” Ondrick joked.
“At first I was kind of discouraged about that,” he continued, “but, really, it had taken us three years to get that division of the company on its feet. It took a long time in permitting, in negotiating the property purchase, getting it renovated. Getting into business when we did, it made us take a look at everything we did and really analyze it, because we couldn’t afford to make a mistake.”
ONE is a reinvention of the original firm’s founding, he said, and in keeping with the generations before him who helped the company evolve to what it has become, this new venture keeps the Ondrick legacy relevant, and ahead of current market trends.
The backyard do-it-yourself ethos has gained ground in the tough economy, and Ondrick said that reaching out to that demographic, as well as to smaller contractors, is a way to keep building the business.
“And we’ve been able to grow about 25% every year even through the down economy,” he said.
Prior to ONE, the Ondrick name was most likely seen on large commercial or state construction projects. “But we’ve fashioned our business model at ONE to attract homeowners into our store. There, they can learn about the product we’re selling and get educated by our staff with information on the products that we offer.”
At the beginning, he thought that natural stone materials — granite, bluestone, Goshen stone — would be the bulk of what people would want to use. “We were totally wrong about that,” he said, smiling. The wave of the future for homeowners, he explained, is in concrete-based products.
“People think of a concrete patio,” he said, “and the old model was a poured slab that over time cracks and heaves. With the new paver technology, you can install a patio that will last a lifetime. And if you need it to be free draining, there are permeable pavers where the water drains right through to an underground area. You avoid runoff on your property and have lifelong longevity.”
These materials aren’t just relegated to the DIY crowd, either.
“The DEP and EPA put increasing stormwater mandates into developing,” Ondrick explained, “and developers are looking for ways to control that storm water on their properties. The new generation of concrete pavers will help them with that problem.”
While the initial cost may be higher at this time, he said that the future of infrastructure construction will need to meet those tighter guidelines, and the products are going to address those constraints.
EZ Street cold asphalt is another product that he sees revolutionizing the industry, and the company is the local manufacturer and distributor, an introduction to the Ondrick portfolio made by his vice president and brother, Todd. “The process that we use to make EZ Street is contained in a safe environment,” he said. The product is also bagged for smaller applications, and the demand for this material has had the business sending it as far afield as JFK Airport, and even Ireland.
Unlike traditional hot-asphalt installation, or cold patch, “with EZ Street there’s never any diesel that comes in contact with the ground. There’s also a hybrid mix that we make which utilizes some recycled materials. Cities and towns that are looking for a green product, we have it.”
And that’s the message he wants the region to know — when it comes to hardscape products of all types, ONE will have it.

Paving the Way
Where the generations before him saw new ways to expand in construction, the latest Ondrick to head the family business says that ONE is the latest means to stay on top of the industry. “We definitely see a lot of growth with ONE,” he said. “There is potential out there that we haven’t captured yet.
“We don’t look at ONE as opening a new business,” he continued. “It’s more a continuation of what we already do.”
With his father still clocking in every day, the latest generation looks to the future grounded in the strength of its past. “My dad is still very active here, for which we are all thankful. He has so many years of industry experience, having ridden the ups and downs over the years — he’s a great resource to have.”
And, like any project that promises good results, Ondrick knows how important it is to have the best materials to work with.

Clinical Condition

By
Jason Garand
Sections Supplements
Health Care Construction Poses Unique Challenges

Steve Killian

Steve Killian says the health care sector provides plenty of opportunities for contractors — who know how to work around patients.

Hospitals and other medical facilities have long been a key driver in the region’s construction industry; even during the past few years of recession, such projects kept many firms busy. But not every contractor can tackle a job in a clinical setting, say builders with experience in the field. From privacy and patient-flow concerns to infection and particle control, working around medically compromised individuals poses a set of challenges not present when building, say, an office or store. Still, gaining the skills to compete in this arena can be well-worth the effort.

Dr. Louis Durkin’s workplace never closes.
So when his department undergoes a major renovation, as it is now, construction crews have to work around the employees and the customers, and sometimes both get moved around to accommodate the remodeling.
That would be inconvenient at any business — except that Durkin is chief of the Emergency Department at Mercy Medical Center, and his ‘customers’ are patients, many of them in seriously compromised health, and some clinging to life as they’re wheeled in.
Not exactly the right crowd to bring into a construction zone.
“Imagine a patient who’s in severe respiratory distress and bringing them through a dust cloud where ER construction is happening,” Durkin said. Fortunately, that scenario is only an imaginary one, thanks to a complicated dance that medical staff and construction crews engage in every day to ensure patient privacy and infection control while renovation continues.
“We’re taking care of patients, and we’ve done a good job sequestering where we’re doing construction; we haven’t seen any dust in the patient-care areas,” he told BusinessWest. “We’ve done a great job keeping dust and noise to a minimum, and that’s a huge consideration; it hasn’t been an issue.”
To get to that point, though, a builder needs to know something about working in a health care facility.
“There’s a host of things to deal with in the clinical setting as opposed to the standard administrative setting,” said Stephen Killian, president of Barr & Barr, a Springfield-based general contractor that specializes in two traditionally robust construction sectors in Western Mass., health care and higher education. But in a medical setting — unlike school or college renovations, which can be scheduled when classes aren’t in session — there’s often no way to remove the patients from the picture.
With privacy laws strengthened under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) — and with medical centers more vigilant about infection control since a series of reports a decade ago detailing an epidemic of preventable deaths in hospitals — contractors and tradespeople working in that arena simply need to know more than ever before.
“Some people don’t succeed very well,” Killian said. “There are firms that say, ‘we’d love to go into that; we’d love to go work for Baystate,’ and they come in with a very competitive number. But in the end, they’re ill-equipped to do the job appropriately.”

Jason Garand

Jason Garand says hospitals see benefits in a construction crew trained in privacy issues, infection control, and other matters.

Jason Garand agrees. As business manager of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters Local 108, he is promoting a training program for members who perform work in a clinical environment. The union-created curriculum covers everything from controlling airborne contaminants to mold remediation to routing materials and personnel around patients and staff. Graduates earn certifications from the union in ‘best practices in health care construction in occupied facilities’ and ‘blood borne pathogens.’
“It’s a program designed to create awareness for tradespeople who come into an occupied facility,” Garand said. “There are many problems people might not aware of when they’re cutting into walls or opening up an old floor or ceiling; you’re releasing pathogens, mold, and mildew.
“As a carpenters’ union, we live in this community, and we want to have our membership trained, especially in an occupied setting,” he added. “So we started to ask where they’re vulnerable, where they have liability issues.”
For this issue’s focus on construction, BusinessWest talked to several professionals about what it takes to build, remodel, and upgrade in a clinical environment, and why hospitals are taking these efforts more seriously than ever.

Union Label
Karen Sprague, vice president of Holyoke-based builder A.R. Green & Son, said her company was among the first to have its employees (eight of them, to be exact) certified in the union’s program. She said changes in the health-insurance industry require hospitals to accept more liability for infection-related incidents, making this sort of education program even more critical.
“It also extends to nursing homes,” Sprague said of the insurance changes. “It’s not just hospitals, but other facilities; these insurance regulations trickle down to all of them.”
Garand said mitigating risks from airborne particles extends beyond erecting a temporary wall, but often involves blocking off a work area correctly and using negative airflow, so that dust, germs, and pathogens don’t get into a patient-care area.
“We think it’s important for our contractors to have an educated workforce, so they can walk into Baystate or other hospitals and say, ‘our guys are aware of these problems, and not only are they putting up a wall so a little child doesn’t walk through, but they’re keeping their air on this side and not letting it pass through,” he told BusinessWest.
“One of the benefits for employers is, instead of thinking of ‘best-trained’ in terms of physically skilled, we’re taking it to a new level, bringing another layer of education,” Garand continued. “Instead of a tradesperson saying, ‘I have to knock this wall down as fast as possible,’ it’s realizing that this wall could have mold and mildew behind it, from when the floors were washed and water leaked in.”
If a construction company doesn’t consider this possibility, it can create that liability that medical centers fear, he added. “So hospitals will see this [certification] as a benefit; they’ll know they don’t have to worry about someone coming in there and releasing polluted air into the hospital, where it can hit the most vulnerable.”
For builders, it’s potentially a marketing tool. If A.R. Green can get the word out that its employees are trained in hospital protocol and how to work in a medical setting, “it’s going to trickle down to me as a general contractor,” Sprague said. “If I can save the hospital money, they’re more likely to hire me than somebody who doesn’t have that training.”
It’s not just general contractors looking for an edge in the fertile health care market, though. Mark Kent, sales engineer at Springfield-based HVAC company Hurley & David, was recently certified as a health care facility design professional by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
The ASHRAE certification program identifies individuals who have mastered a body of knowledge covering the successful design and operation of health care facilities, Kent said.
“Someone who successfully passes the exam for that certification has demonstrated an understanding of the specific codes and requirements and understands a health care facility’s specific needs,” Kent said.
“When it comes to infection control and patient privacy, the number of issues that exist in a health care facility is sometimes mindboggling,” he added. “The purpose of the certification is to assure our potential health care customers that we have a broad understanding of the issues they face, and that, when we design a solution for them, we have tried to assess as many of these issues as possible, and certainly we pass that on to our guys in the field who are actually executing the work.”
It’s an important point of differentiation for Hurley & David, which has done extensive work in medical settings, Kent said. “We are fortunate to have a couple of health care facilities as customers, and we oftentimes work directly for them, as well as working through general contractors and construction managers.”

Have Patients
Understanding how to work around patients and residents goes beyond infection and particle control, however. “The main issue is that things are always changing on a daily basis,” said Durkin of Mercy’s ED project, which is being conducted by Ludlow-based Raymond R. Houle Construction, another contractor that specializes in the health care field.
“The eventual outcome is ending up with more space and better flow, so things are more convenient,” Durkin said. “But when construction is going on, things are obviously less convenient, and it changes every day. One day you have a whole pod open with rooms and storage, and the next day none of it is available. You have to be ready to move different kinds of patients into different areas as needed.”
For example, when he spoke to BusinessWest, the ED was preparing for three days of work on its sprinkler system, necessitating the loss of its FastTrack area, which serves less-critical patients and handles some 40% of total traffic each day. “We have to see all those patients — close to 100 — somewhere else.”
Durkin said the renovation would go much quicker if the hospital could just close down the emergency room for awhile, but, obviously, that’s not possible. In fact, the effort was drawn out because of flu and pneumonia season, which typically causes a surge in patient traffic. “We had to add another phase to the project so we didn’t lose too many beds at one time. The project will take longer than anticipated, but having a small bed capacity at the busiest time of the year wasn’t going to work.”
Robert Aquadro, project manager for Barr & Barr, said disturbing patients who aren’t feeling well brings up a host of undesirable issues.
“It’s very hard to mitigate every aspect, and to do it, you have to be flexible,” he said. “To do construction in a hospital, you always have to be ready to stop, move on, and do something else.”
In addition, Killian explained that the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has created the Interim Life Safety Measures program, which works with hospitals to identify and mitigate risks to patients during construction. “It may seem like overkill, but you have to have it in place,” he said. “You have to be mindful of these proactive safety measures.”
He should know; Barr & Barr has certainly forged a deep niche in health care, recently finishing projects at Mercy, Holyoke Medical Center, and Cooley Dickinson Hospital, among others.
“Our staff members are frankly cognizant of what it’s like to be around patients,” he said. “Someone starting out in this area may have the knowledge, but not the staff experience, and it’s a risk for them and the hospital. At the end of the day, we’re all about patient care. It’s not about getting a job done faster and cheaper; it’s about patient care, and how that’s being taken care of during the construction process.”
As for Durkin, he knows Mercy’s emergency area will eventually be more spacious and easier to navigate, and that’s worth what he admitted is occasionally a tight squeeze for staff working around the renovation.
“It’ll end up being an eight-month ordeal,” he said. But as long as patients aren’t the ones being inconvenienced — or worse — it’s a hassle he can live with.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]