Insurance Archives - Page 18 of 40

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Opinion

Gov. Patrick a True Friend to Western Mass.

They had come to cut the ribbon on the recently opened UMass Center at Springfield.

That was the official purpose of the well-attended gathering that took place late last month at the center, located in Tower Square. And while they certainly did that, this event quickly, and decidedly, turned into an occasion for the many officials in attendance to say ‘thank you’ to all that outgoing Gov. Deval Patrick has done for the university, its Amherst campus, Springfield, and this region as a whole.

While the accolades were somewhat dramatic in tone — some of those who took to the microphone called Patrick the greatest governor they’d known or the greatest in the history of the Commonwealth — they were certainly well-earned.

Indeed, while not all has gone right for the Patrick administration over the past seven years and nine months, one can certainly say that he has done more for this region — and the university — than any of his recent predecessors.

And while that’s not saying much Patrick and his administration have amassed a track record of support for this region that will, unfortunately, be a very hard act to follow.

And we’re certainly glad he did, because this region, and Springfield in particular, needed all the help it could get.

When Patrick took the helm in January 2007, the city was still scratching its way out of a deep and far-reaching fiscal morass that left economic as well as psychological scars. It needed help to get back on its feet, and the Patrick administration provided it in several ways, from steering Liberty Mutual and several hundred well-paying jobs here when the insurance giant was searching for a home for a new call center, to building a backup data center in the former Technical High School, to providing a wide range of support to help smaller businesses get to the next level.

And over the past several years, as the city has been hit with natural and man-made disasters, the governor and his administration, most notably Greg Bialecki, secretary of Housing and Economic Development, have provided help on a number of levels to help create both plans and optimism for the future.

But maybe Patrick’s biggest gift to Springfield and this region has been his deep commitment to UMass and support of programs to make it the economic engine that everyone wants it to be and, for the most part, it hasn’t been.

The long list of initiatives he’s supported — with funding as well as inspiration to get the job done — include everything from the high-performance computing center in Holyoke to the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, to the UMass Center at Springfield and countless other projects.

It’s fair to say that the university is in the midst of a period of explosive, if not unprecedented, growth, vitality, and newfound respect as a public university, and the Patrick administration has certainly had a great deal to do with that.

His appearance at the ribbon cutting in Tower Square won’t be Patrick’s last visit to Springfield as governor. He will be the keynote speaker at the breakfast for the Western Mass. Business Expo later this month, and, knowing him, he’ll probably be out for a few other events before he leaves office.

But it’s not how many ribbon cuttings, chamber breakfasts, groundbreakings, and press conferences one attends that truly matters when assessing a governor’s contributions to a region or city. Instead, it’s one’s ability to back up words — such as when governors say they represent the whole state, not just the stretch inside Route 128 — with definitive actions that really count.

Deval Patrick has certainly been able to do that. We’re going to miss him around here.

Advice — on the House

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Law Sections

Check Your Homestead Protection Now to Prevent Problems Later

By DAVID K. WEBBER, Esq.

David Webber

If you own a small business, you should carefully choose a business entity and buy good insurance. But a properly prepared homestead declaration can be the single most important tool in protecting your personal assets against the claims of creditors.

The rules have changed, so if you haven’t checked yours lately, now is a good time. The Massachusetts homestead statute, M.G.L. c. 188, became much more complex in 2011. In fact, a bankruptcy judge recently called it a “statute of teeth-cracking complexity.” This complexity means new opportunities for asset protection. But it also sets many traps for the unwary. Now, more than ever, the document must perfectly describe your home, its ownership, and its occupants.

What Is It?

A homestead declaration is simply a sworn, written statement that an equitable owner resides, or intends to reside, in a particular home. The document must be signed by the legal owner, notarized, and recorded in the registry of deeds where the property is located. Once recorded, it serves as legal notice to potential creditors that the equity in your home is off limits.

Why Do I Need It?

If, for example, you file for personal bankruptcy, default on a debt, or a court judgment enters against you, a properly recorded homestead declaration will protect your home equity against subsequent claims by unsecured creditors. The law limits this protection depending on who occupies the property. The general rule is that the exemption is limited to the first $500,000 in equity.

However, the individual exemptions for disabled individuals and owners age 62 or older can ‘stack’ to provide a $1 million exemption for a married couple, or $750,000 for joint owners where only one owner is over 62 or disabled. If you do not record a homestead declaration, an ‘automatic’ homestead protects only the first $125,000 of your equity, regardless of the number, age, or ability of the occupants.

Note that a homestead declaration will not protect against foreclosure under a mortgage or home-equity line of credit. In that case, the lender has priority over the homestead exemption. And if you recorded a homestead declaration years ago, consult a real-estate attorney before you decide to record a new one, just to be sure.

Many old homestead declarations are still effective, and recording a new declaration can unwittingly expose you to claims filed in the interim. A title search can usually detect any such problems.

What Property Is Eligible?

You can protect almost any kind of home, but at least one residential unit of the home must be your primary residence. It can be a single-family or multi-family home (up to four units), manufactured home, condominium, or cooperative housing unit. A vacation home can be protected as long either you or your spouse can establish it as your primary residence, but unless one or both spouses are over 62 or disabled, you will divide the exemption ($250,000 for each home). Note that an accurate property description and deed reference are critical, especially if your residence includes more than one building or one lot.

Under most circumstances, a homestead declaration also protects proceeds from the sale of, or damage to, your home. In the event that your home is sold or taken, the proceeds will be protected for up to one year or until you buy new home, whichever comes first. And if your home is damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty, the insurance proceeds will be protected for up to two years, until it is repaired, or until you buy a new home, whichever comes first.

Which Owners Are Eligible?

No matter how you own your primary residence, you are likely to qualify for homestead protection. Section 1 of the statute defines an owner as being “a natural person who is a sole owner, joint tenant, tenant-by-the-entirety, tenant-in-common, life-estate holder, or holder of a beneficial interest in a trust.” In most cases, your deed will state which type of ownership applies to you.

The new definition of owner allows many homes held in trust to qualify for homestead protection. This opens up new estate-planning opportunities, both for devising the family home to your children without giving up control during your lifetime, and for avoiding probate. However, we are finding that many homes conveyed into trust before 2011 are not yet protected by a homestead declaration.

The rules are very specific. Section 5 of the statute requires the trustee of the trust to sign the declaration. The resident beneficiaries must each be named in the document, and will share the exemption in proportion to their shares of the trust. Note that the exemption applies only to the primary, lifetime trust beneficiaries, not to remainder or contingent beneficiaries.

Unfortunately, homestead protection is not available when the residence is owned by a corporate entity, like a limited-liability company. If a corporate entity is the owner, and the home’s equity is at risk, it may make sense to retitle the property and record a homestead declaration. Leased property is also generally ineligible, unless you have an equity interest associated with it, such as a cooperative housing share linked to a particular residential unit and long-term lease.

How Do I Do It?

With so many ownership variations, there is no one-size-fits-all homestead declaration form. While the Mass. Real Estate Bar Assoc. and some registries of deeds provide sample homestead forms, they will not work in every situation. The attorney preparing the homestead declaration should begin with a careful inspection of your deed. The names on the homestead declaration must match the deed exactly, including any ‘also-known-as’ names. It should cross-reference the book and page of the deed or other ownership document. If only one spouse owns the home, the declaration should identify the other spouse as a benefitted party.

If the home is held in trust, be sure to record a declaration of trust, trustee’s certificate, or nominee trust, and include a registry cross-reference. If one owner is under 62 and the other is over 62, you each need a separate homestead declaration. Again, the purpose is to give legal notice to creditors that you are claiming the homestead exemption on your property.

Conclusion

When things go wrong, a homestead declaration can suddenly become very important. It is wise to confirm that ours is valid now, so that it is already in place in the unlikely event you need it. Because courts are reluctant to allow seizure of the family home, the law is construed liberally in favor of the homeowner. However, even the Supreme Judicial Courts will not “stretch that principle in a manner that fundamentally ignores the words of the statute,” according to Weiss v. Boyle, 461 Mass. 519 (2012).

Following the letter of the law gives the best chance of protecting the family home. Given the complexity of the law, this article is intended to be informative but should not be relied upon as legal advice. Consult your attorney if you have any doubts. n

David K. Webber is an attorney at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin P.C. in Springfield, Massachusetts. He practices in the areas of real estate, business transactions, business planning, estate planning, probate, and bankruptcy; (413) 737-1131; [email protected]

Buying Life Insurance for Employees

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Employment Sections

Tax Rules Make This Practice More Complicated Than Many Think

By CATHERINE CURRY, CPA

There are many reasons why an employer might buy life insurance for their employees: employee benefits, succession planning, buy/sell agreements, and debt protection, to name a few.

There are just as many ways to arrange the life-insurance contract, regarding the policy owner, beneficiary, and payment of premiums. As an employer, purchasing a life-insurance policy for an employee may seem pretty straightforward at first glance.

However, there are a number of tax rules that should be considered when purchasing these policies, as tax laws vary depending on the specifics of the life-insurance policy.

One of the most common types of employer-purchased life insurance is a group-term life-insurance policy that covers all employees. This is often used as part of the employee benefits package. Generally, the employer pays the entire premium for the group, but the employee gets to specify their own beneficiary on the policy. The life-insurance benefit is usually a multiple of the employee’s salary (i.e. one, two, or three times their annual salary).

The company and the employee need to keep in mind that, based on IRS uniform premium cost tables, the employee must include in gross income the cost of any insurance benefit in excess of $50,000 provided by the employer. This income inclusion is usually achieved by an adjustment to the W-2s at year end or when an employee terminates employment.

Companies might also purchase a life insurance policy on a specific employee or group of employees. These specific policies may have the company as the owner and beneficiary.

There are several reasons why a company would choose to insure the life of an employee. The person may be a key individual within the organization, and the insurance proceeds could be used for recruiting and/or the salary of a replacement, if necessary.

Life-insurance policies may also be used to provide supplemental funding in a buy/sell agreement or business-succession plan. Life-insurance policies are even sometimes used as supplemental funding for outstanding debt guaranteed by an officer/employee.

Over the past several years, there has been a lot of buzz about employer-owned life-insurance policies because there have been some recent tax-law changes. The general tax rule is that premiums for life insurance, where the company is the beneficiary, are not deductible. Premiums on policies where the employee names a family member as beneficiary are a taxable fringe benefit.

This benefit is includable in their W-2 and deducted as an employee benefit on the company’s tax return. Generally, life-insurance proceeds are not considered taxable income if collected upon death. However, if the policy is surrendered early, then the proceeds are taxable to the extent they exceed the premiums paid. Corporations must also consider any AMT preferences regarding life insurance in their ACE calculation.

The IRS has instituted new rules on documentation and reporting of employer-owned life insurance policies issued after Aug. 17, 2006. Here are some of the specifics:

Documentation

• Notice and consent requirements must be completed before the contract is issued.
• The employee must be notified in writing that the employer intends to insure the employee’s life. The notification must state the maximum face amount of the life-insurance contract to be issued.
• The employee must provide written consent to being insured and acknowledge that such coverage may continue if the employee were to terminate employment.
• The employee must be made aware that the employer will be a beneficiary of any proceeds paid under the terms of the contract. Usually this consent is prepared by the insurance agent, but it is important that a company retain a copy in its files.

Reporting

The IRS has issued Form 8925, Report of Employer-owned Life Insurance Contracts, which is now required to be filed with the employer’s business tax return. Information required for Form 8925 (on policies issued after Aug. 17, 2007) includes:

• Total employees;
• The number of employees with employer-owned life insurance contracts (with ‘employees’ including common-law employees, officers, directors, and highly compensated employees);
• The total value of all employer-owned life insurance contracts; and
• The number of contracts that do not have employee consent.

It is imperative that companies make their tax preparer aware of the existence of any of these policies. Proper completion of the documentation and reporting process is required to ensure that any death proceeds of an employer-owned life-insurance contract are received income-tax free.

Failure to comply with the mandated documentation and reporting requirements could result in the proceeds from these contracts, in excess of premiums, being considered taxable income, and the increase in taxes could be severely detrimental to the company, negating the original intent of supplemental funding.

Your tax advisor should be able to help you ensure that you have adhered to all of the necessary requirements, and also assist with any prior filings which may be required if information had been inadvertently omitted from prior-year tax returns.

Companies may also enter into life-insurance contracts called split-dollar life-insurance arrangements. These contracts are usually for specific employees, particularly higher-level employees, where this arrangement becomes part of the overall compensation package. The employee is generally the policy owner, and the company will generally pay the premiums for such policies.

In this instance, the employee chooses their beneficiary. The tax rules around recognizing the expense and benefits of these policies changed for policies issued after Sept. 17, 2003.

There are two different calculations required for taxing split-dollar life-insurance arrangements: an economic-benefit approach and a loan approach. If the employer pays the premiums, the premium payments are treated as a loan, with interest accruing until repaid at death or surrender.

The economic benefit arises from the employee’s interest in the current life-insurance protection. The nuances of these approaches can get complex, but a trusted tax advisor or insurance agent can assist with the details of these arrangements.

If a company is considering the purchase of life insurance for its employees, for any of the varied reasons, they should take the time to consult with their insurance agent and tax preparer to ensure the contracts are structured for maximum tax effectiveness.

Catherine Curry, CPA is a tax manager with the Holyoke based public accounting firm, Meyers Brothers Kalicka; (413) 322-3544; [email protected].

Heart of the Matter

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Business of Aging Sections

Cardiac Rehabilitation Helps Patients Get Their Lives Back

Patrick Schilling, right, says Cooley Dickinson’s cardiac rehab program has helped Dennis Vandal recover from heart surgery.

After Cindy Mahoney suffered a heart attack early in 2013 — an event attributed to a rare condition called spontaneous coronary artery dissection — she was treated at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and, several weeks later, was taking the right medications and otherwise felt fine.

But she’s a runner at heart (no pun indended), and had run about 30 minutes a day for the past 35 years, and worried about how much exertion she could handle — and whether another heart attack would occur if she pushed herself too hard or soon.

However, after entering a cardiac rehabilitation program at CDH and exercising, twice a week for two months, under the supervision of cardiac exercise physiologist Patrick Schilling and two cardiac nurses, Mahoney set aside her anxiety, convinced she could get back to what she loved doing.

“The entire rehab experience was hugely reassuring to me and my family,” said Mahoney, who finished two 5K races in the months after completing the program. “The cardiac-rehab program helped me realize I could do what I love again — safely.”

That confidence boost, Schilling said, is one of the major benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, a customized program of exercise, education, and support designed to help individuals recover from a heart attack, cardiac disease, or heart surgery.

“There’s a lot of anxiety. They’re wondering, is this going to happen again? It’s so fresh in their minds, how they felt when they were getting treatment a few weeks ago,” he said. “We can help rebuild their confidence, not only about how well they’re going to do, but their ability to take control of their lifestyle.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, cardiac rehabilitation is typically recommended for patients who have experienced a heart attack, coronary artery disease, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, angina, cardiomyopathy, certain congenital heart diseases, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty and stents, heart transplants, and heart valve replacements.

“The benefits of a cardiac-rehab program have been nationally proven,” not just in its initial benefits, but in patients’ long-term compliance with taking recommended medications, changing an unhealthy diet, and controlling issues like diabetes and high cholesterol, said Elaine McCaffrey, a nurse clinician in Baystate Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Program.

That’s not surprising, she added, considering how much of a wake-up call a heart attack or heart surgery can be.

“There’s so much folklore around the heart, a lot of religion centers on the heart — people have a lot of different feelings when it comes to the heart,” she noted. “So a major surgery or major event like this does lead to some anxiety — ‘how can I get back to what I really want to do in life?’ That’s where cardiac rehab comes in.”

Four-pronged Approach

Cardiac rehabilitation — which is covered by virtually all health insurance when a patient is referred by a primary-care doctor or cardiologist — is comprised of four main components:

Medical evaluation. The rehab team — which might include a cardiologist, nurse educator, dietitian, exercise rehabilitation specialist, physical or occupational therapist, and psychologist — will assess a patient’s physical abilities, medical limitations, and risk factors for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and other conditions. They will also continue to track the patient’s progress over time, along the way tailoring a safe, individualized rehabilitation program.

Elaine McCaffrey says the exercise, education, and support components of cardiac rehab are all important in helping patients reclaim their lives.

“The program is designed in such a way that it helps the patient reduce fatigue and improve energy levels,” Schilling said.

Physical activity. Cardiac rehabilitation improves a patient’s cardiovascular fitness through walking, cycling, rowing, jogging, strength training, and other activities.

“Many activities we do in the gym are cardiovascular in nature, but it also includes strength training. We use treadmills, walking bicycles, a rowing machine, upper-body exercises,” Schilling said, noting that this component of cardiac rehab is a relatively recent development. “Heart recovery is fairly slow, and 30 years ago, patients were put on bed rest.”

The Mayo Clinic recommends supervised exercise three to five times a week, adding that it’s important to teach proper techniques, including warming up, stretching, and cooling down.

Lifestyle education. This may include guidance on everything from managing pain and fatigue to making healthier food choices aimed at reducing fat, sodium, and cholesterol; from understanding medications to getting back to sexual activity.

“There’s definitely an educational component to it,” McCaffrey said. “They don’t leave cardiac rehab without knowing what they need to do to stay heart-healthy. When we talk about the risk factors for diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, these are things that can be controlled. We talk about a healthy diet, monitoring blood glucose to keep diabetes under control, exercise, and getting to a heart-healthy weight.”

Of course, the number-one risk factor for coronary disease is smoking, so when a patient is a smoker, programs educate them about the dangers and develop strategies for quitting. “They need to make that big social change — for themselves and the rest of their family,” she said.

Support. Depression and anxiety are natural reactions to a major heart event, which is why cardiac-rehab programs stress the emotional and social components of recovery as well as the physical and educational aspects. These might include anything from counseling to occupational therapy to help patients return to work.

“We get you to understand what you need to do to take control of your life, and make it a very beneficial, productive life,” McCaffrey said. “And the whole time, you have companionship; you’re meeting people who are going through it with you.”

Schilling agreed. “Rehabilitation rebuilds confidence, so they realize it’s not a sentence, but something they can live with,” he said. “You really see their improvement, and see their confidence go up.”

Full Speed Ahead

Schilling was quick to add that recovery from a cardiac event — particularly in the case of a heart attack or stroke — begins with the emergency response as it’s happening.

“The gold standard from onset of symptoms to the cardiac catheterization lab is 60 minutes,” he noted. “Time is definitely the enemy in this case; the quicker a person gets treatment, the more heart function gets preserved.”

But once the initial crisis has passed, a team springs into action to help patients fully recover for the long term. McCaffrey and Schilling both came back repeatedly to the phrase ‘activities of daily living,’ emphasizing that the goal isn’t for patients to return to a life that’s a shell of what it was before their sickness or surgery, but, rather, resume the same lifestyle they enjoyed before.

“We have patients ranging in age from 24 to 90,” McCaffrey said. “So we need to know, what are your activities of daily living? Is it returning to a job? Is it being a mother to your young children? Or, if you’re a little bit older, is it just living as healthy as you can?”

Of course, some patients want to return to a high-stress career, and others want to get back to playing sports or, like Mahoney, running every day. No matter what the goal, McCaffrey said, it’s the rehab staff’s responsibility to tailor the program to the goals and needs of each individual patient.

“Cardiac rehab is for anybody and everybody,” she said. “It really does help with recovery, and that’s the key; that’s the whole purpose — that feeling of confidence that they can get on with their life.”

Schilling agreed. “It’s gratifying to work in cardiac rehab. We definitely do it with the onus of wanting to help people. It’s a real passion for me and my co-workers,” he said, adding that he’s amazed at how different patients look at the start and end of rehab — not just the condition of the bodies, but the level of confidence on their faces.

He’s grateful, in short, to be doing life-changing work. “I’ve been here eight years, and I’ve never had a boring day.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Get It in Writing

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Business of Aging Sections

Things to Know When Your Child Is Also Your Caregiver

By GINA M. BARRY, Esq.

It is very common for a child to provide care to an aging parent in order to allow the parent to continue to live at home. A child is most commonly the caregiver because the parent will not agree to hire professionals to assist with the activities of daily life. Typically, the parent has concerns regarding privacy, and their child is the only caregiver they will trust.

By Gina M. Barry, Esq.

When a child provides care to a parent, it is best to establish a care agreement. A care agreement is a contract that outlines the care to be provided, as well as any payment to be made for that care. The care is typically provided until the parent passes away or is in need of care that cannot be provided at home. Tasks performed by the child usually include personal-care assistance, grocery shopping, meal preparation, accounting services, transportation to and from appointments, housecleaning, and laundry services. It is recommended that the care be paid for on an ongoing basis as the care is actually provided.

The care agreement should set forth the exact services that the child will provide, as well as the location where the services will be provided. The parent’s ‘space,’ as well as any ‘common areas,’ should be detailed. Additionally, the agreement should set forth whether the parent or the child is responsible for paying monthly utility charges, as well as yearly expenses, such as property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. The agreement should also address responsibility for property maintenance, such as needed repairs, mowing the lawn, additional landscaping, and snow removal.

It is crucial to value the services to be provided in the care agreement. Services may be valued as a package or individually. The package rate is useful when the care provided is substantially similar to that of a facility, such as an assisted-living facility or nursing home.

When using the individual pricing method, the child must keep a record of the services performed and receive payment based on the actual amount of service provided. All payments to the child are taxable income to the child and should be reported on the child’s personal income-tax return. In this regard, it is also important to realize that most caregiving children will find their availability to work outside the home greatly reduced or eliminated.

The parent and child should also set forth the circumstances under which the child is willing to provide care for the parent and the terms upon which the agreement may be cancelled. In order to avoid the appearance of an illusory promise on the child’s behalf, the agreement should provide that cancellation will occur only upon the occurrence of specified conditions — for example, if it becomes unsafe to continue to provide care in the home. The agreement should also allow for written amendments, so that the agreement can be changed if the situation changes.

The impact of a care agreement with respect to the parent’s options for financing nursing-home care is substantial. Currently, nursing-home care costs approximately $13,000 per month and is most commonly paid for by accessing long-term-care insurance, privately paying, or obtaining MassHealth benefits.

When applying for MassHealth benefits, MassHealth will ask whether the applicant has made any gifts in the last five years. If gifts are found, MassHealth will assess a penalty that prevents the applicant from obtaining benefits for a certain time period based on the amount of the gift. When assets are transferred to a child as payment for care provided, it may be possible to avoid this penalty, as the money was transferred to pay for the services provided and was not a gift.

It should be noted that caregiver agreements are subject to intense scrutiny by MassHealth. If a MassHealth application is anticipated in the future, the care agreement must be carefully drafted and must take into account MassHealth’s current position as to these agreements.

Although there are many issues to address when establishing a care agreement, outlining the responsibilities of both the child and the parent will prevent most disagreements, as the agreement will lay the framework for success. A successful care agreement will allow the parent to remain at home much longer. In addition, a properly drafted care agreement can be financially beneficial to both the parent and the child. As such, the benefit of having such an agreement in place far outweighs the effort involved in establishing the agreement.

Gina M. Barry is a partner with the law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C. She is a member of the National Assoc. of Elder Law Attorneys, the Estate Planning Council, and the Western Mass. Elder Care Professionals Assoc. She concentrates her practice in estate and asset-protection planning, probate administration and litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, and residential real estate; (413) 781-0560; [email protected]

Sobering Thoughts

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Business of Aging Sections

Why You Need to Plan for the End

By ERIC REINES, M.D. and BETH WARNER, D.O.

Physicians undergo years of education and training to promote wellness, cure and heal, and protect life. Yet, we also know that death is inevitable, and we are increasingly recognizing the importance of advance care planning. We urge patients to do the same.

Advance care planning is the term for the planning we do as our healthcare becomes complicated and we need to make challenging decisions about our care, often toward the end of life. Planning becomes an integral part of most people’s lives at an early age, and most of us are always planning ahead. We plan for education and careers; we create wills, buy life insurance, and establish retirement accounts.

Advance care planning can be thought of in the same way, as a medical part of the future, because one day, despite how intense our will to live may be, the end will arrive. Planning makes your wishes known ahead of time and ensures that they are fulfilled.

The planning begins with the simple act of talking with your healthcare provider and family members to let them know what your wishes are about end-of-life issues. Once those decisions are reached — and it can be appropriate over time to revisit the discussion to change or refine previous decisions — patients then complete certain forms to specify their wishes.

Two of the most important forms are the healthcare proxy and a MOLST form. A healthcare proxy indicates which person you choose to make healthcare decisions on your behalf should you become unable to do so. The MOLST form — an acronym for medical orders for life-sustaining treatment — outlines your preferences for such areas as whether or not you wish to be resuscitated in certain situations. Copies of completed forms should be distributed to family members and all your healthcare providers.

Advance care planning isn’t recommended just for elderly patients or those with terminal illnesses. Physicians recommend that the conversation and planning for everyone start earlier rather than later because of the uncertainty of when that final moment might arrive.

End-of-life care may also include palliative care and hospice care, and patients are urged to learn about these areas of medical care as well. Palliative care refers to the type of care that is delivered when someone is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. Hospice care is care for those entering the last few months of life, usually with a prognosis of six months or fewer to live.

Getting the conversation started is the first step, and getting it started early is important. Not only will that make your wishes known, but it has benefits for family members as well. Letting your family know what you want in these serious circumstances can prevent your loved ones from carrying the burden of deciding your course of care. It may also avoid family turmoil, as each family member knows exactly what your wishes are and how they are to be carried out.

Healthcare can get more complicated as we age. We may accumulate more illnesses, get frailer, and become more susceptible to injury. Advance care planning makes us think about what we want, what’s most important, and then communicate that with family members and the healthcare team.

Physicians certainly recognize the persistent hope patients can have, even in the most dire of circumstances. But in addition to being a healthcare advocate throughout life, physicians are now able to play an important role in end-of-life care as well.

Many patients who face terminal illness tell us that they are praying for a miracle. We believe in miracles, too: the miracles of dignity, comfort, love, and peace. If patients work together with their healthcare team, physicians can help to make those miracles happen.

If you or a family member wants to talk, and your healthcare provider doesn’t open the conversation, we urge you to take the first step and ask. The topic is too important to ignore.

More information, including a free brochure, Planning Ahead: What Are Your Choices? which lists a number of resources, is available free from the Mass. Medical Society at www.massmed.org/advancecareplanning. For a video discussion, visit www.physicianfocus.org/advancecareplanning.

Dr. Eric Reines is a geriatrician with Element Care in Lynn, and Dr. Beth Warner is a geriatrician with Cooley Dickinson Health Care in Northampton. Reines is chair, and Warner is a member, of the Mass. Medical Society’s Committee on Geriatric Medicine. This article is a service of the Mass. Medical Society.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

DeMarys Nieves and Megan Seymour, through her father and next friend, Robert Seymour v. Lane Construction

Allegation: Negligence in repair of a manhole, so that its cover came off, striking the plaintiff’s car and causing personal injury: $5,647.12

Filed: 8/8/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Andrew R. Shadduck v. GMAC Mortgage, LLC and GMAC Bank

Allegation: Wrongful foreclosure: $100,000

Filed: 9/3/14

Chicopee Concrete Services Inc. v. W.J. Mountford Co. and Western Surety Co.

Allegation: Breach of contract for concrete services provides: $83,693.75

Filed: 9/8/14

Garreb Cox v. Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Associates

Allegation: Refusal to pay homeowners insurance claim: $200,000

Filed: 9/2/14

Ted Ondrick Co., LLC v. Sentry Services Inc. and Rehab. Institute of Western Mass., LLC

Allegation: Non-payment for labor and materials: $169,610.19

Filed: 8/26/14

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Anthony Rodriques v. Mark Medaugh, DDS

Allegation: Dental malpractice: $1,200

Filed: 9/15/14

John Regish and CBR Realty Corp. v. Paul Savage, Esq. and Bacon Wilson, P.C.

Allegation: Legal malpractice and breach of contract: $437,636

Filed: 8/4/14

Marion Excavating Co. Inc. v. Mountainbrook, LLC

Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $89,755.36

Filed: 8/6/14

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

Laurel Neathawk v. Southampton Housing for the Elderly Inc.

Allegation: Failure to maintain plumbing in safe and adequate manner causing second-degree burns: $5,067

Filed: 8/29/14

The Robert Baker Co. v. Angelo’s Golden Harvest Inc.

Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,169.01

Filed: 8/26/14

U.S. Foods Inc. v. Spoleto Inc. d/b/a Pizzeria Paradiso and Claudio Guerra

Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $25,000

Filed: 9/14/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Castella Imports Inc. v. Lansal Inc. d/b/a Hot Mama’s Foods

Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,985.26

Filed: 8/22/14

Nancy Rossi v. Northeast Specialty Corp. d/b/a Nescor

Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to perform work or refund deposit: $11,936

Filed: 8/28/14

New England Fire and Security Inc. v. Hub Electric Inc.

Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $4,908.31

Filed: 8/29/14

Perkins Paper, LLC v. Crust Pizza and Deli, LLC and Eleni and Nicholas Eliopoulos

Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,441.65

Filed: 9/15/14

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Company Notebook Departments

UMass Moves Up in Public-University Rankings
AMHERST — UMass Amherst now ranks among the nation’s top 30 public universities, moving up 10 spots during the past year in the 2015 Best Colleges guide released recently by U.S. News & World Report. There are more than 600 public, four-year colleges in the country, and U.S. News ranks the top 122. The Commonwealth’s flagship campus, led by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, earned its highest ranking ever in the prestigious national universities category. Since 2010, when UMass Amherst ranked 52nd among public schools, the university’s standing has steadily improved, reaching 40th last year before advancing to 30th for 2015, tied with four other schools. Among all national universities, public and private, UMass Amherst moved up an impressive 15 places this year, from 91st to 76th, tied with eight other schools. A Washington Post analysis of the rankings cited UMass Amherst as one of only three national universities over the past five years that have risen more than 20 steps in the overall top 100 universities, from 99th to 76th. “UMass Amherst increasingly is a destination of choice for the best students in Massachusetts and from all corners of world,” said Subbaswamy. “These rankings reflect our commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. We greatly appreciate such national recognition, and we are grateful for the increased investment in public higher education supported by our legislators and the governor. That investment is truly yielding dividends.” Led this year by the University of California Berkeley, the University of California Los Angeles, and the University of Virginia, national public universities offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and Ph.D. programs, and are committed to producing groundbreaking research. The U.S. News rankings are based on a variety of weighted factors: graduation rate performance, undergraduate academic reputation, faculty resources, graduation and retention rate, alumni giving, financial resources, and student selectivity.

Webber & Grinnell Inducted into 2014 Circle of Excellence
NORTHAMPTON — Webber and Grinnell Insurance Agency has been inducted into the Plymouth Rock Assurance and Bunker Hill Insurance 2014 Circle of Excellence, recognizing outstanding professionalism, financial performance, and commitment to customer service by independent insurance agents during 2013. Selected from a pool of more than 400 independent agents across Massachusetts, Webber & Grinnell was one of 25 agents to receive this honor. “The Circle of Excellence is our premiere recognition and rewards program reserved for our top independent agents,” said Chris Olie, president of Plymouth Rock Assurance and chairman of Bunker Hill Insurance. “These agents are key parts of Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill’s success. They have each worked hard to build their businesses while also providing excellent service and trusting advice to their customers.” Webber & Grinnell is one of the largest insurance agencies in Western Mass. The agency currently serves more than 5,000 automobile and homeowner policyholders, and insures nearly 900 businesses throughout the region. “As an independent agent, our goal is to provide expert service tailored to the specific needs of each client we serve,” said Bill Grinnell, president of Webber & Grinnell. “It’s always rewarding to be recognized for our hard work and dedication, and we’re grateful to receive this honor from Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill.” Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill are leading automobile- and home-insurance carriers serving Massachusetts. As a member of the Circle of Excellence, Webber & Grinnell will receive marketing support funds, education and training, and other initiatives designed to promote sustained success. The agency will be honored at a fall retreat.

Springfield Falcons, Columbus Blue Jackets Extend Affiliation
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Falcons and Columbus Blue Jackets are extending their affiliation through the 2015-16 season with an option for two additional years, Falcons President Sarah Pompea and Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen jointly announced. The Falcons and Blue Jackets are entering their fifth season of partnership. The extension guarantees that Springfield will continue to serve as the American Hockey League affiliate and help develop top prospects in the Columbus organization through the 2015-16 season. “We are excited to continue our affiliation and strong relationship with the Columbus organization,” said Pompea. “The extension further affirms our continued commitment to the Greater Springfield community. Columbus has been a great partner, and we look forward to having continued success with them both on and off the ice.” Added Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris MacFarland, who oversees hockey operations for the club’s affiliates, “the affiliation between the Blue Jackets and Springfield Falcons has been a successful and rewarding one for both clubs, and we’re pleased that the relationship will continue. The Falcons organization, under the leadership of Sarah Pompea, has been tremendous to work with, and we look forward to having our prospects continue to grow and develop in Springfield.” Since becoming the AHL affiliate of the Blue Jackets in 2010-11, the Falcons have completed some of their most successful seasons. The team has a 163-119-11-15 record over the course of the partnership. They have won back-to-back Northeast Division Championships in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Along with claiming the division title, Springfield also set new franchise records with 47 regular-season wins and a .658 points percentage, while tying a team mark of 100 points, in the 2013-14 season. Additionally, 35 current or former Falcons players have skated in at least one game with the Blue Jackets since the affiliation began four seasons ago.

UMass Among Entities to Be Caught ‘Green-handed’
EAST LONGMEADOW — Excel Dryer Inc., manufacturer of the original, patented, high-speed, energy-efficient XLERATOR hand dryer and new XLERATOReco hand dryer, announced registered projects for the third annual international Green Apple Day of Service, an initiative from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council that brings together advocates from around the world and encourages them to take action in their communities through service projects at local schools. The Day of Service, now in its third year, provides an opportunity for students, teachers, parents, elected officials, organizations, companies, and others to transform all schools into healthy, safe, cost-efficient, and productive learning places. Projects organized by Excel Dryer this year include the installation of the Green Apple XLERATOR hand dryers at Brighton High School (part of the Boston public-school system), Angeles Mesa Elementary School (part of the Los Angeles Unified School District), and several locations throughout the UMass Amherst campus. “The green movement is here to stay, and as all facilities are looking for green and cost-savings initiatives, installing XLERATOR hand dryers or our new XLERATOReco hand dryers accomplishes both,” said William Gagnon, vice president of marketing at Excel Dryer. “We are proud to be an original seed sponsor of the Green Apple program since its inception, and encourage groups and individuals to get caught green-handed and make a difference this month by registering a Day of Service project to install XLERATOR hand dryers or XLERATOReco hand dryers at local schools.”

Coldwell Banker Among Top Charitable Companies
BOSTON — The Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices in Chicopee, Longmeadow, and Westfield announced that Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England has been ranked as one of the top corporate charitable contributors in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage was the only residential real-estate brokerage firm to be recognized. The company was honored during the 9th annual Corporate Citizenship Summit, which was held at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston and attended by approximately 700 guests representing a wide range of nonprofit organizations as well as local and national companies with a presence in Massachusetts. “Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage knows that supporting local charitable organizations is vital, and giving back to our communities is part of our culture,” said Pat Villani, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England. “I am very proud of our employees and affiliated sales associates who continue to demonstrate their generosity through their volunteer efforts and contributions to our charitable foundation.” Sales associates and employees raise funds for local housing-related causes by donating a portion of their sales commissions and paychecks to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares, the company’s charitable foundation. They also host fund-raisers and volunteer at local community organizations. The primary purpose of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares is to raise funds to provide financial assistance to housing-related causes in the communities where Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has a presence. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares is the New England chapter of the Realogy Foundation. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is the largest residential real-estate brokerage company in New England. With more than 4,000 sales associates and staff in more than 80 office locations, the organization serves consumers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Inspired Marketing Relocates to Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Inspired Marketing Inc., a full-service marketing agency and event-planning company, continues to grow, and has announced its relocation from the suburbs to 20 Maple St. in Springfield. This move brings the company into a larger space in the heart of the city, allowing it to be closer to a few current clients, including the Springfield Business Improvement District, Springfield Museums, Maple High/Six Corners neighborhood, Square One, and the future home of MGM Springfield. “As a homeowner in the city, I have a soft spot for Springfield,” said Jill Monson-Bishop, chief inspiration officer. “I believe we are on the brink of greatness. I have confidence that the more young professional foot traffic we see in downtown, the quicker the city will thrive. Bringing my company downtown was a natural fit; now my team and I can walk outside for lunch or visit with a colleague in Court Square. We are thrilled to be back in Springfield!” Inspired Marketing is a full-service marketing and event-planning company started in 2011 by Monson-Bishop. It draws on marketing knowledge, resources, and local networks to help create bold solutions to reach clients’ goals. In addition, the firm is a leader in event planning, turning visions into reality for both large and small events. For more information, visit www.inspiredmarketing.biz.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Departments People on the Move

Kamari Collins

Kamari Collins was recently appointed to the position of Dean of Academic Advising and Student Success at Springfield Technical Community College by the STCC board of trustees after serving as the college’s director of academic advising since 2011. Collins began his employment with the college in 2007 as an academic counselor. Prior to his employment with STCC, he served as the director of youth and education programs at the Urban League of Springfield for several years. Collins earned both his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree with a concentration in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College. He was named one of BusinessWest magazine’s 40 Under Forty in 2009 and currently serves as a board member of the Children’s Study Home and Urban League of Springfield Inc. and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts education committee.
•••••

William Hart Jr.

John Pucci

Fourteen lawyers from Bulkley Richardson were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2015. Bulkley Richardson had the most honorees of any law firm in Springfield, with 12 of its 14 selected lawyers based in its Springfield office. Two of the firm’s honorees were also named Springfield “Lawyer of the Year” in specific practice areas. William Hart Jr. was so honored in the category of trusts and estates, and John Pucci for criminal defense, white-collar. He was also recognized in the area of criminal defense, non-white-collar. The following Bulkley Richardson lawyers were also selected for the 2015 edition of Best Lawyers:

Peter Barry

Michael Burke

Mark Cress

Francis Dibble Jr.

Daniel Finnegan

Robert Gelinas

Kevin Maynard

David Parke

Melinda Phelps

Donn Randall

Ellen Randle

Ronald Weiss

•Peter Barry: construction law;
• Michael Burke: medical-malpractice law (defendants); personal-injury litigation (defendants);
• Mark Cress: bankruptcy and creditor/debtor rights; insolvency and reorganization law; corporate law;
• Francis Dibble Jr.: bet-the-company litigation; commercial litigation; litigation (anti-trust, labor and employment, securities);
• Daniel Finnegan: administrative/regulatory law; litigation (construction);
• Robert Gelinas: personal-injury litigation (defendants);
• Kevin Maynard: commercial litigation; litigation (banking and finance, construction);
• David Parke: corporate law;
• Melinda Phelps: medical-malpractice law (defendants); personal-injury litigation (defendants);
• Donn Randall: commercial litigation;
• Ellen Randle: family law; and
• Ronald Weiss: corporate law; mergers and acquisitions law; tax law.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as a definitive guide to legal excellence. Because it is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 52,000 leading attorneys cast almost 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”
•••••
Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that seven of its attorneys will be included in the 2015 edition of the prestigious national guide Best Lawyers in America. Robinson Donovan attorneys were included in a number of categories, with three lawyers earning additional Lawyer of the Year recognition for their practice area. Only one lawyer in each practice area in each community is eligible to be named Lawyer of the Year. The Robinson Donovan honorees include:
• Richard Gaberman: corporate law; real estate law, commercial; tax certiorari; tax law; trusts and estates (23rd consecutive year); Lawyer of the Year, real-estate law. Also previous Lawyer of the Year award for trusts and estates
• James Martin: franchise law, automobile dealerships; real-estate law, franchise
• Jeffrey McCormick: personal-injury litigation, automobile collision; catastrophic injury; civil litigation; ethics and professional responsibility; insurance; medical malpractice; premises liability; professional malpractice
• Carla Newton: family law; Lawyer of the Year, family law
• Nancy Frankel Pelletier: personal-injury law, defendants (10th consecutive year)
• Patricia Rapinchuk: employment law, management; litigation, labor and employment; Lawyer of the Year, employment law, management
• Jeffrey Roberts: corporate law; trusts and estates; also previous Lawyer of the Year award for trusts and estates
For more than 30 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded, by both the legal profession and the public, as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the U.S. The 2015 volume of Best Lawyers, the 21st edition, is based on a rigorous evaluation process that included thousands of clients, highly skilled lawyers, and law-firm representatives.
•••••

Tina Stevens

Tina Stevens has joined Greenfield Community College as an adjunct faculty member for the academic year. She will be teaching “Principles of Marketing,” an in-depth course covering the fundamental concepts of marketing, including the hands-on preparation of a marketing plan for a local business. Stevens is the principal and creative director of Stevens 470 in Westfield, a multi-channel marketing consultancy. With more than 20 years of experience growing the agency and working with a diverse mix of clients, she has real-world experience in developing and directing marketing plans. She focuses her attention on creating successful strategies for clients and executing those solutions throughout today’s marketing channels. Stevens attended Greenfield Community College and earned an associate degree in graphic design. She received her bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University and also has a master’s degree in advertising design from Syracuse University through its Independent Study Degree Program for working professionals in the creative industry.
•••••
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected UMass Amherst Professor James Kurose to serve as Assistant Director for its directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE). The three-year appointment begins in January 2015. Kurose is distinguished professor in UMass Amherst’s School of Computer Science, a position he has held since 2004. He has also served in a number of administrative roles, including chair of the department, interim dean, executive associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences, and senior faculty advisor to the vice chancellor for research and engagement. With Keith Ross, he co-authored the textbook Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach, which is in its 6th edition. CISE’s mission is to promote the progress of computer and information science and engineering research and education and advance the development and use of cyber infrastructure; promote understanding of the principles and uses of advanced computer, communication, and information systems in support of societal priorities; and contribute to universal, transparent, and affordable participation in a knowledge-based society.
•••••
Attain Therapy + Fitness announced the hiring of Michael Fall, who will act as the facility Manager and treating Physical Therapist at the recently acquired facility at 65 Springfield Road in Westfield. Fall has been practicing orthopedic physical therapy for more than 30 years. He has owned, built, and subsequently sold two private practices in Connecticut. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Quinnipiac University in 1983, a master’s degree in orthopedic physical therapy in 1992, and his Ph.D. in biomechanics from the University of Connecticut in 2001. In 2013, he was accepted into the prestigious Gray Institute, where he completed two 40-week fellowship programs in applied and advanced applied functional science, and earned his fellowship in applied functional science.
•••••
Dr. Thomas Wadzinski has joined Dr. James Bell, Dr. Amy Pelletier, Dr. Hanna Awkal, and nurse practitioner Mary Andaloro on the provider staff at Fairview Pediatrics. Board-certified in general pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology, Wadzinski will be able to provide both primary-care and pediatric-endocrinology services to his patients. Wadzinski earned both his medical degree and his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from UMass Medical School in Worcester, and completed his pediatric residency at Baystate Medical Center. He recently completed a pediatric-endocrinology fellowship at Baystate Medical Center, including service as an adjunct research assistant professor at UMass Amherst.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Chamber Corners Departments

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• Oct. 8: ACCGS Lunch ‘n’ Learn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lattitude Restaurant, 1388 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Liz Provo, authorized local representative for Constant Contact, will present “Social Media for Small Business Success.” Cost: $25 for members, $35 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 29: ACCGS Western Mass. Business Expo Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield. Keynote speaker: Gov. Deval Patrick. Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 29: PWC Western Mass. Business Expo Headline Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield. Keynote speaker: Patricia Diaz Dennis, retired senior vice president and assistant general counsel for AT&T. Cost: $40. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

• Oct. 9: Chamber Brown Bag, 12:30-2 p.m. Hosted by the Jones Library (Woodbury Room). Topic: “The Entrepreneurial Equation.” This event will give you ideas for putting banking, retirement, and insurance tools to work so you can help build and protect your business according to your short-and long-term goals. Presenter: Tom McRae, Edward Jones. Event is free and open to the public. Bring a lunch.
• Oct. 9: Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 12:30-1 p.m., at Downtown Mindfulness, 67 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Join us in welcoming Downtown Mindfulness to the Amherst area. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Event is free and open to the public.
• Oct. 24: Legislative Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by the Lord Jeffery Inn, 30 Boltwood Ave., Amherst. This is your chance to rub elbows with Amherst-area elected officials. Cost: $15 for chamber members, $20 for non-members. To RSVP, call Tammy-Lynn at (413) 253-0700 or e-mail [email protected].

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• Oct. 9: Taking Care of Business, Workshop #3, “Human Resources: Best Practices for Small Businesses,” 9-11 a.m. Hosted by Hampton Inn, 600 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Learn about recruitment and hiring, employee benefits and labor laws, and unemployment Insurance. Presenter: Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.
• Oct. 15: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Cost: $20 for members, $26 for non-members.
• Oct. 23: Auction/Beer & Wine Tasting, 6-9 p.m., Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. The public is welcome to attend and enjoy tastings from Kappy’s Liquors and Williams Distributing Corp., and delicious gourmet food by the Delaney House. Take some photos in the complimentary photo booth and bid on auction items such as gift baskets and gift certificates to area restaurants.
• Oct. 30: Taking Care of Business, Workshop #4: “How to Retain Your Top Talent,” 9-11 a.m. Hosted by Hampton Inn, 600 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Learn about recruitment and turnover costs, production loss, and retraining. Presenter: James Percy, Willard Financial Group, LLC. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Oct. 9: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m., hosted and co-sponsored by Eastworks & Riff’s Joint, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, beer and wine. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for future members. RSVP requested.
• Oct. 20: Celebrity Bartenders Night, 6-9 p.m., at Opa-Opa Steakhouse & Brewery, 169 College Highway, Southampton. Join us for a night of fun with local celebrities mixing drinks. Let us know if you are interested in bartending! Cash bar, raffles, and fun. Tips and donations benefit the chamber’s downtown Holiday Lighting Fund. Admission: free.
• Oct. 23: Workforce Training Speaker Breakfast, part of the chamber’s Speaker Series 2014. Hosted by Southampton Country Club, 329 College Highway, Southampton. Come and learn about available state funding for employee training and technical assistance for any size business. Cost: $15 for chamber members, $20 for non-members. Call the chamber to sign up. Seating is limited.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Oct. 7, 21: Nov. 5: Ask a Chamber Expert Series: “How to Start and Maintain Your Own Business.” Get your business on the right track and join us for this member-taught, 10-class workshop series. Workshop schedule: Oct. 7, “Creating a Business Plan”; Oct. 21, “Learning the Law”; Nov. 5, “Insurance.” All workshops are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce at 177 High St., and include light refreshments. Cost: $20 per session for members, or $175 for 10 classes. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Oct. 8: Autumn Business Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., at the Log Cabin. Sponsored by the Republican and Holyoke Medical Center. Recognition of new members and business milestones, and networking breakfast meeting. Cost: $22 for members in advance, $28 for non-members and at the door. For reservations, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376.
• Oct. 15: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Westfield Bank, 1642 Northampton St., Holyoke. Business networking event to take place under the tent. Food, networking, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for the public. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• Oct. 8: “Make the Web Work for You,” 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hosted by Greenfield Savings Bank, Community Room, 325 King St., Northampton. Presented by Tina Stevens of Stevens 470. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP required; space limited.
• Oct. 10: “Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts,” 9-11 a.m., hosted by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Sponsosr: Pioneer Training. Special guest: Don Lesser. This workshop contains a variety of quick tips and tricks in Microsoft Word that will save you hours of time. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP; space limited.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• Oct. 8: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., hosted by East Mountain Country Club, Westfield. Great connection opportunities, including speed connecting. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. Walk-ins welcome. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members (cash at the door). To register, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.
• Oct. 14: Lunch & Lecture Series #3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Noble Hospital, Conference Room A, Westfield. Topic: “Retirement & Investments for Business.” Presented by Tim Flynn of Edward Jones Investments. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office, (413) 568-1618.
• Oct. 20: Speaker Series (2 of 3), “Common and Costly Employment-law Mistakes Made by Small Businesses,” 8-9:15 a.m., presented by Royal, LLC. Hosted by Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center, Westfield. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office, (413) 568-1618.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310

• Oct. 14: PWC Ladies Night, 5-7 p.m. Complimentary wine, refreshments, and networking. Reservations are complimentary but suggested, by contacting Dawn Creighton at [email protected] or (413) 530-0545.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880

• Oct. 9: Agawam Candidates Forum, 6-9 p.m., hosted by Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main St., Agawam. For the first half of this state representatives / state Senate debate, questions will be solicited in advance from WRC members and the general public. The second half of the debate will be performed in the Lincoln-Douglas format, where candidates will have the opportunity to pose questions to each other.
• Oct. 15: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Crestview Country Club, Agawam. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. You must be a member or guest of a member to attend. The only cost to attend is the cost of lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately that day. We cannot invoice you for these events. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or email [email protected].
• Oct. 16: Breakfast Meeting, 7-9 a.m., hosted by Lattitude, West Springfield. The featured emcee is political consultant Anthony Signoli, speaking on the potential casino and how it may affect local business and the general public. Cost: $25 for chamber members, $30 for non-members. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or email [email protected].

Hub International Limited Acquires Assets of FieldEddy Insurance

By BusinessWest Staff October 7, 2014

Daily News

CHICAGO — Hub International Limited, a leading global insurance brokerage, announced that it has acquired the assets of FieldEddy Insurance and Your Choice Insurance Agency, servicing the Central and Western Mass. region. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

FieldEddy’s operations will become part of Hub International New England, strategically broadening its current network of offices located primarily in the Eastern Mass./Boston region.

FieldEddy is a full-service property and casualty, personal-lines, and employee-benefits brokerage, with four locations in and around Springfield. The firm’s strengths in the education, healthcare, and energy industries, including oil and gas, complement Hub New England’s expertise. Additionally, Hub New England will broaden FieldEddy’s capabilities with expertise in real estate and non-for-profits, as well as offering a robust risk-services solution and access to an expanded carrier network.

With the FieldEddy acquisition, Hub New England now has 22 offices and almost 500 employees throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. FieldEddy CEO Samuel Hanmer and President Timm Marini will both join Hub New England’s executive leadership team. Within the region, Hanmer will focus on identifying potential M&A candidates and strategic growth initiatives, while Marini will coordinate sales strategies. They will both report to Charles Brophy, president and CEO of Hub New England.

“FieldEddy is a talented group of producers with a great local-market reputation that gives Hub New England a strong foothold in Central and Western Mass.,” Brophy said. “We see a real opportunity to bring Hub’s carrier relationships and customized, industry-specific risk-services capabilities as value adds to clients for an expanded service offering.”

For more information about Chicago-based Hub International Limited, visit www.hubinternational.com. To learn more about the Hub M&A experience, visit www.wearehub.com.

United Way Announces Resource Development Council Members

By BusinessWest Staff October 6, 2014

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) has announced the slate of volunteers who will serve on its 2014-15 Resource Development Council (RDC), the organization’s volunteer fund-raising arm. It is comprised of a group of volunteer community and business leaders who are committed to the mission of the UWPV.

“This is a very exciting time for the United Way. Today’s United Way is immersed in 21st-century fundraising, 24-hour community impact, seven days a week,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank and RDC Chair. “Contributions to the United Way have enabled them to impact our community in ways we can only imagine: a student, otherwise unable, graduated from high school; 1,500 children who were homeless started school ready to learn because they received a backpack loaded with school supplies; a family ate nourishing dinners replete with fresh fruits and vegetables; teen pregnancy was reduced; and, after years of living on the financial edge, a woman improved her credit and opened her first bank account.”

In addition to Lowell, the United Way of Pioneer Valley Resource Development Council includes Ann Burke, vice president of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council; Shaun Dwyer, first vice president of PeoplesBank; Lisa McMahon of the Westfield State University Foundation; Jeffrey Fialky, attorney with Bacon Wilson, P.C.; Bennet Markens, president of the Markens Group; Denis Gagnon Jr., vice president of Excel Dryer; Susan Mielnikowski, attorney with Cooley Shrair, P.C.; Mathew Geffin, vice president of Webber & Grinnell Insurance Agency; Barbara Moffat, vice president of Marketing/External Affairs for WNEU; Sam Hamner, CFO and principal of Field Eddy; Arlene Putnam, consultant at Putnam Associates; attorney Cynthia Tucker; Carol Katz; and Jeffrey Sullivan.

Skoler, Abbott & Presser Marks 50th Anniversary with Donation

By BusinessWest Staff October 3, 2014

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., an employment-law firm serving the Greater Springfield area, announced that the firm is celebrating its 50th anniversary by donating a $5,000 ‘Skolership’ to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Since the firm’s founding in 1964, Skoler, Abbott & Presser has exclusively represented management and employers in the fields of labor relations and employment law. Partner Ralph Abbott Jr., who has been with the firm since 1975, said, “our mission has always been to educate local businesses about workplace law, so it makes sense to celebrate a momentous anniversary with a scholarship. By donating to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, our gift will benefit the community that has helped us succeed for half a century. We have deemed our donation a ‘Skolership’ in honor of our founding partner, Martin J. Skoler.”

With two offices in Massachusetts — the main office in Springfield and a branch office in Worcester — and an additional office in Meriden, Conn., Skoler, Abbott & Presser is one of the largest law firms in New England specializing in the practice of labor relations and employment law solely on behalf of management. Skoler Abbott’s clients range from small, nonprofit agencies to national Fortune 500 companies, and include businesses in the healthcare, manufacturing, higher-education, and banking industries.

Attorneys are also approved defense counsel for many insurance companies that provide employment-practices liability insurance coverage to employers. In addition, attorneys regularly practice before administrative agencies in other states. Skoler, Abbott & Presser attorneys are admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, as well as federal courts in other jurisdictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

To apply for scholarships and loans at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, all eligible applicants must complete an online application that will be available on the foundation’s website as of Jan. 1, 2015. In addition to completion of the online application, applicants must arrange for the submission of their most recent official academic transcript and submit a 2015-16 student-aid report. All required documents must be mailed or postmarked no later than March 31, 2015. The Community Foundation’s scholarship application will be available at www.communityfoundation.org/scholarships/application.html.

Last year alone, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts attracted approximately 2,500 applicants for scholarships and loan funds totaling $2 million, and 700 recipients benefitted from donations. The foundation’s scholarship and interest-free student-loan funds support students seeking access to the opportunities offered by higher education and play a substantial role in providing an educated citizenry. Some of the funds help students from a particular schools or areas; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Scholarships and interest-free loan awards are reviewed by volunteer committees and approved by the board of trustees. Awards are made subject to availability and the policies of the Community Foundation.

Seven Robinson Donovan Attorneys Named to ‘Best Lawyers’

By BusinessWest Staff September 23, 2014

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that seven of its attorneys will be included in the 2015 edition of the prestigious national guide Best Lawyers in America.

Robinson Donovan attorneys were included in a number of categories, with three lawyers earning additional Lawyer of the Year recognition for their practice area. Only one lawyer in each practice area in each community is eligible to be named Lawyer of the Year. The Robinson Donovan honorees include:

• Richard Gaberman: corporate law; real estate law, commercial; tax certiorari; tax law; trusts and estates (23rd consecutive year); Lawyer of the Year, real-estate law. Also previous Lawyer of the Year award for trusts and estates

• James Martin: franchise law, automobile dealerships; real-estate law, franchise

• Jeffrey McCormick: personal-injury litigation, automobile collision; catastrophic injury; civil litigation; ethics and professional responsibility; insurance; medical malpractice; premises liability; professional malpractice

• Carla Newton: family law; Lawyer of the Year, family law

• Nancy Frankel Pelletier: personal-injury law, defendants (10th consecutive year)

• Patricia Rapinchuk: employment law, management; litigation, labor and employment; Lawyer of the Year, employment law, management

• Jeffrey Roberts: corporate law; trusts and estates; also previous Lawyer of the Year award for trusts and estates

For more than 30 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded, by both the legal profession and the public, as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the U.S. The 2015 volume of Best Lawyers, the 21st edition, is based on a rigorous evaluation process that included thousands of clients, highly skilled lawyers, and law-firm representatives.

Throwing Out a Lifeline

By BusinessWest Staff September 23, 2014

Banking and Financial Services Sections

There’s Still Time for Homeowners to Take Advantage of HARP

Mel Watt has been on a campaign.

Watt, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has been reaching out to the public all summer to let people know about the Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, a five-year-old program to help homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages refinance to a lower interest rate.

“We know that there are hundreds of thousands of borrowers who can still benefit from HARP and are essentially leaving money on the table by not taking advantage of the program,” Watt said. “By engaging directly with local community leaders, faith-based organizations, local elected officials, and lenders, our goal is to leverage these trusted sources to reach as many borrowers as we can.”

Watt may be understating the potential untapped market for HARP loans, said Bob Michel, senior vice president at Hampden Bank. Well over 3 million Americans have taken advantage of HARP since it was created in the wake of the housing-market crash of 2008 and 2009, but some banking analysts say there could be just as many homeowners still eligible to apply.

“Basically, the HARP program was designed for borrowers who had kept their mortgage current, yet they were underwater or didn’t have sufficient equity to finance at today’s low interest rates,” Michel told BusinessWest. “The government tried a number of different modification programs, but most of those were designed for people who had become delinquent. They finally recognized that people who had done the right thing, who had maintained their payment schedule as well as they possibly could, would benefit from taking advantage of low interest rates. We’ve seen people lower their interest rates by 2%, 3%, or more with this program.”

Yet, Watt told HousingWire magazine that a combination of factors, including fear, is keeping others away.

“HARP is designed to reward those borrowers who are the most committed in this country. This is not a scam,” he said. However, “as it stands now, people don’t trust their lenders, and it’s creating uncertainty.

“Today,” he added, “there’s just a lot of people — and no one pays enough attention to it — who got burned.”

HARP is a means to relieve some of that sting, Michel said, as long as people take advantage of the program before it expires at the end of 2015.

Underwater Rescue

The bursting of the housing bubble in 2008 put millions of American homeowners in a serious predicament. Inventories soared nationwide, and home prices plummeted, and many recent homebuyers saw the value of their homes drop below the balance of their mortgages.

Interest rates declined soon after, but these underwater homeowners were prevented from taking advantage of lower rates through refinancing, since banks traditionally require a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or less to qualify for refinancing without private mortgage insurance.

FHFA and the U.S. Treasury Department introduced HARP in early 2009 as part of the Making Home Affordable program. HARP is one of the only refinance programs that allows borrowers with little or no equity to take advantage of low interest rates and other refinancing benefits. To be eligible, homeowners must meet the following criteria:

• Their loan must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac;
• Their mortgage must have been originated on or before May 31, 2009;
• Their current loan-to-value ratio must be greater than 80%; and
• They must be current on their mortgage payments, with no late payments in the last six months and no more than one late payment in the last 12 months.

“The basic HARP program will easily go up to 125% of the market value of the home, so you can be underwater — and there are provisions that go beyond that on a case-by-case basis,” Michel said. “You still have to have an adequate credit rating and the ability to pay. But these are people who have been paying all along, so they’ve already demonstrated an ability to pay. The vast majority of HARP borrowers who applied with us have been able to be approved.”

The savings, nationally, have been dramatic. Tracy Hagen Mooney, senior vice president at Freddie Mac, said homeowners who refinanced through HARP during the first quarter of 2013 saved an average of $4,300 in interest payments over the first 12 months.

Interest rates have risen since then to between 4% and 5%, and Mooney, like most analysts, doesn’t expect them to return to 2012 and 2013 levels. “However, mortgage interest rates are still comparatively low. Looking back to the mid-2000s, the average 30-year fixed interest rate was around 6%,” she writes. “Given that nearly half of the 30-year fixed-rate mortgages owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae have rates of 5% or greater, lots of homeowners stand to benefit from acting now.”

That’s the word Watt is trying to spread. “We know that there are hundreds of thousands of borrowers who can still benefit from Home Affordable Refinance Program and are essentially leaving money on the table by not taking advantage of the program,” he said.

Bottom Line

That’s Michel’s concern, too.

“I know there are a number of people out there that could still benefit from this program but are not taking advantage of it,” he told BusinessWest, adding that the bank has tried to reach out to them through direct mail and advertising campaigns. “We’re still in a time of historically low interest rates, but I think the growing consensus is that these rates are not going to last a whole lot longer. I think we’re on the verge, sometime in the next six to 12 months, of seeing interest rates rise.”

In other words, there’s still time for underwater borrowers to swim to shore — the sooner, the better.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff September 23, 2014

Briefcase Departments

Baystate Celebrates Acquisition of Wing
PALMER — Team members and leaders from Baystate Health and Baystate Wing Hospital joined elected officials and members of the Palmer community Friday to celebrate Wing’s official entry into the Baystate Health community. Wing formally became part of Baystate Health at midnight on Monday, September 1. “Our community hospitals enable us to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time for thousands of patients and their families,” said Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health. “We expect the addition of Baystate Wing Hospital to have a major positive impact on quality, access, and affordability of healthcare in Western Massachusetts, and on our ability to continue to provide outstanding, high-value care for our patients close to where they live. Bringing two organizations together is a major undertaking, and doing it well requires vast amounts of teamwork and planning. Over the last several months, I have witnessed the outstanding commitment and expertise of both Wing and Baystate Health team members, who are driven by the common desire to ensure a smooth transition for patients and families. I thank all who have contributed their energy and expertise to this transition. We’re proud to bring Wing into our organization, and we’re grateful to be welcomed so warmly into the Palmer community.” Dr. Charles Cavagnaro III, president and CEO of Wing for the past 15 years and newly appointed president of Baystate Health’s Eastern Region, saluted his team’s grace in dealing with the change in ownership. “I’m so encouraged and so heartened by the way my colleagues at Wing have greeted this change with enthusiasm, open-mindedness, optimism, and hope — and by the way Baystate has eased the transition and greeted us with open arms. This new partnership has us well-positioned to meet the challenges of fulfilling our mission in a turbulent time in healthcare. It will take hard work, open minds, partnership, and commitment. And I believe our future is very bright.” Baystate Health’s Eastern Region encompasses Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, Baystate Wing Hospital, and its affiliated medical centers. Collaborations between Baystate Mary Lane and Baystate Wing will be a key element of improving the delivery of care in the region, said Keroack. “We are committed to the success of Baystate Mary Lane and Baystate Wing, and are eager to explore innovative ways of working together that also provide new and exciting opportunities for physicians and all Baystate team members in the region.” Baystate Wing Hospital is the third community hospital to join Baystate Health. Baystate Mary Lane Hospital became part of the health system in 1991, after Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield in 1986. Baystate Health acquired Wing Memorial Hospital from UMass Memorial Health Care, based in Worcester. The two health systems continue a collaborative relationship announced in September 2013. Baystate Wing Hospital has been serving patients in the Palmer, Quaboag Hills, and Pioneer Valley region since 1913. The 74-bed hospital and its five community medical centers in Belchertown, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, and Wilbraham offer emergency, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and psychiatric services as well as outpatient services provided by more than 50 medical staff and 165 registered nurses. Baystate Wing Hospital’s network also includes the Griswold Behavioral Health Center and the Wing VNA and Hospice. Baystate Wing is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and is designated a Primary Stroke Service hospital by the Mass. Department of Public Health. It was also recently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as one of model hospitals promoting health and improving quality of life. Together, the hospital and its community medical centers are focused on high-quality, patient-centered care delivered by physicians specializing in 45 medical disciplines, including adult family medicine, internal medicine, geriatric medicine, ob/gyn, and pediatric medicine.

Business Growth Center Expands Programming
SPRINGFIELD — The Business Growth Center at Springfield Technology Park has received a grant from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) to help underserved or disadvantaged business owners in the Pioneer Valley grow, or stabilize, their enterprises. The funds will enable the center to continue its Stronger Businesses Program, starting Oct. 7, and supplement funding for its staff. This is the second time the Business Growth Center has received this MGCC grant for the Stronger Businesses Program, which focuses on businesses with fewer than 20 employees. An assistant program manager will also be added to the center’s staff to support its Growth Advisory Program and seminars. The grant is part of the MGCC’s 2015 Small Business Assistance Grants Program, which is designed to complement and enhance the traditional public and private small-business assistance network. The Business Growth Center is one of 30 organizations statewide to receive 25 grants, and the only one in Hampden or Hampshire county to receive funding from the MGCC. “Businesses with fewer than 20 employees dominate the Pioneer Valley,” said Marla Michel, the Business Growth Center’s director. “They will benefit from this support, as it allows us to re-offer a proven business-growth workshop and build our capacity for other growth programs.” The Stronger Businesses Program is an eight-session, in-depth offering for motivated leaders of for-profit and nonprofit businesses aiming to strengthen their organizations and accelerate growth through better decision making, new-product introductions, and more efficient operations. The program starts on Oct. 7 and, after a five-week ‘homework’ period, runs from Nov. 12 to Dec. 23. Business owners can bring an associate at no additional charge to help absorb what they learn more effectively. Discounts are available to members of all the regional chambers of commerce and the Western Mass. chapter of the National Machine and Tooling Assoc., as well as clients of the Business Growth Center’s service providers: the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, the New England Business Associates Business Development Center, and SCORE. Participants in last year’s program reported increased business stabilization or growth as a result of the program. “If I hadn’t taken this class, my company wouldn’t have been in as upward a position as it is,” said Kristin Maier, program participant and president of Peerless Precision Inc. in Westfield. Added Leslie Belay, senior program manager at MGCC, “we are pleased to have the Business Growth Center as one of our grantees in Western Mass. Their Stronger Businesses Program is compelling and will assist small-business owners in expanding their products and services to meet new growth opportunities in the Pioneer Valley.” Registration is open for the Stronger Businesses Program and available on the center’s website.

Women’s Fund Announces $240,000 in Grant Awards
EASTHAMPTON — The Women’s Fund of Western Mass. announced a total of $240,000 in grant commitments in Berkshire, Franklin, Hamden, and Hampshire counties. Working within its focus areas of educational access and success, economic justice, and safety and freedom from violence, partners in these communities will each receive $60,000 over three years to deploy innovative programs that will help shift the landscape for women and girls. Among the grantees, Berkshire United Way will spearhead a coalition effort titled Face the Facts Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition; in Franklin County, Greenfield Community College will launch the Franklin County Women’s GARDEN Project Collaborative; in Hampden County, the Prison Birth Project will continue its social- and reproductive-justice efforts for incarcerated and post-incarcerated mothers; and in Hampshire County, funding will go to the Treehouse Foundation’s project titled Re-envisioning Foster Care Together. “We have incredible partnerships with our grantees,” said Elizabeth Barajas-Román, who joined the Women’s Fund as its new CEO earlier this month. “By investing in these organizations, the fund is deepening our impact and strengthening our reach.” In addition to the financial award, the Women’s Fund is investing an additional $12,000 into the partnership by giving each organization the opportunity to select two of their staff, constituents, or board members as participants of the Women’s Fund’s Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI). LIPPI, a program of the Women’s Fund, has equipped 200 women from across the four western counties to become civic leaders in their communities; impact policy on the local, state, and national levels; and seek and retain elected positions. Collectively, these four grantees will help leverage the Women’s Fund’s impact on the lives of women and girls in Western Mass. The Women’s Fund will also continue to convene skill-building sessions and support the programming of organizations that work on issues that impact women and girls. The Women’s Fund advances social-change philanthropy to create economic and social equality for women and girls in Western Mass. through grant-making and strategic initiatives. Since 1997, the WFWM has awarded more than $2 million in grants to more than 100 programs in the four counties of Western Mass. The WFWM is building its capacity to be the go-to organization for all issues related to improving the lives of women and girls.

State Touts Web Portal for Municipal Grants
BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration has unveiled a new web portal for cities and towns to easily identify grant opportunities that could benefit their communities. The Municipal Grant Finder (mass.gov/municipalgrants) is a one-stop web shop for local officials and residents to learn about grant opportunities across state government, regardless of which state agency manages a grant program. “Through the new Municipal Grant Finder, the Patrick administration is continuing its commitment to provide resources to help our municipal partners deliver core services to their communities,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor. The web portal will highlight what resources exist and where to find them, as management of these grants and resources is decentralized among a multitude of state government agencies. The Municipal Grant Finder will help them navigate state government by succinctly profiling more than 60 funding and support opportunities for cities and towns. Working together, the Patrick administration and the Commonwealth’s municipalities have already achieved real, meaningful savings and structural changes to keep costs down so municipalities can make the necessary investments in community services that keep them thriving. Municipal healthcare reform is providing significant and immediate savings to cities and towns, and 257 communities and school districts across Massachusetts have already collectively saved more than $247 million in health-insurance premiums over the past three years as a result of the landmark municipal healthcare reform law signed by Patrick in July 2011.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff September 23, 2014

Company Notebook Departments

Holyoke Mall Announces ‘Magical Night of Giving’
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall at Ingleside will be hosting its ninth annual “Magical Night of Giving” event to help local nonprofit groups and schools raise funds for their organizations. The event will be held on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 6 to 9:30 p.m., with the orientation and ticket-distribution session held on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. The orientation will be held at Holyoke Mall’s Guest Services Center, located on the lower level in Sears Court. The “Magical Night of Giving” is a simple and effective way for nonprofit groups and schools to raise funds for their organization. Holyoke Mall at Ingleside covers all overhead expenses, and the charity keeps 100% of each $5 admission ticket sold. The event works as follows:
• Holyoke Mall at Ingleside will print admission tickets. These tickets will be available for nonprofit groups to pick up and sell beginning Sept. 24.
• Prior to November’s event, organizations will sell these admission tickets for $5 each and keep all money earned from the sale of these tickets.
• For anyone not purchasing tickets in advance, admission tickets will also be sold the evening of the event at all mall entrances by some of the participating organizations.
• Participating Holyoke Mall at Ingleside retailers will offer special discounts that are exclusive to the “Magical Night of Giving.” The ticket is the only means to receive these special discounts between 6 and 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 23.
• Admission tickets sold also act as a raffle ticket. Prizes will be awarded, including a $1,000 Holyoke Mall gift card. The raffle drawing will begin at 8:30 p.m. the evening of the event.
Said Holyoke Mall General Manager Bill Rogalski, “this event helps to raise approximately $50,000 each year between the various organizations involved. Holyoke Mall is providing the tools for the groups to hold their own fund-raiser. It’s a simple way for nonprofit groups and area schools to raise much-needed funding for their organizations.” To reserve tickets for pickup on Sept. 24, contact Simone Enright at (413) 536-1441 or [email protected] by Friday, Sept. 19. Anyone unable to pick up tickets on Sept. 24 may make arrangements with Enright to pick them up at a later date. Call Holyoke Mall’s Marketing department at (413) 536-1441 with any questions.

Webber & Grinnell Named to Circle of Excellence
NORTHAMPTON — Webber and Grinnell Insurance Agency has been inducted into the Plymouth Rock Assurance and Bunker Hill Insurance 2014 Circle of Excellence, recognizing outstanding professionalism, financial performance, and commitment to customer service by independent insurance agents during 2013. Selected from a pool of more than 400 independent agents across Massachusetts, Webber & Grinnell was one of 25 agents to receive this honor. “The Circle of Excellence is our premiere recognition and rewards program reserved for our top independent agents,” said Chris Olie, president of Plymouth Rock Assurance and chairman of Bunker Hill Insurance.“These agents are key parts of Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill’s success. They have each worked hard to build their businesses while also providing excellent service and trusting advice to their customers.” Webber & Grinnell is one of the largest insurance agencies in Western Mass. The agency currently serves more than 5,000 automobile and homeowner policyholders, and insures nearly 900 businesses throughout the region. “As an independent agent, our goal is to provide expert service tailored to the specific needs of each client we serve,” said Bill Grinnell, president of Webber & Grinnell. “It’s always rewarding to be recognized for our hard work and dedication, and we’re grateful to receive this honor from Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill.” Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill are leading automobile- and home-insurance carriers serving Massachusetts. As a member of the Circle of Excellence, Webber & Grinnell will receive marketing support funds, education and training, and other initiatives designed to promote sustained success. The agency will be honored at a fall retreat.

Freedom Credit Union Touts New Logo, Website
SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union recently unveiled its updated look with a new logo and a redesigned website. At the same time, the credit union launched its presence on social media with new Facebook and LinkedIn pages. “This rebrand is an effort for us to freshen up our image and present a more contemporary look and design across all parts of the credit union, from our website and in-branch messaging to our advertising and promotional materials,” said Barry Crosby, president and CEO. The new logo incorporates the outline of a bell, which represents the credit union’s founding as the Western Massachusetts Telephone Workers Credit Union in 1922. The new website features a more modern design with enhanced navigation and organization. Most of the information is organized within four areas — personal banking, business banking, member tools, and ‘about us’ — and the new rates page is arranged in tabs so that all credit-union rates can be accessed on one page. “Our new website also makes it very convenient for our members to apply for a mortgage or consumer loan online,” said Jeffrey Smith, Freedom’s vice president and chief lending officer. “Members can even get pre-qualified for a mortgage on our website in just a few minutes.” Members can apply for any type of consumer loan online — mortgages, home-equity loans, auto loans, personal loans, home-improvement loans, education loans, and more. On social media, Freedom has attracted hundreds of ‘likes’ on its Facebook page and numerous followers on its LinkedIn page. To access Freedom’s social-media sites, go to www.freedom.coop and click on the logos at the top of the page. Membership at Freedom is available to include anyone who lives, works, or attends a college or university in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire county. The organization boasts nine branches throughout the Pioneer Valley in Ludlow, Chicopee, Feeding Hills, Sixteen Acres, Springfield, Easthampton, Northampton, Greenfield, and Turners Falls. A tenth branch is slated to open in September at the Roger L. Putnam Technical Academy in Springfield.

Bauzá & Associates Joins Worldwide Partners
ENFIELD, Conn. — Worldwide Partners Inc. (WPI) has added another partner to the world’s 8th-largest full-service ad-agency network and the world’s largest network of independent ad agencies, according to Al Moffatt, president and CEO of Worldwide Partners, headquartered in Denver. Bauzá & Associates, headquartered in Enfield, Conn., specializes in multicultural marketing and is headed by principal and CEO Héctor Bauzá. Founded in 2003, the agency became an LLC in Massachusetts in 2005 and has a roster of clients including the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center of Dorchester, and the Connecticut Lottery. “What makes us attractive to clients worldwide is that we’re comprised of innovative, progressive agencies across a full range of disciplines and industries,” Moffatt said. “We’re a collaborative, bottom-up network whereby the partner agencies own us rather than us owning them. We provide the resources and the global outreach to help our partners achieve greater profits and revenue while the partner agencies work together to build each other’s business and service clients locally, regionally, and internationally. We’re an efficient, international network that is built to succeed in today’s highly competitive and fragmented marketing environment. Each partner is hand-selected for its progressive and innovative approach. In short, we have the critical mass and skills of the agency conglomerates coupled with the flexibility of the independents. We’re very happy to have Bauzá & Associates join us.” Added Bauzá, “we are honored to be a part of WPI’s tremendously successful network of independent agencies. As a smaller agency, the added muscle from WPI will help to increase the size of the projects Bauzá & Associates will compete for and expand this agency’s reach to regional, national, and global markets.” Worldwide Partners Inc., which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2013, has more than 20 network-wide regional and international clients, including Wal-Mart Centroamerica, Caterpillar, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Group Santander, MINI, Western Digital, California Tourism, and Novartis.

Dadanco Opens New Facility in Westfield
WESTFIELD — Dadanco, a manufacturer of commercial hydronic-based heating and cooling products, including active chilled beams, induction units, and induction diffusers, announced the grand opening of its Luxton-Reed Center, with an open house to be held on Sept. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Luxton-Reed Center is aptly named after two industry pioneers for heating and cooling technologies: professor Russell Luxton of Australia, the co-founder of Dadanco, and John Reed of Westfield, the founder of several hydronic heating companies, including Sterling Residential & Commercial Hydronics, which are divisions of Mestek Inc., the largest manufacturer of finned-tube baseboard radiation in North America. The Luxton-Reed Center (LRC) is a unique facility focused on research and development and specific high-efficiency equipment testing utilizing a thermal-scenario test chamber which accurately measures air and water flow, temperature, and capacities. The test chamber is highly configurable and can simulate actual real-life application conditions. Alongside the LRC corporate offices are several live-fire training and showcase spaces. Each space meticulously represents an actual real-world installation, including a hotel suite, hospital room, and laboratory. The hotel suite is one of the most technically complex demonstration spaces in the LRC facility, as the room features a thermal wall with glass façade which simulates outside conditions and three different types of hydronic cooling solutions, so guests get to compare and contrast without leaving the room. LRC’s main mechanical room is host to multiple high-efficiency products produced by other Westfield-based Mestek companies, including condensing cast-iron boilers from Advanced Thermal Hydronics, flexible small-duct air distribution, and reverse-cycle chiller systems by SpacePak, direct outside air systems by Applied Air, hydronic fan coils by Airtherm, and integrated control systems by HeatNet. The facility is a fully operational showroom and research center for high-efficiency indoor comfort equipment and integrated control platforms. Every room, including the offices, the classroom/training room, the videoconferencing room, and the kitchen/break room, houses various mediums of high-efficiency air-distribution equipment.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff September 23, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• Sept. 23: ACCGS Pastries, Politics & Policy, 8-9 a.m. An informal roundtable discussion, designed for political and policy junkies. Cost: $15 for members, $25 for general admission, which includes continental breakfast. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Sept. 30: Rake in the Business Table Top Showcase, 4:30-7 p.m. Hosted by Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Presented by the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield and the Greater Chicopee, Holyoke, and Westfield chambers of commerce. Network with more than 100 vendors. Cost: $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 1: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Road, Longmeadow. Cost: $20 for members in advance, $25 for members at the door, $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 3: ERC5 Golf Classic. Registration, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:30 a.m.; shotgun start, 12:30 p.m. Wilbraham Country Club, 859 Stony Hill Road, Wilbraham. Cost: $500 per foursome. Proceeds benefit the Minnechaug Regional High School Youth Entrepreneurial Scholars Program and the ERC5 Scholarship Fund. Reservations may be made online www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 8: ACCGS Lunch ‘n’ Learn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lattitude Restaurant, 1388 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Liz Provo, authorized local representative for Constant Contact, will present “Social Media for Small Business Success.” Cost: $25 for members, $35 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 29: ACCGS Western Mass. Business Expo Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield. Keynote speaker: Gov. Deval Patrick. Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 29: PWC Western Mass. Business Expo Headline Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield. Keynote speaker: Patricia Diaz Dennis, retired senior vice president and assistant general counsel for AT&T. Cost: $40. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

• Oct. 1: Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 5-6 p.m., hosted by Unitarian Universalist Society of America, 121 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Rededication of the Tiffany stained-glass window. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Event is free and open to the public.
• Oct. 2: 2014 Annual Awards Dinner, 5:30-9 p.m. (after-party to follow). Hosted by Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St., Hadley. Join us in honoring the Rotary Club of Amherst, Stephanie O’Keeffe, and Tony Maroulis. Emceed by Monte Belmonte, 93.9 The River. Tickets are $75 per person or $700 for a table of 10. For more information, call Tammy-Lynn at (413) 253-0700 or e-mail [email protected].
• Oct. 9: Chamber Brown Bag, 12:30-2 p.m. Hosted by the Jones Library (Woodbury Room). Topic: “The Entrepreneurial Equation.” This event will give you ideas for putting banking, retirement, and insurance tools to work so you can help build and protect your business according to your short-and long-term goals. Presenter: Tom McRae, Edward Jones. Event is free and open to the public. Bring a lunch.
• Oct. 9: Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 12:30-1 p.m., at Downtown Mindfulness, 67 North Pleasant St., Amherst. Join us in welcoming Downtown Mindfulness to the Amherst area. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Event is free and open to the public.
• Oct. 24: Legislative Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by the Lord Jeffery Inn, 30 Boltwood Ave., Amherst. This is your chance to rub elbows with Amherst-area elected officials. Cost: $15 for chamber members, $20 for non-members. To RSVP, call Tammy-Lynn at (413) 253-0700 or e-mail [email protected].

FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463

• Sept. 26: Chamber Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m., hosted by Franklin County Tech School, Turners Falls. Special presentation on United Way program. Cost: $13 for members, $15 for non-members. Contact the chamber at (413) 773-5463 to reserve your tickets.

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• Sept. 30: Table Top Expo & Business Networking Event, 4:30-7 p.m., Hosted by: Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Presented by the Greater Chicopee, Holyoke, and Westfield chambers of commerce and ACCGS. Cost: $5 pre-registered, $10 at the door. Register online at www.chicopeechamber.org.
• Oct. 9: Taking Care of Business, Workshop #3, “Human Resources: Best Practices for Small Businesses,” 9-11 a.m. Hosted by Hampton Inn, 600 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Learn about recruitment and hiring, employee benefits and labor laws, and unemployment Insurance. Presenter: Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.
• Oct. 15: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. Cost: $20 for members, $26 for non-members.
• Oct. 23: Auction/Beer & Wine Tasting, 6-9 p.m., Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. The public is welcome to attend and enjoy tastings from Kappy’s Liquors and Williams Distributing Corp., and delicious gourmet food by the Delaney House. Take some photos in the complimentary photo booth and bid on auction items such as gift baskets and gift certificates to area restaurants.
• Oct. 30: Taking Care of Business, Workshop #4: “How to Retain Your Top Talent,” 9-11 a.m. Hosted by Hampton Inn, 600 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Learn about recruitment and turnover costs, production loss, and retraining. Presenter: James Percy, Willard Financial Group, LLC. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Oct. 9: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m., hosted and co-sponsored by Eastworks & Riff’s Joint, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, beer and wine. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for future members. RSVP requested.
• Oct. 20: Celebrity Bartenders Night, 6-9 p.m., at Opa-Opa Steakhouse & Brewery, 169 College Highway, Southampton. Join us for a night of fun with local celebrities mixing drinks. Let us know if you are interested in bartending! Cash bar, raffles, and fun. Tips and donations benefit the chamber’s downtown Holiday Lighting Fund. Admission: free.
• Oct. 23: Workforce Training Speaker Breakfast, part of the chamber’s Speaker Series 2014. Hosted by Southampton Country Club, 329 College Highway, Southampton. Come and learn about available state funding for employee training and technical assistance for any size business. Cost: $15 for chamber members, $20 for non-members. Call the chamber to sign up. Seating is limited.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Sept. 30: Table Top Showcase, 4:30-7 p.m., hosted by Chicopee Castle of Knights. Four area chambers — Greater Holyoke, Greater Chicopee, Greater Westfield, and the ACCGS — are getting together to present a table top mini-trade show. Tables cost $125. Visitor cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call (413) 534-3376 to secure a table, or sign up online at holyokechamber.com.
• Oct. 3: Manufacturing Business Breakfast, 8-10 a.m. (7:45 a.m. registration), PeoplesBank Conference Room, Kittredge Center, Holyoke Community College. Join us for a continental breakfast and networking opportunity to celebrate manufacturing. Guests include Eric Nakajima, assistant secretary of Housing and Economic Development; David Gadaire of CareerPoint, Jeffrey Hayden of Holyoke Community College, and state Rep. Aaron Vega. Cost: $10, which includes a continental breakfast. Call (413) 534-3376 to sign up, or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Oct. 7, 21: Nov. 5: Ask a Chamber Expert Series: “How to Start and Maintain Your Own Business.” Get your business on the right track and join us for this member-taught, 10-class workshop series. Workshop schedule: Oct. 7, “Creating a Business Plan”; Oct. 21, “Learning the Law”; Nov. 5, “Insurance.” All workshops are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce at 177 High St., and include light refreshments. Cost: $20 per session for members, or $175 for 10 classes. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.
• Oct. 8: Autumn Business Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., at the Log Cabin. Sponsored by the Republican and Holyoke Medical Center. Recognition of new members and business milestones, and networking breakfast meeting. Cost: $22 for members in advance, $28 for non-members and at the door. For reservations, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376.
• Oct. 15: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Westfield Bank, 1642 Northampton St., Holyoke. Business networking event to take place under the tent. Food, networking, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for the public. To sign up, call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or visit holyokechamber.com.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• Oct. 1: Annual Open House, 5-7 p.m., hosted by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
• Oct. 8: “Make the Web Work for You,” 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hosted by Greenfield Savings Bank, Community Room, 325 King St., Northampton. Presented by Tina Stevens of Stevens 470. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP required; space limited.
• Oct. 10: “Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts,” 9-11 a.m., hosted by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton. Sponsosr: Pioneer Training. Special guest: Don Lesser. This workshop contains a variety of quick tips and tricks in Microsoft Word that will save you hours of time. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members. RSVP; space limited.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• Sept. 30: 17th Annual Table Top Showcase, 4:30-7 p.m., hosted by Castle of Knights, Chicopee. Opportunities include sponsorships and exhibitor tables. Cost: $5 in advance through chamber, $10 at the door. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office, (413) 568-1618.
• Oct. 6: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Tekoa Country Club, Westfield. Join Mayor Dan Knapik for an informal talk on Westfield. Free and open to the public, but call Pam at the chamber to register, (413) 568-1618.
• Oct. 8: After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., hosted by East Mountain Country Club, Westfield. Great connection opportunities, including speed connecting. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar. Walk-ins welcome. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members (cash at the door). To register, call Pam at the chamber at (413) 568-1618.
• Oct. 14: Lunch & Lecture Series #3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Noble Hospital, Conference Room A, Westfield. Topic: “Retirement & Investments for Business.” Presented by Tim Flynn of Edward Jones Investments. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office, (413) 568-1618.
• Oct. 20: Speaker Series (2 of 3), “Common and Costly Employment-law Mistakes Made by Small Businesses,” 8-9:15 a.m., presented by Royal, LLC. Hosted by Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center, Westfield. Cost: free to chamber members, $25 for non-members. For more information, call Pam at the chamber office, (413) 568-1618.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMBER
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310

• Sept. 24: PWC Headline Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Yankee Pedlar Inn, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Keynote speaker: Jane Iredale, founder, president, and CEO of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics. Cost: $25 for PWC members, $35 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com.
• Oct. 14: PWC Ladies Night, 5-7 p.m. Complimentary wine, refreshments, and networking. Reservations are complimentary but suggested, by contacting Dawn Creighton at [email protected] or (413) 530-0545.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880

• Oct. 1: Wicked Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Westfield Bank, Agawam. Cost: free for chamber members, $10 at the door for non-members. Event is open to the public. Wicked Wednesdays are monthly social events, hosted by various businesses and restaurants, that bring members and non-members together to network in a laid-back atmosphere. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or [email protected].
• Oct. 2: West Springfield Candidates Forum, 6-8 p.m., hosted by West Springfield Town Hall, 26 Central St. For the first half of this state representatives debate, questions will be solicited in advance from WRC members and the general public. The second half of the debate will be performed in the Lincoln-Douglas format, where candidates will have the opportunity to pose questions to each other.
• Oct. 9: Agawam Candidates Forum, 6-9 p.m., hosted by Roberta G. Doering School, 68 Main St., Agawam. For the first half of this state representatives / state Senate debate, questions will be solicited in advance from WRC members and the general public. The second half of the debate will be performed in the Lincoln-Douglas format, where candidates will have the opportunity to pose questions to each other.
• Oct. 15: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Crestview Country Club, Agawam. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief sales pitch. You must be a member or guest of a member to attend. The only cost to attend is the cost of lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately that day. We cannot invoice you for these events. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or email [email protected].
• Oct. 16: Breakfast Meeting, 7-9 a.m., hosted by Lattitude, West Springfield. The featured emcee is political consultant Anthony Signoli, speaking on the potential casino and how it may affect local business and the general public. Cost: $25 for chamber members, $30 for non-members. For more information, contact the chamber office at (413) 426-3880 or email [email protected].

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff September 23, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

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

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Gregory J. Caulto and Jonathan David Lavietes v. John W. Dewitt and Lisa Paterno Dewitt d/b/a JW Dewitt Business Communications
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment of services rendered: $57,421
Filed: 8/4/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Axia Insurance Co. v. Kenneth Hark and LJM Insurance Agency Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract, breach of duty, conversion, unjust enrichment: $250,000
Filed: 7/18/14

Joseph Miller v. People’s Savings Bank
Allegation: Breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, conversion: $35,000
Filed: 7/23/14

NUVO Bank and Trust Co. v. RIG Rest, LLC f/k/a Airedock Systems, LLC and Paul Gelinas
Allegation: Breach of contract on commercial promissory note: $209,759.63
Filed: 8/13/14

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Mountainview Landscapes and Lawncare v. Bassette Printers, LLC and Bassette Realty, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered for winter upkeep of property: $6,121
Filed: 7/28/14

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Gregorio Santiago v. The Hanover Insurance Co.
Allegation: Failure to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement: $21,745.44
Filed: 7/21/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Centaurian Dental Inc. d/b/a Columbia Family Dental
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $14,904.75
Filed: 7/25/14

Freedom Credit Union v. Theresa A. Welch and Michael Welch d/b/a Floral Dynamics
Allegation: Non-payment of promissory note: $11,727.54
Filed: 7/25/14

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Sambrico, LLC d/b/a Vista Home Improvement
Allegation: Non-payment of workers’ compensation policy: $23,453.23
Filed: 8/6/14

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Milford Hardwood Floors Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of workers’ compensation policy: $12,141.27
Filed: 8/6/14

Springfield Plumbing Supply Co. Inc. v. Michael J. Swayger d/b/a Swayger Plumbing
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,674.37
Filed: 7/23/14

U. S. Foods Inc. v. MGB Inc. d/b/a Electric Café and Margaret Buxold
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $9,137.30
Filed: 7/28/14

Webber & Grinnell Inducted into Circle of Excellence

By BusinessWest Staff September 17, 2014

Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Webber and Grinnell Insurance Agency has been inducted into the Plymouth Rock Assurance and Bunker Hill Insurance 2014 Circle of Excellence, recognizing outstanding professionalism, financial performance, and commitment to customer service by independent insurance agents during 2013. Selected from a pool of more than 400 independent agents across Massachusetts, Webber & Grinnell was one of 25 agents to receive this honor.

“The Circle of Excellence is our premiere recognition and rewards program reserved for our top independent agents,” said Chris Olie, president of Plymouth Rock Assurance and chairman of Bunker Hill Insurance. “These agents are key parts of Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill’s success. They have each worked hard to build their businesses while also providing excellent service and trusting advice to their customers.”

Webber & Grinnell is one of the largest insurance agencies in Western Mass. The agency currently serves more than 5,000 automobile and homeowner policyholders, and insures nearly 900 businesses throughout the region. “As an independent agent, our goal is to provide expert service tailored to the specific needs of each client we serve,” said Bill Grinnell, president of Webber & Grinnell. “It’s always rewarding to be recognized for our hard work and dedication, and we’re grateful to receive this honor from Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill.”

Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill are leading automobile- and home-insurance carriers serving Massachusetts. As a member of the Circle of Excellence, Webber & Grinnell will receive marketing support funds, education and training, and other initiatives designed to promote sustained success. The agency will be honored at a fall retreat.

For more information about Webber & Grinnell Insurance Agency, visit www.webberandgrinnell.com.

Steve Corbin to Head Up Employee Benefits Division at Ross Insurance

By BusinessWest Staff September 16, 2014

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Ross Insurance Agency has tapped Steve Corbin, a 14-year veteran of the health-insurance industry, to head up its Employee Benefits Division.

He spent the last seven years as an account executive for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, servicing large group and municipal clients. Prior to that, he spent seven years at Aetna, where he specialized in smaller groups with 50 to 150 employees. He will be overseeing a growing Employee Benefits Division at Ross Insurance. His diverse knowledge as it relates to employee benefits has been an immediate asset to the agency.

Corbin is an active member in his community, where he coaches multiple youth sports teams and has participated in myriad volunteer opportunities. He is currently enrolled in Leadership Holyoke so he can better serve the city and its surrounding communities.

Holyoke Medical Center to Hold Hearing-aid Program

By BusinessWest Staff September 15, 2014

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center will present “What Everyone Should Know Before Buying a Hearing Aid” on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the Fran Como Conference Room of the main hospital.

The purchase of a hearing aid can significantly improve one’s life, but what should a potential user know before making the investment? Join HMC Speech and Hearing Manager Janice Walker as she talks about preparing for the purchase of a hearing aid. Many things should be considered before purchase, such as what type of situations pose hearing difficulty, how active one’s lifestyle is, and what technologies the individual already uses, such as a smartphone or tablet. Walker will also discuss the cost associated with the purchase of hearing aids and consumer laws, including 30-day trial periods, return policies, warranties, and insurance coverage.

Pre-registration for this program is suggested. For further information or to pre-register, call the Holyoke Medical Center Health Promotion Line at (413) 534-2789.

State Unveils One-stop Web Portal for Municipal Grants

By BusinessWest Staff September 10, 2014

Daily News

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration has unveiled a new web portal for cities and towns to easily identify grant opportunities that could benefit their communities. The Municipal Grant Finder (mass.gov/municipalgrants) is a one-stop web shop for local officials and residents to learn about grant opportunities across state government, regardless of which state agency manages a grant program.

“Through the new Municipal Grant Finder, the Patrick administration is continuing its commitment to provide resources to help our municipal partners deliver core services to their communities,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor.

The web portal will highlight what resources exist and where to find them, as management of these grants and resources is decentralized among a multitude of state government agencies. The Municipal Grant Finder will help them navigate state government by succinctly profiling more than 60 funding and support opportunities for cities and towns. To use the Municipal Grant Finder, a local official simply selects the appropriate category and is presented with a list of available resources. The user is then connected to detailed information about the grant, the available funding, how to apply, and contact information.

Local officials no longer need to know which of the Commonwealth’s many state agencies manage a specific grant program. With a few clicks, the Municipal Grant Finder can help a local official identify training to enhance local public-safety responses to complex emergencies; resources to rehabilitate abandoned and vacant property in a community; funding to reduce the municipal solid waste and household hazardous waste in the general waste-disposal stream; a program to support residents transitioning from renting to purchasing a home for the first time; funding for renovations to a local library; financial support to mitigate the cost of adding a local transit station; and a grant to convert an old railway line to a scenic recreation trail.

Working together, the Patrick administration and the Commonwealth’s municipalities have already achieved real, meaningful savings and structural changes to keep costs down so municipalities can make the necessary investments in community services that keep them thriving. Municipal healthcare reform is providing significant and immediate savings to cities and towns, and 257 communities and school districts across Massachusetts have already collectively saved more than $247 million in health-insurance premiums over the past three years as a result of the landmark municipal healthcare reform law signed by Patrick in July 2011.

Including municipal healthcare reform, Patrick said, his administration has provided cities and towns with the tools to realize $3.78 billion in savings, revenue, and investments through new local-option taxes, increased capital investments, and pension reforms. Communities are also achieving savings through innovations achieved through the Community Innovation Challenge Grant and municipal performance-management programs.

Making Ends Meet

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Health Care Sections

Hospitals Challenged by New Era of Fiscal Efficiency

Dr. Doug Salvador says the push toward more efficiency in healthcare is working.

According to recent information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), “healthcare spending trends have flattened, and some of the forecasts of spending from three, four, and five years ago have proven to be incorrect; we’re actually spending fewer dollars than we were,” said Salvador, vice president of Medical Affairs at Baystate Medical Center.

But the shift has been a challenging one, and no one expects it to get any easier.

For example, each year, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) surveys more than 1,000 hospital CEOs about their top concerns, including governmental mandates, patient safety and satisfaction, personnel shortages, care for the uninsured, physician-hospital relationships, implementing new technology, and other issues. For 10 years running, the broad category of ‘financial challenges’ has topped that list. In fact, it ranked far ahead of the number-two challenge — the tangentially related matter of healthcare-reform implementation — in the last three polls.

“It is not surprising that financial challenges and health-reform implementation are on the minds of hospital CEOs,” said Deborah Bowen, president and CEO of ACHE. “In addition, both government mandates and patient safety remain top priorities as CEOs and leadership teams work hard to improve patient care and redesign care delivery as they face a challenging reimbursement climate.”

Dr. Doug Salvador says healthcare reform is not simply about insurance — it’s also about controlling, and bringing down, the cost of delivering care.

Dr. Doug Salvador says healthcare reform is not simply about insurance — it’s also about controlling, and bringing down, the cost of delivering care.[/caption]Healthcare reform is deeply entwined in the issue of hospital finances, Salvador noted, because the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, crystallizes many of the cost-saving measures hospitals have been moving toward in recent years, such as reducing hospital readmissions, emphasizing preventive health in the community, and reducing unnecessary tests and treatment.

“The ACA is designed to move us in that direction,” he told BusinessWest. “We are in a time of transition in healthcare, where to meet the goals of population health, we have to invest in taking care of patients outside the hospital. So we’re making some of these investments and, at the same time, have to preserve and improve the care we deliver in the traditional sense. That’s the transformation, and that’s what’s causing the results of these surveys.”

But keeping hospitals in the black while meeting patient needs and expanding services is not a new issue; hospitals have long lamented that their expenses constantly overshoot the reimbursements from public and private payers. But a decade-long shift to new, efficiency-based models of care seems to be having an impact on the industry that hospital leaders hope will make a positive difference in the long term.

Delivery Reform

Salvador noted that, when most people think about the ACA, they think of health insurance, which is only natural.

“There are two parts to ACA — one is insurance reform, and the other is healthcare-delivery reform. Insurance reform, insuring more of the uninsured, is what 95% of the press is about,” he explained. “But healthcare-delivery reform is really a set of experiments, of which Baystate was an early adapter.”

One is the move toward accountable care, which replaces the standard fee-for-service reimbursement model — under which hospitals are paid a fee for each procedure, plus additional fees for any complications that would require a readmission — with a system by which a group of different providers are paid a flat fee for keeping a patient healthy, which provides incentives to eliminate unnecessary costs, but also to make sure patients get the care they do need, because a major goal is to prevent rehospitalization.

Thomas Robert says Mercy Medical Center has implemented several protocols to achieve a balance between quality care and efficiency.

“The last thing a surgeon or oncologist should be paid for is complications. Right now, if you have more of them, you do better,” Dr. James Mohler, chairman of the Urology Department at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., told MedCity News. “What you’re really talking about is paying for outcomes, because that’s what healthcare is about. You want to deliver the right care and do it really well, so that the net cost to the country and to a patient will be less.”

As outlined by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a Massachusetts-based organization that promotes innovation and safety in medicine, accountable care has three interlocking goals: improving the experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing per-capita costs of healthcare.

Those goals lay out in stark terms, Salvador said, why efficiency in healthcare doesn’t mean lower-quality care. “As care for individuals gets better, population health improves, and cost of care for the whole population decreases.”

The Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS), which includes Mercy Medical Center, has been talking about accountable care for the better part of a decade and has realigned the way it structures care and payments.

“Through the ACO we have and other contracts we’re involved with, we feel that the future of healthcare is very much focused on population health,” said Thomas Robert, chief financial officer and senior vice president of Finance at SPHS. “Our readmission rates are among the lowest in the Commonwealth, and we are working to build a clinically integrated network with physicians in the community to be able to utilize these efficiencies for the benefit of the community.”

Mercy has implemented several protocols for achieving this balance between quality care and efficiency, from its high-tech Care Connect system — a sort of centralized air-traffic control for the whole hospital, ensuring that patients move through the system without delay — to an increased emphasis on arranging follow-up care, whether it’s home care, skilled nursing, rehab, or simply a primary-care visit.

“That has translated into a better patient experience but also reduced the length of stay, as we get them into a more proper setting, a more cost-effective setting,” Robert said. “And we follow up with the patient to make sure they follow up with these schedules. Again, that all leads to population health. So many times, patients get discharged without proper follow-up, and that’s where readmissions come from. We assist patients after they leave the hospital and make sure their care continues.”

The heart of accountable care, however, is how it’s paid for, and both Mercy and Baystate are participating in the model, backed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, of bundled payments to multiple care providers for individual patients.

“We’re early adopters,” Salvador said. “For certain types of patient services we deliver, we agree with CMS to get paid for them on a 90-day bundle, which aligns the doctors, hospitals, and post-acute care providers. We’re all being interested in the same thing: making care the best and most efficient it can be.”

Big Plans

This new era of efficiency certainly doesn’t mean hospitals aren’t moving forward with expanded services and new technology; in fact, Western Mass. hospitals have been in a growth mode for some time. Baystate recently completed a $250 million expansion, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Berkshire Medical Center are building cancer centers, and even smaller institutions like Noble Hospital have invested heavily over the past few years in equipment, services, and facility renovations (see related story, page 42).

“The financial pressures and challenges will not get easier,” Noble President and CEO Ronald Bryant told BusinessWest, “and it will continue to be a balancing act between costs we can support and our needs.”

Robert said SPHS has adopted a philosophy of “incremental investment” to make sure that Mercy and other elements of the health system grow as needed, but budgets remain under control.

“When we go through the capital planning process each year, we take all the wishes that are out there and really prioritize them according to quality and outcome for patients, patient experience, and increasing efficiency,” he explained. “We work closely with physician providers to help us prioritize those capital needs, and we target when we absolutely need to make the expense.”

A good example is Mercy’s recent conversion of its inpatient floors to private rooms. “We knew we couldn’t do the private rooms all at once; funds were not available for us all at once, and we’d also disrupt patient care,” Robert said. “So we started that process in 2011, in four phases, which we just completed. Now 80% of our rooms are private — a project that basically took three-plus years to complete.”

The system tries to be creative in other ways with its capital dollars, he noted, like its joint venture with Hampden County Physician Associates and Carew Chestnut Partners to build a $20 million outpatient medical office center at the corner of Carew and Chestnut streets in Springfield.

Because of the partnership, he said, “Mercy did not have to put up any capital dollars. We now have this very important access point on our campus without expending additional capital dollars. It’s really about trying to be creative.”

But efficiency also means tightening belts when it comes to care, Salvador said, and that’s something all hospitals have to deal with — as well as patients, who have become accustomed over the years to being offered any number of treatments and tests when admitted to the hospital.

“One of the interesting things for me is the link between the quality of care we deliver and how much the care costs,” Salvador said. “The challenge for hospitals with the ACA is to prove the value of all the care we deliver.”

From that challenge has sprung a national campaign called Choosing Wisely, led by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation with the support of close to 100 specialty medical organizations.

“They have identified a number of common practices that physicians have said we should question the value of — is the money worth the benefit of those practices? We’re seeing hospitals across the country — and Western Mass. is no different — really looking at some of those practices,” Salvador explained, and either justifying their widespread use or determining whether they may be of less patient-care value than they’re worth financially.

“One example is blood transfusions,” he continued. “They’re very common, and in fact they save lives, but evidence has come out recently to question whether using blood in some cases, particularly in certain patient groups, actually doesn’t save lives, doesn’t add value. So we’re seeing a national trend toward using less blood.”

In the same way, participating emergency physicians have questioned the use of high-end imaging for headaches, pathologists have questioned vitamin D testing, and so on.

“Cardiologists have a list, orthopedic surgeons have a list … it goes on and on,” Salvador said. “It also engages patients about their care, and I think that’s always been important. I think we’re getting better at it, and things like this help us do that.”

Beyond the Bottom Line

Salvador said he came to Baystate six months ago to grapple with these very questions, because transforming healthcare is part of the organization’s culture.

“From my perspective, a lot of hospitals across the country are discovering that the answer lies, more than ever before, in our continuing effort to improve the quality of care by delivering the best care with the fewest complications,” he said, emphasizing again the philosophy behind accountable care and the new national push to keep costs down. After all, he said, it’s not quality care that raises costs, but unnecessary care.

“Most of us are working very hard to reduce readmissions to the hospital and deliver excellent care both inside and outside the hospital,” he went on. “When we don’t have patients returning to the hospital, the overall cost goes down.”

It’s easier said than done, but hospital leaders say they’re making real progress toward this more efficient model of care. And that’s got more than just patients feeling better.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Fighting Back

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Health Care Sections

Task Force Takes on State’s Daunting Addiction Problem

Dr. Robert Roose says Massachusetts residents struggling with opiate addiction are also, in many cases, struggling with long waiting times for treatment.

Tough problems require bold solutions, and opiate addiction has become a tougher problem than ever before in Massachusetts.

Responding to a troubling rise in drug addiction in the Commonwealth over the past decade, Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration convened a task force earlier this year to come up with solutions. The recommendations are plentiful, and time will tell how effective implementation will be.

“I think it’s very appropriate to characterize this as an opiate addiction crisis,” said Dr. Robert Roose, chief medical officer, Addiction Services, for the Sisters of Providence Health System. “Government and media and other parties who have described opiate addiction as an epidemic are making an honest assessment of what this region and others have been dealing with for a number of years. And we have not seen potentially the worst of the consequences of this crisis.”

One problem the task force sought to address was a shortage of treatment options in the Bay State, where an estimated 120,000 people are addicted to opiates, and roughly two deaths every day are attributed to overdoses — while perhaps 100,000 of those people either cannot access limited treatment resources, or are not trying.

“Everyone is trying to keep up with the current demand for treatment,” Roose noted. “I would say, at this point, patients struggling with opiate misuse are also struggling with longer waiting times to get into treatment programs, and that puts people’s lives at risk.”

The task force’s recommendations (more on those later) encompass strategies for expanding treatment access and boosting educational efforts, but also altering how the insurance industry and correctional system handle addiction, among other goals.

The coalition of more than 35 stakeholders — representing municipalities, hospitals, insurers, social services, and other entities — worked with families, the Department of Mental Health, and a host of organizations to develop a set of recommendations designed to improve the Commonwealth’s opiate-abuse prevention and treatment systems, prevent further misuse and addiction, increase the number of people seeking treatment, and support individuals recovering from addiction.

“These actions will help enhance our network of treatment and recovery services to help communities and families struggling with addiction,” Patrick said. “I hope this work results in more families talking openly about issues of addiction in order to spark the process of healing and recovery.”

Roots of a Strategy

What would become known as the state’s Opioid Task Force stemmed from Patrick’s declaration in March of a public-health emergency in regard to opiate addition. The task force, chaired by Cheryl Bartlett, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health (DPH), was charged with developing policy recommendations to strengthen the Commonwealth’s response to this crisis. The task force eventually made recommendations in several categories, including:

• Expanding and streamlining access to services. In order to meet the escalating demand for treatment, ensure a comprehensive continuum of care, and facilitate access to coordinated care, the DPH intends to expand community-based and residential treatment programs for underserved populations, including adolescents, young adults, and families with children.

• Enhancing opiate education. The DPH will launch a statewide awareness campaign for youth and parents to promote more openness and public dialogue about issues of addiction and recovery. The Commonwealth will also work on strategies to enhance education for medical professionals on best practices in identifying and treating individuals struggling with opiate addiction.

• Addressing insurance practices. The DPH and the Division of Insurance, in consultation with the Health Policy Commission, will conduct a comprehensive review of insurance coverage for opiate addiction treatment. The agencies will consult with clinical experts to develop minimum criteria for opiate abuse and addiction treatment services that will be considered medically necessary for all patients. The task force found that gaps in coverage were impacting services for individuals in need.

• Expanding correctional-system treatment. The Commonwealth will work to provide individuals with enhanced support and treatment for drug addiction when they leave correctional facilities and integrate back into society.

• Expanding peer-support networks. The Patrick administration will work with communities to expand peer support networks comprised of individuals in recovery who provide guidance to those navigating pathways out of addiction.

Patrick also met in June with other New England governors at Brandeis University to discuss a regional response to the opiate epidemic.

Roose noted that he worked in addiction treatment in New York City for a couple of years, and he sees parallels with Western Mass. in how addiction isn’t just entrenched in urban areas, like Springfield and Holyoke, but has spread into other communities, which don’t always have the infrastructure to deal with it.

“It was a bold move by the Legislature to create a task force, and they put forth some strong, bold recommendations, which will hopefully make an immediate — but lasting — impact,” he told BusinessWest. “Recovery is a lifelong process, and treating addiction is something done over time. I expect we’ll be dealing with this for many years to come.”

John McGahan, a task-force member and president of the Gavin Foundation in Boston, said the task force’s approach “addresses a public-health crisis without compromising public safety and … supports communities, families, and the people seeking recovery.”

From Drugstore to Street

The education component of the task force’s recommendations is especially important, considering how subtlely many individuals become addicted, as Roose noted.

“There have been different studies that looked into this, and they reinforce what had become a common understanding, which was that a general overprescribing of prescription painkillers, starting in the ’90s, led to a dramatic increase in access to painkillers and opiates. And many people developed physical dependence because of this increased availability. These include young people and teenagers who began experimenting with prescription painkillers.”

John Morello says the roots of the problem run deeper than young people discovering their parents’ painkillers in the medicine cabinet. A Worcester-based actor and writer who performs Dirt, a one-man show about substance abuse and choices, in schools and colleges across the U.S., Morello said a culture that has become more welcoming to the idea of pills as a solution to problems has helped grease the skids toward higher rates of addiction among young people.

“I think one of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how medicated most students are these days, and how it is a direct reflection of the medicating of their parents,” he said. “We have a generation that has been overmedicated by painkillers and anti-depressants, having children and then being told that their kids have ADHD and need to be medicated.

“No matter what school I go to — maybe more, though, in wealthy areas or private schools — I see kids being medicated for academic performance,” he went on. “I don’t know if it’s because parents and communities are buying into this whole idea that ‘our children are falling behind, and we as a nation need to keep up with China and India,’ or maybe it’s just plain fear, or maybe they truly do want what’s best for their kid and are not getting any other answers besides some anecdotal reports on afternoon talk shows and a prescription from the pediatrician.”

The numbers at some schools are startling, said Morello, recalling a relaxed chat he had with about 25 or 30 students after one of his shows. When the subject of prescription drugs came up, more than half the students said they were on some sort of behavioral prescription, and the ones on Ritalin or ADHD medications had bought into the idea that the pills were helping them be successful students.

“So, there is this overarching message that to fix things, we take a pill,” he continued. “Of course, I question the whole premise most of the time because I don’t even think that what they’re ‘fixing’ is even broken half the time.”

Whatever the reasons for increasing numbers of addicts, it’s not hard to understand how a significant number of those people have moved from the medicine cabinet to the street, where a hit of heroin is typically $10, compared to $30 for one dose of Oxycontin, Morello noted.

“We are seeing the effects of young people who tried painkillers, became addicted to them, and transitioned to heroin,” Roose said. “There’s very clear evidence that, as the number of opiate prescriptions increased over the last two decades, so did the number of treatment admissions and the number of opiate-overdose deaths. As the medical community and others recognized this was a problem, the subsequent decrease in prescribing them led many already addicted to switch to heroin, which has always been readily available.”

Added Morello, “what happens when the patient cannot afford the FDA-approved and legalized habit that was created and nurtured in him by prescriptions since childhood? He or she will either break the habit or find a way to feed it that they can afford.”

Bottom Line

The task force’s recommendations are aimed, at least in part, at breaking those habits, but no one is saying it will be easy.

In fact, Roose said some addicts simply aren’t willing to seek help, and perhaps the best way to reach them is through programs that educate people about safer injection practices and overdose prevention.

“Heroin dependence brings additional risks, including complications that arise from injection use, which sometimes lead to more dramatic social and economic consequences for individuals, families, and the community,” he said. “The good news is that we have treatment — treatment that works — for addiction, but we’re behind the 8-ball, coping with the increased demand.”

Bartlett said the task force wants to expand on a strong, if overextended, treatment system in Massachusetts, and to create a national model for recovery. Roose, who works for a health system with a broad range of inpatient and outpatient addiction-treatment services, knows the battle is only beginning.

“Despite increasing capacity over the past year,” he said, “we’re still coping with the same demand the state is experiencing. It’s a problem.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

DBA Certificates Departments

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

AGAWAM

A Way of Life Massage
667 Springfield St.
Gina Carosello

AK Installation
33 Perry Lane
Andrey Kaletin

Blush Salon
1325 Springfield St.
Erin Torte

MRG Home Inspections
55 Emerson Road
Marc Guillemette

Traffic Light
67 Springfield St.
Helen Chui

CHICOPEE

Dec-Valde Cleaning Services
222 Hampden St.
Rey D. Marrero

PB & Jam Design
196 Fletcher Dr.
Robert Perry

R.K. Building & Remodeling
16 Upton St.
Richard Kusyk

TDC Enterprises
181 Theroux Dr.
Tyron Cline

Unique Property Services
50 Linden St.
Albert Boudin

GREENFIELD

Beijing House
45 Main St.
Min L. Lu

Bill Sheckels Furniture
71 Madison Circle
William Sheckels

Blue Moon Healing Center
11 Plum Tree Lane
Jean Conway

Conquest of Greenfield
26 Clark St.
John Lamoreux

Hair Therapy
40 School St.
Madeline Maxame

Pretty Nail
209 Main St.
Chris Newsome

Yasou Electrolysis & Skin Care
224 Federal St.
Sophia Koblinski

Your Wellness Expert
50 Lincoln St.
Margaret Luther

PALMER

ABC Pool Supply
248 Ware St.
Mark Kirk

DeSousa Trucking
97 Water St.
Ray DeSousa

Specialty Timber Harvesters
61 Beech St.
Cole Scott

SPRINGFIELD

Phenomenal Looks
680 Sumner Ave.
Ysabel Santana

Preferred Domestics Clean
70 Shumway St.
Gloria J. Durant

Sabor Penticostal
2 Chestnut St.
Sasha L. Ramos

Santiago Towing
193 Taylor St.
Jose Santiago

Springer’s Oil, LLC
40 Wisteria St.
Samuel S. Springer

Springfield’s Finest
427 State St.
Angel L. Castillo

Sunshine Cleaning
49 Andrew St.
Latoya Smith

Tazmania Gym Boxing
279 Mill St.
Juan Melendez

Teresa Mama’s
137 State St.
Teresa A. Williams

The Tasty Tomato
147 Magnolia Terrace
Michelle Deni

Therapeutic Massage Therapy
59 Wexford St.
Beth A. Morin

Tufts Insurance Company
1441 Main St.
Tufts Insurance Company

Varady & Associates
50 Dutchess St.
Robert S. Varady

Vemma413
63 Connecticut Ave.
Brandon Henry

Well Done Maid Services
22 Eldridge St.
Jalin Mobley

Western Mass Cars
95 Laconia St.
Kevin J. Conway

Wilma Pruitt
49 Margerie St.
Wilma Pruitt

World Concrete Contract
1655 Main St.
Daniel Rodriguez

WESTFIELD

Apex Dent Repair
72 Kane Brothers Circle
Thomas R. Cutler

Diamond Back Band
166 King St.
Jeffrey G. Alamed

Gibson’s Equine Farrier Service
37 Forest Glen Road
Shaun Gibson

Fit 4 Mom of Greater Springfield
32 St. James Ave.
Claire Lebeau

J. Baker Landscaping
25 Eastview St.
Jeffrey Baker

Johnson’s Painting Services
65 Massey St.
Kenneth W. Johnson

Minderol Labs
44 Plantation Circle
Doug D. Buckley

Okna Window Cleaning & More
85 Falley Dr.
Jason B. Niezajko

Sweet White Peony
27 Summit Dr.
Liuba Paladi

Zayas Tax Works
8 Raymond Circle
Orlando Zayas

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Departments People on the Move

Ralph Abbott Jr

John Glenn

Timothy Murphy

Jay Presser

Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., an employment-law firm serving the Greater Springfield area, announced that four of the firm’s partners — Ralph Abbott Jr., John Glenn, Timothy Murphy, and Jay Presser — were listed in 2015 edition of Best Lawyers in America. In addition, Murphy was named the Best Lawyers 2015 litigation, labor and employment Lawyer of the Year in Springfield. Those honored as Lawyer of the Year have received particularly high ratings in surveys by earning a superior level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey. More than 52,000 leading attorneys cast more than 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
• Abbott has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of arbitration; employment law, management; labor law, management; and mediation. He has been a partner at the firm since 1975 and is known throughout the legal community for his work representing management in labor relations and employment-related matters, providing employment-related advice to employers, assisting clients in remaining union-free, and representing employers before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Abbott also has numerous credits as an author, editor, and teacher and a record of civic and community involvement. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 1989.
• Glenn has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of arbitration; employment law, management; and labor law, management. He has been a partner of the firm since 1979 and has spent his career representing management in labor relations and employment-related matters. In addition to providing employment-related advice to employers, he assists clients in remaining union-free and represents employers before the NLRB. He has extensive experience negotiating collective-bargaining agreements and representing employers at arbitration hearings and before state and federal agencies. Prior to joining Skoler, Abbott & Presser, Glenn was employed by the NLRB in Cincinnati. He has served as an adjunct professor of Labor Law at Western New England University School of Law and is a member of the American Academy of Hospital Attorneys. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 1995.
• Murphy has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of employment law, management; labor law, management; and litigation, labor and employment. He joined Skoler Abbott after serving as general counsel to an area labor union and as an assistant district attorney for the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office. His practice includes labor relations and employment litigation, as well as employment counseling. A native of the Springfield area, Murphy is a graduate of the Western New England University School of Law. He has also taught courses in employment law at WNEU. He is a frequent contributor to business and human-resource publications and a contributing author to the Massachusetts Employment Law Letter. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 2013.
• Presser has been listed in Best Lawyers in the categories of employment law, management; labor law, management; and litigation, labor and employment. He has more than 35 years of experience litigating employment cases and has successfully defended employers in civil actions and jury trials and handled cases in all areas of employment law, including discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, wage hour, FMLA, ERISA, and defamation. He has won appeals before the Supreme Judicial Court and the First and Second Circuit Courts of Appeals, and represented employers in hundreds of arbitration cases arising under collective-bargaining agreements. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers every year since 1991.
•••••

Robert Belitz

Tighe & Bond, a civil and environmental engineering consultant, has appointed Robert Belitz its Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he will direct Tighe & Bond’s financial operations and priorities, as well as contribute to growth strategies consistent with the firm’s continued expansion in the marketplace. Belitz, who will provide financial management from the firm’s Westfield office, is a certified public accountant and executive with more than 25 years of corporate finance and accounting experience in professional services. He previously has served as the chief financial officer, corporate controller, and vice president of Finance for firms such as Malcolm Pirnie, Arcadis U.S., and the Hunter Roberts Construction Group. He also provided senior management for the public accounting firms of Ernst and Young LLP and KPMG LLP in New York. His prior responsibilities have included oversight and management of all financial functions, as well as developing and implementing financial plans and processes to achieve strategic and operational objectives. “Bob’s wealth of experience in our industry, and his proven ability to successfully direct financial operations, is instrumental to Tighe & Bond’s accelerating growth,” said David Pinsky, president and CEO of Tighe & Bond. “We’re thrilled that he has joined us as Tighe & Bond’s first chief financial officer.” Belitz, who earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Muhlenberg College, is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs and the Construction Financial Management Assoc. He also has participated in various finance forums with the Environmental Financial Consulting Group, Ernst and Young, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the Design Finance Officers Group. Founded in 1911, Tighe & Bond is one of the most experienced engineering firms in New England, with offices in Pocasset, Westfield, and Worcester, Mass.; Middletown and Shelton, Conn.; and Portsmouth, N.H. With a team of more than 250 employees, Tighe & Bond provides engineering and environmental services for clients in government, industry, healthcare, education, real-estate, energy, and water/wastewater markets.
•••••
Radius Financial Group Inc., a leading private mortgage lender in New England, has announced the addition of Kate Crogan as a Loan Officer in its West Springfield branch. Crogan brings three years of experience in mortgage lending. Most recently, she was a customer-service representative before being promoted to financial-services representative at TD Bank in Chicopee, where she was responsible for first and second mortgages, insurance, and annuities. She is currently studying business at Western New England University.
•••••

Keith Minoff

Keith Minoff was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the fields of commercial litigation and corporate law. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey. More than 52,000 leading attorneys cast more than 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Minoff specializes in business litigation and employment law. His law office is located in downtown Springfield.
•••••

Paul Fortin

Northeast IT Systems Inc. announced the addition of Paul Fortin to its team. Fortin will be joining Joel Mollison and Brian Sullivan as a Desktop Support Specialist. In that role, Fortin is able to implement cloud-based backup systems, reduce downtime of equipment, and increase speed of repairs for clients. With this new addition, Northeast IT Systems will be able to continue its pattern of steady growth and provide solutions to a broad range of clients.
•••••
Brattleboro Retreat President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Simpson Jr., has been named by Behavioral Healthcare magazine as a 2014 Behavioral Healthcare Champion along with four other leaders in the field of mental health from across the nation. The 2014 champions were selected from outstanding nominees across the country who, according to the magazine, are making a difference in the development, delivery, and effectiveness of mental healthcare services. “True leaders create lasting impact, and our 2014 Behavioral Healthcare Champions all have an eye on the future,” said Julie Miller, editor in chief of Behavioral Healthcare magazine. “Their drive to find new and more effective ways to serve their clients is reflected not just in their own organizations’ success, but also in the progress they’ve witnessed in their communities.” The 2014 Behavioral Healthcare Champions are profiled in the July/August 2014 issue of Behavioral Healthcare magazine and were recognized at a special ceremony during the National Conference on Addiction Disorders (NCAD) and the co-located Behavioral Healthcare Leadership Summit, which was held in St. Louis on Aug. 22-26. Simpson’s many achievements since becoming the Retreat’s CEO in November 2006 are discussed in-depth in the above-mentioned profile. Among those achievements are a complete revamp of the hospital’s admissions process that replaced a multi-channel system of patient access with a streamlined, single-access point that makes access to the Retreat’s numerous programs easier and more dignified for patients. Under Simpson’s watch, the retreat has successfully launched four specialty clinical services designed to better meet the psychiatric and addiction treatment needs of distinct populations that are typically underserved. They are the Adult Inpatient Program for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; the Emerging Adult Inpatient Program for young adults ages 18 to 26; the Uniformed Service Program, a partial-hospital program designed to meet the unique needs of law enforcement, firefighters, corrections officers, military personnel, and first responders suffering from PTSD and other duty-related issues including addiction to alcohol and other drugs, major depression, and domestic violence; and the Mind Body Pain Management Clinic, a treatment alternative for people experiencing chronic pain that utilizes biofeedback, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and mindful movement in place of typical treatments such as medication and surgery.
During Simpson’s tenure, the Retreat has experienced tremendous growth, having increased its number of staffed beds from an average of 50 in 2006 to an average of 122 in 2014. During the same time, the Brattleboro Retreat has doubled its number of employees from approximately 400 to more than 800.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

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

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Anne-Therese Stark v. Stop & Shop Supermarket, LLC
Allegation: Slip and fall on foreign subject causing injury: $290,000
Filed: 6/20/14

Kelli J. Fortin v. Baystate Medical Practices and Pioneer Women’s Health
Allegation: Unauthorized disclosure of private information to third party: $25,000+
Filed: 7/31/14

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Fuelrite, LLC v. Robert N. Tatro d/b/a Tatro Trucking
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $11,481.57
Filed: 8/5/14

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Kilnapp Enterprises Inc d/b/a Real Clean v. Eliezer Claudio d/b/a Star Auto Detailing
Allegation: Defendant breached the non-compete and non-solicit provisions of a business-to-business contract: $45,000
Filed: 7/22/14

Thomas Sullivan v. Jen-Coat Inc.
Allegation: Defendant unjustly terminated plaintiff’s employment after treatment for colon cancer in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act: $25,000+
Filed: 7/23/14

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Jacqueline Diaz v. Ransome Idealease, LLC and Jonah Pitts
Allegation: Negligent operation of tractor trailer truck: $24,000
Filed: 7/29/14

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Beacon Sales Co. v. Jamie Ludwig and Courtney Ludwig d/b/a Luggy’s Roofing and Construction
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $6,363.17
Filed: 6/30/14

Comcast Spotlight Inc. v. Smithfest Events Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services rendered: $9,606.17
Filed: 6/30/14

ICC Trucking v. JCL Trucking Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $26,500.17
Filed: 8/7/14

Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. and LM Insurance Corp. v. HB Roofing Contractor, L.P.
Allegation: Non-payment of workers compensation policies: $12,903.98
Filed: 7/3/14

Rosalinda Rosa, Carlos F. Rivera and Pedro Principe v. Bertera Chrysler Jeep Dodge Inc. and Joseph Deausealt
Allegation: Sale of motor vehicle that did not comply with warranty: $24,999.99
Filed: 7/30/14

Tamara Walker v. 227 Mill Street, LLC, The Mercy Hospital Inc. d/b/a Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program, and Sisters of Providence Health System Inc.
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property: $20,000
Filed: 8/11/14

Insurance Center of New England Takes ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Daily News

AGAWAM — When an employee challenged her company to take part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the Insurance Center of New England Inc. (ICNE), one of the largest locally owned, independent insurance agencies in New England, cheerfully accepted, and 17 employees cheerfully dumped icy water on their heads to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Laurie Brunton, personal lines risk manager at ICNE, brought the challenge to her workplace, where it was accepted with enthusiasm. In addition to completing the challenge, ICNE made a generous donation on behalf of the employees. Employees who participated included everyone from junior staffers to President and CEO William Trudeau.

“I want to say thank you to the 17 co-workers that got soaked and the 11 that happily helped! I love this agency and its willingness to support such a great cause, and I am proud to be part of the ICNE team,” Brunton said.

Added Trudeau, “at ICNE, we believe in making a difference. With 5,600 people diagnosed with ALS every year in the U.S., we were happy to participate in this challenge if it helps raise awareness and funds to help find a cure. We hope that our contribution brings us one step closer to easing the suffering of those living with ALS and their families.”

Holyoke Medical Center’s ‘Golf Fore Health’ Slated for Sept. 22

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Daily News

HOLYOKE — If you’re looking to stay in the swing of things this fall, check out the 26th annual “Golf Fore Health” tournament sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center. The event will take place Monday, Sept. 22 at the Springfield Country Club in West Springfield and the Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley.

The traditional post-tournament cocktail party, with stations, awards ceremony, and auction, will be held at the Springfield Country Club. As in years past, Dave Madsen and Scott Coen will inject their humor into the event as co-masters of ceremonies for the cocktail party, which starts at 4:30 p.m. The proceeds for this year’s event will again benefit Holyoke Medical Center’s Emergency Department project.

The golf tournament is run in a scramble format and starts at 11:30 a.m. The $660 entry fee per foursome includes an 18-hole round of golf, golf cart, participant gift, team photo, lunch, refreshments, and cocktail party. If you’re not a golfer but still want to enjoy a fun night, tickets for the cocktail party at Springfield Country Club can be purchased for $40, which includes food stations, live and silent auctions, door prizes, a raffle, and the award ceremony.

Sponsorship opportunities are available in a variety of options. In addition, the committee is looking for desirable items for both the live and silent auctions. Emerald sponsors for this year’s event include Goss & McLain Insurance Agency and R. Gopal Malladi, M.D. The Gold sponsor is Atlantic Charter Insurance Co., and Silver sponsors include BLUE Benefit Administrators of Massachusetts, the O’Connell Companies, and Coverys and Jefferson Radiology. Bronze sponsors include Falcetti & Clark Electrical Supply, Bulkley Richardson, People’s United Bank, and Barr & Barr.

For information regarding sponsorships, golf, auctions, or the cocktail party, call (413) 534-2579 or e-mail Denise Rebmann, Development coordinator for Holyoke Medical Center, at [email protected].

Family Plan

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Insurance Sections

T.P. Daley Insurance Navigates a Changing Industry

From left, Tom, Kathy, Anne, and Jim Daley, second-generation principals at T.P. Daley Insurance Agency.

Insurance is certainly in the Daley family’s blood. But their father wanted them to be certain.

“Our father made sure we all worked somewhere else first,” said Anne Daley, one of four principals at T.P. Daley Insurance Agency, along with her siblings, Jim, Kathy, and Tom Daley.

In fact, all four of them were interested in joining the company their father, Thomas P. Daley, started, but he wouldn’t allow them to make the firm their first job. So they cut their teeth at large companies like Aetna, Travelers, and John Hancock.

“He wanted to make sure we liked the business and learned the business; he didn’t want us to come in as the boss’s kid,” Anne added. “That was the message: ‘get a little background prior to coming here. If you hate it, hate it with someone else; don’t hate it with me.’”

None of them, it turned out, hated the insurance field, and between 1985 and 1990, all four came on board, and run the second-generation family business in West Springfield to this day.

“It’s scary that we all ended up in insurance after graduating,” Kathy said, “but we all wound up here.”

They have fond memories of growing up around Thomas Daley’s workplace.

“When we were young kids, Dad used to call on all his customers, and he’d take us with him,” Jim recalled. As it happened, most of those clients were in construction, as Daley focused his business on performance bonds in the construction field. “So we would climb on all the equipment. I don’t remember how many times he’d be talking to the owner, and we’d be climbing on loaders and excavators. I remember coming home filthy, and Mom saying she’d never get the grease out of my coat.”

“We really did grow up with it,” Anne added.

With the help of the GI Bill, their father graduated from the University of Rhode Island, which at the time boasted the only insurance school in the Northeast, Kathy said.

He was a bond manager for Aetna in Springfield during the 1950s when he decided to start an independent insurance agency and become a bond producer rather than work for someone else as a bond representative, Jim explained. So, at the dawn of the ’60s, he and partner Bill Tuttle opened Daley & Tuttle Insurance on State Street in Springfield.

“Then Bill wanted to go to Eastern Mass. and focus his sales pursuits there,” Jim said. “My dad really liked the more parochial nature of Western Mass., so they decided to split up. T.P. Daley started in 1963, just him and one employee.” They moved the business across the river to Park Avenue in West Springfield, then relocated to their current location on Westfield Street around 1981 — the former site of Sweenor’s Candy.

“People come in and say, ‘I can still smell those bon bons,’” Jim said, standing beside a long counter where the Daleys still set out bowls of candy. “This is where the glass was, where they sold candy.”

But it’s not candy running through he family’s veins, Jim said, but insurance; in fact, he met his wife at a four-day-long ‘bond school’ in Texas. Simply put, this is a clan that truly enjoys the business their father started, and for this issue’s focus on insurance, they sat down with BusinessWest to explain why.

Bonding Agents

While the company has diversified considerably since its early days, T.P. Daley still specializes in bonds for contractors. “It’s not really an insurance product,” said Jim. “It’s a financial guarantee that the contractor is going to bid the job according to plan and then complete the job according to plan.

“The key focus for us is still contractors,” he added. “We do an awful lot of construction risk, both in insurance and bonds.”

The industry has changed quite a bit since the 1960s, however, a time when the surety world wasn’t set up to handle very large contracts. “So he had to go out and buy reinsurance for different layers of the contract size.”

Also, Tom noted, “he didn’t go through agents; he went directly to the customer. Now a lot of that is handled through agents.”

Despite the changes, Anne said — and there’s a tremendous variety today of what bond companies will accept — T.P. Daley still succeeds by fostering relationships, even though insurance products are viewed more and more like commodities, with clients in search of the cheapest price. “Although the field has grown and evolved tremendously, it’s still a relationship business here.”

She noted that there weren’t a lot of bond agencies when her father started out, and very few locally. “That has changed over the past 10 years — there are more agents in the area, and more agents in general working in the bond field.”

The agency’s location for the past 30-plus years is the former site of Sweenor’s Candy, which many customers remember well.

That means a much more competitive playing field, Jim said, which is a far greater challenge today than it was when the construction industry was rolling along throughout most of the 2000s. Even when the financial markets crashed in 2008 and triggered the Great Recession, contractors remained busy for awhile.

“Construction kind of lagged, so the industry was still rolling in ’08, ’09, even into ’10,” he said. “Those were good years for most contractors.”

But once backlogs were depleted, times got tough, and remain so today. Contractors have had to “sharpen their pencils” and cut their margins, he explained, and insurance companies heavily invested in construction have felt the pressure. “If there was more work, we’d see the margins come up, but there’s so much competition for the amount of work available out there that the margins have not recovered to their prior levels.”

The situation has been exacerbated, Jim added, by the fact that the government has been reluctant to access funds from the Chapter 90 Program, which pays for infrastructure-improvement projects in Massachusetts, and cities and towns have been loath to dip into their own budgets, “so you’re seeing deteriorating infrastructure; that’s exactly what’s going on.”

Rest of the Story

Fortunately, T.P. Daley’s array of products has widened considerably since the agency’s early days, encompassing a range of both business and personal lines, including home, auto, and life.

That side of the business has undergone changes as well in recent years, particularly with Massachusetts moving from set auto-insurance rates to a managed-competition system in 2008.

But while the Geicos of the world attract consumers with that last $10 off their premium, Anne said, “people buying online have to be astute.”

“They need to know what they’re getting for their dollar,” Kathy added. “A lot of times, people come in here, and we have to explain to them what they’re getting, what they’re protecting. We find that a lot of younger people buying online don’t know what they’re really getting — they just know it costs $400. You have to be educated, and that’s where we come into play.”

Or, as Jim put it, “we don’t want them to find out the hard way that the deductible was $1,000, when they thought it was $500.” Or that they didn’t include collision among their coverages.

“That’s the importance of an independent agent,” Anne said, “to explain what the coverages are, and then you decide what your needs are.”

Added Jim, “it’s more than just buying coverage. All those coverages mean something. It’s not just about the dollars. At the point of sale, that extra money in your pocket sounds like a good idea, but the financial consequences for saving a few dollars could be dramatic.”

That’s just one example of how customer service remains a valuable commodity at T.P Daley Insurance, Anne told BusinessWest. “That’s probably one of the key elements of this agency, our customer service. When you call, you deal with a family member.

“We’re literally 24/7,” she continued. “We give out our cell-phone and home numbers. Especially in the bond business, sometimes you need something tomorrow. I think that sets us apart from other agencies — our love of the service.”

Tom said it all goes back to Thomas Daley never turning anyone away. “Even if it was a tough situation, he always tried to help. He said, ‘give me your papers, and let me see what I can do.’”

Anne said she advised a client on insurance products for six years before writing a policy. “They’d call with questions, and I’d help out any way I could. I knew them from high school. Ultimately, when they needed to make a change, they came to us.”

The Daley siblings hope customers keep coming, and they sense some interest among their own children in turning the business into a third-generation affair someday, but they also know it’s a challenging field, and, like their own father, they want their kids to be sure.

“This is a changing industry, and I think there’s a lot more pressure on people now than there was 20 years ago,” Anne said. “It’s not an easy business, but it’s rewarding.”

Jim agrees. “There have been some dynamic changes from the old-school days to now,” he said. “That’s not to say it’s lost all its luster; it’s still got some positives that make you want to come to work. And I think people here enjoy coming to work.”

Even if they don’t get to climb on heavy machinery anymore.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Protect and Serve

By BusinessWest Staff September 9, 2014

Insurance Sections

A chart of the region’s insurance agencies

Click here to download the PDF

Hampden Bank Raises $2,000 with ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

By BusinessWest Staff August 28, 2014

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bank President and CEO Glenn Welch accepted the challenge presented by Bill Trudeau of the Insurance Center of New England to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in the Hampden Bank parking lot, and instead of nominating three other individuals, as is customary, he nominated his Hampden Bank associates to do the same or donate to the ALS Assoc.

On Tuesday, the employees gathered in front of the West Springfield branch at 5:30 p.m. to accept Welch’s challenge. The company needed 100 pounds of ice to fill everyone’s buckets. Before everyone got soaked, Welch spoke and nominated all the other local banks to take the challenge within 24 hours. In addition to participating in the challenge, Hampden Bank as a company will be matching the $1,000 donation made by the employee dress-down fund to support continued research of Lou Gehrig’s disease and help find a cure for the fatal illness that affects over 30,000 Americans.

“I think it’s really great that we were able to do this and get other companies involved to support such a great cause. We at Hampden Bank are always looking for ways to give back,” said Welch. “Hampden Bank takes great pride in giving back to the community and supports many nonprofit organizations and charities throughout the year. In the past, Hampden Bank has held coat drives for children during the holidays as well as food drives to help feed the hungry, among other charitable contributions.”

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Building Permits Departments

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

AGAWAM

Agawam Crossing
200 Silver St.
$58,000 — Build out of existing space

Insurance Center of New England
1070 Suffield St.
$179,000 — Office expansion

Mark Difranco
838 Suffolk St.
$12,000 –— New dressing room

AMHERST

Ann C. Kenworthy
93 High Point Dr.
$210,000 — Addition for art studio

LUDLOW

Aldor Corporation
70 Kirkland Ave.
$50,000 — Addition and alterations

Chemi-Graphics
340 State St.
$32,500 – New roofing system

NORTHAMPTON

Clarke School for the Deaf
45 Round Hill Road
$60,000 – New roof

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$673,000 — Renovation of pharmacy

Matthew Olivieri
110 Pleasant St.
$158,000 — Interior fit out for tattoo parlor

Smith College
8 Paradise Road
$388,000 — Heating system renovation

PALMER

Camp Ramah of New England Inc.
39 Bennett St.
$12,000 — Temporary structures of staff housing

Francis Murphy
3129 High St.
$3,000 — Repairs to apartment and fire escape

SOUTH HADLEY

Loomis
246 North Main St.
$35,000 — Repairs

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$9,000 — Remodel

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$37,000 — Build a handicap accessible ramp

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$115,000 — Renovations at Dickinson

SOUTHWICK

Saltmarsh Industry
809 College Highway
$100,000 — New maintenance garage

SPRINGFIELD

90 Meat Outlet Inc.
90 Avocado St.
$17,000 — Interior renovation

Eastfield Association, LLC
1655 Boston Road
$42,000 — Interior fit out for new store

South Campus Group
140 High St.
$16,000 — Interior fit out of 912 SF for new tenant

Stop & Shop
1600 Boston Road
$10,000 — New freezer

Urstadt Biddle Properties
372 Cooley St.
$35,000 — Interior alteration

Winn Companies
321 Fernbank Road
$35,000 — New flat roof

WESTFIELD

Noble Hospital
115 West Silver St.
$69,000 — Renovate two rooms

Rosow Westfield, LLC
66 S. Broad St.
$3,500 — Construct pressure treated stairs

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Patrick Kelly
8 Chestnut St.
$20,000 — New roof

R.C. Taylor
124 Myron St.
$74,500 — Re-roof

United Bank
33 Westfield St.
$20,000 — Replace 14 windows

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

449 Hill Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: John L. Perkins
Seller: Brian D. Briten
Date: 07/16/14

BERNARDSTON

49 Martindale Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Katherine Malia
Seller: Scott A. Johnson
Date: 07/14/14

DEERFIELD

38 Captain Lathrop
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $335,500
Buyer: Sarah Z. Westbrook
Seller: Charles D. Gijanto
Date: 07/22/14

26 Conway St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Jennifer M. Remillard
Seller: Christopher D. Davenport
Date: 07/22/14

26 South Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Deborah S. Dachos
Seller: Martha J. Jenks
Date: 07/15/14

ERVING

4 Prospect Heights Lane
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Johnson RET
Seller: Laureen A. Bertrand
Date: 07/24/14

GILL

10 Lyons Hill Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: David G. Cormier
Seller: Linda L. Cichanowicz
Date: 07/25/14

5 Meadow St.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Mark J. McKenna
Seller: Shawn P. Sevoian
Date: 07/25/14

GREENFIELD

26 Barton Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Rodney I. Martin
Seller: Charles F. Reum
Date: 07/18/14

627 Barton Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Outdoor Industries Realty
Seller: Fine & Far Off Realty LLC
Date: 07/16/14

294 Country Club Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Tela
Seller: Jeffrey E. Page
Date: 07/14/14

368 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $423,000
Buyer: Scott D. Akers
Seller: O Ice LLC
Date: 07/25/14

493 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $398,000
Buyer: Warren E. Facey
Seller: Ronald J. Wright
Date: 07/24/14

52 Shattuck St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Robin L. Hayden
Seller: Patricia P. Gallagher
Date: 07/25/14

2 Solon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $183,338
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Joshua P. Sonntah
Date: 07/21/14

LEVERETT

4 Cemetary Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: William J. Jackson
Seller: Diana D. Kallio
Date: 07/17/14

5 Meadow Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Jack D. Forde
Seller: Julian M. Olf
Date: 07/15/14

238 Pratt Corner Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Steven H. Stroud
Seller: H. N. Clark
Date: 07/15/14

285 Shutesbury Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Lisa T. Brooks
Seller: Donald R. Nelson
Date: 07/25/14

MONTAGUE

128 7th St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Anne R. Stevens
Seller: Damien Schwartz
Date: 07/18/14

16 Country Club Lane
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $249,500
Buyer: Kristin R. Henry
Seller: Norman C. Campbell
Date: 07/23/14

6 High St.
Montague, MA 01344
Amount: $167,730
Buyer: Matan Rubinstein
Seller: Lise Brosseau
Date: 07/23/14

NORTHFIELD

179-A Captain Beers Plain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $182,400
Buyer: Harold W. Pelletier
Seller: MW&MW Realty LLC
Date: 07/17/14

568-B Pine Meadow Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Amy A. Hall
Seller: Carol C. Brown
Date: 07/14/14

850 Old Wendell Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Apple Creek Farm LLC
Seller: Sarah Westbrook
Date: 07/21/14

79 School St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Cody T. O’Brien
Seller: David G. Cormier
Date: 07/25/14

84 Warwick Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Scott A. Johnson
Seller: Jason R. Besecker
Date: 07/14/14

ORANGE

60 Bartlett Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $224,500
Buyer: Lisa A. Kidwell
Seller: Donna A. Billiel
Date: 07/21/14

85 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $118,125
Buyer: John Dunphy
Seller: Bank of America
Date: 07/17/14

77 Intervale Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Donna A. Billiel
Seller: Nancy B. Mousley
Date: 07/21/14

58 Pond Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: David J. Decker
Seller: James W. Taylor
Date: 07/18/14

SHUTESBURY

67 Cooleyville Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $502,500
Buyer: Timothy H. McNerney
Seller: James R. Lee
Date: 07/23/14

120 Cushman Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Nancy M. Dill
Seller: Mark D. Haffey
Date: 07/25/14

SUNDERLAND

8 Hemlock Dr.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Blake J. Gorey
Seller: Henry Stankowski
Date: 07/22/14

111 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: William W. McKerchie
Seller: Jeffrey Chevalier
Date: 07/21/14

141 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Lua T. Ngo
Seller: Homes By Leblanc Inc.
Date: 07/17/14

WENDELL

73 Montague Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Beth Erviti
Seller: Fargo D. Whitman
Date: 07/15/14

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

71 Birch Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $344,900
Buyer: P. R. Asta-Ferrero
Seller: Michael R. Lawrence
Date: 07/16/14

Burlington Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Fiore Santaniello
Seller: John R. Rose
Date: 07/21/14

94 Carr Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Marc A. Pereira
Seller: Chester P. Kasperek
Date: 07/24/14

16 Corey St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Nicholas M. Pandolfi
Seller: Jeffrey T. Surprenant
Date: 07/22/14

29 Florida Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Casey A. Federico
Seller: Brenda Callahan
Date: 07/17/14

104 Gold St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $5,000,000
Buyer: ATS Labs Inc.
Seller: Microtest Properties LLC
Date: 07/14/14

26 Katy Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Thomas Mezzetti
Seller: Joan M. Leahy
Date: 07/18/14

14 Keller Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $251,500
Buyer: Daniel C. Bonafilia
Seller: Felicia T. Seidel
Date: 07/24/14

74 Kensington St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Barnes
Seller: Gregory E. Jerome
Date: 07/23/14

14 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: NWST LLC
Seller: Lynnette A. Williams
Date: 07/16/14

135 Robin Ridge Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $274,900
Buyer: Andrew J. Craven
Seller: Stephen I. Bonesteel
Date: 07/18/14

117 Woodside Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $307,500
Buyer: Michael J. Skala
Seller: Jennifer Gold
Date: 07/14/14

BRIMFIELD

39 6th St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Shawn G. Fuhrmann
Seller: Eric J. Lombardi
Date: 07/24/14

Haynes Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Raymond E. Shea
Seller: Thomas R. Gately
Date: 07/25/14

37 Saint George Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Kevin D. Ragion
Seller: Ronald A. Ignotz
Date: 07/25/14

64 Washington Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Joseph E. McLellan
Seller: Andrew E. Shackett
Date: 07/18/14

CHICOPEE

36 Artisan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: 36 Artisan Street RT
Seller: 18 Piece Chicopee LLC
Date: 07/18/14

22 Berger St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Cristobal Malave
Seller: Jaime L. Flores
Date: 07/18/14

792 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Timothy M. Bielecki
Seller: Rene A. Roy
Date: 07/25/14

1149 Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Wilfred E. Thibodeau
Seller: Dennis G. Champagne
Date: 07/15/14

Center St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Ritmar Realty Corp
Seller: River Shore RE Inc.
Date: 07/18/14

582 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Orange Park Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Derrymore West Realty LLC
Date: 07/25/14

466 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Eric Poirier
Seller: Zbigniew J. Federkiewicz
Date: 07/14/14

37 Grant St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Elm’s College
Seller: Debra Barrett
Date: 07/15/14

79 Kowal Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Paul R. Depelteau
Seller: James B. Calnan
Date: 07/14/14

140 Lonczak St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Amount: $10,658,000
Buyer: ARC Fecpema001 LLC
Seller: Westmoreland Co Inc.
Date: 07/15/14

28 Lucretia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $633,753
Buyer: Rooftop Properties Inc.
Seller: Lucretia Properties LLC
Date: 07/23/14

32 Lucretia Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $633,753
Buyer: Rooftop Properties Inc.
Seller: Lucretia Properties LLC
Date: 07/23/14

735 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Bruce R. Duclos
Seller: Gerard F. Lachance
Date: 07/16/14

27 Meeting House Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Janette Rosado
Seller: Janice M. Parmelee
Date: 07/18/14

60 Montello Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Marzena Nieradko
Seller: Cynthia P. Gorman
Date: 07/25/14

153 Mount Vernon Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Ray J. Marion
Seller: Joseph D. Prince
Date: 07/23/14

101 Poplar St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Stephanie M. Fay
Seller: Linda M. Ducharme
Date: 07/21/14

114 Shepherd St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Gabriel Conde
Seller: Michael J. Moran
Date: 07/21/14

135 Stebbins St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $179,346
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Douglas D. Meserve
Date: 07/24/14

16 Walton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Keith W. Dahlquist
Seller: Fregeau Associates Inc.
Date: 07/18/14

EAST LONGMEADOW

215 Dwight Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: David J. Proulx
Seller: Paula R. Proulx
Date: 07/14/14

24 Forest Hills Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Jody C. Schnabl
Seller: Thomas P. Proctor
Date: 07/23/14

33 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $156,500
Buyer: Timothy E. Friel
Seller: Sally A. Cooper
Date: 07/25/14

62 North Circle Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: 62 North Circle Dr. LLC
Seller: James B. Killoren
Date: 07/22/14

721 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $118,000
Buyer: Mot Nguyen
Seller: Elm Care Group LP
Date: 07/25/14

HAMPDEN

6 Andrew Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Julia P. O’Connor
Seller: James M. Chapdelaine
Date: 07/22/14

2 Scantic Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mark J. Gentile
Seller: Philpott, Pauline M., (Estate)
Date: 07/18/14

HOLLAND

7 Bennett Lane
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Wilhelmina F. Conerly
Seller: Dayna Penny
Date: 07/24/14

HOLYOKE

40 County Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Champagne
Seller: Craig A. Osborne
Date: 07/25/14

96 Dupuis Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Birth
Seller: Lee E. Townsend
Date: 07/18/14

68 Harvard St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Christian T. Gregory
Seller: Yoosun Park
Date: 07/24/14

18 Howard St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Deborah Schwartz
Seller: David R. Chaput
Date: 07/18/14

LONGMEADOW

50 Anthony Way
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $384,000
Buyer: Charles L. O’Brien
Seller: Hendrick C. Burt
Date: 07/18/14

8 Ardsley Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Keith A. Cunningham
Seller: Sturbridge Development
Date: 07/15/14

43 Benedict Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Marshia G. Regnier
Seller: Susan C. Green
Date: 07/25/14

69 Canterbury Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $442,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Quirk
Seller: Khaldoon AlDulaimy
Date: 07/14/14

134 Crescent Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Matthew W. MacDonald
Seller: Rita R. Schwartz
Date: 07/23/14

37 East Primrose Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Michael Capotosto
Seller: Timothy J. Quirk
Date: 07/14/14

1090 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Leslie E. Ahlen
Seller: Crook, Mary G., (Estate)
Date: 07/15/14

1134 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Benjamin J. Reardon
Seller: Andrew S. Jusko
Date: 07/17/14

35 Roseland Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Rita Trolio
Seller: Kathleen E. Grady
Date: 07/25/14

29 Tecumseh Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Kevin R. Ryczek
Seller: Darren W. Dawson
Date: 07/21/14

LUDLOW

173 Erin Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Eric T. Stratton
Seller: Richard J. Papia
Date: 07/15/14

83 Laroche St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Reggie L. Lamothe
Seller: Laurie A. Beem
Date: 07/25/14

3 Mclean Pkwy.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Nicole Peritore
Seller: Antonio E. Dossantos
Date: 07/15/14

255 Pine Cone Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Jose R. Morales
Seller: Pedro M. Olmos
Date: 07/18/14

MONSON

43-1/2 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Jonathan B. Jablonski
Seller: Alan C. Lyons
Date: 07/16/14

PALMER

28 Arnold St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: David E. Fisher
Seller: Jose J. Goncalves
Date: 07/17/14

77 Flynt St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $151,546
Buyer: John T. Meehan
Seller: Wesley Blask
Date: 07/25/14

274-A&B Gates St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: David Kachinski
Seller: Stephanie J. Peterson
Date: 07/15/14

4139 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Harold R. Gelinas
Seller: Richard W. Smola
Date: 07/25/14

RUSSELL

178 Dickinson Hill Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Lori A. Rowe
Seller: Frederick J. Wojick
Date: 07/14/14

General Knox Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Raymond J. Anton
Seller: Waversak, James G. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 07/18/14

SPRINGFIELD

252 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Cory W. Robinson
Seller: Andrea A. Luttrell
Date: 07/18/14

179 Ashland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $145,500
Buyer: Brian S. Kirkpatrick
Seller: Lynn Stockley
Date: 07/25/14

1005 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $129,851
Buyer: JJS Capital Investment, LLC
Seller: JJS Capital Inv LLC
Date: 07/21/14

68 Chilson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Louis C. Sharp
Seller: Peter L. Sygnator
Date: 07/25/14

36 Cleveland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Seller: JJS Capital Investment LLC
Date: 07/21/14

5 Dianna Dr.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Jose L. Rosario
Seller: Sodi Inc.
Date: 07/18/14

13 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Enyoc Investment Properties
Seller: RBS Citizens
Date: 07/17/14

65 Dutchess St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Paul J. Hebert
Seller: Michael Cyranowski
Date: 07/25/14

43 Ellsworth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Robin Martin
Seller: Nathan E. Conway
Date: 07/25/14

27 Flora St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Lois L. Grigely
Seller: Charles J. Lepkowski
Date: 07/15/14

21 Higgins Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Maria E. Davila
Seller: Armand R. Impionbato
Date: 07/24/14

112 Laconia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Kaylina Green-Ingram
Seller: Anthony D. Kowal
Date: 07/25/14

46 Ledyard St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Ysabel Espinal
Seller: Legacy Realty Associates
Date: 07/15/14

67 Marmon St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Natasha I. Christy
Seller: Richard W. Barrows
Date: 07/25/14

198 Park Dr.
Springfield, MA 01106
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Gary A. Daula
Seller: Michael A. Torcia
Date: 07/18/14

1872 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Sadie A. Eaton
Date: 07/25/14

43 Pineywoods Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Eric M. Levine
Seller: Debra A. Hurd
Date: 07/21/14

31-33 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Michael A. Gardner
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 07/24/14

23 Providence St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: MassMutual Life Insurance Co.
Seller: Nilda Garcia
Date: 07/25/14

1019 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: William A. Julian
Seller: William A. Julian
Date: 07/21/14

320 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: AQSA Realty LLC
Seller: Domingo Inc.
Date: 07/22/14

52-54 Silver St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Qaiss Mohammad
Seller: Joseph Lak
Date: 07/25/14

14 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Lauren K. Pyles
Seller: Clarence T. Connors
Date: 07/17/14

27 Sylvester St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Charles W. Sellers
Seller: Ali Awkal
Date: 07/18/14

15 Tanglewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Justin Isenburg
Seller: John J. Guerin
Date: 07/18/14

Union St. (SS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Blue Tarp Redevelopment LLC
Seller: Gina G. Daniele
Date: 07/23/14

19 West Canton Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Luis E. Agudelo
Seller: Paul J. Hebert
Date: 07/25/14

67 Wayside St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Ryan A. Hess
Seller: Theodore E. Thornhill
Date: 07/25/14

14-16 Webster St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: HSB Investments LLC
Seller: City Of Springfield
Date: 07/21/14

SOUTHWICK

2 Nicholson Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: James M. Murray
Seller: Michael S. Pietras
Date: 07/15/14

WALES

37 Haynes Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Christopher T. Harrington
Seller: Randall J. Harrington
Date: 07/25/14

115 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Kimberly M. Dugas
Seller: Patricia A. Hempel
Date: 07/17/14

WESTFIELD

26 Bailey Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $357,500
Buyer: Patrick J. Corrigan
Seller: Steven W. Harmon
Date: 07/22/14

316 Birch Bluffs Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Michael S. Bein
Seller: Heidi Quigley
Date: 07/18/14

12 College Park Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: John M. Standish
Seller: Mary S. Husted
Date: 07/16/14

1224 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $293,500
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Lyon
Seller: John M. Standish
Date: 07/16/14

277 Falley Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Jeremy J. Beltrandi
Seller: Russell A. Atwood
Date: 07/15/14

12 Farlaine Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Joshua M. Lamb
Seller: Michel P. Gaulard
Date: 07/17/14

16 Glen Ridge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $234,500
Buyer: Nikolaus J. Schmitter
Seller: Andrew Vitkauskas
Date: 07/24/14

188 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Joel Bonilla
Seller: William R. Krok
Date: 07/25/14

48 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Teresa A. Beattie
Seller: Homeworks Construction Co Inc.
Date: 07/25/14

726 North Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Adam R. Fisher
Seller: Floyd R. Fisher
Date: 07/22/14

8 Phyllis Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Wayne D. Vangsness
Seller: Cynthia A. Williamson
Date: 07/18/14

4 Salvator Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: James T. Krupienski
Seller: Robert R. Barlow
Date: 07/25/14

62 Sherwood Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Dominic E. Catellier
Seller: Debra A. Dame
Date: 07/15/14

12 Woodmont St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $173,500
Buyer: Jared M. Materas
Seller: Joshua C. Cordeira
Date: 07/15/14

WILBRAHAM

19 Chapin Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Jason P. Donovan
Seller: Cynthia A. Edwards
Date: 07/24/14

822 Glendale Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Katie O’Meara
Seller: Kurt L. Brannigan
Date: 07/25/14

851 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $230,200
Buyer: Sima Pariseau
Seller: Rita E. Trolio
Date: 07/25/14

299 Mountain Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $202,375
Buyer: Bjorn Schultz
Seller: Joseph G. Lafreniere
Date: 07/15/14

WEST SPRINGFIELD

57 Angeline St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $139,952
Buyer: DLJ Mortgage Capital Inc.
Seller: Steven F. Bailey
Date: 07/22/14

76 Charles Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Leah K. Byrd
Seller: Jon Roberts
Date: 07/22/14

341 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Shirley A. Dowdall
Seller: Richard D. McCombe
Date: 07/17/14

33 Howard St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Derek M. White
Seller: Daniel C. Santos
Date: 07/24/14

413 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Becar Properties LLC
Seller: Ali B. Kitchell
Date: 07/15/14

19 Prince Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $251,400
Buyer: Pizzaman Investment Realty LLC
Seller: Jeffrey W. Duda
Date: 07/25/14

683 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: David W. Holt
Seller: Eric J. Heinrich-Steward
Date: 07/25/14

74 Southworth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $115,620
Buyer: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Seller: Shawna E. Afake
Date: 07/25/14

25 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: Ilir Mallopolci
Seller: William A. Bellany
Date: 07/18/14

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

1360 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Olga Gealikman
Seller: Florence C. Ricciuti RET
Date: 07/16/14

30 Blue Hills Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $268,500
Buyer: William H. Ewell
Seller: Richard T. Alpert
Date: 07/15/14

30 Harlow Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Mark S. Miller
Seller: Donald S. Tetenbaum
Date: 07/17/14

21 Hop Brook Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Karen Sheingold
Seller: James A. Larimore
Date: 07/14/14

15 Jeffrey Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Wendy Stayman
Seller: Tiffany L. Johnson
Date: 07/15/14

68 Maplewood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Kevin Q. Gallagher
Seller: Sheridan FT
Date: 07/21/14

237 Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Edward H. Axtell
Seller: Silas Axtell
Date: 07/24/14

18 Moody Field Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Vera Shevzov
Seller: Janet L. Howard
Date: 07/25/14

462 Old Montague Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sonia G. Schloemann
Seller: Shari L. Andersen-Connor
Date: 07/24/14

65 Sunset Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Joonkoo Park
Seller: Katherine Glime-Lamotte
Date: 07/21/14

8 Weaver Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Parker
Seller: Sonia G. Schloemann
Date: 07/14/14

BELCHERTOWN

246 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Michael K. Guyott
Seller: Terence M. Carney
Date: 07/25/14

109 Channel Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Mighty Xee
Seller: Christine M. Rodgers
Date: 07/18/14

46 Dana Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: James R. Lee
Seller: Aaron Saiewitz
Date: 07/23/14

1 Metacomet St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $206,575
Buyer: Ora A. Ermold
Seller: Herman, Janis, (Estate)
Date: 07/15/14

266 North St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Jackie D. Land
Seller: Rhonda R. Jacobs
Date: 07/24/14

195 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $242,500
Buyer: Ellen A. Parda
Seller: Paul R. Lussier
Date: 07/16/14

205 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $135,251
Buyer: Florence Savings Bank
Seller: Brendan J. Plante
Date: 07/16/14

6 Pease Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Nicholas F. Osbourne
Seller: Steven W. Cox
Date: 07/15/14

Shea Ave. #9
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Carriage Town Homes LLC
Seller: Shea Avenue Realty LLC
Date: 07/22/14

401 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Kandace L. Carlin
Seller: Kuzmeski, Mary E., (Estate)
Date: 07/25/14

12 Tucker Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Pamela L. Warren
Seller: Chris Daley
Date: 07/15/14

EASTHAMPTON

8 Clark Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Mary E. Bowen
Seller: Matthew W. McGill
Date: 07/25/14

14-16 Federal St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Palitsch
Seller: Mary A. Dzialo
Date: 07/25/14

4 Franklin St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jeffrey L. Fournier
Seller: Donna Ray
Date: 07/25/14

198 Hendrick St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Amy B. Davis
Seller: Daniel J. Crowley
Date: 07/24/14

Hendrick St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: David A. Hardy Contractor
Seller: Eric J. Wonderlich
Date: 07/24/14

36 Meadowbrook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Shawn T. Korza
Seller: Chester & L. Warawka FT
Date: 07/18/14

113 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $823,878
Buyer: Bermatt Properties LP
Seller: Bernard P. Gawle
Date: 07/18/14

115 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Bermatt Properties LP
Seller: Bernard P. Gawle
Date: 07/18/14

GRANBY

13 High St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Aimee N. Brennan
Seller: New Chicopee TR
Date: 07/16/14

1 Sherwood Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Westover Metropolitan Development Corp.
Seller: Thomas D. Turkowski
Date: 07/16/14

22 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $177,500
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Asselin
Seller: Joanne C. Parry
Date: 07/25/14

96 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Charles W. Harris
Seller: Katherine J. Wilcox
Date: 07/23/14

HADLEY

200 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $1,245,000
Buyer: John W. Kinchla
Seller: Keith Rehbein
Date: 07/16/14

42 North Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Una Z. Reiser
Seller: Nancy E. Fernald
Date: 07/24/14

66 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Isaac Chow
Seller: John N. Copoulos
Date: 07/17/14

HATFIELD

Brook Hollow Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Szawlowski Realty Inc.
Seller: Stephen F. Bruscoe
Date: 07/17/14

71 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Joseph N. Peltier
Seller: Malcolm B. Hardy
Date: 07/24/14

Great Neponsett Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Szawlowski Realty Inc.
Seller: Stephen F. Bruscoe
Date: 07/17/14

HUNTINGTON

80 Harlow Clark Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Donn Sayre
Seller: Miriam J. Beane
Date: 07/22/14

NORTHAMPTON

11 Arlington St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $487,000
Buyer: 11 Arlington Street RT
Seller: Nira H. Elkins

27 Beattie Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Susan M. Norrie
Seller: Michael V. Tobin
Date: 07/15/14

35 Beattie Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: John M. Martine
Seller: Kimberly A. Foster
Date: 07/18/14

444 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Garrett A. Deane
Seller: Hutchins Family Partnership
Date: 07/15/14

829 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Adam M. Plumb
Seller: Siera TR
Date: 07/25/14

62 Conz St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Jian P. Zheng
Seller: John A. Andrulis
Date: 07/25/14

60 Fox Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Mark B. Hoover
Seller: William F. Dostal
Date: 07/16/14

1 Franklin Court
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $448,000
Buyer: Maria H. Rueda
Seller: Vera Shevzov
Date: 07/25/14

67 Franklin St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Sarah Ketay
Seller: Kyle L. Hamer
Date: 07/24/14

22 Industrial Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,500,000
Buyer: Malvern Instruments Inc.
Seller: GE Healthcare Bio Science
Date: 07/25/14

103 Moser St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction
Seller: Hospital Hill Development LLC
Date: 07/23/14

111 Moser St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction
Seller: Hospital Hill Development LLC
Date: 07/23/14

116 Moser St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $507,641
Buyer: Kim G. Selden
Seller: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction
Date: 07/17/14

42 Norfolk Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $512,000
Buyer: Jacob E. Fine
Seller: Lynn S. Hicks
Date: 07/15/14

89 Oak St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $359,000
Buyer: Jennifer Jachowski
Seller: David M. Plaut
Date: 07/16/14

226 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $599,000
Buyer: Joanne Marqusee
Seller: David T. Lyons
Date: 07/22/14

35 Revell Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $362,500
Buyer: Horst H. Winter
Seller: Tammy Landon
Date: 07/16/14

619 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: B&E Capital LLC
Seller: Michael Hogan
Date: 07/23/14

35 Water St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Thomas
Seller: Laurel Crommett
Date: 07/25/14

SOUTH HADLEY

103 Alvord St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: David B. Henry
Seller: Aaron S. Haesaert
Date: 07/23/14

83 Alvord St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Ryan K. Johnson
Seller: Kathleen A. Greenwood
Date: 07/23/14

16 College View Heights
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Michael J. Romanko
Seller: Joan P. Cummings
Date: 07/16/14

38 Cornell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Messier
Seller: Christopher Sandrilla
Date: 07/25/14

6 East Red Bridge Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $447,500
Buyer: Robert L. Whited
Seller: JN Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 07/22/14

83 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Katherine L. Paul
Seller: Scott R. Levreault
Date: 07/17/14

9 Landers St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $217,500
Buyer: Edythe A. McGinnes
Seller: Jared Cousineau
Date: 07/15/14

Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Aaron S. Haesaert
Seller: Mary L. Pigott
Date: 07/25/14

190 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Michael F. Lenart
Seller: Beverly A. Astley
Date: 07/24/14

SOUTHAMPTON

146 Brickyard Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $214,900
Buyer: Anne M. Chaput
Seller: Daniel G. Hamel
Date: 07/18/14

12 Kingsberry Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $221,400
Buyer: Samantha E. Patrick
Seller: Charles R. Christoferson
Date: 07/17/14

Madeline Way
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Olde Colonial Building Co.
Seller: Connecticut River Valley
Date: 07/25/14

Nicholas Lane #8
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: James F. Boyle
Seller: Chester J. Kellogg
Date: 07/25/14

Old Harvest Road #5
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: David M. Lepine
Seller: Triple 7 LLC
Date: 07/23/14

Old Harvest Road #9
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: David M. Lepine
Seller: Triple 7 LLC
Date: 07/23/14

143 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Kathryn M. Cadwgan
Seller: A&S RT
Date: 07/25/14

242 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Robert E. Williams
Seller: Amanda M. Mitchell
Date: 07/24/14

WARE

12 Aspen St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Scudder Bay Capital LLC
Seller: SJJC Realty Corp. LLC
Date: 07/25/14

19-21 Aspen St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Scudder Bay Capital LLC
Seller: SJJC Realty Corp LLC
Date: 07/25/14

44 Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Christopher J. Jovak
Seller: Matawin Venture TR
Date: 07/18/14

64 Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $128,500
Buyer: RRH RT
Seller: Catherine J. Boos
Date: 07/23/14

80 Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Christopher Desantis
Seller: Marmor, Robert, (Estate)
Date: 07/21/14

Gilbertville Road (rear)
Amount: $399,000
Ware, MA 01082
Buyer: Maura C. McCaffrey
Seller: Harry Lomas
Date: 07/24/14

259 Malboeuf Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Meghan M. Peddle
Seller: Elizabeth A. Rand
Date: 07/15/14

WORTHINGTON

44 Buffington Hill Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Brenda C. Shanley
Seller: James A. Ryan
Date: 07/16/14

Doing Business As Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

DBA Certificates Departments

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

HOLYOKE

Dominos Pizza
1534 Dwight St.
Chris MacPherson

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

Highland Non-stop Cuts
1375 Dwight St.
Carlos Fonseca

Holyoke Pizza
213 South St.
Hasan Kuruca

Mastercuts
50 Holyoke St.
Alison Pearce

LUDLOW

Chameleon Painting
58 Chapin Circle
Brian Foster

Cluett’s
433 Center St.
Mark Swett

Fancy Nails
207 Winsor St.
Minh Dang

NORTHAMPTON

Dependable Drywall Inc.
98 Birchwood Dr.
Lukas Rosou

Fairfield Inn & Suites
115 Conz St.
Mansour Ghalibaf

Fore
122 State St.
Matthew Bader

Juneberry Bags
181 Main St.
Natalie Goodale

Matusko Fire Protection
972 Park Hill Road
David Matusko

Milltown Productions
120 Williams St.
Zachary MacDonald

PALMER

Acropolis Pizza
1240 Park St.
Dimitrios Athanasiadis

American Independent
15 Knox St.
Scott Ingleman

ANC Building Construction, LLC
9 Harvey St.
Jocelyne Bolduc

Budget Blinds
80 Laurel Road
Robert Poulin

Depot Auto Sales Inc.
1221 Thorndike St.
Edward Wurszt

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

Kszepka Insurance
2376 Main St.
Paul Kszepka

Lamb Contracting
1430 Park St.
Stanley Lamb

The Private Practice Consultant
63 Belanger St.
Jason Brooks

SOUTHWICK

Crossover Fitness, LLC
208 College Highway
Nathania Consolini

Mark’s Welding
15 Fred Jackson Road
Mark Muniak

SPRINGFIELD

JM HVAC Solutions
112 Wallace St.
Javier Martinez

Jessie’s
70 Massasoit St.
Efrain Vazques

K Cookies
58 Eckington St.
Narelle Thomas

Kumasi African Market
159 Boston Road
Ernestina Kumah-Num

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

Media Group International
26 Hanson Dr.
Vadim Vatnikov

Mike’s Boutique
112 State St.
Marsha Simpson

Mirels Beads
125 Greene St.
Aida L. DeJesus

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

Mitchell Landscaping
81 Cambridge St.
Brian Mitchell

Northstar Landscaping
89 Guion St.
Despina A. Costa

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

Panda House
1675 Main St.
Yong H. Chen

Phat Dat Seafood
103 Euclid Ave.
Phat Tran

Quality Cleaning Services
141 Wollaston St.
Yesenia Rodriguez

S & B Distributor
503 Newbury St.
Santiago Rondon

Salome Fashion
2662 Main St.
Luz Flores

Santiago & Sanchez Rent
9 Massasoit Place
Angel M. Santiago

Showcase Barbershop
701 Sumner Ave.
Esteban Vazquez

The Best Deals
318 Bay St.
Jesus Ortiz

The Lioness Group
396 Canon Circle
Natasha Z. Clark

Turn of the Century
30 Maplewood Terrace
Matthew Forte

Tuttis Desserts
1003 St. James Ave.
Madeleine Loyola

Upper Room Films
100 Whittier St.
Samuel Bradley

Wingate at Springfield
215 Bicentennial Highway
SRC Springfield Inc.

XClusive Auto Club
306 Liberty St.
Jamie Lopez

WESTFIELD

Psychic Bridges
56 Ridgecrest Circle
David Moquin

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bourque Real Estate
1233 Westfield St.
Bourque Group Inc.

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

J & V Painting
697 Elm St.
Vanessa Horsman

Luxe Consignment
85 George St.
Natalia Dumanetskaya

Quality Construction
85 Benedict St.
Jerzy Cebula

Spices of Asia
3 Central St.
Toralben Patel

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Court Dockets Departments

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

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

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

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

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

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

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

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

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

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT

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

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

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

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

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

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

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

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

Sales & Marketing

By BusinessWest Staff August 26, 2014

Columns Sections

It Takes the Right Tactics to Improve Sales Performance

By JOHN GRAHAM

In Lee Child’s Without Fail, a Secret Service official simplifies a disturbing problem. “If the Yankees come to town saying they’re going to beat the Orioles, does that mean it’s true?” And then he adds, “Boasting about it is not the same thing as actually doing it.”

It’s the same with sales, where there’s often too much boasting and not enough doing. Here are seven tactics to improve sales performance.

1. Use stories that make a difference to customers. While facts help support a sales presentation, they can also be confusing, create doubt, and turn people off. Yet, many salespeople fill their presentations with facts and figures and so-called ‘hard information’ to build a solid, compelling case with customers.

A simple, quick story that grabs interest may be far more effective in moving a customer to action, however. While salespeople love to tell stories, too often they shoot themselves in the foot with stories about themselves or whatever comes to mind at the moment, failing to sense the effect on the customer.

Sales stories should be strategic, as marketer Jen Agustin suggests when she says, “if you think back to your favorite stories, the great ones are those that inform, educate, and drive people to act.”

2. Forget about ‘the latest and the greatest.’ “I’ve made a conscious choice to not spend all my time … looking down at a device,” said legendary motion-picture director James Cameron, of Avatar and Titanic fame, in a recent USA Today interview. “I’m a Luddite — but a high-tech Luddite.” Referring to Twitter, “I hate it,” he said. “I hate everyone else’s tweets, too. They’re boring. What can you say in 140 characters? I can’t even clear my throat in 140 characters. Same goes for Facebook.”

As the most techie director of all time, Cameron’s outburst sends a message to salespeople. It wasn’t so long ago that ‘cutting edge’ gave salespeople an advantage with customers, as they longed for the next great thing. But not now. The times have changed. It’s clear what moves them to action now: they want what works, what solves a problem, what gives them an edge.

3. Don’t talk about what you do. It may sound crazy to suggest that salespeople should avoid talking about what they do. Even so, it’s good advice. It’s tempting to talk about what we know best — what we do. We’re excited about we do and want to share ‘the good news.’ But, no matter what anyone says, to talk about what we do is a huge turnoff for customers.

If you ask Sally what she does and she tells you she sells insurance, that’s all it takes — you shut down. However, when Sally recognizes that you’re 50-ish, you might feel different if she said, “I help people make sure they have enough money for a great retirement.” If you’re someone with a young family, Sally might say, “I help make the dream of going to college a reality.” It’s an approach that gives new meaning to ‘the customer comes first.’

4. Be careful when you make promises. There’s always a temptation to tell customers what they want to hear, and it leads to trouble. “It will be here in about three weeks,” said the contractor, referring to the bathroom accessory selected by the customer. Well after the due date, the customer was upset because it still was unavailable, and was then told the expected delivery would be several months later.

It’s a familiar story, and it points how out salespeople disappoint customers by making promises they can’t keep. It’s a deadly scenario. Once disappointment sets in, satisfaction begins unraveling.
To maintain customer confidence if a problem may occur, tell them about it upfront, keep them informed, and have options ready if they’re needed.

5. Don’t overstate. In other words, don’t exaggerate. It’s the curse that many salespeople fall prey to time and again, so that it becomes second nature — and it always causes trouble. They can’t have a conversation or make a presentation without ‘gilding the lily,’ as they say. Salespeople want to look good to their customers, so they stretch the truth, embellish the facts, and are even misleading.

It’s a dangerous practice. For today’s customers, it’s one strike and we’re out. No one understands this better than Amazon. And few companies do a better job communicating with customers, particularly when it comes to on-time deliveries, accurate product descriptions, and reliable customer comments.

Unlike other retailers who try to lure customers with exaggerated claims, Amazon’s goal is to build trust so customers come back again and again, even when a competitor may have a lower price. It starts with a no-exaggeration policy. Salespeople can learn from companies like Amazon.

6. Explore vulnerabilities. Salespeople can perform a significant service to customers by showing them where they may be losing business, how they might improve a procedure, if they have a product or service weakness, or any other exposure.

Because business owners and managers can be so caught up in daily operations that they fail to see potential threats, salespeople can be the extra set of eyes to provide valuable feedback. The owner of a retail chain was ready to buy another store when a salesperson pointed out that significant changes in the area could have a negative impact on the business. The owner heeded the salesperson’s advice and avoided making a costly mistake.

7. Reinforce the customer’s buying decision. It’s just after the sale — when salespeople revel in their success — that the customer relationship is most vulnerable. This is when post-sale doubts set in and questions arise. Perhaps they are getting more familiar with a purchase, encounter an unexpected issue, or discover that what they bought isn’t what they expected. Whether it’s a beer or Lexus, customers want to feel good when they make a purchase.

The savvy salesperson, knowing what can occur, takes the initiative and contacts customers to gauge how they are feeling about their purchase and to reinforce why their buying decision was prudent. The person who made the sale should make the contact, otherwise the value of the call is diminished in the customer’s mind. The customer wants to know that the salesperson cares.

The bottom line is, when salespeople use the right tactics, they boast less, do more, and improve their sales performance.

John Graham is a marketing and sales strategist, consultant, and business writer with GrahamComm. He publishes a free monthly e-bulletin titled “No Nonsense Marketing & Sales”; (617) 774-9759;
[email protected]; johnrgraham.com

Radius Financial Group Welcomes Kate Crogan

By BusinessWest Staff August 22, 2014

Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Radius Financial Group Inc., a leading private mortgage lender in New England, has announced the addition of Kate Crogan as a loan officer in its West Springfield branch.

Crogan brings three years of experience in mortgage lending. Most recently, she was a customer service representative before being promoted to financial-services representative at TD Bank in Chicopee, where she was responsible for first and second mortgages, insurance, and annuities. She is currently studying business at Western New England University.

“We’re delighted to have Kate join us. Her enthusiasm for helping people realize their dreams of home ownership, as well as her passion for service, make her a perfect addition to the Radius team,” said West Springfield Branch Manager Nora MacKay.

Baystate Health Selects Premier Inc. to Support Innovation Center

By BusinessWest Staff August 21, 2014

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has selected Premier Inc.’s data-warehouse and business-intelligence platform, PremierConnect Enterprise, to support the development of innovative solutions within its new Health Informatics & Technology Innovation Center.

Home to the largest health-insurance company in Western Mass. and a flagship academic medical center, Baystate Health received a $5.5 million grant from the state last year to build the Baystate Health Innovation Center. The Innovation Center, which will officially launch this fall, is designed to connect healthcare information technology (HIT) vendors with physicians and other providers of care at Baystate Health to co-develop innovative solutions to the rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Baystate Health has been a member of Premier and its predecessor companies for 30 years, leveraging both its performance and supply-chain services. Last fall, the health system deployed PremierConnect Enterprise to quickly and more efficiently access, integrate, and interpret its clinical, financial, and operational data. Seeing the positive results, the Innovation Center signed a separate, multi-year agreement to use PremierConnect Enterprise to integrate payer, provider, and other healthcare data from participating innovators within a structured collaborative environment. By leveraging PremierConnect Enterprise’s platform and unique healthcare-data model, innovators will easily access and manipulate data for testing and scaling new HIT solutions.

“Our goal is to grow innovative solutions for the very real challenges of healthcare today in collaboration with innovators from around the globe,” said Joel Vengco, vice president and chief information officer at Baystate Health. “This long-term partnership with Premier provides us with the infrastructure and capabilities necessary to liberate healthcare data within an open workspace that a broad group of researchers, innovators, and providers can access. The platform and data combined will allow us to accelerate new HIT solutions that improve the quality and efficiency of patient care.”

The Innovation Center resources will be available for select innovators working on solutions that support new healthcare models, beyond the use of electronic health records, to better manage population health, value-based care, and the revenue cycle. PremierConnect Enterprise is a cloud-based service managed by Premier. It will support this work through its multifaceted platform that combines data warehousing with the ability to acquire, standardize, transform, and integrate big data; produce actionable analytics; and garner predictive insights.

“Baystate Health is a model health system with a strong footprint in leading research across the critical areas of healthcare quality and outcomes,” said Michael Alkire, Premier’s chief operating officer. “Premier is proud to be a part of the next-generation work of the Innovation Center and its innovators at such a crucial time, as we chisel away the silos in healthcare.”

Keith Figlioli, Premier’s senior vice president of healthcare informatics and a member of the Office of the National Coordinator’s Health IT Standards Committee, noted that “this collaboration is vital to the creation of flexible HIT resources and infrastructures that bring the best ideas from the brightest minds to reality more quickly, and spread them across our industry.”

PremierConnect Enterprise includes expert advisory services and membership in the Data Alliance Collaborative, a group of the nation’s leading health systems, including Baystate Health, that share knowledge and assets to accelerate the development of the analytics and business intelligence needed to improve population health and operational performance. The Innovation Center provides a new way for collaborative participants to work with innovators to test potential solutions that advance value-based care. These solutions are expected to have a direct path toward the possible adoption of HIT best practices across Premier’s alliance of 3,000 hospitals and 110,000 other providers.

Premier expects its expanded relationship with the Baystate Health Innovation Center to contribute to fiscal 2015 revenue and earnings. With the addition of the Innovation Center, Premier now has nine healthcare organizations leveraging its PremierConnect Enterprise services.