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BusinessTalk with Kitchens by Curio owners Curio and Frank Nataloni

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Business Talk Podcast

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 203: March 4, 2024

Joe Bednar talks with Curio and Frank Nataloni, owners of Kitchens by Curio

Curio and Frank Nataloni

Fifty years ago, Curio Nataloni was laid off from a construction job and started doing solo kitchen projects. Ten years after he launched that business, his brother, Frank, joined him full-time, and just this past month, Kitchens by Curio celebrated 50 years in business. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Curio and Frank talk with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about surviving and thriving through various economic shifts and the many changes in home renovation over the years, from high-tech advances to the way people shop to evolving tastes in kitchen and bath styles — and also about Curio’s son, Michael, who plans to eventually be the company’s second-generation leader. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

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Home & Garden Show Continues to Draw a Diverse Crowd

By
Andrew Crane
Home Improvement

Up Close and Personal

Andrew Crane

Andrew Crane says the Home Show is both a helpful experience for homeowners and a fun day out with family or friends.

 

Andrew Crane said the annual Home & Garden Show staged by the Home Builders and Remodelers Assoc. of Western Massachusetts (HBRAWM) began as a way to get contractors out in front of people who needed projects done.

These days, with the prevalence of the internet, consumers can do a lot of their research and shopping online, and they do.

But here’s the thing — the annual show, now in its 69th year, still draws a crowd.

“There are a lot of people that still want to meet their contractor, look that person in the eye, maybe see what their trucks or equipment look like, talk about specific projects, and see pictures. That’s how I like to shop,” said Crane, HBRAWM’s executive director. “The Home Show is for people that want to see and talk to contractors, as well as other people. If I’m buying windows and I get a chance to touch that window and slide it up and down or left and right, I feel better about that product. And that’s what the Home Show offers.”

This year’s edition runs March 21-24, in and around multiple buildings at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. Crane says he expects about 15,000 visitors over those four days.

“If I’m looking to build a home … I’d like to find a guy that’s built several homes, or dozens, or hundreds, educating me about the process,” he continued. “It’s probably the single biggest investment you’ll make in your entire life. If you buy a car, it lasts you five years, six years, maybe 10 years. If you buy a house, it’s supposed to last you 50 years, 60 years, 80 years. So it’s kind of a big decision.”

“You get a chance to touch them and feel them without traveling to 20 different spots and other lumberyards all over Western Massachusetts; you might be able to do it all in the same building.”

Meanwhile, homeowners looking to renovate — and that number spiked during the stay-at-home months of the pandemic, and remodelers still report a high volume of projects today — will find plenty of vendors of windows and doors; flooring, countertops, and tile; appliances and furnishings; and much more.

“You get a chance to touch them and feel them without traveling to 20 different spots and other lumberyards all over Western Massachusetts; you might be able to do it all in the same building,” Crane explained. “We might be able to show you several of the products — different roofing, different siding, that type of thing.”

 

Plenty of Reasons

The annual event sees all types of attendees who visit for a variety of reasons, Crane noted. Attendees typically fall into one of several categories:

• People planning to buy or build a new home, who may visit with builders, real-estate agents, financial institutions, and sellers of component products;

• People planning to remodel or renovate, who may want to check in with all of the above, plus vendors of the aforementioned windows and doors, appliances, home furnishings, and more;

• Yard and garden enthusiasts, who tend to be interested in lawn and landscaping services; wall, walk, and edging components and materials; and trees, shrubs, flowers, and seeds;

• Renters, who have no plans to own a house, but may be interested in space-conservation and space-utilization products, as well as home furnishings;

• Impulse buyers, who flock to vendors of home décor, arts and crafts, cooking and baking products, jewelry, and personal goods; and

• Lifestyle-conscious individuals, who like to check out trendy, high-tech, or time-saving products, as well as home furnishings and products focused on self-improvement, fitness, and health.

The latter categories inject some fun into the Home & Garden Show, Crane said. “We hear it every year: ‘where’s the beer-nut guy?’ or ‘where’s the pickle guy?’ Those type of things are what make a show entertaining. We call ourselves the Home Builders and Remodelers Association, but everybody likes to look at the radio remote-control helicopter that flies around.”

Even with the more serious home-related purchases, everyone wants some variety, he added.

“You don’t want to look at 500 sheds, but it’s really nice to have a dozen there to look at, with different types of shapes and colors. It’s really nice to see windows, but you don’t want to look at 300 windows. As you travel through the aisles, you’ll see different fences, you’ll see different roofing, different siding, and then you’ll bump into the pickle guy, or you’ll bump into the beer-nut guy, or the person selling knives and pans. These are all part of the entertainment.”

Speaking of entertainment, Crane said he’s often considered the show a social event, or at least part of one.

“Before I was involved with the Home Show, I used to go because I would see my neighbors and friends. We would plan to meet at the Home Show at 6:00, walk the Home Show for a couple hours and see dozens of our friends, and then we would plan a dinner date, go somewhere with our wives and have a nice meal somewhere.”

He also noted that the show is an inexpensive outing, and just about everyone who checks it out will find something useful, whether they’re looking for it or not. “In some cases, people will pick up a card and might not even call that vendor or contractor until a year later, when they remember that they ran into them.”

For vendors, the show can fill up an entire year’s worth of projects, Crane said, so people need to manage their expectations and plan ahead. “If you’re looking for a roof, you might have to wait until August to get it. And after the Home Show, you might not even get it this year if that’s the person you want to use.”

Meanwhile, “other people are just there to make sure that the general public knows they’re around if they ever can be of service. You know, pass out the business card, and it goes on the refrigerator, and if you ever need this or that, you take the card off the refrigerator and call that person.”

 

The Right Stuff

The Home Builders and Remodelers Assoc. is almost 100 years old and continues to represent contractors so they can understand state and national regulations, as well as keeping the general public informed of what services are available in the region.

“All the businesses that run a good business — meaning they plan, they advertise, they keep the right insurances, and they keep their licenses intact — are doing fine because they have a responsibility to their employees and to their livelihood,” Crane said of today’s business climate. “So when they attend education and learn how to write or rewrite contracts as laws change, that protects the public, and it protects them.”

At the same time, “when a person is shady in any business, they don’t put themselves out in front of the public. They kind of skirt the system, so to speak. So the people you’re going to meet at the Home Show are putting themselves out in front of everyone for the world to see, so people know they’re in business, they’re legit, and you can count on them being educated,” he went on. “So you’re not just hoping for the best. You’re ahead of the curve with your selection process.”

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Donna Haghighat

Donna Haghighat

Donna Haghighat, CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, has announced her plans to retire, effective June 30. Under Haghighat’s leadership, beginning in 2017, the Women’s Fund developed innovative programs, sought out effective partnerships, increased grantmaking, grew its corporate and individual donations, and focused on racial equity and trust-based philanthropy. She was also integral in the launch of the Young Women’s Initiative for girls and young women of color in Springfield and the Greater Springfield Women’s Economic Security Hub. Haghighat has facilitated the monthly meetings of the Women Heads of Nonprofits group in Western Mass., which the Women’s Fund hosts, and has served on the state’s Community Reinvestment Fund Advisory Board and the advisory board of the Center for Social Justice at Western New England School of Law. She was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Cultural Council this year and is a board member for WAM Theatre in the Berkshires.

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Timothy Craw

Timothy Craw

Professional Drywall Construction Inc. (PDC) announced that Timothy Craw has joined the company as vice president of Business Development and Labor Relations. With 45 years of construction experience in nearly every industry segment, Craw will be responsible for expanding the company’s footprint in all areas of the Atlantic states. Most recently, Craw was a union business agent and building trades president. In his various positions over the years, he has developed and maintained relationships with union and non-union contracts for business development and market expansion, recruited and represented union journeyman and apprentice carpenters in collective-bargaining negotiations, mediated contract conflicts, and monitored federal and state public construction projects during the planning, design, and bidding processes. Craw received the Carpenters Union Local 108 Steward of the Year Award in 2001 and the BCBCTC Edward M. Kennedy Award in 2016. He is a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans and the Assoc. for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. A graduate of the U.S. Army Engineer School, he served six years as a sergeant in the U.S. Army.

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Andre Motulski

Andre Motulski

Florence Bank has promoted Andre Motulski to the role of vice president/controller. Motulski joined the bank’s team as assistant vice president/controller in September 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University and is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-commissioned risk-management examiner. In his new role, which he assumed in December, he is responsible for managing financial records, ensuring regulatory compliance, and assessing risks associated with lending and investment activities. Motulski is involved in the community, serving on the finance committee for Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts (BBBSWM) announced that Chris Thompson has been selected as the nonprofit’s chief growth officer. In this role, Thompson will be responsible for strengthening the newly merged agency’s relationship with the communities of Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties. Thompson was honored with the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award in 2009 and is active in the local community. He currently sits on the board of Arrha Credit Union and is a former commissioner for the Western Massachusetts Sports Commission and West Springfield’s Parks and Recreation Commission. As co-founder and owner of the Westfield Starfires of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, Thompson brings a wealth of experience to his new role in the areas of advocacy, community outreach, business development, and external relations. He will lead BBBSWM’s growth efforts in Berkshire and Franklin counties. Previously, Thompson served on the BBBS of Hampden County board of directors between 2014 and 2021. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience developing marketing partnerships and generating revenue for iconic Western Mass. brands, such as the Springfield Falcons hockey team, where he developed a comprehensive corporate partnership program, and where he led the launch of the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey club, serving as senior vice president of Sales & Strategy.

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Jeff Little

Jeff Little

Governors America Corp. (GAC) welcomed Jeff Little as its new director of Product Management. As director of Product Management, Little’s responsibilities include aligning product strategy with business goals; driving product discovery, market research, and competitor research; driving innovation and new product development initiatives; communicating product vision and strategy to stakeholders; and monitoring and maintaining product health. Little received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University. He has garnered 27 years of experience in the industry, most recently as director of Product Management at Enovation Controls.

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MassMutual announced the appointment of Cindy Ryan to head of Human Resources. Ryan, who has more than two decades of HR leadership experience, will oversee and advance MassMutual’s people strategy, aligned with the company’s purpose, priorities, and aspirations. In this role, Ryan assumes oversight of MassMutual’s HR organization, which includes talent acquisition and management; total rewards; HR operations; employee relations; learning and development; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She will be responsible for continuing to evolve the company’s flexible, inclusive culture, supporting the holistic well-being and growth of MassMutual’s employees and attracting and retaining a talented, diverse workforce. Ryan joins MassMutual after spending nearly 25 years in various leadership roles of growing responsibility at Cigna, where she most recently served as the company’s chief Human Resources officer (CHRO). In this role, she led Cigna’s worldwide enterprise talent strategy and pandemic response, built its award-winning DEI approach, and enriched its engaged culture. Prior to her CHRO role, she served as senior vice president of HR for Cigna’s U.S. business lines, where she was responsible for talent-management strategies, employee engagement, and leadership effectiveness for the company’s health, life, and disability services lines as well as serving as the company’s chief talent officer, overseeing recruiting, learning, leadership development, and employee relations worldwide.

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Laurel Carpenter

Laurel Carpenter

Laurel Carpenter, associate professor of Environmental Science at Holyoke Community College (HCC), has been awarded a national fellowship focusing on STEM education at community colleges. The fellowship, from the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in STEM (CCPI-STEM), is intended for community-college faculty and administrators pursuing graduate degrees and conducting research related to STEM education and workforce development. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Carpenter is part of a cohort of just seven CCPI-STEM fellows for 2024-25 and the only one from a college in the Northeast. Fellows are selected from a national pool of applicants, who are evaluated based on their education, STEM experience, leadership potential, community engagement, and research. A 2012 graduate of HCC, Carpenter is a wildlife biologist, chair of the HCC Environmental Studies department, co-coordinator of the HCC STEM Scholars program, and a graduate student at UMass Amherst, where she is pursuing a doctorate in education. CCPI-STEM fellows receive a $5,000 honorarium each year for two years to support their graduate studies. They also participate in professional-development activities and are paired with a professional mentor.

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Ute DeFarlo

Ute DeFarlo has been appointed director of Development by Shakespeare & Company, a nonprofit theater performance, education, and actor-training organization based in the Berkshires. In her position, DeFarlo is responsible for supporting Shakespeare & Company’s mission and vision through the development of new and expanded income streams, cultivation of the company’s donors and board of trustees, and various engagements with constituents in the Berkshire County community. Most recently, she served as director of Development for the Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, in Lenox and as Development officer at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge. Her appointment marks her return to Shakespeare & Company’s Development team, which she first joined in 2004, serving as director from 2009 to 2015. DeFarlo holds a master’s degree in English and Russian language interpretation from the University of Mainz, Germany, and attended Georgetown University on a one-year Fulbright scholarship.

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O’Dell Women’s Center, Springfield’s first nonprofit women’s center, appointed Margaret Tantillo as its executive director. In her previous position as executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, Tantillo directed five distinct programs designed specifically for low-income women that resulted in hundreds of women finding gainful employment. These programs included workforce development, mentorship programming, and trainings in financial literacy, digital literacy, and dressing for the workplace. Toward the end of her tenure, she relocated Dress for Success Western Massachusetts to 45 Lyman St. as the anchor institution of the O’Dell Women’s Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that offers low- and no-cost residency spaces to nonprofits that support its mission. Tantillo started her career working for the Girl Scouts. During her 13-year career with that organization, she rose through the ranks, started the first Girl Scout Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn., and served in a senior leadership position, transitioning five independent nonprofits into one statewide organization with more than 65,000 members. Tantillo’s volunteer leadership roles in Springfield include serving on the core economic mobility hub of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and the coordinating committee of the Alliance for Digital Equity, and as a member of the core partners of Springfield WORKS. She earned her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her master’s degree from Springfield College.

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Geoff Rice

Geoff Rice

Market Mentors, LLC recently welcomed Geoff Rice to its team as a senior Content Marketing specialist. In this role, he applies his two decades of marketing, communications, and creative experience to every challenge, from brand launches to engaging content for websites, social media, and campaigns of all sizes. Prior to joining Market Mentors, Rice focused his talents on the health and beauty industries, and he now extends his expertise to clients from a diverse range of businesses, including manufacturing, energy, insurance, and others. He is a graduate of Colgate University with a degree in English literature.

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Berkshire Money Management congratulates Nate Tomkiewicz on becoming a certified financial planner (CFP) professional. He is also a licensed financial advisor and chartered retirement planning counselor. Tomkiewicz specializes in retirement planning and maximizing employee benefits for people who have worked hard for their money and want to pass it on to children or charity. He is skilled at identifying opportunities within 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans. With this knowledge, he helps nurses, doctors, and other professionals in the Berkshires find opportunities they didn’t know they had. With his new CFP certification, Tomkiewicz is looks forward to tackling a broader set of challenges for his clients, including helping them reduce their tax liabilities, secure their estate for the next generation, and plan a fulfilling retirement.

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Christopher Rivers

Christopher Rivers

Phillips Insurance Agency Inc. is celebrating the 20th work anniversary of Christopher Rivers, CRIS, senior vice president. Since joining Phillips in 2004, Rivers has been instrumental in growth that has made Phillips Insurance one of the largest writers of insurance and bonds for contractors in the Northeast. Rivers was recognized in January by Sentry Insurance for his 2023 production and flown to Maui to be an honorary observer at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, where he walked ‘inside the ropes’ with Jordan Speith, Scottie Scheffler, and Victor Hovland. Rivers has coached basketball, soccer, and baseball in Belchertown throughout the years. He and his family are strong supporters of St. Jude Hospital.

The Difference Makers of 2024

By
Class of 2024 Cover Story

Introducing This Year’s Class

For 16 years now, BusinessWest has been recognizing and celebrating the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through its Difference Makers program, with one goal in mind: to show the many ways one can, in fact, make a difference within their community.

The stories of the class of 2024, like the 15 cohorts before it, are all different, but the common thread is the passion and commitment exhibited by each honoree to improve quality of life for those in this region and make it a better place to live, work, and conduct business.

The stories are inspiring in many different ways, whether it’s Matt Bannister’s deep commitment to area nonprofits or Shannon Rudder’s lifelong pursuit of equity and access for all; whether it’s the work of Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin and the staff of Rock 102 to fight hunger or the ways Delcie Bean and Scott Keiter use their business success to impact others; whether it’s Linda Dunlavy’s hard work on tough regional issues or the significant impact of Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players on the economic and cultural health of Western Mass.

We invite you to read these stories below. All of the 2024 Difference Makers have made an impact — real, tangible, often life-changing impact — in this region that we call home.

You can also help us celebrate the honorees in person on Thursday, April 10 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets cost $95 each, with reserved tables of 10-12 available. For more event details and to reserve tickets, go HERE

Thank you to our sponsors — Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, and TommyCar Auto Group — for making this program possible.

See the Digital Edition of the 2024 Difference Makers HERE

Matt Bannister

Matt Bannister

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility, PeoplesBank

Delcie Bean

CEO, Paragus Strategic I.T.

Linda Dunlavy

Executive Director,
Franklin Regional Council of Governments

Dr. Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin

Dr. Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin

Co-founders, Feed the Kids

Scott Keiter

Scott Keiter

CEO, Keiter

The Staff of Rock 102

The Staff of Rock 102

Shannon Rudder

President and CEO, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services

SSO

Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players

Please Join Us for the 2024 Difference Makers Celebration!

Wednesday, April 10 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $95 and can be purchased HERE

Thank you to our partner sponsors: Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, and our supporting sponsors: Springfield Thunderbirds and Westfield bank.

Partner Sponsors:

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Supporting Sponsors:

Top Entrepreneur 2023

By
Executive Director Andrew Morehouse
Cover Story Top Entrepreneur

A Hunger to Do More

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Dramatically Grows Its Operations

 

Executive Director Andrew Morehouse

Executive Director Andrew Morehouse

 

It’s long been a tenet among nonprofits — successful ones, anyway — that they need to think entrepreneurally in order to thrive and grow. To think, in other words, like successful for-profit businesses do, in terms of resource allocation, financial planning, workforce management, and day-to-day operations.

And no nonprofit has been more entrepreneurial — and more ambitious — over the past few years than the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, whose $30 million project to build a new, larger headquarters in Chicopee culminated not only in last month’s grand-opening ceremony, but in the dramatic expansion of its capacity to perform work it was already doing on a massive scale.

The project — and the accompanying campaign that raised about $15 million of that cost from private donors and $15 million from state and federal governments — started just before the pandemic and continued through those challenging years, making the successful conclusion especially gratifying to Executive Director Andrew Morehouse and his team, and earning the Food Bank recognition from BusinessWest as its Top Entrepreneur for 2023.

“The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ new, state-of-the-art facility will allow their dedicated team to provide greater access to healthy, nutritious foods to thousands more of our neighbors in need and expand service routes to partners throughout the area.”

“We have to be innovative. We have to be able to adapt to circumstances,” he said. “We have a strategic plan, and every year, we have specific objectives — and all that can go out the window if something happens, like a pandemic, and then we have to pivot.”

That applies to any entity — for-profit or nonprofit — of this size, Morehouse added, noting that the Food Bank has a $9 million annual operating budget, and the value of the food that comes through is about $18 million, so this is essentially a $27 million operation, with a staff of 67, and plans to hire another 14 by the end of 2024.

Andrew Morehouse addresses guests

Andrew Morehouse addresses guests at the Food Bank’s grand-opening ceremony last month.

“We acknowledge that it’s the dedication and talent of our staff that’s the source of our success,” he told BusinessWest. “That’s our ethos as a business — that we can succeed in our mission when we acknowledge and invest in our staff and the hard work that they’re doing.”

The new food-distribution center, located at 25 Carew St. in Chicopee, is twice the size of its previous Hatfield location, with an additional 18,000 square feet in the warehouse alone. Floor-to-ceiling warehouse racks and expanded refrigeration and freezer sections enhance efficiencies and enable the Food Bank to store and quickly distribute more healthy food than ever before to 175 member food pantries, meal sites, and emergency shelters across all four counties of Western Mass.

The new site also features a dedicated community space with a working kitchen for cooking and nutrition classes and other educational events. Other efficiencies include electric charging stations, an expanded member pick-up area, and plenty of parking for staff and volunteers. In 2024, the Food Bank will add a solar array on the roof and a canopy over part of its parking, along with backup battery storage that will fully support all electricity needs of the building.

“That will make it a greener building, so there are efficiencies to be gained,” Morehouse said. “We expect that building to be near-carbon-neutral and generate most of the electricity that we need.”

The investment in the relocation project and its capital campaign is already bringing palpable returns. In just the first three months since moving in, the Food Bank has already provided 25% more healthy food than the same period last year — the equivalent of more than a half-million meals. In all, the Food Bank provides a little more than 1 million pounds of food every month, or the equivalent of 850,000 meals.

“The more we thought about moving to Hampden County, the more we realized that was what we needed to do.”

“The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ new, state-of-the-art facility will allow their dedicated team to provide greater access to healthy, nutritious foods to thousands more of our neighbors in need and expand service routes to partners throughout the area,” U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern said at the grand opening. “I’m proud of the Food Bank’s 40 years of history serving our community and their continued leadership on the national stage in our movement to end hunger now.”

 

An Overstuffed Facility

The Food Bank, which traces its history back to 1981, expanded its facility in Hatfield just before the Great Recession, and then maxed it out as food-insecurity needs exploded during the ensuing years of difficult economic conditions.

“We had no available space, and we continued to see heightened demand, and that left no space at all for continued growth,” Morehouse said, noting that the Food Bank has grown its operations by about 6% annually between 2006 and last year.

The new Chicopee headquarters

The new Chicopee headquarters doubles the size of the former Hatfield site.

“We knew around 2016 that it was unsustainable, that we would need a larger space in order to continue to accommodate more food and to address increasing food insecurity whenever there was another adverse impact on the economy, whether it be a recession or … who would have known?”

Who, indeed. When COVID struck, the Food Bank had already been scoping out properties — and considering numerous options, such as a two-location model that was rejected because of its expense. But soon after, in 2020, the nonprofit found its ideal spot in Chicopee, launched the capital campaign in 2021, and started building in 2022.

The site had a couple of advantages, one being its proximity to two interstate highways, another being the county’s population and demographic makeup, Morehouse explained.

“The more we thought about moving to Hampden County, the more we realized that was what we needed to do — not only because of the proximity to the largest concentration of people who are faced with insecurity, but also because, quite frankly, it would enable us to strengthen our relationships with communities of color, which, unfortunately, face food insecurity disproportionately relative to the rest of society.”

As for the campaign, it drew the support of 246 individuals, businesses, and foundations — but there was some anxiety early on, especially since it was launching during a challenging economic time, year two of the pandemic.

“If we don’t acknowledge that the problem exists and we don’t, as a society, want to do something about it, we’re not going to make any progress.”

Morehouse credited the early, significant support by Big Y and MassMutual in “grounding” the campaign and lending confidence that it could succeed. After that, the entire banking community stepped in, as did and a host of other businesses, foundations, and individuals, including major contributions from the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation and C&S Wholesale Grocers.

“Before we had launched the campaign, there was a lot of internal discussion and planning, and I just had the faith that we could accomplish it and that the community would rally behind us, and they did,” he said. “Our board felt the same way, so we went public after we secured some of those large commitments. So we had something to start with, and then we were able to inspire and persuade the rest of the community to jump on board, and they did.”

One factor, he noted, was that the pandemic focused more attention nationally on the issue of food insecurity across the country — attention that was needed even before COVID, but was definitely in the public eye now.

announced large pledges to the Food Bank’s capital campaign in 2021

Andrew Morehouse (center) with Big Y President and CEO Charlie D’Amour (left) and Dennis Duquette, MassMutual Foundation president, when they announced large pledges to the Food Bank’s capital campaign in 2021.

“If we don’t acknowledge that the problem exists and we don’t, as a society, want to do something about it, we’re not going to make any progress,” he said. “So it was gratifying that the community rallied behind our campaign to help us to be successful. And now we have this facility, this community resource, that can make even greater impact in addressing food insecurity, but also to serve as a place for convening, for learning, for collaborating, for taking action.”

The ‘action’ part of that goal is clearly the most important.

“If we’re ever going to end hunger, we need to raise awareness, and that happens through education and dialogue, but also through the power of public policy and the changes that we can make to public policy and investments in people, families, and communities to ensure that everyone can lead a healthy and productive life,” Morehouse said.

“That means addressing not only the food assistance that people need today, but the underlying causes of hunger,” he went on. “Do people have access to affordable housing, childcare, transportation, education, jobs that pay a meaningful wage to support families? All of those are things we need to be looking at as a society.”

After 19 years in charge of the Food Bank, it’s a lesson that has grown clearer every year. “I’ve been in the nonprofit world for over 30 years,” he said, “and I’ve always enjoyed building things, building capacity, because that’s how, ultimately, I think you create social change and economic change for the better, for families and communities.”

 

In and Out

The Food Bank’s reach is impressive, serving as a clearinghouse of emergency food for the region, most distributed to local food pantries, meal sites, and shelters.

Much of the food the organization collects is purchased, using state and federal funds, from wholesalers, local supermarkets, and dozens of local farms; farmers also donate more than a half-million pounds of food each year.

“We then turn that food around — we store it here and distribute it through a vast network of about 175 food pantries, meal sites, and shelters across all four counties of Western Massachusetts,” Morehouse explained. “That’s how about 85% of the food that we receive flows through, ultimately to individuals in need of food assistance.”

In addition, the Food Bank operates a mobile food bank for direct-to-household distribution at 26 sites once or twice a month, plus a brown-bag program for elders that boasts 52 partners, mainly senior centers. The nonprofit also receives reimbursements to provide some individuals with supermarket gift cards, in addition to referring them to food-pantry meal sites.

And because food insecurity is often entangled with other economic and social needs, “we do refer individuals to some other nonprofit partners who can provide them with affordable-housing assistance, transportation, childcare, job training, things of that sort,” Morehouse added, noting that the Food Bank uses the 413Cares system to coordinate referrals with partners. “We’re all trying to figure it out and find a way to help people lead healthy, productive lives.”

Some of the Food Bank’s top supporters recognize the importance of those efforts.

“Our goal, our mission, is to feed families,” outgoing Big Y President and CEO Charlie D’Amour (see story on page 4) said when announcing financial support for the Food Bank early in the campaign. “We have people in our communities that are really struggling to get food on their table. The role of food banks serving local neighborhoods has never been more important.”

Country Bank President Paul Scully felt the same when announcing a large donation in 2021. “With everything we’re hearing these days about the shortage of food and the high expense of food … the need is real out there,” he said. “As a community partner, we care deeply about the sustainability of our communities and the people who live in them.”

What they were acknowledging was a nonprofit that has been entrepreneurial in its efforts to tackle a widening problem.

“We’re very much like a for-profit business to the extent that we have overhead, we have trucks, we have inventory, and we have staff,” Morehouse said, noting that the Food Bank doesn’t have customers, exactly, but it does have key stakeholders, from the households facing insecurity to the meal sites and shelters that receive 85% of those distributions, to the federal and state agencies that pay for the food. “We have an obligation to those agencies to ensure that we’re delivering on our agreement with them.”

In addition, the Food Bank maintains contracts with the Department of Transitional Assistance to provide SNAP assistance and with MassHealth to provide food assistance to individuals who have chronic illnesses and are referred from hospitals and community health centers.

While the Great Recession and the COVID pandemic marked times of spiking need, that need never goes away, although it does fluctuate, Morehouse said.

“Inflation is coming down, and that might help … but folks are still struggling,” he added. “And, you know, we’re here to help them, give them a hand up.”

And at a higher level than ever before, thanks to an ambitious goal, some very entrepreneurial thinking, and a lot of community support.

BusinessTalk with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 196: January 15, 2024

Joe Bednar Talks with president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Rick Sullivan

Rick Sullivan

These are unusual economic times for businesses, with some healthy indicators but also hurdles like persistent inflation, high interest rates, and workforce challenges. As president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Rick Sullivan recognizes those issues but also sees plenty of potential for the region to attract new business, grow promising industries, and continue to build on its strengths in education, innovation, and collaboration. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Rick talks to BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about the current economic tides, what’s happening in the development community, and why there’s plenty of optimism out there, even amid the uncertainty. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

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For Agawam, It’s Back to the Future

By
Chris Johnson
Community Spotlight

Community Spotlight

Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson will be returning to the mayor’s office in January 24 years after serving as the city’s first mayor.

Chris Johnson was elected Agawam’s first mayor back in November 1989.

He then served five two-year terms before returning to his real-estate law practice in 2000. In the years that followed, he stayed active and involved in the community where he was born and raised, serving several terms on the City Council, where he likely would have stayed had Mayor William Sapelli, former superintendent of schools in this city that calls itself a town, declined the opportunity to seek another term.

With that decision, and with several key issues facing this community — especially movement toward renovating or, preferably (in the view of most involved) replacing its high school — Johnson sought a return to the corner office. And last month, voters gave him a hard-earned victory over his challenger, fellow City Councilor Cecelia Calabrese.

“They say that once it’s in your blood, it’s hard to get it out,” Johnson said. “I care deeply about the community I grew up in and raised my family in, and we have a few significant issues that we’re facing over the next year or two. And I wanted to make sure they got a fair shake.”

Indeed, Johnson told BusinessWest that, as he returns to City Hall, there are several matters that will have his full attention — everything from a pressing need to create more housing in several categories to bringing roughly 25 years of work to create recreational facilities at the former Tuckahoe Turf Farm in Feeding Hills to a sucessful conclusion, to efforts to redevelop the former Games and Lanes property on Walnut Street Extension.

“I work closely with the mayors, as well as the state senators and representatives, to be sure that we’re providing a platform for the small businesses in Agawam, and be that middle person to ensure that the businesses are able to have their voices heard.”

But it is the high school that will be priority one, he said, adding that, after a few failed attempts to gain traction from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the community is moving closer to getting into the pipeline for state funding for a new school, and city residents will likely have the opportunity to vote on the matter as early as next spring.

In his view, building a new high school, even one with a projected $230 million price tag, will be more practical and cost-effective than trying to again renovate and add onto the current structure, built in the mid-’50s.

Meanwhile, a new high school will certainly help the community effectively compete with neighboring cities and towns for young professionals and businesses alike.

“It’s been 50 years since we’ve built a school,” he said, referencing the middle school, built in 1973. “We’ve gone a long time without making a major investment. I’ve been in the real-estate world since I left the mayor’s office 24 years ago; I’m a real-estate attorney, and I have lots of friends who are Realtors and brokers, and they all say that, when it comes to new families moving into the area, one of the first things they want to know is what the school system is like.”

Robin Wozniak

Robin Wozniak stands in front of the new Starbucks set to open in Agawam.

Robin Wozniak, president of the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, who serves on the committee studying options for the high school, agreed. “It’s imperative that we keep up with technology and provide facilities that are state-of-the-art,” she said. “We have to remain competitive with our neighbors.”

Beyond the high-school project are other pressing issues in town, as well as signs of progress, she said, noting, among them, the highly anticipated opening of a Starbucks in a lot at the corner of Main and Suffield streets, being developed by the Colvest Group. The store is in the final stages of construction, she said, and it will be an important addition to that section of town just over the Morgan-Sullivan Bridge from West Springfield.

With the acquistion by Colvest of a small parcel on the edge of the neighboring Town Hall parking lot, there is room for additional development on the site, Wozniak said, noting that an urgent-care clinic and a fast-food restaurant have been among the rumored possibilities.

Meanwhile, she’s looking forward to working with Johnson to bolster the chamber’s role as a liaison between City Hall and the business community, making sure the wants and needs of the former are understood by the latter.

“We’re trying to identify some parcels for some creative housing concepts to try to see if we can get some more affordable-housing opportunities, if not subsidized affordable-housing opportunities.”

“I work closely with the mayors, as well as the state senators and representatives, to be sure that we’re providing a platform for the small businesses in Agawam, and be that middle person to ensure that the businesses are able to have their voices heard,” she said.

For this installment of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest turns the lens on Agawam, a community looking to transfer some unresolved issues to the proverbial done pile in the months and years to come.

Room for Improvement

As he talked about the current high school, a facility he attended in the ’70s and knows from many different vantage points, Johnson compared it to a “beautiful ’55 Chevy that we kept in really good condition.”

In other words, it still purrs, and it’s still somewhat easy on the eyes. But it is simply not suited for these times.

“It’s going to need significant work over the next five to 15 years, and no matter how much work you do to it, it’s not cost-effective to turn it into a new, modern vehicle,” he said, adding that the relatively good condition of the current high school actually hurt the town to some extent because the MSBA put other communities with more pressing needs ahead of Agawam in the competition for school-building funds.

But even the state has come around to the notion that the building needs to be replaced, said Johnson, adding that the MSBA board of directors recently voted to move the project to what’s known as schematic design.

The state would likely pick up $100 million of the total price tag, leaving the community to come up with the rest, he said, noting that a debt-exclusion override — something the town has never before sought from the voters — would likely be needed. And Johnson, like other elected officials, is leaning strongly toward putting the matter on the ballot.

But while the high school is the predominent issue facing the community, there are others, he noted, citing the ongoing work to convert the former HUB Insurance building on Suffield Street into a new police station, as well as continued progress on work to convert the former Tuckahoe Turf Farm, nearly 300 acres the town has owned for more than 20 years, into passive recreation.

“The other need is at the other end of the spectrum, the young people who have grown up in Agawam; they’re young adults out in the work world trying to find housing opportunities so they can stay in Agawam.”

This includes hiking paths, picnic areas, and other facilities, he said, noting that, roughly a year ago, town leaders approved the borrowing of nearly $4 million to build a road, repair the dam and culverts on the property, and create a parking lot.

That work continues, said Johnson, adding that funding has also been received from the state, as well as from Tennessee Gas, which directed funds it has earmarked for conversation projects to work on the dam and pond on the property.

What the initiative needs is a name, he noted, as it has always been referred to simply as the ‘former Tuckahoe site,’ and the town reconizes the need for something new and fresh. “We’re working on it,” he added.

Likewise, this community, like most in the region, is working to address an ongoing housing shortage.

“We’re trying to identify some parcels for some creative housing concepts to try to see if we can get some more affordable-housing opportunities, if not subsidized affordable-housing opportunities,” he explained.

Agawam at a Glance

Year Incorporated: 1855
Population: 28,692
Area: 24.2 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $14.54
Commercial Tax Rate: $27.54
Median Household Income: $49,390
Family Household Income: $59,088
Type of government: Mayor; City Council
Largest Employers: OMG Inc., Agawam Public Schools, Six Flags New England
* Latest information available

“We have two glaring needs, and they’re not easy to address, unfortunately. One is seniors who have raised families in Agawam; they’re living in single-family houses, and they want that downsizing opportunity,” he went on, noting that there is one over-55 condomimum project wrapping up, but the units come with price tags above what many can afford. “The other need is at the other end of the spectrum, the young people who have grown up in Agawam; they’re young adults out in the work world trying to find housing opportunities so they can stay in Agawam.”

As for the former Games and Lanes property, long an eyesore and an environmental nightmare, and then a vacant lot used only for parking at Big E time, Johnson said at least one developer has expressed interest.

The broader Walnut Street Extension corridor was rezoned to allow mixed use, he noted, adding that the preferred reuse of the Games and Lanes property would be development that entailed retail and office space on the ground floor and residential units on the floors above.

 

Bottom Line

Much has happened in this town since Johnson last occupied the corner office at the start of this century.

But some issues, including the high school, housing, and the Tuckahoe Turf Farm, were talked about the first time he patrolled Town Hall.

He ran again to bring resolution to those issues and “give them a fair shake,” as he put it, and as he prepares to return to office, there is an expectation of real progress on these and many other fronts.

 

Equity in the 413 Aims to Engage Companies in Dialogue, Progress

By
SportsInWMassDPart
Work/Life Balance

‘A Significant Step Forward’

 

Brianna Wales-Thaxton doesn’t see diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in a vacuum. In fact, she likes to take a long view.

“We’re able to be a part of this work because of centuries of advocacy and justice seeking,” specifically from the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) community, she told BusinessWest. “All of us who are trying to work toward racial equity are building off of that work.

“We’re also at different places in that work, every single one of us, and until we’ve dismantled racism, everyone has a need to advance racial equity in their workplaces. It’s not just the right thing to do, but it’s what people are asking for in their workplaces in this generation.”

That’s why Wales-Thaxton, vice president for people and culture at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, is excited about Equity in the 413, an inaugural summit that aims to advance equity in workplaces across Western Mass.

The day-long event, to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at the Sheraton Springfield, is being presented by an impressive alliance of regional organizations. In addition to the Community Foundation, they include Behavioral Health Network, Health New England, Hilltown Community Health Center, the Human Service Forum, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, the Springfield DHHS Office of Health and Racial Equity, the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, and the Women of Color Health Equity Collective.

“This event marks a significant step forward in the ongoing journey toward an equitable future,” said Megan Burke, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are thrilled to be part of this transformative summit. It not only underscores our commitment to fostering actionable change, but also represents a pivotal moment in Western Mass.’s collective journey toward a more equitable region in which we can all thrive.”

Organizers will bring together dozens of industry leaders and hundreds of professionals across multiple sectors. Attendees can expect to gain insight as presenters from an array of businesses and organizations delve into lessons learned from their own implementations of racial-equity policies and practices. Sessions will offer opportunities for dialogue, relationship building, self-care exercises, and providing tools and resources to assist business leaders in implementing racial-equity practices in their workplaces.

Gaining specific tools and strategies is key to “demystifying” equity work, Wales-Thaxton said, adding that, while many argue that there’s a bottom-line benefit for companies that prioritize DEI, that shouldn’t be the main rationale. “There’s also a societal need for every single one of us, as individuals and as part of institutions and organizations, to advance racial equity because there’s a real crisis in our social conscience.”

The event’s organizers agree.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an integral part of BHN’s mission and philosophy, and we have learned so much in our efforts to operationalize social-justice values in our workplace,” said Steve Winn, president and CEO of Behavioral Health Network. “We look forward to coming together with other organizations to share learnings and take meaningful, collective action advancing racial equity across Western Massachusetts.”

Jessica Collins, executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, added that the nonprofit looks forward to the opportunity for mutual learning and is “eager to share insights from our own journey to advance racial equity within our organization and the region, including learnings from our collaboration with the Women of Color Health Equity Collective and other regional organizations to center racial equity to reduce tobacco use.”

An expanding list of session presenters includes Willful Change LLC, the National Conference for Community and Justice, Caring Health Center, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Arise for Social Justice, CORE XP Business Solutions, HUB International, Franklin County Community Development Corp., and Estoy Aqui LLC, to name a few.

Wales-Thaxton told BusinessWest the event connects back to the Community Foundation’s own strategic priorities.

“One is to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at institutions and organizations, starting with our own. We’ve been doing a lot of that work in a really important way internally. This is an opportunity for us to share what we’ve learned with other employees and create a space for employers to begin to explore — or explore further — how to advance equity in their organizations.”

At the same time, “what else can we learn to advance this work internally through grants and making philanthropic efforts?” she added. “It ties up a lot of our strategic priorities and creates a space for us to have an intentional effort around racial equity.”

Tickets to Equity in the 413 — as well as the day’s agenda and a full rundown of presenters — are available at bit.ly/equity413.

 

—Joseph Bednar

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of September 2023.

AMHERST

Cobberton Soaps
82 Stagecoach Road
Jessica Pavliska

Maetown LLC
664 Main St.
Laura Pfeffer

Meadow View Apartments
44 Southpoint Dr.
Aaron Schik, Gavriel Dorfman

Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry
23 Pray St.
Northampton Pediatric Dentistry P.C.

WMS Marketing Services
208 Pine St., Unit 21
Eugene Howell Westling

PALMER

AAGGO Movers
2039 Bridge St.
Gerard Charette

Bucior Entertainment
3004 East St.
Andrew Bucior

The Canine Cuttery
1407 Main St.
Keri Smith

Homestead Cabinet Design
324 Old Warren Road
Raymond Glick, Susanna Glick

JM Home Improvement
60 St John St.
James Belden

Palmer Pro Bike Corp.
1438 North Main St.
Jeffrey Soja

Queen of Victory Home Improvement
381 Rondeau St.
William Smith

Smith Brothers Home Improvement
381 Rondeau St.
William Smith, Charles Smith

Soy Pretty
123 Belchertown St.
Lynetter Desmarais, Luz Barbosa

Tempco Fly Fishing
95 State St.
Matthew Tempco

Top Notch Abatement 21 Wilbraham St., Suite 208
Russel Orcutt

PITTSFIELD

Abtonfar Construction LLC
106 Edward Ave.
Vicente Nivelo

Always Checking
207 Cadwell Road
Gerald Calahan

Berkshire Veterinary Hospital
730 Crane Ave.
LPS Crane Ave LLC

DJ Builders
314 Cheshire Road
Daulton Young

Element Materials Technology Pittsfield
10 Downing Parkway
NTS Labs LLC

Mars Delivery Systems
22 Radcliffe Ave.
Joseph Maison

Pet Supplies Plus
555 Hubbard Ave.
PSP Stores LLC

Pittsfield Health Food Centre
407 North St.
Eric Baumert

Pittsfield Lighting Technologies
10 Downing Parkway
NTS Labs LLC

Shire Mountain Estates LLC
14 Evelyn Park
Matthew Pennell

Xtra Mart
420 Merrill Road
Drake Petroleum Co. Inc.

SOUTH HADLEY

All Air HVAC
52 Lincoln Ave.
Matthew Labrecque

Bay Olive Jewelry
15 San Souci Dr.
Citrus Sky Boutique LLC

Craft Skin
491 Granby Road
Jessica O’Brien

Cumberland Farms #6718
507 Newton St.
Cumberland Farms Inc.

Eliza Moser Fine Art
21 College St.
Eliza Moser

Falls Driving School
138 College St.
Robert Blaney

Ichiban Restaurant
2090 Memorial Dr.
Saizhu Inc.

South Hadley Animal Hospital
511 Newton St.
VCA Animal Hospitals

Treehouse Orthodontics
25 College St., Unit 2
NEOP LLC

WESTFIELD

131FS Snacko
175 Falcon Dr.
Benjamin Fischer, Kyle Engasser

B&S Services
107 Franklin St.
Zachary Blood

BG Child and Youth Counseling LLC
312 Valley View Dr.
Brittany Godden

Boxlux
19 Otis St.
Victor Brutsky

Dancer’s Image
77 Mill St.
Beth Drogan

The Den Barber Co.
3 Depo Square
Daniel Sanmiguel

Indian Motorcycle of Springfield
1120 Southampton Road
DNKB LLC

Kevin’s Bacon & BBQ
46 Main St.
Kevin Lafreniere

Mike Bernatchez Painting
30 Valley View Dr.
Mike Bernatchez

Sandra Waversak
32 Pinewood Lane
Sandra Waversak

Springvalley Power
188 Tannery Road
John La Due

Superior Renovations and Recreations
131 North Elm St.
Darek Marlow

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Air Ocean Parcel Service LLC
171 Doty Circle
Air Ocean Parcel Service LLC

Aquatique Pools
730 Union St.
Aquatique Pools

ATC Group Services LLC
73 William Franks Dr.
ATC Group Services LLC

Chopin Parcel Service Inc.
163 Doty Circle
Chopin Parcel Service Inc.

Elm Auto School Inc.
262 Elm St.
Elm Auto School Inc.

Gold Chopsticks Restaurant Corp.
12 Chestnut St.
Gold Chopsticks Restaurant Corp.

Handmade by Erynn
261 Morgan Road
Handmade by Erynn

Sunny’s Convenience
2260 Westfield St.
Jai Veer Corp.

Western Mass Compounding Center
138 Memorial Ave.
Western Mass Compounding Center

WILBRAHAM

Blush Beauty Boutique
2812 Boston Road
Jennifer Bacon

Common Grounds Café
2341 Boston Road
Kristine Barthelette

Faith Blanscet at Blush Beauty Boutique
2812 Boston Road
Faith Blanscet

Frank’s Plumbing and Heating
37 Lake Dr.
Francesco Siniscalchi

Houser Metro Realty
2341 Boston Road, Unit B308
Peter Houser

The Local Table N Tap
2039 Boston Road
Christopher Arillotta

Orchard Valley at Wilbraham
2387 Boston Road
KRE-BSL Husky

Pat Farrow Entertainment
45 East Longmeadow Road
Patrick Farrow

Stony Hill Farm LLC
899 Stony Hill Road
Alice Colman, Bruian Cunningham

JA Commences Work on Career, Leadership & Innovation Center

By
Nonprofit Management

Things Are CLICing

 

Jennifer Connelly shows off the wall

Jennifer Connelly shows off the wall in the wall that is the symbolic start of work to create JA’s new Career, Leadership & Innovation Center.

It was officially called a groundbreaking, but Jennifer Connelly says it was more of a “wallbreaking.”

Indeed, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, representatives of the many sponsors involved with the project, and other VIPs took turns swinging a large sledgehammer at a wall just off the entrance to the Tower Square offices of Junior Achievement (JA) of Western Massachusetts.

The hole they left behind is still there more than a month later, a poignant symbol of the work — at least the physical construction work — soon to commence on what is being called the Career, Leadership & Innovation Center, or CLIC, a facility that will focus on those first three words with a number of intriguing programs.

Indeed, the center will help students identify career options and make smart decisions regarding post-secondary education; expand their thinking and skill development, thus better preparing them to be future leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators; and provide them with the skills and knowledge that will allow them to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources.

“For the past 10 to 15 years, the board has talked about having a center where people could come and learn about careers.”

JA is creating the center in collaboration with MassHire Hampden County, the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, other agencies, and several area employers, said Connelly, and is designed to address a gap when it comes to educating young people about careers and the paths to them.

“We found that there’s a piece missing in the pipeline when it comes to inspiring young people to have careers here in the region,” said Connelly, adding that the center will enable students to learn about and then explore options in fields they may not have been thinking about. In that respect, it will help open doors for young people while also helping to put workers in the pipeline for businesses across every sector of the economy, from healthcare to manufacturing.

In a way, this is a groundbreaking (there’s that word again) new initiative for JA of Western Massachusetts, said Connelly, and in another way … it isn’t. Indeed, while the CLIC is new, it’s also a throwback of sorts to what JA was decades ago — a place where young people could come to learn about business, actually make and then sell products, and gain financial literacy.

An architect’s rendering of the new Career, Leadership & Innovation Center.

“This is what JA used to be — and that’s what I like best about the center; this will be a place that students can come to,” she said, adding that, while JA of Western Massachusetts has been going into area schools for decades now, it hasn’t had a site that young people can come to since the ’80s.

Work on the CLIC is set to commence in the coming weeks, and the facility is scheduled to open in mid-September. Over the first nine months or so of operations, more than 750 junior-high and high-school students (up to 25 at a time) are expected to visit the center, spend the better part of a day there, and gain new insight into careers, how to attain them, and much more.

The project has drawn a number of supporters, including the city of Springfield, Beveridge Family Foundation, Balise Auto Group, M&T Bank, Country Bank, PeoplesBank, TD Bank, and Savage Arms, who have helped meet the $400,000 cost of the project.

A capital campaign will be staged over the next several months to raise the balance of what’s needed for the initiative, Connelly said, adding that the agency is hoping to gain the support of more area businesses, and is scheduling site visits for those interested in learning more about its mission and how it will be carried out.

 

Learning While Doing

Connelly told BusinessWest that the CLIC was conceptualized in the fall of 2021 amid what she considered an obvious need for a facility that would not merely take JA back to its roots in many respects, but also help to better prepare young people for life, careers, and the many challenges involving both.

And the need has been there for some time, she went on.

“For the past 10 to 15 years, the board has talked about having a center where people could come and learn about careers,” she said, adding that the idea came off the drawing board and into reality with the help of those aforementioned sponsors and a desire for JA to play a pivotal role in helping to solve the workforce needs of employers while also putting young people on a path to not just jobs, but careers.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno takes a swing at the wall that will be coming down to make way for the new center.

As plans for the CLIC began to materialize, she said, a search commenced for a space. Many options were considered, but eventually those at JA concluded they had everything they needed — space-wise, at least — in its suite of offices on the mezzanine level at Tower Square.

The 3,045-square-foot facility will be reconfigured and furnished for the new center, she noted, adding that the CLIC will include a number of components, including:

• A learning lab that will provide student groups with what Connelly called a “starting point for their career exploration journey.” It will also be a space to promote JA’s financial-literacy curriculum;

• A collaboration hub, which will provide groups with a space for interactive work, problem solving, and critical and creative thinking. The space will include modular seating, whiteboards, breakout laptops and tablets, and a leadership library; and

• A manufacturing lab, a makerspace that will provide young adults with the tools and programs to explore and accelerate a career in the manufacturing industry. The CLIC steering committee is currently working with local manufacturers to determine the best resources for the space, Connelly said, adding that equipment may eventually include 3D printers, a flow forge, a Cricut suite, hand tools, soldering kits, and STEM kits.

Overall, the CLIC will provide experiential learning opportunities for middle- and high-school students, said Connelly, adding that, by engaging students in hands-on experiences and reflection, “they are better able to connect theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to real work situations.”

And such connections are needed at a time when many young people need exposure to careers and the paths to them, she noted, adding that, for middle-school students, visits to the CLIC may help them with the all-important decision of deciding which high school to attend.

As she talked about a visit to the CLIC, Connelly said it will be preceded by completion of JA Inspire Virtual, a career-exploration program designed to highlight careers and educational opportunities in the region. At the center, students will participate in a seminar led by guest speakers from local businesses, and then rotate through the modular-based learning experiences at the learning lab, collaboration zone, and manufacturing space — followed by a working lunch with financial-literacy activities.

The center will also be open after school for students interested in pursuing entrepreneurial interests by operating their own student company. And in the evening, the center will be available to community organizations and local employers as a hub for learning and collaboration.

 

Bottom Line

Turning back the clock maybe 50 years or so, Connelly noted that what is now JA of Western Massachusetts was an agency, but also a place where young people from schools across the area could come and, through its ‘company’ program, form a business, make a product, and sell it.

Through the CLIC, JA will be able to provide that kind of experience again, she said, adding that, while the center is a blast from the past in some respects, it is really all about the future — as in the future of thousands of area young people and the area businesses that will, hopefully, employ them.

 

— George O’Brien

Anchor Collaborative Benefits Businesses

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Rick Sullivan

 

The Western Massachusetts Anchor Collaborative (WMAC), founded by the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) in partnership with Baystate Health, provides comprehensive, systemic, and locally led solutions to regional women- and minority- owned businesses and workforce challenges. The WMAC was initiated to propel hiring and career pathways for BIPOC and marginalized populations.

The WMAC has successfully established multi-year targets to increase local procurement opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses, and are developing an ‘Anchor-ready accelerator’ that will cultivate a resilient local supplier pipeline for targeted goods and services. The accelerator will provide wrap-around services and resources to prepare and scale vendors for contracts with Anchor institutions.

WMAC institutions seek to address inequities that have resulted from historic patterns of disinvestment and bias related to neighborhood, race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status in Western Mass. These institutions have more than 18,000 employees, with nearly 3,000 residing in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Western Mass.

Collectively, Anchor Collaborative institutions currently spend more than $2 billion in goods and services and have committed to annually increasing the percentage of spending toward local and diverse businesses. Bridging the gap between Anchor institutions and the local community is a key ingredient to successful and positive economic impact.

The Anchor Collaborative aims to foster equitable communities and strong local economies, pilot career-pathway programs, align support for entry-level and low-wage employees from disadvantaged neighborhoods, cultivate jobs and promote healthier employees and residents, and leverage each institution’s purchasing and hiring power

The WMAC chooses smaller businesses that have historically not had the opportunity to enter supply chains, or get capitalized, underwritten, etc. It coordinates workforce-development strategies with Springfield WORKS, an EDC community initiative, to create training opportunities for career pathways to living-wage jobs. WMAC institutions provide a mentorship role to smaller businesses to allow them to scale up and help them grow. Big Y has been an influential leader in this initiative, supporting local greenhouses and farmers. It even offers a reusable food-wrap product, Z-Wrap, on its shelves.

Data will be regularly collected and analyzed to set effective targets and monitor progress. The goal is to design an internal process that allows for accessible professional development and growth, leading to promotions and careers within each institution. We aim to enhance our impact and drive regional economic equity and financial vitality for our communities.

 

Rick Sullivan is president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council;
www.westernmassedc.com

BusinessTalk with Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts

By
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachusetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 163: May 22, 2023

BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts

Girls today deal with a host of challenges, from school stress to social pressures and much more, all of which can weigh on their happiness and health, both physical and mental. On the next installment of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts, an organization that uses running as a framework for crucial lessons on self-care, managing emotions, empathy, gratitude, building confidence … the list goes on. Just weeks before its celebratory 5K event steps off on June 3, Berman explains why Girls on the Run’s mission resonates so powerfully.

 

Sponsored by:

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Community Foundation’s New Leader Focuses on Equitable Economic Mobility

By
Features Special Coverage

Opening the Doors Wider

Community Foundation President and CEO Megan Burke

Community Foundation President and CEO Megan Burke

Megan Burke was taking a walk through downtown Springfield on a Sunday morning not quite a year ago, and found herself on Bridge Street, passing by the offices of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM).

She stopped, looked in, and became immersed in what she was seeing, while also not quite believing her eyes.

“I looked in the conference-room windows, and I saw the papers lining the walls detailing their strategic-planning process and all their priorities for the next year,” she recalled. “And I actually took some photos, sent them to my boss in Hartford, and said, ‘look at how transparent the Community Foundation of Western Mass. is; we need to be more like this.’

“There were no secrets — they just put it right out there,” she went on. “I took pictures, I took notes … I said, ‘hey, they’re moving to the same database system we use, but more importantly, these are things they’re prioritizing for the community.’”

The ‘we,’ in this case, was the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, which Burke was serving as director of Community Impact Grantmaking. The amazing transparency she observed that morning was and is just one of the things Burke admired about the Community Foundation of Western Mass., and which she had come to respect from afar — or not really that far at all, depending on your take; she’s a resident of West Springfield.

And that helps explain why, when the agency’s long-time president and CEO, Katie Allan Zobel, announced in the spring of 2022 (just a few weeks after Burke’s walk in downtown Springfield) that she would be stepping down at the end of the year, Burke became interested in the position, at the same time she was being recruited for it.

After several rounds of interviews, during which she would see and hear more things that impressed her, Burke was tapped to fill Zobel’s very large shoes, thus beginning an intriguing new chapter in a career marked by more than two decades of work in nonprofit management, philanthropy, fundraising, and advocacy, with a particular focus on equitable access to economic opportunities and human rights.

Her career has included work on issues ranging from advancing LGBTQ+ rights in a Latin American country, Nicaragua, to continuing efforts to ban landmines globally, to the challenge of leveling the playing field between those in urban and suburban communities in Northern Connecticut.

“I looked in the conference-room windows, and I saw the papers lining the walls detailing their strategic-planning process and all their priorities for the next year. And I actually took some photos, sent them to my boss in Hartford, and said, ‘look at how transparent the Community Foundation of Western Mass. is; we need to be more like this.’”

Summing it all up, Burke said it has been invigorating and rewarding work, which she is anxious to take to the 69 communities served by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

In a wide-ranging interview with BusinessWest just a few days after she began work in those offices on Bridge Street, Burke said her broad goal is to build on all that’s been accomplished over the past several years to take CFWM well past check writing and into a role as convener and catalyst for positive change.

“I really want to spend at least the next three months getting to know the folks who are involved in the Community Foundation and who’s not involved, and opening our doors even wider,” she explained. “And listening to people — I have a lot to learn. I think I bring a lot to the job, but I have a lot to learn from the community about what they think is important and what they believe we should be doing better.”

She said the Hartford Foundation has been able to mobilize resources and support efforts to more equitable economic and social mobility, and one of her goals is to amass similar forces and create momentum on that same front in Western Mass.

“In both Hartford and Springfield, and in pockets of the regions more generally, success for people is often more closely correlated to the zip code in which they were born than their own talents, creativity, and hard work,” she said. “And I think that’s where the experience I have is relevant to thinking about how we can change that together — not just the Community Foundation, not just our nonprofit partners or our donors, but all residents of the region.”

 

Questions and Answers

Burke recalls that it “almost felt like I was cheating.”

That’s almost.

In the run-up to the first of her interviews with CFWM for the president’s position last September, she noted that Zobel was the most recent guest on BusinessTalk, the weekly podcast hosted by this writer. She listened to the episode, not once but twice, and heard Zobel talk in vague terms about what might come next for her career-wise — and, in far more specific terms, about the many new programs and initiatives she and her staff introduced during her tenure, everything from Valley Gives to Valley Creates.

the windows of the Community Foundation offices on Bridge Street

Megan Burke was amazed by the transparency she witnessed when looking in the windows of the Community Foundation offices on Bridge Street. It’s a tradition she intends to continue.
Staff Photo

“It was such a helpful interview,” she recalled. “I was able to get a sense of what she felt was important and what she thought were some of the great successes here.”

Whether listening to the podcast had any impact on her performance during that interview is a subject for debate (Burke already knew a great deal about the Community Foundation, as we’ll see), but what isn’t — according to those doing the interviewing — is that Burke is a logical successor to Zobel, and this position is a logical next step for someone who has spent a career working to advance diversity, equity, and the inclusion of diverse perspectives.

It’s a career that has taken her from New York to Nicaragua to Hartford, and to remote-working opportunities long before they became the norm.

Our story starts with Burke — who earned her bachelor’s degree in political science at Wellesley and a master’s degree in international relations at Yale — working for the Ford Foundation in New York, where she served as program officer, U.S. Foreign and Security Policy, Governance & Civil Society.

In 2007, she and her family moved to Nicaragua for what she called “a different pace to her work” than what she found in New York. There, she worked first for the nonprofit Centro de Estudios Internacionales, where her efforts supported the emerging LGBTQ+ movement and the development of a nationwide campaign to advance human rights.

“My role was to support various representatives of the movement to create a platform for them to come together and establish some advocacy priorities and to really be a go-between with the funder to make sure of the direction it was moving in, and to really track the impact of the work,” she explained. “For me … I had not worked on that particular issue before; it was incredibly eye-opening. It was very humbling to be working in a second language and be the least articulate person in the room.”

“During my time there, we announced a new strategic focus on dismantling structural racism and promoting more equitable economic and social mobility. And while that work is by no means easy, it’s incredibly important, and I spent the past few years with a great team trying to figure out how to make that happen.”

Burke worked for the group for roughly three years, eventually transitioning to a new role with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines. She started working as a researcher in Latin America — Nicaragua was a country impacted by landmines from the war in the 1980s — and eventually became executive director of the campaign.

She was still in that position when she returned to Western Mass. nearly a decade ago, eventually to ease herself out of that role — while also downsizing the organization, as more countries addressed the problem of landmines.

“It’s kind of nice to be involved in something where we could see steady progress and say we were working ourselves out of a job; it’s not often that you get to say that,” she noted. “Every year I worked there, the casualty rate declined.”

In some respects, leading a coalition to ban landmines is a world apart from work with a local foundation, she said, but in Burke’s estimation, the work is very similar.

“Sometimes people say, ‘how did you go from this international work focused on advocacy at the U.N. and traveling around the world to working for a local foundation?’” she noted. “My feeling on that is that every issue is a local issue somewhere, and what we were really trying to do at the international level is raise up local issues that were impacting people in mostly post-conflict countries, and get international attention to redistribute resources — not totally unlike what a foundation does to help those with the greatest need.”

 

Vision Statement

In 2017, Burke joined the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving as senior Community Impact officer, a position with a broad job description, one that included everything from work creating career pathways to efforts promote civic engagement through grants and training to increase voter engagement and participation in the 2020 Census.

In September 2020, she became director of Community Impact Grantmaking, leading the foundation’s strategic grantmaking — there was an annual budget of $25 million to $30 million — to advance equitable economic mobility and address systemic racism in Greater Hartford.

“During my time there, we announced a new strategic focus on dismantling structural racism and promoting more equitable economic and social mobility,” she explained. “And while that work is by no means easy, it’s incredibly important, and I spent the past few years with a great team trying to figure out how to make that happen.”

Not long after Zobel announced that she would be stepping down from her position, Burke received a call from a search firm to gauge her interest in the position.

It was quite high, she said, and for all the reasons she mentioned earlier — from the agency’s transparency with its goals and plans for the future, as evidenced by the uncovered windows facing Bridge Street, to its rapid and highly effective response to COVID, marked by a deep commitment to helping the region’s struggling nonprofits, along with many other successful programs in realms ranging from the arts to education.

Summing it all up, Burke said that, while she loved her work with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the only thing she might like more is a chance to similar work closer to her home, something this opportunity at the Community Foundation provided her.

Still, while those on the other side of the interview table had questions for her, she had some for them, and the answers — especially with regard to a willingness to broaden efforts in the realm of equity — would ultimately determine whether this would be the right fit for her.

“I wasn’t sure where they were in terms of their own strategic vision to promote equity and opportunity,” she explained. “And I know that when you take on work like that, it’s important that everyone has bought in, feels that it’s important, and sees the value in that work.

“You never have a situation where every stakeholder is 100% all in from the very beginning,” she went on. “But from other areas of my work, I’ve seen what happens when there is great resistance, and it makes it really, really hard. I didn’t know if there was resistance, but I also didn’t know how much buy-in there was. So in many of my early conversations, I really tried to get a sense — ‘is there a serious commitment to moving this forward?’ And I got a resounding ‘yes’ from everyone I spoke to.

“It was clear that the commitment runs deep,” she continued. “And that excited me.”

Elaborating, she noted that, while Greater Hartford and Greater Springfield are different in some respects, they are similar in most, especially when it comes to disparities that exist between the urban centers and the more rural and suburban areas, and the manner in which those inequities impact opportunity.

“When everyone has an opportunity to fulfill their own potential, I think everyone wins,” she went on. “When people are held back due to the circumstances of their birth, I think everyone loses.”

Burke started at the Community Foundation on Jan. 18, the day of a scheduled board meeting. She joked that this would be the first and only time she would be at such a meeting with the primary mission of simply watching and listening.

Although she still has a lot of that to do in general, and with a number of different constituencies, she noted that she has already embarked on what she calls a “listening tour.”

Its underlying goal, as she stated earlier, is to enable her to learn about the region and the issues facing those living and working here and to generate some momentum on the broad issue of economic and social mobility and making it more equitable.

“We don’t plan to change our broader strategic vision — I think it’s a great vision,” she said. “And promoting equity and opportunity is not something that’s going to happen overnight; I think there’s a huge commitment to that, and I was brought on to help figure out how to make sure we can operationalize that as effectively as possible.

“I have to listen,” she said in conclusion, “and make sure I’m building on what’s already happening here that’s great.”

 

Bottom Line

When asked what she likes to do when she’s not working, Burke offered a hearty laugh as she said, “take walks in urban areas.”

She also likes to hike in more rural settings, partake in yoga, be a good ‘dog aunt,’ and keep up with friends scattered across the region and around the world.

What she really likes, though, is to work with others to address what she called “seemingly intractable problems” — meaning everything from inhumane weapons to access to healthcare and education for LGBTQ+ residents of Nicaragua to food insecurity for residents of Greater Hartford.

Throughout her long career, it has been her mission to take doors and open them wider to enable more to pass through. With her latest assignment with CFWM, the setting has changed, but that mission hasn’t.

The Region Needs a Growth Strategy

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

As he talked with BusinessWest recently about the prospects for the region in 2023 and beyond, Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, stressed the need for creation of a growth strategy for Western Mass.

And he’s right. A region that has become notorious, if that’s the right word, for its lack of growth over the past several decades needs a strategy for bringing more jobs, more businesses, and more vibrancy to the 413.

What goes into such a strategy? Many different things, but it starts with identifying areas where a region can grow and then putting specific strategies in place for making it happen. After all, growth doesn’t occur in a vacuum — it happens where there are opportunities, be it through developable land, location, a large and talented workforce, comparatively lower costs of doing business, an existing infrastructure and critical mass of businesses in specific sectors, a high quality of life, and … did we mention a talented workforce?

These elements have led to profound growth in areas ranging from Silicon Valley to the Research Triangle in North Carolina; from Cambridge to countless towns in Mexico.

The region has several of these attributes, including quality of life, a comparatively lower cost of living (for now, anyway); some available land; a solid workforce trained for some specific sectors, especially manufacturing; a location that provides easy access to Boston, New York, and other major cities; and emerging sectors such as cybersecurity, green energy, and even so-called water technology.

But is this region ready to grow? Can it accommodate more businesses and provide them with the workers they need?

That is a harder question to answer. On the surface, it would seem that, based on the fact that almost every business in every sector, especially healthcare, is struggling to find good help, the answer is ‘no.’ But throughout history, regions have found that, if you create jobs, people will come to that area.

Moving forward, the region needs to take some steps to enable growth to happen. It needs to build its workforce by keeping more young people here and prompting more young people to come here. To do that, there must be jobs, as in good jobs, and places to live. Right now, the region doesn’t have enough of either, which is a problem.

But while creating jobs is important in this new age, the jobs don’t necessarily have to be in the 413. With the advent of remote work, the jobs can be in New York, Boston, or elsewhere, and people can live here.

Either way, this region will need more housing, specifically affordable housing. It will also need a larger and more skilled workforce, which means more training programs and better utilization of one of the region’s best and perhaps least-appreciated assets — its four community colleges.

Meanwhile — and we know you’ve heard this before — it needs to do a better job of telling its story and marketing itself to businesses in other regions of this state and well beyond.

None of this is new, really. The region has known it needs to take these steps and others for years, if not decades now. What would help would be to formalize all this, put a plan together, and take steps to implement it.

Because growth doesn’t happen by accident.

Baker Will Be Missed in the 413

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

As Charlie Baker winds down his time as governor of the Commonwealth, it should be clear to all those in Western Mass. that he will be missed in this part of the state.

Since he was first elected eight years ago, and even before he took office a few months later, he made it clear that the 413 would be a priority for him and his administration. And he has followed through on that pledge.

We bring this up because all governors say they are going to represent the entire state and take a keen interest in every community from Fall River to North Adams. But most don’t actually deliver on those promises. Baker has.

And he’s done it by doing more than showing up at the Big E for a creampuff or coming out to distrubute checks and get his picture taken while doing so — although he done that, too. He has actually taken a real interest in what happens out here, and he became visible, and influential, in ways most governors haven’t.

Whether it was listening to a group of entrepreneurs at Valley Venture Mentors — and asking them probing questions about how to take their ventures to the next level — or taking the lead in efforts to make projects like the Court Square Hotel and a new parking garage in downtown Springfield a reality, Baker didn’t just show in up this region, he became a strong advocate for it.

Before we go any further, we do need to note Baker was late, as in very late, in officially signing on to plans for a high-speed rail project that has been proposed, in large part, to help level the playing field between east and west and create more opportunities for those in this part of the state. This hesitancy to fully support the initiative, for whatever reason, certainly slowed the process.

Meanwhile, his administration’s response to the pandemic was more draconian than was necessary, and this deepened the challenge facing businesses of all sizes, but especially smaller ventures and those in the hospitality and tourism industry, one of the foundations of the Western Mass. economy.

That said, Baker made his presence felt in this part of the state, and in many ways made it a full partner in many initiatives here, not just in Springfield, but across the region.

It has been said by some that we have an inferiority complex in this state and that we spend too much time thinking we are slighted, ignored, or both. While there is some truth to that, it has been easy for some governors to talk a good game, but, in the end, pay lip service to the broad region west of Worcester.

Baker succeeded in getting his name on a menu item at the Student Prince restaurant — a bun-less hamburger, to be specific. But far more importantly, he let people in this region know that they not only had a voice, but that their voice was being heard.

We can only hope the state’s next governor can continue that pattern of involvement.

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

BUCKLAND

57 Franklin St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Nina S. Hrebenko
Seller: Kippenberger, K. H., (Estate)
Date: 05/10/22

DEERFIELD

282 Conway Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Matthw W. Warnick
Seller: Mark S. Spencer
Date: 05/20/22

62 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: J2K Realty LLC
Seller: Mary A. Alber
Date: 05/11/22

GREENFIELD

446 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Michael S. Johnson
Seller: Konopka, Barbara A., (Estate)
Date: 05/13/22

196 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Patricia A. French
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 05/13/22

833 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Edward
Seller: John J. Mayer
Date: 05/17/22

37 Columbus Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Tully D. McDonough
Seller: Brenda McKelvey
Date: 05/12/22

23 Freeman Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Theresa M. Turban
Seller: SJL NT
Date: 05/17/22

69 Franklin St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Craig Cullinane
Seller: Richard B. Miller
Date: 05/12/22

161 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Peter B. Chandler
Seller: Donna J. Mowry
Date: 05/12/22

90 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $248,500
Buyer: Allanah J. Kalka-Riffel
Seller: Anthony J. Davenport
Date: 05/13/22

81 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Alexandra S. Khalsa
Seller: Joshua Derrig
Date: 05/20/22

87 Maple St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Leigh H. Eubank
Seller: Christopher Millner
Date: 05/13/22

63 North Country Road
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Movement Retreat Center Inc.
Seller: Greenfield Center LLC
Date: 05/16/22

53 Pierce St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Stephanie M. Elman
Seller: Steven D. Beckwith
Date: 05/12/22

MONTAGUE

10 Oak St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $326,500
Buyer: David A. Virgilio
Seller: Clark, Diane I., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/22

9 Taylor Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Ryan F. Coyne
Seller: James F. Coyne
Date: 05/13/22

404 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Richard P. Harrison
Seller: Peter F. Koscinski
Date: 05/13/22

Whiteman Way
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $326,500
Buyer: David A. Virgilio
Seller: Clark, Diane I., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/22

NEW SALEM

5 Coolidge Dr.
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Benjamin S. Lane-Davies
Seller: George D. Stone
Date: 05/13/22

NORTHFIELD

440 Mount Hermon Station Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Nancy A. Silva
Seller: Wozniak, Stanley H., (Estate)
Date: 05/16/22

36 Pine St.
Northfield, MA 01354
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Paul Shields
Seller: Thomas Aquinas College
Date: 05/09/22

ORANGE

106 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Michael D. Allen-Larhette
Seller: Adister Pineda
Date: 05/17/22

157 West Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jordyn A. Jackson
Seller: David Bergeron
Date: 05/20/22

SHELBURNE

278 Old Greenfield Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Edward R. Whitaker
Seller: Thor A. Holbek
Date: 05/16/22

SHUTESBURY

11 King Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Kethleen Devon
Seller: Joseph Salvador
Date: 05/16/22

SUNDERLAND

38 South Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Robert Jackson-Beaulieu
Seller: Stanley Kozlakowski
Date: 05/17/22

WHATELY

145 Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Sarissa Z. Markowitz
Seller: Corrina S. Livernois
Date: 05/18/22

229 River Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Francesca Denhartog
Seller: Andrew D. George
Date: 05/09/22

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

37 Brookline Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $331,000
Buyer: Angela M. Grassetti
Seller: Armand G. Dubuc
Date: 05/13/22

73 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Mark Woodbury
Seller: Jeremey Andrews
Date: 05/11/22

17 Doloris Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Michael Consolini
Seller: Kurt A. Meehan
Date: 05/09/22

92 Halladay Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $366,000
Buyer: Oleksandr Pavliuchyk
Seller: Paul E. Cassidy
Date: 05/12/22

48 Highland Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Kenneth B. Beagle
Seller: Michael D. Balboni
Date: 05/09/22

23 Liquori Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: David J. Mason
Seller: David J. Mason
Date: 05/17/22

204-206 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $398,500
Buyer: Zanoris S. Perez
Seller: Vadim Plotnikov
Date: 05/10/22

522 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jeremey M. Andrews
Seller: Matthew S. Oliver
Date: 05/13/22

96 Ridgeway Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Paul V. Trimboli
Seller: Fredrick G. Cooper
Date: 05/13/22

491 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Nolan E. Sheridan
Seller: James S. Sheridan
Date: 05/11/22

51 Robin Ridge Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $298,300
Buyer: Richard B. Mitnick
Seller: Lawton, Harriet R., (Estate)
Date: 05/12/22

Shoemaker Lane, Lot A
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Lower Pioneer Valley Educational
Seller: Elias Properties Inc.
Date: 05/10/22

639 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $197,723
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Sinan Turan
Date: 05/18/22

88 South St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Wal-Lee Enterprises LLC
Seller: Alan J. Kinsley
Date: 05/13/22

CHESTER

Bromley Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Proper Farm LLC
Seller: Meyer, Nancy L., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/22

CHICOPEE

16 Ambrose St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Johnson
Seller: KNC Home Renovations LLC
Date: 05/09/22

23 Ashgrove St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Elizabeth J. Daudlelin
Seller: Antonio Colon
Date: 05/09/22

68 Blanchwood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Tracy A. Saunders
Seller: Cameron M. Szczygiel
Date: 05/18/22

115 Blanchwood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Tomas I. Alvarado
Seller: Ramona M. Romero
Date: 05/18/22

113 Center St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $536,000
Buyer: A. Baltazar Properties LLC
Seller: David C. Momnie
Date: 05/09/22

121 Center St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $536,000
Buyer: A. Baltazar Properties LLC
Seller: David C. Momnie
Date: 05/09/22

501 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Felix L. Robles-Velez
Seller: Brendan J. Sayers
Date: 05/13/22

863 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Capi Mitigation Group LLC
Seller: Wayne J. Murphy
Date: 05/20/22

21 Dale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Erick C. Weber
Seller: 21 Dale LLC
Date: 05/20/22

35 Edbert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Delilah M. Rodriguez
Seller: Mark W. Avery
Date: 05/13/22

93 Fernhill St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Joseph R. Lucena
Seller: Deborah Breault
Date: 05/11/22

130 Fletcher Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Mulcahy
Seller: Kathryn Barry
Date: 05/12/22

11 Glendale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Adam Goncalves
Seller: Kopaczek, Frances G., (Estate)
Date: 05/09/22

96 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Nelitza Martinez-Gorgas
Seller: Grace Estates LLC
Date: 05/10/22

939 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Ismael Arroyo
Seller: Luis Correa
Date: 05/17/22

186 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,050,000
Buyer: 186 & 194 Grattan St. TR
Seller: Lucie N. Nadeau
Date: 05/19/22

194 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,050,000
Buyer: 186 & 194 Grattan St. TR
Seller: Lucie N. Nadeau
Date: 05/19/22

17 Hartford St.
Chicopee, MA 01075
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Katelyn A. Shepard
Seller: Diana Parks-Forbes
Date: 05/11/22

432 Irene St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: David Kachinski
Seller: Dorothy Hosmer
Date: 05/09/22

42 Ludger Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $249,500
Buyer: Marlene Cardenas
Seller: Richard F. Murray
Date: 05/19/22

24 Marion St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Steven T. Wilco
Seller: Tang Properties LLC
Date: 05/11/22

664 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $122,400
Buyer: Alex Alvarez
Seller: Bruce, Ralph C., (Estate)
Date: 05/18/22

217 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $242,404
Buyer: April Salvador-Macadam
Seller: Gail M. Salvador
Date: 05/13/22

34 Myrtle St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Xiomara Rivera-Valle
Seller: Oniel Morrison
Date: 05/18/22

4 Paradise St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Lemay
Seller: Christopher M. Roy
Date: 05/17/22

447 Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Nicole A. Wassell
Seller: William E. Heroux
Date: 05/16/22

49 Ridgewood Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Christine Perez
Seller: Anne M. Crean
Date: 05/20/22

151 Rolf Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Chouinard, Jean F., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/22

146 Saint James Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Ryan H. Short
Seller: Iraida Mendez-Vega
Date: 05/13/22

76 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Orange Bliss Property LLC
Seller: Orange Park Management LLC
Date: 05/13/22

82 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Orange Bliss Property LLC
Seller: Orange Park Management LLC
Date: 05/13/22

20 Swol St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Homestead Connections LLC
Seller: Dzialo, Delores, (Estate)
Date: 05/17/22

125 Wildermere St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Lisbett Alicea
Seller: Greg A. Labonte
Date: 05/09/22

32 Woodcrest Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Amy R. Tanguay
Seller: Irene Remillard
Date: 05/18/22

EAST LONGMEADOW

38 Bayne St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Sadie NT
Seller: Andrew R. Halgas
Date: 05/10/22

29 Brynmawr Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Ryan J. Cronin
Seller: James W. Walsh
Date: 05/12/22

169 Braeburn Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $489,000
Buyer: Yagul Ganendran
Seller: Alexander Grisaru
Date: 05/18/22

197 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $163,500
Buyer: Jahjan LLC
Seller: Kennedy, William H., (Estate)
Date: 05/18/22

21 Dearborn St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Matthew Park
Seller: Nichol A. Catellier
Date: 05/18/22

61 Dwight Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Lauren Shaw
Seller: Leslie S. Rivera-Cruz
Date: 05/20/22

7 Fairway Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Vamshi Thandra
Seller: Michael Carabetta
Date: 05/12/22

52 Favorite Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $880,000
Buyer: Louis A. Chauvin
Seller: Kevin J. Kennedy
Date: 05/09/22

193 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Andrew R. Rose
Seller: Steve Congelos
Date: 05/17/22

214 Meadowbrook Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Yan Chen
Seller: Hunter Shea
Date: 05/09/22

595 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Alexander T. Kay
Seller: Jennifer A. Dickinson
Date: 05/18/22

115 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $489,000
Buyer: Geoffrey P. Peer
Seller: Ryan M. St.Germain
Date: 05/18/22

115 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $508,000
Buyer: Hannah D. Kleeberg
Seller: Geoffrey P. Peer
Date: 05/18/22

14 Somerset St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Richard B. Cuoco
Seller: Patrick T. Dillon
Date: 05/13/22

37 South Bend Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $559,000
Buyer: Aengus P. Walker
Seller: Michael Frank Design LLC
Date: 05/20/22

90 Stonehill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Robert Dermgrdichian
Seller: Edward C. Kennedy
Date: 05/12/22

HAMPDEN

63 Bayberry Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Caroline Keirsten-McCoy
Seller: Cabana Properties 3 LLC
Date: 05/13/22

345 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Fred A. Pafumi
Seller: Eleanor C. Manegre
Date: 05/18/22

25 Kibbe Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $612,000
Buyer: Donald L. Rhea
Seller: Gregory W. Simonelli
Date: 05/12/22

21 Middlefield Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $283,500
Buyer: Tamara L. Moreau
Seller: Jerry McDonald
Date: 05/09/22

51 Oak Knoll Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Brodeur
Seller: Joseph T. Gorecki
Date: 05/12/22

HOLLAND

38 Island Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Nathan Robidoux
Seller: Douglas Robidoux
Date: 05/10/22

38 Stony Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Lonnie Desmarais
Seller: Tahra I. Alaoui
Date: 05/20/22

HOLYOKE

82-84 Center St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Leonardo Rodriguez
Seller: Aida Mateo-Rodriguez
Date: 05/10/22

24 Clark St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Mary R. Kolodny
Seller: Kenneth Lauzier
Date: 05/16/22

1010 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $266,300
Buyer: Sarah E. Boisvert
Seller: Mary J. Lavinio
Date: 05/20/22

1071-1073 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Christopher Wheaton
Seller: Fritzner Guiteau
Date: 05/11/22

52 Fairfield Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Kevin A. Rice
Seller: David Kruta
Date: 05/18/22

3 Fenton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Bonnie Netto
Seller: Joshua Perreault
Date: 05/18/22

21 Glen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Seth Jackson
Seller: Preterotti, Tristan D., (Estate)
Date: 05/10/22

348 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Katherine V. Otero-Aponte
Seller: Richard B. Stuart
Date: 05/09/22

318 Ingleside St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Marcus Stevenson
Seller: Robert Crago
Date: 05/10/22

339 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Kevin A. Carothers
Seller: Andrea York
Date: 05/20/22

293-301 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Enlace LLC
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 05/10/22

1691 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Gallagher Cap Group LLC
Seller: Rosemary O’Connell-Doyle
Date: 05/16/22

204-206 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $243,207
Buyer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Seller: Chaid Sim
Date: 05/13/22

12 Quirk Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Leah Soles
Seller: GZS Realty 2 LLC
Date: 05/12/22

60 Taylor St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Yesenia Diaz-Reyes
Seller: David Roman
Date: 05/20/22

348 West Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Jessica L. Clark
Seller: Amer Ahmed
Date: 05/16/22

LONGMEADOW

46 Brittany Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: G. F. Dominguez-Paredes
Seller: Eric L. Narotsky
Date: 05/13/22

56 Cambridge Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Levinia St.Jean
Seller: Custom Home Development Group LLC
Date: 05/18/22

8 Deerfield Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $645,000
Buyer: Michael Walsh
Seller: Gladysh Capital LLC
Date: 05/18/22

159 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: John C. Kienzler
Seller: Carolyn Conway
Date: 05/12/22

183 Homestead Blvd.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Stephanie T. Cloutier
Seller: Donna Bryskiewicz
Date: 05/17/22

17 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Phillip O’Brien
Seller: Harrington Holdings Inc.
Date: 05/16/22

107 Normandy Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,130,000
Buyer: Ahmet Gunay
Seller: Alan R. Goodman
Date: 05/13/22

19 Robin Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Quercus Properties LLC
Seller: Kenneth H. Haskins FT
Date: 05/16/22

LUDLOW

Allison Lane, Lot 22
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Ronald F. Willette
Seller: Lionel P. Ribeiro
Date: 05/10/22

41 Bristol St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Rowan Demond
Seller: Richard A. Bagley
Date: 05/13/22

497 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $547,000
Buyer: 4 Season Auto Wash Inc.
Seller: Auto Fuel & Wash Center LLC
Date: 05/16/22

11 Greenwich St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Peter A. Morales
Seller: Todd A. Fillion
Date: 05/17/22

45 Hunter Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $431,000
Buyer: Joshua M. Block
Seller: Mark A. Duda
Date: 05/16/22

83 Laroche St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Steven C. Lear
Seller: Brigette M. Porth
Date: 05/20/22

79 Massachusetts Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Cody Crowell
Seller: Richard M. Kresconko
Date: 05/09/22

11 North Arthur St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Amanda Faro
Seller: Benito J. Silvestri
Date: 05/13/22

199 Reynolds St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Modifi Homes LLC
Seller: Sharon R. Laro
Date: 05/09/22

68 Yale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: James Knight
Seller: Jeffrey C. McConkey
Date: 05/13/22

MONSON

199 Munn Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: McClung FT
Seller: Tawnne J. Ostrander
Date: 05/10/22

MONTGOMERY

48 Pineridge Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Chelsi L. Derrig
Seller: Timothy K. Derrig
Date: 05/13/22

PALMER

4495 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Barbara A. Blasdell
Seller: Ethel M. Robertshaw
Date: 05/17/22

3 Homestead St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Benjamin Ngachoko
Seller: Deidre L. Cadieux
Date: 05/12/22

313 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $149,900
Buyer: Andrew Mentzer
Seller: Matthew R. Dickinson
Date: 05/16/22

SPRINGFIELD

140 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Cecilia Lopez
Seller: Iglesia Bautista Nueva Church
Date: 05/19/22

76 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jose Figuereo-Lara
Seller: Christopher Colon-Diaz
Date: 05/11/22

137-A Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Jose Rijo
Seller: Jonathan E. Abel
Date: 05/17/22

1920 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Wilfredo Fontanez
Seller: Kimberly M. Conrad
Date: 05/12/22

84 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: John Conboy
Seller: Homes Real Estate Vent LLC
Date: 05/09/22

58 Arliss St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Brian Pryor
Seller: Nathaniel Wilson
Date: 05/11/22

833 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Nicholas W. Turnberg
Seller: John S. Allsop
Date: 05/13/22

406-414 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,600,000
Buyer: Sunshine Homes LLC
Seller: J. R. Real Estate LLC
Date: 05/12/22

104 Bowdoin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Maudeline Duvert
Seller: Stephen Gray
Date: 05/13/22

667 Bradley Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Angelo Deguglielmo
Seller: Mark P. Thomas
Date: 05/09/22

21 Buckingham Place
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Beverly Bromfield
Seller: Davies, Abbie Delores, (Estate)
Date: 05/09/22

64 Buckingham St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Dauntless Path LLC
Seller: Pearlia J. Bailey
Date: 05/20/22

16 Capitol Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Tony Younes
Seller: Katherine M. Kruser
Date: 05/13/22

16 Chapel St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Marshall Gabriel
Seller: Jenary L. Merced
Date: 05/17/22

97 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Hoi L. Chui
Seller: Cheung M. Chui
Date: 05/13/22

82 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Kristen N. Lovell
Seller: Shirley Burr
Date: 05/10/22

11-15 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Aglika S. Georgieva
Seller: Eric Henson
Date: 05/11/22

101 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Nicholas P. Massarone
Seller: Luke D. Hands
Date: 05/10/22

101-103 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Dara Uy
Seller: Marta Raspaldo
Date: 05/11/22

49-51 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: RGA Properties LLC
Seller: John F. Magnani
Date: 05/11/22

61 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Lauren Shaw
Seller: Leslie S. Rivera-Cruz
Date: 05/20/22

52 Elwood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Andrew Hernandez
Seller: Lourdes C. Delson
Date: 05/20/22

8-A Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Wytas Properties LLC
Seller: Peter E. Sares
Date: 05/11/22

206 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kyle D. Ashe
Seller: Diane M. Mead
Date: 05/11/22

19 Glenham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Eric S. Roy
Seller: Eduardo Matos
Date: 05/19/22

41 Glenmore St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Hau Ly
Seller: Michael F. Torcia
Date: 05/16/22

60 Grand St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Anthony R. Wllison
Date: 05/12/22

25 Greene Place
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: JJJ 17 LLC
Seller: Deluca Development Corp.
Date: 05/13/22

97 Helberg Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $135,500
Buyer: Gisela Navarro
Seller: Timothy Ehnstrom
Date: 05/17/22

33 Higgins St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Johnniel Gomez
Seller: Itsamar Hernandez
Date: 05/12/22

301 Holcomb Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $134,255
Buyer: Kokoleka RT
Seller: Mark Turnbull
Date: 05/13/22

80 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Kimberly Ramos-Cotto
Seller: Robert L. Gladden
Date: 05/16/22

24 Jardine St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Lizbeth Santos-Castro
Seller: Edwin O. Garcia
Date: 05/19/22

230 Keddy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Giuseppe Leone
Seller: Homes RE Vent LLC
Date: 05/10/22

8-12 Kelly Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Eridania Arias
Seller: Jose M. Goncalves
Date: 05/17/22

19-23 Kelly Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Yudeisy C. Arias
Seller: Jose M. Goncalves
Date: 05/20/22

166 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Prince E. Kumah
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 05/09/22

312-320 Locust St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Africana Villa LLC
Seller: Phoenix Development Inc.
Date: 05/11/22

106 Maebeth St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Senecal
Seller: James F. Senecal
Date: 05/20/22

42 Merwin St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: George Kamukala
Seller: Joejoe Properties LLC
Date: 05/16/22

150 Methuen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $221,500
Buyer: Nandlal S. Reejhsinghani
Seller: Kroll, Wayne B., (Estate)
Date: 05/11/22

83-85 Middle St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Yichen Wang
Seller: Gary Daula
Date: 05/20/22

93 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Miguel Diaz
Seller: George T. Bass
Date: 05/16/22

165 Nagle St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Leslie S. Rivera-Cruz
Seller: Zdzislaw Lupa
Date: 05/20/22

156-158 Norfolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Daniel Carthon
Seller: Efrain Astocio
Date: 05/11/22

90 Norman St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Mei R. Wang
Seller: Alain Jesulus
Date: 05/18/22

84 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kam Sylvestre
Seller: Mitchel Icart
Date: 05/20/22

209 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Mariely C. Fernandez
Seller: L&T Turnovers LLC
Date: 05/20/22

79 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: 79 Oak LLC
Seller: BRVSA Associates LLC
Date: 05/20/22

373-375 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Gissel Santiago
Seller: Carmen M. Caraballo
Date: 05/13/22

43 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Eugenio R. Tejada-Diaz
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 05/18/22

170 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Efrain J. Alvarado
Seller: E&G Joint Venture NT
Date: 05/11/22

216 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Zulaika Hernandez
Seller: Vincent K. Milotte
Date: 05/13/22

447 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $133,000
Buyer: East Coast Contracting
Seller: Lemme, Carmine J. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 05/18/22

57-63 Putnam Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Eridania Arias
Seller: Jack R. Rodrigues
Date: 05/17/22

Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: 79 Oak LLC
Seller: BRVSA Associates LLC
Date: 05/20/22

909 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $299,999
Buyer: Edward Brown
Seller: Angel O. Alban
Date: 05/16/22

249 Saint James Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Maria Santiago-Lopez
Seller: Jahaira Negron-Garriga
Date: 05/13/22

80-82 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Diana Pun
Seller: Robert K. Barry
Date: 05/13/22

51 Savoy Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Mark A. Daniels
Seller: Winston Bernard
Date: 05/20/22

108 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $274,500
Buyer: Maitic A. Morse
Seller: Thanh V. Nguyen
Date: 05/13/22

46-48 Somerset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Kerryann Robinson
Seller: Feliciano A. Bonilla
Date: 05/10/22

78 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Blanca J. Loja
Seller: Adele D. Rapp
Date: 05/20/22

16 Stratford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Ramon P. Dossantos
Seller: Lionel O. Raye
Date: 05/09/22

1032 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Kyle M. Whitlock
Seller: Jacob J. McBride
Date: 05/13/22

69-71 Sycamore St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kurt I. Wilson
Seller: Hervin A. Edwards
Date: 05/16/22

15 Sylvan St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: KVR Properties LLC
Seller: Caleb A. Rozwenc
Date: 05/10/22

290 Tremont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Ke Xiao
Seller: Danielle Mitchell
Date: 05/11/22

3 Turner St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jan F. Diaz-Navarro
Seller: Henry Alicea
Date: 05/12/22

Verge St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: MR Master LLC
Seller: Lorraine L. Gazda
Date: 05/10/22

146 Verge St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: MR Master LLC
Seller: Robert Gazda
Date: 05/10/22

189 Waldorf St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Antonio M. Rivera
Seller: Alvinelis C. Velazquez
Date: 05/20/22

27 Walsh St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: John Conboy
Seller: Homes Real Estate Ventures LLC
Date: 05/09/22

19 Wareham St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Yuthida Heng
Seller: Israel Mateo
Date: 05/20/22

31 Washburn St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: JJJ 17 LLC
Seller: Deluca Development Corp.
Date: 05/13/22

107-109 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Kareena Williams
Seller: William M. Gaynor
Date: 05/13/22

135-137 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Badran M. Khatib
Seller: Paul K. Plourd
Date: 05/16/22

189 Wheeler Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Gail P. Bordua
Seller: Raymond L. Laflamme
Date: 05/18/22

261 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Kam Sylvestre
Seller: Mitchel Icart
Date: 05/20/22

205 Winton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $274,991
Buyer: Truist Bank
Seller: Concepcion Morales
Date: 05/13/22

1045-1047 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Alycar Investments LLC
Seller: Vivian L. Ludoul
Date: 05/11/22

1189-1191 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Perch Rock Management LLC
Seller: Hayden Wattley
Date: 05/13/22

48-50 Wrentham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $342,500
Buyer: Zhong Chen
Seller: Manuel Garcia
Date: 05/20/22

SOUTHWICK

115 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $199,970
Buyer: Avail 1 REO LLC
Seller: Lynne B. Bridges
Date: 05/16/22

Doral Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Armand G. Dubuc
Seller: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Date: 05/13/22

9 Eagle St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Mikhail Kolesnichenko
Seller: Andrey Kolesnichenko
Date: 05/16/22

115 North Lake Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Philip S. Wilson
Seller: Richard Crews
Date: 05/10/22

TOLLAND

650 Colebrook River Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Regan
Seller: Joel Townson
Date: 05/18/22

312 Fox Den Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: John D. Cotter
Seller: Marcia C. Eveland
Date: 05/13/22

WALES

8 Henry Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $449,000
Buyer: Kevin Fitzpatrick
Seller: Peter Bouchard
Date: 05/18/22

15 Sichols Colony Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Boyle
Seller: Rebecca C. O’Dell
Date: 05/20/22

172 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Kimberly Y. Lavorante
Seller: Wellner, Susan Jane, (Estate)
Date: 05/11/22

7 Willow Dell Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Leah Savoie
Seller: Joyce E. Stocks
Date: 05/13/22

WEST SPRINGFIELD

127 Adrian Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: David Bonyeau
Seller: Guimond, Claire A., (Estate)
Date: 05/11/22

79 Bridge St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Man H. Tsang
Seller: Haskell Holdings LLC
Date: 05/19/22

20 Clara St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Jared Hamre
Seller: Aetti Einner Projects LLC
Date: 05/09/22

95 Clarence St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Jenifer C. Berrelli
Date: 05/16/22

31 Crestview Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Wesley E. Clark
Seller: Robert A. McCarthy
Date: 05/20/22

65 Fox St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Denise A. Cordeau
Seller: Steven Ozcelik
Date: 05/20/22

Hannoush Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ievgenii Gusiev
Seller: Norman A. Hannoush
Date: 05/10/22

215 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Michael J. Whalen
Seller: Alyssa Vincelette
Date: 05/20/22

342 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kathryn A. Galuszewski
Seller: Ann M. Clark
Date: 05/18/22

19 Lathrop St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Seller: Old Day Realty LLC
Date: 05/20/22

237 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: Paul P. Petell
Date: 05/09/22

147 Norman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Creanza Realty 3 LLC
Seller: Gandara Mental Health Center
Date: 05/09/22

59 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Edwin E. Olmeda
Seller: David L. Chapski
Date: 05/12/22

116 Poplar Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jose A. Mercado
Seller: Maria R. Rodrigues
Date: 05/18/22

233 Poplar Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: June Taylor
Seller: Robert A. Parsons
Date: 05/17/22

100 Prince Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Tracy Cecchetelli
Seller: Lori J. Kucharzyk
Date: 05/16/22

76 Russell St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Eugeniu Corja
Seller: Lisa W. Cassidy
Date: 05/19/22

17 Vincent Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Courtney J. Campbell
Seller: Delo, Patricia G., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/22

195 Windsor St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Thaddeus Tokarz
Seller: Rhonda L. Scheible-Dion
Date: 05/09/22

78 Woodmont St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Amy M. Crosby
Seller: Susan P. Kleciak
Date: 05/19/22

15 York St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Mustafa Gusenov
Seller: Suzanne Bergeron
Date: 05/20/22

WESTFIELD

156 Barbara St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Man B. Darjee
Seller: Maria A. Rosado
Date: 05/11/22

21 Cranston St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: NRES LLC
Seller: Shirley M. Lucas
Date: 05/11/22

104 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Michelle Alfano
Seller: Kathleen B. Jenks
Date: 05/17/22

515 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Liptak
Seller: James V. Liptak
Date: 05/20/22

198 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,900
Buyer: Victoria L. Camp
Seller: Diamond Investment Group LLC
Date: 05/12/22

47 Hopkins Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Nickolas Dupelle
Seller: Wayne E. Weatherwax
Date: 05/13/22

57 Jessie Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Fredrick Bell
Seller: James C. Pelletier
Date: 05/16/22

92 Larchly Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Julie Arroyo
Seller: Martin Nunez
Date: 05/20/22

72 Lindbergh Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Strycharz
Seller: Michael P. Machietto
Date: 05/16/22

10 Old Town Ford Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: David A. Rudenko
Seller: Jennifer A. Pasterkiewicz
Date: 05/17/22

139 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Rene Gauthier
Seller: Bates, Joan, (Estate)
Date: 05/18/22

24 Shannon Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $286,500
Buyer: Michelle L. Wilga
Seller: Janice M. Vincent
Date: 05/19/22

395 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Amanda Gauthier
Seller: BP LLC
Date: 05/09/22

63 Spruce St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $426,000
Buyer: Joshua Derrig
Seller: Charles R. Margarites
Date: 05/20/22

809 West Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Bryelle Boisseau
Seller: Carol B. Tefts
Date: 05/20/22

WILBRAHAM

4 Deer Run Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: James A. Olson
Seller: Brian A. Person
Date: 05/17/22

8 Delmor Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Hazel Zebian
Seller: Anna G. Levine
Date: 05/12/22

717 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Richard J. Gallagher
Seller: Kevin J. Czaplicki
Date: 05/12/22

6 Pease St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $429,000
Buyer: Alexa S. Locke
Seller: Caren L. Reed
Date: 05/20/22

980 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: NKZ Realty Inc.
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 05/16/22

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

734 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Jonatan Steenbrink
Seller: David Ulen
Date: 05/19/22

124 Grantwood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Shalin K. Chellaswamy
Seller: Marmanissayegh LLC
Date: 05/16/22

148 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: James B. Lynch
Seller: Thomas Buck-Sleeper
Date: 05/16/22

285 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $915,000
Buyer: Melissa A. Farris
Seller: J. Richard Pilsner
Date: 05/12/22

124 Lindenridge Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $849,500
Buyer: Jeeyon Jeong
Seller: Countryside Builders Inc.
Date: 05/20/22

106 Shutesbury Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Anahit Mkrtchyan
Seller: Alys Malcolm TR
Date: 05/09/22

669 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $230,069
Buyer: 669 Station Road LLC
Seller: Spring Associates Inc.
Date: 05/20/22

9 Thistle Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $459,000
Buyer: Maria T. Trapani
Seller: Drue E. Johnson
Date: 05/16/22

40 Valley Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Tristram G. Seidler
Seller: Valley Lane Realty NT
Date: 05/12/22

BELCHERTOWN

38 Edelcy Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Luke M. Useted
Seller: Lewis A. Holzman
Date: 05/12/22

240 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: James Mcisaac
Seller: Santaniello, Frank S., (Estate)
Date: 05/12/22

105 Railroad St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Scott Swistak
Seller: Joel W. Slupnicki
Date: 05/13/22

27 Spring Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Sarah Berger
Seller: Jeffrey Martins
Date: 05/16/22

432 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Weston Brook Property LLC
Seller: PMDM Realty LLC
Date: 05/16/22

Sycamore Circle
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Seller: Hickory Hills Realty LLC
Date: 05/12/22

CHESTERFIELD

17 Bissell Road
Chesterfield, MA 01096
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Cynthia Scully
Seller: David Luquin
Date: 05/17/22

23 Bissell Road
Chesterfield, MA 01096
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Dorothea Hanson
Seller: Vee Builders LLC
Date: 05/16/22

EASTHAMPTON

11 Ballard St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Conan M. Magee
Seller: Ryan McLaughlin
Date: 05/20/22

17 Center St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Daniel Emery
Seller: Robert M. Stacknow
Date: 05/16/22

30 Gula Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Paul D. Matterson
Seller: Barabaral Matteson LT
Date: 05/20/22

40 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Suzanne M. Bowles
Seller: 413 LLC
Date: 05/13/22

17 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $332,500
Buyer: Margaret Walsh
Seller: Anne L. Carson
Date: 05/12/22

105 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Todd R. Carson
Seller: Nicholas D. Duprey
Date: 05/20/22

106 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $376,500
Buyer: Kimaya Diggs
Seller: Todd R. Carson
Date: 05/13/22

64 Main St.
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Barbara E. Richardson
Seller: Harry INT
Date: 05/17/22

 

GRANBY

139 Amity St.
Granby, MA 01002
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Dianet Laflamme
Seller: Richard J. Jolivet
Date: 05/19/22

26 Cold Hill Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Karen B. Heymann
Seller: Ralph H. Hedrick
Date: 05/16/22

54 Ferry Hill Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: James Dean
Seller: Matthew J. Rudnik
Date: 05/18/22

15 Lyman St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $419,900
Buyer: Greg Labonte
Seller: Peter J. Hodgson
Date: 05/09/22

HADLEY

18 Meadowbrook Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: G. Whelpley
Seller: Bruce W. Brewer
Date: 05/18/22

86 Mount Warner Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $489,000
Buyer: Gudrun Durham
Seller: Page Railsback
Date: 05/11/22

104 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Mary C. Elmer
Seller: Heidi K. Kuester
Date: 05/09/22

HUNTINGTON

5 Barr Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Robert D. Peloquin
Seller: 5 Barr Hill Road Land TR
Date: 05/12/22

82 Bromley Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Proper Farm LLC
Seller: Meyer, Nancy L., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/22

128 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Abigail Lennox
Seller: Brianne Marie
Date: 05/19/22

8 Montgomery Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Robert A. Drabiuk
Seller: Aaron D. Welch
Date: 05/13/22

3 Pleasant St.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Robin Darling-Hendrix
Seller: Lylel Congdon
Date: 05/20/22

NORTHAMPTON

70 Bancroft Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Barbara P. Takahashi
Seller: Snook, Lena P., (Estate)
Date: 05/13/22

947 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: John T. Race LT
Seller: Deborah J. Foley
Date: 05/16/22

734 Kennedy Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $432,000
Buyer: Mill River Renovations LLC
Seller: Newell, Irene, (Estate)
Date: 05/16/22

40 Keyes St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $581,000
Buyer: Denis F. Cronin
Seller: Priscilla M. Ross
Date: 05/13/22

78 Overlook Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Richard E. Carpenter
Date: 05/12/22

757 Park Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Lauren E. Brown
Seller: Elan L. Abrell
Date: 05/16/22

39 Pine St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $611,000
Buyer: Alexandra Ditucci
Seller: Ellen T. Vitale
Date: 05/18/22

596 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Nu Wayhomes Inc.
Seller: Tuperkeizsis, Gloria H., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/22

4 Warfield Place
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Sarah Zlotnik
Seller: Kathryne M. Young
Date: 05/13/22

PLAINFIELD

58 West Hill Road
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Cady Street LLC
Seller: Francis X. Connolly
Date: 05/20/22

SOUTH HADLEY

32 Atwood Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $652,000
Buyer: Lacy N. Gillotti
Seller: Smith & Whyte FT
Date: 05/20/22

10 Bartlett St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Robert Lamirande
Seller: Claire T. Mailhott
Date: 05/10/22

16 Grant St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: James L. Provost
Seller: Gaylord Blue LLC
Date: 05/09/22

17 Hartford St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Katelyn A. Shepard
Seller: Diana Parks-Forbes
Date: 05/11/22

29 Maple St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Hannah Roth
Seller: Samantha Bortosz
Date: 05/17/22

620 New Ludlow Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $1,350,000
Buyer: All Star Building LLC
Seller: All Star Dairy Foods Inc.
Date: 05/12/22

388 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Chelsea L. Calhoun
Seller: Cheryl Calhoun
Date: 05/18/22

SOUTHAMPTON

64 Pleasant St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Perrine Meunier-Jones
Seller: Michael A. Sorokin
Date: 05/20/22

WARE

14 Barnes St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Zachary Notre
Seller: Ryan Carey
Date: 05/13/22

14 Bellevue Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: John Kingston
Seller: Karen L. Francis
Date: 05/17/22

146 West Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $261,500
Buyer: Johnny & Mary Investments LLC
Seller: Robert Mello
Date: 05/20/22

WILLIAMSBURG

9 Eastern Ave.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Samantha E. Lussier
Seller: Donna M. McGill
Date: 05/20/22

50 Hyde Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Tolani Lawrence-Lightfoot
Seller: Smith, Candace M., (Estate)
Date: 05/10/22

30 South St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $1,150,000
Buyer: Dale T. Raczynski
Seller: Daniel Goleman
Date: 05/20/22

WESTHAMPTON

Blueberry Hill Road, Lot 4A
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Paul A. Nowak
Seller: Monica A. Patrick RET
Date: 05/20/22

258 Chesterfield Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: David Solomkin
Seller: Andrew Braastad
Date: 05/11/22

50 Cove Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $629,000
Buyer: Clac RT
Seller: Robert H. Raub
Date: 05/09/22

223 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Rachel T. Goodman
Seller: Robertap Nardi
Date: 05/20/22

Community Foundation Leader to Step Down from Role 

By
Daily News

 

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced today that President and CEO Katie Allan Zobel intends to transition out of her role, concluding 17 years of service and a decade-long tenure as executive leader at the foundation.  

Zobel will continue to serve in her role while engaged in continued succession planning with the Foundation Trustees through September 2022.  

“On behalf of the trustees, I want to express my gratitude for Katie’s many contributions to the Community Foundation and to our community. She has led the organization with passion and a deep commitment to its mission and impactful work,” said Paul Murphy, trustee chair. “Under Katie’s stewardship and with the support of her talented and dedicated team, the foundation’s position as the region’s philanthropy hub has been strengthened by the more than doubling of its assets; the building of strong partnerships with donors, institutional partners, and community leaders; and the nearly doubling of its staff capacity. It is without a doubt that Katie is leaving the foundation stronger than it has ever been, which benefits the communities that it serves throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties.” 

Building on the prior accomplishments of the foundation, Zobel has led the foundation through a period of extraordinary innovation, growth, and change. Under her leadership, the foundation launched and directed ValleyGives, which raised more than $10 million through annual one-day, on-line fundraising campaigns for local nonprofits, established new partnerships with state and private philanthropy to expand funding for the region, including the launch of ValleyCreates, a partnership with the Barr Foundation established to support a vibrant arts and creativity sector in western Massachusetts. 

The foundation has also supported research on college completion and expanded funding for local colleges and universities through its Western MA Completes initiative. The Community Foundation has distributed more than $13 million through the COVID-19 Response Fund to support community members and nonprofit partners most severely impacted by the pandemic. 

“It has been a joy, an honor, and a privilege to serve my community as a member of the CFWM team.  I arrived on a three-month temporary assignment that evolved into an amazing 17-years,” said Zobel. “I have had the great good fortune to be connected deeply to an incredibly generous and caring community that gifted me with countless opportunities to work alongside people determined to make the world a better place. 

“I am so proud of what we have built together, how willingly we have supported each other during some of the greatest challenges our communities have experienced, and the promise it holds for our future,” she went on. “It’s been quite an adventure and now it’s time for me to hand over the reins to the foundation’s next leader and seek out my next professional adventure.” 

A national search for a successor will commence this month under Murphy’s leadership. Last week the trustees elected the firm Lindauer to launch a national search for Zobel’s successor. Lindauer has substantial experience in placing highly qualified candidates in organizations like the Community Foundation.  

New JA Initiative Will Recognize Young Leaders in the Community

By
Jennifer Connelly
Nonprofit Management

18 Under 18

Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer Connelly says JA’s 18 Under 18 program will recognize young people in three areas — innovative spirit, leadership, and community involvement.

Jennifer Connelly says that, in many ways, the new recognition program created by Junior Achievement (JA) of Western Massachusetts was inspired by the pandemic and a recognized need to bring attention to the manner in which young people, who were impacted by COVID-19 in many different ways, stepped up and displayed true leadership and community involvement at a turbulent time.

“The past few years have been tough on everybody, but they’ve been even tougher on young people,” said Connelly, the agency’s president and CEO. “I think that being isolated, doing remote learning, having to wear masks, not being able to interact with people like they used to, like our volunteers … has challenged many of them, and they’ve felt isolated and removed from being part of the community. We wanted to do something to recognize them to help their self-esteem, but also for the community to realize what a bright future we have with these young people who are doing so much already and celebrate them.”

But these are qualities worthy of recognition at any time, she went on, noting that JA’s new initiative, called 18 Under 18 — in a nod to many regional and national recognition programs, including BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty — and presented by Teddy Bear Pools, will hopefully become a permanent fixture in the region. That is certainly the plan.

“We wanted to do something to recognize them to help their self-esteem, but also for the community to realize what a bright future we have with these young people who are doing so much already and celebrate them.”

The program, as its name connotes, will recognize 18 young people from across the region in both middle and high school. Nominees must attend school in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire County, and while involvement in JA programs is not required, it is considered favorably during the evaluation process, which is now underway. The class of 2022 will be introduced later this month, and they will be honored at ceremonies in the Tower Square food court on May 19.

Candidates will be judged in three areas, said Connelly — innovative spirit, leadership, and community involvement — and the nominations that have been received, mostly from teachers, principals, guidance counselors, parents, and other students, show all of those qualities.

Connelly said the program is modeled after initiatives launched in recent years by JA chapters in Arizona and Pennsylvania, and is designed to bring attention to the accomplishments of young people, their leadership skills, and the manner in which they are inspiring others.

She said finalists for the program will be required to attend a 30-minute virtual interview with judges who will ultimately select the 18 to be honored this year.

Those who are nominated are asked to submit something “creative,” she added, be it a photo, a video, a poem or story they wrote, or, in the case of students from the Springfield Conservatory of Music who were nominated, YouTube videos.

“We’re asking these students to display leadership and entrepreneurship, but in the sense that entrepreneurship is creative thinking, the skills it takes to be an entrepreneur, the ability to think outside the box, and problem solving.”

“We’re asking these students to display leadership and entrepreneurship, but in the sense that entrepreneurship is creative thinking, the skills it takes to be an entrepreneur, the ability to think outside the box, and problem solving,” she explained, adding that the exercise in creativity should certainly give the judges some things to think about.

Elaborating on that concept of leadership, Connelly said it can come in many forms and many forums, and the 18 Under 18 program should bring this out.

“You don’t have to the student president of a particular grade,” she explained. “You can be demonstrating leadership in a class, for example, stepping up when you see someone having problems in class and helping them.”

Community service is the third leg of the triangle, she said, adding that, even during the pandemic — or especially during the pandemic, as the case may be — young people across the region have found ways to help others and serve their community.

The chosen 18 will be recognized in many different ways, which is one of the hallmarks of the initiative, said Connelly, adding that she is expecting several local media outlets to introduce the honorees to the region. At the May 19 event, there will be a reception for the honorees, with 250 to 300 attendees expected, and awards given out (Country Bank is the award sponsor). There will be even be ‘18 Under 18’ lawn signs to identify the homes of the 18 honorees.

Eventually, the goal is to award college scholarships to the honorees, said Connelly, adding that this goal can be realized if the program catches on as expected and additional sponsors can be secured.

Ted Hebert, owner and founder of Chicopee-based Teddy Bear Pools and, coincidentally, one of BusinessWest’s Difference Makers for 2022, said he was approached by JA several months ago to be a sponsor of 18 Under 18. A strong supporter of youth programs and organizations committed to serving young people, from youth sports leagues to Boys and Girls Clubs to YMCAs, Hebert said he attached the Teddy Bear name to the initiative because it dovetails with other work he and his wife, Barbara, are involved with, and meshes with his values when it comes to how such agencies should serve young people.

“I like to help organizations that don’t enable people,” he explained. “I like organizations that help people, give them a helping hand, to guide them and help them through whatever they’re going to go through to make it better for them and our society. I’m looking to assist people, and this program seemed to be something that would be assisting young people in their personal lives and, potentially, their business lives. And I liked that idea.”

As with other recognition programs of this kind, Connelly said 18 Under 18 will take some time to become part of the fabric of the region. As it gains visibility and the students are recognized for their accomplishments and talents, she expects the number of nominations to steadily grow.

Over the coming years, she believes, this recognition, a word she chose over ‘award,’ is something that students and those that they inspire will come to value and strive for.

“We’re really excited about this,” she said in conclusion, adding that such a recognition program for young people has been a missing ingredient locally. “We know how special these students are. We need to let everyone know.”

 

— George O’Brien

Editorial

By
Opinion

Moving Toward ‘Normal.’

 

 

For more than two years now, this region and its business community have been longing for a return to something approaching ‘normal,’ or what we knew before COVID arrived in Western Massachusetts in early March of 2020.

If the pandemic has taught us anything over the past 24 months, it is that we shouldn’t take anything for granted and should never think that anything is ‘over,’ because ‘over,’ when it comes to COVID, is a relative term.

But, and this is a big but, we are starting to see some very welcome and very refreshing signs of normal. Let’s start with the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and road race. After a long, painful two-year hiatus, these traditions are returning, and Holyoke — and the region — are poised for a huge party.

Also returning after two years on the sidelines is Bay Path University’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference, an event that brings more than 2,000 attendees to the MassMutual Center in Springfield each spring. And then, there’s BusinessWest’s Difference Makers event, another early spring tradition.

It will be back at the main ballroom at the Log Cabin on March 24. The event has been staged over the past two years, but not in its traditional fashion. In 2021, it was a virtual event, and in 2020, it became a fall happening, staged at the Upper Vista at the Log Cabin with 25 people in attendance — because that was the limit for event venues at that moment in time.

We all remember those days, and would probably like to forget them.

As we see more important signs of ‘normal’ — on our calendars, and in general — there is room for optimism that the time may soon be approaching when the pandemic ceases to rule our lives and is something we just have to live with. How soon, no one knows, but by most accounts, we’re moving much closer.

Those who spoke with BusinessWest about the Holyoke parade and its long-anticipated return, everyone from the mayor to the parade chairman to bar owners in the city, spoke about its importance from an economic perspective. Indeed, dozens of businesses benefit directly from the parade and the road race, and some generate perhaps half a normal year’s income during that one week.

But they also spoke of its importance from a civic pride perspective and how people came back to Holyoke year after year because it was the place to be St. Patrick’s Day — or the whole week. And they talked about the importance of getting back to something approaching normal.

That’s because it’s been missing from our lives for most of the past two years.

What we’ve learned since March of 2020 is that ‘normal’ is important, ‘normal’ is good for everyone.

And that point will be driven home again when the parade kicks off in Holyoke, when the speakers take to the stage at the Women’s Leadership Conference, and when the Difference Makers hear the applause they’ve earned at the Log Cabin.

Yes, we can all use a little ‘normal’ right about now.

Applications Open for Local Farmer Awards

By
Daily News

Farmers in Western Massachusetts are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. These awards are for capital/infrastructure improvement projects related to growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace.  The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in partnership with Big Y and with the support of other funders, is entering the eighth year of the awards program which has helped more than 225 farmers carry out a total of 400 projects.  

 

The deadline for applying is Jan. 31, 2022. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the website for more information:  www.farmerawards.org

 

Some examples of how the awards have been used include a commercial egg washer, irrigation systems, shade cloth for greenhouse, hi-tensile fencing for rotational grazing, feed wagon, and maple cream machine.

 

“Farmers don’t typically ask for help,” philanthropist and project founder Harold Grinspoon noted. “They are genuinely appreciative of these awards and use the money in creative ways for projects to help their businesses.”  

 

To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 or above and either be a member of Berkshire Grown or Community Involves in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) or reside in one the four counties of Western Massachusetts.   

 

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2020. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

AMHERST

40-50 Main St., LLC
46 Main St.
$12,380 — Bathroom renovation, sheetrock and wall repair

Audrey Samek
555 Belchertown Road
$122,300 — Remodel existing structure, build greenhouse

LEE

The Cohen Group, LLC
63 Main St.
$13,000 — Roofing

The Cohen Group, LLC
10 Railroad St.
$98,000 — Interior renovation of Moe’s Tavern

Town of Lee
300 Greylock St.
$8,383 — Install 16 fire-alarm door holders on hallway doors in elementary school

LENOX

Boston University
45 West St.
$182,364 — Roofing

PRG, LLC
55 Pittsfield Road
$7,550 — Relocate and add sprinklers

Trinity Church
88 Walker St.
$70,195 — Roofing and gutters

SPRINGFIELD

City of Springfield
1840 Roosevelt Ave.
$8,000 — Saw cut exterior wall of boiler room to install new service door at Central High School

Mental Health Assoc.
995 Worthington St.
$90,000 — Repair exterior brick facade

NEPM
44 Hampden St.
$1,340 — Repair broken and chipped concrete on overhead beam above entrance of WGBY

John Sakma
1048 Wilbraham Road
$3,000 — Repair Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant damaged by car accident

Willow State, LLC
135 State St.
$3,037 — Install fire-alarm system

Willow State, LLC
135 State St.
$3,000 — Install fire-alarm system on second floor

WILBRAHAM

Wilbraham & Monson Academy
423 Main St.
$186,400 — Bathroom renovations in Rich Hall

It May Not Be a Bonanza, but the Risks for Employers Are Real

By Contributor
Law Special Coverage

COVID Lawsuits

By John Gannon, Esq.

Businesses across the globe are in the midst of planning, preparing, and executing their reopening strategies. While this news is encouraging, employers face novel and complicated legal questions about their potential liability to employees who either get sick at work or cannot return due to medical or childcare-related reasons.

Searching for answers, businesses leaders are confronted with an array of local, state, federal, and industry-specific protocols for operating safely. Charting a course in the face of this uncertainty is no small task. Unfortunately, one thing remains clear: there will be a wave of lawsuits triggered by the difficult business decisions made during this challenging time.

The COVID-19 crisis will send shockwaves through the courts and fair-employment agencies (such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination) for years to come. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell remarked that an “epidemic” of these lawsuits will lead to “a trial-lawyer bonanza.” While likely overstated, the concern for employers should be real. Numerous COVID-19-related lawsuits have been filed, with many more on the way. Here are a sampling of those legal theories, with prevention tips and tactics at the end.

Negligence and/or Wrongful Death

One of the scariest claims for businesses will be negligence and wrongful-death lawsuits. In short, these actions may be lodged by employees (and even customers) who are harmed by COVID-19 because the employer failed to keep the work environment safe.

How might this look? Imagine that employees in a manufacturing plant return to work as the business reopens (or perhaps they have been working all along if the workers are deemed ‘essential’). Joe, who works on the factory floor in close proximity with others, tests positive for COVID-19. Mike, who works near Joe, also tests positive. Mike in turn infects members of his household, including an aging, immune-compromised parent. Can any of them sue the business?

John S. Gannon

John S. Gannon

“Our workers’ compensation system typically prevents employees from suing their employers for injuries that result from working. Instead of suing, employees with occupational injuries get paid through workers’ comp. But is a COVID-19 infection ‘occupational?’”

Our workers’ compensation system typically prevents employees from suing their employers for injuries that result from working. Instead of suing, employees with occupational injuries get paid through workers’ comp. But is a COVID-19 infection ‘occupational?’ Proving the root cause of a COVID infection is very difficult, as the virus spreads easily and can be contracted nearly anywhere.

In the above example, would Joe have a workers’ comp claim? Probably not, unless he can show others he was working in close proximity with someone who had the virus before him. What about Mike? He has a better claim, but still no sure thing. And certainly the family member would not be filing a comp claim. Instead, a negligence or wrongful-death suit might follow.

Recently, the relative of a retail-store employee in Illinois who died from COVID-19 sued the retailer for negligence and wrongful death. The lawsuit claims that the employee contracted COVID-19 in the store, and the business did not do enough to protect employees from the virus. All businesses that are open or reopening should have this case on their radar.

FFCRA Violations

By now, everyone should know that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) allows employees to take paid leave for a number of COVID-19-related reasons, including the need to care for children who are unable to go to school or daycare. Employees who are denied FFCRA rights or retaliated against for taking FFCRA leave can sue you in court. Successful employees may be entitled to reinstatement, lost wages, attorney’s fees, and double damages.

The first FFCRA-related lawsuit was filed last month. In the case, a female employee (and single mom) claimed she was fired because she requested FFCRA leave due to her son’s school closing. The employee allegedly discussed her need for leave to care for her son, and was told that the FFCRA was not meant to be “a hammer to force management into making decisions which may not be in the interest of the company or yourself.” She was fired a few days later and then filed what might be the first FFCRA lawsuit. Many more are certain to follow.

Discriminatory Layoffs

At the time of this article, the unemployment rate in the U.S. stands at almost 15%, and more than 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March. Each layoff decision comes with the risk that someone will claim the reason they were selected was discriminatory.

Suppose Jane, who is 60, gets laid off, while many younger workers were retained for employment. Jane may claim that the reason was at least partially motivated by her age. If she was right, it would be would be textbook age discrimination.

Whistleblower/Retaliation Lawsuits

Employees who raise complaints or concerns about workplace safety are protected against retaliation by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Similarly, Massachusetts has a law that protects healthcare workers who complain about practices that pose a risk to public health. We expect an increase in these lawsuits during this pandemic.

Prevention Strategies

These novel COVID-19-related lawsuits generally fall into one of two buckets: claims related to worker health and safety, and discriminatory or retaliatory adverse employment actions.

To protect against the first batch, businesses need to rigorously follow federal, state, and local guidance on maintaining a safe workplace. Agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have issued guidance on topics like maintaining safe business operations, temperature checks for employees, and personal protective equipment. Check with your risk-management advisors to see if they have developed checklists or other tools you can use to aid in your business reopening.

Avoiding the second type of lawsuit (discrimination, retaliation, etc.) involves the same tried and true principles that were critical before COVID-19. Make sure you have reasonable, business-based justifications for your decisions that are not motivated by characteristics like race, age, gender, or use of FFCRA leave. These business-based reasons should be well-documented and understandable to laypeople, who may be reviewing your justification in a jury room. Finally, when in doubt, consult with your labor and employment-law specialists.

John Gannon is a partner with Springfield-based Skoler, Abbott & Presser. He specializes in employment law and regularly counsels employers on compliance with state and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. He is a frequent speaker on employment-related legal topics for a wide variety of associations and organizations; [email protected]

Picture This

By
Picture This

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

Celebrating Carol Leary

On May 17, what would have been Bay Path University’s 123rd commencement celebrating the class of 2020, President Carol Leary and her husband, Noel, were treated to a surprise drive-by parade commemorating Carol’s retirement after 25 years. For 20 minutes, more than 200 cars snaked down Route 5 in Longmeadow blasting their horns. Headed by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, the decorated cars featured a giant teddy bear, an inflated flamingo raft tied to a car roof, numerous signs expressing ‘carpe diem’— the official school motto — and, of course, balloons. While maintaining their social distance, the parade of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends shouted their thanks and well wishes to the Learys. (Photos by Leah Martin)

 

 

Election Protection

Scott Rote, president of Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, recently called Charles Burger, director of the Southern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee, wanting to donate 2,000 surgical masks. Then the agency went a step further, procuring foam, elastic strapping material, and 200 sheets of polycarbonate plastic and constructing face shields to be used by poll workers in upcoming elections. Burger will allocate the personal protective equipment to the 12 towns in Southern Berkshire County. After the face shields are used for elections, they will be cleaned and repurposed.

 

 

 

Project Toybox

The United Way of Pioneer Valley recently partnered with numerous community organizations to deliver more than 1,000 educational, age-appropriate to families hit hard by COVID-19. Thanks to its partnership with Good360, the toys arrived at the United Way’s office on May 13 and are being distributed to the following organizations who will pass them along to children in need: Boys & Girls Clubs of West Springfield, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Westfield, Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Holyoke, YMCA of Greater Springfield, and Holyoke Housing Authority. Pictured: the United Way’s Joe Mina moves a pallet of donated toys.

 

Sign and Drive

Bulkley Richardson trusts and estates attorneys have been coordinating parking-lot and driveway signings for higher-risk clients in need of executing legal documents. Keeping the health and wellness of clients a top priority, these arrangements, and others, are made so that an office visit is not required.

 

 

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Elisa Speranza

Elisa Speranza

Daniel Rukakoski

Daniel Rukakoski

Tighe & Bond Inc. recently appointed two new members — Elisa Speranza and Daniel Rukakoski — to its board of directors for three-year terms. “Both Elisa and Dan bring substantial industry experience and leadership to Tighe & Bond that will be an asset to our strategic and growth initiatives,” said Robert Belitz, president and CEO. “Elisa’s fresh external perspective and Dan’s professional successes at our firm will complement our existing board of directors.” Speranza brings many years of industry experience from her various leadership roles. As a business-line president and senior executive and corporate director at global project-management firm CH2M (acquired by Jacobs in 2017), she led the implementation of transformative policies regarding corporate social responsibility and award-winning global-sustainability programs. Prior to her career in the private sector, she served in project manager and director roles at the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. She has been an active board member, volunteer, and officer with industry organizations such as the U.S. Water Alliance, the American Water Works Assoc., the New England Water Works Assoc., and the Water Environment Federation, and is a past president of the Massachusetts Water Works Assoc. Speranza has helped guide strategy, brand, communications, and governance decisions for several companies, water utilities, and nonprofit organizations, including for the global, non-governmental organization Water for People, where she served as board chair. She is also a university instructor and has authored water-industry reference works on sustainable financing, communications, asset management, and leadership. Rukakoski has more than 24 years of experience in environmental consulting, including environmental and energy permitting, wetland delineation, sediment evaluations, regulatory negotiations, site assessment, and environmental construction observation. As a project director and client services manager, he regularly leads the environmental permitting efforts for municipal, commercial, and public utility projects throughout the Northeast. He often provides senior technical guidance on dam removal, dam repair, and dredging projects. Most recently, Rukakoski has served as a technical director in Tighe & Bond’s Environmental Business line and serves on numerous corporate committees. Speranza and Rukakoski join five other Tighe & Bond board members: Belitz, Peter Grabowski, Tiffany Labrie, Bradlee Mezquita, and Patrick McCann.

•••••

Darcey Kemp

Darcey Kemp

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has named a higher-education administrator from New York as vice president of Student Affairs. Darcey Kemp began her new post on April 27. She had served as the assistant vice president for Student Development, Leadership, and Completion Initiatives at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y. since 2015. In her leadership role, Kemp will oversee the division at STCC charged with providing support that extends the classroom experience, including student governance and clubs, athletics, tutoring, advising, and student health and wellness. From admissions to graduation, Students Affairs enhances opportunities for student development, involvement, and transformation at an institution known for degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), signature health programs, and a highly diverse student body. STCC President John Cook called Kemp an outstanding leader who made an impression on the search committee. “Throughout the search process, Ms. Kemp demonstrated she has the qualities we were looking for in a vice president of Student Affairs,” he said. “I look forward to her serving as part of our team at STCC.” Kemp said she was honored to accept the new role at STCC. “I am committed to fostering an inclusive and engaged community that puts students first. I look forward to getting to know the faculty and staff and building strong relationships with students to help them achieve success.” Prior to serving at the College of Saint Rose, Kemp spent nearly a decade at Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania. She served, respectively, as dean of students for the North East campus and as director of the Center for Student Engagement & Leadership Development at the Erie campus. Kemp holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.

•••••

Anthony (Tony) Franco

Anthony (Tony) Franco

Arrha Credit Union President and CEO Michael Ostrowski recently welcomed Anthony (Tony) Franco as the new vice president of Commercial Lending. Franco has more than 25 years of banking experience and been recognized throughout his banking-industry career for outstanding member service. Recently he was the vice president of Special Assets at United Bank. “It is with great excitement that we welcome Tony to the Arrha team and begin offering commercial products and services. Arrha now has a complete array of all commercial deposit products and lending services,” Ostrowski said. “Tony is known for helping area businesses achieve their goals and direct them to what works best for them. He lives local and believes in the power of local business.” Added Franco, “I am excited to be part of the Arrha Credit Union family and launch the Commercial Lending area to serve local businesses and its members. I look forward to providing caring service, offering rewarding business-membership benefits to existing and new members, and growing these relationships.”

•••••

PeoplesBank announced the appointment of Jennifer DeBarge as assistant vice president of Marketing. She has more than 22 years of financial-services and marketing experience. In her new position, she will provide strategic direction and execution for various marketing projects, supporting the lines of business and brand. “Jennifer is an asset to our team and brings a tremendous depth of bank marketing experience,” said Matthew Bannister, first vice president, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at PeoplesBank. “We are looking forward to her contributions as she will be helping us communicate and connect with our customers and communities.” DeBarge earned an MBA in entrepreneurial and innovative thinking from Bay Path University and a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University. She also received a certificate from the ABA School of Marketing & Management. She has a history of community service and currently serves on the board of directors for the Westfield Boys & Girls Club.

•••••

Matthew Pittenger

Matthew Pittenger

Florence Bank announced that Matthew Pittenger was recently selected as a recipient of its President’s Award. The President’s Award was established by the bank in 1995, affording employees the annual opportunity to nominate their peers for this prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Pittenger was nominated by numerous colleagues. Pittenger is the senior information technology specialist at the main headquarters in Florence and has worked at Florence Bank for six years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from UMass Amherst. Pittenger also holds a Comptia A+ certification, which is the industry standard for establishing careers in information technology and the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and operational roles. “Matt is a perfect example of how hard work and determination truly pays off,” said Kevin Day, president and CEO of Florence Bank. “His peers have praised his dedication, enthusiasm, and the impressive skill set that he brings to the job each day. We’re happy to have Matt as part of our team, and the President’s Award is the perfect milestone to showcase his service to the bank.”

•••••

Gina Maroni

Gina Maroni

Alexis Miarecki

Alexis Miarecki

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced the recent promotion of two employees. Gina Maroni has been promoted to vice president of Finance and chief financial officer. She has taken on the responsibility of financial oversight, strategizing, and budgeting for the credit union, and previously served as UMassFive’s assistant vice president of Finance and controller for 18 months. Prior to joining UMassFive, she was the senior vice president of Finance and chief financial officer at Athol Credit Union. Alexis Miarecki has been promoted to manager of Marketing. Transitioning from her former role as graphic designer, she is now responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Marketing department, including oversight of the marketing team, creative direction, and developing and executing all marketing and promotional plans for UMassFive in collaboration with the vice president of Marketing.

•••••

Jennifer Beineke has been named the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award at Western New England University (WNEU). She is a professor of Mathematics in the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. Winners of this prestigious award are nominated by students, faculty, and administrators for outstanding contributions as educators and advisors. During the review process, current and former students praised Beineke as somebody who “made me see the beauty of mathematics” and “always pushed us to be our best.” Another added, “when I walked out of her classroom for the final time, I knew I was a different student and person than the one who had walked in.” Faculty members describe Beineke as having “a natural gift for explaining challenging concepts,” and “using a variety of methods to engage students in thinking about and solving problems.” Beineke, who has been teaching at WNEU since 2001, received undergraduate degrees in mathematics and French from Purdue University, and earned her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from UCLA. Her research is in the area of analytic number theory. In conjunction with the National Museum of Mathematics, she recently co-edited the three-volume series The Mathematics of Various Entertaining Subjects.

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

Bailey Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: 3 Peaks Land Stewardship
Seller: Edward Myles-Davis
Date: 04/30/20

1280 Hawley Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Georgiana Greenough
Seller: Cari Pazmino
Date: 05/01/20

CONWAY

80 Baptist Hill Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Dennis Anderson
Seller: Benneth G. Phelps
Date: 04/30/20

DEERFIELD

38 Pleasant St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ralph J. Gould
Seller: Francis J. Naida
Date: 04/30/20

365 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Dana Schwab
Seller: Joseph W. Bysiewski
Date: 04/22/20

GILL

74 Mountain Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $307,500
Buyer: Justin D. Simpson
Seller: John J. Zywna
Date: 04/30/20

GREENFIELD

64 Adams Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $14,163,000
Buyer: Derossi Commercial Greenfield
Seller: G&I 9 Apollo SWM LLC
Date: 04/24/20

109 Beacon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: 109 Beacon Street TR
Seller: Carla A. Bernier
Date: 05/01/20

62 Burnham Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Michael A. Koncal
Seller: Hawkins, Richard M., (Estate)
Date: 04/28/20

11 East Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Megan L. Parker
Seller: Andrea G. McGeoghan
Date: 04/23/20

46 Greenfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $14,163,000
Buyer: Derossi Commercial Greenfield
Seller: G&I 9 Apollo SWM LLC
Date: 04/24/20

49 Greenfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $14,163,000
Buyer: Derossi Commercial Greenfield
Seller: G&I 9 Apollo SWM LLC
Date: 04/24/20

10 Harrison Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Sokhang B. Dong
Seller: Glenn W. Johnson
Date: 05/05/20

54 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Anna Webber
Seller: Sefton Codling
Date: 05/01/20

711 Lampblack Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $483,000
Buyer: Robert Herrick
Seller: William Vranos
Date: 05/01/20

42 Linden Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $231,500
Buyer: Edith M. Pullen
Seller: PDV Inc.
Date: 04/27/20

28-B Old Albany Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: Sara J. Schofield
Seller: Alexander M. Gilbert
Date: 05/01/20

253 Shelburne Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Joshua A. Levin
Seller: John M. Shanahan
Date: 04/30/20

53 Silvio O. Conte Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $14,163,000
Buyer: Derossi Commercial Greenfield
Seller: G&I 9 Apollo SWM LLC
Date: 04/24/20

MONTAGUE

6 Chester St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $231,950
Buyer: Cecile Celotto
Seller: Karl R. Lapan
Date: 04/24/20

6 Henry Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Alexander N. Iverson
Seller: Grimard, Paul N., (Estate)
Date: 04/24/20

NEW SALEM

193 Neilson Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Alex Acosta
Seller: Rudolph, Nathan H., (Estate)
Date: 04/30/20

NORTHFIELD

68 East St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Tyler Mankowsky
Seller: Paula B. Johnson
Date: 05/01/20

ORANGE

13 Dewey Conrad Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $179,805
Buyer: Frances Deluca-Hadsel
Seller: Eric N. Druzbicki
Date: 04/27/20

145 Fryeville Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Robert H. Heigh
Date: 04/29/20

210 Oxbow Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Robert D. Bergquist
Seller: BHR Properties LLC
Date: 04/24/20

550 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $299,450
Buyer: Andrew J. Smith
Seller: Lee M. Rowe
Date: 04/24/20

SHELBURNE

441 Mohawk Trail
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Amie M. Redeker
Seller: Butler INT
Date: 04/27/20

SHUTESBURY

81 January Hills Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $390,400
Buyer: 10 Pine NT
Seller: Beth Goldberg-Shaine
Date: 05/01/20

379 Leverett Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Serge Fedorovsky
Seller: Thomas R. Zeller
Date: 04/22/20

174 Locks Pond Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Courtney A. Kinney
Seller: Mark T. Olszewski
Date: 04/29/20

12 Merrill Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Susan L. Goldberg
Seller: Frederic P. Hartwell
Date: 05/04/20

12 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $378,000
Buyer: Ian T. Burr
Seller: D. Joseph Jerry
Date: 05/01/20

SUNDERLAND

45 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: KDD Properties LLC
Seller: Jeffrey C. Mish
Date: 04/30/20

Cross Mountain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land TR
Seller: Raymond R. Samson
Date: 04/27/20

158 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Benneth Phelps
Seller: Martha E. Lorantos
Date: 04/30/20

17 North Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Ronald W. Ward
Seller: Robert H. Adair
Date: 04/28/20

154 North Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $229,500
Buyer: Anthony F. Ciak
Seller: Courtney A. Kinney
Date: 04/29/20

22 South Silver Lane
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Ernest Washington
Seller: Strycharz, R. W. Sr., (Estate)
Date: 05/05/20

WHATELY

129 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $689,000
Buyer: Sarah T. Xiques
Seller: Richard Pedersen
Date: 04/28/20

23 Conway Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Nicholas M. Wojcik
Seller: Duda, Robert M., (Estate)
Date: 04/30/20

24 Grey Oak Lane
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Jeffrey P. Zilch
Seller: Gregory W. Payeur
Date: 05/01/20

219 River Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Keith R. Bohonowicz
Seller: Joanne Pliska
Date: 04/24/20

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

97 Brien St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Richard M. Askew
Seller: Theresa N. Ciarmatori
Date: 04/24/20

35 Colonial Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Derek J. Lottermoser
Seller: Eric W. Lottermoser
Date: 05/01/20

40 Hearthstone Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $364,900
Buyer: Nikolay Zhupikov
Seller: Mark A. Sullivan
Date: 05/05/20

15 High Meadow Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Sigmund C. Barnes
Seller: Yuriy Sarkisyan
Date: 04/24/20

96 Moore St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Gary E. Traver
Seller: Lawrence S. Phelps
Date: 04/24/20

North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Claire M. Conway
Seller: Charles J. Sienkiewicz
Date: 05/01/20

352 Poplar St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Matthew Foley
Seller: Poplar Development LLC
Date: 04/30/20

24 Portland St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Mathew-Ryan M. Simpson
Seller: Eggleston, Raymond L., (Estate)
Date: 04/22/20

267 Rowley St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Manuel T. Reyes
Seller: Haynes, Patricia A., (Estate)
Date: 05/01/20

73 Stony Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $254,900
Buyer: Shawn P. Haubner
Seller: Daniel P. Tobias
Date: 04/23/20

30 Washington Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: James B. Burgos
Seller: Timothy R. Kendrick
Date: 04/24/20

25 Westford Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Carrie Mayer
Seller: Vladmi Ivanovich-Duducal
Date: 05/05/20

39 Wilbert Ter.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Patrick Denault
Seller: Tracey Daniels-Pullen
Date: 04/30/20

BRIMFIELD

97 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $164,120
Buyer: MTGLQ Investors LP
Seller: Roy H. King
Date: 05/05/20

50 Warren Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $429,500
Buyer: Neil B. Glazebrook
Seller: Timothy D. O’Brien
Date: 05/04/20

CHICOPEE

58 Ames Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Jordyn M. Conway
Seller: Fallah Razzak
Date: 05/01/20

7 Ann St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Evelis Gonzalez
Seller: Kyle E. Mrozinski
Date: 05/05/20

38 Basil Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $349,902
Buyer: Jennifer E. Carr
Seller: Jonathan P. Damours
Date: 04/24/20

1073 Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Adam F. Rice
Seller: Nico Facchini
Date: 04/22/20

6 Captain Mac St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Solimar R. Cruz
Seller: Michael W. Radomski
Date: 04/22/20

77 Debra Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Debbie Griggs
Seller: Deshaies, Lawrence, (Estate)
Date: 05/04/20

58 Edbert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $258,400
Buyer: Sonia I. Soto
Seller: Premier Home Builders Inc.
Date: 04/24/20

95 Edgewood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,100
Buyer: Oswald Grajales
Seller: Gary P. Picard
Date: 04/27/20

Highland Ave. #103
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Kelnate Realty LLC
Seller: Partyka Partners LP
Date: 04/30/20

Highland Ave. #104
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Kelnate Realty LLC
Seller: Partyka Partners LP
Date: 04/30/20

Highland Ave. #105
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Kelnate Realty LLC
Seller: Partyka Partners LP
Date: 04/30/20

145 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Cristobal Ortiz
Seller: Donna J. Wiley
Date: 04/30/20

45 Linden St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $217,400
Buyer: Adriana Vazquez
Seller: Brian P. Leduc
Date: 05/01/20

79 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $191,200
Buyer: Muhammad J. Akbar
Seller: Maslak, Ruth M., (Estate)
Date: 05/01/20

50 Mount Carmel Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Valley Opportunity Council
Seller: Barbara M. Dorval
Date: 04/28/20

54 Olko Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $173,079
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Brian K. Connors
Date: 05/01/20

164 Rimmon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jonathan R. Wilson
Seller: Donna Mason
Date: 05/04/20

43 Saint Anthony St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $168,500
Buyer: James Fitzgerald
Seller: Kristin Newell
Date: 04/24/20

68 Van Horn St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Alexander N. Theroux
Seller: Jeffrey Janik
Date: 04/24/20

26 Wintworth St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Katherine Paul
Seller: Laura A. Paul
Date: 05/01/20

51 Woodcrest Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Benjamyn M. Poli
Seller: Daryl R. Kirby
Date: 04/30/20

140 Woodlawn St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Tynisa Mateo
Seller: Melinda Barnes
Date: 05/01/20

EAST LONGMEADOW

259 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $212,200
Buyer: Shanna L. Morin
Seller: Mary E. Fish
Date: 04/24/20

157 Dwight Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Taylor M. Durost
Seller: Shanna L. Morin
Date: 04/24/20

100 Franconia Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Paul Fydenkevez
Seller: Ryan T. Morton
Date: 04/29/20

10 Judy Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ashley Cava
Seller: Tyler Donnelly
Date: 05/01/20

7 Odion St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $181,740
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Seller: Ronette Garcia
Date: 04/28/20

434 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. Chaisson
Seller: Dennis M. Goldrick
Date: 05/01/20

20 Redstone Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Jonathan R. Nash
Seller: Stephen T. Varelas
Date: 04/30/20

76 Scantic Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Antonio Fonseca
Seller: Govin, Karen A., (Estate)
Date: 05/05/20

214 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Hong T. Le
Seller: Garrett E. Goguen
Date: 04/24/20

141 Tanglewood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $426,000
Buyer: Kelly M. Cieboter
Seller: Bruce O. Desilets
Date: 04/30/20

HAMPDEN

33 Raymond Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Stephen T. Varelas
Seller: Robert T. Olejarz
Date: 04/30/20

80 Rock A. Dundee Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Andrii Tverdokhlib
Seller: Olesya Cherkashin
Date: 04/27/20

150 Rock A. Dundee Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Garrett E. Goguen
Seller: Country Bank For Savings
Date: 04/24/20

86 Somers Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Steven Barthen
Seller: Conor M. Berry
Date: 04/30/20

408 South Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Jennifer Johnston
Seller: Brian D. Dussault
Date: 04/24/20

HOLLAND

64 Leno Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Brian W. Healey
Seller: Michael C. Lifson
Date: 04/29/20

HOLYOKE

71 Berkshire St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Westmass Apartments LLC
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 05/01/20

62 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Amber Lavallee
Seller: Mark D. Trial
Date: 04/30/20

57 Calumet Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
mount: $217,000
Buyer: Shae B. Blaisdell
Seller: Amy E. Verla
Date: 04/24/20

35-37 Columbus Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Kevin Dansereau
Seller: Alan R. Huff
Date: 04/23/20

4 Crestwood St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $254,900
Buyer: Jose A. Morales
Seller: Julie M. Kleszczynski
Date: 04/24/20

122 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $145,999
Buyer: Barh RET
Seller: NRZ REO 10 LLC
Date: 04/29/20

6 Jeane Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Marisol Cartagena
Seller: Antonio Ferreira
Date: 04/22/20

69 Lexington Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Marvin Thang
Seller: Michael Cavanaugh
Date: 05/01/20

Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Jillian Strycharz
Seller: Christina M. Grass
Date: 04/28/20

124 Vermont St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $293,500
Buyer: Thomas Reynolds
Seller: Veasna Pok
Date: 04/30/20

149 Whiting Farms Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Jacquelin Calderon
Seller: FM Financial Services Inc.
Date: 04/28/20

LONGMEADOW

226 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Schlemmer
Seller: David B. Appleman
Date: 05/01/20

498 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Daniel S. Regan
Seller: Stephen Geanacopoulos
Date: 04/30/20

34 Cooley Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Steven W. Groccia
Seller: Steven L. Groccia
Date: 04/27/20

5 Crescent Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Benjamin Jakubowski
Seller: Ryan R. Whitney
Date: 05/04/20

21 Homecrest St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Morgan J. Spencer
Seller: Donna B. McMahon
Date: 04/24/20

249 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Roy FT
Seller: Jennifer D. Santos
Date: 05/01/20

117 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Jon W. Gronbach
Seller: Christopher M. Carr
Date: 04/24/20

LUDLOW

136 Cedar St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Bertolasio
Seller: Sandra Fidalgo
Date: 04/27/20

236 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Ludlow Housing Authority
Seller: Adelino D. Palatino
Date: 04/30/20

33 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,355,000
Buyer: Elmogys LLC
Seller: SPP Citizens NLREF 5 LLC
Date: 04/30/20

Cottage Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $2,066,500
Buyer: Dichotomy Collins Hydro
Seller: Ampersand Collins Hydro
Date: 05/01/20

43 Elaine Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Mark D. Miller
Seller: Maria J. Holley
Date: 04/30/20

23 Helena St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Dwain P. Devine
Seller: Carol C. Heath
Date: 05/05/20

242 Kendall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $385,900
Buyer: Nico A. Facchini
Seller: David A. Watts
Date: 04/22/20

85 Lakeview Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Nina M. Leclerc
Seller: Todd A. Santos
Date: 04/22/20

Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $2,066,500
Buyer: Dichotomy Collins Hydro
Seller: Ampersand Collins Hydro
Date: 05/01/20

233 Munsing St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Denise M. Pascale
Seller: Carlos A. Bastos
Date: 05/01/20

138 Piney Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $270,500
Buyer: Francisco J. Najera
Seller: William E. Peacey
Date: 05/04/20

620 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $245,999
Buyer: Robert B. Cunningham
Seller: Hines, Lorraine, (Estate)
Date: 04/30/20

234 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Xiaoqin Zhou
Seller: Elsa D. Barros
Date: 05/04/20

124 Yale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Cari A. Breault
Seller: Ryan Gagne
Date: 04/29/20

MONSON

Boston Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Palmer Wilbraham St. RET
Seller: Transform Operating Stores
Date: 04/24/20

102 Lakeside Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Angelique Peloquin
Seller: John H. Dunn
Date: 04/24/20

PALMER

Baptist Hill Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Palmer Wilbraham St RET
Seller: Transform Operating Stores
Date: 04/24/20

Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Palmer Wilbraham St. RET
Seller: Transform Operating Stores
Date: 04/24/20

100 Flynt St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Gerald G. Beliveau
Seller: Dnepro Properties LLC
Date: 05/04/20

29 Gay St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $154,965
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Justin D. Torrey
Date: 04/23/20

17 Homestead St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Tomasz Marszalek
Seller: David E. Petit
Date: 05/04/20

2018 Oak St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Patrick R. Jessop
Seller: Bernice A. Fusco
Date: 05/01/20

68 Rondeau St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jerod R. Laflamme
Seller: Shawn P. Haubner
Date: 04/23/20

156 Shearer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Kyle T. Meyer
Seller: Michelle M. Dunfield
Date: 05/04/20

150-A Wilbraham St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Palmer Wilbraham St RET
Seller: Transform Operating Stores
Date: 04/24/20

159 Wilbraham St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Palmer Wilbraham St RET
Seller: Transform Operating Stores
Date: 04/24/20

230 Wilbraham St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Palmer Wilbraham St. RET
Seller: Transform Operating Stores
Date: 04/24/20

SPRINGFIELD

191 Albemarle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Donovan Huggett
Seller: Ferdinand Gonzalez
Date: 04/24/20

146 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,400
Buyer: Alan Rosario
Seller: Campagnari Construction
Date: 04/24/20

152 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $258,900
Buyer: Carolyne R. Flowers
Seller: Campagnari Construction
Date: 04/29/20

19 Ashbrook St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jesse W. Chasteen
Seller: Kelly M. Cieboter
Date: 04/30/20

167 Atherton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Moises Maldonado-Medina
Seller: FNMA
Date: 05/01/20

40 Ballard Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Godswill T. Andrew-Jaja
Seller: Carl D. Prairie
Date: 04/24/20

136 Barrington Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $423,000
Buyer: Anthony T. Torres
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 05/01/20

81 Berkshire St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Ronald G. Hokanson
Seller: Wallace F. Ebner
Date: 04/28/20

1525 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $4,400,000
Buyer: Springfield Boston Road RET
Seller: TF Springfield MA LLC
Date: 04/24/20

236 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Fransheska D. Robles
Seller: Pszczyna RT
Date: 05/05/20

4 Brittany Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Keysta L. Vanasse
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 05/01/20

44 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Errol S. Green
Seller: Devonne T. Johnson
Date: 04/30/20

731 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Cig 4 LLC
Seller: Roberto Serrano
Date: 04/27/20

28-30 Carlisle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Stephan Maldonado
Seller: Do Duong Family LLC
Date: 04/24/20

73 Catalina Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Revampit LLC
Seller: Joseph F. Miazga
Date: 05/01/20

180 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Kaila Rodriguez
Seller: Caroline L. Ellison
Date: 04/29/20

546 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Osvaldo A. Martir-Solano
Seller: Freya G. Baez
Date: 04/29/20

151 Cooper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: John Govoni
Seller: Ingram, Harry E., (Estate)
Date: 04/30/20

297 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Basil Henry
Seller: Alex Cowley
Date: 04/29/20

662-664 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Dominga Pujols
Seller: Sarno, Alfonso, (Estate)
Date: 04/30/20

232 East St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Bailey Brunelle
Seller: Wolfpack Realty Corp.
Date: 04/29/20

195 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Bianca I. Gardner
Seller: Debra L. Cauley
Date: 04/30/20

18 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Adela Colon
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 04/27/20

42 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Rodolfo Arismendy-Parra
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 04/27/20

66 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Corey Connaughton
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 04/30/20

285 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $214,900
Buyer: David C. Coburn
Seller: Andrea M. Strom
Date: 04/23/20

20 Fallston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Nicole D. Vezina
Seller: Catherine A. Hartley
Date: 04/29/20

68 Feltham Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Jacob Grant
Seller: Tarra M. Devine
Date: 05/01/20

17 Gertrude St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Roberto Soto
Seller: Emmanuel Pena
Date: 04/27/20

463 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $156,500
Buyer: Michael W. Belmarce
Seller: Elizabeth Mortenson
Date: 04/30/20

70 Grenada Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,130,000
Buyer: Grenada Property LLC
Seller: Grenada LLC
Date: 04/24/20

74 Grenada Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,130,000
Buyer: Grenada Property LLC
Seller: Grenada LLC
Date: 04/24/20

8 Healey St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Samuel R. Shaw
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 04/24/20

92 Johnson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Maralaisy Gil
Seller: Leonard A. Cowles
Date: 05/01/20

99 Jonquil Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Ryan S. Patrick
Seller: Richard F. Bedard
Date: 04/24/20

4-6 Joseph St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Eric L. Allen
Seller: T. L. Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 04/30/20

56 Kathleen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Patricia N. Rosemond
Seller: Eric D. Rohan
Date: 04/30/20

41 Kipling St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Tyler Donnelly
Seller: Pedro Martinez
Date: 05/01/20

79 Knox St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: SLC Associates LLC
Seller: USA HUD
Date: 05/01/20

170 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $117,000
Buyer: John Martin
Seller: Andie Gedeon
Date: 04/29/20

35-37 Longfellow Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,769
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Julio C. Feliciano
Date: 04/28/20

146 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Equity T. Co.
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 04/28/20

97 Marion St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Melvin Otero-Davila
Seller: Daniel Carthon
Date: 05/01/20

139-141 Maynard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Camilla J. Miller
Seller: Manfred Karori
Date: 05/01/20

40-42 Mazarin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Bria L. Brantley
Seller: KEC Properties LLC
Date: 05/01/20

19 Meredith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Edwin J. Figueroa
Seller: JJJ 17 LLC
Date: 04/24/20

45 Meredith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jose G. Pagan-Ortiz
Seller: Minh T. Chau
Date: 04/24/20

190 Mildred Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Winnarath Son
Seller: Justin T. Tomasini
Date: 04/29/20

62 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Omaris Gonzalez
Seller: Alex O. Owusu
Date: 04/28/20

12 Montclair St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Viverston Gallimore
Seller: Amarilis Rodriguez
Date: 04/24/20

99 Monticello Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Omayra L. Figueroa-Gomez
Seller: LE & Associates LLC
Date: 05/05/20

188 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Amarilis Rodriguez
Seller: Chiang H. Swei
Date: 04/24/20

40 Old Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Luis Rodriguez
Seller: Christopher D. Foley
Date: 04/30/20

155 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Leonard Geshan
Seller: Melro Associates Inc.
Date: 04/28/20

1715 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Champion Mortgage Co.
Date: 04/23/20

1715 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Monika Lipert
Seller: FNMA
Date: 04/30/20

83 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $196,500
Buyer: Jason D. Choiniere
Seller: Craig S. Gohn
Date: 04/30/20

74 Perkins St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Alicia L. Gapen
Seller: Sarah J. Szczebak
Date: 05/01/20

27 Pidgeon Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Darren C. Duke
Seller: James A. Lapierre
Date: 04/30/20

60 Pinecrest Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Hoang N. Le
Seller: Luis Nevarez
Date: 04/24/20

199 Powell Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Luis A. Rivera
Seller: John P. Cadigan
Date: 04/22/20

154 Prouty St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Marsha Ivey
Seller: Ann S. Ward
Date: 04/22/20

61-63 Quebec St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Patrick A. Roach
Seller: Alejandro H. Rodriguez
Date: 04/30/20

69 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Latisha A. Williams
Seller: Olmsted Realty LLC
Date: 05/01/20

132 Regal St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Tawiah A. Buor
Seller: Nicholas A. Malafronte
Date: 04/28/20

82 Rosemary Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Juan J. Lopez
Seller: Hilda Greene
Date: 04/30/20

104-106 Samuel St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Fernando Rosa
Seller: Louis W. Rimondi
Date: 04/29/20

47 Spikenard Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Meghan Bull
Seller: Anthony M. Santaniello
Date: 04/23/20

73 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Erica A. Batalha
Seller: Rosa I. Torres
Date: 05/04/20

269 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: John S. Robinson-Woodgett
Seller: Pete M. Decuir
Date: 04/29/20

20 West Canton Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Julie Sanchez
Seller: Kaine K. Compton
Date: 04/27/20

1412 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $169,320
Buyer: Daniel Jaracz
Seller: Marsha M. Ivey
Date: 04/22/20

107-109 Wolcott St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Bjorn R. Miller
Seller: Lydia Miringu
Date: 04/28/20

143 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Angel Peroza
Seller: Alan Rosario
Date: 04/24/20

71 Yale St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Home Equity Assets Realty
Seller: Home Equity Assets Realty
Date: 04/28/20

SOUTHWICK

15 Crystal Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Lawrence N. Fuller
Seller: Bailey, Joseph J., (Estate)
Date: 04/30/20

99 Davis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $496,250
Buyer: Brenda M. Leduc
Seller: Anna Frazier
Date: 05/01/20

18 Ferrin Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Aminda I. Scott
Seller: Dean C. Miller
Date: 04/30/20

8 Field St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Kenneth S. Nielsen
Seller: Kim A. Phillips
Date: 04/30/20

26 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michelle M. Duncan
Seller: Kelly Duncan-Smith
Date: 04/30/20

399 North Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Zachary I. Kuzon
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 04/30/20

13 Ridgeview Ter.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Julie Hyde
Seller: Brenda M. Leduc
Date: 05/01/20

WALES

91 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Brandon J. Kroll
Seller: John T. Lussier
Date: 04/24/20

WESTFIELD

98 Berkshire Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Kayla J. Reno
Seller: Donald J. McClellan
Date: 05/01/20

137 Cabot Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Witold J. Urban
Seller: Andrew T. Oleksak
Date: 04/22/20

12 Cross St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Shane Coakley
Seller: Pavel Kulyak
Date: 05/05/20

40 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $316,500
Buyer: Kathryn M. Weglarz
Seller: Bruce Scott
Date: 04/30/20

949 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $599,900
Buyer: Thomas F. Daly
Seller: Mark S. Santangelo
Date: 05/01/20

36 Janelle Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Paul E. Ancelli
Seller: Thomas F. Daly
Date: 05/01/20

6 Maria Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Carlin Tabb
Seller: Andrew K. Hall
Date: 04/27/20

20 Pheasant Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Anthony M. Delugan
Seller: Tyler G. Moore
Date: 05/01/20

170 Prospect St., Ext.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Peter A. Negosanti
Seller: Tammie B. Waversak
Date: 04/29/20

21 Ridgecrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $322,500
Buyer: Henry M. Koegel
Seller: Freddy Roy
Date: 05/01/20

242 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $271,900
Buyer: Michael J. McFadden
Seller: Jeffrey R. McNamara
Date: 05/05/20

WILBRAHAM

6 Apple Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: David E. Petit
Seller: Nancy B. Piecuch
Date: 05/01/20

13 Colonial Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Andrew Donermeyer
Seller: Ronald G. Hokanson
Date: 04/28/20

Devonshire Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Rau
Seller: Christopher V. Bovino
Date: 04/30/20

5 Jewell Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Blake A. McCoy
Seller: Lavelle, Edward J., (Estate)
Date: 04/27/20

33 Stonegate Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Kyle C. Abrahamson
Seller: Jeffrey P. Zilch
Date: 05/01/20

4 Wildwood Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $422,775
Buyer: Matthew S. Matroni
Seller: AC Homebuilding LLC
Date: 04/22/20

WEST SPRINGFIELD

79-81 Baldwin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Lachenauer LLC
Seller: Mlaguzi Inc.
Date: 04/29/20

111 Forest Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Dominic N. Hannoush
Seller: Carmen D. Ortiz
Date: 04/30/20

102 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Mindy N. Phan
Seller: David W. Ostrander
Date: 04/22/20

291 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Angel L. Feliciano-Cruz
Seller: Kumar Sunchuri
Date: 04/24/20

42 Murray Place
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Janais E. Faust
Seller: Cindy S. White
Date: 04/27/20

22 Prospect St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Luke Battista
Seller: Battista & Sons Property Mgmt.
Date: 04/23/20

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

244 Amity St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $501,000
Buyer: Jonathan R. Friedman
Seller: Matthew Mone
Date: 05/05/20

763 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Hannah E. Hunter-Parker
Seller: Alison B. Ellis
Date: 04/30/20

228 Grantwood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $244,500
Buyer: Maple Leaf Capital Reserve
Seller: Mark A. Snow
Date: 05/05/20

29 Hartman Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Aaron E. James
Seller: Aaron Arcello
Date: 05/01/20

16 Heatherstone Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Melisa Bok
Seller: Alexandria A. Price
Date: 04/27/20

214 Iduna Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $596,000
Buyer: W. Bruce Croft
Seller: Trinity Construction Group
Date: 04/30/20

143 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Thomas L. Bernardin
Seller: William P. Wear
Date: 04/29/20

212 North East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Julius Menn & D. Sagner TR
Seller: Brian J. Berling
Date: 04/27/20

27 Palley Village Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Justin H. Smith
Seller: Woo FT
Date: 04/30/20

715 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Spenser C. Lanier
Seller: Julius Menn & D. Sagner TR
Date: 04/30/20

205 South Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Amherst College
Seller: Jonathan R. Friedman
Date: 05/01/20

35 Station Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Emily Stout
Seller: Ampar Heritage RT
Date: 05/01/20

38 Trillium Way
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Diane C. McNamara
Seller: Niels Christiansen
Date: 05/01/20

BELCHERTOWN

46 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,250
Buyer: Nicholas A. Friscia
Seller: Ashley Sheffield
Date: 04/24/20

62 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Ian Albert
Seller: Chocorua Realty Investments
Date: 04/30/20

631 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $366,000
Buyer: Anne O’Connor
Seller: Lenox Homes LLC
Date: 05/01/20

8 Old Farm Circle
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $264,900
Buyer: Megan E. Millette
Seller: Mark D. Watson
Date: 04/22/20

101 Pine St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $549,900
Buyer: Jennifer L. Dupuis-Krause
Seller: James Stanczak
Date: 04/29/20

152 Sargent St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Kyle Mrozinski
Seller: Sabrina Caballero
Date: 05/05/20

297 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $424,900
Buyer: Lauren Paschall
Seller: Kimberly A. Chaisson
Date: 05/01/20

150 Warner St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Ryan Gagne
Seller: Michael G. Aliberti
Date: 04/29/20

CHESTERFIELD

24 Bisbee Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Thea M. Post
Seller: Wayne A. Hennemann
Date: 04/30/20

CUMMINGTON

525 Berkshire Trail
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $392,500
Buyer: Thomas Kane
Seller: Keith A. Jenkins
Date: 05/04/20

1 Honey Hill Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Bonnie A. Hunt
Seller: Edward S. Konieczny
Date: 05/01/20

EASTHAMPTON

112 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Richard Pedersen
Seller: Crossroads Property Investors
Date: 04/28/20

172 Ferry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Jacob Burnstein
Seller: Spear, Frank A., (Estate)
Date: 05/01/20

2-6 Hisgen Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,500,000
Buyer: Betty L. Duprey
Seller: D&H Property Management
Date: 05/01/20

10 Howard Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $415,500
Buyer: Peter Dwight-Sax
Seller: Paul A. Donah
Date: 05/05/20

22 Lawler Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Karen M. Roberts
Seller: Peter D. Sax
Date: 05/05/20

1 Mayher St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,500,000
Buyer: Betty L. Duprey
Seller: D&H Property Management
Date: 05/01/20

22 Monska Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Robert E. Ross
Seller: Doris C. Ducharme
Date: 04/30/20

13 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $244,540
Buyer: Jonathan A. Santiago
Seller: Ted J. Pietraszkiewicz
Date: 04/27/20

106 Parsons St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,500,000
Buyer: Betty L. Duprey
Seller: D&H Property Management
Date: 05/01/20

89 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Gene P. Ethier
Seller: William C. Ethier
Date: 04/29/20

21 Plaza Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,900
Buyer: Zachary T. Birmingham
Seller: William J. Halford
Date: 04/29/20

30 Sandra Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $361,500
Buyer: Terry S. Hersey
Seller: Richard & Sandra Tufts LT
Date: 04/30/20

GRANBY

545 Amherst Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Joseph L. Delbove
Seller: Leanne A. Becker
Date: 04/23/20

241 Chicopee St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $184,280
Buyer: Pamela Elvira Cox TR
Seller: Joseph C. Cox
Date: 04/30/20

21 Lyn Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Roxana Alequin
Seller: Robert D. Butler
Date: 05/05/20

106 Maximilian Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Laurence J. Vincent
Seller: Michael Novak
Date: 04/30/20

HADLEY

6 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Andrew D. Stephens
Seller: Jeffrey Wood RET
Date: 05/01/20

HATFIELD

118 Old Stage Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $447,000
Buyer: Sherri J. Wehr
Seller: Janet Nuccio
Date: 04/24/20

72 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Joseph S. Barker
Seller: Adam J. Barker
Date: 04/28/20

HUNTINGTON

23 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Krason
Seller: John J. Montesi
Date: 04/22/20

14 Stanton Ave.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $215,500
Buyer: Lindsey L. Bellamy
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 04/30/20

MIDDLEFIELD

142 W. Hill Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Deborah A. O’Brien
Seller: E. Roberts NT
Date: 05/04/20

NORTHAMPTON

257 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Flynn
Seller: Norwich Properties LLC
Date: 04/24/20

78 Coles Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Gerald A. Hinkle
Seller: Joan E. Dalin RET
Date: 05/01/20

235 Coles Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Alex C. Petith
Seller: Joseph S. Barker
Date: 04/28/20

19 Ellington Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Matthew Motamedi
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 04/27/20

184 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $127,500
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Renuart LT
Seller: Emerson Way LLC
Date: 04/24/20

31 Loudville Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Hillary M. Sackett-Taylor
Seller: Julie E. Steiner
Date: 04/30/20

11 Verona St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Augustus H. Muller
Seller: Jason Mark
Date: 04/23/20

PELHAM

53 Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Roberley A. Bell
Seller: Judith Pierce
Date: 04/30/20

SOUTH HADLEY

545 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: South Hadley Electric Light
Seller: Holyoke Hospital Inc.
Date: 05/05/20

35 Hillside Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $224,900
Buyer: Christopher M. Shea
Seller: Catherine M. Vieira
Date: 04/30/20

16 Lorraine Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Mark T. Yost
Seller: Gail C. Bekier
Date: 04/29/20

211 Mosier St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Derek P. Swistak
Seller: Susan K. Narey
Date: 04/24/20

10 Plainville Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $477,000
Buyer: Candice E. Demers
Seller: Michael Lucchesi
Date: 05/01/20

3 Pleasant St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Deborah A. Lambert
Seller: Sheila D. Pennell
Date: 04/24/20

33 Tampa St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Pecia
Seller: John T. Pecia
Date: 04/29/20

SOUTHAMPTON

3 Beccari Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Marica J. Misiorski
Seller: Alphonse Venskus
Date: 04/28/20

80 Crooked Ledge Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Jason Lavallee
Seller: Denise L. Dupelle
Date: 04/29/20

6 Hillside Meadows Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Scott R. VanderVeen
Seller: Christopher J. Abbott
Date: 05/01/20

54 Line St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $310,500
Buyer: Samuel J. Verla
Seller: Robert F. Zemba
Date: 04/24/20

7 Noreen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Philip J. Corbeil
Seller: Norma C. Gosselin
Date: 04/24/20

6 Parsons Way
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Benoit J. Lamontagne
Seller: Rosemarie Osmers LT
Date: 04/30/20

117 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Andrea L. Looney
Seller: Jacob J. Belanger
Date: 04/30/20

74 Valley Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Tobias K. Davis
Seller: Wade Loud
Date: 05/05/20

110 Valley Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $455,900
Buyer: Veasna Pok
Seller: Jill Thurman
Date: 04/30/20

WARE

10 Coldbrook Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: David L. Bassett
Seller: Benchmark Custom Homes
Date: 05/05/20

WILLIAMSBURG

19 Valley View Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $454,000
Buyer: Ryan L. Clark
Seller: Jeffrey Gillis
Date: 04/24/20

WESTHAMPTON

9 Tipping Rock Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: David M. St.John
Seller: Shirley K. Smith
Date: 04/28/20

Announcing the 2020 40 Under Forty

By
Class of 2020 Cover Story

40 Under Forty Class of 2020

Amy Rediker Anderlonis
Amanda Babinski
Ryan Barry
Marco Basile
Conor Bevan
Julio Carrasquillo III
Danny Deane
Brian Fournier
Sarah Goff
Brendan Greeley

Jacquelyn Guzie
Paul Hake
Kristina Healey
Shannon Hicks
Dan Holmes
Melissa Knowles
Benjamin Lamb
Jacob Lauzier
Karen Ruiz León
Peter Leonczyk

Dave Lipke
Andrea Luttrell
William Lynch
Andrew Mankus
Andrew McConaha
Katie Manzi McDonough
Ronald Molina-Brantley
Modesto Montero
Tom Naro
Kelly Partridge

Aisha Pizarro
Lee Pouliot
Kyle Rodrigues
Evan Ross
Amanda Sbriscia
Saba Shahid
Melissa Sippel
Lenny Underwood
Kimberly Williams
Marcus Williams

‘The class of 2020.’

That phrase will forever have special meaning at colleges, high schools, and even grammar schools across this country. Indeed, 2020 has been a different year in every way imaginable.

And the same is true of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of rising stars. When the JUDGES received their six-inch-thick packets of nominations — which detailed the credentials of more than 200 candidates — in February, COVID-19 hadn’t yet arrived in Western Mass. By the time the scores were tabulated and the winners were sent their letters of congratulations, the world had changed in a profound way.

These changes are reflected in this special edition of BusinessWest, and also in the scheduling of the gala to celebrate this year’s class. Traditionally slated for late June, it is now scheduled to be held Oct. 8 with location TBD.

As for this section, the biggest difference is the photographs. In past years, they were taken in the studio of photographer Leah Martin. With social-distancing guidelines in place and non-essential businesses (like photo studios) closed, that wasn’t possible.

So we improvised. Many members of the class of 2020 took their own photos, while Martin took to the road and photographed several honorees on their front porches and in their backyards — from a safe distance. Collectively, these photos speak not only to how different these times are, but to how people have used their imaginations and creativity to cope.

Overall, while the class of 2020 has had, and will continue to have, a different experience than those who preceded it, it is like those other classes in how it reflects the high levels of young talent now emerging in this region. And it paints an impressive picture of leadership for decades to come.

Let’s salute the class of 2020!

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Waiting for the Economy to Reopen Is a Frustrating Exercise

By
Coronavirus Special Coverage

Climbing Out

It’s not easy for a business to be shut down — seriously curtailing or even eliminating all revenue — for any period of time. But it’s much more frustrating not to know how long that period of time will actually be. That’s where Massachusetts businesses deemed non-essential during the COVID-19 pandemic stand right now — in a limbo of treading water and being as flexible, creative, and patient as they can while they await word on when the state will reopen its economy, and what form that re-emergence will take.

At some point in early March, Ashley Batlle knew what was coming. And she knew what it meant for her health and wellness spa, Beauty Batlles Lounge, that she opened in Chicopee about a year ago.

“This is a personal, physical-contact business. You’re definitely in close proximity with the client, giving them a service that everyone looks forward to — something they’re accustomed to making part of their schedule,” Batlle said. Yet, the rumblings were that, at some point, the rising threat of COVID-19 was going to force businesses to shut their doors. “So we tried to get as many clients in as we could.”

And then, suddenly, those appointments that clients look forward to were cancelled, postponed until — well, nobody knows yet. And that’s the problem for businesses the state deemed non-essential: the unknown.

Toward the end of April, the Baker-Polito administration extended the statewide essential-services emergency order by two weeks, from May 4 to May 18. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services can only continue operations through remote means — if at all possible.

For Batlle, well … she can’t offer facials, waxing, microblading, and other treatments remotely. And she was unable to access benefits through the CARES Act and other government relief measures.

“My anxiety level has been very, very high. It hasn’t been fun, not knowing when we’ll begin to open and what kind of measures will be asked of us by the state and city to be able to reopen,” she said, noting that, as a one-woman operation, it will be easy to comply with social-distancing regulations sure to accompany any sort of reopening.

What’s less certain is how customers will respond — to all types of interactions, not just her services.

“I’m going to be able to open up my doors and get everyone in as quick as possible — that’s what I would love to do, but I think it’s going to be a soft situation, where, little by little, we’re getting back to business,” she explained, noting that some people will be leery of close contact at first, especially since the virus doesn’t tend to show symptoms for a while.

Still, most business owners shuttered by the pandemic would love an opportunity to at least try to get back to normal, even if they understand why the governor put the stay-at-home mandate in place.

Rick Sullivan

Rick Sullivan

“We may be seeing the number of cases plateauing, but [development of] a vaccine, or treatment medication, is still in its infancy, so the data still says go slow. I do think some businesses previously deemed non-essential could have protocols put in place to allow partial reopening. However, nobody wants to reopen prematurely and see worse spikes later in the year.”

“While we expected and understand Governor Baker’s decision to extend the stay-at-home advisory, that tough decision underscores the challenging circumstances we find ourselves in as a business community,” said Nancy Creed, president of the Springfield Regional Chamber. “We’re doing a balancing act between wanting to get back to work and getting back to work in a safe manner.”

Many of her members supported the two-week extension; a late-April chamber poll, right before the non-essential closures were extended by two weeks, asked what worried them more: the spread of the virus if restrictions were loosened too soon, or the negative economic impact of not reopening quickly enough. It also asked if Massachusetts was ready for a May 4 reopening.

“Seventy-seven percent responded that the spread of the virus was more worrisome, and an overwhelming number — 91% — responded that Massachusetts was not ready for a May 4 reopening,” Creed said, “clearly revealing that much of the business community is concerned about protecting those most vulnerable and stopping the spread of the disease, and demonstrating the commitment our business community has to the community as a whole.”

Rick Sullivan, president of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, took a similar outlook.

“I do not think that anyone is surprised that the shutdown has been extended, as the governor has been clear he will follow the data as to when to begin reopening the economy,” Sullivan said. “We may be seeing the number of cases plateauing, but [development of] a vaccine, or treatment medication, is still in its infancy, so the data still says go slow. I do think some businesses previously deemed non-essential could have protocols put in place to allow partial reopening. However, nobody wants to reopen prematurely and see worse spikes later in the year.”

All that may be true, but it’s still difficult — and, for many businesses, exceptionally concerning — to stay closed this long, and possibly longer. Businesses are doing what they can to be creative, in many cases opening doors of commerce they will continue to pursue after the COVID-19 threat passes, or even using the time to support other community members in need (more on that later).

But no one likes the uncertainty of not knowing whether May 18 is the real target for reopening, or just another can to be kicked down the road.

Waiting Game

Paul DiGrigoli would like to reopen, too.

“This has impacted us tremendously,” said the owner of DiGrigoli Salon and DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology in West Springfield. “We haven’t had a chance to reach out to all our clients; some we have. But we just have to wait until Charlie Baker gives us the green light, which hopefully will be May 18.”

He was able to secure a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, succeeding in the second round of that program’s disbursements after missing on the first round. That will help cover costs like utilities and mortgage interest while keeping his employees paid for eight weeks as well. “We went through Community Bank, and they were phenomenal,” he said.

And he’s getting ready for some anticipated changes when the salon does reopen.

“We bought a lot of hand sanitizer to put at the front desk in the school and the salon, we’ve gotten gloves and masks, and what we’re going to do initially is get the clients’ cell phone numbers and call them from the reception desk to let them know when their appointment is available. And we’ll stick with staying six feet apart, spreading out the stations. Both the stylist and the client will have to wear a mask until further notice. It’s going to be uncomfortable at first.”

As for the school, online training has been effective for theory, but students haven’t been able to practice what they learn.

In general, he told BusinessWest, “we’re really trying our hardest to get back to normal, but we’ve really been handcuffed. There has been frustration and anxiety because we don’t know what to expect.”

Or when to expect it, he added. “We don’t know when it will happen. They’re saying May 18, but who the heck knows? We’re hoping it doesn’t go beyond that, but thank God for the relief funds — that really saved us.”

Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, polled her members at the end of April and put some of that anxiety into raw numbers. For example, responding businesses are losing an average of $55,837 per month in revenue during the shutdown, and 61% have had to lay off or furlough employees. More than 20% have serious concerns about being able to reopen if the state of emergency extends beyond June 1.

“They’re worried,” she said. “Rent, utilities, and payroll are three areas that continue to be a struggle.”

Amherst is also in an unusual situation, as it’s a small town that loses more than half its population when UMass Amherst and Amherst College aren’t in session. The downtown businesses in particular rely heavily on students — and now there’s talk across the region that colleges might start the fall with distance learning only.

Claudia Pazmany

Claudia Pazmany

“On the flip side, this has stirred a lot of innovation from businesses who have been deemed non-essential or limited; they’ve pivoted or gone online. The creativity and innovation we’ve seen have been really exciting.”

“Initially, there hasn’t been a lot of grumbling, but they’re generally frustrated and just sad. Everything is unknown,” Pazmany told BusinessWest. “They’re fearful — so much is unknown, and delays keep coming. We don’t have a deadline or guidelines; they just keep pushing back the date, and that causes more fear and anxiety.”

Driving Innovation

And also a good deal of invention, driven by necessity.

“On the flip side, this has stirred a lot of innovation from businesses who have been deemed non-essential or limited; they’ve pivoted or gone online,” Pazmany said. “The creativity and innovation we’ve seen have been really exciting.”

Take Zanna, a clothing shop that has been a staple of Amherst’s downtown for decades, but has never had an online store. Until now.

“You have to look at the good in this crisis,” owner Amy Benson said. “In my case, it moved me — encouraged me — to get an online store open. I’ve only owned the store a year, so I didn’t have time to even think about an online store before. Now I did, so I took the time to get it up and going.

“Do I think it’s the wave of Zanna’s future? No, but I think it’s an extension. We’ll probably keep it going once we’re open,” she added, noting that it opens more opportunities. “We’re in a transient community. We see people from all over the country, between the university and Amherst College. We all want things to be the way they were, but we know we’ll have to adapt. Some of these new trends, like my online store, I’m not going to shut that off.”

Benson has been creative in other ways as well, from curbside pickup — with everyone wearing masks — to ‘virtual shopping,’ where she walks a customer around the store using an iPad and FaceTime, showing them tops and bottoms and coordinating outfits.

“We want customers to be engaged, and they want to hear from us because we form those kinds of relationships,” she said. “When we’re FaceTiming, we’re FaceTiming with a friend and shopping with a friend. It’s a really important way to stay connected.

“You have to do something,” she went on. “You can’t just close your doors and do nothing. Our customers are women who have supported us for over 40 years; we’re not going to just shut our doors and not communicate. I do whatever I can to stay engaged with our customers, they’re the lifeline of our business.”

In other words, Zanna has come a long way since last month, when Benson was in “full panic mode” and offering nothing but a gift-certificate promotion. “We’re not bringing in nearly the revenue we would normally, but we’re supporting what we’re able to do right now.”

She’s not alone, Pazmany noted, citing examples like restaurants revamping their online presence with expanded takeout menus to Amherst Books shipping and delivering items to customers, to the Amherst Area Chamber itself, which has been connecting with the business community through marketing seminars.

Doing Some Good

Or taking advantage of an unusual time to do some good in the community.

Dean’s Beans, based in Orange, has seen a surge in web sales as coffee drinkers are brewing more at home due to social distancing and telecommuting. With COVID-19 causing great economic hardship, the company has chosen to share the money from these web sales with the community by helping to fund school food programs — a total of $26,000, in fact, divided among seven Western Mass. school districts.

“Making sure children have access to food throughout this pandemic is crucial, and we are proud to support these essential programs in Springfield, Amherst, and Orange,” said Dean Cycon, founder and CEO of Dean’s Beans. “Part of a company’s profitability is the positivity it generates for others, and we are committed to helping our communities ease the pain of this crisis.”

Amy Benson

Amy Benson

“You have to look at the good in this crisis. In my case, it moved me — encouraged me — to get an online store open. I’ve only owned the store a year, so I didn’t have time to even think about an online store before. Now I did, so I took the time to get it up and going.”

Meanwhile, Batlle has launched the Hero Project, a virtual fundraiser designed to give back to those on the front lines fighting the pandemic. Funds raised will be set aside to provide complimentary self-care services at Beauty Batlles Lounge for healthcare professionals, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and employees of sheriffs’ departments, once she can open her doors again. Visit beautybatlles.com to donate.

Considering the masks they’re wearing all day long, “they’re going to need facials when this is done,” Batlle joked, before getting serious.

“I reached out to my nurse friends and heard their stories, about the trauma they’re going through. One friend works in the ICU at a COVID unit — she goes into work one day and has four patients, and when it’s time to leave, she only has one. That has to do something to you. How can I give back to them? That’s where the idea for the Hero Project came in.”

It’s a way to pay it forward while anticipating the light at the end of the tunnel, she told BusinessWest. “This isn’t easy on anybody.”

It would be easier with some clarity from Beacon Hill, but that’s not coming right now. Instead, Baker convened a Reopening Advisory Board of public-health officials, representatives from the business community, and municipal leaders from across the Commonwealth. They are charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics, and are expected to develop a report by May 18.

That’s just the report date. So it’s easy to see why businesses might not suddenly be reopening on that date.

“Personally, every time Governor Baker gives us a date when we’re going to open, I think, ‘hmm, I don’t know if that’s going to happen,’” Benson said. “I’m always thinking, ‘what’s the worst-case scenario? June 1? They keep pushing it back.”

That’s why it bothers Batlle that some proprietors of businesses like hers continue to offer services from their home.

“We should all just be staying stationary; we’re all in the same boat,” she said. “That just puts more stress on business owners who are actually following the rules, and it’s could extend the time we’re going to be out of work.”

Which, for too many business owners and employees across Western Mass., already feels like too long.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Is Bankruptcy the Answer?

By Contributor
Coronavirus Special Coverage

For Many Impacted by the Pandemic, It Might Be a Viable Option

By Michael B. Katz, Esq.

One thing I’ve learned in my 45 years practicing bankruptcy law is that most individuals who wind up taking this course of action are good people who have found themselves in bad and unexpected circumstances, most often caused by things that were beyond their control.

People get sick, get divorced, lose employment, and have accidents. Likewise, businesses can be adversely affected by events over which they have no meaningful control. Outbreaks of disease, oil shortages, breaks in the supply chain, changing technology, interruption of their workforce, and many other factors can all cause a business or individual to be unable to stay financially afloat.

Which brings us the COVID-19 pandemic. It represents the epitome of unexpected circumstances and matters beyond our control. Indeed, in an effort to slow the spread the spread of the virus, the state has shuttered all non-essential businesses, leading to unemployment levels not seen since the Great Depression.

In these precarious times, individuals and businesses are finding themselves in dire financial circumstances they could not have foreseen, nor done anything to prevent. Given their predicament, some might be looking at bankruptcy as a possible recourse.

In order to help honest but financially burdened individuals make a fresh financial start, Congress has passed a number of bankruptcy laws. Here are the key types:

 

Chapter 7

This is the type of bankruptcy proceeding that allows certain qualifying individuals to eliminate most of their unsecured debts (those without mortgages) and to make a fresh financial start.

In order to qualify for Chapter 7, a person cannot have filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy within the prior eight years. The person filing, known as a debtor, must also pass a test which limits how much earned income the debtor had earned in the prior year. This is called the means test, and it varies based on the state in which the debtor resides, the number of dependents in the family, and whether there is any earned income generated by the debtor’s spouse.

For example, for a Massachusetts resident, the limitation is $67,119 for a single person, $84,125 for a couple (combined gross income), and then increases in different amounts for additional dependents. These limitations became effective as of April 1, 2020 and are subject to periodic adjustment. Similarly, in Connecticut, the individual cutoff is $66,689, and $88,594 for a couple.

Michael B. Katz

Michael B. Katz

In these precarious times, individuals and businesses are finding themselves in dire financial circumstances they could not have foreseen, nor done anything to prevent. Given their predicament, some might be looking at bankruptcy as a possible recourse.

While most unsecured debts can be eliminated in Chapter 7, there are some types of debts that cannot, including income taxes owed from the past three years, alimony and child support, student loans, and debts incurred due to an accident while driving under the influence. 

One of the major benefits of Chapter 7 for an individual obtaining a discharge is that not only are the debts — such as most credit cards, personal loans, foreclosure and repossession deficiency balances, and medical bills — totally wiped out, they are eliminated without incurring any phantom income, on which both federal and state income taxes would be owed.

Compare this to either making a direct settlement with a lender or credit-card company, or going through a non-judicial, multi-year debt-settlement plan, where anything that is settled with the creditors results in the person receiving a 1099 from the creditor and having to pay taxes on the forgiven portion of the debts. In Chapter 7, Congress has decreed that all discharged debts are tax-free, and therefore no hidden taxes are incurred.

The key aspect of Chapter 7 is that the Bankruptcy Court is trying to help an honest debtor make a fresh financial start. In regard to secured debts — for example, those debts that are secured by a lien or mortgage, most often vehicle loans or a home mortgage — in Chapter 7, the debtor gets to select whether they wish to keep the item and continue making the payments, or to surrender the item and wipe out any shortfall amount that might exist after the secured party sells the item after repossession or foreclosure sale.

While a corporate entity can also elect to file Chapter 7 and have the Bankruptcy Court liquidate its assets and distribute the proceeds to its creditors, it does not get to carry on its business affairs after filing. Only an individual qualifies for a discharge, so a corporate entity must cease all business after it files Chapter 7.

 

Chapter 13

In this type of proceeding, an individual is given an option to repay all or a portion of the debt, if approved by the Bankruptcy Court and Chapter 13 trustee, through a plan of reorganization that generally lasts for a period of three to no more than five years. There is no need to pass the means test to qualify for Chapter 13, and, unlike the restrictions in Chapter 7 that allow it to include only unsecured debts, Chapter 13 can also affect secured debts.

The most common application in Chapter 13 is to use it to stop a foreclosure sale of a debtor’s home or automobile, and it allows the debtor to pay the outstanding past-due amounts over the life of the plan, in addition to requiring the debtor to make the full current payment each month. 

For example, if a lender is owed $60,000 in back mortgage payments, requiring the borrower to pay it in full in order to prevent a foreclosure sale, in a Chapter 13, the debtor could propose to pay $1,000 per month for the 60 months of its Chapter 13 plan, plus pay the current mortgage amount each month so that debtor does not fall further behind. 

These are simplified examples, and the details of a Chapter 13 plan are more complex and would require you to consult with a qualified attorney for more specific advice.

 

Chapter 11

A Chapter 11 reorganization can be filed by an individual who owns a business and operates as a ‘DBA,’ but due to its complexity and expense, it is most often filed by a corporate entity.

The idea of a Chapter 11 is to grant the business a ‘time out’ and give it some element of time to figure out a plan of reorganization to allow it to continue in business. Under 11 USC 362(d), all lawsuits and claims against the debtor’s business are enjoined from proceeding, and the debtor gets time to meet with its creditors and to seek to formulate a formal plan of reorganization.

That plan may propose to pay unsecured creditors a percentage on the dollar, which must be found to be a greater percentage than the creditors would receive in an immediate liquidation of the business and its assets. In some cases, mortgage debts can be reduced to the actual value of the assets that secure the mortgage, so that if the debtor owes a lender $750,000 on a building that can be proven to be worth only $500,000, the debtor can seek to ‘cram down’ the mortgage to a reduced amount of $500,000, and the additional $250,000 gets treated as an unsecured debt, and paid at the same percentage on the dollar as the other unsecured debts.

This is a very simplified version of a Chapter 11, as there are many other requirements that must be fulfilled by a Chapter 11 debtor, and the cases are necessarily complex and sometimes expensive. However, the overall savings to the debtor can be substantial, and they are often the key to a business’ survival.

The court in a Chapter 11 is seeking to be fair to both the debtor and its creditors, as well as preserving the jobs of the employees of a business.

 

Non-bankruptcy Alternatives

There are sometimes options for a business to consider without the need to file a formal insolvency proceeding. They require a skilled and knowledgeable attorney to know how to handle these matters, and they include utilization under Massachusetts state law of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, trust mortgage, or sometimes just using a skilled negotiator to try to convince creditors to accept an informal settlement of their debt, rather than forcing the debtor to use funds to pay for a formal bankruptcy proceeding, when those same funds could be paid toward a voluntary settlement with the creditors. 

In reality, these voluntary settlements are often difficult to finalize because you need to negotiate with multiple parties, who sometimes will not agree to the same terms. In a Chapter 11, the creditors are legally required to accept whatever settlement is approved by the bankruptcy judge, after a plan is voted on and approved by the Bankruptcy Court.

It is important that you not let your pride prevent you from finding the best and most effective solution for your personal or business cash-flow problems. You cannot make an informed decision until you know and understand all of your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each option.

During this pandemic, many fraudulent parties are preying on people, so make sure to do your homework to get the name of a qualified person to advise you or your business. Contact the Hampden County Bar Assoc. Lawyer Referral Service, call your accountant, or do a Google search to find an experienced person to help you or your business. 

Working together, we can all find ways get through these uncharted waters.

 

Michael Katz is the chairperson of the Bankruptcy & Creditors Rights department of the law firm Bacon Wilson, P.C., with offices in Springfield, Northampton, Amherst, Hadley, and Westfield; (413) 781-0560.

Getting Back Home Is No Easy Task

By
Coronavirus

Analysis

By George O’Brien

As the Commonwealth begins the arduous task of turning its economy back on, the complicated situation conjures images from a scene in the movie Apollo 13.

That movie chronicled what became known as the ‘successful failure’ of that ill-fated flight to the moon almost exactly 50 years ago. Those familiar with the story know that, just over halfway to the moon, an explosion damaged the Odyssey spacecraft’s service module. Long story short, the crew had to abandon the Odyssey for the lunar landing vehicle Aquarius, and subsisted there while those at NASA figured out a way to get the crew home.

To get back to Earth safely, those at NASA had to eventually figure out a way to somehow start up the command module, which had been sitting idle for days, without power, in temperatures far below zero. If you’ve seen the movie, you remember a scene where one of the crew members, frustrated by the slow movement on a firm plan to restart the spacecraft, muttered ‘they don’t know how to do it’ to his colleagues.

At this precarious moment in history, many in the Commonwealth are tempted to say the same thing. Like the Odyssey, the state’s economy has been essentially frozen for several weeks now. Unthawing and restarting it will be a complicated process, and, just as with Apollo 13, there is no shortage of Ph.D.s working on the problem and trying to find a solution.

And, just as with that flight, there is obviously a lot at stake. With Apollo 13, it was three lives. With this pandemic … well, according to a report from the Massachusetts High Technology Council, the jobs of at least 40% of workers making less than $40,000 a year are at risk. Already, nearly 25% of the state’s workers have filed for unemployment benefits over the past six weeks. That’s right — close to one worker in four has sought relief. And the numbers could go higher still.

“It will be different, and it will be different for quite some time. Anyone who still believes a switch can be flipped and we can go back to where we were is sadly mistaken.”

Suffice it to say this will be an extremely complicated process, and those undertaking it have to get it right. If they go too fast or move improperly, a setback will likely prove even more devastating for the state’s economy — an economy that was, as we all know, humming right along.

Indeed, just a few short months ago, the Boston-area economy was absolutely bursting at the seams. Cranes were everywhere, major corporations were moving to the city, and people were looking to high-speed rail as a way to somehow possibly relieve the congestion, sky-high prices, and intolerable commutes that were defining life inside Route 128.

It seems like those public hearings in downtown Springfield on high-speed rail options were years ago, not several weeks ago.

And the same can be said of the employment picture across the state and even here in Western Mass. It was only a few months ago that we were all talking about the skills gap and how companies with vacancies couldn’t fill them. The word ‘ghosting’ became part of the vocabulary, a term used, in some instances, to describe someone who, between the time they were offered a job and was scheduled to start, found something better. Every employer had a ghosting story — or several of them.

Not to carry the Apollo 13 analogy too far (too late), but the state’s economy was absolutely soaring, a rocket ship bound for new heights. And then … the explosion.

Now, the task at hand is to restart the economy and get people back home, to where they were. But that’s where the analogy ends. Home is much different than it was when we left, and there’s no just going back to it.

The return to something approaching normal, or a new normal, will be slow, as in painfully slow, and gradual. It will be to workplaces where people wear masks, work at least six feet apart, and get tested for the virus regularly. It will be to a casino where the slot machines are spaced widely, one might use a long, plastic stick to press buttons on those slots, and where thermal cameras monitor the temperature of patrons. It might well be a phased-in return where those who are older and most vulnerable, as well as those most able to work remotely, return last. It will be to a business community where the vast majority of ventures are simply fighting for their lives.

It will be different, and it will be different for quite some time. Anyone who still believes a switch can be flipped and we can go back to where we were is sadly mistaken. This is made clear by the stubbornly high numbers concerning cases and deaths in Massachusetts, and the fact that, just a few days ago, the governor ordered people to wear masks in public.

The state has to find a way to reopen the economy — it can’t stay closed much longer — and also keep people safe, not overwhelm the healthcare system, and not present a scenario where we take one step forward and two or three back.

Apollo 13 had a happy ending — even if the crew didn’t get to moon. But this isn’t a movie, and we don’t know how it’s going to end.

George O’Brien is the editor of BusinessWest

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

770 Watson Spruce Corner Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Carter J. Carter
Seller: Ronald Gorevic
Date: 04/10/20

BERNARDSTON

425 Fox Hill Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Matthew E. Eaton-Earl
Seller: Kevin J. Rowell
Date: 04/17/20

24 Harwood Dr.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Karen A. Kelly
Seller: Christal L. Cutler
Date: 04/10/20

COLRAIN

499 Jacksonville Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Lukas Anderson-Booker
Seller: Scott A. Anderson
Date: 04/21/20

DEERFIELD

15 Beaver Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $233,140
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Hope F. Jones
Date: 04/21/20

84 S. Mill River Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Stephen Debruyn-Kops
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 04/16/20

GREENFIELD

37-39 Abbott St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Dana E. Duval
Seller: Jeremy Ober
Date: 04/16/20

743 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Greenfield Center School
Seller: Susan E. Peck
Date: 04/15/20

28-32 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Ovidiu Nikita
Seller: Petru Balan
Date: 04/15/20

296 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Christina Clark
Seller: Daniel D. Garant
Date: 04/08/20

106 Meridian St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Samuel L. Engleman
Seller: Lea D. Appel
Date: 04/17/20

109 Oakland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $203,500
Buyer: Thomas Hoad
Seller: Matthew E. Earl
Date: 04/17/20

29 Woodleigh Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Emily Hildebrand
Seller: Luna L. Greenwood
Date: 04/10/20

HAWLEY

26 Dodge Corner Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ronald Gorevic
Seller: William R. Harris
Date: 04/10/20

MONTAGUE

Meadow Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Falls Farm LLC
Seller: Whitmore, William R., (Estate)
Date: 04/21/20

7 Ripley Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $344,900
Buyer: Francoise D. Ellis
Seller: Katherine E. Smith
Date: 04/17/20

NORTHFIELD

60 Ashuelot Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Steven C. Wiggin
Seller: Peter M. Holloway
Date: 04/17/20

ORANGE

112 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Kelly M. Melanson
Seller: Scott Savoy
Date: 04/10/20

252-258 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Chandler
Seller: Roy P. Piragis
Date: 04/15/20

SHELBURNE

121 Bridge St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Andrew Quient
Seller: Timothy J. Richardson
Date: 04/17/20

105 Main St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $362,500
Buyer: Martin N. Espada
Seller: Christopher J. Macek
Date: 04/21/20

SUNDERLAND

336 Falls Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Falls Farm LLC
Seller: Whitmore, William R., (Estate)
Date: 04/21/20

WHATELY

41 Egypt Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $396,000
Buyer: Jason C. Dizek
Seller: Jeffrey M. Griswold
Date: 04/21/20

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

48 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $347,000
Buyer: Jessica Calabrese
Seller: Scott E. Skolnick
Date: 04/17/20

57 Bessbrook St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Edward E. Rodriguez
Seller: Thelma A. Gardner
Date: 04/10/20

14 Briarcliff Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Jie Chen
Seller: Daniel Hickok
Date: 04/10/20

32 Columbia Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Lloyd C. Sutton
Seller: Nicole A. Ward
Date: 04/10/20

16 Cosgrove Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $218,400
Buyer: Jessica P. Vinci
Seller: Katherine R. Whitehead
Date: 04/21/20

70 Elmar Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Adrienn Sibrizzi-O’Connor
Seller: J. Craig White
Date: 04/14/20

33 Forest Ridge Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $368,000
Buyer: Brian P. McCabe
Seller: Scott E. Stuckenbruck
Date: 04/16/20

82 Kensington St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Joseph Bouila
Seller: Labun, Mary K., (Estate)
Date: 04/17/20

89 Kensington St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: James D. Newsome
Seller: Eric Stevens
Date: 04/10/20

126 Lancaster Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Jason R. Fiore
Seller: Ronald E. Benoit
Date: 04/10/20

25 Kosciusko Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Mark A. Berman
Seller: John W. Schnepp
Date: 04/17/20

21 Lincoln St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $180,100
Buyer: Aleksandr Kiforishin
Seller: FNMA
Date: 04/17/20

87 Meadowbrook Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Abdelaziz Ngadi
Seller: Muriel C. Adelman
Date: 04/21/20

37 Nile Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Lindsay E. Strole
Seller: Peter J. Tilden
Date: 04/10/20

51 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Shane Dearborn
Seller: Dacey, Thomas F., (Estate)
Date: 04/17/20

57 Windermere Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $612,500
Buyer: Thomas J. Jendrysik
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 04/10/20

BLANDFORD

1 Nye Brook Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Melanie Bilodeau
Seller: Patricia M. Hebert
Date: 04/17/20

CHICOPEE

79 Acrebrook Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,150
Buyer: Jerod J. Howell
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 04/17/20

51 Bay State Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $144,900
Buyer: Glen Gladstone-White
Seller: Mathew Bean
Date: 04/14/20

87 Beaudry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Amani A. Alhajjo
Seller: Scott Ewing
Date: 04/21/20

126 Blanchwood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Orlando E. Morales
Seller: Allen G. Croteau
Date: 04/16/20

88 Cora Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $127,200
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Steven J. Morin
Date: 04/09/20

106 Crestwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Husam Jaber
Seller: Ann J. Mierzwa
Date: 04/10/20

53 Davenport St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Samantha Gingras
Seller: Kiersten N. Korona-Moreau
Date: 04/09/20

1246 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $2,125,000
Buyer: Westover MHP LLC
Seller: Whaling Properties LLC
Date: 04/16/20

386 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Frank N. Laflamme
Seller: Amand, Donald W. S., (Estate)
Date: 04/16/20

525 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: 525 Grattan Street LLC
Seller: Roger E. Fournier
Date: 04/14/20

853 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Barry W. Humphrey
Seller: Huguette A. Fecteau
Date: 04/17/20

101 Huntington Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Shane D. Beswick
Seller: Steven Weiss
Date: 04/16/20

18 Laurel St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Luissonel Velez
Seller: Shirley Alvira
Date: 04/09/20

Riveredge Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $254,900
Buyer: Narong Sieng
Seller: Aileen Sullivan-Pacella
Date: 04/17/20

37 Spring St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Lianetzy Diaz
Seller: Orange Park Management
Date: 04/10/20

33 Stockbridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01103
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Ronald H. Boulanger
Seller: Waycon Inc.
Date: 04/17/20

43 Stockbridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01103
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Scott A. Ewing
Seller: Waycon Inc.
Date: 04/21/20

95 Ward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Michael J. Gibson
Date: 04/09/20

EAST LONGMEADOW

32 Baymor Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: John W. Nolen
Seller: Kevin Sullivan
Date: 04/15/20

37 Frankwyn St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Dansereau
Seller: Emily Link
Date: 04/15/20

38 Garland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Terry Peckham
Seller: Anthony M. Ferrero
Date: 04/13/20

156 Hampden Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $347,000
Buyer: Cody A. Titus
Seller: Christian I. Perez
Date: 04/17/20

340 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $142,500
Buyer: Quercus Properties LLC
Seller: White, Lorraine M., (Estate)
Date: 04/09/20

7 Melody Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $155,511
Buyer: Emtay Inc.
Seller: DLJ Mortgage Capital Inc.
Date: 04/10/20

139 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Justin P. Wilson-Gabor
Seller: Everly L. Trabucco
Date: 04/17/20

GRANVILLE

564 South Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Damato
Seller: Donald E. Demarais
Date: 04/17/20

HAMPDEN

45 Circleview Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Adger L. Smith
Seller: AEM Property Investments
Date: 04/21/20

105 Woodland Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $255,500
Buyer: Leigh Myers
Seller: David W. Ashe
Date: 04/15/20

HOLLAND

5 Collette Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Claire May
Seller: David D. Charbonneau
Date: 04/16/20

1 Leisure Court
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Timothy M. Gerry
Seller: John L. Bosacker
Date: 04/17/20

64 Leno Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Michael C. Lifson
Seller: Paul Newsham
Date: 04/17/20

HOLYOKE

5 Acorn Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Elizabeth E. Lempke
Seller: Ann T. Warwick
Date: 04/09/20

10 Clinton Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Dennis M. Benoit
Seller: Marisol Cartagena
Date: 04/21/20

29 Mayer Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: David Lucey
Seller: Maureen Lucey
Date: 04/15/20

5 Merkel Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $194,500
Buyer: James B. Farrell
Seller: Mark Lauer
Date: 04/10/20

12 Roosevelt Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $139,400
Buyer: Bank Of America
Seller: Jovanny Feliciano
Date: 04/08/20

51-53 Samosett St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Perez
Seller: Kdomain LLC
Date: 04/08/20

5 Shawmut Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $144,127
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Joan M. Koszela
Date: 04/13/20

LONGMEADOW

90 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $285,500
Buyer: Christina L. Parziale
Seller: Beth E. Palmer
Date: 04/09/20

7 Briarcliff Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $449,000
Buyer: Marissa Cuff
Seller: Maria Ingani
Date: 04/14/20

130 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Brendan Bailey
Seller: Justin G. Savage
Date: 04/21/20

137 Greenacre Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Nicole L. Dalto
Seller: Gary R. Hall
Date: 04/21/20

45 Kenmore Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $331,500
Buyer: Michael Robare
Seller: Amy L. Cairy
Date: 04/14/20

32 Morningside Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Ryan R. Whitney
Seller: Eric P. Rubenstein
Date: 04/16/20

251 Park Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $875,000
Buyer: Vanessa A. Fish
Seller: Randolph P. Davis
Date: 04/17/20

7 Quinnehtuk Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $542,000
Buyer: Justin G. Savage
Seller: Meadows RE LLC
Date: 04/17/20

LUDLOW

57 Emma Way
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Kiersten Korona-Moreau
Seller: K. Bonanno-Sotiropoulos
Date: 04/09/20

252 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Martinez
Seller: Lila Pardo
Date: 04/09/20

62 Pond St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $168,500
Buyer: Ariana E. Quesnel
Seller: Smokowicz, Donald S., (Estate)
Date: 04/16/20

32 Wilno Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Haley A. McGinnis
Seller: Tammie A. Black
Date: 04/08/20

MONSON

58 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kristina M. Hawley
Seller: Theresa S. Martin
Date: 04/14/20

13 Green St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $127,603
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Edward A. Maia
Date: 04/15/20

114 Maxwell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Ibrahim Knidel
Seller: Richard H. Degnan
Date: 04/09/20

163 Town Farm Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $426,164
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Cairy
Seller: Theresa Thompson
Date: 04/08/20

PALMER

226 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Ronald J. Allain
Seller: Kristi K. Atkinson-Haley
Date: 04/17/20

1 Pioneer Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: B. A. Bassilakis-Wegrzynek
Seller: Laurence Vincent
Date: 04/09/20

SPRINGFIELD

53 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $142,456
Buyer: Golden Gates Realty
Seller: Wells Fargo Bank
Date: 04/09/20

38-40 Ainsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Pedro Villafana
Seller: Jeanne M. Des-Rosiers
Date: 04/08/20

24 Ansara St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Esequiel Gerena-Lopez
Seller: Victor M. Coronado
Date: 04/10/20

616 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Hanati Lubega
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 04/16/20

297 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $308,625
Buyer: Ricardo Santiago
Seller: Veronica L. Zaler
Date: 04/13/20

31 Arthur St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $122,690
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Kim M. Kilmer
Date: 04/09/20

138 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Luis Rodriguez
Seller: New Vision Realty LLC
Date: 04/14/20

11 Biltmore St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Sabrina Watson
Seller: Jose E. Martinez
Date: 04/17/20

73-75 Blanding St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Maria D. Rivera
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 04/14/20

11-15 Braddock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $195,413
Buyer: Brendaliz Hernandez
Seller: BP LLC
Date: 04/16/20

145 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jaydee Mercado
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 04/08/20

15 Brown St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Taniesha C. Serrano
Seller: Real Estate Investments NE
Date: 04/08/20

199 Cambria St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Beth E. Palmer
Seller: Angelo Deguglielmo
Date: 04/09/20

34 Carew Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Adelzo Lantigua
Seller: Juan Santana
Date: 04/17/20

37 Chase Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Adolfo Serrano-Torres
Seller: London Realty LLC
Date: 04/21/20

14 Chesterfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Devon E. Shaw
Seller: Patrick J. Denault
Date: 04/10/20

850-852 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Adam J. Bourque
Seller: Carlos Aguasvivas
Date: 04/08/20

281 Cottage St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: 1626 Bay Street LLC
Seller: Local Union 2324
Date: 04/17/20

134-136 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Carlos M. Ortiz
Seller: Thomas K. Reen
Date: 04/10/20

90 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Patricia Bothwell
Seller: Abraxas RT
Date: 04/08/20

9 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $159,285
Buyer: Santander Bank
Seller: Gai T. Vo
Date: 04/10/20

272 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $142,700
Buyer: Brandon Blaine
Seller: Rolando Torres
Date: 04/16/20

318 Dwight Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Tiffany L. O’Donnell
Seller: Ricardo Santiago
Date: 04/13/20

20 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Miguel Roldan
Seller: Brital 1987 LLC
Date: 04/14/20

36 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $129,250
Buyer: Benjamin Heacock
Seller: Nancy Ramos
Date: 04/16/20

80 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Meredith E. Ballista
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 04/21/20

61-63 Eloise St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Samuel Diaz
Seller: Jad Mourad
Date: 04/10/20

53-55 Farnham Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Darian Felix
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 04/15/20

119 Feltham Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Desiree Y. Brown
Seller: Colello, Catherine, (Estate)
Date: 04/21/20

108 Fenway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Eliana M. Pabon
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 04/10/20

176 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Edwin P. Rivera
Seller: Three Palms LLC
Date: 04/13/20

398-400 Franklin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Igor F. Santos
Seller: Meg Realty LLC
Date: 04/17/20

156 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Terry-Lee A. McCarthy
Seller: Alliance Real Estate Investment
Date: 04/08/20

109 Harmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Robert N. Lussier
Seller: Joanne G. Costello
Date: 04/17/20

140 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $278,294
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Preston J. Briggs
Date: 04/09/20

57 Hollywood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Joel Rojas
Seller: Milagro Rivera
Date: 04/14/20

47-49 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,500
Buyer: Tionna L. Downie
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 04/09/20

30 Kay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Joansellah K. Maak
Seller: Jane W. Muthua
Date: 04/10/20

46-48 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Edwin Ramos-Perez
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 04/09/20

15 Kingsley St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Juan Santana
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 04/15/20

80-82 Leyfred Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Madison Property Investors
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 04/16/20

146 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $137,280
Buyer: MTGLQ Investors LP
Seller: George W. Cobleigh
Date: 04/08/20

166 Marsden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $195,054
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Jose M. Soto-Garcia
Date: 04/10/20

62 Melba St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $150,500
Buyer: Dawn Waskiewicz
Seller: FNMA
Date: 04/17/20

129-131 Moxon St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Farai Hatidani
Seller: Gyasi Sellers
Date: 04/16/20

60 Nelson Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Magdalena Medina
Seller: Glenn E. Shippy
Date: 04/16/20

79 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Joseph E. Luna-Torres
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 04/10/20

21 Norwood St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Bar South Land Holdings
Seller: Chicoine, Cecile M., (Estate)
Date: 04/08/20

28 Notre Dame St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Debra Babowicz
Seller: Moises Ballista
Date: 04/21/20

202-204 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Stephen L. Saxon
Seller: Rodrigues, Mario D. C., (Estate)
Date: 04/17/20

27-29 Oakwood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Edwin Perez
Seller: Victor M. Lopez-Garcia
Date: 04/17/20

56 Orlando St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $141,400
Buyer: Ikia D. Brown
Seller: Glendon Grant
Date: 04/16/20

86 Pendleton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Ana Zunilda-Jerez
Seller: FNMA
Date: 04/13/20

48 Pine Acre Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $227,400
Buyer: Joseph T. Ruiz
Seller: Miguel A. Martinez
Date: 04/09/20

75 Regal St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $185,500
Buyer: Nicole L. Levine
Seller: Janine M. Prokop
Date: 04/10/20

78 Sonia St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Ron Moore
Seller: William D. Powers
Date: 04/09/20

639 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Joan Prince
Seller: Global Homes Properties
Date: 04/13/20

593 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Antonio Jimenez
Seller: Asia M. Stewart
Date: 04/17/20

658 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Karina Curl
Seller: Chad T. Lynch
Date: 04/08/20

11 Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Douglas A. Desaulnier
Seller: Nicholas F. Fiorentino
Date: 04/10/20

130-132 Washington Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Nhung Nguyen
Seller: US Bank
Date: 04/21/20

870 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Maria F. Alban
Seller: US Bank
Date: 04/17/20

2175 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Caitlin E. Foster
Seller: Lancaster, Elizabeth P., (Estate)
Date: 04/15/20

61 Winterset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: James M. Lagodich
Seller: Frank J. Liberti
Date: 04/17/20

SOUTHWICK

8 Partridge Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $357,900
Buyer: Daniel F. Lucia
Seller: Emily A. Moccio
Date: 04/17/20

56 Sunnyside Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $172,300
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: David W. Mitchell
Date: 04/17/20

TOLLAND

1259 East Otis Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Daniel Getman
Seller: James Deming
Date: 04/15/20

WALES

4 Church St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $133,750
Buyer: Kevin M. Pascale
Seller: Worth, Kaye S., (Estate)
Date: 04/17/20

6 Church St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $133,750
Buyer: Kevin M. Pascale
Seller: Worth, Kaye S., (Estate)
Date: 04/17/20

41 Lake George Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Barbara A. Stearns
Date: 04/08/20

206 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Benjamin D. Bangs
Seller: Patrick D. Soucy
Date: 04/10/20

WESTFIELD

30 Country Club Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Eugenie S. Kang
Seller: William S. Babinski
Date: 04/10/20

110 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Christy T. Kyriacou
Seller: Kenneth Ward
Date: 04/10/20

55 Deborah Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Kyle B. Young
Seller: Laurie B. Kincaid
Date: 04/10/20

68 Hagan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Christopher Paquette
Seller: Dean T. Couture
Date: 04/13/20

55 Jefferson St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Trevor Larson
Seller: William J. Cronin
Date: 04/13/20

59 Lindbergh Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Patrick O’Keeffe
Seller: Daniel F. Lucia
Date: 04/17/20

87 Llewellyn Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: John P. Cadigan
Seller: Paula J. Ceglowski
Date: 04/15/20

18-1/2 Malone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Rodney Rosario
Seller: Joseph F. Beaton
Date: 04/21/20

28 Ponders Hollow Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: DHMD Realty LLC
Seller: Ponders Hollow Properties
Date: 04/13/20

190 Western Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Rebecca L. Granholm
Seller: Hawg Aviation LLC
Date: 04/09/20

29 Whispering Wind Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Sarah L. Bashiruddin
Seller: Christopher M. Sarat
Date: 04/10/20

75 Wilson Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Emily M. Nowell
Seller: Jeffrey K. Fox
Date: 04/17/20

59 Zephyr Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jonathan J. Adams
Seller: Rebecca L. Granholm
Date: 04/09/20

WILBRAHAM

33 Oakland St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $255,900
Buyer: Michelle R. Stallworth
Seller: Charles D. Spurlock
Date: 04/08/20

WEST SPRINGFIELD

6 Arbor Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Frederick Kudla
Seller: Shelia M. Bolduc
Date: 04/17/20

36 Beauregard Ter.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Denise Vasconcellos
Seller: Anthony G. Collins
Date: 04/08/20

2205 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Robert T. Olejarz
Seller: Ambro Development LLC
Date: 04/17/20

36 Braintree Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Susie Sousa-Chapin
Seller: Robert McCaffrey
Date: 04/10/20

101 Heywood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,165,000
Buyer: Palpum Raw LLC
Seller: D&H Property Management
Date: 04/09/20

88 Janet St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Jorge Ramos
Seller: Auri M. Gibbons
Date: 04/10/20

43 Lennys Way
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Catie M. Laraway
Seller: Tandon, Ann, (Estate)
Date: 04/10/20

540 Main St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $442,500
Buyer: Jeffrey K. Fox
Seller: Custom Homes Development Group LLC
Date: 04/17/20

501 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Krishna L. Kharel
Seller: Judith Powers
Date: 04/10/20

165 Nelson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Dean F. Finnie
Seller: Paul F. Finnie
Date: 04/08/20

268 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: ATRH West Springfield LLC
Seller: O’Connell Family Realty
Date: 04/17/20

437 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: 83 Worthen Street Inc.
Seller: Aum Sai Ram LLC
Date: 04/21/20

351 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $378,000
Buyer: Steven G. Otto
Seller: William E. Dyke
Date: 04/15/20

74 Winona Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Ruth Villar
Seller: Michael Werman
Date: 04/09/20

47 Worcester St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Suleiman Iddrisu
Seller: John E. Prenosil
Date: 04/10/20

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

32 Jenks St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Jennifer Goodheart
Seller: Richard Scott
Date: 04/17/20

1522 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $512,000
Buyer: Susan F. Havranek
Seller: Stephen J. Cavanagh
Date: 04/17/20

BELCHERTOWN

671 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Michael J. McMahan
Seller: Erika Jacobovis-Grael
Date: 04/15/20

45 Magnolia Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $434,900
Buyer: Michael Novak
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 04/21/20

419 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $297,550
Buyer: Lawrence L. Pope
Seller: Robert L. Andrews
Date: 04/17/20

25 Mountain View Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Benjamin N. Farrell
Seller: Weifeng Liu
Date: 04/16/20

35 Nathaniel Way
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $377,000
Buyer: Nathan J. Lubas
Seller: David Lucey
Date: 04/15/20

33 Willow Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Erika Grael
Seller: Robert S. Rodrigue
Date: 04/15/20

EASTHAMPTON

39 Clark St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Maura Morin-Stevens
Seller: Mary-Eileen Burgielewicz
Date: 04/16/20

165 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Jessie E. Beland
Seller: Jesse D. Bemben
Date: 04/08/20

401 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Ward
Seller: Laliberte, Paul J., (Estate)
Date: 04/13/20

31 Rabideau Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kyla M. Korytoski
Seller: Norwich Properties LLC
Date: 04/17/20

GOSHEN

59 Main St.
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Lily M. Fariborz
Seller: Frank R. Bertrand
Date: 04/15/20

GRANBY

16 Parish Hill Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $288,405
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Robert Woodson
Date: 04/21/20

35 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Charles E. Moller
Date: 04/08/20

HADLEY

11 Isabel Court
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $229,500
Buyer: David J. Fill
Seller: Robert J. Lafleur
Date: 04/21/20

HUNTINGTON

3 Mill St.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $194,500
Buyer: Brian Lizotte
Seller: Avery, Jennifer E., (Estate)
Date: 04/16/20

NORTHAMPTON

6 Austin Circle
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Christopher R. Blais
Seller: AJ Capital RT
Date: 04/09/20

137 Barrett St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Victoria Elson
Seller: Mark Esposito
Date: 04/09/20

8 Dunphy Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $243,300
Buyer: Rowan Lupton
Seller: Daniel Breen
Date: 04/09/20

104 Dunphy Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Caitlin S. Martin
Seller: Angeline C. Chereski
Date: 04/09/20

167 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Amy Church-McDonough
Seller: Emerson Way LLC
Date: 04/15/20

435 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Jason C. Bolton
Seller: Roland Barbeito
Date: 04/08/20

204 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jason A. Richmond
Seller: Charles E. McCarthy
Date: 04/14/20

68 Ridgewood Ter.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Peter M. Levy
Seller: Stephanie J. Arvai
Date: 04/10/20

203 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Rachel J. Currie-Rubin
Seller: Richard J. Rubin
Date: 04/10/20

SOUTH HADLEY

62 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Megan Burton
Seller: Jamroth LLC
Date: 04/13/20

32 Hillside Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Julio C. Ruiz
Seller: Jane F. Sakiewicz
Date: 04/21/20

62 Old Lyman Road
South Hadley, MA 01020
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Stephen P. Malanaphy
Seller: Premier Home Builders Inc.
Date: 04/10/20

SOUTHAMPTON

1 Birchwood Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Breen
Seller: Elizabeth E. Lempke
Date: 04/09/20

16 Bluemer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Albert E. Paone
Seller: Karen M. Pasquini
Date: 04/21/20

120 Strong Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Reilly S. Forance
Seller: Alex Trombley
Date: 04/15/20

WARE

179 Babcock Tavern Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Sawyer Sullivan
Seller: Trombley, Wilfred A. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 04/21/20

15 Chestnut St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Luke Toussaint
Seller: April A. Camuso
Date: 04/21/20

140 Eagle St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $116,440
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Jason Ellithorpe
Date: 04/09/20

35-37 High St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Lissette Figueroa
Seller: CEP Real Estate LLC
Date: 04/09/20

11 Pine St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Lizbeth DeJesus
Seller: JNB Property Investment
Date: 04/08/20

11 Malboeuf Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Jennifer M. Toelken
Seller: Ciejka, Edmund J., (Estate)
Date: 04/17/20

WILLIAMSBURG

66 Nash Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $438,700
Buyer: Andrew J. Mathers
Seller: Christine Ratzel
Date: 04/17/20

WESTHAMPTON

124 Southampton Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $373,955
Buyer: Rhonda J. Venne
Seller: William Metzger
Date: 04/21/20

WORTHINGTON

248 Patterson Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. TR
Seller: John P. Welch
Date: 04/17/20

Personal Touch Keeps Annual Home Show a Vital Resource

By
Home Improvement Uncategorized

Advice — on the House

Andrew Crane holds up a prototype of one of the reusable bags attendees will receive at the 2020 Home and Garden Show.

By Mark Morris

Sometimes the online approach isn’t the most efficient way to tackle a project.

“If you’re looking to hire a landscaper, for example, you could look all over the internet and be dissatisfied,” said Andrew Crane, executive director of the Home Builders and Remodelers Assoc. of Western Massachusetts (HBRAWM).

Instead, he suggests conducting a search at the Western Mass Home and Garden Show, where consumers can speak directly with local landscapers and myriad other professionals.

Crane’s organization sponsors the annual event, which is now in its 66th year. Held at the beginning of spring, this year’s edition is scheduled for March 26-29 at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield.

Originally, the event served as a venue for tradesmen in the association to familiarize each other with their craft. Over time, the show evolved, putting more emphasis on consumers, and has grown to the point where more than 350 exhibitors reserve space every year.

Exhibitors at the show can help consumers with everything from replacing a faucet to building an entire home — and everything in between. Innovations in building products, as well as home-related services such as Realtors and insurance agents, all have a presence at the home show.

Todd Hickman, Steve Sgroi, and John Collins will use the show to introduce a new segment of their business, Home Service Electrical.

Regarding that landscaper search, at press time, four landscapers had reserved booths at this year’s home show. For landscape projects that involve ‘hardscape’ (incorporating stone work into a landscape design), 14 different vendors of this specialty have signed on.

BusinessWest caught up with several different exhibitors to this year’s show, representing a wide range of industries. Their home-show experience varies from nearly two decades to a couple of first-time exhibitors, but they all share an enthusiasm about the opportunity to connect with people during the event.

Room to Grow

Stuart Fearn, president of Safeco Foam Insulation, marks his 17th home show this year. “Since day one, the home show has proven to be a home run for my business,” he said, adding that he sees his main job at the show as educating people about spray-foam insulation, and it’s a worthwhile effort.

“We get a lot of business and awareness from the home show,” he noted. “It helps people know we exist, and we will often get calls up to six to nine months after the show when they need insulation.”

For nearly two decades now, remodeling has remained a strong trend in home projects. Whether someone is updating their current home or purchasing an older home to modernize, Crane said demand remains strong for windows, siding, and many other products that will fit into existing homes.

Scott Fleury, business development director for Kelly-Fradet Lumber in East Longmeadow, sees the home show as an opportunity to put consumers in touch with the best people for their remodeling projects. The current president of HBRAWM, Fleury has been a part of the home show for 10 years. Kelly-Fradet often displays kitchen, bath, and outdoor deck products it sells primarily through contractors.

Painters Christopher Grenier and Jillian Forcier inspect the results of their recent work in a Northampton home.

“Often a homeowner will come to our booth with a project, and we are able to walk them right to a contractor who is also at the show,” he said. “On the flip side, contractors will bring people to our booth to show them the products we carry that apply to their project.”

Lori Loughlin, showroom manager for Frank Webb Home in Springfield, has taken part in the show for the past five years. Loughlin, vice chair of the organizing committee for the event, said her company sees an almost immediate return on its investment.

“Initially we see a big spike in sales right after the home show,” she said adding that the impact of the event often continues throughout the year. “People will come in as late as Christmas time and tell me they saw us at the home show.”

Christopher Grenier, owner of Grenier Painting and Finishing, reserved a booth at the home show last year for the first time. He enjoyed the experience so much, he is now on the event’s organizing committee.

Grenier noted that customers who need painting services often ask him for referrals about flooring, plumbing, and other services. He gladly recommends other members of the association to help customers find the right person for the job.

“I’ve recommended other painters when a customer needs someone who specializes in painting cabinets, for example,” he said. “We’re not in competition; it’s more of a camaraderie.”

One of the key benefits he sees to having a booth at the show is the ability to give people individual attention for their projects.

“When I’m asked why people should go to the home show, my response is, you’re going to find local people you can trust,” he noted.

Loughlin agreed and said that, because people can touch the products in her company’s booth, it helps them recognize quality kitchen and bath fixtures. When products like these are researched and then bought online, there’s no tactile experience, and service after the purchase is often lacking.

“Our customers know they can call us if there is ever a problem,” she said.
“There’s no sending things in the mail; we’ll just take care of it right here.”

As in past years, most booths will be located in the Better Living Center and the adjacent Young Building. New this year, the space between the two buildings will be used as a “contractor’s village” for products that exhibit better outside.

Scott Fleury helps Kelly-Fradet Lumber get all decked out for the show.

PV Squared Solar, a residential solar-energy installer, will forego the traditional booth setup indoors and will instead set up a solar-powered trailer in the contractor’s village to run electrical devices off the grid.

Anna Mannello, marketing coordinator for PV Squared, said that, as a first-time exhibitor, the home show presents a great way to connect with people in the community.

“PV Squared Solar is based in Greenfield, so we’ve done most of our business in Franklin and Hampshire counties,” she said. “While we’ve done a few installations in Hampden County, this will be an opportunity to increase our exposure to lots of new people.”

Mannello hasn’t yet finalized what appliances they plan to demonstrate, but during the four days of the show, attendees will be able to connect to PV Squared’s trailer to charge their phones using solar power.

It’s one thing to be a first-time exhibitor, and it’s quite something else to launch a new business at the home show. That’s how Todd Hickman, president of Hickman and Sgroi Electric, is approaching his inaugural exhibit.

While his company is an established residential, commercial, and industrial contractor, he and his partner, Steve Sgroi, are introducing Home Service Electrical, a membership-based, comprehensive approach to homeowner electrical needs. Instead of waiting for an emergency, Hickman said the service starts with a full inspection of the home’s electrical system to prevent familiar problems, such as losing power while cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

When a service call is needed, a professional technician in a fully stocked van will be expected to solve most problems in one visit. Each service has a standard price, so the consumer knows upfront what the job will cost. The home show represents an opportunity to introduce this different concept for electrical service.

“We’re creating a brand, so it’s important to educate the public on who we are, the image we present, and to assure people that we plan to be here for generations to come,” Hickman said.

Sgroi, vice president of Hickman and Sgroi, said their goal for the home show is simple, and it’s one shared by many, on one level or another.

“We hope to schedule inspections and grow the business until we are overwhelmed,” he said, while Hickman quickly added, if that happens, the business will gladly expand to meet the demand.

The Finish Line

For many years, HBRAWM provided plastic bags for show attendees to collect information from exhibitors. Crane proudly noted that the plastic bags are gone and have been replaced this year with reusable cloth bags, similar to those found in supermarkets.

“It’s one small way our members can be part of the solution to improving our environment,” he said. The bag will include a map showing all booth locations and a guide with contact information on all the HBRWM members.

“If you have a specific project, the map and guide will help you navigate the show to get the information you need,” Crane said. “If you don’t have any projects and you want a social experience, then you can just walk around, and you’ll have a great time.”

He concluded that other home shows have come and gone in the area, but ‘the original’ home show is here to stay. “After 66 years, it’s now a piece of Western Mass. history.”

The Western Mass Home and Garden show will be open Thursday and Friday, March 26-27, from 1 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 for adults. Children under 12 are admitted free. Veterans and active military with ID are admitted free on Thursday only. Discount coupons for every day of the show are available at www.westernmasshomeshow.com.

Al Herringshaw Leads Pella into a New Era of Ownership

By Kayla Ebner
Construction

Doors to Success

Invigorated.

That’s not the word many people would use to describe themselves after being in the same business, with the same company, for 34 years. But that’s precisely how Al Herringshaw feels about his most recent career move.

Specifically, he purchased Pella Windows & Doors of Western Massachusetts, a window and door sales and installation business headquartered in Greenfield, which he first joined as a teenager in 1985. It’s been a long and challenging road to ownership, one that required decades of experience in the field and lots of “homework,” as Herringshaw called it, to be ready to take that leap.

Despite the challenges, he would be the first to say he’s glad he decided to take the reins. The second would be Gary Sherman, former owner of Pella Windows & Doors, whom Herringshaw credits with not only showing him the ropes, but also providing support throughout the transition process.

“As succession occurred from Gary Sherman to me. I wouldn’t have done it without his support and without the support from all the employees,” said Herringshaw. “It wasn’t a one-man show. Gary wanted it to happen, I wanted it to happen, and it allowed Gary and I to provide a fairly seamless experience for the employees.”

Herringshaw said making this an easy transition for staff members topped his priority list — not only out of respect for them, but because he knows how it feels to be an employee. In fact, he held several positions in the company before ascending to ownership this past July.

“It feels really good that they’re, in my opinion, back to promoting innovation and coming up with unique things within the window and door industry that set us apart. They’ve really come up with some neat products over the last couple years.””

Herringshaw was only 19 when he started at Pella in the summer of 1985 as a sliding-door builder. He worked in the shop for two years before moving to commercial coordinator, as recommended by his shop supervisor. He spent two years there, then moved into an outside sales rep position in West Springfield for 10 years — all positions he says he enjoyed greatly.

“It’s good to spend time in the field,” he said. “You certainly learn a lot about a business in a sales position.”

In 2000, he came back to Greenfield as Sherman’s general manager and spent 20 years in this position before purchasing the business last year. He said the company had a great back end to 2019, and he’s excited to tap into his extensive experience to bring even more success to an already thriving business.

Opportunity Knocks

Herringshaw believes his experience within the company will help him bring many skills to the table in order to take Pella to a new level.

“I think it helps me garner some respect from the employees because I have seen a lot of the business,” he said. “I also think it gives me perspective on how to look at certain things when people come to me with issues, or even when a customer comes to me.”

Herringshaw said minimal changes were made to staff or location of employees during the transition, and he hopes to fill seven to 10 open positions in the near future.

And that’s only the beginning.

He says he has several ideas and goals he would like to implement to take Pella Windows & Doors to the forefront of the construction field.

“I think we need to add new talent to our business, and I think we need to grow our social-media profile,” he said. “I think those are two key things for our business to get us to the next level.”

Perhaps one of his biggest goals is to raise the Pella profile in the architect community.

“I think we do well there. I’d like to be awesome there,” he told BusinessWest. “I would like Pella products to be the number-one thought-of brand in an architect’s office.”

Al Herringshaw says his many years and layers of experience in the company will help him garner respect from his employees.

As for how to accomplish this, he said he’s excited about some new products that the Pella corporation is introducing to help stand out from the competition.

“It feels really good that they’re, in my opinion, back to promoting innovation and coming up with unique things within the window and door industry that set us apart,” Herringshaw said, adding that he is on a product board where he gets to give input to the company. “They’ve really come up with some neat products over the last couple years.”

For example, he hopes to become a business that is very focused on the ability to supply replacement windows, noting that this will be in high demand in the future.

“When you look at the inventory of homes we have in New England, there are a lot of old homes,” he said. “I think energy-efficient replacement is a big deal, and a good experience for customers is something that we have to focus on and be ready to supply.”

“My folks are very available, I’m very available, and we want to make sure people are happy with the end result. I think that’s a big deal for any company today — to be conscientious and to understand that that’s probably the one way you can truly make yourself unique.”

Standing out is difficult in this industry marked by stiff competition and often vulnerable to economic tides. But Herringshaw is confident that, by diversifying the business and continuing to provide excellent service to customers, Pella will be able to stand out.

“I think the innovation makes a big difference in standing out,” he said. “I truly believe that the overall quality of our products, the fit and finish, really is superior to anyone else’s. But I’ll also tell you, at the end of the day, I believe our customers would say that they do business with us because of the way we respond and take care of them.”

Looking Ahead

Installed sales manager Dan Wells is enthusiastic about the new ownership, noting that “Al has a way of keeping everyone engaged and focused on priorities. One of those priorities is supporting the communities where we live and work.”

A fixture in Western Mass. and Vermont since 1962, Pella has long been known for its customer-centric approach to business, Herringshaw noted, and he expects that to continue. “I have one goal — to make Pella of Greenfield the number-one place to purchase windows and doors, and the number one place to work.”

In short, with plenty of experience in the field, a mind full of ideas and goals, and a hardworking team ready to make it happen, Herringshaw is ready to take Pella Windows & Doors to the next level.

“My folks are very available, I’m very available, and we want to make sure people are happy with the end result,” he said. “I think that’s a big deal for any company today — to be conscientious and to understand that that’s probably the one way you can truly make yourself unique.”

Kayla Ebner can be reached at [email protected]

Hampshire Mall Morphs into Eclectic Blend of Retail, Entertainment Businesses

By
General Manager Lynn Gray
Hampshire County

A Shopping Evolution

General Manager Lynn Gray

General Manager Lynn Gray

Hampshire Mall has seen its share of changes over the decades, particularly in recent years with the onslaught of online retail that has severely challenged brick-and-mortar shopping centers across the country. But this complex on busy Route 9, in a largely affluent, college-dominated region, has recrafted itself as an entertainment destination, where people can do some shopping, yes, but also enjoy go-karts, bowling, laser tag, a movie, and more. The takeaway? Malls may be challenged, but they’re not obsolete yet.

When Bill Hoefler purchased Interskate 91 at the Hampshire Mall 19 years ago, the rollerskating destination had been open for several years, and the mall itself had been thriving, more or less, for two decades.

He wondered how that could be. “Hadley’s population was only about 3,800.”

But the commercial corridor on Russell Street had been growing for some time, he went on, serving as a bridge between Amherst and Northampton, two communities with eclectic, college-centric populations where it could sometimes be difficult to build.

“Walmart had just been built in ’98,” he noted, “and we knew the mall had plans to demolish the theaters and build new ones. Then you had Chili’s and Applebees just a half-mile away. Those companies usually will not build where there’s not a 100,000 population density within a five-mile radius. So why are they in Hadley?”

Fast-forward almost 20 years, and Route 9 is even more built out than before. Interskate continues to draw a loyal clientele, and Hoefler has expanded his adjoining laser-tag operation from 2,100 square feet to 4,500. And Hampshire Mall — at a time when malls, especially those not bordering major highways, have been rocked by the online retail revolution — is not just surviving in tiny Hadley, but bringing in new tenants, many of them entertainment-oriented.

“It’s a hotbed,” Hoefler said. “People in Western Massachusetts will drive 45 minutes to do what they want, but why not just go to Holyoke? Well, a lot of people north of Holyoke just won’t go that far; they stop here. Or they come in from the west. We even have people from Westfield who would rather come here than mess with the perception of the ‘city mall’ in Holyoke.”

Lynn Gray has a lot of experience at Hampshire Mall as well, starting her career in marketing there about two decades ago, when Kmart was still a thriving anchor, and Cinemark was turning the old six-screen movie theater into a 12-screen megaplex. After leaving to work at another Pyramid Management Group property a decade ago, she returned around the start of 2016 and now serves as the mall’s general manager.

“So I got to see where the center was 20 years ago and where it is today, and the changes in between have been really exciting,” she said, rejecting the idea that brick-and-mortar retail is in permanent decline.

“The word I like to use is evolution, because shopping behavior changes constantly,” she told BusinessWest. “What consumers want, how they want it, when they want it, how they want it delivered to them, or how they want to see, touch, and feel it has constantly changed.”

Many still desire that hands-on, instant-gratification shopping experience, she added, which explains why Hampshire has brought in new retail tenants in recent years, from chains like PetSmart to service-oriented shops like T-Mobile and Nail Pro & Spa to local favorites like Faces, which previously spent decades in downtown Northampton.

But it has also morphed into an entertainment destination, complementing long-time tenants Interskate and Cinemark with newer arrivals like Autobahn Indoor Speedway and PiNZ.

“Twenty years ago, there was a theater here, which is entertainment. We had rollerskating and laser tag, which is entertainment,” Gray said. “Over the last several years, as a lot of developers and shopping centers have moved away from big boxes and wondered what to do with some of the changes in retail, they’ve been introducing more and more entertainment. We’ve followed suit, but Pyramid has always been at the forefront of that anyway. Having a rollerskating rink at a shopping mall is not traditional.”

Not much has been traditional about successful malls in recent years, Hoefler agreed, but the business model is working in Hadley.

“When we got here, we saw it was the beginning of an upswing, and we made it our home,” he said. “We’ve been big cheerleaders for the property, and we love being here.”

Gaining Speed

Jake Savageau, general manager of Autobahn, feels the same way. The karting chain boasts 12 locations across the country and attracts a broad clientele, from parents bringing young children during the day to a college and adult crowd at night, racing electric karts that can reach 50 mph. The center’s oldest racer to date was a 95-year-old.

“So much entertainment is coming into malls,” he said, “so when people come in expecting to buy clothing and other items, they see us making a lot of noise, and it attracts their attention — ‘what’s going on here?’ It makes them stay in the mall longer and spend more money and have a good time at the end of the day.”

PiNZ, a small, Massachusetts-based chain, is another recent addition, bringing bowling, arcade games, and a full restaurant and bar to the mall — plus the most recent attraction, axe throwing. General Manager Jessica Ruiz said PiNZ attracts the same kind of crowd flow Autobahn does — younger kids during the day, college students and adults at night.

Jake Savageau says shoppers sometimes discover the entertainment options, like Autobahn Indoor Speedway, when they arrive — and then return to spend more time and money in the mall.

Jake Savageau says shoppers sometimes discover the entertainment options, like Autobahn Indoor Speedway, when they arrive — and then return to spend more time and money in the mall.

“They love it,” she said of the axe-throwing room. “For the most part, people are surprised they like it as much as they do. Everyone’s looking for an experience now. And that’s what we give them, with all the activities we offer here.”

The mall has begun installing ‘patios’ outside the PiNZ eatery and nearby Arizona Pizza, offering a sort of sidewalk-café experience that connects diners to the mall as a whole. Speaking of connecting to the mall, neither PiNZ nor Autobahn has an exterior entrance — the idea is to bring people into the mall to see what else catches their interest.

The Cinemark theaters still do well, Gray said, and continue to invest in the space, including new seating last year and updates to the HVAC system to become more energy-efficient. “They’re making a lot of changes and reinvesting because this is a great, desirable location for them, too.”

Pyramid has made capital investments as well, she added, not only in space improvements to attract new dining, shopping, and entertainment options, but efforts over the past decade to install new lighting, new flooring, restroom updates, and seating modifications to make the center more attractive to both customers and retailers.

“The food court was redone, we have new digital display directories … it’s been really nice to see,” she said. “Fifteen or 20 years ago when I came here, it was the cobblestone and a sort of ’80s-’90s vibe, and today, it’s fresh, it’s exciting, it’s bright.”

With new retail and entertainment tenants in the fold, she would like to see more dining options come on board — perhaps some locally owned eateries, or even a brewery. The idea is to constantly evolve the mix to transform what was once retail-dominant into a center where people can have a diverse experience and spend plenty of time — and money.

“Twenty years ago, people wouldn’t have thought they’d see a Target in a shopping center, and the next evolution is that people wouldn’t have thought a gym would be in a mall,” she said, noting the presence of Planet Fitness. “But that’s here, and go-kart racing is here. So it constantly changes.”

Blurring Lines

Malls aren’t done evolving, Gray said, noting that even online retailers, like Warby Parker, are showing up in malls.

“Even Amazon is doing pop-ups inside shopping centers. The online world and the e-commerce world does still look to brick and mortar to enhance their brands as well. While you can buy things on Target.com, people still want that experience and that instant gratification, while other people can wait for their product. A lot of people still want to come into a mall, into a setting where there’s more than one option, to see, touch, and feel their products before they make their purchase.”

That said, no one managing malls today is downplaying the impact of online retail.

“Your online presence is always going to be there — that’s the wave of the future,” Gray told BusinessWest. “But by introducing an entertainment component, it’s about the experience — and we’ve taken that experience to a new level. With the collection of all these experiences all under one roof, the goal for us is to make sure we’re all things to all people and we provide the customer with what they want, when they want it.”

Faces built its name for 33 years in downtown Northampton, but now it’s one of the newest retail options a few miles to the east at Hampshire Mall.

Faces built its name for 33 years in downtown Northampton, but now it’s one of the newest retail options a few miles to the east at Hampshire Mall.

Hampshire Mall is well-positioned to roll with changes in shopping habits, Gray added, because of its community demographics and the economic vitality of Route 9 in general.

“Retailers are looking for population density, but they’re also looking for household income thresholds, and this area offers so much. It’s a very affluent community, the crossroads between Northampton and Amherst,” she explained. “But we’re also in great proximity to a wealth of the college student population, which definitely is a driver for this area.

“Twenty years ago, this section of Route 9 was completely different than what it looks like today,” she went on. “There wasn’t a Lowe’s, a Home Depot, a Starbucks. Now all these things exist here, and this becomes a very desirable area for a lot of different uses. LL Bean is moving across the street; Autobahn is open here. A lot of people see this as valuable real estate because of its access to the affluent community and the college students.”

Bill Hoefler

Bill Hoefler says he enjoys being part of the “funky and eclectic” mix of tenants at Hampshire Mall.

Faces is a good example, she said. “It’s traditional retail, if you will, but with a non-traditional flair,” she said of the quirky store that opened in downtown Amherst in 1971 but recently ended a 33-year run as a downtown Northampton mainstay.

“They relocated to Hampshire Mall because they saw the collection of entertainment and dining and all the uses they wanted to be around to support their business for the long term,” Gray noted. “I think that’s a testament to how, when you put the right people under the same roof, people are more drawn to come in, and businesses are more drawn to open new locations.”

Rolling Along

Hoefler has certainly seen his share of mall evolution, but continues to draw families to the uniquely shaped skating rink above the food court and his new, cutting-edge laser-tag center downstairs. “We didn’t just want to move; we wanted to do it bigger, better, with the latest technology.”

The skating business ebbs and flows, he added, but in perhaps unexpected ways; when the economy is good, he sees new faces, but he typically does best when the economy is flat, because he has a loyal clientele, largely middle to lower-middle class, that appreciates an affordable entertainment option. “Even when times are tough, they still come skating.”

Now that those entertainment options have expanded, Hampshire Mall’s target audience — a mix of college students, factory workers, agricultural families, and more — have additional reasons to make their way to the mall.

“We’re proud of our history,” Hoefler said. “We’re proud to be in the mall. We’re glad to be part of the mix that keeps this funky and eclectic. It’s a good time.”

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Picture This

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Picture This

A photo essay of recent business events in Western Massachusetts / May 2019

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

Meeting the Class of 2019

Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, one of the sponsors of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty program for 2019, recently staged a cocktail party for the class of 2019 and their guests, providing an opportunity for the soon-to-be members of an exclusive club to meet and get to know one another. Here, honorees gather for a class photo. They’ll be together again on June 20 for the 40 Under Forty Gala at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.


Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees

Fourth- and fifth-graders from the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club recently gathered to learn about the environmental benefits of trees, paper, and recycling from staff members of the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), a national trade association, headquartered in Springfield, for the manufacturers of paperboard boxes. The presentation was part of PPC’s educational outreach program, TICCIT (Trees into Cartons, Cartons into Trees), which teaches students that trees are a sustainable crop, highlights the many uses for trees and paper, and underscores the importance of recycling. The students also planted tree saplings in paperboard cartons to take home. The carton, when planted directly in the ground, provides protection and a natural water funnel for the new tree. As the tree grows, the carton will break down and complete the TICCIT cycle. PPC also donated a young weeping cherry tree that was planted near the front entrance of the community center.


Investment in the Future

Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM), a nonprofit regional network of independent aerospace companies, recently announced a four-year, $180,632 pledge to Asnuntuck Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. The center’s CNC machine-technology lab was also named in honor of ACM. “By ensuring that more students gain access to careers in this exciting industry, these funds will aid in both the realization of individual educational and career goals as well as helping to satisfy a dramatically increasing demand for a technologically skilled workforce,” said Asnuntuck President Frank Lombella, pictured at right with ACM President Pedro Soto (left) and ACM Executive Director Paul Murphy. See story on page 21 for an broader look at the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center.


Marking a Milestone

The Edward P. Boland VA Medical Center in Leeds is marking its 95th anniversary this year. It is marking this milestone in a number of ways, including a ceremony, complete with a large birthday cake, at the facility on May 15.

CEO John Collins, FACHE, addresses those gathered, offering both a look back and a glance to the future

CEO John Collins, FACHE, addresses those gathered, offering both a look back and a glance to the future

Audience members listened to a number of different speakers

Audience members listened to a number of different speakers

Gordon Tatro, a retired employee (Engineering) and the VA’s unofficial historian, references an old photo of the facility to highlight changes that have taken place in recent years

Gordon Tatro, a retired employee (Engineering) and the VA’s unofficial historian, references an old photo of the facility to highlight changes that have taken place in recent years

Collins joins recently hired employees to cut the cake

Collins joins recently hired employees to cut the cake

Picture This

By
from left, Jeff and Laura Lomma, Andrew and Megan Hersman, and Dawn DiStefano
Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]
A photo essay of recent business events in Western Massachusetts April 2019

Common Threads

Dress for Success staged its annual Common Threads gala on April 25 at the Sheraton in Springfield. The event, described as a ‘celebration of women,’ inspires supporters with stories of success and empowerment as recent program participants speak of their achievements and successes.

Wilhelmina Humphries is ushered to the stage by Werner Maiwald, president of Renaissance Insurance Benefits

Wilhelmina Humphries is ushered to the stage by Werner Maiwald, president of Renaissance Insurance Benefits

Maria Pelletier is ushered to the stage by Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health

Maria Pelletier is ushered to the stage by Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health

Carla Cosenzi, president of Tommy Car Auto, Margaret Tantillo, executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, and Jessica Dupont of Health New England, chair of the board of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts

Carla Cosenzi, president of Tommy Car Auto, Margaret Tantillo, executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, and Jessica Dupont of Health New England, chair of the board of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts

 

President’s Gala

Bay Path University staged its third annual President’s Gala on April 27 at the Sheraton in Springfield. The gala, which raises money for scholarships, again featured a Dancing with the Stars format that had a team of judges — and the audience — struggling to determine who should take home the coveted President’s cup. After audience voting, that honor eventually went to Julian Jusko, a community partner and long-time supporter of the gala, who earned three perfect 10s from the judges, as did fellow competitors Erin Hornyak.

Gala chairs Tim and Carrie Burr, Drew and Lauren Davis

Gala chairs Tim and Carrie Burr, Drew and Lauren Davis, Tiffany and Ted Madru, and Carol and Rick Steele Jr.

Jusko finishes off her routine in style

Jusko finishes off her routine in style

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal addresses the audience

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal addresses the audience

Bay Path President Carol Leary offers a few remarks

Bay Path President Carol Leary offers a few remarks

the judges for the dance competition, from left, Lindsay Arnold, Wayne Hooker, and Kara Wolters

the judges for the dance competition, from left, Lindsay Arnold, Wayne Hooker, and Kara Wolters

from left, instructor Gunnar Sverrisson, Hornyak, Jusko, Clemons, and instructor Daryll & Sverrisson gather for a final round of applause

from left, instructor Gunnar Sverrisson, Hornyak, Jusko, Clemons, and instructor Daryll & Sverrisson gather for a final round of applause

Celebrating Entrepreneurship

The Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative (GEI) staged its annual awards banquet on April 24 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The well-attended gathering featured an Entrepreneur Showcase featuring students attending 14 area colleges and universities, an elevator-pitch competition, the presentation of awards, and keynote speaker Wombi Rose, CEO and co-founder of Lovepop.

GEI Founder Harold Grinspoon visits with Julia Baker, Springfield Technical Community College student and founder of Media Journeys

Jarrod Coletta, Western New England University student and co-founder of Bimiitech, chats with guests about his venture

Jarrod Coletta, Western New England University student and co-founder of Bimiitech, chats with guests about his venture

the crowded ballroom floor during the Entrepreneur Showcase

the crowded ballroom floor during the Entrepreneur Showcase

Anna Aron (left), a Hampshire College student and founder of Anna Leigh Pottery, shows some of her works to Katie Allan Zobel, president and CEO of the Community Foundation

Anna Aron (left), a Hampshire College student and founder of Anna Leigh Pottery, shows some of her works to Katie Allan Zobel, president and CEO of the Community Foundation

Hampshire College student Adil Sarwar shows off his venture, the Cupcake Factory

Hampshire College student Adil Sarwar shows off his venture, the Cupcake Factory

 

Derby Day

Square One staged its fourth annual Kentucky Derby fundraising gala on race day at Mercedes-Benz of Springfield. More than 210 guests turned out to watch the Running of the Roses, do some networking, and raise nearly $30,000 for early-education provider Square One.

attendees watch as the horses head for the finish line

attendees watch as the horses head for the finish line

from left, Carrie and BJ Calvi, Kelli Moriarty Finn, David Finn, and Ryan McCollum

from left, Carrie and BJ Calvi, Kelli Moriarty Finn, David Finn, and Ryan McCollum

from left, Jeff and Laura Lomma, Andrew and Megan Hersman, and Dawn DiStefano

from left, Jeff and Laura Lomma, Andrew and Megan Hersman, and Dawn DiStefano

Square One President and CEO Joan Kagan addresses the crowd of race watchers

Square One President and CEO Joan Kagan addresses the crowd of race watchers

from left, Lakisha Coppedge, Margaret Tantoillo, and James Coppedge do some networking

from left, Lakisha Coppedge, Margaret Tantoillo, and James Coppedge do some networking

 

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