Daily News

DEWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank announced a strategic plan to expand its branch presence in select markets throughout 2024 and 2025, including two new branch locations in the New England region. The new branches will include an additional location in Springfield, as well as the bank’s first physical branch in New Hampshire, having broken into that market with a commercial banking presence in 2023.

The bank’s current presence in New England includes 28 branches throughout Vermont and Springfield. This announcement comes as newly appointed President and CEO Dimitar Karaivanov officially steps into his role this year and begins to execute his strategic vision for the bank.

As Community Bank expands into promising markets with strong potential for growth, it is reimagining the customer in-branch experience with clean, modern designs that encourage customer and banker collaboration, local community tie-ins, and staff that can handle a wide array of financial needs. The bank will bring a full suite of consumer, business, and municipal banking products and services, including no-closing-cost mortgage options, business loans and lines of credit, and competitive CD offerings.

“Community Bank is not just expanding, but deepening our roots in New England,” said Matthew Durkee, regional president of New England. “Our branches are the cornerstone of our retail business, and each one allows us to support the community and deepen our relationships with our customers as we partner together throughout their financial journey.”

The move to establish additional branch locations in New England is a substantial investment that will allow the bank to better serve clients and aid in local economic development by creating new jobs, contributing to community efforts, and fostering financial stability.

“We are pleased to officially announce our plans to expand our branch presence throughout New England,” Karaivanov said. “We’ve served the New England market through various lines of business and are happy to further support new and existing customers with additional branch services. We are poised to execute on our growth strategy with the goal of bringing our service offerings to more communities in Springfield, Massachusetts, and in New Hampshire. We look forward to expanding our presence in the New England region through community outreach, supporting our neighbors, and building relationships with our new customers.”

In addition to expanding in New England, Community Bank will continue to grow its branch presence throughout New York’s Western, Central, and Capital regions, as well as throughout Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.

Daily News

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — David Glidden, president and CEO of Liberty Bank, and the bank’s board of directors jointly announced that Doug Anderson was unanimously elected chairman of the board at its March meeting.

The election of Anderson comes after the unexpected passing of longtime Chairman Mark Gingras on March 7. Gingras served as Liberty’s board chairman since 2007 and board member since 2001.

Anderson’s role as a Liberty Bank corporator and board member began in April 2018. During that time, he has served on the credit risk, audit, compensation, and governance committees, and most recently as chair of the credit risk committee.

He brings decades of diverse leadership experience in banking, finance, management, and operations to the role of chairman. His extensive background includes senior executive roles as president of the former Savings Bank of Manchester (SBM) until 2004 and chairman, president, and CEO of the former Open Solutions. He spent 14 years at Unisys, an international technology company, and served on the board of directors for the former New Alliance Bancshares Inc.

Beyond Liberty’s boardroom, Anderson, a graduate of the University of Connecticut, has been a dedicated and generous community partner. This includes his philanthropic support and board service for many organizations and causes, such as the Connecticut Science Center, SBM Charitable Foundation, Manchester Community College Foundation, and Connecticut Foodshare. He also served as chairman of the Liberty Bank Foundation.

“Since Doug joined the board six years ago, he has earned high admiration and a stellar reputation as a director and a ‘Be Community Kind’ brand ambassador in the communities we serve,” Glidden said. “Not only does he possess extensive business acumen, but he also brings invaluable banking acumen and a wealth of banking knowledge as a former president and board chair for other community banks. He’s done a terrific job, and we know he will serve us well in setting the course for the bank as he takes on this leadership role.”

On the unexpected passing of Gingras, Glidden added, “Mark was a wonderful husband, dad, and doting grandfather. He also cherished his second family, his Liberty teammates. Whether he was in the boardroom, visiting a branch, or in the community, Mark always conveyed kindness, loyalty, and leadership, and demonstrated a steadfast dedication to ensuring Liberty remains a mutual bank. His leadership and friendship cannot be replaced, but his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of our board members and teammates at Liberty Bank.”

Daily News

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) announced that the Tri-State SHRM Conference, the largest human-resources (HR) conference in New England, will take place at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. on May 13-15.

The conference aims to unmask the changing face of HR by providing HR leaders with the necessary tools to stay ahead of the curve. The multi-day event will feature keynote speakers, educational breakout sessions, interactive games, multiple business networking opportunities, and an expo showcasing the latest HR technology and trends.

The conference will cover a variety of topics, including “Building a FOMO Workplace Culture,” “SEAT of Success: How Top Performers Never Settle for Balcony Seats,” and “Beyond Productivity: the Unseen Risks of Employee Stress and Burnout in the Workplace.” There will be 24 sessions available in total, featuring more than 27 speakers. Register online at tristateshrm.com.

“The world has drastically changed over the past couple of years. With that being said, HR leaders must stay current with issues, laws, and best practices,” said Cindy Sherman, Marketing manager for the Tri-State SHRM Conference. “This conference is designed to give them all of that and more. The past couple of years have been stressful, and this conference provides HR leaders with the opportunity to renew and refresh while learning from industry experts.”

The Massachusetts State Council of SHRM (MassSHRM) is a board of volunteers committed to making a positive impact in the human-resources community in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

An affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), MassSHRM serves to support our affiliated local chapters, to deliver resources and education to the HR community, and to advocate for and advance the HR profession.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — When BusinessWest launched its 40 Under Forty program in 2007, it did so to identify rising stars across our region — individuals who were excelling in business and through involvement within the community — and celebrate their accomplishments.

In 2015, BusinessWest announced a new award, one that builds on the foundation upon which 40 Under Forty was created. It’s called the Alumni Achievement Award. As the name suggests, it is presented to the 40 Under Forty honoree who, in the eyes of an independent panel of judges, has most impressively continued and built upon his or her track record of accomplishment.

Candidates must be from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007 to 2023.

Past winners include: 2023: Amy Royal, founder and CEO, Royal Law Firm (40 Under Forty class of 2009); 2022: Anthony Gleason III, president and co-founder, Gleason Johndrow Companies (class of 2010); 2021: Anthony Gulluni, Hampden County district attorney (class of 2015); 2020: Carla Cosenzi, president, TommyCar Auto Group (class of 2012), and Peter DePergola, director of Clinical Ethics, Baystate Health (class of 2015); 2019: Cinda Jones, president, W.D. Cowls Inc. (40 Under Forty class of 2007); 2018: Samalid Hogan, regional director, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (class of 2013); 2017: Scott Foster, attorney, Bulkley Richardson (class of 2011), and Nicole Griffin, owner, ManeHire (class of 2014); 2016: Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president, Allergy & Immunology Associates of New England (class of 2008); 2015: Delcie Bean, president, Paragus Strategic IT (class of 2008).

The 2024 Alumni Achievement Award finalists will be profiled in the June 10 edition of BusinessWest, and the honoree will be announced at the 40 Under Forty gala on June 20. The presenting sponsor of the Alumni Achievement Award is Health New England.

Click here for the nomination form. Only nominations submitted to BusinessWest on this form will be considered. The deadline is Friday, May 10 at 5 p.m., no exceptions. For your convenience, a list of the past 40 Under Forty classes may be found by clicking here.

Daily News

PHILADELPHIA — According to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has “terminated for cause” a $185 million contract with Springfield-based CRRC for 45 double-decker passenger cars. The project was about four years behind schedule.

According to SEPTA officials, the newspaper reported, Chinese-owned CRRC had performed shoddy work and repeatedly failed to meet production deadlines.

“The authority is assessing its options for recouping funds that have been spent on the project,” SEPTA spokesperson John Golden said in a statement, adding that SEPTA has paid more than $50 million, the Boston Globe reported.

In response, CRRC MA spokesperson Lydia Rivera issued a statement that, “having worked closely with SEPTA’s project team, beginning with rail-car design through initial vehicle production, CRRC MA remains committed to completing the project and continues to seek further discussions to resolve SEPTA’s concerns.”

According to the Inquirer, CRRC’s bid price on the SEPTA project was $34 million below its nearest competitor, the Canadian company Bombardier, which had more than a decade of experience building rail cars in America.

In 2014, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority hired CRRC MA to build new cars on the Red and Orange lines of Boston’s T network. After significant delays, the company now promises all cars will be delivered by the end of 2027. Rivera said the company has delivered 114 of 152 new Orange Line cars and 18 of 252 Red Line cars to the T.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Rotary Club of Springfield will present “Financial Foundations for Women: Bridging the Gap and Connecting Women in Our Community,” a panel discussion that empowers women to take control of their financial future, on Thursday, April 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at White Lion Brewing, located in Tower Square at 1500 Main St., Springfield.

The panel discussion will focus on the importance of lifting each other up in the pursuit of women’s empowerment, creating support networks, and seeking financial advice. Attendees will gain valuable insights into securing their financial future for themselves and their families.

The panelists for the event include Carla Alves, Rotarian and vice president at Country Bank; Erica Flores, partner at Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.; Flavia McCaughey (moderator), Rotarian and vice president of FR Investment Group; Jessica Roncarati-Howe, executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts; and Samalid Hogan, Rotarian and CEO of Greylock Management Consulting.

Attendees will also have the chance to network with fellow participants and enjoy heavy appetizers throughout the evening.

Tickets for the event are priced at $40 per person and can be purchased online through the Rotary Club of Springfield website at www.springfieldmarotary.org. For further information, contact Hogan at (413) 342-0013 or [email protected].

Daily News

EAST LONGMEADOW — Excel Dryer recently unveiled a comprehensive office expansion and renovation project. This initiative, rooted in the company’s mission to lead through innovation, aimed to merge beauty, health, wellness, and sustainability into its workplace. The project’s insights and methodologies are set to educate through a unique continuing education unit (CEU) course offered by Architectural Record magazine in its Continuing Education Center, serving as a detailed roadmap of Excel Dryer’s innovative journey.

Guided by the WELL Building Standard as a principal framework, the renovation serves as a case study showcasing Excel’s commitment to integrating the latest and most effective products in support of occupant well-being, productivity, and environmental sustainability. This initiative aims to inspire and educate not just architects, designers, and the construction community, but also owners and facility managers, offering insights into the practical application of sustainability and health-focused principles in commercial interiors and demonstrating Excel Dryer’s leading role in the movement toward more responsible workplace design.

“Our vision was clear from the start — to craft the most beautiful, healthy, and sustainable workplace imaginable,” said William Gagnon, chief operating officer of Excel Dryer. “We are thrilled with the results and proud of how our own latest product solutions were a perfect fit for this lofty goal.”

Katherine Brekka, senior associate and sustainability practice leader at Fennick McCredie Architecture, praised the initiative, noting that “being a part of this groundbreaking project was an extraordinary experience. The innovative blend of space, beauty, and wellness achieved is something I’m incredibly proud of. It represents a forward-thinking approach to workplace design that I was thrilled to contribute to and see come to life.”

The Architectural Record’s CEU course provides a focused overview on the intersection of modern design, health standards, and sustainability in commercial architecture. It provides information on the multiple innovative products used to achieve WELL certification and explores the evolution of hygiene and sustainability post-pandemic, highlighting the importance of touchless technologies in public restrooms to prevent illness. Ultimately, the course showcases how integrated design solutions can promote health, efficiency, and environmental stewardship in commercial spaces.

Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College and the St. Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture will present the fifth annual Rev. Hugh Crean Distinguished Lecture in Catholic Thought on Wednesday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m.

The lecture, which will take place in person in the college’s Alumnae Library Theater, was rescheduled from its initial April 4 date. Click here to register.

The distinguished speaker for this lecture is Dominic Doyle, associate professor of Systematic Theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (STM). The theme for Doyle’s remarks will be “Christian Humanism and the Theology of Hope.”

Most recently, Doyle led STM’s Neuroscience Education for Theological Training grant from the Science for Seminaries program sponsored by the American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science/Dialogue on Science, Religion, and Ethics. He is currently working on a book exploring the history of theological virtues, tentatively titled Thematic Variations in Theological Virtue.

The St. Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture (CERC) at Elms College was launched in October 2020 with support from an anonymous naming gift and several significant contributions. The center aims to increase engagement and discourse on the most pressing and complex questions related to ethics, religion, and culture in today’s society, and to lead the regional community in thoughtful, engaging dialogue.

The founding executive director of the CERC is noted bioethicist Peter DePergola II, Shaughness Family chair for the Study of the Humanities and associate professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities at Elms.

The annual Rev. Hugh Crean Distinguished Lecture was established through an endowment made by Jack and Colette Dill to honor Crean’s legacy and recognize his academic work at Elms College and his pastoral ministry throughout the Diocese of Springfield and the entire region.

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 209: April 15, 2024

Joe speaks with Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank

Tara Brewster has come a long way from her years in the world of men’s clothing. Over the past several years as vice president of Business Development and director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank — a role in which no two days are the same, she says — Brewster has only grown her heart for the business community (which she also expresses as host of the Western Mass Business Show on WHMP) while continuing to find impactful ways to serve local nonprofits and community organizations. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, she talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about all of this and more — and how she manages to find balance in a very busy and meaningful life. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — New England Public Media (NEPM) and the Academy of Music will present the Best of Valley Voices Story Slam on Saturday, April 13 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Music theater in Northampton. Click here to purchase tickets.

The show will conclude the ninth season of the popular, competitive storytelling series that features local storytellers sharing five-minute true stories live on stage at venues throughout Western Mass.

The best-of show features 12 local storytellers, all of whom were top-three finishers at the regular-season shows. While some storytellers featured in the Best of Valley Voices have performed on national platforms like the Moth Mainstage, the Moth Radio Hour, StoryJam, and SpeakUp, for others, telling stories with Valley Voices Story Slam is their first experience with the art form.

This is true for Josh Simpson of Shelburne, a world-renowned glass artist, who pitched the Valley Voices Story Slam line for the first time in January. He’ll be sharing his winning story about how he met his wife, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, on the Best of Valley Voices stage. He’ll be joined by Ruthy Woodring, founding member of Pedal People Cooperative; Amy Dryansky, former poet laureate of Northampton; and nine others.

Rooted in the tradition of first-person narrative storytelling, story slams emphasize both content and performance, challenging storytellers to captivate audiences within a strict time frame of under five minutes. At the end of the show, the audience will vote on their favorite stories, and one lucky teller will be crowned the winner of season nine.

NEPM and the Academy of Music Theatre produced the first Valley Voices Story Slam as a promotion for a Moth Mainstage show at the Academy of Music in 2013.

“At the time, storytelling events were not really on the radar,” said Vanessa Cerillo, co-executive producer and co-host of Valley Voices Story Slam and senior director of Marketing and Events for NEPM, adding that Academy of Music Executive Director Debra J’Anthony approached her with the idea to try a small slam to test the market in Western Mass., since the Moth Radio Hour is aired on 88.5 NEPM. “The Moth has definitely inspired us, but we’ve really worked over the years to make Valley Voices Story Slam a truly local event, with a big following in Western Mass.”

What began as a small live-event series has evolved over the years to include a podcast and YouTube video series featuring the stories heard on stage at the live events, both produced by NEPM. In 2022, NEPM also produced a pilot season of Valley Voices Radio. Links to the podcast, YouTube, and radio episodes can be found at nepm.org/valleyvoices.

“In our ninth year of Valley Voices Story Slam, we are proud and delighted to encourage and include new voices to share their stories on stage throughout the Valley,” said J’Anthony, co-host and co-executive producer of Valley Voices Story Slam.

At the April 13 event, hip-hop DJ Pzo Pete will set the stage with a custom set that reflects the themes, stories, and storytellers throughout the show. He appears thanks to a partnership with Genuine Culture, a Holyoke-based organization connecting music enthusiasts with dynamic live shows and cultural events.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — 6 Brick’s Cannabis Dispensary will host a visit and event featuring NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson Jr., famously known as Megatron, today, April 12, starting at 2 p.m. at 1860 Main St., Springfield.

Johnson, a 2021 NFL Hall of Fame inductee and the holder of the single-season NFL receiving record, will stop by to celebrate a collaboration between 6 Brick’s and his own, Michigan-based cannabis brand, Primitive, which is now offered in Springfield through 6 Brick’s.

“We are excited to host 2021 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Calvin Johnson Jr. and to carry his brand, Primitive,” said Payton Shubrick, CEO and founder of 6 Brick’s. “We have worked hard to make connections like this all over Massachusetts to bring synergies to our product line but also to continue to bring positive notoriety to our hometown of Springfield. This Massachusetts-Michigan connection is exciting.”

As a promotion, customers purchasing one eighth-ounce will receive a complimentary photo opportunity with Megatron.

“With a focus on connecting customers with the best products sourced across the state, these events provide wonderful opportunities for our customers and community alike,” Shubrick added. “In addition to the chance to meet Calvin Johnson Jr., attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the Primitive brand and its lineup of premium cannabis products.”

Daily News

CHICOPEE — Students at Elms College are nearing the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester and are making a difference throughout the region.

“At Elms, we strive to provide every student with at least one high-impact experiential learning opportunity during their college career,” said Jennifer Granger Sullivan, director of the Dolores Donlin Noonan ’39 Experiential Learning Program. “We want our students to be cognizant of their community and ready to step into their careers, and experiential learning is a way to make that happen.”

Elms College will highlight all of the experiential learning opportunities Elms CollegeElms CollegeElms Collegeover the past year at the annual Experiential Learning Showcase on Friday, April 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. on the Keating Quadrangle.

Elms is the only college in the area that has as a stated goal of providing every student at least one high-impact experiential learning opportunity during their tenure.

Indeed, experiential learning is one of the five pillars of the college’s 2020-24 strategic plan. Elms offers its students several options to learn outside the classroom, including internships, research projects, mission trips, service-learning experiences, study abroad, and course-based, community-engaged learning opportunities. Central to the mission and core values, the goal is for an Elms graduate to be career-ready and community-minded.

Two examples of how Elms students have made a difference are ArihJey Villion-Nahue ’25, a criminal justice and psychology double major, and Adam Rochette ’24, a social work and sociology double major.

Villion-Nahue completed her internship at the Community Justice Support Center in Springfield. Her work included observing group sessions, part of cognitive behavioral therapy, and participating in assessments that help determine how much time clients need to spend within the program based on feeling remorseful for their crimes or recognizing that crime is bad.

Rochette completed his internship with state Rep. Shirley Arriaga. He worked in Arriaga’s constituent services department, meeting with members of the community, listening to their personal needs, and calling agencies to advocate on their behalf.

Several other organizations offered Elms students experiential learning opportunities throughout the academic year, including Baystate Medical Center, Pioneer Valley Life Sciences, Polish Center of Discovery and Learning, the Springfield Thunderbirds, and Hartford Healthcare, to name a few.

Daily News

LEEDS — The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System is commemorating a century of dedication to serving U.S. veterans. Established in 1924, the healthcare system has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of veterans, delivering compassionate care and innovative services.

To honor this significant milestone, the VA invites the community to an event on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 421 North Main St., Leeds. The festivities will include special events, recognition ceremonies, and opportunities for veterans and their families to connect with one another, as well as food, games, and fun for the whole family.

“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our community partners, volunteers, and dedicated staff members who have contributed to our success over the past century,” said Sarah Robinson, Public Affairs officer for the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System. “As we reflect on our rich history and look toward the future, we reaffirm our commitment to serving those who have served us. Together, we will continue to uphold the promise of providing exceptional care and support to our nation’s heroes.”

For more information about the centennial celebration and upcoming events, visit www.va.gov/central-western-massachusetts-health-care or call Robinson at (413) 584-4040, ext. 3532.

Community Spotlight

Community Spotlight

planned redevelopment of the former Wilson’s department store

An architect’s rendering of the planned redevelopment of the former Wilson’s department store into a mix of retail and housing.

Virginia “Ginny” Desorgher is a retired emergency-room nurse, mother of three, and grandmother of nine.

She had no real desire to add ‘mayor of Greenfield’ to that personal profile, but Desorgher, a transplant from the eastern part of the state and, by this time last year, a veteran city councilor and chair of the Ways and Means Committee, decided that change was needed in this city of almost 18,000.

So she ran for mayor. And she won — handily. And now that she’s been in the job for three months, she can see many similarities between being an ER nurse and being the CEO of a city.

In both settings, there is a need for triage, she explained, noting that, in the ER and with this city, there is a steady stream of cases, or issues, to be dealt with, and they must be prioritized.

“You just have to take care of the thing that’s the most important at the time and try to keep everyone happy,” she said while trying to sum up both jobs.

There is also a need for communication.

Indeed, in the ER, Desorgher said she made a habit of visiting the waiting room and talking with the patients here, explaining why their wait was so long and asking them if they needed something to eat or drink or maybe some ice for their broken ankle. As mayor, she sees a similar need to communicate, whether it’s with other city officials, residents, neighbors of the Franklin County Fairgrounds, or business owners — a constituency she heard from at a recent gathering she described as a “listening session,” during which she received input on many subjects, but especially parking.

“You just have to take care of the thing that’s the most important at the time and try to keep everyone happy.”

“I thought I kind of knew how much people cared about parking,” she said. “Now I really know that parking is quite an issue.”

But while that subject remains mostly a sore spot for this community, there is momentum on many different fronts, and what Desorgher and others described as ‘game changers’ — or potential game changers — in various stages of development.

That list includes the much-anticipated adaptive reuse of the former Wilson’s department store into a mix of retail (in the form of an expanded Green Fields Market) and housing, both of which are expected to breathe new life into the downtown.

“The initial impact on foot traffic downtown from 61 new units will be extraordinary,” said Amy Cahillane, the city’s Community and Economic Development director, adding that the project is being designed to bring these new residents into the downtown area.

It also includes the prospects for the city becoming a stop on what’s being called the ‘northern tier’ of proposed east-west rail service — one that will in many ways mirror Route 2 — as well as the pending arrival of both a Starbucks and an Aldi’s grocery story near the rotary off I-91 exit 43 and a massive redesign of Main Street, now likely to start in 2027.

Together, these game changers — coupled with some new businesses downtown; efforts to inspire and support entrepreneurship, including a new pitch contest called Take the Floor; collective efforts to bring more visitors to Greenfield and the surrounding area, especially at its oldest continuously operating fairgrounds in the country; and a greater sense of collaboration among business and economic-development agencies — have created an upbeat tone in this community, with great enthusiasm for what comes next.

Ginny Desorgher

Ginny Desorgher says she wasn’t keen on adding ‘mayor’ to her personal profile, but became convinced it was time for a change in Greenfield.

“What I’m most excited about is that we now have all these people who are thinking collectively about how we can make the most of this momentum,” said Jessye Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Regional Tourism Council.

For this latest installment of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest takes an indepth look at the many developing stories in Greenfield.

 

Tale of the Tape

And we start with a somewhat unusual gathering downtown on the Saturday before Easter.

Indeed, Desorgher, Cahillane, Deane, and others spent several hours in the central business district cleaning the bases of streetlights, an undertaking organized by the Greenfield Business Assoc. (GBA).

All three had somewhat different takes on what they were expecting from this exercise, but the consensus is that it was more difficult, and time-consuming, to remove the remnants from countless posters for events — and the tape used to affix them to the structures — than they thought.

But while the work was a grind, they all said it was important, worthwhile, and much more than symbolism. And it even inspired a thought to create one or more community bulletin boards so individuals and groups would have a place to promote their events other than light poles.

Deane said the cleanup was an example of a greater sense of collaboration within the community and its many civic and business organizations, from officials in City Hall to the chamber; from the GBA to the Franklin County Community Development Corp. (FCCDC).

“What I’m most excited about is that we now have all these people who are thinking collectively about how we can make the most of this momentum.”

“There’s new energy taking place on a partnership level, and it was nice to see Greenfield leaders like the mayor come down and take action,” said Deane, adding that the cleanup was just one example of this energy. Another was the aforementioned listening session, which she said was likely the first of its kind.

“The business owners and community leaders really appreciated having the opportunity to have that kind of forum with the mayor — an open forum where they could say, ‘here’s what’s going really well, here’s what we think needs work, and how are we all going to work together to bring Greenfield forward?’ That was great.”

The streetlight cleanup project and listening session represent just two of many forms of progress, with some steps larger and more significant than others, said those we spoke with, but all critical to that sense of momentum and building toward something better.

And there are many reasons for optimism, especially what most refer to simply as the ‘Wilson’s project.’

For decades, the store represented something unique — an old-fashioned department store in an age of malls and online shopping. When it closed just prior to the pandemic, it left a huge hole in the downtown — not just real estate to be filled, but the loss of an institution.

There’s no bringing back Wilson’s, but the current plan, a proposal put forward by the Community Builders and Green Fields Market, a popular co-op currently located farther down Main Street, will bring retail and housing, specifically roughly 60 mixed-income units, to Main Street.

The housing units, as noted earlier, are expected to bring foot traffic and more vibrancy to the downtown, said Cahillane, noting that this will be foot traffic that doesn’t leave at 5 o’clock and should comprise a good mix of age groups, thus providing a boost for the growing number of restaurants and venues like the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center.

“The Community Builders is being thoughtful in the way they’re designing this space to encourage folks not to just exit out a rear door, get in their cars, and leave,” she explained. “Instead, they’re going to make it so it’s very easy to get from the apartments onto Main Street; this encourages them to come out into the community.”

Greenfield at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1753
Population: 17,768
Area: 21.9 square miles
County: Franklin
Residential Tax Rate: $20.39
Commercial Tax Rate: $20.39
Median Household Income: $33,110
Median Family Income: $46,412
Type of Government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield Community College, Sandri
* Latest information available

Meanwhile, several other properties downtown are in various stages of bringing upper floors online for housing, Cahillane explained, adding that this movement will help ease a housing crunch — which she considers the most pressing issue in the community — and generate still more foot traffic, which should help bring more businesses to the downtown.

There are already some recent additions in that area, including a computer-repair store on Federal Street, and, on Main Street, Sweet Phoenix, an antiques and crafts store, and Posada’s, a family-owned Mexican restaurant that the mayor said is “always packed.”

Meanwhile, the plans for Aldi’s and Starbucks, both in the early stages, are generating some excitement, the mayor added, noting that the latter, especially, will provide motorists on I-91 with yet another reason to get off in Greenfield and perhaps stay a while.

 

Getting Down to Business

These additions bolster an already large and diverse mix of businesses in the city, which still boasts some manufacturing — though certainly not as much as was present decades ago — as well as a healthy mix of tourism and hospitality-related ventures, service businesses, nonprofits (Greenfield serves as the hub for the larger Franklin County area), and several startups and next-stage businesses in various sectors, from IT to food production.

One of those long-standing businesses is Adams Donuts on Federal Street, now owned by Sabra Billings and her twin sister, Sidra Baranoski.

Originally opened in the ’50s, Adams Donuts is an institution, well-known — and in many cases revered — by several generations of area families. There have been several owners not named Adams, Billings said, adding that the one before her closed the establishment during COVID with the intention of reopening, but never did.

The two sisters stepped forward to keep a tradition alive — and work for themselves instead of someone else.

“It was kind of crazy; we’d never owned a business before, but here we were buying a shuttered business in the middle of a pandemic,” Billings said. “But it’s been really special to be part of the community, and what we call the ‘Adams community’; there are generations from the same families that are customers.”

Thus, they’re part of what could be called a groundswell of entrepreneurship in Greenfield and across Franklin County, one that John Waite, executive director of the FCCDC, has witnessed firsthand over the past 24 years he’s spent in that role.

He said there is a large, and growing, amount of entrepreneurial energy in Greenfield and across the county, largely out of necessity.

Indeed, since the larger businesses, most of them manufacturers, closed or left, the region and its largest city are more dependent on smaller businesses and the people who have the imagination, determination, and ideas with which to start them.

And the FCCDC is supporting these business owners in many different ways. The agency has several divisions, if you will, including direct business assistance — everything from technical assistance to grant funds to support ventures of various sizes — to a venture center that now boasts six tenants, to the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center, which boasts 66 active clients processing, canning, and jarring everything from salsa to applesauce to fudge sauce.

Overall, the FCCDC served more than 350 clients in FY 2023, loaned out nearly $3 million to 31 businesses, and carried out work that resulted in the creation of 70 jobs and the preservation of 114 jobs, said Waite, adding that one of its more impactful initiatives is its loan program.

The loans vary in size from a few thousand dollars to $300,000, and the agency can work with area banks if a venture needs more. They are offered to businesses across a wide spectrum, including hospitality, a sector where there is often need, Waite noted, citing the example of 10 Forward, a unique performing-arts venue and cocktail bar on Fiske Avenue in the downtown.

“A lot of musicians need a place to play, and they’ll sign them up, and they’ll do comedy once in a while,” he explained, adding that the venue is part of an evolving downtown, one that now has more things happening at night and more events and programs to attract the young people who provide needed energy.

Meanwhile, Take the Floor, a CDC initiative that involves the entire county, is another avenue of support. The Shark Tank-like pitch contest has attracted dreamers across the broad spectrum of business, and the top three performers at three different contests — the latest was in Orange — will compete for $10,000 in prizes in the finale at Hawks & Reed.

“Developing our entrepreneurial infrastructure is very important to this region,” Waite said. “We want to make sure people know where they can go for resources to help them succeed.”

Where Are They Now?

Where Are They Now?

Will Dávila

Will Dávila says he’s always sought out career opportunities where he can make an impact.

 

Will Dávila says he’s learned from experience — and some not-so-pleasant experiences, to be more precise — that, when a job isn’t working for you, you don’t stay in it.

And in his case, ‘not working’ translates directly to “you don’t feel fulfilled, you don’t feel like you’re having an impact or making a difference, and it just doesn’t look like that’s going to be happening.”

Such was the case with his short tenure serving as campus executive director of the UMass Center at Springfield a decade or so ago. He envisioned the role as one where he could “bring education to this community and really promote higher education as an opportunity for kids like me, who grew up in Springfield, in the projects, and had limited opportunities.”

The reality was different as the facility struggled to ramp up enrollment.

“Instead, I spent almost all my time giving tours,” he told BusinessWest, noting that the facility, created on the mezzanine level at Tower Square, had just opened, and many business and civic leaders, as well as the press, wanted to see it. “I said, ‘I’m a social worker. I’ve been in human services my whole career. This is not a good use of my time.’”

Coincidentally, one of those who eventually came in for a tour was Jim Goodwin, president and CEO of the Center for Human Development (CHD), and during that visit, the two started talking, a discussion that eventually led to Dávila becoming vice president of Clinical Services for the agency.

He would spend a few years in that role before becoming a nonprofit consultant and executive advisor, then leading two nonprofits, and then returning to CHD last October to assume the role of vice president of Diversion, Shelter & Housing, a role where he believes he’s making a deep impact.

Overall, it’s a been a winding journey with a few of those jobs that weren’t working, but, overall, it’s been a rewarding career in the broad realm of health and human services, one that serves as an appropriate and poignant starting point for a new series we’re launching at BusinessWest called, appropriately enough, ‘Where Are They Now?’

“Part of the unfortunate reality is that they move through a continuum of services. So I consider myself privileged to have worked in many parts of that continuum.”

As the magazine prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary of serving the region, and as some of its recognition programs — which have brought hundreds of individuals and groups into the spotlight — approach two decades of existence, there is a need to update many of the stories we have told over those years.

We begin with Dávila, who started his career with nonprofits focused on health and human services more than 20 years ago, when he became Metro Boston regional manager for Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health. Then came his first stint at the agency now known as Helix Human Services, then known as the Children’s Study Home.

But it was a few years later, when he was serving as director of Outpatient Services at the Gándara Center in Springfield, when he was first recognized by BusinessWest, as a member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2013.

Soon thereafter came that short stint at the UMass Center at Springfield, his first stint at CHD, work as a consultant, a return to what is now Helix as executive director and CEO (when that agency was being rebranded and also being recognized by BusinessWest as a Difference Maker), and then a very short stint — a cautionary tale, as he calls it — as CEO of the Villa of Hope in Greece, N.Y., another of those jobs that just wasn’t working, this time for different reasons.

“The board was not really forthcoming about the real condition of the organization,” Dávila said, adding that what he found did not match what he was told in interviews, regarding everything from the budget — the $20 million agency was trending toward a $4 million deficit for the fiscal year soon to come to a close — to the workforce, to the vacancies within its programs.

He is now back at the agency he calls home (this is actually his third stint there), in a role where he oversees a staff of roughly 240, an annual budget of $34 million, and a division with dozens of family and individual units, several emergency shelter hotels, and other housing options.

This latest assignment enables him to add another line, another area of focus — in this case housing — to his résumé and, far more importantly, make an impact and a difference in people’s lives.

“It’s an amazing department and an amazing service,” Dávila said. “It’s something different, but, surprisingly, it’s not all that different. A lot of the folks we’re dealing with are the same people we’re assisting in residential, in children’s services, foster-care and outpatient services, and substance-abuse services.

“Part of the unfortunate reality is that they move through a continuum of services,” he went on. “So I consider myself privileged to have worked in many parts of that continuum and actually lead some of them, so this is a nice addition to my portfolio, if you will.”

That’s where Dávila is now — and where he plans to be for some time, because this job definitely does work for him.

 

—George O’Brien

Construction

Taking Flight

Falcon Landing will be located just north of Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.

Falcon Landing will be located just north of Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.

In a location that once thrived as part of a computer manufacturing facility for Digital Equipment Corp., a joint-venture development team of Winstanley Enterprises LLC and NorthPoint Development is moving forward with approved plans to build a general warehouse and distribution facility. The recently obtained state and local approvals for the sought-after location come as the warehouse and distribution sector continues to thrive.

Falcon Landing is an approved 524,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art general distribution facility that will be constructed for one or two tenants adjacent to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport on Falcon Drive in Westfield. The 126-acre parcel will include 362 parking spaces to accommodate two employee shifts and 322 tractor-trailer spaces. The site boasts easy accessibility and is located about two and a half miles from Mass Pike exit 41.

Last August, the joint-venture development team focused its multi-disciplinary group of planners, engineers, and architects on developing a scaled-down distribution facility at this location. After they listened to neighborhood concerns, the site plan incorporated a meticulously designed robust stormwater-management plan and preservation of mature trees for buffering, and also eliminated any connections to North Road. The project received state approval in October and local approval in February.

“Our project team worked very hard to put forward a sensible plan that is rooted in community input, prioritizes protection of sensitive resources, and delivers economic-development benefits to Westfield,” said Adam Winstanley, principal of Winstanley Enterprises. “We are excited to move the project forward.”

Marketing efforts have ramped up to secure a suitable tenant; however, the warehouse will be built on spec if a tenant is not secured prior to construction. With the needed approvals in hand, the team will continue to coordinate closely on finalizing both building-design elements and traffic-mitigation improvements.

“Falcon Landing is an ideal location for companies looking to grow their business at a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility that offers easy accessibility from the Mass Pike,” said Andrew Villari, Development manager for NorthPoint Development. “We are proud to be a part of this project and excited about the future in Westfield.”

“Our project team worked very hard to put forward a sensible plan that is rooted in community input, prioritizes protection of sensitive resources, and delivers economic-development benefits to Westfield.”

Winstanley Enterprises, a family-owned and operated commercial development company, has been a property owner in Westfield since 2018, when it purchased 1111 Southampton Road.

Winstanley owns and operates 12.5 million square feet of commercial real estate and is one of the largest local landlords of commercial properties in New England. The company believes its local presence and commitment to listening to the community is bolstered by the national experience of NorthPoint Development.

Established in 2012, NorthPoint is a privately held real-estate operating company specializing in developing, acquiring, leasing, and managing class-A industrial and multi-family properties. It currently has a 150.2-million-square-foot industrial portfolio, about 5,400 multi-family units developed and managed, and $19.5 billion in assets under management.

The project team supporting NorthPoint Development and Winstanley Enterprises on Falcon Landing includes Epsilon Associates, VHB, Good Earth Advisors, and Watkins Strategies.

Wealth Management

Why the Assignment Is Best Left to a Professional

By Linda Dagilus, Steve Hamlin, and Janice Ward

 

Linda Dagilus

Linda Dagilus

Steve Hamlin

Steve Hamlin

Janice Ward

Janice Ward

Years ago, they might have been known as an executor or, in the case of a woman, an executrix. And you still hear those terms occasionally.

But today, the phrase commonly used in reference to an individual handling someone else’s estate is ‘personal representative.’ And while the title may have changed, the responsibilities haven’t. They are significant, and there may actually be more of them today — a list that includes everything from the administration of a will to the handling of funeral arrangements; from preparing a final accounting and tax return to selling an estate; from investigating all claims against an estate and handling them accordingly to, yes, finding a home, or homes, for the pets of the deceased.

This broad and imposing range of responsibilities explains why those with estates, and especially large estates or those with complex assets, should think carefully about whom they choose to be their personal representative to administer their estate after they pass.

While family members have historically handled these duties, increasingly individuals are leaving these matters to third-party professionals, specifically trust officers — and for very good reasons. The most basic is the often-uncomfortable reality that settling an estate can be an unsettling experience, one that can potentially damage and destroy personal family relationships and result in mistakes that a professional might otherwise avoid.

But there are many reasons why individuals are increasingly looking to professionals to be personal representatives. First, they may not have family to turn to, or family they would consider qualified. Indeed, this is a considerable amount of work, some of it complex in nature, to put on someone who is not an expert in this area and has never done it before.

“Those with estates, and especially large estates or those with complex assets, should think carefully about whom they choose to be their personal representative to administer their estate after they pass.”

Also, many people simply don’t want to saddle a loved one with all that responsibility, especially at what will likely be a difficult time for them emotionally and when they are also likely juggling many other aspects of life and work. Additionally, choosing one family member over another to be your personal representative can often lead to conflict with the family member(s) not chosen.

Many of those turning to professionals, such as the Estate Settlement team within Greenfield Savings Bank Wealth Management and Trust Services, are recently divorced or surviving spouses who have found themselves suddenly in charge of their household’s financial savings and investments that had previously been handled primarily by their spouse.

The full list of responsibilities handled by a personal representative helps explain why it is best left to a professional and not a family member. It starts with pets, especially when there is no one else living with the recently deceased individual, but also includes everything from getting mail stopped and forwarded to a new address to securing the property to changing the locks and shutting off the water.

But it quickly proceeds to other, more complex financial matters that include:

• Entering the will into probate and assuring that all legal requirements of the settlement process are completed;

• Accounting for all personal property and arranging for the support of the family;

• Collecting all life insurance, rents, and other amounts due;

• Obtaining appraisals of the property for required tax purposes;

• Preparing a final accounting of the estate; and

• Distributing the estate as directed by the will.

While choosing a family member may seem logical and respectful, and some family members may actually volunteer for this work, most individuals are not fully qualified to handle such duties, and even if they are, they would often be placed in a difficult situation where relationships can become strained and matters can be delayed.

There is often a perception of unfairness if one family member is making all the decisions that affect the personal finances and tax consequences of each beneficiary. For example, is this individual liquidating all the assets — which might cause significant capital gains to family members who pay high tax rates — and are those decisions equally fair and appropriate for all affected parties?

It is a fact: estate administration is complicated and time-consuming. Money can, and often does, complicate relationships. Money can make people do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. Money can breed distrust — and worse.

And that’s why the work of a personal representative is best left to a professional.

 

Linda M. Dagilus, vice president and trust officer, has more than 25 years of experience in the financial-services industry. Stephen B. Hamlin, CTFA, senior vice president and senior trust officer, is a certified trust and fiduciary advisor with more than 35 years of experience in trust banking and investment management. Janice E. Ward, Esq., CFP, first vice president and trust officer, is an attorney and certified financial planner with more than 20 years of experience in trust banking and wealth management.

 

Wealth Management

Securing the Future

By Patricia M. Matty, AIF

 

With the Secure Act 1.0 of 2019 and the updated Secure Act 2.0, which went into effect in 2023, there have been many important changes to the rules and regulations for retirement saving and investing over the past five years.

While the elimination of the ‘stretch IRA’ was a key feature of the first Secure Act, the update provides many enhancements for investors. (The so-called stretch IRA refers to leaving an IRA to a non-spouse beneficiary who could then ‘stretch’ distributions from the IRA over their lifetime, thus enhancing the tax-deferral feature of the IRA.)

As financial planners, one of our goals is to help clients save as much as possible for retirement in the most tax-efficient manner. This usually involves maxing out retirement-plan contributions (workplace plans like the 401(k) and 403(b), as well as IRAs), as well as deferring the income associated with retirement-plan withdrawals as long as possible.

“As planners, these changes often prompt investigating alternative ways to pass on wealth earlier to heirs, including layering in additional diversification with investments spread between retirement accounts, Roth IRA/401(k) plans, and non-retirement assets.”

Some key changes associated with these goals are summarized as follows:

• Starting in 2025, the workplace ‘catch-up’ contribution for individuals ages 60-63 will increase to $10,000 per year (from $7,500). The IRA catch-up contribution, which is now set at $1,000, will be indexed to inflation starting in 2024. For high-income earners, 2026 will see a change that restricts catch-up contributions in workplace plans to a Roth account in after-tax dollars.

• RMDs (required minimum distributions) from retirement accounts start at age 73, thanks to the Secure Act 2.0. Starting in 2033, this will increase to age 75. For retirees that have sufficient income and assets in non-retirement accounts, delaying RMDs as long as possible is generally preferred.

• The penalty for not taking your RMD decreased to 25% from 50% (of the RMD amount). This penalty will decrease to 10% if the IRA owner withdraws the RMD and files a corrected tax return in a timely manner. While these penalties are quite rare in our experience, the previous 50% rate was severe and too punitive.

Younger workers and their priorities also received some beneficial changes to the rules and regulations:

• Starting in 2025, businesses adopting new 401(k) and 403(b) plans must automatically enroll eligible employees at a contribution rate of at least 3%. We’ve found that inertia is the enemy when it comes to saving for retirement. Getting younger workers started on the habit of saving and investing is critical to reaping the benefits of tax-deferred growth over the long term.

• Student-loan debt and payments are often cited as a reason for not contributing to a workplace retirement plan. Starting in 2024, employers will be able to match employee student-loan payments with matching payments to a retirement account.

• For 529 college savings plans that have been open for at least 15 years, ‘unspent’ plan assets can be rolled over into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary (subject to a lifetime limit of $35,000).

These selected highlights represent a small sample of the changes brought about by Secure Act 2.0. On balance, we believe the changes provide enhancements to the ability of investors and savers to provide for a prosperous retirement.

As planners, these changes often prompt investigating alternative ways to pass on wealth earlier to heirs, including layering in additional diversification with investments spread between retirement accounts, Roth IRA/401(k) plans, and non-retirement assets.

Eliminating the stretch IRA is inducing non-spouse beneficiaries to take mandatory distributions out over a five- or 10-year period versus over their lifetimes. This can significantly increase the beneficiary’s tax bracket, which may not have been the intention of the financial/estate plan.

Here are just a few options your financial planner can help you look at to navigate these changes:

• Depending upon your own personal tax bracket, you may want to take larger IRA distributions and gift funds to your children before you pass.

• Convert pre-tax retirement assets to Roth IRAs.

• Diversify your savings between qualified and non-qualified accounts.

• If you give to charities, you can donate directly from your retirement accounts once you hit age 70. These gifts and distributions are tax-free to you and have zero tax implications on your income

• Take larger retirement-plan distributions (speak with your accountant and your financial advisor first to ensure this may be a good option, as taking larger distributions may also impact your Medicare premiums), and make annual gifts to your children while you are alive. If you are married, you have a higher AGI than if you are single in later years.

As is always the case, consult your financial professional or tax preparer to see how the changes in the Secure Act 2.0 affect your individual circumstances. This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice. St. Germain Investment Management does not offer any tax or legal advice.

 

Patricia M. Matty is senior vice president, financial advisor, and financial advisory director for St. Germain Investment Management.

Wealth Management

Stay the Course

By Jeff Liguori

 

One trillion dollars. That number of zeroes, 12 in all, is difficult to comprehend.

But in the world of investing, ‘trillion’ is becoming more common. Market capitalization, computed by multiplying the number of shares outstanding by the current price of that company’s stock, is a standard measure of valuation for a public company. There are currently seven stocks with a valuation that exceeds $900 billion: Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, Amazon, Meta (formerly Facebook), Alphabet (formerly Google), and Berkshire Hathaway, in order of size.

The valuation of those seven companies is currently $15.9 trillion in aggregate. At the start of 2020, the valuation of the same seven companies combined was roughly $5.6 trillion, and only two companies — Apple and Microsoft — had exceeded $1 trillion in market capitalization.

We will refer to these seven companies as the ‘Super Seven.’

Jeff Liguori

Jeff Liguori

“Comparing the output of a country to that of a technology company is a fun exercise, and not at all realistic, but it does illustrate the magnitude of these trillion-dollar behemoths.”

In a little more than four years, despite a global pandemic which took the S&P 500 down by nearly 30% in a month, the market cap of the Super Seven has increased by almost 300%, while the S&P 500 has returned almost 74%.

For perspective, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the U.S. is approximately $28 trillion, up from $22 trillion at the end of 2019, an increase of 27%. The U.S. workforce is about 134 million people, which means each worker contributes, on average, $209,000 to annual GDP. In contrast, the Super Seven have a total of 3.06 million employees (Amazon is more than half of that total) and should generate about $2.5 trillion in revenue this year, which equates to $827,000 of output per employee. Employees of the Super Seven contribute 300% more than the average employee in the U.S. contributes to our GDP.

If Microsoft was a country, it would be the sixth-largest in the world, slightly smaller than the GDP of India but larger than that of the United Kingdom. Apple would be the eighth-largest, in between the economies of France and Russia. If the two companies merged to form the country of Microapple, it would be the third-largest economy at nearly $6 trillion dollars, with fewer than 400,000 residents.

OK, maybe these are not fair comparisons.

Other than Berkshire Hathaway, the seven companies are technology-focused, which by their nature require fewer workers because the businesses are highly efficient. The U.S. economy is dominated by service jobs, and approximately 80 million of the 134 million employed are paid hourly. Comparing the output of a country to that of a technology company is a fun exercise, and not at all realistic, but it does illustrate the magnitude of these trillion-dollar behemoths.

What can this top-heavy market indicate about future returns? Jason Goepfert of Sundial Capital Research, which uses huge data sets to help frame market direction, looked at the performance of equally weighting the 500 stocks in the index versus the actual performance of the S&P 500, where it is weighted by size, thus dominated by the Super Seven.

In the past three years, the equally weighted index is up 25% versus 36% for the S&P 500. The gap widens further, a 75% versus 98% return, respectively, in the past five years. It is the second-widest spread since 1958. When was the gap higher? In late 1999, as the dot-com bubble was nearing a climax. Some market analysts are concerned that the artificial-intelligence boom, which has fueled growth in these large technology companies, is the new dot-com bubble.

Despite the average stock underperforming the S&P 500 for the past few years, there may be reason for optimism. My firm, Napatree Capital, put out commentary (click here) in October of last year highlighting shares of Target (TGT) as an example of a stock that could play “catch-up” and help fuel the rally. We noted that “shares of Target (TGT) are trading 25%-30% below its historic average valuation, and more than 50% below its peak valuation. The stock is down 27% year to date, after losing 34% of its value in 2022. If such stocks start to rally, it should be healthy for the broader market.”

Since Nov. 1 of last year, the price of Target’s stock has rallied nearly 65%. And it is a similar story for other bellwether stocks such as Citigroup (C), Delta Airlines (DAL), Home Depot (HD), Bank of America (BAC), Disney (DIS), and others, which had dismal performance leading into the third quarter of last year but have since beaten the S&P 500 by a wide margin.

If you’re frustrated by the returns in your portfolio, it implies that you don’t own large positions in a small number of stocks, mostly in the same sector. But stay the course. Prudent investing is built on broad diversification across a range of categories. Owning the underperformers may yield excellent results just yet. Following the tech bubble in 1999, those forgotten, boring, blue-chip-type stocks outperformed their tech brethren for nearly a decade.

Maybe past performance is an indication of future results.

 

Jeff Liguori is the co-founder and chief Investment officer of Napatree Capital, an investment boutique with offices in Longmeadow as well as Providence and Westerly, R.I.; (401) 437-4730.

Class of 2024 Event Galleries Special Coverage

MEET THE 2024 DIFFERENCE MAKERS!

BusinessWest Editor Joseph Bednar interviews with 2024 Difference Makers: Rock 102, Paul Lambert from Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Beth Welty from the Springfield Chamber Players and Shannon Rudder from MLK Family Services.
BusinessWest Editor Joseph Bednar interviews with 2024 Difference Makers: Scott Keiter of Keiter, Linda Dunlavy of Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Matt Bannister of PeoplesBank and Delcie Bean of Paragus Strategic I.T. Special Thanks to GCAI

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Watch the Sponsor Videos

Daily News

Myranda Nasworthy

SPRINGFIELD — Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) has expanded its digital public-relations capacity by adding Myranda Nasworthy, an experienced video producer. Armed with GCAi’s new G7x vlogging cameras, Nasworthy worked on client videos before she started at the company.

“Myranda’s video-production experience has enabled her to be a quick start on all digital public-relations efforts,” said John Garvey, GCAi’s founder. “Her video and interview skills mean she can effectively work on both sides of the camera.”

Nasworthy will work in GCAi’s new edit suite, including a 2024 Apple Mac Studio. She is also equipped with a 2024 Macbook Pro for remote video editing. She is already working with a new GODOX lighting kit used at GCAi’s 24th-floor studios in Tower Square to produce 10 videos for an award program. Nasworthy shot and worked on all the edits with co-producer Nate Dion. She has also worked with GCAi’s West Coast team to produce 9:16 videos for Reels and TikTok.

A former associate producer of New England Public Media’s Emmy-nominated quiz show, As Schools Match Wits, Nasworthy interviewed celebrities including Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, and Red Sox players Rob Refsnyder and Christian Arroyo.

“I think of video as being PR’s Swiss-army knife, a multi-faceted tool revolutionizing communication,” she said. “Video storytelling has a humanizing effect on corporate communication, evoking empathy and adding emotion. It allows brands to amplify their personality and intentions in a way no other medium can.”

Nasworthy is a summa cum laude graduate of Westfield State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in media arts & analysis. GCAi currently employs one other graduate of Westfield State’s communication program and has successfully employed others. “Westfield State’s communication program is a wellspring of talent for us,” Garvey said. “We are delighted they are located in the area.”

Nasworthy’s skill set includes operating Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and Nikon filming equipment and studio, control-room, and field equipment. She also is experienced in working with Adobe Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Dreamweaver, and Final Cut Pro.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts will present an Instant Issues lunchtime discussion event featuring Jeevan Ramapriya, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI), on Monday, April 29 at noon in the ninth-floor gallery of 1350 Main St. in downtown Springfield.

Ramapriya became executive director of MOITI last July. He was previously a managing director in State Street Global Service’s regulatory, industry, and government-affairs department, where he was responsible for state government relations and public-policy-related activities and provided support for similar efforts in the U.S. Congress, as well as Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

Prior to joining State Street, Ramapriya was the deputy chief of staff to former Massachusetts state Sen. Steve Baddour, overseeing the senator’s political operation and policy matters involving transportation, economic development, and public safety. Before entering public service, he worked as a technology and management consultant with Accenture, where he assisted in implementing customer relationship management solutions for Fortune 500 companies.

The cost is $5 for World Affairs Council members without lunch provided, $20 for members with a lunch, $10 for non-members without a lunch, and $25 for non-members with a lunch. Registration deadline for a lunch provided is Thursday, April 25. To register or for more information, visit wacwestma.org or call (413) 733-0110.

The Instant Issues series is sponsored by M&T Bank, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, and Sir Speedy, with thanks to NAI Plotkin.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley is introducing a learning component as part of its OnBoard board-readiness and matching program. Titled “Board Basics,” this learning component will serve as an on-ramp to the popular annual board-matching event held each winter.

The initiative will kick off with “So You Think You Want to Join a Board?” — a three-part series geared toward individuals considering board-level volunteer opportunities. Through a conversational style of presentations by highly experienced nonprofit mentors in Western Mass., attendees will have the opportunity to learn, ask questions, network, and receive resources and tools to help them determine if board service is a good fit.

Part one of “So You Think You Want to Join a Board?” will be facilitated by Shannon Mumblo, president of Shannon Mumblo Consulting Inc., who will review the unique role nonprofits play in the community ecosystem and what potential volunteers should be aware of as board members. This breakfast event will be held on Wednesday, May 8 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the TD Bank conference room at 1441 Main St., Springfield.

Part two of “So You Think You Want to Join a Board?” will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and will be facilitated by National Federation of Community Broadcasters CEO Rima Dael, who will provide participants with an understanding of board service as it relates to governance, fundraising, and basic financial oversight.

The final event in the series will take place the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 9, and will be led by Sarah Tanner, a partner with Financial Development Agency, who will guide attendees in understanding what questions they need to ask nonprofits in order to determine a fit.

All three of the learning sessions are free and will culminate in the OnBoard matching event on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 12.

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Award-winning authors and musicians, puppetry, circus performances on an outdoor stage, and hours of fun for all ages are among the offerings at Meltdown: the River’s Family Music and Book Bash, which returns for the second year to Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center and the common in downtown Greenfield on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Meltdown is free for all to attend and features music from the Rockin’ Puppies, the Deedle Deedle Dees, and Marsha and the Positrons; readings from locally and nationally recognized storytellers like Mk Smith Despres, Molly B. Burnham, Kaliis Smith, and Hannah Moushabeck; crafting workshops by Annaleah Moon Studios; a book fair with the Imaginary Bookshop; and gymnasts from SHOW Circus Studio performing on Court Square all day.

“We’re thrilled to be presenting Meltdown to the community in the heart of downtown Greenfield,” said Stefan Ward-Wheten, Promotions director at Northampton Radio. “Meltdown is a fun day out for families with young children, with music, games, acrobatics, book readings, and even live birds of prey with Tom Ricardi’s Rehabilitation Center.”

Meltdown will take place both inside at Hawks & Reed and outside on Court Square and the Greenfield common. Local food will be available from Mohawk Falafel and Shawarma, Vegan Pizza Land, and Cocina Lupita, with frozen treats by Bart’s Ice Cream and Crooked Stick Pops. Meltdown is presented by WRSI 93.9 the River.

For more information, including a lineup of performers and activities, visit www.rivermeltdown.com or wrsi.com.

Cover Story Creative Economy

Taking Center Stage

Angela Park and Dan McKellick stand in the balcony at 52 Sumner.

Angela Park and Dan McKellick stand in the balcony at 52 Sumner.

 

Angela Park was originally looking for a home for her business, one that specializes in after-school programs for young people.

And she essentially found one in a portion of Faith United Church on Sumner Avenue in Springfield, a 125-year-old landmark that had recently come on the market amid declining church membership.

As she and other partners moved forward with the acquisition, an obvious question arose — what to do with the nave, altar, and even the balcony of the structure?

The eventual answer to the question — and it took some time for it to be answered — has become one of the more intriguing cultural developments in Springfield for quite some time.

Indeed, Park and others have created a nonprofit called Springfield Performing Arts Ventures Inc. (SPAV) and, in the church sanctuary, a new venue for the arts called 52 Sumner — the structure’s street address.

“We are committed to breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can access, participate in, and be inspired by the arts.”

After more than a year’s work to renovate the hall, remove its pews, and install a new sound and lighting system, the venue officially opened earlier this year. There are several events on the schedule, and the obvious goal is to add more, said Park, executive director of SPAV, and attorney Dan McKellick, a member of the agency’s board of directors.

But its broad mission goes much further than merely staging concerts and other forms of entertainment in a unique environment that many potential patrons can walk to.

“Our mission is to spark the artistic spirit within our urban community, providing a haven for creative expression, cultural enrichment, and personal growth through the arts,” said McKellick, quoting the agency’s mission statement but adding emphasis to those stated goals. “We are committed to breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can access, participate in, and be inspired by the arts. Through education, performance, and outreach, we strive to foster a more vibrant, connected, and culturally enriched city, promoting unity and understanding among all our residents.”

Elaborating, McKellick said the agency, with this venue, is focused on bringing many different types of performing arts to Springfield and the region — not just specific acts, but cultural experiences, as we’ll see.

52 Sumner

52 Sumner has already hosted several events and has many more on the calendar.

“This is a unique opportunity to bring all different sorts of arts,” he explained. “It’s not just limited to musical performances; we look forward to being able to host everything from acting clubs — there are many drama clubs around — to different types of music. I like to say that we’re providing an experience.”

As was the case late last month, when the Irish band the Screaming Orphans gave a performance at the venue, along with students from a local Irish step-dance school as an opening act.

And later this month, a Latin Fusion band called DAR & the Rebel Monks, based in Hartford, Conn., will be performing.

“They have a Grammy Award-winning artist in their band, and they have two members of their band who are backup band members for Jose Feliciano,” McKellick said, adding that this performance will follow a salsa instructor, and there will be Latino-themed finger foods.

“When you come out and buy a ticket, you’re not just seeing a band, having a couple of drinks, and going,” he said. “You’ll have the opportunity, in this case, to immerse yourself in the culture and connect a little more with that culture.”

“When you come out and buy a ticket, you’re not just seeing a band, having a couple of drinks, and going. You’ll have the opportunity, in this case, to immerse yourself in the culture and connect a little more with that culture.”

Meanwhile, these acts will provide working capital to the agency, said McKellick, adding that the proceeds will be used to bring community programming to the venue, such as performances for young people, art lessons, drama workshops, pottery lessons, and more.

This is part of the mission and a big part of what makes this venue and what’s happening there unique, said Park, adding that the agency is “trying to let out line slow,” as she put it, while putting together a slate of performances and drawing people from across the 413, and well beyond, to a very different kind of performance venue.

“There are a lot of people who want to get involved and have things here,” she said, adding that there is a high level of anticipation about what this venue can become in the years to come.

For this issue and its focus on the creative economy, we’ll look at how 52 Sumner came to be, how it plans to carry out its unique mission, and why it is a provocative addition to the cultural landscape in the region — for many different reasons.

 

Sound Decisions

It’s called the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy.

And it’s described thusly: “Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, this cocktail experience brings the most beloved works of Poe to life off the page and onto the stage. Our immersive evening pairs four tales with a dash and history and heavy libations.”

Those presenting the program are among the many varied groups who have reached out to SPAV about performing at 52 Sumner, said Park, noting that the strong interest to date, which comes from several local bands, theater groups, and more, speaks to just how quickly this new venue has captured the imagination of the arts community. And held it.

An undated picture of Faith United Church.

An undated picture of Faith United Church.

Looking back, those with the original vision said this is what they had in mind — sort of. From the beginning, they thought they had something unique, something special. It took some time to see just how special.

Our story begins in 2019, when Faith United Church closed amid declining membership. The property became one of several houses of worship to come on the market in recent years for essentially that reason.

The church, designed by renowned architect William Van Alen, noted for his design of New York’s Chrysler Building, was on the market for a few years when it came to the attention of Park and her business partner, who were looking for another location for their after-school programs. They eventually acquired it for $525,000.

With those programs and a daycare facility as tenants, the overriding question, as noted earlier, involved what to do the sanctuary portion of the building. Soon, plans for a performance venue started to develop, and over the course of a year they came together, along with the nonprofit Springfield Performing Arts Ventures Inc. and its broad mission.

The needed renovations were fairly extensive, said McKellick, noting that the floors had to be refinished and the hall repainted, a large project requiring specific expertise because of the height of the hall. Acoustic panels were added as well as sound and lighting systems, he went on, noting that the work was completed late last year.

Meanwhile, the necessary permits were obtained. Working with the city, parking was secured at a long-closed Friendly’s (now owned by the city) across the street from the church, with additional parking on the street and in a small lot behind the church.

An open house to showcase the space, which doubled as a fundraiser for Toys for Tots, was staged on Dec. 7, with the first actual performance on Feb. 17, featuring two local groups, Moses Sole and the 413s. Those performances, which drew more than 400 people, served as an opportunity to test all the systems and make sure all was in in order, said McKellick, adding that those tests were passed.

Overall, the goal is to bring live performances to the area, but at an affordable price — $17 for the performance in March involving the Screaming Orphans and the Irish dancers, and $20 for DAR & the Rebel Monks — although there’s an early-bird price of $15.

“You can come in for $15, get a salsa lesson, dance a little bit, enjoy a band that has all these really talented artists, dance some more, enjoy some food … that’s a pretty good value,” he said, adding that, as a nonprofit with a mission of breaking down barriers to the arts, affordability is an important aspect of this venture.

 

Art and Soul

Equally important is the resolve to create community programming for various audiences, but especially young people, said Park and McKellick, noting that this is why the schedule includes an important fundraiser, set for May 28.

Organizers have received a commitment from Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, a Grammy-winning blues artist, to play at that event, who was secured through “a cold call, lots of follow-up, and lots of horse trading.”

“I noticed that he was passing through,” said McKellick, noting that Kingfish — Ingram’s stage name — was playing an event in Boston and then heading to Vermont for a string of performances.

He will headline the fundraiser, which will hopefully raise $100,000 and thus help defray the cost of several summer programs that SPAV is planning, which speaks to the group’s larger mission: to go well beyond being a performance venue and instead become a vehicle for introducing constituencies, and especially young people, to the arts and immersing people in them.

Indeed, as noted earlier, the stated goal is to use the proceeds from various performances, and fundraising efforts, to fund community programs, from pottery classes to drama workshops, McKellick said.

“If we can find the instructor and we can figure out how to do it, we want to create affordable access to the arts for the kids in our community, because it’s super expensive, just like everything else — a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs … everything has gone up in price, and it’s really hard.

“To try to pull them away from wherever they are and keep them inspired by the arts, whether it’s the music side, the performing-arts side, or the artistic side, the hands-on side … that’s what we want to do,” he added.

To that end, those at SPAV are working to book some “symphony-like concerts” for young people as well other types of performances, including one involving someone called ‘Father Goose.’

This would be Wayne Rhoden, a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and music producer, said McKellick, adding that SPAV is trying to book him for several shows, what he called “field-trip” performances.

Meanwhile, the space is available to rent for corporate outings, nonprofit fundraisers, various types of performing arts (including dramatic productions), and other events, and it has already staged several, said Park, adding that there are several revenue streams that will help the agency carry out its mission.

Overall, SPAV and 52 Sumner are writing the early chapters of an intriguing story that has brought new life to a Springfield landmark and the promise of not just art, but the ability for diverse audiences to enjoy it, take part in it, and, hopefully, become immersed in it.

In short, it’s a work in progress, and a work of art — or the arts, to be more precise.

Features Special Coverage

The State of the Bay State

 

Brooke Thomson said her story is of the kind the Bay State and its leaders like to write.

Hailing from the Midwest, she graduated from Mount Holyoke College, went to law school in Boston, and then made the decision to start her career and raise a family here.

It wasn’t easy, she recalled, noting that she needed roommates when she got her first apartment, and housing in the Boston area, as well as countless other expenses, made those early years — and even the later ones — a stern challenge.

But she stayed and is now president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), a position from which she reflects on, and often retells, her story while noting, with large doses of frustration and even dismay, that it is becoming a harder story to write today.

Indeed, some of the thousands who graduate from Bay State colleges and universities each year are opting not to start their careers here, said Thomson, who sat down recently with BusinessWest to discuss the state of the Bay State. And some who did start here are finding it too difficult to stay amid sky-high prices for everything from homes to daycare and tax burdens that are far less friendly than many other states, including several in the Northeast.

This exodus, if you will, is one of many forces, most of them interconnected in some ways, that are colliding at what is an inflection point for the state, said Thomson, a critical time in its history, when the dust has largely settled from COVID and its aftermath, and this state, like all others, must devise a business plan, if you will, for coping with a new set of realities.

“Businesses, municipal leaders, state leaders, and federal leaders must make sure we’re putting in place the economic incentives and the regulatory pathways so that we can continue to have a strong economy in Massachusetts.”

These forces include the momentous shift in how and where people work post-pandemic, a swing toward remote work and hybrid schedules that is impacting everything from commercial real estate to hospitality and service businesses in central business districts in cities from Boston to Springfield and everywhere in between. They also include demographics — everything from smaller high-school graduating classes to huge numbers of retiring Baby Boomers — a persisting workforce crisis impacting most all sectors of the economy, falling state tax revenues, transportation issues led by the famously unreliable MBTA, a housing crisis that is impacting most of the 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth, high energy costs and the growing need to address climate change, and, of course, the spiraling cost of living, punctuated by sky-high home prices, not just in Boston, but in an ever-wider radius around the city and many other parts of the state as well.

A poignant example of how many of these forces are intertwined came late last month, when Boston Mayor Michelle Wu proposed legislation to increase commercial property tax rates amid a decline in property values post-pandemic — and as many buildings suffer from remote-work-related issues — in an effort to protect residents from what she called “sudden and dramatic tax increases.”

The matter went to a subcommittee last week, where its fate is in question, especially in an election year, and amid warnings from real-estate trade groups and business leaders that the move would increase the burden on an already-struggling office market and could deter new investment.

Brooke Thomson

Brooke Thomson says housing — and the need to build more of it — is among the many challenges confronting the Bay State at this critical time.

Wu’s proposal, and the reaction to it, are examples of how complicated these problems are — neither side is really in a position to absorb a higher tax burden — and how elected leaders, the business community, and even residents are going to have to work collaboratively in this time of stern challenges, Thomson noted, adding that the state’s businesses, despite some rumors to the contrary, cannot shoulder the burden itself.

“I think this is a critical time because there is so much uncertainty and because we are coming out of the COVID bubble,” said Thomson, who took the helm at AIM at the start of this year. “Businesses, municipal leaders, state leaders, and federal leaders must make sure we’re putting in place the economic incentives and the regulatory pathways so that we can continue to have a strong economy in Massachusetts.

“I think we’ve seen elsewhere in the country that, depending on what actions are taken, certain cities that used to be centers of business and growth are no longer there,” she went on. “Part of this was out of our control, part of it was this COVID bubble where everything was shut down and then people re-evaluated how they worked and where they worked, and businesses re-evaluated where they located and what their space looks like and where they draw talent from. But as we are moving out of that, we must collectively figure out the right sauce, the right recipe, sort of speak, for success.”

For this issue, BusinessWest talked with Thomson about this recipe and the ingredients that might go into it.

 

Work in Progress

Thomson said she can usually tell what day it is — or isn’t — by the volume of traffic in and around Boston.

While it’s still difficult to get where one wants to go most of the time, Mondays and Fridays are at least somewhat better, she said, adding that, by and large, these are the days when many who can and do work a hybrid schedule are not in the office. And the impact of that many people working from their home offices or dining-room tables is felt not just on the roads, but in the office towers in that city, where valuations are falling, and the countless diners, restaurants, and service businesses that rely on foot traffic from people working in the city.

“Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday — that’s when people are coming in,” she said. “And that presents a whole host of challenges; it exacerbates transit, and if you have a workforce, like ours, that’s in this sandwich generation where they’re caring for children but also caring for parents, not only do we not have enough support there, but our systems are not set up where daycare facilities have a Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday schedule.”

“There are a lot of things we have to move on quickly, meaning right now, to set ourselves up to be in a place of continued growth so that, 10 years from now, some of these trends that we’ve seen, like outmigration and tax-return dips, don’t continue. But it’s going to require some strong action right now.”

While Boston is the poster child for the challenges that have come post-pandemic, the same issues are being seen in communities across the state and in businesses of all sizes and in most every sector.

Indeed, she said AIM, which employs more than 25 people full-time, exemplifies the current colliding forces and trends. It has seen a few of its valued employees leave the agency and the Commonwealth for more affordable states, she said. Meanwhile, it is preparing to move into new quarters and reduce its overall footprint to reflect a need for less space amid more remote work.

“Like a lot of businesses in the wake of COVID, we re-evaluated what our footprint should look like and where we should be,” she said, adding that the agency is slated to move in June into space that is slightly smaller, but also features more “collaborative space,” as she called it, and more gathering and event space amid fewer private offices.

As for losing employees to other states, “we’ve lost two people in the past year who were under 30,” she said. “It’s not because they didn’t love Massachusetts; it’s not because they didn’t love AIM. One moved to Tennessee, and one moved to Texas because those states are more affordable, and they have the prospect of buying a home.”

Extrapolate these recent developments across the state and its business community, and it’s easy to see why this is a critical juncture for the Commonwealth, Thomson said.

She can cite some positives and possible reasons for optimism — everything from the tax cuts Gov. Maura Healey signed into law last fall to projections that falling state tax revenues may pick up in the last few months of the fiscal year; from persistently low unemployment rates to signs on Beacon Hill that leaders there understand what needs to be done.

“I remain cautiously optimistic because many municipal leaders, and our administration, are laser-focused on providing incentives to try to make it very clear to the business community that Massachusetts wants businesses to be here and wants businesses to grow,” she said. “And they recognize that, for there to be good jobs and good quality of life and affordable housing, we have to have a strong economy.

“I haven’t seen that messaging in recent years as strong as I’m hearing it now,” she went on. “The question is … will the actions that go along with that be put into place and be effective? From AIM’s perspective, that’s why we’re working alongside the administration and the Legislature to say, ‘now is the time to act.’”

Elaborating, and citing ways in which in the state and its leaders need to act, she listed the housing bond bill proposed by Healey, as well as the so-called ‘Mass Leads’ legislation, an economic-development bill that contains incentives for businesses.

“We have to look at this because, as we see the demographic shift, as we see folks retiring, we’re going to have a real problem if we’re not saying to those young folks, ‘this is where you want to stay and work and raise a family.’”

“There are a lot of things we have to move on quickly, meaning right now, to set ourselves up to be in a place of continued growth so that, 10 years from now, some of these trends that we’ve seen, like outmigration and tax-return dips, don’t continue,” she went on. “But it’s going to require some strong action right now.”

 

It’s About Time

Thomson kept repeating those words ‘right now’ for emphasis, and they apply to everything from housing to how the state will meet its energy needs in the future as it moves on from nuclear power and some fossil fuels to natural gas and clean-energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro, for which infrastructures must be built.

“If it’s not done quickly, 10 years from now, 15 years from now, I don’t think we’re going to be at a point where we have as much control over turning the ship around,” she told BusinessWest, adding, again, that the responsibility for turning the ship, and the costs involved, must be borne by all constituencies, and not simply the business community.

“We have to be thoughtful and intentional about how everyone has a role,” she went on. “What AIM has said consistently is that this cannot be a burden that is carried by the business community alone. We know that our businesses are really taxed right now; they’re at a point where many of them are just barely getting by, and they’re in a real competition for talent and resources.”

While she’s generally optimistic that the ship can, in fact, be turned, she is troubled by much of what she’s seeing, especially the exodus of talent to other states. She noted that 22- to 35-year-olds are leaving the state at a rate of 35%, a number significantly higher than it has been historically.

And they’re leaving primarily because of the high cost of living, she said, noting that, while it’s always been expensive to live in Greater Boston — she had to work two jobs to afford her first home — it is much harder to make ends meet now, as evidenced by those two AIM employees who packed the car and moved south and west.

“That’s what I worry about — that’s your talent, those are your creative minds,” Thomson said. “Those are the folks who are going to bring the innovation that has made our economy so great. And we’re not selling them on staying here in Massachusetts.”

And these young people are leaving just as the Baby Boomers are leaving the workforce, she went on, noting that the state now has what would be called an older workforce, with an average age around 40.

“We have to look at this because, as we see the demographic shift, as we see folks retiring, we’re going to have a real problem if we’re not saying to those young folks, ‘this is where you want to stay and work and raise a family,’” she noted. “I really do worry about it, and it’s worse in certain areas and worse in certain industries; the average age of a utility lineman is 57 years old. How are we going to make the energy investments, upgrades, and transitions we need if we don’t have the workforce that’s capable of doing it?”

There are ongoing initiatives to generate interest in such fields, Thomson went on, but the challenge is the full slate of issues that must be addressed simultaneously — and soon.

Which begs the question: where to start?

“The hard thing is, we’re going to have to do a lot of things at once,” she said. “We must take aggressive actions on housing because it’s going to take long, and the price of not acting now is that, once you start losing folks at a high rate, they’re not going to come back. And even if we can build more housing and find creative ways to make some affordable housing, Massachusetts is going to be more expensive than some states.”

It’s the same with the other issues on that long list as well, Thomson went on, adding that, when it comes to housing, new businesses, or other forms of change, communities will need to be willing to adjust — or suffer the consequences.

“Communities that say, ‘this is what my community looks now, change is hard, and we don’t want to adapt,’ those communities are going to lose out to those who are willing to be more adaptive,” she noted. “And then the question is … do we have enough consensus as a state, enough communities willing to step up and do it, that we’re successful?”

Construction Special Coverage

Building on Momentum

Wonderlyn Murphy (standing, center) with her leadership team at City Enterprise.

Wonderlyn Murphy (standing, center) with her leadership team at City Enterprise.

 

 

To Wonderlyn Murphy, a successful construction project can be defined in different ways. And one of those is how gratifying it is.

Take the new digital marquee sign at the MassMutual Center, which displays upcoming events, weather, and other information. Springfield-based City Enterprise built the structure that holds the digital display in place and ran the electrical work. The stone exterior in that area of the building had to be removed, reconfigured, and reinstalled after significant steel reinforcement was added to the wall structure to support the 40-by-25-foot display.

“That’s a brand-new sign, and it’s a big deal for Springfield and a big deal for us. We wanted that contract because of everything that Springfield is doing,” said Murphy, City Enterprise president, noting other developments happening in the downtown area, like the transformation of the former Court Square Hotel into housing. “To be part of what’s happening in Springfield, for me, is important.”

Another gratifying project is City Enterprise’s work on Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyerian Church, which was set ablaze by an arsonist in December 2021.

“We’re currently working on rebuilding that, to make sure that they have services again,” Murphy told BusinessWest. “It’s a very significant project for us, being a local contractor, and that being an African-American church with all its history. It’s an important project for us, very close to home.”

In terms of sheer volume of work, Murphy said, “it’s been challenging finding the right opportunities for us to bid. We have found them — we have an excellent estimating department that fishes out all these opportunities to bid. But it’s slim pickings out there.”

That said, she added, “it’s cyclical. As the summer comes along, we’ll find more opportunities that fit within our wheelhouse.”

City Enterprise has been involved in an array of intriguing projects, though, from laboratory renovations at UMass Lowell and two projects at UMass Amherst’s Mullins Center — an HVAC system overhaul and chiller replacement — to work at the Moakley federal courthouse in Boston and a complete rebuild of a security entryway for the Air National Guard at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.

J.L. Raymaakers & Sons has been busy on a project at Gardner Municipal Airport.

J.L. Raymaakers & Sons has been busy on a project at Gardner Municipal Airport.

“That’s a very significant project,” Murphy said of the latter. “We’ll take on any type of challenge.”

Dan Jodice has a similar take on being involved in a variety of projects. As a co-owner of PDS Engineering & Construction in Bloomfield, Conn., he’s seen the 60-year-old firm specialize in a widening list of sectors, including automotive, aviation, education, healthcare, retail, public safety, and more.

“Self-storage facilities are popular now, and car washes and car dealerships have been very popular with our clients over the past three years,” he said. “We can also do schools; we’re renovating a $40 million school in Hartford right now. Usually we do one school at a time, so we’ll do a school job, and when that ends, we’ll start on another one. We’ve also done a handful of churches over the years, and aerospace and aviation are pretty popular.

“We probably could be busier, but we’re happier with what we have now,” Jodice went on. “I’d say 60% of our work is repeat clients, and the other 40% is just getting out there and finding every lead possible.”

 

Challenge and Opportunity

John Raymaakers Jr. and Josh Raymaakers, directors at J.L. Raymaakers & Sons in Westfield, are plenty optimistic about how business is going, noting that all this year’s projects had been booked by last June.

The firm specializes in excavation, site work, and construction projects of all kinds, including airport runways and taxiways, pump stations, and, most recently, the foundation technique known as sheet shoring. Recent jobs include multiple bridge projects, Gardner Municipal Airport, a pump station in Great Barrington, and a Dunkin’ Donuts in Easthampton. “I’d say it’s a good mix right now,” Josh said.

“These are jobs funded through federal money and have been trickling into our local economy, which is helping us out and giving work for our employees.”

That said, they’ve dealt — like every other firm — with the key challenges of the past several years in construction: higher costs, supply-chain delays, and workforce shortages.

“They’ve been challenges, every one of them,” Josh said. “The pump stations require a lot of electrical components, and those have been an issue.”

Jodice agreed. “The biggest supply-chain issue is for electrical switchgear. If you order that now, it seems like it’s a year out, for some reason. Since COVID, that has not rebounded at all. Everything else is back to normal. Prices aren’t the same — I wish the prices were lower — but the supply chain is better. Ordering a metal building during COVID took six months. Today, it’s three months or faster.”

As for workforce, “we do pretty well,” Josh Raymaakers Jr. said. “Obviously, we would like more, but it’s a difficult challenge to find good people who have experience in our field.”

John recognizes the challenges across the industry as retirees are outpacing new blood, but as someone who grew up around the family business, he said construction is a stable and satisfying career — for those willing to put in the work.

entryway for the Air National Guard in Westfield

One current job at City Enterprise is rebuilding a security entryway for the Air National Guard in Westfield.

“You can’t be scared to get your hands dirty at first. The problem is, everyone wants to start at the top. But you have to work in the field and get your hands dirty. You have to learn. That’s what our parents made us do,” he explained. “That knowledge from being in the field is crucial, and that’s the hardest thing we’ve got to teach people. We have a project manager and bidder who started as a laborer, then became an operator, then a foreman, and now he’s a project manager. And his experience has been crucial for us.”

Challenges aside, “we’re very busy, and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down, even with the private-sector work,” John continued, noting that about 75% of Raymaakers jobs are public, and 25% private.”

A great deal of the public work is being driven by a recognition that much infrastructure in Massachusetts is in need of repair, and federal money has been flowing in to help address those needs.

“Those are good opportunities,” he told BusinessWest. “These are jobs funded through federal money and have been trickling into our local economy, which is helping us out and giving work for our employees.”

Jodice said PDS doesn’t do as much public bidding as it does private, bidding maybe six public-sector jobs a year. “We try to stay busy in the private market. Public, you’re bidding against 10 to 15 GCs, and private, it’s maybe five, so there’s a better chance you get the project. And if it’s private, you can land a job more by building on a relationship with the owner and having them select you rather than the low number getting the bid.”

PDS got started six decades ago erecting pre-engineered steel buildings, and still does that work today, along with a much wider variety of projects ranging from commercial and industrial buildings to small fit-outs and large college projects — typically about $60 million worth of work each year across Connecticut, Western Mass., and Rhode Island. It also touts its expertise in the design-build realm.

“The convenient thing is we do our own design in-house; we can design and build rather than have the client go to an architect and have several different parties involved. The process is quicker because we’re doing everything here.”

 

From the Ground Up

Several years ago, J.L. Raymaakers & Sons launched a second business called ROAR (Raymaakers Onsite Aggregate Recycling), through which it collected and resold the dirt it dug up from construction jobs. That enterprise, which then expanded into bark mulch, processed gravel, and all kinds of rock, now employs four people full-time.

Because both businesses have been growing, the family bought land on Progress Avenue in Westfield and is building a new, 4,000-square-foot office space, which will be followed next year by a 7,000-square-foot maintenance garage. That property will be the new home of J.L. Raymaakers & Sons, while the current headquarters on East Mountain Road will exclusively house the ROAR operation.

“ROAR started strong, and it complements our other company,” John Raymaakers Jr. said. “We’re able to take the topsoil materials off of our jobs and then recycle them and sell them. That’s been a huge aspect of our business.”

City Enterprise has seen growth over the years as well, and now touts “the best team in the industry,” Murphy said.

“I have core values here, and I have people working with me that are really aligned with those,” she added. “Each department has their expertise, and we have a vision, and we’re working to get things done.”

Special Coverage Wealth Management

Living the Dream

By Barbara Trombley, CPA

Do you dream of retiring early? Do you picture yourself in sunny Florida at your vacation home during the winter and heading back to temperate New England for the summer? Playing golf, lying on the beach, enjoying grandchildren, and not adhering to a corporate work schedule — this is the dream of many, but is it a financial possibility? What are the pitfalls of an early retirement, and what can you do now to achieve your dream?

At the heart of the dream is financial independence. This means not relying on employment to fund your current lifestyle. Retiring in your 50s or at age 60 means that you cannot draw Social Security, and you need to figure out a healthcare plan. Many people today do not have access to pensions like the generation before us. So that means investing early and wisely is paramount to building the wealth needed to achieve your retirement dreams. Also, if you retire before age 59½, you need an investment account outside of your retirement plan to avoid a 10% penalty on withdrawals.

The most logical place to look for investments is your work retirement plan. Are you fully funding each year? At age 50, an employee can contribute $30,500 in 2024. That includes the catch-up contribution of $7,500. This may be the easiest place to invest as your funds are automatically withdrawn from your paycheck.

After your retirement plan, you can and should have a brokerage account or investment account with a financial advisor. These accounts come with many names, like individual, joint, non-qualified, etc., and send you a 1099 each year for your taxes. Many people are not aware of how easy it is to invest outside of your work plan. Investing in a well-managed portfolio, over time, will greatly increase your wealth.

“Many people today do not have access to pensions like the generation before us. So that means investing early and wisely is paramount to building the wealth needed to achieve your retirement dreams.”

Having a plan to withdraw from your portfolio is integral to a successful early retirement. Life expectancy is increasing, and inflation and market volatility may always impact your financial life. The old myth of withdrawing 4% of your portfolio and having it last for your lifetime may not work if you begin the withdrawals in your 50s.

Using a conservative rate of withdrawal and adjusting it for market volatility would be prudent. This means that a large nest egg may be needed to achieve your dream. Also, you may consider a type of insurance product called an annuity. At its core, an annuity provides a series of payments for a premium that you pay. There are many different types of annuities, so do your homework and understand the risks. Annuities can be valuable for providing a lifetime income stream that you may need to fund retirement.

When to start Social Security may be one of the most important decisions that a retiree can make. Yes, it adds a stream of income that will take the stress off retirement withdrawals, but taking it too early can be detrimental to a financially sound retirement. Social Security benefits are available at age 62, but they are reduced by approximately 32% of the full retirement-age benefit amount. Conversely, every year that a retiree waits after age 67, retirement benefits are increased 8% per year. Social Security planning should be approached with great care.

Perhaps the biggest challenge to an early retirement is finding a healthcare plan. Medicare does not begin until age 65. What do you do before then? Many early retirees go to the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. You can compare plans and see if you qualify for subsidies based on your income. Your income is what is shown on your tax return, so having an investment account outside of your work retirement plan can be advantageous when withdrawing living expenses in early retirement.

Other options could be COBRA from your last employer, or perhaps your spouse still works and has access to a policy. A last, and expensive, option would be to pay for private insurance. Many of my clients find the cost of private insurance to be prohibitive, and that is the reason many wait until age 65 to retire.

Tax planning can also play an important role in an early retirement. Investments can have many different tax structures. Traditional 401(k) plans, SIMPLE plans, and IRAs are all fully taxable when withdrawn after age 59½. Roth 401(k)s and Roth IRAs are not taxed upon withdrawal. Non-qualified investment accounts or brokerage accounts have a variety of tax implications, including dividends, interest, and capital gains. Structuring the withdrawals from your different accounts can play a very large role in planning for retirement and may save a lot of money if done properly.

Lastly, the word ‘retirement’ means many things to many people. For some people, it means not working at all, which requires a plan for fully funding your living expenses. For others, it means leaving your full-time, stressful career and taking on a part-time ‘fun’ job or a different career altogether, which would help pay the bills until Social Security full retirement age. Working with an experienced financial planner and not making this decision to retire early on your own is always recommended.

 

Barbara Trombley is a financial planner with Wilbraham-based Trombley Associates. Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Trombley Associates, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking investment advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.

Environment and Engineering Wealth Management

Shore Thing

 

Sanjay Arwade says UMass Amherst has a long and proud history in the broad realm of wind energy.

It dates back nearly a half-century to professor William Heronemus, who established what is now the oldest wind-energy research and education center in the country.

“He started working on wind energy, and there’s been a string of faculty members over the years, mostly in mechanical engineering, but now some, like me, in civil engineering, who have been working on wind-energy problems,” said Arwade, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “We’ve been working on wind energy, and we’ve developed collaborations across the region and around the country.”

This history, and these collaborations, certainly played a role in this tradition reaching a new and intriguing level with the recent announcement that UMass Amherst has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and lead something called ARROW — the Academic Center for Reliability and Resilience of Offshore Wind, with an emphasis on those two R-words.

This will be a nearly $12 million national center of excellence, said Arwade, one that will accelerate reliable and equitable offshore wind-energy deployment across the country and produce a well-educated domestic offshore wind workforce. 

“We’ve been working on wind energy, and we’ve developed collaborations across the region and around the country.”

Elaborating, Arwade said development of offshore wind has lagged behind its close cousin, the onshore variety, and for various reasons. ARROW has been created to essentially help close that gap.

“Onshore wind energy … that industry is a total success,” he noted. “We produce huge amounts of electricity from wind onshore, mostly up and down the Great Plains and the center of the country. That energy is, in many days, the cheapest electricity in the country.

“Offshore wind is at an earlier stage,” he went on. “There’s a lot of offshore wind in Northern Europe and a little bit here — basically three projects are operating in the United States: Block Island, Vineyard Wind, and one in Virginia. So we’re at an earlier stage, but the potential is huge.”

Harnessing that potential is at the heart of ARROW, which will involve a number of partners — more than 40, in fact — and set several different goals, said Arwade, noting that the center will be a university-led education, research, and outreach program for offshore wind that prioritizes energy equity and principles of workforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, with technical specialization in the reliability and resilience of offshore wind infrastructure, transmission, and supply chain.

The various partners include eight universities, three national laboratories, two state-level energy offices, and many industry and stakeholder groups in other areas of Massachusetts as well as Illinois, Maryland, Washington, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico. 

Sanjay Arwade

Sanjay Arwade says offshore wind lags behind the onshore variety, but there is momentum and progress on several fronts.

This consortium includes Clemson University, Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, UMass Dartmouth, UMass Lowell, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Argonne National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Maryland Energy Administration. More than 20 other organizations, including developers, conservation organizations, offshore-wind manufacturers, a grid operator, community representatives, trade associations, and standards organizations, are also anticipated to serve as partners. 

As for goals, there are three main ones, about which we’ll get into more detail later: 

• Empowering the next generation of U.S.-based offshore wind professionals. Not only does this include training for offshore wind professionals, but it will also enhance the ability of U.S. institutions to deliver comprehensive offshore wind education and establish global leadership in offshore wind education. The center will advance the education of 1,000 students over the initial five-year life of the center;

• Innovating with impactful research for a reliable and resilient offshore-wind system built on rigorous treatment of uncertainty. Research will focus on infrastructure, atmospheric and ocean conditions, and marine and human ecology; and

• Engaging with communities to get input from the wide diversity of stakeholders who make up the offshore-wind ecosystem, including wind-energy companies, grid operators, manufacturers, nonprofits, insurance companies, and advanced technology developers, in order to arrive at inclusive and just deployment of offshore-wind solutions. 

For this issue and its focus on energy, we talked with Arwade about ARROW and what it means for the university, the region, and ongoing efforts to tap the enormous potential of offshore wind.

 

Bridging the Gap

As he talked with BusinessWest late last month, Arwade was between phone calls from media representatives looking for his take on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was struck by a massive container ship.

The New York Times found him first, and after his comments to one of its reporters found their way into the Times and then the Boston Globe, other outlets, including the BBC, dialed his number. He told them, and BusinessWest, essentially the same thing — that collapse was imminent after a ship of that size struck a bridge built to the design codes of the 1970s.

“Offshore wind is at an earlier stage. There’s a lot of offshore wind in Northern Europe and a little bit here — basically three projects are operating in the United States: Block Island, Vineyard Wind, and one in Virginia. So we’re at an earlier stage, but the potential is huge.”

“It wasn’t a failure of the structural steel — it was a failure of ship navigation,” he explained. “You could not design that bridge to withstand that impact.”

Arwade worked for some time in Maryland — he was a professor at Johns Hopkins — and he suspects that might be one of the reasons the media sought him out. But he’s also passionate about bridges.

Indeed, the walls of his small office in Marston Hall are covered with photographs and prints of mostly better-known structures, especially the Brooklyn Bridge.

This passion for bridges and design and construction of these structures will now have to share time with ARROW, which he described as both a turning point in UMass Amherst’s long history of windpower research and his own career.

Explaining how it came about, he said the DOE issued a request for proposals for an offshore-wind energy center of excellence roughly a year ago.

“Through our collaborations, we had a team basically ready to go,” he explained. “And we had a concept, centered around reliability and resilience, basically ready to go.”

This team will be tasked with unlocking that enormous potential for offshore wind that Arwade mentioned earlier. He told BusinessWest that, depending on which technical analysis one is looking at, it’s conceivable that half or more of the eastern seaboard can be powered through offshore wind “depending on the scale of development we’re willing to pursue.”

He acknowledged that offshore wind is currently expensive power to produce, but he believes that cost can and will come down over time.

“The trajectory is good,” he said. “As with many engineered systems, the cost goes down over time as we become more expert at designing and constructing systems and as the components become commodity items; the cost is higher, but it’s becoming competitive, and the trajectory on cost is good. If the lessons learned from onshore wind apply to offshore wind, it will quickly, meaning within a decade or two, become highly competitive with other energy sources.”

Elaborating, he said that, while there are some hurdles to overcome, there is, in his view, a considerable amount of momentum regarding this brand of clean energy.

“There are numerous projects under construction, others nearing construction phase, and even the hiccups we’ve experienced related to inflation and economic issues … the industry seems to be overcoming those,” he told BusinessWest, acknowledging that there are concerns from “co-users” of the ocean, including fisheries and environmentalists, and, meanwhile, the cost of offshore wind remains high compared to the onshore variety and other sources of energy.

 

Wind in Their Sails

Arwade said his role will be to manage the various objectives of the ARROW initiative, and there are several of them, including education, research, and community outreach and engagement related to offshore wind.

Projecting out — ARROW still exists only on paper, but is expected to officially commence its work this summer — he expects an educational program to be up and running within a few years, with hundreds of students per year being trained for an industry that will need a workforce.

“These are students who will get bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and professional certificates in offshore wind and can go into the field and lead the industry forward in the U.S.,” he said, adding that there are existing programs, but the DOE wanted a comprehensive offshore-wind energy education and research program, and until ARROW, one didn’t exist, except at UMass.

“This one will be bigger, more comprehensive, and bring expertise from all of our partner instititions to bear for our students,” he went on, adding that ARROW will exist in mostly a virtual state, but with initiatives on the Amherst campus, Boston, Maryland, Puerto Rico, and at the national labs in Colorado, Washington State, and Illinois.

Workforce is a key ingredient in the growth and development of the industry, he said, adding that companies looking to hire currently have few places to go find those students. But research will be another key area of focus, and it will cover many areas that are germane to the industry and answer important questions.

“These include how quickly can these structures be installed? What will the cost of construction be? How much energy can be extracted from the wind during operation of the turbines? And how can we ensure that the energy gets distributed to consumers in efficient and equitable ways?” he said.

When asked how those involved in ARROW will measure success, Arwade said there will be several barometers.

“We’re going to count students that we educate; we’re going to track where they go in the industry,” he said. “On our research arm, we’re going to be tracking the publications that our faculty and graduate students make and seeing that they’re being cited and being of use to industry. We’re going to keep track of students that do internships in industry. We’re going to do outreach that brings offshore-wind education and research to a variety of stakeholders, including high-school students, for example. And we’re going to have listened, carefully, to co-users of the coast and the ocean, communities that have been historically disadvantaged and have not seen the benefits of new infrastructure like this.”

Overall, ARROW will play a major role in bringing the offshore-wind industry forward, while also enabling this region, the Commonwealth, and especially its flagship state university to assume leadership positions in those efforts.

“Massachusetts has been a leader in offshore wind for a few decades now, both on the industry side and the government and regulatory side,” Arwade said. “Massachusetts has also led on the academic side, through our work and with our partners at UMass Dartmouth and UMass Lowell and Northeastern. But getting this recognition from the Department of Energy cements Massachusetts nationally as the federally recognized home of offshore-wind research and education in the academic sphere; it’s a huge win for the Commonwealth.

“And I would say the same for UMass Amherst,” he went on. “We’ve been doing wind energy for 50 years, and for us to be trusted by DOE with leadership of this center is a major feather in the cap of UMass Amherst and the UMass system as a whole.”

 

Daily News

SPRINGFIELDBusinessWest will present its 16th annual Difference Makers Gala at the Log Cabin in Holyoke tonight, April 10. The event is sold out.

Since 2009, BusinessWest has been recognizing the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through this recognition program. The 2024 Difference Makers — profiled in the Feb. 19 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com — are:

• 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, co-founders, Feed the Kids;

• Scott Keiter, CEO, Keiter;

• the staff of Rock 102;

• Shannon Rudder, president and CEO, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services; and

• Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players.

Partner sponsors for the 2024 Difference Makers include Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, and TommyCar Auto Group. Supporting sponsors include the Springfield Thunderbirds and Westfield Bank.

Daily News

Colin D’Amour

SPRINGFIELD — The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announced the appointment of Colin D’Amour as senior director of asset protection.

In that role, he will lead the asset protection team, develop and execute future strategies, deploy new technologies, build relationships with law enforcement and other regulatory agencies, and foster both education and growth within the department. He reports to Nicole D’Amour Schneider, senior vice president of retail operations and customer experience.

D’Amour began working as a service clerk at Big Y Supermarkets in 1998 at age 14. From there, he held several positions, including produce clerk, warehouse selector, and construction/remodel store projects coordinator. In 2007, he accepted a commission with the U.S. Marine Corps as second lieutenant, serving with distinction and ultimately earning the rank of captain. In 2010, he was deployed to Helmand, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2014, D’Amour left active duty in the Marines and returned to Big Y by entering into its store director training program. Since then, his career has included several roles, including store director, corporate center store sales director, senior manager of procurement, and, most recently, senior director of the Big Y Express division. He was also a project manager for the expansion of the Fresh and Local Distribution Center and is a member of Big Y’s real estate and store design committees.

In addition, he oversees multiple programs and initiatives with Topco, an $18 billion cooperative that provides aggregation, innovation, and management solutions to its leading food-industry members across the country.

A graduate of Boston College, D’Amour holds personal decorations from his military service, including both the Navy and Marine Corps commendation and achievement medals. He is the grandson of Big Y co-founder Gerald D’Amour and son of Executive Chairman Charles D’Amour.

Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Tuesday, April 16, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) will host a free financial seminar for the community.

Sue Zielenski of Bank of America will present the topic “Keep It Safe” at Bank of America Financial Center, 1724 Boston Road, Springfield. The class will start at 6 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but participants are required to sign up. Click here to register.

“With how prevalent financial and identity theft scams are today, it’s important to know how to protect yourself against them,” said Olga Callirgos, GSHFH Homeowner Programs coordinator.

GSHFH hosts free financial-literacy seminars monthly. At the April 16 presentation, Zielenski will provide information on how people can protect their finances and identities from thieves. To keep up to date about future seminars, visit habitatspringfield.org/financial-seminar.

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering low-income families to change their lives and the lives of future generations through homeownership and home-preservation opportunities. Since 1987, the organization has built or repaired 129 homes in Hampden County.

Daily News

PITTSFIELD — What should you do when you don’t get along with your boss? Answers await at the Dulye Leadership Experience (DLE) Culture Chat program, “Build a Better Relationship with Your Boss,” scheduled for Friday, April 12 at noon. This one-hour, virtual event is free to attend with advance registration.

Attendees will gain five fundamentals and actionable advice from leadership coaches Jeff Schreier and Janet Forest that will help them adopt new thoughts and actions that can make a boss work for the employee, navigate difficulties by being more aware of challenges that a boss may be facing, and use workplace goals to change their perspective on the relationship and move forward. The program will be followed by small group discussions.

Click here to reserve a virtual seat. There is no fee to attend, thanks to the sustained sponsorship of the Dulye & Co. consulting firm.

Schreier began his professional career as a CPA, focusing on auditing and tax preparation. In 2014, he stepped down from his role as CFO into positions that allowed him the time to complete the iPEC coaching program and become a certified professional life coach. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Pace University.

Forest is a certified career and life coach specializing in career transition. Her search for a purposeful career has taken her through several industries, including media, real estate, theater, nonprofits, and librarianship. She holds a certification in life coaching from iPEC Coaching and is accredited by the International Coaching Federation as a Professional Certified Coach. In addition to her coaching practice, she serves as director of the Dalton Free Public Library in Dalton. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication studies from Concordia University in Montreal.

Picture This

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

 

Driving Support

Balise Auto recently presented a check for $40,000 to Square One, combining Balise’s generosity with matching gifts from Balise’s corporate partners at Lexus and Toyota. Square One currently provides early learning services to more than 500 infants, toddlers, and school-age children each day, as well as family support services to 1,500 families each year, as they work to overcome the significant challenges in their lives.

Driving Support

Pictured, from left: Ken Maffia of Balise; Kristine Allard and Dawn DiStefano of Square One; and Alex Balise and Tim Cardillo of Balise.

 

 

Progress, Promise, and a Name

On March 26, regional leaders unveiled a name for the cybersecurity center at Union Station: the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. U.S. Rep. Neal, who provided a tour of the center currently under construction, led a funding effort in 2023 that resulted in $3 million of congressionally directed spending to establish the center, which is also is supported by a $1.46 million state grant and $500,000 from the city of Springfield.

Progress, Promise, and a Name

Pictured, from left: STCC President John Cook, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Neal, Springfield Redevelopment Authority Chair Armando Feliciano; and CyberTrust Massachusetts CEO Peter Sherlock.

 

Beyond Frames

Mechanics Hall in Worcester unveiled three commissioned portraits of 19th-century Black Americans at an event called “Beyond Frames” on March 14, as part of its Portraits Project. Westfield State University Associate Art Professor Imo Nse Imeh contributed with his portrait of formerly enslaved civil-rights leader, orator, and writer Frederick Douglass. The Mechanics Hall Portrait Gallery is an installation honoring 19th-century Worcester innovators, social reformers, Civil War heroes, and political leaders.

Pictured: Imeh in his studio with his Douglass portrait.

 

Student Art at the Mill District

On April 6, the Mill District General Store & Local Art Gallery unveiled an installation called “Pieces of Us,” a mosaic by more than 120 students at Pelham Elementary School. The front-window exhibit, which runs through April 27, was “inspired by classroom dialogues around identity and the many characteristics that shape our school community,” art teacher Emily Stewart (pictured) said. “Each student had full control over their creative expression within Pelham’s choice-based art studio. The selections they made in subject, media, style, and design invite us to embrace the beauty of their collective diversity and the mosaic of their varied experiences.”

Student Art at the Mill District

The Mill District General Store & Local Art Gallery unveiled an installation called “Pieces of Us,” a mosaic by more than 120 students at Pelham Elementary School

 

Community Effort

Monson Savings Bank’s annual donation and pledge drive to benefit the United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) recently raised a total of $5,184. Employees also raised an additional $1,063 through a bank-wide bingo game and $695 through a TGIF dress-down program. The bank also provided a corporate donation of $1,000, bringing the total United Way donation to $7,942.

Community Effort

Pictured, from left: Dodie Carpentier and President Dan Moriarty of Monson Savings, Tracy Trial and Megan Moynihan of UWPV, and Michael Rouette and Kylie LaPlante of Monson Savings.

 

Learning Opportunity

Five Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) students — Travis Canary, Bradley DeJesus, Samuel Frechette, Jessica Phillips, and Hong Zhang — joined their peers for the Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience in Seattle on Feb. 18-21. The five STCC students in the STEM Starter Academy embarked on a transformative experience, embracing opportunities for growth, connection, and learning.

Learning Opportunity

Pictured, from left: Canary; Zhang; Jason Phillips, academic counselor; DeJesus; Zahi Haddad, professor of Engineering and Physical Sciences; Frechette; and Samar Ghrear, director of the STEM Starter Academy.

Agenda

Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR

Through May 5: Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR has come to Hartford, Conn. for the first time ever. A colourful homage to Cirque du Soleil legacy, BAZZAR opened on April 6 and will continue its performances until May 5 at Under the Big Top on Market Street. The show features acrobatic disciplines such as teeterboard, acrobike, contortion, duo rollerskates, duo trapeze, aerial rope, hair suspension, fire manipulation, slackline, and music performed live on stage. Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR is intended to be an eclectic lab of creativity where a joyful troupe of acrobats, dancers, and musicians craft an awe-inspiring spectacle. Lead by their maestro, they band together to invent a whimsical, one-of-a-kind universe. In a place where the unexpected is expected, the colourful group imagines, builds, and invents vibrant scenes in an artistic and acrobatic game. The high-energy excitement, collision of sounds and colors, and meeting place of diverse characters one might find at a traditional bazaar inspired the name of the show. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/bazzar.

 

Alumni Achievement Award Nominations

Through May 10: When BusinessWest launched its 40 Under Forty program in 2007, it did so to identify rising stars across our region — individuals who were excelling in business and through involvement within the community — and celebrate their accomplishments. In 2015, BusinessWest announced a new award, one that builds on the foundation upon which 40 Under Forty was created. It’s called the Alumni Achievement Award. As the name suggests, it is presented to the 40 Under Forty honoree who, in the eyes of an independent panel of judges, has most impressively continued and built upon his or her track record of accomplishment. Candidates must be from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007 to 2023. The 2024 Alumni Achievement Award finalists will be profiled in the June 10 edition of BusinessWest, and the honoree will be announced at the 40 Under Forty gala on June 20. The presenting sponsor of the Alumni Achievement Award is Health New England. Visit businesswest.com/40-under-forty/alumniachievementaward for the nomination form, and visit businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40underforty for a list of the past 40 Under Forty classes.

 

‘The Dangers of Union Activity Within a Non-union Workplace’

April 17: The popularity of unions has created dangers for employers, both unionized and non-unionized alike. Even if an employer is non-unionized, the employer risks violating the National Labor Relations Act and being subject to charges from the National Labor Relations Board if new laws and rulings are not considered. Attorney Trevor Brice from the Royal Law Firm will present a seminar, titled “The Dangers of Union Activity Within a Non-union Workplace and Other Recent Changes to Enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act,” from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the firm’s offices at 33 Elliot St., Springfield. Brice will discuss the dangers of union activity in a non-union environment, as well as other updates and changes to enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act that have occurred in the past year. The cost is $30 per person. Payments should be mailed to, and checks made payable to, the Royal Law Firm. Registration is required, and seating will be limited. Email Heather Child at [email protected] to register or with any questions about this seminar.

 

Get Hired Job Fair

April 17: Holyoke Mall will host its spring job fair from 2 to 5 p.m. on the lower level near Macy’s. The Get Hired Job Fair is a convenient opportunity for Western Mass. employers to interview and hire workers, and to help job seekers connect with businesses who need their skills. Employers from a variety of industries will be in attendance, looking for candidates at all skill levels. The event is free to attend for all job seekers. Employers that have already signed up to staff a table include Baystate Health, PeoplesBank, Holyoke Community College, YMCA Greater Springfield, and more. Last year, the September job fair drew more than 40 employers, representing more than 10 industries, and nearly 400 candidates. Employers interested in participating in the upcoming job fair should contact Jim Geraghty, advertising representative for Holyoke Mall, at (617) 840-2998 or [email protected].

 

YWCA Golf Tournament

May 6: The YWCA of Western Massachusetts Golf Tournament will be held at Springfield Country Club, with registration now open online at ywworks.org. Proceeds of the charity golf tournament will support the Children Who Witness Violence program, which offers therapy for children who have witnessed or experienced abuse and violence. The Healthy and Empowering Relationship Education program of the YWCA, which helps Springfield middle- and high-schoolers learn about healthy relationships and friendships, will also benefit from proceeds raised at the tournament. Cost per golfer to participate in the tournament is $155, which includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner, and a quarter-zip jacket. There will be a raffle and cash bar at the country club. Individuals or organizations interested in registering or sponsoring the event can visit ywworks.org.

 

Pioneer Valley Conference for Women

May 9: The third annual Pioneer Valley Conference for Women will be held at Marriott Springfield Downtown from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The conference will be held in person and virtually. This year’s theme is “Unleashed.” Christina Royal will serve as emcee for the conference. The former president of Holyoke Community College, Royal is now president and CEO of Infinite Unlearning LLC, a woman-, BIPOC-, and queer-owned executive coaching and consultancy service supporting mid- to senior leaders and their organizations. Keynote speakers are Meghan Rothschild, president and owner of the marketing and public-relations firm Chikmedia, and Jessika Rozki, founder of Rozki Rides, a transportation service focusing on children and seniors. The conference will also feature 10 different panels that women can choose to attend in the morning and afternoon. The 30 panelists are all local women. Dianne Fuller Doherty will be presented with the Goddess Award, recognizing her many years of volunteer work on behalf of women. A comedy kickoff reception the night before the conference will feature comedian Jess Miller. Visit ow.ly/qgYJ50QK85h for more information or to purchase tickets. Event sponsors include M&T Bank, Westfield Bank, Liberty Bank, Country Bank, and USI.

 

Free Shred Days

June 8, 22: bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free shred days at local offices. Events will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until the truck is full) on the following dates and at locations: Saturday, June 8 at 770 Main St., Agawam; and Saturday, June 22 at 241 Northampton St., Easthampton (two trucks at this event). No appointment is necessary. Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and shredding them safely and securely for free. A professional document destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

 

Hooplandia

June 21-23: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the second annual 3×3 basketball tournament and festival, at www.hooplandia.com. The three-day event includes levels of play for all ages and divisions. Hooplandia launched in 2023. Taking place in the heart of Greater Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, the event is hosted by Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Most games will be played on the ESE grounds, with special games held at the Hall of Fame. Seventy-five basketball courts will be set up to accommodate more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Divisions of play have been created to provide an all-inclusive environment for players of all ages and playing abilities. The diverse divisions include young girls, boys, women, men, high-school-level, college-level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name and uniforms, and register at www.hooplandia.com. Team fees range according to age, and children in the under-8 category are free of charge. Hooplandia will once again partner with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the region as its designated philanthropic partner, $10 from every paid team registration to support the mission and programs of the clubs. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For inquiries, email [email protected].

People on the Move
Mei-Ann Chen

Mei-Ann Chen

Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) announced that internationally acclaimed conductor Mei-Ann Chen, who was guest conductor for the SSO’s 2023-24 opening-night performance, is joining the SSO in the newly created position of artistic advisor, effective for the 2024-25 season. Chen will serve as the orchestra’s artistic face, curating programs, selecting guest soloists, and facilitating other artistic needs. She will also conduct a minimum of two symphonic concerts per season. At the same time, the SSO will continue to engage guest conductors in performances of the symphony. An acclaimed, innovative leader both on and off the podium, Chen has served as music director of Chicago Sinfonietta since 2011. Chief conductor of Austria’s Recreation – Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte, she also serves as an artistic partner with ROCO in Texas and Northwest Sinfonietta in Washington. A sought-after guest conductor, she has appeared with distinguished orchestras throughout the Americas, Europe, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia (more than 150 orchestras to date). Named one of Musical America’s 2015 Top 30 Influencers, Chen is a recipient of a League of American Orchestras Helen M. Thompson Award, a Taki Concordia fellowship, and several ASCAP awards, and is the only woman in the history of the Malko Competition to have been named First Prize Winner.

•••••

Jack Dill

Jack Dill

Ashley Vanesse

Ashley Vanesse

Lisa Wills

Lisa Wills

Elms College announced that three prominent leaders in the region have joined the college’s board of trustees. B. John (Jack) Dill is the president and principal of Colebrook Realty Services and has been negotiating real-estate transactions on behalf of his clients — buyers, sellers, property owners, and tenants — for more than three decades. He holds the counselors of real estate designation, along with other professional designations and licenses in the fields of real estate, finance, and construction, and is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Dill has been an active supporter of more than 20 local nonprofits, including Elms College, and is currently vice chairman of the Fallon Community Health Plan board of directors and a member of the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. He earned his bachelor of arts degree cum laude from Williams College. Ashley Vanesse is the president of the Elms College Alumni Assoc. and has been a member of the association since graduating from the Elms in 2011. She is currently office manager for Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home and also held various positions in the Elms College Admission Office. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Elms College and her master’s degree in psychology and school counseling from Westfield State University. Lisa Wills is a partner at Whittlesey, one of the largest regional CPA and IT consulting firms in New England. She has worked primarily with nonprofits over her 25-year career and is an expert in complex audits. She is a licensed certified public accountant with the state of Connecticut and an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). In addition, she is a recognized industry leader and frequent speaker on topics such as FASB changes and female leadership. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Elms College in 1988.

•••••

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announced that its executive committee has concluded its search for the chamber’s new executive director and selected Jacob Robinson, who brings more than 15 years of experience in building coalitions, fostering partnerships, and promoting business-driven leadership for sustainable impact. In his most recent role as the West Roxbury Main Streets program director, Robinson concentrated on local economic development, offering technical assistance to small businesses, facilitating pandemic recovery efforts, leading community events, and championing inclusive commercial planning efforts. His commitment has extended to serving on municipal planning committees and nonprofit boards and contributing to Belchertown’s Climate Resilience and Sustainable Growth Plan. His past work includes building regional and national networks of business leaders working together to develop and share best practices in energy management and strategy. He is also a skilled researcher and educator on the topics of corporate environmental, social, and governance leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental management from Indiana University.

•••••

Thomas Dufault

Country Bank announced the appointment of Thomas Dufault as senior vice president of the Retail Lending department. With 35 years in the mortgage industry and an entrepreneurial and construction background, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his new role. Dufault has gained extensive experience in construction standards, business acumen, and process improvements throughout his career. His diverse background, including as a former business owner, makes him an ideal candidate to lead Country Bank’s Retail Lending team. In addition to his professional achievements, Dufault is also committed to community service. He has served on the board of Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts for 10 years, the past four years as the board president. He supports various charitable initiatives, including the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, the American Cancer Society, Heifer Project International, and the Alzheimer’s Assoc. He has also served on various committees and boards in the town of Rutland, where he lived for 26 years.

•••••

Tech Foundry, the regional leader in IT workforce development and training, announced the hiring of four new staff members as well as promotions of existing staff to support the organization’s growing operations. Phillip Borras, Tech Foundry’s Career Readiness and Recruitment coordinator, was recently promoted to Coaching manager. A professional speaker, comedian, and life coach, he now leads a team of three coaches who mentor student members throughout the organization’s IT support training program and after graduation. This work complements Tech Foundry’s professional-development training, including résumé writing, interviewing, networking, and other professional-development skills. Jessica Cogoli has been promoted to instructor. A Tech Foundry alum, she has been working closely with the organization since she graduated, as a volunteer, assistant instructor, and technical lead for the IT support training program. She recently graduated from Holyoke Community College with an associate degree in computer science and is now working toward her bachelor’s degree at Southern New Hampshire University. Eric Maldonado, a 20-year veteran of the human-services field, joins the Tech Foundry team as a coach. His previous work focused on youth and homeless adults, including experience as a career coach with MassHire in Springfield. He is also an entrepreneur and has been running two successful businesses for the past five years. William Medina, a former instructor at Tech Foundry, returned to the organization as the new Tech Hub director at the end of February. He is a technology enthusiast who helped build the organization during its early years. In his new role, he is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Tech Hub, a Holyoke-based center which provides digital-literacy classes, technical support, and device distribution throughout Western Mass. As director, he manages daily operations, curriculum development, community relations, the digital fellows program, and professional development. Hilda Santa, a recent graduate of Tech Foundry, joins the team as the new administrative assistant and coach. She is a retired 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air National Guard and brings more than 15 years of administrative experience to the organization. In her role as a part-time coach, she will mentor the next generation of student-members. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health studies from UMass Amherst. Pattie Carulli-Hauser brings her passion for coaching and mentoring to the Tech Foundry team as one of the organization’s new coaches. In her role, she will provide ongoing mentoring and support for Tech Foundry’s student members. She has spent most of her career in research and development leadership roles in the consumer-goods industry.

•••••

Caitlin von Schmidt

Franklin Community Co-op recently welcomed Caitlin von Schmidt as its new Outreach and Communications manager, effective March 19. “Caitlin’s time as coordinator of the Greenfield Business Association and in the Mayor’s Office at the city of Greenfield sets her up beautifully to succeed in her new position, and we’re excited to have her on board,” co-op General Manager John Williams said. “We’re happy to have her as the newest member of our successful team.” Williams also thanked Amy Britt for her time in the position as she moves on to other opportunities. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Franklin Community Co-op family,” von Schmidt said. “The co-op is a beloved establishment, and its role as an anchor business and vital community member can’t be overstated. In addition, I’m thrilled to be involved at such an important time, with the expansion into the Wilson’s building on the horizon.”

•••••

Duc-Pac Corp. announced that its president, Gregory Merchant, has been voted to serve as president of Air Distribution Institute (ADI), the national alliance of steel HVAC pipe and fittings manufacturers focused on research and working with industry leading decision makers to create better policy. Duc-Pac is a family-owned and operated business that was founded in 1949. The company moved its manufacturing facility to Springfield in 2022. “I am proud to contribute my experience by helping lead the ADI,” Merchant said. “Duc-Pac has been a member of the organization for over 15 years. There is a lot of attention today on the use of green energy in HVAC and achieving ever-greater efficiencies with heating and cooling our homes. On one hand, we are very specialized production manufacturers. On the other hand, we have a big role to play in providing products and information essential to more efficient HVAC systems. We cannot lose sight that to not participate in HVAC improvements this way is to invite overseas competition to do so.”

•••••

Lauren Tabin

Lauren Tabin

bankESB recently hired Lauren Tabin as assistant vice president, branch officer of its King Street, Northampton office. Tabin has nearly 30 years of banking experience. Prior to joining bankESB, she was assistant vice president, branch officer at PeoplesBank, and previously held various other positions there, including banking center manager, branch officer, trainer, and teller. She brings an extensive background in management and leadership experience to her new role, where she will manage the Northampton office team while remaining engaged in the community. She currently serves on the board of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, and previously served on the board of Black Horse Trust, the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, and Providence Ministries. She is a member of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2011.

•••••

Country Bank announced the appointment of four new corporators and a new trustee at its annual meeting on March 11. Ivon Gois, president of Gois Broadcasting, brings a wealth of experience to the bank. Based in Worcester, Gois operates 12 radio stations in New England and is well-known for his contributions to the media industry, ethnic and racial diversity work, and financial expertise. Mechilia Salazar, CEO and director of Hope for Youth and Families Foundation in Springfield, is a respected leader in the nonprofit sector. Her previous role as CEO of the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club demonstrates her commitment to serving marginalized and underbanked communities. She often serves as the bridge between local businesses and the communities they serve. Samalid Hogan, a business consultant, CEO, and principal at Greylock Management in Ludlow, is a seasoned professional with a strong track record of success. Her leadership as past president of the Springfield Rotary Club and her involvement on various boards further highlight her dedication to making a positive impact. Her passion for empowering small businesses has made her a respected leader in the industry. Walter Pacheco, a prominent figure in the hospitality industry, owns several Western and Central Mass. restaurants and investment properties. His extensive business acumen and local ties make him a valuable addition to the bank. In addition to the new corporators, new Country Bank President Mary McGovern was appointed to the board of trustees.

•••••

Paul Asselin

The Massachusetts chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors announced that Paul Asselin, Gould Construction Institute instructor, is the 2024 ABC National Craft Instructor of the Year. Asselin was honored at the 2024 ABC Convention in Orlando, Fla. on March 13. ABC presents the annual Craft Instructor of the Year Award to an outstanding instructor with a passion for their craft, creativity, a positive attitude, and the ability to transfer knowledge through excellent communications skills and forward-thinking teaching to future construction professionals. With nearly 40 years of experience in the construction industry, Asselin has taught basic through advanced electrical courses since 2001. He is the training manager for Elm Electrical Inc. in Westfield, where he has worked since 1983. He is also the wiring inspector for his hometown of Russell and previously served as chair of Westfield Technical Academy’s general advisory board and electrical shop advisory board. As Craft Instructor of the Year, Asselin received a $10,000 cash prize. Co-sponsors of Craft Instructor of the Year are the National Center for Construction Education and Research, the training, assessment, certification, and career-development standard for the construction industry; and Tradesmen International, North America’s premier craft-professional staffing resource. Asselin will also be profiled in the June issue of Construction Executive magazine.

•••••

On April 6, Westfield State University inducted six alumni into the Criminal Justice Alumni Hall of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their excellence in their chosen field and for their accomplishments in criminal justice and law enforcement at the state, federal, and local levels. This year’s alumni inductees are Benjamin Campbell ’11 of the Maine State Police; David Campbell ’84, a retired special agent in the U.S. Department of Justice; Cheryl Clapprood ’92, Springfield Police superintendent; John Kotfila Jr. ’08, who served in the Sheriff’s Office in Hillsborough County, Fla.; Kenneth O’Connor ’87, a chief court officer in the Massachusetts Trial Court; and Jeffrey Trask ’02, a leader in emergency management and preparedness. Kim Tobin, professor of Criminal Justice, was also honored for her distinguished service to Westfield State. Both Benjamin Campbell and Kotfila were recognized posthumously.

Company Notebook

Sublime Systems Awarded $87 Million in Federal Funds

SPRINGFIELD — As part of a $6.3 billion initiative funding 33 projects across 20 states, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that Sublime Systems in Holyoke will receive $87 million in federal funding from its Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and its Industrial Demonstrations Program. Sublime Systems plans to build a new, ultra-low-carbon cement manufacturing facility in Holyoke. The company’s new method to make cement replaces carbon-intensive limestone with abundant calcium-silicate-based feedstocks, resulting in industry-standard cement that is produced electrochemically instead of using high heat. By demonstrating this transformational process that was previously supported by ARPA-E, Sublime aims to strengthen American supply chains for low-carbon products, increase transparency for product environmental impact and performance, and catalyze industry-wide change. The Sublime project expects to create 70 to 90 permanent manufacturing jobs in a community that once produced nearly all of the country’s writing paper but has seen a decline in industry over the 20th century.

 

Bay Path Cybersecurity Program Ranked in Top Five by Forbes

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University announced that its master of science (MS) in cybersecurity program has been recognized as one of the top five such programs in the nation by Forbes in its Best Online Master’s in Cybersecurity rankings for 2024. Forbes’ ranking of Bay Path’s MS in cybersecurity online program reflects the university’s dedication to providing students with a comprehensive, cutting-edge education that prepares them to address the complex challenges of cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape. With a curriculum designed by industry experts and taught by experienced faculty members, the program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to succeed in this critical field. Bay Path is also a partner in the federally funded, $1.5 million Union Station cyber range project in Springfield. This state-of-the-art cyber range will mirror IT environments and allow students to gain experience through live-fire attacks, blue-team-red-team events, training modules, labs, assessments, and more. In addition, Bay Path is a member of MassCyber’s training and education working group, giving students access to internships and real-world opportunities, the latest research, professional networks, and insight into best practices.

 

Nonotuck Resource Associates Honored Among Top Workplaces

NORTHAMPTON — Nonotuck Resource Associates Inc. was recently named a recipient of a USA Today 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage. The Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 regional markets. Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. More than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee-engagement survey, issued by Energage. This news comes on the heels of Nonotuck being selected as a Boston Globe Top Workplace.

 

Modern Workspace Opening in East Longmeadow

EAST LONGMEADOW — Bill Laplante of Laplante Construction announced that Modern Workspace, a co-working facility he is developing with partners Chris Orszulak and Jason Pananos, should be open for business by May at 7 Purves St. in East Longmeadow. The modern, net-zero building will feature 25 individual spaces available on a membership basis for businesspeople who work remotely. The modern, luxury building will be heated and cooled by electricity produced from solar panels on the roof, which will also provide hot water and a charge for tenants’ vehicles. The building will be accessible to tenants 24-7. In addition to high-speed internet, amenities will include conference rooms and office equipment such as standing desks. Laplante and his partners said Modern Workspace is the third in a model that also extends to the historic Brewer Young Mansion in Longmeadow, with 17 offices; and Chatham, on Cape Cod, in a location with nine offices. Various levels of membership will be offered, including an address-only membership, a 10-day pass, or a private office with all amenities.

 

AIC Earns 2024-25 Designation as Military Friendly School

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced it has earned the 2024-2025 Military Friendly School and Military Spouse Friendly School designations. Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-25 survey, with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. The 2024-25 Military Friendly Schools list will be published in the May and October issues of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found online at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher-education and military-recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

 

Bulkley Richardson Honors Jeff Poindexter with YMCA Gift

SPRINGFIELD — In continuing Jeff Poindexter’s legacy, Bulkley Richardson has partnered with the Greater Springfield YMCA to help area boys and girls attend summer camp. The firm will send 16 youth campers to a YMCA-run camp this summer for one week. Poindexter was a partner at Bulkley Richardson and the former chairman of the Greater Springfield YMCA board of directors. “Jeff knew summer camp was a privilege not all kids had access to, and he was a huge advocate of advancing equity in our Springfield neighborhoods,” said Dan Finnegan, Bulkley Richardson’s managing partner. “We felt that honoring Jeff’s longtime commitment to the YMCA and its efforts to provide opportunities to youth in the community was something he would be proud of.”

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of March 2024.

EASTHAMPTON

Ain’t Your Average B…
21 Mineral St.
Raven Williams

Annie’s Kitchen
79 Maple St.
Ann LaRochelle

Bark Rangers
38 Clark St.
KJ Nichols

Buri’s Generation HI & GC
31 Exeter St.
Belisario Buri

Easthampton Glass & Screen
42 Morin Dr.
William Therrien Jr.

JKirley Collective
3 Ferry St., Unit 414, Suite 4W
Jessica Kirley

Mango Fish Inc.
117 Maple St.
Lori Novis

Northeast Diagramming Services
27 Overlook Dr.
Michael Allard

Nouria
124 Northampton St.
Tony El-Nemr

Oxbow Tattoo
2 Holyoke St.
Maximilian Rothert

Phoenix Painters
10 Sunset Ave.
Brendyn Phoenix

Pomeroy Pup Pack
7 Lovefield St., Unit 5
Amelia Wilson

SD Services
13 Chapman Ave.
Joshua Dean

Space and Robot
10 East Green St.
Christopher Ferry

Three Posies
49½ Union St., Apt. 5
Bronwen Hodgkinson

The Valley Arts Newsletter
49½ Union St., Apt. 5
Bronwen Hodgkinson

Win/Win
2 Pine St.
Jenna Weingarten

PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Mattress Recycling
51 Stratford Ave.
Wahid Hage

Blackington Artisans Inc.
35 Atwood Dr.
Blackington Artisans Inc.

Brazzucas Market
75 North St.
Brazzucas LLC

David R. Cianflone Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 3613
David Cianflone

Divo Enterprise LLC
44 Scalise Dr.
Mohamed Fofana

Faceframe Collective
436 North St.
Lemon Lash Academy LLC, Magnolia Hair and Co. LLC

Fantastick Patrick
32 Kensington Ave.
Patrick Connor

fauxstainedglasspanes.com
82 Wendell Ave.
Stuff Is Parts LLC

Harvest Health & Nutrition
75 South Church St.
Makenzie Evangelisto

Landscaping by Antonio
22 Elizabeth St.
Antonio Aleman

M&D Auto Sales
105 Fourth St.
Lily Diaz LLC

Millsbeauty
25 Cobblestone Cove
Millicent Homiah Beckham

New England Cleaners
69 Wellington Ave.
New England Cleaners LLC

Rockland Restoration and Masonry
82 Lafayette St.
Matthew Canterella

Stylin’ on Elm
136 Elm St.
Stephanie Vallone

TEC Consulting
45 Woodlawn Ave.
Tamara Sime

Turnkey Innovation Services
5 Cheshire Road
Latoya Gillyard

WeeCare Upwards Childcare Services
82 Wendell Ave.
Amanda Smith

Western Mass Periodontics & Implant Specialists
435 South St.
Western Mass Periodontics P.C.

SOUTH HADLEY

Board and Brush Creative Studio
19 College St., Unit 4
DSPLUMMER LLC

Fleming Banking Co.
51 Woodbridge Ter.
Emily Fleming

Law Office of Richard M. Juang
40 Viviani St.
Richard Juang

Mastercom Design
134 College St., #1
Todd Guenther

Nicnats Bakery
4 Wellington Ave.
Melissa Pontbriant

Bankruptcies

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

Blanks, Elisa
PO Box 51154
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/05/2024

Bushey, Anthony
92 Grove St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/04/2024

Connors, Erinn
161 Kendall St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/14/2024

Crevier, Marilyn Ruth
31 Old Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/04/2024

DaCruz, Matthew E.
104 Longview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/11/2024

Fulton, Hanna M.
121 Lenox Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/11/2024

Girard, Joseph M.
142 Franklin St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/07/2024

Giard, Paul A.
42 Purlington Lane
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/12/2024

Hadley, Kyle
1286 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/09/2024

Hankins, Gloria
19 Morgan St.
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/06/2024

Huebner, Amy Lynne
19 Livingston Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/05/2024

Larange, Linda J.
711 South Barre Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/14/2024

Lemke, Diane M.
24 Brightwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/07/2024

Lopez-Martinez, Diosdado
19 Springdale Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/08/2024

Martinez, Joel A.
623 Osborn Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/04/2024

McCaughey, Sean E.
77 Flynt St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/04/2024

Moriarty, Daniel P.
Moriarty, Lynne
535 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/15/2024

Parmelee, Wendy R.
7 Anthony St., Apt. B
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/08/2024

Rodriguez, Kaila
180 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/01/2024

Rodgers Painting Service
Goodhind, Rodger E.
144 Stuart St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/05/2024

Rosario, Xavier
837 State St., Apt. 330
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/11/2024

Shaw, David
175 Tully Road
Orange, MA 01364-9526
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/11/2024

St. Pierre, Dana M.
1081 West St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/05/2024

Therrienc Robert R.
157 North St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Date: 03/14/2024

Tobiasz, Timothy E.
Lacharite, Piper L.
230 Linden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/15/2024

Torres, Ana Hilda
70 Shumway St., Lot 28
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/01/2024

Tosti, Peter J.
71 Ferry St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/15/2024

Vautour, Paul
Vautour, Jeanne
436 Daniel Shays Highway
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 03/05/2024

Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

90 Church St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Rebecca Harrison
Seller: Bruce R. Hietala
Date: 03/14/24

213 Northfield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Alexander J. Wahlstrom
Seller: Drenna M. Mahaney
Date: 03/15/24

BUCKLAND

11 Rand Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Tara Mason
Seller: Woodsome, Marian L., (Estate)
Date: 03/15/24

CHARLEMONT

East Oxbow Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Margaret M. Hobbs
Seller: Rotima SA Inc.
Date: 03/13/24

480 West Oxbow Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Margaret M. Hobbs
Seller: Rotima SA Inc.
Date: 03/13/24

COLRAIN

15 Griswoldville St.
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Giselle Harrington
Seller: Mortgage Equity Conversion TR
Date: 03/11/24

DEERFIELD

4 Industrial Dr. West
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Norava Deerfield LLC
Seller: 4 Industrial Dr. West LLC
Date: 03/15/24

59 Mathews Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Jacob Savage
Seller: Philip J. Savage
Date: 03/08/24

ERVING

91 Mountain Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $288,900
Buyer: Selene Flance LP
Seller: Arthur S. Johnson
Date: 03/08/24

GILL

65 Ben Hale Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Deonisie Gheorghita
Seller: Gould, Donald R., (Estate)
Date: 03/14/24

GREENFIELD

30 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Perrin C. Hendrick
Seller: Robert K. Brown RET
Date: 03/01/24

306 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: FRST Strength Properties LLC
Seller: Anderson & Dolby LLC
Date: 03/14/24

36 Shattuck St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John R. Jennings
Seller: Eileen Naughton
Date: 03/04/24

76 Smith St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Rey Mathiau
Seller: Eva M. Babits
Date: 03/01/24

HEATH

Flagg Hill Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Charles W. Nartowicz
Seller: Peter E. Schriber
Date: 03/01/24

MONTAGUE

76 2nd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $360,500
Buyer: Jedathan O. Richhardson
Seller: Van Brothers Co. LLC
Date: 03/05/24

12 Chester St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Albert Emond
Seller: A. E. & Rita E. Belanger IRT
Date: 03/11/24

8 Madison Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Nadezhda A. Vozniuk
Seller: Vincent A. Rupp
Date: 03/15/24

76 Park St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Matthew Latkiewicz
Seller: Christopher R. Shea
Date: 03/14/24

NEW SALEM

423 Daniel Shays Hwy.
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Aneil Mehta
Seller: Bruce W. Whittier
Date: 03/01/24

ORANGE

85 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: 107 E. Main LLC
Seller: Athol Credit Union
Date: 03/05/24

98 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Swaz Properties LLC
Seller: Donald R. Dion
Date: 03/05/24

16 Maynard St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Yvette E. Silva
Seller: Michael L. Fernet
Date: 03/14/24

10 Oaklawn Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Wayne Barba
Seller: Spagnuolo, Michael, (Estate)
Date: 03/04/24

39-41 Pleasant St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Vargas & Son Properties LLC
Seller: M. Jemms Orange I LLC
Date: 03/13/24

21 Smith Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $155,500
Buyer: Harry E. Foster
Seller: Kathleen A. Goodrum
Date: 03/12/24

SUNDERLAND

313 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Hskim Sea & Salt LLC
Seller: Lesser FT
Date: 03/01/24

11 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Kenney
Seller: Jack Radetsky
Date: 03/11/24

WHATELY

135 Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Kyle R. Keith
Seller: Gregoire, Lawrence J., (Estate)
Date: 03/14/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

737 Barry St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Frye
Seller: David M. Grimaldi
Date: 03/15/24

28 Center St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Nora Wine
Seller: Silver Snake Properties LLC
Date: 03/08/24

244 Colemore St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Barbara A. Myca
Seller: Christine M. Vershon
Date: 03/14/24

41 Federal Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Clark Dore
Seller: Moore Jr., Leslie J., (Estate)
Date: 03/15/24

23 Fenton St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Emin Mammadov
Seller: Jeremy Daunais
Date: 03/04/24

85 Garden St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Ina Stavila
Seller: Joseph F. Giordano
Date: 03/14/24

232 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $509,000
Buyer: Evelyn O. Hackman
Seller: 232 Meadow RT
Date: 03/14/24

35 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $309,500
Buyer: Colin J. Robinson
Seller: Michael A. Luciani
Date: 03/07/24

612 North West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Mila Sinigur
Seller: Gregory R. Forsman
Date: 03/07/24

507 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Timothy Ayre
Seller: Gina M. Buoniconti
Date: 03/13/24

417 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Michael G. Shepard
Seller: Ellis L. Langone
Date: 03/06/24

441 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Mark Don Realty LLC
Seller: St. John Sr., David F., (Estate)
Date: 03/07/24

45 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Jacob Rodriguez
Seller: Michael Shepard
Date: 03/06/24

CHICOPEE

19 Ash St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $415,726
Buyer: 19 Ash Street LLC
Seller: Source Nine Development LLC
Date: 03/01/24

20 Ash St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $415,726
Buyer: 19 Ash Street LLC
Seller: Source Nine Development LLC
Date: 03/01/24

403 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Alycia Beavis
Seller: Donald J. Duda
Date: 03/07/24

21 Call St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Daniel I. Langame
Seller: Bozena A. Wisniewska
Date: 03/13/24

153 Center St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $415,726
Buyer: 19 Ash Street LLC
Seller: Source Nine Development LLC
Date: 03/01/24

145 Champagne Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Said M. Umari
Seller: Lisa M. Kusek
Date: 03/01/24

Chicopee River Business Park
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Westmass Area Development Corp.
Seller: Harvey Industries LLC
Date: 03/14/24

759 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Tavernier Investments LLC
Seller: Joao A. Ferreira
Date: 03/08/24

196 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Josue Escobar
Seller: Nexus Apartments LLC
Date: 03/04/24

32 Emerald St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Jodanne St. George
Seller: Freedom Spire Holding LLC
Date: 03/11/24

31 Farmington St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Olivia Curto
Seller: Laura S. Allen
Date: 03/01/24

391 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $572,000
Buyer: Arlin R. Troncoso
Seller: Victor J. Garriga
Date: 03/06/24

394 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Kayleen E. Estrada
Seller: Lacy N. Lariviere
Date: 03/13/24

591 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: 19 Ellen Street LLC
Seller: Leclerc Holdings LLC
Date: 03/08/24

36 Green St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $366,000
Buyer: Kathleen M. Ludwig
Seller: Kenneth R. Craven
Date: 03/15/24

49 Harrison Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Adam Cutter
Seller: Brady Williams
Date: 03/08/24

41 Hillman St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Vera Samoylich
Seller: Joan M. Westcott
Date: 03/07/24

50 Lorimer St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Vicky Esteves
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 03/04/24

32 Medford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Thomas P. Ferris
Seller: Damien A. Kozikowski
Date: 03/11/24

1682 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Daviau & Robert Properties LLC
Seller: 896-900 Prospect St. Inc.
Date: 03/06/24

544 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Charlene Coelho
Seller: Billy J. Bergeron
Date: 03/01/24

420 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Yuri Suprunets
Seller: Leonid Ignatyuk
Date: 03/12/24

44 Park St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Jonathan Rivera
Seller: Haze Gray LLC
Date: 03/01/24

678 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jillian Obrien
Seller: Anthony R. Fields
Date: 03/11/24

40 Piquette Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Shannon Parncutt
Seller: Brian P. Cooper
Date: 03/05/24

Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Anthony R. Fields
Seller: Moise, Gerald J., (Estate)
Date: 03/12/24

60 Roy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Andrew Reilly
Seller: Naila Akram
Date: 03/15/24

79 Saratoga Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jose Martinez
Seller: Felmarie Feliciano-Merced
Date: 03/01/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

33 Athens St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $339,999
Buyer: Gary R. Farina
Seller: Jrchr LLC
Date: 03/01/24

3 Hazelhurst Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Josh D. Diaz
Seller: Carrie D. Feliciano
Date: 03/15/24

17 Holy Cross Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Meghan K. Godfrey
Seller: Callahan, Karen E., (Estate)
Date: 03/08/24

115 Lasalle St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Brianna Fenney
Seller: Desiree Miller
Date: 03/08/24

15 Linden Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: James R. Stevens
Seller: Minh T. Chau
Date: 03/04/24

52 Melwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $358,500
Buyer: Daniel Tarbell
Seller: 52 Melwood Avenue NT
Date: 03/04/24

346 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Ugur Turan
Seller: Tina M. Johnson
Date: 03/11/24

37 Vadnais St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Sara Roper
Seller: Herbert A. Bonacker
Date: 03/12/24

247 Vineland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: C. Rosario-Lafontaine
Seller: Jean D. Richard
Date: 03/14/24

GRANVILLE

740 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Peter R. Sorrajja
Seller: Sandra A. Stevens
Date: 03/15/24

HAMPDEN

147 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $704,484
Buyer: Michael N. Richard
Seller: Cumberland Blues RT
Date: 03/01/24

261 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Ian Edwards
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc
Date: 03/08/24

HOLLAND

63 South Cottage Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Kepler Despeines
Seller: Herbert F. Seymour
Date: 03/05/24

HOLYOKE

42 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Scott Lacombe
Seller: Christine Torda
Date: 03/12/24

36-38 Gates St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Adrian Cruz
Seller: Northern Flooring & Remodeling
Date: 02/01/24

267 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Segundo A. Alvacora Lala
Seller: Bigelow, David, (Estate)
Date: 03/13/24

1103 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Pamela Connors
Seller: Citizens Bank
Date: 03/14/24

289-291 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Johnna N. Caizan Torres
Seller: Real Estate Investors Northeast LLC
Date: 03/13/24

130 Middle Water St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Mass. Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: Alaska Assets LLC
Date: 03/04/24

110-112 Nonotuck St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Yanissel Sanchez
Seller: Gerald Glasser
Date: 03/11/24

461 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $194,648
Buyer: Federal National Mortgage Association
Seller: Marion Gartman
Date: 03/11/24

73-75 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Lotter
Seller: Chad D. Alexander
Date: 03/11/24

53 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Jaminton Palma
Seller: Amanda Bialas
Date: 03/15/24

LONGMEADOW

96 Dunsany Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $469,000
Buyer: Michael Kearing
Seller: Beth A. King
Date: 03/01/24

141 Englewood Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $739,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Ruddeforth
Seller: James A. Most
Date: 03/07/24

37 Hopkins Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Benjamin A. St Aubin
Seller: Nicholas J. Jacks
Date: 03/15/24

144 Lincoln Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Leigh Cherkas
Seller: Kings Enterprise LLC
Date: 03/15/24

857 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $755,000
Buyer: Alexander Belonis
Seller: Benjamin Kraus
Date: 03/14/24

132 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Martorelli
Seller: Ernest Abramian
Date: 03/15/24

82 Massachusetts Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: David B. Dagostino
Seller: Nola Management LLC
Date: 03/15/24

101 Riverview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Megan Lingerfelt
Seller: Timothy Quinn
Date: 03/01/24

723 Shaker Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $233,000
Buyer: Timothy A. Lucier
Seller: William M. Fitzgerald
Date: 03/07/24

LUDLOW

57 Barre Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Steven Balicki
Seller: Scott A. Theriault
Date: 03/15/24

35 Bluegrass Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Michael Henry
Seller: Jeannette I. Reopel
Date: 03/08/24

51 Bridle Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $529,000
Buyer: Heath J. Racela
Seller: William P. Koscher
Date: 03/08/24

1352 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Geissler
Seller: Ashley Rourke
Date: 03/08/24

1535 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $319,987
Buyer: Rebecca Hulsey
Seller: Cioccolate RT
Date: 03/08/24

13 Lillian St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: Thomas F. Hodgins
Seller: Thomas Lennon
Date: 03/08/24

150-152 Sewall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Matthew Nye
Seller: CTC Property Holdings LLC
Date: 03/05/24

110 Swan Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Taylor Alves
Seller: Robert Alves
Date: 03/15/24

278 Ventura St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Nelson P. Da Costa
Seller: Dorothy Mikaelian
Date: 03/15/24

MONSON

420 Boston Road West
Monson, MA 01069
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: David L. Sweetman
Seller: Louis J. Rivers
Date: 03/01/24

5 Lincoln Place
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Joshua Stoddard
Seller: Maaz A. Siddiqui
Date: 03/07/24

284 Lower Hampden Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Ariana Sandillo
Seller: Wheeler, Deborah L., (Estate)
Date: 03/14/24

226 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01036
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: David Canelas
Seller: Robert B. Webb
Date: 03/08/24

PALMER

15 Advance St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Mark A. Cady
Seller: Mikayla Harris
Date: 03/01/24

98 Beech St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Windi L. Muraszka
Seller: Casper-Hacker RT
Date: 03/11/24

29 Cabot St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Nathan Garrity
Seller: Laviolette, Robert R., (Estate)
Date: 03/15/24

Emery St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Deborah M. Southworth
Date: 03/04/24

Forest St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Deborah M. Southworth
Date: 03/04/24

2173 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: A&T Properties LLC
Seller: Betty A. Smith
Date: 03/14/24

2089 Oak St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Chenevert Properties LLC
Seller: William S. Heilman
Date: 03/15/24

1274 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Michael Lamothe
Seller: Jeffrey H. Landers
Date: 03/12/24

State St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Deborah M. Southworth
Date: 03/04/24

7 Walters Way
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Brian H. Lyons
Seller: Stephen M. Erickson
Date: 03/15/24

1028 Wilson St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Blake Lamonthe
Seller: Ronald L. Russis
Date: 03/15/24

SPRINGFIELD

11-13 Ainsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Radhame Brito
Seller: Two Riveras LLC
Date: 03/04/24

69 Appleton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Craig Davis-Lawson
Seller: Junior Properties LLC
Date: 03/08/24

1112 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Titanium Springfield Real Estate LLC
Seller: Bzgjj Inc.
Date: 03/08/24

20 Beaudry St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Millicent U. Olisenekwu
Seller: Armando Torres
Date: 03/04/24

411 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Jerieme Daley
Seller: Kelnate Realty LLC
Date: 03/14/24

1208 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: SH Properties LLC
Seller: John A. Von Roemer
Date: 03/12/24

1267 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: T5 Mass. Real Estate LLC
Seller: KA RT
Date: 03/05/24

25 Brookline Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Emmanuel E. Colon
Seller: Sierra, Celsa Cruz, (Estate)
Date: 03/04/24

24 Capitol Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Kenneth T. Martin
Date: 03/06/24

15 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Real Estate Investments Northeast LLC
Seller: Kempton Pollard
Date: 03/04/24

251 Central St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Rosa V. Feliciano
Seller: North End Housing Initiative
Date: 03/13/24

402 Central St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Samari Rivera
Seller: C. & C. Homes LLC
Date: 03/12/24

11 Champlain Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Lewis
Seller: P&R Investments LLC
Date: 03/11/24

22 Cornell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Vivian A. Tomas
Seller: JJJ17 LLC
Date: 03/15/24

177 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Cristina M. Colon-Pagan
Seller: Better Builders Construction LLC
Date: 03/13/24

95 Fenimore Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Tyrus T. Ferguson
Date: 03/01/24

80 Florida St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Silver Snake Props
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 03/12/24

24 French St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Teresa Sedgwick
Seller: Corigliano, Mary Rose, (Estate)
Date: 03/06/24

20 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Alexandria R. O’Connor
Seller: Fredi L. Merriam
Date: 03/01/24

63 Gates Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Maggi Predmore
Seller: Natalya Gavel
Date: 03/08/24

58-60 Gold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Alexandria Vasquez
Seller: Carlos M. Mejia
Date: 03/13/24

158 Goodwin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Andy Cenat
Seller: Zaida Burgos
Date: 03/11/24

19 Hillcrest St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Luz S. Gomez
Seller: Ronald A. Watt
Date: 03/05/24

53 Homestead Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sean Chaez
Seller: Northeast Asset Mgmt. LLC
Date: 03/14/24

60 Intervale Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Ryan Stead
Seller: James & Deborah Myers LT
Date: 03/04/24

28-30 Kendall St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $438,000
Buyer: Selina V. Cruz
Seller: Mason Capital Ventures LLC
Date: 03/04/24

200 Kendall St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $2,562,000
Buyer: Mass. Detox Holding LLC
Seller: Chapin Center Real Estate LLC
Date: 03/04/24

54 Kittrell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ashelly Megit
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 03/12/24

9 Lafayette St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: James E. Klimek
Seller: Hank Orne LLC
Date: 03/14/24

4 Langdon St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Adem Demir
Seller: Morgan Stanley Home TR 2007
Date: 03/06/24

165 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $124,000
Buyer: RM Blerman LLC
Seller: Robert J. Brauer
Date: 03/08/24

90 Leavitt St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Xavier Cruz
Seller: Real Estate Investors Northeast LLC
Date: 03/12/24

198 Leopold St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Meghan Jackson
Seller: Jillian O’Brien
Date: 03/11/24

73 Lorimer St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Edward Denehy
Seller: Christian Wiernasz
Date: 03/08/24

24 Manchester Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Walter C. Jenkins
Seller: Daniel J. Frye
Date: 03/15/24

85-87 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Aixa C. Vazquez
Seller: Eufemio G. Ortega
Date: 03/13/24

N/A
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Jean Laguerre
Seller: Hat Trick Properties LLC
Date: 03/05/24

703 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Karen E. Gonzalez
Seller: Lisandra Sepulveda
Date: 03/11/24

127 Newland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Mykel J. Simmons
Seller: Nathaniel Pace
Date: 03/01/24

110 Oklahoma St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Landauer FT
Date: 03/12/24

347 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Alliance Associates LLC
Seller: Errol W. Campbell
Date: 03/08/24

45 Orlando St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Shawn Harvey
Seller: Iris O. Perez
Date: 03/08/24

36 Orleans St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Emmanuel Camilo
Seller: Ali H. Abdraba
Date: 03/15/24

138 Park Dr.
Springfield, MA 01106
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Molly L. Dill
Seller: Maggi D. Predmore
Date: 03/15/24

403 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kenneth Torres
Seller: Melissa M. Russell
Date: 03/05/24

91-93 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $208,855
Buyer: RCF 2 Acquisition TR
Seller: Silverio Jimenez
Date: 03/06/24

78-80 Phillips Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Louis E. Huang
Seller: Paul R. Gauthier
Date: 03/01/24

278 Pine St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Cathy Monteforte
Seller: Elizabeth Torres
Date: 03/01/24

98 Princeton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Pedro A. Luciano
Seller: Bobby R. Williams
Date: 03/12/24

153 Princeton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Angelique Rodriguez
Seller: Round Two LLC
Date: 03/08/24

172 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: JoeJoe Properties LLC
Seller: Lisa L. Levesque
Date: 03/13/24

79 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: JHN Investments LLC
Seller: Eastcoastbuyers LLC
Date: 03/01/24

4 Rogers Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Pb07 Wale LLC
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 03/07/24

1265 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Eliezer R. Martinez
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 03/15/24

49 School St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $2,200,000
Buyer: 340 Appleton LLC
Seller: School Holdings LLC
Date: 03/11/24

30 Seneca St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Eduardo Diaz
Seller: Dianne S. Mikaelian
Date: 03/01/24

124 Stuart St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Brickhouse Homes LLC
Seller: Greene, Paul Douglas, (Estate)
Date: 03/15/24

24 Sue St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Seller: Bazinet, Theresa J., (Estate)
Date: 03/12/24

92 Sunset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $234,500
Buyer: RCF 2 Acquisition TR
Seller: Grafton C. Catwell
Date: 03/13/24

18 Superior Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Antonio Crespo
Seller: James Randall
Date: 03/15/24

64 Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Cristnely Rodriguez
Seller: Timothy D. Leclair
Date: 03/15/24

238-240 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Matthew P. Gittens
Seller: Illuminati Holdings LLC
Date: 03/01/24

112 Wollaston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Cecilia Afrifa
Seller: Global Homes Properties LLC
Date: 03/11/24

SOUTHWICK

22 Noble Steed Xing
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $649,000
Buyer: Ryan McLane
Seller: Giberson Construction Inc.
Date: 03/04/24

12 Sawgrass Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Steven M. Gutkowski
Seller: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Date: 03/01/24

234 Sheep Pasture Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Aga Brothers LLC
Seller: Vanessa Filiault
Date: 03/08/24

3 Tall Pines Trail
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Jada Homes LLC
Seller: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Date: 03/06/24

WALES

4 Brows Beach Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Bruce E. Boutin
Seller: Arthur Ferrara
Date: 03/15/24

15 Grove Point Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $785,000
Buyer: Craig Rahemba
Seller: Diane L. Blais
Date: 03/06/24

2 Grove Point Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Ogoley
Seller: David Samuels
Date: 03/01/24

4 Grove Point Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Ogoley
Seller: David Samuels
Date: 03/01/24

2 Laurel Lane
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Ogoley
Seller: David Samuels
Date: 03/01/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

201 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Brital1987 LLC
Seller: Flynn, Janet, (Estate)
Date: 03/08/24

201 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Jose Rosado-Medina
Seller: Brital 1987 LLC
Date: 03/08/24

419 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Lisa Carbonell
Seller: Zaide Soufane
Date: 03/06/24

30 Druids Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Taylor M. Tucker
Seller: Ryan P. McLane
Date: 03/04/24

54-56 Elm Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Amjad Real Estate LLC
Seller: Stewart T. Hillios
Date: 03/15/24

1163 Elm St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $8,500,000
Buyer: School Holdings LLC
Seller: Deville Apartments LLC
Date: 03/12/24

81 Fairview Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: London Realty LLC
Seller: Aga Brothers LLC
Date: 03/07/24

50 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Irem Karaarslan
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 03/15/24

163 Labelle St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Jennifer H. Ochner
Seller: Sergey Savonin
Date: 03/15/24

199 Labelle St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Nader Gheit
Seller: Hutchinson, Denise M., (Estate)
Date: 03/08/24

25 Lewis Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Kenneth K. Mayer
Seller: Mark A. Cady
Date: 03/01/24

250 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Kemran Lachinov
Seller: Td Bank
Date: 03/15/24

134 Ohio Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Aneesh Sharma
Seller: Regina Laboranti
Date: 03/15/24

6 Plateau Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Omar Shehzad
Seller: Adam M. Ciborowski
Date: 03/04/24

195 Wayside Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Suffield Street Holdings LLC
Seller: Kathleen S. McGovern RET
Date: 03/15/24

WESTFIELD

52 Briarcliff Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Alex Jez
Seller: Joseph F. McGovern Jr. RET
Date: 03/08/24

29 Butternut Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Krittaya Yannaphornhiran
Seller: Amenadiel RT
Date: 03/01/24

33 Day Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Mhi Properties LLC
Seller: Marcus D. Kane
Date: 03/12/24

67 Woodside Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $266,155
Buyer: LSF9 Master Participation Trust
Seller: Lori J. Andras
Date: 03/13/24

WILBRAHAM

4 Conifer Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $533,000
Buyer: Austin O. Harding
Seller: Jennifer Smolnik
Date: 03/04/24

12 Hillcrest Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Emi Investments LLC
Seller: William K. Prendergast
Date: 03/01/24

6 Hitching Post Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $705,000
Buyer: Ryan Shaink
Seller: Timothy C. Lavoie
Date: 03/15/24

6 Hitching Post Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Timothy C. Lavoie
Seller: Gary J. Lennox
Date: 03/14/24

659 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: James Leavitt
Seller: Ronald L. Taylor
Date: 03/15/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

36 Grantwood Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Grantwood LLC
Seller: Marie E. Armentano 2022 TR
Date: 03/12/24

8 Hillcrest Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $542,000
Buyer: Yg Pond LLC
Seller: Justin C. Ching
Date: 03/08/24

51 Hunters Hill Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: CIL Realty Of Massachusetts
Seller: Manuel R. Townes
Date: 03/01/24

251-253 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $302,000
Buyer: Kayvon Ross
Seller: Ryan Karb
Date: 03/12/24

170 Pine St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Yeon S. Kim
Seller: Bidwell, James N., (Estate)
Date: 03/14/24

48 Ridgecrest Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $516,000
Buyer: Ana D. Villalobos
Seller: Robert D. Marx RET
Date: 03/06/24

89 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Fern & Company LLC
Seller: Lincoln Ave. Partners LLC
Date: 03/07/24

BELCHERTOWN

228 Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $176,500
Buyer: Mark Wallace
Seller: 228 Amherst LLC
Date: 03/15/24

Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Burgundy Brook Land & Cattle
Seller: Stoneyfield Farm LLC
Date: 03/11/24

786 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $364,000
Buyer: Robert Jacques
Seller: Mariah Mccaughey
Date: 03/06/24

425 Mill Valley Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Arpc LLC
Seller: Matthew H. Caldwell
Date: 03/12/24

475 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $649,900
Buyer: Adam Nyzio
Seller: Paul A. Valentine
Date: 03/15/24

85 Underwood St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $427,000
Buyer: Amber O’Reilly
Seller: Justin Stockwell
Date: 03/15/24

CHESTERFIELD

19 Don Emerson Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Kris E. Rafferty
Seller: Barbara B. Stasiak
Date: 03/01/24

EASTHAMPTON

140 Everett St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $394,500
Buyer: Aaron Onidi
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 03/14/24

23 Mount Tom Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Whitney M. Brooks
Seller: Veteran Stan LLC
Date: 03/01/24

15 Zabek Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Daniel C. Wauczinski
Seller: Arthur L. Hill
Date: 03/08/24

GRANBY

7 Breezy Lane
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Kevin Lizotte
Seller: Jendrysik FT
Date: 03/15/24

148 Porter St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Wesley Calhoun
Seller: Martha Giroux
Date: 03/12/24

12 Truby St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $258,500
Buyer: Patrick R. Fugler
Seller: Leo E. Fugler
Date: 03/11/24

HADLEY

3 Adare Place
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $865,000
Buyer: Michael D. Thomas
Seller: Rosemund LLC
Date: 03/07/24

3 Aqua Vitae Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $462,000
Buyer: Annabell Lee
Seller: Perrin Hendirck
Date: 03/01/24

Roosevelt St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Devine Brothers LLC
Seller: John S. Kelley
Date: 03/11/24

HATFIELD

22 Bridge St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Leah Terrell
Seller: Susan Diggins
Date: 03/11/24

20 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: 92 Hatfield LLC
Seller: Kirit K. Patel
Date: 03/04/24

HUNTINGTON

39 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Mark S. Hanks
Seller: Donna L. Rowe
Date: 03/01/24

NORTHAMPTON

61 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Kristen G. Brookes
Seller: John Horton
Date: 03/06/24

908 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Maxim Mireyev
Seller: Bixby, Anne L., (Estate)
Date: 03/11/24

56 Crestview Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Walter E. Drenen
Seller: Yao Wu
Date: 03/05/24

231-233 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $469,000
Buyer: David Ciernia
Seller: Heather A. Bell
Date: 03/01/24

29 Summer St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Gary Hawkins
Seller: Shirley D. Connelly
Date: 03/14/24

10 Wright Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Bourgeois Properties LLC
Seller: Christopher Colby
Date: 03/15/24

PELHAM

76 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Khoder Hamdan
Seller: Walker, Robert J., (Estate)
Date: 03/13/24

378 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Julie Gimbrone
Seller: Isa Wang
Date: 02/20/24

SOUTH HADLEY

12 Bolton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $242,500
Buyer: Bryan E. Perlak
Seller: Kristiaan S. Krause
Date: 03/04/24

14 Cedar Ridge
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $646,695
Buyer: Youngbin Kwak
Seller: Donald E. Baranowski
Date: 03/04/24

22 Easy St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Joseph W. Blair
Seller: KMAK LLC
Date: 03/01/24

16 Pershing Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Alex J. Tremblay
Seller: Brian H. Lyons
Date: 03/15/24

35 San Souci Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Evan Conley
Seller: John T. Conner
Date: 03/15/24

SOUTHAMPTON

8 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $434,000
Buyer: Justin J. Brown
Seller: Alan M. Wine
Date: 03/08/24

19 Valley Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Haley R. Pedruczny
Seller: Steven Hermanson
Date: 03/08/24

WARE

15 Longview Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $376,500
Buyer: Erich J. Lamb
Seller: Marilyn E. Niquette
Date: 03/11/24

6-10 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Akena A. Segovich
Seller: Charming Colonials LLC
Date: 03/01/24

WILLIAMSBURG

Old Goshen Road, Lot 2
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Alan E. Cottle
Seller: Abbott Gray RT
Date: 03/12/24

Old Goshen Road, Lot 3
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Alan E. Cottle
Seller: Abbott Gray RT
Date: 03/12/24

Old Goshen Road, Lot 4
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Alan E. Cottle
Seller: Abbott Gray RT
Date: 03/12/24

14 South Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Catherine A. Higgins
Seller: Catherine A. Higgins
Date: 03/13/24