Chamber Corners

By
Chamber Corners

This issue of BusinessWest marks the return of Chamber Corners, a compendium of upcoming events organized by chambers of commerce throughout Western Mass. This long-running department was suspended early in the pandemic when events shut down, but now that they have largely returned (though many are still virtual), Chamber Corners will be part of each issue moving forward. Chambers should e-mail event information to [email protected].

 

1BERKSHIRE

(413) 499-1600; 1berkshire.com

• Feb. 17: GoFundU Session #1: “Introduction to Crowdfunding,” 5-7 p.m. Crowdfunding is an exciting way to engage your audience and fund a particular project, venture, or opportunity. Join us to learn the basics of crowdfunding campaigns. This session will provide you a high-level overview of what they are, how they operate, and the diversity of options that are out there for you and your business. If you participate in at least three of the five GoFundU workshops, you will be eligible to receive direct, free, one-on-one technical assistance to help plan and launch your own crowdfunding effort. Sessions are planned to be hybrid. In-person attendance will be at the Berkshire Innovation Center, and remote participation via Zoom. The program may go fully remote pending any changes in the COVID-19 landscape. This series made possible through the support of the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp. and the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. Register for either in-person or electronic attendance at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpceyrpjMuG9C0SPjJfG9k1H__z7q61pt4.

 

• Feb. 22: 1Berkshire Virtual Entrepreneurial Meetup, 9-10:30 a.m. Our featured speaker will be Liam Gorman of CozQuest, who will share his experiences in building his business and launching it in 2021. 1Berkshire Entrepreneurial Meetups are free to attend and made possible through the support of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. Registration is required. Register at bit.ly/3tEmps4.

 

• Feb. 24: GoFundU Session #2: “Developing the Value Proposition for Your Business and Your Contributors,” 5-7 p.m. Crowdfunding isn’t just about you getting money, it also provides a level of mutual benefit to your contributors. An effective crowdfunding campaign describes how campaign funds will be used to add value to your business, and how campaign backers will benefit from being involved. For some, this is the benefit of feeling good about what their dollars are helping to do. For others, the benefit comes from the tangible ‘thing’ they receive as a return on their contribution. This workshop will tackle both how to tell the story and emphasize the impact that their dollars are going to make, and to help you structure contributor awards and levels that will attract more contributions but not meaningfully diminish the funds you are raising. If you participate in at least three of the five GoFundU workshops, you will be eligible to receive direct, free, one-on-one technical assistance to help plan and launch your own crowdfunding effort. Sessions are planned to be hybrid. In-person attendance will be at the Berkshire Innovation Center, and remote participation via Zoom. The program may go fully remote pending any changes in the COVID-19 landscape. This series made possible through the support of the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp. and the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. Register for either in-person or electronic attendance at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqfuCvqzsuH9xjOhYEEz3cD1lh6GnpRwkS.

 

• March 1: Berkshire Economic Recovery Project Kickoff Workshop: Why Brands Matter. In this session, brand consultant Lee Rafkin will explain why brands matter and show entrepreneurs and business owners how to clearly define their value propositions by building an authentic brand platform, using cases and examples to explore topics including positioning, branding, naming, logos, taglines, and key messages. By registering, you are claiming a limited opportunity offered to a limited number of businesses. If you attempt to register and the cohort has reached capacity, e-mail [email protected] to be added to the waiting list. Register at bit.ly/3G7FHZK.

 

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(413) 253-0700; amherstarea.com

 

• March 9: Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce 2022 Annual Meeting, noon to 2 p.m., hosted by the Red Barn at Hampshire College. Join us for lunch as we reflect on our impact, salute our outgoing board members, welcome our new board members, elect a slate of officers, and launch our New Year, New Vision for 2022. Presented by Encharter Insurance, supported by bankESB, and honoring the work of Amherst Cinema, our featured nonprofit. See COVID guidelines and register at business.amherstarea.com/events.

 

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER

(413) 787-1555; springfieldregionalchamber.com

 

• Feb. 24: Leadership 2022, 1:30-4:30 p.m., TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. Develop your next generation of leaders through the Springfield Regional Chamber Leadership Institute, a professional-development program in partnership with the College of Business at Western New England University (WNE). A series of six workshops, facilitated by WNE faculty, will take participants through a range of evidence-based tools and frameworks to apply immediately to leadership practice. Peer coaching supplements the program. Scholarship support for eligible nonprofits provided by the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. Cost: $885, which includes all course materials, parking, and graduation celebration, and successful graduates receive a free WNE leadership course valued at more than $2,500. Apply by Feb. 17 at springfieldregionalchamber.com/leadership-institute.

 

• March 11: Outlook 2022, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hear from top policymakers and influencers on the outlook for 2022, hosted by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. This virtual event is presented by Baystate Health and MassMutual, with sponsorship support from Comcast, Eversource, the Republican, and WWLP-TV22. Cost: $24.95 for SRC members; $110, enterprise-level SRC members (six seats); $29.95 for future members; $140, enterprise-level future members (six seats).

 

• March 24: Fire & Ice, 5:30-8 p.m., Springfield Country Club, 1375 Elm St., West Springfield. Join us for our annual craft cocktail competition featuring area establishments mixing up creative fire- and ice-themed cocktails. Sample the concoctions and vote for your favorite. Cost: $50 for SRC members ($60 at the door); $60 for future members ($70 at the door).

 

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(413) 426-3880; www.ourwrc.com

 

• March 3: Networking Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m. Join us as we meet fellow members, non-members, and local business people to network virtually on Zoom. Introductions will be followed by breakout rooms to learn about your business peers and network. Register at business.ourwrc.com/events.

 

• March 23: Job Fair 2022, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Storrowton Tavern/Carriage House, West Springfield. The West of the River Chamber will be hosting a local job fair. West Springfield and Agawam businesses, along with other employment opportunities from around Western Mass., will be showcased for the public. High-school students, college students, and adults will be attending this event looking to begin or advance their careers. This event is free and open to the public. To be a participating vendor, register at business.ourwrc.com/events.

Many Ways to Make a Difference

By
Opinion

Editorial

Thirteen years ago, BusinessWest launched a new recognition program, Difference Makers, as a way to celebrate the many different ways individuals and organizations can make a difference in their community, and Western Mass. as a whole.

And this year’s additions to that list provide still more evidence that there are countless ways to make a difference, and they all need to be celebrated. They include:

• Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development at Greenfield Savings Bank, who has made community service more than a mantra, immersing herself in the work of area nonprofits and causes — not in a slapdash fashion, but putting her heart and soul into whomever she happens to be helping each day;

• The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, which for 30 years has convened and connected myriad resources in the region to benefit a host of groups, from students trying to pay for college to the arts community to organizations focused on helping people through the pandemic and economic disruption; 

• Heriberto Flores, president of the New England Farm Workers’ Council, who has spent the last half-century operating programs — centered on energy, education, child welfare, workforce development, and more — that help people in need, while at the same time investing in the economic well-being of Springfield;

• John Greaney, retired State Supreme Court justice and senior counsel at Bulkley Richardson, a judicial trailblazer who, as one peer put it, “has demonstrated compassion and understanding as an advocate to so many in need of a voice, influenced our societal values and ways of thinking, and continues to be a valuable mentor”;

• Ruth Griggs, president of the Northampton Jazz Festival and principal at RC Communications, whose business has helped nonprofits reach new levels of marketing and success, and who brought those skills to bear on reviving a beloved music festival that continues to raise the profile of Northampton’s downtown;

• Ted Hebert, owner of Teddy Bear Pools and Spas, who has used his decades of success in the pool business as a springboard to support dozens of causes and organizations throughout the region, through both philanthropy and giving of his time — often in ways few people see;

• I Found Light Against All Odds and Its Founder and CEO, Stefan Davis, who emerged from a very difficult youth to found an organization that brings many resources together to, as its name implies, help young people journey from some dark, difficult times to a promising future; and

• Roca Holyoke and Springfield, an innovative program that helps young people in the criminal-justice system find a better path than recidivism and more time behind bars, by using case management, education, and employment training to get them into jobs and a stable, crime-free life.

As we said, there are no limits on the ways an individual or group can make a difference here in Western Mass. That’s what we’ve been celebrating since 2009, and the celebration continues with the class of 2022.

Lessons from a Poignant Death

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Kimberley Lee

 

The death of Peter Robbins resonated with me. He was tapped to be the first voice of Charlie Brown as a child actor in the early 1960s when Charles Schultz began to adapt his popular “Peanuts” cartoon strip for TV and movies.

I grew up with these shows, and so did my children, but it was not just nostalgia that made me take notice of Robbins’s death. His family announced on Jan. 25 that the 65-year-old Robbins had died the week before by suicide. He had long struggled with both mental-health and substance-use disorders.

MHA, the Mental Health Assoc., is the organization I work for, whose behavioral-health outreach clinic and residential programs have long offered support and treatment to individuals with such dual diagnoses. It was especially disheartening to read how the life of Robbins, associated through the 1970s with a character that brought much entertainment to the screen, ended.

The cartoon strip itself was sometimes subtitled “Good ol’ Charlie Brown,” and the world Schultz created was a self-contained one about childhood. Its ups, downs, and misplaced crushes were depicted by characters who were very animated, even in print. No adults are featured, but the characters struggle with plenty of personal issues that often follow into adulthood. Some, like Lucy, can be bossy; some are a bit vain, like curly-haired Freida; and some are self-absorbed, like Schroeder on his piano. Everyone is just trying to fit in or fit into who they are, including Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s beagle, who often retreats into his own world on top of his doghouse or into his imagination, where he fights the Red Baron as the Flying Ace. There is also Pig-Pen, who tells Sally, Charlie Brown’s younger sister, he doesn’t appreciate that name he has been tagged with because of his appearance, but neither does he like the rain to wash away that appearance from a day of playing in the dirt.

They are a complicated bunch, defying stereotypes in their own ways of being and thinking and friendships across neighborhoods and interests.

Schultz, who died in 2000, wondered if his characters would resonate through time, and they do, as Charlie Brown embodies a little bit of all of us emotionally as he navigates this world of personalities. And, of course, should he need advice, there is Lucy, who sets up a Psychiatric Help booth, where she gives her version of professional help for five cents. It is a world in which the timeless troubles and alienations of childhood are on display, but also one in which the characters cope and carry on with their pursuits and come together.

I grew up with all the animated specials, including A Charlie Brown Christmas, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and, again, so did my children. Each time these classic movies aired, those 30 minutes provided an opportunity for us to be together as a family, to make a connection, to embrace each other emotionally.

In our house, emotional connectedness happens in other ways as well. For example, once a week, my husband and I pull our girls together (now that they are in college, this is done remotely), we all unplug, and we just simply and sincerely ask them, “how are you?” And not just physically, but emotionally. Their answers have been honest and transparent and emotional at times.

It gave them, at an early age, a green light to talk openly about how they feel from a mental-health perspective, and there was no stigma, no shame, no hesitancy in doing this.

We all know that challenges to mental health start young, and the sooner we address them, the better the outcome.

 

Kimberley Lee is vice president of Resource Development & Branding for the Mental Health Assoc.

 

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Priscilla Kane Hellweg

Priscilla Kane Hellweg

Enchanted Circle Theater’s executive and artistic director, Priscilla Kane Hellweg, has stepped down after 40 years of service, having grown Enchanted Circle from a small touring educational theater company into a nationally recognized leader in the field of arts integration. The board of directors is currently working with a consultant and staff on temporary management while studying various governance models. The organization will announce the plan by the end of the school year. Under Hellweg’s direction, Enchanted Circle has become the regional leader in the field of arts integration, working district-wide in public schools throughout Western Mass. and collaborating with more than 60 community partner organizations, developing work that bridges arts, education, and human services. She received the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and was a finalist for Excellence in Leadership in 2018. She has received a Champions of Arts Education Award from the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts in Education and a Millennium Award from the National Guild of Community Arts Educators for her commitment to making quality arts education accessible to all. In 2016, Enchanted Circle was nominated to represent Massachusetts by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to receive the Creativity Connects Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Its work was highlighted in the national PBS series, American Graduate, for its Shakespeare program that combats summer learning loss in Holyoke Public Schools. Enchanted Circle received the 2015 Commonwealth Award, Massachusetts’ highest honor in arts, sciences, and humanities; received the 2013 Arts and Humanities Award for Outstanding Organization from NEPR; and was named Outstanding Arts Collaborative in 2011 from Arts/Learning. Hellweg has created district-wide arts-integration initiatives to enhance academic achievement for Holyoke, Amherst, Northampton, and Westfield public schools, and has collaborated on the development of several Teacher Training Institutes with numerous partners, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Teaching American History grants. She has taught professional-development workshops for many district-wide school systems in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including the Wang Center in Boston, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., the History Institute at the University of Massachusetts, and the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton. She has been adjunct faculty at the University of Hartford, Hampshire College, and Westfield State University. She has also co-written and directed several site-based historical plays for educational and cultural tourism sites.

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Melissa English

MP CPAs recently announced the promotion of Melissa English to senior audit manager and Tim Provost to senior tax manager. English works with clients across a variety of industries, including nonprofits, manufacturers, distributors, and other small to medium-sized businesses. She is also the lead professional for the firm’s employee benefit-plan practice. She performs technical reviews of employee benefit-plan audits and is frequently called upon to assist with research regarding plan issues. Her experiences with benefit plans include working on Internal Revenue Service examinations, voluntary plan corrections, and self-corrections of plan errors. English joined the firm in 2001 and has more than 20 years of audit experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and AICPA’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center. She is very active in the community as a volunteer board member of the Down Syndrome Resource Group of Western Massachusetts and the Chicopee Galaxy Youth Athletic Assoc., of which she is also a co-founder. Provost provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients including individuals, partnerships, limited-liability companies, corporations, and trusts. He also has experience working with international affiliates on foreign tax issues, and specializes in working with high-net-worth clients and with private equity firms and their owners. Provost joined the firm in 2008 and has more than 13 years of experience in personal and business taxation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in accounting and taxation from American International College. He is a certified public accountant and a member of AICPA. He is very active in the community as a volunteer board member of the West Springfield Youth Basketball Assoc. and a volunteer youth basketball coach.

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Melissa Stefanowich

Melissa Stefanowich

Country Bank announced that Melissa Stefanowich has joined its Retail Banking division. An experienced leader who has been in the retail banking industry for 14 years, she will serve Western Mass. in her new role at Country Bank. Stafenowich joins Country Bank from Westfield Bank where she was a Retail Banking officer, branch manager, and mortgage specialist. She was responsible for the leadership and management of branch service, sales, operations, and team development. She worked for Chicopee Savings Bank for eight years before it merged in 2016 with Westfield Bank. She is a supporter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America and Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts.

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After a nationwide search, Bay Path University announced that Frank Rojas has joined the university as the new vice president of Enrollment Management. In this role, he will oversee many duties, including creating and driving the strategic vision for enrollment, overseeing all aspects of enrollment operations, executing a comprehensive enrollment plan, and identifying and employing strategies that clearly demonstrate the university’s value proposition and align with institutional goals. Rojas has extensive experience in higher education, most recently as chief operating officer and executive vice president at Los Angeles Pacific University. In that position, he led a team that successfully drove enrollment growth and increased revenue, while implementing marketing plans and strategies for an online university that also integrated a focus on student support. As an educator, he is a strong advocate in providing access to learners, including marginalized students in post-secondary higher education. During his career, he has been a results-oriented leader committed to building profitable growth and return on investment both domestically and internationally. He earned a Ph.D. in organizational development and change and a master’s degree in organizational leadership through Fielding Graduate University. In addition, he received an executive MBA through Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from DeVry University.

•••••

American International College (AIC) has appointed Michael Dodge associate vice president for Academic Affairs following a national search. Dodge has been with AIC since 2018, previously serving as dean of Student Success and Opportunity. As dean, he had oversight of the tutoring and advising programs on campus and the James J. Shea Memorial Library, and was instrumental in the success of the AIC’s Plan for Excellence (APEX) program for students, serving as director of the program. In addition, he served as the principal investigator for the U.S. Department of Education Title III Grant program. While maintaining several of his previous responsibilities, as the associate vice president for Academic Affairs, Dodge will serve as the chief of staff to the executive vice president for Academic Affairs (EVPAA), including responsibility for day-to-day operational support for all areas reporting to the EVPAA, including the schools of Business Arts and Sciences, Education, and Health Sciences. Among his many areas of responsibility, Dodge will represent the Office of Academic Affairs to internal and external constituencies to develop comprehensive and integrative structures and processes to support student success and timely graduation. In addition, he will assist in the institution’s assessment processes and support development of meaningful and measurable institution, program, and course student-learning outcomes. He will research and analyze new program proposals from concept to market. Prior to joining AIC, Dodge worked for more than a decade at UMass Amherst in a variety of teaching and administrative roles. He earned his doctorate in educational policy, leadership, and administration at UMass Amherst after first earning his master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and English at the State University of New York Oswego.

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Western New England University School of Law Professor Jennifer Levi has been named an inaugural fellow in a new Salem State University program of the Berry Institute of Politics (IOP). Levi will share this honor with former Boston Mayor Kim Janey for the spring 2022 semester. Levi is a lawyer, professor, and nationally recognized expert on transgender legal issues who has dedicated their career to fighting for the rights of women, children, the poor, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) clients. Currently, Levi serves as director of the Transgender Rights Project for GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and as professor of Law at Western New England University. Throughout their career, Levi has led legal fights for transgender equality across a range of contexts, including in the areas of family law, education, healthcare, incarceration, military service, and beyond. As rising or seasoned professionals, fellows share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with students who are exploring and pursuing careers in politics and public service. As current practitioners, fellows support students building practical skills that will supplement what they are learning through academic courses. Through one-time and ongoing engagement, fellows serve as resources and mentors to students. During their visits, IOP fellows will participate and lead both curricular and co-curricular programs.

•••••

Evelyn Rivera-Riffenburg

Evelyn Rivera-Riffenburg

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Evelyn Rivera-Riffenburg as the college’s executive director of Human Resources. Rivera-Riffenburg has worked in human resources for more than 25 years. She started her career as a personnel assistant and most recently worked as director of human resources for Chicopee Public Schools. Her previous employment featured positions in human resources for the town of Amherst, Medtronic (formerly Covidien), Hot Mama’s Foods, C&S Wholesale Grocers, and Coca-Cola. She is also an adjunct professor at Bay Path University and Western New England University. Rivera-Riffenburg began her undergraduate education at HCC before transferring to Baker College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management. She holds master’s degrees in communications and information management from Bay Path University and in organizational leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. She is a Society for Human Resources Management certified senior professional, an HCRI senior professional in human resources, and a certified K-12 Title IX coordinator.

•••••

The New England Financial Marketing Assoc. (NEFMA) welcomed Mary Cate Mannion, a digital PR analyst for Garvey Communication Associates Inc. and producer for New England Corporate Video, as the keynote presenter for its virtual Awards Show on Feb. 11. The event featured the winners of awards for the most creative, innovative, and successful campaigns across several different financial-services categories. Mannion’s presentation, “What’s Old Is New: How the Age-old Art of Storytelling Will Set Your Existing Media Channels on Fire,” explained how brands can generate meaningful and measurable engagement while shedding all that extra budget weight of meaningless and empty impressions. Included in her presentation were best-practice examples from HarborOne Bank, Mascoma Bank, Monson Savings Bank, Needham Bank, and PeoplesBank. Mannion has worked in the Holyoke-Springfield DMA as an anchor/reporter for ABC, CBS, and FOX News affiliates; in Bismarck, N.D. as an anchor/reporter for an NBC News affiliate; and in Portland, Maine as a reporter for an ABC News affiliate. She won a Broadcaster’s Award for her work and was nominated for two Midwest Emmy Awards. She is a graduate of Emerson College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. She is also currently a board member of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf and a member of Women in Film & Video New England.

•••••

New England Public Media has named Deepa Krishna director of Finance and Accounting. Krishna will oversee the nonprofit media organization’s $10 million budget, working directly with internal departments as well as community funders and grantors. A licensed certified public accountant, Krishna joins NEPM from the Connecticut Airport Authority in Windsor Locks, where she served as the accounting manager for Bradley International Airport and five general aviation airports, overseeing annual budgets and managing federal and state grants for the nonprofit organization. Prior to that, she was the finance manager for Bristol Hospital and Healthcare Group. She received her master’s degree in commerce and accounting from Madurai Kamaraj University, India, and her bachelor’s degree in commerce and accounting from Mahatma Gandhi University, India.

•••••

Colin Griswold

Colin Griswold

OMG Roofing Products promoted Colin Griswold to the position of codes and approvals engineer. In his new role, he will manage product approvals for OMG Roofing’s product portfolio as well as assist the new-product development team in addressing code and approval issues. In addition, he will work closely with OMG’s private-label customers and code and approval officials with product evaluations, developing technical product specifications, as well as maintaining code approvals and keeping abreast of technical changes and advancements in the commercial roofing industry. Griswold started with OMG Roofing Products in 2013 in the manufacturing area. Since then, he has held positions as a laboratory technician in the company’s New Product Development & Innovation department, and most recently in the Technical Services department as a technical support specialist. He is a member of the Single-Ply Roofing Industry and holds an associate degree in engineering from Springfield Technical Community College.

•••••

Nourse Farms Inc. announced that founder and President Timothy Nourse has transitioned from overall leadership of Nourse Farms to chairman of the board of directors. He is leaving the day-to-day operational oversight in the hands of John Place, who has been promoted to CEO. Over the past 90 years, Nourse Farms has grown to be a leader in berry-plant propagation in North America and now produces more than 30 million strawberry plants in addition to 6 million raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, currant, gooseberry, elderberry, asparagus, rhubarb, and horseradish plants each year to customers around the world. Tim Nourse is recognized as a pioneer in tissue-culture propagation, having built the first lab at Nourse Farms over 40 years ago. Establishing this capability in the 1980s was a key to growth and innovation for customers around the world. Before joining Nourse Farms as chief operating officer in 2019, Place built his career in Pennsylvania at Keepsake Farm. He holds a degree in agriculture and animal science from the University of Delaware and is a highly accomplished farmer and successful business executive.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Pride Stores Sold to ArcLight Capital Partners

SPRINGFIELD — Eight months after announcing plans to sell the chain, Pride Stores CEO Bob Bolduc announced a sale to ArcLight Capital Partners. The 31 stores — with several more in development — will keep the Pride name, and the company’s customers and 525 employees will see little change in day-to-day operations, Bolduc told local news outlets, which is one of the reasons ArcLight won out over several other interested parties. In 1976, Bolduc bought a self-serve gas station in Indian Orchard and gradually expanded his business over the years, creating the chain of stores known today as Pride. He also developed a reputation as an industry innovator by marrying the self-service station with another emerging phenomenon, the convenience store. Other innovations would follow; Pride would eventually become the first chain in Western Mass. to put a Dunkin’ Donuts in the stores, and the first to incorporate a Subway. But where the company has really made a name, in recent years, is with its own fresh-food production, supported by the Pride Kitchen, located at the company’s headquarters on Cottage Street in Springfield.

 

TD Bank Center Sold to New Real-estate Partnership

SPRINGFIELD — The 240,000-square-foot, class-A office complex located at 1441 Main St. in Springfield, known as the TD Bank Center, has been sold. The property, located at the corner of Main Street and Harrison Avenue, was sold by an affiliate of TD Bank to a limited-liability company comprised of the principals of Colebrook Realty Services and a company controlled by Jeb Balise, CEO of Balise Auto Group. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Originally known as Center Square, the property was developed in the early 1980s by a subsidiary of SIS Bank in a project led by Colebrook CEO Jack Dill. Colebrook has managed and leased the building since its opening in January 1982. Most recently, Colebrook partners Mitch Bolotin and Kevin Morin have had responsibility for leasing and managing TD Bank Center. Balise and Colebrook have worked together for nearly two decades on Balise real-estate projects, represented by Bolotin.

 

 

Western New England University Cited Among Top Online Programs

SPRINGFIELD — In newly released rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Western New England University (WNE) was again recognized among the 2022 Best Online Programs. Among online MBA Programs, WNE made significant gains, jumping 71 places and ranking 153rd (up from 224th in 2021); among Online Graduate Business Programs (Non-MBA), the university ranked 110th (up from 129th in 2021); and among Online Master’s in Engineering Programs, it ranked 79th, up from 104th. The rankings place Western New England University in the top 10 in Massachusetts for accredited online MBA and graduate business programs and in the top three in Massachusetts for accredited master’s in engineering programs. For the 2022 edition, U.S. News & World Report assessed 1,728 online degree programs and ranked 1,646, both all-time highs. Best Online Programs rankings credit schools for long-term investments in designing and scaling their student services, technologies, curricula, and instructor training toward distance learners. The Western New England University College of Engineering continues to be top-ranked in the Online Master’s in Engineering Programs category. For the 2022 Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs rankings, U.S. News ranked ABET-accredited schools using five categories: engagement, faculty credentials, and training; expert opinion, services, and technologies; and student excellence. The College of Engineering offers several full master’s programs online: MS in industrial engineering, MS in engineering management, and MS in electrical engineering. The colleges of Engineering and Business offer a dual-degree master of science in engineering management and an MBA that can be completed entirely online.

 

Holyoke Community College to Introduce Free Child-watch Service

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will soon introduce a free, drop-in child-watch program for parents who need safe and affordable supervision for their children while they tend to their college studies. When the Itsy Bitsy Child Watch opens in March, HCC will be just the second community college in the state — and the only one in Western Mass. — to offer a child-watch service for its students. The Itsy Bitsy Child Watch will offer free, short-term care to children 6 weeks to 12 years old, provided their parents sign up in advance and remain inside on the Homestead Avenue campus. Parents will be given a restaurant-style pager to alert them to return if necessary. The pilot phase is being funded through a $100,000 allocation in the 2022 Massachusetts budget secured by state Sen. John Velis. HCC is in the process of hiring an interim director to get the child-watch program up and running. Many of the details still need to be worked out, such as days and hours of operation.

 

Forest Park Zoo Again Honored for Education Programming

SPRINGFIELD — For the second time in six months, the Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center is being recognized for its innovative education programming. Most recently, the zoo received the 2021 Educational Award of Excellence, presented by the Zoological Assoc. of America for its Kids Go Wild programming. Kids Go Wild provides a fun, interactive way for school-aged children to learn about various animal species while exploring diets, habitats, adaptations, daily zoo life, and more through cross-hatched science, literacy, and art lessons. Each lesson also meets state education standards set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in at least one or more of the aforementioned disciplines. These lessons were created, developed, and ultimately implemented by the zoo’s director of education, Caroline Cay Adams. The one-on-one, hands-on interactions offered as part of Kids Go Wild bring the typical textbook science lessons right off the page. Kids Go Wild goes beyond single-program learning objectives by encouraging groups to book multiple programs that are implemented over a longer period of time. This ensures that the educator can scaffold lessons to incorporate themes, vocabulary, and topics from previous lesson plans, as well as offer plenty of opportunities for participants to engage with ambassador animals. Examples of lessons include Animal Adaptations; the Food Web; Living Dinosaurs; and Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores. In August 2021, Adams also received the Janet McCoy Excellence in Public Education Award from the American Assoc. of Zookeepers for her work on Kids Go Wild.

 

Berkshire Bank Earns Top Marks in Corporate Equality Index

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank announced that it received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Berkshire joins the ranks of more than 840 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year. “We are honored to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation,” said Gary Levante, senior vice president, Corporate Responsibility. “Our goal at Berkshire is always to be a shining example of how a purpose-driven organization can be successful while lifting up everyone in our community. Our Pride Employee Resource Group has been steadfast in their work to create a more equitable workplace, and this honor is a testament to their tireless efforts. We hope that this recognition and our culture will inspire more members of our LGBTQIA+ family to join the Berkshire team as customers and employees.”

 

MCLA, Habitat for Humanity Partner to Offer Free Tax Assistance

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and its Department of Business Administration will once again partner with Habitat for Humanity to offer free tax-preparation services to local residents in need through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Habitat for Humanity administers VITA, a program of the IRS, to assist taxpayers with disabilities or limited English-speaking skills, those 60 years of age or older, and individuals who make $57,000 or less per year. MCLA students will be available to complete both basic and advanced returns, including those with itemized deductions. The students who participate in this program undergo a rigorous training, become IRS-certified, and will work under the supervision of MCLA Professor of Accounting Tara Barboza, an enrolled agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and a certified public accountant (CPA). In addition to meeting a significant need in Northern Berkshire County, participating in the VITA program is an opportunity for students to gain valuable, hands-on preparation experience. They will earn college credit, and accounting students can use this credit toward the requirements for the CPA exam. Interested individuals should call Habitat for Humanity offices at (413) 442-0002 or (413) 442-3181 to find out if they qualify and schedule an appointment. Hours will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. in Murdock Hall on the MCLA campus in North Adams. The program will continue through April 13.

 

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

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

CHICOPEE

Daniel’s Truck Center Inc., 10 Montcalm St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Daniel LaFlamme, same address. Used truck and auto sales.

Precision Professionals Inc., 22 Harrington Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Alexandre Holan, same address. Cleaning services.

GREENFIELD

CK Sandwich Inc., 446 Country Club Road, Greenfield, MA 01301. Christine M. Kuzm eskus, same address. Sandwich shop.

LUDLOW

3 Dukes Fishing Inc., 164 Lyon St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Mark D. Simonds, same address. To engage in the operation of commercial fishing.

The Watch Wellness Group Inc., 31 Nash Hill Road, Ludlow, MA 01056. Lisa Knowles-Warren, same address. Counseling and therapy services to the public.

MONSON

Bean Camping Inc., 72 Sutcliff Road, Monson, MA 01057. Joshua Unwin, same address. Campground.

PITTSFIELD

Waste Management Solutions Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Ste. 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Jacob Levy, same address. Waste management.

Akso First Health Treatment Center Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Ste. 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Yiling Wang, same address. Health consulting.

SPRINGFIELD

Worthington Package Store Inc., 1334 Liberty St., Springfield, MA 01104. Khushal Gogri, 135 Bernie Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Liquor store.

WESTFIELD

A.G. Falcetti Carpentry Inc., 262 Paper Mill Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Anthony Falcetti, same address. Carpentry.

Est US Express Inc., 105 Franklin St., third floor, Westfield, MA 01085. Pjotr Ptselnikov, same address. Trucking.

WILBRAHAM

Adam Long Painting Inc., 60 Manchonis Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Adam K. Long, same address. Painting and power washing.

Baskor Inc., 241 Crane Hill Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. John M. Basile, same address. Insurance inspections with drone.

Packology Design Group Corporation, 35 Burleigh Ave., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Walter Grono, same address. Packing and distribution.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of January 2022. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

DEERFIELD

AllyKev LLC
105 North Main St.
Allison Molongoski, Kevin Molongoski, Linda Molongoski

Deerfield River Liquors
62 Purple Meadow Road
Melissa Winters

Whitney Hill at the Gables
178 Old Vernon Road
Dale Whitney

NORTHAMPTON

Auto Plus
125 Carlon Dr.
Jonathan Lastowski

Brightworks Inc.
15 Higgins Way
Douglas McCarroll

Cancer Connection Thrift Shop
375 South St.
Christine Quinn

Carrie Ferguson Music
68 Cherry St.
Carrie Ferguson

Chameleons Hair Salon
2 Conz St., Unit 64
Kathleen Molongoski

Champagne Conference & Consultation
418 Ryan Road
Tina Champagne

Computer First Aid
209 Main St.
Cian Dowling

Context Capital Asset Management LLC
123 South St., #2
Melissa Frydlo

Cyclepottery
42 Maple St.
Kathryn Kothe Roszko

Filos Greek Taverna
279 Main St.
Konstantinos Sierros

Haven Body Arts
108 Main St.
Penelope Silverstein

The Houle School
251 Pleasant St., Apt. 7A
Erika Houle

Ken Hobbs Design Build
95 South St., Apt 2R
Kenneth Hobbs

Maple Street Architects
39 Revell Ave.
Peter Stevens

Northampton Athletic Club
306 King St.
Perry Messer, Judy Messer

Northampton Tire and Auto Service
182 King St.
Kurt Zimmerman

Northeast Painting Associates Inc.
881 North King St.
Christopher Hellyar

Richard Huntley & Sons
254 Easthampton Road
Richard Huntley

Sitelab Architecture & Design
35 Maynard Road
Caryn Brause

Sutter Meats LLC
65 King St.
Terence Ragasa

TommyCar Auto Group
347 King St.
Carla Cosenzi Zayac

Toward Harmony Tai Chi & Qigong
16 Center St., Suite 527
Charles Ryan

SOUTHWICK

Beauty and the Brow
627 College Highway, Suite 5
Kelly Miller

Thairapy with Amber Laborde
320 College Highway
Amber Laborde

WESTFIELD

A & B Gets It Clean
10 Hampden St.
Brandon Callahan

Ashley Papineau LICSW
1029 North Road
Ashley Papineau

Atlantic Trade Winds
405 Northwest Road
Wendy Diltz

BB Odd Jobs
53 Moseley Ave.
Rickey Beckett Jr.

Cusson Remodeling
64 Yeoman Ave.
Christopher Cusson

HES Hedges Electrical Service
1181 Russell Road
Chad Hedges

IK Ceramik Tiles
289 Buck Pond Road
Igor Kuzin

Lana’s Flowers
143 Llewellyn Dr.
Svetlana Ryabchukova

Local Lawns
32 South St.
Joshua Velez

Simon Sez Pets
35 Schumann Dr.
Richard Simons

SRW Court Reporting
132 Wild Flower Circle
Sharon Waskiewicz

Westfield Animal Shelter HEROES
5 Lathrop Ave.
Hearts to Pawz Project

Yellow Wood Coaching
8A Pumpkin Lane
Daniel Persuitte

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Allegiance Trucks Isuzu Springfield
268 Park St.
Randy Rindels

Atlas Technical Consultants LLC
73 William Franks Dr.
Michael Chadwick

Beacon ABA Services
59 Interstate Dr.
Robert LittleonJr.

BK Builders
59 Norman St.
Brian Kolodziej

Christian D. Smith LICSW
141Westwood Dr.
Christian Smith

Dean Moke America of West Springfield
874 Memorial Ave.
Randy Rindels

Doty Riverdale LP
143 Doty Circle

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Allen, Theresa Marie
45 Kane St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 11
Date: 01/14/2022

Alshuwaykh, Ahmed
60 Devens St., Apt. 4
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2021

Bay Counseling Associates
Shea, Peter M.
Shea, Jennifer L.
42 Manor Court
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/30/2021

Biancomano, Andrew
15 Elwood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/05/2022

Gomez, Miguel A.
9 Owens Place
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2021

Haverty, Scot D.
PO Box 266
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/12/2022

Johnson, Jeffrey Allan
303 Scantic Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/13/2022

Keyes, Aaron
11 Lyman Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/12/2022

Kulakowski, Sandra Eva
150 Pinedale Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/12/2022

Labrie, Caitlin J.
341 North St.
Windsor, MA 01270
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2021

Leask, Kimberly A.
131 Alfred Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/08/2022

Lewicki, Jane A.
45 Beacon Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/06/2022

Pajak, Sharon A.
185 Windsor St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/12/2022

Pennell, Jonathan L.
a/k/a Shears-Pennell, Jonathan Luke
139 Main St.
Cheshire, MA 01225
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2021

Valentin, Josue
113 Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2021

Vazquez, Andres
735 Memorial Dr. Unit 115
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/13/2022

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

42 West Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Killeen
Seller: Jill E. Powell
Date: 01/14/22

COLRAIN

3 Patton Hill Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Nathanial J. Boyer
Seller: Ryan M. Billiel
Date: 01/18/22

 

DEERFIELD

44 Graves St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Marsha L. Leavitt
Seller: Susanne Recos
Date: 01/14/22

400 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mathew Ainsworth
Seller: April C. Greene
Date: 01/14/22

9 Kelleher Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Michael Robbins
Seller: Ann E. Shelton
Date: 01/21/22

GREENFIELD

633 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: EDS Enterprises LLC
Seller: FHLM
Date: 01/20/22

50 Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $174,570
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Sarah L. Coulsey
Date: 01/10/22

2 Earl Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Heath Hutchinson
Seller: Thomas Friedman
Date: 01/14/22

359 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $2,900,000
Buyer: 359 Hight Street LLC
Seller: Somerset Property Group LLC
Date: 01/20/22

106 Maple St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Linda M. Shea
Seller: Matthew D. Killeen
Date: 01/14/22

72 Vernon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Rachel Eskridge
Seller: Patricia K. Robertson-Hall
Date: 01/14/22

HEATH

38 Bray Road
Heath, MA 01340
Amount: $150,381
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Robert L. Sessions
Date: 01/21/22

136 Hosmer Road East
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Thomas Serino
Seller: Thomas Flynn
Date: 01/13/22

162 Sumner Stetson Road
Heath, MA 01340
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Adam D. Bergeron
Seller: Bohrer, David L., (Estate)
Date: 01/21/22

LEVERETT

36 Broad Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $206,250
Buyer: Annie Pollak
Seller: Elizabeth W. Scheffey
Date: 01/14/22

35 Juggler Meadow Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $668,500
Buyer: Julia Firl
Seller: Mill River Renovations LLC
Date: 01/19/22

LEYDEN

218 Greenfield Road
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $477,000
Buyer: William D. Streeter
Seller: Andrew H. Killeen
Date: 01/13/22

MONTAGUE

12 Central St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $155,800
Buyer: Michael J. Dickerman
Seller: Doris M. Paulin IRT
Date: 01/14/22

111 L St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $296,500
Buyer: Jose A. Moran
Seller: Munju M. Song
Date: 01/10/22

47 Oakman St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Timothy M. Livingwater
Seller: Anne R. Homme
Date: 01/21/22

NEW SALEM

301 Petersham Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $541,000
Buyer: Janell E. Lopez-Curtis
Seller: Ashoryn LLC
Date: 01/21/22

309 Petersham Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $502,203
Buyer: Andrew J. Drawec
Seller: Ashoryn LLC
Date: 01/14/22

315 Petersham Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Dana M. Degen
Seller: Ashoryn LLC
Date: 01/21/22

NORTHFIELD

173 4 Mile Brook Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $489,900
Buyer: Carmine C. Vivolo
Seller: Kickery, Justin M., (Estate)
Date: 01/21/22

Pratt Hollow Road Lot A2
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John J. Schuster
Seller: Gorzocoski, Paul T., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/22

Pratt Hollow Road Lot A5
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John J. Schuster
Seller: Gorzocoski, Paul T., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/22

Pratt Hollow Road Lot A8
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John J. Schuster
Seller: Gorzocoski, Paul T., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/22

Pratt Hollow Road Lot A9
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John J. Schuster
Seller: Gorzocoski, Paul T., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/22

Pratt Hollow Road Lot A10
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: John J. Schuster
Seller: Gorzocoski, Paul T., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/22

ORANGE

249 Brookside Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $381,000
Buyer: Poitier Wright
Seller: Dodge Contracting LLC
Date: 01/14/22

52 Eddy St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: William P. Harris
Seller: Thomas Richardson
Date: 01/13/22

138 Pleasant St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Sean Hilliard
Seller: Charles Piragis
Date: 01/21/22

129 Prentiss St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Ledoux
Seller: Raymond H. Ledoux
Date: 01/20/22

18 Shelter St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: John V. Bruinsma
Seller: Kathy Talbot
Date: 01/21/22

210 Wheeler Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Orange Equity Holding LLC
Seller: Marmac Investments LLC
Date: 01/18/22

48 Old Cyrus Stage Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Jeffrey P. McGuire
Seller: Stanley R. Zielonka
Date: 01/10/22

ROWE

32 Shippee Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Robert C. Vandermaaten
Seller: John Rose-Fish
Date: 01/21/22

SHELBURNE

3 Pattern Hill Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Nathanial J. Boyer
Seller: Ryan M. Billiel
Date: 01/18/22

SHUTESBURY

140 Leonard Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Michael O’Connor
Seller: John J. Gurman-Wangh
Date: 01/10/22

SUNDERLAND

226 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Marcie E. Lyons
Seller: Saunders N. Whittlesey
Date: 01/21/22

280 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Ann Shelton
Seller: Julie M. Talbot
Date: 01/21/22

108 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: E. Ashley Fogle
Seller: Elaine E. Grigonis
Date: 01/21/22

WENDELL

1 Elm St.
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Craig Morey
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopment LLC
Date: 01/10/22

166 West St.
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Heather Wight
Seller: Dennis T. Lewis
Date: 01/19/22

WHATELY

6 Eastwood Lane
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Rebecca M. McDaniel
Seller: Kathleen Z. Zeamer
Date: 01/14/22

14 Swamp Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $406,000
Buyer: James A. Selman
Seller: Stephen D. Gross
Date: 01/21/22

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

29 Hunting Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Todd Prince
Seller: Shirley E. Jackson
Date: 01/21/22

15 Joey Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $319,600
Buyer: Jennifer L. Siewers
Seller: Edward Monette
Date: 01/13/22

18 Karen Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $241,500
Buyer: Jean C. Turgeon
Seller: Theodore R. Zern
Date: 01/14/22

395 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $152,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

883 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Thaddeus C. Dobek
Seller: Mary L. Barlar
Date: 01/21/22

11 Meadow Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Wilneris Uroza-Figueroa
Seller: Joseph D. Valenti
Date: 01/14/22

6 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $1,369,800
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

25 Randall St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Sandra Fraccalvieri
Seller: Brian G. Radwilowicz
Date: 01/14/22

BRIMFIELD

7 Cubles Dr.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $715,000
Buyer: Burnell FT
Seller: Maris Ozolins
Date: 01/14/22

65 Holland Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Priscilla D. Steinbrueck
Seller: Anthony J. Polakowski
Date: 01/21/22

Mill Lane
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Nicholas S. Short
Seller: Arlene M. Rasys-Cadieux
Date: 01/20/22

CHESTER

54 Holcomb Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Mark Hetherington
Seller: Richards, Madeline M., (Estate)
Date: 01/12/22

116 Maynard Hill Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Jake Flaherty
Seller: Mark R. Shlosser
Date: 01/18/22

CHICOPEE

45 Asinof Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Paul Kestler
Seller: Maria D. Pedro
Date: 01/18/22

363 Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,557,500
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/18/22

229 Center St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $418,800
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

167 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $2,209,670
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

177 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $2,209,670
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

910 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: MD&PB Properties LLC
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 01/20/22

431 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Sage M. Abreu
Seller: Robert S. Talbot
Date: 01/21/22

29 Glenwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Savannah R. Tardy
Seller: Peter Sacuta
Date: 01/10/22

140 Goodhue Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Revampit LLC
Seller: Edward S. Bury
Date: 01/20/22

84 Laclede Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Juquan Hicks
Seller: Raymond S. Procon
Date: 01/20/22

307 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $5,050,000
Buyer: Gleason Johndrow Group LLC
Seller: Meadow St. Partners LLP
Date: 01/18/22

27 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,217,400
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

8 Old Dale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $183,500
Buyer: Aida Medianero
Seller: Patrick R. Neill
Date: 01/21/22

14 Park St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Lenix R. Vega
Seller: Milan P. Peich
Date: 01/12/22

48 Randall St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Carlos D. Vasquez
Seller: Eileen B. Monaghan
Date: 01/10/22

35 Savory Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $436,000
Buyer: Doreen Cunningham
Seller: Todd A. Beaudoin
Date: 01/11/22

34 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Mark Camarata
Seller: Deslauriers, David, (Estate)
Date: 01/12/22

128 Sunnymeade Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $196,000
Buyer: Daniel Carthon
Seller: Ruthie M. Therrien
Date: 01/19/22

4 Taylor St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Mark Camarata
Seller: Deslauriers David, (Estate)
Date: 01/12/22

17 Whitman St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: 855 Liberty Springfield LLC
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 01/12/22

19 Whitman St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: 855 Liberty Springfield LLC
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 01/12/22

34 Wintworth St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Travis J. Vadnais
Seller: O&R Group LLC
Date: 01/21/22

58 Worthington St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Nathan P. Leclerc
Seller: Desmarais, Doris I., (Estate)
Date: 01/21/22

EAST LONGMEADOW

63 Birchland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Nexus Apartments LLC
Seller: Douglas W. Long
Date: 01/21/22

15 Helen Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Christopher Lyman
Seller: Steven Donato
Date: 01/14/22

64 Helen Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Julie A. Mathieu
Seller: Eric A. Retzlaff
Date: 01/21/22

40 Linden Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Mary Boadu
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 01/14/22

51 Maplehurst Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Julie K. Grondin
Seller: Quercus Properties LLC
Date: 01/20/22

58 Markham Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Marilyn Gonzalez
Seller: James F. Mannino
Date: 01/10/22

13 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $730,700
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

21-23 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $723,800
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

7 Odion St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $181,750
Buyer: Freeport RT
Seller: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Date: 01/11/22

78 Old Farm Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $815,000
Buyer: Augusto S. Garcia
Seller: Peter C. Dimaria
Date: 01/10/22

451 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $519,000
Buyer: Lenny Harris
Seller: Kenneth F. Bernier
Date: 01/19/22

157 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Robert A. Walker
Seller: Mark P. Racine
Date: 01/10/22

HOLLAND

20 Knollwood Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Michael P. Sullivan
Seller: Walter R. Rogers
Date: 01/19/22

27 Vinton Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Moynagh
Seller: Michael J. Martino
Date: 01/10/22

HOLYOKE

31 Amherst St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Anthony S. Morsen
Seller: M. C. Bushner TR
Date: 01/10/22

89 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: 89 Beech St LLC
Seller: 89 Beech Street LLC
Date: 01/19/22

1553 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $602,800
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

60 Edbert Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: John W. McCoy
Seller: Minkler, Kathleen M., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/22

19 Francis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Dorsey
Seller: Frank A. Demarinis
Date: 01/14/22

56 Laurel St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $199,999
Buyer: Jose A. Vazquez-Garcia
Seller: William N. Shipwash
Date: 01/18/22

47 Queen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Carol Huben
Seller: Posiadlosc LLC
Date: 01/12/22

28 River Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Virginia McWilliam
Seller: R. Kirk Mackey
Date: 01/20/22

295 Southampton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $315,900
Buyer: Tiffany Mackey
Seller: Aaron G. Horowitz-Frary
Date: 01/14/22

11 Steven Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Tannatt
Seller: Edward Cauley
Date: 01/14/22

35 Waldo St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Carolyn M. Diaz-Rodriguez
Seller: Wegrzyn, Teresa, (Estate)
Date: 01/14/22

112-114 West St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Cristal Muniz-Francisco
Seller: 4 Harps LLC
Date: 01/20/22

17 Wolcott St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Reinaldo Guzman
Seller: Extremely Clean LLC
Date: 01/21/22

LONGMEADOW

32 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kristiana A. Tadeo
Seller: Albert C. Krafcik
Date: 01/21/22

87 Ely Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $882,000
Buyer: Heather Orsi
Seller: Sasi K. Penukonda
Date: 01/13/22

72 Fairview St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Danielle Wilby
Seller: Donald F. O’Connor
Date: 01/13/22

144 Lawnwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Anna Russo
Seller: Jeffrey A. Guerra
Date: 01/12/22

1730 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $918,800
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/19/22

1734 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $918,800
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/19/22

33 Oxford Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $645,000
Buyer: Melrose Hurley
Seller: 4 Kings FT
Date: 01/14/22

40 Woodsley Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $837,500
Buyer: Frank Colaccino
Seller: Robert B. Bolduc
Date: 01/20/22

LUDLOW

279 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jose C. Alves
Seller: Horacio M. Salvador
Date: 01/13/22

478 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,630,100
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

138-140 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Tymmothy R. Dore
Seller: Margaret S. Glassman
Date: 01/20/22

853 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Carlos Melendez
Seller: Ana P. Dias
Date: 01/18/22

189 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Eric Retzlaff
Seller: Kyle K. Sullivan
Date: 01/21/22

125 Simonds St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Russell Cable
Seller: Carl E. Binette
Date: 01/21/22

23 Stivens Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: John Sugrue
Seller: David R. Sedelow
Date: 01/14/22

10 Warren St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Danyun Huang
Seller: Stephen J. Pare
Date: 01/14/22

Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Mill Road Properties LLC
Seller: Alcides Marques
Date: 01/18/22

173 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Mill Road Properties LLC
Seller: Alcides Marques
Date: 01/18/22

MONSON

4 Hampden Court
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Sabrina B. Ireland
Seller: Timothy West
Date: 01/21/22

100 Lakeshore Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: David Henry TR
Seller: Daniel Cassidy
Date: 01/18/22

MONTGOMERY

4 North Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: John Buikus
Seller: Sandra D. Bundy
Date: 01/18/22

PALMER

10 Alden St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Tristan Soucie
Seller: Joshua A. Pelski
Date: 01/13/22

1 Beech St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Jeffrey R. Surette
Seller: Stratton Renovation LLC
Date: 01/13/22

10 Fieldstone Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $498,000
Buyer: George Langlitz
Seller: Siyang Song
Date: 01/13/22

1061 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Karl E. Sweikhart
Date: 01/13/22

153 Shearer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Luke H. Hardy
Seller: Margaret J. Wilson
Date: 01/21/22

189 Shearer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $232,800
Buyer: Joshua Robidoux
Seller: Charles W. Gambino
Date: 01/21/22

1215 Thorndike St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $206,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

RUSSELL

384 Huntington Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: LBI Real Estate LLC
Seller: General Knox Post 6645
Date: 01/14/22

SOUTHWICK

43 Buckingham Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $151,000
Buyer: Thomas Romero
Seller: John P. Guzewicz
Date: 01/21/22

198 College Hwy
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $748,100
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

42 Depot St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Right Hand Clyde Real Estate LLC
Seller: William J. Malone
Date: 01/21/22

SPRINGFIELD

46-48 Albemarle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Elvis E. Olivares-Vasquez
Seller: Rafael A. Reyes
Date: 01/18/22

248 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Foley Capital LLC
Seller: Walker, June S., (Estate)
Date: 01/21/22

61 Arthur St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Gladys Resto
Seller: Maria L. Rodriguez
Date: 01/21/22

910-912 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: 716 Spring Valley LLC
Seller: WMass Capital Partners LLC
Date: 01/14/22

1143 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $640,400
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

74 Bernard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Adela Flores
Seller: Alicia M. Coppolo
Date: 01/14/22

142 Blanche St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jillian Godbout
Seller: James C. Ward
Date: 01/14/22

1235 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Caring Health Center Inc.
Seller: C&S Partnership LLC
Date: 01/21/22

1189 Bradley Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Roberto Gonzalez
Seller: Ram Tamang
Date: 01/19/22

455-477 Breckwood Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $4,600,000
Buyer: RN Enterprises LLC
Seller: Breckwood Realty LLC
Date: 01/21/22

48-50 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Necasty Vilnaigre
Seller: Marc Rhodes
Date: 01/13/22

53 Cloran St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Benson Acheampong
Seller: Global Home Property LLC
Date: 01/13/22

29 Clydesdale Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Cecil J. Hiscock
Seller: Thomas R. Caruso
Date: 01/20/22

327 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Keshauna M. Burwell
Seller: Jonell O. Sostre-Rosado
Date: 01/13/22

258 Cooper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $256,000
Buyer: Taysha Quinones-Negron
Seller: Benjamin W. John
Date: 01/18/22

117 Corcoran Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: David Sanchez
Seller: Jonathan M. Stenta
Date: 01/21/22

246 Cottage St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $1,934,400
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Plazas Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

85 Covington St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $205,923
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Hector Pagan
Date: 01/11/22

48 Crystal Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Jose D. Crespo
Seller: Nghe Vanho
Date: 01/14/22

97 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Madison Property Investments LLC
Seller: Daniel Torres
Date: 01/10/22

74 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Hiram Torres
Seller: Daniel S. Sojkowski
Date: 01/11/22

220 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: David Burgos
Seller: Jose Z. Rodriguez
Date: 01/21/22

235 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jan Deleeuw
Seller: Ecumenical Church Inc.
Date: 01/19/22

37-39 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: AJ & Sons Properties LLP
Seller: Scott Swenson
Date: 01/12/22

1211 East Columbus Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,515,100
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

319 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Idalis Rios
Seller: Phantom Holdings LLC
Date: 01/14/22

67 Fairhaven Dr.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: JJJ17 LLC
Seller: Thomas, Ethel P., (Estate)
Date: 01/20/22

289 Forest Hills Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Andres Dejesus
Seller: Elizabeth M. Woike
Date: 01/21/22

18 Fresno St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $349,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

33 Hebron St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Siu M. Chow-Tsang
Seller: Richard E. Allen
Date: 01/18/22

40 Juliet St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Thi Nguyen
Seller: Bukowski Construction LLC
Date: 01/12/22

79 Kenyon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Pauline Maloney
Seller: Martha Rankins
Date: 01/13/22

29 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $241,500
Buyer: Miguel A. Rodriguez-Ruiz
Seller: Kenneth E. Kellum
Date: 01/20/22

84 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Santos Marrero-Gonzalez
Seller: Buong V. Le
Date: 01/20/22

68 Lavender Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Megan E. O’Connell
Seller: Margaret E. McLane
Date: 01/12/22

15 Lawton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Hassan Saleh
Seller: Colapinto Dorothy M., (Estate)
Date: 01/13/22

164 Leopold St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Rosa M. Andino-Baez
Seller: Minerva Andino
Date: 01/21/22

49 Malden St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Mary Rodriguez
Seller: Ana L. Santiago
Date: 01/21/22

92 Marion St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Mariangely Diaz-Torres
Seller: Property Advantage Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

42-44 Maryland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Christina Valle
Seller: Antoinette Bonavita
Date: 01/10/22

70 Milton St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Christopher Stanavage
Seller: Tyler J. Malone
Date: 01/11/22

381 North Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Brital 1987 LLC
Seller: Bank New York Mellon
Date: 01/19/22

192-194 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jose Alvarado
Seller: Ovida Williams
Date: 01/11/22

427 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Squire Investments LLC
Seller: Rasmas Properties LLC
Date: 01/11/22

535 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $349,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

541 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $349,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

549 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $349,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

90 Paramount St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Sol D. Rivera
Seller: Carlos Rivera
Date: 01/14/22

1225 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $1,351,500
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

47 Phillips Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $224,500
Buyer: Tammy Woodruff
Seller: Wanda Vega
Date: 01/21/22

98-100 Prospect St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Ruben Santos-Burgos
Seller: Tara M. Johnson
Date: 01/11/22

142-144 Putnam Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Zainab Raza
Seller: Gabriel Martinez
Date: 01/11/22

256 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Fijerique Koffi-Tessio
Seller: Quan K. Terry
Date: 01/11/22

31 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Khina M. Darjee
Seller: Mary A. Ayala
Date: 01/13/22

40-60 Robbins Road
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $1,934,400
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Plazas Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

21 Sabin St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: John Gunther
Seller: James F. O’Brien
Date: 01/20/22

1139 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Taisha L. Rodriguez
Seller: Tiffany N. Mock
Date: 01/10/22

64 Saint James Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,900
Buyer: Jorge Espinosza-Arce
Seller: Paul A. Hosmer
Date: 01/14/22

8-10 Scott St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Leonides A. Monegro
Seller: Jose J. Tavarez
Date: 01/19/22

130 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Kasuba FT
Seller: Agnes M. Robie
Date: 01/21/22

234 Stapleton Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Tiffany Mock
Seller: Allder, Morris C., (Estate)
Date: 01/10/22

700 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,571,300
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

714 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,571,300
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

1458-1460 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Luis M. Diaz-Marte
Seller: Danilo Gonzalez
Date: 01/10/22

26 Steuben St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kristal M. Cabrera
Seller: Ricardo Y. Garib
Date: 01/11/22

244 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Xiaomao B. Wang
Seller: Cassandra Y. McClain
Date: 01/14/22

672 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $235,400
Buyer: Kwesi M. Roberts
Seller: Felipe Amaro
Date: 01/21/22

52 Surrey Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Humboldt Realty LLC
Seller: Deborah M. Walsh
Date: 01/13/22

130 Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Elli Ann Oskar
Seller: Michael A. Johnson
Date: 01/18/22

289 Tremont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Adelaida H. Claudio
Seller: Joejoe Properties LLC
Date: 01/12/22

205-207 Verge St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Junior P. Swaby
Seller: Billie Jo M. Heatwole
Date: 01/13/22

77 West St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $2,435,900
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

191 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Angel L. Rivera
Seller: Catherine N. Pauze
Date: 01/14/22

166 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Carlanys Rivera-Camacho
Seller: Christina Valle
Date: 01/10/22

95 Whittier St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Mayling Murillo
Seller: AJN Rentals LLC
Date: 01/11/22

1110 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $1,598,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

47 Wilcox St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Siu M. Chow-Tsang
Seller: Ahmed Aljanabi
Date: 01/18/22

950 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: 950 Worcester Street Corp.
Seller: Ineos Styrolution America
Date: 01/14/22

WEST SPRINGFIELD

24 Ames Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Najea Parkinson
Seller: Alexis Romero
Date: 01/21/22

149 Bear Hole Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Mark A. Brancic
Seller: John S. Langevin
Date: 01/10/22

86 Greenleaf Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Luke O’Brien
Seller: Dorothy G. Drewiany
Date: 01/11/22

62 Hemlock Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: J. M&Deborah A. Ramah RET
Seller: Lawrence H. Stevens
Date: 01/14/22

57 Hill St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $287,625
Buyer: TM Properties Inc.
Seller: Domenico R. Rettura
Date: 01/14/22

70 Irving St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Jose Delvalle
Seller: Yakelin Hidalgo
Date: 01/12/22

47 Kelso Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Jose G. Olmo
Seller: Kim L. Dion
Date: 01/11/22

324 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Troy Geoffroy
Seller: Lancaster Properties LLC
Date: 01/12/22

81 Oakland St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jennifer McGrath
Seller: Thomas P. Silva
Date: 01/11/22

905 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Flagstone Properties Inc.
Seller: David M. Prova
Date: 01/14/22

336 Prospect Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Etabav RT
Seller: Lynda Peters
Date: 01/21/22

757 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $877,100
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

1247 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $841,600
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

1267 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $710,300
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

174 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Ramona M. Teodorescu
Seller: Joanne F. Ortegas
Date: 01/14/22

67 South Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Marni E. Ayers
Seller: Maria Rivera
Date: 01/10/22

WESTFIELD

11 Airport Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: 13 Airport Drive LLC
Seller: Mark J. Staruk
Date: 01/21/22

234 East Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,925,300
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/21/22

26 Hampden St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Mechanic Man LLC
Seller: P. P & R. Properties LLC
Date: 01/21/22

198 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $146,500
Buyer: Diamond Inv Group LLC
Seller: Jeremy M. Daigneault
Date: 01/12/22

125 Lindbergh Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $294,000
Buyer: Jonathan Charles
Seller: Donna P. Salo
Date: 01/21/22

Lockhouse Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Lockhouse Development LLC
Seller: Wayne Fowles
Date: 01/14/22

15 Maple Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Brett M. Worden
Seller: Ognen, Thomas M., (Estate)
Date: 01/14/22

27 Noble Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Yevgeniy Kafanov
Seller: Michail V. Sharakin
Date: 01/14/22

10 Putnam Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Erin Fitzgerald
Seller: Carol A. Crowley
Date: 01/18/22

25 Radisson Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Donnelly
Seller: Joel C. Lund
Date: 01/21/22

592 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Vitali Econom
Seller: Matthew G. Roy
Date: 01/14/22

123 Shannon Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Barlow
Seller: Margaret R. Barlow
Date: 01/14/22

43 Shepard St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Tok Chang
Seller: Robert Godin
Date: 01/11/22

128 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: N. P. Vicencio-Delgado
Seller: Joan E. O’Brien
Date: 01/19/22

43 West School St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: T. Lea S. Williams-Sleight
Seller: Hillary M. Wright
Date: 01/14/22

26 Westwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Yevgeniy Naumenko
Seller: Lauren M. Donnelly
Date: 01/21/22

WILBRAHAM

2585 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Briana Goncalves
Seller: G. O. Fontaine Development LLC
Date: 01/20/22

12 Deerfield Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Majorie Prochaska
Seller: Nestor L. Otero
Date: 01/13/22

12 Magnolia St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Christopher Przybyl
Seller: Boynton, Richard D., (Estate)
Date: 01/21/22

2 Northwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Cassandra McClain
Seller: Aaron J. Tillberry
Date: 01/14/22

81 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Michael W. Sheerin
Seller: Joseph A. Pellegrino
Date: 01/10/22

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

Amherst

25 Flintlock Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Peter Cohen
Seller: Colin J. Gleason
Date: 01/12/22

66 Longmeadow Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $282,566
Buyer: Luke Zbylut
Seller: Joyce M. Southwell TR
Date: 01/12/22

Market Hill Road Lot 5
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mill Riv Renovations LLC
Seller: Michael J. Stosz
Date: 01/12/22

275 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Michael MacDonald
Seller: Richard A. MacDonald
Date: 01/14/22

295 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $295,325
Buyer: Xian G. Dole
Seller: Dorothy E. Knightly
Date: 01/10/22

BELCHERTOWN

247 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Jared A. Bradshaw
Seller: Nicole A. Miner
Date: 01/12/22

270 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Lynnette Watkins
Seller: Pavel Taralunga
Date: 01/10/22

357 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Benjamin Viens
Seller: Michael E. Viens
Date: 01/12/22

125 Mountain View Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Kimberly Coughlin
Seller: Paul D. Healey
Date: 01/10/22

13 Magnolia Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $559,800
Buyer: Alice A. Baldwin
Seller: Mark A. Fanty
Date: 01/19/22

99 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Quincy L. Ortiz
Seller: G&H Development LLC
Date: 01/18/22

Munsell St. Lot 1
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Kenneth Conkey
Seller: Orin L. Bracey
Date: 01/21/22

Shea Ave Lot 2C
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: NE General Construction Inc.
Seller: Jared Moriarty
Date: 01/10/22

165 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $1,161,400
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

CHESTERFIELD

22 Bisbee Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $479,000
Buyer: Rose D. Khalsa
Seller: Daniel Benedisuk
Date: 01/14/22

CUMMINGTON

56 Main St.
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jacquelyn H. Southern
Seller: Matthew J. White
Date: 01/11/22

9 Thayer Corner Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jaye M. Brink
Seller: Timothy W. Barrus
Date: 01/21/22

EASTHAMPTON

47 Carillon Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $531,000
Buyer: Sharron M. Vaillette
Seller: Michael A. Jurkowski
Date: 01/18/22

111 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Moonim S. Emond
Seller: Ramsey FT
Date: 01/18/22

11 Kingsberry Way
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Leah C. Tonetti
Seller: Eric J. Grenier
Date: 01/20/22

234 Loudville Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Christine L. Martin
Seller: D. Clford TR
Date: 01/10/22

84 Phelps St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Robert J. Dibrindisi
Seller: Russell Cable
Date: 01/11/22

60 Union St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,098,800
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

143 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Wendy R. Pearson
Seller: Sarah A. Sassorossi
Date: 01/11/22

GRANBY

90 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Kristen E. McGrann
Seller: Paul D. Tatro
Date: 01/19/22

64 Kendall St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Lanea G. Bushey
Seller: Tang Properties LLC
Date: 01/12/22

156 Kendall St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Holly Bouvier
Seller: Deana M. Deady-Drapeau
Date: 01/20/22

107 New Ludlow Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Giroux
Seller: Jeffrey A. Dudek
Date: 01/14/22

138 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $3,630,000
Buyer: Washington St. Granby LLC
Seller: Jeffadam Realty LLC
Date: 01/12/22

HADLEY

27 East St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $392,000
Buyer: Scott Schabacker
Seller: Gregory J. Rodak
Date: 01/11/22

386 River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Gail C. Whitlock RET
Seller: Marfaret C. Dwyer TR
Date: 01/21/22

25 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $1,530,500
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

445 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $594,900
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/18/22

HATFIELD

131 Main St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $1,275,000
Buyer: M&S Renovations LLC
Seller: Edward W. Lesko
Date: 01/14/22

7 Pantry Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Haley E. Marek
Seller: Robert W. Start
Date: 01/18/22

HUNTINGTON

11 Russell Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Benjamin F. Snape
Seller: Resolute RT
Date: 01/18/22

38 Worthington Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Brandon L. Lafollette
Seller: Jacob Reider
Date: 01/13/22

MIDDLEFIELD

26 Harry Pease Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Lauren Suriner
Seller: Paul E. Richardson
Date: 01/14/22

NORTHAMPTON

150 Federal St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Jordan D. Barnard
Seller: Marie A. Klekot
Date: 01/21/22

375 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,298,000
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride Convenience Inc.
Date: 01/14/22

26 Laurel Lane
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Michelle C. Lesperance
Seller: Sandra F. Albano
Date: 01/18/22

326 North Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Paul Krepel
Seller: Irene M. Lovett
Date: 01/14/22

254 Old Wilson Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $359,000
Buyer: Edith Phippen
Seller: Pine Meadows Property LLC
Date: 01/14/22

11 Orchard St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Jordan T. Burns
Seller: 11 Orchard Street LLC
Date: 01/14/22

311 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Lindsay Hunter
Seller: Jerzy W. Pfabe
Date: 01/21/22

49 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Christine O’Hara
Seller: Chocorua Realty Investments LLC
Date: 01/14/22

67 Riverbank Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Ian A. Wilson
Seller: Jesse L. Lang LT
Date: 01/18/22

107 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Colleen Byrnes
Seller: Saul N. Kuhr
Date: 01/19/22

SOUTH HADLEY

80 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Ryan Spencer
Seller: Richard S. Watanabe
Date: 01/19/22

169 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Sumner E. Hancock
Seller: Lisa A. Kennedy
Date: 01/14/22

280-286 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Pride Real Estate LLC
Seller: Pride LP
Date: 01/14/22

24 Jewett Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Robert T. Ouellette
Seller: Theresa B. Walsh
Date: 01/20/22

4 Pheasant Run
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: John A. Bacevicius
Seller: Roberta A. Urbanski
Date: 01/12/22

44 Searle Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Conor D. Nolan
Seller: Zachary Wallace
Date: 01/14/22

72 Woodbridge Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Nicholas R. Bernier
Seller: M. J. Levine 2009 TR
Date: 01/14/22

SOUTHAMPTON

69-1/2 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $467,500
Buyer: Steven Reid-Cowley
Seller: Lee Dawn-Daniel
Date: 01/10/22

98 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $503,000
Buyer: Lauren Johnson
Seller: Donald F. Treadwell
Date: 01/21/22

73 Glendale Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Melissa Stlaurent
Seller: Christine A. Kicza
Date: 01/21/22

WARE

9 Clinton St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Johnathan Thornton
Seller: Todd J. Vanderwarker
Date: 01/19/22

31 High St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Lillybelle M. Wloch
Seller: Pamela J. Gauthier
Date: 01/18/22

39 Highland St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Paul Campeau
Seller: Rachel Mace
Date: 01/18/22

16 Laurel Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Robert E. Bolieau
Seller: Jeffrey M. Tweedie
Date: 01/14/22

2 Lee Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Maria Rodriguez
Seller: Jimmy E. Mosher
Date: 01/21/22

199 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Elizabeth M. Shevock
Seller: GM Properties LLC
Date: 01/21/22

10 Mountainview Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Imbier
Seller: William R. Imbier
Date: 01/18/22

45 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Phat D. Ly
Seller: Hua Z. Zhao
Date: 01/19/22

30 Pleasant St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Marc A. Varnum
Seller: Charbonneau Funeral Home
Date: 01/14/22

28-30 Vigeant St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Donovan M. Manzaro
Seller: New England Equities LLC
Date: 01/11/22

WILLIAMSBURG

6 Cole Road
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Andrea Bryck
Seller: R. Scott Baldwin
Date: 01/19/22

19 Fairfield Ave.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $263,900
Buyer: Jennifer N. Podel
Seller: Nancy L. Winninger
Date: 01/12/22

182 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Patrick M. Malone
Seller: Lisa L. Marney
Date: 01/14/22

WESTHAMPTON

275 Northwest Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Brianna L. Eichstaedt
Seller: McCloud FT
Date: 01/11/22

WORTHINGTON

202 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sean M. Klimmek
Seller: Christopher Britland
Date: 01/13/22

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of January 2022. (Filings are limited due to closures or reduced staffing hours at municipal offices due to COVID-19 restrictions).

CHICOPEE

CPI 425 Meadow Street LLC
425 Meadow St.
$22,000 — Construct new non-structural walls around new electrical transformer

Teresa Joguin
10 Taylor St.
$38,100 — New electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, sheetrock, flooring, drop ceiling, and countertop

Adam Piskorowski
11 Hendrick St.
$14,373.37 — Decking

HADLEY

Walter Czajkowski
135 Mount Warner Road
N/A — Addition

Konover Properties
30 Greenleaves Dr.
N/A — Repair drywall and finishes

Konover Properties
36 Greenleaves Dr.
N/A — Repair drywall

LEE

South Lee Assoc. LLC
501 Pleasant St.
$17,325 — Add sprinklers in new clean room from existing main

Town of Lee
32 Main St.
$1,953 — Replace bad fire-alarm panel

LENOX

Blantyre LLC
16 Blantyre Road
$20,000 — Selective investigative demolition

Evelyn Witkowski Pascal
38 Church St.
$23,500 — Remodel Apt. 2E

NORTHAMPTON

Aquadro & Cerruti Inc.
131 Texas Road
$1,500 — Outfit portion of second-floor office space as a hydroponic grow facility

Brigi Inc.
289 Elm St.
$7,400 — Bathroom renovation

Glass Lake Partners LLC
43 Ladd Ave.
$2,500 — Build wall for storage area

Smith College
Henshaw Avenue
$350,000 — Replacement windows and repairs

Smith College
College Lane
$918,000 — Renovate collection storage areas

UG South LLC
165 South St.
$1,705 — Insulation and weatherization

PITTSFIELD

Kathleen Broderick
91 Appleton Ave.
$1,500 — Install emergency lights in stairwell

Darryl Hamel
276 Columbus Ave.
$42,000 — Machine demolition of structure, remove foundations, backfill to surrounding grade

Seven Oh Three Nominee Trust
703 West Housatonic St.
$9,583 — Roofing

SPRINGFIELD

1626 Bay Street LLC
797 Berkshire Ave.
$62,000 — Build addition for new office; remodel interior space for warehouse; remove and replace windows, siding, roof, and exterior wall framing

Mawla Bassam
438 Chestnut St.
$33,500 — Roofing

Mawla Bassam
444 Chestnut St.
$33,500 — Roofing

Ngoc Minh Thi Le
556 Sumner Ave.
$50,000 — Roofing at Subway restaurant

Premier Supply Group
372 Pasco Road
$518,350 — Roofing

Springfield Boys Club
481 Carew St.
$40,000 — Verizon Wireless to add six cellular antennas and associated equipment to existing monopole

Springfield Investors LLC
1083 Boston Road
$194,000 — Alter interior store fixtures for retail sales floor area, relocate main entry door, Xfinity store

Springfield Redevelopment Authority
7 Elm St.
$3,834,802 — Alter interior for rehabilitation of four residential units in Court Square building

Springfield Redevelopment Authority
31 Elm St.
$45,000,000 — Alter interior for rehabilitation of 70 residential units and three future commercial tenant spaces in Court Square building

Springfield Redevelopment Authority
31 Elm St.
$1,000 — Interior demolition in preparation of future buildout of Court Square building

Verizon Wireless
15 Girard Ave.
$15,000 — Remove and replace three antennas

Paul Weinberg
3 Rutland St.
$75,500 — Roofing at Martin Luther King Family Services Inc.

WILBRAHAM

1997 Boston Road Wilbraham Eat LLC
1997 Boston Road
$10,000 — Install free-standing sign for O’Reilly Auto Parts and Valvoline

Valleystone Credit Union
2002 Boston Road
$20,100 — Replace existing ground sign for Polish National Credit Union

Manning Family Foundation Provides $3 Million Gift to UMass Amherst

By
Daily News

AMHERST — Alumnus Paul Manning and his wife, Diane, have committed $3 million through their family foundation to expand the Manning Innovation Program at UMass Amherst. The gift provides three years of support in advancing a robust and sustainable commercialization pipeline of applied and translational research projects from the university.

The Manning Innovation Program, based in the university’s Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), provides grants to advance applied research and development efforts in the sciences and engineering through the creation of startup companies and the licensing of intellectual property. Since its inception, 14 faculty members have received a Manning Innovation Award, including one research professor who has used these new funds to make strides toward new, life-saving liver-disease treatments. The program has also fostered a stronger culture of entrepreneurship in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) and greater collaboration among Isenberg School of Management advisors, science and technology researchers, and industry experts as they work to translate research into field-disrupting products.

“Early-stage innovation is a high-risk proposition and difficult to find funding for,” said Peter Reinhart, founding director of IALS. “The Manning Innovation Program is catalytic in that it creates a competitive mechanism for enabling the creation and development of promising startup companies focused on human health and well-being.”

The success of the program is illustrated by the diversity and caliber of the projects supported thus far. With these grants, faculty members are translating research into viable solutions addressing problems in areas such as cancer treatments, wastewater treatment, veterinary science, and reproductive healthcare.

The Manning Innovation Program was originally established in 2019 with $1 million in seed funding from the Mannings and was initially open only to CNS faculty.

“When we established the Manning Innovation Program almost three years ago, our goal was to fund brilliant minds as they tackled some of the world’s biggest problems,” Paul Manning said. “But the program’s success has surpassed our expectations, which is why we are investing in its expansion. We look forward to seeing many more innovative solutions that are sure to make a global impact.”

Freedom Credit Union Promotes Rae Brown to Branch Officer in Hampshire County

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union announced it recently promoted Rae Brown to the role of branch officer for its Northampton and Easthampton locations. She previously served as the assistant branch officer at the Main Street, Springfield office.

“Rae has been with us for nearly eight years and has proven herself to be a wonderful leader, dedicated to providing outstanding service to our members and committed to the success of her team,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “She is the perfect person to oversee our two branches in Hampshire County.”

Brown has more than two decades of experience in banking, including more than 11 years in Hampshire County. She has an associate degree from Springfield Technical Community College and is also a notary public.

Monson Family Celebrates Home Preservation Program

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — In September, Purple Heart Homes (PHH), a veterans-services agency that focuses on housing solutions, asked Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH), a nonprofit and non-governmental organization, if it would like to collaborate on a home-preservation project. Peter, a retired Army National Guard staff sergeant, and his wife, Beth, purchased a duplex in Monson three years ago. They live in one unit. Beth’s daughter and young son live in the other residence. Both units needed repair.

GSHFH’s Home Preservation Program provides affordable microloans to qualifying homeowners who need help with accessibility modifications, home weatherization, general home repairs, yard cleanup, and landscaping. Greater Springfield Habitat sent staff to assess the three areas of concern — a moss-spotted roof, a broken water heater in the daughter’s unit, and damaged exterior doors at both dwellings.

“We are always happy to work cooperatively with Purple Heart Homes to improve the living conditions for an area veteran and his or her family,” said Deborah O’Mara, Family Services manager. “By teaming up, we can do much more than either organization could ever do alone. When we are finished, the Wiggins family will have a fully functional and weathertight home in which to live.”

Matt Stevenson, director of PHH’s Veteran Home Opportunity Program, agreed.

“For Purple Heart Homes, our partnership with GSHFH for Peter’s home remodel/repair project is a significant force multiplier for our organization. This collaboration bridges both our organizations’ strengths, and together, we’re able to assist more veterans in our communities,” Stevenson said. “This is the second veteran project PHH has completed with Greater Springfield Habitat, and we look forward to a continued partnership in the future.”

The roof, siding, and water-heater issues were addressed in December. Exterior doors for side entrances and the basement are on order.

“My house was looking like the Amityville Horror house, but now it sparkles like Disneyland,” Peter said. “The moss on the roof, gone, The mossy steps in the front, gone. An excellent job worthy of praise and kudos.”

Pioneer Valley Home Sales Down from a Year Ago, but Average Price Up

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley reported that Pioneer Valley home sales were down 11.7% from January 2021 to January 2022, and the median price was up 9.8%.

In Franklin County, last month’s sales were down 14.6% from the previous January, and median price was up 30.3%. In Hampden County, sales were down 16.1%, and median price was up 6.3%. In Hampshire County, sales were up 7.4% from a year earlier, and median price was up 9.9%.

Inventory of available property was significantly down year over year, with 333 homes for sale in January 2022, 44.9% fewer than the 604 homes for sale in January 2021. Average days on market also fell, from 50 in January 2021 to 36 in January 2022.

Horace Smith Fund Sets March 15 Deadline to Apply for Scholarship, Fellowship Money

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — The Horace Smith Fund, now in its 123rd year, has scholarship and fellowship money available for residents of Hampden County graduating from eligible public and private high schools.

This year, a total of $247,000 will be awarded in the form of 16 scholarships given to students working toward an undergraduate degree, three fellowships given to students enrolled in a graduate-degree program, and one award given to a high-school senior with special needs who is about to enter college.

Scholarship awards of $12,000 are distributed as $3,000 annually, renewable each year until graduation. Fellowship awards of $15,000 are distributed as $5,000 annually, renewable for two additional years. All recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 each semester.

Recipients are selected on a variety of criteria, including merit, financial need, recommendations, and community involvement. Of greatest importance is the applicant’s personal written account of why they feel deserving of the award. All recipients must be full-time students and residents of Hampden County.

Completed applications must be received no later than Tuesday, March 15, either electronically or by mail to the Horace Smith Fund, 16 Union Ave., Suite 2K, Westfield, MA 01085. Applications are available at local high-school guidance offices, college financial-aid offices, online at www.horacesmithfund.org, or by calling (413) 739-4222.

Congressman Neal Named 2022 National Education Service Award Winner

By
Daily News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was awarded the 2022 National Education Service Award during the Assoc. of Community College Trustees’ (ACCT) Community College National Legislative Summit. Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal was on hand to make the presentation.

This award honors a national leader who has made extraordinary contributions to national public policies and resources that support education, training, and post-secondary learning.

According to the ACCT, “as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Neal was instrumental in the inclusion of the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act, which would prevent students from being taxed on the portion of their Pell award which exceeds tuition costs, in the Build Back Better Act passed by the House this fall. He was also instrumental in securing $1.2 billion in funding for a potential successor to the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training Grants (TAACCT) in proposed legislation.”

“The community-college system in America plays a critical role in preparing individuals for the workforce,” Neal said. “I have been a longtime supporter of our community colleges because they are successful. They provide technical career training, serve as a stepping stone, and welcome individuals looking to retrain or refresh their skillset. Western and Central Massachusetts is lucky to have many of these types of educational options right outside their doors and at their fingertips. I am thankful to the Association of Community College Trustees for this recognition, and I am committed to continuing to provide for the community-college system so that all students have a path to higher education.”

Royal added that “it was an honor to present Congressman Neal with the National Education Service Award on behalf of ACCT. He has long been an advocate for progressive programs and federal funding for community colleges and our students, particularly workforce-training programs. He recognizes that investments in our community colleges support regional growth, job creation, and economic mobility for individuals and families. I know this was a proud moment for him as it also was for me and should be for all the communities in Massachusetts that he represents.”

Sen. Adam Gomez Presents Square One with $100,000 Check from ARPA Funds

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Last week, state Sen. Adam Gomez attended an event at Square One in Springfield to present the organization with a $100,000 check from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in December. Gomez was able to advocate for this funding through the filing of an amendment to the ARPA spending bill during the state Senate debate.

“As a Springfield Day Nursery alum and a lifelong resident of the great city of Springfield, I know firsthand the important and essential work that Square One does in our community,” Gomez said. “The wide range of support and educational services give our young people and their families the opportunities and skills they need to thrive. I was proud to be able to get this very worthy organization funding and cannot wait to see the lives they continue to touch with their work.”

Panel on ‘Resources for Veterans in the Court System’ Slated for Feb. 16

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Bar Assoc., along with one of its committees, the Military/Attorney Resource and Communication Hub, is hosting a panel called “Resources for Veterans in the Court System” on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

The panel will speak on topics intertwined within the Veteran Treatment and Diversion Courts. This will include the process, differences between the courts, the Brave Act, the Valor Act, and helpful resources provided throughout Massachusetts.

The event will be held via Zoom at 1 p.m. To RSVP, contact the Hampden County Bar Assoc. at (413) 732-1388 or [email protected].

BusinessTalk with Beth Ward, director of Community Affairs at MGM Springfield

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, 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 100: February 14, 2022

George Interviews Beth Ward, director of Community Affairs at MGM Springfield

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with  Beth Ward, director of Community Affairs at MGM Springfield. The two talk everything from the Valentine’s Day menu (5-pound lobster), to the prospects for sports gambling, to MGM Springfield’s steady climb back to something approaching normalcy after two years of pandemic. It’s all must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

 

 

 

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Valley Venture Mentors Joins Forces with Western Massachusetts EDC

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SPRINGFIELD — The Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) announced it has welcomed Valley Venture Mentors (VVM) into the EDC ranks as a regional leader in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With a shared vision in stimulating and facilitating a vigorous regional economy, the EDC is committed to supporting local entrepreneurship, which ultimately leads to the acceleration of economic development and community vitalization.

“VVM has played an integral role in the entrepreneur ecosystem as a leader in scaling businesses to the next level of operation, promoting innovation in every aspect of business and generating regional wealth for our local economy,” said Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the EDC. “We are eager in taking an inclusive approach in supporting our local entrepreneurial network as they grow into economic engines in Western Mass.”

EDC and VVM leadership have been in discussion on the future of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and have decided to join forces. The board of directors of VVM issued the following statement:

“VVM started with a simple mission: to help entrepreneurs succeed. That mission has guided the organization for over a decade, through economic boom and bust times, as VVM grew from an all-volunteer, ragtag organization into a professional, fully staffed operation with an inspiring space in downtown Springfield. Along the way, VVM has witnessed the explosion of entrepreneurship across the Pioneer Valley, with new programs like EforAll Holyoke, the Berthiaume Center at UMass and its summer student accelerator, LEVER in Berkshire County, and WNEU’s expanding entrepreneurship program, to name a few. VVM has also seen the addition of several new options for startup funding, including the Alchemy Fund, the Maroon Fund, Launch413, and the Springfield Venture Fund.

“We are thankful for the support that VVM has received over the years from its lead funders, MassMutual and the MassMutual Foundation, the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Berkshire Bank, and countless other supporting businesses and individuals. We are also thankful for the thousands of hours that individual mentors gave to young (and some old) entrepreneurs. Many business relationships were started at VVM, and hopefully these will continue into the future. Many friendships were also started at VVM, and these have enriched all of our lives.

“The leadership at the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts recognizes the unique value of VVM, its impactful programming, and diverse pool of mentors. We are excited to hand over the reins to the EDC and watch VVM and the EDC work more closely together to fulfill the mission of helping all entrepreneurs in Western Mass. not just succeed, but thrive.”

With this new transition, the EDC has appointed Hope Ross Gibaldi as executive director of VVM.

“Hope’s leadership has been instrumental in navigating VVM through the pandemic while simultaneously developing meaningful and effective relationships and enriching the organization’s programming,” said Xiomara Albán DeLobato, chief of staff of the EDC. “VVM will continue to support entrepreneurs through curated mentoring and networking opportunities — and we are very excited to share more information [in the near future] on the innovative opportunities coming to Western Mass. for the betterment of our entrepreneurs, residents, and overall economy.”

Freedom Credit Union Names Carla Banas Branch Officer in Ludlow

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Freedom Credit Union hired Carla Banas as branch officer for its Ludlow location. She brings more than 16 years of banking experience to her role, the last several of which were in Ludlow, where she specialized in commercial banking.

“Carla has a depth of experience in community and commercial banking, and a proven track record of coaching and staff development,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “She lives in Ludlow and has a passion for the local community and for helping small businesses.”

In her new role, Banas will oversee the daily operations of the branch, ensure the growth and development of employees, ensure exceptional customer service for members, and grow new business by cultivating lasting relationships.

Outside her professional role, Banas is on the board for Women to Watch and serves as community outreach chair. She is also a member and past president of the Ludlow BNI Core Connections chapter and is active in the East of the River Chamber of Commerce. In her previous position, she was recognized for her work with employed veterans by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

Mellon Foundation Awards Five Colleges $1.6 Million Faculty-development Grant

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Daily News

AMHERST — The Five College Consortium has been awarded a $1.6 million grant by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to create programming that will develop faculty members’ administrative leadership skills. Titled “Building Academic Leaders in the Humanities,” the grant will fund a three-and-a-half-year program to prepare humanities faculty to take on leadership roles at Five Colleges’ member institutions — Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith colleges and UMass Amherst — and elsewhere.

The program builds on a seminar one held at Amherst College in 2020 for 24 faculty members interested in taking on or already occupying administrative roles. The success of the Amherst model led the chief academic officers of the Five College campuses to propose a collaborative leadership-development effort across all five institutions.

Amherst College Associate Provost and Associate Dean of Faculty Pawan Dhingra will lead the grant team, along with UMass Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Sociology Michelle Budig, Mount Holyoke College Associate Dean of Faculty Elizabeth Markovits, Smith College Dean for Academic Development Hélène Visentin, and Hampshire College Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Yaniris Fernandez.

“The transition from faculty member to campus leader can be a challenging one, requiring a broad understanding of institutional operations and in-depth knowledge of the higher education landscape, and this program is intended to support faculty in moving into these roles skillfully,” said Five College Executive Director Sarah Pfatteicher, who will help lead the effort. “Our goal with this initiative is to develop a diverse pipeline of early- to mid-career humanities faculty who are prepared to take on administrative roles at the Five College campuses and beyond.”

The Mellon Foundation funding will support two annual institutes, one designed for early- to mid-career faculty who are planning to take on their first administrative responsibilities, and another for current faculty administrators looking to move into higher leadership roles. Facilitated by experienced campus leaders, these institutes will cover subjects ranging from managing budgets to maintaining work-life balance. Developing participants’ capacity to support diversity, equity, and inclusion will be an overall theme of both institutes.

MCLA to Present Seminar on Transportation and Decarbonization on Feb. 16

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Daily News

NORTH ADAMS — Katherine Fichter, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) assistant secretary and chief of Climate and Decarbonization, will give a talk titled “Transportation’s Responsibility to the Climate: Our Role in Decarbonization” on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the MCLA Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121.

Part of MCLA’s Green Living Seminar series, this event is free and open to the public. Masks are required in all buildings on MCLA’s campus.

The transportation sector is the single greatest contributor to carbon emissions among economic sectors, and it is growing, both in raw numbers and relative to other sectors. This is true in Massachusetts as well as nationally and internationally. Fichter will discuss the reasons for this, the opportunities for and challenges to change, what is currently happening in Massachusetts, local transportation patterns and how they reflect broader needs, and the future of the field.

Fichter has served in various capacities since 2004. She is now responsible for overseeing multiple policy initiatives and insuring that MassDOT policy priorities are implemented through investments and projects. Among other issues, she works on transportation and climate policy, congestion, regional planning, and sustainable transportation. She is also program manager for the MassDOT Shared Streets & Spaces program. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago and MIT and has also worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation and for the Massachusetts Legislature, where she worked on transportation-related issues.

MCLA’s annual Green Living Seminar Series continues through April, presenting a series of lectures on the theme of “Greening the City.” Every semester, the Green Living Seminar Series centers around a different topic that is timely and relevant in current sustainability issues. Seminars take place on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. until April 20. The series is a presentation of the MCLA Environmental Studies Department and MCLA’s Berkshire Environmental Resource Center.

Presentations will also be broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community Television channel 1302 at the following times: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 4 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 p.m., Sundays at 11:30 a.m., and Mondays at 5:30 p.m. Recordings will also be available on the college’s YouTube channel.

For more information, visit www.mcla.edu/greenliving or call Professor of Environmental Studies Elena Traister at (413) 662-5303.

Statewide School Mask Requirement Will Be Lifted Feb. 28

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Daily News

MALDEN — Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Jeffrey Riley announced that the statewide mask requirement for K-12 schools will be lifted on Monday, Feb. 28.

The decision was made in consultation with infectious-disease physicians, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and other medical experts. Vaccinations are the best protection against COVID-19, and Massachusetts has among the highest vaccination rates of young people and is a national leader in overall vaccination. In Massachusetts, 52% of all individuals who are fully vaccinated have received a booster dose, compared to 42% of the national population.

Massachusetts also has nation-leading school-testing programs, including a newly launched at-home testing program for students and educators. These testing options will remain in place.

“With Massachusetts a national leader in vaccinating kids, combined with our robust testing programs, it is time to lift the mask mandate in schools and give students and staff a sense of normalcy after dealing with enormous challenges over the past two years,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “We have all the tools to keep schools safe as we move into dealing with the next phase of managing COVID.”

The Department of Early Education and Care will also lift the mask requirements currently in place for all licensed childcare providers effective Feb. 28, and allow programs to develop policies specific to the children they serve. The department will release additional guidance for programs next week.

With the lifting of the statewide mask requirement, school districts no longer need to request a waiver from DESE to remove masks in school buildings where 80% of staff and students are vaccinated. Masking will be a community choice in schools across the Commonwealth, regardless of vaccination rates within a school; however, a school district could establish a local requirement.

Many schools across the Commonwealth have already reached the vaccination benchmark and requested permission to remove masks. To date, DESE has received 68 requests from schools that submitted attestations that 80% of their students and staff are vaccinated. The department has approved 42 requests and is in the process of reviewing another 21 requests before the statewide requirement ends.

Masking continues to be required on all school buses, per federal order. In August, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gave the commissioner the authority to require masks for public-school staff and students (ages 5 and up) in all grades through at least Oct. 1, 2021. The commissioner used his authority to extend the requirement three times.

Tomorrow Is the Last Day to Nominate Someone for 40 Under Forty

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2022 — but time is running out. The deadline for nominations is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 11.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass., including those from the broad spectrum of healthcare. Nominations, which should be as detailed and thorough as possible, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form.

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be profiled in BusinessWest in April and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in late June. The program is sponsored by PeoplesBank, and other sponsorship opportunities are available.

Carli Ross Joins Team at Raipher, P.C.

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Carli Ross recently joined Raipher, P.C. in Springfield as a personal-injury and civil-litigation attorney. Ross is a passionate advocate who began her legal career concentrating on criminal defense and employment discrimination work. She joined the practice in November and became the firm’s 16th lawyer.

Ross completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California Santa Cruz in 2017, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and legal studies. She then went on to earn her juris doctor degreee from Western New England University School of Law in 2021, graduating cum laude.

“We are excited to bring on another young talented individual to enable us to continue to provide superior legal representation to our clients,” Managing Partner Raipher Pellegrino said, adding that Ross “will add great value to our personal-injury and civil-litigation group.”

Comcast Appoints Saif Malik VP of Finance for Western New England Region

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Daily News

BERLIN, Conn. — Comcast named Saif Malik vice president of Finance for the company’s Western New England region, which serves more than 300 communities across Connecticut, Western Mass., Vermont, Western New Hampshire, and New York. In this role, Malik will oversee finance and accounting, warehouse and materials, information technology, facilities, fleet management, and environmental health and safety.

“Throughout his tenure with the company, Saif has showcased his talents as a strategic leader, as well as his dedication to fostering cross-functional collaboration,” said Carolyne Hannan, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England region. “Those qualities, along with his keen insight into our business, have proven to be invaluable, and I look forward to the energy, ideas, and insight he will provide in his new role.”

Malik joined Comcast in 2007 as senior manager of Finance for Comcast’s Greater New Haven area, where he was responsible for the financial growth of technical operations, marketing, warehouse, and customer service centers. He most recently served as senior director of Finance for the Western New England Region, providing strategic direction for technical operations, construction, and Comcast Business functions, including the region’s capital expenditures. Prior to joining Comcast, he was manager of financial planning and analysis for AT&T.

Malik earned his master’s degree in economics from the University of the Punjab and his MBA in finance from Oklahoma City University. Over the past seven years, he has served on the board of CRIS radio, an organization that provides audio access for people who are blind or print-challenged.

Blue Sox to Host Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame Banquet on March 10

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Valley Blue Sox will host the ninth annual Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, presented by Westfield Bank, on Thursday, March 10.

This year’s banquet will be held at Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Road, Longmeadow. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The class of 2022 inductees include:

• William Bathel, Western MA High School Fall Baseball League co-founder (2004);

• Brian Collins, who revived the Springfield Post 21 baseball program (2010) and was Hampden County commissioner of Legion Baseball from 2016 to 2018;

• Mark DiFranco, Western MA High School Fall Baseball League co-founder (2004);

• Charles Roys, baseball coach at Springfield College (1979-96);

• Patrick Strange, MLB pitcher, New York Mets (2002-03);

• Mark Wohlers, MLB relief pitcher, Atlanta Braves (1991-99), Cincinnati Reds (2000-01), New York Yankees (2001), and Cleveland Indians (2002); and

• Westfield High School’s 1967 state champion baseball team.

The Ryan Doyle Courage Award will be presented by the Doyle family to Jake Goodreau. Each year, this award honors an athlete who has displayed similar courage and perseverance as Ryan Doyle did as they face a difficult time in their lives.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno will serve as master of ceremonies for the night’s event.

Individual tickets are $55 per person, or a table of eight can be purchased for $400. Dinner, coffee, and dessert will be served at the banquet. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets to this year’s event can be purchased by clicking here.

HCC President Christina Royal to Lead Feb. 23 Women’s Leadership Series

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) President Christina Royal will be the featured speaker at the Feb. 23 session of HCC’s Spring 2022 Women’s Leadership Series.

Royal will lead a discussion focused on “Growth Mindset” at the February session of the spring series, which meets over Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month.

During each session, participants will join prominent leaders for discussions on relevant topics and ideas to help their professional development. They will also have the opportunity to form a supportive network to help navigate their own careers. The sessions are interactive and geared for professional women who want to connect. Other upcoming sessions include:

• March 30: “Finding Your Mentors,” with Willie Maddox, executive vice president and chief risk officer at ACBB;

• April 27: “My Ankle is Made of Steel,” with Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle; and

• May 25: “Self Love,” with Shawntsi Baret, leadership coach and owner of SBSWF Consulting.

The cost of each session is $25. Cost, however, will not be a barrier to participation. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. To register, visit hcc.edu/womens-leadership.

VOC Mobile Welcome Van Coming to Holyoke, Westfield, and West Springfield

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Daily News

CHICOPEE — Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) has launched a mobile welcome van with the goal of bringing the organization directly to those in the community that could benefit from VOC programs and services. The van will kick off at Key Foods, 13 Cabot St., Holyoke on Thursday, Feb. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. VOC will have some prizes and a limited supply of food bags for those who stop by the welcome van.

The welcome van will also visit Westfield on Wednesday, March 2, noon to 2 p.m., at the Westwood Building, 94 North Elm St.; and West Springfield on Wednesday, March 16, noon to 2 p.m., at the Boys and Girls Club, 615 Main St.

Residents in the communities visited by the welcome van are encouraged to stop by to learn about available resources, ask questions, and even schedule an appointment for VOC’s programs and services. VOC staff will also be able to make referrals for programs and do intakes for fuel assistance.

The mobile welcome van will continue to visit many cities and towns throughout the year and will focus on those communities that are more remote, where it may otherwise be harder for residents to connect with the organization.

Freedom Credit Union Holding Blanket, Clothing and Pajama Drive in February

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout the month of February, Freedom Credit Union is once again collecting donations for its  annual Gift of Warmth — ­Blanket, Clothing and Pajama Drive, supporting the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

“As part of the Massachusetts credit unions, we assist with two annual initiatives for the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless: A Bed for Every Child and Gift of Warmth,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “Since the launch of A Bed for Every Child, more than 9,000 children throughout the state have received a new bed of their own. And as much as funding for beds is important, so are the special touches that make a bed comfy and cozy, which is why we also support the Gift of Warmth — Blanket, Clothing and Pajama Drive.”

Cash donations can be made at any Freedom Credit Union branch throughout the month of February. Funds raised will be used to purchase new blankets, clothing, and pajamas for area children. Donations can also be made online at abedforeverychild.org/ccua, or new blankets, clothing, or pajamas can be purchased and delivered to A Bed for Every Child, c/o Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, 73 Buffum St., Lynn, MA 01902.

“We are so gratified at the way our members, staff, and community step up each year to help ensure that all children in our community can get a warm, comfortable, good night’s sleep,” Welch said. “This is a cause that is close to all our hearts.”

Since 2011, Massachusetts credit unions have donated more than 9,100 blankets and thousands of warm clothing items, including pajamas, for many in need throughout the state.

Eastern States Exposition Names Elena Hovagimian Director of Agriculture

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Elena Hovagimian has been promoted to director of Agriculture at the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) after a 25-year career spanning agriculture and education, IT, and retail sales management at the West Springfield fair and trade-show facility.

“I am so proud to have the opportunity to appoint Elena Hovagimian as Eastern States Exposition’s director of Agriculture,” ESE President and CEO Eugene Cassidy, said. “This important role has a national standing within our industry; Elena’s appointment reflects her professional growth within this organization and her accomplishments for agriculture in New England and beyond. I am excited for her to lead our agricultural programming, knowing that she will advance our mission and our impact in new and exciting ways.”

Hovagimian, who succeeds retiring Director of Agriculture Donna Woolam, will oversee all agriculturally based events year-round as well as the hundreds of animals entered in shows and contests, educational presentations, the Creative Arts department, the Fiber Festival of New England, the Gold Medal Wine and Cheese competitions, and retail sales for the Farmers Market, Storrowton Village Museum Gift Shop, and Christmas Shop.

“I am committed to the agricultural mission of the Exposition and am excited to work with the stakeholders of New England agriculture,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to grow the local agricultural economy by strengthening relationships between the farmer and the consumer.”

Hovagimian joined the Eastern States Exposition staff in October 1997 as a part-time data-entry clerk, and shortly thereafter became assistant to the Agriculture manager. In addition, she took on the Management Information Systems (MIS) coordinator duties, supervising and implementing the computer systems and programs in the company.

In January 2007, she became a full-time staff member at ESE as Agriculture and Education/MIS coordinator. She was responsible for coordinating and producing more than 119 agricultural events throughout the year and during the Big E. She also increased the efficiency of all facets of the department through the use of computer software and technology.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from UMass Amherst, a master’s degree in innovative thinking and entrepreneurial business practices from Bay Path University and a certificate for online journalism from UMass. She graduated from the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expositions’ (IAFE) Institute of Fair Management in 2015, and earned her certified fair executive status from the IAFE in 2018.

During her career, Hovagimian led a cross-functional team to innovate and promote New England agriculture in a virtual environment, maintaining the pillars of the Exposition’s mission. She also developed processes and systems of efficient software and technology applications to allow for day-to-day business to continue in a remote environment. She developed four attractions outside of the Big E, including the Big East Youth Cattle and Jackpot Show, the Fiber Festival of New England, and the Wine and Cheese competitions.

Hovagimian is an active member of the IAFE, where she chaired the agriculture and education committee in 2020 and was website technology committee chair in 2017. She is also a member of the North American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Assoc. and the Massachusetts Cheese Guild Advisory Board.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield Welcomes New Board Members

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) recently welcomed 14 new board members.

As Springfield YPS continues to concentrate its efforts on business and career development, networking, social and cultural involvement, and community activism, its diverse membership comes from a wide range of professions and backgrounds united by a commitment to make Springfield a better place to work, live, play, and stay.

New board members include Nikai Fondon of the “She Did That!” podcast, Tyler Hadley of DDS Acoustical Specialties, Kara Bombard of Performance Foodservice, Isabella Brady-Prankus of the Gray House, Julie Fruscio of Dominion Dealer Solutions, Russ Kelly of LUSO Federal Credit Union, Emily Burr of PeoplesBank, Christopher Scuderi of Charter Oak Wealth Partners, Jessica Colson of Girls Inc. of the Pioneer Valley, Drew McConaha of Train for Life, Stefany Scliopou of Elms College, Kara Sotolotto of LiftTruck Parts & Service Inc., Lauren Martin of The Markens Group, and Alaina Macaulay of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

The new board members join existing board members Jack Yvon of Charter Oak Financial, Melissa Cuzzone of EBS Insurance Brokers, Ashley Batlle-Ramos of Beauty Batlles Lounge, along with Andrew Mankus of UMass Dining, treasurer; Amie Miarecki of Christopher Heights of Belchertown, immediate past president; and Heather Clark of the Baystate Health Foundation, president.

“It’s an exciting time to be part of YPS,” Clark said. “Having such a robust board of directors will further our ability to provide more quality events and professional-development opportunities throughout Greater Springfield.”

Tanzania Cannon-Ecklerle Rejoins the Royal Law Firm

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle has rejoined the Royal Law Firm full-time in a partner-level position as chief legal and administrative officer.

Her practice includes matters involving labor relations, discrimination, harassment and retaliation, wrongful discharge, workers’ compensation, employee privacy, wage and hour law, leave laws, and matters involving business, including business planning, business formations, business contracts and negotiations, franchise law, and licensing and permitting. Her preventive work includes drafting a variety of employment-related manuals and contracts, such as executive agreements, compensation and commission agreements, and severance and settlement agreements.

Cannon-Eckerle obtained her juris doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.

Wistariahurst to Present ‘Black Holyoke: Uncovered Stories of the Fuller & Jarvis Families’

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — There is a nuance to the history of Holyoke, and much of the black history in the city has not been fully documented. One such history is the story of Bushman Fuller and his descendants. This is a tale that goes back further than the establishment of Holyoke as a city.

In an online talk on Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 2 to 3 p.m., scholar Erika Slocumb will tell the story of Bushman Fuller, William Jarvis, their families, and their contributions to the city of Holyoke. Register for this free event by clicking here in order to receive an invitation to the virtual event, which is presented by Wistariahurst Museum.

Slocumb is a mother, artist, and scholar-activist. She is a doctoral candidate in the W.E.B. DuBois Department at UMass Amherst. Her research, titled “Reliquary of Blackness,” focuses on the use of oral histories and community storytelling to retell, reshape, and reclaim history in spaces where black stories have been obscured, specifically reclaiming the narratives of blackness in museums and other repositories of history and culture. She has curated an exhibit on oral histories of the black community in Holyoke and continues to work toward collecting histories and artifacts of the community.

John Place Promoted to CEO at Nourse Farms Inc.

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Daily News

WHATELY — Nourse Farms Inc. announced that founder and President Timothy Nourse has transitioned from overall leadership of Nourse Farms to chairman of the board of directors. He is leaving the day-to-day operational oversight in the hands of John Place, who has been promoted to CEO.

Over the past 90 years, Nourse Farms has grown to be a leader in berry-plant propagation in North America and now produces more than 30 million strawberry plants in addition to 6 million raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, currant, gooseberry, elderberry, asparagus, rhubarb, and horseradish plants each year to customers around the world.

Tim Nourse is recognized as a pioneer in tissue-culture propagation, having built the first lab at Nourse Farms over 40 years ago. Establishing this capability in the 1980s was a key to growth and innovation for customers around the world.

Before joining Nourse Farms as chief operating officer in 2019, Place built his career in Pennsylvania at Keepsake Farm. He holds a degree in agriculture and animal science from the University of Delaware and is a highly accomplished farmer and successful business executive. In nearly three years at Nourse Farms, he has made a significant impact on the company’s performance to date, with an entrepreneurial eye to future opportunity and growth and an appreciation for the loyal employees that make everything possible.

“I have been looking for the right leader to take the reins at Nourse Farms for quite a while. John is the right guy, and he has proven himself in the time he has been here,” Tim Nourse said. “I have full confidence the farm will continue to prosper under John’s leadership and service our customers at the outstanding level they expect from us.”

Added Place, “the core business is performing very well, and our relationships with our outstanding network of customers remains our first priority. Nourse Farms is constantly innovating to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers to produce fruit from our plants. I am excited and honored to be able to lead Nourse Farms through the next chapter of the company.”

Slots Available for February Healing Racism Institute Sessions

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley (HRIPV) has slots open for its February two-day in-person session on Wednesday, Feb. 23 and Thursday, Feb. 24. To register, visit www.healingracismpv.org/seminars. The two-day seminar is held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at STCC Technology Park in the Corridan Center Conference Room, 1 Federal St. in Springfield.

HRIPV also has openings for its five-part virtual series. For more information and to register, visit www.healingracismpv.org/seminars.

Scholarships are available to those with financial need. E-mail Vanessa Otero at [email protected] for more information.

The Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley was formed in 2012; since then, more than 1,000 people from Western Mass. and throughout the Commonwealth have participated in its signature two-day Healing Racism program.

Holyoke Community College’s 2022-23 Scholarship Season Opens Feb. 9

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Community College (HCC) Foundation will begin accepting scholarship applications on Wednesday, Feb. 9 for the 2022-23 academic year. More than $300,000 in awards are available for incoming, continuing, and transferring HCC students through more than 150 different scholarships. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 23.

Students must be currently enrolled at HCC or have been accepted for the upcoming academic year to be eligible for scholarships, which are awarded through the HCC Foundation, HCC’s nonprofit fundraising corporation.

“We pride ourselves on meeting students where they’re at in order to help get them to where they want to be,” said Patrick Carpenter, HCC’s director of Institutional Advancement. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re in a position again this year to give out more than $300,000 in scholarships. This life-changing support will enable our students to remain focused on their studies as they progress toward their certificates and degrees.”

Applicants only need to fill out a single online form to be automatically matched with the scholarships they are most qualified to receive. There are scholarships for new students, current students, and students transferring to other institutions; scholarships based on financial need; scholarships for students in specific majors; scholarships for residents of certain communities; and scholarships that recognize academic achievement. For the 2021-22 academic year, the HCC Foundation awarded more than 200 students.

To view scholarship opportunities and begin the application process, visit www.hcc.edu/scholarships.

This Is the Last Week to Nominate Someone for 40 Under Forty

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2022. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 11.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be as detailed and thorough as possible, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form.

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be profiled in BusinessWest in April and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in late June. The program is sponsored by PeoplesBank, and other sponsorship opportunities are available.

BusinessTalk with Barbara Trombley a financial advisor and CPA with Wilbraham-based Trombley Associates

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, 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.

Episode 99: February 7, 2022

George Interviews Barbara Trombley a financial advisor and CPA with Wilbraham-based Trombley Associates

Barbara Trombley

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Barbara Trombley a financial advisor and CPA with Wilbraham-based Trombley Associates. The two talk about the current volatility on Wall Street, the many different forces behind it, and what investors should be thinking — and doing. Or not doing, as the case may be. It’s all must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

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