Governor Outlines Plans for Federal Infrastructure Funding, Backs East-West Rail

By
Daily News

LOWELL — At a press conference at UMass Lowell yesterday, Gov. Charlie Baker outlined initial plans to invest in roads, bridges, public transportation, and environmental infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth with $9.5 billion in funding from the recently passed federal $1.2 trillion infrastructure law.

“The bipartisan infrastructure law will deliver billions in funding to the Commonwealth, helping to build on the investments our administration has made over the past seven years to improve our roads and bridges and make our public transportation system more reliable and resilient,” Baker said. “We are grateful for the efforts of the congressional delegation to secure this funding for Massachusetts and look forward to working with them and our local partners to deliver critical projects across the Commonwealth.”

Distributed over five years, the $9.5 billion in total funding to the Commonwealth includes $5.4 billion in highway funds, $2.2 billion in MBTA funds, $591 million in Regional Transit Authority funds, and $1.4 billion for environmental work.

The federal law also includes $66 billion to address the Amtrak maintenance backlog, modernize the Northeast Corridor, expand intercity rail service, and make improvements to the nation’s freight rail system. Massachusetts intends to work with Amtrak to compete for funds to invest in service improvements between Springfield and Worcester as an initial step to expand service between Boston and Albany, Baker said, noting that his administration plans to advance a transportation bond bill in the coming weeks that will include matching funds for the new federal infrastructure money.

“We are going to figure out some way to take our … state capital dollars and some of the [federal COVID-19 relief] money that’s been appropriated by the Legislature to compound some of the opportunities that are associated with a lot of these resources,” Baker said, according to the Boston Globe. “There’s going to be a lot of money going to work for the people in Massachusetts.”

Massachusetts Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler added that “significant investments are going to be made in transportation infrastructure thanks to both reauthorized and increased federal funding within the federal bipartisan infrastructure law, and these investments will be transformational. I want to thank members of the congressional delegation for delivering this new funding and express appreciation to state legislators, municipal leaders, planning organizations, and stakeholders who will partner with us to advance the Baker-Polito administration’s FY 2023 budget, advance the transportation bond bill to be filed soon, and support MassDOT as we identify and scope projects which can be accelerated.”

Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence Set for May 16

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — After a two-year delay caused by the pandemic, the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) announced that the 2022 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence will be held on Monday, May 16 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

“We are both thrilled and confident that our event will go off smoothly in May,” GSCVB President Mary Kay Wydra said. “After all the adversity our industry has endured and overcome since March 2020, we’re very eager and excited to salute the most welcoming, professional, and guest-friendly people in this region’s hospitality sector, as nominated by the very people they’ve impressed. And of course, we’ll be saluting our tremendous resilience and determination at the same time.”

The Howdy Awards were first celebrated in 1996, designed to acknowledge the essential role that superior customer service plays in creating positive visitor encounters, and encouraging return trips, glowing online reviews, and positive word of mouth. Thus, Wydra pointed out, the 2020 event would have formally marked the prestigious program’s 25th anniversary.

“Right now, we’re also making our final call for nominations,” she added. “Anyone can nominate a candidate who’s demonstrated outstanding customer service in the categories of Accommodations, Beverage, Attractions, Banquet, Food Casual, Food Tableside, Public Service, Retail, and Transportation. It’s easy to do on the GSCVB website, and we encourage people to make nominations in multiple categories; you are not limited to only one candidate.”

Nominations for the 2022 Awards must be received by Tuesday, March 1. Enter online at www.explorewesternmass.com/howdy-awards.

Nominations Open for 2022 Ubora and Ahadi Awards

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums announced a call for nominations for the 31th annual Ubora Award and the 12th annual Ahadi Youth Award. These prestigious awards, conferred by the African Hall Subcommittee, honor African-American people from Greater Springfield who have — above and beyond — demonstrated commitment to the fields of community service, education, science, humanities, and/or the arts.

The African Hall Subcommittee is a volunteer group comprised of educators, business people, and community leaders from the African-American community. The nomination deadline for both awards is Thursday, March 31.

True to the Swahili word that comprises its name, the Ubora Award recognizes an adult of African heritage who exemplifies excellence in their commitment to creating a better community through service. In 2021, the Ubora Award was given to Robert “Cee” Jackson as an exemplary philanthropist and humanitarian.

Named for the Swahili word for promise, the Ahadi Youth Award is presented to a young African-American who excels in academics and performs admirable service to the Greater Springfield community. Eligible candidates must be age 19 or younger, live in or have strong ties to the Greater Springfield area, and be currently enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12. In 2021, the Ahadi Award honored Tigist Dawit Terefe for her remarkable civic-minded volunteerism and outstanding academic record.

The Ubora and Ahadi awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Springfield Museums in September. Nominations forms can be downloaded by visiting springfieldmuseums.org/ubora. Nominations may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to African Hall Subcommittee, c/o Karen Fisk, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103.

The Student Prince & the Fort Present Game Month and Hunter’s Dinners

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Wild-game dinners started decades ago at the Student Prince and the Fort as a treat for the regulars. Former owner Rupprecht Scherff heard the call of the wild from his customers and started game-night dinners to please local hunters and anyone with a curious palate.

The tradition continues in 2022 as the Student Prince and the Fort present Game Month throughout February. It includes two Hunter’s Dinner Nights on Thursday, Feb. 10 and Thursday, Feb. 24.

“We are wild about Game Month at the Student Prince and the Fort,” Assistant Manager John Perry said. “This year, our Hunter’s Dinners are in honor of the late Rudi Scherff. We are commemorating the dinners with limited-edition collectors pins.

“Hunter’s Dinners were Rudi’s favorite time of the year. Our fondest memories are him walking through the restaurant wearing his German hat filled with pins from every dinner from years past. We are honored to celebrate Rudi and keep this tradition alive on Fort Street,” Perry continued. “We introduced wild-game dinners to our customers many decades ago, and today, we’re still cooking the most decadent game dishes you will ever try. We hope to welcome you and your family, local hunting groups, sportsmen heading this way for the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show, and anyone who loves a unique culinary experience. Come try a taste of the wild.”

A special Game Month menu (in addition to the house menu) will be available all month and feature appetizers such as deep-fried frog legs. Entrées include a game wurst trio with pheasant, rabbit, and venison; bison; buffalo ribeye; and the locally famous student Prince veal shank. Hunter’s Dinner menus include an assortment of table appetizers and a six-course dinner. Courses include deep-fried frogs legs, pheasant and venison sausage, duck legs, poussin, and buffalo ribeye, followed by a flaming dessert.

Reservations are recommended and can be made online at www.studentprince.com or by calling (413) 734-7475.

What Employers Should Know Entering Year Three of the Pandemic

By Contributor
Features

New Year, Same Virus

By Alexander J. Cerbo, Esq.

As we enter a new year, our lives remain subject to COVID-19 and its variants. With cases surging across the country, vaccination has become a thing of the past as booster shots have become all the rage. Tired, worn out, and frustrated with this seemingly never-ending pandemic, it is important that employers remain vigilant of important COVID-related updates which may impact their workforce and, ultimately, their bottom line.

 

OSHA/CMS Litigation

At the end of 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued vaccine mandates that would have impacted nearly 100 million American workers. The OSHA mandate required employers with 100 or more employees to implement a written policy requiring vaccination or weekly testing. The CMS mandate would have generally required vaccination of employees that work in healthcare facilities which receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

Alexander J. Cerbo

Alexander J. Cerbo

“It may be advantageous for employers who wish to mandate vaccination to require booster shots.”

In a major win for businesses across the country, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the OSHA mandate, concluding that the agency overstepped its authority as COVID-19 is not strictly an occupational hazard.

The Supreme Court’s stay is not a final ruling on the topic. The OSHA mandate continues to proceed in the lower courts, and the court left the door open for narrower regulations. Also, the court did allow the CMS mandate to proceed. The agency, in a recent memo, advised employers that their healthcare workers must be “fully vaccinated” (either two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) by Feb. 28.

 

Vaccine Mandates

Besides OSHA and CMS, private employers can implement their own vaccine mandates if they wish. They may want to consider whether they want their employees to be ‘fully vaccinated’ as currently defined, or if they want their employees to be boosted as well. It may be advantageous for employers who wish to mandate vaccination to require booster shots. Early research suggests booster shots decrease the severity of symptoms, allowing those who contract the virus to recover more quickly. This, in turn, will allow employees to return to work sooner. Some exemptions do apply, including religious objections or a disability accommodation.

In addition, employers should continue to stay abreast of any updates relating to state and federal employee/contractor mandates. Gov. Charlie Baker’s executive order issued last August, requiring all state employees to be fully vaccinated, remains in effect, as does the executive order issued by the Biden administration in September requiring vaccination for all federal contractors and subcontractors.

 

At-home COVID Tests and Healthcare Coverage

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just authorized use of over-the-counter, at home COVID-19 tests. The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury collectively released FAQ guidance expanding upon existing requirements for group health plans to cover the cost of these tests, so long as they are taken for diagnostic purposes.

This will impose a major financial burden on self-insured employers, as they must now cover the cost of these tests either directly or through subsequent reimbursement. To incentivize direct coverage, group health plans may limit reimbursement from non-preferred pharmacies, or other retailers, to the lesser of $12 per test or the actual cost of the test if the plan provides direct coverage both through its pharmacy network and a direct-to-consumer shipping program.

Further, a group health plan may limit the number of at home COVID tests covered for each participant to no less than eight tests per 30-day period (no limit if the healthcare provider orders or administers the test following a clinical assessment).

As the pandemic evolves, employers need to carefully consider these and other COVID-related updates in order to adapt and operate accordingly.

 

Alexander Cerbo is an attorney who specializes in labor and employment-law matters at the Royal Law Firm LLP, a woman-owned, women-managed corporate law firm that is certified as a women’s business enterprise with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, the National Assoc. of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council; (413) 586-2288; [email protected]

SCOTUS Weighs In on Biden Administration’s Vaccine Agenda

By Contributor
Features

Shot Down

By John S. Gannon, Esq., and Erica E. Flores, Esq.

 

John S. Gannon

Erica E. Flores

Erica E. Flores

A few weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued one of the most significant employment-law decisions in recent memory. In a decision that appeared to be driven (at least in part) by political ideologies, the six conservative justices of the court ruled against the Biden administration in the back-and-forth legal battle over an emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

If it had gone into effect, the ETS would have required workers at companies with 100 or more employees to either be fully vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 at least weekly. According to the court’s majority, however, OSHA likely does not have the authority to issue such a mandate.

“Although COVID-19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID-19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather. That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases,” the court wrote. “Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life — simply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clock — would significantly expand OSHA’s regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.”

Technically, the ETS is not dead — at least not yet. The court did not rule directly on whether the ETS is legally unenforceable. Instead, the court reinstated a hold on OSHA’s ability to enforce the ETS while litigation is pending elsewhere in lower courts.

“Employers have good reasons to consider implementing a vaccine mandate or ‘shot or test’ rule voluntarily.”

U.S. Secretary of Labor (and former Boston Mayor) Marty Walsh issued a forceful statement attacking the decision. “OSHA stands by the vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard as the best way to protect the nation’s workforce from a deadly virus that is infecting more than 750,000 Americans each day and has taken the lives of nearly a million Americans,” he said. “The common-sense standards established in the ETS remain critical, especially during the current surge, where unvaccinated people are 15 to 20 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than vaccinated people. OSHA will be evaluating all options to ensure workers are protected from this deadly virus.”

Walsh’s statement mirrored the dissenting opinion of the three liberal-leaning Supreme Court justices, who argued that COVID presents a “grave danger” to millions of employees and that the ETS is “necessary” to address these dangers.

It remains to be seen whether OSHA will continue to try to defend the ETS in court or withdraw the ETS entirely. Even if OSHA is successful in lower courts, the ETS appears to be doomed once those cases reach the Supreme Court. President Biden’s executive order requiring employees of federal contractors to get vaccinated is also on hold by court order, and its chances of survival look to be pretty slim.

But the ETS is not the only tool available to OSHA to help stop the spread of COVID in the workplace. Indeed, OSHA still has the power under its ‘general duty clause’ to penalize employers that fail to provide a workplace free of hazards that are likely to cause serious harm. Businesses with low vaccination rates and lackluster masking policies could conceivably get cited by OSHA under the general duty clause if it is clear to the agency that COVID is spreading in the workplace. In addition, private parties have filed numerous wrongful-death lawsuits against businesses where employees and/or their family members died of COVID that is believed to have originated in the workplace. Accordingly, employers have good reasons to consider implementing a vaccine mandate or ‘shot or test’ rule voluntarily.

 

Different Ruling for Healthcare Facilities

And even if the OSHA ETS and the federal contractor executive order are doomed, another Biden administration vaccine mandate is very much alive. Indeed, on the same day the Supreme Court blocked OSHA from enforcing the ETS for large employers, the court ruled that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does have the necessary regulatory authority to require many healthcare facilities to mandate the COVID vaccine for all staff members.

Under the restrictive CMS rule, all employees, licensed providers, contractors, trainees, and volunteers of most Medicare- and Medicaid- certified providers and suppliers must be fully vaccinated for COVID, regardless of whether they perform their duties within the actual facility or provide care directly to patients. The rule covers a host of healthcare providers, including (but not limited to) hospitals, programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly, long-term-care facilities, intermediate-care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, home health agencies, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities, community mental-health centers, and clinics, rehabilitation agencies, and public-health agencies as providers of outpatient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services.

When does the CMS rule go into effect? Covered facilities must demonstrate that all non-exempt staff have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 27, and that all staff are fully vaccinated by Feb. 28. CMS will consider staff to have been fully vaccinated by the Feb. 28 deadline even if it has not yet been 14 days since they received their final dose. Booster doses are not required, but are recommended.

Covered employers must also develop policies and procedures to document and track staff vaccinations, assess requests for exemptions in accordance with federal law, and collect proper documentation of the need for a medical exemption, and must implement additional safety precautions for any staff members who are entitled to a religious or medical exemption. CMS has not offered substantive guidance as to when an employee or other staff member may be entitled to such an exemption, choosing instead to refer covered facilities to guidance published by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

To avoid civil penalties, denial of payment, and even termination from the Medicare and Medicaid program, covered employers that have not already taken steps toward compliance with the CMS interim final rule should act immediately to develop and implement the necessary policies and procedures, determine staff vaccination status, collect required documentation, and assess requests for religious and medical exemptions.

When in doubt about requested exemptions, employers should also consider consulting experienced employment counsel, who can offer guidance and advice about when an exemption may be legally required for medical or religious reasons and when such an exemption can be lawfully denied.

 

John Gannon and Erica Flores are attorneys at the law firm Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. in Springfield; (413) 737-4753; [email protected]; [email protected]

Customers at Some Banks Have a Say in Grant Decisions

By
Dan Moriarty (left) and Michael Rouette
Banking and Financial Services

The People Have Spoken

Dan Moriarty (left) and Michael Rouette

Dan Moriarty (left) and Michael Rouette say it’s important to give customers a say in which nonprofits Monson Savings Bank supports.

 

The numbers speak for themselves: 3,500 votes, 373 nonprofits, $15,000.

That’s roughly the number of Monson Savings Bank (MSB) customers who cast votes in the bank’s 12th annual Community Giving Initiative, the number of different nonprofits they wanted to receive donations, and the total money being given to the top 10 vote getters.

“Each and every organization is a well-deserving nonprofit, and it is clear why they were chosen by our community members,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “Each nonprofit provides tremendously valuable resources to our communities and their residents.”

The 2022 winners of MSB’s Community Giving Initiative, announced two weeks ago, include Academy Hill School Scholarship, Behavioral Health Network, I Found Light Against All Odds, Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, and Women’s Empowerment Scholarship, all based in Springfield; Rick’s Place and Wilbraham United Players, both based in Wilbraham; Link to Libraries Inc. of Hampden; and Monson Free Library in Monson.

“There are so many nonprofits doing great work, but we don’t know them all; we couldn’t ever know them all.”

“It follows our philosophy of giving back to the local communities. Our local communities help us, so we try to find ways to continually give back, and there are various ways to do that,” Moriarty told BusinessWest.

“There are so many nonprofits doing great work, but we don’t know them all; we couldn’t ever know them all,” he added. “So this is a good way to reach out to the community and all the nonprofits out there by having their followers introduce them to us. It’s been great, and very well-received. We’ve received thousands of votes every year for nonprofits people think are doing worthy things. That’s why we started it, and why we continue to do it.”

MSB isn’t the only bank running such a program, however; other banks have involved the community in giving initiatives as well, perhaps none longer than Florence Bank, which launched its annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program 20 years ago. Voting runs to the end of each December, and recipients are celebrated in May.

Unlike MSB’s program, which features a set number of recipients and equal funding to all winners, Florence gives grants to all organizations receiving at least 50 votes and distributes the money ($100,500 last year) according to their share of the votes — in last year’s case, more than 7,000 votes in all.

Last May, those funds went to Dakin Humane Society, Cancer Connection, Friends of Forbes Library, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, $5,000 each; Our Lady of the Hills Parish, $4,837; Belchertown Animal Relief Committee Inc., $4,326; Friends of the Williamsburg Library, $3,815; J.F.K. Middle School, $3,303; Riverside Industries Inc. and Friends of Lilly Library, $3,146 each; It Takes a Village and Goshen Firefighters Assoc., $3,107 each; Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation, $2,989; Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, $2,556; Northampton Neighbors, $2,399; Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Granby Senior Center, and Friends of Northampton Legion Baseball, $2,281 each; Northampton Community Music Center and Community Action, $2,202 each; Friends of M.N. Spear Memorial Library, $2,084; Safe Passage, $2,005; R.K. Finn Ryan Road School, $1,966; and Historic Northampton and Belchertown K-9, $1,966 each. In addition, the Williamsburg Firefighters Assoc. and Whole Children of Hadley were each granted $500 for coming close to receiving 50 votes.

“We do normal corporate giving, but 20 years ago, we started doing these Customers’ Choice grants in an effort to listen to our customers,” bank President Kevin Day told BusinessWest. “How better to support the community than to support the nonprofits that our customers feel are important and doing a great job in the community?

“It’s a great program, and we’ve given close to a million and a half dollars,” he went on. “And our event in May is a wonderful event that really links us to the community and our customers who have directed where some of our money should go.”

Just as the pandemic has shifted the giving priorities of some banks and credit unions based on community need (see story on page 17), Florence Bank saw the same phenomenon occur in the Customers’ Choice program last year.

In the second half of 2019, only 10% of customers cast votes for organizations that ease food insecurity. But as more people became aware of those needs in 2020, twice as many votes were cast for food-security causes, and $21,528 of the total $100,500 awarded last May went to five organizations focused on feeding people: the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Amherst and Northampton Survival Centers, Manna Community Kitchen in Northampton, and Easthampton Community Center.

“How better to support the community than to support the nonprofits that our customers feel are important and doing a great job in the community?”

Moriarty said the recipients in Monson Savings Bank’s program have shifted over the years as well, with more than 100 nonprofits benefiting in all.

“Some are repeat winners, and that speaks to their efforts to reach out to their followers to vote for them,” he said. “But it’s nice to see different nonprofits chosen.”

In any case, he added, “they are so genuinely appreciative of winning. It’s always nice to win a contest, but they are genuinely honored and thrilled to receive those donations. Every year, I talk to a few of them, and they seem so, so thankful. Some of these nonprofits count on the donations they receive from us and other community banks and other community businesses.”

Moriarty noted that the internet has been an important driver of the Community Giving Initiative, as social media was still on the rise when the program launched 12 years ago, offering a new way to connect people with the bank and generate enthusiasm online. “That was a catalyst for us in the initial stages. Social media wasn’t that big yet, but we knew it was coming.”

Clearly, customers are excited to wield some influence on this one element of their hometown bank’s giving priorities.

“We love working directly with the community and giving members a voice to ensure that the nonprofits that make a positive impact in our communities are recognized and supported,” said Michael Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer at MSB, when the 2022 recipients were announced. “As a local, community bank, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to support our customers, businesses, and communities. We understand that these charitable organizations have the power to truly make a difference for our neighbors. Thank you for casting your votes.”

 

—Joseph Bednar

Get Ready to File 2021 Taxes

By Contributor
Banking and Financial Services

There Are Few Changes, but Some Could Impact Your Return

By Dan Eger and Shannon Shainwald

 

It’s that time again already: time to file your taxes and close out 2021.

Over the past two years, we have all witnessed rapid changes to how we do business and live our lives. Tax season has been no different and has seen many changes to tax law and deadlines. Unlike the past two years, the 2022 tax season is currently set to complete with the normal deadlines, so be sure to get your taxes in order before the filing deadlines: April 18 for federal returns and April 19 for Massachusetts returns.

 

What’s New on Your 2021 Tax Return?

New changes to tax law for 2021 individual filing are not as hefty as in prior years, but there are still some changes that may make a difference on your return.

Dan Eger

Dan Eger

Shannon Shainwald

Watch out for letters from the IRS. Letter 6419 will reflect the child tax credit advance payments if you receive any in 2021. The child tax credit is also higher and includes 17-year-old children in 2021, so be sure you know which of your dependents qualify and for how much. Letter 6475 will reflect the third stimulus payment if you qualified to receive one. Letter 4869C will share your identity-protection PIN for your 2021 return if you have opted into the program or have dealt with fraudulent returns in the past.

The charitable deduction is once again available for up to $300 to those taking the standard deduction and was expanded to allow up to $600 for those who are married filing jointly in 2021.

For itemized returns, the annual charitable deduction limit for monetary donations is equal to 100% of your adjusted gross income for 2021, which means you can remove all taxable income with your donations.

Cryptocurrency has risen in popularity over the past year. Be aware of the tax implications on your cryptocurrency investments. Speak with a trusted tax preparer to make sure your investments are accounted for properly on your return.

 

Preparing Your Return

Will you be preparing your return yourself, or will you hire someone to file on your behalf? Have a plan in place now, so you know what required information you need to have at hand and what you expect to pay for completion of all needed forms. If you will be using a new tax preparer for 2021, they will ask for a copy of your prior-year return in addition to all relevant documents for your 2021 tax filing.

The IRS also offers a Free File program if your income is below $72,000. Go to irs.gov or see the IRS2Go app to see your options. You may also qualify for local tax assistance through programs like Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).

 

Use Your Resources

The Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) is an IRS online tool (irs.gov) to help you get answers to several tax-law items. ITA can help you determine what income is taxable, which deductions are allowed, filing status, who can be claimed as a dependent, and available tax credits. You can also visit www.mbkcpa.com/2021-tax-filing to find more resources for assistance with your 2021 tax filing, including blogs on the latest changes and links to useful IRS and state resources.

 

Be Vigilant

Be especially careful during this time of year to protect yourself against those trying to defraud or scam you. The IRS will never call you directly unless you are already in litigation with them. They will not initiate contact by e-mail, text, or social media. The IRS will contact you by U.S. mail. However, you still need to be wary of items received by mail. Anything requesting your Social Security number or any credit-card information is a dead giveaway for scam identification. Watch out for websites and social-media attempts that request money or personal information. You can check the irs.gov website to research any notice you receive or any concerns you may have. You can also contact your tax practitioner for assistance.

 

What If You Have Been Compromised?

How do you know if someone has filed a return with your information? The most common way is your tax return will get rejected for e-file. These scammers file early. You may also get a letter from the IRS requesting you verify certain information. If this does happen, there are steps to take to get this rectified.

First, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at (800) 908-4490. Then, file Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit, and paper file your return.

In addition, we recommend you take further steps with agencies outside the IRS:

• Report incidents of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.ftc.gov or the FTC Identity Theft hotline at (877) 438-4338 or TTY (866) 653-4261.

• File a report with the local police.

• Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax: www.equifax.com, (800) 525-6285; Experian: www.experian.com, (888) 397-3742; or TransUnion: www.transunion.com, (800) 680-7289.

• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

 

Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)

If you are a confirmed identity-theft victim, the IRS will mail you a notice with your IP PIN each year. You need this number to electronically file your tax return.

You may also opt into the IP PIN program. Visit www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin to set up your IP PIN. An IP PIN helps prevent someone else from filing a fraudulent tax return using your Social Security number.

 

Get Your Paperwork in Order

Get your paperwork in order early to ease the stress of tax season. First, make a note of changes to your life. Did you welcome a child to your family this past year? Get married? Will one of your children be claiming themselves for 2021? Or, if you’ve experienced the unfortunate passing of your spouse or dependents, changes to your family will affect your return. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation in order, and you know how it will be handled for your return.

Below is a list the most common required forms and items to gather, as well as few other things for you to consider as you prepare for filing your 2021 tax return. Please note that this list is not exhaustive because everyone’s tax situation is different.

 

 

Documentation of Income

• W-2: Wages, salaries, and tips

• W-2G: Gambling winnings

• 1099-Int & 1099-OID: Interest income statements

• 1099-DIV: Dividend income statements

• 1099-B: Capital gains; sales of stock, land, and other items

• 1099-G: Certain government payments, statement of state tax refunds, unemployment benefits

• 1099-Misc: Miscellaneous income

• 1099-NEC: Independent contractor income

• 1099-S: Sale of real estate (home)

• 1099-R: Retirement income

• 1099-SSA: Social Security income

• K-1: Income from partnerships, trusts, and S-corporations

 

Documentation for Deductions

If you think all your deductions for Schedule A will not add up to more than $12,550 for single, $18,800 for head of household, or $25,100 for married filing jointly, save your time and plan to take the standard deduction.

 

Itemized Deductions

• Medical expenses, out of pocket (limited to 7.5% of adjusted gross income)

– Medical insurance (paid with post-tax dollars)

– Long-term-care insurance

– Prescription medicine and drugs

– Hospital expenses

– Long-term-care expenses (in-home nurse, nursing home, etc.)

– Doctor and dentist payments

– Eyeglasses and contacts

– Miles traveled for medical purposes

• State and local taxes you paid (limited to $10,000)

– State withholding from your W-2

– Real-estate taxes paid

– Estimated state tax payments and amount paid with prior-year return

– Personal property (excise)

• Interest you paid

– 1098-Misc: Mortgage interest statement

– Interest paid to private party for home purchase

– Qualified investment interest

– Points paid on purchase of principal residence

– Points paid to refinance (amortized over life of loan)

– Mortgage insurance premiums

• Gifts to charity

– Cash and check receipts from qualified organization

– Non-cash items need a summary list and responsible gift calculation (IRS tables). If the gift is valued more than $5,000, a written appraisal is required

– Donation and acknowledgement letters (over $250)

– Gifts of stocks; you need the market value on the date of gift

 

Additional Adjustments

• 1098-T: Tuition statement

• Educator expenses (up to $250)

• 1098-E: Student-loan interest deduction

• 5498 HAS: Health savings account contributions

• 1099-SA: Distributions from HSA

• Qualified child and dependent care expenses

• Verify any estimated tax payments (does not include taxes withheld)

Sole proprietors (Schedule C) or owners of rental real estate (Schedule E, Part I) need to compile all income and expenses for the year. You need to retain adequate documentation to substantiate the amounts that are reported.

 

File with Confidence

Make this tax season smooth by getting your paperwork organized early and letting your tax preparer know about any changes to your life or financial situation. The sooner you file, the sooner you can put 2021 in the past and focus on a great outlook for 2022.

 

Dan Eger is a tax supervisor at the Holyoke-based accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.; Shannon Shainwald is an administrative assistant at the firm.

 

Estate Tax in Massachusetts

By Contributor
Banking and Financial Services

The $1 Million Exemption Level Is Among the Lowest in the Country

By Barbara Trombley

Did you ever wonder why all of your Massachusetts neighbors move to Florida when they retire? And they make sure they spend six months and a day at their southern address?

Of course, the warm winter weather in sunny Florida is a draw. But another reason many people in Massachusetts change their state residence is to avoid the Massachusetts estate tax, which is levied on estates valued over $1 million. Given the value of real estate and 401(k) plans in Massachusetts, it is not that hard to pass this threshold for many middle-class people.

Surprisingly, the federal estate tax is $12.06 million per person in 2022. Also, it is portable between spouses. With the correct steps, a married couple can protect $24.12 million after the death of both spouses in 2022. Our state estate tax is shockingly different. Of the 18 states with an estate or inheritance tax, Massachusetts and Oregon have the lowest exemption level of $1 million.

Also, the Massachusetts estate tax has a regressive feature where, if you die with an estate valued at $1,000,001 or more, your heirs will pay a graduated tax starting at the first dollar over $40,000 (which is a small exclusion). The bill on a $1 million estate is about $40,000. The tax rate is a graduated one and rises from 0.8% to 16% depending on the size of the estate. The heirs of an estate worth $3 million could find themselves with a tax bill approaching $200,000.

Massachusetts is shockingly out of step with the nation and with the rest of New England. Maine, Connecticut, and Vermont all have exclusions of more than $5 million, and New Hampshire does not have an inheritance tax at all. Until our legislators raise the exemption to keep up with inflation and make the exemption a true one, residents will continue to flee the state or jump through hoops to help their heirs avoid the tax.

Barbara Trombley

Barbara Trombley

“The tax rate is a graduated one and rises from 0.8% to 16% depending on the size of the estate. The heirs of an estate worth $3 million could find themselves with a tax bill approaching $200,000.”

What is included in your estate? Bank accounts, real estate, retirement accounts, life-insurance proceeds, vehicles, etc. Upon the death of the first spouse, no tax is owed. It is upon the death of the last remaining spouse that the dollar amount of assets is counted and an estate tax will need to be filed if the total value exceeds $1 million. The return must be filed, and any tax must be paid nine months after the death. The state may grant an extension of time, but interest will accrue on any unpaid amounts past the due date.

What can be done to mitigate the tax if the laws don’t change? Perhaps you retitle the ownership of your house to a trust or to an adult child to remove it from your estate. Each spouse can also set up a trust to shelter $1 million upon their death. This keeps the funds out of their estate but available to the surviving spouse to use if set up correctly.

Cash and other assets can be gifted to reduce an estate, but be careful about capital gains or tax owed on retirement funds. Charitable contributions can also be made to reduce the size of the estate. Many retirees move to a tax-friendly state, like Florida, and become residents. Working with a qualified financial planner and an estate attorney is imperative to mitigate the estate tax.

 

Barbara Trombley is a financial advisor and CPA with Wilbraham-based Trombley, CPA; (413) 596-6992. Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Trombley Associates, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

College Internships Turn Pandemic into Learning Experience

By Contributor
Education

Remote Possibilities

By Elizabeth Sears

 

Internships have always been known to take different shapes and forms, from a student teacher eagerly helping to prepare classroom activities to the stereotypical unpaid intern making copies and bringing coffee to co-workers while carefully shadowing how the different jobs at their company work.

Now, a new type of internship has been added to the mix: a student sitting at home in front of their laptop. For many students, this has become the new normal.

With the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the leaders of internship programs at universities in Western Mass. feared that students would not be able to have as many internship opportunities. George Layng, an internship coordinator at Westfield State University, recalled feelings of uncertainty when the fall 2020 semester approached.

“School was back in session, but it was all virtual … would internship sites be as receptive to having interns as they were in the past? Usually, we have more places that are willing to have interns than we have interns for, but our fear was that we’d be in the reverse, that we’d have more interns than we have places for,” Layng said.

“I think, actually, students are better able to manage that shift now because their classes are online and they are working more independently.”

However, despite the copious amounts of instability in many areas of academic life brought on by the pandemic, internship programs at colleges in the Western Mass. region have been running strongly with abundant student success. Layng said the number of students participating in his internship program has remained steady over the course of the pandemic, even when compared to pre-pandemic years.

“I think, actually, students are better able to manage that shift now because their classes are online and they are working more independently,” he told BusinessWest. “One of the silver linings is that they are more able and more prepared to work somewhat independently, somewhat virtually, and it not being a big issue.”

A large part of this success was credited to the ability of students, professors, and employers to remain adaptable during the continuously changing protocols throughout the pandemic. The willingness of employers to take on interns remotely and overcome that boundary, along with the determination of students to work through uncertain conditions, has proven to be a winning combination for successfully running internship programs during the pandemic.

 

New Normal

This is not to say internship programs have been running without their fair share of challenges.

Alan Bloomgarden, director of Experiential Learning at Elms College, spoke of how, even though his students have shown remarkable success at obtaining placements at various internship sites, constantly evolving safety concerns impacted some student internships and experiential-learning experiences.

Alan Bloomgarden

Alan Bloomgarden says students have done well with internship placements during the pandemic, but safety concerns have impacted some experiences.

“The employers themselves are, I think, not necessarily prioritizing construction of internships, where their employees are really required to do an additional amount of work to supervise students,” he said. “That is difficult under normal circumstances, and it may be a bridge too far for some employers under the current pressures of staffing and adapting to changing health and safety conditions.”

Bloomgarden noted that students in the social sciences and humanities have been encountering a greater degree of difficulty in internship placements because of changing circumstances. Even though the internship program at large is functioning well, some students have still found themselves in a place where the pandemic caused certain internships to fall short, when they might have been successful in a normal year.

Layng echoed this sentiment, remembering a particular instance with a student seeking an internship that highlights the recent limitations of certain internship placements caused by the pandemic.

“I had a student who I was trying to place at Baystate [Health] in the public relations department, and he had experience in healthcare public relations and marketing,” Layng noted. “He would have been an excellent candidate to take the next step … but the person at Baystate said they were just so busy, there’s so many cases, they just can’t really work with interns in the way that would really help them. That’s one clear way the pandemic lessened the opportunities for interns.”

On the other hand, one perhaps unexpected benefit of the recent shift to online internships has been the newfound ability for students to be placed at sites whose far-away locations would have typically eliminated them from being realistic options. The normalization of remote work has opened up opportunities for students in Western Mass. to intern at businesses in larger cities like Boston and New York without having to spend an entire semester away from their university.

“I have seen students develop some creative adaptations to the circumstances that we’re all facing,” Bloomgarden said. “Just as we’re seeing a changing workplace as a society, we’re seeing changes in the face of what internships look like.”

He spoke of how Elms College’s teacher-licensure students had been conducting their experiential learning in a hybrid format but are now being placed at schools in-person. The students in the college’s social-work program have also found themselves returning to in-person internship sites, Bloomgarden said.

“Just as we’re seeing a changing workplace as a society, we’re seeing changes in the face of what internships look like.”

While most students have been gradually returning to in-person internships, some students have been doing internships in this fashion throughout the course of the pandemic. This has been especially true for students who are looking to enter the medical field.

Bloomgarden described the experiences of students in the nursing program at the Elms, and how they have been continuing with clinical placements even with the pandemic.

“They are, in many ways, frontline workers,” he said. “Our students are conducting experiential learning in the same way that the permanent, full-time employees of the organizations hosting them are asking of their employees.”

Internship programs in Western Mass. colleges and universities have found that both students and employers now expect a conversation about the possibility of a virtually formatted internship. The high level of adaptability shown by employers has positively impacted students by allowing them internship opportunities even during very uncertain times.

“Employers are seeing the value of interns and the value of internships as an education practice,” Bloomgarden said. “Internships help with career readiness… they deepen one’s understanding of one’s discipline, having a chance to apply the methods, whatever the field is.”

 

Community Impact

Whether in-person, hybrid, or fully remote, leaders of internship programs still assert that internships in any format are substantially beneficial to students — and for a variety of reasons. Both Layng and Bloomgarden enthusiastically emphasized the importance of internships and the value they provide for a student’s future career.

“It’s a really good stepping stone to a career,” Layng said. “They are going to prepare you for what it’s like, getting ready for the professional world.”

He added that student feedback has been mostly satisfactory, with students expressing that they feel like they are still getting a quality internship even if a fair percentage of them are partially or completely remote.

“Internships and experiential learning can enable active citizenship and the advancement of social action.”

Bloomgarden spoke of the numerous ways that internships are beneficial not only to the students themselves, but also to the businesses they work at and the communities they are a part of.

“Internships and experiential learning can enable active citizenship and the advancement of social action,” he said. “Our job is to encourage and support the development of those pathways to making positive impact on the world. We want to encourage them in becoming meaningful contributors to their communities.”

Manufacturing Leaders Ponder the State of Their Industry

By
Bill Bither
Manufacturing

Innovation and Adaptation

Bill Bither

Bill Bither says employee-retention efforts should consider wages and culture, but also how cutting-edge the company’s technology is.

 

Manufacturing is a healthy industry, Bill Bither days, and demand for manufactured goods is soaring across all sectors. Meeting that demand is … well, a challenge.

“The first half of 2021 was quite strong; we were actually averaging around 30% higher than we’ve ever seen since we’ve been collecting this data,” said Bither, co-founder and CEO of MachineMetrics, a Northampton company that specializes in predictive analytics for manufacturers and serves hundreds of customers all over the globe.

“Then, after the July 4 holiday, we saw this tick down … it was almost like a shift change. That was likely due to the supply-chain issues that occurred over the summer, and we’re continuing to see that in our data through the second half of the year,” he went on. “But if you look into the beginning of 2022, we’re starting to see some of that come back.”

Jerry Foster, chief technology officer at Plex Systems Inc., a software company based in Michigan, saw a similar trend in 2021. He noted a steady, 18% decline in production from the end of the first quarter to the end of the third quarter, when companies were feeling the pinch of labor shortages (see story on page 36) and supply-chain issues.

“This was not due to the economy shrinking or decreased demand; it’s just the opposite. Our customers are reporting three to six months of backlogged orders just waiting to be fulfilled, waiting for raw materials or the workers to do that work. So this downturn is definitely due to those two main issues of labor and supply chain.”

Bither and Foster were joined last week by Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Assoc. of Manufacturers (NAM), at a MachineMetrics-hosted webinar on the state of the manufacturing industry and the challenges that will continue to impact companies in 2022 and beyond.

To be sure, the past year was nothing like 2020 for many manufacturers. Foster estimates that Plex customers lost 26% of their normal year’s business during a deep trough in the spring of 2020. “Manufacturing really took it on the chin,” he said. “So 2021 had a lot of ground to catch up.”

It has done so — to a point. NAM has conducted a member outlook survey quarterly since 1997, and the sector has certainly rebounded since the recession of 2020, “but we have seen more recently that data pull back a little from where it was last summer,” Moutray said. Specifically, last June, 90.1% of members felt positive about their company’s outlook, but that crept down to 87.5% at the start of fall and 86.8% toward the end of 2021.

Manufacturing demand is really not the problem, he explained, despite a slight dip in production recently due to the surging Omicron variant. “In general, employment is the issue; it’s the ability to meet that demand that has been the larger issue we’ve continued to hear from our members.”

The survey revealed that members’ top four business challeges in the fourth quarter of 2021 — by far — were rising raw-material costs, supply-chain challenges, attracting and retaining a quality workforce, and transportation and logistics costs. Moutray noted that these are all issues that have arisen amid the global economic impact of the pandemic.

“They are intertwined,” he said. “Each of those issues, in my mind, are wrapped up and one and the same.”

They have also lent momentum to wage pressure on companies, the NAM survey suggests, with wages at an all-time high and expected to inch higher as manufacturers try to stay competitive for a shrinking pool of talent.

Add it up, and it all poses an interconnected, global series of manufacturing challenges that may not have an immediate end in sight — but could also bring about more innovation down the line.

 

Frustrating Shortages

The past year has not treated all manufacturers equally. According to NAM survey data, aerospace, computers and electronic products, chemicals, and machinery bounced back the most in 2021, while motor vehicles and automotive parts, printing, furniture, and petroleum and coal products lagged the most.

Bither noted the struggles of the automotive space in the second half of 2021. “That’s where those supply-chain issues with the chip shortage seemed to have the biggest impact.”

Moutray noted that just 1.9% of NAM survey respondents feel the supply-chain issues have already cleared up for them. Of the rest, 53.4% believe they will improve this year, 27.6% say the situation will stabilize in 2023 or beyond, and 17% are uncertain.

“It’s important to note some of these issues will take longer than that; the chip shortage could take a lot longer than 2022. The workforce issues are structural issues and are going to take a little bit longer.”

That said, Moutray is pleased that the majority of NAM members are optimistic about seeing supply-chain improvements between now and the end of 2022.

Even with that cautious optimism, however, “manufacturers still need to be smart about how they navigate the supply-chain challenges and workforce challenges,” he added. “Right now, obviously, Omicron is hitting manufacturers pretty hard; we’ve seen a number of stories that it’s affected overall production. So 2022 is shaping up to be much like the last couple of years — another year of uncertainty, which we’ve kind of gotten used to of late.”

Foster and Bither both said companies need to think about how employees are treated in terms of both wages and culture.

“We need to treat employees better because it is an employees’ market,” Bither said. “Part of that is having systems and technology that the younger generation of workers are used to and expect. If you’re an old-school manufacturer and you’re not leveraging these technologies, you’re going to have more difficulty bringing on this newer workforce. So leveraging these technologies and a really good user experience are going to be really important.”

That said, the current situation is also an opportunity to invest in technology, Moutray noted.

Foster agreed; when asked if robotics and AI will help relieve a qualified labor shortage, he answered, “most definitely. We used to be afraid that automation, robotics, and AI were going to take jobs. Now, we are desperate for these technologies just to keep our heads above water by filling gaps and compensating for labor issues.”

 

Investing in the Future

Moutray admits these have been trying times, not just during the pandemic, but before it, with trade wars and workforce issues that predate COVID-19.

“We’ve been talking about uncertainty as long as I’ve been at the NAM,” he said. “But I think manufacturers have had to be smart about some of the moves they’ve made over the past couple years when it comes to supply-chain management or technology adoption or upscaling their workers, and that’s going to pay off in spades moving forward. It’s not hard to be bullish about the manufacturing sector in terms of predicting growth and where it’s headed over the next few years.”

That said, he’s keeping a sharp eye on wage growth in 2022 as one of the key factors impacting manufacturers. Bither agreed, but added that the supply chain is still the problem of the day when he considers why machines are down across the industry.

In truth, all these factors are important — and none are easily solved. But the webinar participants agreed that manufacturers are an innovative bunch, and ready for the challenges ahead.

“Manufacturing has been behind other industries, but it’s catching up. There’s a lot more investment on this space, more adaptation,” Bither said. “It’s a really exciting time to be in the industry. As technology providers, we know we can get through the pandemic and all the other problems thrown our way.”

 

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Enchanted Circle Theater Director Priscilla Kane Hellweg Steps Down After 40 Years

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — 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.

In her final letter to the company, she wrote, “I am so proud to leave you with a company that is blessed with hundreds of long-term partnerships with schools, social-services agencies, and cultural-arts centers — and thousands of iterations of creative education programs that have brought joyful and empowered learning to hundreds of thousands of children. This has been the work of many, many hands and hearts. Thank you all for your part in growing this extraordinary company.”

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.

MCLA, Habitat for Humanity Collaborate to Offer Free Tax Assistance to Those in Need

By
Daily News

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, Barboza said, “participating in the VITA program is a unique opportunity that will provide students with 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. MCLA students will begin to see clients on Monday, Feb. 7. 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.

Mary Cate Mannion Named Keynote Presenter at NEFMA Awards Show

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The New England Financial Marketing Assoc. (NEFMA) announced that Mary Cate Mannion, a digital PR analyst for Garvey Communication Associates Inc. and producer for New England Corporate Video, will be the keynote presenter for its upcoming virtual Awards Show on Thursday, Feb. 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event will also feature 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,” will explain how brands can generate meaningful and measurable engagement while shedding all that extra budget weight of meaningless and empty impressions. Included in her presentation will be best-practice examples from HarborOne Bank, Mascoma Bank, Monson Savings Bank, Needham Bank, and PeoplesBank.

An award-winning former anchor and reporter, Mannion has interviewed hundreds of business people and watched many fail their own interest because of an inability to tell their own truthful and meaningful story.

“Meaningful stories break through the clutter, and I was rewarded for helping tell them,” she suggested recently. “Now that I am behind the camera, I want to help businesses tell their story because it truly is the new elixir of engagement — and in a digital world, nothing matters more than engagement, the marketing superfood of 2022.”

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.

Jennifer Levi to Serve as Inaugural Fellow for Berry Institute of Politics

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNE) 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.

Established in 2019, the Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics is a non-partisan effort to expand political engagement at the university and on the North Shore.

Adding Definition to the Terms ‘Good’ and ‘Right’

By
Cover Story

Ethics in Business

The two words ‘ethics’ and ‘business’ come together in the same sentence often, although what they mean when they are juxtaposed like that depends on whom you ask. A common refrain is that it means ‘doing the right thing.’ But even that becomes somewhat complicated amid questions concerning who we are doing the right thing for. And then, there’s the matter of profit, and the question of if, when, and under what circumstances it comes ahead of ethics. To get some answers, BusinessWest convened a panel of area business leaders for a virtual roundtable discussion. The comments, as might be expected, are thought-provoking, and lead to more questions. Our panelists include Peter DePergola, chief Ethics officer, senior director of Clinical Ethics, and chief of the Ethics Consultation Service, Baystate Health — and also Shaughness family chair for the study of the Humanities, associate professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities, and executive director of the St. Augustine Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture at Elms College; Sandra Doran, president of Bay Path University; Tom Loper, Associate Provost & Dean in the School of Arts, Science and Management, Bay Path University, and former business owner; Mark Cutting, president and CEO of C&D Electronics; Drew DiGiorgio, president and CEO, Wellfleet; and Patrick Leary, partner with MP CPAs.

Watch the video here:

 

BusinessWest: Let’s start with that phrase ‘ethics in business.’ What does that mean to you?

 

DePergola: “For me, ethics is the philosophical study of morality, and morality, at its heart, concerns how the actions we perform contribute to the persons we become. To me, ethics in business is the way we in which we express and articulate or moral character in business transactions — not just with consumers, but with one another on our teams. We’re a little slow in western culture to pay as much attention to ethics in business as we should; there’s the classic Freeman v. Freeman debate where we talk about the distinctions between profit and corporate social responsibility, and whether we should ever sacrifice things like profit in pursuit of greater common good. So I think the opportunity for business to pause and reflect on itself in a new way is somethings that’s evergreen. Ethics is something that’s been discussed and considered for a much longer time in things like medicine, starting with people like Hippocrates. Ethics in business is no less important than ethics at the bedside.”

Peter DePergola

“To me, ethics in business is the way we in which we express and articulate or moral character in business transactions — not just with consumers, but with one another on our teams.”

Doran: “I think any discussion of ethics also has to include a discussion of morals and values, because each one of those has its own place in how we think about things. Most people think of morals as a more personal aspect of their character and how they view things, the lens through which they look at the world. And when we think about ethics, it’s often framed more as an organization; what are the rules, what is the code that people are going to operate within as part of an organization? That’s a really important consideration for any business or organization: what is the lens, what is the framework? And how are we thinking about ethics in that context?”

 

Cutting: “I’m in the aerospace and defense industry; we service a majority of the prime contractors across the world. Ethics for me is … we are a small, minute part of the supply chain in that industry, and our hope is that, as a small business, we can be treated fairly and ethically. We understand our competition, and we understand that, because we’re small, we may be taken advantage of at some level. Those are the things we think about as we strategize and when we work with these big firms and negotiate contracts. We have to hope that the terms and conditions that apply to us apply to others. It’s a concern, and we hope that we’re on a level playing field. We just don’t know. We’re hoping that everyone who supports that industry is ethical at some level.”

Sandra Doran

Sandra Doran

“Most people think of morals as a more personal aspect of their character and how they view things, the lens through which they look at the world. And when we think about ethics, it’s often framed more as an organization; what are the rules, what is the code that people are going to operate within as part of an organization?”

DiGiorgio: “Our business, Wellfleet, provides health insurance, intangible goods; you can’t touch what we produce, so what we produce is a trust, a bond with our members, our clients. It’s all about ethics at the end of the day. Ethics, for us, means doing the right thing, quite simply put. We have contracts and agreements, and if anyone’s looked at a health-insurance policy, it’s 60 pages long; good luck with that. But there’s a lot of faith that you will act ethically about my claim. We’re part of Berkshire Hathaway, and when you’re trying to manage a conglomerate of companies like Warren [Buffett] does, you really just do it through ‘do the right thing.’ That’s the only way to manage at that level.”

 

Loper: “I like to break ethics down into ‘good’ and ‘bad.’ Are we doing something that’s good for folks that are stakeholders? Are we doing things that are not so good? Are we being open and honest? Are we being trustworthy and respectful? All those things are parts of a code of ethics that helps us to deliver on our promise and not come up short. Sometimes we all come up short, we all walk with a limp, as they say, but some people do things intentionally and break those bonds, the contract they’re supposed to have with their stakeholders, and when that’s done, that’s not good at all.”

 

Leary: In public accounting, our job is help other businesses succeed, so we’re privy to a lot of confidential information that is not out in the public realm, and we’ve very cognizant of that. As a public accountant, we’re required to participate in a periodic ethics training specifically on ethics issues, which is interesting because it gives you a chance to pause and look at various scenarios where ethics come into play — not that it doesn’t come into play every day.

“Looking back on my career, and when I’m talking to someone about personal tax planning, I have yet to find someone say, ‘hey, how can I pay the most in taxes?’ Usually, it’s ‘how do I reduce my taxes?’ You need to be careful that you’re playing within the rules, the regulations that are provided out there. There are people that would prefer to skirt those rules, but our job is to make sure that our clients are not doing that, as best we can. We are looking out for our clients, but it’s not just the business owner. It’s the stakeholders as well. Without employees, without customers, without suppliers, you don’t have business. So our business, Mark’s business, Bay Path … everyone here, you’re built on reputation, and it’s easy to lose your reputation and very hard to get it back.”

Tom Loper

“Sometimes we all come up short, we all walk with a limp, as they say, but some people do things intentionally and break those bonds, the contract they’re supposed to have with their stakeholders, and when that’s done, that’s not good at all.”

BusinessWest: We’ve heard the phrase ‘do the right thing’ a few times already. What exactly does that mean? Right for whom?

 

DiGiorgio: “You have to keep things simple from the standpoint of terminology, so people understand. You can talk to someone about ethics, and they may or may not understand how ethics works. But if you say ‘do the right thing,’ you can have a team that focuses on your customer, your member, your team. It’s about doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. It’s about treating people with respect, treating people the way you would want to be treated. There’s a lot of ways at looking at ‘do the right thing,’ but most of us understand that, at the end of the day, the ‘right thing’ is the right thing for the person you’re dealing with. Maybe that’s a member on a call with customer service, or maybe five minutes before your lunch break, and you know the call is going to take 10 minutes. Spend the 10 minutes; do the right thing.”

 

Doran: “At Bay Path, our focus is on the student, so we’re always talking about what’s best for the student. But the way we think about doing what’s best in terms of the customer, the student, is ‘how do we build a strong community?’ Because if we have a strong community that supports each other and is invested in everyone’s success, then people generally make the right decisions. If our students are not successful, we’re not successful; if our registrar isn’t successful, then our students are not successful. We’re really focused on this virtuous cycle of success.”

 

DePergola: “There are many different avenues to try to articulate the ‘right thing to do’ in a given scenario. One of the things we try to do is look at decisions to be made from a variety of different perspectives, understanding that our primary goal in that analysis is very likely, although not exclusively, to try to make the small decision 1,000 times to put someone else’s well-being ahead of our own, without sacrificing who we are as a person, what we stand for, at a base level. In the clinical world, we’re asking questions of whether what we’re doing is reasonable; we’re asking why we’re doing it, how we’re doing it — is it proportionate to the good we’re trying to accomplish? When are we doing it — is it the right time? Where are we doing it — is it the right place? We ask questions about ‘what if?’ — we project the foreseeable consequences of the decision, not just at the end of the day, but where does this leave our patient or our stakeholder or our shareholder six months from now?

“And then, there’s ‘what else?’ This is my favorite question of moral analysis because it’s the question of moral imagination. It helps us understand that, when we make a bad decision in business ethics, it’s not because we’re morally bankrupt in some way, but because we’ve been to unimaginative; we’ve focused on an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ option, and we failed to brainstorm for a ‘C’ or ‘D.’ So there are a variety of ways to get at what’s the right thing to do.”

Mark Cutting

Mark Cutting

“If I ship a bad product to a big customer like Boeing, and there’s failure, I’m destroyed in my business and in my industry. It’s a top-down, flow-down thing to make sure everyone’s on the same page concerning the ethics that you believe in.”

BusinessWest: Smith & Wesson recently announced that it will relocate its corporate headquarters from Springfield to Tennessee, a move that will presumably help the company but hurt families in this area and the region as whole. What does this case tell us about ethics and how it is often difficult deciding what it is the right thing to do?

 

Loper: “Smith & Wesson may have shut doors if it can’t move or cut 500 employees, and the people in Tennessee think it’s a great thing. In Springfield, to someone who just lost their job, it’s a bad thing. What is the right thing? It depends son your perspective.”

 

DePergola: “This is certainly my reality in the world of clinical ethics — that the good thing to do is very often, if not exclusively, the least bad thing to do. And I mean that in a very literal sense. It’s not a clear or easy decision between choosing something clearly good or something clearly bad; you don’t need an ethical analysis for that. It’s often choosing something that will have indirect and unintended consequences that are negative and that are unavoidable in pursuit of something good, like maintaining the structure of the company — somewhere. So, really, finding the good is very often a matter of trying to identify the least bad thing to do, knowing that a perfect solution is not possible.”

Patrick Leary

“You’re built on reputation, and it’s easy to lose your reputation and very hard to get it back.”

Cutting: “For the management staff at Smith & Wesson, it was a tough decision to make; you’re going to have to let some folks go, but you’re going to be able to maintain your stock value to your shareholders, which, under those conditions as a publicly traded company, is part of your mission statement. You’re there to provide the best and most absolute path to success for that company. It’s a slippery slope when we make decisions like that, and I think, unfortunately, maybe we need to look in the mirror in this state and say, ‘was that the right thing for us to? Maybe we should claw that back, re-embrace them, and change the law.’”

 

BusinessWest: Just how does leadership set the tone when it comes to business ethics?

 

Doran: “You have to show, not tell. Everything a leader does is under scrutiny — they’re being watched with a magnifying glass. But it’s equally important to have a written statement. We all have values, personal values, but it’s very important to have an organizational framework … it’s really important that everyone understands where an organization stands when it comes to things like integrity, inclusivity, and dealing honestly with everyone — in our case, students, faculty, staff, everyone in the ecosystem.

“Everyone in our university, whether you’re a trustee or alum, has a social compact to abide by a common value set and code of ethics, and that was really tested through COVID. Everyone had to support this code of conduct; it was testing, it was mask wearing, it was … maybe you have a relative in Rome and you want to visit them, but you can’t do that, because it’s not good for our community. So the code centered not on what’s good for you, but on what’s good for our community at large, and that was a really good example, I think, of this code of conduct and how leaders set the tone.”

 

Cutting: “When it comes to people being ethical or a company being ethical, it has to be top down. It starts at the top, and it has to flow down to everyone in the company. You talk about the reputation in the industry … it doesn’t take long to lose it. If I ship a bad product to a big customer like Boeing, and there’s failure, I’m destroyed in my business and in my industry. It’s a top-down, flow-down thing to make sure everyone’s on the same page concerning the ethics that you believe in.”

Drew DiGiorgio

“It’s about doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. It’s about treating people with respect, treating people the way you would want to be treated.”

Loper: “The recent decision by Smith & Wesson is a great example of how challenging it can be to make decisions in the business world, and by what yardstick. You have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror every day, and there are personal convictions that you have to relate to.

“One of the things I’ve found to be helpful — I’m not sure it’s a solution, but it certainly made it easier for me to look at things when I was in business — is to pull up from the situation that I found myself in as president and think about the different stakeholders and what they were expecting of the organization that I started up or developed, and what responsibilities I had to those stakeholders. That was true whether it was to the city that helped me to get the power that I needed delivered to a place where they had never delivered that much power before, or whether it was the people supplying the material from India, or whether it was putting an ad in the paper to attract people with certain skills to work on a certain piece of equipment — and then seeing people standing in line, waiting for an opportunity to work on that machine, knowing that it hurt other people because I was taking their best.

“I was constantly dealing with matters that bordered on ethical issues, and one of the things that helped me was this concept of conscious capitalism and the idea of thinking more broadly than my own business and trying to take a long view of what value creation is all about, and for whom. And there were constant tradeoffs, and I was always trying to look at bigger issues and make the best decision I could with the information that we had.”

 

DiGiorgio: “We have several keys at our business — security, empathy, honoring commitments, and then, fiscal responsibility. And they all flow together. And if we do those things, that’s going to produce the right results. But you have to establish those keys and set that culture. That’s where it begins.”

 

BusinessWest: Finally, profits and ethics. How do we balance these two important pillars of business?

 

Loper: “You have to take the long view; you can’t just take the short view, as with those quarterly profits. And that quarterly review process that larger corporations, the Fortune 500 companies, have to go through, makes it very difficult to make the right long-term decision. It’s very hard sometimes to make the right decision.

“When you talk about profits, I think you have to understand that there are short-term profits and long-term profits, and it’s not all measured in dollars and cents. Sometimes it’s measured in terms of forests being destroyed that could affect the climate or natural resources being exploited that are not replaceable. This whole concept of conscious capitalism that encourages us to think bigger is not just a theory; there’s a whole collection of major corporations that are part of that whole movement of shared value and conscious capitalism that are doing better on Wall Street than companies that don’t, that historically have focused on a much narrower definition of ‘corporate profit.’ And I think that this is showing the rest of the world that you can do that, and the more global we’ve become, the more influence we’re going to have on that notion of what ‘profit’ really is. We need to have broader measures of success as companies than just profits.”

 

Leary: “I agree. Short-term profits are not indicative of the long-term value of a company. With most companies on Wall Street, you’re looking at quick profits, and some of the biggest frauds that have committed at public companies were for short-term profit for people — and those companies are no longer around.

“When you look at the overall value of what you’ve created as a business owner, it’s not just dollars, or profits — it’s how many families have you helped feed, or how many kids have you sent to college, or what you’ve done for the community — that should all be part of the profit equation. You can do both — you can have profits, and you can have a successful company and an ethical company. You can balance those two; ethics and profits don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, they should be working hand in hand. Ethical companies have a longer-term prospect than those looking at short-term gain, and we’ve seen that through history with companies that have failed. Why did they fail? It’s typically because of some short-term decision that someone made.”

 

Doran: “At Bay Path, our board is very focused on ESG [environmental, social, and governance] investing, and making sure that a company’s values align with our values, and of course we’re also very focused on making sure our portfolio performs, because it’s in the interest off our endowment that funds a large part of our scholarship program. And we’ve been doing some very technical comparisons [between] companies that are more ESG-focused and others that may not have it as a stated part of their practice … and the returns are very similar. That shows that profits and ethics do go hand in hand at many places. It should not be an anomaly, it should not be the exception, and I do not believe that it is.”

 

DePergola: “The real litmus test would be … if the profit started to significantly slow down, would we still do the right thing? I think that confronts us with who we are. And if we’re not sure if we would do the right thing if the profit slows down, then we should take a look at that. Overall, Patrick and Sandra are right: profits and ethics are not mutually exclusive. Doing the right thing consistently over time, getting buy-in, and anchoring things to the mission — what we’re going to stand for no matter what — that’s what people want to be part of. And I think profit follows from that decision to do the right thing.” u

Banks, Credit Unions Find Many Ways to Give Back, Especially During Pandemic

By
Kevin Day
Banking and Financial Services Special Coverage

More Than Writing Checks

Kevin Day

Kevin Day says banks — including Florence — responded strongly to rising food-insecurity needs during the pandemic.

Banks and credit unions have long touted their role in supporting local nonprofits through philanthropic efforts, but those efforts took on more urgency over the past two years, especially in areas such as food insecurity and other basic human needs. But even before the pandemic, these institutions were giving back in ways that went well beyond writing checks, from participating in fundraising events in the community to promoting a culture of volunteerism among officers and employees. In other words, the needs remain numerous, but so do the ways to address them.

 

 

When it comes to philanthropy, Kevin Day, says, Florence Bank’s overall goal never changes.

“We just try to be resilient and strengthen our communities and nonprofit sector,” said Day, the bank’s president and CEO. “We don’t necessarily go out year after year and do the same things; we tend to respond to the needs that arise, and needs in the community ebb and flow each year. Certainly, the last two years with COVID, we’ve responded to what the needs are and basically evaluated requests as they come in and tried to find the ones that have the broadest impact.”

The most obvious such need — one that many banks made a point of focus over the last two years — is food insecurity. Since the start of the pandemic, Florence Bank has donated at least $140,000 to organizations addressing that issue.

“We supported many local pantries and survival centers because the pandemic ramped up that need,” Day said. Meanwhile, “other organizations couldn’t run their normal events or even run the services they normally do. The way we managed our donations was responding to needs as they grew, and we were able to respond in a bigger way than normal.”

Craig Boivin, vice president of Marketing at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, said it’s “in the DNA” of credit unions to invest money back into their local communities, and his institution does so in four main ways: writing checks to nonprofits, running donation drives, encouraging volunteerism among employees to help out community organizations, and financial-education programs that empower members in their financial lives.

“We had new requests coming in that we never had before because of agencies that were feeling an impact from a surge of families and individuals needing support because of the pandemic.”

Some of the events UMassFive typically supports, such as Will Bike 4 Food and Monte’s March, which both support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, took on new importance during the pandemic, while the credit union also raised $16,000 last year for the UMass Cancer Walk and Run, bringing its total support of cancer detection and prevention through that event to around $160,000. It has also made a 10-year, $100,000 commitment to CISA to help people access healthy food through farm shares.

Meanwhile, members can use their ‘Buzz Points’ from a debit-card reward program, typically redeemable for gift cards at local establishments, to donate to area nonprofits instead, Boivin said.

“We’ve really tried to play that up over the past couple years because there’s so much need in those local organizations, and not everyone has the means to support them by writing checks, so, just by doing normal shopping, they can donate points earned from the program.”

On what Boivin calls the “roll up your sleeves” side of the bank’s efforts, members and employees provided 350 pounds of personal items to food pantries and the Amherst and Northampton Survival Centers last year, collected hundreds of winter coats for people in need, while continuing to participate in events like the Connecticut River Conservancy’s Source to Sea Cleanup.

“During the pandemic, we were thinking creatively about what else can we do that’s different than what we’ve done in the past to support different folks,” Boivin said. “In some cases, it was really kind of doubling down on our efforts because the needs jumped more than expected.”

Kevin O’Connor, executive vice president and chief banking officer at Westfield Bank, agreed. He said that, during the pandemic, the bank has received requests for help for many new organizations, as well as different kinds of requests from nonprofits it has assisted in the past.

“We had new requests coming in that we never had before because of agencies that were feeling an impact from a surge of families and individuals needing support because of the pandemic,” he noted. “We looked at every agency we didn’t know and looked at how they were doing things to support people. It might have been people we already gave to before, like the Boys and Girls Club of Westfield, that was doing something new and different.”

The bank was able to support many of these new requests through what he called a ‘reallocation’ of resources, especially when it came to events — and there were many of them — that were canceled because of the pandemic.

Moving forward, he said the bank has increased its budget for giving in 2022 to support events and organizations it has backed for years, if not decades, and also support some of those new, pandemic-related requests that won’t be going away any time soon.

 

Expanding Needs

Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank (MSB), said the bank has long supported the basic needs of people in the community, whether that’s food, shelter, clothing, or education, to name a few. “We look at the basic needs first, and then we look at community development and youth. We try to spread money around to as many organizations as we can. And need plays a major role in those decisions.”

The nature of the pandemic, and how it isolated people and disrupted the economic well-being of families and forced them into challenging situations, certainly changed the calculus of those efforts, Moriarty noted. “I think it exacerbated the need to help people with their basic needs, even more than during a normal cycle, outside of a pandemic. Again, with so much need out there, we strive to eliminate it.”

PeoplesBank recently announced a record level of charitable contributions in 2021, with donations reaching $1,315,000 over the past year with a total of close to $11 million donated since 2011. The bank has doubled its donations in the last five years.

“During the pandemic, we were thinking creatively about what else can we do that’s different than what we’ve done in the past to support different folks. In some cases, it was really kind of doubling down on our efforts because the needs jumped more than expected.”

“We do have funding focus areas, as we call them, that are probably similar to other banks,” said Matt Bannister, the bank’s senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility, listing among them economic development, food insecurity, housing, social services, sustainability and the environment, and literacy (both early-childhood and financial).

“I would say 90% of our grant requests fit into one of those categories,” he said. “The other category is community, which is anything that doesn’t fit another category. For instance, fireworks or First Night Northampton — things that are good for community spirit.”

The bank has donated meals to frontline responders during the pandemic (as has UMassFive and other institutions) and PPE, actions which are unique to the current environment, but most people negatively impacted by COVID tend to fall into one of PeoplesBank’s traditional philanthropic focus areas, like housing needs, food insecurity, or social services.

“We’ve given to specific COVID causes as they’ve come up over the past couple of years,” Bannister said. “We’ve done that over and above the normal giving we do anyway.”

He noted that, “even giving what we give, we’re still not able to give to everyone who asks; the needs out there are pressing.” To further address those needs, the bank’s employees donate 10,000 volunteer hours per year, and 74 of them have served on 54 different nonprofit boards.

Florence Bank takes pride in similar efforts, Day said. “We encourage all our officers to be part of the nonprofit community in some way. And our employees are involved in roughly 125 organizations in the area, as board members, volunteering at events, and so on.”

Monson Savings Bank recently announced that its employees donated $8,880 to various local nonprofits in 2021 through the bank’s Team Giving Initiative Friday (TGIF) program.

“Western Massachusetts is not only the bank’s home, but home for many of our team members,” Moriarty said. “We work here, live here, and raise our families here. We are invested in the well-being of the local landscape and ensuring that our neighbors’ needs are met.”

Through the TGIF program, bank employees elect to donate $5 out of each of their paychecks to employee-selected nonprofit organizations that support the bank’s local communities. Since the program was launched seven years ago, MSB employees have donated a total of $45,170 to various charitable organizations.

“The TGIF program is just one example of our employees holding up the bank’s value of helping our neighbors in need,” Moriarty went on. “I often refer to us as a team here at Monson Savings. The TGIF program is a true team effort. Participants of this program donate just $5 out of their pay, and each donation comes together to create a large impact.”

 

Mission Driven

O’Connor said Westfield Bank, like other institutions, looked at new and different ways to support the community as a result of COVID, with many of them being public-health-related.

As one example, he cited the bank’s support of vaccination efforts in Springfield in a partnership effort with the Basketball Hall of Fame and other entities.

“We offered some support to help draw some bands and other kinds of entertainment to the Hall of Fame so that people would then hopefully go in and learn about vaccination, and hopefully get vaccinated, if that was their choosing,” he noted, adding that there were other initiatives with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and other agencies working to meet growing needs during the pandemic.

Boivin stressed that part of UMassFive’s community support stems from its financial-empowerment workshops, which have traditionally been offered at branches during the evening and sometimes during lunch hours.

“One silver lining of this pandemic is that it really forced us to get into the virtual world, opening those workshops up to a greater pool of people who might not get into our branches,” he said. “We had people from a much wider range of locations because we put content online and they could log in from home and don’t have to trek over to a branch.”

The workshop topics range from budgeting essentials to understanding credit to the basics of homebuying 101 — “quite a range of topics that all directly support our mission,” Boivin added, noting that these efforts and those directly supporting nonprofits all stem from the same philosophy.

“Even by giving out loans to people buying their first car or their first home, all those big life events, we play a role in the community,” he told BusinessWest. “Part of playing a role in the community is keeping more dollars local, investing in local organizations, and at the same time amplifying the mission of the credit union to better the financial lives of the people we serve. It takes many forms.”

Day agreed. “Community banks are in the same boat. Our employees are here, we all live and work in the community, and we all have a vested interest in making sure our community thrives.”

Unlike larger institutions whose management or directors don’t necessarily have a personal stake in the community, “for us, it’s a very important connection,” he added. “The decision makers are all here in the community. We’re not giving to places we don’t know. We see people impacted every single day, so there’s a tight connection between a bank like ours, where all our customers come from the local community, and our local organizations.”

Moriarty said Monson Savings Bank turns 150 this year, and he’s been looking at documents from the institution’s founding, which drove home MSB’s place in the community and why philanthropy is important, whether in a pandemic year or … well, a more normal one.

“Community banks were established to help people. They’ve always followed that mission,” he said. “We’re here to help the community; our mission is to help people save and prosper, but also to help the community wherever there’s a need, and we take that to heart.”

 

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Colleges Offer Many Ways to Make a Degree More Affordable

By
Bryan Gross
Education Special Coverage

After the Sticker Shock

Bryan Gross

Bryan Gross says families aren’t always aware how many resources are available to help pay for college.

It’s not exactly news that the cost of college — at least, the published price tag — has consistently risen over the past two decades. But the net cost — what students actually pay — has actually crept down a bit. That’s largely due to the myriad resources families can access to help bring those costs down and reduce the initial sticker shock. Putting the pieces together takes some effort, self-education, and patience, but most families would agree that the end result, a degree, is worth the journey.

 

Fifty thousand. Sixty thousand. Seventy-five thousand.

A generation ago, dollar figures in that range might get a student through college; these days, at many schools, they’re typical price tags for one year.

Good thing no one pays sticker.

“I don’t care if you’re making $5 million a year or no money; there isn’t a single student paying the sticker price,” said Richard O’Connor, director of Financial Aid at American International College (AIC). “There’s a lot of shock when families see the sticker price, but as you take them further through the process, they see what the final bottom line is for them.”

Indeed, according to the College Board, for the 2021-22 year, the average published tuition and fees for full-time students average $10,740 for a public, four-year, in-state college, 1.6% higher than in 2020-21. For public, four-year, out-of-state schools, it’s $27,560, 1.5% higher than in 2020-21. Private, four-year colleges currently average $38,070, 2.1% higher than the year before.

However, the majority of full-time undergraduate students receive grant aid that helps them pay for a good deal of those costs. The average net tuition and fees paid by first-time, full-time, in-state students enrolled in public four-year institutions currently sit at $2,640, a 15-year-low. At private schools, it’s $14,990 — again, a 15-year low.

“Almost all families enrolling in college do not pay that sticker price,” said Bryan Gross, vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing at Western New England University. “There’s always a combination of merit-based and need-based money that goes into it.”

Kerry Cole, vice president for Admissions at AIC, noted that all colleges offer merit scholarships based on a student’s GPA and other measures of high-school success. “They would receive it for all four years, as long as they’re successful progressing in the program. Every school has different guidelines students need to hit, but it’s usually pretty attainable for most students, in addition to federal or other institutional aid.”

In addition, she noted, “students may find it less expensive to go to private school, because of the aid award, than it is to go to a state school. When I was going through 20-plus years ago, that’s exactly what happened. I was a low-income student, had high academics, and was able to attend a private school and live on campus for the equivalent cost of a state school. A lot of people don’t know that until financial-aid time.”

“Almost all families enrolling in college do not pay that sticker price. There’s always a combination of merit-based and need-based money that goes into it.”

On the admissions side, Gross added, “it’s really important for families to understand that different colleges and universities have different ways they evaluate the family’s financial circumstances.” For example, some schools are ‘need-aware’ in crafting the merit package, incorporating a family’s ability to pay, while others, including AIC, are ‘need-blind’ when they award financial-aid packages.

Merit decisions are based on more than grades, too; schools also consider standardized test scores — although these are starting to recede in importance, and many colleges are even test-optional now — as well as extracurricular activities, volunteerism, letters of recommendation, and more.

And that’s just the start of what families need to know about paying for college — a process that can be confusing and intimidating, but is also rife with opportunities to shave down that sticker price even further.

 

Guiding Lights

Community colleges offer a less-daunting price tag to begin with, but that doesn’t mean the process of seeking aid and paying for school is any less thorny. Darcey Kemp, vice president of Student Affairs at Springfield Technical Community College, said STCC guides entering students and their families through a robust onboarding process.

“We do an initiative called Roadmap to STCC, a series of live webinars with students, parents, and guidance counselors on different topics over the course of the year, depending on the time of year it is,” she explained, noting that topics range from testing and placement to financial-aid deadlines and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Darcey Kemp

Darcey Kemp says efforts to help students manage college costs begin well before they arrive on campus and continue through their time at STCC.

“We make sure we’re ahead of all that,” Kemp said. “FAFSA can be intimidating, and we always want to make sure they know it’s coming and we’re helping them through the process.

“It’s important to normalize the financial-aid process,” she added. “It can be overwhelming — in particular, for anyone who has not had experience doing it before.”

Cole said colleges offer an online net price calculator, where families can input data on GPA, expected family contribution, and other factors to generate an expected net cost well before submitting FAFSA or getting an offer. “It’s not exact,” she noted, “but it’s pretty darn close.”

In addition, O’Connor noted, Western Mass. is rich with resources to secure outside scholarships, from entities ranging from community banks to Big Y; from the Horace Smith Fund to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the latter of which provides access to scores of scholarship opportunities with one application.

“The importance of a little effort in writing an essay can yield you thousands of dollars in outside scholarship money,” he added.

And high-school seniors shouldn’t overlook the smaller ones, Cole said. “Make this your part-time job on Sunday afternoon — take an hour or two, look for scholarships, write an essay, and send those out. Even $25, $50, $100, those add up; that’s a textbook.”

Gross refers students to fastweb.com, which he calls “a clearinghouse of lots of external scholarships. A lot of students don’t realize these scholarships often have a lot fewer applicants than you would expect, especially those that require an essay.”

Like Cole, Gross suggested students carve out time on the weekends to make an investment in their finances. “Now, the last thing you want to do is write another essay, but take Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and do some essay prompts; what you find on Fastweb can be reused and apply to a bunch. I’ve seen families surprised they got some of these national and regional scholarships — $1,000, $2,000, $3,000 … every bit helps.”

Meanwhile, he added, parents might reach out to their employers to see if they offer tuition-reimbursement programs they might not have even been aware of.

Once on campus, many students take advantage of federal work-study programs to reduce their tuition bill — and gain valuable work experience to boot.

“It’s a job on campus, but it’s also a learning experience for students,” Cole said. “If they’re going to make mistakes, better to make them here, and be mentored and educated through the process, than make them out in the corporate world. Many of them don’t have office experience; most students wouldn’t at 18 years old. That’s another benefit of work study.”

Gross stressed that jobs on campus are available, but not guaranteed. “You still need to interview for a job, show up, demonstrate skill, or you could lose the job.

“It’s a good opportunity for students,” he added, “but at the same time, with COVID-19 stress and academic demands, you always want to have a family conversation about whether working the first semester makes sense, or if it’s better to adjust to all the academic issues before working.”

 

A Dramatic Shift

A few colleges have made a splash in recent years by eliminating loans from their financial-aid packages and replacing them with grants. Smith College recently announced it would begin doing that starting this fall.

This expansion of the college’s financial-aid program represents a new annual investment of $7 million, which will bring the college’s total aid awarded next year to more than $90 million. All students receiving need-based institutional aid, which represents more than 60% of the student body, will receive an increase in their grant funding from the college.

Kerry Cole and Richard O’Connor

Kerry Cole and Richard O’Connor say students shouldn’t be hesitant to reach out if they run into difficulties with college costs during their time at AIC.

“Eliminating loans from financial-aid packages will enable Smith to recruit and enroll the best students, regardless of family resources, and enable future alums to begin their careers or continue their studies with their debts greatly reduced or eliminated,” President Kathleen McCartney wrote in a letter to the campus body last fall. Reducing college debt, she added, “will be life-changing for students, families, and future alums.”

In addition to providing financial aid, Smith will award one-time ‘startup grants’ of $1,000 to entering students with an expected family contribution of less than $7,000. And to seniors graduating in 2022 with need-based institutional grants, Smith will offer one-time ‘launch grants’ of $2,000 to help with the cost of transitioning to life after college. All these new initiatives will be funded through gifts to the college and recent endowment gains.

That’s a turn for the better for many students at the Northampton institution. But circumstances can turn for the worse, too, on any campus. A job loss or death in the family can suddenly put a student in financial distress, O’Connor noted. “There are some resources we use at AIC to try to help students who are enrolled and on their path, but face some financial hurdles, which pop up all the time for families.”

Sometimes the hurdle is too much to overcome, but he stressed the importance of contacting the Financial Aid office sooner than later. “My advice is, if you know you’re having some financial issues, reach out and start those conversations.”

Sometimes AIC isn’t the right school for a prospective student right now, but it could be in the future, Cole said. In that case, a transfer path from a community college may be the best option. “The important thing is to keep the same timeline. If you want to graduate in four years as a history major, go get yourself a solid liberal-arts foundation at a community college.

“We can talk about all your options early on,” she added. “Our goal is to have students finish.”

Kemp said families should learn about the Commonwealth Commitment program, which aims to significantly reduce college costs by having students do just that — spend two years at a community college followed by two years at a four-year institution. “We always want to make sure, especially in such challenging times, that we’re as proactive and sharing as much information as possible with the student.”

“It’s important to normalize the financial-aid process. It can be overwhelming — in particular, for anyone who has not had experience doing it before.”

Gross noted that the federal government has a process called professional judgment in the case of changing financial circumstances for students already enrolled at WNE or any other college. “We take families through the professional-judgment process, the government re-looks at the FAFSA information, and can adjust families’ expected contribution, which would potentially qualify them for more federal or state funding.”

In addition, “most schools have some emergency funding, which is limited,” he said, as colleges can’t hand out money to everyone.

 

Toward the Finish Line

At STCC, the importance of understanding the financial process, and laying down a foundation for success after college, doesn’t end with enrollment. A counselor is on campus twice a week, working with students individually with financial-aid questions.

In addition, the Center for Access Services provides a broad range of non-academic supports, including assistance with food and basic supplies in the event of financial hardship.

“There are some resources we use at AIC to try to help students who are enrolled and on their path, but face some financial hurdles, which pop up all the time for families.”

“During COVID in particular, we’ve seen an increase in students encountering short-term financial emergences that prevent them from continuing their education goal, so we help them overcome those short-term emergencies and successfully complete their coursework,” Kemp explained.

There’s a curricular focus on financial literacy as well, including a personal-finance course, she noted. “Everyone has different needs when it comes to personal finances. We’re really trying to provide as many supports as possible but educate students from a financial-literacy perspective as well.”

The bottom line? Colleges want students to succeed — when they’re on campus, to be sure, but also when they’re still pondering whether they can afford to enroll at all.

“The average school may discount tuition by 40% or 50%,” Gross said. “So definitely look beyond the sticker price.”

 

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

Local Manufacturers Still Grappling with Supply, Workforce Issues

By Contributor
Steve Graham
Manufacturing Special Coverage

Making Changes

 

Steve Graham

Steve Graham stands in front of spools of 3D filament at Toner Plastics.

In manufacturing, as in many industries, the story of the past year has been one of shortages and high costs — shortages of both materials and workers, and rising costs of supplies and wages as a direct result of those trends. As this story and the one on page 39 make clear, the problem isn’t demand for manufactured products, but meeting that demand at a time of global disruption. Yet, for many companies, this may turn out to be a time of innovation, too.

 

By Mark Morris

 

Steven Graham called it a “double whammy.”

Specifically, throughout 2021, manufacturers faced a year full of supply-chain issues and the constant challenge of having enough workers. And when Graham, president and CEO of Toner Plastics in East Longmeadow, could find raw materials, they cost more — lots more.

“You operate at a smaller profit margin because you can’t necessarily pass along the price increases,” he said.

In Graham’s company, raw materials are mostly plastic pellets that are fabricated into diverse types of products ranging from craft items to medical devices. Because plastic is derived from oil, price swings are nothing new to him, but he described the last couple of years as brutal.

On top of normal supply-chain issues, Graham said last winter’s sudden freeze in Texas exacerbated an already-tough situation. There are usually plenty of warnings before hurricanes hit the Gulf of Mexico, which allows oil refineries to shut down days before to ride out the storm. The freeze arrived with no warning, leaving the refineries unprepared.

“The damage was more extensive, which shut them down much longer than we’ve seen after other weather events they’ve endured.”

As a result, Graham has seen persistent cost increases for the last 12 to 18 months. “I’ve been in this business 40 years, and I’ve never seen the size of the increases and the length of time they’ve stuck around.”

OMG Inc. in Agawam uses steel wire and flat stock for its line of screws and fasteners, as well as chemicals for the adhesives it makes for its roofing division. Since the pandemic, purchasing raw materials has been challenging and increasingly expensive.

“We often saw a doubling if not tripling of prices for our raw materials,” said Hubert McGovern, president and CEO of OMG.

While the supply situation has improved in the last couple of months, McGovern said, when materials do arrive, the next challenge is having enough workers to make the products and get them out the door. Between increased competition for workers and COVID-19, it’s difficult to stay fully staffed.

“At the height of the most recent COVID spike, 10% to 15% of our workforce was affected at some level of COVID quarantine,” McGovern said.

The jump in COVID cases also made the last weeks of 2021 difficult for Mestek, the Westfield manufacturer of HVAC equipment. Even though employees will often pitch in when there are staff shortages, delays still occur, said Peter Letendre, plant manager. “Lead times for certain products have been extended because we were lacking raw materials or we didn’t have the right people in place.”

One positive test can affect many employees. As an example, Graham said if one worker in the shipping area tests positive for COVID, the three other workers in that department also need to be tested. Each one who tests positive cannot return to work for five days, even if they have no symptoms.

“It causes the kind of staffing problems where we can’t run a line or drive the forklift trucks if those folks aren’t here,” he explained.

While COVID contributes to labor issues, the larger problem every industry faces involves getting and keeping employees. Kate Keiderling, Human Resources director at OMG, called it a continuous struggle to find the right people.

“We are always looking at pay rates, and we’ve added a sign-on bonus followed by a retention bonus if the person stays six months,” she said. “We’ve also increased the bonus we pay employees who refer others to work with us.”

Back in the fall, Mestek began offering attendance bonuses for workers who put in a full 40-hour week.

“It certainly improved attendance and retention,” Letendre said. “Perhaps more importantly, it has helped us in attracting new employees into manufacturing.”

Kate Keiderling

“We are always looking at pay rates, and we’ve added a sign-on bonus followed by a retention bonus if the person stays six months.”

For many years, Toner Plastics ran three full shifts primarily because plastic fabricating machines are most efficient when they continuously run. Long before concerns about labor shortages, Graham said the third shift was the most difficult to staff and was always the shift with the fewest workers. With the pressures of COVID concerns and worker shortages, he reconfigured the work week at Toner.

“We decided to eliminate the third shift and move to two shifts of 10-hour days, four days a week,” he told BusinessWest. With this schedule, everyone reaches 40 hours by Thursday, and if someone wants to work overtime or make up a day because of an absence, they can do so on Friday.

“This way, there’s no loss of income for missing a day, our production lines continue to run, and we are able to keep orders going out the door.”

 

Challenges to Expansion

In a different labor market, Letendre would have a ‘good’ problem. Last year, Mestek acquired Slant/Fin, a Long Island manufacturer of baseboard heaters and one of Mestek’s main competitors. This year, Slant/Fin’s equipment is being relocated to Westfield, where Mestek will manufacture the company’s radiant heating baseboard products sold at Home Depot stores across the U.S. This opportunity means Letendre needs to hire at least 50 more employees.

“In addition to trying to keep a healthy workforce here, we also have to expand, and that’s a real challenge,” Letendre said.

On top of attendance and retention bonuses, Mestek has expanded a program that encourages employees to increase their wages by developing additional skills.

“Orders for our fasteners continue to stay strong at home centers and retail lumberyards. In the last year, demand has also picked up in our flat-roofing business, so instead of slowing down, both divisions grew in sales.”

“We want to have people with a variety of skills so they can fill in for each other in a pinch,” he said. “Of course, that versatility has become even more important during the pandemic.”

Of course, the pandemic has also generated increased demand for Mestek HVAC products that circulate large amounts of air. Whether it’s for new construction or replacing an existing system, Letendre said this area of the business is booming. “We’re seeing an onslaught of orders for these products, which has been great.”

When the pandemic first hit, McGovern anticipated a slowdown in business for his company, but the exact opposite happened. OMG’s fastener division makes several types of screws used primarily in residential housing and on backyard decks. The first year of the pandemic saw a huge increase in backyard projects and home renovations, which drove demand for all those fasteners.

Peter Letendre

Peter Letendre says lead times for some products have been extended because of a lack of raw materials or people.

“Orders for our fasteners continue to stay strong at home centers and retail lumberyards,” he explained. “In the last year, demand has also picked up in our flat-roofing business, so instead of slowing down, both divisions grew in sales.”

Toner has manufactured the elastic used for N95 masks for years, long before anyone had heard of COVID. Graham explained that his company’s production was for a vendor who supplied the masks to U.S. Navy hospitals around the world. At the beginning of the pandemic, when demand for N95 masks exploded, he ramped up production from one line to three.

“We had already mastered the process and we knew where to get the raw materials to make them,” he said. “As long as we could get enough workers, we would run 24 hours a day to help fill the supply chain.”

By the first quarter of 2021, Graham said the supply chain caught up, and suddenly there was a glut of N95 masks. Toner still makes the elastics, but orders have gone back down to pre-COVID levels.

Looking ahead to this year and beyond, Graham pointed to 3D printing as a promising area for his company. Toner makes the plastic filament commonly used in desktop 3D printers.

“We entered the market when it first started back in 2012, and now we supply a number of the machine manufacturers with filament,” he said. “It’s been a good growth area for us.”

Part of Graham’s job is to look ahead to see who will be in the workforce to make the 3D filament and other Toner products in the future. For years, the industry knew about Baby Boomers reaching retirement age, but the pandemic caused many to leave the workforce sooner and in higher numbers than anyone anticipated — so the pool of available candidates seems to have shrunk.

“I think this labor situation will stay severe and be with us for a while,” he added.

With many long-term employees approaching retirement age, OMG is also paying close attention to who might be leaving and who can be trained to take over in key positions.

“So far, we have been able to fill some of the key roles we have wanted to,” Keiderling said. “However, we’re also expanding, so our need for labor will continue to increase.”

Is more automation the answer to filling the jobs left vacant by the tight labor market? Graham acknowledged the importance of continued automation at his company while also noting its benefits are limited. Right now, when a particular task is automated at Toner, the person who was on that machine will move to another line.

“This allows us to do get a little more done with the same number of people without any layoffs,” he said. “We have good people, and we want to keep them employed for as long as they want to work here; that’s important to us.”

Thus, while automation certainly helps, Graham does not see it replacing large numbers of jobs. McGovern concurred on the limits of automation, saying, “when you’re in a conference room, automation sounds like a great way to replace labor, but it’s not that simple.”

 

Thinking Differently

While the last two years have brought many changes, they have also pushed manufacturers to think differently about ways to run their businesses. While employee safety has always been a priority at Mestek, Letendre said the pandemic spurred a shift in focus to keeping workers healthy and safe in new ways. On-the-job workers are kept at a safe distance from each other, and everyone wears a mask, a requirement in Westfield.

Looking back on this new emphasis, he admitted, “we’ve gotten pretty good at keeping our employees healthy and safe.”

These times have also disrupted the normally rigid nature of the manufacturing environment. For instance, by eliminating the third shift and going to a four-day work week, Graham said, workers now have much more flexibility than in the past.

“It’s actually a good idea, and it makes sense for everyone,” he added. “We’ll probably make that move permanent.”

It’s just one more example of how the pandemic continues to alter the way manufacturers — and so many other industries — get the job done.

Lee Moves Ahead with Key Municipal Projects

By Contributor
Chris Brittain
Community Spotlight Special Coverage

Community Spotlight

By Mark Morris

Chris Brittain

Chris Brittain says several projects in Lee, both town-funded and using ARPA aid, are moving forward.

As the pandemic enters its third year of disrupting life as we knew it, the business community in Lee continues to manage the disruptions of COVID-19 and its variants with a good degree of success. Colleen Henry attributes that to one reason.

“The local people here in Lee are strong supporters of our businesses,” said Henry, executive director of the Lee Chamber of Commerce.

Along with Lenox and Stockbridge, Lee is part of the Tri Town Health Department, which has maintained a mask mandate for all indoor spaces. One upside of the mask requirement is that it enables businesses, as well as town offices, to remain open without interruption.

That’s important, said interim Town Administrator Christopher Brittain, who has been on the job for only four months, yet has a full list of projects in the queue for this year and beyond.

Lee received an allocation of $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which will be spread out among several projects in town. Among them are replacing water lines in a couple of areas and upgrading the municipal website to make it easier for people to conduct town business online.

“When someone sells their home at $20,000 to $30,000 dollars over asking price, every house in that neighborhood increases in value. We can’t control the market, but we were able to lower the tax rate.”

All three towns in the Tri Town Health Department will contribute some of their ARPA money to fund the creation of a new food-inspector position in the department, a position certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of a national standards program.

“Obviously, we have inspectors now,” Brittain said. “The new position gives us someone to provide guidance with federal programs and reduce issues with food service and retail food vendors.”

Outside of ARPA funds, Brittain discussed several projects in the works, including paving on Main Street, with $1 million in funding approved at the last town meeting to continue that project into the summer.

Lee at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1777
Population: 5,788
Area: 27 square miles
County: Berkshire
Residential Tax Rate: $13.65
Commercial Tax Rate: $13.65
Median Household Income: $41,566
Median Family Income: $49,630
Type of Government: Representative Town Meeting
Largest Employers: Lee Premium Outlets; Onyx Specialty Papers; the Landing at Laurel Lake; Oak n’ Spruce Resort; Big Y
* Latest information available

One significant project Brittain hopes to see make progress this year involves the former Eagle Mill paper company. Plans to redevelop the site feature 80 units of affordable and market-rate housing, as well as several restaurant and retail stores. The $55 million project has been in the works for several years, though the official groundbreaking was held only three months ago.

“Because of COVID, the Eagle Mill project is moving slower than everyone wants it to,” Brittain said, noting that a significant next step involves six dilapidated houses near the site, which were recently purchased to be torn down. Construction on the mill complex is scheduled to roll out in two phases. “This is a big project that will take up the entire north end of Main Street.”

Additional housing in Lee would certainly be welcome, said Henry, who noted the current supply of available houses is low because sales have been so brisk. “As a result, we have a lot of new residents, and that’s kind of exciting.”

In terms of real-estate taxes, the past year brought both good news and bad news, as the town lowered the tax rate, but selling prices for homes kept boosting valuations, resulting in higher taxes anyway.

“Whether we replace or renovate, we have to do something because the police are running out of space, and the ambulance building needs work.”

“When someone sells their home at $20,000 to $30,000 dollars over asking price, every house in that neighborhood increases in value,” Brittain said. “We can’t control the market, but we were able to lower the tax rate.”

For this year, the tax rate is $13.65 per thousand, down from $14.68 the year before. Because of higher valuations, he explained, the average tax increased by $193.

 

High Times Ahead

One industry relatively new to the tax rolls in Lee is cannabis. Right now, Canna Provisions is the only cannabis facility that’s up and running, but Brittain said the town has 14 permits for various cannabis facilities, with interested parties claiming 13 of them. Activity for future cannabis businesses includes a facility for growing on Route 102 under construction and a dispensary proposed for the former Cork and Hearth restaurant on the Lee/Lenox line.

The revenue from Canna Provisions has begun making a difference for the town. Brittain said the impact on tax revenue has made it possible for the town to consider hiring a full-time school resource officer, add streetlights in town, and begin a study on public-safety facilities.

Right now, Lee’s public-safety departments are in several buildings. The police operate out of two floors in Town Hall, the Fire Department is in an historic firehouse, and the town ambulance is located in a separate building.

“We are doing a study to see if we can consolidate public safety in one new building,” Brittain said. “Whether we replace or renovate, we have to do something because the police are running out of space, and the ambulance building needs work.”

An artist’s rendering of the Eagle Mill redevelopment project in Lee.

An artist’s rendering of the Eagle Mill redevelopment project in Lee.

While the study won’t happen for a while, he noted, thanks to the cannabis revenue, the town can explore its options for whether to invest in what it has or move forward with a new facility.

Before the Omicron variant of COVID hit, businesses in Lee were having a strong fall season. Henry said business was brisk. “We had lots of people come to Lee who were eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, and shopping in our stores, so we were pretty happy about the fall.”

Despite new variants of COVID and other disruptions to business, Henry noted that, because restaurants have developed strong takeout systems, they can quickly adapt and keep serving their customers.

“I’ve heard from people in Lee how grateful they were to still be able to get good food and how the restaurants worked to accommodate everyone,” she said, adding that the quick adaptation to takeout kept people employed “even though everyone still needs more workers.”

Looking ahead to other projects in town, plans are moving forward for a bike path that would run along the Housatonic River. The mile-long path would extend approximately from Big Y to Lee Bank. Brittain said it’s not certain if construction will begin this year, but the town is working with MassDOT to keep the project moving.

“We had lots of people come to Lee who were eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, and shopping in our stores, so we were pretty happy about the fall.”

Lee has also applied to become an Appalachian Trail Community. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website, when a town along the trail receives designated community status, it is considered a support asset for all who use the trail, and the conservancy encourages people to explore these communities. If accepted, Lee looks to join Western Mass. communities of Cheshire, Dalton, Great Barrington, and North Adams with the designation.

“We’ve been working with the Appalachian Trail folks, and we’re hoping Lee receives its designation by the end of the year,” Brittain said.

 

 

Seeking a Return to Normalcy

For the past two years, Lee had to cancel its annual Founders Weekend celebration — which recognizes the founding of the town back in 1777 — due to COVID concerns. Henry said people in town treat it as a fun birthday celebration, and in 2022, the town will be 245 years old.

Held on the third weekend in September, the community-wide event takes place on Main Street, which is closed to traffic to allow restaurants and other vendors to set up in the middle of the street.

“Founders Weekend always draws a huge crowd, and that’s why we were not able to hold it the last two years. It was too difficult to keep such a large gathering safe,” Henry said.

While there is no guarantee Founders Weekend will happen this year, she has it listed in her event calendar, and both she and Brittain are hopeful the event will take place in September.

“I think people are ready for a fun blowout weekend,” Henry said. “We’re all looking forward to it.”

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).

NORTHAMPTON

Brightworks Inc.
15 Higgins Way
Douglas McCarroll

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

Context Capital Asset Management LLC
123 South St.
Melissa Frydlo

Cyclepottery
42 Maple St.
Kathryn Kothe Roszko

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

TommyCar Auto Group
347 King St.
Carla Cosenzi Zayac

SPRINGFIELD

Beast Constructions
40 Pecousic St.
Gabriel Marin Pagan

Big Dan’s Express
1110 Page Blvd.
Danny Diaz

Brightwood Construction
61 Clayton St.
Diego Garay

Carlos Perez Home Improvement
179 Arnold Ave.
Carlos Perez

Eze Shop & Accessories
59 Central St.
Jose Lugo

Faith Continued LLC
24 Dartmouth St.
Kire Smith

Family Handymen
11 Sumner Ter.
Dean Banks

Fantastic Little Friends
167 Mildred Ave.
Zulma Fermaintt

Glamour Girls by Wendy
787 Liberty St.
Gwendolyn Centeno

Healing Infinity 444
115 Florence St.
Joan Cole

Honey Brown Skin Essentials
45 Margerie St.
Imani Perez

IV Home Improvements
214 Spear Road
Pedro Cruz

Ivette Capellan Photography
853 Bradley Road
Ivette Capellan

L & A Fine Men’s Shop
1394 Main St.
Audrin Desardouin

La Fritura Restaurant
130 Walnut St.
Darinel Marte

Latino Marketing Agency
1 Financial Plaza
Veronica Garcia

Office Team
One Monarch Place
Evelyn Crane-Oliver

OneDigital
1500 Main St.
Digital Insurance LLC

Our Modern Love Candles and Crafts
183 Dartmouth Ter.
Kelvin Molina

P & J Enterprise
243 Pine St.
Yamil Santos

Pena Lopez Auto Repair
961 East Columbus Ave.
Yahaira Lopez Feliz

SMBPR
160 Hadley St.
Suzanne Boniface

Smokeze LLC
59 Central St.
Jose Lugo

Space 4 Speaking
16 Cornflower St.
Daniel Waldron

Sunset Digital
217 Wollaston St.
Isaiah Hernandez

Walk In by Faith
62 Wexford St.
Denise Brown

Walsh Law Office
One Monarch Place
Thomas Walsh

Where You At and More
935 Liberty St.
Luna Glidden

Zaca Properties
116 Denwall Dr.
Jeffrey Zapata

WESTFIELD

Alo Saigon
116 Elm St.
Alo Saigon

Drew Heath Electrician
289 Holyoke Road
Drew Heath

Iris’s Garden
51 Southwick Road
Samantha Lozada

Jalisa’s Beauty Room
200 Southwick Road
Jalisa Delgado

Journey Massage & Wellness
33 Phillip Ave.
Jean Fisher

KFC
301 East Main St.
Houston Enterprises

Techniq Support
94 King St.
Megan Gentile

White Oak School
533 North Road
Massachusetts Foundation for Learning Disabilities

Holyoke Community College to Introduce Free Child-watch Service

By
Daily News

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.

“As part of our strategic plan, we’ve been focused a lot on basic needs,” HCC President Christina Royal said, “and one of those basic needs is childcare.”

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.

“It’s not our goal to be in the daycare business,” Royal said. “Our goal is to be able to serve our students by providing short-term child watch they can access while they attend class or a tutoring session or other educational supports. That is our focus, and it’s been a long road to get here.”

The pilot phase is being funded through a $100,000 allocation in the 2022 Massachusetts budget secured by state Sen. John Velis.

“For parents looking to begin or support their education, finding reliable childcare is always a barrier,” Velis said. “This new program will help make a real difference in the lives of so many families, and I am proud I was able to advocate for HCC to receive these funds.”

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.

“We’re going to determine hours based on student needs,” said Sheila Gould, director of HCC’s Early Childhood Education program. “Our hope is that, in the future, our academic departments will align their courses to run when the child watch is open.”

Gould, also an HCC professor, was part of the team that put together the child-watch proposal. While the idea for an on-campus child-watch program had been kicking around for a few years, it gained more momentum during the pandemic, when many area childcare centers shut down, some never to reopen.

“As a mom myself and a mom who is still going to school, childcare is a barrier,” Gould said. “The more I got involved working here and advising, the more stories I heard from students who couldn’t take a class or had to drop a class or had too many absences because of childcare issues.”

Elms College to Host Fifth Annual Black Experience Summit

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — In celebration of Black History Month, Elms College will hold its fifth annual Black Experience Summit on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The event is hosted by the Elms College President’s Office and Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Due to COVID-19 protocols, this event will be held virtually via Zoom.

“The theme to this year’s Black Experience Summit is ‘Stories of Our Becoming: the Shoulders on Which We Stand,’” said Jennifer Shoaff, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “Throughout the summit, we will explore the histories and stories that inform today’s black experience and the inextricable link of those histories and stories to black-liberation and social-justice movements.”

Elms College President Harry Dumay added that the summit “is an annual event bringing together students and scholars from across Western Massachusetts and beyond to educate and inspire a holistic dialogue about the black experience within the context of Elms College’s mission.”

The event will feature two keynote speeches. The opening keynote address, “Freefalling and Finding Self: Meditations on Blackness and Rasanblaj,” will be given by Gina Athena Ulysse, a Haitian-American feminist and artist-anthropologist.

The closing keynote address, “Witness and Withnessing: the Archive of Black Freedom Struggles,” will be given by Treva Lindsey, a black feminist historian and co-founder of the Black Feminist Night School at Zora’s House in Columbus, Ohio.

Two interactive panels are also part of this year’s summit. “The Art of Storytelling” will examine why the stories about black history are so central to black experiences. The second panel, “Lifting as We Climb,” involves a discussion on the career paths of three presidents from colleges and universities in New England.

The free event is open to the public. For a full schedule, information about the speakers and panelists, and to register, visit www.elms.edu/events/bes. A Zoom link will be sent to all attendees prior to the summit.

Local Politicians to Join United Way of Pioneer Valley in Declaring 211 Day

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) will host the grand opening of its new Springfield Community Service Center during a statewide videoconference celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Feb. 11.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno will join the United Way and Mass211 at the event to declare Feb. 11 as 211 Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The event will take place at 1 p.m. at 1441 Main St., Springfield.

Feb. 11 will be recognized as 211 Day this year with celebrations in both Framingham and Springfield. This event recognizes the importance of this free, statewide telephone hotline that helps callers 24/7 and answers calls in more than 145 languages.

Polito, Spilka, and Sudders will pay a visit to the Framingham Mass211 headquarters, linked via videoconferencing with its satellite call center in Springfield. Sarno will lead the 211 recognition in addition to cutting the ribbon in Springfield, signifying the grand opening of the UWPV Springfield Community Service Center. The service center will house the satellite Mass211/Call2Talk call center, community food pantry, and Thrive Financial Literacy Center, while fulfilling a variety of other needs.

“The opening of the Springfield Community Service Center is yet another example of our commitment to provide local services throughout the Pioneer Valley,” UWPV President and CEO Paul Mina said. “Together with our Chicopee Community Cupboard, Service Center, and a food-security partnership with the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club, the United Way of Pioneer Valley continues to expand its direct service programming.”

Identity Theft Awareness Week Spotlights Ways to Avoid Being Compromised

By
Daily News

BOSTON — Edward Palleschi, undersecretary of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, is bringing attention to the importance of Identity Theft Awareness Week. This week, spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission, is filled with educational events to help consumers better understand how to protect themselves from identity theft. Here are some tips to help keep your information safe:

1. Regularly review credit and bank statements, checking the charges on accounts, as scammers might attempt to make small purchases using your information.

2. Get your mail every day. Scammers can steal your identity by fishing through bank or credit-card statements in the mailbox, so by picking up your mail daily, you help reduce the chances of this happening.

3. Shred documents with personal information before discarding, such as receipts, credit offers, loan payments, credit applications, insurance forms, bank statements, etc.

4. Change your passwords often and avoid short or easily guessed passcodes, like your pet’s name.

5. Refrain from sharing personal, financial, or healthcare information online, on the phone, or through the mail.

For more information, visit mass.gov/ocabr.

Region Can Take Pride in This Story

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

The news shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone.

Indeed, Bob Bolduc, the founder and owner of the Pride chain of gas stations and convenience stores, had announced his intentions to sell his business back in June, noting that it was time to retire and there was no one in the family interested in carrying on the business.

The search for a new buyer ended with the Boston-based private equity firm ArcLight Capital Partners, with the sale finalized at the end of last year.

Local press accounts have indicated that ArcLight plans no serious changes in the operation and intends to keep the chain intact and the name ‘Pride’ over the door. We hope all that is true. Any time a local business is sold to a national entity, there is concern that the region will be losing something in the translation.

And in this case, there is a lot to lose. That’s because, while Bolduc has been a bold, innovative entrepreneur who has authored one of the region’s more intriguing business success stories — the Pride chain boasts 31 stores (with more in various stages of development) and more than $300 million in annual sales — he has also been a philanthropist and strong supporter of many of the region’s nonprofit agencies.

Much was made of one particular act of philanthropy — actually, one act with many parts to it. That was Bolduc’s decision to donate Pride’s $50,000 ‘bonus’ for selling the single largest lottery win in U.S. history to one Mavis Wanczyk to a number of elementary schools and youth-focused nonprofits.

Some called it a publicity stunt — and he certainly got a lot of publicity from it — but Bolduc’s decision to share the wealth, and the manner in which he did, speaks volumes about how he gave back to the community, and especially its young people — and also why BusinessWest bestowed its coveted Difference Makers award on him in 2018.

“I decided to give it to the kids,” Bolduc said of his lottery bonus. “It’s a windfall; it’s not my money. So it was an easy decision to make.”

He has made many such decisions over the years, becoming a strong supporter of many local nonprofits, especially those focused on young people and families. That list includes Square One; Lincoln Elementary School in Springfield, which Pride has partnered with over the years; Brightside for Families and Children; WMAS and its Coats for Kids campaign; and many others.

Bolduc has always emphasized the need for businesses to give back, but especially to local agencies that can make a real impact on the quality of life enjoyed by people living and working in the 413.

We wish ArcLight well as it takes over the chain Bolduc started, nurtured, and grew over the past 45 years or so. We hope it continues Bolduc’s track record for innovation, including the placement of Subway shops, Dunkin’ Donuts stores, and, most recently, Chester’s chicken restaurants in his stores.

More importantly, we hope the company can continue Bolduc’s legacy of philanthropy and support of agencies focused on the region’s young people. By doing so, they’ll not only be keeping the Pride name over the door, they’ll be continuing the proud tradition of this company (and not just its founder) being a real difference maker in our region.

Ronn Johnson: A Legacy of Impact

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

Ronn Johnson, who spent the last four decades making a difference for children and families in the Springfield community, died on Jan. 15 at age 63. 

The date — Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday — was a significant one for the long-time president and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Inc., who not only led that organization over the past decade but modeled much his of work around King’s example of service.

“I do what I do because I have a passion for making a difference for people. It’s that simple,” Johnson told BusinessWest in 2020, when he was named a Difference Maker by this publication. And I’ve been fortunate enough where I’ve been able to make a career around doing that.”

That’s an understatement.

Early in his career, he worked at the W.W. Johnson Life Center, an organization that dealt in mental-health issues, and the Dunbar Community Center, where he was involved in grant writing in an effort to meet the needs of an “underfunded community,” as he called it.

After that, he served as vice president of Child and Family Services at the Center for Human Development (CHD), where he worked for 13 years. Gang violence was on the rise during the early part of the 1990s, and it was creeping into local schools, so he created a CHD program called the Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force, among many other initiatives. 

Johnson then worked for six years as director of Community Responsibility at MassMutual, after which he launched a consulting firm, RDJ Associates. One of his clients was MLK Family Services, which approached him, during the summer of 2012, with an offer to take over leadership of the venerable but financially struggling agency. 

When he came on board, the first goal was simply to make payroll, but eventually he righted the ship and oversaw the success of many MLK Family Services programs, from helping people access healthier food to a College Readiness Academy that gives students tutorial help while bringing them to college campuses to raise their educational aspirations.

But no effort has been more personal to Johnson than the Brianna Fund, named for his daughter, who was born into the world with multiple broken bones from the brittle-bone condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta. Twenty-two years later, the Brianna Fund has raised more than $750,000 and helped the families of more than 50 children purchase a vehicle, renovate a home, widen hallways, install ramps, secure a service dog, and meet many other needs.

“I do believe that God has a plan for every one of us,” Johnson told BusinessWest. “I’m a very faith-driven person. I’ve been blessed to be in places where people see my interests and read my heart, and where I’m able to make some things happen.”

His leadership, passion, and ability to inspire others will certainly be missed.

Picture This

By
Picture This

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

 

 

Investing in the Future

Pictured, from left: Mandy Pappas, care coordinator at BHN; Kathleen Cordier, family partner at BHN; Steve Winn, BHN president and CEO; and Jodie Gerulaitis, vice president of Community Relations at Country Bank.

Behavioral Health Network Inc. (BHN) recently received a $25,000 donation from Country Bank to benefit the Katherine B. Wilson Staff Excellence Fund. BHN established the fund to support the career and professional development of the organization’s workforce and assist in achieving social-justice objectives.

 

 

Taking Pride in Supporting Families

Pictured, from left: Pride’s Tara Lashway; Geoffrey Hoyt, chief Development officer at Mercy Medical Center; Pride Stores CEO Bob Bolduc; Pride’s Jeremy Skiba; Dr. Edna Rodriguez, director of Behavioral Health at Mercy Medical Center; Pride’s Shannon Cooley; and Pride Stores President Marsha Medina.

For 41 years, the Brightside Angel Campaign has directly benefited those served by the programs and services of Brightside for Families and Children. As in years past, the Brightside paper angels were available in all 31 Pride Stores throughout the local area, and that effort raised $7,500.

 

 

Answering the Call

Pictured: Second Chance Medical Director Dr. Ashley Raymond examines a dog during a Homebound to the Rescue visit to the Holyoke Senior Center.

Second Chance Animal Services is thanking the 900 supporters who made more than $30,000 in gifts in honor of the late Betty White, a noted animal advocate. All donations to Second Chance made through the Betty White Challenge will help keep pets and people together through the nonprofit’s Homebound to the Rescue program that brings veterinary services directly to low-income senior communities at no cost.

 

 

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Tom Bernard

Tom Bernard

Tom Bernard, who just wrapped up his last term as mayor of North Adams, has been selected to lead Berkshire United Way (BUW) as the new president and CEO starting Jan. 24. Bernard earned his bachelor’s degree from Williams College and later his master of public administration degree from Westfield State University. After a decade working in Boston and then as a freelance writer, he began a long career in the nonprofit sector. Bernard first served as development officer at Mass MoCA, followed by nearly 10 years at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations, then executive assistant to the president, and eventually director of Business Affairs. He was the director of Special Projects at Smith College before becoming mayor in 2018.

•••••

Chelsea Depault

Chelsea Depault

Marjorie Smith

Marjorie Smith

Erica Josephson

Erica Josephson

Tony Worden, CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its Northampton Cooperative Bank division, announced three promotions within the bank. Chelsea Depault is being promoted to AVP, Commercial Operations officer. She originally started with the bank back in 2007 as a float teller and also worked in the Accounting department before moving on to Commercial Lending, where she has been for the past several years as a credit analyst and then as an AVP, Commercial Lending. In her new role, she will oversee the operations of commercial loan servicing and administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UMass. Marjorie Smith is being promoted to senior commercial credit analyst. She has been with the bank since 2010, when she started as a teller. In the years since, she worked for the Residential Lending department in various roles before joining the Commercial Lending side as a credit analyst. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College. Erica Josephson is being promoted to senior commercial credit analyst. She has been with the bank since 2019, when she joined as a credit analyst with several years of experience in credit underwriting at two other local institutions. Since coming on board, she has played a critical role in shepherding customers’ PPP loans through to forgiveness. She holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Vermont.

•••••

Bulkley Richardson announced that Elizabeth “Liz” Zuckerman has been promoted to partner in the firm’s Litigation department. Zuckerman joined the firm in 2014 as an associate in the Litigation department, where her practice focuses on general commercial litigation, First Amendment issues, and defamation. She has a proven history of successfully litigating complex cases in both state and federal courts. “Liz is an incredible asset to the firm,” said Dan Finnegan, managing partner at Bulkley Richardson. “Her keen insight and unshakeable confidence has helped shape her into a formidable lawyer. Not only is she a skilled litigator, but she is compassionate, making her an effective advocate for her clients.”

•••••

Jim Hickey

Jim Hickey

Florence Bank hired a Greenfield native with 25 years of strategic marketing experience with a focus in the banking sector to serve as vice president and director of Marketing Operations. Jim Hickey stepped into the new role in mid-November after keeping his eye on Florence Bank for many years because he respects its creative marketing strategy, customer-focused approach to banking, and community engagement. Previously, Hickey was vice president of Account Service at Communicators Group, a marketing communications firm in Keene, N.H. He has also served as vice president and director of Marketing for Westbank, a financial institution formerly based in West Springfield. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UMass Amherst. He has experience in areas that include account management, creative development, media-plan execution, and media buying. He said Florence Bank has a well-established brand, and the challenge for him and the Marketing team moving forward will be paying homage to that brand and evolving it. “Our goal is to keep the brand fresh and take it to the next level.”

•••••

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) announced the promotions of Christopher Soderberg, Ian Coddington, and Briana Doyle to senior associate; Daniel Eger and Brenden Cawley to tax supervisor; and Corey Jenkins, Chelsea Russell, Eric Pinsoneault, Kara Graves, and Matthew Nash to senior manager.

Christopher Soderberg

Christopher Soderberg

• Soderberg has been a member of the Audit department at MBK since 2018. He primarily focuses on not-for-profit, commercial, taxation, and HUD engagements. In his new role as a senior associate, he will take on a larger leadership position at the firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounts and management, as well as an MBA with a concentration in financial planning, from Elms College. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ian Coddington

Ian Coddington

• Coddington is a licensed certified public accountant in Massachusetts who has been working in the firm’s audit department since 2018. His work is predominantly focused on review and compilation, commercial, not-for-profit, employee benefit plans, and business valuation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Westfield State University and an MBA from Fitchburg State University. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Briana Doyle

Briana Doyle

• Doyle started working at MBK in 2018. As a member of the firm’s Audit department, she works on employee benefit plans, not-for-profits, HUD, and commercial engagements. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting from Nichols College. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Daniel Eger

Daniel Eger

• Eger has been with MBK since 2005, working primarily with large companies and corporations as well as high-net-worth individuals. He has more than 20 years of accounting experience, handling many of the most complicated tax-preparations in these areas, including multi-state tax preparation. He leads the tax intern program at MBK, which has resulted in numerous hires in the firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from American International College and is member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Brenden Cawley

Brenden Cawley

• Cawley joined MBK in 2020 after spending eight years as a tax professional at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Boston. He provided tax and consulting services for large investment companies with a focus in private equity and credit funds. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Boston College and is an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service, as well as a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Corey Jenkins

Corey Jenkins

• Jenkins joined MBK in 2019 after spending five years as a public accountant in New York. She is a leader within the firm’s NFP division, working primarily on audits of not-for-profit organizations and multi-family housing entities. She received her master’s degree in accounting from the University at Albany and her bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Rose in Albany. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and is a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and New York. She is also a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Chelsea Russell

Chelsea Russell

• Russell began her career with MBK as an intern in 2015 and has been working full-time in the Accounting and Audit department since June 2016. In her role as manager, she is a key player in the Accounting and Auditing department and primarily focuses on not-for-profit, commercial, and employee benefit-plan engagements. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University and her master’s degree in accounting from Bay Path University. She is licensed as a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She also co-leads the firm’s community-outreach program.

Eric Pinsoneault

• Pinsoneault joined MBK in 2018. Before that, he worked in public accounting in the Greater Boston area for BDO USA, LLP. He has experience providing audit and attest services for a variety of industries, including technology, manufacturing, transportation, and energy. He currently works closely with many privately held businesses in Western Mass. He received an MBA and a master’s degree in accounting from UMass Boston. He is a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Kara Graves

Kara Graves

• Graves is a licensed certified public accountant in Massachusetts and has been with MBK since 2011. She holds a bachelor of accountancy degree from Roger Williams University and a master of accountancy degree from Western New England University. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and CPAmerica and serves on the audit committee for the United Way of Hampshire County.

Matthew Nash

Matthew Nash

• Nash has been with MBK since 2011 and focuses on audit, review, and compilation engagements. He is a key leader on the commercial, not-for-profit audit, and pension engagement teams. He is presently a senior manager leading engagement teams on a day-to-day basis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nichols College and an MBA from Elms College. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and has been a certified public accountant in Massachusetts for the past three years. He is also a board member and treasurer for Springfield School Volunteers, where he also serves on the investment and finance committee, as well as a Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament committee member.

•••••

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. also recently welcomed Danny Krasin, Olivia Calcasola, Anthony Romei, and Samantha Calvao to the firm.

Olivia Calcasola

Olivia Calcasola

• Calcasola is an associate in the firm’s Taxation department. Prior to MBK, she worked for two years as a senior corporate tax associate for a Boston-based firm. She received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst.

Danny Krasin

Danny Krasin

• Krasin joined the Accounting and Audit department at MBK. He started his career in private accounting and transitioned to public accounting in 2018. In his role as an associate, he will focus on a vast array of audit engagements, including not-for-profit, commercial, employee-benefit plans, and HUD. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from American International College and his master’s degree in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

Anthony Romei

• Romei joined the firm’s Accounting and Audit department. He began his career on public accounting in 2019, and will primarly focus on not-for-profits and HUD engagements. He received his bachelor’s and masters degrees in accounting from Elms College.

Samantha Calvao

Samantha Calvao

• Calvao joined the firm as a paraprofessional. She received her associate degree in accounting from Holyoke Community College and is a candidate to receive her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern New Hampshire this summer. She was also recently awarded the PwC LLP Scholarship by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

•••••

Western New England University (WNE) President Robert Johnson announced the appointment of Kristine Goodwin as the university’s vice president of Student Affairs. Goodwin is charged with developing and maintaining an energized approach to cultivating an engaged student environment where learning, academic success, career readiness, and personal development are top priorities. She will oversee the university’s departments of Athletics, Career Education, Residence Life, Community Standards and Education, Student Involvement and Leadership Development, Inclusive Excellence, and the Center for Health and Wellness. Goodwin earned a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University and a master of education degree from UMass Lowell before graduating magna cum laude from the UMass School of Law in 2020. A senior executive in higher education for more than 20 years at multiple institutions, most recently having worked as an attorney and adjunct faculty member teaching ethics, Goodwin succeeds interim Vice President for Student Affairs Bryan Gross, who will return to his previous position as vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing.

•••••

Mark Esposito

Mark Esposito

Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced Attorney Mark Esposito as a new shareholder in the firm. Esposito joined the firm in 2017 and has a wide-ranging, litigation-focused practice. He represents clients in general, commercial and probate litigation, labor and employment matters, administrative law, and criminal cases. He has counseled various public-sector labor unions and employees in collective bargaining, arbitration, and litigation, and represents clients in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies. A summa cum laude graduate of Boston University School of Law, Esposito was a member and note editor of the Boston University Law Review. Prior to law school, he graduated magna cum laude from Williams College, where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa society.

•••••

Vanessa Martínez

Vanessa Martínez

Holyoke Community College (HCC) Professor of Anthropology Vanessa Martínez is the recipient of the 2022 Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award from Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. Through academic work that focuses on storytelling, culturally responsive instruction, and cultural humility, Martínez invites diverse groups of students to learn about community-based organizations, advocate and fundraise for community needs based on engaged research, and think critically about the role they play in their communities. One example is the Women of Color Health Equity Collective, a Springfield-based nonprofit organization she co-founded that seeks to provide communities of color better access to maternal health, therapeutic services, and support. Through the collective, students learn about the social determinants of health and the role social inequality plays in health outcomes while researching community needs and developing advocacy plans to help create change. Martínez is also coordinator of HCC’s Honors Program and leads a new community leadership certificate program at the college to give students formal training to continue work at community organizations and take on leadership roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University, a master’s degree from Georgia State University, and a PhD from UMass Amherst. In 2011, she received the Latino Teaching Excellence Award from then Gov. Deval Patrick, and in 2015 she was selected as a leadership fellow by the American Anthropological Assoc. In 2020, she received the Elaine Marieb Award for Teaching Excellence, HCC’s highest faculty honor. She has been teaching at HCC since 2006.

•••••

The Springfield Museums announced that Emilie Czupryna has joined the staff as director of Development. She arrives in her new role ready to build a strong development team as the Museums focus on their new strategic plan, which includes the objective of long-term fiscal sustainability. She assistant director of External Affairs for Communication & Events, and was promoted to associate director of College Events. In 2017, she was selected for the position of assistant director of Development and in 2018 was promoted to associate director of Development. “I am thrilled to be working with such a wonderful team here at the Springfield Museums,” Czupryna said. “I look forward to enhancing the vision and strategic goals of the Museums through individual philanthropic support and corporate partnerships.”

•••••

Brittany deRonde

Brittany deRonde

OMG Roofing Products, a leading manufacturer of fasteners, adhesives, and installation-productivity tools for the commercial roofing industry, named Brittany deRonde to the newly created position of Product Development chemist. In her new role, deRonde will work with the product managers and development team to address unmet market needs with innovative new adhesive and sealant solutions based on advanced engineering. She reports to Cecile Mejean, director of New Product Development & Innovation. She comes to OMG with significant technical experience. Most recently, she was with ProAmpac in Westfield, where she was a Product Development engineer. Earlier, she worked for Mondi Tekkote of Leonia, N.J. in various engineering and technical management positions supporting product-development efforts. She holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in polymer science and engineering, both from UMass Amherst, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rutgers University.

•••••

Ruth Banta

Ruth Banta

Pathlight’s executive director, Ruth Banta, announced her retirement after almost 20 years with the organization. Pathlight, established in 1952 and headquartered in Springfield, is a pioneer in services for children, teens, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the four counties of Western Mass. Banta came to Pathlight in 2003 and served 14 years as its chief financial officer and vice president of Administration. She was named executive director in 2016. In her tenure as executive director, she has led Pathlight through a period of growth, as well as steering it through the rocky waters of a global pandemic. Some of the highlights of her tenure as director include revenue growth of 14% and 22% growth in net assets, leaving Pathlight in a strong financial position. Under her leadership, Pathlight created the first program in this part of the state to serve an individual in a community residence who needed full-time ventilator support. Pathlight also acquired 13.5 acres of previously state-owned land to replace two antiquated community homes with three modern, five-bedroom homes for people with intellectual disabilities. The Milestones day program, located in Hadley, grew by 55%, while there was a 100% increase in adult services through Family Support and Autism Connections. Banta also supported the development of an innovative sexuality and relationship curriculum through Whole Selves. Most recently, she oversaw the purchase of a new building in Northampton to house programs in Hampshire County, including Whole Children, Milestones, and Family Empowerment. She also supported infrastructure developments for remote services and work, electronic health records, and online training.

•••••

 

Jessica McGarry

Jessica McGarry

Country Bank announced that Jessica McGarry has been promoted to first vice president, team lead for its Commercial Lending division in the East. McGarry, who joined Country Bank in 2017, has more than 20 years of experience in financial services focused on commercial lending. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Nichols College, was a recipient of the Forty Under 40 designation in 2014 from Worcester Business Journal, and was a member of the Leadership Worcester class of 2015-16.

•••••

Jonathan Van Beaver

Jonathan Van Beaver

The Diocese of Springfield hired Jonathan Van Beaver as the new director of Development. Van Beaver will be responsible for all diocesan fundraising efforts, including overseeing the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA), which funds ministries that help the elderly; mothers and families in crisis; the homeless; and youth. He will also oversee the Foundation Grants, which support Catholic schools, the Newman Catholic Center at UMass Amherst, and lay and social ministries. A graduate of Providence College and convert to Catholicism, Van Beaver most recently worked for Guidance in Giving, which provides fundraising services to Catholic dioceses and schools nationwide. He has worked with the Diocese of Providence, helping to raise more than $2 million. He also helped the Diocese of Worcester, raising $6 million during the pandemic. In addition to working with the diocese, Van Beaver will assist parishes.

•••••

Cheryl Malandrinos

Cheryl Malandrinos

Cheryl Malandrinos was installed as the 2022 president of the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV), a nonprofit trade association with more than 1,800 members. The installation of officers and directors was held on Jan. 14 at the RAPV headquarters and was also livestreamed on Facebook. Malandrinos started her professional real-estate career in 2014 and quickly became involved in RAPV. She has served on the board of directors for three consecutive years and has been involved in several committees. The RAPV named her Realtor of the Year in 2019. In addition to her association involvement, she devotes her time to other community-outreach programs such as Rick’s Place in Wilbraham, Christina’s House in Springfield, and as treasurer for WriteAngles Inc. The following individuals were installed as 2022 officers: Lori Beth Chase of LAER Realty Partners as president-elect, Arlene Castellano of Maria Acuna Real Estate as treasurer, Peter Ruffini of RE/MAX Connections as secretary, and Elias Acuna of Maria Acuna Real Estate as immediate past president. Directors include Shawn Bowman of Trademark Real Estate, Brenda Cuoco of Brenda Cuoco & Associates, Peter Davies of Borawski Real Estate, Janise Fitzpatrick of Jones Group Realtors, Luci Giguere of Landmark Realtors, Sharyn Jones of Executive Real Estate, Michelle Stegall of Property One, and Clinton Stone of Property One.

•••••

John Anz

The Loomis Communities announced that John Anz, former director of Development and interim executive director for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO), has joined Loomis as director of Development and Community Engagement. He will be responsible for fund development and outreach to the three Loomis-affiliated senior-living communities: Applewood in Amherst, Loomis Village in South Hadley, and Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield. Anz joined the SSO as Development director in 2019 and served as interim executive director of the organization from April through December 2021. He has a 20-year career in development that includes independent schools, the YMCA, and music and the arts. Prior to joining the SSO, he worked as director of Development at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley.

Agenda

By
Agenda

40 Under Forty Nominations

Through Feb. 11: 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. Sponsored by PeoplesBank. Other event sponsorship opportunities are available.

 

Supervisory Skills Certificate Series

Starting Feb. 3: The Human Service Forum (HSF), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Massachusetts public-service leaders, will offer “Supervisory Skills Certificate Series,” an eight-week online training program for public-service professionals who are new to supervising staff. The series, which will be offered virtually, will cover a wide range of supervisory competencies, from multicultural sensitivity to legal issues, cybersecurity, and more. The training is open to all HSF members as well as the general public. To register, visit www.humanserviceforum.org/event/winter-2022-virtual-supervisory-skills-certificate-series/2022-02-03.

 

Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series

Feb. 6, 13, 20: Baystate Health will hold its free, virtual Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series during the month of February beginning with a look at the “Heart and Soul of Heart Disease” on Sunday, Feb. 6. The Virtual Heart & Vascular Health Lecture Series, presented by the Baystate Heart & Vascular Program as part of American Heart Month, will focus on the latest advances in heart and vascular care. Baystate cardiologist Dr. Adam Stern and Rabbi Ken Hahn of Baystate Spiritual Services will lead the first lecture, which begins at noon. Stern will discuss the latest research for prevention, including diet, exercise, stress reduction, blood pressure, and more. The conversation will continue with Hahn about the power of spirituality in healing and mindfulness to de-stress the heart. The free lectures will continue with “Today’s Open Heart Surgery” on Sunday, Feb. 13, presented by Baystate cardiac surgeon Dr. Daniel Engelman and nurse coordinator Cheryl Crisafi, who will discuss the use of technology to improve the patient experience surrounding open heart surgery. The series will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 20 with “Women and Heart Disease,” presented by Baystate cardiologist Dr. Sabeen Chaudry. She will discuss the misconceptions about heart disease and heart-attack symptoms in women, the impact of stress, and the many ways for women to stay heart healthy. All lectures will begin at noon and be followed by a question-and-answer session. Registration is required for each session by visiting baystatehealth.org/heart.

 

Color of Law Roundtable Discussion Series

Feb. 7: Western New England University (WNE) School of Law will host attorney Justin Hurst as part of the school’s Color of Law Roundtable Discussion Series. Hurst will discuss his career path at noon. Registration for this virtual event is at bit.ly/3fgN3ipColorofLaw. The event is free and open to the public. Hurst was born and raised in the city of Springfield. He is the son of attorneys Frederick Hurst and Marjorie Hurst, who are the founders and publishers of An African American Point of View newspaper. Attorney Hurst is a graduate of Springfield public schools and received his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia. Hurst began his service in the Springfield public school district as a secondary English teacher, and assumed the role of coordinator of Implementation for the Striving Readers Adolescent Literacy Initiative. Later, he was appointed director of Implementation for the Striving Readers Adolescent Literacy Initiative. He received his juris doctor degree from Western New England College School of Law and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. in 2004. He currently serves as manager for London Realty, LLC. In 2013, he was elected as a Springfield city councilor. In 2019 and 2020, he was unanimously voted by his colleagues to serve as president of that body. The Color of Law series is designed to expose Western New England University law students to attorneys, professionals, and judges of color. The series provides students a chance to network with people of color from the legal community and learn about various career paths.

 

MOSSO Chamber Music Series

March 10, April 14, May 12: The Westfield Athenaeum will present a three-concert chamber music series beginning Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m., with Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) providing the music. MOSSO violinist Beth Welty is bringing her ensemble, the Aryaloka Quartet, to the Athenaeum to kick off the series. Guy McLain, executive director of the Westfield Athenaeum, will offer a pre-performance talk at 6 p.m., which is free to ticket holders. Violinists Mark Latham and Beth Welty, violist Noralee Walker, and cellist Sandi-Jo Malmon will perform William Grant Still’s Lyric String Quartet, Charles Ives’ String Quartet #1 Op. 57 “From the Salvation Army: A Revival Service,” Beethoven’s String Quartet in C Major, Op. 59 #3; and an additional piece to be announced at the performance. Tickets for the concert cost $20 and must be purchased in advance at the Westfield Athenaeum during business hours, or online at www.westath.org. Audience members will be required to wear masks. Two additional concerts are planned for Thursday, April 14 and Thursday, May 12.

 

Springfield Symphony Orchestra Spring Concerts

April 22, May 13: The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Board announced two spring concerts will be hosted at Springfield Symphony Hall with former SSO Music Director Mark Russell Smith serving as guest conductor. Smith is music director and conductor of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. He previously served as music director for the SSO from 1995 through 2000. He has worked as director of New Music Projects for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and artistic director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Minnesota, and has also served as music director for the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra. Details about the concerts, program, and availability of tickets will be forthcoming and available at springfieldsymphony.org.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Webber & Grinnell Insurance Joins Alera Group

NORTHAMPTON — Webber & Grinnell Insurance announced that it has joined a national network of insurance agencies called the Alera Group. The Alera Group was formed by 24 agencies similar to Webber & Grinnell in 2017. Since then, it has added many others across the country and is now one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Joining Alera allows Webber & Grinnell to tap into a wealth of best practices and insurance resources, enabling the company to better serve its diverse clientele. Examples include more insurance-carrier choices, the ability to converse with subject-matter experts, and having more resources to help hire and train employees. Joining Alera also provides a perpetuation plan for the agency. The agency’s staff and their roles are staying exactly the same, so clients will continue being serviced the same way they have been all along. Grinnell will also continue to lead the agency at the local level.

 

Dietz & Co. Architects Designated as Emerging Professional Friendly Firm

SPRINGFIELD — Dietz & Co. Architects Inc. has been designated by AIA New England as a 2021 Emerging Professional (EP) Friendly Firm. This program recognizes architecture firms that promote the advancement of emerging professionals through professional development and personal-growth opportunities. “Here at Dietz & Company, investing in the professional growth of our staff is the foundation of our firm culture,” Principal Jason Newman said. “We want our people to achieve their personal and professional goals, and we want them to feel supported and encouraged as they pursue them. This philosophy not only builds the confidence and the skills of our team, it helps us keep them as well.” Dietz & Co. Architects has been awarded this designation each year since 2019.

 

Hoops Star Marcus Camby Partners with White Lion

SPRINGFIELD — UMass and NBA star Marcus Camby has joined White Lion Brewing Co. in a strategic partnership. White Lion currently distributes a small independent portfolio of artisan brands in Massachusetts, primarily in the western part of the state. Camby’s goal is to help open new markets throughout New England and beyond, as well as release his own portfolio of beer brewed by White Lion. “White Lion continues to expand its community reach,” President Ray Berry said. “We have a proven track record and incredible community partners like the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds, and MGM Springfield, to name a few. I remember when Marcus electrified the region — just thinking about it brings back so many great memories. He loves our brand and what it represents. We are very excited and think we have a game winner.” Added Camby, “I am extremely impressed by the brewery’s commitment to the community and its approach to diversifying the craft-beer trade. I look forward to being a part of expanding the brand throughout the New England and Tri-State region. This is my home, and to be able to have a quality beer named after me, and be able to tell its story, is something I’m truly excited about.”

 

MassDevelopment Bond Boosts Springfield College Projects

SPRINGFIELD — MassDevelopment has issued a $106,675,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of Springfield College, which will use proceeds to fund several capital projects.

The college will use $45,095,000 to build and equip a new environmentally friendly and sustainable, 76,000-square-foot health sciences building; this portion of the financing received the Green Bond designation by Kestrel Verifiers, which are approved verifiers accredited by the Climate Bonds Initiative. The college will use the remaining proceeds to build an academic quad and campus pavilion; renovate classrooms, residence halls, administrative buildings, and the existing health sciences building; improve a steam-plant facility; upgrade walking and running paths and outdoor seating; and refinance previously issued debt. The bond was sold through a public offering underwritten by Hilltop Securities Inc. “This major investment represents Springfield College’s commitment to its students, staff, and the entire Greater Springfield community,” MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera said. “MassDevelopment is proud to lend a helping hand to support construction of a new health sciences building and significant upgrades to the college’s campus and academic facilities.”

 

Bradley International Airport Earns COVID-19 Health Reaccreditation

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — In recognition of its continued health and safety response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bradley International Airport has achieved reaccreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) World Health Accreditation program. During the extensive accreditation process, ACI assesses the airport’s response and safety measures throughout the entire passenger journey in line with industry best practices. This includes evaluation of the airport’s cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical-layout modifications, passenger communications, and passenger-facility enhancements. The Connecticut Airport Authority voluntary initiated the reassessment after receiving its initial health accreditation from ACI in December 2020. In addition to surpassing these high industry safety standards, Bradley International Airport offers contactless access to the parking garage and surfaces lots through the airport’s free parking-rewards program; an opportunity to apply for TSA PreCheck at the airport’s enrollment site, which speeds up the screening process and also helps reduce touchpoints; and contactless meal ordering, allowing passengers to easily purchase food online for pickup on their journey through the airport. Additionally, the airport is continuing to offer voluntary COVID testing for passengers and airport employees in the main terminal’s baggage claim. Free COVID vaccinations and boosters are also available on certain days in the same location. A federal face-covering mandate is also in place for everyone, regardless of their vaccination status.

 

NIH Grant Will Support Research in UMass Amherst Lab

AMHERST — Jianhan Chen, a UMass Amherst chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology professor, has received a five-year, $2 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to support research in his computational biophysics lab aimed at better understanding the role of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in biology and human disease. The grant falls under the National Institute of General Medical Sciences MIRA program, which stands for Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award. It’s designed to give highly talented researchers more flexibility and stability to achieve important scientific advances in their labs. “The MIRA award enables us to continue working on several central problems regarding the study of disordered proteins and dynamic interactions. The flexibility of this funding mechanism also allows us to follow new research directions as they emerge,” Chen said. Until relatively recently, it was thought that proteins needed to adopt a well-defined structure to perform their biological function. But about two decades ago, he explained, IDPs were recognized as a new class of proteins that rely on a lack of stable structures to function. They make up about one-third of proteins that human bodies make, and two-thirds of cancer-associated proteins contain large, disordered segments or domains. “This disorder seems to provide some unique functional advantage, and that’s why we have so much disorder in certain kinds of proteins,” Chen said. “These IDPs play really important roles in biology, and when something breaks down, they lead to very serious diseases, like cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.”

 

Happier Valley Comedy Offering Free Events to Local Nonprofits

HADLEY — After the year nonprofit organizations have had, who couldn’t use more happiness? Happier Valley Comedy offers the Free Happiness Program, through which nonprofits serving underrepresented, marginalized communities can apply for a free Happier Valley Comedy event, such as an improv show, a personal- or professional-development training session, a keynote, or a workplace-wellness event to be held either online or in person at a venue selected by the organization or Happier Valley Comedy’s theater and lounge in Hadley. The Free Happiness Program is one part of the comedy theater and training program’s ‘green-lining’ efforts, which aim to provide some balance for the historic, grossly unjust ‘red-lining’ of BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) communities in the greater worlds of comedy, personal and professional development, wellness, and beyond. Preference is given to local organizations serving underrepresented, marginalized, and/or BIPOC individuals and communities. Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to qualify. The next round of applications are being awarded by Happier Valley Comedy’s board of directors in late February. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis at www.happiervalley.com/free-happiness.html.

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.

AGAWAM

Skyway Elite Pro Co., 82 Kanawha Ave., Agawam, MA 01001. Kevin Zgherea, same address. Construction.

V & A Zimokha Construction Inc., 37 Bridge St., Agawam, MA 01001. Oleg Zimokha, same address. Construction.

CHICOPEE

New North China Inc., 1995 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, MA 01020. Qing Chen, same address. Chinese restaurant.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Give Kids Brick Inc., 123 Mountainview Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Sarah H. McClelland, same address. Fundraising and purchasing activities for children.

 

GREENFIELD

New Renaissance Ministry Inc., 448 Colrain Road, Greenfield, MA 01301. Krishna M. Vaughan, same address. Religious organization.

The Greenfield Baseball Association Inc., 377 Main St., Suite 1, Greenfield, MA 01301. Aaron N. Campbell, 24 Eastern Ave., Greenfield, MA 01301. Fundraising for youth baseball organizations.

LONGMEADOW

Tyler Landscaping Inc., 78 Berwick Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Bruce Tyler, same address. Lawn care services.

NORTHAMPTON

Independent Housing Solutions Inc., 5 Franklin St., Northampton, MA 01062. Jessica M. Bossie, same address. Support services for low-income individuals.

SPRINGFIELD

Women Empowered Inc., 104 Woodlawn St., Springfield, MA 01108. Michelle Crean, same address. Fundraising for the purpose of awarding scholarships.

The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade Inc., 183 Dartmouth Terrace, Springfield, MA 01109. Victoria Ann Rodrifuez, 71 Laurel St., Springfield, MA 01107. Annual parade celebrating Puerto Rican culture.

The Wings Foundation Inc., 35 Willow St., Apt. 101, Springfield, MA 01103. Gregory Todd, same address. Financial support for family and youth initiatives.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Red Oak Church, 337 Piper Road, West Springfield, MA 01089. Ryan John Bradley, 8 Spring Meadows, South Hadley, MA 01075. Worship and Christian fellowship.

Shallot 16 Inc., 2260 Westfield St., Unit 2, West Springfield, MA 01089. Darin Kantarattanakul, 15 Pleasantview Ave., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Restaurant.

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Black, George T.
1015 Maple St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/29/2021

Boccasile, Marie G.
11 Second Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/20/2021

Boyle, Lisa Marie
44 North St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/29/2021

Clark, Michael Joseph
146 Bridle Path Road
Chicopee, MA 01013-3826
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/23/2021

Dybski, Darek R.
Dybski, Dariusz R.
123 Cyman Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/30/2021

Garcia, Mariaelena
74 North Whitney St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/21/2021

Gardner, Peter Kevin
494 School St., Apt. 315
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/27/2021

Harper, Thomas C.
PO Box 1103
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/20/2021

Herbert, Gilbert V.
252 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/29/2021

Matta, Gerald
250 West St., Unit 20
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/18/2021

Mojica, Elizabeth
883 Beacon Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/21/2021

Reider, Stephen E.
508 Vernon Ave.
Barre, MA 01074
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/28/2021

Roberts, LaVonne
P.O. Box 13
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/23/2021

Samuel’s Tavern, LLC
Grimaldi, Edward James
127 Channell Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/23/2021

Thongphoon, Gonktahlanee
91 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/28/2021

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

171 Baptist Corner Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Christian A. Andrew-Miner
Seller: Katherine A. Streeter
Date: 01/03/22

569 John Ford Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jacobson Childrens IRT
Seller: Jacobson LT
Date: 12/30/21

COLRAIN

72 Christian Hill Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Samuel E. Slowinski
Seller: Richard J. Nicholas
Date: 12/30/21

CONWAY

Mathews Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Sterling W. Hubbard
Seller: Colleen T. Filler
Date: 12/29/21

455 Mathews Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $815,000
Buyer: Jennifer Thomas-Adams
Seller: Colleen T. Filler
Date: 12/29/21

39 Newhall Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Randall H. Howe
Seller: Merriam, Mary M., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/21

DEERFIELD

19 Elm Circle
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Edwin J. Feliciano
Seller: Dustin Pros
Date: 12/30/21

Mathews Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Sterling W. Hubbard
Seller: Colleen T. Filler
Date: 12/29/21

753 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Judith E. Robinson
Seller: Jodi C. Turati
Date: 12/29/21

ERVING

54 Dusty Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Payne
Seller: Lindsay V. Gardner
Date: 01/05/22

64 High St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Cameron Carlo
Seller: E. Anne Hackett IRT
Date: 01/03/22

18 Prospect St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Pacled Properties Inc.
Seller: Chester J. Kabaniec
Date: 12/30/21

GREENFIELD

60 Grinnell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nathaniel R. Walker
Seller: Craig S. Berry
Date: 12/29/21

9 Pine St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Mary K. Stillings
Seller: Caitlin Dubuque
Date: 12/30/21

349 South Shelburne Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Lisa C. Alber
Seller: Gwen Sherburne RET
Date: 01/04/22

9 West St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Avery Cassell
Seller: Tracy A. Walter
Date: 01/07/22

HAWLEY

East Hawley Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Sienna Valente-Blough
Seller: Ferdinand Aprea RET
Date: 12/29/21

LEVERETT

51 Camp Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Neil A. Robb
Seller: Michael Dover
Date: 12/28/21

LEYDEN

158 Frizzell Hill Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Richard J. Siegel
Seller: Nancy Robbins-Federici
Date: 12/29/21

MONTAGUE

461 Federal St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Jodi C. Turati
Seller: Gary Stones Remodeling
Date: 12/30/21

32 Fosters Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: John J. Laprade
Seller: Barbara E. Folan
Date: 12/28/21

20 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $159,500
Buyer: Donald W. Miller
Seller: Stephen J. Hall
Date: 01/07/22

75 Oakman St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Laura Willis
Seller: Denise Felege
Date: 12/30/21

32 Old Sunderland Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Barbara E. Folan
Seller: Barbara E. Folan
Date: 12/28/21

20 Swamp Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $569,000
Buyer: Annette P. Szpila
Seller: John T. Galvin
Date: 12/30/21

9 Turnpike Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: McKenzie Property Management Inc.
Seller: Bryan G. Hobbs
Date: 12/29/21

NORTHFIELD

692 Pine Meadow Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jonathan J. Hall
Seller: Anna M. Reid
Date: 12/29/21

ORANGE

120 Butterworth Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Keith Nichols
Seller: John J. Salvucci
Date: 01/05/22

106 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Adister Pineda
Seller: Elder Madrid
Date: 01/06/22

73 Fountain St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Katherine Mayte-Moenk
Seller: Harry A. Pratt
Date: 12/28/21

43 New Athol Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Liza M. Melo
Seller: Trillium RT
Date: 01/06/22

95 New Athol Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Sonias Auto Group RE LLC
Seller: Motor City Auto Group Mass.
Date: 12/30/21

24 Russ St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Kimberly Simpson
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopment LLC
Date: 01/04/22

70 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: ETT LLC
Seller: Tire Barns RT
Date: 12/24/21

SHELBURNE

241 Barnard Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Michael Sokolovsky
Seller: Anthony P. Hall
Date: 12/30/21

50 Fiske Mill Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jennifer K. Gomberg
Seller: Ward W. Nichols
Date: 12/30/21

SHUTESBURY

25 Lake Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Ellen M. Markham
Seller: Ellen M. Shaw-Smith
Date: 01/06/22

77 Shore Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: David D. Dumala
Seller: John W. Roy
Date: 12/30/21

338 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $397,000
Buyer: Well Mark Real Estate LLC
Seller: Drabeck, Bernard, (Estate)
Date: 01/06/22

WHATELY

Chestnut Plain Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Brian E. Belder
Seller: Dana A. McGuffey
Date: 01/05/22

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

31 Alfred Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $150,400
Buyer: MAA Property LLC
Seller: Krzykowski, Laura, (Estate)
Date: 01/04/22

148 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Edson Lopes
Seller: Thomas M. Smart
Date: 12/30/21

18 Cherry St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $265,100
Buyer: Cristobal Malave
Seller: Marie C. Hallahan
Date: 01/05/22

46 Cottonwood Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Eric W. Lottermoser
Seller: Chester S. Wojcik
Date: 12/28/21

73 Fairview St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Aylin Candir
Seller: Depalo, Thomas P. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 01/07/22

39 Garden St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Sierra Bradley
Seller: Kelly Atkins
Date: 01/05/22

28 Memorial Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Kelly Atkins
Seller: Sally A. Liard
Date: 01/06/22

515 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Sergey Dikan
Seller: Yegor Muravskiy
Date: 01/07/22

1080 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $366,250
Buyer: Rosemary A. Saccomani
Seller: Anthony D. Saracino
Date: 12/29/21

550 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Ziomara Jourdan
Seller: Ronnie E. Clarke
Date: 12/24/21

68 Washington Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Maureen Adams
Seller: Artem Dyachkov
Date: 01/07/22

BRIMFIELD

47 Lyman Barnes Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Cameron J. Elliot
Seller: Suzanne M. Natale
Date: 01/06/22

CHICOPEE

22 Armanella St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Ann M. Carmody
Seller: Agent Shoppe Inc.
Date: 01/06/22

Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Matthew Jensen
Seller: Britton Street NT
Date: 12/31/21

17 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Dopy LLC
Seller: NI Management LLC
Date: 01/03/22

102 Casino Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Carlos J. Aguasvivas
Seller: Mark E. Zabowski
Date: 01/06/22

17 Coolidge Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,350,000
Buyer: Uncle Pennybags LLC
Seller: Brigid LLC
Date: 12/30/21

36 Coolidge Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,350,000
Buyer: Uncle Pennybags LLC
Seller: Brigid LLC
Date: 12/30/21

4 Cooney Place
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Roger Castro
Seller: Ortiz, Samuel, (Estate)
Date: 12/30/21

40 Deroy Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Gayle M. Moson
Seller: William A. Page
Date: 01/06/22

141 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Dopy LLC
Seller: NI Management LLC
Date: 01/03/22

218 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Thomas K. Boudreau
Seller: Lois W. Ball
Date: 12/30/21

20 Henry Harris St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Rogerio Gianei
Seller: Joao G. Pedroso
Date: 12/30/21

17 Ideal Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Matthew Jensen
Seller: Britton Street NT
Date: 12/31/21

Jean Circle #63
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: N. Riley Development Inc.
Seller: Theodore J. Ondrick
Date: 12/29/21

133 Labelle Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Stanley Kosinski
Seller: Nancy Z. Cavin
Date: 12/29/21

16 Liberty St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: Victor A. Collazo
Seller: Jason J. Flebotte
Date: 01/04/22

4 Manola St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Sarah Benoit
Seller: Philip W. Nadeau
Date: 12/30/21

588 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Manchester Ent. LLC
Seller: Desrosiers, Irene V., (Estate)
Date: 12/28/21

749 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,525,000
Buyer: Dhanya RE Holdings LLC
Seller: Memorial PT
Date: 12/31/21

1097 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Steven King
Seller: Carol A. Hoskins
Date: 01/06/22

1840 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Matthew Jensen
Seller: Britton Street NT
Date: 12/31/21

200 Narragansett Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: William Rivera
Seller: Waterfall Victoria Grantor Trust
Date: 01/04/22

8 Riverview Place
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Sara Heart Bacon RET
Seller: Brian Flores
Date: 12/30/21

119 Shepherd St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Hispanic Resources Inc.
Seller: Gandara Mental Health Center
Date: 01/05/22

161 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Terrence Santos
Seller: Patrick J. Donahue
Date: 01/05/22

58 Stearns Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $245,500
Buyer: Edwin Rivera
Seller: Gallela, Lucinda M., (Estate)
Date: 01/07/22

36 Taylor St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Jaines M. Andrades
Seller: R. M. Blerman LLC
Date: 12/27/21

35 Theodore St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Sherry A. Manyak
Seller: Mark A. Moller
Date: 01/07/22

EAST LONGMEADOW

27 Baymor Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Lauren N. Kennedy
Seller: Montana, Gregory W., (Estate)
Date: 12/28/21

88 Birch Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Kyle Cupka
Seller: Anthony V. Chiusano
Date: 12/30/21

34 Cedar Hill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: James Rollins
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/31/21

19-21 Fisher Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: DDM Property Group LLC
Seller: Dan A. Major
Date: 12/28/21

14 Hunting Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $289,186
Buyer: Jamianne Stallings
Seller: Ann M. Sapelli
Date: 12/24/21

158 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,500
Buyer: Bobbi Jeanne Hill
Seller: Daniel T. Beauregard
Date: 12/27/21

328 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Denali Properties LLC
Seller: Robinson, George B. Sr., (Estate)
Date: 01/04/22

88 Millbrook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Alexa M. Napolitan
Seller: Alexander L. Lake
Date: 01/07/22

618-634 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $3,065,000
Buyer: 618 North Main St LLC
Seller: Pride Plazas Inc.
Date: 12/31/21

665 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Hui Chen
Seller: SN1 Properties LLC
Date: 12/29/21

277 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Matthew Brice
Seller: John P. Bechard
Date: 12/31/21

483 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Hilary Sherwood
Seller: Kelly Montagna
Date: 01/06/22

61 Stonehill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Victoria W. Kirton
Seller: Kelly C. Albert
Date: 12/30/21

10 Tanglewood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Douglas Long
Seller: Donald C. Haskell
Date: 12/28/21

HAMPDEN

61 East Longmeadow Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jessika Arcouette
Seller: Susan M. Flint
Date: 12/31/21

HOLLAND

86 Vinton Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Ariel Hawes
Seller: Bryan J. Cook
Date: 12/27/21

HOLYOKE

564 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,650,000
Buyer: Holyoke Pleasant Realty LLC
Seller: Maurice R. Laflamme
Date: 01/04/22

570 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,650,000
Buyer: Holyoke Pleasant Realty LLC
Seller: Maurice R. Laflamme
Date: 01/04/22

443-445 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: S&P Property Group LLC
Seller: SA Holding 2 LLC
Date: 01/04/22

71 Belvidere Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Emma R. Roderick
Seller: Rene T. Robillard
Date: 01/06/22

25 Breton Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: James R. Jaycox
Date: 01/04/22

119 Central Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Corrine V. Concotilli
Seller: Edward J. Moskal
Date: 01/06/22

25 Coronet Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Sherley M. Gutierrez
Seller: Daniel C. McCarthy
Date: 12/28/21

26 Coronet Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: RGB Industires Inc.
Seller: Michael D. Lazzara
Date: 12/28/21

552 County Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Thomas Spafford
Seller: Kimberly S. Murray
Date: 01/04/22

990 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Jennafer A. Rowbotham
Seller: Raymond C. Nadeau
Date: 01/07/22

497-499 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Acles LLC
Seller: Cruz Rosario
Date: 12/30/21

76 Howard St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Christopher Rivera
Seller: Talal Mhanna
Date: 01/07/22

175 Michigan Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Paul Wodecki
Seller: Matthew Lyman
Date: 01/07/22

33 Montgomery Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Rebecca Hemono
Seller: Kevin R. Kraus
Date: 01/06/22

40 Moss Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Norman E. Fleurent
Seller: William J. Lotter
Date: 12/29/21

20-22 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Delfina Saillant
Seller: William M. Rohan
Date: 12/28/21

567 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,650,000
Buyer: Holyoke Pleasant Realty LLC
Seller: Maurice R. Laflamme
Date: 01/04/22

524-528 Soutg Bridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: A&A Elite Management Corp.
Seller: Posiadlosc LLC
Date: 01/07/22

LONGMEADOW

30 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $470,250
Buyer: Andrew M. Brow
Seller: Jillian Bertuzzi
Date: 12/30/21

77 Berwick Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: David Montagna
Seller: Mikael Norgren
Date: 01/06/22

18 Briarcliff Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: Charles Tremble
Seller: Katherine C. Anderson
Date: 01/07/22

486 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $332,200
Buyer: Meghan M. Sullivan
Seller: Cratty RT
Date: 12/29/21

150 Crescent Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Mikael Norgren
Seller: Elizabeth H. Jones
Date: 12/30/21

57 Hillcrest Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Leslie J. Topor
Seller: Alexandra G. Penzias
Date: 01/07/22

409 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $181,170
Buyer: John R. Mantho
Seller: Ann F. Serow
Date: 12/29/21

25 Massachusetts Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Alan Dicicco
Seller: Juan R. Martinez
Date: 01/07/22

77 Massachusetts Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Bellal Realty Group LLC
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 01/07/22

212 Prynnwood Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Karen V. Morales
Seller: Marilyn C. Hurst
Date: 12/29/21

34 South Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Ana I. Rosario-Devega
Seller: William H. Low
Date: 12/27/21

43 Summit Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $219,255
Buyer: Papaoutai RT
Seller: Sundberg, Henry L. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 01/07/22

LUDLOW

2 1st Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: Nattan Incgalaxie Foods
Seller: Westmass Area Development Corp.
Date: 12/30/21

27 Beachside Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $266,100
Buyer: Maureen A. Lauzon
Seller: Joan E. Ryczek
Date: 12/29/21

1468 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $564,000
Buyer: Arkadiusz K. Sykula
Seller: Marek Dybacki
Date: 12/30/21

113 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Steven M. Silva
Seller: Maureen A. Lauzon
Date: 12/29/21

902 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Lori Crum
Seller: Patriot Living LLC
Date: 12/24/21

480 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Erin T. Welby
Seller: Antonio Giacomo-Norton
Date: 01/06/22

60 Grimard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Ashley M. Papesh
Seller: Duclos, Theresa, (Estate)
Date: 12/30/21

57 Guertin Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Michael B. Vieira
Seller: Jennifer A. Fernandes
Date: 12/29/21

41 Lyon St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Mary Anne Schelb
Seller: Carol A. Vautour
Date: 12/30/21

201 Westerly Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Vianni Gomez
Seller: Dilipkumar S. Vagal
Date: 12/29/21

40 Westover Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $995,000
Buyer: CA Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: Laserpoint Partners
Date: 12/30/21

879 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Christopher Brown
Seller: Jeanne M. Gosselin
Date: 01/03/22

MONSON

25 Bradway Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Julyvette Rodriguez
Seller: Veronica I. Pippin
Date: 12/31/21

48 Brimfield Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Franco Bruno
Seller: Michael R. Lund
Date: 01/04/22

19 Flynt Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Bailey R. Gawron
Seller: Christopher M. Loud
Date: 01/07/22

119 Lakeshore Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Pace FT
Seller: Thomas G. O’Connor
Date: 12/28/21

26 Park Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Paul R. Summerson
Seller: Anne B. Sroka
Date: 12/28/21

30 Park Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Paul R. Summerson
Seller: Anne B. Sroka
Date: 12/28/21

Park Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Paul R. Summerson
Seller: Anne B. Sroka
Date: 12/28/21

MONTGOMERY

83 Thomas Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Judy Hoffman
Seller: Samuel E. Southard
Date: 12/29/21

PALMER

2044 Barker St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Cort J. Duda
Seller: Jill M. Duda
Date: 12/30/21

49 Converse St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Frank S. Mendelsohn
Seller: Aaron Alves
Date: 01/04/22

30 Crawford St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Andrew Visser
Seller: Town Of Palmer
Date: 01/03/22

10 Griffin St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Emma K. Ruggiero-Sampson
Seller: Kenzie A. Rhodes
Date: 12/30/21

45 Jim Ash Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Laura Lacrosse
Seller: Bank New York Mellon
Date: 12/28/21

4038 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01079
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Christopher Loud
Seller: Anthony J. Jianaces
Date: 01/07/22

449 Springfield St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Bethany Ravolli
Seller: William R. Jalbert
Date: 12/28/21

1150 Thorndike St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Jacob Clements
Seller: Gail J. Beynor
Date: 01/05/22

SOUTHWICK

135 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Darik Frye
Seller: Nicholas Boldyga
Date: 01/07/22

142 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: John Condon
Seller: Giuseppe Scuderi
Date: 01/07/22

54 Davis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Artao Cogman
Seller: FNMA
Date: 12/30/21

17 Ferrin Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: David A. Laverdiere
Seller: Denise L. Hughes
Date: 12/29/21

4 North Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Marshall R. MacIntyre
Seller: Zachary Colson
Date: 12/28/21

SPRINGFIELD

148 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Leonardo X. Diaz
Seller: Alfonso Lara
Date: 12/30/21

32-38 Acme Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Emma Burke
Seller: Antonio Francisco
Date: 01/06/22

769 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $171,810
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Patricia M. Cote
Date: 12/28/21

19 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Kelnate Realty LLC
Seller: Paul Sowa
Date: 12/28/21

62 Arden St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Tatiana Velez
Seller: Emanual Hernandez
Date: 12/29/21

71 Arden St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Fay Pryce
Seller: Robert G. Ferron
Date: 12/24/21

Arlington Court #4
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sharon Rivera
Seller: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Date: 12/29/21

405 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: TN Properties LLC
Seller: 405 Armory St LLC
Date: 12/30/21

604 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Jennifer Rodriguez
Seller: Randall Housman
Date: 12/30/21

90 Arnold Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Ricardo Betancourt
Seller: Michael Simmonds
Date: 12/28/21

194 Arthur St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: S. Almodovar-Agrinsoni
Seller: Jennifer A. Stone
Date: 01/06/22

46 Balis St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Mayson Montes
Seller: Gladysh Capital 2 LLC
Date: 01/07/22

42 Barnet St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $214,900
Buyer: Soucheng King
Seller: Maria A. Root
Date: 01/03/22

27-29 Beauregard St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $260,500
Buyer: Jillian Wilson
Seller: Makensy Nicolas
Date: 12/30/21

85 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Gilbert Blake
Seller: Ramon Arce
Date: 12/31/21

154 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $439,304
Buyer: 154-160 Belmont St. LLC
Seller: Simon Faynzilberg
Date: 12/30/21

13 Biella St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Yessenia M. Reyes
Seller: Blanco Realty LLC
Date: 01/06/22

42-44 Blodgett St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Gary A. Daula
Seller: Paul R. Gauthier
Date: 01/06/22

153 Bowles St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Guy Baxter
Seller: Catfish Properties LLC
Date: 12/30/21

141 Bremen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Maria Hernandez
Seller: Sarah E. Alwon
Date: 12/27/21

7 Burdette St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Mike W. Mai
Seller: Ricardo Miranda
Date: 01/04/22

145 Carr St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Robert M. Gleason
Seller: Chenevert Properties LLC
Date: 12/30/21

23 Castle St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Beard
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 01/06/22

104 Cedar St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $159,750
Buyer: Marta Ares-Rosario
Seller: Alexander Granovsky
Date: 01/05/22

158 Chapin Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Anthony B. Daniels
Seller: Fallah Razzak
Date: 12/31/21

664 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Liz M. Suarez-Agosto
Seller: Minhky H. Nguyen
Date: 01/07/22

127 Cloran St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $221,500
Buyer: Olando L. Rodriguez
Seller: Carlos E. Monet
Date: 12/28/21

60 Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Mena M. Tiwari
Seller: Mary A. Morris
Date: 12/30/21

147 Davenport St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $249,500
Buyer: Adanis A. Heslop
Seller: Artao Cogman
Date: 12/30/21

27 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Jessica Cote
Seller: Erin T. Welby
Date: 01/06/22

22 Edgemont St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Eddie D. Pumarejo
Seller: AJN Rentals LLC
Date: 12/28/21

14 Eldridge St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Amanda M. Larose
Seller: Richard Vezis
Date: 01/07/22

47 Fenwick St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Philip Panidis
Seller: Christian A. Barthelette
Date: 12/30/21

81 Fern St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Armando M. Moll-Sanchez
Seller: Reynaldo Santa
Date: 01/04/22

24 Gary Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Frederick Mogilka
Seller: Anne M. Rhodes
Date: 01/05/22

44 Gerald St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Thomas Gagne
Seller: 44 Gerald LLC
Date: 01/07/22

78 Grover St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Sasha M. Rodriguez
Seller: Jessica L. Demaio
Date: 12/30/21

21 Hadley Court
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Cleora F. Reid
Seller: Enelida Benjamin
Date: 01/07/22

198 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jeremiah B. Mathis
Seller: Bradley Walker
Date: 01/07/22

130 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Bianca L. Mock
Seller: Richard W. Clifford
Date: 12/30/21

61 Keith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Juan Ortiz-Tejeda
Seller: Maria C. Irizarry
Date: 12/30/21

130 Lancashire Road
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Elsa M. Rivera
Seller: Macrae, Darlene M., (Estate)
Date: 12/28/21

212 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nicola Walcott
Seller: Joejoe Properties LLC
Date: 12/30/21

7-9 Ledyard St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Gilbert Blake
Seller: Patricia M. Korman
Date: 12/31/21

38 Longview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Edwin Gonzalez-Navarro
Seller: Tm Properties Inc.
Date: 01/04/22

43 Louise St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $218,500
Buyer: Kimberly R. Amato
Seller: Hora, Walter, (Estate)
Date: 01/07/22

25 Madison Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Salmon Realty Group LLC
Seller: Anthony J. Racicot
Date: 01/07/22

76 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Vito Resto
Seller: Robert S. McCarroll
Date: 01/05/22

90-92 Marlborough St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Flor N. Mendez
Seller: A2 ZLH Portfolio Holding LLC
Date: 12/30/21

194 Massasoit St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $194,200
Buyer: Heribert Torres-Gonzalez
Seller: Ildefonso Figueroa
Date: 01/07/22

57 Narragansett St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Gilberto Montano
Seller: Jeanette Rosario
Date: 01/06/22

34 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Felecia Yager
Seller: Nicholas Ayala
Date: 12/30/21

229 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Margaret M. Groves
Seller: Abigail Groves
Date: 12/28/21

107 Norfolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: London Realty LLC
Seller: Ingrid R. Tolland
Date: 01/03/22

255 Norfolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Joshua C. Colon
Seller: James Pennington
Date: 12/28/21

27 Northway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Gilberto Rojas-Maizonet
Seller: Tascon Homes LLC
Date: 12/28/21

215 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Aliyah J. Saillant
Seller: Prime Partners LLC
Date: 12/30/21

97-99 Ontario St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Frank J. Velazquez-Ramos
Seller: Carol C. Heath
Date: 12/31/21

56-58 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Maria Antigua
Seller: Jaime Santiago
Date: 01/04/22

87-89 Orpheum Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: MS Homes LLC
Seller: Richard A. Mileskie
Date: 12/27/21

93-95 Orpheum Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: MS Homes LLC
Seller: Richard A. Mileskie
Date: 12/27/21

379-381 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Angelo N. Chaclas
Seller: Chaclas, Nicholas A., (Estate)
Date: 12/31/21

54 Palmer Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ida M. Smith-Lawes
Seller: Ralph Darco
Date: 12/30/21

32-34 Palmyra St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Wylliam Ramos
Seller: Joejoe Properties LLC
Date: 12/30/21

110 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Anne E. Peck
Seller: Suzanne M. Dodson
Date: 01/05/22

121 Penrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Carlene Grant
Seller: Monica L. Emanuel
Date: 01/06/22

74 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Kent
Seller: Harkless, Elizabeth Y., (Estate)
Date: 01/05/22

112 Princeton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Tara Ahmed
Seller: Ahmed AlJashaam
Date: 12/30/21

47 Revere St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Eddy Zapata
Seller: Thu H. Nguyen
Date: 01/05/22

107-109 Rochelle St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jose A. Dejesus
Seller: Ruth E. Goodman
Date: 01/06/22

98 Rollins St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Anthony S. Basile
Seller: Ricardo Betancourt
Date: 12/27/21

1869 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Gilma J. Sandoval
Seller: Yuranis P. Hernandez
Date: 12/30/21

242 Roy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Brital 1987 LLC
Seller: Mario J. Tascon
Date: 12/27/21

51 South Shore Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Lorna S. Thompson
Seller: Alfred A. Dasso
Date: 12/29/21

379-381 Santa Barbara St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Angelo N. Chaclas
Seller: Chaclas, Nicholas A., (Estate)
Date: 12/31/21

70 Savoy Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Liana La-Pe-Guerrero
Seller: Jack Beaudry
Date: 12/31/21

63 Seymour Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Maryliz G. Bergollo
Seller: Naomi Deslongchamps
Date: 12/28/21

67-69 Sterling St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Shu Cheng
Seller: Robert J. Lefebvre
Date: 12/27/21

178 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Viviana Johnson
Seller: Prime Partners LLC
Date: 01/04/22

36-38 Vinton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Carlos M. Pena
Seller: Antonia Ortiz
Date: 12/28/21

85 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Greg Lasage
Seller: Shawn Parkes
Date: 12/30/21

174 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $221,449
Buyer: Harborone Mortgage LLC
Seller: Ismael Luna
Date: 12/27/21

115 Westford Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Stephen Rice
Seller: Wayne F. Trahan
Date: 12/28/21

26-30 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Seiedhossein Ghiassi
Seller: Concerned Citizens Inc.
Date: 01/04/22

485-487 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Jesus Rodriguez-Cruz
Seller: Janet Pierce
Date: 12/29/21

169 Whittum Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Alex D. Garcia
Seller: Michael Cosgriff
Date: 12/30/21

13-15 Wigwam Place
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: CHVC LLC
Seller: James S. Atkins
Date: 01/06/22

35 Wilbraham Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Katty A. Vargas-Rodriguez
Seller: H&P Investments LLC
Date: 12/28/21

186 Winterset Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Katie Tawakol
Seller: Christoper D. Wiltey
Date: 01/03/22

TOLLAND

154 Brook Lane
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Sara L. Shermer
Seller: Albert P. Lenge
Date: 01/03/22

WALES

61 Monson Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Raul Arroyo
Seller: Brian McMahon
Date: 01/07/22

10 Polly Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Dawn Upton
Seller: Tim Marquis
Date: 01/06/22

85 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Ellen D. Smith RET
Seller: Linda J. Tonoli
Date: 12/28/21

WEST SPRINGFIELD

151 Capital Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $3,200,000
Buyer: 151 Capital Drive LLC
Seller: Centuar Group LLC
Date: 12/29/21

48 Greenleaf Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: West Co. Investments LLC
Seller: Catherine C. Landry
Date: 01/07/22

49 Highland Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $270,660
Buyer: Pinhas Rabenou
Seller: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Date: 12/27/21

71 Hill St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Nicole Silva
Seller: Irene J. Flahive
Date: 01/07/22

288 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Angelica Properties LLC
Seller: Old Elm Holding Co. LLC
Date: 12/31/21

300 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Angelica Properties LLC
Seller: Old Maple Holding Co. LLC
Date: 12/31/21

103 Laurel Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Jonathan M. Reopelle
Seller: Karen A. Tatro
Date: 12/30/21

5 Marilyn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Ferraro
Seller: Xiomara A. Delobato
Date: 01/05/22

528 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Daniel E. Sullivan
Seller: Kenneth L. Kindig
Date: 12/29/21

681 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Larkspur LLC
Seller: Edward J. Topor
Date: 12/29/21

44 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: JGGMD LLC
Seller: 3rd Dunkin Donuts Realty
Date: 12/27/21

11 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Angelica Properties LLC
Seller: Old Oak Holding Co. LLC
Date: 12/31/21

WESTFIELD

44 Berkshire Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $228,100
Buyer: Stephen E. Fuller
Seller: Susan E. Myers
Date: 12/28/21

17 Clark St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Matthew Hartley
Seller: David Perez
Date: 12/28/21

34 Coolidge Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Lindsey Asselin
Seller: Dorothy L. Theriault
Date: 12/27/21

23 Darby Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Dauntless Path LLC
Seller: Walter J. Coach
Date: 12/29/21

359 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $154,819
Buyer: BCMB1 Owner LLC
Seller: William Lapointe
Date: 01/06/22

43 Jefferson St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher Balcum
Seller: Timothy A. Mularski
Date: 12/30/21

15 Laura Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Robert M. Gleason
Seller: Laurel E. Wallace
Date: 01/07/22

7 Leonard Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jason Howard
Seller: Daniel E. Rines
Date: 01/04/22

24 Linden Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Jumana M. Alsultani
Seller: Deborah A. Levere
Date: 01/03/22

6 Livingstone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Alexander L. Lake
Seller: Hiba M. Al Bandar
Date: 01/07/22

22 Lozier Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: 22 Lozier Ave. LLC
Seller: Sally J. Smith
Date: 12/29/21

157 Middle Road
Westfield, MA 01073
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Thomas Hyde
Seller: Stephen J. Hyde
Date: 01/07/22

42 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Pavlo Tsaryk
Seller: P. A. Hopkins TR
Date: 12/30/21

14 Phelps Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Vantage Home Buyers LLC
Seller: Joanne Ouimette
Date: 01/07/22

58 Ridgeview Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Nicholas M. Isabella
Seller: Bannish, Matthew P., (Estate)
Date: 01/07/22

226 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $548,900
Buyer: Curtis E. Pichette
Seller: Done Right Homes LLC
Date: 12/30/21

27 Sherwood Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Elizabeth N. Clarke
Seller: Douglas Fuller
Date: 01/03/22

31 Sunset Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Serhii Vorobei
Seller: Anita Malachowski
Date: 12/31/21

13 Vincent Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,001
Buyer: Pinhas Rabenou
Seller: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Date: 12/27/21

54 Washington St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Smails LLC
Seller: Westfield Lodge 1255 Inc.
Date: 12/30/21

19 Woronoco Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Seller: Helen M. Koenig
Date: 12/24/21

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

Canton Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Joel M. Greenbaum
Seller: Historical Enterprises LLC
Date: 12/29/21

858 East Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: 1066 Granby Road LLC
Seller: Henry E. Whitlock
Date: 12/29/21

102 Lindenridge Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $893,000
Buyer: Kyle Lawrence
Seller: Walter A. Beell
Date: 01/06/22

19 Phillips St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Kilerine Properties LLC
Seller: Howard R. Paul
Date: 01/07/22

36 The Hollow
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $341,500
Buyer: Teru Jellerette
Seller: Hammer FT
Date: 01/04/22

BELCHERTOWN

61 Deer Run
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Ariah L. Keller
Seller: Mary Anne Schelb
Date: 12/30/21

770 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Jacob R. Ritter
Seller: Kevin R. Dupras
Date: 01/03/22

40 George Hannum Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $7,500,000
Buyer: MDC Coast 25 LLC
Seller: Marc Belchertown LLC
Date: 12/28/21

43 Jackson St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Rachel S. Smith
Seller: C. H. Garret-Goodyear
Date: 01/07/22

138 Kennedy Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Mark A. Moller
Seller: Michael J. Stacy
Date: 01/07/22

30 Pheasant Run
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $443,000
Buyer: Kayla K. Stebbins
Seller: Jan D. Hawkins LT
Date: 01/07/22

38 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Chelsea L. Wrzesinski
Seller: Chester Wrzesinski
Date: 12/28/21

CHESTERFIELD

456 Main Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: John A. Collector
Seller: 456 Main Road RT
Date: 01/05/22

EASTHAMPTON

22 Colonial Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Burr
Seller: W. Marek Inc.
Date: 12/28/21

20 Davis St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $252,325
Buyer: Dawn Graichen-Moore
Seller: Margaret A. Lajoie
Date: 01/06/22

30 Mutter St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Pettit FT
Seller: Pamela R. Landry
Date: 01/05/22

317 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Main Street Gas Inc.
Seller: Thomas R. Vescovi
Date: 12/31/21

17 Russell Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Sarah A. Sassorossi
Seller: Linda G. Aird
Date: 01/04/22

19 Westview Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Olivia Marsh
Seller: Dale A. Canon
Date: 12/30/21

GRANBY

115 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Dominic Ruggieri
Seller: Mark F. Gerrish
Date: 01/07/22

HADLEY

4 Adare Place
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Rosemund LLC
Seller: Adare Place Properties LLC
Date: 12/29/21

5 Adare Place
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: W. Marek Inc.
Seller: Adare Place Properties LLC
Date: 12/28/21

15 Grand Oak Farm Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Jan D. Hawkins
Seller: Sharon D. Colburn
Date: 01/07/22

85 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: DDS Rental Properties LLC
Seller: 315 Russell Street LLC
Date: 12/29/21

HATFIELD

16 Chestnut St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Donald R. Lamica
Seller: Timothy J. Rogers
Date: 01/07/22

12 Plantation Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Wickles
Seller: Ellen M. Markham
Date: 01/06/22

HUNTINGTON

104 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Alexandria G. Weinraub
Seller: Edwin C. Cady
Date: 12/30/21

NORTHAMPTON

111 Chestnut St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Virginia Frontiero
Seller: Mary M. Dunphy
Date: 12/28/21

80 Fox Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Miriam S. Paris
Seller: Glafyra Ennis-Yentsch
Date: 12/29/21

220 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Acme Realco LLC
Seller: Donald J. Muccino
Date: 12/31/21

86 Lake St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Steven Lemeshow
Seller: Miriam S. Paris
Date: 12/28/21

45 Meadow St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Leslie Ekings
Seller: Elizabeth A. Lierman
Date: 01/03/22

153 Nonotuck St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Adrienne Wallace
Seller: John M. VanBeckum
Date: 12/30/21

53 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Maksim Karepov
Seller: Suriano, Ralph W., (Estate)
Date: 12/30/21

32 Rockland Heights Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: David Kachinski
Seller: Richard H. Carnell
Date: 01/05/22

Stonewall Dr.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: David Kachinski
Seller: Richard H. Carnell
Date: 01/05/22

11 Village Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $3,000,000
Buyer: Pathlight Inc.
Seller: 11 Village Hill LLC
Date: 12/30/21

30 Warner St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: James W. Edmonstone
Seller: Mary H. Hickok
Date: 12/27/21

22 Washington Place
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Karen K. Patalano
Seller: Elizabeth V. Spelman
Date: 01/06/22

348 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Alex E. Breger
Seller: Sandra Pinkham
Date: 12/30/21

PELHAM

39 Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Pamela K. Borglum
Seller: Thomas E. Doubleday
Date: 12/29/21

SOUTH HADLEY

Abbey St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Sarah Benoit
Seller: Philip W. Nadeau
Date: 12/30/21

576 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $467,500
Buyer: Nani R. Dahal
Seller: Ellen Shaw-Smith
Date: 12/30/21

88 Boynton Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Sureshbhai Patel
Seller: Shannon Mitchell
Date: 12/28/21

37-1/2 Canal St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $276,744
Buyer: Canal Real Estate LLC
Seller: Joseph G. Lecours
Date: 12/28/21

18 Central Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: John S. Edmund
Seller: Austin J. Huot
Date: 01/05/22

29 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Corey Calkins
Seller: Deborah L. Baldini
Date: 01/07/22

10 John Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $337,500
Buyer: Thomas Avigliano
Seller: Torre, Elaine D., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/21

51 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Heather Reichgott
Seller: Michel Caron
Date: 01/05/22

200 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Eric J. Grenier
Seller: Laurie Narey
Date: 12/28/21

12 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: JN Duquette & Son Construction Inc.
Seller: Mountain Brook LLC
Date: 12/31/21

29 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: JN Duquette & Son Construction Inc.
Seller: Mountain Brook LLC
Date: 12/31/21

511 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: 511 Newton Street LLC
Seller: C&S Partnership LLC
Date: 12/30/21

40 Roosevelt Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Chloe M. Drew
Seller: Thomas M. Avigliano
Date: 12/27/21

28 Spring St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Lucas Desmarais
Seller: Timna Tarr
Date: 12/27/21

178 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $486,700
Buyer: Timna Tarr
Seller: Christopher A. Tarr
Date: 12/27/21

8-12 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Ashley M. Gallagher
Seller: Roberts Ruby M., (Estate)
Date: 12/27/21

91 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Patricia A. Sullivan
Seller: Thomas H. Fusari
Date: 12/29/21

SOUTHAMPTON

49 Coleman Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Jessica Ezold
Seller: Erin J. Couture
Date: 01/04/22

157 Middle Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Hyde
Seller: Stephen J. Hyde
Date: 01/07/22

75 Moose Brook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Pablo F. Bolton
Seller: Stephanie J. Hurley
Date: 01/04/22

3 Nicholas Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $899,900
Buyer: Thomas P. Keenan
Seller: David M. Yates
Date: 12/27/21

92 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Tao E. Marwell
Seller: Natalya Deven
Date: 12/30/21

WARE

129 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $285,900
Buyer: Clifford O. Gaulin
Seller: Robert Noel
Date: 01/07/22

14 Highland St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Jason C. Brooks
Seller: David M. Fasser
Date: 12/30/21

135 Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: JRES LLC
Seller: 118 Main Street Ware LLC
Date: 12/28/21

10 Milner St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Camsad Builders LLC
Seller: Tallage Lincoln LLC
Date: 01/06/22

26 Sorel Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Selin Nacar
Seller: Paul A. StPierre
Date: 01/06/22

9-11 Otis Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Caroline Nakabiili
Seller: Cabarete LLC
Date: 12/30/21

WESTHAMPTON

3 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Timothy Mularski
Seller: Timothy D. Korytoski
Date: 12/30/21

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

Big Y
650 Memorial Dr.
$6,900 — Custom millwork laminated wall with metal stud framing at express checkout counter

Skye Oasis LLC
830 Chicopee St.
$5,000 — Install hood ALV blower

Stag Chicopee LLC
2189 Westover Road
$971,111 — Renovate office area and warehouse area

HADLEY

Richard Niedbala, Marilyn Niedbala
103 Russell St.
N/A — Wall to separate back room from back doors

LEE

Martin and Co. Property Management
1560 Pleasant St.
$6,300 — Roofing

Alice White
880 East St.
$53,948 — Remodel kitchen, replace patio door and window

NORTHAMPTON

Birdie Properties LLC
15 Elizabeth St.
$25,350 — New roof, windows, doors, siding, front and side entry stairs

Birdie Properties LLC
15 Elizabeth St.
$4,000 — Demolish front porch and side entry

The Coca-Cola Co.
45 Industrial Dr.
N/A — Install five cross-connection devices and water piping on first floor

Jelb Properties LLC
11 Summer St.
$2,000 — Demolish garage

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency
72 Bliss St.
$6,700 — Install 14 new windows

Part Lumber Yard Northampton Limited
256 Pleasant St.
$139,456 — Demolish existing layout to accommodate new office space

PVC West Inc.
178 Industrial Dr.
$64,954 — Build secure vault in warehouse storage area

Shumway Properties LLC
11 Carpenter Ave.
$10,000 — Roofing

Smith College
14 Green St.
Wire replacement boiler in basement

Smith College
West Street
$100,000 — Two new press boxes

Valley North Maple LLC
16 North Maple St.
$10,000 — Install wall to create office room

PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Rentals Inc.
43 Downing Parkway
$6,155 — Install new double-check valve on existing sprinkler system

Pontoosuc Lake Properties LLC
22 Waubeek Road
$42,914 — Alteration to restaurant-level kitchen

Wheelers Realty LLC
1654 North St.
$22,500 — Paint, replace flooring, assemble new shelving, create new non-load-bearing walls, replace entry door

SPRINGFIELD

3 Chestnut LLC
122 Chestnut St.
$22,460 — Repair steel in curved stairwell along with stairway masonry wall in Chestnut Parking Garage

1695 Main Street LLC
1695 Main St.
$46,900 — Remodel pre-existing medical clinic space into private pharmacy

Center Square Inc.
1459 Main St.
$242,398 — Alter interior space on 10th floor of TD Bank Center for new office

Haymarket Square Associates LP
1708 Boston Road
$28,000 — Build wall to separate sales floor from rear area at new Namco store

Steven Kaufman
510 Parker St.
$980,000 — Remodel vacant commercial space into new Autozone store

Property Advantage Inc.
101 King St.
$9,000 — Repair wall at day care damaged by vehicle impact

Argenus Ramos
308 Belmont Ave.
$202,000 — Remodel first-floor commercial space into two new commercial spaces, alter second-floor residential space into two new apartment units

Berkshire Bank Earns Top Marks in Corporate Equality Index

By
Daily News

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.”

Jay Brown, the Human Rights Campaign’s senior vice president of Programs, Research and Training, noted that, “when the Human Rights Campaign Foundation created the Corporate Equality Index 20 years ago, we dreamed that LGBTQ+ workers — from the factory floor to corporate headquarters, in big cities and small towns — could have access to the policies and benefits needed to thrive and live life authentically. We are proud that the Corporate Equality Index paved the way to that reality for countless LGBTQ+ workers in America and abroad. But there is still more to do, which is why we are raising the bar yet again to create more equitable workplaces and a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ workers everywhere. Congratulations to Berkshire Bank for achieving the title of ‘best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality’ and working to advance inclusion in the workplace.”

Young Professional Society to Host Third Thursday Networking Event on Feb. 17

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS) will host its signature Third Thursday event series at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in West Springfield on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Presented by event sponsor Canna Provisions, the networking event will support and encourage young professionals to become more involved and invested in their local communities.

February’s Third Thursday event will include a 30-minute ballroom-dance lesson, networking with fellow young professionals, complimentary snacks, samples from Hardwick Vineyard & Winery, and more. Guests do not need a partner or take a lesson to attend.

“Events like this will help retain individuals who are enthusiastic about the future of the community and their personal endeavors,” said YPS President Heather Clark. “YPS is here to exchange ideas, share common interests, and cultivate membership to serve as local leaders of tomorrow. We’re hopeful that our monthly events will make it easier to make meaningful connections that will help local young professionals thrive.”

YPS concentrates 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 Greater Springfield a better place to work, live, play, and stay.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio is located at 54 Wayside Ave. in West Springfield. Pre-registration is not required, but highly recommended. Registration is free for members and $10 for non-members. Click here to register.

WNE Center for Social Justice to Present ‘Victory in Charlottesville’ on Feb. 2

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNE) School of Law’s Center for Social Justice, in conjunction with the Springfield Public Forum, will present “Victory in Charlottesville” on Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 5 to 6 p.m.

The public is invited to hear from Alan Levine, one of the lead attorneys who won a historic victory in the landmark federal lawsuit Sines v. Kessler, which brought justice to nine plaintiffs who were victims of white supremacists during the deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va. in August 2017. Register for this virtual Zoom event at bit.ly/CharlottesvilleTrial.

Levine is a senior counsel at Cooley LLP in the commercial litigation, securities litigation, and white collar & regulatory practice groups of the litigation department. For more than 40 years, he has represented individuals and companies in complex civil, criminal, and regulatory matters as lead trial counsel.

WNE’s Center for Social Justice works toward advancing social justice through research, advocacy, education, innovation, and public engagement. It is designed to strengthen collaborative efforts between the School of Law and the region to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.

HCC Spring Session II Classes Start Feb. 14

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The spring 2022 semester is officially underway at Holyoke Community College (HCC), but prospective students still have two more opportunities to start classes in February and March.

Spring session II classes at HCC begin Monday, Feb. 14 and run for 12 weeks. Spring start III classes begin Monday, March 28 and run for seven weeks. All spring semester courses conclude by Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

Students who enroll for spring session II or III have the opportunity to take a variety of different classes in a wide array of academic areas and can earn as many as four credits per course for a lab science, such as biology or forensic science.

These accelerated spring courses are being offered in person and online in anthropology, biology, business, communication, conflict resolution and mediation, culinary arts, Earth science, English, English as a Second Language, human services, marketing, math, medical assisting, and psychology.

For the spring semester, students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes on campus. Students must submit proof of their vaccination status before being allowed to register for on-campus classes. Students who plan to register only for online or remote classes do not have to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Masks are required inside all campus buildings regardless of vaccination status.

The HCC Admissions and Advising offices are located on the first floor of the HCC Campus Center and are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Fridays).

For more information, contact HCC Admissions at (413) 552-2321 or [email protected], or visit hcc.edu.

BusinessTalk with Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank

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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 98: January 31, 2022

George Interviews Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank. The two talk about everything from the regional economy and the forces that will determine its direction in 2022, to the pandemic and how it has inspired banks, and especially his institution to ratchet up their philanthropic efforts across the region. It’s all must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

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