Indoor Activity Centers Look to Bounce Back After Pandemic

By Contributor
Sarah Blais says it’s good to hear activity again at Spare Time Bowling.
Special Coverage Sports & Leisure

Play Time

Sarah Blais says it’s good to hear activity again at Spare Time Bowling.

Sarah Blais says it’s good to hear activity again at Spare Time Bowling.

Among the industries battered by the pandemic and the ensuing economic shutdown, indoor recreation centers — from bowling alleys to trampoline rooms to roller rinks — took a massive hit last year, forced to close for longer than most other businesses and then tasked with navigating a very gradual ramp-up to normal operations. Now, a month after the final restrictions were lifted, the owners and managers of these businesses are grateful to be fully open, with a renewed understanding of the value of play in people’s lives.

By Mark Morris

After a successful 2019, Jeff Bujak looked forward to 2020 as a chance to further grow Prodigy Mini Golf and Game Room in Easthampton. Then the pandemic hit.

“In the beginning, we were told to shut down for 15 days, and I said, ‘OK, let’s do it,’” Bujak recalled. When two weeks stretched to four months, however, he became worried about his business surviving.

He wasn’t alone. Every business that offers indoor entertainment was affected by the lengthier-than-expected, state-mandated shutdown to control the spread of coronavirus. Rob Doty, managing partner at Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Springfield, said his doors remained closed just two weeks short of a full year.

“At that time, there was huge fear about going near anyone and staying away from enclosed environments. I was concerned that people might stay afraid forever and not come back.”

“We had just installed a laser-tag arena,” Doty said. “We were getting it up and running for the season when we had to shut down.”

Like Bounce!, Interskate 91 North closed the roller-skating rink at Hampshire Mall in March 2020 but was allowed to reopen in October. Management held off opening until after Thanksgiving, but then had to shut down again when COVID-19 infection rates began to climb.

“To follow the guidelines, we stayed closed for a few more months and opened again in late March,” said Sarah O’Brien, sessions manager.

Meanwhile, Sarah Blais, general manager of Spare Time Bowling in Northampton, said her facility remained closed until late July 2020, and then, by mandate, could only operate at 25% capacity.

Jeff Bujack

Jeff Bujack is happy that customers can once again access his collection of vintage video games at Prodigy.

“We spaced everyone out by using every other lane,” she said. “It was slow in the beginning, and we didn’t even hit our 25% capacity numbers.”

Once the calendar turned to 2021, Blais said business began to pick up, and Spare Time began to reach its limited capacity. As more employees returned, she held an orientation for them on how to operate during a pandemic that’s not yet over.

“In short, it involved much more work than usual, and my team was all in for it,” she said. Much of the extra work concerned lots of sanitizing, including every bowling ball in the place.”

While extra cleaning was part of the mandate to reopen, all the managers BusinessWest spoke with agreed that the emphasis on cleaning went a long way toward helping customers feel safe.

“For the most part, we were doing our normal cleaning, but we did it more often,” O’Brien said. “People loved seeing us constantly cleaning.”

Doty concurred. “Now that hyper-cleaning has become second nature, I don’t see us changing things,” he said, adding that his crews use a fogger/mister to clean the trampoline courts as well as additional handheld sprayers to clean other areas.

“It was awesome when we reopened because my bosses and co-workers are like a second family to me.”

It’s yet another step in emerging from what has been a challenging 16 months, to say the least. But with the state lifting all pandemic restrictions on gathering sizes and mask wearing at the end of May, this is also an optimistic time for these facilities that are eagerly welcoming back families grateful for something to do.

 

Leveling Down

Prodigy doesn’t easily fit into a business category because it offers its customers the chance to play mini-golf, vintage video games, and even board games. Located in the Eastworks mill complex, Prodigy occupies 8,000 square feet, with 14-foot high ceilings, industrial fans, and windows that open to the outside.

While disappointed that his business was considered an arcade by state standards, Bujak was able to open last summer because indoor mini-golf courses were allowed to operate. He could not offer play on the video games, however, due to limits on arcades.

Rob Doty is expecting a big rebound at Bounce! Trampoline Sports.

Rob Doty is expecting a big rebound at Bounce! Trampoline Sports.

While nearly breaking even during the during the warm months, by November, the losses began to pile up, and Bujak was desperate.

“At that time, there was huge fear about going near anyone and staying away from enclosed environments,” he recalled. “I was concerned that people might stay afraid forever and not come back.”

With plenty of spacing and cleaning protocols in place, he reached out to his social-media followers to at least try the new layout and give their feedback. He said his spacious location eased concerns about social distancing and air flow.

“There was a community of people who said, ‘you can’t close, I need this place. The pandemic proved that it’s not just about me, it’s about hundreds of people who use Prodigy as a place to get away and play the games they can’t play anywhere else.”

“Gradually, friends, family, and our regular customers came in,” Bujak said. By January, business had returned, and February was the most successful month in Prodigy’s history.

“I don’t know if all these efforts with masks, distancing, and cleaning actually made people more safe,” he said. “It was more important that people felt safe in the environment and felt good about their choice to come in.”

As to why February was a banner month for Prodigy, Bujak said people had begun to figure out they could go out as long as they wore masks and distanced. People were also becoming more hopeful as access to vaccines received news coverage. “Most people were not ready for a concert or bar atmosphere, so this was a good middle ground of being social but still low-key.”

The disco lights are on again at Interskate 91, and Sarah O’Brien is expecting the crowds to return.

The disco lights are on again at Interskate 91, and Sarah O’Brien is expecting the crowds to return.

Blais credits a simpler rationale. “I think everybody just met their quota of staying at home,” she said with a laugh.

For the better part of a year during which Interskate 91 opened and closed a couple times, O’Brien found herself sidelined, without work, for the first time since she was 14 years old.

“I was home for nearly a year, and I missed not being here,” she said. “It was awesome when we reopened because my bosses and co-workers are like a second family to me.”

At the height of the pandemic when nearly everyone was advised to stay home, many used their time to clean out garages and basements to get rid of things that were no longer useful. Bujak benefited greatly from the COVID cleanout as many people donated old video-game consoles, video games, and board games to him.

“I might have doubled my amount of games just from people cleaning out their basements,” he said.

While most managers said they used the closed time to deep-clean their locations, O’Brien said Interskate 91 installed a new carpet and created a dedicated area where food is sold and eaten. “In the past, we let people eat anywhere. By keeping it all in one area, we can offer more food choices than we did before.”

As of May 29, people who had been vaccinated no longer had to wear masks in retail settings, and bounce houses, roller rinks, bowling alleys, and similar businesses could once again operate at full capacity.

“On the first weekend where people didn’t have to wear masks, we had lots of families and kids come in,” O’Brien recalled. “ Our regulars were so excited that we were open again.”

Blais admits seeing the return of people bowling was an emotional experience. “It’s very nice to hear bowling balls hitting the pins again.”

Doty is looking forward to finally getting use out of the laser-tag room. “Now that we’re fully open, we’re getting the word out about our laser tag and our expanded arcade,” he said, adding that he’s also looking forward to booking birthday parties and other group events.

To recognize the challenging 16 months everyone has gone through, Spare Time has begun offering weekly Service Industry Nights to workers in the restaurant industry.

“I’ve been talking with the restaurants in town, and we offer them free bowling from 9 to 11 p.m., and they have the place to themselves,” Blais said. “We are extending our service nights to our police and fire departments as well.”

 

Replay Value

Bujak said the experience of the past 15 months has made him a different person. At the start of the pandemic, he saw himself as an individual business owner who worried about losing his dream. He didn’t realize that Prodigy was bigger than just him.

“There was a community of people who said, ‘you can’t close, I need this place,’” he told BusinessWest. “The pandemic proved that it’s not just about me, it’s about hundreds of people who use Prodigy as a place to get away and play the games they can’t play anywhere else.”

Now that he can operate at full capacity, Bujak is grateful his business has survived and he can once again take care of his regular customers and introduce Prodigy to new ones.

“Here we are,” he said, “back to normal-ish.”

Easthampton Is Getting Down to Business

By Contributor
Mayor Nicole LaChapelle
Community Spotlight

Community Spotlight

By Mark Morris

Mayor Nicole LaChapelle

Mayor Nicole LaChapelle says she is concerned about the deeper effects of COVID, and is thus stressing the importance of public health.

 

While grateful that Easthampton is reaching the other side of COVID-19, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle understands there is still plenty of work ahead.

Even though her city came through the pandemic in better shape than many communities, she has prioritized building up the Public Health department to help the city move forward.

“We’re looking at public health as a part of public safety,” LaChapelle said. To that end, the mayor hopes to add more clinical staff to the department as well as encourage other city departments to collaborate with Public Health.

“I’m concerned about the deeper effects of COVID, from people who had COVID and survived to the mental-health aspects of it on so many people,” she went on. “In Easthampton, we need to support those with medical needs as well as mental-health needs.”

There may be some help on the way. Recently, the Center for Human Development (CHD) purchased the former Manchester Hardware store on Union Street. While CHD currently has a small presence in Easthampton, moving to the nearly 18,000-square-foot building will allow it to expand its services.

Right now, plans include outpatient mental-health counseling services for all ages and primary medical care at the site. LaChapelle said CHD could go a long way to filling the gaps in behavioral-health services in the city.

“CHD has been a good partner, and they are listening to the needs of our community members,” she said. “I feel good about what they will bring to Easthampton.”

After 125 years in business, Manchester Hardware closed its doors late last year. Owner Carol Perman had tried to sell the business to a regional hardware chain, but when that and several other possible suitors didn’t pan out, she decided to retire and just sell the building.

Some in Easthampton were critical of LaChapelle for not trying harder to locate a for-profit business at the Manchester property. Yet, “Easthampton has historically had community-based services downtown. This is not a new placement of services,” she said, noting that Manchester Hardware’s location on a public bus route helps it fit in with City Hall, the Council on Aging, and Veterans’ Services, which are all located downtown.

“As businesses reopen and start to come back, we as a city want to help them readjust to be successful for the long term.”

While there have been calls to model Northampton by pursuing a robust Main Street business district, LaChapelle said she would be negligent as mayor to try to imitate other communities and ignore her own city’s strengths. “Having centrally located services for our residents is a real strength of Easthampton, and we need to pursue those things we do well.”

The mayor’s emphasis on public health is about bringing the entire community back, she noted, especially businesses in Easthampton. “As businesses reopen and start to come back, we as a city want to help them readjust to be successful for the long term.”

 

Back on Track

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce has also worked closely with businesses to get them back on track.

“Even as COVID nears its end, business owners are trying to get their sea legs back,” said Moe Belliveau, the chamber’s executive director.

For the past 15 months, the chamber has shifted its role to become a central information resource in helping local businesses identify and apply for financial assistance during COVID.

“We sifted through all the extraneous information that comes with forms that apply to many situations,” Belliveau said. “Our members knew they could rely on us to get the right information and avoid the firehose effect of too many forms.”

In addition to securing federal grants, the chamber partnered with the city on a state economic-development project that enabled 31 businesses in Easthampton to each receive $1,500 grants.

Belliveau is currently working with the city planner on a COVID-recovery strategic plan. “There are still unknowns as we come out of COVID, so we’re trying to keep communication pathways open so we can make adjustments when necessary,” she said. “The chamber’s mission in this becomes to remain agile so we can provide help where needed and respond to opportunities when we see them.”

Like many communities, Easthampton businesses are having trouble filling open jobs. LaChapelle hopes to address this by possibly using state and federal money to subsidize local businesses so they can pay higher wages to get people back to work.

River Valley Co-op, a full-service supermarket

The opening of the River Valley Co-op, a full-service supermarket, is one of many intriguing developments in Easthampton.

The opening of the River Valley Co-op, a full-service supermarket with an emphasis on local and organically grown foods, is bringing lots of excitement to Easthampton. With its grand opening in July, River Valley will offer a 22,000-square-foot market to Easthampton employing 83 unionized workers with hopes of growing that number. By installing solar canopies in the parking lot and solar collectors on the roof, it produces enough power to offset the energy required to run the market, making it a net-zero building.

LaChapelle said River Valley is already inspiring the city to pursue its own energy-saving projects. “We’ll be putting solar canopies in the parking lot and on the roof of City Hall, as well as behind the Public Safety department. It won’t bring us to net zero, but it’s a good start.”

Easthampton at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1785
Population: 16,059
Area: 13.6 square miles
County: Hampshire
Residential Tax Rate: $17.46
Commercial Tax Rate: $17.46
Median Household Income: $45,185
Median Family Income: $54,312
Type of Government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Berry Plastics Corp., INSA, Williston Northampton School, National Nonwovens Co.
* Latest information available

Mountain View School, which will serve students from pre-kindergarten through grade 8, is nearing completion and expects to welcome middle-schoolers in January 2022, after the holiday break. LaChapelle said the plan is to move some of the younger grades into the new school next spring, and by fall 2022, all grades will be attending Mountain View.

“A couple years ago, we discussed the fear of moving young children during the school year and how disorienting that might be,” the mayor noted. “Since COVID and all the adjustments students have had to make, we no longer see that as an issue.”

Once all the students move to the new school, Easthampton will try to sell the Maple, Center, and Pepin school buildings, all of which are more than 100 years old. LaChapelle hopes to see those buildings developed into affordable housing, and the city is marketing all three schools as one project to make it more attractive to developers.

“There are still unknowns as we come out of COVID, so we’re trying to keep communication pathways open so we can make adjustments when necessary.”

“If we converted just one of these schools for affordable housing, it would be tough because it may result in only 12 units,” LaChapelle said, adding that several developers are considering the three schools as one package, and she remains optimistic that a deal might soon be in the works.

At one time, Easthampton was known for its mills. Long after they were shut down and no longer viable, the mill buildings are now a way to address economic development and to make more housing available. One Ferry Street is a project that is renovating old mill buildings into mixed-use properties featuring condominium and rental housing, as well as office space. One building, 3 Ferry, is already open, and several businesses are currently leasing space there. The next two buildings slated for renovation sit behind it and present a sort of before-and-after contrast to illustrate the potential at the site. Once complete, those two buildings, both much larger than 3 Ferry, will add more than 100 new housing units to Easthampton.

While many businesses either slowed down or shut down during the pandemic, the four cannabis dispensaries located in Easthampton continued to generate income for the city. LaChapelle is hoping to use some of that revenue for a clean-buildings initiative. With several buildings in need of new HVAC systems and some state money available, she sees this as an opportunity to invest in public infrastructure that will benefit the city well into the future.

“It’s a big step, and, where appropriate, we could offset some of the one-time expenses with our cannabis revenues,” she added.

 

Change Agents

Belliveau said one of the strengths of Easthampton is an eclectic entrepreneurial base. Last year, the National League of Cities selected Easthampton as part of its City Innovation Ecosystem program designed to drive entrepreneurship and innovation. The city’s effort, titled Blueprint Easthampton, currently features an online resource navigator to connect entrepreneurs with everyone from suppliers to counselors to help advance their enterprises.

The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Assoc. of Black Business & Professionals are also working with Blueprint Easthampton, which puts a focus on informal entrepreneurs who might not qualify for traditional grants, LaChapelle said, adding that she’s most excited about the coaching aspect of the program.

“[JPMorgan Chase CEO] Jamie Dimon has executive coaches — why not someone who’s making a product for sale on Etsy?” she said. Through coaching, entrepreneurs can learn how to take advantage of the many resources that are available.

“We’re seeing all kinds of people, including single parents and people of color, who are all trying to figure out how to grow,” the mayor said. “We’re giving them technical support, executive coaching, and, at the end of the program, a gift of capital to help them get ready for the next step in their venture. We just ask they register as a business in Easthampton.”

Through all its challenges, LaChapelle remains optimistic about Easthampton because she feels there is a real dialogue between the city and its residents.

“In Easthampton, you can get involved in your government and make a difference,” she said, crediting, as an example, efforts by volunteer groups who worked with the city to create open public spaces.

“Easthampton has really embraced change and the ability to evolve and grow,” Belliveau added. “In general, I’ve found people are excited about the positivity and potential that comes with change, even when it’s scary.”

Taking Stock of Robinhood

By Contributor
Banking and Financial Services

Brokerage App Is a Dangerous Culmination of Intersecting Trends

By Jeff Liguori

 

It was supposed to democratize Wall Street — yet another DIY trend, this time with your hard-earned money.

Robinhood is a popular brokerage application that allows subscribers to open an account with as little as $1, charges nothing for commissions, and allows users to buy fractional shares of stock. Backed by venture capital and slated to go public with an estimated $30 billion valuation, the company has enjoyed meteoric growth with an estimated 13 million users, 50% of whom use the mobile app daily, often multiple times, and 90% of whom use it on a weekly basis. The overwhelming majority of its user base belongs to the millennial demographic.

Robinhood achieved what it set out to do, but at what cost?

I’ve worked in the investment field since 1994 and have managed assets for clients since 2006. I’m also an entrepreneur, so I appreciate disruptive technology amid a changing business landscape. Robinhood, however, is the dangerous culmination of intersecting trends that have harmed investors and, according to financial regulators, may have contributed to a death by suicide.

Jeff Liquori

Jeff Liguori

“Robinhood is not the Home Depot of investing. Do-it-yourself portfolio management has been around since the advent of E-Trade in the mid-’90s. That company disrupted the brokerage industry and forced commissions at most every other firm lower in order to compete for customers.”

The basic business model for financial advisory or money management is that the client pays a percentage of his or her account balance as an annual fee, generally around 1%. To be clear, Robinhood is a brokerage; the firm does not use discretion to manage a client account or offer advisory services. Many brokerage firms have morphed into advisors and now focus more on money management as trading commissions have trended to zero. Overall, this trend has been a positive for individual investors and has improved access to many financial solutions — mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or individual stocks — as well as financial research and news.

Robinhood is not the Home Depot of investing. Do-it-yourself portfolio management has been around since the advent of E-Trade in the mid-’90s. That company disrupted the brokerage industry and forced commissions at most every other firm lower in order to compete for customers. Just as E-Trade blazed a path for lower commissions, Schwab, Fidelity, and TD Ameritrade slashed commissions to zero in 2019 in response to Robinhood taking market share.

But growth has consequences. Robinhood was at the center of some incredibly volatile trading in a handful of individual stocks. You may have heard of GameStop (GME). The Robinhooders gathered virtually in chat rooms, most notably on a platform called Reddit, and decided as a community which stock they wanted to manipulate. It was no small feat. From Jan. 18 to Jan. 28 of this year, the price of GME went from about $18 to a high of $478, an increase of more than 2,600%. The Robinhood crowd is believed to be the main catalyst for this action. The day GME hit $478, it also went down to $112 before finally closing around $193.

In the month of January, 1.26 billion shares of stock changed hands in GME, almost 15 times the average monthly volume. Robinhood eventually cut off any trading in GME shares on Jan. 28, as well as trading in several other stocks with a similar backstory. Imagine being a small investor, buying GME shares at, say, $250 on Jan. 27, watching your investment nearly double the next day, but not being able to trade and exit your position profitably.

As previously stated, the Robinhood story is the intersection of several trends: fiercely independent millennials, ‘killer app’ technology, and the rewards reaped from the instantaneous decision making of like-minded people, all backed by institutions awash in venture capital, looking for the next big idea. I cringe at the thought that Robinhood may compete with what firms like mine provide for clients, namely deep expertise, sound financial advice, and disciplined investing backed by serious research.

FINRA, a regulatory agency that oversees brokerage firms, recently fined Robinhood $57 million and ordered $13 million in restitution to customers. It is the largest fine ever imposed by that regulator. In the press release, FINRA even referenced the suicide of a 20-year-old trader who panicked when his Robinhood app may have incorrectly displayed a massive $730,000 loss and received only a generic autoreply when he e-mailed Robinhood customer service three times seeking help.

Robinhood the idea is a good one. Robinhood the company has a lot more growing pains on the horizon, which likely won’t prevent the founders from becoming fabulously rich. And I have no problem with wealthy entrepreneurs, who typically risk everything for a single idea. Time and again, however, the investment profession is plagued with these stories in which investors are persuaded to pursue the next big thing. I think FINRA’s message is a powerful one. Now, if someone would just listen.

 

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

 

Country Bank Donates $1 Million to Regional Food Banks

By
Andrew Morehouse thanks Country Bank
Banking and Financial Services

Strike Against Hunger

Andrew Morehouse thanks Country Bank

A surprised Andrew Morehouse thanks Country Bank for the $500,000 donation to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Paul Scully says he wants to “throw hunger a curveball.”

And to the leaders of two Massachusetts food banks, it was a welcome pitch indeed.

At its annual meeting on June 21, Country Bank unveiled its most recent — and largest — donation targeting the persistent issue of food insecurity in the Bay State, surprising Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and Jean McMurray, executive director of the Worcester Food Bank, with two $500,000 checks, one for each organization.

“With everything we’re hearing these days about the shortage of food and the high expense of food … the need is real out there,” Scully said during the announcement event. “It’s really exciting for us and an honor to announce we’re kicking off a million-dollar pledge to throw hunger a curveball, and we are presenting a $500,000 check to both Jean and Andrew for your organizations.”

It’s just the latest, and largest, in a remarkable show of support from banks across the region in the fight against food insecurity, which spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be a persistent problem. Most banks in Western Mass. have ramped up their contributions to area food banks and food pantries, often significantly.

“As a community partner, we care deeply about the sustainability of our communities and the people who live in them,” Scully added, noting that this $1 million pledge reflects an recognition of the burdens many have experienced throughout this past year.

“I’m in awe of Country Bank’s generosity and so impressed by their commitment to the community, whether it be Worcester County or the four counties of Western Massachusetts.”

Newly appointed Country Bank board members Elizabeth Cohen-Rappaport, Richard Maynard, Ross Dik, and Stacey Luster presented the checks to Morehouse and McMurray at the annual meeting.

“I’m in awe of Country Bank’s generosity and so impressed by their commitment to the community, whether it be Worcester County or the four counties of Western Massachusetts,” a visibly surprised Morehouse said. “This demonstrates that Country Bank is for real, and they practice what they preach.”

McMurray was equally touched. “This was totally unexpected, but, when I think about it, Worcester, and Worcester County, is the best place to live, to work, and to give back, and we are going to put this tremendous gift from Country Bank to work so none of our neighbors has to go hungry.”

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts relies on donations from individuals, businesses, foundations, civic organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and government to fulfill its expanding mission. With the help of that support, it provided the equivalent of 12.3 million meals in in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2020 — a significant increase from meals provided in previous years, and a pace that continued as the pandemic extended well into 2021.

“Country Bank is always looking at the basic needs of folks in our communities, whether food services, shelter and homelessness, as well as healthcare — those are the primary pillars where the bank tries to make the most of its donations,” said Shelley Regin, the bank’s senior vice president of Marketing.

The support for food banks comes at a critical time, not just in Massachusetts, but nationally. Feeding America estimates that the pandemic caused 13.1 million non-elderly adults to seek free meals or free groceries for the first time.

“The pandemic forced businesses and workers to make tough decisions,” said Ash Slupski, the organization’s website marketing manager. “To prevent the spread of coronavirus, many businesses were forced to close or lay off employees. This is especially true for people employed in restaurants, hotels, other service industries, and small businesses.”

Meanwhile, the needs of remote learning, especially for young children, forced many working parents to temporarily leave their jobs to be home, if they couldn’t work remotely themselves. And many faced reduced hours and paychecks when they did return to work, Slupski noted. “All these changes impact people’s ability to provide for their families now and plan for the future.”

To meet the growing need locally, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts recently revealed plans for a new distribution center and headquarters, which will be located on the corner of Carew and East Main streets in Chicopee. Construction on the new headquarters, which will be larger and more sustainably build than the current location in Hatfield, is expected to begin next spring.

Regin noted that, in 2020, Country Bank’s philanthropy exceeded $1 million by supporting 450 nonprofits throughout the region, mainly focused on helping food pantries, homeless shelters, COVID-19 relief services, veterans, and other programs that supported the everyday needs of the people in its communities.

“Country Bank really wants to make sure we’re supporting all our communities,” which extend geographically from Springfield to Worcester, she noted. “It starts with Paul, and we all follow his lead in looking for ways the bank can make a difference. We support many charities, as many banks do, but it starts with Paul; he’s a great leader in that way, and we’re all on board.”

 

—Joseph Bednar

Isenberg Turns the Pandemic into a Learning Experience

By
Anne Massey
Education

Maintaining Momentum

Anne Massey

Anne Massey says that early on, she told faculty and staff at Isenberg that the pandemic was not to be looked at as “a short-term problem we’re just trying to solve.” Instead, it has been a learning experience on many levels.

 

When Anne Massey arrived at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst in the late summer of 2019, she came with a lengthy set of plans, goals, and ambitions for an institution that was steadily moving up in the ranks of the nation’s business schools and determined to further enhance its reputation.

The overarching plan was to decide what was being done right, what could be done better, and how the school could continue and even accelerate its ascendency with those rankings.

Massey was already making considerable headway with such initiatives when COVID-19 arrived just eight months later and turned normalcy on its ear. But she was determined not to let the pandemic create a loss of focus or momentum.

And almost 16 months after students went home for a spring break from which they would not return, she can say with a great deal of confidence that she has succeeded with that broad mission.

In fact, the pandemic may in some ways have even created more momentum for Isenberg, which is now the top-ranked public business school in the Northeast.

Indeed, those at the school have used the past 15 months as a valuable learning experience, said Massey, who was most recently the chair of the Wisconsin School of Business. She stressed repeatedly that this was a time, as challenging as it was, not to simply get through or survive, and as a homework assignment for her staff, she strongly recommended Ryan Holiday’s book The Obstacle Is the Way — The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph.

“I said early on that we’re not going to be looking at this pandemic, and all the things that it wrought for us in terms of remote teaching, remote learning, and remote work, as a short-term problem that we’re just trying to solve,” she explained. “I said that we’re going to learn things, and we’re going to carry them over to when we came back and be better than we were in March of 2020.”

She believes the school will be better because of how it has learned to use technology to do things differently and in some ways better than before, but also because of the many experiences working together as a team to address challenges and find solutions.

“I said early on that we’re not going to be looking at this pandemic, and all the things that it wrought for us in terms of remote teaching, remote learning, and remote work, as a short-term problem that we’re just trying to solve. I said that we’re going to learn things, and we’re going to carry them over to when we came back and be better than we were in March of 2020.”

Moving forward, Massey said those at Isenberg, whether they’ve read Holiday’s book or not, are responding well to the notion of looking at obstacles as opportunities and not letting challenges, even global pandemics, stand in the way of achieving goals and improving continuously.

As she noted, this mindset will serve the institution well in the future as it and all of its many competitors prepare to return to normal, but not a world exactly like the one that existed 16 months ago.

“It was also obvious to me in March and April of 2020 that everyone was going to be forced to be remote, at least for some period of time,” she said. “We’d been in the online space for 20 years, so we were ahead of the game. But now, suddenly, everyone was going to be playing the game. They weren’t all going to be good at it; some of them still aren’t good at it, but think they are.

“But now, there are going to be more people joining this competitive space,” she went on. “And some of them have more resources than we do. So we needed to say, ‘we’re just going to keep plowing forward. We need to be better than they were because that’s the only way we’re going to maintain our competitive position.”

For this issue and its focus on education, BusinessWest talked at length with Massey about her challenging and, in many ways, intriguing first two years at the helm at Isenberg, and especially about how the school will take the experiences from the pandemic and use them to make the school, as she said, better than it was before anyone heard of COVID-19.

 

Getting Down to Business

The lawn signs were first introduced a year or so ago.

They say ‘Destination Isenberg,’ and were intended to be placed on the front lawns of the homes of students bound for the school — enrollment in which is increasingly becoming a point of pride.

While those first signs to be issued were technically accurate, many of the students didn’t have the Amherst campus as their actual destination because of COVID, said Massey, adding that that the latest signs — they’re at the printer now and will be distributed soon — speak the full truth: students will be back in the fall.

There will be a party in August to welcome them to campus, and planning continues for an orientation that will feature programs and events not only for freshmen but also the sophomores who couldn’t enjoy such an experience last fall because of the pandemic. As part of those celebrations, there will be recognition of the national-champion UMass hockey team, which included 15 players who are enrolled at Isenberg.

The students will be coming back to the ultra-modern, $62 million Isenberg Innovation Hub, which opened in January 2019 and sat mostly quiet for the bulk of the pandemic. They’ll be coming back to a school now ranked 53rd in the country by U.S. News & World Report when it comes to undergraduate programs (34th among public schools).

The ‘Destination Isenberg’ signs soon to grace lawns

The ‘Destination Isenberg’ signs soon to grace lawns across the country will have real meaning this year, with the school back to fully in-person learning this fall.

They’ll be returning to a school where enrollment continues to grow even as competition increases and high-school graduating classes shrink. “We have the largest incoming class ever,” Massey said. “We have more than we probably should have, but we’ll deal with it.”

But they won’t be returning to the same school. Indeed, as she noted, they’ll be coming back to, or joining, an Isenberg that used the pandemic as a learning laboratory of sorts, one that will stand the school in good stead as it continues its quest for continuous improvement and movement up the rankings in an even more competitive environment.

She said this work actually started before the pandemic, soon after she arrived on the campus. She started with a survey that went out to faculty and staff that included three key questions:

• ‘What unexploited opportunities do you see for Isenberg?’

• ‘What’s standing in our way of those opportunities?’ and

• ‘Given what you know, what do you think Anne Masse should focus on for the next year?’

She received a 95% response rate to that survey, and the answers provided considerable fodder for discussion at what would eventually be more than 30 meetings with various groups within the school, including faculty and staff.

She then developed five key priorities for maintaining and enhancing the school’s reputation for excellence and went “on the road,” as she put it, visiting alumni in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and other cities. These visits continued until the pandemic arrived, she said, adding that, while the road trips have to come to a halt, the work of developing these priorities, identifying areas in which the school needs to invest, and shaping all this into a strategic plan have continued unabated.

Getting back to the pandemic, Massey actually had considerable experience on her résumé in the realm of research regarding virtual teams and how they function. And that work came in handy during the pandemic, especially as it related to communication, coordination, and relationships among individuals in those teams.

“We have the tools and technology that support communication and that support collaboration and coordination of our work,” she explained. “But the relationship building and maintaining relationships is something that people often don’t pay attention to. They get wrapped up in the work, and not the nature of the team and the relationships amongst the team members.”

Flashing back to March 2020, when students, faculty, and staff were sent home for spring break, Massey said she knew they wouldn’t be coming back anytime soon and that all operations, from teaching to recruiting to development, would have to go remote.

“I knew that we had the tools, but what we really needed to focus on were the connections,” she told BusinessWest, adding that she soon launched what became knowns as the Dean’s Briefing, which, as that name suggests, was a briefing sent out to faculty and staff almost weekly.

“Sometimes it was a pat on the back, sometimes it was ‘I know how hard it is,’ sometimes it was personal, sometimes it was about what was going on at the university and what we thought the summer was going to look like and what the fall would look like; it was always about trying to keep people in the loop,” she said, adding that she encouraged the associate deans, the department, and others to do the same with their own group. “They needed to maintain communication that was positive and supportive.”

 

Driving Forces

At the same time, Massey emphasized the importance of the faculty engaging with students and helping them through a difficult and unprecedented time.

Because not all faculty members had taught online, or certainly to that extent, the school named five Isenberg teaching fellows, all of them experts in remote learning, who are assigned to one or a few departments and a cohort of faculty.

“They took the ball and ran with it,” Massey said, adding quickly that she wasn’t sure at first how this initiative would go over. “They had workshops, they had brown-bag lunches, they used Zoom, they coached people, they surfaced new best practices, they shared ideas … they even wrote a few research papers that have been published. They were phenomenal.”

Lessons learned from the pandemic and these teaching fellows will carry over into ‘normal’ times, she said, adding that she’s expecting to get back on the road in the fall and continue to push the five priorities for the school as it works to sustain and enhance its overall reputation for excellence, a key driver of those all-important rankings.

“They’re all about reputation in various ways,” Massey said of the rankings, of which there are many across several categories, from undergraduate offerings to part-time MBA programs. “The question that I asked over a year ago, and that I always ask, is ‘how might we sustain or advance our reputation for excellence in all we do? And excellence in terms of students and our quality of students, the quality of our faculty and their research, the placement of our students, what the recruiters think, and companies once students are working for them and they’re out a few years. Do they deliver the goods? All of that.”

Listing those priorities, which all intersect, she started with attracting exceptional students, which means more than those with the top GPAs. It also means achieving diversity and attracting students with a commitment to their communities, she said, adding that another priority is sustaining faculty excellence, especially at a time when business schools, and higher education in general, is facing what Massey described as a “looming retirement problem.”

“It’s becoming more and more difficult to attract and retain faculty; we’re not producing Ph.D.s at the rate that we probably need to,” she explained. “So I’m always thinking about how we can make this a good place for prospective faculty, and then, when we get them, how do we keep them? And how do we support them in their research efforts, and how do we support them becoming better teachers?”

Another priority is what Massey called “enabling career success,” which involves both current students and alumni, many of whom were impacted by the pandemic and the toll it took on employers in many sectors. To address this matter, she created an Office of Career Success and integrated the Chase Career Center with the school’s Business and Professional Communications faculty in an effort to expand services to alumni as well as current students.

Still other priorities include “creating global citizens and inclusive leaders” and “inspiring innovation in teaching and learning,” Massey said, adding that she wants Isenberg to be a significant player in business education, especially when it comes to advances in teaching and the use of emerging technology.

“How do we use 3D? What about augmented reality?” she asked, adding that these are just some of the questions she and others at the school are addressing. “One of our initiatives when it comes to inspiring innovation in teaching and learning is the creation of a ‘technology sandbox,’ a dedicated space where new and emerging technologies will be available for our faculty to play with and our staff to play with — because you can’t provide support for something if you don’t know how to use it — and for our students to play with.”

 

Positive Signs

Getting back to those lawn signs, Massey, who has one in her yard (her son attends the school), said they’re great exposure for Isenberg, especially outside of Massachusetts, where the name is somewhat less-known, but becoming better-known.

“It’s good to have them all over the country, and the students love them,” she said, adding that these are literal signs of growth and progress at Isenberg, but there are many others, from the record class for the fall of 2020 to its longstanding home at to the top of the rankings of public business schools in the Northeast — it’s been there since 2015.

There were signs of progress during the pandemic as well, she said, even if they’re harder to see. The school was determined not to lose momentum during that challenging time and to turn that obstacle into an opportunity.

Time will tell just how successful that mission was, but Massey already considers it a triumph for all those at the school.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Suzanne Murphy Leads UTCA to Continued Growth, Influence

By
Women in Businesss

Shoebox Greetings

Suzanne Murphy has put UTCA on a path to continued growth and influence — in this region and well beyond.

As she looked back on 30 years in business — and a very different kind of business, to be sure — Suzanne Murphy retold a story she’s recounted probably hundreds of times.

It concerns the conversation one of her clients had with the firm it was leaving to start doing business with Murphy’s Unemployment Tax Control Associates (UTCA) — as related by that client.

“He said, ‘I just got off the phone with our current vendor, and I told them I was moving my business to your company — and they laughed and said, ‘that’s a little shoebox out in Western Mass.,’’” Murphy recalled, adding that the implication was clear — that those in this region are not on the cutting edge in this realm. “He then said, ‘I was sure to tell them that this was one highly organized, very effective shoebox, and that’s where I was taking my business. And I also told them to think about those kinds of comments and how they land out in Western Mass.’”

Murphy said those remarks, which date back to the early days of her venture, and especially those referring to the size of her company and its mailing address, have stuck with her all these years, especially as she continues to add clients — and employees — from across the country.

Indeed, no one is laughing at this not-so-little shoebox anymore — although UTCA is still rather small when compared to some of the giants that also handle unemployment matters for businesses, although they do it as one of myriad services rather than focusing energies on that one area (we’ll get to all that later). In fact, UTCA has emerged as a regional and national leader in this realm.

“From all we’ve heard, the governor and the Legislature have no intention of revisiting this matter, and I think that’s very shortsighted.”

And most of the reason why is its founder, a thoughtful, enterprising entrepreneur who sat down with BusinessWest recently to talk about everything from her business and how it has evolved to the future of work and where it’s conducted in the wake of the pandemic, to the state’s recent decision not to use some of the $5 billion in federal stimulus money coming its way to help businesses absorb the massive unemployment-insurance costs facing them.

That controversy over the so-called solvency assessment has certainly put Murphy and her company’s work under a much brighter light. Indeed, while she’s been very successful at what she does, companies don’t need UTCA’s services until they need them — and over the years, it has operated in relative anonymity, if that’s the right word.

But the recent debate over the solvency assessment and state’s decision to not use stimulus funds, and instead stretch the payments out over the next 20 years, has brought Murphy and her firm to settings ranging from an East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) webinar to BusinessWest’s podcast.

It’s a subject she’s passionate about, and she believes the state’s decision will have some long-term ramifications.

“I think it’s ill-advised, and I think it will put the state at a competitive disadvantage,” she said, noting that many bordering states and others as well are friendlier from an unemployment-tax standpoint. “From all we’ve heard, the governor and the Legislature have no intention of revisiting this matter, and I think that’s very shortsighted.”

As for where people work, Murphy said the pandemic has shown her — and it should have shown every employer — that workers don’t need to be in the office to be effective, and they don’t even have to be in Massachusetts, which is good for employers, but potentially not so good for the Bay State, especially given its recent stance on unemployment costs and the manner in which other states have become much more business-friendly in that regard.

 

Taxing Situation

As she talked with BusinessWest, Murphy was preparing for what she expects to be — and really hopes will be — the last move her company makes. Or, at least, the last move she will make.

Indeed, as she walked amid furniture and boxes with sticky notes on them to tell the movers where to put them, she said she was trading space at 1350 Main St. in downtown Springfield for a building she purchased in West Springfield, one more suited to the hybrid/remote work model the company has adopted, and one that will even let employees work outdoors of they so choose.

“We want to make it a modern, fun place to work,” she explained, adding that the company should be moved in by mid-July.

The move is the latest of several, an indication of how UTCA has grown over the years, not only in size, but in stature within the realm of unemployment and, as the name on the letterhead says, unemployment tax control.

Murphy was handling such work for a larger firm, one that is no longer in business, when she decided it was time to go into business for herself — with a different business model.

That model was to take a handful of clients that were encouraging her to strike out on her own and start a business in Western Mass. and launch a venture focused entirely on helping companies manage and reduce their unemployment costs.

“I was toying with the idea of doing something, but I was still unclear on whether this was the path I wanted to take,” she recalled, adding that she credits those clients with being persistent and convincing her to take the plunge.

Starting with just herself and a single employee, she he took that small but reliable block of clients and continually built upon that base, primarily by differentiating herself from the larger competitors — “huge data warehouses,” as she described them — such as Equifax and Experian, for which unemployment services are part of a one-stop-shop model and, typically, a loss leader.

The differentiation, in addition to focusing solely on unemployment-tax matters, comes in the company’s proactive, rather than reactive, approach to serving clients, said Murphy, adding that, in this industry, it is generally understood that, in order to protect an organization from unwarranted claim costs, the most effective measures an employer can implement must occur before the employee has separated.

“ I feel the market needs a reliable, responsible, client-focused broker in the industry, and I’m going to keep slugging as long as I can.”

Elaborating, she said UTCA helps companies identify and target cost drivers, and then works with them to develop solutions for reducing them, an MO that has resonated with a wide range of clients.

The firm now boasts 20 employees, including Murphy’s daughter, Meghan Avery, senior vice president; and son, Evan Murphy, director of client development, as well as a number of independent contractors who handle hearings in a number of different states.

Getting back to those giants in the industry, Murphy said trying to compete with them, at least with regard to price, is extremely difficult, and this is why so many smaller players have not been able to stay in business over the years. She’s determined not to join the growing list of casualties.

“I would not do that my clients; I feel the market needs a reliable, responsible, client-focused broker in the industry, and I’m going to keep slugging as long as I can,” she said, adding that she laments the loss of many smaller players.

“I’d welcome more privately held, small or medium-sized competitors from the perspective that they be expected to be more focused on results, unable to confuse the marketplace with a very diluted spectrum of services or a blitz of advertising,” she explained. “It’s said that iron sharpens iron, and I think there’s a lot of truth to that. There’s plenty of business to go around and no shortage of complexity or issues employers must contend with in our space.”

 

Market Forces

There has certainly been enough business in recent months, as companies of all sizes have been forced to contend with the huge bill that has come due in the wake of huge numbers of people going on unemployment due to the pandemic and the deep toll it took on businesses across virtually every sector.

Indeed, Murphy described that period as by far the busiest of her career, dominated by helping clients handle both legitimate and fraudulent claims — and there were large numbers of both.

And then came what most would describe as a controversy regarding the solvency assessment and the decision of the governor and the Legislature about how to address it.

From her position on the front lines of this battle, Murphy heard directly from a number of small and mid-sized business owners facing huge assessments, often through no fault of their own, at a time when many were still struggling to fully dig their way out from the pandemic. Thus, she became highly visible, and highly vocal, in efforts to convince the Legislature to use money from the American Rescue Plan to offset those costs to businesses. Despite those efforts, Gov. Charlie Baker and the Legislature have instead opted to spread out the payments — an estimated $7 billion in total — over 20 years, a decision that disappoints her on many levels.

“There need to be discussions about tax equity and tax justice. The larger corporations are not going to feel this as much. But the smaller and medium-sized businesses are going to be far more disadvantaged; it’s going to impact them detrimentally. There’s no upside to how this was managed.”

“The governor and the Legislature believe the fix has been provided and nothing more needs to be done,” she said. “And that could not be further from the sentiments that we are experiencing on the ground, from our clients, and even those who aren’t clients — people who have reached out to us because they know of our role on this issue.

“There need to be discussions about tax equity and tax justice,” she went on. “The larger corporations are not going to feel this as much. But the smaller and medium-sized businesses are going to be far more disadvantaged; it’s going to impact them detrimentally. There’s no upside to how this was managed.”

As noted earlier, this controversy has put UTCA, and especially Murphy, under a brighter spotlight. For her, it’s a different role, one she’s accepted enthusiastically because of what’s at stake and because of the way her clients — and, as she said, non-clients, too — are now in the line of fire.

“It has morphed into more of an activist role, especially with our work with the ERC5,” she noted, adding that such involvement is important in that it helps bring the perspective of the small-business owner — often lost on those in power, in her view — into the forefront.

But the pandemic has done more than bring unprecedented levels of business — and visibility — to the company. Indeed, Murphy said it has also provided lessons in how work can be done, and where.

Elaborating, she said her company, like many others, has adapted a hybrid/remote model of work, with many employees working from home. But because of the technology available, home doesn’t have to be in the 413, or even in Massachusetts. And as employers look at whom they might hire and where they live, unemployment-tax rates and policies will likely play an increasingly significant factor in those decisions.

“Massachusetts will have to compete with every other state now — and there are 21 other states that have chosen to use federal stimulus funds to offset their losses on their unemployment trust funds,” she explained. “Massachusetts has used zero dollars for that purpose, and has chosen to strap employers with a 20-year assessment.

“We have two positions to fill,” she went on. “And now, we can interview and hire people from Michigan or Texas or California, and those will be the jurisdictional states for unemployment. As more employers with remote workforces become aware of this, they may be more prone to hire people from states where the unemployment-tax burden is much less.”

This changing playing field allows UTCA, and all companies, for that matter, to cast a wider net, said Murphy, and attract talent that was formerly out of reach because of geography.

“We used to talk about getting people from the eastern part of the state to relocate to Western Mass., and that was a difficult task,” she told BusinessWest. “All that has shifted; we can now focus on recruiting directly in the market where our competitor is — or wherever we want to be. We can do our homework and attract people within our industry who have niche experience and knowledge, or we can attract others who are in a demographic we want to focus on to make our company more diverse, as well as productive. And I would be surprised if businesses do not see the opportunity there to have a very robust workforce that will give them a competitive advantage.

Doing her homework and staying on the cutting edge of trends and new developments in business has enabled Murphy to take that ‘small shoebox’ referenced by that jilted competitor all those years ago and turn it into a much bigger shoebox — and, more importantly, one of the region’s more intriguing business success stories.

 

George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]

Creativity Is Needed Downtown

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

It’s only July, just a few months after the governor essentially reopened the state and things started returning to normal. We have a long way to go before we can even begin to know the full impact of the pandemic on the local business community and individual communities.

But to many, it’s already apparent that new and intriguing uses will have to be found for spaces in the office towers and some of the other buildings in downtown Springfield. It seems clear that many of those already in those office towers will be downsizing or moving out when their leases expire. Meanwhile, there are few if any signs that retail can stage any kind of meaningful comeback, as the current vacancies along Main Street clearly show.

These indicators make it clear that creativity, with a generous amount of patience as well, will be needed when it comes to bringing new life to the properties downtown. Old answers and traditional ways of thinking won’t work. People should be thinking not about what these properties were designed to be — office spaces, for the most part — but what they can be.

If the pandemic has done anything, it has probably only accelerated a process that has been in place for years now. Indeed, downtown vacancy rates have been consistently, and somewhat disturbingly, high, with new inventory, at locations like 1550 Main Street and Union Station, only adding to the challenges facing those owning and managing property in and around Main Street.

There has been some movement in recent years when it comes to office-space absorption — Wellfleet Group moving into several floors in Tower Square, the Community Foundation moving out of Tower Square and onto street-level offices on Bridge Street, and the Dietz architecture firm moving into Union Station — but much of it is the kind of ‘musical chairs’ action that has defined the commercial real-estate scene for years now.

Looking forward, there is certainly potential for downtown to become more of a destination when it comes to office space, especially with regard to the manner in which the pandemic has shown business owners that they don’t necessarily have to be in downtown Boston or New York, paying sky-high lease rates, to conduct business. They can work from anywhere — including Springfield.

Unfortunately, every city in the country is sending out that same message, including communities with larger, deeper workforces, better climate, and more vibrant central business districts.

There are steps being taken to try to convince elected leaders to move some state offices to Springfield, again in recognition that they don’t need to be in Boston or even the Boston area. There is some optimism regarding these efforts, and the argument makes a great deal of sense, but we wonder if there can be any meaningful movement when it comes to agencies that have been headquartered in the eastern part of the state forever — and when it might come.

Beyond these initiatives, it’s clear that some real creativity in the form of imaginative new uses will needed. We’ve seen some already downtown with the YMCA of Greater Springfield, two colleges, and now White Lion Brewing moving into Tower Square, but we’ll need more.

That’s because traditional office-space users — law firms, accounting firms, insurance agencies, financial-services firms, and even nonprofits — will almost certainly need less of that space in the years to come. It’s time to look at a host of options, including residential, hospitality, healthcare, education, and others. Perhaps a live/work type of facility, such as the type being proposed for 1350 Main Street, can be one of the answers.

We’re not sure what the future will look like, but we’re reasonably sure it won’t look like what we have now. So something else will be needed. Something creative.

Picture This

By
Picture This

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

 

 

Grand Opening

On June 23, Bacon Wilson welcomed clients, neighbors, and friends to a grand-opening reception at its new facility at 99 Springfield Road in Westfield. The event, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by Westfield Mayor Donald Humason, was the firm’s first opportunity for in-person festivities since the pandemic began. Pictured, from left: Attorney Chip Smith, Attorney Daniel McKellick, Managing Partner Kenneth Albano, and Attorney Jonathan Breton.

 

White Lion Roars

White Lion Brewing celebrated the grand opening of its Tower Square facility on June 26. Here, White Lion founder Ray Berry (left) joins several staff members behind the counter during the event.

 

 

Caring for the Community

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union collected 350 pounds of personal-care items during the month of May and donated them to the pantries of Amherst Survival Center and Northampton Survival Center. Donations were collected at the credit union’s Hadley and Northampton branch locations. Pictured: Sez Morales (left), Amherst Survival Center pantry coordinator, and Cait Murray, UMassFive Community Outreach manager, with some of the donations.

 

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Michael Elbery v. Haddad Motor Group Inc.
Allegation: Deliberate destruction of rear brake systems, extortion to pay for new brake system: $2,170
Filed: 5/18/21

Valerie Rodriguez-Ortiz v. Aldi Inc.
Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $3,790.41
Filed: 6/1/21

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

Michael A. Klein v. Netto Construction, Kevin Netto, and Jovita Netto
Allegation: Breach of contract; unfair, deceptive, and inadequate practices: $32,465
Filed: 5/20/21

Worldbridge Partners Hartford, LLC v. Hampden Care Facility Inc. d/b/a Insa Inc.
Allegation: Breach of recruitment agreement and services rendered: $12,500
Filed: 6/16/21

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Sofia Cincotta v. University of Massachusetts Amherst
Allegation: Negligence causing personal injury: $32.453
Filed: 4/20/21

Ada Langford, Christopher Maschino, Alyssa Phillips, Mark Schwaber, Stephen Seward, and all others similarly situated v. Vervata Health, LLC
Allegation: Wage and hour violations, wrongful termination: $46,000
Filed: 4/28/21

David R. Knightly v. Town of Amherst
Allegation: Employment discrimination
Filed: 5/4/21

Western Builders Inc. v. 35 Village Hill Road, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment
Filed: 5/21/21

Suzanne Melanson v. Turning Leaf Centers Northampton, LLC; Thomas Kasper; and Sajid Khan
Allegation: Failure to pay paid time off, breach of contract, breach of Wage Act, breach of implied covenant, unjust enrichment: $150,000
Filed: 5/24/21

Christine Guimond v. Kim’s Family Corp.
Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $38,570.82
Filed: 5/27/21

Yadim Medore v. Denis Kitchen
Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing personal injury: $519,711.67
Filed: 6/17/21

Agenda

By
Agenda

Golf Tournament to Benefit Surrendered Farm Animals

July 17: The Whip City Animal Sanctuary will be hosting its inaugural golf tournament on Saturday, July 17 at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield. Whip City Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a stable, forever home for rescued and surrendered farm animals, many of whom have been neglected or abused. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Play is a four-person, best-ball scramble. The entry fee is $100 per person and includes cart, green fees, and dinner following the tournament at 5:30 p.m. There will be prizes for closest to the hole and closest to the line, along with a raffle. Various levels of corporate sponsorship are still available for those who would like to contribute. For more information about player registration and sponsorship opportunities, contact Sonia Henderson at (413) 627-6192 or [email protected].

 

Amtrak Valley Flyer

Starting July 26: Amtrak and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will restart the Valley Flyer round-trip train service between Greenfield and New Haven, Conn., which suspended three trains on March 30, 2020 due to fewer travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2019, Amtrak and MassDOT launched a new, state-supported passenger train called the Valley Flyer, which travels between Greenfield and New Haven with intermediate station stops. In New Haven, the train connects with Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service and Metro-North’s New Haven Line service. Valley Flyer station stops Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, and Springfield, Mass.; and Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, Wallingford, and New Haven, Conn.

 

RVCC Golf Tournament

Sept. 10: River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), a multi-faceted mental-health agency, will hold its sixth annual golf tournament fundraiser at East Mountain Country Club in Westfield. The event is presented by Action Ambulance Service Inc. Funds raised will support the programs RVCC provides to children and teens in the community, in schools, and through local partnerships. The cost per golfer is $100 and includes greens fees, a golf cart, a gift bag, lunch, and dinner. Golfers will also be able to participate in course contests and a raffle. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with a 10:30 a.m. shotgun start. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit rvccinc.org/golf for more information and to register or sponsor online.

 

Free Concerts at the Big E

Sept. 17 to Oct. 3: The lineup for the Big E’s Court of Honor Stage has been announced. The tented venue, located in front of the iconic Coliseum at the heart of the fairgrounds, hosts more than 85 shows over the 17-day run of the Big E. All events on the Court of Honor Stage are free with admission to the fair. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Concerts include Modern English (Sept. 17-19, 3 p.m.), Jesse McCartney (Sept. 17, 8 p.m.), Tom Franek (Sept. 17-26, 11 a.m, 1 and 6 p.m.), Foghat (Sept. 19, 8 p.m.), Rainere Martin in the Donna Summer Experience (Sept. 20-21, 3 p.m.), the Yardbirds (Sept. 20-21, 8 p.m.), Exile (Sept. 22-23, 3 p.m.), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Sept. 22, 8 p.m.), 10,000 Maniacs (Sept. 23, 8 p.m.), the Bar-Kays: Soul 2 Soul Revue (Sept. 24-26, 3 p.m.), Ying Yang Twins (Sept. 25, 8 p.m.), Don McLean (Sept. 26, 8 p.m.), the Outlaws (Sept. 27-28, 8 p.m.), the Everly Set (Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, 11 a.m., 1 and 6 p.m.), Big Brother and the Holding Company (Sept. 29-30, 3 p.m.), Lisa Lisa (Sept. 29, 8 p.m.), Tribute to the King featuring Taylor Rodriguez (Oct. 1-3, 3 p.m.), Hoobastank (Oct. 2, 8 p.m.), and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC (Oct. 3, 8 p.m.). Look for more concert announcements at thebige.com.

 

40 Under Forty Gala

Sept. 23: BusinessWest’s 15th annual 40 Under Forty gala will take place at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. The class of 2021 was introduced to the region in the magazine’s May 12 issue, and the profiles may be read online at businesswest.com. Tickets cost $80 per person. This is expected to be a sellout event, and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a spot, call (413) 781-8600, or e-mail [email protected].

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Shandra Richardson

Shandra Richardson

Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) named Shandra Richardson senior vice president and senior operations officer. She will direct all aspects of the bank’s operations, including compliance, retail banking, marketing, deposit, electronic, and loan operations, as well as developing and implementing new policies and procedures for organizational systems management. Prior to joining GSB, Richardson held multiple leadership roles at Citizens Bank N.A. and, most recently, at Santander Bank N.A. She specializes in operational life-cycle transformation, regulatory exam preparation, project management, and organizational development. She has also been involved in company diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including active participation in multiple employee resource groups (ERGs) focusing on the support and empowerment of women and black and Latinx employees. A UMass Amherst graduate, Richardson received a bachelor’s degree in marketing and then went on to earn an MBA along with completing leadership and Lean Methodology Executive Education courses. While working in the Boston area, she has been active in the Greater Boston and South Shore communities volunteering at a wide range of organizations, such as Cradles to Crayons, Dress for Success, United Way, Year Up, and OneBostonDay.org. She also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review advisory council, an opt-in research community of business professionals, and has also served as the New England regional lead of the Thrive ERG, which provides resources and support to caregivers and individuals with physical or cognitive differences.

•••••

After more than four decades of leadership as CEO for HCS Head Start Inc., Janis Santos plans to retire at the end of the year. A search for a new CEO is underway. Santos began her professional teaching career by opening one of the first early-childhood centers in Ludlow in 1973, Parkside Early Learning Center. In 1979, she was hired as executive director of Holyoke Chicopee Head Start Inc. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to be the second-largest Head Start in Massachusetts and one of the largest providers of early-childhood education in Western Mass. A graduate of Holyoke Community College and UMass Amherst, she began teaching at a time when the greater public viewed her chosen career as babysitting. For close to five decades, her unwavering advocacy at the local, state, and national levels has helped change the perception of early-childhood education. She has led the charge ensuring that children from vulnerable backgrounds have access to high-quality early learning, and helped to legitimize and professionalize the field. Santos has chaired the Massachusetts Head Start Directors Assoc. and the New England Head Start Assoc., and was a member of the national advisory panel for the Head Start 2010 Project in Washington, D.C. in 1999. She was also a UCLA Head Start management fellow in the Anderson School of Management and served on the National Head Start Assoc. board of directors from 1997 to 2011. She served as the NHSA vice chairperson from 2007 to 2011.

•••••

Jorge Morgado

Jorge Morgado

Allied Flooring, Paint and Design, a home-improvement supplier for homeowners, contractors, and business owners, recently welcomed Jorge Morgado as a partner in the business and president of Sales. “I am thrilled to welcome Jorge as a partner and to run the sales team,” Allied President Mario Tedeschi said. “Jorge and I spent decades as competitors, respecting and admiring each other’s work. Our relationship strengthened over the last few years when he became our sales representative for Tarkett. I saw how much care and dedication he devotes to his clients; that connection led to us becoming partners.” Morgado has more than 25 years of experience in the flooring industry, beginning his career in high school and most recently serving as vice president of Residential Business, East Region, for Tarkett, the third-largest flooring manufacturer in the country. Morgado graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in business management. He is very involved in the community, currently serving on the board of the East Longmeadow Soccer Assoc.

•••••

Market Mentors, a marketing, advertising and public-relations agency, announced the addition of five new team members. The hires span multiple departments, including account services, copywriting, digital advertising, and public relations.

Elizabeth Barry

Elizabeth Barry

• Elizabeth Barry joined the agency as a public-relations specialist. She has extensive experience gleaned from time spent producing morning news at FOX61 and WFSB in Hartford, Conn. A graduate of Endicott College and Southern New Hampshire University, Barry holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in communications. In her new role, she writes press releases as well as short- and long-form copy, and works to earn media opportunities for clients.

Chase Hoffman

Chase Hoffman

• Chase Hoffman joined the team as an account executive. He possesses previous agency experience and is a graduate of Westfield State University, earning a communications degree with a public relations concentration.

Christopher Proulx

Christopher Proulx

• Christopher Proulx joined the agency as a digital advertising specialist. A graduate of American International College and Westfield State University and holding Google Ads and Analytics certifications, he runs digital advertising campaigns on Google and across social-media channels. In addition, he researches and develops keyword strategies as part of SEO/SEM best practices.

David Smith

David Smith

• David Smith joined the firm as a content writer, penning short- and long-form copy for digital and print placements, websites, blogs, and social media. After earning his degree in communications at the University of Connecticut, he worked in broadcast media at WWLP-22 News in Springfield and FOX61 in Hartford.

Sara West

Sara West

• Sara West serves as an account director, leveraging her education at the University of Colorado at Denver and experience amassed from working her way up in the industry. Her primary responsibilities include managing accounts and creating, managing, and executing multi-channel marketing campaigns incorporating SEO, social media, inbound marketing, HubSpot, e-mail, mail, and print campaigns, as well as events to drive customer acquisition for clients.

•••••

After three years as president of Greenfield Community College (GCC), Yves Salomon-Fernández announced plans to step down on Aug. 15 to accept a position as senior vice president at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). In a letter to the college community, Salomon-Fernández wrote that she needed to step back a bit, the Greenfield Recorder reported. “I bring 150% to everything I do, and [GCC president] is a very public role. We’ve gone through a pandemic, social change, and racial issues … All of those things made me reflect on what kind of balance I want in my life. This is an all-consuming position. My family and I decided I take a step back from it.” Robert Cohn, chair of GCC’s board of trustees, praised Salomon-Fernández’s leadership, saying she “got the ship steered in the right direction” during her three years at the helm. “It’s unfortunate she’s not going to see how it sails.” Cohn added that “she understood and appreciated the important role GCC plays in Franklin and Hampshire counties and beyond. She stepped in to continue its mission of providing access to education and workforce training to best serve the needs of residents and employers in the region.”

•••••

Erin Defoyd

Erin Defoyd

Florence Bank recently announced the appointment of Erin Defoyd to the position of Marketing Communications officer. Defoyd comes to the bank with more than 20 years of banking experience and deep connections in the communities the bank serves. She most recently served as Marketing officer at a local community bank. Her duties included implementation of marketing strategies to increase brand awareness, creation of communications materials, support of media planning, website management, and social-media administration. Defoyd graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies in 2018 and is currently pursuing a degree in marketing at Southern New Hampshire University.

•••••

Johan Uvin was announced as the new executive director of the UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI). Uvin continues a strong career in public service at the local and federal levels, and will begin his new role on Aug. 1. Uvin served at the U.S. Department of Education from 2009 to 2017 as senior policy advisor, then deputy assistant secretary, and later acting assistant secretary. At the Department of Education, he coordinated all strategy development for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, with a staff of 80 and more than $1.7 billion in resources. He led policy development and implementation for adult education, career and technical education, community colleges, immigrant integration, and more. From 2017 to 2020, he was president of the Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, D.C. There, he facilitated and implemented Rise Up for Equity, the institute’s five-year strategic plan. He has since founded Strategy Advising, a consulting practice that provides strategic advising services in education, workforce development, educational technology startups, and nonprofit organizations. Uvin earlier held various leadership positions with the Rhode Island Department of Education and with Commonwealth Corp. in Boston. He has also managed projects and programs in the Massachusetts Department of Education and a number of nonprofit organizations in Boston, Belgium, and Sierra Leone. Uvin will succeed Eric Heller, the current executive director, who retires this week after more than 35 years at the Donahue Institute. Carol Anne McGowan, UMDI’s associate director, will serve as interim executive director until Aug. 1. She works closely with the executive director to develop and implement management strategies, systems, and practices across the institute, and is directly responsible for overseeing all fiscal and human-resource functions.

•••••

Christopher Silipigno has been promoted to CEO of Renaissance Investment Group, LLC, a financial-services firm headquartered in the Berkshires that specializes in comprehensive financial counseling and investment management for high-net-worth individuals. Managing approximately a half-billion dollars in assets, Renaissance’s clients reside across the U.S. with a concentration in Western Mass., Upstate New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. For the last three years, Silipigno has served as chief operating officer, working to grow the business, lead organizational development efforts, and advise clients. During this time, Renaissance has increased its client base at its fastest pace in 20 years and nearly doubled the amount of assets being managed. Silipigno has been instrumental in this development, as well as helping Renaissance introduce new technology, providing even closer client contact and enhanced information sharing for clients and the team, said Trevor Forbes, the firm’s president and chief investment officer. “His efforts have been instrumental in helping the company and its clients through the last difficult and challenging 12 months, coping with the rigors of COVID and working remotely,” Forbes added. “I am delighted to be able to announce this well-deserved appointment, which provides for long-term continuity for both our staff and clients, which has been a hallmark of our success since the establishment of Renaissance 21 years ago. I wish Chris every success in his new role and look forward to continuing our work together in the coming years.”

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.

PITTSFIELD

IDAC Corp., 82 Wendall Ave., Suite 100 Pittsfield, MA 01201. David Chamberas, 43 Summit Ave., Salem, MA 01970. Agriculture.

SPRINGFIELD

Built for Success Inc., 1883 Main St., Springfield, MA 01101. Uhia Willis, 267 Rowley St., Agawam, MA 01001. Marketing.

Fly Transport Inc., 164 Tyler St., Springfield, MA 01109. Uziel De Souza, 881 Franklin St., Springfield, MA 02093. Auto transport.

Jenne Ventures Inc., 223 Emerson St., Springfield, MA 01118. Benjamin Jenne, same. E-commerce.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

EMI Trucking Inc., 284 Main St. West Springfield, MA 01089. Nadjib Osmanli, same. Trucking.

Giro Technology Inc., 131 Ashley Ave., Unit G5, West Springfield, M 01089. Raymond Frimpond, same. Custom computer programming services.

WESTFIELD

Easy Home Remodeling Inc., 115 Main St., Apt. 3, Westfield, MA 01085. Vitalii Korets, same. Remodeling.

Western Windows Inc., 324 Russell Road, Unit 213, Westfield, MA 01085. Yehor Kovaliuk, same. Construction.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2021.

AMHERST

Andersen Consulting
34 High Point Dr.
Jeremy Andersen

Goosey Fibers
48 Curtis Place
Caitlin Kennedy

GrantWright Consulting
6 University Dr., Suite 206
Michael Wright

KSDunn Associates
664 Main St.
Kathryn Dunn

Luxury Land
950 North Pleasant St., Unit 105
Hector Espinal

Melissa Paciulli
141 Columbia Dr.
Melissa Paciulli

Paul’s Shoe Repair
103 North Pleasant St.
Kevin Grimard

CHICOPEE

B-G Mechanical Contractors Inc.
6 Second Ave.
David Riel

B-G Mechanical Service Inc.
6 Second Ave.
David Riel

Billderberg Media and Music
94 Meadow St., #2
Aaron Porter

Edward Fulke Transportation Services
44 Juliette St.
Edward Fulke

My Home Improvement
376 Britton St.
Samuel Velez-Lozada

Premium Logistic, LLC
30 Captain Mac St.
Cristian Sili

Robert J. Masse
65 Green St.
Robert Masse

EAST LONGMEADOW

Abacus Aviation Group
3 Murray Court
Jerry Grassetti

Avalanche Landscape Design Inc.
40 Crame Ave.
Eric Weichelbaumer

Body Works Unlimited Inc.
347 Elm St.
Antonio Bordoni

Bond Financial Group Inc.
180 Denslow Road, Suite 2
Dyland Bond

Boston Shoe Travelers Assoc.
264 North Main St.
Gary DeStephano

Cote Construction
30 Wood Ave.
Ken Cote Sr.

Lauren’s Professional Cleaning
22 Savoy Ave.
Lauren McDonough

Nails by Lily
120 Shaker Road
Lilliam Buettner

Reflections by Claudia
87 Shaker Road
Catherine Belleville

Studio Nails
30 Shaker Road
Nga Nguyen

HOLYOKE

Appleton Mart
330 Appleton St.
Wai Chan

Dollar N Things
50 Holyoke St.
Mamta Arora

 

Hidden Hollow Floral Designs
244 Rock Valley Road
Marcia Cassidy

House of Glam
123 High St.
Elizabeth Iglesias DeJesus

John Aubin Studios
4 Open Square Way, Suite 100
John Aubin

L.N. Junk Removal
2 Harrison Ave.
Luis Nieves

Nicoletta Adjel
98 Lower Westfield Road
Nicoletta Adjel

O’Brien Construction
75 Clayton Road
Andrew O’Brien

Peter Auto Repair
65 Commercial St., Unit 1
Pedro Centeno

LONGMEADOW

All Waste
128 Williams St.
Verity Goldberg

Dr. Cheryl Bonica, Ph.D.
666 Bliss Road
Cheryl Bonica

LUDLOW

ATI Physical Therapy
483 Holyoke Road
Performance Rehabilitation of Western New England, LLC

George L. Sexton
300 Cady St.
George Sexton

Mark Ottani Electrician
117 Fuller St.
Mark Ottani

Tony Nails
263 East St.
Anh Giang Tran

Waves of Change Beauty & Wellness
44 Sewall St., #2
Jomary Morales

NORTHAMPTON

AT&T Mobility
140 North Main St.
Frank Maxwell

Bucket List Travel
80 Damon Road
Ann Emanuelli

Creative Communication, LLC
349 South St.
Karen Cahalane

Custom Metal Fabrication
40 Audubon Road
Mark Day

Ground Up Design
26 Fruit St.
Eli Bloch

Heart Sing Press, LLC
6 Beaver Brook Loop
Catharine Thomson

Hungry Ghost Bread
62 State St.
Cheryl Maffie, Jonathan Stevens

Mxed Greens
2 Conz St., #20
Tasha Greenwood

Northampton Country Club
135 Main St.
James Casagrande

The Pudgy Blue Pig
221 Pine St., Studio 461
Dorin Rufer, Antonia Rufer

Serio’s Pharmacy
63 State St.
Paul Serio

United Personnel
15-17 Brewster Court
Masis Staffing Solutions, LLC

Valley Kids Pediatric Dentistry
2 Main St.
Joseph Deschene

SPRINGFIELD

A & J Auto Service Inc.
433 Main St.
Daniel Alpiarca

All Things Anime
342 Cooley St.
Wendy Cruz

Alicia Mae
27 Archie St.
Alicia Gibson

All About You Hair Salon
27 Archie St.
Shawna Edmonds

Amiras Boutique, LLC
2460 Main St.
Francis Abbas-Rivera

Auntie Agi Alteration Services
159B Boston Road
Agnes Akoto

Bamboo House Restaurant
676 Belmont Ave.
Tuyen Le

Channon Hardy
515 Canon Circle
Channon Hardy

Chris Capital Construction
166 Tyler St.
Chris Washington

The Clean Bee
265 Starling Road
Janine Jarvais

Clean Break in Your City
147 Woodside Terrace
Luz Marquez

Cumba Entertainment
54 Chilson St.
Carlos Frias Cumba

DJ Chaoz Entertainment
230 Centre St.
Brandon Clayton

Higher Praise Records
97 Andrew St.
Paul Ball

I Got You 2
99 Dayton St.
Felix Santana Jr.

The III Co.
94 Monrovia St.
Alton Hardy III

Imageflors
15 Middlesex St.
Kenneth Tulloch

Intuitive Care
342 Cooley St.
Wendy Cruz

Legacy Kings, LLC
84 Margerie St.
Patrick Clarke

Maple Market
155 Maple St.
Jamal Nasir

Merbal
78 Andrew St.
Kristopher Jackson

Methodical Maintenance
51 Telbar St.
William Bethel

Private Detective Investigator
111 Oak St.
Ishmael Ali

Punto Market, LLC
2760 Main St.
Arismendy Canela

Quickies
11 Willard Ave.
Antonio Crowley

Sanchez Affordable Solutions
124 Spikenard Circle
Misael Sanchez

So Soulful Yoga & Wellness
11 Balboa Dr.
Azell Cavaan

United Personnel
289 Bridge St.
Masis Staffing Solutions, LLC

UR Discount Tobacco and Lottery
1207 Parker St.
Fazal Rehman

WESTFIELD

A & B Lawncare Services
129 Otis St.
Albert Bonyeau III

The Barber Parlor
236 Elm St.
James Ahearn

Modern Innovated Ideas
37 Summit Dr.
Orlando Huertas Jr.

On the Level Floor Coverings
11 King Place
Mark Dolan

T. Girroir Construction
330 East Mountain Road
Thomas Girroir

Two Rivers Burrito Co.
36 Elm St.
G2G Inc.

Why Axis Consulting
30 Lozier Ave.
Robert Marco

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Firestone Complete Auto Care
501 Memorial Ave.
Michelle Charest

Fresh Air Pet Services
317 Circle Dr.
Catherine Scoles

Glidders Designs
123 Chilson Road
Caitlyn Glidden

Gold Chopsticks
12 Chestnut St.
Shuangying Liao

Starbucks Coffee
1067 Riverdale St.
Julie Wieting

Welcome Inn
2041 Riverdale St.
Mayur Solanki

Wytas Marketing
195 Christopher Terrace
Alex Wytas

WILBRAHAM

Boardwalk Contractors
528 Ridge Road
Thomas Dean Sr., Wendy Palmer

C.L.B. Stores
39 Weston St.
Christopher Burr

Tha Daily Pint
2523 Boston Road
John Scott Leven

Done Right Fleet Repair
3267 Boston Road
John Seymour Jr.

New England Promotional Marketing
15 Main St.
Amy Smith

RJ Landscapes
14 Rice Dr.
Daniel Fernandes

Tree Solutions Inc.
4 Horseshoe Lane
Jeffrey Slade

Wicked Good Treats by Elaine
3 Ely Road
Elaine Shepard

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Abebe, Dawit T.
42 Fremont St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/15/2021

Baig, Izzat
Baig, Shehla
47 Broad St., A3
Westfield, MA 01085
Date: 06/07/2021

Cardaropoli, Kristie Leigh
Cardaropoli, William Earl
248 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/14/2021

Feliciano, Javier
31 Redfern Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/02/2021

 

Heaton, Jessica A.
47 Broad St., Apt. D52
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/05/2021

Heeren, Lynelle M.
c/o Day Brook Village Senior Care
298 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/11/2021

Institute of Abilities, LLC
Cabrera, Jacqueline
a/k/a Billips, Jacqueline Cabrera-
42 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/03/2021

Larson, Rebecca L.
797 Carew St., 2nd Fl.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/04/2021

Lopez, Scheilyn I.
88 Woodland Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/15/2021

Monroe, Elizabeth A.
5 Belmont St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/12/2021

Oates, Judith
P.O. Box 811
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/08/2021

Patrick, Michael S.
337 Columbus Ave., Apt. 2
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 06//2021

Pratt, Charles E
Pratt, Sarah A.
116 Prospect St.
Lanesboro, MA 01237
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/13/2021

Rodriguez, Manuel
40 Wayside St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/02/2021

Rosario, Yahaira
131 Cedar Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/15/2021

Sapphire Property Development LLC
Wagner, Stephen P.
152 Clearwater Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/03/2021

Soutra, Corinne A.
4 Underwood Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/02/2021

Thomas, Christine M.
950 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/04/2021

Westfield Home and Garden
Hartnett, Francis E.
7 Katelyn Way
Southampton, MA 01073
2Chapter: 7
Date: 06/10/2021

Wicked Good Cleaning
Kuzontkoski, Matthew
Kuzontkoski, Fawn Marie
a/k/a Howe, Fawn Marie
a/k/a Snow, Fawn Marie
10 Euclid Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/14/2021

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

BERNARDSTON

519 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Jared Lockwood
Seller: Martin D. Powers
Date: 06/09/21

208 Martindale Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Parody
Seller: Eric Vassar
Date: 06/07/21

BUCKLAND

9 Williams St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Shelburne Falls Studios
Seller: Home Roots Properties Inc.
Date: 06/11/21

CONWAY

75 Pleasant St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: John E. Mrykalo
Seller: Isaac Feely
Date: 06/01/21

DEERFIELD

11 Captain Lathrop Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $291,192
Buyer: Maxwell J. Gagnon
Seller: David W. Pike
Date: 06/11/21

5 Cross St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Jennifer E. Healy
Seller: RPF LLC
Date: 06/03/21

31 Graves St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $435,100
Buyer: Andrew R. Gaylord
Seller: Michael A. Abbate
Date: 06/01/21

46 Mathews Road
Deerfield, MA 01341
Amount: $603,721
Buyer: Taylor G. Williams
Seller: Janice L. Schell
Date: 06/09/21

5 Memorial St.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: Seth Brennan
Seller: Andrew Shilling
Date: 06/09/21

131 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Judith Rathbone
Seller: Vera Mark
Date: 06/04/21

ERVING

18 River St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Scott Kuzmeskus
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopment LLC
Date: 06/11/21

GREENFIELD

8 Coombs Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Venture Residential LLC
Seller: James E. Singley
Date: 06/11/21

89 Country Club Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $329,900
Buyer: Michael Sullivan
Seller: Daniel J. Shea
Date: 06/03/21

132 Davis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: LCS Realty LLC
Seller: Pioneer Valley Redevelopers
Date: 06/01/21

18 East Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Bethany Barton
Seller: Veronica R. Burns
Date: 06/07/21

26 Elm St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Abbie Lundberg
Seller: Ethel E. Hutchinson
Date: 06/04/21

217 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Chapman St. Properties LLC
Seller: Singley, Chris E., (Estate)
Date: 06/01/21

64 Munson St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Karen J. Regan
Seller: Karen T. Renaud
Date: 06/04/21

31 Norwood St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Matthew G. Perry
Seller: Gregory A. Eaton
Date: 06/01/21

25 Oak Hill Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Patrick Williams
Seller: Stephen P. Forrest
Date: 06/07/21

177 Shelburne Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: SCF RC Funding 4 LLC
Seller: Ruggeri, Sebastian, (Estate)
Date: 06/02/21

282 Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Thomas Fleming
Seller: Duane Griffin
Date: 06/07/21

73 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Craig Ryan
Seller: Kuznik TR
Date: 06/01/21

83 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Craig Ryan
Seller: Kuznik TR
Date: 06/01/21

44-A Woodleigh Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Mary B. Jamierson
Date: 06/09/21

44-B Woodleigh Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Mary B. Jamierson
Date: 06/09/21

HEATH

68 Sumner Stetson Road
Heath, MA 01340
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Crystal J. Reardon
Seller: Carmen F. Donelson
Date: 06/02/21

118 Taylor Brook Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Maureen L. Borg
Seller: Robbin-Marie A. Smart
Date: 06/09/21

LEVERETT

35 Juggler Meadow Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Mill River Renovations LLC
Seller: Hoadley, Barbara L., (Estate)
Date: 06/10/21

25 Laurel Hill Dr.
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Astrid C. Schween
Seller: Elizabeth S. Spelke
Date: 06/11/21

MONTAGUE

31 Montague Ave.
Montague, MA 01347
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Drumgool
Seller: Mark Bordeaux
Date: 06/02/21

3 Norman Circle
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Daniel G. Dausch
Seller: Eric C. Emond
Date: 06/11/21

3 T St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Adam Larsen
Seller: Jennifer A. Cummings
Date: 06/03/21

NORTHFIELD

54 East St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Gloria Funkhouser
Seller: Phyllis H. Whitney
Date: 06/07/21

913 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $374,900
Buyer: Shane Duclos
Seller: Kelly Brigham-Steiner
Date: 06/10/21

ORANGE

177 Pleasant St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Nolan
Seller: Timothy B. Cohen-Mitchell
Date: 06/04/21

SHUTESBURY

73 Weatherwood Road
Shutesbury, MA 01002
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Peter Everett
Seller: Jane Slater
Date: 06/10/21

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

32 Belvidere Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Maxwell S. Furioni
Seller: Amelia E. Morin
Date: 06/11/21

48 Florida Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Joshua R. Bragg
Seller: Todd Downie
Date: 06/04/21

64 Greenacre Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Jarvis
Seller: Jeffrey A. Blews
Date: 06/11/21

56 Homer St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Kerry Thurlow
Seller: Patrick J. Campbell
Date: 06/04/21

116 Hunters Greene Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $518,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Pavelcsyk
Seller: Nicola A. Liquori
Date: 06/02/21

49 Logan Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Pavel Yusenko
Seller: Charles A. Calisti
Date: 06/11/21

1710-1712 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Nigar Yurdanidze
Seller: Barbara A. Spear
Date: 06/09/21

33 Maple Meadows Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $431,000
Buyer: Nelson J. Milano
Seller: Anna T. Mineo
Date: 06/10/21

232 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Alycar Investments LLC
Seller: Richard A. Whitney
Date: 06/03/21

692 North West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Girroir
Seller: Mary C. Lamson
Date: 06/07/21

94 School St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Manchester Enterprises
Seller: Thomas J. Dobrowolski
Date: 06/04/21

95 Spencer St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Benjamin Goff
Seller: John J. Delucchi
Date: 06/03/21

58 Sunset Ter.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Adam G. Smith
Seller: Elizabeth Jarvis
Date: 06/10/21

69 Valentine Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Jeremy Libby
Seller: Jeremiah C. Quill Jr RET
Date: 06/03/21

24 Vassar Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Michelle A. Provencher
Seller: Michael Marcus
Date: 06/09/21

BRIMFIELD

34 3rd St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jonathan Pope
Seller: Richard A. Lisowski
Date: 06/08/21

CHESTER

78 Maynard Hill Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Jonathan J. Owens
Seller: Adam M. Starr
Date: 06/04/21

CHICOPEE

12 Baptist Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: James T. Hare
Seller: David A. Heroux
Date: 06/04/21

19 Bonner St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Carolynn M. Bird
Seller: Shane K. Duclos
Date: 06/10/21

108 Davenport St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Juan E. Torres
Seller: Rachael W. Piedra
Date: 06/07/21

162 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kawrin G. Polanco
Seller: EAD Properties LLC
Date: 06/03/21

11 Eldridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Santana Real Estate Inc.
Seller: City Of Chicopee
Date: 06/04/21

110 Fernwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $245,500
Buyer: Kyle A. Martindell
Seller: David M. Brown
Date: 06/11/21

258 Fletcher Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $271,500
Buyer: William E. Olson
Seller: Bolduc, Robert R., (Estate)
Date: 06/04/21

134 Glendale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Kirk M. James
Seller: James E. Anyon
Date: 06/11/21

69 Grape St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: MTC Finally Realty LLC
Seller: City Of Chicopee
Date: 06/04/21

30 Hawthorn St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $198,494
Buyer: Wilmington Trust
Seller: Richard M. Sladeski
Date: 06/09/21

21 Marble Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Alicia Ladue
Seller: Matthew J. Crowley
Date: 06/02/21

Montcalm St. #30
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Joseph Ricker
Seller: Sean Martin
Date: 06/08/21

207 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Kyle Laplante
Seller: Sheila A. Pronovost
Date: 06/09/21

3 Morton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Melissa Hoy
Seller: Denise Bibiloni
Date: 06/01/21

18 Sycamore Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Iris Rosario
Seller: Grandview Development Assocs. LLC
Date: 06/08/21

24 Walton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $130,500
Buyer: Denise Barberet
Seller: Shauna M. Lougee
Date: 06/07/21

EAST LONGMEADOW

7 Broadleaf Circle #7
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $611,963
Buyer: Mary Ann Spencer RET
Seller: D. R. Chestnut LLC
Date: 06/02/21

51 Donald Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Karen A. Hibbard
Seller: Schoenfeldt, Barbara A., (Estate)
Date: 06/10/21

93 Favorite Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Ernest A. Gralia 3rd RET
Seller: Michael Kane
Date: 06/11/21

Favorite Lane #15
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kenneth Eagen
Seller: Michael Kane
Date: 06/08/21

Favorite Lane #79
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kenneth Eagen
Seller: Michael Kane
Date: 06/08/21

5 Michel St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $141,500
Buyer: Nicole Anderson
Seller: Carrington Mortgage Services LLC
Date: 06/04/21

43 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Benjamin M. Keating
Seller: Lori Crum
Date: 06/09/21

275 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Augustus Z. Rivera
Seller: Joanne Camerotta
Date: 06/11/21

48 Schuyler Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Monica D. O’Hearn
Seller: Felix J. Barros
Date: 06/04/21

HAMPDEN

173 Bennett Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Christina Murphy
Seller: Carroll, Jean E., (Estate)
Date: 06/07/21

45 Erica Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Douglas A. Gray
Seller: Joshua J. Hastings
Date: 06/01/21

358 South Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Joy L. Leblanc
Seller: Joseph S. Bonavita
Date: 06/07/21

HOLLAND

30 Leno Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Scott Sheldon
Seller: Andrew Colon
Date: 06/02/21

5 Overlook Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Korin Watras
Seller: Gerald R. Bourcier
Date: 06/09/21

HOLYOKE

46 Claremont Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ian C. Waters
Seller: Cathy H. Lay
Date: 06/07/21

35 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Marissa Saia
Seller: Laurel Saia
Date: 06/04/21

2 Francis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Adrienne M. Hornby
Seller: Mark J. Rodgers
Date: 06/04/21

957 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jude Prych
Seller: Jude Prych
Date: 06/04/21

11 McLellan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Evan M. Saia
Seller: Elizabeth M. Robertson
Date: 06/08/21

18 McLellan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $226,900
Buyer: John F. Sousa
Seller: Meichner, Frederick A., (Estate)
Date: 06/10/21

203 Michigan Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $261,200
Buyer: Mary Webster
Seller: Amanda J. Nugent
Date: 06/02/21

1471 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Ryan A. Tierney
Seller: Stiebel Properties Inc.
Date: 06/09/21

3-5 O’Connor Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: Marsha Qian
Seller: Josue Andujar
Date: 06/09/21

15-17 Oakwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Jeffrey L. Damico
Seller: David T. Lizotte
Date: 06/04/21

44 Portland St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Lopez
Seller: Maritza Perez
Date: 06/01/21

308 Rock Valley Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Daniel W. Sullivan
Seller: Miguel A. Ortiz
Date: 06/02/21

226-230 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $387,850
Buyer: NG Estates LLC
Seller: 228 Sargeant Street LLC
Date: 06/08/21

131-133 Waldo St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Francis M. Reyes
Seller: London Realty LLC
Date: 06/07/21

LONGMEADOW

112 Barbara Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Humberto Bocanegra-Evans
Seller: Carole A. Gloth
Date: 06/09/21

107 Barrington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Patricia D. Smith
Seller: Janet L. Dipietro
Date: 06/11/21

146 Brooks Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Michelle Grodsky
Seller: Joanne Freedman
Date: 06/07/21

76 Duxbury Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $421,000
Buyer: Colin S. Cooper
Seller: Joshua Cooper
Date: 06/08/21

976 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $397,188
Buyer: Cara Roberge
Seller: Louise C. Dean
Date: 06/11/21

161 Lawnwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Zabawa
Seller: Timothy D. Connelly
Date: 06/07/21

35 Lawrence Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Grace E. Kim
Seller: Young K. Kim
Date: 06/08/21

54 Longfellow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: David A. Lenn
Seller: Pamela S. Sullivan
Date: 06/02/21

201 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $326,500
Buyer: Rachel Mertz-Hart
Seller: Gaurav Narula
Date: 06/01/21

85 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Majid Mehmood
Seller: Perell, Ronald E., (Estate)
Date: 06/04/21

5 Pinelawn Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Ross A. Henke
Seller: Julian R. Ortiz
Date: 06/11/21

53 Sylvan Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Emily A. Anderson
Seller: Ellen E. Boyle
Date: 06/03/21

227 Wimbleton Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Hanife Yildiz
Seller: Reid, Joy B., (Estate)
Date: 06/09/21

322 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Matthew F. Duggan
Seller: Anzhela Savonina
Date: 06/07/21

LUDLOW

Autumn Ridge Road #54
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $134,900
Buyer: Tiago A. Boacas-Martins
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 06/10/21

66 Edison Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Michelle Mayou
Seller: William Dupre
Date: 06/02/21

15 Elm St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $182,400
Buyer: Tracy L. Snow
Seller: Maria L. Casimiro
Date: 06/10/21

161 Lakeview Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Celia L. Larouco
Seller: Jose C. Larouco
Date: 06/02/21

229 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Hillside Valley LLC
Seller: Mountain View MHC LLC
Date: 06/03/21

18 Orchard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Nicole Cote
Seller: Cristina, Louis A., (Estate)
Date: 06/09/21

30 Southwood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Kaitlin M. Tronnes
Seller: Paulo L. Roxo
Date: 06/08/21

Turning Leaf Road #20
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Philip A. Brousseau
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 06/04/21

287 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: William Chiarello
Seller: GJL RNL NT
Date: 06/09/21

110 West Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Lori Hanson
Seller: George P. Barroso
Date: 06/04/21

377 Woodland Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Monika M. Konopko
Seller: Hans D. Holsten
Date: 06/01/21

MONSON

Hovey Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Monson Conservation Commission
Seller: Booker, Jean, (Estate)
Date: 06/11/21

29 Lakeshore Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Kim M. Canuel
Seller: Kevin R. Lamy
Date: 06/02/21

183 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: John D. Holdcraft
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/09/21

PALMER

11 Brown St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Stephanie M. Caruso
Seller: Kevin A. Gouvin
Date: 06/11/21

19 Cedar St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Erudite RT
Seller: William J. Waterman
Date: 06/09/21

48 Laurel Road
Palmer, MA 01095
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Benoit
Seller: Marianne Germain RET
Date: 06/04/21

1701 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: RZM Productions Inc.
Seller: Russell G. Baker
Date: 06/09/21

26 South St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Marc P. Graveline
Seller: Wayne S. Schofield
Date: 06/01/21

RUSSELL

71 Cedar Ter.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Kelvin J. Mast
Seller: Gary F. Cranson
Date: 06/10/21

SPRINGFIELD

415 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Darren G. Owens
Seller: David W. Kratt
Date: 06/11/21

57 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Timothy S. Burnes
Seller: Alfonsina Liguori
Date: 06/02/21

123 Alden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jose E. Pena
Seller: R. M. Blerman LLC
Date: 06/11/21

725 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $231,500
Buyer: Angela L. Dieni
Seller: Andrea M. Derose
Date: 06/07/21

69 Alwin Place
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Tasmia Iqrar
Seller: Hamid Hussain
Date: 06/01/21

3-5 Angelo St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Edwin Alvarado
Seller: Marcus Cardoza
Date: 06/07/21

12 Angelo St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Shalamar Williams
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 06/01/21

140-142 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jackeline D. Paneto
Seller: Julio C. Vasquez
Date: 06/11/21

23 Bog Hollow Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Alfredo Lopes
Seller: H. P. Rum LLC
Date: 06/08/21

126 Bulat Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Eric Rodriguez
Seller: Julie M. Lavallee
Date: 06/08/21

15 Burnside Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $205,850
Buyer: Renan Rodriguez
Seller: Robert J. Schroeter
Date: 06/04/21

941 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Angel M. Sanchez
Seller: Hector L. Rivera
Date: 06/11/21

204 Carol Ann St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $315,500
Buyer: Carmen Y. Rosario
Seller: Paul A. Levesque
Date: 06/01/21

132-134 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $261,560
Buyer: Evan Fernandes
Seller: Aimee J. Walczak
Date: 06/10/21

37-39 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $304,000
Buyer: E. Tiburcio-Cabrera
Seller: William Younes
Date: 06/08/21

17-19 Coomes St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Malyun Ali
Seller: Nadia Foureau
Date: 06/04/21

138-140 Daviston St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Josefa Aguasvivas
Seller: Christina Albano
Date: 06/02/21

266 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Andrew Russo
Seller: Laura V. Russo
Date: 06/02/21

77-79 East Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Meonos Properties LLC
Seller: Michael J. Perez
Date: 06/01/21

134 Eddywood St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Marjorie Sheridan
Seller: Susan C. Foley
Date: 06/02/21

32 Elaine Circle
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Liliberth Martinez
Seller: Erich S. Driscoll
Date: 06/02/21

94 Fenimore Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Collin Mcquade
Seller: Arlene Iraola
Date: 06/04/21

89 Firglade Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: Brital 1987 LLC
Seller: Linda Evans
Date: 06/10/21

290 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Duane Griffin
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 06/07/21

313 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Matthew R. Olschefski
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 06/04/21

35 Glendell Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jeremias A. Brito
Seller: Sandra I. Velez
Date: 06/01/21

37 Greenleaf St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jeffrey S. Stiles
Seller: Thomas E. Noel
Date: 06/11/21

43 Griffin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Anthony Avilez
Seller: Richard J. O’Connor
Date: 06/07/21

49 Ionia St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Dine Fahrou-Amadou
Seller: Amneris L. Figueroa
Date: 06/04/21

74 Irvington St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Shakara A. Brown
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 06/07/21

200 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Zi-Lani Shiver
Seller: Miranda McCarthy
Date: 06/10/21

39 James St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Ana Castro
Seller: Greater Springfield Habitat
Date: 06/01/21

28 Kazbeck St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: John L. Bortolussi
Seller: Louis R. Bortolussi
Date: 06/04/21

54 Keith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $234,900
Buyer: Lashawna M. Lewis
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 06/09/21

28 Kenwood Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jarritt Sheel
Seller: Sunshine Homes LLC
Date: 06/11/21

77 Laurence St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Rudi D. Ruiz-Moreno
Seller: Nelson J. Milano
Date: 06/10/21

30 Lester St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $185,900
Buyer: Keisha Binns
Seller: Trifera LLC
Date: 06/11/21

731 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Muhammad Saleem
Seller: Boris Altman
Date: 06/03/21

75 Lyons St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: Joshua Alicea
Seller: C. M. Fernandez-Garcia
Date: 06/09/21

433 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Alpiarca
Seller: John M. Fernandes
Date: 06/03/21

155 Mayflower Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Nicole E. Bondellio
Seller: Peter J. Avdoulos
Date: 06/02/21

88-90 Melville St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Elvis Germoso
Seller: Eric Cassidy
Date: 06/11/21

272 Mill St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Mtabele Mwandja
Seller: Kenneth S. Constanza
Date: 06/04/21

108 Monrovia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Alba N. Rodriguez
Seller: Daniel Caraballo
Date: 06/01/21

171 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: James Cordero
Seller: Kevin V. Palaia
Date: 06/07/21

220 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Marisol Puente
Seller: Christina E. Ramirez
Date: 06/10/21

420 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Nelson Melendez
Seller: Theresa A. Wentz
Date: 06/01/21

115 Oak Hollow Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $325,500
Buyer: Michael Dushman
Seller: Michael Stabilo
Date: 06/04/21

85 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Mirza M. Delgado
Seller: Shirley L. Rodriguez
Date: 06/11/21

46 Pheasant Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $324,556
Buyer: Jafet D. Martinez
Seller: Craig A. Savoie
Date: 06/11/21

Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Iris L. Jenkins
Seller: Lashanda L. Dennis
Date: 06/04/21

11-13 Phoenix St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Mian Z. Saleem
Seller: Mustafa Rasheed
Date: 06/11/21

43 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: William Raleigh
Seller: Patricia R. Santamaria
Date: 06/08/21

231 Pondview Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Meghan L. Gaul
Seller: Leemarie Sanchez
Date: 06/04/21

21 Puritan Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Atkins
Seller: Donohue, Paula, (Estate)
Date: 06/11/21

3-5 Radner St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Maria Lizardi
Seller: Kevin J. Wedemeyer
Date: 06/08/21

31 Ravenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Marilee E. Boothe
Seller: Yordy L. Santos
Date: 06/04/21

701 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Kevin C. Charlton
Seller: Lizbeth Rivera
Date: 06/10/21

38 Rutledge Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Heung W. Poon
Seller: Extremely Clean 2 LLC
Date: 06/04/21

171 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $284,999
Buyer: Coralys Santiago
Seller: JJJ 17 LLC
Date: 06/03/21

341 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $295,800
Buyer: Aweis A. Hussein
Seller: Jose R. Martinez
Date: 06/07/21

860 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Luis M. Laiz-Morales
Seller: Lisa A. Lavigne
Date: 06/04/21

33 Schley St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Catherine Reynolds
Seller: Lance M. Bedford
Date: 06/04/21

50 Seneca St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jose A. Cartagena-Colon
Seller: John M. Gawlik
Date: 06/04/21

42 Spruceland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Lance M. Bedford
Seller: Paul A. Weir
Date: 06/04/21

237 Stapleton Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Amanda Gureckis
Seller: Benjamin M. Pieciak
Date: 06/02/21

799 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Brandi M. Jackson
Seller: Jimmy E. Chang
Date: 06/04/21

415 Tiffany St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Arcange Gonzalez-Bonilla
Seller: Opus Durum LLC
Date: 06/08/21

202 Tyler St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Gilbert Baguma
Seller: Wei Q. Ni
Date: 06/03/21

613 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Anaida Ovalles
Seller: Chad Lynch
Date: 06/09/21

186-188 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Yanjie Wang
Seller: Tyrone L. Jackson
Date: 06/09/21

586-588 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Finly Turnier
Seller: Catherine M. Chavez
Date: 06/04/21

201 Windemere St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Lexter A. Santiago-Ofray
Seller: Crystal L. Roy
Date: 06/04/21

1015 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Eddy Robles
Seller: Daniel Burgos
Date: 06/10/21

SOUTHWICK

41 Bungalow St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Marcus Trinchini
Seller: Robert Bosco
Date: 06/07/21

15 Gillette Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: James Love
Seller: Gayle A. Franklin
Date: 06/10/21

356 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Ashley Lapointe
Seller: Ryan F. Henderson
Date: 06/04/21

22 Laurel Ridge Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Erin M. Johnson
Seller: Scott R. Brammell
Date: 06/04/21

73 North Lake Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Lara Clarke
Seller: Cody Baron
Date: 06/08/21

355 North Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Kierstin Knightly
Seller: Kellogg Brothers Inc.
Date: 06/07/21

WALES

93 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Jacqueline A. Sauliner
Seller: Carolyn Suchenicz
Date: 06/03/21

WEST SPRINGFIELD

430 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Stark
Seller: Thomas R. Stark
Date: 06/11/21

174 Bosworth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Eugene Ostrovskiy
Seller: Myrna E. Osowski
Date: 06/11/21

53 Burford Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: 3D Home Improvement LLC
Seller: Thomas J. Alouise
Date: 06/10/21

60 Churchill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Kyle Douglas
Seller: Adam L. Dasso
Date: 06/02/21

154 City View Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Alla Bashinskiy
Seller: James M. Karalekis
Date: 06/02/21

19 Colton Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Sandra I. Velez
Seller: Semen Shapovalov
Date: 06/01/21

56 Exposition Ter.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Revitalized Renovations
Seller: Expo Realty LLC
Date: 06/03/21

66 Exposition Ter.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Revitalized Renovations
Seller: Expo Realty LLC
Date: 06/03/21

70 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Nicholas Ottoson
Seller: Round 2 LLC
Date: 06/01/21

15 Hemlock St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Mass Housing LLC
Seller: Rostislav Peshko
Date: 06/07/21

27 Larchwood St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Stephanie Condino
Seller: Marie C. Finnerty
Date: 06/11/21

44 Lewis Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Ganga Tamang
Seller: David Demers
Date: 06/10/21

30 Massasoit Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: La Iglesia Rescatando
Seller: Holy Ghost Temple Church
Date: 06/03/21

15 Moseley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $152,500
Buyer: Mircha Karcha
Seller: Joseph T. Alouise
Date: 06/10/21

Niles St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: La Iglesia Rescatando
Seller: Holy Ghost Temple Church
Date: 06/03/21

2107 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Richard Stewart Holdings LLC
Seller: 2119 Riverdale LLP
Date: 06/03/21

18 Wilbert Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Baril
Seller: Kyle M. Douglas
Date: 06/02/21

244 Woodmont St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Shibu Koruthu-Varghese
Seller: James S. Krupa
Date: 06/08/21

WESTFIELD

188 Apple Blossom Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Felicia M. Crowley
Seller: Jeffrey Keating
Date: 06/03/21

61 Carroll Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Philip A. Barry
Seller: Judith F. Farr
Date: 06/08/21

2 Collins St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Richard I. Ayala
Seller: Chad W. Hedges
Date: 06/10/21

44 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Cristia Montero-Saeteros
Seller: Heather M. Lufkin
Date: 06/08/21

47 Dartmouth St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Erin K. Hall
Seller: Nancy A. Mosher
Date: 06/01/21

336 Elm St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Markam LLC
Seller: V&A Realty LLC
Date: 06/04/21

19 Fairview St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Flutura Doko
Seller: Marie L. Brodowski
Date: 06/04/21

6 Foss St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Vitalii Kucherenko
Seller: Jacqueline S. Schwaber
Date: 06/04/21

11 Gloria Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $577,000
Buyer: Jacob A. Carmody
Seller: Michael C. Cousins
Date: 06/11/21

512 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Colin C. Green
Seller: Bruce A. Stone
Date: 06/02/21

25 Mockingbird Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Johnathan P. Imbriglio
Seller: Ronald P. Jurczyk
Date: 06/09/21

465 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $488,000
Buyer: Xiaoli Li
Seller: Pavel N. Gorobinskiy
Date: 06/03/21

841 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Susan J. Turrini RET
Seller: Wolf D. Herzog
Date: 06/01/21

7 Oak St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Westlee Cardenales
Seller: James L. Love
Date: 06/10/21

948-A Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Lauren M. Denney
Seller: Angelo Imbriglio
Date: 06/04/21

948-B Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Lauren M. Denney
Seller: Angelo Imbriglio
Date: 06/04/21

23 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Ana Sirbu
Seller: Thomas E. Hoffman
Date: 06/10/21

10 Spartan Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Paul Tsvor
Seller: US Bank
Date: 06/03/21

317 Union St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Mr. Whipys Golf Acres LLC
Seller: Mann No Enterprises LLC
Date: 06/04/21

107 Woodcliff Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Casey E. Penn
Seller: Kathleen H. Potter
Date: 06/01/21

WILBRAHAM

10 Arbor Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Jordan Montoya
Seller: James H. Bugbee
Date: 06/03/21

3 Horseshoe Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: ZF 2021-1 LLC
Seller: Richard A. Stone
Date: 06/04/21

17 Hunting Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Mavis
Seller: SZF Properties LLC
Date: 06/11/21

1 Lance Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Emma Reed-Collins
Seller: William Lee
Date: 06/09/21

12 McIntosh Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Jason L. Sutter
Seller: Tina M. Fiore
Date: 06/04/21

15 Mountainview St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Catherine Dyjak
Seller: Arslanian, Judith A., (Estate)
Date: 06/04/21

13 Pine Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Tai V. Nguyen
Seller: Carol A. Ligarski
Date: 06/02/21

7 Red Gap Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Jessica E. Posco
Seller: Scott Kertenis
Date: 06/04/21

28 Shirley St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Reaap FT
Seller: Jason J. Godin
Date: 06/08/21

444 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jack P. Griguoli
Seller: John Secora
Date: 06/02/21

870 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Gabriel Anderson
Seller: Jack McIntyre
Date: 06/01/21

29 Wright Place
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Tia M. Chevalier
Seller: Michael J. Trimboli
Date: 06/01/21

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

239 Aubinwood Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Willmer
Seller: Alan E. Harchik
Date: 06/04/21

34 Baker St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Michael R. Chunyk
Seller: Kelly J. Light
Date: 06/04/21

35 Butterfield Ter.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: John W. Kinchla
Seller: Ting FT
Date: 06/01/21

429 Henry St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $679,900
Buyer: Victoria Risk
Seller: Jon P. Foster
Date: 06/04/21

16 Hitching Post Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Sarah R. Fitzgerald
Seller: Anne-Marie E. Sheerman
Date: 06/01/21

111 Lindenridge Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $784,000
Buyer: Kelley J. Sung-Scarmeas
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 06/01/21

375 Potwine Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Maximilian Safarpour
Seller: Ronald W. Keith
Date: 06/08/21

20 Sheerman Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $591,000
Buyer: Thomas W. Kornack
Seller: Jean A. Schwartz
Date: 06/10/21

21 Sunrise Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Dickinson Street LLC
Seller: Richard J. McKeown
Date: 06/02/21

245 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Good View LLC
Seller: Christopher L. Monteiro
Date: 06/01/21

12 White Pine Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $688,400
Buyer: Christopher P. Misra
Seller: Atimuktak K. Jain
Date: 06/11/21

BELCHERTOWN

39 Autumn Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: Austin J. McDonald
Seller: David H. Damours
Date: 06/07/21

28 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $627,000
Buyer: Mary-Knight B. Young
Seller: Jose A. Flores
Date: 06/11/21

227 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Maria Pereira-McCullah
Seller: Charles A. Blandford
Date: 06/10/21

34 Emily Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Grigory Yanovsky
Seller: Heather L. St.Germaine
Date: 06/01/21

38 Hickory Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Marcia M. Martel
Seller: Heidi L. Bonafini
Date: 06/11/21

80 Jackson St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Laura Madden
Seller: Alison Waterbury-Bates
Date: 06/01/21

60 Magnolia Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $447,400
Buyer: William H. Brush
Seller: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction Inc.
Date: 06/10/21

120 Mountain View Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Rachlin
Seller: E. C. Wright Funding TR
Date: 06/09/21

159 Munsell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $405,500
Buyer: Michael Burke
Seller: Lisa E. Zepke
Date: 06/09/21

200 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Renata Dudek
Seller: Eileen F. Farrington
Date: 06/04/21

35 Oasis Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $659,900
Buyer: John E. Nelson
Seller: Christopher M. Ronkese
Date: 06/04/21

224 South St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: David Damours
Seller: Robert E. Wojtczak
Date: 06/07/21

360 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Armida R. Fruzzetti
Seller: Hudson S. Allen
Date: 06/03/21

Sycamore Circle #CN
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Seller: Hickory Hills Realty LLC
Date: 06/04/21

Sycamore Circle #CT
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Seller: Hickory Hills Realty LLC
Date: 06/04/21

Sycamore Circle #CV
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Seller: Hickory Hills Realty LLC
Date: 06/04/21

 

CHESTERFIELD

113 Indian Hollow Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Lauren Rosa
Seller: Laine W. Wilder
Date: 06/04/21

Willicutt Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Christopher Greenwood
Seller: Thomas E. Dawson-Greene
Date: 06/04/21

EASTHAMPTON

23 East Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Leah Morton
Seller: Ralph R. Morton
Date: 06/03/21

134 Holyoke St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $139,264
Buyer: Holly R. Klin
Seller: Klin, Edmund J., (Estate)
Date: 06/02/21

55-63 Union St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Center For Human Development Inc.
Seller: Stawarz RT
Date: 06/09/21

69 Union St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Center For Human Development Inc.
Seller: Stawarz RT
Date: 06/09/21

4 Warren Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $312,600
Buyer: Christopher R. Conz
Seller: Hurley, Mary C., (Estate)
Date: 06/10/21

GOSHEN

206 South Chesterfield Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $347,000
Buyer: Pine Island Lake Investment LLC
Seller: Christine S. Sass
Date: 06/11/21

GRANBY

67 East St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Kinga S. Legowski
Seller: Premier Home Builders Inc.
Date: 06/02/21

97 East St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Sarah A. Baki
Seller: Derek Swistak
Date: 06/01/21

School St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Walker
Seller: E. C. Shyloski & Sons Inc.
Date: 06/09/21

188 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Erin Traniello
Seller: Wendy Garnett
Date: 06/02/21

HADLEY

1 Crestview Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $432,000
Buyer: Chad W. Brown
Seller: James R. Cadenhead
Date: 06/01/21

121 East St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $263,900
Buyer: Matthew J. Pfannenstiel
Seller: Christina J. Olson
Date: 06/04/21

234 River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: North Hadley Property LLC
Seller: Donald J. Pipczynski
Date: 06/07/21

29 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $649,000
Buyer: Ann P. Hudson
Seller: David S. Haddock
Date: 06/10/21

7 West St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $414,415
Buyer: Irene Costello
Seller: J. T. & Adele J. Westort LT
Date: 06/01/21

HATFIELD

18 Pleasant View Dr.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Josephine Hernandez
Seller: Sarah D. Jordan
Date: 06/10/21

NORTHAMPTON

Audubon Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Paul & Joanne Kelliher FT
Seller: Alexander RT
Date: 06/08/21

24 Audubon Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Clara A. McCoy
Seller: Alix L. Olson
Date: 06/10/21

46 Avis Circle
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Yezan S. Alayan
Seller: Susan M. Maguire
Date: 06/09/21

5 Crescent St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: John T. Geryk
Seller: Timothy O. Martyn
Date: 06/10/21

34 Day Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Day Avenue Properties LLC
Seller: Gary F. Bivona
Date: 06/01/21

345 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $847,000
Buyer: Thomas E. Powell
Seller: Kimberly A. Mahoney LT
Date: 06/04/21

64 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Kirstin Dand
Seller: Nelly Carmona
Date: 06/04/21

40 Ice Pond Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $561,000
Buyer: Mariyana Zapryanova
Seller: Jennifer A. Jurcsak
Date: 06/07/21

45 Lyman Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Jane Gish
Seller: Kotker FT
Date: 06/01/21

67 Milton St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $455,200
Buyer: Leigh E. Figueroa-Starr
Seller: William Hannigan
Date: 06/01/21

North King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Green Delta Holding LLC
Seller: Damon Lane LLC
Date: 06/10/21

89 Oak St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $561,671
Buyer: Hanna Leibl
Seller: John T. Geryk
Date: 06/03/21

193 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Joeli Hettler
Seller: Noa Milman
Date: 06/07/21

274 Prospect St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Nada Kawar
Seller: Patrick A. Fleming
Date: 06/04/21

147 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: David Lane
Seller: Susan Demaria
Date: 06/09/21

603 Spring St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $552,815
Buyer: Caren Lipkin-Rifkin
Seller: Gregory J. Wales
Date: 06/11/21

377 Sylvester Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: James J. Mahoney
Seller: Melissa Seymour
Date: 06/11/21

8 Warner St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: John Moran
Seller: Nu-Way Homes Inc.
Date: 06/11/21

22 Whittier St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Jesse Schreiber-Lambert
Seller: Michael A. Stamm
Date: 06/08/21

PELHAM

Buffam Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Harry Brakeley
Seller: Ezbicki, Virginia A., (Estate)
Date: 06/02/21

12 Shutesbury Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Jennifer M. Weaver
Seller: Thomas C. Crossman
Date: 06/01/21

SOUTH HADLEY

16 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: NRB Property LLC
Seller: Daniel F. Muldoon
Date: 06/09/21

33 Boynton Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Voula O’Grady
Seller: Lauren E. O’bregon
Date: 06/02/21

8 Elm St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Lindsey S. Watson
Seller: Rodrigue, Pierrette M., (Estate)
Date: 06/10/21

98 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $374,000
Buyer: Greta Currie
Seller: David W. Bernier
Date: 06/04/21

11 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Hadley Street LLC
Seller: John R. Rigalis
Date: 06/02/21

45-47 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Montemagni
Seller: Carolanne Bright
Date: 06/08/21

135 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Crystal L. Roy
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 06/08/21

22 Ridge Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kimberly Cook
Seller: Raymond G. Simon
Date: 06/01/21

26 San Souci Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Laurel Francke
Seller: E. F. Damours TR
Date: 06/03/21

14 Summit St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $279,800
Buyer: Jennifer G. Stasinos
Seller: Emily K. Sorbi
Date: 06/03/21

3 Sunrise Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $621,000
Buyer: Harvey Ashman
Seller: Kristina E. Manniello
Date: 06/01/21

30 Susan Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Joseph Ricker
Seller: Sean Martin
Date: 06/08/21

SOUTHAMPTON

10 Gunn Road Ext
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Joseph J. Houle
Seller: Jonathan M. Levin
Date: 06/04/21

WARE

14 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Brian C. Perez
Seller: Jonathan D. Meyer
Date: 06/02/21

13 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: 13 North LLC
Seller: Joel J. Harder
Date: 06/02/21

WORTHINGTON

479 Old North Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $427,900
Buyer: Boris A. Samarov
Seller: Justin A. Barton
Date: 06/03/21

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2021.

AMHERST

Aspen Chase Woodbridge, LP
615 Main St.
$5,500 — Install fire-alarm system in Building 1

Central Amherst Realty Trust
51 East Pleasant St.
$196,000 — Building two new bars and new service counter, install new subfloor for existing bar, remove wall tiles and add drywall

Pulpit Hill Partners
110 Pulpit Hill Road, Unit 134
$41,000 — Install solar panels on roof

CHICOPEE

Elms College
291 Springfield St.
$32,500 — Roofing on Devine Hall

Germain Properties, LLC
22 Marcelle St.
$8,720 — Roofing

Meadow Street Partners, LLP
307 Meadow St.
$5,000 — Interior refresh of existing office/warehouse space

EAST LONGMEADOW

Center for Human Development
22 Porter Road
$25,800 — Repair car damage to house

Center for Human Development
22 Porter Road
$4,200 — Demolish garage

Marthe, LLC
37 Prospect St.
$2,000 — Roof repair

The Pizza Shoppe
134 Shaker Road
$50,000 — Renovate women’s and men’s rooms

LEE

Deborah White
880 East St.
$2,686 — HVAC, insulation

LENOX

Lenox Club
111 Yokun Ave.
$22,000 — Roofing

Morgan Manor
0 Morgan Manor
$21,500 — Remove failed retaining wall and stairway, construct block wall and fill in existing stairwell, add additional emergency lights to basement

St. Vincent DePaul Church
29 Crystal St.
$24,995 — Roofing

WS Management Inc.
489 Pittsfield Road
$9,950 — Tenant fit-out for Lucky Nails

NORTHAMPTON

Paul D’Amour
162 North King St.
$9,200 — Construct new structure

Drawing Board Brewery Co.
36 Main St.
$2,500 — Non-illuminated wall sign

Nicole Fritz
190 Nonotuck St.
$50,000 — Add exterior canopy and entry modifications

Hill Institute
83 Pine St.
$13,460 — Replace seven basement windows

Nine Pearl, LLC
9 Pearl St.
$50,000 — Increase loading capacity

Seven Sisters Midwifery Land, LLC
74 Maple St.
$1,000 — Illuminated wall sign

Smith College
4 Tyler Dr.
$45,500 — Replace door and window, building repairs at Young Library

Smith College
53 West St.
$17,500 — Repair porch, deck, and railings

PITTSFIELD

City of Pittsfield
70 Allen St.
$6,383 — Install smoke detectors for new elevator recall functions

El Gato Grande, LP
457 Dalton Ave.
$5,000 — Install new exterior door and change swing of existing door

Thomas Pecoraro
265 Bradford St.
$18,400 — Roofing

Seven Oh Three Nominee Trust
703 West Housatonic St.
$17,000 — Reconfigure Offices

SPRINGFIELD

Ace Signs, LLC
477 Cottage St.
$44,000 — Roofing

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
759 Chestnut St.
$88,488 — Alter Emergency Department shower and restroom on first floor

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
3400 Main St.
$108,678 — Alter medical office space on first floor of Northern Edge Adult Medicine

Baystate Medical Practices Inc.
2 Medical Center Dr.
$947,132 — Alter interior space for general surgery office on third floor

Christ Church Cathedral
37 Chestnut St.
$10,000 — Add insulation to attic and exterior walls

Cornel Forbes
320 Wilbraham Road
$60,000 — Repair fire damage at Talk of the Town restaurant

Gulmohar Hospitality, LLC
711 Dwight St.
$29,940.86 — Repair damaged exterior wall finish on 12th floor of La Quinta Inn & Suites

Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
1023 Parker St.
$8,000 — Add insulation to attic of St. Catherine of Siena Church

Springfield Lodge of Elks
440 Tiffany St.
$71,200 — Remodel existing men’s and women’s bathrooms, alter closet into new ADA bathroom

Venture Properties, LLC
254 Worthington St.
$30,000 — Roofing

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Castle Pines, LLC
7 Upper Church St.
$9,500 — Repair chimney

Northeast IT Systems Inc.
2107 Riverdale St.
$142,114.47 — Renovate existing warehouse space, converting to office space

Randy Rindels
874 Memorial Ave.
$380,110 — Renovate existing building for new auto dealership

Round Two, LLC
320 Park St.
$12,000 — Siding

Business Confidence Rises Again in June

By
Daily News

BOSTON — Confidence among Massachusetts employers rose for the fifth time in six months during June amid signs that the recovery of the labor market is gaining momentum.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index rose 1.5 points to 63.4 last month, leaving it 14.4 points higher than a year ago. The increase was driven in part by the brightest assessment of the employment picture since April 2018. Hiring appears to be picking up after companies struggled for months with one of the tightest labor markets in decades.

Nationally, the government announced that U.S. employers added 850,000 jobs in June, well above the average of the previous three months and a sign that companies may be having an easier time finding enough workers to fill open jobs.

The Massachusetts unemployment rate fell to 6.1% during May as employers created 9,200 jobs. Massachusetts has gained an estimated 357,000 jobs during the past 12 months.

“The June Business Confidence Index and the most recent government reports suggest that hiring is accelerating as employers attract workers with higher pay. Wages nationally jumped 3.6% last month from a year ago,” said Sara Johnson, chair of the AIM Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and executive director of Global Economics at IHS Markit. “At the same time, there are 6.8 million fewer jobs in the United States than before the pandemic, meaning we still have a long way to go in the employment recovery.”

The AIM Index, based on a survey of more than 140 Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative.

The constituent indicators that make up the Business Confidence Index were mostly positive during June. The Employment Index rose 2.5 points as companies finally began to locate workers to fill open jobs and boost output. The employment reading has increased by more than 11 points since June 2020.

The confidence employers have in their own companies rose slightly to 64.7, 13.1 points more than it was a year ago. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth increased 2.9 points to 63.6, up 16.8 points since June 2020. The U.S. Index measuring conditions nationally gained 1.3 points in June and 15.2 points for the year.

The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, gained 3.0 points to 63.3. The Future Index, measuring projections for the economy six months from now, was almost flat, losing 0.1 point to 63.4. Confidence among manufacturing companies declined 0.8 points, but remained 11.5 points higher than its year-earlier level.

Large companies (66.4) were more bullish than medium-sized companies (62.0) or small companies (60.7). Companies in Eastern Mass. (67.1) were significantly more confident than those in Western Mass. (59.6)

Michael Tyler, CFA, vice chair of BEA and chief Investment officer at Eastern Bank Wealth Management, said the risk of sustained long-term inflation remains low despite the near-term upward pressure on wages and some commodities.

“There is some inflation, to be sure, but mostly it’s due to base effects (that is, low prices a year ago when lockdowns were in place) or supply-chain disruptions that can be resolved.,” he said. “Today’s inflation should not be misinterpreted as a fundamental shift in the current economic climate.”

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said the recent debate over whether the Massachusetts Legislature or Gov. Charlie Baker should control distribution of $5.3 billion in federal stimulus money from the American Rescue Plan Act should not obscure the importance of using some of the money to stabilize the unemployment-insurance system. The Legislature and governor froze unemployment-insurance rates and separately spread out an unexpected surge in solvency rates over the next 20 years.

“The unemployment system will still be burdened for decades by the fallout from COVID-19 and the economic shutdowns of 2020,” Regan said. “The one step that remains is for policymakers to use some of Massachusetts’ federal stimulus money to stabilize the unemployment system for the long term.”

Women’s Fund Awards $135,000 to 20 Organizations Advancing Gender, Racial Equity

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWM) announced $135,000 in grant awards to organizations working with women and girls that address safety and anti-violence; gender-based sexual violence; parity in leadership, representation, and power; and economic security.

Reinforcing a commitment to racial equity, WFWM prioritized awarding grants to organizations fronted by women and black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) leaders. These grants will support efforts across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties and work with a broad range of entities, including small startups, grassroots organizations, and well-established nonprofits.

Individual committees formed to review more than 70 applications and recommend a slate of grant awardees through participatory grantmaking — a process that puts the power into the hands of those most impacted by funding decisions — in which girls, women, people of color, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse were at the table. Additionally, the WFWM has been working to address power imbalances within philanthropy by employing a trust-based philanthropy model that includes simplifying the application and reporting processes, offering unrestricted funding, remaining transparent, and supporting organizations beyond the awards.

“We are so grateful to be selected for support by the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. This grant is very important for our immigrant women workers and mothers,” said Hodaliz Borrayes, a community organizer with Pioneer Valley Workers Center. “Many women live with psychological or emotional abuse, in the workplace or at home. We want every woman to know her rights and feel strong in expressing what she feels and thinks — to be herself and live her dreams.”

WFWM distributed $70,000 through this initiative to organizations whose work aligns with one or more strategic pillars (economic security, parity in positions of power and leadership, and freedom from gender-based violence, harassment, and abuse). Grant recipients for this general funding include Flying Cloud Institute, New England Learning Center for Women in Transition, New North Citizens Council, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, Sow Well Tots Early Education Center, Voices from Inside, and WAM Theatre.

Additionally, the WFWM continues to support organizations through the Fund for Me Too Movement and Allies for the prevention and intervention of sexual-based violence. Grants awarded through this fund total $50,000. This year’s recipients include Breathing Space, Elizabeth Freeman Center, the Rites of Passage Project, Root Studio, Safe Passage, the Salasin Project, Survivor Arts Collective, and the Women of Color Health Equity Collective.

For the grants awarded through the Springfield Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) of WFWM, members of the current cohort and alumnae convened over two months to make nominations for funding. The YWI distributed $15,000 in grants to Springfield-serving organizations whose programs address safety and anti-violence, economic security and prosperity, or leadership and visibility. Recipients of this grant include a summer-camp program focused on leadership development, an initiative that provides public-speaking coaching for young people, and a healthy-relationships outreach program partnering with local schools. YWI grant awardees include Alianza (formerly known as Womanshelter/Compañeras), the Care Center, Lady Soldiers, A Queen’s Narrative, and Take the Mic.

Fly LUGU Flight Training to Host Open House on Aug. 7

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — Fly LUGU Flight Training will host an open house on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westfield-Barnes Municipal Airport, located at 110 Airport Road in Westfield.

The flight school will celebrate its reopening after the pandemic, and the public is welcome to attend a meet-and-greet with instructors, learn about discounted discovery flights, and enjoy food and music. Interested individuals can call (833) 359-5848 for more information on flight training.

ManeHire Awarded $25,000 Power Forward Small Business Grant

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Nicole Polite, the owner of ManeHire, a staffing and recruiting agency, was recently awarded $25,000 through the Power Forward Small Business Grant. This grant is an extension of Boston Celtics United for Social Justice, a multi-focus commitment to addressing racial injustice and social inequities in the Greater Boston area. The program offers recipients the opportunity to be featured on national co-branded platforms and receive marketing and design resources customized to their specific needs to help their business grow and thrive.

“It has always been my goal to ensure that the best of the best diverse candidates are well-represented in every executive search we conduct,” Polite said. “We measure and track diversity every step of the way.”

With a focus on helping firms realize their potential through workplace diversity, ManeHire believes that a diverse and inclusive workforce enables innovation and that employers should be reflective of the communities in which they serve.

“This grant will help us provide workshops and training on ‘Diversity Sensitivity in the Workplace,’ ‘Getting Back to Work,’ and ‘Résumé-building Tips,’” Polite noted. “Our community needs this. They need a little extra support to rise up after a challenging year.”

Colebrook Realty Services Brokers Sale of Former Faces Building

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Colebrook Realty Services Inc. announced the sale of the 33,228 square-foot retail building on Main Street in Northampton between Main Street, LLP and 175 Main Street, LLC — a subsidiary of Redstone. The property is located at 175 Main St. in Northampton.

Redstone is a property management and development company based in Burlington, Vt. It has been investing in properties that inspire pride and interaction for nearly 30 years, with a particular focus on commercial real estate, multi-family, and student housing throughout New England. The acquisition of 175 Main St. represents Redstone’s affinity for the former Faces building and Northampton’s strong downtown area, said Joe Engelken, Senior Vice President of Acquisition & Development for the company.

“Redstone is delighted to have the opportunity to acquire a prominent piece of Northampton’s Downtown and become a part of the community,” he said. “We are excited for the coming years and will strive to recreate the sense of destination that Faces once had.”

Half of the property has remained vacant since the iconic Face’s store shut down in April, 2019. TD Bank leases space at the building across from Thornes Marketplace. The sale of the property was handled by Mitch Bolotin and Jack Dill of Colebrook. “The Faces building is an important landmark for Northampton’s Main Street,” said Mitch Bolotin, “and Redstone is the right development group to manage the property growing forward.”

HCC Reopening Campus Offices, Fitness Center

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Beginning July 6, Holyoke Community College will reopen its Admissions and Advising offices for on-campus, in-person services.

The Admissions and Advising offices, located on the first floor of the HCC Campus Center, will be open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those offices, and most others, have been operating remotely since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Besides Admissions and Advising, other departments will also have in-person services at varied hours based on staff availability, and those hours will be posted on the HCC website. All offices will continue to provide remote services via email, phone, Zoom, and the “ChatNow” feature on the HCC website: hcc.edu.

The HCC Bookstore, located on the second floor of the Campus Center, has been open for in-person business since mid-May.

Due to renovations underway on the second floor of the Frost building, the Financial Aid, Student Accounts and Student Records offices will continue to operate remotely for now via email, phone, zoom, and ChatNow.

Masks must be worn in all HCC buildings.

Meanwhile, the fitness room in the Bartley Center for Athletics & Recreation is scheduled to reopen on July 16, with some restrictions for the remainder of the summer.

A maximum of 15 guests will be permitted in the fitness room at any given time. Workout time slots will run for 60 minutes with 30-minute intervals in between for cleaning and sanitizing along the following schedule: Monday-Friday: 6-7 a.m.; 7:30-8:30 a.m., 9-10 a.m., 10:30-11:30 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m., 3-4 p.m., 4:30 -5:30 p.m., 6-7 p.m., 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 8-9 a.m., 9:30-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon.

Guests can pre-register for preferred workout times by calling the Bartley Center desk attendant at (413) 552–2160 during normal business hours, although pre-registration is not required.

Fitness room users may remove their masks while engaged in cardio exercises only. For the time being, the lobby, basketball courts, locker rooms and second floor areas will remain closed.

More information Bartley Center hours and regulations can be found on the HCC website: hcc.edu/bartley-center

JA of Western Massachusetts Raises $1,450 with Virtual 5K Run/Walk 

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) staged a Virtual 5K Run/Walk June 11-14 to raise funds to support its literacy, entrepreneurship, and career exploration programs. A total of 14 participants met the challenge and raised $1,450 for the cause.

“The realities of the pandemic prompted us to hold this event virtually, but we are so grateful for the participants who still made the commitment to support us,” said Jennifer A. Connolly, President, JAWM. “Every bit helps as our programs are offered at no cost to schools and youth groups. Our students need financial literacy and work readiness programs to be prepared for their futures.”

Participants paid a $25 entry fee and were encouraged to walk, run or bike with friends and family and solicit donations through their own fundraising pages. Safety Restore of Westfield was the event’s medal sponsor, and Country Bank was the certificate sponsor.

Stage Is Set for Star Spangled Springfield

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In preparation for Star Spangled Springfield on July 4, the Springfield Police Department will be detouring traffic in and around the area of the Memorial Bridge and Riverfront Park where festivities will be held.

On July 3, at 11 p.m., the Memorial Bridge will close to all traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, to allow for the set-up of the Star Spangled Springfield fireworks display. The bridge will open around 11p.m. on July 4.

On July 4, around 7:30 p.m., the Springfield Police Department will begin to close roads in the vicinity of the Memorial Bridge in anticipation of the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display.  Massachusetts State Police will close Exit 5 (formerly Exit 7) off of I-91 South as needed. Pedestrians will be restricted from sitting on I-91 Exit Ramps.

For public safety, the Springfield Police Department will enforce no bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, pets, alcohol, fireworks, sparklers, and drones in and around Riverfront Park.

Star Spangled Springfield, presented by the Spirit of Springfield since 1991, is sponsored by MassMutual. It is supported with additional support from iHeart Radio (Mix 93.1 FM), MassLive, The Republican, and WWLP-TV22.  In-kind donors include 90 Meat Outlet/Armata’s, Affordable Waste Solutions, Charlie Arment Trucking, Elegant Affairs, Joseph Freedman Company, MGM Springfield, Michael’s Party Rentals, Quality Beverage, Republic Services, Sheraton Springfield, Springfield Parking Authority, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, City of Springfield, and many others.

Longtime Home Builder Alan Tabin Joins B & B Real Estate Team

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Local home builder and developer Alan Tabin announced he has joined B & B Real Estate in Holyoke as a licensed real-estate agent.

Tabin has been active in the real-estate industry throughout his adult life. As co-owner of Home Improvement Associates, LLC, he grew a successful construction business over three decades. His expertise as a builder includes custom homes, investment property, rehabbing, and residential and commercial renovations. His experience in real-estate development includes a residential subdivision of new homes and a 25-unit condominium project in South Hadley known as Jacob’s Edge.

“I am excited to offer my unique expertise as a builder to home buyers, sellers, and potential investors,” Tabin said. “My knowledge of construction, local building resources and contacts, and the real-estate market can be valuable to anyone wanting to buy, sell, or invest in real estate.”

Three County Fair Tickets Now on Sale

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The Three County Fair is back, returning on Labor Day weekend, Friday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 6.

“We could not be more thrilled that everyone continues to get vaccinated and that Massachusetts businesses can operate at 100% capacity,” said James Przypek, general manager of the Three County Fair. “Like all businesses and families, we took a series of cutbacks and steps to get us to this point, and we are proud to still be here planning a late-summer experience that fairgoers can cherish.”

Last year, the COVID-19 health crisis forced the fair to be closed to the public while hosting only limited arts, baking, crafts, and livestock competitions to comply with capacity restrictions. This year, the 204th consecutive fair returns to normal operations and capacities with discounted general admission and four-day passes on sale exclusively at 3countyfair.com.

The fair’s attractions include carnival-style rides and games; adult and youth livestock, agricultural, and arts and crafts competitions; live music concerts; area food trucks; comedy variety shows; plus the ever-popular demolition derbies each day.

General admission to the fair is $15 for ages 12 and up and free for ages 11 and under, with discounts for seniors and veterans. Further discounts are available by purchasing tickets online and in advance on the fair’s website. For example, the four-day pass, sold online only for $30, is 50% off the gate price for a general-admission adult ticket for four days.

Przypek encouraged fairgoers to get their tickets in advance to save money, plus get speedy and contactless entrance onto the fairgrounds. “We also know that everyone had a rough 14 months to weather; therefore, we have made parking free at the fair this year as a way to welcome back returning guests and incentivize new ones.”

Smith & Wesson Commits More Than $20,000 in Support of Square One

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson is once again lending its support to the children and families served by Square One. The company recently committed $20,000 in corporate giving, in addition to funds donated by employees as part of their commitment to social responsibility.

The gift marks the latest addition to a long list of contributions made over the years. The company has supported the agency’s early-education and care initiatives and programs to support victims of domestic violence. It was also among the first businesses in the region to fund Square One’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

“Smith & Wesson and its employees are proud to support Square One’s efforts to offer tools and resources to local families,” said Mark Smith, president and CEO of Smith & Wesson. “We recognize that a strong foundation is the key to the development of all children. Through their programs, the staff at Square One has enhanced the lives of many children and families in our community. We’re happy that our partnership makes a difference.”

The funds will support Square One’s Campaign for Healthy Kids, a multi-year fund-development initiative focused on the agency’s commitment to providing healthy meals, physical fitness, social-emotional well-being, and a healthy learning environment.

“Square One has long relied on support from Smith & Wesson to support our programs and services,” said Kristine Allard, vice president of Development & Communication for Square One. “They are quick to recognize and respond to the changing needs of our community and take responsibility to support our work whenever possible. We are truly grateful to have them as our community partners.”

Dakin Humane Society Seeking Foster Caregivers for Sick Kittens

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society is currently caring for a large number of kittens at this time, and more are expected to arrive in need of urgent care for respiratory infections, digestive issues, and dehydration.

In response, the organization is seeking foster volunteers who are comfortable giving kittens hydrating fluids under their skin, as well as giving oral and eye medications regularly. Fosters will also need to track their kitten’s weight at least once per day. Dakin’s staff will provide training for administering fluids and medication. The timespan for foster care varies for each kitten based on their needs, but it typically ranges from a few weeks to a few months.

People interested in becoming a foster caregiver for sick kittens in need of medical care should visit www.dakinhumane.org/foster-a-dakin-animal.html and follow the steps to submit an application. Dakin is not placing healthy kittens in foster homes at this time.

Union Station to Feature ‘the Songstress of Springfield’ over July 4 Weekend

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Union Station announced that Vanessa Ford, “the Songstress of Springfield,” who is well-known for singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at various area events, will record a new version of the song at Union Station. The new video recording will be posted on springfieldunionstation.com and disseminated through social media starting on Friday, July 2 and running through Monday, July 5.

“This Fourth of July will be a celebration like no other in recent memory,” said Nicole Sweeney, property manager for Springfield Union Station. “So we wanted to offer something that both captures the spirit of the celebration as well as features a local treasure, Vanessa Ford.”

Ford began singing in her church choir at age 7, and she loves every genre of music. She is an aficionado of classical music, jazz, pop, traditional hymns, and contemporary gospel music, and has performed the national anthem for many local college sporting events, Springfield Police Academy graduations, and a multitude of high-profile local and national events.

OMG Inc., OMG Roofing Products Announce Promotion, New Hire

By
Daily News

AGAWAM — OMG Inc. recently promoted Josh Kelly to the position of senior vice president for Business Development. Meanwhile, OMG Roofing Products hired Elli-Ann Oskar as Sales and Marketing assistant.

In his new role, Kelly will focus on strategic growth opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions, product development, licensing, as well as strategies to expand OMG’s business. He reports to Hubert McGovern, president and CEO of OMG.

“Josh is uniquely qualified to fill this key position,” McGovern said. “He has a deep knowledge of both our Roofing and FastenMaster businesses and markets. He also has a proven track record for developing disruptive technology, the best example of which is our industry-leading RhinoBond induction welding system. He will also play a critical role on the senior management team at OMG.”

Kelly started with OMG in 1991 as a project coordinator and has held several positions within the roofing division, including key account manager, vice president of Marketing, general manager, and, most recently, vice president of Product Development and Innovation.

Josh is a member of the Single Ply Roofing Industry trade association, a past president of the Roofing Industry Alliance, and a current member of the board of directors for the National Roofing Contractors Assoc. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst and an MBA from Western New England University.

In her new role, Oskar is responsible for a wide assortment of administrative functions to support the sales and marketing teams, as well as the company’s key account managers and Customer Service department. She reports to Monte Horst, vice president of Sales and Marketing.

Prior to joining OMG, she was a Business Development assistant at Teracode. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Westfield State University.

UMassFive Donates 350 Pounds of Personal-care Items to Local Survival Centers

By
Daily News

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union collected 350 pounds of personal-care items during the month of May and donated them to the pantries of the Amherst Survival Center and Northampton Survival Center.

Donations were collected at the credit union’s Hadley and Northampton branch locations, and included incontinence products, toilet paper, diapers, menstrual products, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, sunblock, and many other personal-care items.

“We’re so appreciative of our members and employees for donating personal-care items to our annual drive,” said Cait Murray, Community Outreach manager at UMassFive. “We know that personal-care items in the Survival Center pantries may help people avoid making difficult tradeoffs. Nobody should have to choose between food and toilet paper.”

Next Step Saturday Slated for July 10 at Asnuntuck Community College

By
Daily News

ENFIELD, Conn. — Asnuntuck Community College (ACC) will hold a remote and on-campus Next Step Saturday on July 10. This event will be held both virtually and in person from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will help new and continuing students with answering questions about how to apply, advising to select courses, and addressing questions regarding financial aid and registering.

New and continuing students are invited to attend the event. Participants will also be able to learn about the college’s more than 50 academic programs, in addition to Asnuntuck’s advanced manufacturing program. ACC’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development Office will be available for those that would like to learn about non-credit certificate options.

Anyone who is interested in attending the online event but has not yet applied may complete the application (asnuntuck.edu/admissions/how-to-enroll) ahead of time to maximize their time during the event. To meet with an academic advisor during the event, schedule an appointment in advance by following the steps for new or continuing students at asnuntuck.edu/advising.

To learn more and to pre-register, visit asnuntuck.edu/nextstepsaturday. The college’s fall semester begins Thursday, Aug. 26.

Students do not need to wait until July 10 to enroll. Registration is now open for the fall semester, and students are encouraged to apply before the July 10 event.

PACT (Pledge to Advance Connecticut) funding will be available to those who qualify, if they apply and register by Thursday, July 15. Visit asnuntuck.edu/admissions/pact for information regarding this free college program.

Also on July 10, Griffin Health will be on campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering free Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to anyone interested in participating.

Melanson Announces Two New Managers

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Melanson announced the promotion of two of its newest managers: Nadzeya Shkoda, CPA, and Jonathan Cohen-Gorczyca, CPA.

Shkoda has been in the accounting profession for almost a decade and is a part of the Governmental Services team out of the Greenfield office. She joined Melanson in 2014 and works on approximately 15 municipal audits annually. She enjoys participating in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board group and how auditing presents new challenges each day.

Shkoda received a master of science in accountancy degree at Westfield State University in 2011. She holds memberships with the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Cohen-Gorczyca has been working at Melanson for more than nine years. As part of its Commercial Services team in Greenfield, he advises businesses and individuals on tax, management, compliance, and other accounting and planning matters. Over the last year, he has been particularly focused on helping clients with their Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Cohen-Gorczyca received his master of science in accountancy degree from Western New England University in 2013 and is a member of MSCPA and AICPA. He also serves on the board of trustees for the Greenfield Public Library as well as his condo association.

Scholarships Available for STEM Students at HCC

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Students enrolled full-time in chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics, physics, or other STEM fields at Holyoke Community College (HCC) may qualify for a National Science Foundation scholarship of up to $10,000 a year toward tuition and fees.

Through HCC, the National Science Foundation Scholarship offers, on average, $6,500 per year to qualified full-time students and prorated amounts for part-time students.

Incoming and current HCC students are encouraged to apply. The STEM scholarship application deadline for the fall 2021 semester is Aug. 1.

Students chosen for the NSF scholarship become members of HCC’s STEM Scholars 2.0 Program, also known as SCoRE (STEM Cohorts for Research & Engagement). STEM Scholars are expected to maintain enrollment in a STEM program, be in good academic standing, complete an associate degree at HCC, and/or transfer to an accredited STEM degree program at a four-year institution. The scholarships are renewable every year students continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Beside the financial awards, STEM Scholars become part of a learning community that fosters a sense of belonging and academic success, and includes mentoring, research, and honors experiences; community service; and internships.

Eligibility guidelines for the National Science Foundation Scholarship in STEM can be viewed at hcc.edu/scholarship. STEM disciplines include biological sciences, physical sciences, math, computer and information services, geosciences, and engineering.

The program is lead by HCC Math Professor Ileana Vasu, coordinator of the STEM Scholars program. She can be reached at [email protected] or (413) 552-2438.

Monson Savings Bank Announces $28,000 in Scholarships

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Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently announced it awarded $28,000 in scholarships to 14 graduating seniors of local high schools.

On June 23, the bank held a scholarship ceremony at its corporate office in Monson. This event provided refreshments, opportunities for bank staff to meet the students and their parents, presentation of the scholarship checks, and a gift for each scholarship recipient to take with them on their educational journey.

Monson Savings Bank awarded $2,000 scholarships to the following recipients:

Joseph Angelica, Cameron Boucher, Abigale Bridges, Camille Lobik, and Zackery Wysk (Monson High School); Shaun Buteau, Carlie Simpkiss, and Peter Wurszt (Minnechaug Regional High School); Lillie Hellyer, Ariana Nevins, and Olivia Watson (East Longmeadow High School); and Myles Francis McGrail, Lexie Orszulak, and Olivia Vadnais (Ware High School).

“All of us at Monson Savings Bank are incredibly proud of these students for the fortitude they have shown over these unique past years,” said Dan Moriarty, the bank’s president and CEO. “We are thrilled to be able to offer these brilliant students with financial support so they can pursue their education. This is the beginning of an amazing ride for these graduates, and we hope they will stay in touch, sharing updates on their educational journey. We know they will accomplish remarkable things.”

Visiting Angels of West Springfield Shows Appreciation to Its Caregivers

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The week of June 14-21 was National Nursing Assistant Week, and Visiting Angels of West Springfield showed its appreciation to all its caregivers for their hard work and dedication with a socially distanced drive-by at the Visiting Angels office with treats and goodies.

When a caregiver drove up to the table, the Visiting Angels administrative team presented them with a gift, a choice of treats, and a refreshing beverage. The goodie bags included tea bags, caramel candies, Visiting Angels party favors and tokens, and aromatherapy products for relaxation after a long day of work.

Visiting Angels of West Springfield is welcoming new caregivers to its team. Caregivers interested in joining the team can call (413) 733-6900. Visiting Angels offers benefits and flexible schedules designed to adapt to each employee’s specific needs. The home-healthcare service offers senior in-home care, elderly care, and care for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in towns across the Pioneer Valley and the Greater Springfield area, including Springfield, West Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Agawam, Ludlow, Westfield, Southwick, Chicopee, Holyoke, Southampton, and Montgomery.

Bacon Wilson Opens New Office in Westfield

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson announced the opening of a new facility at 99 Springfield Road in Westfield. On June 23, the firm welcomed clients, neighbors, and friends to a grand-opening reception. Westfield Mayor Donald Humason Jr. officiated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, while the firm’s managing shareholder, Kenneth Albano, welcomed the assembled guests, noting in his remarks that the gathering was a particularly happy occasion, as it was the firm’s first opportunity for in-person festivities since the pandemic began.

Bacon Wilson has enjoyed a longtime presence in the city of Westfield. The firm’s original Westfield office space was located on Chapel Street for more than a decade. In 2015, the firm moved to the Westwood Building on Elm Street. The current move to the newly renovated, state-of-the-art office space at 99 Springfield Road brings Bacon Wilson to one of the city’s most important thoroughfares. The firm hopes that clients and colleagues will enjoy the highly visible and convenient location.

Founded in 1895, Bacon Wilson is one of the largest firms in the Pioneer Valley, with 41 lawyers and approximately 80 paralegals, administrative assistants, and support staff working from five locations: Springfield, Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, and Westfield.

WNEU Offers New Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Western New England University (WNEU) College of Engineering has announced a new graduate engineering certificate in artificial intelligence (AI). Applications are currently being accepted for the coming fall.

Focusing on the theoretical foundation and practical application of AI and taught by expert WNEU faculty mentors, this certificate consists of four three-credit graduate courses: “Applied Fuzzy Logic,” “Machine Learning Concepts,” “Machine Learning Applications,” and “Applied Neural Networks.” Each course offered in a hybrid format, providing students the flexibility to participate either fully online, fully in class, or any combination of the two. The 12 course credits earned in this certificate can be transferred to the master of science in electrical engineering degree.

“Artificial Intelligence has become one of the most influential technologies since the turn of the century,” said Dr. Neeraj Magotra, associate professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at WNEU. “AI and machine learning are driving the future of engineering, from big data to healthcare; smartphones to self-driving vehicles; robotics, aeronautics, and medical devices to supply-chain management. According to Forbes, jobs requesting AI or machine-learning skills are expected to increase by 71% in the next 5 years.”

Given that AI can mean different things to different people with a diversity of application areas of interest, this AI certificate program can be taken by people with diverse backgrounds to advance their expertise and career opportunities in this wide-ranging field.

This certificate is offered through the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at WNEU, a leader in engineering graduate education ranked among U.S. News and World Report’s Top 100 Undergraduate Programs.

The Fall Graduate term begins Sept. 27 for this accelerated, 11-week program. For more information, visit wne.edu/grad.

Big E Announces Cancellation of Brad Paisley Concert

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Brad Paisley concert scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Big E has been cancelled. The ESE is working to bring fans a different concert on that date and will make an announcement as soon as information is available.

The 2021 Big E takes place Sept. 17 to Oct. 3. Information on concert announcements and other events can be found at thebige.com.

Nominations Sought for Healthcare Heroes Class of 2021

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In the spring of 2017, the Healthcare News and its sister publication, BusinessWest, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes.

It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor. That theory has certainly been validated.

But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes whose stories we still need to tell, especially in these times, when the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many types of heroes to the forefront. And that’s where you come in.

The nomination deadline for the class of 2021 has been extended to Friday, July 8. We encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven categories:

• Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider;

• Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration;

• Emerging Leader;

• Community Health;

• Innovation in Health/Wellness;

• Collaboration in Health/Wellness; and

• Lifetime Achievement.

The Healthcare Heroes event is presented by Elms College. Nominations can be submitted by clicking here. For more information, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.