Hartford Continues on an Innovative Path

By
Commercial Real Estate
Community Spotlight

Community Spotlight

On the heels of one home run for recreation and tourism, Hartford, Conn. is hoping for another — well, not a home run, exactly. More like a goal, which is appropriate in a city that has set plenty of them in recent years.

On the heels of the Hartford Yard Goats, the double-A baseball team that’s been selling out games for two years at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, Connecticut’s capital city will soon welcome the Hartford Athletic, a professional soccer team that plays in the United Soccer League.

But it’s not just the team itself causing excitement, but the development projects surrounding it. The state invested $10 million in Dillon Stadium in the Coltsville section of the city, while an entity known as Hartford Sports Group put up $7 million toward the renovation and the team’s startup.

Mayor Luke Bronin points out that, along with the restoration of the Colt Armory complex for commercial and residential use, the Hooker Brewery tasting room, planned upgrades to Colt Park, and the designation of the Coltsville National Historic Park, refurbishing Dillon Stadium and bringing in a soccer team is yet another feather in the cap of a venerable neighborhood on the rebound.

Then there’s Front Street, the downtown entertainment and restaurant district that began to see significant development a decade ago, and is now adding even more apartments and retail. A $23 million project will add 53 apartments and nearly 11,000 square feet of shop and restaurant space. That comes on the heels of Front Street Lofts, a 121-apartment development that is largely leased, and the 2017 opening of the University of Connecticut’s new downtown campus across Arch Street.

“We’ve engaged our large corporate partners in a way they haven’t been engaged in many years. In a very short period of time, we’ve moved the ball a long way down the field toward building a really vibrant innovation ecosystem.”

In fact, a recent wave of apartment construction downtown has added almost 900 units since 2013, with hundreds more to come.

“We want to make sure we have a lovely, vibrant downtown, and the core of that strategy is getting a critical mass of residential housing downtown,” Bronin told BusinessWest. “The other piece is the targeted neighborhbood redevelopment projects, especially in the three areas of Upper Albany, Blue Hills, and Coltsville.”

Hartford at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1784
Population: 123,243
Area: 18.1 square miles
COUNTY: Hartford
Residential Tax Rate: $74.29
Commercial Tax Rate: $74.29
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $20,820
Family Household Income: $22,051
Type of Government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Hartford Hospital; Hartford Financial Services Group; St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center; Aetna
* Latest information available

And Parkville, for that matter, one of Hartford’s more ethnically diverse neighborhoods, a mixed-use community on the west side that boasts a thriving artistic community, and has seen recent additions like Hog River Brewing, a brewery and taproom, among other activity.

Bronin is justifiably excited about all of that, but he’s even more intrigued by a big picture in Hartford that has been marrying economic and real-estate development to some cutting-edge workforce development — all of which has Hartford well-positioned to become a model of innovation and a true 21st-century city.

Start Me Up

“Besides the real-estate development and continuing progress and momentum here, an innovation ecosystem that has been growing in Hartford over the past 18 months,” Bronin said. “We put together a strategy that really focused on building on the strength of our core industries: insurance, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare.”

For example, Hartford InsurTech Hub is an initiative created by a group of executives from the Hartford area, including insurance carriers and other related firms, municipal officials, and community stakeholders. It was established to attract new talent and technology to Hartford and provide entrepreneurs with the support, resources, and industry and investor connections they need to help grow their business.

“We’ve engaged our large corporate partners in a way they haven’t been engaged in many years,” Bronin said. “In a very short period of time, we’ve moved the ball a long way down the field toward building a really vibrant innovation ecosystem here.”

In addition, Stanley Black and Decker moved its innovation center to downtown Hartford, partnering with Techstars on a mentorship-driven accelerator that attracts promising additive-manufacturing startups to the city.

“If you told people two years ago that Hartford would be home to both Techstars and the [InsurTech] accelerator, they would have doubted it,” the mayor added. “But those are two significant developments — and they don’t stand alone.”

“We’ve engaged our large corporate partners in a way they haven’t been engaged in many years. In a very short period of time, we’ve moved the ball a long way down the field toward building a really vibrant innovation ecosystem here.”

Launched in 2017, Upward Hartford transformed 34,000 square feet in Hartford’s iconic Stilts Building into a co-working space which soon became a community hub, home to entrepreneurs who connect and collaborate with fellow innovators and startups.

“Upward Hartford, a homegrown incubator and co-working space, has grown rapidly. They’ve brought dozens of startups through the doors in a very short time,” Bronin said. That’s impressive in itself, he said, but moreso in the potential for these young enterprises to partner with larger, more established companies, making it more likely they’ll set down roots in Hartford.

Meanwhile, Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology, and next-generation services, will open its Connecticut Technology and Innovation Hub in Hartford and hire 1,000 workers in the state by 2022. The facility will have a special focus on insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

“I’ve always believed, with the strong corporate community we have and the corporate leaders in those three sectors, there’s a lot of potential,” Bronin said. “But the pace of progress has exceeded even my expectations.”

Time to Score

In short, Hartford is a city on the rise, the mayor noted, and not in a haphazard way; the developments happening in both real estate and the innovation economy spring from a carefully considered vision.

He said economic development will continue to focus increasing the number of residential units downtown, growing the number of medical and educational facilities, and adding new transportation options. The latter has been boosted by expanded commuter rail service this year between New Haven and Springfield, with Hartford one of the key stops — a boon for people who choose to live or work downtown.

One might say that’s another home run in a city that’s seen many of them lately — whether or not the Yard Goats are in town.

Joseph Bednar can be reached at [email protected]

With Talent Scarce, Many Employers Are Laboring to Fill Positions

By
As the job market tightens, Meredith Wise says, it becomes an employees’ market, with business owners increasingly having to pay for talent.
Economic Outlook

The Employment Picture

As the job market tightens, Meredith Wise says, it becomes an employees’ market, with business owners increasingly having to pay for talent.

As the job market tightens, Meredith Wise says, it becomes an employees’ market, with business owners increasingly having to pay for talent.

Meredith Wise says it’s probably not a recent addition to the business lexicon. But it was certainly new to her when she heard it the first time.

‘Ghosting’ is the phrase in question, and it refers to a situation where an individual applies for a job, is given an offer, accepts the offer, passes a drug test, is given a starting date, accepts the starting date, and when it comes … he or she just doesn’t show up for work.

“That individual doesn’t feel the need or have the courtesy to call the company and say, ‘I’m not going to take the job; I have another opportunity that’s going to be better for me’; they just don’t show up,” said Wise, executive director of the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE), adding that, when she first heard the term from one of her members, she thought it was an aberration and certainly not a common occurrence.

Suffice it to say that she has been corrected on that viewpoint at several of EANE’s monthly member roundtables over the past year or so.

“When I first brought it up I said, ‘oh, this can’t really be happening — this isn’t something people would do,’” she recalled, flashing back several months. “I expected pushback and people saying, ‘no, that doesn’t happen to me.’ Instead, there was agreement around the table that it is happening — a lot.”

Wise said this pattern of ghosting, which is happening in many sectors and at all rungs of the ladder — from entry-level service jobs to senior engineering positions — might be a form of role reversal when it comes to the employment process, and a very clear sign that this is an employees’ market.

“When employers get applicants, there are many times when they don’t communicate back to people; they don’t say, ‘thanks for applying, but we don’t have anything at this time,’” she explained. “As a candidate, you feel your résumé or your application has gone into a black hole. And it almost feels to me like the candidates are turning the tables on employers and saying, ‘I’m not going to get back in touch with you, and I’m just going to do what’s best for me.’”

Bryan Picard, president of Springfield-based Summit Careers Inc., agrees with Wise’s take and can certainly verify the overall tightness of the market, at least through most of this year — and the ghosting phenomenon.

To capture it, he cited the example of a company in Northampton trying to fill a basic warehouse position, with the emphasis on trying.

“We had to fill that same position six or seven times,” he explained, “because the first five people just didn’t show up for the job, and this is a position paying $5 an hour more than the average. There were so many opportunities for strong candidates to go somewhere else, they just didn’t show up.”

Finally, Summit decided to send several people to this client at the same time with instructions to pick the one it liked most — on the theory that at least one of them would show. And a few did, actually.

Meanwhile, the firm has strongly advised its clients to condense the overall hiring process — especially the period between when one is offered a job and when one starts — to hopefully keep would-be employees from becoming ghosts.

“The reality is that minimum wage went to $12 an hour four months ago. There are still companies paying $11 an hour, but the vast majority of them are paying more than what the minimum wage is because they know it’s required.”

All this is part of life in the current employment market, one that is expected to continue into 2019, in most ways and in most sectors — although Picard is seeing some signs of a slowdown in manufacturing (more on that later), and economists, in general, are projecting that the pace of expansion will slow in the year ahead.

“Overall unemployment numbers should stay steady into the first quarter of 2019, said Larry Martin, director of Business Services and Market Research for the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, noting that unemployment was quite low — 4% to 5% — across the region this year. “We see things being steady in the first quarter without any major shifts or changes — we should remain fairly flat.”

Wise agreed, and said flat means more challenging times for employers. Indeed, for now and the foreseeable future, the laws of supply and demand clearly favor employees, she said, with business owners adjusting, out of necessity, with slightly higher wages and better benefits.

“Employers are now sometimes having to buy talent,” she explained. “The applicant pool just isn’t what it was, and to lure people away from their current employer, they may need to be paying a few dollars per hour more to get people to come.”

For this issue and its Economic Outlook 2019, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at the employment market and what employers can expect in 2019. For the most part, it is more of the same.

Work in Progress

Picard told BusinessWest that, although the minimum-wage hike to $12 an hour — the first in a series of incremental increases contained in the so-called ‘grand bargain’ legislation — doesn’t become law until Jan. 1, practically speaking, it went into effect long ago.

“The reality is that minimum wage went to $12 an hour four months ago,” he said. “There are still companies paying $11 an hour, but the vast majority of them are paying more than what the minimum wage is because they know it’s required.”

Bryan Picard says he’s seeing a slight slowdown in manufacturing, but overall, the job market remains tight.

Bryan Picard says he’s seeing a slight slowdown in manufacturing, but overall, the job market remains tight.

And this upward movement on wages, at least on the lower end, is yet another sign of how tight the labor situation is and how this is an employees’ market. And while there is speculation on just how long it will stay that way, employers for the moment face a number of challenges, and are responding accordingly, said Wise, who said it starts with the applicant pool, or what passes for one, in many cases.

“Employers are finding real problems with the applicants — they’re just not getting the volume of applicants they used to get, and the people they are getting just don’t have, in many cases, the qualifications and the skills that they’re looking for.”

But the problems certainly don’t end there, Wise said, adding that a huge issue for employers is finding applicants that can pass a drug test. The percentage of applicants that can’t would surprise some, but certainly not anyone working in human resources today, she told BusinessWest.

And if they do have the skills and they can pass a drug test … that generally means that they have many opportunities to choose from and are a solid candidate to become a ghost.

“When we would get candidates of a higher caliber that we would send on a temp-to-perm type of position, the challenge we saw was that they didn’t just have one job offer, they had five job offers,” said Picard. “And the companies that were really struggling starting bringing up their pay scales.”

Indeed, in response to all this, wages are increasing, but the pace of increase is still sluggish, as the chart on page 24 shows.

“I think wages are slightly higher, but wage growth is, overall, very slow,” said Wise, adding that there are several reasons for this, including the fact that retiring Baby Boomers are being replaced by less-experienced, lower-paid employees. Also, pay increases at the top end of wage earners are smaller increases for lower-wage earners, resulting in a lower overall average increase.

Beyond ‘paying for talent,’ to whatever extent they are doing so, employers are also responding to the tight market by altering their hiring policies and practices in some ways to keep good talent from going elsewhere and thus becoming ghosts.

“These trends are forcing employers to go back to what might be considered best practices,” Wise explained, noting, as one example, that after having an applicant accept an offer, the company in question is working harder to stay in touch with that applicant until they arrive for work, asking if they have any questions or just staying in communication with them.

Meanwhile, others are sending soon-to-be employees what she called “swag bags” or “swag items” such as a jacket with the company’s logo on it or a mousepad or other items as a gesture designed to show that the individual is valued.

Meanwhile, and as noted earlier, companies are being advised to condense the hiring process, especially the period between when one is hired and when that individual is slated to start work.

“If there is someone good that you want to put in a position, you put them in right away,” said Picard, adding that he went to far as to encourage clients to skip or accelerate the interview the process, hire promising candidates, and essentially interview them after they were hired.

Hire Power

If all this seems a world apart from what was happening only a few years ago, it is, said Picard, adding that conversations he had with colleagues in this field from across the country revealed that this past year, and especially this past summer, was among the most difficult times anyone could remember when it came to securing qualified help for clients.

“They said it was the worst summer they’d seen in … forever, or at least 50 or 60 years, and that’s understandable with unemployment being at an all-time low,” he said, adding that, while things were not that bad in this market, employers in many markets struggled to find and keep talent.

That’s certainly been the case with precision manufacturing, one of the specific sectors that Summit specializes in.

“Every single company out there right now is looking for CNC machinists,” he told BusinessWest. “Many have more work than they can get out the doors, or more sales orders than they have people to fill them.”

“Employers are finding real problems with the applicants — they’re just not getting the volume of applicants they used to get, and the people they are getting just don’t have, in many cases, the qualifications and the skills that they’re looking for.”

The $64,000 question heading into the new year concerns how long things will stay this way.

As noted earlier, Picard said he has witnessed a slowdown when it comes to some segments of the manufacturing sector, and somewhat easier going when it comes to finding employees for those clients.

“I think things are changing; a lot of times, manufacturing is a leading indicator for what’s going to happen with the economy,” he explained. “The summer was very tight, but now, probably over the past month and a half, things were not as tight. We’re seeing very qualified, strong candidates that are coming through that four months ago … well, we would be begging for someone with half the talent that we’re seeing right now.”

Elaborating, he said he projects that 2019 will be “an interesting year” for his company and a less-busy one for some of his clients, especially those in manufacturing, and he comes to that conclusion mostly by comparing numbers from the fourth quarter this year compared to last year.

“In the fall of 2017, we were very busy, and I brought on someone to help in November,” he recalled. “I said, ‘this is our slowest time of the year, it’s a great time to come on, we’ll be able to do some coaching, things will be nice and easy.’ About January, she said, ‘when is it going to slow down again?’ because it never did.”

This year, it has, and Picard says it may be a sign of what’s to come in the year ahead.

Martin, meanwhile, is projecting essentially the status quo when it comes to the employment market — in manufacturing and most other sectors.

“For manufacturers, it’s going to be steady going, and they are going to need skilled help because of the individuals who are retiring,” he explained. “That’s not going to slow down whatsoever.”

He noted that the region essentially absorbed the arrival of MGM Springfield and its hiring of more than 2,000 people without major disruption to most sectors of the economy, even the broad culinary field, primarily because of proactive steps in anticipation of that seismic event.

“There was a lot of foresight and forecasting done in advance of MGM,” he explained. “There were a lot of new partnerships established, especially with the community colleges to help meet specific needs, such as those in culinary.

“Several sectors were impacted — culinary, retail, financial services, and others — but enough forecasting was done ahead of time to prepare for MGM’s arrival,” he went on. “And a lot of companies planned ahead and internally provided financial encouragement or other types of encouragement for existing staff.”

The challenge moving forward will be with the inevitable churn that the casino complex will experience, he went on, adding that while MGM, working with those partners he mentioned, had enough employees to get the doors open, it must now deal with ongoing turnover and the task of keeping workers in the pipeline.

Learning on the Job

As he talked about the job market and what may come in 2019, Picard concurred with Wise when she talked about many workers not exactly being courteous when it comes to taking better offers and instead becoming ghosts.

Likewise, he said all this amounts to a kind of payback, if you will, for how employers act when the laws of supply and demand are tilted in their favor.

He warned, however, that too much moving around and a great many lines on a résumé may come back to … well, haunt those ghosts when things change and the market is not so tight.

For now, though, it’s an employees’ market and will be for the foreseeable future, and employers looking to land good talent quickly and easily likely have a ghost of a chance of doing so.

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

MGM One of Many Factors Spurring Optimism for Tourism Sector

By
John Doleva shows off the Basketball Hall of Fame’s renovated theater, one of many improvements at the hall.
Economic Outlook

Right Place, Right Time

John Doleva shows off the Basketball Hall of Fame’s renovated theater, one of many improvements at the hall.

John Doleva shows off the Basketball Hall of Fame’s renovated theater, one of many improvements at the hall.

They call it the ‘need period.’

There are probably other names for it, but that’s how those at the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) refer to the post-holiday winter stretch in this region.

And that phrase pretty much sums it up. Area tourist attractions and hospitality-related businesses are indeed needy at that time — far more than at any other season in this region. Traditionally, it’s a time to hold on and, if you’re a ski-related business, hope for snow or enough cold weather to make some.

But as the calendar prepares to change over to 2019 — and, yes, the needy season for many tourism-related businesses in the 413 — there is hope and optimism, at least much more than is the norm.

This needy season, MGM Springfield will be open, and five months into its work to refine and continuously improve its mix of products and services. And there will also be the American Hockey League (AHL) All-Star Game, coming to Springfield for the first time in a long time on Jan. 28 (actually, there is a whole weekend’s worth of activities). There will be a revamped Basketball Hall of Fame, a few new hotels, and some targeted marketing on the part of the GSCVB to let everyone know about everything going on in this area.

“The last half of 2018 has been great, and we’re very optimistic — our outlook for tourism is really positive for 2019. Certainly, MGM is a factor — it’s a huge factor, it’s a game changer — but it’s just part of the story.”

So maybe the need period won’t be quite as needy as it has been.

And if the outlook for the traditionally slow winter months is brighter, the same — and more — can be said for the year ahead, said Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, noting that expectations, based in large part on the last few quarters of 2018 and especially the results after MGM opened on Aug. 24, are quite high for the year ahead.

“The last half of 2018 has been great, and we’re very optimistic — our outlook for tourism is really positive for 2019,” she told BusinessWest. “Certainly, MGM is a factor — it’s a huge factor, it’s a game changer — but it’s just part of the story.”

Elaborating, she said MGM is helping to spur new development in this sector — one new hotel, a Holiday Inn Express, opened in downtown Springfield in 2018, and another, a Courtyard by Marriott, is set to open on Riverdale Street in West Springfield — while also filling more existing rooms and driving rates higher.

Indeed, occupancy rates in area hotels rose to 68.5% in October (the latest data available), up nearly 2% from that same month in 2017, and in August, they were up 5% (to 72.6%) over the year prior.

Meanwhile, room revenue was up 4.6% in October, from $113 a night on average in this region to $119 a night, and in August, it went up 7.2%.

And, as noted, MGM is just one of the reasons for optimism and a bright outlook in this sector, Wydra said. Others include the renovated hoop hall, yearly new additions at Six Flags, and the awesome drawing power of the Dr. Seuss museum on the Quadrangle.

An architect’s rendering of the renovated third-floor mezzanine at the Basketball Hall of Fame, which includes the tributes to the inductees.

An architect’s rendering of the renovated third-floor mezzanine at the Basketball Hall of Fame, which includes the tributes to the inductees.

For 2019, the outlook is for the needle to keep moving in the right direction, she said, noting that some new meetings and conventions have been booked (more on that later); Eastec, the massive manufacturing trade show, will be making its biennial pilgrimage to this region (specifically the Big E); the Babe Ruth World Series will again return to Westfield; and the AHL All-Star weekend will get things off to a solid start.

John Doleva, president of the Basketball Hall of Fame and a member of the executive board of the GSCVB, agreed.

“With MGM now in the marketplace and being active, there does appear to be a lift, much more of an excited spirit by those that are in the business,” he noted. “Everybody is saying that, at some level, their business is up, their interest in visitation is up — there is a general feeling of optimism.”

Getting a Bounce

Doleva told BusinessWest that MGM opened its doors toward the tail end of peak season for the hoop hall — the summer vacation months. Therefore, it’s too early to quantify the impact of the casino on attendance there.

But the expectations for the next peak season are quite high, he went on, adding that many MGM customers return several times, and the hope — and expectation — is that, on one or several of those return trips, guests will extend their visit far beyond the casino’s grounds.

“Once people return a few times, they’re going to be looking for other things to do,” he said. “I definitely feel a sense of excitement and anticipation, and I’m definitely looking forward to next summer when it’s the high-travel season, and really get a gauge for what the potential MGM crossover customer is.

“Conversely, there are probably individuals that would probably have the Hall of Fame on their list of things to do,” he went on, “and now that there’s more of a critical mass, with MGM right across the street, I think we rise up on their to-do list.”

But MGM’s arrival is only one reason for soaring expectations at the hall, said Doleva, adding that the facility is in the middle of an ambitious renovation project that is already yielding dividends.

Indeed, phase one of the project included an extensive makeover of the lobby area and the hall’s theater, and those steps have helped inspire a significant increase in bookings for meetings and events.

Mary Kay Wydra says 2019 is shaping up as a very solid year for the region’s tourism industry.

Mary Kay Wydra says 2019 is shaping up as a very solid year for the region’s tourism industry.

“Our renovations have led to a great number of facility rentals for events that are happening in our theater, our new lobby, and Center Court,” he said, adding that the hall was averaging 175 rentals a year, and will log close to 240 for 2018. “Before, the theater wasn’t a hidden gem, it was just hidden; it was like a junior-high-school auditorium — it was dark, it was gray, it had no life. Now, it’s a great place to have a meeting or presentation like a product launch.”

Phase 2 of the project, which includes a renovation of the third-floor mezzanine, where the Hall of Fame plaques are, and considerable work on the roof of the sphere, will commence “any minute now,” said Doleva, adding that the work should improve visitation numbers, but, even more importantly, revenue and profitability.

The improved numbers for the hall — and the optimism there concerning the year ahead — are a microcosm of the broader tourism sector, said Wydra, adding that a number of collaborating factors point toward what could be a special year — and a solid long-term outlook.

It starts with the All-Star Game. The game itself is on a Monday night, but there is a whole weekend’s worth of activities planned, including the ‘classic skills competition’ the night before.

“Even with the average daily rate going up and occupancy growing, we still have that need period — which is true for all of Massachusetts,” she noted. “When you have an event like the All-Star Game in January, that really helps the hotels and restaurants.”

Additional momentum is expected in May with the arrival of EASTEC, considered to be New England’s premier manufacturing exposition. The three-day event drew more than 13,000 attendees last year, many of whom patronized area restaurants and clubs, said Wydra, adding that MGM Springfield only adds to the list of entertainment and hospitality options for attendees.

The Babe Ruth World Series is another solid addition to the year’s lineup, she noted, adding that the teams coming into the area, and their parents, frequent a number of area attractions catering to families.

Analysts say MGM Springfield has a far-reaching impact on the region’s tourism sector, including higher occupancy rates at area hotels and higher room rates.

Analysts say MGM Springfield has a far-reaching impact on the region’s tourism sector, including higher occupancy rates at area hotels and higher room rates.

Meanwhile, the region continues to attract a diverse portfolio of meetings and conventions, said Alicia Szenda, director of sales for the GSCVB, adding that MGM Springfield provides another attractive selling point for the 413, which can already boast a host of amenities, accessibility, and affordable hotel rates.

In June, the National Assoc. of Watch and Clock Collectors will stage its 75th annual national convention at the Big E, she said, an event that is expected to bring 2,000 people to the region. And later in the summer, the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts will bring more than 900 people to downtown Springfield.

Those attending these conventions and the many others slated during the year now have a growing list of things to do in this region, said Wydra, who mentioned MGM, obviously, but also the revamped Hall of Fame; Six Flags, which continues to add new attractions yearly (a Cyborg ride is on tap for 2019); and the Dr. Seuss museum, which is drawing people from across the country and around the world.

“The Seuss factor is huge,” said Wydra. “It’s a big reason why visitation is up in this region. Seuss is a recognizable brand, and the museum delivers on the brand, and they keep reinventing that product.”

Staying Power

This ‘Seuss factor’ is just one of a number of powerful forces coming together to bring the outlook for tourism in this region to perhaps the highest plane it’s seen.

Pieces of the puzzle continue to fall into place, and together, they point to Western Mass. becoming a true destination.

As noted, even the ‘need period’ is looking less needy. The rest of the year? The sky’s the limit.

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

Momentum Is Starting to Snowball

By
Opinion

Editorial

A year ago this time, we were writing how the pieces would soon start to fall in place for Springfield and this region as a whole and how there would be the start of a snow-ball effect regarding the city and heightened interest as it as a place to live, work, and invest in.

Well, 12 months later, the snowball is starting to take on some size and move at a pretty good clip, making the outlook for 2019 considerable bright locally, even as the picture nationally is becoming increasingly clouded by question marks (see related stories beginning on page 16).

In a way, there are two stories when it comes to the economy: nationally, there is considerable apprehension regarding a slowdown — what’s happening in Wall Street is a perfect example — even though most economic indicators, everything from unemployment rates to demand loans, remain solid.

It will be up the Fed, as well as investors and other constituencies, to sort things out at an intriguing time, when there is growth and doubt — both in very large quantities.

Meanwhile, locally, the region, and especially Springfield, seem to be on the cusp of something momentous, maybe even historic.

Those quoted in the stories comprising the Economic Outlook 2019 section speak of not merely optimism (there’s been lots of that over the years), but interest and activity. Tourism officials talk of rising occupancy rates and hotel-room rates and interest in developing new hotels. Meanwhile, commercial real-estate brokers and managers talk of interest in this market that they haven’t seen in decades — if ever.

Investors are looking at sites for everything from housing developments to cannabis dispensaries and everything I between.

It’s not as simple as ‘if you build it, they will come,’ but in many ways it is.

And what we’re building is a vibrant, livable, accessible city (and region) that people and businesses want to be part of. We have a long, long way to go, but more of those aforementioned pieces are falling into place, and more should come in the next few years.

MGM Springfield was certainly a big piece. It brought jobs, foot traffic, and interest in Springfield from people who might have had to look at a map or rely on the GPS system in the car to find it.

But there are many other pieces as well: Union Station and enhanced rail service are making it easier to get to the city; renovation of Stearns Square, Riverfront Park, and other facilities will make Springfield more livable; businesses and institutions moving into the downtown and investing there are prompting others to consider following suit; and an improved police presence is contributing to less apprehension about public safety — not to mention the many colleges now populating downtown, the ongoing remaking of Tower Square (White Lion Brewery will soon be moving in), the cannabis industry, and more.

When things like this start to happen, a city becomes more saleable as a place to live, and we’re seeing considerable interest in development of market-rate housing in and around downtown.

And when more people start to make the city their home address, more businesses — more restaurants, more clubs, some cannabis dispensaries, and more service-related ventures — will follow.

And then more people will want to relocate here, and more businesses will follow. That’s the theory, and in practice — and in some cities, like Cambridge, Lowell, and others — it works.

Will it work here? Perhaps. The signs are there. The pieces are falling into place, and the snowball is starting to take on size.

If 2018 was a year to build some momentum, then 2019 will be a year to capitalize on it. Big time.

Things We’d Like to See in 2019

By
Opinion

Editorial

Looking back, 2018 was, overall, a year of progress and accumulated momentum for the Greater Springfield region. As the calendar turns, we have a short wish list for 2019:

• Continued success for MGM Springfield. Not everyone is a big fan of gambling, but everyone should want this facility to not only succeed, but continue to grow and expand its influence. Most all of the things we wanted to happen with this casino — thousands of jobs, more vibrancy downtown, a boost to the convention and meetings market, and people loading ‘Main Street, Springfield, Mass.’ into the car’s GPS — have happened, and things we didn’t want to happen — traffic jams, turmoil in the labor market, and damage to other businesses — really haven’t happened. Let’s hope this pattern continues into the new year and beyond.

• More progress with helping the unemployed and underemployed get into the game. In most all respects, the economy is solid, and individual sectors are doing well. Employers are still struggling to find good help. But the regional unemployment rate remains higher than the national average, and many are still on the sidelines when it comes to the job market because they lack the needed hard and soft skills. Several area agencies and institutions, especially the community colleges, are aggressively attacking the problem, and it is our wish that these efforts generate some real results in the year to come, because, in many sectors, the only thing holding them back is securing enough talent to get the work done.

• More work to aggressively market this region and the many good things happening here. Yes, we know that Greater Springfield has come a long way since the dark days when a receiver controlled the City of Homes and its downtown was essentially dead as a doornail. But the rest of the region and the country don’t. We could wait for the New York Times and the Boston Globe to tel the story (they might get around to it someday), but we should probably tell it ourselves through targeted marketing, as other cities (New York) and states (Michigan) have done. We don’t need a catchy phrase, but we do need to get the word out. The Economic Development Council has recognized this as a priority and we hope to see some progress made in 2019.

• Continued efforts to inspire and mentor entrepreneurs. We’ve said this many times before, but need to keep emphasizing the point. The most logical way to create jobs and revitalize individual cities and their downtowns is not by luring large companies, but by building from within, by promoting entrepreneurship and then mentoring those who go into business for themselves. Yes, it takes longer, and for every Google — and we’re probably not going to get a Google — there are hundreds of ventures that fail to take flight. But we have to keep trying to build from within. We’ve made great progress in this realm through the efforts of Valley Venture Mentors and many others, and we have to continue building on the foundation that we’ve laid.

Picture This

By
Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]
A photo essay of recent business events in Western Massachusetts December 25, 2018

Cutting the Ribbon

Hundreds of dignitaries, including Gov. Charlie Baker, joined Springfield Technical Community College administrators, faculty, students, and trustees (past and present) for a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons, otherwise known as Building 19 when it was part of the Springfield Armory complex. Actually, several speakers who took the podium joked that the $50 million facility should simply be called ‘the Ira’ for short. The renovated historic building will now serve as a one-stop hub for student services and activities.

Rubenzahl, president of the school from 2004 to 2016 and visionary for the Building 19 project, cuts the ribbon

Rubenzahl, president of the school from 2004 to 2016 and visionary for the Building 19 project, cuts the ribbon

Baker, right, with current STCC President John Cook

Baker, right, with current STCC President John Cook

Rubenzahl chats with students Karolyn Burgos-Toribio and Mohammed Gabriel

Rubenzahl chats with students Karolyn Burgos-Toribio and Mohammed Gabriel

Building 19 opened in the mid 1800s, and has served the college in a number of ways over the years

Building 19 opened in the mid 1800s, and has served the college in a number of ways over the years

Rubenzahl addresses those gathered for the ceremonies, with Cook and Baker to his right

Rubenzahl addresses those gathered for the ceremonies, with Cook and Baker to his right

 

Banking on Worthy Causes

The Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. (MBA) announced that the MBA Charitable Foundation set a new record in its annual year-end community grant season. The 45 grants in 2018 total $163,000. The foundation has now provided gifts totaling approximately $2.5 million over its 22-year history. Among the awards is $5,000 to United Way of Pioneer Valley’s Thrive Financial Success Program (below), $5,000 to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (middle), and $5,000 to Girls Inc. of Holyoke (bottom).

 

‘Your Friends Are My Friends’

More than 200 women recently attended WillPower Foundation’s “Your Friends Are My Friends” holiday brunch at Hadley Meeting House. The annual fundraiser raised more than $12,000 for grants for families with loved ones with different abilities throughout Western Mass. An art auction with pieces created by supporters of WillPower was the highlight of the event.

Sharon Dufour of LUSO Federal Credit Union and Kim Anderson with art they won at the auction.

Sharon Dufour of LUSO Federal Credit Union and Kim Anderson with art they won at the auction.

 

Food for Thought

Arrha Credit Union President Michael Ostrowski (pictured at far left) recently recognized Ludlow High School honor students for collecting $7,159.50 in non-perishable food items and donations for Springfield Open Pantry. Arrha sponsors the School Challenge, through which area students raised $22,982.91 this year. To show appreciation, Arrha donated $1,000 to Ludlow High School community efforts. The Springfield Open Pantry is an emergency food kitchen that serves more than 30,000 people each year.

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 D. Facchini d/b/a Facchini Law Firm v. Law Offices of Mark E. Salamone

Allegation: Failure to pay reasonable attorney’s fees as compensation for work done on file: $3,575

Filed: 11/1/18

David Rossi v. Pezzetta Co. Inc. and John Pezzetta

Allegation: Breach of contract, fraud/deceit: $16,700

Filed: 11/23/18

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Margaret Slitzky v. Stacy’s Cleaners Inc.

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $2,000

Filed: 12/3/18

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Harry Van Wart Painting Inc. v. Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction Inc.

Allegation: Failure to pay for painting contractor work: $10,550

Filed: 11/7/18

Jessica Bushey v. Pioneer Valley Inspections, LLC

Allegation: Misrepresentation, negligence, and breach of contract: $16,000

Filed: 11/28/18

Alan Stepanik d/b/a Al Stepanik Greenhouses v. Ana Realty Corp. d/b/a Lambert’s Deli o/k/a the Deli at Rainbow Square

Allegation: Breach of contract: $6,060

Filed: 12/10/18

Agenda

By
Agenda

NAMI Night with the Springfield Thunderbirds

Jan. 5: Saturday, Jan. 5 will be NAMI Night with the Springfield Thunderbirds hosting the Providence Bruins at the MassMutual Center. The action begins at 7:05 p.m., and tickets cost $15. Between periods, there will be a chuck-a-puck contest with the winner (if there is one) receiving a cash prize and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of chances to win going to NAMI Western Massachusetts. For game tickets, visit springfieldthunderbirds.formstack.com/forms/nami_night or namiwm.org/events.html. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Western Massachusetts is dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by mental illness through support, education, and advocacy. According to statistics, one in four Americans will face a mental-health problem every year.

Western Mass. Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Banquet

Jan. 31: Justine Siegal, the first female coach in the history of Major League Baseball, will be the keynote speaker for the sixth annual Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame induction banquet. The ceremony, hosted by the Valley Blue Sox, will take place at 7 p.m. at La Quinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield. Siegal is the president and founder of Baseball for All, a nonprofit organization that empowers women to play, coach, and lead in baseball. She earned her doctorate in sport and exercise psychology from Springfield College, where she served as an assistant coach for the baseball team from 2008 to 2010. She also coached youth baseball. In 2009, Siegal became the first female coach of a professional men’s team when she worked as the first-base coach of the Brockton Rox in the independent Canadian American Assoc. of Professional Baseball. In 2011, she became the first woman to throw batting practice to a big league team, the Cleveland Indians. She also has served as a batting-practice pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, and New York Mets. In October 2015, Oakland invited her to serve a two-week stint as guest instructor in the instructional league in Arizona, making her the first female to coach in the major leagues. Siegal will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2019. This year’s class is the sixth since the inaugural banquet in 2014. Since its inception, 35 individuals and four teams who have represented and served the baseball community of Western Mass. have been honored. Tickets for the banquet are $50, or $450 for a table of 10. Dinner is included, and every guest will receive a pair of tickets to a 2019 Blue Sox home game. To purchase tickets, call (413) 533-1100 or visit valley-blue-sox.ticketleap.com/2019-hof.

‘Building a Company People Crave to Work For’

March 12: The Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley is looking for business owners or key managers who would contribute to a presentation called “Building a Company People Crave to Work For.” Several years ago, Jack Stack, father of the Great Game of Business and open-book management, said, “build a great company — because a great company can’t help but make great products.” But what does it take to make a company great? The presentation will be made up of people from businesses with strong policies, attractive cultures, and impressive numbers of high potential employees rising through the ranks. Attendees will hear how they did it, and learn how to adopt anything that would work for their own companies. Get in touch at fambizpv.com.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners

GREATER CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.chicopeechamber.org

(413) 594-2101

• Jan. 5: Chicopee Chamber Night at the Springfield Thunderbirds, 7:05 p.m., at the MassMutual Center, Springfield. An evening of fun for the entire family at a discounted price, this is also Throwback Night, and the Springfield Thunderbirds will be sporting Springfield Indians jerseys when they play the Providence Bruins. Series sponsored by Polish National Credit Union. Tickets start at $16 for members. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org/events.

• Jan. 15: CEO Power Hour Luncheon featuring Carla Cosenzi of Country Nissan/Hyundai, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by the Collegian Court. A quarterly luncheon series where CEOs tell of how they rose to their positions. Series sponsored by Polish National Credit Union. Cost: $30 for members, $35 for non-members. Sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org/events or call (413) 594-2101.

• Jan. 16: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by the Castle of Knights, Memorial Drive, Chicopee. Sponsored by Westfield Bank, Holyoke Medical Center, Polish National Credit Union, PeoplesBank, Spherion Staffing, and Insurance Center of New England. Annual meeting. Chief greeter: Kevin Kober of Polish National Credit Union. Keynote speaker: Cidalia Inacio of Westfield Bank. Cost: $23 for members, $28 for non-members. Sign up online at chicopeechamber.org/events or call (413) 594-2101.

• Jan. 30: Annual HR Update, 8:30-10:30 a.m., hosted by Hampton Inn, Memorial Drive, Chicopee. Join this presentation with attorney John Gannon of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., one of the leading labor and employment law firms serving employers in New England, for a discussion aimed to prepare you to enter the New Year with a better understanding of state and federal laws employers need to be aware of in 2019. Series sponsored by Westfield Bank. For more information, visit chicopeechamber.org/events or call (413) 594-2101.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org

(413) 527-9414

• Jan. 31: Celebrate Success, 5-8 p.m., hosted by Northampton Country Club, 135 Main St., Leeds. Sponsored by Polish National Credit Union, Finck & Perras, and Taylor Real Estate. The event honors milestone achievers, salutes annual award recipients, and gives a preview of where the chamber will head in 2019. Cost: $40 per person, which includes dinner. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.westfieldbiz.org

(413) 568-1618

• Jan. 7: January Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Shortstop Bar & Grill, 99 Springfield Road, Westfield. Join us for our monthly Mayor’s Coffee Hour with Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan. This event is free and open to the public. Sign up online at www.westfieldbiz.org/events or call the chamber at (413) 568-1618 to register so we may give our host a head count.

• Jan. 14: January After 5 Connection, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Roots Aquatics and Fitness Center, 217 Root Road, Westfield. Refreshments will be served, and a 50/50 raffle will benefit the chamber’s scholarship fund. Bring your business cards and make connections. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members (cash or credit paid at the door). Sign up online at www.westfieldbiz.org/events. For sponsorships or more information, call the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com

(413) 426-3880

• Dec. 13: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Trinity Pub/Irish House Restaurant, 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield. You must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief intro and company overview. The only cost to attend for members is the cost of lunch. Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately that day. Please note, we cannot invoice you for these events. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Thomas Kettle

Thomas Kettle

In a first for both institutions, Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Westfield State University have jointly hired a dedicated, full-time director to oversee emergency management and operations planning on each campus. As director of emergency preparedness and response, Thomas Kettle will split his time 60-40 between Westfield State and HCC while maintaining offices on both campuses. An emergency-management specialist, Kettle comes to the new position after serving since 2013 as the fire-safety specialist at Brown University, where his job included support and training in emergency planning and operations. He started his new position on Dec. 10. Kettle is a former infantryman and section sergeant in the U.S. Army. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Providence College and, earlier this year, completed his master’s degree in emergency management from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He will report to the vice presidents for Administration and Finance at each institution. Among his duties, he will be responsible for updating and expanding existing emergency operation plans at both schools.

•••••

David Fernandes

David Fernandes

David Fernandes has joined Polish National Credit Union as retail operations manager. He has more than 11 years of retail banking and management experience. He has taken on an array of roles during his career, including retail banking officer, branch manager, and mortgage loan specialist, which has provided him with widespread knowledge of the industry. Fernandes is a graduate of American International College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He has held communication and community assignments with the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the membership committee; the Chicopee Portuguese American Club, where he is a member of the scholarship committee; and the Gremio Lusitano Portuguese Club of Ludlow, where he is on the executive board. Fernandes is also a Ludlow Special Police officer and treasurer, completing countless hours of community service. He assists with organizing community events and maintains the finances of the association. In 2010, he graduated from the Basic Reserve/Intermittent Academy and has his Western Mass. Chiefs of Police Assoc. certification.

•••••

Pamela Stobierski

Pamela Stobierski

Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) named Pamela Stobierski chair of its board of directors. Stobierski has been a trustee of the bank since 2008 and most recently has been serving on the executive board of directors and as chair of the trust committee. She takes on the board chair position following the death this past spring of the prior chair, Edward Margola. Following her graduation from Smith College in 1983, Stobierski obtained her juris doctorate from Suffolk University in 1988 and became a partner with her husband, John Stobierski, in Stobierski and Connor, one of the largest law firms in Greenfield. Her law practice has been concentrated in elder law, estates, and real estate. Recently, she became ‘of counsel’ to the firm to give greater attention to her duties as chair of the GSB board. Stobierski is a member of the Franklin County Bar Assoc., the Real Estate Bar Assoc. of Massachusetts, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the South Deerfield Women’s Club, and a member and a former vice president of the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Assoc. of Deerfield. Her community-service record also includes previously serving as an executive committee member of the Franklin County Bar Assoc. and as treasurer of the Pioneer Valley Symphony.

•••••

Karly Grimaldi

Karly Grimaldi

OMG Inc. named Karly Grimaldi to the newly created position of Sales & Operations Planning manager. She reports to Geri McCarthy, director of Operations. “OMG has established a strong S&OP forecasting tool which various functions in the business utilize,” said Dewey Kolvek, senior vice president of Operations. “In her new position, Karly will capitalize on the tool to help these functions drive process improvements within their organizations.” Grimaldi started with OMG in 2011 as a sales and marketing assistant for the Roofing Products Division. Most recently, she has been an S&OP analyst, helping to design and launch the initial sales and operations planning tool. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in information management and communications, both from Bay Path University.

•••••

Jose Delgado

Jose Delgado

Jose Delgado, a Springfield native who has been active in local and statewide government affairs for most of his professional career, was appointed to the Holyoke Community College (HCC) board of trustees by Gov. Charlie Baker. Delgado is director of Government Affairs for MGM Springfield and a former aide to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. Born and raised in Springfield, Delgado graduated from Central High School before attending Westfield State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a minor in business management. Earlier this year, he completed his MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Since graduating from Westfield State in 2008, Delgado has also worked as a program coordinator for the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce, a field operations supervisor for the U.S. Census Bureau, and a pre-admissions advisor and recruitment coordinator for University Without Walls at UMass. As a volunteer, he has served as vice chair of the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade committee and is a founding board member of Suit Up Springfield. In 2014, he was named one of the 40 Under Forty by BusinessWest.

•••••

Richard Venne, CEO of Viability, announced that Patty Morey Walker, former mayoral candidate in Greenfield, has accepted the position of program manager in Viability’s Greenfield office. Morey Walker was also president and CEO of Walker, West and Associates. As founder of this insurance consulting firm, she oversaw program development, product development, and marketing. She received her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation from Springfield College and master’s degree in rehabilitation from Boston University, and was a 2014 graduate of Western Massachusetts Women’s Fund’s Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact. In addition to her multiple years of experience in the insurance-technology field, Morey Walker has several years of experience in the human-services field, including positions working in residential homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities, a residential treatment center for girls in the Department of Youth and Family System, a recreational program for children with development disabilities, and a work center for adults with intellectual challenges. She looks forward to returning to the human-services industry and aims to utilize her skills from past experiences in both the public and private sector to help Viability achieve its mission of supporting individuals with disabilities and other societal disadvantages in reaching their full potential. In addition, Viability announced the recent promotion of three current staff members: Kristin Rotas, director (Holyoke); Jennifer Pisano, associate vice president (Connecticut, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island), and Gregg Thompson, vice president (Connecticut, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island).

•••••

Thomas Hogan

Thomas Hogan

Wright-Pierce, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, announced that Thomas Hogan has joined the firm as regional group leader for Western and Central Mass. Bringing a diverse skill set to Wright-Pierce’s growing Massachusetts operation, Hogan has more than 20 years of experience working with municipal, institutional, industrial, commercial, and energy-sector clients. He has served as a consultant to municipalities throughout Massachusetts, conducting site-plan reviews and providing expert testimony, master planning and design, permitting, materials testing, and construction inspection and administration. He has successfully permitted complex projects through local, state, and federal agencies throughout New England, and is considered a leader in implementing stormwater best management practices, dam improvements, and watershed protection measures. Hogan’s technical expertise in the energy sector includes project management of deepwater dredging for a hydroelectric generating facility, renewable-energy-source development, and a combined heat and power plant for a regional medical center, significantly increasing its utility crisis backup operations capability.

•••••

HCC Foundation Inc., the nonprofit fundraising arm of Holyoke Community College, recently added five new members to its board of trustees. At its annual meeting on Dec. 4, the foundation board voted in Kevin Green, a member of the Westfield Financial Management Services team at Westfield Bank; Tiffany Cutting Madru, vice president of Business and Marketing for C&D Electronics in Holyoke; Meghan Parnell-Gregoire, vice president and Business Lending Center manager at PeoplesBank; Tim Wegiel, assistant vice president and Electronic Banking officer at PeoplesBank and an HCC alumnus; and Alicia Zoeller, an attorney and deputy administrator for the city of Holyoke’s Office of Community Development. Also at the annual meeting, John “Jay” Driscoll, a partner in the law firm of Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll in Holyoke, was elected board chair; and Corey Murphy, president of First American Insurance Agency in Chicopee, was elected vice chair. The HCC Foundation marked its 50th anniversary in 2018. This year, the foundation has already provided nearly $1 million to the college in grants as well as funds earmarked for athletics, the HCC Library, music, classroom technology, and other equipment. In addition, the foundation awards more than $200,000 each year to students for academic scholarships.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

PeoplesBancorp, MHC Closes on Acquisition of First National Bank of Suffield

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBancorp, MHC, the parent company of PeoplesBank, has closed on its acquisition of the First National Bank of Suffield, effective Nov. 30. All the current branches of the First National Bank of Suffield opened and conducted business on Dec. 1 under the trade name First Suffield Bank, a Division of PeoplesBank. First Suffield Bank has four branches located in Suffield, West Suffield, East Granby, and Windsor Locks, Conn. PeoplesBank has 20 banking centers located throughout Hampden and Hampshire counties in Massachusetts. In connection with the completion of the acquisition, one member of the board of directors of First Suffield Bank will join the board of directors of PeoplesBank and the board of trustees of PeoplesBancorp, MHC, the parent company of PeoplesBank, and certain other directors of First Suffield Bank will be provided the opportunity to serve as corporators of PeoplesBancorp. The combined organization has approximately $2.8 billion in assets and $1.9 billion in deposits.

Berkshire Hills to Acquire SI Financial Group

BOSTON — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. and SI Financial Group Inc. announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Berkshire will acquire SIFI and its subsidiary, Savings Institute Bank and Trust Co., in an all-stock transaction valued at $180 million based on Berkshire’s stock price as of the close of business on Dec. 10. Berkshire’s total assets will increase to $13.6 billion, including the $1.6 billion in acquired SIFI assets. SIFI reported $1.3 billion in loans and $1.3 billion in deposits as of Sept. 30. This merger agreement increases Berkshire’s market presence with 18 branches in Eastern Conn. and five branches in Rhode Island, adding to Berkshire’s nine existing Connecticut branches.

MachineMetrics Announces $11.3 Million Funding Round

NORTHAMPTON — MachineMetrics, which equips factories with the digital tools needed to increase productivity and win more business, announced it has raised $11.3 million in Series A financing. Tola Capital led the round with participation from existing investors Hyperplane Venture Capital, Long River Ventures, Mass Ventures, Hub Angels, and Firebolt Ventures. With the new funds, the company will expand its data-science and product-development teams while accelerating global sales. MachineMetrics is a pioneer in industrial IoT (internet of things) technology. Its system is designed so customers can install it themselves without the need for expensive and time-consuming customization. Once installed, manufacturers can collect, visualize, and analyze data from any industrial machine. It automatically senses when there is a problem, even predicting some problems hours or minutes before they occur, and recommends solutions that reduce costly unplanned outages. In addition, MachineMetrics benchmarks a company’s machine performance against those of its peers to help guide future investments. Integrated into factories globally, MachineMetrics serves customers including Fastenal, Snap-On Tools, National Oilwell Varco, Gardner Denver, Continental, Saint Gobain, Shiloh Automotive, and SECO Tools.

NAI Plotkin Sells Historic Hampden Bank Building

SPRINGFIELD — NAI Plotkin, a leading commercial real-estate brokerage firm, announced it represented the seller in the sale of 1665 Main St., a 2,010-square-foot commercial building, formerly Hampden Savings Bank, located in downtown Springfield. The building was constructed in 1918 and has a glass ceiling with an ornate supporting structure, marble walls, and copper entrance. The asset sold for $285,000, although it last assessed for $127,600. Wilfredo Lopez of NAI Plotkin was the listing broker for the property. RLTY Development Springfield LLC secured the property and, as the new owner, plans to complete restoration of the original bank building and open a retail cannabis location. The building is also located directly across the street from the Paramount Theater and one block from the newly renovated Union Station. The next steps for the new owner will be to gain approval for the retail establishment by the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Control Commission, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and the City Council.

Bay Path University Named Safest College in Massachusetts

LONGMEADOW — Campus safety is a top consideration for many individuals and their families when it comes to choosing a college to attend. Niche.com compiled a list of the safest college campuses in America, and Bay Path University ranked third out of nearly 1,500 reviewed. The university ranked first for safety in both Massachusetts and New England. “We do as much as we can to ensure that the Bay Path University campus is a safe place,” said Michael Giampietro, vice president for Finance & Administrative Services. “Campus safety is a top priority here. Our Longmeadow campus, in particular, is well-lit with emergency call boxes, and our staff performs routine building checks.” He also credited Bay Path’s small size, and the fact that students, facuty, and staff tend to know each other. “We’re also fortunate for our location in the very safe town of Longmeadow, where we work to maintain a good relationship with the local fire and police departments.” According to Niche.com, the 2019 Safest College Campuses ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The site states that top-ranked colleges offer a safe and healthy environment with little or no campus crime, drugs, or alcohol usage. Specific factors considered include campus crime rate, local crime grade, student surveys on safety, residence-hall date violence rate, residence-hall rape rate, alcohol-related arrests, and drug-related arrests.

AIC Awarded Matching Grant from George I. Alden Trust

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) has been awarded a $150,000 matching grant from the George I. Alden Trust in Worcester to be applied to the Colaccino Center for Health Sciences building project. George Alden established the George I. Alden Trust in 1912 for the purpose of maintenance of charitable or philanthropic enterprises, with specific interest in the promotion of education in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions. This grant is the largest ever given to AIC by Alden Trust and offers a unique and inspiring challenge: the funds will be realized only if the college’s alumni match the pledge within 18 months. “It is an all-or-nothing match,” said Heather Gawron, executive director of Institutional Advancement for AIC. “We must raise the full $150,000 in order to receive any of the matched funds. With the support of our alumni, we are confident that this prerequisite is achievable and will strive to meet our goal by September 2019.” Alumni interested in learning more about the Alden Trust challenge are encouraged to contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (413) 205-3520, [email protected], or www.aic.edu/give/alden-grant.

The Channel Company Names NetLogix to Next-Gen 250 List

WESTFIELD — NetLogix announced that CRN, a brand of the Channel Company, named NetLogix to to its 2018 Next-Gen 250 list. The annual list identifies IT solution providers who have embraced emerging technologies and are setting the pace for the rest of the channel in their adoption. Those on the list have been able to meet their customers’ ever-changing IT needs in leading-edge technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, virtualization, mobility, business analytics, and business intelligence.

NetLogix is a network-management, cloud, and systems-technology integrator providing end-to-end solutions that ensure business integrity for small, medium-sized, and enterprise-level clients. The Westfield-based company designs, implements and manages IT solutions spanning computing infrastructure, enterprise management, VoIP, security, and cloud solutions.

Worcester State University, WNEU School of Law Forge Partnership

SPRINGFIELD — Worcester State University (WSU) and Western New England University (WNEU) School of Law have signed a 3+3 articulation agreement that allows undergraduate students attending Worcester State University to apply for admission to the private law school and begin their legal education during their senior year. The agreement shortens the time required for students to earn both a bachelor’s and law degree from seven years to six years. WNEU President Anthony Caprio, who codified the agreement on behalf of Western New England University at the signing ceremony, noted that “this collaborative arrangement with Worcester State University will open doors for more students to access high-caliber legal education with our special brand of individualized student attention.” The agreement means qualified Worcester State University students who successfully complete their major requirements in three years, leaving them with only free electives, will have a seamless transition to Western New England University’s law school during what would be their senior year. Credits earned during the first year of law school will count towards the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Three academic departments at Worcester State will offer an academic gateway into the program: Criminal Justice, History and Political Science, and Philosophy. Upon completion of three years of law school, students earn a juris doctor (JD) from WNEU. With an emphasis on practical lawyering skills, Western New England University’s juris doctor program combines rigorous coursework covering the theory and practical application of the law with extensive experiential opportunities in legal clinics and externships. A variety of concentrations allows individual students to customize their legal education to gain added experience in specific practice areas.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase

UMass Report Details Costs of Reporting Sexual Harassment

AMHERST — Employees who file sexual harassment complaints often face harsh outcomes, with 65% losing their jobs within a year, and 68% reporting some form of retaliation by their employer, according to new research from the UMass Amherst Center for Employment Equity (CEE). In their report, “Employer’s Responses to Sexual Harassment,” co-authors Carly McCann, Donald Tomaskovic-Devey, and M.V. Lee Badgett analyzed more than 46,000 harassment claims sent to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and state Fair Employment Practices Agencies (FEPAs) from 2012 to 2016. These cases represent only a small amount (0.2%) of the estimated 25.6 million experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace that occurred over this same five-year window. “Since the legal standards are high, it is not surprising that only a very few file a charge,” said McCann, a UMass Amherst doctoral student and CEE research assistant. “The good news in the report is that the EEOC clearly takes sexual-harassment discrimination charges seriously. These charges are more likely to be found legally plausible, and the charging party is more likely to receive benefits, than other discrimination charges. At the same time, only a minority receive any benefit, and a majority lose their job and experience employer retaliation, so not filing a charge may also make economic and social sense. There are often severe negative consequences to filing a charge, and most people who do file a charge receive no benefits.” Even among the 27% of cases that did result in a benefit, redress was typically unsubstantial. The most common benefit — and the result of 23% of total charges that proceed through the agencies’ processed cases — was financial compensation; however, the average settlement of $24,700 (with a median amount of $10,000) is unlikely to make up for the economic cost of job loss. The discrepancy between the average and median amounts is due in large part to a handful of high-profile cases. Large monetary settlements are very rare, with only 1% of those who received monetary compensation exceeding $100,000. Just 12% of the total charges led to managerial agreements to change workplace practices. As the report notes, this lack of accountability often engenders further incidents of harassment. “Most employer responses tend to be harsh both via retaliation and firing employees who complain,” said Tomaskovic-Devey, professor of Sociology at UMass Amherst and CEE founding director. “The very low proportion of employees who file sexual-harassment complaints is very likely to be related to employers’ typically punitive responses.” While these numbers represent averages across all cases filed with the EEOC or FEPAs, gender and race influenced both the number and outcome of cases. “Although they comprise 47% of the labor force, women file 81% of sexual-harassment charges,” McCann said. “Black women, in particular, report a disproportionality large percentage of workplace sexual-harassment charges; they account for 7% of the labor force but file 27% of sexual-harassment charges.” Following recommendations given by the EEOC, the authors advocate having workplaces address sexual harassment internally through better managerial training and programs that train employees to identify and address harassment incidents.

Employer Confidence Ticks Up in November

BOSTON — Business confidence in Massachusetts recovered slightly during November amid a swirl of contradictory economic indicators ranging from agitated financial markets to international trade tensions to steady-but-slowing growth in the Bay State. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index gained 0.6 points to 61.6 in November, ending a three-month slide that brought confidence to its lowest level in more than a year. The November reading was one point lower than in November 2017 and 2.5 points lower than at the beginning of the year. Increased optimism about the state and national economies balanced employer concerns about their own operations and hiring plans during November. The reading remained well within optimistic territory, but employers also clearly see risk on the horizon. The constituent indicators that make up the overall Business Confidence Index were mixed during November. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the Commonwealth rose 2.4 points to 67.1, leaving it 1.9 points higher than in November 2017. The U.S. Index gained 2.1 points to 63.7, up 1.5 points from a year earlier. The Company Index measuring employer assessments of their own operations dropped 0.4 points to 59.2, down 3.1 points year-to-year. The Employment Index slid 3.8 points for the month while the Sales Index was up 2.3 points. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, fell 0.7 points last month to 62.6 and 0.8 points for the year. The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, gained 2.1 points for the month and lost 1.1 points for the year.

Nexamp Expands Access to Solar Power in Western Mass.

BOSTON — Nexamp Inc. and HCG are working together to promote community solar projects totaling more than 21 megawatts across Western Mass., enough to power approximately 4,000 homes. The solar arrays provide the opportunity for residents, businesses, and municipalities to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on their annual electricity bills while supporting local, renewable electricity. The collaborative effort is known as Hampshire Renewables. Hundreds of local residents, nonprofits, and small businesses have already signed up through the Hampshire Renewables website or with HCG or Nexamp representatives. Customers who subscribe to Nexamp’s community solar projects through Hampshire Renewables will realize a guaranteed 15% discount on electricity from the solar projects delivered to their National Grid or Eversource utility bills. In Eversource/WMECo territory, projects are located in Amherst, Whately, Plainfield, and Hadley (Nexamp’s third project in Hadley). In National Grid territory, project locations include Palmer, Wales, Granby, Oakham, Winchendon, and Charlton (Nexamp’s third project in Charlton). Anyone interested in participating should visit hcg-ma.org/hampshire-renewables.

Florence Bank Asks Customers to Vote for Their Favorite Nonprofits

FLORENCE — Florence Bank customers have until Monday, Dec. 31 to vote in the Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program for one area nonprofit in Western Mass. they want the bank to support with grant funds. The program is a year-long initiative. To qualify for a community grant, organizations must receive at least 50 customer votes before the year ends. Customers can vote online at www.florencebank.com/vote, or they can cast a ballot in person in one of the bank’s 10 branches in Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, Florence, Granby, Hadley, Northampton, Williamsburg and West Springfield. When Florence Bank presents the awards for the Customers’ Choice program next spring, it will be the 17th year the grant initiative has been helping local nonprofits make an impact in Western Mass. communities. Each year, the bank donates a share of $100,000 to more than 50 local organizations, and in 2019, the bank will surpass the $1.1 million mark in terms of grants made to community nonprofits. The program is unique, as the bank empowers its customers to decide which organizations will receive a portion of the grant funds. The grants program provides funds to a wide spectrum of organizations doing transformative work in the Pioneer Valley, including food pantries, therapy-dog organizations, elementary schools, and health support networks.

JA of Western Massachusetts Receives $5,000 Grant from Webster Bank

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, a local nonprofit organization that provides financial-literacy, entrepreneurship, and career-readiness education, was awarded a $5,000 grant from Webster Bank to support the JA: A Valued Added Authentic Learning Project, providing students with the tools to develop the 21st-century skills needed to become highly skilled, autonomous employees. Through its charitable-giving programs, Webster Bank focuses on helping a broad set of organizations build a strong and self-reliant community. Webster has a long history of supporting Junior Achievement and its efforts to deliver K-12 programs that foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial-literacy skills. Webster Bank employees volunteer to teach the JA curriculum at a variety of schools throughout the area. JA: A Valued Added Authentic Learning Project leverages the skills, talent, and educational and career opportunities of this region to create a cadre of role models from the community to weave multiple intersecting pathways for middle-grade and high-school students to engage with JA’s relevant curriculum and instructional materials, supplemental technology-driven simulations, job-shadow experiences, and competitions. The project’s goals are to improve students’ knowledge of financial literacy in order for them to make sound financial judgments in the future; boost students’ entrepreneurial skills; increase students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, and raise awareness of career and post-secondary education and career opportunities in Western Mass.

Gaming Revenue Drops at MGM Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Gambling revenues dropped at MGM Springfield in the third month of operation, the Associated Press reported. The state Gaming Commission said the casino generated $21.2 million in revenues from gambling in November, down from October’s $22 million and September’s $27 million. The exact breakdown was $13,371,904 from slots and $7,876,010 from table games. MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis said the company is pleased with the casino’s overall performance, and that November represented “another solid month” for the property, which also generates revenues from restaurants, bars, a hotel, and other attractions.

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.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Jenna M. Serra Inc., 36 Frasier Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Jenna M. Serra, same. Applied behavior analysis.

LBH Insurance Inc., 200 North Main St. Suite 7, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Leon Blake, 21 Oak Grove Ave., Springfield, MA 01109. Insurance sales, services and consulting.

LUDLOW

John A Portelada Electrical Contractor Inc., 168 Lockland Ave., Ludlow, MA 01056. John A. Portelada, same. Electrical contracting.

PITTSFIELD

Marsall Smart Cleaning Inc., 124 E Housatonic St., Apt Back, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Osmar Sales, same. Cleaning and maintenance.

Medialytics Inc. 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 10, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Andrew Waplinger, same. Online software.

SPRINGFIELD

JC Rehab Solutions Inc., 28 Wood End Road, Springfield, MA 01118. Juan Cabrera, same. Asset management.

Laporte Auto Transport Inc., 65 Belmont Ave., Springfield, MA 01108. Carl Laporte, same. Transportation.

Love Nails Inc., 1349 Allen St., Springfield, MA 01118. Chunri Zhao, same. Nail and day spa services.

LT Construction Inc., 18 Fremont St., Apt 1, Springfield, MA 01105. Luis Bano Tixe, same. Construction company.

M & B Tour Inc., 85A Mill St., Springfield, MA 01108. Jian-Hui Li, same. Charter bus.

WESTFIELD

McClellan Construction Inc., 98 Berkshire Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Donald J. McClellan, same. Commercial construction services.

WILBRAHAM

Law Offices of John F. Soja P.C., 2022 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. John F. Soja, same. Law practice.

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2018.

CHICOPEE

Boujee Babe Co.
14 Hope St.
Iean Sorrell, Maria Neault

Chicopee Falls Polish Home Assoc. Inc.
27 Grove St.
Marian Zieliuski

CHS AFJROTC
820 Front St.
Kyle Bate

Clean Up Services
52 Stanley Court
Jose Mendez Osuna

Giguere’s Appliances
200 Exchange St.
Jeffrey Dean

Happy Nails and Spa
591-F Memorial Dr.
Jian Oh

In Vogue Salon
665 Prospect St.
Sophia Parnicky

No Luck Apparel
89 Royal St.
Joseph Brow

Sofia Cleaning Services
30 Tremont St.
Valtair Candido de Souza

Vet51-Tactical
89 Woodcrest Circle
Louis Harrison Sr.

Yohanan Messianic Bookstore
450 Memorial Dr.
John Serrano

DEERFIELD

Beauty Nails
6A Sugarloaf St.
Hong Yen Vo

Country Strong Fitness
90 Steam Mill Road
Brennan McKenna

EAST LONGMEADOW

Hancock Signature Decks & Remodeling, LLC
18 Rolling Meadow Lane
Kenneth Hancock

Kings & Queens
168 Shaker Road
Edmund Post

Life Flow Wellness
51 Prospect St.
Nancy Allen

Right at Home
51 Prospect St.
Jose Cid

Rocket Boy Cat Sitting
103 Day Ave.
Mark Chapin

EASTHAMPTON

Better Bike, LLC
69 Ferry St.
Kevin Murray

Electrical Experts
28 Pleasant St.
Timothy Hodnicki

The Lift – a Salon
116 Pleasant St., Suite 130
Christel Parent, Kristina Galiatos-Dwyer

HADLEY

Hadley Tax and Financial
229 Russell St.
Robert Lowney

Timess Caverns
148 Russell St.
Tanner Wilson

HOLYOKE

Flight Fit n Fun
50 Holyoke St., G-213
Flight Fit ‘n Fun, LLC

Salon Iris
232 Lyman St.
Iris Febo

TJ Maxx #1244
33 Holyoke St., Unit 5
The TJX Cos. Inc.

LONGMEADOW

Julia Mitchell Design
34 Greenacre Dr.
Julia Mitchell

Metamorphosis Massage and Wellness
167 Dwight Road, Suite 102
Kristie Nathanson

LUDLOW

Bon-Chien Pet Grooming
26 Kirkland Ave.
Bonnie DelViscio

NORTHAMPTON

KMC Landscaping & Snow Removal
209 Glendale Road
Kevin Childs

The Majestic Saloon
24 Main St.
Philip Peake, Michael Prosciak

OnCall Healthy Living Program
51 Locust St.
James Carroll, Michael Stevens, Louis Durkin

Pie in the Sky Berry Farm
Fair Street Ext.
Fred Beddall

Pleasant Journey Used Cars
5 Fulton Ave.
John Davey Jr.

Posture Revolution
39 Main St., #32
Pamela Smith

The Wealth Transition Collective
140 Main St., Suite 400
Joe Malmborg, Jean Kelley, Greg Sheehan

PALMER

5 Star Enterprises
37 Smith St.
Gail Sterner

Property Brokers of America
53 Commercial St.
Thomas Moser

Rainbow Gardens
3023 Foster St.
Nancy Golas

Reliable Results Plus, LLC
11 Maple Terrace
Marie Teixeira

Rick’s Parkside Drive-in
1189 Park St.
Frederick Giuliani

R.J.N. Handyman
10 Elizabeth St.
Ryan Novia

Sew Bizzie Quilting
4109 Main St.
Diana Doane

Stolar Realty Inc.
2001 Calkins Road
Christopher Stolar

Target Engineering/Target Health
111 Woodland Heights
Norman LeClair, Gail LeClair

Tranquility Central
1385 Main St.
Brittiney Moynahan

Yankee Flea Market
1311 Park St.
Keith Walker

Zack’s Repair Service & Used Cars
1624 Park St.
Rosemarie Gagnon

SOUTHWICK

Comprehensive Foot Care Inc.
627 College Highway, Unit 3
John Swuerzewski

Gristmill Café
610 College Highway
Donald Elton Sr.

VCA Southwick Animal Hospital
498 College Highway
Thomas Fuller

SPRINGFIELD

Basketball of Springfield
35 Westminster St.
Justin Cotton Jr.

C & R Instalclean
211 Starling Road
Christine Becher

Carpio Tax Service
603 Sumner Ave.
Katy Carpio

Get Virtual View
41 Mattoon St.
Anatoli Vishnyakov

Gizela Transportation
34 Laurelwood Lane
Gediminas Manerskas

Gregory L. Braden Research
354 Birnie Ave.
Gregory Braden

La Primera Iglesia Elahim
113 Orchard St.
Carmen Rodriguez

Lheelly Distribution
82 Somerset St.
Lus Alberto Lewis

Love You Jewelry
63 Coleman St.
Joan Postell-Porter

Lozada’s Auto Repair
111 Farnham Ave.
Samuel Lozada

Movers Delight
21 Clifford St.
Movers Delight

One Mile Realty
78 Chauncey Dr.
Pierre Baiyee

Phenomenal Looks Hair Salon
394 Dickinson St.
Ysabel Santana

WinnResidential – Forest Park
91 Longhill St.
Winn Managed

World Tae Kwon Do Training
461 Sumner Ave.
Chang Choi

WESTFIELD

Adam & Co. Landscapes & Design
43 Deer Path Lane
Adam Midura

Cleopatra Tanning and Massage
43 Southwick Road
Cleopatra Tanning and Massage

Jessica Roy, UCSW
45 Broad St.
Jessica Roy

Mi Ranchito Tex Mex Restaurant
69B Franklin St.
Mi Ranchito Tex Mex Restaurant

Mike’s Barber Shop
148 Elm St.
Mike’s Barber Shop

WEST SPRINGFIELD

360 Auto Sales
44 Exposition Terrace
Petro Levchyk

Berkshire Group
76 Van Horn St.
Gary Webster

Best Price Auto
758 Union St.
Anatoliy Shvetsov

Father and Son Auto Body Work Inc.
89 Bosworth St.
Ivan Hrytskenich

Friendly’s #847
1094 Riverdale St.
Catherine Smith

The Lawn Division
81 Oakland St.
Thomas Silva

Nescor
148 Doty Circle
Sharon Tariff

SLCB Consultants
101 Belmont Ave.
Leon Roswess

The Rail Yard
874 Memorial Ave.
Lori Rindels

Welcome Inn
2041 Riverdale St.
Patel Pravinbhai

WILBRAHAM

The Homegrown Studio
44 Springfield St.
Alessandra Mele

Natural Healing and Wellness Palmer, LLC
2442 Boston Road, Unit B
Jason Warchelak

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Auger, Eric J.
Sciola-Auger, Danielle W.
22 Alice Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/19/2018

Bombardier, Ronald L
a/k/a McKay, Charlene L.
a/k/a Atkinson, Charlene L.
24 Stratford Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/19/2018

Dessources, Marie K.
616 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/19/2018

Eak, Robert J.
16 Malone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/16/2018

Holman, George R.
7 Russell Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/20/2018

JB II Construction
Bilotta, James William
P.O. Box 411
East Otis, MA 01029
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/20/2018

Orduz, Gabriel
60 Grenada Terrace, 1st Fl.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/16/2018

Magner, Kyle Ross
86 Woodlot Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/19/2018

Macias , Dyanne M.
a/k/a Talbot, Dyanne
P.O. Box 3
Buckland, MA 01338
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/19/2018

Ruiz, Christina
Diaz, Christina
50 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/20/2018

You-Me-Sign, L.L.C.
Baneway Industries, LLC
A Dog’s Way
Bane, Michael Tracy
313 Crest Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/19/2018

Young, Peter
Young, Kathleen
107 Woolworth St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/19/2018

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

177 Brown Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Keith Harmon-Snow
Seller: Rani Turner
Date: 11/21/18

BERNARDSTON

37 Depot St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Peter Kennedy
Seller: Brian Scully
Date: 11/26/18

31 South St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $198,396
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Carson Orellana
Date: 11/28/18

BUCKLAND

2 Harmony Lane
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Christian M. Ledoyt
Seller: Carrie A. Ledoyt
Date: 11/21/18

11 Walker Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: David G. Livingstone
Seller: Mark A. Eaton
Date: 11/26/18

CHARLEMONT

653 Legate Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Gabriel Porter-Henry
Seller: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Date: 11/27/18

CONWAY

77 Elmer Corner Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Smith INT
Seller: Sally A. Boutiette
Date: 11/30/18

9 Pleasant St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $369,000
Buyer: Frank J. Degnen
Seller: Virginia M. Sullivan
Date: 11/30/18

DEERFIELD

15 Beaver Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Hope F. Jones
Date: 11/27/18

43 Mountain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Lisa A. Nowicki
Seller: Christopher T. Koh
Date: 11/27/18

43 Old Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Historic Deerfield Inc.
Seller: Joanna S. Creelman
Date: 11/26/18

542 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Joshua Schimmel
Seller: Alan C. Swedlund
Date: 11/30/18

ERVING

French King Hwy.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Franklin Land Trust Inc.
Seller: French King Realty Inc.
Date: 11/27/18

GREENFIELD

1200 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $213,500
Buyer: Matthew A. Yoder
Seller: Michael T. Magnuson
Date: 11/21/18

73 Elm St.
Greenfield, MA 01376
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Gail E. Nutting
Seller: Dashner, Wallace W., (Estate)
Date: 11/29/18

30 Factory Hollow
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Jennifer Stachnik
Seller: Heikkila, Carol, (Estate)
Date: 11/30/18

17 Hastings St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Connor G. Merrigan
Seller: John F. Merrigan
Date: 11/30/18

200 Mohawk Trail
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $1,578,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: O. Ice LLC
Date: 11/19/18

3 Village Green
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jessica Bryant
Seller: Jonathan Souza
Date: 11/20/18

HEATH

8 West Main St.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Lisa C. Burke
Seller: Nathan Wynne
Date: 11/30/18

LEVERETT

74 Hemenway Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $343,500
Buyer: Christine Distefano
Seller: Hideo Fuji
Date: 11/19/18

MONTAGUE

104 4th St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: 104 4th Street LLC
Seller: Puchalski Realty LLC
Date: 11/26/18

1 Burnham St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: 1 Burnham Street LLC
Seller: Freedom CU
Date: 11/30/18

271 Federal St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Richard Lastowski
Seller: Pearl M. Webber
Date: 11/30/18

19-21 Marshall St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Marney Brunelle
Seller: Nora J. McAuliffe
Date: 11/30/18

72 Old Stage Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $429,500
Buyer: Alexander A. McKenzie
Seller: Shirley R. Croft
Date: 11/30/18

22 West Main St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Bayview Loan Servicing
Seller: Erin D. Stebbin-Hodgkins
Date: 11/20/18

NORTHFIELD

543 4 Mile Brook Road
Northfield, MA 01354
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Albert B. Goodwin
Seller: Albert N. Stone
Date: 11/19/18

295 Birnam Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Ephraim K. Franklin
Seller: Stacy L. Welsh
Date: 11/29/18

30 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Karl T. Piculin
Seller: Eugene Wapner
Date: 11/30/18

ORANGE

27 Memory Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Kyle J. Smith
Seller: Edward G. Humphrey
Date: 11/28/18

Moore Ave. #6F
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Realty Development Orange LLC
Seller: Orange Economic Development
Date: 11/30/18

Quabbin Blvd. #3
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Realty Development Orange LLC
Seller: Orange Economic Development
Date: 11/30/18

82 Woodard Heights
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Chad M. Ares
Seller: Robert H. Haigh
Date: 11/26/18

SUNDERLAND

9 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: 9 Amherst Road LLC
Seller: Rosemary Ohagan
Date: 11/19/18

47 South Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Sarah M. Roe
Seller: Kenneth D. Arnold
Date: 11/30/18

WENDELL

179 West St.
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Steven J. Quinlivan
Seller: Lewis H. Starkey
Date: 11/20/18

WHATELY

132 Long Plain Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $150,050
Buyer: Ronald J. Duda
Seller: Paul J. Duda
Date: 11/20/18

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

9 Alfred Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Dalton T. Boglisch
Seller: Michelle Stuart
Date: 11/30/18

126 Country Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kimberly Legros
Seller: Barbara A. Reseigne
Date: 11/28/18

144 Coyote Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $437,000
Buyer: Demetrios E. Rovithis
Seller: Raymond G. Rowe
Date: 11/29/18

25 Ellison Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $165,300
Buyer: Muhammad Taqi
Seller: Gilbert A. Hall
Date: 11/19/18

154 Lancaster Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Dinesh B. Patel
Seller: Jon S. Miller
Date: 11/21/18

175-177 Maple St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Sutton LLC
Seller: Christopher R. Benjamin
Date: 11/30/18

319 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Aleksy Anipko
Seller: Verteramo, Anthony F., (Estate)
Date: 11/20/18

180 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $236,500
Buyer: Jared E. Burinskas
Seller: Thomas E. Hoyle
Date: 11/30/18

56 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $207,500
Buyer: Christopher A. Worden
Seller: Saint David’s Episcopal Church
Date: 11/28/18

268 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Bethany A. Tangredi
Seller: Norwich Properties LLC
Date: 11/27/18

764 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: 740&764 Springfield St.
Seller: Bun Chan
Date: 11/28/18

72 Thalia Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Kratochvil
Seller: Michael A. Lovely
Date: 11/27/18

BLANDFORD

2 Birch Hill Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Patrick W. Cagan
Seller: Keith D. Meyer
Date: 11/23/18

125 Chester Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $238,900
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Kelley A. Fisher
Date: 11/29/18

6 George Millard Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Peter R. Palmer
Seller: Andrew Montanaro
Date: 11/20/18

BRIMFIELD

131 East Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: William McMillan
Seller: Lisa Phillips
Date: 11/30/18

CHESTER

8 Hampden St.
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $233,900
Buyer: Robert M. Littlefield
Seller: Shannon E. Fristik
Date: 11/30/18

CHICOPEE

176 Artisan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Luke T. Gawron
Seller: Keith J. Chretien
Date: 11/19/18

24 Baril Lane
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Melissa E. Arroyo
Seller: Thomas M. Stefanik
Date: 11/26/18

696 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Evelyn Ruiz
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 11/20/18

6 Chestnut St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,230,000
Buyer: Chicopee Chestnut Realty
Seller: Dionne Real Estate LLC
Date: 11/26/18

24 Chestnut St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,230,000
Buyer: Chicopee Chestnut Realty
Seller: Dionne Real Estate LLC
Date: 11/26/18

23 Daley St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $161,000
Buyer: Alison J. Dalpe
Seller: Philip G. Koceniak
Date: 11/30/18

38 Dorothy Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Suzanne M. Raczka
Seller: Jessica Ojeda-Tarrats
Date: 11/20/18

286 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Tammie J. Sypek
Seller: Carol O’Leary
Date: 11/30/18

80 Edgewood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $186,900
Buyer: Steven Sawyer
Seller: Karen M. Mattoon
Date: 11/30/18

96 Exchange St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,230,000
Buyer: Chicopee Chestnut Realty
Seller: Dionne Real Estate LLC
Date: 11/26/18

4 Gilmore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $135,500
Buyer: Joanne M. Nawracaj
Seller: David Laventure
Date: 11/20/18

148 Glendale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Christopher L. Cirillo
Seller: Joseph L. Green
Date: 11/27/18

358 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Bobbi J. Brouillette
Seller: S&C Homebuyers LLC
Date: 11/21/18

18 Grant St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $183,950
Buyer: Robert G. Demarco
Seller: Rick Denoncourt Carpentry
Date: 11/20/18

463 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Chad A. Furnelli
Seller: Howard A. Doty
Date: 11/26/18

1210 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Abimael Gonzalez-Colon
Seller: Donald J. Maciver
Date: 11/19/18

45 Greenleaf St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $116,500
Buyer: Phuong T. Ly
Seller: Brian T. Desrosiers
Date: 11/30/18

15 Henry St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $143,000
Buyer: Abigail Claudio
Seller: Justin A. Bergeron
Date: 11/21/18

61 Hillcrest St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $125,326
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Roxann J. Blase
Date: 11/30/18

15 Hilton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Eric Colon
Seller: Teece, Irene J., (Estate)
Date: 11/29/18

48 Laclede Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Ashley E. Butler
Seller: Wendy S. Goulet
Date: 11/30/18

65 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Joanna H. Connor
Seller: MS Homes LLC
Date: 11/30/18

106 Mandalay Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Adam Tetrault
Seller: S&C Homebuyers LLC
Date: 11/27/18

107 Mandalay Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Jeffrey Niedermeier
Seller: Kris C. Wojtowicz
Date: 11/19/18

15 Mathieu Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Roman T. Bernat
Seller: Christine R. Kulig-White
Date: 11/30/18

529 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,579,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: O. Ice LLC
Date: 11/21/18

4 Moreau Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Erik J. Cables
Seller: Viola A. Donze
Date: 11/20/18

355 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Gregg A. Konieczny
Seller: Janice L. Konieczny
Date: 11/29/18

675 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Amadeo Rios
Seller: Luis A. Rivera
Date: 11/30/18

89 Pondview Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Adam A. Briere
Seller: Sandra L. Kuta
Date: 11/19/18

5 Royal St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Susan M. Sojkowski
Seller: Ernest A. Carriere
Date: 11/28/18

37 School St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $1,230,000
Buyer: Chicopee Chestnut Realty
Seller: Dionne Real Estate LLC
Date: 11/26/18

139 Skeele St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Lenin Diaz
Seller: Dawn A. Robitaille
Date: 11/20/18

17 Spring St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Roselys Torres
Seller: MIB Solutions LLC
Date: 11/19/18

36 Stebbins St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Steven J. Lepage
Seller: Mark R. Monaco
Date: 11/30/18

38 Stockbridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01103
Amount: $335,800
Buyer: Thomas M. Stefanik
Seller: Waycon Inc.
Date: 11/26/18

157 Summit Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $173,000
Buyer: Kyle D. Pardee
Seller: St.Sauveur, Vivian I., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/18

95 Sunflower Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Sean O’Neill
Seller: Bradley D. Hack
Date: 11/19/18

54 Warwick Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Rafael Fontanez
Seller: Mark R. Godek
Date: 11/29/18

173 Wilson Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Michael M. Chevillet
Seller: Diane D. Foster
Date: 11/27/18

69 Yvette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $178,500
Buyer: Jennifer Wehr
Seller: Esmilda Camacho
Date: 11/27/18

EAST LONGMEADOW

101 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Michael T. Puc
Seller: Deborah J. Boucher
Date: 11/27/18

Amalfi Place #4
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: John F. Mahan
Seller: Michael T. Kane
Date: 11/29/18

57 Capri Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: John F. Mahan
Seller: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction
Date: 11/29/18

107 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Zadkiel RT
Seller: Christine M. Lyman
Date: 11/28/18

58 Colony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Teresa Murphy
Seller: Ronald F. Ennaco
Date: 11/30/18

129 Glynn Farms Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Carl V. Mazzaferro
Seller: Thomas R. Gour
Date: 11/30/18

156 Hampden Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $359,998
Buyer: Christian I. Perez
Seller: C&M Builders LLC
Date: 11/29/18

265 Mapleshade Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Eileen B. Manley
Seller: Michael J. Manley
Date: 11/29/18

168 Mountainview Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $366,500
Buyer: Lysik TR
Seller: Brian McVety
Date: 11/29/18

562 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,274,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: O. Ice LLC
Date: 11/21/18

7 Oxford Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Robert M. Torcia
Seller: Francis Torcia
Date: 11/29/18

742 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Center For Human Development Inc.
Seller: Chad P. Meyer
Date: 11/20/18

194 Pleasant St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: LG Industries LLC
Seller: Minnie J. Laliberte
Date: 11/21/18

248 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Christopher Conway
Seller: Carl Nunziato
Date: 11/28/18

31 Somerset St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $164,800
Buyer: Joan Nadaud
Seller: Bourque, Barbara A., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/18

56 Waterman Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $269,500
Buyer: Waterman Rose RT
Seller: Michael Carabetta
Date: 11/29/18

HAMPDEN

179 Allen St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Frank Demarinis
Seller: US Bank
Date: 11/20/18

135 East Longmeadow Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Thomas Dimauro
Seller: Daniel Parrish
Date: 11/26/18

45 Hickory Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Brenda L. Keeley
Seller: Timothy D. Clark
Date: 11/21/18

110 Woodland Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $166,500
Buyer: Daniel H. Burnett
Seller: Bonsall, George D., (Estate)
Date: 11/20/18

HOLLAND

24 Evelyn Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Alexander R. Jolie
Seller: Catherine E. Newman
Date: 11/29/18

13 Morse Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Anthony M. Mazzone
Seller: Hope A. Martel-Fyfe
Date: 11/27/18

HOLYOKE

1021 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Erica L. Pelletier
Seller: Rita K. Milos
Date: 11/26/18

310 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Robert M. Roche
Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP
Date: 11/20/18

1125 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Daniel Gould
Seller: Joshua Beauregard
Date: 11/26/18

1745 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,198,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: O Ice LLC
Date: 11/21/18

55 Richard Eger Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Arthur Dumont
Seller: Anthony E. Lapponese
Date: 11/20/18

69-71 West Glen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Victor J. Garriga
Seller: Jahjan LLC
Date: 11/30/18

32 Woodland St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,500
Buyer: Olga J. Lopez
Seller: Jose E. Melendez
Date: 11/30/18

LONGMEADOW

28 Ardsley Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $647,500
Buyer: Thomas A. Mierzwa
Seller: Seth Tenenbaum
Date: 11/19/18

135 Cooley Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Christopher Stanley
Seller: Steven J. Vaccaro
Date: 11/27/18

160 Ellington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: O3 RT
Seller: Wesley L. Oakford
Date: 11/30/18

10 Elmwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $175,200
Buyer: David H. Cosgriff
Seller: Nancy E. Marchand
Date: 11/19/18

58 Fairfield Terrace
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Jonathan A. Bubier
Seller: Christopher M. Buendo
Date: 11/27/18

32 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Brian M. VanDam
Seller: Norman A. Smith
Date: 11/19/18

56 Lincoln Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Martin E. Upperton
Seller: US Bank
Date: 11/30/18

124 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Brendan M. Quinn
Seller: Sinai Temple
Date: 11/26/18

204 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Kim MacDonnell
Seller: Jennifer L. Willson
Date: 11/19/18

121 Meadow Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Emma R. Mendoker
Seller: Jeffrey M. Green
Date: 11/30/18

63 Osceola Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $427,000
Buyer: Stephen C. Monge
Seller: Craig R. Stevens
Date: 11/26/18

39 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Joshua I. Ross
Seller: Matthew P. MacDonnell
Date: 11/19/18

43 Salem Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: David G. Chapdelaine
Seller: Allan K. Compton
Date: 11/26/18

839 Shaker Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $212,225
Buyer: Michelle K. Brodeur
Seller: 855 Liberty Springfield
Date: 11/27/18

LUDLOW

733 Alden St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Kowal
Seller: Charles P. Chaconas
Date: 11/30/18

26 Dale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Antonio A. Sosa
Seller: Maria S. Dacruz
Date: 11/28/18

69 East Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Robert W. Thompson
Seller: J. Theresa Boldys
Date: 11/28/18

14 Emma Way
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Orette Hosang
Seller: Jeffrey N. Leandro
Date: 11/28/18

52 Glenwood St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $159,500
Buyer: Thomas Smith
Seller: Lawrence R. Willette
Date: 11/21/18

267 Howard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Eric G. Fernandez
Seller: Jill M. Evans
Date: 11/29/18

197 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Brian McLaughlin
Seller: Susanne D. Campagna
Date: 11/29/18

222 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: RAEV LLC
Seller: Jane T. Savoia
Date: 11/20/18

300 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Theresa Wilson
Seller: Philip S. Tomkiel
Date: 11/30/18

MONSON

22 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Young
Seller: Noreen A. Robinson
Date: 11/26/18

111 Fenton Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $161,380
Buyer: Ryan R. Pelletier
Seller: D&T Development LLC
Date: 11/27/18

21 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Dennis K. Hart
Seller: Jobern Housing LLC
Date: 11/19/18

358 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Elias Acuna
Seller: Donald B. Hess
Date: 11/30/18

40 Old Stagecoach Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $175,100
Buyer: Sharlene Desteph
Seller: Harold G. Bailey
Date: 11/20/18

44 Stebbins Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Arnold Construction Inc.
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 11/20/18

75 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Dana E. Casher
Seller: Victor W. Acquista
Date: 11/29/18

PALMER

2038 Central St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $139,400
Buyer: Quicken Loans Inc.
Seller: Dennis P. White
Date: 11/29/18

172 Flynt St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Sandra J. Leary
Seller: William J. Buehler
Date: 11/30/18

1018 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $159,500
Buyer: Jeffrey Comeau
Seller: Robert Karowski
Date: 11/26/18

17-19 Knox St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $140,873
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Barnard Peter
Date: 11/21/18

24 Lawrence St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Nicholas Harney
Seller: Ghada S. Ghrear
Date: 11/30/18

1519 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $348,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: Realty Income Corp.
Date: 11/27/18

676 Old Warren Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $356,000
Buyer: Francisco A. Peralta
Seller: Robin S. Warner
Date: 11/28/18

18 Paul St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $174,800
Buyer: David A. Cole
Seller: Troy Santerre
Date: 11/30/18

RUSSELL

134 Main St.
Russell, MA 01008
Amount: $119,500
Buyer: Keith D. Meyer
Seller: George P. Vincensi
Date: 11/27/18

355 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $492,500
Buyer: Stephen A. Booher
Seller: Karen G. Tierney
Date: 11/20/18

SOUTHWICK

182 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: James M. Mazzaferro
Seller: Raymond W. Gendron
Date: 11/29/18

3 Eden Hill
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $534,000
Buyer: Todd E. Emerson
Seller: Mark A. Plasse
Date: 11/26/18

24 Fernwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Gonyer
Seller: Onyski, Stella P., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/18

48 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Laura E. Pierce
Seller: Tracy D. Shaw
Date: 11/19/18

3 Lauren Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Borkosky
Seller: Kimberlee A. Nastri
Date: 11/26/18

Sawgrass Lane #10
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jeanne M. Brown
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 11/29/18

Sawgrass Lane #6
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Brian E. Brown
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 11/29/18

Sawgrass Lane #9
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: John A. Jeneral
Seller: Fiore Realty Holdings LLC
Date: 11/30/18

16 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Ryan T. Dietert
Seller: Alan L. Hoyt
Date: 11/21/18

SPRINGFIELD

164 Balboa Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $128,706
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Ogirri, Griselina, (Estate)
Date: 11/30/18

28 Barnet St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Della Ripa Real Estate
Seller: Donna J. Chaffee
Date: 11/20/18

655 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Raul N. Medina
Seller: Raul Medina
Date: 11/28/18

858 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $187,500
Buyer: Nicholas G. Axton
Seller: David H. Axton
Date: 11/27/18

31 Blueberry Hill St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $149,500
Buyer: Christopher G. Rooke
Seller: Jacob E. Werbicki
Date: 11/30/18

1811 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $558,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: Realty Income Corp.
Date: 11/21/18

48-50 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Tianna L. Kelly
Seller: Joyce Livingston
Date: 11/21/18

383 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Lisa Starnes
Seller: MEI Management LLC
Date: 11/30/18

36-38 Chapel St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Justin C. Ngendakumana
Seller: Derrick J. Hatwood
Date: 11/28/18

199 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Joshua S. Lopes
Seller: Gina G. Daniele
Date: 11/29/18

21 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Andy Yang
Seller: Savitree Surujnauth
Date: 11/30/18

40-42 Cherry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Arnold Construction Inc.
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 11/20/18

843 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Jose M. Perez
Seller: Heriberto Flores
Date: 11/21/18

177 Cooper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Julia E. Clayton
Seller: Margaret M. Amore
Date: 11/30/18

183 Corcoran Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $117,900
Buyer: Harry Marks
Seller: Joseph M. Kratochvil
Date: 11/27/18

33 Crest St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Gerard E. Reardon
Seller: No Place Like Home Properties
Date: 11/28/18

29 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Reyna C. Guerrero
Seller: Elizabeth J. Lassiter
Date: 11/30/18

156 Derby Dingle St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Sol M. Pagan
Seller: Pamela J. Peck
Date: 11/20/18

17 Dineen St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Andres Castro
Seller: Graduate Housing Services
Date: 11/30/18

153 East Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Chad Sleeper
Seller: Delores A. Halls RET
Date: 11/27/18

368-370 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Jose L. Mateo-Ortiz
Seller: Western MA Realty LLC
Date: 11/30/18

47 Eckington St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $141,500
Buyer: Nancy E. Marchand
Seller: Daniel R. Johnson
Date: 11/27/18

74 Eleanor Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Shawndra Wray
Seller: Rayan Abdul-Baki
Date: 11/19/18

110 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Poutena Management LLC
Seller: Pamela Radcliffe-Dean
Date: 11/21/18

62 Frederic St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $182,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Munoz-Camacho
Seller: Eurico C. Machado
Date: 11/21/18

49 Lavender Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Maria A. Cieplik
Seller: Richard A. Luchini
Date: 11/20/18

240 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Mercy Mwaura
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 11/26/18

23 Haskin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Joemy X. Rosa
Seller: Le & Associates LLC
Date: 11/29/18

29 Ingersoll Grove
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Prasanna V. Rao
Seller: Wang Z. Hua
Date: 11/30/18

195 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Derek C. Finnerty
Seller: Devere K. Glenn
Date: 11/26/18

119 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $176,500
Buyer: Lisa N. Lobik
Seller: Sheldon Collins
Date: 11/30/18

198 Leopold St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Jillian O’Brien
Seller: Charles Elfman
Date: 11/30/18

27 Loring St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Spectra S1 LLC
Seller: John Deraffele
Date: 11/27/18

22 Luden St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $122,461
Buyer: Reverse Mortgage Solutions
Seller: Leclere W. Gerard
Date: 11/21/18

23 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Jerry Serrano
Seller: US Bank
Date: 11/30/18

126 Monrovia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Alice E. Martinez
Seller: Michael J. Summers
Date: 11/30/18

272 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Moses T. Kinuthia
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 11/21/18

280 Naismith St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Savitree Surujnauth
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 11/30/18

191 Navajo Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Dennis R. Boss
Seller: Paula Tencati
Date: 11/19/18

513 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Abdallah Mustafa
Seller: Thomas K. O’Connor
Date: 11/30/18

184-186 Northampton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Diego Bonilla
Seller: Michael Simmonds
Date: 11/21/18

73 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $149,000
Buyer: Antonio Santiago
Seller: William Payen
Date: 11/19/18

83 Oakdale St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $135,192
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Maynard, Harold A., (Estate)
Date: 11/19/18

201 Overlook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Mohammed A. Bayati
Seller: Pacific Union Financial
Date: 11/29/18

33 Parkin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Kassandra Carrasquillo
Seller: Roland R. Lapointe
Date: 11/30/18

73-75 Pasadena St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Tomasz Komar
Seller: Aguasvivas Realty LLC
Date: 11/26/18

65 Peekskill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Lefave
Seller: Carolyn M. Burke
Date: 11/30/18

18 Pineywoods Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Olds
Seller: Michael J. Graney
Date: 11/30/18

109 Prentice St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Alexander J. Lozada
Seller: Christopher C. Babineau
Date: 11/28/18

34 Preston St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Nancy I. Valle
Seller: Betty J. Keeney
Date: 11/21/18

349 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $171,750
Buyer: Carimar Pizarro-Abreu
Seller: Michael Keane
Date: 11/20/18

551 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $133,200
Buyer: Steven Niedbala
Seller: Aaron C. Zing
Date: 11/23/18

128 Saffron Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Mara J. Torres
Seller: Mark A. Howie
Date: 11/19/18

65 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $529,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: Realty Income Corp.
Date: 11/21/18

144 Sunridge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $134,000
Buyer: Benedict Jallah
Seller: Cheyenne S. Catalfamo
Date: 11/29/18

60 Thornfell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Manuel Bernal
Seller: Lisa A. Holland
Date: 11/30/18

37-39 Warriner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Hsiu-Li Kelly
Seller: Jin E. Sun
Date: 11/21/18

134-136 Washington Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Romualdo J. Perez-Campos
Seller: Lois Ben-David
Date: 11/29/18

77 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Christopher G. Rondeau
Seller: Patricia Young TR
Date: 11/29/18

33 Westernview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: David A. Hubert
Seller: Todd S. Emerson
Date: 11/26/18

111 Wilber St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Germania Gonzalez
Seller: Joseph F. Langone
Date: 11/29/18

22 Willard Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $137,500
Buyer: Dream RT
Seller: Hervin A. Edwards
Date: 11/30/18

143 Winton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $164,300
Buyer: Felicia Lastra
Seller: Dawn M. Garvey
Date: 11/30/18

28-30 Woodmont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: John M. Feliciano
Seller: Marcin Wodecki
Date: 11/19/18

1138 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Veronique Desir
Seller: Janell S. Haulsey
Date: 11/29/18

TOLLAND

77 Chipmunk Xing
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $314,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Porter
Seller: Susan L. Gumbart
Date: 11/30/18

34 Lands End Dr.
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: John W. O’Brien
Seller: Thomas J. Desanto
Date: 11/19/18

248 Owls Nest Lane
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Anthony Simari
Seller: Scott T. Maselek
Date: 11/28/18

WALES

10 Church St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $156,750
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Armand A. Thibert
Date: 11/29/18

92 McBride Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Timothy Gallant
Seller: Thomas J. Colageo
Date: 11/30/18

109 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Shane S. Bradway
Seller: Linda J. Gaulin
Date: 11/30/18

WESTFIELD

7 Beveridge Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Connor K. Hawkins
Seller: Roberts, Douglas C., (Estate)
Date: 11/28/18

Breighly Way #7G
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: David Lesnikov
Seller: DDLP Development LLC
Date: 11/29/18

244 Buck Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Todd J. DelNegro
Seller: Michele A. Pine
Date: 11/19/18

337 City View Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Patrick V. Corrigan
Seller: Stephen A. Booher
Date: 11/20/18

1 Congress St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Kyle Brodeur
Seller: William J. Meunier
Date: 11/30/18

37 Crescent Ridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Michael Szewczynski
Seller: John S. Haftmann
Date: 11/21/18

76 Gary Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $458,900
Buyer: Zhong Chen
Seller: Yousef M. Al-Ryati
Date: 11/30/18

55 Hillcrest Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $387,000
Buyer: William Dee
Seller: Erica Drollett
Date: 11/26/18

17 Holland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Trifecta Properties LLC
Seller: Leslie J. Clark-Yvon
Date: 11/30/18

20 Leaview Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Michael Gonzalez
Seller: Ellenjane Kiefer
Date: 11/27/18

49 Little River Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,845
Buyer: MTGLQ Investors LP
Seller: Mark Thibeault
Date: 11/20/18

123 Miller St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Vincent Auduong
Seller: Dilmira Liquori
Date: 11/28/18

708 North Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Mark Pchelka
Seller: Michael J. Szewczynski
Date: 11/21/18

358 Prospect St. Ext.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Scott Brown
Seller: Chad A. Pelletier
Date: 11/20/18

31 Ridgeway St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Scott E. Coon
Seller: Eugene D. Paulson
Date: 11/30/18

115 Saint James Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Dillon M. Cullen
Seller: Olivine E. Allaire
Date: 11/28/18

100 Tannery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Hem Bhujel
Seller: Michael H. Williams
Date: 11/21/18

70 Turnpike Industrial Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $8,350,000
Buyer: James Hardie Building
Seller: 70 Turnpike Owner SPE LLC
Date: 11/27/18

71 Wilson Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,500
Buyer: Anne S. Diebold
Seller: Danielle M. Laverdiere
Date: 11/28/18

8 William St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $129,149
Buyer: Dubs Capital LLC
Seller: Wilmington Savings
Date: 11/21/18

52 Yankee Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $362,500
Buyer: William Cavanaugh
Seller: Sofia Zanzarella
Date: 11/29/18

111 Yeoman Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $209,900
Buyer: Richard E. Hand
Seller: Stec, Mary Jane E., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/18

11 Zephyr Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: David Graham
Seller: Robert D. Barcome
Date: 11/30/18

WILBRAHAM

16 Bittersweet Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Nasser Zebian
Seller: Donald W. Perkins
Date: 11/21/18

29 Carla Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $429,900
Buyer: Richmond Acquah
Seller: James A. Dirico
Date: 11/26/18

24 Devonshire Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Radu Moraru
Seller: Vincent Salemi
Date: 11/29/18

469 Dipping Hole Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Susan J. Henrichon
Seller: Walter M. Clark
Date: 11/27/18

3 Edgewood Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $208,500
Buyer: Lisa E. Oski
Seller: Eagle Home Buyers LLC
Date: 11/19/18

14 Oldwood Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $411,000
Buyer: Robert M. Burns
Seller: Kyle B. Laflamme
Date: 11/26/18

1 Sunset Rock Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $302,900
Buyer: Omar Echeverria
Seller: Custom Homes Development Group LLC
Date: 11/30/18

5 Willow Brook Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $564,500
Buyer: Paul J. Pannier
Seller: Kent Pecoy & Sons Construction
Date: 11/29/18

WEST SPRINGFIELD

235 Ashley St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: William Lea
Seller: Mario C. Sotolotto
Date: 11/27/18

37 Bosworth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: MAA Property LLC
Seller: Pogman Realty LLC
Date: 11/30/18

115 Buckingham Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $184,985
Buyer: Ashley N. Bissell
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 11/26/18

96 Craiwell Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Amanda E. Conway-Somers
Seller: Howard W. Jones
Date: 11/20/18

56 East Gooseberry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Howard W. Jones
Seller: Edward T. McKay
Date: 11/20/18

48 Harwich Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Kathy Gervakis TR
Seller: Jon A. Hager
Date: 11/30/18

28 Penrose Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Erica S. Drollett
Seller: Timothy P. McGovern
Date: 11/26/18

23 Pleasant St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Adam Alexion
Seller: RKL Financial Corp.
Date: 11/26/18

43 Queen Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Kyle A. Giovannoni
Seller: Kelly M. Hoyland
Date: 11/30/18

1094 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,578,000
Buyer: SIC Property LLC
Seller: O. Ice LLC
Date: 11/21/18

606 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Harrington LT
Seller: David A. Nadeau
Date: 11/27/18

151 Upper Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: Clayton Tinson
Seller: Christopher M. Evans
Date: 11/30/18

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

189 Cherry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Eli C. Masterton
Seller: Yang Zhang
Date: 11/29/18

Evening Star Dr. #1
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $251,400
Buyer: Eveningstar Assocs. LLC
Seller: Shaul Perry
Date: 11/28/18

19 Hemlock Hollow
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Fernando Ramos
Seller: Jonathan D. Hale
Date: 11/29/18

108 Jabish St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Pelissier
Seller: Squires, Leslie E., (Estate)
Date: 11/27/18

20 Magnolia Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $404,900
Buyer: Suzanne Clarke
Seller: JN Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 11/30/18

55 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: North Pleasant Realty LLC
Seller: Railroad St Partners LLC
Date: 11/28/18

143 River St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $188,500
Buyer: Ryan H. Footit
Seller: Robert M. Wallace
Date: 11/26/18

186 Sheffield Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $290,783
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Guyott
Seller: Laliberte Home Builders
Date: 11/30/18

CHESTERFIELD

206 Bryant St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Laura A. Somes
Seller: James F. Saccento
Date: 11/30/18

4 Pynchon Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $271,477
Buyer: Michael A. Lucey
Seller: Thomas E. Dawson-Greene
Date: 11/30/18

CUMMINGTON

Main St.
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $257,600
Buyer: Augustus Perkins
Seller: Peter J. Kipp
Date: 11/29/18

BELCHERTOWN

108 Blue Meadow Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Wandas
Seller: David W. Menard
Date: 11/20/18

296 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Amber K. Merceri
Seller: Vision Investment Properties
Date: 11/20/18

227 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Nikolay V. Prokofiev
Seller: Anliker Properties LLC
Date: 11/20/18

45 Poole Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Lindsay K. Wright
Seller: Shadow Mountain LLC
Date: 11/21/18

CHESTERFIELD

185 Sugar Hill Road
Chesterfield, MA 01096
Amount: $248,500
Buyer: Mark A. Blanchard
Seller: Daniel Jarvis
Date: 11/20/18

EASTHAMPTON

55 Glendale St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $257,500
Buyer: Jody Doele
Seller: Sonia F. Oppenheim
Date: 11/30/18

36 Holly Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Steven P. Winkel
Seller: Lisa A. Gawle
Date: 11/19/18

2 Laurel Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $334,900
Buyer: Johnathan Roche
Seller: David A. Cole
Date: 11/30/18

2 Laurin Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $348,300
Buyer: Nicholas J. Brazee
Seller: Sophous Tep
Date: 11/26/18

20 Lawson Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Phillip P. Stone
Seller: E&M LLC
Date: 11/27/18

31 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Emma Chubb
Seller: Cykowski RET
Date: 11/20/18

39 Payson Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Virginia H. Hoener
Seller: Dionne, Jeannette P., (Estate)
Date: 11/20/18

32 Pine Hill Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Jonathan D. Remillard
Seller: Hannah E. Karpman
Date: 11/29/18

10 Pinebrook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Arnold S. Woods
Seller: Michael E. Fregeau
Date: 11/21/18

GOSHEN

87 Lake Dr.
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Yvonne Ting
Seller: James M. Donnelly
Date: 11/28/18

46 Pond Hill Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $285,750
Buyer: Scott Tillinghast
Seller: Howard J. Parad RET
Date: 11/27/18

GRANBY

303 Chicopee St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Benn R. Pouliot
Seller: Steven C. Laplante
Date: 11/21/18

83 South St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Aaron Gaj
Seller: John Toth
Date: 11/30/18

184 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $141,582
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: William A. Shippee
Date: 11/30/18

134 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $398,000
Buyer: Olabode F. Omojola
Seller: Katherine Orszulak
Date: 11/26/18

HADLEY

99 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Michael Ortiz
Date: 11/26/18

132 East St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nicholas A. Rufe
Seller: George J&K Kermensky IRT
Date: 11/28/18

7 Highland Circle
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Elena Betke-Brunswick
Seller: Veronica K. McQueston
Date: 11/29/18

10 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Brett A. Briggs
Seller: Cydney F. Champoux
Date: 11/30/18

HATFIELD

62 Dwight St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Bryan M. Schwartz
Seller: Deborah A. Buck
Date: 11/29/18

44 Linseed Road
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Thomas B. Rosati
Seller: Scott B. Williams
Date: 11/30/18

HUNTINGTON

128 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Brianne M. Ducharme
Seller: Jason T. McMahon
Date: 11/30/18

15 Mountain View
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Mark D. Ratcliffe
Seller: Norwich Properties LLC
Date: 11/20/18

NORTHAMPTON

48 Country Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Jon H. McCartney
Seller: Elissa S. Gibbs
Date: 11/19/18

53 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Melanie Currie
Seller: Tomasz A. Wiraszka
Date: 11/29/18

5 Mann Terrace
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: James F. Saccento
Seller: Jeremy D. Ober
Date: 11/30/18

12 Mary Jane Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $238,500
Buyer: Jessica Dias
Seller: Paul C. Kelliher
Date: 11/20/18

65 Morningside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Barrett W. Newsome
Seller: Claudia A. Beldengreen
Date: 11/30/18

648 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Andrew B. Zucchino
Seller: Stephen T. McGrath
Date: 11/30/18

68 Sandy Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Marianne E. Martin
Seller: Patricia A. Langevin
Date: 11/30/18

116 Sandy Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $216,500
Buyer: Claudio M. Nolasco
Seller: Milton R. Ross
Date: 11/29/18

62 Straw Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Daniel D. Bahls
Seller: Brian Baldi
Date: 11/30/18

89 Straw Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Linda S. Youngblood
Seller: Carolyn D. Horrigan
Date: 11/26/18

101 Washington Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Mikey Toledano
Seller: Trysquare LLC
Date: 11/29/18

SOUTH HADLEY

50 Bolton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,597
Buyer: Jesse T. Kocot
Seller: Lynn Sheffield
Date: 11/21/18

17 Brigham Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Jenna L. Tymkowiche
Seller: Marsha D. Chappel
Date: 11/26/18

19 Bunker Hill
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Katherine J. Fleming
Seller: David L. Brunelle
Date: 11/20/18

80 Camden St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Collin B. Coderre
Seller: Grochowalski, Florence, (Estate)
Date: 11/30/18

3 Chestnut Hill Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Gregory W. Long
Seller: Wojnarowski FT
Date: 11/29/18

251 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Doris Ladas
Seller: Ladas Funding TR
Date: 11/19/18

15 Karen Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Katherine Adele-Orszulak
Seller: Gregory W. Long
Date: 11/29/18

21 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $169,500
Buyer: Kathryn M. Eldred
Seller: Carl M. Deprey
Date: 11/21/18

191 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,900
Buyer: Jessica M. McPhee
Seller: Scott J. Walsh
Date: 11/27/18

21 North Sycamore Knolls
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Viserion LLC
Seller: Robert E. Hazen
Date: 11/28/18

45 Spring St. Ext.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Danielle F. Winslow
Seller: Joseph P. Lacourse
Date: 11/29/18

SOUTHAMPTON

8 Camp Jahn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Michael J. Ramsey
Seller: Sandra J. Giusto
Date: 11/21/18

34 Cold Spring Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: John P. Plourd
Seller: Brianne M. Ducharme
Date: 11/30/18

47 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Christopher Carr
Seller: Drew P. Taylor
Date: 11/21/18

28 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Stephanie J. Brusco
Seller: Ursula R. Brusco RET
Date: 11/27/18

9 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Benjamin D. Hildebrand
Seller: Michael F. Miller
Date: 11/21/18

8 Woodmar Lane
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Gawle
Seller: David Garstka Builders
Date: 11/19/18

WARE

409 Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Juan L. Palencia
Seller: John W. Drawec
Date: 11/30/18

Coffey Hill Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: PLH LLC
Seller: Gusto Enterprises LLC
Date: 11/21/18

15 Monroe St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Alicia Mayberry
Seller: FNMA
Date: 11/20/18

Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: PLH LLC
Seller: Gusto Enterprises LLC
Date: 11/21/18

105 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: CKG Properties LLC
Seller: Gervais, Muriel A., (Estate)
Date: 11/29/18

WILLIAMSBURG

1 Hillenbrand Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Leah E. Abuza
Seller: Hillenbrand 2012 RET
Date: 11/19/18

15 Williams St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: William T. Scott
Seller: Henry D. Manwell
Date: 11/30/18

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2018.

CHICOPEE

660 Broadway, LLC
670 Broadway
$16,000 — Convert building for use as Domino’s Pizza; lighting upgrade, separate front lobby from production area, reface exterior sign, new lobby tile and wall tile in production area

Chicopee Falls Polish Home
27 Grove St.
Roofing

Christy Real Estate, LLC
710 Fuller Road
$65,800 — Roofing and related work

EAST LONGMEADOW

Allied Floor
55 North Main St.
$2,850 — Two signs

Cartamundi
443 Shaker Road
$152,855 — Concrete slab

Chipotle
42 Center Square
Sprinkler system

Go Graphix
31 Benton Dr.
$53,325 — Roofing

St. Mark’s Church
1 Porter Road
$3,250 — Wood stove

EASTHAMPTON

F & G, LLC
34 Water Lane
$2,000 — Repair shed in rear yard

Norwich Properties
123-133 Union St.
$4,500 — Install fence along sidewalk

Terah Properties, LLP
81 East St.
$57,500 — Roofing

GREENFIELD

Rosenberg Property, LLC
311 Wells St.
$8,365 — Strip and replace shingles on addition, install new vinyl siding and trim over existing siding, install new ridge vent

Steven Schechterle
402 Federal St.
$10,000 — Install two windows, put up stone veneer and vinyl shakes on storefront

St. James Episcopal Church
8 Church St.
$10,000 — Install insulation on attic floor and basement rim

Syfeld Greenfield Associates
259 Mohawk Trail
Erect sign attached to building, erect sign on existing free-standing pylon

LONGMEADOW

Peter Cooney
Ely Road
$14,400 — Demolish accessory building (barn)

First Church of Christ
763 Longmeadow St.
$20,000 — Add fence

GPT Longmeadow, LLC
666 Bliss Road
$17,369 — Roofing

Town of Longmeadow
62 Wolf Swamp Road
$102,700 — Replace cast-iron sectional boiler

NORTHAMPTON

Andrew Adams and Joya Adams
185 Main St.
$1,050 — Non-illuminated sign for Tim’s Used Books

Blue Sky Real Estate, LLC
269-271 Main St.
$6,000 — Roofing

Castle Pines, LLC
344 King St.
$1,000 — Illuminated clearance sign for Burger King

Castle Pines, LLC
344 King St.
$1,000 — Illuminated order-station sign for Burger King

Castle Pines, LLC
344 King St.
$1,000 — Illuminated wall sign for Burger King

City of Northampton
240 Main St.
$9,000 — Erect two columns in basement for limited first-floor repairs

City of Northampton
170 Glendale Road
$9,900 — Roofing

Malvern Panalytical
45 Industrial Dr.
$3,500 — Install seven replacement windows

Northampton Terminal Assoc., LLP
1 Roundhouse Plaza, Suite 2
$7,000 — Office renovation; remove three walls and rebuild

Northwood Development, LLC
15 Atwood Dr.
$3,500 — Non-illuminated ground sign for Hampshire Probate and Family Court

Kevin Ovitt
55 Damon Road
$2,000 — Illuminated sign for Kevin’s Haircuts

Smith College
18 Henshaw Ave., Unit C
$12,000 — Roofing and rot repair

Smith College
21 Henshaw Ave., Unit A
$5,000 — Roofing and rot repair

D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc.
84 North St.
$4,000 — Construct exercise room

SPRINGFIELD

Big Y Foods Inc.
2145 Roosevelt Ave.
$233,000 — Alter new employee entrance at Big Y distribution facility

Blue Tarp Redevelopment, LLC
12 MGM Way
$30,000 — Install three projection screens in Commonwealth Bar at MGM Springfield

Marcom Realty, LLC
155 Brookdale Dr.
$353,543 — Alter interior tenant space for Louis and Clark Pharmacy

Mason Wright Senior Living Inc.
73 Walnut St.
$64,845 — Alter former storage room into new daycare classroom

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St.
$38,160 — Alter office space for exam room in Oncology suite on first floor of Sister Caritas Cancer Center

Luis Moctezuma
1490 Allen St.
$5,000 — Commercial tenant space for restaurant

Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
577 Carew St.
$20,000 — Remove and replace three roof-mounted antennas and three remote radio units and install one hybrid fiber cable for T-Mobile at Our Lady of Hope Church

SAIA Motor Freight Line, LLC
345 Rocus St.
$320,000 — Alter interior office space

WEST SPRINGFIELD

AAA Pioneer Valley
150 Capital Dr.
$28,584 — Roofing

Agri-Mark Inc.
958 Riverdale St.
$45,000 — Foundation work for installation of a new silo

Mike Bertera
180 Westfield St.
$7,100 — Remove non-bearing wall, build two half-walls, remove cabinets and counter frame in old window and sheetrock

Camel, LLC
1452 Memorial Ave.
$35,000 — Remove and replace existing HVAC rooftop units

Bill Dellagiustina
414 Park St.
$7,820 — Deliver pre-built accessory structure

Bill Dellagiustina
414 Park St.
$3,135 — Deliver pre-built accessory structure

Town of West Springfield
255 Interstate Dr.
$20,000 — Remove three existing remote radio units and install three antennas on new mounts and three remote radio units

Westfield Bank
206 Park St.
$66,162 — Construct four offices, install new doors and wood trim

WILBRAHAM

Ampersand Collins Hydro, LLC
176 Cottage Ave.
$43,500 — Roofing

Massachusetts Unemployment Drops Slightly in November

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.4% in November, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary job estimates indicates Massachusetts added 4,600 jobs in November. Over the month, the private sector added 4,600 jobs as gains occurred in trade, transportation, and utilities; professional, scientific, and business services; education and health services; and information. Financial activities, construction, other services, and manufacturing lost jobs over the month while the jobs level in leisure and hospitality remained unchanged.

From November 2017 to November 2018, BLS estimates Massachusetts has added 60,500 jobs. The November unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“In November, the Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped to 3.4%, the lowest it has been since May of 2003,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said. “In addition to the Commonwealth’s consistently low unemployment rate, which has held under 4% for 31 consecutive months, Massachusetts has added over 57,000 jobs since the beginning of the year, with the largest share of those gains coming from professional, business, and scientific services and other key sectors.”

The labor force increased by 4,200 from 3,832,800 in October, as 8,300 more residents were employed and 4,000 fewer residents were unemployed over the month. Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a percentage point.

The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — remained at 68%. Compared to November 2017, the labor force participation rate is up 2.7%. 

The largest private-sector percentage job gains over the year were in professional, scientific, and business services; construction; information; and education and health services.

Seminar to Take Case-study Approach to Development of MGM Springfield Project

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield is a multi-use entertainment, retail, dining, and resort complex that is transforming downtown Springfield. An upcoming seminar presented by the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. will take a case-study approach to examine some of the critical issues that were successfully handled during development and construction. The event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at MGM Springfield.

The topics to be discussed include land acquisition, consolidation of parcels, and zoning; local and state permitting, including the interplay between the two; the use of G.L. c. 121A, Urban Redevelopment Corporations; coordination with the city of Springfield regarding logistics — access, transportation, and utilities; the nature and structure of contracts to build the complex; and the finished product, including an insider’s tour at the conclusion of the program. A reception will follow this program.

Panelists will include attorneys Paul Lane. (program co-chair), Lane McNamara, LLP; Daniel Finnegan (program co-chair), Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas, LLP; John Drost, Fitzgerald Attorneys at Law, P.C.; Seth Stratton, vice president and legal counsel, MGM Springfield; Jane Mantolesky, Fitzgerald Attorneys at Law, P.C.; and Edward Pikula, city of Springfield Law Department; as well as Brian Packer, vice president of Development, MGM Springfield.

For more information and registration fees, visit bit.ly/2Ekx0yK.

The MP Group Welcomes Brandon Salem

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The MP Group recently welcomed Brandon Salem as a manager within its tax practice.

Salem began his career with CBIZ Inc. in Clearwater, Fla. in 2007. His experience includes federal and state consulting for individuals, business owners, and privately held pass-through entities in a wide array of industries, including real estate, construction, auto dealerships, professional services, retail, wholesale, and manufacturing.

Salem holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tampa. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

HCC Celebrates Success of New Arrivals from Puerto Rico

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College recently celebrated the success of 30 evacuees who left Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and have just completed a five-month program to help them improve their English literacy skills, adjust to life on the U.S. mainland, and find jobs.

The celebration and recognition ceremony was held on Dec. 20. The festivities included a feast of traditional Puerto Rican food for participants, their families, and program staff.

The Puerto Rican New Arrivals Program started July 23. The HCC division of Business and Community Services offered the free ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) program specifically for residents of Puerto Rico who left the island after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in September 2017 and relocated to Western Mass.

The classes were held Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and funded through a National Dislocated Worker grant administered by the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board in partnership with the MassHire Holyoke and MassHire Springfield career centers.

The purpose of the program was to help individuals improve their English writing, speaking, and comprehension skills; adapt to U.S. culture; and successfully transition to jobs or continued educational opportunities. Classes included civic lessons from guest speakers including Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse and state Rep. Aaron Vega, who talked about local and state government.

“Participants have gone on to find employment, enter job-training programs, or continue their studies in our free ESOL programs while pursuing their career goals,” said Kermit Dunkelberg, HCC assistant vice president of Adult Basic Education and Workforce Development.

Clean Energy Industry Adds Over 1,500 Jobs Statewide

By
Daily News

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced the state’s clean energy sector has continued its trend of upward growth, adding more than 1,500 workers to the clean energy workforce between 2017 and 2018. The figures, released as part of MassCEC’s 2018 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, found that the industry now employs more than 110,700 workers in the Commonwealth, an increase of 1.4% since 2017 and 84 percent since 2010.

“Massachusetts’ clean energy industry is a critical sector for the Commonwealth’s nation-leading leading innovation economy and we are pleased to see continued job growth in this year’s report,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud of our standing as the most energy efficient state in the country and a leader in the emerging offshore wind industry, and look forward to continuing our work to secure a reliable, diverse and affordable energy portfolio for the Commonwealth.”

“The clean energy industry in Massachusetts has created thousands of local jobs and driven economic development across the state while helping us meet our ambitious climate goals,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration remains committed to supporting this vibrant sector of the Massachusetts economy and working with clean energy employers across the state to develop a workforce that can meet the needs of this diverse industry.”

The clean energy industry saw robust growth in its contribution to Massachusetts’ Gross State Product (GSP), increasing 15% between 2017 and 2018 to contribute over $13 billion to the statewide economy, making up about 2.5% of the GSP.

The report found that the clean energy industry employs residents in every region of Massachusetts and makes up about 3.1 percent of the Massachusetts workforce. The Southeast region saw the most job growth, with a 5.9 percent increase from 2017 to 2018, followed by the Western region, which recorded a 2.4 percent increase. The Northeast region, which includes Boston, makes up about 48% of total clean energy employment, with more than 53,000 workers. Central Massachusetts saw a 5.4 percent growth in total clean energy establishments, as well as a 1.1% increase in jobs.

“A thriving clean energy workforce is critical to the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to promote the deployment of clean energy technologies while lowering energy costs for Massachusetts residents,” said Energy and Environment Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton. “As we continue to work towards our nation-leading greenhouse gas reduction targets, the clean energy industry will play an important role in developing technology advancements and innovative solutions while growing the state’s economy.”

“The clean energy industry continues to create quality jobs across Massachusetts,” said MassCEC CEO Stephen Pike. “With more than 110,000 workers across the Commonwealth in a variety of occupations, including installation, efficiency, demand management and manufacturing, clean energy represents a significant segment of the Massachusetts workforce.”

Other findings show that installation-related jobs are the largest source of clean energy employment, making up 30,057 jobs, followed closely by sales & distribution with 27,471 jobs. The fastest growing component of the clean energy workforce was engineering & researching, adding more than 2,400 jobs, a 2.7% increase.

Polish National Credit Union re-opens Main Office

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) has re-opened its Main Office, 46 Main St., Chicopee.

In June 2018, the Main Office closed for major renovations complete with an entirely new first floor and updates to the basement and upper levels. The main office is now equipped with a drive-thru ATM, ITM (interactive teller machine), night drop box and coin machine.

“Today’s banking isn’t yesterday’s banking,” said James Kelly, president and CEO of the Polish National Credit Union. “Times have changed, and we’ve changed, too. That’s why we’ve integrated the latest and greatest in technology to provide members with a seamless approach to banking; we want their banking experience to be nothing short of exceptional.”

Founded in 1921, Polish National Credit Union provides a full range of financial services to individuals, families and businesses. The organization operates eight Western Mass branches plus a satellite office at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.

 

Westfield Bank Named Presenting Sponsor of Baseball Hall Induction Banquet

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox announced recently that Westfield Bank will serve as the presenting partner of the 2019 Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Banquet to be held on January 31. 

The ceremony, hosted by the Valley Blue Sox, will take place at 7 p.m. at La Quinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield, MA.

“We’re proud to partner with the Valley Blue Sox as the presenting sponsor of the sixth annual Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Banquet,” said Jim Hagan, President and CEO of Westfield Bank. 

“Western Massachusetts has a rich baseball history and we’re pleased to support an event that recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of local athletes and coaches. Baseball embodies everything we believe in — teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship, and hard work,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event and salute the newest class of inductees into the Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame.”

The keynote speaker for the evening’s ceremonies will be Justine Siegal, the President and Founder of “Baseball for All”, a nonprofit organization that empowers women to play, coach, and lead in baseball.  Siegal became the first female coach of a Major League Baseball team in 2015, when the Oakland Athletics invited her to be a guest instructor for two weeks in the instructional league in Arizona.

Tickets for the banquet are $50, or $450 for a table of 10. Dinner is included, and every guest will receive a pair of tickets to a 2019 Blue Sox home game.  To purchase tickets, call 413-533-1100 or visit https://valley-blue-sox.ticketleap.com/2019-hof/

Berkshire Workforce Skills Cabinet Meets With Secretary Jay Ash

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Workforce Skills Cabinet, co-chaired by MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, 1Berkshire and Berkshire Community College, met on Dec.18 with Jay Ash, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, who brought with him updates from the Baker Administration.

North Adams Mayor Bernard, State Representative John Barrett III, A.J. Enchill from State Senator Hinds office, and Lisa Udell-Fletcher from State Representative Farley-Bouvier’s office were also part of the conversation. 

In discussion with the cabinet members, Secretary Ash noted that the work being done by the Berkshire cabinet and the other six cabinets from across the Commonwealth is directly impacting the work done at the state level. Resource allocation and sets of best practices developed through this process will be used to help sustain and grow workforce skills training programs and to help strategize the best use of available resources going forward.

The board provided additional insights as to the challenges they face in terms of attracting and retaining mid-level professionals in the region. This allowed them to begin to frame out options for meaningful data collection for both a baseline and ongoing collection of data so as to chart the impact of their collective work. In February 2019, the board will have its aggregated asset map and baseline metrics set to begin tracking the impact of actionable work.

White Lion Brewery Moving into Tower Square

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — White Lion Brewery has signed a long-term lease to occupy 10,000 square feet of space at the former Spaghetti Freddy’s location in Tower Square.

The space was vacant for close to 15 years, but will now house a full-scale production and packaging facility with a taproom. Brewing equipment and mechanicals will arrive at Tower Square on Thursday, Dec. 20.

The ownership at Tower Square has taken another step to show its commitment to the city of Springfield by becoming a strategic equity partner in White Lion. The agreement provides further support and financial assistance during the brewery’s growth.

White Lion acquired its brewing, mechanical, and refrigeration systems from Rooster Fish Brewing out of Watkins Glen, N.Y. The system will allow White Lion to brew approximately 10,000 barrels, or in excess of 100,000 cases, of beer annually from the downtown Springfield location. The company expects to invest approximately $1 million in the project, which includes expanding its independent distribution model and hiring up to 20 employees. The brewery is expected to open in the spring of 2019.

Dress for Success Receives Another $10,000 Donation for Mentoring Program

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts received a donation of $10,000 in continued support of its Margaret R. Fitzgerald mentoring program. This program was initially launched with a $10,000 donation from this anonymous family member in 2017, and this new donation is intended to continue and expand the success of the mentoring program.

“It’s only fitting we named our mentoring program after Margaret R. Fitzgerald,” said Margaret Tantillo, executive director of Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts. “Our mission is to empower women to set goals and to work toward achieving them. We help them navigate obstacles that have occasionally stood in their way. In her lifetime, Margaret Fitzgerald devoted her career to doing that for women.”

Fitzgerald was a secretary in the Physics department at Mount Holyoke College in the 1970s. The only woman who worked in the department, she became a point of support for the students enrolled in the exclusively male-led department.

Affectionately called ‘Mom’ by many of the women enrolled in the department, the students looked to her for advice, help, counsel, and encouragement. She was known to intervene with certain professors to advocate on behalf of students when there were issues or problems. She reminded students that they were clearing the way for future generations of scientists. Because of her, many of the women achieved advanced degrees from prestigious universities all over the world.

“Margaret Fitzgerald has had such an amazing impact on the women in her life. We are honored to carry-on her legacy,” Tantillo added.

Dress for Success Western Massachusetts is currently accepting applications for mentors interested in the Margaret R. Fitzgerald program. Contact Tantillo at (860) 638-8980.

Advocacy Network Donates $17,000 to Whole Children

By
Daily News

HADLEY — The Advocacy Network, a local organization with a mission to promote and protect the health, human rights, and safety of people with developmental disabilities, recently donated $17,000 to Whole Children. The donation was one of the last acts of the group, which announced it is dissolving after more than 60 years of work.

“We’re winding down our organization, and the board of Advocacy Network wants to help others with like-minded missions,” said board member Ed Orzechowski. “Every time we’ve visited Whole Children, we’ve seen young people socializing, developing artistic and musical talents, enjoying life in nurturing surroundings. We’re very pleased to support the programs and staff of Whole Children. We know we found the right place.”

The late Benjamin Ricci, an Advocacy Network member, was the father of Belchertown State School patient Robert Ricci. He filed a class-action lawsuit against the school in 1972, claiming that its residents were living in horrific conditions. The judge assigned to the Belchertown case, Joseph Tauro, who died in November, spearheaded a major overhaul of Massachusetts’ state facilities as a result of the lawsuit, which ultimately ended in the closing of the institution.

Amherst resident Bob Ricci, the man named in the lawsuit against Belchertown, came to Whole Children with members of the Advocacy Network to deliver the check to director Maggie Rice.

“We are honored by this generous donation,” said Rice. “We are grateful to be reminded of the hard work of the parents who came before us in advancing the rights of people with disabilities.”

Whole Children was started in 2004 by a group of parents looking for after-school programs for their children with intellectual disabilities or autism. It joined with Springfield-based Pathlight in 2010 and has expanded to serve some 600 adults, teens, and children each year in a variety of recreation, performing-arts, and enrichment programs.

“This donation will help us keep our classes affordable so that all families can come to Whole Children,” Rice said. “It’s important to us that no child be shut out from this amazing community.”

Berkshire Bank Makes $8,000 Grant to Benefit Mass Mentoring Partnership

By
Daily News

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank announced that the Berkshire Bank Foundation, in partnership with New England Sports Network (NESN), has awarded an $8,000 grant to the Mass Mentoring Partnership through the Berkshire Bank Exciting Assists Grant Program.

Lily Mendez, president and CEO of Mass Mentoring Partnership, accepted the contribution from Gary Levante, Berkshire Bank’s vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility, during NESN’s coverage of the Boston Bruins on Dec. 1.

The Exciting Assists Grant program runs through March 30, 2019 and raises funds to support three charitable causes. The Berkshire Bank Foundation provides $100 per assist to the program. An assist is defined as a Boston Bruins player who shoots, passes, or deflects the puck toward a scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning they were ‘assisting’ in the goal. During the first portion of the season, the Bruins had 80 assists, resulting in an $8,000 grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation.

Based in Boston, Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is fueling the movement to expand empowering youth-adult relationships across Massachusetts. MMP serves more than 250 mentoring and youth-development programs statewide, supporting more than 33,000 youth in mentoring relationships.

In addition to Mass Mentoring Partnership, two other nonprofit organizations will receive funding during the remainder of the season, including:

• Bottom Line. Founded in 1997 on the belief that students need a mentor and a guide during the college-application process and throughout college to succeed, Bottom Line has addressed the low college-graduation rates of low-income and first-generation students. By providing consistent, one-on-one support, Bottom Line has helped thousands of students stay in college to complete their degrees. The promotion period runs from Dec. 2 to Feb. 3.

• Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, “A Bed For Every Child.” The mission of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is to eradicate homelessness across the state. It aims to meet this mission through advocacy, technical assistance, education, and programming, including its “A Bed For Every Child” initiative.  The promotion period runs from Feb. 4 to March 30.

This is the third consecutive year that Berkshire Bank and NESN have teamed up to offer the Exciting Assists promotion in connection with NESN’s broadcast of the Boston Bruins.  Last year, more than $50,000 was raised and shared among the Jimmy Fund, Boston Cares, and Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

First Pair of MBTA Orange Line Cars Complete

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Charlie Baker and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno joined MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack, MBTA interim General Manager Jeffrey Gonneville, and CRRC MA Chairman and President Jia Bo on Tuesday at CRRC MA’s manufacturing facility to mark the on-time completion of the first pair of Orange Line vehicles, a significant milestone in the delivery of new subway cars to the MBTA.

“Since taking office, our administration has prioritized improving the core infrastructure of the T, and over the next five years, the T is planning to invest $8 billion to continue these efforts,” Baker said. “By completely replacing the fleets of the Orange and Red lines, and significantly upgrading signals, the T will improve reliability for riders, and we are proud to celebrate the delivery of the first new Orange Line cars today.”

CRRC MA has begun manufacturing 404 subway cars for the MBTA, including 152 new Orange Line and 252 Red Line vehicles. Located in Springfield, CRRC MA employs approximately 200 people. Its workforce receives instruction and training on state-of-the-art tools and equipment necessary to build the next generation of new rail cars.

“Our pride is strong as we deliver on time to America’s first transit system CRRC’s first subway cars built in the United States by talented workers standing with us today,” Jia said. “We have taken the importance of transportation in the region as a path to introduce local rail-car manufacturing where hundreds of jobs have been created, stimulating the local economy. Our achievements prove the existence of well-nourished partnerships born from mutual cooperation and respect. We look forward to building CRRC’s presence in the United States using our journey here in Massachusetts as the footprint to success.”

The vehicles for the MBTA are representative of modern workmanship, materials, and technologies that form the basis of the design standards for modern-day heavy rail vehicles. The safety and customer amenities include stainless-steel car shells that incorporate laser-welding technology for better exterior finish, crash energy management for enhanced customer and operator safety, LCD monitors for customer information, and train-to-wayside communications via a wireless network for monitoring and detection of potential maintenance needs. All production vehicles will be manufactured and tested in the Springfield facility.

The new vehicles also incorporate designs that accommodate improved passenger comfort, new technology that provides important customer-facing information, and cutting-edge accessibility features, such as platform gap-mitigation devices.

Bradley Welcomes Frontier Airlines, Adding New Non-stop Service to Denver

By
Daily News

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced the expansion of Bradley International Airport’s roster of airlines with the addition of low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines. The airline will debut its inaugural service with a non-stop route to Denver.

“Bradley International Airport is a major economic driver for Connecticut, and it continues to be a key player in our efforts to grow our economy, boost tourism, and improve our transportation system,” Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said. “Frontier Airlines is a welcome addition to Bradley Airport. This announcement is proof of the airport’s growing strength, and it underscores the importance of continuing efforts to utilize Bradley as a magnet for economic activity.”

Added CAA Executive Director Kevin Dillon, “an indication of a strong route network is the continuous diversification of routes and airlines. With the addition of this new service, we’re pleased to introduce a renowned low-cost carrier to Bradley and to continue solidifying the airport’s strong reputation in the industry and its pivotal role as New England’s second-largest airport. We look forward to our partnership with Frontier Airlines.”

The service will commence on March 28, 2019, on an Airbus 320. From Denver International Airport, the flight will leave at 7 a.m. (MST) and arrive at Bradley International Airport at 12:50 p.m. (EST). The flight will then depart Bradley at 1:40 p.m. (EST) and land in Denver at 4:07 p.m. (MST). It will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

West of the River Chamber Coordinates Agawam Junior High Career Day

By
Daily News

AGAWAM — Agawam Junior High School held its annual career day for eighth-graders on Dec. 5. Before the career day started, a program was presented in the auditorium. Alan Rogers of the West of the River Chamber of Commerce introduced Agawam Mayor William Sapelli and guest speaker Dave Ratner of Dave’s Pet Food City, who gave an informative and inspirational presentation to the eighth-graders and staff.

Special recognition was given to Patty Burns, guidance counselor for the eighth-graders, who was responsible for coordinating and scheduling the speakers and students for the event. Also recognized was Patti Flores and the West of the River Chamber education committee for their efforts in recruiting speakers from the business community. More than 20 speakers, many of whom were repeat guests from past years, were on hand, addressing students on a rotating basis in the classrooms during the course of the morning. The students were given surveys by guidance to determine their field of interest before attending the various presentations.

The West of the River Chamber of Commerce, through its education committee, sponsors several events throughout the year, including career day, scholarships, and mentoring programs.

Hampden County Bar Assoc. Collects Toys for Tots

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Bar Assoc. recently held its annual “Toast to the Season” event at the Sheraton in Springfield. Members were asked to bring a toy for Toys for Tots, which resulted in a large donation to the Toys for Tots program, which two Marines graciously accepted.

The Hampden County Bar Assoc. is a nonprofit organization representing the interests of lawyers, the justice system, and the public in Hampden County. It provides professional support, education, and networking opportunities to its members, and advocacy on behalf of lawyers, the judiciary, and the public.

Worcester State University, WNEU School of Law Forge Partnership

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Worcester State University (WSU) and Western New England University (WNEU) School of Law have signed a 3+3 articulation agreement that allows undergraduate students attending Worcester State University to apply for admission to the private law school and begin their legal education during their senior year. The agreement shortens the time required for students to earn both a bachelor’s and law degree from seven years to six years.

“Every student considering a career in law should seriously consider starting their undergraduate studies at Worcester State University,” said WSU President Barry Maloney. “This agreement can save students time and money while earning degrees from two outstanding universities.”

WNEU President Anthony Caprio, who codified the agreement on behalf of Western New England University at the signing ceremony, noted that “this collaborative arrangement with Worcester State University will open doors for more students to access high-caliber legal education with our special brand of individualized student attention.”

The agreement means qualified Worcester State University students who successfully complete their major requirements in three years, leaving them with only free electives, will have a seamless transition to Western New England University’s law school during what would be their senior year. Credits earned during the first year of law school will count towards the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Three academic departments at Worcester State will offer an academic gateway into the program: Criminal Justice, History and Political Science, and Philosophy. Upon completion of three years of law school, students earn a juris doctor (JD) from WNEU.

“Western New England University School of Law looks forward to strengthening our relationship with Worcester State through this 3+3 agreement,” said Sudha Setty, dean of the School of Law. “This agreement reflects the strong commitment of both institutions to furthering the educational goals of our students while being sensitive to the costs of higher and professional education.”

Russ Pottle, dean of WSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, added that “this public-private partnership between Worcester State and Western New England University’s School of Law opens an important educational pathway for qualified and motivated students. Western New England Law’s focus on experiential education matches Worcester State’s commitment to active learning, and the partnership is a real opportunity for students in Central and Western Massachusetts to pursue a 3+3 program in their immediate areas.”

With an emphasis on practical lawyering skills, Western New England University’s juris doctor program combines rigorous coursework covering the theory and practical application of the law with extensive experiential opportunities in legal clinics and externships. A variety of concentrations allows individual students to customize their legal education to gain added experience in specific practice areas.

“As a Springfield native myself, I recognize that this 3+3 pathway to a law degree offers the further advantage of being within commuting distance to both universities for those from Western Massachusetts,” Maloney said. “It’s a great deal for students looking for the most affordable pathways to a law degree.”

Two Bids Submitted for Management of Springfield’s Symphony Hall

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield and Spectacle Management submitted competing bids to take over management of Symphony Hall in 2019, the Republican reported. Blue Tarp Development LLC, doing business as MGM Springfield, and Lexington-based Spectacle were the only two bids received by the Monday deadline, according to the city’s Office of Procurement.

The city is offering an initial five-year contract for management of Symphony Hall. The current management company, Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp., will end its management tenure on Dec. 31, and the city is seeking a temporary management team.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. Welcomes Eric Pinsoneault as Senior Associate

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. recently welcomed Eric Pinsoneault, CPA, to the firm in the position of senior associate.

Prior to coming aboard at MBK, Pinsoneault worked in the audit department of a Boston-area firm for four years. He has also worked as a senior accountant at a renewable-energy firm. In his new role at MBK, he will perform audit and attestation services for pension plans, privately held corporations, and nonprofit organizations.

Pinsoneault holds a bachelor’s degree from Goddard College and master’s degrees in accounting and business administration from UMass Boston.

“Eric is a great addition to the new crop of talent who have been drawn to our firm and to the quality of life and business culture in Western Massachusetts,” said MBK Partner Howard Cheney. “His experience, personal approach, and unique skill set will be of great service to the firm — and our clients.”

Gaming Revenue Drops at MGM Springfield in November

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Gambling revenues dropped at MGM Springfield in the third month of operation, the Associated Press reported. The state Gaming Commission said the casino generated $21.2 million in revenues from gambling in November, down from October’s $22 million and September’s $27 million. The exact breakdown was $13,371,904 from slots and $7,876,010 from table games.

MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis said the company is pleased with the casino’s overall performance, and that November represented “another solid month” for the property, which also generates revenues from restaurants, bars, a hotel, and other attractions.

PeoplesBank Announces 11 Promotions

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank recently announced the promotions of 11 associates.

Brian Canina was promoted to executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer. He formerly served as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He has 19 years of accounting and banking experience.

Lynn Brown was promoted to senior vice president, Commercial Lending. She formerly served as first vice president, Commercial Lending. She possesses more than 30 years of commercial banking experience.

Shaun Dwyer was promoted to senior vice president, Commercial Lending. He previously served as first vice president, Commercial Lending, and possesses more than 20 years of commercial banking experience.

Xiaolei Hua was promoted to vice president, portfolio manager II. He formerly served as assistant vice president, portfolio manager II, and has 12 years of banking experience.

Matt Krokov was promoted to vice president, portfolio manager II. He previously served as assistant vice president, portfolio manager II, and has more than eight years of banking experience.

Jeff Reinke was promoted to vice president of Operational Risk. He previously served as operational risk officer and has 17 years of financial, risk, and operations experience in the private-equity-investment and institutional wealth-management industries.

Brian Rheaume was promoted to vice president, Information Technology. He previously served as assistant vice president, Information Technology, and has 16 years of information-technology experience.

Alisa Feliberty was promoted to assistant vice president, Customer Solutions officer. She previously served as Customer Solutions manager and has seven years of banking experience.

Chrissy Kiddy was promoted to assistant vice president, Corporate Responsibility and Social Media. She formerly served as Corporate Responsibility and Social Media manager and has five years of banking experience. 

Danielle Rosario was promoted to assistant vice president, Chicopee Banking Center manager. She formerly served as Hadley Banking Center manager and has 15 years of retail banking experience.

Erinn Young was promoted to assistant vice president, Deposit Operations officer. She formerly served as Deposit Operations officer and has 22 years of banking experience.

Horace Smith Fund Makes Scholarship and Fellowship Funds Available

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — The Horace Smith Fund, now in its 120th year, has scholarship and fellowship money available for graduates of Hampden County public and private high schools. Scholarship awards of $12,000 are distributed as $3,000 annually and renewable each year until graduation. Fellowship awards of $15,000 are distributed as $5,000 annually and renewable for two additional years. Students must maintain at least a B average in college.

Recipients are selected on a variety of criteria, including financial need, college entrance-exam scores, class rank, extracurricular activities, and recommendations. Of great importance is a personal, written account of why the student feels deserving of financial assistance. Fellowship applicants must also submit their transcripts and, if applicable, GRE or degree-specific test scores. All recipients must be full-time students and residents of Hampden County.

Last year, $382,000 was awarded to 37 individuals. Scholarships were given to 26 graduating seniors from 13 Hampden County high schools. Five scholarships were also awarded to current college students to assist them in completing their undergraduate degrees. Six fellowships were given to college graduates pursuing graduate degrees, who had graduated from Hampden County high schools.

Completed applications must be received either electronically or by mail to the Horace Smith Fund at 16 Union Ave., Suite 2K, Westfield, MA 01085 no later than March 15, 2019. Applications are available at local high-school guidance offices, college financial-aid offices, online at www.horacesmithfund.org, or by phoning (413) 739-4222.

Bay Path Selects YWCA of Western Massachusetts as Holiday Charity Partner

By
Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University’s annual holiday party for employees boasts a longstanding tradition of presenting a local nonprofit organization with contributions from the university community in celebration of the holiday season. This year, the YWCA of Western Massachusetts will be the recipient charity.

The YWCA of Western Massachusetts is one of 300 local associations in the U.S. For nearly 150 years, the YWCA has served this region, guided by its founding principle: to provide shelter, support services, and tools for self-sufficiency for women and girls. Today, the YWCA provides safe places for women and children in crisis. It offers women counseling, job training, and health and fitness. In pursuit of its mission to empower women and eliminate racism, the YWCA strives to create opportunities for women’s growth, power, and leadership to obtain peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

The party is slated for today, Dec. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Blake Student Commons, Bay Path University, 588 Longmeadow St. Longmeadow. At approximately 12:40 p.m., the YWCA will be honored with donations from the university, and Elizabeth Dineen, YWCA executive director, as well as two Bay Path graduates, Dalila Cardona and Luz Rivera, will be invited to give remarks.

The YWCA of Western Massachusetts operates 21 programs at several sites, including Westfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Springfield. The YWCA also operates an 11-acre campus at 1 Clough St. in Springfield that provides shelter to battered women and their children in a modern facility with state-of-the-art computerized security. 

Items on the organization’s holiday wish list include women’s clothing in all sizes, particularly pants, shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, fleece jackets, underwear, coats, gloves, hats, and leggings, as well as gift cards for clothing and grocery stores.