Bill Would Bring Changes in Non-compete Agreements

By
Employment Sections

For Good Measure

By Jeffrey J. Trapani, Esq.

Jeffery Trapani

Jeffery Trapani

Earlier this month, the Commonwealth’s House of Representatives began considering H.4323, titled “An Act Relative to the Judicial Enforcement of Non-competition Agreements,” the content of which reflects a compromise between parties advocating for and against the existence of such agreements.

The bill does not bar non-competition agreements, but places certain limitations on them. H.4323 provides that these agreements should be in writing and, regardless of whether the agreement commences before employment or during, that it inform the employee that he or she has 10 days to seek counsel. It limits such agreements to protecting trade secrets, confidential information, and goodwill.

The bill also limits the restrictive period to one year, unless the employee engages in certain forms of misconduct, in which case the restrictive period can increase to two years. The bill also requires that the restrictive area be reasonable in geographic reach and scope, and ties the reasonableness of these restrictions to a two-year look-back period.

During the one-year restrictive period, the former employee is not to be considered a former employee. The bill, however, provides a former employee with ‘garden leave,’ which requires the employer to pay 50% of the employee’s annualized base salary over the one-year restrictive period in the usual course and subject to the protections afforded under wage and hour laws (including treble damages if not paid properly).

The bill also makes non-competition agreements unenforceable against non-exempt employees as defined under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), certain students, employees who have been laid off or terminated without cause, or employees age 18 and younger. Also, unlike the present practice in the courts, which allows a judge to reform or modify a non-competition agreement so as to make it enforceable, H.4323 invalidates any non-competition agreement that does not strictly conform with the provisions of the bill. Finally, the bill, as presently drafted, would go into effect July 1, 2016.

H.4323 also addresses employers’ concerns about protecting their business information by adopting the Uniform Trade Secret Act (UTSA). The adoption of the UTSA brings Massachusetts in line with 47 other states, and by agreeing to adopt the act, legislators appear to be acknowledging that much of the concern about employee movement is inextricably linked to an employer’s interest in protecting its business information from competitors.

Thorny Issues

As of this writing, the House has not yet debated H.4323, and some of its provisions will be the focus of intense debate. First on this list is the garden-leave provision, which was first introduced to the conversation when House Speaker Robert DeLeo signaled his support in March 2016 for passing legislation restricting non-competition agreements. While DeLeo included it when describing the potential legislation, the exact terms of the provision were not known until recently.

Continuing with the plant theme, the House will also need to address the ‘tree line’ for employees who may be subject to non-competition agreements. The momentum for passing a bill was due, in part, to testimony from employees working in low-paying and seasonal jobs, such as camp counselors and fast-food workers, who were forced to sign non-competition agreements. In addition to precluding younger employees and students from signing one of these agreements, H.4323 eliminates non-competition agreements for employees classified as non-exempt under the FLSA.

Until recently, employees earning less than $23,660 could not be considered exempt from the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA. Recently, however, the federal government revised the regulations under the FLSA and doubled the salary amount to $47,476.  This means employees earning less than that amount cannot be considered exempt from the minimum-wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA. These regulations were also revised to automatically increase this threshold every three years. These changes under the FLSA will likely require that the House debate whether to continue to tie the prohibition on noncompetition agreements to the FLSA, to identify an independent threshold, or to exclude certain jobs.

Critics of H.4323 will also likely ask the House to revise the provision that requires courts to invalidate a non-competition agreement where the agreement includes, but does not strictly conform with, the law. This is a clear change from current precedent that could result in employers having no protections because of a non-material, technical error in the written agreement.

Broad Approach

When DeLeo signaled his support for passing legislation that would restrict non-competition agreements in Massachusetts earlier this year, employers and employees alike were put on notice that the end of a years-long debate was imminent. H.4323 takes a broad approach to addressing employers’ concerns about protecting their business information by adopting the UTSA and by retaining what many employers consider to be an effective way to prevent an employee from taking a business’ trade secrets or goodwill. The bill also appears to address what employee advocates and entrepreneurs see as abuses of the system.

While there is still much debate to be had on the more controversial aspects of the bill, the support of Speaker DeLeo shows a desire by at least the House to get these protections on the books sooner rather than later.

Jeffrey J. Trapani, Esq. is a partner at Robinson Donovan. He concentrates in civil litigation, including insurance defense, employment law, municipal liability, business litigation, and professional malpractice. He also represents landlords in summary process actions and housing-discrimination claims, and insurance companies in unfair settlement claims and coverage issues; (413) 732-2301; [email protected]

When Uber and the Tax Man Collide

By
Accounting and Tax Planning Sections

Driving Home Some Points About This Intriguing New Business

AccountingDPlayersARTThe rise of Uber and similar transportation services like Lyft have been a boon for people looking to make some extra money on their own schedule. But they have also given rise to a number of taxation issues. For anyone looking to turn their personal vehicle into a part-time taxi service, here’s a handy guide to IRS rules for tax filing, expense deductions, and more.

By Sean Wandrei

You know your city has arrived when a transportation network company is operating in town.

Uber has been in the Springfield area for some time now. Uber has been in major U.S. cities since 2011 and is now in 66 countries and 449 cities worldwide. New companies, such as Lyft, are also popping up in these markets (Lyft is now in Boston). With the casino arriving in 2018, it is safe to assume that this industry could be expanding locally.

For those of you who do not know what Uber is, here is a quick crash course. Uber is a transportation service that allows passengers to connect with drivers in the area via a smartphone app. Prices are predetermined before the transaction occurs, and all fares are paid via the app with a credit card. Generally, no cash is exchanged. Uber is basically a taxi service where the driver uses his or her own automobile.

Of course, since transactions are occurring, there are tax ramifications for the driver. An Uber or Lyft driver is not an employee of Uber or Lyft. The drivers are independent contractors who are considered self-employed individuals. Drivers have to calculate their taxable income and pay federal and state income and self-employment tax on the profits.

Generally, drivers report income and expenses on Schedule C of IRS Form 1040. While most taxpayers will file as a self-employed individual on Schedule C, some may want to think about limiting the liability that they could be exposed to.

The taxpayer could file paperwork to make the entity a single-member limited-liability corporation (SMLLC). While there are additional costs (that are deductible) to create and maintain the SMLLC, it could be worth it for the liability protection in case of an accident or lawsuit. The IRS does not recognize a SMLLC for tax purposes, so a self-employed taxpayer would file Schedule C if it was an SMLLC or not.

Uber drivers earn revenues from the fares they collect from driving passengers. All the fares that a driver receives have to be reported as revenue even if no tax documents (1099-Misc or 1099-K) are received. As of this writing, Uber issues tax documents to all drivers no matter the fares earned. Lyft only issues 1099-K if the total fares are $20,000 or greater and there are 200 or more transactions (the minimum threshold set by the IRS).

Since most of these transactions occur with a credit card, form 1099-Misc would not be issued since that form is for cash payments in excess of $600. Any cash tips that are received should also be reported as a part of gross income. Ordinary and necessary business expenses, which are defined as common and accepted in the general industry or type of activity in which the taxpayer is engaged, can be deducted from the revenues to arrive at the taxable net income which is subject to both income and self-employment tax.

Driver Deductions

Let’s take a look at some of those expenses that an Uber driver could deduct. The first, and most obvious, expense is for the automobile driven. There are two deduction methods available for automobile expenses — the standard mileage method (the easiest to calculate) and the actual vehicle expenses. The taxpayer has a choice of what method to use.

Generally with expenses, you are going to select the method that will generate the largest deduction. One thing to note about the method choice: if the taxpayer elects to use the standard mileage method, he or she must do so during the first year the automobile is placed in service.  Under the standard mileage method, the taxpayer determines the expense by multiplying the business miles driven during the year by the standard mileage rate (54 cents per mile for 2016). The tax form that Uber issues lists the miles driven while on fare, but those probably would not be the total business miles driven during the year. There are miles driven while not on fare that would be considered business miles, such as miles driven searching for the next fare, which could be deducted.

Click HERE for a list of Accounting Firms in Western Mass.

Proof of these miles must be maintained in a daily log listing the business miles driven during the year. The other method for deducting automobile expenses, the actual vehicle expense, is more record-intensive. All actual business-use expenses incurred to operate the automobile during the year can be deducted. These expenses usually include gas, tires, repairs, maintenance, insurance, registration, and depreciation. Only the expenses directly related to the business can be deducted. The deductible costs are calculated by multiplying the actual costs incurred by the percentage of business use of the automobile.

Some other expenses that may be overlooked that could be deducted are car washes, USB and mobile-phone chargers, wireless plans, commissions paid, tolls, parking fees, floor mats, spare tire, flat-tire kit, jumper cables, AAA membership, supplies, music apps like Spotify, ice and snow scrapers, mobile routers such as a MiFi, and food and drink for passengers (limited to 50% deduction by law).

Only the portion of these expenses related to the driving business can be deducted. Any portion of an expense related to personal use is not deductible. Any expenses that are not listed above that are ordinary and necessary for the business could be deducted as well.

Some other expenses that could be deducted, which are not that common, include the home-office deduction and any health insurance paid for the driver and his or her family. The rule with deductions is that the taxpayer must prove the expenses were incurred, so all receipts from the expenses should be saved in case the IRS audits the tax return.

As sole proprietors, drivers are responsible for both income and self-employment tax on the profits. So it’s important to make sure all of the business deductions incurred are properly deducted.

While driving for Uber or Lyft can be a fun and easy way to make some extra cash, it is important to understand the tax issues that could arise from being a driver. As always, you should see your tax professional if you have any tax questions.

Sean Wandrei is a lecturer in Taxation at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. He also practices at a local CPA firm; [email protected]

Accounting Is a Sector on the Front Lines of Innovation

By
Accounting and Tax Planning Sections

Some Clear Math

By Amy Pitter

Now that all the mortarboards have been flipped in the air, college graduates are assessing their career prospects. Amid all the noise surrounding their choices, at least one trend is very clear: Much of the opportunity in the innovation economy goes to the mathematically inclined — research scientists, data analysts, and robotics engineers, to name a few. We just can’t get enough of them.

But let me suggest another high-demand, math-centric occupation that may surprise you: Accounting. It is, in fact, one of the hottest fields for young graduates in the Commonwealth. Why accountants? You can’t have an innovation economy, or anything resembling a healthy economy, without them. Accountants set up the financial controls and systems that help companies prosper. And they are in the middle of the new economy, by, for example, auditing companies for acquisition and providing the financial data for initial public offerings, among many other critical services.

In short, as Massachusetts grows, so does its accounting sector. And as we look to create more pathways for less-advantaged students to join the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) economy, accounting holds the potential to be a bridge to have them play a role in the innovation that’s driving Massachusetts’ growth.

Attractive Numbers

This year, many accounting graduates are quickly walking into jobs that pay $53,000. Colleges are seeing placement rates for grads of well over 90% — it’s a whopping 97% at UMass Amherst three months after graduation. And demand will increase as the retirement wave that is expected to drain many sectors also hits accounting. In fact, it’s estimated that 75% of certified public accounts, or CPAs, will retire in the next 15 years.

Despite the strong demand, and its clear-math orientation, accounting has not yet found a place in the roster of STEM occupations considered by students. That’s an avoidable loss for many young students who struggle imagining themselves in a research lab or calculating the algorithms in a computer-science class, but love numbers all the same.

We are going to need many new accountants over the next 10 years, an occupation that not only pays well, but also often leads to additional opportunities and greater earning potential. As Massachusetts business and government leaders look to connect students with the many possibilities in STEM careers, accounting should be part of the mix. Given the clear demand, an advanced-placement course in accounting deserves a place in the high-school curriculum.

As we consider addressing growing income inequality, we need to capture the imagination of students to see themselves in various fields well before they reach college. Here’s the conundrum: even though our fourth- and eighth-grade student test scores, including math, are the highest in the nation, the income gap in Massachusetts is the widest in the country.

As STEM-related occupations account for a larger percentage of the Massachusetts workforce, we risk letting the gap widen, leaving too many kids behind. Accounting beckons as a great opportunity to open more doors for students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Accounting also holds potential to diversify math-oriented fields, which tend to be predominately white and male. That is why we at the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants hold workshops, focusing on diversity recruiting.

We are also working with the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council to integrate accounting into their efforts to expand STEM opportunities, specifically through the Early College High School Program.

The society is hopeful the Massachusetts House and Senate will prioritize funding streams for these important programs in the FY17 budget to start building the pipeline of talent. Recognizing accounting as one of many high-growth segments of Massachusetts that often puts professionals on the front lines of innovation is a great place to start.

Amy Pitter is president and CEO of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2016.

AMHERST

Slobody Development Corporation
7 Pomeroy Lane
$4,500 — Interior renovations in Unit 4

Slobody Development Corporation
85 University Dr.
$199,850 — Erect a 1,740-square-foot commercial-use building with drive-thru

Stavros Center for Independent Living
210 Old Farm Road
$25,000 — Replace two rooftop air conditioning units

Woodgreen Amherst, LP
6 University Dr.
$5,000 — Store-front work and interior renovations

NORTHAMPTON

Coolidge Northampton, LLC
243 King St.
$15,000 — Remove and construct partition walls for training room

JF Kennedy School
100 Bridge St.
$370,500 — 36’ x 60’ modular building for recreation office

Microcal, LLC
22 Industrial Dr.
$14,000 — Interior renovations

The Bible Baptist Church
722 Florence Rd.
$4,200 — Strip and reshingle roof

Northampton Revolver Club
519 Ryan Road
$9,500 — Construct an 80’ x 40’ shooting structure

PALMER

Beacon Properties
1 Beacon Dr.
$5,550,000 — Kitchen and bath updates on 29 units

Beaumont Solar Company
100 Ware St.
$1,058,000 — Ground solar array

SOUTH HADLEY

Mount Holyoke College
1 College St.
$3,200,000 — Renovations and alterations

US Industrial Gaylord, LP
7-27 Gaylord St.
$170,000 — Interior renovations

SPRINGFIELD

855 Liberty Springfield, LLC
279 Main St.
$10,000 — Install new roof

Albany Road-Springfield Plaza, LLC
1365 Liberty St.
$295,000 — Fit out for new auto parts store

Five Town Station
380 Cooley St.
$600,000 — Interior and exterior remodel

Gardening the Community Inc.
200 Walnut St.
$3,000 — Construction of greenhouse

Greater Springfield Service
66 Industry Ave.
$230,000 — Renovations of 1,500 square feet to create a new main entrance, reception area, and general office space

Loomis Senior Living Inc.
807 Wilbraham Road
$408,500 — Alterations and buildout of cottages

Norse Properties, LLC
428 Springfield St.
$3,000 — Demo existing interior finishes in preparation for a remodel

Wells Fargo Bank
4 Stratford Terrace
$20,000 — Replace windows

WESTFIELD

Advanced Associates
8 Turnpike Industrial Park Road
$1,410,000 — Construct steel addition to existing factory

J&F Management, LLP
124 Elm St.
$11,000 — Construct unisex handicap bathroom

Peabody-Westfield, LLC
126 Union St.
$46,000 — Bathroom renovations

Werner Gossels
1029 North Road
$30,000 — Interior renovations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bob Tariff
136-150 Doty Circle
$67,000 — Install new roof

DDR
935 Riverdale St.
$22,000 — Renovate front facade on four stores

McDonald’s
429 Memorial Ave.
$284,000 — Add addition to drive-up booth

Montauk Morning, LLC
2097 Riverdale St.
$7,000 — Replace windows on front of building

Real Estate Transactions

By
Departments Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

235 Martindale Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $120,750
Buyer: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Seller: Erin Stacy
Date: 05/17/16

CHARLEMONT

63 Hawk Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $244,800
Buyer: Wilder B. Sparks
Seller: Denise M. Albano
Date: 05/27/16

47 Warner Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $183,500
Buyer: Walter E. Martin
Seller: David R. Cunningham
Date: 05/27/16

COLRAIN

3 Patton Hill Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Billiel
Seller: Terrie L. Billiel
Date: 05/23/16

CONWAY

266 Whately Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $221,600
Buyer: Jennifer D. Bartak
Seller: Ostrowski, Phyllis R., (Estate)
Date: 05/27/16

DEERFIELD

18 Graves St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Charles M. Mathers
Seller: Sarah Jarman
Date: 05/25/16

32 Sawmill Plain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: James I. Waitkus
Seller: Thaddeus W. Jarowski
Date: 05/16/16

33 Thayer St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $233,000
Buyer: Valley Building Co. Inc.
Seller: Clifford V. Bowen
Date: 05/19/16

GILL

42 Hoe Shop Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Charles J. Garbiel
Seller: Kyle R. Macleay
Date: 05/20/16

446 Main Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Cathleen A. Benben
Seller: Kevin H. Chickering
Date: 05/27/16

GREENFIELD

4 Brookside Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Joan Reardon
Seller: Paul M. McLain
Date: 05/19/16

448 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Plan B. RET
Seller: Judith A. Dryer LT
Date: 05/16/16

76 Ferrante Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Shane D. Walters
Seller: Charle Harrington-Elster
Date: 05/27/16

123 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ryan K. Martin
Seller: Robert W. Gilmore
Date: 05/16/16

12 Grinnell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Katherine R. Holdsworth
Seller: Michael A. Case
Date: 05/27/16

146 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Seth S. Adams
Seller: Salvation Army of Mass.
Date: 05/27/16

126 Shelburne Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $147,200
Buyer: Brandon B. Noyes
Seller: Adolph J. Wolfram Jr. RET
Date: 05/24/16

HAWLEY

124 East Hawley Road
Hawley, MA 01339
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Casey M. Peters
Seller: Holly A. Garvey
Date: 05/20/16

HEATH

49 Route 8A S
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: James C. Burwell
Seller: Maitland, Alastair G., (Estate)
Date: 05/27/16

LEVERETT

19 Laurel Hill Dr.
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Deborah T. Voland LT
Seller: Prebis, E. John, (Estate)
Date: 05/26/16

160 Rattlesnake Gutter Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jason A. Aylward
Seller: Thomas L. Scott
Date: 05/27/16

237 Shutesbury Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Joshua R. Nugent
Seller: Leo L. Hwang
Date: 05/27/16

MONTAGUE

137 Dry Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Linda E. Jones
Seller: James Lyon
Date: 05/18/16

139 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $145,489
Buyer: Alayna A. Macleay
Seller: FNMA
Date: 05/20/16

72 Randall Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Arthur M. Canterbury
Seller: Porter-Kabaniec FT
Date: 05/27/16

NEW SALEM

143 Fay Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $213,000
Buyer: Robert D. Watkins
Seller: Ralph P. Giggey
Date: 05/23/16

NORTHFIELD

32 Hidden Pond Lane
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Eric S. Kaeppel
Seller: Lorna Benton
Date: 05/23/16

ORANGE

350 North Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Goodale
Seller: Cloukey FT
Date: 05/20/16

47 Oak Dr.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Vasco A. Costa
Seller: Randee L. Sobolik
Date: 05/20/16

191 Packard Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Jeffrey P. Scribner
Seller: Blast-Tech Inc.
Date: 05/16/16

235 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: William Deeley
Seller: Harold J. Bacon
Date: 05/25/16

SHELBURNE

141 Main St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Travis E. Johnston
Seller: Peter H. Wood
Date: 05/18/16

146 Smead Hill Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Erin F. Koshinsky
Seller: John H. Nisbet
Date: 05/20/16

SHUTESBURY

85 Locks Pond Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $301,882
Buyer: PNC Bank
Seller: Moore, Lukiel L., (Estate)
Date: 05/26/16

271 West Pelham Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Leontine Alkema
Seller: Pamela J. Tinto
Date: 05/20/16

SUNDERLAND

19 Meadowbrook Dr.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Richard W. Peterson
Seller: Kent A. Whitney
Date: 05/24/16

201 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Jeremy Lorusso-Dillon
Seller: Edward H. Kaplan
Date: 05/27/16

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

62 Althea Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Dennis A. Letendre
Seller: Quilliam, Donald M., (Estate)
Date: 05/26/16

7 Edward St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $144,300
Buyer: Jon A. Gendron
Seller: Dirk G. Gendron
Date: 05/18/16

52 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Kristen A. Langevin
Seller: Michael A. Abbott
Date: 05/20/16

59 Garden St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Andrey Shevchenko
Seller: John L. Beauregard
Date: 05/25/16

70 Hall St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Frank Alves
Seller: Janet E. Holt
Date: 05/27/16

97 Independence Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Marco M. Fiore
Seller: Eric W. Morgan
Date: 05/16/16

40 Lealand Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Fay
Seller: Holly M. Harrison
Date: 05/27/16

25 Marla Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: John L. Beauregard
Seller: Lori A. Westlund
Date: 05/25/16

1166 North St., Ext.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Joel Howe
Seller: Jeffrey A. Woodard
Date: 05/26/16

76 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Stratton Renovation LLC
Seller: Mckinley, Madonna, (Estate)
Date: 05/16/16

41 Richardson Place
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Michael A. Abbott
Seller: Daniel P. Robert
Date: 05/16/16

132-134 Sheri Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Alan E. Pranka
Seller: Brian Pranka
Date: 05/17/16

88 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Gregory Lamica
Seller: Albert R. Kana
Date: 05/27/16

69 Tracy Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Dirk G. Gendron
Seller: Charles E. Yelinek
Date: 05/18/16

43 Zachary Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $266,450
Buyer: Tomasz Sroka
Seller: Renaldo Rondoletto
Date: 05/20/16

BRIMFIELD

20 Holland Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $144,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Nicholas E. Abair
Date: 05/20/16

114 Old Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $231,000
Buyer: Eric S. Bacon
Seller: Alice J. Earnest
Date: 05/24/16

CHESTER

21 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: J. Andrew Myers
Seller: Robert M. Larkham
Date: 05/27/16

CHICOPEE

62 Armanella St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Timothy D. Lynch
Seller: Stanislow Tabor
Date: 05/25/16

44 Beaudry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $189,500
Buyer: Jordan Gladu
Seller: Evgeniy Kutergin
Date: 05/18/16

276 Bostwick Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $140,200
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Joseph E. Shea
Date: 05/20/16

45 Captain Mac St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Rafael Mkanga
Seller: Aubrey Properties LLC
Date: 05/25/16

19 Dickinson St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Christopher L. Dipper
Seller: Lois A. Yiznitsky
Date: 05/19/16

216 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Michelle Crochetiere
Seller: Gracinda Neto
Date: 05/23/16

320 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Martin
Seller: Amanda Latour
Date: 05/16/16

15 Lachine St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $154,000
Buyer: Cheryl A. Larson
Seller: Susan J. Carron
Date: 05/27/16

56 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Shawn A. Pierce
Seller: Gerry-Paul Geoffrion
Date: 05/23/16

13 Lauzier Terrace
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Diaz
Seller: FNMA
Date: 05/19/16

63 Ludger Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $163,000
Buyer: John F. Simmons
Seller: Andrew R. Beaudry
Date: 05/27/16

145 Manning St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Adam R. Haney
Seller: Bryan R. Guillemette
Date: 05/26/16

79 Moreau Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Scott N. Santerre
Seller: Patricia A. Roy
Date: 05/27/16

57 Mount Vernon Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $256,500
Buyer: Kevin T. Odea
Seller: David C. Labrie
Date: 05/27/16

73 Otis St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Gelissa Conde
Seller: Shawn P. Haubner
Date: 05/27/16

33 Percy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Summit Group Properties
Seller: Patricia A. Tessier
Date: 05/19/16

210 Pondview Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Dwayne P. Anderson
Seller: Ann L. Fowler-Cruz
Date: 05/27/16

36 Roosevelt Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Jose C. Carrasco
Seller: Julian Bazalar
Date: 05/27/16

110 Roosevelt Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $184,000
Buyer: Jason W. Hurley
Seller: Noreen T. O’Shea
Date: 05/18/16

35 Shaw Park Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $159,960
Buyer: First Niagara Bank
Seller: Crystal T. Harrison
Date: 05/19/16

389 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Natalia Rose
Seller: Justin A. Fortier
Date: 05/23/16

127 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Glen Richard
Seller: Dianne Lenox
Date: 05/27/16

46 Willow St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Gary J. Blanchard
Seller: Lisa M. Blanchard
Date: 05/27/16

134 Woodcrest Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Mary A. Dzialo
Seller: Frank Pietrasiuk
Date: 05/27/16

EAST LONGMEADOW

16 Black Dog Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Andrew R. Shpak
Seller: Michael A. Torcia
Date: 05/18/16

3 Converse Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $222,027
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: William P. Venn
Date: 05/24/16

81 Evergreen Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: James T. Wolohan
Seller: Joseph J. Mulligan
Date: 05/17/16

149 Glynn Farms Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $384,000
Buyer: Peter A. Bernard
Seller: Dennis P. Mcmanus
Date: 05/20/16

35 Hazelhurst Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Tyler J. Wheelock
Seller: Emily Beer
Date: 05/20/16

20 Maynard St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $227,900
Buyer: Marc J. Riccio
Seller: Eileen Z. Nacsin
Date: 05/20/16

99 Meadow Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $151,652
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Peter M. Silvano
Date: 05/25/16

329 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Krista Santaniello
Seller: Aurelio C. Bramucci
Date: 05/17/16

59 Rural Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Kusnierz
Seller: Maryann O. Lord
Date: 05/20/16

50 Saint Joseph Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Claude Manigat
Seller: Joseph Attilio-Marazzi
Date: 05/19/16

484 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $200,700
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Mark Maurer
Date: 05/17/16

GRANVILLE

427 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Brittany Perras
Seller: Czapracki, Denise M., (Estate)
Date: 05/23/16

14 Water St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Ian T. Brown
Seller: Linda L. Malcovsky
Date: 05/20/16

HAMPDEN

247 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: John J. Santaniello
Seller: Mary Cahillane
Date: 05/23/16

HOLLAND

6 Blodgett Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $173,500
Buyer: Matthew Chapman
Seller: Shawn A. Gale
Date: 05/27/16

24 Brandon St.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Cynthia Fox
Seller: David C. Landgren
Date: 05/18/16

20 Forest Park Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Matthew D. Jeznach
Seller: Nathan Fuller
Date: 05/16/16

HOLYOKE

59 Beacon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $142,400
Buyer: Deleon Hughes
Seller: Peter Delfino
Date: 05/20/16

16 Brenan St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $152,045
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Jonathan S. Karas
Date: 05/23/16

94 Columbus Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Alison K. Hornbeck
Seller: Jillian M. Tallman
Date: 05/23/16

787 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Isabelle Tower LLC
Seller: Elmir Simov
Date: 05/18/16

66 Elmwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Shawn R. McNulty
Seller: Kristen L. Troccolo
Date: 05/23/16

39 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Erin E. Carroll
Seller: Carolyn M. Robinson
Date: 05/19/16

76 Hillview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Susan B. Church
Seller: William F. Matuszek
Date: 05/17/16

205 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Eddy A. Andujar
Seller: Richard A. Langlois
Date: 05/27/16

45 Linden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Lois Properties LLC
Seller: Rafael Diaz
Date: 05/26/16

16-18 Morgan St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Michael G. Reagan
Seller: James G. Carroll
Date: 05/16/16

140 Mountain Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Patricia A. Underwood
Seller: Donna Allen
Date: 05/27/16

135 Mountain View Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Rolf Gasser
Seller: Thomas J. Murphy
Date: 05/26/16

9-11 Pearl St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Joshua V. Croake
Seller: Pauline Talbot
Date: 05/20/16

98 Queen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $122,900
Buyer: Jill A. Melao
Seller: Edward F. Sturtevant
Date: 05/23/16

LONGMEADOW

155 Belleclaire Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Cheryl Mustain
Seller: Elisabeth Nossinski
Date: 05/23/16

47 Chiswick St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Alfonso L. Basile
Seller: Mitchell J. Drozdowski
Date: 05/20/16

25 Concord Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Edward M. Sluis
Seller: Seth N. Stratton
Date: 05/27/16

97 Cooley Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Craig F. Pericolosi
Seller: Constance C. Haynes
Date: 05/23/16

1000 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Michael Oumano
Seller: George P. Cullinan
Date: 05/16/16

35 Green Willow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: Derek Fu
Seller: Srinivasa B. Gutta
Date: 05/26/16

1535 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $235,354
Buyer: FHLM
Seller: Lawrence I. Schwartz
Date: 05/25/16

314 Merriweather Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Todd Theroux
Seller: Bernard N. Gotlib
Date: 05/27/16

51 Mohawk Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $624,900
Buyer: Susan J. Manoussoff
Seller: Michael P. Walsh
Date: 05/24/16

15 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Jirawat Ninsri
Seller: Zachary J. Smith
Date: 05/16/16

50 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Veronica P. O’Neil
Seller: Colleen Anastasia-Brown
Date: 05/27/16

140 Quinnehtuk Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Donald Magri
Seller: Heesung Moon
Date: 05/27/16

LUDLOW

972 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Sapphire Property Development LLC
Seller: US Bank
Date: 05/20/16

1062 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Kristen N. Deslauriers
Seller: Tracy A. Moskal
Date: 05/26/16

540 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Jimmy J. Moore
Seller: Jeanette D. Crumb
Date: 05/26/16

66 John St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Sapphire Property Development LLC
Seller: US Bank
Date: 05/20/16

77 Mountainview St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Terry Randall
Seller: Maureen A. Ramsay
Date: 05/20/16

286 Poole St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Bartlomiej Orzol
Seller: Joann Bradley
Date: 05/26/16

179 Prospect St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Julie A. Kirchner
Seller: Alyssa Alcantara
Date: 05/20/16

152 Wedgewood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Andrew P. Mulek
Seller: Michael C. Furtek
Date: 05/27/16

MONSON

10 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: William Lamb
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 05/24/16

42-1/2 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: John D. Galanek
Seller: Michael E. Andross
Date: 05/27/16

22 Country Club Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $257,541
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Dominick Corsetti
Date: 05/20/16

94 Moulton Hill Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Suzanne M. Hicks
Seller: Huse, Bertha A., (Estate)
Date: 05/17/16

96 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $825,000
Buyer: 3G Management LLC
Seller: Northeast Investments LLC
Date: 05/23/16

MONTGOMERY

8 Old Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Chester Ogulewicz
Seller: Marcia H. Hendrick
Date: 05/20/16

PALMER

6 Fieldstone Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Scott D. Harder
Seller: Steven Weigel
Date: 05/18/16

4045 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Isaiah D. Pagan
Seller: Kimberly L. Gilbert
Date: 05/25/16

9 Katie Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $354,000
Buyer: Denise K. Zielecki-Koons
Seller: Patrick J. McCormack
Date: 05/20/16

81 Nipmuck St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Danilo Rodriguez
Seller: Joseph F. Gulluni
Date: 05/18/16

1525 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: BYS Realty LLC
Seller: Robert W. Peterson
Date: 05/27/16

26 Old Farm Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: James J. Guilbault
Seller: Shawn Howard
Date: 05/25/16

2078-2080 Palmer Road
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Bernadette Hicks
Seller: Eugene J. Olearczyk
Date: 05/20/16

RUSSELL

770 Blandford Stage Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $123,250
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Yelena Govor
Date: 05/25/16

SPRINGFIELD

28 Andrew St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Susan J. Roberts
Seller: Roger W. Williams
Date: 05/20/16

315 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $172,900
Buyer: Ronnie Colemon
Seller: Scott Safner
Date: 05/27/16

27 Balfour Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Ricardo Diaz
Seller: Joseph Sullivan
Date: 05/25/16

383-391 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Mega Meadow REI LLC
Seller: Stoneridge Realty LLC
Date: 05/23/16

891 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $138,632
Buyer: 906-908 Belmont RT
Seller: Onota Rental LLC
Date: 05/25/16

4 Birnie Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: H&H Real Estate Holdings
Seller: Curtis Universal Joint Co.
Date: 05/20/16

31 Briarwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Richard W. Gheen
Seller: Gerald F. Walsh
Date: 05/25/16

114 Brunswick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Tenesha M. Hamm
Seller: Peter S. Donner
Date: 05/25/16

121-123 Brunswick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $162,500
Buyer: Kayrim B. Lopez
Seller: JJS Capital Investment
Date: 05/27/16

5 Butternut Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $158,500
Buyer: Michelle C. Stiso
Seller: Jennifer M. Mowel
Date: 05/26/16

154 Canterbury Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Judy Mathieu
Seller: Mathieu, Virginia R., (Estate)
Date: 05/24/16

60 Clement St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Nigel A. Springer
Seller: Paul V. Allard
Date: 05/17/16

40 Cooper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $137,900
Buyer: Daniel J. Fenton
Seller: Marco M. Fiore
Date: 05/20/16

70-72 Corona St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Andre Cortez
Seller: Joan M. Lyons
Date: 05/20/16

21 Daviston St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Isabel Cruz
Seller: Esther Haagsma
Date: 05/25/16

48 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $158,400
Buyer: Gustavo Rosa
Seller: FNMA
Date: 05/20/16

73 Donbray Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Jaron A. Kenney
Seller: Ryan C. Weldon
Date: 05/18/16

225 Dorset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: Carmen F. Espino-Nunez
Seller: Roel Figueroa
Date: 05/25/16

459 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $236,508
Buyer: 459 Dwight Street LLC
Seller: Jennifer Arvanitis
Date: 05/26/16

57 Eton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Tameika Daley
Seller: Jeffrey A. Morris
Date: 05/26/16

94 Fenimore Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $179,900
Buyer: Arlene Iarola
Seller: John A. Zaleski
Date: 05/23/16

121 Finch Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: Rosetta Mascaro
Seller: Nicholas Fosberg
Date: 05/26/16

15-17 Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Victor D. Pereira
Seller: Alliance Associates LLC
Date: 05/18/16

84 Francis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Edwin Rodriguez
Seller: Juan Santana
Date: 05/27/16

201 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Jose R. Santiago
Seller: Roberto Chacon
Date: 05/16/16

90 Groveland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $136,724
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: June Leichsenring
Date: 05/24/16

3-5 Hutchinson St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $164,222
Buyer: Carolyn Gerena-Pica
Seller: Carolina Figueroa
Date: 05/20/16

92 Ithaca St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Ash Darjee
Seller: Adam Tarquini
Date: 05/26/16

136 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $153,500
Buyer: Anne R. Richard
Seller: Erica Etchells
Date: 05/18/16

19 Margaret St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: David A. Costa
Seller: Joseph E. Rueli
Date: 05/25/16

97 Melba St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Melissa A. Mumby
Seller: Marjorie M. O’Donnell
Date: 05/23/16

75 Michigan St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: Luan R. Griswold
Seller: Alvin Gosselin
Date: 05/20/16

126-128 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Mike Krasnov
Seller: Bank New York Mellon
Date: 05/17/16

457-459 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Pedro M. Rivera
Seller: F. Fernandes-Nieves
Date: 05/16/16

24 Notre Dame St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $179,000
Buyer: Awildo Morales
Seller: Tony F. Casciano
Date: 05/20/16

49 Nutmeg Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $995,000
Buyer: Bayview Loan Servicing
Seller: Tracy G. Lynch
Date: 05/26/16

155 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Campagnari Construction
Seller: Campagnari Construction
Date: 05/18/16

1052 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $147,900
Buyer: Manual A. Ortiz
Seller: Benton J. Carr
Date: 05/27/16

72 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $131,148
Buyer: MCM Capital Partners LLP
Seller: Janet E. Spencer
Date: 05/25/16

76-78 Ranney St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $138,900
Buyer: Raquel Gomez
Seller: William T. Mecroules
Date: 05/20/16

89 Ravenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $122,500
Buyer: Cheryl W. Moore
Seller: Diane Bouffard
Date: 05/23/16

101 Slater Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Kofi Mireku
Seller: Charles H. Richard
Date: 05/26/16

593 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Asia M. Stewart
Seller: Home Equity Assets Realty
Date: 05/20/16

90 Saint James Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Samara Serrano
Seller: Patricia Rogers-Doten
Date: 05/20/16

177 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Brazil L. Martin
Seller: Bank New York Mellon
Date: 05/20/16

1156 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Manuel A. Ortiz
Seller: Lydia M. Negron
Date: 05/26/16

128 Tamarack Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Lawrence J. Emerle
Seller: Raymond A. Vautrain
Date: 05/27/16

88 Tioga St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Joselyn Ocasio
Seller: Manassas Real Estate LLC
Date: 05/24/16

36 Wells St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Kevin A. Hachey
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 05/23/16

62 West Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $169,850
Buyer: Eileen Z. Nacsin
Seller: Michael J. Keane
Date: 05/20/16

96 Westbank Court
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Robert T. Poloski
Seller: Jeanne M. Keeley
Date: 05/27/16

37 Wentworth St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Ezequiel Torres
Seller: Joshua J. Cardinale
Date: 05/19/16

119 White Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $154,400
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: John J. Bubar
Date: 05/25/16

82 Wilber St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Edwind Rivera
Seller: Scott G. Tomestic
Date: 05/20/16

63 Woodcrest Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Rooke
Seller: Nancy V. Rooke
Date: 05/20/16

13 Woodrow St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Orlando Ramos
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 05/27/16

SOUTHWICK

63 Foster Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kimberley J. Betts
Seller: John F. Cain
Date: 05/27/16

11 Maple St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $185,500
Buyer: Jami D. Filiault
Seller: Brittany Perras
Date: 05/20/16

18 Shore Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Mark H. Goulet
Seller: Timothy J. Tracy
Date: 05/27/16

23 Sunnyside Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Robert I. White
Seller: Basan N. Nembirkow
Date: 05/27/16

WALES

38 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jeremy A. Lempke
Seller: Southbridge RE LLC
Date: 05/25/16

WESTFIELD

11 Allen Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Antoinette M. McLean
Seller: Marchesi, Joseph P., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/16

31 Alquat St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $130,924
Buyer: Maria Sopet
Seller: Deutsche Bank
Date: 05/27/16

228 Barbara St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Martin Petranek
Date: 05/27/16

43 Big Wood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $305,400
Buyer: Jean-Guy A. Aube
Seller: Linda J. Greaney
Date: 05/27/16

110 Christopher Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Christopher Robare
Seller: Kimberly S. Fisher
Date: 05/20/16

8 City View Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Christine Libardi
Seller: FNMA
Date: 05/20/16

26 Dana St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Yevgeniy S. Maltsev
Seller: Lynn F. Gruneiro
Date: 05/26/16

48 Feeding Hills Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $393,000
Buyer: Sarah E. Alwon
Seller: Jean Hart-Steffes
Date: 05/25/16

11 Fern Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Dena Polverari
Seller: Sergio C. Bonavita
Date: 05/25/16

12 Foch Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $141,000
Buyer: Maryanne B. Gainer
Seller: Kevin W. Shultz
Date: 05/26/16

190 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Anthony Gaudino
Seller: Kenneth F. Phipps
Date: 05/26/16

130 Hawks Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Carl W. Grobe
Seller: Thomas A. Hall
Date: 05/26/16

15 Maria Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Kevin W. Shultz
Seller: Timothy M. Uliana
Date: 05/26/16

128 Meadow St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: 128 Meadow Street LLC
Seller: Westfield Service Center
Date: 05/25/16

5 Morris St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: Zoilayne Velazquez
Seller: Craig Filiault
Date: 05/18/16

247 Munger Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Beverly J. Fein
Seller: Adam C. Bird
Date: 05/27/16

27 Phillip Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $182,400
Buyer: Latroa M. Godbolt
Seller: Darcy A. Santos
Date: 05/18/16

85 Sandy Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Kathleen M. Koske
Seller: Kenneth J. Neary
Date: 05/26/16

13 South Maple St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Jason R. Lamothe
Seller: Collier, Elaine J., (Estate)
Date: 05/26/16

52 Squawfield Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Adina A. Pignatare
Seller: Anthony Gaudino
Date: 05/26/16

61 Stoney Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $188,500
Buyer: Robert E. Cloutier
Seller: Michael J. Popko
Date: 05/20/16

77 Stoney Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $188,500
Buyer: Robert E. Cloutier
Seller: Michael J. Popko
Date: 05/20/16

353 Sunnyside Road
Westfield, MA 01077
Amount: $144,850
Buyer: Matthew C. O’Boyle
Seller: Stanley Haracz
Date: 05/19/16

146 Wildflower Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Charles E. Yelinek
Seller: Joseph H. Avonti
Date: 05/20/16

154 Wildflower Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: Sergio C. Bonavita
Seller: Jeffrey B. Lavoine
Date: 05/25/16

7 William St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Iurie Beleai
Seller: Sergey Kachur
Date: 05/20/16

56 Yankee Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Sergey Novenko
Seller: FHLM
Date: 05/25/16

130 Yeoman Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $177,900
Buyer: Robert A. Bengle
Seller: Steven B. Clement
Date: 05/27/16

WILBRAHAM

2 Bonair Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $334,000
Buyer: Eric J. Blair
Seller: Peter R. Carmichael
Date: 05/23/16

24 Briar Cliff Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $499,900
Buyer: James H. Pollard
Seller: John P. Whiting
Date: 05/23/16

21 Brookside Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Gary A. Wright
Seller: Lawrence J. Emerle
Date: 05/27/16

8 Bulkley Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Seller: Stacy H. Hagenbaugh
Date: 05/17/16

8 Fox Hill Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Denise Lafountain
Seller: Pinnacle Estates At Ranch
Date: 05/24/16

10 Lake Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Dilipkumar Patel
Seller: Sushilaben Patel
Date: 05/24/16

16 Leemond St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Jason K. Maurice
Seller: Stephen R. Welch
Date: 05/27/16

9 Maple St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $13,500,000
Buyer: WHC Wilbraham LLC
Seller: CCP Properties Business TR
Date: 05/26/16

5 Merrill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $211,000
Buyer: Jacquelynn D. Szybillo
Seller: Matthew J. Nardi
Date: 05/26/16

138 Mountain Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $212,400
Buyer: Nicholas L. Aubrey
Seller: David E. Desautels
Date: 05/27/16

41 Shirley St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Scott Harvey
Seller: Paul M. Dailey
Date: 05/20/16

4 Webster Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $587,500
Buyer: Seth N. Stratton
Seller: Daniel Chalifour
Date: 05/27/16

5 Woodside Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Erin E. O’Brien
Seller: Kristen Mann
Date: 05/19/16

WEST SPRINGFIELD

138 Beacon Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,500
Buyer: Steven B. Clement
Seller: Nicole M. Lachance
Date: 05/27/16

215 Cayenne St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Richard Rodriguez
Seller: Brett E. Jenkins
Date: 05/25/16

40 Connecticut Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $189,900
Buyer: Rose Flores
Seller: Peter P. Bobinski
Date: 05/26/16

33 Cynthia Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Patrick J. McCormack
Seller: Mark F. Burke
Date: 05/27/16

123 Heywood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Shakeel Ahmed
Seller: Della Ripa Real Estate
Date: 05/27/16

73 Maple Terrace
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $255,428
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Martin K. Rzeznik
Date: 05/23/16

86 Norman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Yost Family Realty LLC
Seller: Stanley Czaplicki
Date: 05/17/16

42 Old Barn Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jeffrey B. Lavoine
Seller: William V. Guiel
Date: 05/25/16

9 Pease Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Scott A. Ashley
Seller: John A. Vieceli
Date: 05/20/16

1009 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Kyle J. Redmond
Seller: Joseph W. Dupuis
Date: 05/27/16

50 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $157,500
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Lisa M. Allen
Date: 05/19/16

1612 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: 83 Worthen Street Inc.
Seller: John T. O’Donnell Realty
Date: 05/18/16

1844 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $294,000
Buyer: 1844 Riverdale LLC
Seller: Matthew S. Griswold
Date: 05/24/16

27 Rochelle St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Bo Win
Seller: Robert R. Asselin
Date: 05/23/16

89 Spring St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $174,000
Buyer: Milagro D. Vasquez
Seller: Jose C. Carrasco
Date: 05/27/16

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

1174 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $291,500
Buyer: Lucas F. Chaufournier
Seller: David A. Ottariano
Date: 05/17/16

691 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Jason H. Roach
Seller: Garrabrants FT
Date: 05/17/16

783 Bay Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Jennifer E. Abbingsole
Seller: Jon W. Holcombe
Date: 05/20/16

123 Blackberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $462,500
Buyer: Lili Hu
Seller: Joseph F. Bohan
Date: 05/18/16

12 Cranberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $313,000
Buyer: Rosalind Reid
Seller: Dorick J. Digenti
Date: 05/20/16

39 Emily Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $405,900
Buyer: Chen Wang
Seller: Julie M. Goddard
Date: 05/23/16

349 Leverett Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Elizabeth C. Smith
Seller: Leigh F. Andrews
Date: 05/16/16

106 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $229,000
Buyer: Robert J. Dullea
Seller: Austin S. Polebitski
Date: 05/20/16

36 Pondview Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Ethan B. Plunkett
Seller: Alice C. Swift
Date: 05/19/16

197 South Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Amherst College
Seller: Elizabeth Cannon-Smith
Date: 05/16/16

196 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Japheth E. Dziubek
Seller: Charles V. Grybko
Date: 05/17/16

38 Woodlot Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Marcy L. Daniels
Seller: Barbara J. Bigelow
Date: 05/27/16

BELCHERTOWN

323 Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $202,500
Buyer: Gordon P. Hamilton
Seller: Julie M. Lincourt
Date: 05/16/16

11 Cottage St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $219,800
Buyer: Lucienne A. Hyson
Seller: Liming Liu
Date: 05/26/16

9 Dana Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: Daniel P. Resca
Seller: David H. Rainaud
Date: 05/26/16

5 George Hannum Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Norcor Autowash Inc.
Seller: TNT Auto Wash LLC
Date: 05/17/16

7 Michael Sears Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Steven T. Giuffre
Seller: Richard K. Kirchner
Date: 05/20/16

85 North Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: David Ottariano
Seller: DAG Real Estate Development Inc.
Date: 05/17/16

62 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $305,500
Buyer: Christopher R. Martell
Seller: Andrew P. Mulek
Date: 05/27/16

60 Sargent St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Eagle Crest RT
Seller: Amie C. Elwardany
Date: 05/25/16

41 Shaw St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Jeffrey W. Roy
Seller: Michael J. Roy
Date: 05/20/16

55 South Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michael A. Chotkowski
Seller: Alan Bourbeau
Date: 05/26/16

39 Springfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $356,000
Buyer: Thea V. Kristensen
Seller: Hans H. Mentzen
Date: 05/26/16

343 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Johndrow
Seller: David L. Bassett
Date: 05/20/16

37 Terry Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Julianne Crum
Seller: Susan F. Lesniak
Date: 05/27/16

345 Warren Wright Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Adam A. Quenneville
Seller: Casey, Ethel E., (Estate)
Date: 05/27/16

EASTHAMPTON

15 Beyer Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Samuel R. Maule
Seller: David F. Cordaro
Date: 05/27/16

14 Broad St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Samuel R. Dibble
Seller: W. Marek Inc.
Date: 05/20/16

47 Carillon Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $299,500
Buyer: Michael A. Jurkowski
Seller: Laurin Builders Inc.
Date: 05/27/16

21 Center St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Charles R. Robertson
Seller: Karel P. Guardado NT
Date: 05/16/16

2 Cherry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Evan L. Ray
Seller: David Robertson
Date: 05/23/16

4 Clark Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: April Realty Investments
Seller: Lynn A. Brakey
Date: 05/27/16

130 Cottage St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: William F. Steplar
Seller: Libby K. Kanazi
Date: 05/18/16

15 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Keely G. Savoie
Seller: Patricia A. Underwood
Date: 05/27/16

26 East Green St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $229,500
Buyer: Susan E. Schaeffer
Seller: Picam Real Estate LLC
Date: 05/27/16

40 Kenneth Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Brenda L. Maurer
Seller: Carolyn Leduc
Date: 05/23/16

28 Kingsberry Way
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: David B. Kinstle
Seller: Leticia M. Almeida
Date: 05/27/16

33 Meadowbrook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Keeley G. Herbert
Seller: Robert E. Dragon
Date: 05/20/16

12 Melinda Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Brittani A. Coopee
Seller: Matthew D. Mielke
Date: 05/16/16

72 Parsons St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $364,140
Buyer: 72 Parsons Street LLC
Seller: Susan J. Hess-Snape RET
Date: 05/26/16

20 Wright St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ronald H. Cody
Seller: Natalie Nan Jones RET
Date: 05/17/16

GOSHEN

34 Main St.
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Sasha D. Starr
Seller: Amy K. Harper
Date: 05/26/16

GRANBY

20 Barton St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Allen R. Morrison
Seller: Roy L. Dupuis
Date: 05/27/16

415 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Sarah A. Hill
Seller: Brian M. Harrison
Date: 05/20/16

111 Cold Hill
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Melissa E. Mills-Dick
Seller: Julia E. Stearns
Date: 05/26/16

87 Ferry Hill Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $268,500
Buyer: Robert S. Killin
Seller: Susan E. Clark
Date: 05/26/16

91 Ferry Hill Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Michael S. Lesniak
Seller: Richard N. Hooper
Date: 05/27/16

48 Lyman St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Ryan M. Sullivan
Seller: Leo E. Fugler
Date: 05/24/16

HADLEY

199 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $292,500
Buyer: Agnes Ting
Seller: Deborah L. Ponce
Date: 05/20/16

HATFIELD

13 Cronin Hill Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Jessica N. Norton
Seller: Caitlin V. Sheffer
Date: 05/23/16

Plain Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: 5 Colleges Inc.
Seller: Lynda S. Holich
Date: 05/16/16

West St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: 5 Colleges Inc.
Seller: Lynda S. Holich
Date: 05/16/16

122 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Timothy E. Jaescke
Seller: Ronald Mistarka
Date: 05/18/16

NORTHAMPTON

91 Barrett St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Juan C. Aguilar
Seller: Foley, Anita M., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/16

1123 Burts Pit Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $204,900
Buyer: Aaron J. Drysdale
Seller: Michael E. Parmenter
Date: 05/18/16

134 Clement St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: Keith C. Milne
Seller: Craig S. Cardinal
Date: 05/27/16

14 Conz St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: 14 Conz Street LLC
Seller: August RET
Date: 05/25/16

115 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $541,777
Buyer: Jeffrey S. Doak
Seller: Sunwood Development Corp.
Date: 05/24/16

70 Forest Glen Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Jennifer Novak
Seller: Colepaugh, Arthur H., (Estate)
Date: 05/20/16

15 Glendale Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $128,000
Buyer: David J. Moffett
Seller: Barbara A. Moffett
Date: 05/27/16

44 High St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Annelise J. Martin
Seller: 44 High Street T. 2
Date: 05/26/16

75 Park Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $307,500
Buyer: Laura M. Furlan
Seller: Thomas J. O’Connor
Date: 05/25/16

45 Prospect Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $432,500
Buyer: Stacey L. Novack
Seller: Stephen Woodruff
Date: 05/18/16

16 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ridgeview Development LLC
Seller: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Date: 05/23/16

17 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ridgeview Development LLC
Seller: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Date: 05/23/16

28 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ridgeview Development LLC
Seller: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Date: 05/23/16

29 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ridgeview Development LLC
Seller: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Date: 05/23/16

50 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ridgeview Development LLC
Seller: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Date: 05/23/16

58 Ridge View Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Ridgeview Development LLC
Seller: Mount Tom Properties LLC
Date: 05/23/16

367 Rocky Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Thomas J. O’Connor
Seller: Marguerite A. Merrigan
Date: 05/25/16

900 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $222,500
Buyer: Kristine E. Pollard
Seller: Jessica Nardizzi
Date: 05/20/16

245 State St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Katherine F. Glynn
Seller: Phoebe D. Sheldon
Date: 05/20/16

SOUTH HADLEY

19 Blueberry Bend
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Brooke A. Liguori
Seller: Charles A. Dooley
Date: 05/25/16

13 Bombardier St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $199,900
Buyer: Jesse Caputo
Seller: Wendy A. Papko
Date: 05/27/16

7 Charles St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Neal D. Lacey
Seller: Joseph M. Landry
Date: 05/27/16

15 Cypress Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $186,900
Buyer: Brian A. Dimock
Seller: Nathan D. Ryan
Date: 05/27/16

157 Ferry St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Robert J. Roose
Seller: Baba H. Hillman
Date: 05/27/16

573 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $12,000,000
Buyer: WHC South Hadley LLC
Seller: CCP Properties Business TR
Date: 05/26/16

161 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Catherine E. Linberg
Seller: RL Holbrook Realty LLC
Date: 05/16/16

118 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $139,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Carol A. Lyszchyn
Date: 05/19/16

276 Morgan St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Ryan P. Malaney
Seller: Joseph F. Long
Date: 05/24/16

263 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Audrey Letizia
Seller: Brooke Adams
Date: 05/25/16

414 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Todd Danio
Seller: Diana Grand-Masters
Date: 05/19/16

9 Upper River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Paul E. Macgregor
Seller: Christopher A. Ghanoski
Date: 05/25/16

31 West Summit St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $184,900
Buyer: Ronald J. White
Seller: Jessica Mykytiuk
Date: 05/16/16

4 Wright Place
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $245,900
Buyer: Sankar Datta
Seller: Lisa M. Chiodo
Date: 05/23/16

SOUTHAMPTON

139 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $196,200
Buyer: Merrimack Mortgage Co. Inc.
Seller: Maya L. Leiva
Date: 05/25/16

4 Line St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $722,500
Buyer: Merellie Realty LLC
Seller: Dutch LLC
Date: 05/19/16

Old Harvest Road #3
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $429,000
Buyer: Brian M. Harrison
Seller: G&F Custom Built Homes
Date: 05/20/16
WARE

437 Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: David E. Cote
Seller: Timothy R. Souza
Date: 05/19/16

7 Berkshire Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Kimberly L. Gilbert
Seller: James J. Wojcik
Date: 05/25/16

14 Gould Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $123,549
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Louis F. Sibley
Date: 05/25/16

49 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Denise M. Albano
Seller: Kimberly Rivest
Date: 05/27/16

110 Old Poor Farm Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Scott Allen
Seller: Anthony M. Laforte
Date: 05/18/16

WILLIAMSBURG

86 Adams Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Debra Warner
Seller: Diane E. Bushee
Date: 05/16/16

41 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Cumberland Farms Inc.
Seller: LHB Enterprises Inc.
Date: 05/18/16

168 Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $123,500
Buyer: Paul C. Roud
Seller: Carl V. Cignoni
Date: 05/24/16

98 Old Goshen Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Tedric F. Eiseman
Seller: James P. Godfrey
Date: 05/23/16

5 Williams St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Kyle J. Marquis
Seller: Sarah G. Marquis
Date: 05/20/16

WORTHINGTON

242 Williamsburg Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Kimberly A. McCoubrey
Seller: Eric D. Byrne
Date: 05/26/16

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Basile, Christopher J.
47 Cass Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/16

Berg, Ashley Brooke
48B Stillwater Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/16

Bingle, Sylvia G.
a/k/a Suchorzewski, Sylvia G.
6 Dayton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/16

Charles, Paul B.
69 Sanderson St. # 403
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/16

Coolbeth, Karen Ann
a/k/a Gerrard, Karen Ann
a/k/a Wright, Karen Ann
6 Circle Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/16

Dahlquist, Nancy Edith
161 Federal St. Unit 2
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/16

Design & Construction
Weise, David A.
37 Lawn St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/16

Dewey, Dean D.
10 Healey St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/16

Doran, Susan Lee
211 Fairway Village
Leeds, MA 01053
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/16

Engley, April Rose
7 Avenue C
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/16

Franchere, Niki L.
24 Lemuel Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/16

GFY Enterprises, LLC
Turnberg, James M.
63 Gates Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/16

Gomes, Carol A.
60 Rochester St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/16

HFL Enterprises
Lavo, Harry Fessler
20 Easthampton Road, Apt. F
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/16

Jean Claude Hardwood Floors
Koffi, Jean-Claude Didier
9 Pearl St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/16

LaBrecque, Jessica L.
22 Texel Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/16

Lacoy, Angelique M.
46 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/16

Malloy, George O.
Malloy, Virginia L.
2 West Kittler Ave.
North Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/16

Maureen Bridget Photography
Sullivan Studios
Sullivan, Maureen B.
55 Circleview Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/16

McCarthy, Laura D.
82 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/16

Mleczko, Mary A.
9R Rising Corner Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/26/16

O’Neil, Judith A.
87 East Road
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/16

Richardson, Barbara Ellen
43 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/16

Rivera, Juan P.
15 Valley Heights St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/16

Robson, Erin K.
a/k/a Robson, E. Kinsella
a/k/a Robson, Erin Kinsella
344 East Hadley Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/16

Robson, Peter H.
344 East Hadley Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/16

Rollins, Robert C.
30 Berkeley St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/16

Sadoski, Norma Jean
PO Box 384
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/16

Saunders, Jeanne M.
20 Randall Road
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/16

Smith, Jamie G.
PO Box 1822
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/16

Stuff N More
LeBlanc, Jesse
374 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/16

Vatter, Charles M.
24 Greenwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/16

Walsh, John J.
Walsh, Sheila A.
380 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/16

Zabriskie, Sarah Nenner
71 Gleason Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/16

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2016.

AGAWAM

Business Technology Solutions
22 King St.
Matthew Gates

Leak’s Abelta Skincare
159 Main St.
Somchai Daniels

Lularoe-Katelyn Linder
51 Elbert Road
Katelyn Linder

Margarita Interior
472 Meadow St.
Margarita Abramova

SD Business Services
26 Franklin St.
Said Mandour

T & R Dining Service
67 Hunt St.
Ronald Perry

HOLYOKE

Renaissance On Cabot
217 Cabot St.
Joel F. Camp

Target Optical
50 Holyoke St.
Deborah Ackerman

Torrid
50 Holyoke St.
Brenda Morris

Zales Jewelers
50 Holyoke St.
Justin Droder

LUDLOW

Fancy Nails
207 Winsor St.
Jo Ann Tuyet

Furches Performance
430 Center St.
Brandon Furches

Kerry’s Kitchen
247 Cady St.
Linda Soytokowski

NORTHAMPTON

B.E.S.T. Clinical Massage
71 Bradford St.
Nathan McElligott

Creative Coaching Methods
72 Chapel St.
Marylou Meddaugh

Family Legacy Partners
48 Round Hill Road
Karen Curran

Greens Treat
1236 Florence Road
John Sielski

Nadia’s Alterations
518 Pleasant St.
Nadezhda Sliuka

Passalongs
198 Sylvester St.
Adrienne Bashista

Venn Magic
13 Bridge St.
Barbara Marsh

PALMER

GMR
2094 Main St.
Gregory Drolet

New England Bookkeeping Services
9 Coache St.
Donna Weeks

SPRINGFIELD

66 DKR, LLC
851 East Columbus Ave.
Dinesh Patel

AIM
18 Pineview Dr.
William E. Blatch

ABC Supply Company
75 Page Blvd.
American Builders

All About Beauty
158 Chestnut St.
Michael Perez

Ayalas Handyman Service
111 School St.
Santos Ayala

B. Ricks Management
235 State St.
Brittany Jenee

Benovations
43 Rockland St.
Benjamin Lynch

Bettermen Construction
1 Federal St.
Mark Failey

C & C Grocery
546 Worthington St.
Candida Carbalo

Carmen’s Gift & Jewelry
2684 Main St.
Darien L. Santiago

Carrier Northeast
467 Cottage St.
Carrier Enterprise

DD Cleaning
26 Dubois St.
Nelson D. Devia

Shrub Man
153 Plainfield St.
Thomas Mauer

Swagger Apparel Line
54 Herbert Ave.
Teressa Doris

T & T Nail Bar
340 Cooley St.
Tuan Truong

Total Tech Recycling
115 State St.
Marc Brown

Varzea, LLC
1242 Main St.
Hector Fearfield

Weed Man
153 Plainfield St.
Thomas Mauer

Wicked Tan
1760 Boston Road
April Ramos

WQY Beauty Center Inc.
1195 Sumner Ave.
Franky Luan

WESTFIELD

DJ Construction
9 Allen Ave.
Daniel Johnson

Laurinda’s  Solutions
136 Sunset  Dr.
Laurinda Pudlo

Sarah Boudreau
277 Falley Dr.
Sarah Boudreau

Optimum Health Massage
120 Elm St.
Christine Bissonette

WEST SPRINGFIELD

98 Front St., LLC
98 Front St.
Suzanne Halpin

Beautiful Rooms
42 Myron St.
Gary Okun

Convenience Mart
189 Piper Road
Mohammad Ishaq

Cosmo Prof
464 Riverdale St.
Debra Cox

Elm Street Partnerships
195 Elm St.
Rajesh Rayonia

Galaxy 900
32 Pine St.
Ralph Dalise

Guitar Center
935 Riverdale St.
John Unger

Innovative Concepts
871 Elm St.
Tiffany Lissa

Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

Build with us Properties, 232 Walnut St., Agawam, MA 01001. Jennifer Illouz, same. Residential redevelopment .

FEEDING HILLS

Aps Consulting Inc., 236 James St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Carmine Dibella, same. Installation, maintenance, and service of ATM machines.

HADLEY

Adam Brady Bodyworks Inc., 171 River Dr., Hadley, MA 01035. Adam Brady, same. Physical therapy and body work services.

Banas Ventures GP Inc., 10 Mill Valley Road, Hadley, 01035. Brent Banas, same. Asset management services.

LONGMEADOW

Azrech Solutions Inc., 138 Tennyson Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Himadhar Vemulapalli, same.

Camden Row Designs Inc., 8 Rosemore St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Lindsay Daviau, same. Event design creating custom goods.

PITTSFIELD

413 Plumbing & Heating Inc., 4 Clarendon St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Justin Kisselbrock, same. Plumbing, heating and air conditioning services.

Berkshire Property Services Inc., 118 Winesap road, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Robert John Tremble, same. Property maintenance.

SOUTHAMPTON

Brian Craven Dentistry, P.C., 4 Line St., Southampton, MA 01073. Brian Craven, same. Dental practice.

SPRINGFIELD

AM & M Supermarket Inc., 1072 State St., Springfield, MA 01109. Alaa Abdelghani, 47 Warren St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Grocery store.

Arnold Construction Inc., 128 Cambridge St., Springfield, MA 01109. Bruce Arnold Sr., same. Construction service.

Bettermen Cnstruction Inc., 122 Cuff Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Tracy Whitfield, same. Construction service.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

American Leisure Travel Inc., 203 Circuit Ave., Unit Office124, West Springfield, MA 01089. Kuo Sun, same. Charter bus and tour services.

WILBRAHAM

Ajr Enterprises Inc., 223 ThreeRivers Road., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Paulo Ramos, same. Landscaping services.

Berkshire Bank’s Kathryn Dube Honored

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced that Kathryn Dube, First Vice President Wealth Business Development Leader, has been honored by the United Way of Pioneer Valley as Volunteer of the Year for the 2015-2016 season.

Dube joined the United Way of Pioneer Valley Board of Directors in 2007 and committed to this position until 2017. As an affiliate of the United Way, she has also held other reputable titles, such as chairperson of the Allocations and Impact Committee, chairman of the Board and Founding Member of the Women’s Leadership Council in Western Mass. in 2013.

The award is based upon leadership, community engagement, and core values, among other essential qualities. The United Way of Pioneer Valley granted the award to Dube on June 22  at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

LPV Application Deadline is July 1

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley, which recently honored the 34 graduates of its class of 2016, is currently accepting applications for its 5th anniversary class.

The deadline for submitting applications is July 1. Information on applying or nominating an individual is available on the agency’s website: www.leadershippv.org.

Each class of Leadership Pioneer Valley is selected through a competitive process conducted by members of the Enrollment Committee. In any given year, there are more applicants than positions available. Interviews may be offered on a case-by-case basis. Approximately 30-40 individuals will be selected based on criteria including: commitment to civic involvement in the Pioneer Valley region, potential for community leadership, and professional as well as personal achievement. Diversity is a key goal of Leadership Pioneer Valley. Factors used in determining the final make-up of the class include age, geographic location, employment sector, race, sexual orientation, and gender.

LPV offers a flat rate for tuition, and the agency wants to ensure that all who need tuition assistance receive it. Tuition for each participant in Leadership Pioneer Valley is $3,500, which includes a suggested personal tuition of $300. Tuition covers all class year expenses, including: an overnight retreat, meals, transportation, training and materials, trainers, commencement ceremony, and graduation dinner. Tuition assistance is available for organizations that are non-profits, public sector, and small businesses and individuals who are self-employed, unemployed, and who would otherwise be unable to participate. Additionally, flexible payment plans are available upon request for both employers and applicants.

Scholarships are also available for the personal tuition, including YPS and NAYP Scholarships. Graduates of the Women’s Fund’s LIPPI Program receive 20% off tuition.

Acuna Named Realtor of the Year

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Elias Acuna, a real estate agent with Maria Acuna Real Estate in Springfield has been named the 2016 Realtor® of the Year by the Realtor® Association of Pioneer Valley (RAPV). The announcement was made during the association’s Annual Awards Banquet held recently at The Log Cabin in Holyoke.

As the highest honor given to a member, the Realtor of the Year award is bestowed upon the one person who has shown outstanding service and devotion to the 1,650-member organization during the past 17 months in the areas of Realtor activity, community service and business activity.

A Realtor since 2004, Elias serves on the Association’s Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Young Professional’s Network Committee, where was the chairman in 2015. He is a co-presenter at the bi-monthly new member orientation promoting involvement and member benefits. Elias is a frequent technology instructor teaching topics such as real estate apps and social media practices.

At the state level, Elias is a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Assoc. of REALTORS® (MAR). He is the chairman of the Mass. Assoc. of REALTORS® Young Professional’s Network Committee, and a member the MAR Diversity Committee. He participated along with 400 Massachusetts Realtors® in the 2015 and 2016 Realtors® Day on Beacon Hill to lobby on behalf of homeownership and private property rights. He attended the 2015 Massachusetts Association of Realtors® (MAR) Convention and Trade Show.

PVPC Releases Economic Development Strategy

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) recently released its 2016 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) annual update, as part of its larger Plan for Progress, a 10-year blueprint for economic development in the region.

The CEDS features a description of regional economic development conditions and sets forth goals and objectives for the future, as well as a list of projects seeking the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works funding in the next year.

The report highlights the region’s continued decrease in unemployment, an improved workforce talent pipeline, and increased early education enrollment and high school and community college graduation rates, among others, as metrics illustrating the overall progress being made.

The CEDS also lists many major committed projects of regional significance such as the Center for Hospitality and Culinary Excellence at Holyoke Community College, the Springfield Innovation Center, CRRC Subway Car Manufacturing Plant, and the Aviation Research and Training Center – a collaboration between UMass Amherst and Westover Air Reserve Base.

A full digital copy of the 2016 CEDS is available on the PVPC website: www.pvpc.org. Hard copies are also available upon request.

The PVPC, which administers this process, has been the EDA-designated regional planning agency for the Pioneer Valley region since 1999, which includes 43 cities and towns comprising the Hampshire and Hampden county areas in western Massachusetts.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

New AHL Franchise Named Springfield Thunderbirds

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield’s new American Hockey League (AHL) franchise will take the ice for the upcoming 2016-17 season as the Springfield Thunderbirds. With hockey fans and local dignitaries looking on from center-ice seats at the MassMutual Center Arena, team officials announced the new name through a pulsating two-minute video on the arena’s state-of-the-art LED scoreboard. “The Springfield Thunderbirds’ name represents the strength and pride of Western Massachusetts. It is a nod to our hockey past, a tribute to the men and woman of the Air Force who are so vital to this region, and a symbol of the new energy and spirit that is palpable in Springfield,” said Nathan Costa, Thunderbirds executive vice president. Thunderbirds is an allusion to two previous Springfield AHL hockey team names, the Indians and the Falcons. The name refers to the animal of Native American legend that creates thunder and lightning by flapping its massive wings. Like the Falcon, it is also a fierce bird of prey. The name also refers to the famous demonstration planes of the U.S. Air Force and serves as an homage to Barnes Air National Guard Base and Westover Air Reserve Base, in Westfield and Chicopee, respectively. The announcement follows a name-the-team campaign that solicited suggestions from the public in a survey coordinated in partnership with MassLive and the Republican. The survey received more than 2,600 responses. “We would like to thank the thousands of fans who participated in this survey,” Costa said. “We were overwhelmed by the creativity and enthusiasm of those who submitted suggestions. Our fans wanted a name that honored the proud history of AHL hockey in Springfield while at the same time reflecting the new energy and excitement of this franchise. We believe the Thunderbirds captures this spirit.” The logo features a bird’s head in bright blue with a curved beak against a background of red and yellow. The team’s name is picked out in yellow and white. “The City of Springfield has a long and storied relationship with the American Hockey League going back to the days of Eddie Shore,” said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. “For 80 years, professional hockey has been played in our community, and many fans could not imagine a season without a local franchise playing home games at the MassMutual Center. Next season, the Springfield Thunderbirds will take the ice in pursuit of their first Calder Cup. And we have the ownership group to thank for the efforts to keep a charter member of the AHL in downtown Springfield. I am certain that local fans will welcome this exciting new team to ‘the Nest,’ and that the 2016-17 season will be a successful partnership between the Thunderbirds and the Florida Panthers of the NHL.” In coordination with the announcement, the franchise also launched its new website, www.springfieldthunderbirds.com, where fans can now place deposits for season-ticket memberships. The team’s social-media handles are Springfield Thunderbirds on Facebook, @thunderbirdsahl on Twitter, and thunderbirdsahl on Instagram. “Again, so thankful, but not surprised that these outstanding corporate citizens continue to step up for our city of Springfield,” Mayor Domenic Sarno said. “Their continued belief and investment in our Springfield is deeply appreciated. Now we need to pack the house to help assure that professional hockey is here to stay for many years to come. Drop the puck!” Added Florida Panthers Executive Chairman Peter Luukko, “we are excited to have our AHL players take the ice next season with the Springfield Thunderbirds name and logo on their jerseys. This is the start of a new era for AHL hockey in Western Massachusetts, and we look forward to being a part of it.” Founded in 1936 and now with franchises in 30 cities across North America, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives, and broadcasters of all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88% of today’s NHL players are AHL graduates, and for the 15th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games in 2015-16. For more information on the Thunderbirds, go HERE.

Employer Confidence Surges in May

BOSTON — Confidence among Massachusetts employers rose to a 10-month high during May as the state approached full employment and the national economy continued to throw off mixed signals. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index rose 1.5 points during May to 57.7, the highest level since July 2015. The reading was slightly higher than the 57.3 level posted a year ago and comfortably above the 50 mark that denotes an overall positive economic outlook. The brightening outlook came amid growing evidence that the U.S. economy is regaining its footing after posting a 0.8% growth rate during the first quarter. Recent reports on retail sales, housing starts, and industrial production paint an upbeat picture of the economy in the second quarter. At the same time, the government reported that the U.S. economy created just 38,000 jobs during May, the slowest pace since 2010. “Massachusetts employers appear to have shaken off the uncertainty of the fall and winter and are now feeling optimistic about the remainder of 2016,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s board of economic advisors and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design. “The most encouraging news is that every constituent measure contained in the Business Confidence Index rose during May, and most were higher than they were a year ago.” The AIM Index, based on a survey of Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. It has remained above 50 since October 2013.

UMass Generates $6.2B in Economic Impact

BOSTON — The University of Massachusetts was responsible for $6.2 billion in economic activity in Massachusetts last year — a record high — and helped to support more than 43,000 jobs statewide, President Marty Meehan announced Tuesday. “UMass educates more students than any college or university in the Commonwealth and is one of the state’s three largest research universities, but it also has a profound impact on the Massachusetts economy based on the scope and reach of its operations,” Meehan said. “UMass is a vital economic engine for the Commonwealth, and its impact is felt in every community and by virtually every family across Massachusetts.” Victor Woolridge, chairman of the UMass board of trustees, said the report illustrates that “UMass truly is here for a reason, and that reason is to serve the entire Commonwealth. The importance of generating an economic impact on the scale that we do — and having it distributed in every corner of the state — cannot be overstated.” The economic impact generated by the five-campus UMass system translates to a 10-to-1 return on investment for state government when total state funding for the university is considered, according to a FY 2015 analysis performed by the UMass Donahue Institute, which conducts economic and public-policy research. The major drivers of economic impact are student, faculty, and staff spending; construction projects; and the university’s purchasing the goods and services required for its activities. The study measured that spending and its ripple effect in determining the $6.2 billion impact estimate. According to the Donahue Institute report, each of the five university campuses generated a substantial economic impact for its region and the state. By campus or unit, the figures were: Amherst, $2.069 billion; Boston, $1.085 billion; Dartmouth, $466.1 million; Lowell, $921.9 million; Medical School, $1.584 billion; and Central Administration, $198.4 million.

Board of Higher Education Amends Leave Policies

BOSTON — A committee of the state Board of Higher Education voted Tuesday to amend the leave policies for non-unit professionals (NUPs) at the state’s 15 community colleges and nine state universities in an effort to better align such policies with those governing UMass employees, public higher-education systems in other New England states, and Massachusetts state employees. The vote is subject to a final vote by the full Board of Higher Education on June 14. If approved, the changes would impact approximately 1650 employees. The board’s Fiscal Affairs and Administrative Policy (FAAP) Committee voted to eliminate the current policy allowing employees to convert unused vacation days into sick time. Going forward under the new policy, any vacation days that remain over a 64-day balance would be forfeited by the employee if not used. The 64-day vacation balance would be reduced over the next two and a half years to a maximum of 50 days that can be ‘carried’ by an employee. Additionally, the committee voted to reduce the number of vacation days allotted to higher-education employees to a maximum of 25, a reduction from a previous allocation of 30 days per year for the longest-serving employees; and to standardize the number of personal days allotted to employees across all three segments of the higher-education system. All non-unit professionals employed at the state’s community colleges and state universities will receive a total of five annual personal days, effective Jan. 1, 2017. “These changes will bring our employment policies for non-unit professionals at community colleges and state universities into alignment with those in place at the University of Massachusetts, at public colleges and universities across New England, and for state employees,” said Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago, who ordered an expedited review of the policies in March. “They will allow us to remain competitive with other institutions in our bid to attract top talent, while also making good on our commitment to be effective stewards of state resources.”

State Unemployment Rate Remains at 4.2% in May

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate remained at 4.2% in May, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Thursday. The preliminary May job estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that Massachusetts lost 6,400 jobs. Job losses were impacted by a temporary labor dispute in the information sector. In May, leisure and hospitality was the only sector to experience over-the-month job gains. BLS also revised upward the state’s over-the-month job gains in April, reporting that 15,200 jobs were added compared to the 13,900-job gain originally reported. From December 2015 to May 2016, Massachusetts has added 30,500 jobs. At 4.2%, the unemployment rate is down 0.7% over the year, with the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropping from 4.9% in May 2015. There were 26,600 fewer unemployed persons and 49,000 more employed persons over the year compared to May 2015. The Commonwealth’s May unemployment rate remains lower than the national rate of 4.7% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The labor force continues to grow, with 7,000 more employed residents and 2,000 fewer unemployed residents in May,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker II said, adding that the education and healthcare sector and the professional, scientific, and business-services sector continue to generate the most jobs in Massachusetts. 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 65.0%. The labor-force participation rate over the year has decreased 0.2% compared to May 2015. Over the year, the largest private-sector percentage job gains by sector were in construction; professional, scientific, and business services; other services; and leisure and hospitality.

Online Resource Aims to Keep River Users Healthy

GREENFIELD — In time for the summer recreation season, the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) and 16 partners have launched the 2016 Connecticut River water-sampling program. Water samples are tested for E. coli bacteria as an indicator for all types of other pathogens that could potentially make one sick. River users can visit the “Is It Clean” web page at www.connecticutriver.us to find bacteria test results at more than 147 river-access and recreation sites in Massachusetts, Northern Conn., Vermont, and New Hampshire. Samples are typically collected at each site weekly or bi-weekly, and test results are posted online 24 hours later, through early October. “When weather gets warm, people head to our rivers to cool off and have fun, and they want to know if our rivers are clean. The data tells us that it is a good idea to stay out of the water for 24 to 48 hours after a heavy rain because bacteria levels could be high,” said CRWC Lower River Steward Alicea Charamut. “Heavy rain is often the cause of high bacteria levels. Bacteria can spike after a storm due to combined sewer overflows and polluted stormwater runoff from urban, suburban, and agricultural areas.” Added CRWC Massachusetts River Steward Andrea Donlon, “cities and towns along the river are making significant investments to reduce pollution to our rivers, and this has made a tremendous difference. We want people to be able to explore and enjoy this wonderful resource. Our rivers are certainly much cleaner than they used to be, but it makes sense for river users to pay attention to this information so they know when it’s clean for swimming or boating.” Water sample results are color-coded and map-based to offer guidance about whether the water is clean enough for swimming and boating. Results are a snapshot of river conditions at the moment the sample was taken, but give river users information they can use to make informed decisions and prevent potential illness. The website provides bacteria data for the Connecticut River and more than 20 tributaries, including the Chicopee River, Mill River in Northampton, Mill River/Lake Warner in Hadley, Farmington River in Connecticut, Ottauquechee and Black Rivers in Vermont, and many more.

Ten Years of Excellence

By
Features

Scenes from the Class of 2016 June Event

40u40 2016Group

012_BusinessWest40under40-2016EventThe Log Cabin in Holyoke was once again bursting with energy and excitement as more than 700 people packed the house to celebrate the 40 Under Forty class of 2016 — the 10th class of successful young professionals so honored by BusinessWest since the program’s inception in 2007. This year’s winners were treated to a game-show-themed ceremony — complete with valuable prizes — courtesy of presenting sponsor Paragus Strategic IT. And for the second year, presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual unveiled the winner of the Continued Excellence Award: Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center. Scroll down to view the photos by Leah Martin Photography.

Three members of the 40 Under Forty class of 2016

Three members of the 40 Under Forty class of 2016, from left: Justin Killeen, Energia Fitness and 50/50 Fitness/Nutrition; Meghan Godorov, career consultant; and Lamont Clemons, S-Cel-O Painting and Proton Energy Group.

40 Under Forty class of 2016, and Laura Walsh

Rebecca Moriarty, Hampden Senior Center, 40 Under Forty class of 2016, and Laura Walsh, Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, 40 Under Forty Class of 2016.

Ross Giombetti

Ross Giombetti, Giombetti Associates, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; and his wife, Elizabeth Giombetti, Giombetti Associates.

Amanda Moyer, Market Mentors

From left: Amanda Moyer, Market Mentors, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; Ashley Clark, Berkshire Bank, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; and Renee Mancuso, Berkshire Bank.

Jennifer Connelly

From left: Diane Sabourin, BusinessWest; Rebecca Connolly, Moriarty & Primack, P.C., 40 Under Forty class of 2016; Jennifer Connelly, Junior Achievement of Western Mass., and Amanda Huston Garcia, Elms College, 40 Under Forty class of 2010, and finalist for the Continued Excellence Award.

Beth DeGray

Beth DeGray (right), Log Cabin and Delaney House, 40 Under Forty class of 2016, with her sister, Nicole Kim.

Springfield Technical Community College

Lidya Rivera-Early (second from left), Springfield Technical Community College, 40 Under Forty class of 2016, with her husband, Dwayne Early, High School of Commerce; LaTonia Monroe Naylor, United Way of Pioneer Valley, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; Christina Grass, Training & Workforce Options, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; and Tom Reynolds, Paper City Strength and Conditioning.

Meghan Rothschild

Meghan Rothschild (second from left), chikmedia, 40 Under Forty class of 2011, Continued Excellence Award finalist, with her husband, Andrew Mankus, UMass Dining; and Leanne Sedlak, SkinCatering Spa, 40 Under Forty class of 2016, with her husband, Scott Sedlak, Adam Quenneville Roofing & Siding.

Scott Coen, game show announcer, Saga Communications; and Nunzio Bruno

Scott Coen, game show announcer, Saga Communications; and Nunzio Bruno, Disruptive Strategy Co., 40 Under Forty class of 2016.

Michelle Chase, PeoplesBank; David Chase

From left: Michelle Chase, PeoplesBank; David Chase, Freedom Credit Union; and Teresa Spaziani, Market Mentors.

Beth DeGray, Log Cabin and Delaney House, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; Lamont Clemons

From left: Beth DeGray, Log Cabin and Delaney House, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; Lamont Clemons, S-Cel-O Painting and Proton Energy Group, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; Nicole Kim; Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley, 40 Under Forty class of 2012, and co-emcee of this year’s gala; and Michael Sakey, Center Square Grill, 40 Under Forty class of 2016.

Young Professional Society

Representing event sponsor the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, from left: Samalid Hogan, 40 Under Forty class of 2013; Brittney Kelleher; Kyle Sullivan, class of 2015; Katie Chappell, class of 2016; Alfonso Santaniello, class of 2014; Leanne Sedlak, class of 2016; Heather Zielenski; Jeremy Casey, class of 2013; Ashley Clark, class of 2016; Peter Ellis, class of 2011; Justin Roberts; and Jose Delgado, class of 2014.

Moriarty & Primack, P.C.

Representing event sponsor Moriarty & Primack, P.C., from left: Shelley Sheridan; Michelle Fenton; Rebecca Connolly, 40 Under Forty class of 2016; Beth deSousa; and Sharon Blazejowski.

Northwestern Mutual

Representing presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual, from left: Tyler Landry, Kate Kane, Kelsey Fletcher, Jamie Campbell, and Tim Steffen.

Health New England

From event sponsor Health New England, from left: Elaine Mann, Damion Brown, Sandra Ruiz, Sarah Fernandes, Sandra Bascove, Jennifer Loranger, Kerry LaBounty, Patrick McColley, and Jessica Dupont.

UMass Isenberg School of Management

From event sponsor the UMass Isenberg School of Management, back row, from left: Mike Famighette, Trista Hevey, Elizabeth Paul Hoffman, Laurie Millikan, and Tom Moliterno; front row, from left: Chris Foley Pilsner, Rachel Trafford, and Jennifer Meunier.

EMA Dental

From event sponsor EMA Dental, from left: Colleen Nadeau, Jeannie Reynolds, Dr. Lisa Emirzian, Dr. Vincent Mariano, Cassandra Woodworth, Dr. Rebecca Cohen, Laura Panzetti, Jennifer Ziobrowski, and Dr. Colleen Chambers.

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien (right) presents the second annual Continued Excellence Award — honoring a past 40 Under Forty winner who has since significantly built on his or her success — to Dr. Jonathan Bayuk (class of 2008), president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center.

Kate Morneau

Kate Morneau of John R. Fausey Elementary School, 40 Under Forty class of 2016, enjoys the celebration.

Waleska Lugo-DeJesus

Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, director of the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley and member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2012, co-emcees the 2016 gala.

Michael Sakey

Michael Sakey of Center Square Grill cheers on his fellow 40 Under Forty class of 2016 honorees during the awards presentation.

game-show-style twist

This year’s 40 Under Forty gala added a game-show-style twist, courtesy of presenting sponsor Paragus IT. Here, Sophia Lilly (right) presents LaTonia Monroe Naylor of the United Way of Pioneer Valley with her prize, a Crosley portable USB turntable.

Ashley Clark of Berkshire Bank

Ashley Clark of Berkshire Bank, 40 Under Forty class of 2016, is carried to the stage to receive her award by fellow members of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (and 40 Under Forty alumni), from left, Jeremy Casey (class of 2013), Jose Delgado (class of 2014), and Peter Ellis (class of 2011).

Adrian Dahlin

Adrian Dahlin of Conway School of Design dances his way to the stage to be honored as part of the 40 Under Forty class of 2016.

Robert Kain

Robert Kain (left) of event sponsor United Bank is welcomed to the 40 Under Forty class of 2016 by BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien.

Paragus IT

Representing presenting sponsor Paragus IT, from left: Tom Beyer, Jim Young, Margie LaMotte, a cardboard Delcie Bean, Alissa LaMotte, Ray Olson, Jocelyn Bugan, and Steve Monska.

Photo gallery from the June 16, 2016 BusinessWest 40 Under Forty Class of 2016 Gala

For reprints contact: Leah Martin Photography

040_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
005_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
012_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
013_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
014_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
001_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
015_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
016_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
018_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
020_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
021_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
023_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
022_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
024_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
025_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
026_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
028_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
029_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
031_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
032_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
033_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
034_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
035_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
037_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
039_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
041_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
042_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
043_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
044_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
045_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
046_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
048_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
049_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
050_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
051_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
052_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
053_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
054_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
055_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
056_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
057_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
059_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
058_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
061_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
062_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
064_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
063_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
065_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
066_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
067_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
069_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
070_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
071_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
073_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
074_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
075_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
076_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
077_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
078_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers
079_2022-BW-DifferenceMakers

[Show slideshow]
1 2 ... 4

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Delcie Bean Turns Over 40% of Paragus Stock to Employees

HADLEY — After more than two years of strategic planning, in a deal valued at approximately $1.6 million, Paragus IT announced that its employee stock-ownership plan (ESOP), which distributes ownership of 40% of the company to its 40-plus employees, is officially a go. “There has been a lot of celebration around here,” said Paragus CEO Delcie Bean. “While this is an announcement we have all been anticipating for over two years, the time seems to have only contributed to the excitement.” While there have been a few recent high-profile ESOPs, including Harpoon Brewery and Chobani Yogurt, they are still fairly uncommon. What makes the Paragus ESOP especially unique are the reasons behind it. ESOPs are traditionally formed after the company has fully matured and when a major shareholder is looking to exit. For Paragus, it’s about fueling future growth by giving everyone a direct stake and a personal investment in the future of the company. “I knew this was the right decision for myself and for Paragus because Paragus is a company that owes 100% of its success to the hard work of its incredible employees, or partners, as I like to call them,” Bean said. “As the only shareholder, I knew that anything I could do to further that spirit and attract new talent would be a sound investment. That’s why it made sense to give everybody some skin in the game. Now they aren’t just growing a company, they’re growing their company. Which means Paragus is here to stay, and we’re only getting bigger.” Added Dennis Schilling, quality assurance officer, “it’s always been about us at Paragus. It’s never been one person pointing and the rest following. With the ESOP, Delcie has made official what has always been true. It’s a beautiful thing that he has taken his company, his dream, and carved off such a sizable piece of it for all of us.” While Bean has no plans to step down, he has shaken up the management structure a bit. Just before the ESOP became a reality, he appointed former Paragus Operations Manager Jim Young to be president of the company. In his new role, Young is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations and making sure everyone on the leadership team and across the company is working together to realize Paragus’ vision. This allows Bean to focus exclusively on growth, acquisitions, and moving into new markets. “It’s a brand-new set of responsibilities and challenges for me,” Young said. “But these changes will enable each of us to contribute to the greatest extent possible while ensuring decisions are being made quickly by the people best positioned to do so.” Added Bean, “we don’t believe in growth for growth’s sake. Our growth is fueled by one singular objective that is bordering on an obsession — we are all completely committed to being the absolute best at what we do while simultaneously being the best place to work. Ask anyone here, and they will all tell you that nothing is going to stand in our way when it comes to our relentless pursuit of being the best.”

Elms, WNEU Establish Law School Agreement

CHICOPEE — Elms College and Western New England University School of Law executed a ‘3+3’ agreement this month that allows students to apply for admission to the law school and begin their legal education during their senior year at Elms College. This could shorten the time for students to earn both their bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees from seven years to six years. This agreement is not limited to criminal justice or legal studies majors — any undergraduate student, regardless of major, can earn credits toward law school under this program. “This is a significant opportunity for students in all majors who are interested in attending law school,” said Assistant Professor Kurt Ward, director of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies and director of ABA Paralegal Education at Elms College.

HCC Gateway to College Program Earns Award

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College’s (HCC) Gateway to College program, which in 2014 was ranked number one among all the Gateway programs in the U.S., is the recipient of the first-ever Gateway Program Excellence Award. The inaugural award from the Gateway to College National Network recognizes HCC’s program for exceeding all four of the network’s benchmarks for success in 2014-15: GPA, one-year persistence, two-year persistence, and graduation rate. “Recognitions like this make us feel more important and shiny,” said coordinator Vivian Ostrowski said at Gateway’s June 1 graduation ceremony in the Leslie Phillips Theater, “but we know, we so know, that these numbers really mean that some kids with complicated and messy lives decided time and time again to show up and do their work.” Gateway to College is a dual-enrollment program for students who have either left high school or are at risk for dropping out. Gateway students take classes at HCC, collecting transferable college credits while also earning their high-school diplomas. Since 2008, 204 Gateway students at HCC have graduated from high school, and more than half have continued on to college. Twenty-nine were enrolled at HCC this spring and HCC’s Gateway graduates have so far earned 19 associate degrees and three bachelor’s degrees. Twenty students from six school districts earned their high-school diplomas through HCC’s Gateway program his spring: from Springfield, Korcan Atmaca, Amena Cooke, Melinda Diaz, Deikwon Duke, Ciara Garcia, Jamilee Gomez, Denisse Rivera, Mercedes Robare, Elmer Rodriguez and Jonte Toro; from Belchertown, Casey Beaudry, Christopher Chaffee, Shauna Driscoll, and Summer McLauglin; from Westfield, Emma Cowhey and Jacob Hartley; from Holyoke, Alexander Escalante; from Palmer, Bailey McDowell and Dylan Tallman; and from Agawam, Sarah Wyckoff. Gateway to College was founded in Portland, Ore. in 2000. There are now 41 Gateway programs in 21 states. The spring 2014 report from the national Gateway network listed HCC’s Gateway program number one in both persistence, or fall-to-fall retention (87% compared to a network average of 53%); and graduation rate (80% compared to a 27% network average). “Holyoke’s program is poised to build on its successes and can serve as an example for the rest of our network,” Emily Froimson, president of the Gateway national network, wrote in a congratulatory letter to Ostrowski. “You have not simply made a difference for students in Holyoke, Massachusetts; the work that your school district and college partnership has accomplished is a model for how we solve these persistent problems as a nation.” Ostrowski will collect the award on behalf of HCC at the Gateway to College National Network Peer Learning Conference in Minneapolis on June 28.

Berkshire Bank Employees Volunteer More Than 4,500 Hours on June 7

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank completed its Xtraordinary Day on June 7. This event marked the first year the entire bank participated in community-service events concurrently from 1 to 4 p.m., closing the entire financial institution as a united effort for community involvement. During Xtraordinary Day, 95% of the Berkshire Bank team, 1,161 employees, completed 56 projects. From painting of elementary schools and cleanups of local parks to financial-literacy lessons, they contributed more than 4,500 hours of service, a value of $128,000. The projects helped 54 different nonprofit organizations and directly impacted more than 100,000 individuals across the bank’s footprint. Berkshire Bank’s goal with Xtraordinary Day was to affect the communities that support it every day in a significant way, by being active and immersed in projects that would have a meaningful and lasting impact on these communities. “Berkshire Bank’s Xtraordinary Day was intended to create a sense of unity through all of our employees and within our communities,” said Tami Gunsch, the bank’s executive vice president, noting that the day’s projects benefited nonprofit organizations and communities in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. In Berkshire County, projects included painting at Stearns Elementary School, Egremont Elementary School, and Boys & Girls Club Camp Russell; downtown guide assembly at Downtown Pittsfield; cleanup of Pittsfield parks, Greenagers Housatonic River Walk, and Berkshire Athenaeum; a home build with Northern Berkshire Habitat For Humanity; tree measuring with Trustees of Reservations at Bartholomew’s Cobble; and fourth- to sixth-grade literacy at Farmington River Regional School. In the Pioneer Valley, projects included cleanup of Stanley Park, YMCA of Westfield, Southwick Rail Trail, West Springfield YMCA, Amelia Park Children’s Museum, Birthday Wishes, and Girls Inc. of Greenfield; a house build and restore for Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity; a bike build at YMCA of Greater Springfield; administrative duties at Children’s Study Home; tree planting at ReGreen Springfield; and truck unloading at Community Survival Center.

GoodWorks Insurance Profiled in National Magazine

GREAT BARRINGTON — GoodWorks Insurance is booming while giving half of its growing profits to charities in Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to a profile in the May issue of Independent Agent, the national magazine for independent insurance agents. When Chad Yonker, a former minority investor, took over GoodWorks as CEO in 2011, it was struggling financially despite growing sales. He recapitalized the firm. “Since then, the agency has more than tripled in size,” the magazine notes. Based in Glastonbury, Conn., GoodWorks Insurance is an independent agency with additional Connecticut offices in Avon, Columbia, and New Milford, and Massachusetts offices in Great Barrington and Worcester. It’s marking its 10th anniversary this year. GoodWorks’ corporate charter requires that a minimum of 50% of operating earnings be distributed to nonprofits. Its community grants support local nonprofits that work in education, healthcare, public safety, and community development. They include medical clinics, fuel-assistance programs, visiting-nurse associations, special education, the YMCA, and more. GoodWorks’ 2015 sales were about $6 million, and the agency expects up to 50% growth for 2016. Yonker and the other agency owners decline compensation in order to boost the profit pool available for giving, according to the magazine. Its commitment to nonprofits has resulted in many growth opportunities. Besides insuring families and small businesses in general, GoodWorks has special expertise in nonprofits, fuel dealers, aerospace, manufacturers, and surety bonds. The full article can be read online at tinyurl.com/j9hua44.

HCC Expands Presence in Hampshire County

WARE — Calling it a great day for Ware and a great day for the region, business leaders, elected officials, and representatives from Holyoke Community College recently celebrated the opening of a new education and workforce-training center in downtown Ware. The center, called E2E, short for Education to Employment: Quaboag Region Workforce Training and Community College Center, is a collaboration between HCC and the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp. “We are so thrilled to welcome Holyoke Community College to our community,” said Sheila Cuddy, executive director of the Quaboag CDC. “As a CDC, we are here with a focus on business development and to better our economic community. What better way to make that happen than to focus on giving the folks who live here the skills they need to become good employees for our local businesses?” More than 60 people attended the grand opening, ribbon-cutting and reception. HCC president Bill Messner told the crowd he was impressed by the persistence with which representatives from Ware courted the college to establish a presence there. “We’re delighted,” Messner said. “We’re Holyoke Community College, and we take the community very seriously, and you are part of our community, so we’re here. We’re here because of the efforts of a lot of people in this room.” Also speaking at the opening were John Carroll, chairman of the Ware Board of Selectmen; state Sen. Anne Gobi; state Rep. Todd Smola of Warren, a 2005 graduate of HCC; Vincent McCaughey, board chairman of the Quaboag Valley CDC; Paul Scully, president of Country Bank, who donated the space for the E2E center; Tracy Opalinksi of the Ware Business and Civic Assoc.; and Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. The roughly 3,000-square-foot center located at 79 Main St. includes two classrooms, as well as private study areas and office space. Ten computer workstations will be available for community members interested in enrolling in credit classes at HCC as online students. The center is already offering non-credit classes in hospitality and culinary arts. The expectation is that course offerings will expand to include manufacturing and health careers. For some courses, classroom education will be supplemented by hands-on training at Pathfinder Vocational High School in Palmer. HCC will also offer academic-advising and career-counseling services. “This is a great day for Ware and a great day for our region, which has been lacking in sources of education beyond high school for so long,” Cuddy said, “so we could not be more pleased that HCC has shown the willingness to be our partner in this endeavor and to move the project forward.”

Chamber Corners

By
Chamber Corners Departments

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

• July 18: 13th annual Golf Tournament, at Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Pomeroy Lane, Amherst. Schedule: 10 a.m.: full-swing pro clinic; 10:30 a.m.: registration, putting contest, light lunch; noon: shotgun start, scramble format; 5 p.m.: social hour, cash bar; 6 p.m.: dinner, awards ceremony, live auction. Hole-in-one, longest drive, closest-to-pin contests. Cost: $135 per player, $540 per foursome.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• July 14: Networking By Night, 5-7 p.m., at the Oxbow Marina Sports Center, Old Springfield Road, Northampton. Register online at easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 572-9414.

• July 29: 32nd annual Golf Tournament at Southampton Country Club, 329 College Highway. Shotgun start at 9 a.m. Sign up early and save. Register online at easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber (413) 527-9414.

GREATER HOLYOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

holyokechamber.com
(413) 534-3376

• July 13: Chamber Coffee Buzz Morning Networking, 7:30-8:30 a.m., at Ruwac Inc., 54 Winter St., Holyoke. Jump-start the day with this opportunity to meet business and community leaders while enjoying coffee and a light breakfast at this respected world leader in industrial vacuum systems. This event is free to members of the business community and is sponsored by Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLP.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• July 13: July Arrive@5, 5-7 p.m., at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Joint event with Northampton Area Young Professionals. Sponsors: Brain Analysis & Neurodevelopment Center, Highview of Northampton, the Healing ZONE Therapeutic Massage.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER

www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• July 28: Chamber Golf Tournament, at the Ranch Golf Club, 65 Sunnyside Road, Southwick. Registration/course-side lunch: 11 a.m. to noon; shotgun start: 12:30 p.m.; dinner immediately following. Sponsored by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Florence Bank, Chicopee Savings Bank, and the MassMutual Center. Cost: $600 per foursome, $160 per individual golfer. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• July 14: 39th annual Pancake Breakfast, 7 to 11 a.m., South Middle School Lawn, Westfield, rain or shine. Cost: $6 for adults $5 for seniors, $3 for kids under 12. Tickets are available at the chamber office in advance or on the day of the event.  Vendor Tables are available: $75 for chamber members, $100 for non-members. Vendors must bring their own table and chairs. We will also be doing our popular vendor bingo. There are many activities for children, including a bounce house, face painting, music, a fire engine, and more. For more information, to volunteer, or to reserve a table top and/or sponsorship, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

• July 18: Connect in July – After 5 Connection, 5 p.m., Papps Bar & Grill (on the observation deck), 110 Airport Road, Westfield. Appetizers include eggplant tower bites, renowned tomato bruschetta, and a chef’s choice selection. There will be a raffle for a $25 gift certificate to Papps Bar & Grill. Also, we are having a scholarship-fund raffle where we will raffle off an aerial scenic view of Westfield in a 1942 Aeronca L3 that evening, weather permitting. The event is sponsored by Air1 Flight Training and A Slight Edge Salon. Don’t forget your business cards. Cost: $5 for chamber members, $10 for general admission. To register for this event, call the chamber office at (413) 568-1618.

People on the Move

By
Departments People on the Move
Colin Leduc

Colin Leduc

Webber & Grinnell announced that Colin Leduc has joined the agency as an account executive. He brings insurance-agency experience to the firm, as well as knowledge gained during his many years as a recruiter for ADP. Leduc was raised in Longmeadow and grew up working in his father’s sheet-metal shop in Holyoke. This experience greatly contributed to his passion for protecting the assets of local, family-owned businesses — and his decision to move to Webber & Grinnell. “I spent my life watching my father work hard to provide for our family,” he said. “I was drawn to Webber & Grinnell because of their commitment to local businesses, as well as the work environment they provide for their staff.” Bill Grinnell, president of Webber & Grinnell, noted that “Colin has a very dynamic personality and is a very strong addition to the Webber & Grinnell family. He’s very dedicated to helping the firm grow, especially in the field of family business.”

•••••

Gary Schiff

Gary Schiff

October Mountain Financial Advisors announced it has appointed Gary Schiff as managing director of the firm, which provides client-centered investment-management, financial-planning, and trust-administration services to clients in Berkshire County and throughout New England. Formed earlier this year, October Mountain Financial Advisors is an alliance of Lee Bank and St. Germain Investment Management, based in Springfield. “We’re excited to welcome Gary to October Mountain Financial Advisors. As managing director, he will be leading our efforts in the Berkshires and our alliance with Lee Bank,” said Tim Suffish, senior vice president and head of equities at St. Germain Investment Management. “Gary joins us with over 30 years in the business of investments and banking, and a passion for delivering professional and accountable service to clients at the local level. It’s this consistency with our core beliefs, along with Gary’s experience in the industry, that will benefit all of our clients in the Berkshires and the region.” Schiff most recently served as vice president, senior investment advisor with the Private Client Group at TD Wealth in Pittsfield from 2001 to 2016. Prior to his position with TD Wealth, he joined Bank of Boston’s Berkshire Region senior management team in 1995, and through successive mergers leading to TD’s current ownership, held senior positions at the bank in marketing, communications, government, and public relations. Schiff is a graduate of Middlebury College, received his master’s degree from Harvard University, and has attended the Cannon Financial Institute Trust School. He holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations. Schiff is presently a member of the Berkshire Funders’ Roundtable and serves as a corporator of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Foundation, a member of the Congregation Knesset Israel Investment Committee, a member of the Berkshire County Estate Planning Council, and chair of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Investment Committee. He is a past director and president of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, past director of the Berkshire Economic Development Corp. and the Colonial Theatre, and a former member of the Lenox Planning Board, Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, and Berkshire Community College Business Advisory Committee. Along with Schiff and Suffish, October Mountain Financial Advisors’ principal team includes St. Germain Investment Management’s Michael Matty, president and director; Richard Bleser, vice president, portfolio manager; Matthew Farkas, vice president, portfolio manager; and Thaddeus Welch, portfolio manager. “I worked closely with Gary and Tim as portfolio managers with Banknorth Wealth Management. Together we served a significant number of individual, family, and institutional clients throughout Berkshire County and nationally,” said Chuck Leach, president and CEO of Lee Bank. “We’re all Berkshire residents, and October Mountain’s base in Lee enables us to again collaborate closely as a team that places the highest value on client relationships and locally made investment decisions.”

•••••

Marianne Fresia

Marianne Fresia

Chuck Leach, president and CEO of Lee Bank, announced that Marianne Fresia was named assistant vice president, private banking and trust services. She will focus on attracting, growing, and retaining Lee Bank’s trust clients, and will serve as liaison to October Mountain Financial Advisors’ team for clients interested in wealth management. October Mountain Financial Advisors, an alliance of Lee Bank and St. Germain Investment Management, was formed earlier this year. In her new role, Fresia will act as a conduit between retail banking, commercial banking, and October Mountain Financial Advisors to ensure that customers are aware of and have access to products and services from all areas. Fresia joins Lee Bank after serving for six years as a financial trust administrator at Berkshire Bank Wealth Management in Lenox. Prior to her position in wealth management, she held various roles at Berkshire Bank in Pittsfield. Fresia has completed coursework toward achieving the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation and will sit for the exam in August.

•••••

M. Susan Guyer

M. Susan Guyer

Springfield College Exercise Science and Sport Studies Chair M. Susan Guyer will be awarded both the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award and the Gail Weldon Award of Excellence during the National Athletic Trainers’ Assoc. (NATA) annual conference in Baltimore on June 22-25. The Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award recognizes NATA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, advocacy, and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer. Currently, Guyer serves as the NATA District 1 secretary and the vice president for governance for the NATA Research and Education Foundation. She also has held positions of public relations chair and president of the Athletic Training Assoc. of Massachusetts. “Dr. Sue Guyer is truly a gifted and talented teacher, mentor, leader, and serves as an amazing role model to women who would like to enter the profession of athletic training,” said Tracey Matthews, dean of the Springfield College School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. “Her passion and deep commitment for her discipline is unprecedented.” The Gail Weldon Award of Excellence recognizes one athletic trainer each year who has displayed an exceptional commitment to mentoring, professional development, and a balanced life for female athletic trainers or offered significant contributions to improve the healthcare of women. “We are very lucky to have such an amazing role model, faculty, and leader in athletic training at Springfield College,” Matthews added. “She continues to elevate the profession everyday. I can’t think of another person who is so deserving of these awards from the NATA.” Since arriving at Springfield College in 2001, Guyer has taught courses in prevention of athletic injuries, research methods and education, athletic-injury rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise, and human anatomy. She has been invited to speak internationally on the prevention of athletic injuries and concussions in China and at the European Society of Athletic Training and Therapy Conference in Jerzmanowice, Poland. In addition, Guyer has also presented at the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Assoc. and the National Athletic Trainers’ Assoc. annual meetings and the NATA Educators’ Conference on issues relating to teaching and learning. She is also a manuscript reviewer for the Athletic Therapy Today Journal and the Journal of Athletic Training.

•••••

Bryn Nowell has been named a finalist in the BlogPaws 2016 Nose-to-Nose Pet Blogging and Social Media Awards. Her blog, A Dog Walks into a Bar (www.adogwalksintoabar.com), was selected by judges to compete in the Best New Pet Blog category at the BlogPaws Annual Conference in Phoenix on June 23-25. The first social-media network for pet bloggers, BlogPaws (www.blogpaws.com) hosted its first pet-friendly social-media and marketing conference in 2010, and has grown annually into the biggest social-media event and conference of its kind, drawing attendees from all over the world. Nowell was one of 48 finalists in 12 categories chosen by a panel of industry professionals. From these 48, 12 winners will be selected by judges based on creativity, expertise, and performance in their respective categories. “Our bloggers strive to be something at BlogPaws, not just to write something or create something,” said BlogPaws co-founder Yvonne DiVita. “It’s about learning, growing, and striving for excellence. BlogPaws rewards them with our Annual Nose-to-Nose Awards, sharing the 48 finalists leading up to our conference, then awarding the winners at a red-carpet ceremony at the close of our conference.” A Dog Walks into a Bar is a site that focuses on “paws, pints, and prose — all things dogs and drinking.” Nowell, the author and site designer, decided to focus on the two things she loves, dogs and adult beverages. As such, the page includes product reviews, DIY ideas, giveaways, and insights on both industries.

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

Baystate Heart & Vascular Program Lecture, Tour

June 29: The Baystate Heart & Vascular Program will host a free community lecture and tour from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s (BFMC) main conference rooms. Presenters Dr. Senthil Sivalingam and Dr. Heba Wassif will share information about the latest advances in heart and vascular care available in Greenfield. The event will include a tour of the program’s new location at BFMC. Heart-healthy refreshments will be served, and handouts will be provided. Sivalingam, a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist, will discuss slow heart rates, when it’s time to worry and seek treatment, and talking points to discuss with one’s physician. A graduate of Madras Medical College in India, he completed his internship and residency at Baystate Medical Center. He also holds a fellowship in cardiology from Tufts University School of Medicine/Baystate Medical Center, and a fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology from Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Sivalingam joined Baystate Medical Center in 2012 and Baystate Franklin Medical Center in 2015. A non-invasive cardiologist, Wassif will discuss the risks, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, as well as new screening options to help improve one’s overall heart health. She received her master’s degree in public health from the Bloomberg John Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, and her medical degree from Cairo University in Egypt. She served as an internal medicine resident at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic and as the chief resident for the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She completed her cardiology fellowship at John Hopkins Hospital/School of Medicine in Baltimore and an interventional-cardiology fellowship with additional advanced cardiology training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston. Wassif joined Baystate Franklin Medical Center in 2015.

Centennial Motorcycle Ride

July 4-5: The Springfield Museums will host events tied to the launch of the Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride, a commemorative cross-country trip to honor the epic journey made by Adeline and Augusta Van Buren 100 years ago this summer. In 1916, the Van Buren Sisters were the first women to cross the continental U.S., each on her own Indian Powerplus motorcycle built in Springfield. During their historic trip, they became the first women to reach the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak, and reached San Francisco after 60 days of riding. In 2002, the Sisters were inducted into the American Motorcyclist Assoc. Hall of Fame, and in 2003 they were inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. Just as Adeline and Augusta did in 1916, Centennial Ride participants will begin their ride west in Springfield. The roughly 100 motorcyclists will gather on Monday, July 4 for dinner, music, and a viewing of fireworks from La Quinta Hotel in downtown Springfield. The next day, Tuesday, July 5, riders will attend an opening ceremony at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History at the Springfield Museums. The Wood Museum features the famous Indian Motocycle Collection, an expansive exhibit of vintage bikes, photographs, and memorabilia detailing the Springfield-based company’s proud history from its inception in 1902. Ride participants will also hear remarks from ride organizer Alisa Clickenger, Robert Pandya of Indian Motorcycle, and Wood Museum Director Guy McLain. That portion of the program will take place at 10 a.m. in SIS Hall at the Wood Museum, and is open to the public with paid museum admission. Following those opening comments, riders will be able to tour the Indian collection and enjoy a new exhibit created in honor of Adeline and Augusta. “Crossing the Country to Cross Barriers: The Van Buren Sisters Ride into History” will feature a range of photographs taken on the trip and a variety of rare memorabilia items on loan from the Van Buren family. The exhibit runs from June 28, 2016 to July 30, 2017. Adeline and Augusta will also be the honorees at this year’s Indian Day Celebration at the Springfield Museums, which is scheduled for Sunday, July 24. “We are thrilled that we’ve played a part in connecting the Van Buren family with the Springfield Museums and providing the inspiration for this new exhibit,” Clickenger said. “What a terrific way to formally start our event, by being able to bring our riders to the Springfield Museums to experience how and where our fabulous story began.” Information about the Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride on July 5-23, as well as background on the Van Buren Sisters, adventure tours for women, and additional ride routes, can all be found on the event website, www.sistersmotorcycleride.com.

Lean LaunchPad Weekend

July 29-31: In today’s competitive market, startups and small businesses need all the help they can get. The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Elms College will hold a Lean LaunchPad weekend to help startups identify the specific problems their products or services can solve for customers. The weekend-long workshop, titled “Creating Customers and Value,” will help businesses fail less, save money, and discover target customers and ideal business models. The Lean LaunchPad weekend course combines hands-on experience, customer interaction, and business fundamentals to entrepreneurship. Participants will dive deep into the ‘value-proposition canvas’ to understand product market fit; they will also learn how to turn ideas into statements that convince customers to buy. The events will begin with a 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. session on Friday, July 29, and run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31. The workshop will include an “Idea Jam,” a look at business pitch concepts, team formation, networking, in-depth exploration of the value-proposition canvas, hands-on development of customer-value creation, an overview of market size and customer segments, and a business-pitch competition. The facilitators for the Startup Lean Weekend will be Jeremy Casey and Rick Plaut. Casey started Name Net Worth, a software startup company, in Springfield in 2014. His background as a serial networker, commercial lender, and communicator was the springboard to his transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship. He was president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS), has conducted workshops with many high schools and colleges in the Northeast, and has mentored many startup organizations through Valley Venture Mentors, helping them get their businesses started and providing ongoing feedback as they grow. Plaut became an entrepreneur in 2009 after 30 years as a corporate ‘intrapreneur,’ developing new products, customers, markets, and businesses. Currently founding his third enterprise, he is a partner in InCommN and was a partner at Universal Quality Machine. He and his partners at InCommN teach the principles of Lean LaunchPad to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and businesses with a need for quick growth in new markets. He also shares the tools of Lean LaunchPad and the Business Model Canvas with students at a number of local colleges, including Smith, Elms, and UMass. He is also a mentor and facilitator for early-stage startups at Valley Venture Mentors, and is a board member and mentor for a variety of early-stage enterprises. All events will take place on the Elms College campus. The cost is $250 per person or $150 for Elms alumni.

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments

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

Emmanuel Pena v. Fitness Associates Inc.
Allegation: Negligent maintenance and deficient inspection of equipment causing injury: $1,500+
Filed: 4/25/16

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Kurt Bricault v. Brian Sarisley Construction
Allegation: Failure to perform construction job pursuant to a written contract: $40,000
Filed: 4/26/16

Ricky Shink v. Gigi Inc. d/b/a Shakago
Allegation: Negligence in ability to keep patrons safe and employees failure to act when plaintiff was stabbed by another patron: $275,558.34
Filed: 4/29/16

St. John’s Congregational Church v. PAR Church Builders Inc. and Aaron Burgess
Allegation: Breach of construction contract for services, labor, and materials in the design and construction of a new church: $25,000+
Filed: 5/24/16

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Arabella Mutual Insurance Co., as subrogee of Davyn McGuire and Rebecca White v. Traditional Painting Co.
Allegation: Negligent disposal of cigarettes by employees causing fire and loss of home: $1,041,069.54
Filed: 4/21/16

Direct Capital, LLC v. First Transportation and Repairs, LLC
Allegation: Breach of master equipment finance agreement: $42,618.46
Filed: 4/12/16

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Computer Optimization Specialists Inc. d/b/a Post Computer v. Visual Changes Inc. and Mark Maruka
Allegation: Non-payment for goods and services rendered: $10,105.13
Filed: 4/28/16

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Reallinx Inc. v. Spoleto Management Group Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract for services rendered: $3,855.96
Filed: 4/28/16

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Ruth Dickinson-Burquist v. Ronald Albee Contracting
Allegation: Breach of home-remodeling contract: $10,000
Filed: 4/29/16

Jonathan Tooker v. C&M Builders and Real Estate, LLC
Allegation: Breach of contract: $3,034
Filed: 5/11/16

Nonprofits Must Consider ‘Community Rule’

By
Law Sections

By Jennifer Butler

Jennifer Butler

Jennifer Butler

Nonprofit organizations face a multitude of compliance issues every day, and keeping up with them can be a challenge. Because compliance failures may result in the loss of funding, organizations need to know what the current applicable regulations are and make sure their programs conform to them.

For providers of home and community-based services, that means understanding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) updated regulations and ensuring their programs comply with them. Referred to collectively as the ‘community rule,’ the CMS regulations are intended to provide individuals receiving long-term services and supports with full access to the benefits of community living and the opportunity to receive services in the most integrated settings possible.

All providers who operate home and community-based services (HCBS) programs under sections 1915(c), 1915(i), and 1915(k) of the Medicaid statute, in both residential and non-residential settings, are subject to the rule.

While much of the community rule focuses on states’ responsibilities, providers are responsible for bringing their programs into compliance with the regulations in two key areas: settings requirements and person-centered planning. Providers who operate residential programs must also ensure that their programs satisfy the additional requirements specific to provider-owned or -controlled residential settings.

Home and Community-based Settings Requirements

All HCBS providers must ensure their programs meet certain settings requirements outlined in the community rule. The goal of the rule’s settings requirements is to maximize participants’ access to the benefits of community living and enable them to receive services in the most integrated setting. Per the rule, HCBS settings must:

• Be integrated in and support full access to the greater community;
• Allow the individual to select the setting from among setting options, including non-disability specific settings and an option for a private unit in a residential setting;
• Provide individuals with opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive integrated settings, engage in community life, and control personal resources;
• Ensure the individual receives services in the community to the same degree of access as individuals not receiving Medicaid home and community-based services;
• Ensure the individual’s rights of privacy, dignity, respect, and freedom from coercion and restraint;
• Optimize individual initiative, autonomy, and independence in making life choices; and
• Facilitate individual choices regarding services and supports, and who provides them.

Additional Requirements for Provider-owned Residential Settings

In addition to the general settings requirements, the community rule imposes further requirements on providers operating programs in provider-owned or -controlled residential settings. Per the rule, residential settings must:

• Provide the individual with a lease or other legally enforceable agreement providing similar protections;
• Ensure the individual has privacy in their unit, including lockable doors, choice of roommates, and freedom to furnish or decorate the unit;
• Allow the individual to control his or her own schedule, including access to food at any time;
• Provide that the individual can have visitors at any time; and
• Be physically accessible.

Any modification of the additional requirements for residential settings must be supported by a specific assessed need and justified in a person-centered service plan. For example, if the provider determines that it would be unsafe for a particular individual in its care to have lockable doors, the provider must document that need in the service plan.

Person-centered Planning

Finally, the community rule requires that service plans be developed for all program participants through a person-centered planning process which results in a plan that reflects his or her unique goals and preferences.  The person-centered planning process must:

• Be driven by the individual;
• Include people chosen by the individual;
• Reflect cultural considerations and use plain language;
• Offer choices to the individual regarding services and supports the individual receives and from whom;
• Include strategies for solving disagreement;
• Provide a method to request updates;
• Identify the strengths, preferences, needs (clinical and support), and desired outcomes of the individual; and
• Include individually identified goals and preferences related to relationships, community participation, employment, income and savings, healthcare and wellness, and education.

Additional planning-process requirements, as well as specific requirements for person-centered service plans, are also outlined in the rule.

All providers of community-based programs should carefully review them to make certain they fully comply with the community rule. Some requirements of the rule, such as the provision regarding leases, may raise complex legal issues that are best addressed by an attorney. Providers are encouraged to consult with counsel if they have any questions about bringing their HCBS programs into compliance with the community rule.

Jennifer Butler, Esq. specializes exclusively in management-side labor and employment law at Royal, P.C., a woman-owned, boutique, management-side labor and employment law firm, which is certified as a women’s business enterprise with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, the National Assoc. of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council; (413) 586-2288; [email protected]

Progress: One Building at a Time

By
Daily News

You won’t find it at or anywhere near the top of those often-cited lists of all the economic development activity happening in Springfield, a compilation dominated by MGM’s casino, CRRC MA’s subway-car- manufacturing facility, the I-91 reconstruction project, Union Station, and Silverbrook Lofts.

Opinion

But the recently unveiled $1.8 million purchase and renovation of the historic Merrick Phelps House on Maple Street, is significant in its own way — and many ways.

The property, once the home to Solymon Merrick, inventor of the Monkey Wrench, was an eyesore, a blight on the once-proud Maple Street area neighborhood. No one wanted anything to do with it, and for years it sat there deteriorating, a highly visible symbol of all of the many things wrong with Springfield.

Enter DevelopSpringfield, the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation created in 2008 to advance development and redevelopment projects, and its energetic president and CEO, Jay Minkarah. Unofficially, the agency’s mission is to generate momentum and progress in the City of Homes through a number of initiatives, one of them being the acquisition and repurposing of properties like the Merrick Phelps House. And this project has created both.

Beyond restoring one of the proud properties that gives the city its name and converting it into business space, this effort is now a highly visible symbol of the many things going right in Springfield — specifically a strong blend on public and private investments that can only succeed in generating more of the same.

Indeed, when residents, business owners, developers, and even state officials see a project this, they become far more likely to look upon Springfield as a place they want to invest in. They look upon an initiative like this and say ‘well, if someone can do that, then we can …’ Anyone with an imagination can fill in the blank.

When officials and organizations like DevelopSpringfield talk about progress coming one building at a time, it sounds cliché. But it’s not. This is how cities rebuild themselves and restore lost pride — one property, one important project at a time.

Greenfield Co-op Registers Growth

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Michael Tucker, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its parent company, Greenfield Bancorp, MHC, recently announced today the operating results of the bank’s latest fiscal year. Tucker reported that the first year of the combined Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its Northampton Cooperative division was successful, and the bank achieved its first-year goals with minimal disruption and no layoffs. In fact the bank has added two new commercial lenders and a commercial analyst since the merger. Other results included:

• The bank’s financial performance for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 saw total assets grow by 6.64% to $559,975,000. This was an improvement over the 5.06% annual asset growth of GCB during the five-year period before the merger with Northampton. Asset growth included 5.83% growth in total loans $338,769,000. In 2015, GCB originated more than $102 million in loans of all types, including $52 million in commercial lending,
 $34 million in residential mortgages,
 $13.7 million in home equity loans and lines,
 and $1.1+ million in MassSave® ‘’zero-interest” energy loans

• GCB had an increase of $33 million in deposits over the past year. Total deposits increased by 7.56% compared to an average annual growth of 5.74% for the prior five years.

• Total equity grew 4.78% to $65,180,709. GCB’s Tier 1 Capital to average assets is 11.7% and Total Capital to Risk-Weighted assets is 22.3%. The bank is considered “well capitalized” by all regulatory definitions.

• Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its employees contributed more than $133,000 to more than 100 charities, community groups, school events, youth teams and cultural events throughout both Hampshire and Franklin County during the past fiscal year.

• The pre-tax operating income for Greenfield Cooperative Bank was $2,231,000 for the first year ended March 31, 2016 and the net income after taxes was $1,520,000. This was an increase of 5.18% over the average net income of GCB alone for the 5 years prior to the merger year.

In other news, the following seven directors were re-elected to three-year terms as directors of the bank and Greenfield Bancorp, MHC:

•Attorney Robert Carey, a principal in the Greenfield law firm of Curtiss, Carey, Gates & 
Goodridge, LLP. He was re-elected as clerk of the bank;

• Kevin O’Neil, president of Wilson’s Department Store in Greenfield, re- 
elected chairman of the board;

• Keith Finan, chief financial officer of Deerfield Academy;

• Attorney Daniel Graves, owner of the Law Offices of Daniel Graves located in Greenfield.

• Attorney Peter MacConnell, principal in the law firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C. He was also re- 
elected as a corporator for a 10- year term;

• John Kuhn, principal in the firm of Kuhn-Riddle Architects in Amherst. He was also re-elected as a corporator for a 10-year term;

• Robb D. Morton, CPA, principal in the accounting firm of Boisselle, Morton & Associates, LLP located in Hadley. He was also re-elected as a 
corporator for a 10-year term.

Re-elected to 10-year terms as corporators of Greenfield Bancorp, MHC were: Barry Roberts, president of Roberts Builders Inc; Margarita O’Byrne Curtis, head of School at Deerfield Academy; and Douglas Clarke, retired after many years with Western Massachusetts Electric Co., now Eversource.

State Awards $8.5M in Workforce Training Grants

By
Daily News

NORTH BROOKFIELD — The Baker-Polito administration announced recently that more than $8.47 million in Workforce Training Grant funds to 101 companies, which will enable the businesses to train current or newly hired workers.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the grants at Vibram USA, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high performance shoe soles, outdoor products, and FiveFingers athletic shoes.

Among the local companies receiving grants: Sound Seal Inc. in Agawam was awarded $168,360 to train 59 workers, six additional jobs expected by 2018; Lake Region Medical in Brimfield was awarded $46,002 to train 79 workers; Tiger Press in East Longmeadow was awarded $105,500 to train 65 workers, with five additional jobs expected by 2018; Tapestry Health Systems Inc. in Florence was awarded $58,585 to train 90 workers; Eye & Lasik Center in Greenfield was awarded $61,590 to train 10 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Valley Steel Stamp Inc. in Greenfield was awarded $123,120 to train 27 workers, with 27 additional jobs expected by 2018. Also, CSW Inc. was awarded $27,500 to train 32 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Monson Savings Bank was awarded $58,675 to train 84 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Interprint Inc. in Pittsfield was awarded $38,900 to train 132 workers, with three additional jobs expected by 2018; Modern Mold and Tool Inc. in Pittsfield was awarded $41,280 to train 31 workers, with two additional jobs expected by 2018; Big Y Foods Inc. was awarded $217,123 to train 183 workers; and Kielb Welding Enterprises Inc. in Springfield was awarded $30,385 to train nine workers, with one additional job expected by 2018. Also, Placon IM Inc. in West Springfield was awarded $28,530 to train 28 workers, with 16 additional jobs expected by 2018; EpiCenter in Westfield was awarded $31,170 to train 29 workers, with 10 additional jobs expected by 2018; Sonicron Systems Corporation in Westfield was awarded $30,385 to train nine workers, with one additional job expected by 2018; and Transcon Technologies in Westfield was awarded $109,020 to train 80 workers, with three additional jobs expected by 2018.

Creative Hub to Cut the Ribbon

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — The public is invited to attend the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for The Creative Hub on June 30, at 2 p.m. 2016 at 2 p.m., 28 North Elm St. Lite refreshments and snacks will be served.

The Creative Hub features an open art studio space along with a unique craft store filled with recycled and reclaimed items ready to repurpose. The open art studio is $5 per person for 90 minutes; visitors are free to use all the recycled items to build and create. There are a variety of tools, paints, markers, glues etc. to borrow along with other planned crafts supplied by The Creative Hub. The space is also available for parties, workshops, club meetings and our upcoming scheduled classes. Many eclectic items will be ever changing throughout the craft store. Some of the staples will be Whip City Soy Candles, BeanTowne Bears, and hand-crafted soaps.

Carol Rivest Memorial Foundation Donates to Asnuntuck Foundation

By
Daily News

ENFIELD — The Carol Rivest Memorial Foundation recently made its second donation to the Asnuntuck Community College (ACC) Foundation. Last year, it made a donation that was used for the college’s inaugural Women’s Leadership Institute.

The Carol Rivest Memorial Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness of domestic violence and abuse. Rivest’s life was cut short at age 22 in 1982 when she was shot and killed in front of her 3-year-old son by her estranged boyfriend.

This year’s $2,000 donation to the ACC Foundation will be used once again for the college’s Women’s Leadership Institute. Last fall, 19 female students participated in its inaugural event, “Launch Your Leadership Journey.” The institute was established at ACC to address the needs expressed by women in the college’s community to develop their leadership skills and ability.

For more information, visit www.carolrivestfoundation.org. To learn more about the Asnuntuck Community College Foundation and how to donate, visit www.asnuntuck.edu/donate.

Berkshire Bank’s Kathryn Dube Earns United Way Volunteer Award

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced that Kathryn Dube, first vice president, wealth business development leader, has been honored by the United Way of Pioneer Valley as Volunteer of the Year for the 2015-16 season. She received the award, which is based on leadership, community engagement, and core values, among other qualities, on Wednesday at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Dube joined the United Way of Pioneer Valley board of directors in 2007 and committed to this position until 2017. As an affiliate of the United Way, she has also held other titles, such as chairperson of the allocations and impact committee, chairman of the board, and founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council in Western Mass. in 2013.

Kevin Maltby Takes Oath as President of Hampden County Bar Assoc.

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson announced that attorney Kevin Maltby is now president of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. (HCBA) after taking the oath of office Wednesday in front of his partners and peers at the association’s annual meeting and membership dinner at the Springfield Sheraton.

“I am enormously grateful to the members of the Bar Association for their confidence in me, and gratified to follow in the footsteps of my partners at Bacon Wilson, including past presidents Paul Rothschild, Hyman Darling, and Michael Ratner,” Maltby said. “I consider it an honor to be counted among their ranks. So many Bacon Wilson attorneys have, over their lengthy careers, given their time and legal skills to serve the Hampden County Bar.”

Also in attendance was attorney Michael Katz, who took office as chair of the bar’s Bankruptcy Section, while attorneys Michael Ratner and Paul Salvage were each honored for their 50 years of membership.

Maltby has a long history of service and involvement with the Hampden County Bar Assoc. He has served on the bar’s board of directors each year since 2012. He was honored with the HCBA’s Access to Justice Pro Bono Publico Award for 2012 for his vision and implementation of the Springfield District Court Lawyer for the Day program. Additionally, in 2013, he received the Community Service Award from the Mass. Bar Assoc.

Maltby is a member of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism. He has extensive jury-trial and courtroom experience, and is a former prosecutor for the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. He is also an adjunct professor of Legal Studies at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, where he teaches litigation, advanced litigation, criminal law, and evidence. He earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2001, and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from UMass in 1998. In 2014, he was a recipient of BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty distinction, and has been a named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for seven years, since 2009.

Governor Names Michael Knapik Director of Western Mass. Office

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In a visit to the governor’s Western Mass. office in Springfield yesterday, Gov. Charlie Baker introduced Michael Knapik, a former state senator and state representative from Westfield, as the office’s new director. Knapik will be a primary liaison between the administration and constituents and communities in Western Mass., effective July 5.

“With more than two decades of experience representing Western Massachusetts constituents, Mike is exceptionally qualified to lead our Springfield office,” Baker said. “Operating the office is one of the many essential tools we use to maintain an important relationship with the people, local leaders, and municipalities of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.”

Added Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, “Mike will be an asset to both the administration and those serviced by the Springfield office. I look forward to working closely with him in his new role to continue building upon the strong relationships our administration has cultivated in the western part of the state.”

Knapik said he is “excited to join the Baker-Polito administration and begin working with people across Western Massachusetts again. Western Massachusetts has a lot to offer, and I look forward to playing an active role in our communities and the overall conversation with the rest of Massachusetts on behalf of the administration.”

Knapik served Westfield and 11 surrounding communities in the state Legislature for 22 years, first as a representative from 1991 to 1994 and then as a senator from 1995 to 2013. Born and raised in Westfield, he began his career in public service on the city’s School Committee from 1986 to 1990. Since leaving the Legislature, Knapik has served Westfield State University as executive director of Advancement, Alumni, and University Relations and as executive director for the Westfield State Foundation. In this position, his office has achieved the highest level of giving in the history of the school.

AMA Recognizes Public-health Benefits of Paid Sick Leave

By
Daily News

CHICAGO — The American Medical Assoc. (AMA) adopted new policy last week recognizing the public-health benefits of paid sick leave and other discretionary time off. Citing a growing body of evidence that lack of access to paid sick leave results in the spread of infectious diseases, as well as delayed screenings, diagnoses, and treatment, the new AMA policies support paid sick leave, as well as unpaid sick leave, for employees to care for themselves or a family member.

“With both dual-earner and single-parent households on the rise in the United States, it is increasingly challenging for workers to juggle family and work,” said former AMA board chair Dr. Barbara McAneny. “Workers without paid sick days are more likely to work sick and are more likely to delay needed medical care, which can lead to prolonged illness and worsen otherwise minor health issues. Lack of paid leave also has a ripple effect across a worker’s family. Paid sick leave has been shown to aid children’s health, shorten hospital stays, and reduce the risk of disease transmission by allowing parents to stay home with sick children. Paid sick leave keeps our homes, offices, and communities healthier while ensuring the family’s economic security.”

The U.S. is the only industrialized nation without a federal family-leave law that guarantees workers may receive pay while taking time to care for themselves or their family. Although the Family and Medical Leave Act mandates that companies provide leave, the law does not require that it be paid.

The AMA also reaffirmed existing policy supporting voluntary leave policies that provide employees with job security and the continued availability of health-plan benefits in the event that leave becomes necessary due to medical conditions.

AIC’s Alexander Clark Interns with Hampden County DA’s Office

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) senior Alexander Clark is putting his summer to good use. Clark was afforded the opportunity to intern with the Hampden County District Attorney’s office and is gaining valuable real-life experience while being mentored by AIC alumnus Antonio Simmons, the office’s director of Community Safety and Outreach.

At a recent press conference, Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni announced the formation of the Hampden County Addiction Task Force (HCAT), a collaboration of community resources including local and state law-enforcement personnel, healthcare institutions, service providers, schools, and community coalitions whose goal is to focus on a county-wide approach to address drug addition, overdose, and prevention.

HCAT lists five primary objectives, including the development of consistent messaging for addiction and addiction-related issues. Clark was tasked with creating a social-media plan in support of HCAT’s efforts. On June 15, he presented his plan to members of the task force. “Social media will help give the campaign a face and communicate a consistent message throughout the community as well as promote events that are taking place around these issues,” he said.

Clark suggested a three-pronged approach to the social-media campaign using Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the word out while utilizing Hootsuite to manage all three sites, schedule posts, and provide analytics. “Facebook will be the primary go-to site,” he explained. Everybody uses Facebook, including my father, my grandmother, and my great-grandmother.”

Clark supported the use of Instagram to best reach his constituents, adults 18 to 30 years. “It’s where I get most of my news. It’s heavy with images which engage my age group.” Twitter “stirs conversations,” he added, and will do so relative to discussions around opioid addiction and prevention in the community.

Clark identified growing online followers as “our biggest challenge.” In an effort to further promote his social-media plan, he offered to personally attend community events that will help educate and engage the community about HCAT.

His supervisor and mentor, Antonio Simmons, said he is impressed with Clark’s contributions to the team. “Alex gives HCAT that input needed from a youth’s perspective. His knowledge of social media will be very helpful. Alex has very good communication and leadership skills that will be an asset to the team. I am impressed with his drive and determination to get involved and make a difference.”

When Clark returns to the AIC campus for his senior year, community outreach will continue to be a priority, as it has been since beginning his college career. Clark served as a representative to AIC’s student government his freshman year and president his sophomore and junior years. He continues to serve as the legislative chair for AIC’s Model Congress, the oldest of its kind in the country. He is an executive board member for POWER, a non-partisan political-activism organization on campus whose mission is to raise awareness regarding current issues and get students thinking about politics and the world around them.

Clark is one of 137 students selected nationally (only three from Massachusetts) to participate in College Debate 2016, a national, non-partisan initiative to empower young voters to identify issues and engage peers in the presidential election. The group met in Los Angeles this spring to strategize and will reconvene there in September. He is doing all this while he pursues his undergraduate degree in political science and works two jobs to help put himself through school. “My parents were excellent role models for working hard,” he said.

Big-band Concert on July 9 to Celebrate Armory Workers

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On Saturday, July 9, the Springfield Armory National Historic Site will commemorate the 1943 Benny Goodman concert which was held on the Armory grounds. Attendees will enjoy the sounds of Dan Gabel and the Abletones, hear rousing vocalists, and swing on the dance floor after free swing lessons. Admission is free.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with free swing-dance lessons from instructors Michele and Bob Barker. Pre-concert and intermission shows will feature the Small Planet Dancers of Springfield, performing World War II-era dance routines.

The main concert, running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., will feature Dan Gabel and the Abletones, an 18-piece big band. Gabel played with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Tommy Dorsey, and is considered an expert on big-band-era music. The ensemble features lead vocalist Elise Roth.

Attendees are invited to bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a picnic supper or purchase items from the food vendor on site. The museum, which is wheelchair-accessible, will remain open during the concert. In the case of rain, the concert will move into Building 2 (Scibelli Hall) of Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), where it will be held in the gymnasium.

The Springfield Armory National Historic Site commemorates and preserves the site of the nation’s first armory, established in 1794. Managed with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, STCC, and the National Park Service, it is the home of the world’s largest historic American military firearms collection. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. For more information, call (413) 734-8551 or visit www.nps.gov/spar.

Eric Nelson to Replace Kenn Delude as Westmass President and CEO

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Westmass Area Development Corp. board named Eric Nelson the new president and CEO of the private, nonprofit, industrial- and business-development corporation that offers master-planned land resources at Chicopee River Business Park, Hadley University Business Park, Deer Park in East Longmeadow, and the historic Ludlow Mills.

Nelson replaces Kenn Delude, who is retiring after 10 years as president and CEO of the organization. Nelson has more than 30 years of experience in site development and design and has consulted on numerous industrial and commercial site-development projects. His background also encompasses financing development and creating public-private partnership agreements.

Having served as senior vice president of Westmass for the past two and a half years and with Westmass since 2011, Nelson has conducted regular meetings with industrial and business prospects interested in Westmass properties, conducted pre-development site analysis and research, headed the process of zoning and building permits, and was responsible for project budgets and grant applications.

According to John Maybury, Westmass board chair, “Westmass has been fortunate to have someone of Kenn Delude’s unique skills at the helm of the organization. We are equally fortunate to have Eric Nelson, who worked alongside Kenn for the past five years, making for a smooth transition. Eric has worked closely with Kenn and is intimately involved with all of Westmass’ industrial land resources in the region and in particular the Ludlow Mills preservation and redevelopment, an exciting project which is quickly approaching $100 million in investment and represents significant economic development for the region.”

Maybury said Delude would continue to provide support to Westmass and the Ludlow Mills project through the transition in a consulting role as needed.

Nelson is a registered professional landscape architect and holds U.S. Green Building Council LEED AP certification. He earned his master’s degree in landscape architecture from UMass Amherst.

Berkshire Taconic Announces Third Round of 2016 Grant Deadlines

By
Daily News

SHEFFIELD — Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced the third round of deadlines for competitive grants in 2016. Covering the period from July through September, the summer cycle of deadlines is open to regional nonprofits, and includes the foundation’s two largest annual grants for regional artists and arts organizations.

Harvard Business School’s Governing for Nonprofit Excellence Scholarship is designed to enhance the leadership skills of nonprofit board chairs or vice chairs. Taught by a team of Harvard faculty members who specialize in nonprofit management and valued at $4,500, this program explores four core nonprofit governance competencies: board leadership, strategic stewardship, performance measurement, and financial oversight. Applications are due Aug. 8.

The Artist’s Resource Trust Fund for Organizations provides grants to nonprofit organizations to purchase, exhibit, or commission work created by regional artists. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded. Applications are due Aug. 1.

The Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund supports projects that focus on improving water quality and protecting the community’s natural resources. Applicants must be able to match the grant in cash or in-kind services. The fund has $20,000 available for grantmaking. Applications are due Sept. 30.

Meanwhile, for artists, the Artist’s Resource Trust Fund for Individuals provides grants to artists, age 35 or older, who seek funding to produce, exhibit, or commission their work. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded. Applications are due Aug. 1.

The Martha Boschen Porter Fund supports emerging artists and artists who want to take their work in a different direction. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to individual artists or collaborative efforts. Applications are due July 15.

For the application process for all grants, visit www.berkshiretaconic.org/searchgrants. For the application process for all scholarships, visit www.berkshiretaconic.org/searchscholarships.

Employment Outlook Mainly Positive in May

By
Daily News

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates dropped in 17 labor market areas in Massachusetts, remained the same in five areas, and increased in two during the month of May, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported. Compared to May 2015, the rates were down in all areas.

The largest gains last month were in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Barnstable, Worcester, Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury, Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, and Framingham areas. From May 2015 to May 2016, the largest percentage gains were in the Barnstable, Pittsfield, Haverhill-Newburyport-Amesbury, Worcester, and Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford areas.

In order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for May is 3.8%.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.2% for the month of May. The unemployment rate is down 0.7% over the year. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 6,400-job loss in May, which was impacted by a temporary labor dispute, and an over-the-year gain of 53,400 jobs.

The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates. The estimates for labor force, unemployment rates, and jobs for Massachusetts are based on different statistical methodology specified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

CityBlock Concert Series Finalizes Summer Lineup

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Business Improvement District (SBID) announced that the lineup for the CityBlock Concert Series, presented by MassMutual Financial Group, has been finalized.

The Thursday-evening shows start with FAT on June 30 in Court Square. The shows then move to Stearns Square for the rest of the summer, and include Ricky Nelson Remembered (July 7), Forever Motown (July 14), the Machine performs Pink Floyd (July 21), Natalie Stovall and the Drive (July 28), Terry Sylvester (Aug. 4), Max Creek (Aug. 11), Blessid Union of Souls (Aug. 18), and the Shadowboxers (Aug. 25). All concerts are at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to the national acts, the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) will once again sponsor a weekly opening act. These acts will be the finalists of ESE’s Masters of Music Competition, now in its second year. The overall winner of the competition will be awarded a gig at the Big E, a $1,000 cash prize, and a trip to Nashville for two band members. For more information on submitting an entry for a local band to perform, visit www.springfielddowntown.com/cityblock.

Every show is free to attend thanks to presenting sponsor MassMutual Financial Group, as well as additional partners, including Sheraton Springfield, Alekman & DiTusa, Bud Light, Shock Top, United Personnel, and the Eastern States Exposition. For more information and artist bios, visit www.springfielddowntown.com/cityblock.

State Awards $28 Million in Community Development Block Grants

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration awarded 34 Community Development Block Grants, totaling $28 million, to a total of 57 cities and towns across the Commonwealth yesterday. The Community Development Block Grant program provides competitive funding that allows municipalities to pursue economic-development projects and support the needs of low- and moderate-income residents.

“Our assistance to municipalities is most effective when it provides flexibility to directly support their established goals,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “Community Development Block Grants provide for investment in wide-ranging improvements that will bring long-term, positive impacts in these communities.”

This year’s Community Development Block Grant awards will allow municipalities across Massachusetts to redevelop housing and local infrastructure, and provide for a variety of social services, including child-care assistance, elder services and domestic-violence-prevention programs.

“Residents across the Commonwealth will see marked improvements in the livability of their communities through these Community Development Block Grant awards,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “These awards will help further progress at the local level, and allow municipalities to pursue a bright future for their community.”

The grant awards to Western Mass. communities include:

• Amherst, $825,000 for Boltwood Walk accessibility improvements, Health Center HVAC improvements, Housing Authority modernization projects, and to provide services related to homelessness, after-school and literacy programming, youth mentoring, and family stabilization.

• Bernardston, Rowe, and Gill, $1 million to provide housing-rehabilitation assistance for 18 units of housing, and to provide a fuel-assistance program.

• Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Westhampton, and Worthington, $894,110 to provide housing-rehabilitation assistance for 13 units of housing, and to provide childcare assistance, elder services, and a food pantry.

• Easthampton, $800,000 to provide improvements in the Admiral Street neighborhood, and for housing-rehabilitation assistance for three units of housing.

• Greenfield, $825,000 for housing rehabilitation assistance for nine units of housing, infrastructure improvements to School Street, and to support a food pantry and youth and elder services.

• Huntington, Middlefield, and Chester, $753,226 for infrastructure improvements to Pleasant Street, a senior-center feasibility study, housing-rehabilitation assistance for seven units of housing, and to provide senior services, adult education, a food pantry, and domestic-violence-prevention services.

• Montague, $816,263 for housing-rehabilitation assistance for four units of housing, lighting improvements to Avenue A, and to provide youth-leadership, family-literacy, and elder services.

• North Adams, $825,000 for improvements to a community center, park improvements, a historic-properties inventory, and social services.

• Palmer, $807,862 for infrastructure improvements to Stewart Street, to provide housing-rehabilitation assistance for four units of housing, and to support financial-literacy and domestic-violence-prevention services.

• Sheffield and Great Barrington, $923,983 to provide housing rehabilitation for 14 units of housing, Sheffield Town Hall accessibility improvements, and design for new sidewalks and for circulation, drainage, and parking-capacity improvements at the Housatonic Community Center.

• Shelburne, Buckland, and Colrain, $961,382 for improvements to North Street (Buckland), to provide housing rehabilitation assistance for five units of housing, and to support a food pantry.

• Southwick and Granville, $900,000 to provide housing-rehabilitation assistance for nine units of housing, infrastructure improvements at Veteran Street, and a food pantry.

• Ware, $800,000 for infrastructure improvements to Prospect Street, design services for Bank and Spring Street improvements, and to support for domestic-violence-prevention services.

• Warren, Hardwick, and Ware, $724,000 for School Street neighborhood design, housing rehabilitation assistance for 14 units of housing, and for support services related to adult education, community health, and domestic-violence prevention.

• West Springfield, $825,000 for improvements to Memorial Playground, housing-rehabilitation assistance for 11 units of housing, code enforcement, Boys and Girls Club facility improvements, and support for services related to family self-sufficiency and homebuyer programs, ESOL, camp scholarships, and Head Start.

Country Bank Staff Create Blankets for Hospitalized Children

By
Daily News

WARE — Recently, the staff of Country Bank came together to support Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield. The Corporate Risk Department hosted a ‘blanket banquet’ and invited the entire bank staff to join them in creating ‘no-sew’ fleece blankets. To continue with the theme, the group also served a variety of comfort foods for all who helped with the project.

“We are so pleased with the response from all of our staff,” said Dawn Fleury, senior vice president and chief risk officer. “At the end of the event, we had 34 blankets to donate to the young patients at Baystate, who could use a little comfort at a very difficult time in their lives.”

TommyCar Auto Group Awards Two Scholarships

By
Daily News

HADLEY — TommyCar Auto Group awarded two students with $1,000 scholarships to attend college this fall. Jennifer Moss of Hopkins Academy will be attending the University of Massachusetts. Olivia Kiritsis of Shepard Hill Regional High School will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Both students demonstrated excellence in the classroom and in the community. They were chosen from among more than 100 applicants.

The Tom Cosenzi Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Thomas E. Cosenzi. When he passed away in 2009, it was not only ownership of the TommyCar Auto Group that passed to his children Carla and Thomas, but his legacy of giving back to the community.

“The Tom Cosenzi Scholarship is dedicated to assisting high-school graduates in furthering their education,” said Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group. “The combination of academic achievement and community leadership exhibited by these students underscores the core values of this scholarship.”

Springfield Regional Chamber Event to Tackle New Overtime Rule

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — On May 18, the U.S. Department of Labor released its new rule regarding overtime exempt status, which raises the salary threshold and could extend overtime pay to more than 4 million workers who are currently ineligible.

The rule doubles the salary level at which full-time salaried workers are eligible for overtime and increases the salary level for ‘highly compensated employees,’ which could impact more than 83,000 workers in Massachusetts alone.

Timothy Murphy, partner with Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. and member and former chair of the Springfield Regional Chamber’s legislative steering committee, will explore the impact of the rule at the Springfield Regional Chamber Lunch ‘n’ Learn on Tuesday, June 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lattitude, 1388 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.

Murphy will break down the new rule, explain the impact on the region’s employers, provide guidance for nonprofits and higher-education institutions, outline what area businesses need to know to be compliant, and discuss strategies to lessen the impact to the bottom line.

Murphy joined Skoler, Abbott & Presser in 2001 after serving as general counsel to an area labor union. He represents and advises both union and non-union employers in a wide range of labor and employment matters. He regularly represents employers in matters before state and administrative agencies and courts. His work includes assisting employers to remain union-free, defending unfair labor practices, negotiating collective-bargaining agreements, and handling grievance arbitrations.

He is a graduate of Western New England Law School, where he has subsequently taught courses in employment law. He is a frequent contributor to business and human-resource publications and a contributing author to the Massachusetts Employment Law Letter. He is a past Super Lawyers Rising Star and was named among the Best Lawyers in America.

Reservations for the June Lunch ‘n’ Learn cost $25 for Springfield Regional Chamber members and $35 for general admission. Registration includes lunch and one-on-one discussions with Murphy. Reservations may be made online at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com.

STCC Names James Danko Coordinator of Media Relations

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has appointed experienced journalist and marketing professional James Danko to the position of coordinator of Media Relations.

Danko, who started June 6, brings more than 25 years of experience in newspapers, management, and digital marketing. Prior to joining STCC, Danko worked at Holyoke-based digital marketing firm Big Voodoo Interactive since 2009. As lead writer, he created and edited content for websites and produced press releases. He previously worked as page 1 editor at the Republican in Springfield and as a reporter at the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton.

In his new role, Danko will serve as a liaison to media outlets for communications and information. He will help identify stories on campus and respond to media inquiries and interview requests. In addition, he will monitor and post to social media.

“STCC has a great reputation as an institution that provides a diverse group of people in our community with an affordable way to transform their lives,” Danko said. “As someone who worked in newspapers for years, I know how to recognize a good story. There are so many engaging stories at STCC involving the students, faculty, and programs. I’m proud to have the opportunity to put my experience to work for the college so these stories can be told.”

Danko, who earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida, will work in STCC’s Marketing and Communications Department with Joan Thomas, director of Marketing and Communications, and Kerry Ferrero, coordinator of Design and Production Services.

“Jim’s experience in journalism and in digital marketing makes him a valuable asset to our team,” Thomas said. “He can identify good stories and knows how to present them to the media. We’re happy to have him on board.”