Page 58 – BusinessWest

NORTH ADAMS — Community members and residents are invited to downtown North Adams today, Jan. 6, for the monthly FIRST Friday event. This month’s theme is “Fresh Start,” a time for residents, businesses, and visitors to reflect, prioritize, find new ways to stay physically active and mentally healthy, and come together as a community.

Downtown businesses will have extended hours, and many businesses and galleries will be hosting openings, closings, and other special events focused on starting fresh. The following events have been planned by downtown businesses and organizations: candlelit yoga at North Adams Yoga at 6 p.m., live music at Hearts Pace Tea & Healing Arts Lounge, a Future Labs Gallery reception at 6 p.m., a firepit and hot chocolate outside First Baptist Church hosted by the youth group, and a ‘gong bath’ performed by Howard Rosenberg from Anahata Schoolhouse Yoga and Wellness Center at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m.; gong baths are a form of meditation where one ‘bathes’ in the healing vibrations of sound.

Employment-law Roundup

By Contributor January 6, 2023

Law

Five Important Things to Know Going into 2023

By Amelia J. Holstrom, Esq. and John S. Gannon, Esq.

Massachusetts employers are used to the ever-changing employment-law landscape. As we close out another year and ring in a new one, it is clear that 2023 will bring new challenges and new requirements for employers throughout the Commonwealth.

Amelia Holstrom

John Gannon

We’ve rounded up the top five things employers need to know and keep an eye on as we turn the page to 2023.

Decision on Micro-units May Be Troubling for Employers

When a union attempts to organize a group of employees at a business, it files a representation petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), identifying the proposed bargaining unit, which is the group of employees the union seeks to represent and who will be eligible to vote on whether it gets to do so. Sometimes, employers will seek to add additional employees to the union’s proposed bargaining unit, as larger proposed bargaining units may be favorable for employers in representation elections.

In a recent decision, American Steel Construction, the NLRB, which interprets and enforces the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), gave a powerful tool to unions by clearing the way for small bargaining units, often called ‘micro-units.’ Specifically, the board decided that it will approve a smaller subdivision of employees as a bargaining unit if they meet certain criteria.

Under this standard, unions are likely to be very successful in getting the NLRB to approve micro-units. As a result, employers are placed at risk of having to bargain with several small units of employees in one workplace.

NLRB to Surveil Employers’ Surveillance Measures

Businesses regularly monitor employees in the workplace. For example, employers may monitor telephone calls for quality-assurance purposes, install cameras in the workplace or dashcam systems in vehicles, or monitor communications sent and received on employer-owned devices. Such monitoring appears be under attack by the NLRB.

In early November 2022, the general counsel of the NLRB issued a memorandum regarding employee surveillance, in which she urges the NLRB to adopt a “new framework” for determining whether employer surveillance violates the law. Under this framework, violations may occur when the surveillance would tend to interfere with an employee’s rights under the NLRA or “prevent a reasonable employee from engaging” in activity protected by the NLRA.

“In a recent decision, American Steel Construction, the NLRB, which interprets and enforces the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), gave a powerful tool to unions by clearing the way for small bargaining units, often called ‘micro-units.’.”

This could involve employee surveillance of suspected organizing activity. The employer will then get the opportunity to explain their legitimate, business-based reasons for the surveillance. At that point, the new proposed framework would require the NLRB to weigh the employer’s business needs for the surveillance against the rights afforded to employees under the NLRA. If the NLRB determines that the employer’s reasons outweigh the rights of employees, the NLRB will require the employer to disclose all electronic monitoring, the reasons for doing so, and how the employer uses the information it obtains. This crackdown on employee surveillance impacts unionized and non-unionized workplaces alike.

Update That Handbook for New Protected Characteristics

Massachusetts law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on a number of protected characteristics, including but not limited to race, color, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Effective Oct. 24, 2022, Massachusetts added natural and protective hairstyles to the list of protected characteristics under the law.

Accordingly, employers need to update their handbooks and other policies to reflect the additions. Your handbook should also include language on many other employment laws, including the state Paid Family and Medical Leave Act.

Changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave

Speaking of the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, last month the Department of Family and Medical Leave released updated model notices reflecting new contribution rates effective January 1, 2023. If you have not already done so, those new notices need to be distributed to your entire workforce as soon as possible. Employers should also ensure that their payroll providers are planning to implement this change.

The department also updated the mandatory PFML workplace poster, which should be posted in a location where it can be easily read by your workforce. The poster must be available in English and each language which is the primary language of five or more individuals in your workforce, if these translations are available from the department.

The department is also considering changes to the PFML regulations intended to clarify employer obligations to maintain employment-related health-insurance benefits while employees are out on leave. Stay tuned in 2023 for developments on these proposed regulations.

Speak Out Act Requires Changes to Employment Agreements

On Dec. 7, 2022, President Biden signed the Speak Out Act into law (see story on page 27). The new law prohibits employers from including non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions applicable to sexual-assault and sexual-harassment allegations and claims in agreements executed before the allegation or claim arises. It does not impact agreements with those provisions entered into after such a claim arises.

Although it may seem insignificant because it only applies to pre-dispute agreements, employers need to carefully review their confidentiality, employment, and other agreements executed by employees and ensure that the non-disclosure and non-disparagement paragraphs in those agreements do not prohibit the employee from disclosing or discussing sexual-assault or sexual-harassment allegations or claims. Employers would be prudent to include language carving out those claims.

Businesses are encouraged to continue to consult with counsel regarding these changes in labor and employment laws. The team at Skoler Abbott also wishes readers a happy and prosperous new year.

Amelia Holstrom and John Gannon are attorneys at Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. in Springfield; (413) 737-4753; [email protected]; [email protected]

Speak Out Act Eases Restrictions on Harassment Claims

By Contributor January 6, 2023

Law

Talking Points

By Briana Dawkins, Michael Roundy, and Mary Jo Kennedy

Effective Dec. 7, 2022, a new federal law, the Speak Out Act, limits the enforceability of pre-dispute non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements relating to sexual-harassment or sexual-assault disputes in the workplace. Such agreements that were entered into before an actual dispute arises are now unenforceable.

Brianna Dawkins

Michael Roundy

Mary Jo Kennedy

The Speak Out Act defines a pre-dispute agreement as one that is entered into between an employer and an employee before a sexual-harassment or assault dispute ‘arises’ — that is, before an allegation of sexual assault and/or harassment is made. Often, employers require employees to sign non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements upon commencement of employment in order to protect confidential or otherwise private employer information. Under the Speak Out Act, these clauses can no longer be enforced with respect to any sexual-harassment or sexual-assault claim that may arise in the future.

A non-disclosure clause is defined in the act as “a provision in a contract or agreement that requires the parties to a contract and/or agreement not to disclose or discuss conduct, the existence of a settlement involving conduct, or information covered by the terms and conditions of the contract or agreement.” A non-disparagement clause is “a provision in a contract or agreement that requires one or more parties to the contract or agreement not to make a negative statement about another party that relates to the contract, agreement, claim, or case.”

A sexual-harassment dispute involves “conduct that is alleged to constitute sexual harassment under the applicable federal, tribal, or state law.” A sexual-assault dispute involves a “non-consensual sexual act or sexual contact, as such terms are defined in [federal criminal law] or similar applicable tribal or state law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.”

The act’s protections apply not only to complaints of sexual harassment or sexual assault towards an employee, but also to complaints about sexual harassment and assault involving other individuals. The act’s provisions do not prohibit an employee and an employer from entering a non-disclosure or non-disparagement agreement after a complaint of sexual harassment or assault has arisen. Thus, the act does not prohibit such clauses, for example, in agreements settling sexual-harassment or sexual-assault claims after they are asserted. However, employers should exercise caution, as such clauses in settlement agreements may have significant tax implications for employers under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“The act’s protections apply not only to complaints of sexual harassment or sexual assault towards an employee, but also to complaints about sexual harassment and assault involving other individuals.”

The congressional rationale expressed through the language of the act is clear. Many women who experience sexual harassment in the workplace are forced to leave their jobs or their industries, or to pass up opportunities of advancement. According to the congressional findings identified in the act, one in three women face sexual harassment or assault in the workplace, approximately 90% of whom never file a formal complaint.

The congressional findings also state that non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements between employers and current and former employees, prospective employees, and independent contractors can perpetuate illegal conduct by silencing survivors of illegal sexual harassment and assault. Therefore, Congress finds that prohibiting such non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses will empower survivors to speak out, hold perpetuators accountable, improve transparency around illegal conduct, and make workplaces safer and more productive for everyone.

The Speak Out Act complements the enactment earlier this year of the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFASASHA). That act, which applies to employers subject to the Federal Arbitration Act, prohibits mandatory arbitration agreements between employers and employees for sexual-harassment and sexual-assault disputes. It also applies retroactively to arbitration agreements between employers and employees that have already been entered into containing such mandatory arbitration provisions.

Following the enactment of the Speak Out Act and the earlier EFASASHA, employers are encouraged to be proactive about compliance and should review their template releases and agreements to ensure that pre-dispute non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements do not violate these laws.

It bears noting that the Speak Out Act does not invalidate non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements relating to claims which do not involved sexual harassment or sexual assault. Thus, employers may consider including ‘carve-out’ language for pre-dispute non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements to make clear that the pre-dispute agreements do not apply to later-arising sexual-harassment or sexual-assault claims.

Employers should review their arbitration agreements and any language pertaining to future mandatory arbitration agreements to ensure sexual-harassment and assault claims are carved out from those provisions as well. Such agreements may be revised to include clear language indicating that, with regard to claims of sexual harassment or sexual assault, employee signatories will have a choice — they are not required to submit to arbitrations and may bring their claims in court. Employers may also wish to consider updating sexual-harassment policies in their employment handbooks to include similar clarifications.

In reviewing such employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, and employee handbook policies as they relate to sexual harassment and sexual assault for compliance with the Speak Out Act and the EFASASHA, it is recommended that employers seek legal advice and guidance from an experienced employment-law attorney.

Briana Dawkins, Michael Roundy, and Mary Jo Kennedy are attorneys in Bulkley Richardson’s Employment Law practice.

Keeping New Year’s Health Resolutions Starts with a Realistic Plan

By Joseph Bednar January 6, 2023

Health Care

One Step at a Time

Drew McConaha says breaking a fitness plan into manageable steps is key to sticking to health resolutions.

Drew McConaha knows all about New Year’s resolutions. And he knows why so many of them fail.

In many cases, it’s a desire to do too much, too quickly, the owner of Train for Life in Chicopee said.

“When they’re setting those resolutions at the beginning of the year, most people want to do everything as fast as possible: ‘I want to get into the gym six days a week,’ or ‘I want to go on the latest diet craze.’ They want to go 100 miles an hour into that. But that doesn’t really work. Fitness is one of those things that needs to be a lifestyle change.”

At a time of year when people traditionally set goals for fitness, nutrition, and other types of wellness — and often leave them behind by February — area health experts told BusinessWest the same thing: starting small is key.

“Most everyone wants to set goals; they say, ‘I want to lose 10 pounds,’ or whatever,” said McConaha, who explained that he works with members to write those goals down, examine them, and then — this is key — setting small action steps to make them more manageable.

“When they’re setting those resolutions at the beginning of the year, most people want to do everything as fast as possible. But that doesn’t really work. Fitness is one of those things that needs to be a lifestyle change.”

“If you come to the gym three days a week for a year, after a year, you’re going to make a huge amount of progress,” he said. “But if you start out going to the gym five days in a row and you haven’t been exercising for 10 years, you’re very unlikely to get back there for week two, because you’re going to be so sore, and that’s unmotivating, because now you can’t move; you can’t go about your daily activities. Lots of times, that’s what derails people when they jump into something at the beginning of the year.”

That’s where having a coach can make a difference, he added. “We talk about smart goals all the time, having manageable, attainable, realistic goals. Having a very specific, small goal each day instead of focusing on the large goal — say, losing weight — will make it much more attainable.”

Dr. Kathy Mueller, who practices integrative medicine with Trinity Health of New England Medical Group, went even further, explaining a philosophy she shares with patients called ‘tiny habits,’ popularized by behavior expert and author BJ Fogg.

To start the journey toward changing a habit, she explained, “pick something that takes fewer than 30 seconds that builds toward the ultimate goal. Want to exercise in the new year? Instead of saying, ‘I’m going to the gym three times a week,’ try a tiny habit: ‘I’m going to put on my walking shoes,’ or ‘I’m going to put my gym bag in the front of the car.’”

The idea is that, by wearing walking shoes, someone is more likely to go for a walk, and by loading the gym bag in the car, they’re more likely to stop at the gym when out and about. And when they achieve those steps, they can add larger goals, always building on small victories, not frustrating failures, Mueller said. “Practicing tiny habits is clever because it’s built on success.”

In fitness goals, the goal is to move more, she said, so people should just start there. If they want to incorporate pushups, start with two — which often becomes five, then 10, and eventually maybe 50. Setting out a lunchbox by the coffee maker each morning might not lead to bringing a healthy lunch to work every day, but it might have that effect some days, meaning fewer fast-food runs each week.

“There’s this idea that one day you’re a smoker, and the next day you quit. But if you quit over four months, you still quit. Incremental steps work for a lot of people.”

Dr. Kathy Mueller

“With nutrition, have one fruit or vegetable every time you eat. Want a bagel for breakfast? Great, but have fruit with it,” Mueller explained. “The idea is to anchor your tiny habits to something you’re going to do anyway.”

And for those who want to cut down their alcohol intake — which has risen, on average, for Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic — they don’t have to quit all at once, she added. “Have a glass of water with each beer. You’re still drinking and being social, but you’re cutting your alcohol intake in half.”

The How and the Why

It’s a common refrain among health practitioners: you don’t have to do everything; just do something. Even a 10-minute walk twice a day or one 20-minute walk per day can help someone reach a goal of 150 minutes of physical activity per week, said Patrick Schilling, manager of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Wellness at Baystate Health.

“We know physical activity feels good, improves sleep, and lowers stress, and taking care of your body may help you feel rejuvenated and will give you the extra energy you need,” he noted. “Don’t forget that children should also be reminded to stay active for at least an hour per day for optimal health. If you just can’t make it to the gym as regularly as you have in the past, you can try to keep moving in other ways. Don’t try to find that parking spot close to the mall entrance; instead, opt for one far away so that you will have to walk more. And take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.”

As an integrative medicine specialist, much of Mueller’s work is helping patients change habits and achieve lifestyle changes through complementary therapies. Some are dealing with chronic pain or other ailments, but most are trying to reach certain goals.

“Sleep is essential for our health and well-being, and getting a good night’s rest is important to help strengthen your immune system to fight infections, reduce stress, improve our mood, and to stay energized. Most adults function best with seven to eight hours of regular sleep.”

Dr. Karin Johnson

“Sometimes, people off more than they can chew. They decide to go to the gym for an hour three days a week, then life gets in the way, then it’s twice a week, then once, then the habit’s done,” she said, adding that it’s better to focus on little steps that then become bigger ones.

Take the notion that exercise isn’t impactful if it doesn’t get the heart rate up for an extended time. “That’s garbage. And one fewer cigarette is one fewer cigarette. It helps break a bad habit, as long as you have something to replace it with,” she said, adding that a good strategy is to delay how long you can go without one, and then keep extending that. “There’s this idea that one day you’re a smoker, and the next day you quit. But if you quit over four months, you still quit. Incremental steps work for a lot of people.”

McConaha said it helps many people to not only break down their goals into small, actionable steps, but actually treat those steps like appointments, not just vague intentions.

“If you’ve got a hair appointment, you’re going to show up. If you’ve got a dentist appointment, you’re going to show up at that time,” he explained. “A lot of people say, ‘I’m going to try to go to the gym tomorrow afternoon.’ Well, if you don’t have someone waiting for you there for that accountability, if you don’t have a specific appointment, it’s very easy for other things to get in the way.”

Just as important is understanding the ‘why’ behind a goal, he added.

You say, ‘hey, I want to start working out.’ But what does that mean to you? Why are you doing that? Why is that going to benefit you? How is that going to make you feel? Do you want to be around longer for your kids? Do you want to be able to do certain things you haven’t been able to do in the past? Adding that specific why behind what they’re doing makes a big difference.”

The Rest of the Story

Another golden rule for general wellness is to get plenty of rest, said Dr. Karin Johnson, director of the Baystate Health Regional Sleep Program

“Sleep is essential for our health and well-being, and getting a good night’s rest is important to help strengthen your immune system to fight infections, reduce stress, improve our mood, and to stay energized,” she explained. “Most adults function best with seven to eight hours of regular sleep.”

And any set of wellness goals should include taking care of mental health as well, which can especially suffer around and just after the holidays, said Dr. Stuart Anfang, vice chair of Psychiatry at Baystate Health.

“Don’t forget to take care of yourself emotionally as well as physically,” he urged. “Take relaxation breaks when needed; eat and drink in moderation; get plenty of sunlight, which helps avoid seasonal depression; avoid social isolation; and understand that you are not alone in feeling stressed. Volunteering and giving to others less fortunate is a great way to get perspective and feel better about your own situation and stressors.”

At the heart of every effective fitness or wellness plan is knowledge, McConaha said, as going to the gym with no plan or no information about the equipment will only lead to frustration.

“It’s easy to take on too much at once and feel defeated,” he told BusinessWest. “If you come in and do one exercise wrong, and your back doesn’t feel great after that, that’s one more obstacle to something that’s already very challenging for people.”

With the right — meaning realistic — plan, and the knowledge and commitment to follow it, anyone can make positive resolutions that don’t fall away by Groundhog Day, he added.

“Our bodies are meant to move, and no matter what age you’re at, there’s always something you can do,” he said, adding that he’s worked with people from age 7 to 97. “You can walk. You can do very scaled versions of exercises. It’s just matching up the right plan with the right person. The older people get, the more they feel they’re too old to start, but they’re not too old to do the right thing for them, whatever that might be.”

Construction Job Openings Flat in November

Daily News Employment Home Builders Home Improvement News Real Estate Real Estate

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The construction industry registered 388,000 job openings in November, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, which defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings declined by 2,000 in November but were up 22,000 from the same time last year.

“Once again, good news is bad news,” ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said. “The economy-wide number of job openings remained elevated at approximately 10.5 million in November, virtually unchanged from October’s revised estimate. That’s the key takeaway in a still-red-hot labor market, as many employers continue to aim for expanded capacity to satisfy unmet demand. That is the good news.

“The bad news is obvious,” Basu continued. “Despite raising interest rates during the last 10 months, the Federal Reserve is still grappling with an excessively tight labor market associated with rapid compensation cost increases. To return inflation to its 2% target, the Federal Reserve needs a looser labor market with fewer job openings, higher unemployment, and slower compensation growth. The implication is that interest rates will continue to rise, adding to construction project financing costs and potentially setting the stage for sharp declines in activity in many privately financed construction segments.”

Application Now Open for Local Farmer Awards for Infrastructure Improvements

Biz Tips & Industry News Daily News Green Business News

AGAWAM — Farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. These awards are for capital/infrastructure improvement projects related to growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace. The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, in partnership with Big Y and with the support of other funders, is entering the ninth year of the awards program, which has helped more than 235 farmers carry out a total of 474 projects.

Some examples of how the awards have been used include electric fencing, no-till equipment, irrigation improvements, frost-free water systems, feed troughs, and shade cloth for greenhouses.

“Farmers don’t typically ask for help,” philanthropist and project founder Harold Grinspoon said. “They are genuinely appreciative of these awards and use the money in creative ways for projects to help their farms grow.”

To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 or above and either be a member of buy-local organizations Berkshire Grown or Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) or farm in one the four counties of Western Mass. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application information, farmers are encouraged to visit www.farmerawards.org. The deadline for applying is Jan. 31.

Westfield State to Host Virtual Information Session for Accounting Graduate Program

Business Management Daily News Education News

WESTFIELD — Westfield State University will host a virtual information session for the master of science in accounting (MSA) program on Wednesday, Jan., 25 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

The graduate program is designed to foster leadership skills and prepare students for successful careers in public and private accounting. It allows students to complete the additional 30 credit hours necessary to fulfill the educational requirements for the , (CPA) license in Massachusetts and several other states.

The program offers a foundation curriculum for students who have an undergraduate business degree but lack the necessary coursework in accounting to complete a series of prerequisite courses as part of the master’s program. The advanced curriculum is for students with an undergraduate major or concentration in accounting. It is comprised of 10 courses (the majority are offered in a hybrid format, and certain courses are 100% online) that can be completed in only two semesters. The MSA program offers students flexibility and affordability to achieve a greater degree of sophistication in accounting.

Information-session attendees will have an opportunity to speak with faculty and members of the outreach team about the program and its application process. The $50 application fee will be waived for all attendees. To RSVP, visit www.gobacknow.com. For more information, call (413) 572-8461 or email [email protected].

MassDevelopment Sells 1550 Main to Mittas Holdings and DGP Properties

Business Management Commercial Real Estate Daily News News Real Estate

SPRINGFIELD — After 13 years of ownership, MassDevelopment announced it has sold 1550 Main in Springfield to Mittas Holdings, LLC and DGP Properties, LLC, owned by Vidhyadhar “Vid” Mitta and Dinesh Patel, respectively. 1550 Main is a 130,000-square-foot building with a highly visible public plaza and 103 parking spaces below grade, with physical connections via skywalks to adjacent garages.

“Revitalizing underused commercial properties helps bring additional jobs, foot traffic, energy, and economic growth to a neighborhood,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, who chairs MassDevelopment’s board of directors. “MassDevelopment’s stewardship of 1550 Main has sparked new life in a prominent building in downtown Springfield and demonstrated the value of investing in and modernizing properties to meet the needs of communities today.”

MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera added that “working with tenants, partners, and the city of Springfield over the years allowed us to cultivate this property to its best and highest use. This type of focused teamwork is how long-lasting redevelopment takes root. It is what makes converting an old federal courthouse into a stunning multi-tenant office building possible.”

In 2009, MassDevelopment purchased 1550 Main from the federal government. On arrival, the property was 70% occupied and in need of significant upgrades. After exceeding all goals, including reaching a current occupancy level of 98%, MassDevelopment put the property up for sale to the CRE market through a disposition process to allow the agency to refocus its investment efforts elsewhere. Current 1550 Main tenants include the Springfield School Department, Baystate Health, the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and regional offices for U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey. The new ownership group will assume all existing lease agreements.

“I want to thank MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera and his dedicated team for their continued belief and investment in our Springfield,” Mayor Domenic Sarno said. “The property at 1550 Main Street is a key piece to the economic stability of our downtown. Dinesh Patel, Vidhyadhar Mitta, and their team have a proven track record of property ownership, management, investment, and economic development, as they are also the owners of our Springfield Tower Square property at 1500 Main Street since 2018, and oversaw the grand reopening of our iconic Marriott Springfield Downtown Hotel. All of this makes them the ideal owners to continue the advancement and oversight of this important and vital economic-development property. I have the full confidence that they will continue to enhance our downtown Springfield footprint while providing the same quality of investment and management to the existing tenants of 1550 Main Street, including our Springfield School Department.”

Said Mitta, “I thank all public officials and local communities for supporting us to make such investments in Springfield. We will continue to do our best to match MassDevelopment’s role.”

Added Patel, “I am very excited to continue the fantastic job done by the MassDevelopment team. As a local real-estate developer, I also greatly appreciate Mayor Sarno’s support and trust in continuing the success at 1550 Main.”

Economic Outlook 2023

Cover Story Economic Outlook

Inflation, Workforce Issues Cloud the Forecast

A Look Ahead to the New Year

Talking the Talk

Roundtable Panelists Note Opportunities, Challenges for Year Ahead

Selling Points

EDC Leaders See Need to Market the Region, Leverage Its Assets

Reasons for Optimism — and Concern

Economy Shows Progress, but Workforce Remains a Challenge

Barstow’s Farm in Hadley Takes the Long View

By George O'Brien January 5, 2023

Features Special Coverage

Udderly Innovative

Health Care Special Coverage

David Barstow and Denise Barstow Manz are part of the sixth and seventh generations now carrying on traditions — and creating new ones — at the family farm in Hadley.
Staff Photo

While she grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Hadley and enjoyed that lifestyle, Denise Barstow Manz had no intention of making the 200-year-old operation a career.

“The farm was a place that was fun, and I had a really good time playing with my cousins, being around large animals, and being around nature — it was an amazing way to grow up,” she recalled. “And then, as I got older and I started to see the numbers and realized that the farm was a lot of hard work and not an easy path to wealth, I thought that maybe I should go and do something else.”

She attended the University of New Hampshire — in part because of its renowned dairy program, although she chose a different major — and would later move west and work for the National Park Service, with stints at Yellowstone and Glacier National Park in Montana. And it was while on these assignments that she began to rethink what she would do with her life — and why.

“It finally hit me when I was in Glacier,” she said. “I was a trail guide, and I saw these people donating money to preserve these places. And I thought, ‘if everyone’s giving to places like this, who’s taking care of the places we come from?’ I thought about who was taking care of the place I came from that has been in my family for more than 200 years — and I wanted to be part of that story.”

And with that decision, Barstow Manz would also become part — and she stressed that word part early and quite often, because this is truly a family affair — of one the region’s more intriguing business stories: Barstow’s Longview Farm.

“This is a good place to raise a family in a multi-generational business — everyone can see how life works; the goal has always been to leave something for the next generation.”

It’s a story that includes most of the elements shaping the growth, evolution, and resilience of the local economy today. That list includes entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, clean energy, tourism and hospitality, and sustainable agriculture.

They all come together in an impossibly beautiful, picture-postcard setting, the historic Hockanum Village, framed by the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Range, scenery that belies the myriad and ever-more severe challenges facing dairy farmers — and all those in agriculture — today.

It was these challenges — and especially very trying times roughly two decades ago that prompted the sixth and seventh generations of the Barstow family to take the motto that has defined this business — ‘looking forward since 1806’ — to new dimensions.

Evolution and diversification have been hallmarks of Barstow’s Longview Farm since 1806.

Indeed, a family that has always embraced change and diversification (much more on that later) has taken some dramatic new turns in recent years, first with Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery, and later, through a partnership with Vanguard Renewables to build one of the first farm-powered anaerobic digesters in New England. Meanwhile, the 450-acre dairy farm produces 19,000 pounds of milk daily and is a member of the Cabot Creamery/Agri-Mark Cooperative; almost all of the farm’s milk is supplied to the Cabot/Agri-Mark facility in West Springfield and is made into Cabot butter and other products.

The anaerobic digester (AD), installed in 2013 and expanded in 2016, converts cow manure — the herd at the farm produces some 9,000 tons of it annually — and food waste into electricity, heat, and fertilizer.

It has become an important revenue source for the farm, but it also makes a statement about what the sixth and seventh generations of this family — and those that came before them — stand for.

“The AD speaks to what we believe in as a family — that we need to lower our carbon footprint and play a role in mitigating climate change,” Barstow Manz said, adding that, for this family, sustainability comes in many forms and means many things, including work to ensure that this business will be there for the next generations.

Her father, David Barstow, director of special projects at the farm, agreed. He said that, while many things have changed at this location — in general, but especially during his lifetime — what hasn’t changed is that concept of preserving, and persevering, for those who will continue the tradition.

“My father and grandfather used to talk about working with horses,” he said, adding that change and advancement are constants on the farm; the key is to embrace that change and be at the forefront of it. “This is a good place to raise a family in a multi-generational business — everyone can see how life works; the goal has always been to leave something for the next generation.”

“We got together as a family and decided that we needed to either diversify or get out of farming completely.”

All of the various components of Barstow’s Longview Farm make for an intriguing tour — one that usually includes lunch on site — and Denise and other family members offer many of them, all year long. More than that, these elements collaborate to create an inspiring new chapter to a story that began when Thomas Jefferson was patrolling the White House — and even a century before that, as we’ll see.

Herd It Through the Grapevine

They call it Pasture Day, and it is celebrated the first Saturday in May.

As that name suggests, this is the day when the cows, which have spent the winter in barns, get to head back into the pasture. It’s the unofficial start of spring, and a community event — many visitors, including several families living in the area, will come out, watch the heifers celebrate their first taste of fresh grass, enjoy live music, and have some ice cream.

An aerial view of Barstow’s Longview Farm in the historic Hockanum Village.

“People kick up their heels and have a good time; they sit on the hill and watch,” said Barstow Manz, who doesn’t have a formal title, but serves as the farm’s marketing director. She also handles the farm tours, manages the dairy store and bakery, handles outreach, and acts as the main grant writer. She used to feed the calves, but the farm now has an automated calf feeder, one of many examples of innovation at this institution.

She said Pasture Day is just one of the many traditions that have lived on at this property since Septimus Barstow, originally from Wethersfield, Conn., acquired the property on the bank of the Connecticut River that was first farmed at least 100 years earlier by the Lyman family.

Originally a crop farm that focused on asparagus, as many farms in Hadley did, as well as squash, corn, tobacco, and other staples, the Barstow’s operation eventually evolved into a dairy farm after the advent of refrigeration, which provided an avenue for selling milk wholesale.

By the 1930s, dairy was the primary focus at the farm, she went on, adding that, with a herd of 300 cows, this is small to mid-sized operation, one that is dwarfed by huge operations in this country and overseas.

It’s one of a dwindling number of dairy farms both in Massachusetts and across the U.S., she said, citing statistics showing that this country loses five dairy farms every day.

“And when you lose those farms, you’re losing a lot,” she went on. “You’re obviously losing food and food security for that community. But you’re also losing open space, which is good for wildlife habitat, groundwater, climate resilience, and food security. And you’re losing that heritage and that connection to your past.”

The reason for such attrition is simple. This is a very difficult business to be in, she said, adding that the federal government controls milk prices, and margins have historically been paper-thin.

“Even though it’s very perishable, milk is marketed on a global scale, so we’re competing against New Zealand, we’re competing against California … and it’s kind of a broken system,” Barstow Manz explained. “The only real way for dairy farmers to make more money is to make more milk, which doesn’t always line up with demand. And we have no control over the price of the product we produce.”

There are only 115 dairy farms left in the Bay State, and there probably wouldn’t be any were it not for the Massachusetts Dairy Tax Credit, which enables them to remain competitive, she said, adding that there are six operations in Hadley alone, a concentration that testifies to the quality of the soil in that region.

In the early years of this century, the milk market essentially collapsed, primarily because of oversupply, she said, calling this a scary time for the Barstow farm and all the others in this market.

David Barstow says his family lives by the farm’s motto, ‘looking forward since 1806.’

“The milk market crashed like no one had ever seen or felt before in this country; we were getting $12 per hundred pounds of milk, when our break-even was $22,” she explained, adding that it was a critical time in the history of the farm, or another critical time, to be more precise.

“We got together as a family and decided that we needed to either diversify or get out of farming completely,” she recalled. “And that’s when we started talking about how we wanted to diversify and who we wanted to include. And we knew that we wanted to be thoughtful of what the next generation was interested in doing and what our strengths are.”

A Process of Evolution

Over the next several years, diversification would come in several forms, starting with the dairy store and bakery in 2008, an operation inspired in many ways by Denise’s cousin, Shannon Barstow, who does most of the baking. It’s an operation that would transform the farm into a true destination.

“We’re always trying to be mindful and committed to what’s going to be best for our herd, and also for our land, our workforce, our community, and our food system.”

“We understood that people were going to have to drive here if we were going to get the support and the revenue we needed,” she recalled. “So we did lunch, and we started probably too big for our britches. But we’ve definitely settled into who were are, and we have a really supportive community.”

The dairy-store operation and bakery offers both breakfast and lunch as well as a number of prepared foods — and ice cream. The bakery serves up pies, cupcakes, brownies, turnovers, croissants, scones, muffins, breads, and much more. The facility handles private functions, porch parties, and catering. Meanwhile, visitors can buy Barstow’s beef — everything from tenderloin steaks to ground beef — on site. There’s even a drive-thru for those who want or need to grab and go.

The facility draws visitors from around the corner, but also from across the state and beyond, said Barstow Manz, adding that it has become a real destination and a way to take the Barstow name and products well beyond Hadley.

“Most of our regulars are from Hadley and South Hadley,” she explained. “But we have people who come to us from Eastern Mass. because they love our beef, and from the Berkshires because they love our pies; we draw from all over.

Shannon Barstow does most of the baking at the dairy store and bakery, which opened in 2008.

“We opened this place to save the family farm, and it’s had so many other amazing qualities to it that we didn’t really expect,” she told BusinessWest. “It’s become this time capsule for all these family recipes — most of the stuff that’s in the dairy case is Grandma [Marjorie] Barstow’s recipes. And it’s also a neighborhood gathering space — it’s a space where people can work close to home and also be part of a family farm and a local economy on a small scale.”

Indeed, the dairy story and bakery now employs 15 people and has provided many area young people with their first jobs.

The anaerobic-digestion system, launched at a cost of roughly $6 million, is not a supplier of jobs, but it is, as noted earlier, a supplier of electricity, heat, fertilizer — and also pride for a family that has, through its long history, been innovative.

The conversations about installing such a facility began around the same time the family was opening the dairy store and bakery, she said, adding that the system is another important step toward diversification.

Explaining how it works, she said the system takes the energy potential (methane) out of cow manure and food waste and converts it into enough electricity to power 1,600 homes. The food waste comes from local food producers, including Cabot/Agri-Mark, Whole Foods, the Coca-Cola plant in Northampton, and local restaurants.

The food waste and cow manure, both treated and in liquid form, are put into the digester, which Barstow Manz equated to a large stomach, with the gas from the ‘digestion’ process rising to the top of the nine-story facility. That collected gas combusts in an engine and turns a generator, thus creating electricity.

Heat, one of the byproducts of this process, is used to heat that system, provide hot water in the barns, and heat the eight homes on the property, she went on.

“It’s pretty cool that the system has lessened our reliance on fossil fuels as a business, but also on a personal level in our own homes — we don’t have to pay for oil anymore,” she noted. “We’re also getting a chemical-free fertilizer; that’s because most of what we put in we get back; we just need the gas.”

Like the dairy store and bakery, the AD, the second such system in the state and one of the first in the nation, is a reliable revenue stream at a time when such sources of income are needed in the wake of those razor-thin margins in dairy farming, she said, adding that it became reality through partnerships, such as the one with Vanguard Renewables, and grants from several entities, including the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the Center for EcoTechnology, and other entities.

A Butter Alternative

Looking ahead, Barstow Manz said she and others working at the farm have a simple mission — to live up to their motto and continue looking forward.

“We’re always trying to be mindful and committed to what’s going to be best for our herd, and also for our land, our workforce, our community, and our food system,” she said. “Among the dairy farms I’m aware of, we’re been pretty open to accepting new technology and trying new things. We’re always reading and learning and talking to our vets and to our soil agronomists about what we can be doing better.

“I also think it’s cool that the sixth generation has always been focused on the seventh,” she went on, “and the four of us that work here are constantly thinking about what we’re going to leave our kids — what’s in it for the eighth generation.”

If history is any guide, it will be something that can grow and thrive and be sustainable — in every way imaginable.

Yes, You Can Fire That Guy!

By Contributor January 5, 2023

Law Special Coverage

Processes, Procedures, Practices, and Protocols Are Kings

By Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle, Esq.

In this new, enlightened era of increased employee rights and employee shortages, many employers are scared to terminate employees in fear of litigation — or of not having enough staff to enable the company to produce at the desired level.

The second question we can save for later, but I will mention now that additional widgets will most likely never justify the havoc that a toxic employee will create.

In my opinion, the answer to the first question is simple: do not fear what you cannot control. You cannot control who goes down to the courthouse to file a complaint. Just be prepared for the battle. So, yes, you can fire that guy (or girl, or them). The question is, should you?

Don’t Shoot Before Aiming — Consider Your Goal First

Don’t respond emotionally or consider someone else’s emotional response. Stop and think. Ask, why is this employee on the chopping block (i.e., what did they allegedly do)? How did they get there (was the proper process followed)? Who placed them there (who is bringing this up? Does the person have the authority to raise this issue? Anything nefarious here)?

Notice that I did not ask ‘who’ this employee is. We don’t assess the ‘who’ on the chopping block. It doesn’t matter who did it. It matters what was done, why it was done, whether it was actually done, and whether it rises to the level of termination.

Essentially, assess the conduct. What do you hope to attain by terminating this employee? A safer workplace? Good. To stop disruptions in operations or the beginnings of a hostile work environment? Good. Now prove it.

Prove It (in Preparation for the Battle)

If you can’t prove it, abort the mission. Go back to the drawing board. Go to plan B. Joking aside, preparing for appropriate employee terminations is a long game. It starts with consistent application of procedures, processes, policies, and practices. Probably the most important thing is documentation.

Consistent application of the ‘four Ps’ over time may take an investment of time and money into creating them if you don’t already have them, and training managers and supervisors in the art of holding employees accountable.

“Preparing for appropriate employee terminations is a long game. It starts with consistent application of procedures, processes, policies, and practices. Probably the most important thing is documentation.”

Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle

Among other things, there should be consistent application of all conduct and performance-related policies. There should be consistent application of all of the policies, procedures, and practices associated with managing human-resources functions such as leaves of absence and request for accommodations, as well as employee complaints made and investigated.

All of these should contain a component that enables tracking the underlying data and providing the ability to obtain and distribute the underlying information that supports assertions made. So you want to terminate an employee because he has been to work only seven out of 19 days, and on the seventh day he violated a safety policy and then stole your candy bar? You should be able to show documentation of these occurrences that were created in real time — including, of course, when the company had the initial conversation with him for being absent the first few times, checking to make sure it wasn’t actually a protected leave of absence.

Once you have the documentation, sit him down and tell him that he is being terminated from the job because of his inability to perform and because of his violation of the attendance policy. Have a witness. If you don’t have the documentation, sit him down, put him on notice that he is in the line of fire, and start documenting. Provide him with expectations, and then document it thereafter. Most likely, this will just delay the inevitable, but you never know. Regardless, at least you will have something to take with you into battle.

Make the Business Decision Informed by the Data, and Document It

Please know, you can terminate an employee for any reason at any time so long as it is not an illegal reason. That means you cannot terminate because of an employee’s protected status or activity or in a manner inconsistent with a collective bargaining agreement or other employment agreement.

As such, if you want to terminate a person for business reasons that have nothing to do with the person and everything to do with your business needs, that is OK too. But you should prove it. Do you have the data to back up your decision? You don’t have to have it, but if that person files a complaint, you will want it, and you will want to be able to attest that the business analysis was done prior to the termination. Otherwise, they will scream ‘pretext,’ meaning you just made that up. Plus, doing the analysis first may help you assess the risks of terminating an employee for business reasons.

There are always risks. Is it cheaper to keep him after assessing those risks, or not? That is a legitimate fiscal business concern. There are risks associated with not terminating employees as well. Be sure to document those, too — not just in the business case (e.g., budget concerns), but also in the ‘do I have enough to terminate this employee for conduct?’ case. Some examples: if I don’t terminate, there will be allegations that I did not maintain a harassment-free workplace; or, I terminated another employee for this same behavior last year, and there is no legitimate reason distinguishing this employee from being terminated for the same; or, he keeps violating safety procedures, and someone may get hurt.

Terminate with Grace and Pay What You Owe

Be respectful to all employees, including those who are coming and going. He knows what he did to get terminated (if you have done it right). There is no legitimate reason to be rude about it.

Terminating with dignity or grace does not mean that you should not terminate an employee. Once an employee gets to termination, he should have already had an opportunity to cure the conduct or behavior for which he is getting terminated. As such, by the time the writing is on the wall, he should not be surprised. If he is, that might partly explain why he is getting terminated.

Next, make sure you reach out to your employment counsel for assistance with properly preparing a termination package (necessary correspondence, pay requirements, and timing considerations). A misstep here can get you in hot water — triple hot water. Failure to pay an employee what is due at termination has no defense, and the remedy to the employee includes three times the wages due. Call your counsel before terminating.

I know this article is not going to make me popular among some folks. I am not trying to be cold. I am just being practical. Your employees are your life force. I get it. I am one. But they are also human capital. If you manage your human capital like you manage your non-human capital, then you should be able to terminate employees without fear.

Processes, procedures, practices, and protocols are kings. Remember, keeping a toxic employee is more costly, in a variety of ways, than the cost of defending a claim — that is, if you have your ducks in a row. So get your ducks in a row. Plus, the remainder of your staff will appreciate the decision. Heck, the terminated employee may appreciate it in time; sometimes it just isn’t a good fit. Cut them free to find their better role. In the case of the business decision, your shareholders or business partners will appreciate your fiscal responsibility.

Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle, Esq. is chief legal and administrative officer for the Royal Law Firm; (413) 586-2281.

Doctors Urge Caution in a Season of Flu, RSV, and COVID

By Joseph Bednar January 5, 2023

Riding Out a ‘Tripledemic’

Two years ago, flu took a vacation.

Dr. Mark Kenton remembers those days — but they were no vacation for emergency doctors, who had dealt with almost a year of COVID-19 and the hospitalizations and deaths that it caused, with vaccines just beginning to emerge.

But influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV? There was almost none to be found, mainly because masking and isolating had become the norm, cutting off the potential for spreading these common viruses.

“With COVID, we had people masking, home from school, and we had no flu; there was no RSV,” said Kenton, chief of Emergency Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. “In fact, Mercy didn’t have one ICU case of flu. Then, when we started to normalize, these viruses made their way back.”

So much that the prevalence of flu and RSV this year, combined with a still-lingering COVID threat — albeit one that has been muted by vaccinations — has combined for what has been called a ‘tripledemic’ this winter.

“It seems like the RSV population this year is much larger than in the past, which complicates things,” Kenton said. “We’re definitely seeing a lot of influenza, even in patients who have been vaccinated, and we’ve actually been seeing a lot of pneumonia. There are a lot of respiratory complaints this time of year, because it spreads through schools with kids at the end of the term, and parents may not want to keep the kids home.”

Because COVID still has a presence, he explained, when somebody comes in with a respiratory complaint, they’re tested for that as well as for influenza and RSV, a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can be more severe in certain patients.

“With COVID, we had people masking, home from school, and we had no flu; there was no RSV. Then, when we started to normalize, these viruses made their way back.”

Dr. Mark Kenton

“We were seeing a lot of RSV a few weeks ago, but it seems that may be tapering off now,” Kenton added, noting that Mercy has seen both children and adults with RSV, a condition that can be especially precarious for infants. “We worry about them getting RSV; a lot of local hospitals have been inundated with pediatric RSV.”

Indeed, RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia in children under age 1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 58,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized each year with the infection. Most infants are infected before age 1, and virtually all children have had an RSV infection by age 2. RSV can also affect older children, teenagers and adults.

Spiros Hatiras says he’s not sure who came up with that phrase ‘tripledemic.’ He’s quite sure, though, it wasn’t someone in healthcare.

“It had to be someone in the media — they’re the ones who like to attach names to things like this,” said Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center.

But it’s as good a term as any to describe a convergence of COVID, flu, and RSV. In some parts of the country, this convergence is filling hospitals and putting additional strain on staffs already taxed by shortages of nurses and other healthcare professionals. But Hatiras told BusinessWest he hasn’t really seen much of any of the above at his hospital — from the individual ailments to the additional strain on people and resources.

Indeed, he reported very few, if any, COVID cases, noting that there isn’t anyone in his hospital solely because of COVID, though some are there for another reason and test positive for COVID. Meanwhile, he reports few cases of RSV, and flu numbers that are similar to previous years and nothing out of the ordinary.

The Emergency Department is crowded, he acknowledged, but not because of this tripledemic; rather, it’s because fewer staff members — a result of the ongoing workforce crisis, especially in healthcare — are tending to what would be considered a normal amount of patients.

“Because there were so few cases of RSV in the first two years of the pandemic, most infants and toddlers did not get the natural immunity that their body would have produced if they had natural illness. That left a larger number of children more vulnerable to getting RSV illness, which is what we are seeing now in the community.”

Dr. John O’Reilly

Kenton has observed the same phenomenon in the workforce. “So many nurses in this profession are either retired or gone on to something else,” he said. “This is everywhere, across the board. Every hospital is dealing with staffing issues. Even with [patient] volumes overall being down, when you get the tripledemic, it’s become a significant strain on resources within the hospital.”

What Is RSV?

Flu is a common term, and most people are now well-versed in COVID, but not everyone knows what RSV is, and how it deviates from other respiratory ailments.

While RSV results in mild, cold-like symptoms for most — a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and fever — for some, especially infants and older adults, it can lead to serious illness, though only a small percentage of young patients develop severe disease and require hospitalization, said Dr. John O’Reilly, chief of General Pediatrics at Baystate Children’s Hospital.

“Those hospitalized often have severe breathing problems or are seriously dehydrated and need IV fluids. In most cases, hospitalization only lasts a few days, and complete recovery usually occurs in about one to two weeks,” he explained.

Those who have a higher risk for severe illness caused by RSV include premature babies, very young infants, children younger than age 2 with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease, children with weakened immune systems, and children who have neuromuscular disorders. Other at-risk groups include adults age 65 and older, 177,000 of whom are hospitalized and 14,000 of whom die from RSV each year in the U.S.; people with chronic lung disease or certain heart problems; and people with weakened immune systems, such as from HIV infection, organ transplants, or certain medical treatments, like chemotherapy.

The COVID pandemic has had a big impact on the normal pediatric respiratory illness cycles, O’Reilly noted. “Early in the pandemic, masking and social distancing helped to limit the spread of respiratory viruses such as RSV. Because there were so few cases of RSV in the first two years of the pandemic, most infants and toddlers did not get the natural immunity that their body would have produced if they had natural illness. That left a larger number of children more vulnerable to getting RSV illness, which is what we are seeing now in the community.”

There is no vaccine yet to prevent RSV infection, but there is a medication, called palivzumab, that can help protect some babies at high risk for severe RSV disease, O’Reilly noted. Healthcare providers usually administer it to premature infants and young children with certain heart and lung conditions as a series of monthly shots during RSV season.

“Don’t go out or attend gatherings if you are sick. Take COVID-19 tests if you think you have COVID-19 symptoms. Frequent hand washing can also help prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds and consider carrying a hand sanitizer with you at all times. Open windows for ventilation. Practice proper cough etiquette. And, because there is more sickness at this time of year, refrain from sharing utensils or drinking cups.”

The severity of symptoms can vary depending on the age of the child and whether he or she has any chronic medical problems, such as asthma or premature birth. Bacterial infections such as ear infections and pneumonia may develop in children with RSV infection.

At first, it’s all about symptom management for young children with RSV, O’Reilly said, including keeping the child hydrated and the fever under control. “If a child is having high fevers without relief for multiple days, or increased difficulty with breathing, such as wheezing, grunting, or ongoing flaring of the nostrils is observed along with a child’s runny nose and cough, then a call to your pediatrician is warranted.”

Part of the reason why RSV is a common virus in children is the fact that it can be easily transmitted. It can spread directly from person to person — when an infected person coughs or sneezes, sending virus-containing droplets into the air, where they can infect a person who inhales them, as well as by hand-to-nose, hand-to-mouth, and hand-to-eye contact. The virus can be spread indirectly when someone touches any object infected with the virus, such as toys, countertops, doorknobs, or pens, and can live on environmental surfaces for several hours.

The CDC’s advice on limiting the spread is the same as any virus-prevention measure: covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, washing hands often with soap and water, avoiding touching one’s face, disinfecting surfaces, staying home when sick, and avoiding close contact with sick people, as well as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and utensils with others.

“The good news,” O’Reilly said, “is that most infants and children overcome RSV infections without any long-term complications, as RSV infections can often be relatively asymptomatic and even go unnoticed.”

Safety First

After almost three years of COVID, it’s easy to push those common-sense cautions aside, but that would be a mistake, said Dr. Vincent Meoli, Massachusetts regional medical director at American Family Care, which operates urgent-care clinics in Springfield and West Springfield.

“We know there is a significant amount of COVID fatigue as we enter our third year of the pandemic, but vigilance is still important, both to protect those most at risk of developing complications and to minimize the impact on our healthcare system,” he said, noting that area hospitals saw high rates of RSV admissions early in the season.

“We saw a tremendous reduction in flu cases during the height of the pandemic because people were wearing masks and isolating,” Meoli said. “Now that society has opened up again and masks are no longer required in most places, we anticipate the number of flu cases to increase.”

Kenton emphasized that, while flu and RSV might be more prevalent now, COVID hasn’t gone away. According to the CDC, about 350 people in the U.S. still die every day from COVID, and about six out of every seven of those are unvaccinated.

“I always say, vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate. It’s been proven that, with vaccination from COVID, you’re still able to get COVID, but you’re less likely to die,” he told BusinessWest. “Are you going to feel sick? Yes, absolutely. But you’re less likely to be hospitalized and die from it. It’s still present, unfortunately. I think it’s always going to remain present for us in combination with the flu and RSV. So definitely get the flu vaccine every year, too.”

Dr. Armando Paez, chief of the Infectious Disease Division at Baystate Health, said vaccination is a must, but it’s important to maintain other precautions as well during the tripledemic.

“Don’t go out or attend gatherings if you are sick. Take COVID-19 tests if you think you have COVID-19 symptoms,” Paez said, adding that, during the holiday season and after, people are traveling and potentially spreading viruses. “Frequent hand washing can also help prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds and consider carrying a hand sanitizer with you at all times. Open windows for ventilation. Practice proper cough etiquette. And, because there is more sickness at this time of year, refrain from sharing utensils or drinking cups.”

Kenton said there’s nothing wrong with turning down an invitation to a gathering where people are sick — or if there’s a possibility of introducing sickness into that house. “If someone in your house is sick, don’t go to someone else’s house, especially if they have co-morbidity conditions; getting RSV on top of that can cause them to end up hospitalized or potentially die.”

He also reminds people that COVID has an asymptomatic period between infection and symptoms, so if someone in a household tests positive, not only should the infected individual isolate, but it’s a good idea for others in the house to avoid gatherings for a few days until they know they’re negative, to avoid spreading the virus to someone else.

Meoli noted that, for those who do plan to attend gatherings — especially with people at high risk for COVID, like the elderly, children, or people who are immunocompromised — testing for COVID the day before or the day of the gathering can provide some extra reassurance.

“Talk to a healthcare provider if you have any concerns about vaccines, symptoms, or testing,” he added. “COVID-19, flu, and RSV all have the potential for complications, hospitalization, or death.”

It’s certainly a triple threat, area doctors say, but taking simple precautions can help keep families safe and patients out of the hospital — or worse.

Economy Shows Progress, but Workforce Remains a Challenge

By George O'Brien January 5, 2023

Economic Outlook

Reasons for Optimism — and Concern

Chris Geehern says there’s been a slight but significant uptick in the Business Confidence Index issued each month by Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM).

That increase is one of the many reasons why he and others are … wait for it … cautiously optimistic as the calendar turns to 2023. That phrase has been put to heavy use in recent years and recent months, especially with so much uncertainty regarding the economy due to forces ranging from COVID to inflation to an ongoing workforce crisis.

“If the workforce grows 1.5% and the number of jobs grows by 21% or 22%, as they’re projecting, we have a problem — a big problem.”

Chris Geehern

But as the state and region put 2022 in the rear view and focus on a year with even more uncertainty, there are some reasons for optimism, said Geehern, executive vice president of AIM, and that is reflected in the numbers he’s seeing.

“Our members seem pretty confident about the prospects for their own companies,” he said. “And they are reasonably confident about the state and national economies. There are certainly lingering concerns about interest rates and about whether there will be a soft landing or not. But, by and large, we’re finding that Massachusetts companies are resilient, and they seem to be navigating this kind of economic cycle pretty well right now.”

Elaborating, he said unemployment remains comparatively low, and the state’s economy grew in the third quarter, albeit slowly, after two quarters of negative growth — another positive sign. “So, by and large, employers don’t seem to be deeply concerned by the short-term economic cycle.”

Bob Nakosteen, a semi-retired Economics professor at UMass Amherst, agreed. He told BusinessWest that, in addition to growing optimism, inflation is starting to cool, a sign that the Fed’s decision to aggressively raise interest rates may — that’s may — be working. It could also be a harbinger of lower rate hikes in the future, which would certainly help business owners and consumers alike.

“And I think inflation is already a lot lower than is being reported,” said Nakosteen. “The month-to-month figures are pretty low … I think inflation is going to drop, maybe not dramatically, but considerably in the next few reporting periods.”

Elaborating, he said ‘dramatically’ would be a drop to the 2% target set by the Fed (at its height, inflation was closer to 8%), while ‘considerably’ would be to the 3% to 4% range, which is what he expects.

“And if that’s the case, then the Fed is going to ease off on interest rates,” he said, adding that such actions should bolster the stock market and the economy as a whole as the dramatic increases in the cost of borrowing start to ease.

Meanwhile, there are other signs that the picture is improving and the odds for recession in 2023 are moving lower, said Nakosteen, adding that the labor market remains quite strong, and the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s projections for GDP in the fourth quarter are for 3.2% growth — this on top of what has been a strong Christmas season for retailers.

“The signals just aren’t there for a serious recession — or even for a recession at all.”

Bob Nakosteen

“I think that economic growth is going to slow down, and if we do get into a recession, it will be a mild one,” he said, adding quickly that his track record with projections is decent but not spectacular. “What continues to amaze me is the strength of the labor market; unemployment is still at or just over 3% both nationally and in this state, and in Western Mass. as well. “The signals just aren’t there for a serious recession — or even for a recession at all.”

But while there is cause for some optimism, there are many concerns as well, especially when it comes to the workforce.

Indeed, in 2022, it became obvious to most in business that the problems seen in 2021 when it came to companies being able to fill positions with qualified help were certainly not temporary in nature. They persisted into 2022, and in some cases were exacerbated.

Now, there is what Geehern, summing up the thoughts of AIM’s members, called “deep concern” about what has become a workforce crisis in this state.

“‘I can’t find the people I need to make my business grow’ has become part of the vernacular in this state,” he said, noting that, as part of the Business Confidence Index survey, AIM asks an open-ended question, along the lines of ‘what are you worried about?’

And, increasingly, owners of businesses large and small are worried about workforce.

“I would say that 75% to 80% of the responses to that question every month have to do with talent acquisition, talent retention, and the availability of workers,” he said. “And the concern is that this isn’t the function of an economic cycle; it’s really a deep, structural inflection point for the Massachusetts economy.”

As he explained why, Geehern cited some rather alarming statistics from the Massachusetts Department of Economic Research, which projects that the number of jobs in Massachusetts will grow by 22% between now and 2030. Meanwhile, projections from various economists indicate that the state’s workforce will grow 1.5% by 2030.

“If the workforce grows 1.5% and the number of jobs grows by 21% or 22%, as they’re projecting, we have a problem — a big problem,” Geehern said. “This was going on anyway — it’s partially a function of demographics — but it’s been exacerbated by the newfound independence that remote work has given to employees.”

Given this unsettling math, Geerhern said there are things the state and individual employers must do to make themselves more attractive — not just to businesses, but to workers on all levels.

“Traditionally, we’ve focused on what creates the environment where businesses can start and grow in Massachusetts, and we’re still committed to that,” he said. “But at the same time, we also recognize that you have to create a quality of life that makes people — workers — want to live here in Massachusetts. And that means looking at the cost of living.

“Massachusetts ranks number one in terms of childcare costs, we have the second-highest housing costs, and the fourth-worst traffic congestion — I don’t know how they measure that, but they do,” he went on. “What we’re looking at is a significant outmigration of people from Massachusetts to other areas of the country; a Massachusetts Taxpayers Association report showed that, over the past three decades, there’s been an outmigration of 750,000 people from Massachusetts, and that trend has actually accelerated post-pandemic.”

In some cases, people are leaving the state for lower-cost areas, but keeping their jobs here, a byproduct of the remote-work phenomenon. Moving forward, Geehern said in conclusion, the state has to make itself an attractive place to do business and to live and work — because failure to do so will worsen an already-difficult situation and made it even harder for business owners to sleep at night.

EDC Leaders See Need to Market the Region, Leverage Its Assets

By George O'Brien January 5, 2023

Economic Outlook

Selling Points

As he surveys the scene in Western Mass., especially the ongoing focus on encouraging entrepreneurship and helping startups get to the next level, Charlie D’Amour says he can see some parallels to when his father, Gerry, and uncle, Paul, were getting started in Chicopee nearly 80 years ago with a venture that would eventually become known as Big Y.

But this current surge in entrepreneurship is different in some respects from than the one in the mid-’30s, he told BusinessWest, adding that it is deeper and more diverse. And it holds enormous promise for the future of the region in terms of job creation and the vibrancy of individual communities.

“I continue to be impressed by the fact that we have a diverse and growing class of new entrepreneurs,” D’Amour noted. “Through the commitment of the EDC, the commitment of other organizations, and the commitment of anchor institutions in the area, if we can continue to grow, develop, nurture, and encourage these entrepreneurs, it’s only going to put us in a great position.

“That’s part of what gives me some optimism for the economy of our region — to see this growth in entrepreneurship,” he went on. “This is an interesting group of young entrepreneurs, and it’s a diverse group, and that speaks to where our future is going to be.”

Entrepreneurship and the prospects for more of it comprise one of many subjects touched on by D’Amour and other representatives of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) during a wide-ranging discussion of the issues facing the region as the calendar turns to 2023.

“I continue to be impressed by the fact that we have a diverse and growing class of new entrepreneurs. Through the commitment of the EDC, the commitment of other organizations, and the commitment of anchor institutions in the area, if we can continue to grow, develop, nurture, and encourage these entrepreneurs, it’s only going to put us in a great position.”

Charlie D’Amour

D’Amour is a long-time member of the EDC and member of its executive committee. Others joining the discussion were Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the EDC; Tricia Canavan, CEO of Tech Foundry and current EDC board chair, and relatively new board member Cesar Ruiz, president and CEO of Golden Years Home Care Services.

Together, they addressed subjects ranging from workforce issues to marketing of the region to the prospects for bringing more jobs to the area.

Overall, as the new year begins, those we spoke with are optimistic about the region and its fortunes, but there are reasons for concern, especially when it comes to workforce (more on that later), an issue touched on by many in this special Economic Outlook section.

“I’ve seen some real opportunities with some investments that I do believe will be coming with the new governor’s administration in terms of broadband and internet access,” Sullivan said. “There is a digital divide, in our urban communities but also in our rural communities, and I think there’s a real opportunity there with a significant investment by the state and federal government to make those final connections and finally bring high-speed broadband to people’s homes and businesses; that’s a real opportunity for us.

“And I also some see some significant investment in the field of cybersecurity, which is an industry that, unfortunately, is probably here for the long run, and we need to be doing a lot of work every single day to stay ahead of the bad guys,” he went on. “With Springfield already being designated as one of the centers of the statewide system … that’s a real opportunity for us in terms of both workforce and working with our municipalities and particularly with our higher-ed institutions, so I’m very optimistic about the opportunities that are going to present themselves for this region in 2023.”

D’Amour agreed.

“The good news is that the economy of Western Massachusetts, with its diversity and whatnot, has proven to be somewhat resilient, from what I’ve seen,” he noted. “Though I anticipate a downturn in the economy, a slowing of the economy, I do expect that we’ll be able to weather it fairly well.”

“We’re all experiencing challenges in hiring — we can’t hire fast enough; we can’t hire quality enough within our workforce. Hiring is certainly going to be a barometer for how successful we’re going to be with expanding our business.”

Cesar Ruiz

Canavan concurred, noting that the many lessons learned during the pandemic will serve to make the region’s economy and individual businesses stronger and more resilient.

“The silver lining of the pandemic has been some lessons learned,” she said. “I’ve seen people start to integrate these lessons into their businesses and organizations and into their collaboration in the community. I’m really excited about progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; digital equity and access; and additional community alignment. I think we’ve learned the importance of working together. I’m optimistic about Western Mass. — we are going to be resilient, and we’re going to recover from the pandemic, even if there are some additional bumps coming our way.”

Working Things Out

One of those bumps is likely to be a continuation of very challenging times when it comes to workforce and companies attracting — and then retaining — the talent they need to grow and prosper. Those we spoke with said this is easily the biggest challenge moving forward and perhaps the most difficult problem to solve.

Ruiz, whose industry, home care, has been particularly hard hit by the workforce crisis, said workforce issues are more than an annoyance — they are hindering the growth and progress of companies, including his own.

“In Massachusetts, we have roughly two open jobs for every candidate that’s in the market. This is a great time for people who may not have been able to access those jobs previously to get training, to get education, and to seize those opportunities.”

Tricia Canavan

“We’re all experiencing challenges in hiring — we can’t hire fast enough; we can’t hire quality enough within our workforce,” he noted. “Hiring is certainly going to be a barometer for how successful we’re going to be with expanding our business.”

He said individual sectors and specific businesses are, out of necessity, forced to be creative when it comes to putting more talent into the pipeline. Golden Years, for example, is collaborating with area colleges to help ready them for careers in healthcare.

Still, the problem is acute, and he’s talking with U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and others about ways to bring more people from other parts of the world into this country to work.

“Using foreign workers is nothing new — our resort areas bring them in by the hundreds,” Ruiz noted. “They come here for a six-month period, and there are certain obligations as an employer that we have to meet to tap that source. But we have to come with creative ways to tap these resources.”

Canavan concurred, and noted that the current workforce challenge presents a huge opportunity to engage those who are currently not engaged in education or work.

“That’s one of the big opportunities for us at this moment in time,” she said. “In Massachusetts, we have roughly two open jobs for every candidate that’s in the market. This is a great time for people who may not have been able to access those jobs previously to get training, to get education, and to seize those opportunities.”

“Our population has basically been flat, and in some areas, it’s declining. If we’re going to be vibrant, there has to be some growth; you need to grow to survive.”

Rick Sullivan

D’Amour agreed, and said his company has been creative and also diligent in addressing the problem.

“Our staffing has improved — it’s much better than it was a year ago or a year and a half ago,” he noted. “But part of it is because we worked at it — we’ve addressed it proactively. We didn’t just put a sign in the window saying ‘now hiring.’ We’ve been a little bit more deliberate, a little bit more strategic, and a little bit more focused about it, and those are the kinds of things that we’re going to need moving forward.”

Elaborating, he said workforce issues require both creativity and a lengthy time horizon, meaning measures that will fill the pipeline with workers for the long term. And the focus needs to be on education.

“From early education to higher education, we need to make sure that we’re bringing our kids and our young people along so that they can be the workforce of the future,” he told BusinessWest. “If we don’t have that, we can’t do a lot of the things that we aspire to. We need to reach into these various communities and make sure that young people have the skills they’re going to need to be successful; that’s where our workforce is going to come from, and those are the kinds of things we have to do.

“I know that’s an area of focus for the EDC, and I know it’s an area of focus for the anchor institutions and many individual companies,” he went on. “We’re not going to get there in a year, but we need to start now; it’s probably a little bit overdue.”

Being Positive

As noted earlier, those we spoke with could find plenty of reasons for optimism concerning 2023 and beyond in this region. Collectively, they mentioned everything from the Victory Theatre project in Holyoke (Ruiz is among the many involved in that effort) to the growing number, and diversity, of new businesses being started in this region, especially within the Hispanic and African-American communities; from the strong education and healthcare sectors to the quality of life here and the opportunities presented by remote work for people to live in this region and work wherever they desire.

Meanwhile, those we spoke with said there are real opportunities to grow certain business sectors in this region — from cybersecurity to clean energy to water technology — with the area’s higher-education institutions taking lead roles in each one.

Sullivan said another often-overlooked or forgotten sector showing promise is manufacturing, what he called the “invisible backbone” of the region’s economy.

“Most of our manufacturers were classified as essential employers during the pandemic, so they were able to continue operating,” he noted. “They proved to be really flexible and able to pivot, in some cases even manufacturing PPE and other products that were not part of their portfolio before COVID. That flexibility, if you will, served them well, and now they’re well-poised for growth, and you’re starting to see them make significant investments.

“Whether it’s Advance Manufacturing, Boulevard Machine, or Advance Welding in Springfield, they’re making investment in their own facilities and their own people, and they’re creating jobs — and jobs that will exist well into the future because of the work they’re doing and the contractors that they have, whether it’s the Department of Defense or the Department of Transportation or healthcare,” he went on. “And these manufacturers have recognized that, while this region may not be the cheapest in terms of power or the cheapest in terms of taxation, we are the best when it comes to workforce.”

D’Amour agreed, and said another aspect of the local economy that is often overlooked is agriculture.

“We’re the garden of New England here in Connecticut River Valley, and there are a lot of young farmers in this region that are doing great stuff,” he said. “Agriculture and food products are an important part of our economy, and it adds to the diversity of the economy in our region. Having fields and orchards is also why many people like to live here; it leads to the whole genus of our community and what makes Western Mass. so special.”

Another priority for the region, Sullivan said, is to better leverage its many assets in higher education.

“Many of the other parts of the country, and even the eastern end of this state, really market the presence of higher ed,” he said. “And we have world-class institutions here; whether it’s the flagship campus for UMass or Smith or Mount Holyoke or Bay Path, the cohort of higher education we have here is really significant. And when we talk about workforce, the students that are sitting in the classrooms at the Elms and AIC and the other institutions are the workforce that everyone is looking for, and I really believe that economic vitality and higher ed are entwined tighter than they ever have been before.”

Work to Be Done

While there are reasons for optimism, there are also some concerns and priorities for the months and years to come, said those we spoke with.

Sullivan noted, for example, that the region — known in the banking sector and many others as a ‘no-growth’ area — certainly needs a growth strategy.

“Our population has basically been flat, and in some areas, it’s declining,” he told BusinessWest. “If we’re going to be vibrant, there has to be some growth; you need to grow to survive. We can absolutely sell our cost of living and quality of life here, but we need to have the housing for people to move into, and they need to be able to work from home or do their coursework from home, which means, again, that we have to make that investment in broadband and the internet across our region so we can take advantage of that opportunity.

“When people discuss work/life balance and what they want for their families, this lands in a sweet spot for us,” he went on. “That’s who we are; we can sell work/life balance and quality of life, as long as we have all the components. They’re not all going to happen in a month or a year, but there needs to a positive trajectory on all of those things.”

D’Amour agreed, noting that the region has a number of sellable assets, from location to transportation infrastructure to relatively inexpensive (and often green) power, as well as higher education. One priority moving forward is to more aggressively sell these assets and market the region.

“Our challenge has always been telling our story,” he said. “We have not participated as fully as we could have or should have in the economic boom that Eastern Mass. has had. How do we get some of the business community in Eastern Mass. to focus on us instead of going to Southern New Hampshire, or Rhode Island, or wherever?”

Canavan agreed. “We are, in some ways, our own worst enemy when it comes to not telling our story — or appreciating where we live,” she said. “And we do have a lot of assets here, starting with diversity; we’re very lucky to have people from all over the world here, people with different perspectives — that is a real asset. I also think we’re small enough to be agile and to pilot things … we’re like the scrappy player who can try new things, and that’s very exciting.”

Lastly, Sullivan said he is hopeful, and confident, that the state’s new governor, Maura Healey, will not just “talk about how we care about Western Mass.,” but make some significant investments in the region.

“And I think you’ll see them, whether it’s vocational education or community colleges, or broadband or cyber or clean energy,” he said. “I think that there’s an opportunity to make very strategic, intentional investments in Western Massachusetts that will allow it to grow.”

Roundtable Panelists Note Opportunities, Challenges for Year Ahead

Economic Outlook

Talking the Talk

As part of its annual Economic Outlook, BusinessWest put together a roundtable of area business leaders to discuss the issues facing the region and its business community and the outlook for the year ahead. The panel represents several sectors of the economy, and both small and large businesses. It includes: Harry Dumay, president of Elms College in Chicopee; John Falcone, director of Merchandising for Rocky’s Ace Hardware; Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center; Susan Kasa, president of Boulevard Machine in Westfield; Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle, an attorney with the Royal Law Firm and co-owner of Brew Practitioners; and Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank. They were candid and, overall, cautiously optimistic in their answers to a series of questions about the economy and what comes next.

Watch the video of the roundtable here:

BusinessWest: What is your outlook for 2023?

Kasa: “We’re excited for 2023; we’ve really seen an uptick in military and defense work, so we’re really excited about where our year is going to go.”

Senecal: “Increased business confidence is the biggest thing, I think, with all the negative press we hear on the economy. Increased confidence is big, and in my industry, and with the people we do business with, lower interest rates will have a significant, positive impact on our environment.”

Cannon-Eckerle: “We’re excited about some of the fallout that we got legally from COVID; it has started to settle down a little bit — we’re starting to see those issues become isolated, and opportunities for us to create some guidance and counsel about preventive measures. On the employment side, instead of seeing people float from job to job, I think we’re going to see a little more staying power.”

Susan Kasa says the war in Ukraine, while bringing hardship to many, has helped the fortunes of her company, Boulevard Machine, which specializes in work for the defense, military, and aviation industries.

Falcone: “We really track consumer sentiment, and what we’re expecting is a really soft Q1, but then when Q2, Q3, and Q4 hit, we’re expecting that consumer sentiment will increase slightly, and that we’re going to have some sort of recovery come the back half of the year.”

Hatiras: “With ARPA funds drying up, we’re going to have pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. So our emphasis is on closing the staffing gap. If we can do that, and not bleed money on the expense side, I think we’ll be OK; I think we’re poised to have a good year, as long as we’re able to attract nurses here.”

BusinessWest: What are the major challenges facing businesses in the year ahead?

Kasa: “For us, it’s the same old, same old — trying to get people into manufacturing. We’ve dealt with the generation gap for years, and are getting more involved with the vocational schools and getting parents to understand that manufacturing is a viable option for young people. It’s not just manufacturing; they can be their own entrepreneur in plumbing or electrical, whatever it might be. Also, holding onto folks; ever since COVID came through, it just seems harder and harder to find people who want to work, and want to work the extra hours that we’re giving them. Workforce is key for us — building on the workforce.”

Hatiras: “In healthcare, there is a great deal of concern, and the most concerning part is the continuing shortage of personnel, which has created this market for temporary staffing at rates that are truly outrageous. To put things in perspective, we have about 20 nurses on temporary staff that we get through agencies. Those 20 nurses, on an annual basis, cost us $5 million; each nurse costs us $250,000, because the rates are exorbitant — the nurses get a lot of money, but there’s also a middleman that makes untold amounts of money from this crisis.

“As a nation, the federal government is doing a lot of things — they did some things with railroad workers, they’re helping Ukraine, they’re talking about a lot of things. They should have stepped in and regulated this and said, ‘the pandemic created a tremendous amount of shortage; we cannot allow private companies to go out and profit from that shortage of staffing and bring hospitals to their knees.’ With all this, it’s going to be very difficult for hospitals to cope, and that’s why all our strategy centers around finding a way to attract nurses here.”

Falcone: “Number one would be interest rates; we keep seeing interest rates increase, and not increasing at a rate that we would expect compared to supply chain. The supply chain is still not fully intact, so we’re still struggling to find those products that we want to make strategic investments in. Also, the job market is going to be difficult for us, primarily on the service, retail, restaurant industry. We very much struggle with our workforce.”

Tom Senecal notes that the Fed’s actions to boost interest rates have not yielded much improvement on the inflation front, something to watch in 2023.

Senecal: “I would agree with Susan on the labor force. We’re all in different industries, but we’re seeing the same challenges, whether it’s manufacturing, skilled labor, retail labor, banking and financial services … COVID killed the participation rate of how people want to work or, quite frankly, don’t want to work. It seems like it’s across all industries — the participation is so low, and people just don’t want to work. That’s a huge challenge for next year.

“Another one is inflationary pressures; the Fed has raised rates at unheard-of levels, and it’s having very little impact, which is kind of scary. The last increase wasn’t as high as the others, but it’s still unprecedented. They used to be a quarter-point; three or four 75-basis-point raises is a shock to the system, and it’s not having the immediate impact you might think it would have. That’s going to be a challenge for a lot of business, as well as for us in the banking industry.”

Dumay: “In higher education, there are many challenges related to enrollment and finances; we’ve been talking for a while about what is known as the ‘demographic cliff,’ which is the fact that there are fewer high-school graduates, fewer 18-year-olds that are ready to enroll in college, and this has been exacerbated during the COVID years. This is creating enrollment challenges for all higher-ed institutions. On the finance side, everyone here has mentioned the challenge of inflation, as well as the tight workforce. Higher education is also challenged by the fact that some of the stimulus funding that has helped during COVID is no longer available. All of these are going to create challenges for the higher-ed sector in general, and Elms College in particular. But they also present opportunities.

BusinessWest: What are the forces that will determine what will happen with the local and national economies in 2023 and what we’re all talking about a year from now?

Kasa: “For us, what’s happening in the world politically and the war in Ukraine; we’re really seeing an increase in military spending and orders for the military and defense. That’s going to be very helpful for us, and I do see that continuing. There’s a tremendous amount of talk about upgrades to engines, the F-35 … and being in the aerospace alley and having so many of these large OEMs right in the corridor, in the Hartford area, is beneficial for us. I do foresee things continuing to move up and onward for us.”

Cannon-Eckerle: “One of the things bubbling up in the legal sphere is something they call ‘litigation investment,’ which is essentially large companies investing in litigation against larger corporations that normally they wouldn’t be able to afford. It’s like a venture-capital-like investment, and we’re starting to see large companies spread their wings. I think that might have an effect on litigation down the line.”

Harry Dumay says COVID provided many important lessons that are serving Elms College well as it moves on from the pandemic.

Dumay: “I think some of those challenges that I spoke about that are related to enrollment will lead to some of the forces and trends that will shape things in 2023. I expect institutions to tailor their pricing and courses accordingly; there is a trend in higher education to look for shorter types of certificates to help max the credentialing needs of the workforce. I expect we’ll see that. But also, the workforce issues are providing a lot of opportunities for institutions to partner with businesses to address some of these workforce issues, and I expect that we’ll see more collaborations and partnerships between higher-ed institutions and businesses to address some of these workforce challenges.”

Senecal: “I see two things. One is supply chain; I think the pressure seems to be coming off, and if that trend continues, that will have a really positive effect on the economy. Two, I think higher energy prices are not going to go away. With the war in Ukraine and Russian energy and what is being supplied to Europe and all … many people don’t think it impacts us. I think it will have a huge impact going into 2023. When you look at the supply of energy in Europe, they have enough to get through the winter to sustain themselves. What they don’t have is the ability to replenish those supplies by next winter, and I think Russia knows this, and I think their strategy is to put a huge amount of pressure on to get to next year, because when you get to next winter, there’s not going to be any energy-supply reserves, and that’s going to have a huge impact worldwide on energy supplies, and that trickles throughout the economy.”

Falcone: I very much agree with Tom. The overall political and economic environment created by that war has affected our business dramatically, whether it’s fuel costs, energy costs that directly impact the supply chain and lead to inflation, or interest rates, because the overall cost of carrying our inventory is higher, and the cost of the product we’re procuring is higher. So with that, our overall cost of business has increased.”

John Falcone says supply-chain issues have improved in recent months, one of many reasons for optimism heading into 2023.

Kasa: “I agree with John. In manufacturing, our supply chain has really been impacted by this war; we’re not able to get material as we did some time ago, and those costs continue to rise. Being in manufacturing, we’re held to long-term agreements, master agreements, and it just continually squeezes the small guy.”

BusinessWest: How has your business or institution coped with the recent workforce challenges? Do you have a success formula?

Senecal: “Before COVID hit, we would never let an employee work from home; from a security perspective, from a collaborative perspective, it just wouldn’t work. Two weeks into the pandemic, we had 80% of workforce working from home without a hitch. I still think the collaboration, or culture, side of it has to occur within the office, but we’ve pivoted from that perspective, and we’re pushing the ability to work from home a whole lot more.

“To tackle the workforce issue and spread our wings and look beyond Western Mass., we are advertising positions as ‘80% work from home,’ something you would have never thought of or heard of in years past. We have an employee now who works 100% out of Chicago. As a local community bank, we would have never considered that. It’s increased our ability to attract talent, and we’ve found some success, but I know it’s still going to be a challenge moving forward.”

Kasa: “We’re looking for exposure, and being in our bright new building certainly helps. So does using social media to attract young machinists; we’re using Instagram and Facebook … it really does work with the young people that follow you. And being a family-owned business also resonates with many people; there have been so many capital acquisitions in recent times in this area.

“We spend a lot of time talking to parents about manufacturing and the opportunities that are available to young people. Manufacturing is coming back, and now parents are realizing that not everyone is meant for a college degree, and they don’t have to spend $100,000 or $200,000 on education; they are coming into machining and electrical and plumbing. The parents are really starting to see us as a viable option.”

Dumay: “We’re paying a lot of attention to employee morale and employee satisfaction, and being flexible where we can. Part of the promise of Elms College as a small, liberal-arts institution is that students will be in contact with people and one another, so having a presence on campus is important. But we’re trying to work creatively to include flexibility for employees in terms of where they can work and the time they can work, to the extent that this can be done.”

Hatiras: “We’re doing OK because we had to respond to what was going on in the market by creating even more attractive reasons for coming here — we raised our rates, we’re enhancing benefits, and at the same time, we’re looking at economic assistance for the lower-earning employees. Where it’s more difficult is with the professionals, because the dollars are significantly more, so competing just on price is difficult. The key for success — what keeps people here and makes them come here — is the culture of the place, so we put a tremendous amount of effort in the 10 years I’ve been here on creating a good culture. Now, it’s become a differentiator, and we’re pushing it even more. We’re an employer that listens to employees, responds to their needs, and cares. That’s what people want.”

Spiros Hatiras says the “truly outrageous” cost of agency nurses is one of the many stern challenges facing all hospitals today.

Falcone: “We put a big focus on our company culture. Right in our strategic plan, it says ‘invest in people, personally grow, and have fun.’ There’s no doubt about it … the people we have are our biggest asset, so what we want to do is make sure that we’re taking care of them. In this ever-competitive job market, it’s really easy to jump jobs for an extra dollar or two an hour, but for us, we really want to focus on employee engagement and employee satisfaction.”

BusinessWest: Provide us with at least one, and maybe a few, reasons for optimism regarding the year ahead.

Falcone: “The supply chain is becoming more intact. Two years ago, our fill rates as a company were about 60%; December marked the first time our fill rates recently broke the 80% mark. They’re still not back to 2019 levels of roughly 90%, but it’s slowly getting better, and I think the numbers will continue to increase. For the consumer, it’s the availability of product at a reasonable price. Also, we’re starting to see a little bit of deflation … I think we’re still going to have inflation, but it is going to level off.”

Kasa: “The war, which is terrible for the world, and the politics going on are only going to make more work for us because we’re military and defense-heavy. Meanwhile, space is another huge one for us, because it’s been years since the U.S. has gone to space. And with all the competition going on for space travel now between Blue Origin, SpaceX, and others … it’s a a market the U.S. hasn’t been involved in for years, and it bodes well for us.”

Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle says many converging forces will bring change to the employment-law scene in 2023.

Cannon-Eckerle: “Now that COVID is a little bit behind us … we have some clarity. I think there was a period of time when employers, employees, people who don’t work, everyone in this world went through a period of time when they just didn’t know what the future would hold. Now, people can start making decisions and moving forward, in whatever direction that might be. Also, green technology. I think that technology is getting a huge boost, even moreso than it had before, and I think we’re going to start making some big strides in green technology, and I’m really excited about that.”

Hatiras: One of the good things for Holyoke, and this is one of the reasons I’m optimistic about our path here, is that we have this new waiver in Massachusetts, a five-year waiver with Medicare, which puts a lot of emphasis on safety-net hospitals. So, despite the many challenges I mentioned — and we’re going to have to meet those challenges — I think we’re going to be in a very good position to continue to provide the services we do now, and even better; it’s a good deal for Massachusetts and safety-net hospitals.”

Dumay: “We had a Christmas party at the college recently, and everyone was shaking hands — no one was fist-pumping, no one was six feet apart. It’s easy to forget where we were a year ago. I’m encouraged when I look at what happened during the past semester, when students were happy to be with one another; this is the generation where students finished their high school on Zoom and already had some difficulty with social skills. This ability to come back together … people are appreciating that.

“Another reason for optimism is that we learned a lot of lessons during COVID. We endured considerable hardships, but we also learned some valuable lessons as well. In higher education, for example, we learned about online learning and providing students with maximum flexibility. This is something we were forced into by COVID, but now, those lessons are settling down and providing both flexibility and efficiency in terms of teaching and learning. From a human-relations perspective, we’ve learned some lessons that are becoming part of our operations, and for the better.”

PeoplesBank Sets New $2.3 Million Record for 2022 Donations

HOLYOKE — For a second year in a row, PeoplesBank set a new annual record for donations to civic and charitable causes. The bank tallied $2.3 million in donations for 2022, which is $1 million dollars more than last year’s record. Since 2011, the bank has donated well over $13 million to area causes.

“Supporting the community is essentially what we were set up to do,” said Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank. “We are a mutual bank, chartered to serve our customers and the communities they live in. As a mutual bank, we do not have stockholders who would divert profits. Therefore, we are able to significantly support nonprofits and other community causes.”

As a large regional employer whose values include community service, Senecal added, PeoplesBank is able to increase its support to the community and social-service organizations through volunteerism. “We have a lot of talent in our organization, and because of that, we have a significant presence on area nonprofit boards of directors. We also look for opportunities to roll up our sleeves and serve, and we spend thousands of hours each year doing that.”

Kris Allard, vice president of Development and Communications at Square One, noted that “I can’t really point to anything Square One does that doesn’t have PeoplesBank’s stamp on it.”

Likewise, “over 15 years, I can’t think of a way that PeoplesBank has not been there for us,” said Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. of the Valley.

Collen Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize CDC, also underscored the bank’s volunteerism and impact. “PeoplesBank has been a tremendous sponsor over the course of these many years.”

More information on PeoplesBank Corporate Responsibility and how to apply for a donation can be found at bankatpeoples.com/community.

International Language Institute Awarded Five-year Grant for Free English Classes

NORTHAMPTON — In mid-December, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced the results of its competitive grant program to fund free English classes for immigrants and refugees across the state. The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI), located in Northampton, was on the list.

“We were thrilled to get the good news,” said Macey Faiella, director of ILI’s English programs. “The pandemic shed new light on the disparities that face immigrants and refugees, and we reassessed our program to include greatly expanded offerings. DESE responded positively — all to the benefit of the students.”

For 34 years, ILI has partnered with the state to provide free English classes in Western Mass. The new award extends the partnership for an additional five years and funds about two-thirds of the overall program. ILI is responsible for the remaining costs, raised primarily from individual donors and local businesses and foundations.

Tighe & Bond Acquires WorldTech Engineering

WESTFIELD — Tighe & Bond, a Northeast leader in engineering, design, and environmental consulting, announced it has acquired WorldTech Engineering, a full-service transportation and civil-engineering firm.

This strategic acquisition aligns with the firm’s vision of being a trusted advisor by offering clients a comprehensive, single-source solution to their engineering, design, and environmental-science needs. The addition of WorldTech’s staff bolsters Tighe & Bond’s transportation services across a complementary client base.

Tighe & Bond’s current offices in Eastern Mass. offices are now augmented by WorldTech’s Woburn office, bringing the total number of offices to 13 across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Maine.

“We believe this expanded transportation practice gives us additional opportunity to support our client base given current and forecasted needs for transportation-infrastructure improvements,” Tighe & Bond President and CEO Bob Belitz said. “WorldTech’s business model complements our existing capabilities and aligns with our client-focused approach. We welcome this talented team to our firm.”

Richard Benevento, WorldTech’s founder, added that “we recognized our two highly accomplished firms would be stronger together as we continue our mission to be a personal and committed transportation partner. We look forward to expanding our client base throughout the Northeast and providing new opportunities for our employees.”

Habitat for Humanity Accepting Applications for Homeownership Opportunity

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) is now accepting applications for a home in Hampden County. The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 30.

“We are excited to offer this opportunity, helping to make the dream of homeownership a reality for a deserving family in Hampden County,” GSHFH Executive Director Aimee Giroux said.

GSHFH is a housing ministry dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering low-income families to change their lives and the lives of future generations through homeownership and home-repair opportunities. This is accomplished by working in partnership with diverse people, from all walks of life, to build and repair simple, decent, affordable housing. Habitat’s mission to provide homeownership opportunities to low-income families is unique as it requires partner families to work alongside the community that is reaching out to help them. GSHFH has helped roughly 100 local families realize their dream of homeownership over the past 35 years.

For more information, contact Brandy O’Brien, Marketing and Communications manager, at [email protected] or (413) 739-5503, ext. 1003.

Cyber Center Brings Many Benefits

By Contributor January 4, 2023

Opinion

By Rick Sullivan

Over the past decade, the city of Springfield has made many advancements towards the goal of job formation and opportunity. We have continued the trend of job development, now with an added focus on technology. In an effort to bring the Pioneer Valley’s largest city into the forefront of the cyber realm, the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) has been facilitating the development of this industry over the years, which has successfully led to a new, on-the-ground investment project, now spearheaded by Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), with an emphasis on careers in technology.

Located at Union Station directly in downtown, this state-of-the-art technology center will offer education and hands-on job training to individuals looking to seek careers in the tech field. This initiative provides an opportunity to grow and develop a workforce that will ensure long-term job stability and meet the ever-growing cyber needs of community businesses.

Four components will drive this project and allow the community at large to not only benefit, but contribute to its success in meaningful ways:

• Educational offerings: Colleges and universities in the region such as STCC, Bay Path University, UMass Amherst, Western New England University, Elms College, and Springfield College will provide training opportunities to students, leading to jobs in the future.

• Municipality involvement: Technology experts are always in demand and rarely available within governmental sectors. This program will provide access to trained and skilled individuals, ready for hire.

• Military support: Westover and Barnes Air Force bases have already expressed interest in being able to train their workforce in the ever-growing field of technology. Both employers plan to support and hire from within the program.

• Small-business benefits: Manufacturing and other sectors are constantly seeking individuals with cyber certification. This new center will provide the much-needed resources to bring cutting-edge technologies to local businesses.

This project has significant state financial backing, having just received its first $1.5 million in grant funding. The design stage of the project has begun, and the center is slated to be open and accepting participants during the fall of 2023. This center is an essential economic-development strategy to modernize and innovate the business infrastructure. We expect to see substantial growth in the cyber-industry arena, benefiting the financial and economic vitality of the region.

For more information on this project and its progress, visit www.westernmassedc.com.

Rick Sullivan is president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council.

What We Want to See in 2023

By Editorial January 4, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

As we turn the page on 2022 and look ahead to a year filled with question marks, those of us at BusinessWest offer up some thoughts on what we’d like to see in the year ahead.

Some wishes would fall in the category of ‘obvious’ — a slowing of inflation, fewer and less dramatic interest-rate hikes (how about none at all?), improvement on the workforce front, and some real movement on job growth — while others might be less obvious. Here’s a short list:

Less Whitewater

The past three years have been a long, grueling grind for area businesses, large and small. They have had to cope with COVID, a workforce crisis, supply-chain issues, dramatic price increases, recession fears, waning consumer confidence, a microchip shortage, incessant employment-law challenges, cybersecurity issues, the various challenges of remote work, early retirement among Baby Boomers … the list doesn’t seem to end, and we certainly forgot a few.

The region’s business community could use a break, a breather, some real ‘party like its 2019’ normalcy, not the new normal. Let’s hope some is coming in 2023.

A More Impactful MGM Springfield

Let’s start by saying the casino complex on Main Street has had to deal with everything on the list above, just like everyone else. So it has certainly not had an easy ride since the parade that marked its grand opening in late August 2018. That said, few if any would say that MGM Springfield has had anything close to the kind of economic impact we were all hoping for, if not expecting, when it was blueprinted and then built.

Yes, it has had a stake in several meaningful initiatives, like the project to revitalize the old Court Square Hotel. But, overall, gaming revenues are not what were projected, and the same can be said for vibrancy in the casino area, the list of things to do at the complex, meetings and conventions, and impact. We’ve said it before, and it bears repeating … there are many days when, if you didn’t know there was a casino on Main Street, you wouldn’t know there was a casino on Main Street. This needs to change, and hopefully we’ll see some progress in 2023. Maybe sports betting will help.

Continued Growth of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

This has been one of the better economic-development stories of the past several years, and the region needs to continue and build upon its efforts to encourage entrepreneurship. As the immense competition for manufacturers and other kinds of businesses, and the jobs they create, only increases, perhaps the most realistic opportunities for growth in this region are of the organic kind. Progress in this fashion comes slowly and, in most cases, undramatically. But we have to continue to plant seeds.

Relief on the Workforce Front

We’re not sure if or how it can happen, but the area’s employers need some relief from the crushing workforce crisis. As the stories that begin on page 13 clearly show, workforce is the issue that is keeping business owners and managers up at night. Worse, it’s keeping many businesses from reaching their full potential and realize some of the opportunities that are coming their way.

The region and the state cannot simply wave a wand and bring thousands of people into the workforce. But what they can do is continue and accelerate the work to make this state more attractive, not just for businesses, but for the people who will work at them, by creating more affordable housing and taking other steps to bring people here instead of compelling them to look or move elsewhere to find a job, start a career, or write the next chapter.

Picture This

Picture This

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

Supporting Community

Monson Savings Bank recently made a $10,000 donation to the Hispanic-American Institute in Springfield, a nonprofit corporation that is committed to encouraging social, educational, and economic development in Hispanic communities in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, and Latin America. In addition to the Springfield branch, the institute has offices and staff in Boston; Albuquerque, N.M.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pictured, from left: Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President and CEO; Veronica Garcia, CEO of Latino Marketing Agency; and John Perez, project office manager at the Hispanic-American Institute Inc.

New Location, Higher Gear

On Dec. 13, Springfield Auto & Truck Equipment held a ribbon cutting at its new location at 797 Berkshire Ave. in Indian Orchard. The move represents a significant expansion from a 3,800-square-foot facility to a 12,000-square-foot building, which includes a 5,000-square-foot showroom for product displays.

Local dignitaries in attendance at the ribbon cutting included Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, state Reps. Angelo Puppolo and Orlando Ramos, Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi, Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council Vice President Yolanda Cancel, and Springfield Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan.

Meeting Critical Needs

American Eagle Financial Credit Union announced $7,500 in donations to local food- and housing-assistance organizations within the credit union’s service area. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Connecticut Foodshare, and Hands on Hartford each received a $2,500 donation.

Pictured: Teresa Knox, COO of American Eagle Financial Credit Union (right), presents the $2,500 donation to Jillian Morgan, director of Philanthropy at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Court Dockets

Court Dockets

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

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

Thomas Murtha v. Sturdy Home Improvements Inc.

Allegation: Breach of contract: $59,000

Filed: 11/1/22

Marie Norgaisse v. City of Springfield Historical Commission, Robert McCarroll, Ralph Slate, Philip Bromey, Alvin Allen, and Thomas Belton

Allegation: Fraud, financial damages, withholding evidence, mental stress, prosecution, harassment, humiliation: $170,400

Filed: 11/4/22

Hemant Ajbani v. Sterling Architectural Millwork, Demetrios Cenetis, Jeffery Struck, C&S Building and Renovations Inc., and Craftwork Inc.

Allegation: Failure to pay wages, breach of contract, retaliation, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing: $500,000+

Filed: 11/7/22

Raymond Knapp v. Town of West Springfield

Allegation: Tortious action involving municipality: $256,500+

Filed: 11/8/22

Javier Acovedo Aponte v. Department of Unemployment

Allegation: Failure to pay wages: $11,600+

Filed: 11/9/22

RK on Main Street LLC v. Isla Associates I LLC

Allegation: Breach of contract: $100,000+

Filed: 11/22/22

Scott Wall v. John Doe and Brown Packaging

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall resulting in personal injury: $150,000

Filed: 11/30/22

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Chocorua Realty Investments LLC v. Anne Frey, Sarah Spencer, and Greenfield Savings Bank

Allegation: Breach of contract: $70,880

Filed: 12/5/22

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

Chamber Corners

1BERKSHIRE

(413) 499-1600; www.1berkshire.com

Jan. 20: Women & Minority Owned Business Certification Summit, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield. 1Berkshire, EforAll Berkshire County, Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp., Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and Berkshire Innovation Center welcome any women- and/or minority-owned businesses in the Berkshires to join us for this free event that will provide information about becoming a certified women- and minority-owned business enterprise (WMBE), a space to network with fellow businesses, and direct access to resource providers who can walk you through the process of certification. This event is free and includes lunch. Registration is required at www.1berkshire.com.

Jan. 31: 1Berkshire Entrepreneurial Meetup, 4:30- 6 p.m., hosted by Anahata Schoolhouse Yoga and Wellness Center, 201 North Summer St., Adams. Join us for our first Entrepreneurial Meetup of 2023. Reconnect with your colleagues and hear from owner Howard Rosenberg about his entrepreneurial journey. This event is free to attend and made possible through the support of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. Registration is required at www.1berkshire.com.

EAST OF THE RIVER FIVE TOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(413) 575-7230; www.erc5.com

Jan. 4: ERC5 After 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., location to be announced. ERC5 After 5s happen on the first Wednesday of every other month. Please be sure to RSVP for future dates and secure your spot before they sell out. Cost is free, but registration is limited and required. To register, visit www.erc5.com.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(413) 527-9414; www.easthamptonchamber.org

Jan. 19: Annual meeting, 12-2 p.m., hosted by the Boylston Room, 122 Pleasant St., Easthampton. Join us as we share the successes of the last year, what we have learned, and where we are headed. Cost: $35 for members, including lunch; $40 for future members, including lunch. To register, visit easthamptonchamber.org.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(413) 568-1618; www.westfieldbiz.org

Jan. 4: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Westfield Gas & Electric Operations Center, 40 Turnpike Industrial Road, Westfield. Join us for the first Mayor’s Coffee Hour of 2023. Mayor Michael McCabe will update attendees on City Hall activities, and there will be an opportunity to ask the mayor questions. This event is free to attend. To register, visit www.westfieldbiz.org.

Jan. 26: Morning Brew, 8-9 a.m., hosted by Shortstop Bar & Grill, 99 Springfield Road, Westfield. Join us for a great networking opportunity. Introduce yourself and your business to the attendees. Everyone has a chance to discuss what their business does and what they are looking for to expand and improve. This event is free to attend. To register, visit www.westfieldbiz.org.

Agenda

Agenda

IRS Tax Changes

Jan. 12: The Pioneer Valley Estate Planning Council Inc. announced that its next event will be held at the Hotel Northampton. The planned topic is an update on IRS tax changes that may result in changes to the tax code and estate-planning techniques. A buffet-style breakfast will be served. Social hour begins at 7:30 a.m. The event cost is $40 for both members and non-members. Checks will be accepted at the door. As an update, the council received $800 from the National Council as reimbursement of fees for the current fiscal year, helping to replenish its bank account. Full details will be provided at the January meeting.

Cirque du Soleil Presents ‘Corteo’

Jan. 12-15: Corteo, the arena production from Cirque du Soleil, is back in North America and heading to Worcester. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in April 2005. Since its creation, the show has amazed more than 10 million spectators in 20 countries on four continents. Corteo will be presented at the DCU Center on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 14 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. Corteo, which means ‘cortege’ in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy, and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. In a Cirque du Soleil first, the stage is central in the arena and divides the venue, with each half of the audience facing the other half, giving a unique perspective not only of the show, but also a performer’s eye view of the audience, an atmosphere never seen before in Cirque du Soleil arena shows. Tickets for Corteo in Worcester are currently available at cirquedusoleil.com/corteo.

World Affairs Council

Jan. 13: The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts announced that its next Instant Issues brown-bag lunchtime discussion will take place at noon on the new, ninth-floor event space at 1350 Main St. in downtown Springfield. Longtime friend of the council Mahsa Khanbabai, an attorney with Khanbabai Immigration Law, will speak on the current status of women in Iran. Khanbabai was born in Iran and raised in Western Mass. She is regularly interviewed by news agencies such as NPR, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, MSNBC, and others. Her legal advocacy and strategic use of the media spotlight has led to numerous high-impact immigration changes, including the reinstatement of deferred action. Admission to the event is $5 for council members without a lunch provided, or $20 with a box lunch. Non-members’ admission cost is $10 without a lunch or $25 with a lunch. For those who purchase a meal, box lunches with a choice of sandwich — turkey, tuna, roast beef, or vegetarian — will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunches also include a deli salad, cookie, chips, and soda or water. At the request of the speaker, this event will not be recorded. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/instant-issues-mahsa-khanbabai-on-women-youth-movements-in-iran-tickets-490513698677.

SSO to Celebrate MLK

Jan. 14: The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will celebrate the life and spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. on the Symphony Hall stage at 7:30 p.m. Music of African-American composers will be performed by the orchestra and guest pianist Artina McCain, and highlighted by a spoken-word presentation by Springfield’s poet laureate, Magdalena Gómez.

Tickets are on sale, starting at $15, on the SSO website, www.springfieldsymphony.org. Kevin Scott, an African-American conductor, composer, and native New Yorker, will lead the orchestra on Jan. 14. Born in the Bronx and raised in Harlem, Scott has led various orchestras, choruses, and bands throughout the Greater New York area and in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Varna, Bulgaria. His works have been performed by the orchestras of Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. Concert attendees will hear works such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (J. Rosamond Johnson and James Weldon Johnson, arr. Hale Smith); “Rise to the Occasion” (Quinn Mason); “The Audacity of Hope” (Ozie Cargile II); and “Fannie’s Homecoming,” composed by the evening’s conductor, who has been inspired by the legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer, a leader in the civil-rights movement. Music of Florence Price and William Grant Still will also be performed. A ‘classical conversation’ with Scott will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 for all ticketholders, and there will be a meet and greet following the performance in the Mahogany Room.

MOSSO Concert Series at Westfield Athenaeum

Feb. 23, March 23, April 20: The Westfield Athenaeum will present a three-concert chamber-music series with MOSSO (Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra) performing. This is the second year of this partnership. Guy McLain, executive director of the Westfield Athenaeum, will offer a pre-performance talk at 6 p.m., which is free to ticket holders. The Westfield Athenaeum series opens with MOSSO and Friends on Feb. 23. Violinist Beth Welty, horn player Sarah Sutherland, and pianist Elizabeth Skavish will perform horn trios of Frédéric Duvernoy, Trygve Madsen, and Johannes Brahms. Welty, chair of MOSSO, is acting principal second violin of MOSSO and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO). Sutherland, MOSSO and SSO horn player, is also MOSSO’s finance director. The series continues on Thursday, March 23 with a performance by the Vermont-based Champlain Trio, which includes MOSSO and SSO principal cello Emily Taubl. The Champlain Trio will perform “Brilliant Colors,” a program that features music by Tchaikovsky, Erik Neilsen (“Trio No. 2” written for the ensemble), Jennifer Higdon, Amy Beach, and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.” The series concludes on Thursday, April 20 with MOSSO and SSO horn player Robert Hoyle’s quintet, the Connecticut-based Harmonia V. The quintet will celebrate April in Paris with an all-French program, featuring pieces by Barthe, Fauré, Ravel, Poulenc, Debussy, Pierné, and Lefebvre. Tickets for the concerts, $25 per person, must be purchased in advance at the Westfield Athenaeum during business hours, or online at www.westath.org.

People on the Move

People on the Move

Elms College announced that seven prominent leaders in the region have joined the board of trustees.

Kathleen Bernardo

• Kathleen Bernardo is a partner at Bulkley Richardson and leads the Real Estate practice group. Her practice focuses on commercial real-estate matters such as conveyancing, financing, leasing, title matters, and all aspects of complex property transfers, including purchase agreements, easements, liquor-license transfers, special permits, regulatory compliance, zoning and variance issues, 1031 exchange transfers, boundary disputes, public and private conservation restrictions including agricultural preservation restrictions, petitions to partition, and other land-court matters. Her probate practice includes the preparation of wills and trusts, estate and trust administration, equity petitions, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Larry Eagan

• Larry Eagan is the president and CEO of Collins Electric and has been with the company since 1984. Collins Electric is a private company with offices in Chicopee and Pittsfield, sales of more than $15 million, and more than 80 employees. Collins Electric is an Elms College vendor and a sponsor of the Executive Leadership Breakfast. Eagan is on the board of directors of Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts, serves as the chapter president of Legatus of Western Massachusetts, and is a member of the National Electrical Contractors Assoc.

Lindsey Gamble

• Lindsey Gamble is the director of Nursing at Mercy Medical Center, a broad role that carries with it many responsibilities, including staffing, budgeting, training, and ongoing education of the nursing staff. Gamble started her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse. She played a key role in the opening of Mercy’s Innovation Unit, designed to ensure that families of COVID-19 patients stay connected with the patient and the care team during their hospital stay.

Catherine Ormond

• Catherine Ormond, SSJ serves as pastoral visitor at St. Jerome’s Parish in Holyoke and most recently was pastoral minister at St. Patrick’s Church in South Hadley for nearly 20 years. Prior to that, she held counseling positions at Holyoke Catholic High School and Charles River Hospital in Chicopee Falls, and was coordinator of services at Brightside Mental Health Clinic.

Frank Robinson

• Frank Robinson is the vice president of Public Health for Baystate Health. In this role, he is responsible for integrating clinical and community care to better serve vulnerable people and populations across the spectrum of diversity and create healthier communities. Robinson also represents Baystate Health in the area of community relations by building a shared agenda and common goals for community improvement with neighborhood, community, and business representatives, as well as other key stakeholders. He has led the establishment of the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership and the founding of the Baystate Academy Charter Public School.

Betsy Sullivan

• Betsy Sullivan, SSJ serves as president of the congregation for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield. She has extensive leadership experience, including vice president of the congregation, preceded by three decades as a licensed administrator of Mont Marie Health Care Center, a licensed nursing home in Holyoke.

Henry Thomas III

• Henry Thomas III serves as president and CEO of the Urban League of Springfield Inc. He has worked in the Urban League movement for 43 years, serving 39 years as president and CEO. Previously, he served as vice president for Youth Development with the National Urban League in New York. He is also the former chair of the Springfield Fire Commission and the Springfield Police Commission. Thomas serves as CEO for the historic Camp Atwater, the oldest African-American overnight youth camp in the U.S., which he reopened in 1980 following a six-year hiatus. He served on the UMass board of trustees from 2007 to 2021 and served as chairman in 2012.

•••••

Katharine Shove

Brodeur-McGan, P.C. announced that Katharine Shove joined the firm this fall. As a litigator, Shove particularly enjoys employment law, representing both employees and employers in discrimination, retaliation, and wage-and-hour cases. She regularly assists employers with complex state and federal compliance issues, representing electric companies, construction companies, and manufacturers. In addition to employment and compliance matters, she litigates matters involving property damages (real and personal), personal injuries, contract disputes, and consumer-protection violations, such as violations of General Laws Chapter 93A. After law school, Shove clerked for Justice C. Jeffrey Kinder of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, where she conducted legal research and drafted criminal and civil decisions for panel cases. Following her clerkship, she practiced as a litigator with Bacon Wilson, P.C. Shove serves as a board member of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. New Lawyers Section and is a member of the Hampden County Legal Clinic’s pro bono associate advisory board.

•••••

The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley announced its annual award winners at the association’s holiday luncheon on Dec. 1 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The 2022 Realtor of the Year is Arlene Castellano of Acuna Real Estate. The 2022 Affiliate of the Year is Victor Rodriguez Sr. of PeoplesBank. A Realtor since 2015, Castellano has served on the RAPV board of directors since 2020. She has also served on the community service, finance, government affairs, member engagement, professional standards, and YPN committees. She has given back to the community through her active involvement with the community service committee, including as a board member for Dress for Success and co-chair of its relocation committee; as a basketball coach; serving in the Franklin County Meal; and coordinating a Meet the Candidate event for state Rep. Jake Oliveira. She has also coordinated RAPV’s new-member orientation and has been featured on the Real Estate Minute segment of WWLP’s Mass Appeal program intended to educate the public about real estate and the role of Realtors. She recently participated in and graduated from the Massachusetts Assoc. of Realtors’ 2022 Leadership Academy Class. A member of RAPV since 2015, Rodriguez is the mortgage consultant at PeoplesBank and has served on the affiliate-Realtor and community service committees. He has demonstrated tremendous support to the association and community outreach and volunteered in RAPV’s community-service efforts through its Christmas adopt-a-family program. His community activities include being director at Heir of Christ Christian Church since 2016, a board member of Holyoke Chapter Salvation Army since 2019, a board member of One Holyoke CDC since 2019, a committee member of Buy Holyoke Now, and a prior board member of the Greater Holyoke YMCA.

•••••

Diane Sabato

John Diffley

Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) professors Diane Sabato and John Diffley received the Michelson IP Educator of Excellence Award. Sabato, an STCC business professor, and Diffley, an attorney and history professor, have been working on the intellectual-property (IP) educational initiative since 2020. STCC was one of only five colleges nationwide with faculty accepted into the Michelson IP Educator in Residence initiative. The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property and the National Assoc. for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) selected Sabato and Diffley for the project. Sabato and Diffley have been collaborating with four other educators focusing on a mission to deliver intellectual-property education. They joined faculty from institutions in New Jersey, Florida, California, and New Mexico. Intellectual property refers to inventions and human creations such as literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, and names and images used in commerce. Sabato taught intellectual-property concepts in an entrepreneurship class at STCC. Diffley brought the historical perspective of Springfield as an innovation hub and the capacity to implement campus-wide initiatives, initially, through the Honors Program.

•••••

Berkshire Money Management (BMM), a boutique advisory firm with offices in Dalton and Great Barrington, recently welcomed Brenda Bailly and Tina Archambault as client care specialists. The two new hires join the client care team led by Chelsea Smith, recently promoted to the role of client specialist leader. All three employees play a vital role in providing attentive, personalized service to the clients of Berkshire Money Management. Bailly, based in the company’s downtown Great Barrington office, brings more than 24 years of experience in financial services and wealth-management operations to her role as client care specialist. Before joining the BMM team, she was a wealth management senior operations specialist at Berkshire Bank, where her responsibilities included client care, opening and closing accounts, audit assistance, system configurations, and more. A notary, Berkshire Community College graduate, and experienced customer-service professional, Archambault joins the Berkshire Money Management team as client care specialist at the Dalton office. She brings to her new role 25 years in customer service and 16 years of experience in trusts. In her previous role as wealth management operations specialist at Berkshire Bank, she worked with various accounts, including IRAs, trusts, and investment and estate accounts, and was responsible for the opening of new accounts, asset transfers, and other operational tasks. As part of the client care team, both Bailly and Archambault will assist with client onboarding, scheduling, opening and servicing accounts, facilitating account transactions, building strong relationships, and helping clients with their day-to-day service needs. Berkshire Money Management also congratulates Smith on her recent promotion to client specialist leader. She joined BMM in 2021 as a client care specialist. In her new role, she is focused on strengthening BMM’s client care team through coaching, developing new standards and practices, and leading the team in providing exceptional client service. She is a veteran customer-service professional and notary public and has an associate degree from Berkshire Community College in liberal arts with a concentration in business administration.

•••••

Pema Latshang

Teach Western Mass Executive Director Pema Latshang has been selected to serve on the Healey-Driscoll Thriving Youth and Young Adults Transition Committee. Transition committees aim to guide Gov.-elect Maura Healey and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Driscoll on important work as they prepare to take office in January. Each committee is composed of a diverse group of community members, advocates, subject-matter experts, and business and nonprofit leaders. Latshang’s participation gives voice to the education community of Western Mass. Her expertise in reducing barriers to entry to the profession, maintaining performance standards, and increasing retention supports for new teachers will help her advocate for a high-quality, diverse teacher workforce.

•••••

The Look Memorial Park board of trustees voted unanimously to name Justin Pelis the park’s fifth executive director. Pelis has served as the interim executive director since July 29. “Look Memorial Park is special to so many people,” Pelis said. “It evokes a different meaning to everyone, but in the end, the park is a place where memories are built between families and community. I’m proud to be the newest executive director of Look Park, where my vision and contribution will live on in the hearts of the community for years to come. That was the intent of Mrs. Fannie Look when she set forth to memorialize her late husband Frank Newhall Look in 1928. As executive director, I honor the responsibility to preserve Mrs. Look’s vision while also being responsive and adaptive to the changing needs of our patrons and communities.”

Company Notebook

Company Notebook

MassMutual Foundation Awards $2 Million Grant to Way Finders

SPRINGFIELD — Way Finders and the MassMutual Foundation announced that Way Finders has been provided with a $2 million gift from the MassMutual Foundation to help fund its City of Homes (COH) initiative. This pilot program will address the need for quality, affordable homeownership opportunities in Springfield, the headquarters city of MassMutual and Way Finders. COH will create homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers by leveraging the receivership process to acquire and rehabilitate single-family homes or properties for sale at affordable prices in pilot neighborhoods in Springfield. To qualify for the applicant lottery, prospective homebuyers must have either attended a first-time-homebuyer seminar with Way Finders or another certified organization and secured mortgage funding with MassHousing or a private lender. By focusing on Springfield’s North End and Mason Square neighborhoods, where 75% or more of the residents are Black or Hispanic and 50% or more live below the poverty line, the project will provide much-needed access to homeownership opportunities traditionally unavailable to many residents in these communities. Since 2018, the MassMutual Foundation has supported Way Finders’ financial-capability programming, which lays the groundwork for homeownership with financial education and first-time homebuyer workshops. Through the COH pilot program, Way Finders will be able to help Springfield residents turn this education into action as they become first-time homebuyers. In 2022, Way Finders programs impacted the lives of more than 46,000 people through services including homelessness and foreclosure prevention, financial education and first-time homebuyer workshops, and small-business loans.

MassDevelopment, PeoplesBank Complete Financing Package for New Girls Inc. Facility

HOLYOKE — The new Girls Inc. of the Valley headquarters and program center is one big step closer to reality thanks to a new financing package developed by MassDevelopment and PeoplesBank. Girls Inc. recently announced the closing of financing on a $2,275,000 MassDevelopment revenue bond for the new program center in Holyoke. PeoplesBank was the purchaser of the bond, continuing the bank’s longtime support of Girls Inc. of the Valley. MassDevelopment enhanced the bond with a $455,000 mortgage insurance guarantee. The newly renovated, 16,000-square foot facility will allow the organization to consolidate its programs at one location. It will include a cutting-edge STEM makers’ space, a library, two multi-purpose rooms, a teen lounge, a kitchen and dining area, and administrative offices. “We are thrilled to be able to continue our support of Girls Inc. of the Valley and be a part of this exciting project,” said Vicky Crouse, senior vice president, Commercial Banking at PeoplesBank. “Their mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by providing them the opportunity to develop and achieve their full potential is one that we embrace as well.” Dan Rivera, president and CEO of MassDevelopment, noted that “Girls Inc. has a proven track record of supporting girls in all their academic and social endeavors, while also empowering them to unlock the best version of themselves. We are pleased to partner with PeoplesBank to help this nonprofit purchase a new building in Holyoke to call home.”

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Awards Grant to Gould Farm

GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) awarded Gould Farm a resilience grant of $5,000 to complete construction of a new hoop house that will enable the farm to extend its growing season. This grant was awarded in conjunction with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Services. Gould Farm will use this hoop house (also known as a ‘high tunnel system’) to cover and protect crops from sun, wind, excessive rainfall, and frost, and increase spring and fall crop production in an environmentally safe manner. Gould Farm produces crops as part of its mental-health programming, through which clients grow, cook, and consume vegetables from the farm. During the growing season, Gould Farm also supplies the multicultural BRIDGE food pantry. With the hoop-house addition, Gould Farm will be able to increase the amount and availability of fresh produce for the farm and pantry.

Rocky’s Raises Nearly $26,000 to Support Children’s Hospitals

SPRINGFIELD — Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 47 locations in nine states, kicked off the season of giving in November with its semi-annual Round Up for Kids fundraiser, raising a grand total of $25,908 across all participating locations. Customers were asked to round up their purchase total to the next dollar, and the difference was donated to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospitals. This was the third Round Up for Kids fundraiser Rocky’s has held this year, with 100% of the money raised going to benefit local CMN hospitals, including Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield. Participating Rocky’s locations included the Island Pond Road and Liberty Street stores in Springfield and the stores in Agawam, East Longmeadow, Westfield, Ludlow, Palmer, and South Hadley. Since 1983, CMN hospitals have helped fill funding gaps by raising more than $7 billion. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.

Country Bank Supports Nonprofits During ‘Season of Difference’

WARE — Children, seniors, and those who are most in need got a lot of care this holiday season from Country Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Mass. The bank’s 210 team members gathered on Dec. 14 to write holiday greetings, wrap gifts, and pack homeless care bags in a show of support for the numerous nonprofits that serve the region. During the bank’s Season of Difference Campaign event, team members (also called Difference Makers) wrapped gifts for 400 children at the Worcester and Springfield YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs and the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, along with 300 gifts for local nursing homes, including Quaboag Rehabilitation Center & Skilled Care and Brookhaven Assisted Care in West Brookfield, as well as Life Care Center in Wilbraham. They also packed 300 homeless care bags, which were delivered to Friends of the Homeless in Springfield and St. John’s Food for the Poor Program in Worcester. Team members volunteered at other local nonprofits, including the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Juniper Outreach, Wreaths Across America, Friends of the Homeless dinner service, St. John’s Food for the Poor breakfast service, and local senior-center holiday celebrations, as well as ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in Ware and Belchertown. Country Bank also announced donations to 21 senior centers throughout the region. A total of $42,000 in donations were made to local senior centers. These donations are made without restriction for those necessary items that may not be met within annual budgets. In addition to its annual monetary support, Country Bank also sends teams of its Difference Makers to volunteer at local senior centers on a monthly basis.

Incorporations

Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

Yori Korean Restaurant Inc., 1 Cooper St., Agawam, MA 01001. Kyoungyeol Byun, 54 River Road Agawam, MA 01001. Restaurant.

BELCHERTOWN

Devine Pursuit Holdings Inc., 43 Meadow Pond Road, Belchertown, MA 01007. Eric Devine, same. Investment.

CHICOPEE

A&J Landscape Construction Inc., 54 Marten St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Arthur Zawadzki, same. Landscape construction and snow removal.

Proform Construction Inc., 21 Fredette St., Chicopee, MA 01022. Michael Ash, same. Residential and commercial construction.

EASTHAMPTON

Carbonstar Systems Inc., 7 Fairfield Ave., Suite 2, Easthampton, MA 01027. Michael Garjian, same. Atmospheric and oceanic carbon dioxide removal.

GREENFIELD

The Spartan’s, Inc., 25 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Costa Alimonos, 1 Maplewood Terrace Hadley, MA 01035. Rental property.

LENOX

Berkshire Jewish Center Inc., 150 Pittsfield Road, Suite E-1, Lenox, MA 01240. Levi Volovik, 450 South St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Incorporation established to build, open, and operate a Jewish Temple in Berkshire County MA.

NORTHAMPTON

The Whole Person Institute, PC., 16 Armory St., Suite 21, Northampton, MA 01060. Scott Barvainis, same. Mental health services.

PITTSFIELD

Blast Trans Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Valesta Lynch, 9113 Kings Hwy., Brooklyn, NY 11212. Bridge construction and maintenance.

Racial Fairness Berkshires Inc., 75 Broad St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Sinead O’Brien, 80 Broad St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Non-profit organization established to upend localized systemic racism through education and empowerment.

SPRINGFIELD

Buy and Develop Inc., 69 Silver St., Springfield, MA 01107. Zachary Nunnally, same. Incorporation established to promote and educate African Americans the importance of black home ownership and real-estate holdings.

Iglesia Pentecostal El Calvario Inc., 282 Locust St., Springfield, MA 01101. Juan Rivera, 294 Dorwell St., Springfield, MA 01108. Charitable organization established to engage in religious purposes and activities. To rescue lives for Christ and the gospel.

Maroa’s Cuisine Inc., 679 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01107. Pedro David Perez Urena, same. Sales of prepared foods in a restaurant style setting.

Unitarian Universalist for A Just Economic Community, 435 Porter Lake Dr. #227, Springfield, MA 01106. Terry Lee Lowman, 3425 Valley View Rd. Ames, IA 07677. Motivate, educate and activate members of our Unitarian Universalist congregations to engage economic injustices and religious worship in their regions and nationwide.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Iglesia Pentecostal Bethel Concilio Prn Inc., 750 Main St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Josue Rivera, same. A local church by the direction of the lord Jesus Christ and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit in accordance with all of the commandments and provisions set forth in the Holy Bible, the irrevocable word of God.

Vitality Digital Tech Inc., 442 Westfield St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Vitaliy Tkachenko, 38 Deer Run Southwick, MA 01077. Digital dental practices.

Doing Business as Certificates

DBA Certificates

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

AGAWAM

Jacy’s Oriental Massage
525 Springfield St., Unit K
Huaiging Liu

Peppo’s Pizza
421 Springfield St.
Abaz Cecunjann

Ryan Associates
23 Southwick St.
Christine Day

The Still
63 Springfield St.
Rebecca Maslar

Taplin Yard Pump & Power
197 Main St.
Martin Jagodowski

The TV Doctor
10 Southwick St.
David Gomez

AMHERST

JShefftz Consulting
14 Moody Field Road
Jonathan Shefftz

Northeast Ski Mountaineering
14 Moody Field Road
Jonathan Shefftz

The Other Realm
8 Tuckerman Lane
Aaron Evans-Janes

Provisions
113 Cowls Road
Benson Hyde, Andrew McAmis

Sonya Clark Studios LLC
1 Tuckerman Lane
Sonya Clark

Transformation in Action
1325 Bay Road
Annabelle Keil

Zoey Simmons Jewelry
460 Flat Hills Road
David Dali

BELCHERTOWN

Austin Ridge Acres
241 Bardwell St.
Loni Austin

DBJ Investments
115B North Main St.
James Bachand Jr.

Webster’s Garage
176 Federal St.
Barry Potter

CHICOPEE

Beyond Beauty Hair and Nail Studio
290 East St.
Dineen Veene

JP Quality Carpentry
308 Hampden St.
John Carlos Pagán

Paddy 733 Inc.
733 Chicopee St.
Blake Bryan

ENFIELD

Cerritos Enfield LLC
61 Palomba Dr.
Ruben Huerta

Exclusive Painting
11 Parker St.
Ryan Roberts

R&M Cleaning Solutions
11 Salerno Dr.
Ryan Gaetani

GREAT BARRINGTON

Elizabeth Rose
15 Mahawie St.
Elizabeth Rose

The Grille
800 Main St.
Backstage Plates LLC

Meg Agnew, LMT
15 Mahaiwe St.
Margaret Agnew

Small Wonders Workshop
304 North Plain Road
David Long

South County Taxi
7 Hart St.
John Mercer

GREENFIELD

M. McIntyre Professional Coach
277 Main St., Suite 301C
Michael McIntyre

Mohawk Falafel and Shawarma
142 Mohawk Trail
Afran Akach, Ismail Asaad

RegalCare at Greenfield
95 Laurel St.
Eliyahu Mirlis

Semaski Financial
58 Highland Ave.
Jason Semaski

Z’s Inspection Center
184 Federal St.
Zain Naveed

HOLYOKE

Gary Rome Hyundai Inc.
150 Whiting Farms Road
Gary Rome

Homestead Grocery Mart LLC
625 Homestead Ave.
Sanjay Patel

The Joint
37 Commercial St.
Carlo Sarno, Brian Boru

Pizza D’Action
232 Lyman St.
Carlos Fonseca

We Care for Your Business
336A Maple St.
Van Tran

MONSON

The QuickBooks Fixer
40 Stafford Hollow Road
Myrna Stacey

Seymco
268 Palmer Road, #39
Michael Seymour

Savage Investigations
27 Margaret St.
Alison Whitehill

NORTHAMPTON

OnCall Healthy Living Program
51 Locust St., Suite 1
James Carroll, Mike Stevens, Louis Durkin

La Escuela Family Daycare
34 Hockanum Road
Bertha Thorman

Fair Trust Market
183 Grove St.
Tino Maric

Release Therapeutic Bodywork
7 Main St.
Sheila Murray

SOUTH HADLEY

Savannah Brzoska
353 North Main St.
Savannah Brzoska

Sok’s
30 Bridge St.
Sokharun Yim

SOUTHWICK

Tactical Recovery Solutions
5 Maple St.
Christopher Bonanno

Whalley Precision Inc.
28 Hudson Dr.
Jennifer Whalley

SPRINGFIELD

Khan’s Food and Drinks
1333 Boston Road
Derrick Crespo

Len’s Home Improvement
17 Brentwood St.
Lenworth Moncrieffe

Little Tigerz Daycare
88 Margerie St.
Janira Marrero

Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing
807 Wilbraham Road
Loomis Senior Living

MA Grocery Store
345 Main St.
Ahmed Aziz

Mad Science of Western New England
34 Front St.
Michael Budnick

The Main Event
268 Bridge St.
Sheina Rodriguez

Margie’s Cozy Corner
61 Pear St.
Margarita Celestino

New Blue Moon Bodywork
432 Newbury St.
Xiaoxin Zhang

Perfecto Primo Services
33 Plumtree Road
Rayanne Garcia

Perusse Home Improvements
248 Nottingham St.
Donald Perusse

Pro Auto Air Service
1000 Worcester St.
SilverAuto Inc.

Ramos Detailing
720 Berkshire Ave.
Jose Ramos

Reseanunlimited
78 Bowdoin St.
James Johnson

WESTFIELD

AG Remodeling
156 Old Cabot Road
Aleksandr Glib

All Natural Reiki
16 Union Ave., Unit 1E
Harlene Simmons

AMF Aviation LLC
64 Lockhouse Road
Michael Ferraccio

Ape
21 Barbara St.
Nikita Lesnik

Belco Court Tree Farm
194 Pontoosic Road
John Beltrandi

Bella MedSpa
53 Court St.
Craig Schacher, MD

Donna’s Children
344 Falley Dr.
Donna Sabonis

EZ Restore
262 Steiger Dr.
Elijah Zuev

Graphic Signs
344 Falley Dr.
Richard Sabonis

Katy Noes Yoga
21 Fowler St.
Kathryn Noes

Marzeke Collections
23 Falley Dr.
Marie Fortin

Maple Brook Alpacas
893 East Mountain Road
Robin Tierney

San-Man Graphics
16 Union Ave., Unit G
Edgardo Sanchez Jr.

Shelley LaCross Tax Service
85 Reservoir Ave.
Shelley LaCross

True Environmental LLC
146 Root Road
Cristian Sagastome

Vitaliy Panchenko Electrical LLC
14 Birch Road
Vitaliy Panchencko

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bare with Me Beauty Bar LLC
1680 Riverdale St.
Daijha Hudson

Consumer Transport
75 West School St.
Miguel Garcia Jr.

C’s Signature and Cleaning Services
110 Old Barn Road
Lucy Mushi

Custom Build LLC
2405 Westfield St.
Dmytro Barynov

Hannoush Jewelers Inc.
1769 Riverdale St.
Peter Hannoush

Lotus General Contracting
12 South Blvd.
James Stephenson

Transcension’s Barbershop
450 Main St.
James Seward

WILBRAHAM

The Scented Garden Gift Shop
2341 Boston Road, A110
Sandra Polom

School of Fish Inc.
2133 Boston Road, Units 9-10
School of Fish Inc.

Zee Haddad Realty
5 Forest Glade Dr.
Zahi Haddad

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcies

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

Alluring Designs by Lorna
Spencer, Lorna S.
a/k/a Simmons, Lorna S.
136 Thompkins Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/21/2022

Bile, Emmanuel Toffe
Bile, Hortense Yvonne
9 Garfield Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/30/2022

Chapman, George A.
1-18 Apple Blossom Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/16/2022

Chrusciel, Allen
86 Manchonis Road, Apt. A
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/23/2022

Davila, Victor A.
15 Brown St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/28/2022

Del Toro, Kristin L.
11 Atwood Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/18/2022

Grenier, Randall D.
6 Rita Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/01/2022

Krawiec, Walter L.
4 Pell St., Apt. 6
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/29/2022

Laurin, Katelyn Marie
67 Bay State Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/21/2022

Lopez, Myra Y.
129 Chapin Ter.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/28/2022

Lopez Nelida
225 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 11/16/2022

Lukina, Nadezhda P.
378 Chicopee St., 1st Fl.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/28/2022

Mailloux, Cheryl Ann
116 Bostwick Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/01/2022

Martin, Andrew Byun
8 Columbia St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/18/2022

Matthews, Randall J.
Matthews, Karen L.
379 West Royalston Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/30/2022

Moretz, Mark H.
68 Sessions Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/30/2022

Nicholson, Paul C.
15 Hollywood St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 11/27/2022

Real Estate Transactions

Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

227 Beldingville Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $544,000
Buyer: Christopher T. Bousquet
Seller: Aurelie J. Sheehan
Date: 11/30/22

BUCKLAND

119 Charlemont Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $467,500
Buyer: Michael Carotenuto
Seller: Todd Seavy
Date: 11/29/22

49 Conway St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Below The Dam LLC
Seller: John E. Madocks
Date: 11/29/22

53 Conway St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Below The Dam LLC
Seller: John E. Madocks
Date: 11/29/22

51 Elm St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Colleen Lindroos
Seller: Heinig, Thomas H., (Estate)
Date: 12/02/22

DEERFIELD

4 Pleasant Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $737,500
Buyer: DA Pleasant St. LLC
Seller: 4 Pleasant Street LLC
Date: 12/01/22

ERVING

13 Gunn St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Kayani Rodriguez
Seller: Nicole M. Gadreault
Date: 11/30/22

GILL

22 Center Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: Benjamin Foberg
Seller: David A. Virgilio
Date: 12/02/22

291 Mountain Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Ethan A. Buhl
Seller: Michael J. Lafleur
Date: 12/01/22

GREENFIELD

111 Beacon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $481,000
Buyer: John Anhalt
Seller: Brian Abramson
Date: 11/29/22

87 Beech St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Damon K. Bragdon
Seller: Tedder, Frances E., (Estate)
Date: 12/02/22

25 Duren Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Erika A. Nygard
Seller: Keller, Dorothy E., (Estate)
Date: 12/09/22

83 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Emma Donnelly
Seller: Archelon Properties LLC
Date: 11/29/22

71 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Russell L. Fisk
Seller: Richard Geidel
Date: 11/30/22

3 Prospect Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $127,661
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Seller: Robert Marco
Date: 12/06/22

36 Sunset Square
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $570,000
Buyer: Paul C. Garny
Seller: John P. Doleva
Date: 12/05/22

5 Woodsia Ridge
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Melissa C. Sweet
Seller: Collins, Norma J., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/22

LEYDEN

162 Alexander Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Corey J. Cusson
Seller: Kenneth C. Griswold
Date: 11/30/22

24 Zimmerman Hill Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Mark S. Waller
Seller: Roxanne Zimmerman
Date: 12/07/22

MONTAGUE

127 Chestnut Hill Loop
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: John Miles-Snyder
Seller: Nathaniel D. Groppe
Date: 12/01/22

43 X St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Gertrude Walker-Saville
Seller: Kimberly J. White
Date: 11/30/22

NORTHFIELD

Dickinson St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Town Of Northfield
Seller: NGC Realty LLC
Date: 11/30/22

Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Town Of Northfield
Seller: NGC Realty LLC
Date: 11/30/22

ORANGE

20 Fieldstone Dr.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Christine Goodwin
Seller: Christopher Leslie
Date: 12/08/22

Mountain Road (off)
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Sumner
Seller: Channel Z. Siesmometry Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

Mountain Road (off)
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Joseph C. Sumner
Seller: Channel Z. Seismometry Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

35 Oaklawn Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $284,906
Buyer: New Day Financial LLC
Seller: John A. Burbine
Date: 12/08/22

314 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Andres D. Ramirez
Seller: AGT Homes LLC
Date: 11/29/22

6 Shingle Brook Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Candace Robinson
Seller: Christine L. Baranoski
Date: 11/30/22

SHUTESBURY

13 Great Pines Dr. Ext.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $267,500
Buyer: Gary Jekanowski
Seller: Amanda L. Nash
Date: 11/28/22

408 Montague Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $775,408
Buyer: Frances E. Towle
Seller: James M. McNaughton
Date: 12/06/22

212-B Wendell Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Colin P. Davis
Seller: Hilda Grnbaum RET
Date: 12/06/22

WARWICK

Athol Road
Warwick, MA 01364
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Channel Z. Seismometry Inc.
Seller: Heyes Family Forests LLC
Date: 12/02/22

WENDELL

493 New Salem Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $354,500
Buyer: Alison Raposo
Seller: Douglas Simon
Date: 12/01/22

WHATELY

157 Westbrook Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $232,500
Buyer: Farm At Westbrook LLC
Seller: Jon A. Higgins
Date: 12/09/22

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

116 Adams St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $680,000
Buyer: Yelena A. Artemova
Seller: Anatoliy Paliy
Date: 12/06/22

49 Doane Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Shannon O’Connor
Seller: Madeline R. Catania
Date: 12/05/22

52 Forest Hill Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: James A. Boucher
Seller: Barako FT
Date: 12/09/22

11 Liberty Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Scott D. Ramsdell
Seller: Jason L. Elder
Date: 12/02/22

117 Maple St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Brianna L. Flahive
Seller: Karla M. Dejesus
Date: 12/09/22

28 Merrill Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Daniel L. Stevens
Seller: Mark J. Chevalier
Date: 12/02/22

34 Mooreland St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Sousa, Louis A. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 12/02/22

55 Northwood St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Dona Skala
Seller: Joshua W. Gerrish
Date: 12/06/22

15 Red Fox Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Scott A. Zielinski
Seller: Amy M. Heiden-Martin
Date: 11/30/22

92 Sylvan Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: William Lynch
Seller: Grangercharles, Edward, (Estate)
Date: 11/30/22

BLANDFORD

6 Russell Stage Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Joshua F. Webster
Seller: Joseph A. Sanctuary
Date: 11/29/22

6 Sunset Rock Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Scott D. Texeira
Seller: Donald G. Cornelius
Date: 12/05/22

CHICOPEE

35 Asinof Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Susan M. Blumenthal
Seller: John L. Coach
Date: 11/30/22

393 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Carlos Reyes
Seller: John Urbanowicz
Date: 12/09/22

29 Cochran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Linda Woods
Seller: Christopher Hernandez
Date: 12/02/22

58 Cochran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Casa Bonita Apts. LLC
Seller: Luke Realty Mgmt. LLC
Date: 11/30/22

Crestwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Bretta Construction LLC
Seller: Lak FT
Date: 12/05/22

55 Dakota Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Ebony A. Wheeler
Seller: Jodee Pineau-Chaisson
Date: 11/29/22

31 Eldridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Maribel Velazquez-Rios
Seller: Steven P. Davis
Date: 11/28/22

512 Irene St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Doreen Rushins
Seller: Aguasvivas Realty LLC
Date: 12/01/22

93 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Kristy L. Munro
Seller: Claire V. Ringuette
Date: 11/28/22

48 Liberty St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Drew
Seller: Lynne A. Martino
Date: 12/08/22

16 Lincoln St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Jacob E. Tompkins
Seller: Kristen Kowal
Date: 12/02/22

59 Mayflower Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Damaris Delvalle
Seller: Tang Properties LLC
Date: 12/09/22

156 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Niki M. Jones
Seller: Jeffrey S. Parker
Date: 12/07/22

157 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Jeremy Koerner
Seller: Louis A. Alicea
Date: 12/01/22

4 Moreau Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Haley M. Asselin
Seller: Erik J. Cables
Date: 11/30/22

170 Narragansett Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Casa Bonita Apts. LLC
Seller: Hebert, Raymond J. Jr., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/22

72 Paradise St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $198,688
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Seller: Taylor A. Ross
Date: 12/06/22

77 Putting Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $463,000
Buyer: Sarah L. Rondeau
Seller: Robert J. King
Date: 12/01/22

21 Reed Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $206,500
Buyer: Roger L. Lafortune
Seller: Krystle A. Renkie
Date: 12/05/22

Roger St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Maria E. Kazimierczak
Date: 12/06/22

56 Sanford St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: David E. Vickers
Seller: Cheryl A. Kopec
Date: 11/28/22

54 Thornwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Lino Fritz
Seller: Louise A. Delude
Date: 11/28/22

EAST LONGMEADOW

247 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Bond
Seller: Antonio Berardi
Date: 12/06/22

33 Athens St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $216,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Adam W. Cochran
Date: 12/01/22

6 Concord Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Gerard McEnany
Seller: Sheila M. Hess
Date: 12/09/22

65 Harwich Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Erin L. Beck
Seller: Shirley S. Palmer
Date: 11/30/22

76 Helen Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Griffin Casey
Seller: Maryann Tremblay-Montrym
Date: 11/30/22

2 Oxford Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Robert O. Azeez
Seller: Frederick H. Zimmerman
Date: 11/28/22

322 Prospect St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Peter Dimichele
Seller: Nancy M. Power
Date: 12/01/22

144 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,985,000
Buyer: AW Brown Real Estate LLC
Seller: A&B Realty LLC
Date: 12/05/22

208 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Maryann A. Spillane
Seller: Dion, Agnes M., (Estate)
Date: 12/01/22

71 Wood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Katherine A. Dugan
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 12/01/22

HAMPDEN

50 Meadow Brook Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Cameron T. Servantez
Seller: Derek R. White
Date: 11/29/22

11 Potash Hill Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Derek R. White
Seller: Steve A. Burzdak
Date: 11/29/22

45 Saint Germain Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Douglas W. Hanks
Seller: Lafreniere, Ann Marie, (Estate)
Date: 12/02/22

125 Stony Hill Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Nathan York
Seller: Joel A. Fuller
Date: 12/07/22

HOLYOKE

16 Charles Hill Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Brian Barnes
Seller: Samuel Rosa-Melendez
Date: 11/30/22

16-18 Davis St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Cedric A. Saez-Aguirre
Seller: Heather M. Fleury
Date: 12/09/22

141 Dupuis Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $296,800
Buyer: Adam R. Beaulieu
Seller: Brian E. Besko
Date: 11/30/22

101 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $950,000
Buyer: Picket Investment LLC
Seller: Blue Chip Buildings LLC
Date: 11/30/22

105 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Picket Investment LLC
Seller: Blue Chip Buildings LLC
Date: 11/30/22

193 Fairmont St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Alixa B. Mojica-Fontanez
Seller: Daniel A. Long
Date: 12/06/22

12 Florida Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Kara Moriarty
Seller: Joan M. Greaney
Date: 11/28/22

7 Line Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Amber L. Hoey
Seller: Lasca L. Hoey
Date: 11/30/22

244 Ontario Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Shawn M. O’Donnell
Seller: Luis A. Rodriguez
Date: 12/01/22

90 Oxford Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Kaitlin Hanning
Seller: Thomas, Edward S., (Estate)
Date: 12/06/22

207-1/2 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jahjan LLC
Seller: Rosalie A. Pratt
Date: 12/09/22

209-211 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jahjan LLC
Seller: Rosalie A. Pratt
Date: 12/09/22

193 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Sarai Brunelle
Seller: Valerie M. Garcia
Date: 11/30/22

27 Temple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Thomas T. Feeley
Seller: Jessica Ryder-Toomey
Date: 11/28/22

73 Wellesley Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $440,500
Buyer: Erika Bonnevie
Seller: Lori A. Hafner
Date: 12/01/22

HOLLAND

37 Long Hill Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Emily Elliott
Seller: Truax Holdings LLC
Date: 12/09/22

LONGMEADOW

40 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $384,000
Buyer: Tera Ohora TR
Seller: Lois E. Meyers RET
Date: 12/06/22

70 Canterbury Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $568,000
Buyer: Pamela O. Zizzamia
Seller: Paul G. Lenke
Date: 12/01/22

995 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $509,000
Buyer: Brian Besko
Seller: Jeffrey P. Dunn
Date: 11/30/22

197 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $284,000
Buyer: James E. Purcell
Seller: Renee G. Tetrault
Date: 12/08/22

11 Nevins Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Kendall
Seller: Dnepro Properties LLC
Date: 12/09/22

LUDLOW

148 Carmelinas Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,975,000
Buyer: Pauldin LLC
Seller: Ludlow Self Storage LLC
Date: 12/01/22

144-146 Church St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $356,750
Buyer: Matthew E. Laamanen
Seller: LCSM Realty LLC
Date: 11/30/22

498 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Ryan Ainslie
Seller: Harry Russell
Date: 12/01/22

498-504 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Harry Russell
Seller: Dogwood Creek Land Holdings LLC
Date: 11/30/22

16 Pine St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Shawn Morris
Seller: Liliana Azevedo
Date: 12/08/22

283 Poole St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Brooke Heisler-Leary
Seller: Joseph Deponte
Date: 12/06/22

391 West Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Evelyn M. Narreau
Date: 11/28/22

554 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Miguel Cabido-Torrao
Seller: Robert S. Duffy
Date: 12/02/22

MONSON

122 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Sabino Piccirilli
Seller: J. G. Carter Jr. TR 2021
Date: 12/09/22

61 Green St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Todd M. Young
Seller: Raymond A. Goulet
Date: 12/02/22

78 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Sara E. Malo
Seller: Thomas W. Haley
Date: 12/02/22

PALMER

2 Arch St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Theresa Martinson
Seller: Heather A. Korzec
Date: 11/29/22

86 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Tyler Martin
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 12/09/22

260 Breckenridge St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Steven Herbert
Seller: Carlton B. Martin
Date: 12/05/22

166 Chudy St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Jill Dannay
Seller: William Walker
Date: 11/29/22

174 Chudy St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: William Walker
Seller: Thomas A. Palazzi
Date: 11/29/22

92 Griffin St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Thomas S. Ngan
Seller: Eric A. Raymond
Date: 12/07/22

2170-2176 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Western Mass RE LLC
Seller: Lee R. O’Connor
Date: 11/30/22

67 Mount Dumplin Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $436,000
Buyer: Steve Burzdak
Seller: Donald R. Duffy
Date: 11/30/22

46-48 Stewart St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Brandon Romaniak
Seller: Casa Bonita Apts. LLC
Date: 12/08/22

RUSSELL

216 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $655,000
Buyer: Slava Novik
Seller: Lisa Liptak
Date: 11/30/22

SOUTHWICK

124 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Anthony Degrandi
Seller: Deyo FT
Date: 12/09/22

33 Birchwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: William A. Cunningham
Seller: James R. Fahey
Date: 12/01/22

111 Coes Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $1,175,000
Buyer: Tasos FT
Seller: Aziz S. Elias
Date: 12/06/22

8 Lauren Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Lisa N. Liptak
Seller: Andrew K. Blumenthal
Date: 11/30/22

48 Mort Vining Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Oscar L. Carrillo
Seller: Oak Rdg Custom Home Builders
Date: 11/30/22

294 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Matthew J. Lockhart
Seller: Jean M. Maloney
Date: 11/30/22

34 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Andrew Chase
Seller: Paul A. Hood
Date: 11/30/22

104 Sheep Pasture Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Kassandra E. O’Connor
Seller: Denise E. Forgue
Date: 12/02/22

SPRINGFIELD

70 Alexander St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Angel Villar
Seller: Villar Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

78 Alexander St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Angel Villar
Seller: Villar Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

182 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Ivette Hernandez
Seller: Virgilio Santos
Date: 12/09/22

123 Appleton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Tuan Truong
Seller: Dave Robbins
Date: 11/28/22

114 Arcadia Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $367,000
Buyer: Rolf D. Flor
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 12/01/22

3 Balboa Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Bretta Construction LLC
Seller: Douglas A. Robar
Date: 12/07/22

151 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Andy Downtown Realty LLC
Seller: Kristopher Quinn
Date: 12/01/22

139 Bowles St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $159,900
Buyer: Rosemary M. Hernandez
Seller: Full Service RE LLC
Date: 12/05/22

52 Boyer St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jennifer Cutler
Seller: Carmen Camacho-Rivera
Date: 12/05/22

22 Braywood Circle
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Juan C. Alvarez
Seller: Peter J. Hopkins
Date: 12/09/22

92 Briggs St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Ramon Torres-Vega
Seller: Joseph A. Cretella
Date: 12/08/22

34 Brooks St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Marta James
Seller: Jennie L. Oyola
Date: 12/01/22

23 Calhoun St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Angel Villar
Seller: Villar Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

41 California Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Emily Benoit
Seller: Kristen Dowd
Date: 12/06/22

44 Cheyenne Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Evergrain Orchard LLC
Seller: Thornton FT
Date: 12/02/22

514 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Wendy Reyes-Demata
Seller: Jose Gonzalez
Date: 12/09/22

91-93 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Geyssa L. Gonzalez
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 11/30/22

63 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Angel Villar
Seller: Villar Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

186 Corcoran Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Hill
Seller: Laura D. Champagne
Date: 12/02/22

87 Corey Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Michelle M. Jackson
Seller: Rainville, Marie P., (Estate)
Date: 11/29/22

42 Cornell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Shavon Diaz
Seller: Eugeniu Banaru
Date: 12/09/22

251 Cortland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: William P. Bohmbach
Seller: Donna M. Stewart
Date: 12/02/22

72-74 Crystal Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Ngan T. Tan
Seller: Dorothy R. Romeo
Date: 12/05/22

146 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Mickelia A. Pearson
Seller: Efrain Rivera
Date: 12/07/22

17 Dearborn St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: KMAK LLC
Seller: Johnny C. Rosemond
Date: 12/02/22

30 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Weslaine N. Viaud
Seller: Christine M. Goodwin
Date: 11/30/22

104-106 Dunmoreland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Jiijo Ali
Seller: Robert J. Lefebvre
Date: 12/07/22

140 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $132,400
Buyer: ARPC LLC
Seller: Megliola Realty LLC
Date: 12/02/22

29 Eton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: 29 Eton RT
Seller: Jannie G. Birks
Date: 12/09/22

111 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Diego A. Dejesus
Seller: Annmarie Harding
Date: 12/01/22

20 Greaney St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Pierre Tendeng
Seller: Joseph O. Campbell
Date: 12/02/22

61 Harvey St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Justin J. Johnson
Seller: Dorothy M. Cody
Date: 11/30/22

103 Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Geoffrey R. Cone
Seller: Lesly A. Reiter
Date: 12/09/22

140 Hermitage Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: William Lovett
Seller: Thao T. Pham
Date: 12/09/22

301 Holcomb Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Jose L. Ponce-Santamaria
Seller: Kokoleka RT
Date: 12/02/22

24-26 Howard St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Cullin Moore
Seller: Walter G. Willard
Date: 11/30/22

47 Jefferson Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Angel Villar
Seller: Villar Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

79 Judson St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Adan Rivera
Seller: Stephen D. Clay
Date: 12/02/22

80-84 Keith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Elving L. Rosado
Seller: Hanh N. Pham
Date: 12/07/22

26-28 Lebanon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Alberto R. Diaz
Seller: Theodore P. Sares
Date: 11/29/22

79-81 Leyfred Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Xiuyu Ma
Seller: Alonzo Williams
Date: 12/08/22

15 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Jadel Infante-Guzman
Seller: Barrepski, Mark S., (Estate)
Date: 12/02/22

70 Magnolia Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Mary P. Thonneson
Seller: Brian Sheedy
Date: 11/30/22

708 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Guyseymore Wilson
Seller: Patrick Unachukwu
Date: 12/09/22

2960-2964 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: KHP Realty LLC
Seller: Dennis L. Durant
Date: 12/02/22

2972 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: KHP Realty LLC
Seller: Dennis L. Durant
Date: 12/02/22

2988 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: KHP Realty LLC
Seller: Dennis L. Durant
Date: 12/02/22

110-112 Malden St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Veronika Baldenebro
Seller: Benny Troncoso
Date: 12/01/22

67-69 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Rhinah Ondiso
Seller: Danalax LLC
Date: 12/01/22

169 Mayflower Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Leon Girard
Seller: David A. Nadle
Date: 11/28/22

23-25 Moulton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Joshua W. Bechard
Seller: John P. Bechard
Date: 12/06/22

15 Norfolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Denny Nunez
Seller: Nha Tran
Date: 12/02/22

47 Old Farm Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Scott A. Introvigne
Seller: Basile Realty LLC
Date: 11/29/22

255-257 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Karla M. Rivera
Seller: Daniel C. Miller
Date: 12/07/22

Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Sareen Holdings LLC
Seller: Barbara Bates
Date: 12/01/22

12-16 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Sareen Holdings LLC
Seller: Barbara Bates
Date: 12/01/22

85 Paulk Ter.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Justine M. Trowbridge
Seller: Frederic C. Baxter
Date: 11/28/22

32 Pear St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Jillian Lopez
Seller: Henry Downey
Date: 11/30/22

77 Phillips Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Ricky Soto-Alvarado
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 11/29/22

53 Piedmont St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Justin P. Morin
Seller: Ahern, Robert Lawrence, (Estate)
Date: 11/28/22

134 Pinevale St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Luis M. Ovalle
Seller: Sebastiano S. Siniscalchi
Date: 11/28/22

436-438 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Blanca J. Loja
Seller: Maria C. Martinez
Date: 11/29/22

6-8 Pomona St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Merlos
Seller: Chief Dawg LLC
Date: 12/09/22

6 Portland St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: KHP Realty LLC
Seller: Dennis L. Durant
Date: 12/02/22

26 Portulaca Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Unlimited Property Services LLC
Seller: Darcam LLC
Date: 12/05/22

249 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Luis Baez-Pimentel
Seller: Sir Construction Inc.
Date: 12/07/22

57 Regal St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Patricia Ennis
Seller: Donald G. Hughes
Date: 12/07/22

27-29 Ringgold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Angel Villar
Seller: Villar Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/01/22

24 Rockland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $247,900
Buyer: Darrell Waller
Seller: Gina M. Horniak
Date: 11/30/22

379 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Thaddeus Tokarz
Seller: Dunphy, Carol A., (Estate)
Date: 12/09/22

154 Roy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jose Diaz
Seller: Roberto D. Otero
Date: 11/30/22

31 Rush St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $284,273
Buyer: Isanthes LLC
Seller: Rodney E. Gould
Date: 12/05/22

87 Saint Lawrence Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Lawrence J. Poole
Date: 12/05/22

18 Schley St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Michael X. Richardson-Polk
Seller: East Coast Contracting
Date: 12/09/22

91 Somerset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Carr, Ronald A., (Estate)
Date: 11/29/22

300 State St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,600,000
Buyer: Residences At The Vault
Seller: 300 State St. Realty Co. LLC
Date: 12/09/22

310 State St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $1,600,000
Buyer: Residences At The Vault
Seller: 300 State St. Realty Co. LLC
Date: 12/09/22

93 Sunapee St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Trevor Neverson
Seller: Brittnie Lincoln
Date: 12/06/22

49-51 Talcott St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Aletheia Benjamin
Seller: Talcott Realty LLC
Date: 12/02/22

46 Timber Lane
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Neftali Rivera
Seller: Robert O. Azeez
Date: 12/02/22

58 Vail St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,600
Buyer: Andrew Barrett
Seller: Brital 1987 LLC
Date: 11/28/22

28 Virginia St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Ramona A. Rodriguez-Valle
Seller: Scott Introvigne
Date: 11/28/22

94 Webber St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,150
Buyer: Mariah Perez-Martinez
Seller: Jessee M. Dabrea
Date: 12/08/22

57 Wendover Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Terry L. Owens
Seller: Pedersen FT
Date: 12/05/22

49 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Julie E. Guarente
Seller: Guarente, Robert H. Sr., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/22

140 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Aleksander Kobilarov
Seller: Jose J. Diaz
Date: 11/30/22

119-121 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Maria Garcia
Seller: 196-198 Bowdoin Realty LLC
Date: 11/28/22

101 Yale St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $308,061
Buyer: Eric L. Brown
Seller: Tasha Moultrie
Date: 11/28/22

WALES

28 Monson Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Adam C. Smedberg
Seller: Robert F. Lopes
Date: 12/07/22

21 Woodland Dr.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Steven Chidester
Seller: Robert H. Paige
Date: 11/30/22

WEST SPRINGFIELD

561 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Joshua W. Gerrish
Seller: Maa Property LLC
Date: 12/06/22

52-54 Ashley St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Azusa RT
Seller: Ciollaro, Michael D., (Estate)
Date: 12/06/22

47 Burford Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Karen Dimauro
Seller: Oscar L. Carrillo
Date: 11/30/22

258 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Justin G. Wellington
Seller: Olcay Kocaman
Date: 11/30/22

140 Craiwell Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: George Yacoub
Seller: Alyce K. Beaudry
Date: 12/06/22

70 Grove St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Heather Allen
Seller: Dwight Northrup
Date: 11/28/22

23 Healy St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Julia Berberena
Seller: Scott D. Ramsdell
Date: 12/02/22

36 Laurel Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $295,500
Buyer: Patrick J. Lewis
Seller: Joseph F. Douglas
Date: 12/05/22

62 Lower Massachusetts Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Marie Wakelee
Seller: Vantage Home Buyers LLC
Date: 12/08/22

36 Maple Ter.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Charles Ciarametaro
Seller: MRMM TR
Date: 12/02/22

64 Poplar Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Logan W. Boyles
Seller: Duane H. Mason
Date: 12/06/22

161 Robinson Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $331,000
Buyer: Michael A. Kocot
Seller: Jillian N. Janicki
Date: 12/08/22

444 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Eddie Rodriguez
Seller: Robyn Smith-Champion
Date: 11/28/22

72 Upper Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $309,500
Buyer: Kyle Stille
Seller: Donald J. Finamore
Date: 12/02/22

WESTFIELD

6 Apple Orchard Heights
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $311,950
Buyer: Joseph S. Thresher
Seller: Matthew T. Howard
Date: 11/30/22

209 Belanger Road
Westfield, MA 01073
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Richton & Wynne LLC
Seller: Katie M. McLean
Date: 11/30/22

28 Brookline Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Vyacheslav Chekhovskiy
Seller: Nancy L. Heathcote
Date: 12/06/22

53 Christopher Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Bobby R. Williams
Seller: Xiuyu Ma
Date: 12/06/22

76 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Baccara LLC
Seller: 76 Court St. Realty LLC
Date: 11/30/22

32 Cross St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Heather Maloney
Seller: Simmons, Elizabeth B., (Estate)
Date: 12/08/22

1161 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Mark Dupuis
Seller: Clauson, Bryan K., (Estate)
Date: 12/08/22

121 Highland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Nicole E. St.Jean
Seller: Aaron Platt
Date: 12/08/22

419 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jake A. Cupak
Seller: Seth Cupak
Date: 11/29/22

52 Knollwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Anthony Janicki
Seller: Mikhail V. Sharakina
Date: 11/29/22

171 Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Selpan Holdings LLC
Seller: MTB Real Estate LLC
Date: 11/30/22

140 Meadow St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Vantage Home Buyers LLC
Seller: Jeffrey M. Besnia
Date: 12/09/22

456 North Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $281,281
Buyer: Magerick LLC
Seller: John D. Runyon
Date: 12/08/22

121 Otis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Daniel Mosijchuk
Seller: Vasily Zhuk
Date: 12/06/22

13 Paper St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Ursula Elmes
Seller: Fitzgerald Home Solutions LLC
Date: 11/30/22

107 Pinehurst St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: John Pini
Seller: Trista M. Perrea
Date: 11/29/22

61 Sherwood Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Adam J. Dempsey
Seller: Pack FT
Date: 12/09/22

15 State St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Kelsey Wyman
Seller: Ann M. Crum
Date: 12/06/22

14 Valley View Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Trista M. Perrea
Seller: Kathryn V. Roberts
Date: 11/29/22

76 Wood Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $391,000
Buyer: Kathryn V. Roberts
Seller: Robert W. Healy
Date: 11/29/22

WILBRAHAM

20 Bartlett Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Mark D. Haggan
Seller: Connor J. Mooney
Date: 11/30/22

23 Briar Cliff Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Joanne Hetherington
Seller: Brianrcliff NT
Date: 11/28/22

19 Bridge St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jeffrey D. Tweedell
Seller: Ronald N. Rauscher
Date: 12/02/22

11 Deerfield Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Heather M. Leone
Seller: A. R. & P. A. Roos TR
Date: 12/08/22

17 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Hector Rivera
Seller: Custom Home Development Group LLC
Date: 12/02/22

43 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Tyler Hadley
Seller: Vincent Pelletier
Date: 12/08/22

8 Maynard Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Diamond Home Improvement
Seller: Elizabeth E. Berard
Date: 12/01/22

11 Nokomis Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: John C. Farr
Seller: McCarthy, Veronica C., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/22

42 Oakland St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Cathleen M. Bradlee
Seller: Ashley D. Kunz
Date: 11/28/22

1084 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $293,000
Buyer: Laurie A. Boganski
Seller: Zachary K. Pueschel
Date: 12/09/22

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

20 Cortland Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Evelyn A. Villa RET
Seller: Edward W. Westhead RET
Date: 12/07/22

444 Flat Hills Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $492,000
Buyer: Jeffrey W. Conant
Seller: Constance W. Gildea
Date: 12/09/22

25 Greenwich Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Oliverio
Seller: John Vassallo
Date: 12/06/22

25 Hunters Hill Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Uttam Acharya
Seller: Kinney, Arthur F., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/22

144 Maplewood Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Ian S. Novey
Seller: Joann Carino
Date: 11/30/22

220 North East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $659,000
Buyer: 220 North East Street LLC
Seller: RPF LLC
Date: 12/02/22

786 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $558,600
Buyer: Shiyue Deng
Seller: Susan E. Jahoda
Date: 11/28/22

71 North Prospect St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $876,000
Buyer: North Prospect LLC
Seller: Joseph S. R. Volpe RET
Date: 12/09/22

77-79 North Prospect St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $996,000
Buyer: North Prospect LLC
Seller: Joseph S. R. Volpe RET
Date: 12/09/22

15 Teaberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $749,000
Buyer: Joseph L. MacDonald
Seller: Terry S. Johnson
Date: 12/01/22

BELCHERTOWN

355 Amherst Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Brian E. Alexander
Seller: Jerry N. Lachance
Date: 12/07/22

2 Barrett St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Kerri Bolow
Seller: Stephanie Bonafini
Date: 11/28/22

431 Chauncey Walker St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: James R. Carvalho
Seller: Randy L. Barnes
Date: 11/30/22

16 Forest Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Deborah A. Fuller
Seller: Angela Wilcox-Braese
Date: 12/05/22

205 North St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $788,000
Buyer: Richard G. Prager
Seller: Daniel W. Shelton
Date: 11/30/22

73 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Matthew Kwiatkowski
Seller: Brighenti RT
Date: 12/02/22

331 Stebbins St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Kenneth R. Sloat
Seller: Scott C. Thurston
Date: 11/30/22

CHESTERFIELD

388 Ireland St.
Chesterfield, MA 01084
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Samantha Rice
Seller: Brandon Burgess
Date: 12/05/22

Munson Road Lot 2A2
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Laura Dimmler
Seller: Andrea L. Looney
Date: 11/28/22

63 North Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Jeffery Manley
Seller: Anika Kimble-Huntley
Date: 12/02/22

201 Sugar Hill Road
Chesterfield, MA 01096
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Audrey M. Healy
Seller: Jenny Navasky
Date: 11/29/22

EASTHAMPTON

157 East St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Tyler Gagne
Seller: Ellen J. Laroche
Date: 12/01/22

144 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Carl D. Bannon
Seller: Jennifer A. Hamilton
Date: 11/28/22

49 Overlook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Amy Bradford-Landau
Seller: Cynthia D. Rzonca
Date: 12/02/22

18 Sandra Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Carl R. Henderson
Seller: Simone Palladino
Date: 11/30/22

25 Sterling Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Luzed L. Guzman-Romano
Seller: Ronald J. Gregoire
Date: 11/29/22

HATFIELD

23 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Ryan W. Rourke
Seller: Charles A. Labbee
Date: 12/05/22

Straits Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Thomas Hicks
Seller: Paul J. Cernak
Date: 12/01/22

HUNTINGTON

117 County Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $539,000
Buyer: Thomas A. Garran
Seller: Adrene S. Adams
Date: 12/09/22

76 Laurel Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Frederick M. Scibelli
Seller: Henry E. Thomas
Date: 11/29/22

22 Upper Russell Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: Jeffrey T. Reynolds
Date: 12/06/22

NORTHAMPTON

38 Allison St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Eileen M. Travis
Seller: Paul Redstone
Date: 12/05/22

10 Evergreen Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Andrew Griffith
Seller: Daniel G. Kirouac
Date: 12/09/22

723 Florence Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Manmeet Singh-Saini
Seller: Amrik Singh
Date: 11/30/22

54 Grant Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $605,000
Buyer: Anne Bayerle
Seller: Daniele Girardi
Date: 12/05/22

19 Hayes Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Mary Read
Seller: Redmond, Diane, (Estate)
Date: 12/02/22

8 Liberty St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $724,900
Buyer: Adele Kogan
Seller: Nu Way Homes Inc.
Date: 12/02/22

78 Overlook Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Hannah L. Hebert
Seller: Veteran Stan LLC
Date: 11/29/22

615 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $324,000
Buyer: Florence LLC
Seller: Debra Thomson-Bercuvitz
Date: 12/02/22

25 Williams St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: 25 Williams LLC
Seller: Elizabeth D. Katz
Date: 11/30/22

PELHAM

57 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $374,000
Buyer: Ella J. Johnson-Yarosevich
Seller: Gregory H. Wardlaw
Date: 11/29/22

59 Arnold Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Chelsea E. Grybko
Seller: Teraspulsky, Peter A., (Estate)
Date: 11/30/22

SOUTH HADLEY

32 Brigham Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Eva M. Boyer
Seller: Wayne J. Harris
Date: 11/29/22

64 Columbia St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kristen Briody
Seller: Debra A. Gendreau
Date: 12/08/22

157 Ferry St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $461,500
Buyer: Leah C. Manchester
Seller: Robert J. Roose
Date: 11/29/22

79 Lyman St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: CVVF South Hadley MA LLC
Seller: South Hadley RE LLC
Date: 11/30/22

29 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Charles O’Donnell
Seller: JN Duquette & Son Construction
Date: 11/29/22

12 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Julie A. Sayre
Seller: Mary A. Coughlin
Date: 12/01/22

85 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $286,500
Buyer: Dora M. Shick
Seller: Kristin S. Loiko
Date: 11/30/22

18 Pheasant Run
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Umair Saeed
Seller: John F. Delaney
Date: 12/09/22

40 Prospect St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jerome Bailey
Seller: P&R Prospects LLC
Date: 12/07/22

10 Spring St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Ryan A. Cyr
Seller: Nicholas A. Friscia
Date: 12/01/22

SOUTHAMPTON

9 Cold Spring Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Vincent R. Snyder
Seller: Matthew Stine
Date: 12/05/22

2 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Brandon T. Blais
Seller: Kristine P. Canton
Date: 11/30/22

9 Maple St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Bradley Towle
Seller: Gabriel A. Kushin
Date: 11/30/22

WARE

31 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $192,000
Buyer: Nicholas G. Straight
Seller: Carol A. Hutchinson
Date: 12/07/22

211 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: James E. Odell
Seller: Dailla Rios
Date: 12/09/22

282 Old Gilbertville Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Erik J. Heintz
Seller: Michael Wisnoski
Date: 12/01/22

9-R West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $166,200
Buyer: Daniel A. Bruso
Seller: Alfred Loader
Date: 12/08/22

23-25 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: For My Littles LLC
Seller: Manomednet LLC
Date: 11/30/22

61 West St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: 61 West Street LLC
Seller: Rejicus LLC
Date: 12/02/22

WESTHAMPTON

1 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Fortier Properties LLC
Seller: Northcountry Properties LLC
Date: 12/06/22

WORTHINGTON

304 Kinnebrook Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Evelyn Voorhees
Seller: Eugene Labrie
Date: 12/09/22

68 Thrasher Hill Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $167,500
Buyer: Allen Rosario
Seller: Evelyn Voorhees
Date: 12/09/22

Building Permits

Building Permits

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

CHICOPEE

Hannoush Jewelers
704 Memorial Dr.
$9,000 — Install commercial fire-alarm system

Patricia Midura
74 Ames Ave.
$16,800 — Roofing

PAH Properties LLC
38 Front St.
$30,000 — Roofing

Valley Opportunity Council
30 Center St.
$1,202,286 — Upgrade restaurant in Unit 32; interior renovation with new bathrooms in Units 26 and 28; third-floor renovation to apartment units and new laundry; new windows, plumbing, and heating

HADLEY

220 Russell Street LLC
220 Russell St.
N/A — Install sign

Barstow’s Longview Farm Inc.
172 Hockanum Road
N/A — Shed addition to connect to store

DLW Realty LLC
155 Russell St.
N/A — Fix exterior damage on carport

DLW Realty LLC
155 Russell St.
N/A — Repair awning damage from truck impact

FTF Realty LLP
299 Russell St.
N/A — Demolish ceiling tiles and insulation, install new lights

Hadley Corner LLC
344 Russell St.
N/A — Replace sign

McDonald’s Real Estate Co.
374 Russell St.
N/A — Saw cut, excavate, backfill, repour concrete, tile floor

Francine Ness
137 West St.
N/A — Roofing

Research Park LP
100 Venture Way
N/A — Open wall between two conference rooms, frame new wall

LENOX

PVI Lenox Village LLC
21 Housatonic St.
$40,000 — Foundation for addition and four footings in existing structure

NORTHAMPTON

52 Maple Street Place LLC
52 Maple St.
$9,200 — Roofing

Community Care Resources Inc.
142 Glendale Road
$8,000 — Build ramp and deck

Lathrop Community Inc.
680 Bridge Road
$6,000 — Replacement windows

Smith College
Henshaw Avenue
$130,000 — Fire sprinkler system

Suher Properties LLC
50 Main St.
$65,100 — Interior partition at Florence Bank

Sunwood Development Corp.
33 Chapel St.
$31,200 — Demolish and rebuild garage

PITTSFIELD

AER Inc.
52 Lincoln St.
$2,500 — Install handrail on both sides of exterior entry stair

William Bravo
160 Wahconah St.
$13,440 — Roofing

SPRINGFIELD

AA LLC
111 Chestnut St.
$60,000 — Alter interior of restaurant bar and kitchen

AJN Rentals LLC
6 Sorrento St.
$10,643 — Install fire-alarm system

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
759 Chestnut St.
$118,000 — Alter interior for new emergency room offices on first floor

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
3300 Main St.
$469,500 — Alter interior to expand pharmacy area

Joe Billafame
1078 Allen St.
$9,000 — Remodel bathroom

Jose Manus Botero
88 Appleton St.
$43,000 — Install solar panels to roof of detached garage

Ellen Boynton, Lewis Boynton
666 State St.
$59,000 — Alter interior for retail cannabis store, Primus Dispensary

City of Springfield
1840 Roosevelt Ave.
$120,200 — Install concrete foundation and slab for future walk-in cooler at Central High School

Manuel Colon
824 Worthington St.
$8,000 — Enclose rear porch

Jonathan Dos Santos
48 Enfield St.
$3,884.16 — Add insulation to basement ceiling

Karen Hoyt
21 Utica St.
$41,000 — Install solar panels to roof of detached garage

MGM Springfield Redevelopment LLC
12 MGM Way
$100,000 — Add three doors on second level of MGM Springfield casino

Maryneida Perez
27 Rutledge Ave.
$14,580 — Add insulation to attic and exterior walls

Pride Real Estate LLC
1211 East Columbus Ave.
$110,000 — Alter interior space for existing Dunkin’ Donuts area

Roca Pallin Youth Center Inc.
27 School St.
$10,080 — Alter existing basement storage into new office space, install smoke detectors and emergency exit signs

Springfield College
236 Wilbraham Ave.
$61,200 — Roofing at Weiser Hall

Western MA EEN LLC
487 East Columbus Ave.
$20,000 — Alter front and side fascia overhang of convenience store

BusinessTalk with Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 143: January 3, 2023

George Interviews Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. The two talk about everything from Amherst’s strong comeback from the pandemic, which hit its hospitality, college-town economy very hard, to the prospects for chambers of commerce in the post-COVID world. It’s all must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local 413 and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

Sponsored by:

Also Available On

State Announces $1 Million in Grants to Improve Massachusetts Farm Food Safety

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced $1,000,000 in grants to 23 Massachusetts farms to implement practices that improve food safety within their operations.

The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP), administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, is a competitive grant program that allows produce and aquaculture operations to address food safety on their farms, enabling the operations to meet buyer demands, increase consumption of local food, and protect public health by reducing food-safety risks.

“The Commonwealth’s agricultural industry continues to grow and upgrade its practices to meet both marketplace demands and regulatory requirements,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “These grants underscore our administration’s commitment to helping farmers implement important upgrades within their operations to ensure that food-safety risks are managed, that their marketplace needs are addressed, and their businesses continue to grow.”

This round of grant funding has a focus on assisting commercial oyster farmers to comply with the Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Marine Fisheries and the Department of Public Health’s Vibrio Control Program. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is a human pathogen known to cause foodborne illnesses from the consumption of raw oysters. To address these foodborne illnesses, the Vp control plan requires strict harvesting controls for oysters. Examples of awards to aquaculture operations to help meet these requirements include oyster graders, refrigerated vehicles, and ice machines that work toward reducing the temperature of oysters at harvest and continued cooling of oysters thereafter.

Grant funds for produce operations provided through AFSIP focus on helping these efforts meet regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act, as well as to protect public health, sustain public confidence in the food system, and meet buyer requirements. Examples of awards to produce operations include cold storage, wildlife fencing, washing/packing facility upgrades, and produce washing lines.

Western Mass. farms included in the AFSIP grants include Hagers Farm Market LLC, Shelburne, washing and packing facility ($172,000); Kosinski Farms, Westfield, washing and packing upgrades ($29,000); Quonquont Farm LLC, Whately, washing and packing upgrades ($10,700); Upinngil Farm, Gill, washing and packing facility ($102,800); and Red Shirt Farm LLC, Lanesborough, refrigeration ($28,500).

North Adams Chamber Reports on 2022 in Review

NORTH ADAMS — The North Adams Chamber issued a statement reporting on a busy 2022.

“This year, the North Adams Chamber focused on connecting with the business community and learning how the organization can support business owners in a new and invigorating way,” it stated. “From casual networking events to interactive sticky-note activities, we learned lot about the challenges that business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, and community members are faced with every day.”

Among its activities, the chamber hosted and helped organize roughly 20 events and workshops in 2022, while 42 businesses participated in the chamber’s Technical Assistance program. Since 2021, the chamber has supported the creation of 21 full-time jobs and 16 part-time jobs; 12 businesses have received grants, and the chamber is currently working with or has helped with grant applications for five additional businesses; and the Technical Assistance program has helped maintain 22 jobs in the community.

STCC Receives $75,000 State Grant to Help Close Achievement Gaps

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) received a $75,000 state grant to increase the faculty’s core equity competencies and knowledge about racial equity, social justice, and structures that have an impact on student success.

The Massachusetts Higher Education Innovation Fund grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education will support professional development for 20 faculty members. The goal of the project is to help underserved and underrepresented students — especially students of color — succeed along their academic journey, from applying to STCC to graduation.

Mary Wiseman, director of Instructional Innovation and Faculty Investment at STCC, said the funding will help advance the college’s mission to support students as they transform their lives. “I am very excited to gather faculty, lead them in training on techniques to increase their skills, and ultimately lift the equity agenda. We want to explore how to make classrooms inclusive spaces where students feel welcomed and connected to the faculty and curriculum.”

With the funding in hand, STCC plans to recruit faculty who will join a core coaching group known as Equity Leaders & Guides who will train in equity-minded practices. At the conclusion of their work, they will share their discoveries with STCC colleagues.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Geraldine de Berly said the initiative is critically important. “We are grateful to Governor Baker and his administration for supporting our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This training will support our faculty who make such a difference in our students’ lives.”

The faculty will work together to discover new teaching techniques and will attend workshop training with the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton. In addition, they will engage in a virtual book club, among other tasks.

STCC, which has a technical focus in all its programs, is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. About 30% of the student body are Latino, Latina, or Latinx.

Nearly $2.74 Million Awarded to Combat Violence Against Women

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced that dozens of law-enforcement, criminal-justice, and victim-services organizations have been awarded grants through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant program.

The federal funds will help Massachusetts agencies in efforts to prevent, reduce, and improve responses to acts of gender-based, sexual, and domestic violence; stalking; and human trafficking. The 44 grant recipients (click here for the full list) were selected through a competitive application process administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Each organization funded in FY 2023 will be eligible for additional funding during the three following years.

“These grants allow our Commonwealth to enhance our work combating domestic violence and sexual offenses,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “Meeting the needs of survivors, providing safety nets for those seeking to escape, and holding perpetrators accountable requires a coalition of law enforcement and service providers. VAWA funds have allowed us to build these vital partnerships and provide resources, not just in 2023, but for years to come.”

Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy explained that “these grants help improve how law enforcement and the criminal-justice system respond to violence against women through training opportunities and enhanced capacity to investigate and prosecute these offenses. It also ensures that the victims of domestic and intimate-partner violence, sexual assault and exploitation, and stalking have access to the services they deserve.”

OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton added that “the VAWA grant program is one of the most impactful programs administered by the Office of Grants and Research. These funds help ensure that victims have access to the protections of law enforcement and the criminal-justice system, as well as trauma-informed and culturally-competent services. We look forward to working alongside all our funded partners to achieve this mission.”

New Local Brewery Receives National Recognition

By BusinessWest Staff December 30, 2022

PITTSFIELD — Hot Plate Brewing Co., a Latina-owned brewery opening in downtown Pittsfield in early 2023, was selected as one of the Imbibe 75 in the January/February 2023 issue of Imbibe. According to the magazine, the Imbibe 75 features “individuals, organizations, and businesses that are dedicated to creating a more positive, sustainable, inclusive, and equitable drinks world.”

As a BIPOC- and women-owned business, Hot Plate was selected by Imbibe because of the company’s mission to make the craft-beer world more accessible and inclusive. According to the Brewers Assoc., less than 1% of all American craft breweries are owned by women of color, which makes Hot Plate stand out in a crowded, maturing marketplace. Beyond representation, Hot Plate also seeks to leverage its founders’ professional skillsets to execute on their brand promise in a data-driven way.

With almost 40 years of combined experience in market research, brand development, and data analysis, founders Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila plan on implementing tools and best practices to reach, inspire, and engage historically underrepresented consumers.

“For the last 10 or so years of my career, I’ve learned how to leverage qualitative and quantitative market research to support corporate sales and marketing teams as they develop and execute strategies that lead to top-line revenue growth,” Real said. “I’m so excited that I now have the opportunity to use that expertise to support my own passion for craft beer and making it relatable for people who might not see themselves reflected in the industry today.”

Dell’Aquila echoed his wife and business partner’s enthusiasm and strategic approach. “Going back to when we were still home-brewing, we noticed that a lot of our friends were very gendered in their consumption habits. The men would drink the beer, and our female friends would politely take a sip, expecting to switch to wine pretty soon after that. But one of the things we started noticing was that beers like Sarah’s chamomile blonde ale had a lot of women saying that, even though they didn’t consider themselves beer drinkers, they’d drink that. And we continued getting that feedback during the pop-up events we were doing in Pittsfield and throughout the Berkshires.”

In addition to its beers and marketing plans, Hot Plate also intends to make a tangible, positive impact in the Berkshires with its Community Line, which will feature collaborations with a rotating list of mission-aligned nonprofit organizations and raise money for a variety of causes; proceeds from these collaborative beers will go directly to the charitable organizations with whom they are partnering. “We know that one of the things that makes beer special is its ability to bring people together,” Real said, “and with our Community Line, we really believe that we can show that craft beer can also be a force for good.”

Jewish Family Service Welcomes New Executive Director

By BusinessWest Staff December 30, 2022