BusinessTalk with John and Chris DeVoie, founders and owners of the growing chain of Hot Table panini restaurants

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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 226: January 20, 2025

George Interviews John and Chris DeVoie, founders and owners of the growing chain of Hot Table panini restaurants

In 1996, BusinessWest created its Top Entrepreneur award to pay homage to this region’s rich history of entrepreneurship and to recognize those that continue that tradition. The winners for 2024 are John and Chris DeVoie, founders and owners of the growing chain of Hot Table panini restaurants. For the next episode of BusinessTalk, contributing writer George O’Brien talks with the DeVoies about how they got started, how they’ve grown their business and their brand, where they want to go from here, and what this ride has been like. It’s must listening that will certainly make you hungry. So tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.

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OMG Roofing Restructures Leadership Team

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Daily News

AGAWAM — As part of its strategic plan to accelerate growth, innovation, and product performance, OMG Roofing has restructured its management team with several industry heavy hitters.

Brian Regnier

Brian Regnier has been brought in as the new vice president of Sales and Marketing. He is responsible for developing and executing the division’s overall sales and marketing strategy as well as overseeing the company’s Marketing and Customer Service departments.

Regnier joins OMG from Duro-Last, a well-established manufacturer of custom-fabricated thermoplastic single-ply roofing systems, where he was vice president of Sales. Earlier, he managed New England commercial sales for Beacon, the largest publicly traded distributor of roofing, waterproofing, and related exterior products in the U.S. and Canada.

John McMahon

In addition to Regnier, John McMahon was promoted to senior vice president and general manager, where he will work with Regnier and Adam Cincotta, vice president of the Adhesives business unit to drive the company’s top-level strategic initiatives.

McMahon has been with OMG since 2002 in a variety of leadership roles. He was promoted to vice president of Sales and Marketing for OMG Roofing in early 2024 after spending 22 years with FastenMaster, where he most recently led the Decking business unit.

Josh Kelly

Rounding out the new team is company veteran Josh Kelly, who has been named as senior vice president of the Fastener business unit and Roofing Technical Services. He will oversee the company’s primary roofing-fastener operations, which includes RoofGrip, RhinoBond, PowerGrip, OlyFlow, and the OMG Roofing technical services team.

Kelly started with OMG in 1991 as a project coordinator and has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility since then. He most recently served as senior vice president of Business Development, but has extensive experience with the company in sales, marketing, and product development, including the innovative RhinoBond system.

“I am confident that these organizational changes will significantly enhance the team’s ability to drive continued success,” said John Ashe, president and CEO of OMG Inc. “Brian, John, Josh, and Adam are all well-seasoned industry veterans with strong track records of accomplishment and demonstrated leadership abilities.”

MP CPAs Promotes Alex Leslie to Tax Supervisor

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Daily News

Alex Leslie

SPRINGFIELD — MP CPAs recently announced the promotion of Alex Leslie to tax supervisor with the firm. He provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, partnerships, corporations, and trusts. He specializes in working with businesses in many industries, including construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and distribution, among others.

Leslie joined the firm in 2016 as an intern and started full-time in 2017. He is a certified public accountant in the state of Massachusetts. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

Railroad Hobby Show Returns to Eastern States Exposition on Jan. 25-26

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — America’s largest railroad-themed trade show will be back at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25-26.

Occupying four buildings and 400,000 square feet of space, the Railroad Hobby Show covers all facets of the railroad hobbies: model railroads in all scales, railroad art and photography, railroad history and preservation, tourist railroads, railroad artifacts, and railroad books and videos. Major railroad publications and model railroad manufacturers attend the show, and many use it as the setting to introduce new products.

Maggie the Railroad Clown, the show’s goodwill ambassador, performs on stage as well as roaming the show buildings delighting children of all ages with magic tricks and juggling feats. In addition, operating models of Thomas, Lego trains, and ever-popular wooden train sets are all at the show.

The Railroad Hobby Show is sponsored by the Amherst Railway Society. For additional information and show tickets, visit railroadhobbyshow.com.

Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Welcomes Three New Board Members

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Daily News

CHICOPEE — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts announced the addition of three community members to its board of directors: Amy Rome, Olivia Aguilar, and Maureen James. Each brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity in the region.

With extensive expertise in fundraising across health, education, performing-arts, international, and faith-based organizations, Rome has held key roles at institutions such as Lincoln Center, Cancer Care, and the William J. Clinton Foundation and Union Seminary. She has also consulted on initiatives for the Guggenheim Museum and the Episcopal Divinity School at Union. She has actively contributed to the Food Bank’s development committee since March 2022. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she has served on the board of the Academy of Music and leads the Banned Book Initiative for the League of Women Voters in Northampton.

Aguilar, director of the Miller Worley Center for the Environment at Mount Holyoke College, is a nationally recognized expert in environmental education and community-based learning. A first-generation college graduate, she has earned degrees from Texas A&M University and Cornell University, with research focused on inclusivity in environmental and science learning communities. Her work explores intersections of community, race, and transformative education. Her dedication to equity aligns with the Food Bank’s mission to create inclusive and sustainable solutions to hunger. Her upcoming book, Remembering, Resisting, and Reimagining: The Latinx Outdoor Experience, will be published in 2025.

A Cathedral High School alumna, James brings legal and community-service expertise to the board. After earning degrees in political science and English from Boston University and her law degree from Suffolk University, she has specialized in employment defense and insurance law at Skoler, Abbott, and Presser, P.C. in Springfield. Since returning to Western Mass. in 2015, she has become deeply involved in her community, chairing Wilbraham’s Commission on Disability, and, starting this year, serving as vice chair of the Baystate Health Foundation board. Her dedication to community empowerment complements the Food Bank’s vision for a hunger-free region.

MLK Day Collaborative to Host 2025 Martin Luther King Day Celebration

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The MLK Day Collaborative invites the public to “MLK Day 2025: Pursue Justice. Persist in Peace” on Monday, Jan. 10 at the MassMutual Center. An Arts & Wellness Expo from 12:30 to 2 p.m. will be followed by a program at 2 p.m. Events are free and open to the public.

​“Each year, ​we gather ​to honor the life and enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We reflect on his unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and peace and are inspired to embody his important work for and with our community,” said Shannon Rudder, president and CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services. “This year’s theme, ‘Pursue Justice. Persist in Peace,’ captures the essence of Dr. King’s philosophy and provides a framework for how we are to approach the myriad challenges that persist today.”

The day’s celebration begins with a noon ceremony and MLK flag raising at Springfield City Hall hosted by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Greater Springfield NAACP. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center, with an expo featuring artistic expressions, exhibitions, and vendors in the lobby entrance followed by an program in which nearly 1,000 youth and supporting adult participants will manifest the event’s theme through inspiring spoken word, dance, and music presentations featuring MLK Charter School of Excellence, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services’ Youth & Clemente Program, Community Music School of Springfield’s Sonido Musica, MLK Day Festival Orchestra, Springfield CommUnity Chorale, Young at Heart Chorus, Children’s Chorus of Springfield, Springfield Public Schools students, and more.

The MLK Day Collaborative is comprised of the following organizations: Community Music School of Springfield, D.R.E.A.M. Studios,​ FOCUS Springfield, Greater Springfield NAACP, Inclusive Strategies, Legacy Sounds, ​Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence, Springfield College, Springfield Public Schools, ​Springfield Cultural Council, Urban League of Springfield, Young at Heart Chorus.

“We gather once again to embody the hope of Dr. King and manifest the promise of our youth to fulfill his dream of unity and justice for all,” said Vanessa Ford, associate director at Community Music School of Springfield. “Let us lift up one another into the light of peace today and keep that dream alive.”

Davis Foundation Names Kiley O’Meara New Executive Director

By
Daily News

Kiley O’Meara

SPRINGFIELD — The directors of the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation announced that Kiley O’Meara has been named the new executive director of the foundation. She will oversee the foundation’s strategic initiatives and brings with her three decades of experience in philanthropy, policy, and education.

For the past year, O’Meara has served the Davis Foundation as director of Strategy and Learning. She previously worked as a senior researcher at Stanford University at the PACE (Policy Analysis for California Education) research center. In that position, she supported continuous improvement in policy and philanthropy through research, data-based insights and analysis, and strategic planning.

Specializing in improving education for low-income youth, O’Meara has conducted pivotal research on initiatives supported by major foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Her diverse career spans roles such as director of Policy and Research at GreatSchools, program officer at the Stupski Foundation in San Francisco; and policy director of the Bay Area School Reform Collaborative, part of the national Hewlett-Annenberg Challenge school-improvement effort.

She served as an AmeriCorps member after graduating college, teaching inmates at the Suffolk County House of Correction in Boston. She then went on to be a TK-12 educator before entering the realm of policy and research.

“I am grateful and honored to be a part of the Davis family’s tradition and legacy of giving and am excited to continue the foundation’s strong commitment to early literacy as a key lever to accessing opportunity,” O’Meara said. “I have deep respect for all those in this region doing important, challenging work every day to improve the lives of children and families.”

O’Meara grew up, studied, and worked in Massachusetts and spent 20 years in California before returning to the East Coast. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Kennedy School at Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College. In the community, she serves in leadership roles at Choate Rosemary Hall’s parent association and the Harvard Alumnae Assoc., and also volunteers at Healing Meals in Simsbury, Conn.

“We welcome Kiley to this critically important leadership position at the foundation. We identified her as a vital resource to the foundation when bringing her on board last year,” said Laurel Ferretti, Davis Foundation director. “She has played an important role in helping us develop our strategic priorities. Most of all, her work experience demonstrates her passion and her alignment with the goals of the foundation in advancing early learning, innovation in education, and helping people in our region access the tools necessary for their own economic success.”

Greenfield Cooperative Bank Promotes Courtney Huxley to Business Development Officer

By
Daily News

Courtney Huxley

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the promotion of Courtney Huxley to Business Development officer. In this role, she will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow the bank’s customer base and strengthen its market position.

She will be responsible for driving business growth by fostering new customer relationships, supporting marketing strategies, and implementing initiatives to attract customers to the bank. She will also be a strong presence at the bank’s numerous community giving and outreach programs.

“Courtney has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of our customers, a passion for building relationships, and a strong work ethic,” said Lisa Kmetz, executive vice president and Retail & Security officer. “Her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand our services to meet the needs of our community.”

Huxley has a 22-year career in retail banking, including five years as a branch manager at Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

“I’m excited to represent the cooperative bank and help the consumers and businesses of our region utilize the full value of a banking relationship with a truly great local bank,” she said.

Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts Announces New Board Members

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts (RTWM) announced a slate of new board members to its roster, enhancing its community leadership in a cause that has engaged more than 350 volunteers in Western Mass.

“Volunteering for Rachel’s Table, first in the gardens, and now as a board member, is an incredible opportunity to serve our local community,” said Mallory Probert-Caplan, one of the new board members. “Food insecurity is, unfortunately, not going away, and Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts has been creating solutions to support access to healthy food for so many.”

Other new board members inaugurated in 2025 include Cathy Dorison, Michael Paysnick, and Carolyn Martinez, executive director of Christina’s House, as agency representative, a new position on the board of directors.

In addition, RTWM also added Janice Dickstein to the board in 2025 and to the executive board in 2025. Jeffrey Sagalyn and Erinn Young, vice president at PeoplesBank, moved from the professional advisory council to the board. RTWM’s new president is Judy Yaffe, and the vice president is Jane Cohen. Laura Katz remains treasurer.

“Serving on nonprofit boards and committees is a great way to help vitalize our local community with your unique skills and talents,” said Jodi Falk, executive director of Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts. “We are a volunteer-driven organization, which means volunteers truly drive our work, literally and figuratively, at every level. We could not do what we do without the hard work of our volunteers.”

RTWM is always open to new volunteers, from drivers, dispatchers, gleaners, and gardeners to those who wish to serve on committees and then eventually the board. If interested, visit feedwma.org to review the volunteer resource page and fill out the volunteer registration form.

Enfield Is All Aboard the Development Train

By
Aaron Marcavitch
Community Spotlight

Community Spotlight

Aaron Marcavitch

Aaron Marcavitch says Enfield would benefit from a balance of different types of new housing.

 

In a region with plenty of dying, dead, or deteriorating shopping centers, Enfield Square stands out — just Target and a few smaller retailers occupying a largely empty structure where anchors such as Macy’s, JCPenney, and Sears once thrived.

But it’s also a property with an intriguing location, sitting between two very busy thoroughfares in Elm Street and Hazard Avenue, each dotted with retail, restaurants, and plenty of traffic.

And 2024 brought a ray of hope when the mall property — all but the Target — was purchased by Woodsonia Acquisitions, which has proposed a $250 million project that will feature retail and restaurant businesses, hundreds of residential units, and a small hotel.

Woodsonia also worked with the town on an application for a $20 million Connecticut Community Investment Funds program grant. After much back and forth with the state, an amended, $10 million version was recently resubmitted.

“It was narrowed down a little bit,” said Aaron Marcavitch, who has had a busy several months since coming on board as Enfield’s Economic & Community Development director last April. “It’s a $10 million request, basically for the demolition of the building and for the critical infrastructure elements of it — pipes in the ground and some of those types of things. We should hear by March whether or not that will happen. If it goes forward, that process will take six to nine months before you might see demolition.”

He said the town and developer share a vision for the property involving the mixed-use blend of housing, a hotel, and “some upscale strip elements” on the retail side, including an organic grocery store.

“It’s been said for 50 years now that Thompsonville is going to be revitalized, but I feel like some positive movement is happening. We’re actually putting those plans into action.”

“It’s likely that the developers are a little bit more housing-focused, so they’ll get that part done, and the rest will happen as they acquire potential retailers or restaurants or whatever,” Marcavitch went on. “If the project were to go sideways, there may be other ways for us to go with this. It is a really great location for retail.”

The housing element is especially intriguing at a time when most cities and towns in the region need more of it. At the same time, a 140-unit residential development is taking shape on North River Street, near the critically important train stop project taking shape in the Thompsonville neighborhood (more on all of that later).

“I think the balance that Enfield is looking for is in truly affordable housing — really low-income versus workforce housing,” Marcavitch said, citing a term often used in the social-services world: ALICE, which stands for asset-limited, income-constrained, employed. “It basically means that you’re well above the poverty line, but it’s still hard to make ends meet. And I think that’s the area of housing we’ve been hearing about, as well as some of the 55-plus and elderly types of housing.

Enfield Square has been in decline for many years

Enfield Square has been in decline for many years, but a planned mixed-use development there has city officials excited.

“We’re a predominantly single-family type of community, but we’ve got some really interesting projects,” he went on. “I mean, the 140 apartments on the river are being built essentially as one-bedroom majority because they’re looking for the commuting professional with no kids. That’s their target audience. With demographics changing, we kind of have to stay on our toes for what the community is looking for.”

 

Train Not in Vain

The entire rail-centric project in Thompsonville has certainly made waves — with real ripple effects when it comes to development.

Late in 2023, the Connecticut Department of Transportation attached hard dates to the $45 million project to build the train station. Those dates included the summer of 2024 for the final design to be completed, the winter of 2025 for the construction bid to be awarded, the spring of 2027 for accompanying rail and bridge work to be completed, and the fall of 2027 for completion of the station and platform.

That plan is largely on track (no pun intended), though there’s plenty of bid and permit work to be completed this year, Marcavitch said, and shovels may be in the ground by September.

“If you can encourage somebody to come here, that’s great, but I don’t want you just getting on a train and disappearing every day. At the end of the day, I want you to go to a dog park, I want you to go hike a trail, whatever it is, and stay in Enfield as much as possible.”

Enfield’s station is expected to be more than a metro stop, bringing people to Hartford to work; it will also be a larger hub for Amtrak for more distant destinations, while a planned spur off the Windsor Locks stop will bring people to and from Bradley International Airport. The project has also, as noted earlier, gained the attention of the development community.

The 140-unit project on North River Street is being developed by HGRE Ventures, a partnership between Avon-based Honeycomb Real Estate Partners and GRAVA Properties of West Hartford. HGRE plans a $100 million, two-phase project that would eventually bring more than 300 units to the riverfront section of Thompsonville, near the much larger Bigelow Commons apartment complex.

Enfield at a Glance

Year Incorporated: 1683
Population: 42,141
Area: 34.2 square miles
County: Hartford
Residential Tax Rate: $32.23
Commercial Tax Rate: $32.23
Median Household Income: $67,402
Median Family Income: $77,554
Type of Government: Town Council, Town Manager
Largest Employers: Empower Retirement LLC, Town of Enfield, Advance Auto Parts Distribution Center, Eppendorf Manufacturing
* Latest information available

The HGRE property sits on the former Bigelow Carpet manufacturing plant, and the developers recently secured $4 million from the state brownfields program to remediate the property, Marcavitch said. “That actually used to be the power plant for Bigelow. At one point, they were burning garbage in there. There was oil being used, coal being used, so there’s a lot of stuff on the grounds that needs to be cleaned up.”

He noted that the project will include some publicly accessible waterfront walking space, and HGRE will also seek to acquire an additional parcel at Main and North River streets, currently owned by Eversource, for the project’s second phase.

“The intention from the developer is to be able to use that area where the Eversource property is to build a waterfront restaurant location,” he said. “You get off the train, you can get something to eat, you can go to your apartment, whatever it might be, and that trail then would continue to Main Street, at least. There’s also been a long-term vision to have some sort of a pier that goes out into the river. That’s part of my job — to see if we can find funding for that and find a way to do it.”

Meanwhile, the town has received $1 million in federal funding to be used for streetscaping, from the train station up Main Street. “That’s going to trees, sidewalks, lighting, parking, striping, and making the road a bit more narrow,” Marcavitch explained.

“We’ve also been having some conversations about parking issues,” he went on. “We’ve had conversations with a group that’s being formed, a nonprofit group that would function as a Main Street program. They’re still in development.”

Taken together, Thompsonville definitely has some buzz. “It’s been said for 50 years now that Thompsonville is going to be revitalized, but I feel like some positive movement is happening. We’re actually putting those plans into action.”

 

Further Down the Track

That action has brought a sense of momentum to town, Marcavitch said, even if not everyone is feeling it yet.

“I feel there is a sense in Enfield that people don’t believe it until they start to see it. And nobody is seeing that shovel in the ground. But there are some people who know it’s happening, and they want to get ahead of it — whether it’s small developers on Main Street wanting to do small projects or big developers doing 140 apartment units.”

That said, other areas of town have seen some progress, too — even in the industrial sector, still reeling from Lego’s departure.

“We’ve had some really good conversations with the logistics industry, and we’re hopeful to see some projects that might be coming out of that relatively soon,” Marcavitch said, adding that one property owner is working with Martin Brower, the primary trucking company for McDonald’s, on an expansion and redesign of the site’s truck-management space, while USA Hauling, which owns the former Lego building, is talking to some high-tech companies.

“I have heard sometimes that Enfield is difficult to work with from a development standpoint. I don’t think that’s true, but we hear that, so I’ve been trying to be much more accessible to be that point of contact for businesses,” he added. “I was on a phone call with a gentleman who’s looking to put a restaurant in: ‘OK, great, tell me what you need. Let me know whenever you run into a snag.’ We’re just trying to be more helpful and more open.”

It’s the same with the few existing mall tenants, he added. “They don’t know what’s going to happen. So we’ve had some good conversations with those tenants. There’s only so much the town can do, but if we can at least be a receptive ear, sometimes that’s helpful.”

Since taking his role last April, Marcavitch has tried to put the same energy into other types of properties, from open spaces to historical sites.

“If you can encourage somebody to come here, that’s great, but I don’t want you just getting on a train and disappearing every day. At the end of the day, I want you to go to a dog park, I want you to go hike a trail, whatever it is, and stay in Enfield as much as possible. So it’s a multi-pronged process to bring up our sites and attractions, bring up our parks, bring up our community amenities, and bring up our businesses, too.”

 

New Center on HCC Campus Caters to Adult Learners, Parents

By
Amy Woody
Education

Balancing School and Life

 

Amy Woody

Amy Woody stands in the new Marieb Adult Learner Success Center.

 

Amy Woody knows something about adult learners — students who enroll in college later in life than the typical 18-year-old high-school graduate — because she was one.

When she started at Holyoke Community College in her 20s, she had a 1-year-old son, so she also knows what it’s like to be a student and parent at the same time. So it’s been personally gratifying for her to see the development of a new support program for adult learners and student parents at HCC, which opened last month.

The Marieb Adult Learner Success Center and the Parent Learning Center are funded through a $1 million gift from the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Foundation, established by the late Elaine Marieb, an HCC alum and long-time member of its biology faculty who went on to become a bestselling author of anatomy and physiology textbooks.

“In her generosity and love of lifelong learning, she earmarked this money for the adult-learner and student-parent community,” said Anne Medina, HCC’s associate director of Enrollment and Recruitment. “She herself was an adult learner and understood the unique challenges adult learners face as older students. She firmly believed that they needed dedicated programs and spaces on campus to be successful in their studies.”

Woody agrees. As coordinator of the Marieb Adult Learner Success Center, she told BusinessWest that, as the college began to see an influx of adult learners coming in from MassReconnect — a state program launched in 2023 offering free community-college tuition to students over age 25 — one of the things it was missing was a space where students could be on campus with their children. The Parent Learning Center fills that need.

“She herself was an adult learner and understood the unique challenges adult learners face as older students. She firmly believed that they needed dedicated programs and spaces on campus to be successful in their studies.”

“We were finding they had gaps in their schedules, and they just wanted some place where they could go be with their kids and study,” Woody said. “So we realized this could be a valuable place for students to be on campus, include their children in a family-oriented space, and not feel as though they’re distracting others, or that their kids don’t have a place here. We really believe that education is a family affair, so we’re trying to create spaces and programming that bring the whole family in and not just the student.”

Meanwhile, the Marieb Adult Learner Success Center is for older students in general, not just parents, she added. It’s a more quiet space where students can study, have coffee and snacks in the kitchen, but also access academic advising and workshops to support both academic and life skills.

“It’s not just about turning your work in on time, but how do you manage that with your entire life, your kids and your family and your cooking and your cleaning and all of that fun stuff?” Woody said. “So we try to do programming that honors the adult learner as an entire person and not just a student.”

The Marieb Adult Learner Success Center is a small lounge and study area with adjoining staff offices, while the Parent Learning Center, just across the hall, is a much larger space that contains a desk with a secure play or napping area for small children, as well as a pack and play, changing station, large-screen TV, conference table, art easel, and learning corner with children’s books and toys.

grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 11.

HCC President George Timmons (third from left) helps celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 11.

“The Parent Learning Center is a workspace where students can bring their laptops, sit and work on group projects, or just kick back and relax for a while, where they can have their kids with them and feel safe and welcome,” Medina said.

 

Evolving Effort

Before the Marieb Adult Learning Success Center, HCC housed a program in that space called New Directions for Adult Learners, as well as its Pathways program, which is a transfer program mostly focused on adult women learners.

“The New Directions program was relatively small — it was just one academic advisor who was really running that whole program,” Woody said. “Now we have three full-time staff members, and we’ve been able to scale up the program significantly. When the New Directions program ended, there were between 60 and 80 students, and now, in our first year, we have about 200 enrolled in this program.”

More students have expressed interest as well, she added. “so we were able to take a model that was working — offering this extra, holistic support to adult learners — but scale that up to a much bigger level so that we can serve more students.”

Woody feels that having such a resource could encourage adult students to enroll while helping them stay successful on their academic journey.

“That’s one of the big things — can we make it any easier for them? We recognize that they’re sacrificing a lot of time away from their families, so that’s one of the reasons why we wanted to give back with these spaces where the whole family can be involved.

“A big part of our program is recognizing that being an adult learner is just one aspect of their identity, and there are so many other things going on in their lives,” she added. “So offering programming in the evenings, or by Zoom, or just doing little things that make us more accessible to them in their busy lives, is really helpful. So is that holistic advising piece, having a person you can call up with whatever issue you’re having, and they can help you troubleshoot and walk you through it and just remind you that you belong here at HCC, no matter what’s going on.”

 

Generational Impact

The ceremonial check from Elaine Marieb still hangs in the center named after her, for two reasons, Woody said.

“First of all, her generosity is what made all of this possible, and I think that’s amazing. But also, she’s a wonderful example of an adult learner, somebody who came to HCC as an adult, pursuing a nursing career.”

She noted that about 70% of students in HCC’s nursing program would be classified as adult learners, so that demographic is helping to fill persistent shortages of talent in the field, which lends another layer of importance to efforts to support them on their academic journey.

“And I was an adult learner here at HCC,” said Woody, who used her associate degree there as a springboard to a bachelor’s degree at Westfield State University. Meanwhile, her son is now 18; he’ll graduate from high school this spring and just completed his first psychology class at HCC.

“So, when I say it’s a family thing, I really believe that,” she went on. “I think seeing me here was a big push for him to say, ‘I can do this.’ It’s made a big impact on how he approaches his education.”

 

It’s Important to Understand Massachusetts’ Residency Rules

By Contributor
Accounting and Tax Planning

State of Change

By Jeff Laboe, EA

 

As winter approaches, many Massachusetts residents, particularly in the colder regions, may contemplate relocating to a warmer climate (or to lower-taxed states). While relocating may seem appealing, it’s essential to understand the legal and tax implications tied to changing your state residency, especially regarding income taxes. Residency status directly influences eligibility for state programs, tax liabilities, and other matters.

Understanding Massachusetts’ residency rules — set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and Massachusetts General Laws — is crucial for anyone considering a move.

 

The Two Tests: Statutory Residence vs. Domicile

Massachusetts relies on two primary tests to determine residency: the statutory residence test and the domicile test.

The statutory residence test determines residency based on the number of days spent in the state and the presence of a ‘permanent place of abode’ (PPA). If you spend more than 183 days in Massachusetts during a year and maintain a PPA, you’re considered a resident for tax purposes. The PPA doesn’t need to be your primary residence; having a home in Massachusetts, even if it’s secondary, qualifies you.

The domicile test refers to the state an individual considers their permanent home and to which they intend to return. Unlike statutory residence, domicile is a subjective concept, and you can only have one domicile at a time. Massachusetts evaluates factors such as:

• Physical presence: where you spend the majority of your time;

• Intent: evidence of making Massachusetts your permanent home, like registering to vote or obtaining a Massachusetts driver’s license;

• Family connections: whether your family resides in Massachusetts;

• Property ownership: owning property in Massachusetts could indicate domicile; and

• Social ties: participation in local activities or having professional connections within the state.

Other indicators include banking locations, where your doctor practices, and even where you use credit cards.

Jeff Laboe

Jeff Laboe

“If you’re considering changing your state residency, careful planning is essential. Work with a tax professional to ensure that your move is well-documented and legally defensible in case of an audit.”

 

Key Residency Classifications for Tax Purposes

Understanding the classifications is crucial for tax implications. The primary classifications are as follows:

• Full-year residents are taxed on all income, regardless of where it’s earned. This includes wages, business profits, and rental income from out-of-state properties. If you are domiciled in Massachusetts or meet the 183-day test, you are a full-year resident.

• Part-year residents are those who live in Massachusetts for part of the year only. They are taxed on all income sources during their time as a resident, and only Massachusetts-sourced income for the non-resident portion. If you leave Massachusetts mid-year, you’ll file as a part-year resident for the period you were domiciled in the state.

• Non-residents are taxed only on income sourced from Massachusetts. This includes earnings from work in the state or income from Massachusetts-based properties. Non-residents are required to file state income-tax returns if they earn income in Massachusetts.

• Some individuals, such as students or temporary workers, may not qualify as full-year residents, but still earn Massachusetts-sourced income. They may need to file a tax return for the period they lived or worked in Massachusetts.

 

Changing Residency: Plan Ahead

Changing your state residency can have significant tax consequences. States, including Massachusetts, often require a clear ‘leave and land’ process. Simply leaving Massachusetts without fully establishing residency in another state could result in continued residency classification by Massachusetts.

To demonstrate a permanent change in residency, actions such as selling property, updating voter registration, or opening bank accounts in the new state are crucial. Failure to establish clear ties to a new state might lead to Massachusetts considering you a resident, even if you’ve moved.

 

Residency Audits and Determination

If there’s uncertainty about your residency status, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue may conduct a residency audit. It will investigate various factors, including where you live, work, and maintain personal connections. If it determines that you are still a Massachusetts resident when you believe you’ve changed residency, you could be subject to back taxes, penalties, and interest.

Residency audits can be extensive and often result in appeals or settlements. To prepare, you should maintain proper documentation that supports your claim of residency in another state.

 

Conclusion

Massachusetts’ residency rules play a significant role in your tax obligations and legal standing. Residency classifications, such as full-year resident, part-year resident, and non-resident, affect how your income is taxed. The statutory residence test and the domicile test are key tools for determining your residency status. Factors like physical presence, intent, and personal connections are crucial in these determinations. It is worth noting that it’s possible to be treated as both a resident and non-resident, or even be considered a dual resident (resident of multiple states).

If you’re considering changing your state residency, careful planning is essential. Work with a tax professional to ensure that your move is well-documented and legally defensible in case of an audit. Massachusetts, like many states, is increasingly vigilant about residency audits, so it’s important to establish clear ties to your new state to avoid tax liabilities.

In summary, before deciding to move to a warmer climate, be sure you understand the full tax implications of such a change. While the process of becoming a non-resident may seem straightforward, it requires proper planning and documentation to avoid complications with Massachusetts’ tax authorities.

 

Jeff Laboe is a tax manager with MP CPAs, with a primary focus on tax planning and solutions for high-net-worth individuals and private-equity firms.

 

BusinessWest’s Top Entrepreneurs 2024

By
Cover Story Top Entrepreneur

John and Chris DeVoie Build a Brand — and a Following

John (left) and Chris DeVoie

John (left) and Chris DeVoie
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

It has established residency in one corner of the conference room at the Hot Table offices on the 23rd floor at Tower Square in downtown Springfield.

And the plaster statue of the character Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies — salvaged from a closed seafood restaurant in the Plaza at Buckland Hills in Manchester, Conn., where it greeted visitors at the front door — speaks volumes about the Hot Table chain of panini restaurants and the entrepreneurs who have grown it to 13 locations. And counting.

It speaks to how far the chain, launched in the Breckwood Shoppes in Springfield in 2007, now reaches — south and east of Hartford — but also to how the chain has been able to capitalize on some real-estate opportunities, in this case that failed restaurant, to expand its reach. But mostly, it speaks to how founders and brothers John and Chris DeVoie like to collect memorabilia and, well … also have a good time.

“It was a seafood place with a kind of a pirate theme,” John explained. “The place was emptied out, we went in, demoed it, and that was left over, and we decided to take it and put it in our office. It makes a great conversation piece.

“It scared the cleaning people when we first brought it up here,” he went on, noting that the cigar-store-Indian-like artifact wears a nametag — Rich — for Rich Calcasola, a partner in the Hot Table venture based in North Carolina, so that he can have a physical presence in Springfield.

Other examples of memorabilia include a framed copy of the blueprint, if you can call it that, for the first Hot Table restaurant at the Breckwood Shoppes, now hanging in the sitting area of the Hot Table’s suite of offices at Tower Square, affectionately dubbed ‘Club 23.’ It’s just one sheet of paper, compared to the dozens of pages for some of the latest standalone locations in Chicopee and Westfield. And also the glowing red ‘Hot Table’ ordering kiosk, which sits in another corner of the conference room.

“We were doing great, and then the music just stopped. That was a scary time — we had an 80% drop in revenue from one week to the next. And that was before anyone was talking about PPP or a bailout. We were thinking … do we have a company.”

Other examples of fun include the vintage arcade game installed in Club 23, a nod to the games the DeVoies played in the ’80s — and how they still like playing them — as well as their increasingly famous billboard featuring a cheese-steak panini and the words ‘Bite Me.’

These various items speak to a business, a brand, and an entrepreneurial gambit that continues to grow, evolve, and become an ever-bigger part of the regional landscape, both literally and figuratively.

John (left) and Chris DeVoie with ‘Rich,’

John (left) and Chris DeVoie with ‘Rich,’ some memorabilia from a closed seafood restaurant in Manchester, Conn. that became the latest location for Hot Table.

And one that has earned its founders BusinessWest’s coveted Top Entrepreneur award for 2024.

First presented in 1996, the award pays homage to this region’s strong tradition of entrepreneurship and those that are continuing that legacy. Recipients have ranged from vodka-label founder Paul Kozub to former Springfield Technical Community College President Andrew Scibelli; from the Balise family of auto dealers to the D’Amour family still operating Big Y.

The story of the DeVoies and Hot Table echo some of the region’s better narratives of entrepreneurship, especially that of Curtis and Prestley Blake, founders of the Friendly’s chain of restaurants.

Not in size, certainly — Friendly’s grew to hundreds of locations in its heyday — but in how two brothers took a chance and created both a concept and a following, overcoming some growing pains and extreme adversity, especially during the pandemic, in the process.

“We were doing great, and then the music just stopped. That was a scary time — we had an 80% drop in revenue from one week to the next,” John said, recalling the early days of the pandemic. “And that was before anyone was talking about PPP or a bailout. We were thinking … do we have a company?”

As for size … well, with interest rates high and construction costs still soaring, continued expansion of Hot Table has become a difficult proposition. But the brothers DeVoie continue to look for opportunities and say there are likely to be some, especially with the attrition rate with restaurants in today’s changing, ultra-competitive market, and less sticker shock when it comes to real-estate prices in general.

Beyond expansion, the two like to focus on other aspects of this growing venture, from brand building to getting involved in the many communities where they now have a presence, to the opportunities, and mentoring, they provide to young people.

“We have a lot of success stories … people starting with pressing paninis and advancing to general manager and even regional manager,” Chris said. “Eight of our general managers are homegrown, and we’re very proud of that.”

There is much to be proud of with this growing business — especially the entrepreneurial spirit that launched it and has taken it to the next level.

 

Chain of Events

By now, most people in this region know at least some elements of the Hot Table story, such as its origins in the Breckwood Shoppes, just a few doors down from Sophia’s Pizza, where both John and Chris worked as delivery drivers while attending Western New England University just across the street.

“That’s how we got our start in the restaurant business,” said John with a laugh, noting that the experience did provide some valuable insight into the industry.

Many folks have also heard how the two, while both working in corporate sales for day jobs, blueprinted their venture in 2007 with an initial focus on coffee and an eventual shift to a design-your-own-panini format after John’s sister and brother-in-law saw such a setup on a cruise ship.

Or how they were turned down for financing by a slew of area lenders before finally securing a loan from Nuvo Bank, a startup in its own right.

Or how they made Tower Square their second location after essentially getting an offer they couldn’t refuse from then-owner MassMutual, and have been there ever since.

Chris (left) and John DeVoie at the company’s Chicopee location

Chris (left) and John DeVoie at the company’s Chicopee location, one of many new stores to open over the past several years.
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Or how they managed to survive the pandemic in large part because they were already developing an app that would enable people to order online and pick up at the store.

Or how they’ve expanded both within this region — with stores now in Chicopee, Westfield, Hadley, and West Springfield — and well beyond, going as far east as Route 495 in Massachusetts, and deep into Connecticut, with locations in Enfield, Manchester, Glastonbury, and West Hartford.

These are all elements to a compelling story, one that blends opportunity with vision, persistence, and creativity.

And, obviously, some entrepreneurial spirit, something the brothers say runs in the family — their mother, Lois, owned and operated the House of Flowers in East Longmeadow for nearly 40 years. With that background and degrees in business from Western New England in their portfolios, the two brothers developed “an itch to do something,” as John put it, while also working their day jobs.

This itch coincided with the return of John’s brother-in-law, veteran restaurateur Don Watroba, to this region. Watroba had owned and operated several eateries in the area, including Admiral DW’s, Captain DW’s, the Goldmine, and DT Smith’s, before selling them in the early ’90s, moving out west, and returning to this region when his father became ill.

“He was looking for an opportunity also, and we had this itch, so we teamed up with Don, who had some restaurant experience,” John explained, adding that they considered a seafood restaurant and other options before settling on sandwiches and coffee, and especially the latter.

“With John and I being on the road in sales — we were in a lot of different markets in the Northeast — we saw the rise of the café, the fast casuals,” Chris said. “And the coffee aspect was a big part of it.”

The other big part of it, the panini aspect of the venture, traces back to that cruise taken by John’s sister and brother-in-law, and with that concept, the Hot Table picture began to come into focus.

 

Entrepreneurial Flavor

Fast-forwarding a little, the two partners first made the significant leap from one location to two with the opening of the store in Tower Square, formerly home to Gus & Paul’s and, before that, coincidentally, a Friendly’s location.

“To do two locations,” Chris recalled, “that’s when you said, ‘whoa, we’re running a business, and it’s scalable — we can do this in two places, where we never thought that was possible. We’ve created something that people enjoy and desire. That’s great; it’s very fulfilling.’”

“To do two locations, that’s when you said, ‘whoa, we’re running a business, and it’s scalable — we can do this in two places, where we never thought that was possible. We’ve created something that people enjoy and desire. That’s great; it’s very fulfilling.’”

After that, they continued a pattern of expansion that took them across this region and then well beyond, to communities and locations that made sense: Enfield, Hadley, Marlborough, the Trolley Yard in Worcester, Corbin’s Corner in West Hartford, the jughandle off the turnpike exit in Westfield, Memorial Avenue in Chicopee, and space that was part of Table & Vine in West Springfield.

While adding new locations, the DeVoies and third partner Rich Calcasola have been building a brand, and using many vehicles, including social media and billboards, to do so.

While adding new locations, the DeVoies and third partner Rich Calcasola have been building a brand, and using many vehicles, including social media and billboards, to do so.

Several locations marked milestones, if you will. Enfield, which became a real confidence builder, marked the first time the Hot Table brand was taken to an area loaded with fast-casual competition, such as Panera Bread, Five Guys, and others. Chicopee was the first standalone, new-construction site. Marlborough marked the first venture to the eastern part of the state, and Worcester marked the next major population center.

Calcasola joined the business as a third partner in 2013, just as Watroba was essentially moving on to something else, and Chris gave up his day job and made Hot Table his sole focus in 2018. And over the years, the venture has become a true family affair, with Chris’s wife, Cara, now serving as HR director, and several members of the second generation taking jobs during school vacations and the summer.

The past few years have been extremely busy, with the opening of five new restaurants in 19 months — Westfield, Chicopee, West Springfield, and Franklin, as well as Manchester, Conn., a time that has been followed by a period of absorbing such rapid and profound growth.

“It’s like snake eating a rabbit — it takes time to digest all that,” said John, adding that the cost of each buildout grew higher as inflation climbed. And while those costs have stabilized somewhat, they remain high, making additional expansion a trickier proposition.

“We decided to pump the brakes and evaluate what we were doing because the return on investment was a different proposition,” he explained. “Something that cost $450,000 in 2022 is all of a sudden costing $800,000 in 2024.”

While hitting pause in many respects, the partners continue to search for opportunities for continued expansion, while also looking at the menu in an effort to identify ways to provide more value to consumers and create efficiencies.

“We always want to be nimble — the market changes quickly; that’s one of the things COVID taught us. We always have our eyes open and our ears to the ground, watch what’s happening in other cities and with trends, and not chase every shiny object, especially when it comes to the menu. Do what you do, and do it well.”

“We always want to be nimble — the market changes quickly; that’s one of the things COVID taught us,” Chris said. “We always have our eyes open and our ears to the ground, watch what’s happening in other cities and with trends, and not chase every shiny object, especially when it comes to the menu. Do what you do, and do it well.”

As for eventual expansion, John said the company will look to progress farther south in Connecticut, toward New Haven, along the Route 495 belt (going further east will likely be cost-prohibitive, and labor is in short supply, he noted), and perhaps into Rhode Island — the store in Franklin is near the border. As for the long term, Hot Table could eventually become more of a regional and then national chain, but the company would need to partner with an entity with expertise in capital to take that step.

“We’re going to continue to do what we do — look for good real estate,” said John, adding that franchising, which has been considered, is not in the cards at the moment.

“Getting into franchising is stepping out of the restaurant business — selling and supporting franchises is a completely different company,” he went on. “That’s not something we’re looking to do right now.”

 

Food for Thought

Beyond adding more restaurants — and collecting memorabilia — John and Chris say they’re hard at work building a brand and creating a culture, complementary assignments that have many aspects to them.

As for brand building, billboards — including ‘Bite Me,’ described by at least one friend as “slightly inappropriate” — are just a small part of the equation, as is a strong social-media presence.

Bigger parts include involvement in the community while also getting the Hot Table name out there. Examples include everything from a partnership with the Springfield Thunderbirds, which includes an animated panini race between periods, to providing meals to the Franklin High School football team; from support of the Hooplandia 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Big E to setting aside a portion of sales on given days to support area food pantries.

An employee at the Chicopee location presses a panini

An employee at the Chicopee location presses a panini, a concept that has done well in several different markets where the chain now has a presence.
Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Such efforts provide exposure and let people know this is a local, family-owned company, said John, adding quickly that many still believe this is a national chain and the brothers are merely franchisees.

As for culture, Hot Table is establishing itself as a good place to work, where young people (and that’s the bulk of the workforce) can find not only a first job — and many have — but also a real opportunity to grow and develop leadership skills. Indeed, Chris noted that several men and women have worked their way up from the panini line to management positions, progression that he’s proud of.

“They’ve grown with Hot Table — we’ve given them an opportunity to grow from making paninis to a supervisor to assistant manager to general manager,” he explained. “And we’ve had an opportunity to mold them in a way where they have an influence and help us create a culture of good service.

“Sometimes, you get people who have been in the restaurant business for a long, long time, they become hardened to the industry, and with that sometimes come mistakes,” he went on, adding that the ability to teach and mentor new talent is valuable. “And they bring a certain energy level — a newness.”

Jeff Sullivan, president of Springfield-based New Valley Bank — who, as a lender with the institution known then as United Bank, was among those who turned down the DeVoies as they sought financing for the Breckwood location — said the two have succeeded with their niche in large part because of their ability to listen to various constituencies, especially customers, and respond to what they hear.

“They’re very dedicated to continuously improving their business,” Sullivan said. “They are humble in the way they study their business processes and try to listen to the customer, adapting constantly based on the feedback they get from their customer base.

“I think of them as one of those companies that are setting a high bar for service and teaching very valuable lessons to young people, giving them the skills that they can use their whole lives,” he added.

That’s just one aspect of this intriguing success story, one that certainly builds on the region’s strong tradition of entrepreneurship.

Previous Top Entrepreneurs

• 2023: The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
• 2022: Benson Hyde and Bruce McAmis, co-owners of Provisions
• 2021: Dinesh Patel and Vid Mitta, owners of Tower Square in Springfield
• 2020: Golden Years Homecare Services
• 2019: Cinda Jones, president of W.D. Cowls Inc.
• 2018: Antonacci Family, owners of USA Hauling, GreatHorse, and Sonny’s Place

• 2017: Owners and managers of the Springfield Thunderbirds
• 2016: Paul Kozub, founder and president of V-One Vodka
• 2015: The D’Amour Family, founders of Big Y
• 2014: Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT
• 2013: Tim Van Epps, president and CEO of Sandri LLC
• 2012: Rick Crews and Jim Brennan, franchisees of Doctors Express

• 2011: Heriberto Flores, director of the New England Farm Workers’ Council and Partners for Community
• 2010: Bob Bolduc, founder and CEO of Pride
• 2009: Holyoke Gas & Electric
• 2008: Arlene Kelly and Kim Sanborn, founders of Human Resource Solutions and Convergent Solutions Inc.
• 2007: John Maybury, president of Maybury Material Handling

• 2006: Rocco, Jim, and Jayson Falcone, principals of Rocky’s Hardware Stores and Falcone Retail Properties
• 2005: James (Jeb) Balise, president of Balise Motor Sales
• 2004: Craig Melin, president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Hospital
• 2003: Tony Dolphin, president of Springboard Technologies
• 2002: Timm Tobin, president of Tobin Systems Inc.
• 2001: Dan Kelley, president of Equal Access Partners
• 2000: Jim Ross, Doug Brown, and Richard DiGeronimo, principals of Concourse Communications
• 1999: Andrew Scibelli, president of Springfield Technical Community College
• 1998: Eric Suher, president of E.S. Sports
• 1997: Peter Rosskothen and Larry Perreault, co-owners of the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House
• 1996: David Epstein, president and co-founder of JavaNet and the JavaNet Café

 

 

Carr Hardware Is a Chain — and an Institution

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Bart Raser looks over the Carr Hardware location on North Street in Pittsfield.
Features Special Coverage

Hammer Down

Bart Raser looks over the Carr Hardware location on North Street in Pittsfield.

Bart Raser looks over the Carr Hardware location on North Street in Pittsfield.

While he admits to practically growing up at the Carr Hardware store in Pittsfield, working beside his father, Marshall, during the summer and school vacations, Bart Raser says he had no real interest in living in the Berkshires or making the family business a career.

That all changed when, while he was working in Boston and studying for his MBA, his father became ill with cancer. Raser came home — meaning to the store on North Street — for what he thought might be several months.

“Instead, I kind of fell in love with it and never left,” he said. “It’s a good business. It’s been fun … and it’s still fun. It’s great when you can wake up and love what you do every day.”

Indeed, working beside his father, who was very active in the business until recently (and until he was in his mid-90s), Raser has helped write the latest chapters in an intriguing story that began almost a century ago when Sam Carr put his name over a hardware store that would soon become, and always has been, an institution as much as a place to buy paint, nails, and, more recently, a leaf blower.

An institution that has not only been part of the fabric of the community — in Pittsfield and now several other cities and towns where it has locations — but a force in those communities, with Raser and many of his employees getting involved on many different levels.

“If it wasn’t for our community, we wouldn’t be here, so we support a ton of organizations, we encourage our people to get involved, and we supply our people with the time, and the money if it’s needed, to get involved.”

“It’s a big part of our culture — we’re a community business,” he said. “If it wasn’t for our community, we wouldn’t be here, so we support a ton of organizations, we encourage our people to get involved, and we supply our people with the time, and the money if it’s needed, to get involved.”

As for the business itself, it has evolved and expanded its reach — moving into equipment rentals and a strong online component, and adding stores across Berkshire County and then beyond, with a location in Avon, Conn.

And there are certainly opportunities for more of this expansion, said Raser, especially as Baby Boomers move into retirement and look to sell some of the remaining small, independent stores still to be found in the region.

Bart Raser and his father, Marshall

Bart Raser and his father, Marshall, have grown Carr Hardware to a six-location chain (and counting) over the past 30 years.

“The challenge in our industry is there’s a lot of folks who own hardware stores who are late in their careers, and their kids have no interest in working the kind of hours that are required in retail today,” he explained. “And the business is not easy — it’s capital-intensive, the margins are tight, the competition is tough … you have to work hard.

“So there are plenty of opportunities today, and there are probably more coming,” he went on, adding that plenty of people are looking for such opportunities. “There are a lot of folks who want to buy these stores.”

With that, Raser — who now has his own children working summers and vacations doing everything from making deliveries to assembling grills — effectively summed up the state of this industry as well as the challenges and opportunities facing this nearly century-old business. For this issue, BusinessWest talked at length with him about all that and much more.

 

A Lightbulb Went Off

As he walked through the Pittsfield store with BusinessWest, Raser passed a row of snow throwers, an item that was in short supply and very hard to get at the height of the pandemic, but not so much the past few years.

“We have plenty of them … it hasn’t really snowed in two years,” he said with a voice that blended frustration with hard reality and an inability to do anything about it. “Let’s hope that changes this winter.”

Weather is just one of the myriad issues and challenges confronting those in the hardware business, a sector that, like many others in retail, has undergone tremendous change over the past few decades, in everything from the scope and nature of the competition — Sam Carr didn’t have Home Depot, Walmart, or Tractor Supply to contend with — to how business is done and what is sold or rented, from baby chicks in the spring to bounce houses.

“There’s all kinds of competition, and that competition has changed over the years,” he explained. “When I first came back, Sears was the big competitor, and that’s certainly evolved. Meanwhile, online is a huge competitor, Home Depot, Walmart, local chains — Rocky’s and Aubuchon — and the independents; there are several of them in the Berkshires.”

Like all Pittsfield-based businesses, this one had to cope with the downsizing of GE in the early ’90s and the huge impact it had, and still has, on the city’s central business district. And, like all retail businesses, this one faces the challenge of finding enough talent for its stores.

“The challenge in our industry is there’s a lot of folks who own hardware stores who are late in their careers, and their kids have no interest in working the kind of hours that are required in retail today.”

Before getting to all that, let’s go back to the beginning.

Calvin Coolidge was patrolling the White House when Sam Carr, a North Adams native who was working for someone else in the hardware sector, decided to go into business for himself. He started in a storefront just a few blocks down North Street, and eventually moved his venture into what had been a Sears Roebuck location, and before that a car dealership, at 547 North St., and the Carr name has been over the door ever since.

In 1962, Marshall Raser, who was already in the hardware business in Quincy with his brothers, met Sam Carr and decided to expand, if you will, into the Berkshires.

“My dad bought Carr Hardware, his brothers stayed in Quincy, and he ran Carr Hardware; together, they were all partners,” Raser noted, adding that the expansion into other Berkshire-area communities began in the ’80s with locations in Lee and Great Barrington. Eventually, what would become a chain had a presence in North Adams as well, before the venture moved into other area markets.

Including Avon in 2019, a Connecticut expansion that certainly wasn’t planned.

“I went in to buy their fixtures, and I walked out with the keys,” he said, referring to a store that was closing its doors, only to open again with a new name over the door. The search for fixtures was prompted by Carr’s purchase of an independent store in Longmeadow and the need to relocate it to make way for a Big Y expansion, a move that brought the chain to Enfield, Conn., a store that would close after seven years of operation.

 

Nailing It Down

As he talked about the company’s past expansion efforts — and also what might happen in the future — Raser referenced the attrition rate in this business, which has grown steadily higher over the years, even within his own family; indeed, in addition to the Enfield store, which suffered from a poor location, a store in Great Barrington operated by his cousins eventually failed, to be replaced by one opened by Bart and Marshall Raser.

employees take part in downtown Pittsfield’s annual spring cleanup

As part of Carr Hardware’s long tradition of being involved in the community, employees take part in downtown Pittsfield’s annual spring cleanup.

To survive and thrive these days, hardware ventures need several key ingredients, he said, starting with size. Indeed, chains have an enormous advantage over single, standalone stores when it comes to buying power and economies of scale, Raser said, adding that this is one reason why he is continually looking for expansion opportunities.

Meanwhile, a diverse portfolio of products and services is another must, he noted, adding that the company’s equipment- and event-rental business is a good example of such diversity.

“Rental is an important part of our business now,” he said. “If you had told my dad or Sam Carr that we would be renting bounce houses and cotton-candy machines, they’d think we were crazy, but it’s a great part of our business.”

The same can be said for small-engine repair and even the sale of chickens, which started in three of the stores several years ago and remains brisk.

Meanwhile, a large, effective online presence is also a must, and Carr has achieved that as well.

“It’s such a small part of our total volume, but it’s such a fast-growing piece; it grew by more than 100%,” he explained, adding that, while there’s a large volume of returns, consumers are becoming ever-more comfortable with buying hardware online.

Still, when it comes to most projects and products, consumers still need advice, which is why in-store service from qualified experts is another key to success, and Carr features that as well.

As for size, as he noted earlier, Raser said he’s continually looking for growth opportunities, but they have to make sense, and he isn’t looking to grow just for the sake of growth.

“I’ve walked away from far more than I’ve bought,” he said of stores that come on the market, adding that everything has to be right with an acquisition candidate, from the location to the condition of the store to the price, obviously.

“In many cases, people value their business for more than it’s really worth; with these small businesses, there are emotional connections, and they’re multi-generational,” he noted. “We have a lot of things we look at when considering an acquisition, and the biggest is culture, but the metrics have to make sense as well.

“We’re willing to go where there’s opportunity,” he went on, when asked where the company might go next. “But ideally, we would like to fill in the map; it would be great to have something between Great Barrington and Avon.”

Meanwhile, in the communities where it already has a presence, the company makes getting involved a huge part of its culture.

As Raser noted earlier, this is a top-down proposition. He has served, and continues to serve, on a number of different boards, and the company not only encourages employees at all levels to get involved, it gives them the wherewithal — the time off and whatever else they need — to do so.

“If they’re passionate about being a volunteer firefighter, or they want to coach a soccer team, or get involved in Little League, whatever their passion is, we really encourage them to do that,” he told BusinessWest. “And we’re happy to help them support the organization — that’s our starting point.”

It’s just one of many traditions, carried on for almost 100 years now, that promise to continue for decades to come.

 

LightHouse Holyoke Expands Its Space — and Its Innovative Vision

By
Executive Director Catherine Gobron
Education Special Coverage

Learning Process

Executive Director Catherine Gobron

Executive Director Catherine Gobron

July 18 to Sept. 3. That’s 47 days. Not quite seven weeks.

That’s how much time LightHouse Holyoke, a non-traditional middle and high school celebrating its 10th year in operation, had between its purchase of the Gateway City Arts property on Race Street and the start of classes for the 2024-25 year.

Executive Director Catherine Gobron called that whirlwind of activity “amazing” as she gave BusinessWest a tour of the facility during the recent holiday break and reflected on the past few months; the school’s impact on students, many of whom thrive there more than they would a traditional public school; and how the new location opens up more educational programs — and potential career paths — for these teens.

Take, for example, a production academy integrated into two existing performance spaces, a small theater and a larger concert venue that has hosted national touring acts through the years; together, they will allow for training and internship opportunities for young people to learn the many skills associated with the entertainment and event-production industry, from lighting and sound to artist management and beyond. Isaac Eddy, a 12-year veteran of the Blue Man Group, is developing the theater program.

“Our expenses have gone up quite a bit, and we’re still really figuring out how that’s all going to work. But we’ve got a vision to grow it, and I can see it.”

“Different aspects of the work appeal to different students — some kids are really lit up by how to use the lighting board, and other kids are interested in learning sound. Some of these young people, we predict, will go on to careers in the music industry or in the production industry,” Gobron explained, adding that LightHouse is also developing partnerships with the Fine Arts Center at UMass Amherst and a local theatrical stage union, “so hopefully we can feed young people into the union. which would be a win-win.”

Similarly, the complex’s café will reopen to the public, with integrated courses and internships in all aspects of running a café, leading to paid work and future career opportunities. The complex also hosts an 8,000-square-foot community maker space, complete with a woodshop and ceramic studio, hosting classes and workspaces both for LightHouse students and accessible to the wider community.

LightHouse bought the Gateway City Arts complex

LightHouse bought the Gateway City Arts complex on July 18 and started classes on Sept. 3 — a whirlwind of activity Catherine Gobron calls “amazing.”

Gobron is also excited that the just-opened kitchen space will serve both the café and student lunches, meaning the school no longer has to rely on one of the large, national lunch suppliers.

“It’s really exciting that we’re going to have a real lunch program, and we’re going to eat together in the dining room every day,” she said. “Many of our young people are not arriving with strong skills or awareness or resources around healthy food choices, and that can have dire consequences.”

So there’s plenty of excitement at LightHouse — which currently enrolls about 75 students and could double that with more buildout — but also a sense of challenge.

Through what Gobron has called “a steady stream of community-supported miracles,” the school raised $1.5 million toward purchasing and renovating the 40,000-square-foot property, and borrowed another $2.5 million in partnership with Greenfield Northampton Cooperative Bank and MassDevelopment. Collaborators on the project included HAI Architects, Houle Builders, and Sarah Reid at Small Victories Interior Design. A second capital campaign aims to raise another $1.5 million; that’s on top of an annual budget that relies partly on tuition, but with philanthropy covering about one-third of the total.

“A lot of times, if a young person isn’t thriving in school, we think that’s the young person’s fault: they have ADHD, they have whatever. We often don’t talk about it as a systemic problem. Here, we don’t try to blame the kid.”

But the school’s mission is important, Gobron said, which is why these efforts are not just challenging, but gratifying. “Our expenses have gone up quite a bit, and we’re still really figuring out how that’s all going to work. But we’ve got a vision to grow it, and I can see it.”

 

Impactful Journey

Gobron’s life experiences led her to a non-traditional path in the world of education, and eventually to the launch of LightHouse in 2015 along with then-business partner Josiah Litant.

“High school was terrible for me, and I ended up leaving during my senior year. I was a strong student academically, but it was a really negative space for me in other ways,” she recalled. She started her career in alternative education at a Montessori school and eventually made her way to North Star Self-Directed Learning for Teens in Sunderland, where she stayed for 12 years.

While program director there, she dreamed of opening a school in Holyoke focused on self-directed learning that would serve a more urban, diverse population. She and Litant, an education consultant who had worked at Hampshire College, found a home in the Sustainability Technology Entrepreneurship Art Media (STEAM) building on Race Street, which, like Gateway City Arts, was owned by Vitek Kruta and Lori Divine.

Catherine Gobron stands in the school’s dining area, where students will benefit from a just-launched in-house kitchen.

Catherine Gobron stands in the school’s dining area, where students will benefit from a just-launched in-house kitchen.

Gobron said the model isn’t as radical as it sounds, as college students typically craft their own degree track within certain parameters. “But we typically don’t recognize the value in that when it’s teenagers.”

Especially those, like herself, who don’t feel they fit into a traditional high-school structure.

“A lot of times, if a young person isn’t thriving in school, we think that’s the young person’s fault: they have ADHD, they have whatever. We often don’t talk about it as a systemic problem. Here, we don’t try to blame the kid,” she said, noting that LightHouse’s opening coincided with Holyoke Public Schools entering state receivership (which was lifted in 2024). “There were so many kids struggling, we couldn’t blame them anymore. The system had to ask, ‘OK, what are we doing?’ And there was a window of openness to other possibilities that might have otherwise seemed kind of crazy.”

LightHouse actually has partnerships with the public school systems in Holyoke and other communities, taking in a handful of students who are technically enrolled with the city, but do their learning at LightHouse.

“The students they’re sending us are typically disengaged,” Gobron said. “A lot of times, we hear from parents, ‘I used to have a curious and excited kid, and somewhere, that went away.’ And now we have this child who’s kind of shut down and disengaged, thinks that they hate learning, or have any number of challenges.”

“A lot of times, we hear from parents, ‘I used to have a curious and excited kid, and somewhere, that went away.’ And now we have this child who’s kind of shut down and disengaged, thinks that they hate learning, or have any number of challenges.”

Each student has an advisor that becomes their point person, she explained, both for the student and their family — with ‘family’ being an adaptable term. “Some students have two parents; some students have four parents; some students have a grandmother, a social worker, and a probation officer. And the advisor creates a team of support around the student.”

Students are encouraged to pursue their own interests — sometimes with immediate, real-world applications, as with the burgeoning event-production and culinary programs — but still need to achieve the same graduation requirements, in terms of credits and testing, as public-school students in Massachusetts.

“We believe that young people can and should be supported to be the leaders of their own lives,” the school’s website states. “We know that learning is most successful when it is actively chosen and personally meaningful. For us, the purpose of education is to collaborate with young people to cultivate the skills, confidence, and vision to co-create the future.”

 

Success Stories

Incoming students tend to fall into one of several categories, Gobron noted: young people with passions and interests who seek more time, support, and flexibility to pursue them; those who come from negative schooling experiences, may learn differently, or be anxious, depressed, bullied, ostracized, struggling academically, or managing other challenges; and teens somewhere in the middle, who are open to the possibility of being inspired, but aren’t there yet.

One senior student recently wrote an essay on her experiences, and how she always liked learning, but faced a combination of bullying in middle school and struggles at home.

The stage where many locals have enjoyed concerts over the years will now showcase a blend of student training and community events.

The stage where many locals have enjoyed concerts over the years will now showcase a blend of student training and community events.

“I went from being an honor-roll student to skipping classes and not learning a single thing,” she wrote. “I was so consumed by depression and anxiety that I felt suffocated. I understand that it was a tough time for everyone when COVID hit, and school became completely different, but I’d never done worse in my life in terms of grades. COVID was my excuse. I hid all the parts of me that I deemed weak behind my face mask. I was at an all-time low, and I accepted it.”

Until she found LightHouse — very near her home, actually — and began to reclaim her passion for learning.

“LightHouse was very supportive of me. I’d been used to being treated in a lot of ways. I knew when I was being brushed off, neglected, or taken advantage of, so this feeling was very odd.”

“LightHouse was very supportive of me. I’d been used to being treated in a lot of ways. I knew when I was being brushed off, neglected, or taken advantage of, so this feeling was very odd,” she wrote, later adding, “I’ve been doing all kinds of things, and I’ve honestly never been more motivated in my life. I went from declaring that I was going to drop out to applying for college. That’s what LightHouse has done for me. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Kruta and Divine are also grateful they were able to sell the Gateway City Arts complex — long a hive of arts, learning, performance, and community connection — to an equally mission-driven entity, and one with which they were already familiar.

“We couldn’t be happier to have LightHouse move into the space that we spent 12 years creating,” Divine said last year. “Our mission was always to create a space for education, community, creativity, and inspiration. This was carried out in our classes, meetings, theater, food, music, and gatherings. LightHouse Holyoke shares so many of our values. When it was clear that Gateway City Arts had to close, our hope was to find a buyer that would continue our vision merged with their own. We applaud what LightHouse brings to the lives of its students and their families and friends. We created a space for learning and sharing — LightHouse will continue that.”

The Benefits of Charitable Giving to Donor-advised Funds

By Contributor
Accounting and Tax Planning Special Coverage

A True Win-win

By Lauren Foley

What if there were a way to support a preferred sponsoring organization while also receiving a valuable tax benefit? Giving to a donor-advised fund (DAF) might be your answer.

DAFs offer a unique opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying both the emotional satisfaction of giving and the financial benefits of charitable deductions. They are an ideal avenue for increasing community involvement and charitable giving, as well as obtaining a favorable tax deduction. Whether you’re an individual or a corporation, DAFs can help streamline your charitable efforts.

A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is defined by the IRS as “a separately identified fund or account that is maintained and operated by a section 501(c)(3) organization, which is called a sponsoring organization. Each account is composed of contributions made by individual donors.”

Funds are added to the account, and, like an investment, the value will fluctuate based on the stock market. This gives donors the potential to grow their charitable giving over time. When the DAF increases in value or reports a gain, the gain is not taxable to the donor.

The key benefit of investing in a DAF is that the donor does not incur taxes on the growth of their investment. This feature makes DAFs a great option for those looking to maximize their charitable contributions without the burden of additional taxes. Another benefit is that the donor can invest not only cash, but also non-cash assets such as stocks, bonds, and real estate, depending on the specific sponsoring organization, offering even more flexibility in how donations are made.

 

How Does a Donor-advised Fund Work?

The mechanics of a donor-advised fund are relatively simple, but the possibilities for giving are vast. The money deposited and invested into a DAF must be used to donate to a certified charitable organization. The taxpayer can recommend which charitable organization will receive the donation, providing a sense of control over where their funds go. Once determined, the sponsoring organization retains final authority over whether to accept the recommendation.

Lauren Foley

Lauren Foley

“Funds are added to the account, and, like an investment, the value will fluctuate based on the stock market. This gives donors the potential to grow their charitable giving over time. When the DAF increases in value or reports a gain, the gain is not taxable to the donor.”

However, it is important to note that the taxpayer loses legal control over the funds once they are added to the account. This is an important distinction, as the fund is ultimately governed by the sponsoring organization. In other words, a DAF is a low-cost alternative to a private foundation.

 

How Does a Donor-advised Fund Affect Your Tax Return?

If a taxpayer itemizes on their personal tax return (Form 1040), the DAF is a great way to increase charitable giving while simultaneously lowering taxable income. When itemizing, cash contributions made through a DAF will be deducted from the taxpayer’s taxable income.

Keep in mind that there are limitations on charitable contributions, including special limits on contributions to DAFs in one tax year, so it’s important to seek advice from a CPA or accounting firm to ensure you stay within the legal guidelines and make the most of your charitable contributions.

A taxpayer can avoid selling securities or non-cash assets and reporting a capital gain by donating them directly to a DAF. By donating the securities directly to a DAF, the taxpayer can avoid the capital-gains tax on the sale of securities. This can be particularly advantageous for individuals who have appreciated assets like stocks or real estate.

As mentioned earlier, the fair market value of donated securities can be deducted from the donor’s taxable income, up to 30% of adjusted gross income. Any amount that is limited during the year the donation is contributed to the DAF can be carried forward to future years. Any future appreciation — whether from dividends, interest, or further gains — while the securities are held within the DAF remains tax-free. Since the DAF is a tax-exempt entity, it does not pay taxes on these gains, either. This makes donating appreciated securities to a DAF an effective way to maximize both charitable giving and tax savings.

There is some control of itemized deductions when donating to charity as the state taxes are capped at $10,000, so investing in a DAF is a good way to group donations. It will allow the donor to take a large charitable donation deduction in one year and then recommend distributions to favorite charities over the next few years.

For corporations, charitable contributions are generally limited to 10% of the company’s taxable income for the year. In contrast, S-corporations and partnerships are pass-through entities, meaning they do not pay income taxes at the corporate level. Instead, income and deductions pass through to the individual owners, who can then deduct their share of the donation on their personal tax returns based on their ownership percentage. This makes DAFs an especially attractive option for business owners who want to incorporate charitable giving into their overall tax strategy.

 

The Act of Giving

The most important aspect of a donor-advised fund is that it allows taxpayers to invest in charities, support growth and culture for future generations, and give back to those in need. A donor-advised fund allows for the donor to plan and track their charitable donations over time. A DAF opens doors for increased giving and provides taxpayers the opportunity to reflect on their priorities while making a difference in the lives of others.

As always, when engaging in tax planning or investing in a new fund, working with an experienced financial advisor or tax professional can help you navigate donor-advised funds.

 

Lauren Foley is a senior associate at the Holyoke-based accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

 

Commercial Real-estate Market Expected to Pick Up in 2025

By
Evan Plotkin stands in the space at 1350 Main
Commercial Real Estate Special Coverage

There’s a Place for Cautious Optimism

Evan Plotkin stands in the space at 1350 Main

Evan Plotkin stands in the space at 1350 Main now occupied by Tech Foundry, one of many new tenants in the downtown Springfield office tower.

Evan Plotkin has been in the business for more than 40 years now, but he can’t recall a time when he’s filled this much office space (150,000 or so square feet, by his estimate) in such a short time — roughly three years.

The president and CEO of Springfield-based NAI Plotkin has been helped in some ways in his efforts to fill empty spaces at 1350 Main St. in the city’s downtown, from state agencies needing new space to a high school seeking an imaginative new home.

But in other ways, he’s created his own luck by being proactive, proposing outside-the-box uses for traditional office and retail space, like a wellness center on the ground floor and a fitness center, and creating an environment that businesses want to be in.

“We’re creating an experience here,” he said. “The tenant is an emphasis for us, and it is throughout the commercial real-estate market. If you want to get the workforce to come back to the office, you have to create a different kind of experience.”

Plotkin’s success at 1350 Main has been somewhat of an outlier in the commercial real-estate sector, with most others describing 2024 as a mostly slower time and a transitional year, if you will, with many business owners and investors playing wait and see when it came to both the election and the interest-rate environment.

But with the election decided and the likelihood of at least slightly lower interest rates, investors are looking to get back in the game, said Demetrios Panteleakis, a principal with the Springfield-based Macmillan Group.

“My prediction for the next 18 months is that investors are going to come off the sidelines. With optimism comes real-estate investors looking for opportunities, and they create a great deal of volume. I’m starting to get the calls back from my usual clients asking me if I see any opportunities out there.”

“My prediction for the next 18 months is that investors are going to come off the sidelines,” he noted. “With optimism comes real-estate investors looking for opportunities, and they create a great deal of volume. I’m starting to get the calls back from my usual clients asking me if I see any opportunities out there.”

Meanwhile, there is optimism on perhaps the largest issue hanging over this sector — the future of remote work, hybrid schedules, and the impact they will have on individual buildings, downtowns, and communities.

Indeed, many of those we spoke with see the tide turning on remote work, pointing to major employers such as Amazon, Pratt & Whitney, and even the federal government ordering people back to the office — or moving in that direction — as evidence.

“A year ago, I predicted there would be a gradual return of people to the office, and we saw a lot of that in 2024,” said Jack Dill, a principal with Springfield-based Colebrook Realty Services, adding that this movement, if it can be called that, made this past year better than many in the industry expected it would be. It also gave brokers, real-estate management companies, and investors some confidence regarding the office market.

“Overall, we saw a pretty normal year — whatever normal is,” Dill went on, adding that, to him, that means pre-pandemic. “It was a year of a gratifying amount of activity; going into both 2023 and 2024, people were waiting for the recession to hit, and, gratefully, the economy seems to have achieved a soft landing.”

Demetrios Panteleakis

Demetrios Panteleakis says 2024 was a transition year, but expects 2025 to be better, especially as investors come off the sidelines.

Bill Low, president of Longmeadow-based L&P Commercial, agreed. He described 2024 as a “funny year,” one in which a white-hot market for industrial properties cooled substantially, but the office market picked up. “And I think that’s going to continue in 2025; it’s not going to be hugely robust, but it should continue to pick up.”

Meanwhile, there are other reasons for optimism among those in this sector, from progress on what could be the largest development deal this region, or this state, has ever seen — a data-center complex in Westfield (more on that later) — to retiring Baby Boomers putting their businesses, and their real estate, on the market.

 

Space Exploration

Recapping his success in filling a number of vacant spaces at 1350 Main, Plotkin said there were several factors contributing to those lease deals.

Circumstance was part of it, he noted, adding that Discovery Polytech Early College High School’s quest for a new home in the downtown area eventually prompted discussions that led to an outside-the-box reimagining of the top two floors in the building, once home to BankBoston’s regional headquarters, and a quick — as in 90 days — conversion of that space in time for the start of the school year.

Another factor has been businesses and nonprofits becoming frustrated with other property owners in the downtown and seeking what amounts to higher ground.

“Some properties are losing tenants to 1350; we’re building a better mousetrap,” Plotkin said. “It’s not the kind of growth I like to see in downtown, a kind of musical chairs with tenants, but we’re doing things here that are pretty aggressive, and it’s paying off.”

“It was a year of a gratifying amount of activity; going into both 2023 and 2024, people were waiting for the recession to hit, and, gratefully, the economy seems to have achieved a soft landing.”

Indeed, most of the success at 1350 stems from an effort to be creative and find, in many instances, non-traditional uses for traditional office and retail space. That was the case with the high school, and also with the Shops at 1350 Main, a collection of Hispanic-owned startups now occupying a large block of former retail space in the tower.

And while he’s proud of what’s been accomplished at his office tower, Plotkin said there is much work still be done within the city’s central business district, where he estimates there is at least 500,000 square feet of vacant space, much of it class B or C.

Finding creative reuse for this space is paramount, he noted, adding that housing has emerged as both a need and a possible solution — though it’s not suitable for many office structures — to the glut of space.

That has certainly been the case in Amherst, said Barry Roberts, a developer, property owner, and president of the Roberts Group. He noted that several projects in various stages of development, including his work to redevelop the former Hastings building on South Pleasant Street and the property behind it, involve housing components.

Bill Low

Bill Low says he’s seen an uptick in investor activity, but potential buyers remain cautious, especially amid uncertainty about the future of the office.

Another, much larger project is planned for the former Rafters sports bar property at the corner of University Drive and Amity Street, which will be transformed into 85 units of housing in two five-story buildings, as well as retail and office space.

Roberts believes this will barely make a dent in the town’s overall need for new housing of all kinds, but it’s a start.

 

Back to Normal?

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, those we spoke with there are many reasons for optimism — as well as progress on some important development projects.

At the top of that list is a major project near Barnes Airport in Westfield, which received a much-needed boost late last year when the state Legislature approved a measure that exempts data centers from the state’s sales and use tax.

The measure clears the last of many roadblocks to a development projected to cost more than $3 billion at full buildout — making it one of the largest private-sector projects of any type in the state — and involve major tech players like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet in their never-ending quest for more computing power.

“In a normal environment, this project would have moved much more rapidly. This has now gone on for five years, we got hit by COVID … it’s been arduous to say the least. At times, people’s patience has dwindled — it’s been like herding kittens,” said Panteleakis, citing hurdles ranging from needed tax incentives to environmental issues to a power-purchase agreement.

All systems appear go to finalize the purchase of 10 parcels by the developer, Servistar Realties, he went on, adding that ground could be broken later this year on a project that could lead to other, similar developments in the years to come, especially in communities, like Westfield, served by municipal utilities.

Meanwhile, another project, one that has been much longer in the development stages, took a possible step forward in 2024. Indeed, the Paramount Theater and adjoining Massasoit Hotel in Springfield were acquired by Sacdev Real Estate Development of Suffield, Conn. at a highly anticipated auction last fall, said Low, adding that the acquisition could lead to progress at properties that have been vacant or underutilized for decades.

Overall, those we spoke with are looking at 2025 with optimism born from several factors, from confidence generated by the election results to slightly lower interest rates; from retiring Boomers selling their businesses (and real estate coming on the market) to what appears to be a surging retail sector.

Indeed, Ken Vincunas, president of Agawam-based Development Associates, recently returned from the International Council of Shopping Centers conference in New York, which was humming with activity among mall owners, prospective tenants, brokers, and more.

“They all say that market is on fire,” he told BusinessWest, adding quickly that the descriptive phrase doesn’t fully apply to this region, but he is optimistic, especially as he goes about trying to develop a retail center the company owns in East Granby, Conn., not far from Bradley International Airport.

However, while retail may be on fire — at least in other markets — but other sectors of the market are still struggling, and for different reasons, said Vincunas, noting that the industrial market is being hurt by a lack of inventory, and the office market is still trying to fully recover from COVID and remote work.

Still, more frequent headlines about major corporations ordering their employees back to work for at least three or four days a week are generating momentum. Dill believes the office market may never return to what it was pre-pandemic, but the pendulum is clearly swinging back in that direction.

“After a couple of years on the Zoom and Teams screen, I think a lot of folks are pleased to be back in the office,” he said, noting that this sentiment is reflected in lease renewals and the amount of space leased.

At 1441 Main St., the TD Bank Building, which Colebrook manages and Dill co-owns, several government agencies renewed leases, and some took additional space, while Balise Motor Sales moved its corporate headquarters to the third floor of the building, all of which not only fills square footage, but brings more vibrancy to the downtown.

As for investor activity, Low said his firm has also seen an uptick in that realm, although he noted that, given some lingering uncertainty about the future of the office, many are being more cautious than in years past.

“It’s harder to sell an empty building; people don’t take the same risks they did years ago,” he noted, speaking for everyone in this business, adding that, if interest rates continue to creep down, that will certainly help.

That ‘if,’ and many others, continue to put the caution in cautious optimism — but to those with a stake in this sector, it sure beats pessimism.

 

AIC Welcomes Melisa Loa as Dean of Students, Director of Residence Life

By
Daily News

Melisa Loa

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) appointed Melisa Loa dean of students and director of Residence Life. In this role, she will lead the Office of Student Affairs and oversee student conduct, support, and advocacy. She is especially dedicated to advocating for and supporting first-generation students, aligning with AIC’s mission of providing access and opportunity for all.

“I’m thrilled to work for an institution founded on access and opportunity,” Loa said. “As a first-generation student myself, I have a deep appreciation for AIC’s mission. Serving this community and supporting students like me is an honor.”

Loa is the first Afro-Latina to serve as dean of students at AIC, a milestone she regards as profoundly meaningful.

“It is an honor to pave the way for future students who may see themselves reflected in my journey,” she said. “This role allows me to break barriers and challenge long-standing norms while uplifting underrepresented communities. I take immense pride in knowing my leadership can inspire others to believe in their potential, dream big, and recognize their ability to shape the future. The opportunity to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all students is a responsibility I embrace with dedication. Contributing to AIC’s legacy is a privilege, and I look forward to the journey ahead.”

Loa’s appointment coincides with AIC’s milestone of meeting the threshold for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status. Earning this designation will make the college eligible for federal grants to fund initiatives that support Hispanic and other students. The approval process is expected to take up to two years.

“As a proud Puerto Rican, I am especially excited to work for an institution striving toward HSI status,” she added. “AIC’s foundational values resonate deeply with me.”

Loa joins AIC with more than a decade of experience in and out of higher education. She most recently served as assistant director of Residence Life for First-year Experience at Anna Maria College, where she worked closely with first-year students. Loa began her professional journey as a resident assistant, steadily advancing in leadership roles.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology with an individualized focus on higher education from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree in student affairs administration from Michigan State University.

“AIC is pleased to welcome Melisa to our Student Life team,” said Richard Greco, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Engagement. “She brings a fresh perspective that will strengthen our support for all students, particularly our first-generation college students.”

Cliff Hedges, Mackenzie Coburn Earn Roles in International Assoc. of Fairs and Expos

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition (ESE) employees Cliff Hedges, director of Security, and Mackenzie Coburn, Sales Innovation manager, have been appointed chairman of the Safety & Security Committee and chair of the Sponsorship Committee, respectively, by the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expos (IAFE).

The IAFE is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation that represents more than 1,100 fairs worldwide and includes more than 900 members from allied fields. Its purpose is to promote and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural fairs, shows, and expositions.

Cliff Hedges

Hedges has an extensive background in public safety beyond his six years as ESE’s director of Security. He began his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Dallas and was later employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 26 years.

Hedges maintained various roles while working for the FBI in Tampa, Fla., Boston, and Springfield. While in Springfield, he spent five years conducting criminal investigations as a supervisory special agent for the Safe Streets Gang Task Force and Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force. He was a foreign counterintelligence investigator when he concluded his career with the FBI.

Immediately before joining ESE, Hedges was the Compliance director and investigator for Regional Care Healthcare, where he oversaw the security of five hospitals. At that time, he was simultaneously acting as a security consultant for Bee-Line Security.

The IAFE’s Safety & Security Committee is an all-inclusive committee for fairs within the U.S. and those beyond its borders. This committee is composed of public-safety staff, fair managers, operations departments, human-resource departments, and more. The collective collaborates to address topics that affect the general fairgoing populace, such as ADA requirements, risk assessments, de-escalation, and active shooter training. As the 2025-26 chairman, Hedges will oversee these monthly meetings and instruct multiple courses throughout the year.

“It is an honor to have been selected as the 2025 chair for the IAFE Safety & Security Committee. This position is one that highlights my professional career and shines a light on the Eastern States Exposition,” Hedges said. “We have gone from not having a public-safety department to now having one of the most respected in the fair industry. I look forward to guiding this committee throughout 2025.”

Mackenzie Coburn

Coburn began her career at ESE more than five years ago as a marketing intern immediately after completing her bachelor’s degree in communications at Westfield State University. Soon after, she joined the team as a brand marketing coordinator and expanded her responsibilities tenfold, overseeing website redesigns for ESE and the Big E, rebranding the Big E’s food competition, refreshing the sponsorship program, and more. In July 2022, she became Sales Innovation manager, re-establishing the internship program, developing a brand style guide, curating a local brewers showcase, and more.

Coburn has also completed the Institute of Fair Management graduate certificate program in November 2023, became an IAFE ambassador in February 2023, and will now serve as IAFE’s chair of the Sponsorship Committee for 2025-26.

The Sponsorship Committee exists as a valuable entity within the IAFE’s Resource Library, providing articles to Fairs & Expos magazine, educational courses, and monthly meetings that allow for collaboration among fair leadership to grow sponsorship tactics and increase revenue and more.

As chair, Coburn will lead monthly conference calls for the 120 members of the sponsorship committee, host live discussions, enforce procedures, recommend rules, and serve as a mentor for those on the committee.

“I am committed to supporting the IAFE Foundation’s fundraising efforts and strengthening connections among industry professionals,” she said. “Through collaboration and education, I strive to empower IAFE members with the tools and knowledge they need to secure impactful sponsorships and drive the success of fairs and events worldwide.”

JetBlue to Begin Non-stop Service from Bradley International Airport to New York City

By
Daily News

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority announced that JetBlue will be launching non-stop service between Bradley International Airport (BDL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Flights will begin on April 30 and will operate daily year-round.

“We are excited for JetBlue’s continued growth at Bradley International Airport,” said Kevin Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “Their new service to JFK will not only quickly connect our passengers with New York City, it will also facilitate easy access to JetBlue’s domestic and international network.”

The announcement builds on JetBlue’s ongoing expansion in Connecticut, which has resulted in an increase of 35 additional weekly flights between Bradley International Airport and the airline’s Florida destinations this winter. Additionally, in the summer of 2025, JetBlue will offer 30% more seats from Bradley International Airport than last summer.

“JetBlue is proud to announce new service between Hartford and New York’s JFK,” said David Jehn, vice president of Network Planning and Airline Partnerships at JetBlue. “This route underscores our commitment to providing customers in Connecticut with seamless access to the extensive network we serve from our New York focus city. Whether customers are traveling to New York for business or connecting to one of our many destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, and beyond, they’ll enjoy our low fares, award-winning service, and convenience.”

Now in its 15th year of operation at Bradley International Airport, JetBlue also flies from the airport to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), and West Palm Beach (PBI) in Florida, as well as San Juan, P.R. (SJU), and Los Angeles (LAX).

Baystate Calls Off Sale of Health New England to Point32 Health

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has called off plans to sell it’s not-for-profit health insurer, Health New England, to Boston-based Point32Health.

Baystate and Point32Health announced the $165 million sale in February 2024, and it had received approval from state insurance regulators.

“After further analysis, Point32Health and Baystate Health will not be moving forward with the acquisition of Health New England,” Baystate noted in a statement. “Point32Health and Baystate Health will continue their in-network relationship for Point32Health Commercial, Medicare, and Exchange members in the Western Massachusetts region. We appreciate the support and thorough review from the regulators, and both organizations look forward to continuing to serve their respective members, patients, and communities throughout New England and Western Massachusetts.”

The announcement means Baystate Health and the affiliated physicians through Baycare Health Partners remain in network for Point32Health plan members. There is no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members. Meanwhile, Health New England will continue to operate as usual, with no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members.

Baystate Health will retain ownership of Health New England,” the health system explained, adding that “Baystate Health governance and senior leadership will be taking the next few months to evaluate the strategic positioning and performance of Health New England to inform future decisions.”

Grow Food Northampton Announces Co-executive Directors

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — On Jan. 1, Michael Skillicorn joined Alisa Klein as co-executive director of Grow Food Northampton (GFN). Together, they say their complementary strengths and shared vision will lead Grow Food Northampton into an exciting new chapter, advancing its mission as a food and farming justice organization.

Skillicorn joined Grow Food Northampton eight years ago as program director and was promoted five years ago to associate director. Over the last five years, Klein has led Grow Food Northampton as the sole executive director — through the pandemic, the catastrophic flood of the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm in July 2023, and a period of growth and stability for the organization.

In announcing this new model of leadership for Grow Food Northampton, Diego Irrizary-Gerould, president of the organization’s board of directors, noted that “the board unanimously approved this decision out of deep respect and appreciation for both Alisa and Michael, whose complementary experience and expertise are extraordinarily well-suited to meet the needs of GFN. By shifting our structure to one that elevates and formalizes shared responsibility, we are aligning internal practices with the justice-oriented work we do in the community.”

In a joint statement, Klein and Skillicorn added, “it is an honor and a pleasure to work side by side to lead Grow Food Northampton. We believe that our partnership will enable each of us to bring our best selves to the organization. Community food security is a collective responsibility, and it is through collaborative leadership that we can best work with GFN’s remarkable staff, board, and community advisors to fulfill the organization’s mission of nourishing our community and the earth.”

Hogan Technology Promotes Autumn Leshinski to Voice Group Manager

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Daily News

Autumn Leshinski

EASTHAMPTON — Hogan Technology, a leading managed technology services provider, announced the promotion of Autumn Leshinski to the position of voice group manager. She has been an integral part of Hogan for more than 11 years, during which time she has expanded her role significantly, transitioning from client services to technical services and project coordination.

“Autumn has become an indispensable member of our team,” said Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Technology. “She engages daily in client-facing roles, making her a crucial element in both client retention and new customer onboarding. Her new responsibilities as voice group manager will encompass partner and resource development.”

Home City Development Awarded Grants by Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, bankESB

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Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston) has recognized bankESB for its ongoing commitment to affordable housing and community development by awarding a $1,000 grant on behalf of the bank to Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) in Springfield. bankESB will match this grant dollar for dollar through its charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, providing a total contribution of $2,000 to support HCDI’s affordable-housing initiatives.

The FHLBank Boston grant, coupled with bankESB’s matching contribution, will help HCDI further its mission of developing and managing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in the Springfield area. The funds will be allocated towards HCDI’s ongoing projects that provide safe, quality housing, helping to address the region’s pressing affordable-housing needs.

“bankESB is honored to receive this recognition from FHLBank Boston, and we are proud to partner with Home City Development to make a positive impact in our community,” said Ryan Kirwin, executive vice president of Residential Lending at Hometown Mortgage, a division of bankESB. “Affordable housing is a critical need in our region, and we are committed to supporting organizations like HCDI that work tirelessly to create opportunities for families and individuals to live in quality housing they can afford.”

The FHLBank Boston Affordable Housing Program provides financial support to member financial institutions that are committed to making a positive impact in their communities. By collaborating with banks like bankESB, FHLBank Boston is able to help expand access to housing and promote community investment.

“This funding will directly support our efforts to provide affordable housing in Springfield, and we are grateful to both bankESB and FHLBank Boston for their commitment to our mission,” said Joesiah Gonzalez, chief Philanthropy and Communication officer at Home City Development. “Together, we can make a significant difference for families and individuals who need access to stable and affordable housing.”

STCC Offering Accelerated Nursing Program This Fall

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer a new accelerated nursing program option that will allow students to complete their RN degree in just 12 months.

The accelerated nursing program offers qualified students a rigorous academic experience, preparing them for roles as registered nurses. The program is designed for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), paramedics, and military medics looking to advance their careers. It combines hands-on clinical training with coursework focused on nursing fundamentals, anatomy, microbiology, and more. Graduates will be fully prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, a critical step toward becoming a licensed registered nurse.

“Our program meets the needs of students who are ready to pursue nursing at an accelerated pace,” said Christopher Scott, dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation. “With the growing demand for skilled nurses, this program positions graduates for immediate success in the field.”

To apply, candidates must meet specific academic and professional requirements, including Test of Essential Academic Skills benchmark scores, a year of patient-care experience, and appropriate certifications.

For more information about the program, including admissions requirements, visit stcc.io/accelerated. To apply, visit stcc.edu/apply. Applications for the first cohort of accelerated nursing students must be submitted by Feb. 1, and the first term will begin on May 19.

Picture This

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Pictured: MLKFS President and CEO Shannon Rudder (second from right) with, from left, MSB’s Wil Morales, President and CEO Dan Moriarty, and Kylie LaPlante.
Picture This

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

 

Strong Partnership

In 2024, Monson Savings Bank (MSB) continued its strong support of one of its community partners, Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services (MLKFS). The bank supported the MLKFS Be Love Project and the inclusion of the Springfield-based nonprofit in BusinessWest’s 2024 Giving Guide, and was a platinum-level sponsor of the organization’s first-ever Reunion Weekend, a three-day celebration.

Pictured: MLKFS President and CEO Shannon Rudder (second from right) with, from left, MSB’s Wil Morales, President and CEO Dan Moriarty, and Kylie LaPlante.

Pictured: MLKFS President and CEO Shannon Rudder (second from right) with, from left, MSB’s Wil Morales, President and CEO Dan Moriarty, and Kylie LaPlante.

 

Caring Gesture

Florence Bank pledged a gift of $100,000 to Caring Health Center of Springfield and officially presented the award on Dec. 19 at the center. Among those at the check presentation were Caring Health Center President and CEO Tania Barber (pictured) and other leaders of the organization; Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity (pictured) and other bank officials; and local dignitaries. The event underscored the need for health equity in the region’s diverse communities, and Barber told those in attendance that the bank’s donation offered the center a significant step toward the completion of its capital campaign.

Caring Health Center President and CEO Tania Barber (at left) and Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity

Caring Health Center President and CEO Tania Barber (at left) and Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity

 

Legendary Hall of Fame Award

At its 2024 convention, Maaco announced the recipient of the annual Tony Martino Legendary Hall of Fame award. Joe Houghton, owner of Maaco West Springfield in Massachusetts, was selected for this honor, which was created to recognize individuals who are not only exceptional brand ambassadors, but who serve as a positive influence for both the brand and their local community. As a veteran, Houghton (pictured at center with his team) devotes his time to supporting fellow veterans in his community. The center was also recently recognized by the Springfield Regional Chamber as a Super 60 honoree.

As a veteran, Houghton (pictured at center with his team) devotes his time to supporting fellow veterans in his community.

As a veteran, Houghton (pictured at center with his team) devotes his time to supporting fellow veterans in his community.

 

Haulin’ 4 Hunger

Advantage Truck Group employees recently delivered hundreds of non-perishable meals to seven community food pantries through its Haulin’ 4 Hunger program, including Our Community Table in Westfield. Since its inception in 2012, the Haulin’ 4 Hunger program has provided more than 80,000 meals and counting to help those in need.

Pictured: the Haulin’ 4 Hunger team of Advantage Truck Group employees and business partners, including Cummins, Dennis K. Burke, G. Lopes Construction, Global Partners, SelecTrucks of New England, UniBank, and Worcester Railers.

Pictured: the Haulin’ 4 Hunger team of Advantage Truck Group employees and business partners, including Cummins, Dennis K. Burke, G. Lopes Construction, Global Partners, SelecTrucks of New England, UniBank, and Worcester Railers.

 

Community Commitment Award

Pictured: Community Bank Chief Human Resource & Administration Officer Maureen Gillan-Myer accepts the award during ABA’s annual convention on Oct. 29 in New York City.

Pictured: Community Bank Chief Human Resource & Administration Officer Maureen Gillan-Myer accepts the award during ABA’s annual convention on Oct. 29 in New York City.

Community Bank’s community-development program was nationally recognized with a 2024 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Award from the American Bankers Assoc. Foundation. Community Bank was chosen for its efforts in the volunteerism category. In 2023, the bank broke records for volunteerism and philanthropic investments across its network of more than 200 branches.

 

 

 

Agenda

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Agenda

Applications for Local Farmer Awards

Through Jan. 31: Farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. These grants are intended to help farmers purchase capital equipment related to planting, growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace. The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in partnership with Big Y, the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, along with the support of other funders, is entering its second decade of this program, which has helped more than 300 farmers carry out a total of 672 projects. The awards have helped farmers make necessary improvements such as upgrading electric fencing, purchasing no-till equipment, expanding irrigation, installing frost-free water systems, purchasing feed troughs, and applying shade cloths for greenhouses. To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 and be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire county. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application information, visit www.farmerawards.org.

 

40 Under Forty Nominations

Through Feb. 27: BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2025. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 27. Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form. Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be profiled in the April 28 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in June.

 

Chamber of Greater Easthampton Meeting

Jan. 29: The Chamber of Greater Easthampton will hold its annual meeting from noon to 2 p.m. at the Jupiter Club, 116 Pleasant St., Suite 211, Easthampton. The annual meeting, the last one under retiring Executive Director Moe Belliveau, will not only highlight the chamber’s successes in the past year, but will offer chamber members the opportunity to provide feedback to shape the strategies for the coming year. The event will also welcome new members and showcase those members who celebrated a business milestone in 2024, including Hampton Flooring Center Inc., Besko’s Appliance, and Unbroken Wings Inc. for 25 years in business; USA Waste & Recycling and Wright Builders Inc. for 50 years in business; Greenfield/Northampton Cooperative Bank for 135 years in business; and bankESB and Greenfield Savings Bank for 155 years in business. Registration costs $50 for members of the chamber ($65 for future members) and includes lunch. Reserved tables of eight are also available. For more information or to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or email [email protected].

 

Chicopee Chamber Shining Stars Gala

Feb. 28: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2025 Shining Stars, recognizing individuals whose exceptional contributions strengthen and inspire the community. This year’s honorees are AJ Crane, owner of A. Crane Construction, as Citizen of the Year; Ashley Batlle, owner of Beauty Batlles Lounge, as Volunteer of the Year; the Springfield Thunderbirds as Business of the Year; and Health New England as Nonprofit of the Year. The Chicopee Chamber introduced Shining Stars in 1985 when Ernest Laflamme Jr. was recognized as the first Citizen of the Year. Recipients are selected by a nominating committee chaired by Laflamme and including Carol Campbell of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, Ted Hebert of Teddy Bear Pools, City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, Michael Siddall of Siddall & Siddall, P.C., and Jeffrey Sattler of Liberty Bank. The 40th annual Shining Stars Gala will take place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Castle of Knights at 1599 Memorial Dr. Tickets cost $75 per person. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, visit www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101.

 

Hooplandia 2025

June 20-22: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney and festival, at hooplandia.com. The event will take place at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Games will be played at the ESE complex, with special games held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, 75 basketball courts allowed accommodation for more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Diverse divisions include young girls and boys, women, men, high-school ages, college level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players in the Special Olympics and Unified division can look forward to free registration, and those in the Hoops & Heroes division, such as active and retired first responders and military personnel, have access to discounted registration. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name, design their uniforms, and register at hooplandia.com. Fees range according to age. Those that register before the end of the day on March 10 are treated to the 3 Point Perks package, which grants early teams access to limited-edition goodies. 3 Point Perks are not available after March 10, and registration prices increase after May 26 for late teams.

 

People on the Move

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People on the Move
Elise Puza

Elise Puza

Kevin Murray

Kevin Murray

Jacob Bear

Jacob Bear

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) announced the following new hires: Elise Puza, CPA as tax supervisor, Kevin Murray as senior associate, and Jacob Bear as associate. Puza has been practicing public accounting since 2017 and brings an array of expertise to the table. With seven years of experience in public accounting, including assurance and taxation services, she brings knowledge to the table especially in real estate, manufacturing, and healthcare. Prior to working in public accounting, she worked in private, corporate accounting for five years. She received her bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in accounting at Westfield State University and furthered her education in the university’s accounting master program. She is a certified public accountant licensed in Massachusetts. She is also a member of CPAmerica and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. MBK also welcomes Murray as a senior associate in the firm’s Taxation department. Prior to MBK, he owned his own accounting firm for 15 years and also worked with the IRS, gaining valuable insights into both sides of the tax process. He is also an enrolled agent and brings an array of expertise to the table. He received his master’s degree in taxation from American International College and is a member of CPAmerica and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. MBK also welcomes Bear to the firm as an associate in the Taxation department. He began his career in public accounting in 2023. He brings his fresh perspective to his engagements and believes customer service starts with listening to clients’ unique needs so that he can better understand their business and help them achieve their goals. Bear received his master’s degree in accounting from UMass Amherst. He is also a member of CPAmerica and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

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Angela Campbell

Angela Campbell

Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced the appointment of Angela Campbell as its inaugural vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive excellence in higher education. Campbell joins GCC after serving as vice president of Mission, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Cabrini University. Her career also includes serving as assistant dean of the School of Education and co-founder of the Center for Urban Education, Equity, and Improvement at Cabrini University, and inaugural executive director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion at Carnegie Mellon University. She has dedicated her career to promoting academic success, cultural competency, and community engagement within educational institutions. Campbell looks forward to implementing transformational DEI efforts and collaborating across GCC to build an inclusive community. She aims to bolster the college’s mission and values, ensuring equity and access for all community members. Her strategic vision includes advancing new DEI programs and initiatives that prepare students for diverse fields, including business, technology, and healthcare.

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Paul Bromwich

Paul Bromwich

Kylie Brown

Kylie Brown

Stefan Sjoberg

Stefan Sjoberg

Matti Tacy

Matti Tacy

Marissa Fabo

Marissa Fabo

Enrique Tirado

Enrique Tirado

Egan, Flanagan and Cohen announced the addition of six new associates to the firm over the past year. Paul Bromwich joined the firm in August 2023. He focuses his practice in civil litigation and small-business matters. He received his juris doctorate cum laude from Western New England University School of Law, where he served as note editor on the Law Review and completed Egan, Flanagan and Cohen’s Summer Associate Program. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from UMass Amherst. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a commodity manager at Jacobs Vehicle Systems, a division of Cummins Engine Co. Kylie Brown joined the firm in May 2024. She focuses her practice in employment and labor, employer-side, and private client services. She received her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, where she served as clerk of Phi Alpha Delta and as a member of the moot court team. She received her bachelor’s degree in law and public affairs from Lasell College in Newton. Prior to joining the firm, she was an assistant clerk at the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch and in private practice. Stefan Sjoberg joined the firm in November 2024. He focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and other transactional matters. He received his dual juris doctorate and MBA from Western New England University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in finance from Quinnipiac University in Hampden, Conn. Prior to joining the firm, he practiced in Hartford, Conn. at regional firms. He is an adjunct faculty member in Western New England University School of Law, teaching advanced legal analysis. In addition to Bromwich, Brown, and Sjoberg, Egan, Flanagan and Cohen recently welcomed three new attorneys who all swore into the Massachusetts Bar in November 2024. Matti Tacy focuses her practice in corporate governance and transactional matters. She received her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, where she completed both Egan, Flanagan and Cohen’s Summer Associate Program and a clerkship with the firm’s corporate services group. She received her dual bachelor’s degree in sociology and politics from Mount Holyoke College. Marissa Fabo focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation. She received her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, where she completed clerkships with the Western Division of the Massachusetts Housing Court and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. She received a dual bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Penn. Enrique Tirado focuses his practice on civil litigation, including personal injury, employment law, and business litigation. He received his juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law, where he completed a clerkship with the Suffolk County (N.Y.) District Attorney’s Office and Egan, Flanagan and Cohen’s Summer Associate Program. He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University on Long Island, N.Y.

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Todd McGee

Todd McGee

Former Holyoke City Councilor Todd McGee has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College (HCC) board of trustees by Gov. Maura Healey. McGee is a tax attorney and director of Estate and Business Planning for MassMutual Insurance, as well as a 1992 graduate of HCC. His term runs through March 1, 2029. After graduating from HCC with an associate degree in liberal arts, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from Northeastern University, a juris doctorate from Western New England School of Law, and a master’s degree in taxation from Boston University School of Law. McGee served as a Holyoke city councilor for 18 years until 2023, his last three terms as City Council president. He briefly served as acting mayor in 2021 after the resignation of Mayor Alex Morse.

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Dave Goodsell

Dave Goodsell

Northampton-based D.A. Sullivan & Sons Inc. (DAS) promoted Dave Goodsell to vice president of Operations. Having been an integral part of the DAS team for the past three years as a project manager, Goodsell has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, management expertise, and dedication to delivering high-quality projects. In his new role, he will oversee construction field operations, focusing on workforce planning, employee development, safety initiatives, and streamlined project delivery.

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The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley (RAPV) announced its annual award winners: Peter Ruffini of RE/MAX Connections, Realtor of the Year; and Kristin Gravanis of Westfield Bank, Affiliate of the Year. A Realtor since 1996, Ruffini serves as president of the RAPV board of directors in 2024. He has also served on the government affairs, strategic planning, bylaws and policy, and professional standards committees, and he continues to serve on the RAPV board of directors. He has given back to the community by supporting local charitable events, and serves as the chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. He also actively serves on several committees at both the state and national levels, demonstrating commitment to advancing the RAPV profession and supporting its members. He holds 11 professional designations and certifications. A member of RAPV since 2007, Gravanis has served on the community service committee. She has supported the association through community outreach and volunteered in RAPV’s community-service efforts through fundraising and helping and preparing meals at the Friends of the Homeless volunteer program.

 

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook

Health New England Awards $250,000 to Five Nonprofits

SPRINGFIELD — Health New England awarded $250,000 in grants to five local organizations in honor of Dr. Mark Keroack, former president and CEO of Baystate Health and chair of Health New England’s board of directors. Keroack retired earlier this year after serving in these roles for a decade. The Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity Grant was designed to fund the work of nonprofit organizations advancing equity in healthcare, a passion and priority of Keroack, who served on the committee that chose the winners. The five grantees will receive $50,000 each to fund specific programs. Community Legal Aid’s Pioneer Valley Farmworker Medical-Legal Partnership will embed an attorney from its Central West Justice Center affiliate into the farmworker healthcare team at Baystate Brightwood Health Center, also known as La Cliniquita. Wellspring Community Harvest will expand its Go Fresh Mobile Market’s prescription produce program to Brightwood, Mason Square, and High Street health centers. Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts will develop strategies to ensure equitable, dignified, and quality care for undocumented immigrants and refugees seeking sexual and reproductive health services. Stone Soup Cafe in Greenfield will enhance its weekly Community Meal and Community Store programs. The Care Center’s Healthy Homes, Healthy Families program in Holyoke will provide 10 families headed by low-income women with safe, stable housing; behavioral-health services; healthcare; and a tuition-free education from November 2024 to October 2025.

 

Suffield Pickleball Opens

SUFFIELD, Conn. — Suffield Pickleball officially opened its doors on Jan. 3. The brand-new indoor pickleball club features five courts that can host more than 9,000 players per month. The ownership team intends to host a variety of leagues, clinics, tournaments, and open-play events for players of all skill levels. The courts can also be reserved for private play through the Court Reserve app. Suffield Pickleball features three different membership tiers, as well as a non-member option. Each membership tier varies in pricing and perks, ranging from $400 to $1,000 per year. The business is proud to partner with Joola Pickleball, Six Zero, Franklin, and Hesacore to provide high-quality pickleball equipment and accessories in its fully stocked pro shop.

 

Unemployment Tax Control Associates Earns Certifications

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, has officially certified Unemployment Tax Control Associates Inc. (UTCA) as a minority and woman business enterprise (MBE and WBE). The certification was awarded on Dec. 20. UTCA is a nationally recognized expert in the field of unemployment cost control for both corporate, nonprofit, and governmental clients across the nation. The firm was founded in 1990 by CEO Suzanne Murphy.

 

Herrell’s Ice Cream Wins Spectrum Award

NORTHAMPTON — The Spectrum Awards, presented by City Beat News, announced that Herrell’s Ice Cream in Northampton is the winner of this year’s Spectrum Award, which recognizes businesses that promote excellence and go above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service. “I am humbled and honored and very excited for Herrell’s Ice Cream to be recognized,” said Judy Herrell, president of Herrell’s Ice Cream. “Receiving this award is an amazing testament to our fantastic staff who truly go above and beyond for our customers.”

 

NBSB Announces Success of Food, Toy Drives

NORTH BROOKFIELD — In the spirit of season of giving, North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced the success of its annual food and toy drives. Due to the overwhelming generosity of community members, employees, and neighbors of NBSB, the food and toy drives made an impact in each of the bank’s communities. During the NBSB annual food drive, held Oct. 1-25, the bank’s communities came together to donate 693 non-perishable food items and more than $1,000 in monetary donations. NBSB contributed an additional $3,000 to further support local food pantries. These donations provide crucial assistance to individuals facing food insecurity. During the annual toy drive, which ran Nov. 1-29, community members, employees, and neighbors stepped up to the plate again, collecting 388 toys for children in need, alongside $1,432 in monetary donations. NBSB contributed an additional $1,500 to support those who need it the most and bring joy to children in the communities it serves this holiday season.

 

ViViYarn Fashion Opens Store in Hampshire Mall

HADLEY — ViViYarn Fashion celebrated its grand opening in the Hampshire Mall on Dec. 17. The new boutique focuses on unique, seasonal clothing for men and women. Current items include cashmere scarves and sweaters in a wide variety of designs and colors. General Manager Shawna Wang has more than 10 years of experience producing high-quality garments for the U.S. and Europe, and is dedicated to providing customers with comfort, elegance, and style at an affordable price.

 

Ximi-V Now Open at Holyoke Mall

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall recently welcomed its newest store, the trendy Asian household goods retailer Ximi-V, with a grand-opening party on Dec. 21. “Ximi-V believes shopping should be fun, inspiring, and filled with joy,” the mall shared. “They feature something for everyone, from home essentials to creative gifts, including beauty products, household goods, plush toys, jewelry, stationery supplies, and more, bringing style and charm to your everyday life.”

 

Susan B. Anthony Museum Awarded Three Grants

ADAMS — The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum received three grants from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation for a total of $3,589.28, through its Berkshire Hills Fund for Excellence, Lee Educational Enrichment Fund, and Williamstown Elementary School Endowment Fund programs. This program brings the inspiring story of Berkshire County’s own Susan B. Anthony to students at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School in Great Barrington, Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Lee Middle and High School and Williamstown Elementary School. Muriel Dyas of Herstorically Speaking reenacts Susan B. Anthony while students complete a timeline of her life, learn about pay inequity, and make a special ballot vote. The event concludes with a ‘votes for women’ march around school grounds complete with suffrage sashes, buttons, and student-made protest signs.

 

Way Finders Receives Grant from KeyBank Foundation

SPRINGFIELD — Way Finders recently received a grant from KeyBank Foundation for $10,000 to implement its Ready to Work: My Story, My Goals program, which provides employment-readiness resources to unemployed and underemployed residents in Hamden County. KeyBank’s funding enables Way Finders to provide a six-week employment-readiness course consisting of in-class instruction and one-to-one support for up to 15 low- to moderate-income residents with limited or no documented work experience. Participants reflect the diversity of Holyoke’s and Springfield’s underserved neighborhoods, where 35% to 80% of the residents identify as people of color and/or Latino or Latina. At the conclusion of the program, each participant will have a résumé and cover letter, understand how to translate their life experiences into marketable skills, improve their digital-literacy skills, conduct a job search and complete an application, and understand area resources and programs that can provide additional and/or ongoing employment support.

 

Bombyx Center Achieves Carbon Conscious Business Accreditation from CET

NORTHAMPTON — Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity has been accredited Carbon Conscious, an award offered by CET, for implementing carbon-cutting measures at the performing-arts venue. This accreditation recognizes Bombyx’s dedication to combating climate change and fostering sustainability. The Bombyx Center is the first organization to achieve CET’s Carbon Conscious Business Accreditation, leading the way for businesses across all sectors to integrate sustainability as a core part of their operations. Its impact of reducing 800 lifetime tons of carbon is equivalent to the yearly carbon sequestration provided by 36,666 mature trees. CET worked closely with Bombyx to implement a range of impactful sustainability measures through both the Mass Save program and RecyclingWorks, a program CET administers for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Custom weatherization services, including pipe insulation and other energy-saving upgrades, were provided to reduce energy loss at the historic former church. Additional efficiency upgrades, such as duct sealing and modifications, further optimized energy use throughout the facility. To tackle waste reduction, CET helped establish a food-waste diversion program in the multi-use kitchen and supported community recycling events, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

 

Eversource Named Among Most Responsible Companies

BOSTON — For the sixth year in a row, Eversource Energy has been recognized by Newsweek and Statista Inc. as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2025. The award highlights the energy company’s environmental, social, and corporate-governance (ESG) initiatives, reaffirming Eversource’s commitment to sustainability throughout its operations and a workplace culture that embraces the values of corporate and social responsibility. The America’s Most Responsible Companies 2025 ranking focuses on a holistic view of corporate responsibility that considers environmental, social, and governance factors. Companies on the 2025 list were selected based on a review of publicly available data and a survey of 26,000 U.S. residents about their perceptions of companies related to corporate social responsibility. Since the annual ranking was introduced in 2019, Eversource has appeared in every edition of the list.

 

 

EDCC Awards Tax Credits to Toasted, Comfort Bagel

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) recently approved projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), which seeks to create new jobs and help businesses grow by offering credits to lower taxes in exchange for job creation. Locally, the EACC approved two vacant-storefront projects that will each receive EDIP refundable tax credits of $10,000: LaBonte and Banas LLC d/b/a Toasted in Northampton and Comfort Bagel in Westfield. Toasted is a breakfast and lunch restaurant featuring a full café bar with barista drinks. The EACC awarded Toasted $10,000 in EDIP state tax credits, and the business also received a $10,000 municipal grant from the city of Northampton. Comfort Bagel has a shop in Holyoke and is opening a second, larger location in Westfield with its own dedicated kitchen. The EACC awarded Comfort Bagel $10,000 in EDIP state tax credits, and the city of Westfield provided the business with $14,265 in funds through a Community Development Block Grant.

 

MountainOne Participates in Words Are Wonderful Program

NORTH ADAMS — Last month, volunteers from MountainOne attended Williamstown Elementary School’s Words Are Wonderful celebration, a week-long effort dedicated to fostering a love for reading, writing, and creative expression. MountainOne’s team presented their storybook, “How to Climb a Mountain,” and graced students with a special guest appearance from Mo the MountainOne Spokesgoat. Utilizing the school’s ‘buddy reading’ format, 65 sixth-grade students read the storybook to a pre-K, kindergarten, or first-grade student. As the reading session concluded, MountainOne volunteer Ethan Coe tied the story’s themes into real-world lessons on financial literacy. After the reading and discussion, students were invited to meet Mo up close, sharing high hooves and hugs and getting their books signed by Mo. Each student also received an activity packet that included fun financial-literacy exercises and tips on how, with their parents’ or guardians’ help, they can start saving, too.

 

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2024.

AMHERST

Ana Bennett LCMT Craniosacral Therapy
26 South Prospect St.
Ana Bennett

Applewood at Amherst
1 Spencer Dr.
Michael Jarry

Combray House Books LLC
83 Memorial Dr.
Carl Vigeland

Edward D. Jones & Co. LP
100 University Dr., Suite 3
Molli Ricks

Edward D. Jones & Co. LP
495 West St., Suite 1
Molli Ricks

Gil’s Auto Repair & Performance Inc.
40 Belchertown Road
Gilberto Rivas

Jones Properties LP
15A Pray St.
Gerald Jones., Gwendolyn Jones Boisseau, Andrew Jones

L&L Bubbles Sudnick LLC
166 Summer St.
Samantha Bishop

Momo
23 North Pleasant St.
Jamyang Wangchuk Sangsangtsang, Phurbul Dolma

New Horizons Consulting
P.O. Box 228
Stanley Rosenberg

EASTHAMPTON

Comics N’More
64 Cottage St.
Christian Reader

High Five Inc.
19 Wemelco Way
Christos Christodoulou

HADLEY

AT&T #9235
335 Russell St., B170
Prime Comms Retails LLC

Four Seasons
333 Russell St.
Valley Spirits Inc.

Midas of Hadley
397 Russell St.
AMG Enterprises

Pilates Studio
104A Russell St.
KLM Enterprises

Quarters
8 Railroad St.
George Myers

Riverbend Animal Hospital
43 Russell St.
RB Riverbend AH LLC

Tandem Bagel Co.
191 Russell St.
Chris Zawacki

TNT Consulting
16 Kosior Dr.
Teresa Neyhart

Train Performance Training
31 Campus Plaza Road
Richard Hogans Sr.

The Vac Store
291 Russell St.
Anthony Volpe

Window Works
321 Russell St.
Randall Robert

Z Auto
105 East St.
Michael Zera

HOLYOKE

D Southside Market
522 South Bridge St.
Perry Lias, Xavier Pizarro

The Leaf Loft
284 High St.
Erin Brunelle

Tayo
112 High St.
Karoline Orria, Ephraim Alfajora

Trying to Reach America’s Potential
98 Lower Westfield Road
Sherika Anderson

Vieques Downtown Delights
112 High St.
Sandra Silva

PITTSFIELD

Bailey Building and Remodeling
76 Baldwin Ave.
Kyle Bailey

Bella Nissan of Pittsfield
331 New Brunswick Ave.
Bella Auto Group LLC

Bill’s Automotive
557 North St.
Christopher Rogers

BWC-Snyder
221 Penny Dr.
Mary Ann Snyder

Craft Contracting
945 Williams St.
Peter Craft

Dee’s Barber Shop
21 Gamwell Ave.
Daniel Navarrete

Dwyer Agency
772 North St.
Deborah Dwyer

Edward Jones
P.O. Box 66719
Edward D. Jones & Co. LP

Imagination Station Inc.
8150 North Central Expressway
Imagination Station Inc.

Michele Brou Hair
71 Francis Ave.
Michele Brou

PBL Works
3 Hhamilton Landing, Suite 220
Buck Institute for Education

Raining Wonders
7 North St.
Amina Brown

JFGW
82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100
Washington Inc.

Rkemm Concepts LLC
82 Wendell Ave.
Kristine Smith

Unfiltered Heating
473 Crane Ave.
Shantey Arruda-Ferreira

Wonder Walks
25 Jason St.
Victoria Zacharewicz

SOUTHWICK

Consignment Castle
208 College Highway
Malin Cannon

Country Colonial Shop
480 College Highway
Joseph Radwiloicz

It’s Sew U.S.
21 Matthews Road
Lauri Scott-Smith

Kevin King’s Painting
294 Granville Road
Kevin King

Silk Road Motor Cars
642 College Highway
Mohamed Sadique Abdul Cader

William Russell Photography
105 Coes Hill Road
William Gorman

William Storozuk
20 Castle St.
William Storozuk

WESTFIELD

Accounting Associates
92 Little River Road
Antonio Castro

Barthelette Plumbing LLC
24 Park St.
Tiffany Hayden

Blufox Mobile Massachusetts 2
261 East Main St.
Blufox Mobile Massachusetts 2

Capewest Consulting
67 Gary Dr.
Hubert McGovern

Children’s House
6 Mainline Dr.
Children’s House Learning Inc.

Franklin Auto Body
11 Dwight St.
Paul Mancino

Handyman Construction
193 North Road
Aleksandr Melnik

Head General Cleaners LLC
115 Main St.
Isaiah Headley

Heritage Holistics & Antiques
555 Russell Road, J65
Jessi Peloquin

Kozar Improvement
13B Chestnut St.
Mykhaib Kozar

Lawler Insurance Agency
420C Union St.
Lawler Insurance Agency

Studio 1 Workshop
80 West Silver St.
Marie Matthews

Viktorfix Pro
32 Montgomery St., #1
Viktor Malii

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Attack Bear Press
Arrow Gallery
Montgomery, Jason R.
Woolner, Alexandra M.
30 Glen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/03/2024

Austin-Mayes, Calandra B.
229 Lenox Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/10/2024

Bailleul, Ashley
a/k/a/ Easton, Ashley
168 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/09/2024

Beals, Jennifer Leigh
Candela, Jennifer Leigh
8 Sidney Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/09/2024

Bruneau, Edward
Bruneau, Katherine
104 Pond Brook Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/11/2024

Burns, Lori A.
192 School Street North
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/12/2024

Bushey, Anthony T.
92 Grove St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/10/2024

Bushey, Johanna Katherine
5 Northway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/04/2024

Carpenter, Wayne A.
9 Champlain St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/11/2024

Clarke, Alexander D.
36 Schorr St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/09/2024

Coakley, Nicole D.
145 Bristol St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/05/2024

Daviau, David
238 Maple St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/10/2024

Godbolt, Wilfred
65 Pendelton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/04/2024

Golash, Susan E.
100 Chestnut St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/02/2024

Hasan, Mehfooz UL
8 King St., Apt. 1
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/09/2024

Hogge, Richard J.
225 Park Circle
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/03/2024

Lopez-Martinez, Diosdado
19 Springdale Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/09/2024

Marrero, Richard
97 Malden St., Apt 1
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/09/2024

Martin, Samuel T.
Kellner, Rachel
4 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/04/2024

Martinez, Joel
Martinez, Jessica
a/k/a Guadalupe, Jessica
2073 Memorial Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/11/2024

Matos, Maria
26 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/06/2024

O’Gorman, Rochelle M.
555 Devon Road
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/03/2024

Roncarati, Lynndia Ann
309 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/02/2024

Soules, Gail M.
PO Box 712
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/10/2024

Zepke, Stephen K.
62-64 Howes St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Date: 12/08/2024

Real Estate Transactions

By
Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

CHARLEMONT

495 Tea St.
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: John P. Riley
Seller: Brenice M. Gibsn
Date: 12/09/24

COLRAIN

8 Calvin Coombs Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Derick Call
Seller: Consoletti, Albert G., (Estate)
Date: 12/20/24

64 Ed Clark Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Ingrid R. Kuhlka
Seller: Eric M. Nelson
Date: 12/17/24

120 Main Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Charlotte Park
Seller: Ryan M. Bauer
Date: 12/18/24

CONWAY

69 Bond St.
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Steven J. O’Neil
Seller: Margaret A. Tiley
Date: 12/17/24

155 Sabans Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kitchell Lee
Seller: Troy Santerre
Date: 12/12/24

155 Sabans Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Troy Santerre
Seller: Jacon R. Coates
Date: 12/12/24

1165 Shelburne Falls Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Sfrc LLC
Seller: Thaddeus A. Bennett
Date: 12/09/24

DEERFIELD

58 Hoosac Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Eds Enterprises LLC
Seller: Edward A. Johnson
Date: 12/20/24

25 Mountain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Matthew Woods
Seller: Phillips Int.
Date: 12/18/24

26 Mountain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Sonam Lama
Seller: Zajac, Henry, (Estate)
Date: 12/11/24

5 Pocumtuck Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $1,225,000
Buyer: James R. Talbot
Seller: Jenna Hartwright TR
Date: 12/16/24

520 River Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Michael J. Beausleil TR
Seller: Dumas, Linda, (Estate)
Date: 12/16/24

65 Sandgully Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Joshua R. Kicza
Seller: James R. Talbot
Date: 12/16/24

ERVING

9 Central St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Madysen Bailey
Seller: James L. Wills
Date: 12/18/24

20 East Main St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: David R. Hall
Seller: Christopher Mason
Date: 12/19/24

GREENFIELD

43 Beech St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Andrew Collins
Seller: Sherry Hubbard
Date: 12/12/24

42 Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Amy L. Hillock
Seller: Rural Homes LLC
Date: 12/20/24

781 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Leslie Smith
Seller: McGowan Int.
Date: 12/18/24

39 Cooke St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Kimberly Duprey
Seller: Victor Placinta
Date: 12/12/24

504 Lampblack Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Samantha C. Pelis
Seller: Robert P. Kalish
Date: 12/19/24

663 Leyden Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Rachel K. Roberts
Seller: Richard J. & M. Vincent RET
Date: 12/18/24

430 Mohawk Trail
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Susan Angove
Seller: Vera Filobokova
Date: 12/12/24

10 Silver St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $2,930,769
Buyer: Giancola Brothers Inc.
Seller: Town Fair Tire
Date: 12/20/24

HEATH

1 Flagg Hill Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Alan J. Revering
Seller: Douglas E. Root
Date: 12/20/24

36 Shawnee Dr.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Christine Bairos
Seller: David L. Almeida
Date: 12/13/24

LEVERETT

430 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $462,000
Buyer: Danielle L. Teitelbaum
Seller: Scott D. Nickerson RET
Date: 12/18/24

MONROE

83 North Road
Monroe, MA 01247
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: David A. Husted TR
Seller: Olney-Jones FT
Date: 12/19/24

MONTAGUE

79 5th St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Servbank SB
Seller: Renee Bassett
Date: 12/19/24

East Taylor Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $825,000
Buyer: Mount Grace Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Watroba, Marilyn C., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

120 Millers Falls Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Alison M. Ovalle-Perez
Seller: Walter Gardner
Date: 12/09/24

Old Sunderland Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $825,000
Buyer: Mount Grace Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Watroba, Marilyn C., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

35 Park St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Rebecca Reid Investment
Seller: Elizabeth M. Johnson
Date: 12/13/24

NEW SALEM

25 Lovers Lane
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Brian R. Fluet
Seller: Hugh W. Mackay
Date: 12/10/24

NORTHFIELD

166 Gulf Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Eds Enterprises LLC
Seller: Kilpatrick, Willaim R., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

Main St.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Justin Wai
Seller: Northfield Mt. Hermon School
Date: 12/11/24

580 Mount Hermon Station Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Joshua Chapley
Seller: Eric Seaholm
Date: 12/16/24

454 South Mountain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Sydbey Levison
Seller: Stephen E. Balazs
Date: 12/10/24

ORANGE

1 High St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Freedom Management LLC
Seller: J&R Real Estate Group LLC
Date: 12/11/24

Horton Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $1,589,920
Buyer: Lyme Quabbin LLC
Seller: W. D. Cowls Inc.
Date: 12/17/24

46-48 Kelton St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $334,900
Buyer: William A. Shattuck
Seller: Jefferson J. Lett
Date: 12/18/24

220 North Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Dean P. Whitney
Seller: David J. Moore
Date: 12/13/24

189 Prentiss St.
Orange, MA 01331
Amount: $344,900
Buyer: Katrina L. Gomez
Seller: Jay Guilmette
Date: 12/17/24

120 West Myrtle St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Reinhard Mirkovich
Seller: Veskovic, Nadia, (Estate)
Date: 12/12/24

ROWE

123 Davis Mine Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Victor Placinta
Seller: Robert A. Silva
Date: 12/12/24

SHELBURNE

9 Mechanic St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Acorn Holdings LLC
Seller: Saemisch-Hannigan Int.
Date: 12/17/24

SHUTESBURY

52 Lakeview Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Sarah J. Montross
Seller: Stephen F. Roy
Date: 12/19/24

SUNDERLAND

30 Montague Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Mara L. Ezri
Seller: Smith, Douglas G., (Estate)
Date: 12/20/24

WARWICK

41 Orange Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Scott W. Rodenbaugh
Seller: John Sednek
Date: 12/19/24

WENDELL

39 Old Farley Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: William J. Swain
Seller: Luc Bodin FT
Date: 12/20/24

WHATELY

74 Dickinson Hill Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $287,750
Buyer: James W. Thayer
Seller: James W. Thayer
Date: 12/11/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

221 Adams St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Dumitru Jardan
Seller: Kelly Hazlett
Date: 12/16/24

7 Agnoli Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: John Piela
Seller: Haczynski Homes LLC
Date: 12/20/24

60 Anvil St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $531,000
Buyer: Andrew H. Dabek
Seller: Judith K. Potter
Date: 12/20/24

16 Brookside Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Angel C. Gonzalez
Seller: Jason Hutchins
Date: 12/13/24

608 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Quinn W. Muskus
Seller: Anthony Muskus
Date: 12/18/24

21 Kellogg Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Shaina M. Hutchinson
Seller: Joseph F. Beavis
Date: 12/20/24

45 Lango Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Maksim I. Loboda
Seller: Eva Grechka
Date: 12/17/24

54 McKinley St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Lacy Phongsaly
Seller: Buoniconti, Nicholas T., (Estate)
Date: 12/20/24

643 Mill St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Jerome Richard
Seller: Linda J. Lazarus
Date: 12/09/24

575 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Giuseppe Tirone
Seller: Dawn L. Nardi
Date: 12/20/24

28 Roosevelt Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Laurie A. Brunelle
Seller: Joseph A. Dupelle
Date: 12/09/24

793 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: 793 Silver Street TR
Seller: Zymroz Realty LLC
Date: 12/16/24

86 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Multi-Cultural Community Services
Seller: Lisa R. Depalma
Date: 12/09/24

BLANDFORD

16 Kaolin Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: 16 Kaolin Road LT
Seller: Edward W. Leavy
Date: 12/19/24

9 Woronoco Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $287,939
Buyer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Seller: Joey Santos
Date: 12/17/24

BRIMFIELD

Haynes Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Richard M. Vernon LT
Seller: Jewel Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/13/24

81 Haynes Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $562,000
Buyer: Andrew Wilson
Seller: Roy B. Ferrell
Date: 12/13/24

8 Hillside Dr.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $301,500
Buyer: Anupa G. Santram
Seller: John D. Holdcraft
Date: 12/20/24

87 Marsh Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $756,500
Buyer: Arthur Cote
Seller: Jewel Real Estate Inc.
Date: 12/17/24

60 Oakwood Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Cara A. Sweet
Seller: Best Investment Properties LLC
Date: 12/11/24

115 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $119,000
Buyer: Greenland Enterprises LLC
Seller: SRV Properties LLC
Date: 12/16/24

CHESTER

40 Holcomb Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Emmett Lollis-Taylor
Seller: Matthew Burrell
Date: 12/16/24

59 Middlefield Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Brandon T. Smith
Seller: Melodie A. Mazzaferro
Date: 12/13/24

626 Route 20
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Raymond E. Labrecque
Seller: David O. Cowles
Date: 12/12/24

483 Skyline Trail
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Joseph J. Sitler
Seller: Raymond E. Labrecque
Date: 12/12/24

CHICOPEE

95 Bardon St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $429,400
Buyer: Cain Hung
Seller: James Lynch
Date: 12/20/24

58 Belmont St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Brielman
Seller: Corliss A. Brielman
Date: 12/18/24

970 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Gisselle Villegas
Seller: Jinelsis M. Ortiz-Vega
Date: 12/13/24

326 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Licy E. Cruz-Denunez
Seller: Griffith Ft
Date: 12/11/24

139 East Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Morestate II LLC
Seller: Moran Sheet Metal Inc
Date: 12/18/24

10 Frederick St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $387,000
Buyer: Stacyann Bailey
Seller: Raymond A. Perreault
Date: 12/11/24

11 Gilbert Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Jinelsis M. Ortiz-Vega
Seller: Matthew P. Gatzounas
Date: 12/13/24

740 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Juan Lugo
Seller: Thomas W. Nestor
Date: 12/19/24

183 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Lotus & Hawk Properties LLC
Seller: David J. Uszynski
Date: 12/19/24

886 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,725,890
Buyer: Pizza Town Holding Company LLC
Seller: Chicopee Four LLC
Date: 12/17/24

311 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Silvana V. Rua
Seller: Connor K. Kennedy
Date: 12/10/24

141 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Justin Conger
Seller: Peter Anipko
Date: 12/18/24

442 Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Munkaila Musah
Seller: Linda A. Jordan
Date: 12/11/24

486 Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Tyler Balboni
Seller: Frank A. Longhi
Date: 12/19/24

170 Rolf Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Jasvinder Arora
Seller: Eddie Torres
Date: 12/18/24

183 Rolf Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Kmak LLC
Seller: Frances X. Hogan
Date: 12/20/24

28 Royal St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Mariel M. Martinez
Seller: David A. Ryan
Date: 12/10/24

165 Ruskin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Eric Velasquez
Seller: Global Home Properties LLC
Date: 12/02/24

290 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Elwira M. Tyra
Seller: Michael Poggi
Date: 12/20/24

223 Skeele St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: JPN Properties LLC
Seller: Torre Hanson Properties LLC
Date: 12/09/24

28 Sunnymeade Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Colby Masse
Seller: You & Me Investment LLC
Date: 12/20/24

97 Valier Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Zyla
Seller: Garrett Cote
Date: 12/19/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

25 Crescent Hill
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Jill C. Shaw
Seller: Felicia Buendo
Date: 12/13/24

55 Devonshire Ter.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Arline Granger
Seller: William A. Brown
Date: 12/17/24

Favorite Lane, Lot 3
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Steven R. Page
Seller: Michael Kane
Date: 12/11/24

29 Hampden Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Milagros V. Albarran
Seller: Fitzgerald Home Solutions LLC
Date: 12/16/24

2 Jennifer Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $311,200
Buyer: Courtney M. West
Seller: Betty Wegiel
Date: 12/19/24

138 Meadowbrook Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Paul J. Bongiorni
Seller: House, Robert A., (Estate)
Date: 12/20/24

29 Melvin Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Springhouse Properties LLC
Seller: Angelo Deguglielmo
Date: 12/12/24

9 Ramonas Way
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $657,500
Buyer: Jennifer M. Amaral
Seller: Nicholas A. Pioggia
Date: 12/17/24

44 Taylor St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $303,500
Buyer: Kristina Bazarian
Seller: Rachel M. Romano
Date: 12/11/24

32 Thompson St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Ashley L. Rocketfield
Seller: Launa J. Torres
Date: 12/20/24

3 Vineland Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Haznim B. Hussain
Seller: Bruno S. Lemos
Date: 12/17/24

34 Westernview Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Christine Kervian
Seller: J. M. Chapdelaine TR
Date: 12/13/24

348 Westwood Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Nicholas Pioggia
Seller: Castro, William, (Estate)
Date: 12/17/24

GRANVILLE

313 Crest Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Vanessa L. Berrelli
Seller: Katherine Kinsman
Date: 12/17/24

HAMPDEN

62 Allen St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $449,000
Buyer: Victor J. Collado
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 12/20/24

53 Baldwin Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Samuel Powell
Seller: Gary R. Smith
Date: 12/16/24

97 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $731,500
Buyer: Indika H. Don
Seller: Cumberland Blues RT
Date: 12/11/24

46 Evergreen Ter.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Devan K. Beane
Seller: Paul D. McDonald
Date: 12/12/24

542 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Ethan Lemus
Seller: Donoghue, Susan C., (Estate)
Date: 12/12/24

16 Oak Knoll Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Robert Melendez
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 12/18/24

234 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Jennifer Ducharme
Seller: Felix W. Rodriguez
Date: 12/20/24

HOLLAND

25 Forest Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nicholas Curboy
Seller: Rose A. Lauria
Date: 12/13/24

65 North Wales Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $437,000
Buyer: Lucia Benevides
Seller: Kimberly A. Elie
Date: 12/11/24

64 South Cottage Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: James A. Reith
Date: 12/17/24

HOLYOKE

342 Apremont Hwy.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Dube
Seller: Abriele A. Guaren
Date: 12/09/24

21 Canby St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Daniel F. O’Sullivan
Seller: Grassfield, Kim A., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

119 Central Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $371,301
Buyer: William T. Raleigh
Seller: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Date: 12/19/24

69 Dillon Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Tyler Lamica
Seller: Targaryen RT
Date: 12/18/24

9 Downing Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Olaida Irizarry
Seller: Roman V. Sheremet
Date: 12/18/24

1552 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Felix A. Espinal
Seller: Syed Mobeen
Date: 12/17/24

103-109 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Bonvouloir Block LLC
Seller: Eddie Rivera
Date: 12/10/24

10 Lexington Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Charles H. Jacobus
Seller: Sarah Chotkowski
Date: 12/19/24

530 Maple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Casiano Towing LLC
Seller: Kennedy, James F., (Estate)
Date: 12/11/24

Mountain Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $142,800
Buyer: Jennifer S. Murphy
Seller: Donna L. Carpenter
Date: 12/16/24

Mountain Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $214,200
Buyer: Jennifer S. Murphy
Seller: Paul S. Body
Date: 12/16/24

121 Oak St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Arlene Oquendo
Seller: Rodriguez, Dominga, (Estate)
Date: 12/18/24

556 South Bridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,815,000
Buyer: 220 Linden Realty LLC
Seller: 556 South Bridge St. RT
Date: 12/19/24

403-405 South Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $127,000
Buyer: Sarah Ricketts
Seller: Librado Perez
Date: 12/12/24

20 Springdale Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Springdale FT (Estate)
Seller: Nicole Soto
Date: 12/16/24

33 Vassar Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $331,500
Buyer: Alice Kennedy
Seller: Bey, Ronald J., (Estate)
Date: 12/18/24

50 West St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,815,000
Buyer: 220 Linden Realty LLC
Seller: 556 South Bridge St. RT
Date: 12/19/24

52 West St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,815,000
Buyer: 220 Linden Realty LLC
Seller: 556 South Bridge St. RT
Date: 12/19/24

347 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Nancy Goulding
Seller: Parent, Sandra A., (Estate)
Date: 12/10/24

457 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Mia McDonald
Seller: Jessica Jolicoeur
Date: 12/20/24

LONGMEADOW

216 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Diane M. Corsi
Seller: Gale L. Greenberg
Date: 12/19/24

490 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $406,000
Buyer: Christine Porcello
Seller: Norma Hill
Date: 12/18/24

577 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Blake C. Jones
Seller: Thomas E. Fitzgerald
Date: 12/10/24

717 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Matthew Pellegrino
Seller: Thomas W. Barney 2020 TR
Date: 12/11/24

1401 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $573,500
Buyer: Jeremy Piccoli
Seller: Quynh Nguyen
Date: 12/19/24

6 Meadowbrook Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Timothy B. Thompson
Seller: Christine A. Kervian
Date: 12/12/24

72 Tecumseh Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $865,000
Buyer: Shyamal M. Madhavani
Seller: Bernita M. Spagnoli
Date: 12/19/24

407 Wolf Swamp Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $478,000
Buyer: Kayla R. Knotts
Seller: Kim C. Achatz
Date: 12/09/24

LUDLOW

47 Barre Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Elvis Malave
Seller: Mark P. Russell
Date: 12/09/24

41 Barrett St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Gitsit Real Property Bbplc1 LLC
Seller: Armelin H. Saloio
Date: 12/10/24

Brook St., Lot 3
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Brandon J. Teixeira
Seller: Jasca Group LLC
Date: 12/09/24

290-292 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Harry D. Hill
Seller: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Date: 12/19/24

Center St., Lot D3
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Munir Ahmad
Seller: Walter J. Rose
Date: 12/19/24

265 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $557,500
Buyer: Juan C. Sanchez
Seller: Victor L. Rodrigues
Date: 12/20/24

805 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Shannon J. Cain
Seller: John Pereira
Date: 12/12/24

585 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Kempesty
Seller: Stanley J. Peczka
Date: 12/20/24

99 East Akard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Sydney H. Zadworny
Seller: Antonio Vital
Date: 12/13/24

52 Emma Way
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $522,500
Buyer: Michael V. Dias
Seller: Richard J. Hoey
Date: 12/13/24

111 Fox Run Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Fredrick A. Gluszek
Seller: Jason P. Hewes
Date: 12/12/24

6-8 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Tal LLC
Seller: Tml Realty LLC
Date: 12/10/24

12 Hampshire St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Guy R. North
Seller: Michael Pagliuca
Date: 12/13/24

436 Holyoke St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: TM Properties Inc.
Seller: Michael M. Ricucci
Date: 12/20/24

Knollwood Road, Lot 93
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Linda Rodrigues
Seller: Green Fields Inc.
Date: 12/09/24

183 Lakeview Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Sabrina Guido
Seller: Joseph Ferrara
Date: 12/09/24

98 Letendre Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Diana Learned
Seller: Francis Lapierre
Date: 12/13/24

60 Marion Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Modifi Homes LLC
Seller: Anthony J. Kempesty
Date: 12/20/24

51 Parkview St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Zaide Soufane
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 12/19/24

261 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Jordan N. Dudley
Seller: Christine Monroe
Date: 12/16/24

879 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $407,500
Buyer: John R. Norris-Esser
Seller: Christopher Brown
Date: 12/20/24

MONSON

67 Bethany Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Chance Gilman
Seller: Diane M. Lord
Date: 12/12/24

56 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Domingo Tavarez
Seller: Michael E. Harrowfield
Date: 12/20/24

196 Munn Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Nicholas Truax
Seller: Seattle Bank
Date: 12/13/24

46 Palmer Road, Lot 7
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $486,000
Buyer: Roy Ferrell
Seller: Bukowski Construction LLC
Date: 12/13/24

290 Stafford Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Derek J. Mann
Seller: Donald J. Mann
Date: 12/16/24

MONTGOMERY

509 Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01050
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Philip Plumadore
Seller: David York
Date: 12/20/24

PALMER

6 3rd St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Double R. Enterprises LLC
Seller: Wayne L. Buxton RET
Date: 12/19/24

180 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Michael Laventure
Seller: Mark P. Pysznik
Date: 12/20/24

23 Burlingame Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: A-O-K RT
Seller: Lauri Cotela TR
Date: 12/13/24

67 Emery St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $549,000
Buyer: Michael D. Opielowski
Seller: 67 Emery St. RT
Date: 12/18/24

15 Lathrop St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Konrad Lewandowski
Seller: 15 Lathrop Street LLC
Date: 12/10/24

1550-1552 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Scott Casey
Seller: Jose E. Gonzalez-Marti
Date: 12/13/24

4 Norbell St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $362,850
Buyer: Richard Turnbull
Seller: Jennifer Caron
Date: 12/09/24

1570-1572 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ayman Amghar
Seller: Roger Parker
Date: 12/20/24

1010 Oak St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $217,000
Buyer: Joseph Derry
Seller: Pamela A. Salvas
Date: 12/13/24

2102-2104 Palmer Road
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Second Time Around Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Lions Share LLC
Date: 12/20/24

1142-1144 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $313,775
Buyer: Thomas S. Alimberti
Seller: Roger Parker
Date: 12/10/24

4079 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01079
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Mark P. Russell
Seller: Amenadiel RT
Date: 12/09/24

89 Robinson Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Brittany A. North
Seller: Trezepacz, Edna K., (Estate)
Date: 12/11/24

SPRINGFIELD

28-30 Ainsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Aweys Gaab
Seller: Felix S. Escobar
Date: 12/11/24

403 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Edward Salas
Seller: Tito Perez
Date: 12/18/24

487 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: 7 Star Allen Realty LLC
Seller: Sham Petroleum LLC
Date: 12/20/24

789-791 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,752
Buyer: Option One Mortgage Loan TR
Seller: Johnny R. Hallums
Date: 12/19/24

54 Ashbrook St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kathryn A. Jalbert
Seller: A. & Lucy Rubino IRT
Date: 12/09/24

221 Ashland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: William J. Fabbri
Seller: Luis D. Rosado-Oliveras
Date: 12/11/24

109-113 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $275,500
Buyer: Jose O. Portillo
Seller: 111-113 Bay St. LLC
Date: 12/19/24

165 Belvidere St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jennifer Stone
Seller: Ariana Perez
Date: 12/13/24

29 Benz St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Gregory R. Bowen
Seller: Round Two LLC
Date: 12/16/24

65 Blodgett St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $278,000
Buyer: Meisha G. Sequira
Seller: Kendrick J. Dempsey
Date: 12/17/24

86 Bowdoin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $413,000
Buyer: Jamal S. Seymour
Seller: Stephen P. Gray
Date: 12/20/24

117 Bowles St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Stephany P. Rodriguez
Seller: TM Properties Inc.
Date: 12/13/24

130 Bowles St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Courtney Jewell
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 12/20/24

69 Brandon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Soto
Seller: Skyspec LLC
Date: 12/12/24

81 Brickett St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Victor A. Castillo
Seller: Jose T. Castro
Date: 12/13/24

27 Brooks St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Bernard Sumeni
Seller: Palpum Raw LLC
Date: 12/17/24

1515 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $268,500
Buyer: Juan Rosado
Seller: William Aldoy
Date: 12/20/24

115 Carroll St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Khoi Nguyen
Seller: M&M Renovations LLC
Date: 12/13/24

180 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Alexandra M. Lalos
Seller: Veteran Stan LLC
Date: 12/19/24

32-34 Clarendon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Nilda L. Jimenez
Seller: Evangeline Pollard
Date: 12/09/24

23 Clement St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Waderoy L. Vaughan
Seller: Jaquan J. Davis
Date: 12/13/24

8 Craig St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Javier H. Garcia
Seller: Byrnes, Patricia M., (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

94 David St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Nkz Realty Inc.
Seller: Stephanie T. Stevens
Date: 12/19/24

74 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $234,000
Buyer: Alana N. Ashe
Seller: Jimmy A. Vazquez
Date: 12/13/24

Dover St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Latino Counseling Center Inc.
Seller: Smails LLC
Date: 12/13/24

1361-1363 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: 1361-1363 Dwight St. LLC
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 12/17/24

1777 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Latino Counseling Center Inc
Seller: Smails LLC
Date: 12/13/24

39 East Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Marlene B. Chacon
Seller: Leone-Lynsick, Mary A., (Estate)
Date: 12/16/24

31 East Bay Path Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Ibrahim Aljashaam
Seller: Nicholas Jackson
Date: 12/12/24

293 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Harold De Aza
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 12/19/24

92 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Sareen Properties LLC
Seller: Curran Sr., James A., (Estate)
Date: 12/20/24

30 Ellen St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Alexis V. Martinez
Seller: Chadwick, Raymond A., (Estate)
Date: 12/09/24

104 Farnsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Rilewanou Abdourhamane
Seller: Sashoy P. Bailey
Date: 12/19/24

34 Francis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Samuel Moreno
Seller: Ruby Realty LLC
Date: 12/13/24

9 Glenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Edgardo Velasquez
Seller: Samnang Oeng
Date: 12/20/24

26 Grant St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Billy L. Clark
Seller: 26 Grant RT
Date: 12/10/24

42-44 Griffin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $398,000
Buyer: Canaan A. Khatib-Colon
Seller: Julio Soba
Date: 12/13/24

93 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Cheryl Medina
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 12/12/24

450-452 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $265,600
Buyer: Jorge F. Del Valle
Seller: Tomas Paris
Date: 12/16/24

33-35 Hubbard Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $2,100,000
Buyer: James E. Balise
Seller: William Street LLC
Date: 12/20/24

106-112 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $1,750,000
Buyer: Island PP LLC
Seller: Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.
Date: 12/19/24

120-126 Island Pond Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $1,750,000
Buyer: Island PP LLC
Seller: Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.
Date: 12/19/24

184 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Tiffany R. Chaplin
Seller: Mint Realty Group LLC
Date: 12/16/24

41 Loretta St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $146,500
Buyer: Nick Zaporozhchenko
Seller: Jennifer C. Phillips
Date: 12/16/24

153-159 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Roger P. Zepke 2016 IRT
Seller: Main & Oak Street RT LLC
Date: 12/12/24

979 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $2,100,000
Buyer: James E. Balise
Seller: William Street LLC
Date: 12/20/24

105 Marsden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Michelle Morales
Seller: Mariluz Melendez
Date: 12/17/24

27 Mattoon St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Pellegrino
Seller: Eliza Pesuit
Date: 12/12/24

33 Metzger Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Toney Polite
Seller: Tracey Polite
Date: 12/16/24

183 Middlesex St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Comfort D. Asante
Seller: Springfield College
Date: 12/20/24

47 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Michael I. Regalado-Chavez
Seller: Admiracion David
Date: 12/18/24

29 Monrovia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Better Builders Construction LLC
Seller: David A. Faita
Date: 12/13/24

39 Moore St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Octavio Almodovar
Seller: Dorcas RT
Date: 12/13/24

6 Mortimer St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Lucas Pimentel
Seller: Timothy P. Tynan
Date: 12/20/24

52-54 Narragansett St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $298,900
Buyer: Geecaa Investments LLC
Seller: Nicole Jean-Louis
Date: 12/16/24

727 North Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Obed B. Akowuah
Seller: Melonie R. Altman
Date: 12/19/24

69 Notre Dame St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $233,452
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Enrique Galarza
Date: 12/13/24

35-37 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Roger P. Zepke 2016 IRT
Seller: Main & Oak Street RT LLC
Date: 12/12/24

109-111 Olmsted Dr.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Angelique T. Chanthyasakd
Seller: Nexius LLC
Date: 12/20/24

5 Olney Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Jean Merisier
Seller: Salim Abdoo
Date: 12/19/24

107 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Enid Paulino
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 12/17/24

392-394 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $382,000
Buyer: Kiara Chuquilla
Seller: Mui N. Hoang
Date: 12/12/24

546 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Better Builders Construction LLC
Seller: David A. Faita
Date: 12/13/24

337 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Palpum Raw LLC
Seller: Discovery Properties LLC
Date: 12/13/24

91-93 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Reyna P. Regalado
Seller: Rcf 2 Acquisition TR
Date: 12/09/24

15 Prince St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Marisol Lozada
Seller: Billy L. Clark
Date: 12/09/24

111 Rhinebeck Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Edwin Matos
Seller: Aaron Haas
Date: 12/13/24

294 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Ashley Boger
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 12/13/24

154 Seymour Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Erika Gayle
Seller: Hedge Hog Industries Corp.
Date: 12/12/24

156 South Branch Pkwy.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Emily Schneider
Seller: Brandon E. Whitice
Date: 12/16/24

28 Spruce St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Omar Jimenez
Seller: Angel M. Gonzalez
Date: 12/13/24

599 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $875,000
Buyer: Templo Pentecostal Senda
Seller: Progressive Community Baptist Church
Date: 12/09/24

914 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $1,050,000
Buyer: 7 Star Sumner Realty LLC
Seller: Felix Decesare
Date: 12/20/24

12-14 Sylvan St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Darwin Frometa
Seller: Mark Melikian
Date: 12/11/24

38 Thorndyke St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Margaret E. Mickelson
Seller: Harvey Roettinger
Date: 12/13/24

35 Trafton Road
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Jefferson Desrosiers
Seller: Mohamed Bendrao
Date: 12/11/24

387 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Muhammad K. Syed
Seller: Carla J. Potito-Marrero
Date: 12/16/24

80 Upland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Sol Santiago
Seller: Zachary Yacteen
Date: 12/20/24

25 Victoria St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $291,000
Buyer: Joel M. Medina
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 12/11/24

80 Victoria St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Ariana Perez
Seller: Ruben O. Vazquez
Date: 12/13/24

128-130 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Willord D. Burke
Seller: Sharon G. Ofori
Date: 12/12/24

62 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Lisonja Uribe
Seller: Xiuyu Ma
Date: 12/19/24

27 Westernview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Bivian A. Rojas-Gonzalez
Seller: Marie C. Hedeen
Date: 12/19/24

854-856 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Mint Realty Group LLC
Seller: Marietta D. Shattleroe
Date: 12/09/24

SOUTHWICK

147 Mort Vining Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $273,200
Buyer: Viktor Moshkovskiy
Seller: Richard E. Lisheness
Date: 12/17/24

3 Shaggbark Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Briana E. Makuch
Seller: Taylor N. Hartmann
Date: 12/09/24

151 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Matthew A. Cavallo
Seller: Christopher G. Haddad
Date: 12/18/24

TOLLAND

156 South Village Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Patrick McCambridge
Seller: Austin Rybacki
Date: 12/19/24

WALES

13 Shore Dr.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $705,000
Buyer: Susan V. Amalfi
Seller: Donna M. Bys
Date: 12/11/24

152 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ronald A. Barrows
Seller: Taunya L. Foley
Date: 12/10/24

154 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ronald A. Barrows
Seller: Taunya L. Foley
Date: 12/10/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

58 Beacon Hill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $199,950
Buyer: Donna L. Shea
Seller: Deanna Lawrence
Date: 12/13/24

244 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Nicholas J. Levesque
Seller: Linda J. Carlson
Date: 12/17/24

524 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Naples Home Buyers TR
Seller: Peters, Robert Anthony, (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

122 Doty Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $2,080,000
Buyer: 200 Pleasant St. Realty LLC
Seller: Doty River LLC
Date: 12/10/24

114 East Gooseberry Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Bellal Realty Group LLC
Seller: David Charland
Date: 12/16/24

Exposition Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Lockhouse Development LLC
Seller: Madeline E. Pompei
Date: 12/11/24

37 Heywood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Lockhouse Development LLC
Seller: Madeline E. Pompei
Date: 12/11/24

61 Hill St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $551,000
Buyer: Leon R. Jones
Seller: Brvs LLC
Date: 12/11/24

283 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Edwan Azuhairi
Seller: M. & T. Bank
Date: 12/20/24

116 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Javier Gracia
Seller: Petr Gavrilyuk
Date: 12/18/24

149 Lower Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Benjamin L. Moser
Seller: Steven T. Sullivan
Date: 12/20/24

831 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Mpr Properties LLC
Seller: Haas, Frances, (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

130 Norman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Blc Norman Realty LLC
Seller: Aga Brothers LLC
Date: 12/16/24

176 North Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Alyaa H. Saleh
Seller: Duerr, Rudolph, (Estate)
Date: 12/12/24

182 North Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Nuraddin Usmonov
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 12/10/24

136 Oak St.
West Springfield, MA 01040
Amount: $138,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Rita Brewer
Date: 12/19/24

93 Old Barn Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Anthony Trinchini
Seller: Donna M. Ruddy
Date: 12/20/24

100 Palmer Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $2,700,000
Buyer: Jdz Realty LLC
Seller: Westrock Container LLC
Date: 12/19/24

298 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Amat Victoria Curam LLC
Seller: Christopher Marble
Date: 12/11/24

300 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Amat Victoria Curam LLC
Seller: Christopher Marble
Date: 12/11/24

977 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $336,000
Buyer: Mass-West Construction Inc.
Seller: Ruta, Frederick J., (Estate)
Date: 12/20/24

WESTFIELD

66 Broad St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,125,000
Buyer: Mass. Behavioral Health LLC
Seller: Granada & Gemstar
Date: 12/18/24

17 Castle Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Erin Cronin
Seller: B. B Cassin
Date: 12/16/24

286 East Main St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,806,122
Buyer: Pizza Town Holding
Seller: Westfield Four LLC
Date: 12/17/24

30 Elm St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: 30 Elm & 7 School S.t LLC
Seller: Santander Bank
Date: 12/17/24

3 Ethan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Andrew Kellogg
Seller: Matthew Scott
Date: 12/11/24

16 Farlaine Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Waleed Okal
Seller: Denielle B. Manning
Date: 12/19/24

58 Forest Glen Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: William Pope
Seller: Robert D. Piper
Date: 12/16/24

3 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $166,667
Buyer: GG Strategic Holdings LLC
Seller: US Bank
Date: 12/20/24

112 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Gregory W. Smith
Seller: Stephen R. Weeks
Date: 12/19/24

1368 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Citizens Bank
Seller: Valerie L. Williams
Date: 12/19/24

24 Kensington Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $427,000
Buyer: Paul A. Larsen
Seller: Eric W. Woodruff
Date: 12/11/24

Lockhouse Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: Savonin Estates LLC
Seller: Lockhouse Development LLC
Date: 12/10/24

444 Loomis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Seller: Arnold S. Graziano
Date: 12/13/24

15 Malone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Hannah Berube
Seller: Gregory Smith
Date: 12/19/24

14-1/2 Noble Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Madeline E. Pompei
Seller: John J. Clune
Date: 12/11/24

22 Reed St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Naples Home Buyers TR
Seller: William W. Cavanaugh
Date: 12/20/24

81 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Gregory G. Fanion
Seller: Erin D. Cronin
Date: 12/10/24

286 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Ian Saltmarsh
Seller: James D. Lusher
Date: 12/20/24

7 School St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: 30 Elm & 7 School St. LLC
Seller: Santander Bank
Date: 12/17/24

20 South Maple St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,500
Buyer: Arpc LLC
Seller: Jesse Zomek
Date: 12/12/24

WILBRAHAM

291 3 Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $528,500
Buyer: Christopher Campion
Seller: William D. John
Date: 12/09/24

10 Cedar Oak Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Raymond V. Pelter
Seller: Nicholas Dussault
Date: 12/11/24

218 Mountain Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Jennifer Moor
Seller: Patrick Testa
Date: 12/10/24

664 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Anthony D. Tyler
Seller: Ingolfur Bergsteinsson
Date: 12/20/24

792 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Unlimited Property Services LLC
Seller: Eugene P. Randall
Date: 12/10/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

48 Gray St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Matahari RT
Seller: Wilfert Jr., Edwin W., (Estate)
Date: 12/18/24

44 Jeffrey Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Nature Camp LLC
Seller: 44 Jeffrey Lane LLC
Date: 12/19/24

502 Main St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: U&A LLC
Seller: Ellen S. O’Rourke
Date: 12/09/24

44 Mount Pleasant
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,035,000
Buyer: Gregory J. Kelly
Seller: Richard Perlmutter
Date: 12/18/24

11 Mountain View Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Alice F. Anacheck-Nasemann
Seller: Dorothy A. Lashway
Date: 12/16/24

155 Northampton Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $730,000
Buyer: Booom LLC
Seller: Oliver MacFadden
Date: 12/20/24

127 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Eugene Mattie
Seller: Zhiqi Huang
Date: 12/16/24

175 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Wrights View LLC
Seller: 175 West St. LLC
Date: 12/19/24

3 Wimston Court
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jeffrey H. Schmitt
Seller: Sikora 2012 RET
Date: 12/19/24

BELCHERTOWN

140 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Lisa Andrews
Seller: Colleen Secovich
Date: 12/20/24

1 Dogwood Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $655,000
Buyer: Eric A. Light
Seller: Roxanne Dorrie
Date: 12/16/24

63 Granby Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Andrew P. Blake
Seller: 63 Ludlow St. RT
Date: 12/18/24

Guld Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $9,121,951
Buyer: Lyme Quabbin LLC
Seller: W. D. Cowls Inc
Date: 12/18/24

571 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Fasm Homes LLC
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 12/11/24

101 Howard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Kevin M. Ridz
Seller: Bonnie S. McIntosh
Date: 12/12/24

63 Ludlow St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Andrew P. Blake
Seller: 63 Ludlow St. RT
Date: 12/18/24

10 Maple St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $1,737,799
Buyer: FIP Master Funding XVI LL
Seller: FIP Master Funding XVIII
Date: 12/19/24

314 North Liberty St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $735,000
Buyer: Christopher Mullins
Seller: Gregory Fedora
Date: 12/19/24

240 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $317,500
Buyer: Peter J. Klimoski
Seller: James McIsaac
Date: 12/13/24

56 Poole Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $144,900
Buyer: Brick House Homes LLC
Seller: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
Date: 12/20/24

CHESTERFIELD

Damond Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Ethan Fenn
Seller: Terry, Judith A., (Estate)
Date: 12/18/24

177 East St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Danile R. Henshaw
Seller: East St. Properties LLC
Date: 12/16/24

EASTHAMPTON

10 Chapman Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Eric S. Page
Seller: Rachel K. Roberts
Date: 12/18/24

28 East Green St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Benjamin C. Drake
Seller: Sabina Mahoney
Date: 12/13/24

25 Paul St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Laura Wallis
Seller: Ryna Karowski
Date: 12/11/24

Torrey St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Sovereign Builders Inc
Seller: Brakey LLC
Date: 12/20/24

49 Westview Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $626,000
Buyer: Bret Windmeier
Seller: Brett Roy
Date: 12/16/24

8 Wright St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $451,000
Buyer: Rebecca C. Weber
Seller: Lloyd D. Sullivan
Date: 12/11/24

GOSHEN

Damond Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Ethan Fenn
Seller: Terry, Judith A., (Estate)
Date: 12/18/24

GRANBY

190 Amherst St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $671,025
Buyer: Sawin St. TR
Seller: Monica Percival
Date: 12/16/24

539 Amherst Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Noah Castonguay
Seller: Honan, Linda, (Estate)
Date: 12/13/24

76 East St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Sylvia Palko
Seller: Joseph E. Denette
Date: 12/13/24

12 Griswold Circle
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $395,500
Buyer: Christopher J. Tallman
Seller: Dakota P. Richard
Date: 12/20/24

39 Harris St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Richard E. Murphy
Seller: Denise A. Dulude
Date: 12/12/24

110 Munsing Ridge
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $699,900
Buyer: Jerremy Rorick
Seller: Andrea Dipietro
Date: 12/10/24

65 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Michael D. Mazulis
Seller: Christopher L. Dunn
Date: 12/20/24

161 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Merrill Holdings LLC
Seller: Lsr & Deed Of Distribution
Date: 12/09/24

HADLEY

21 Lawrence Plain Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Edward J. Weigel
Seller: Matthew Olszewski
Date: 12/17/24

17 North Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Evergain Orchard LLC
Seller: Panda Enterprises Inc.
Date: 12/20/24

HATFIELD

9 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01088
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: 9 West Group LLC
Seller: Gary V. Galvagni
Date: 12/13/24

HUNTINGTON

6 Maple St.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $119,900
Buyer: Karen Marsian
Seller: HUD
Date: 12/11/24

3 Searle Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Liam F. Tierney
Seller: Hilary R. Gollis
Date: 12/18/24

MIDDLEFIELD

32 Bell Road
Middlefield, MA 01011
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Tam Properties LLC
Seller: Martin A. Main
Date: 12/09/24

NORTHAMPTON

145 Chesterfield Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Teity Gorfine
Seller: Heather K. Tauck
Date: 12/20/24

21 Dickinson St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $499,000
Buyer: Andrew L. Grim
Seller: Emily F. Lash
Date: 12/09/24

Glendale Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Sovereign Builders Inc
Seller: Brakey LLC
Date: 12/20/24

338 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $3,842,188
Buyer: Pizza Town Holding Co. LLC
Seller: Northampton Four LLC
Date: 12/19/24

19 Ladyslipper Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Leonardo Arcotta
Seller: Michael G. Reagan
Date: 12/12/24

12 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,107,500
Buyer: Strong & Main Realty LLC
Seller: Strong Ave. LLC
Date: 12/18/24

 

183 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: 183-187 Main LLC
Seller: Adams RT
Date: 12/12/24

20 Orchard St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: Northampton Rentals LLC
Seller: Luke Bittel
Date: 12/19/24

83 Pomeroy Ter.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $944,971
Buyer: 83 Pomeroy Terrace TR
Seller: Steven M. Waksman
Date: 12/18/24

78 Ryan Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Diane Baxter FT
Seller: Michael P. Damon
Date: 12/18/24

322 South St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Alex E. Navarro
Seller: Joshua Schulman
Date: 12/10/24

6 Strong Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,107,500
Buyer: Strong & Main Realty LLC
Seller: Strong Ave. LLC
Date: 12/18/24

795-A Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $411,000
Buyer: Laila R. Copperansky
Seller: James T. Jewitt
Date: 12/19/24

20 Westwood Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $398,000
Buyer: Sherri L. Howell
Seller: Deborah A. Sullivan
Date: 12/17/24

PELHAM

Buffam Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $7,878,049
Buyer: Lyme Quabbin LLC
Seller: W. D. Cowls Inc.
Date: 12/18/24

144 North Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $677,500
Buyer: Tracy L. Crane
Seller: Brenda G. Crowley
Date: 12/11/24

PLAINFIELD

274 East Main St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $117,500
Buyer: John R. Farrar
Seller: Robert A. Anderson
Date: 12/16/24

54 South Union St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $299,500
Buyer: Daniel T. Potter
Seller: Lyla Rozelle
Date: 12/18/24

SOUTH HADLEY

31 Alvord St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Melissa Stern
Seller: John A. Bresnahan
Date: 12/18/24

1 Forest Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Amy M. Robbins
Seller: Joan S. Quenneville
Date: 12/20/24

3 Hollywood St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Julissa Colon
Seller: Vivian A. Ostrowski
Date: 12/19/24

23 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $227,250
Buyer: Floridama O. Garcia
Seller: Scott Family Properties LLC
Date: 12/16/24

93 Pittroff Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Charlotte Wood-Harrington
Seller: Jacob Bacis
Date: 12/20/24

26 Pleasant St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Jessica J. Dipietro
Seller: Molly Mangan
Date: 12/12/24

2 Silver St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Blacklove Collective TR
Seller: William Decherd
Date: 12/18/24

12 Stonegate Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $589,900
Buyer: Jason P. Hewes
Seller: Sylvie M. Bellefeuille
Date: 12/12/24

20 Tampa St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Alexander J. Roy
Seller: Janet A. Duperre
Date: 12/16/24

18 Willimansett St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $417,500
Buyer: Marvin R. Perez
Seller: Peter Laramee
Date: 12/11/24

SOUTHAMPTON

28 Cook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: 28 Cook Road LLC
Seller: Gwinner, Ronald D., (Estate)
Date: 12/10/24

72 Crooked Ledge Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: James E. Jacobson
Seller: Bruce A. Kay
Date: 12/12/24

6 Edward Ave.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $583,000
Buyer: Frank R. Talarico
Seller: Trent J. Hufnagel
Date: 12/13/24

5 Gill Farm Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $829,000
Buyer: Kevin Whitney
Seller: Giberson Construction Inc
Date: 12/20/24

4 Pine Wood Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Karen Aroian
Seller: Cynthia Macbain RET
Date: 12/17/24

Pomeroy Meadow Road, Lot 3R
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $126,000
Buyer: David Dellatorre
Seller: Doris N. Hurd
Date: 12/13/24

WARE

9 3rd Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: James Emerson
Seller: Mhi Properties LLC
Date: 12/16/24

17 Gilbert Court
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Paul Pinto
Seller: Douglas P. Gauthier
Date: 12/20/24

12 Mattson Blvd.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Anthony Robidoux
Seller: Alan F. Joubert
Date: 12/20/24

136 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Margarita M. Brown
Seller: Benjamin B. Luflamme
Date: 12/09/24

21 Old Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $173,400
Buyer: All Surface Technology Inc.
Seller: Cascade Funding
Date: 12/11/24

WILLIAMSBURG

146 Ashfield Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Colin A. Polnitsky
Seller: Frank S. Geryk
Date: 12/20/24

89 Mountain St.
Williamsburg, MA 01039
Amount: $824,000
Buyer: Keira B. Durrett
Seller: Mary M. Koenig
Date: 12/13/24

WORTHINGTON

441 Dingle Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Aidan Novo
Seller: Louis C. Finn RET
Date: 12/17/24

23 East Windsor Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: 23 East Windsor Road Land Trust
Seller: Carin D. Nugent
Date: 12/13/24

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2024.

CHICOPEE

C&C Mass Ventures LLC
33 Haynes Circle
$21,200 — Selective demolition and disassembly of self-standing steel mezzanine

Hampden Charter School of Science
20 Johnson Road
$12,000 — Convert bathroom into study room, remove toilet and sink, install new window, install new flooring, paint walls

HADLEY

Sandri Development Inc.
457 Russell St.
N/A — Tenant fit-out

LENOX

439 Pittsfield Road LLC
439 Pittsfield Road
$294,690 — Tenant fit-up for Dolce Dental

NORTHAMPTON

270 South Street Northampton LLC
270 South St.
$3,900 — Insulation and weatherization

Coggins Realty II LLC
141 Main St.
$4,300 — Rough framing for ceiling and soffits, install sheetrock

Collective Copies Inc.
93 Main St., Unit 1
$83,502 — Foundation brick repairs, finish basement for storage

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$876,675 — Renovate treatment room and work room to CT procedure and ultrasound room

First Congregational Church of Northampton
129 Main St.
$2,795 — Roof repairs

Grow Food Northampton Inc.
140 Meadow St.
$73,000 — Shed

Hill Institute
77 Pine St.
$44,500 — Install storage cabinets, add glass door and partition wall, exit sign

Smith College
186 Elm St.
$100,000 — Insulation for Jordan House

Smith College
25 Henshaw Ave.
$25,000 — Replacement windows

Smith College
16 Paradise Road
$34,000 — Install vinyl siding

Smith College
38 Paradise Road
$36,000 — Install vinyl siding

Trident Realty Corp.
76 Main St.
$15,000 — Install employee bathroom

PITTSFIELD

AC Enterprises Inc.
239 North St.
$322,000 — Install automatic fire sprinkler system

The Berkshire Gas Co.
115 Cheshire Road
$289,985 — Roofing

Berkshire Medical Center Inc.
777 North St.
$256,680 — Install detached double wing canopy on northeast side of building

 

City of Pittsfield
1 Wendell Ave.
$92,967 — Bathroom renovations

Cloverdale Properties LLC
195 Cloverdale St.
$8,000 — Shed

Elizabeth Freeman Center Inc.
66 Allen St.
$12,500 — Remove and replace six door frames and one door

Fifteen Twenty East St LLC
1520 East St.
$88,539 — Roofing

Richard Herbert
288 Tyler St.
$9,000 — Drywall and electrical modifications

One Twenty Onota Street LLC
55 West Union St.
$22,100 — Install sprinkler system

Pittsfield Community Music School
30 Wendell Ave.
$107,500 — Roofing

Seven Eighty Six Holdings LLC
100 Wendell Ave.
$7,500 — Install water line from Wendell Avenue for sprinkler system

Jim Wells
703 West Housatonic St.
$17,035 — New backflow installation on existing riser

SPRINGFIELD

1350 Main Street LLC
1350 Main St.
$8,000 — Remove cubicle partitions and install demising wall for new tenant space in Suite 1500

Greater Springfield Credit Union
1030 Wilbraham Road
$223,409.30 — Alter portion of lobby for three new offices

LSH Investment LLC
1219 State St.
$500,000 — Interior demolition of walls and stages at Club Aquarius for tenant fit-out

Springfield Technical Community College Assistance Corp.
1 Federal St.
$114,000 — Alter space for new Mental Health Associates office

Springfield Technical Community College Assistance Corp.
1 Federal St.
$87,000 — Alter space for new storage rooms to serve Department of Revenue

St. Peter & St. Paul Russian Orthodox Church Inc.
118 Carew St.
$49,555 — Remove and replace front stairs

Understanding and Managing Contracts

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Sean Hogan

 

In the bustling world of modern business, contracts form the backbone of countless transactions, agreements, and partnerships. Yet, many businesses remain unaware of the myriad contracts that exist within their operations, particularly those for software and services. This oversight can lead to significant financial and operational pitfalls.

Contracts are not merely formalities; they are binding legal agreements that dictate the terms of business relationships. These documents encompass a wide range of commitments, from software licenses and service agreements to leases and supplier contracts. Unfortunately, the complexity and volume of these contracts can often lead businesses to lose track of their obligations, especially when it comes to the fine print.

A common feature in many business contracts, particularly for software and services, is the auto-renewal clause. These clauses are often buried in the small print, easily overlooked during the initial review. An auto-renewal clause stipulates that the contract will automatically renew for another term unless the client explicitly opts out, usually in writing, within a specified period.

Many businesses fall into the trap of neglecting these clauses, leading to unintended renewals. These renewals can range from a minimum of one year to as long as three to five years, depending on the contract. The implications of such automatic renewals can be profound, locking businesses into costly agreements that may no longer serve their needs or align with their strategic goals.

The financial impact of auto-renewals cannot be overstated. Consider a scenario where a business has multiple software subscriptions, each with an auto-renewal clause. If these contracts renew without the business’s knowledge, the company could find itself incurring substantial, unexpected expenses. These costs can quickly add up, straining the company’s budget and diverting funds from more critical projects.

To mitigate the risks associated with auto-renewals, businesses must implement robust contract-management practices. Tracking contracts involves maintaining a detailed and organized record of all agreements, including their terms, renewal dates, and termination clauses. This level of oversight ensures that businesses remain aware of their contractual obligations and can take proactive steps to manage renewals effectively.

Engaging legal counsel can provide invaluable support in managing business contracts. Legal professionals have the expertise to review contract terms, identify potential pitfalls, and negotiate favorable terms on behalf of the business. Their insights can help businesses navigate the complexities of contract law and ensure that their interests are protected.

Finally, fostering a culture of contract awareness within the organization is crucial. Employees at all levels should be educated on the importance of understanding and managing contracts. This includes training on how to read and interpret contract terms, recognizing the significance of auto-renewal clauses, and knowing the procedures for contract termination.

By promoting contract awareness, businesses can empower their teams to take an active role in managing contractual obligations. This collective effort can lead to more informed decision making, better risk management, and ultimately, a stronger financial position.

 

Sean Hogan is president of Hogan Technology Inc.

A Tradition of Entrepreneurship

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

In 1996, BusinessWest created a new recognition program, its Top Entrepreneur Award. We did so to acknowledge this region’s deep history of entrepreneurship and to recognize those that are continuing that tradition today.

As for that history, you know the names — or many of them, anyway: Milton Bradley, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, Charles and Frank Duryea; Everett Barney (clip-on ice skates), George Hendee (Indian Motocycle); Curtis and Prestley Blake (Friendly’s); Paul and Gerry D’Amour (Big Y), William Skinner (the Skinner Silk Mill) … the list goes on. And the people on that list created tens of thousands of jobs and helped shape the region.

Today, this tradition continues, although mostly with people creating dozens, and perhaps hundreds, of jobs, all of them vitally important to this region’s future. Indeed, entrepreneurship creates more than wealth — although it does that, too. It creates vibrancy in our communities, jobs (sometimes for generations of people), and opportunities for others to make their own mark.

This is why we recognize those that continue this region’s proud tradition of entrepreneurship with our annual award. Over the years, we’ve honored some traditional entrepreneurs — the Balise family of auto dealers, the D’Amours, the Falcone family (Rocky’s Hardware), and people like Paul Kozub, founder of V-One Vodka. We’ve also honored some non-traditional entrepreneurs, such as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; Andrew Scibelli, former president of Springfield Technical Community College; and Craig Melin, former president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

For 2024, we blend the past with the present and future by honoring John and Chris DeVoie, founders of the Hot Table chain of panini restaurants (see story on page 12).

Their story echoes many of those from the past. They started with an idea and started small, and eventually grew the venture. Indeed, from humble beginnings in the Breckwood Shoppes in Springfield, they have grown the chain to 13 locations across this region, into Eastern Mass., and also into Connecticut, with plans to continue growing and taking the concept to new markets.

Beyond growing their venture, the brothers DeVoie, along with third partner Rich Calcasola, have succeeded in creating a culture of giving back as well as a pattern of providing employment opportunities, especially to young people. These include all-important first and second jobs to high school and college students, who need the experience as well as the paycheck, but also opportunities to advance and take on leadership positions.

While doing all this, the partners have exemplified the traits of all successful entrepreneurs — vision, persistence, imagination, perseverance, and the ability to overcome adversity and learn from mistakes.

They share traits with Smith, Wesson, Bradley, Skinner, Barney, and three generations of the D’Amour family, and, like those others, they have become true inspirations to others.

They are making their own mark, but they are also carrying on a proud tradition, and that’s why they’re the Top Entrepreneurs for 2024.

 

Elms College Announces Full Tuition Coverage for Eligible Families

By
Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College has introduced the Elms Promise, a financial-aid program designed to provide full tuition coverage for students from families earning less than $85,000 annually. By combining federal and state grants with institutional scholarships, the Elms Promise reflects the college’s commitment to making a high-quality, four-year college education accessible to students of all backgrounds.

“Elms College was founded to empower those students least likely to afford a top-rate college education with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to make a lasting impact in the world,” Elms College President Harry Dumay said. “The Elms Promise helps to fulfill that commitment by eliminating financial barriers for eligible families, ensuring every student has the opportunity to unlock their potential at Elms College.”

Full tuition is covered after all federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are applied. This includes merit awards, endowed scholarships, and other forms of financial aid.

To take advantage of the program this fall, incoming freshmen must maintain a minimum high-school GPA of 3.5, apply for admission to Elms College and be accepted by May 1, and complete the FAFSA by May 1 as well.

Students can live on campus or commute to receive full benefits. If a student chooses to live on campus, the cost of room and board is not covered by the program; federal loans and external scholarships may help offset these expenses. Families must be Massachusetts residents. Eligibility is reassessed annually based on income and FAFSA submission. Students must also remain in good academic standing.

Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment Extends Hoophall Classic Sponsorship

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and LEARFIELD announced that Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment (GSE) will return, and continue through 2026, as the financial-education sponsor of the Army National Guard Hoophall Classic, presented by Spalding.

Morgan Stanley GSE will continue to develop and present tailored financial-education programs, tools, and resources for some of the nation’s top prep basketball student-athletes while leading in-person programming for each year’s participants on select days throughout the event in Springfield.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment for every Hoophall Classic through 2026,” said John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “At the Hall of Fame, we are committed to enriching the Hoophall experience for the next generation of basketball talent. Our collaboration with Morgan Stanley extends beyond the game, focusing on equipping young athletes with critical life skills. In an era where financial literacy is essential, we strive to provide these future stars with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their careers with confidence and success.”

Morgan Stanley GSE returns as the Hoophall Classic’s financial-education sponsor for the third consecutive year. Additionally, the financial-services firm will again honor the late Martin Luther King Jr. with the Basketball Hall of Fame, paying tribute to his life and legacy across all five nationally televised (on ESPN) Hoophall Classic games on Monday, Jan. 20.

“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s renowned Hoophall Classic as its financial-education sponsor since 2023, building on our tutelage of some of America’s best young basketball talent over the past couple of years,” said Sandra Richards, head of Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment and Segment Sales & Engagement. “The sessions and candid conversations that we have had the pleasure of hosting with the next generation of basketball talent in Springfield are critical elements of aiding them each year toward empowered and sound financial decisions that we trust will serve foundational to their success, both on and off the basketball court for many years to come.”

This year will mark the 23rd year of the Hoophall Classic. This event will feature 33 games played over five days throughout Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend at Springfield College. This year’s field, which boasts teams from 18 states and Washington, D.C., will feature 45 players in ESPN’s top 100 from the class of 2025 (33 boys and 10 girls), including eight of the boys’ top 10 ranked players. Additionally, both the top-ranked boys’ recruits in the 2025 (AJ Dybantsa) and 2026 (Tyran Stokes) classes are scheduled to participate.

American International College Achieves Eligibility as Hispanic-Serving Institution

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced it has reached the enrollment threshold for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Official recognition of HSI status — granted by the U.S. Department of Education to not-for-profit, degree-granting institutions with at least 25% of their full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment identifying as Hispanic — is expected within the next two years.

Since its establishment in 1885, AIC has provided access to higher education for underserved populations. This mission was bolstered by the 2022 launch of AIC Reimagined, a five-year strategic plan that prioritized achieving HSI designation. As of last fall, Hispanic/Latino students represent more than 27% of AIC’s undergraduate enrollment, a landmark achievement for the institution.

“This milestone is a testament to AIC’s long-standing commitment to serving students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and to our mission of access and opportunity for all,” interim President Nicolle Cestero said. “Achieving this designation will allow us to strengthen our support for Hispanic and Latino/Latina students while further fostering the inclusive campus environment where every student can thrive.”

While the growth in Hispanic and Latino/Latina student enrollment has positioned AIC to pursue this designation, the college remains committed to cultivating a vibrant community that serves students from all backgrounds. HSI status will provide access to federal and foundation grants, expanding resources to benefit the entire student body.

Campus leaders engaged in the work toward HSI designation were encouraged by the news of reaching the enrollment benchmark. Among them was Carmaris Denson, co-chair of the college’s HSI committee and assistant director of the AIC Core Education Program, which provides support for first-generation college students. Denson highlighted the critical role of service in achieving the HSI designation. “The most crucial part of HSI is the ‘S’ — serving. Our goal is to intentionally streamline access to education, resources, and support in a culturally responsive way, ensuring that our Hispanic/Latino/Latina students feel welcome and develop a stronger sense of belonging at AIC. By doing so, we can create a service model that benefits all students.”

AIC’s journey to HSI status began in 2015 when the college was first recognized as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. This new milestone mirrors the growth of the Hispanic population in the Springfield area, where 47.8% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino/Latina, according to the latest census data. Between 2010 and 2020, the Hispanic or Latino population in Springfield grew by 19%, aligning with statewide trends.

JaDuke Theater to Present ‘Lights, Community, Action!’ to Benefit Food Pantry

By
Daily News

TURNERS FALLS — On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8, JaDuke Theater will mount a community performance titled “Lights, Community, Action!” Proceeds from the four-act musical revue will benefit Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Center for Self-Reliance food pantry.

“The show is going to be a blast,” said Kim Williams, president of JaDuke, who is directing the revue. “It’s so important to uplift the critical work that’s being done in our community. People need to know what’s out there. What better way to bring it to life than to bring it to the stage?”

Each of the four acts of the show will center around one of the four themes of Community Action’s programs: food, heat, support, and community connection. With numbers such as “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, “Circle of Life” from The Lion King, and pop hits like “Lean on Me” and “Walking on Sunshine,” the show’s 95 community cast members are rehearsing weekly to prepare a thigh-slapping, foot-stomping singalong show full of family fun.

“We are so honored that the community is coming together to support our neighbors,” said Jessica Thompson, associate director of Community Engagement for Community Action.

The Center for Self-Reliance food pantry, which will be the direct beneficiary of the event’s donations and sponsorships, has seen a 34% increase in visitors over the last three years. Right now, the pantry offers fresh meat, dairy, eggs, produce, and shelf-stable goods to more than 1,000 visitors per week. The Center for Self-Reliance serves people in and around Greenfield, and the West County Pantry satellite pantry serves the Shelburne Falls and hilltown area.

This is JaDuke’s fourth year of putting on a benefit show for a local nonprofit. The first three years’ beneficiaries were the Children’s Advocacy Center, United Arc, and the New England Center for Women in Transition.

Both performances of “Lights, Community, Action!” on Feb. 7 and 8 will start at 6 p.m. at JaDuke Theater in Turners Falls. Tickets are available online at jaduketheater.com.

Country Bank Promotes Melissa Mann, Michael Dias

By
Daily News

WARE — Mary McGovern, president and CEO of Country Bank, announced the promotion of Melissa Mann to vice president of Customer Experience and Michael Dias to Product Marketing & Business Insights officer.

Mann offers a unique blend of skills, including completing the New England School for Financial Studies through the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. in 2019. She is currently working on completing her project management certification through the Project Management Institute, which shows her ongoing commitment to professional development. She will continue to lead and manage the bank’s Sales and Customer Experience programs and strategies.

Dias has been a driving force in integrating data analytics into the bank’s marketing strategies. With an MBA in data analytics from Western New England University and his recent certification as a certified financial marketing professional by the American Bankers Assoc., his strategic mindset and forward-thinking approach have been key in integrating data analytics into the bank’s marketing strategies.

“We are excited to announce the well-deserved promotions of Melissa and Michael,” said Miriam Siegel, chief Culture and Development officer at Country Bank. “Their hard work, dedication, and contributions have been instrumental to the bank’s success. We take great pride in supporting our team members’ commitment to continuous professional and personal growth, empowering them to explore the many rewarding career paths in community banking.”