D1 Hockey Regional Comes with Risks, High Expectations for the Region

By
Cover Story

Goal Oriented

 

Sean Dolan, general manager of the MassMutual Center

Sean Dolan, general manager of the MassMutual Center

 

Jeff Smith acknowledged that, at this time of year, he’s certainly plugged into the NCAA Division 1 hockey rankings, standings, and something called … bracketology, a science of sorts whereby an analyst, starting several weeks in advance, projects which teams will wind up in the season-ending tournament and where they will play.

Most of his attention is focused on UMass Amherst — he’s the school’s deputy athletic director for External Operations — which has been a regular in the tournament the past several years and won the national championship in 2021. But he’s also looking at how the tournament brackets will shake out and what the competition might be.

This year, however, he’s watching things even more closely, because there is much more at stake than where the Minutemen might play and whom — although that’s still top of mind, obviously.

Indeed, it was Smith who went to his boss several years ago with the idea of the university, working in tandem with the MassMutual Center and American International College, co-hosting one of the tournament’s regional slate of games.

Long story short — we’ll go back and fill in some of the details later — the three parties submitted a bid in early 2020 to host a regional round in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the NCAA awarded Springfield one for 2024 — specifically, three games to be played later this month that will determine which team will punch their ticket for the Frozen Four, to be played in St. Paul, Minn.

Which brings us back to bracketology.

Smith and other organizers of this regional are watching closely to see which teams might be coming to downtown Springfield. UMass Amherst is very likely to be one of them — the team was ranked in the top 10 as of this writing and stood a good chance of winning either one of the 10 at-large bids or the automatic bid that comes with the Hockey East crown (it was in fourth place as the regular season was winding down). And if UMass is in the tournament field, he said, it will play in Springfield because it’s a host and the MassMutual Center is not its home rink.

Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith

“I think Western Mass. has become this 413 hockey hotbed right now.”

As for the others, quality hockey is assured, but another team or even two from the Northeast would be ideal, said Sean Dolan, general manager of the MassMutual Center, who described this venture as a financial risk for its partners, but one that those involved consider well worth taking.

“There’s financial risk here — there’s a guarantee that goes to the NCAA, and your finances need to be covered,” he said, adding quickly that several thousand tickets have already been sold, well in advance of Selection Sunday, and almost 1,000 hotel rooms have been blocked off for the NCAA, the teams, their fans, their bands, television crews, referees, and more.

The decision to bid for the D1 hockey regional is part of a broader effort to bring more sporting events of this nature to the MassMutual Center, a facility owned by the state and managed by MGM Springfield.

Indeed, bids have been submitted for D2 basketball (men’s and women’s), D2 and D3 wrestling, D2 and D3 volleyball, and additional D1 hockey regionals, he said, adding that, while word is awaited on those bids, it’s very likely that this spring’s regional will the first of many collegiate sporting events coming to the facility.

Jessica Chapin, director of Athletics at AIC, another partner in this venture who’s also watching bracketology closely, agreed. She noted that AIC, which has played in the tournament in recent years, is experiencing an injury-plagued season and is unlikely to be in the field of 16. And if it did win the Atlantic Hockey conference title, it could not play in Springfield because the MassMutual Center is the Yellowjackets’ home rink.

But AIC is sharing in the risk of hosting this regional, she said, adding that, like all those involved, she’s crossing her fingers on the draw and expecting a strong showing and more collegiate sporting events in the future.

“We’re super excited to hopefully have a team from down the Mass Pike,” she said. “Hopefully, that will be the top seed in our building, and that will help drive attendance to this event and make it great for not only AIC, but Springfield and the greater community.”

Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, concurred, noting that the event should provide a real boost for the region’s tourism and hospitality sector, especially coming at an otherwise slow time of year she described as “our traditional mud season.”

“We’ve run the preliminary, and I’m stressing preliminary, economic-impact calculation, and, based on the current information available, the result is a little over $1 million for our local economy,” she said. “Of course, that number could vary up or down slightly depending on which teams participate, how far their fans will travel, how big their fan base is, and even the weather that weekend.”

“You have a community that’s really invested in hockey, and we will bring some the nation’s best talent to Springfield.”

Those comments certainly explain the interest in bracketology and the risks involved with this venture, which, overall, is seen as an opportunity to spotlight the emergence of hockey in this region and provide a boost to both its prominent arena and the entire hospitality sector.

 

New Gains

For those not familiar with the Division 1 hockey tournament, it’s very much like the better-known basketball event known as March Madness, only on a much smaller scale.

Indeed, while there are more than 330 Division 1 basketball teams spread across 33 conferences, each with its own automatic bid to the tournament, D1 hockey features roughly 60 teams in just six conferences, with teams mostly in the Northeast and Midwest.

Sixteen teams make the tournament, and deciding where they play can be a complicated process. Indeed, the selection committee likes to keep teams relatively close to home, for many obvious reasons, but there are competing forces, including the dominance of Hockey East, which could have three number-one seeds, requiring at least one of them to travel. Also, the committee tries to avoid teams from the same conference playing in the first round. And, yes, UMass being a host, guaranteeing it a spot in Springfield, complicates things even further.

There’s still three weeks for the brackets to be worked out, and local organizers will certainly be watching. But they’re expecting the event to sell and anticipating that the risk they’re taking will pay off — for Springfield, the region, the MassMutual Center, area businesses, and more.

The Frozen Four games are now played annually in cities and rinks with NHL teams, said Smith, adding that the regionals are usually played in smaller arenas, typically those that are home to American Hockey League teams — like the MassMutual Center, home to the Thunderbirds, a franchise that has seen success on and off the ice under the direction of President Nate Costa.

That success, coupled with the emergence of UMass Amherst and AIC as true hockey powers, is one of several motivating factors for bidding on the D1 hockey regional, said Smith and Dolan, who knew each other from when Dolan worked at the Mullins Center on the UMass campus, adding that a hockey regional is one way to build off that momentum.

Mary Kay Wydra

Mary Kay Wydra

“The NCAA has blocked 940 rooms in our area, which is significant for a late March weekend that coincides with the Easter holiday.”

“I think Western Mass. has become this 413 hockey hotbed right now,” said Smith, citing the success of AIC, UMass Amherst, and the T-Birds. “That’s kind of cool, and hosting a regional is a way to promote that and celebrate it.”

Dolan agreed, noting that bidding for the D1 hockey regional is part of a larger effort to bring more sporting events to the region and, overall, fill more dates at the MassMutual Center.

For many years, Springfield hosted a D2 basketball regional, he recalled, and even a D1 basketball regional in the ’70s when that tournament was much smaller. But there has been little in recent years beyond the the Hall of Fame Classic games each fall.

Dolan said Las Vegas has landed a number of collegiate and professional sporting events in recent years (it just hosted the Super Bowl, for example), and those at MGM Springfield and the MassMutual Center conferred with their partners in Vegas about how to bring similar events to Springfield.

At the same time, talks between those at the facility and UMass, and then AIC, about hosting D1 hockey picked up in intensity. The bid was submitted just prior to COVID in 2020, and word was received that Springfield had been awarded one of the regionals for 2024 that October.

And, as noted earlier, it was just the first of many bids to be submitted, said Dolan, adding that sporting events of this nature are advantageous for many reasons. They bring people to Western Mass. from outside the region, thus giving it some exposure while also filling hotel rooms and restaurants. They also bring energy to the downtown for several days at a time.

“Our goal is to have Springfield host an NCAA championship every year,” he told BusinessWest, “so that this becomes something that we all, as community members, can anticipate. The sport will change by the year, but we want to have something each year.”

 

Icing on the Cake

When asked what to expect over those three days in late March, those we spoke with said there will certainly be some quality hockey on tap.

After that … well, much depends on how this bracket comes together.

One recent bit of bracketology, from Feb. 21, had UMass Amherst, Boston University, Denver, and Cornell coming to the MassMutual Center; that’s three teams from the Northeast and one from 2,000 miles away.

But other factors will play into this equation as well, everything from the weather to the fact that this will be Easter weekend (in making their bid, the local partners specifically bid for games to be played on Thursday and Saturday, rather than Friday and Sunday, to avoid playing on Easter).

Advance ticket sales, as noted, have been solid, Dolan said, adding that the brackets will not be announced until the Sunday before the games start. Most tickets will be sold after Selection Sunday, he explained, but organizers will push for advanced sales, emphasizing the quality of the hockey and the fact that Springfield hasn’t seen anything quite like this before.

“The NCAA has blocked 940 rooms in our area, which is significant for a late March weekend that coincides with the Easter holiday,” Wydra said. “So this figure is a very good indicator of the likely impact on our accommodations sector. It’s a little tougher to predict the overall room demand without knowing which teams will make it into the regional tournament. Some fanbases are very engaged and will follow their teams more enthusiastically than others, and of course distance is a factor, but we’re certainly expecting the room demand to be high.”

Having the Minutemen, which have been averaging more than 5,000 fans per game this year and have drawn as many as 8,000 to some tilts, including one against Michigan, will be huge, but other teams are expected to travel well.

When asked how they will measure success, those involved said there will be several yardsticks, including everything from ticket sales to how well those attending the games support downtown businesses.

And the results may ultimately play into how well the three partners fare as they vie for other regionals — bids have been submitted for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

“We’re planning on having a lot of success with this,” Smith said. “And it would be great to have it where every few years we have this in our backyard.”

Chapin, a member of the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty class of 2023, agreed.

“You have a community that’s really invested in hockey, and we will bring some the nation’s best talent to Springfield,” she said. “So I expect near-sellout crowds for the event.”

Added Wydra, “we’re sure the NCAA will be looking at how Springfield measures up to the other regional tournament locations,” which include Providence, R.I., Maryland Heights, Mo., and Sioux Falls, S.D.

“Here, our attention will be focused on the hotel-occupancy data, ticket sales for the games, attendance at area attractions, and dining volume at local restaurants. We expect to see a busy downtown in late March, with foot traffic on the street, and our enthusiasm for this event is high.”

Now, they’re just waiting for the puck to drop.

Kitchens by Curio Celebrates 50 Years in Business

By
Curio and Frank Nataloni
Home Improvement Special Coverage

A Lifetime of Lessons

Curio and Frank Nataloni

Curio and Frank Nataloni

One great thing about opening a business, Curio Nataloni said, is that no one can lay you off.

Oh, sometimes businesses fail, but entrepreneurship means everything is in the owner’s hands, which can be scary, but has mostly been rewarding — for more than 50 years.

After returning from service in Vietnam in the early 1970s, “I was working on construction, and I kept getting laid off,” Nataloni told BusinessWest just a few days after his company, Kitchens by Curio, celebrated a half-century in business. So he took a cabinetry job for a homeowner in Longmeadow, and after some solid word of mouth in the neighborhood — resulting in other kitchen projects — even after his former employer summoned him back, he decided he’d rather venture out on his own.

“I did most of the bathrooms and kitchens that have ever been remodeled on that street; it was all referrals,” he said. “Did I make a lot of money? No. But I never got laid off again. That’s the bottom line. And that’s what my goal was.”

From there, he opened a showroom in Ludlow, which was open from 1 to 9 p.m. each day. “The next morning, if I sold anything, I would go out and install it — vanities and stuff like that. And that’s how I got started. Then I got another helper, and I kept on being consistent.”

Consistent enough to weather an economic downturn in the mid-’70s that saw 14 businesses in the kitchen sector shut their doors in a single year.

“I did the best I could,” Nataloni said. “I didn’t waste any money. A lot of people that would get some money, they’d go buy a new car. I didn’t buy a new car; I just reinvested in the business. Because that’s what it’s all about. Having a business is just like having a fire. You always have to put another log on.”

After 10 years in business, in 1984, Nataloni moved to his current location on Boston Road in Springfield. Around the same time, his brother, Frank Nataloni, who had worked with Curio part-time during summers, came on board full-time, and the two of them have steered Kitchens by Curio to consistent sales and growth for the next four decades, joined in recent years by Curio’s son, Michael Nataloni, who intends to continue to lead and grow the company whenever his father and uncle decide to take a step back.

Early on, Frank said, “cabinets were our core product. Prior to the big boxes, we would do a fair amount of retail sales, but most of it was install sales and renovation; that was the core part of the business and still is. Then, as the big boxes became more prevalent, our contractor business sort of started to disappear, so we just focused on doing our renovation work.”

Frank became one of the few designers in the area who is not only a certified kitchen designer (CKD), but also a certified bath designer (CBD). He also taught interior design classes at Bay Path University (then Bay Path College). Among the duo’s accolades, they are five-time national award winners in the CKD competition, two-time CKD award winners (Maytag and Wilson Art), and recipients of House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year honor.

Kitchens by Curio

Kitchens by Curio moved from Ludlow to its home on Boston Road in Springfield about 40 years ago.

“My grandmother taught me a lot of good practices that I still use to this day,” Curio said. “Our concept is very simple: it’s better to make a little bit every day than make a killing once every three months. That means you’ve got to be fair to the customer on price, and you’ve always got to deliver quality.”

Fifty years of success suggests that philosophy has been a sound one.

 

All in the Family

Like his uncle, Michael Nataloni worked on and off at the family business during his youth, and decided to make a permanent switch after working in college athletics for a decade and deciding that wasn’t for him.

“It wasn’t as fun as it had been,” he told BusinessWest. “So I was looking around at different things. I’ve always been kind of hands-on, and I’ve been doing stuff like this my whole life, so it was a good fit. I came back and I said, ‘wow, this is a great time. I’m going to get out of college athletics at the end of the year, and I’m going to get into this at the beginning of the year.’”

That year was 2020, and as soon as he arrived at Kitchens by Curio full-time, the world shut down.

But it didn’t stay closed in the home-improvement business, which took off in a big way once people started spending more time at home for work, school, and, well, everything.

“The timing was good,” Frank said. “Our business grew quite a bit after the pandemic. And there was no new construction, but there was a lot of renovation. And that always has been our strong suit, so it really played into our strengths.”

As for Michael, “he really doing every facet of the business. Right now, when we get to the end of a project, he’s like our ace reliever; he comes in and finishes any fine details. And he’s great with clients. I mean, we’re trying to find someone who doesn’t like him,” Frank continued. “He has a good attitude, and he wants to do a good job. And he’s always coming up to me saying, ‘well, what about if we do this?’ He’s trying to figure out different ways to do the work.”

Michael agreed that he takes a forward-thinking approach to his burgeoning career.

“Our concept is very simple: it’s better to make a little bit every day than make a killing once every three months. That means you’ve got to be fair to the customer on price, and you’ve always got to deliver quality.”

“One phrase that I’ve never liked is when anybody tells me, ‘well, this is the way we do it; this is the way it’s always been done.’ Well, that’s fantastic. But the world has changed. We’re not still flipping through magazines; we’re on the internet. And you have to follow that progression.”

The business uses a website called Houzz to help identify what customers are looking for, and even customers who walk in for the first time tend to have done plenty of their own online research — or watched a lot of HGTV — so they arrive with more specific ideas than customers in decades past.

Michael Nataloni

Michael Nataloni brings new perspectives and an openness to change to his developing second-generation leadership role.

Meanwhile, the brothers secured a contract to be the only kitchen and bath designer in New England with access to ProKitchen Oculus VR software, with the ability to change cabinet door styles and finishes, flooring, countertops, wall colors, and more in virtual-reality glasses.

“We can put people in the Oculus glasses, and they can walk through their kitchen,” Frank said. “It’s amazing. So we’ve invested in technology.”

Michael appreciates such developments. “You’ve got to be ahead of things. You can’t always be focused on the rearview mirror. So I try to envision down the road and ask, ‘OK, how can we move stuff around, display new things, include certain things that can move us forward and help with sales?’”

 

Change and Consistency

But Michael emphasizes more than forward thinking; he was also quick to acknowledge that trust is a key element in a successful home-improvement business.

“That’s one thing that I always stress with customers, even at the first meeting. I say, ‘this is a relationship. If you don’t trust me, the job’s never going to work.’”

Once that relationship is built, he added, most customers have no problem going out and leaving the crew at the house.

“Once you reach that point, you know it’s going to be a good fit and everyone’s going to be happy, and that’s the name of the game,” Michael went on. “If you do a good job for a customer, that customer’s going to tell 10 people. If you do a bad job, that customer is going to tell everybody.”

Curio also stressed that trust element. “The only thing we can do is give people a plan, a contract, and a sample of what the kitchen’s going to look like. So in reality, it comes back to people trusting you, and when they place that trust in you, you can’t shortchange them. So regardless of what we do, whether we make money or we lose money, the job has to be done right, period. That’s it.”

Clearly, these are values that have remained consistent over 50 years, even as styles have shifted dramatically in flooring materials, cabinet and appliance colors, and dozens of other elements.

“A lot has changed over the years,” Frank said. “When my brother founded the company in ’74, he was building cabinets in our parents’ basement part-time. The technology has significantly evolved, particularly with appliances. Styles have changed dozens of times over the years, and some of them are starting to come back again. But the two things that never changed were our dedication to quality and customer service.”

Be Aware of Coming Changes in Wage and Hour Laws

By Contributor
Law Special Coverage

New Year, New Protections

By John S. Gannon, Esq.

 

Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that provides businesses with guidance to be used when evaluating whether a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The DOL is also expected to issue a final rule that will extend overtime protections to an estimated 3.6 million salaried workers who are currently exempt under the law. Read on for more details about both of these developments.

 

Employee or Independent Contractor?

There are lots of reasons why a business would want to classify an individual as an independent contractor instead of an employee. For starters, employees are entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay protections, while independent contractors are not.

Moreover, Massachusetts employees are afforded rights and protections under the state Paid Family and Medical Leave program and the Earned Sick Time Law. Employees can also take advantage of workers’ compensation benefits when they are injured on the job, and typically can collect unemployment if they lose their job. Independent contractors do not get these benefits.

As a result, agencies like the DOL and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office consider misclassifying employees as independent contractors to be a serious problem. To combat this, DOL recently released guidance that explains how to analyze whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under the FLSA.

The new rule is generally considered more employee-friendly than previous guidance, and it looks at the ‘economic realities’ of the working relationship. If the economic realities show that the worker is economically dependent on the employer for work, then the worker is an employee. If the economic realities show that the worker is in business for himself or herself, then the worker is an independent contractor.

The following factors are used to guide the assessment of whether a worker is an employee under the FLSA or an independent contractor in business for himself or herself:

• Opportunity for profit or loss depending on managerial skill. If the worker has no opportunity for profit or loss in connection with the project they are working on for the business, they are probably not in business for themselves, and therefore employee status is suggested.

• Investments by the worker and the employer. This factor looks at whether the individual uses their own tools/equipment and the labor of others to further a true business. If these investments are being made, it suggests the worker is an independent contractor.

• Permanence of the work relationship. Independent-contractor relationships are typically set for a defined period of time, or until a project is finished. If the relationship is continuous/indefinite in duration, it suggests an employee-employer relationship.

• Nature and degree of control. Independent contractors set their own schedules free from supervision by their clients or customers. Conversely, if the worker is being supervised and has a set schedule, employee status is suggested.

• Whether the work performed is integral to the employer’s business. This factor looks at whether the work is critical, necessary, or central to the potential employer’s principal business, which indicates employee status. Where the work performed by the worker is not critical, necessary, or central to the potential employer’s principal business, this indicates independent-contractor status.

• Skill and initiative. The focus here is on whether the worker uses their skills in connection with business initiative. If the worker does, that indicates independent contractor status; if the worker does not, that indicates employee status.

Proper classification of workers is of critical importance to employers. As explained above, when an employer misclassifies an employee as an independent contractor, the worker cannot take advantage of numerous workplace protections afforded to employees. This can lead to significant administrative penalties for businesses, not to mention costly misclassification lawsuits. When the classification analysis is a close call, employers should consult with their employment counsel prior to making the determination to avoid costly mistakes.

 

New Overtime Protections for Millions of Employees

Last fall, the DOL announced a proposed rule that would increase the salary threshold for exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements under the executive, administrative, or professional exemptions — otherwise known as the EAP exemptions.

As a reminder, in order to qualify for an EAP exemption, employees generally must be paid a salary of at least $684 per week ($35,568 annually). The DOL’s proposed rule would raise the current minimum weekly salary threshold for exempt employees to $1,059 per week, which amounts to $55,068 annually. In short, this means that most employees with a salary of less than $1,059 per week will soon be entitled to overtime when working more than 40 hours in a workweek.

The DOL’s proposed salary threshold rule would also automatically update these earnings thresholds every three years. We expect the rule will be finalized in April, and may go into effect as soon as June. With the 2024 presidential election approaching, the Biden administration will want to finalize this rule as soon as possible to avoid a new administration rescinding the rule.

 

Bottom Line

We encourage clients to take a proactive, preventive approach to wage and hour laws. Consider having your compensation practices audited by experienced counsel to be sure your business is not mistakenly classifying employees as independent contractors. Also, an audit will help spot overtime exemption problems before litigation ensues.

 

John S. Gannon is a partner with Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., one of the largest law firms in New England exclusively practicing labor and employment law. Gannon specializes in employment litigation and personnel policies and practices, wage and hour compliance, and non-compete and trade-secrets litigation; (413) 737-4753; [email protected]

As the Population Ages, Memory Care Continues to Evolve

By
Allison Baker
Healthcare News Special Coverage

Peace of Mind

Allison Baker

Allison Baker says the Atrium at Cardinal Drive aims to both give residents a high quality of life and take stress away from their loved ones.

It’s a moment so many families dread — until they come out on the other side.

“There’s a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of guilt,” said Allison Baker, director of Community Relations at the Atrium at Cardinal Drive in Agawam, about the decision to move a loved one — usually a parent or spouse — into the assisted-living facility, which specializes in memory care.

“Families can feel like they might be giving up on their loved one by moving them to a setting like ours. And I think our challenge is to show that you’re not placing your loved one in a place just to live out the rest of their life. The point of our community is to give them the best quality of life.”

Cathy Ballini, executive director of Mason Wright Senior Living in Springfield, agreed.

“I always tell families, ‘nobody shops for this until they have to shop for this.’ And there’s a lot of guilt involved when you take parents out of their home. But you have to look at the bigger picture of what’s best for them.”

What often precedes that discussion, especially with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, is large quantities of “caregiver burnout,” Ballini added.

“When one or two people are caring for someone, there comes a time when something is sacrificed or suffers because you’re not providing this level of care. There’s only so much one person can do to keep someone entertained. There’s only so much the television can do.

Cathy Ballini

Cathy Ballini

“That time they have left should be quality time. You’re taking the business end of the relationship and putting that on us so that you can truly enjoy your time with your with your parent, with your brother, with your spouse.”

“Coming here, they’re building friendships and trust with us so their relationship with the parent becomes what it should be,” she went on. “That time they have left should be quality time. You’re taking the business end of the relationship and putting that on us so that you can truly enjoy your time with your with your parent, with your brother, with your spouse.”

But what makes it quality time, and how does memory care differ from traditional assisted living?

Since it opened 26 years ago, the Atrium has featured two buildings with 22 apartments each, both dedicated to a memory-care model.

“We don’t divide residents based on their care level or their cognitive functioning,” Baker said. “With residents with memory loss or cognitive impairment, huge crowds can be overwhelming or overstimulating, so limiting the number of people is better for a resident. That’s why we have two neighborhoods. They have the same amenities — they both have a courtyard, they both have dining rooms, they both have the atrium area, they both have living rooms and sitting-room areas; they’re identical to one another.”

The Atrium aims to provide a level of care often associated with skilled-nursing facilities — such as two-person transfer assistance, feeding assistance, medication administration, and total care with all aspects of daily living — but in a home-like, assisted-living environment, she added. “It’s a little bit different model than most other communities, but the hope is that our residents can remain here in their home through end of life and not have to move to another setting.”

Mason Wright, like many assisted-living residences, has a neighborhood, called Reflections, dedicated to memory care on its third floor. There, “the caregivers build consistency and trust with the same people,” Ballini said. “The caregivers who are helping them out of bed in the morning are doing activities throughout the day and are serving meals to them. The routine is very important.”

That daily routine includes an extensive roster of activities that actively engage the mind. Residents in Reflections are able to join the rest of the Mason Wright community for events like entertainers, baking sessions, and other activities that anyone can enjoy, but also engage in activities exclusive to their neighborhood that are aimed at preserving cognition.

Laura Lovoie

Laura Lavoie

“Some people contact me when they’re almost at the end of their rope and they just need somebody to say, ‘it’s OK. You’ve done a great job, but there needs to be more support around them 24/7, and you need to sleep.’”

At the Atrium, Baker said, “we’re often able to pique new interest with our residents or encourage them to try something that they haven’t done, like our art therapy program, for example. Residents who have never had an interest in art or painting may be willing to try, and we have seen them partake in that and do an amazing job.”

The Atrium infuses music into many activities, she added, from bringing in professional musicians to utilizing the baby grand pianos in both neighborhoods to playing instrumental music during mealtimes.

“In memory care, music is something that resonates with pretty much the entire population, all of our residents. Not necessarily the same song or same genre, but music is something they can relate to, regardless of what stage someone’s at with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any cognitive impairment.”

 

Helping the Helpers

Laura Lavoie straddles both the world of family caregiving and residential senior-care facilities through her consulting business, Our Dementia Life, which offers assistance to families dealing with the challenges of memory care and workshops and training to assisted-living facilities and other settings.

With the latter, “it’s really focused on relationships between the staff member and the person living with dementia so that they can give them better care,” she explained, adding that facilities are mandated to offer just two hours per year of dementia training, which isn’t nearly enough. “So many people, not only in memory care but in assisted living and independent living, have dementia, and nobody’s taught how to actually work with these people in order to support them and let them be as autonomous as possible and let them feel as empowered as possible, while still asking for help.”

Meanwhile, Lavoie said, “I also deal with families, especially people who have their loved one in their home, who are really struggling with how they can understand what’s happening, what’s going on inside their brain, and how they can communicate better so that they can care for them better.”

Sometimes those conversations lead to a realization that the family simply can’t do it alone. “Some people contact me when they’re almost at the end of their rope and they just need somebody to say, ‘it’s OK. You’ve done a great job, but there needs to be more support around them 24/7, and you need to sleep.’”

Lavoie said she got into this work almost three decades ago. “My grandfather had dementia. He had a brain tumor, and then he developed dementia because of it and lived with us for a couple of years. And I watched my mom care for him 24/7 with zero training, and she did a beautiful job, but I remember the struggles that she had.”

With people living longer and the over-65 population growing, the need for her services is only growing.

“The mindset at many facilities needs to change and grow with it, and we need people to be well-trained to work with these people in order for them to have a really good quality of life,” she told BusinessWest. “Just because you get a dementia diagnosis does not mean you stop living. Some people have dementia for many years, and why do they have to be bad years?”

She emphasized that the crux of her beliefs lies in looking at the person living with dementia and discovering — and cultivating — what they still have, rather than focusing on what has been lost. “There is a mass culture change that has to happen as the Baby Boomers begin to explode into the various realms of dementias, and I hope to be a part of that even more than I am now.”

Baker also wants to cultivate what residents enjoy, which is why residents at the Atrium are encouraged not to spend the majority of their time in their apartments, but rather in the common areas, taking part in activities that range from trivia and conversations about history to physical activities like cornhole or bowling, as well as outings to local restaurants, parks, and community events.

“We’re trying to keep our residents as engaged as possible throughout the day,” she explained, “with the understanding that we know not every single resident enjoys every single activity that we offer, but the idea is to offer such a variety that there’s something that our residents will enjoy.”

 

Being the Problem Solver

Meanwhile, what families enjoy is spending time with their loved ones without the burden of constant caregiving, Baker said.

“I often talk with families and say, ‘our goal is to relieve you of all that caregiver stress.’ We want them to be able to come and visit their loved one and just be their daughter, son, niece, nephew, husband, wife, and not be worried about whether they got their medications on time, did they take a shower, did they get whatever level of personal care that they may need? We want our families to visit their loved ones and let us worry about all of those other pieces.

“Sometimes you can visibly see the stress relieved from somebody,” she went on. “They just look so much more relaxed once their loved one acclimates.”

Ballini said the need for quality memory care is only growing, and most facilities have waiting lists — and, as a result, many people end up in nursing homes before they need to because there’s not enough spots at facilities like Mason Wright that can meet their care needs in a home-like setting. “In this age of medicine, people are living longer, and there aren’t enough beds for people.”

For the families that can access the right care, however, the rewards can be great, especially if they’re burned out on caregiving at home.

“To see someone come in, not knowing what to do with all the stress, walking through, and they’re not sure it’s right for their loved one, but then seeing their loved one a month or two later, it’s so gratifying,” Ballini told BusinessWest. “It’s nice to be the problem solver. You’re taking care of the family as much as the actual resident.”

Lavoie finds her work satisfying as well, both working with families and helping to train facility staff on how to interact with people with dementia, showing them techniques and communication skills that enhance quality of life for everyone involved.

“It’s the best thing in the world. I get these ‘a-ha’ moments all the time, where even really good care workers in facilities that are really dedicated realize they can make this person feel like they can paint again, and they come to you crying, saying, ‘you should have seen her face.’ Or families say, ‘I can’t believe this this is all it took.’ It’s just the most gratifying thing ever, and I’m thrilled to be doing it, and I just want to give more people the opportunity to learn more.”

Holyoke Wants to Move ‘Way Beyond Potential’

By
Mayor Joshua Garcia, left, and Aaron Vega
Community Spotlight Special Coverage

Community Spotlight

Mayor Joshua Garcia, left, and Aaron Vega

Mayor Joshua Garcia, left, and Aaron Vega can list intriguing signs of progress on many fronts in Holyoke, especially in efforts to attract ‘clean tech’ ventures.

 

As he talked about Holyoke and its many marketable assets, Mayor Joshua Garcia listed everything from its location — on I-91 and right off a turnpike exit — to its still-large inventory of old mill space and a few available building lots, to its “green, clean, and comparatively cheap” hydroelectric energy.

And all of these assets, and especially that clean, cheap energy, came into play as the city courted and successfully landed Sublime Systems, a startup currently based in Somerville that has developed a fossil-fuel-free, low-carbon cement, and will produce it at a long-dormant parcel off Water Street, perhaps by the end of 2026, employing more than 70 people.

Sublime is exemplary not only of how to maximize the city’s assets, but also of the type of business the city is trying to attract — those in ‘clean’ or ‘green’ technology and manufacturing.

“Sublime is an example of where we want to go,” said Aaron Vega, director of the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development. “We want to stress our roots in manufacturing and innovation, and now that encompasses clean energy and green tech.”

The pending arrival of Sublime Systems is just one of the many intriguing story lines involving Holyoke. Others include the announcement last month that the city, working with local entrepreneur Cesar Ruiz, is trying to advance plans for an Olympic-style sports complex (one with a projected $40 million to $60 million price tag); new housing proposals in various stages of development; a steady stream of new entrepreneurial ventures fueled by EforAll/EparaTodos; ongoing efforts to revitalize the historic Victory Theatre; and many converging stories involving the city’s cannabis cluster.

One of them concerns contraction of that sector, planned businesses simply not getting off the ground, and the resulting impact on commercial real estate in the city and especially a number of those aforementioned former mill buildings.

“Housing is a focus for us, and it’s tied to economic development. We can bring a fair amount of support to developers who want to do housing projects in the city, but it is a long game, and it’s expensive.”

As many as a dozen of them were acquired with the intention of housing a dispensary or growing facility, but the slowing of the initial ‘green wave’ has left these new owners — all of whom bought high, when the market was red hot, and some of whom have already invested in their structures — looking for buyers and other uses.

And, in many cases, they’re dialing Vega’s number and looking for help, or at least some guidance.

“A lot of people think my office is like a broker … but we’re not moving private property in that way,” he said with a laugh, adding his team will certainly help make connections that might lead to a deal. “We’ll refer people and say, ‘this property is empty, but you have to deal with the owner.’

“They overpaid for these buildings, so it will be interesting to see how they’re going to unload them,” he went on. “Will they put them on the market at a reduced rate, or will they try to earn their money back with a profit?”

Housing is certainly an option, but an expensive and often-difficult one, he continued, adding that, while there is certainly a need for more housing in Holyoke, as there is in most communities in the 413 and across the state, conversion of old mills for that purpose requires capital, patience, and some luck, all in large quantities.

Joshua Garcia

Joshua Garcia

“We’ve been pulling back that curtain to the point where the buzz now is that there’s a lot going on in Holyoke; the reality is, there’s always been a lot going on in Holyoke.”

“Housing is a focus for us, and it’s tied to economic development,” Vega said. “We can bring a fair amount of support to developers who want to do housing projects in the city, but it is a long game, and it’s expensive.”

For this, the latest installment of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest looks at these various storylines and, overall, a city making great strides on several fronts.

 

Curtain Calls

Garcia calls it “pulling back the curtain.”

That’s how he described his office’s ongoing efforts to tell Holyoke’s story and let people know about the many positive developments happening there.

“We’ve been pulling back that curtain to the point where the buzz now is that there’s a lot going on in Holyoke; the reality is, there’s always been a lot going on in Holyoke. It’s just that people have been in their own bubble, believing whatever perception they want to believe about the city,” he said, adding that he’s trying to enlighten people through various vehicles, including a newsletter of sorts that he writes himself and emails to more than 150 people.

It’s called “From the Mayor’s Desk,” and the latest installment includes updates on a wide range of topics, from the proposed sports complex to planned informational meetings to be staged by MassDOT, in collaboration with city officials, on proposed corridor improvements on High and Maple streets; from the scheduling of shuttle service from MGM Springfield to Holyoke City Hall for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Parade and Road Race to some recent news items, including Garcia’s strong comments following state Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeff Riley’s refusal to end the receivership of Holyoke’s public school system.

“The decision should have been a resounding ‘yes,’ with a commitment to confer in a reasonable timeframe to transition,” the mayor wrote in a response to the commissioner’s announcement early last month. “Instead, a different message was sent with no plan, no benchmarks, no firm commitment, but just, ‘we are not saying no, but let’s talk more.’”

The lack of progress on the receivership issue aside, the newsletter is generally replete with large doses of positive news, said Garcia, adding quickly that he is aggressively pushing for more in the months and years to come.

Jordan Hart

Jordan Hart

“Our future is tourism, and we need to create opportunities for that to take place.”

Indeed, Garcia, a lifelong resident, was frank when he said he’s tired of hearing about Holyoke’s potential, adding that this word is generally saved for young people, rebuilding sports teams, and startup companies. Holyoke recently celebrated its 150th birthday, and is “way beyond potential,” said the mayor, adding that the city’s “commercial renaissance,” as he called it, is in full swing.

As examples, he cited both Clean Crop Technologies and Sublime Systems, the latter of which was mentioned by Gov. Maura Healey at her State of the State address as an example of how the Commonwealth is building what she calls a “climate corridor.”

Holyoke would certainly like to play a large role in the growth and development of that corridor, said Vega and Garcia, adding that the city plans to take full advantage of those assets listed earlier and attract more companies that fit that profile and join what is the start of what could be called a cluster, with examples like Clean Crop, which uses electricity to revolutionize food production and safety, and also Revo Zero, a Virginia-based hydrogen-energy supplier, which has chosen Holyoke as the site of its Northeast hub. The company works with airports, municipalities, college campuses, and other entities to convert their fleets to hydrogen-powered vehicles.

 

Momentum Swings

John Dowd, president of Holyoke-based Dowd Insurance, which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, said the emergence of these companies is part of the sweeping, ongoing change that has defined the city since he grew up there.

He remembers shopping for back-to-school clothes with his parents in the many department stores that dotted High Street back in the ’70s. They are now gone, and for several reasons, including the building of the Holyoke Mall, as are most of the paper and textile manufacturers that gave the city its identity.

The work to create a new identity has been ongoing for roughly a half-century, he told BusinessWest, and will continue for the foreseable future.

“Slowly but surely, positive things have been developing downtown,” he said, adding that Holyoke is a city where the past and present come together nicely. “And when you catch those canals on a beautiful, crisp winter morning with the steam rising off them, it’s a beautiful picture, and you can almost see what Holyoke was like in the very beginning, when my relatives arrived.”

Change has been a constant for that half-century or more, Dowd and others said, adding that more change is imminent — and necessary.

Indeed, with the cannabis industry stuck in neutral, if not moving backward, there are now several old mill buildings that could become home to such ventures, said Vega and Garcia, noting that the fate of properties purchased for cannabis-related uses is an intriguing, somewhat unique challenging now facing the community.

Vega estimates there are six to 12 properties in this category, including the former Hampden Papers building on Water Street, purchased by GTI but never outfitted by cannabis use, as well as other properties on Appleton Street, Canal Street, Commercial Street, and others. And that list will soon include the massive, block-long mill on Canal Street currently occupied by Trulieve, which is pulling out of Massachusetts.

Jordan Hart, executive director of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, said the cannabis industry has obviously provided a boost for the city and its commercial real-estate sector, but it has certainly plateaued, leaving opportinties for businesses in other sectors, including clean tech, to create further momentum.

Like the mayor, Ruiz, and others, Hart sees the proposed sports complex as another potential economic engine for the city, bringing people, and dollars, from outside the region and, in the process, perhaps fueling the start, or continued growth, of other businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector.

“The broad goal is to get more people to come and support Holyoke businesses, and I think the sports complex will definitely do that,” she said. “People staying for a weekend are going to need things to do, so this is really big time for Holyoke to realize that this is our future. Our future is tourism, and we need to create opportunities for that to take place.”

 

Developing Stories

While the sports complex, attracting businesses to be part of the climate corridor, and coping with the dramatic changes coming to the cannabis industry are the lead stories in Holyoke today, there are certainly others, including the ongoing issue of housing and creating more inventory, which is more of a regional story than a Holyoke story.

There are some new units coming online, said Garcia, noting that Winn Development began construction of 88 units in a former alpaca wool mill on Appleton Street. Meanwhile, the new owners of the massive Open Square complex have initiated discussions on creating 80 units of new, market-rate housing in one of the mills in that complex.

The Winn Development project is an example of progress on this front, but also of the many challenges facing those who want to convert properties in the city for that use, Vega said.

“Winn Development is a company that’s obviously well-versed in how to manage these projects,” he said. “They had 11 different pots of money, including historic tax credits, put together in an 88-unit development, and it took almost 10 years.”

While such projects are difficult and certainly don’t happen overnight, the city will need more housing if it is to attract more companies like Clean Crop and Sublime Systems, said the mayor, noting that these and other businesses have expressed concern that, without more inventory, it might become difficult to attract young professionals to the city.

“When we first met with Clean Crop, their first question was, ‘what is your housing plan?’” Vega said. “It wasn’t about business incentives, it was ‘what’s your housing plan, because we’re bringing in people that want to live in this area.’”

Garcia concurred, noting that, like other communities in the region, Holyoke needs a mix of market-rate and affordable housing to meet both its current and future needs. And, overall, the city has the space and the motivation for more housing; what it needs are developers with the patience and skill sets needed to make such projects happen.

Hart agreed, noting that new housing is not only crucial to attracting and retaining businesses, it is a core element in the revitalization of any city, and especially its downtown area.

“We have an overabundance of downtown storefronts that have vacant residential units above them,” she said. “There’s no reason why we can’t be creating downtown living to support the new downtown economic development that’s happening. And that housing will create a safer downtown because you’re going to need more light, and you’re going to need more amenities to help accommodate the people moving into downtown.”

Another ongoing story in Holyoke is entrepreneurship and a steady stream of new businesses getting their start in the city or one of the surrounding communities, said Tessa Murphy Romboletti, executive director of EforAll/EparaTodos in the city. She said the agency is currently working with its 21st and 22nd cohorts of aspiring entrepreneurs, with graduation coming this spring.

The previous cohorts have graduated more than 200 businesses across many different sectors, from restaurants to retail, she said, noting that several of them have become part of the fabric of the city’s business community. She listed Paper City Fabrics, now located in a storefront on High Street, and Raw Beauty Brand as a couple of the many examples of how the agency has helped individuals move from concept to business reality.

There are now several dozen such businesses, she said, adding that EforAll provides many services and support, but mostly helps businesses make the many connections they need to get off the ground or to that proverbial next level.

Holyoke at a glance

Year Incorporated: 1786
Population: 38,328
Area: 22.8 square miles
County: Hampden
Residential Tax Rate: $18.95
Commercial Tax Rate: $40.26
Median Household Income: $37,954
Median Family Income: $46,940
Type of Government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Holyoke Medical Center, Holyoke Community College, ISO New England Inc., PeoplesBank, Universal Plastics, Marox Corp.
* Latest information available

“We do our part to help them figure out how to navigate the issues they face and know who to connect with in each municipality, whether it’s Holyoke, Chicopee, or wherever, and enable them to make those relationships,” she told BusinessWest.

Meanwhile, another growth area is tourism and hospitality, said Garcia, noting that the planned sports complex, announced at a well-attended press conference at the Volleyball Hall of Fame, is part of that mix.

Another part is the growing list of festivals and other annual events, including Fiestas Patronales de Holyoke, which, in its second year, drew thousands of visitors to the city and established itself as an emerging tradition.

Already well-established are the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, which last year celebrated its 70th anniversary, and accompanying road race, both of which are family events and economic engines for the Holyoke economy.

Hayley Dunn, president of this year’s parade and road race, noted that this year’s parade is actually on March 17, which adds another element of intrigue and also means that it comes earlier than most years, which raises more concern about the weather, which is often a big part of the story.

The bigger parts are the ways families and communities come together to mark the occasions — the road race has its own huge following — and how they provide a huge boost for area businesses. Indeed, a Donahue Institute study conducted several years ago found that parade weekend injects $20 million into the local economy. And there are dozens of events across several communities in the weeks leading up to the parade that also fuel the hospitality sector.

“The parade may go down the streets of Holyoke, but it’s truly a regional event,” Dunn said. “Other cities that are part of our parade — Springfield, Chicopee, Westfield, and others — have their own events as well. Meanwhile, the road race is a huge block party. Both events really support our local businesses.”

 

Bottom Line

Getting back to his newsletter, “From the Mayor’s Desk,” Garcia said it’s just one of the many ways in which he’s trying to inform people about all the good things happening in his city.

Others include extensive use of social media, as in extensive. And, from all accounts, effective.

“Someone approached me one time and said, ‘whoever is handling your public relations and communications is doing a great job.’ I said, ‘you’re looking at him.’”

Beyond his work on Facebook and Instagram, Garcia, working with other city officials, is doing what he can to generate more of these positive developments — on fronts ranging from clean tech to tourism to housing.

And while it’s still early in the new year, it appears he’ll have quite a bit more to write about in 2024.

 

Celebrity Bartending Fundraiser on March 6 to Benefit Junior Achievement

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) invites the community to its celebrity bartending fundraiser on Wednesday, March 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Loophole Brewing, 51-59 Taylor St., Springfield. All celebrity bartender tips from the evening will benefit JAWM.

“This is our seventh year holding this event, and my first as president, so I’m especially excited,” said Amie Miarecki, president of JAWM. “I’m looking forward to meeting so many JAWM supporters. Our goal is to raise $10,000 this year. We appreciate the support we receive from the community, and especially want to thank our celebrity bartenders who are donating their time and enthusiasm.”

The event will include a full cash bar, food options, a raffle, and live music from Maxxtone. Celebrity bartenders will include:

• 5-5:45 p.m.: Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi; Jim Kelly, Polish National Credit Union; Nate Costa, Springfield Thunderbirds; and Al Kasper, Savage Arms.

• 5:55-6:40 p.m.: State Sen. Jake Oliveira; Senator Adam Gonzalez; Amy Jamrog, the Jamrog Group; and Chris Marion, Chris Marion Photography.

• 6:50-7:35 p.m.: Meghan Rothschild, Chikmedia; Matt Maguire, PeoplesBank; Jeremy Casey, SR Commercial Realty; and Kristin Carlson, Peerless Precision.

• 7:45-8:30 p.m.: Brian Houser, Balise Motor Group; Mike “Bax” Baxendale, WAQY Rock 102; Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank; and Jeff Goulet, Loophole Brewing.

“We’re hoping for a great turnout for this fun celebration and fundraiser,” Miarecki said. “Donations will support our workforce-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial-literacy programs, which are offered to schools and community groups across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties, as well as part of Worcester County and Vermont.”

Junior Achievement was founded in Springfield in 1919. Today, JAWM is part of the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices.

To learn more about the event or tip a specific bartender in advance, visit jawm.org/celebrity-bartender or call (413) 747-7670.

STCC Celebrates National Engineers Week

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) celebrated National Engineers Week on Feb. 18-24 with events to inspire students, including a discussion about laser applications from an industry leader.

Andrew Held, recently retired vice president at Coherent Inc., addressed students, faculty, and staff in the optics and photonics classroom on Feb. 21. His presentation highlighted how high-powered lasers can be used in military defense applications. Coherent makes optical fibers for telecommunications and high-power fiber lasers used in industry and defense technology.

The optics and photonics technology program at STCC involves the practical application of light, optics, and electronics. The community-college program is the only one of its kind in the region. STCC is the only technical community college in Massachusetts.

Held said students who graduate with a two-year associate degree in optics and photonics are in demand in the job market. “You need technicians. They are super valuable. For every engineer we hire, we need 10 technicians.”

In a slide presentation, Held demonstrated how laser technology can be used in a country’s defense. Lasers can take down cruise missiles and drones. He explained how the atmosphere can limit a laser’s effectiveness. For example, a laser is not as effective on the surface of an ocean as it is in the upper atmosphere.

About 30 people attended Held’s presentation, including Melishia Santiago, assistant dean of STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math.

“We should have more of these types of events,” Santiago said. “I believe exposure to industry leaders like Dr. Held is invaluable for our students’ academic and professional development. Having experts from various fields share their insights and experiences not only enriches our curriculum, but also provides students with real-world perspectives that can’t always be captured in a classroom.”

Other events held during Engineers Week 2024 included open houses for some of STCC’s engineering programs, including electrical engineering technology, engineering transfer, and mechanical engineering technology. The event was sponsored by HSI STEM at STCC and the STEM Starter Academy.

Margarita Madness Slated for April 4

By
Daily News

AMHERST — The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce will host its largest event of the year, Margarita Madness, on Thursday, April 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Interskate 91 at the Hampshire Mall.

Attendees will network and enjoy an evening of tasty margaritas and vote for this year’s fan favorite. Local restaurants showcase their culinary skills, and dozens of raffle prizes are donated by Amherst Area Chamber members. The event’s presenting sponsor is TommyCar Auto Group, the host is Interskate 91, and the supporting sponsor is Hampshire Mall.

The cost is $35 pre-registered or $45 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Emergency Department. Click here to purchase tickets.

The Big E Announces 2024 Advertising Campaign Theme

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E, the seventh-largest fair in North America, announced its 2024 advertising campaign, titled “United We Fair.”

“The 2024 campaign aims to bring everyone together to enjoy one of America’s most beloved events — an agricultural fair,” said Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition. “‘United We Fair’ perfectly encapsulates our commitment to providing people from all over New England and beyond with wholesome family fun, complete with excellent food.”

With stars, stripes, and the Big E’s mascot, Chick-E, sporting natty red, white, and blue attire, the idea of togetherness, as well as the fair’s dedication to raising awareness about the importance of agriculture, was a major factor in creating this new campaign.

One of the top 10 fairs in North America in 2023, the Big E saw record daily attendance, new food offerings, rides, and music acts on three stages. In 2024, the Eastern States Exposition and the Big E aim to break even more records with their new advertising campaign.

“Being united brings people together on many levels and coming together for a common goal. In this case, it’s food, rides, music, and family fun,” said Chuck Mascola, president of Mascola Group, the Big E’s longtime marketing agency.

Now in its 108th year, the Big E will take place Sept. 13-29. For more information, visit thebige.com, email [email protected], or call (413) 737-2443. The public is also invited to follow the Big E on all social-media platforms as entertainment and features are announced.

A Risk Well Worth Taking

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

Springfield will play host to a Division 1 men’s regional hockey final on March 28 and March 30, an event that comes with a degree of risk, but also presents a great opportunity to showcase the region and show that it can host more events like this.

Landing the D1 hockey regional has been a collaborative effort between UMass Amherst and American International College, two local schools with surging hockey programs (UMass won a national title in 2021) and the MassMutual Center, now managed by MGM Springfield. Individually and collectively, these entities saw an opportunity and essentially said, in unison, ‘why not Springfield?’

Why not, indeed? The city has hosted collegiate sporting events before — a D1 basketball regional back in the ’70s, when that tournament was on an exponentially smaller scale than it is now, and, more recently, D2 basketball. It has also staged the old Tip Off Classic for D1 basketball and its current-day counterpart, the Hall of Fame Classic.

Meanwhile, with the emergence of the UMass Amherst and AIC hockey squads, as well as the unqualified success of the Springfield Thunderbirds, the 413 has become a hockey hotbed of sorts — at least as much as, if not more than, Providence, Worcester, Bridgeport, and other cities in New England that have hosted D1 hockey regionals.

And for UMass Amherst, a regular in the tournament the past several years, the event represents a chance to play in its own backyard rather than traveling across this state or to another state in the Northeast, or even the Midwest to play in a regional. (AIC does not have that same opportunity because it plays its home games at the MassMutual Center.)

All of these contributing factors make it simple common sense to bring a regional to Springfield, and now that one is coming, we’ll have a chance to see whether the area will support such an event and what kind of impact it will make.

Expectations are certainly high, but there is risk, especially when it comes to which teams might land here for the games in late March. While the D1 standings are crowded with good teams from the Northeast, one recent projection for the Springfield regional has UMass, Boston University, Cornell, and Denver coming to Springfield. BU and UMass would be great draws. Cornell is a question mark, and Denver is a much bigger question mark.

But quality hockey is assured, close to 1,000 hotel rooms have been blocked off, and thousands of tickets have already been sold, so this has the makings of a great addition to the region’s hospitality landscape, one that brings people to Western Mass. at an otherwise very slow time on the calendar. And already, bids have been submitted for a number of other collegiate sporting events, from hockey and basketball to volleyball and wrestling.

It is our hope — and our expectation — that this will prove to be a risk well worth taking, and the first of many sporting events that will bring more people, more visibility, and more vibrancy to the region.

And as the saying goes — and it applies here — if some is good, more is better.

Keep Talking About Mental Health

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By State Rep. Aaron Saunders

 

I grew up in a home where it was OK to ask if you were OK, mentally or physically, at the dinner table. This was not common during the 1980s, when a stay in a psychiatric ward could be a mark against you for life, but my dad was a psychologist, and my mother, a teacher.

They knew the importance of conversations with their boys about feelings, expectations, and disappointments and not just a skinned knee and how you got it.

I was reminded of this recently during a visit to the newly renovated adolescent unit of MiraVista Behavioral Health Center in Holyoke. Its recent reopening brought back on line 16 much-needed inpatient beds in Western Mass. for youth ages 13 to 17. The redesigned environment enhances delivery of care and healing for this population, in which recent government data estimates that nearly 50% have had a mental-health disorder at some point in their lives.

Massachusetts, with its Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, introduced last year a Behavioral Health Line to call 24/7 and network of community behavioral-health centers that provide broader access to mental-health services for those in crisis. The state, too, has added inpatient psychiatric beds to ease Emergency Department boarding that continues for all age groups.

We, as legislators, need to ensure that there is ongoing funding for such services and adequate reimbursement rates for such beds, as well as for addiction-treatment programs. Mental-health and substance-use disorders co-occur frequently, and it is important for both to be treated.

We also need to continue to consider policies that address staffing shortages and issues like educating students and their families on the importance of mental healthcare.

Yet, there is another barrier — stigmatization — around lessening disabling behavioral-health conditions. Massachusetts has a campaign that seeks to educate that addiction is a chronic illness and not a personal choice, but stigma and misinformation continue to prevent individuals with behavioral-health issues from seeking treatment.

You can’t legislative away all stigma. We all need to be better-educated that mental illness can be treated and that there are steps to be taken to prevent poor mental health from progressing to where it interferes with daily life. This is what I reflected on during my recent visit to MiraVista.

I hear from my constituents of the need for services close to home and, in applying the lessons learned from my parents in asking my own three children about their feelings, I get a look into their day in an age when bullying and pressure to engage in unhealthy behavior can come from anywhere.

We all need to be more open to talking with our families, friends, and healthcare providers about our mental health and that of those in our care, as this, too, is part of the roadmap to raising emotionally healthy children and staying emotionally healthy, too.

 

State Rep. Aaron Saunders represents the 7th Hampden District.

Picture This

By
Picture This

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

 

Building Community

Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) announced a $10,000 sponsorship of Habitat for Humanity’s Victoria Bismark Farm project, which will include the construction of three single-family homes on Burts Pit Road in Northampton, to be built by hundreds of community volunteers alongside three future homebuyers with low income.

Pictured, from left: GCB President and CEO Tony Worden, GCB Executive Vice President of Residential Lending Jane Wolfe, and Megan McDonough, executive director of Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity.

 

Welcoming Committee

With a cutting of the ribbon, the Saremi Center for Career Development officially opened at American International College (AIC) on Feb. 5.  

Pictured, from left: Frank Colaccino, AIC board of trustees chair; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; K. Kevin Saremi, AIC board of trustees vice chair and the center’s namesake; Tyler Saremi; and AIC President Hubert Benitez. K. Kevin Saremi and his wife, Deborah, have been longtime financial supporters of AIC.

Pictured, from left: Frank Colaccino, AIC board of trustees chair; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; K. Kevin Saremi, AIC board of trustees vice chair and the center’s namesake; Tyler Saremi; and AIC President Hubert Benitez. K. Kevin Saremi and his wife, Deborah, have been longtime financial supporters of AIC.

 

Clothing Drive

Through the collaborative efforts of Berkshire United Way, Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lenox parent Brianne Lamke, and Lenox teacher Heather McNeice, a community clothing drive was held on Jan. 13. Thousands of donations of adult and children’s clothing and shoes were dropped off and sorted, and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the community was invited to shop for free.

Community clothing drive was held on Jan. 13

 

Realizing a Dream

Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start named Mayra Felix (center), a teacher director with the organization, the recipient of its Janis Santos Scholarship. This $2,000 scholarship will allow Felix the chance to realize her dream of completing her bachelor’s degree. Pictured with Felix are Nicole Blais (left), CEO of HCS Head Start, and Janis Santos, former HCS Head Start CEO and scholarship namesake.

Mayra Felix (center), Nicole Blais (left), CEO of HCS Head Start, and Janis Santos, former HCS Head Start CEO and scholarship namesake.

Agenda

By
Agenda

94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital

March 5-6: The public is invited to stop in at this year’s 23rd annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Hundreds of inspiring stories come out of Baystate Children’s Hospital every year, some of which will be told during this year’s event. While attending this year’s event, the public can have their photo taken on the red carpet, make a donation, and get a sneak peek of the Kellogg Krew broadcasting live. Radiothon hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donating is easy by phone or text as well as online. Listeners can call to donate via the Lia Auto Group Phone Bank at (413) 794-1111 on March 5 and 6 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or visit wmaskids.com. Major sponsors for the Radiothon include Hyundai Hope on Wheels, Lia Auto Group, Pioneer Valley Credit Union, Eversource, M&T Bank, City Tire, and PeoplesBank.

 

Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame Induction

March 8: The Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame (WMRHoF) board of directors announced the inductees of the third class. Since its inception, the WMRHoF has celebrated outstanding contributors to the running community, with its first class inducted in 2020 and the second in 2022. The third class inductees are Ric Bourie, Mary Cobb, Howard Drew, Sue Haryasz, Rich Larsen, Nicole McGilpin, Bob Neil, Bill Romito, Ed Sandifer, and John Stifler. In addition to these distinguished individuals, the charity organization Griffin’s Friends, which has supported children with cancer and their families for decades in the Springfield area by running and raising funds, will be inducted. Also, Neal Lamberton, a runner who has volunteered his time to the running community for years, will receive the Brian Goddu Volunteer of the Year Award, founded in memory of Goddu, a founding board member of the Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at the Holyoke Elks Lodge. The guest speaker will be Bob Hodge, third-place finisher in the 1979 Boston Marathon, multiple Mount Washington Road Race champion, 40-year course record holder on the DH Jones/Amherst 10 Mile Course, and author of Tale of the Times. Tickets for the dinner and ceremony are priced at $20 and are available for purchase at www.runreg.com/w-mass-runners-hall-of-fame-induction-banquet. For those unable to attend but wishing to support the WMRHoF mission, donations are welcome via the RunReg website.

 

Bay Path President’s Gala

March 23: Bay Path University announced its fifth President’s Gala, themed “Breaking Through,” will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. VIP reception, followed by dinner, program presentations, and dancing. Tickets can be purchased by visiting baypath.edu/gala or calling (413) 565-1063. The gala will focus on supporting learners enrolled in healthcare degree programs, recognizing their resilience and dedication. Like many regions across the country, Western Mass. faces shortages in many healthcare professions, including primary-care physicians, nurses, and mental-health providers. Through its more than 20 undergraduate and graduate healthcare degrees, Bay Path is educating and training future healthcare workers to be on the front line of helping to keep communities safe and healthy. Proceeds from the gala will directly contribute to scholarships, resources, and initiatives that benefit learners pursuing healthcare degrees, reinforcing Bay Path University’s commitment to fostering excellence in the healthcare field, she added. Both healthcare policy and advocacy play crucial roles in shaping the healthcare landscape in Western Mass. To that end, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Sr. Mary Caritas, SP will be honorary chairs for this event. To view a full list of gala committee members, sponsors, and additional event details, visit baypath.edu/gala.

 

Second Chance Dinner Auction

March 23: Tickets for the 25th annual Second Chance Dinner Auction are now available for purchase. This significant fundraising event marks the kickoff of Second Chance Animal Services’ year-long 25th-anniversary celebration, promising an evening of philanthropy and joy to benefit homeless shelter pets in need of veterinary care. The event will take place at the La Salle Reception Center in Southbridge. The evening will commence with a cocktail hour at 4 p.m., giving attendees the opportunity to peruse and bid on myriad silent-auction items and try their luck with raffle prizes. The main event unfolds with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the highlight of the night, the auction. Tickets are $55 per person with the option to reserve a table of nine for $495. The success of the event relies on the generosity of sponsors and item donors. Second Chance encourages businesses and individuals to consider lending their support by becoming a sponsor or contributing items. As noted, the event features both a silent and live auction featuring hundreds of items ranging from gift certificates for local businesses and restaurants to gift baskets and everything in between. To enhance the auction experience, a selection of gift cards and small, easy-to-ship items will be available for advance online bidding March 14-21. For those interested in sponsoring, donating items, or attending the event, complete information and tickets can be found at www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction.

 

Women’s Leadership Conference

April 4: Bay Path University announced that real-estate legend, investor, best-selling author, entrepreneur, producer, and Shark Tank shark Barbara Corcoran will be the keynote speaker at the 27th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Corcoran has been an investor/shark on ABC’s four-time Emmy award-winning show Shark Tank for 10 seasons, investing in more than 80 businesses to date. She chronicled her rise from waiting tables in a New York diner to heading a $5 billion real-estate company in her bestselling book, Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business! She’ll bring her personal brand of no-nonsense wisdom and supportive advice to the more than 1,600 attendees who are expected to attend this year’s WLC. The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Amy Purdy, a three-time Paralympic medalist in snowboarding for Team USA. Throughout her life, Purdy has taken on obstacles and broken through, making her way into the upper echelons of athletics, onto the dance floor of Dancing with the Stars, and onto the New York Times bestseller list as the author of On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life. She co-founded Adaptive Action Sports for athletes with disabilities and is the host of the critically acclaimed podcast Bouncing Forward! Her work has led her to be labeled a “hero” by Oprah Winfrey and has made her one of the most in-demand motivational and corporate speakers on the globe. This year’s conference will also feature breakout sessions led by business experts and authors, including Yvonne Camus, the former COO of SPINCO, Canada’s largest indoor cycling brand and the only female to outperform the Navy Seals in the multi-terrain adventure race known as Eco-Challenge. In addition, the WLC will welcome Sylvia Baffour, an author, podcast host, and emotional-intelligence coach. For further information on the 2024 conference, sponsorship information, and ticket sales, visit baypath.edu/wlc.

 

Difference Makers 

April 10: The 16th annual Difference Makers Gala will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Since 2009, BusinessWest has been recognizing the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through this recognition program. The 2024 Difference Makers — profiled in the Feb. 19 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com — are Matt Bannister, senior vice president, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility, PeoplesBank; Delcie Bean, CEO, Paragus Strategic I.T.; Linda Dunlavy, executive director, Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Dr. Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin, co-founders, Feed the Kids; Scott Keiter, CEO, Keiter; the staff of Rock 102; Shannon Rudder, president and CEO, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services; and Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players. Tickets cost $95 each, with reserved tables of 10-12 available and available now through March 29. Partner sponsors for the 2024 Difference Makers include Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, and TommyCar Auto Group. Supporting sponsors include the Springfield Thunderbirds and Westfield Bank. For more event details and to reserve tickets, visit businesswest.com/difference-makers/difference-makers-tickets.

 

Hooplandia

June 21-23: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the second annual 3×3 basketball tournament and festival, at www.hooplandia.com. The three-day event includes levels of play for all ages and divisions. Hooplandia launched in 2023. Taking place in the heart of Greater Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, the event is hosted by Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Most games will be played on the ESE grounds, with special games held at the Hall of Fame. Seventy-five basketball courts will be set up to accommodate more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Divisions of play have been created to provide an all-inclusive environment for players of all ages and playing abilities. The diverse divisions include young girls, boys, women, men, high-school-level, college-level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name and uniforms, and register at www.hooplandia.com. Team fees range according to age, and children in the under-8 category are free of charge. Hooplandia will once again partner with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the region as its designated philanthropic partner.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Donna Haghighat

Donna Haghighat

Donna Haghighat, CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, has announced her plans to retire, effective June 30. Under Haghighat’s leadership, beginning in 2017, the Women’s Fund developed innovative programs, sought out effective partnerships, increased grantmaking, grew its corporate and individual donations, and focused on racial equity and trust-based philanthropy. She was also integral in the launch of the Young Women’s Initiative for girls and young women of color in Springfield and the Greater Springfield Women’s Economic Security Hub. Haghighat has facilitated the monthly meetings of the Women Heads of Nonprofits group in Western Mass., which the Women’s Fund hosts, and has served on the state’s Community Reinvestment Fund Advisory Board and the advisory board of the Center for Social Justice at Western New England School of Law. She was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Cultural Council this year and is a board member for WAM Theatre in the Berkshires.

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Timothy Craw

Timothy Craw

Professional Drywall Construction Inc. (PDC) announced that Timothy Craw has joined the company as vice president of Business Development and Labor Relations. With 45 years of construction experience in nearly every industry segment, Craw will be responsible for expanding the company’s footprint in all areas of the Atlantic states. Most recently, Craw was a union business agent and building trades president. In his various positions over the years, he has developed and maintained relationships with union and non-union contracts for business development and market expansion, recruited and represented union journeyman and apprentice carpenters in collective-bargaining negotiations, mediated contract conflicts, and monitored federal and state public construction projects during the planning, design, and bidding processes. Craw received the Carpenters Union Local 108 Steward of the Year Award in 2001 and the BCBCTC Edward M. Kennedy Award in 2016. He is a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans and the Assoc. for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. A graduate of the U.S. Army Engineer School, he served six years as a sergeant in the U.S. Army.

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Andre Motulski

Andre Motulski

Florence Bank has promoted Andre Motulski to the role of vice president/controller. Motulski joined the bank’s team as assistant vice president/controller in September 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University and is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-commissioned risk-management examiner. In his new role, which he assumed in December, he is responsible for managing financial records, ensuring regulatory compliance, and assessing risks associated with lending and investment activities. Motulski is involved in the community, serving on the finance committee for Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts (BBBSWM) announced that Chris Thompson has been selected as the nonprofit’s chief growth officer. In this role, Thompson will be responsible for strengthening the newly merged agency’s relationship with the communities of Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties. Thompson was honored with the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award in 2009 and is active in the local community. He currently sits on the board of Arrha Credit Union and is a former commissioner for the Western Massachusetts Sports Commission and West Springfield’s Parks and Recreation Commission. As co-founder and owner of the Westfield Starfires of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, Thompson brings a wealth of experience to his new role in the areas of advocacy, community outreach, business development, and external relations. He will lead BBBSWM’s growth efforts in Berkshire and Franklin counties. Previously, Thompson served on the BBBS of Hampden County board of directors between 2014 and 2021. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience developing marketing partnerships and generating revenue for iconic Western Mass. brands, such as the Springfield Falcons hockey team, where he developed a comprehensive corporate partnership program, and where he led the launch of the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey club, serving as senior vice president of Sales & Strategy.

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Jeff Little

Jeff Little

Governors America Corp. (GAC) welcomed Jeff Little as its new director of Product Management. As director of Product Management, Little’s responsibilities include aligning product strategy with business goals; driving product discovery, market research, and competitor research; driving innovation and new product development initiatives; communicating product vision and strategy to stakeholders; and monitoring and maintaining product health. Little received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University. He has garnered 27 years of experience in the industry, most recently as director of Product Management at Enovation Controls.

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MassMutual announced the appointment of Cindy Ryan to head of Human Resources. Ryan, who has more than two decades of HR leadership experience, will oversee and advance MassMutual’s people strategy, aligned with the company’s purpose, priorities, and aspirations. In this role, Ryan assumes oversight of MassMutual’s HR organization, which includes talent acquisition and management; total rewards; HR operations; employee relations; learning and development; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She will be responsible for continuing to evolve the company’s flexible, inclusive culture, supporting the holistic well-being and growth of MassMutual’s employees and attracting and retaining a talented, diverse workforce. Ryan joins MassMutual after spending nearly 25 years in various leadership roles of growing responsibility at Cigna, where she most recently served as the company’s chief Human Resources officer (CHRO). In this role, she led Cigna’s worldwide enterprise talent strategy and pandemic response, built its award-winning DEI approach, and enriched its engaged culture. Prior to her CHRO role, she served as senior vice president of HR for Cigna’s U.S. business lines, where she was responsible for talent-management strategies, employee engagement, and leadership effectiveness for the company’s health, life, and disability services lines as well as serving as the company’s chief talent officer, overseeing recruiting, learning, leadership development, and employee relations worldwide.

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Laurel Carpenter

Laurel Carpenter

Laurel Carpenter, associate professor of Environmental Science at Holyoke Community College (HCC), has been awarded a national fellowship focusing on STEM education at community colleges. The fellowship, from the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in STEM (CCPI-STEM), is intended for community-college faculty and administrators pursuing graduate degrees and conducting research related to STEM education and workforce development. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Carpenter is part of a cohort of just seven CCPI-STEM fellows for 2024-25 and the only one from a college in the Northeast. Fellows are selected from a national pool of applicants, who are evaluated based on their education, STEM experience, leadership potential, community engagement, and research. A 2012 graduate of HCC, Carpenter is a wildlife biologist, chair of the HCC Environmental Studies department, co-coordinator of the HCC STEM Scholars program, and a graduate student at UMass Amherst, where she is pursuing a doctorate in education. CCPI-STEM fellows receive a $5,000 honorarium each year for two years to support their graduate studies. They also participate in professional-development activities and are paired with a professional mentor.

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Ute DeFarlo

Ute DeFarlo has been appointed director of Development by Shakespeare & Company, a nonprofit theater performance, education, and actor-training organization based in the Berkshires. In her position, DeFarlo is responsible for supporting Shakespeare & Company’s mission and vision through the development of new and expanded income streams, cultivation of the company’s donors and board of trustees, and various engagements with constituents in the Berkshire County community. Most recently, she served as director of Development for the Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, in Lenox and as Development officer at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge. Her appointment marks her return to Shakespeare & Company’s Development team, which she first joined in 2004, serving as director from 2009 to 2015. DeFarlo holds a master’s degree in English and Russian language interpretation from the University of Mainz, Germany, and attended Georgetown University on a one-year Fulbright scholarship.

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O’Dell Women’s Center, Springfield’s first nonprofit women’s center, appointed Margaret Tantillo as its executive director. In her previous position as executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, Tantillo directed five distinct programs designed specifically for low-income women that resulted in hundreds of women finding gainful employment. These programs included workforce development, mentorship programming, and trainings in financial literacy, digital literacy, and dressing for the workplace. Toward the end of her tenure, she relocated Dress for Success Western Massachusetts to 45 Lyman St. as the anchor institution of the O’Dell Women’s Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that offers low- and no-cost residency spaces to nonprofits that support its mission. Tantillo started her career working for the Girl Scouts. During her 13-year career with that organization, she rose through the ranks, started the first Girl Scout Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn., and served in a senior leadership position, transitioning five independent nonprofits into one statewide organization with more than 65,000 members. Tantillo’s volunteer leadership roles in Springfield include serving on the core economic mobility hub of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and the coordinating committee of the Alliance for Digital Equity, and as a member of the core partners of Springfield WORKS. She earned her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her master’s degree from Springfield College.

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Geoff Rice

Geoff Rice

Market Mentors, LLC recently welcomed Geoff Rice to its team as a senior Content Marketing specialist. In this role, he applies his two decades of marketing, communications, and creative experience to every challenge, from brand launches to engaging content for websites, social media, and campaigns of all sizes. Prior to joining Market Mentors, Rice focused his talents on the health and beauty industries, and he now extends his expertise to clients from a diverse range of businesses, including manufacturing, energy, insurance, and others. He is a graduate of Colgate University with a degree in English literature.

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Berkshire Money Management congratulates Nate Tomkiewicz on becoming a certified financial planner (CFP) professional. He is also a licensed financial advisor and chartered retirement planning counselor. Tomkiewicz specializes in retirement planning and maximizing employee benefits for people who have worked hard for their money and want to pass it on to children or charity. He is skilled at identifying opportunities within 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans. With this knowledge, he helps nurses, doctors, and other professionals in the Berkshires find opportunities they didn’t know they had. With his new CFP certification, Tomkiewicz is looks forward to tackling a broader set of challenges for his clients, including helping them reduce their tax liabilities, secure their estate for the next generation, and plan a fulfilling retirement.

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Christopher Rivers

Christopher Rivers

Phillips Insurance Agency Inc. is celebrating the 20th work anniversary of Christopher Rivers, CRIS, senior vice president. Since joining Phillips in 2004, Rivers has been instrumental in growth that has made Phillips Insurance one of the largest writers of insurance and bonds for contractors in the Northeast. Rivers was recognized in January by Sentry Insurance for his 2023 production and flown to Maui to be an honorary observer at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, where he walked ‘inside the ropes’ with Jordan Speith, Scottie Scheffler, and Victor Hovland. Rivers has coached basketball, soccer, and baseball in Belchertown throughout the years. He and his family are strong supporters of St. Jude Hospital.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Point32Health to Acquire Health New England

SPRINGFIELD — Point32Health, the not-for-profit parent company of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan, announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Baystate Health to acquire its subsidiary, Health New England. Health New England, a not-for-profit health plan in Springfield, offers a range of plans in the commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare markets and serves approximately 180,000 members concentrated in Western Mass. Canton-based Point32Health offers employer-sponsored plans, Medicare and Medicaid plans, plans on the state exchange, and plans for those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. It serves 1.9 million members in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The acquisition is expected to improve product offerings and expand access to a broader network with wider geographic reach. Among both organizations’ shared priorities is expanding high-quality programs and services, particularly those that cover underserved populations and seniors, as well as maximizing the benefits that not-for-profit health plans provide to communities. Point32Health aims to harness the strengths of both organizations and bring value to Health New England members and the broader community by providing greater value to consumers by combining complementary strengths, administrative efficiencies, and a broader product offering; expanding access to care for underserved populations and preserving not-for-profit options through extensive experience in serving these populations; and advancing the quality of healthcare members receive through a commitment to addressing behavioral health, health equity, and social determinants of health. The agreement, which was unanimously approved by the board of directors of Point32Health and the board of trustees of Baystate Health, is subject to regulatory approvals.

 

UMass Amherst to Create Center Focused on Offshore Wind

AMHERST — UMass Amherst has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and lead the Academic Center for Reliability and Resilience of Offshore Wind (ARROW), a new, multi-million-dollar national center of excellence to accelerate reliable and equitable offshore wind-energy deployment across the nation and produce a well-educated domestic offshore wind workforce. Led by UMass Amherst with approximately 40 partners, ARROW will receive $4.75 million over five years from the the DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and has also received a matching commitment of $4.75 million from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The state of Maryland, the second center of gravity of the proposal with participation from Johns Hopkins University and Morgan State University, is contributing $1 million from the Maryland Energy Administration. Other universities are contributing $1.4 million for a total budget of $11.9 million. Sanjay Arwade, professor of Civil Engineering at UMass Amherst, is director of the new center, with faculty in the university’s Wind Energy Center serving as co-principal investigators and senior personnel of the research team. The center will be a university-led education, research, and outreach program for offshore wind that prioritizes energy equity and principles of workforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and access

 

MountainOne Insurance Acquires G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency

LONGMEADOW — MountainOne Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of MountainOne Bank, announced the acquisition of G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency Inc., a third-generation, family-owned agency that has served Longmeadow and neighboring communities for more than 75 years. The G.W. Morisi staff of four, including President Rory Sullivan, will remain with the agency at its 473 Longmeadow Street location. In time, additional staff will come on board to further support customers’ insurance needs. G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency will now offer customers many enhanced services, including the addition of group employee benefits, life insurance, long-term-care Insurance, Medicare products, and in-house claims services. Customers also have access to many new insurance carriers, widening their options for coverage at competitive rates. MountainOne Insurance is born from the combination of several small, family-owned agencies that have served Berkshire communities for generations. The acquisition of the G.W. Morisi marks MountainOne’s first physical office outside of Berkshire County, expanding its footprint into Longmeadow and neighboring communities.

 

Westfield Bank Donates $12,500 to Shriners Children’s New England

WESTFIELD — Westfield Bank is pleased to announce a $12,500 donation to Shriners Children’s New England in partnership with the Elan Credit Card Charitable Giving Program. Shriners Children’s is dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing high-quality pediatric specialty care for children up to age 18, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. “We are proud to continue our support of this wonderful organization,” said James Hagan, president and CEO. “For close to 100 years, Shriners Children’s has done incredible work providing pediatric care, innovative research, and offering educational programs for medical professionals. Westfield Bank is proud to be a long-time partner with Shriners Children’s.”

 

Monson Savings Bank Announces $15,000 in Community Donations

MONSON — The people have voted, and the results are in. In late 2023, Monson Savings Bank asked community members to cast their votes for their favorite local nonprofits. The bank is now announcing the Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative recipients for 2024. This was the 14th year Monson Savings Bank has run its Community Giving Initiative poll. The public’s excitement to cast their vote has grown throughout the years. This year, nearly 7,000 votes were received. Now that the votes have been calculated, Monson Savings Bank is preparing to donate a total of $15,000 among the top 10 recipients, which include I Found Light Against All Odds (Springfield), Shriners Children’s New England (Springfield), Friends of Hampden Seniors (Hampden), Women’s Empowerment Scholarship (Greater Springfield), Whip City Animal Sanctuary (Westfield), Monson Free Library (Monson), Miracle League of Western Massachusetts (Springfield), Halfway Home Cat Rescue (Chicopee), Scantic Valley YMCA (Wilbraham), and ClubOh! (Springfield).

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Receives $50,000 Grant

SPRINGFIELD — Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLFKS) received a $50,000 grant from the MassMutual Foundation as part of MassMutual’s inaugural Economic Equity Grant program, a collaboration of the MassMutual Foundation with MassMutual’s employee business resource groups (BRGs), which serve as an integral component of the organization’s DEI strategy. MLKFS is one of eight organizations to receive a grant. MassMutual’s employee BRGs support initiatives that drive organizational results; increase employee engagement; and foster awareness, respect, and inclusion within the workplace. More than one-third of MassMutual’s employees participate in its eight BRGs, representing Black/African-American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino/Latinx communities; members of the LGBTQ+ community; individuals with disabilities and their caregivers; members of the armed forces, veterans, and military family members; young professionals; and women.

 

Big Y Donates 1.5 Million Meals to Food Banks

SPRINGFIELD — Big Y’s annual Sack Hunger campaign provides funds for the four food banks within its two-state marketing area. In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day-care centers, and many others of the 2,100-member agencies that they help every day. Their goal is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security for those at risk of hunger. The four regional food banks are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and the Connecticut Foodshare. For $5, customers supported Sack Hunger at Big Y’s supermarkets or Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Every $5 donation brings 10 meals to those in need of support. Additionally, Big Y has added even more ways to boost this year’s efforts, with specific proceeds from produce, floral, Smart Chicken, USDA choice angus beef, along with a portion of every one of Big Y’s family of brands. Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign started in 2010, when 740 meals were donated. With this year’s 1.5 million meals, the program continues to grow in support of those in need. Big Y’s Sack Hunger donation is part of its ongoing support of food banks throughout the year, including almost daily donations of meat, fresh produce, and bakery, along with grocery, frozen food, and dairy items.

 

Eversource Submits Roadmap to Achieve Clean-energy Goals

SPRINGFIELD — With a focus on energy equity, environmental-justice communities, and transparency, Eversource submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) its final Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) to modernize the electric distribution system and help meet the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals after incorporating feedback from the Grid Mod Advisory Council (GMAC) and dozens of stakeholders. The energy company’s ESMP is a comprehensive roadmap to transform the region’s power grid, enhance its resiliency, and strengthen reliability for customers by increasing renewable-energy production and electrifying the heating and transportation sectors. Focused on achieving both equity and clean-energy objectives, the ESMP also establishes a Community Engagement Stakeholder Advisory Group (CESAG) and expands efforts for proposed clean-energy infrastructure projects to engage all potentially impacted stakeholders. Eversource’s 10-year plan helps meet the Commonwealth’s decarbonization milestones through 2040 by achieving a 180% increase in electrification hosting capacity, which will provide additional capacity to enable 2.5 million electric vehicles statewide, 1 million residential heat pumps within the company’s territory, and an incremental 2.2 GW of additional solar hosting capacity, bringing the total distributed energy resource hosting capacity systemwide to 5.8 GW.

 

Berkshire Bank Foundation Reports on 2023 Philanthropy

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank announced that nearly $2.5 million in philanthropic investments were provided from its foundation in 2023 to support more than 500 nonprofit organizations. During the fourth quarter, more than $642,000 in grants and scholarships were awarded to foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual success in the communities the bank serves. During 2023, more than 500 local nonprofits received grants to assist with a range of critical projects in the areas of health and wellness, housing, food insecurity, and economic enrichment. The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that work toward providing equitable opportunities for economic prosperity. In addition, it supports programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth.

 

MassDevelopment Issues Bond for MHA Headquarters Project

CHICOPEE — MassDevelopment has issued a $6,543,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of Mental Health Assoc. Inc. (MHA), which will use the proceeds to buy and renovate a 78,378-square-foot building at 350 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee, where it will relocate its headquarters from Springfield and house its mental-health programs and residential and support services. The building originally housed the Charles River West Psychiatric Hospital and most recently served as the MassMutual Learning and Conference Center. The move will allow MHA to keep pace with growth and locate its staff in one office. Renovations to the building will include interior wall reconfiguration, office construction, HVAC and sprinkler-system updates, added reception-area security, and painting, flooring, and information systems improvements. Construction began in November and is expected to be complete by February 2024. MHA expects to create 45 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs over the next three years. Florence Bank purchased the tax-exempt bond, which helped MHA achieve a lower cost of capital. Founded in 1960, MHA provides access to therapies for emotional health and wellness; services for substance use recovery, developmental disabilities, and acquired brain injury; services for housing and residential programming; and more. MHA serves more than 3,000 people, from ages 5 to 90, each year.

 

Local Credit Unions Commit to Solar Financing

PIONEER VALLEY — As local leaders in renewable-energy financing, Franklin First Federal Credit Union and UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced unprecedented success in solar lending volume in 2023. Reflecting upon a record-setting year for both credit unions, during which UMassFive financed 1,272 installations totaling $50,923,810 and Franklin First financed 86 installations totaling $2,746,489, both organizations are reaffirming their dedication to facilitating sustainable futures through access to affordable financing options for solar-energy projects. Continuing a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and community development, both Franklin First and UMassFive have been at the forefront of financing both local and regional solar projects for more than eight years. Offering competitive rates with flexible terms, no loan-origination fees, and personalized service, these financial institutions have empowered individuals and businesses to embrace clean-energy solutions and reduce their carbon footprint. While solar energy continues to gain momentum nationwide, both Franklin First and UMassFive look to remain synonymous with accessible financing options for solar projects of all sizes. In addition to lending solutions, both credit unions are dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and promoting sustainable practices within their communities. Offering educational initiatives, outreach programs, and community partnerships, the credit unions are working to inspire adoption of clean-energy solutions and take meaningful steps toward a greener future, all while knowing their collective efforts have helped individuals and businesses save on energy costs and contributed to a cleaner, healthier planet.

 

Second Chance Residential Community Composting Program Comes to Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD — Second Chance Composting recently brought its residential community composting program to Pittsfield. Memberships are open and ongoing for the 9 South Atlantic Ave. dropoff location. The program runs continuously all year, through all four seasons. Memberships start at $9.99 per month, offering unlimited dropoff of household food scraps to the location each month. Members simply save their food scraps at home and, at their convenience, bring them to 9 South Atlantic Ave. and drop their material into the tote. Members can come as little or as often as needed each month. All food and food scraps are accepted, including meat, fish, dairy, bones, and shells. Other membership pricing options are available for those who wish to receive finished compost back. In addition to the new Pittsfield location, Second Chance Composting currently has dropoff locations in North Adams, Williamstown, and Adams, which have continuous and ongoing membership signups. Every week, Second Chance Composting picks up the material, which is brought to its MassDEP-certified facility in Cheshire to process the food scraps into compost, which is then distributed back to the community to grow more food, flowers, plants, and trees. Those interested in learning more or signing up for a membership can do so by visiting www.secondchancecomposting.com.

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

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

BELCHERTOWN

Northern Insulation Services Inc., 22 Sherwood Dr., Belchertown, MA, 01007. Anthony Roy Sr., same. Commercial insulation services.

CHICOPEE

Puente de Cambios Inc., 17 Basil Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Maria Santana, same. Mental-health and substance-abuse agency.

EASTHAMPTON

Anthony Manganaro Enterprises Inc., 75 Main St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Anthony Manganaro, same. Carpenter.

FLORENCE

Scrappy Do Excavating Inc., 284 Sylvester Road, Florence, MA 01062. Michael Samson, same. Excavating services.

HOLYOKE

Gas Hub Inc., 679 Main St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Murtadha Noori, same. Convenience store and gas station.

LONGMEADOW

Inclusion Space Org Inc., 28 Edgemont Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Nechama Katan, 89 Bliss Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Teaching skills to individuals with disabilities, documenting successes and sharing best practices.

NORTHAMPTON

Deals and Steals Giving Back Inc., 1 Pearl St., Northampton, MA 01060. Ivelisse Colon Garcia, same. Nonprofit charity organization that provides meals and foods to people that are hungry, and donations of shoes and clothing to schools and the homeless.

PITTSFIELD

Ben’s Fast Food Restaurants Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Benjamin Rowe, same. Healthy food for takeout, delivery, or catering.

Climate Action Systems Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Arshad Sayed, same. Development of an app designed to connect and support individuals and groups in the area of climate change.

IHPlans Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. David Morris, 950 Peninsula Corp Circle, Suite 3007, Boca Raton, FL 33487. Insurance agency.

R&K Paradise Inc, 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Karen Welcome, same. Men’s and women’s fashion.

SOUTHAMPTON

248 Financial Group Inc., 12 Parsons Way, Southampton, MA 01073. Edward Batchelder, same. Financial services.

SPRINGFIELD

Chinchor Electric Inc., 153 Beacon Circle, Springfield, MA 01119. Tom Edwards, same. Electrical construction.

LH Co. Inc., 125 Frank B Murray St., Springfield, MA 01103. Luis Laboy Sr., 484 White St., Springfield, MA 01108. A nonprofit holding company that oversees and manages subsidiary organizations or entities engaged in charitable, educational, scientific, or other tax-exempt activities permitted under applicable laws, as well as providing strategic direction, financial support, and administrative assistance to its subsidiaries to further their charitable missions and maximize their collective impact.

River Valley Transport Inc., 125 Liberty St., #401, Springfield, MA 01103. Alex Eydinov, same.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Screaming Eagle Machine Corp., 170 Norman St., West Springfield, MA 01089. John Anderson, 110 Colony Dr., Hampden, MA 01036. Manufacturing.

WESTFIELD

Tytan Inc., 555 Southampton Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Susan Korpela, 4 Montgomery Road, Southampton, MA 01073. Fabrication and machining of metal.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of January and February 2024.

GREAT BARRINGTON

BerkHub App Inc.
218 Oak St.
Tracee Augcomfar

Black Diamond Tuning Center
309 Main St.
Michael Stevens

Cali Grafix Lab
218 Oak St.
Tracee Augcomfar

Family Chiropractic & Holistic Wellness Center
19 Lewis Ave.
Kathleen Flavaloro

Formal Auto Salvage
21 Van Deusenville Road
Iva Pereria Barros Jr.

Jake’s Barbershop
87 Railroad St.
Jake Hunker

Mulberry Hair Co. LLC
27½ Rosseter St.
Caroline Becker

Nourish Together
215 Long Pond Road
Thais Harris

The Pilates Space
15 Mahaiwe St.
Ryoko Kudo

Prairie Whale
178 Main St.
Wood Anchor Inc.

Railroad St. Collective LLC
25 Railroad St.
Kristen Westernman

Randi Jordan Physical Therapy
500 Main St.
Randi Jordan

Redbox Automated Retail LLC
300 Stockbridge Road
Gretel Monraj

SOUTH HADLEY

Acorn Accounting Solutions
12 Lois Ave.
Trisha Lerose

Arts Unlimited
25 College St.
Karen Jasinski

Dollar General Store #19923
501 Newton St.
DG Retail LLC

Kelorful Creations
540 Granby Road, Unit 21
Kelorful Creations

Michael D. Moroney Jr. LMHC
607 Newton St.
Michael Moroney Jr.

Mount Capital Construction
46 Pine Hill Road
William Shattuck

South Hadley Apartments
46 Pine Hill Road
William Shattuck

Woodbridge Realty
11 Sycamore Parc
Paul Boudreau, Priscilla Ryan, Carol Beaudry

WESTFIELD

AJ Stables
1040 East Mountain Road
Andrew Zabik

Ames Plumbing Service LLC
130 Joseph Ave.
Patrick Ames

Arrow Gas
28 Arch Road
Suburban Propane LP

Betts Supply
14 Coleman Ave.
Kimberly Betts

Bonkowski Dental
37 Meadow St.
Westfield Dental PLLC

Coffee MFG
88B Mainline Dr.
Steven Duga

Contractors Office Solutions
77 Mill St.
Nancy Breakell, Christopher Ferraina

Customized Solutions
129 Otis St.
Deborah Schultz

Hillside Auto Body
329 North Elm St.
Andrea Baush

Home Baths LLC
32 Elm St., Suite 2
Michael Santaniello

Lucky Nails & Spa
303 East Main St.
Tai Nails LLC

Montagna Gibbs Bookkeeping
726 North Road
Tricia Montagna Gibbs

Pioneer Placement
26 Pinewood Lane
Nathan Rosenthal

Postfix
19 Lockhouse Road
Zachary Haberem

Primo Hoagies – Chicopee
276 Northwest Road
Jacquelyn Scarfo

Salon Cabellos
4 Franklin St.
Albertina Guzman-Picot

Sauce Boss Stevens
43 Pleasant St.
Steven Calabrese

Sergey Bateyko
106 Daven Terrace
Sergey Bateyko

Smile and Pose Booth
42 Church St.
Saby Pagan

Speakers and Sports Services
200 Southampton Road
Konstantin Makarov, Priscilla Makarov

VSuite International
33 Woodcliff Dr.
Susan Williams

White Buffalo Essentials
236 Western Ave.
Sarah Trudge

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Angela’s Aesthetics
20 Labelle St.
Angela’s Aesthetics

Century Auto Service Inc.
1615 Riverdale St.
Century Auto Service Inc.

Century Auto Wholesaler
1615 Riverdale St.
Century Auto Wholesaler

CJC Technigraphics
158 Doty Circle
CJC Technigraphics

Diamond Gold Inc.
389 Park St.
Diamond Gold Inc.

Keys with Kristin
15 Rogers Ave.
Keys with Kristin

KL Media
658 Rogers Ave.
KL Media

Price Rite of West Springfield
1106 Union St.
PRRC Inc.

Skin by Jennie
2260 Westfield St.
Skin by Jennie

Take a Pause with Therapy
44 Craig Dr., Unit J6
Take a Pause with Therapy

Theater of Malum
711 Amostown Road
Theater of Malum

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Acevedo Vera, Jose A.
56 Jefferson St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/29/2024

Bird, Bill E.
68 Valley St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/22/2024

Forbes, Bryan Christopher
140 Canterbury Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/22/2024

Grant-Wyss, Alyssa Renee
8 Maple Crest Circle C
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/29/2024

Gravel, Maria
234 Breckenridge St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/24/2024

Grimshaw, Sandra J.
258 Old Lyman Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2024

Harris, John D.
226 Juniper Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/29/2024

Housand, Paul R.
Housand, Ida M.
91 Walnut St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/17/2024

Jean-Baptiste, Valencia
631 Chestnut St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/26/2024

LePage, William R.
93 Beveridge Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2024

Lichtenberger, Lisa Marie
1794 White Pond Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2024

MacDonald, Katelyn Taylor
245 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/29/2024

Magrath, Theresa M.
21 Maple St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/19/2024

Matosky, Jessica M.
115 Sunridge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/25/2024

Maxson, Richard Frederick
400 Log Plain Road East
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/24/2024

McNamee, William T.
2230 Old Turnpike Road
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/18/2024

Medina-Boria, Elizabeth
270 Canon Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2024

Omuolo, Maria N.
Waruingi, Francis K.
576 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/23/2024

Overwatch Outpost
Ricko, Charles M.
Ricko, Sarah J.
283 Legate Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/22/2024

Rosario, Edwin
10 Chamberlain Hill Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/29/2024

Simmons, Eric Rex
57 Leo Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/26/2024

Washburn-Doane, Cynthia
739 Daniel Shays
Highway A-24
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/24/2024

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

ASHFIELD

184 South St.
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Jaime M. Rogers
Seller: James P. Kerr
Date: 01/31/24

CONWAY

269 Ashfield Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Craig S. Christian
Seller: Edward T. Mann
Date: 01/30/24

GREENFIELD

5 Camp Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Luis A. Morales
Seller: 167 South Shelburne Road TR
Date: 02/01/24

41 Canada Hill
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Leo C. Potter
Seller: A. Plus Enterprises Inc.
Date: 01/26/24

213 Chapman St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $126,251
Buyer: LSF 11 Master Participation
Seller: Patrick G. Smith
Date: 01/29/24

284 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Matthew Dragon
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 02/02/24

347-1/2 Country Club Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $234,900
Buyer: Alexis Portier
Seller: James A. Hazel
Date: 02/02/24

159 Hope St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,900
Buyer: Jessica L. Goodnough
Seller: David S. Gott
Date: 01/29/24

122 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Holly M. Etheredge
Seller: Christopher J. Tormanen
Date: 01/26/24

HEATH

32 Town Farm Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Tucker Jenkins
Seller: Robin H. Jenkins
Date: 01/25/24

LEVERETT

15 Drummer Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Seth D. Wilschutz
Seller: Wong Family Arizona RT
Date: 01/29/24

MONTAGUE

70 Old Sunderland Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Emma Morrow
Seller: Solomon Goldstein-Rose
Date: 01/25/24

NEW SALEM

8 West St.
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Linda L. Dettloff
Seller: Michael D. Lackey
Date: 01/23/24

NORTHFIELD

35 Pentecost Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Haley E. Fiske
Seller: Persons, Cynthia J. (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

ORANGE

159 Quabbin Blvd.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: 153 Quabbin Blvd. LLC
Seller: Richard C. Innes
Date: 01/22/24

South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Richard C. Innes
Seller: Peter A. Gerry
Date: 01/22/24

540 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: James K. Flynn
Seller: Brian A. Heath
Date: 01/26/24

544 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: James K. Flynn
Seller: Brian A. Heath
Date: 01/26/24

756 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Robert Kennedy
Seller: Cindy Doiron
Date: 01/26/24

350 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Joshua A. Silberberg
Seller: Kevin Leh
Date: 01/26/24

SUNDERLAND

34-36 Hadley Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $436,700
Buyer: Grant Firl
Seller: Ellen K. Brower-Gately
Date: 01/30/24

250 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $637,500
Buyer: Christopher Moses
Seller: Fances M. Cooper
Date: 01/25/24

WENDELL

114 Wendell Depot Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: David E. Wilder
Seller: David E. Wilder
Date: 01/31/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

331 Barry St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Michael A. McKinney
Seller: Christopher W. Davis
Date: 01/22/24

44 Colonial Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Michael E. Trippodo
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 02/01/24

12 Damato Way
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Benjamin Reynolds
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 01/31/24

158 Florida Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $176,000
Buyer: Douglas Dichard
Seller: Laurence K. Macey
Date: 01/26/24

15 Hillcrest St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Sareen Properties LLC
Seller: Boccasile, Barry N. (Estate)
Date: 01/24/24

Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: XPB LLC
Seller: Tree House South LLC
Date: 02/01/24

170 Mallard Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: William D. Corbin
Seller: Doreen J. Merola
Date: 01/31/24

444 Shoemaker Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $1,450,000
Buyer: 444 Shoemaker Mass. LLC
Seller: Sani Realty LLC
Date: 01/31/24

216 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Dennis Mayboroda
Seller: Karla A. Young
Date: 01/22/24

28 Valentine Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nicole B. Bates
Seller: Deborah A. Belniak
Date: 01/31/24

52 Warren St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Maxwell R. Gerhardson
Seller: Matthew J. Sady
Date: 01/23/24

BLANDFORD

145 Chester Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Patrick Provonche
Seller: MHI Properties LLC
Date: 01/22/24

BRIMFIELD

205 Dunhamtown Palmer Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Jesse E. Gilbert
Seller: R. J. & Joan N. Demers IRT
Date: 01/24/24

1494 Dunhamtown Brimfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: JA Property Group LLC
Seller: Scott C. Aikey
Date: 02/02/24

101 Paige Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $362,500
Buyer: Lauren E. Kurtz
Seller: Boudriault, Jacqueline (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

CHICOPEE

34 Bromont St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Torrey Santini
Seller: DGL Properties LLC
Date: 01/31/24

48 Cambridge St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $233,000
Buyer: Anna Marquez
Seller: Wishart, Alan P. (Estate)
Date: 01/31/24

76 Champagne Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Lynn M. Libby
Seller: Joseph C. Pereira TR
Date: 01/26/24

553 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Naisha Hernandez
Seller: Carlos P. Rubert
Date: 01/31/24

19 Dresser Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Ahmed Aljanabi
Seller: Dean J. Delamarter
Date: 02/02/24

420 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nbnsingh LLC
Seller: Giovanni Capaccio
Date: 01/23/24

799 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $159,300
Buyer: Privilne Real Estate LLC
Seller: Slosek Real Estate Holdings LLC
Date: 01/31/24

106 Garland St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Bernash Realty LLC
Seller: Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust HB3
Date: 01/23/24

11 Greenleaf St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Rivera
Seller: Ryan J. Connell
Date: 01/26/24

46 Harvard St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Chapeaurouge Investments LLC
Seller: Lisa M. Fournier
Date: 01/31/24

110 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Arthur Benoit
Seller: Blanchard, Glen (Estate)
Date: 01/29/24

64 Kendall St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Santo B. Alcantara
Seller: Abbas Altamimi
Date: 01/24/24

35 Moore St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Franck
Seller: Nolava LLC
Date: 01/31/24

10 Nadeau Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Mark Devoto
Seller: RMF Buyout At 2021-HB1
Date: 01/26/24

43 Pearl St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Majed Lafta
Seller: Mclp Asset Co. Inc.
Date: 01/26/24

20 Spence St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Danny Barrett
Seller: Joseph F. Kingsley
Date: 01/30/24

60 Wheatland Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Nayyef Al Jashaam
Seller: Julissa Rawana
Date: 01/22/24

32 Willwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $242,000
Buyer: Eric R. Piorkowsky
Seller: Galuszka, Virginia M. (Estate)
Date: 01/23/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

30 Bayne St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Richard W. Santasiere
Seller: Samantha F. Taha
Date: 02/02/24

61 Devonshire Ter.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Vilkhovoy
Seller: William A. Brown
Date: 02/01/24

36 Lee St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Molly Keays
Seller: Hazel Zebian
Date: 01/25/24

28 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Jarrod Liebel
Seller: Hayward, Charles Byrne (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

236 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Christian T. Dancy
Seller: Mark C. Czupryna
Date: 01/30/24

382 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Toni Brandofino
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 01/31/24

HAMPDEN

Carmody Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $451,000
Buyer: Kevin R. Nichols
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 01/22/24

434 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Trevor Howell
Seller: Timothy R. Connors
Date: 01/26/24

GRANVILLE

107 Silver St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Susan D. Bartnicki
Seller: Bartnicki, Henry T. (Estate)
Date: 01/30/24

HAMPDEN

149 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $743,000
Buyer: Leslie P. Addicks
Seller: Cumberland Blues RT
Date: 02/02/24

HOLYOKE

24 Bayberry Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Brittany Wajda
Seller: Alfred Estabrook
Date: 02/01/24

60 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: April L. Rivera
Seller: Deepon Realty LLC
Date: 01/30/24

15-17 Canby St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Michael P. Sergneri
Seller: Grassfield, Kim A. (Estate)
Date: 01/23/24

38 Clinton Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

56 Clinton Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

77-79 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

37 Franks Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Stephanie Szklarz
Seller: Jeannette R. Rivard
Date: 01/31/24

36-38 Gates St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Adrian Cruz
Seller: Northern Flooring & Remodeling
Date: 02/01/24

44-46 Gilman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $361,000
Buyer: Jennit R. Diaz
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 01/30/24

339 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Adiene E. Delgado
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 01/23/24

1 Loomis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $876,000
Buyer: One Loomis LLC
Seller: Anthony Carnovale Realty LL
Date: 01/26/24

184 Lyman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

186 Lyman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

88 Lynch Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Mohammad A. Dib
Seller: Stephen C. Konstantinidis
Date: 01/29/24

898-902 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,950,000
Buyer: Tkjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate One LLC
Date: 01/31/24

904-906 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,950,000
Buyer: Tkjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate One LLC
Date: 01/31/24

4 North Bridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,280,400
Buyer: Remote Opportunities LLC
Seller: Pearson-Valley Development Co. LP
Date: 01/29/24

1470 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Luz Diaz-Feliciano
Seller: David F. Nitkiewicz
Date: 02/01/24

101 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

286-288 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,950,000
Buyer: Tkjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate One LLC
Date: 01/31/24

133 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Kenneth A. Lauzier
Seller: Brittany L. Petersen
Date: 02/02/24

219 Suffolk St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Vcinfo Inc.
Seller: Conway, Brian T. (Estate)
Date: 01/22/24

223 Suffolk St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

244 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,850,000
Buyer: Pcjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC
Date: 01/31/24

63 West St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,950,000
Buyer: Tkjm LLC
Seller: Peloquin Real Estate One LLC
Date: 01/31/24

LONGMEADOW

180 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Armand J. Hebert
Seller: Mooradd, Sally R. (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

192 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Donald R. Muller
Seller: Trevor H. Agnitti
Date: 01/31/24

592 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Ruifeng Zhou
Seller: Dina Mackenzie
Date: 01/26/24

42 Williston Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Kyle Watkins
Seller: Lumturi RT
Date: 01/26/24

LUDLOW

153 Bridle Path Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kat Vacation Rentals LLC
Seller: Cardinal, Norman E. (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

31 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $289,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Walsh
Seller: Angela S. Berkeley
Date: 01/30/24

290-292 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Seller: Michael J. Bailey
Date: 01/23/24

Cislak Dr., Lot 38
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Steven A. Crespo
Seller: Jose T. Martins
Date: 01/31/24

57 Grimard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: David Nitkiewicz
Seller: Tracey A. Ware
Date: 02/01/24

17 Irla Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: M&C Bedient FT
Seller: Brian A. Rogowski
Date: 01/26/24

623 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $259,926
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: Ralph J. Tovet
Date: 02/02/24

200 Poole St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Rustic FT
Seller: Blais, Robert A. (Estate)
Date: 01/30/24

MONTGOMERY

8 Birch Bluff Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $634,900
Buyer: Andrew Pryfogle
Seller: Francis T. Tangredi
Date: 01/24/24

PALMER

27 Country Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Jennifer W. Putney
Seller: Spelko, Frank W. (Estate)
Date: 02/02/24

5 Crawford St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: West Jam Man LLC
Seller: Gary J. Pierce
Date: 01/24/24

192 Flynt St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $159,800
Buyer: Brian Haley
Seller: Fountain, Fumiyo (Estate)
Date: 01/22/24

19 George St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $226,600
Buyer: Bradley Lovell
Seller: Bay Flow LLC
Date: 01/25/24

3205 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: B. & B. Realty Partners LLC
Seller: Abaigeal M. Duda
Date: 01/29/24

47 Squier St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Michael D. Leyburn
Seller: Sinervo, Jean (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

249 Ware St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Coby Piardi
Seller: Bryan Damas
Date: 01/30/24

RUSSELL

Huntington Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: RT 20 LLC
Seller: Ramanjanappa Ravikumar
Date: 01/30/24

SPRINGFIELD

184 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Hassett
Seller: Equity Trust Co.
Date: 01/25/24

70 Alexander St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $342,900
Buyer: Brian A. Ardizoni
Seller: Angel Villar
Date: 01/25/24

374-380 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Sole Room LLC
Seller: 374 Allen Street LLC
Date: 02/02/24

17-19 Alsace St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: James J. Jozokos
Seller: Richard L. Marino
Date: 02/02/24

5 Angelica Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Darrel W. Grant
Seller: Kimberley Strother
Date: 01/26/24

171 Atwater Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: CIL Realty of Mass. Inc.
Seller: Fanti, Roy (Estate)
Date: 01/31/24

1295 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $146,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Date: 01/22/24

515 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Jorge Rosa
Seller: Ronnie T. Salas
Date: 01/31/24

19 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Gerard Paynter
Seller: Sarah McCarthy
Date: 01/23/24

15 Birchland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Balquiso Turiare
Seller: Colleen Moynihan FT
Date: 01/25/24

45 Bronson Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Robert A. Naimark
Seller: Janine S. Taylor
Date: 01/24/24

44 Bruce St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Sareen Properties LLC
Seller: Home Equity Mortgage Loan TR
Date: 01/22/24

64 Burghardt St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Anthony G. Wallace
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 02/02/24

77 Champlain Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Michael D. Axton
Seller: Wnuk, Anna (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

86 Clearbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Batuhan Citlak
Seller: Anthony Pandolfi
Date: 01/26/24

247-249 Commonwealth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Vivianne Morosier
Seller: Gerardo Ortiz
Date: 01/22/24

193 Corona St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Javier Pardave
Seller: Juan C. Rodriguez
Date: 02/01/24

104 Creswell Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Jaileen Arroyo
Seller: Shirin Boroumand Selph TR
Date: 01/25/24

54 Dawes St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Luis E. Perez
Seller: Patricia H. Nnaji
Date: 02/01/24

305 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Wendy Gilman
Seller: Kennedy Acquisitions LLC
Date: 01/31/24

552-554 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Zainul Abideen
Seller: Dang P. Quach
Date: 01/26/24

37 Dubois St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Antima Bhadoriya
Seller: Aldo Properties LLC
Date: 01/25/24

48 Eton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: Jose A. Cruz Rivera
Seller: John H. Meredith
Date: 01/30/24

18 Fairmount St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Johnny F. Paredes
Seller: John J. Damato
Date: 01/29/24

85 Farnsworth St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $243,000
Buyer: Hector Suarez
Seller: Round 2 LLC
Date: 02/02/24

Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Lachenauer LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens 69 LP
Date: 01/29/24

226 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Lachenauer LLC
Seller: Springfield Gardens 69 LP
Date: 01/29/24

19 Granville St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Hiram M. Rolon
Seller: Nelly Otero
Date: 01/29/24

521-523 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Yaritza G. Rivera
Seller: Feng P. Wu
Date: 01/23/24

133 Harmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Lexi B. Griffin
Seller: Elizabeth F. Simons
Date: 01/30/24

3 Hillside Place
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Naomie C. Delva
Seller: Christal J. Vaz
Date: 02/02/24

47 Laurel St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Rose M. Janvier
Seller: Rose D. Roman
Date: 01/31/24

5 Lavender Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: James P. Martin
Seller: Awilda Vazquez
Date: 01/31/24

442 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Pioneer Valley Event Catering
Seller: New Canaan Properties LLC
Date: 02/01/24

466 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Mass Rentals LLC
Seller: Home LLC
Date: 02/01/24

751 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Mheg Inc.
Seller: KHL Group LLC
Date: 01/29/24

1174 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Equity Trust Co.
Seller: Mettey, Paul Stephen (Estate)
Date: 01/25/24

51 Littleton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Leysha G. Cruz
Seller: Jean M. Dutton IRT
Date: 01/26/24

150 Louis Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Cailyn Pereira
Seller: Dylan J. Sheehan
Date: 01/31/24

47-49 Longview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Samuel Beltran
Seller: Candido E. Rivera
Date: 01/26/24

178 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Maple St. Rowhouses LLC
Seller: Maple Redevelopment LLC
Date: 01/22/24

180 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Maple St. Rowhouses LLC
Seller: Maple Redevelopment LLC
Date: 01/22/24

182 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Maple St. Rowhouses LLC
Seller: Maple Redevelopment LLC
Date: 01/22/24

184 Maple St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Maple St. Rowhouses LLC
Seller: Maple Redevelopment LLC
Date: 01/22/24

194-196 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Jose R. Brizuela
Seller: Luis Infante
Date: 01/29/24

39 Milton St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Aldaine Murray
Seller: 80 Congress St. Properties LLC
Date: 01/30/24

52 Monmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Byron Walker
Date: 01/26/24

20 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $163,621
Buyer: Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust HB1
Seller: Pauline Clarke
Date: 01/22/24

46-48 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Alonzo Smith
Seller: David Kachinski
Date: 01/31/24

31 Observer St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Elizabeth A. Alvarez
Date: 01/23/24

105-107 Parallel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Gabriel P. Wenzel
Seller: Areid Estate LLC
Date: 01/22/24

81 Pembroke Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Lowell Smith
Seller: Baith P. Weerasundara
Date: 01/24/24

27 Phoenix St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Phoenix St LLC
Seller: Michael J. Molinari
Date: 02/01/24

172 Phoenix Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Angela Zimage
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 01/25/24

133 Pine Grove St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Hector M. Burgos
Seller: MLM Holdings LLC
Date: 01/26/24

49 Prospect St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Welhington S. Dasilva
Seller: Athime Continual Wealth LLC
Date: 01/31/24

99-101 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Kimberly Toote
Seller: Aldaine Murray
Date: 01/25/24

118 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Jeanette Enriquez
Seller: Tynayko Melendez
Date: 01/26/24

63 Rencelau St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Angel Sunuwar
Seller: Jeffrey G. Cabana
Date: 02/01/24

26 Saint James Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $356,000
Buyer: Milton J. Santana
Seller: Jjj17 LLC
Date: 01/26/24

108 School St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Angelina M. Pena
Seller: Luis Ventura
Date: 01/31/24

39 Seymour Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Justin Gutierrez
Seller: Wilson, Ronald David (Estate)
Date: 01/26/24

24 Terrence St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Jose Rivera-Portillo
Seller: US HUD
Date: 01/29/24

14-16 Webster St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Dilenia Belen
Seller: Naylor Nation Real Estate LLC
Date: 01/24/24

63 Welland Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Sean Roth
Seller: Christopher Edmunds
Date: 02/01/24

279-281 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Omar B. Aljarrah
Seller: Two Riveras LLC
Date: 01/26/24

775 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Susan Agostine
Seller: Steven E. Zeimbekakis
Date: 01/30/24

57-59 Wilbraham Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Angel J. Cruz
Seller: Pontiac LLC
Date: 01/25/24

95 Windemere St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Robert J. Cotton
Date: 02/02/24

SOUTHWICK

561 College Hwy.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: FMM Southwick LLC
Seller: V. F. Realty Co. LLC
Date: 02/02/24

11 Crescent Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Eduard Tsikhotskiy
Seller: Sanders, William K. (Estate)
Date: 02/01/24

11 Fernwood Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Natalie A. Gaudino
Seller: Prevost, Patricia A. (Estate)
Date: 01/31/24

49 John Mason Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Todd Barlar
Seller: David J. St Denis
Date: 01/26/24

13 Lauren Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Kevin P. Mahoney
Seller: Randy S. Rindels
Date: 01/30/24

WESTFIELD

133 Crane Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Ruslan Grigorchuk
Seller: Roberts, David Robert (Estate)
Date: 01/22/24

24 Hampden St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Shakira B. Valentin
Seller: Centura Bay LLC
Date: 01/30/24

95 Highland Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Conrad Z. Mayeski
Seller: Aero Fastener Realty LLC
Date: 01/31/24

277 Hillside Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bradley R. Alvord
Seller: Daniel C. Alvord
Date: 01/30/24

126 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Lanphear
Seller: Parent, Marie T. (Estate)
Date: 01/22/24

405 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Mohamed S. Cader
Seller: Stacey A. Sorawat
Date: 01/31/24

127 Northridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Ashlyn W. Pentowski
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 02/02/24

82 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $396,500
Buyer: Joshua D. Olin
Seller: Conrad Z. Mayeski
Date: 01/31/24

16 Verona St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Zeddymar Portorreal
Seller: Brian J. Belcher
Date: 01/22/24

23 Walker Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $327,500
Buyer: Andrew Schultz
Seller: Laplante, David E. (Estate)
Date: 02/02/24

131 Westwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Juan R. Reyes
Seller: Patricia Z. Johnson
Date: 02/01/24

146 Wildflower Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $590,000
Buyer: Tanner Bzdel
Seller: Charles E. Yelinek
Date: 01/26/24

WILBRAHAM

92 Burleigh Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Rattlesnake Holdings LLC
Seller: Matthew P. Metzler
Date: 01/31/24

5 Edgewood Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Nicholas M. Lafayette
Seller: Kennedy Acquisitions LLC
Date: 01/26/24

15 Highridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $665,000
Buyer: Lorraine Adamz
Seller: James E. Rooks
Date: 01/26/24

8 Mark Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Tyler Emet
Seller: Phyllis M. Emet
Date: 01/31/24

4 Pomeroy St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Charles E. Yelinek
Seller: Luc Petit
Date: 01/26/24

4 Ripley St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Simons
Seller: Robin F. Cook
Date: 01/30/24

155 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Katherine Siegel
Seller: Gwen C. Smith
Date: 01/29/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

13 Alderbrook Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Kiritkumar I. Patel
Seller: Lok B. Bhattarai
Date: 01/29/24

1059 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Cengiz Karagoz
Seller: Ion Drucioc
Date: 01/26/24

45 Forest Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Peter Hogan
Seller: Thomas J. Foley
Date: 01/26/24

52 Hanover St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Sukun LLC
Seller: Jennifer C. Demerski
Date: 01/23/24

38 Humphrey Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $396,000
Buyer: Tila Gurung
Seller: Pavel Duducal
Date: 01/30/24

180 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Mitos Pino
Seller: Nilson A. Desa
Date: 01/26/24

660 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Stephanie M. Danek
Seller: Kristen L. Mantoni
Date: 01/24/24

52-R Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Calabrese LLC
Seller: Sukun LLC
Date: 01/23/24

115 Peachstone Glen
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $660,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Sady
Seller: Samuel Orlando
Date: 01/31/24

21 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Peter J. Godbout
Seller: Bent Tree Development LLC
Date: 01/29/24

29 Worthen St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: Kerry L. Lafromboise
Date: 02/02/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

33 Gaylord St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $760,000
Buyer: John M. Kalas
Seller: Porter, Annick (Estate)
Date: 01/23/24

68 McClellan St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Historic Renovations & Remodelling
Seller: Alfred J. Albano
Date: 01/31/24

31 Middle St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Philip B. Torrey
Seller: Stanley L. Warner
Date: 02/01/24

74 Overlook Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Evan P. Roth-Howe
Seller: Jeffrey P. Roth-Howe RET
Date: 02/01/24

289 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Faith D. Restivo
Seller: North Pleasant St Partner
Date: 01/22/24

370 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Yeon S. Kim
Seller: Pelham Rd Partners LLC
Date: 02/01/24

BELCHERTOWN

94 Canal Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Joshua J. Always
Seller: Joseph A. Marino
Date: 01/30/24

27 Lloyd Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Daniel E. Chase
Seller: Fay M. Flanary
Date: 01/29/24

15 Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: DPR Legacy Enterprises LLC
Seller: Robert H. Adair
Date: 01/31/24

20 Pine St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Michael Kane
Seller: Robert A. Morra
Date: 01/26/24

EASTHAMPTON

8 David Richardson Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $346,000
Buyer: Doyne W. Loyd
Seller: Brian E. Besko
Date: 01/25/24

4 East Green St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Darragh
Seller: Alexander W. Kwolek
Date: 01/30/24

30 Pine St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Anne Canfield
Seller: Michela A. Tally
Date: 02/01/24

78 Pleasant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Michelle A. Gould
Seller: Krupalu LLC
Date: 01/29/24

GRANBY

11 Griswold Circle
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Kimberley J. Kibbie
Seller: Anita L. Laramee
Date: 01/22/24

19 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Gerard Rivas
Seller: Diana Adari
Date: 01/23/24

140 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Mack M. Son
Seller: Linda A. Kapinos
Date: 01/29/24

HADLEY

7 Mount Warner Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Mathew Langdon
Seller: Timothy D. Kicza
Date: 01/24/24

HATFIELD

14 Primrose Path
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Alexis Loyd
Seller: Debra A. Hebert-Kabat
Date: 01/26/24

HUNTINGTON

Huntington Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: RT 20 LLC
Seller: Ramanjanappa Ravikumar
Date: 01/30/24

Russell Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: RT 20 LLC
Seller: Ramanjanappa Ravikumar
Date: 01/30/24

155 Worthington Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Patrick McDonough
Seller: Richard N. Robillard
Date: 01/24/24

MIDDLEFIELD

108 Chipman Road
Middlefield, MA 01243
Amount: $279,900
Buyer: Charlene Lambert
Seller: Rita Rhoads-Doktor
Date: 01/24/24

NORTHAMPTON

294 Bridge St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Shawn S. Ryder
Seller: Joseph D. Squires
Date: 02/01/24

228 Cardinal Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $701,000
Buyer: Andrew Copland
Seller: Christopher D. Rivers
Date: 01/26/24

9 Cross Path Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Elaine N. Fitzgerald
Seller: Decker, Marylow (Estate)
Date: 01/31/24

16 Fairfield Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: JJK Investments LLC
Seller: Hans D. Michaud
Date: 02/02/24

146 Maplewood Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Barbara J. Ziv
Seller: R. Lococo Special Needs
Date: 01/31/24

29 Perkins Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Amy B. Dickinson
Seller: Linda B. Putnam
Date: 02/01/24

795-A Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: James T. Jewitt
Seller: Lisa Leblanc
Date: 01/22/24

PELHAM

346 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Mathew R. Champagne
Seller: Samantha Delorey
Date: 01/23/24

SOUTH HADLEY

11 Bunker Hill
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Jacquelyne Luce
Seller: Anthony Barstow
Date: 01/25/24

2 Maple St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Kayla Langevin
Seller: Marcus Grothues
Date: 01/30/24

266 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Choquette Capital Properties LLC
Seller: Kevin Haczyncki
Date: 02/02/24

22 Ridge Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Desrochers
Seller: Amy Jamrog
Date: 02/02/24

107 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $449,900
Buyer: Benjamin Chilson-Parks
Seller: Elizabeth S. Bowdan RET
Date: 01/26/24

SOUTHAMPTON

18 Noreen Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Charlene M. Corbeil
Seller: Philip Corbeil
Date: 01/30/24

Valley Road, Lot 2
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Patrick Nulph
Seller: Robert Bard
Date: 01/26/24

WARE

210 Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Megan Charter
Seller: Mulligan, Jeanne C. (Estate)
Date: 01/30/24

WESTHAMPTON

160 Laurel Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $589,000
Buyer: Miguel Estrada-Zavala
Seller: Robert J. Tobin
Date: 01/31/24

WORTHINGTON

584 Kinnebrook Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $539,000
Buyer: Lydia R. Bussiere
Seller: Leann M. Mason
Date: 01/31/24

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the months of January and February 2024.

Chicopee

548-554 Chicopee LLC
550 Chicopee St.
N/A — Install new beacon

AALM LLC
694 Center St.
$83,964 — Roofing

Victor Alonzo
244 East Main St.
$8,000 — Roofing

C&C Mass Ventures LLC
33 Haynes Circle
$25,300 — Remove motors and shafts from tank assemblies

Chicopee Gardens Rehabilitation
44 New Lombard Road
$6,460 — Install two twin casement windows

Leclerc Holdings LLC
603 Grattan St.
$27,600 — Wiring, sheetrock, doors and trim, cabinets

Slats Realty Trust
10 Sheridan St.
$20,958.22 — Roofing

EASTHAMPTON

Easthampton Mahadev LLC
11-1 Maple St.
$5,000 — Roofing

The Philipp Manufacturing Co.
17 Ward Ave.
$23,000 — Roofing

HADLEY

Focus Realty Group LLC
397 Russell St.
N/A — Roofing

Town of Hadley
15 East St.
N/A — Move wall to create sleeping quarters for Fire Department

LEE

Susan Mechanic Myers
880 East St.
$2,600 — Insulation

LENOX

Bryan Binder
35 Walker St.
$95,500 — Install fire sprinklers throughout building

NORTHAMPTON

185 South Street LLC
185 South St.
$11,768 — Roofing

Blue Mountain Properties LLC
76 Maple St.
$16,000 — Add ADA-compliant bathroom to laundry room on ground floor, install kneewall over plumbing stack, sheetrock existing walls

Hill Institute
77 Pine St.
$16,078 — Replace six non-structural windows in existing openings

Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc.
36 Hampden St.
$114,481 — Install roof-mounted solar system

Matt & Nick LLC
199 Pine St.
$3,300 — Non-illuminated wall sign for Pioneer Valley Books

Matt & Nick LLC
199 Pine St.
$3,300 — Non-illuminated wall sign for Pioneer Valley Books

Safe Journeys LLC
32 Vernon St.
$3,000 — Insulation and weatherization

PITTSFIELD

Jonathan Couper
179 West Housatonic St.
$3,100 — Roofing

Four Forty Nord Strasse LLC
436 North St.
$4,015 — Storefront glazing repair and replacement

SPRINGFIELD

1277 Liberty St LLC
1383 Liberty St.
$1,900 — Insulation

Bicentennial Plaza LLC
1512 Allen St.
$52,730 — Alter interior tenant space for use as a dental office

Gandara Mental Health Center Inc.
85 St. George Road
$1,505,630 — Interior remodeling and roofing

Industry Avenue Holdings LLC
66 Industry Ave.
$110,000 — Convert former storage space into four new offices at Greater Springfield Senior Center

Joseph Freedman Co. Inc.
58 Albany St.
$124,900 — Demolish section of warehouse/storage building
NPN Realty LLC
91 Pinevale St.
$14,000 — Erect new dividing wall and new doors and stairs in warehouse

 

 

Bay Path University to Acquire Cambridge College

By
Daily News

LONGMEADOW — The boards of Bay Path University and Cambridge College announced today that Bay Path has entered into a formal agreement to acquire Cambridge College. This move reflects a strategic focus by both institutions on planning for future success providing career-focused education models to a diverse student population.

“The determination and spirit that have guided Bay Path for 127 years pave the way for this next phase in our evolution. We look forward to working with Cambridge College to meet student needs with innovation, market responsiveness, and bold action,” said Sandra Doran, president of Bay Path University.

Cambridge College, a Boston-based, private, nonprofit institution established in 1971, is a leader in providing affordable, career-oriented education to a diverse population of adult learners.

“In planning for the future, Cambridge College’s board and leadership recognized that a larger platform and a like-minded partner would give us the greatest opportunity to advance our mission,” said Stephen Healey, interim president of Cambridge College. “Bay Path University is uniquely suited to integrate Cambridge College’s programs and serve our non-traditional student body. We are excited to come together in a partnership that will provide a promising path forward and a seamless transition for students.”

Bay Path and Cambridge began discussions about a possible relationship in late summer 2023. Each based its decision to join together on the shared mission of the two institutions.

“The promise that both our institutions make to our students is that their dreams of a better career, a richer life, and a brighter future will be realized,” Doran and Headley said. “Bay Path and Cambridge College share core values of access, innovation, excellence, diversity, and collaboration. This relationship will enable us to build upon one another’s strengths. We will be better and stronger together.”

Doran added that “both Bay Path and Cambridge College share a reputation for providing transformative education by responding to changes in the workforce-development needs of the region and creating positive economic opportunities for our graduates. Bringing together Bay Path’s depth and breadth of undergraduate and graduate programs with Cambridge College’s extensive network of programs and partners in Eastern Massachusetts creates tremendous opportunities for our students today and far into the future.”

The two institutions have shared their plans and the greater opportunity created by a combined organization with both the Commonwealth’s Department of Higher Education, which has regulatory purview over both Bay Path and Cambridge, and the New England Commission of Higher Education, which accredits both institutions. Both organizations will be working with Bay Path and Cambridge to ensure the process to combine the institutions meets their respective standards and regulatory requirements.

Throughout this transition, continuity of student experience is a priority for both Cambridge College and Bay Path. Between now and the time that the two institutions are fully integrated (through at least the summer of 2025), they anticipate that programs at Cambridge College will continue at the same cost (maintaining Cambridge College’s tuition and fees), and students completing their programs will receive degrees awarded by Cambridge College. They also anticipate new opportunities to access additional Bay Path programs beginning as early as this summer. Following receipt of regulatory approvals, Cambridge College would be fully integrated into Bay Path University, at which time all Cambridge College students would become students of Bay Path University.

“The Department of Higher Education [DHE] commends Cambridge College and Bay Path for coming together to join their two institutions in a way that prioritizes students,” Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega said. “In any college transition, such as the affiliation announced by Cambridge College and Bay Path, DHE’s top priority is to ensure that students are informed of changes as soon as possible and have ample time to either earn a degree from the institution at which they started or make informed decisions about transferring. The leaders of both institutions have shown a commitment to a smooth transition for current Cambridge College students that gives us confidence that degree completion for these students will continue to be prioritized.”

The acquisition of Cambridge College, designated among the best colleges and universities for Latinos, will nearly double the number of students served by Bay Path and bring total enrollment to more than 5,000, including a growing number of international students. The university’s business-to-business strategy will also be strengthened.

Since 2020, Cambridge has been providing educational solutions throughout Eastern Mass. to businesses and nonprofit organizations as part of its acquisition of the New England College of Business, now known as CC Global, reflecting its commitment to workforce development. Bay Path, through its Office of Partnership Development, provides learning solutions to a growing portfolio of businesses and organizations, including Denny’s Corp., Baystate Health, and PeoplesBank.

The geographies served by Bay Path will also expand to include Cambridge’s Eastern Mass. location as well as its growing Puerto Rico location. Opened in downtown San Juan more than 20 years ago, the campus provides graduate programs in business and technology as well as education and counseling to working professionals.

Bay Path currently operates two locations: its Longmeadow campus, which serves women at the undergraduate level, and the state-of-the-art Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center in East Longmeadow, which provides graduate degrees in education, healthcare, and psychology. The university also grants undergraduate degrees online through the American Women’s College, recently ranked by Forbes as one of the top three online women’s colleges in the nation.

Bay Path’s acquisition of Cambridge College is likely to be complete in June. Full integration of Cambridge College into Bay Path will take 18 to 24 months, pending a series of approvals by accreditors and appropriate state and federal regulators.

Greater Northampton Chamber Welcomes Five New Board Members

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) welcomed five new board members at its first meeting of 2024. Together, they bring to the chamber diverse experience as entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and business managers.

“It’s a great privilege to work with this group of dedicated investors in the GNCC,” Executive Director Vince Jackson said. “They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise with them to their new roles on our board, and I look forward to their continued engagement and contributions.”

The new board members are Jamie Cocco, Caroline Gear, Taylor Robbins, Elena Sharnoff, and Cigdem Turkomer.

Cocco owns Empowered Digital Marketing and Empowered Social Media. In addition to his role on the board, he serves on the GNCC’s executive committee and chairs the ambassador committee. He brings an extensive marketing background to the GNCC, along with strong interests in building community and business development.

Gear is the executive director of the International Language Institute of Massachusetts in Northampton. As executive director of a nonprofit organization, she brings to the chamber rich experience in working with a board, budgets, fundraising, and more.

Robbins is a business relationship manager at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union. With a focus on commercial lending and cash management, she uses her experience in the field to offer individualized advice for business owners.

Sharnoff owns B Strategic Communications and brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and marketing, branding, and messaging to her role at the GNCC. She has served on che chamber’s ambassador committee for several years.

Turkomer grew up in Istanbul and has spent more than 25 years creating set designs for commercial and documentary films. After studying for several years at San Francisco State University, Cigdem moved back to Northampton to open LeBonNton, which supports women artists and business owners from the U.S. and around the world.

Girls Inc. of the Valley to Host 2024 Spirit of Girls Fundraiser

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Girls Inc. of the Valley’s annual major fundraiser is back at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, March 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Spirit of Girls: Rewind // Fast Forward features co-lead sponsors PeoplesBank and the Women’s Foundation of Boston. Guests and attendees will hear the impactful stories of Girls Inc. youth, families, alumni, and more. The evening will include heavy appetizers and a cash bar. Girls Inc. of the Valley is actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to support the event.

“The need for investments in programs that work toward gender equity and provide safe spaces for girls and youth who would benefit from pro-girl environments is greater than ever,” said Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. of the Valley. “We will raise $110,000 at Spirit of Girls to provide that safe space, especially during the summer months.”

Sponsors include PeoplesBank, the Women’s Foundation of Boston, Hazen Paper Co., bankESB, BonaVita Aesthetics, the Collins Companies, Monson Savings Bank, SourcePass, UMass Amherst, Parker’s Portables, Kuhn Riddle Architects, and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

Shakespeare & Company Introduces Women of Will Directing Fellowship

By
Daily News

LENOX — Shakespeare & Company of Lenox has created the Tina Packer Women of Will Directing Fellowship, designed to further the development of early-career directors who identify as women and have a passion for Shakespeare.

Created in Packer’s honor, the fellowship was conceived and funded by actor and Shakespeare & Company training alumnus John Thompson, with matching funds from an anonymous donor. Additional gifts were also made by a group of women directors whom Packer mentored at Shakespeare & Company.

The company will choose one Women of Will Fellow each year, who will be in residence at Shakespeare & Company throughout the rehearsal period of a Shakespeare production, helmed by an experienced woman director. The fellow will observe and work as assistant director throughout the process. In 2024, she/they will assist director Kate Kohler Amory on The Comedy of Errors from June 10 to July 20 and will also have the opportunity to return for one week in August to observe Packer directing an enhanced reading of The Winter’s Tale.

Following their time at Shakespeare & Company, fellows will continue to receive support through continued access to their mentor director, the members of an advisory committee of women directors, and other members of the company.

“Fellows will join in creating a legacy of Women of Will mentoring others in the field, bringing a contemporary and culturally diverse female gaze to Shakespeare’s plays and the theater community,” Thompson said.

Applicants should have either completed their academic training or possess experience equivalent to at least four years of college. They should have at least two years of directing experience outside of an academic program, including experience directing Shakespeare. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply, as are theater practitioners who have worked professionally in other areas of theater and are expanding their careers into directing, and those re-entering the field after a pause. ‘Early-career director’ does not carry an age limit.

For more information and to apply, visit shakespeare.org. Applications are due by March 25. The inaugural fellow will be selected by mid-April.

HCC to Host ‘Phenomenal Black Women’s Panel’ on Feb. 28

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — As Black History Month draws to a close, Holyoke Community College (HCC) will welcome a panel of notable Black women from Western Mass. to talk about their lives and experiences.

The “Phenomenal Black Women’s Panel” on Wednesday, Feb. 28 runs from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Room 224 of the HCC Campus Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Julissa Colón, director of HCC’s El Centro program, will moderate. Panelists include Jada Waters, director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Middletown, Conn. public schools (and a former HCC staff member); Erika Slocumb, a Black-history scholar and director of interpretation and visitor experience at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, Conn.; Kandice Jones, a counselor from the Springfield-based Center for Human Development; and Qua’Nae Golston-Thomas, a student activist at Holyoke High School and host of the “Let’s Talk With Qua’Nae” podcast on Holyoke Media.

“With this panel, we are creating an opportunity for our students to see their reflections mirrored, learning from the participants’ insights about what it means to aspire to our dreams and what it takes to live them,” Colón said.

BusinessTalk with HBRAWM Executive Director Andrew Crane

By
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 202: February 26, 2024

Joe Interviews HBRAWM Executive Director Andrew Crane

For seven decades, the Home & Garden Show presented by the Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. of Western Massachusetts (HBRAWM) has been a much-anticipated annual event, where people come to check out what’s new in home improvement, maybe book a project or two, and have fun with friends and family. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, HBRAWM Executive Director Andrew Crane talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about why, even in an online world, people still love to see, touch, and talk about what they want to install in their homes, and why vendors value the show for the way it makes connections … and its impact on their bottom line. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.
 

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AIC Welcomes Richard Greco as VP of Academic Affairs and Student Life

By
Daily News

Richard Greco

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced the appointment of Richard Greco as assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Life. With his experience and proven success in leading teams that drive student success, Greco brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the institution.

In his new role, Greco will be leading efforts to integrate and align academic affairs and student life, ensuring a seamless support system for students. He will also spearhead innovative program development and foster community partnerships that provide meaning to students and community beyond the classroom.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Richard to our team,” Executive Vice President, Chief of Staff, and Chief Operating Officer Nicolle Cestero said. “His skills and background will be instrumental in advancing AIC’s mission to not only provide innovative education, but also transformative student experiences. We look forward to the positive impact he’ll have.”

Bringing more than 25 years of management experience, both within and outside higher education, Greco previously served as dean of Liberal and Professional Studies at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and has been a faculty member at AIC since 2012.

Greco holds a master’s degree in biology from the University of Saint Joseph, as well as bachelor’s degrees in human biology and biochemistry from AIC and an associate degree in general studies from STCC. He is currently working toward a doctorate in public administration at West Chester University.

Greco’s dedication to equity aligns with AIC’s values. “Access to education is crucial and is something AIC does quite well, as evidenced by our sizable percentage of first-generation students,” he said. “It provides wealth, not only to our students, but also uplifts their families, contributing to a more equitable society. This can help level the playing field for all, particularly those whose voices have often been left out of the conversation.”

Greco also underscores the importance of people as the college’s most valuable resource. “Our greatest assets are those who support us: our friends, family, colleagues, and the community members who help to define and direct our paths. By prioritizing people, we pave the way for success.”

Viability Inc. Announces Sylviana Lopez as Chief People Officer

By
Daily News

Sylviana Lopez

SPRINGFIELD — Viability Inc. announced the appointment of Sylviana Lopez as its chief people officer in Human Resources. Lopez brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization, and she is expected to drive Viability’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

“Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is at the core of our mission-driven approach,” said Colleen Holmes, Viability’s president and CEO. “We believe that the incorporation of Sylviana Lopez as Viability’s chief people officer will help us continue to foster a workplace where every individual feels valued and included, and helping us build a world where acceptance and access are universal.”

For more than two decades, Lopez has been at the forefront of solving complex problems at scale across industries from the private sector to human services, blending human-resources strategy with forward‑thinking creativity. She is expected to be an asset to Viability in its pursuit of building a strong, diverse culture and strengthening its resolve to build a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion, and access.

Lopez earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico and an MBA in human resources management from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.

Freedom Credit Union Contributes More Than $181,000 to Local Charities in 2023

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout 2023, Freedom Credit Union contributed financial support to more than 70 charitable organizations throughout the four counties of Western Mass, donating a total of $181,898.

“Our members and staff are passionate about supporting the community where we live, work and serve,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “In 2023, we were proud to donate funds for a wide variety of deserving institutions.”

Corporate charitable giving accounted for donations totaling $130,432.00, which benefitted local and regional organizations. Throughout the year, Freedom also held a variety of Month of Giving campaigns, raising $17,316 to support local organizations. Local branch and department giving contributed an additional $34,150 to local charities.

“As a credit union, Freedom was founded in a cooperative spirit,” Welch said. “We know that serving our members in a holistic way includes helping the whole community, since we all rise together. Our efforts are continuing through 2024. Throughout the month of February, we are asking the community to ‘Paws for a Cause’ and make cash donations to benefit the Foundation for TJO Animals in Springfield and Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter in Greenfield.”

Holyoke Community College Scholarship Deadline Is March 3

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — The deadline to apply for scholarships from the Holyoke Community College Foundation for the 2024-25 academic year is Sunday, March 3.

Each year, the HCC Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships worth more than $300,000 to incoming, current, and transferring HCC students. Many students receive multiple scholarship awards.

Students must be currently enrolled at HCC or have been accepted for the upcoming academic year to be eligible for scholarships, which are awarded through the HCC Foundation, HCC’s nonprofit fundraising corporation.

Applicants need to fill out a single online form to be automatically matched with the scholarships they are most qualified to receive. There are scholarships for new students, current students, and students transferring to other institutions; scholarships based on financial need; scholarships for students in specific majors; scholarships for residents of certain communities; and scholarships that recognize academic achievement.

To make the process of applying easier, HCC opened a Scholarship Resource Center in January on the first floor of the Donahue Building (Room 158). The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those in need of assistance can drop in any time during office hours to ask questions or to use one of the center’s three computer workstations. They can also schedule appointments to meet with center staffers.

“We’re so excited that we have this beautiful space to help students through the scholarship process,” said Laura Freeman, manager of Stewardship and Donor Relations and Scholarship Resource Center coordinator.

To view scholarship opportunities and begin the application process, visit www.hcc.edu/scholarships.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll to Keynote Springfield Regional Chamber’s Outlook 2024

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will keynote the Springfield Regional Chamber’s premier legislative and economic forecasting event of the year on Friday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Taking place at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Outlook brings together business leaders and local, state, and federal policymakers to discuss this year’s economic outlook.

Driscoll made history alongside Gov. Maura Healey as part of the first all-women executive team to lead the state. Her career began as the first female mayor of Salem in 2006, where she transformed the city’s financial landscape, turning deficits into surpluses while revitalizing the downtown, improving schools, and championing inclusive policies. Her collaborative efforts secured significant investments in infrastructure, including a new MBTA station and a leading role in the offshore wind sector.

Her advocacy extends to LGBTQ rights, veterans’ benefits, immigrant rights, and early education, reflecting her commitment to an inclusive community. With a municipal government and law background, she is dedicated to creating a progressive Commonwealth that empowers all its residents.

Along with Driscoll, Outlook will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate, and a special message from U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. As an added feature this year, Outlook attendees will enjoy a performance of the national anthem by Todd Angilly, the anthem singer for the Boston Bruins.

“We are thrilled to gather at the MassMutual Center for Outlook 2024 and welcome Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll to our region. This is an exciting opportunity to network with business leaders, learn, and prepare for this year’s economic forecast,” Springfield Regional Chamber President Diana Szynal said. “Our legislative agenda outlines the chamber’s advocacy priorities to strengthen business competitiveness, lower business costs, and build a prosperous future for Greater Springfield. We want to thank Lt. Gov. Driscoll for her participation in this event, along with our generous sponsors who are committed to seeing our community flourish and grow.”

Tickets for Outlook 2024 cost $75 for Springfield Regional Chamber members and $100 for general admission. The registration deadline is March 6. Reserved tables of 10 are available. Click here to register. For additional information, contact Szynal at (413) 755-1309 or [email protected].

Florence Bank Supports West Springfield’s 250th Celebration

By
Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has donated $4,000 to the city of West Springfield to help support four events the city has planned in 2024 as part of a year packed with 250th-anniversary festivities.

Florence Bank’s backing of the West Springfield 250th celebration specifically offers support for three 5K races, happening in March, July, and November; a block party on June 22 and 23, when Elm and Central streets will be closed for activities from dancing to vendors and food trucks; family photo sessions at historic town locations; and a golf tournament in July.

Also part of the 250th events in West Springfield are a birthday celebration in Clark Field today, Feb. 23, the same day West Springfield was incorporated in 1774; a black-tie ball in May; various ongoing public art projects; and a Bright Nights display next winter.

Nikki Gleason, vice president and branch manager of Florence Bank in West Springfield, explained that, in addition to the financial support, a team of bank staff will volunteer at some of the events in town. She noted they are particularly excited to be part of the family photo event on May 11 with photographer Branden Brus, who will capture portraits of interested families who sign up for sessions at a historic town location to be determined.

“I’ve worked in West Springfield for 13 years, the last five with Florence Bank at our West Springfield branch, and I believe in the town and in the way it is celebrating this important anniversary,” Gleason said. “This is such a diverse community. It’s very unique, and I’m pleased that the bank is involved in celebrations that will bring everyone together. It’s a great fit for Florence Bank because supporting community events that bring people together is really important to us.”

Sarah Calabrese-Dunphy, anniversary committee co-chair, agreed. “Florence Bank has shown a commitment to the well-being of our town that goes beyond just providing financial services. Through sponsorships, donations, and volunteerism, Florence Bank has helped improve the lives of our local kids, families, and the community as a whole.”

Carly Camossi, chief of Operations for West Springfield and co-chair of the anniversary committee, said more than 100 business sponsors are part of the anniversary celebrations, and more than 400 area residents attended the mayoral ball kickoff event earlier this year.

“It’s amazing to me how many people want to participate,” said Camossi, who grew up in West Springfield. “Everyone is incredibly generous and feels that community spirit. It’s very humbling.”

Since 2007, Florence Bank has had a presence in West Springfield, which was enhanced five years ago when the current full-service branch opened at 1010 Union St.

Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Announces New Board Members

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Rose Colon, chair of the board of directors of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLKFS), announced the addition of the following new board members: William Davila, Byron Jones, Rania Kfuri, Dr. Yolanda Marrow, Awildo Morales, and Kimberly Robinson Williams, who will fill the Dora D. Robinson legacy board seat.

“The mission of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services is profound and sometimes, given the rising needs of our community, a challenging one,” noted Shannon Rudder, president and CEO. “We are grateful for the time and expertise that our new board members — indeed, all our board members — offer us as we ensure the transformational work of MLK Family Services and the ultimate dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of creating a thriving, beloved community right here in our region.”

Davila is vice president of Diversion, Shelter & Housing for the Center for Human Development Inc. in Springfield, as well as a licensed independent clinical social worker in Massachusetts and a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut.

Jones is a digital strategist and government contractor for the International Trade Assoc. (ITA) through Platinum Technologies (PT78) and has 19 years of business and digital strategy experience.

Kfuri is a Philanthropy officer at the Baystate Health Foundation and has more than 20 years of development and related experience.

Marrow is a pediatric trauma and Acute Care Surgery program manager at Baystate Medical Center and has 31 years of healthcare experience.

Morales is a branch manager and Retail Banking and Security officer for Monson Savings Bank and has over 12 years of financial-services experience.

Williams is Managing Partner of FDR & Associates LLC, which offers engagement with companies, organizations, and individuals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She has more than 27 years of experience working in HR, development, alumni relations, and DEI positions.

Other members of the MLKFS board of directors include board chair Rose Colon (board chair), Maurice Powe (vice chair), Darren James (treasurer), Siobhan Spruill (clerk), Eddie Corbin, Dr. Mia Chandler, Joyce Davis, Bobby Hartsfield, Calvin Hill, Jacquelyn Lee-Washington, Damon Slocumb, Dr. Allison Sullivan, and Jeffrey Sullivan (chair emeritus).

Advantage Truck Group Honors Gerry Avery with Pete DePina Legacy Award

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Daily News

WESTFIELD — Advantage Truck Group (ATG) named its 2023 Pete DePina Legacy Award winners for Massachusetts, recognizing one individual from each of its locations in Raynham, Shrewsbury, and Westfield for making an impact on their fellow employees, customers, and the company. Gerry Avery received the legacy award for ATG’s Westfield facility.

“Gerry is a professional who shows pride and initiative in everything he does and demonstrates a positive attitude that uplifts everyone around him,” ATG President and CEO Kevin Holmes said. “He is a pivotal part of our network, and his expertise and management contribute to the professional and immaculate facility and grounds at our Westfield dealership.”

The highest recognition that an ATG team member can receive, this annual award was created as a memorial to ATG employee Napoleon “Pete” DePina and honors an individual at each ATG location in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont who most embodies the values and qualities DePina was known for, including integrity and a quiet leadership grounded in humility, generosity, and selfless service to others.

“Our ability to provide the best service experience for our customers reflects the dedication and contributions of our team members,” Holmes said. “This award helps us honor those who go beyond expectations and whose efforts and attitude, like Pete’s, elevate the quality of service across our network and make a positive impact on the people around them.”

Employees were nominated by their peers for the award, and a winner was selected from each of ATG’s eight locations. Winners were presented with a monetary award that they will continue to receive as part of their profit-sharing bonus each year throughout their employment with the company.

Maybury Material Handling Names William Maybury President

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John Maybury (left) and Will Maybury

EAST LONGMEADOW — Maybury Material Handling, a leading provider of industrial products and services to manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing customers throughout New England, announced a transition of leadership as John Maybury, who has served as president for almost five decades, assumes the role of chairperson, and his son, William Maybury, assumes the role of president.

“I am thrilled to introduce my son, Will Maybury, as the newly appointed president of Maybury,” John Maybury said. “With his proven track record of leadership and a visionary approach, he brings fresh perspectives and energy to the helm. This strategic move aligns with our commitment to continuity and leveraging the wealth of experience within our organization.”

John established Maybury Material Handling in 1976, and the company began by making benches, stools, and cabinets. From there, it got into warehouse racks and shelving and now provides many automated material-handling products, including conveyors, conveyor systems, lift trucks, and more.

Will has been involved in the business for as long as he can remember. From taking out the trash as a child to working in inventory to learning how to install warehouse equipment, to then coming back in 2015 and working in the Accounting department and serving as controller, he has learned the business from various points of view.

This leadership transition has been in the works for some time, and both John and Will wanted it to be as seamless as possible from the employees’, customers’, and vendors’ perspectives.

“It is a true honor to follow in my father’s footsteps and take on this responsibility,” Will said. “I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

John has adapted the business model and has grown Maybury exponentially from a few employees to now more than 100, and has become a leader in the material-handling industry.

“My commitment to working collaboratively with all members of our organization to achieve our goals will allow us to continue the positive momentum that has been set in motion,” Will said. “I am grateful for the support I have received thus far and for all the employees that live out Maybury’s mission and vision in everything they do.”

Local Credit Unions Announce Record-setting Commitment to Solar Financing

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PIONEER VALLEY — As local leaders in renewable-energy financing, Franklin First Federal Credit Union and UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced unprecedented success in solar lending volume in 2023. Reflecting upon a record-setting year for both credit unions, during which UMassFive financed 1,272 installations totaling $50,923,810 and Franklin First financed 86 installations totaling $2,746,489, both organizations are reaffirming their dedication to facilitating sustainable futures through access to affordable financing options for solar-energy projects.

Continuing a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and community development, both Franklin First and UMassFive have been at the forefront of financing both local and regional solar projects for more than eight years. Offering competitive rates with flexible terms, no loan-origination fees, and personalized service, these financial institutions have empowered individuals and businesses to embrace clean-energy solutions and reduce their carbon footprint.

“Solar is an integral source of sustainable energy for our community,” said Michelle Dwyer, Franklin First president and CEO. “At Franklin First, we are proud to be able to offer funding through our solar loan program to the residents of Franklin County. For us, investing in solar energy means helping households offset energy costs, supporting small business solar contractors, and contributing to the betterment of our community through green energy.”

Rich Kump, UMassFive president and CEO, added that “sustainability is a core principle at UMassFive. We are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had in advancing solar-energy adoption within our local community, and especially for economically disadvantaged households. Our record-setting year in 2023 is a testament to the growing demand for renewable-energy financing and the effectiveness of our green lending programs in meeting those needs.”

While solar energy continues to gain momentum nationwide, both Franklin First and UMassFive look to remain synonymous with accessible financing options for solar projects of all sizes. “We’re just looking to do our part in helping Massachusetts meet its very ambitious climate goals,” Kump said.

In addition to lending solutions, both credit unions are dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and promoting sustainable practices within their communities. Offering educational initiatives, outreach programs, and community partnerships, the credit unions are working to inspire adoption of clean-energy solutions and take meaningful steps toward a greener future, all while knowing their collective efforts have helped individuals and businesses save on energy costs and contributed to a cleaner, healthier planet.

Richard Aldrich Joins Team at William Pitt Sotheby’s

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GREAT BARRINGTON — William Pitt Sotheby’s announced that Richard Aldrich has joined the company. He will work with Steven Weisz to expand the company’s current market leadership role in commercial property sales and leasing.

Aldrich has been in sales since 1971. As a real-estate broker in the Berkshires, he has become a leader in commercial property sales, leasing, and business brokerage. He has been involved with the sale of the Countryside Landscaping building in Williamstown, Camp Half Moon in Monterey, Country Curtains in Lee, and Patrick’s Pub in Pittsfield. He is currently representing the Fuel Coffee Shop and the Gorham & Norton Market.

Weisz has been in the commercial real-estate business since 1985, and has grown the commercial property business at William Pitt Sotheby’s. He is known for the sale of the Santarella Inn in Tyringham, the Custom Extrusion industrial campus in Sheffield, and the historic Baldwin Building in Great Barrington. He is currently representing the former Egremont Country Club, Hillsdale Supermarket, and Baba Louie’s Pizza.

“We are excited and proud of the partnership of Rich Aldrich and Steven Weisz,” said Stephanie McNair, Berkshire Brokerage manager at William Pitt Sotheby’s. “These two talented and experienced real-estate professionals are already the leaders in their field and will bring a higher level of service to the commercial, development, and business community.”

Nominations Sought for Pynchon Award

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SPRINGFIELD — The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts is seeking nominations from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties for the Pynchon Award, which recognizes area citizens who have rendered outstanding service to the community.

The Order of William Pynchon was established by the Advertising Club in 1915 to recognize and encourage individuals whose lives and achievements typified the ideals of promoting citizenship and the building of a better community in Western Mass. Past recipients include community volunteers, social activists, teachers, journalists, public servants, business leaders, philanthropists, historians, physicians, and war heroes — a diverse group united by their passion for this region. A complete list of recipients since 1915 can be found at www.adclubwm.org/pynchon-awards.

To nominate an individual, submit a letter explaining why the nominee should be considered. Be sure to include biographical information, outstanding accomplishments, examples of service to the community, organizations he or she is or has been active in, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least three people who can further attest to the nominee’s eligibility for induction into the Order of William Pynchon. The Pynchon trustees reserve the right to eliminate nominations from consideration due to insufficient information.

Qualifying nominees will be considered and researched by the Pynchon trustees, composed of the current and five past presidents of the Advertising Club. Nominations must be submitted by March 31 to William Pynchon Trustees, Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, P.O. Box 1022, West Springfield, MA 01090-1022 or by email to [email protected].

Pynchon medalists are chosen by unanimous decision of the Pynchon trustees. The 2024 recipients will be announced in June, with an awards ceremony tentatively scheduled for the fall.

Greenfield Cooperative Bank Welcomes Jacqueline Charron

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Daily News

Jackie Charron

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced the appointment of Jacqueline (Jackie) Charron as its new senior vice president of Strategy & Implementation.

Charron brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role. With nearly 40 years in the banking industry, she possesses a track record of leadership and innovation.

“Jackie’s extensive knowledge and proven ability to navigate complex transitions will make her an invaluable asset as we prepare for the upcoming regulatory changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA),” said Tony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank. “We welcome her insight as we continue to strengthen our commitment to our communities.”

Charron’s focus will be on navigating the evolving CRA landscape and ensuring the bank thrives under the new regulations. Additionally, she will lend her support across various initiatives within the bank. Her deep understanding of the banking industry is expected to be instrumental in driving the bank’s continued success and reaffirming its commitment to its customers and communities.

Holyoke Community College Welcomes New Veterans Benefits Counselor

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Derick Santos

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Derick Santos as its veterans-benefits and financial-aid counselor. He joined HCC on Jan. 22.

Originally from Lajas, Puerto Rico, Santos holds a bachelor’s degree in computational mathematics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he also worked in the Military and Veterans Services department for the university’s online campus. His father is an active-duty serviceman with the Puerto Rican National Guard.

In his new role, Santos is HCC’s school-certifying official and will process all benefits for U.S. veterans and military-affiliated students. He will also counsel prospective and returning students through the financial-aid process and serve as part of the counselor on-call rotation.

As such, he splits his office hours between the Bunker veterans resource center and study lounge in Donahue 105 (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings) and the Financial Aid office on the second floor of the Frost Building (Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays, and Fridays). The Bunker is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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