LEE REICH: Seeking the woodsy aroma of balsam, F2
lee reich | In the Garden
Quest for a balsamy winter
AH, TO SIT BY THE FIRE ON A cold winter’s eve. The fire’s warmth suffuses me with somnolence and drives into the air a resinous, woodsy aroma from my fresh cut balsam fir branches draped about the room or steaming on the woodstove.
Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) would be an oddity amongst my plants. Here in the colder part of Zone 5, blackberries and some of my grapes have been pushed to their northern limits. Balsam fir would be unique in being a plant pushed to its southern limit. Most of my plants require well-drained soils. Balsam fir grows in well-drained soil, but it also will grow in swampy land, even very acidic (pH 5.0-6.0), swampy land.
Balsam fir is native from northern
GARDEN NOTES
STOCKBRIDGE
Upcoming program at Berkshire Botanical Garden
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program: Friday, Jan. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., “The Business of Gardening.” The most stressful question for the garden designer/gardener is “how much should I charge?” Learn how to value your work, estimate supplies, and strategize the overall proposal to avoid under or overcharging clients in this one-day class. Also learn about staffing, management and incorporating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Taught by Tom Smith of Springfield Technical Community College. Cost $90 members, $120 nonmembers; To register or for more information, visit www.berkshire botanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
SPRINGFIELD
2025 Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl
Poster contest
The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts together
New England to the tundra and mountaintops further south. I live in lowland. In those cold, moist locales where they are native, the trees grow slowly to become dense, pyramidal spires 50 feet tall with dark, shiny green, flattened needles. (Flattened needles are one way to distinguish firs from spruces, Picea species, which have rounded needles.)
Long ago I realized that it might be too hot here in summer to grow balsam fir. Numerous books that I consulted warned about the futility of trying to grow balsam fir where it’s not native. Excessive heat would cause the needles to fall prematurely, leaving the tree, after a few decades, thinned out and unkempt. The prognosis for successful growing of balsam fir here seemed slim.
with the USDA, Forest Service and National Garden Clubs, Inc., are giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl. Children from first through fifth grade are invited to participate in this annual drawing contest featuring conservation icons Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. Individual children can enter but groups, clubs and schools are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to impress upon their members or students the importance of taking a personal role in preventing wildfires or conserving natural resources.
Posters are to be completed by individual students, have correct spelling and all posters must feature Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl. Smokey Bear posters must include Smokey’s wildfire prevention message: Only You Can Prevent Wildfires! Woodsy Owl posters must include Woodsy’s conservation messages: Give-A-Hoot, Don’t Pollute or Lend a Hand - Care for the Land. Complete rules including size requirements, allowed materials and other important contest rules can be found on the GCFM website at www.gcfm.org/ngc-youthcontests.
Being a member of a garden club is not a requirement, but all contest entrants must be sponsored by a GCFM recognized local garden club. Entries must be submitted to the sponsoring club by Jan. 10, 2025. For more information or to connect with a recognized garden club contact Mary Bandouveres at gcfmyouthcontests@gmail. com
Springfield Garden Club upcoming gardening series
The Springfield Garden Club will host “Year Round Color in the Garden: Horticultural Workshops,” a series of three classes for anyone interested in year-round interest in their yards and gardens. The programs will be held at 2 p.m. on three Sundays in January and February.
Sunday, Jan. 26 will kick off the series with the class “Some of the Best Perennials and Shrubs for Seasonal Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall and even Winter!” Wondering what to plant? How to layer them for best effect? This hands-on workshop has you evaluating a wide variety of new and triedand-true plants for the unique needs of your yard. Led by Vana Nespor, District Director, Garden Club Federation of
MA.
Sunday, Feb. 9 is “Trees that Bring Joy all Year Long” Looking to plant and care for a small tree that you will enjoy yearround? Learn which small trees bring joy to both you and the wildlife around you. Where best to place them, and learn how to make sure they survive in our changing climate. Led by Alex Sherman, Tree Warden and City Forester for Springfield. Sunday, Feb. 23 is “Landscaping for Year-Round Beauty” Want to enjoy your garden more in the spring, summer, fall, and winter? Learn how to design a garden that showcases vibrant color and fascinating textures that make it shine in every season. The classes will be held in the Old Monkey House, in Forest Park on Sumner Ave. The fee is $10 per class and tickets are available at the door, on Eventbrite, by emailing spfldgardenclub@gmail.com or by calling 413-285-3163. For more information on this and other Springfield Garden Club events, go online to www. gcfm.org/springfieldgarden club or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/SpringfieldMAGarden Club.
Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication.
Sweet gum is one of many plants with the aroma or name of balsam. (LEE REICH PHOTO)
SEE REICH, PAGE F4
Find out where your firewood comes from to prevent the spread of invasive pests
By Jessica Damiano Associated Press
CRACKLING FIRES
have long been a gathering place where idyllic chestnuts are roasted, stories shared and souls warmed, whether around a hearth or at a campsite. Some folks cut their own wood and let it season, but most buy their wood without much thought about where it came from.
As it happens, where our firewood comes from matters a lot.
The U.S. National Parks Service recommends getting firewood within 10 (and never
more than 50) miles of its destination. Transporting it longer distances — from your home to a campsite or from a farm to your home, for instance — significantly increases the chances of introducing invasive pests into the local ecosystem. And those pests can inflict devastating damage on local forests.
In my suburban New York region, for instance, pests like the Asian long-horned beetle, emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly and the oak wilt fungal disease are major concerns. Moving untreated firewood from my town to yours could make our problem
your problem.
To help prevent this, many states have passed laws against moving untreated wood more than 50 miles from where it was cut or across state lines, unless the package bears a state or federal stamp or seal certifying that it’s been heat-treated to kill pests.
Even seasoned wood can harbor pests, which often hide in layers beneath the bark, where they’re hard to spot. While these pests can’t travel far on their own, giving them a lift on firewood can enable them to start a new infestation in a faraway place.
This Dec. 20, 2024, image provided by Jessica Damiano shows a package of firewood for sale on Long Island, N.Y., bearing a seal certifying the wood has been heat-treated to kill insects and diseases that could otherwise threaten trees and shrubs.
(PHOTO/COVER PHOTO BY JESSICA DAMIANO VIA AP)
So, I looked into getting my balsamy aromas elsewhere. Many plants yield “true” balsam, an aroma based on resins or oleoresins containing benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, or both. It’s too cold here, though, to grow most plants with this true balsam aroma: Balsam of Peru and Balsam of Tolu, from Myroxylon pereirae and M. balsamum, respectively, both trees of Central America; and liquid storax, a balsam from Liquidambar orientalis, a tree of Asia Minor, or from the Javanese plant Altingia excelsa.
One plant that is hardy here and does yield true balsam is sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), which yields a balsam known as liquidambar, or copal, balsam. One problem with sweetgum is that it’s not an evergreen, so would not fill the bill for aromatic, winter greenery. A very pretty tree, though. I emphasized “true” balsam above because there are other balsams that are something less than “true,” which means they lack both benzoic and cinnamic acids. Balsam fir, whose balsam goes under the names of Canada balsam or Canada turpentine, does not yield a true balsam.
Two other less-than-true balsams are Balm of Gilead (Mecca balsam), from the Middle Eastern plant Commiphora opobalsamum, and Gurjun balsam, from Indian species of Dipterocarpus. Here, cold would snuff out the life of either of these two plants.
The question of winter survival is a moot point for
annual plants, and there are two annuals with “balsam” in their name. One of these is garden balsam, Impatiens balsamina, a relative of impatiens. I’ve occasionally grown this very pretty, old-fashioned annual, but don’t recall any woody, resinous odor.
Another balsam is balsam apple, Momordia balsamina, a vining cucumber relative which produces gherkin-shaped, yellowish red “apples.” I’ve never grown balsam apple, but doubt it has the desired aroma. None of its relatives that I have met — winter squashes, summer squashes, gourds, pumpkins, and luffas — have any odor of balsam.
So where did this leave me for my balsamy winter greenery? Eighty years ago, I could have just gone out and bought a Christmas tree. Balsam fir was the most popular Christmas tree until the 1930s. Then, its general popularity was superseded by Scotch pine, which grows faster and holds its needles better.
Almost 30 years ago, the poor prognosis notwithstanding, I went ahead and planted a few foot-high balsam fir seedlings in a partly shaded rear portion of my yard. The soil there is rich and perfectly drained.
Trees took well to their new home. Unfortunately, our puppy Stick liked to play with the trees, not to their benefit. Fortunately, one tree, beyond his leash, escaped his antics. That tree is still alive, actually more than alive. I can cut all the aromatic branches I want from this robust, now 36-foot-high tree!
Come visit my farmden at http://leereich.com.
Firewood
This isn’t speculation. Past invaders have already decimated native species like the American chestnut, hemlock and American elm.
What’s more, buying local firewood can help protect your garden, too — and your wallet. Infested or diseased trees can have a negative effect on property values. They’re also costly to remove. Plus, no one wants to see the landscape they’ve worked so hard to create fall victim to hitchhiking pests.
The Don’t Move Firewood campaign, an outreach partnership managed by The Nature Conservancy, aims to protect North American trees and forests from invasive insects and diseases that can travel with firewood. You can do your part simply by making informed choices.
Tips from the Don’t Move Firewood campaign to help keep trees safe • Get firewood close to home. The best rule of thumb is to buy it within the same county, or no more than 50 miles from where you’ll be burning it. Consult the campaign’s Firewood Map for your state’s regulations.
Home Finder
Here’s where you can buy a Frank Lloyd Wright home for a ‘bargain’
By D evin A nderson-Torrez danderson-torrez@mlive.com
ARCHITECT FRANK LLOYD
Wright’s style was always one with the land he built on.
The Winn House, located at 2822 Taliesin Dr. in Kalamazoo, Michigan is no exception.
The 1950 Usonian home, listed for $1.3 million by Jaqua Realtors, utilizes the hill the home sits on in the Parkwyn Village neighborhood.
Half the home sits atop the hill, while the other half uniquely slopes down with the help of a foundational support wall. Both sides are connected by a wonderful four seasons patio that runs the length of the home.
The patio is highlighted by a series
of glass panels that create a glass wall overlooking the nature and lake outside.
Light pours into the room at all times of the year.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,469-square-foot home described in the listing as “an exquisite Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece that epitomizes the fusion of art and architecture” is House of the Week for MLive, a sister publication of MassLive.
Jaqua Realtor Fred Taber said that Lloyd Wright built this home with no intention, or designated space, for televisions.
The home in and of itself is an art piece, worthy of admiring year-round.
A look at historic architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Winn House, located at 2822 Taliesin Dr. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The home is currently on the market with over $800,000 in restorations. (PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAQUA REALTORS)
A look at historic architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Winn House, located at 2822 Taliesin Dr. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The home is currently on the market with over $800,000 in restorations. (PHOTO PROVIDED BY
Wright
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F8
From above, it appears as a semi-circle.
Each of the homes Frank Lloyd Wright built in Kalamazoo contains a great deal of architectural history, tied into the foundation of the city itself.
The Taliesin home is one of eight Usonians he built in Kalamazoo — tied to the founding of Upjohn (now Pfizer).
Taber said Kalamazoo is the best place to buy a Lloyd Wright home.
“If you want to own a Frank Lloyd Wright home in this country, Kalamazoo
Firewood
• Don’t be fooled by “clean” firewood. Just because it looks healthy doesn’t mean it’s pest-free. Tiny eggs or fungal spores may be hidden within the wood, ready to start a deadly infestation when they’re transported to a new location. Don’t bring your backyard firewood with you, even if it looks OK.
• Aged or seasoned wood isn’t safe. Even if it’s been sitting around for a while, moving it is still risky.
• If you’ve moved firewood, burn it soon. If you’ve already transported firewood, dispose of it safely by
is the best bargain,” Taber said. “The homes are great. They’ve been overlooked.”
An archive of correspondence between the architect and the original owners can be found at Columbia University, Taber said.
The Winn House is currently the cheapest Lloyd Wright Usonian build in America at $1.3 million. A recent trend with Wright homes has been to restore, not renovate, to the initial vision that the architect had when he designed it.
In 2019, the previous owners put $800,000 into doing just that.
That included a complete restoration of all the wood,
SEE WRIGHT, PAGE F14
burning it completely and thoroughly. Clean up the area afterward, then burn the debris. Going forward, purchase only from local suppliers.
• Spread the word. Tell your friends about the risks of moving firewood — no one wants to be the one who unknowingly spreads invasive pests.
Finally, before building any outdoor fires, be sure to check for local restrictions.
Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up for weekly gardening tips and advice online at jessica damiano.com/newsletter.
JAQUA REALTORS)
terry & kim kovel | Antiques & Collecting
Contemporary glass pieces are often a bargain
GLASS CAN BE EXtremely difficult to identify and date. Fortunately for collectors, the vase pictured here is signed and dated: Lundberg Studios, 1977. Lundberg Studios, founded in 1970 and still active, makes iridescent glass with shapes and patterns reminiscent of famous art glass makers like Tiffany. They are not copies or reproductions but contemporary pieces taking inspiration from older styles. When it comes to contemporary glass (which Kovels defines as glass made after about 1970), the highest prices usually go to sculptural, avant-garde pieces made with unconventional techniques; simpler, more traditional pieces can be bargains. For example, this vase at Rivich Auction sold for $94 — a fraction of the value of similar-looking vases from the art nouveau and art deco eras of the early 20th century. But remember, all it takes for a contemporary piece to become an antique is time.
Q. I want to know the value of these Tropicana Hotel Las Vegas silver charms. One is listed on eBay for $129.99 the other for $54.99. The only difference I can see is that the $129.99 charm has a tag on it that reads “Las Vegas Nevada.” Both have a mark on the bottom that reads “sterling.” That is the only mark.
A. Sellers can list their items on eBay for any price, but that doesn’t mean they will get customers who pay that price. Online sellers may have to lower their asking prices or accept a customer’s best offer. To get a better idea of an item’s value, search for sold prices on eBay (use the Advanced Search page and click the box for “Sold Items”). There are some collectors’
clubs that specialize in Las Vegas memorabilia. For more information, you may want to contact the Casino Collectibles Association ccgtcc.com. Don’t forget about crossover appeal! Many collectibles fit into more than one category, which can increase their desirability (and value). Hotel charms like these may also interest collectors of vintage jewelry, travel souvenirs and advertising.
Q. I have three antique chairs. There are a rush seat rocking chair and a rush seat chair that are 105 years old in very good condition. They were given to my grandparents as a wedding gift in February 1919. The other is a Kennedy rocker that my mother had for approximately 50 years. I am wondering what is
the value of these chairs; especially the rush seat 105-year-old chairs.
A. The 105-year-old chairs come from the Golden Oak furniture period. This was one of the first types of mass-produced furniture. Despite the name, furniture from this period was not only made of oak. Combinations of woods were used. Rush seat chairs from this period usually sell for about $50 to $150 each.
The Kennedy rocker is named after John F. Kennedy, who had about 14 rockers specially made for the White House by P & P Chair Company of Asheboro, North Carolina. Many other companies made rockers in a similar style, which sell for about $100 to $200 today.
TIP: To remove the remains of masking tape and labels from glass, rub the
CURRENT PRICES
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
Jewelry, earrings, iridescent pink center stone, pearl and aurora borealis rhinestone surround, gold tone, clip-on, Schiaparelli, 1 1/4 inches, $60.
Copeland Spode, Plate, dinner, Reynolds, multicolor, fruit bowl, flowers, 10 1/2 inches, 15 pieces, $110. Textile, weaving, pictorial, bear, stylized, red, white beaded trim, dark blue ground, red side borders, Tlingit, 20th century, 38 x 36 inches, $160.
Furniture, desk, postcard, wicker, painted, green, solid top, openwork frieze and skirt, X-shape stretcher base, 1920s, 36 x 28 x 22 inches, $185. Sewing, lacemaker’s lamp, whale oil, pewter, two lenses, stepped round foot, early 1800s, 9 inches, $220.
spot with WD-40 lubricating and penetrating oil.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels. com.
Enamel, vase, champleve, multicolor, raised flowers and leaves, elephant’s head handles, ebonized wood base, Chinese, c. 1870, 18 inches, $280.
Print, Parrish, Romance, mountain landscape with castles, carved wood frame, The House Of Art, N.Y., c. 1924, 25 x 16 inches, $530.
Libbey, compote, amberina, panel optic, ruffled rim, spool connector, round foot, alexandrite edge, signed, late 1800s, 8 x 12 inches, $560.
Silver plate, champagne bucket, engraved shield, Dom Perignon, repousse grapevine rim, ring handles, marked, Etain, France, 20th century, 9 x 13 1/2 inches, $1,080.
Hampshire pottery, lamp, kerosene, dome shade, matte green, pink flowers, stylized leafy border, squat base, electrified, marked, c. 1910, 20 1/2 x 11 inches, $1,510.
Art glass isn’t always antique. This vase made by Lundberg Studios in the 1970s combines classic techniques with modern sensibilities. (RIVICH AUCTION)
Average rate on 30-year mortgage climbs to 6.85%, highest since July
Bond yields
continue to rise
By M att O tt Associated Press
The average rate on a 30year mortgage in the U.S. rose for the second week in a row to its highest level since mid-July, reflecting a recent jump in the bond yields that lenders use as a guide to price home loans.
The rate rose to 6.85% from 6.72% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the
Deeds
AGAWAM
rate on a 30-year mortgage averaged 6.61%.
The average rate on a 30year mortgage is now the highest it’s been since the week of July 11, when it was at 6.89%. It dipped as low as 6.08% in September — a 2-year low — and as high as 7.22% in May, Most economists forecast the average rate on a 30-year mortgage to remain above 6% next year, with some including an upper range as high as 6.8%. That range would be largely in line with where rates have hovered this year.
Carol Popovich to Ralph A. Santaniello III, 4 Mansion Woods Drive, Unit A, $275,000.
Jason Hutchins and Laura Hutchins to Angel Candelaria Gonzalez and Jazmin Figueroa Ruiz, 16 Brookside Drive, $475,000.
Joseph A. Dupelle to Laurie A. Brunelle, 28 Roosevelt Ave., $289,900.
Linda J. Lazarus to Jerome Richard, 0 Mill Street, $600,000.
Lisa R. DePalma to Multi-Cultural Community Services of The Pioneer Valley Inc., 86 South Westfield St., $475,000.
AMHERST
Ellen S. O’Rourke to U&A LLC, 502 Main St., $575,000.
Susan L. Karlin and Martin B. Karlin to Susan L. Karlin, trustee, Martin B. Karlin, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Susan L. Karlin, 7 Baldwin Lane, $100.
Nancy A. Posner to Nancy A. Posner, trustee, and Nancy A. Posner Revocable Trust, 377 Pelham Road, $100.
Margaret R. Alperstein and David N. Alperstein to Jordan L. Menter, 28 Salem Place, $195,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Wicked Deals LLC, to Fasm Homes LLC, 571 Federal St., $169,900.
James Handzel and Mary Handzel to North Main Street Properties LLC, 30-32 North Main St., $100.
Bonnie S. McIntosh to Kevin M. Ridz and Kenneth G. Ridz, 101 Howard St., $375,000.
James McIsaac and Pamela McIsaac to Peter J. Klimoski, 240 North Washington St., $317,500.
Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan at a lower rate, also rose this week. The average rate increased to 6% from 5.92% last week. A year ago, it averaged 5.93%, Freddie Mac said.
Elevated mortgage rates and rising home prices have kept homeownership out of reach of many would-be homebuyers.
While sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in November for the second straight month, the housing
BRIMFIELD
Best Investment Properties LLC, to Cara Ann Sweet, 60 Oakwood Road, $385,000.
Jewel Real Estate Inc., to Richard M. Vernon, trustee, and Richard M. Vernon Living Trust, trustee of, Haynes Hill Road, $169,000.
Roy B. Ferrell and Joanne M. Ferrell to Andrew Wilson and Olivia E. Wilson, 81 Haynes Hill Road, $562,000.
BUCKLAND
Ellen Kaufmann and Marc Kaufmann to John Lauricella, 167 East Buckland Road, $91,000.
CHESTER
David O. Cowles and Brian Kopinto to Raymond Edward Labrecque Jr., and Gail Marie Labrecque, 626 Route 20, $395,000.
Melodie A. Mazzaferro and Holly L. Whitaker to Brandon T. Smith, 59 Middlefield Road, $210,000.
Raymond E. Labrecque Jr., and Gail M. Labrecque to Joseph J. Sitler, 483 Skyline Trail, $295,000.
CHICOPEE
Allan J. Ouellet to Sylvie Bellefeuille, 19 Maplecrest Circle, Unit 10, $420,000.
Connor K. Kennedy and Linsey M. Kennedy to Silvana Valentina Rua, 311 Montgomery St., $278,000.
David A. Ryan and Beth A. Hennihan to Mariel Mojena Martinez, 28 Royal St., $285,000.
Edward E. Boisvert to Nathan Roy, 137 Horseshoe Drive, Unit 6125B, $190,000.
Jinelsis Marie Ortiz-Vega to Gisselle Villegas, 970-972 Chicopee St., $370,000.
Joseph Pasternak Jr., to Charles Swider, Terimar Street, $105,000.
Matthew P. Gatzounas and Kimberly A. Gatzounas to Jinelsis Marie Ortiz-Vega, 11
market remains in a slump and on track for its worst year since 1995.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including the moves in the yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds.
Bond yields climbed last week after the Federal Reserve signaled that it will likely deliver fewer cuts to rates next year than it forecast just a few months ago. While the central bank doesn’t set mortgage rates, its actions and the trajectory of inflation influence the moves in the 10year Treasury yield.
The biggest wildcard for mortgage rates next year is whether President-elect Donald Trump’s policy initiatives will contribute to higher inflation and swell the national debt, which could keep mortgage rates elevated. That’s because what happens with inflation, the U.S. deficit and the economy can have an effect on the 10-year Treasury yield.
The yield, which was below 3.7% as recently as September, was at 4.61% in midday trading Thursday.
Gilbert Ave., $425,000.
Melissa Griffith-Joe, trustee, and Griffith Family Trust, trustee of, to Licy E. Cruz-Denunez, 326-328 East St., $360,000.
Michel Charest to Owen F. Connolly Jr., 10 Fairview Village Court, Unit 13, $385,000.
Raymond A. Perreault, Donna T. Perreault, Larissa B. Roy, Larissa B. Perreault and Kevin Roy to Stacyann Bailey, 10 Frederick St., $387,000.
Torre Hanson Properties LLC, to JPN Properties LLC, 223 Skeele St., $385,000.
COLRAIN
Joseph Mursko and Eric M. Nelson to Ingrid R. Kuhlka and Brian S. Sullivan, 64 Ed Clark Road. $470,000.
Alicia A. Bauer, “fka” Alicia A. Vight, and Ryan M. Bauer to Charlotte Park, 120 Main Road, $245,000.
Jennifer G. Bray, personal representative of the Estate of Albert G. Consoletti, to Derick Call and Emily Silva, 8 Calvin Coombs Road, $357,000.
CONWAY
Margaret A. Tiley to Katherine Emma Anderson and Steven James O’Neill Jr., 69 Bond St., $418,000.
CUMMINGTON
Jane Fischer to Leslie Ferrin, 52 Main St., $100.
DEERFIELD
Cheryl Gilli, conservator for Linda Dumas, “aka” Linda M. Dumas to Christine L. Beausoleil, trustee of the Christine L. Beausoleil Declaration of Trust, and Michael J. Beausoleil, trustee of the Michael J. Beausoleil Declaration of Trust, 520 River Road, $420,000.
James R. Talbot and Nancy E. Talbot to Joshua R. Kicza and Kristine Elizabeth Kicza,
65 Sand Gully Road, $800,000.
James R. Talbot and Nancy E. Talbot to Joshua R. Kicza and Kristine Elizabeth Kicza, Sand Gully Road, $50,000.
Jenna Hartwright and Benjamin M. Wadham, “aka” Benjamin Wadham, trustees of Jenna Hartwright Residential Trust to James R. Talbot, Nancy E. Talbot and Nicole R. Warren, 5 Pocumtuck Drive, $1,225,000.
Judith A. Phillips, “aka” Judith Ann Phillips, and Philip Martin Phillips, trustees of the Phillips Investment Trust, to Matthew Woods and Tricia Woods, 25 Mountain Road, $575,000.
Edward A. Johnson to EDS Enterprises LLC, 58 Hoosac Road, $210,000.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Angelo Deguglielmo Jr., to Springhouse Properties LLC, 29 Melvin Ave., $205,000.
Ann O. Taffe, Ann L. Abbasy and John F. Taffe to Paul Douglas McDonald and Patricia McDonald, 332 Pinehurst Drive, $449,000.
Daniel B. Casey to Deborah E. Bushnell, 29 Newbury Ave., $61,125.
Felicia Buendo and Christopher Buendo to Jill C. Shaw, 25 Crescent Hill, $410,000.
Jacqueline M. Chapdelaine, trustee, Diane M. Daley, trustee, and Jacqueline M. Chapdelaine Trust, trustee of, to Christine Kervian, 34 Westernview Circle, $419,000.
Michael Kane to Steven Richard Page and Jessica Lynn Paige, Favorite Lane, Lot 3, $270,000.
Rachel M. Romano and Timothy B. Thompson to Kristina Bazarian, 44 Taylor St., $303,500.
EASTHAMPTON
Steven McCafferty and Mary Beth Phair to Thaddeus Bennett and George Connell, 29 Lazy D Drive, $535,000.
Deeds
Lloyd D. Sullivan and Becky A. Sullivan to Rebecca C. Weber, 8 Wright St., $451,000.
Ryna Karowski, Ryna Russell and Gary Karowski to Laura Wallis and Lisa Ellingsen, 25 Paul St., $625,000.
Evelyn Billings, trustee, Billings Family Trust, Evelyn Billings, Evelyn D. Billings, trustee, and Evelyn D. Billings to Edward A. Palmer and Lucinda A. Palmer, 359 Main St., $620,000.
Audrey A. Morse-Drouin and Audrey Anne Morse to Caitlin Kobylarz, 41 South St., $268,500.
Sabina Mahoney, Sabina Lerch and Ryan Mahoney to Benjamin Charles Drake, 28 East Green St., $375,000.
ERVING
Jamie L. Wills to Madysen Bailey and Austin Blair. 9 Central Street. $325,000.
Christopher Mason to Constance J. Hall and David R. Hall, 20 East Main St., $125,000.
GRANBY
LSR & DDS Associates Inc., to Merrill Holdings LLC, 161 West State St., $500,000.
Andrea DiPietro and Kaylie E. DiPietro to Jerremy Rorick, 110 Munsing Ridge Road, $699,900.
Denise A. Dulude to Richard E. Murphy, 39 Harris St., $130,000.
Joseph E. Denette Jr., to Sylvia Palko and William A. Palko, 76 East St., $475,000.
Ellen Kosmer, personal representative, and Linda Honan, estate, to Noah Castonguay, 539 Amherst Road, $265,000.
GREENFIELD
Steven N. Lorenz to Troy C. Skalski. Bungalow Avenue. $62,000.
Edwin W. McGowan and Jean R. McGowan, trustees of the McGowan Investment Trust, Alan D. McClelland and James F. McClelland to Walter Kim Boas and Leslie Smith, 781 Colrain Road, $490,000.
Pamela J. Vigneault and Marcia L. Vincent, trustees of the Richard J. Vincent and Margaret A. Vincent Real Estate Trust, to Rachel Keenan Roberts, 663 Leyden Road, $470,000.
Robert P. Kalish to Samantha C. Pelis, 504 Lampblack Road, $625,000.
Adam Z. Daniere, personal representative of the Estate of Andre L. Daniere, to Hannah Schwartz, 82
Meridian St., $347,000. Rural Homes LLC, to Amy L. Hillock, 42 Cleveland St., $200,000.
Town Fair Tire Centers of Massachusetts LLC, to Giancola Bros. Inc., 10 Silver St., $2,930,769.
HADLEY
Susan N. Pawlishen, Lucas M. Abbott and Lucy M. Abbott to Susan N. Pawlishen and Lucas M. Abbott, 233 Bay Road, $100.
HAMPDEN
Bedrock Financial LLC, trustee, and Cumberland Blues Realty Trust, trustee of, to Indika Hemachandra Beliatta Gamage Don and Sithari Udeshika Halapiti Paththinige, 97 Chapin Road, $731,500.
Deborah Slaven, representative, and Susan C. Donoghue, estate, to Ethan Lemus, 542 Glendale Road, $610,000.
Paul D. McDonald and Patricia E. McDonald to Devan K. Beane and Adrienne R. Beane, 46 Evergreen Terrace, $500,000.
HATFIELD
Gary V. Galvagni and Dianne A. Galvagni to 9 West Group LLC, 9 West St., $850,000.
HEATH
Douglas E. Root to Bette J. Manter and Alan J. Revering, 1 Flagg Hill Road, $215,000.
HOLLAND
Kimberly A. Elie, Kimberly A. Dewey and Eugene Elie to Lucia Benevides, 65 N Wales Road, $437,000.
Rose Ann Lauria to Nicholas Curboy, 25 Forest Drive, $350,000.
HOLYOKE
Abriele Angelique L. Guaren and Kryzl Debonny G. Ponce to Lisa A. Dube, 342 Apremont Highway, $335,000.
Eddie Rivera to Bonvouloir Block LLC, 103-109 High St., $650,000.
Gallagher Capital Group LLC, to Fariba Ghayebi, 24 Maple Crest Circle, Unit K, $209,000.
James J. Kennedy, representative, and James F. Kennedy, estate, to Casiano Towing LLC, 530 Maple St., $200,000.
Keith Parent, representative, and Sandra A. Parent, estate, to Nancy Goulding, 347 Westfield Road, $290,000.
Kim A. Grassfield, estate, and Paul Grassfield, representative, to Daniel F. O’Sullivan, 21 Canby St., $238,000.
Librado Perez Jr., to Sarah Ricketts, 403-405 S. Elm St., $127,000.
HUNTINGTON
U.S.A. Housing & Urban Development to Karen Marsian, Michael M. Sweeney, Kevin M. Sweeney and Mark M. Sweeney, 6 Maple St., $119,900.
LEVERETT
Scott D. Nickerson, trustee of the Scott D. Nickerson Revocable Trust, to Matthew P. Biskup and Danielle L. Teitelbaum, 430 Long Plain Road, $462,000.
LONGMEADOW
Christine A. Kervian and Jill C. Shaw to Timothy B. Thompson and Rachel M. Romano, 6 Meadowbrook Road, $520,000.
Kim C. Achatz to Kayla R. Knotts and Samantha L. Knotts, 407 Wolf Swamp Road, $478,000.
Thomas E. Fitzgerald Jr., and Kathleen A. Fitzgerald to Blake C. Jones, 577 Converse St., $480,000.
Thomas W. Barney, trustee, and Thomas W. Barney 2020 Trust, trustee of, to Matthew Pellegrino and Laura Brathwaite, 717 Laurel St., $450,000.
LUDLOW
Antonio Vital and Anna D. Vital to Sydney H. Zadworny, 99 East Akard St., $320,000.
Francis Lapierre and Marie Lapierre to Diana Learned, 98 Letendre Ave., $230,000.
Green Fields Inc., to Linda Rodrigues and Brenda M. Glennie, Knollwood Road, Lot 93, $135,000. Jasca Group LLC, to Brandon J. Teixeira, Brook Street, Lot 3, $240,000.
Jason P. Hewes and Jennifer R. Hewes to Fredrick A. Gluszek II, and Kathryn Blanchard, 111 Fox Run Drive, $725,000.
John Pereira, Joyce Cain, Lynn Ann Santos, Hazel Mazzuco, Derrick K. Thompson, representative, Emily C. Thompson, estate, and Emily Thompson, estate, to Shannon J. Cain, 805 Center St., $245,000.
Joseph Ferrara to Sabrina Guido and Francisco Sanchez-Perez, 183 Lakeview Ave., $305,000.
Mark P. Russell to Elvis Malave, 47 Barre Drive, $365,000.
Michael Pagliuca to Guy R. North, 32 Hampshire St., $285,000.
Richard J. Hoey and Cheryl A. Hoey to Michael V. Dias and Alyssa J. Coelho, 52 Emma Way, $522,500.
TML Realty LLC, to TAL LLC, 6-8 Fuller St., $300,000.
MIDDLEFIELD
Martin A. Main and Crystal L. Main to Tam Properties LLC, 32 Bell Road, $330,000.
MONROE
Richard L. Olney-Jones and Trevor L. Olney-Jones, trustees of the Olney-Jones Family Trust, to David A. Husted and Alison M. Husted, trustees of the David A. Husted Trust, and David A. Husted and Alison M. Husted, trustees of the Alison M. Husted Trust, 83 North Road, $750,000.
MONSON
Bukowski Construction LLC, to Roy Ferrell and Joanne Ferrell, 46 Palmer Road, Unit 7, $486,000.
Diane M. Lord to Chance Gilman, 67 Bethany Road, $225,000.
Seattle Bank to Nicholas Truax, 196 Munn, $191,000.
MONTAGUE
Joseph P. Burek to Michael E. Henry, South Prospect Street, $6,000.
Gary W. Smith and Julie M. Smith to First Generation Investments Group LLC, 10-12 H Street, $20,000.
NEW SALEM
W. D. Cowls Inc. to Lyme Quabbin LLC, Horton Road, $1,589,920
NORTHAMPTON
Emily F. Lash to Andrew Lee Grim and Patricia Jean Potter, 21 Dickinson St., $499,000.
Meghan Kathleen Tobin, personal representative, Peter Gerard Tobin, estate, and Peter G. Tobin, estate, to Hannah Ballantine, 46 Evergreen Road, $229,000.
Robert Clayton to Legacy Counsellors, P.C., trustee, and Robert Clayton Irrevocable Trust, 26 Howes St., $100.
Joshua Schulman to Alex Edmund Navarro, 322 South St., $360,000.
Theresa M. Leary to Christopher F. Carlton and Caroline E. White, 407 Fairway Village, $370,000.
Michael G. Reagan, Julie A. Jyringi and Julie A. Reagan to Leonardo Arcotta and Sarah Arcotta, 19 Ladyslipper Lane, $690,000.
Andrew Adams, trustee, Joya Adams, trustee, and Adams Realty Trust to 183-187 Main LLC, 183-187 Main St., $1,000,000.
NORTHFIELD
Eric Seaholm and Jeannette
Seaholm to Alexandra Taylor Chapley and Joshua Chapley, 580 Mount Hermon Station Road, $330,000.
ORANGE
Jay Guilmette and Martha Guilmette to Katrina Lynne-Marie Gomez, 189 Prentiss St., $344,900. W. D. Cowls Inc., to Lyme Quabbin LLC, Horton Road, $1,589,920.
Jefferson J. Lett to William A. Shattuck IV, 46-48 Kelton St., $334,900.
PALMER
15 Lathrop Street LLC, to Konrad Lewandowski and Hannah Jeffrey, 15 Lathrop St., $245,000.
Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Amenadiel Realty Trust, trustee of, to Mark P. Russell, 4079 Pleasant St., $530,000.
Jennifer Caron and Jennifer L. Bolduc to Richard Turnbull and Michelle Turnbull, 4 Norbell St., $362,850.
Jose E. Gonzalez Marti and Jessica G. Lopez to Scott Casey, 1550-1552 North Main St., $380,000.
Lauri Cotela, trustee, and Lauri Cotela Trust 2022, trustee of, to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and A-0-K Realty Trust, trustee of, Burlingame Road, $250,000.
Lauri Cotela, trustee, Lauri Cotela Trust 2002, trustee of, and Lauri Cotela Trust 2022, trustee of, to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Waiwai Realty Trust, trustee of, Burlingame Road, $30,000.
Pamela A. Salvas to Joseph Derry, 1010 Oak St., $217,000.
Patricia A. Bradley, executor, Florence W. Kott, executor, and Florence W. Trzepacz, executor, to Brittany Ann North and Rudolph S. Marek IV, 89 Robinson Road, $225,000.
Roger Parker to Thomas Silvio Alimberti and Jenna Lorraine Alimberti, 1142-1144 Park St., $313,775.
PELHAM
Brenda G. Crowley and Peter D. Crowley to Tracy L. Crane and David John Mazzarese, 144 North Valley Road, $677,500.
SHELBURNE
Wendy Wood Sacmisch-Hannigan, trustee of the Sacmisch-Hannigan Investment Trust to Acorn Holdings LLC. 9-11 Mechanic St., $395,000.
SHUTESBURY
Stephen F. Roy to Sarah Johnson Montross, 52 Lakeview Road, $365,000.
Deeds
SOUTH HADLEY
Marcia Diane Russell to Kristen Nolan, 20 Lawrence Ave., $245,000.
Susan J. Katz, Susan J. Katz, personal representative, Lawrence B. Katz, Lawrence B. Katz, personal representative, Lila Katz, estate, and Lila H. Katz, estate, to Thomas Lenkowski and Sharyl S. Lenkowski, 6 Strong Farm Lane, $501,000.
Peter Laramee, Cindylee M. Laramee and Cindy Lee M. Laramee to Marvin R. Valencia Perez, 18 Willimansett St., $417,500.
Molly Mangan to Jessica J. DiPietro, 26-28 Pleasant St., $318,000.
Sylvie M. Bellefeuille to Jason P. Hewes and Jennifer R. Hewes, 12 Stonegate Drive, $589,900.
Thy M. Nguyen and Thy M. Nguyen-Draper to Kevin P. Warwick, trustee, and Kristen M. Warwick Supplemental Needs Trust, 41 West Summit St., $225,000.
Brittany Josephson, Brittany K. Josephson, Sampson Whitney and Sampson A. Whitney to Sampson A. Whitney, 59 Westbrook Road, $100.
SOUTHAMPTON
Richard P. Gwinner, personal representative, and Ronald D. Gwinner, estate, to 28 Cook Road LLC, 28 Cook Road, $200,000.
Bruce A. Kay and Eugenia Kay to James E. Jacobson and Melody Rae Jacobson, 72 Crooked Ledge Road, $725,000.
Doris N. Hurd to David Dellatorre and Rebecca Dellatorre, Pomeroy Meadow Road, $126,000.
Trent J. Hufnagel and Kimberly B. Hufnagel to Frank R. Talarico Jr., and Aja W. Talarico, 6 Edward Ave., $583,000.
SOUTHWICK
Taylor N. Hartmann, Taylor Hartmann, Adina C. Maloni and Adina Maloni to Briana Elena Makuch and Jaren Jeffrey Makuch, 3 Shaggbark Drive, $500,000.
SPRINGFIELD
Aaron Haas and Debbie L. Haas to Edwin Matos, 111 Rhinebeck Ave., $300,000.
Angel M. Candelaria Gonzalez and Jazmin M. Figueroa Ruiz to Omar Jimenez, 28 Spruce St., $330,000.
Ariana Perez to Jennifer Stone, 165 Belvidere St., $250,000.
Billy Lee Clark and Jacqueline
Clark to Marisol Lozada, 15 Prince St., $265,000.
Bruce Arnold, trustee, and 26 Grant Realty Trust, trustee of, to Billy Lee Clark, 26 Grant St., $285,000.
Progressive Community Baptist Church to Templo Pentecostal Senda Antigua Inc., 599 State St., $875,000.
Courageous Lion LLC, and Altostratus LLC, to Joel Manuel Rodriguez-Medina, 25 Victoria St., $291,000.
David A. Faita and Carol A. Faita to Better Builders Construction LLC, 0 E S Monrovia Street, $275,000.
Dianna Pisano, trustee, and Anthony & Lucy Rubino Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Kathryn Anne Jalbert and Jonathan Rosales, 54 Ashbrook St., $300,000.
Discovery Properties LLC, to Palpum Raw LLC, E S Parker Street, $160,000.
Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Dorcas Realty Trust, trustee of, to Octavio Almodovar and Danny Almodovar, 39 Moore St., $329,000.
Dos Gorditos LLC, to Corpulent Porpoise LLC, 638 Belmont Ave., $100.
Eliza Pesuit to Joseph A. Pellegrino, 27 Mattoon St., $390,000.
Emtay Inc., to Cheryl Medina, 93 Hancock St., $245,000.
Evangeline Pollard to Nilda L. Jimenez, 32-34 Clarendon St., $320,000.
Felix S. Escobar to Aweys Gaab and Maryan Abdi, 28-30 Ainsworth St., $341,000.
Gina Nicole Derock-Murray and Ryan Thomas Murray to Kimberly Marie Leib, 235 State St., Unit 111, $225,500.
Harvey Roettinger and Stacy Roettinger to Margaret Elise Mickelson, 38 Thorndyke St., $295,000.
Hedge Hog Industries Corp., to Erika Gayle, 0 W S Seymour Avenue, $389,000.
Jaquan J. Davis and Monique Davis to Waderoy L. Vaughan and Tameka Vaughan, 23 Clement St., $260,000.
Jessica J. Byrnes, representative, and Patricia M. Byrnes, estate, to Javier Hernandez Garcia and Damaris S. Santiago, 8 Craig St., $260,000.
Jimmy A. Vazquez to Alana N. Ashe and Thomas M. Ashe, 74 Derryfield Ave., $234,000.
Julio Soba to Canaan A. Khatib-Colon, 42-44 Griffin St., $398,000.
KMAK LLC, and Ryan Randall Realty LLC, to Ashley Boger, 294 Roosevelt Ave., $285,000.
Main & Oak Street Realty Trust
LLC, to Jill Ann Johnson, trustee, and Roger P. Zepke 2016 Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, 153-159 Main St., $550,000.
Luis D. Rosado-Oliveras and Renee M. Rosado to William J. Fabbri and Laurie A. Fabbri, 221 Ashland Ave., $382,000.
M&M Renovations LLC, to Khoi Nguyen, 115 Carroll St., $282,000.
Macedonia Church and Macedonia Church of God in Christ, to Bretta Construction LLC, 233 Tinkham Road, $85,000.
Marietta D. Shattleroe to Mint Realty Group LLC, 854-856 Worthington St., $275,000.
Mark Melikian to Darwin Frometa and Rachel Frometa, 12-14 Sylvan St., $360,000.
Mohamed Bendrao and Habiba Atanane to Jefferson Desrosiers, 35 Trafton Road, $390,000.
Mui N. Hoang to Kiara Chuquilla, 392-394 Page Boulevard, $382,000.
Nicholas Jackson and Tyron A. Jackson to Ibrahim Aljashaam, 31 East Bay Path Terrace, $200,000.
Ruben O. Vazquez and Karla Vazquez to Ariana Perez, 80 Victoria St., $275,000.
Ruby Realty LLC, to Samuel Moreno and Adriana Gonzalez, 34 Francis St., $319,000.
Sharon G. Ofori to Willord D. Burke, 128-130 Wellington St., $247,000.
Skypes LLC, to Jacqueline Soto, 69 Brandon Ave., $265,000.
Smails LLC, to Latino Counseling Center Inc., SS Dover Street, $1,200,000.
Theresa L. Hall, representative, Raymond Albert Chadwick, estate, and Raymond A. Chadwick, estate, to Alexis Vazquez Martinez and Kathyria Marie Ojeda Rivera, 30 Ellen St., $260,000.
TM Properties Inc., to Stephany Padilla Rodriguez, 117 Bowles St., $255,000.
U S Bank Trust, trustee, and RCF 2 Acquisition Trust, trustee of, to Reyna P. Regalado, 91-93 Parkside St., $240,000.
SUNDERLAND
Geoffrey Y. Smith, personal representative of the Estate of Douglas G. Smith, to Mara Laena Ezri and Michael Todd Ezri, 30 Montague Road, $415,000.
WALES
Donna M. Bys and Chester P. Bys to Susan V. Amalfi and James Amalfi, 13 Shore Drive, $705,000. Taunya Lyn Foley, Ronald C. McClain II, and Ronald C. McClain to Ronald A. Barrows and Linda
M. Barrows, 152 Stafford Road, $345,000.
WARE
Benjamin B. LaFlamme and Katharine J. LaFlamme to Margarita Maria Brown and Frederick H. Brown, 136 North St., $200,000.
Jean A. Pollack to Jean A. Pollack and John H. Pollack Jr., 219 West St., $100.
Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB, trustee, Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust, PHH Mortgage Corp., attorney-in-fact, and PHH Mortgage Services, attorney-in-fact, to All Surface Technology Inc., 21 Old Belchertown Road, $173,400.
Brian J. Hopkins to Brian J. Hopkins, Melissa J. Hopkins and Lindsay J. Hopkins, 31 Crescent St., $100.
WARWICK
Elaine Sednek and Johan Sednek to Katherine Hanrahan-Tingley and Scott William Rodenbaugh, 41 Orange Road, $290,000.
WENDELL
Brian G. Gillis to Lisa M. Pepin, 48 Wendell Depot Road, $80,000. Gertrude Smith, trustee of the Luc Bodin Family Trust, to William J. Sawin II, “aka” William John Sawin II, 39 Old Farley Road, “aka” 35 Old Farley Road, $299,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Alison M. Bartlett-O’Donald, conservator, and Rudolph Duerr to Alyaa Hadi Saleh and Saddam Al Akraa, 176 North Boulevard, $220,000.
Anthony J. Haas, representative, and Frances Haas, estate, to MPR Properties LLC, 831 Morgan Road, $200,000.
BRVS LLC, to Leon R. Jones, 61 Hill St., $551,000.
Cary R. Peters, representative, Robert Anthony Peters, estate, and Robert A. Peters, estate, to Dominic Santaniello, trustee, Lucas Giusto, trustee, and Naples Home Buyers Trust, trustee of, 524 Dewey St., $260,000.
Christopher Marble to Amat Victoria Curam LLC, 298 Park St., $415,000.
Deanna Lawrence to Donna L. Shea, 58 Beacon Hill Road, $199,950.
KMak LLC, and Bernash Realty LLC, to Nuraddin Usmonov and Muradbek Usmonov, 182 North Boulevard, $275,000.
Madeline E. Pompei, Patrick Joseph Pompei, Patrick J. Pompei,
trustee, and Pompei Realty Trust, trustee of, to Lockhouse Development LLC, 0 Exposition, $650,000.
WESTFIELD
Arnold Scott Graziano to Cornerstone Homebuying LLC, 444 Loomis St., $220,000.
Clark Dore and James Accera to Anatoliy Ovdiychuk, Harold Avenue, Lot 0, $110,000.
Eric W. Woodruff, Erin Leigh Xenos and Keith A. Woodruff to Paul A. Larsen and Barbara A. Larsen, 24 Kensington Ave., $427,000.
Erin D. Cronin to Gregory G. Fanion, 81 Russellville Road, $120,000. Jesse Zomek to ARPC LLC, 20 South Maple St., $225,500.
John J. Clune and Diane M. Quigley-Clune to Madeline E. Pompei and Patrick J. Pompei, 14 1/2 Noble Ave., $390,000.
Lockhouse Development LLC, to Savonin Estates LLC, 0 Lockhouse Road, $1,250,000.
Matthew Scott to Andrew Kellogg and Brittani Cundiff, 3 Ethan Ave., $297,500.
Samantha W. Bouthillette and Samantha L. Whalen to Cihangir Kuruca, 549 Russell Road, Unit 1C, $144,900.
Thea Hotaling, Inga Hotaling-Washington and Inga Hotaling to Jennifer Pierce, 362 Granville Road Unit 106, $230,000.
WILBRAHAM
Eugene P. Randall and Tina M. Randall to Unlimited Property Services LLC, 792 Tinkham Road, $300,000.
Nicholas Dussault and Stacy Dussault to Raymond Van Pelter and Brianna Marie Pelter, 10 Cedar Oak Drive, $590,000.
Patrick Testa and Diane M. Testa to Jennifer Moor and Ryan Tomanocy, 218 Mountain Road, $545,000.
William D. John and Catelyn Johnson to Christopher Campion and Erica Rose Campion, 291 Three Rivers Road, $528,500.
WILLIAMSBURG
Mary M. Koenig and Christopher B. Loring to Keira B. Durrett and James R. Ayres, 89 Mountain St., $824,000.
WORTHINGTON
Thomas M. Wisnauckas and Janine A. Modestow to Katarzyna H. Wisnauckas, 510 Old Post Road, $100. Carin D. Nugent and Carin D. Cranston to Lafond Septic Services LLC, trustee, and 23 East Windsor Road Land Trust, 23 East Windsor Road, $260,000.
Worried about
By A mudalat Ajasa
The Washington Post
ALTHOUGH LEAD pipes were banned decades ago, millions of homes still contain them. In fact, lead from water service lines remains one of the leading causes of childhood lead poisoning.
Lead is a hazardous neurotoxin, and even low-level exposure can cause permanent cognitive damage, especially in children. Thousands of children each year suffer from disorders caused by lead exposure, which also comes from dust and soil.
There is no safe level of exposure to lead, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead exposure causes developmental delays, difficulty learning and behavioral problems. Lead exposure also poses a significant risk for adults. In most cases, drinking water isn’t contaminated before it travels through water service lines. Lead seeps into drinking water through corroding, flaking pipes that carry water into the home.
“We know that lead pipes leach into drinking water. You’re basically drinking through a lead straw when you have a lead service line,” said Valerie Baron, a senior attorney at the advocacy group Natural Resources Defense Council.
Dealing with lead pipes can be confusing and potentially expensive. Here’s what you need to know.
How to check if you have lead pipes
There are several ways people can figure out if their water comes through lead service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency has a comprehensive interactive guide, and many cities have created
lead pipes? Here’s what to do.
interactive maps with water service line information. The EPA has asked water utilities to provide a complete inventory of all service lines, yet not all utilities have completed their inventory, with many reporting that water lines are made from unknown materials.
Here are some steps you can take if you suspect you have lead pipes.
Check with your utility. Your first step is to ask your utility whether the pipes servicing your home are made of lead. If you’re a homeowner, you can find the utility’s contact information on your water bill. If you’re a renter, ask your landlord or property manager for the information.
Lead pipes are more common in older cities, especially across the Northeast and Midwest, such as New York, Chicago and Cleveland. If the water utility says that the pipes are unknown, there are still ways to figure out which pipes you have. Consider the year your home was built. Congress banned the installation of lead pipes in 1986, and some communities phased them out even earlier. If your home was built after the federal ban, you can be pretty confident that there aren’t any lead service lines. Older homes that were renovated after 1986 might still have lead piping, depending on whether the plumbing was updated. Check the service line that brings water into your house. Most of the service line is underground, except for a small accessible segment that runs to the meter or the main shutoff valve. Meters can be found in basements, crawl spaces and garages. Some meters are outside on the sidewalk or in the yard under a metal cap. Examine the pipe that runs
into the meter from the wall or the floor. Plastic pipes are generally easy to identify, and they can be a variety of colors such as white, black, blue or green.
Gently scratch metal pipes with a coin or key. If you have a magnet, you can also see if it sticks. A soft pipe, particularly if the scratched area appears silver and shiny, indicates lead. Another sign of lead is a curved pipe with a bulb near the shutoff valve, like a snake that has swallowed an egg.
Copper has a distinctive color, though it can also be reddish brown, orange or green. If the pipe is hard to scratch and a magnet sticks, it could be galvanized steel. Some galvanized steel pipes were lined with lead, so more testing may be necessary. Even if the pipe coming into your home is safe, there could still be lead pipes in other parts of the house or in other plumbing fixtures. So, if you have an older home, testing your water is a good idea.
Testing for lead
Since you can’t see, taste or smell lead in drinking water, there’s no substitute for a test.
Ask your utility to test your water. The utility will either conduct the test themselves or send you a water-testing kit. You can also collect water samples yourself and send them to a state-certified laboratory. The EPA’s website provides information on finding a state-certified laboratory in your area.
Still water is best. The best time to test your water is first thing in the morning, after the water has been sitting in the pipes for a long time, and to take samples from a kitchen or bathroom sink. Keep in mind that lead levels can fluctuate from test to test because of physical disturbances like
“We know that lead pipes leach into drinking water. You’re basically drinking through a lead straw when you have a lead service line.”
— Valerie Baron, attorney
traffic and construction, so it’s recommended to take a number of samples.
Replacing your lead pipes
If you’ve determined or suspect that you have lead pipes, you’ll want to move quickly to get them replaced and protect your family from further exposure. Reach out to your water utility, licensed plumbers or your city government to figure out what lead pipe replacement programs are available in your area.
Find out about rebates and subsidies. In many communities, utilities will provide lead pipe replacements free or at a reduced rate. Plumbing upgrades can cost thousands of dollars, but the Biden administration allocated more than $17 billion for lead pipe replacements, so be sure to find out if you qualify for assistance.
Reducing your exposure to lead
While you wait for your lead pipes to be replaced, it’s important to reduce the threat from lead exposure, especially in homes with small children. Flush your pipes. Before using water to drink or cook, you should flush out any lead that could have settled in the pipes by running water from the shower or another high-volume tap. Some health departments suggest letting the water run for three to five minutes before use.
Install a filter that’s certified to remove lead. Use only cold water with a filter because warm water can reduce its effectiveness.
Avoid boiling your water. Hot water dissolves lead more
quickly, so in general use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Boiling water will not remove lead and could even increase lead concentrations. Clean your faucet’s aerator. The aerator is the little mesh screen at the end of a faucet. Remove the aerator, which can collect sediment and lead, and rinse out any debris.
What to do after you replace lead pipes
Keep on flushing. It’s a good idea to continue flushing your pipes after the lead replacement to remove any remaining lead.
Elin Betanzo, the president and founder of Safe Water Engineering, a public interest water consulting firm, recommended removing any aerators and flushing your household plumbing.
• Start with the tap closest to the service line.
• Then move throughout your house, opening all the taps, allowing the water to run and wash out any particulates that could have collected throughout the home.
• Finally, turn off all the taps in the same order, beginning with the closet tap and ending with the farthest.
Flush, filter and repeat. Filter water for six months after your lead pipe replacement and continue to routinely clean your aerator.
“Water picks up everything that it touches so when water is traveling through a lead pipe, lead will get into the water,” Betanzo said. “Getting rid of the lead is the only way to prevent it from getting into the water.”
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F9
using new Michigan cherry plywood for the walls, accents and furniture. The roof was redone and the cement floors refinished — a unique aspect of this home is that it is the only Usonian
home that has forced air, with the ductwork of the home running through the cement. It was forward-thinking in 1950, as the air heats the cement floors and still does to this day.
The cement, coupled with wood furniture, makes for a stunningly simple vibe throughout the home.
Outstanding architecture, optimized
for sharing conversation and space with friends or family, with enough room to sneak away whenever needed. Perhaps best spoken to through the long couch in the living room and the secluded feeling of each bedroom.
The home is one of the most private in Parkwyn Village, as the original owners purchased the plot of land next to it, too.
This prevented another build from popping up next to it. Each lot is about 2 acres and allows for an immersion into the landscape itself.
A gravel drive through low-hanging trees leads to the home. Nature is abundant and it isn’t unusual to see a dozen deer enjoying the backyard, unbothered.
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