Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journal 060820 by Westfair Business Journal

TRUSTED JOURNALISM AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

JUNE 8, 2020 VOL. 56, No. 23

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Five experts in the real estate field expressed optimism during a webinar hosted by Westfair Communications on May 28.

OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR REAL ESTATE MARKET See the full story on page 17

INSIDE

Bye-bye Big Apple? NYC BUSINESSES LOOK TO WESTCHESTER FOR SPACE

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SUITE TALK

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HELPING WORKERS

BY PETER KATZ pkatz@westfairinc.com

lthough the evidence is anecdotal, there appears to be at least a growing curiosity about Westchester office space among some companies located in New York City. The COVID-19 outbreak has created heightened awareness of such items as just how dense the city

is, how dependent on tightly packed elevators people are when moving around in skyscrapers and how nice it’s been not to have to commute into Manhattan while doing one’s part to combat the virus by working from home. “We’ve had a number of inquiries from small and midsize companies who are either currently in the city with offices looking to move

their companies up to Westchester because the principals live up here or looking to open up satellite offices in the suburbs,” Garry Klein, regional manager of the commercial division at Houlihan Lawrence and a White Plains resident, told the Business Journal. “I think for a lot of these business owners the city has been getting very pricey over the » BIG APPLE

Cross Westchester Executive Park in Elmsford.

Suite Talk

Suite Talk: Steven H. Kaplan, president of the University of New Haven

he University of New Haven is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the launch of the Connecticut Institute of Technology, with the goal of building an academic hub to foster interdisciplinary exploration and innovation across undergraduate and graduate studies. The institute’s programs will cover cybersecurity, computer science, data science and electrical and computer engineering, as well as several research groups. In this edition of Suite Talk, Business Journal Senior Enterprise Editor Phil Hall speaks with Steven H. Kaplan, the university’s president, regarding this new endeavor. What is the genesis of the Connecticut Institute of Technology? “When manufacturing flowed out of Connecticut in the eighties, the engineering enrollments around the state for engineering at normal universities collapsed and the University of New Haven suffered significant enrollment declines. When I came here in 2004, the engineering school had about 400 students. Now in 2020, it has almost four times as many — it is close to 1,600. Our engineering programs are among the highest ranked: they have the highest job placement, highest salaries and frankly, the highest impact. “It was a natural evolution to grow our presence in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics that we form an entity within the engineering school that was focused on emerging technologies. They are what I would call the new, new economy — in other words, they are the new economy in the digital economy. That will be at the core of what we’re going to be doing in the new Connecticut Institute of Technology. “For me, it was just a natural evolution as our engineering school moved back into the top ranks. There is

JUNE 8, 2020

the faculty in the 16 years I’ve been here, and I believe that applies to engineering as well. We also have fresh Ph.Ds here and they are doing a lot of very sophisticated research. We’re attracting wonderful students and their job-placement rates are incredible. “Obviously, we’re doing this in the middle of a very challenging time. But the institute has been in the works for several years. And our attitude is the pandemic is not going to get in our way.” Our publication is across the border from you in Fairfield County. Are you going to be actively recruiting students from Fairfield County to forgo our local universities and travel over to your school? “Oh, absolutely. In fact, right now our enrollments in Fairfield County are up considerably. We’ve always been 40% to 50% Connecticut-based, a lot of students are trying to stay close to home.” Steven Kaplan

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the New York Institute of Technology. Now, there’s the Connecticut Institute of Technology. And we think the University of New Haven is the most logical place for this to be housed and for this to evolve and grow.” Is the institute going to be taking off in the fall semester? “Absolutely. We’re already through with our current recruitment cycle. But as we begin the cycle for the class of 2025 and for graduate students — that cycle begins in July and August and we will be recruiting for students to be in the programs in this institute.” The university recently received a $4 million Scholarship for Service grant FCBJ

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from the National Science Foundation. How are you going to be using those funds? “Abe Baggili, the director of the new institute, is the coordinator of that grant. It is for graduate students to go into cybersecurity and then go to work for the federal government.” The new institute is a great idea. But at the risk of being flippant, why wasn’t it launched earlier? “We wanted to get to a point where the university was a household name in the region again for engineering excellence. And I think we’re there. If we tried do this 15 years ago — and it was needed 15 years ago — I don’t think the University of New Haven was in a position programmatically, in terms of the faculty and students. We’ve hired 80% of

What is the reaction that you’ve heard from the other schools in the state regarding what you’re doing? “Surprisingly, not one response. And I know all of the other presidents. It has surprised me — we’ve gotten incredibly favorable responses from donors and board members and they think this is a prelude to an eventual renaming of the university to be the Connecticut Institute of Technology.” What’s next on the school’s agenda? “Financially, securing a $100 million to $200 million gift for the institute. It’s going to take a transformational gift to get us where we want to be. We’re open to lower amounts, but that’s the goal. And then, programmatically for the university, our plan is to expand further into the health sciences, with more in medical technology and the possibility of a medical school.”

MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE 914-694-3600 OFFICE FAX 914-694-3699 EDITORIAL EMAIL bobr@westfairinc.com WRITE TO 701 Westchester Ave., Suite 100J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Publisher Dee DelBello Managing Editor Bob Rozycki Associate Publisher Anne Jordan Group Associate Publisher Dan Viteri NEWS Senior Enterprise Editor • Phil Hall Copy and Video Editor • Peter Katz Bureau Chief • Kevin Zimmerman Senior Reporter • Bill Heltzel, Reporters Georgette Gouveia, Peter Katz Research Coordinator • Luis Flores ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Dan Viteri Art Director Sebastián Flores ADVERTISING SALES Manager • Anne Jordan Metro Sales & Custom Publishing Director Barbara Hanlon Account Managers Marcia Pflug Events Sales & Development • Marcia Pflug Marketing & Events Director • Fatime Muriqi AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT & CIRCULATION Circulation Manager • Sylvia Sikoutris Telemarketing • Brianne Smith ADMINISTRATION Contracted CFO Services Adornetto & Company L.L.C. Human Resources & Payroll Services APS PAYROLL

Westchester County Business Journal (USPS# 7100) Fairfield County Business Journal (USPS# 5830) is published Weekly, 52 times a year by Westfair Communications, Inc., 701 Westchester Ave., White Plains, NY 10604. Periodicals Postage rates paid at White Plains, NY, USA 10610. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Westchester County Business Journal and Fairfield County Business Journal: by Westfair Communications, Inc., 701 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY 10604. Annual subscription $60; $2.50 per issue More than 40 percent of the Business Journal is printed on recycled newsprint. © 2020 Westfair Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

A MEMBER OF

Strengthening our commitment to Southern Connecticut Throughout our community, we see families, neighbors, businesses and teammates working together more than ever. To help, we added $100 million to our ongoing support to organizations making a difference — national and local nonprofits addressing critical needs here, including Connecticut Food Bank and Career Resources Inc. The funds will help increase medical response capacity, focus on vulnerable populations and address food insecurity. We’re also providing $250 million in capital to Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) loan funds and CDFIand minority-owned banks to extend assistance to more small businesses. As your neighbors in Southern Connecticut, we are all in this together. Our thoughts are with all of you and your families.

Bill Tommins Southern Connecticut Market President

To see how we’re supporting our local communities, please visit bankofamerica.com/community.

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JUNE 8, 2020

Woofgang & Co. provides work experience for the disabled and tasty products BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

s is the case with many businesses, the employees and customers at Fairfield’s Woofgang & Co. were eager to reopen on June 1. The difference: The employees are pri-

marily young people with disabilities, and the customers are canines. Not entirely true; there aren’t any Dalmatians doling out their own cash for Woofgang’s wares, which include its signature all-natural, gluten-free Pupper Nutter Patties treats as well as an array of tug toys, leashes, apparel (for the pets’ owners) and various other

accoutrements. But the nonprofit’s customers’ excitement over finally being able to at least pick up products at the 1300 Post Road store has been palpable, according to Executive Director Erika Eng. “I started here in January, and seven weeks later we had a global pandemic,” Eng, formerly the COO at Bridgeport’s

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Young people create one of Woofgang’s all-natural dog treats.

Discovery Museum, said. “So I told everyone we were going to pivot pretty quickly to digital and they all looked at me like I was crazy.” Under the supervision of program directors Flo O’Brien and Kelly Maffei — also one of Woofgang’s co-founders — Woofgang’s 35-40 young adult participants, who have been diagnosed with a wide range of disabilities, are taught how to create and cook the Pupper Nutters, as well as a variety of vocational skills that will help them when they enter the job market. And, Eng said, learning how to use — and utilize the proper etiquette in — teleconferences, email and other digital communications have obviously become de rigueur. “They have really thrived,” she said. “Especially during something like the pandemic, you can see social skills sort of slide. But we’re helping them stay connected with each other and with us, and we’ve been able to present guest speakers like (Fairfield First Selectwoman) Brenda Kupchick, (Bridgeport Regional Business Council Board of Directors President and CEO) Dan Onofrio and (state Rep.) Cristin McCarthy Vahey.” Those sessions are followed by game play — Hangman, Bingo and the like — with the students to drive home the principles discussed, Eng said. Woofgang was founded in 2017 by Maffei, Amy Stern and Kris Burbank — all mothers of young adults with disabilities — to provide vocational training for similar children, as well as increasing community awareness of the need for local employment options among those individuals. According to the company’s literature, there are more than 3 million » WOOFGANG

JUNE 8, 2020

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Rockland woman files class action suit over ‘mislabeled’ Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com

h, the delight of vanilla ice cream dipped in the smooth, creamy coating of pure milk chocolate! So don’t mess with the chocolate in Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Milk Chocolate Ice Cream Bars, Theresa Sencen demands in a class action lawsuit against Froneri US Inc., the manufacturer. Sencen of Valley Cottage claims that Froneri is committing food fraud by labeling packages of the treats as containing milk chocolate. The “branding and packaging of the product is designed to — and does — deceive, mislead and defraud” consumers, she claims in a complaint filed May 24 in U.S. District Court, White Plains. Froneri spokeswoman Macarena Ivanissevich refuted the allegations. “The labels on our HäagenDazs ice cream bar products accurately describe the products, comply with FDA regulations

and provide consumers with the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions,” she said. Milk chocolate must contain at least 10% cocoa liquor, the fatty flavor that imparts a pleas-

ant mouthfeel. Milk chocolate, the complaint states, may not contain vegetable oil, a cheaper ingredient that conveys a waxy feel and oily aftertaste. The high melting point of cocoa fat makes it difficult to use

as a coating on ice cream and frozen desserts, according to the complaint. Manufacturers can overcome the problem by using emulsifying agents or low-melting point coatings, sometimes referred to as “paddle pop paste,” that contain vegetable oils. Such a product must be labeled truthfully under federal and New York State regulations, according to the complaint, as “milk chocolate and vegetable fat coating.” The Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars are identified correctly, on the ingredients label on the back of the box, as containing a vegetable oil coating, namely coconut oil. But the front of the box makes no reference to vegetable oil or coconut oil. “Milk chocolate” is part of the product name, shown prominently under an image of a chunk of chocolate. A subhead states that the vanilla ice cream is “dipped in, then drizzled in rich milk chocolate.” Sencen claims she would not have bought Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream bars at a ShopRite

store last year, or would have been willing to pay a lower price, if the product was labeled correctly. She accuses Froneri of violating New York consumer protection laws, fraud, misrepresentation, breaches of warranty and unjust enrichment. She is asking the court to certify the case as a class action on behalf of all New Yorkers who have bought the product. She wants the court to order Froneri to correct its practices and to pay damages totaling at least $5 million (roughly, the value of 2.3 million ice cream bars, at $6.49 per 3-bar package). Froneri describes itself as a “global pureplay ice cream company.” It makes ice cream products under several brands, such as Cadbury, Nestlé and Toblerone. “The claims in the lawsuit are baseless,” Ivanissevich said, “and we will vigorously defend against these allegations in court.” Sencen is represented by attorney Spencer Sheehan of Great Neck.

IT’S A NEW WORLD AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER, YOU NEED TRUTHFUL NEWS. As your longtime source for business news, the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals have expanded their coverage to keep you up-to-date on COVID-19. Don’t miss out on breaking news about the virus, as well as the latest on local businesses, real estate, the courts and more. Subscribe at westfaironline.com.

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JUNE 8, 2020

Big Apple—

past number of years and they have been I think on the fence about contemplating moving their offices, at least some of their offices, to the suburbs, and I think the COVID pandemic has kind of pushed that ‘hot’ button and has accelerated those decisions,” Klein said. “They have an opportunity to save money by going from 10,000 square feet at $70 or $80 a foot in the city to about 5,000 square feet with half of their employees working remotely, which they discovered through this pandemic they can do, and rent 5,000 square feet at high $20s or low $30s per foot.” Klein said that many users of warehouse and flex space have been priced out of New York City for some time and the interest in Westchester that he’s been seeing recently comes from users of office space. He said inquiries have come from professionals in the accounting, legal and insurance areas. At the same time, one of the county’s major players in various real estate sectors, including office, flex, warehouse, residential and retail, the Robert Martin Co., reports receiving inquiries for various types of space from New York City businesses.

WHO’S INQUIRING?

“Many if not most of the businesses in the city are represented by brokers and so we’ve had a number of brokers call with inquiries,” Robert Martin’s CEO Tim Jones told the Business Journal. “It’s been a wide range. We’ve heard there have been a lot of discussions about opening satellite offices, not large relocations, particularly for their people who live in the suburbs in Westchester and Fairfield County and have gotten used to not taking mass transit and are concerned about taking mass transit right now,” Jones said. “Three to five years is what they’re talking right now about office space,” Jones said. “We are doing virtual tours. We’ve put some of our spaces onto software. There’s definitely interest in the office space. We’ve also had several warehouse and industrial tenants who are in the Bronx and some degree in Brooklyn and Queens also looking and we have a number of

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55 White Plains Road.

active leads there, maybe eight or 10 leads.” Klein said that the phones at Houlihan Lawrence have been busy with inquiries. “For example, I represent a property in Hawthorne at 37 Saw Mill River Road. It’s an office building with some vacancy in it and an opportunity for an end-user to buy it and I have a number of end-users looking actively to purchase that building to domicile their offices,” Klein said. Klein provided data showing that in 37 buildings in southern Westchester there are 1,579,783 square feet of space available out of 8,288,309 total rentable square feet. The average rate is $34.40 per square foot. “I have a number of nonprofit agencies that have offices in the city and the executive director lives in Westchester and they’re looking to potentially downsizing space and saving significant money coming out of the city,” Klein said. “A lot of their employees who live north in Westchester,

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Putnam, Dutchess, the Hudson Valley are not anxious to get on mass transit anytime soon. So, for those who are not going to telecommute, I think people are going to be more comfortable getting in their car and commuting even if they have to sit in a little bit of traffic than getting on Metro-North.” Klein said prospective renters are asking about office space where workers can be socially distant from each other, but it doesn’t necessarily translate into a need for larger total office space because some employees still would be working remotely.

NEW HEALTH SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

“What’s really become important is the HVAC system,” Klein said. “I represent a medical office building in Yorktown and I had a nonmedical office user look at the space and was then concerned that there is medical in the building and do we have air scrubbers and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters and how sophisticated is that air handler. So, I think

people are thinking a lot about air quality. As far as internet, here in Westchester everything is pretty much fiber optics.” Klein said that there is currently less interest in building amenities such as gyms than in the past. “It’s still early in this curve, but I think some of this is similar to post 9/11 where companies decided we need potentially some redundancy or we need some satellite offices or an alternative location to being in Manhattan,” Klein said. “This is vastly different than just the economic downturn because it comes with a whole other set of sociological issues.” Klein said the current concerns he’s heard about more closely align the office real estate market with post-9/11 when some people were afraid of being in office towers. Jones said that he was told by a broker who inquired about space in Westchester that a study was done at a high-rise building mostly occupied by one tenant. “It was a million-and-half

square-foot building and they calculated that if they were trying to fully occupy the building with what they see as the current requirements for social distancing that it would take them five and a half hours to get everybody into their seats mostly just because of the elevators,” Jones said. “A number of the tenants in the city say they’re concerned about whether or not to have the staggered hours that will be required in the high-rise buildings to really effectively get them occupied. It’s almost like having to have an appointment to come and ride the elevator. It’s like having a tee-time at the golf course. You have to come with your tee-time and stand in line and wait a long time to be able to ride the elevator upstairs.” Jones said that some of the interest in Robert Martin’s industrial spaces has come from companies involved in providing distribution and lastmile delivery of merchandise bought online. “What’s difficult here is the uncertainty of what the operating rules are going to be going forward,” Jones said. “We have 7 million square feet of commercial space in Westchester and have spent the last several weeks preparing that space physically for tenants to come back in. Things like no-touch bathrooms and lots of paint and signage to show people the appropriate spacing or social distancing, just requesting that people respect others and do what’s necessary. We have several office buildings but the tallest is four stories, so we don’t have the same issues of vertical transportation that a lot of the tall buildings do.” Jones said Robert Martin Co. has been working to accommodate tenants whose businesses were hard hit by the economic shutdown while other tenants were only mildly affected and others did well through it all because their products or services were essential and in high demand. “In the short and intermediate term as we come out of this thing there’s going to be demand coming out of the city,” Jones said. “Definitely industrial, probably office. Retail is going to be more difficult. And, we also have residential rental and it’s doing very well.”

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JUNE 8, 2020

Beyond Biz

HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF — AND OTHERS BY GIOVANNI ROSELLI

Motivational speaker-trainer Giovanni Roselli addresses a group. Courtesy Roselli Health & Fitness.

IT’S OBVIOUS THAT WE HAVE all been affected by COVID-19 in many personal and professional ways. I make my living presenting corporate wellness, fitness education and keynote presentations in front of large groups, as well as in oneon-one interactions through my fitness coaching. Needless to say, both of these industries have been in a complete shutdown and it will be a slow crawl back. With this downtime, and since I often get asked how you get into public speaking, I’d like to share what I’ve learned about this and the best ways to break in. The world as we know it will change and who knows how events, speeches and presentations will be affected. What you will find is that a lot of what I’m mentioning for public speaking is also applicable to other walks of life. It is still ironic to me that I’ve gotten to a point in my life and career where I present and speak on a regular basis. I could not have been any shyer growing up. Additionally, I had a huge fear of public speaking. Fast forward many years later, I present and speak on a monthly basis, providing continuing education for the fitness community and corporate wellness seminars/keynotes.

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So how the heck did I get here? Throughout our lives, we are often drawn to situations that make us confront our fears. As I entered the fitness industry and jumped down the rabbit hole of movement-based training, I became so engrossed and passionate about it, it helped take away my fears. FIND YOUR ‘THING’ The best presenters in the world have honed their skills in their particular interest. Get to know your product/subject so you can be comfortable and confident describing it. Think about all the experts that you can: There’s a good chance you will say that they are known for something specific. They have done their due diligence to become true experts and have found much success in their lane of focus. FIND MENTORS As you work hard and stay focused on learning as much as you possibly can about your particular topic, find someone who knows more and has more experience. Soak up as much information as you can from this expert. Offer to help WCBJ

him or her in any way you can. PRACTICE How do you get to Carnegie Hall? “Practice,” the old joke goes. It goes for everything in life. And, at this point in time, you have plenty of time to practice. So: • Practice in front of your mirror. • Practice in front of your friends, family and anyone who is willing to sit in front of you either at a safe distance in person or virtually. • Practice by filming yourself and reviewing it and have others review it as well. PERSIST, BE PATIENT AND PAY YOUR DUES Starting out, you need to be knocking on a lot of doors. Reach out to organizations and affiliations that you can see yourself working with and adding value to. Have a PDF outline of what you will offer complete with learning objectives. Try to get yourself on video so the potential client has something to refer to visually as well. If you are looking to represent companies or products, they may not need or want any additional employees at the

moment. Keep holding yourself to the highest standard possible, keep getting a deeper understanding of your lane of interest, wait and keep yourself on the top of their minds. GOTTA START SOMEWHERE To summarize: • Get really good and knowledgeable about what you want to do. • Find a mentor who can help you grow and learn from him/her. • Start practicing as much as you can. • Put yourself out there. • Have the perseverance, patience and work ethic that puts you in the right places at the right times. Is it fair to say that every single one of these points apply to going after anything in life? Now is not the time to get lazy and down. Now is the time to set yourself up to be better than before. On a side note, if anyone is struggling with his fitness and/or nutrition regiment given the current set of circumstances, please feel free to reach out to me at Gio@GiovanniRoselli.com and I will be happy to assist you with my virtual online coaching program.

Beyond Biz

SOUL MAN

for every personality, says Mele, who also doesn’t believe in trends for trends’ sake. “I’m one who believes in following your gut in fashion and home design. Those who follow trends end up looking tired and dated.” Instead, Mele focuses on an individual approach, one that mixes periods, materials and bold colors. His shop, which he opened in 2017, is a perfect example, with its blend of vintage and new, metals, glass and wood and jewel colors in lighting, mirrors, furnishings, art, jewelry, fabrics and even fragrances for trade and retail culled from his travels around the world. Mele honed this eclecticism at Syracuse University, where he studied environmental design, and at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, from which he graduated with a degree in art history and cultural studies. While at Syracuse, he was assigned to squire around visiting design luminaries, including the late Kate Spade and husband Andy. He would intern with the couple for four years. “Spade was my first hands-on experience in New York City, the real start of my education in the world of fashion and design,” Mele told Connecticut magazine in August 2018, two months after Kate’s suicide. “Kate’s innate ability to intermingle the two definitely impacted me…. Kate was old school, old world. She valued genteel environments and people. To have spent time with her was a gift.” Mele has credited his internship with the Spades with leading to his full-time job with Ralph Lauren, where he worked in the home division of the company’s flagships in the United States and Europe. He has also worked for the New Yorkbased fragrance house Bond No. 9; Schumacher, which creates products for interior designers; and the jeweler David Yurman. Mele launched his eponymous design business in 2011. Whether he’s working on a project in Bedford or St. Barts, Mele believes in a form of conspicuous consumption. When he travels to homes in Europe, he says he notices that “stuff is out” — books line shelves; antiques are on display. In the end, living in a home means living with the things you love. “Build your home piece by piece, little by little. And do it forever. It will give it a timeless quality. “And use your stuff. Life goes by so quickly. A china cup and saucer has such a lovely feeling.” For more, visit patrickmele.com.

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA PHOTOGRAPH BY BOB ROZYCKI

PATRICK MELE is a self-described “old soul but with a young, fresh spirit and a new pep in his step.” And that translates into how he feels about people and interior design. Though still relatively young on the birth certificate — he presented a boyish mien when we met at his booth at the “Greenwich Winter Antiques Show” Dec. 6 — Mele has been in design for some 20 years, beginning with a window-dressing business he established when he was a 14-year-old student at Greenwich High School. Ultimately, his clients would include many Greenwich Avenue retailers. “My father had restaurants (in Fairfield and Westchester counties) and was in retail. He designed these restaurants,” Mele says of his dad, Richard, who is perhaps best known for 64 on the Avenue. On the day we call Mele’s Greenwich store to set up the interiew, his father answers, minding the phone for his wife, Patricia, who runs the 500-square-foot lifestyle shops, which includes a design business. “They had a passion for making their home a home” — something they’ve passed on to their son, whose tastes run to “warm, inviting color palettes, classical lines and brown furnishings. …Those were the homes I grew up with.” Indeed, he discusses brown furnishings in a fourpage spread on a Pelham house whose interiors he designed in Carl Dellatore’s “On Style: Inspiration and Advice From the New Generation of Interior Design,” which Rizzoli published last September. Mele is also featured in Architectural Digest’s Star Power issue this month, along with a flat he did on historic Cheyne Walk in London’s Chelsea section, “using lots of heirlooms and new pieces.” The Cheyne Walk apartment typifies Mele’s approach to style. “I love decorating and I love making people feel great,” he says. “Everyone can’t wait to get home at the end of the day.” And since our homes are our castles, they should reflect us and not some cookie-cutter approach or trend, he says. “I love homes that have a true identity and feel. If it’s pure glass and chrome, that’s great.” But Modernism and Minimalism aren’t

Beyond Biz, the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals’ new section of lifestyle offerings

Patrick Mele

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER | By Kate Wark

Top tips for being tip top in a virtual world

et’s be frank: We are all under an enormous amount of stress and strain these days and working through some, shall we say, unique situations. Despite the collective challenges we’re all facing, communicating effectively with your audiences, whether they are internal, external or members of the media, is more important than ever. Perhaps there’s a need to deliver a tough message to your team, reassure them or simply schedule a regular touch-base for connection and collaboration. Maybe you need

to reach out to your clients or customers with a change to your business model or offerings. Perhaps you’ve secured a great opportunity for a broadcast or podcast interview that needs filming. Regardless of why you’re needing to communicate, it’s undeniable that doing so effectively is critical at a time where emotions and uncertainty are running high. And the skill set needed to do so is a bit different when we’re working exclusively via screen. We’ve compiled a few key tips to help you present yourself in the best possible, virtual light — via Zoom, FaceTime, GoToMeetings, Skype — or whatever video conferencing software you’ve got at your disposal.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU ZOOM

Preparation is at least half of every

battle, and being prepared to appear on camera for an extended period of time, without the usual technical support that may be available to you in-office, will pay off in dividends. First, reboot your computer. I know, I know — the most simple but effective of all the advice. Doing this allows you to shut down unnecessary windows that will pull from your laptop’s bandwidth, and gives you a much-needed opportunity to clean up your desktop in the event you plan to share your screen. Hopefully at this umpteenth week of self-isolation you’ve got yourself some semblance of a home office set-up, but consider if it’s camera-ready. Avoid having a bright, airy window behind you, which can make you look more like an apparition than a trusted professional. Tidy up

Roof Space Wanted For Rent

your surroundings. Elevate your screen to ensure the most flattering view of you is shown. No need to get fancy, folks, even a few cookbooks stacked underneath will do. I can tell you from personal experience that not only do those cookbooks get the job done, but they’re getting more use than they ever have.

READ THE “ROOM”

As you’re preparing to appear on camera, assess the mood of the day, and the audience you’ll be addressing. Right now, with COVID-19 coloring every aspect of life for people around the globe, the atmosphere is filled with stress and uncertainty. Take that into account when presenting, or preparing responses to questions. In other words, put yourself in your audience’s shoes. Now is not the time for robotics — people want to see a human, and a humanistic approach. On this note, consider your energy level. Whatever you normally bring, energy-wise, to an in-person presentation — you’re going to want to increase that just a few notches to translate better on camera. Use your posture to help you get your point across. If you’re someone who normally stands, do that and dust off a few more cookbooks to help position your laptop camera accordingly. If you’re someone who sits, absolutely do that, but sit up straight, or lean forward for emphasis when necessary. Remember to look into your lens, not at your screen. Doing all of these things will ensure that you come through as authentically as possible.

BE INTERACTIVE AND BE BRIEF

64 Solar is Renting Roofs Attention all Building Owners, Managers and Facility Personnel !

When: Program is open now - First Come Basis

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Consider less words per slide and more compelling visuals. Also try peppering your presentation with interactions with the people you’re speaking to. While it’s customary to include a Q&A at the conclusion of a deck, you can also save space for questions after each section, inviting a good flow and conversational quality to the presentation. To support your points, we recommend utilizing narratives more frequently than data, since storytelling tends to stick more than numbers. When all is said and done, conduct a post mortem. Ask yourself, or a trusted colleague, what went well? What could’ve gone better? Were there any surprises, either of the pleasant or unpleasant variety? Incorporate these key learnings into the next virtual presentation you give, fine tuning and improving as you go. Your audiences will thank you! Kate Wark is an executive vice president at Impact PR & Communications (www. prwithimpact.com). For a deeper dive into presenting virtually — Impact is offering a virtual presentation and training package. Wark can be reached at 845-462-4979 or kate@prwithimpact.com for more information on the new training, and to connect — virtually, of course.

Missing drill rig lands contractor in court

Fagan, according to a state corporation record, replied that it would bring the rig back to its Yonkers yard, inspect it, “and then address the issue of a potential refund, in whole or part … depending on the results and findings from the inspection.” LaBate refused to allow Top Grade to retrieve the rig, the complaint states, and ABC Select moved the machine from the construction site to its yard on Nevins Street in Brooklyn, and then moved it again sometime last year to an undisclosed location. Top Grade accuses ABC Select of conversion, breach of lease and unjust enrichment. It is demanding $1,118,000, based on the value of the machine and the rental value for 34 months, or alternatively, return of the machine. LaBate did not immediately respond to a voicemail message asking for his side of the story. Top Grade is represented by Garden City attorney Joseph P. Dineen.

BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com

Yonkers company is demanding $1.1 million from a Brooklyn contractor who rented a drill rig for a month but allegedly kept it for 34 months, and counting. Top Grade Excavating New York Inc. sued ABC Select NY Inc., and James LaBate, the CEO, for unjust enrichment, May 25 in Westchester Supreme Court. “At the present time,” the complaint

Woofgang—

people in Connecticut living with disabilities; their unemployment rate is double that of their typical peers. To date, Woofgang & Co. has provided 8,000 hours of vocational training as well as 2,000 hours of customer service training. During the shutdown, Woofgang formed a collaborative relationship with Bridgeport’s Beardsley Zoo to create a “Quarantine Provisions” package consisting of the dog treats, a temperature-control tumbler and a plush toy from the zoo; Woofgang’s young adults package each one. It also relies on Go2Guys, a volunteer, tip-based service that runs errands, handles small personal deliveries and offers pickups and drop-offs. The business was started by Jamie Palazzo, a former Woofgang team member. Eng added that Woofgang is also in the process of shifting its production facility from Bigelow Tea’s headquarters to its own site, also on Black Rock Turnpike. That decision, she said, was driven both by outgrowing the Bigelow space and from wanting to own its own building. If all goes according to plan, Eng said, that facility should be ready before year’s end. The nonprofit recently received a $5,000 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to help support programming for its team members, both virtually and remotely, during the pandemic. Part of those funds will be used to deliver production kits to participating team members, Eng said. “We know we’re not an ‘essential service,’ in that we’re not working in health care or as first responders,” she said. “But we’re extra essential to the population we serve.”

states, “Top Mosiello Grade has no information rental, plus $1,000 for delivery to a conTWB Linda Sunshine Children’s Center struction site in New York City. whatsoever regarding the location or WCBJ Ten days later, LaBate allegedly notified whereabouts of thehdrill rig.” 7.375” w x 7.125” Top Grade bought the Casagrande Top Grade that the rig was not operating 3-24-20 crawler drill for $268,000 in 2016. In May properly and demanded a $26,000 refund and removal of the machine. 2017, according to the complaint, ABC Top Grade, which is run by Ronan Select NY paid $25,000 for a one-month

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER | By Norman Grill

Norman Grill: Job loss may affect your taxes

f you’ve lost your job, you may have questions about how that might impact your tax situation. Here are some answers:

How can my job loss affect my taxes? A: The loss of a job may create new tax issues. For example, any severance pay you receive is considered taxable income as are any payments for accumulated vacation or sick time. While it isn’t always possible to do so, making sure that enough taxes are withheld from these payments will help you to avoid a big bill at tax time. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you receive unemployment compensation, this money is taxable. SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) and public assistance, however, are not taxable — nor are Economic Recovery Payments sent during the coronavirus pandemic. Am I eligible to receive unemployment compensation? Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for one of the follow-

If you complete the form and give it to the paying office (e.g., your state’s Department of Labor), 10 percent of your payment amount will be held as tax. If you choose not to have tax withheld, you may have to make estimated tax payments throughout the year. You may also owe tax when you file your tax return next year. If you received unemployment compensation, you will receive Form 1099G, Certain Government Payments (Info Copy Only), showing the amount you were paid and any federal income tax you elected to have withheld.

ing types unemployment compensation: • Benefits paid by a state or the District of Columbia from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund; • Railroad unemployment compensation benefits; • Disability payments from a government program paid as a substitute for unem-

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ployment compensation; • Trade readjustment allowances under the Trade Act of 1974; • Unemployment assistance under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) under the CARES Act of 2020. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, states are permitted to provide PUA to individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment or who otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment compensation. To verify income, states are generally requiring applicants to provide current year tax forms. Voluntarily deciding to quit your job out of a general concern about exposure to COVID-19 does not make you eligible for PUA; however, there are circumstances where an individual may be eligible for PUA. Is unemployment compensation taxfree? No. Unemployment compensation received under the unemployment compensation laws of the United States or of a state is considered taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return. You must also include benefits from regular union dues paid to you as an unemployed member of a union in your income. However, if you contribute to a special union fund and your contributions are not deductible, then other rules apply. If this applies to you, only include in income the amount you received from the fund that is more than your contributions. You can choose to have federal income tax withheld from your unemployment benefits by filling out Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request.

Can I deduct expenses related to a job search? Under tax reform, many miscellaneous deductions were eliminated. As such, for tax years 2018-2025, you are no longer able to deduct certain expenses such as travel, resume preparation and outplacement agency fees incurred while looking for a new job. In prior years, job-seekers were able to deduct these expenses even if they did not get a new job. Normally, to collect unemployment compensation you have to actively be searching for work. However, the CARES Act gives states flexibility in determining whether an individual is “actively seeking work” if he or she is unable to search for work because of COVID-19, including because of illness, quarantine, or movement restrictions. What if my employer went out of business or into bankruptcy? Your employer must provide you with a Form W-2 showing your wages and withholding by Jan. 31. You should keep up-to-date records or pay stubs until you receive your Form W-2. If your employer or its representatives fail to provide you with a Form W-2, contact the IRS. They can help by providing you with a substitute Form W-2. If your employer liquidated your 401(k) plan, you have 60 days to roll it over into another qualified retirement plan or IRA. This column is for general information and is not intended as advice. Tax matters are complicated, so if you have questions about your situation, contact a knowledgeable tax advisor. Norm Grill, CPA, (N.Grill@GRILL1. com) is managing partner of Grill & Partners LLC (www.GRILL1.com), certified public accountants and consultants to closely held companies and high-networth individuals, with offices in Fairfield and Darien, 254-3880.

The WorkPlace launching program to help virus-displaced workers find jobs BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

latform to Employment, the nationally recognized program to help the longtime unemployed get back to work, is pivoting this month to a new version designed to assist job-seekers who have lost employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new iteration Platform to Employment 2.0 (P2E 2.0) — like the first, the brainchild of Bridgeport-based The WorkPlace — is a virtual program designed to reconnect displaced workers in the region with employers seeking skilled talent. Through an online program with approximately 20 participants per class, P2E 2.0 will offer a three-phase approach to respond to the needs of the unemployed. Throughout the program participants will receive mentoring, access to a support services concierge, career counseling, and job placement assistance. “The original version was launched in 2011, in response to the Great Recession,” WorkPlace President and CEO Joseph Carbone said. “It was geared mostly to the 50-and-older population, and crossed many business sectors. “This group is a different story entirely,” he said. “Those filing for unemployment benefits have by and large been younger and coming largely from hospitality — including hotels and restaurants — retail and lower health care workers.” Also different, of course, are the circumstances of the two job-losing events. Recessions develop over time, and can to a degree be forecast, while the pandemic “was completely unpredictable, and started days after the greatest jobs report in our country’s history,” Carbone said. Since March 1, about 75,000 unemployment claims have been processed for residents in Southwestern Connecticut, he added; The WorkPlace estimates that while the majority of workers laid off during the recession were primarily aged 50 and older, some 80% of those unemployed due to the coronavirus are under 50. “In some cases, those people will be called back to work quickly — we hope,” Carbone said. Complicating the situation is that both The WorkPlace and the American Job Centers, with which it frequently works to place employees, are still closed due to the pandemic. “The longer people are out of work, the more complacent they become,” Carbone said. “They can start to lose contact with some of their basic skills and can get depressed.”

So it is that the five-week P2E 2.0 will provide emotional coping skills as well as job training in its first phase. Its second phase will educate participants on understanding and getting prepared for returning to work in potentially a new type of job — including technology — as well as full-time, part-time, short-term “gig” and project-based work, and learning current, effective job search strategies. The third phase will support those who could benefit from upgrading skills through short-term occupational skill training.

Carbone noted that P2E 2.0 is being launched as a pilot program around June 15, after which it could be expanded around the region and the country, as happened with the original version. He predicts great things: “We have a rate of success of about 78%.” The program, free for participants, also covers the wages of the newly hired during a trial period, to help assure employers “that they’re not taking a great risk by hiring them,” Carbone said. For all the optimistic talk, he acknowledged that P2E 2.0 will not be

a cure-all. “A lot of those who are unemployed right now, particularly the younger workers, think they’ll get called back immediately — well, they’re not all going to be called back immediately,” Carbone said. “There can be a sort of laziness there — ‘Oh, I’ll eventually go back to work.’ That’s not necessarily true.” Applications for P2E 2.0 can be found at platformtoemployment.com, while additional information can be found by emailing info@platformtoemployment.com or calling 203-610-8516.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR DEVOTED EVENT SUPPORTERS A MESSAGE FOR OUR DEVOTED EVENT SUPPORTERS Throughout the years Westfair has presented award ceremonies as well as informational events that we have enjoyed hosting and that we know you, the business community, enjoyed in. Throughout the yearshave Westfair hasparticipating presented award This year we are faced with the unprecedented ceremonies as well as informational events thatand we unpredictable resulting disease, have enjoyed coronavirus hosting andand thatitswe know you, the Covid-19. All our previously scheduled events have business community, have enjoyed participating in. been postponed until further notice. This year we are faced with the unprecedented and Like you, we coronavirus don’t know when it will reallydisease, be safe unpredictable and its resulting for large gatherings. We’re going to play this by Covid-19. All our previously scheduled eventsday have

day. We anticipate that sometime in the late fall we may be able to reschedule some events. Bear with us. We will keep you informed on Westfaironline.com. In theWe meantime, Westfair teaminwishes day. anticipatethe that sometime the lateyou fallwell we and wants you to know that we are here to help may be able to reschedule some events. Bear withwith us. any messages you wish toonrelay to your markets. We will keep you informed Westfaironline.com. We’ve developed athe fewWestfair programs online in which you In the meantime, team wishes you well can participate without any cost. Visit westfaironline. and wants you to know that we are here to help with com or call (914) 694-3600 any messages you wish to relay to your markets. As always, thank taking this journey withyou us. We’ve developed ayou fewfor programs online in which

been postponed until further notice. Like you, we don’t know when it will really be safe for large gatherings. We’re going to play this day by

can participate without any cost. Visit westfaironline. com or call (914) 694-3600 As always, thank you for taking this journey with us.

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JUNE 8, 2020

National News Target and other big retailers cut back operations in cities hit hard by protests

BY BOB ROZYCKI bobr@westfairinc.com

he death of George Floyd at the hands of police officer in Minneapolis and the ensuing protests nationwide have had a ripple effect on major brand retailers that have had many of its stores looted. Target, which is based in

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Minneapolis, had already closed a couple dozen stores in Minnesota as well as outlets in Oakland, California, Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia. Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target, wrote in a letter to employees: “We are a community in pain. That pain is not unique to the Twin Cities — it extends across America. The murder of George Floyd has unleashed the pentup pain of years, as have the killings of Ahmaud Arbery (in Georgia) and Breonna Taylor (in Louisville). We say their names and hold a too-long list of others in our hearts. “As a Target team, we’ve huddled, we’ve consoled, we’ve witnessed horrific scenes similar to what’s playing out now and wept that not enough is changing. And as a team we’ve vowed to face pain with purpose. …As I write this, our merchant and distribution teams are preparing truckloads of first aid equipment and medicine, bottled water, baby formula, diapers and other essentials, to help ensure that no one within the areas of heaviest damage and demonstration is cut off from needed supplies.” Cornell concluded by writing, “It’s hard to see now, but the day will come for healing — and our team will join our hearts, hands and resources in that journey.” Amazon.com Inc. reportedly reduced deliveries and adjusted routes in cities affected by protests. The retailer told its independent delivery contractors in Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville and Seattle May 30 to stop all deliveries immediately. In addition, Whole Foods, which is owned by Amazon, changed store hours in cities hit hard by protests. Apple stores hit by looters will remain closed. The company had closed a number of its locations on Sunday citing “the health and safety of our teams in mind.” Apple has 271 stores nationwide. The company had just reopened about 140 that had been closed due to COVID-19 mandates by states. Items stolen from an Apple are inoperable and can actually be tracked by the company.

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JUNE 8, 2020

Driven to run: Limo service owner makes sixth attempt for political office

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than Book began the year with high hopes for his New England Limousine Service of Fairfield. “I started out this year doing about 30% better than I was doing last year,” he said. “Then I hit March and April. In April, my total business revenues were $173. And that did not include fuel costs and vehicle costs for going to Bradley Airport and back. It did not pay anywhere near what I needed to cover my fixed expenses.” Although his company qualified as an essential business under Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive orders, it wasn’t essential to a consumer base directed by the government to stay at home. “There was no demand,” he lamented. “Yeah, I was not prohibited in operating, but there was no demand.” Book, who was a former vice president of Connecticut Bank and Trust Co. before starting his limousine business, is laying the groundwork for a new job in seeking the Republican Party nomination to become state representative from Bridgeport’s 128th District via the Aug. 11 primary. This is not a spur-of-the-moment career changer for Book: he sought the position in the past three biennial election cycles, always losing to Democrat Christopher Rosario. Book had also tried to gain the 2010 Republican nomination for U.S. senator from Connecticut as a petitioning candidate and his party’s endorsement for the 2019 Bridgeport mayoralty race, falling short on both occasions. So why is Book seeking public office despite a decade’s worth of indifference from voters? “We have a problem in Connecticut with 40 years of Democrat majority legislators in Hartford and that has caused some skewing of excesses, particularly in the areas of high budgets and spending,” he said. “Our current state rep has been a party to record budget and tax increases, which everybody knows has resulted in a weakening of the Connecticut economy. Many businesses and people are leaving the state, which further weakened the economy and increased the state budget deficit. That puts the state of Connecticut in a very difficult position for dealing with something like the pandemic.” Book criticized Lamont’s Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group as an assault on the democratic process. “We have a governor who has a task

force without any publicly politically elected officials of any party,” he said. “We need public representation on something like that. We also have a system where none of its meetings and deliberations are subject to disclosure through the Freedom of Information Act, and the governor hired a consultant for $2 million for the reopening process. This is crazy, absolutely crazy.” In regard to government’s role in reopening the economy, Book stressed that he would not put the onus entirely on the federal government to bail out the states. “I’ve seen statistics where states with Republican administrations are better positioned financially to deal with the pandemic than those that are run by Democrat governors,” he said. “And if there has not been good financial management in the states, why should the government the federal government bail them out? We have an issue of separation of powers between the federal government and the states, and we have the limitation of Congress in Article One Section Eight of the Constitution, which are just the delegated powers.” Book added that he was “not saying that we should put people in danger,” but he worried that too much government aid would wither the sense of self-reliance that fuels many entrepreneurs. “I was turned down for an SBA loan and I was frustrated,” he said. “I was disturbed with that. But what I have done is refocus on some other things which might be better for me in the long run.” Of course, both Lamont and President Trump came to their respective positions directly from the business world — although Lamont, not unlike Book, had a few unsuccessful runs for office before snagging the political equivalent of the brass ring. Yet Book is cautious about encouraging his fellow business professionals to hit the political trail. “I think some people who have the potential for office are discouraged from office because of the difficulty in running and because of what they see as corruption in both parties of the political system,” he said. “I would speak to these business people and say that to run for political office, you almost need to be like a church worker who is called by God. And I think businessmen can be a great asset and would certainly be better than the excessive proportion of attorneys who became legislators — that can be a problem.”

LEGAL EAGLES

ADVERTORIAL RESOURCE GUIDE

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • WESTCHESTER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • JUNE 8, 2020

PROPERTY TAX CONCERNS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS PROPERTY TAXES IN NEW YORK ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION. The current health and economic crises have raised questions for owners and tenants concerning the real estate market. Primary among these concern the level of tax assessment valuations by the local assessor in light of a suddenly depressed market as well as abatements on penalties for the late payment of current taxes. Q: Will relief be granted from upcoming property tax bills? A: Governor Cuomo has authorized some relief from the otherwise hefty penalties and interest charged for late payment of property taxes. However, each individual town must decide whether it will adopt some type of forgiveness program and may implement its own requirements to show hardship. New York State law does not generally permit paying less than the full amount of a property tax bill, so property owners would likely need to first check with their local government and then, if the local municipality has adopted the Governor’s penalty waiver program, decide to either pay in full or pay nothing. Presumably, the current waiver program will be terminated in the coming months and those

taxes will once again incur charges as delinquent if left unpaid.

Q: Will the Covid-19 crisis impact tax assessment values? A: Tax assessment values are based on the real estate market. The current crisis will negatively impact all sectors of the real estate market throughout New York State. Hotels, retail, and restaurants are already experiencing unprecedented losses, and some small businesses may be shut down forever. Tax assessors must consider the economic impact on every property individually and consider the market as it is and not as they wish it were. Not all properties will experience the same level of impact, and much will depend on the types of tenancies in each (such as commercial properties that serve “essential businesses”). Assessors value properties as of a valuation date that is specific to each jurisdiction, so it’s important to begin by identifying the relevant dates – in some cases, the largest tax relief will be available beginning in 2021 because the valuation date precedes the crisis. Q: If I’m uncertain how a property’s value will be affected, does it make sense to file a tax appeal?

S2 • LEGAL EAGLES ADVERTORIAL RESOURCE GUIDE • JUNE 8, 2020

A: Throughout New York State, there is usually little downside to filing a tax appeal. The value cannot legally be raised simply because an owner files a challenge, even if the Assessor believes the value is too low. Tax appeals typically take a long time to resolve, so it’s usually the best practice to act protectively and file an appeal in order to preserve the owner’s rights to tax relief. Even if the best case for a tax reduction may be in 2021, it will usually make good sense to begin the process in 2020. Q: Have municipalities extended the deadlines to file a tax appeal? A: This decision is up to the individual municipality, so you’ll need to check with the local government wherever your property is located. As of this writing, many municipalities throughout the Hudson Valley have chosen to maintain their existing tax grievance deadlines (many of which occur in May

and June) rather than extend them. Some have not made a final decision. Although municipal offices are currently closed, grievance complaint forms can generally be filed through the mail or through other means that are currently being implemented by each municipality. In many instances, Board of Assessment hearings may be conducted online through video conferencing. A property tax legal advisor can assist you in determining the procedures to follow and deadlines to meet for a particular jurisdiction. Q: Can a tax appeal be filed where the assessment was “frozen” based on a prior assessment reduction? A: In our opinion, current crisis circumstances and the various governmental orders make it such that an exception to the “3-Year Freeze” applies, and we are recommending that our clients file an assessment challenge.

David C. Wilkes, Esq., is a senior level partner in the property tax law firm Herman Katz Cangemi Wilkes & Clyne, LLP, with offices in Westchester, Manhattan, and Long Island. He is President of the National Association of Property Tax Attorneys and CoChair of the Westchester Certiorari Tax Bar. He can be reached at dwilkes@hermankatz.com.

Final - 6.2.2020 – 10:55AM

NEW SBRA BANKRUPTCY – AN AFFORDABLE, POWERFUL REORGANIZATION TOOL

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP (DHC) is proud

By Robert L. Rattet

to announce it has merged with the premier bankruptcy, restructuring, reorganization, and creditor rights law firm north of New York City, Rattet PLLC.

THE RECENTLY ENACTED SMALL BUSINESS REORGANIZATION ACT (SBRA) provides a

powerful tool to help small businesses reorganize when conventional Chapter 11 bankruptcy would be impractical. Companies and individuals with unsecured and secured debts of less than $7.5 million are eligible if at least 50% of the debt was incurred as a result of commercial or business activities. SBRA encourages good faith out-ofcourt negotiations between business owners and creditors by eliminating some of the more costly and cumbersome features of a conventional reorganization. An SBRA bankruptcy does not require the appointment of a creditors committee, whose members are paid by the debtor. It eliminates the absolute priority rule – under which shareholders of the debtor retain no equity if a class of unsecured creditors rejects the reorganization plan and removes the requirement of a separate filing and judicial approval of a disclosure statement. This streamlined process will likely make it less expensive than a conventional reorganization, while providing creditors another invaluable resource for reorganization: time. Businesses that otherwise might have been forced to liquidate are allowed to create a plan under which, the company’s disposable income is dedicated to creditors for 3-5 years, with payment of reasonable salaries to executives and employees. Afterwards, the business emerges free of pre-filing debts and, crucially, shareholders retain their equity in the company. Unlike a conventional reorganization, SBRA bankruptcy does not mandate a vote by unsecured creditors. Ordinarily, one-half of the number of creditors and holders of two-thirds of the debt must accept the plan. This change matters particularly where a company has hostile creditors who hold more than 1/3 of the company’s debt and could, in a conventional bankruptcy, block a plan. Under the SBRA, those creditors have no such power.

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Robert L. Rattet

A bankruptcy judge in New York even allowed a debtor to restructure a mortgage securing her personal residence, since the residence was also used as a bed and breakfast, and thus a business. Conventional Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 do not allow such restructuring. There are a few possible drawbacks to an SBRA bankruptcy, including the mandatory appointment of a trustee. As the law was only recently enacted, we do not yet know if the trustee will be intrusive or merely a disbursing agent. Regardless, the trustee will collect a 5% commission on all creditor distributions under an SBRA plan. Ultimately, SBRA provides small businesses, aided by competent and appropriately specialized counsel, powerful leverage in pre-filing negotiations, compared with the substantial costs of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with which both debtors and creditors are well aware. Instead, under SBRA, companies have the choice of an efficient, relatively inexpensive proceeding, which should encourage productive pre-filing outof-court negotiations with creditors, avoiding the enormous cost of entering a courtroom. Such proceedings should be of significant value to small suburban businesses still confronting serious challenges as the region recovers from the COVID-19 epidemic. To watch a Free DHC webinar on the SBRA: https://bit.ly/DHCWebinar Robert L. Rattet is Co-Chair off the Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors Rights practice group at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, with offices in White Plains, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Albany. He can be reached at rlr@dhclegal.com.

The practice leaders of Westchester-based Rattet PLLC., Robert Rattet, James Glucksman, and Jon Pasternak are joining DHC’s growing and distinguished legal teams to help usher in an expansion of the DHC practice into Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Fairfield counties. Since 1975, DHC Legal has been a leader in developing innovative strategies to guide clients through times of crisis and expansion alike. With multidisciplined practices, also covering litigation, government relations and regulatory affairs, real estate, land use, hospitality, family law, finance, fashion, we offer our clients a full range of legal and professional services. Learn more about DHC.

New York City ▪ Washington D.C. ▪ White Plains ▪ Albany 212.557.7200 ▪ DHCLegal.com JUNE 8, 2020 • LEGAL EAGLES ADVERTORIAL RESOURCE GUIDE • S3

THE COVID19 PANDEMICS LONG TERM IMPACT ON ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND NURSING HOMES! By: Anthony J. Enea, Esq.

IT WOULDN’T BE AN OVERSTATEMENT TO SAY THAT THE RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK’S NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES HAVE FELT THE BRUNT OF THE RAVAGES OF THE COVID19 PANDEMIC. For example, at the time of this writing it has been reported that approximately thirtyseven (37%) percent of the deaths from Covid19 are nursing home residents and that 42 nursing homes in New York had at least 10 Covid19 deaths. The impact of New York’s decision to

require nursing homes to take patients with active Covid19 for rehabilitation and care has received and deserves scrutiny as to its impact on the number of deaths. The elderly with pre-existing conditions have always been vulnerable to the flu and it now appears they are significantly more vulnerable to Covid19. This vulnerability is exacerbated when the elderly are residents of nursing home and assisted living facilities. Unfortunately, the very nature of how nursing homes and assisted living

S4 • LEGAL EAGLES ADVERTORIAL RESOURCE GUIDE • JUNE 8, 2020

facilities are designed and operated magnifies their exposure to viral illnesses. The very reasons that have made assisted living facilities and nursing homes attractive for senior housing, being, the socialization aspects of the facilities, such as the dining rooms, game rooms, concerts, movies, bingo, etc., are their Achilles heel with respect to Covid19. The events that bring people together in a nursing home and assisted living facility, unfortunately, can be breeding grounds for viral illnesses such as the flu and Covid19. Until a cure and treatment for Covid19 is found, it will be necessary that the day to day operation and models used for nursing homes and assisted living facilities be significantly modified. The need for them to be vigilant about the health and hygiene of their residents as well as the cleanliness of their facilities on a yearround basis is now a matter of life and

death. It is also necessary that they be better organized to handle an outbreak at their facility and how best to treat ill residents and communicate with their families about their treatment and care. Whether or not they can and will adapt remains to be seen. I am confident they will make the attempt as their survival depends on it. Additionally, it also remains to be seen whether seniors and their families will continue to want to utilize a nursing home and/ or assisted living facility for their housing needs. There are many questions that will need to be answered and many changes that will need to be implemented. Even before the Covid19 pandemic reared its ugly head, seniors had become more reluctant to leave their homes and had for a number of years expressed their preference to “age in place.” Residing at home and receiving home care services gained a great deal of support in the last decade. This has also been possible in part due to New York’s Medicaid home care program and its relatively easy accessibility and eligibility rules. Shockingly, while this pandemic raged and devastated the residents of nursing home and assisted living facilities, the State of New York passed legislation making eligibility for Medicaid home care services more difficult. Under the new law Medicaid Home Care applications submitted after October 1, 2020 will be subject to a thirty (30) month look back period and will be penalized for any transfer of assets (gifts) made during said thirty (30) month period. This new eligibility makes it more important than ever that seniors (particularly those that are single) and who need assistances with activities of daily living submit applications for Medicaid home care services in advance of October 1, 2020. Advanced and proactive planning to protect one’s life savings and home from the cost of long-term care remains an urgent need for seniors. Making yourself eligible for Medicaid services is prudent planning. *Anthony J. Enea is a member of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains, New York. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts and Estates and Elder Law. Mr. Enea is the Past Chair of Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). He is the current Chair of the Senior Lawyer Section of the NYSBA. Mr. Enea is the Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Mr. Enea is the President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. Mr. Enea can be reached at (914) 948-1500 or at a.enea@esslawfirm.com.

KEANE & BEANE CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY nity service, and has endeavored to continue its support for organizations serving those in need. Ed Beane has said that he and Tom did not envision a firm of a particular size or one with a particular market niche, but sought instead to build a practice that delivered the best to its clients and

one in which a welcoming work environment prevailed. Today, 40 years later and even in the face of COVID-19 challenges, that vision remains the reality. We look forward to the future, and will continue to honor the values that have served us, and our clients, so well over the past 40 years.

Front sitting – David Glasser, Steven A. Schurkman, Judson K. Siebert, Patrick J. O’Sullivan, Richard L. O’Rourke. Rear Standing – Edward J. Phillips, Lance H. Klein, Stephanie L. Burns, William Kang, Andrew P. Tureaud, Jaclyn G. Goldberg, Nicholas M. Ward-Willis, Stephanie M. Roebuck, Ralph C. DeMarco, Jennifer L. Gray, Eric L. Gordon, Christopher J. Aventuro.

MAY 1, 2020 MARKED THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF KEANE & BEANE. ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOW OPERATING ON A REMOTE BASIS, AND IN A NEW AND UNORTHODOX ENVIRONMENT, K&B IS CELEBRATING THIS ACHIEVEMENT. It’s said that adversity is a test of one’s commitment to values. And so, perhaps, it is fitting that we celebrate this occasion in the midst of the challenges posed by the presence of COVID-19. We are here after 40 years because we have adhered to, and continue to abide by, core values that our founding members, Ed Beane and Tom Keane, instilled into the Firm from its very beginning. These values call for an unwavering commitment to our clients, to teamwork so that we render services in a comprehensive and effective fashion, to maintaining good cheer regardless of the circumstances and to providing service to our community. These values have always guided us, but never more so than in the past several weeks. Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Keane & Beane has served its clients as they encounter an uncertain legal environment

Edward F. Beane, Founding Member, Senior Counsel

Joel H. Sachs, Senior Counsel

that has changed, quite literally, from day-to-day. Our attorneys and staff have done so, without interruption, while swiftly transitioning from an office-based to a remote working platform. The Firm’s ability to address our clients’ needs and issues amidst the disruption cast by COVID-19 has been possible because we are far more than a collection of lawyers working under a common banner; our attorneys work on a collaborative basis recognizing that every client is a Keane & Beane client deserving of our collective talents. Our attorneys and staff have maintained a positive outlook and displayed exceptional grace in working with one another, our clients and professional colleagues even in these trying times. Keane & Beane has also remained committed to commu-

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We’ve been working side by side with our clients dealing with the Covid-19 challenges affecting businesses in the region. Perhaps we can help you, too. sbjlaw.com S6 • LEGAL EAGLES ADVERTORIAL RESOURCE GUIDE • JUNE 8, 2020

FOCUS ON

REAL ESTATE WESTCHESTER AND FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNALS

Webinar highlights problems and promise for Westchester and Fairfield real estate BY PETER KATZ pkatz@westfairinc.com

verall optimism for the future of real estate in Westchester and Fairfield counties was the order of the day when Westfair Communications, publisher of the Westchester County Business Journal, Fairfield County Business Journal, WAG magazine and numerous digital newsletters presented a webinar on May 28 featuring five experts exploring what the real estate market is likely to look like in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The panelists were: Bruce Berg, CEO of Fuller Development Co., a division of the Cappelli Organization; Fred Camillo, first selectman of Greenwich; Clayton H. Fowler, founding partner, chairman and CEO of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners;

Thomas LaPerch, director of the commercial group at Houlihan Lawrence; and Andrew S. Weisz, executive vice president of the RPW Group. “We were very fortunate in that our construction business has remained open, as we’re considered an essential service” Berg said. “But our approach to dealing with tenants is an adventure every day, whether it’s a retail tenant or an office tenant or a residential tenant. They’ve all been different and the experiences every day have been unique and we’re adapting as we go.” Camillo said that the real estate market in Greenwich has remained active. “Lots of Realtors that I’ve spoken to seem to be very busy right now. We’re trying to look at all the silver linings and how we could not only adapt in the short term but how we can come up on the

other side of this more prepared, efficient, more effective and have Greenwich be more of a destination than it already is.” Fowler said there was no slowdown on projects Spinnaker has had in construction, but some new deals were a different story. “Jobs that were about to start, about to close in terms of construction lending, they stopped or have been put off,” Fowler said. “We had one particular deal that we really liked the economics of ... fell apart at the end and we’re putting Humpty Dumpty together again now. We had a hotel that we put on the shelf until the fall for obvious reasons even though that particular hotel in New Haven had something called Y-A-L-E supporting it.” Fowler said that having to work from home has made it a little more difficult to bring new deals together and he looks for-

ward to again working out of his office in South Norwalk. “I’m pretty bullish on the market right now,” LaPerch said. “After speaking to the president of our company, Liz Nunan, the numbers are better than expected for the housing market and that’s a very good sign considering the hard part of showing houses and properties, but she says the numbers are better than expected and the good news is that it’s driving business up here on a commercial basis.” LaPerch said this is the third time he’s been through a severe downturn. “My message to all the brokers on my team is stay focused, stay ready and speak to your clients because we’re going to be busy.” At the RPW Group, Weisz said they’re seeing an uptick in activity at their buildings. “A lot of inquiries. There are virtual tours. There have been FCBJ

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some physical socially distanced tours, and I think the residential market is hot. It’s tough to find a rental right now. Those will convert to sales and people want to work close to home. So, I think the two work together and they’re going to benefit each other and I think long-term ... it’s something really positive for Westchester and Fairfield County.” Berg said that by doing virtual tours during the outbreak the Cappelli Organization was able to continue leasing space at its new 14-story building in New Rochelle, The Standard, at 50 LeCount Place. “We started construction on another project that we’re joint-venturing with Related on Huguenot Center. We’re also the general contractor on two other jobs in New Rochelle, so we’ve actually got four jobs under» WEBINAR JUNE 8, 2020

Focus On REAL ESTATE 17

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JUNE 8, 2020

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way in New Rochelle,” Berg said. “Construction was considered essential here in Connecticut so that never really stopped,” Camillo said. “What we’ve tried to do while the roads were fairly empty is to get as many projects done, but an unintended consequence of that is while people were stuck home the complaints started coming in about drilling during the day and all types of noises coming from the construction sites. With town hall reopening via appointment only in a couple of days we hope to be caught up on the permits and that the commerce will continue unimpeded and hopefully pick up.” LaPerch said that the pandemic is likely to force adjustments in real estate for the retail sector. “Retail reinvented themselves for the last five or six years and I think they need to do it again but I think with this pandemic the pricing is going to adjust and I think landlords, in my opinion, will be a little more generous with their terms and their pricing. So I’m pretty optimistic those storefronts will be filled in a different manner. I think the worst part of the pandemic is for the development of the senior living and assisted living.” LaPerch said that there is concern in the industry about what future requirements may be imposed in view of the way nursing homes and other congregate situations became hot spots for COVID-19. “I’ve talked to a couple of developers over the last couple of days and they’ve told me that the banks have pumped the brakes on some of these approved projects because they don’t know what the buildings have to be outfitted with,” LaPerch said. “Commercial leasing, commercial sales, debt equity financing, that was all on pause up until two or three weeks ago,” noted Weisz. “As of the middle of May, things started to slowly come back. Interestingly, we’ve actually signed two small office leases, both around 3,000 feet, all directly due to COVID and both, interestingly, similar situations. CEOs of both companies that were a little older in age and just said ‘We have expiring leases in New York and we’re going to move’ — they both live in Westchester County — and ‘we’re going to move our office to Westchester and give our staff 12 months, the staff that works in New York City, to figure out how they’re going to get to Westchester County.’” Weisz said RPW Group is due to break ground in a couple of weeks on its approved apartment project for 1133 Westchester Ave. in White Plains.

“We’re more excited than ever about that project,” Weisz said. He said that Westchester offers people the opportunity to live in less-dense surroundings than does New York City. He also said that they intend to move forward with their project for about 200 apartments on Webb Avenue in Harrison that is in the early stages of environmental review. “The focus now is on getting back into the workplace and this is something that we’ve been working on for a number of weeks,” Weisz said. “First, and most importantly, relationships matter now more than ever. Tenants and landlords: that relationship is crucial — being able to be in contact with your tenants and vice versa. We’re sending out biweekly building memos to all of our tenants and we have been throughout this COVID process alerting people to what we know and what we’re planning.” Weisz said that measures his company was taking include offering temperature checks for those tenants who would like it in the lobbies of buildings, increased cleaning staff and sanitizing all high touchpoints such as in elevators, encouraging stair use instead of elevators, and putting in new filters and sanitizing HVAC units. Berg said that his biggest concern is for the retail industry and in particular restaurants and gyms. “They are all unclear on how they are going to proceed not only because of the pandemic but people are afraid to go out. They don’t want to go and sit in a restaurant with people wearing masks. I think they are going to be the most challenged of anybody coming through the rest of this pandemic.” Fowler said he expects a lot of adjustment in landlord-tenant relationships when the tenants are restaurants. “We want them in the buildings. We want street life. It will change for a little while so we’ll make the adjustments,” Fowler said. He said he remains bullish on U.S. real estate because “320 million Americans aren’t leaving. As long as we can handle as communities our incredible debt burdens that COVID is foisting on us we’ll be fine.” The Silver Sponsor for the event was The Cappelli Organization. Sponsors of the event were: the Building & Realty Institute of Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region; Aditum Internet Management Service; H2M architects + engineers; VHB, engineers, scientists, planners, designers. Supporters of the event were: Gregory Sahagian & Son Inc., premier awning company; Atlantic Westchester Inc., commercial HVAC company; Rakow Commercial Realty Group.

LIONESS, INC.

Seeing wild animals display affection strikes a chord with us humans. We’ve been there. We’ve done that. Given the harsh environment and everyday struggle to survive in the wild, we are surprised to see glimpses of human behavior in their actions. This cub, in stride, reached up and leaned into his mother, looking for assurance. Solidarity is how they have always survived. Lions are the laziest of the big cats, often spending most of the day sleeping or resting. While lazing around, they can be very affectionate towards one another. While a group of people connected to one another is called a tribe, a group of fish is called a school and a group of owls is called a parliament, a group of lions is collectively called a pride because of their stately quality. Lions are the only cats that live in these social groups called prides. Family units may contain as many as 40 lions, including up to four males, who are responsible for protecting the pride, and a dozen females. All of a pride’s lionesses are related and will mate at approximately the same time. After a gestation period of about 110 days, the females gives birth to 1 to 4 cubs, weighing only 2 to 4 pounds. The cubs are then raised together, sometimes nursing communally. While the image of male lion superiority is ubiquitous in the world, the truth is that the females are the leaders of the pride and its primary hunters. Males rarely participate in hunting unless they are needed. Females fiercely defend their cubs, and while males tolerate them, they don’t always defend them. With high mortality

rates, about 80% of cubs will not survive until adulthood, but those that do may live to be 10 to 14 years of age. Helping humans learn how to live with lions is key to ensuring their survival. In northern Kenya, Samburu warriors, women and children with important local knowledge of wildlife issues are trained to collect data on wildlife sightings and respond to community issues like livestock depredation. In exchange, they receive educational lessons and a leadership role in their communities, creating a network of wildlife ambassadors. Some conservation organizations pay farmers to replace their livestock that have been taken by lions. There are so many fascinating things to discover about lions and all the other creatures that can be found on safari with John Rizzo’s Africa Photo Tours. It’s an unforgettable trip filled with lions, elephants, leopards, zebras and rhinos — all waiting to be discovered by you! Rizzo, an award-winning photographer, leads a team of experienced guides, specializing in safari and tribal tours within East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. His experienced team brings an intimate group of guests of all ages to see the “Big Five” (buffalos, elephants, lions leopards and rhinoceroses) as well as visit with the Maasai, Samburu and Turkana people. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. For more, visit africaphototours.com

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Good Things PACE REVAMPS MBA PROGRAM Responding to the needs of the workforce, advances in online learning technology and continuous business evolution and disruption, Pace University’s Lubin School of Business is launching an accelerated and revamped MBA program this fall that is faster, flexible and more convenient for students. The new and specialized curriculum, which includes in-person classes and an exclusively online MBA option, is ideal for working professionals and people looking to advance their careers. The new MBA requires 39 credits. There will be 10 focus areas, including accounting, business, business analytics, corporate ﬁnance, investment management, information systems, marketing analytics, marketing management, talent management and strategy and international management, all of which are expected to continue to be in great demand for the foreseeable future. Students can earn the DEGREE on an accelerated timetable in as little as one year full time or two years part time. Neil Braun, dean of the Lubin School of Business said, “We provide real-world experience and hands-on learning with a personalized approach for each student and Pace’s strong regional network of alumni and partners to help them achieve success and meet their career goals.”

Westchester and Fairfield Counties VIRTUAL AWARD CEREMONY FOR ARTS AWARDS

Nicole Russo, Oz Griebel

TWO NEW CMG BOARD MEMBERS

Harmony by the Sea by Lula Goce.

ArtsWestchester is moving forward with its annual arts awards with a virtual celebration honoring seven Westchester County residents and organizations. Leaders from the county’s arts and business community will join together to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2020 Arts Award honorees, including the mayor of Tarrytown; the Romita family of Pel-

ham; Blue Door Art Center of Yonkers; the city of New Rochelle; the Ossining Public Library; A-Chord with kids of Rye and Port Chester and Arnold Kastenbaum of Mamaroneck. the event will take place on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. at artsw.org/ artaward2020, along with facebook and you tube. Janet T. Langsam, ArtsWestchester

CEO, said, “Every year ArtsWestchester has celebrated the vision and commitment of the brightest stars in Westchester’s cultural community. Westchester has suffered greatly as a result of COVID-19 and the event must go on. Artists are the heart and soul that makes Westchester such a great place to live and work and are essential for our rebuilding and healing.”

COMBE DONATION TO WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL

LAW FIRM SUPPORTS LOCAL FOOD BANKS In the spirit of Pullman & Comley’s “Pulling Together, Succeeding Together” philosophy and motto, the law firm’s alternative dispute resolution practice donated a portion of its April mediation and arbitration fees to support Foodshare and the Connecticut Food Bank. The Connecticut Bar Association and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association are leading a push for the legal community in the state to financially support these two local organizations, as they struggle to provide urgently needed meals in this time of crisis. “We are honored to assist our neighbors in need,” said former Justice Robert Holzberg of Pullman & Comley.

From left: David Landes, WPH Foundation Board; Dawn French, WPH senior vice president public relations and marketing; Susan Fox, WPH president and CEO; Keech Combe Shetty, executive chair and Akshay Shetty, CEO of Combe.

Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.

Combe, an international personal care innovator based in White Plains, reached out to lend a helping hand in the fight against COVID-19 by donating $50,000 for PPE plus 10,000 units of hand sanitizer

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products to White Plains Hospital. Keech Combe Shetty, executive chair and Akshay Shetty, CEO, made the donation to White Plains Hospital President and CEO Susan Fox.

The hospital has treated the most COVID-19 patients in the region and this donation helps support the essential health care heroes on the front lines fighting the global pandemic.

Carter Morse & Goodrich (CMG) in Southport recently added two members to its board of advisors. Formed more than a decade ago, the CMG board of advisors consists of prominent business professionals from various industry sectors. Joining the board are Nicole Russo, the president and CEO of Microboard Processing Inc., and Oz Griebel of Griebel Consulting. Frank Morse, managing director of Carter Morse & Goodrich, said, “We are honored that Nicole and Oz have joined our board…. They will be valuable resources for both our team and our clients.” Microboard Processing a multigenerational family business based in Seymour, which is a leading-edge, high-tech electronic manufacturing services company that is sought after by several branches of U.S. military and Fortune 500 companies. Russo is a former vice president at GE Capital and is actively involved in global humanitarian projects. She is a graduate of D’Amore-McKim School of Business Northeastern University and Salve Regina University. She has completed post graduate programs at Yale School of Management and the Harvard Business School. Griebel started his professional career in secondary education before joining the former Bank of Boston Corp. where he held a variety of legal and management roles, concluding his 23-year tenure as president of the corporation’s businesses in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. He subsequently served as COO and a member of the board of directors at MacDermid Corp., a global diversified specialty chemicals company, before joining the Metro Hartford Alliance, Connecticut’s largest privately funded economic development organization, as president and CEO, concluding his 17-year tenure at the end of 2017. He launched Griebel Consulting in 2019. Griebel is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Suffolk University Law School.

VIRTUAL TUTORING: AN ERA OF DISTANCE LEARNING

MUSEUM CALLS UPON YOUNG STUDENTS TO RESPOND CREATIVELY TO THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS The Bruce Museum in Greenwich has announced a new art competition that will highlight the talents and concerns of the coming generation of young artists. Developed for children in grades kindergarten through grade 8, the art competition asks kids to use their creativity to share their unique experiences during this unprecedented health crisis. Robert Wolterstorff, The Susan E. Lynch executive director, said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to show how younger artists are using their creativity to express themselves. Art truly does inspire and it will help us all get through these trying times.” Artwork, created in any medium, with one submission per artist, can be submitted electronically as one (1) image per two-dimensional work or two (2) images for three-dimensional pieces via email to jrartcomp@brucemuseum. org. Information required for the submission includes artist’s name, age, current grade at school, title of work and medium of work. Parents, please note: submission of artwork constitutes adult guardian permission to participate, as well as rights to use images for promotional or other uses by the Bruce Museum. Awards will be offered for two age groups, grades K-4 and grades 5-8. “These are uncharted territories for students and with schools no longer in session, we wanted to find a new way to channel their creative expression,” said Felicity Kostakis, who along with

The Bruce Museum Junior Art Competition 2020: Seeing and Feeling During the Pandemic. Image credit: Mariya Sokolova, Greenwich.

fellow Museum volunteers Lily deJongh Downing and Cricket Lockhart, will serve as judges for the art competition. Deadline for entries is June 15. Winners will be announced on June 19 and

their artwork will be exhibited virtually on a dedicated website. For complete details and rules about the Bruce Museum Junior Art Competition 2020, visit the “Events” page at brucemuseum.org.

BRODY WILKINSON WELCOMES ANOTHER ASSOCIATE

The Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem (GBSLE) is bringing together partners to continue to serve local students in an era of distance learning and an absence of out-of-school STEM education programs. The group is made up of 33 innovators: educators, business and civic representatives, nonprofits and youth- serving organizations whose aim is to provide quality STEM learning opportunities for youth, to put them on a path to self-supporting careers. A pilot virtual tutoring program, serving K-12 students, and their families, in the Greater Bridgeport area offers weekly sessions on multiple subjects, support and more.

An initiative of GBSLE, along with community partners PT Partners; Bridgeport Public Education Fund, ACCESS Educational Services; local administrators, social workers guidance counselors and local colleges, the program engages local college students from six colleges: University of Bridgeport, Housatonic Community College, Southern CT State University, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University, and the College of Pharmacy at The University of St. Joseph, to mentor and tutor. Seed funding was provided by United Way of Coastal Fairfield County & Bank of America. Cost is $297 per student per month.

Jake Pylman has joined the law firm of Brody Wilkinson PC in Southport as an associate. A member of the business and real estate groups, Pylman practices primarily in the areas of general corporate matters, business transactions and commercial real estate. He also represents lenders and borrowers in commercial loan originations and workouts. Earlier in his career, Pylman worked at national and regional firms representing commercial clients. He previously served as law clerk to the Justice Charles S. Haight Jr., U. S. district judge for the Southern District of New York and the District of Connecticut. Pylman was recognized by “Connecticut Super Lawyers” as a “Rising Star” in the area of business litigation in 2018 and 2019. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Pylman received his Juris Doctorate, with honors, and tax certificate from the University of Connecticut School of School of Law, where he received CALI awards. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors and highest distinction, from the University of Rochester.

Jake Pylman

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Westchester and Fairfield Counties

HCC PROFESSOR RECOGNIZED WITH MULTIPLE AWARDS

BURGERS HELPS STAMFORD SENIORS STAY CONNECTED

Stamford Senior Center member Pauline Houser picking up a burger lunch.

In honor of National Hamburger Day on May 28, the Stamford Senior Center offered a complimentary drive-thru graband-go burger lunch for its members and members of the Church of Archangels Senior Group. The lunch, dubbed a ‘”Burger Dash,” was provided to approximately 150 seniors and was held at the Church of Archangels in Stamford. Seniors remained in their cars as they picked up a bagged lunch containing a freshly grilled hamburger,

chips, cookies and water. The event was a welcome opportunity for seniors to connect with pals, even by distance. “It’s wonderful, I get a nice lunch, I don’t have to cook and I get to see my friends,” said member Pauline Houser. The Stamford Senior Center has been closed since March 12th to help protect members from potential exposure to COVID-19. Since that time, the organization has delivered prepared meals and bags of groceries weekly to more than 100

seniors, helping them to stay out of stores during the pandemic. “While the Stamford Senior Center itself continues to be closed for on-site programs, we are working hard to meet the needs of our members by creating a senior center without walls,” said executive director Christina Crain. The Stamford Senior Center is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization established in 1996 to help serve the needs of Stamford’s older adult population.

YONKERS RESIDENTS TURN OUT FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Housatonic Community College Assistant Professor Kristen Carley.

The Connecticut state colleges and universities (CSCU) Board of Regents for Higher Education recognized Housatonic Community College (HCC) Assistant Professor Kristen Carley with two Excellence in Teaching awards. Carley is among 18 CSCU distinguished faculty members named as recipients of the annual 2019-20 Board of Regents Faculty Awards. Carley, who has taught English at HCC since 2009, was chosen from faculty members throughout the 17 CSCU schools across the state to be honored with the System-Wide Board of Regents Teaching Award. Additionally, she was recognized with the campus-based Excellence in Teaching Award for differentiating herself as an exceptional college professor at HCC.

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Recognizing that community college students are often working multiple jobs and juggling family responsibilities in addition to attending school, Carley’s teaching approach is to create an “accessible partnership” that extends beyond the classroom and regular office hours. “Because of our community of learners, I make myself accessible,” said Carley. “Their schedules are busy, and this is a partnership; they know they can reach me if they need help.” Thomas G. Coley, acting HCC president and regional president, CSCU Shoreline-West, said, “Her impact on students is changing lives and we’re thrilled that she received this deserved recognition.” FCBJ

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More than 250 residents of the southwest Yonkers community recently turned out for a food distribution event hosted by Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in partnership with Feeding Westchester. More than 400 bags of food totaling 7,246 pounds were distributed to the residents who gathered in a parking lot across from the hospital. Food distribution is particularly important with the economic shutdown where people are losing their jobs and incomes. According to Feeding Westchester, the number of people who are food insecure in Westchester has doubled as a result of the pandemic. The event was the hospital’s way of saying thanks to the community for their support during the pandemic. Local residents and community groups have donated food and expressed support for the hospital’s frontline health care workers. “The local community has been tremendously supportive of our hospital staff over the past few months. We felt this was a good way to give back in a very meaningful way, said Michael Spicer, president and CEO of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, which has been serving Yonkers since 1888.

HCC DEAN WRITES BOOK ABOUT GARDENING

BRINGING BREAD TO WESTPORT Penny P. Wickey and Dan Neaton of Saugatuck Commercial Real Estate (SCRE) exclusively represented Gault Family Cos. in the lease of retail space to Kneads — a bakery, café and flour mill. It will be opening in Saugatuck Center, 580 Riverside Ave. (formerly Garelick & Herbs) in Westport. “We are very excited about the addition of Kneads to Saugatuck Center. Daniel and Brittany’s offerings will be a great complement to the other businesses in the center and will further enhance Saugatuck” said Sam Gault, owner of Saugatuck Center. “Using our New American Stone Mill, we will be grinding grains on-site with window-watching encouraged. With our house-milled flour we will offer a variety of freshly baked breads and pastries daily. Locally sourced ingredients will dictate our breakfast and lunch menu. We are looking forward to joining the Westport community, it’s just what the town Kneads,” said owners, Daniel and Brittany Moreno. SCRE was formed by Wickey in 2004 and is a full-service commercial real estate brokerage company and a nationally certified Woman Owned Enterprise in Westport.

CONNECTICARE EXTENDS NO-COST TELEHEALTH BENEFITS

ConnectiCare members can continue to use telehealth for covered medical and mental health services without paying a deductible, copayment or coinsurance through June 30. No-cost telehealth visits apply to any illness or injury — not just coronavirus (Covid-19). Members must use in-network primary care doctors, specialists, or mental health clinicians.

NEW IONA DEGREE PROGRAM IN NURSING

Robin Avant

Housatonic Community College Dean of Academic Affairs Robin Avant has published her first book, “The Spirit of Gardening: Gardening for New Bees, The Life Revealed Through Gardening!” The 139-page beginner’s resource is a guide, reference book and a collection site for the “new bee” gardener — just in time for the planting season. The book provides gardening basics, including a map of plant zones, seed package information, helpful tips and a glossary of 50 common starter veggies, fruits and herbs. Presented alongside beautiful, colorful pictures taken by Avant herself, readers will

find facts and advice on indoor gardening and potting, outdoor gardening, composting, sowing, watering, germinating, pruning and harvesting. “I want readers to explore, have fun and enjoy the journey as they learn the gardening process,” said Avant. “The book provides fundamental steps to take ownership of our food supply, sustaining and supplementing what we put on our table.” Avant’s love of gardening began at an early age watching her grandmothers in their gardens, then was sparked again later in life when a co-worker began bringing fresh produce into the office from his gar-

den. Her interest grew into a passion when she took the leap and created her own backyard garden in Bridgeport. Avant has been a member of the Housatonic Community College faculty since 2012. “…She has been at the forefront of helping HCC to become named a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation, and recently, an edible campus,” said Thomas G. Coley, HCC acting president. The book is available by visiting https:// www.barnesandnoble.com/, https://www. amazon.com/, or https://www.xulonpress. com/.

ENTA CONTINUES TO RECRUIT PHYSICIANS Embracing the transformation and complexities in the health care sector during the Covid-19 pandemic and its mission to provide comprehensive care, ENTA in Tarrytown will increase its clinical recruitment efforts to ensure it engages and connects with the finest candidates possible. ENTA’s new recruitment campaign called ‘A Breath of Fresh Air — Otolaryngology, Allergy and Audiology Opportunities’ will commence after July 4.

Last year, the practice formed a recruitment committee, led by Vice President Steven Gold, M.D., and CEO Robert Glazer. The committee also consists of six other physicians, including ENTs and allergists. ENTA anticipates that after Labor Day, the otolaryngology, allergy and audiology marketplace will improve, however, due to COVID-19, there may be a shift in the industry as small private practices and

solo physicians may look to join larger, more stable practices due to the economic impact left by Covid-19. ENT and Allergy Associates LLP (ENTA) has more than 200 physicians practicing in 40-plus office locations in Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as New York City and northern/central New Jersey. The practice sees more than 80,000 patients per month. FCBJ

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Iona College in New Rochelle recently announced the launch of a Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing, which will help to meet the growing demand for registered nurses both locally and nationally. With official approval from the New York State Department of Education now in place, Iona is ready to accept its first class of students this fall. The nursing program will offer two pathways to a bachelor’s degree: a traditional four-year undergraduate program open to both freshman and transfer students, complete with a core, liberal arts curriculum; and an accelerated, 15-month second-degree program for students who already have a bachelor’s in another field. Both pathways will prepare graduates to sit for the National Certification and Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses. Iona’s nursing program will be housed in a state-of-the-art, 7,500-square-foot learning facility complete with all of the newest equipment, technology and simulated learning opportunities. Small-group, clinical instructional settings with an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio will ensure personalized attention. “As we have seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses truly are heroes — and the world needs more of them,” said Seamus Carey, president of Iona College. For more information and to apply, visit iona.edu/nursing.

Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.

JUNE 8, 2020

Facts & Figures

westchester county

BANKRUPTCIES Chapter 7 Estate of Michael P. D’Alessio vs. American Express, et al. 20-6264-RDD, et seq.: Eleven adversary proceedings by U.S. Trustee Marianne T. O’Toole, against individuals, banks and other entities. Attorneys: David A. Blansky, Holly R. Holecek and Salvatore LaMonica. Julissa Morales, et al vs. Three Diamond Diner Corp., et al, Mount Kisco. 20-6278 & 20-6279-RDD: Adversarial proceedings against owners of Mount Kisco Diner to determine dischargeability of debt. Filed by Workers Justice Center of New York. Central Dover Development Corp., Dover Plains. 20-35599CGM: Chapter 11, assets and liabilities from $1 million to $10 million. Attorneys: Dawn Kirby and Julie Cvek Curley.

COURTS Andrea Basli, Carmel, vs. Bank of America. 7:20-cv-4063CS: Class action, racketeering. Attorney: Rick S. Cowle.

Fair Housing Justice Center, Long Island City vs. Lighthouse Living, et al, White Plains. 7:20-cv-4066-NSR: Fair Housing Act. Attorneys: John R. Cuti and Alice G. Reiter. Carolann Lopez, Brooklyn vs. CareMount Medical PC, et al, Mount Kisco. 7:20-cv-4101-PMH: Employment discrimination, disabilities. Attorney: Jessenia Maldonado.

Items appearing in the Fairfield County Business Journal’s On The Record section are compiled from various sources, including public records made available to the media by federal, state and municipal agencies and the court system. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, no liability is assumed for errors or omissions. In the case of legal action, the records cited are open to public scrutiny and should be inspected before any action is taken.

Diana Hershchuk and Michael C. Murphy, Pawling vs. Mack-Cali Realty, Elmsford.7:20-cv-4102-VB: Job discrimination, sex. Attorney: Steven Finell. Allstate Insurance Co. vs. Vitality Physicians Group Practice, et al, New Windsor. 7:20-cv-4132-CS: Declaratory judgment, insurance. Attorney: Rosa Maria Feeney. Joyce Falborn, Nanuet, vs. Unilever United States Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. 7:20-cv-4138-KMK: Class action, fraud. Attorney: Spencer Sheehan. DigiMedia Tech, Georgia vs. Fujifilm Holdings America Corp., Valhalla. 7:20-cv-4140PMH: Patent infringement. Attorney: Daniel Kent. Jose Flores, the Bronx, vs. LaPlaza LLC and Armando Merion, d.b.a. Carniceria La Plaza, Yonkers. 7:20-cv-4186KMK: Class action, Fair Labor Standards Act. Attorney: Lina Stillman.

Kaufman, Richard T., et al. Filed by PCSB Bank. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $280,000 affecting property located at 3 Wayne Court, Ardsley 10502. Filed Nov. 15.

Collins, Sabrina, et al. Filed by the State of New York Mortgage Agency. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $202,112 affecting property located at 208-DB2 Harris Road, Bedford Hills 10507. Filed Nov. 25.

Kehinde, Ronald, et al. Filed by Caliber Home Loans Inc. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure an unspecified amount affecting property located at 23 Beekman Ave., Mount Vernon 10553. Filed Nov. 15.

Donovan, Richard, et al. Filed by Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $466,396 affecting property located at 2 Lounsbury Drive, Baldwin Place 10505. Filed Nov. 29.

Koeppel-Duckworth, Lisa, et al. Filed by U.S. Bank N.A. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $200,000 affecting property located at 544 King St., Chappaqua 10514. Filed Nov. 26.

Dreher, Tracey A., et al. Filed by Freedom Mortgage Corp. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $324,328 affecting property located at 21 Gabriel Drive, Cortlandt Manor 10567. Filed Nov. 21.

Labriola, Adam L., et al. Filed by U.S. Bank N.A. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $384,000 affecting property located at 24 Somerston Road, Yorktown Heights 10598. Filed Nov. 18.

Sharpe Home Designs LLC, Yonkers. Seller: U.S. Bank N.A. Property: 5 Ethelton Road, Greenburgh. Amount: $365,000. Filed May 27.

Franco, Joseph, et al. Filed by The Money Source Inc. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $383,597 affecting property located at 2158 Mohansic Ave., Yorktown Heights 10598. Filed Nov. 19.

Lawrence, Jay, et al. Filed by Newrez LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure an unspecified amount affecting property located at 121 Bouton Road, South Salem 10590. Filed Nov. 22.

LIS PENDENS

Livingston, Yvonne, et al. Filed by Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $124,800 affecting property located at 1346 Howard St., Peekskill 10566. Filed Nov. 22. Luiso, Joseph, as executor of the estate of Robert Luiso, et al. Filed by Great Western Trust. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $100,000 affecting property located at 90 Oak St., Harrison 10528. Filed Nov. 22.

Certified Homes Inc., Chestnut Ridge. Seller: Howard F. Dubs, Chappaqua. Property: 108 Cliffield Road, Bedford. Amount: $423,000. Filed May 26.

LL Parcel E LLC, Horsham, Pennsylvania. Seller: Lighthouse Landing Communities LLC, Irvine, California. Property: 199 Beekman Ave., Mount Pleasant. Amount: $3.7 million. Filed May 29.

Halima Consulting Services LLC, New York City. Seller: Mortgage Assets Management LLC, Lansing, Michigan. Property: 162 Barnegat Road, Pound Ridge. Amount: $370,000. Filed May 26.

YY Equities USA LLC, Brooklyn. Seller: 216 Elm LLC, New City. Property: 216 Elm St., Yonkers. Amount: $1.5 million. Filed May 26.

Levland Capital LLC, Pound Ridge. Seller: Douglas P. Dreyer, et al, Pound Ridge. Property: 21 Black Spring Road, Bedford. Amount: $999,999. Filed May 29.

Below $1 million

Mortgage Assets Management LLC. Seller: Daniel L. Pagano, Yorktown Heights. Property: 34 Garibaldi Place, Rye. Amount: $881,011. Filed May 26.

157 Grand LLC, Jersey City, New Jersey. Seller: Deodato Armes, et al, Bronx. Property: 37 Chatham Terrace, Yonkers. Amount: $52,500. Filed May 29. 22 Croton Street Realty LLC, Cortlandt Manor. Seller: Herbert L. Wagreich, et al, Ossining. Property: 22 Croton St., Ossining. Amount: $125,000. Filed May 26.

MPGG Holdings LLC, Yonkers. Seller: Luis Absolu, et al, Elmsford. Property: 66 Parkview Road, Greenburgh. Amount:: $310,000. Filed May 29.

380 New Rochelle Road LLC, Eastchester. Seller: Meta Properties LLC, Bronxville. Property: 174 Marbledale Road, Eastchester. Amount: $650,000. Filed May 29.

Samuel Bowens, Mahwah, New Jersey vs. Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., Middletown. 7:20-cv-4197-UA: Job discrimination, race. Attorneys: Shelly A. Leonard and Steven B. Blau.

385 Adams LLC, Bedford Hills. Seller: Raymond E. Hvolbeck, Bedford Hills. Property: 385 Adams St., Bedford. Amount: $670,000. Filed May 27.

The following filings indicated a legal action has been initiated, the outcome of which may affect the title to the property listed.

Gould, Kathleen Kavanagh, et al. Filed by E*Trade Bank. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $430,000 affecting property located at 90 Greenridge Ave., White Plains 10605. Filed Nov. 26.

Acker and Li Mills Corporation 401K Plan, New York City. Seller: Julie Cherico, White Plains. Property: 52 Jackson Place, Greenburgh. Amount: $244,000. Filed May 26.

58-60 Whipporwill Road LLC, et al. Filed by Chondrite REO LLC (6). Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $303,875 affecting property located at 60 E. Whippoorwill Road, Armonk. Filed Nov. 21.

Green, Melvin, et al. Filed by Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $574,750 affecting property located at 30 Ridgeview Ave., Yonkers 10710. Filed Nov. 27.

Allison, Shawnie, et al. Filed by U.S. Bank N.A. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $403,750 affecting property located at 162 Linden St., Yonkers 10701. Filed Nov. 27.

Heirs and distributees of the estate of Ronald James Reid, et al. Filed by Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $154,000 affecting property located at 330 S. Broadway, Unit H8, Tarrytown 10591. Filed Nov. 25.

Maura Robles and Ida Z. Bravo, New York City, vs. Argonaut Restaurant and Diner Inc., et al, Yonkers. 7:20-cv4200-VB: Fair Labor Standards Act. Attorney: Steven T. Sledzik.

DEEDS Above $1 million 24 Halfway LLC, Brooklyn. Seller: Charles L. Wilson III, Pound Ridge. Property: 24 Midway Lane, Pound Ridge. Amount: $3.3 million. Filed May 27.

Larry Miles c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 701 Westchester Ave, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699

JUNE 8, 2020

Cognato, Nicole, et al. Filed by Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $960,000 affecting property located at 20 Devonshire Drive, White Plains 10605. Filed Nov. 25.

4Peas LLC, New York City. Seller: Peter D. Acciavatti, et al, Rye. Property: 39 Evergreen Ave., Rye. Amount: $4 million. Filed May 26.

Universal International Max Ltd., Hong Kong, vs. Donald J. Pliner of Florida LLC, White Plains. 7:20-cv-4192-UA: Contract, demand $1.2 million. Attorney: Michael J. Licker.

Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to:

ON THE RECORD

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Aero Mortgage Loan Trust 2017-1. Seller: Linda Markowitz, White Plains. Property: 25 N. Broadway 5, Yonkers. Amount: $190,000. Filed May 26. BAV Industries LLC, Bedford. Seller: Certified Homes Inc., Chestnut Ridge. Property: 108 Cliffield Road, Bedford. Amount: $560,000. Filed May 27. BGRS Relocation Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona. Seller: Pradyumna Dutta, et al, Mount Kisco. Property: 80 Lakeside Drive, Bedford. Amount: $550,000. Filed May 27.

Cabrera, Miosotis, et al. Filed by JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $500,000 affecting property located at 180 Taxter Road, Irvington 10533. Filed Nov. 21.

Howe, Robin B., et al. Filed by Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $77,000 affecting property located at 325 Mount Pleasant Ave., Mamaroneck 10543. Filed Nov. 25.

Maskara, George Jr., as co-executor of the estate of Patricia Maskara, et al. Filed by Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $360,000 affecting property located at 18 Amackassin Terrace, Yonkers 10703. Filed Nov. 19. McKinnon, Diana, et al. Filed by Sterling National Bank. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $35,000 affecting property located at 173 Voss Ave., Yonkers 10703. Filed Nov. 26.

Facts & Figures Morel, Pablo, et al. Filed by The Bank of New York Mellon. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $400,000 affecting property located at 1425 Nepperhan Ave., Yonkers 10705. Filed Nov. 22. Pelham RE Partners LLC, et al. Filed by 360 SC LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $1.6 million affecting property located at 137-145 Fifth Ave., Pelham. Filed Nov. 15. Public administrator of Westchester County as administrator to the estate of Stanley M. Bernstein, et al. Filed by Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $660,000 affecting property located at 120 Parkview Place, Mount Kisco 10549. Filed Nov. 15. Public administrator of Westchester County of the estate of Billie Magnotti, et al. Filed by Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $544,185 affecting property located at 548 York Hill Road, Yorktown Heights 10598. Filed Nov. 19. Santos, Xiomel O., et al. Filed by Midfirst Bank. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $484,560 affecting property located at 24 Northfield Ave., Dobbs Ferry 10522. Filed Nov. 22. Terry, Hilliard Jr., et al. Filed by NJCC-NYS Community Restoration Fund LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $120,000 affecting property located at 126 S. 12th Ave., Mount Vernon 10550. Filed Nov. 22. Towe, Charles, as executor and beneficiary to the estate of Vivian Evelyn, et al. Filed by Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $675,000 affecting property located at 3 Touraine Ave., Port Chester 10573. Filed Nov. 21. Vedovato, Mary, et al. Filed by Fareverse LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $938,250 affecting property located at 90 North Road, Eastchester 10709. Filed Nov. 25.

Williams, Richard D. Jr., as fiduciary of the estate of Mary R. Williams, et al. Filed by Fareverse LLC. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $570,000 affecting property located at 179 Sears Ave., Elmsford 10523. Filed Nov. 25. Young, Andrea R., et al. Filed by MTGLQ Investors LP. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure an unspecified amount affecting property located at 210 Woodhampton Drive, White Plains 10603. Filed Nov. 25.

MECHANIC’S LIENS 70 Jackson Street LLC, as owner. $204,435 as claimed by CMC Steel Fabricators Inc. Property: in Yonkers. Filed May 21. BNS LLC, as owner. $404,823 as claimed by CMC Steel Fabricators Inc. Property: in Peekskill. Filed May 21. Horizon at Ridge Hill LLC, as owner. $47,359 as claimed by Extreme Residential Corp., Hamilton, New Jersey. Property: in Yonkers. Filed May 21. Horizon at Ridge Hill LLC, as owner. $47,359 as claimed by Extreme Residential Corp., Hamilton, New Jersey. Property: in Yonkers. Filed May 21. Horizon at Ridge Hill LLC, as owner. $47,359 as claimed by Extreme Residential Corp., Hamilton, New Jersey. Property: in Yonkers. Filed May 21. Horizon at Ridge Hill LLC, as owner. $47,359 as claimed by Extreme Residential Corp., Hamilton, New Jersey. Property: in Yonkers. Filed May 21. Pepsico Inc., as owner. $622,464 as claimed by Elq Industries Inc., New Rochelle. Property: in Mount Pleasant. Filed May 28. RXR Soyo Exalta Owner LLC, as owner. $6,800 as claimed by CGM Drywall and Taping Corp. Property: in Yonkers. Filed May 28. Westchester Mall LLC, as owner. $9,842 as claimed by Excel Elevator. Property: in White Plains. Filed May 28.

NEW BUSINESSES This paper is not responsible for typographical errors contained in the original filings.

Manns Elite Electric, 40 Lorraine Ave., Mount Vernon 10553, c/o Steven M. Manns. Filed Jan. 13.

Partnerships

Margaret’s Grooming, 2 Old Tomahawk St., Yorktown Heights 10598, c/o Margaret Muenz. Filed Jan. 15.

50/50 Studios, 10 Oakwood Drive, Apt. 205, Peekskill 10566, c/o Charles and Devonna Quinn. Filed Jan. 14.

Myle Nails Spa, 495 Odell Ave., Yonkers 10703, c/o My Huong Le Ngo. Filed Jan. 16.

Sole Proprietorships

Palettes By Post, 1425 Mamaroneck Ave., Apt. 1, Mamaroneck 10543, c/o Natalie Longo. Filed Jan. 16.

A 047 La Vega Barber Shop, 43 Gramatan Ave., Mount Vernon 10550, c/o Aris Castillo. Filed Jan. 13.

Simpatico, 46 Ridgeway Circle, White Plains 10605, c/o Jeanine Rockwell. Filed Jan. 15.

ABS Business Consultant, 17 Huber Place, No. 2, Yonkers 10704, c/o Ana Virginia Baez Sabala. Filed Jan. 13.

Suite-Space, 245 Saw Mill River Road, Suite 106, Hawthorne 10532, c/o Gilberto J. Cordero. Filed Jan. 15.

Ana’s Fitness Club, 95 Main St., Second floor, Ossining 10562, c/o Ana L. Herrera. Filed Jan. 13.

Transfer EM New York, 115 Park Place, Mount Kisco 10549, c/o Julio Cesar De Farias Azim. Filed Jan. 14.

Blex Boutique, 16 Walnut St., Apt. 2, New Rochelle 10801, c/o Alexcuis Burnett. Filed Jan. 16.

Vending R’ Us, 613 Belden St., Peekskill 10566, c/o Temetra Todd. Filed Jan. 14.

Ely’s Beauty Salon, 679 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers, c/o Nurkia E. Morales. Filed Jan. 14.

PATENTS

HerbivoreBox, 40 Clarendon Ave., No. 2, Yonkers 10701, c/o Amany Velazquez. Filed Jan. 14. I24HRS Digital Marketing Agency, 38 Sunnyside Drive, Yonkers 10705, c/o Robert Magat. Filed Jan. 13. iQueryData.com, 45 Beekman Ave., No. B312, Sleepy Hollow 10591, c/o Lolita Maria Jones. Filed Jan. 14. Jefferson Photography, 5 Franklin Ave., No. 6P, White Plains 10601, c/o Jeffery Jefferson. Files Jan. 13. Jeyka Cleaning Services, 38 Linden St., 3L, Yonkers 10701, c/o Jessica C. Hernandez. Filed Jan. 14. John Riina, 14 Winterberry Court, Peekskill 10566, c/o John Riina. Filed Jan. 13.

Cellular network authentication utilizing unlinkable anonymous credentials. Patent no. 20200169879 issued to Jeb Linton, et al. Assigned to IBM, Armonk. System and method for identifying external connections in a streaming application. Patent no. 20200169587 issued to Alexander Cook, et al. Assigned to IBM, Armonk.

Management of unreachable openflow rules. Patent no. 20200169500 issued to Mohammadet Banikazemi, et al. Assigned to IBM, Armonk. Encrypted and compressed data transmission with padding. Patent no. 20200169,382 issued to Michael Factor, et al. Assigned to IBM, Armonk.

Data storage cartridge having a calibrated servo-format region and methods for using same. Patent no. 20200168246 issued to Robert G. Biskeborn, et al. Assigned to IBM, Armonk.

Bolte, Kurt M., Highland, as owner. Lender: Wallkill Valley Federal Savings and Loan Association, Wallkill. Property: 60 Palazzo Lane, Highland 12528. Amount: $300,000. Filed May 26.

Multichannel tape-recording device having calibrated span of transducers. Patent no. 20200168245 issued to Robert G. Biskeborn. Assigned to IBM, Armonk.

DEEDS

Generating advertisements on the fly with a feedback loop. Patent no. 20200167832 issued to Florian Pinel, et al. Assigned to IBM, Armonk. Non-isual environment mapping. Patent no. 20200167988 issued to Aaron K. Baughman, et al. Assigned to IBM, Armonk. Table vending machine. Patent no. 20200143622 issued to Emad Jafa, et al. Assigned to PepsiCo, Armonk. Interactive vending machine. Patent no. 20200143620 issued to Emad Jaffa, et al. Assigned to PepsiCo, Armonk.

HUDSON VALLEY

Above $1 million MDC Coast 17 LLC, San Diego, California. Seller: KLA BPL Portfolio Owner LLC, Chicago, Illinois. Property: in Poughkeepsie. Amount: $6.6 million. Filed May 27. NE Family Holdings LLC, et al, Poughkeepsie. Seller: DGT Millbrook Holdings LLC, New York City. Property: in Northeast. Amount: $3.3 million. Filed May 26.

Below $1 million 12 Neher Street LLC, Brooklyn. Seller: Bank of America N.A. Property: 12 Neher St., Woodstock. Amount: $181,500. Filed May 20. 23-28 Creek Drive LLC, Beacon. Seller: City of Beacon. Property: in Beacon. Amount: $150,000. Filed May 28.

Above $1 million

2554 South Avenue LLC, LaGrangeville. Seller: Village Squares Associates LLC, Fishkill. Property: 2554 South Ave., Wappingers Falls 12590. Amount: $820,000. Filed May 27.

Opportunity Poughkeepsie I LLC, as owner. Lender: CPC Funding SPE 1 LLC. Property: in Poughkeepsie. Amount: $9.6 million. Filed May 27.

44 Estates LLC, Poughkeepsie. Seller: Saverio Anthony Vona, et al, Poughkeepsie. Property: in Poughkeepsie. Amount: $390,000. Filed May 29.

Below $1 million

4881 State Route 52 LLC, Monroe. Seller: Chaim M. Chemea, et al, Monroe. Property: 8 Lemberg Court, Palm Tree. Amount: $72,000. Filed May 27.

BUILDING LOANS

12 Neher Street LLC, Brooklyn, as owner. Lender: Advest Short Duration Real Estate Fund I LLC, Newtown, Pennsylvania. Property: in Woodstock. Amount: $434,025. Filed May 20.

799 County Route 1 Inc., Middletown. Seller: John W. Reiley, et al, Cuddebackville. Property: in Warwick. Amount: $250,000. Filed May 27.

Addon, Robert M., et al, Warwick, as owner. Lender: M&T Bank, Buffalo. Property: 13 Entin Terrace, Warwick 10990. Amount: $402,615. Filed May 27.

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Facts & Figures APDE Properties LLC, Poughkeepsie. Seller: Anastas P. Gaches, et al, Rhinebeck. Property: in Hyde Park. Amount: $291,000. Filed May 22.

Fresh Spring LLC, Ridgewood. Seller: Carol Schweitzer, Poughquag. Property: in Beekman. Amount: $25,500. Filed May 29.

Baand Enterprises LLC, Middletown. Seller: U.S. Bank N.A. Property: 36 Putters Way, Wallkill. Amount: $306,500. Filed June 1.

Green Grove Holdings LLC, Middletown. Seller: MTGLQ Investors LP, Houston, Texas. Property: 32 Elizabeth St., Saugerties. Amount: $35,000. Filed May 27.

Barger Properties LLC, Newburgh. Seller: Bank of America N.A. Property: 184-2 Poppy Lane, Marlborough. Amount: $85,100. Filed May 21.

GYN Enterprises LLC, Poughkeepsie. Seller: U.S. Bank Trust N.A. Property: 33 Mary Ave., Ulster. Amount: $135,000. Filed May 20.

Batia Realty Corp., New York City. Seller: The County of Ulster, Kingston. Property: 1101 Kings Highway, Saugerties. Amount: $997. Filed May 29.

Irvington Main LLC, Kingston. Seller: Cameron Rabe, et al, Red Hook. Property: 14 Crane St., Kingston. Amount: $289,000. Filed May 28.

Batia Realty Corp., New York City. Seller: The County of Ulster, Kingston. Property: 1099 Kings Highway, Saugerties. Amount: $1,137. Filed May 29.

Jamil Holdings LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Seller: Todd M. Lyons, Middletown. Property: 35 Excelsior Ave., Wallkill. Amount: $89,900. Filed May 28.

Brookview Holdings LLC, Suffern. Seller: Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. Property: 7 Galloway Lane, Montgomery. Amount: $230,442. Filed June 1.

Jamil Holdings LLC, New City. Seller: Sean Ashe, Middletown. Property: 187/189 Excelsior Ave., Wallkill. Amount: $165,000. Filed May 28.

Cam Max LLC, Pine Plains. Seller: John Wilber, Pine Plains. Property: 2857 Church St., Pine Plains. Amount: $390,000. Filed May 28.

Kingston Renovates Inc., Rosendale. Seller: James V. Lavolpe, Ulster Park. Property: in Kingston. Amount: $300,000. Filed May 26.

Catskill Farms Inc., Eldred. Seller: Saug LLC, Marshall, Virginia. Property: in Saugerties. Amount: $188,000. Filed May 28.

Land of Abundance LLC, New Paltz. Seller: Gian Starr, New Paltz. Property: 14 White Duck Road, New Paltz. Amount: $290,000. Filed May 22.

Clay Hill Enterprises LLC, Germantown. Seller: Wayne A. Hildenbrand, et al, Tivoli. Property: 26 Clay Hill Road, Red Hook. Amount: $50,000. Filed May 26.

Main Steele LLC, LaGrangeville. Seller: Gemini 6 LLC, Poughkeepsie. Property: 824826 Main St., Poughkeepsie 12603. Amount: $425,000. Filed May 28.

Diesel Properties LLC, New City. Seller: Kelly Issa, Middletown. Property: 180 Excelsior Ave., Wallkill. Amount: $111,000. Filed May 28.

Marroquin General Construction Inc., et al, Garnerville. Seller: U.S. Bank N.A. Property: 7 Grove Place, Highlands. Amount: $90,000. Filed May 29.

Double R Capital Inc., Poughkeepsie. Seller: Anthony Carlini Jr., Poughkeepsie. Property: 13 James St., Poughkeepsie 12603. Amount: $110,500. Filed May 29.

Metro Builders Corp., Clinton Corners. Seller: Karan Garewal, et al, Mount Kisco. Property: 53 Marian Ave., Poughkeepsie. Amount: $7,500. Filed May 28.

Fast Easy House Buyers Inc., et al, Harriman. Seller: Rhonda Pacini, et al, Montgomery. Property: 50 Summer Set Drive, Montgomery. Amount: $135,000. Filed June 1.

Mid Hudson Development Corp., Hopewell Junction. Seller: R.J.A. HLD Inc., Wappingers Falls. Property: in Wappinger. Amount: $420,000. Filed May 27.

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Monofonus Kingston LLC, Rhinebeck. Seller: Healthalliance Hospital Broadway Campus, Kingston. Property: in Ulster. Amount: $350,000. Filed May 26.

U.S. Bank Trust N.A. Seller: Deborah I. Weisman-Estis, New Windsor. Property: 88 Forester Ave., Warwick. Amount: $341,865. Filed May 28.

NY Woodstock RE LLC, as owner. $258,921 as claimed by Overlook Building Inc., Seaford. Property: 148 Tinker St., Woodstock. Filed May 21.

National Transfer Services LLC. Seller: Joseph Brognano, et al, Highland. Property: 3 Sara Lane, Lloyd. Amount: $321,000. Filed May 29.

Weslyn Properties LLC, Saugerties. Seller: Frank A. Sasso, et al, Saugerties. Property: 658 Glasco Turnpike, Saugerties 12477. Amount: $25,000. Filed May 27.

Patel, Bipin, as owner. $10,291 as claimed by Korandace Pool Builders Ltd., Voorheesville. Property: 2777 Route 32, Saugerties 12477. Filed May 19.

PGA Real Estate Solutions LLC, Yorktown Heights. Seller: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Property: 15 Mountain Drive, Garrison. Amount: $190,000. Filed May 29. PK ACAD LLC, Poughkeepsie. Seller: Wayne Day, et al, Milton. Property: 29 Academy St., Poughkeepsie. Amount: $225,000. Filed June 1. Quick Close Investment Group Inc., Parkland, Florida. Seller: HSBC Bank USA N.A. Property: 2 Alder Court, Ulster. Amount: $135,000. Filed May 21. Quick Close Investment Group Inc., Plantation, Florida. Seller: M&T Bank, Buffalo. Property: 21 Edith Ave., Saugerties. Amount: $120,000. Filed May 27. Quince Capital LLC, Suffern. Seller: Charles O’Bremski, Cornwall-on-Hudson. Property: 4 Quarry Hill Road, Deerpark. Amount: $247,496. Filed June 2. Sahler Mill Farm LLC, New Paltz. Seller: Randall Erling Iversen, et al, Kingston. Property: Lower Sahler Mill Road, Olive. Amount: $465,000. Filed May 29. SDK Properties Corp., Blauvelt. Seller: Eureka3 Home Buyers LLC, White Plains. Property: 20 Ambassador Lane, Newburgh. Amount: $118,500. Filed May 27. Three Fairway Drive LLC, Poughkeepsie. Seller: Justin Gregory Murphy, et al, Hyde Park. Property: 3 Fairway Drive, Hyde Park. Amount: $325,000. Filed May 27. TIAA FSB. Seller: Jeanne Frey, Somers. Property: 34 Mountain Drive, Garrison. Amount: $266,220. Filed May 26.

JUDGMENTS A Thru Z Farms and Quality Topsoil Inc., Slate Hill. $1,988 in favor of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Albany. Filed May 27. Lis Pendens The following filings indicated a legal action has been initiated, the outcome of which may affect the title to the property listed. Hinostroza, Juan, et al. Filed by HomeBridge Financial Services Inc. Action: seeks to foreclose on a mortgage to secure $173,469 affecting property located at 182 Plattekill Ardonia Road, Wallkill 12589. Filed May 26.

MECHANIC’S LIENS Bais Mordchay LLC, as owner. $1,592 as claimed by Dick’s Concrete Company Inc., New Hampton. Property: in Kiryas Joel. Filed May 22. Bossola, Owen T., et al, Woodstock, as owner. $6,782 as claimed by J and A Roofing Company Inc., Kingston. Property: 192 Van Dale Road, Woodstock 12498. Filed May 21. Estate of Nathaniel Karran, et al, Kingston, as owner. $45,875 as claimed by Dennis Covert, Saugerties. Property: 87 River Road, Port Ewen. Filed May 19. Kingston NY Retail LLC, Raritan, New Jersey., as owner. $14,584 as claimed by Core and Main LP, Saint Louis, Missouri. Property: 631-669 Washington Ave., Ulster. Filed May 21. Lee, Let W., et al, Tenafly, New Jersey, as owner. $19,769 as claimed by HD Supply Construction Supply Ltd., Orlando, Florida. Property: 236 Lower Whitfield Road, Rochester. Filed May 19.

Tre Gemelli Corp., New Paltz, as owner. $5,091 as claimed by SRI Fire Sprinkler LLC, Albany. Property: 5 Main St., New Paltz 12561. Filed May 19. Tuxedo Manor Apartments Inc., as owner. $9,218 as claimed by All County Wall Systems Inc., Cold Spring. Property: 21 Route 17, Tuxedo. Filed May 27. West, Arlivia, as owner. $47,900 as claimed by RJK Services NYC Corp., Glendale. Property: 46 Overlook Place, Newburgh. Filed May 28.

NEW BUSINESSES This paper is not responsible for typographical errors contained in the original filings.

Hudson Valley Radio Theatre, 17 Villa Bianco Road, Rosendale 12472, c/o Francis J. Marquette. Filed May 19. Jesse Dallas Tile Service, 34 Onteora Court, Shokan 12481, c/o Jesse J. Dallas. Filed May 19. Many Hats Property Preservation, 9 W. Prospect Ave., Middletown 10940, c/o Glenda Erica Ortiz. Filed May 13. NorbuPress, 728 Ohayo Mountain Road, Glenford 12433, c/o Kathleen Suess. Filed May 21. R.L. Landscaping, 39 Cimarron Road, Putnam Valley 10579, c/o Romel M. Loja. Filed May 26. RVS Lawn Care and Landscaping, 5 Jeanette Lane, Lake Katrine 12449, c/o Russell Vansteenburg. Filed May 19. Stephanie Bifolco, LCSW, 174 Union Center Road, Ulster Park 12487, c/o Stephanie Bifolco. Filed May 26. Stephen J. Walko II, 5 Academy St., No. 1, New Paltz 12561, c/o Stephen Walko II. Filed May 21.

Doing Business As

Temporal Joy, 62 Grassy Ridge Road, Olivebridge 12461, c/o Margaret Cardile. Filed May 26.

7700 Route 209 Operating Corp., d.b.a. Peters Market, 7700 Route 209, Napanoch 12458. Filed May 26.

Town Café, 9 Grace Place, Napanoch 12458, c/o Cristian R. Moraga. Filed May 18.

Church of the Eternal Circle Inc., d.b.a. Celtica, 180 Main St., New Paltz 12561. Filed May 26.

Ulster County Mobile Dumpsters, 97 Hinsdale St., Kingston 12401, c/o Joseph Bloch. Filed May 21.

Sole Proprietorships

Vital Covers, 796 Ulster Ave., Kingston 12401, c/o Emilia Buono. Filed May 13.

Akins Arc Consulting, 87 Lincoln St., Kingston 12401, c/o Nicholas Akins. Filed May 28.

Western Front R/C, 83 Pine Bush Road, Stone Ridge 12484, c/o John F. Sohm. Filed May 19.

Blue Studio, 98 Stephan St., Kingston 12401, c/o Kelley Hedin. Filed May 19.

Ye Olde Book Shoppe, 612 Broadway, Kingston 12401, c/o Joanne Flood. Filed May 21.

Caretakers in the Catskills, 4 Center Lane, Olive 12412, c/o Amarani S. Funk. Filed May 19. Firefly Educational Technologies, 301 Beaverkill Road, Kingston 12401, c/o Coralyn Loomis. Filed May 28.

LEGAL NOTICES Westchester Auto Spa HQ, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/21/2020. Office: Westchester County. Registered Agent Inc. designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Legalinc Corporate Services Inc. at. 1967 Wehrle Drive, Suite 1 #086, Buffalo, NY 14221 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. #62572 Notice of formation of Harlem 80 West, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with the SSNY on 3/27/20. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY des. agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, P.O. Box 8522, Pelham, NY 10803-8522 #62573 Notice of formation of Shaun Darrah Pediatric Dentistry PLLC. Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 5/13/20. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to The PLLC, 1133 Warburton Ave., 604N, Yonkers, NY 10701. Purpose: To practice the profession of Dentistry. #62574 Notice of Formation of Garito Real Estate, LLC Art Of Org. filed with SSNY on 3/13/20. Offc. Loc: Westchester Cty. SSNY desig. as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 1273 North Avenue, Apt 4C<\!#45>5, New Rochelle, NY 10804. Purpose: any lawful purpose. #62576 Notice of Formation of Karen D Conti Consulting, LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 3/12/20. Office Location: Westchester. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 18 Hemlock Rd, South Salem, NY 10590. Purpose: any lawful purpose. #62577

Suarez Homes, LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/20/20. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 216 North 6th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550. General Purpose. #62579 Notice of Formation of DeeLexable, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 3/17/2020. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC. 136 Fifth Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801 Purpose: any lawful act or activity. #62581

YONKERS, NY 733 Yonkers Avenue, Suite 200 Yonkers, NY 10704 914.476.0600 NEW YORK CITY 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 4600 New York, NY 10165 212.688.2400

The annual return of the Hegarty Family Foundation for the year ended June 30, 2019 is available at its principal office located at Sanossian, Sardis & Co., LLP, 700 White Plains Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583 for inspection during regular business hours by any citizen who requests it within 180 days hereof. Principal Manager of the Fund is Michael Hegarty. #62582

LONG ISLAND, NY 1305 Franklin Avenue Suite 300 Garden City, NY 11530 516.207.7533

MSH Consultants, LLC. Art. of Org. filed 5/28/20. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY designated for process and shall mail to Reg. Agent: Thomas Law Firm, 175 Varick St, NY, NY 10014. Purpose: Any lawful activity #62584 Notice of Formation of Specialty Spanish, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 04/27/2020. Office Location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 441 Saw Mill River Rd., Millwood, NY 10546. Purpose: any lawful purpose. #62585 NTRLHUEZ LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 5/28/20. Offc: Westchester Cty. SSNY desig. as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, P.O. Box #725, Ossining, NY 10562. Purpose: any lawful purpose. #62583

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working side by side with our clients dealing with the Covid-19 challenges affecting businesses in the region. Perhaps we can help you, too. sbjlaw.com

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Facts & Figures

fairfield county

BUILDING PERMITS Commercial Carpentry Plus Improvements, Harrison, New York, contractor for Elaine R. Leegstra. Build rear retaining walls at 232 Old Church Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $60,000. Filed May 2020. Hong, Gregory L. and Diane G.W., Old Greenwich, contractor for Gregory L. Hong. Construct new swimming pool and spa at 16 St. Claire Ave., Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $65,000. Filed May 2020. John Hummel Custom Builder, East Hampton, New York, contractor for Joseph Matthew Cassin Jr. Renovate carriage house at 10 Wooddale Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $300,000. Filed May 2020. Lueders, Matthew, Stamford, contractor for Emmanuelle Grelier. Construct new swimming pool and spa at 396B Sound Beach Ave., Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $53,500. Filed May 2020. Round Hill Club Inc., Greenwich, contractor for Round Hill Club Inc. Install pole lights at tennis courts at 33 Round Hill Club Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $52,000. Filed May 2020.

Wayne Dimm Enterprises Inc., Ridgefield, contractor for Michael and Leslie Petrick. Add family room and relocate shower at 511 Indian Field Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $290,000. Filed May 2020. Westchester Electrical Systems, Greenwich, contractor for Greenwich Park LLC. Perform replacement alterations at 9 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed May 2020. Yankee Customer Builders Inc., New Canaan, contractor for Richard F. Zannino. Open pool pavilion at 36 Lismore Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $20,000. Filed May 2020.

Residential 240 GA LLC, Greenwich, contractor for 240 GA LLC. Perform replacement alterations at 240 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $125,000. Filed May 2020. 40 Maltbie Avenue LLC, Stamford, contractor for 40 Maltbie Avenue LLC. Add second floor and finish attic at 40 Maltbie Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $294,610. Filed April 3. A&J Reliable Gutter Service Inc., Stamford, contractor for Rebecca Pearce. Remove old roof and re-roof 91 Little Hill Drive, Stamford. Estimated cost: $17,800. Filed March 31. A2Z Contractors LLC, Stamford, contractor for John F. O’Rourke. Convert half bathroom to full bathroom, renovate bedroom and family room at 7 Zambia Grove, Stamford. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed April 9.

Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to: Larry Miles c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 701 Westchester Ave, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699

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ON THE RECORD

Alliance Specialties LLC, Stamford, contractor for Jenna L. Bailey. Renovate full bath and laundry room at 83 Neponset St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $32,320. Filed March 31.

Drenckhahn Excavating Inc., Stamford, contractor for Jonathan M. Rather. Perform a demolition of a residential dwelling at 49 Rogers Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $45,000. Filed March 31.

AP Construction, Stamford, contractor for Greenwich Plaza Inc. Perform replacement alterations at 1 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $75,000. Filed May 2020.

Frank Talcott Inc., Redding, contractor for Jonathan B. Kallman. Modify deck at 63 Binney Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed May 2020.

Bowerman Restoration LLC, Elmsford, New York, contractor for Varkum Association. Perform replacement alterations at 6 Grigg St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $2,000. Filed May 2020. Bowerman Restoration LLC, Elmsford, New York, contractor for Varkum Association. Perform replacement alterations at 6 Grigg St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $2,000. Filed May 2020. Cortes Construction LLC, Fairfield, contractor for Blake and Corinne Bentzen. Expand kitchen and master bathroom extension at 6 Chapel Lane, Riverside. Estimated cost: $225,000. Filed May 2020. Connecticut Valley Homes, East Lyme, contractor for Naren and Rachel L. Santayana. Construct single-family dwelling at 8A Orchard St., Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $550,000. Filed May 2020. DiGiorgio, Roofing & Siding Inc., Beacon Falls, contractor for Thomas G. Oxer. Remove old siding and replace at 20 Chapel St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $14,225. Filed May 2020.

Irfan, Ahmed, et al, Stamford, contractor for Ahmed Irfan. Add second floor at 25 Raymond St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $76,620. Filed March 30. Jarlath Carbin Building & Remodeling Control LLC, Stamford, contractor for Roger A. Proulx. Remove stairs and replace windows at 27 Willard Terrace, Stamford. Estimated cost: $15,500. Filed April 7. Jeff Newton Construction LLC, Stamford, contractor for Joshua Bauer. Renovate bathroom and add steam unit in master bathroom at 180 Turn of River Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $40,000. Filed March 31. Jeflyn Construction Inc., Ridgefield, contractor for Erik and Christine Lee. Install footings and beam at 21 Old Club House Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed May 2020. Jeflyn Construction Inc., Ridgefield, contractor for Bela and Avinash Patel. Renovate kitchen and create hallway at 82 Lockwood Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $110,000. Filed May 2020.

Kelly and Frank Reeves, Old Greenwich, contractor for Kelly and Frank Reeves. Update kitchen with new cabinets and windows at 88 Hillcrest Park Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $45,000. Filed May 2020.

Purepoint Energy LLC, Norwalk, contractor for Virgil and Margaret W. Delacruz. Install roof-top solar panels at 63 Byram Shore Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $28,272. Filed May 2020.

Laskowski, Matthew, et al, Stamford, contractor for Matthew Laskowski. Renovate basement at 32 Turner Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed April 1.

RJM Bros LLC, Stamford, contractor for Michael Altamura. Remodel first and second floor and add garage at 23 Knickerbocker Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $300,000. Filed April 6.

Mancusco II , Joseph J., Stamford, contractor for Joseph J. Mancusco. Remove wall in kitchen at 873 Newfield Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed April 9.

Rocksolid Construction LLC, Stamford, contractor for Andrea Schwach. Add second floor at 42 Merriman Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed April 1.

Meehan, Tim, Stratford, contractor for Derron S. Slonecker. Construct inground swimming pool at 12 Hillcrest Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $80,000. Filed May 2020.

Romano, John, Stamford, contractor for John M. Sconzo. Replace pergola with deck at 422 Riversville Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $22,500. Filed May 2020.

Oakbridge Construction LLC, Stamford, contractor for John L. Stoddard. Remove old roof and replace at 18 Hollow Oak Lane, Stamford. Estimated cost: $15,600. Filed April 1.

SLS Construction, Greenwich, contractor for Jennifer Jarvis. Remodel bathrooms and kitchen at 71 Ridgeview Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed May 2020.

Palmer, Catherine, Greenwich, contractor for Catherine Palmer. Add bathroom and remodel kitchen at 16 Prospect Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $64,000. Filed May 2020.

Statham, Emily A., Greenwich, contractor for Emily A. Statham. Convert storage space to living space for guests at 56 The Avenue, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $40,000. Filed May 2020.

Parrott’s Painting LLC, Stamford, contractor for Pearl Mathison. Add garage at 92 Willard Terrace, Stamford. Estimated cost: $125,000. Filed March 30.

Vinylume Inc., Stamford, contractor for Erin M. Cody. Install vinyl siding at 302 Hubbard Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $40,800. Filed April 9.

Pro Custom Solar LLC, Stamford, contractor for Mohammed Nazrule. Install roof-top solar panels at 43 Givens Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $16,080. Filed March 30.

Facts & Figures Vinylume Inc., Stamford, contractor for Lei Cui-Mei & Cui-Zhu. Remove old siding and Install new vinyl siding at 106 Hendrie Ave., Riverside. Estimated cost: $28,600. Filed May 2020. Westview Electric LLC, Stamford, contractor for Robert H. O’Brien. Renovate kitchen at 2435 Bedford St., Unit 17D, Stamford. Estimated cost: $16,000. Filed April 8. Yankee Customer Builders Inc., New Canaan, contractor for Robert Vincent. Construct single-family dwelling at 475 Field Point Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1,750,000. Filed May 2020.

COURT CASES Bridgeport Superior Court Covino, Joseph, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Natalie Mondello, Fairfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Cohen & Wolf PC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6095133-S. Filed March 9. Gonzalez, Raphael, et al, New York, New York. Filed by Bridgeport Housing Authority Plaintiff’s attorney: Williams Law Firm, Shelton. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6095120-S. Filed March 9.

Leite, Patrick B., et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Jill Appleby, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: James Owens Gaston, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6095126-S. Filed March 9. Vargas, Jaime, Ansonia. Filed by Norberto Torres, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Skiber Michael E. Law Office, Norwalk. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6095172-S. Filed March 10.

Danbury Superior Court CR Contracting LLC, et al, Danbury. Filed by Aurora Marin, Brookfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Christopher Gerard Winans, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff paid the defendant for repairs and utilities damaged by a fire. However, the job performed by the defendant needed to be repaired and redone. The plaintiff demanded the return of its funds, but defendant never returned any of the plaintiff’s money. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035433-S. Filed Feb. 19.

Chuck’s Real Estate of Danbury, Danbury. Filed by Debora Obuobi, Bronx, New York. Plaintiff’s attorney: Alan Barry & Associates, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff was lawfully on the premises of the defendant, when she fell due to the accumulation of ice in the parking lot that was controlled and maintained by the defendant. As a result, plaintiff suffered injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035349-S. Filed Feb. 11.

Stamford Superior Court

Mendonca, Marcos X., Danbury. Filed by Capital One Bank NA, Richmond, Virginia. Plaintiff’s attorney: London & London, Newington. Action: The plaintiff is a banking association. The defendant used a credit account issued by plaintiff and agreed to make payments for goods and services. The defendant failed to make payments. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. DBD-CV20-6035561-S. Filed March 2.

CNP Salon Group Inc., Greenwich. Filed by Rebecca Marlowe, Riverside. Plaintiff’s attorney: Candace Veronica Fay, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff was lawfully on the premises of the defendant, when an employee attempted to lift a table over the plaintiff and then dropped the table onto the plaintiff. As a result, plaintiff suffered injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-20-6046303-S. Filed March 19.

Saidman, Bruce Howard, et al, Kingston, Pennsylvania. Filed by Alexandra Andre, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Trantolo And Trantolo LLC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035340-S. Filed Feb. 10.

Jean-Pierre, Michel, Stamford. Filed by VNB Loan Services Inc., Spring Valley, New York. Plaintiff’s attorney: Jacobs & Rozich LLC, New Haven. Action: The plaintiff entered into a contract with the defendant to finance the purchase of a car. The defendant breached the contract and failed to make payments to the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. FST-CV-20-6046492-S. Filed April 6.

Kyle, Daniele, et al, Westport. Filed by Calum Gordon, Westport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Lampert Toohey & Rucci LLC, New Canaan. Action: The plaintiff was invited onto the defendants’ premises when their dog attacked without provocation and plaintiff suffered painful injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $2,500, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-20-6046503-S. Filed April 7.

Laub, Avi M., Woodbridge. Filed by Justin Zukor, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Schnitzler Law LLC, Fairfield. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206046004-S. Filed March 3. Nieves, Bernardo, et al, Stamford. Filed by William R. Librandi, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: The Pickel Law Firm LLC, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-20-6046006-S. Filed March 3.

DEEDS Commercial Acosta, Jose and Seydis Acosta, Stamford. Seller: Archimedean Investments LLC, Stamford. Property: 43 Hearthstone Court, Stamford. Amount: $300,500. Filed April 7. Alarcon, Jacquelin, Stamford. Seller: 622 High Ridge LLC, New Canaan. Property: 622 High Ridge Road, Stamford. Amount: $505,000. Filed April 13. DBI Development LLC, Norwalk. Seller: OB Christy LLC, Bronx, New York. Property: 60 Woodward Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $435,000. Filed April 3.

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Gusho, Genta and Lajdi Gusho, Stamford. Seller: SC Parl Lane II LLC, Stamford. Property: 84 Seaside Ave., Unit 1B, Stamford. Amount: $168,000. Filed April 9. I J, Group LLC, Norwalk. Seller: Carol Freding, Norwalk. Property: Lot 2, Map 763, Norwalk. Amount: $0. Filed April 8. Rockrimmon Road LLC, Stamford. Seller: Cecile M. Hurley, San Diego, California. Property: 423 Rock Rimmon Road, Stamford. Amount: $285,000. Filed April 8. Stillwater Development Partners LLC, Greenwich. Seller: Brachfeld & Brachfekd LLC, Norwalk. Property: 57, 63 and 65 Stillwater Ave., Stamford. Amount: $1. Filed April 7. Van Buskirk Avenue LLC, Stamford. Seller: Versace Brothers LLC, Stamford. Property: Lots 64 and 65, Map 1147, Stamford. Amount: $1. Filed April 8.

Residential Anastasoglou, Anastasios, Norwalk. Seller: Jessica E. Lyon, Weston. Property: 102 Comstock Hill Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $255,000. Filed April 8. Andrews, Erin P., New Canaan. Seller: James M. Holec Jr. and Patricia Muldowney, Bonita Springs, Florida. Property: 24 Comstock Hill Road, New Canaan. Amount: $1,242875. Filed April 3. Archambault, Heather M. and Scott C. Runyon, Stamford. Seller: Chris H. Strahm and Anne C. Strahm, Stamford. Property: 45 Mayapple Road, Stamford. Amount: $775,000. Filed April 8.

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Facts & Figures Balick-Schreiber, Blake and Megan Yee, New York, New York. Seller: Peter Furest and Sarah Campbell, Norwalk. Property: 54 W. Norwalk Road, Norwalk. Amount: $545,000. Filed April 8. Barragan, Benjamin and Margaret Barragan, Stamford. Seller: Gary N. Mozer and Stacy Mozer, Stamford. Property: Lot 3B, Map 14133, Stamford. Amount: $545,000. Filed April 9. Burka, Steven and Ellen Burka, Greenwich. Seller: Grant M. Rawding, Norwalk. Property: 115 Fillow St., Unit 13, Norwalk. Amount: $240,000. Filed April 1. Cahn, James, Stamford. Seller: Monica Coenraads, Trumbull. Property: 700 Summer St., No. 4C, Stamford. Amount: $216,000. Filed April 13.

Gould, Andrew W. and Kristen M. Gould, Stamford. Seller: Shane T. McCarron and Julia E. Moran, Stamford. Property: 14 Sherwood Road, Stamford. Amount: $515,000. Filed April 13. Griffin, Kathleen, Darien. Seller: Patrick M. Kennedy and Ashley Kennedy, Norwalk. Property: 27 Craw Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $1,220,000. Filed April 1. Harrington, John and Jenny Harrington, Norwalk. Seller: Richard B. St. Francis and Elisabeth N. St. Francis, Norwalk. Property: 209 Ponus Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $650,000. Filed April 6. Hockenbeck, Diane and Alois Hockenbeck, Norwalk. Seller: Matthew Heydman and Rachel Heydman, Norwalk. Property: 23 Rae Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $549,000. Filed April 3.

Chernyavskiy, Ivan and Laura O. Chernyavsk, Norwalk. Seller: Derek A. Edgar and Gena Edgar, Norwalk. Property: Lot 2, Map 8504, Norwalk. Amount: $619,000. Filed April 3.

Iamiceli, Sonia, Norwalk. Seller: Slawomir Strugala, Norwalk. Property: 1 Lindenwoods Road, Norwalk. Amount: $415,000. Filed April 2.

Chowdhury, Abdel, et al, Stamford. Seller: Anthony J. Melillo Jr., Cos Cob. Property: 241 Hillandale Ave., Stamford. Amount: $495,000. Filed April 9.

Jayakar, Harshard, Norwalk. Seller: Judith M. Edwards, Norwalk. Property: 100 Richards Ave., Unit 305, Norwalk. Amount: $330,000. Filed April 1.

Curran Jr., John P., Norwalk. Seller: Howard Worrel, Bridgeport. Property: 123 Main St., Norwalk. Amount: $316,000. Filed April 3.

Kabir, MD Ahsanul, Norwalk. Seller: Priscilla Garcia, Norwalk. Property: 9 Park St., Unit 308, Norwalk. Amount: $211,000. Filed April 3.

Fischer, Amy H. and David Fischer, South Salem, New York. Seller: Marcia Bressiour, Stamford. Property: 95 Intervale Road, Unit 18, Stamford. Amount: $639,000. Filed April 8.

Keshavarz, Hengameh, Stamford. Seller: Dena Mentavlos, Stamford. Property: 60 Buckingham Drive, Stamford. Amount: $740,000. Filed April 9.

JUNE 8, 2020

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King, Patrick W., Fairfield. Seller: Edward T. Fitzgerald Norwalk. Property: 318 Foxboro Drive, Norwalk. Amount: $332,500. Filed April 2. Makhraz, Moufid, Greenwich. Seller: Maria R. de Castro, Stamford. Property: Lot 2B, Map 11280, Stamford. Amount: $10. Filed April 13. Mandujano, Emilio and Jaime Mandujano, Norwalk. Seller: Dagoberto P. Figueroa, Norwalk. Property: 21 Jefferson St., Norwalk. Amount: $390,000. Filed April 3. Marsan, Nicholas L. and Leigh P. Marsan, Norwalk. Seller: Koichiro Morikawa, Norwalk. Property: 31 Cottontail Road, Norwalk. Amount: N/A. Filed April 1. Meyer, Sean T. and Christine M. Verderber, Norwalk. Seller: Michael J. Frost and Valerie G. Frost, Norwalk. Property: 8 Pin Oak Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $630,000. Filed April 8. O’Connor, Anne M., Stamford. Seller: Richard H. Gilbert and Susan E. Gilbert, Stamford. Property: 63 Westcott Road, Stamford. Amount: $700,000. Filed April 7. Osegueda, Maria, Norwalk. Seller: Andrew C. Manousos, Norwalk. Property: 296 Main Ave., Unit 23, Norwalk. Amount: $210,000. Filed April 3. Pipitone, Anthony and Faith Pipitone, Maspeth, New York. Seller: William Conron and Kathleen Conron, Norwalk. Property: 29 Fox Run Road, Norwalk. Amount: $675,000. Filed April 1.

Plent, Bruce A. and Amy M. Plent, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seller: Katherine B. Davies, Norwalk. Property: 214 Gillies Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $400,000. Filed April 8.

Venkateswaran, Ramesh, Stamford. Seller: Doug MacLean, Stamford. Property: 85 Camp Ave., Unit 12L, Stamford. Amount: $440,000. Filed April 13.

Prucnal, Kelly, Norwalk. Seller: Mark Olthoff, Naples, Florida. Property: 15 Perry Ave., Unit D14, Norwalk. Amount: $320,000. Filed April 3.

Whitaker, Travis and Analy Whitaker, Stamford. Seller: Lucienne Volmar and Lowell Volmar, Stamford. Property: Lot 49, Map 127, Stamford. Amount: $360,000. Filed April 13.

Qureshi, Ahsan B., Norwalk. Seller: Patricio Capito, Norwalk. Property: 135 Flax Hill Road, Unit 29, Norwalk. Amount: $150,000. Filed April 8.

Wolfe, Christopher J., Stamford. Seller: Matthew W. Jackson, Stamford. Property: 30 Davenport Farm Lane East, Stamford. Amount: $1,115,000. Filed April 13.

Scott, Joshua D. and Julie M. Smith, Stamford. Seller: Anthony Parsio and Lauren Parsio, Norwalk. Property: 15 Emerson St., Norwalk. Amount: $525,000. Filed April 3.

LIENS

Sette, Virginia, Norwalk. Seller: Britt Nevetsky, San Diego, California. Property: 19 Isaac St., Unit 302, Norwalk. Amount: $187,500. Filed April 1. Sor, Siuyan Su Ah, Stamford. Seller: Antonio Vozzella, Stamford. Property: 42 Severance Drive, Stamford. Amount: $604,000. Filed April 9. Toiriyon, Olim, Purchase, New York. Seller: Elfriede M. Mallin, Stamford. Property: Unit 1027, Fountain Terrace Condominium. Stamford. Amount: $150,000. Filed April 13. Twu, Cynthia and Shiyao Zhu, White Plains, New York. Seller: Timothy Sweeney and Esther Wallace-Sweeney, Stamford. Property: 850 E. Main St., Unit 220, Stamford. Amount: $375,000. Filed April 7.

Mechanic’s Liens Alvin McKeithen, Fairfield. Filed by Gold Coast Designs LLC, by Stephen Shapiro. Property: 119 Berwick Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $8,400. Filed April 29. Urban Green Construction LLC, Fairfield. Filed by Edwardo Osello Painting LLC, by Eduardo Osello. Property: Lot 59, Stratfield Hills, Fairfield. Amount: $3,338. Filed March 30.

LIS PENDENS Arvanitakis, Konstantini and Mutual Security Credit Union Inc., Norwalk. Filed by Lattarulo Law Firm LLC, Norwalk, for George Kutrubis and Efthima Kutrubis. Property: 43 Saddle Road, Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 8.

Ballou, Karen Lorraine, et al, Fairfield. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Property: 1660 Bronson Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 14. Beaudry, Dustin and Mary Beaudry, Greenwich. Filed by Ivey, Barnum and O’Mara LLC, Greenwich, for Property: 8 Cherry Blossom Lane, Greenwich. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 27. Bebon, David J. and Theresa A. Bebon, Fairfield. Filed by Benanti & Associates, Stamford, for People’s United Bank National Association. Property: 432 Old Post Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 11. Capital One Bank USA, NA, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for US Bank NA. Property: 1 Thornwood Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 20. Caselton, Joan L., et al, Stamford. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Co.. Property: 1 Strawberry Hill Ave., Unit 6H, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 26. Frost, Harold, Greenwich. Filed by Murtha Cullina, Hartford, for Elizabeth P. Rettie. Property: 34 Jones Park Drive, Greenwich. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 22.

Facts & Figures Henning, Steven L. and Opportune IP LLC, Stamford. Filed by Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, Stamford, for Marks Paneth LLP. Property: Lot 4, Map 10165. Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 8. JTH Builders LLC, Fairfield. Filed by Jonathan J. Klein, Bridgeport, for Rose-Tiso & Company LLC, Property: 133 Berwick Ave., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 28. McKeithen Sr., Alvin, Fairfield. Filed by Jonathan J. Klein, Bridgeport, for Rose-Tiso & Company LLC, Property: 119 Berwick Ave., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 21. Moore, Charles, et al, Greenwich. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for US Bank Trust National Association. Property: 61 Oakridge Road, Greenwich. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 18. Morgan, Gotfried, Fairfield. Filed by Broder & Orland LLC, Westport, for Benjamin Gotfried. Property: 3659 Redding Road, Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 27. Peardon, Susannah, Greenwich. Filed by Mark Sank & Associates LLC, Stamford, for Christopher Whelan and Maria Elena Whelan. Property: 166 Old Church Road, Greenwich. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed May 13.

Pozo, Pablo X., et al, Stamford. Filed by Frankel & Berg, Norwalk, for Westford Manor Condominium Association Inc. Property: 22 Leslie St., No. 11. Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 21. Roberts-Storch, Celly, et al, Fairfield. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company NA. Property: 37 Prince St., Fairfield. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed May 28.

MORTGAGES Brown, Timothy F. and Judith A. Brown, Fairfield, by Juan Rodriguez. Lender: People’s United Bank NA, 850 Main St., Bridgeport. Property: 180 Applegate Road, Fairfield. Amount: $100,000. Filed April 2. Cacciari, Andrea and Vita Palmeri, Fairfield, by Jeffrey W. Tuccio. Lender: Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp., 4201 Marsh Lane, Carrollton, Texas. Property: 92 Alden St., Fairfield. Amount: $516,000. Filed April 2. Ciambriello, Gaetano S., Fairfield, by N/A. Lender: AFC Mortgage Group LLC, 227 Monroe Turnpike, Suite 3F, Monroe. Property: 785 Rowland Road, Fairfield. Amount: $487,500. Filed April 2.

Hagerbrant, Eric, and Lynn V. K. Hagerbrant, Greenwich, by Stephen J. Schelz. Lender: KeyBank National Association, 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio. Property: 10 Gatefield Drive, Greenwich. Amount: $1,285,000. Filed April 1. Herschberger, Brian W. and Adam C. Hamor, Fairfield, by Nicholas R. Mancini. Lender: Citizens Bank NA, 1 Citizens Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island. Property: 215 Bailey Road, Fairfield. Amount: $345,000. Filed April 2. McDonnell, Michael and MacKenzie McDonnell, Fairfield, by Dina Thornhelm. Lender: William Raveis Mortgage LLC, 7 Trap Falls Road, Shelton. Property: 271 James St., Fairfield. Amount: $836,000. Filed April 2. McDonnell, Michael and MacKenzie McDonnell, Fairfield, by Dina Thornhelm. Lender: TCF National Bank, 2508 S. Louise Ave, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Property: 271 James St., Fairfield. Amount: $104,395. Filed April 2.

Merwin, Helyne B., Southport, by Douglas B. Seltzer. Lender: American Advisors Group, 3800 W. Chapman Ave., Orange, California. Property: 224 Willow St., Southport. Amount: $1,089,787. Filed April 2. Nishball, Michael and Jane Nishball, Fairfield, by Katheryn L. Braun. Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, 1111 Polaris Park Way, Columbus, Ohio. Property: 67 Middlebrook Place, Fairfield. Amount: $331,000. Filed April 2. Pascal, Donald T. and Maris E. Pascal, Greenwich, by Aaron Chaney. Lender: Quicken Loans Inc., 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan. Property: 404 N Maple Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $646,000. Filed April 1. Polotaye, William F. and Ashleigh E. Diehl, Fairfield, by Louis Valpintesta Jr. Lender: Savings Bank of Danbury Mutual Savings, 220 Main St., Danbury. Property: 890 High St., Fairfield. Amount: $335,750. Filed April 2.

McElroy, Martha V., Fairfield, by Soledad Aliaga. Lender: People’s United Bank NA, 850 Main St., Bridgeport. Property: 303 Pansy Road, Fairfield. Amount: $200,000. Filed April 2.

Posligua, Gina, Fairfield, by Gregory G. Andriunas. Lender: Magnolia Bank Inc., 101 Winston Way, Suite D, Campbellsville, Kentucky. Property: 405 Villa Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $291,620. Filed April 2.

McManus, Timothy, Fairfield, by Chris Zawatowski. Lender: Baycoast Mortgage Company LLC, 330 Swansea Mall Drive, Swansea, Massachusetts. Property: 236 Judd St., Fairfield. Amount: $452,200. Filed April 2.

Powers, Robert F. and Mary Kay G. Powers, Fairfield, by Tamara Gordon. Lender: People’s United Bank NA, 850 Main St., Bridgeport. Property: 326 Riders Lane, Fairfield. Amount: $237,500. Filed April 2.

Skowronski, Edward Michael, Fairfield, by Eugene A. Skowronski. Lender: Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp., 4201 Marsh Lane, Carrollton, Texas. Property: 41 Grasmere Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $325,200. Filed April 2. Steinwachs, Urara Margaret and Peter Steinwachs, Fairfield, by Jeremy E. Kaye. Lender: First Republic Bank, 111 Pine St., San Francisco, California. Property: 70 Barlow Plain Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $600,000. Filed April 2.

NEW BUSINESSES Armwood Realty LLC, 137 Scribner Ave., Norwalk 06854, c/o Aleasa McCoy. Filed May 5. Attorney Matthew A. Caputo, 6 Larkspur Lane, Norwalk 06850, c/o Matthew A. Caputo. Filed May 13. Cedar Court Tenant Association, 92 Cedar St., Unit C8, Norwalk 06854, c/o Kimberly Thompkins. Filed May 5. Clean Bees, 75 Fort Point St., Norwalk 06855, c/o Premier Property Management LLC. Filed May 20. Di Iorio Real Estate, 67 Osborne Ave., Norwalk 06855, c/o Salvatore Di Iorio. Filed May 19.

Jose Construction Handyman and Mechanic Service, 43 Suncrest Road, Norwalk 06854, c/o Jose Luis De La Cruz. Filed May 15. Pinnacle Roofing, 14 Valley Brook Road, West Haven 06516, c/o Matthew Martin. Filed May 1.

PATENTS Systems and methods for retaining duplex scanning information in a scanned output file. Patent no. 20200153994 issued to Vinothraja Packirisamy, et al. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Method and system for predicting the probability of regulatory compliance approval. Patent no. 20200143277 issued to Jonathan Levine, et al. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Apparatus and method for speaker tuning and automatic digital signal processing configuration. Patent no. 20200169821 issued to Charles Sprinkle. Assigned to Harman International, Stamford. Wearable beamforming speaker array. Patent no. 20200169809 issued to Adam Boulanger, et al. Assigned to Harman International, Stamford.

J&D Painting, 25 Lincoln Ave., Norwalk 06854, c/o Daniel A. Vergara. Filed May 5.

FCBJ

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JUNE 8, 2020

MARCUS GLOVER | Board Chair Defy Ventures

KRIS RUBY | Founder & CEO Ruby Media Group

VINCENT BRAGG | Co-Founder & CEO ConCreates

WEBINAR

BRAND ACTIVISM: Redefining the mission of your brand and why public relations with a purpose is critical for corporate social responsibility (but only if done right).

THURSDAY, JUNE 11 • 2 PM Brands are racing to support social justice movements on social media with hashtags, black squares and donations to organizations. But many of these same brands are now being called out for not having people of color on their board, lack of diversity in the hiring process and not being open to second chance hiring practices. Every business owner, social media manager and brand manager is faced with the same question: how does a brand navigate through the protests that are taking place online and how do brands make real change? Kris Ruby, the CEO of Ruby Media Group, a top New York public relations firm with 13+ years of experience in crisis communications, will host an informative discussion with two leading advertising executives on the right way (and wrong way) for companies to navigate brand activism.

TOPICS:

• Brand activism or brand neutrality: what is the right call for your business? • Should you unfollow influencers who don’t use their platform to post about social movements? • Actionable tips you can do today on a shoestring PR budget to take a proactive stance on social media. • Case studies of brands who got it right and 5 examples of brands that failed (learn from their mistakes with insights and analysis from Vincent Bragg and Marcus Glover). • Criminal Justice Reform: The important conversation missing in social media posts and why second-chance hiring matters in the topic of social justice plus an exclusive interview with Vincent Bragg who shares how the PPP loan is unavailable to those with specific criminal histories and why business owners must raise awareness about this if they want to make meaningful change, fast.

PRESENTED BY: