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R. Levesque & Associates
Company pushes local economy
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014
Preparing for the knock of opportunity By DAN Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Being ready when opportunity knocks is a process which vision, perseverance and patience to build the door to take the knock that opportunity gives. That is especially true in the public sector where there are so many competing demands on limited financial resources. The city’s development team, City Advancement Officer Jeff Daley and Community Development Director see any movement toward advantageously positioning the city. It took several years to create an industrial park off Industrial Park Road. The city has owned the property for decades and it was the proposed location of a new landfill until the state imposed a moratorium on those projects, then lay barren in a Rural Residential zone until the City Council voted to convert
that property to an industrial A zone. Creating the opportunity for something to happen. That industrial park was down the list of on-going projects, something to develop down the road, when suddenly there was interest from across the country. The Purchasing Department recently released a request for proposals (RFPs) for companies interested in developing land at that 66-acre industrial park. There is an April 4, 2014 deadline for companies to submit proposals. Daley said the California manufacturer could proposed a project for up to 30 acres of that land and that the city will leverage any proposal by requiring the applicant to extend infrastructure into their facility within the industrial park to reduce the city’s cost of installing those facilities. See WESTFIELD, Page 11
Completion of the $80 million Great River Bridge Project include two new city parks and renovations to the original Great River Bridge, left, in this June 2012 photo which included raising the railroad tracks on the north side of the bridge. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
Armbrook: Making an impact at a local level By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Since opening its doors a year ago April 1, Armbrook Village has been a boon to the City of Westfield. East Longmeadow native Michael McCarthy, a local developer, saw the value of a senior citizen assisted living center because his mother, Jean, used to live in one. When McCarthy’s mother passed away, he immediately began looking for land to build a senior living community of his own. “He was so taken by the concept of assisted living and the care that his
By DAN Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – R. Levesque & Associates is contributing to the growth of the local economy one project at a time, providing services to residential and commercial developers. “We’re tied to a lot of the stuff happening in the area right now,” Rob Levesque said. “We try to do as much work close to our home hub as possible. “We know the local boards and commissions. We know what the hot button issues are in different communities that people from outside the area don’t know,” Levesque said. “That is helpful to our clients in the permitting process for their projects.” The firm does design work for clients involving land surveying, civil engineering, landscape architecture and environmental permitting with local, state and federal permitting agencies. “That process is layers upon layers of detail required by boards and commissions in reviewing our clients’ projects and permit applications,” Levesque said. “We work well with those boards and commissions that are composed of volunteers trying to do a good job for their community.” Several local communities are also clients of R. Levesque & By DAN Moriarty Associates, including the cities of Westfield and Easthampton. Staff Writer “We’re also involved in a number of public infrastructure WESTFIELD – The projects in western Massachusetts,” Levesque said. “In Easthampton, we’re involved in a public-private project at the Westfield Gas & Electric Department is taking an See R. LEVESQUE, Page 2 innovative approach to business, trying to reduce its revenue through customer conservation of energy. General Manager Dan Howard said the traditional THE DISTRICT WESTFIELD business plan of utilities has been to increase energy sales to maximize revenue. The municipal utility is doing just the opposite through innovative energy conservation programs for both residents and commercial customers. “We’ve taken a different view from that traditional By PETER FRANCIS model,” Howard said, “that Staff Writer if we don’t use as much WESTFIELD – As the City of Westfield continues the energy we save money, our revitalization of its downtown business sector, one orgacustomers save money. We nization in particular is looking to speed up the process are at the forefront of energy and ensure that the city’s businesses, new or old, big or conservation programs.” small, can succeed in the Whip City. That approach is due to The Westfield Business Improvement District, or BID, the higher cost of “peak” was founded to help foster local business growth and to energy which far exceeds the help the city’s economy thrive once again. cost of base energy. The Since 2007 when its first services were delivered, the department contracts for its BID has focused on initiatives such as developing marbase load to control costs keting strategies for special projects such as Community based on consumption proDevelopment Block Grants, Restore Westfield, Best jections. Peak energy is Retail Practices, and its Creativity for Business Workshop. addition power purchased on the spot market, typically at See WBID, Page 10 substantially higher prices
conservation
WG&E finds energy savings
BID puts business first
See WG&E, Page 3
mother got that he thought, ‘boy, I would like to build one of these buildings’,” said Beth Cardillo, executive director at Armbrook. “He started to look around for some land and found this spot in Westfield. The rest is history.” Nestled comfortably on North Road, conveniently located near the intersection of Routes 10 and 202 on the Southampton side of town, Armbrook Village serves people from all over Western Mass., including Westfield, Southwick and the Hill Towns, as well as people from out of state. The 122-apartment community offers independent, assisted living and memory-
care units for senior citizens, and is managed by Senior Living Residences, a Boston-based company that manages similar facilities throughout the Bay State. “We’re in the perfect location,” Cardillo said. “I think people are surprised. We’re not just some place hidden on the other side of Westfield. We’re 12 minutes away from the Holyoke Mall, we’re right near Interstate 91 and the Mass Pike, and we’re just minutes away from Noble Hospital and downtown Westfield. It’s just really convenient for See ARMBROOK, Page 5
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Robert Levesque, center left, explains a proposed site plan for a Southwick business during a meeting with the Southwick Planning Board. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
R. LEVESQUE
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old pond mills being funded through state Massworks grants and in Westfield we’re designing improvements to the South Middle School athletic fields. That project is being advertised now and construction will begin later this summer after the end of the baseball season. That project includes two refurbished baseball fields.” “We’re a component of economic development,” Levesque said. “The services we provide enable other companies to invest in the city, get them through the red tape.” Levesque said that in the past year he has added three new staff positions, including an office manager, Paula Geddis, who he discovered at the city’s Planning Department. “Paula is so energetic, a super person who has enhanced our client communication,” Levesque said. “Paula handles a lot of the day to day operations with me. We also hired Filipe Cravo, a professional engineer for our civil engineering service and John Masuk, an engineering and survey technician who actually does much more than just that.” “Right now we’re happy with our size to keep our services cost-effective,” Levesque said. “We’re hometown guys. We want to be a household name.”
“The services we provide enable other companies to invest in the city, get them through the red tape.” RobERT Levesque
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than base energy contracts. “It’s revenue versus expanses issue. Under the traditional models your revenue does go up, but your expenses go up more,” Howard said. “Our approach to encourage conservation has worked because out peak demand has leveled off.” “We’ve had the residential program for years, the energy efficient light bulbs, insulation, Energy Star appliance rebates, but we’ve updated that program last years and are offering a lot more that people should be aware of,” Howard said. “There are a lot of new opportunities for residents to conserve. Now we’re looking at larger units. That information is on our website (wgeld.org).” The department started a pilot conservation program for commercial and industrial customers in 2010 that has grown to $1 million a year investment in conservation. ‘It’s a win-win program for us and for all of our customers,” Howard said. “When commercial customers can cut their consumption, it cuts peak demand and the cost associated with that. Residential customers see savings in their bills because we can maintain lower rates.” “We’ve helped dozens of businesses,” Howard said. “That has a trickle-down effect because those businesses usually hire local contractors and vendors to do the work, so that money stays here in Westfield. It has a good mushroom effect to the economy of Westfield.” All of the programs, residential and commercial, start with an energy audit to identify opportunities to lower energy consumption. The customer can then act on the options that make the most sense financially. “The audit is a living document, so if the customer doesn’t have the funding this year,
they can do it in the future,” Howard said. “When we get the audit back to people, it’s a plan to move forward. They can pick and choose what they want, and can afford, to have done. “No other municipal utility in the state was doing this,” Howard said. “Our program is now the template for other municipal utilities as they see the light, the benefits of conservation. “Energy efficiency saves energy,” Howard said. “It helps the customer to lower their costs and helps the department because it knocks down the use of peak power. That’s the key, helping to keep down the demand for high-cost peak energy, saving that are passed on to every consumer in Westfield.” The department is instituting a new program developed by the department’s staff called SERVICE which is an acronym for Safety, Empowerment, Reliability, Value, Innovation, Community and Excellence. “One of the benefits of the WG&E is employee’s unique talents and skill sets,” Howard said. “They’ve come up with this initiative which was developed over the past year.” Howard said the program will be “rolled out internally this week and over the next couple of months to customers. This will be our mantra.” “Our employees as a group came up with each point,” Howard said. Safety is every one, ever where, every day; Empowerment is making a difference for all of Westfield, Reliability, we are always on, we are always available; Value, skills, talent and commitment; Innovation, forward thinking, no boundaries; Community, there’s unity in community; Excellence, giving nothing less than our best.
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Chamber of Commerce looks to be ‘talk of the town’ By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Since 1959, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce has been providing businesses in western Hampden County big and small with the tools to expand their horizons and increase their bottom line. “We’re smaller than the other 14 communities with chambers in western Massachusetts, but our chamber is growing,” said Chamber Executive Director Kate Phelon. “The feedback we’ve been getting is very positive.” Phelon, who is entering her fourth year as the Chamber’s director, stated that the organization is continuing to expand its programming in 2014 as it did last year, when it held its first workforce development workshop, along with teaming up with Springfield Technical and Holyoke Community Colleges for a program called Training Workforce Opportunities, or TWO. The Chamber also held a training seminar on webpage design, and sponsors regular events to better acclimate its members with the modern juggernaut that is social media. “We work with businesses to stress constant contact, but we’re also looking to work with small businesses on succession and retirement planning,” Phelon said, adding that the organization’s membership is comprised of businesses ranging in size from large to micro, and everything in-between. “We look at our membership by sector,” she said, listing sectors such as manufacturing, retail, and non-profits, among others. “They all have different needs. But just because certain businesses don’t utilize networking like others, doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from these
Kate Phelon Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
events. It’s all about the power of connectivity.” Phelon is also excited about the addition of the city’s schools into the Chamber’s mix. “Local schools are now members of the Chamber,” she said with a smile. “We’re collaborating the education component and the business component with our ‘adopt a school’ program, which I’m hoping will be a fabulous opportunity. We’re looking forward to a great partnership.” The Chamber is looking at 2014 as a year of expansion, and is hoping its 230 members will swell to 280 by the time the calendars change. “Having Suzanne Sullivan adds an additional component to the Chamber,” Phelon said of the organizations Business Developer. “When you have 10 communities, it makes sense to add a team player like Suzanne.”
The 10 member communities who make up the Greater Westfield Chamber include the towns of Southwick, Tolland, Granville, Russell, Woronoco, Chester, Blandford, Huntington, and Montgomery, in addition to the City of Westfield. “We’ll be holding ribbon cuttings for businesses such as Spotlight Graphics Inc., in Southwick in April,” Phelon said, adding that she hopes similar events in the surrounding communities become regular occurrences. When asked of what it costs to join the Chamber and gain access to its plethora of services, Phelon stated that membership costs depend on the size of the business. “We have a tiered membership dues structure,” she said. “At the lowest, there are ‘micro-businesses’ which have three employees or less, they pay about $200 a year. But it goes all the way to a premium membership, which costs $3,000. We like to give businesses a choice of a dues structure that fits their budget.” Phelon, who was a member of the Chamber as a businessowner from 1985 to 1996, said the Chamber impressed its importance upon her very early. “We were a small business,” she said of her former consulting firm Parker, Phelon and Associates. “But we realized back then the value of the Chamber. As Executive Director, I have some vision, plans and passion (for the Chamber).” “Within the ten communities, we have an outreach program to let them know that we do have a Chamber.” Phelon added. “We’re all here to help and support each other, and we’re looking forward to creating new partners and making our Chamber the talk of the town.”
Inexpensive, valuable, fun By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The city’s Parks and Recreation Department plays a vital role in helping to shape the city’s youth into more well-rounded individuals into their teen years, and on into adulthood. The department has also helped to enhance the quality of life in the city, and the results are evident from the city parks to the activities being provided on a daily basis. On one hand, the Parks and Rec Department has helped reshape the city’s parks to make them more aesthetically pleasing. Over the last several years, Municipal Playground received a total makeover with the installation of new basketball courts, tennis courts, a spray park, bathrooms, horseshoe pits, playscapes, and swingsets. More recently, Chapman Playground underwent complete renovations, and the downtown benches were upgraded and rehabbed. “Now they’re beautiful,” Westfield Parks & Recreation program coordinator Jim Blascak said. Blascak expressed his enthusiasm for the city’s new look, thanks in large part to the parks’ projects, and also noted his excitement over the new spring/summer programs schedule booklet, released just a few days ago. “It’s full,” he said. “There are more pages (this year than ever before), and we adjust with what’s popular and what’s not-so-popular. We replace those not-so-popular programs with new stuff.” Speaking of “new stuff,” Parks and Rec has added karate and kickboxing, and has also partnered with Piece of My Art studio to provide drawing and painting workshops, sculpting, fashion design, and even sewing. While basketball tends to dominate the winter slate, spring gives way to sunny days and rising temperatures, and, of course, T-Ball. Sign-ups are ongoing for a late April start. In addition to T-Ball, Parks and Rec offers a solid Pee Wee Soccer, field hockey, tennis lessons, golf lessons, skateboard camps, horseback riding, and cheerleading by utilizing fields all throughout the city. “We have a ton of things (for the city’s youth to participate in),” Blascak said. “There’s just a wide variety.” “We’re not just recreation in the summertime either,” he said, pointing to the department’s babysitting, CPR, and First Aid classes. There is always the ever-popular Adventure Zone too, a full day program for children aged 5-12. Designed for working parents in need of affordable child care, Adventure Zone is an
inexpensive ($100/wk) program for youths. Activities include, but are not limited to: arts and crafts, sports, tournaments, swimming, guest speakers, environmental fun, and trips to places like Play Bousquet, and Brownstone, Forest, Look, and local spray parks. “It is fairly priced, and it offers flexibility (for parents),” Blascak said. Adventure Zone is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Spring/summer program books are now available, and sign-ups have begun for all programs. While the Parks and Rec Department’s spring/summer programs are each reasonably priced, scholarships are also available to those in need. “We try to keep costs low so that we don’t price people out of the game,” Blascak said. Local residents/business owners are also welcome to donate to the department’s scholarship fund.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
ARMBROOK our residents and their families.” Armbrook currently has 85 residents and is about 60 percent full. It employs about 70 people, including its executive staff, nurses, nurses aides, maintenance and food staff, and once it reaches capacity it will hire more people to cater to its residents. The facility is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Just by operating in Westfield, Armbrook has ingrained itself into the community by creating partnerships with local medical facilities, pharmacies, colleges and vendors. “Being in Westfield, we want to utilize what’s in Westfield,” Cardillo said. “We use local doctors, we’ve brought business to local pharmacies, we work with Noble Hospital and its visiting nurses program, we refer people to the Carson Center and other specialists, and we also work with Westfield State University and its nursing program, as well as Elms College and Springfield College. Giving back to the community and getting the community involved is a big part of what we are doing here. With 80-something people living here, we utilize a lot of services.” Cardillo herself is someone who has worked in the Whip City for most of her life. A licensed social worker, Cardillo used to work at Western Mass. Hospital, in the Westfield school district, and at the Carson Center. In her role as executive director at Armbrook, she continues to stay involved with the city.
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Continued from Page 1 “We’re a member of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and I go to the Mayor’s breakfast event all the time. If you’re working in Westfield, you need to know what’s going on in Westfield.” Keeping that theme in mind, Cardillo is spearheading a project to make Westfield a “Dementia Friendly” city by working with the chamber, local businesses and officials to educate people about dementia. “We’re involved, because we want to give back,” Cardillo said. “We want to educate people about what dementia is, so that if someone with dementia walks into a local business people know what the warning signs are and what to do. It could save someone’s life.” Dementia care is also what Cardillo says separates Armbrook from other communities. “The work that we do in dementia care is probably more unique in programming than anywhere else because of our affiliation with the Boston University School of Medicine Alzheimer’s Disease Center,” Cardillo said. “Our food is based on the Mediterrean diet, so it’s only brain-healthy foods. We have an independent nutritionist monitor our menu to comply with state regulations, and during an evaluation she said that she didn’t receive one complaint about the food. That’s amazing
when you think about it.” Cardillo said not being a national chain also separates Armbrook from other communities. “We’re one company,” she said. “And we’re Mass. only. So we know all the rules and regulations and what we need to do to serve our residents the best.” Along with providing a safe and comfortable home for its residents and providing a shot in the arm to the economy of Westfield, Armbrook also hosts important community events for people from surrounding areas. On the last Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m., Armbrook hosts an Alzheimer’s support group for family members and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s. Anyone interested in attending may show up or call for more information. As a whole, Armbrook has proved to be a valuable asset to the City of Westfield and surrounding towns in just a short period of time. “It’s all about body, mind and spirit,” Cardillo said. “I’m excited about who we are here and what we do.” ——— For more information about Armbrook Village, call 413-568-0000 or go to ArmbrookVillage.com.
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and residents of the Westfield and Springfield areas and beyond.” Working closely with Board President Ed Marth, Knapik says, “We are working to create a long-term strategic plan, better engage with alumni, connect with our historic base and raise needed funds.” The Foundation also sponsored a luncheon for Katherine Dower-Gold, Ph.D., in October 2013. “Dr. Dower-Gold has created a scholarship for music students, and we invited former and current students and faculty to join us in an appreciation luncheon during Homecoming,” says Knapik. Knapik is engaged with the campus administration as well, working with the Financial Aid office to fund scholarships. Knapik wants to enhance Foundation giving to enable Westfield State to offer more scholarships, book scholarships and identify other way to lessen the financial burden on students. “The need is very large, and I believe we can be a powerful partner,” says Knapik.
Westfield State’s International Program Exposes Students to Global Diversity and Service Opportunities FEATURE BY TESSA NEWELL ‘15
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estfield State University today is a globally connected institution that places a high value on preparing students to live and work as citizens of the world. The International Programs Office (IPO) has been actively involved in expansion efforts on behalf of the university as it has purposefully moved to increase opportunities for international experiences - through study abroad, short-term courses, overseas internships, athletic exchange, service learning or on-campus intercultural learning programs. International Student Exchange programs are reciprocal arrangements in which two exchange students from each school pay their regular home tuition and fees to their home school, and pay for room and board to the host school. The university has agreements with Capital Normal University in Bejing, China and United International College in Zhuhai, China; The Institute of Technology in Sligo, Ireland; Jade University of Applied Sciences in Wilhelmshaven, Germany; and Krosno State College in Krosno, Poland. Additionally, the university has entered into Direct Enroll Affiliations with Dublin Business School, Ireland; Edge Hill University, England; Florence University of the Arts, Italy; and the Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy. Many Westfield State students have had the opportunity to travel abroad via 3-week (Short-Term faculty-led) courses during semester breaks. Recent programs include several trips to Costa Rica and Nepal, and a few service learning trips to Nicaragua and Guatemala. These programs provide an opportunity for Westfield faculty to pursue an international teaching experience, for staff to accompany these courses in a professional development opportunity, and for students to participate in unparalleled learning outside of the classroom. During this year’s Costa Rica trip led by Dr. Tim Parshall, students explored the tropical forests of the country and learned about important conversation issues and the dangers of deforestation. In Nepal, students experienced a special-topics course on wilderness education, which explored high altitude medicine, group safety tactics, and the proper balance between risk potential and the educational benefits of adventure.
The 19 students who went on the trip to Nicaragua not only learned about cultural diversity, but they were able to engage in service learning opportunities and activities in a global setting. The students worked with the local non-profit organization La Esperanza Granada, a volunteer organization that focuses on children’s education and provides opportunities and resources for the long term educational advancement and community development of Nicaraguan neighborhoods. With La Esperanza Granada, students were able to contribute to build a technology classroom for the elementary school of a Nicaraguan town. With the Nicaragua service trip being so successful, Westfield is following up with another community involvement trip this year. Nineteen nursing students and two faculty members will be traveling to Santa Maria de Jesus in Guatemala to provide medical care and health promotion over spring break. Westfield has sent more than 500 students and more than 80 faculty and staff in 53 courses to more than 20 countries. The university has successfully integrated global capabilities and perspectives across the Westfield State educational experience. The International Programs Office has been recognized as one of three signature programs whose success contributed to a recommendation for 10-year accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in January 2013.
The success of Westfield State’s various study abroad programs has encouraged the university to make more international courses possible for this upcoming year. This year’s courses include Jazz in New Orleans, International Business in Paris and Milan, The Theatre of London: Past and Present in London, England, A Costa Rican Intercultural Tropical and Ecology Experience, Making History: Monuments, Museums, and Multiculturalism in London and Istanbul, Oceanography In The Field: Puerto Rico, and American Cities, Civic Learning: Chicago. For more information about Education Abroad at Westfield State, visit westfield.ma.edu/educationabroad.
Leading Advancement and the Foundation Into the Future BY CLAUDIA MOORE-O’BRIEN M.ED. ’00
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ichael Knapik is the new head of University Advancement. He is also a hometown guy with a rich career in public service. Born in Westfield, Knapik was a member of the Westfield School Committee, served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for four years and as a State Senator for 18 years. As the recently appointed executive director for University Advancement, Knapik will direct University fundraising, working closely with community leaders, alumni, employees, donors and students from various and diverse backgrounds. Responsible for two wings of fundraising, Knapik is heading both the University’s Advancement Division and The Westfield State Foundation, Inc. “We have assembled a new advancement team to maximize our ability to be broadly engaged and active in fundraising,” says Knapik. “Westfield State is such a wonderful school. I know we will be able to share the good works of the students and faculty to a broad array of folks, especially as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of our founding by Horace Mann.” Knapik spoke about an initiative of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Higher Education through which state universities have been challenged to raise funds for student internships; this will be a key focus of the Advancement Division and the Foundation. Knapik explains that the University has been asked to raise $124,000 for the internship program, and this amount will be matched dollar for dollar for a total of $248,000. “This is only the second year the legislature has made this particular matching program available,” he says. Currently, many internships at the University are paid for by employers; others are solely offered for academic credit. These monies will help support the students as they work in the community. Internships in this incentive program will focus on careers in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and financial services and health. The initiative addresses the need for Massachusetts to have and retain the “best educated workforce and citizenry in the nation,” Knapik says. Other initiatives include growing student scholarship funds, partnering with academic departments to address their needs and engaging in a capital fundraising plan for the new STEM academic building. “The Westfield State Foundation has committed to funding $134,000 in scholarship aid for the 2014-2015 academic year,” Knapik said. “This returns us to the pre-recession level of support for financial aid for our students. We are grateful for all of our private support,” he added. Knapik also manages the Westfield State University Foundation, Inc., with a board of directors made up of respected community professionals. Knapik says, “The Foundation develops, fosters and cultivates relationships with external constituencies, including alumni, friends, business leaders, private foundations
The Universe According to Josh Simpson
Westfield State Nursing Students are First to Graduate
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wenty one students are expected to graduate from Westfield State this spring with a bachelor of science in nursing. The small group of students will be the first graduates of Westfield State’s nursing and allied health department. Created in 2010, the nursing and allied health department strives to to prepare nursing graduates who are skilled in promoting health, who use clinical judgment to deliver high quality, compassionate, and evidenced base care to individuals, families and communities and who demonstrate cultural and ethical understanding and leadership abilities. The program is run by Professor Karen Manning, chair of the nursing program. Manning said that the small size of the nursing program at Westfield State is what sets it apart, allowing an intimate bond within the major. “The special thing for me is how close the students are to each other,” said Manning. “Whether they are in the simulation lab, at a clinical, or in class, they are always helping each other.” In October 2013, the program received full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The three-day survey examined and evaluated the Westfield State curriculum, faculty, administration, practice partners and feedback from students and faculty, among many other factors. Westfield State’s nursing program requires students to complete a clinical practicum in the following areas: fundamentals, adult and older adult health, mental health, obstetrics/women’s health, pediatrics, community/public health, and a 200 hour clinical internship. Students are placed in neighboring health centers including Baystate Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and Noble Hospital, which Westfield has a close relationship with because it is the location of the simulation lab the university uses to help train their students. “Our strong relationship with Noble Hospital in Westfield has been wonderful,” said Manning. “Because we are there every day, the students have such a great rapport with the Noble staff.” This spring, 19 nursing students and two faculty members will travel to Guatemala on a service trip. While in Guatemala, students and faculty members will care for children at two different orphanages. They will supply and teach Guatemalan families how to use water filters, provide health and dental care, provide wound care for the homeless, and offer feedings at malnutrition centers. Trip organizer Marcia Scanlon, assistant professor of nursing and allied health, said the goal of the trip is to broaden the students’ understanding of healthcare in other countries. “It broadens their scope and vision of the nursing profession to include communities all over the world- not just patient in a hospital setting,” Scanlon said. “It promotes nursing qualities such as leadership, teamwork, respect and problem-solving skills. Nurses care for many diverse patients and exposure to different cultures is beneficial. It prepares them to be a better future nurse- more culturally competent in delivering care to diverse patients.” Upon completion, nursing graduates will be eligible to write the NCLEX examination for licensure as a registered nurse. For Josephine Lannon ’14, what makes the Westfield State nursing program unique is the dedicated professors. “The professors and staff who have built this program have put their whole hearts into it,” Lannon said. “They are smart, caring and compassionate teachers who push us, guide us and value student input as the program grows.”
A city-wide celebration of internationally-noted glass artist Josh Simpson JUNE 28 – SEPTEMBER 28 Westfield State University Downtown Art Gallery 105 Elm Street, Westfield, MA Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Thursday, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm Saturday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
APRIL 11 · 5:30PM
Fiddler on the Roof Dinner Theater For more information & tickets, visit: deverstage.com Buffet dinner and cash bar
Owl Club Golf Tournament AUGUST 4
Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass. To benefit Athletics Contact Dave Caspole at (413) 485-7358
Foundation Golf Classic SEPTEMBER 2014
To benefit scholarships, internships and books Contact Lisa McMahon at (413) 485-7360
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Grant Jewelers sparkles with every success By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD – There’s a sparkle in the eye of Grant Jewelers president Robert Grant when he talks about his relationship with the Westfield community. “This is a trust-driven business,” said Robert Grant, sitting amidst some of the finest, handcrafted jewelry that one can find locally. “Not anyone is just going to trust you with their greatgrandmas’ engagement ring.” “No matter the quality, and the price of the metal,” he said, “to them, it is the most important thing in the world. We’ve been entrusted with that piece (of jewelry).” “If we don’t have the trust of the people, we will be out of business.” Grant said quality and service are the most important things to him and the family business. Robert’s father, Andrew, who began as a watch maker, opened Grant Jewelers on Elm Street on Jan. 15, 1960. In 1997, the family moved the business to East Main Street before relocating to its current location at 55 Southwick Road, opening its doors on June 28, 2011. Despite moving its location, Grant Jewelers has always remained rooted in the Whip City. “It’s a great place,” said the jewelry store’s president, pointing to the current location. “We have great neighbors, there are great stores, and there are a lot of people here all the way from Bella Roma to Memory Lane lamps to the dry cleaners … and the K-9 place. It’s a great place with great space.” “We’ve seen increases (in customers) every year,” he added. “It is extremely convenient (to frequent Grant Jewelers). It’s a rarity that a customer can’t just pull up at the front and come in. For us, that’s important, especially to our older clientele.” Even more important than the aesthetics of the exterior and interior of the building – which is pleasing to the eye – and the great location, is the service that Grant Jewelers offers. “Most of our customers have been referred,” Grant said. “Our service is very good. I even have some regular customers that even bring in everything from a can opener to a clock. Our people expect it. They deserve it. That’s what we do – we give it to them.” So when Grant Jewelers happens to work on one of their customer’s great grandmother’s rings, or any piece of jewelry for that matter, one should expect nothing but the best, according to its longtime owner. From the time a customer steps foot into the 1,300 square foot space, Grant Jewelers provides a welcome experience. Customers will view fine quality jewelry, all 14-karat gold and higher, as well as platinum and sterling rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, and broaches. Grant Jewelers also offers fine collec-
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Robert Grant, president of Andrew Grant Diamond Center, examines a diamond at their Westfield store located at 55 Southwick Road. (Photo by Frederick Gore) tions like Diva with a spectacular blend of shimmering diamonds and gold, or Reflections of Color which features sterling silver with 18-karat gold and genuine stones, all at a fairly reasonable cost. There is also great pearl jewelry that, Grant said, words cannot describe. According to the store’s owner, while there are innumerable amounts of fine jewelry, a college kid or a customer struggling to make ends meet can even purchase the most inexpensive piece of jewelry – and that person would still be getting quality merchandise. “You can get things here with $100-200,” Grant said, “and it would still be something to give and be proud of, and don’t have to apologize and say ‘that’s all I could afford’ to that person. We have nice pieces of jewelry even at that price.” “Whether someone is getting married or having a birthday, or it’s Christmas or that special occasion, you want to give something nice, the best, to make somebody happy,” he added. Grant Jewelers is staffed by owner Andrew Grant, sales associates Stephanie Grant and Lynn Davis. Any time you stop in you are also likely to find Stephanie’s one-year-old daughter Adalynn, and the family dogs, Shep and Jack, on hand to greet you at the door. Grant Jewelers is open Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit grantjewelers.com for more information.
Friends of the Westfield Senior Center:
The City’s 8,000 older adults have paid their dues. They served in World War II, the Korean War, and Viet Nam. They worked in local businesses and trades. They financed Westfield’s schools and community projects. As the dream of their new Senior Center approaches a reality, imagine the expansion and enhancement of programs and services that will be available to them. At the new Senior Center, participants will park in a lot adjacent to the building. They will enter through a canopied
front door and will have an array of programs and activities from which to choose. Fitness, arts, and educational programs will run simultaneously. Confidential meetings with staff members will be conducted in private offices. A games room and lounge space will facilitate socialization. Lowcost lunches will be prepared daily for triple the number that we can accommodate now. A gift shop will showcase handmade items. Services for our local Veterans will be better coordinated with Council On Aging staff as we will be
housed together in the same building. The photographs are actual rooms in the senior centers. Westfield will have similar rooms for the activities shown of some surrounding towns. The new Senior Center Building Committee anticipates that construction will begin in September of this year with completion of the project in the fall of 2015. To support this endeavor, the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center, Inc. has been actively recruiting members, hosting fundraising
GAMES ROOM Holyoke Senior Center
GREETERS AREA - Holyoke Senior Center
FIRESIDE LOUNGE Holyoke Senior Center GIFT SHOP - Northampton Senior Center
Our Mission
The Friends mission is to provide enhancements to the programs and activities of the Westfield Senior Center through fundraising, advocacy and facility improvement.
Architect drawing of proposed Senior Center, Noble St., Westfield
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A need approaches a reality events, and planning the group’s capital campaign. The initial goal of the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center is to raise money to furnish the new Center. The types of items that will be needed include dining tables and chairs, sofas, lounge chairs, end tables, café tables and chairs, office work stations, display cases, card and game tables, pool tables, dishware and utensils, outdoor benches and grills, patio furniture, and computer stations. We currently operate in a building without its own parking
CREATIVITY CENTER Holyoke Senior Center
lot, with no elevator to the second floor, where the kitchen is no bigger than that of a typical residential home, where there is virtually no privacy because every single staff member shares office space or area space, and where all programs and activities are conducted in just two small rooms. The Westfield Council On Aging/Senior Center is a City department that serves as a social service agency for those in the City who are 60 and older. Often, the Council On Aging is the initial access point for information and referral
Great Room Holyoke Senior Center
by Westfield’s older adults and their family members. The Council On Aging has been recognized at the State level for both our Companion Program as well as our Retire the Fire! initiative. We continue to provide an array of services, programs, and activities despite our less-than-desirable working environment. For more information on the Friends group, call 562-6435 or visit us on our website, www.westfieldseniors.org.
POOL ROOM Agawam Senior Center
Please support the Friends Group. - Sponsor a room - Donate funds in memory of a loved one - Host a fundraising event - Join the capital campaign committee For more information call
Tina Gorman at 413.562.6435 or e-mail:
fotwsc@gmail.com www.westfieldseniors.org
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Prolamina offers bright solutions The crew at Prolamina takes a moment to pose for a photo. For more information go to www.prolamina.com or see their ad on the previous page. (Photos submitted)
WBID
Continued from Page 1
The organization is also constantly researching, evaluating and reviewing its events, all the while recommending its services to other businesses within the city and its district. In addition, the organization is leading an effort to aid in public awareness regarding the ongoing technical assistance it provides. “Over the past eight years a solid foundation has been laid,” said Maureen “Mo” Belliveau, executive director for the BID. “The Board has been actively working on a more focused marketing committee format.” Belliveau also stated that the Board has identified four areas that it will be developing in its marketing efforts to highlight the city’s evolving downtown. “Regional awareness, merchant and member communications, events and specialties,” she said. “(Regional awareness) is a top priority, developing a regional marketing plan by which regional awareness for the city’s downtown increases, and highlighting Westfield’s vitality, viability, and opportunity as a place to conduct business.” The organization is also active in organizing its signature events, which include annual summer farmer’s markets, music festivals, the Run Westfield Block Party in the spring, small business Saturdays, the Mayor’s tree lighting during the Christmas season, and an upcoming collaborative event called “The Universe according to Josh Simpson”, which will be put on in collaboration with its downtown partners, Westfield on Weekends, the Chamber of Commerce, the Westfield Athenaeum and the City’s Community Development Department.
In addition, the BID works with businesses within its designated District, which stretches from Orange Street all the way to Bliss Street, to “develop avenues of communication to members and merchants as to what is happening within and affecting the District.” Owners of businesses new to the district are singing the organization’s praises. “The Westfield Business Improvement District has been instrumental in the success of Clemenzas Brick Oven,” said Anthony Martone, owner of the 91 Elm Street restaurant. “They have promoted the business and included Clemenza’s in downtown Westfield events. Maureen Belliveau is always available to answer questions and is a tremendous help with community affairs.” Martone added that he and his staff always look forward to WBID events and the exposure the WBID brings to our downtown. “The core, major hubs of activity for businesses in the district are on Broad, Court, Elm and Main Streets,” Belliveau said, adding that beautifying and providing technical assistance to downtown businesses helps them become successful. “It keeps storefronts occupied and vibrant, and the assistance bolsters our economy,” she said. “ For each dollar spent in a local economy, 68 cents stays in that local economy.”
According to its website, as a part of membership to the organization, the BID provides a comprehensive supplemental package of programs and services that will create a “clean, attractive, safe, well programmed and aggressively promoted location in which to live, conduct business, shop, and visit.” Regarding its efforts to bring increased commerce back to the city’s downtown, Belliveau said that, while institutions like the Holyoke Mall have provided stiff competition for small businesses in the area, the grip of large shopping centers may be loosening. “There’s a hunger to move away from that, I think,” she said. “People want to support something that’s worthy and worthwhile, like local merchants. They want to feel connected again.” Belliveau reiterates that the organization’s efforts are constantly changing regarding ways to better serve district members. “We’re trying to assess and identify more needs,” she said. “It’s an abstract thing, it’s a process, because we’ve come along quite a ways, but we’re just fine tuning and honing our efforts. It’s constantly evolving, that’s the beauty of BIDs we are continuing to improve and develop the WBID to meet the needs of our membership.”
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MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 11 Continued from Page 1
“It’s 66 acres, so there will still be land available for small companies, which was the original concept,” Daley said. “And because of sensitivity to the residents on Sabrina Brook Drive and Cabot Road we’re keeping a larger buffer, 150 feet, than required by the City Council. The goal is also to retain seven to eight acres for future animal shelter development and dog park.” Miller is working on the Riverfront Project, 4.8 acres of land owned by the city on the southern bank of the Westfield River. Some of that land, which has frontage on Elm Street, was taken during the Great River Bridge project; some of the property was taken by the city decades ago following the fire at the former Waltham grinding plant. Recently an environmental study was done on the site. “The Riverfront Development site is more clean than we anticipated,” Miller said. “I was Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. employees and management join state and local officials at its pleasantly surprised. So this year we will connew 125,000-square-foot hanger service center at Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield. The tinue that planning phase to continue that elefacility opened in May 2013 and serves the Northeast region of the United States. (File photo by ment of downtown development.” Frederick Gore) Daley said that the city is “entertaining doing an urban renewal plan for the Riverfront project because there will be other parcels” of land included in the scope of the nine-acre project. The city is actively involved in acquiring land for the Elm Street commercial building project as well, Daley said. “The Elm Street project is moving forward,” Daley said.”During the next few weeks the WRA (Westfield Redevelopment Authority) will develop offers for friendly takings of the four parcels owned by the Romani family and Madelyn Murphy, then the WRA will own the entire site with the exception of the Flahive property.” The Romani/Murphy property is a key element in the commercial building project because it will be the site for construction of a
Contractors from Truck Crane Service demolish the old storefronts on Elm Street near Arnold Street to make way for a proposed retail and transportation center. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
250-car parking garage along Church Street. The garage design will include the capability of expanding the garage by adding additional floors in the future. “It’s the only practical location for a downtown parking facility,” Daley said. The city is seeking to secure a $4 million state grant which will fund about half of the cost of the parking garage construction, with a city bond funding the remaining construction money. “New tax revenue from the commercial building could be used to pay the debt service on that bond,” Daley said. Daley said negotiation for the Flahive building continue and that he expects that an purchase offer will be made later this month or in April to complete the site assembly process. Daley said there has also be interest in the 80-acre Airport Industrial Park. The city was awarded a $2 million state economic development grant to reconstruct, and realign, Airport Industrial Road through the Massworks Infrastructure Program. The former access road between North Road and Elise Street was a hodgepodge of street fragments, including two segments of Apremont Way, and a segment of Old Stage Way.. The newly constructed access road bisects the proposed Airport Industrial Park, with 40 acres adjacent to the airport and 40 acres of the east side of the new road. “Five companies have expressed interest in building facilities,” Daley said. “Hopefully we can secure funding for the environmental and aviation studies needed to get permits for development of the industrial park. “We plan to reserve 20 acres of the west side of the roadway to for aviation use with direct access to the airport and the other 60 acres will be developed for commercial and light industry use.”
The Columbia Greenway project looking south from Shaker Road in Westfield. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
THE WESTFIELD NEWS
B&I WESTFIELD BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014
ADVERTISING INDEX: 1 ARCH ROAD PG 2 ACCURATE MECHANICAL PG11 BRIGHT CLOUD STUDIO PG 5 EASTERN STATE EXPOSITION PG 8 EDWARD JONES PG 5 FIRTION ADAMS FUNERAL SERVICES PG11 GENERAL SHEPARD APARTMENTS PG10 HAMPSHIRE FIRE PROTECTION LLC PG10 KOSINSKI FARMS PG 9 KURTZ INCORPORATED PG 8 MAREK JEWELERS PG 4 MINA’s WINE & SPIRITS PG11 NCCHP PG 9 Parts Tool & DIE, INC PG 4 PEPPERMILL CATERING PG10 PEOPLESBANK PG 4 PIGNATARE & SAGAN LLC PG 8 PIONEER VALLEY RAILROAD PG 8 ST. MARY PGS 6-7 SAVAGE ARMS PG 8 SPECIALTY SEALING SERVICE, INC. PG11 Stevens 470 PG 5 ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH PG11 THE ARBORS PG 3 THE TRAVEL GROUP PG11 TIGHE & BOND PG 2 TUCKER’S RESTAURANT PG 9 WESTFIELD BANK PG12 YMCA of GREATER WESTFIELD PG10 www.thewestfieldnews.com
Engineering service focus expanding By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Tighe & Bond was founded more than 100 years ago in Holyoke and gained an international reputation of as a civil and environmental engineering firm before relocating its headquarters in Westfield in 1989. The firm continues to provide those services, with many projects right here in Westfield, but has evolved as the needs of clients change, adding staff with other engineering skill sets, called disciplines, to enhance its core services, often driven by a new economic requirement. At one time the cost of energy to heat a building or operating machinery was not a major concern for either the design engineers or the property owners, energy was cheap. That view changed quickly following the 1973 OPEC oil embargo as energy costs became a major economic factor and a new engineering discipline evolved for energy management services (EMS). “Tighe & Bond has been in the valley for over 100 years,” Senior Program Manager
Rebecca Sherer said, “and in Westfield for a couple of decades. Our core services which everyone knows is civil and environmental engineering. “But over the last 10 years we have been doing energy improvements in existing buildings,” Sherer said. “We’re no longer just a civil and environmental engineering firm; we’ve expanded into other disciplines as well.” A major vehicle in the energy management services transition has been public projects, including the Massachusetts School Building Authority through its Green Energy Grant program. The MSBA provides up to a 62 percent reimbursement to communities for investment in the installation of energy efficient systems, to reduce the energy footprint of school buildings. The grant funds are reimbursed for replacement of roofs, windows and boilers. “So we started with the MSBA green repair program replacing roofs, windows and boilers,” Sherer said. “At the See TIGHE & BOND, Page 2
Westfield Bank President and CEO James Hagan, left, joins left-right, Brittney Kelleher, commercial lender, Sharon Czarnecki, A.V.P. loan administrator CRA officer, Dennis Keefe, vice president commercial real estate, and Kevin O’Connor, vice president Retail Banking and Marketing, at their corporate office located at 141 Elm Street in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Westfield Bank continues to growth By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer WESTFIELD – In our fast pace, ever changing times one thing remains consistent and that is Westfield Bank’s commitment to its customers, shareholders, employees and communities in which it serves. That commitment was never more evident than in 2013, the year in which WB celebrated its 160th Anniversary. The foundation of this commitment and the progress that followed throughout the year was the result of ongoing strategic planning by the Bank’s Senior Officers and a highly talented and dedicated Board of Directors. Over the years Westfield Bank has grown from a small community savings bank to a full-service community bank
offering the products, services, technology and conveniences of a big bank but in a local personalized way. Under the leadership of James Hagan, President and CEO the commercial lending area has grown and continues to grow with the ability to service both small and large businesses. The team takes pride in its commitment to the middle market and small businesses in our communities as evident in the Bank’s participation in the Massachusetts State Treasurers Small Business Banking Partnership. To date 46 loans totaling over $3 million dollars have been booked through this partnership. “We look forward to forming many more business relationships See WESTFIELD BANK, Page 11
Edward Jones
Hometown financial advisors for the local community By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD — Edward Jones financial advisor Tim Flynn started his business from scratch in his native East Longmeadow six years ago, and when the opportunity arose for him to take over the Jones office in Westfield, he jumped at the chance. Flynn recognized the beauty of an office located in the heart of the Whip City, right on Elm Street, and for a year and half he has been helping Westfield and residents from surrounding communities by offering thoughtful investment strategies to help them identify and attain their long-term financial goals. The office on Elm Street is anything but intimidating. Accessible and approachable, Flynn’s Westfield office comes from the same mold as the other 10,000 Jones offices from around the country, which See EDWARD JONES, Page 5
Tim Flynn, a financial adviser, for Edward Jones located at 20 Elm Street in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Retirees just getting started at The Arbors of Westfield
By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Contrary to the common belief that retired seniors are taking it easy, residents at The Arbors at Westfield are an active group with a zest for life. At The Arbors at Westfield, an assisted living community, the goal is to stay healthy and enjoy a quality of life by offering a broad range of programs, activities, trips and See THE ARBORS, Page 3
Mary Argenio, rear, activities director at The Arbors of Westfield, helps Lauren Seddon, left, granddaughter of Arbor resident Olga Rios, right, during a game in the activity room. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
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Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik, right, discusses the new state-of-the-art heating system with City Hall maintenance employee Tom Curren. The new heating and cooling system is part of the Westfield City Hall renovation project. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
TIGHE & BOND
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same time, we became acquainted with Siemens and their energy management services.” The city launched a major energy conservation program, which included both school and municipal buildings, and hired P3 to serve as its project manager, a MSBA requirement; Siemens, was hired to conduct an energy audit and proposed options to increase energy efficiency and reduce the municipal energy footprint; and Tighe & Bond was hired to serve as the city’s engineering consultant for the MSBA Green Energy grant program, linking the $12 million Green Energy project with the work to be completed through the a $17 million bond. “That’s when we teamed with Siemens, we subcontracted to them as designers,” Sherer said. “The coincidence was that we were already doing MSBA work when the city’s began its EMS project.” The combination of the school and municipal project resulted in major changes to the scope of work being performed under the MSBA grant. “The MSBA guideline is to replace boilers in kind,” Sherer said. “The Westfield Vocational Technical High School has a steam boiler system. If we could replace it with a hat water condensing system, it would be a lot more efficient. “The4 MSABA eventually agreed to that, but wanted to make sure there was real value to making this change,” Sherer said. “The whole goal of the green repair program is to make buildings more energy efficient. We took that same concept to other schools as well.” Then that concept was taken to City Hall which underwent a major rebuild, with instal-
Justin and Jeff Glaze pose for a photo in their office at 1 Arch Road. (Photo Frederick Gore)
1 Arch Road
Meets your company’s needs By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD – One Arch Road offers 44,000 square feet of business and professional suite, and storage space – all in a climate-controlled environment – at an affordable price. Currently, tenants such as Epi-Center (an ERP systems consulting firm), the Western Mass. Council of the Boy Scouts of America (including the Trading Post and main offices), a digital graphics company, and Mobius Works (an IT service and support company) are housed at One Arch Road. The remaining 25,000 square feet on the ground floor is available to match any company’s needs, including self-storage, company officials explained. “We welcome anybody looking for storage,” said Epi-Center president/senior consultant Jeffrey W. Glaze. Jeffrey’s son, Justin, is the building manager. “If you have a motorcycle, we have the place to store it.” Jeffrey said, unlike traditional outdoor storage facilities, One Arch Road offers climatecontrol, which is especially pleasing for people needing to store perishables, for instance, or furniture, clothing, appliances, or even boats or cars. He also pointed out the easy accessibility and centralized location, just a quarter-mile from the Massachusetts Turnpike. In addition, larger spaces are for rent for companies seeking space in Westfield. One Arch Road offers full electric capabilities, a full-size loading dock, forklift, ship-
ping and receiving services, telephone answering services, copy/fax units, computer network and onsite administration, high speed internet, common space for conference rooms and classrooms, up to 14-foot ceilings, security system and video monitoring, fire-alarm sprinkler systems, and unlimited access with a personalized keycard. Whether you are a college student or resident just looking for storage space, or a small business owner seeking help setting up shop and running a business, One Arch Road has what you need. “We want to help businesses grow,” said Jeffrey Glaze. Jeffrey Glaze has shown his dedication to the Whip City. He is a two-time president of the Westfield Rotary Club, the president of Stanley Park, and the incoming president for the local Boy Scouts Council. “Westfield is one of the largest teams in the area, some 50,000 people here,” said Justin Glaze. “It’s the biggest town, we’re close to surrounding communities, and the Air Guard base is up the street. There are people everywhere (who may be in need of our services).” “I think it’s awesome for people to utilize this space,” said One Arch Road’s general operations manager, Debbie Balser. “It’s heated, it’s secure, and I think it’s convenient with easy access on and off the pike … and everyone here is wonderful.” Anyone wishing to set up shop or take advantage of safe storage opportunities is asked to call One Arch Road at 413-5681360.
lation of a new slate roof, extensive repair to the exterior brick envelope and major updates to the building systems , including new wiring, new telecommunication capabilities, and of course a new hot-water heating system to replace the antiquated boiler. Sherer said that another relatively new engineering discipline is heavily involved in the rehabilitation of old buildings because of material, now identified as being hazardous, used in the original construction. The two most prevalent hazmat materials found in older buildings are lead, used in paint, and asbestos, which was used in floor tiles, roof shingles and to insulate old boiler systems. “Our hazardous building material team investigates before construction begins because we’re doing a lot of renovation and upgrade work in older buildings where there is a significant potential to encounter hazardous materials,” Sherer said. The potential hazmat material must be mitigated before the general construction work is initiated. “The HBMI team gives realistic estimates of the cost of mitigation if we do encounter hazardous materials,” Sherer said. “The final piece is that we’re lucky to have the structural discipline in house,” Sherer said. “We had to put a large, heavy HVAC unit on a school roof, but there were concerns about the support structure of the roof to carry that load. The structural engineers came in, identified a solution, some additional steel supports were installed, and the HVAC put into place, so that effort require a real mix of disciplines, the need to integrate all disciplines for a successful outcome.”
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THE ARBORS
Continued from Page 1 lectures. All of the programs are designed to keep the mind active and the body strong. Mary Argenio, director of activities, likes to combine the use of technology using wii games, and specialized senior computer programs, with the traditional bingo, knitting groups and trivia games. Argenio makes life at The Arbors fun and interesting by creating her own innovative programs such as evening cocktail parties, community events at concerts and picnics and weekly art classes. Residents, Irene Spagnoli and Olga Rios are eager to express their enthusiasm. “I have lived here for five years and I attend as many activities as I can”, said Spagnoli. “I love the basics – trivia, scrabble, BINGO and of course, shopping.” Rios remembers, eight years ago, when she was resistant to the idea of living at The Arbors at Westfield. “I was still working at South Middle School and I became very ill. My daughter urged me to make the move and I have never regretted it,” she said. “This is my home and I love it here.” Spagnoli is part of the unofficial welcome committee. She touts the many events and programs to the newcomers and is the cheerleader who inspires the reticent neighbor to join in. “Staying active is the key to staying healthy”, she tells them. “I was always active myself and I still am.” Many residents, including Rios and Spagnoli, credit Argenio’s warmth, infectious energy and creativity with making the program a success. Argenio believes every resident is important, she always finds a way to get everyone’s attention and involvement. “All of my ideas are created to keep the brain stimulated and the body strong,” said Argenio. The Reflections community offers specialized memory support programs in a secure environment. Reflections Director, Debby Carrier manages a program with failure free activities for those residents with cognitive impairment. “We have a variety of activities that the residents enjoy and feel successful at,” said Carrier. Residents in the Reflections community stay active as well. There is a daily exercise program, with chair dancing, beach ball volley games and walking clubs. There are visits to parks, lunches out, shopping trips and country rides. It is apparent that the activity program is the glue that bonds the residents together. Creating common interests is an essential ingredient in making the group feel like family. Even extended families love to join in or volunteer their ideas or assistance. The careful planning and the love put into it is what make the program so special and successful. If home is where the heart is than The Arbors at Westfield is truly home.
Resident Irene Spagnoli on The Arbors annual boat ride on Lake Congamond during the summer.
Mary Argenio with resident Rita Rodden. (Photo by Sondra Jones)
(Photo by Sondra Jones)
Harvey Buckland, right, a resident at The Arbors of Westfield, chats with Tarcela Carel as she pours a coffee for Buckland in The Arbors dining room. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Mary Argenio, left, activities director at The Arbors of Westfield. reads a document to Irene Spagnoli as she irons a piece of clothing for a friend. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
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The PeoplesBank Westfield Team joined by a few of the 15 associates who live in Westfield. (Front left to right) Danielle Rosario, Assistant Manager; Michelle Crosby, Consumer & Business Center Manager; Peter Hogan, Teller; Kyle Pierce, Teller. (Back Left to right) Mike Raposo, eChannel Project Manager (Westfield resident); Trisha Leary, Risk Oversight (Westfield resident); Kathy St. Mary, Underwriting Manager (Westfield resident); Jocelyn Houle Kinlock, Mortgage Consultant.
PeoplesBank
Focused on Innovation, Community Investment, and Best-in-Class Customer Service As the largest community bank in the market, PeoplesBank is focused on being a leader in banking innovation, environmental sustainability, and community support. While there are many things that contribute to its success, PeoplesBank believes its mutual charter ensures stability for customers and allows it to provide greater support to the communities it serves. The bank’s Westfield office, located at 281 East Main Street, is a full service location offering mortgages, checking, business banking and more. Seeking Impact Through Innovation PeoplesBank is creating the branches of the future and, in doing so, redefining community banking. Bank associates are transitioning into becoming Universal Bankers – individuals empowered to take care of all a customer’s banking needs whether he or she is applying for a mortgage or making a deposit. Online kiosks with iPads and Wi-Fi are being tested, and free Wi-Fi is expected to be installed in many locations in the near future. The drive to innovate is also making banking more convenient at PeoplesBank. Technology is being put into the hands of customers though mobile check deposit and online account opening. Across its organization, the bank has instituted a best-in-class Customer Experience Program that benchmarked Ritz-Carlton business practices. Taking the Lead in Charitable Contributions As a community bank, PeoplesBank has a unique ability to help the communities it serves – through its significant volunteer efforts and the millions of dollars it has donated to charitable and civic causes. The bank has helped to build libraries, construct a greenhouse at a school, increase financial literacy, construct much-needed senior centers and support innovative youth programs like the Boys and Girls Club in Westfield. For its efforts, PeoplesBank has been recognized by the Boston Business Journal as a “Top Corporate Charitable Contributor” for six years in a row. The bank feels that one of its most important organizational values is volunteerism – associates donate an average of 6,000 hours each year in service to local charitable organizations, and 48 of the bank’s officers serve on the board of directors and committees of 115
area nonprofit organizations. Achieving a Strong Track Record of Environmental Sustainability PeoplesBank has become known nationally as an environmental sustainability leader The bank has built three LEED® registered offices, renovated most of its branches to make them highly energy efficient, and installed free electric vehicle charging stations in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Theses green efforts have been highlighted regionally and nationally in The Boston Globe, in environmental publications like Green Building & Design, by the American Bankers Association with a Sustainable Banking Award, and by BankNews magazine with a Green Leaf Award. PeoplesBank also financed more than $70 million in sustainable-energy projects. It’s Passion that Makes PeoplesBank Different Banking innovation, community support, and environmental sustainability – these are some of the reasons that PeoplesBank is successful. That last word– “successful” – is important. The bank’s efforts not only feel good, and help the community: They are what makes PeoplesBank different. These efforts also have a direct and positive impact on the bank’s bottom line. “For us, being different is about focusing on what is possible,” notes Douglas A. Bowen, President and CEO of PeoplesBank. “We feel it is possible to create a better community through the volunteer efforts of our employees and our charitable contributions. We are passionate about what we do and I believe it is this passion that makes us who we are.” For more information, please contact Michelle Crosby at (413) 562-1044; or at mcrosby@bankatpeoples.com to learn more. Photo caption: The PeoplesBank Westfield Team joined by a few of the 15 associates who live in Westfield. (Front left to right) Danielle Rosario, Assistant Manager; Michelle Crosby, Consumer & Business Center Manager; Peter Hogan, Teller; Kyle Pierce, Teller. (Back Left to right) Mike Raposo, eChannel Project Manager (Westfield resident); Trisha Leary, Risk Oversight (Westfield resident); Kathy St. Mary, Underwriting Manager (Westfield resident); Jocelyn Houle Kinlock, Mortgage Consultant.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
WESTFIELD • SECTION 2
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 5
The Edward Jones Investments office is located at 20 Elm Street in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
EDWARD JONES
Continued from Page 1
Jones believes helps individual investors create a more personal relationship with their financial advisors than other investment firms. “The way Jones approaches business is, we open the office right within the community so clients have close access to us, and we have close access to clients,” Flynn said. “We’re not looking to set up an office in a large metropolitan area that already has multiple advisors. It’s a bit more costly to operate this way, but we feel we are addressing the clients’ needs better than having a larger office by having more face-to-face interaction. “This Westfield office has been around for about 15 years, so being in a well-established location, it got me right where I wanted to be and helped me get what I wanted to build,” Flynn added. “I have a good base of retirees, helping them with their planning needs, but I also help people with education savings plans and other investments.” Flynn said it’s all about each individual person’s needs, whether it be a 20-something fresh out of college looking to establish something to fall back on in the future, or someone getting ready to retire and looking to figure out how to sustain for the next 30 years.
“I sit down with every client and find out what their goals are,” Flynn said. “Typically, that goal is to live comfortably in retirement. People want to make sure they have enough set aside to live comfortably, and that’s where my focus is. We’re a very conservative organization. We’re not an organization that deals in investments that are exotic. We’re looking for the serious, long-term investor, who will buy and hold for the future.” And as the city makes efforts to continue to bring business back to downtown Westfield, Flynn said his Jones office will be a part of that future. “Almost all Jones advisors are involved in the community,” Flynn said. “We have a business here, so we try to get involved in any way that we can. I’ve been here for a year and half, and I’ve already established a lot of relationships. I’m part of the Rotary Club of Westfield, and I’m a member of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. When people from the area come in, they know that they have close access and that their investments are nearby.” To set up an appointment with financial advisor Tim Flynn, call 413-562-4030. He also takes walkins.
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 7
“Be part of a school where your success is everyone’s goal” WESTFIELD - St. Mary's schools have changed quite a bit since the elementary school was founded in 1898, but perhaps one of the biggest changes came this past year when the preschool, elementary and high schools all became part of one St. Mary's Parish School. Though the name and structure of the schools have changed, the philosophy and tradition of the faithbased, quality education and commitment to community service has not changed. Head of School Nichole Nietsche, who was previously the high school principal, now oversees the education of all students, from preschool through grade 12. Assisting Nietsche are Deans Sr. Christine Lavoie and Michael Hourihan. Student life hasn't changed drastically since the schools combined under one umbrella, however, Nietsche said the Parish School gives students more opportunity to work together. "We're finding opportunities to pair up high school students with younger students," she said. "There are
have more unification in our community service," said Nietsche. "We're looking to do a joint project in the school between older and younger students." Lavoie said students in all grades have attended Mass together since the schools merged, and the high school students helped the elementary school celebrate its Living Nativity this year. Lavoie said the school now includes three year-olds in its preschool program and there is the potential to have students grow with the school from age three to 18. “It’s nice because most of our kids are hearing the same values at home that we teach in school and they can start learning their faith at age three,” said Lavoie.
upgrades to the school’s technology, and a unified web-page. “It’s nice to have
Hourihan has been at St. Mary's for 12 years and served as the director of guidance for 11 years. The role of dean combines guidance with some of the typical jobs of a principal. Nietsche, Lavoie, and Hourihan are finding benefits to their new administrative team. While there are several administrative advantages, such as a better utilization of materials and
“I play ball and sing songs.” Alexis Wright, PreSchool
“I like to learn and I like the projects.” Liam Ramos, pre-kindergarten
shared expenses, the merger has created vast opportunities for the betterment of the school community at large. A faculty advisory council, founded by the administrators and teachers at large, continue to work diligently to improve curriculum, inform policy, and find areas of advancement across the campus, including
bonus. “With a miniscule student to teacher ratio, stronger relationships can be
Nietsche said the schools are evolving and growing in a positive direction while remaining true to St. Mary's roots. "We are still a small, faith-based community and we challenge students to reach their highest potential," Nietsche said. Another important aspect of these changes, of course, is the student’s perspective. Brendan Bastible , a senior, has enjoyed the continuity of attending St. Mary’s since kindergarten. “I’ve never set foot in a public school and frankly, I don’t regret that choice,” said Bastible. “Personally, I believe that a small school environment is overall more helpful than that of a large, cavernous, public setting in which a student is not much more than a name on a manila folder.”
formed with both educators and peers,” he said. “That’s the best part. It scares me that some people can go through school without even learning the name of someone right in their own class. W h e n there are
too many fish in the sea, they lose track of where they are swimming to.” Bastible said daily life at the school has not been affected. “I haven’t noticed much change in my day-to-day life since the merge, but what does stick out is the sense of family,” Bastible said. “With a top-notch education, accented by the nurturing love of people guiding you on your path to the future, S t .
Bastible said the small class size at St. Mary’s P a r i s h School is a
Of equal importance are the strides that the school continues to make towards school safety and secur i t y.
“St. Mary's is the best school I have ever been to. I am getting a great education!” Luke Bonini, 5th grade
“ Everyone is always kind and nice to each other. It is fun to hang out with my friends.” Calaeb Vieweg, 1st grade
“The teachers are wonderful and they make learning fun.” Emma Goodreau, 2nd grade
Mary’s is the harmonious equilibrium of what everybody should want in a school.”
“What I like about St. Mary's is how accepting the school community is.” Mariah Suarez, 10th grade
bullet resistant doors, improved locks, updated communications plans and other ongoing e f f o r t s . Hourihan noted that w i t h stu-
“I like all my friends here and the teachers are very nice.” Amir Kashou, 3rd grade
“I like that my brother is here and I have friends.” Bridget Carrier, kindergarten
dents moving more between buildings, public safety has been a priority - "we are diligent in our safety procedures."
• Academic Excellence • Community Involvement • Drama/ Music • Outstanding Sports Program • Faith & Gospel Values
the support of a team,” said Lavoie. Being able to work together – as an administration and faculty – benefits students in all grades. “As teachers get to know more about each other’s curriculum, we will know in a better way how to prepare students, especially from grades eight to nine,” said Lavoie.
more opportunities for middle school students to participate in high school programs." Seventh and eighth graders can now join high school athletic teams and clubs. "We're working to create a stronger sense of the middle school," said Nietsche. "We are creating new programs for them for the fall, such as Junior National Honor Society and the Kiwanis Builder's Club." There is a stronger community being built in the three school buildings, said Nietsche, who is enjoying working with students of all ages. “I love seeing the little ones and knowing that I will watch them grow, and I find we
Across campus, the school continues to make improvements to security with new
“I like that St. Mary's gives you a jump start on college, so when you get there you are a step ahead.” Jessica Crosby, 6th grade
“I like that all the teachers are very welcoming and explain their lessons in easy and fun ways. All the kids know each other and are friends.” Cole Viamari, 7th grade
“I like St. Mary's because instead of pushing you to reach the curriculum, the teachers give you actual information that will help you to reach your goals when you are out of high school and in life.” Faith Wang, 8th grade
“St. Mary's is an accomplished school where you'll be comfortable around teachers and other students. The high caliber of the education you receive here truly prepares you for the college of your choice.” Padraig Smith, 9th grade
“I like the teachers and I have awesome friends.” Aleksandra Hitchcock, 4th grade
“I enjoy learning at St. Mary's. With such a friendly environment, there's no reason not to like it here! There is so much potential for students enrolled here because there are many activities that every student can have a chance to participate in.” Kieran O'Donnell, 11th grade
ST. MARY’S WHERE STUDENTS LIGHT THE WAY TO THE FUTURE
“What I love about being a student at St. Mary's is that I know I am going to graduate completely prepared for college and have many great memories to take with me!” Jessica Forest, 12th grade
“No one lights a candle
and places it in hiding, nor under a bushel basket, but upon a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.” Luke 11:33
Registrations for PreSchool through High School still available. PreSchool - 8th Grade call Patty Schweitzer 568-2388. 9th-12th Grade call Kim Jaszek 568-5692 Accredited by NEAS&C
Bartlett Street, Westfield • 568-5692 • www.stmsaints.org
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Savage Arms brings pride, expertise, and passion to each rifle WESTFIELD – During WWII, the US Marine Corps adopted what is known as the Rifleman’s Creed. It is based on the premise that all Marines are, first and foremost, riflemen. To this day, new recruits are required to learn and recite this creed during training. You’ve probably heard it before. It starts with the famous line, “This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.” There is something compelling about the Rifleman’s Creed that speaks to the hundreds of proud employees at Savage Arms in Westfield. The reason they are so proud is they happen to make the most accurate factoryproduced rifles you can buy. These rifles don’t just appeal to the average hunter or shooter, but to the very skilled enthusiasts who are dedicated to mastering the art of the rifle — the true riflemen. Over the years, Savage has grown to become the biggest rifle manufacturer in North America. So yes, if you own a Savage, there
are many like it. But each one has a unique relationship with the person who uses it. The Marines believe that the relationship and connection between the shooter and their rifle is the big difference between being a “rifleman” and a more casual gun owner. Likewise for those who build accurate rifles: the relationship is what makes it work for the people at Savage. Some of them are riflemen and women themselves. Most are not. But they are all just as skilled and just as dedicated to building rifles with precision as their customers are to shooting them with precision. There are many, many satisfied customers out there who love their Savage rifles. That makes for a lot of proud employees at Savage Arms who put a lot of effort, expertise and passion into those rifles before they ever went out the factory door. Surely many of them feel like each one of them still, in some way, “their rifle.”
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MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 9
Kosinski Farms continues growth By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer WESTFIELD – When residents of greater Westfield seek the freshest homegrown produce, they know these fruits and veggies are only a short drive to north end of the city. Kosinski Farms, located on Russellville Road, has been an area leader for the past three years in the community supported agriculture movement, in which patrons buy a “share” at the start of the summer months, and drive to the farm every week to pick up whichever crop was picked that week. “We offer large and small shares,” said Gene Kosinski, owner of the farm, whose shares go for around $350. “We also grow strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples, which are included in a share. They’re a staple that may set us apart.” Kosinski added that the farm has a wholesale base, but that it grows certain crops specifically for its CSA customers and farm stands. “We sell our blueberries all over New England,” he said in an example. “Every bit of our crops are picked that day.” For the past 40 years, Kosinski and his wife, Sue, have been farming various crops in greater Westfield. “I can’t say how many people are participating in the program,” the Feeding Hills native said as he handed another box of produce to a customer. “But it has been growing substantially since we started it a few years ago.” And it is that growing clientele base that has Kosinski most enthused. “The people who come here and support a CSA, they aren’t the people who’ll go to Big Y, for instance,” he added. “But by the same token, because we aren’t an organic farm, there is another segment of the population who won’t do business with us. We get the people who want the freshest produce available.” The farm is also part of an integrated pest management system which is working with the University of Massachusetts and Cornell University, “The data they (UMass and Cornell) get from receivers around the farm tell them about climate changes and certain pests, which they relay back to us, telling us when to spray.” Kosinski said.
“We offer large and small shares. ... We also grow strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples, which are included in a share. They’re a staple that may set us apart.” Gene Kosinski, Owner of Kosinski Farms
Perhaps the most exciting development at the farm, however, is the construction of Raven Hollow Winery, a fruit winery being built by Hometown Structures of Westfield, which was aided by a $75,000 grant from the state in May of last year. “The farm is sustainable, but the winery’s going to be an added value,” said Kosinski. There’s never been a better time to be a farm winery in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as 11 farms statewide received a portion of $700,000 in state funds issued by the administration of Governor Deval Patrick last year, and Kosinski Farms’ proprietor thinks it’s a no-brainer. “We have the berries growing, why not make wine?” he said. And while those berries are set to make all sorts of fruity spirits at the winery this year, the farm’s local bread and butter is still its crops and its community supported agriculture program. “I don’t know if these (CSA programs) are the future,” Kosinski said. “But we’ve been receiving more and more positive feedback every year. I just hope it keeps getting better.”
Tom and Karl Lawson leave the Kosinski Farm with their weekly vegetables as part of the Kosinski Farm food share program. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
Kosinski Farms
Home of the North Country Blues
The Westfield Farm Stand & Bakery 420 Russellville Rd., Westfield, Massachusetts 413-572-4344 (DURING SEASON) 413-896-0475 (OFF SEASON)
COME JOIN US AND SHARE THE HARVEST Kosinski Farms CSA for the 2014 Season
We invite you to join our CSA and share in the harvest. You and your family will receive a weekly supply of produce grown by our farm. We are known for our blueberries, however; we raise many other types of produce throughout the growing season including sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squashes, winter squashes, radishes, pumpkins, asparagus, peas, beans, cabbage, melons, strawberries, raspberries, apples, peaches, lettuce, onions, potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and much more. We will also be adding new specialty items. As the season changes so will our variety and we will do our best to provide your family with the delicious tastes of the summer.
Look for the Opening of
Raven Hollow Winery
For more information visit our website:
kosinskifarms.com Gene Kosinski fills the on-site refrigeration unit with freshly picked vegetables. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
Open April thru October
HRS Mon- Sat 8 AM - 6 PM; Sun 8AM - 5 PM
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
YMCA Active Older Adult Director Carol Palmer, left, instructs Barbara Winterson on the proper use of an exercise bike. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Westfield ‘Y’ an active force By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The YMCA of Greater Westfield has grown up. In the past three decades, the Westfield “Y” has gone from hosting one fitness class in the morning and one at night to offering more than a hundred classes per week with participation numbers totaling 200-300 Active Older Adults (AOAs) daily. The growth is staggering. “In the 30 years that I have been here, we have come a long way,” said Carol Palmer, the Active Older Adult director for the Westfield YMCA. “We have a variety of classes, and within those classes we have a variety of levels. Therefore, some of our classes range in age from 25 to 55 or an AOA class ranges from 55 to 97 years young.” The Westfield Y’s AOA program,
available to anyone 55-years-of-age-and-older, offers anything from routine exercise to low impact cardio, strength training regimens and more. “It can be anything from cycling to Zumba to balance class,” Palmer said. “It’s not so much age, but your ability that determines what class or routine is best for you.” The Westfield Y offers everything under the sun for the active older adult community – primarily in the confines of the non-profit organization’s building – to help members and nonmembers fight off arthritis, osteoporosis, weight gain, heart disease, and even cancer while increasing flexibility and improving cardiovascular health. Palmer and her coordinator, Sue Woods, are intent on reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels for this population. There is also a team of volunteers who help with the social events.
Thanks to the Sarah Gillett Foundation, certain AOA classes can be offered as drop-in programs at a very reasonable fee. Also, some outreach classes are offered within the YMCA service area. But, said Palmer, there is a key to it all. “It’s not going to happen unless you put a little bit of fun in things,” Palmer said, with a wry smile on her face. In addition to exercise and fitness classes, the Westfield Y provides day trips 5-7 times a year, luncheons (including a special picnic at Stanley Park), educational coffee hours, and collaborative efforts with Noble Hospital’s annual walk (April 26), the Big E (fall), and more, all for the AOAs in the Westfield area.
“Our goal is to get the Westfield older adults moving,” she said. According to one AOA member at the Y, it is apparently working. “We are a family in Carol’s classes,” said Barbara Winterson, 73, of Russell. “We are active, and we just have a lot of fun.” Said Palmer: “Everybody’s got issues to deal with, but when you leave the Y, you should be leaving feeling uplifted and energized.” A healthier, happier adult is more likely to enjoy a longer life, according to health and fitness officials. And with more active adults, the local economy should also stand to be a bit healthier as well.
YMCA Active Older Adult Director Carol Palmer, left, instructs Barbara Winterson on the proper use of an exercise weight bar. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
WESTFIELD • SECTION 2
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 11
Westfield Bank, 462 College Highway in Southwick. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD BANK where we not only offer small business loans but sound reliable advice from our very experienced lending team.” stated Al Miles, Executive Vice President. In 2013 the Bank opened its newest location and its first out of state office in Granby, CT. “We now have a state of the art full service banking center with a dedicated branch team along with a seasoned residential lender and local experienced commercial lender in Connecticut.” stated Kevin O’Connor, Vice President of Retail Banking and Marketing. He continued, “The move into Connecticut is in line with our strategic goal of expanding our market presence; Granby has given us the perfect opportunity to reach out into the Northern CT Market.” A new service being provided by the Bank in 2014 is its newly formed relationship with Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services Company, a general agency of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). The Bank entered into a strategic alliance with Charter Oak and
Continued from Page 1
Westfield Bank and Charter Oak enter strategic alliance, launch Westfield Wealth Management and Insurance Group. Standing: Westfield Bank Vice Presidents and Regional Managers Daniel Marini & Laurie Davison Seated: Westfield Wealth Management and Insurance Group Registered Representatives James Pagano & Alecka Kress. (Photo submitted) MassMutual which then led to Charter Oak forming We s t f i e l d We a l t h Management and Insurance Group in January 2014. This newly formed financial service operation will provide
wealth management and investment products, business and estate planning, life insurance and retirement services through Charter Oak’s Holyoke-based agents. “Our customers expressed a need
for us to provide a local option for their insurance, investing and trust services. We spent considerable time identifying the company that best fits what we believe is the right match for our customers. We are confident that bringing together local companies like Westfield Bank and Charter Oak to deliver a comprehensive program for consumer and business customers is a good fit for our customers and the right direction for the bank.” stated O’Connor. “Commitment to our communities through grants, sponsorships and individual employee volunteerism is what separates Westfield Bank from the rest.” stated James Hagan. Westfield Bank is proud of its financial contributions to numerous organizations throughout Hampden County and now Granby, CT. “Through the Future Fund Grant Program over $300,000 is given annually” stated Cathy Jocelyn, A.V.P. of Marketing. Bank employees are also given unique opportunities to make their communities better places. “Employees are allowed a paid day off to help with a community service project of their choice,” says Jocelyn. “And our employees usually go well beyond that one day. In addition to the Future Fund and volunteerism, the Bank supports many local organizations through sponsorships and other donations.” Hagan went on to share “I couldn’t be more proud of
Westfield Bank, 10 Hartford Ave, in Granby, Connecticut. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
our employees than when we received an Outstanding rating on our Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) exam last year.” The CRA Exam conducted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Bank’s primary regulator, measures the bank in several keys areas in its support of the community. This further highlights the bank’s com-
mitments to all aspects of the communities it serves through corporate giving, community involvement and the products and services offered to meet the needs of all segments of the community. Everyone at Westfield Bank looks forward to growing with and in our communities in 2014 while remaining true to our local community bank values.
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
THE WESTFIELD NEWS
B&I HEALTH BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
ADVERTISING INDEX: BAYSTATE DENTAL PC PG 9 PG 3 BAYSTATE REHABILITATION CARE PG 10 CHOICE HEALTH EXPERT FITNESS PG 6 EXTRA INNINGS PG 7 PG4-5 HEALTH NEW ENGLAND MERCY LIFE PG 8 PG 12 NOBLE HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES PG 11 PG 2 RENAISSANCE MANOR PG 10 SENIORS HELPING SENIORS SPECTRUM PG 11 PG 10 WESTFIELD EYE CENTER WESTFIELD PEDIATRICS PG 10 www.thewestfieldnews.com
Members of the Westfield office of Baystate Dental PC, includes, left-right, Amber Leneau, a dental assistant, Emily Nicodemi, a dental hygienist, Kelly Rivera, a dental hygienist, and Dr. Sheina Jean-Marie, would like to welcome everyone to the Westfield office located at 29 Broad Street. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Growing roots, smiles in Westfield By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD – In 1983, Dr. Kevin Coughlin, DMD, opened his first dental practice. Flash forward to the present day and the doctor has planted his roots all throughout the Western Massachusetts communities with smart, shrewd moves and affordable care. Dr. Coughlin and his business partners, Drs. Gary Circosta and Matt Haluch, are nearly five months into their latest venture, a $2 million dollar facility located in the heart of the city of Westfield. It is the 10th office in an ever-growing line of quality dentistry options for patients of Baystate Dental. “I chose Westfield because I saw a city investing in itself,” said Dr. Coughlin. “What I saw, in my opinion, was that the city needed dentistry the way we do it at Baystate Dental.” Dr. Coughlin chose to keep the rustic, historic feel of the building located at 29 Broad Street, near the rotary at the city green. Rather than knock down the building and start from the ground up,
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014
Noble Hospital striving to be provider of choice By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Noble Hospital has a simple goal: to be the health-care provider of choice for the greater Westfield community, but attaining that goal requires a multi pronged commitment to satisfying the needs of patients. That commitment is identified in the mission and vision statements posted throughout Noble Hospital: “It is our mission to improve the health of our patients through innovative care in a personalized environment that exceeds the expectation of our community. “The vision of Noble Hospital is to deliver innovative healthcare that exceeds the highest standards of care and clinical excellence that is accessed by all in the extent of our service area. We will accomplish this by enhancing our foundation with focus on facility, network and service.” Ron Bryant, Noble Health Care President and Chief Executive Officer sees his job as developing the capabilities for “providing the community with (the health care) it deserves” in terms of medical staff, technology and patient service. “We want to be the provider of choice for health care in our community,” Bryant said. “We have over 65,000 people in our primary service area of Westfield, Southwick and the hill towns. We want the people in our service area to know that will be taken care of by the Noble Health System. “We’ve been building our services, especially in the area of primary care, strengthening our relationship with physician groups, recruiting and strengthening our relationship with specialists,” Bryant said. “There is a (regional) shortage on the primary care side. That’s why we recruit primary care doctors.” The hospital has recruited specialists as well as increasing the scope of services now available through cutting-edge technology such as the Pillcam Capsule Endoscopy, Interventional Radiology, Accelerated Partial Breast Radiation and Glaucoma Surgery. The Noble Health Care system recently opened a new urgent care facility on Union Street to expand patient access to health care as well as expanding information technology to support patient care. “The IT side drives continuality of care,” Bryant said. “The system is in place for east (patient information) access. By investing in IT, we can provide more efficient access and a higher degree of customer service. By providing a high quality of physicians and easy access, we provide a high level of service.” Noble is participating with other hospitals to link to a statewide information network so that patient information can be shared when a patient is being treated at any hospital in Massachusetts or in the case of emergency treatment at
See DENTAL, Page 10
BAYSTATE REHABILITATION CARE
Rehab the Right Way Many people who get injured on the job, or while playing a sport, or even in the course of their daily lives, just live with the pain. They don’t know there is a way to get real and lasting relief. But often there is a way. Whether you’re suffering from a sports injury, had recent surgery, or are experiencing joint or muscle pain, physical rehabilitation may be just what you need to get back to doing the things you love. Patients typically begin seeing results in four to six visits, according to the experts at Baystate Rehabilitation Care. But to maximize the results, these patients usually need to be committed to performing a prescribed home exercise program. Tips these experts recommend to get the most out of physical therapy include: • Exercise regularly as prescribed. • Maintain proper technique when exercising. • Listen to your body. If you experience any pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or any other symptoms that are out of the ordinary, tell your physical therapist. • Don’t stop your at-home program when therapy stops. Your body will need to continue to develop strength and flexibility to maximize the benefit of the exercises. What follows are some of the most common questions asked by patients in need of physical rehabilitation. The answers have been provided by physical therapists at Baystate Rehabilitation Care. Should I use heat or ice if I injure my back or neck? That depends on the nature of your injury. Both are effective. Heat can be used to reduce pain and increase tissue extensibility, while cold may be more effective for reducing spasms and decreasing inflammation. The physical therapist will work with you and your physician to ensure the proper topical agent is applied. At first, my back hurt, but now my leg hurts/tingles. What happened to me? The injury that started out involving your back may also include injury to a nerve in your back that extends into your leg. An irritated nerve can cause symptoms of pain, ache, tingling, numbness, and even weakness. Physical therapy, including self-exercise and manual therapy, may help. Your doctor can advise if physical therapy is appropriate for your condition. Why do I have to strengthen my stomach muscles when it’s my back that hurts? Your abdominal muscles, in concert with many other muscles, provide support to your back when it is under physical load. If there is an imbalance in this support system, which includes your abdominals, then your back may be unduly stressed and prone to injury. A physical therapist who specializes in spine care can assess and appropriately address this. See BAYSTATE, Page 10
another hospital “We’re currently in the process of implementing that access. It’s a big initiative that will be completed this summer,” Bryant said. “I think the message is that we want to be the provider of choice,” Bryant said. “We want people to think of Noble Hospital and the Noble Health network first. We will never forget how important quality health care and service are to See NOBLE, Page 2
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Renaissance Manor a leader in quality care
By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer WESTFIELD — Nestled atop a small hill on Feeding Hills Road, Renaissance Manor has been providing skilled short and long-term care to patrons for over 40 years, a legacy of service taken very seriously by its leadership. “We have a 66 bed rehab center, 26 of which are short term,” said Deborah Sullivan, admission and marketing director for the facility. “We provide physical, speech, and occupational therapy for patrons up to seven days a week.” Owned by Canadian nursing and rehab corporation Revera, which owns 32 homes in the United States, three of which are in Massachusetts, Sullivan said the facility is generally at capacity with residents. “Our occupancy rate is usually around 85 percent,” she said, a testament to the quality of service provided by the Manor. “Most all of our patients are from the Westfield, Southwick, and the hilltown areas, as well as a few from West Springfield.” And residents are treated with fine amenities, as rooms at the facility are equipped with flat screen TVs, private bathrooms, and telephones. Long term rehab patrons at the facility are usually recovering from strokes and heart attacks, while surgeries such as knee replacements can keep patrons in the facility’s care for around 10 to 12 days. Rehabilitation rooms in the facility are equipped with sets of stairs, adjustable mats, and ultrasound machines, as well as parallel bars to provide patients with weight bearing assistance. A stationary bicycle is also available to help patients build their endurance, and cuff weights are available to help rebuild muscles. Patrons even have a Nintendo Wii game console available so they can take on fellow “Manorites”in a round of bowling while seated in their favorite chair.
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
NOBLE
A large decorated cafeteria doubles as a Community Room for social gatherings at the Renaissance Manor in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore) “For occupational therapy, we also have a full kitchen, so if someone has a cognitive deficit, we want to see how safe they are around the kitchen,” said Sullivan. “We have a contract with Veterans Affairs, and are the only center in Westfield,” Sullivan said, adding vets are entitled to respite stays of two to five days, as well as extended stays. “Our size makes us unique. We’re small enough that everyone knows everyone by his or her first names. Our residents, they’re not numbers, they’re individuals.” Greg Dempsey, Renaissance Manor’s executive director, agrees on the facility’s size and location as a selling point. “One of our slogans is ‘You do have a choice.’ Our size and location is important when folks make that choice (for rehab and extended care),” he said. “We’re country enough, but still close enough to local amenities like in downtown Westfield.” Dempsey is proud that his company offers a wide array of external opportunities to their patrons year round. “We have a bus that we use to take folks into town for ice cream and parades, and to Bright Lights (in Springfield) during Christmas time,” he said. Dempsey also added that the facility is in the midst of renovations and is replacing its floors and rugs. “We’ll be redoing our skilled residential rooms over the course of the year,” he said. “When it’s all said and done, it’ll give us a fresh look.”
Members of the Renaissance Manor in Westfield, left-right, Jeremy Tessier, director of rehabilitation services, Greg Dempsey, executive direc- Barbara Miffert, a resident at the Renaissance Manor tor, Deborah Sullivan, director of admissions and marketing, and Mattia in Westfield, enjoys a game of bowling as part of the Brose, director of nursing, are part of the staff and management that are many activities that are available to the residents. (Photo by Frederick Gore) available for a private tour of the facility. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Continued from Page 1 patient satisfaction. “We want people to understand how good we are,” he said. “By providing quality physicians, more of the community we serve will come to understand how good we are here. We want the community to have full confidence that we can provide what the community deserves.” Noble Hospital and Noble Health Systems, which have an annual budget of $70 million, employs between 700 and 800 people. “Noble Health Systems is a big economic engine in Westfield and the surrounding communities, one of the three largest employers in the city,” Bryant said. “It has an economic impact of $164 million in the community.”
Noble mission statement Mission It is our mission to improve the health of our patients through innovative care in a personalized environment that exceeds the expectation of our community. Vision The vision of Noble Hospital is to deliver innovative healthcare that exceeds the highest standards of care and clinical excellence that is accessed by all in the extent of our service area. We will accomplish this by enhancing our foundation with focus on facility, network and service: Facility We will… - Present to our community and partners a modernized facility including relocation of patient service areas to provide ease of access for our patients and visitors - Improve the patient experience and minimize delays in care by streamlining care transition and outpatient service processes - Strive to be a leader in the implementation of advanced technology that benefits our patients. Network We will… - Establish the reputation of the Noble Health Network as a center of excellence in care and provision of optimal clinical service integration. - Develop solid partnerships with highly skilled healthcare providers - Enhance our core services to ensure that current and anticipated community health needs are met - Improve communication with our partners by implementing a secure and easily accessible electronic health information management system. Service We will… - Be recognized as an innovative, comprehensive and caring health network that provides unsurpassed service. - Continually evaluate and improve our service delivery to optimize the patient experience. - Demonstrate our commitment to the team approach by fostering open communication with our network participants.
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MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 3
Rehab the Right Way When you’re recovering from an injury, it’s critical that your rehabilitation program is tailored to your specific needs. Otherwise you might spend longer than necessary unable to enjoy the things you like to do. Our expert staff provides a full range of rehabilitation services, using the most advanced treatments and high-tech equipment, to get you back to normal activities as soon as possible. To set up an appointment, call 413-794-9755.
AgAwAm • EAst LongmEAdow • grEEnfiELd south hAdLEy • springfiELd • wArE
baystatehealth.org/rehab
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HEALTH • SECTION 3
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
HNE Delivers Healthcare Solutions! “...they’ve really helped us control our cost.” - Bob Bacon, President, Elm Electrical
Being a self funded company we began to realize that we might be paying too much for our claims, and so we went to Health New England. Sure enough, over the past five years they’ve really helped us control our cost. We trust that Health New “ England will do the right thing for us and the numbers prove that they are! In the long run you’ll be glad that you decided to go with HNE. I know we are.”
Find out more here!
Your Health Insurance Partner
Heidi, HNE Account Executive, reviews plan options with Bob Bacon.
Ask your insurance broker or call us at 413.233.3535 • hne.com HNE health plans are also available through the Massachusetts Health Connector.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
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MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 5
HNE Contributes to the Economic Foundation of the Region “The HNE brand is a key differentiator within the very competitive health insurance marketplace. We believe that a strong brand commitment must exist internally, among all associates, in order for the brand to be experienced consistently by all of our customers”. - Maura McCaffrey, RPh, MBA, President & CEO
About Health New England Health New England (HNE) is a managed care organization serving the four counties of Western Massachusetts since 1985. Today over 300 associates are employed by HNE in downtown Springfield. Because of their commitment to accountable, personal service, over 140,000 members and 5,000 employers select HNE as their choice for Commercial health care coverage, administrative services and programs. In 2009 and 2010, HNE extended this commitment to Medicare Advantage and Medicaid enrollees, and currently covers over 20,000 members in these lines of business.
HNE’s Community Commitment HNE is committed to improving the quality of life and health status of their communities.They support numerous local agencies and organizations through sponsorships, in-kind donations, active participation on boards and committees, and through a formal Community Benefits program. HNE associates volunteer over 1,000 hours in various non-profits based in the four counties of Western Massachusetts each year. The majority of HNE associates work and live in the Pioneer Valley and reflect the communities which they serve.
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Expert Fitness: more than just a gym By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer
WESTFIELD - Expert Fitness is a family-friendly health and fitness center that focuses on each member’s individual needs while giving back to the community at large.
Personal training is an area of fitness Lancour has seen grow tremendously over the past few years. “People are seeking out trainers more now than before,”
Longtime fitness instructor and Expert Fitness General Manager Dina Lancour said since Nabil and Julie Hannoush purchased the club two years ago, treating members like family has been a priority. “We really do have a family atmosphere here,” said Lancour. Expert Fitness tries to accommodate the fitness needs of families and offers a kids’ Club House room where children can play, read, or watch movies while their parents work out. Expert Fitness also focuses on teen health with its Teen Sports Performance Training sessions for children age 1218. Personal trainer Steve Wolak said the four-week program concentrates on speed, agility and strength. And while the class, which meets three times per week, focuses on sports training, it’s not just for athletes. “With the prevalence of childhood obesity, it’s important to start kids off right with an exercise program,” Wolak said. Lancour added that although youth are not allowed to work out on the fitness floor alone, they are encouraged to work with a personal trainer. One reason for this, she said, is to teach them to exercise properly. “We want them to learn from the get-go the proper way to use the equipment,” she said, adding that this keeps the youths safe while maximizing the benefits of exercise.
she said. “It is amazing how many teens are being trained also.” Expert Fitness offers one-onone personal training as well as small group training. “We have trainers from age 60 on down,” said Lancour. “Everyone can benefit from working with a personal trainer. We have people here of all ages, shapes and sizes and our goal is to help everyone have a good experience and realize they can do this.” There are 10 personal train-
Classes
one has bad knees they can show them how to modify the class to work for them. They can command a room of 30 people and still give individual attention - our instructors are phenomenal.” Expert Fitness has a 12-week weight loss program that includes a three month membership, 12 personal training sessions, personalized workouts and meal plans from DietMaster Pro, and support and guidance from staff. Expert Fitness offers benefits to its members, however, every class is open to the public
GROUP CENTERGY GROUP GROOVE GROUP KICK SPINNING GROUP POWER GROUP BLAST GROUP CORE FAT BLASTER SATURDAY SAMPLER THE 400 WORKOUT TOTAL CONDITIONING YOGA TRX ZUMBA
Specialized Classes Sport and Athletic Performance Academy
featuring TRX Suspension training with certified strength and conditioning coaches. Sports psychology.
Boot Camp Training Classes
ers on staff and more than 50 classes offered on site each week. Classes include everything from Boot Camp to Group Blast to the popular spinning classes. “We offer at least two or three spinning classes a day,” said Lancour. What Lancour believes sets Expert Fitness classes apart from others is the attention instructors give to participants. “They can work with individuals in a class,” she said. “They get to know everyone and they know if some-
Child Supervision
Our clubhouse is an exciting and dynamic place where children 6 weeks to 12 years can feel at home. Located centrally in the club where parents can easily look in on their child, the playscape is over 1,000 square feet, well equipped with games, toys, books, a video library, and two computers containing educational games.
for a fee. “We have many people who are non-members who just come for a class or work with a personal trainer,” Lancour said. “We really want to be open to the community.” Expert Fitness has a surprisingly large class space, a smaller space for personal training sessions, clean lockers rooms with showers and dressing areas, a spacious child care room, and a large main floor filled with various equipment. A full selection of cardio equipment is a popular spot for those who want to walk or run on a treadmill or get their heart rate up
Spa Services
Massage Therapist Registered Dietician Esthetician
Lancour said working out is more than physical. For many people, it’s the only time a l l day they get to let go of their stress and focus on themselves. “It’s good for the body and soul,” she said. For those interested in a more relaxing trip to the gym, Expert Fitness has that covered with its massage and spa services. Massage offerings include a relaxing Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage, a sports massage, and a pregnancy massage. Spa services include a variety of facials and waxing options. Both the massage and spa are available to non-members. “The Hannoush family wants Expert Fitness to be accessible to the community, not just members,” said Lancour. For more information on what Expert Fitness has to offer, including class schedules and fees and a two week free pass, visit www.expertfitnesshc.com or stop by at 609 East Main St. Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. - 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Complimentary Day Lockers on an eliptical. Lancour said they offer a wide selection of pre-set dumb bells up to 120 pounds each. The Hammer Strength equipment, which stands out on the floor because of the yellow color, is also somewhat unique. Wolak said Hammer Strength helps with balancing muscles, which is helpful for everyone but especially those who tend to favor one side of their body.
Complimentary Spa Toiletries Complimentary Personal Training Session Over 50 Group Exercise and Indoor Cycling Classes
609 East Main Street • Westfield, MA 01085 413-568-2200 • staff@expertfitnesshc.com www.expertfitnesshc.com
CLUB HOURS:
Mon-Fri 5am-9pm • Sat-Sun 7am-3pm
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MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 7
Field of Dreams
By JEFF HANNOUILLE Staff Writer
WESTFIELD — The former Balise Ford car dealership lot and building on Route 20 in Westfield has been an eyesore for the last seven years, a vacant 32,000 square foot ghost town on Springfield Road that didn’t exactly give the impression of booming business in the Whip City to the thousands of motorists who passed by it each day. Now, things couldn’t be more different. That’s because partners Skip Tenggren and
Nabil Hannoush are turning the building into a super sports facility that would be the envy of most Major
grill, a uniform shop and a fullystocked pro shop. Tenggren and Hannoush already own an Extra Innings franchise in Agawam, but the opportunity to grow and expand with an investment in Westfield was one Tenggren said he and his partner could not pass by. “My partner lives in Westfield and he found this great spot,” said Tenggren, an East Longmeadow native. After making inquiries with the city, Nabil and Julie Hannoush decided to purchase the property. “City officials have been very helpful with the process of obtaining the necessary permits,” said Nabil Hannoush. The Agawam Extra Innings franchise has been open for about seven years, and Tenggren said that business was frequently patronized by residents from Westfield. League Baseball teams. Now, with a premium location Hannoush is moving his Expert right in Westfield, Tenggren Fitness Health Club down the said he’s already seeing more road from the Little River Shop- people stop in. ping Plaza on “Our inEast Main Street structors are to the building “You really can’t what bring on Springfield get any better as people here, Road, where by and when far as location” next February we moved it will combine four instrucwith a new custors from tom built Extra Innings fran- Agawam to Westfield, almost chise to give baseball and soft- all of their clients came with ball enthusiasts alike an indoor them,” Tenggren said. “You ret r a i n i n g ally can’t get any better as far facility as a location. We’re next door to Super Walmart, and you can see our sign any time you drive down Route 20. In Agawam, we don’t get a lot of walk-ins because we’re on the on-ramp to Route 57. So you can see it, but you can’t get to it directly. In five weeks here in Westfield, I’ve had more walk-ins than I get in a whole year in Agawam. “The people have been great,” Tenggren added. “People come in and tell me that they’re glad we’re here and that they’re happy something is finally going on in this building. Everyone has been very supportive.” Since construction and renovac o m p l e t e tion began on the building, Teng with multi-use batting tunnels, gren and Hannoush have been pitching mounds, a bar and pumping money back into the local community. They hired
only local contractors, so everything from the furnace to the wiring to the hammering of nails and laying of bricks has been done by local hands. That’s something Tenggren said has been done purposely. “All the work has been done by local people — it’s all local,” Tenggren said. “We didn’t go outside the area. Local baseball teams have already noticed the facility, which with its multi-use tunnels offers a state-of-the-art HitTrax tun-
“Our instructors are what bring people here”
nel that allows batters to capture and analyze data. The space can also accommodate lacrosse and other field-based sports that need a climate controlled facility to practice. The Westfield High School lacrosse team has already used the facility for their pre-season workouts. Extra Innings is located at 99 Springfield Road in Westfield. www.extrainnings-westfield.com.
“The people have been great”
Western Mass’ premier indoor baseball & softball training facility 99 Springfield Rd. Westfield (Next to Walmart) (413) 642-6327 email: info@extrainnings-westfield.com
www.extrainnings-westfield.com
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Joe Larkin, the executive director of the newly opened Mercy Life program for senior citizens in West Springfield, helps Kim Hedges, RN, the manager of the medical clinic at the recreation coordinator Brie Allen set up a Scrabble game in Mercy Life program, sets up one of the treatment rooms at the West Springfield based facility. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen) the program’s day room. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Margaret McKinstry, the manager of the day center at the Mercy Life program for seniors in West Springfield, polishes the mirror in the spacious and well lit personal care room at the program which provides participants personal care conveniences which they may not have at their homes. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
Mercy Life offers complete care for senior needs
By CARL E. HARTDEGEN Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD – Many senior citizen residents of Hampden and Hampshire counties recently began to utilize the services of Mercy Life, finding a multitude of resources and activities to help them to stay in their homes and avoid long-term nursing home care. Joseph Larkin, RN, the executive director of the program, said that the new program is different from most designed for senior clients in that “we actually are responsible for all of their care” not just one sector of their care. “We’re responsible for everything so what happens is, we either provide it or we pay somebody else to provide it” he said and further explained that his organization provides everything from medication to hospital care. The facility in West Springfield, which operates from the former Brightside campus on Riverdale Street, a short distance from Providence Hospital and the Holyoke border, opened its door to participants in March in a shiny new facility which will provide participants total care. Larkin notes that the Mercy Life services are not one-size-fits-all. “Our program is not for everyone, it’s not something that most people necessarily need, it’s for the people who are the most frail,” he said. Prospective participants must be at least 55 years-of-age, living in Hampden or Hampshire
counties and they must be considered “frail” in order to take part. He explained that “frail” usually means needing help with two or more “activities of daily living” such as bathing, dressing, being able to get up from a bed or chair without assistance or “just getting around the house.” “If you need help taking care of yourself, there’s a good chance you can get into our program” Larkin said. He said that for most of the participants, the cost is paid by federal programs. “If you qualify for Medicare and Medicaid, or if you just qualify for Medicaid, they pay one hundred per cent of everything. No copays, no deductibles, no caps, no exclusions” he said. For those who do not qualify for Medicaid assistance, there is the option to pay for ones own care. “If Medicaid is not part of the picture some people do pay privately,” Larkin said. “It’s not cheap, it’s about $4,000 a month, or more, which is a lot of money. But for those people for whom the alternative really would be to go into a nursing home and pay privately – that’s lot more money. That’s often $12,000 a month.” No matter how the bill is paid, the program provides all the help needed, both at home and at the Mercy Life facility. Larkin said that although staffers spend a lot of time in the homes of participants, most of the clients visit the program’s location 2-3
times weekly where the on-site facilities include a large room which can accommodate at least three separate activities and includes a sea of tables and chairs for meals, games and other events, two large televisions with conversation seating and a staff. There is also a medical clinic on-site supervised by a registered nurse, a gym for therapy and exercise and a spacious personal care room which includes a large walk-in shower with a shower seat and hand rails, a large welllit sink and counter and any assistance that may be needed. Larkin said that the Mercy Life program is special both because of the team approach to participants’ care and because staff members develop long-term relationships with participants. He said that the whole team meets daily to review the care and needs of each participant. With the team approach, Larkin noted, the patient is given coordinated care and all the care providers can work together since everybody – the physician, the social worker, the therapists, the nurse practitioner, the personal care assistants – are all intimately involved in all aspects of the needs and plans for each participant. “We get to know the people so well because we’re not just there for the last couple of months of life, we’re there long term with folks and we get to know their stories, we get to know what’s driving them.” Another plus for the Mercy Life program is
that there are no issues with exclusions that may not be paid for by Medicaid or an insurance company since the Mercy Life program gets a fixed fee and then provides whatever service or supplies are necessary. Larkin cited as an example a participant who was suffering from what was found to be fleas carried by her dog. He said that some programs might have balked but, at Mercy Life the response was not to treat the participant herself but instead it paid to provide flea dips for the dog to eliminate the need to treat the participant for flea bites, scratching and other issues caused by the insects in her home. Larkin said that the Mercy Life program fits well with an increasing awareness of the benefits of helping older residents stay in their homes and out of nursing homes as long as possible. Without programs such as Mercy Life, he said, “I think there would be more people in institutions. I think there would be families struggling to provide the care they know their loved ones need.” The facility opened on March first and is taking additional applications for participation. Larkin said that the program is starting slowly but will eventually accommodate many more people. “It will take us a long time to get there but we’re planning to service maybe 250 (participants) or so” he said.
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Dr. John A. Thayer, center, of Westfield Eye Center, and his staff, left-right, Nicole Devine, front end coordinator, Nicole Mullarkey, office manager, Svetlana Giermanovich, technician, Lisa LaCosse, surgical coordinator, and Nicole Tremblay, technician, would like to welcome everyone to their state-of-the-art facility at 501 Southampton Road in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD EYE CENTER
Providing clear vision By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer WESTFIELD – In 2001, a spry, young doctor by the name of John A. Thayer landed at Noble Hospital after bouncing around as a trained ophthalmologist throughout the state, following a tour of duty in the United States Army. A one-time artillery officer, who graduated from West Point, and then medical school at the University of Michigan, Thayer completed internship and residency at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and later became a flight surgeon for an F15-squadron at Otis ANGB. Dr. John Thayer’s military and surgical training – with an eye toward precision and attention to detail – helped him secure a permanent spot as Noble Hospital’s top ophthalmologist. “Noble really gave me my start,” said Dr. John A. Thayer, M.D. “I feel a sense of loyalty to them.” It is that feeling of commitment that should have patients knowing their best interests are at the heart of Dr. Thayer and his staff at the all-new Westfield Eye Care Center, located at 501 Southampton Road in Westfield. The practice was moved from the Westwood building on North Elm Street. “As a surgeon, my philosophy is that I feel a responsibility to follow my patients for as long as they want to come,” Dr. Thayer said. “Personalized care I feel is the kind of service I want to provide.” According to Dr. Thayer, patients who set their sights on taking care of their eyes with him and his staff from the outset will be treated with the utmost respect, and will see the best results. “A long-term relationship is what I look for,” he said, noting a preference to be the main eye-
care specialist from the exam to a possible surgery and follow-up. Dr. Thayer specializes in treating glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, eyelid disorders, macular degeneration, and more, as well as providing routine eye exams, and laser treatment, all in-house. “We have the ability to treat most things right here instead of sending folks to Springfield,” Dr. Thayer said. The new location should also allow for easier access in and out of the parking lot for his patients, as well as increased visibility, and more office space as the practice has grown from 1,800-square-feet to 3,200-square-feet. The expanded interior allows the highly-skilled staff more room to maneuver and better placement of the practice’s state-of-the art equipment. But even more important than the aesthetics of the building is the fact that a patient may not ever have to leave Dr. Thayer’s office to receive care. One example, he said, is someone who may be experiencing high pressure in their eye or eyes due to glaucoma. Rather than having to perform treatment at an outside facility, Dr. Thayer is able to perform surgery right in the office, thanks to his expertise and on-site laser equipment. Dr. Thayer has three different lasers at his side to correct various eye disorders. “We don’t have to drag people out of Westfield to get things done,” Dr. Thayer said. “We can do a lot of things here or at Noble … We offer full diagnostic treatment with the latest equipment and lasers that are top of the line.” There are also two front office staff, a practice manager, and two certified eye technicians on hand to assist with patient care at the Westfield Eye Center.
DENTAL the doctor kept the style and flavor intact to ensure a level of comfort that local residents were accustomed to. “I felt a niche wasn’t being met (prior to our arrival),” Coughlin said. “I felt Baystate Dental has exceeded those expectations. I’m happy what the city has provided for us. I feel like our people are safe in the parking lot. I’m glad we made the decision (to come to Westfield). I would do it again in a heartbeat.” Since their opening last October, the Baystate Dental office in Westfield has put together a local team of two doctors, two dental hygienists, three dental assistants, and three office managers. There are five patient rooms to perform routine exams, oral surgeries, and such. More than 750 new patients have signed up at the Westfieldbased location in the first four months alone. The entire practice had some 63,000 total patient visits last year. Baystate Dental’s care includes cleanings, screenings, braces, extractions, fixed and removable prosthetics, gum surgery, implants, root canals, and
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Continued from Page 1 more. The practice uses CEREC virtual imaging, CAD/CAM technology, i-CATS scans for three-dimensional images of the head and neck to assist with treating restorations, TMJ, and implants, and a VELscope to aid in the discovery of abnormalities that can ultimately lead to cancer. Baystate Dental offers all of the sedation options, such as oral, inhalation, intravenous, and even general anesthesia for the 25-30 percent of the population which suffers from high anxiety associated with dental procedures. The expertise of Dr. Coughlin and his staff, combined with the latest state-of-the-art technology at his fingertips, Baystate Dental is able to diagnose problems and complete procedures in a timelier, more accurate manner compared to other dental practices. Another one of the benefits that Baystate Dental has is the fact that is affiliated with Noble Hospital, as well Mercy, Mary Lane, and Baystate hospitals. The partnership allows Dr. Coughlin and his staff to treat people afflicted with autism,
severe mental disabilities, cerebral palsy, and other handicaps, by using those facilities when and if needed. With medical costs still on the rise, Dr. Coughlin continues to reach out to the community by offering a 12-month membership at the low cost of $129. The membership includes two dental cleanings, two periodic exams, and one set of bitewing radiographs. In addition, members will receive 25 percent off dental services at any of the Baystate locations. Baystate Dental locations now include Belchertown, Ludlow, Wilbraham, Chicopee, West Springfield, Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and Westfield. Dr. Coughlin has signed letters of intent to open offices in Greenfield and Northampton in the next three months. The Westfield office is open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information in the Westfield area, call 568-2000, or visit Baystate Dental on the web at www.baystate-dental. com. Feel free to like them on Facebook as well.
Commitment to the Community For more than a decade, I have shown a strong commitment to Westfield. I do most of my surgeries at our local Noble Hospital and have found Noble to be an excellent place to perform my surgeries. I am the only ophthalmologist supporting the Noble operating room, as well as the only ophthalmologist covering the Emergency Department. I practice exclusively in Westfield, devoting all of my professional time to this community. My practice has also been a supporter of many local activities, such as the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, the Police Department Charities, and others. Recently, I made a significant fiscal commitment to the community by opening a brand new, modern, state-of-the-art office at 501 Southampton Road. Obviously, the success of this endeavor relies heavily on the support of the residents of Westfield, and I hope that I can count on yours. We are accepting new patients, and my friendly staff will be happy to help you make an appointment. John A. Thayer, M.D. Board Certified Ophthalmologist
WESTFIELD EYE CENTER 501 Southampton Rd. Suite D Westfield, MA 413-572-3000 One mile north of MassPike Exit 3 on Route 10/202 in Westfield
Dr. Kevin Coughlin, owner of Baystate Dental PC, displays the Baystate Dental PC Membership information plan at the 29 Broad Street location in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
BAYSTATE
Continued from Page 1
What does it mean if I’m getting pins and needles in my arm and fingers? The pain in your shoulder, arm, and hand may all be referred from your neck area. There may be pressure on a nerve causing your symptoms, including the tingling in your arm and fingers. Physical therapy, including self exercise and manual therapy, may help. However, if these signs and symptoms persist, medical attention may be necessary. Your doctor can advise if physical therapy is appropriate for your condition. My child’s backpack seems heavy. How much is too much? The American Physical Therapy Association recommends that a backpack should not exceed 10-15% of a child’s body weight. If a backpack is too heavy, a child may adopt faulty postures, which can result in muscle fatigue and strain. The areas most vulnerable to injury are the neck, back, and shoulders.
What is spinal stenosis? This is a narrowing of the spinal canal or outlets for nerves. There can be many causes, including degenerative changes associated with an aging spine. Typically, a patient states that “the pain occurs when I stand or walk or go down steps, and I get relief by leaning on something, like a shopping cart or if I sit down.” Physical therapy may help using various exercises and interventions for the spine and appropriate strengthening exercises to the supporting joints and musculature. The team of rehabilitation professionals at Baystate Rehabilitation Care includes occupational and physical therapists, as well as speech and language pathologists and audiologists. They work with patients and their referring physicians to develop individualized care plans. They offer locations in Agawam, East Longmeadow, Greenfield, South Hadley, Springfield, and Ware.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
HEALTH • SECTION 3
Sarah Jackson, executive vice president of Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care and a registered nurse, sits in her office at the Jewish Geriatric Service at 770 Converse Street in Longmeadow. Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care is a program of the Jewish Geriatric Services, Inc. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Spectrum Home Health and Hospice provides patient, family-centered care By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer LONGMEADOW — Located just a short trek from Interstate 91 on Converse Street in Longmeadow, Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care of Jewish Geriatric Services provides skilled nursing, therapy, social work, home health aides and telemedicine needs to patients of all faiths and creeds. “We provide home health and hospice services to people in the community in Hampden County,” said Sarah Jackson, executive vice president of Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care. “We provide wound care to patients at home, medication, education, and monitoring. We get referrals from multiple sources, including acute care hospitals, rehabs, physician offices, and skilled nursing facilities.” Jackson added that, for patients leaving an acute care or rehab facility, Spectrum can provide skilled nursing or rehab services to these patients while they transition back to living at home. “Doctors’ offices in the community may have patients who have a problem they want more closely monitored, so they may want a nurse or therapist to visit them at home,” she said. “Rehab services may be ordered for someone at home who has fallen a lot recently, who may need to be fitted for a walker, or may need to learn how to use a cane.” Spectrum can also provide occupational therapy for seniors who have had injuries or strokes who need help with ADLs, or activities of daily living, such as cooking, bathing, or dressing, which Jackson said may require some equipment or new techniques, as well as potential environmental adjustments. Speech therapy is also provided for patients with speech, memory, or swallowing issues. Carol Lewis, hospice director for Spectrum, spoke of the services provided by the organization. “Much like the visiting nurse side, we also visit patients in their homes and in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities,” said Lewis, who added that, in addition to nursing, they also offer the services of social workers, pastoral care, and home care aides. “We also have a volunteer program, which
includes trained therapy dogs, along with a therapeutic harpist, who is a Certified Music Practitioner. There is a science behind playing the harp toward the end of life to help people transition gracefully,” she said. Lewis adds Hospice services are for patients who have a prognosis of six months or less to live. “We help our patients and their families with symptom management and help them focus on a better quality of life,” she said. When asked whether the services provided by Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care are growing in demand, Jackson and Lewis are in agreement that ideas around elderly care are shifting more toward what they offer. “You see more and more that people are very focused on solutions in which people remain at home, either for rehab or end of life care” Jackson said. “People are looking at it more economically; does it make more sense to keep people at home? Is it better for their quality of life? Home health agencies and hospices are practices that can partner with families and patients to make that happen.” When asked of the advantages of a family of services like JGS, which includes the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home; Spectrum; Ruth’s House Assisted Living, Wernick Adult Day Health Care Center and Genesis House Apartment Community, Alta Stark, Director, Marketing & Public Relations is quick to point out the relationships that patients and residents share with their caregivers. “At JGS, the staff really knows the patientsand their families,” she said. “If someone is moving into the nursing home or assisted living, we know face-to-face all the players and can speak to the needs of patients and their families.” And it is family that Lewis believes is the biggest part of Spectrum’s services. “The family is a huge part of the hospice team,” she said, which allowed Jackson to summarize the organization’s role in the care of Hampden County’s seniors. “We can provide the coordination between multiple doctors, family members and multiple service agencies, such as Meals on Wheels or transportation from the senior center.”
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 11
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HEALTH • SECTION 3
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
THE WESTFIELD NEWS
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EDUCATION • AUTO • FINANCE MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014
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BERKSHIRE BANK
Servicing business needs up close and personal WESTFIELD – Berkshire Bank has a close relationship with its customers, and its vice president, Darin Burniske is at the heart of the partnership with the community. “We’re a mid-size regional bank with a lot of products to offer,” said Burniske, “but as we grow we want to keep our customers at the center of what we do.” Berkshire Bank offers a full line of products for both personal and small business owners, including residential and commercial loans, merchant services, insurance, wealth management, and deposit services. “We offer more convenience for (local business owners),” Burniske said. “Customers love it … We’re saving them money in the end.” Burniske said rather than have a business owner lose out See BERKSHIRE BANK, Page 3
Jack Sarat, president of Sarat Ford Lincoln Mercury stands in the Agawam showroom of the dealership founded by his father, John, in 1929 with his son, Jeff, the current general manager of the dealership. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
Sarat Ford supports community By CARL E. HARTDEGEN Staff Writer AGAWAM – For decades, residents of the Pioneer Valley – and beyond – have been traveling to Agawam to find their Fords and the trend continued in 2013. Sarat Ford had an “amazing” year said Jeff Sarat, general manager of the company, who noted that March sales this year also started out on a high note at the company founded by his grandfather, John Sarat, in 1929. In a recent interview, the younger Sarat pointed out that the fledgling company survived the Great Depression, two world wars and three generations of ownership “so obviously we’re doing something right.” The Sarat family is celebrating the dealership’s 85th anniversary this year. What Sarat Ford is doing right is more than just giving customers deals they want on cars and reliable quality service; it’s also being a good neighbor in the community.
The Sarat family has been quietly visible for decades, not only in Agawam, where the company was founded and has grown to success, but also in Westfield, where much of the family lives, as well as other communities in the Pioneer Valley where they have
been staunch supporters of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In Agawam, the dealership sponsors a five kilometer race at See SARAT FORD, Page 9
Long lines of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles are on the Sarat lot on Springfield Street in Agawam. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
Springfield Symphony Orchestra St. Germain Investment Management
‘Conservative, disciplined’ Buckets of Money I think it’s safe to assume that most people think of a huge amount or sum of money when one hears the phrase, buckets of money. We can dream about the lucky winning ticket that promises millions-for-life, but for many of us it will never be that way. After 90 years in business, St. Germain Investment Management has remained true to itself. Said another way, the firm believes in a fundamental, disciplined and conservative approach to investment management and retirement planning. Since we’re still standing and growing, well, the approach we’re
using must be working for us and our clients. It all comes down to how well you plan and how realistic are your goals. Here’s the short list: Make your plan early on Many Americans don’t have a retirement plan. Some have just started and they’re in their 40s, even 50s, but in spite of the challenge, planning can and should be done. There has to be a starting point. Save Pay yourself first. In other words, take some of your take home earnings See ST. GERMAIN, Page 3
Music to everyone’s ears By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – The Beatles. Michael Jackson. Blood, Sweat & Tears. Earth, Wind, and Fire. Chicago. Only in a perfect world can one get the opportunity to experience the eclectic music of these most memorable musicians, and participate in some good old holiday fun. For the first time, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra is partnering with Jeans ‘n Classics to provide a unique take on one of the Beatles’ most creative albums, “Sgt. Pepper”; the King of Pop’s earliest Jackson 5 stuff and material from “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad”; and the familiar tunes created by Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and Earth Wind & Fire. A holiday concert, “Home for the Follidays,” will combine professional soloists from Jeans
‘n Classics with the sweet sounds of the Symphony Chorus, to present new arrangements of old favorites. “This is not your father’s pop concert,” said Ann Rasmussen, Springfield Symphony Orchestra marketing and communications director. “It will be fun, educational, and entertaining.” Jeans ‘n Classics has been a star performer on the arts and entertainment scene, combining rock music of some of the most timeless musicians with world-class symphony orchestras and choruses to produce record-setting results. Their audiences have consisted of symphony-goers, enthusiastic sponsors, and business professionals who wish to entertain clients, See SSO, Page 4
PAGE 2 - MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014
Milton B. Whitney Library
EDUCATION - FINANCE - AUTO • SECTION 4
Edwin Smith Historical Museum
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
EDUCATION - FINANCE - AUTO • SECTION 4
Darin Burniske, vice president / relationship manager at Berkshire Bank, is part of the My Banker program at the 31 Court Street location in Westfield. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
BERKSHIRE BANK
Continued from Page 1 on some valuable hours in the work place, Westfield continues to grow the downtown, he will travel to their place of business. and as more businesses move into those build“It doesn’t make sense for someone to shut ings (in the downtown sector), even more down their business to fill out an application businesses will be able to utilize this service.” or set up an account,” he said. “That person Burniske said it has become even more chalwants to utilize their time and money as best lenging for small businesses over the last few as they can.” years to address their banking needs without In essence, Burniske said, this free service, sacrificing valuable time and money. in effect, ultimately benefits the local business “With the way the economy is, we will do sector downtown, and all throughout the Whip whatever we can to make it easier,” he said. City, the Pioneer Valley, and the northeast, for “Small business is what drives this city.” that matter. “We want the public to know that there are “In the Pioneer Valley, there are a lot of still people in your community that will work small business owners,” he said. “That’s why for you … and we have products that can comthis program has been so successful. As pete with larger, big banks.”
ST. GERMAIN
Continued from Page 1 and save it. If you have a benefit plan at home, trip to Disney World, e.g.] work, then try to put in the maximum contriThe buckets bution. This is important when employers Think in terms of your life stages and match the contribution. needs. Have one bucket for cash/liquidity, a Using software is not planning second bucket for intermediate monetary Using a computer design application needs and some investing and have a third doesn’t make you more of an artist, so why bucket exclusively for long term investing. would financial and investing software make The aging population you more of a financial planning expert? All investors should get as much informaSoftware is but a tool, but you still need tion before signing up for any investment someone who understands the nuances of strategy or service. Ask questions. Is this suitfinancial planning, wealth management and able? What kind of fees are involved? The investing. older population is a prime target for scams so Expenses be wary of financial products that are offered Do you have a handle on your expenses? with some type of guaranteed return or access Do you have a budget? Are there things you to your capital. As the saying goes, “If it’s too can defer to a future date [new boat, second good to be true, then it probably is.”
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S pringfie l d
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
O rchestra
SSO
Continued from Page investors, and reward employees. Symphony Orchestra officials are expecting the unique twist of a tribute rock band, backed up by the Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Chorus to draw packed crowds to the 2,600seat theatre for each performance. “It’s something different and interesting,” said Symphony Orchestra executive director Audrey J. Szychulski. “We’re trying to build a pops audience … that is available to the masses. We want to make sure there is something that appeals to everyone. We have a lot of music that appeals to African-Americans and Hispanics with an urban sound. The Symphony offers something for everyone.” Rasmussen agreed. “People get so excited when they come in the hall – it’s kind of a microcosm of the community,” she said, “and you can come dressed up or casual in jeans.” The 2014-15 pops concert series will begin in October, but tickets are available now. A subscription to all four shows is available for a limited time for new subscribers at a buy-one, get-one-free reduced rate. Tickets for college students and children ages 4-17 will be priced at
Westfield resident Kevin Rhodes, the symphony’s music director and conductor since 2001. $10 per event. Opening night for the classical series is Sat., Sept. 27. The Pops series opens on October 11. “We’re still the largest orchestra in the area,” said
Szychulski, who also noted that the Springfield Symphony is the 100th largest symphony in North America (and the largest MA orchestra outside of Boston) with an operating budget of
ANOTHER SEASON OF EXTRAORDINARY MUSIC Maestro Rhodes & the Springfield Symphony Orchestra present the 2014-2015 Concert Season:
CLASSICAL SERIES
Saturday September 27, 2014 Opening Night Saturday October 25, 2014 Tchaikovsky Saturday January 24, 2015 Beethoven & Mendelssohn Saturday February 21, 2015 Vivaldi & Rodrigo Saturday March 14, 2015 Beethoven & Bernstein Saturday April 11, 2015 Schubert Saturday April 25, 2015 Season Finale Concert
JEANS ‘N CLASSICS POPS SERIES Saturday October 11, 2014 Beatles Tribute / Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Saturday December 6, 2014 Home for the Follidays Holiday Concert Saturday February 7, 2015 The Music of Michael Jackson Saturday March 28, 2015 Blood, Sweat, Tears, Earth, Wind, Fire …and a little Chicago!
AND AN INCREDIBLE OFFER!
New Subscribers•Buy ONE Adult Subscription, Get the Second One FREE! •For
Kevin Rhodes SSO Music Director & Conductor, and Long-time Westfield Resident
Full Season, Classical, Pops! & Choose Packages (Choose any 4, 5 or 6 Concerts) •Lock-in your preferred seats, all Season long! •Enjoy special members-only benefits •Mention code “WESTFIELD” to redeem discount
SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
For more info, call 413.733.2291 or visit SpringfieldSymphony.org Open M-F 9:30am to 4:30pm Offer good for you or anyone in your household who hasn’t been an SSO subscriber in the past 3 years. Offer cannot be applied to Youth or Senior priced packages, or to previously purchased tickets. Order soon for best seating selection!
some $2M. “We want to be a 12) or the “Grand Finale – at 1350 Main Street, regular asset that offers 70th Anniversary Concert” Springfield or call (413)-733something to everyone in (May 3), visit the box office 2291. Western Mass.” The Springfield Symphony Orchestra, which features some 80 musicians, has extended its arms into the Whip City in more ways than one. Kevin Rhodes, the symphony’s music director and conductor since 2001, is a Westfield resident. Rhodes has conducted concerts, opera, and ballet with nearly 50 different orchestras in 15 different countries from major opera houses in Europe to concert stages in the U.S., collaborating with numerous diverse artists, well-known pop musicians, and major ballet companies, both live and for film and television worldwide. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s finance director, Eileen Murray, youth orchestra manager, Patrick McMahon, and box office manager, Danny Boyle, are each also from Westfield. To purchase tickets for the 2014-15 season or the final two performances in the symphony orchestra’s 70th Audrey J. Szychulski anniversary year, “Gershwin Symphony Orchestra executive director & Rimsky-Korsakov,” (April
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EDUCATION - FINANCE - AUTO • SECTION 4
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 5
Berkshire Film: Building a more creative economy By Sara Wailgum Westfield News Intern PITTSFIELD - The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) is continuing to thrive in it’s mission to promote the film and media industry here in western Massachusetts. The BFMC is a nonprofit organization funded by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, a 501(3) public charity that has helped numerous film, media, and television projects right here in western Mass. In 2005 a lucrative tax incentive was passed in Massachusetts. By 2008 alone, 14 films were shot in the Boston region, bringing in $350 million into the local economy. One of the BFMC’s missions is to bring this industry westward in hopes of bringing the money it fuels back into our local economies of the four western Massachusetts counties. Economic initiatives include hiring local crew, generating revenue for local businesses, and increasing tourism within our community. In addition, the BFMC is also focused on educating people about the many aspects that are involved in filmmaking. The BFMC also maintains an online production guide, and assists productions with permitting, and finding local crew, equipment, and locations. Recently the BFMC collaborated with the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and
Director of Photography and professional gaffer, Richard Sands, to offer a two-week documentary filmmaking course. In addition, the BFMC is developing a lighting course with Sands for filmmakers and photographers. The BFMC is led by Executive Director Diane Pearlman in addition to the Board of Directors and a Board of Advisors. Actress Elizabeth Banks, who has starred in movies including Spider-man, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Pitch Perfect, and The Hunger Games, was born and raised in Pittsfield, MA and is now a BFMC Advisory Board Member. Many critically acclaimed movies featuring famous actors and actresses were filmed in Berkshire towns including Cider House Rules, starring Tobey Maguire, Before and After, starring Meryl Streep, and Labor Day starring Kate Winslet. “We are dedicated to not only developing our economy, but helping to teach people in the area how to work in this industry”, said BFMC Executive Director Diane Pearlman. “Furthermore, film and media are essential mediums in today’s world, and we are committed to connecting our local talent with businesses to help grow a business’s exposure through things like promotional videos for the web and television”.
Amazing things are being done locally within the film and media industries that are not only exciting to the everyday person but very helpful to area businesses. For example, many businesses produce video content in some way, shape or form and may leave the local area for their production needs. One role of the BFMC is to connect those businesses with local production facilities in an effort to keep the local economy strong.
In the fall of 2014 the BFMC will be staging the area’s first film and media convention so
that those who have film, video or production needs can get to know who they can use locally. More can be found on their web site. Speaking of web sites, their newly launched, more dynamic website: www.berkshirefilm. com contains a host of important information for the public and the industry. In addition, production companies can search the website database for crews, talent, locations, and production support.
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 7
TECHNOLOGY Club members have access to a Mondopad, SMART Board, digital cameras, and computers. We use this technology to provide programs that teach members about photography, movie making, robotics and creative writing.
TEENS The Teen Center is a “Club within a Club” and is a designated teen only space. Teen only programs run daily to help our members build positive identities, healthy relationships and prepare for careers.
FITNESS Our gym and pool help our members stay fit and have fun. We offer a variety of fitness based activities and team sports such as basketball, wrestling, cheerleading and swimming.
EDUCATION Homework help and tutoring is offered to all Club members everyday during Power Hour. Our education room is also equipped with a SMART Board for interactive activities.
SUPPER CLUB Last year we served 21,000 free, hot nutritious meals to our members! Many of our members refer to the Club as their second home, and they eat dinner with their second family every night.
CULTURAL ENRICHMENT Club members get in touch with their creative side in the cultural enrichment room. Programs such as fine arts, drama and dance are offered. We hold a fine arts competition and awards ceremony each year.
KIDZ KLUB Licensed Childcare Center ages 5 - 13
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield is a 1.5 million dollar small business with a staff of 10 full time and 37 part time employees. We provide a safe, affordable afterschool program that enables parents to work allowing our local economy to thrive.
Kidz Klub members are separated into grade level classrooms where they participate in fun, engaging afterschool activities including: swimming,gym time, educational enrichment, and art. Kidz Klub members enjoy a free nutritious snack and dinner everyday.
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
EDUCATION - FINANCE - AUTO • SECTION 4
SARAT FORD Robinson Park School, an event which is a particular favorite of Sarat’s. “They’re our neighbors, they’re the closest school to us and we have to support them” he said also acknowledging that it’s good for business. “Someday the kids will buy cars” he said. Sarat Ford also supports youth athletic teams, both in Agawam and Westfield, and in Westfield the family has been a major supporter of the Noble Hospital Ball, a highlight of the city’s social season and a major fundraiser for projects at the hospital. The whole Sarat family served as “chairperson” for the
Continued from Page 1 2013 Noble Ball, and their efforts paid off handsomely for the hospital. “They had their greatest attendance ever and they raised more money than ever,” Jeff Sarat said. He added that the committee that will fill the role of “chairperson” for the 2014 ball will include himself and his wife, Kimberly. “They asked my wife and I and we didn’t have to think about it” he said. Not only is the event fun, he said, “but the money (it raises) stays in the community.” Jeff’s mother, Karen, lost a battle with cancer and he said that his father, Jack, is “extremely passionate” about support for the society.
The Sarat family, above, were the official hosts of the 2013 Noble Ball. (Photo courtesy Noble Hospital)
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 9
His passion, the younger Sarat said, was the impetus for the family’s longstanding support of the Relay for Life, a national fundraiser for the American Cancer Society which includes a local relay event organized by the Springfield chapter of the society. He said that the company has had a team since 1993 and has raised more than $350,000 for cancer research during that time. In addition, Sarat noted, the family and the company also See SARAT FORD, Page 11
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
ld estfie p The W ou r G s New stfield e p The W Grou News
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BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
EDUCATION - FINANCE - AUTO • SECTION 4
SARAT FORD
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 11
Continued from Page 9
help the cancer support team at Mercy Hospital, donating prizes such as Red Sox tickets, a flat screen television or “anything we can get our hands on” for raffles to help raise money for the team. He said the some customers are eager to participate in the Relay for Life with the extended Sarat family and come to them saying “We know you do a lot for the Cancer Society and we want to join your team.”
Sarat spoke of one customer who “solely shopped here because of what we do with the Cancer Society. That’s why she came here,” and acknowledged that this support from the public allows the business to continue and expand its charitable work in the community. In Westfield the family supported the funding effort for the recent expansion of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, where Jeff Sarat serves on the board of direc-
tors, and also helps sponsor the club’s annual half-marathon road race. Sarat said that he has been impressed with how the club was able to keep some adults he knows on the “right path” when they were young and said that any help he and his family give to the club “is only going to benefit my kids, down the road, and their friends.” Also in Westfield and also without fanfare, the dealership helps the Kiwanis Club of
Westfield every year. Sarat said that he donates a box truck to the club for the members to use as they transport the prizes which are sold at the club’s annual Kiwanis Auction. In the long run, Sarat said, “Local people are buying cars from us so we’ve got to support local charities.” “It’s all about community” he said, “We support the community that supports us.”
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EDUCATION - FINANCE - AUTO • SECTION 4
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
THE WESTFIELD NEWS
B&I HOME BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
ADVERTISING INDEX: 1st CHOICE REALTY PG 5 AMERICAN INN PG 2 A to Z MOVERS PG 3 COLDWELL BANKER PG 5 COLLIER FENCE PG 5 PG 6 COUNTRYSIDE WOODCRAFT FIRESIDE DESIGNS PG 2 PG 4 HOMETOWN STRUCTURES LISA SULLIVAN PG 5 PG 3 MARTIN’S FLOOR COVERING NORTHPOINT PG 3 PG 3 PARK SQUARE REALTY SHADES ON WHEELS PG2
Park Square sales leader Page 3
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014
AMERICAN INN
Where you live ‘worry-free’ By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – Downsizing can be daunting, but so is taking care of your home as a senior citizen. As you age, so does your home, and routine maintenance can become overwhelming. At The American Inn for Retirement Living in Southwick, the daily worries of home ownership are taken care of for you, allowing you more time for activities, family, and friends. “Aging is enough of a challenge
without the overwhelming care of a toobig house,” said American Inn Activities Director Barbara Huntoon. “Here, those things are taken care of for you – from a furnace repair to changing a light bulb.” The American Inn offers independent living in cottages and apartments, as well as assisted living apartments, on a 50-acre campus. With four different floor plans, cottages are attached on one side and each includes a full basement and porch. A one bedroom cottage home starts at $164,900 for a 944 square-foot
home, with the largest home at 1,428 square-feet for $269,900. While it may be difficult to think about packing up a large family home filled with years and years of memories, American Inn Sales Director Carole Hardick said the upheaval of making the move is worth it in the end. “We’re more than a condo,” she said. “We offer so many more amenities. . . we offer a worry-free, affordable lifestyle” See AMERICAN INN, Page 2
www.thewestfieldnews.com
Coldwell Banker helps families buy homes By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer WESTFIELD — Shawn Mitchell and his fellow Coldwell Banker real estate agents are in the business of selling homes in Greater Westfield and western Mass. And as Mitchell sees it, homes in the area, specifically Westfield, can’t hit the market soon enough. “Westfield has a lot going for it,” said Mitchell, manager. “So much has been done to this city to make it better, it’s just incredible. Right now, there’s actually a lack of inventory for first-time home buyers. The interest rates are still historically low. We’re still hovering right around 4 percent. And I can honestly say, in Westfield right now, if you list your house and it’s priced correctly, you will sell it rather quickly because of a See COLDWELL BANKER, Page 5
American Inn residents, left-right, Steve Piascik, George Kelleher, Fred Rogers, Lesley Lorenzen and Ellen Eqnet enjoy a morning chat. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Custom kitchens a cornerstone at Countryside Woodcraft
Dan Herr, a professional craftsman at Countryside Woodcraft, creates a handmade hardwood drawer for a custom-made cabinet. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer RUSSELL – Whether you have a traditional old New England home, or you’re building new, Countryside Woodcraft can create a custom kitchen to suit your needs. Owner Ron Hess and his business partners have been building high quality wood furniture and kitchens in two locations for 19 years. Hess said he started making chairs in his garage at age 26 and grew that skill into a business that continues to flourish. While Countryside Woodcraft still offers furniture – from dining sets to living rooms, bedrooms, desks and more – custom kitch-
ens have become the cornerstone of its business. “Our kitchens have really taken off,” said Hess. “There are a lot of older homes here that need new kitchens and we love helping people make their homes beautiful and functional.” Countryside Woodcraft can simply change out your cabinets, or help you build your dream kitchen from floor to ceiling and everything in between. “We have subcontractors we work with, or we can work with a customer’s contractor,” Hess said. “Our goal is to create a team.”
Hess said the Shaker style of cabinetry remains popular in New England, as does a natural wood finish. “Cherry is very popular,” Hess said, “But we work with a variety of wood. We recently did a project with an exotic ebony from South America.” Most of the lumber used by Countryside Woodcraft is purchased right in the area, but when a customer is looking for something unusual, Hess said they try to fulfill every Raymond Glick, a professional craftsman at Countryside request. Woodcraft, inspects a custom “Most of our wood is purchased in the made Mission style entertainment See COUNTRYSIDE, Page 3 center. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Hometown Structures offers a variety of quality, craftsmanship By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Hometown Structures on Southampton Road has become synonymous with quality craftsmanship. With an ever-expanding array of products, Hometown Structures can enhance your home and make your life more efficient. From pergolas to garages and chicken coops, Hometown Structures can help you build your dream home. One of the most popular products is the shed. Hometown Structures doesn’t have run-of-themill plastic or metal sheds, but instead offers high-quality wood sheds. “We have a full range of sheds, from small potting sheds to large double-wide buildings,” said Sales Manager Glenn Martin. All of Hometown Structures’ buildings are aesthetically pleasing and even sheds can take on the look of your home with windows, shutters, flower boxes and more. A wide variety of finishes are offered to complete the look you’re after. Garages are one of the newest buildings Hometown Structures offers. Martin said they build garages literally from the ground up. “We do everything, from getting the building permits to installation,” said Martin. Hometown Structures has several pre-designed garage
options, including two and three car garages and those with second stories, or they can work with customers to custom design the garage to suit their needs. The average garage turnaround is about eight weeks, including time for obtaining permits and ordering materials. To enhance outdoor living, Hometown Structures builds gazebos, pergolas, pavilions and cabanas. Gazebos come in a variety of styles, from the more traditional look to Victorian, and are available in wood or vinyl. Pergolas are built on-site, as are pavilions, which can also be wood or vinyl and can include privacy curtains. Pergolas can also be customized with a canopy to block the sun. Martin said cabanas truly extend the home with insulated walls and electrical wiring. “It’s just like having another living room,” he said. Something many New Englanders seek out are horse barns, and Hometown Structures builds them to suit the needs of the customer and their horses. A farmer could make Hometown Structures a one-stop shopping excursion with options for chicken coops, rabbit cages and dog kennels. See HOMETOWN STRUCTURES, Page 5
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American Inn Fred Rogers and his wife purchased an American Inn cottage five years ago and are thrilled. The couple moved from Westfield to California but decided to retire in their home state. “We were literally driving by and wondered what this place was all about,” Fred Rogers recalled. “It’s been the greatest decision I’ve made. Everything you had in your home, you can have here but it’s worry-free.” When asked about his favorite part of living at The American Inn, Rogers did not hesitate with his reply: “Sitting on my back porch watching someone else mow my lawn!” His neighbor Steve Piascik agreed. “I wanted to downsize and socialize,” he said of the decision to live at The American Inn. “I like that I can just sit and enjoy life.” Piascik, Rogers and George Kelleher are among a group of residents who meet regularly in the Inn’s coffee cafe. On any given morning, the tables there are filled with residents catching up on the day’s news, talking about sports, and forming fast friendships. For many residents, The American Inn was a natural place to call their next home. “I lived in Westfield all my life and couldn’t take care of my house or live alone any longer,” said Kelleher. “I knew about this place, and originally I wanted a cottage but when I saw that the apartments had everything I need – including elevators – right here, I knew this was where I wanted to be.” Kelleher enjoys the social life at The American
Continued from Page 1 Inn. “There is always someone around,” he said, for almost any of them.” “and the ratio of women to men is about 85-15,” She added that she welcomes suggestions from he added with a laugh. the residents, “since this is their activity program.” “And everyone looks out for everyone else,” The American Inn also offers a number of oncommented Rogers. site health services including free blood sugar and Huntoon said the Inn has 24-hour security, but blood pressure checks, foot nurse appointments, neighbors are also always on the look out, and so and speakers on health-related topics. In addition, is the staff. residents have on-site access to a hearing consul“Residents check-in every day,” Huntoon said. tant, SHINE counselor, hairdresser, jeweler, seam“They simply push a button, and we get a report stress, and weekly banking from three different every day at 10 a.m. If someone hasn’t checked banks. in, we call them. If they don’t answer, we go “We also hold some events that are open to the check on them.” public, including our craft fair, health fair, and Hardick said that is just one of many things Family Fun Day” Huntoon said, adding that one The American Inn has to offer that a condo retire- of her favorite events is an annual fashion show in ment community does not. “We have a nurse for consultations, fine dining, heated indoor pool, exercise classes and equipment and myriad other on-and off-site activities. We are an active group,” said Hardick. Residents have the option of participating in a variety of “on campus” events, including a cocktail party, monthly birthday party, speaking and entertainment programs, card games, trivia contests, Wii games, and more. Day trips include shopping excursions, hikes, museum visits, luncheons, concerts, theater, sporting events, casino trips, and sight-seeing adventures. “I am a big fan of our area and a proponent of promoting all that it has to offer, from the summit of Mt. Greylock to the Pawtucket Red Sox to Mohegan Sun Casino and everything in between,” aid Huntoon. “There is a wealth of indoor and outdoor things to do and we are game
American Inn resident Doris Alexander and her dog Sally, seated rear, enjoy the threeseason porch attached to the rear of her one bedroom cottage. A large spacious backyard abuts a babbling brook full of wildlife. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
conjunction with Dressbarn women’s clothing store. “Residents who choose to model go to Dressbarn, choose their outfits (with the help of Dressbarn staff) and then walk our runway on Fashion Show day. It is great for their selfesteem,” she said. “On the runway they are not seniors. They are not grandmas. They are beautiful, self-confident women.” Downsizing to The American Inn may mean downsizing your belongings, but it can mean upsizing your life for those who take advantage of all it has to offer. For more information about The American Inn at Sawmill Park, visit www.theamericaninn.net or call 413-569-1215 for a tour.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
HOME • SECTION 5
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 - PAGE 3
Park Square Realty owner Ted Cassell, far right, and his mother and co-founder of the company Carolyn Cassell-Coughlen, far left, and Barry Boccasile, second from right on wall, director of growth and development, are joined by sales associates at the Westfield Park Square Green. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Park Square recognized as sales leader By Peter Francis Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Though it may be a new year on calendars around the Whip City, things have remained pretty much the same for Elm Street’s Park Square Realty, a Westfield institution that has only grown in its 27 year history. Led by owner Ted Cassell, Park Square began this year as number one in their western Mass. quadrant, a testament to their company philosophy, which Cassell compares to that of Navy SEALs. “Our average agent’s production is $1.9 million a year,” said Director of Growth and Development Barry Boccasile of the company’s 46 agents, who serve branch offices in Feeding Hills, Springfield, and Westfield. “We’re smaller, stronger and more efficient.” “Our goal is to work on buying and selling.” Cassell added. “Some companies charge their agents a lot of fees, but we want them thinking about what they’re doing.” The majority of the agents who make up the company’s roster also hail from the area they serve, which helps them immensely. “Most of our agents have been with us for five, 10, 15 years,” Cassell said. “We don’t have a lot of turnover.” Park Square also prides itself on the range of its agents. “We’re looking at kids coming from college, but we have a diverse crew,” Boccasile said. “We have agents in their ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s all about communicating with the clients the way they want to be communicated with.” In addition to its philosophy of communication, much of the company’s current success can be attributed to the recent ascension of the current housing market, which Cassell says is strong in the Whip City especially. “A lot of retirees are moving, and prices are coming down,” he said. “Westfield has always been a strong market. It’s a great community that’s become a real Mecca for runners, and the perception of downtown is
really coming around.” Park Square continues to aid the city’s Renaissance by maintaining a visible presence on Elm Street, while sponsoring a wide variety of community activities, from Little League baseball teams to the Westfield Boys & Girls Club. Boccasile added that the company plans on adding ten agents this year after listing 380 homes and completing 455 transactions last year at its three locations, with homes ranging from around $30,000 to almost $600,000. “We’ve been selling more upper-end homes, in the upper $500 to 600,000 range,” he said. “Sales are up 21 percent. We’re super happy, and the Feeding Hills office is doing super well too.” Cassell, who purchased the company from his mother, Carolyn Cassell-Coughlan, concurs. “The market has been up this first quarter. People are getting more confidence in home ownership. When they’re confident, they’re willing to make a jump,” he said. “It (home ownership) is the key to building wealth.” Park Square has also teamed up with Top Flite Financial of Agawam to provide “one stop shopping” for customers. “Buyers can now get their home and their mortgage,” said Cassell of the partnership. “Our job is to make the transaction go smoothly.” In addition to the partnership, Cassell and Boccasile trumpeted the company’s new technological advances, which include a new mobile website, Youtube virtual tours of every property, and quick response codes which are now put on the for-sale signs of properties. However, despite the continued forward march of technology, it is the agent who sells the homes, and it is the agents who remain the life force of Park Square Realty. “We try to market their image,” said Cassell of his agents. “We publicize their achievements, because our success is based on their success.”
COUNTRYSIDE Continued from Page 1 to update their kitchens because they want to area,” he said. One thing Hess likes to point out, besides the retire in their homes and enjoy their home more,” quality craftsmanship of Countryside’s products, said Hess. is that when designing a kitchen, they use every To help customers better understand the many possible inch. options available to them and help prepare them Drawers tucked under cabinets, pull-out spice for a kitchen renovation, Countryside Woodcraft racks hidden in between appliances, and fold- offers free kitchen workshops. down narrow cabinets for odds and ends are just “I suggest it to anybody considering renovatsome of the surprises Countryside can build into ing their kitchen, even if it’s in the future,” said a kitchen to maximize efficiency. Hess. “It’s not a sales workshop, but it’s all about The Countryside Woodcraft showroom at 655 information and looking at different ideas – Huntington Road offers a peek at what your going over the different woods, stone, storage kitchen can look like. One kitchen includes tradi- options, counter tops . . . it’s really everything tional French-country inspired cabinetry with you might want to know about re-doing your elaborate moldings in a cream painted finish. kitchen.” Another kitchen shows Countryside’s more modAnd, Hess added, the workshop includes a ern side with its sleek charcoal cabinetry and homemade dinner. The next workshop is set for glass counter tops, as well as a hidden Butler’s April 11 at 6 p.m. Hess said anyone interested in pantry. From rustic to contemporary, Countryside attending should call ahead to register. can create a kitchen to suit your home and your “After attending a workshop, people are better personality. prepared when it comes time to do their kitchen,” An entire nook of the showroom is dedicated said Hess. to cabinet styles and finishes, as well as stone and Feel free to stop and visit the 6500 square foot hardware options. showroom and simply browse around and enjoy. A complete custom kitchen can take about six While you are there pick up one of the free weeks to complete, said Hess, but a more simple Kitchen idea books that Hess said folks have cabinet re-do built in the shop could take just a come to depend on for ideas. few days to install. “And while you are out here make sure you “We have customers who go on vacation and stop by our Bakery – it’s all worth the drive,” he come home to a new kitchen,” Hess said. Hess said many older homes have outdated added. Countryside Woodcraft’s showroom is open kitchens and homeowners are often looking to Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and update and upgrade. “We have a lot of customers who are looking evenings by appointment.
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COLDWELL BANKER Continued from Page 1 lack of inventory.” Last year, Coldwell Banker helped 700 local families buy or sell a home. With an office strategically placed on Court Street in downtown Westfield, Mitchell said the Whip City has been the perfect fit for a Coldwell Banker office. “We have offices in Chicopee and Longmeadow, but the major real estate players have always kind of been in Westfield,” Mitchell said. “When you have 40,000-plus people living here, you need to have an office here. Add in the fact that Westfield is so closely connected with West Side, Southwick, the Hill Towns and Agawam, and it makes perfect sense. You have to go where the people live.” Coldwell Banker’s impact on Westfield and surrounding towns is evident. Along with giving local families the opportunity to work with a trusted and reputable real estate company that has been around for more than 100 years, it employs more than 50 local real estate agents who many times make their home in the same city in which they are trying to sell real estate. Lisa Oleksak-Sullivan, also known as “Westfield’s No. 1 Realtor,” is former Westfield Mayor Richard K. Sullivan’s wife, and one of the top realtors in all of western Mass. “We have the luxury of having the No. 1 agent for Westfield from this office,” Mitchell said. “She’s also No. 2 in the whole entire real estate board. That’s a huge accomplishment, competing with other agents from Amherst and Coldwell Banker agents are a big part of the Northampton where it’s a higher price point. For Lisa to be No. 2 in all of western Mass., it’s community. Mitchell, a South Hadley native who coachan incredible feat, actually. No one from Westfield has ever done that, and she’s just the es football and lacrosse in that town, said Coldwell Banker stresses the importance of humblest person you’ll ever meet.”
Shawn Mitchell, manager, stands in front of the Coldwell Banker sign in the Westfield office located on Court Street. (Photo by Jeff Hanouille)
giving back. Last year, Coldwell Banker agents in Westfield, Chicopee and Longmeadow raised more than $2,000 for a not-for-profit food and nutrition program out of Greater Boston called
HOMETOWN STRUCTURES Continued from Page 1 And no structure would be complete without a cupola. “We also have weather vanes and lawn and patio furniture,” said Martin. Hometown Structures’ gym sets are beyond compare and are delivered and assembled by skilled staff generally in just one day. Hometown Structures has about a dozen local employees and uses many materials produced and purchased locally. While the greater Westfield area comprises the majority of Hometown Structures’ customer base, the locally owned company reaches out to Boston, Vermont and New Hampshire. Martin said while many people purchase sheds and gyms and other structures online today, the quality cannot compare to what Hometown Structures offers. The outdoor “show room” at 627 Southampton Road gives customers a glimpse at the large volume of options available to
them. If you’re looking for a traditional shed in New England grey with shaker tile roof, they’ve got it. If a rustic wood pergola in a craftsman style is for you, they’ve got that, too. Even someone with a more modern aesthetic will find a structure that suits their needs.
“We encourage people to come here and just walk around and see what we have,” Martin said. “They will not be disappointed.” ——— For more information, visit www.hometownstructures.net
Community Servings that provides services throughout the Bay State to people with critical and chronic illnesses. The agents sold more than 100 restaurantquality pies at $20 apiece during Thanksgiving time as part of Community Servings’ “Pie in the Sky” program, and all the proceeds were donated to Community Servings for it to fund its food and nutrition program. “We picked up the pies in Worcester and delivered them in Westfield and local offices,” Mitchell said. “We’re trying to build up the program out here too.” As part of the “Coldwell Banker Cares” program, local agents also donate money from their paychecks into a fund that pools together the donations and eventually sends them to “Habitat for Humanity.” Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds and repairs homes through volunteer labor and donations so they are safe and affordable for families, who purchase the houses through no-profit, no-interest mortgage loans or creative financing methods. “Agents can have money taken out automatically for each check, and then every year that money is put back into the community through Habitat,” Mitchell said. “We also have agents that are out there getting dirty, doing work on buildings and painting as part of the Habitat for Humanity program.” Lastly, Coldwell Banker agents are also in the process of raising funds for a 22-year-old veteran from New Hampshire who has lost an arm and a leg serving his country. “Through the ‘Spirit of Homes’ program, we are actually building a house for a veteran,” Mitchell said. “All the money we raise selling raffle tickets and doing silent auctions, it all goes back toward building this house for that veteran. It’s just another way that we are trying to give back.”
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