Berkshire Business Journal April 2025

Changes in store PLT sells rental business, moves equipment sales Page 10

BEN GARVER

Berkshire Business Journal

Building on a legacy

“We have this incredible depth of knowledge about projects

Petricca Industries expands to meet growing need

By Maryjane WilliaMs

The Berkshire Eagle

PITTSFIELD — When Basilio Petricca immigrated from Italy to the United States in 1910, he had no money or family.

The 16-year-old got a job in construction until the depression hit, and the company could no longer pay him, so he set out on his own and launched Petricca Construction Co. in 1936.

What began with small contracting jobs using his pickup truck slowly became the largest construction company in Western Massachusetts, and later shifted toward concrete production with the founding of Unistress Corp.

Now, with over 250,000 square feet of manufacturing space, the family-owned business is one of the largest precast and

prestressed concrete firms in the Northeast — and it is still not done growing.

“We’re very strong in manufacturing. We’re very strong in construction. So we’re always looking for opportunities to grow our current operating space and add anything adjacent,” said Perri Petricca, CEO of Petricca Industries — and Basilio’s grandson.

To prepare for a potential major project, the company is planning an expansion that is expected to add 50 new employees to the company’s 300-plus workforce, with an average starting salary of about $50,000.

The $4 million project will expand Unistress’ manufacturing site on Cheshire Road by 15,500 square feet and include new overhead cranes.

The expansion aims to boost production capacity in preparation for “one of

the largest precast projects ever,” Petricca said — a project with Micron Technology to build a microchip facility worth “hundreds of millions.”

“We’re excited about the work in this market, and we think it’s a great path for growth for us, and so we’re investing millions of dollars in new equipment and expanding other areas of the operation to keep up with this as well,” he said.

A LEGACY OF SUCCESS

Basilio’s son, Basil, took over the company in 1962 and then founded Unistress Corp. in 1968 to focus more on concrete production.

In 1973, Petricca purchased two companies, Transit Mixed Concrete and General Sand and Stone and consolidated them into Berkshire Concrete Corp., which pro-

duces ready-mix concrete for retail and the other subsidiaries.

Perri Petricca, who grew up in the construction side of the business, took over as CEO of Petricca Industries in 1989 while Unistress was still “a very small operation.”

Using his construction experience and engineering and law background, Petricca has expanded the business significantly and successfully guided it through some of its largest projects to date.

“We have this incredible depth of knowledge about projects in the industry and that becomes our lever with the customers,” he said. “We want people that are looking for partners, that are looking for people that help solve problems, that are part of the process.”

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Perri Petricca is CEO of Petricca Industries and president of its subsidiaries, Unistress Corp. and Berkshire Concrete.

in the industry, and that becomes our lever with the customers,” he said.

Front pages

Corp.,

Most jobs at Unistress have an average base pay of $50,000 a year, health care, paid vacations and penions. “We very much believe that our employees are entitled to more than just a living wage,” said CEO Perri Petricca.

Petricca

PRECAST CONCRETE MANUFACTURING

Unistress, the main operating division of Petricca Industries, specializes in designing, producing and constructing large-scale precast and prestressed concrete structures.

Precast concrete elements are formed in molds ahead of construction, and prestressed pieces are reinforced with steel for added strength in larger pieces.

All the pieces for a full concrete structure are produced at the Pittsfield facility and then trucked to the project site, where a subcontractor erects the pieces, Petricca said.

The facility is on a 24-hour production cycle. Each morning, employees use an overhead crane to remove the concrete pieces from the molds, which are then cleaned and set up with reinforcing steel. Next, fresh concrete is poured into the

molds, Petricca said, and “a special heating system and special chemical admixtures [are used] to accelerate the curing of the concrete so that [they] can take these pieces out the next day and start all over.”

Not only does Unistress serve as manufacturer for developers, Petricca said, but as a partner as well.

“We do a lot of what’s called a design-assist, which is where [developers] trust us to come in early on as their partner and help them design it,” he said. “I’ll say to them, ‘We’ve done hundreds of these, so I know you might like to wait and put it out to bid, but we can save you a lot of time [and] money if you trust us coming up front as your partner.’”

NOTABLE PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Unistress has taken on some of the largest and most high-profile projects, including Yankee Stadium, the Big Dig in Boston and the new Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River just north of New York City.

PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Unistress

Petricca Industries’ main operating branch, has taken on some of the largest and most challenging precast/prestressed concrete projects in the Northeast, including the Big Dig, Yankee Stadium and the Tappan Zee Bridge.

PETRICCA, Page 3

Currently, the company’s largest project is an expansion of SUNY Albany’s Nanotech Complex, a semiconductor research and development facility in New York’s Capitol District.

Petricca said his favorite project so far has been the Big Dig in Boston, the nation’s largest-ever urban highway reconfiguration, which the company spent nine years on starting in 1997.

“We got to go down and actually see a lot of those tunnel work and the overpass work; I mean, it was the biggest construction project in the world back then,” he said. “That was far and away the most challenging and the most interesting.”

While constructing these monumental projects, Unistress has worked with a wide range of customers, such as Wolfspeed, Boston College, Hartford Hospital, New York Botanical Garden, as well as various government agencies. The most interesting part of the business is working with customers who are “taking on huge risks or just doing fascinating projects,” Petricca said.

“Yankee Stadium was amazing, because when we were selected, they said, ‘Here’s the thing, we’re not missing opening day,’ “ he said “ ‘So we’re using you because we feel you are the best, but if somebody else screws up and delays things, or we make a change, we’re all going to find a way to make this work.”

Petricca said he prefers to go for projects that have a lot of risk and are in a hurry as opposed to jobs that hire people based on the lowest price and not quality.

“We enjoy being part of the team,” he said, adding that the company’s strengths are moving fast and responding to problems. “We don’t like just being like a manufacturer, like, ‘Oh, here’s your pieces, we’ll send you the bill.’”

Now, the company is gearing up for a potential major project with Micron Technology — the development of the largest semiconductor production facility in the U.S., which prompted the current expansion.

COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES AND THE COMMUNITY

Despite its growth, Petricca Industries remains a family business, Petricca said, and it treats its employees accordingly.

The workforce is mainly local to the Berkshires, with many multigenerational employees. He emphasized that the company treats workers well, offering competitive pay starting at $25 an hour, health care, paid vacations and pensions.

“We very much believe that our employees are entitled to more than just a living wage,” he said. “Treat them well, and you give them a chance to grow, they’ll stay.”

Giving back to the local community is also a foundation of Petricca Industries.

Through the ‘Unistress Community Crew,” employees are encouraged to donate their time to tackle projects of their choosing that help the community.

“To me, it’s the best part of being out working with the guys here on projects, and you know, we’ve done a lot [of work from] building dog shelters to new parks to a lot of work with Habitat for Humanity,” he said.

LOOKING AHEAD

As the company continues to grow, Petricca Industries remains focused on maintaining its reputation as a leader in the concrete industry.

In order to stay competitive, given that the company is the only precast concrete company left in Massachusetts, Petricca plans to either diversify into products that would bring the company into new markets or expand geographically.

“I wouldn’t jump into anything that was completely unrelated to this,” he said. “I think our strength is in manufacturing efficiency and design and really being in sync with our customers, who all tend to be in the construction and development business.”

Maryjane Williams can be reached at mwilliams@berkshireeagle.com or 413-4966139.

•

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Double-T concrete beams for parking garages are stacked on Unistress property in 2014. All the pieces for a full concrete structure are produced at the Pittsfield facility and then trucked to the project site.

Unistress poised for city tax deal

By M aryjane Willia Ms

PITTSFIELD — City Council subcommittee members say they are happy to support Unistress’ expansion in any way they can.

“If there was any business locally that we wanted to give a [tax increment financing agreement] to, it would obviously be Unistress,” City Councilor Kenneth Warren said.

The Pittsfield Finance Committee unanimously voted in favor of a 10-year tax increment financing agreement recently for Unistress Corp.’s expansion of its manufacturing facility. The City Council still needs to approve the agreement before it can be applied.

In February, City Council voted to allow MassDevelopment to provide financing for the 15,500-square-foot addition to the Petricca facility on Cheshire Road.

The $4 million expansion is expected to create 50 new jobs and increase Unistress’ production capacity. The expansion comes as Unistress positions itself for a potential major contract with Micron Technology, one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing projects in the U.S.

“This will be a major investment; it’ll impact the tax rolls and it’ll impact job opportunities for the city of Pittsfield,” Warren said.

Unistress Corp. is a family-owned designer and manufacturer of precast and prestressed concrete products used in the construction of concrete structures. The company has operated in Pittsfield

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

Unistress Corp’s indoor manufacturing plant in Pittsfield is over 250,000 square feet, and the upcoming expansion will extend one of the production bays by 15,500 square feet to increase production capacity for a potential project worth hundreds of millions.

since its founding in 1936.

“Anytime the city can come to the table and assist the local business, especially to grow and expand, we should be there with whatever tools in our toolbox that we have,” Mayor Peter Marchetti said.

The 10-year tax increment financing agreement would give the company 100 percent forgiveness of property taxes in

year one, with the amount of taxes then forgiven decreasing by 10 percent every year after until it hits 10 percent in 2035. This allows Unistress to gradually assume the property taxes from the expansion, valued at $625,400, while continuing to pay taxes on the original property value of $1,294,700.

So over the next decade, Unistress would pay about

$653,000 in property taxes.

“It’s not a tax cut,” said council President Peter White. “It’s really allowing a business to invest the money up front, and then we get to see it incrementally come in over the next 10 years, while adding 50 new jobs.”

Unistress is investing approximately $4 million in the 15,500-square-foot facility in soft costs, construction, utility

and infrastructure improvements and two large overhead crane systems.

The project is an expansion of one of the company’s production spaces to make it as big as the other production space, which is about a third larger, to increase Unistress’ production capacity.

CEO Perri Petricca said that the potential major project for Micron Technology in Syracuse, which Unistress is still bidding on, is what prompted the expansion. The project is for the development of the largest semiconductor (microchip) production facility in the United States.

“It’ll be bigger than anything we’ve ever done before,” said Petricca, adding that the contract could potentially be for hundreds of millions of dollars.

“We have to expand our operation ahead of it in order to be ready for the project.”

Petricca plans to break ground on the expansion in the spring, complete it by fall, and begin hiring by year’s end.

Almost all of the 50 new jobs, which have an average base salary of nearly $50,000, will be union positions, Petricca said. However, he has already begun hiring additional employees beyond the promised 50 to prepare for the Micron project.

“We need to be capable of doing a lot more if we’re going to take on this project,” Petricca said.

Business updates

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.

Bellringers at Market 32

raise $618K for charity

Salvation Army bellringers at Market 32/Price Chopper stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire raised over $618,000 during the six week “Red Kettle” holiday campaign in November and December 2024. The money raised will help fund essential services, including food assistance, shelter, and emergency relief.

“Every donation made at our stores has a direct impact, allowing The Salvation Army to provide hope and assistance to those who need it most,” said Pam Cerrone, Market 32/Price Chopper director of community relations. “We’re proud of our longstanding partnership and incredibly grateful to our customers for stepping up and supporting their important work and making a difference in the lives of so many.”

“Our continued Red Kettle partnership with Price Chopper and Market 32, and the continued generosity of their customers and bell ringing volunteers makes it possible for The Salvation Army to help those most in need throughout the year,” said Major Kevin Stoops, divisional commander for The Salvation Army, Empire State Division. Market 32/Price Chopper has stores in Great Barrington, Pittsfield and Lenox.

PITTSFIELD

SolaBlock reaches deal to launch Europe entity

SolaBlock Inc. of Pittsfield and Troy, N.Y., and Matthew Batey, a resident of Belgium, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly establish an entity in Europe.

Under this agreement, both parties will develop a strategy to grow SolaBlock’s presence in Europe by establishing a legal entity with Batey as lead representative for the creation, supply, distribution, and sale of SolaBlock products within the European and U.K. markets.

SolaBlock’s product line highlights the complement between building-integrated photovoltaics and rooftop arrays, allowing for increased output in winter months when rooftop production declines. This benefit is even more vital in the EU market with its stringent renewable energy regulations and less available land.

Batey has 25 years’ experience in renewable energy and sustainable buildings, starting out in 2000 as a pioneer of the U.K. BIPV market for startup Solarcentury, now Statkraft. Relocating to Belgium, he broadened out into green building design and renewable energy integration solutions, playing key roles in implementing the EU’s Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and bringing BREEAM and LEED certification into the EU mainstream, as part of sustainability advice to major global real estate owners such as URW (Westfield), Goodman, Redevco, and Pandox. He is currently running his own consultancy operations in both Belgium and the U.K.

SolaBlock provides Vertical Solar Solutions for its customers utilizing its patented Solar Masonry Units and its soon to be developed Photovoltaic Precast Panels. SolaBlock’s portfolio of products combines premium solar technology with a variety of concrete based products. Information: solablock.com.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Berkshire Ag. Ventures adds 3 board members

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures has appointed three new members to its board of directors.

Farmer and local agricultural leader Meg Bantle, community volunteer and farm business co-founder Mimi Beaven, and former BAV interim executive director Glenn Bergman were elected at the board’s annual meeting in December.

Bantle is a sixth-generation farmer and the co-founder of Full Well Farm in Adams, a queer- and woman-owned no-till vegetable and cut flower farm.

Beaven and her husband in 2012 founded Little Ghent Farm/Made In Ghent, restoring 75 acres in Columbia County, N.Y., to productive farmland and raising laying hens, meat chickens, ducks and pigs. She has been an active volunteer with area nonprofits and schools.

Bergman is a food industry leader and former executive director of Philabundance, a $55 million nonprofit food bank in Philadelphia. From 2020 to 2023, he was interim executive director of BAV, expanding the organization’s board, staff and client relationships.

GREAT BARRINGTON

WBCR-LP is relocating amid building renovation

Berkshire Community Radio Alliance, which operates WBCR-LP 97.7FM and streams online at berkshireradio. org, has temporarily moved its studio from 320 Main St. to a space upstairs in the same building, the historic Mahaiwe Block, located at the corner of Main and Castle streets.

The move was predicated on the significant renovation of the three-story building, built in 1905, which has been underway since late 2022 when it was purchased by Ian Rasch of Alander Construction. Although WBCR-LP’s studio has been operating throughout the renovations, the station’s storefront location will now undergo much-needed improvements.

“The move itself was physically and technically challenging, since the FCC requires that we broadcast 24/7,” said John Prusinski, president of WBCR-LP’s board of directors.

WBCR-LP continues to grow its onair lineup of local programmers and welcomes new programmers to submit their application at berkshireradio.org.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Nonprofit Center expands, updates resource directory

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires has published an updated and expanded version of its Resource Directory for Nonprofits.

Four hundred copies of the 57-page booklet were mailed free to Berkshire nonprofits, courtesy of the publication’s sponsors: Adams Community Bank; Arienti & Klepetar; city of Pittsfield; MassHire; Molari Inc.; Only in My Dreams Events; Wheeler & Taylor; and Killeen, Arace & Quinn.

A downloadable version is also available online at npcberkshires.org.

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is a support and infrastructure organization for the Berkshire nonprofit sector.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Berkshire Bounty grants target food insecurity

Berkshire Bounty, a food rescue organization, has received grants from area organizations in support of its operations and Food Purchase Program. Awards were provided by Fallon Health’s Community Impact Grants program; the Mabel Louise Riley Foundation; Greylock Federal Credit Union; and the Josephine and Louise Crane Family Foundation.

These grants are essential as food insecurity rates continue to increase in the region. Berkshire Bounty’s emergency food site partners consistently report growing numbers of people requesting food assistance and the need for more food to meet the growing demand.

Berkshire Bounty provides food to those in need by collecting and delivering nutritious food to food pantries, senior centers, school districts, and other food access sites. Berkshire

Bounty uses significant funds to purchase nutritious food, including dairy, eggs, meat, fresh produce, and culturally appropriate food. Information: berkshirebounty.org.

PITTSFIELD

GFCU scholarship applications available

Greylock Federal Credit Union will be offering scholarships to every public high school in Berkshire County and Columbia County, N.Y., through its Community Enrichment Scholarship Program. Students must be Greylock Federal Credit Union members.

The scholarships will be awarded to high school senior students to be applied toward tuition at a state or nationally accredited two- or four-year college/university. Greylock will also award two scholarships to high school seniors from Berkshire and Columbia counties who will enroll in a program at an accredited technical, vocational or trade school.

Applicants must write an essay demonstrating their positive involvement in the community. Students who would like to apply can obtain a copy of the scholarship application from their school’s guidance counselor or by visiting Greylock.org/scholarship. The deadline for submission is April 10.

PITTSFIELD

Medical society offering scholarship loan to $10K

The Berkshire District Medical Society is accepting applications for its annual Revolving Scholarship Loan of up to $10,000 a year for students in medical school or a school of osteopathic medicine. Application deadline is April 30.

The award was established on a revolving basis so that the repaid funds would help as many medical students as possible. Recipients sign agreements pledging to begin repayment of the scholarship loan — unsecured and bearing no interest — the year of graduation, with half of the amount to be repaid in four years and the balance in two additional years.

Recipients are asked to consider serving residencies in Berkshire County hospitals. If the awardee returns to Berkshire County to practice as a primary physician and stays for three years, one-third of the loan would be forgiven each year the awardee practices in Berkshire County.

Scholarships require that recipients be bona fide residents of Berkshire County and already accepted at an approved medical school in the United States or Canada. Funds will be paid directly to the school of choice.

To apply, visit massmed.org/berkshire, or to receive an application, contact Susan Poulin at spoulin@berkshire.rr.com or call 413-207-4551.

PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Gas offering first responder training

Berkshire Gas is hosting its annual first responder training seminars this month, providing local fire and rescue personnel with essential knowledge and skills for safely responding to natural gas emergencies.

The training focuses on identifying gas leaks, establishing safety zones and understanding evacuation procedures. These sessions are designed to improve emergency preparedness and enhance coordination between local first responders and Berkshire Gas crews.

The training includes an overview of natural gas properties, the odorant injection process at gate stations, and the Berkshire Gas distribution system, which serves 21 communities across Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties. Participants will receive hands-on demonstrations on safely shutting off gas meters, detecting gas leaks, identifying meter types, and using carbon monoxide detectors.

Berkshire Gas also highlights its Geographic Information System technology, which helps track and optimize gas asset maintenance across its service territory.

In addition to the first responder training, Berkshire Gas participates in educational outreach events like the Managing Underground Safety Training seminar, where they present topics on Dig Safe laws, damage prevention, and best practices for working around natural gas.

For more information on the training program, visit ngafirstresponder.com.

NORTH ADAMS BFAIR surpasses $140K in fundraising milestone

Berkshire Family and Individual Resources celebrates 30 years of service with a milestone year of fundraising, raising over $140,000 through its 30th Anniversary Celebration, Giving Tuesday and the annual Heart of BFAIR Campaign.

The 30th Anniversary Celebration, a 90s-themed fundraiser held on Oct. 25 at The Williams Inn in Williamstown, raised over $70,000.

On Dec. 3, BFAIR took part in Giving Tuesday, raising over $8,000 thanks to the generosity of staff, families, community partners, and Adams Community Bank as matching sponsor.

Rounding out the year, the Heart of BFAIR Campaign ran from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, generating more than $33,000 to promote accessibility, independence and enhanced program resources for the 400+ individuals served by BFAIR.

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Making recycling ‘easy, affordable’ Dream Green aiming

to expand

e-waste business in Adams

By Sten Spinella

ADAMS — Two North Berkshire natives want their business to become a household name for recycling bulky items and e-waste.

Dream Green Recycling will pick up refrigerators, tires, computers, TVs, washers, microwaves, boxsprings, mattresses and more, and recycle the items in-house at its location at 15 Print Works Drive in Adams.

“We’re trying to divert as much material from landfills as possible,” co-owner Patrick Kennedy said, “and we’re trying to make it easy, affordable, to recycle those items.”

Dream Green opened just over a year after Kennedy and co-owner Kyle Danforth made good on an idle promise they’d had for years to start a business together. Danforth, a small-business owner, also has a Realtor’s license and flips houses.

“Patrick came to me, he was working at Central Radio for the last 20 years as one of the top sales guys there,” Danforth said. “He said, ‘Look, mattresses, I deal with them every day. There’s a van out there, you got a place?’ I’m like, ‘I got my garage.’”

“We started with a truck, a trailer and a garage,” Kennedy said. “It was good enough.”

After beginning in Danforth’s garage, Dream Green moved to its current location. It’s currently building a client base and trying to increase name recognition. As Berkshire natives, the partners are staying in Berkshire County, but would someday like to expand toward the Albany area. People can use Dream Green’s website to book services and check pricing.

At the moment, the two are

doing the on-the-ground work in addition to paperwork and the like, showing up to houses or businesses to grab items, bringing them back and breaking them down. They have two part-time employees, though Danforth envisions someday having as many as 20.

Kennedy laughs about his business partner’s enthusiasm, and says they’d like to have at least six total employees by the end of the year.

After bringing items to its facility, Dream Green gets to work.

“If it’s a mattress, once we get everything in here, it’s called filleting; we’re cutting the mattresses open, we’re pulling the clean material out, your foam,” Danforth said. “The foam, we need 40,000 pounds of it before we can send it out to be recycled.”

Danforth said Dream Green is trying to use some of the foam to create dog beds to donate to local shelters.

Danforth and Kennedy are looking to fill a need in the region, as the next closest business with a mattress recycling license is two to three hours away. According to Danforth, there are fewer than 10 people in the state licensed to do what Dream Green does. Kennedy notes that there’s only roughly 55 in the whole country.

Both say that Dream Green’s offerings are cheaper than similar businesses and local transfer stations. Before a service like theirs, “People were taking stuff in their backyard, leaving it on the side of the roads, burning mattresses, dumping them in the woods,” Danforth said.

Mattresses are notoriously difficult to recycle and frequent-

ly end up in landfills. Late last year, Dream Green was awarded a $150,000 state Department of Environmental Protection grant, part of a $1.8 million program under Gov. Maura Healey’s administration to encourage waste reduction businesses throughout the state.

“We want to be the household name,” Danforth said. “We want to be known as leading the way for recycling big hard items, for keeping stuff out of the landfill. When you need to get rid of something like that, you’re calling us.”

and

Though they recycle different materials, their goals are the same. As Kennedy put it, “All the recyclers came out of the ‘03 Drury

Kennedy

Danforth graduated together from Drury High School in 2003, as did another Adams recycler, Second Chance Composting owner John Pitroff.

graduation.”

PHOTOS BY GILLIAN HECK

Kyle Danforth and Pete Kennedy opened Dream Green Recycling in Adams a year ago. They specialize in e-waste, mattress recycling, and other items.

Above: Some of the reclaimed foam from mattresses and other items at Dream Green Recycling, located in Adams, which opened a year ago.

Right: Old computer laptops to be recycled at Dream Green Recycling.

Detailing shop finds a home on North St.

MARYJANE WILLIAMS

Dane Kessler, left, moved his shop, Professional Detailing & More, from East Street to a North Street location in April 2024. At right is Jai White, the shop’s manager, who has been working with Kessler for two years.

By M aryjane Willia Ms

PITTSFIELD — Growing up in Florida, Dane Kessler would clean his neighbor’s cars to earn money. Little did he know that this side hustle would blossom into a thriving business — Professional Detailing & More.

Kessler said his favorite part about owning the business is “when we make [a customers car] brand new, and they come pick it up, they say it’s better than the day they bought it, and they’re so happy.”

“The positive feedback is what keeps us going,” he said.

Kessler launched his detailing business, which has three employees, about three years ago on East Street in Pittsfield.

However, the East Street location was too small, and Kessler wanted “a better opportunity to serve the community,” he said.

After going back to Florida to train on the latest auto detailing tools and products, the business settled into its permanent home last April at 681 North St.

The North Street location was an old car dealership that had been abandoned for about two years. Kessler said he spent three months renovating the building from the inside out to transform it into his dream business.

“I love it [here],” he said. “I love the people that come here.”

Professional Detailing & More offers window tint, auto detailing, ceramic paint coating and paint correction, “which is taking scratches away, making the car look brand new.” Prices for services range from $230 to $1,800.

In addition to standard services, the business also offers mobile detailing

The shop, formerly on East Street, is now open on North Street in Pittsfield. It offers window

during the summer months.

“We’ll go right to your doorstep or a Walmart parking lot,” Kessler said. “We come to you wherever you are, fully equipped… all we need is your car key.”

Kessler also attends an annual mobile technology exposition in Orlando, Fla. to stay up-to-date with all the new training and products in the industry.

The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“Snow, rain, hurricane, we’re here,” Kessler said.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DANE KESSLER

tint, paint correction, ceramic coating and regular and mobile detailing.

Steeple City Social swings open

By Sten Spinella

NORTH ADAMS — Come and get your pie and cocktails: Steeple City Social is open for business.

After back-to-back soft launch weekends, the bakery and bar opened last month. City Councilor Andrew Fitch and baker Meghan Daly hope to turn the long-empty building on the corner of Eagle and Main streets into a social hub.

“We did the brunt of the work, but relied on friends to help with the literal construction, and the painting,” Fitch said of the newly refurbished space, which had sat empty for more than three years. “The community helped fund and build this project. It’s so cool to see that this is built by and for North Adams, and the surrounding area.”

Fitch and Daly said there was an initial rush of people on opening weekend. While they faced challenges, they weren’t overwhelmed, as they’ve worked together over the past couple of years running A&M Bakery at the North Adams Farmers Market, where they sold breakfast sandwiches, coffee, lemonade, pies and more. They’ve also put on popup wine bars during First Fridays.

The soft launch helped the two business partners sharpen their focus, Daly said.

“We’re reorganizing how things are in the space, to make things fit better and flow,” Daly said. “That’s part of the soft launch. People come in, experience the space, try the food, get a feel for what we’re doing, and it’s an opportunity for Andrew and I to fine-tune everything for when we’re ready to be fully open.”

The establishment is currently serving beer and wine — including a lot of mimosas this past weekend — along with coffee options as they finalize their full cocktail menu. Already, they’ve

offered muffins, biscuits with jam, cinnamon and sticky buns, different pie flavors, egg sandwiches, cured salmon toast, and more. They plan to expand their savory options.

At this point, the preparation work consists of liquor tastings, discussions about collaborating with nearby shops,

and touching up the physical space after months of renovations. Fitch bought the downtown building in December 2021 and has been planning since. He’s hopeful the new spot will increase foot traffic downtown.

Both Daly and Fitch said one aspect of the opening they were particularly ex-

cited about was seeing their friends and others in the area socializing in the space.

“Having this corner lit up is great,” Daly said. “It brings a little something to downtown because of all these windows in the storefront, there’s a nice, warm glow in the street that adds liveliness to the area.”

PHOTOS BY GILLIAN HECK

Meghan Daly and Andrew Fitch have opened a bakery and cocktail bar named Steeple City Social on Eagle Street in North Adams.

Steeple City Social, a bakery and cocktail bar, has opened at 5 Eagle St. in North Adams.

Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor sold

Ownership retains sales arm, moving across the road

BY GREG SUKIENNIK

PITTSFIELD — Where there was once one outdoor equipment business on outer West Housatonic Street, there are now two: One for sales, another for rentals.

But even though the names are changing, the people running those businesses, and the products and services they’re offering, are the same.

In fact, the only thing that’s changing is that Western Mass. Power Equipment, formerly known as Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor, is moving about 1,000 feet west down and across the road to 1685 West Housatonic St.

That’s because the family owned business — founded by brothers Albert, Andy and Richard Wojtkowski in 1986 — has sold its heavy equipment rental business to industry giant United Rentals.

The rental business will remain at the original 1548 West Housatonic St. location and has retained 11 of the former Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor’s employees, including manager Alan Manzolini. Western Mass Power Equipment anticipates it was expected to complete its move to 1685 West Housatonic St. in March.

United Rentals announced in a news release that it acquired Pittsfield Lawn and Tractor’s rental arm late last year.

Albert Wojtkowski, who is president of Western Mass Power Equipment, says United Rental is leasing the 1548 West Housatonic St. property from his company, while his business will be leasing from his nephew, Chase Wojtkowski, at 1685 West Housatonic St. (the

former Arace car dealership). Richard and Andrew Wojtkowsi are still part of the business, as vice president and treasurer, respectively.

Why the decision to sell the rental business? “Timing,” Albert Wojtkowski said, noting that he and his brothers started the business 38 years ago. “They approached us, and we examined it and thought it would be the best we can do.”

United Rentals, which says it’s the world’s largest rental company with $15 billion in

revenue in 2024, did not disclose the sales price in the release, and Albert Wojtkowski also declined to disclose a figure. However, United Rentals said it was obtaining $33 million worth of equipment in the transaction.

The business is now operating under United Rentals’ newly formed Heavy Dirt Division, with additional locations in Canton and in Oakland, Maine.

“One thing remains the same — our commitment to exceptional service and customer relationships,” Man-

zolini said in the news release from United Rentals.

“While United Rentals is a large corporation, their focus remains deeply rooted in safety, family values, and customer service,” Manzolini said in the release. “More importantly, they recognize that what made our business successful wasn’t just the equipment — it was the people. This acquisition wasn’t just about assets; it was about the years of experience and expertise that our employees bring to the table.”

“While United Rentals is a large corporation, their focus remains deeply rooted in safety, family

values, and customer service.”

ALAN MANZOLINI, Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor manager

Under its new name, Western Mass Power Equipment will continue to feature John Deere, Stihl, Honda, Ariens and Kawasaki products, among others. Meanwhile, Manzolini said he’s reaching out to longtime local customers with assurances that their service will continue uninterrupted.

“United Rentals has given us the flexibility to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining the personalized, small-business level of service that our customers have come to expect,” he said.

The new owners’ priorities include optimizing rental services, expanding the customer base through new accounts, strengthening relationships with existing clients, and offering cost-effective solutions for used equipment buyers.

“While our name may have changed, our dedication to quality service, safety, and customer satisfaction remains stronger than ever,” he said. “We look forward to growing together with United Rentals and continuing to serve our community with the same commitment and expertise that has defined us for years.”

PHOTOS BY BEN GARVER

Even though Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor, at 1548 West Housatonic St., has sold its equipment rental business to United Rental, 11 of its former employees will stay on.

Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor, on Route 20, has sold its equipment rental business to United Rental and changed its name to Western Mass Power Equipment.

Pittsfield hotel sells for $2.7M

By M aryjane Willia Ms PITTSFIELD

— An extended-stay hotel in downtown Pittsfield has sold for $2.7 million.

The 26-suite Central Downtown Inn & Suites was sold by Rivera Properties LLC — a subsidiary of Mill Town Capital — to Ranjit Singh on Feb. 28, according to Mitch Muroff of Muroff Hospitality Group, which represented Rivera Properties in the sale.

The new owners are keeping the existing staff, including the front desk, housekeeping and part-time maintenance, Muroff said.

The hotel sits on an 1.85 acre property at 20 West Housatonic St., which

includes a large parcel of unused land next to the building.

The property, built in 1986, was last sold to Rivera Properties in May 2021 for $2.2 million.

Although there are no immediate expansion plans, Muroff provided proposed designs by Hill Engineering that the new owners may consider in the future.

For now, the guest rooms will see some improvements, such as softer bedding, updated beds and more.

“The hotel is in very good condition. The fact that it’s in Pittsfield and so close to Lenox and Tanglewood and other desirable vacation spots makes it a really great property,” said Muroff, adding that the new owners will continue to use it as

an extended-stay hotel.

Guests usually stay three to five nights on average at extended stay hotels, compared to the average one to two night stay at transient hotels, making extended stay hotels much more profitable, Muroff said.

“The prior owners have had success with long-term contracts for people that are working in the area, so oftentimes, the units could be rented for several months at a time,” Muroff said.

Each condo-like suite includes a living room, kitchen, a separate bedroom, a full bathroom and a deck. Each of the units are zoned separately for utilities, Muroff said, so they could be used for individual apartments if the owner wanted to convert the hotel into a residential property.

The hotel is located in a federal Opportunity Zone, which offers tax advantages to the owner to “spur investment in undercapitalized communities,” according to the Tax Policy Center. If the owner reinvests profits from a previous asset sale — also known as capital gains — into a Qualified Opportunity Fund, they can delay paying taxes on those gains until 2026. If the owner keeps the new investment for at least 10 years, they will not have to pay taxes on any profits when they sell.

The sale moved quickly, with the hotel receiving multiple inquiries and offers within three to four weeks of being listed in early October, Muroff said.

Singh, the new owner, could not be reached for comment.

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

The Central Downtown Inn and Suites, an extended stay hotel on West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield, was sold on Feb. 28 for $2.7 million.

Cornell Inn fetches $3.9M

By C larenCe Fanto

LENOX — It’s a record price for a single downtown bed-and-breakfast inn: $3.9 million for the historic Cornell Inn on Main Street.

The transaction reflects continued vibrancy of the lodging industry in Lenox, which generated $4.1 million in hospitality tax revenues for the town last year.

The buyer is Arian Sean Mahmoodi, a Florida-based real estate investor, who purchased the 28-room, three-building property as the majority owner of Lenox Hotel Venture LLC. To own and operate the business and hold the liquor license, Mahmoodi is the sole proprietor of Ivy Wave Hospitality.

Mahmoodi is managing director of Coral Wave Capital, based in Naples, Fla. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, where he specialized in real estate and finance. He also holds a master’s degree in finance from Harvard University.

His acquisition of the Cornell Inn is financed through Pittsfield Cooperative Bank and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“I own and operate several hotels, so while I won’t be residing in Lenox fulltime, I’ll be staying at the Cornell Inn to get everything set up,” he said via email, adding that he is committed to a smooth transition before shifting attention to his next project.

In a statement, Mahmoodi wrote that “we’re honored to add the Cornell Inn to our hotel portfolio and to continue its rich legacy. Our focus is on ensuring the property remains a beloved destination for visitors to the Berkshires for years to come.”

He pointed out that the property underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation under the previous ownership. “We look for-

ward to maintaining its exceptional guest experience while preserving its historic charm,” he said.

The seller, Cornell Inn Holdings LLC, owned by Kurt Inderbitzin and his wife, Indrani, purchased the establishment for $1.9 million in January 2021. The property currently is valued at $1,668,000.

The Inderbitzins purchased the 122-year-old Lakehouse Inn on the shores of Laurel Lake in Lee for $3.4 million in December 2022, which they still own. It caters to adults-only travelers.

At the Cornell Inn, The Main House, a Victorian cottage-style building, dates from the late 1880s and originally was home to the Cornell family. It includes a

breakfast dining room and kitchen, a private pub for guests, and 10 rooms on the first and second floor, with manager’s quarters on the third floor.

The adjacent Kerouac House, built in 1777 as a private residence in the classic Colonial style for the MacDonald family, has 10 guest rooms, five side porches and a common living area. The Carriage House, dating from around 1880, includes eight additional guest rooms.

Eighteen of the inn’s rooms have wood-burning fireplaces with period-piece decorations and antiques.

Clarence Fanto can be reached at cfanto@ yahoo.com.

Lenox lodging

Other major transactions involving downtown Lenox hospitality ventures include:

• The purchase of the town’s oldest surviving building, the former Church Street Inn (now The Whitlock), for $2.6 million, as well as the former Birchwood Inn (now The Dewey) and Rockwood Inn (now The Constance) for $2.9 million combined, in March 2021.

• Doctor Sax House, the former Candlelight Inn, purchased in late 2020 for $905,000 as a private residence but later renovated for an undisclosed amount and reopened as an inn and restaurant last July.

• The Kemble Inn had been for sale by Shared Estates with an asking price of $5,485,000, but was taken off the market last September, according to Zillow and Realtor.com.

• Two miles west of downtown, the Apple Tree Inn overlooking Tanglewood was purchased for just under $3.4 million last April and has been upgraded.

• Along the Route 7/20 (Pittsfield Road) commercial strip, Marriott’s three-story, 87-room Element Lenox Berkshires, is expected to open this summer, owned by BBL Hospitality of Albany, N.Y. Construction was estimated at least $30 million.

CLARENCE FANTO

The Main House at the downtown Lenox Cornell Inn dates from the late 1800s, while the adjacent Keruouac House was built around 1777 as a private MacDonald family residence. With the Carriage House, the three-building inn has 28 guest rooms.

Business voices

Make high holiday (4/20) work as a retail aid

The last year has been a brutal one for cannabis nationally, and we are feeling it right here in Massachusetts as well.

Storefronts have closed, small businesses have disappeared due to lack of being paid for their products, and retailers across the state have had to tighten belts and rethink strategies just to keep the lights on. The market is saturated, consumer spending is shifting, and the days of easy wins are long gone.

In this landscape, smart operators recognize that it is more than a party — it’s a lifeline. Savvy retailers and brands will take full advantage of all the camp and circumstance that comes with it, using the days leading up to the cultural holiday as a great time to start celebrating early, garner more customers (especially those that may think the actual day will be too busy to shop) all in an effort to reinforce their presence, drive sales and strengthen customer loyalty.

So April 20 — culturally known as 4/20 — is just a date on the calendar, but for the cannabis industry it can serve as

Employees hand-pack individual pre-rolled joints at a cannabis dispensary in Pittsfield. Retailers should plan how best to get the most out of the coming 4/20 high holiday, notes

an annual cultural celebration of cannabis, born decades ago from underground movements and countercultural roots. Also valid is embracing the date as an economic corner-

stone for the legal market in the Berkshires. When the days are marked by continued survival in a fiercely competitive and ever-challenging industry, 4/20 is an opportunity to elevate our

connection with the community. Not sure how? Don’t just put out a few discounts and call it a day. Build curated deal bundles and special packages designed to give customers real value

while introducing them to new products they might not otherwise try.

We always bolster our staffing, ensuring that every customer gets the kind of service and attention that makes them want to return long after 4/20 is over. And we double down on education, making sure that everyone who walks through our doors — whether they’re longtime cannabis enthusiasts or first-time buyers — leaves with a better understanding of the products, their effects, and how to find the right fit for their needs.

Don’t see customers as transactions; see them as a community. That means taking the time to talk with them, answer their questions, and create an experience that feels more personal than commercial. It means working with local businesses, collaborating with brands that share your values, and ensuring that the people who choose to shop with legal cannabis retailers know they’re supporting a company that is deeply invested in the well-being of the Berkshires.

And at a retail business level, a well-executed 4/20 isn’t about deep discounts; it’s an opportunity across the board. An opportunity to celebrate tradition and culture, and a way

Riskcomesinallforms,andtherisksyoupotentially encounterdependonspecificsituations.However, everyonehasatolerancelevelforrisk,beithighor low.

Weseeriskseachday,butwealsosearchfor opportunities.

Riskshouldbemanagedbasedonyourgoalsand tolerancewithriskexposure.

ContactMattFreitagtolearnmoreabouthowwedo thingsinthebestinterestofourclients.It’swhywe’re here.We’rehereforyou.

STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN

columnist Meg Sanders.

Meg Sanders Cannabis Corner

Cultivating resilient and inspired leaders

In response to the growing pressures that leaders face and the increasing uncertainty of leading in this post-pandemic era, Kripalu launched a new leadership retreat in 2022. The complexities leaders face demand not just resilient leadership, but revolutionary approaches to sustaining our community champions. Our nonprofit leaders of today face unprecedented pressure. We see the challenges they face daily in their underfunded and understaffed organizations. These dedicated individuals excel at caring for others, often placing community needs before their own wellbeing. Without greater support for sustainable work-life balance and self-care practices, we risk losing these vital community leaders who bring such passion and commitment to their work. This potential loss of leadership would weaken organizations that our community depends on.

The reality is that our current leadership philosophies and behaviors are not having great outcomes. Most leadership is focused on managing the fire in front of us and responding with our default, often unconscious, leadership behaviors that we have internalized over the progression of our career, and from our families.

able: when given the right space, tools, and community, leaders don’t just recover from burnout — they discover entirely new capacities for impact and innovation.

One recent participant captured this transformation perfectly: ”I came back with more inner strength, clarity, and validated sense of purpose than I have felt in a while. This wasn’t just a retreat, but a complete reimagining of what leadership could be.”

These aren’t just isolated success stories. We’re seeing a pattern of profound transformation that ripples through entire organizations and communities. Executive directors and rising leaders who participated in our program report not only renewed personal energy but real change in organizational cultures. They’re creating more sustainable, equitable and impactful organizations.

BEYOND METRICS: REAL IMPACT

We need a new paradigm of leadership, one that is grounded in deeply practical tools and skills that also draws from more ancestral ways of leading.

We need a new paradigm of leadership, one that is grounded in deeply practical tools and skills that also draws from more ancestral ways of leading. Leadership that is connected to the wisdom of the land, community and vulnerability. Leadership that is heart centered and allows us to tap into wisdom, love and power that is beyond ourselves. Leadership that is about balance and asking, “What is enough?” Leadership that allows transformation to flow from the inside out. It is the inner game of leadership that asks, “How do I need to be?” not just “What do I need do?”

”I’m trying to approach leadership with more stillness and deliberateness, rather than leaping in to immediately solve problems,” a recent participant said. “This gives my team greater opportunity to solve things themselves, expanding our organizational capacity.”

Dominant culture does not embrace this way of leading, even in the non-profit sector. It is time to reshape the dialogue around leadership so that we do not continue to perpetuate leadership styles and philosophies that use power to dominate, that are disconnected from the land, from our inner knowing, from balance and from the heart.

To lead this way takes courage, this is what is needed in these times, courage.

THE RETREAT EXPERIENCE

The heart of our program — Transformational Leadership Retreat — is a five-day residential retreat at Kripalu, where leaders step away from daily demands into an environment designed for reflection and renewal. The curriculum explores essential leadership qualities — from cultivating presence and emotional agility to building resilience. Participants also gain practical tools for organizational transformation, systems-level thinking, and fostering innovation within their teams.

Leaders engage in hands-on experiences: personal reflection periods, collaborative team challenges, peer coaching sessions, and meaningful group discussions.

A NEW LEADERSHIP PARADIGM

We’ve witnessed something remark-

While we track traditional success metrics, the true measure of this program’s impact lives in the stories of transformation we witness. Leaders emerge not just with new skills, but fundamentally new ways of seeing themselves and their work. They build lasting relationships that sustain them through challenges. Most importantly, they rediscover the joy and purpose that drew them to nonprofit leadership.

As one participant shared: ”This experience didn’t just help me become a better leader, it helped me rediscover why I chose this path and gave me the tools to sustain myself for the long haul.”

POWERFUL INSIGHTS

Leaders report that their teams immediately noticed positive changes in their leadership style, particularly in crisis management and strategic thinking.

Directors report approaching challenges with “more stillness and deliberateness,” creating environments where team members feel empowered to solve problems independently. This has expanded organizational capacity and fostered more collaborative workplaces.

”I will be more attentive to the pace that I move and how I respond to certain circumstances. The space felt safe and encouraged vulnerability and authenticity.”

The most striking outcome has been the data showing that these changes have endured well beyond the retreat itself. The six-month follow-up survey completed by past cohorts confirms that participants have successfully integrated new practices into their daily leadership, creating more sustainable and effective nonprofit organizations.

”The success of an intervention depends on the interior condition of the intervenor,” a recent participant said. “This has been invaluable and transformative.”

Since 2022, we have trained over 300 leaders from a wide range of industries, with more than 90% of them intentionally coming from the nonprofit sector. Kripalu’s ability to offer these programs comes from donors like Milltown Foundation and many individual donors.

Our vision is to build on this success and lead a program each month — and we are seeking partners to support us in this groundbreaking and important work. If we can serve 350 leaders a year who in return will serve tens of thousands more, we can shift the paradigm of leadership and ultimately create more sustainable, equitable, and impactful organizations for the future.

Robert Mulhall is the chief executive officer of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health.

PROVIDED BY KRIPALU

The Transformational Leadership Retreat is a five-day residential program at Kripalu in which leaders step away from daily demands into an environment designed for reflection and renewal.

Robert Mulhall

Don’t settle for mediocre service

According to recent data, U.S. consumers spend a significantly larger share of their money on services as compared to goods. Approximately twothirds of all spending is on services — things like health care, haircuts, plowing, and auto repair — and only one-third on goods such as clothing, gas and groceries.

If you’re like the typical U.S. consumer, this means that you are hiring a lot of different professionals in your life — a mechanic, a plumber, an electrician, a doctor, a financial adviser, and so on. When a service provider does not meet expectations, it may be time to shop around.

I have a framework for thinking about whether to shop around based on three metrics: cost of services, importance, and ease of switching providers. When a service provider is expensive, important, and easy to switch, you may as well shop around. On the other hand, when a service is less important, inexpensive or difficult to switch, it may not be worth your time to shop around.

Take the example of an electrician. Electricians are expensive, important and switching from one to another is almost frictionless. This makes hiring an electrician an obvious place to shop around and find a good fit. At the other end of the spectrum might be your hairdresser. Although haircuts can be expensive, the difference in prices from one to the next probably isn’t going to have a significant impact on your longterm financial circumstances. Once you find someone you like, there isn’t much point in shopping around any further. Some professionals are more debatable. A mechanic can be expensive, and their services are important, but my mechanic is familiar with my car. To me, it doesn’t make sense to shop around to try and save a few bucks once I’m comfortable with my guy (shout out to Troy’s in West Stockbridge).

Doctors are an interesting case. Doctors are perhaps the most important service provider in our lives, and they can be incredibly expensive even though insurance helps cover the costs. But for some reason, most people seem to be hesitant to switch doctors, likely because they think that a doctor knows their health issues and they don’t feel like starting over. In other words, the switching “costs”

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

In the cost-importance-ease framework, a financial adviser is high cost, potentially very important, and relatively easy to switch, notes columnist Luke Delorme. That makes a financial planner among the prime service provider candidates that consumers should be more willing to shop around.

are a huge obstacle that prevents most people from shopping for a new doctor even though it might be hugely beneficial to find a better fit.

One area where I am admittedly hesitant to switch is financial services. For example, a different bank might offer higher interest rates or more services, but I’m comfortable with my existing bank and I don’t feel like switching.

Switching banks can be a pain, having to set up new log-ins, bill payments, and direct deposit. Higher interest rates or more services aren’t enough to offset these obstacles. Bank services are not expensive, and the difference from one bank to the next is seemingly small, meaning that this isn’t a place where it feels worth it to shop around. Others may feel different.

Another financial product where I should probably be more willing to shop around is insurance. Car and home insurance are expensive products that would be easy to switch. Loyalty doesn’t always

pay with insurers, and new customers sometimes get better rates than long-time policyholders. Financial planners often recommend shopping around your insurance every two to three years.

One financial service with which I’m particularly familiar is financial advisers and planners. Something I’ve experienced firsthand as a financial adviser is that clients are sticky — that is, they don’t usually shop around once they’ve hired someone. This can even be true when services are lackluster. But I think many people might benefit from seeking a better fit or better service.

In the cost-importance-ease framework, a financial adviser is high cost, potentially very important, and relatively easy to switch. There really isn’t any other service provider I can think of that consumers should be more willing to shop around. If you can find someone who provides marginally better services or lower costs, it can add up to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

Perhaps the greatest obstacle to switching advisers is that it’s hard to know whether another adviser is truly better than your current situation. As they say, past performance is no guarantee of the future. You can’t know for certain whether another adviser offers better service until you’ve experienced it. You are essentially opting to buy an invisible product. For many people, it seems it is easier to maintain the status quo, even if it’s not perfect. But switching advisers may be easier than you think.

We all hire a lot of different professionals in our lives. We are inundated with offers to switch — whether it be switching banks, insurance, roofers or mechanics. It’s hard to shop around for every service provider you encounter, so I suggest looking at those where the service is expensive, important and easy to switch. Review your costs and make sure you’re getting the value you deserve.

Luke Delorme is director of financial planning at Tableaux Wealth in Stockbridge.

How secure are your deposits?

Keeping your money secure in today’s financial landscape should be a top priority.

Ray Smith Money Matters

While bank failures are uncommon, they’re far from rare. And depending on your appetite for the fluctuations of the market, sometimes placing your funds in a bank account is the pragmatic choice.

Between 2015 and 2025, 37 U.S. banks failed, including this year’s first failure in January.

In this month’s Money Matters we ask Dana Robb, vice president of retail banking and operations at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, what protection businesses and consumers should expect from their banking partners.

Q: What’s the best indication your money is safe with a financial institution?

A: Without question, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a non-negotiable when entrusting your money with a banking partner.

The FDIC is an independent government agency that provides insurance coverage for deposits at member banks. Currently, the FDIC insures up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, and ownership category. The protection is free to depositors and covers accounts including:

• Checking accounts

• Savings accounts

• Money market deposit accounts (MMDAs)

• Certificates of deposit (CDs)

• Certain retirement accounts, such as IRAs invested in CDs Coverage applies to any owners on an account. For example, a joint account with two owners could be insured up to $500,000 ($250,000 per owner). Similarly, a trust account with three beneficiaries could be insured up to $750,000. The only limitation is that the maximum insurance coverage

for a trust owner with five or more beneficiaries is $1,250,000 per owner for all trust accounts held at the same bank. You can add more than five beneficiaries, but the coverage will not exceed $1,250,000.

Q: What if your savings exceed the $250,000 FDIC coverage?

A: If you’re in the fortunate position to have deposits exceeding the FDIC limit AND you bank in Massachusetts, the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF) provides additional security. A private, industry-sponsored insurance fund unique to Massachusetts, DIF covers deposits above the FDIC insurance amount at DIF member institutions, regardless of the amount.

It’s important to note that while not all banks are members of DIF, all DIF members are FDIC members. If having deposit insurance for the full amount of your deposit accounts is important to you, you should inquire with your financial insti-

tution to verify coverage.

Q: How do I protect aboveFDIC-limit assets if my bank isn’t a DIF member?

A: There are a few good work-around options for protecting assets that exceed the FDIC limit. The first is to open accounts in different ownership categories at your bank. For example, you can divide large deposits across categories like single, joint, retirement account, trust, business, etc. If you go this route, make sure each account meets the deposit requirements to be covered. Another option is to open accounts at different banks that are separately chartered. In this case, they can all be one type of account. To be sure you’re dealing with distinct banks, check their FDIC certificate numbers, which are unique to each bank. Assuming they are, you’ll be guaranteed the $250,00 coverage for each account at each bank.

Alternatively, you can also use a financial services com-

pany to handle dividing big deposits into accounts across a network of FDIC-insured banks. Just be aware that fees often apply for the service. In addition, you may not always get the best interest rate for CDs and early withdrawal penalties may apply. Finally, it’s important to be clear which of your assets are covered by FDIC or DIF. For example, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, annuities, and crypto assets are not covered by either FDIC or DIF. If you’re concerned about the stability of the financial market, you can look at divesting certain assets and putting the money into insured accounts. You may incur some fees or penalties for these transactions, so it’s important to weigh the cost of the transaction against the value of the peace of mind insurance provides.

Ray E. Smith is the vice president and marketing officer at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.

Luke Delorme Money Talk

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) ‘by right’

In Massachusetts, the Affordable Homes Act allows homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) “by right” in single-family zoning districts, meaning municipalities cannot deny an application if it meets reasonable dimensional requirements, effective Feb. 2.

This significant policy shift aims to address housing shortages and provide homeowners with more flexibility.

ADUs, often referred to as in-law suites or granny flats, are secondary housing units located on the same lot as a primary residence. They can be attached to the main home, such as a converted basement or garage, or exist as separate structures within the property’s boundaries.

The Affordable Homes Act amends the Zoning Act to allow ADUs up to 900 square feet to be built by right in single-family zoning districts:

• Maintain a separate entrance, either directly from the outside or through an entry hall or corridor shared with the principal dwelling, sufficient to meet the requirements of the state building code for safe egress;

• Be either no larger than half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller;

• Meet local municipal restrictions, including, but not limited to, additional size restrictions and/or restrictions or prohibitions on short-term rental if the city or town decides to impose these.

Municipalities may impose reasonable restrictions and requirements for: Site plan reviews, Title V requirements, regulations concerning dimensional setbacks and the bulk and height of structures, and short-term rentals. However, municipalities cannot require

owner occupancy nor family relationship for the ADU or the principal dwelling, cannot require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use or rental of an ADU, or cannot require more than one parking space for an ADU located outside 0.5 miles from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station,

Here is a more detailed list of what is and is not allowed to be regulated on ADUs:

DESIGN STANDARDS

They cannot be stricter than those applied to single-family homes. Regulations that increase costs excessively or make ADU construction impractical are not allowed.

DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS

Setback, lot coverage, open space, bulk, height, and story limits must be equal to or more permissive than those for single-family homes. No minimum lot size can be required for ADU construction.

UTILITIES, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS

No requirement for a separate water, sewer, or electric connection unless mandated by state law or a utility provider. Local emergency access rules cannot be stricter than state fire code.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

Rules regarding environmental protection (e.g., wastewater treatment, stormwater management) cannot be stricter than those applied to single-family homes in the same zoning district. Must comply with state environmental regulations (Title 5 septic standards, etc.).

SITE PLAN REVIEW

The process must be clear, objective, and fair. Municipalities cannot impose subjective conditions or discretionary

reviews that hinder ADU approval.

IMPACT ANALYSIS, STUDIES AND FEES

Municipalities cannot require extra studies, reports, or fees for ADUs if these are not also required for single-family homes.

MODULAR DWELLING UNITS

Prefabricated or modular homes used as ADUs must be allowed if they comply with the Massachusetts Building Code. Cities cannot impose additional restrictions just because an ADU is modular.

HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Municipalities may impose stricter design and dimensional standards on ADUs in historic districts. However, these standards must still be reasonable and cannot outright prevent ADU construction.

PRE-EXISTING NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES

If a principal dwelling, existing structure, or lot is already nonconforming with zoning rules (e.g., due to setback violations), a protected-use ADU cannot be prohibited solely for this reason. The ADU must be allowed if it complies with the building code and state law.

While the new regulations streamline the approval process for ADUs, homeowners should be mindful of local zoning laws and building codes. It’s advisable to consult with local planning departments to ensure compliance with all requirements.

Sandra J. Carroll is the chief executive officer of the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and the Berkshire County Multiple Listing Service.

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to educate customers about the day in general.

Along the way, retailers can focus on increasing basket size, moving key products, and converting first-time customers into repeat visitors. Some might say that with cannabis now legal and accessible year-round, the industry shouldn’t need a “holiday” to thrive. But that argument misses the point. Every successful industry has its peak moments — retail has Black Friday, spirits have New Year’s Eve, restaurants have Valentine’s Day. These events give businesses a chance to capture attention, introduce new offerings, and remind consumers why they choose certain brands over others. Cannabis is still a business. And this still applies. After all the cannabis business, in spite of all the normal challenges facing businesses today (not to mention the host of cannabis specific hurdles, walls, and related issues associated with a state legal industry being held back by a federal hand unwilling to budge) cannabis in the Berkshires is still just that — a business.

4/20 can feel as important as ever for retailers, as it is a chance to reinforce relationships, strengthen brand identity, and maximize potential for a strong future in a tough climate. But it’s also a moment to celebrate — to acknowledge how far we’ve come as an industry and as a community.

In this industry, and any retail endeavor really but very much so here in the Berkshires, the smartest move you can make is showing up, standing out, and giving people a reason to keep coming back.

Meg Sanders is co-founder and CEO of Canna Provisions.

Sanda J. Carroll Real estate

Real estate transactions

Real estate transations from Feb. 3-28

ADAMS

Susan M. Hartman, Debra J. Vincelette and Sharon A. McClusky sold property at 6 Potter St., Adams, to Debra J. and Jared E. Vincelette, $133,333.34.

Sincerity Builds LLC sold property at 47 Commercial St., Adams, to Radhe Group Realty LLC, $316,000.

Marilyn J. Benedict, Daniel E. Lawson and Julie L. McNeice sold property at 123 Alger St., Adams, to Scott Halkowicz and Michelle L. Dasilva, $270,000.

David A. and Paula M. Randall sold property at 85 Summer St., Adams, to Danmark LLC, $215,000.

Madison L. Tarsa sold property at 44 Valley St., Adams, to Lydia Guerrero and Lindsey Cappuccio, $220,000.

Car Haven LLC sold property at 54-58 Maple St., Adams, to Michael J. and Molly-Claire Biros, $335,000.

ALFORD

Gary A. Corr and Judith R. Corr sold property at Dellea Road, Alford, to Kent Peer-Nous and Mary Anne Hayes, $6,412.50.

STE West Road LLC sold property at West Road, Alford, to Antonia Kannengisser, $450,000.

BECKET

Roberta Small sold property at 115 Gentian Hollow Road, Becket, to Alexandra La Paglia and Cristal Chindamo, $469,000.

John H. Mercer sold property at 462 Wade Inn Road, Becket, to Terra Prime Ventures LLC, $94,000.

Terra Prime Ventures LLC sold property at 462 Wade Inn Road, Becket, to Lee Meskevich, $120,000.

Black Bear Holdings I LLC sold property at 151 Long Bow Lane West, Becket, to Nathaniel Moss and Rebecca Gallager, $755,000.

Michael Gilbert and Molly Berkstresser sold property at 551 Otis Road, Becket, to Aartie Manansingh and Lauren Perkins, trustees, Goose Rocks RVT, $700,000.

Donna Gemmell sold property at 48 King Arthur Drive, Becket, to Aaron D. and Nicole L. Morse, $180,000.

Randy D. Johnson and Lakilya N. Brown sold property at Leland Road, Becket, to River and Heather Brandon, $80,000.

Mountain Stream LLC sold property at Woodmere Road, Becket, to DEJESUS FUND I LLC, $39,900.

CHESHIRE

All Purpose Storage Cheshire LLC sold property at 266 North St., Cheshire, to Adstorage LLC, $1,800,000.

Robert M. Gingras sold property at 632 North State Road, Cheshire, to DNC Real Estate LLC, $200,000.

Shawn M. and Judith A. Lampiasi sold property at 41 Curran Road, Cheshire, to William and Elizabeth Burden, $446,500.

CLARKSBURG

Brandon K. and Ashley L. Gilvey sold property at 1131 River Road, Clarksburg, to Christopher Dylan Cook and Laura Hughes, $405,000.

DALTON

DNC Real Estate LLC sold property at 52-54 Crane Ave., Dalton, to Gabriel Rivers, $335,000.

Constance M. Robinson sold property at 1005 South St., Dalton, to Susan A. Dapson, $273,500.

Virginia K. Miller sold property at 79 Oak Street Extension, Dalton, to Sean and Izadora Vianna McLaughlin, $290,000.

Michael J. Shepard, personal rep. of the Estate of Robert B. Neff, sold property at 301 Grange Hall Road, Dalton, to Jarold L. and Regina C. Simmons, $305,000.

Austin P. Cooney and Christine Peck-Cooney sold property at 1094 South St., Dalton, to David Briggs, $325,000.

Deidre S. Brainerd sold property at 4 Field St., Dalton, to Dinarte Sousa, trustee of Sousa Family Trust, $320,000.

Joelle Benoit-Hess, personal rep. of the Estate

of Joshua Benoit, sold property at 23 High St., Dalton, to Dalton Porter LLC, $275,000.

Katherine Nicole Hood sold property at 1100 Main St., Dalton, to Andrew J. and Karrie A. Gulmi, $365,000.

EGREMONT

Angela Hall and Patrick Hickey sold property at 0 Monument View Road, Egremont, to Seth H. Marx and Samantha L. Cooper, $234,000.

Jeremy Barnes sold property at 221 Egremont Plain Road, Egremont, to Robert Welch and Diana Gamser, $1,270,000.

Estate of James R. Duryea Sr. sold property at 10 Tyrell Road, Egremont, to Maria Deluca, $155,000.

Freeman Berkshires LLC sold property at 46 Bow Wow Road, Egremont, and 1379 Bow Wow Road, Sheffield, to Denis Wong and Robin Wong, $3,024,000.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Colin T. Kemble and Joanna R. Berliner sold property at 275 Division St., Great Barrington, to 8-26 Properties LLC, $135,000.

Miles D. Wheat and Jill K. Wheat sold property at 414 North Plain Road, Great Barrington, to Jessica L. Camp, $318,000.

Suzanne Wingate Smith sold property at 34 Bridge St., Unit 208, Great Barrington, to Francis W. Zak and Patricia Zak, $480,000.

Michele Gilligan sold property at 320 State Road, Great Barrington, to Walter Butzu and Ava Butzu, $560,000.

Olivia C. Vilord sold property at 119 Railroad Ave., Great Barrington, to Charman E. Hayes and Kathleen E. Culhane, $275,000.

Michael W. Pultorak, Anthony P. Pultorak and Christopher M. Pultorak, trustees of Michael W. Pultorak Revocable Trust, sold property at 11 Fairview Road, Great Barrington, to H-Haven LLC, $235,000.

Berkshire Pleasure LLC sold property at 281 Main St., Unit 1C, Great Barrington, to Karen Allen, $1,075,000.

HANCOCK

Douglas Mark and Nancy L. McCall sold property at Madden Road, Hancock, to Joshua P. and Beth A. Golden, $214,820.

W. Merrill and Carolyn A. Sanderson sold property at 1012 Jericho Road, Unit B, Building 101, Hancock, to Richard K. and Lesley A. Larson, $307,500.

HINSDALE

Pamela Goodson-Brundige, personal rep. of the Estate Daniel A. Brundige, sold property at 354 George Schnopp Road, Hinsdale, to Cozy Cove LLC, $25,000.

LANESBOROUGH

Derek C. Hansen and James E. Terryberry II sold property at 12 Squanto Road, Lanesborough, to Ann Purchase and Robert Maltzman, $850,000.

Michelle L. Goodwin, personal rep. of Alfred Foley, sold property at 20 Irwin St., Lanesborough, to Emily Anne and Hunter Fetridge, $186,000.

Jamecq A. LeClair and Angela T. Avanzato sold property at 94 Summer St., Lanesborough, to Sherif Soliman and Hanan Thabet, $355,000.

Cheryl Furtek sold property at 440 South Main St., Lanesborough, to Elmer Salguero and Tiffany Vides, $299,000.

LEE

BYTOR LLC sold property at 915 Pleasant St., Lee, to HOUNDECATE LLC, $499,900. Andrew M. Consolati sold property at 96 Railroad St., Lee, to Ryan Marques, $295,000.

Nicholas W. Bruzzi sold property at 40 St. Mary’s Ave., Lee, to Helen L. and Evelyn Ruth Gonzalez, $405,000.

Allison C. Shurtleff sold property at 55 Cliffwood St., Lee, to Michael Petersen and Rebecca Pincus, $557,500.

Kathleen O’Shaughnessy Hearn sold property at 180 Beaver Dam Road, Lee, to Kristin L. Mclaughlin, $540,000.

Roger S. and Lynda M. Newton sold property at 171 Main St., Lee, to Lee B. Russell III and Polina V. Russell, $135,000.

John H. VanZandt Jr. sold property at 46 Fuller St., Lee, to Karlee Fain, $285,000.

LENOX

Dina Arace Perkins, Ester Arace-Coppola, Michael and Louis Arace sold property at 242 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, to Qi Xun and Qiao Yan Chen, $550,000.

CCD Canyon LLC sold property at 165 Kemble St., Lenox, to Peter and Elizabeth Whitcomb, $2,300,000.

William E. Schaepe and Patricia E. Neri sold property at 257 West Mountain Road, Lenox, to Nina M. Ziomek, $1,250,000.

Susanne Fant Freeman and Todd Beckett McGinley, trustees of Susanne Fant Freeman RVT of Dec. 16, 2009, sold property at 5 Morgan Manor, Lenox, to Elisabeth Chapman, $338,700.

Sydell Rothafel and Emily Mackenzie sold property at 260 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, to Clark Wallace and Rebecca Ferguson, $200,000.

Stanley G. and Norma J. Bolton sold property at 501 Walker St., Lenox, to Stephen R. Naile and Kathleen M. Roche, $600,000.

Nathan B. and M. Kathryn Winstanley sold property at 114 Main St., Lenox, to Lenox Green LLC, $2,000,000.

Cornell Inn Holdings LLC sold property at 203 Main St., Lenox, to Lenox Hotel Venture LLC, $3,900,000.

Meghan A. Hendricks sold property at 260 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, to Jeffrey Daury, $185,000.

Mark Alimansky, trustee, Alimansky RT, sold property at 65 Bramble Lane, Lenox, to Jillian L. Erdos and Joseph D. Lipchitz, trustees, Jillian L. Erdos RVT, $550,000.

Karen I. Shields sold property at 24 Pinecrest Drive, Lenox, to Joseph Edward and Christie Kozlowski, $560,000.

MONTEREY

Matthew A. Amstead and Mitchell D. Amstead, co-trustees of Amstead Properties Nominee Realty Trust, sold property at Main Road, Monterey, to

Felipe De Jesus Martinez Hamilton, $75,000.

MOUNT WASHINGTON

Estate of Gary Paul Storti sold property at 420 East St., Mount Washington, to Jeffrey Gauthier, $180,000.

NEW ASHFORD

Springs Motel LLC sold property at 94 Route 7, New Ashford, to Springs Hospitality New Ashford LLC, $1,575,000.

NEW MARLBOROUGH

Taylor Mac Bowyer sold property at 3 Brewer Branch Road, New Marlborough, to Benjamin Shepherd and Elizabeth Layton Shepherd, $775,000.

David Madow and Patricia L. Salzmann Madow sold property at Hartsville-New Marlborough Road, New Marlborough, to Judith W. Polisar, trustee of Judith W. Polisar Revocable Trust Agreement of 2016, $55,000.

Elizabeth Lombardi sold property at 571 Hayes Hill Road, New Marlborough, to Rafael Kronzon, $735,000.

NORTH ADAMS

Carolyn A. Moulton, trustee of the Moulton Family I NT, sold property at 1191 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams, to John F. and Jenny E. Moulton, $100,000.

Lorna Whitney sold property at 65 Gallup St., North Adams, to Sue Williams Waterston and Jeffrey J. and Laura J. Williams, $210,000.

Stephen R. Smith and Jakob Kelly, personal rep. of Christopher J. Smith, sold property at 84 Notch Road, North Adams, to Christopher Vlcek, $210,000.

Betty Vera sold property at 243 Union St, Unit 210, North Adams, to Randal M. Fippinger and Sarah B. McNair, $405,000.

Greylock Works West LLC sold property at 520 State Road, Unit 308, North Adams, to Thibs LLC, $610,000.

REAL ESTATE, Page 18

Real estate

Fannie Mae sold property at 80 Elmwood Ave., North Adams, to James and Mary Ellen Bardsley, $140,500.

MDLD Family LP sold property at 219-221 Church St., North Adams, to Sidney Burger, $325,000. Citibank N.A., as trustee, sold property at 27 Myers Ave., North Adams, to William Sharp, $117,000.

Kimberley A. and Ryan P. Thomann sold property at 11 Palmer Ave., North Adams, to Angelica Suarez, $170,000.

Jason D. and Kathryn R. Murphy sold property at 4 Lamoureax Place, North Adams, to Maxamia Codella, $180,000.

Scott and Jodie Botto sold property at 17 North Church St., Unit 4, North Adams, to Melissa L. and William A. Bryce, $101,000.

Lisa Delisle Flynn, trustee of the Lisa Delisle Flynn RVT, and Benjamin Calabrese, trustee of the Francis J. and Laurie D. Calabrese FT, and Jeffrey D. Delisle sold property at 210 Phelps Ave., North Adams, to James Edward Desjardins Jr. and Jillian Rose Lund, $300,000.

Guy R. Cariddi sold property at 82-84 Beaver St., North Adams, to Wursten Holdings LLC, $180,000.

Matthew E. and Shelly Walden sold property at 129 Franklin St., North Adams, to ER SANTOS LLC, $62,000.

Karol Beth Glover, Marianne and Marc A. Folino sold property at 69 Harris St., North Adams, to Carolyn Clayton and Benjamin Westbrook, $230,000.

Gary P. Labonte, Mark E. Labonte, Matthew K. Labonte, and Louellen M. Boucher sold property at 105 Winter St., North Adams, to Adam M. Morin, $160,000.

OTIS

William J. and Darcey J. Sutula-Parker sold property at 183 Pine Road, Otis, to 183 Pine Road LLC, $950,000.

Annette L. LaMountain and Terry L. Murphy, trustees, Terry L. Murphy RVT, sold property at 21 North Pine St., Otis, to Bridget R. and Ryan C. O’Rourke, $375,000.

Allan T. Herzig and Marie Bachelder, trustees of 180 Dimmock Road RET, sold property at 180 Dimmock Road, Otis, to George A. Baldasarre and Deidre S. Brainerd, $395,000.

PERU

Colleen L. O’Clair sold property at 34 South Road Extension, Peru, to Nelson Charter, $110,000.

PITTSFIELD

Nichole Favre and Tyler Hinton sold property at 72 Nancy Ave., Pittsfield, to Benjamin and Margaret Ramos, $328,000.

Kevin P. Brennan and Michele A. Robillard sold property at 282 Elm St., Pittsfield, to Jacob T. Dionne, $260,000.

Jahlone D. Pacheco sold property at 253 Dewey Ave., Pittsfield, to VMC Investments LLC, $167,000.

Ellies Holdings LLC sold property at 19 Preston Ave., Pittsfield, to Timothy W. and Gwynn A. Demakis, $340,000.

TMR Realty LLC sold property at 70 Lebanon Ave., Pittsfield, to Justin Rathbun, $299,000.

Beth M. Bolus, trustee of Jacquelyn L. Weatherwax RVT, sold property at 281 Barker Road, Pittsfield, to David James Lewis and Sandra Jannet Lojano, $299,900.

Susan E. McMahon and James L. Eastland Jr., trustees of Ethel A. Eastland Personal Residence Trust, sold property at 123 Shore Drive, Pittsfield, to Richard Stohr, $640,000.

Oh Tacoma REO 1 LLC sold property at 77 King St., Pittsfield, to BMS Mass Properties LLC, $117,000. Richard C. Stohr sold property at 43 Dutchess Ave., Pittsfield, to Joseph Aboua and Cecilia Kwofie, $325,000.

Cody A. Collins sold property at 42 Copley Terrace, Pittsfield, to Jennifer Flores, $148,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, trustee, and Nancy L. Quinton sold property at 77 King St., Pittsfield, to Bank of America N.A., $174,593.74.

Scott Halkowicz and Michelle L. DaSilva sold property at 17 Greenings Ave., Pittsfield, to Glenn and Pamela Fillio, $370,000.

Magadalena De Jesus Larios De Bonilla sold property at 65-67 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, to POPPOLIS LLC, $230,000.

Jianchao Gao sold property at 10 Silver St., Pitts-

field, to Anya and Delroy Leard, $190,000.

Keith L. and Suzanne Brunner sold property at 37 Dutchess Ave., Pittsfield, to William M. Turner, $320,000.

Tarkan and Hilal Topcuoglu sold property at 250 Linden St., Pittsfield, to Wassim Assaf, $180,000.

Robert W. and Alison J. Pothier, trustees of Pothier Family Irrevocable Trust, sold property at 199 Harryel St., Pittsfield, to Olivia C. Vilord, $295,000.

Chester A. Gallup Jr., Chester A. Gallup III, Colin F. Gallup, Cory M. Gallup, and Laurie Jay Gallup Caesar sold property at 20 South Mountain Road, Pittsfield, to Natalie J. Bennett, $320,000.

Eric Warren Buhl sold property at 10 Edison Ave., Pittsfield, to Christina Allyn, $250,000.

Shaker Mountain Properties LLC sold property at Dalton Avenue, Pittsfield, to Kidzone Child Care Educational Centers Inc., $25,000.

Bespoke Capital LLC sold property at 136 Elizabeth St., Pittsfield, to Daniel A. Andrus II, $259,900.

Stephen A. Gabriel and Anne Marie Fogarty, trustees, ARG Living Trust, sold property at 2325 Cortland Place, Pittsfield, to LDG Properties LLC, $255,000.

Julie Kunz sold property at 63 Hollister St., Pittsfield, to Steven Jackson and Ingrid Wisswaesser, $215,000.

Bernard Malumphy, Nicole and Allyson Blasioli sold property at 161 Madison Ave., Pittsfield, to Octavio V.M. Semedo, $180,000.

Michael S. Connors sold property at 80 Dodge Ave., Pittsfield, to Taryn Dargi, $239,000.

LND Investments LLC sold property at 390 Fenn St., Pittsfield, to the Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Inc., $425,000.

James and Shelly Schwarz sold property at 176178 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield, to James Ahearn, $295,000.

Vincent M. and Tracey L. McDermott sold property at 188 Windsor Ave., Pittsfield, to Jason S. Leal and Andrea Roya, $425,000.

John R. Lord sold property at 211 Mohegan St., Pittsfield, to Anthony Booth, $125,000.

Ricaurte Rubiano sold property at 35 Dartmouth St., Pittsfield, to Mauricio Rubiano, $310,000.

Gregory E., Elizabeth J., Zachary E., and Jamie E. Carpenter sold property at 98-100 Stratford Ave., Pittsfield, to Devin and Nikitshia Bajardi, $381,000.

Jamie E. Downer sold property at 25-27 Elizabeth St., Pittsfield, to Hanliegh Holdings LLC, $271,900.

Barbara E. Landry sold property at 69-71 South Onota St., Pittsfield, to Jacob Gaudette, $200,000.

David A. Rocca sold property at 38 Foote Ave., Pittsfield, to Carolyn L. Barry, $220,000.

Rivera Properties LLC sold property at 20 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield, to Pitts Hospitality LLC, $2,160,000.

RICHMOND

Kaylin M. and Megan E. Choquette sold property at 20 Yokun Road, Richmond, to Ryan and April Melle, $595,000.

Christopher L. Magee, trustee, Christopher Lyman Magee RVT of 2011; Elizabeth A. Peters and Christopher L. Magee, trustees, Jo Anne Huntley Magee RVT of 2011, sold property at 751 East Road, Richmond and Lenox, to Stephen Ashley and Alison F. Lawton, $1,900,000.

SAVOY

Daniel James and Jessica Lynn Angelastro sold property at Loop Road, Savoy, to Lorna J. Stotz, $90,000.

SHEFFIELD

Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC and Kelley E. Lane sold property at 1874 Home Road, Sheffield, to Wicked Deals LLC, $334,000.

TMR Realty LLC sold property at 487 Polikoff Road, Sheffield, to James Thieriot, $419,000.

Karen M. Heacox sold property at 350 South Undermountain Road, Sheffield, to Blakely Tietze and Lauren Tietze, $385,000.

STOCKBRIDGE

David Charles Prejsnar sold property at 44 East St., Stockbridge, to Paul A. Polson, trustee of 44 East RT, $245,000.

Mark Pestana and Jeremy Hannon sold property at 40 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, to James and Lynn Lemyre, $175,000.

Adam N. and Jaimi F. Goldberg and Rebecca Pellegrino sold property at Mahkeenac Shores Road, Stockbridge, to Stockbridge Gardens LLC, $282,000.

TYRINGHAM

Suzanne Delmolino, trustee, Sarah NT, sold property at 66 Main Road, Tyringham, to Laura Kirsten Keenan and Lance Ward, $375,000. Washington

Kaylene Buteau sold property at Buteau Road, Washington, to Michael Walter Curley, $210,000.

WILLIAMSTOWN

Eugene R. Lepesqueur, trustee of the Eugene R. Lepesqueur Revocable Living Trust, sold property at Cobbleview Road, Williamstown, to Michele A. Ethier, $13,500.

Gary L. Thompson, Kathleen E. Thompson and Lindsay M. Thompson Moran sold property at 74 Cobbleview Road, Williamstown, to Reinhard A. and Erik Wobus, $399,999.

Jean Defreitas, personal rep. of Todd J. Defreitas, sold property at 710 Henderson Road, Williamstown, to Steven and Julieann Haskins, $125,000.

FT — Family Trust LLC — Limited Partnership

LT — Life Trust

NT — Nominee Trust

RET — Real Estate Trust

RT — Realty Trust

RVT — Revocable Trust

The real estate transactions are provided by the Middle Berkshire, North Berkshire and South Berkshire Registry of Deeds offices.

GETTY IMAGES

People in the Berkshires

Berkshire Family and Individual Resources has appointed Ethel Altiery as interim chief executive officer, effective March 28. Altiery, who has served BFAIR for 25 years, brings extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to the organization’s mission.

Altiery has played a pivotal role in BFAIR’s operations, most recently as chief operating officer. Her longstanding dedication to the organization, along with her comprehensive understanding of BFAIR’s programs and services, makes her an ideal leader to guide the agency through this transition period.

The board and senior management team are confident that under Altiery’s direction, BFAIR will continue to excel in delivering high-quality services to individuals and families.

For information or to contact Altiery directly, call 413-664-9382, ext. 128, or email ealtiery@bfair.org.

Bryan C. Murphy, a Pittsfield native, and attorney in estate, trust and tax planning and administration, has joined Berkshire Law Group as a senior associate attorney.

Prior to returning to the Berkshires, Murphy worked for nearly a decade as an attorney for two greater Boston law firms — most recently, DesRosiers & Tierney LLC in Beverly, and prior to that, Cushing and Dolan P.C. in Waltham — specializing in elder law as well as estate, trust and tax planning and administration.

Murphy earned his juris doctor as well as master of law in taxation from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. He also has a bachelor of arts in history from Western New England University in Springfield, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Berkshire Health Systems has appointed Susan Gazzillo, MSN, RN, CRNI, as vice president of quality for BHS. Gazzillo previously served as senior director of nursing for specialty care for the past three years. She was selected after a nationwide search for this systemwide leadership position.

As vice president of quality, Gazzillo will continue Berkshire Health Systems’ focus on enhancing patient safety and performance improvement, clinical excellence and overall quality of care across all patient care locations.

Prior to her role as senior director of nursing for specialty care, Gazzillo served as administrative director of cancer care and infusion services at the Phelps Cancer Center. In her 38 years at BHS, she has also held leadership roles in critical care, pharmacy, IV therapy, and acute care.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has promoted Sierra King Watson to vice president, commercial lending, and Lisa M. Lawler to vice president, senior credit officer.

In her new commercial role, Watson will spearhead efforts to support local businesses, delivering tailored business banking and lending solutions to help foster growth and strengthen the regional economy.

Watson has built a strong reputation for her personalized approach to commercial lending, working closely with business owners to understand their unique goals and challenges. Her knowledge of commercial finance and real estate, combined with her com-

mitment to community-focused banking, has made her an invaluable asset to both the bank and the businesses it serves.

With 15 years of banking and lending experience, Watson has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in structuring financing packages to support a wide range of business needs — from real estate and equipment loans to lines of credit and business expansion funding.

In her new position, Watson will continue to develop and expand the bank’s commercial lending portfolio, ensuring local businesses have access to the financial tools they need to thrive. She will also play a key role in shaping new lending initiatives and enhancing processes at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.

A Berkshire county native, she has been actively involved in various community organizations including the Southern Berkshire Chamber board of directors, where she is serving her second year as president.

In her new role as vice president, senior credit officer, Lawler will continue to play a vital part in helping local businesses secure the financing they need to thrive, while also contributing to the growth and development of the bank’s commercial lending portfolio.

Lawler has been a member of the Coop Bank team since 2022, bringing with her more than 30 years of banking experience. Over the years, she has built strong relationships throughout the region and financial services industry, making her a trusted credit analyst to businesses across the Berkshires.

Lawler’s extensive background in banking includes business lending, credit and risk analysis, commercial real estate financing, commercial underwriting, and portfolio management.

She will continue to focus on helping the commercial banking team build strong client relationships and tailored lending solutions through her thorough risk and credit analysis and deft underwriting. Her ability to pair financial expertise with a personal, community-oriented approach is a hallmark of the bank’s commitment to serving its customers.

A Berkshire County native, Lawler also has worked for MountainOne Bank and TD Bank.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has appointed Lisa Trybus as senior vice president, retail lending.

In this role, Trybus will oversee the bank’s retail lending operations, driving strategic initiatives and ensuring continued excellence in customer service and loan offerings.

Trybus brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, specializing in mortgage lending, consumer loan services and banking operations. Her expertise in developing innovative lending solutions and fostering strong client relationships makes her a valuable addition to the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank leadership team.

Prior to joining Co-op Bank, Trybus held leadership positions at Adams Community Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union and Berkshire Bank, where she led retail lending initiatives and contributed to business growth. Several times during her career, the mortgage teams she led were among the top lenders in the community by both volume and dollar amount.

Trybus is a graduate of the American Institute of Banking. She is a board member of Hearthway Inc., an affordable housing services developer and provider, and the Lanesborough Holiday Tree Committee.

Bishop West Real Estate has welcomed agents Pam Tworig, Kolleen Schmitt and Shannon Davis to its expanding team. Their expertise, community ties and dedication to client service further strengthen Bishop

West’s commitment to excellence in real estate across Massachusetts and Vermont. Tworig, formerly with Moresi Real Estate Partners, has called the Berkshires and Southern Vermont home for over 40 years. With deep-rooted relationships among local business owners, contractors and residents, she brings invaluable connections and insight to the market.

Prior to real estate, she spent more than three decades managing properties and designing commercial and residential landscapes.

Licensed in both Massachusetts and Vermont, Tworig will play a key role in expanding Bishop West’s presence in Southern Vermont.

Schmitt, a retired U.S. Coast Guard chief warrant officer, has been a licensed real estate professional in Massachusetts since 2009. Holding the Military Relocation Professional certification, she specializes in assisting veterans in achieving their dream of homeownership.

Davis, a longtime resident of Central Berkshire County, has been a full-time real estate agent for over seven years. With 20 years of professional customer service experience, Davis excels in communication and staying ahead of technological advancements in the industry.

Founded in 2001, Bishop West Real Estate is licensed in Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, and Florida. For more information, visit bishopwestre. com or call 413-448-2502.

Berkshire County Arc has promoted Carlton Deen Sr., a veteran residential site manager, to residential supervisor. In this new role, he will join a team of supervisors who each oversee a range of BCArc’s 44 residential programs.

Deen will manage a team of site managers that support individuals with a range of disabilities. He will work closely with families who BCArc serves, help individuals to plan and reach their annual goals, and ensure the programs meet the high standards expected during external audits.

Deen has worked for BCArc for over 14 years, most recently running two successful programs in Richmond. This year, he received BCArc’s Deb Jarck Ambassador Award, largely due to the success of his programs, and his commitment to the work.

A Guyana native, Deen moved to the Berkshires from Brooklyn 15 years ago. He has worked at careers inside and outside human services before joining BCArc.

Lee Bank and October Mountain Financial Advisors welcome Maurice Bowerman, a certified trust and fiduciary adviser, as vice president, trust services and private banking, and Tina Archambault as client services and trust administrator.

Their addition to the team speaks to the organic growth and success of the alliance between Lee Bank and October Mountain Financial Advisors.

Bowerman has been serving clients in the insurance and financial industry for over 35 years. He spent the past nine years as VP trust and investment adviser at Salisbury Bank, now NBT. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Bowerman served as a Finance and Planning Committee member for the town of Chatham, N.Y., and has been a board member and treasurer for the Adam’s Point Beach Association since 2016. Bowerman resides in East Chatham, N.Y. Archambault joins the team with 27 years of experience as a customer service professional, including 18 years specializing in trust services. She has extensive experience handling IRA, trust, investment and estate accounts, as well as overseeing new account openings, asset transfers and other operational functions. A graduate of Berkshire Community College and a notary public, Archambault lives in Pittsfield. Lee Bank and October Mountain Financial Services have a longstanding strategic alliance with shared clients. October Mountain Financial Advisors is a d/b/a of St. Germain Investment Management Inc.

Berkshire Family and Individual Resources has announced the promotion of Kayla Brown-Wood to director of community services in recognition of her dedication, expertise and leadership within the organization.

Brown-Wood has been an invaluable member of the BFAIR team, consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic, professionalism and commitment to the agency’s mission. Her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for learning have significantly impacted both her colleagues and the individuals she serves.

In her new role, Brown-Wood will oversee the Adult Family Care and Shared Living programs while continuing to lead the Community Living program. Her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening these essential services and ensuring they continue to meet the needs of the community.

A 2021 graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program, Brown-Wood remains actively engaged in professional development. She serves on the Berkshire Leadership Program Steering Committee and the McCann Advisory Committee for Business Technology, where her insights are highly valued. Additionally, she plans to further her education with graduate studies in health care administration.

Adams Community Bank has named Mike Barbieri senior vice president of loan operations. In this role, Barbieri will oversee the bank’s loan operations, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of loan processes, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance customer service and operational excellence.

He will work closely with the bank’s leadership team to continue streamlining loan origination and servicing processes, enhancing technology systems, and ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements.

Barbieri brings over 29 years of experience in the financial services industry, including holding leadership roles with Greylock Federal Credit Union and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. His expertise in loan servicing and operational efficiency will be instrumental in advancing the bank’s commitment to providing exceptional financial products and services. He serves as current chair of the board for Heartway Inc. (formerly Berkshire Housing Services/Development), and also serves as a board member of the Berkshire Life Foundation and the MCLA Foundation. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in business administration-finance from MCLA.

Altiery

Murphy

Gazzillo

Watson Lawler

Trybus

Tworig Schmitt Davis

Deen

Bowerman Archambault

Brown-Wood

Barbieri