Massachusetts

Massachusetts real estate transactions for Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties Feb. 18, 2024 edition

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2024

Press Room

Massachusetts real estate transactions for Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties Feb. 18, 2024 edition

Agawam

Bretta Construction LLC, to Benjamin Reynolds, 12 Damato Way, $690,000.

Doreen J. Merola to William D. Corbin and Susan L. Corbin, 170 Mallard Circle, $300,000.

Plata O Plomo Inc., to Michael Edward Trippodo, 44 Colonial Ave., $315,000.

Sani Realty LLC, to 444 Shoemaker MA LLC, 444 Shoemaker Lane, $1,450,000.

Tree House S LLC, to XPB LLC, Main Street, $145,000.

Amherst

Joseph Kennedy to APN Properties LLC, 95 East Pleasant St., and 95 E. Pleasant St., $100.

Alfred J. Albano Jr., commissioner, Elisabeth Howard and Catherine Nicholas to Historic Renovations & Rental Properties LTD., 68 McClellan St., $335,000.

Stanley L. Warner and Signia R. Warner to Philip B. Torrey and Nancy G. Torrey, 31 Middle St., $600,000.

Jeffrey P. Roth-Howe, trustee, and Jeffrey P. Roth-Howe Revocable Trust to Evan Paul Roth-Howe and Maria Alejandra Alcaraz Sainz, 74 Overlook Drive, $300,000.

Pelham Road Partners LLC, to Yeon Soon Kim, 370 Pelham Road, $415,000.

Belchertown

Fay M. Flanary to Daniel E. Chase and Tracy Marton, 27 Lloyd Ave., $349,000.

Vera M. Sherman, trustee, Vera M. Sherman Revocable Trust and John Sherman to Colin MacNeil, Ruth MacNeil and Ruth Stiles MacNeil, 161 Federal St., $400,000.

Joseph A.L. Marino and Laurie E. Lentz-Marino to Joshua J. Alway, 94 Canal Drive, $450,000.

Robert H. Adair to DPR Legacy Enterprises LLC, 15 Main St., $320,000.

Gwendolyn Daguiar to Gwendolyn R. Daguiar, trustee, Grimm Addams Supplemental Needs Trust and Grace Linda Ann Daguiar Supplemental Needs Trust, 340 Amherst Road, $100.

Brimfield

Scott C. Aikey and Debra A. Aikey to Ja Property Group LLC, 1494 Dunhamtown-Brimfield Road, $320,000.

Chicopee

Alan Wishart Jr., representative, and Alan P. Wishart, estate, to Anna Marquez and Dennis Sanders, 48 Cambridge St., $233,000.

Slosek Real Estate Holdings LLC, to Privilne Real Estate LLC, 799 Front St., $159,300.

Carlos Pacheco Rubert to Naisha Hernandez, 553 Chicopee St., $269,000.

Dean J. Delamarter and Shirley Ann Delamarter to Ahmed Aljanabi, 19 Dresser Ave., $185,000.

DGL Properties LLC, to Torrey Santini and Maegan Santini, 34 Bromont St., $430,000.

Janet D. Derderian to Angel Matos Rodriguez, 343 Chicopee St., Unit 12, $165,000.

John R. Winters, Kelly A. Saltmarsh and Kathleen C. Winters to Karen Lynn Leblanc and John Ferrell, 56 Fredette St., Unit I-9, $176,000.

Lisa M. Fournier to Chapeaurouge Investments LLC, 46 Harvard St., $300,000.

Michael J. Molinari, Anne K. Molinari, Paul V. Boutot and Donna M. Boutot to Donna M. Boutot and Paul V. Boutot, 33 Belcher St., $50,000.

Nolava LLC, to Nicholas D. Franck, 35 Moore St., $370,000.

Robert S. Talbot, representative, and Glen Blanchard, estate, to Arthur Benoit III, 110 Haven Ave., $245,000.

Colrain

Darlene M. King, trustee of the Walker Investment Trust, to Paul Gulla, 100 Main Road, “aka” Route 112, $30,000.

Cummington

Lyle Hazel and Lyle M. Hazel to Lyle Hazel, trustee, Janeen Romie, trustee, and Lyle Hazel Family Revocable Trust, 47 Main St., $100.

East Longmeadow

Lachenauer LLC, to Toni Brandofino, 382 Porter Road, $345,000.

Mark C. Czupryna and Denise D. Czupryna to Christian T. Dancy and Chelsea L. Dancy, 236 Parker St., $380,000.

Samantha F. Taha and Morgan L. Sibley to Richard W. Santasiere II, 30 Bayne St., $220,000.

William A. Brown and David P. Brown to Elizabeth Vilkhovoy and David Vilkhovoy, 61 Devonshire Terrace, $169,000.

Easthampton

Krupalu LLC, to Michelle A. Gould, 78 Pleasant St., $530,000.

Alexander W. Kwolek and Betty-Ann Kwolek to Lisa A. Darragh, 4 East Green St., $335,000.

Walter L. Hawrylow to Christopher L. Hawrylow, 4 Division Street W., $100.

Michaela A. Tally to Anne Canfield, 30 Pine St., $282,000.

Erich L. Janes, Marilyn G. Janes and Erika J. Saracino, attorney-in-fact, to Erich L. Janes, 4 Gross Lane, $100.

Erving

Lynda Richardson and Michael J. Richardson to Kenneth Allen Rounds, 5 North St., $247,000.

Granby

Linda A. Kapinos to Mack M. Son and Bopha T. Son, 140 Pleasant St., $350,000.

Greenfield

Carter J. Robertson and Justina Smith to Justina Smith, 167 Wells St., $45,000.

Matthew Buttolph Jackson, trustee of the Katherine Buttolph Revocable Trust, to Michael J. Marotto and Sarah Marotto, 100 Silver S., $385,000.

Damon Blake to Mark Wightman, 200 Wisdom Way, $170,000.

Charles Frieders, personal representative of the Estate of Ronald Bosch, “aka” Ronald V. Bosch, “aka” Ronald Vander Bosch, and Charles Frieders and Joyce Bosch Frieders, trustees of the Ronald V. Bosch Revocable Trust, to Spencer Telega, 41 Norwood St., $286,500.

Wicked Deals LLC, to Congamond Management LLC, 231 Hope St., Lot 2, $40,000.

Wicked Deals LLC, to Congamond Management LLC, 231 Hope St., Lot 1, $120,000.

Wicked Deals LLC, to Congamond Management LLC, 231 Hope St., Lot 3, $40,000.

Hampden

Bedrock Financial LLC, trustee, and Cumberland Blues Realty Trust, trustee of, to Leslie P. Addicks and Thomas P. Addicks, 149 Chapin Road, $743,000.

Hatfield

Susan E. Lynes, Susan E. Lynes, trustee, Susan E. Bartlett, trustee, and Susan E. Bartlett Lynes Trust to Maxwell C. Bartlett, 323 West St., $300,000.

Holyoke

Alfred Estabrook to Brittany Wajda and David Wajda, 24 Bayberry Drive, $325,000.

Alycar Investments LLC, to Jennit Rojas Diaz and Ronald L. Cruz Fuentes, 44-46 Gilman St., $361,000.

Brittany L. Petersen to Kenneth A. Lauzier, Kenneth Lauzier, Julia M. Lauzier and Julia Lauzier, 133 North Pleasant St., $420,000.

David F. Nitkiewicz and Hideliza Nitkiewicz to Luz Diaz-Feliciano, 1470 Northampton St., $335,000.

David Schirch, Kimberly Frisino, Nicole Frisino and Francis E. Frisino, estate, to Abimael Claudio, 538 Hampden St., $89,000.

Deepon Realty LLC, to April L. Rivera, 60 Beech St., $206,000.

Jeannette R. Rivard, Ruth Rivard and Jeannette R. Nadeau to Stephanie Szklarz and Angela Marie Figueroa, 37 Franks Drive, $240,000.

Limited Partnership Pearson-Valley Development Co., and Norman Fine to Remote Opportunities LLC, 4 North Bridge St., $1,280,400.

Northern Flooring & Remodeling LLC, to Adrian Cruz, 36-38 Gates St., $435,000.

Peloquin Real Estate One LLC, to TKJM LLC, 286-288 Pine St., $1,950,000.

Stephen C. Konstantinidis, Ellen L. Konstantinidis and Ellen L. Little to Mohammad A. Dib, 88 Lynch Drive, $280,000.

Peloquin Real Estate Two LLC, to PCJM LLC, 38 Clinton Ave., 56 Clinton Ave., 77-79 Elm St., 244 Walnut St., 223 Suffolk St., 101 Pine St., and 184-186 Lyman St., $1,850,000.

Huntington

Ramanjanappa Ravikumar and Subasri Dorairaj to Rt 20 LLC, Russell Road, $350,000.

Leverett

Barbara J. Raymond to Frederic P. Hartwell and Marie Hartwell-Walker, 295 Shutesbury Road, $118,000.

Longmeadow

Trevor H. Agnitti and Angelica Agnitti to Donald R. Muller and Kylie Elizabeth Muller, 192 Converse St., $372,000.

Ludlow

Angela S. Berkeley and Angela S. Nurek to Jessica Lynn Walsh, 31 Cady St., $289,000.

Joanne M. Bell, representative, Robert C. Blais, representative, Robert Armand Blais, estate, and Robert A. Blais, estate, to Richard Rustic, trustee, and Rustic Family Trust, trustee of, 200 Poole St., $250,000.

Jose T. Martins and Susan Dias Martins to Steven A. Crespo, Cislak Drive, Lot 38, $221,000.

Tracey A. Ware and Thomas Ware to David Nitkiewicz, 57 Grimard St., $285,000.

Montague

113 Avenue A LLC, to Avenue A Group LLC, 113-115 Avenue A, $600,000.

U.S. Bank NA, trustee of MEB Loan Trust IV, to Jason Michael Secord, 13 Franklin St., $70,000.

Ann Engley and April Engley to EDS Enterprises LLC, 7 Avenue C, $189,900.

AGT Homes LLC, to Diana L. Tobin and Robert J. Tobin, 257 Wendell Road, $540,000.

New Salem

Kathleen P. Starkey to Adam B. Brougham and Marcy A. Brougham, West Street, $80,000.

Northampton

Robert P. Abuza, trustee, Rebecca R. Abuza, trustee, Katharine J. Waggoner, trustee, and Mardi J. Abuza Living Trust to Robert P. Abuza, trustee, Rebecca R. Abuza, trustee, Katharine J. Waggoner, trustee, Mardi J. Abuza Family Trust and Mardi J. Abuza Marital Trust, 226 Chestnut St., $100.

Lisa Chodos to Lisa Chodos and Leigh Chodos, 63 Sheffield Lane, $100.

Hans D. Michaud to JJK Investments LLC, 16 Fairfield Ave., $500,000.

Theodore W. Schultz to Melissa Islam and Ashequl Islam, 80 Damon Road, $175,000.

John Nicolaou to Richard H. Watling, Riverbank Road, $75,000.

Edward R. Decker, Delores Belmore, personal representative, and Marylou Decker, estate, to Elaine N. Fitzgerald, 9 Cross Path Road, $320,000.

Linda B. Putnam to Amy B. Dickinson, 24 Perkins Ave., $325,000.

Joseph D. Squires and Michelle l. Squires to Shawn S. Ryder and Shannon M. Shaw, 294 Bridge St., $400,000.

Karen Spindel to Rachel M. Prehodka-Spindel and Spindel Family Revocable Trust, 61 South St., $100.

Alice L. Sadlowski and Alice L. Sias to Tracy J. Lisewski, trustee, and 14 Acrebrook Drive Real Estate Trust, 14 Acrebrook Drive, $100.

Rebecca H. Olander, Rebecca F. Hart and Jonathan T. Olander to Rebecca H. Olander, trustee, Jonathan T. Olander, trustee, and Rebecca H. Olander Trust, 96 Chestnut St., $100.

Silvia Araneda Burwell, trustee, and Silvia Araneda Burwell Revocable Trust to Silvia Araneda Burwell, 35 New South St., $100.

Silvia Araneda Burwell to Maria Teresa Hart, trustee, and Burwell Irrevocable Trust, 35 New South St., $100.

Lindsay Rockwell to Lindsay Rockwell and Ami Ladd, 107 Vernon St., $100.

Northfield

Erin Jaworski, Julian Jaworski and Jane H. Lyle-Jaworski, individually and as personal representative of the Estate of Walter C. Jaworski, to Charles E. Fisher, Lyman Road, $45,000.

MW&MW Realty LLC, to Raquel L. Chlosta and Joshua Willis, 21 Meadow St., $370,000.

Orange

Mary Chaplin to Schwowens Properties LLC, 82 Mechanic St., $120,000.

Donna E. Estabrooks, Loretta A. Estabrooks, Philip R. Estabrooks and Diane L. Tilden to James B. Berry and Laura J. Berry, 63 Main St., $901,000.

Palmer

Abaigeal M. Duda to B & B Realty Partners LLC, 3205 Main St., $305,000.

Bryan Damas and Barbara Damas to Coby Piardi and Natalie St. George, 249 Ware St., $330,000.

Clayton J. Lizak, trustee, and John W. Lizak Revocable Indenture of Trust of, trustee of, to Andrew Shevchenko and Nikole Shevchenko, Old Warren Road, Lot 27-8, $100,000.

Lorraine D. Spelko, representative, and Frank W. Spelko, estate, to Jennifer W. Putney and John F. Putney II, 27 Country Lane, $675,000.

Plainfield

Amanda Grosmann Rieder, trustee, Daniel Grossman, trustee, Iris Bikel, trustee, and Richard Grossman Irrevocable Trust to Kivah P. Singh and Joshua C. Nordin, Lower Liberty Street, $52,500.

Rowe

Brian C. McKay and David J. McKay to Sheri A. Kelly and Katie E. McKay, 50 Pond Road, $50,000.

Russell

Ramanjanappa Ravikumar and Subasri Dorairaj to Rt 20 LLC, 0 Huntington Road, $350,000.

Shelburne

Deborah K. McCutchen, personal representative of the Estate of Leighton Mills McCutchen,Jr., and as trustee of the Martha J. McCutchen Credit Shelter Testamentary Trust, and as trustee of the Martha J. McCutchen Martial Testamentary Trust, “aka” the Martha J. McCutchen Marital Testamentary Trust, to Michel A. Clapham and Grace Anne Kennerly, 12 Main St., $450,000.

Shutesbury

Edward M. Suter and Marialis J. Suter, individually and as trustees of the Suter Family Revocable Trust, to Allen H. Pease Jr., and Lesley Pease, 94 Pratt Corner Road, $487,500.

South Hadley

Marcus Grothues to Kayla Langevin, 2 Maple St., $269,000.

Amy Jamrog and Kimberly Cook to Thomas J. Desrochers, 22 Ridge Road, $345,000.

Skinner Woods LLC, to Robert Salem and Marlene Salem, 3 Skinnerwoods Way, $559,900.

Kevin Haczynski to Choquette Capital Properties LLC, 266 North Main St., $415,000.

Southampton

Philip Corbeil to Charlene M. Lustenberger Corbeil, 18 Noreen Drive, $300,000.

Southwick

Dawn A. Turgeon, representative, and William K. Sanders, estate, to Eduard Tsikhotskiy and Maryna Tsikhotskiy, 11 Crescent Circle, $371,000.

Kim A. Prevost, representative, Kim Ann Prevost, representative, Patricia A. Prevost, estate, and Patricia Ann Prevost, estate, to Natalie A. Gaudino, 11 Fernwood Road, $222,000.

Randy S. Rindels and Lori Jean Rindels to Kevin P. Mahoney and Kathleen M. Mahoney, 13 Lauren Lane, $750,000.

V F Realty Co. LLC, to FMM Southwick LLC, 561 College Highway, $900,000.

Springfield

374 Allen Street LLC, to Sole Room LLC, 374-380 Allen St., $260,000.

Athime Continual Wealth LLC, to Welhington S. Dasilva, 49 Prospect St., $365,000.

Awilda Vazquez to James Paul Martin Jr., and Michelle Ruth Derosa, 5 Lavender Lane, $290,000.

Campagnari Construction LLC, to Anthony George Wallace, 64 Burghardt St., $235,000.

Cheryl C. Clapprood to Michael Goncalves, 117 Nassau Drive, $196,000.

Christal J. Vaz and Rishawn Harris to Naomie C. Delva, 3 Hillside Place, $300,000.

Christopher Edmunds to Sean Roth and Katie Roth, 63 Welland Road, $346,000.

David Kachinski and William Raleigh to Alonzo Smith and Denise Lewis, 46-48 Mooreland St., $325,000.

Dylan J. Sheehan, Nora A. Sheehan and Nora A. Snyder to Cailyn Pereira, 150 Louis Road, $273,000.

U S A Housing & Urban Development to Jose Rivera-Portillo, 22-24 Terrence St., $250,000.

Home LLC, to Mass Rentals LLC, 466 Liberty St., $320,000.

James M. Montana, representative, William Gregory Montana, estate, and William G. Montana, estate, to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Cioccolate Realty Trust, trustee of, 14 Dorchester St., $54,255.

Jeffrey G. Cabana to Angel Sunuwar and Sarita Bhattaral, 63 Rencelau St., $300,000.

John H. Meredith to Jose A. Cruz Rivera, 48 Eton St., $248,000.

John J. Damato to Johnny Franco Paredes, 18 Fairmont St., $430,000.

Juan C. Rodriguez and Sharon M. Rodriguez to Javier Pardave and Dayana Pardave, 193 Corona St., $300,000.

Kennedy Acquisitions LLC, to Wendy Gilman, 305 Denver St., $295,000.

KHL Group LLC, to Mheg Inc., 751-755 Liberty St., $180,000.

80 Congress Street Properties LLC, to Aldaine Murray, 39 Milton St., $300,000.

Luis Infante, Luis C. Infante Perez and Elizabeth Aguilera De Infante to Jose R. Brizuela and Jose Roberto Brizuela, 194-196 Massachusetts Ave., $335,000.

Luis Ventura to Angelina Marte Pena, 108 School St., $265,000.

Marcia L. Doyley and Edger Dunkelly to Flanders Homebuyers LLC, and Cream City Homebuyers LLC, 54 Princeton St., $95,000.

Michael J. Molinari and Paul V. Boutot to Phoenix St. LLC, 27 Phoenix St., $500,000.

Nelly Otero and Nelly Collazo to Hiram Maldonado Rolon and Emely F. Martinez Marrero, 19 Granville St., $250,000.

New Canaan Properties LLC, to Consultant LLC, Pioneer Valleys Event Catering and Donovan Allen, 442 Liberty St., $260,000.

Patricia Haynes Nnaji to Luis Eduardo Perez, 54 Dawes St., $200,000.

Patriot Living Properties LLC, to A Plus Enterprises Inc., 0 W S Chilson St., $40,000.

Richard L. Marino, Ronald J. Marino and Eileen Marino to James J. Jozokos Jr., and Mary Jane Flynn, 17-19 Alsace St., $335,000.

Robert J. Cotton and Sylvia Cotton to Dnepro Properties LLC, 95 Windemere St., $240,000.

Ronnie T. Salas to Jorge Rosa, 515 Berkshire Ave., $405,000.

Rose D. Roman and Noel Vazquez Martinez to Rose Mirleine Janvier, 47 Laurel St., $289,900.

Round Two LLC, to Hector Suarez, 85 Farnsworth St., $243,000.

Sharon R. Raverta, representative, and Roy Fanti, estate, to Cil Realty of Massachusetts Inc., 171 Atwater Road, $475,000.

Springfield Gardens 69 LP, and Schweb Partners – Springfield LLC, to Lachenauer LLC, 0 WS Fort Pleasant Ave., $200,000.

Steven E. Zeimbekakis and George Zeimbekakis to Susan Agostine, 775 White St., $310,000.

Suzanne Duguay to Philip J. Beaulieu, 286 Nassau Drive, Unit 286B, $187,900.

Ware

Ryan E. Mulligan, personal representative, and Jeanne C. Mulligan, estate, to Megan Charter, 210 Belchertown Road, $252,500.

West Springfield

Bent Tree Development LLC, to Peter J. Godbout, 21-23 Piper Road, $449,900.

Kerry L. Lafromboise to Congamond Management LLC, 29-31 Worthen St., $200,000.

Lok B. Bhattarai to Kiritkumar I. Patel and Sobhna Patel, 13 Alderbrook Lane, $352,000.

Pavel Duducal and Tatyana Duducal to Tila Gurung and Sujit Gurung, 38 Humphrey Lane, $396,000.

Samuel P. Orlando and Suzanne U. Orlando to Matthew J. Sady and Amy E. Sady, 115 Peachstone Glen, $660,000.

Westfield

Aero Fastener Realty LLC, to Conrad Z. Mayeski and Patricia L. Mayeski, 95-97 Highland Ave., $425,000.

Centura Bay LLC, to Shakira B. Valentin, 24 Hampden St, $220,000.

Conrad Z Mayeski and Patricia L Mayeski to Joshua D. Olin and Noel Olin, 82 Sackett Road, $396,500.

Daniel C. Alvord to Bradley R. Alvord and Shannon M. Boyden, 277 Hillside Road, $250,000.

Katie Schott, Katie L. Laplante, Edward Laplante, representative, and David E. Laplante, estate, to Andrew Schultz, 23 Walker Ave., $327,500.

Malia Homebuyers LLC, to Ashlyn Whitney Pentowski and Sarah M. Pentowski, 127 Northridge Road, $350,000.

Nathaniel Arkoette and Candace A. Francis to Candace A. Francis, 92 Crane Ave., $46,500.

Patricia Z. Johnson, Susan M. Zarichak and Carol Z. Glynn to Juan Rodriguez Reyes, 131 Westwood Drive, $330,000.

Stacey Albert Sorawat and Shaneekwa Shaunte Perkins to Mohamed Sadique Abdul Cader and Fathima Nusrath Sadique, 405 Montgomery Road, $460,000.

Westhampton

Robert J. Tobin and Diana L. Tobin to Miguel Estrada-Zavala and Brandon Miguel Estrada Rodriguez, 160 Laurel Hill Road, $589,000.

Whately

Nicole L. Pietraszkiewicz to David F. Harrington, Kathleen P. Harrington and Susan M. Lewis, 62 Long Plain Road, $605,000.

Brenden J. Monahan to Nicole L. Pietraszkiewicz, 282 Haydenville Road, $529,000.

Wilbraham

Gwen Christine Smith to Katherine Siegel and Justin McKenna, 155 Stony Hill Road, $349,900.

Matthew P. Metzler to Rattlesnake Holdings LLC, 92 Burleigh Road, $156,000.

Phyllis M. Emet to Tyler Emet, Gabriela Fonseca Marafuga and Eric Emet, 8 Mark Road, $275,000.

Robin Farrington Cook and David W. Cook to Elizabeth Af Simons and Jacob Michael Simons, 4 Ripley St., $410,000.

Williamsburg

Elizabeth M. Hartman to Paola V. Sherman, 33 Petticoat Hill Road, $237,000.

Worthington

Leann M. Mason to Lydia Irene Bussiere, Sherri Schon, Robert Thomas Scott, Iris Scott and Elizabeth McCormick, 584 Kinnebrook Road, $539,000.

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Massachusetts

Healey shares plan to limit health insurance cost increases for Massachusetts residents

Published

5 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Healey shares plan to limit health insurance cost increases for Massachusetts residents

January 8, 2026 / 4:18 PM EST
/ CBS Boston

Gov. Maura Healey said Thursday that the state is spending an additional $250 million to limit premium increases for residents who have insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector.

After Congress let Affordable Care Act tax credits expire at the end of last year, more than 300,000 people in Massachusetts have been facing a potentially steep increase in their health care bills.

The governor’s office said those enrolled in ConnectorCare who make below 400% of the of the federal poverty level, which is $62,600 for an individual or $128,600 for a family of four, will see “little to no premium increases.”

Under the plan, Healey’s office said a 45-year-old couple with two kids in Fall River will see their monthly health insurance costs rise from $166 to $206. Without the new funding, the governor says they would be paying $452 a month.

“While President Trump continues to increase health care costs, we are taking the strongest action in the nation to address them and keep costs as low as possible for families,” Healey said in a statement. “Despite this increased state investment, far too many people will still see their premiums increase because of the White House.”

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to approve a three-year extension of the health care tax credits. While it appears unlikely to pass the Senate, senators have talked about a compromise plan that could include a two-year extension with added reforms. President Trump hasn’t offered a specific health care plan, but said subsidies going to insurance companies should “go to the people” instead.

The $250 million is coming from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, which gets its money from employer medical assistance contributions and financial penalties from residents who violate the state’s health care insurance mandate.

Massachusetts residents can sign up for health insurance coverage or switch their Health Connector plans until Jan. 23 if they want to be covered by Feb. 1.

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Massachusetts

Minnesota childcare fraud allegations spark audit request in Massachusetts: ‘Serious risks’

Published

17 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Minnesota childcare fraud allegations spark audit request in Massachusetts: ‘Serious risks’

Fraud allegations in Minnesota’s childcare system are prompting two Massachusetts Republican lawmakers to ask the Healey administration to conduct a “top-to-bottom audit” of a Bay State voucher program.

State Reps. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, and Nicholas Boldyga, R-Southwick, say they’re alarmed after seeing national reports of fraud in childcare subsidy programs, pointing specifically to widespread allegations in Minnesota.

Their concerns have prompted them to ask Gov. Maura Healey to direct Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler to “urgently conduct” an audit and review of the Massachusetts Child Care Financial Assistance program to identify any potential fraud and vulnerabilities here.

Child Care Financial Assistance helps low-income families pay for childcare in Massachusetts.

“While Massachusetts has not yet been directly implicated in the same manner, the similarities in program structure, relying on voucher reimbursements to providers for low-income families, raise legitimate questions about whether comparable fraud or waste could be occurring here undetected,” Lombardo and Boldyga wrote in a joint letter to Healey on Wednesday.

“Our Commonwealth invests hundreds of millions of dollars annually in this critical program to support working families and early education,” they added. “We owe it to Massachusetts taxpayers and the families who genuinely need this assistance to ensure every dollar is spent appropriately and reaches its intended purpose.”

The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a Herald request for comment on the letter.

Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw has said that Massachusetts is not facing disruption to its $293 million share of federal childcare payments amid a nationwide freeze in response to the Minnesota fraud allegations.

Kershaw has also added that Child Care Financial Assistance is not being impacted, either. The state appropriates funds for the voucher program at the beginning of the fiscal year and then seeks federal reimbursement.

This fiscal year’s funding totals about $1.087 billion for the program, which covered more than 66,000 children in fiscal year 2025, according to a December report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

“Obviously, we are incredibly concerned about families across the country and in Minnesota who may lose access to Child Care Financial Assistance based on acts by the federal government,” Kershaw told Bay State childcare stakeholders on Monday.

Before the new year, the federal Administration for Children and Families froze all funding to Minnesota. All 50 states must now provide additional verification before receiving more funds.

Minnesota Democrats accuse the Trump administration of playing politics and hurting families and children as a result.

This all comes after a video surfaced on YouTube alleging fraud in childcare in Somali communities in Minnesota, to which Kershaw has said none of the allegations have been proven.

The Massachusetts early education and care commissioner noted how there have been similar videos posted in Massachusetts and other states like Ohio, California and Washington.

In their letter to Healey, Lombardo and Boldyga also highlighted how the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has responded to the Minnesota allegations by closing loopholes that allowed payments without verifying attendance.

“These developments highlight serious risks in subsidized child care systems across the country,” the Republican lawmakers wrote, “including the potential for misappropriation of taxpayer funds on a massive scale.”

Lawmakers across the country are seeking similar reviews as Lombardo and Boldyga. In Michigan, State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, a Republican, has asked for an audit of a state program that aims to help low-income families afford childcare there.

The Massachusetts audit would zero in on verifying that voucher payments to providers are based on documented child attendance records; cross-checking to detect potential “ghost children” or overbilling; and on-site inspections of voucher-receiving providers to confirm they are operating legitimate childcare programs, among other objectives.

“Such a thorough review would not only safeguard public funds,” Lombardo and Boldyga wrote, “but also strengthen confidence in a program that is vital to thousands of Massachusetts families.”

The Associated Press and Herald wire services contributed to this report.

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts police officer struck and killed in line of duty; department mourns

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Massachusetts police officer struck and killed in line of duty; department mourns

A Massachusetts police department is mourning the death of one of its own after an officer was struck and killed while attempting to assist a broken-down driver on a highway.

The Uxbridge Police Department has hung black bunting above its main entrance as it receives condolences from across the Bay State following the incident early Wednesday morning.

The crash unfolded at about 12:45 a.m., when the officer was trying to help a motorist in the northbound lanes of Route 146, a main artery in the Worcester County town that borders Rhode Island.

Authorities identified the fallen officer on Wednesday afternoon as Stephen Laporta, 43, of Uxbridge. The Massachusetts State Police is investigating the crash.

“This is a devastating loss for our department and our community,” Police Chief Marc Montminy said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family, loved ones, and fellow officers during this incredibly difficult time.”

Gov. Maura Healey has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in honor of LaPorta.

“I am heartbroken over the news of Officer Stephen LaPorta’s passing,” the governor said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “He knew he was headed into a dangerous situation when he responded to the scene of a multi-vehicle crash, but like all of our officers do day in and day out, he put the public’s safety first – and he tragically made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Authorities closed Route 146 for hours after the crash, with investigators working the scene. The icy, frozen road reopened around 10 a.m.

Uxbridge First Holy Night, a community organization, offered its condolences to the department via social media, saying the loss is also felt “across our entire town.”

“Our officers are more than public servants — they are neighbors, friends, parents, children, and family,” the group stated. “When one of our own falls, we all grieve together.”

“Uxbridge is a close-knit community,” it added, “and in moments like this, we lean on one another. May we surround this family and our police department with compassion, strength, and support in the days ahead.”

Police departments from across the region sent cruisers to participate in a procession that accompanied a vehicle carrying LaPorta’s body to a medical examiner’s office before daybreak.

The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association described the officer as a “fallen hero” and the death as “heartbreaking news.”

“Another police officer killed in the line of duty. This time in Uxbridge,” the association stated in a social media post. “The officer was involved in a motor vehicle crash while attempting to assist a motorist on Rte. 146 early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family and the entire Uxbridge Police Department during this incredibly difficult time.”

State Rep. Mike Soter, whose Central Massachusetts district includes Uxbridge, said his “heart sank” when learning of the death.

“This is so close to home,” he said in a Facebook post. “May GOD watch over this officer’s family and his fellow officers today as they need our strength as a community. May the officer’s memory be eternal always!”

In June 2024, the Uxbridge Police Department celebrated LaPorta’s promotion to full-time patrolman.

“He may seem familiar to you all because Ofc. LaPorta has already been actively serving our wonderful town as a full-time Dispatcher and working part-time patrol shifts,” the department stated in a Facebook post. “He has put in the work to switch his role up and come to the patrol side full time! Let’s give him a warm congrats Uxy!”

Uxbridge Police Department (Herald file photo)

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