New leaders take the reins at Community Legal Aid offices in Franklin and Hampshire counties
GREENFIELD — Community Legal Aid, a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services annually to more than 9,000 low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts, has named new managing attorneys for its operations in Franklin and Hampshire counties.
Annie Connor has been named the managing attorney of Community Legal Aid’s Northampton office, which serves Hampshire County residents. Connor joined Community Legal Aid in 2022 as a staff attorney with the CORI & Re-Entry Unit and then became the coordinating attorney for that unit in 2023. She came to Community Legal Aid from the city of Somerville Mayor’s Office, where she served as the director of intergovernmental affairs and legislative liaison under Mayor Joseph Curtatone.
Connor also spent five years as a public defender at the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Roxbury, Dorchester and Worcester. A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, Connor also holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College. She lives in Northampton with her wife and dog.
Santina Sciaba-Douglas has been named as the managing attorney for Community Legal Aid’s Greenfield office, which services Franklin County residents. After graduating from Western New England University School of law, Sciaba-Douglas began her legal career as a law clerk to the judges of the Western Massachusetts Superior Court. She then worked as a special attorney general for the Massachusetts Department of Health’s Lead Program while also representing individuals facing involuntary treatment hearings, monitoring court-approved treatment programs, and serving as guardian ad litem through the Committee for Public Council Services.
Prior to joining Community Legal Aid, Sciaba-Douglas served as the deputy executive director and interim executive director for Disability Rights Connecticut. She is a native Spanish speaker and a Franklin County resident.
Attorneys Connor and Sciaba-Douglas are replacing Jennifer Dieringer, who led the Northampton office since 2011 and the Greenfield office since it opened in 2024. Dieringer is leaving Community Legal Aid for a position as a full-time lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Greenfield Savings Bank debuts its annual ‘Buy in July’ mortgage promotion
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Savings Bank has announced the launch of its annual “Buy in July” mortgage promotion, offering a combination of interest rate incentives, closing cost savings, and — for the first time — a down payment assistance program designed to expand access to homeownership.
This year’s promotion introduces GSB’s new Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides eligible borrowers with up to $25,000 to use toward a down payment or closing costs, along with an additional interest rate reduction. The assistance carries no interest, and repayment is deferred until the sale, transfer or maturity of the loan. The program is available across all GSB mortgage products, including the Buy in July special.
The Buy in July mortgage special features an adjustable-rate mortgage, fixed for the first seven years and adjusted annually thereafter. Additional benefits include a $750 closing cost credit, no application fee, no points and interest rate protection, allowing borrowers to request a rate reduction if market rates decline in the future. Borrowers may also qualify for interest rate reductions of 0.50% for first-time homebuyers through the Buy in July special; 0.25% for repeat homebuyers; and an additional 0.125% reduction for borrowers participating in qualifying down payment assistance programs and setting up automatic loan payments from a GSB checking account.
To introduce the program to local industry partners, GSB hosted a pre-launch event on June 26 at the Roosevelt Room at Union Station in Northampton, bringing together real estate agents, attorneys and other housing professionals. The event provided an overview of the program’s features and was well received by attendees. The Buy in July promotion is available for conventional, owner-occupied purchase loans on one- to four-family homes and condominiums. Applications must be submitted by July 31, with closings completed by Sept. 30, 2026. For more information, visit greenfieldsavings.com/buy-in-july.
BusinessWest seeks nominations for the Healthcare Heroes Awards
SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest and HealthcareNews.com are now accepting nominations for the 10th annual Healthcare Heroes awards. Nominations for the Healthcare Heroes class of 2026 are due by Thursday, July 23, and may be submitted online at businesswest.com/healthcareheroes/nominations.
The Healthcare Heroes program was created in 2017 to honor the individuals and organizations working across the region’s vast, diverse and essential healthcare and wellness sector. These leaders, innovators and collaborators have devoted their careers to improving the quality of individual lives and the health of entire communities. For more information, contact Heather Leclerc at 413-781-8600, ext. 100, or leclerc@businesswest.com.
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass Elects New Leadership Team
CHICOPEE — The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass membership recently voted and installed their newly elected 2026/2027 Leadership Team at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee on Tuesday, June 17. The Master of Ceremony for the event was Susan Kadilak, president of the HBRA of Massachusetts, and guest speaker was Benjamin Fierro, the state lobbyist.
Joseph Yiznitsky was elected president of the association for the upcoming year to lead the board taking over the reins from Past President Timothy Wells. Other members elected to the board include First Vice President Henry Avery, Second Vice President Christopher Grenier, Third Vice President James Meehleder, Secretary Lori Loughlin and Treasurer Robert Chateuaneauf.
Three association members were sworn in as Board Directors for their first three-year term. We would like to officially welcome: Mark Lefsyk and Kristin Wampler as Associate Directors, and Daniel Thibault as Builder Director. Gisele Gilpatrick of Pro-Tech Waterproofing Solutions was recognized for her service as Home Show Chair from 2017-2025.
Lori Loughlin of F W Webb/Frank Webb Home received the 2026 Edward R. Pedersen Service Award for her outstanding service to the association during the past year. Congratulations to all of our newly elected Officers and Directors and we look forward to a successful upcoming year under their leadership.