Greylock Insurance Agency purchased the insurance business of Gallup & Casey Insurance Services, Inc. on June 1, 2007. Gallup & Casey’s businesses in North Adams, Adams and Williamstown, will be combined with Greylock’s existing insurance operations in Pittsfield, and owners David and Chris Casey will join the management team of Greylock Insurance as vice presidents. Greylock also announced plans to complete its county-wide expansion by opening a Great Barrington insurance office within the next few months. The combined agency will have $15 million in premiums and an estimated 9,000 customers.
“Gallup & Casey is the perfect partner for Greylock Insurance Agency,†said Angelo Stracuzzi, President of Greylock. “Greylock Insurance has become the fastest growing agency in Berkshire County, more than doubling its revenues since we launched it in 2004. We have two thriving locations in Pittsfield. But members outside of the central Berkshires have told us repeatedly they would like locations more convenient to where they live and work. Gallup & Casey’s three locations and their outstanding staff of insurance professionals provide a perfect parallel to our North County credit union offices in North Adams, Williamstown and Adams. Our Great Barrington office will also be open soon, which will give us more insurance locations in the Berkshires than any other agency. In fact Greylock Insurance Agency will be the Berkshire’s only county-wide insurance agency.â€
David and Chris Casey, brothers who have owned the family business since 1992, said they chose a partner carefully in deciding to sell the agency to Greylock. “This business has been in our family since 1891,†said David Casey. “Over the years we have had a number of offers to sell the business, but Greylock is the kind of partner we were really hoping for. We share a philosophy with regard to great customer service, stability for our employees, and longevity in the community. We look forward to staying on in this business with Greylock for many years to come.â€
Stracuzzi emphasized Greylock Insurance Agency’s plans to maintain all existing employees of Gallup & Casey. “Gallup & Casey has been successful for many decades, thanks to these employees and the leadership provided by Chris and David,†Stracuzzi said. “Our goal in acquiring the agency is to continue providing a great work environment, and even expanding opportunities for their career advancement.†Plans call for the offices at 40 Main Street in North Adams and 552 Main Street in Williamstown to be maintained in their current locations, while the Adams office on Commercial Street will be combined into the Greylock Federal Credit Union building at 2 Park Street, currently under renovation.
The combined agency will field 28 insurance professionals and offer a full array of services in auto, homeowners, life and commercial insurance. Senior Vice President Shaun Farley said that combining the two agencies would lead to benefits for customers throughout Berkshire County. “Our two locations in Pittsfield make us highly convenient to people living and working in central Berkshire communities, but we want to be highly convenient to everyone in North and South County as well,†Farley said. “A lot of people commute from one community to another, and convenience is an essential component of the excellent service we always strive to provide. With Gallup & Casey’s locations, plus adding Great Barrington, we can really tell people throughout the county ‘Greylock’s got you covered.’â€
Farley credited Greylock Insurance Agency’s rapid 30-month growth to synergies with Greylock’s credit union operations. “Our mortgage and auto loan activity – the strongest in the county – provides a steady source of referrals, and members have responded very favorably to the discount programs offered by the agency,†Farley said, explaining that Greylock Federal Credit Union members who have their homeowners and auto insurance with the agency can receive discounts of up to 15%. “Last year we sold more homeowner’s policies for the Harleysville Insurance Company than any other agent in New England or New York.â€
Chris Casey said that combining the strengths of Gallup & Casey with Greylock could make the agency a more attractive provider to area businesses seeking commercial insurance. “A lot of companies in the Berkshires are doing business throughout the county,†Casey pointed out. “An insurance agency with a network of offices and experts extending from North Adams to Great Barrington can provide real advantages for them. Combining our expertise and our resources means that we can package a comprehensive solution for any size business in the area.†Chris Casey agreed that the newly combined agency could offer a stronger lineup of commercial insurance products. “Greylock already has a great relationship with Harleysville Insurance, for example, offering an exclusive on coverage for general contractors in Western Massachusetts. Now that we have joined forces, I expect there will be many other specials that we can offer to commercial customers in the future.â€
About Greylock Insurance Agency:
Greylock Insurance Agency is a full-service agency based at 128 South Street in Pittsfield with additional offices at Greylock Plaza, 150 West Street. The agency offers auto, homeowners, life and commercial insurance policies to customers throughout Berkshire County. More information is available at www.greylockinsuranceagency.com.
About Gallup & Casey
The roots of Gallup & Casey date back 115 years. The Gallup Agency was formed in 1891 by the late Harvey A. Gallup in association with his brother, Clarence Gallup. Harvey Gallup later served as mayor of North Adams and represented the Berkshire District for several years in the state Senate. He remained active in the management of the agency until his death. His widow, Mrs. Kathryn L. Gallup, took over as president and was the first woman elected President of the Berkshire County Insurance Agents Association. Kathryn Gallup’s nephew, James W. Casey, went to work for the agency in 1955. In 1961, the year of Kathryn’s retirement, the Gallup-Dickey Insurance Agency Inc. was formed through a merger of the former Harvey A. Gallup Insurance Agency and the Loren E. Dickey Insurance Agency. From the 1960s through the 1980s, James W. Casey and David Dickey owned the agency. James’ sons, Chris and David, bought out Dickey’s interest in the firm in the 1980s, and completed their purchase of the agency in 1992, when they changed the name to Gallup & Casey. More information is available at www.gallupcasey.com
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Friday Front Porch Feature: Allendale Pines North
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for an inexpensive home to raise your family in? Then this might be the home for you. And if not, there's a couple other options.
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week we are showcasing model homes at Allendale Pines North.
Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.
All the models have three bedrooms and two baths in 1,280 square feet, and include two parking spaces. The Monroe full-porch is on the market for $194,900, Monroe half-porch $189,900, and The Aspire for $204,900. View a video tour here.
The lot rent is $550 a month and it includes trash removal and recycling, as well as water and sewer. Tenants are responsible for their own utilities and lawn care/snow removal. Dogs and cats are allowed, for up to two pets.
We spoke with Val Whaling from Teton Management about the new homes.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
The three models — Monroe Full- Porch, Monroe Half -Porch, and The Aspire — are Titan Home products manufactured by Champion Homes and stand out in the current market because:
The purchase price of these homes is well below current market rate single-family homes in Berkshire County.
The 5 Star Energy-Efficient rating (featuring energy-efficient windows and high- performance insulation) and one-year warranty on the home, sets these homes apart from older, stick-built homes.
These homes are built to strict HUD standards and include structural integrity in order to meet federal standards for durability, safety and wind resistance.
Are there any stand-out design features?
Stand out features include: open concept floorplan, covered porches, stainless steel appliances, large laundry room /mudrooms, and large glass walk-in showers.
What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for?
First time homebuyers/ professionals preferring home ownership vs. renting, empty nesters wanting to downsize, and cost-conscious individuals preferring the affordability of these homes.
What's the neighborhood like?
Allendale Pines North will be comprised of 22 brand-new homes, on individual lots, set on beautiful property, neighboring the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The property is located at 395 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, offering proximity to retail shopping and dining. Additionally, Allendale Pines North property is well managed by a reputable owner/operator. (All adult community residents are approved via community application approval process.).
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
"Imagine the cost savings of owning a brand-new, energy-efficient home, easy to maintain and allowing the convenience of modern day and easy living, in a quiet, well-managed community."
What does the home come with?
Included are: Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances (refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, and gas stove/oven), and closets equipped with shelf/hanging rod. Plus an 8-by-10-foot Amish built shed, two wooden entrance stairs with wooden handrails and black wrought iron spindles, two-car driveway, sidewalks and brand-new water/sewer infrastructure.
You can find out more about these homes on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.
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According to town counsel, the Select Board cannot impose a moratorium on short-term rental regulations, Select Board Chair Deborah Maynard said during its meeting on Monday.
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The city's annual 10x10 Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, continuing its tradition of highlighting the city's vibrant atmosphere with events that have become iconic for many. click for more