AGAWAM – On Feb. 20, around 40 people filed into the West Springfield Public Library to learn more about life-beyond-the-grave from Agawam’s very own Ghostbusters.

Agawam Paranormal, an investigative team that conducts paranormal examinations, delivered a two-hour-long presentation to a large audience in The Community Room. The group outlined how to approach the paranormal, and provided resources for those looking to get involved. The 15-section slideshow covered the types of investigations the team has completed, the investigative process – including proper equipment and terminology – and the types of paranormal activity experienced.

“I’m so honored that they [West Springfield Public Library] want me to come out here,” said Director and Founder of Agawam Paranormal Robert Goff. “I don’t see myself as anything special. It’s a huge honor to give a presentation at a library. I just love doing Agawam Paranormal as a hobby.”

The event was one of the many free presentations the group offers at 44 different libraries across the state. Some of the presentations include “Ghostology 101: A General Study of the Paranormal,” “Ghostology 201: The Darker Side Revealed” and “Ghost Hunting: The Science of the Paranormal.” The classes explore the paranormal realm – ranging from “the darker side” of paranormal activity and Hollywood’s influence, to different types of hauntings – and the basics of paranormal investigations.

Agawam Paranormal is a family and friend-based team that conducts paranormal investigations locally, at the request of a client, for commercial, historical and residential sites that are suspected of having paranormal activity. The team consists of over 30 members, including investigators, psychics, documentarians, technicians, researchers and attorneys, and uses a large variety of equipment to attempt to capture evidence supporting the client’s claim. The team mission, according to Goff, is to help anyone in distress, whether “alive or deceased.” Paranormal strives to provide “peace-of-mind” to their clients while restoring a normal atmosphere – which sometimes involves releasing trapped spirits into the afterlife.

Although it’s tempting to conflate the ghost-hunting group with the Hollywood concept of “Ghostbusters,” Goff said it’s important to make a distinction between the two.

“I consider us paranormal investigators, that’s more in-line with what we’re doing. If you’re a paranormal investigator, you’re investigating things that go ‘bump-in-the-night,’ not jumping on the Casper bandwagon,” said Goff. “When we first started doing this, I expected that a majority of people would want some sort of removal. I was very surprised to learn that very few of our clients are actually looking to get rid of a spirit. I would say around 90 percent are just looking for some sort of validation so they know they’re not going crazy.”

The group uses a “scientific approach” to their investigations, meaning they strive to provide tangible evidence – either in the form of audio, picture or video – to their clients, explained Goff. However, the founder said it’s also important to acknowledge that some people are more “sensitive” to a spirit’s presence, which is why they have two full-time psychics on staff.

Goff created the organization with his wife and four children 11 years ago in the hopes of starting a fun, family hobby. His children are no longer working with the organization, but his wife, Hope Goff, assists Goff as a lead investigator. The self-taught expert has read over 100 books on the subject matter.

“When you review evidence after an investigation and hear a three-second voice that wasn’t there in the room with you, that’s like that one lucky shot in golf that keeps you coming back,” said Goff. “It’s not proof of Casper, but for me, it makes you stand there and scratch your head and wonder. I’ve never met anybody that’s not curious about what happens after we die.”

The team has now done over 200 investigations, including some notable locations such as the Holyoke Town Hall, the Gaylord Library, Springfield Museums and The Cove Banquet Hall & Tavern in Southwick. All residential cases are confidential, but the Agawam Paranormal website page offers anonymous case updates detailing the types of paranormal activity they are tracking. In some circumstances, they will also do a public reveal at the request of a commercial or historical client. For 2018, Agawam Paranormal is already booked through November.

A typical investigation begins with the initial outreach from an interested client, either through phone or email, and a detailed description of the paranormal activity they are experiencing. Goff and his team will then review the information and make an appointment with the client to do a walkthrough of the location and an interview. Confidentiality and liability paperwork is then signed, and the team sets a date for the first investigation. Team researchers do extensive research on the location prior to the investigation day.  

Clients are always on-site during an investigation, which takes around six hours, Goff said. The team uses a variety of equipment, including thermometers, audio recorders and infrared and night-vision cameras. Once the investigation is finished, the group will meet within a few days to review the footage, recordings and notes to look for evidence. The evidence is compiled into one folder and presented to the client to keep.

All investigations are done at no cost.

“If I charge somebody, they are no longer a client but a consumer. As a consumer, you have a right to an expectation for a conclusion, or for something to show for your money,” said Goff. “What happens if I don’t get anything, does that mean I have to lie and fabricate evidence in order to appease your pocketbook? The most rewarding thing for me is when you see a person who was terrified to be in their home finally be at ease again, and getting back to their peace-of-mind. You can’t put a price tag on that – for me, that’s my paycheck.”

As far as safety precautions go, Goff tells his staff to treat a spirit as if they were speaking to someone’s grandmother. He believes that same level of respect and politeness should be used toward a spirit to prevent from angering it, he explained. While most of the paranormal activity presents itself in the forms of orbs in photography, a cold presence, or audio recordings, Goff said he has only experienced one “negative” spirit in his 11-year career. The incident required intervention from a Catholic priest.

There are different levels of membership within the team. The most basic level of membership is an active investigator, which requires Goff’s “Ghostology 101” course and to sit in on a minimum of three investigations. This is so the individual can learn the proper terminology and become more comfortable with the process, said Goff.  After a while, an active investigator can be promoted to a senior investigator, which is someone who can conduct an investigation with little supervision. Finally, a lead investigator is someone who can take the team out on actual investigations. Aside from being an investigator, members can also pursue a position in either the research or technology department.

For those looking to join the team, Goff recommends reaching out to agawamparanormal@aol.com. The only requirement is that participants must be 18 years or older.

Agawam Paranormal’s next event is scheduled for Mar. 13 at 6:30 in the West Springfield Public Library. A schedule of their listed presentations and times are posted on the team’s website at www.agawamparanormal.com.