THE BEDFORD BANNER
                                   June  2013     
  

 
In This Issue
Chamber goes before Selectman
What A Big Idea Can Get You?
Cambridge Savings BAnk Sr. Prom Stroll
What the Chamber did in April
Bedford First
Alewife Shuttle to Crosby Drive
Chamber Connections
I am a Bedford Business
Facebook
Chamber appears before selectman
concerning alcohol policy and sign boards 
   

By Kim Siebert MacPhail  

 

Bedford Chamber of Commerce representatives Adam Schwartz and Karen Kenney addressed the Selectmen on June 3 to ask for consideration in three matters:

  • A review of the Town's restaurant alcohol policy, which currently requires that a full meal be ordered before an alcoholic beverage can be requested;
  • A one-day pilot to allow businesses to erect free-standing, sandwich board-type signs to advertise, a practice now prohibited for anything other than non-profit groups;
  • Organizing a casual open house-style meeting between Town employees and business owners so that better mutual understanding and working relationships can be established.

Schwartz said that these requests came by way of discussions between the Chamber and its member businesses as well as, in the case of the alcohol policy, from customer feedback.

With respect to the alcohol policy, Schwartz emphasized that the Chamber was not trying to "make Bedford into a big drinking area."

"From some of the town residents [and business people], the feedback we get is that, 'We'd like to grab a drink and maybe an appetizer after work before heading home for dinner," Schwartz said. "Or, from people who play sports or their kids play sports: they want to grab a beer and some chicken wings after a game but they end up having to leave Bedford and go to Burlington [to get what they want without ordering a whole meal].

"We have some great restaurants in Bedford and we want to help them out. We also want to make Bedford's policy consistent with other towns' policies and put Bedford on [a] par with the standard for the area," Schwartz said.

Town Manager Rick Reed provided additional information from inquiries he has made into neighboring towns' policies.

"I have done some research on this because I've heard these concerns [in the past]," Reed said. "The language is different in each community and a careful study could, perhaps, yield some ideas about how ours is worded. . . . Each community has flexibility to set their regulations how they would like them to be.

"Maybe we do want to change-that's something the Selectmen as the licensing authority would want to consider," Reed continued. "What we do today is a long-standing practice that existed more than 25 years ago and was just put down into writing about 13 or 14 years ago. [Before it was written down,] every time a licensee came in to the Selectmen requesting a license, tradition made it was clear that the license was only for alcoholic beverage with food service."

"I'm sympathetic to the issue," Selectmen Mike Rosenberg said to Schwartz, "but I wouldn't want to address that without a thorough opportunity for everybody to comment-it's very sensitive and [has] a lot of implications."

To look more deeply into the issue, a subcommittee of two Selectmen-Margot Fleischman and Mark Siegenthaler-was formed. The Selectmen also agreed that, before the policy could be changed, citizens would be given adequate opportunity to speak on the matter.

The Chamber's request for a one-day, date-specific, free-standing sign trial run was also considered. Sign Bylaw Review Committee Chair Jeff Cohen distributed a draft of a bylaw revision proposal, postponed from Annual Town Meeting that, he said, could guide the special permit experiment.

"This is under discussion by the Committee, but we just thought it was too big to add to this year's spring Town Meeting. This whole trial period [that the Chamber is talking about] is part of what we'd like to see moving into the fall Town Meeting. It would be great if we could do trials sooner rather than later because it would help the residents be more informed [about what we're proposing] by the time they have to vote on it," Cohen reasoned.

Selectman Mark Siegenthaler-the liaison to the Sign Bylaw Review Committee-spoke about the group's concerns with regard to free-standing commercial signs saying, "The fear in this is that we say businesses [in designated areas] can do it, and when we all get up that day it's like mushrooms-they're all over the landscape. And then everyone says, 'This is not what we want Bedford to look like.'"

Selectman Margot Fleischman expressed concern that having only one day when the experiment is attempted could give a false impression of how the town would look if free-standing commercial signs were allowed all the time. "Concentrating them all on one day actually gives somewhat of an unfair picture of what it might look like in the future, if we're overwhelmed with them because it's just one, special day."

Selectman Caroline Fedele proposed that before the Town agrees to any such experiment, there should be an understanding of what constitutes "success." "There's so much gray area-we just have to have some clear expectations about what success is," Fedele said.

"I think we should just try it, just to see what happens," said Chamber representative Kenney.  "We really don't know how much more business it's going to bring. We really don't know if it would be a safety issue. I don't want it to be a free-for-all, but I do think we should try and see if we can help. . . . We need to help our businesses, [especially with all the competition coming soon from the Wegman's development in Burlington.]"

Kenney added that, of the businesses that responded to the Chamber's inquiry, only about 50% said they would make use of special permission to erect a free-standing sign.

The Selectmen agree to take up the issue again at their meeting on June 17, targeting Friday, July 5, as the date for the potential pilot, although alternate dates could be included in the discussion.

The third request from the Chamber- for an open-house, social-style meeting between businesses and Town employees-was based on feedback about the need to develop greater familiarity and understanding between business owners and the Town.

"We get mixed feedback on how it is doing business in Bedford," Schwartz said. "Some businesses say it's really tough; other businesses say it's great. We've been trying to figure out why it's different [for some than for others.] What we've seen is that knowledge seems to be the deciding factor: the more involved the businesses are in the town, the more positive the experience is."

After general discussion, Selectmen Chair Bill Moonan said, "I think you're hearing support for the concept of improving communications and what we need to think about is how that is best done."

Selectman Mike Rosenberg suggested that it might be best to wait for the new part-time Economic Development Officer to be on board before moving ahead with this particular initiative.

 

 


What a Big Idea Can Teach You?

Several months ago I entered The Jimmy Fund's Big Idea Contest, and this past week as one of the five finalists I presented to a panel of Boston's most high powered executives.  The five ideas presented were placing coin receptors at the airport, a rowing marathon, using the Easy Pass, credit card charges and our idea- Jump for Jimmy, which involved cheerleading squads across New England raising 1000 dollars for the chance to perform at professional sporting event.

 

We went all out, with cheerleaders flipping and cartwheeling across the stage, competition videos  and a personal and I have to say humorous presentation. Our competitors, all successful entrepreneurs and businessman, presented with professional power points, charts and behind a podium. The judges took leave at what was suppose to be a fifteen minute decision, but we soon found out they took the decision very seriously, as they did not reconvene for and hour to announce the winner.  In the end, my partner and I did not win the grand prize of a trip to the Dominican Republic, but what we did get was a glimpse into the world of how successful CEOS operate and think.

 

They chose the coin receptors at the airport, a fabulously simple idea that would cost very little to implement and projected to collect 750,000 in the first year. It was clearly the best bottom line business decision. But as I looked over at the disappointment on our cheerleaders face, I couldn't help but feel sad the CEO's didn't see the bigger picture of connecting thousands of young people with the Jimmy Fund.

 

The next morning I woke up and sent an email to the Jimmy Fund and asked if we could pursue Jump For Jimmy on our own.  It didn't surprise me they were all for us moving forward with Jump For Jimmy, and wanted to meet next week to work out a plan.  Development teams understand the future is more than the bottom line and even though we won't be going to the Dominic Republic, cheerleaders across New England will be learning the importance of giving back as they JUMP FOR JIMMY this fall.
   judges

CAMBRIDGE SAVINGS BANK SENIOR PROM STROLL

 

Many thanks to all those that made the Cambridge Savings Prom Stroll a great success.

  

 

Premier Sponsor Susan Saladino and Joe Williams of  Cambridge Savings Bank   
 

Barb Davis - Edward Jones Investments

  

Rich Callahan -Callahan Karate

 

Pamela Brown - Brown & Brown

 

Nat Brown -New England Nurseries

 

Jan van Steenwijk-  Design Photo

 

Fatima Mendonca - Brookline Bank

 

Christine Pinney - Christine Pinney Marketing

 

Daisy Girafalco - The Bedford Children's Center 

 

Chuck Duran- Carlton & Duran

 

 

Josh Cohen
 

Kevin Latady - Latady Design

 

Chief Robert Bongierno & The Bedford Police Department

 

Rich Warrington & DPW

 

Rev John Gibbons

 

Madeliene Altman and the staff  at Bedford TV  

 

prom  Prom3 prom1

 

 

 


  
What the Chamber did in May...
How many of these events did you attend?
Heakth Bedford
Healthy Bedford
catch
Catch the Net
panera
Panera Bread Ribbon Ctting

* Working Women Alliance ~ Brightview Concord River
* Board of Directors Meeting
* Panera Ribbon Cutting
* Catch the Net  ~ Middlesex Savings BAnk
* Tee it Up Golf
Healthy By Design

 

  

 

  

          Bedfordfirst  BEDFORD FIRST 

 


Participating members as of 5/2

 

B & D Advertising Agency - 10% discount on any size
advertisement placed in the Bedford (or surrounding town) "Town
Book" Directory

Bedford Vision Center & Dr. Kiana Kaymanesh - 20% off any

frame & lens combination

Bedford Plaza Hotel - 10% discount off rack rate - use code SP10

Garrison Knight Financial Planning, LLC -Complimentary "get
acquainted" meeting plus 15% discount on all hourly financial

planning services

Great Road Gallery & Framing - 10% off all complete customframing
Quality Data Base Design -Free initial consultation, 10 %
discount on development fee

Baldwin Insurance - 5 % member discount

JRM Antiques - Purchases $1-$50.00 - 10%, $50.00 and up- 20%

The UPS Store - 15% off packaging/shipping supplies, 5% off shipping charges, 25% off Printing/Copying/Large format printing/blue printing, 20% off Notary Service

SORA - 10 % off any food in the restaurant or lounge

Bedford Florist - 10% off all purchases
First Parish of Bedford - 10% discount on cost of building usage

New England Nurseries, Inc. - 10% on all purchases except year end clearance items
Art Smith & Associates - 2 hour design consult
Christine Pinney Marketing - 10% off on all interent consultin services
  Watson Law Offices - I-9 Annual audit review offered at half price to           

 OrganizingWorks!- 10% off first organizing session, 5 % off second session

             existing members & free to potential members who agree to attend one Chamber function

                                                  Connected View -25% of subscription 

  

 

 

                                         Click here for information and an application .
CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
                                CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

   

 

 

Please Join the Middlesex 3 Coalition To Celebrate National Small Business Week At The One-Stop Business Resource Fair

  
 
 This event will feature over 50 exhibitors who are committed to helping small businesses start and grow through delivery of technical, financial, procurement, networking and other business-support services. The event will also include a CEO luncheon.
 

When: June 19, 2013

Time: 10:00AM to 1:00PM
Where: Cross Point
900 Chelmsford Street
Lowell, MA 01851


Schedule Of Events:

10:00 to 1:00- One-Stop Small Business Resource Fair (Free)

12:00-1:00- CEO Luncheon with Bobbie Carlton

Co-Founder of Mass Innovation Nights and Founder of Carlton PR & Marketing
 
(First 100 lunches are being generously sponsored by Enterprise Bank) 

  

 

To learn more information about the event and see the list of the exhibitors please visit:

  http://www.lowell.org/workhere/Pages/M3SBW 

 

  

Thank you to Enterprise Bank for sponsoring!
 
   

 

 

See you there!


                  TEE IT UP GOLF

Join us for a round of 9 holes of golf every Tuesday at the Patriot Golf Course, beginning April 23 . Tee times are available from 4-5 PM. You can sign up now by emailing Golfing Guru Josh Cohen at
joshcohen39@yahoo.com

Green Fees: $15

Cart: $6.50 (shared)
 
There are 28 slots, so don't wait!
All levels of play welcome!

We promise to pair you with someone who won't make fun
of your swing!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


 

 

 

 .

   ALEWIFE SHUTTLE TO CROSBY DRIVE

     offers guaranteed ride home program

  
 Did you know the 128 Business Council's offfers guaranteed ride home, along with several other member benefits such as

 

  • DEP Rideshare Regulation Compliance
  • RideMatching
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Commuter Benefits Events
  • Shuttle Bus Services
  • Transportation Advocacy Programs
128 Business Council could be your one-stop resource for alternative transportation and pro-sustainability solutions for the 128 West region. Their  shuttles connect major employers, institutions and communities to public transit (MBTA stations), making commuting more effective and reducing Route 128 West and related roadway congestion.  
 Please contact the Chamber office at 781-275-8503 if your company is interested in participating in this Shuttle Program and/or if you know some other companies in the Crosby Drive area that you think would be interested. 

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS 

 

 

 Each month, Executive Director Maureen Sullivan tapes the Chamber Connections at the Bedford Tv Studio. Check out the links below of who she has interviewed and if you are  interested in being a guest, email her at bcoc@bedfordchamber.org

 

Madeline Altman ~ Bedford TV

Linda Stimson ~ Inner Visions Interiors

 

Adam Schwartz - Business Development


Mara Briere - Grow a Strong Family

The UPS Store

 

 Joan Turnberg - Live Life Well
 

Dr. Jean Marc Slak ~ Slak Chiropractic Group


Lea Ann Knight ~ Garrison Knight Financial

 

The Goddard School

 

Brookline Bank


Kristen Presley/Bedford VA

Karen Kenney/ OrganizingWorks

JRM Antiques

 

                                                                    The Bedford Citizen

 

 The Bedford Children's Center

 

                                                                         Sign Bylaw 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

  

I am a Bedford Business
video...... 

I am a Bedford Business

 

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR 

 


June 11
TEE IT GOLF
Patriot Golf Course
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA
contact josh cohen 

 

 
June 11
Multi-Chamber After Hours
Stonebridge At Burlington
94 Greenleaf Way
Burlington, MA
5:30 -7 :00

June 19
Chamber Board Retreat
The Boardroom Bistro
5:30 PM

June 19
Working Women Alliance 
Flint Room  
Town Center
Noon

June 19
One Stop Small Business
Resource Fair
Crosspoint
900 Chelmsford Road
Lowell, MA
10:00 AM -3:00 PM


 

 

  
 
 

 

  WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
  

 

2013 CHAMBER MEMBERS

 

Art Smith & Associates

Atlantic Capital Strategies
Atlantis Sports Club
Atria Longmeadow Place

B & D Advertising Agency
Baldwin Insurance Agency

Baudanza Electric Company
Bedford Acupuncture
Bedford Car Wash

Bedford Center for the Arts

Bedford Children's Centre
Bedford Family Connection
Bedford Farms
Bedford Florist
Bedford Funeral Home
Bedford Historical Society
Bedford Montessori
Bedford Motel
Bedford Orthodontics
Bedford Vision Center
Bedford Plaza Hotel

Bedford TV
 Brookline Bank
Brown & Brown, P.C.
Cafe Luigi
Callahan's Karate Studio
Calling All Pets
Cambridge Savings Bank
Carlton & Duran CPAs

Carleton-Willard Village
Christine Pinney Marketing
Connected View
Cormier Law, LLC
 
Dalya's Restaurant
Debbie Spencer HigginsGroup

Design 1 Kitchen & Bath
Design 2 Order
Design Photo
Dr. Dianne Bridgeman
Diane Cadogan Hughes/The Higgins Group
Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel

Dr. Kiana Kaymanesh

DSA Printing

Edward Jones Investments
Elm Brook Place
EMD Millipore
Enterprise Bank & Trust Co
First Parish Church
Flatbread

FUJIFILM Recording Media USA, Inc.
F.W.Webb
Garrison Knight Financial Planning LLC

Genetti's Wine & Spirits
Get in Shape for Women
Good Together
 
Great Road Gallery & Framing
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Harold Nichols Insurance Agency

Heritage At Bedford Springs

Independent Living Innovations
Inside Out Staging and Design
JRM Antiques
Keller Williams Realty
Kimberly Bee Design
Leary Auto Repair
Lexington Symphony

Live Life Well

McColough Associates, Inc.
Mettler-Toledo Thorton, Inc.
Middlesex Savings Bank

Minuteman Volkswagen Inc.

New England Nurseries, Inc

North Road Chiropractic
Organix Spa & Salon
OrganizingWorks

Oscar S. DePriest IV, DMD,PC
Panera Bread
Patrick Sullivan/The Middlesex Group

Patriot Pediatrics
Paychex, Inc.
Peter C. Quinn Insurance Agency

Progress Software

Quality Data Base Design
Rental Car Momma
Richard Egan Insurance

Right At home
Salon OZ
Slak Chiropractic Group
Soho
Spaulding Management
Spencer Company
Spire

St. Michael Parish Center
Strawberry Hill Properties
Summit Health & Fitness
TD Bank
The Bedford Citizen
The Bedford Minuteman
The Boardroom Bistro

The Goddard School
The Higgins Group Realtors
The UPS Store
Pulte Homes of New England, LLC

Vela Ventures

Watson Law Office
William Raveis Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

facebook 
FOLLOW US!!!

twitter