THE BEDFORD BANNER  

                                                                                                           September 2013   
 

 

 
In This Issue
Moveable Freestanding Signs
Flavors of Bedford
Chamber Directory
Bedford First
Chamber Connections
I am a Bedford Business
Facebook

Update on  "Moveable Freestanding Signs" and "Open-for-Business Flags"

 

By Karen Kenney

 

I wanted to bring to your attention the feedback the Sign Bylaw Committee has received thus far regarding movable freestanding signs. While Great Road and other areas have not been inundated with these signs, due to families away on summer vacation and businesses' reduced work schedules, we have received some "not so good feedback" otherwise known as complaints. There have been no comments/complaints regarding Open-for-Business flags.

 

#1 complaint is the signs are tacky and unprofessional, making the center of Bedford look tacky or cheap. This comment has been directed at wire-frame signs that are being stuck into the ground and metal-frames signs, not A-Frame type signs. If you are using one of these signs please make them look more professional or use an attractive A-frame sign.

 

#2 Black Block is getting most of the flack. Residences and businesses don't know where the property lines defining the private and public property are located. If you are confused get in touch with Chris Laskey. He is the town's Director of Code Enforcement (781-275-7446). Chris has been up at Blake Block several times explaining the do's and don't. But for some reason tenants keep doing what they want. If you are a tenant there, please remember resident are watching closely and not following the rules may bolster their opposition to these types of signs when it comes to vote at Special Fall Town Meeting.

 

All sandwich board signs are supposed be in by 8pm. Please tell your manager or employees to bring them in by 8pm.

 

If you are real estate broker who uses moveable freestanding signs (especially the wire frame signs) with direction to open houses, please be sure not to block the intersections. We have residents complaining that they are having trouble crossing the street due to these signs. These signs are already permitted by the Sign Bylaw and are not part of temporary exemption, but they must still follow the rules already in-place and not be placed where they impede pedestrians or create a public nuisance. Remember SAFETY FIRST!

 

I think most of us have forgotten what these signs are for. To help small business get more visibility, which helps the businesses' bottom line, which in turn allows them to pay their taxes and hire more employees, making it a WIN-WIN for everyone. There are concerns that if this Sign Bylaw amendment is not approved at Town Meeting, some of these businesses will not make it in Bedford.

 

I, too, don't want to see Great Road become a cluttered mess. But, if we could all please stop and think about the impact you could be making on your fellow businesses by notfollowing the guidelines. If you put out a tacky sign, or you leave it out day after day, you are hurting the folks who are following the rules. Remember you don't need to put it out every day. But isn't it nice to be able to put out a sign with new promotion or event? That is the intent.

 

Dana, from Prince Street Café, says her sign has increased her business so much she has hired two employees. And is getting about 5-15 new folks a day. All of them saying, "I never knew you were here." In her case the sign is working.

 

Besides Dana, who else is seeing an increase in business? I need your numbers. Are you getting more business each day? Did you hire new employees due to an increase in volume? Please send me your figures. I need to share with the Committee and the Selectman that it is working. Email your results, as we get into September keep collecting these numbers, and keep sharing them with me. (Karen@organizingworks.net)

 

Our biggest challenge to address for this to pass is figuring out how we are going to enforce it? Chris Laskey is already very busy with all he does for the town. If it passes, it will drastically increase his responsibilities. To help the town and Chris we need to some enforcement ourselves.

 

We ask if you see at a neighboring business not complying with the guideline, to please let them know they not following the rules. If you have employees, tell them they must follow the rules. Landlords please do the same. Can you help your tenants follow the rules, point out the private and public property where the signs are allowed on your property! Help eliminate the confusion!

 

 Our next meeting is August 29th, 7:30pm, at Town Hall. The Selectman will be holding a Public Hearing on September 3rd, where the committee will present our recommendations for Sign Bylaw amendments. We also have a meeting scheduled for Sept 5th, also at 7:30pm at Town Hall, where we will likely be addressing comments received at the Selectman hearing.  Please consider attending  the Selectman's hearing on September 3rd. 

 

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 FLAVORS OF BEDFORD SPONSORSHIP
   IS YOUR BUSINESS LISTED YET?

        2013 Premier Sponsors

      Brown & Brown, P.C.

      Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel

             
                                         Patron Sponsors (1 more available)
  Bedford Florist
    Atria Longmeadow Place
  DSA Printing

  

Emerald Sponsors (5 more available) 

                          Brookline Bank
                   Summit Health & Fitness
                      Middlesex Savings Bank
                               TD Bank

                         The UPS Store

 


         Sapphire Sponsors  (8 more available) 

 

     Cambridge Savings Bank
            Great Road Gallery & Framing
Carlton & Duran, CPAs
            Garrison Knight Financial Planning
            Debbie Spencer/Sheena Santos
The Higgins Group
        Hanscom Federal Credit Union
               Kenneth Gordon/Gordon Law Office

                                           
   Friends of Flavors

Live Life Well

Christine Pinney Marketing   

 

 

 

Chamber Directory to be published 
  cover
To learn more about Chamber Profiles, please go to www.ChamberProfiles.com. The Chamber will be publishing a local Business Guide, the guide is a bio-based, print and online directory of all Camber members .In October, the print directory will be mailed to every home in Bedford. The print Directory is filled with half-page profiles written by Chamber members as well as traditional display advertisements. It also includes a category-based Member Directory with contact information for all members of the Chamber. The print Directory is a full-color, glossy publication the size of a playbill. Solicitation for ads will begin in August.
 
  
  

  Bedfordfirst  BEDFORD FIRST 

 


Participating members as of 8/1

 

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

Middlesex Savings Bank Customer Satisfaction Seminar

 

In the current business climate, service organizations need to provide the ultimate customer satisfaction to drive loyalty and repeat business. From your customer's perspective this means having the right person, with the right skills, at the right time. Dr. Carol DeMoranville, Professor and Chair of Marketing at Bryant University will show you how to offer consistent, high quality service to maximize customer satisfaction and increase sales. Guests will also learn about the foundations of successful relationship marketing, communication management strategies and effective service recovery tactics.

 

To register, please visit www.middlesexbank.com/businesssuccess by September 9, 2013.

 

We look forward to seeing you at our Business Success Seminar.

Regards,
Maud Dentico
Business Development Officer
Email me
508-315-5286

 

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  128

                                                             
September 13, 2013
Westin-Waltham Boston Hotel
Waltham, MA
For more info click here
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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 

 

September 3, 10, 17, 24
TEE IT GOLF
Patriot Golf Course
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA
contact Josh Cohen 
  

September 12
Board of Directors Meeting
Bedford Police Station
7:30 AM

September 13
128 Business Expo
Westin -Waltham Hotel
70 Third Ave
Waltham, MA
10:30-3:00 PM
Click here to register

September 19
Working Women Alliance
Flint Room
Town Center
Noon

September 21
   Bedford Day

October 3
 Multi- Chamber Networking
The Gables @Winchester
5-7 PM 
  
 
 
2013 Chamber Members

Amptek Inc.

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 Higgins Group

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,
F.W.Webb
Garrison Knight Financial Planning  

Genetti's Wine & Spirits
Get in Shape for Women 
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.
Mead Bors. Tree Serice
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
Serenity Yoga
Slak Chiropractic Group
Soho
Spaulding Management
Shovi Websites
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

 

 

 

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