ALL SIGN BYLAW ARTICLES PASSED
AT SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
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Continuing the work that began in January 2012, the Sign Bylaw Committee presented six more recommendations at Special Town Meeting on November 4 for revisions to the rules that govern signs in the town of Bedford. Several sign bylaw amendments were voted on at Annual Town Meeting last March; the following six-Articles 3 through 8- were the final recommendations offered by the ad hoc Committee. Congratulations to Sign Bylaw Committee Chair Jeff Cohen, and his committee Lisa Mustapich, Karen Kenney, Mark Siegenthaler, Carol Carlson, Ralph Zazula and Kevin Latady for their work on this important issue.
Article 3-General Bylaw Amendment-Miscellaneous and Article 5-General Bylaw Amendment-Sign Bylaw-Residential Zones are mostly housekeeping, coordination and minor tweaking of wording. ADOPTED
Article 4-Reverse Channel Signs proposes to provide a clear definition in the Sign Bylaw for "Reverse-Channel Signs" a.k.a. halo-lit and/or backlit signs and to permit these signs in the Business, Commercial and Industrial zones. ADOPTED
Article 5 - The current Sign Bylaw does not include a definition for this type of sign. Wall signs at Stop & Shop, CVS and Cambridge Savings Bank are examples of Reverse-Channel Signs that were considered in developing the proposed definition and requirements, and for which the ZBA has granted Special Permits. ADOPTED
Article 6-Special Considerations proposes to codify the use of "Open-for-Business" flags being displayed by businesses. This may spark some discussion, but it is pretty straight-forward. Again, flags in the Historic District would require HDC review. ADOPTED
Article 7-Movable Freestanding Signs proposes to allow businesses, through ZBA-granting of a Special Permit, the ability to display a movable freestanding sign at their place of business. ADOPTED
The Selectmen granted a temporary Sign Bylaw exemption to run from July 2 until November 1, 2013, to allow businesses to test the waters and give residents a chance to look at the visual impact of these signs. The temporary exemption expired on November 1. However the Chamber's Business Development Committee has petitioned the selectman to allow the free moving signs for the next two months (holiday season), until the permitting process is complete for businesses who are going to pursue the moveable signs.
Article 8-Illumination proposes to lift the prohibition on internally illuminated signs, but only for signs in the Industrial zones in town. ADOPTED
The request for an illuminated sign would still go through the Special Permit process with the ZBA, and applicants will now be required to submit more substantive calculations to demonstrate that the sign complies with the Bylaw's requirements. The permissible brightness of internally-illuminated signs would be reduced from 75 foot-lamberts (present maximum for all illuminated signs) to 50 foot-lamberts.
Similar to Article 7, there would be a mandatory condition of approval stipulating that the applicant would waive their grandfather rights to illuminate this sign internally if the Sign Bylaw becomes more restrictive in the future.
The committee was not intended from the outset to become a permanent Town committee and therefore, the Sign Bylaw Review Committee will be disbanding after 2013 Special Fall Town Meeting
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QUESTION EVERYTHING!
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By Geoffery Moore
The other day I saw a bumper sticker I liked. It read:
Don't Believe Everything You Think
That's good advice for anyone involved with marketing.
I've seen many businesses get burned because they get in a hurry, and unquestioningly grab the first marketing idea that comes along. They don't challenge their own thinking or question their own assumptions. They just run with it. That's usually a big mistake.
I hate to break this to you but just because a thought flies into your mind, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a great thought! And just because your wife or husband or co-worker likes your ad doesn't necessarily mean the ad will get great results. I'm not saying you don't know what you're doing. But when it comes to marketing your business, the unchallenged assumption is a luxury you simply cannot afford.
As a bumper sticker from the 1960s said: QUESTION EVERYTHING.
Question everything you do that touches the customer--from your name, to your business card, your stationery, your Web site, your flyer, your brochure, your poster, your thank you letter, your phone message, your ads, your classified ads, your store's appearance, your appearance, etc. Question every detail.
Ask yourself: What kind of impression are we actually making on people's minds with everything we do? What do people think and feel and believe when they look at our ads and/or other materials? What do we want them to think and feel and do?
3 Ways to Question Your Own Assumptions
1. Think Backward
Start by picturing the customer's mind at the point of a purchase decision. What led to that decision? How did she get there? What were the thought processes? What happened to trigger those thoughts and feelings? What was she looking for or unhappy about? What were the customer's buttons and how did they get pushed? What would it take to improve this process?
2. Get Some Distance
When you're evaluating an advertising idea, you may need to take a step back. Get a second opinion from someone outside your business that you respect. Talk to some customers. Go for a walk. Sleep on it. Take some extra time. Then come back and look at it again. Believe me, it will be worth the time. I have learned to never automatically trust the first idea that pops into my head. When I have what I think is a good idea, I'll put it aside and come back to it after a few days. Sometimes when I do that, I end up saying to myself, "What was I thinking?" Then I'm so glad I took the extra time.
3. Kill Your Own Darlings
It's easy to get attached to our own ideas. We're like parents who overlook the faults of their own children.
But I've learned that-no matter how much I love an idea-I've got to first try to kill it, try to find reasons why it won't work. Frequently, this process will either lead to a better idea, or to ways to make the original work better.
To paraphrase Nietsche: "Whatever doesn't kill your idea makes it stronger."
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FLAVORS OF BEDFORD was more then flavorful
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Twelve years and the Flavors of Bedford is still one of the highlights of the fall for Bedford businesses and residents. This year, the event showcased 22 local restaurants and 25 businesses. We also entertained 25 returning deployed soldiers from Hanscom Air Foce Base. The Chamber will be making a donation to non profits, Heroes for Homecoming and Friends of Hanscom.
Best of Flavor awards were selected by
Judges Judy Brown, Chief Bobby Bongierno and Citizen of the Year Ralph Hammond.
This year's winners are
Best Presentation - Atria Longmeadow Place Best Appetizer- Whole Foods Market Best Entr�e - Burton's Grille
Best Dessert - L'Andana
Many thanks to our premier sponsors Brown & Brown, PC, & The Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel, our other sponsors, the ROTC cadets, the Bucapellas, BHS string quartet, CCHS Cheerleaders, volunteers Daisy Girifalco, Sheena Santos, Bryan McKay, Barb Davis
and Dani De Paris.
It couldn't have happened without you!
"Thank you for inviting us to be a part of The Flavors of Bedford. Our
Airmen thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the great people
of Bedford as well as the awesome food. I can't believe how fortunate we
are to have such fantastic community partners. Thanks for all you and the
Bedford Chamber do for the men and women of Team Hanscom!"
Col. L. Weilacher
Premier Event Sponsors: Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel Law Offices of Brown and Brown
EMERALD
Atria Longmeadow Place
Brookline Bank Summit Health Fitness Middlesex Savings Bank TD Bank Genetti's Wine & Spirit, Inc. Stonebridge at Burlington The UPS Store Northrop GrummanSAPPHIRE
Cambridge Savings Bank
Great Road Gallery & Framing
Carlton & Duran, CPAs
Garrison Knight Financial Planning
Debbie Spencer & Sheena Santos
Dr. Oscar DePriest
JRM Antiques
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Baldwin Insurance The Higgins Group
State Representative Ken Gordon
FRIENDS of FLAVORS
Live Life Well
Christine Pinney Marketing
uVisialize, LLC Travel Company
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What we did in October.... |
Working Women Alliance
Board of Directors
Goddard School Trunk or Treat
Business Development/Sign Bylaw
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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
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CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Announcement from the Bedford Board of Health - Flu vaccine is still available!
The Bedford Board of Health has already hosted 9 flu clinics this fall, but we still have flu vaccine available! The following walk-in clinic has been scheduled at the Board of Health office in the Town Center Building (yellow building behind Town Hall) located at 12 Mudge Way:
Thursday, November 7th, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
These walk-in flu clinics are free and open to people 6 months of age and older on a first come, first served basis. Please wear clothing that allows for easy access to your arm for vaccine administration. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We have the following flu vaccine formulations available at these clinics: flu shots, flu mist (nasal spray for healthy children 2-18 years of age) and high-dose flu vaccine (flu shot for residents 65 years of age and over). Please note: we have a limited supply of flu mist and high dose vaccine. Again, all vaccine will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Before you arrive at the walk-in clinic, save a step and download and complete the appropriate registration form (either Flu Shot or Flu Mist) from our website. The Board of Health asks that you bring your medical insurance cards to the clinic you attend.
For the registration forms and more information about the flu vaccine please click on the Flu Information link on the Board of Health website at www.bedfordma.gov/health.
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I am a Bedford Business video......
CHAMBER CALENDAR
VA Medical Center 200 Springs Rd. Bedford, MA 01730
November 14Board of Directors Meeting Bedford Police Station 7:30 AM November 21Working Women AllianceFlint Room Town Center Noon December 15
Suzanne & Co.
Holiday House Tour 1-4 PM
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Welcome to New Members
First Choice Care, LLC. New England Executive Park Suite 1096 Burlington, M 01803 781-238-6623 Danielle M. Beck, NP-C,LLC Designing Healthy Lives 66 Pine Hill Road Bedford, MA 01730 781-696-4976
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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 Brightview Concord River 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 Designing Healthy Lives
Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel
Dr. Kiana Kaymanesh
DSA Printing
Edward Jones Investments
Elm Brook Place EMD Millipore Enterprise Bank & Trust Co
First Choice Care, LLC. 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 UVisualize, LLC Travel Pulte Homes of New England, LLC
Vela Ventures
Watson Law Office Wicked Loyal
William Raveis Real Estate
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