THE BEDFORD BANNER  

                                                                                                           November 2013   
 

 

In This Issue
All Sign Bylaws pass
Question Everything
Flavors of Bedford
Bedford First
Chamber Announcements
Chamber Connections
I am a Bedford Business
Facebook

ALL SIGN BYLAW ARTICLES PASSED

AT SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

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
QUESTION EVERYTHING!

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."

 

 

 

.

FLAVORS OF BEDFORD
was more then flavorful
  

         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 Grumman


SAPPHIRE
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
 
      

                                           
What we did in October....
    Working Women Alliance
  
Board of Directors

Goddard School Trunk or Treat

Business Development/Sign Bylaw
  
  

  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
 

 

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

 

 

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.

 

   

 

 

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 

 

  
  
November 9
VA FUN RUN
VA Medical Center
200 Springs Rd.
 Bedford, MA 01730
  
November 14
Board of Directors Meeting
Bedford Police Station
7:30 AM

November  21
Working Women Alliance
Flint Room
Town Center
Noon

December 15
Suzanne & Co.
Holiday House Tour
1-4 PM
  
 

 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
 

 
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

 

 

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

facebook 
FOLLOW US!!!

twitter