Recent Events...
Annual Meeting Breakfast - Thursday, October 22nd
Our second Annual Meeting Breakfast was held on Thursday, October 22nd at the Marriott Courtyard - Billerica. Our guest speaker wasl Navjeet K. Bal, Commissioner of Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Ms Bal, who was appointed as the Commissioner of Revenue for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in February 2008, provided an overview of the challenges her department and the Commonwealth have faced over the past year. Ms Bal is responsible for overseeing the Department of Revenue's approximately 2,200 employees in offices across the state that work in its Tax Administration division, Child Support Enforcement division and its Municipal Finance division. Ms. Bal is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Federation of Tax Administrators.
In addition to our keynote speaker, we also recieved and economic development update from Stephanie Cronin, the Town of Billerica's Economic Development Coordinator as well as an overview of the Town's Community Information Systems from Sgt Greg Katz and Captain Dan Doyle of the Billerica Police Department
The meeting also focused on the accomplishments of the Alliance over the past year, our first full year as an organization. Bill Haddad, President, reviewed what has been accomplished in 2009 as well as our goals for 2010. Jim McFeeley of billerica.org and the Fundraising Sub-Committee also gave a rousing presentation on our upcoming 'Buy It In Billerica' campaign
The meeting also included the election of five members to the Alliance's Board of Directors. The following were elected:
- Bill Haddad - LPL Financial - 2Year Term to Expire in 2011
- Doris Pearson - Enterprise Bank - 2 Year Term to Expire in 2011
- Dan Martin - Lantheus Medical Imaging - 3 Year Term to Expire in 2012
- Mike Reed - Brightview Concord River - 3 Year Term to Expire in 2012
- Jeff Surette - Surette Creative - 3 Year Term to Expire in 2012
Following the meeting, the board elected their officers for 2010.
- President - Bill Haddad - LPL Financial
- VP - Business Development - Neelam Wali - Printing & Graphic Services
- VP - Community Enhancement - Doris Pearson - Enterprise Bank
- Treasurer - Paula Ericsson - Paula Ericsson, CPA
- Secretary - Alice Rouse - Middlesex Community College
The Alliance wishes to thank Kris Frazee and Tara Norton of the Courtyard by Marriott - Billerica for their hospitatlity and assistance in hosting this year's meeting. We also wish to thank all of our guest speakers for taking the time to speak. We lastly wish to thank Jim Marshall for his two years of service on the Board of Directors.
Small Business Seminar - Tuesday, October 6th
The Alliance held it's latest Small Business Seminar on Tuesday October 6th at the Nana 7 Japanese Steakhouse in North Billerica. Our topic was information on the upcoming 'Massachusetts Identy Theft Prevention'
(201 CMR 17.00)
law that goes into effect on March 1, 2009.
Our speakers, Edan Barshan and Meghan Weaver of Boston based Universal Benefit Plans, provided an overview of the legislation as well as potential impacts to businesses and consumers. They also provided definitions of some of the key terms in the law and what type of changes businesses will need to make in order to insure that their practices and systems are compliant. Edan Barshan, CEO and President of Universal Benefit Plans, has himself been the victim of identity theft and offered some interesting perspectives on the ease with which an individual can be victimized.
We thank both of our speakers for providing information on this critical topic to our members as well as Jack Lu of the Nana 7 Japanese Steakhouse for hosting the event.
Fall Sundowner - Wednesday, September 30th
The Alliance held our Fall Sundowner on Wednesday, September 30th at the Pinehurst branch of Enterprise Bank at 674 Boston Rd.
Enterprise Bank Branch Manager, Margarita Kalaviotis and her staff, provided a great venue for the group. Buffets Inc catered the event and provided a nice assortment of appetizers and beverages. Our thanks to Margarita for hosting the event and for Ellie Mooney of Buffets for the excellent refreshments.
Sundowner Host Enterprise Branch Manager, Margarita Kalaviotis and Alliance Member Helen Mastroianni of Hill's Home Foods
Alliance Vice President Doris Pearson and Alliance Member Ken Goode of MassDevelopment
September Membership Meeting
Our September Membership Meeting was held on Thursday, September 24th at the Billerica Public Library. The group of 30+ plus had the opportunity to hear two guest speakers:
- Stephen Mahoney from MassRides who discussed services offered by the agency
- Dr Anthony Serio, Billerica Public Schools Superintendant, who discussed the Parker School Building project.
Our thanks to Billerica Library Director, Barbara Flaherty, and the her staff for their hospitality.
Superintendant of Schools Dr Tony Serio and Alliance Member Tony Lucacio celebrate their birthdays with Alliance Member Liana Measmer of the Billerica Green
Fall Business Roundtable
On Thursday, September 17th the Alliance held it's second Business Roundtable event at the offices of Woods Realty in Towne Plaza at 700 Boston Rd. The Roundtable is intended to be a collaborative working session that includes representatives from our member businesses as well as local officials. Our Fall Roundtable focused on our smaller member businesses and we had an excellent turnout that included representation from key Town of Billerica departments as well about 30 or our member businesses. The purpose of these sessions is to:
- Identify issues of common interest
- Determine potential solutions
- Devise action plans and follow up activities
We hope that collectively we can solve issues and identify opportunities that will help businesses grow and prosper in Billerica.
Our thanks to Carol Woods and her staff at Woods Realty who provided an excellent venue for the event as well as providing our group with ample morning refreshments.
Yankee Doodle Homecoming
On what was admittedly not the best day for weather, the Alliance participated in this year's Yankee Doodle Homecoming on Saturday, September 12th. Our thanks to Buffets Inc for providing the cookies we gave away to those who did brave the wet weather and we all certainly hope for better times next year.
Alliance Member Ellie Mooney of Buffets Inc and Home Sweet Home and Alliance Vice President Doris Pearson try to stay dry in the Alliance tent at at Yankee Doodle Homecoming
Home Sweet Home - Open House
Ellie
Mooney from Buffets Inc held an Open House for her new business
venture, Home Sweet Home, on Thursday,
June 18th. Pictured from left at the ribbon cutting are Doris Pearson,
Vice President - Billerica Community Alliance, Billerica Selectman Bob
Correnti and Ellie Mooney. In spite of some very dismal weather, the
locale was cheery and the food was delicious.
Home Sweet Home is located at 756 Boston Rd in Pinehurst. They offer a variety of take out items for both lunch and dinner, including a salad bar and soup selections as well as dessert items. Priced for families, Home Sweet Home offers the same great food served by Buffets Inc. that you can enjoy at home or at work.
Summer Staycation Raffle Winners
Congratulations to the winners of our 'Summer Staycation' Raffle and thanks to all who supported us by purchasing tickets.
Raffle Prize Winners:
- First Prize - $2,000 Spending Spree at O'Connor Hardware - Won by Eric Mallan of Lowell
- Second Prize - $500 Gourmet Meat Package from Hill's Foods - Won by Bill Baker of Billerica
- Third Prize - $100 Gift Certificate to Market Basket - Won by Denise Wass of Billerica
Business Champion 2009 - Alice Rouse of Middlesex Community College
We congratulate Alice Rouse of Middlesex Community College as our 2009 Business Champion. Alice has been a champion for many organizations in the town of Billerica including the Alliance, the former Billerica Plan and Chamber of Commerce, Partners for Education and the Friends of the Council on Aging among others.
Alice has been an outstanding advocate for local organizations for many years. She is actively involved in the local community, serves on a number of boards as well as sharing her time and energy. She has also helped local organizations find ways to utilize the the resources available at Middlesex Community College.
Business Champion Breakfast - Thursday, May 28th
Thanks
to our host Cabot Corporation, our honoree Alice
Rouse and our speakers, Fred Ciampa and Dan Martin for
a great Business Champion on Thursday, May 28th.
The event was a great success and the breakfast was enjoyed by all who
attended.
Our guest speakers this year were two former winners of the Business Champion of the Year award, Dan Martin of Lantheus Medical Imaging and Fred Ciampa of Fred Ciampa, CPA. They focused their remarks around how to survive and thrive in challenging times; certainly wisdom that all of us can use these days.
More Clean Up & Green Up - AS&E at Kids Konnection & BMHS
We want to especially acknowledge the efforts made by 70+ employees of Billerica based America Science & Engineering (AS&E) on Friday, May 22nd at Kids Konnection and Billerica Memorial High School. As part of their first ever Community Service Day, AS&E employees spent their day making significant upgrades in Billerica.
These efforts are a significant enhancement could not have occurred without the financial contribution and manpower provided by AS&E. Their commitment to the projects and their obvious enthusiasm for the work was contagious.
Kids Konnection - AS&E funded and installed major new playground equipment as well as made significant improvements to the landscaping and redefined the entrance area.
BMHS - AS&E built and installed a pergola in the new BMHS 'Greenhouse' and provided tools and startup supplies to make the greenhouse vision a reality. They also painted the lecture hall, refinished two doors and planted flowers around the front entrances.
We thank all of AS&E's team for their efforts! These are the kind of activities that truly do make a difference in the community.
Still Cleaning and Greening - Additional Work Efforts
We continue to be impressed by the efforts that were made this year by local groups and businesses on cleaning and greening Billerica.
Cabot - Cleanup on Concord Rd
The team at Cabot Corporation on Concord Rd went the extra mile to cleanup along the cemetary on Concord Rd. In just a few hours, their efforts really made a difference!
Enterprise Bank - Akerson Field & Contribution Park
The Pinehurst branch at Enterprise Bank spent an afternoon cleaning up at Akerson Field, while the North Billerica branch took on Contribution Park.
Billerica Businesses and the 'Globe 100' - Congratulations!
Billerica businesses are well represented on this year's 'Globe 100 List of the Best Massachusetts Businesses'. This annual list represents the top performing public companies in Massachusetts. As the Globe notes, these companies continued to excel at a time when so many others have struggled and their stories offer invaluable lessons for tough times.
We congratulate all Billerica companies who made this year's 'Globe Top 100' or 'Growth 50' lists and are happy to note that a number of these local companies are among our members and have been consistent supporters of this organization. Congratulations to all on their achievements..
Among those businesses in Billerica who are on the Globe 100 and their overall rank on the list are the following:
- Parexel - #10 for 2009
- Raytheon - #17 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
- Millipore - #35 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
- AS&E - #39 for 2009
- Bruker - #48 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
- Cabot - #53 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
- Enterprise Bank - #92 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
- CSP Inc - #99 for 2009
In addition, a number of these businesses also made the list of the 'Growth 50'. Those include (along with their rank on the Growth 50 list) the following local companies:
- Bruker - #2 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
- Parexel - #7 for 2009
- Millipore - #16 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
- AS&E - #24 for 2009
- Raytheon - #34 for 2009 (Alliance Member)
For more information on the 'Globe 100'. see the Boston Globe's website at www.boston.com/business/globe/globe100/be100.