CBA Newsletter Chelmsford Business Association • Fall 2020 Chelmsford, MA 01824 • 987-250-3858 • www.chelmsfordbusiness.org President’s Message

Dear CBA Members: The Economic Injury Disaster Loan increased from program (EIDL) is a new loan program eight weeks to 24 I hope this letter finds you and your that is supposed to provide immediate weeks. Borrower's family safe and healthy as we continue funding for applicants. I have to say I also have up to adjust to a Covid-19 world. haven't seen any of these applications to ten months pass across my desk but the program from the covered As I began writing this letter I realized does have its merits. If you are period to apply that if it wasn't for Covid-19, I would currently looking for inexpensive, long- for forgiveness. If be in the middle of a 10-day Hawaiian term capital, you should explore this you've received PPP money, you should vacation with my wife celebrating our program. be in the process of evaluating and 31st anniversary. By the way, this trip applying for forgiveness. Funds that are was planned last January when Covid The Paycheck Protection Program not forgiven have very favorable loan was just another strain of the flu. Go (PPP) is what most small businesses terms, including: a 5-year repayment figure, so much for best laid plans… have taken advantage of since the term and a fixed interest rate of 1.00%. We cancelled our trip a few weeks program went live in April (the program ago. We received a full refund on the closed on 8/8/2020). The program had The aforementioned programs have hotel deposits (seven-day cancellation a rough start and has been modified helped many businesses survive. The policy) and Hawaiian Airlines gave us several times since its inception. This economy is recovering, perhaps faster an unsolicited, two-year, travel voucher is a Small Business Administration than most had expected, but we are with no cancellation fees. For the (SBA) loan program that was originally a long way from solid footing. One record, when we purchased the tickets designed to provide quick access "air ball" is the election; the other is a "pre-Covid" cancellations included fees to capital without all of the normal vaccine. Let's keep our fingers crossed and credits had to be used within a one- SBA "red tape". The administration and hope that whatever happens in year window from the original purchase was successful in this effort but the November the economy continues date. Had Hawaiian not stepped up we numerous changes and delays initially to recover and a vaccine becomes would have been out on the airfare since made the process stressful and available soon. the one-year window would still be in confusing. The terms of the original Covid. loan program allowed for a business Speaking of a vaccine, unfortunately, to apply for a loan with 75% of those the Golf and Holiday socials have While losing the airfare would have proceeds used for payroll over an been cancelled for this year. These are been unfortunate, it would not have eight-week period. The remaining 25% two events that just don't fit into the been tragic. However, look at the travel could be used for fixed expenses like: mandated social distancing restrictions. and leisure industries as a whole--what utilities, rent, mortgage interest, etc. If We look forward to bringing them back is happening to them is becoming the loan proceeds were used under this next year. catastrophic! I just hope Hawaiian and formula, then 100% of the loan would the hotels we wanted to stay in are be forgiven. The program was meant to Lastly, the tax classification vote is upon around when we re-book our trip next keep people from the unemployment us. We plan to ask the Select Board for year. lines; however, it did little for keeping relief and continued movement toward businesses afloat. parity. Please show your support by The good news for most big attending, albeit virtually, the upcoming corporations is they have access to In June the PPP was revised once Select Board meetings. capital. The Gov't is also likely to create again with one goal of providing more bailout programs for certain industries. assistance to the Borrower. The most As always, if you have any questions or For small businesses the opportunity significant change was in the usage concerns with the CBA, please do not for investment is more challenging. formula that went from the 75/25 split hesitate to contact me or any one of the Currently, the Gov't is providing to a 60/40 split, essentially giving more Board Directors. programs for small businesses and it money back to the business for fixed sounds like more assistance is on the expenses that didn't go away while they Sincerely, way. There are two programs I hope all were operating below capacity, or if at Thomas N. Boucher of you have taken advantage of, or at all. Equally important is the time frame President least, looked into: EIDL and PPP. to use the funds within this formula 2 Chelmsford Business Association Newsletter • Fall 2020

Organizations: the Chelmsford keeping the CCA alive until we can Art Society, the organization that fully re-open again. Without the sponsors the beloved annual 4th exhibition and rehearsal space, more of July Art Show; the Chelmsford than 150 community artists and Community Concert Band and performers who bring art and music the Chelmsford Band, whose to our town have no home. So… volunteer musicians give free concerts every summer on the …What do we ask of our Chelmsford Common; Illumination Opera, community? We just celebrated which presents fully staged operas our 10th Anniversary in November and cabaret performances at the and we ask every Chelmsford CCA; and Toastmasters, the public household to contribute $10 to speaking organization open to all. help Chelmsford’s public arts center In addition, we present exhibitions (the ONLY public arts center in in our own gallery of the work of the Commonwealth) survive the local artists throughout the year. The pandemic. You may, of course, CCA has also served almost 2000 donate any amount, but $10 a children through our partnership household will assure the CCA will with Applause Academy, a non-profit continue and be able to open as soon children’s music theatre organization. as possible.

The CCA is Chelmsford’s own public Due to the pandemic, we have We are working on presenting visual and performing arts center. lost our income from ticket sales, outdoor performances, live streamed Besides the patrons from all over rehearsal rentals, class rentals, gallery and recorded performances from our the Merrimack Valley who attend gift shop sales for the holidays, and auditorium, and outdoor exhibitions. performances, we are primarily private rentals; but there are ongoing Show your support of the arts in our the home to our Resident Arts costs to running the building and town by donating today. THINK LOCAL! This year has certainly been a trying time. The holidays are quickly approaching. Help support How do you take your coffee?? local businesses by I take mine with a pumpkin muffin Maybe a raspberry fruit bar for purchasing gift certificates you? Or cookies? Whatever you try it’s going to be delicious and to local restaurant, retail #locallymade by @razzysbakingandcatering So excited for another stores, services. Think local fantastic partnership with a #localbusiness Stop in today to grab yours! when shopping this holiday Remember, when you shop here you are supporting over 80 (yes 80!!) season.

It's a WIN - WIN for the Chelmsford Business Community. Chelmsford Business Association Newsletter • Fall 2020 3

Questions? Call Kathy Kelley at 617-996-1660 SHRED See You Again in 2021! NEW LOCATION: Lincoln Liquors (formerly Harrington Wine and Liquors) DAY 10 Summer Street, Chelmsford, MA

CBA Shred Date was held this year, with socially distant procedures put into place. We had a great turn out. This year we opened the event to the entire Chelmsford Business Community. We had 23 vehicles in attendance and yielded 4,073 lbs. of material shred. Three potential new members. The members made many comments on how much they like shred day.

Chelmsford Business Association Scholarship Fund Established in 1990, The Chelmsford Business Association is a group of nearly 300 member businesses that operate in the Town of Chelmsford. The purpose of the Association’s fund is to award scholarships to Chelmsford residents who upon graduation from the Chelmsford Public High School, the Nashoba Valley Technical High School or any other accredited private high school, including an accredited “charter high school” with the intend to pursue a degree at an accredited two or four year college or junior college. 4 Chelmsford Business Association Newsletter • Fall 2020 CBA Scholarship Award

Left to right: Rick Romano, Paul Baker, John Harrington and Tom Boucher

We are proud to announce Paul graduated in June from Paul made the committee's the 2020 Chelmsford Business Nashoba Tech and is already a decision an easy one and since Scholarship recipient is Mr. Paul Junior at Umass Lowell majoring the selection for the scholarship Baker. Paul is the son of Linda in Mechanical Engineering with is always a blind process to keep and Derick Baker of Chelmsford. a minor in Aerospace studies. the scoring impartial, it is when While Paul only just graduated Paul has a passion for music in we meet recipients like Paul that from Nashoba Valley Technical general and a love of guitar and we see the level of maturity and High School he has taken full drums. He works part time at accomplishments of all the CBA advantage of the opportunity Market Basket in Westford as award winners. We wish Paul all to dual enroll at Middlesex well as providing extra support the best for his continued studies! Community College earning his to students enrolled at Middlesex Associates degree. Community College. Chelmsford Business Association Newsletter • Fall 2020 5

1921 Ford Auto No. 3, first Fire Truck in West Chelmsford (Chelmsford Fire Department Collection)

From the Fire Department Winter Will Be November 1st is the date to set clocks back one hour (Fall Back). The Fire Department recommends replacing batteries in all Here Soon! Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors including plug in and hard wired types, which usually have battery back up in case of power loss. Law requires replacement of smoke detectors after 10 years. Protect Your Pipes As colder weathers approaches, residents and businesses are encouraged to review items around their property that need to be protected from freezing, especially water pipes and meters. Failure to properly prepare for the winter months can lead to freeze ups, which leave property without water. Since freeze ups typically occur in the basement, it is important to eliminate cold drafts by securely closing windows and doors along with filling gaps with expandable foam insulation. Wrapping vulnerable pipes with pipe insulation is another step that helps to prevent freeze ups. These4 maintenance items are inexpensive and may be purchased at any home improvement store. A few minutes of prevention this fall can save you from real troubles when the snow flies. Please take a moment to check these items. Applebee's Grill + Bar 50 Drum Hill Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824 (978) 452-2546

Ayotte Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning 108 Middlesex St North Chelmsford, MA 01863 (978) 251-1000

Christopher's Emergency Equipment 76 Riverneck Rd Chelmsford, MA 01824 (978) 452-7433

1 (800) 584-6162

Annmarie Roark E [email protected] ATTORNEY P (978) 256-4167 F (978) 250-8387 229 Billerica Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 www.aroarklaw.com Chelmsford Business Association Newsletter • Fall 2020 7

Commission on Disabilities

Chelmsford Commission on Disabilities Encouraging Local Restaurants to Offer Large Print Menus

It’s not just a problem for persons with visual impairments. As Chelmsford’s population gradually ages, more and more local residents are finding it difficult to read the small print on packages, labels, and frequently on restaurant menus. Especially when the lights are low, and when the menus are decorated with tempting pictures of the food itself, the print can tend to get lost in the background.

One solution, which is being promoted by the Chelmsford Commission on Disabilities, is for local restaurants to offer large print menus to customers who request them. Anne Smith, One local restaurant that jumped on the CCOD Chairperson, has been visiting this opportunity immediately and is local restaurants and providing them with now providing large print menus is The information about the font types, sizes, and Establishment, located at 75 Princeton Street formats that are easiest for restaurant patrons in North Chelmsford. Owner and Operator with limited vision, and everyone else, to read. Laura Greer-Cowan says that she acted on the idea because “it is the right thing to do She stresses that the preparation of large for the community, and since it was an easy print menus should not be a major headache project to complete and very cost effective, for restaurant owners, and that they should the decision to offer the large print menus be relatively inexpensive and easy to prepare. right away was a no brainer.” “Pretty much anyone with a home computer can prepare a large print menu and have it The Town of Chelmsford has recently been printed out for a very low cost”, she says. accepted by the AARP as a member of its network of “Age Friendly Communities”, Ken Lefebvre, Chairman of the Chelmsford and the large print menus initiative is seen Board of Selectmen, has been assisting the as one of the many ways that the town can CCOD in promoting the idea. “This project ensure active participation in all aspects of is a great example of how business can work community life by residents of all ages. with a town organization to make the whole community better for everyone.” Anyone who would like further information about the CCOD’s large print menus initiative can call Anne Smith at 978-251-2968. 8 Chelmsford Business Association Newsletter • Fall 2020

Notable people of Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Josiah Gardner Abbott Gururaj Deshpande, social before the construction of the (1814–1891), born in Chelmsford, entrepreneur, co-founder of current Chelmsford High School member of the United States Sycamore Networks, Deshpande in 1974. The town hall in the House of Representatives, Center for Technological show is based on the Chelmsford the Massachusetts House Innovation at MIT Public Library (prior to the recent of Representatives and the reconstruction). Many other Massachusetts Senate[39] Steve Hunt, jazz pianist who local businesses and stores in recorded and toured with Allan Chelmsford find their way into Keith Aucoin, former NHL player Holdsworth, , and the background in The Simpsons' ; teaches at Berklee hometown of Springfield, Phil Bourque, NHL veteran, two College of Music including Zesty Pizza, and the now Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh defunct, Skip's Restaurant, Skip's Penguins Ulysses John "Tony" Lupien, Ice Cream, Tony and Ann's Pizza, Major League Baseball player and and Jack's Diner. Gerry Callahan, popular albeit the baseball coach at Dartmouth controversial Herald and College for 21 seasons, born in Jeffrey Snover, Microsoft former Sports Illustrated sports Chelmsford in 1917 Technical Fellow and inventor of columnist and co-host of WEEI- PowerShell. FM's Dennis and Callahan, the Jon Morris, NHL veteran, New popular morning Jersey Devils Liz McCartney, broadway program based in Boston. Played actress on Chelmsford High School's first Benjamin Pierce, Governor of ever "Super Bowl" team in 1978. New Hampshire and the father Sandra Newman, Writer Many consider him the reason of U.S. president Franklin Pierce, Chelmsford lost the game for he born in Chelmsford in 1757 Jack Eichel, Current NHL player, drew a penalty on a touchdown Buffalo Sabres Peter Torkildsen, chairman of play resulting in Chelmsford High the Massachusetts Republican Colleen Mullen, Current School's loss. This play led to the Party and former two-term Head Coach, University of nickname Gerry "The Clipper" Congressman in Massachusetts' Albany Women's Basketball and Callahan, which people often call 6th District, from 1993 to 1997 Chelmsford High School graduate up and mention on his radio show. John Traphagan, author, Charlie Noyes, current president George Condo, Chelmsford High professor of Religious Studies of the 99 Restaurant & Pub, School graduate. Painter who has and Anthropology, and former headquartered in Woburn, Ma. exhibited at the New Museum and director of the Center for East the Whitney Museum Biennial. Asian Studies, University of Texas Jeff Bauman, Author & Boston His artwork can also be found on at Austin Marathon Bombing Survivor. the cover of Kanye West's 2011 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Kristen Wilson, actress Andrew Cahill, United States Fantasy. He formerly worked as a appearing in several films, Army Special Forces printer for Andy Warhol.[40] television shows and plays, including the national tour of West Bill Cooke, pro football player Side Story Dan Curran, former fullback/ Lance Wilder, background design linebacker for the Arena Football supervisor for The Simpsons, 1986 League's New Orleans VooDoo Chelmsford High School graduate. and National Football League The elementary school appearing (2001–2009) in The Simpsons is based on Edward DeSaulnier, state McCarthy Middle School, which legislator and judge.[41] was Chelmsford's high school Chelmsford Police Athletic League (CPAL) Tournament left to right Kirk Marshall - Northeast MedStaff Peter McAllister - Triangle Service Station James Cullen - Shannon, Cullen & Associates, LLC Tom Boucher - Lowell Five Ph: 978-455-6907 ext. 204 C: 603-765-3135 KirK Marshall 221 Chelmsford Street President/CEO Chelmsford, MA 01824 [email protected]

www.NEMEdstaff.com

Your Chelmsford, Braintree makes Business Card Money’s 2020 ‘Best Places Could Be Here! to Live in America’ list By Heather Morrison | [email protected]

Massachusetts has some of the best places to live in America, according to Money.

The magazine released its yearly “Best Places to Live in America” list. Among the 50 cities and towns listed, there were two Massachusetts locations.

Chelmsford ranked 14 on the list.

“Chelmsford may be the best kept secret of Middlesex County,” the website states. “Only 30 miles from downtown Boston and adjacent to historic Concord, Chelmsford shares the beauty and charm of its more famous neighbor, while being much more accessible.”

It also highlights the town’s schools and farmer’s market.

The median home price in Chelmsford is $342,000 with the median household income being $109,000. Chelmsford Business Association Newsletter • Fall 2020 11

CBA HOLIDAY SOCIAL

The Chelmsford Business Association feels that due to COVID-19 restrictions it is in the best interest of our members, friends and associates that we cancel this years Annual Christmas Social. If we thought that we could make the arrangements to proceed with extreme caution we would. Times being what they are we feel it’s best to cancel. Please consider having a dinner at The Princeton Station, the food is fabulous as always, and they would love the support! We plan to continue this great tradition in 2021 and hope to see you there. We hope that you stay well and that we will see you soon.

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If you like us on Facebook, we will do the same in return. It's like FREE advertising on the internet. Chelmsford Business Association Board Of Directors

Tom Boucher President (978) 256-2546 [email protected] Paul Hardy Vice President (978) 256-5251 [email protected] Lynn Marcella Secretary (978) 667-0751 [email protected] Jim Cullen Treasurer (978) 250-3777 [email protected] John G. Harrington Exec. Director (978) 250-3858 [email protected] Brian Reidy Director (978) 256-1808 [email protected] Rick Romano Director (978) 256-9796 [email protected] Kirk Marshall Director (978) 455-6907 [email protected] Douglas E. Hausler Director (978) 256-6080 [email protected] Michael Smith Director (978) 250-9300 [email protected] Peter McAllister Director (978) 256-7658 [email protected] Annmarie Roark Director (978) 256-4167 [email protected] Jeffrey Hardy Director (978) 250-1113 [email protected] Charlene Parlee Director (978) 667-0751 [email protected] Jim Shannon Director (978) 250-3777 [email protected] Donald Van Dyne Director (978) 250-3726 [email protected] John Demers Director (978) 513-8860 [email protected]

Kathy Kelley Immediate Past President (978) 256-7511 [email protected]

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