Speaker of the House & Boston Marathon Survivor to Speak at Next Good Morning North Central Breakfast

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The next edition of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber’s popular Good Morning North Central breakfast series is scheduled for Friday, September 13, 2019 from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA.  The September edition is sponsored by Unitil. 

The Good Morning North Central series is a high-profile, fast-paced and educational breakfast program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals and business owners.  Each of the programs has a business-oriented focus and features prominent popular speakers to present on topics of interest to local businesses.

The featured speakers for the September edition are Representative Robert DeLeo, Speaker of the House, and Author, Speaker, and Survivor, Roseann Sdoia Materia. 

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) represents the Town of the Winthrop and a portion of the City of Revere.  He has served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1991 and became Speaker of the House on January 28, 2009. On Jan. 2, 2019, the House re-elected him as Speaker, his sixth term as Speaker.

An award-winning legislator, Speaker DeLeo seeks to empower individuals, families and communities by focusing on legislation that keeps cities and towns safer and healthier, creates jobs, and increases educational opportunities. Under his leadership, the House passed nation-leading legislation relating to early education and care, fighting the opioid crisis, economic development, gun safety, veteran’s benefits, criminal justice reform, clean energy, and protecting civil rights for all.

Speaker DeLeo is a graduate of Boston Latin School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern University and a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. He received an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Suffolk University in 2009 and an honorary degree from Salem State University in 2012. A grandfather of two, Speaker DeLeo resides in Winthrop.

For Roseann Sdioa Materia, April 15, 2013 began much the same way every Patriot’s Day had for the past 15 years. Her plans were always the same— to see the Red Sox play at Fenway and then, head over to one of her favorite Boylston Street bars to watch the Marathon with friends. Everything seemed perfect, even the weather was cooperating on that beautiful sunny day. And then, the unthinkable happened. Two bombs exploded and Roseann was just steps from the second blast.

She remembers the flash by her feet and thinking it was too late to run. She remembers feeling that if she were to close her eyes, she may never wake up. And she remembers the selfless kindness of strangers, without whom, she may have lost her life instead of just part of her right leg.

Although not a marathon runner herself, Roseann avidly enjoyed running three to five miles a day. Today, as she works through her recovery, she is challenging herself to run again and hopes to inspire others to work through their own loss with courage and conviction. She hopes to raise awareness for those in desperate need of prosthetics.

Register for the September Good Morning North Central Breakfast by clicking here.

Emerging Leaders Graduate from CLI

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Nineteen men and women, sponsored by area companies as up and coming employees and future leaders in our community, have completed the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Institute.  CLI is dedicated to providing participants with individual leadership skills and a deep understanding of the region.  The nine month program focuses on education, government, health care, social services, justice system, media, arts and culture, environment and history.  The Chamber created the Institute to inspire a new generation of men and women to enthusiastically assume important roles in their community.   The program challenges individuals from diverse backgrounds to be influential in our region’s future.

Professor Mike Greenwood, business professor at Fitchburg State University and chairman of the Institute steering committee, is enthusiastic about this year’s participants and the meaningful professional, personal and community development they will take part in.  “I have been with the class since it’s reintroduction in 2011.  Each year, I am amazed and impressed with the dedication of the participants.  Programs like this are an important asset within the community to ensure one that continues to thrive, even after our current leaders retire.” 

Marty Connors, president of Rollstone Bank & Trust and past chairman of the Institute steering committee, led the Institute’s revival in 2010.  “I was in the 1991 class of the Institute and it was an integral part of my success in the community.  As Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2010, I felt we needed the program back to once again support our needs for leadership and succession planning. Rollstone Bank & Trust’s participants have enjoyed the program and become leaders here in their workplace and in the community.  We could not be prouder of the work they have done.” 

Applications for the class of 2020 will be accepted until August 23, 2019. Please contact Kat Deal, Events & Programs Manager, at 978.353.7600 x 235 or kdeal@northcentralmass.com for more information. 

Community Leadership Institute Class of 2019

Amy Bonilla, Rollstone Bank & Trust

Matthew Borseth, Fidelity Bank

Jared Brown, W. E. Aubuchon Company, Inc.

Jon Bullock, Enterprise Bank and Trust Company

Kathleen Craigen, Fitchburg State University (formerly Sizer School)

Jill deSousa, Avidia Bank

Kyle Johnson, Johnson Controls

Brion Keagle, Fitchburg State University

Sweta Khajurivala, Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc

Heather Layton, Mount Wachusett Community College

Christine Lowe, Institute of Professional Practice

Rocco Mammone, Resource Management, Inc.

Mary May-Lucchese, Montachusett Regional Voc. Tec

Christopher Medley, Fitchburg State University

Peter Ryan, Johnson Controls

Frances Santos, Montachusett Home Care Corp.

Jessica Senee, Leominster Credit Union

Jennifer Stone, Fidelity Bank

Anthony Trapasso, Halstead Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

About Community Leadership Institute

The Community Leadership Institute began in 1988, known then as Leadership North Central.  Over the last 25 years, more than 250 participants have graduated from the Institute and become leaders in their communities, with over 100 in the last five years.  Participants for the Institute are sponsored by their business and are seen as leaders or potential leaders within that company.  Applications for each class are available in July & August of each year, sessions held once per month from October to June. 

Chamber Welcomes Fitchburg State Intern and Navy Veteran

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Nicholas Jones of Fitchburg State University as an intern for the summer semester. Nicholas, currently a senior, is majoring in Communications Media with a concentration in Professional Communications and a double major in Graphic Design.  His focus on online communications such as interactive social media and other online platforms is what led him to the Chamber. Nicholas is learning a variety of aspects of the Chamber and its affiliates. He has been gaining hands on learning experience by assisting with creating interactive media, and assisting with advertising campaigns.

Mr. Jones has also served our country proudly as an Aviation Ordinance man in the U.S. Navy. Nicholas was a part of the Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Detachment in NAF El Centro, CA.

“We are excited to welcome Nicholas as part of our team this semester,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the Chamber.  “He is a bright and ambitious student who will benefit from his time working with our members and supporting the advancement of North Central Massachusetts. I have no doubt that he will make a positive contribution to our organization.”

Nicholas  was connected to the Chamber through Fitchburg State University’s Internship program, which allows students to explore a career field and gain relevant work experience, apply academic learning to real world situations, and build critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and professional skills. Please contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600 ext. 240 for more information. 

North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Selected for Education and Workforce Fellowship Program

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 Christopher McDermott selected for prestigious national program which connects chambers with opportunities to engage on critical education and workforce issues

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is one of 35 state and local chambers chosen to take part in a national program aimed at addressing critical education and workforce issues. Sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips participants with resources, national expertise and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.  

“Businesses in North Central Massachusetts are struggling with the same challenges their peers are throughout the country.” says Christopher McDermott, Public Affairs Manager of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber, who is participating in the third cohort of the program on behalf of North Central Massachusetts. “Recruiting, training and retaining qualified and skilled workers has grown increasingly difficult in recent years. This is a great opportunity for the Chamber to actively contribute to the national conversation while learning best practices from our counterparts in other states that can help us make an impact locally.”

“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” says Cheryl Oldham, Senior Vice President of the Center for Education and Workforce. “They, better than anyone, see the critical link between education and economic development, and we are glad to be able to support them as they take on this critical leadership role in their community.”

The 35 chamber professionals included in the third cohort of Business Leads Fellowship were chosen through a competitive selection process. The four-month fellowship, which concludes in September, 2019, will cover the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, higher education and workforce development.

The objectives of the program align with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber’s efforts around improving the workforce, which are most recently exemplified by the publication of its recent report Build North Central: Improving the Industrial Heart of Massachusetts.

Upon completion, Business Leads Fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of 200 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives. 

2nd Annual North Central Massachusetts Real Estate Summit

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The 2nd Annual North Central Massachusetts Real Estate Summit is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Way, Fitchburg, MA.  The Real Estate Summit is a collaboration between the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors. The program aims to provide a in-depth look at the real estate market in North Central Massachusetts.  Principal sponsor for the breakfast is Total Mortgage.  Escrow sponsors include the Law Office of David R. Rocheford and   Fidelity Bank.  Special thanks to The Foster Company for providing a supporting sponsorship. 

This year’s program features guest speakers Allan Foster, President of The Foster Company, who will provide an overview and insight into the region’s commercial and industrial market; Gary Bourque, President of Central Mass Appraisals who will provide insight into the residential real estate market; and Kurt Thompson, President-Elect of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, who will review legislative issues that impact the real estate industry. 

Allan Foster is President of the The Foster Company, which specializes in real estate appraisal and consulting.  He builds on a foundation of being raised as the third generation in a real estate and insurance business. He joined the company full time in 1980 and brings a full perspective of property ownership, permitting, development, finance, appraisal, brokerage, management, insurance, and entrepreneurial skills. Communication skills have been honed through years of marketing, negotiating, management, and public speaking. .

Gary Bourque is a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser and President of Central Mass Appraisals, Inc., a real estate appraisal company specializing in residential valuation since 1986.  He is also President of Bourque Realty, Inc., a real estate sales firm located in Leominster 30 years and a real estate instructor in multiple states. Gary currently serves as the Chair of the Professional Standards Committee of the North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors having served as Treasurer and a member the Finance and Education Committees over the years. Gary has been a certified instructor for over 20 years teaching real estate and real estate appraisal qualifying and continuing education classes throughout New England for multiple State Realtor Associations, Boards and private educational companies.

As president-elect of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors Kurt Thompson will participate at all levels of the association’s decision-making process, represent the association at meetings and business functions, and serve as a spokesperson for the association on real estate industry-related matters.  Mr. Thompson will continue to serve as a member of the MAR executive committee and board of directors as a result of this election. Prior to his election, Mr. Thompson served as the 2018 MAR treasurer and the 2017 MAR professional development vice president, and other MAR positions over the years. On the local
level, Mr. Thompson was the 2011 President of the North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

The Second Annual Real Estate Summit is a great opportunity to connect with real estate professionals and gain insight into the current and future real estate market in North Central Massachusetts. This event is of interest to anyone involved in real estate, including developers, residential and commercial realtors, lenders, property owners and professional service providers.  

The cost is just $25 for members/$40 non-members and includes breakfast.  Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please contact Kathleen Deal at 978.353.7600 ext. 235, kdeal@northcentralmass.com or register here.

Canadian Sales Mission

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Last month, Marketing & Communications Manager, David Ginisi, participated in a Sales Mission representing our tourism affiliate Visit North Central Massachusetts. The Media Mission took place in Toronto and Montreal and was sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and included meetings and presentations to tour operators, travel media and other trade contacts.  Visit North Central Massachusetts participated to help generate positive coverage for our region and establish meaningful media relationships.  Canada is a strong drive market for the region.

For more information on our tourism affiliate visit www.visitnorthcentral.com

Ginisi pictured with fellow Regional Tourism Councils of Massachusetts

Update on Recent Legislation Expanding Room Occupancy Excise

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CHANGES TO ROOM OCCUPANCY EXCISE 
The new law expands the room occupancy excise to include short-term rentals. Aside from taxing short-term rentals, there are some aspects of the law that impact traditional lodging establishments already charging room occupancy excise, like bed and breakfast establishments, hotels, lodging houses and motels.

The following lists are meant only to highlight a few of the changes for short-term rentals and traditional lodging accommodations. We recommend reviewing the frequently asked questions and the technical information release (TIR), on the Department of Revenue website, for detailed information on the new law.

Impact on short-term rentals

  • Rent from short-term rentals will now be subject to room occupancy excise for any agreements made on January 1, 2019 or after for occupancies beginning July 1, 2019 or after.
  • “Rent” includes, insurance, linen fees, cleaning fees and booking fees.
  • A short-term rental is an occupied property where at least one room or unit is rented using advance reservations – this might include an apartment, house, cottage or condominium.
  • Operators of short-term rentals must register with MassTaxConnect on or after July 1, 2019 when registration will be available.
  • Operators who rent more than 14 days in a year must collect the excise.
  • An exemption is made for single occupancies of more than 31 consecutive days.
  • Intermediaries who collect rent on behalf of short-term rental operators are required to collect all excises and fees and remit to the Department of Revenue.

There are other important aspects of the room occupancy excise worth noting as described in the frequently asked questions and TIR.

Impact on traditional lodging accommodations

  • There is an expansion of “occupancy” to include any and all furnishings, services, accommodations, like breakfast at a B&B, whether the occupant chooses to avail themselves of the services or not.
  • There is an expansion of “rent” to include insurance, linen fees, cleaning fees and booking fees.
  • Intermediaries who collect rent on behalf of the operator of the lodging establishment will be required to collect and remit tax to the Department of Revenue.

The effective date for those currently collecting room occupancy excises (and new establishments) to begin collecting the room occupancy excise, based on the new definitions of rent and occupancy, is July 1, 2019. This would include any applicable local excises. Any price quotes, or collection of rents for occupancies after July 1, 2019 should include the excise.

More Information
Stay tuned, whether you are in the short-term rental or traditional lodging accommodations industries, for more information about tax reporting under the new law. Registration for short-term rental operators or intermediaries will be available through MassTaxConnect as of July 1, 2019. We will also continue to update the guidance on our website with any changes that take place.

After reviewing the frequently asked questions and technical information release, please contact the Trustee Tax Contact Center at 617-887-6367 (choose #4 for both prompts) with any additional questions.

Paid Family & Medical Leave Act Updates

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Here are updates to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act:

 

Private Plan Exemption Process Now Available at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/exemptions-from-paid-family-and-medical-leave-for-private-plans
The Department of Family and Medical Leave’s private plan exemption process is now available for businesses in the Commonwealth with Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) plans offering benefits that meet or exceed those provided by the Commonwealth’s PFML law.

The updated exemption web page includes:

 

  • Information on required documentation
  • Information on how to calculate the required surety bond
  • Links to details from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on how to file for an exemption from making family or medical leave contributions to the Department of Family and Medical Leave with MassTaxConnect

Applications for exemptions for private plans must be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s web-based application MassTaxConnect by June 30, 2019. Contributions to the program for those not receiving an exemption will begin on July 1, 2019.

 

Workforce Notifications, all languages now posted at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/informing-your-workforce-about-paid-family-and-medical-leave
The Department of Family and Medical Leave has posted an additional six language options to the notice required to be provided by employers and covered business entities to their current workforce of PFML benefits, contribution rates, and other provisions as outlined in M.G.L. c. 175M sec. 4 on or before May 31, 2019.

The notice, which may be provided electronically, must include the opportunity for an employee or self-employed individual to acknowledge receipt or decline to acknowledge receipt of the information.

 

Please note! Federal Employer Identification Number
The identification number assigned by the Department of Family and Medical Leave will be the employer’s Federal Employer Identification Number (“FEIN”). Please use your FEIN as your Employer ID Number on the “Employer Notice to Employee” and the “Employer Notice to Self-Employed Individual” Forms.