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Fitchburg State University: OSHA Training Seminar
Details:
Friday, January 24, 2020 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM
AND
Saturday, January 25, 2020 | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
$200 Registration Fee
OSHA 10 Hour Construction Industry Outreach Training Program This course is ideal for all workers with safety and health responsibilities, and for employee safety and health awareness. Students will be introduced to OSHA policies, procedures and standards, as well as, general construction industry safety and health principles covered in OSHA Act Part 1926. Special emphasis will be placed on areas most hazardous using OSHA standards as a guide.
Training Objectives:
- State the purpose of the OSHA Act and list the functions of OSHA
- List the OSHA inspection priorities and describe the inspection process
- Describe the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees under the OSH Act
- Outline the general requirements for general safety standards in construction
- Establish the guidelines and requirements for special purpose equipment
To learn more or to register, please click here.
Chamber Speaks Out as State House Acts on Tourism and Education
The Chamber’s advocacy efforts came to a head this past month, as Beacon Hill took up legislation addressing education and support for the Commonwealth’s growing tourism industry. As is often the case, both these proposals moved through the Legislature with incredible speed, requiring a quick reaction from the Chamber’s staff.
Regarding funding for public schools, the Joint Committee on Education released a proposal in October that would invest an additional $1.5 billion into the K through 12 system over seven years. These funds would be directed primarily towards schools with high concentrations of low income families, students struggling with learning disabilities, and English language learners. The last such review of the Commonwealth’s education system was conducted nearly thirty years ago, so the Chamber recognizes the need for additional funding. As such, we have worked hard with partners from across the state to ensure this money is invested responsibly, in a manner that addresses achievement gaps and produces high school graduates who are college and career ready. While proposals to expand career readiness programming met with some resistance, accountability measures that we supported were successfully inserted into the House’s draft of the proposal. The House and the Senate each passed drafts of this legislation over the last month, and a conference committee has since been elected to negotiate the differences.
Almost simultaneously, the House and Senate filed competing supplemental budget bills to close out the state’s 2019 fiscal year. In the event that the state’s revenues exceed what was projected for a given year, a supplemental budget is utilized to disperse those funds, address areas where state spending is insufficient, and invest in the Commonwealth’s stabilization- or “rainy day”- fund. Recognizing a need for increased support of the tourism industry, the Chamber worked with the regional delegation and advocated for language which would require that gaming revenues allocated to the Tourism Trust Fund be released by November. As of this writing, the funds are being withheld by the Administration, with no clear timeline for release. In addition, the annual budget passed in the summer did not include funding to support the state’s roadside visitor information centers, including the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center which Visit North Central Massachusetts operates on Route 2 in Lancaster. The Chamber advocated for an amendment to the supplemental budget to set aside a modest $250,000 to support these eleven facilities across the state.
Now that both houses of the Legislature have passed their own drafts of these bills, the two branches will negotiate the differences between them before submitting final bills to the Governor, who may approve or veto them. Though this stage of the process is conducted mostly behind closed doors, the Chamber will continue to monitor developments and advocate on behalf of the business community.
Among the legislative priorities which will likely rise to the top following these items is an upcoming transportation and infrastructure debate. Governor Baker recently released an omnibus transportation bill, addressing issues from repairing outdated bridges to improving the Commonwealth’s high way system. As always, the Chamber has been active on this front, serving as one of the few regional chambers invited to join the Massachusetts Business Coalition for Transportation, advocating in favor of regional equity and against initiatives which would hamper the region’s economic growth. We have also followed proposals to improve rail service closely, drafting testimony on the matter to the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board ahead of a potential vote on the matter. As this broad debate takes shape, the Chamber will remain abreast of the conversation and continue to advocate on behalf of North Central Massachusetts and its business community.
If you have any questions regarding this or any of the Chamber’s other policy efforts, please reach out to Christopher McDermott, public affairs manager, at or (978) 353-7600 ext. 224.
Orangetheory Fitness – 25th Hour Event
This Sunday, November 3rd, get more from your extra hour. More energy, more strength and more results with a free Orangetheory workout. Call the studio for more information: 978-616-7597
Leominster Credit Union Holding a Free Mortgage Info Session this Fall
Leominster, MA – Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is holding a free Mortgage Info Session on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at LCU headquarters, 18 Adams Street, Leominster from 6:00pm – 7:00pm.
This LCU Mortgage Info Session will address the specific needs of most homebuyers including first-time buyers, buyers moving after owning for several years, or buyers entering the market after having credit issues in the past. Attend the session and meet LCU Loan Officers, local realtors, attorneys, home inspectors and LCU Financing Specialists who will answer questions regarding the home buying process and what to expect. Topics will include: buying, refinancing, downsizing, second homes, investments, the application process, purchase and sales, inspections, and benefits of borrowing locally.
Matt Dufault, AVP Mortgage Origination stated, “This seminar will not only give you the basics of buying a home, but also the opportunity to establish a plan for home ownership based on your personal situation.”
LCU has programs available for not only for first-time homebuyers, but for any buyer who needs help getting mortgage-ready. Borrowers may be able to qualify for a mortgage much sooner than they expected.
Seating is limited and registration is required. For more information and to register online, please visit leominstercu.com/mortgage-info-session.
LCU Headquarters, 18 Adams Street, Leominster, MA 01453 Wednesday, November 13, 2019
6:00PM – 7:00PM
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
NEADS Celebrates 21 New Service Dog Teams at its Fall Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, November 3
NEADS Service Dog teams, their friends and families, as well as NEADS staff, volunteer puppy raisers, and supporters come together to recognize these life-changing partnerships
When: Sunday, November 3, 2019, 2pm-4pm
Where: Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (“Monty Tech”),
1050 Westminster Street (Route 2A), Fitchburg, Mass
Admission: FREE; suggested donation is $5 per person upon entrance
PRINCETON, Mass., October 28, 2019 – NEADS World Class Service Dogs holds its 78th Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, November 3 at 2pm at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (“Monty Tech”) in Fitchburg, Mass. The public is invited and welcome to join the celebration.
Graduating teams share their personal, moving stories of how having a Service Dog has affected their lives. This fall’s graduating class represents a wide range of NEADS Service Dogs, including Service Dogs for Veterans, Service Dogs for individuals with physical disabilities, Service Dogs for Hearing, Service Dogs for Children, and Assistance Dogs for professionals in classroom, courthouse, and hospital settings.
In recognition of our veteran clients and Veterans Day, the program also features a “fireside chat” with three organizations who are integral to the NEADS community: the Blue Star Mothers of Leominster and Worcester, and Quilts of Valor. The Blue Star Mothers have been providing meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – for veteran clients during their training on campus since 2006. The Quilts of Valor have presented beautiful, hand-made quilts to each of our veteran clients since 2010. Together, these organizations have provided more than 3,800 meals and more than 125 quilts for NEADS veteran clients. Ann Marie Slomcheck (Blue Star Mothers Leominster), Karen Belliveau (Blue Star Mothers Worcester), and Darlene Coit (Quilts of Valor) will share their experiences and address the critical role they play in providing veterans with a sense of belonging and community.
NEADS will also have a collection box available for anyone who has an American flag that is ready for retirement. NEADS is collecting these flags so they can be properly retired.
The graduating teams come from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, Maryland, North Carolina, and Colorado.
About NEADS Inc.
NEADS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton, Massachusetts. Established in 1976, NEADS offers the widest array of Service Dog programs in the industry, including Service Dogs for adults and children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for veterans, Service Dogs for Hearing, and Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities. NEADS dogs are also partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings. For more information, please visit neads.org.
Mill No. 3 Oils and Vinegars Now Being Sold at the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center
The Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center features a popular gift shop that carries many local products including jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, fudge, chocolates, sparkling cider, donuts and that local icon of American kitsch – the pink plastic flamingo! Visitors to the center can also find a wide selection of books highlighting the history of the region, plus good-quality logo merchandise and souvenir items.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center, considered by many the gateway to North Central Massachusetts, opened in 1996 as a way to welcome people traveling through the region and give them a place to stop, stretch their legs, and learn more about the twenty-seven communities in North Central Massachusetts and what they have to offer for visitors and families. Over 165,000 people walk through the visitor center doors every year.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center is located at 1000 Rte. 2 Westbound, between exit 34 & 35, in Lancaster, MA. It is open 361 days a year. Normal business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Members with locally produced products that are interested in having them offered at the center should contact Diane Burnette, Visitor Center Manager, at 978.534.230
CHAMBER LAUNCHES WORK NORTH CENTRAL
Localized Online Resource connects Jobs Seekers and Local Employers
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation, today announced the launch of a new localized online jobs board to help connect job seekers to employers in North Central Massachusetts. This online employment resource, called WorkNorthCentral.com, is housed on the Chamber’s website.
Visitors to WorkNorthCentral.com can search for full-time and part-time employment as well as internship opportunities with employers located within the twenty-seven communities of North Central Massachusetts. This jobs portal is free for job seekers and available at no cost to Chamber members to post and manage as many jobs listings as they need. Non-members pay a nominal fee to post their jobs.
“We know that recruiting is time consuming and expensive for many employers.” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “We created Work North Central to help local businesses find the qualified and skilled talent that they need to grow and succeed in North Central Massachusetts. This jobs bank is another tool in our tool box of resources to support local employers and showcase the opportunities available in North Central Massachusetts.”
WorkNorthCentral is easy to use. The job opportunities are categorized by industry, making it easy for job-seekers to conduct targeted searches. Job seekers can also sign up via the Jobs Board for job alerts to receive an email whenever a new job is posted on the site. Likewise, employers can easily post and manage their job postings. Employers posting jobs are able to select a posting duration of 30, 60, or 90 days. Jobs are automatically displayed on the board within seconds of posting and then dropped from the board automatically after that 30, 60, or 90 days. The portal also makes it easy for employers to review resumes and connect with qualified candidates. Employers can direct applicants to their own website or provide other instructions for applying. While posting jobs on other sites can often cost hundreds of dollars per job, WorkNorthCentral.com is free for Chamber members and provides a highly localized and affordable alternative for employers to find the qualified talent that they need.
The WorkNorthCentral.com Jobs Board is part of the Chamber and Development Corporation’s continuing efforts to help promote the region and advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts. In addition to this initiative, the organizations have expanded their efforts to improve the talent pipeline and better connect employers to local schools. They have also expanded their micro-loan programs and grown their technical assistance offerings for new and established small businesses in the region.
For more information on the WorkNorthCentral.com Jobs Board, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at 978.353.7600.
Beacon of Hope to Hold Harvest Dinner
Beacon of Hope Community Services will celebrate its 32nd anniversary at its Annual Harvest Dinner Dance on Friday, Nov. 1 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster.
This fun-filled event starts at 6 p.m. and showcases local “celebrities” who will perform songs, dances, challenges and tell jokes at the command of those attending. This year’s “celebrities” include Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella, Fitchburg Mayor Steve DiNatale, Frank and Jen of WXLO-FM 104.5, Kathy DiRusso, Dave Ginisi, Leominster Superintendent of Schools Paula Deacon and many more. Mike Cooley, owner of The Monument Tap, will emcee the event, while DJ Ray Richard provides music and entertainment.
This year, Beacon of Hope will honor Cooley for his good deeds with the organization and local community.
Proceeds from the event directly benefit services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Tickets are $40 per person and must be reserved in advance. For more information, call (978) 840-2727 or e-mail .
