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Conserve Water, Save Money – Tips from Winters Home Services Plumbing Pros

wintersVans1The average family uses approximately 300 gallons of water per day (about 30 percent of that usage is outdoor) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. From showers and toilets to washing machines, dishwashers and more, that’s a lot of water.

Winters Home Services, an award-winning provider of plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality services to residents throughout the greater Boston area, advises homeowners on how to reduce water and energy consumption and save money. Since the bathroom is where the most water is consumed on a daily basis, Winters offers these tips:

Replace older showerhead models – There’s a much higher cost associated with older showerheads, which use more than five gallons of water per minute. Not only is water wasted, it puts a lot of demand on your water heater and drives up energy bills. Nowadays, the ultra low-flow showerhead models (displaying the WaterSense label) use only two gallons of water per minute and perform better than ever.

Save water and time spent cleaning – Consider upgrading your toilet to one that uses less water per flush. The Department of Energy standard is one point six gallons per flush, but if you have an older toilet, you may be using well over three gallons per flush. There are many options available that use a lot less water and have the added benefit of staying cleaner longer. Some of the most innovative models on the market today include TOTO’s Double Cyclone that uses a little over one and a quarter gallons per flush and has a dual nozzle water propulsion system (ensuring that cleaner bowl) to TOTO’s eWater+, which utilizes electrolyzed water (a proven disinfectant), reducing the need for harsh cleaning chemicals.

Don’t waste water waiting for it to heat up – We’ve all been there. If you turn on the sink or shower and wait anywhere from 30 seconds to over a minute for the water to heat up, precious gallons of clean water (and your money) go down the drain. Consider replacing your traditional storage water heater with a Tankless Water Heater or installing a Hot Water Recirculating System. Either one will ensure immediate delivery of hot water when you need it and provide significant water and energy savings.

Fix those leaks – If you have a leaky faucet, toilet or pipe in your home, fix it immediately before it becomes a bigger and more expensive problem.  Even if it’s a slow leak, it can account for more than 10 percent of your water usage, which means a significant amount of your money (like the water) trickles out of your pocket over time. If you don’t know if you have a leak, your water meter readings are the clue. When water is not in use, check the meter twice in a two-hour time span. If the readings change, then there is a leak somewhere in your home.

Monitor, measure and control your systems with new technology – Winters’ state-of-the-art CarePlus Home Monitoring program enables homeowners to monitor, measure and access the most important systems – from water sensors (which can detect leaks and usage), home energy meters, and carbon monoxide detectors to thermostats, lights, door locks and more- through any Smart device. It’s one of the easiest ways to conserve energy and maximize savings.

For more helpful information or to learn about the CarePlus Home Monitoring program, visitwintershomeservices.com.

About Winters Home Services

Founded in 1994, Winters Home Services is an award-winning service company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in plumbing, heating, cooling, drain cleaning and air quality services. Offering the first-to-market CarePlus Home Monitoring Program and lifetime guarantees on many of their services, the company focuses on high quality workmanship and consistent world-class customer service. Winters Home Services promises to fulfill the needs of every customer with a sense of urgency, ensuring comfort, safety and well-being.

Winters Home Services is one of the largest residential plumbing companies in the greater Boston-area with a large fleet on the road and a full staff of licensed and insured plumbers and technicians.

Dedicated to supporting the community, Winters is a sponsor of the Duckling Day Parade annual Mother’s Day event and a partner of the Friends of the Public Garden, a non-profit organization that works to protect and improve Boston’s first public parks: the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The company is an ongoing supporter of events at Club Café.

For more information, call 866-482-7586 or visit wintershomeservices.com.

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces Special Seasonal Meals at Congregate Meal Sites

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, will offer special seasonal meals at partnering Council on Aging (COA) congregate meal sites in Brockton, East Bridgewater, Kingston and Wareham.

OCES’ congregate meal sites at these COAs provide hot, nutritious noontime meals Monday through Friday to older adults age (60+) and individuals with disabilities. Seasonal meals will be offered as follows:

On Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 12 p.m., a Thanksgiving Special with roast turkey will be offered at Kingston COA located at 30 Evergreen Street. RSVP to Kingston COA 781-585-0511.

On Monday, November 17, 2014 at 12 p.m., an Autumn Special featuring roast pork loin with apple glaze will be offered at Wareham COA located at 48 Marion Road. RSVP to Wareham COA 508-291-3130.

On Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 12 p.m., a Thanksgiving Special with roast turkey will be offered at East Bridgewater COA located at 355 Plymouth Street. RSVP to East Bridgewater COA 508-378-1610.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 12 p.m., a Thanksgiving Special with roast turkey will be offered at Brockton COA located at 10 Father Kenney Way. RSVP to Brockton COA 508-580-7811.

Reservations are required one week in advance and must be made by calling the COA directly.

“Anyone over the age of 60 or of any age with a disability is encouraged to attend a congregate meal site where they can enjoy delicious meals, social interaction and fun activities,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Meals are planned by a Nutritionist and are prepared by professional chefs. Congregate meal menus are published in local newspapers and in COA newsletters. A sample menu may be requested by calling OCES at (508) 584-1561 or visiting the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 185 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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SelecTech, Inc. floors new Geisinger Health Systems lab

Thomas Ricciardelli
Thomas Ricciardelli of SelecTech, Inc.

DANVILLE, PA and AVON, MA…

SelecTech, Inc., a leader in the manufacture of innovative flooring products from recycled materials, recently began work on a 22,000 square-foot installation at the new Geisinger Health Systems medical laboratory at the company’s Danville, Pennsylvania campus.

The project calls for SelecTech’s FreeStyle Biolock flooring to be installed over low-rise access flooring provided by its installation partner Tate. Ewing Cole is the architect for the entire $50 million project. The Geisinger Medical Laboratory building will open in Spring 2015.

“The use of BioLock over access flooring in this new state-of-the-art laboratory will provide the best of all worlds,” said Thomas Ricciardelli, president of SelecTech, Inc. “The access flooring will provide Geisinger’s IT team with flexibility for their underfloor air, water and gas utilities, as well as wire management for their power and data systems. Our BioLock flooring complements that flexibility with a wide range of benefits from both an operational and a functional side, most notably that when applied with our seam sealer is 100 percent watertight—an essential specification for any laboratory flooring.”

BioLock tiles employ a patented interlocking technology that enables adhesive-free installation. This feature allows for faster installation and the access floor panels are not required to be coated with adhesive, which can leak between the panel seams, stick the panels together and clog the corner screws. Panel access, moves and changes are much easier when flooring adhesive is not slowing things down. Because each tile has its own commercial grade polyurethane finish maintenance is quicker, easier and less expensive over the lifecycle of the floor. That kind of flexibility and cost savings is a welcomed benefit with any access flooring.

“Other floorings may have been less expensive but when you consider the maintenance element, BioLock was far more cost-effective,” said TJ Ginieczki, project manager for Ewing Cole, the architect for Geisinger’s new medical laboratory building.

FreeStyle BioLock tiles are made from 70 percent recycled materials and are 100 percent recycylable. Other BioLock features include: Enhanced ergonomics and sound reduction; meets CA 1350 indoor air quality protocol; third-party IAQ certification by MAS Certified Green; and more. FreeStyle BioLock flooring comes with a 10-year commercial wear warranty.

To learn more about SelecTech products, including the FreeStyle and FreeStyle BioLock flooring products, visit http://www.selectechinc.com.

About SelecTech, Inc.

SelecTech, Inc. was founded in 1993 with the mission of creating valuable products from scrap plastics. The company has become a leader in the manufacture of flooring products from recycled materials and uses one million pounds of recycled materials annually. Their products are made with up to 100 percent recycled content, are 100 percent recyclable and installed without adhesives making them some of the “greenest” and most cost-effective flooring products available. The unique interlock system on SelecTech’s flooring products enable them to be installed at a much lower cost, without a lot of costly downtime, which provides significant value to customers.

Using state-of-the-art technology and innovative product design, SelecTech created the top performing Place N’ Go residential flooring products, which are available at Home Depot. They are also the creators of the renowned commercial and industrial FreeStyle, FreeStyle ESD and StaticStop ESD flooring lines.

SelecTech is a vendor partner of Health Care Institute, an International Facility Management Association (IFMA) alliance partner. The company is headquartered at 33 Wales Avenue, Suite F in Avon, MA. For more information about SelecTech, visit http://www.selectechinc.com.

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Rodman & Rodman Partner Serves as Panelist at MA Energy Summit

Kathy Parker, CPA, MST
Kathy Parker, CPA, MST

Kathy Parker, CPA, MST, a Partner at Rodman & Rodman, P.C. a full service CPA firm with a Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice serving “green” clients throughout the U.S., served as a panelist at the 8th Annual Massachusetts Energy Summit on October 21, 2014 which was held at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.

“Although 1603 cash grants have expired, Investment Tax credits, Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and other state and local incentives will continue to drive the growth of renewable energy in Massachusetts,” said Parker.

The Mass Energy Summit brought together leaders from the energy sector and leading business executives from throughout the state. Ms. Parker, along with Craig W. Huntley, Founding Principal of Solect Energy and Briony Angus, Project Manager, Tighe and Bond served on the “Solar for the Commercial Customer” panel. Ms. Parker shared her expertise in renewable energy accounting and state and federal incentives with companies looking to implement solar to reduce energy expenditures. Topics of the discussion included financing options, lenders and investors, tax issues, and federal and state qualifications.

Keynote speakers at the event were Maeve Vallely Bartlett, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Marcy L. Reed, President of National Grid, Massachusetts. The event featured six panels: Case Studies; Municipal Focus; Careers in Energy; State of the State; Solar for the Commercial Customer and National Grid, Smart Energy Solutions Program.

“We can assist companies that are looking to introduce solar to reduce their energy expenditures by providing sound strategies for the project, which include financing, federal and state incentives, renewable energy credits, entity/partnership structuring, and more,” noted Parker.

Speaker’s Bureau

Ms. Parker, along with Thomas Astore, CPA, JD, are recognized experts in renewable energy accounting and are available for speaking engagements. Mr. Astore and Ms. Parker have been guest speakers at numerous Cleantech industry conferences and forums. Most recently, Mr. Astore spoke about green market incentives on New England Real Estate Journal Radio with host Rick Kaplan and Eric Wilson. In addition to serving as a panelist at the 8th Annual Massachusetts Energy Summit, Ms. Parker spoke at “Banker & Tradesman’s Renewable Energy Real Estate Conference” as well as at the “Renewable Energy Development Incentives and Financing Seminar” hosted by the Environmental Business Council of New England.

For more information about Rodman & Rodman, visit rodmancpa.com.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. Rodman & Rodman has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today. The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S.  The company is Green Business Certified. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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My Pinnacle Network announces November 2014 schedule of B2B networking meetings.

BOURNE, BRAINTREE, MARSHFIELD, MANSFIELD, NEWTON, PLYMOUTH, WESTBOROUGH, MA …

My Pinnacle Network recently announced a full slate of business-to-business networking meetings for November. My Pinnacle Network meetings are as follows:

My Pinnacle Network – Braintree 1st Tuesday, Tuesday, November 4, from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. at 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 200, Braintree, MA 02184.

My Pinnacle Network – Westborough, Tuesday, November 4, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m at 1900 West Park Drive, Suite 230, Westborough, MA 01581.

My Pinnacle Network – Mansfield, Wednesday, November 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 20 Cabot Blvd., Suite 300, Mansfield, MA 02048.

My Pinnacle Network – Marshfield, Thursday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 165 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050.

My Pinnacle Network – Plymouth, Thursday, November 13, from 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at 134 Court Street (Plymouth Chamber of Commerce), Plymouth, MA 02360.

My Pinnacle Network – Newton, Thursday, November 13, 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 29 Crafts Street (Aflac offices), Newton, MA 02458.

My Pinnacle Network – Braintree Third Thursday, Thursday, November 20, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at 25 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 200, Braintree, MA 02184.

My Pinnacle Network – Bourne, Thursday, November 20, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., 550 MacArthur Blvd. (Route 28), Bourne, MA 02532.

Only one B2B professional will be selected for each category. Those categories can be found at http://mypinnaclenetwork.com/about/categories.aspx. Prospective members are encouraged to attend a My Pinnacle Network meeting before committing to join.

If you are interested in attending a meeting in your area, please contact Steven V. Dubin at SDubin@MyPinnacleNetwork.com or 781-582-1061 to RSVP. There is no charge to visit a My Pinnacle Network meeting.

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Maplewood Estates donates pump to Town of Rockland

ROCKLAND, MA…

Maple Realty Trust, developer of Maplewood Estates, a subdivision located in Rockland, Mass., recently donated $28,000 to the Rockland Sewer Department for the purchase of a Godwin Stand-by Dri-Prime pump for backup emergency situations and time periods of high flow.

“We’ve had a very productive working relationship with the Town of Rockland since we began building Maplewood Estates several years ago. We consider them colleagues and in many cases friends. We’ve seen firsthand the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis due to fiscal constraints and we wanted to help,” said Muhammad Itani, Trustee of Maple Realty Trust.

According to Godwin Stand website, “Engineers are now using Godwin Critically Silenced Dri-Prime pumps in what is being called the next generation of pump station design. The new concept allows customers to replace their traditional pump station emergency backup system – a generator and permanently installed electric sewage pumps – with a Critically Silenced diesel Dri-Prime pump and automatic control panel. This alternative solution avoids common pump station problems including primary power, switch gear, and sewage pump failures. In addition, the Dri-Prime backup system can act as a primary system during routine maintenance and emergency repairs. Thus, the Godwin solution ensures that pumping continues. “

“We can’t thank the folks at Stonebridge Homes and Maplewood Estates enough for this generous donation to buy the Godwin Stand-by pump,” said John Loughlin, superintendent of the Rockland Sewer Department. “Over the years, Maplewood Estates have shown themselves to be a solid citizen in the town. The donation for this pump shows that they are vested not only in what happens in the Maplewood Estates subdivision but the entire Town of Rockland.”

Located off Webster Street in Rockland, Maplewood Estates offers a rural wooded setting with easy access to major highways and is situated fairly close to Rockland’s brand new middle school and renovated high school. Set on 30 acres of natural wooded land, Maplewood Estates offers 15 home models to meet the needs of everyone from empty nesters to young families, singles to blended families. Each model features quality construction and luxurious amenities.

Prices for homes at Maplewood Estates start at $399,000 and model homes are available for tours, Monday through Friday, by appointment. Maplewood Estates hosts open houses on Saturdays and Sundays, 1pm to 4pm. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Norwell is the official realtor for Maplewood Estates. You can schedule a tour or request more information by contacting Nancy Kleber at 781-659-7955 or Nancy.Kleber@NEMoves.com.

Interested parties can also get more information, including plans, by visiting www.newhomesatmaplewood.com.

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SCI Underwriting Management expands efforts in top 20 claims volume states

Rob Jurgel, president of SCI Underwriting Management, LLC
Rob Jurgel, president of SCI Underwriting Management, LLC

SCITUATE, MA…

SCI Underwriting Management, LLC, a managing insurance agency with a focus on the aging service industry, recently announced an expansion in its efforts in states ranked in the top 20 in claim volume for the nursing home/long-term care industry.

“A recent Wall Street Journal article pointed out the difficult climate for all nursing homes and long-term facilities these days. There has been an increase in claims and subsequent lawsuits in recent years. That has resulted in skyrocketing insurance costs for everybody,” said Rob Jurgel, president of SCI Underwriting.  “SCI has a reputation for shrewd underwriting and risk management practices. This helps facilities that have not had claims to remain that way and provides a resource for facilities that have had claims to get coverage and minimize risk going forward.”

States with the highest claim volume for nursing homes and long-term care facilities include: Alabama; California; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Kentucky; Mississippi; North Carolina; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia; Washington; Wisconsin; and West Virginia.

SCI Underwriting’s current product offerings include Personal and General Liability. SCI Underwriting’s risk management services can include Professional Liability Risk Assessment, and a One-Day Focused Consulting Review. SCI’s other offerings include an AssistLine hotline for subscribing clients to obtain answers to questions and resource information related to risk reduction; Online Learning and an Incident Reporting Event Management service; and On-Site Services (Assessment and Focused Consulting).

For more information, please visit www.sciunderwriting.com or call 781-378-1050. 

SCI Underwriting: More than Insurance, Solutions

Based in Scituate, Massachusetts, SCI Underwriting Management LLC is a Managing General Agency that focuses on accounts in the Aging Services Industry. Primarily backed by Lloyd’s of London, SCI offers a variety of insurance coverage for Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living, Independent Living, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, as well as Home Health. Part of their services includes risk assessment and risk management to target potential liabilities and minimize risk.

For information, please visit www.sciunderwriting.com or call 781-378-1050.

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Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C. announces speaker’s bureau

Paul Barbadoro, Esq.
Paul Barbadoro, Esq.

BOSTON, BRAINTREE AND QUINCY, MA…

Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C., a dynamic full-service law firm with a team of attorneys advising individuals, businesses and families throughout Quincy, Braintree, the South Shore and metro Boston areas, recently introduced a speaker’s bureau as part of the Firm’s services.

“As a long-time member of the South Shore business community, Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. receives requests for our attorneys to speak at a variety of events for professional as well as at civic organizations,” said Paul Barbadoro, a partner at the Firm. “To better serve these organizations, we have created a speaker’s bureau with a list of topics Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. can speak on.”

The range of topics covered largely center around the Firm’s small business focus. That includes: Legal Do’s and Don’ts for Start-ups; Family Business: Passing it on to the Next Generation; How to Avoid Employee Wrongful Termination Claims; Protecting Intellectual Property; Common Mistakes When Naming a Business; Does My Business Need an Attorney (the answer will surprise you); Sole Proprietor? LLC? C-Corp? How to Choose; Complex Business Litigation; Personal Injury Law; Real Estate Litigation; and more.

Since many of the requests for speakers come from civic organizations, The Firm offers topics that go beyond small business. Those topics can range from Estate Planning 101 to Elder Law to Creating Trusts and beyond.

“We view the speaker’s bureau as an extension of our community service program. That’s why we typically do not charge a fee for professional organizations and never for civic organizations.” said Barbadoro.

To arrange for a Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. attorney to speak at your upcoming event, you can contact Paul Barbadoro at 781-202-6929 or by e-mail at BBBinfo@bbb-lawfirm.com with the word “Speaker” in the subject line.

About the Firm

Founded in 1995, Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C. is a full-service law firm located in Quincy committed to providing every client with personal attention and superior legal service at reasonable rates.

The firm’s attorneys provide legal advice and counsel to individuals, businesses and families throughout Quincy, Braintree, the South Shore and metro Boston areas.  Led by five partners with a combined 100+ years of experience, Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro’s 15 attorneys practice in the following areas: complex business litigation, personal injury law, real estate litigation, tax, trust and estate planning, real estate, zoning and land use, corporate law, finance, criminal defense, immigration law, election law, and divorce and family law.  Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro also offers a Speaker’s Bureau on topics of tax, estate planning, small business law and corporate law.

Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. is headquartered at 300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 500 in Quincy, MA.  For more information, contact (781) 202-6929 or visit their website at http://www.bbb-lawfirm.com.

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VoiceNation Answers the Call for Comedy Central

VoiceNation bg-logoVoiceNation, the industry leader in live answering and virtual receptionist services, supported 15,000 calls to the “Atone Phone” hotline number for Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” during the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

For the seventh consecutive year, VoiceNation has been called upon by Comedy Central producers of “The Colbert Report” to provide the hotline.  Stephen Colbert, host of the show, recognizes the Jewish High Holy Days by giving his viewers an opportunity to apologize to him personally by calling the Atone Phone hotline during the Ten Days of Repentance.   The Atone Phone number is 1-888-OOPS-JEW, which is a working toll free number, supported by VoiceNation.

Callers who dial in are greeted by a personal pre-recorded message from Stephen Colbert, asking them to leave their apology to him stating how they have wronged him in the previous year.  A handful of these atonement messages are then aired on the show.

Producers of the show selected VoiceNation for their ability to handle high call volumes associated with TV and radio spots. VoiceNation’s proprietary technology allows the hotline to take thousands of calls and voice messages, and essentially handle 40,000 Colbert fans within a very short time period.

About VoiceNation

VoiceNation is a leading provider of 24-hour live answering services and call center solutions. Named “Top Provider in Industry” by PC World, VoiceNation is positioned as a knowledge leader with innovations in pricing, service, and proprietary open source technology.

Over 50,000 businesses worldwide, including Comedy Central, Delta, Dunkin’ Donuts, Rolls Royce, and StateFarm trust VoiceNation as their professional telephone answering service. Founded in 2002, VoiceNation is a privately-held company that invests heavy emphasis in staff development and community outreach opportunities.

To learn more about VoiceNation, visit http://www.qualityansweringservice.com.

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