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Allie or Enemy?  New England Franchise Relationship Law panel discussion sponsored by New England Franchise Association (NEFA) on October 1.

Allie or enemy? Franchisor/franchisee relations have always been a bit tenuous.  A variety of new legislation is being proposed in several New England states to address this issue.

“Franchise Relationship Law” is the topic of the next New England Franchise Association (NEFA) event set for Wednesday, October 1, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.  In addition to the panel discussion, the event will include an initial hour of open networking and dinner. The event is sponsored by the law firm of Wiggin and Dana LLP.

The panel discussion will be held at the Woburn Hilton, 2 Forbes Road, Woburn, MA.

Cost is $59 for members and $79 for non-members.

Panelists include Jim Coen, newly appointed Planet Fitness Executive Director as well as Executive Director of the Maine Franchise Owners Association; Rory Valas, Esq., Principal with the law firm of Valas & Associates, P.C., Boston, MA ; Timothy J. Bryant, Esq., a Partner with the law firm of Preti Flaherty, Portland, ME; and Gregg Rubenstein, Esq., a Partner with the law firm Nixon Peabody, Boston, MA.  Suzanne Cummings, founder of Cummings Franchise Law, P.C. will moderate the panel.

NEFA logoABOUT NEFA

New England Franchise Association (NEFA) is the trade organization for franchisors and franchisees in the region. The mission of NEFA is to bring franchise executives, franchisees and suppliers together to share ideas for success.

Franchising more than ever before, has an unprecedented opportunity to make a major positive impact on the future New England economy. In a 2001-05 study conducted by  PriceWaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the International Franchise Association (IFA) found that in New England over 875,000 jobs are a result of franchising, the total output is over 100 billion dollars a year, and there are over 35,000 franchise establishments in the six New England states.

EVENT INFO

Space is limited. For more information and to reserve a seat for this event, please visit the New England Franchise Association via the organization’s website www.NEFranchise.org or email to info@NEFranchise.org.

 

 

 

Allie or Enemy?  New England Franchise Relationship Law panel discussion sponsored by New England Franchise Association (NEFA) on October 1.Read More

SCI Underwriting Management announces Property, Auto, Crime and Cyber Liability products for Aging Service industry clients.

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 the availability of four new products: Property (Ultimate Cover), Nursing Home Auto Coverage; Crime Coverage Form PI-ULT-009; and Nursing Home Cyber Security Liability Benefits. These four new products supplement SCI’s other offerings for the aging service industry market, which includes Personal and General Liability.

“During our brief history, we have developed a niche for offering insurance products to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities and other care providers that serve the aging service industry.  The focus of the facility continues to be on “tougher to place” aging service accounts.  To better serve our current client base and attract prospects, we have added coverage where there is also a need at facilities of this nature,” said Rob Jurgel, president of SCI Underwriting Management, LLC.

The Ultimate Property Cover Program (UC) provides a very broad cause of loss coverage form for both real and personal property. This form was designed to cover property risks with above average protection and construction. The UC was designed with flexibility in mind; it can be extended to include simplified language Inland Marine and Crime coverage’s.

Nursing Home Auto Coverage covers owned auto including transportation of residents; non-owned/hired auto; hired car physical damage; and rental reimbursement for private 
passenger vehicles. Garage keepers liability coverage is also available. Minimum liability limits are $1,000,000 and minimum physical damage deductibles are $500/$1,000.

Crime Coverage Form PI-ULT-009 provides automatic limits of $5,000 each for Money and Securities Inside the Premises, Money and Securities Outside the Premises, and Money Orders and Counterfeit Paper Currency.  Any of these limits can be increased for additional premium.  There is also a $25,000 limit for Kidnap and Ransom-Extortion. The form also provides options for adding coverage for Forgery or Alteration, Computer Fraud, or Employee Dishonesty for additional premium.

Nursing Home Cyber Security Liability includes a number of important coverages, including coverage for damages to third parties caused by a breach of network security; coverage for loss resulting from administrative or operational mistakes; breach of privacy coverage, which includes damages resulting from alleged violations of HIPAA, state, and federal privacy protection laws and regulations; and coverage for expenses resulting from a breach of consumer protection laws.

“To get these four coverages, many of these facilities have to approach four different companies. And if they have had more than their share of claims, they can be shut out or pay an extremely high premium,” said Jurgel. “SCI not only provides one-stop shopping for these coverages but with our team of risk professionals, we can pinpoint problem areas and help that facility minimize risk.”

SCI Underwriting’s risk management services include Professional Liability Risk Assessment, and a One-Day Focused Consulting Review. SCI’s other risk management offerings include and 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.

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.

SCI Underwriting Management announces Property, Auto, Crime and Cyber Liability products for Aging Service industry clients.Read More

Lyman Orchards is Newest Grocery Partner of Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

location imageRecognizing the high quality of Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café’s baked-fresh-daily bagels, Lyman Orchards has recently become a grocery partner and will offer Between Rounds signature bagels at their Apple Barrel Market.

Lyman Orchards’ Apple Barrel Market, located at 32 Reeds Gap Road in Middlefield, CT is renowned for their fruit orchards and delicious seasonal and traditional pies. The market will now offer a variety of Between Rounds bagels in their bakery line.

“Lyman Orchards is a Connecticut institution – recognized as the 12th oldest family-owned business in America. We’re honored that our bagels will hold a premiere position in the Apple Barrel Market,” said Jerry Puiia, co-owner of the Between Rounds franchise. Between Rounds is the brainchild of brothers Jerry and Joe Puiia, who are Staten Island, NY natives.  Between Rounds current locations include South Windsor (corporate headquarters), Vernon, Manchester and Tolland.

Grocery Retailers Carrying Between Rounds Bagels

For more than 20 years, Highland Park Markets, which has stores in Suffield, Farmington, Manchester, Coventry and Glastonbury, has been carrying Between Rounds bagels as their privately labeled brand, but switched to the Between Rounds brand name two years ago.  West Side Marketplace in Rocky Hill has been carrying the signature brand for four years. Geissler’s stores, which are located in Agawam, Bloomfield, East Windsor, Granby, Somers and South Windsor, have been carrying them for almost a year and the family-owned Gardiner’s Market in South Glastonbury has just started carrying Between Rounds products.

About Between Rounds

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-on site bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffee and a unique line of giftware.  Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is expanding. Traditional full-store and kiosk franchise opportunities are available. In 2013, the company was selected as a Military Friendly Franchise®, which places Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café in an elite group and is testimony to the company’s commitment to supporting military veterans interested in franchise opportunities.

Between Rounds’ current locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland.  Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT.  For more information about Between Rounds franchise opportunities contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com

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Florence resident Mark Goggins appointed to Nonotuck Resource Associates Advisory Board

Mark Goggins
Mark Goggins

FLORENCE, MA…

Since 1972 Nonotuck Resource Associates has helped transform the lives of hundreds of people with intellectual and physical disabilities by offering the personalized service of shared living and Adult Family Care (AFC) services. Nonotuck’s Board of Directors has played a significant part in creating and maintaining the values that help guide the development of services for the ever increasing need for families for these non-traditional, value based programs. That Board recently added Florence resident Mark Goggins.

“The Nonotuck Board of Directors provides a clear voice to our organization that offers insights and leadership to its employees.” said George H. Fleischner, CEO of Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. “Mark will be an excellent addition to the Board. With his background as a loan advisor, he brings in-depth knowledge of the business world and finances to the table that will be a huge benefit to the Board.”

Currently, Goggins is a senior loan advisor at Mortgage Master, Inc. in West Springfield, Massachusetts. He previously worked as a loan originator for Applied Mortgage Services, Inc. in Northampton, Massachusetts. Goggins holds the following licenses: NMLS #19008, MA Lender License MC5019, and MA LIC #ML019008.

“I’ve known George for over 15 years and have long been an admirer of Nonotuck’s work,” said Goggins. “I’m delighted to be asked to serve on the Board and to help this company continue the important services we provide.”

Goggins is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and hold a bachelor’s degree in political science. Married, he resides in Florence with his wife Rebecca and their daughters McKenna and Brynn.

For complete information on Nonotuck Resource Associates, including office locations, you can visit www.nonotuck.com or call Nonotuck’s main office at 413-586-5266 x104.

Caregiving with Love –  Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc.

Founded in 1972 by a group of parents who had the courage and foresight to seek community care for their loved ones, Nonotuck has since helped transform the lives of hundreds of people with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing the personalized service of Shared Living and Adult Family Care.  Each day Nonotuck addresses the ever increasing demand from families for these non-traditional, value based, in home services with love and care.  If you are interested in finding out more about this unique service and our locations please visit www.nonotuck.com or call 413-586-5256 x 104.

Florence resident Mark Goggins appointed to Nonotuck Resource Associates Advisory BoardRead More

Rodman & Rodman P.C. Expands their Renewable Energy and Cleantech Specialty Practice

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., an independent accounting and tax firm based in Newton, MA, has promoted and appointed several staff members to their Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice, known as the “Green Team”, which serves clients throughout the U.S.

Mark Vitello
Mark Vitello, CPA
Elysha IMG_5237finLPcrop-214x300
Elysha Sturm
Kathy-B-IMG_5905FinlpCropped-for-web
Katherine Bautze

Katherine Bautze has been promoted to Marketing Director for the Green Team and will develop and implement communications programs that manage the company’s Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty brand. She will oversee all marketing efforts and external vendors. Previously, she held the position of Marketing Coordinator. Ms. Bautze has more than 20 years of administrative, bookkeeping and managerial experience. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA, and is a resident of Sudbury, MA.

Mark Vitello, a Certified Public Accountant, has been promoted to Supervisor at Rodman & Rodman and will provide specialized tax advisory services and business strategy to small and medium sized companies. He will serve as the marketing lead on Rodman’s Green Team responsible for building the firm’s brand and client base among companies and organizations involved in renewable energy, cleantech, and energy efficiency. Previously, he held the position of Senior Accountant for two years, and prior to that, Staff Accountant for almost four years. Mr. Vitello holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Information Systems as well as a Master of Accounting and Information Systems (MACIS) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Pamplin College of Business in Blacksburg, VA. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MSCPA) and he resides in Wellesley, MA.

Elysha Sturm, Staff Accountant, has been appointed to the Green Team and will provide accounting and tax service to renewable energy and cleantech companies across the U.S. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Suffolk University and is in the process of pursuing a Master’s degree in Taxation from Suffolk University as well as CPA certification. Ms. Sturm often speaks to undergraduates about career planning and is leading volunteer community outreach initiatives among Rodman staff. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MSCPA) and resides in Foxboro.

For three consecutive years, Rodman & Rodman has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today.

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. 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 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.

 

Rodman & Rodman P.C. Expands their Renewable Energy and Cleantech Specialty PracticeRead More

Volunteers needed for 4th annual Run for Faith on Sun., August 24

PLYMOUTH, MA…

The fourth annual Run for Faith recently announced it is looking for volunteers to man registration tables, water stations and other day-of-race functions. The four-mile race will take place at 8:30 am on Sunday, August 24 from Plimouth Plantation.
“Volunteers have played an integral part of the Run for Faith. I will never forget those people who volunteered for the first run, which took place right before Hurricane Irene hit,” said Matt Romboldi, one of the founders of the race run in memory of his mother, Faith “Marcy” Romboldi, who lost her battle with cancer in 2010.

Adds Romboldi, “The volunteers for our run were at first people who knew my mother or other members of our family. Now, our volunteers corps has grown to include people who have run in the race, heard about the scholarships we have given, or want to be part of the effort to raise money for the Dana Farber.”

In its brief history, the Run for Faith has donated more than $10,000 to the Dana Farber’s Yawkey Center for Cancer Care and more than $5,000 in scholarships to graduating Plymouth North and Plymouth South high school students. With the 4th annual Run for Faith set for Sunday, August 24, organizers are counting on year four of this four-mile race to break previous fundraising efforts and volunteers are a significant part of that endeavor.

Those interested in volunteering can contact Matt Romboldi at 508-400-0751 or email info@runforfaithplymouth.org.

The four-mile Run for Faith race loop captures spectacular views of Cape Cod Bay, the Eel River and scenic horse farms. The course features rolling hills and unmatched history. Water stations are plentiful and the event is professionally timed by Spitler Racing Systems. There is also a Stroller Division, so runners can run with their young children.

The Run for Faith is a gold member in the Bayside Runner Racing Series. The entry fee is $25 – which will once again go to scholarships for Plymouth high school students, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Plymouth Public Library and other Plymouth charities and non-profits. Runners can register at www.runforfaithplymouth.org.

Prizes will go to top finishers, male and female, and awards will be given to top finishers for various age groups. Post-race “light refreshments” will include bananas, oranges, bagels, muffins and scones. To amuse younger family members, a jumpy house will be available. A number of vendors will be on hand to sell their wares before and after the race.

The Run for Faith is organized by Run for Faith, Inc., which is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to commemorate the special life of Faith “Marcy” Romboldi who gave so much of herself to both individuals and the community.

Faith, or “Marcy” as she was known by her friends and family, was a teacher, member of the Red Hat’s Society, Sweet Adeline’s, and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008. Marcy’s ability to fight this vicious disease with incessant might and unsurpassed grace will never be forgotten and surely serves as inspiration to those who were close. Mostly, Marcy will be remembered for her acts of kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Many will remember her for her two best accessories- a lovely hat and a radiant smile!

Interested sponsors can contact Matthew Romboldi at 508-400-0751. For more information, please visit www.runforfaithplymouth.org, or email info@runforfaithplymouth.org. You can view the course online at: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/42074524.

Volunteers needed for 4th annual Run for Faith on Sun., August 24Read More

PR Works in America’s Hometown. PR Works, a full-service PR firm, moves to Plymouth, MA.

PR Works, a full-service public relations and advertising firm, relocated to Plymouth and has its own version of a ribbon cutting. PR Works staff includes (left to right) Nancy Sheerin of Kingston, MA; Joe D’Eramo of Plymouth; Steve Dubin of Plymouth; Jen Tomasetti of Hanover and Isaac Dubin of Plymouth.

In recognition of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ fastest growing county and vibrant arts and commerce scene, PR Works, a full-service public relations and advertising firm, has moved to 18 Main Street, Extension, Suite 409, Brewster Park Building, Plymouth, MA, 02360 (above Café Stega in downtown Plymouth).

PR Works was founded 24 years ago in Weymouth, MA as a traditional public relations firm and has since morphed into a full slate of PR and marketing services to help small to mid-sized companies maintain visibility and expand sales. The company provides a wide expanse of public relations services, including strategic PR planning, social media strategy involving LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, web development, e-newsletters, video and sales collateral development.

“In addition to moving our five-person firm to Plymouth Center, I’ve also moved my family to the area,” noted Steven V. Dubin, founder or PR Works and formerly a Kingston resident for 21 years. “Our distant and regional clients are delighted to have an excuse to visit Plymouth, to conduct business and enjoy Plymouth’s working waterfront, its rich historic and mecca of eclectic restaurants and musical venues. It is a fun place to work and play.”

With strong press contacts in the region, PR Works has assisted numerous Plymouth-based companies and organizations, including the Plymouth School System, South Shore Skin Centers, Tracy Motors, Radisson Plymouth, White Cliffs, Plymouth Memorial Hall, King Collision, Lombard Waste, Run For Faith, Old Sandwich Road Race, Harbor Grille, Sandy’s at the Beach and Professional Medical Interiors.

For more information about PR Works, visit www.PRWorkZone.com, or call (781) 582-1061.

PR Works in America’s Hometown. PR Works, a full-service PR firm, moves to Plymouth, MA.Read More

Rodman & Rodman Supports “Act Relative to Net Metering and Solar Power”

Steve Rodman, CPA, MST
Steve Rodman, CPA, MST

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., an independent accounting and tax firm with a Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice serving “green” clients throughout the U.S., weighs in on proposed legislation regarding Net Metering and Solar Power awaiting passage in the MA House and Senate by July 31st.

“Due largely to the state’s policies providing net metering (credits for returning excess generation to the grid) and Solar Renewable Energy Credits, renewable energy projects — solar projects in particular — have enjoyed exceptional growth in Massachusetts,” said Steve Rodman, president of Rodman & Rodman, P.C. “These programs, along with federal incentives in the form of 1603 grants and Investment Tax Credits have allowed solar projects to confidently project a reasonable return on investment, which in turn has attracted investment and financing. However, solar capacity qualifying for net metering facilities benefiting cities, towns and other public entities has quickly approached the 3 percent cap allocated to each of the state’s electric utility service areas, and the lingering debate about when and how much to raise the caps has become a serious threat to financing future projects.”

Under the current net metering regulations, qualified solar energy generation sites can use excess capacity to create credits against both the cost of electricity and service. “While solar advocates want to significantly increase net metering caps to encourage financing and development, utilities and some industry advocates argue that a large increase in qualified net metering solar shifts the cost of grid infrastructure and other utility expenses away from the direct beneficiaries of solar projects to the rest of utility rate payers,” explained Rodman. “There are strong feelings from some Massachusetts industry advocate groups that also take this position.”

A viable compromise may come in the form of a new Massachusetts bill (H4185), currently awaiting passage in the MA House and Senate. Under the new legislation, net metering caps for solar projects in the Commonwealth would be permanently removed in exchange for a minimum monthly bill, the elimination of Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and the ability for utilities to adjust rates for power received from Virtual Net Metering sources (solar power deployments that share net metering credits with other consumers such as a landlord who owns a solar array and shares the benefits with tenants). In addition, the bill would provide for a “Declining Block Program” of incentive rates that would assign new generation coming online to a specific block value of dollars per kWh over a 15-year period that would decline as new capacity comes online. The block value rates bundle both electricity metering credits and incentive rates for renewable energy.

Some industry groups, such as the Associated Industries of Massachusetts still strongly oppose the legislation as an unfair redistribution of ratepayer tariffs. Even some Massachusetts solar groups are in opposition because they feel that the new legislation replaces a more free-market system that was working well with one that is untested and much more in the control of utilities and regulators. At the same time, The Solar Energy Industry Association and the New England Clean Energy Council strongly support the bill as a reasonable compromise to break the current stalemate on net metering caps, create long-term certainty to reduce risks and encourage continued investment in solar, and meet the commonwealth’s goal of 1,600 MW of solar energy by 2020.

“We support the new legislation and believe strong growth of solar energy in the commonwealth will pay big dividends to all rate payers in the long term while allowing utilities a reasonable path to recover some of the cost of our growing grid infrastructure and service requirements. We also feel that while distributed solar generation may add some expense in the short term, it will add clean generation capacity, reduce transmission congestion, reduce demand for added fossil fuel generation, reduce the need for added pipe and wire infrastructure, ultimately increasing the overall performance of the grid. We also think that thousands of jobs, a growing tax base, and cleaner air are not bad benefits either,” said Rodman.

 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. For three consecutive years, 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.

Rodman & Rodman Supports “Act Relative to Net Metering and Solar Power”Read More

Rodman & Rodman P.C. Promotes Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA to Audit Director

Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA
Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., an independent accounting and tax firm with a Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice serving “green” clients throughout the U.S., has recently promoted Robert Leonard, a Certified Public Accountant, to Audit Director.

Mr. Leonard has been part of the Rodman & Rodman team since 2005 and previously held the position of Audit Manager. In his new role, he oversees financial statement engagements, including audits and reviews, primarily for closely held businesses and employee benefit plans. Mr. Leonard earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bentley University in Waltham, and a Master of Business Administration from Framingham State College.

Mr. Leonard is the treasurer for the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) Benefits Council of New England, as well as a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and MyPinnacleNetwork. He resides in Pembroke, MA.

Rodman & Rodman is located in Newton, MA.  For three consecutive years, Rodman & Rodman has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today.

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. 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.

 

Rodman & Rodman P.C. Promotes Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA to Audit DirectorRead More