Client News

240K HUD Grant Awarded to Old Colony Elder Services

November 17, 2011 // by admin

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth county, is one of five agencies that has been awarded the Resident Opportunities and Supportive Services (ROSS) federal grant.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development has developed the ROSS program to link public housing residents who are elderly or who have disabilities with supportive services and education designed to ensure self-sufficiency needed for independent living. The $240,000 ROSS grant will be disbursed to OCES over the next three years.

“We’re very pleased to receive the ROSS grant. OCES is one of only three non-profit agencies nationally to receive this special grant that links elderly and disabled public housing residents with supportive services they need to maintain independent living,” said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

The ROSS grant will allow for full time OCES staff coverage at Northfield and Highcliff housing sites in Plymouth. Supportive Housing Programs exist at each of the Plymouth Housing Authority’s five housing sites: Northfield, Cherry Hill, Southfield, High Cliffs and Castle Court. Each site serves more than 100 elders.

The additional staff at Northfield and Highcliff will further increase collaboration among service providers and ensure that residents’ needs are met. The goal of Supportive Housing is to meet individual needs by providing services that are aimed at educating and empowering residents which will ultimately support the prevention of premature institutionalization. Some of the educational programs that will be offered focus on financial literacy, credit counseling, chronic disease self management and emergency preparedness training.

For more information, contact Nicole Welch, Program Development Manager at OCES
(508) 584-1561 extension 249.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts:
Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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Brushing up on your holiday eating. How to brush to keep holiday sweets from leading to a trip to the dentist

November 16, 2011 // by admin

Dr. Richard Wolfert, DMD, "The Toothboss"

SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA

When it comes to holiday sweets, most people worry about what it will do to their waist line. Not much thought is given about what an increase in sweets can do to their teeth. While you might assume a few extra trips to the gym after the holidays will take care of the sweets, the potential damage to your teeth from an increase in sweets can be more troublesome.

“If you are continually eating sweets all day long because candy or other sugary treats are available, it raises the acid levels in your mouth to a higher than normal level and that can lead to an increase in demineralization of the enamel and cavity formation,” said Dr. Richard Wolfert, DMD. “Also, the sticky nature of most candy provides the bacteria with more opportunity to create the acid that causes all the problems. And, it goes without saying that sticky candies and sweets are not the best thing to be eating if you have crowns, bridges or other prosthetic appliances in your mouth that can be ‘pulled’ out.”

Does that mean you shouldn’t have any sweets during the holidays? According to Dr. Wolfert, sweets in moderation are fine. The real issue stems back to people’s brushing habits in general.

“The simple fact is most people do not know how to properly brush their teeth, both from a technique standpoint, length of time and frequency,” said Dr. Wolfert.

After selecting a good toothbrush and toothpaste (Dr. Wolfert recommends a soft brush and any toothpaste with fluoride), a good brushing should take at least two minutes and as many four. While there are many different techniques for brushing, here is one of the more popular ways:

Hold the brush on two to three teeth with a 45 degree angle on the teeth and under the gum. Gently press against the gum so the tips of the bristles go in between the gum and the teeth.
Apply lateral pressure, making the motion of little circles with the final stroke away from under the gums in order to sweep the plaque away from the teeth and the gum.
Repeat this motion six to 10 times and move on to the next area of two to three teeth. If your mouth is full of foam, rinse out with water and continue brushing. Your brushing is completed when you have brushed all the surfaces of your teeth; the front, backs and tops of all teeth.

“As far as frequency of brushing is concerned, ideally you want to brush your teeth after each meal. This isn’t always easy to do if you’re out at a party or gathering during the holidays,” said Dr. Wolfert. “If you can’t brush right after you eat, you should, at the very least, brush thoroughly twice a day, after breakfast and before going to bed.

The holidays are not a good time to get a toothache, with many dentists spending time with THEIR families. Often times you will have to be treated by a covering dentist who doesn’t know your dental issues as well as your primary dentist. Therefore, adds Dr. Wolfert, “A checkup prior to the holidays is a very good idea. That way if there are any existing problems, you can address them before you start eating those rich desserts and sweets at the holidays that can aggravate an existing condition.”

Dr. Wolfert’s practice, Smiles by the Toothboss, is located at 1121 Main Street in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. For more information on correct brushing and flossing technique, you can visit Dr. Wolfert’s website at www.toothboss.com or call 781-335-0604 to schedule a consultation.

About Smiles by the Toothboss

Smiles by the Toothboss offers: comprehensive examinations (written treatment and treatment plan provided); cosmetics; crowns, bridges and tooth-colored restorations; partial and full dentures; periodontics (early cases treated); oral surgery; restoration of conventional and small diameter implants; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).

Smiles by the Toothboss accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. They also accept all major credit cards and have arranged payment plans through CareCredit.

To schedule an initial consultation, please call 781-335-0604. For more information, visit www.toothboss.com.

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Sonja Daday, LMT, RPP Joins South Shore Skin Center and Spa as Massage Therapist

November 15, 2011 // by admin

Sonja Daday So Shore Skin Center — Sonja Daday, LMT, RPP

Sonja Daday, a Licensed Massage Therapist and Registered Polarity Practitioner has recently joined South Shore Skin Center and Spa of Plymouth and Cohasset.

Ms. Daday brings more than 13 years experience as a Massage Therapist to South Shore Skin Center and Spa. In her new position, Ms. Daday will provide Swedish relaxation massage, Deep tissue/Sports massage, Prenatal massage and Hot Stone massage to South Shore Skin Center and Spa clients at their Plymouth location.

Ms. Daday holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge and an Associate in Science in Veterinary Technology from Becker College in Leicester. She is a licensed Massage Therapist, having received her certification from the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester. Ms Daday is certified in Prenatal Massage, LaStone (hot stone) therapy and Reiki and has received additional training in Myofascial unwinding, Neuromuscular massage, Burnham Facial Rejuvenation and Reflexology. She is also a Registered Polarity Practitioner and obtained certification from the Polarity Realization Institute in Ipswich.

Ms. Daday is currently an Instructor of Massage Techniques at Cape Cod Community College, Hyannis, where she teaches Swedish, Deep tissue, Myofascial unwinding, Hydrotherapy, Sports and Prenatal massage.

She is a resident of Sandwich, MA.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa is currently offering Saturday massage appointments with Ms. Daday. To arrange an appointment, contact 508-747-0711.

About South Shore Skin Center and Spa
South Shore Skin Center and Spa is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services. South Shore Skin Center and Spa is a 2011 Best of South Shore Living Winner.

Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center and Spa is a unique team of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, surgical assistants, and licensed estheticians who are all specialists in dermatology and share a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing the highest level of care to both children and adults in the greater Boston area. In addition to the medical dermatology office and Mohs Surgical Unit for skin cancer, South Shore Skin Center and Spa offers cosmetic dermatology treatments for wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, birthmarks, hair removal, tattoos and more using the Fraxel re:store DUAL and Fraxel re:pair lasers, ePrime, Candela VBeam, Gentlelase, Gentle YAG, and Alex lasers. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and other wrinkle fillers; volumizers such as Radiesse and Sculptra; microdermabrasion; medical grade facials, micropeels and chemical peels.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa is located at One Scobee Circle, Unit 3, in Plymouth, Mass. (508) 747-0711 and at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202, in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

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Day of Beauty Event to Benefit Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation at South Shore Skin Center and Spa, Plymouth, December 3, 2011

November 14, 2011 // by admin

1204279072_D464a-M-1 — South Shore Skin Center's Spa

South Shore Skin Center and Spa is delighted to announce a festive first! “Sunbeams and Snowflakes,” a Day of Beauty and Open House to benefit the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at South Shore Skin Center, One Scobee Circle, Plymouth, from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Day of Beauty will include a variety of aesthetic treatments and services designed to help guests look their radiant best for the holiday season. Among the many aesthetic treatments to be offered are Botox, fillers, facials, laser therapy, massage, makeup application, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. All guests will receive a 10 percent discount on products and Spa services purchased at the event.

In the true spirit of holiday giving, South Shore Skin Center and Spa personnel will be donating their services for “Sunbeams and Snowflakes.” All funds raised from the purchase of treatments and products will benefit the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation’s school-based program, SunAWARE.

The Open House will provide guests the opportunity to shop for luxurious holiday gifts from the Spa at a 10 percent discount, as well as to enjoy light refreshments and soothing music, find amazing “deals” in the Silent Auction, and win great prizes in the Raffle.

Representatives from the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation will be on hand throughout the day to meet guests, provide information, and answer questions about the foundation’s mission and program to protect children from skin cancer. Their innovative school-based program, “SunAWARE” is delivered free of charge to children from kindergarten through twelfth grade in Massachusetts schools.

Please R.S.V.P online for the Open House at:
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ayrtvmcab&oeidk=a07e55hpeui78a5d0b2

Because South Shore Skin Center and Spa anticipates a brisk response to this event, persons interested in booking Spa appointments are strongly encouraged to call early. The first 70 guests to schedule an appointment for services will receive a Coolibar sun hat (a $20 value.)

For those who are unable to attend the event, but who would like to support the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation’s work in the schools by making a tax-deductible donation, visit www.melanomaprevention.org/donate.html. For more information, contact (781) 875-1SPF (1773) or visit www.melanomaprevention.org.

About the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation
Established in 2003, the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, located in Hingham, Massachusetts, is a non-profit educational foundation that is dedicated to teaching children and their caretakers safe and proven methods of sun protection and skin cancer prevention. The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation delivers a comprehensive sun safety and melanoma awareness program, free of charge, to children in elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts.

Day of Beauty Event to Benefit Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation at South Shore Skin Center and Spa, Plymouth, December 3, 2011Read More

Holiday Wellness Check – Right At Home Outlines 10 Signs An Aging Loved One Needs Help

November 14, 2011 // by admin

The holidays are often a time for happy reunions with family members and friends. Whether you live far from your loved ones, or your job and other commitments prevent you from visiting more than once or twice a year, you may be surprised to see that your aging loved one is beginning to show signs of decline.

Family gatherings are one of the best times to assess how your loved one is doing and look for signs that may indicate there is cause for concern. Libet Callahan, RN, BSN, president of the South Shore office of Right at Home, providers of non-medical in-home care services to seniors and disabled adults throughout the South Shore, advises family members of the 10 signs to watch for:

Weight loss
Not maintaining his/her personal appearance and hygiene
Not remembering when to take medication and not knowing what condition each medication is treating
Not eating nutritious meals or not eating at all
Food in the refrigerator or on the shelves that is past its expiration date or molding
Not maintaining the home by doing chores such as cleaning bathrooms, washing floors or regular vacuuming
Not paying bills – unpaid or unopened piles of bills are a red flag
Not taking proper care of a pet
Avoiding or having difficulty ascending/descending steps
Limiting contact with or lacking an interest in the outside world

According to Ms. Callahan, “Ultimately, a single, isolated sign doesn’t necessarily mean your loved one is in trouble. Sometimes you can just feel a change in a person even if you can’t articulate it. If there are numerous signs and you believe that your loved one may be having difficulty, you need to address it with your loved one and other close family members. Your aging loved one may be in need of a number of services – from companionship to personal care and homemaking – and Right at Home can help.”

Single-service care options such as meals-on-wheels or an adult daycare may be enough. But, oftentimes a multi-service provider such as Right At Home is needed to provide the companion, homemaker and personal care services that enable seniors and those with disabilities to remain in the comfort of their home for as long as possible.

If you have concerns about a family member, take Right At Home’s online Care Assessment by visiting http://www.rightathome.net/southshore/. For questions or more information, contact Right At Home at 781-681-3545.

About Right At Home
Right at Home provides non-medical in-home care services to seniors and disabled adults throughout the South Shore. Right At Home is among the first in the state to earn Accreditation from the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts. As a private-pay home care agency, Right At Home can provide services in settings other than the home, such as in assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement facilities, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals.

Right at Home provides care services of companionship, homemaking, physical assistance, hygiene and wellness. In addition, Right At Home accommodates clients in special care situations providing home care for Alzheimer’s and other dementia, osteoarthritis, hypertension/stroke, diabetes, heart disease, neuromuscular diseases and disorders, cancer recovery, hospice/palliative care support, mental health, traumatic brain injury and paraplegia/quadriplegia. All Right At Home caregivers are fully insured and bonded, must pass a vigorous background check, complete a training program and pass a competency test before being placed with a client.

The company serves the following areas: Abington, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton (East Side), Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Middleboro, Milton, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Randolph, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, Weymouth and Whitman. Right at Home has offices located at 800 Hingham Street, in Rockland, MA and 38 Resnik Road in Plymouth, MA. For more information contact 866-681-3545 or visit the website at http://www.rightathome.net/southshore/.

Holiday Wellness Check – Right At Home Outlines 10 Signs An Aging Loved One Needs HelpRead More

“Burial At Sea Air Scatterings” Now Offered Through New England Burials at Sea LLC

November 8, 2011 // by admin

Capt Brad White (left) and Pilot Ev Cassagneres (Right) — (L to R) Capt. Brad White and Pilot Ev Cassagneres

Vintage Military Aircraft piloted by Steve Goyette of Massachusetts

New England Burials At Sea, (NEBAS) has recently launched an additional “burial at sea air scattering” service to help bring closure to families who wish to honor their loved ones with final flight ash scattering by plane over the sea. New England Burials At Sea LLC, (NEBAS) offers burial at sea scatterings by plane or ocean vessel, eco-friendly full body sea burials and pet burial at sea.

The vast majority of cremations may never have a proper, dignified “celebration of life” burial ceremony. Many client families have either a commercial, military or sport enthusiast pilot in the family who loved flying.

Company founder Captain Brad White recently announced this new service air scattering now offered at NEBAS – The New England Air Scattering™ – a memorial ash scattering by a specially fitted 1953 high wing Cessna airplane piloted by a decorated Korean war pilot Ev Cassagneres of Connecticut with over 65 years of flight experience and who personally knew Charles Lindbergh and his family. Pilot Cassagneres is also a well respected and published author on the topic.

White said, “Pilot Cassagneres has developed a special in flight procedure for an all-at-once unattended scattering of cremated remains that can be geo-targeted over a special coordinate selected by the family from New York to Maine.” White added, “Pilot Steve Goyette of Massachusetts has been flying for over 35 years and often flies his authentic military low wing airplane which is a North American L – 17 War Bird from Rhode Island to Maine and is experienced in air acrobatics. Pilot Goyette is equipped to take passengers to witness and view the air deployment alongside Pilot Cassagneres.”

“In addition, we can station a vessel at a certain water based location near the intended air flight scattering path that the plane can fly over while dipping it’s wings in a full respect final air tribute salute while in full radio contact with the boat or ground so the family can hear the pilot’s reading of the final Captain’s prayer.”

NEBAS burials at sea are legal, approved per U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and EPA regulations and are easy to plan. For ash scatterings, NEBAS voyages out three nautical miles and the family scatters their loved ones cremated remains with a customized sea tribute service and returns to port all within about three hours.
All ash scattering rates include an official parchment sea and or air burial certificate marking the latitude and longitude of a loved ones’ final resting place and start at $495.00. Air scatterings are more.

NEBAS is the best known company in the nation for sea burials that uses only properly insured and licensed captains with current USCG certifications that only employ clean, safe and up to date vessels from Maine to Miami as well as San Francisco to San Diego. Vessels vary from vintage Maine down east style to sport or luxury level vessels accommodating up to 400 people.
According to Capt. White, “We are the best fully licensed and insured professional air scattering operation in the U.S., and the only one in New England, using a precise method of ash scattering by air. We can now offer a proper ‘Air Burial At Sea’ which is a truly great and final tribute to a loved one, especially one who loved flying.”
With a team that has over one hundred years of combined flying experience, White is proud to announce these new affiliations to continue the significant growth rate of the company by further expanding NEBAS services.
About NEBAS
New England Burials At Sea LLC, (NEBAS) offers burial at sea scatterings by plane or ocean vessel, eco-friendly full body sea burials and pet burial at sea. The company has been serving families from Maine to Miami since 2006. NEBAS is recognized by the EPA, US Navy, U.S.C.G. and many funeral homes and crematories.

Burial at Sea Services offered include: Private Ash Scattering Cruises with family; Unattended Ash Scattering –Captain’s service; Full Body Ocean Burials –With family; Ceremonies for Pets’ Ashes as well as Memorial Cruises to the same coordinates on future anniversaries. Through their Belated Burial at Sea (www.belatedburial.com), NEBAS helps bring closure to families who wish to honor their loved ones with a memorial ash scattering that pays tribute to a loved one for whom a family may not have already held a committal service.

NEBAS offers a unique Concierge Program specifically for families traveling to the New England area for NEBAS services. The company has partnered with the pet friendly Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel, Rowe’s Wharf Water Transport Company, Winston Flowers and CityView Trolley company of Boston to help ensure NEBAS guests are as comfortable as possible during their time of grief and mourning – and one simple phone call handles it all.

The company also designed and manufactures in MA the Atlantic Sea burial Shroud®.
For more information or images, visit http://www.NewEnglandBurialsAtSea.com, or call toll free New England Burials At Sea, Capt Brad White at 877-897-7700 or direct at (781) 834-7500, email OceanBurial@aol.com.

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In light of Herman Cain Situation, HR Guru weighs in on Sexual Harassment

November 7, 2011 // by admin

Sexual Harassment can happen to any employer, manager or employee, we are all at risk. Herman Cain may be completely innocent of these allegations. However, most employers when these issues arise, will often times settle the cases before they go to court as the legal fees alone will usually be a far great dollar amount than the amount settled for in a much quicker time frame for resolution. Neither side is admitting fault but the settlement makes the matter go away.

What can employers do to protect themselves? Jeff Garr, CEO of HR Knowledge, Inc., a leading Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) serving emerging to mid-sized companies throughout the Northeast with offices in Mansfield and Waltham, explains there are a number of rules to set in motion as employers to ensure that companies and their employees are protected from frivolous law suits. Garr provides an easy set of guidelines to follow which are outlined below:

1. Create and maintain an up-to-date Employee Guideline or Manual. This Manual should contain all of the legal laws and regulations required by local and national laws. In addition, please ensure that all employees sign a notice of acceptance of this Manual and keep those signed/dated documents in a safe and secure place.

2. Provide annual Sexual Harassment Training for your entire company. This training should help employees understand the do’s and don’ts of supporting a positive work environment. In addition, have each employee sign a letter of acceptance that they have gone through this annual training.

3. Ensure that the Policy in the Employee Guideline/Manual for Sexual Harassment is followed and supported by all in the company. If there is an employee that is feeling as though they are being sexually harassed ensure that proper procedures and or an investigation ensues in order to determine what the issues are. Whatever you do don’t turn your head and act as though nothing happened, this can only make the employee angry and create a better likelihood of the employee suing the employer and or the employee. Remember that not only is the Employer subject to liability but so is the employee if they are the one doing the harassing.

4. Purchase an EPLI policy from your Liability Insurance Provider. EPLI stands for Employment Practice Liability Insurance. This is the only insurance in place to protect the employer and its employees from this sort of litigation. Without this insurance coverage the employer will run blind and the meter will start ticking with any attorney hired to defend you. This policy will also insure that you will be provided Legal Representation. These suits can bankrupt a company if the damages are great enough and they don’t have this insurance.

5. Enlist the services of a strong HR Outsourcing Company or have HR Professionals on board as employees. These professionals can help ensure that you are doing the right thing every day in every way. Notify them early on of any potential issues so that they can start the process of investigating and working on making sure level heads prevail and move forward in a positive way.

For more information or to arrange a speaking engagement with HR guru Jeff Garr, contact (508) 339-1300.

About HR Knowledge, Inc.

HR Knowledge, Inc. is a leading Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) serving emerging to mid-sized companies throughout the Northeast. HR Knowledge has the experience and technology to efficiently provide best-in-class integrated HR services at an affordable cost to clients.

HR Knowledge’s leaders have more than 100 years of combined experience and provide expert guidance in Human Resource management, Group Benefits Brokerage, Payroll Processing & Managed Services, Financial Services and Recruiting and Hiring Process Management (HPM).

Through their comprehensive Human Resource Services, HR Knowledge helps organizations minimize operational risks, reduce administrative costs and better serve their people.

HR Knowledge has been recognized as a Gold Level Broker by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. The company is headquartered at 905B South Main Street, Suite 203 in Mansfield and their second office is located at 890 Winter Street, Suite 208 in Waltham, MA. For more information, contact (508) 339-1300 or visit their website at www.hrknowledge.com

In light of Herman Cain Situation, HR Guru weighs in on Sexual HarassmentRead More

Elder Agency Selling Calendars to Help Seniors in Crisis

November 7, 2011 // by admin

In an effort to raise money for seniors in crisis situations, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving elders, individuals with disabilities and caregivers in 23 towns in the Plymouth county and Brockton areas, is selling Fundraising Calendars for $5 each.

The Fundraising Calendars, which will offer cash prizes, are available now and may be purchased through January 2012. Proceeds from the calendars go towards OCES’ Emergency Assistance Program which will help with purchases such as food, fuel and medications for seniors who are on a fixed income and in a crisis situation.

A total of $1,750 in cash prizes will be awarded to Fundraising Calendar holders via daily random drawings to be held in February 2012. There will be one winner named per day and the cash prize values will vary. Winners will be notified by phone and winning numbers posted online at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

To obtain a Fundraising Calendar, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 or send an email to LDallaire@oldcolonyelderservices.org.

OCES elders, individuals with disabilities and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The agency has 157 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

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NH-based energy collaborative saves 17% via innovative reverse energy auction. 150 businesses are energized and open ranks for others to join.

November 3, 2011 // by admin

: Jeff Hiatt

ROCHESTER, NH…

As a result of a successful “reverse energy auction”, many members of the Rochester Buying Power, involving 150 New Hampshire-based businesses, will be saving from $200 to $3,500 per month on their utility costs for the entire year.

The negotiated rate of $.0732 per kilowatt was reduced from the standard rate of $.0889 per kilowatt – a highly charged 17% reduction based on a pool of 25-million kilowatts. The reverse auction was open to all deregulated suppliers approved in the state.

“The reverse energy auction took 15 minutes and will greatly help these hard working New Hampshire businesses improve their bottom line for the entire year,” noted Jeff Hiatt, founder and CEO of Performance Business Solutions, LLC, based in Hampton Falls, NH.

“Many businesses are still unaware of the power, pardon my pun, of the reverse energy auction, but it can have a major impact for high energy users such as manufacturers, large office building owners and hotels,” added Hiatt.

Rochester Buying Power is opening its ranks for other New Hampshire businesses that can benefit from its pooled buying power. Another reverse energy auction is scheduled for mid to late November prior to the December meter readings. New Hampshire customers within the footprint of PS&H, National Grid New Hampshire, New Hampshire Eletrical Co-operative and Unitel are eligible to join the Rochester Buying Power.

Rochester Buying Power enables businesses to band together to negotiate lower prices from deregulated electric and gas suppliers. Once together in a “pool”, that volume is auctioned off via a 15 minute reverse auction to all deregulated suppliers approved in the state.

The reverse auction is implemented via an internet based system that tracks utility information and enables clients to manage their account more efficiently.

Hiatt, Performance Business Solutions, LLC explained, “There is no great secret to the success of the reverse energy auction concept. The utilities covet major power users and strive to keep their business. We simply formalize the process by aggregating several regional, major energy users and allow the suppliers to make their best offer.”

OTHER ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS

In addition to managing reverse energy audits, Performance Business Solutions, LLC recently launched a complimentary audit program to help businesses take advantage of the 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction.

Although most green deductions are based on the amount spent, this tax deduction is primarily focused on affected square footage. Candidates most likely to qualify for these deep savings will generally have improvements with a square footage of at least 50,000 square feet. Most obvious candidates include manufacturers and regional or national chains with multiple locations.

This legislation offers a tax deduction of up to $1.80/square foot to those investing in energy efficient improvements placed in service after January 1, 2006. The program has been extended to December 31, 2013.

A wide range of improvements, from simple lighting retrofits to full-scale construction projects, qualify for this timely tax break. Eligible improvements must reduce energy use for any of the following categories – a building’s envelope, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning), and/or interior lighting systems.

Tax savings can be significant. For example, an owner of a 50,000 square foot building could save up to $15,000 – $30,000 for improved lighting, $30,000 for more efficient HVAC and another $30,000 for tightening up the envelope of the building. That is a total of $90,000.

“There is no fine print here. This green deduction offers enormous savings. We find that many building owners are not familiar with this opportunity or how to take advantage of the program,” noted Hiatt. He added, “Although there is stringent documentation and compliance required, we walk clients through how they can both save the planet and major tax dollars at the same time.”

The basis for this deduction is a detailed engineering analysis, as prescribed by the IRS. The process for obtaining the 179D deduction requires a detailed analysis that must be certified by a qualified third party.

Performance Business Solutions, LLC has the expertise and the required professional qualifications to certify and secure the lucrative tax and financial benefits that are offered by reverse energy audits and the 179D tax deduction. Performance Business Solutions, LLC can also assist in the design process for future projects by suggesting design alternatives that would ensure qualification for 179D and other specific green building incentives.

Performance Business Solutions, LLC is located at 87 Lafayette Rd. Suite 11, Hampton Falls, NH 03844. The company helps businesses nationwide reduce expenses in a variety of areas. Jeff Hiatt of Performance Business Solutions, LLC, works with accountants, attorneys, and other experts to determine the best way for clients to reduce costs and increase profits.

To have your business or municipality participate in a reverse energy auction or arrange for a 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction, contact Jeff Hiatt, (508) 878-4846, JDH@revenuebanking.com. Or visit www.RevenueBanking.com.

NH-based energy collaborative saves 17% via innovative reverse energy auction. 150 businesses are energized and open ranks for others to join.Read More