A Message from our Chairman |
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Dear Chamber Member,
Save the Date for Thursday, May 11. The Chamber will be hosting a Mayoral Dinner with the Honorable N. Warren "Pete" Hess. This will be a great opportunity to connect with leadership in the community and hear an update from the Mayor on progress in the Borough, as well as future plans and priorities. Additional details to come shortly.
Are you a new member or want to learn more about how to get the most out of your Chamber membership? Join Chamber staff on Friday, March 24 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. for "Master Your Membership." You can register here.
We are only a few months away from Duck Day, which is happening on Sunday, June 4 in downtown Naugatuck. Currently, we are seeking non-profits interested in participating in selling raffle tickets, The non-profits keep 50% of proceeds. Last year, we were able to help area non-profits raise more than $23,170 for their causes, bringing the grand total to $452,438 donated since the inception of the event 18 years ago. You can find more information, including vending opportunities, below on how to get involved.
The Chamber's membership drive is currently underway. If you know of a business or organization who might benefit from becoming a member of the Naugatuck Chamber, please pass their name on to Chamber staff. Businesses who sign up by March 24 will receive more than $1,800 in extras, including no application fee, free advertising on the Chamber's website, and much more. For more information, call Membership Director Laura Brown at 203-757-0701 or email her at lbrown@waterburychamber.com. Businesses can join directly online here.
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Thank you for your continued membership, |
Kevin H. McSherry
McSherry Law Office
Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board
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- Chairman's Note
- Member Benefit Spotlight
- New Member Spotlight
- Submit Your Content
- Duck Day 2023
- Upcoming Events
- Economic Development News
- In the News
- Hiring & Training Programs Available
- HR Corner Corner by Carmody, Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
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New Member Spotlight: CT Pest Solutions, LLC |
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We are a local, family-owned business with over 20 years of experience. We enjoy being involved with the local community, a member of the Connecticut Pest Control Association, the National Pest Management Association, and the Nuisance Wildlife Association. We also have NWCOA Bat Standards certified technicians We guarantee all of our services and offer a range of service frequencies depending on your need.
We take pride in exceeding our customers expectations by providing exceptional service and effective pest and wildlife solutions.
We value our customers and appreciate your business. That is why no matter how small or large your pest concern is, we make it our priority.
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Services:
- Genera Pest Solutions
- Bed Bug Solutions
- Termite Solutions
- Wildlife Solutions
- Tick Solutions
- Wildlife/Rodent Proofing
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With the mild winter and warmer weather, ticks have been on the rise. Tick-borne diseases have increased dramatically by 25% from 2011 to 2019! Connecticut alone saw a 338% rise in babesiosis cases. From April 1 to May 31, CT Pest Solutions will be offering 10% off their monthly tick services.
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King Jones II, Owner
Call/Text: 203-903-1645
Office: 734 Rubber Avenue, 2F, Naugatuck, CT 06770
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Submit Your News and Social Media Content |
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Do you have upcoming events, company news, specials, or other-related information you'd like the Chamber to promote in our January Chamber Member newsletter or on one of our many social media platforms? You can submit your content by emailing Communications Director David Huck. Leverage the Chamber and allow us to spread your message to thousands of individuals. |
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Duck Day Raffle Prize Donations |
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The success of Duck Day each year is due in part to our generous members and volunteers. One way you can show your support for this community event and the Chamber is by contributing towards our raffle prizes, which are given out to the top 20 winners of the Duck Race.
If you would like to donate an item on behalf of your business, the Chamber will promote you on social media, in eblasts, and during the event, which is attended by thousands of individuals. Here are a few popular suggestions. We encourage you to utilize other Chamber Member businesses to purchase these items, if possible.
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- Meta Quest 2 (Oculus) VR Headset 128 gb $349
- Nintendo Switch OLED $345
- Samara Luggage Carry-on with TagSmart technology $325
- Orca cooler (20 – 26 qt) $240-$280
- Pelican cooler (20 – 50 qt) $220 -$325
- Ring Camera Battery Doorbell Plus $180
- Railroad Museum of New England passes (for themed excursion train trips) $168 (2 ppl)
- BEATS Solo 3 headphones $130
- HP Sprocket portable photo printer $130
- Lake Compounce Day Passes (for 2-4ppl) $120-$240
- Quassy Amusement Park & Waterpark Day Passes (for 2-4 ppl) $84-$168
- Apple Airtags (4 pk) $99
- Hartford Yard Goats baseball tickets (2-4 ppl) $86-$172
- Roku Streaming Stick 4k $50
- Restaurant Gift Cards ($50+ value)
- Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds II $249
- Apple Airbuds Pro 2 $235
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 $110
- Apple Watch 8 $329
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 $280
- Apple SE Watch 2nd generation 40 mm $249 44 mm $279
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 42 mm $169 46 mm $295
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The above prices are approximate value. To donate or for questions, reach out to Barbara Sorosiak by bsorosiak@waterburychamber.com or at 203-757-0701. |
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Master Your Membership
Friday, March 24
8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Chamber Offices
83 Bank Street, Waterbury
Zoom option available
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Naugatuck Mayoral Dinner
Thursday, May 11
Additional details to come!
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18th Annual Naugatuck Chamber Duck Day
Sunday, June 4
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Naugatuck
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Travel to Greece Fall 2023
October 27 to November 4
Optional Santorini Island Extension: Nov. 4-6
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Economic Development News |
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Naugatuck Delegation Welcomes $3 Million in Funding for Naugatuck Industrial Park Project
Last week, state Senator Joan Hartley, state Senator Jorge Cabrera, state Representative David Labriola, and state Representative Seth Bronko, members of the Naugatuck delegation, welcomed the approval of $3 million by the board of the Community Investment Fund 2030 for the facilitation of the redevelopment of the 86-acre site formerly known as the Uniroyal Chemical/United States Rubber Company.
"This funding approval is significant for advancing the Naugatuck Industrial Project. Step by step, we are working closer to putting this 80-plus acre site back into productive use and growing the tax base, while unlocking the job creation benefits this project holds for the Naugatuck Valley," said Sen. Hartley. "Many thanks to my partners in the Naugatuck delegation and Mayor Hess for their collaborative advocacy of this project. Also, I'm grateful to Governor Lamont and the members of the Community Investment Fund 2030 board for recognizing how the project is a win-win for economic growth on the local and state level."
"The Naugatuck Industrial Park project will create jobs and anytime we can make an investment in a job creating venture it is great for our residents and our state," said Sen. Cabrera. "I am grateful to the Community Investment Fund Board and my colleagues in the delegation and the governor for advancing this project."
“These funds will provide a huge boost in economic growth for our town and region,” said Rep. David Labriola. “We all worked together to obtain this valuable grant for the Borough of Naugatuck.”
"This is an investment that will benefit Naugatuck residents and beyond and I thank the board for approving funding for the project," said Rep. Bronko. "This marks a major step forward and a commitment from the state in converting the grounds for development."
The $3 million in state funding would advance phase III of the Naugatuck Industrial Park project by supporting the construction of permanent and temporary access roads. Local, matching funds are envisioned for complementary actions at the site including, but not limited to demolition of remaining foundations, drainage improvements, and mass earthwork/soil management to prepare the site for construction pads.
These collective improvements would enable the ultimate redevelopment of the 86-acre site for light industrial and commercial uses, which has already piqued the attention of several interested parties. On top of spurring private investment and economic development, Naugatuck believes the fully realized regional project could create between 150-450 jobs.
The Community Investment Fund 2030 is a five-year grant program, enacted in the 2021 legislative session, dedicated to fostering economic development in communities that have been historically underserved. Eligible projects under the program include brownfield remediation, small business support programs, and infrastructure. More information about the program can be found at the Community Investment Fund website.
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In the News: The Bridge Cigar Shop Celebrates 1 Year |
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Hiring & Training Programs Available |
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Having a hard time finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce?
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is partnered with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investments Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the states CThires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the apprenticeship program, hiring veterans and on-the-job training programs.
The NRWIB also assists directly with those looking for new careers as adults or in their youth. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 enacted a comprehensive youth employment program for serving eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment. Refer to the link below –
Interested in starting a career in IT? Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board provides FREE Training for IT credentials required for entry level positions. These opportunities along with so many more can be found on their website www.NRWIB.org
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HR Corner: NLRB Finds that Broad Non-Disparagement and Confidentiality Restrictions Violate the NLRA |
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The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued a ruling in McLaren Macomb (2023) finding that broad confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses in severance agreements violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
In McLaren, a hospital furloughed 11 employees and offered them each a severance agreement and general release that contained standard confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions. The NLRB held that merely offering a severance agreement that contained unlawful confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions violated the NLRA. The Board reasoned that conditioning the receipt of severance benefits on the “forfeiture of statutory rights plainly has a reasonable tendency to interfere with, restrain, or coerce the exercise of those rights.” The NLRB’s decision overruled prior decisions holding that such provisions are only illegal in certain cases.
The NLRB’s decision applies to all employers, regardless of whether the employer has a union or not. However, the decision only applies to “employees” under the NLRA and does not apply to workers who are properly classified as supervisors or managers under the Act.
What does this decision mean for employers? There are a few takeaways:
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Review/Revise Confidentiality & Non-Disparagement Provisions: The decision does not outright ban confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions. Rather, the decision provides that such clauses are permissible only if they are “narrowly tailored.” Therefore, employers should review the confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions included in severance agreements provided to non-supervisory employees to determine if it they are overly broad. If so, employers should consider removing the provisions or narrowing them to be compliant with the NLRA.
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Consider a Savings Clause: Employers may wish to include a provision explicitly stating that the severance agreement does not preclude an employee from assisting or communicating with employees or former employees about terms or conditions of employment and does not preclude the employee from filing a charge with the NLRB. Such a “savings” clause will likely not exculpate employers who include overbroad provisions, but it can help mitigate risk.
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Severability Clauses: Severance agreements should include a severability clause stating that any provision found to be unlawful or unenforceable shall be construed narrowly, and the remaining provisions shall continue to be given full force and effect.
Despite the NLRB’s ruling, some employers may do nothing and wait to see if the decision is challenged in court. This is especially true for non-union employers where the practical risk that such provisions are challenged is lower than for unionized employers. However, employers that do not revise or eliminate overly broad language face the risk of legal challenge. Employers are well advised to consult with their employment counsel to determine the best approach.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and
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