A Message from our President
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Dear Chamber Member,
As you get ready to do your shopping next week for both Thanksgiving and the holidays, don't forget to support the small businesses in our community. Statistics show that for every dollar spent locally, $0.67 cents stays within the local business community, something our businesses need now more than ever as they seek to recover from the losses of the pandemic. Circle Saturday, November 27 on your calendar; for Small Business Saturday, many area businesses will be holding special sales and events. If you are a Chamber member, be sure to share with us your events planned for that day and we will let others know on our social media.
Are you interested in hearing firsthand the state of the borough, now and in the future? The Chamber is pleased to host "Breakfast with the Mayor" featuring the Honorable Mayor N. Warren "Pete" Hess on Friday, December 10 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Crystal Room at 98 School Street. Bring your questions! You can register here.
Do you have any job openings? Save the date for Wednesday, January 12, as we will be once again hosting a job fair at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown for all area employers. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited, so register now.
I hope to see everyone at our Holiday Gathering, taking place on Wednesday, December 8 at La Bella Vista in Waterbury from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is a combined event for members of all three of our Chambers. There will be a chance for you to network, enjoy hors d'oueuvres, a pasta station, and cocktails, and take in some holiday music. RSVP by November 29.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me and share how we can support your business at [email protected] or (203) 757-0701.
Thank you for your continued membership,
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- President's Note
- Recent Ribbon Cuttings
- From the Desk of Ron Pugliese
- Upcoming Events
- Thank You to Our Renewing Membersr
- HR Corner Corner by Carmody, Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
- Hiring and Training Programs Available
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On Thursday, November 4, the Naugatuck Chamber held a ribbon cutting at Synergy Cycle and Fitness to mark their grand opening. From left to ring: Susan Sloan, Naugatuck Chamber, Membership Director; Dawn Nemeth, owner cycling instructor; Kim Pruchnicki, owner and yoga instructor; Ronald Pugliese, Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation, President and CEO; Senator Joan Hartley; Naugatuck Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess III; Dawn Dwyer, owner and cycling instructor; W. Francis Dambowsky, Burgess; Rep. Rosa Rebimbas; Meghan Smith, Burgess; Rocky Vitale, Burgess. Located on the 3rd floor of 6 Rubber Avenue, Synergy Cycle and Fitness offers spin and yoga classes in a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment. To learn more, visit: synergycyclefit.com
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From the Desk of Ron Pugliese
President & CEO - Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation
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In my last column I referred to the NEDC Annual Meeting. The meeting was a huge success. We discussed opportunities from both 2020 and 2021. Mayor Hess spoke on successes that occurred in Town and I spoke on our highlights of both years.
At our meeting we also had nominations for new members of the NEDC Board. We also celebrated four Board members that have decided to leave the Board. The four former members are Dave Rotatori, Paul Simko, Gene Fridland, and Liz Santoro. We appreciate these four members who served for several years, and made many positive recommendations, and helped in many ways to successful projects. We voted on five new Board members including Marcello Martins, Carlos Batista, Allan Monteiro, Seth Bronko, and Jason Van Stone.
We are continuing to work with a Hamden company that is interested in coming into the Naugatuck Industrial Park. We are going through the process, and both companies are going through their due diligence. We also are working on two New Haven Road projects that hopefully will come to fruition in 2022, as well another 2022 project on North Main Street.
We appreciate the interest and the excitement that the residents in Naugatuck as they keep up on the projects, we all are working on.
I wish all a Happy Thanksgiving, and a wonderful Holiday season.
If there any questions about anything we are working on, please let me know. You can find us on 270 Church Street or call us at 203 723-4411. Thank you.
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December 10: Breakfast with Mayor N. Warren "Pete" Hess
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Join Mayor N. Warren "Pete" Hess for an informative and up-to-date outlook on the current state and future of the Borough of Naugatuck. Attendees will have any opportunity to ask questions.
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December 8: Holiday Gathering and Cocktail Party
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Share your business events, news and announcements with your fellow Chamber members!
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Thank You to Our Naugatuck Members Who Have Renewed in 2021
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A Better Way Wholesale Autos
Access Rehab Centers
All About You Home Care Services
Anomatic Corporation
Blackwater Services Group, LLC
Brown Roofing Company, Inc
Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home
Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Chittenden Group
Coldwell Banker Realty 2000
Concentric Tool and Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Connecticut Water Company
CT Partnership For Children
CW Resources Inc. Greater Waterbury Center
DaSilva Auto Body
Dean Custom Awnings
Family Footcare, PC
Ferrari's Appliance
Fitzpatrick Mariano Santos Sousa P.C.
Friendly's
G & R Manufacturing
Gateway Financial Partners
Glendale Center/Genesis Healthcare Corp.
Griffin Faculty Physicians
H.J. Bushka & Sons Lumber & Millwork Co.
Howard Whittemore Memorial Library
Ion Bank
J & M Automotive
J.W. Ford & Associates, Monument Consultants
Jesse Camille's Restaurant
Law Office of Fred Dlugokecki
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Luso Cleaning Service, LLC
Maganti IT Resources, LLC
McSherry Law Office
My Eye Dr.
Nardelli's Grinder Shoppes
Naugatuck Adult and Continuing Education
Naugatuck Pharmacy
Naugatuck Podiatry Associates
Naugatuck Window & Glass, LLC
Naugatuck YMCA
New England Systems
People's United Bank
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers
Pustola & Associates
Quiet Zone
RE/MAX RISE
Sarracco Mechanical Services, Inc.
State Farm Insurance - John McCormack
Stokes Counseling Services
Stutsky Law, LLC
The Club Health & Fitness
The Eastern Company
The Fit Factory
The Loaded Goat Coffee Company
The Station Restaurant
UniMetal Surface Finishing LLC
United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls
Universal Copy
Valley Voiceover
Veolia Water North America
We Do Life...Together, A Division of ICES, Inc.
Webster Bank
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HR Corner: OSHA and CMS Issue New COVID-19 Requirements
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued and Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that became effective on November 5, 2021. However, on November 6, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay of the OSHA ETS, and on November 12 the Fifth Circuit upheld its decision. While the current fate of the OSHA ETS is uncertain, employers are well-advised to become familiar with the ETS and prepare now as if the standard will become effective.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also issued another set of requirements for facilities that participate in Medicaid and Medicare. The CMS’ interim final rule (IFR) is an emergency regulation that took effect on November 5, 2021.
OVERVIEW OF OSHA REQUIREMENTS
Employers With 100 or More Employees
The OSHA ETS covers private sector employers with 100 or more employees. Part time workers, employees who work from home and temporary and seasonal employees directly employed by the company must be included in the headcount. The ETS does not apply to federal contractors covered by the federal contractor mandate or to healthcare employers covered by the Healthcare ETS issued by June in 2021.
Employees Must Be Vaccinated or Undergo Weekly Testing
Employers must implement and enforce a written policy requiring either: (1) a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all employees; or (2) employees must submit to weekly COVID-19 testing, show a negative test and wear masks while working
The vaccine or testing mandate does not apply to employees who work remotely and are not in the presence of other employees or customers, and those who work exclusively outdoors. Employees with legally recognized medical and religious exemptions may be excused from being vaccinated but would be subject to the weekly testing requirement.
Provide Employees Reasonable Paid Time Off
Employers must provide employee reasonable paid time off (up to four hours) to get the vaccine and provide reasonable time and sick leave to recover from any negative side effects. Employees who are subject to weekly testing must be removed from the workplace if they cannot produce a negative COVID-19 test or test positive for COVID-19.
Other Requirements
There are significant recordkeeping, document retention and reporting requirements. For example, employers must maintain employee vaccination records and COVID-19 test results for employees subject to weekly testing.
Deadlines for Compliance
Assuming the stay is lifted and no changes are made to the OSHA ETS, employers must comply with most requirements by December 5, 2021. This includes establishing a policy that: (1) requires employees to report positive COVID-19 tests; (2) removes from the workplace any employees who test positive; (3) requires unvaccinated employees to wear a face covering; and (4) provides employees with information about the ETS and certain other information. The deadline for requiring full vaccination status and weekly testing of employees is January 4, 2022.
OVERVIEW OF CMS REQUIREMENTS
The CMS IFR applies to workers at facilities that participate in Medicaid and Medicare including, for example, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Community Mental Health Centers, Home Health Agencies, Hospitals, and Long-Term Care facilities.
Unless exempted for medical or religious reasons, all workers must be “fully vaccinated” by January 4, 2022. Covered facilities must also develop, by December 5, 2021, a plan and procedure for requiring employees to obtain the vaccine, collecting and storing proof of vaccination status, reviewing exemptions, and implementing additional precautions for any staff who are unvaccinated. There is no weekly testing option for workers in these facilities.
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 does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
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Hiring & Training Programs Available
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Do you need help 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 working 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.
For more information, contact Joseph Violette, the Chamber's Director of Public Policy and Economic Development, at [email protected]
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