November Business Connection

Board of Directors

Chair of the Board

*Julie Molloy

Compass Real Estate

Vice Chair

*Tim McCabe

The League School

Treasurer

*James Donellon

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP

President/CEO

*Thomas O'Rourke

Neponset River Regional Chamber

Kenneth Berman

Kenneth Berman Photography

Anthony Brown

Dedham Savings

Eric Cappellano

Bank of Canton

Mary Chetwynd

Rockland Trust

Erin Hooker-Thomas, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane

Bill Kearns

Cullen, Murphy & Co., P.C.

Suzanne Kelly

Legacy Place

*Michael Kennedy

OneLocal

Michelle Lloret

Fairfield Inn & Suites

Sal Perla

Norwood Hospital

Jill Rossetti

Blue Hills Regional Technical High School

Shonda Sumpter

Brigham and Women's Health Care Center

Tricia White

T. White Creations

Nicole Zea

CertainTeed

*Member of the Executive Committee

Chamber Stuff You Should Know

Yesterday morning we held a Member Orientation meeting to help members understand how best to utilize their membership. I thought it might be helpful to share some of the items we covered for everyone's benefit.

Did you know that?

Our Annual Awards nomination period has just opened. This is your opportunity to let us know who you think deserves recognition for their service to the community at our Annual Meeting in January. Award categories include; Small and Large Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. You can download the nomination form here.

The Chamber's signature event, "Taste of the Region" will be returning in the spring of 2024! Guests will have the opportunity to sample offerings from the area's best restaurants, caterers, breweries, wineries and distilleries all in one place. Stay tuned for more information soon. Also, if you would like to assist with the planning, please email Karen at karen@nrrchamber.com.

Small businesses can now setup 401(k) plans for their employees through the Chamber. New regulations allow you to access this great benefit for a fraction of what it once cost and without the burdensome paperwork of previous plans. You can learn more here.

You can post your job openings on the Chamber website for free. The job board is powered by Zip Recruiter and can help you expand the reach of your recruitment efforts. Check it out here.

You can download a virtual member decal which can be used on your website or other marketing materials to let the world know that you are a member of the Chamber. It's the same as your window membership sticker (only virtual) and sets your business apart as one that is community minded. Download it here.

Now you know!

Thomas O'Rourke, CCE

President and CEO

Welcome New Member!

ChamberTalks (and Listens)

Chamber members were treated to an informative and entertaining panel discussion at our recent ChamberTalks event. Little Bird Events hosted the evening which featured great food and drink in addition to the panel discussion.

Photos courtesy of Matt McKee Photography

View Gallery

Video courtesy of Norwood Media Group.

Watch the Video

Thank You! The following members have renewed their membership with the NRR Chamber

Avalon Norwood

Berish Properties

B.J. Supply, Inc.Conrad's Restaurant

Hilton Boston/Dedham

Meantide Associates, LLC

Mass Installation

Performegy, LLC

The Education Cooperative

Member News

Christopher Catanese Children’s Foundation 15th Annual Fundraiser @ Four Points by Sheraton -Tiffany Ballroom, Norwood.

Dinner and Auction with Mobile Bidding on Site https://cccf.cbo.io

Saturday, November 25th 6:00-10:00pm

Tickets $150.00 Each – Reserve a Table of 10 for $1500.00

Compass Real Estate is proud to partner once again with Coats for Kids & Families on their holiday coat drive.

They will have a donation box in their MRG Office at

785 Washington St. Canton. Stop by during business hours to drop off your donations - or contact them to plan a time for a pick up! Julie Molloy - julie.molloy@compass.com

Dedham Savings employees recently participated in a casual Jeans Day and wore pink to raise funds & promote Breast Cancer Awareness. Employees donated to The Ellie Fund and to thank them for their generosity and support, we allowed them to wear jeans for the day! Thanks to everyone who participated to support this great organization!

PFML Rate Increase

Most Massachusetts employers must make payroll withholdings on behalf of their workforce to comply with the state Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law. The rate of contribution for the program is determined annually for January 1 through December 31 by the Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML).

DFML recently announced that effective January 1, 2024, the contribution rate on eligible employee wages will be increased to .88%. Chamber members are reminded that the law requires that employers annually notify their current employees of the new contribution rate 30 days in advance of the rate change. The notice may be provided electronically and does not require an updated signature. For more information please visit the DFML website.

Save the Date!

Holiday Kickoff - December 14

Volunteers Needed for WinterLights

The Trustees would like to invite members of the Chamber to join them this winter for their annual WinterLights event at the Bradley Estate in Canton. WinterLights is a family-friendly, evening time holiday light extravaganza taking place this year Wednesdays – Sundays, November 24th, 2023 - Jan 7th, 2024. The event includes something for everyone – music, hot chocolate, beautiful light displays, and a festive gift shop!

You are welcome to join their team to make this event a magical one for our community! They are in need of volunteers to help support this amazing community event. Volunteers can come as individuals, or in small groups of up to 5, and must be over 18.

You can learn more about the event and have volunteers sign up here: Volunteer

Contact: Olivia Gado, Volunteer Services Associate, The Trustees ogado@thetrustees.org

Medfield Community Visioning Session

Medfield Economic Development Vision: Community Visioning Session

Monday, December 4, at 6:00-7:30 pm

Public Safety Building, 112 North Street, Medfield, MA 02052

What types of businesses or amenities would you like to see in Medfield’s Industrial-Extensive (IE) district? How can the IE district evolve to support heightened economic activity?

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), in partnership with the Town of Medfield, is hosting a community visioning session to support the development of an economic development vision for the IE district. The event will include a presentation of initial project findings and discussion of community members’ priorities for the area. Please register via the link below to join us and share your vision for the IE district!

Registration: https://mapc.ma/IEVision

For questions, meeting needs, or more information, contact Abigail Bliss at abliss@mapc.org or 617-933-0722.

Member Promotion

October: Grand Opening and Transportation

Top: New Member, Rescon celebrated the opening of their new location on Vanderbilt Ave. in Norwood with a Ribbon Cutting.

Bottom: The Chamber attended a Suburban Mobility Working Group meeting at Dedham Town Hall to discuss a number of locat transportation issues including micro-transit and the Canton Interchange.

Member Benefit of the Month

401(k) for Small Business

As you know, the Chamber has implemented a 401(k) program to bring Chamber businesses and their employees a full suite of retirement plan solutions that save time and money. Businesses of all sizes are eligible.

To learn more about the program click here.

Neponset River Regional Chamber | www.nrrchamber.com