VOLUME 31, NUMBER 1 FALL 2013

Southbury Business Association

NEWSLETTERA Newsletter for the Members of the Southbury Business Association

UPCOMING EVENTSSouthbury Business Association

2013-2014 Program Calendar

Events may be changed at the discretion of the SBA Board

November 14thNew Members Networking -

Crown Plaza Southbury

November 12START YOUR DAY BREAKFAST

PRWC Drought Planning/Ordinance Presentation

LEO’s Restaurant

December 12thHoliday Party at Señor Panchos

January 9thStart your day only – Obamacare

at The Hearth

February 13thTopic Taxes, Mark Burns and Janet

Walker at The Crowne Plaza

March 13thIdentity Theft and Security

Jerry Bonvisuto at The Southbury Public Library

April 10thSBA and WBA Combined Dale Carnegie Speakerat The Heritage Hotel

May 8thStart Your Day Breakfast

June 12thEnd of the year picnic

Ballantine Park

“Take a moment now to mark your calendar for the SBA 2013/2014

meeting season. Evening meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month from September through June.

R

If you would like to be on the Program Committee or have a program which would be of interest to the general

membership please contact the SBA board at

203-262-6601

Thursday,November 14,

2013

New Member Appreciation Welcoming Event on Thursday, November 14th 5:30-7:30 PM at Crown Plaza Southbury 1284 Strongtown Road Join fellow SBA members and consider bringing a friend to a meet and mingle networking event as we welcome all of our New Members. Food & Drinks will be supplied by Crown Plaza Southbury, dinner will be buffet style and New Members will be highlighted and allowed ample time to introduce themselves and their business. As always, the $25 meeting fee covers the opportunity to network with your peers along with food and beverages (soft drinks and/or two beers/glasses of wine using your provided drink coupons).

Please RSVP by Monday, November 11th by visiting wwwSouthburyBusiness.org with Payment, by clicking on New Member Appreciation Welcoming Event under the Upcoming Events menu, then clicking “Register Now.”

Don’t miss what’s sure to be a fun & exciting evening. Bring your appetite and a guest, possibly a new member!!

“Support the Businesses that Support Southbury!”

START YOUR DAY WITH THE SBASBA Members & Guests Breakfast Forum

Tuesday, November 12th at 8:00 A.M.Leo’s Restaurant - Southbury

No RSVP Required

WATER MATTERSLen DeJong - Executive Director

POMPERAUG RIVER WATERSHED COALITION (PRWC)

No question that WATER MATTERS in our daily lives. Whether to sustain our health, irrigate our lands, provide for manufacturing and other businesses prosperity or to kindle our recreational spirit, water is a vital resource that pulses through the heart of Southbury. Protecting these water resources is critical for our local economy, supports our standard of living and is good for business.

Our Pomperaug River Watershed is a 90 square mile area that includes major portions of the towns of Southbury, Woodbury and Bethlehem as well as smaller areas in 5 neighboring towns. Precipitation and water demand influence water availability within the watershed. There is a direct link between surface water and groundwater with the rivers’ baseflow providing for a good indicator of the health of the aquifer that lies beneath.

The State’s Water Planning Council Drought Advisory Workgroup describes drought as more than a physical phenomenon or natural event. Its impact results from the relationship between a natural event and demands on the water supply, and it is often exacerbated by human activities. All of us living and working in the Watershed have to understand and determine how to maintain and allocate water resources in order to mitigate the impact of drought conditions.

Much of the water consumed in Southbury and neighboring communities is drawn from the stratified drift aquifer beneath the Pomperaug River. Changing weather patterns may result in more frequent droughts like the one experienced during the summer of 2010. This will present new challenges in water supply management and river aquatic protection.

PRWC promotes the use of science and education to ensure the availability of high quality water in the Pomperaug River Watershed communities. Recognizing the importance of this issue, PRWC conducted a study funded by the Connecticut Institute for Water Resources on water allocation planning in the Watershed. The study outlined the water related challenges facing our community and the actions that could be taken in cooperation with all stakeholders. Southbury’s Board of Selectman passed a resolution acknowledging the challenges identified and generally endorsing the corrective actions outlined.

PRWC is once again collaborating with the Town to take the next steps to address these issues which include considering and adopting a Water Allocation and Use Ordinance. We value your input and seek your support so PRWC has arranged to host SBA members at a breakfast forum scheduled for Tuesday, November 12th at 8:00 A.M. at Leo’s Restaurant. We will provide further information on the research, answer questions, and listen to your views. We hope you can attend!

SOUTHBURY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 222Southbury, CT 06488

2013-2014 OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Geoffrey D’AlessandroBearingstar Insurance

(203) 267-2702President

Leslie KaneAudubon Center at Bent of the River

(203) 264-5098Vice President

Dave SfaraGiuliano Richardson & Sfara LLC

(203) 263-0330Recording Secretary

Danielle AlteriWebster Bank

(203) 264-2444Corresponding Secretary

Janet WalkerDiversified Financial Solutions

(203) 264-3131Treasurer

Seamus WalshNewtown Savings Bank

(203) 426-4440 ext. 3275Assistant Treasurer

Jerry BonvisutoPDC Computer Technology, LLC

(203) 437-4359Director - May 2015

OPEN

The Hearth at Southbury(203) 267-7100

Director - May 2015

Kurt MazuroskyPrime Publishers, Inc

(203) 262-6631Director May 2014

Ron WebbEdward Jones Investments

(203) 264-1925Director - May 2014

Fred PlesciaSouthbury Printing Centre

(203) 264-0102Director - May 2013

John O. TurkJohn O. Turk & Associates

(203) 267-5651Director - May 2013

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello SBA members,

The Fall season is here and the SBA meetings keep on roll-in. What a great turn-out on our October 10th meeting, “Meet the Candidates” Special thanks to John Monteleone and First

Selectmen Ed Edelson for reviewing their platforms and having the pleasure to answering concerning questions from the audience. This was a very well attended event with over eighty plus attendees.

I am happy to announce Ethel –Anne Roome owner of “Grief Recovery starts here” will be taking over “Start your Day with the SBA “this position was formly held by Wendy Brazauskas. Thank you both for doing a great job.

Please join us on November 14th at our New Members Networking outing at The Hearth.

My office contact number is 203-267-2702 or email geoffrey.dalessandro@bearingstar.com Thank you!

Sincerely, Geoffrey D’Alessandro, SBA, President-2013

“Support the Businesses that Support Southbury”

Ronald F. Webb, AAMS®

Financial Advisor

Suite B-20288 Main Street SouthSouthbury, CT 06488Bus: 203-264-1925Cell: 203-808-2266Toll Free: 800-757-1450Toll Free Fax: 888-823-9795ron.webb@edwardjones.comwww.edwardjones.com

MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING 88 Main Street South, Suite B-202Southbury, CT 06488Bus. 203-264-1925 • Fax: 888-823-9795TF. 800-757-1450 • Cell 203-808-2266ron.webb@edwardjones.comwww.edwardjones.comCalifornia Insurance License OC24309Arkansas Insurance Number 237821

AUDUBON CENTER AT BENT OF THE RIVER

in Southbury welcomed members of the Southbury Business Association (SBA) to the Bent for the SBA’s 2013-2014 Kickoff Meeting on September 12th. Audubon Center Board Members, who are also members of the SBA, who helped welcome attendees were (l to r) Jerry Bonvisuto, owner of PDC Computer Tech in Oxford; Barbara

Branagan-Mitchell, owner of Branagan Communications Consultants LLC in New Milford, and vice chair of the Audubon Center Board; Leslie Kane, center director of the Audubon Center at Bent of the River and SBA Vice President; and Kathy S. Bower, Esq., partner with Gager Emerson Rickart Bower & Scalzo, LLP in Southbury. Missing from photo was Audubon and SBA Board Member Fred Plescia, owner of Southbury Printing Centre.

The meeting wouldn’t have been complete without the fine grilling & culinary skills of our very own Kurt Mazurosky, pictured below, who manned the grill and prepared the salads & deserts for our enjoyment.

The meeting was held in the historic 1800’s post-Civil War barn on the Audubon Center’s 700+ acre nature sanctuary and hiking trails are open daily sunrise to sunset to the general

public. The Audubon Center’s purpose is the protection, study and enjoyment of Nature. To learn more, visit:

www.bentoftheriver.audubon.org

Article by: Barbara Branagan-Mitchell,

860-210-0149

NewsRelease TOWN OF SOUTHBURY · 501 Main Street South · Southbury, CT 06488 · (203) 262-0600www.southbury-ct.org

Southbury, CT – The Town of Southbury has enlisting the help of area businesses to further its Go Green initiative. Anna Bower Richardson, a student at Pomperaug High School, and First Selectman Ed Edelson introduced the Go Green, Go Southbury Partners Initiative and invite SBA members to sign an Environmental Partner Pledge. Miss Richardson is the founder and director of the Youth Wildlife and Recycling Foundation (YWARF) which encourages businesses to be proactive in recycling and environmental causes. She is an enthusiastic spokesperson for Southbury’s environmental protection efforts. The Environmental Partner initiative is intended to encourage businesses to support the town’s “Go Green, Go Southbury” initiative, which was launched in May of this year. Business owners who sign the pledge will agree to display a decal on a door or window in their business location and will receive an electronic version of the Single Stream Recycling poster that they can print and hang near their recycling bins to encourage employees and customers to recycle as much as possible. “It’s only a pledge, not a contract,” said First Selectman Edelson. “But we believe that taking the time to read and sign it will help everyone become more aware of how important recycling is to our community.” According to Edelson, the partnership is also intended to serve as a constant reminder to individuals who frequent area businesses that Southbury is committed to doing its part in protecting the global environment. Single Stream Recycling, which means all recyclables including paper, plastic, glass and cans can all be discarded in the same recycling receptacle, makes the process as simple as possible. Southbury Public Works Department recently placed Single Stream Recycling bins in many of the parks and ball fields and hopes to include StreetScape in the near future. “We know the whole community is committed to environmental protection,” Edelson said. “We just want to make it as easy as possible to act on that commitment.”

DONATION MADE The Southbury Business Association recently donated $1000 to the Southbury Historical Tree Restoration Committee to underwrite the maintenance and beautification of the Traffic island at exit 15 in Southbury. Pictured from left to right: Ron Webb from Edward Jones Investments, Danielle Altieri from Webster Bank, Cathy and Paul Palmer from the Southbury Historical Tree Restoration Committee, Sue and John Monteleone from the Southbury Institute, Southbury Roads Foreman Jim Sugden, and Leslie Kane from the Audobon Center at the Bent of the River.

GIVING THANKS Since the spring of 2012 the Traffic island at exit 15 in Southbury has been maintained by SBA Member Pine Meadow Gardens. Wesley Rouse, owner has agreed to supply plants, materials and labor for weed repellent spraying, mulch, pruning and trimming grasses and trees & fertilizer and the beautification of the island. Please visit Pine Meadow Gardens at 237 Old Waterbury Road, Southbury, or contact them at 203-264-6066 for assistance with your landscaping needs.

DANCING WITH THE SBA STARS Back in May, Fred Astaire Dance Studio hosted the SBA’s monthly meeting. Thank you to Annie Rockhill and John Gergots pictured at left provided a demonstration for members and then gave us a short lesson on a few of the different types of dance styles.

Thanks also to Señor Pancho’s and Premier Wine and Spirits for providing the food and drinks for the evening.

Finally, thanks again to Kim Vertrees and Leslie Kane-MacLise for making this all possible with their tireless planning of all the monthly events. Without their efforts none of these fun & enjoyable programs would be possible.

SBA Start Your Day - Recap Special thanks to Laura Ahern & Cheryl Drown for hosting the final Start Your Day With The SBA breakfast event at Green Blessings Massage Therapy Center, LLC. located at 774 Main Street South in Southbury.

The SBA offers these events to promote morning hour networking. The group believes the perfect way to begin a hectic workday is to enjoy a cup of coffee and light breakfast while cultivating new business contacts.

Laura is a Licensed Massage Therapist Nationally Certified in Massage & Bodywork; a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and a Reiki Master Teacher. Laura also received her MotherMassage®: Massage During Pregnancy

Professional Certification in May, 2012.

Laura graduated with Honors from the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy in Westport CT and is available on their Approved Tutor List and spent a term as a Teacher’s Assistant for one of the Energetic Foundations Clinics.

To book a session or more information contact

Laura Ahern or Cheryl Drown at

203-707-4212 or

visit www.GreenBlessingsCenter.com.

The Gym of Southbury offers Southbury Business Association members a corporate discounted membership. Memberships here include our 40 plus group fitness classes a week. Check out our website for the class schedule. This offer is for you and your family members. We also can set up a corporate account for your company if you have 3 or more employees interested in joining together. If you have any questions or you would like a free pass to come try The Gym out please feel free to stop by to find out more details.

We hope to hear from you soon and have a great day!

730 Main Street South, Southbury, CT 06488 • 203-267-1100 • 203-267-1400 fax

The McKellan Group, Inc.

Insurance Brokerage Services

Arthur J. Mulligan IIIVice-President

Tel: (203) 755-0447Fax: (203) 575-0308

Email: art@mckellangroup.com

DOOR PRIZE OPPORTUNITY The Programs Committee would like to continue awarding door prizes at the end of every meeting, but we need your support. In the past companies have donated wine, chocolate, gift certificates, goodie bags, and even hockey tickets! If you are interested in donating a door prize for the monthly evening or breakfast meetings, please contact Leslie Kane at 203-494-7980 or Geoff D’Alessandro at 203-470-9336 If you don’t immediately see what your company can donate for a door prize but are interested in participating, give Leslie or Geoff a call to discuss some options. We can take a monetary donation and purchase an item for you, if you wish. Your thoughtfulness will be acknowledged. So give a call to make arrangements. Thank you.

thegym

1450 Southford Road, Unit 11Southbury, CT 06488

ADVERTISINGOPPORTUNITYTHIS SPACE

AVAILABLE FOR ONLY $20 PER

MONTH Call Fred Plescia for more info.203-264-0102

316 Main Street SouthSouthbury, CT 06488

Tel: 203.264.0244Fax: 203.264.5299

DrZsmile@yahoo.com

www.DrZsmile.com

JACK ZAZZARO D.M.D.Reconstructive Cosmetic and Preventive Dentistry

“Comprehensive Dental Care in a

Contemporary Atmosphere”

PRINTING • COPIES • DESIGNFor All Your Printing Needs

(203) 264-0102FULL COLOR

orders@spcink.comwww.spcink.com

Jay L. Dworkin, D.M.D. Ira J. Stein, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.

Stephen C. DiBenedetto, D.D.S.Benjamin P. Geller, D.D.S.

General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

Robert L. Lerman, D.M.D. Dentistry for Infants,

Children and Teenagers

Southbury office30 Quaker Farms rd. • southbury, Ct 06488 • Phone: (203) 264-4351

AnSoniA office497 main st. • ansonia, Ct 06401 • Phone: (203) 735-4701

greatsmilesct.com

Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds &

Tax-Free SecuritiesHeritage Village(203) 264-6511www.opco.com

Advertise in the

HERITAGE VILLAGER

The Independent Newspaper of the Village

Call: 203-264-0123

Southbury Business AssociationInvoice & Application for Membership

Annual Dues

Make Checks Payable to: Southbury Business AssociationP.O. Box 222Southbury, CT 06488

Amount Due:

$85.00

Business Name: .................................................Phone #: .................................................................

E-mail: ...............................................................Fax #: .....................................................................

Web Site: ............................................................................................................................................

Address: .............................................................................................................................................

Primary Contact Name: .....................................................................................................................

Business Description/Category Listing: ............................................................................................

Annual Dues

Make Checks Payable to:Southbury Business AssociationP.O. Box 222Southbury, CT 06488

Southbury Business AssociationInvoice & Application for Membership

Annual Dues

Make Checks Payable to:Southbury Business AssociationP.O. Box 222Southbury, CT 06488 Southbury Business Association

P.O. Box 222Southbury, CT 06488Business Name: .................................................Phone #: .................................................................

E-mail: ...............................................................Fax #: .....................................................................

Web Site: ............................................................................................................................................

Address: .............................................................................................................................................

Primary Contact Name: .....................................................................................................................

Business Description/Category Listing: ............................................................................................

1-year membership of $85.00

2-year membership of $153.00 (10% discount)

Non-profit membership of $25.00

Pay with credit card at www.southburybusiness.org

Amount Due:

$85.00

Dues notices have be sent and are due now for the 2013 - 2014 SBA year. One year at $85 or two years at $153 (a 10% discount) is quite a bargain for what you receive with your membership. Meetings that provide networking and learning experiences with a dash of entertainment, too. Promotion of your business through the printed directory distributed throughout Southbury, the online directory of SouthburyBusiness.org, the SBA’s online newsletter, and promotional advertising in Voices and the Southbury Town Guide. Also important, being part of an organization that gives back to the c ommunity

with donations to service organizations and local charities, contributions to the Southbury Library, along with scholarships to graduating Pomperaug High School students, now surpassing the $200,000 mark since 1990. Your dues, along with meeting fees and proceeds from the SBA’s Southbury Fall Classic 10K Race and Wellness Fair each September, fund all of the above. So, please, take a moment to go to www.SouthburyBusiness.org to renew your membership today. The SBA is vital to your business and the community. Help keep it strong.

SBA Dues Notices for 2013 - 2014

Hometown PublishingSouthbury-Woodbury

Phone BookIncluding:

Middlebury, Bethlehem & Heritage Village203-426-5252

Fax: 203-426-4242

Elaine Lord of YardApes (SBA member landscaping firm) is looking for deserving homeowner(s) in the Southbury area that - due to illness, age, lack of money -could use a sprucing up of their property due to neglect. YardApes does this twice a year in areas that they do business as a

good deed and is looking to do this in Southbury before the month is over. There is absolutely no cost to the homeowner and, if selected, their identity would be kept confidential. If you are aware of anyone in the Southbury area that could benefit from this service, please contact Elaine at (860) 350-2737.

Prime Publishers, Inc.

Voices Weekender55 Heritage RoadSouthbury, CT 06488203-262-6631

GAGER, EMERSON, RICKART, BOWER & SCALZO, LLPa t t o r n e y s a t l a w

Personal Injury - Wills - Trusts & EstatesDivorce Mediation - Pre-NuptialsReal Estate & Refinance Closings

Contact Attorney Kathy S. Bower at203-262-6600

www.gager.law.pro

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PRESENTED

Congratulations to the Southbury Business Association Scholarship Award recipients:

Southbury Business Association Scholarship (1)Nicholas Pinero-$1,500 • Quinnipiac University

Southbury Business Association Scholarship (2) Heather Lovelett-$2,000 • Western Connecticut State University Southbury Business Association (3)Edward A Tappe ScholarshipAndrew Cassano-$2,500 • University of New Hampshire

Pictured Left to right: Nicholas Pinero, Andrew Cassano - Absent from photo: Heather Lovelett

SOUTHBURY BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONOFFICERS & BOARD FOR 2013-2014 YEAR

President – Geoff D’AlessandroVice President – Leslie Kane

Recording Secretary – Dave SfaraCorresponding Secretary – Danielle Alteri

Treasurer – Janet Walker, CPAAssistant Treasurer – Seamus Walsh

Director (Term Expires 2016) – Fred PlesciaDirector (Term Expires 2016) – John Turk

Director (Term Expires 2015) – OPENDirector (Term Expires 2015) – Jerry Bonvisuito

Director (Term Expires 2014) – Ron WebbDirector (Term Expires 2014) – Kurt Mazurosky