South Shore Chamber of Commerce

NLRB's new employee posting rule is delayed following action by chambers of commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other chambers across the country have been challenging the NLRB's new rule that would require employers to post a notice reminding employees of their rights to unionize. That posting rule was supposed to take effect April 30, but the courts have put a hold on it until it is determined whether the NLRB has overstepped its authority, as the chambers contend. Here's a memo from our member law firm of Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP:

"The saga of the National Labor Relations Board’s Posting Rule continues. On Friday, April 13, Judge David C. Norton of the Federal District Court for the District of South Carolina, in a case brought by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ruled that the Board exceeded its regulatory authority in requiring a workplace posting of employees' union rights. The NLRB has announced it will appeal that decision.

"In a previous alert (March 2012), we informed you that another Federal District Court in the District of Columbia had upheld the Rule’s requirement of a posting, but ruled that other parts of the Rule exceeded the Board’s regulatory authority. That case is on appeal. On Tuesday, April 17, partly in response to the South Carolina opinion, the D.C. Circuit Court granted the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s motion to enjoin the Board from implementing its posting rule pending its decision in that appeal.

"In light of the D.C. Circuit Court’s injunction and the interest in uniform implementation and administration of agency rules, the Board has announced that it will not be implementing the posting rule until the issues before the court are resolved. Accordingly, employers DO NOT have to put up the Board’s posting on April 30. The D.C. District Court set an expedited briefing scheduled which sets September for a hearing. As a result, there likely will not be a decision until fall at the earliest. We will keep you apprised of any further developments."

 

Chamber welcomes new members

Dozens of South Shore Chamber of Commerce members are fanning out through the region to tell other business people about the advantages of Chamber membership. We'll be welcoming new members all spring.

Among the newest Chamber members are BKM Marketing in Hingham, All Ears Hearing Center in Plymouth, FTG Technologies in Quincy, and URS Corporation in Boston.Meet them all and more on the web at www.southshorechamber.org and look under the Business Directory tab for our New Members!

Welcome!

Chamber members connect: CONWAY COUNTRY GOES “GREEN”

Jack Conway Realtor’s Norwell Headquarters was the first of seven Conway buildings slated to implement recommendations from energy audits conducted by Prism Energy Services of Quincy within the next few weeks. Conway CEO Carol Bulman and Prism President and Founder Wendy Simmons serve together on the board of directors of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, and it was there that the two women decided to join forces to effect a “Green Plan” for Conway Country.

“It’s really a win/win situation for both of our firms,” said Bulman. “Wendy’s company is finding ways that we can save money on our energy costs, while showing us how to help the environment at the same time.”

For Simmons, the Conway Company will be another example of a satisfied client that has been able to cut energy costs by receiving a customized report on its current usage versus state-of-the-art energy efficiency measures recommended by Prism.

“We will take a personal approach to the Jack Conway Co. as we do with every one of our clients,” said Simmons whose firm has been helping commercial companies “go green” for more than 10 years. “Lighting is what we look at first, then thermostats, and such things as insulation on hot water pipes. Our goal is to recommend creative energy conservation solutions that can help our clients save up to 30 percent on their monthly energy costs.”

For Bulman, the lower bills are welcome, but Prism’s "green" advice is just as important. “Of course we want to save money,” she said. “But we also want to do the right thing for the environment. We started the energy audit with our largest building here at headquarters, but the plan is to move to all of our other offices from Swampscott to Cape Cod. Many of our sales centers are located in beautiful antique buildings, and we love the homey atmosphere of those offices, but they may not always be the most energy efficient. With Prism’s help, they will be.”

Bulman and Simmons initially met through the chamber of commerce, and chamber CEO Peter Forman said that’s a benefit of the group’s membership 

"The Chamber is excited about this announcement,” said Forman. “Two businesses connected through their involvement in the South Shore Chamber of Commerce are now partnering for some big results. That's what helps make the South Shore stronger. "  

Jack Conway & Co. is celebrating its 54th anniversary with 40 sales offices from the North Shore to Boston, Cape Cod and the South Coast.

Photo: Conway CEO Carol Bulman (left) and Prism Energy Services President Wendy Simmons look over some of the materials being used in a “green energy” project at Conway HQ.

Hingham tries to unclog development pipeline at Exit 15: A Chamber priority

From Boston.com/yourtown:

Hingham officials are looking for $190,000 from this year’s Town Meeting to pay for a feasibility study on expanding sewer capacity near Exit 15 on Route 3.

Currently, insufficient septic capacity has limited business growth in the area, which a 2009 South Shore Chamber of Commerce report said was poised for expansion.[...]

“This, to me, makes all the sense in the world,” said Selectmen John Riley. “It’s what I consider real smart growth for the town of Hingham. It’s an area that has great potential for development without all the negatives of adverse affects of schools, police, and fire.”

Selectmen Laura Burns agreed that the potential for a higher commercial tax base would be exponentially beneficial to the residents of the town.

“It’s a big project, very exciting,” she said. “What appeals to me is we’re always looking for ways to lessen the impact on the residential property owner of the cost of running the town, and increasing our commercial tax base is one way of doing that.”

Read the entire story here.

Brown spreads message of low taxes at South Shore Chamber meeting - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

Brown spreads message of low taxes at South Shore Chamber meeting - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger. On the first anniversary of his swearing-in as a U.S. Senator, Scott Brown addressed 650 South Shore Chamber members and guests at the Febrary 4th 7:44 Breakfast. Photos and info from The Patriot Ledger.

Quincy City Council OKs downtown redevelopment deal - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

Quincy City Council OKs downtown redevelopment deal - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2012 on the $1.3 billion revitalization of Quincy Center. The City Council voted 8-0 to approve the project.

Jeff Tocchio, Hingham Business Council Chairman, named "Super Lawyer"

Jeffery A. Tocchio of Drohan Tocchio & Morgan in Hingham was named to the 2010 New England Super Lawyers list in the Real Estate primary practice category.

This listing of the region’s top attorneys appeared in the recent edition of New England Super Lawyers 2010, a periodical produced by the publishers of Boston Magazine.

Jeff chairs the South Shore Chamber's Hingham Business Council and is a member of the South Shore Economic Development Corporation.

Hingham officials selected for Public Service Award from South Shore Chamber

The South Shore Chamber of Commerce will be awarding its 2010 Local Public Service Award to a collection of Hingham Boards and officials, including the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals.  The award recognizes local officials who have made a positive contribution to the regional and economic growth in the area. 

The Town of Hingham is being recognized for its outstanding cooperation with the business community to look at sensible development in the South Hingham area and for its swift and efficient joint board review of proposed facilities like the new outpatient orthopedic care center being built in South Shore Park. The Chamber applauds Hingham’s incorporation of many best practices in permitting, along with its vision to provide road, sewer, and other infrastructure improvements into areas that can best accommodate economic growth.

The award will be presented at a South Shore Chamber of Commerce lunch on September 23rd when Governor Deval Patrick will be the featured speaker. 

SouthField - ground broken for Parkway, first new homes.

With groundbreaking Monday, July 26, construction is getting underway on the Parkway and the first new housing units at SouthField, on the site of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. Details in the Boston Globe.

Braintree opens the door for Dave & Buster's at South Shore Plaza

The Braintree Town Council has voted 5-4 to allow the the additional amusement game devices that Dave & Buster's wants for the restaurant and arcade it hopes to open at South Shore Plaza. The restaurant will still need to apply for local permits.

The Braintree Business Council of the South Shore Chamber backs the proposal by the Texas-based restaurant chain to move into the former Circuit City building. Dave & Buster's is planning a $12 million investment in the project.

The Braintree Forum's story on the Town Council's action is here.

A Globe South report on the controversey surrounding the Council's vote is here.