9
INSIDE - New Members - Business Advocacy - Business After Hours - Upcoming Chamber Events Chamber News & Views April 2015 westerlychamber.org [email protected] 401.596.7761 Our Chamber had strong input into Stonington’s draft Plan of Conservation and Development. Specifically, we opposed all language and maps that encouraged the creation of controversial “village districts” which add very restrictive regulations to commercial and residential properties. The village districts, as defined by CT law, act as historic districts and require property owners to seek approval for any changes to fences, roofs, building materials, shutters, etc. This process can add time and money to a project and can also get complicated when a new layer of approvals is required from a committee acting as a “taste police”. Additionally, our chamber and its Pawcatuck members encouraged greater use of Master Planning tools which LOVE WESTERLY? The Chamber recently launched a “Westerly Hometown Proud” campaign as an effort to project positivity and pride within the community. We are spotlighting all of the wonderful attributes of living in Westerly by featuring those places, people and things on our Facebook Page. So far we have featured Wilcox Park, soupy, the Babcock Smith House, artist studios and galleries and recreational offerings of the Westerly Land Trust. The list of what makes Westerly special is long, and we will continue to spotlight the many great reasons that we love to live and/or work in this community. T-shirts designed by J Mack Studios, specifically created for this campaign, are available at The Chamber office for $10. Buy yours today and show your spirit. We have much to be grateful for! Above - the staff of First Physical Therapy at 85 Beach Street is “Westerly Hometown Proud”! Above: A group photo of the local business owner who came out to speak against the proposed “village districts”. allows for flexibility and will best serve the dormant mills in our community. After a door-to-door education campaign to our members, we were able to garner a solid presence of Pawcatuck businesses at the meeting including CC Obrien’s, Mia’s Prime Time Café, Capizzano Olive Oils and Vinegars, Attorney Sal Ritacco, Cherenzia & Associates and Pawcatuck Roofing. The hearing was continued to April 7th for more testimony. Thanks to all who helped out so far. Business advocacy is just one critical service provided by The Chamber. Chamber Input Incorporated into Stonington POCD 2015 Virtu Art Show 180 artists in Wilcox Park over Memorial Day Weekend. If you are interested being a Sponsor of Virtu please email Lisa @ [email protected] to get more details. We are looking for Volunteers to help out all weekend during the event. Please email Lisa at [email protected] for more information. We still have 20 spaces available. If you haven’t done so, send in your application today!

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Page 1: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

INSIDE - New Members

- Business Advocacy

- Business After Hours

- Upcoming Chamber Events

Chamber News & Views April 2015 westerlychamber.org [email protected] 401.596.7761

Our Chamber had strong input into Stonington’s draft Plan of Conservation and Development. Specifically, we opposed all language and maps that encouraged the creation of controversial “village districts” which add very restrictive regulations to commercial and residential properties. The village districts, as defined by CT law, act as historic districts and require property owners to seek approval for any changes to fences, roofs, building materials, shutters, etc. This process can add time and money to a project and can also get complicated when a new layer of approvals is required from a committee acting as a “taste police”. Additionally, our chamber and its Pawcatuck members encouraged greater use of Master Planning tools which

LOVE WESTERLY?

The Chamber recently launched a “Westerly Hometown Proud” campaign as an effort to project positivity and pride within the community. We are spotlighting all of the wonderful attributes of living in Westerly by featuring those places, people and things on our Facebook Page. So far we have featured Wilcox Park, soupy, the Babcock Smith House, artist studios and galleries and recreational offerings of the Westerly Land Trust. The list of what makes Westerly special is long, and we will continue to spotlight the many great reasons that we love to live and/or work in this community. T-shirts designed by J Mack Studios, specifically created for this campaign, are available at The Chamber office for $10. Buy yours today and show your spirit. We have much to be grateful for!

Above - the staff of First Physical Therapy at 85 Beach Street is “Westerly Hometown Proud”!

Above: A group photo of the local business owner

who came out to speak against the proposed

“village districts”.

allows for flexibility and will best serve the dormant mills in our community. After a door-to-door education campaign to our members, we were able to garner a solid presence of Pawcatuck businesses at the meeting including CC Obrien’s, Mia’s Prime Time Café, Capizzano Olive Oils and Vinegars, Attorney Sal Ritacco, Cherenzia & Associates and Pawcatuck Roofing. The hearing was continued to April 7th for more testimony. Thanks to all who helped out so far. Business advocacy is just one critical service provided by The Chamber.

Chamber Input Incorporated into Stonington POCD

2015 Virtu

Art Show

180 artists in Wilcox Park over Memorial Day

Weekend.

If you are interested being a Sponsor of Virtu please

email Lisa @ [email protected] to get

more details.

We are looking for Volunteers to help out all weekend

during the event. Please email Lisa at

[email protected] for more information.

We still have 20 spaces available. If you haven’t done

so, send in your application today!

Page 2: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

Best Energy 4 Mechanic Street Pawcatuck, CT 06379 Phone: 860-599-1920 BestEnergyCTRI.com Contact: James Lathrop We are a full service oil company. In addition to delivering home heating oil, we have on-road and off-road diesel available. Also, we offer a full range of services in our parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island that you just can’t get from other heating oil companies. We are always here for you, open 24/7. By having us install a new home heating system you’ll improve your home’s value, enjoy fast installation and professional training on your new heating system. We install the latest energy-efficient heating equipment.

Dog Guard of Eastern CT/RI LLC 180 Tyler Ave. Groton, CT 06340

(not a store front) Phone: 860-389-8369 DogGuardECT.com

Contact: Eric Orkney Welcome to Dog Guard of Eastern CT/RI! At Dog Guard, they know just how important it is that your dog leads a safe and happy life. “Out of Sight Fencing” allows your dog the freedom he deserves and provides you with peace of mind. Backed by an unbeatable lifetime equipment & containment guarantee, Dog Guard of ECT/RI provides an unparalleled experience. The owner, Eric Orkney, has been a professional animal trainer for the past 15 years and has worked for the renowned Siegfried & Roy in Las Vegas, and had his own tiger show for Six Flags. Partner, Lara Weber, also has a unique background in animal training and they provide obedience and behavioral training to their clients as well. In addition to the current Chamber Member discount, Dog Guard also gives $100 off new fence installations for customers who have rescue or adopted dogs. With their accomplished animal training and customer service background, Dog Guard of Eastern CT/RI LLC will outperform competitors and serve their clients with the utmost personable service, expertise, and genuine care for your beloved pets!

Hypnosis of Westerly …Continued Diane Reeves is a holistic healer trained in Hypnosis and Energy healing. She is Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified in Past Life Regression with Dr. Brian Weiss of the Weiss Institute, author of Many Lives Many Masters and Dr. Georgina Cannon of the Ontario Hypnosis Center, author of Return. She is also a certified Medium and an Angel Therapy® Practitioner certified by Dr. Doreen Virtue. Diane has also participated In James Van Praagh's Advanced Intuitive/Mediumship training. Energy Healing Modalities included are Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, Advanced Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Balancing Technique® and Quantum-Touch. Diane is trained and certified with Dr. Eric Pearl in Reconnective Healing and The Reconnection.

Inn at Mystic/ Harbour House Restaurant & Bar 3 Williams Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-536-9604 innatmystic.com Contact: Timothy Brown The Inn at Mystic is a unique resort consisting of fourteen landscaped acres in the heart of historic Mystic, Connecticut. Located on what was once a private estate with sweeping views overlooking the Mystic Harbor and Fishers Island Sound, the Inn at Mystic has been welcoming guests for over fifty years. With its colonial cottage-style guest rooms some with gorgeous water views, you’ll find you have made the perfect choice. Centrally located the Inn at Mystic is a delightful 10 minute walk through tree lined streets while passing Sea Captains homes to the heart of historic downtown Mystic. You will enjoy all Mystic has to offer with its famous drawbridge, shops, galleries, restaurants and museums.

Margarita Mexican Restaurant 12 Water Street Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-536-4589 Margs.com Contact: Heidi Dellanbach

Eastern Lock Service 9 Oak Lane Extension Stonington, CT 06378 Phone: 860-245-3619 easternlockservice.com Contact: Bob Watrous Eastern Lock Service is a fully functional mobile lock shop, we come to your location. With over thirteen years of service and installation of commercial, municipal and residential lock & key systems, door and door related hardware in Connecticut and Rhode Island. We have the knowledge and the tools to tackle all your security hardware needs. From duplicate keys to the Americans with Disabilities Act concerns, to complete access control systems, we will walk you through each step of the process. Call Eastern Lock Service today for your free site security analysis, we are here to help.

Downtown Mystic Merchants PO Box 456 Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-912-9974 Mysticdowntown.org Contact: Judy Hartley Established in 2013, the Downtown Mystic Merchants is a non-profit initiative aimed at promoting Historic Downtown Mystic economically, culturally and aesthetically for the merchants, residents and visitors of our Historic Downtown. Our mission is to enhance the experience of shopping, eating and simply strolling through our historic riverfront community. The Downtown Mystic Merchants Board of Directors welcomes and encourages public participation and input on issues that affect our community. For more information on how you can get involved please contact the Downtown Mystic Merchants Association.

Hpynosis of Westerly & Energy Center 26 Cosmo Street Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-322-7377 hypnosisofwesterly.com Contact: Diane Reeves

** Continued at the top of next column**

NEW MEMBERS

Page 3: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

Margaritas Continued… At Margaritas we offer the flavors, culture and hospitality so you can experience the best of Mexico with us. We take pride in our community and aim to do more than bring great food, fun and excitement to the area. Through education outreach, charitable donations and other community activities, we give back, teach locally about the vibrancy of Mexican culture and have a lot of fun along the way. Against the backdrop of the welcoming villages in Central Mexico, wrapped in centuries-old traditions of hospitality and culture, we want Margaritas to be your getaway. We invite you spend a few care-free hours with us and celebrate every day.

Minuteman Press 147 State Street, New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-701-9171 mmpnl.com Contact: Larry Donn We are an environmentally conscious, digital print shop located in the heart of downtown New London, Connecticut. Minuteman Press of New London the print shop of the future, offering a full range of entirely digital services. With our brand new state of the art equipment, we are able to deliver a large variety of projects with very short turn-around. Now is a great time to get in touch with Minuteman Press of New London to discuss how digital printing can benefit you. We offer traditional printing services as well through our partnership with Minuteman Press of Norwich. Give us a call today and we can help you decide what is the best option for your project!

Modern Barber & Shave 36 W Broad ST Pawcatuck (across from Mel's)

Phone: (860) 924-2992 modernbarberandshave.com

Contact: Cat Thibodeau

Modern Barber & Shave Continued… Modern Barber & Shave strives to bring the best haircut or shave tailored to your exact specifications. We specialize in flat-tops, high-and-tights, military fades as well as longer styles. We love mohawks and other modern looks as well. A hot lather straight razor finish with every haircut guaranteed & you will never be charged extra for owning a beard or mustache. We offer daily discounts for Military, Police, Fire, EMT and all first-responders AND a weekly discount for Senior Citizens and Military Veterans on Tuesdays & Sundays. We do NOT make appointments but we ARE open 7 days a week for walk-in business. Monday thru Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Centrally located under the train bridge in Pawcatuck on the Westerly line, there is plenty of on and off the road parking for your convenience.

Pleasant View Inn 65 Atlantic Ave. Misquamicut, RI 02891 Phone: 401-348-8200 pvinn.com Contact: Ali Sperry Situated on 7 miles of sandy beach just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean our charming beachside family resort welcomes the season with new guestrooms and friendly service. An outdoor heated pool and onsite restaurant are yours to enjoy during your stay. Pleasant View Inn is within easy reach of the beach and convenient to shops, restaurants, and popular attractions such as: Watch Hill, Block Island Ferry Service and Mystic, Connecticut. As always, beachfront accommodations, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and thoughtful amenities are just a few reasons why Pleasant View Inn has been the go-to vacation spot for generations.

Project Oceanology 1084 Schennecosset Road, Groton, CT 06340 Avery Point / On the Campus of UConn Phone: 860-445-9007 Oceanology.org Contact: Rosanne Smyle

Project Oceanology Continued… Our mission is to nurture interest and enthusiasm for science and our planet's marine environment. We are located in Groton at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point Campus, exit 87 off I-95. Project Oceanology was formed in 1972 by a group of teachers and public school administrators from Southeastern Connecticut who recognized the potential and importance of the marine environment as an education resource. Armed with a grant of $50,000, they obtained a vessel and retrofitted it into a floating marine science classroom. Over the years, Project Oceanology has grown into a full-fledged marine science and environmental education program with a 22,000 sq. ft. building and a variety of oceanographic equipment and vessels. Approximately 25,000 people each year, students and the general public alike, participate in Project Oceanology's programs. Project Oceanology remains a non-profit organization whose members are public school districts, colleges, universities and educational institutions.

Rhode Island Orthodontic Group Dr. Turchetta & Dr. Underhill 130 Granite Street Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-696-7262 riortho.com Contact: Kathryn Capizzano Our team of four experienced doctors and professional staff are equipped to serve you and your family. We proudly offer the latest orthodontic braces for children, teens and adults. With the advancements in today's technology, we have to continually strive to stay on the cutting-edge of the latest treatments and techniques available to ensure you receive optimum results. We believe our practice is unique because we are dedicated to staying on the forefront of the latest advancements in the industry so you achieve the beautiful, healthy smile you expect and deserve. Our team of experienced doctors and professional staff work seamlessly together, sharing information and experiences to evaluate and implement the best there is to offer. Orthodontics is a life-changing experience, and we appreciate the opportunity to share in the experience with you as you enhance your smile! The doctors and staff at Rhode Island Orthodontic Group look forward to seeing you soon!

Page 4: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

Salon Be 29 West Broad St. Pawcatuck, CT 06379 Phone: 860-599-1308 Salonbect.com Contact: Sally Johnson Salon Be is located at 29 West Broad St in Pawcatuck. Our Salon is conveniently open 7 days a week. We offer an array of beauty services to include hair, skin and nails. We offer an array of beauty services to include hair, skin, and nails. We currently have 4 experienced master stylists offering the latest in color techniques to styling. We have an expert nail technician on staff for manicures, pedicures, shellac and gel nails. The salon also houses "face to face" aesthetics where a wide range of facials are offered, each tailored to individual skin care needs.

Shield Martial Arts, LLC 39 High Street Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-596-8360 Contact: Tonya Lavender westerlymartialarts.com We are a self defense, fitness and character building organization. Our primary goal is to meet the needs of those individuals in learning self protection, self confidence, self esteem and physical fitness. We pride ourselves in being a well rounded facility that incorporates the best martial arts has to offer, along with a wonderful family atmosphere. We have a 4,400 square foot facility with the best training mats and equipment available to provide a safe and fun training experience. Our schedule of classes is very flexible and offers a wide variety of times to help accommodate everyone's busy lifestyles.

NEW MEMBERS

South County Chiropractic Mastuxet Professional Park 101 Airport Road Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-742-0337 Socountychiro.com Contact: Dr. Stan Dezjot At this office our mission is to improve the quality of your life. We know that health is so much more than just not feeling pain. We strive to have our patients reach their fullest innate potential. Dr Dezjot has over 26 years of experience treating families of all ages and is pleased to expand his practice to the South County area serving Westerly, Charlestown, Ashaway and surrounding communities in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Call us today to learn how affordable and regular chiropractic care can be part of your life!

The Stonington Historical Society PO Box 103 Stonington, CT 06378 Phone: 860-535-8445 Stoningtonhistory.org Contact: Elizabeth Wood The Stonington Historical Society is celebrating their 120th year and works to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the history of Stonington in many different ways. We collect and preserve genealogical, biographical, architectural, cultural, and historical matter pertaining to the Town of Stonington: the R.W. Woolworth Library and Research Center is a climate controlled research library; the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House is home to the discoverer of the continent of Antarctica; the Old Lighthouse Museum served as a beacon over Stonington Harbor since 1840 and is now home to a number of exhibits on Stonington history. Join us for historic walking tours of Stonington Borough on Friday mornings and Sunday afternoons beginning in June and special exhibits at the Stonington Farmer’s Market

on Saturday mornings.

Swipe for a Cause, LLC 189 Daniel Dr. North Kingstown, RI 02852 Phone: 401-749-0540 swipeforacause.com Contact: Kevin Anderson Swipe for a Cause offers a full array of merchant services from stand –alone terminal to software, shopping carts and gift cards. We are powered by First Data the world’s largest merchant processor and are the processor for the Newport County Chamber of Commerce. We will donate 100% of our net profits to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island Hospice HHCRI is RI’s largest hospice. Swipe for a Cause might be the most unique fundraising model that exists. Instead of going around to businesses year after year asking for donations, we simply handle their credit card processing. Then we lower their rates and then donate a portion of the fees we earn on their processing to charity. Besides being a feel good decision, it is also a really good business decision.

Tin Tin Bakery 134 Main Street Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-315-5990 Tintinbakery.com Contact: Jenyaufong Chan Our bakery is family owned and operated. At Tin Tin Bakery we're committed to using only the finest and freshest ingredients in everything we make. You can count on us to bring you the very best in baked goods. Our bakery stocked with fresh Chinese breads, cakes, cookies, and other enticing delicacies. If it's a custom creation you need, we'll work closely with you in the planning process to come up with a design that combines quality and creativity. Stop by our store, and feast your eyes on our unique creations. Or go through our website for more information about our products.

Page 5: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

Tomaquag Museum 390A Summit Road Exeter, RI 02822 Phone: 401-491-9063 tomaquagmuseum.org Contact: Loren Spears

Tomaquag Museum has a unique collection of over 20,000 cultural objects along with hundreds of thousands of pieces of archival materials focusing on the Native peoples of New England and Rhode Island. The Museum is well-respected among Rhode Island's and New England's cultural museums, and is visited each year by travelers from across the United States and throughout the world. The Mission of Tomaquag Museum is to educate the public and promote thoughtful dialogue regarding Indigenous history, culture, arts, and Mother Earth and connect to Native issues of today.

Watch Hill Designs 58 Ashaway Road Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-596-9282 watchhilldesigns.com Contact: Sherry Pierce With over 20 years Experience Servicing New England Watch Hill Designs is an Interior Design Firm and Boutique offering services from new construction to remodeling, from beach retreats to urban living. The owners approach to design differs from other designers in that she has the unique ability to seamlessly meld the old with the new, using furniture and finds discovered from antique shops and consignment stores complimented by stylish accessories found anywhere from eBay to high end boutiques. Her creativity allows the room to become a one of a kind work of art even in dealing with the simple hardware accessories used. Our philosophy is to create incredible beautiful living spaces that reflect our clients' own unique tastes, personalities and lifestyles. We pride ourselves on the highest quality of workmanship and guarantee you'll be satisfied when your project is completed. Not only do we guarantee client satisfaction, but we also work with the clients' budget.

Hearing Aids by Zounds 101 Franklin Street Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-348-8898 Zoundshearingri12.com Contact: Joe Dumont Zounds utilizes a combination of internally developed and exclusively licensed technology from Acoustic Technologies, Inc., where Sam Thomasson is the founder and former CEO. At Acoustic Technologies, Sam created high-performance semiconductor chips and related software with low power usage algorithms that dramatically improved voice and sound quality in cell phones, video phones, desktop phones, conference call phones and automotive communication systems. For Sam, it was a logical extension to leverage this superior technology at Zounds. Zounds’ goal is to offer a portfolio of hearing aids and wireless devices that provide the world’s best performing technology at an affordable price to anyone with a mild, moderate, or moderate/severe hearing loss.

Congratulations to

Sherry Pierce of Watch Hill Designs on her Grand Opening! Her store is located at

58 Ashaway Road, Westerly.

Waste

Management of

Rhode Island

Commercial Trash Services

(800) 955-0518

5 Star Seminars / Ocean Breeze Press 48 Spring Street, Westerly, RI 02891 Phone: 401-348-4090 5starseminars.com Contact: Harriet Grayson Fundraising and grants writing seminars is the basic business of 5 Star Seminars. The seminars are available to the public at locations across CT and RI including at Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce’s Conference Room. These seminars are designed for staff and volunteers of community groups including PTO’s, faith-based organizations, local government and even those searching for new career choices. President Harriet Grayson is also available to provide consulting services in researching and writing grants, special events planning and general strategic planning for non-profits. Ocean Breeze Press publishes books on grants writing and fundraising as well as the Sasha Perlov mystery series by Anastasia Goodman (www.anastasiagoodman.weebly.com). Ms. Grayson is also host/producer of TV public access show Community Culture Showcase which strives to promote the arts and culture of CT & RI. Her shows can be seen on Channel 12 in CT (Tuesdays at 8 PM) & on Channel 18 in RI (Wednesdays at 6 PM) or on YouTube at anytime and anywhere.

Benevides &

Turano LLC,

CPAs and Business Advisors

85 Beach Street Westerly, RI

401-596-9797

Page 6: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

Above- A group shot of half of the supporters who came to be seen and heard at the Finance Board Meeting.

For more than 30 years, the Chamber has

consistently and professionally served as a

Tourism/Economic Development arm of the

Town hall. We execute a significant

program of work on the Town’s behalf

addressing issues of importance to the

business community. Our tourism activities

include placing ads that promote the town,

representing Westerly at travel shows,

producing maps, magazines and other

materials to promote the town, maintaining

and staffing a beautiful welcome center on

Route 1 and staffing it on weekends for 5

months of the year, providing public

restroom facilities, hosting FAM tours and a

variety of other functions. Our economic

development activities include producing

several free large scale community events

that bolster the economy (Virtu, Riverglow)

and generate large audience that translates

into hotel stays and increased restaurant

patronage. We also produce a variety of

free community events that enhance the

quality of life for our residents (Easter Egg

Hunt, Santa’s Arrival, Movies on the Beach,

Candidate’s Night, etc). We manage a gift

certificate program that generates $160,000

in sales for the local economy, work with

existing businesses to help them grow and

thrive, and assist those looking to start a

business in Westerly. There is no better

example of our economic development

activities than our exemplary efforts

assisting businesses in their recovery after

the flood in 2010 or superstorm Sandy in

2012.

The Chamber was in Hartford to testify against Governor Malloy’s proposed cuts to tourism districts as well as the proposed cuts to the Mystic Aquarium. There is a wonderful synergy between the Westerly tourism industry and the southeastern CT tourism district. Our beaches and historic downtown are one corner of a triangle of

We are the organization that raised $73,000

after the flood and $420,000 after Sandy and

gave away 100% of those funds as grants to

help businesses with expenses not covered by

insurance. Our tireless and well documented

efforts literally made the difference for some

hotels or restaurants who would have otherwise

not had the funds to re-open in time for May.

Representatives from Paddy’s Beach, the Sea

Shell Motel and the Atlantic Beach Casino

Resort gave dramatic testimony to that affect at

the recent Finance Board meeting. Some

argued that the hotel and meals taxes they

generate that season were largely attributable

to our organization’s assistance. One needs

only look downtown to see an example of our

economic development activities. Consider

The Chamber’s efforts to win the Benjamin

Moore Main Street Matters paint contest that

resulted in our downtown winning the contest

and getting 22 buildings painted for free.

Increased patronage to our restaurants

translates to increased meals taxes for the

town. Increased property values translates into

increased property taxes for the town. There

are numerous other examples of how we work

to bolster the local economy and generate

meals and hotel taxes for our community.

Thank you to the 15 speakers who came out to

speak in favor of the Chamber’s funding and

the additional 4 people who advocated for us

during their comments on other budget line

items. Thank you also to the Finance Board

for unanimously restoring us to the level

funding, which is what we have received for

the last 7 years. No other department at town

hall can claim that.

Above: Bruce Morrow, Lauren Sposato, and Barbara

Stillman relax after giving their speeches.

tourism attractions that includes Mystic and the casinos at the other corners. The regional impact of these entities working in unison is what makes us the #1 attraction in New England. We were honored to be able to defend funding for our partners in SECT and hope that the collective impact of more than 100 speakers will result in restored funds.

BUSINESS ADVOCACY Chamber Funding from Hotel Taxes

Taylor Swift Tax Governor Raimondo has a big challenge. She is attempting to address a budget deficit of approximately $190 million in fiscal 2016 and a projected $255.5 million in fiscal 2017. As a result, one of the proposals in her budget is a luxury tax on second homes over a million. nicknamed the "Taylor Swift tax," this proposed tax applies to second homes, investment properties and other non owner-occupied property valued at more than $1 million. It is projected to raise just under $11.8 million for the coming fiscal year and slightly more, $12.2 million, the following year. This tax is a variation of similar fees in other states such as Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont, which has had a similar tax on the books for over 15 years. Westerly, with 568 potentially affected properties, would take the biggest hit. As a community, Westerly represents 24% of the 2,359 total properties affected. Statewide, a combined $4.7 billion would face the assessment. The tax rate would be $2.50 for each $1,000 of assessed value at properties valued at $1 million or more, the budget proposal states. This Chamber OPPOSES the proposed tax for several reasons. It puts RI at a competitive disadvantage with CT and MA, our two neighboring states. As a border shoreline community, Westerly is particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of a tax that is not applied in CT. Simply put, this tax could seriously stymie the real estate recovery in Rhode Island. Our grand list could suffer as the tax might inevitably suppress the market for our shoreline second homes. It is inherently unfair to add a luxury penalty tax to the taxpayer group that requires the least amount of public services, and cannot vote in local matters. It could drive wealthy property owners out of Rhode Island. Our community would carry the lion’s share of the burden, with 24% of the total properties statewide that are affected, being located here. There is no good reason to support this tax that would siphon additional funds from our community and send them on a one way trip to Providence to subsidize the rest of the state. The construction industry which is robust in our community and one of the largest business sectors, would be negatively impacted. Hundreds of jobs from independent contractors or small businesses are directly related to the maintenance and renovation of these second homes.

SECT Tourism Funding

Page 7: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: FEBRUARY

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: MARCH

Page 8: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified

FUSION

Friday, May 8, 2015

7-11PM Velvet Mills Studio

22 Bayview Ave, Stonington CT

Tickets $30 In Advance

$40 at the Door

Body Painting, Open Studios,

Wine & Beer / Food Tastings

Live Music By SUGAR

Sponsors:

Tickets are on Sale

now at the Chamber!!

Page 9: Chamber News & Viewscloud.chambermaster.com/.../NewsletterApril2015.pdf · Certified with the National Guild of Hypnotists as an Advanced Hypnotherapist. Diane studied and is Certified