Just as it did last year, the Chamber is getting involved at Town Meeting; this time with two warrant articles.
In 2007, the Chamber got involved with Town Meeting, when it worked with Scutra on a warrant article for Town Meeting that proposed lowering the number of seats a restaurant needs to have in order to apply for a full liquor license from 99 to 50.
This year the Chamber provided one of the necessary signatures (mine, because I am a registered voter) on an article being put before the Annual Town Meeting of 2008. It asks the town to consider in its snow removal program "the clearing of heavily used sidewalks, curb cuts and school routes to increase accessibility and pedestrian safety throughout the Town. The Board of Directors feels that this would be beneficial to area businesses. Many surrounding towns clear the sidewalks in their respective business districts making it easier for people to patronize local businesses.
The Chamber also introduced its own warrant article having to do with sandwich board signs. It is asking if the Town will vote to amend the zoning bylaw so as to allow sandwich board signs by special permit. Right now, sandwich boards are not allowed. The Chamber believes that they can be a very effective way to announce promotions, menus, special events, give a business owner another avenue for advertising, especially with the restrictions on how much window space can be taken up by signage. The Planning Dept. and the Chamber have been discussing a compromise, perhaps where businesses could use sandwich boards under town-approved guidelines, that would prove amenable to the Redevelopment Board and Town Meeting Members. We shall see what transpires.
In all three situations, the Chamber is advocating for
With integrity and passion, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce fosters a vital and thriving community in which to work and live. Serving as a liaison between businesses and residents, the Chamber provides valuable resources, programs, business tools and services for its members to help them succeed.
Update on today’s breakfast seminar
Attendance was huge at today’s breakfast seminar sponsored by Walden WebWorks and presented by Constant Contact. More than 60 people filled the Community Room at Robbins Library to learn more about the power of email marketing.
However, whether you attended the seminar or not; whether you are a Chamber member or not, the Chamber has a special Constant Contact offer for you! Check out Chamber Member Offers in today's newsletter for the complete details.
Companies represented included representing AFD Theatre, Arlington Acupuncture Wellness, Arlington Center for the Arts, The Arlington Shopper, ARTBEAT The Creativity Store, The Dance Inn, Beaujolais Catering, The Basket Jeanie, The Book Rack, BOWES GMAC Real Estate, The Children's Room, Comcast Business Services, The Costume Co., Dahn Yoga & Healing, Design Moods, Edward Jones Investments, Eric M. Volkin, LMT, Fresh Coat, Germaine Lawrence, Gormley Chiropractic, Housing Corporation of Arlington, ImprovAndy, Krazy Karry's, Lake Air Systems, Made in Armenia Direct, Maxima Gift Center, Mourning Dove Studio, Mystic River Watershed Association, NaturalDrugStore.com, Nourish to Flourish, Nurturing Spaces, Office Works, Out of the Woods, Construction & Carpentry, Picture Perfect Pets, Reflection Films, Regent Theatre, Robbins Library, Rubicat Design & Photography, Sayan Collection, Scutra, Unatuna, Visiting Nurse and Community Health, Walden WebWorks, Watertown Savings Bank and Za.
Chamber member attendees who had pre-registered were able to take advantage of a Chamber exclusive and sign up “Get Your E-Mail Newsletter Ready to Launch Tutorial. We will have to run a second session to accommodate everyone!
Constant Contact Offer
The Chamber is a Constant Contact business partner. When you sign up for a free 60-day trial (for a maximum of 100 email addresses) using the Chamber’s co-branded link, you are eligible for an additional 10% discount on the six-month and twelve month pre-payment plans. Instead of a 10% discount on a six month prepay plan, you will enjoy a 20% discount. Instead of a 15% discount on a 12 month prepay plan, you will enjoy a 25% discount. And when you sign up through this co-branded link, the Chamber receives a commission. Not only will you save money, the Chamber will earn money!
NOTE: For those of you who already use Constant Contact can switch over at your next billing cycle if you like to take advantage of the discount (and help the Chamber!)
