2004's Man of the Year Jeff Hardy
Each year, the Chelmsford Business Association awards an honor to its member of the year at our annual holiday social. It is our tradition that the immediate past member of the year presents the award on behalf of the committee and the entire business association. This year Doug Hausler presented this award to Jeff Hardy, our immediate past president.
The committee receives nominations from the membership and meets to review each nominee's qualifications. This year's recipient is, in short, well deserving of this award.
Notwithstanding the many demands of helping run a well-respected and long standing family business, Jeff spent countless hours in meetings and discussions helping our association to reach an all time high in its membership as well as directing or choreographing our efforts to defeat the re-institution of classification recently this past November.
Jeff led us by using many of those great attributes that he inherited from his parents, who were at the presentation of this award. He used his good business sense, his humor and a self-effacing style combined with what is perceived to be limitless energy. His leadership was, simply, superb!
Jeff is a life long resident of Chelmsford. He has one daughter, Sarah, 19. Jeff graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1982 and went on to earn a business degree from Daniel Webster College in 1986. Since then he has worked in his family business, Hardy Doric, Inc., a manufacturer of concrete burial vaults. Jeff has been instrumental in the expansion of Hardy Doric's product base, which now includes many cremation products as well as bronze memorials and signage. They are currently expanding their production facilities.
Some of his non-business related activities include softball, golf, racquet-ball, music and working out whenever possible.
Along with his involvement in CBA, Jeff is very active in many of his industries associations as well as two of Chelmsford's 350th celebration committees. He has been a board member of the CBA since 1998 and just completed a two year term as President. He will continue to serve as a board member and stay active in the community for years to come!
Congratulations, Jeff!!
From the President
Richard DeFreitas, CBA President
First... I'd like to wish all of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. 2005 should turn out to be a very interesting year. But, before we get into that, I want to acknowledge and thank Jeff Hardy for leading the CBA through a somewhat difficult year regarding our never ending battle with Tax Classification. Jeff was the youngest man to be our president but displayed the leadership and wisdom that saved the day for the CBA.
Second... I want to thank all the committees that worked so diligently during Jeff's term. Although some committees are behind the scenes, your contributions do not go unnoticed. Thank you all for your effort and continued support.
Now, as we go from the youngest to the oldest, many tasks still await us. We have to shift gears in our fight against classification. We must be more than just opponents... we must help find a more acceptable solution to the tax inequity perceived by the residential community. We need to champion an assessment system that correctly sets assessments such that classification is no longer looked upon as an alternative and becomes a non-issue. While we are vehemently against the umbrella of tax classification, let us support assessments that reflect the true value of both commercial and residential properties and then let the chips fall where they may. We must put our best foot forward in this effort and we must do it sincerely.
We all look forward to the upcoming 350th celebration with such pride and anticipation... (I was 15 years old when Chelmsford celebrated the 300th anniversary...and what a time it was). The CBA will make a rather significant statement in the parade and will continue to support town wide participation. This should be a very memorable year for Chelmsford and for the CBA. I'm anxiously awaiting!
In the upcoming year, we will launch a new program called SKIL (Simply Keep It Local) to promote inter & intra cooperation and awareness by CBA members. This SKIL mind set should be carried on to the community at large as well. A growing and prosperous business community is the only long term solution to reducing the tax burden on residents. Growth is the answer... not classification.
Finally, our new goal is to increase membership so that the CBA represents a majority of all businesses in Chelmsford. We are close now and we can achieve this majority status with a little extra effort. This will give us a very credible voice in our dealings with others.
I look forward to the challenges of 2005 and I humbly ask for your help and support. Together we can make a difference.
The Annual Holiday Social
The annual holiday social took place at the Chelmsford Radisson on Thursday, December 2, 2004. Kathy Kelley and her committee once again put together another fabulous Holiday Social. Many thanks go out for the evening. The Chelmsford Community Band Jazz Ensemble entertained us with wonderful holiday music while our members arrived and enjoyed the cocktail hour. Mr. Dan Gillette was the Master of Ceremonies for the raffle; he was entertaining and colorful and full of the holiday spirit. Thanks again Dan. We want to thank our members who donated some wonderful gifts for the annual drawing. Sounds by Tricia entertained the group with dinner music and dancing before and after dinner. Overall, the entire evening was a great success. We had a great year, and a record number of members joined the association in 2004 and attended the social. We look forward to seeing all of you again in 2005.
Meet Your Board of Directors
Richard E. DeFreitas, President - a former Selectman and Library Trustee, is currently CFO of abc, automated business controls which is owned by his wife, Pat DeFreitas. At abc, he is responsible for marketing, financial planning and information technology. Prior to that, Mr. DeFreitas was the Founder and President of DeltaLab Research, Inc... an internationally renowned manufacture of studio quality digital audio equipment for musicians. DeltaLab was located in Chelmsford (on Alpha Drive) during the 1970's and 1980's and employed up to 100 people (mostly local) before it was sold to ADS (Analog & Digital Systems). An engineer by training, Mr. DeFreitas is the holder of 15 U.S. Patents in the field of digital audio. Much of his technology is incorporated in many of today's consumer products and is referenced as prior art in other more recent patents.
Brian Reidy - Brian is serving as the Vice President of the CBA. Brian has been the proprietor of Birchwood Construction since its inception. Birchwood Construction has just celebrated its 20th year anniversary. Brian is also the Chairman of the Chelmsford Conservation Commission and has been appointed to the Town Affordable Housing committee. He lives in Chelmsford with his three children and his wife Karen.
Hank Hamelin - Hank has been the Secretary of the CBA for the past 14 years. He owns Electronics Associates Inc. (for all your surveillance camera needs) on Fletcher Street. He lived in Chelmsford for many years until just recently. He is the current secretary of the Electronics Technicians Guild of Massachusetts, member of National Electronics Service Dealers Association, Chelmsford Sign Advisory committee member and also active in the International Security Conference.
Steve Incropera - Steve has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1998 and has served as Treasurer for the last two years. He is the Investment Specialist for the New England Regional office of MML Investors Services Inc. and specializes in personal and business Financial Planning, encompassing insurance, education, retirement and estate planning as well as group benefits. Steve holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA and has achieved his ChFC and LUTCF designations in the financial services field. He lives in town with his wife, Lori and daughters Danielle and Michelle.
John Harrington - John was born, raised and resides in Chelmsford. He is owner and proprietor of Harrington Wine and Liquors, Inc. (a family owned business which was established by John's parents, James and Louise Harrington, in 1947). John is one of the original founders of the Chelmsford Business Association in 1989. He was President of the association in 1989 and 1996 and has served as Executive Director from 1997 to present. He was inducted into the Chelmsford High School Hall of Fame in 2002.
Jim Cullen - Jim has had his accounting practice in Chelmsford for over 25 years assisting many Chelmsford clients. He holds both a BS Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Taxation. As a member of the CBA he is currently serving as a Director and has previously held the position of President. Jim, also, serves on the Board of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre. He presently resides in North Chelmsford with his wife Carol.
Bill Gilet - Bill is a Director of the CBA, Treasurer of the Chelmsford Police Foundation, member of the Chelmsford Board of Appeals, Trustee of the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, President of Roger Welch Insurance Agency, Inc., Member of the Chelmsford Rotary Club, and a Partner in "The Mill". He lives in Chelmsford with his wife Sheila. He and Sheila have two married children, Bill Jr. and his wife Maryann, and Karen and her husband Dave Tyros. He and Sheila have four grandchildren, Kate and Liam Gilet and Alish and George Tyros.
Jimmy Good - Jimmy has resided in Chelmsford since 1975 and has been on the Chelmsford Planning Board since 1987. Jimmy is the President and Chairman of the Board of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank located in Lowell. He is a member and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority and also serves on the Board and is an officer of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments. Jimmy owns and operates two self-serve gas station/convenience stores, one of which is located in Chelmsford at 95 Chelmsford Street.
Jeff Hardy - Jeff is our 2004 Member of the Year and is currently serving as the CBA Immediate Past President. He joined the board in 1998 and served as President from 2002 to 2004. Jeff and his family have owned and operated Hardy Doric, Inc. for over eighty years. Jeff also currently serves on two committees for the Town of Chelmsford's 350th celebration. He is a life long resident of Chelmsford. Jeff is also a member of the National and Massachusetts Burial Vault Association, Cremation Association of North America (CANA), Massachusetts and New England Cemetery Association and the CHS Alumni Association.
Doug Hausler - A principal with the law firm of Lampert, Hausler & Rodman, P.C., Doug served the CBA as the President from 2000-2002, Vice President 1998-2000, and a Director from 1993-1998 and 2002-present. Doug graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1982, and obtained his law degree with honors from Suffolk University Law School in 1986. After working with a Boston law firm through 1990, Doug moved to Chelmsford where he resides with his spouse, Karen, and their two sons, Brad and Greg. Doug also is the past Chairman of the Chelmsford Board of Health and Past President of the Chelmsford Rotary Club. The firm represents banks, financial institutions, lenders, borrowers, and developers in a variety of matters and serves a number of local businesses as advisors and counselors. The firm has attorneys licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and remains as counsel to several local non-profit groups in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire areas.
Kathy Kelley - Kathy serves as a Director on the CBA board. She, along with her brother Bill, own and operate the Best Western Chelmsford Inn and the Ground Round restaurants in Chelmsford and Needham. Kathy lives in Newton, MA. The Kelleys employ approximately 130 people. Kathy was CBA Member of the year in 1998.
Lynn Marcella - Lynn has served as a Director on the CBA since 2002. She has been owner/manager of Chelmsford Copy and Secretarial Center in Parlmont Plaza for the past 29 years. She is also involved in other community activities including the Chelmsford Rotary Club, the Town of Chelmsford 350th Celebration committee; was a member of the Chelmsford Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for 15 years; is presently serving on the Chelmsford Housing Elder Partnership and is a member of the CHS Alumni Association. She was inducted into the CHS Hall of Fame in 2002. Lynn resides in Chelmsford with her husband, Chuck.
Mary Jane Nardone - Mary Jane has served as a CBA Director since 2002. Since 1996, Mary Jane has worked at the Chelmsford Branch Office of Enterprise Bank & Trust Company as Vice President of Commercial Lending, providing loans and other financial services to several Chelmsford-based businesses and professionals. She resides in Westford with her husband, Bob.
Annmarie Roark - Annmarie is a Director and Past President of the CBA. She grew up in Chelmsford along with her eight brothers and sisters, and has been an attorney practicing with the law firm of Carragher, Fox & Roark, P.C. at 229 Billerica Road for 22 years. She serves as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Chelmsford Board of Health, as well as a Director of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, and she is a member of the Chelmsford High School Alumni Association. She resides in Chelmsford with her husband, Robert, and their daughters Jessica and Heather.
Jack Souza - Jack is the newest member of the CBA Board of Directors. He has been the proprietor of John Souza Painting Contractors for the past 40 years. For the past seven years he has been a member of the Chelmsford Sewer Commission. Jack has two grown children and lives in Chelmsford with his wife Carol.
Bill Vines - Bill is a member of the Board of Directors of the CBA. He works for J&C Management and Parlees Pine Hill Nursery. Bill also serves on the Chelmsford Conservation Commission. He lives in Chelmsford with his wife Charlene and daughter Aleksandra.
Chelmsford's 350th Anniversary
The town of Chelmsford's 350th celebration committee invites all businesses, organizations and individuals to participate in our Decorate-a-Pitcher art project. Plywood reproductions of the Chelmsford glass pitcher will soon be available for decorating and display around town during the weeks of May 8-21, 2005. You can use paint, glitter, photographs, papier mache, or materials of your choice to beautify the pitcher. Be creative, be funny, be inspired! Pitcher "kits" will be available after January 1, 2005 for $5 and include the wood cut-out, metal stand for display and instruction sheet. Contact Pat Fitzpatrick at 978-256-5696 to order your pitcher.
