NorthShoreBusiness JournalNorthShoreBusiness JournalNorth Shore Chamber of Commerce • 5 Cherry Hill Drive, Suite 100 • Danvers, MA 01923 • (978) 774-8565 • Fax (978) 774-3418 www.northshorechamber.org

MO N T H O F NOV E M B E R 2007 VO LU M E 23 NO. 12

2007MembershipDriveaSuccess-ChamberWelcomesover250NewMembers

the region. Primeau exhibited outstandingleadership during this successful member-ship campaign. TheChamber is the“NorthShore’s voicefor business.”With thesuccessof this year’sefforts, the

North Shore Chamber of Commerceremains the largest and most influentialbusiness and professional organizationinnortheastern Massachusetts. This growthwill help uscontinueasthe"voice for busi-ness", constantly striving to unite govern-mentandbusinessresulting in animproved,strong, regional economy! By workingtogetherwe canmakeadifference.TheNorth Shore Chamberof Commerce

thanksall the companies who volunteeredover the course of the drive. Togetherweareworking for a strongregionaleconomy!Our mission statement reads, The NorthShoreChamber of Commerce is dedicatedto shaping policy and eventsso that deci-sionsby business and government result inan improvedeconomy andquality of life fortheregion.

TheNorth ShoreChamberof Commerceconducted one of the largestmembershipcampaigns ever on the North Shore inOctober. Over 250 firms joined the NorthShoreChamber of Commerce during thedrive, which was chaired by MarkPrimeau, President of Consumer Banking,Eastern Bank andsupported by 150 busi-nessmen andwomenfromleading firmsin

Dec. 13thHoliday Networking

Reception

Thurs., December 13th

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.TheBostonGlobeNorth

Danvers,MA

Free / Members$25 / Non-Members

Please call (978) 774-8565

of our Senator Frederick E. Berry for 25Years of giving with F.B. Chari ties, Inc.We are pleased that Attorney General

Coakley hasagreed to attend this importantAnnual Meeting as we celebrate with 800business leaders: Strong Partners,Powerful Solutions.

The North Shore Chamber ofCommerce will hold its 89th AnnualDinner Meeting on Wednesday,December 5, 2007from 5:00-8:00p.m. attheSheraton Ferncroft Hotel in Danverswith Keynote Speaker At torney GeneralMartha Coakley and special recognition

Erik Smith (l) and Danielle Mantia, North ShoreChamberof Commerce,awardGordonMassey(r),SalemFive,1stPlacein the2007MembershipDrive.

Economic & PublicPolicy Breakfast Forum“Washington Update”

Congressman John F. Tierney

Wed., December 12thIpswich Country ClubCall (978) 774-8565 or visit

www.northshorechamber.org

CongressmanTierneyhasagreedto speakpendinganyimportantvotesin Washington.

TitleSponsorships$2500• Corporate Tableof 10 with Sign age

• Hanging Banner• 1/2 page Ad in the2007 Annual DinnerPrinted Booklet

• Recognized asTitle Sponsor atDinner in Remarks

CorporateSponsorships$1150• Corporate Tableof 10 with Signage

• 1/4 page Ad in the2007 Annual DinnerPrin ted Booklet

NNaammee:: CCoommppaannyy:: ## ooff TTiicckkeettss:: AAddddrreessss:: CCiittyy:: SSttaattee:: ZZiipp:: PPhhoonnee

oo TTiittllee SSppoonnssoorr $$22550000 oo CCoorrppoorraattee SSppoonnssoorr $$11115500 oo SSiinnggllee TTiicckkeettss $$111155//ppiieeccee oo VVIISSAA oo MMaasstteerrCCaarrdd oo AAmmEExx oo CChheecckk EEnncclloosseeddTToottaall $$ CCaarrdd ##:: EExxppiirreess:: //

Strong Partners, Powerful SolutionsStrong Partners, Powerful SolutionsNetwork with 800 Business Leaders!Network with 800 Business Leaders!

CCaallll ((997788)) 777744--88556655 oorr FFaaxx ttoo ((997788)) 777744--33441188wwwwww..nnoorrtthhsshhoorreecchhaammbbeerr..oorrgg

Wednesday,December 5th5:00-8:00pm

SheratonFerncroft

Hotel & ResortDanvers, MA

PPAASSTT SSPPOONNSSOORRSS::PPAASSTT SSPPOONNSSOORRSS::AAPPPPLLEESSEEEEDD’’SSBBAANNKK OOFF AAMMEERRIICCAABBEEVVEERRLLYY CCOOOOPP BBAANNKKBBEEVVEERRLLYY NNAATTIIOONNAALL BBAANNKKCCEENNTTUURRYY BBAANNKKCCIITTIIZZEENNSS BBAANNKKCCOOTTEE && CCAASSEEYYCCRRAANNNNEEYY CCOOMMPPAANNIIEESSCCUUSSTTOODDIIAALL PPAARRTTNNEERRSSDDAANNVVEERRSSBBAANNKKEEAASSTTEERRNN BBAANNKKMMAACCLLEEAANN HHOOLLLLOOWWAAYY DDOOHHEERRTTYY AARRDDIIFFFF && MMOORRSSEEHHOOSSPPIICCEE OOFF NNOORRTTHH SSHHOORREE KKEEYYSSPPAANNMMAARRIITTIIMMEESS && NNEE PPIIPPEELLIINNEE

NNAATTIIOONNAALL GGRRIIDDNNOORRTTHH SSHHOORREE BBAANNKKNNSS CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY CCOOLLLLEEGGEENNOORRTTHHEEAASSTT HHEEAALLTTHH SSYYSSTTEEMMNNOORRTTHH SSHHOORREE MMEEDDIICCAALL NNOORRTTHH SSHHOORREE WWIIBBOOSSRRAAMM SSYYLLVVAANNIIAAPPAARREENNTT,, MMCCLLAAUUGGHHLLIINN &&NNAANNGGLLEESSAALLEEMM FFIIVVEE SSAALLEEMM SSTTAATTEE CCOOLLLLEEGGEESSEENNTTIINNEELL BBEENNEEFFIITTSSDDOOMMIINNIIOONN SSAALLEEMM HHAARRBBOORR SSOOVVEERREEIIGGNN BBAANNKKTTDD BBAANNKKNNOORRTTHHTTHHEE SSAALLEEMM NNEEWWSSTTIINNTTII,, QQUUIINNNN,, GGRROOVVEERR && FFRREEYY Advertise in

Program Booklet• 1/2 Page Ad - $799• 1/4 Page Ad - $499

Single Seats$115

Welcome New Members from 2007 Drive!About Face KitchensAbri'e SalonAction Business CoachingAdvertising to BusinessAll Business CommunicationsAll City Cab, LLCAll-Pro Electric, Inc.Amazing EssenceAmbrose Enviromental ManagementAmerican Carpet Co., Inc.American Diabetes AssociationAmSanAntoinette G. Giugliano, P.C.Appraisal SpecialistArcadia Health CareArmed ComputersArt Supplies WholesaleAT & T WirelessAtlantic Referral ExchangeAttorney James M. SearsAttorney Robert J. WiseBaker Newman & Noyes, LLCBalanced Nutritional LifestyleBathcrest of Greater BostonBay Path CollegeBay State CollegeBaystate Financial ServicesBenjamin FranklinBeverly Athletic ClubBeverly Glass Co.Beverly Insurance Brokerage, Inc.Blue FinancialBlue Lobster CreativeBob's Better Hearing & EyewearBostonian Design GroupBoy Scouts of America - YankeeClipper CouncilButler Tree Landscape DesignC & C Lobster Co., Inc.CA Brandt & AssociatesCam MediaCaras Marketing & TrainingCarter's JewelersCavalier Coach TrailwaysCentennial Mortgage Co.Chef en RouteClassic Touch PaintingCommonwealth Cash ManagementCommonwealth Maintenance Systems, Compassionate Care ConsultantsCornerstone Electrical Services, Inc.Corporal Construction, Inc.Cosgroves LiquorsCossingham LawCrompton Construction, Inc.Curves for WomenCustom Delivery ServiceDale Carnegie and AssociatesDanvers Dental WellnessDavid L. Bateman, CPA, CFPDeLande LightingDeStefano LandscapingDigital Hearing HealthcareDiverging Soul Media ProductionDowntown Bistro & Wine BarDoyon'sDr. Benjamin Polan, DMDEastern Property Mangement GroupElaine DunnElder Service Plan of the North ShoreENPRO Services, Inc.

Environsafe Corp.Farm Family Insurance Co.Farmer's Financial GroupFasTrack Automotive, Inc.Financial Manager's ResourcesFinancial SolutionsFinancial WorkshopsFireplace SystemsG/J TowingGerald T. McCarthy Insurance AgencyGolden Line Fine JewelryGraVoc Associates, Inc.Greater Lynn Senior Services, Inc.Hamilton BookkeepingHannah Village Limited PartnershipHarborview Inn of GloucesterHarvard Street Management, Inc.Heart and Hands ResourcesHeartScreen AmericaHestia Creations, Inc.Highland Dental GroupHilb, Rogal & HobbsHillside Engineering, LLCHomewatch Caregivers of EssexCountyIDB Electrical Services, Inc.Independent Eye CareIntegrated Staffing Inc.Ipswich Bay Financial ResourcesIpswich Butcher ShopJ&S Brandi's CateringJ.P. Remodeling & Construction, Inc.Jenkins Insurance AgencyJeo Engineering, LLCJohnson Woods Realty GroupJoie DeVie InteriorsJuice PlusKaminski AuctioneersKBI International, Inc.Keane, Chiuve & Co. CPALapels Dry CleaningLauranzano Insurance AgencyLaw Office of Donald C. StewartLaw Office of Shannon Murphy BarnesLaw Office of Stephen MooneyLaw Office of Susan R. GradyLaw Offices of David M. GabrielLivingWellLundy'sLuxebeautiqueLynnway Auto AuctionManchester Technology PartnersMandrake Bar BistroMarblehead Charter HallMarion Edward Associates, Inc.Marketing & PR Solutions,Investigative ServicesMcMahon CommunicationsMD McCurdy Electrical Services, Inc.Meridian MortgageMG ProductsMoniz & Mendes, P.C.Moore & Moore HairdressingMorando & Company, Inc.MTK LocksmithNeil S. BernsteinNelnetNew England Data Services, LLCNew England Precious MetalsNorthshore MagazineOnsite Videos

Operation Bootstrap, Inc.Paradise Dental AssociatesParamount Electric CorporationPark Street Auto Repair, Inc.Party Perfect DJ & PhotographyPaul Fragala & AssociatesPeabody Access TelecommunicationsPhoenix SchoolPine PolyPope John XXIII High SchoolPrime Organics, Inc.Prince PizzeriaProgeria Research FoundationRaffie's Limousine ServiceRaiche AssociatesRe/MAX Country Crossroads (RealtyAssociates)Reliv InternationalRestaurant Accounting ServicesRight At Home In Home Care &AssistanceRiverview Indutrial Park, LLCRobert W. Luscinski CPARockport Chamber Music FestivalRockport PublishersRowley Rose PhotographyRumpf Design Group LTDSage LeafSal's PizzaSalisbury SuperstoreScanzani & AssociatesSea Lion SushiShawmut PrintingSilpada Silver JewelrySingle Source MarketingSmerczynski & Conn, P.C.Spirit Wind Massage & PolarityTherapySportsmen BarberStar Service Corp.Stefano's Landscaping, Design &Construction, Inc.Stellar Technology ConsultingStern, Keilty & Wall, LLCStreetsmart Drivers, Inc.Super Sub ShopTax & Investment GroupTedesco Country ClubTee off at Mel'sThe American BarbequeThe Bourneuf Corp.The Corporate ConnectionThe Kane Company, Inc.The Muffin ShopThe New Essex Office, Inc.Thomas Mackey & Sons, Inc.Thomas St. Jean InsuranceTotal Dismantling & Carting ServicesTotal Home EntertainmentTowne Place Suite by MarriottUnique EquineUnited RoofingUniversal Protective ServicesWaldman ChiropracticWaldman PlumbingWenham MuseumWhittenberg & Knudsen, LLPWillowdale EstateYellow Jackets TooYour Dogs Nanny

Lake Placid, New York • 518 523.7834 x506 • MirrorLakeInn.com

We specialize in small to medium size meetings and retreats that incorporate our surroundings. We’ll keep your meeting runningsmoothly, leaving you more time to enjoy our luxury spa, exceptional dining, Adirondack views, and all the world-class recreationalactivities at our doorstep in the heart of the Olympic Village of Lake Placid.

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and SpaLake Placid’s Finest

Not All Resorts see Things from our Point of View.

Lake Placid’s only 4-diamond resort on the lake

rated “Exceptional” for the past 23 consecutive years

Our view: Do-or-die Time for Regional Education InitiativeOur view: Do-or-die Time for Regional Education Initiative

The much-discussed merger ofthe North Shore, Peabody andformer Essex County vocationalschools has reached a criticalstage.

Over the next year or so, the 17North Shore and Cape Ann com-munities that have a vital stake inthose institutions will have todecide whether to invest themoney needed to build a new,first-class facility on the EssexAggie campus in Danvers."If we don't do it now ... frankly(the opportunity) is going to passus by," Beverly Mayor BillScanlon told members of theNorth Shore Chamber ofCommerce yesterday morning.

He's right. The need, in terms ofthe kinds of skills the new schoolcould provide, has never beenmore clear. And the clout that'sbeen assembled to get the maxi-mum amount of state and federalaid for the project may never bemore formidable.

Each year, hundreds of area teensare denied the opportunity tolearn employable skill s due to alack of capacity and programs atthe Aggie, the North Shore Techfacility in Middleton andPeabody Vocational HighSchool, a portion of whose pro-

Editorial - The Salem News, November 8, 2007 Nelson Benton, Editorial Page Editor

grams occupy dilapidated quar-ters in Higgins Middle School. Astudy committee has labored forthe better part of a decade to comeup with a proposal for a modern,career-oriented curriculum for1,400 students who would hehoused in a new, $140 millionfacil ity on the north side of theAggie campus near the intersec-tions of Routes 1 and 62 inDanvers.

"Sure it's expensive," Scanlonnoted; but without it, he added,"the future of this region is insome peril."

Ironically, that same morning,steps away from where Scanlonwas speaking in the main ball-room at the Danversport YachtClub, entrepreneur WilliamCummings was holding forth at aseminar on corporate philanthro-py. It's high-tech businesses likethose that occupy Beverly'sCummings Center that desperate-ly need workers with the kind ofskills - in computer science , envi-ronmental technology, biotech-nology, engineering and manyother fields - that would be taughtat the new institution tentativelynamed the Essex North ShoreAgricultural and TechnicalSchool.

Wayne Burton, president of NorthShore Community College andincoming chairman of the NorthShore Chamber of Commerce,sees the school becoming a modelfor vocational education in the21st century. He's especiallyexcited about the prospects forshared programs and servicesbetween the new school and hisinstitution located just up the hillfrom the Aggie campus.

He pointed out recently that forevery person with a doctorate atthe top rung of the state's biotechfi rms, there is a need for eight to10 technicians providing criticalsupport services. Those techni-cians will come from schools likehis and the new regional technicalhigh school.

If, as some claim, the participat-ing communities' share of con-struction costs can be limited tobetween 20 and 30 percent of thetotal, this is clearly a deal theycannot afford to let slip.

At a planning meeting on hiscampus last week, Burton notedthat the new high school couldrank among this generation'sgreatest legacies.

Certainly it's a matter of greatregional importance, because theabil ity of this area to attract newbusiness is linked inextricably tothe supply of qualified workers. Ifa Gloucester or Peabody is thriv-ing, so too wil l all the surround-ing communities. Conversely, ifone or more fails to prosper, theirneighbors' prospects will beequally dismal.drive.

North Shore Bank led the pack Wednesday morning by bringing in themost new members per team, per session. Shown in the photo are team-mates, Team Captain Peggy Pedro and Ray Dugdale, North Shore Bank.The 2007 Membership Drive brought in over 250 new members! Thankyou volunteers and corporate teams!

Over 100 Young Professionals attended the Young Professionals KickoffReception on Sept. 20th. Thank you to host Robert Simonelli, general man-ager, The Landing at Marblehead Harbor! Shown above networking are RyanSmith, Coastal Capital Group and Michelle Theriault, Soul Nourishment.

Shown greeting each other at the September Young Professionals Networkat The Landing at Marblehead Harbor are from l to r are: Tina Lambert andVictoria Spence, Sheraton Colonial Hotel & Golf Club, Christine Letterman,Equitous and Justin D’Aveta, Cummings Properties. Young Professionalsare the future workforce and the future of the Chamber!

Shown bringing in new members at the 2007 Membership Drive are incom-ing chairman, Dr. Wayne Burton (l), president, North Shore CommunityCollege, Malcolm MacLean, past chairman and partner in the law firm ofMacLean Holloway Doherty Ardiff & Morse P.C. and Dianne Palter-Gill,North Shore Community College. Thank you to all teams who participated!

Powerful North Shore Networking at the Speed of Business...Powerful North Shore Networking at the Speed of Business...

Shown at the October 31st Board of Directors Meeting of the North ShoreChamber of Commerce at North Shore Community College are from l to r:Bill Coughlin, Beverly City Councilor, Malcolm MacLean, MacLeanHolloway Doherty Ardiff & Mores P.C., Dr. Patricia Meservey, SalemState College, Dr. Wayne Burton, North Shore Community College andGreg Klemmer, Klemmer Associates. The meeting gave an overview ofthe need for a new regional technical vocational high school.

Network at the Speed of Business! Pausing for a picture at the 6-MinuteNetworking in October at The Lighthouse Port Room at the DanversportYacht Club are Kim MacElhaney, Dale Carnegie & Associates and MichaelGauthier, Eastern Building Services. Meet over 20 business contacts in onenight! Network with the best ... the North Shore Chamber of Commerce!

Members in the News...NORTH SHORE BANK - Local dignitaries joined representatives of North Shore Bank on Tuesday,October 23rd for a ribbon-cutting ceremony signaling the opening of the Bank’s new three-storyCorporate Headquarters and full-service branch office located at 248 Andover Street (Rt. 114) inPeabody. Among those attending the afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony were the Honorable MichaelBonfanti, Mayor of Peabody, North Shore Bank CFO George J. Sophinos and North Shore BankChairman Gary F. Cowles. They joined North Shore Bank Chief Executive Officer Francis J.McCormack and President and Chief Operating Officer David J. LaFlamme in welcoming residentsand businesses to the newest North Shore Bank office. The new 15,000-square-foot North ShoreBank building houses the Bank’s Administrative and Executive Offices, as well as their Commercialand Retail Banking Divisions. The full-service branch office is located on the ground floor and a drive-up teller and ATM is also available. The building was designed by DRL Associates, Inc., Architects.The contractor is TLT Construction Corp. According to LaFlamme, the present Peabody SquareBanking Office at 32 Main Street will continue to serve as North Shore Bank’s Main Office. It will alsohouse the Bank’s deposit and loan operations, information technology, and training functions.

THE DAZZLING DOT - a corporate and personal gift company based in Topsfield, is proud toannounce the opening of our newest location at the Cummings Center in Beverly. Now through theholidays, we invite you to stop in at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 250E on Wednesdays to enjoy freesamples, enter our raffle, and browse our exclusive selection of holiday gifts. For your convenience,we are also available by appointment. Please visit our new website at www.thedazzlingdot.com withnationwide shipping or call 978-697-4740 for more information.

ENDICOTT COLLEGE - On November 1, 2007, Endicott College opened its newest facility, The Inn atthe Richard E. Wylie Conference and Education Center, located on the College’s South Campus onHale Street (Route 127) in Beverly, Massachusetts. Designed to accommodate the overnight needs ofthose attending conferences and events on campus, the 92-room inn is also open to alumni, parents,and friends of the College. The opening of The Inn marks the final phase of the conversion of SouthCampus to a premier, oceanfront conference and education center.

NORTH SHORE MEDICAL CENTER - The new ambulatory care center being developed in Danversby North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) officially markedthe start of construction. At a kick-off event, more than 150 guests were invited to sign a constructionbeam that will become part of the permanent framework of the structure. The Mass General/NorthShore Center for Outpatient Care is a 122,000-square-foot outpatient facility and 80,000-square-footmedical office building, located at 100 Endicott Street. This sleek, modern facility will open in thespring of 2009 and offer more sophisticated services than any existing or proposed outpatient facilityin the region. The center will provide the latest in cardiac diagnostics, suites for outpatient and mini-mally invasive surgery, and advanced imaging services, as well as serve as the expanded home ofthe new MGH/NSMC Cancer Center, a comprehensive cancer care center. “This is an exciting stepforward for both North Shore Medical Center and Mass General,” said Robert Norton, President andCEO of North Shore Medical Center. “This new facility enables us to work more closely than ever withour MGH colleagues and provide people on the North Shore with the most advanced patient care inan accessible, comfortable environment.”

Thank You October Membership Renewals!A.C. Castle Construction Co. Inc.A.P. Vending & Amusement Company,Inc.ACS Development CorporationAffinity VideoNet, Inc.Ahmed Insurance Agency, Inc.AkinaAlfalfa Farm WineryAll Construction & Remodeling, Inc.Allied Technologies, Inc.American Laser CentersAssociated Home Care, Inc.Atlantic Network Services, Inc.Atlantic Weatherization, LLCAuthentic Identity, Inc.Bematek Systems, Inc.Bernard L. Donohue, III CPABeverly Hospital Hunt CenterBi-Con Services, Inc.Bill & Bob'sBishop Fenwick High SchoolBlue Monkey Graphics and Art DesignBody & Soul Massage and WellnessCenterBollywood GrillBresnahan & HorriganBrewer & Lord LLCBrigham's RestaurantBrookwood SchoolBrown & Brown, P.C.Business Development Corporation ofNew EnglandBusiness Systems Consultants, Inc.Cabinetry By Design, Inc.Cape Ann Waldorf SchoolCAS Bookkeeping ServicesCastagna Construction CorporationCastel, Inc.Cataldo Ambulance ServiceCBC Construction, Inc.Cerebral Palsy Association of EasternMA, Inc.Chet's Lock ShopCitizens BankClifford Enterprises, Web DesignCOCARDColumbia Insurance AgencyCreative CateringCurtis CabinetryCustom Seasonings, Inc.Dan Clasby & Company, CPA'sDanvers Community YMCADarmody, Merlino & Co., LLPDazzling DotDelta Electronics Mfg. Corp.DeScenza DiamondsDeschamps Printing Co., Inc.Di Valore Salon & Day SpaDon Corbett Real Estate Corp.Duffy Insurance Agency, Inc.Easi Self StorageEastern BankEastern Benefits GroupEconomic Stabilization TrustEdible ArrangementsEdward Jones

ElecCommElectric Insurance CompanyEndicott CollegeEnvironmental Compliance Services,Inc.EquitousEssex County Community FoundationEurostoves- The Culinary CentreExcelerate Energy L.P.Faulkner's CleansingFlagship TravelFlying Colors Apartment Painting, Inc.Fusion Holdings, LLCGable Realty TrustGAP Promotions, LLCGiant Glass Co., Inc.Giblee'sGranite State Development Corp.Greystone Services, Inc.Harvard Pilgrim Health CareHawthorne CommonsHealthassist CorpHeart of the RoseHighlands at DearbornHollis Manufacturing, Inc.Hospice of the North Shore, Inc.Hotwatt, Inc./LRCJ. Marchese & Sons, Inc.Jaro CorpJohn Bertram House, Inc.Kaloutas PaintingKathy Abbott Lactation ConsultantKeegan Werlin LLPKelly's Roast BeefKJD Services, Inc.Lahey Clinic North ShoreLDenny ConsultingLeslie S. Ray Insurance Agency, Inc.Lift Off Strategy & CreativeLSQ FundingLuso American Credit UnionLynn Shelter AssociationMack Realty GroupMahshid Mirghassemi, D.D.S., P.C.Martin J. Scafidi, P.C.Maximum MediaMeninno Construction Co., Inc.Merchant Services at EasternBank/NPCMichael J. EschelbacherMorin Fabricating, Inc.Net Atlantic, Inc.New Brothers Restaurant & DeliNorth Shore ArcNorth Shore Association of RealtorsNorth Shore Community ActionProgramsNorth Shore Elder Services, Inc.North Shore United Way, Inc.Northpoint Development & BrokerageNorthShore Kitchens Plus, Inc.Office ConceptsOlson Turf IrrigationOxford Global Resources, Inc.Peabody Supply Co.Pennoni Associates, Inc.

Phil W. Richard & Assoc. Insurance,Inc.Portland Natural Gas TransmissionSystemPortside Marine Service, Inc.PrimaxProject Consulting Services, Inc.Prova, Inc.R. Peter Avila, CPAR.A.I. Financial Services, Inc.Ransom Environmental ConsultantsRe/Max Village PropertiesRealty by the SeaRecycled Office Products Co. Inc.Red Rock Bistro & BarRiemer & Braunstein, LLPRight Stuff, Inc.Ronan, Segal & HarringtonRoom By RoomSafeguard Business SystemsSagan Agency RealtorsSalem FiveSalem Kitchen & Bath Studio &Creations WoodworkingSea Change EnterprisesSEA Consultants, Inc.Sharp-Linhart Financial StrategiesShawmut PrintingSheehan, Phinney, Bass & Green,P.A.Shuman & Epstein, LLC, CPA'sSiam DelightSiemasko + VerbridgeSnow Harbor GraphicsSousa Cleaning Service Inc.Stacey Design, Inc.Staffing Now, Inc.Summit Distributors, Inc.Sun N Air Golf CenterSwanzey Internet Group LLCTache Real EstateTarpey Insurance Group, Inc.The Ant & the Grasshopper, LLCThe Begley CompaniesThe Drumlin Group, Inc.The Essex Conference Center AndRetreatThe Fourth Trimester, Inc.The Granite GroupThe John Bertram House ofSwampscottThe McNiff Co., LLCThe ScrapbookTnK GroupTobin & Sons Moving & StorageTru Connector CorporationUnicco Service Co.US Ground Logistics, LLCVerrill Dana, LLPViceroy HomesWalnut Grove Cemetery Corp.Winning MovesWJJ Planning & Construction LLCZelloe & Weaver, LLC

Health Care Reform & Your Taxes The new law and DOR’s roleIn April 2006, Massachusetts enacted a first-of-its-kind health care reform law. The primary goal of thenew legislation was to significantly reduce the num-ber of uninsured individuals in the state by makingquality, affordable health care available to allCommonwealth residents. In this new environment ofexpanded access to health insurance, people whoremain uninsured would be unnecessarily and unfair-ly passing their healthcare costs to everyone else.Thus, to achieve near-universal health care coverage,the new law includes an “individual mandate,” whichrequires Massachusetts residents age 18 and older tohave health insurance if they can afford it.

As part of the new legislation, the CommonwealthHealth Insurance Connector Authority was estab-lished to provide overall administration of the healthcare reform law; however, the MassachusettsDepartment of Revenue has been charged with admin-istering the individual mandate though the stateincome tax returns. In this capacity, DOR has devel-oped Schedule HC, Health Care Information, whichtaxpayers must fi le with their Form 1 or 1-NR/PYshowing either proof of health insurance coverage orthat no affordable health insurance was available tothem.

Taxpayer responsibilities & penaltiesAs provided by the law, taxpayers will have to provethat they had health insurance coverage in effect as ofDecember 31, 2007, when they fi le their 2007 stateincome tax returns. Most taxpayers with privatehealth insurance, either purchased on their own orobtained through an employer, will receive a FormMA 1099-HC, Massachusetts Health Care Coverage,from their health insurance carrier. This form willcontain the information that taxpayers will need tocomplete Schedule HC. Taxpayers should not submitForm MA 1099-HC with their tax return, but retain itfor their records. DOR will verify an individual’s cov-erage, by matching the information reported on thetaxpayer’s Schedule HC with information providedby insurance carriers on Form MA 1099-HC.

Taxpayers should be aware that penalties will beimposed if they do not comply with the law. Thosewho cannot show that they have health insurance eventhough health insurance was deemed affordable willlose the tax benefit of their personal exemption ontheir 2007 Massachusetts income tax return (or one-half of the exemption amount if they file jointly).

Business responsibilitiesThe law also places certain responsibilit ies on busi-nesses to ensure that health insurance is accessible toas many individuals as possible. For more informationabout these requirements, including an EmployerHandbook and a list of Frequently Asked Questions,please visit the Health Connector’s website atwww.mahealthconnector.org. Employers may also e-mail questions to the Health Connector’s PublicInformation Unit at Connector@state.ma.us.

For more information about health care reform visit:www.northshorechamber.org/newhealthcare.html

North Shore Business Journal (USPS 004-783) is published

monthly, 12 times a year by N

orth Shore Chamber of

Com

merce. 5 Cherry Hill D

rive, S

uite 100; Danvers, M

A.

01923 Periodicals Postage Paid at D

anvers, M

A 01923.

POSTMASTER Send Address changes to North Shore

Business Journal 5 Cherry Hill D

rive Suite 100; Danvers,

MA 01923