ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OPERATION: NEXT CHAPTER
November 20, 2024
To the Chamber Membership,
After nearly 20 years of dedicated service to the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber, our Executive Director, Judy Sullivan, has announced her plans to retire effective June 30, 2025.
Judy's vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment have shaped our Chamber into the vibrant and thriving organization that it is today. Her love and dedication to Old Saybrook and surrounding area has been made evident every day, helping to make this slice of Connecticut the wonderful place that it is!
Over the next several months, we will celebrate her remarkable contributions while ensuring a smooth transition in leadership. Thank you for your continued support during this important time for our Chamber and community.
Stay tuned for details on upcoming events to honor her legacy and next steps for the Chamber.
Thank you,
Dave Carswell Chamber President Kara Pachniuk Chamber President-Elect 2025
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A PRESIDENT CIRCLE MEMBER HERE!
EVENT INFO EVENT INFO
First Thursday Business Connection
Members have an opportunity to introduce themselves and their business/organization. Meetings are moderated as attendees briefly explain their business.
By reservation, 3 members may have a 3minute spotlight to share their business!
Registration Required!
Walk down Main Street and fill it with merry little treats and gifts from participating shops. Get in the spirit of shopping local by browsing around our supportive, local, businesses!
05 DEC 07 DEC 08-14 DEC
Purchase a $5 stocking at the Chamber Office starting Wednesday, December 4th.
Holiday Events: Stocking Walk Holiday Events:
06 DEC 07 DEC 13 DEC
Location: Main Street, Old Saybrook
The holiday hunt is ON! Get your "Elf Passport" checklist to find all the hidden elves inside participating businesses. Each elf found is one entry to win a sleigh of prizes donated by the local businesses!
Shop employee must sign participants passport when elf is found to be qualified. All passports must be returned by December 15.
Join us at 4:00 pm at The Essex as we kick-off this great evening on Friday, December 6. Participating stores stay open to 8:00 pm to give you all the time you need to find the best holiday gifts.
Holiday Events: Ladies Night Saybrook Starlight Festival
Celebrate the season during the Saybrook Starlight Festival, a day of festivities and fun activities to kick off the holidays!
Location: Old Saybrook Town Green
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Holiday Events: Festive Friday
Get your holiday shopping done in Old Saybrook! Participating shops, restaurants, and businesses will be open for late night shopping and festive fun.
Keep the cheer here in Old Saybrook and other local towns!
Location: Main Street, Old Saybrook
14 DEC
A one of a kind parade consisting of Fife and Drum Corps from all over New England as well as floats designed by local businesses. The parade gets its name from the torches that are carried by the marchers.
Those who stick around until the end will get to see the guest of honor, Santa Claus!
20 DEC
CHAMBER MEETINGS CHAMBER MEETINGS EVENT INFO (CONT.) EVENT
Members have an opportunity to introduce themselves and their business/organization. Meetings are moderated as attendees briefly explain their business.
By reservation, 3 members may have a 3minute spotlight to share their business!
DECEMBER
Looking to grow your business or network?
The Greater Old Saybrook Chamber provides countless opportunities to individuals, businesses, and organizations to do just that! With meetings, events, digital and physical marketing opportunities, and more, members of our Chamber have a greater chance to thrive!
The Greater Old Saybrook Chamber has set a goal to celebrate its 85th year of service with 85 new members!
Help us reach this incredible goal by registering as a member or referring a business or organization!
Cheers to a night on Main Street dedicated for festive fun, special discounts, and of course... shopping! | DECEMBER 6TH 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us at 4:00 pm at The Essex as we kick-off this great evening on Friday, December 6. Participating stores stay open to 8:00 pm to give you all the time you need to find the best holiday gifts. All participating shops are listed below.
Bliss Spa - Cottage Flair - Driftwood - Earth & Fire Pottery Studio - Fine Fettle
Katey Walker Jewelry - Lisa Ludwig Art - Maven Salon - Maximus - Pearls & Plaid
Penny Lane Pub - Sweet Luna’s - Swell - The Essex - Where Memories Are Made
CLICK HERE! CLICK HERE!
LADIES STOCKING Night WALK
Trick or treating in December?! Yes, please! | DECEMBER 7TH
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Purchase a $5 stocking at the Chamber Office starting Wednesday, December 4th. We have 150 for presale and the remaining will be sold at the Chamber Office at 9:30 am on Saturday, December 7th (250 stockings total for sale).
Walk down Main Street and fill it with merry little treats and gifts from participating shops. Get in the spirit of shopping local by browsing around our supportive, local, businesses! All participating shops are listed below.
All the Single Kitties - Cottage Flair - Driftwood - Earth & Fire Pottery Studio
Essex Savings Bank - Fine Fettle* - Greater Old Saybrook Chamber*
Harbor Books - Maven Salon - Maximus Home Mirsinas Restaurant
Paperback Cafe - Penny Lane Pub - Saybrook Point Resort & Marina*
Sweet Luna’s - Swell - Torrison Stone & Garden* - Where Memories Are Made
ELFHUNT
The holiday hunt is ON!! | DECEMBER 8-14
Get your "Elf Passport" checklist to find all the hidden elves inside participating businesses. Each elf found is one entry to win a sleigh of prizes donated by the local businesses!
Get your passport signed by shop staff, complete it with your details, and return by December 15! Participating businesses are listed below.
All the Single Kitties - Cottage Flair - Driftwood - Earth & Fire Pottery Studio
Essex Savings Bank - Greater Old Saybrook Chamber - Harbor Books
Maxiums Home - Mirsina’s Restaurant - Myrcene Ale Co. - Paperbck Cafe
Penny Lane Pub - Salty Babes Salon - Sweet Luna’s - Swell
Where Memories Are Made - Wild Birds Unlimited of Old Saybrook
CLICK HERE! CLICK HERE!
FESTIVEFRIDAY
Keep the cheer here in Old Saybrook! | DECEMBER 13TH 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Get your holiday shopping done in Old Saybrook! Participating shops, restaurants, and businesses will be open for late night shopping and festive fun. Don't forget to enjoy the signature cocktails and specials all night during Sip of the Season! Participating businesses are listed below.
Bliss Spa - Cottage Flair - Driftwood - Earth & Fire Pottery Studio - Fine Fettle
Harbor Books - Katey Walker Fine Jewelry - Maven Salon - Maximus Home
Pearls & Plaid - Penny Lane Pub - Sweet Luna’s - Swell
Where Memories Are Made
CLICK HERE! CLICK HERE!
SHEILAMCKINLEY-BELL
Principal Consultant
Shoreline HR Consulting
Contact | (860) - 256 - 9881
ADDRESSING THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT
Welcome Back to ASK HR!
Whether you are an independent contractor / consultant or a small business, our ASK HR column will help answer basic but important questions regarding a variety of human resources-related topics. Sheila McKinley-Bell of Shoreline HR Consulting is here to help sort out these questions and find the simple answers that will clarify many business concerns whether working with one or many in your organization.
Question: Are there any other updates related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that will affect my business?
As a matter of fact, YES! A Nov. 15 federal court decision spared employers from having to comply with an increase in the salary threshold for white-collar exemptions from overtime, a threshold that had been set to rise to $58,656 annually as of Jan. 1, 2025. The July 1, 2024, increase of the salary threshold from $35,568 to $43,880 per year was also struck down.
That means the salary threshold for white-collar exemptions is effectively back to the 2019 overtime level of $35,568 annually ($684 per week).
Decision Applies Nationwide
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas vacated the overtime rule. In its ruling, which applies nationwide, the court criticized the rule’s rise in the salary threshold level as displacing the duties test for white-collar exemptions by being too steep.
In addition, the court struck down the automatic increases in the salary threshold every three years that the rule had set in place, finding that they violated the notice-and-comment period requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
Reclassify Employees Again?
It is not necessary, or recommended for employee relations reasons, for employers that bumped up a few employees’ salaries as of July 1 to lower their salaries now.
On the other hand, employees whose salaries remained below the July 1 salary threshold and who were reclassified from exempt to nonexempt status may be switched back to exempt
Employers will have to decide if reclassifying workers as exempt is best for its operations.
Conclusion
The attempt to update the FLSA indicated a significant shift in labor regulations aimed at improving wage fairness and ensuring that more employees receive appropriate compensation for their work. Despite this reversal, employers should review and adjust their practices to ensure fair treatment in the workplace.
I recommend exploring the www.DOL.gov website for further information.
Sheila can be reached online at:
sheila@shorelinehr.com or by phone at 860-2569881.
TRISH MASELLI
Founder
Clear Cut Accounting Services
Contact | (860) - 767 - 6899
info@clearcutaccountingservices.com
ARE YOU BAFFLED BY THE TAX CODE LIKE THE CHARACTERS IN THE CARTOON?
As a tax accountant that has been studying the tax code for many years, I am too! The IRS constantly updates and eliminates tax laws. If you haven’t heard Donald Trumps 2017 tax laws are expected to expire at the end of 2025. We haven’t heard if they are going to be renewed or not.
However, there are certain tax laws that have remain in place for businesses. Below are some common deductions and strategies.
1) Hiring an Accountant ensures proper financial record keeping and reduces stress.
2) Preparing a Budget can assist you in understanding your profit and loss statement and forecast your cash flow better.
3) Tracking Your Business Mileage can make a better business deduction than actual expenses.
4) Having a Business in the home might allow you to deduct a portion of your real estate taxes and utilities.
5) Choosing the wrong business structure can increase your taxes and personal liability insurance.
IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses assists you in determining which expenses are deductible for your business. IRS Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records outlines the different types of business entities. You also can find these expenses and other strategies in my recently released book, From Shoebox Accounting To Financial Success, 9 Strategies to Take Control Over Your Money on my website.
There are several ways to reduce your business taxable income as well. One of these ways is to contribute to a retirement plan such as a 401K, SEP or a traditional IRA. Retirement plans provide different tax benefits for you. Please check with either a tax accountant or financial advisor. I also will discuss retirement plans in my upcoming client letter. Please sign up for it on my website.
HOW TO ADVERTISE
Email alex@oldsaybrookchamber.com to secure your spot. The Chamber is always looking for graphic advertisements, articles, topics, and ideas. The Chamber Chatbook was created to provide readers with helpful Chamber and community information. Chapters are issued the second week of every other month. Deadline to submit advertisements or articles is the first of the issued month. Next Chapter releases in November 2024!
Advertisement Pricing: Business Card - $40
Banner - $75
Half Page - $100
Event Listing - $40
