Hampden Business Association

Minutes

Minutes of 01.04.2011 at Anglers Restaurant, Hampden, ME.

Topic: 2011 Tax updates and changes – Keith Bourgoin will update the HBA on the changes to the tax code for 2011.

HBA Updates:

Welcome to Hampden Bags

Town News

School News

Annual Dinner

“Kudos” to other Hampden Businesses

Other News and Notes

Vice President, Keith Bourgoin called meeting at 12:00pm.

-Thanks to Ken for covering lunch last month.

Annual Dinner: Need to form committee so it’s more coordinated.

Contact Keith or Ken. First meeting later this month

Hampden Bags: Getting sponsors & bag fillers

Contact Ken Hall with questions

Tax Code Changes: New Law in effect this year

$800 billion total cost

Extends provisions and introduces new items

Individual tax rates do not go up

Social security rates lowered from % 6.2 to % 4.2

Capital gains and dividend rates stay at 15%

Child tax credit extended $1000 up to 3 children

Bonus depreciation-machinery, etc, writing off machinery

-Can write off 100%

-State of Maine doesn’t comply with this

Energy Credits extended with new parameters

Estate Tax – max rate 35% w/5m exclusion

Unemployment – excluding some income ended

First Time Homebuyer ended

Town News- Dean Bennett:

Town meeting last week – thoughts:

-Dean- housing development structure

-Keith- town signs – Hermon vs. Hampden

-Susan- same as above

Time to implement results of BEAR Program

-action plan proposed to hire firm to help implement plan

Town is trying to relook at regulations and be flexible

Matt Arnett – create community that is appealing to current & new residents

-be more efficient

School News: January 18^th, meeting for re-use of old school

Meeting was adjourned at 1:10pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 10/05/2010 meeting at Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, Hampden, ME.

Updates:

HBA Bags – getting list of recipients and businesses to put materials in.

Sue Lessard – Town News:

-Taxes due tomorrow

-Comprehensive Plan meetings coming, all should take part

-BEAR program still moving, final draft to be received at Planning and Development meeting.

Shelby Wright - Guest Speaker - Maine Green Energy Alliance:

-Maine received $30 million for green programs

-Talk about our own issues with energy and ways to broaden scope

-Pace Ordinance Loan Program for people who don’t qualify for low-income assistance for energy efficient upgrades

*low interest, 20 year terms

*up to $15,000 to complete projects

*doing baseline survey to gauge interest in Hampden community and then implement programs

-Informational meeting at town office on October 28^th at 6:30 to find out more about program

-Send auditors to do an Energy Assessment and Development Plan to improve energy efficiency and get rebates and loans to do so.

-Audits run $300 to $500

-Permanent home improvements designed to last

Rick Lyons – School News:

-Invite HBA of a tour of the project

-www.sad22.us – can watch construction project

-Re-use of current Hampden Academy

*UMaine and EMDC will have presentations with ideas at Reeds Brook, October 20^th – initial meeting

-Student population up 2.1% this year.

President Ken White adjourned meeting at 8:30 AM

Respectfully submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 9/7/2010 meeting at Angler’s Restaurant, Hampden, ME

Meeting called to order at 12:10 by President Ken White.

Introductions

BEAR Program Review

-9/15 Town will be reviewing this-contact with any questions or suggestions (Ken White or Bill Najpauer)

-Took ideas and suggestions to implement a 10 year plan

Strategies Were Divided Into Five (5) Areas:

1. Zoning and Land Use
2. Development Review
3. Business Enhancement (HBA’s Responsibility)
4. Business Development
5. Municipal Services and Infrastructure

Highlights:

-Group that customizes plans for new businesses, or for business developers

-Simplifying review processes for expanding, signage, etc.

-Make business owners an active part of this review process and planning

-Being productive on issues before they become too much to handle

Q/A on BEAR presentation:

-Where are things at? Need to consider best interests of the tax payer.

-Try to focus on existing businesses, not just new business

Review Team Video- handed out with business owner’s personal experience

Welcome to Hampden Bags:

-In process of being completed

-Bring items for bags to Anglers

Town News:

-Comprehension plan submitted to state council

-Need to develop plan to implement this

-Would like to invite business owners from district to discuss

Rick - School News:

-Good opening of school year

-Around 2,200 children, up 2% of goal

-Mindful of potential school budget deficiencies

School Construction Report

-Webcam up on district website showing progress

-Most, if not all, subcontractors from Maine

-Should be completed by school year 2012

Ken White:

-Letting each other know if they refer someone

-Another successful Hampden Community Blood Drive, around 40 pints of blood

-Thanks to Edwards & Anglers for their help

Meeting was adjourned at 1:25pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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H B A

Hampden Business Association

May 4, 2010

Monthly Minutes

Meeting commenced at 12:10

Bob Brown of CPA Solutions, LLC gave a presentation on Fraud

1. Touched on who is most likely to discover
2. Who is most likely to commit
3. What can be done to prevent
4. Answered various questions from the members

Annual Dinner Update

1. Scheduled for May 19^th at 5:00 (Spectacular Events Center)
2. So far 8 Platnium and 3 Gold sponsorships
3. Would like to have all invitations back be next weeks

Town Business

1. Comp plan is moving accordingly
2. BEAR program
  1. 70% of business visits have been done
  2. Should be nearing completion within two weeks.

Officer Elections

Motion made by Dana Edwards for Ken White to be President

Seconded by Keith Bourgoin

All in favor

Motion made by Ken White for Keith Bourgoin – Vice President

Seconded by Dana Edwards

All were in Favor

Motion made by Ken White for Josh Howes – Secretary

Seconded by Dana Edwards

All were in Favor

Motion made by Ken White for Dewey Martin – Treasurer

Seconded by Dana Edwards

All were in Favor

Next Scheduled meeting will be in September 2010

Meeting Adjourned at 1:05

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 4/6/2010 meeting at MSFCU, Hampden, ME

Meeting called to order at 7:30am by President Ken White.

Andre Cushing presents today’s guest

Peter Mills – Republican candidate for governor.

*has been working on bill for years for business development

*Increasing venture capital investment

*Eliminate high income tax

*involve state to create funding agency by borrowing money and investing in various business ventures, conditioning the money to use money that creates jobs invests Maine into the equation by presenting incentives

*State will guarantee 80% of loss over time to investors

Q/A – Your plans to help small business?

*Being republican gives power to veto if elected

*business community is outweighed by special interest groups

*Vagueness in a lot of bills hinders business process

*Need balance in government, it is too partisan now

*Too many educators in government affecting votes on anything affecting education

Biggest Issues?

*Budget – Medicare – Matching proceeds dropping down to 2/1 in July 2011

*1 or 2 cents sales tax

*Pension – 1 cent sale tax in July 2011

He is only candidate w/experience in govt.

Social services is in business of selling services (food stamps, etc..)

Need more business people in government.

Reward for delivering what the tax payers need and want.

Ken White-

Welcome to Hampden Bags update – April 16^th goal for supplies.

HBA Dinner – update selection committee has selected Garry Gilpatrick businessperson of the year

May 19^th dinner @ spectacular events center

Nominations – will email

Dean - Town news

Bill – BEAR update

Hand out surveys and meet to talk with business owners

Participation is helpful for policy development and implementation

Rick – School News

Phase 1 is just about completed - on schedule

Phase 2 about to start, optimism is that bid is lower than expected

Meeting was adjourned at 8:36am.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 03/03/2010 meeting at Anglers, Hampden, ME

Meeting called to order at 12noon by President Ken White @ Anglers Restaurant.

Dan Bennett – Day 1 of Business Retention Program

Help determine what businesses need to continue to develop

Homeless shelter – homeless hike update -sponsoring update etc.

Welcome Bags – up to 100 items by 15^th of March

Current supply is out

Promo DVD coming about Angeler’s experience w/Hampden

Renaissance Planning – Bill & Sarah

*Analyze strengths & weaknesses & develop strategies for continuing to develop business

*Having 3^rd party helps with pressure

*Door to door surveys to gather information and other methods (website, phone, etc)

*Communicate results & torn ideas into action steps

*Retain these into personal plans for business and business take it from them for approval from town.

*will get word out about HBA in the press etc.

Junior Achievement - Volunteers working with schools to teach children

about business, wide range of topics

*Looking for volunteers for schools

*Need sponsorship for materials etc.

*they do fundraising etc. as well

Others – Maine Restaurant Week – 3 course meal. $20.10 $1.00 goes to HAMA March 1^st – 10^th

Little league sponsors - $350.00 a year 2 year commitment.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 02/02/2010 meeting at MSFCU, Hampden, ME

Meeting called to order at 7:30am by President Ken White.

Meeting called at 7:30am – introductions:

*HBA Updates:

Welcome to Hampden Bags

HBA Dinner

Town News

School News

Other News and Notes

*Andre Cushing introduced guest speaker Steve Abbott, Republican Candidate for Governor

*Governor should understand Eastern Maine’s problems

*Restatement between the two “Maine’s” Southern vs. Rest of State

1. Run government better, 2. Consolidate size of government,

3. Articulate vision for future

Steps:

Bring in good people to work with
Review laws that affect business
top out bottom audit for state spending
Change way of budgeting(zero-based budgeting) evaluate programs & support programs that are working
Line item veto. Currently can be override by majority vote

*A real one can knock out parts of bills.

Maine Vision 2020: 10 year look ahead instead of typical 2 year vision

*Leverage assets we have for future endowers

*East/west highway for future Canadian shipments

Q/A: Potential Markets – Indoor Agriculture

*Energy – Canadian Energy should be part of solution, but need to increase ability for local energy (wind, etc)

*Solar can be a piece, as well as tidal

*Bio diesel could be very important

*need variety

*Education – Prefers not to cut education but make more efficient

*Need good higher education programs

*Social services – room for cuts, benefits well above national average.

*Medical school – good idea for partnership w/ larger area school.

- may help with attracting specialists, etc.

*Welfare Problems – promoting generational welfare

*push people back into workplace

*welfare on day 1 not good

*Economic – starts at home, protect existing businesses, then create environment for new business to start

Updates

Welcome to Hampden Bags: Need items

HAS Dinner: Nomination for coming soon

Town News: BEAR program vote coming soon for consultant (topic for March Meeting)

*Reinvest in Cold Brook Rd.

*Look at BEAR and what it means to your business

*ordinates, zoning nest phase after business

School News: Welcomed two teachers with national certification

*Phase 1 of new school site almost complete

*seeking bids for Phase 2, could be over 20 bids

*442,000 going to be lost in state subsidy

*collective bargaining agreement reached (no bare increase in pay)

*Disadvantage because other contracts are going up

Other News:

HAMA – Event raise 2,000 for trip

Blood Drive – 1^st event 78 pints and 2^nd 43 pints, last event 52 pints

Next one sometime in April

BAHS Walt Couples – Shortage of housing

Budget being out quite a bit, Hamden Academy helping a lot

April 10^th is the hike

HBA for help?

Need concert in Orono for hike

Meeting was adjourned at 8:45am.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 12/01/2009 meeting at Maine Savings FCU, Hampden, ME

Meeting called to order at 7:30 AM by President Ken White.

Brainstorming for new events

*Winter Carnival

*Discount Cards

Question – What is the goal for HBA?

*Advertisements

*Annual meeting & welcome bags are implemented already. (needs more people)

*Put a list of businesses into bag.

*Getting them out en lieu

*Go to new residents

*connect with realtors about giving them out at closings.

*increase business referrals

January – welcome to Hampden Days (get it started again)

*community maps - revamping maps and starting again.

*e-mail list of businesses.

*Getting bags to realtors to distribute purchase & sales agreement.

How to get people that already live here?

*Ads in Edge

*Put notice in tax bills

*Put HBA or MSFCU site

Next Meeting first Tuesday in January – 5^th @ Anglers 12 p.m.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:44AM by President White

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 11/03/2009 meeting at Fresh Ginger, Hampden, ME

Meeting called to order at 12:00 PM by President Ken White.

Presentation of Past President’s Plaque

President White started our meeting off with a presentation of the Past President’s plaque to previous President Perry Speaker.

Tom Gallant: Swine Flu preparation for businesses.

Tom Gallant from Eastern Maine Development Corporation was at our HBA meeting discussing the H1N1, or Swine Flu and the steps businesses should be doing to prepare for a possible outbreak within a business.

Key notes of this discussion were protecting workers, using common sense with covering sneezes and coughs, and staying home if sick. Businesses should plan ahead for shortages, be more flexible with sick policies, hiring temporary workers, and cross training to plan ahead.

President White concluded the meeting with some quick updates that school construction is underway, and having future discussions on the HBA’s involvement with businesses in Hampden.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:25 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 10/6/2009 meeting at Maine Savings FCU, Hampden

Meeting called to order at 7:30 AM by President Ken White.

Legislative Update-Rep. Andre Cushing

Rep. Cushing was gracious enough to give us a representative update, including the fallouts of the economy in our area, stressing how obligations, and spending are outweighing revenue, and the need to restructure priorities and spending. The new election will make a huge impact on the direction of the economy.

Rep. Cushing and Senator Plowman both went on to discuss the upcoming ballot questions this November, with a preview of each question and it’s implications on our community. Highlights include the possible $600,000 loss in revenue with a YES on Question 2, and that Question 6 is a budget-friendly amount of money for our Department of Transportation improvements, and will prevent larger-scale problems with roads, etc. in the future. Cushing concluded, praising Hampden’s school system, and the fact that we have about 6 months of reserves in case of further economic troubles down the road.

Town News-Dean Bennett

Dean Bennett gave us a quick town update, noting that Eastern Maine Development Corps will be conducting surveys on regional development, and not to confuse it with Hampden’s own town development that will be ongoing.

President White concluded with other news, including a flu clinic at Edward’s, and a Halloween Party hosted by Public Safety. The next meeting was announced to be on target for election day, November 3^rd @ Angler’s restaurant.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:01 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

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Hampden Business Association

Minutes of 9/1/2009 meeting at Fresh Ginger

Meeting called to order at 12:05 PM by President Ken White.

President White reminded everyone of the HBA website www.hampdenbusinessassociation.com, and to sign up and link their business, and also the possibility of adding the HBA to such social networking sites as facebook, twitter, etc.

It was mentioned that the Hampden Business Association were looking for a new nominee for HBA Secretary. It was passed that Josh Howes would serve as new HBA Secretary.

Dean Bennett gave us an update on town news, including the preparations for the town plan to be done this fall and presented to the HBA by December for feedback on it’s impact on business, and any issues or obstacles noted. He also noted goals for the town include economic development, business retention, and keeping jobs and business open by increasing competitiveness with other towns.

Emil Genest gave us an update on school news. Enrollment is up, and September 9^th will be the upcoming groundbreaking for new school to be completed by September 2012, and that Hampden was 1 of 4 “High Performing” schools in Maine. Also mentioned was the possibilities of merging Newburgh into the SAD 22 system, as well as Frankfort, which would boost the school system financially.

President White concluded with his thanks and support, and mentioned an HBA plaque for the past president would be introduced in the future.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM

Respectrully Submitted,

Joshua Howes

Hampden Business Association
P.O. Box 155
Hampden, ME 04444
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