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New England MCA / MSCA Annual Holiday Party
On the evening of Friday, December 17th members and associate members gathered at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in Boston for New England MCA/MSCA's annual holiday party. This is a lovely event offered to our members to celebrate the end of another successful year and a excellent time was had by all in attendence. Below are some of the highlights of the evening.
 | | New England MCA/MSCA Executive VP Stephen Affanato and wife Courtney Affanato. |
 Thomas Gunning of BTEA and wife Rosemary Gunning.
The staff at New England MCA / MSCA would like to thank all their members for their support throughout 2010 and extend best wishes to everyone for a happy and successful 2011!
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Students Take a Tour of the Local 537 Training Center
On Tuesday, November 16th Wentworth Institute of Technology and Northeastern University students took a tour of the Local 537 Training Center in Dorchester. Training Coordinator Tim Gilligan delivered a presentation to the students on behalf of the Pipefitters Local 537 Training Center. Tim briefly covered the history of the Local and the Training Center and gave an overview of the various classes, programs, and certifications that students acquire in this very demanding 5 year program. Tim commented on the fact that he has seen more and more college graduates and some with mechanical background apply for the program in recent years. After a question and answer session, the students were taken on a tour of the school that ended with a Welding demonstration in the shop area. A lunch was served as well. New England MCA, Wentworth and Northeastern would like to thank the staff of Local 537 Training Center for their time.
 | | Local 537 Training Coordinator Tim Gilligan speaks with Wentworth and Northeastern students. |
 | | Local 537 Training Instructor Paul McGrath speaks with Wentworth and Northeastern students and gives a welding demonstration below. |
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National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau
New England Chapter 13 Membership Meeting
On the evening of Wednesday, December 15th members of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau, New England Chapter 13, gathered at the Tavern at Granite Links Golf Course for their annual board and membership meeting. Many topics were covered including the election of officers, 2011 budget, the coming Annual Technical meeting in New Mexico and possible marketing strategies the chapter can use to increase membership. It was a very productive meeting with many ideas being discussed.
 | | ABOVE: Members of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau have a discussing during their annual membership meeting. From left to right - Mike Feldman, Ed Dolan, Frank Stefanick, Fred Williams and Bill Henry. |
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Helmets to Hardhats
Created in 2002 and administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment, Helmets to Hardhats connects transitioning active duty military, National Guard and Reservists to quality career opportunities in the construction industry. An inspirational video regarding this excellent program can be view on You Tube at http://youtu.be/B2vaFh7sK70 .
The program's website provides former military personnel with information about lucrative construction industry careers, federally approved apprenticeship training programs, and enables veterans to create an online profile that they can share with participating employers.
Employers must register to have access to the site, but once they do, they can advertise jobs and communicate with potential employees.
For more information about how to enhance your workforce with military skills, values and discipline, please contact Richie Eckler, Northeast Regional Director for Helmets to Hardhats at 781-420-6194 or visit their website through the below link.
Click below for Helmets to Hardhats website
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Associate Member News
 
Taco and Emerson - Swan Celebrate 75 years
Taco Inc (Cranston, RI) and Emerson-Swan Inc. (Randolph, MA) recently celebrated 75 years of business association together. The companies, both New England MCA Associate Members, have been associated since 1935. The relationship began three years after Emerson-Swan started out and 17 years after the start of Taco Inc. (formerly Thermal Appliance Co.). Taco CEO John Hazen White Jr. presented Emerson-Swan CEO Joe Swan with a large Thank You card signed by nearly every Taco employee. Taco also sponsored a barbecue lunch for the employees of Emerson-Swan in Randolph.
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The New Massachusetts "Prompt Pay" Law
In November Corwin and Corwin LLP released a presentation detailing the particulars of the new "prompt pay" law.
You may view this presentation on our website by clicking on the below graphic.
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Industry News
Green Building Grows Despite Hard Times McGraw-Hill recently published a special report titled Green Outlook 2011. The report points to green buildings as one of the industry's fasting growing sectors. From 2008 to 2010 green construction starts increased 50%. McGraw-Hill estimates that green building projects will account for one third of all new non-residential construction starts going forward. They also predict that the non-residential green building market will triple by 2015. One other prediction is that green retrofit and renovation will increase to $18 billion during the same time.
Employers Brace for Big Health Care Hikes
Several health insurance brokers are reporting that large employers will see health care insurance costs increase between 12% and 20% for 2011. Tufts Health Plan reports an average increase of 10%. Harvard Pilgrim reports an increase between 8% and 12%. Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA reports an increase of 8% to 12%. Employers switching to less costly plans will see smaller increases. A recently released employer survey found that Massachusetts premiums are 21% higher than the national average. Gov. Patrick has instructed health plans to create limited networks for small businesses.
Builders and Bankers Have Differing Views
While builders anticipate a better lending climate, some area banks are struggling with construction and development loans. At the end of September, area banks reported $3.77 billion in construction loans. 8.4% of these loans were classified as not making good on original terms laid out by the bank. On the other side, area builders anticipate an uptick in construction loan activity. Their feeling is that the banks have to start lending again at some point seeing a gradual return in demand for construction. Some site a small surge in new school construction as a means of getting through the otherwise difficult times. Some builders site the need for contractors to migrate into the public construction sector and other sectors that they would not traditionally compete in. Stating that this is a key to getting through the tough economic conditions.
$10 Million Energy Monitoring Project Begins
The Commonwealth of MA has contracted with EnerNOC Inc. to install $10 million in energy monitoring equipment in 410 state buildings. Once the equipment starts providing data, building managers can start to investigate ways to improve energy efficiency. The project involves installation of 1200 meters that will monitor electric, natural gas, oil, steam and water usage over a total of 17.2 million square feet of building space.
New Law for Federal Building Personnel
S 3250 - The Federal Building Personnel Act, was recently passed by Congress and awaits signature by the President. The new law, supported by MCAA and MSCA, requires federal employees and contractor personnel to be properly trained to operate, maintain and service high performance federal buildings. All UA Joint Apprenticeship Training Programs are qualified to provide this training.
OSHA and Safety Related News
The construction directorate of OSHA lists promulgation of a compliance directive for the cranes and derricks regulation as a top priority for the coming year. OSHA was hoping to have the directive in place when the rule took effect November 8, but stated that the size of the regulation made this difficult. Under the rule, employers must ensure that towers are inspected before they are erected, provide certification for crane operators by a third party and limits the use of cranes and derricks near power lines.
New England recorded an historic low for workplace fatalities in 2009. The census reported 134 fatal work injuries; the lowest level since reporting began in 1992. State rankings highest to lowest are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Size of workforce greatly affects the numbers. These numbers are workforce wide and not specifically attributed to construction.
New Energy Rules Concern Boston Builders
New, tougher energy-efficiency rules will be adopted by the Boston City Council. The rules would require new homes and commercial buildings to be designed to consume 20% less energy than those built under current standards. Heating and cooling equipment would need to incorporate more advanced technology that promotes energy efficiency. MA Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles stated "Massachusetts is in a leadership position on this, and it's going to drive a lot of job creation in the green-building sector." Some developers argue that two sets of codes will create confusion among contractors and building inspectors.
MA Task Force Shows Progress
A MA Task Force created two years ago to crack down on employers misclassifying workers and violating wage laws reported recovering $6.5 million in revenue in a 12 month period. About $2 million came from unpaid unemployment insurance. Another $1.9 million came from employers who do not purchase workers' compensation insurance. Other revenue came from recovery of unpaid taxes and insurance payments. In its first year, the Task Force recovered over $1.4 million.
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 The Construction Institute Winter 2010 - 2011
Course Schedule
OSHA 10-Hour Construction January 10th & 12th - Dorchester
Industry Outreach Course
Registration Online at - www.builtbest.org |
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New England MCA / MSCA
2011 Education Schedule
February 10, 2011 - Principles & Practices of Project Scheduling - Dr. Awad Hanna
April 14, 2011 - Written Communication Skills for Project Managers - Kathy Crosby
June 9, 2011 - Evaluating Financial Performance of Service Operations for Service General Managers - Service Sales General Managers and Controllers - Steve Smith
September 15, 2011 - LEED Green Associate Preparatory Training - David Hubka
November 29, 2011 - Managing Your Subcontractors - John Koontz
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MCAA's Internship Program
For those contractors who are planning to hire a student intern from our Northeastern and Wentworth student chapters this coming Summer of 2011, it should be noted that the deadline for submitting applications to MCAA for student internship grant funds is May 15, 2011. For more information you
may call our office at 781-740-0414, visit the MCAA website
at http://www.mcaa.org/careers/Internship/ or contact Ann Mattheis at amattheis@mcaa.org. |
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Officers Officers
Michael DelleFave - President John Canavan - President
Fredric Dori - Vice President Michael Grinnell - Vice President
Steven Kenney - Secretary Michael DiMattia - 2nd Vice President
Michael Mahoney - Treasurer Troy DiNapoli - Past President
Peter Comeau - Past President
Directors Directors Robert Bolton Edward Marks Patrick Clifford David O'Brien Troy DiNapoli Robert Poirier Jr. Peter Comeau Mike Picariello Michael DiMattia David Raposa Chet Holt Karl Veazie Robert Gallagher Michael St. Martin Mac Lynch John Welch David Gernux Anthony Victor Frank Norton Brian Lynch
Executive Committee Mac Lynch Frank Norton Robert Silvia |
Officers
William Henry - President
Edward Marks - Treasurer
Fred Williams - Tech. Representative
Stephen Affanato - Secretary
Directors
Robert Gilligan Charlie Shaw
Mac Lynch Robert Silvia |
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"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to
keep it all the year."
Charles Dickens
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25 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 202
Hingham, Massachusetts 02043
Phone: 781-740-0414
Fax: 781-740-0419
Email: irene@nemca.org |
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