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Newsletter |
February 2017
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The legislation to require that HVAC contractors obtain a refrigeration license has been re-filed for the 2017-18 session. The bill was filed by Rep. Nick Collins (D-Boston) as House docket # 3065.
Last session the legislation was sent to a study committee, effectively killing the bill. To kill the bill this session ACA/NE has again retained the services of Delaney & Associates, Inc.
ACA/NE is concerned that if the refrigeration bill passes, many HVAC contractors will no longer be able to do what they presently do every day and have done for many years without an additional license. Most residential and small commercial systems are limited to 5 tons or less and an exemption exists for work under 10 tons.
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Governor Charlie Baker Files Article 87 - Reorganization - Department of Public Safety
Governor Charlie Baker has filed "An Act to Reorganize the Department of Public Safety."
The Article 87 plan will transfer the functions currently within the Department of Public Safety to the Division of Professional Licensure and to the Department of Fire Services. According to a letter written by Governor Baker to the Massachusetts Legislature, "This will enable the Commonwealth to consolidate licensing functions currently split across several secretariats, thereby increasing efficiencies, eliminating redundancies, and improving customer service by creating one-stop shopping for the vast majority of license approvals. It should also save the Commonwealth approximately $800,000 in FY2018.
Specifically, this bill establishes an Office of Public Safety and Inspections to be housed within the Division of Professional Licensure, within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. It then transfers all of the non-fire-related functions of the Department of Public Safety to the Office of Public Safety and Inspections and the fire-related functions to the Department of Fire Services.
This bill would also change the distribution of agencies under the undersecretaries within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to more closely align with their areas of expertise."
In addition, the bill makes technical changes to reflect the transfer of functions, removes outdated references, and updates antiquated language.
Click here for the full text of Governor Baker's Letter.
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Ninth Edition of the
State Building Code
The
Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announce that it has received approval pursuant to
Executive Order 562 to convene public hearings to elicit testimony on a proposed new, Ninth Edition of the State Building Code (780 CMR).
The new code will be based on amended versions the following 2015 codes as published by the International Code Council (ICC).
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Boston Hot Work Safety Program Overview
Effective January 1, 2017, a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certificate number will be required when obtaining a Hot Work permit within the City of Boston and must be available onsite during hot work operations.
The Boston Hot Work Safety Certificate Program is part of a universal approach to reach all disciplines in the construction industry. The goal of the certificate program is to train all persons who are involved in any type of hot work on the safety procedures needed and the dangers involved while conducting or working around hot work. Each person involved in hot work operations will be required to complete training and earn a certificate number.
The Boston Fire Department (BFD) in partnership with the NFPA developed a curriculum that will help construction workers and all persons engaged in hot work operations, describe the various types of hot work; identify common fuel and ignition sources; cite relevant standards, regulations and ordinances that are applicable to hot work; define the duties and responsibilities of each person on the hot work team, and ensure that workers can read and understand a hot work permit.
As a result of the March 26, 2014 tragic fire on Beacon Street in Boston's Back Bay, which took the lives of Firefighter Lieutenant Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy, there has been a concerted effort to increase fire safety awareness and construction worker practices on job sites where hot work operations are being conducted.
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You Can Still Take Advantage of the Special Discount for the February 28th Conference.
Register today and pay only $75 per person for the full-day conference.
There are many reasons to attend the upcoming ACA/NE Conference on February 28, 2017.
The conference will offer workshops for technicians, owners, office and sales staff. In addition to the educational seminars, you will also have an opportunity to learn about pending legislative and regulatory issues that can affect your business.
Plan to attend the conference to learn more about:
The conference will be held at the Sheraton Tara Hotel, in Framingham, MA, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.
The technicians training sessions will include:
- Ventilation
- AC Check Refresher Training
- Mini Split Heat Pump Quality Installations
The management sessions will include:
- Storytelling in Business: How to Motivate, Inform & Inspire
- Training To Turbocharge Your Technicians
- Self Generating Leads for HVAC Sales People
Click here to download an invitation and registration form.
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and Tabletop Exhibitor Opportunity
There is still a few tabletop spaces available.
The $400 sponsorship fee includes the six-foot draped tabletop, sponsor sign, plus breakfast and lunch for two people.
In addition, sponsor attendees can attend any of the technical or management sessions.
Additional sponsor attendees can register for $75 per person
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Click here to download the vendor/exhibitor invitation and registration form.
Click here for the vendor/exhibitor online registration form.
Current Sponsors | Technical and Management Conference
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Welcome
New Members
Caron Heating & Cooling Inc.
25 Chuck Drive, Unit 4
Dracut, MA 01826
Phone: (978) 452-2766
Stacy Caron, Vice President
Contractor
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Daikin North America LLC
150 Presidential Way
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (603) 892-5480
Steve Smith, Sales Engineer
Distributor
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Obie Comfort Solutions
82 Herbert Street 1E
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: (617) 415-1522
Oberlan Rosa, Owner
Contractor
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Precision Heating & Cooling
23 Ferry St.
South Grafton, MA 01560
Phone: (508) 797-7422
Timothy Matatall, Owner
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Wednesday, April 28, 2017
The Air Conditioning Association of New England is holding a Career Fair and Trade Show at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, Massachusetts on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.
The Career Fair / Trade Show will run from
9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The goal for this event is to bring vocational and private career school students and future job seekers together with HVAC contractors and vendors, plus provide contractors with a chance to attend an educational code class and visit HVAC vendors at the Trade Show.
The Career Fair /Trade Show will provide students with an opportunity to explore the full spectrum of career opportunities within the HVAC industry, including contractors, distributors and manufacturers, all in one place and at one time.
ACA/NE believes that the job fair is a unique event, as it will provide the chance
for the New England HVAC industry to meet and interact with a substantial group of students and graduates. Plus, the event will provide an opportunity for relationship building between all sectors of the HVAC industry.
The ACA/NE Career Fair / Trade Show will provide a platform for both those who are looking for a new job, and for those who own businesses or companies that have positions open for new employees. The ACA/NE Career Fair / Trade Show will also increase awareness by career services staff, principals, guidance counselors, and teachers of the career opportunities available in the HVAC industry.
The schedule will be designed in several waves. During the first wave, vocational schools will attend an educational session. This will be followed first with visits to contractors, and then to vendors. The second wave will have private career schools following the same schedule. Then, ACA/NE will host a code class for contractors, and the program will conclude with a trade show.
Click here to download an invitation and registration form.
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Attention
ACA/NE
Members
I
f you have not yet done so, start taking
advantage
of your Service Roundtable benefits.
ACA/NE members now receive
FREE Associate Membership with Service Roundtable.
Your free Associate Membership with Service Roundtable includes
cash rebates from over 100 participating companies in the Roundtable Rewards Buying Group.
If you need to confirm that your company's membership is current,
For more information about Service Roundtable benefits,
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Contact ACA/NE
11 Robert Toner Blvd., # 234
North Attleboro, MA 02763
Phone: 508-839-3407 | Fax: 508-232-6005
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