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MALSCE News

A monthly Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and

Civil Engineers member newsletter



August 2023

2022-2023 MALSCE Sustaining Members: Allen & Major Associates, Inc., Beals and Thomas, Inc.,

Bluesky Geospatial Limited, Brennan Consulting, Inc.,  BSC Group, Inc., CHA, Coastal Engineering Co. Inc., Crocker Design Group, DiPrete Engineering Associates, DGT Associates, Eastern Topographics,

Feldman Geospatial, Field Resources, Inc., GM2 Associates, Inc., Hancock Associates,

Maine Technical Source, Moran Surveying, Inc., Nitsch Engineering, R.J. O'Connell & Associates, Inc., Samiotes Consultants Inc., Spiller's, Topcon Solutions Store, VHB, Inc., Waypoint Technology Group, WSP

MALSCE President's Message

By Ken Conte, PLS, Principal, Beals and Thomas, Inc., and MALSCE President


Dear Members of MALSCE,


Summer vacation-time has arrived, and we are beginning the early planning for our 2024 MALSCE Convention in March. This installment of my President’s Message will focus on our activities in preparation for next year’s convention and the successful conclusion to one of our recent undertakings. ... Read more

MALSCE Events

MALSCE Proprietors' Council Luncheon Meeting

Limited Seating Available; Register Today!


Friday, September 8, 2023

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Aldrich Center at TEC, One Walnut Street, Boston, MA 02108


Moderator:

Michael A. Clifford, PLS

Co-founder and Principal, DGT Associates and MALSCE Proprietors’ Council Chair


Join MALSCE Proprietors’ Council Chair Mike Clifford for the first of four Proprietors’ Council luncheon meetings planned for the current fiscal year. Continuing to discuss business issues and MALCE undertakings, agenda items for this meeting include:

  • Pulse of Business
  • Legacy Survey Records - Retention and Business Advantages
  • Surveyor Outreach to Allied Professionals
  • Public Outreach & Workforce Development
  • MALSCE President’s Update
  • Developing a Council-Sponsored Best Practices MALSCE Website Landing Page
  • Learning Opportunities for Survey Crew Members & Technicians
  • Future Council Meetings & Sponsoring a Convention Session


Click here to learn more and register.

What Railroad Records Are Available

at the National Archives?


Friday, September 15, 2023

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Zoom Video Webinar


Speaker:

David A. Pfeiffer, Lead Researcher, David Pfeiffer Research Service


This webinar will provide a description of what railroad records are available at the National Archives. When Mike Sullivan retired from “Iron Horse” three years ago and PanAm decided not to replace him, area surveyors lost a great resource for finding all sorts of records for Boston & Maine Railroad in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and other parts of New England. Since then, MALSCE leaders have been looking for other possible information sources and have found the one person who probably knows more about the railroad records at the National Archives than anyone else.


David will familiarize the participants with the Valuation Act of 1913 and the subsequent activities of the Interstate Commerce Commission’s (ICC’s) Bureau of Valuation. David will cover the different series of valuation records at the National Archives, their relationship to land surveying, and the procedures concerning access to these records. 


Click here to learn more and register.

MALSCE News

Renew Your MALSCE Membership Today


The MALSCE Board of Directors would like to thank all MALSCE members who have paid their fiscal year 2024 dues since receiving their July invoices. Prompt payment of your dues ensures that you continue to receive the numerous benefits that MALSCE has to offer through June 30, 2024. These include membership in the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) for a nominal fee; discounted registration fees for MALSCE-sponsored programs; invitations to discussions during which you can engage and learn from your peers; opportunities to have input on legislative and regulatory matters impacting the land surveying and civil engineering professions; and periodic email communications that keep you informed about your chosen profession.

 

Second dues invoices are being emailed in the next week. If you do not receive or retain your MALSCE dues invoice or have any questions, please email malsce@engineers.org.

Become a MALSCE Sustaining Member


There is still time to become a 2023-2024 MALSCE Sustaining Member. The enrollment period for this popular program is ongoing. Promote your organization to over 400 MALSCE members and demonstrate your support of the land surveying profession by renewing your Sustaining Membership or by becoming a MALSCE Sustaining Member today! For $525, your organization can become a Sustaining Member for the 2024 fiscal year as well as the 2024-2025 Sustaining Member renewal period which lasts until fall 2024.


Click here to learn about the benefits and how your organization can become a sustaining member.


Already a Sustaining Member? Dues renewal invoices were recently emailed to current Sustaining Members. If you did not receive an invoice or have questions about your organization's dues, email malsce@engineers.org.

Join the MALSCE Proprietors' Council


Join the growing list of MALSCE members who represent their company as a member of the MALSCE Proprietors' Council. You will have the opportunity to work with leaders from across the Commonwealth to help define the direction of MALSCE. There are also opportunities to hear from clients and bounce ideas off of peers regarding staffing, business opportunities, marketing and sustainability in our industries.


Click here for a list of Proprietors' Council members and learn how you can join the Proprietors' Council.

MALSCE Government Affairs Update August 2023

 

Click here for Government Affairs activities and news for MALSCE members. Learn about the $56B state budget that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed into law on August 9, as well as the $375M transportation bond bill that she signed on August 4.

Join the MALSCE Public Awareness Committee

 

The recently reconstructed MALSCE Public Awareness Committee is charged with promoting the general recognition and acceptance of the practice of land surveying and survey engineering and stimulating a greater interest in public perceptions affecting the profession. Committee chair David Prince, PLS, from WSP, has been holding regular meetings and member of the committee have made several visits to promote a career in land surveying to secondary school students.

 

To see a full committee description, click here. If you would like to volunteer to serve on the committee, email David Prince at david.prince@wsp.com.

Donate to the MALSCE Education Trust


The MALSCE Education Trust is a 501(c) (3) organization that invests in students and educators for the future of the land surveying and civil engineering professions. Current initiatives include the annual MALSCE Education Trust scholarships, ongoing support for the University of Maine Surveying program, and funding for annual high school Trig-Star competitions. Donations to the MALSCE Education Trust make these and other undertakings possible and available for you and future professionals. Please consider contributing today! 


MALSCE members' recently-mailed annual dues packet includes a donation form that you can send back with your donation check, or click here to donate online.

Job Board



Looking to promote a job to MALSCE members? Click here to learn more about posting on the MALSCE job board.

Surveying Education Opportunities

Upcoming Courses at Franklin Cummings Tech


Franklin Cummings Tech offers online courses for people currently working in the land surveying field. All classes are held online, in the evenings, to accommodate working adults.

Massachusetts Statutes and Regulations and Surveying and Geomatics II are the two courses planned for the fall. These are scheduled to start September 5. Click here for more details, including course descriptions and schedule.

Look to MALSCE News for information on available surveying education opportunities. UMaine has several different surveying degree and certificate programs available online, click here to learn more. Other universities with online surveying and geomatics program options include Idaho State University and New Mexico State University. 

NSPS News

Check Out "Surveyor Says" NSPS' Podcast

 

Want to hear from the movers and shakers of the surveying profession? Each week, NSPS brings you conversations with the trendsetters and difference-makers that are helping to shape the world of surveying. Your host, NSPS Executive Director Tim Burch, sits down with various personalities to discuss all things surveying, all bundled in a 30-minute conversation.


Listen to this recent episode to hear Tim speak with Lem Morrison, adjunct assistant professor at New York City College of Technology and business development lead for GdB Geospatial, talk about our deteriorating infrastructure, housing shortfalls, and why surveyors should pay attention to opportunities in the development, construction, and implementation of renewable energy. 


Become a Certified Survey Technician

 

No matter what the future holds, prepare to meet challenges head on. Future-proof your resume by becoming a Certified Survey Technician (CST). This unique four-level certification program indicates official recognition by NSPS that a person can perform surveying tasks at a specific technical level. Show what you can do! Decide between the field or office track. Click here for more information.

Affiliate Association Events

CALS 2023 Golf Tournament

 

Monday, September 11, 2023

Grassy Hill Country Club

441 Clark Lane Orange, CT 06477

12:30 PM - 7:30 PM


Click here to learn more and register.

NHLSA Fall Quarterly Seminar and Business Meeting

 

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Eagle Mountain House Golf Club

179 Carter Notch Road, Jackson, NH 03846


Join NHLSA for four case study seminars followed by committee meetings and their quarterly business meeting!


Click here to learn more and register.

2023 VSLS Conference

 

Friday, October 6, 2023

Killington Resort, 228 East Mountain Road, Killington, VT 05751

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM


Join VSLS for their annual conference, which will include three two-hour seminars!



Click here to learn more and register.

MSLS Fall Meeting & Golf Tourney

 

Friday, October 6, 2023

Spring Meadows Golf Club

29 Lewiston Road, Gray, ME 04039



Keep an eye out here for registration information.

MALSCE News is a monthly publication of the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers. This newsletter highlights the program and activities of MALSCE and reports on national and local matters of interest to land surveyors and civil engineers. While we cannot promise to print all news items that we receive, if you have one to share with your fellow MALSCE members please forward it to Rich Keenan at rkeenan@engineers.org.
Questions or comments?
Michelle Monette, MALSCE,  One Walnut Street, Boston, MA 02108, mmonette@engineers.org 
P: 617/227-5551 | F: 617/227-6783, www.MALSCE.org