MALSCE News
A monthly Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and
Civil Engineers member newsletter
March/April 2022
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MALSCE Sustaining Members: AirWorks Solutions, Allen & Major Associates, Inc.,
Beals and Thomas Inc., Bluesky Geospatial Limited, Brennan Consulting, Inc.,
BSC Group, Inc., Carlson Software, CHA, Coastal Engineering Co. Inc., DGT Associates,
Donovan Hatem LLP, Eastern Topographics, Feldman Geospatial, GM2 Associates, Inc.,
Hancock Associates, Maine Technical Source, Moran Surveying, Inc., Nitsch Engineering,
Samiotes Consultants Inc., Spiller's, Topcon Solutions Store, VHB, Inc., Winwood Sawmill
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Join us for the Thirteenth Annual Legal Perspectives
on Land Surveying Seminar!
Friday, May 6, 2022
7:30 - 8:00 AM Registration; 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Seminar
The Conference Center at Waltham Woods
For those who cannot attend in person, this program will simultaneously be presented as a Zoom Video Webinar.
Don’t miss this popular seminar examining legal issues impacting the land surveying profession. This year’s seminar will feature the same insightful analysis of recent legal interpretations of surveys by Massachusetts courts and related matters that is the hallmark of this program. Attorneys from Englander & Chicoine P.C. and other notable land use practitioners will discuss the following topics that will enable you to create a more effective survey, which may help parties avoid litigation or prevail on disputed claims. Learn why this is MALSCE’s most popular seminar year after year.
Click here to learn more about the topics being covered and to register.
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Western Massachusetts Chapter Meeting
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Morgan House Inn & Restaurant
33 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238
6:30 PM Cocktails, 7:00 PM Dinner
Join the Western MA chapter for cocktails and a dinner meeting featuring guest speaker Patricia Harris of the Berkshire Middle District Registry of Deeds!
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The 2022 MALSCE Convention a Great Success
After two years of virtual programs, MALSCE leaders held the 2022 convention in person at the DoubleTree by Hilton Leominster. A Convention Planning Committee, co-chaired by Ken Strom, Central Massachusetts Chapter president, and Ken Conte, MALSCE vice president, and staffed by other Central MA Chapter members and MALSCE leaders, was charged with the task of presenting this event. Thanks to the efforts of this group, after months of planning, the 2022 MALSCE Convention took place on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19 and attracted 112 participants. Feedback from the participants who responded to our request for input indicates that the convention was well-received.
Organized under the theme "Workforce Development and Attracting the Next Generation of Surveyors," the Convention featured nine general and concurrent sessions, sixteen exhibitors, plan and field notes contests, MALSCE Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony, and a reception and auction to benefit the MALSCE Education Trust.
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James L. Diorio, PLS Named
MALSCE Surveyor of the Year
James L. Diorio, PLS, recently retired from VHB, was named the recipient of MALSCE's prestigious 2021 Surveyor of the Year Award during the 2022 MALSCE Convention’s Annual Meeting. This award is annually presented to a professional land surveyor who has provided outstanding leadership for the profession.
The MALSCE Awards Committee, which selected the Surveyor of the Year, was chaired by Sean Ewald, PLS, from BSC Group, Inc., and comprised of fellow past Surveyor of the Year Award winners Paul Tyrell from STV, Inc., Paul Foley from Feldman Land Surveyors, and Ian Wisuri.
The Committee selected Jim Diorio in appreciation of his commendable support of MALSCE and contributions to the land surveying profession. Jim demonstrated a rare commitment to the future of surveying through his service as the Massachusetts Trig-Star Coordinator and participation in numerous MALSCE Proprietors’ Council discussions. Jim's high-quality work and history of training and mentoring surveyors serve as an example for those who aspire to leadership roles in our profession.
The tradition of selecting a Surveyor of the Year dates back to MALSCE’s early days. It allows the association the opportunity to honor and thank a leader who has been exemplary for his or her service to MALSCE, the profession and the community. You can see the names of the past award recipients on the MALSCE website.
Congratulations, Jim!
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Raymond J. Hintz, PLS, PhD, Given
MALSCE Presidential Citation
Raymond J. Hintz, PLS, PhD, of the University of Maine was the recipient of a MALSCE Presidential Citation during the 2022 MALSCE Convention. Presidential Citations are awarded annually by the MALSCE president to individuals who they feel have distinguished themselves by their contributions to MALSCE and/or the land surveying profession.
Ray received this award for his exceptional contributions to MALSCE and the land surveying profession as a professor of surveying engineering technology at the University of Maine and frequent presenter of MALSCE professional development programs. Ray's unwavering dedication to the teaching of emerging technologies is of great benefit to current and future professional land surveyors and the public that they serve.
Thanks Ray!
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MALSCE Congratulates Convention
Plan & Field Notes Contests Winners
The 2022 MALSCE Convention featured plan and field notes contests where participants were invited to submit plans and field notes in multiple categories, which were voted on by convention participants. Thirty plans and six field notes were received and displayed during the convention's program. Click here to see a list of of the winners by category.
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Thank You to Our Convention Exhibitors!
MALSCE leaders would like to thank representatives of the following 2022 MALSCE Convention Exhibitors for their support and participation as exhibitors:
AirWorks Solutions
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Bluesky Geospatial Ltd.
CADNET Services, LLP
Carlson Software
DGT Associates
Javad GNSS
Keystone Precision Solutions
Maine Technical Source
National Society of Professional Surveyors
Spiller's
Topcon Solutions Store
Surveying Engineering Technology Program, University of Maine
Wachusett Survey Solutions
Winwood Sawmill (formerly Paton's Lumbermill)
WSP
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Thank You to Our Sustaining Members,
Convention Advertisers, and Sponsors!
The MALSCE Board of Directors and Convention Planning Committee would like to thank the Sustaining Members, Sponsors, and Advertisers who helped make the 2022 MALSCE Convention a success. Click here to read more.
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Board of Registration Clarifies What a PE
Can Do on a Site Plan
At its March 24, 2022 Board meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors agreed to language to clarify whether a Professional Engineer (PE) can certify a site plan or an as-built plan which references and/or utilizes a property line determination that was previously completed by a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). This language was added to their FAQ section on their web pages.
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Help Ensure the PS Exam Reflects Our Professional Practice by Completing the NCEES PS Job Task Analysis Questionnaire
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is currently seeking licensed professional surveyors and mapping scientists to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study, or PAKS, for the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam. The results of this study will be used to update the specifications for the exam, which is used throughout the United States for licensing purposes.
NCEES requires a cross section of licensed professional surveyors and mapping scientists—including those working in consulting, the public sector, and academia—to complete an online questionnaire about the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a newly licensed surveyor or mapping scientist to practice in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The questionnaire can be completed in 35–45 minutes.
These studies help NCEES ensure its licensing exams reflect current professional practice, and we need input from as many professional surveyors and mapping scientists as possible to ensure that the PS exam continues to meet the demands of the profession.
Click here to complete the questionnaire by May 30, 2022.
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30th Annual TECET Golf Tournament
Monday, June 27, 2022
Marlborough Country Club
200 Concord Road, Marlborough, MA 01752
9:00 AM Registration, 10:00 AM Shotgun Start
Participate in The Engineering Center Education Trust's 30th Annual Golf Tournament at a new location: the Marlborough Country Club! Enjoy teeing off at this private golf course, take part in on-course skills contests, a golf ball drop, raffle, lunch on course, and a dinner & awards banquet at the end of the day.
Click here to purchase raffle tickets and ball drop entries. No need to be present to win!
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Aaron Gallagher Named Chief Operating Officer
of Nitsch Engineering
Nitsch Engineering is pleased to announce that Aaron Gallagher, PE, CFM, LEED AP, has been named the new chief operating officer (COO) of the company. Mr. Gallagher, who most recently served as the director of civil engineering at the company, remains a vice president.
As COO, Mr. Gallagher will oversee the activities of each of Nitsch’s technical departments, including maintaining operational excellence, helping drive the strategic and marketing plans forward, helping mitigate risk, and working with department directors to improve existing procedures and controls. His approach will leverage the industry and business knowledge gained over the course of his 24 years in the civil engineering field, 18 of which have been spent at Nitsch.
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Job Board
Looking to promote a job to MALSCE members? Click here to learn more about posting on the MALSCE job board.
Licensed Land Surveyor - GM2 Associates, Inc.
We are currently hiring for the position of Licensed Land Surveyor (PLS) within our Medford, Massachusetts office location. This individual will join GM2’s well-established survey team that is comprised of 3 full-time and one part-time licensed land surveyor and 10 survey technicians.
Ideal candidates are team players that are self-motivated, have strong written and oral communication skills, and a desire to grow professionally. Experience with GPS, Total Station, and in AutoCAD and Microstation. Drone survey and licensing within RI a plus.
GM2 offers competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for career growth.
Multiple Surveying Positions - Horizons Engineering
Professional opportunities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont
Horizons Engineering is looking for a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor or Surveyor in Training, Entry-Level to Senior Professional Engineers, and a Senior Hydrogeologist to join our team of professionals. Our company has grown significantly throughout northern New England and we work on a wide variety of projects in the ski and resort, municipal, energy, institutional, commercial and residential sectors. Horizons has the feel and atmosphere of a small, local firm, with the opportunities to work on high-profile projects in beautiful rural and woodland environments and small-town New England communities.
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Surveying Education Opportunities |
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MALSCE is happy to share any information about surveying education opportunities that it learns about with members. Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology is now offering three seven-week Professional Land Surveying courses, click here to read more and learn how to apply. UMaine has several different surveying degree and certificate programs available online, click here to learn more. Idaho State University has recently announced online options for their surveying and geospatial program, click here to learn more.
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Make Sure You Are Receiving NSPS News and Views
It has been brought to NSPS' attention that some members are not receiving NSPS News and Views.
If you are not receiving the NSPS News and Views eNewsletter please subscribe with your current email address at https://multibriefs.com/briefs/NSPS/. Back issues can also be found on the website.
If your NSPS membership information is not up to date, sign into the NSPS website and update your information including email address. You can make the information private at that time. Once signed in, navigate to the right hand side of the page and click on Manage Profile under the My Profile heading.
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New NSPS Officers Installed
The following new NSPS officers were installed for a one-year term on April 1, 2022:
Mark Sargent, Past President
Robert Akins, President-Elect
Amanda Allred, President
Robert Miller, Treasurer
Craig Amey, Secretary
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NSPS Government Affairs Activities Update
Do you want to learn about recent NSPS government affairs activities? The NSPS Government Affairs Committee met in early April as part of the society’s Spring Business Meeting. During the session, committee members discussed key NSPS legislative priorities, including the IMAGES Act, GPS interference, and increased funding for NOAA’s Digital Coast. Click here to read the full Government Affairs update document.
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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 about becoming a Certified Federal Surveyor featuring Glen Thurow, PS, CFedS!
Download episodes of "Surveyor Says! - The NSPS Podcast" from your favorite streaming providers or find them at NSPS' podcast hosting site, Podbean. Watch NSPS' social media outlets for upcoming episode news and contests/giveaways on special occasions.
And remember - "It's a great day to be a surveyor."
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. Visit http://www.cstnsps.com for details.
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Affiliate Association Events |
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Rhode Island Society of Professional Surveyors
General Membership Meeting
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Zoom Meeting
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Vermont Society of Land Surveyors Spring Seminar
What Went Wrong? A Study in Surveyor Errors and Omissions
Friday, April 29, 2022
Virtual seminar
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Speaker:
Jeffery N. Lucas, JD, PLS, Esq.
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Connecticut Association of Land Surveyors
General Membership Meeting
Drones for Land Surveyors
Thursday, May 5, 2022
The Lace Factory
161 River Street, Deep River, CT 06417
3:00 PM Video lecture, live presentation and discussion
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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.
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