Scholarship Information < Archived News:
UCANE E-News
February 20, 2009
Submitted by Michael Galli
Legislative Liaison
Obama Signs Stimulus Bill
What That Means To Utility Contractors
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion Stimulus Bill into law and said the enactment of this bill is designed to create, or save, 3.5 million jobs over the next two years and to overhaul our creaking U.S. infrastructure. $132 M is assured for the Massachusetts Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF) and $52 M is estimated for the Massachusetts Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF), totaling $184 M which will be added to the existing SRF funds. Details on Stimulus money affecting the CWSRF & DWSRF were discussed at the UCANE/DEP meeting on 02/18/09.
UCANE Meeting With DEP Stimulus: CWSRF & DWSRF
UCANE members met with DEP this week to discuss the amount of Stimulus funds Massachusetts will receive for underground construction projects, and which will take priority. Projects that are currently under loan agreements and which were on the FY2007 and FY2008 Intended Use Plans (IUP), may be first in line to receive funds. Because the funds are on a “use it or lose it” basis, it is critical to get projects started as soon as possible. DEP informed us that the finalized FY2009 IUP list has been ranked and rated and should be released in early March. Once projects are “ready to go” (i.e. permits, plans, specs’ etc.), DEP will work with municipalities to distribute Stimulus funds. According to the Bill, at least 50% of funds Mass. receives must be given as partial grants, negative interest loans and principal forgiveness, however, it is left to DEP to decide the criteria for the disbursement of funds.
Reminder…New Trench Regs’ Effective 03.01.2009
DPS and DOS are currently working with MassHighway and the Massachusetts Municipal Association to ensure that all municipalities have a Permitting Authority established and are in full compliance with “Jackie’s Law” by the March 1st enforcement date. For more information, including the statute and regulation and a list of FAQ’s, please review the “Trenches” Section of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety’s website at www.mass.gov/dps
Contractors Who Work In The City Of Boston …
Mandatory Meeting: March 4th, 2009
AAB workshop (Pedestrian Access)
On Wednesday, March 4, 2009 from 9:30am - 11:00am, the Boston Public Works Department will be presenting an Architectural Access Board (AAB) workshop at City Hall in room 801 to provide valuable information about pedestrian access concerns on roadway construction sites. All utility companies and contractors who require work permits within the City of Boston must attend this meeting. All City Departments or Personnel who perform work in the City that contributes to any temporary or permanent alteration to pedestrian access must also attend the workshop. Each company may send up to four representatives. Additionally, the owner and head superintendent of any private contractor who works for a utility must attend the workshop.
Private contractors do not contribute toward the limit of utility representation. The owner and head superintendent of any private contractor that works directly with the City or customer and does not contract through another utility must also attend the AAB workshop. Prior to beginning the 2009 construction season, it is crucial that all utilities and contractors working throughout the City of Boston know, understand, and adhere to the established AAB requirements.
Jeffrey A. Simon Assigned Director
Of Infrastructure Investment
Jeffrey A. Simon of Ipswich, president of Simon Properties, a real estate development services firm in Boston, will oversee the spending that will help revitalize the State's economy. According to the Governors’ Office, Simon is a senior real estate professional with 30 years experience and also has been serving as part-time executive chairman of Actus Lend Lease, a Nashville development firm that specializes in the creation of master-planned communities and public/private partnerships.
"The prospect here is to take this crisis and the funding that is coming to counter it and turn it into opportunity," Simon said at a State House news conference. "We’re going to put people back to work building worthwhile projects that will benefit us all in the future. ... We will do this with openness, honesty, and professionalism."
Senate President Terry Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo also announced last week the formation of a special committee, the temporary Joint Committee on Federal Stimulus Oversight, to oversee and review state spending of stimulus funds.
“People in Massachusetts are hurting right now, and we have to do anything we can to help ease their pain,” DeLeo said in a statement. “This joint committee will help allow us to make sure these important stimulus funds get where they are most needed.”
Patrick To Propose 19 Cent Gas Tax Increase
In an effort to solve the Massachusetts debt-ridden transportation system, Governor Deval Patrick will seek to increase the State’s gasoline tax, bringing it to one of the highest gas taxes in the Nation. If approved, it will be the second gas tax increase since 1991. This increase, however, will attempt to avert the proposed unpopular $7 cash toll at the Logan Airport tunnels. If passed, the proposal Governor Patrick will make this afternoon will raise an additional $500 M a year that will assist the MBTA in warding off fare increases and service cuts, while simultaneously restructuring the Massachusetts transportation system, giving the Governor control in an attempt to reduce overlap and inefficiency.
Reminder…OSHA Form 300A
On February 1, 2009, employers were to begin posting a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred last year. Employers are only required to post the Summary (OSHA Form 300A), not the OSHA 300 Log, from February 1, 2009 to April 30, 2009. Copies of OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301 are available on the OSHA Recordkeeping Web page at www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/.
Tel: (617) 471-9955 • Fax: (617) 471-8939 • 300 Congress Street, Suite 101 • Quincy, MA 02169