AGC Releases Truck Weights Report and Survey Results New

Ay o t t e t o A t t e n d A G C P o l i t i c a l L u n c h e o n - R e g i s t e r N o w P a g e 5
Construction
Connections
The Newsletter of the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire
February 29, 2016
New Hampshire Gained
Construction Jobs in 2015
AGC Releases Truck Weights
Report and Survey Results
Contents
No Job
Too Big
AGC Flag Training Course
Registration
AGC Releases Truck
Weights Report and
Survey Results
Page 9
Page 7
Industry News
4
4
State Davis-Bacon Survey Deadline Extended
4
AGC Kicks off 2016 Political Luncheon Series
4
5
5
March Political Luncheon: Kelly Ayotte
AGC Forming Subcommittee on Independent
Contractors Definition and Workers’ Comp.
with Jack Flanagan
Registration Open for
Construction Overview
Seminar
...because we can cover them all.
Page 8
NHDOT Electronic Bidding Program iCX
New Hampshire Gained Construction Jobs
in 2015
Association News
7
AGC Releases Truck Weights Report and
Survey Results
11
“Train the Trainer”: AGC of NH Holding
11
Welcome New Member: Myers & Ireland
11
Additional Sponsors Needed for Political
Flag-Training Course
Enterprises
Luncheon Series
AGC of America in Brief
11
Fee Alliance
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AGC of America Joins Mileage-Based User
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Construction Connections (USPS 389-890) is published bi-weekly by the Associated General Contractors of New Hamphsire Inc. 48 Grandview Road, Bow,
NH 03304. Annual subscription rate is four copies per Active membership, eight copies per Active membership paying the maximum dues amount, and
two copies per Associate membership. Annual subscription rate is $200. Members can purchase annual printed subscriptions for $100 each. Unused subscriptions will be distributed at the discretion of the Chapter Office Executive Vice President. Periodical postage paid at Concord, NH 03301. Postmaster:
Send address changes to the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, 48 Grandview Road, Bow, NH 03304 or contact us at (603) 225-2701 or
fax (603) 226-3859.
February 29, 2016 p NH Construction Connections p 3
be provided. To register, please fill out the form on page 5.
Industr y News
State Davis-Bacon Survey
Deadline Extended
The U.S. Department of
Labor has extended the
state Davis-Bacon Wage
Survey date until March
18, 2016. The department
has decided that providing
additional time to submit
data would promote the
overall quality of wage rates.
According to Regional Wage
Specialist Ellen Hill, the
date will not be extended
again. Data collection is not
limited to federally funded
construction projects. The
department is collecting
information on all heavy and building construction projects
within the parameters of the survey. Data must be postmarked
or submitted electronically by March 18th, 2016 in order to be
included in this survey. All other survey parameters remain
the same.
Information regarding the Davis-Bacon survey program as
well as support for completing the forms is available at the
website: http://www.dol.gov/whd/programs/dbra/index.
htm. Data may also be submitted using the electronic WD-10
form which is available at the website: http://www.dol.gov/
whd/programs/dbra/wd10/index.htm.
If you have any questions or need additional forms, contact
Tamara Harris by phone at 267-687-4030, or Donna Collier or
Debbie Foster by phone at 865-974-4422.
AGC Forming Subcommittee
on Independent Contractors
Definition and Workers’ Comp.
Members of the AGC Board of Directors and Building
Committee have agreed to form a subcommittee to review
ways of correcting issues surrounding the definition of
independent contractor and whether to require workers’
compensation. The subcommittee will examine if independent
contractors should be able to exclude themselves from
coverage or if it should be made mandatory across the
industry. The group may also recommend language for
legislation in 2017 if needed. The subcommittee is open to all
AGC members. If you are interested in participating, please
call (603) 225-2701.
4 p NH Construction Connections p February 29, 2016
AGC Kicks off 2016 Political
Luncheon Series with Jack
Flanagan
On February 18th, Representative Jack Flanagan, who
is running for Congress, stopped by the AGC office to
speak before members at the first 2016 Political Luncheon
Series. Attendees were treated to sandwiches and snacks
while Representative Flanagan discussed his campaign
and answered questions. In his presentation, Flanagan
handed out a list of what he considers his 2015 legislative
accomplishments. These include lowering the Business Profits
Tax and approving the state budget.
About Sen. Ayotte: Kelly Ayotte is a New Hampshire native
who has devoted her life to public service - first as a longtime prosecutor and now in the United States Senate. In
her first bid for public office, she was elected to the Senate
in 2010 with 60 percent of the vote. Kelly currently serves
on the Armed Services, Budget, Commerce, Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs, and Small Business and
Entrepreneurship Committees. She currently chairs the Armed
Services Subcommittee on Readiness and the Commerce
Subcommittee on Aviation Operations.
As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Kelly has
quickly established herself as a leading voice in Congress on
national security issues. She has written legislation with senior
members of both parties to create workable terrorist detention
policies that keep Americans safe. And as part of her strong
commitment to reducing wasteful spending, Kelly has led
efforts in the Senate to save over $1 billion in the Pentagon’s
budget - successfully passing legislation to stop the Defense
Department from spending money on unnecessary programs.
Coming from a small business family, Kelly understands that
decisions made in Washington have serious consequences
for New Hampshire’s small business economy. Having
helped her husband launch a family landscaping and snow
removal company, she knows that high taxes and burdensome
federal regulations discourage investment and job creation.
In the Senate, Kelly is a strong voice for lower taxes and a
Flanagan served as the majority leader last year, and 2016
marks his third term as NH representative. He will be running
for Annie Kuster’s seat in district 2. For more information on
Representative Flanagan’s campaign, visit www.flanagan4nh.
com.
AGC would like to thank everyone who attended as well as
the luncheon sponsors Blaktop, Inc., Gemini Electric, and
Hinckley Allen for helping to make this event possible.
March Political Luncheon:
Kelly Ayotte
Join the association on Friday,
March 18th at 12 PM for the
March installment of the 2016
Political Lunch & Learn Series.
This month’s event will feature
Senator Kelly Ayotte, who
will speak to attendees and
answer questions regarding
her campaign. This is the ideal
opportunity for members to
meet Senator Ayotte and learn
more about her stance on
important issues. Lunch will
Registration Form
Company: __________________________________
Name: _____________________________________
Tel: ________________________________________
simplified tax code. She also supports legislation to eliminate
burdensome federal requirements that tie up small business
owners with unnecessary red tape.
NHDOT Electronic Bidding
Program iCX
The NH Department of Transportation’s web-based bidding
solution, Integrated Contractor Exchange (iCX), is expected
to go live in March. The program offers an easy-to-navigate
interface to encourage more competitive bidding, including
bid item prices, addenda acknowledgement, certification
completion, and financial and other document submission.
If required, iCX also features electronic bid bonds and digital
certificate validation. Once complete, the contractor may
submit or withdraw bids with a click.
A guide to electronic bidding can be found here: https://
www.nh.gov/dot/org/administration/finance/bids/
documents/eBID_FAQ.pdf.
To start the registration process, please call the NHDOT
Contracts office at (603) 271-3402 or email contracting@dot.
state.nh.us.
AGC of NH Political
Luncheon Series
Friday, March 18th | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
at the AGC Office in Bow
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte
Registration required for attendance,
as space is limited.
The Associated General Contractors of NH will be hosting the
Lunch included!
series will feature candidates from the upcoming state elections.
Mail to: AGC of NH, 48 Grandview Rd., Bow, NH 03304
Email: blafl[email protected]
Fax: (603) 226-3859
2016 Political Luncheon Series for Association members. The
Five installments will be held between February and October.
The second installment will feature U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte.
Sponsored by:
Free to AGC of NH Members!
February 29, 2016 p NH Construction Connections p 5
New Hampshire Gained Construction Jobs in 2015
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Hampshire gained construction jobs over the past year. In
December 2014, the state employment total for construction was 23,300, while this past December totaled 24,400, a 4.7% increase.
While New Hampshire gained over the year, it did loose some 200 jobs between November and December of 2015.
Over that 12-month period, New Hampshire placed third in the region for its gains, following Vermont, which saw a 6.3%
increase in jobs, and Massachusetts, which at a 10.5%, saw the largest increase. The only New England state to lose jobs was
Rhode Island, which is down some 300 jobs since the previous December.
Construction Employment in New England States (seasonally adjusted)
1-month gain or loss
Dec-14
Oct-15
Nov-15
Dec-15
Number
%
Connecticut
54,900
57,100
57,400
57,100
-300
-0.53%
5
Maine
26,400
25,400
25,900
26,700
800
3.00%
Massachusetts
124,700
132,400
137,000
137,800
800
New Hampshire
23,300
23,800
24,600
24,400
Rhode Island
16,800
15,200
15,500
Vermont
14,400
14,300
14,800
12-month gain or loss
% rank Number
%
% rank
2,200
4.0%
4
3
300
1.1%
5
0.58%
4
13,100
10.5%
1
-200
-0.82%
6
1,100
4.7%
3
16,500
1000
6.06%
1
-300
-1.8%
6
15,300
500
3.27%
2
900
6.3%
2
Note: The data from older months may not reflect recent adjustments
Associated General Contractors of NH
Political Luncheon Series
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available
Series Sponsor | $200
Sponsorship includes recognition in all related materials, including the
website, registration form, newsletter, program, etc. Companies will be
recognized as a sponsor at each event in the series.
To sponsor fill out the information below and email to blafl[email protected], mail to
48 Grandview Road, Bow, NH 03304, fax to (603) 226-3859, or contact Bobbie
Laflamme at (603) 225-2701:
Company: _________________________________________________
Contact: _____________________________ Tel: _________________
Visa
Mastercard
Discover
Am. Express
Card #: ______________________________ Exp: ________________
Billing Zip: ___________________________ Amt: $_______________
6 p NH Construction Connections p February 29, 2016
After months of
collecting and studying
ByAssociatedGeneralContractorsofNH(AGC)
data, the AGC of NH
SUMMARY
has released its Truck
Weight Overview.
The report shows
results of a survey
the association
conducted on local
AGCNEWSLETTERSTORY/REQUESTFORSURVEYSUBMISSIONS–DEC.2015
construction and
trucking companies to
determine how many
are affected by the
removal of a footnote
to the state axle spacing
chart. The report also
examines safety and
financial implications, federal and state truck weight laws, and
comparisons with other New England states. The association
continues to work with the legislature to find a solution. The
report is available in full online under “Downloads”, but
excerpts have been included below.
NEWHAMPSHIRETRUCKWEIGHTOVERVIEW
FEBRUARY18,2016
InNovemberof2015,AGCstartedtoreceiveinquiriesregardingwhetheranytruckweightchangeshad
passedtheStateorfederalgovernment.AGCwasunawareofanychangestothestateorfederallaws,butthe
NewHampshireStatepolicehadbegunhandingoutwarningsandover-weightfinesfortrucksthatwere
registeredfor99,000poundsbutdidnotmeetatrailerlengthasspecifiedinanaxledistancetablepassedin
1987.
Theassociation’sExecutiveVicePresidentGaryAbbottmetwithNHDepartmentofSafetyCommissionerJohn
Barthelmestodiscusstheissue,whoexplainedthatthischangewasmadebasedonaFederalHighwayannual
reviewthataskedthatthestatefollowNHstatelawinaccordancewithFederallawchangesdonein2005.
AGC’sfirststepwastoseehowlargeaproblemthiswas,sowestartedbysurveyingcontractorsand
subcontractorswhomayhavethetruck/trailercombinationsthatwouldbeaffected.Thesecondstepwasto
lookatthefederalandstatelaws.
Inordertokeepthereportmanageablewehavesummarizedspecificsectionsoflawandsummarizedour
commentsineachsection.
TruckWeightChanges
InthemiddleofNovember,AGCwasmadeawareofenforcementactionbeingtakenonthemaximumweight
onvehicleswithparticularaxledistances.AGCarrangedameetingwiththeNHDepartmentofSafety
CommissionerJohnBarthelmesandStatePoliceCaptainBillHaynestoreviewthechangesandhistoryofthe
pastlaw.
Inthelate80’s,theNHlegislatureincreasedthefederaltruckweightguidelinetoaccommodateforthenewer
trucksthatweresaferduetoincreasedtireandaxlesize.SincethelawallowedtheCommissionerofSafetyto
grantexceptionstotheaxleandmaximumweighttable,itwasalsoupdatedtoexempt28-footdumptrailers,
permittingthemtocarryupto99,000pounds.Eventually,theDepartmentofSafetyfeltitwasunfairtogive
justthe28footerstheadditionalweight,soitmadetheexemptionforalltrucksbetween28and35feetlong
with6axles.Thediagrambelowshowstheexemptedspacingbetweenthefrontandrearmostaxles,not
includingthesteeringaxle.
1
Source: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t05.htm
Check
AGC Releases Tr uck Weights
Report and Survey Results
The next installment will be held:
Friday, March 18, 2016
AGC Office in Bow, NH
The Associated General Contractors of NH
will be hosting the 2016 Political Luncheon
Series. The series will feature candidates
from the upcoming state elections. Five
installments will be held between February
and October of 2016.
Registration is now open!
In November of 2015, AGC started to receive inquiries
regarding whether any truck weight changes had passed
the State or federal government. AGC was unaware of any
changes to the state or federal laws, but the New Hampshire
State police had begun handing out warnings and overweight
fines for trucks that were registered for 99,000 pounds but did
not meet a trailer length as specified in an axle distance table
passed in 1987.
The association’s Executive Vice President Gary Abbott
met with NH Department of Safety Commissioner John
Barthelmes to discuss the issue, who explained that this
change was made based on a Federal Highway annual review
that asked that the state follow NH state law in accordance
with Federal law changes done in 2005. AGC’s first step
was to see how large a problem this was, so we started by
surveying contractors and subcontractors who may have the
truck/trailer combinations that would be affected. The second
step was to look at the federal and state laws.
AGC SURVEY SUMMARY RESULTS – DEC 2015
The association’s survey gauged how many firms or
individuals would be affected by the Department of Safety
change. The survey was not an attempt to get an inventory of
all truck/trailer combinations used in New Hampshire.
chart. We did get a total of 143 trailers submitted for the
survey but 5 were not in the 28 to 35 foot range that would be
affected. Below is a chart of how the 138 trailers broke down
by axle length.
Trailer Axle Spacing
Number of Trailers
29
3
28
30
30
13
32
40
34
7
31
33
35
Total Trailers
7
32
6
138
AGC believes this survey may only represent about 5% of
those that would be affected based on the limited time frame
of the survey and number of trailer owners reached.
OVERALL RECAP AFTER REVIEWING THE FINDING
ABOVE
The removal of the footnote to the state axle spacing chart will
result in a change to the industry past practice of some 10 to
20 years. Based on the AGC survey, a number of firms that
believed they were in compliance will be affected.
The federal law changes in 2005 clarify that Federal Highway
has jurisdiction over the interstate highways and specifically
uses the weights passed by the state in effect on January 1,
1987.
Current Options for the State to Consider:
• Keep the same laws and exemptions in place prior to
2015 and enforce those regulations (FHWA is looking to
the state to be sure it is enforcing NH weight laws).
• If state decides to remove the exemption, then it
should allow owners to upgrade trailers over a period of
time or grandfather existing registered trucks.
Thirty-two companies and independent owner operators
submitted information. Of these, a 138 trailers would be
affected with the footnote removed from the allowable weight
February 29, 2016 p NH Construction Connections p 7
AGC of NH and NHDOT
Construction Overview Seminar
March 24th 7:30 am - 12 pm
at the Marriott Grappone Conference Center in Concord
Associated General Contractors of NH and The NH Department of Transportation have
partnered to bring you this half day seminar. This is a great way for Project Managers, Superintendents, Foreman
and other construction personnel to catch up on new regulations and requirements.
The agenda includes:
Welcome by NHDOT Commissioner Victoria Sheehan, 10-Year
Highway Plan Overview, 5-Year Federal Funding Program,
Advertising Schedule Outlook for 2016 & 2017, Electronic Bidding
Software Update, Overweight Permitting Software Update,
Summary of Police Training and Recertification, Major Specification
Changes, FHWA Update, and New Rules for Contaminated Soils.
AGC of NH Member Price
$30 per individual
Non-Member Price
$55 per individual
Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire
Flag Training Seminar
March 30, 2016
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: AGC of NH Office in Bow, NH
The AGC of NH “Train the Trainer” Flag Training Course, instructed
by Gary Abbott of AGC of NH, will cover NH DOT regulations on flag
person training, proper use of equipment, placement of flaggers on the
site, etc.
Designated trainers are required to complete a flagging course at least
every FOUR years!
Course materials include a USB flash drive of helpful forms, a video clip
titled “Professional Flagging”, a template you may use as a guideline
when preparing your own flag training completion cards, and other
useful materials to help you conduct your internal trainings.
All participants who complete the course and pass a short exam will
receive a pocket card signifying course completion.
AGC of NH Member Price: $75 per person
Non-Member Price: $150 per person (pre-paid only)
Breakfast & Break Included
Registration Form
Company: ________________________________________________________
Name(s): _________________________________________________________
Tel: ______________________________________________________________
Total: $ ________ Check Visa Mastercard Discover Am. Exp.
Credit Card #: ____________________________________________________
Exp. Date: _______________________ Billing Zip: ____________________
Name on Card: ___________________________________________________
Mail to: 48 Grandview Rd., Bow, NH 03304, Email: blafl[email protected],
or fax to: (603) 226-2859
A special thanks to our sponsors:
Company:
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone (where to reach you in case of inclement weather cancellation):
Amount Due: $
Enclosed
Invoice - members only
Visa
Mastercard
Discover
Am. Express
Card #:
Exp. Date:
Billing Zip:
Name on Card:
Registration Form
Cancellations must be received 72 hours in advance to be eligible for a refund.
Please return registration form to:
email: [email protected]
fax: (603) 226-3859
mail: AGC of NH, 48 Grandview Rd., Bow, NH 03304
MCfuelpumpad.constconn_Layout 1 7/8/15 1:46 PM Page 1
Association News
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Richmond, VT
802-434-4228
Hopkinton, NH
603-746-4611
On March 30th, the
association will be
holding its “Train
the Trainer” Course
at the AGC office
in Bow. The course
will cover NH DOT
regulations on flag
person training, proper
use of equipment,
placement of flaggers
on the site, and more.
All participants who
complete the course
and pass an exam will
receive a pocket card
signifying course completion. To register, submit the form on
page 9, or call (603) 227-2701.
Welcome New Member:
Myers & Ireland Enterprises
AGC of NH’s Board of Directors recently approved the
membership application for Myers & Ireland Enterprises. The
Association encourages members to reach out to the company
to learn more about their services.
Myers & Ireland Enterprises
PO Box 116
Sanbornville, NH 03872
President: Ross Myers
(352) 502-2699
Services: Industrial/commercial paint restoration
Member News: TFMoran
Named “Best of Business” in
Engineering Category
TFMoran, Inc. has been selected for the fourth straight year
as “Best Engineering Firm” in New Hampshire Business
Review’s BOB Awards reader’s survey, which honors the best
of business in New Hampshire in over 90 categories. TFMoran
was established in 1968 and is involved in major engineering
projects throughout New Hampshire and the northeast.
have earned for first-class engineering, survey, and landscape
architectural services.”
TFMoran and the other winners will be honored on Thursday,
March 3rd at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. A
portion of the proceeds will benefit New Horizons for NH.
Additional Sponsors Needed for
Political Luncheon Series
The association is looking for more sponsors for the 2016
Political Lunch & Learn Series. Sponsorships cover the cost of
food and participating firms will have their banner on display
during the seminar.
Guests at the upcoming, and future, luncheons will be:
• U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte
• Speaker of the House Shawn Jasper
• Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern,
Gubernatorial Candidate
• Deputy Secretary of State Mark Connelly,
Gubernatorial Candidate
A series sponsorship is $200. If you are interested, please
submit the form on page 6.
AGC of America in Brief
AGC of America Joins MileageBased User Fee Alliance
AGC of America has announced that it has joined the
Mileage-Based User Fee Alliance (MBUFA). Formed in 2010,
the MBUFA is a national non-profit organization that brings
together government, business, academic, and transportation
policy leaders to conduct education and outreach on the
potential for mileage-based user fees, similar to the one
proposed in the NH House this year, as an alternative for
future funding and improved performance of the U.S.
transportation system. The alliance believes that transitioning
from the federal motor fuels tax to a system based on miles
driven would address the potential drop in revenue resulting
from vehicles that are more fuel efficient or that run on
alternative fuels that are not currently subject to user fees. For
more information on the MBUFA, visit their site: http://www.
mbufa.org.
“We are grateful to the readers of NHBR for this special
recognition, now four years in a row,” says Robert Duval,
president of TFMoran. “The credit belongs to our staff, who
show their commitment to client service every day, ‘going the
extra mile’ for our clients. We are proud of the reputation we
February 29, 2016 p NH Construction Connections p 11
Associated General Contractors of NH
48 Grandview Road
Bow, New Hampshire 03304
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