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Chapter146Association.Com |
| Down Load Current Draft of House Bill 311 | Down Load House Bill 311 with comments |
| Oppositon Petitions To Senate Bill 917 and House Bill 2208 |
| The Chapter 146 Association Supports the Pipefitters in Passing Senate Bill 966 |
| We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported us at the hearings. Through your efforts we were able to present 800 letters to the committee and at least 12 people testified including our President Jim Turcotte!! Keep up the good work. However, the battle isn't over yet. We have more letters for all of you to send to your Representatives and Senators and the Entire Joint Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security and confirm with us that you did so by email. For more Details CLICK HERE. Hearings on HB.2208 and SB.917 begin on Thursday, 1 pm, July 9, 2009 at the State House Rm. 2-B Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security |
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A Letter to all Members As part of THE CHAPTER 146 ASSOCIATION, you don't just belong to another club, organization or social network. If you joined us in the hopes that we will protect your lively hood and public safety through preserving our time tested public safety laws, then at least you are on the right track. However, it is time to realize that you joined us so that you could be informed and thereby take timely ACTION. We are involved in matters that are so important that they transcend personal gain and livelihood. Whenever Public Safety takes a back seat to corporate interests, people suffer and die needlessly while neighborhoods go up in flames and explosions. What can you do? Contact your Representatives and Senators and Chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security by Phone, Email, FAX and Mail to let them know that you oppose House Bill 2208 and Senate Bill 917. |
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE APRIL 19, 2009
To all our members and future members. If you are sitting on the fence disbelieving that Senate Bill 917 could make it to the legislature for a vote, then think again. The Senate chair and vice chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
are Sen. Timilty and Sen. Brewer. They also happen to be the sponsors for SB.917!!! We need opposition in this committee from both the House members and the Senate members or it will be smooth sailing for SB.917 right to the floor for a vote. The only way to put pressure on them and to stop this is to educate them. Send them the opposition Form Letters we have formulated by email and mail and make the phone calls. It is even more effective if you reside in their districts. You can begin by asking them where are the 16 District Engineering Inspectors allotted to the Division of Inspections and fully funded by the Legislature. Also where is the additional "engineer inspector" mentioned in the DPS BUDGET 2009 ? " ... including an additional engineer inspector; provided further, that such an additional engineer inspector... shall be regular state employees compensated from the AA object class of this item; provided further, that such additional engineer inspector position shall be in addition to any such positions added during fiscal year 1995" GOOD LUCK
LEGISLATIVE FLASH BACK
Last year (2007-2008), Senator Brewer sponsored Senate Bill 2473 which was essentially the same bill as Senate Bill 917. Here was the response that we got from his office on the matter.
“Senator Brewer asked that I reply to the recent electronic correspondence you sent to his office at which time you inquired as to the reason he sponsored a bill relative to the oversight of inspections.
As you know, Senator Brewer filed Senate Bill 2473, An Act Relative to the Oversight of Inspections, for consideration during the 2007-2008 Legislative Session. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) brought this proposal to Senator Brewer's attention, because it would eliminate the unnecessary and inefficient process currently in place by statute. Presently, there is a position and division within DPS called the chief of inspections and the division of inspections respectively. The primary responsibilities of the Chief of Inspections position are inspectional authority, as well as the authority to issue some licenses. The Commissioner, however, is ultimately responsible for the operation of the agency. In certain circumstances, the law currently empowers the "chief" with more authority than the Commissioner, and has created a needless level of bureaucracy within the agency without providing a commiserate benefit. Similarly, for operational purposes, there is no need for a separate division of inspections within the agency. Currently the Chief of Inspections position is not filled, and the Administration does not intend on filling it. Therefore, Senator Brewer filed S.2473 because it streamlines the organization of the agency. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
We had and still have many unanswered questions for Senator Brewer and the entire committee. Just remember that S.2473 in the letter above is the same as S.917
Question 1: Even without Senate Bill 917 (S.2473), it appears that the Commissioner's strategy here is to undermine the Division of Inspections by not hiring a Chief of Inspections as mandated by Massachusetts General Law Section 22-4A. Instead he has created 2 co-chiefs and given them separate titles. How does this stack up legally? Doesn't this stance show a complete lack of understanding as to what the Division of Inspections under a single Chief of Inspections (who is subservient to the law) is all about?
BREWER letter Point 1: "The Department of Public Safety (DPS) brought this proposal to Senator Brewer's attention, because it would eliminate the unnecessary and inefficient process currently in place by statute."
Question 1: By the statement "currently in place by statute" aren't you admitting that the Commissioner is not currently following our Commonwealth's laws? Aren't you condoning this behavior by proposing this legislation?
Question 2: Can the DPS instigate Senate and House Bills?
Question 1: The "chief" is a servant to the law and in that respect cannot be ordered to counteract the law. Is this the power that the Commissioner is referring to? Question 2: The Commissioner would like to be given the power to grant waivers to the law. Just take a look at HB.2208. How does the transference of power from the Chief of Inspections to the Commissioner serve public safety in this case?
BREWER letter Point 4: The Chief of Inspections position "has created a needless level of bureaucracy within the agency without providing a commiserate benefit." Question 1: The Chief of Inspections position has served the Commonwealth for 100 years which makes this statement absurd beyond belief. How do you justify this apparent disconnect from reality? Question 2: The Commissioner has created 2 positions called the Chief of Inspections-Mechanical and Chief of Inspections-Buildings in place of the unfilled Chief of Inspections. He has also created 3 managers under them. Doesn't this sound like a creation of needless bureaucracy? Question 3: When is the Commissioner going to hire a Deputy Commissioner under Chapter 22 Section 5? In the place of the Deputy Commissioner it appears that he has hired 4 lawyers (a Chief of Staff and a 3 lawyer general council). Doesn't this sound like a creation of needless bureaucracy? Question 4: Even if he becomes synonymous with the Chief of Inspections, does Bill S.917 (S.2473) excuse the Commissioner's office from the law and well established past practice? BREWER letter Point 5: "Currently the Chief of Inspections position is not filled, and the Administration does not intend on filling it." Question 1: The Chief of Inspections is currently mandated by M. G. L. Chapter 22-4A. Does the "Administration" (DPS, Governor or otherwise) have the option of not filling positions mandated by law and funded by the Legislature? BREWER letter Point 6: "Therefore, Senator Brewer filed SB.917 (S.2473) because it streamlines the organization of the agency."
Question 1: Is Bill S.917's (S.2473) aim here to streamline the agency or is it to legitimize its current state of decimation? LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
APRIL 6, 2009
The Joint Committe on Public Safety and Homeland Security needs a WAKE UP CALL!!!
As things stand today, the language to decimate the boiler engineer and firemen's license law is presently in the Joint Committe on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Unless this language is removed, the license law as we know it will cease to exist.
We are asking you to contact the Representatives and Senators of your district where you live, as well as the Representives and Senators on the Joint Committe on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Make it clear to them that you are opposed to House Bill 2208 and Senate Bill 917 and ask your legislature to vote against them. We need this done NOW!!! So, please take the time to do this as soon as possible. We can't !!EMPHASIZE!! the importance of the FORM LETTERS on this page enough. By those form letters alone we can effect a possitive response, but we are going to need to reach critic mass. We have been told by many of our Legislators how effective the form letters will be in giving them the teeth to accomplish our goals. They are urging us to turn up the heat and so we shall.
Last year in 2008, we had Senate Bill 2473 sponsored by Senator Brewer to contend with and another similiar bill in 2007. Senator Brewer has now picked up a co-sponsor in Senator Timilty and reintroduced the same bill (SB 917) with even stronger language. On top of this, we have a direct assault on M. G. L. Chapter 146 in House Bill 2208. If we don't actually kill these bills where they stand, then they will pop up every year until they pass.
We know that our position is strong, but it will not matter if no one knows about it. Get those form letters out by mail, email and make the call.
Ask about how important the form letters are for youself.
The Chapter 146 Assn would like to thank MASS ENGINEERS, The Steam Engineering Institute, The Technology Learning Center and most recently NAPE 4 for supporting our cause.
Best Regards,
The Officers and Board of the Ch. 146 Assn.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
APRIL 1, 2009 ATTENTION FELLOW AND FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE CHAPTER 146 ASSN!!! Your licenses in the steam power plant field are about to be "MADE WORTHLESS" by the action of House Bill 2208 and Senate Bill 917. The good news is that we are getting the word out, but this is just the beginning. We're going to need tons more support.
We have form letters ready. Copy and paste them into a MS Word document, then go from there. If you have something pertinent to say, please feel free to add it as a personal note. Send it to your Rep.'s and Sen.'s by email and regular mail. Give them a few days to digest the issues and then call to voice your opinions. Thanks
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE March 28, 2009 We highly oppose House Bill 2208 and Senate Bill 917
House bill 2208 This seeks to obliterate the license law. "AN ACT RELATIVE TO STEAM BOILERS." Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authorityof the same, as follows:Section 46 of Chapter 146, as so appearing in the 2004 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph in line 26 the following:-The department, upon application of a licensee, may grant a waiver on the above attendance requirements, for boilers of 501 horsepower or more, based on the automation of the boiler and appurtenant equipment, automatic shut-down capabilities and other technological safety equipment.
Senate bill 917 This is essentially the same bill as Senate Bill 2473, but it appears that it has more teeth than before seeking to dismantle the DIVISION OF INSPECTIONS straight away. SECTION 1. Section 3 of chapter 22, as so appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in the title, after the word “Commissioner” the words “division of inspection.” SECTION 2. Section 3 of chapter 22, as so appearing, is hereby amended, in lines 2-4, by striking out the words “There shall be in the department a division of inspection as established by section four A, under the charge of a director to be known as the chief of inspections”
OKAY.... NOW YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST
Now, here's the deal. As part of THE CHAPTER 146 ASSN, you don't just belong to another club, organization or social network that extracts meaningless dues every year and could care less if you participate in its goings on. If you joined us in the hopes that we will protect your lively hood and public safety through preserving our time tested public safety laws, then at least you are on the right track, but I don't believe that you quite grasp what we are all about. It is time to wake up to the fact that you joined us so that you could be informed and thereby TAKE ACTION!!!! That's right, you heard me, you joined us so that you could take timely action on matters that are so important that it transcends personal gain and livelihood. Whenever Public Safety takes a back seat to corporate interests, people suffer and die needlessly while neighborhoods go up in flames and explosions. ( Google the DANVERS EXPLOSION ) What can you do? Find out who your Representatives and Senators are. Call them AND Email them Monday morning. Tell them that you oppose House Bill 2208 and Senate Bill 917. It is highly important that you email them first, then call them to tell them that you emailed them. Give them your email address so that they will know what to look for. If you do not know what to say, then simply use one of our form letters. On top of this, have your Rep. and Sen. call the sponsors of the bills below to voice their opposition to these irresponsible actions and blatant assaults on public safety.
The sponsor for House Bill 2208 is Representative Stephen L. DiNatale Third Worcester. - Consisting of the city of Fitchburg, in the county of Worcester. (D), Fitchburg The sponors for Senate Bill 917 are Sen. Stephen M. Brewer and Sen. James E. Timility
James E. Timility , Walpole. BRISTOL AND NORFOLK. — Attleboro, ward 3, precinct B, ward 4, precincts A and B, ward 5, precincts A and B, ward 6, precincts A and B, Mansfield, Norton, Rehoboth and Seekonk, in the county of Bristol; and Dover, Foxborough, Medfield, Sharon, precincts 1, 4 and 5, and Walpole, in the county of Norfolk. Stephen M. Brewer, Barre. WORCESTER, HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE AND FRANKLIN. — Ashburnham, Athol, Barre, Brookfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Rutland, Spencer, Sturbridge, Templeton, Warren, West Brookfield and Winchendon, in the county of Worcester; Brimfield, Holland, Monson, Palmer and Wales, in the county of Hampden; Ware, in the county of Hampshire; and Orange and Warwick, in the county of Franklin. _ DANVERS Chemical plant explosion On November 22, 2006, around 2:45 a.m., a major chemical explosion occurred in the Danversport area at a facility housing Arnel Company (a manufacturer of industrial-use paint products) and CAI Inc. (a manufacturer of solvents and inks). The blast shook several North Shore towns—knocking homes off foundations and damaging buildings up to half a mile away. Glass windows shattered at least three miles (5 km) away, in neighboring Peabody and even in downtown Salem. The explosion was heard and felt up to 45 miles (72 km) away; the concussion was intense. According to many witnesses, it seemed like an airplane had crashed.
UPDATE, February 27, 2009
General Membership Meeting February 26, 2009 Dear Members, First we want to thank all those who attended our meeting. We more than doubled our attendance over the past 2 meetings!! We are encouraged to see a large number of new members joining and renewed interest on the part of returning members. Our future success depends on all of us educating our fellow Firemen and Engineers and others licensed under 146 on the importance of Preserving and Protecting M. G. L. Chapter 146. The Chapter 146 Assn. is aimed at this very cause. 2008 was a momentus year for us and I know that 2009 will be even better. Thanks Again to All Our Members, Best Regards, The Officers and Board of The Chapter 146 Assn.
Officers {} Board {} Honorary Board Member Also we want to thank Joe Markowski, past President, John Rogers, past Vice President and President, and Jerry Culbert, past Board Member and President, for their hard work and due diligence serving us. Happily, John Rogers will be staying on as a Board Member. ______________________________________ Our dues are $25.00 for a one year membership and run from March 31 to March 31. Please send your thoughts and comments to: |
OPPOSITION PETITIONS TO
House Bil 2208 & Senate Bill 917
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JULY 12, 2009
JOINT COMMITTEE HEARINGS
OPERATING ENGINEERS
Letter to the Joint Committee
NATIONAL BOARD NEWS LETTER
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS
The hearing for SB.917 and HB.2208 are set to be held at the State House on July 9, 2009 at 1pm in Room 2-B at the Stae House in Boston. Keep posted for further updates.
For details CLICK HERE
Talking Points Opposing Senate Bill 917 CLICK HERE
Talking points Opposing House Bill 2208 CLICK HERE
OPEN Letter to your Legislature
concerning the DPS Budget CLICK HERE
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE June 4, 2009, New Information Concerning
House Bill 2208 CLICK HERE
FIND YOUR LEGISLATURE: CLICK HERE
EMAIL RESOURCE:
MAILING RESOURCE:
CONTACT RESOURCE:
NOTE: If your Representative is on the House Ways and
means Committee, then make the extra effort to contact them now. SB.917
and HB.2208 might end up in this committee for second reading. If they do,
then they will already be informed on the subject and reject these bills.
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS CLICK HERE
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