Meeting Minutes

Maine Section ASCE Board of Directors

4:00 PM January 19, 2006

Capt. Daniel Stone Inn

Brunswick, Maine

Present:            Bob Chaput, President

Peter Merfeld, President-Elect

                        Tim Merritt, Vice-President

                        Erik Wiberg, Secretary

                        Chris Taylor, Treasurer

                        Walter Fagerlund, Informant Editor & Technical Seminar

                        Patricia Korbet, Informant Editor

                        Be Schonewald

                        Ralph Nelson, Webmaster

                        Adam Meyer

1. Welcome

2. Landscape Architecture Licensure

1. Steven Ribble (Ames A/E) and a second representative of Maine Society of Landscape Architects presented their proposal to introduce legislation to establish LA as a Practice Act.  LA is currently a Title Act.  The goal is to establish LA on equal footing in professional standing as other professions.  Currently, there is only law related to who can call themselves an LA, but not one that defines and limits the practice.  LA was a Practice Act about 15 years ago but rescinded apparently through support of landscaping and nursery companies.  MSLA’s goal is to introduce bill in Fall 2006.  Board members expressed reservations about including areas of practice that might require engineering knowledge and expertise (storm water management, infrastructure planning and design, retaining walls). Board is willing to inform membership of background and proposed legislation.  Future board action pending review of the Practice Act proposal.

3. Minutes of November 17, 2005  board meeting
   1. Walter Fagerlund will prepare minutes from the November board meeting.

4. Treasure’s Report
   1. The Section received the first half of the two SPAG grants and the Section’s membership allotment.  Adam Meyer will look into if the allotment is tied to the amount of Section dues. 
   2. Chris has resolved Informant printing fee with the Snowman printing.

                                                               i.      Erik motioned and Walter seconded motion to accept the report.  Unanimous vote to accept.

5. Monthly Programs

February – MDOT Commissioner Cole and Joe Kitridge of GSA haves agreed to participate in Calais Border Crossing discussion

March – Technical Seminar.

April – UMaine student chapter

May  –Ocean Gateway project.  Tim considering a harbor boat tour. Fee would be $40/person for lobster bake with cruise.  Boat would stay docked for about one-half hour during social hour.  The company might have a banquet center available for off boat presentation, if necessary.  Boat can seat up to 76 persons. Budgeted $1,500 loss for event.

6. Committee Updates
   1. Webpage

                                                               i.      Ralph Nelson suggested providing website space for firm to publish project information (public relations). Brief discussion about how to award firms space such as for most active ASCE members, number of ASCE members. No action taken.

2. Younger Members

                                                               i.      Be reported on behalf of Jennifer Tooley.  Jennifer developing programs for 3 social hours: (1) financial planning, (2) real estate, and (3) PE registration process in Maine.

                                                             ii.      Chris Taylor said that YM are looking into 110 Red Sox tickets.

3. Model Contest

                                                               i.      Thirteen firms have sponsored the contest so far.

                                                             ii.      Only one response so far to the model contest (Lewiston).

4. Technical Seminar

                                                               i.      Walter reported that all speakers have been arranged.

                                                             ii.      Technical seminar will be on Thursday March 23 at the Lewiston Ramada Inn.  Room capacity of 150.

                                                            iii.      Technical seminar will provide 6 PDHs

                                                           iv.      Fifteen minutes allocated in agenda for presentation by Paul Moyer.

7. Old Business
   1. Constitution/Bylaws

                                                               i.      Peter presented mark-up copy of bylaws for review. Majority of membership needs to vote and two-thirds of those voting need to be in the affirmative to pass.

                                                             ii.      Goal is to have revised constitution/bylaws ready for membership vote by the technical seminar.

                                                            iii.      Peter requested review comments be sent to him by next Friday.

2. SPAG Grants/Historic Landmark Submittals

                                                               i.      Erik reported that ATI exhibit scheduled for display at Bangor Mall and EWeek Expo. UMaine students scheduled to help set-up.

                                                             ii.      Portland Observatory – Historic Landmark review committee has requested additional documentation tower foundation construction.

                                                            iii.      Ellsworth Dam – not submitted yet.   Goal is to have it approved by Cold Regions conference.

8. New Business
   1. Transition Region Boards of Governors – ASCE is soliciting for volunteers.  Bob indicated the position is travel and time intensive.
   2. Zone 1 Candidate for President-Elect: David Mongan

                                                               i.      Bob said that David has or presently serves on several National ASCE committees.  After a brief discussion, the Board unanimously agreed to cast the Section’s vote in favor of David.

3. Other

                                                               i.      Cold Regions Conference

1.      Board agreed to allocate $500 seed money for the conference. The Section would be reimbursed in full.

2.      The conference will be held Sunday through Wednesday, July 23-26.

3.      Comedian Gary Crocker is scheduled to entertain ($1,500 fee)

                                                             ii.      CSI – Seeking nominations for an award made to the engineer who fosters communications among societies and professional organizations.

9. Adjourn
   1. Erik motioned and Peter seconded motion to adjourn. Unanimous affirmative board vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

Erik J Wiberg, P.E., Secretary