FOcus - Fuss & O'Neill's Company Newsletter Spring 2022

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Fuss & O’Neill’s Newsletter

Coe Park Landscaping Torrington, CT

SPRING 2022

WHAT’S INSIDE Message from the President What’s New? Employee FOcus This is fUSs FOcus on Design-Build Business Line FOcus

Message from the President According to the calendar, spring is here! But in New England, spring certainly comes in different forms and at different times. With offices in every New England state, we know that our employees in one office might be wearing short sleeves while employees in a different office might be sporting multiple sweaters! Though we are all joined by a common season, our individual reactions to it are different. With that thought in mind, our Spring 2022 newsletter focuses on the individuals that make up the Fuss & O’Neill family.

We often talk about our projects, but it’s individuals behind the analyses, plans, and designs that take an idea and turn it into reality. It’s real people talking with clients and communities about real issues and designing longlasting real solutions – and I’m so excited for you to hear their stories. So depending on where you’re reading this, grab a cup of iced (or steaming hot) tea and enjoy our Spring 2022 newsletter!

- Kevin Grigg, PE, CEO

FOcus on Spring Safety EWeek Wrap Up

Providence College Green Infrastructure Providence, RI

What’s AUGUST

Laura Marcolini, PE Vice President | BL Manager

Morgan Carroll Accounts Receivable Coordinator

SEPTEMBER

Gardythe Ernest Civil Engineer

Michelle Raenz CAD Technician

SEPTEMBER

Alex Maxwell, PhD Resilience Planner

Shawn Bearce Project Manager

Clifford Otis, EIT Environmental Engineer

Elizabeth Kirmmse Project Manager

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April Doroski, CPSS Water Res/Climate Resilience Specialist

Austin Misorski Mechanical Engineer

Frank Harvey Transportation Engineer

Michael Delaney, EIT Civil Engineer

Tiffany Cartier, PE Sr. Structural Engineer

NOVEMBER

Lara Sup, PE Climate/Flood Resilience Eng

NOVEMBER

Evan Koncewicz Environmental Scientist

Sara Morrison, MLA, WEDG BL Manager Climate Adaptation

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

Brenda Sleininger Administrative Assistant

Meet Our New

Steevens Pierre Toussaint Transp. Eng

Meghan Cross Office Operations Coordinator

Timothy Davis, EIT Civil Engineer

DECEMBER

Mae LaBelle Environmental Scientist

Jon Hand Project Manager

Paul Fleming Project Manager

Diana Sitnik Marketing Coordinator

s New?

w Employees!

DECEMBER

Zachary Lepore, EIT Enviro. Compliance Engineer

JANUARY

Michael Nelson Associate | BL Manager

Leah Cromer Water Resources Engineer

JANUARY

Ming Huang Landscape Designer

Ed Cofrancesco, PE Sr Bridge Engineer

Jamie Bratt Associate | BL Manager

Kevin Herring Environmental Scientist

JANUARY INTERNS

Justin Dechen, PE Project Manager

Andrew Rossoshanskiy Intern - Highway & Roadway

James Sandison Intern - Site

Elie Markowicz Intern - Highway & Roadway

Caitlin Abel Intern - MEP

Mini Interview with Sara Morrison Q: Your background is unique. Can you tell us a little about the intersection of landscape architecture and climate adaptation planning?

Great question! My background in systems-based, urban landscape architecture has provided me with the skills necessary for managing and planning projects from both a site and watershedscale perspective, and the ability to understand and analyze the full context of bio-physical, socioeconomic, and governmental systems necessary to create innovative, yet realistic, adaptation solutions. My work has always focused on the intersection between land and water, and helping communities figure out how to navigate that complex environment.

Q: What drew you to Fuss & O’Neill?

Sara Morrison, MLA, WEDG Business Line Manager Climate Adaptation

What really interested me upon close investigation was the quality of the work. I found numerous examples in my research of really interesting and forward-thinking projects that were coming out of Fuss & O’Neill. The fact that Fuss & O’Neill was listing an ad for a climate adaptation planner said a lot about the direction the firm was moving in, and I liked that.

Q: In your role as Climate Adaptation Business Line Manager, what do you hope to accomplish?

I hope to continue to build upon the work that has already been done here in building and branding a robust climate adaptation and resilience practice. One specific goal is to aim to increase our work in the coastal adaptation sector, as that is where much of my expertise lies. It’s very easy for our clients to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change and my hope is to help them all feel empowered and inspired to face the future.

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AWARDS

Happy Retirement

ACHIEVEMENTS

Ken Rhodes, PE

Cathy DeFrances-Vitorrio 2021 AIA Allied Award

Six Corners Roundabout Springfield 2021 ACEC Massachusetts Engineering Excellence Award

Beehive Bridge - New Britain 2021 American Architecture Award

The Connecticut State Office Building Renovation Project 2021 ENR Best Project Award, Government/Public Building and 2021 Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Award

Brent Henebry, LEP was named Vice President of the Environmental Professional Organization of Connecticut Congratulations to Sue Irons, Senior CAD Technician, on 30 amazing years at Fuss & O’Neill!

Happy anniversary!

We send our best wishes to Ken Rhodes as he gets off the “train”. Ken refers to this career as a train, noting: “My wife and I both graduated University in spring 1977. I entered a professional career as a junior engineer for Amtrak by the end of that summer. This is essentially the last stop of this career’s 44-year ride, 36 of which have been here in New Hampshire for this company. Well over half my natural life. Amazing!”

Amazing indeed! Time flies as they say, and it has been loads of fun. We’ll do our best to continue following your lead, Ken, as we move forward on some really exciting endeavors. You can’t be replaced and will never be forgotten!

Oxford Middle School 2021 CBC Project Team Awards

Ted DeSantos, PE, PTOE William P. McNamara Distinguished Service Award from New England ITE

John Deskavich, EIT, ENV SP Emerging Professional Award from New England ITE

Jen Thurber presented on the topic of “Covid Response - Both Short-term and Long-term Budgeting” at the Massachusetts Facility Administrators Association (MFAA) Fall Expo in Hyannis, MA.

Lexington Fire Headquarters Project 2021 Fire Station Design Merit Award from F.I.E.R.O and 2021 Gold Award from Firehouse

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Fuss & O’Neill participated in the Source to Sea Cleanup and helped remove nearly 400 lbs of garbage from the Manchester Union Pond and Trail.

OUT AND ABOUT

Julie Busa, Diane Mas, and Erik Mas attended the MVP Grant Awards Ceremony in Easthampton, MA, which were announced by Governor Baker.

Dean Audet, Andrea Judge, and Ken Berchielli attended the Bellfield Drive Flood Resilience Project ribbon cutting.

Employee FOCUS

Cathy DeFrances - Vittorio, CPSM

Let’s get to know

Cathy DeFrances-Vittorio, CPSM, Business Line Manager for the firm’s Buildings and Hazardous Materials Business Line. Herein she tells us about her career path, her collaborative approach to working with architects, and the thrill of the chase!

I began my career 35 years ago as a bookkeeper at an architectural firm, and that transitioned to my own computerized bookkeeping business in which many of my clients were in the AEC industry. These clients sometimes asked me to write business and marketing plans to secure loans. I quickly learned that I had a knack for this, as my

business plans helped clients grow. Thus began my marketing career! I didn’t know the first thing about marketing, but I was good at it, so I decided to learn more! I went back to college and took marketing classes and joined the Connecticut chapter of Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), which helped me grow my skills in marketing and business development in the AEC industry.

Since then, I have held positions with architectural firms, real estate developers, and construction companies. I’ve been here at Fuss & O’Neill for seven years now! In my role as Buildings and Hazardous Materials Business Line Manager, I use a collaborative approach, which has been instrumental to building great teams for architecturallyled projects. In my experience, although architects and engineers work closely together, they often have different approaches. Architects focus on the form, aesthetic design, and function of a building; engineers focus on the technical and structural side - making sure all pieces

fit together. While these differences could appear a stark contrast, I choose to look at them as complementary, and the building of a solid team makes all the difference in the communities that we serve.

As much as I try to foster collaboration, I think we (marketers and business development professionals), as individuals, are all competitive by nature. The thrill of the chase…that perfect project where we pre-position, build a terrific team, and win… is what keeps me going. After all these years it’s still the most fun because when it goes right, it’s magical! And even though we all have the competitive drive, it still comes down to collaboration. Bringing out the best in each other to achieve the best product. I never feel like I’m alone; I have a great team that shares in our successes and learns from our losses.

Cathy is a recipient of the SMPS Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and the 2021 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Connecticut Allied Award.

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This is 1. What is unique about your job?

I’d like to answer this question with how I’d describe my role and electrical engineering in this industry to a college graduate I am interviewing → college did not teach me about this industry or how to succeed in it. I have, and am, learning through amazing mentors, on-the-job training, and constant questions.

When I start the workday now, I feel as if it is the first day of work right out of college. Always something new to learn and to ask questions about, with the support of some exceptional mentors.

Sam Godin Project Manager Boston, MA

BHM

2. What types of projects excite you?

I can be excited about the smallest of projects. What makes the projects exciting is the people you work with and work for. A collaboration of minds for a solution and to produce something that will be built or improved upon is nothing short of amazing and exciting.

3. What made you come to work at Fuss & O’Neill?

Fuss & O’Neill offered me an opportunity to be more than an engineer. They saw that I had the ability and drive to be a successful project manager. They made no false promises and were upfront about the path I would take to become a project manager. I was not given false promises or undefinable milestones to achieve the role of project manager. With full confidence, I put my trust in this company because of their honesty and offer of achievable career growth.

1. What do you like about your job?

I enjoy being able to come into my job and work on a variety of projects that help my progression as an engineer. A small office with smaller, more personal jobs gives me a chance to see a lot of different areas, conditions, and challenges.

2. What is one thing that makes you grateful for your colleagues?

Jake Fowler, EIT Project Engineer White River Jnt, VT

CDV

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My colleagues have helped me grow as a person and as an engineer; they have been the supportive push I needed to be able to get to where I am.

3. What has been your favorite project here at Fuss & O’Neill?

Drainage improvements at Hilltop Place in New London, NH. Being able to work as a surveyor, design engineer, and then as a construction inspector was a unique experience and has helped me evaluate my own design and practices.

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1. What about the work you do makes you proud?

Alexander Ciofani Environmental Scientist Trumbull, CT

On a personal level, what makes me proud to work here is being able to see a project through from start to finish. Putting the finishing touches on a report that you’ve coordinated from proposal to completion is a great feeling, and really allows you to stay engaged in what you’re working on through the entirety of the project. From an environmental aspect, it’s amazing to see the differences we make in terms of environmental health. Remediating a site to its previous natural conditions is a great feeling and is at the core of why many of us got into the environmental field in the first place - to make a change for the better. Personally, once I see that change, there’s not many things in my working life that make me prouder. It’s what keeps me always engaged and pushing to learn.

2. Y ou joined Fuss & O’Neill during the pandemic. How has that process been for you?

Believe it or not, the process has been as smooth, if not smoother, than pre-pandemic. The interview process was extremely streamlined and efficient, and the immediate work-life balance has been excellent. The hybrid work schedule that Fuss & O’Neill allows its employees to use makes not only the work life much more enjoyable, it also helps alleviate a lot of the common stresses of life outside the office. The technology we use to collaborate with coworkers is excellent as well. Despite joining at a time where a fraction of the staff is in the office full time, I still felt like I was in close contact with others at all times due to the technology we have in place. There was no point where I felt isolated from coworkers or managers due to a hybrid schedule, and that really helped me get my footing and feel comfortable here almost immediately.

3. What brought you to Fuss & O’Neill after working elsewhere?

The amazing amount of variety Fuss & O’Neill offers in terms of projects. I was at my previous job for a few years where I was doing the same things day in and day out, despite asking for more responsibility and challenges. I felt like both my learning and professional growth were stagnant.

I always mention to my friends and past coworkers that I feel like I’ve learned more in the last 8 months at Fuss & O’Neill than the previous 4 years at my previous employer. Every week is different in terms of what projects and tasks I’ll be working on, and that is amazing to me in terms of personal and professional growth. Many people will grow complacent if they aren’t actively challenged and learning, myself included, and I have yet to feel that way once since starting here.

EFS

Employee engagement is also excellent. Collaboration with managers, project managers, office managers, and VPs on a daily basis is something I’ve never had the privilege to have working elsewhere, and it’s a big aspect that not only brought me here, but will definitely keep me here for a long time.

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This is 1. Y ou’ve been with Fuss & O’Neill for six months now. What has been the most surprising thing about your experience so far?

I have been impressed by how employee-focused the firm is. Leadership goes beyond talking about appreciation. They make changes that improve our lives, capabilities, and culture. It feels like a special opportunity to be a part of.

Pat Tierney, PE, ENV SP Transportation Engineer Boston, MA

TRN

2. How collaborative is your role as a Transportation Engineer?

Collaboration is the probably the most important part of my role. The Central Region transportation teammates are constantly working together. My projects often require internal coordination with landscape, structural, water, GIS, and environmental experts. Externally we team up with sub and prime consultants. Working with municipal and state agencies also involves a high level of collaboration. They are the architects of their community, who rely on us for engineering services.

3. How have you been mentored here at Fuss & O’Neill?

My internal mentorship experience has been centered around discussions with Josue Valdez, Katherine Patch, Matt Skelly and Nick Lapointe. They have worked hard to bring me up to speed on corporate procedures, who the specialists are, and how get excellent deliverables to our clients. I cannot thank them enough!

1. What was it about Fuss & O’Neill that made you want to join the team?

In conversations with several employees, it was clear that Fuss & O’Neill does important work, helping clients comply with environmental regulations and producing creative solutions to environmental problems. I have always wanted to make a positive impact in the

Alex Duryea Environmental Scientist Providence, RI

WNR

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environment, and I knew that joining this team would provide me with a great opportunity to do exactly that!

2. What has been one surprising experience in your 7 months here?

I found myself out in the rain on a summer evening collecting water samples with a coworker – and I had a blast. I have also worked on a wide variety of projects and have learned far more than I expected in just 7 months.

3. What excites you about your future at Fuss & O’Neill?

I am most excited to continue learning through work on diverse projects.

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1. What excites you about your future here?

I am very excited to see what future projects will bring us and the challenges they will provide. I am looking forward to my future as an engineer and the progress I will make in this field. I am also looking forward to learning from my peers in hopes that we all can continue to grow and thrive together!

James Black Civil Engineer Springfield, MA

CDV

2. What makes the projects you work on unique or exciting to you?

The wide variety of projects I have worked on make everything new and thrilling since each project requires a different approach. From solar fields to drainage projects, I have worked on a wide variety of projects and am never bored. I continue to learn and expand my horizons from each new project.

3. What would you say to someone considering coming to work at Fuss & O’Neill?

I absolutely love the people I work with and the culture that we have created here at Fuss. The great amount of work we do for a wide variety of communities is another incentive since we basically can work on any type of project and gain many experiences with the work involved and people we meet.

1. What makes your job unique?

What’s very unique about my job is that I am truly all over to place. I’ve worked in basically every region in Massachusetts. I have worked all over Connecticut and even parts of Rhode Island doing a wide range of things, so the scenery and job are never quite the same.

Tylar Pelletier Environmental Technician Manchester, CT

BHM

2. What has been your favorite project in your three years here?

The former Williams Inn has to be my favorite project - from being involved in HAZMAT and environmental work, I was there from beginning to end. Amazing to see something progress so much.

3. What is one thing that your education didn’t prepare you from that you learned on the job?

Definitely the amount I was going to have to travel! They skipped out on that detail! Also, that my field works a lot with construction projects.

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This is 1. You’ve been with Fuss & O’Neill for about 4 years. In that time, you’ve changed offices a few times. Can you tell us a little about why you moved and what it’s been like working at different offices?

Scott McWhirter Environmental Engineer Kennebunk, ME

EFS

I’ve been very pleased to stay with Fuss & O’Neill while my life took me from Manchester, CT to Quincy MA, and now to Kennebunk, ME. Each office has made me feel welcomed and broadened my experiences with the places, projects, and people I’ve worked with. I’m excited to be in the Kennebunk, ME office and to be part of growing environmental services in the North Region.

2. What keeps you at Fuss & O’Neill?

I’ve been pleased to work with knowledgeable coworkers on a variety of projects from routine environmental monitoring to brownfields restoration projects. Fuss & O’Neill continues to promote my career development both in the field and office. I look forward to growing as an Environmental Engineer.

3. What do you like about the work you do?

I like the fact that my work can vary greatly from week to week working with the Environmental Department. It provides me with opportunities to get outside and help keep the public and environment safe for years to come. I’m excited to see how technologies will improve and benefit the projects we can apply them to.

1. How has your experience at Fuss & O’Neill differed from other places you’ve worked?

I really like the collaboration among offices. It means that I have a wider range of expertise to learn from and it makes us a stronger team overall.

Liz Isenstein, PE Water Resources Engineer Manchester, CT

WNR

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2. What makes your job rewarding?

I’ve always liked how tangible water resources is. I can see projects that I do on the computer translate into solving real world problems. I also like the diversity of projects that I get to work on, which keeps the work interesting.

3. How do you envision the future of your career at Fuss & O’Neill?

I am starting to transition from doing almost all technical work to also managing projects. I really like that Fuss & O’Neill has a hybrid technical/Project Manager track so you don’t have to choose between them. I am looking forward to continuing to develop my project management skills and take on bigger projects.

USS

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1. You are a part-time employee. Can you explain that a little bit for someone who might be considering a part-time role at Fuss & O’Neill?

Erin Maloney, EIT Sr Project Engineer Manchester, NH

TRN

I have been working part time with the company for about 6 years. Part-time employment can be challenging at times, but with good communication and coordination it can be wonderful. My coworkers are respectful of family demands and Fuss & O’Neill has provided me with what I need to succeed. Our teams work well together, which allows us to be successful.

2. What is one thing you consider unique to working at Fuss & O’Neill?

Fuss & O’Neill is one of the few companies I know of that truly cares about its employees. We work hard, but there’s an understanding that there needs to be a balance. I feel like everyone from my coworkers to the CEO cares how I’m doing as a person and an employee. I never thought I would be able to successfully be a part-time engineer; it’s something that seems rare in our industry still, and that is a testament to the importance of the employees.

3. What is a dream project that you would like to work on?

I love working on smaller projects where I can help make towns safer and more enjoyable. A dream project for me would be one that involves improvements to help a community, especially if it improves pedestrian and bicycle access. I recently moved to a small town where the downtown is used to host events regularly and where you can safely walk around; I love that feeling and providing that to others!

Let’s see what we can create together! https://www.fando.com/careers/

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FOCUS on Design-Build

By Charlie Ahles, PE Vice President, Construction Services

When I started with Fuss & O’Neill back in 1992, I was a field engineer in the Environmental Group, where I did a lot of groundwater sampling and other environmental activities. However, my passion was, and continues to be, construction. I worked for a construction company when I was in high school, used to do side jobs in college, and I just love the hands-on nature of the work. So about 20 years ago I moved into Fuss & O’Neill’s Construction Services Division, and have been there ever since.

The work that the Construction Services Division has traditionally done is through a designer-led design-build process, which is different than contractor-led design-build. We consider ourselves more of an owner’s representative. It’s not about just getting the job done; we’re looking to build long-term relationships.

We have a great established network with several tiers of contractors, site contractors, electricians, and other subcontractors that we can specifically match to projects based on their complexity and requirements.

We have a contractor health and safety vetting program, where we obtain each 12

the sizes of the materials are known, the site contractor knows exactly what they are going to put in the ground, etc. So when we give a price, getting buy-in from the entire subcontractor and vendor team, we’re comfortable with that price.

contractor’s health and safety record, their health and safety plan, and their certificates of insurance. The network is a great group, fully vetted, and we work to pull together the same team for the same types of jobs because the learning curve is basically nonexistent. Having worked together means being able to realize efficiency from the cost estimating through the construction process. This ever-growing network allows us to put the most intelligence to each project, which optimizes the process and makes us cost-effective. We are only as good as our network, so we put a lot of time into developing relationships with the best firms in the region.

When we price a job, we pride ourselves on the fact that we work hard to minimize change orders. This is key to the design-build process, and we will often go after complex projects that traditional low-bid contractors will have no interest in pursuing. We get involved early, iron out the scope from the beginning, and take a look at the factors that can most impact cost. In a non-design-build project approach, a contractor would have to price on faith, as the design wouldn’t be done yet. This assumption-based pricing is what leads to change orders. When the design team is part of the pricing, pricing is more accurate, meaning less change orders.

For example, materials are already identified,

The designer-led design-build process can be applied to many types of projects. This approach has been successfully applied to municipal service building additions, largescale building re-designs, underground storage tank removal/replacement, dams, demolition projects, industrial facilities, subsurface and site work for developments, wastewater treatment plants, parking lots, and brownfields sites. One type of work I’m particularly interested in is solar installations. I have a team of subconsultants familiar with solar installations and I have experience working on a solar farm project in Connecticut. I’m working with my team to discuss opportunities for canopy installations. Regardless of the project, in this organizational structure, the biggest benefits to our clients are speed to delivery, single point of contact, and price. Instead of the client having to coordinate multiple vendors and contractors throughout the project, our construction services team will act as a main point of contact, which flows right from our engineering design team into the construction portion of the project.

Business Line

FOCUS

Building and Hazardous Materials Q: What challenges are your customers currently facing and how are you helping them solve those challenges?

For this issue, we talked with Bob L. May, Jr, Senior Vice President and Buildings and Hazardous Materials Business Line Leader to learn a little more about how his business line helps clients.

Q: You’re the Business Line Leader for

Buildings and Hazardous Materials. For those unfamiliar, can you explain a little about what your business line does and who you serve?

The Buildings and Hazardous Materials Business Line focuses on the built environment, meaning existing buildings.

We serve and work in many markets and have several large target markets, such as healthcare, higher education, housing, as well as K-12 public and private schools. Our clients include property owners, architects, developers, and other engineering and consulting firms. There are three primary sectors within our business line: vertical structures; mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP); and hazardous building materials.

Repair, renovation, and replacement projects are a cornerstone of our work. We perform assessments of existing buildings and systems, and prepare designs for repair and replacement of systems. Our work often includes oversight of construction activities on these projects.

In general, our clients have issues surrounding deferred maintenance of their existing buildings. The pandemic has focused a bright light on this issue as it relates to healthy buildings and air quality. Many of our clients face everyday concerns with building occupancy related to indoor air quality. Understanding what the issues are and how to repair or address them requires assessment of systems. Often mechanical systems are beyond their useful life and may require replacement. The focus and stimulus monies afford these clients an opportunity to obtain public support for such projects.

Determining which projects should be a priority and undertaking them in timeframes required by the funding is a challenge.

Furthermore, many clients with large campuses are challenged with the number of buildings and space they have as focus shifts to options such as distance learning and working from home. Our structural group has seen an increase in need to evaluate data centers as more bandwidth is needed for working from home as well as an increase of focus on alternative energy systems (e.g., solar, which can be installed on rooftops and that requires an evaluation to support).

Any project to repair, replace, or renovate existing buildings requires an assessment of potential hazardous building materials prior to conducting such work.

Q: How has the pandemic altered your business?

Adapting to early pandemic guidance proposed many challenges for our clients.

We developed an approach for building occupancy and assisted many schools with

their needs. In terms of our approach to business, there has been less in-person meetings and events; however, the ability to have remote meetings and presentations has helped to increase our visibility with some clients. We have also found it difficult to hire new staff based on the current market. To address this, certain positions are remote work opportunities, and we are looking at how to expand this for other positions.

Q: What new or emerging fields would you like to work in?

The current administration is focusing on reducing carbon emissions. This is an important issue and one in which we have been very successful in the adaption side of climate impacts. The current shift is in preventative and reversal of carbon impacts. These alternative energy projects will potentially increase our current work in solar development, electric vehicle charging systems, as well as other alternative energy solutions such as wind, geo-thermal, and electrification. We see an opportunity to develop our offerings in the areas of net zero and passive house practices. Many of the skills required for these initiatives are those that we already offer. We also see an opportunity to work in the data center and corporate real estate management markets.

Data centers require free cooling and large mechanical systems, and have structural needs. Within corporate real estate market, we see opportunities where companies may be relocating out of large cities, downsizing, and/or repurposing their facility needs and campuses. Those projects involving existing buildings and structures is at the heart of our expertise in the Buildings and Hazardous Materials Business Line.

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FOCUS on Spring Safety With the warmer weather creeping in, opportunities to be outside can be very enticing.

The outdoors is full of potential safety hazards, so here are a few tips to keep you safe!

Working on perfecting your garden?

Kneeling rather than bending will put less strain on your back. Also avoid repetitive motions and try switching tasks every 15 minutes.

We can get lots of rain this time of year and flooding can happen very quickly. Be aware of slippery surfaces and don’t drive through flooded roads.

If you’re working on your lawn, remember that lawn mowers, trimmers, and blowers create unique safety hazards. Protect eyes from flying debris with safety glasses. Wearing hearing protection can avoid damage from loud noises.

Proper gloves, footwear, and respirators can also make a big difference on safety.

Remember that temperatures can vary wildly from day to night. Keep an eye on weather reports, bring extra layers, and plan accordingly!

If you’re cycling, remember your helmet and reflective gear. Also, check your tires after their long winter in the garage!

It doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are or how shallow the water is – remember your life vest when fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.

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Hydration is always important – regardless of the time of year. But if you’re spending longer periods of time away from a water source, make sure you plan accordingly and bring plenty of water. And remember water for your pets too!

Always remember to pack sunscreen and bug repellent – regardless of the destination!

Expect the unexpected – whether that is an animal crossing the road or a thunderstorm that appears out of nowhere, thinking about how you will react to these situations before they happen will help you if they do happen.

There is safety in numbers. Hiking, cycling, camping…pretty much any outdoor activity is safer with at least one other person. Phones may not always work in every location, batteries die, and you may be incapacitated and not able to use your phone. The buddy system works!

If going for a picnic or holding a cookout, remember to separate raw meats, poultry, and seafood from ready-to-eat foods including fruits, vegetables, salads, cheeses, and desserts. Use separate coolers, plates, and utensils.

You might be eager to get back out on the green, but remember to warm up and stretch first!

FOCUS on ARPA New American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Regulations Background To date, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has distributed more than $245 billion as a part of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program. The following is a summary of those changes as they relate to general American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) guideline updates, with a focus on infrastructure funding. The final rule focused on four areas: 1. Replacing Lost Revenue 2. Public Health and Economic Response

3. Premium Pay for Essential Workers 4. Water, Sewer, and Broadband Infrastructure

Changes

Replacing Lost Public Sector Revenue The final rule offers a new standard allowance of $10 million to spend on government services through the period of performance.

• Recipients may determine their revenue loss by choosing between two options: Ð A standard allowance of up to $10 million in aggregate. Ð Calculating their jurisdiction’s specific revenue loss each year using Treasury’s formula, which compares actual revenue to a counterfactual trend.

• Recipients are permitted to use that amount (not to exceed the award amount) to fund “government services”, which include: Ð Construction of Schools and Hospitals • Road Building and Maintenance, and Other Infrastructure • Health Services • General Government Administration, Staff, and Administrative Facilities • Environmental Remediation • Provision of Police, Fire, and Other Public Safety Services (Including Purchase of Fire Trucks and Police Vehicles) • Government services is the most flexible eligible use category under the SLFRF program, and funds are subject to streamlined reporting and compliance requirements.

Public Health and Economic Response

In general, to identify eligible uses of funds in this category, recipients should: • Identify a COVID-19 public health or economic impact on an individual or class (i.e., a group).

• Design a program that responds to that impact.

In addition to programs and services, the final rule clarifies that recipients can use funds for capital expenditures. Some examples include: • Building affordable houses, childcare facilities, schools, or hospitals.

• Remediation of lead paint and remediation of vacant property environmental contaminants.

• For large-scale capital expenditures, which have high costs and may require an extended length of time to complete, as well as most capital expenditures for non-enumerated uses of funds, the Treasury Department requires recipients to submit their written justification as part of regular reporting.

Water, Sewer and Broadband Infrastructure In addition to the previously eligible projects under the EPA’s state revolving funds, additional eligible projects include: • Broad suite of additional lead remediation activities.

• Additional stormwater infrastructure, including culverts and storm sewers.

• Certain dam and reservoir rehabilitation.

• Modernization of cybersecurity and new broadband infrastructure.

For general guidance and more details, visit: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule.pdf 15

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