14 minute read
AGC Vermont
We’re Underwater (And That’s a Good Thing)
A Message from Richard J. Wobby, Executive Vice President of the Associated General Contractors of Vermont
We’ve made it to midyear, and I think it’s important to let everyone know where we stand and what we’re doing. Your AGC/VT office is underwater. Now in contractor speak, underwater means it’s costing more than expected, which in this time and day – inflation and recession – I know we all understand.
But in association speak, underwater means we as an organization have grown to capacity. Over the last year, the association has added 30 new members – the most ever.
Post Covid, AGC/VT has proven to be the strongest construction, business association in the state, if not New England. To be able to say that means we had to concentrate resources in the way that our members asked us to.
We’ve had several conversations with the Agency of Transportation concerning inflationary escalation of prices, and we’ve spent a great deal of time trying to help you get through that obstacle. The bigger obstacle is that the Agency of Transportation does not have the ability or the resources to help us through escalation and inflationary problems based on the present-day bidding process.
AGC/VT has now started to work with Federal Highway and our congressional delegation to try and alleviate or provide some help. On top of that, we’ve moved some resources to aid in the bidding and engineering processes being used by different groups and agencies. We’re working to let our agency partners understand that the estimates you made 12-18 months ago that are being used for bids today, are not viable or reliable, and that anything estimated 2-18 months ago is probably about 30% short today.
I wish I had better news to report in this arena. I don’t. But we remain committed to working with state and federal partners to try and make progress in any way that we can.
Over the last six months, AGC/VT has enhanced programs and expanded engagement opportunities. We’ve looked at how to better integrate programs and services to offer more useful and concise programming. Our aim is to not only serve the owners and employers, but also the next generation of builders and those people in the field who are rapidly advancing in leadership roles based on our present workforce situation.
We’ve run programs and training to better align people and process, not only in our organization but in outside organizations to assist in the continued support necessary for all construction related companies and businesses to excel.
We’ve created partnerships between the VT Ready Mix group to aid in the delivery of mining and concrete products. We’ve created a partner organization called Construct Vermont that is working diligently at building Vermont’s construction workforce, which over the last six months has delivered over 2,000 Vermonters to the construction workforce. The industry itself could use another 2,000 workers. We realize that and we’re working toward that.
We’ve aided in the recruitment of new apprentice entrants into the VEICA organization members, and we’ve been very successful in partnering with VTC and several of the career technical centers to help deliver tomorrow’s electricians.
We’ve also partnered with the Vermont Fuel Dealers to provide training opportunities and recertification opportunities to their members. Finally, we’ve realigned Project RoadSafe to become a professional driver’s group to serve the needs of our CDL drivers and heavy equipment operators.
As we have looked at ways to better align people and processes for the efficiency and growth that will be needed over the next 3-4 years, we’ve found that the hardest internal decisions to make have been what services or pieces we should abandon.
That’s a difficult chore and by no means complete, because it becomes multi-generational. The old adage that “we’ve done this forever and need to do it again” isn’t necessarily correct. What we have to look at, and what we have been looking at as an association is, “What does the next generation of builders want and need and does our association deliver that?”
On the engagement side, we’ve hosted a number of exciting events recently. We’ve run two very successful Burgers & Brews outings, and have a big one coming up at AGC/VT headquarters. (Tip: I’d step away from that laptop and come join us, if I were you. You don’t want to miss this one.)
We have not one, not two, but three golf tournaments that we’re hosting this year: the annual AGC/VT one; the VEICA tournament; and we’ve added the Black, White, and Dusty again to the roster. Proceeds from these tournaments are spent on workforce development, scholarships, and increasing inclusion within the industry.
When I tell you that we’re underwater, it’s not a bad thing. It means that your association has become even more focused on helping you work productively, with less stress, and more profitably, so that you can remain more competitive in this market.
Thanks for everything you do this month and every month to keep engaged, to keep your workforce healthy, and to keep our industry strong.
Richard J. Wobby
Are You Safer than a 5th Grader?
By Stacy Frederick Spector
We all might remember the popular game show from the early 2000s called “Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader.” What great entertainment to watch firsthand, the way in which adults can overthink things and forget the basics. These same criticisms can be made about the way we answer the question of how we make jobsites safe or safer. So, what exactly made those fifth graders so successful in comparison to their adult competitors? It’s the “basics.” Their ability to keep things simple, be vulnerable, and look through growth mindset lenses.
Catamount Consulting, LLC follows a simple formula for achieving the highest levels of jobsite safety which is based on the concept that safety is a byproduct of a strong culture. The basics of a strong culture include connection, trust, and a shared vision or purpose. This simple or basic approach toward risk reduction and risk management is backed by droves of scientific research and data.
It was Abraham Maslow, an American psychologist best known for his work around human motivation, that identified a hierarchy of innate needs that a person must have met to reach their fullest potential. When pursuing a high standard of safety, Maslow would contend the two most essential needs are belonging and esteem. Catamount Consulting has identified the tools for activating belonging and esteem within the individuals of an organization. Have meaningful conversations with each other, let people know they are valued and appreciated, and learn your “common stories.” It is that simple. When members of an organization feel accepted, appreciated, valued, and share a common story or purpose, they are highly engaged. A highly engaged employee is a much safer employee. Gallup’s 2016 meta-analysis study showed that business units with engagement scores in the top quartile of Gallup’s employee engagement database had 70% fewer safety incidents compared with bottom-quartile units. Unfortunately, Gallup also reports that only 36% of employees in the U.S. are engaged.
Let’s come back to the fifth grader’s inherent willingness to show vulnerability and adopt a growth mindset, two extremely important qualities which become easily eroded with age and experience. Children in their early years do not overthink situations and over analyze their emotional exposure possibilities. However, most experienced adults avoid situations which involve emotional exposure, the inability to control an outcome or involve a high potential of failure. However, these are the situations in which connection, trust and a purpose are most readily grown.
To share an example of this mindset, during a routine onsite training, a senior supervisor of one of the companies we work with refused to demonstrate a relatively simple task related to forklift operation, despite his over-qualified ability to do the task. Why? He was fearful of being exposed, or in other words, being vulnerable. What if he made a mistake; what if the team members poked fun at him or made comments? Clearly the culture he worked in was not one of connection, trust, and shared purpose. If a senior supervisor is not willing to be vulnerable in a situation like this, imagine the mindset of the rest of the team working under that supervisor. It seems the argument can be made that those team members would spend a significant amount of time and energy trying to “fly under the radar.” We would argue that you could not be more disengaged as an employee when you are trying to fly under the radar.
So, at the next jobsite safety meeting when the question is asked: How can we improve our safety? Raise your hand up like a fifth grader and answer: culture! When your company invests its time and resources in providing training and initiatives that focus on the basics – connection, trust, and purpose – the return is a more engaged, productive, and safe team.
Stacy Frederick Spector is a coach and facilitator with Catamount Consulting, as well as a practicing attorney.
Catamount Consulting Welcomes Jeffs
Warrensburg, NY – Catamount Consulting, a national safety consulting firm, announced that Matt Jeffs, DPT, PSM, REAS has joined the Catamount Team as an educator/ergonomist/ consultant/clinician. He will be based in Catamount’s North Carolina and Florida offices.
Jeffs is a 30+ year educator, ergonomist, consultant, and clinician. He is a doctor of physical therapy, a lean ergonomist, and is credentialed with the state of Florida’s Manufacturing Extension Program.
Jeffs also served as workforce education director for a 300-company regional manufacturers association. As a work-injury reduction consultant, he has operated across the U.S. in processing plants, office buildings, healthcare settings, defense contractors and more. He’s also a doctoral-level lecturer at
Matt Jeffs universities and global governments.
Jeffs applies his expertise in risk exposure relief to enhance a lasting workplace safety culture.
HP is Expanding into the Green Mountain state!
Do you design or build in the Vermont area? We want to hear from you! Our team of experienced construction attorneys has dedicated their practice to the built environment. Our attorneys are called upon for advice on all types of public and private projects, from planning and procurement through design, construction and the post-completion warranty period. We practice construction law in Vermont and throughout New England.
Learn more at rc.com.
High-Profile is expanding its readership into the Vermont area. If you’re an A/E/C firm that is looking for additional exposure, send us your news at editor@high-profile.com with the subject “VT SECTION”. For questions regarding content or advertisements, email Anastasia@high-profile.com. Contact: Joseph A. Barra | jbarra@rc.com | 617.557.5901 Admitted in MA, NY, VT
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The following are excerpts from an article by Debra Ricker, president of Worksafe Traffic Control Industries
A Variable Speed Limit (VSL) system comprises several VSL signs and connected detectors for measuring a traffic situation. VSL shows some speed limits, based on the perceived traffic state adjacent to the sign and the traffic state both upstream and downstream.
Variable speed limits were first launched in the 1960s. In the 1970s, it was introduced as a motorway traffic control system. The system boasts of two major outlooks that are adversely defined.
Debra Ricker
The two major perspectives in the outlook are defined as follows:
• Homogenization systems that avert traffic congestion by applying minimized speed limits when traffic flow is in near-capacity to prevent unstable traffic situations. • Incident detection systems that enhance safety by enforcing the speed limit instantly in case of incidents, thus, minimizing the possibility of more incidents.
Benefits of Variable Speed Limit Systems
Variable speed limits disposals can regulate traffic and enforce efficiency and safety. Because variable speed limit systems have different formation goals and correlating system design, differing benefits are realized.
Speed homogenization forecasts normally apply basic algorithms from realtime traffic to report safety improvements and natural road conditions.
Projects that involve Active Traffic Management (ATM) systems relay practical mobility data for the safety of workers and motorists.
Neagley & Chase Completes Dealership
Haddad Subaru Sales and Service Facility / Photos courtesy of Stina Booth Photographer
St. Albans, VT – Neagley & Chase Construction announced it recently completed the new 32,000sf Haddad Subaru Sales and Service Facility in St. Albans.
The facility, the first New England Subaru dealership in over 20 years, opened to customers this summer, bringing Subaru sales, parts, and service to northwest Vermont. An enhanced customer experience is supported by spaces that include a large daylit showroom, a lending sales suite, and reception and guest service areas. The guest retreat area includes hospitality grade furnishings, a fireplace, entertainment, and coffee bar.
The facility features a separate indoor vehicle drop-off for customers leaving their vehicles for service work. The new highly durable and cleanable service area provides 14 state-of-the-art services bays. Service team members are supported by an organized and efficient parts storage system with plenty of room to grow. Also included are an employee lounge, locker rooms, offices and a conferencing area.
High performance MEP systems, ample daylighting, an airtight building envelope, skylights, and heat recovery ventilation contribute to the sustainability and energy efficiency of the facility.
The project team included Black River Design Architects, Pearson Associates, Slade Engineering, Ruggiano Engineering, and Hardy Structural Engineering.
Benefits of VSL systems:
1. Provide Safer Speeds in Work Zones VSL systems enforce the speed limit of vehicles approaching work zone areas, thus cars pass through at safe speeds. 2. Seamless Traffic Flow and Minimal Delays VSL units manage vehicles’ speeds to enhance traffic flow and promote safety. VSL promotes traffic flow by applying vehicles’ speed limit when there is an ongoing road construction ahead. It also makes it easy for cars to change lanes by running speed distribution across lanes. 3. Capability to Relate to Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) to Minimize Speeds during Cold Climate VSL units can process weather information for the benefit of the road user. Due to this, many agencies install VSL systems.
VSL Units Key Challenges
Implementing a VSL system is no easy task and comes with challenges, such as the enforcement of varying speeds, setting of speed limits, and driver comprehension of the system.
There are various systems installed across the country, and they can be different and unique, with divergent characteristics and performance. Some of the challenges experienced by states in the running of these units include recruitment of experienced staff with broad capabilities to manage VSL systems, maintenance of reliable and nationwide communication, coming up with methods that encourage compliance to VSL signs, generating public consent via outreach activities, lack of valuable data to hold- up VSL system rationale, VSL hardware and software failures, and lag in data that results in delayed information for setting road speed limits.
Spotlight on Barre, Vermont
Located in the heart of Central Vermont, Barre is one of Vermont’s most cosmopolitan cities surrounded by rolling hills, bucolic farms and wilderness that attract tourists to high quality cultural, entertainment, and outdoor recreational experiences. The Granite Center of the World is home to unique museums, diverse restaurants, vibrant visual and performing arts, and one of the top ten mountain biking trail systems in New England.
As a result of recent public and private investment, central location, affordable housing, recreation and cultural attractions, the Barre Area, comprised of the city of Barre and the surrounding town of Barre, is recognized as an upcoming micropolitan area.
The Barre area offers:
• The second largest labor market in the state of Vermont • Workforce development programs and technical assistance • Financing options for businesses of all sizes • Affordable commercial and industrial real estate for sale or lease • Affordable residential real estate for sale • Excellent schools, healthcare and lifestyle
Additionally, Barre City is an opportunity zone. The Barre area features an airport for jets, a large trucking company and rail to its industrial park, and a wide range of small support businesses such as surveyors, plumbers, electricians, building contractors, CAD welding and design, 3D printer companies and several machine shops.
The Barre Area Development Corporation (BADC) is a nonprofit organization that promotes economic development in Barre Town and Barre City, and is available to help those interested in growing a business in or moving a business to Barre. Visit barrevt.com for more info.
