UCANE’s February Dinner Meeting: Installation of UCANE’s 2022 Officers

UCANE Officers & Board in attendance: (L-R): Andrew Daniels, J. Derenzo Co.; Ryan McCourt, McCourt Construction Company; Jordan Tirone, DeSanctis Insurance Agency, Inc.; Erik Sveden, C. N. Wood Co., Inc.; Brian Rawston, Jay Cashman, Inc.; David Walsh, Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt; Richard Pacella, Jr., R. M. Pacella, Inc.; Chris Valenti, GVC Construction, Inc.; Fred Rogers, Scrap-It, Inc./Minichiello Bros., Inc.; Querino Pacella, RJV Construction Corp.; Brian Cooney, C.C. Construction, Inc.; Jim Madden, Palmer Paving Corp.; Robbie Our, Robert B. Our Co., Inc.; Dan Horgan, R. H. White Const. Co., Inc.; Lisa French Kelley, W. L. French Excavating Corp.; George DeFelice, DeFelice Corporation; Vincent Barletta, Barletta Heavy Division; Calvin Brandford, CHB Excavating; and Mike Biszko III, Biszko Contracting Corp. Board Members not in attendance: Marcella Albanese, Albanese Brothers, Inc.; Jerry Gagliarducci, Gagliarducci Construction, Inc.; and Joe Gioioso, P. Gioioso & Sons, Inc.

A return to in-person events and a review of the Infrastructure Bill was well received by members and guests alike!

SponSored by C. n. Wood Company, InC.

On February 15, more than 150 UCANE members and guests braved the winter cold to attend a long-awaited in-person dinner meeting sponsored by C.N. Wood Co., Inc., at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood, MA. With COVID-19 interfering with most events over the last two years, this meeting was warmly welcomed by our members who were excited to once again meet with their fellow contractors, suppliers, friends, and even competitors! They were even more excited to view a presentation regarding what they and their companies can expect from the recently enacted Federal Infrastructure Bill.

Prior to the Cocktail Hour, the UCANE Board of Directors held a combined Board/Government Relations Meeting in a private function room in the hotel. Per usual practice, UCANE members are invited to attend monthly meetings to bring up a current issue or to simply observe the meetings. This evening, approximately 15 members supplemented the 30 Board and Government Relations members that filled the seats around the extended meeting table.

UCANE lobbyist Mark Molloy of Cascade Strategies began the meeting and led the Government Relations discussion. He first updated the group on the status of the bills most important to UCANE that are moving through the State House. Many potentially problematic bills for the construction industry were tabled in 2021 because of limited legislative sessions due to COVID-19. One negative bill that would unfairly impose vicarious liability onto general contractors remains alive and will be a focus for UCANE and other construction groups this spring.

Mark then noted the unusually large legislative exodus that will be occurring this year at the State House, and reminded Board members to prepare for some personal visits that might be required to introduce our Association, and our current issues, to a host of freshmen legislators this year. As most readers know, the Massachusetts State House has been semi-vacant and totally closed to the public (and lobbyists) for two years due to COVID-19. It re-opened to the public on February 22.

The Board of Director’s began their meeting by voting in two new members; ST Materials and Equipment Sup-

Peter Howe, Senior Advisor, Denterlein; Mark Molloy, Cascade Strategies; and UCANE Executive Director Jeff Mahoney

ply Co., and Mersino Dewatering, Inc. President Ryan McCourt and Executive Director Jeff Mahoney then led discussions on a host of non-legislative topics that are of concern to our members. The issues ranged from good news about increases in Infrastructure and SRF funding, to problematic news about supply chain issues, material escalation, a new federal PLA Mandate, and recent news releases from OSHA and the Massachusetts AG’s office. After an informative session, the Board members emerged to join the Cocktail Hour and everyone was continued on page 43

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soon brought into the Ballroom for dinner.

The highlight of the meeting was the swearing in ceremony for our 2022 Officers and Board of Directors by Executive Director, Jeff Mahoney, who administered the oath of office to the four officers and the 18 Board members.

Incoming President Ryan McCourt praised our Association and thanked everyone for their support. He also thanked outgoing President Marcella Albanese for her two years of outstanding achievements, despite being made more difficult by the pandemic. Ryan then welcomed our new Board members, and thanked our outgoing members for their participation and contributions to our membership and our industry over the last two years.

Ryan also asked our members to extend business opportunities to our Associate Members whenever possible. He compared the additional funds coming into our industry to a rising tide, “If we work together, there’s no reason why all of our boats can’t be lifted.”

UCANE is always proud to point out that our Board is comprised of both large and small contractors, who represent both union and open shop companies, as well as two Associate Members…this year’s Board continues that tradition.

Next, there was a power-point presentation by Mark Molloy explaining when and where the Infrastructure Funding will be distributed in Massachusetts, and how municipalities can access these funds.

This information was well received by UCANE members and our six guests from Norfolk-Bristol-Middlesex Highway Assn. and Mass. Highway Assn. who are current or past DPW Directors. Between the new Infrastructure Funds and last year’s unused “American Rescue Plan” funds, Massachusetts and all of New England is in a position to embark on a historic level of investment into roads, bridges, water and sewer, and other underground infrastructure. UCANE members applauded the news and are poised and ready to perform.

Following Mark’s uplifting presentation was Peter Howe, principal from the Boston Public Relations firm, Denterlein. Peter updated the audience on UCANE’s ongoing initiative called #InvestInWaterMA. The goal of this initiative is to keep the importance of investing in underground infrastructure in the conversation, not only for legislators but for the general public as well. With a series of slides, Peter explained how we are using multiple forms of advertising, newspaper articles and editorials, and social media to increase awareness of this issue across the Commonwealth. With funds from the Infrastructure Bill starting to roll into New England, the timing of UCANE’s publicity campaign in early 2021 could not have been better.

With Mark Molloy and Jeff Mahoney leading the way, #InvestInWaterMA has signed on 10 other influential associations as partners to our outreach program. They represent a wide ranging group including Environmentalists, Real Estate, BioTech, Commercial Developers, and Municipal Water officials. They all understand the common need for investments in drinking water and sewer systems as not only the first step in growing the Massachusetts economy, but for preserving our quality of life, our natural habitats, and our recreational waters that every Massachusetts citizen has a right to enjoy.

Peter Howe’s presentation on the progress being made with our #InvestInWaterMA Campaign was a great ending to not only an enjoyable social occasion, but to a very informative night out as well. n