 | In this MMTA ENews Brief: April 15, 2005
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| In this MMTA ENews Brief: April 15, 2005
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Congratulations to MMTA Public Affairs Director Nathalie Grady (photo to the right) who has been selected to serve on the 2005 National Marina Day Committee coordinated by the Association of Marina Industries.For assistance planning National Marina Day at your location, contact Nathalie Grady at nkgrady@boatMA.com. 
MMTA owes special thanks to MMTA Director Dave Kaiser (photo to the left) of Mattapoisett Boatyard for his ongoing efforts in the area of marine trades workforce development. On April 11 MMTA Director Dave Kaiser offered testimony to the members of the Job Growth Listening Tour in Fall River. Mr. Kaiser's presentation included information on the economic impact of the MA Marine Trades, the education and scholarship initiatives MMTA has underway and the challenges the marine industry faces without a pipeline of skilled employees. House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi along with State Representative Daniel E. Bosley recently announced that they will be sponsoring a statewide Job Growth Listening Tour. The listening tour will take the members of the Legislature to cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth to listen to the ideas and concerns of local business and civic leaders. After the completion of the tour, members of the Legislature will begin drafting an Economic Stimulus Package based, in part, upon their findings during the course of the tour. If you would like to offer testimony or written comments at any of the upcoming stops on the Job Growth Listening Tour, contact Leona.Roach@boatMa.com Job Growth Listening Tour Dates and Locations:
It has been brought to our attention by several astute members and unofficially verified by others that the Hyannis and Fall River, MA Boat Registration offices will NOT have their leases renewed at the end of their term (just a few months from now). The MMTA is working on a comment letter regarding the potential closings of these offices. Officials state that their intention is to open a new, centrally located facility in the Cape Cod Canal area, but a location has yet to be determined. Do you think Boat Registrations should be merged into automobile registry locations? Would you support and use an online Boat Registration system to register your customer's boats? If you wish to comment on this subject, please send an email to Leona.Roach@boatMA.com. In an effort to help stakeholders stay informed about ongoing MPA planning processes across the nation, the National Marine Protected Areas Center has established web-based regional information centers on www.MPA.gov. The Online MPA Regional Information Centers provide "one-stop-shopping" for comprehensive information on ongoing federal, state, and tribal MPA planning processes. Stakeholders can search the Information Centers for MPA planning processes by region of the U.S., or by state. For more information, please contact Amy Nickens in the MPA Center at Amy.Nickens@noaa.gov, 301-713-3100, ext. 237. EMarineTraining.com, an affiliate of Professional BoatBuilder magazine, has scheduled five online educational programs for marine professionals beginning April 18.
In response to the ongoing challenge faced by those who live on their boats year round in Massachusetts who inconsistently receives US Mail, MMTA has been asked to provide data to legislators that will outline the scope of the problem. MMTA asks that all facilities that accommodate "liveaboards" answer a quick survey pertaining to mail service for your customers. The aggregate information will be compiled and provide to Rep. Mike Capuano (8th District) who has agreed to champion the cause of better mail delivery for all residents of the Commonwealth including those who make a boat their primary residence. Please copy and paste the questionnaire and email with your replies to: Leona.Roach@boatMA.com 1. Does your marina have any year-round live-aboard residents? Are you collecting the taxes you should? GASOLINE: Most marine retailers receive gasoline from wholesalers at their marinas with ALL taxes paid-including the "road taxes" (at $.21/gallon) for which the end user can apply for a refund. DIESEL: Marine Diesel Fuel (often dyed Red), on the other hand, is most often delivered by the wholesaler to the marine retailer with NO taxes paid. If the diesel fuel is resold for "off-road" use, the retailer and end user are exempt from paying the $.21/gallon "road tax." The end user, however, IS NOT exempt from sales/use/excise tax on their diesel fuel purchase (5% in MA). If you are a marine diesel fuel retailer, check to make sure that you are collecting and remitting 5% of your diesel fuel sales to the Commonwealth. For an overview of the Massachusetts Motor Fuels Excise Tax regulations or to download gasoline road tax refund forms (Form GT-9) visit: http://www.massdor.com/business/taxguide/MotorFuelsExcise.htm Last week we reminded you to Boat Smart from the Start. This week we offer a reminder that the trailer/tow laws are not uniform across New England states. Whether you crew is transporting a boat or a new boat owner is trailering to their home state, keep the following in mind: State Max Max Max Max Weight Max Trailer Trailer Trailer Trailer Requiring Towing Length Width Height LOA Trailer MPH Brakes CT 65 45' 8'6" 13'6" 60' 3000# MA 65 45' 8'6" 13'6" 65' N/A ME 55 48' 8'6" 13'6" 65' 3000# NH 55 48' 8'6" 13'6" N/A N/A RI 65 48'6" 8'6" 13'6" 60' 4000# VT 65 45' 8'6" 13'6" 65' 3000# Source: 2005 Digest of Motor Laws, American Automobile Association THE BEST PROMOTIONAL VALUE FOR YOUR MARINE BUSINESS! Promote your business on the most visible boating web site in the entire New England region during its busiest time of the year! A record number of visitors continue to visit the BoatMA.com web site. This is THE time to get onboard!
Like what you have read? PLEASE share these ENews briefs with colleagues and staff. While emails are sent to one contact at a Member Firm, all employees of member firms can benefit from this information. HAVE AN ITEM FOR ENEWS? Drop us a line at: Leona.Roach@boatMA.com
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