NOMINATING COMMITTEE APPOINTED
Pursuant to the By Laws of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, a Nominating Committee has been appointed for the purpose of drafting and proposing the 2007 slate of Officers and Directors. Many thanks to the following members who have agreed to serve on the Nominating Committee:
- Tobin Arsenault, Cape Ann Marina, Gloucester
- Luke Brunelle, Brunelle, Inc., South Hadley
- Greg Glavin of Onset Bay Marina, Buzzards Bay
- Stewart J. Roach, Norwood Yacht Sales, North Quincy
- Ridge White, Robert White Instruments, Boston
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! PROTECT YOUR MMTA SHOW EXHIBITOR DISCOUNT!
ATTENTION ALL 2006 BOSTON INTERNATIONAL
IN WATER BOAT SHOW EXHIBITORS
2006 INSTALLMENT PAYMENT DUE DATES
JUNE 10 -- FIRST 30% INSTALLMENT
JULY 28 -- SECOND 30% INSTALLMENT
AUGUST 30 -- REMAINING BALANCE
ANY LATE PAYMENT WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF MMTA MEMBER DISCOUNT.
For More information, contact Vernon Promotions at 978-777-4439 or email sales@vpol.com or visit http://www.bostoninwaterboatshow.com
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ENCOURAGE PFD WEAR OR IT WILL BECOME MANDATORY
The National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] has been holding hearings on a proposal to make Personal Flotation Device [PFD] wear mandatory on board boats 21 feet and smaller. While MMTA together with national affiliates strongly encourages the voluntary wear of PFD's y all boaters, we share NMMA's position that criminalizing PFD wear is not the answer to improving boater safety.
The NTSB has targeted the under 21-foot vessel class for mandatory PFD use because statistically the majority of accidents occur within highly populated this segment. By focusing on this segment the officials estimate that they can reduce boating fatalities by 50%. The NTSB's goal is to increase PFD wear rates by 3% per year for the next 3 years. The recreational marine industry has been enlisted to assist in increasing the observed PFD wear rates nationwide through education, outreach and promotion of VOLUNTARY PFD use. If we as an industry are NOT successful in increasing PFD wear among boaters in all segments, it is highly likely that the NTSB proposed mandate for PFD wear on boaters under 21- feet will make its way into law. If PFD wear becomes mandatory for boaters, no doubt some of your customers will no longer be boaters due to increased regulations and the criminalization of PFD use.
MMTA members and all industry professionals concerned with keeping the "hassle out of boating," are urged to educate, promote and encourage voluntary PFD wear especially in the 21-foot and smaller segment. This season there will be "official spotters" nationwide on jetties, at marinas and on the water who, on behalf of the NTSB, will be recording "observed PFD wear rates" by recreational boaters. While our industry objects to this subjective, relatively unscientific measurement tool, the spotters will nonetheless be out there recording their observations. If we do not impact what they see, observe and record we may be in for some harsh PFD mandates in the near future.
For more information on what you can do to be a good example and encourage PFD wear, please review the NMMA position paper on Mandatory PFD wear at http://www.nmma.org/lib/docs/nmma/gr/policy/NMMA_Position_-_Mandatory_PFD_Wear.pdf
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PUBLICATION FROM THE BOSTON HARBOR ASSOCIATION
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE - NATURALLY BOSTON HARBORS
Download Naturally Boston Harbor for self-guided nature tours along the Boston Harbor. Naturally Boston Harbor describes flourishing plant and animal life and provides historical background, suggestions for activities, and directions to sixteen Harbor locations in Charlestown, East Boston, Dorchester, South Boston, and on the Harbor Islands.
The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA) is a non-profit, public interest organization founded in 1973 by the League of Women Voters and the Boston Shipping Association to promote a clean, alive and accessible Boston Harbor. TBHA brings together diverse interests -- harbor users, environmentalists, developers, waterfront businesses, and decision makers -- to develop balanced solutions for maritime industrial activities, commercial development, environmental protection, and public access around Boston Harbor. The publication may be downloaded at http://www.tbha.org/resources_naturallybostonharbor.htm
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Congratulations to MMTA Member Edson International which is celebrating 147 years of continuous operation and 50 years with the Keene family at the helm. See Jerome Koncel's article in the May/June 2006 issue of Marina Dock Age magazine or visit: http://www.marinadockage.com
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TIP TO HELP CLOSE A SALE
FEDERAL LAW ALLOWS SALES TAX DEDUCTIONS
On October 22, 2004, President George W. Bush signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 in law. Included in the law is a special federal deduction for state and local sales tax or income tax. The act allows individuals the option of claiming an itemized deduction for either general state and local sales tax or state income tax. You can deduct the actual sales tax amounts or use predetermined amounts from IRS tax tables plus the actual amounts from the purchases of large ticket items such as motor vehicles or boats.
Go to the MRAA website http://www.mraa.com/irs.html to read the relevant IRS press release and download the IRS tax tables that apply.
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IMPACT SUMMARY OF MASSACHUSETTS
HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION
The following summary and comment is provided courtesy of MMTA Member Thomas Gregory Associates of Wakefield. For more information contact Jon Rouillard at jrouillard@thomasgregory.com
The below synopsis of the legislation provides a short summary of the bill as it was written and finally passed. There are some key points, especially if you employ more than 11 full time employees, however the legislation is not limited to that group.
I urge you to review this summary carefully.
At this time, the actual impact of the bill on your group health plan and administration will not be known until the new regulatory authority is set up and the regulations are written based upon the agencies interpretation of the legislatures intent. There may even be adjustment and amendments to some aspects of the law before its final implementation. The targeted date set by the legislature is July 1, 2007 for implementation of the Act.
Massachusetts Health Care Reform Legislation Summary Points:
Regarding newly enacted Health Care Reform Legislation:
Massachusetts' new Health Reform Act was signed into law by Governor Romney on April 12, 2006. Now Chapter 58, Acts of 2006. This legislation was effective upon passage, but many provisions have different effective dates. Harvard Pilgrim's Government Relations staff is analyzing various provisions in the new law. Many provisions will be subject to further regulation in order to clarify the new law.
There are a number of provisions that will impact employers including:
Fair Share Contribution -- Effective on 10/1/06 -- Employers with 11+ FTEs who do not make a "fair and reasonable" contribution to employee health insurance will be required to pay an assessment. The assessment cannot exceed $295 per employee per year. State regulators will define a "fair and reasonable" contribution, including whether any contribution needs to be made on behalf of part-time and seasonal workers.
Free Rider Assessment -- Effective upon passage -- This provision applies to employers with 11 or more employees, who do not offer to contribute towards or arrange for the purchase of health insurance. Employers are to be assessed if its employees access the Uncompensated Care Pool a total of 5 times per year or one employee accesses the Uncompensated Care Pool 3 times in one year and the total claims billed to the UCP exceed $50,000. The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy will promulgate regulations relative to the surcharge. The surcharge must be more than 10% but less than 100% of the cost of free care.
Section 125 Plans -- Effective on 1/1/07 -- All employers with 11+ employees must establish a Section 125 Plan. The plan must be filed with the Commonwealth Connector. Employers do not need to make a contribution to the Section 125 plan but must arrange for the payroll deduction. The filing of a Section 125 plan may qualify as "arranging for insurance" and employers who establish these plans, may not be liable under the "free rider" assessment.
Contribution Strategy -- Effective on 1/1/07 -- Employers must make available to any full-time employee any fully-insured plan that they offer to any other full-time employee. Employers are prohibited from making a lower premium contribution to a lower-wage full-time employee than they do for a higher-wage full-time employee for the same product. Employers may have different contribution policies for workers covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Dependent Coverage -- Employers must cover dependents up until age 25 or up to 2 years after loss of dependent status, per IRS code, whichever comes first.
Affidavits -- All employers and employees must sign a statement to be filed with the state attesting to whether the employer has offered the employee coverage, whether the employee has accepted coverage for the employer and whether the employee has an alternate source of coverage.
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SELECTED ITEMS FROM JUNE 2006 CZ MAIL
National Boating Safety Advisory Council Vacancies - The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is seeking applications for membership on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC). The 21 member NBSAC advises the Coast Guard on matters related to recreational boating safety. For more information and to download the application, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/nbsac/nbsac.htm The application deadline is September 1.
Stormwater Manager's Resource Center - Created and maintained by the Center for Watershed Protection, the Stormwater Manager's Resource Center is designed specifically for stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues. Check it out at http://www.stormwatercenter.net/
2006 Boaters' Guide to Tides and Pumpout Facilities - The 2006 Boaters' Guide to Tides and Pumpout Facilities is available. The wallet-sized pamphlet, printed on waterproof paper, contains information on the locations of pumpout facilities along the Massachusetts coastline and a June-September tide chart. For a free copy, email your request and mailing address to czm@state.ma.us. For an electronic copy, go to http://www.mass.gov/czm/potoc.htm
June is Hurricane Preparedness Month in the Commonwealth - Governor Mitt Romney has declared June to be Massachusetts Hurricane Preparedness Month. The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season begins on June 1 and once again a fairly active season is predicted. Updated predictions and the latest hurricane information are available on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center Website. Go to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/. To help prepare, see the CZM Hurricane Preparedness Kit at http://www.mass.gov/czm/hurricanes.htm. Also, see CZM's 2002 Coastlines magazine at http://mass.gov/czm/coastlines/2002/index02.htm for more information on Massachusetts hurricanes and their potential impacts, articles on how to build and rebuild to withstand a storm, and information on a wide range of tools available for reducing risks in hurricane-prone areas.
Red Tide Bloom Returns to the Commonwealth's Waters - Once again, due to the spread of toxic red tide, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has taken action to prohibit the harvesting, sale, or possession of shellfish from a large portion of the Commonwealth's coastal waters. For the latest information about the red tide bloom in Massachusetts, including an up to date map of the open areas, and a red tide information page, go to the DMF Website at
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/programsandprojects/psp_notice.htm#shelsani. In addition, DPH has posted a public health fact sheet about red tide.
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COASTAL PROJECTS COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES
North Shore: Northeast Gateway Draft EIS Available for Comment - The U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) are seeking comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Northeast Gateway Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project to be located off Cape Ann in Massachusetts Bay. To submit comments, view the DEIS, the application, and associated documentation go to http://dms.dot.gov. Go to docket number 22219.
South Shore: Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury No Discharge Area Petition - EPA is seeking comments on the petition submitted by Massachusetts to designate the coastal waters of Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury a federally approved No Discharge Area (NDA). Submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov or email rodney.ann@epa.gov. All comments should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R01-OW-2006-0435 and must be received by July 3. For more information about the NDA application contact Todd Callaghan at todd.callaghan@state.ma.us.
Cape Cod: MMS Seeks Comments on Cape Wind - The U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) has announced that it will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cape Wind Offshore Energy Project-the proposal to construct a 130 turbine offshore wind park in Nantucket Sound. MMS is seeking comments prior to drafting the EIS. Interested parties can review the proposal, submit comments, and get additional information at http://www.mms.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/Projects.htm. Comments are due by July 14.
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MARINE INDUSTRY EVENT CALENDAR
Have an event to be added to the calendar of interest to all members, send an e-mail to Leona.Roach@boatma.com
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ONGOING REMINDERS TO MEMBERS AND LINKS OF INTEREST
2006 MASSACHUSETTS MARINE SHRINKWRAP RECYCLING INFO:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/newsbriefs/2006_may_08_news.html
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DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE:
If you would like additional copies of the 2006 MMTA Directory for your staff and key employees, send a check for $6 per copy to MMTA P.O. Box 272, Milton, MA 02186.
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BOATER INFORMATION PIPELINE SIGNUP:
http://www.boatma.com/boatersenewssignupform.html
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MMTA NEWSBRIEF ON ETHANOL:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/newsbriefs/2006_march_11_news.html
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MMTA NEWSBRIEF ON LOW SULFUR GASOLINE:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/newsbriefs/2006_march_03_news.html
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RENEW YOUR 2006 MMTA MEMBERSHIP ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL:
https://ssl3.pair.com/bythesea/cgi-bin/quickstore/boatma-renew/order.pl
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MAKE THE MMTA JOBS BULLETIN BOARD WORK FOR YOU!
Be sure to post your help wanted notices here. It's free, it's popular and it works! http://www.boatma.com/jobs/bbs.pl
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MARINE TRADES EDUCATORS WISH LIST
Go To: www.boatma.com/membersonly/news/bbs.pl to visit the MMTA News Bulletin Board of Wish Lists from Ben Franklin Institute of Technology, Massasoit Community College and Cape Cod Tech.
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SHOW YOUR COLORS
Proudly Display the MMTA Logo: Download it Here:
http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/mmtalogos.html
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WE WANT YOUR MARINE INDUSTRY PHOTOS!
We need photos of marinas, boatyards, retailers, service and repairers. Please send all photos in a high resolution version and indicate if a photo credit is applicable or not. Send to Leona.Roach@boatMA.com
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UPCOMING MARINE INDUSTRY EVENTS
CLICK HERE: http://www.boatma.com/membersonly/memberscalendar.html
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MMTA-STAPLES BUSINESS ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
Click Here, or visit the MMTA Members Only Section at www.BoatMA.com and click on the STAPLES LOGO.
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E-MAIL CHANGES?
Send a notice of any email address changes or requests to opt out of future mailings to: webmaster@boatMA.com
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SUPPORT YOUR ASSOCIATION: ADVERTISE ON BOATMA.COM
THE BEST PROMOTIONAL VALUE FOR YOUR MARINE BUSINESS! Email webmaster@boatma.com or call David Watson, the BoatMA.com webmaster, at 508-240-2533 to sign up today!
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SHARE THE WEALTH!
PLEASE share these ENews briefs with colleagues and staff of MMTA member firms. HAVE AN ITEM FOR ENEWS? Drop us a line at: Leona.Roach@BoatMA.com
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