MAPF Meetings ANNUAL DUES ARE NOW $50.00 A YEAR AND ARE DUE! Next MAPF membership meeting: June 11,2008 @ Blue Bonnet Diner - Northhampton, MA - sign-in starts at 3:00 and business mtg to start at 3:30. ? CFE credits will be awarded for MTG. Contact: Kevin Scherer - 978-248-9442 $30 for members; non-members - $40 for dinner Meeting Topics: TBA MAPF Spring Membership Meeting 4/2/08 Officers present: Chair-Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Recording Secretary- Mark Mueller, Corresponding Secretary - Jeff Martin, Treasurer- Kevin Shearer Location: Blue Bonnet Restaurant Northampton, MA Meeting opens @ 3:00 pm 1st Speaker Mark J. Twery USFS – Introduction to Nedlite for handheld computers and overview of NED2 and SVS. Nedlite- This is just a data collection system, touch screen entry plus ability to write or type in data, works on Palm OS 3.5 or later, use for NED1 or NED2, Pocket PC version available fall 2007. NED2- Can do multiple stands on a property, stand development simulation, applies user selected treatments, compares alternative plans, compares alternative goal sets. -spread sheet style data entry, reports are in HTML, can integrate with ArcGIS, direct links to SVS (Stand Visualization System), direct export from NED2 to SVS. -Web site where all this is available nrs.fs.fed.us/tools/ned 2nd Speaker Paul Catanzaro Extension Forester overview of resources available from Extension Services. -Outreach- informing landowner’s decisions when they arise, focusing on sale of timber and future of land. -Methods of outreach used by Extension: Train Community leaders, facilitate peer to peer learning (most important), internet resources. -Publications available- Your Land your Choices, High Grade Harvesting, Restoring Old Growth Characteristics, soon to come…. Revised version of Foresters and the Care of Your Land, and revised CH61 pamphlet. -Website or online contact areas for information: massacorn.net, masswoods.net, masskeystone.net (formerly Coverts) -on the masswoods website there is a CH61 Ch61A calculator available, and the BMP manual is online as well as ch61 info. 3rd Speaker Scott Sylvester on Forester Licensing update. -After much deliberation and phone calls, one scenario for moving licensing from all DCR to Massachusetts Bureau of Licensure (BOL) could be: The BOL would accept all the current regulations and current Forester Licensing Board as they now exist essentially the process would be the same except the BOL would take care of the administrative tasks such as mailing and collection of licenses and fees. The BOL’s concern was would this group generate enough income to pay for itself. -Cons- Less personal contact (BOL is all automated), the Statute would have to be changed to alter references to director etc. this could also open up other changes, cost of license would go up maybe around $75. Currently that would be $75 annually. -Pros- If we open up the law to change we could change license term from 1 to 2 years (cost would go down), we could get rid of the wording that allows non licensed individuals to call themselves foresters, and the we would get administrative help (currently the administrative tasks are done all voluntarily by board members). -Scott notes its up to the group what to do next. -much discussion followed some members for change, some members think it would have added burocracy, cost, and take it away from people in industry, some had security questions in light of a recent theft if ID numbers from the BOL. -more questions were generated these items will be looked into. 4th Speaker Jim D. with DCR updates. -First Russell Biomass received MEPA approval! -DCR is working on MA Biomass initiative and will have 8 or so assessments such as ecological, supply, infrastructure etc. available soon. -DCR make demonstration forests to show biomass harvesting -Working on Agency Biomass Policy -MA Environmental Bond Bill is up for renewal, if passed this could generate a great amount of funding for forestry. -Other forestry related bills to look at are S478 Forest Product Trust Funds revenues from timber sales 1/3 of profit from the sale would be allocated to town in which sale was held, 2/3 of profit would go to DCR to improve forestry. S481 30% of sale value “In Kind” State Forest Improvement. -Energy Bill is currently heavy to wind and ethanol, DCR will push for Biomass. -Resource Management Plans, Central Berkshire Approved, Final Drafts of North & South Berkshire. May 2nd they will present these plans. Jim asks that there be foresters present for support of these plans. -The Forest Landowner Assistance program received 8 good bids, it was help for legal reasons some wording needs to be changed. -Green Certification of private lands (done FSC though small group certification) is moving along. They have 9 Corrective Action Requests to fulfill in order to proceed. Most of these are procedural. A discussion followed about choosing FSC vs SFI. -Emergency response plan Jim had hoped for more forester support & is currently responding to environmental group’s comments. -Staffing for the Bureau 4 more management foresters were hired, 1 more service forester was hired, 1 person was switched from federal to state funds. -Gordon Boyce has stepped down form Forester License Board, Tom Ryan DCR Service Forester will replace him. -There will be an opening in April-May for contract work with DCR mostly Boundary work & some inventory work. -no Stewardship money this fiscal year. -Steve Anderson has stepped down, Jennifer Fish will be the new coordinator filling Steve’s place as well as working on Green Cert. 6:22pm Adjourn for Dinner Robert Collins Leads MAPF Business Meeting -Fall conference a success. Do we want to have another this fall? Voted on and approved. Possible topics – Carbon trading, soil food web, get Eric Fryefoggle back. -Discussed voted for and approved letters of support for Energy Bill, Russell Biomass, and to Stewardship council for support of regional management plans. -Discussed and voted on letter of support to be sent to Ways and Means Committee for support of only licensed foresters prepare cutting plans, 13 for, 14 against, 11 abstained. No majority letter will not be created. -Treasures report, we have money. -Next meeting in June 2nd Wednesday of the month at BlueBonnet. 5th Speaker Bob Macallum and Mark Stinson DEP Presentation on Wetland Crossings and Procedures for Filing. There was an informative hand out provided of notes on the presentation. They went over what the law was, how it applied to forestry, the “agricultural exemption”, permanent vs temporary crossing requirements, brief sizing requirements, brief over view of Army Core PGP stream crossing standards, also that they offer the service of pre permitting crossings brief overview of spills how much and what’s required. DEP Regional Offices: Northeast 978-661-7600 Southeast 508-946-2700 Central 508-792-7650 West 413-784-1100 24 hour hazardous material release line 1 888 304 1133 Meeting Adjourned 9:09pm MAPF Executive Committee Meeting 2/5/08 Officers present: Chair-Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Recording Secretary- Mark Mueller, Corresponding Secretary - Jeff Martin Location: Aquvitae Restaurant Amherst, MA Meeting opens @ 5:00 pm 1st topic Discussion Agenda topics and timing for next General meeting plus ideas for other meetings. 1. Date for next General Membership Meeting 3/12/08. 2. Possible topics/speakers for this meeting and/or other following meetings: Presentation on NED, Paul Barton from UMASS speaking on Water Quality and forest management related to small woodlot owners, Vernal Pool identification, Wetlands, NHESP, NRCS online information, Jim Dimeao give updates on chapter 61 and chapter 132 revisions . Leo will locate speaker(s). 3. Additional items to be addressed at the next meeting:Web site maintenance (proposal given to group by Leo G. from Joe smith with rates for taking care of web site, Robert will also make a quote for using his staff) present to group for a decision on whom to hire. 4. Preliminary schedule for next meeting start 3:00pm 3-5 presentation, 5-6 dinner, 6-7 business & Jim Dimeo updates, 7-9pm presentation. 2nd topic Discussion of letter sent to MAPF exec committee re: person requests involvement by MAPF in a situation between forester and state DCR. 3rd topic Discussion of new ch61 valuation rates. 4th topic Robert looks for MAPF main goal this year, what issues should MAPF address? Suggestions mentioned were: forester licensing, NHESP recommendations. 5th topic Leo gives out hand outs relating to Mass Wildlife, Audubon in regards to the issue of wetlands and endangered species. Also discuss DEP, Cons Comm’s, and CH132 laws on stream crossings (This could also be used as a meeting topic or presentation). General Membership Meeting 1/31/07 Officers present: Chair-Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Recording Secretary- Mark Mueller, Treasurer- Kevin Shearer, Corresponding secretary-Roger Plourde Location: Roms Sturbridge, MA Meeting starts @ 5:00pm 1) Treasurers Report- given by Kevin Shearer, voted on an accepted as read. 2) Old Business- Robert Collins a. DFW Forester working in private sector at same time employed by state. Letter from ethics committee returned, stating essentially that all DFW foresters are not allowed to participate in private jobs that require state approval examples: ch132 plans, ch61 plans. b. Grant Status- Jim Dimaeo is handing off responsibilities for this to Jennifer Fish. DCR is handling grant money with SNEFCI. They need to finalize the idea, and implement marketing plan etc. Next meeting on this is tentatively scheduled to be on March 8th. Leo Garneau add that there were problems handling the money it needs to go through a non-profit & SAF couldn’t do this. The money is supposed to forward private consulting forestry in New England . 3) Committee reports a. Brochure Committee report- Still working on updating MAPF brochure, ready for next meeting in March. b. Legislative Committee report- no activity. c. Membership Committee report- Welcome some new members and some returning memebers. 4) Recap of where MAPF has gone in past 2 years- 1) MAPF incorporated non profit, 2) MAPF has more meeting regularly with useful topics & credits, 3) MAPF more active in legislature & politics ex CH61 reform etc., 4) MAPF has been and is participating in the grant to promote forestry. 5) Elections for officers will be coming up next meeting. Election committee created members are: Bruce Anderson, Howard Mason, Ed Kane, & Rex Baker. - A comment made by a member was that MAPF should refrain from using the term “consulting forester”, as the body is made up of industrial, state & consulting foresters. It is agreed that MAPF should use the term “professional forester(s)” to represent the body. 6) New Business- Robert Collins a. Agree to use term “professional forester” when referring to MAPF b. Question as to whether or not the DCR state members can speak as individuals on legislative and regulatory topics in regards to forestry. State member relies that they can represent their own personal opinion but cannot represent the opinion of the State. c. Robert requests that all MAPF members sign MAPF after their titles when attending any meeting. d. Robert reads a list of concerns regarding the new State Management Forester policy, suggestions are made to: reduce the public comment period to 45 days and MAPF does not agree with the public comment policy as written we feel it hinders the state management foresters in doing forest management. e. Is there any interest in an all day MAPF meeting with lecturers seminars etc.?? Membership votes yes. Suggestions for topics are: Natural Heritage, market conditions, silvicultural research (Bill Leak), cost share. f. March 7th meeting will have an NRCS rep., and plant diseases. g. Steve Ward brings up annual MACC meeting. All vote to pay for him to attend with display. h. Comment made that MAPF should attend Land Trust meetings maybe with display. Adjourn for dinner 1) Robert introduces a letter to be sent to the EOEA. He requests comments and/or vote of support, need to make it a 1 page letter. Comments: make it represent all “professional foresters” not just “consultants”, tie it into biomass or energy (this is big on their agenda), summarize the letter to the secretary and send a more detailed one to the commissioner, change low value logs to low value material or biomass, bring up statistics (ex. total acres, managed acres, Stew acres), bring up idea that we as “professionals” have influence over privately owned land base, Steve Anderson states 51,000 acres have been but under management w/ EOEA funding in 4 seasons, economy of the forestry sector to the state, Invasives we are out there and can be the states “eyes”, services provided by private land that all enjoy (currently free of charge ex. Clean air, water, open space), Jim Soper suggests hold off on sending letter till there is a new commissioner, mention buy local campaign, Mike Mauri suggests bringing up mission statement of MAPF in letter, Robert will post the letter on WEB. 2) Presentation on ch61 laws changes – a hand out was given listing changes. This will take effect 3/27/06. Still need to set tax rates and use values. 3) Steve Anderson gives update on funding & STEW news. Still funding available through FLEP. 4) Presentation on proposed CH132 revisions by Roger Plourde & Jim Soper– a handout was given out. Some items mentioned: 132 for forest use only nee to decide where non forest use cutting goes, who files plan should be a non-issue as it all has to be a forestry purpose, appeals process is being made, permanent roads and culverts and their status under plan is being looked at, an agent form will be required, OT on form will no longer exist, all 132 lots will be marked, stands will require narratives, BA requirements by forest type will be made to signal regeneration cuts, in intermediate cuts dominants and co dominants must be left, patch cuts discussion of size and weather they are patch or clear cuts and weather or not the need to be labeled on a map. 5) Robert forms a committee that should look into weather or not Forester licenses should be done through the License board in Boston MA . Committee members are: Scott Sylvester, John Edwards, Tom Brule, and Kevin Shearer. Meeting adjourned 9:30pm General Membership Meeting 10/10/06 Officers present: Chair-Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Recording Secretary- Mark Mueller, Treasurer- Kevin Shearer, Corresponding secretary-Roger Plourde Location: Bluebonnet Diner Northampton, MA Meeting opens @ 3:30 pm 1st topic Round table discussion on proposed regulatory changes to CH61, 61A & B, CH132, and forestry licensing (Discussion lead by Jim Soper, Roger Plourde, Bob O’Connor, Ed Fuller, & Greg Cox). a. Greg Cox speaks about CH61 programs: rollback taxes will be similar in all programs, non-productive land definition & amount, 1st right of refusal time period (1yr). Only advantage to 61 vs. 61A for forestland will be 61 file every 10 year vs. every year. b. Jim Soper proposed changes to 132 regs.: Revising 132 form emphasis on landowner section, mostly name changes DEM to DCR, Authorities etc., Definitions added to NHESP, Land conversion using CH132 is seen as problem trying to prevent this, incorporate rare species guidelines, put in place and appeals process for loggers or landowners to appeal state forester decision, enforcement will be enhanced, appointment of agent will be modified, Cutting standards & who fills out forms will be modified, talk about memorandum of understanding between Cons Comms & CH132 that state will over see wetlands issues under 132. c. Gordon Boyce speaks about forester licensing: reason they opted not to have CF status work for MA lic is to make it uniform to all lic holders & felt SAF not up to State standards of monitoring, they want to put in clause that loose license for 2 yrs if you do not submit renewal to circumvent people not taking credits & just renewing license, 6 month grace period to come up with credits. Comments open on these issues till Oct 13th. 2nd topic MAPF Business meeting. Robert Collins a. Treasurers report read by Kevin Shearer current amt in check book approximately $3,597.00, had to pay some final lawyer fees for non profit status work & web site fees. Dues are only real source of income. Report voted on & accepted. b. Old Business 1. Dues increase. Bylaws state that dues are not to be voted on until the fall, so the vote from the spring meeting is null & void nee to revote tonight. Motion to raise the dues to $50.00, motion accepted. Discussion – Steve Wood disagree too much increase at one time, Rex Baker is in favor and thinks it’s a good idea now that we are non profit we can place money in interest bearing acct. Vote by show of hands 28 for, 1 opposed, 1 abstention. Dues increase approved. 2. Issue with DFW forester Brian Hawthorne doing private consulting work at the same time he is a state employee. Robert Collins took this issue to John Scanlon head of DFW. In the end John S. & Robert C. agreed to have issue placed in front of state ethics board & both parties agree to accept the boards ruling. At this time the board has yet to give its response. 3. Status of the Grant. Jim DiMaio states that SAF & Bob Perschell got the grant money. SAF realized it would take a huge tax liability by receiving this, then Jim & State took over grant with modifications to promote licensed foresters & sustainable forestry in MA. Thus money is with DCR now. Soon to meet to discuss how to promote this. Jennifer Fish will work on this as part of her job. 4. Update Brochure Committee – no progress 5. Updates Legislative Committee – no more updates than mentioned in the roundtable discussion about proposed changes. 6. Update on letters written – Robert wrote letter that was voted on in regards to only licensed foresters write cut plans. He sent it out to State reps, senators, state committees, and heads of departments. c. New Business 1. Winter General Membership meeting in Dec, date will be posted. Proposed topics are stream crossings and forest roads. 2. Vote is taken to show interest in GIS intro course. Robert will look into this. Need 12-24 people possible cost $100/person. 3. Proposal of a Spring meeting all day conference. One idea Lyn Rodgers presenter on Black Bear sounds good but potential cost too much. 4. Vote was taken to accept new membership form. Accepted. 5. Chris Massini requests that December meeting not be held during deer season. Adjourn for Dinner New Business continued. 6. Comment made to add mailing addresses to membership form, voted on & accepted. 3rd topic Updates on State programs & Happenings. a. Stewardship- Steve Anderson- Cost share funding looking unlikely from EOEA this year. FLEP is available. b. Forest Utilization & Energy- Gordon Boyce- Lots of bio-energy activity. Working on Grant DCR & Division of Energy Resources $500,000 from Department of Energy and matching funding of $250,000 from Mass Sustainable Forestry Initiative deals with biomass fuels supply infrastructure (harvesting infrastructure). Will open spot for full time assistant to deal w/ biomass, and for full time DCR employee to increase biomass off state lands. A second grant being worked on is $60,000 USFS biomass opportunities with in industrial and municipal areas. PSNH Schiller station about 1 month running. Russell Biomass progress being made. Sigmen? Paper Thermal energy steam plant project. Cooley Dickenson to add 2nd biomass boiler that will also produce electricity. Lots of activity in biofuels ethanol, methanol. Pellet distribution facility in Palmer 82,000 tons/yr most from BC via rail. Also the Quabbin Visitor center project is being worked on. c. Jim DiMaio various- Sign up for time for grant match sheet being passed around. Certificate of appreciation awards given to Scott Sylvester & Jim Kelley as members of forest licensing boards. Mass Forestry Committee meets Thursday. Stewardship council for DCR meets Oct 27th to look @ central Berkshire management plan urged to show up to support/promote forestry. Mount Holyoke Range Oct 25th open house to explain harvest process etc. Robinson State Park lots of meetings Jim requests support. Green Certification on private lands (group cert.) under ch61, 61A initial reports are they would qualify, just need to decide how to proceed enrollment process, who will be accepted, cost. There are movements to have landowners paid for ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, wetlands, rare spp. 4th topic Bill Leak gives presentation on unevenaged management in hardwood forests & discussion follows. Meeting Adjourned 8:30pm General Membership Meeting 3/1/06 Bluebonnet Restaurant Northampton MA Officers present: Chair-Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Treasurer-Ed Kane, Recording Secretary-Mark Mueller Meeting opens 5:00pm Start with committee Reports Corresponding Secretary reads minutes from Previous General Membership meeting. Membership votes to accept minutes as read. Treasurer Ed Kane gives Tres. Rept. States dues are the biggest source of income, the checking act. balance prior to meeting was estimated at $4,847.37. The membership voted to accept the rept. as read. Legislative committee (Bruce Spencer, Matt Smith, Mike Mauri) member Bruce Spencer gives updates on ch61 bills and forester legislation that was discussed at the previous General Membership meeting, most all item are stuck in committees being discussed. -Jim Dimeo adds that yes these items still are in committee and there is currently no change. -Leo Garneau interjects that this legislation is being written by people involved in the Audubon, Town Assessors, & MFA. The Audubon & Assessors are pushing for a 2 yr right of 1st refusal from Ch61. He states that this would be the end of CH61, and to look to Greg Cox fro an update on this -Jim Dimeo states that the bulk of the holdup with these legislative items is that they are discussing what the definition of Agriculture is, thus its going slow. -Robert Collins states that we need to be better informed about these meetings on CH61. He states that the Farm Bureau is very involved in this and we should work with them. Membership Committee (Michelle Wilson, Rex Baker, Bruce Anderson, Steve Wood & Ed Kane) Rex Baker reports that they have a 1st draft membership directory, that will be passed around tonight for people to make changes and additions to. Rex also states that they have put together a draft welcome letter for new members. Web Site & Education Committee (Robert Collins, Steve Ward, Scott Sylvester) Robert reports that they met with Mark Harris the web guy & looked @ 3 set ups and recommended one to Exec Committee and it was decided that is the one to go with. He has paper copies of the Web page for viewing tonight. We were able to keep domain name www.massforesters.org and changed the host and will save approx. $200/yr. Robert also states that the new MAPF letterhead is completed and displays a copy. -Steve Ward states that people ask him whom, for foresters, can they contact in the area, can we put this on the web site? Robert replied yes. But we should bring that up in new business. Corresponding Secretary report - Robert gives a brief report for the recording secretary, who is not present, on status of letters written: 1) Letter sent to Bill Hull & Russell Biomass LLC in support of project, 2) MAPF sent letter to state in regards to the fact that Jim Dimeo has been doing a good job, & 3) A letter was sent to Gobi in regards to MAPF’s position on the legislation mentioned above. New Business 1) Jim Dimeo and Leo Garneau talk about the status of the SAF grant. There is a $70,000 grant available for an advertising campaign about forestry. In order to happen it needs matching funds of approx. $74,000. Charlie Thompson of SAF originally applied for the grant to support long-term sustainable forestry and licensed foresters with a private marketing consultant. Jim Dimeo got an extension on the grant. Rob Rizzo is now in charge of the grant. The Forest Stewards Guild has decided to participate in the grant with MAPF and SAF. The grant is open to all private licensed foresters who want to participate as long as they are willing to commit to long-term management. The grant is secured. -Robert Collins asks membership if this is still something MAPF wants to follow and be part of? Membership votes to continue support an involvement in the grant. 2) Steve Ward states he will be attending the MACC conference. He has his display set up tonight and would like comments, input & guidance on his content and message with the display. -Lincoln Fish suggested that Steve should promote the idea that each town Cons. Com. know their local State forester & promote helping keeping land in open space. Adjourn for dinner 6:19pm Continue with new Business 7:00pm 3) Robert Collins states MWP is giving a lifetime achievement award to Howard Mason does MAPF also want to participate in this and give Howard this award. Motion to nominate Howard Mason for the award vote accepted. 4) Robert C. and Shane Bajinoci report that MWP, MFA & MAPF met about getting together and getting along towards common goals. Some possible ideas were: a lobbyist, getting more info from Boston in regards to legislation, team up with the farm bureau. Robert stated that Ken Lyns was going to see in the Forest Stewards Guild would also want to get together and do this. Maybe there will be an annual meeting to get all these groups together. -Some discussion followed about joining up with the Farm Bureau, who already has 2 lobbyists. -Bruce Spencer speaks up against joining with the Farm Bureau because he think agriculture is far environmentally worse than forestry and we shouldn’t be associated with them -Some one else states that the Farm Bureau represents the members well thus more foresters in their membership they will represent forestry ideas more. -another comment was that the Farm Bureau came to MAPF and asked us to sit down at meetings with them because they aren’t very knowledgeable about forestry issues. -the suggestion was made to fill vacant Farm Bureau county seats with foresters from MAPF -the General Membership voted to have MAPF continue to attend Farm Bureau meetings. 5) Jim Dimeo gives updates on the State of MA a) they are working on a new ch61 b) Issuing an RFR for FSC 3rd party audit for land with ch61 and stew plans. c) Ma Forestry committee trying to change LT ST designations and under OT take out high-grade and dia limit cut d) Must use agent form on CH132’s telling landowner who you represent e) State will do field checks on portion of cutting plans on random basis this summer. f) Move state forestry committee meetings around state g) There are 2 positions on start forestry board license and landowner positions. h) State will post contract for roads and trails inventory i) CMP’s for rare spp. are working out o.k. hope to start on next 5 spp by end of March. j) Finalizing Berkshire eco regional assessment and Central Berkshire management plan hope to present this to the Stewardship council soon. k) Begin planning on South and Northern Berkshire plans l) ½ mil dollar grant for biomass to do: demo on specific projects to harvest just biomass, look at feasibility study of how to move the product from the woods to mills m) MTC $80,000 to look @ look at effects of long term biomass production also create biomass plant @ Quabbin. n) The State applied for a grant from the forest service to look at small scale biomass such as schools. 6) Steve Anderson gives Stew program update. EOEA out reach funding still available for this year, good news more money for next year. This is 4th yr of funding this June 761 plans have been completed. Towns will be eligible for funding fro town land. FLEP funding available for management practices $1200/landower cap, turn in cost share forms with Stew plan. They are digitizing stew property maps request that plans have topo map that is legible. 7) Leo G. brings up subject of raising dues to $50.00. Think about it we’ll vote next meeting. 8) Leo G. brings up idea should we start a committee to look into high-grading. Membership decided at this time it might be redundant to the states work in changing the cutting plan to prevent this. Revisit this idea next year. Membership voted to create a committee to advise the MA forestry committee about who is qualified to fill out cutting plans in regards to silviculture. Members of the committee are Scott Sylvester-chair, Joe Zorzin & Bruce Spencer. 9) Leslie Bole from NHESP gives presentation on the CMP (conservation management practices) project. 10) Rex Baker brings up idea of producing a MAPF brochure, has one from a previous effort to show. Vote to make a brochure committee members Peter Jensen, Ana James & Jim Kelly. Elections of Officers Robert states that Ed Kane is stepping down as treasurer. Leo G’s position is also up for re-election. Nominating Committee (Bruce Spencer, Rex Baker, Bruce Anderson, & Howard Mason) nominates Kevin Shearer the city of Worcester forester for tres. And Leo G. to remain in his position. Membership accepts nominations and votes Keven S. Tres. and Leo G. to remain as vice chair. Meeting adjourned @ 9:00pm Executive Committee Meeting 2/6/06 Officers present: Chair-Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Treasurer-Ed Kane, Recording Secretary-Mark Mueller, Corresponding Secretary-Rodger Plourde Meeting opens 4:00pm 1) Robert Collins- Does MAPF support Mass Wood Producers (MWP) in giving Howard Mason a lifetime achievement award. Exec Comm. votes to support this idea. 2) MAPF letterhead & envelopes are in & were distributed to necessary officers. 3) Discussion about MA Forestry Committee. Recommendations they are considering: a) change wording on Ch132 b) cutting plans new look, short term designation be eliminated c) high grade and diameter limit not be options on cut plan d) endorsement of Glenn Freeden’s proposal to follow wording on cut plan re: silvicultural purpose. Roger P. stated that items c & d above, were voted on & accepted by the Forestry Commissioner. 4) Exec. Comm. voted to approve funding for Steve Ward to have booth at the upcoming MACC meeting. 5) Discuss Leo G.’s proposed agenda for next MAPF General Membership meeting to be held March 1st 2006 @ the Blue Bonnet. a) Discuss credits for meeting. Approved for 2. Leo to contact G. Boyce to get one more credit, as meetings before were 3. b) Mark M. suggests moving start time up ½ hour to 4:30, intent to finish meeting before 9:00pm. 6) Robert C. reports on meeting with web page designer. Robert C. and Steve Ward were only MAPF committee members present with web designer. They reviewed 3 web pages he had put together and recommended one to the Exec. Comm. for approval. The Exec. Comm. reviewed and accepted recommendation. Plan is to have site up and running in next month. a) Discussion of costs. Currently spending $299/yr, with new site host projected spending will be approximately $119/yr. Savings of nearly $200. b) Minutes will be posted regularly on new site. 7) Re-visit discussion of upping the dues fee. Again, decide for the time being to suggest to membership to increase to $30, and leave it open for discussion and approval @ next MAPF general meeting. 8) Robert suggests Ed K. give a more detailed Treas. Rept. @ next meeting due to current expenditures. 9) Discuss directory and review proposed directory from Rex & Michele. See some names that should be in there but are not Robert will pass this onto Rex. 10) Roger suggested that for next meeting a list of the all the different Committee members should be available. Decide to mail this out with meeting invite. 11) Elections are coming up @ next meeting for Treasurer & Recording Secretary. Robert C. appointed an election Committee consisting of Howard Mason, Rex Baker, and Bruce Spencer as chair of committee. 12) Discussion of Forestry Grant. Leo gives recap and feelings of meeting he attended on 2/3/06 in regards to the Grant. People present at the meeting were Bob Perschell, Jim Dimaeo, Rob Rizzo & ? Erkhart. -Leo stated that the Grant is still in the same format as before set up in SAF’s name with MAPF and State of Ma as partners. The Forest Stewards Guild is considering becoming a partner. It seems that it is still unclear as to the purpose of the grant, who will benefit from it, and how it will be paid for. -after much discussion some of MAPF Exec. Comm.’s concerns were: a) Cost- need to show Grant has matching funds of $70,000. Where does it come from? In kind services, fee of $200 for foresters that want to benefit from advertising. State says they’ll come up with $30,000 some as in kind services in form of Jim Dimaeo’s time spent on project. b) Who will benefit and who is eligible? It appears as if it will only benefit consultants who pay to be a part of group (according to state numbers, only 15 actual lic. working consultants), not industry or state. Thought original Grant to promote Forestry in general for benefit of all lic. foresters. c) Concern that wording in grant makes people subscribe to a certain standard of forestry yet that standard is not explained. d) Concern that SAF is supposed to be carrying the bulk of the project, yet Charlie Thompson appears to have washed his hands of project. How much time/energy does/should MAPF contribute? e) What will end product be? TV ad, mailing..???? - Discussion should MAPF support spending more time of this Grant to see and influence where/how it will go. Exec. Comm. vote to send copy of grant to General Membership with invitation for next meeting, and request that questions/ comments about Grant proposal be sent to officers to discuss. In the meantime Leo G. will continue to participate in these Grant meetings and try to clarify issues above. Meeting Adjourned @ 8:00pm Executive Committee Meeting 1/10/06 Officers present: Chair-Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Treasurer-Ed Kane, Recording Secretary-Mark Mueller, Corresponding Secretary-Roger Plourde Meeting opens 4:00pm 1) Robert Collins starts meeting with new letter head & envelopes. Estimated cots of $155 for 500 count of letter head, envelopes and disk that we can change names etc. and print from. Voted to approve expenditure. 2) Discuss election of officers, Treasurer & Vice Chair up for reelection. Need to call a nomination committee? Yes. Suggested members Rex Baker, Bruce Spencer & Howard Mason. 3) Leo G. mentions need to name all people on the committees and send out with mailing. 4) Robert states web designer is working on our web page now. 5) Discussion of not for profit status- Robert says still going on Attorney’s are mailing more info to state. 6) Set meeting dates/locations for the year- Wednesday March 1st @ Bluebonnet Tuesday June 6th @ Bluebonnet Wednesday September 6th @ Roms Tuesday Dec 5th @ ??? Next Exec. Comm. Meeting Monday February 6th @ Russell Inn. 7) Leo G. will set agenda for next meeting. 8) Discuss Communications- Vote to continue add in the Woodland Steward. 9) Discussion of dues. Currently 67 members. Suggest increase to $30.00 up $600.00. Note with Non Profit status can change bank account into interest bearing. Note Contact Greg Cox with dates for meetings. 10) Rex Baker is working on updated directory. 11) Grant proposal not happened yet to be done on Jan 17th. Status not known, participants not known. Leo G. will attend meeting & ask for more info & clarification 12) Robert has other idea for grant $ sell book on forestry from Canada, Robert had a copy for display. This could be done along with Marketing. Meeting Adjourned 6:30pm General Meeting 12/14/05 Officers present: Chair- Robert Collins, Vice Chair-Leo Garneau, Treasurer-Ed Kane, Recording Secretary-Mark Mueller, Corresponding Secretary- Roger Plourde Meeting opens 5:00pm 1) Robert Collins starts meeting with old business & Committee Reports A) Mark Mueller reads the minutes from the previous general membership meeting 10/5/05. Minutes accepted. B) Ed Kane reads Treasurer’s report. Report accepted. C) Robert C. states that he sent a letter to the state on behalf of MAPF in regards to the Forest Cutting Plan stating that we think they should follow the language as is currently written in the cutting plan law. D) Robert C. noted he has spoken with Ken Lyns the president of the Wood Producers in regards to Lenny Roberts and the timber theft issue. Ken Lyns stated that Lenny Roberts has/is stepping down from any and all committees he is part of due to the issue. Robert C. also noted that he requested under the Freedom of Information Act for the particulars of the case e.g. what the exact fines were, how they were determined. There is a question as to why Lenny Roberts is still on the state bid list. E) Membership Committee report by Rex Baker. They have changed the format of the MAPF application form and are working on finalizing it. They are working on finalizing a definition of work experience e.g. preparing stew plans, management plans, marking wood, tallying timber, scaling logs etc. Also working on Honorary member definition and/or criteria. Michele W. introduced new member Dana Hitchigan Forester for SWSC, Welcome. F) Legislative Committee Bruce Spencer & Matt present bills and take a vote of the membership whether to support or not to support each bill a) Senate bill 1703 dealing with CH61 sates- 1 year grace period on renewals of for CH61 plans, change the right of first refusal from 6 months (currently) to 2 years, limit rollback taxes in 2nd and subsequent years of certification to only 5 years of repayment. Vote- opposed to expansion of right of first refusal from 6 months to 2 years, support 1 year grace period on renewals, support the proposed rollback payment plan. b) House bill 2365 (Gobi) dealing with CH61 states – eliminate the 8% stumpage tax and keep the property tax value of CH land tied to 5% of full market value. Vote- opposed. Comment CH61 land should be taxed at a rate for its current use, not tied to it potential use for development. c) House 2366 (Gobi) dealing with ch61 program states- CH61B land can be switched to CH61A or Ch61 with out the payment of roll back taxes. Vote- support d) House 2367 (Gobi) dealing with CH61 states- allow CH61 land to switch to Ch61A or Ch61B with out the payment of roll back taxes. Vote- support e) Senate bill 475 (Brewer) Concerns old DEM lands states- allocate 1/3 of timber sales receipts to local communities and 2/3 for road maintenance by state. Vote- support f) Senate bill 481 concerning DCR states- allow DCR to require road Improvements as part of timber sale contract. (like kind services) Vote-support g) Senate bill 524 Concerning old growth states – establish old growth forest reserves on state lands, buffer to reserves is to be set by state secretary for old growth. Vote- opposed. Comments: buffer definition too vague, definition of old growth to vague. h) House bill 1306 Concerning cutting plans and licensing states- forbid licensed foresters from filing short term cutting plans and that only licensed foresters can do long term cutting plans. Vote- Take no action. Comments this should be decided by forestry board not politics. i) House bill 1307 Concerning State Forestry Committee states- Any forester appointed to the State Forestry Committee be a practicing forester. Vote- do not support as proposed. Will support if “practicing” is changed to licensed by the state of Massachusetts. Adjourn for dinner 6:00pm 1 con’t) Robert C. continues with Old Buisiness. G) Web Committee report given by Robert Collins. Found gentleman named “Bob” to do Web site. How much do we spend? Vote spend no more than $1,000. Some discussion of Web content followed. H) Forestry Grant from the USFS that SAF and MAPF applied for is getting new revival. Jim Dimaeo will talk about this later. I) Rex Baker says membership directory needs to be re-done. Vote to categorize members by Consultant, Industry or State. Need hard copy available. 2) New Business A) Robert C. says he has been approached by MFA to get together with them and Wood Producers, MA SAF, and possibly the Giuld, and speak about various topics one is getting a lobbyist, and or starting a new organization etc. He will attend meeting on January 26th 2006. B) Jim Dimeo updates on State of MA. - 11 months, 3 commissioners, 2 deputy commissioners. - Sold 2,000 acres of land. - Good year 1 million 800 thousand dollars in timber revenue and 300,000 dollars in like kind services. - 18 subcontractors working on state boundaries. - 11 Loggers certified under Master Logger Cert. - Jim was on Russell Biomass panel last week and felt he was able to effectively answer questions from the public and that overall it went well. - Jim and Gordon B. worked on ½ million dollar grant for renewable biomass energy also developed some provision for monitoring these plants. They also worked on a grant for the Quabbin for a biomass energy demonstration project. - - The State FSC Certification audit went well 2 areas of concern are 1) erosion problems on access roads 2) uncontrolled recreation. - Cutting Plan stats. 74% LT 25%ST mid 70’s foresters preparing plans 3rd Forestry Board meeting was today. Recommendations 1) remove high grade form OT section and add statement that all OT actions must follow silvicultural principles. 2)Agent form will be required for cutting plans stating whom you represent. 3) look at other options than ST LT. - The $70,000 forestry grant applied for by MA SAF & MAPF still needs to have a proposal written in order to get the money Jim has asked the Gov’t to give us more time on this matter MAPF, SAG and possibly guild to meet on this. - Bob O’Connor and Jim are trying to get all CH61 lands FSC Certified and have state pay for it. The RFP is due June 30th. - Last week group discussion with Sen. Rizor on redoing Ch61 program. - 2nd draft of response plan to invasive etc to roll out mid FEB 2006 -Start managing Nickerson?? -1.3 Million dollars for Martha’s Vineyard ecological restoration project, going well. - Rare Species Conservation practices guidelines 5 species nearing completion. Hang up is canopy closure and how it relates to BA. - All State management foresters met discuss how to handle timber sales, contract payments, liability etc. C) Robert C. introduces situation with forester Jeff Martin- He was doing consulting work for a landowner where DFW owns land and landowner owns the timber. He marked a portion of it then DFW said they’d do it on their own. So potential problems State personnel marking private timber at no cost to private owner ethical?, does this set precedence that any easement holding agency can mark timber on the land of the holder. Jim Dimeao suggests MAPF write a letter to the state for a legal determination on this, Robert C. will see this is done. D) Bill Hull of Russell Biomass LLC, and Hull Forest Products, Inc. gives presentation on the Russell Massachusetts Biomass project. He requests a letter of support from MAPF. Vote- MAPF agrees to write a letter in support of Russell Biomass project. Meeting Adjourned @ 9:50pm Powered by Nukedit 4.8 - Generated in 0 seconds - 3621 visits

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