promoting excellence in landscape irrigation installation · 2019-01-02 · promoting excellence in...

8
www.cicaweb.org 1 CONNECTICUT IRRIGATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 2018 Promoting Excellence in Landscape Irrigation Installation SUPPLIER & SERVICE MEMBERS ATLANTIC IRRIGATION SPECIALTIES, INC. CONNECTICUT WINPUMP CO. CENTRAL TURF AND IRRIGATION SUPPLY HUNTER INDUSTRIES NORTHERN DESIGNS, LLC SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY President’s Message I am excited to relay that this will be my last President’s Message for the CICA. While I will remain on the Board as Past President, I get to leave the heavy lifting and hard decisions to the new President. For four years as President of the CICA I have been working with the CICA Board and our members to be involved, to share our unique knowledge and most of all, to be present and be heard by the State and the Water purveyors in Connecticut. With everyone’s help, the CICA has stayed committed to education, membership growth, CICA events (Family Day and the Golf Outing), sound financials, public involvement and our Anderson/Hopkins Scholarship awards. I have had the opportunity to represent the CICA at the IA shows, on IA committees, at CT Water Plan Meetings, at Regional Drought Meetings, CTEC Board meetings, Trade Shows, Education Seminars, Board Meetings, General Membership Meetings, with Irrigation Professionals, Customers, Friends, Green Industry Colleagues and at the CICA Golf Outings. Everyday representing the CICA has been an experience; I enjoyed relaying our message. A special thanks to Dave Pijnenburg for staying on longer than was ever expected; you will finally receive a deserved rest from the CICA Board. And thanks to Erica Fearn for directing me (and the rest of the board when necessary) to stay on target and complete the required work. Erica, you get the work done and make it enjoyable. Don’t forget our upcoming Annual Meeting, November 7, and our Winter Education Seminars, March 7, 2019. We always need more volunteers and have positions to fill on the Board and committees – please get involved. The morning crew: Chris Hyson, Steve Geckeler, Bill Smith, Greg Sweeney, and Ed Firgeleski Read more about the CICA Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament on page 3 See more photos from the tournament at tinyurl.com/2018cicagolf Notice of Annual Meeting & General Membership Meeting Wednesday, November 7, 2018, 6:00 PM Amarante’s Sea Cliff Inn Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at 6 PM. Join us at the beautiful Amarante’s Sea Cliff Inn, 62 Cove Street, New Haven for a lovely buffet dinner by the sea. Cost per person $54.00. Nonmember rate $65.00. Agenda items include minutes and committee reports. Reservations required, register at https://www.cicaweb.org/event/ CICAannualdinner

Upload: others

Post on 06-Jun-2020

18 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

www.cicaweb.org 1

CONNECTICUT IRRIGATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 2018

Promoting Excellence in Landscape Irrigation

Installation

SUPPLIER & SERVICE MEMBERS

ATLANTIC IRRIGATION SPECIALTIES, INC.

CONNECTICUT WINPUMP CO.

CENTRAL TURF AND IRRIGATION SUPPLY

HUNTER INDUSTRIES

NORTHERN DESIGNS, LLC

SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY

President’s Message

I am excited to relay that this will be my last President’s Message for the CICA. While I will remain on the Board as Past President, I get to leave the heavy lifting and hard decisions to the new President.

For four years as President of the CICA I have been working with the CICA Board and our members to be involved, to share our unique knowledge and most of all, to be present and be heard by the State and

the Water purveyors in Connecticut. With everyone’s help, the CICA has stayed committed to education, membership growth, CICA events (Family Day and the Golf Outing), sound financials, public involvement and our Anderson/Hopkins Scholarship awards.

I have had the opportunity to represent the CICA at the IA shows, on IA committees, at CT Water Plan Meetings, at Regional Drought Meetings, CTEC Board meetings, Trade Shows, Education Seminars, Board Meetings, General Membership Meetings, with Irrigation Professionals, Customers, Friends, Green Industry Colleagues and at the CICA Golf Outings. Everyday representing the CICA has been an experience; I enjoyed relaying our message.

A special thanks to Dave Pijnenburg for staying on longer than was ever expected; you will finally receive a deserved rest from the CICA Board. And thanks to Erica Fearn for directing me (and the rest of the board when necessary) to stay on target and complete the required work. Erica, you get the work done and make it enjoyable.

Don’t forget our upcoming Annual Meeting, November 7, and our Winter Education Seminars, March 7, 2019. We always need more volunteers and have positions to fill on the Board and committees – please get involved.

The morning crew: Chris Hyson, Steve Geckeler, Bill Smith, Greg Sweeney, and Ed Firgeleski

Read more about the CICA Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament on page 3

See more photos from the tournament at tinyurl.com/2018cicagolf

Notice of Annual Meeting & General Membership MeetingWednesday, November 7, 2018, 6:00 PM

Amarante’s Sea Cliff Inn

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at 6 PM.

Join us at the beautiful Amarante’s Sea Cliff Inn, 62 Cove Street, New Haven for a lovely buffet dinner by the sea. Cost per person $54.00. Nonmember rate $65.00.

Agenda items include minutes and committee reports.

Reservations required, register at https://www.cicaweb.org/event/CICAannualdinner

2 CICA APRIL 2018

2017-2018 CICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT Stephen Geckeler Aqua-Lawn, Inc. Phone: 203-367-7444 Member Type: MA [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT Chris Hyson Fournier Irrigation South, LLC Phone: 860-454-5176 Member Type: MA [email protected]

SECRETARY Joe Ettorre JDA Lawn Sprinklers Phone: 860-747-0455 Member Type: MA

TREASURER Edward Firgeleski, Jr. Green-Lawn Irrigation Phone: 203-371-9988 Member Type: MA [email protected]

PAST PRESIDENT Dave Pijnenburg Greenacres Company Phone: 203-748-0558 Member Type: MA [email protected]

Michael Fournier Fournier Irrigation Phone: 860-528-9397 Member Type: MA [email protected]

Chris Graef Wetlawn Inc. Phone: 914-921-0200 Member Type: MA [email protected]

Jack Barry Water Wizzards Irrigation LLC Phone: 860-871-1614 Member Type: MA [email protected]

Mark Centola SiteOne Phone: 203-453-8945 Member Type: MB [email protected]

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Erica Fearn, CAE Phone: 860-586-7563 [email protected]

IN THE NEWS

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING & ARTICLE DEADLINES

September 15 December 15

March 15 June 15

CICA MEMBERSHIP BY THE NUMBERS: 2017-2018 Membership: Goal 100,

Current 105, Non renewed 4, New 24

www.facebook.com/CtIrrigation Con-tractors

CT Irrigation Contractors Association, Inc.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CICA member Tony Teixeira passed away suddenly on Monday, September 20. Tony worked with his brothers, Al and Joe, at their business Three T’s Irrigation since its inception. CICA extends its condolences to the Teixeira family.

Facebook LinkedIn

Facebook LinkedIn

www.cicaweb.org 3

On Thursday, September 20, eighty-two golfers helped raise funds for the CICA Anderson Hopkins Memorial Scholarship. The day started with Bill Smith from Rainbird greeting the teams and Netafim providing an energizing breakfast. At the shotgun start all the golfers headed out to enjoy a beautiful day on one of the most picturesque golf courses, Lyman Orchard Golf Club. The 1st Place Team Low Gross was Bill Noyes, Craig Dubosar, Jay Coia and Will St.Clair. The 1st Place Team Low Net was Dave Teed and Jim Monroe. Closest to the Pin was won by Craig Lund at 23 feet, 11 inches. Chris Graif won the Longest Drive contest.

CICA Memorial Scholarship Tournament a Success

1st Place Team Low Gross was Bill Noyes, Craig Dubosar, Jay Coia, Bill Noyes, and Will St.Clair

1st Place Team Low Net Dave Teed and Jim Monroe.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORSCentral Turf and Irrigation SupplyHunter Industries Inc.Vermeer Northeast SILVER SPONSORSRainBirdStateline Irrigation SupplyNetafimHydro-RainNDSCT Winpump

DuraBREAKFAST SPONSORNetafim GOLF CART SPONSORWetlawn IrrigationConnecticut WinPump

HOLE IN ONESummer Rain Sprinkler SystemsLymans Best in CT Apple Pie SponsorOil Creek Plastics, Inc. LONGEST DRIVEWetlawn Irrigation

HOSPITALITY TABLEC. Pine & Associates GREEN SPONSORSEblensE.A. Quinn Landscape Contracting Mainspring Association Management LLC

TEE SPONSORSAnderson Turf Irrigation, Inc.Atlantic Irrigation Specialties, Inc.Central Turf and Irrigation SupplyDAF Services, Inc.E.A. Quinn Landscape ContractingEastern Land ManagementGreenacres CompanyGreenWay Inc.Hunter IndustriesMountain View Landscapes & Lawn CarePaige Electric Company, L.P.SBZ EnterprisesSiteOne Landscape SupplyVermeer

GOODIE BAG SPONSORTimeline Irrigation

The success of the tournament was led by the generous financial support from:

4 CICA APRIL 2018

Visit our website to sign up for monthly specials!

centraltis.com

S U P P L I E S F O R T H E P R O F E S S I O N A L

DISCOVER YOUR NEW FAVORITE SUPPLIERVisit Central’s new store in Stamford

With over 45 stores, Central is the contractor’s first choice distributor for landscape and irrigation supplies.

Our New Store Offers:

• One stop shopping for supplies for all of your projects, representing all of the top brands

• Delivery direct-to-jobsite in the local area

• Experienced, professional staff

• Competitive pricing and monthly specials

• Help with job quotes and troubleshooting advice Hours: M-F 7:00am to 5:00pm, Sat 7:00am to 12:00pm

Connecticut Turnpike

Elm Street

Magee Ave

Harborview

Ave

Je�erson Street

Myr

tle A

ve

Gleason Ave

Central Turf & Irrigation Supply

Halloween Blvd

St. Mary’s Street

59 Halloween Boulevard, Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 658-8484 centraltis.com

3rd

Branch in

Connecticut!

www.cicaweb.org 5

CTAWWA (CONNECTICUT AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION) MEETING SEPTEMBER 24. 2018Stephen Geckeler and Ted Moriarty attended the CTAWWA “Water Sustainability Workshop” on September 24. The attendees included CT Local Water Utilities, CT DPH and Local CT Municipalities. The stated purpose of the meeting was “… to gain a broader understanding of the State Water Plan, drought planning and workforce development.” Four presenters provided remarks on various conservation topics.

Lori Mathieu, the Public Health Section Chief CT DPH and the Water Planning Council gave some opening remarks, and presented on the current status of the CT Water Plan. Ms. Mathieu discussed the development of the State Water Plan, its general accomplishments, the Governor’s Executive Order to implement the plan and the assembly’s need to pass the plan next year. As head of DPH she played a prominent role in the days’ proceedings. It is clear to me that Lori Mathieu is a driving force on the Water Planning Council. Some next steps for the CT Water Plan are:

•Address private wells •EPA WaterSense Standards (inside and outside) •Rate impact of conservation measures •Rebates for fixtures - New Technology

Amy Vickers, a Water Conservation Consultant well-known and influential throughout the water supply industry nationwide, presented about the cost of developing various new supplies of potable water.

•new surface and/or ground supplies (new reservoirs or town/utility wells) --$1—5m/mgd (million gals per day) •desalinization plants--$4—30m/mgd •demand side (meaning conservation)$0—2m/mgd

Water conservation is the least expensive new source of supply. It can defer infrastructure expenditures (new plants, pumps, larger pipes etc.) by as many as 15 years.

There has been a significant water savings from jurisdictions implementing EPA WaterSense and other water efficiency standards for indoor water use. New construction and retrofit use of low flow indoor fixtures has saved enormous amounts of water nationwide. Outdoor water use remains high. Vickers stated that outdoor water use is as high as 30% to 50% of all water use in the spring, summer and fall months.

Amy Vickers also relayed that water loss due to leakage in water systems continues to be a significant issue. (Water leakage refers to water loss somewhere in the distribution system between the source and the actual domestic use.) Some jurisdictions seeing 50% loss of all water produced. This is a big money problem to fix—it is estimated at $3.6 trillion nationwide.

For CT water issues, Vickers is advocating for two day per week watering statewide, use of weather-based controllers, and other conservation technology. Her action items included:

•limit irrigation (2 days per week or even one day per week) •raise rates for affluent/high water users •make irrigation restrictions (like 2 days per week) permanent •spending the money to address system water loss to <10% (a water utility issue)

Mary Ann Dickinson is a water expert and consultant who runs the Alliance for Water Efficiency. This is an excellent resource that I urge all CICA Members to use (http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org).The focus of her presentation was the financial side of water conservation. Reduced revenues due to water conservation is an issue for water utilities. Revenue loss can also lead to potential bond rating devaluation and required rate increases. The utilities are caught in a tough spot; customer’s conserve continued on page 7

6 CICA APRIL 2018

WHY PAYROLL OUTSOURCING WORKSPayroll is one of the most vital activities for a company. An employee’s salary is their single largest connection to your organization. It’s the foundation of employee motivation and success. Payroll information is highly sensitive. Accuracy is critical. Given this scenario, the time and effort needed to maintain payroll administration and data security, many small businesses are turning to specialists. As ADP wholesalers we bring you the scale and skill you need from the world leader, ADP, while ensuring you are cared for by local people with your business in mind. Here are some advantages to outsourcing your payroll: 1) Cost effective – If you are outsourcing already we can lower your cost (even if you are already with ADP). As one of only a few ADP Wholesalers we are able to provide the same world class ADP products at a lower cost and serviced locally.2) Lower your overhead - If you are considering outsourcing you will see a reduction in overhead costs. Ask yourself, “could my time be spent better elsewhere?” Consider your hourly rate and compare that to the low price you will pay for outsourcing.3) Current expertise - How are you staying abreast of the changes the IRS makes? How much time does that take? Instead of trying to keep up with these changes on your own, outsourcing to the right company ensures accuracy and peace of mind.4) Avoid IRS penalties - If filings are late or incorrect, you could be charged expensive fees and interest. Without the support of an experienced payroll team, you are at risk for these fees AND the associated headaches.5) Keep your employees happy - One of the fastest ways to alienate an employee is to make a mistake on their paycheck. Accurate and reliable paychecks are the foundation of employee satisfaction. The peace of mind you have with the right payroll company will allow you to spend more time working on your business At TransGate Solutions, we would love to provide you with a no obligation quote to see how outsourcing your payroll will help you. If you already outsource, we would love to provide a competitive quote. Even if you are already with ADP, we can lower your rates. For more info, please reach out to Mitch Beaman at (860) 757-3488 or [email protected]

Current Drought Status Drought is not affecting the population of Connecticut

according to the US Drought Monitor on September 25,

2018.

www.cicaweb.org 7

continued from page 5 consumption goes down - revenues decrease - rates rise and then customers end up paying for conserving.

Dickinson spoke of ways to alleviate this technical issue. The one thing that stood out for me was her suggestion of high tier water rates, and also drought condition status automatic rate increases. She referred to a couple of studies on this topic that show that conservation initially does cost the ratepayers more, but over about 10 years, there is a “smoothing” of that impact. She also noted that water rates are increasing and in some areas water rates and costs exceed energy costs.

Lastly, Jeff Ulrich of Aquarion presented water use data from the last drought to now. This data backed up the Vickers, assertion regarding irrigation/outdoor water use accounting for 30% to 50% of all water used. This is not new or surprising, the irrigation industry has known for years that outdoor water use percentages are high, and actually even higher in drier regions of the USA.

Ulrich relayed the details of the 2016 the Southwest region of Connecticut drought that brought reservoirs down to severe levels. After some voluntary restrictions, Aquarion banned outdoor water use in September and continued this ban into 2017. After drought conditions improved the water ban was lifted and 2 day a week restrictions followed.

Since 2016, Aquarion has been working with customers and the irrigation industry to improve outdoor water use. While continuing the 2 day a week water restriction (with the plan to expand throughout Aquarion’s territory), they have developed irrigation variances. There is a large system variance (2 acre or more) and a High Efficiency Variance. Customers that receive a variance receive an irrigation system assessment and are required to achieve 15 to 20% water savings from their 2015 water use levels.

The presentations and discussion throughout the day was valuable and interesting. All in all a great day of information. Article submitted by Ted Moriarty. Ted is owner of Smart Watering Company. He can be reached at [email protected] or 617-515-5531.

8 CICA APRIL 2018

CONNECTICUT IRRIGATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION59 Rainbow Road East Granby, CT 06026. 860-586-7563 www.CICAweb.org

2018 CALENDARNOV 7 Annual Meeting

DEC 14 J3 Make up class & J4 Class, Eli’s on Whitney, Hamden

DEC 14 Board of Directors Meeting, Eli’s on Whitney, Hamden

MAR 7 CICA University