PLC Supporting Member Weekly Update December 1, 2023

PLC Christmas Ornaments to Support Log A Load 2023 – New Designs!

Add some extra cheer to your tree with PLC’s very own Logging Christmas Ornaments, this year in new designs crafted by third-generation logger Derrick Hardy of PLC Member Herbert L. Hardy & Son, LLC (doing business as D and K Kreations)!

100% of the proceeds from the sale of these ornaments go to our Log-A-Load for Maine Kids fund-raising efforts to benefit Maine’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Don’t wait, PLC ornaments sell out every year, so make sure you order yours TODAY! 

Price: 1 for $12 or 2 for $20

To order email office@plcloggers.org,  call the office at 207-688-8195, or visit the PLC online store.

Welcome New Staff

Members, the PLC’s expansion beyond Maine is now well underway, and we are excited to announce some staff changes/additions we have made to ensure the quality of representation and the benefits offered to our members remain consistent and strong throughout the region.

PLC Member Services Manager Jessica Clark, an 8-year veteran of the organization, has been promoted to Deputy Executive Director for Membership & Operations.

Ben Grant of Waterville has been hired as the PLC’s new Deputy Executive Director of Legislative & Public Affairs. Ben has more than a decade of experience in legislative and public affairs, most recently as Senior Legislative Aide for the Republican Office in the Maine House of Representatives. He previously served as Director of Public Affairs for Dirigo Partners of Cumberland, ME, a legislative aide in the Maine House, and as Acting State Director of StudentsFirst, a nonprofit organization based in California. Ben also was a self-employed blueberry harvester owner and operator for two years prior to starting his professional career. Ben is a 2010 graduate of Thomas College in Waterville, ME, where he earned a B.S. in Sport Management with a Marketing Concentration. He has an extensive understanding of legislative affairs, advocacy, and communications. He may be reached at (207) 688-8195 or ben@plcloggers.org.

Renee’ Wright of Skowhegan is the PLC’s new Membership Services Coordinator. Renee’ has more than five years of experience in office management, safety roles, and rental operations management for a heavy equipment dealership in Skowhegan, where she worked frequently with logging contractors. Prior to that she worked as a park ranger at Lake George Regional Park in Skowhegan. She is a 2019 graduate of Unity College in Unity, ME with a BS in Conservation Law Enforcement. She may be reached at (207) 688-8195 or renee@plcloggers.org

Ben and Renee’ have excellent qualifications for the roles they are taking on, and Jessica is a proven and valued member of the PLC team.

The new PLC staff will be based at the PLC’s office in Augusta and their addition will allow our team to improve activities and services throughout the PLC’s expanded coverage area. Additional staff will soon be added in Vermont to continue this process. Please join me in welcoming our new staff and congratulating Jessica on a well-deserved promotion.

Welcome New Preferred Supporting Member!

Crosstrac Equipment of Hartland, VT joined the PLC as a new Preferred Supporting Member in November of 2023. CrossTrac Equipment is a forestry-focused heavy equipment dealer with locations in Wisconsin, Michigan and Vermont. The company’s mission is to provide unrivaled service and support to logging and forestry customers in these regions and beyond. Known for expertise in the TimberPro equipment line and cut-to-length equipment generally, the company supports tracked and rubber-tired machines made by TimberPro, Barko, Rottne, and Komatsu, along with other product lines. To learn more contact Melissa Martin at (802)-359-4543 or mmartin@crosstrac.net or visit www.crosstrac.net/

Donald Burr Shares His Top Safety Tips

Winter is here, and with the cold, snow, and ice forming across the northern US, there is no better time to be reminded of the dangers of working in the woods and what to do to avoid accidents and injuries.

This month on the podcast, we talk to Donald Burr, safety and training coordinator for the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast. He is also the lead instructor and coordinator for the 20-week Mechanized Logging Operations and Forest Trucking Programcourses, held in the central Maine region.

In addition, Donald Burr is the recipient of the NELA Award for Outstanding Contributions to Safety for 2022.

In this episode, he discusses the fundamentals of staying safe and healthy while working in the woods.

Listen to the podcast →

Cross Ins TPA – December SIG Training – The Manager-Employee Relationship

PLC Online Store

Emerald Ash Borer and Other Tree Health Concerns 

DACF Update for Cities and Towns  

Monday, December 4, 2023, 10:30am – 12:00pm  

Emerald Ash Borer and Other Tree Health Concerns: DACF Update for Cities and Towns

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will host guest speakers and provide an update for city and town tree and forest managers and public works staff on the known status of emerald ash borer in Maine, current state efforts, municipal opportunities as well as updates on other insects and diseases affecting forests and trees.

AGENDA:

• • Brief Introduction, Jan Santerre, Maine Forest Service
  • Timing Considerations for The Treatment of Emerald Ash Borer, Jeff Gillis, WellTree, Inc
  • Lessons Learned: Considerations for Managing Emerald Ash Borer and Ash Trees in Municipalities, Cliff Sadof, Purdue University Cooperative Extension
  • Maine Perspective: Working With Cities And Towns On Ash Management, Tom Ford, The Davey Tree Expert Company
  • Department Emerald Ash Borer Update,  Gary Fish and Mike Parisio, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
  • Wrap up, Jan Santerre, Maine Forest Service

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS:

Licensed Pesticide Applicator: 1.0

Forestry Credit, pending approval

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Welcomes Andrew Whitman as Climate and Forest Carbon Specialist

Augusta, Maine – The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is pleased to announce the newest addition to its Forest Policy & Management Division, Andrew (Andy) Whitman, who will be stepping into the Climate and Forest Carbon Specialist role.

Bringing a wealth of experience in forest science, conservation, and management in New England and Maine, Andy’s diverse background encompasses roles as a field researcher, project manager, strategic planner, program leader, and policy developer. His extensive collaboration with stakeholders, including industry, academia, government, and conservation groups, has uniquely positioned him as a leader in addressing complex issues related to policy, economics, sustainability, certification, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Andy has played a pivotal role in projects directly addressing climate science and policy.

Having dedicated a significant portion of his career to Manomet, a prominent conservation science nonprofit, Andy holds a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine. His wealth of knowledge, extensive experience, and thoughtful approach make him a valuable addition to the DACF Maine Forest Service.

Workplace safety and labor law requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming trainings!

Upcoming classes:

Developing and conducting Assessments, Audits, and Inspections –

December 13, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Identifying and analyzing hazards are key elements to an effective safety and health system. This training explores the methods to assess the workplace for hazards and implement controls to effectively control them. This half-day course looks at PPE assessment, behavioral and program audits, as well as equipment-specific and facility inspections.

How to Conduct a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Assessment –

January 9, 2024 / 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM / SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This half-day course is designed to assist you in developing a PPE assessment 1910.132(d). Employers must conduct a hazard assessment prior to requiring employees to use PPE. The assessment provides information needed to select the appropriate PPE for the hazards at the workplace. Learn how to conduct a hazard assessment in this hands-on class.

To view all January 2024 classes, visit their website at www.safetyworksmaine.gov    

Register and browse more SafetyWorks! classes: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

If you have questions about safety or upcoming classes, reach out to SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE-345 or general.bls-safetyworks@maine.gov.

If you have questions about Wage and Hour compliance, please reach out to the Wage and Hour Division at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/bls/.  

CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2023, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

       Wooldland Pulp Union members end strike, accept new contract – News Center Maine

       This year saw more prescribed fires than ever before | Maine Public

       Net Zero | Wiscasset Newspaper

       Wisconsin-Based WholeTrees Structures Hiring Two Leadership Positions for Maine Solid Structural Timber Fabrication Facility Expansion

       Senator Angus King asks federal government to consider mass timber in construction projects

       A new bill in Congress is a gift to the logging industry – Environment America

       $7.5 Million Available Through the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program

       Stowe Land Trust poised to protect 83 acres in regional wildlife corridor

ALC Member Discounts

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

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Fabian Oil Discount

Wallingford’s Discounts

Maine Trailer Discounts

PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons

Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!

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Cross Arena Discounts for PLC!