The PLC is your voice and advocate and is fighting for your business, your industry, and your future. We need your support to continue standing up for Northeast loggers during these challenging times.

We have also made the online renewal process easier than ever and we encourage you to take advantage of this option. To do so, click on the link below.

Renewals are due by Dec. 1. Don’t delay, renew now!

Renew Here

PLC Full Board Meeting

You are invited: PLC Full Board Meeting Thursday Dec. 7

Please RSVP Today!

The PLC Board of Directors is scheduled to meet for its 4th quarter meeting next Thursday, December 7th from 9 am-1 p.m. in Augusta.

All PLC Contractor Members are invited and may attend any board meeting of the PLC. We ask that you RSVP by emailing office@plcloggers.org by 4 p.m. this Friday if you would like to attend. Once you have RSVP’ed, we will send you the location and address of the meeting.

This meeting will provide an opportunity to meet our newest PLC staff members. Ben Grant of Waterville is the PLC’s new Deputy Executive Director of Legislative & Public Affairs. Renee’ Wright of Skowhegan is the PLC’s new Membership Services Coordinator.

Lunch will be served around 12 p.m.

Please plan to attend. Thank you.

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.

Applications Open For Funding Through Domestic Trade Grant Program

New state funding is available through The Domestic Trade Grant Program to help businesses increase their market reach and expand sales activities. This opportunity is open to Maine businesses in these sectors:

- Agriculture – Food and Beverage
- Clean Energy
- Construction
- Fishing, Seafood, and Aquaculture
- Forestry and forest products
- Information Services
- Logistics, Transportation, and Warehousing
- Manufacturing
- Retail (includes wholesale)

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is administering the program on behalf of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

The grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, depending on the size of the business. All applicant businesses and non-profit and tribal organizations must be headquartered in Maine and have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number.

Eligible businesses can apply for direct financial support for activities that increase their capacity for sales, such as sales channel support (media campaigns, packaging design, etc.), trade shows, marketing assistance, and technical assistance.

There is an anticipated total of $6 million available, and two rounds of funding are planned. Applications for this first round of funding close on December 15 at 11:59 p.m. Funding for the program is available through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.

GPCOG will host webinars every Tuesday at 12 p.m. from Oct. 31 to Dec. 12 to give prospective applicants and partners the opportunity to ask questions directly to the Domestic Trade Grants Team.

Go to www.maine.gov/decd/domestic-trade/grants to apply or to learn more. If you have questions, call 207-387-2919 or email DomesticTrade@gpcog.org.

You’re Invited!

Logging and Construction Industry Strategy Gathering Dec. 6th

Members, Maine State Senator Brad Farrin (R-Norridgewock) and Milton CAT are hosting two evening logging and construction industry legislative strategy gatherings in the run-up to 2024; one was held Nov. 16 in Brewer and the second will be held next Wednesday, Dec. 6 in Scarborough. They have asked the PLC to forward an invitation to all PLC Members to attend. Senator Farrin is an employee of Milton CAT, and Milton CAT is a Preferred Supporting Member of the PLC.

PLC Executive Director Dana Doran and the PLC’s new Deputy Executive Director of Legislative and Public Affairs, Ben Grant, attended the Nov. 16 event and encourage you to join them at the Dec. 6 event. Please RSVP if you have not already done so. If you plan to attend please also email Dana at dana@plcloggers.org to let him know.

These events are not sponsored by the PLC. However, they do align with our own planning and preparations for the next legislative session in 2024 and Sen. Farrin is someone who has been very helpful to the PLC since he was first elected to the Legislature in 2015.

You may view the full invitation by clicking the button below.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend to Heather Priest at hezjrp@gmail.com or 207-458-5980.

Thanks, and please contact us if you have any questions.

Read the Invite

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 →

PLC Members Only!

Equipment Cost Calculators Available

Members,

With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.

These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.

These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.

DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.

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

PLC Online Store

Looking for great PLC items and apparel? Gifts? First Aid packs, safety items and more? You will find them at the new PLC Online Store on our web site. Ordering is easy.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

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.

Safety Resources

SafetyWorks!

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/.

New Small PLC Operator/Driver First Aid Pack!

In response to demand for a smaller/”must have in an emergency” first aid pack to be stored in a machine or pickup, the PLC has created a new Operator/Driver First Aid Pack.

Contains “must have in an emergency” bleeding control items
One pack is recommended per machine/truck
Detachable velcro panel ideal for mounting in a machine or truck
Meets OSHA requirements for a logging first aid kit
Supplements PLC’s larger first aid back pack but is not a replacement

The PLC Member price is $69 plus tax and shipping (if it is not picked up by the contractor or delivered by the PLC). Color RED

More information on the pack and its contents is available HERE.

Get yours now by clicking HERE!

PLC Crew First Aid Backpack

Still available – This first aid pack was designed for the PLC members to provide you with the supplies you need for a crew in the woods. PLC Member Price – $299 plus tax and shipping (Free Pick-up available) – Color – RED

To order Click HERE

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!