Welcome to this week’s update from the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast! We have important news and events to share that are vital for your business and the logging community. Let’s dive into what’s happening this week:

GENERAL NEWS & EVENTS

✔ Logger’s Voice Winter Edition!
✔ PLC 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting – Reserve rooms now!
✔ Annual Meeting Speaker Topics Survey
✔ Jeff Benjamin Hired as new Deputy Exec. Director of Certification
✔ Avenza Maps for Loggers Workshop Jan. 31
✔ Winter Timber Harvest in a Changing Environment: A Rooted in Research Webinar Series


MAINE NEWS & EVENTS

✔ Storm Income Loss Survey – Your Input Needed by Midnight Monday!
✔ Maine Paid Family & Medical Leave – Update
✔ Maine News Clips

VERMONT NEWS & EVENTS

✔ VT Steering Committee Meeting Online January 29
✔ Report on Timber Trespass Enforcement
✔ Northern Woodlands: At Work in the Woods with Heath Bunnell
✔ Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Report
✔ Vermont News Clips

SAFETY & EDUCATION

✔ RSVP for PLC Safety Committee Meeting Jan. 22
✔ MDOL Safety Classes
✔ Small First Aid Pack
✔ Crew First Aid Pack
✔ Northeast Safe Logger

MEMBER BENEFITS

✔ Cost Calculators
✔ PLC Store
✔ Member Discounts


The Logger’s Voice Winter 2025


PLC 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting May 8-9 – Save the Date and Reserve Rooms Now!

It is time to block off your calendar for the PLC’s 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting, being held May 8-9 at the Samoset Resort in beautiful Rockport Maine! This is a free event for all PLC Members so don’t miss out!

The room reservation link for PLC Members is now open and you may reserve rooms by clicking the button below. Why wait? Book your room for the PLC’s biggest event of the year now!


Our 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting planning is underway, and we want YOU to help us make it unforgettable!

As part of this anniversary celebration, we’re planning exciting sessions and discussions, and we’d love your input on the topics that matter most to you. Please click the button below and take a few moments to complete a PLC survey on possible topics. We can’t wait to see you all in May!


New Deputy Executive Director of Certification hired

Jeff Benjamin of Veazie, Maine has been hired as the new Deputy Executive Director of Certification for the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC).

Jeff began his new duties on Jan. 6, 2025. He brings a wealth of forestry, administrative, and technical experience to the job and has a longstanding relationship with loggers in Maine as well as a great understanding of the unique issues and opportunities in the regional forest economy. You may read the full announcement on Jeff below,

Welcome to the team Jeff!


*Free Avenza Maps Pro subscriptions still available! Read more below!

Due to popular demand from the 2024 Master Logger Best Practices workshops, the Master Logger Certification Program® is working with Avenza Systems to hold a comprehensive Avenza Maps training tailored specifically for loggers!

When: January 31st, 2025
Where: In-person or virtual. Attend in-person at the KVCC Alfond Campus in Hinckley, ME, or virtually. The in-person session will be followed by a field exercise that will put into practice what was learned in the classroom.
Time: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Cost: Free, lunch is provided
Details: This workshop is for logging operators, foremen, and others who implement aspects of harvest planning and implementation.

What to bring: work boots, hi-vis vests, hard hats (required), and a device with Avenza Maps downloaded (please come with a full battery and notification turned on for Avenza Maps)

MLC Credits: 6 hours
SAF Credits: pending

This workshop will feature: Avenza Maps basics; navigation; data creation, editing, and sharing; and other tools
Map sourcing. A field exercise to apply concepts learned. All attendees will receive a temporary Avenza Maps Pro subscription to use during the class or may sign up for a free two-year subscription through their Master Logger Certification prior to the workshop.

If you would like to take part in this interactive workshop, please register by January 17th, 2025 by clicking the button below. Please submit a form for every attendee.

Questions? Contact: Sydney Andersen at sydney@tcnef.org, or 207-688-8195 opt. 2

PLEASE REGISTER THROUGH THE LINK BELOW BY JANUARY 17!

*Please also remember we are giving out free Avenza Maps Prosubscriptions, so if you already have a subscription, this is a great opportunity to learn how to use it, but if you do not have one yet, you may grab your free subscription by clicking below!


Winter Timber Harvest in a Changing Environment: A Rooted in Research Webinar Series

*PLC Executive Director Dana Doran is a panelist on the Forest Operations Perspectives Panel on Feb. 5 

Members,

The PLC will be participating in an upcoming webinar series, presented in collaboration with USDA Forest Service Eastern Region State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, the Northern Institute for Applied Climate Science (NIACS), and the Northeast and Northern Forest Climate Hubs, exploring changing winter conditions and their consequences for timber harvesting in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.

Webinar Dates and Time: Wednesdays, 1/22 – 2/5/2025, 2–3 pm EST

Click Here or the button below to Register on Zoom

Schedule:

The series will explore changing winter conditions and their consequences for timber harvesting in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Presentations by and discussions with scientists and natural resource professionals will explore the research behind changing winters, soil monitoring to inform operations, and adaptations to support winter timber harvests in a changing environment.

Each one-hour webinar will consist of presentations or panel discussions followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

Webinars are eligible for 1 continuing education credit each through the Society of American Foresters. Please note that continuing education credits are only awarded to participants who attend the live webinar.

Storm Income Loss Survey – Your Input is Needed by Midnight, Monday, January 20!

Maine Members,

Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) is reaching out to the agriculture and forestry sector with an important opportunity to help them advocate for disaster aid that could help to offset expenses due to weather-related challenges.

In late December 2024, Congress allocated $220 million in disaster relief funds for New England states, in addition to Alaska, and Hawaii, to offset some of the losses experienced by agriculture and timber producers due to extreme weather events in 2023 and 2024. The USDA will determine how these funds are distributed, and Maine’s share will depend on estimated losses.

We need your help and input to make the strongest case possible for Maine to receive the maximum funding available.

What They’re asking:

DACF is requesting that businesses that have experienced extreme weather/natural disaster related losses, including lost income, complete a brief survey. The survey is anonymous—no contact information is required—and should only take a few minutes.

Completing this survey does not guarantee that you will receive funding, nor can they guarantee that all topics this survey covers will ultimately be deemed eligible for funds by the USDA. However, your response is vital to ensuring that Maine can maximize its share of disaster aid.

Survey Deadline: Midnight, Monday, January 20

Click here to complete the survey or use the button below: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/disaster/survey.shtml

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important effort.


he Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) announced on January 6, 2025 that the new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Portal, the online system for employers to register, designate a payroll processor, file quarterly wage reports, and remit quarterly premium contributions, has launched.

The State Family Medical Leave Insurance Plan

All employers must register on the portal in order to begin wage reporting in April 2025.  Employers will begin their first quarterly wage reporting and premium payments starting April 1, 2025, and they are due by April 30, 2025.

The portal can be accessed here or by clicking the button below: 

Every employer will be required to register and remit payroll premium to the State for the first 3 months of 2025. Employers with less than 15 employees, .5% paid by employees; 15 or more employees .5% paid by employees and .5% paid by employer.

The Private Insurance Plan (Best for companies with 15 or more employees)

If you use a state approved private plan, then as of April 1, 2025, you remove your obligation of remitting additional payroll premium to the state.   The private insurance plan becomes effective 5/1/2026. At that point, you will begin paying premiums to the private insurance company you have selected.

Benefits of a Private Insurance Plan:  

  • Cost Savings:  Reduce the duration of payroll contributions significantly.
  • Flexibility:  Tailor benefits to align with your employees’ needs and your business goals.
  • Streamlined Administration:  Avoid navigating the complexities of the state’s program.
  • Contact your insurance agent for more information if you have 15 or more employees.

How to Receive More PFML Information

The Department launched a PFML-specific call center, which can be reached at (207) 621-5024 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The number can also be found under the “contact us” tab on the PFML webpage.

You can stay up to date by signing up for the PFML Get Notified List and learn more in our FAQ, employer resources, recorded demonstrations, and step by step guides on our website: https://www.maine.gov/paidleave/

In the meantime, if you have any questions, we are here to help.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Dana Doran
Executive Director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast


VT Steering Committee Meeting Online January 29

All Vermont PLC Members are invited to attend the Vermont Steering Committee Meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 29. This will be an online meeting on Teams. Please email office@plcloggers.org to RSVP and get the link!


Report on Timber Trespass Enforcement

In accordance with Section 5 of Act 153 (2024), the Vermont Attorney General’s Office has submitted its Report on Timber Trespass Enforcement. Copies have been submitted to the House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry; House Committee on Judiciary; Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy; Senate Committee on Judiciary; and the Senate Committee on Agriculture. You may read a copy of the report by clicking the button below.


Northern Woodlands: At Work in the Woods with Heath Bunnell

PLC Member and Master Logger Heath Bunnell of Vermont was featured in a Northern Woodlands article this month! Read the full article below!


Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Weekly Report

Click below to read the latest weekly Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Report from the Vermont Motor Vehicle Police.


Vermont News Clips


Upcoming Classes

Wage & Hour Compliance –
January 22, 2025 l 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Joseph L. Ferris Community Center, 318 Wilson Street, Brewer
This course is designed for human resource or benefits professionals, accountants, business owners, managers, or payroll supervisors. Labor laws can be complex. This seminar covers wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, youth employment, severance pay, equal pay, rest breaks, leave requirements (earned paid leave, family medical leave, family sick leave and leave for victims of violence). This class addresses commonly asked labor-related questions.

How to Conduct a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Assessment –
January 23, 2025 l 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
Every workplace is required to assess the workplace for hazards which require personal protective equipment. This course assists employers in how to assess a workplace, hazard recognition, determining the appropriate personal protective equipment, and the elements of a Certificate of Hazard Assessment.

Safety and the Supervisor –
January 28, 2025 l 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
The success of any safety program is dependent on your front-line supervisors. Do they have the technical and interpersonal skills it takes to move your safety program in a positive direction? This training discusses the interpersonal skills all supervisors should develop to create a positive safety culture. In addition, the course will outline the key tasks supervisors should be performing daily to identify hazards and keep their employees safe.

Hazard Communication, Global Harmonization, and Chemical Substitution – 
January 29, 2025 l 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
Employees have the right to receive information and training regarding hazardous substances in the workplace. This course provides employers with the elements of a written program, container labeling, safety data sheets, and training requirements. Also included are the basics of chemical substitution as a tool to decrease the risks of hazardous substances in the workplace.

10-Hr. Construction Standards –
January 30 & 31, 2025 l 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Day 1), 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Day2) SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta
This one-and-a-half-day course teaches hazard identification and controls on a variety of construction industry safety and health topics (29 CFR 1926). This is an entry-level course and attendees who complete this course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion certificate.

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 https://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

More information on the pack and its contents is available HERE

PLC Crew First Aid Backpack

PLC First Aid PackIn response to widespread interest from members, we have created a PLC First Aid Pack that has everything you need for emergencies in the woods.

This Military Elite Tactical Trauma First Aid Backpack was designed for the PLC by Paul Stewart – EMT Houlton, ME. 


Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

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.


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.


Member Discounts

ALC Member Discounts

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts!

Fabian Oil Discount

Wallingford’s Discounts

Dirigo Waste Oil

10% Discount on new furnaces. Contact Justin at 207-873-0881

Maine Trailer Discounts

Maine Trailer Discounts

Treeline Discounts

Click Here Discount Pricing on Skidder Bridges and Crane Mats

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

Hale Trailer Discounts

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