PLC Member Weekly Update April 5, 2024

Registration Now Open!

Register for the PLC’s Biggest Event of the Year!

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) is excited to invite you to participate in our 29th Annual Membership Meeting and Log A Load for Kids Auction on May 9th – 10th, 2024, presented by Acadia Insurance, Cross Insurance, and United Construction and Forestry. This year’s meeting, which we believe is the PLC’s biggest in history, is being held at a new exciting location, The Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine.

In 2023, we raised over $127,723 for Log A Load for Kids & Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, through our dinner and auction.  Our goal in 2024 is to exceed that total, and we hope that you can help us make miracles happen!  This year, we are also excited to announce a new partnership with the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital in Burlington as we expand our Log A Load reach and look forward to sharing our generosity with children in Vermont.

Registration is now open for the 2024 PLC 29th Annual Membership Meeting, Dinner and Log A Load Auction! Don’t delay, register now by clicking the link below!

May 9th

Splinters and Spirits Tour – Robbins Lumber and Local Brewery, Winery, & Distillery Tours

Evening Social Gathering – The Samoset Clubhouse

May 10th

Full PLC Board Meeting and Elections

Equipment Innovation Panel

Log A Load Auction with NASCAR Driver Ricky Craven

PBS America’s Forests TV Show Premiere Featuring The Mallett Brothers Band

Book Your Room Now!

Hotel discounts available through 04/08/24 while space lasts

Samoset Resort – $169 – $239 (Meeting location, rate for 5/9 & 5/10)

This year, the PLC Annual Meeting, Dinner, Awards Ceremony and Live Log A Load Auction will be held on May 9 – 10, 2024 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport!  Below is the reservation link to book your room. Rates are good through 4/11/24 and while supplies last. If you would like to stay one night, you can adjust dates. Resort fee will be waived. If you would like to book a room for Wednesday, May 8th, please contact PLC at jessica@plcloggers.org and we will assist you in getting a room.

*Please note, the booking link has been updated. Rooms are still available!

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) is pleased to offer Logger, Fleet and CPR Safety Training to all PLC Members and Master Loggers March 28-May 17 in 2024. Openings still remain! Don’t wait, register now!

There is no charge for the Logger and Fleet Safety Training classes. CPR/First Aid is $50/attendee. 

*The trainings on April 18 in Avon, ME; and April 26 in Lincoln, ME are full. Openings remain at all other trainings. The training scheduled for April 4 in Passadumkeag, ME has been moved to April 25 in Lincoln, ME and there is no need to re-register if you have already registered. 

Register now!

FOR SCHEDULE AND ONLINE REGISTRATION CLICK HERE

Welcome New Members

Contractor Members

Jeff Poczobut Logging of West Rutland, VT joined the PLC as a new Logging Contractor Member in March of 2024. The company has a professional staff of 1. For more information contact Jeff Poczobut at (802) 558-2408 or email loggerjmp@vermontel.net

Michaud Timber Harvesting of Orono, ME joined the PLC as a new Affiliated Contractor in March of 2024. The company has a professional staff of 1. For more information contact Charles Michaud at (207) 231-0560 or email charlesm623c@gmail.com

Supporting Member

Transaxle, LLC of Westbrook, ME joined the PLC as a new Enhanced Supporting Member in March of 2024. The company is a premier remanufacturer of transmissions, axles, hydraulics, differentials, steering gears and steering pumps for on and off highway heavy equipment. The company is also an authorized service center for Eaton Road Ranger, Eaton Hydraulics, Char-Lynn Vickers, and Allison on and off highway applications. It is also a warranty center for Eaton Hydraulics, Muncie Power Products, and Dana Off Highway. For more information contact Rob Fortier at (207) 951-2443 or rfortier@transaxle.com

The Logger’s Voice – Spring 2024 Edition

Blanket work search waiver began Sunday March 17

Mud season is now upon us, and that means many of you are facing the annual challenges of temporarily laying off employees or being laid off yourself.

Effective March 17, 2024, workers impacted will be granted a work search waiver approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Bureau Director of Unemployment Compensation for 5 weeks (Week ending April 20, 2024). The weeks covered by the waiver are determined by environmental impact such as the water tables and DOT road postings. Prior to the end of the waiver period, the Department will assess the road conditions and take appropriate actions.

The most important steps for logging contractors and employees to follow in order to apply for Unemployment Benefits:

File an unemployment claim by phone or online. DO NOT enter a return to work date when applying. 

Call to File: The employee contacts the Bureau at 1-800-593-7660 selects option 2 between 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. The department is manually putting in a “Director Approved Waiver” for impacted loggers.

Note: Mondays are busiest at the unemployment office and tend to slow down each day following. Currently, the average wait times for phone calls are below 3 minutes, so please be patient and a representative will help you.

File Online: online self-service, click HERE. There are zero wait times, and this option is available 7 days a week. Select “Create ReEmployME Account” if you do not already have an account created from prior years, or “Claimant Login” if you have filed through the ReEmployME system sometime within the last three years. Then select the “Unemployment Claim” tab at the top of your screen and go to “File Unemployment Claim.” Follow the prompts on the screen to file a new claim or reopen an existing claim. The department is manually putting in a “Director Approved Waiver” for impacted loggers.

Any questions may be directed to the Bureau at 1-800-593-7660.

Maine’s Direct Link Loan Program

Are you a Master Logger® in Maine who is buying new equipment? Take advantage of the Direct Link Loan Program and get an interest rate reduction of up to 2% on qualifying equipment. Details of the program and how you can take advantage of it are below:

1. A Master Logger signs an Agreement with the Maine Forest Service (MFS), the bank submits Agreement to MFS, and it is approved by the MFS for the purchase of a new or new to them piece of qualifying equipment. (Cut to Length Harvesters and Forwarders, Tracked Feller Bunchers, Stroke Delimbers, Mulching Machines, Road Graders; also includes retrofitting of existing equipment like Flotation tires, Bogey wheels, harvester and processor heads; and Miscellaneous purchases like Metal and Wooden Bridges, Bottomless arches, and sediment and erosion control products) Purchases are considered on a case by case basis, with eligibility based on whether the equipment facilitates the implementation of Best Management Practices.

**Equipment that is NOT eligible: Grapple Skidders, Pull-Thru Delimbers, Tree-to-Tree Feller Bunchers. 

2. The Master Logger gets a loan from a participating bank. (See list below) Example: Loan is for $500,000 at current bank interest rate (ex. 7.00%). Contractor can have multiple loans but can’t exceed the $800,000 aggregate limit allowed by the program.

3. The Master Logger is given an interest rate subsidy (reduction) of 1.50% (up to 2%) – the same amount as the *CD rate for as long as they continue to qualify for the program.

Example: 7.00% loan interest rate less 1.50% rate subsidy = 5.50 effective rate.

The following banks participate in the direct link loan program.

• Katahdin Trust Company – David Cambridge
• Farm Credit East – Shannon Webber
• Machias Savings Bank – Anita Madden
• Acadia FCU

**Note: Maine Municipal Bond Bank buys a $500,000 CD for up to five years from bank for up to 2.00% less than the bank’s going CD rate matching the term of the loan. Ex. 1.50 % – (up to 2%)

Don’t see your bank on the list? Reach out and encourage them to get involved.

Not yet Master Logger® Certified? Email Sydney at sydney@tcnef.org, call (207)-688-8195, opt. 2 or visit masterloggercertification.com.

 For more information, click here for the Direct Link Loan Program.

FSC Updates

New FSC US President Announced

FSC US announced the appointment of Sarah Billig as its new President (effective April 15) following a comprehensive internal and external search. She brings extensive experience as a proven forest industry leader and former FSC US Board co-chair. Billig steps into the role succeeding Stuart Hale, Forestry Program Manager for the US and Canada Carbon Markets Team at The Nature Conservancy, who has been serving as Interim President while also Co-Chairing the Board of Directors. See the announcement on the FSC US web site for additional details.

TIME SENSITIVE: Ongoing Consultation on revised Trademark Standard

Requirements for use of the FSC® trademarks by certificate holders (FSC-STD-50-001) contains the requirements and guidelines for using Forest Stewardship Council trademarks by FSC certificate holders, and it is applicable (i.e., considered during annual audits) for almost all certificate holders. It covers the labelling and promotion of products with FSC trademarks, as well as the promotion of an organization’s status as an FSC certificate holder. Interested stakeholders can stay informed about the process and receive key updates by registering with FSC, and find more details about the process at the dedicated process page.

FSC is currently inviting feedback during the conceptual phase of the of this revision process via a public consultation that will be open through April 15. The consultation is only accessible via the following link: https://consultation-platform.fsc.org/en/consultations/take/c936e6a22f548.

Blockchain Webinars for License Holders

FSC is hosting a series of reoccurring webinars designed for FSC license holders seeking clear, practical information about the FSC Blockchain. The webinars will cover topics like:

• Introduction to FSC Blockchain: Learn the reasons behind integrating blockchain into our systems.
• Platform Details: Gain an understanding of what the FSC Blockchain is and its functionalities.
• Who Can Use It: Discover who can access the platform and the advantages it offers.
• Data Fields and Security Measures: Receive information on the types of data included and our approach to data security.
• Pilot and Rollout Plan: Get updates on the current pilot phases and the planned implementation for all license holders.

 The webinars occur every other month and alternate between times intended to accommodate eastern hemisphere and western hemisphere audiences. Those with more favorable times for US participants (7am Pacific Time / 10am Eastern Time) will occur on April 30, August 20 and December 10. Use the links in the previous sentence to register for these webinars.

Northeastern Loggers’ Association Expo 2024

Are your logging employees CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogen certified?  Did you know that evidence of training is required every two years for OSHA and Master Logger compliance?

This spring, the PLC currently has four classes scheduled that are FREE to members and their employees.

To date, we have scheduled training for: 

April 5^th – Milford, ME

April 19^th – Strong, ME

Wait, there’s more…..

If these locations don’t work for your company or you have more than 15 employees and would like to schedule a company specific training, we can work with you and companies in your area to schedule an alternative date for free training.

Again, if your employees need this training in 2024, the PLC is offering the course, and it is free to members and their employees.  If you would like to schedule or sign up for an existing training, contact Jessica at Jessica@plcloggers.org or 207-688-8195.

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

Upcoming classes:

 Wage & Hour Compliance –

April 17, 2024 I 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Rockland CareerCenter, 91 Camden Street, Suite 201, Rockland

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. 

Safety and the Supervisor –

April 17, 2024 I 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, this course will outline the key tasks supervisors should be performing on a daily basis to identify hazards and keep their employees safe.

Impairment Detection Training for Employers –

April 18, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This one-day training session is designed to help owners, managers, and supervisors recognize and respond appropriately to employee impairment in the workplace in order to reduce worker accidents and injuries. Participants will be taught procedures to detect impairment regardless of the substance or cause. This class is designed to fulfill the federal DOT requirements for reasonable suspicion training of supervisors. In addition, participants will learn how to develop and implement policies that address impairment in the workplace and are in compliance with Maine’s Substance Use Testing Law.

A Practical Approach to Electrical Safety –

April 26, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

In this half-day class, you will learn how to protect workers from electrical hazards. NFPA 70E requirements will be discussed in layman’s terms.

Fire Extinguisher/Emergency Action Plans/Workplace Violence –

April 29, 2024 I 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

In this class, you will learn about Emergency Action Plans, including the use of fire extinguishers and how to maintain them. In addition, this class tackles the emerging concern for workplace violence and how to prepare your organization for this hazard. This is a one-day hands-on class. Those attending this class should come prepared to discharge a fire extinguisher.        

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

SafetyWorks! is also a host site for the Region 1 OSHA Training Institute Education Center.  The next class will be:

April 8 – April 10, 2024   503 Update Course for General Industry Outreach Trainers

To register go to https://oshaedne.com/osha-503/ or call 800-449-6742.  Please note, these classes have a registration fee to attend.

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/

PLC Crew First Aid Backpack

PLC First Aid Pack: In 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. 

To order Click HERE

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

ND Paper Mill in Rumford production changes to affect some workers – The Portland Press Herald

Blackburn, King Lead Colleagues Fighting For American Forest Products Industry in Global Markets

Garamendi, King Introduce Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act

Sappi Sets the Standard for Engineering Careers, Innovation – Bangor Daily News

St. John Valley tech center acquires new forestry equipment to train students

Driver killed when logging truck crashes into pond in The Forks – Bangor Daily News

Governor Mills Announces Plans for Construction of Manufacturing Facility at Former Jay Mill Site

State agency introduces its roadmap for forest products | The Deerfield Valley News

Audubon Receives Forest Landowner Support Award for Bird-Friendly Maple Program

Vermont loggers looking for financial relief from wetter weather patterns – Rutland Herald

SHC awarded nearly $1 million NBRC grant | Vermont Business Magazine

Community Tree Planting Grants – Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program

Telephone Gap project second comment period opens | Local News | rutlandherald.com

Danielle Fitzko: Striking the balance, managing Vermont’s state lands – Brattleboro Reformer

GMALL: Vermont Forest Bird Stewardship 101 | Community News | benningtonbanner.com

2024 NORTHEASTERN FOREST PRODUCTS EQUIPMENT EXPO RETURNS TO ESSEX … – Timberline Magazine

Maine Trailer – Member Discount

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

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! 

PLC Classified Section