[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick reminder that you can register online for next weeks 1/2 Day Institute that will be held in Marlborough at Assabet Valley High School. We have a great lineup of speakers for this event and we would hate for you to miss it.

Don’t forget to bring some non-perishable items for our annual Food Drive to help support local food banks.

https://oldmfaa.avatar-development.com/events/mfaa-dec-19th-1-2-day-institute-assabet-valley-rvths/

See you all next week,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Bob,

Its a regular working day for the Custodians. If I have them in earlier than normal, they can leave early dependent on the storm, since I have a 2nd shift crew that pics up. If the District closes, then they get time & 1/2

Mike Gormley

Monty Tech

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Snow Days — when school is closed it is still a normal work day for our custodians. If they have to stay later than their normal shift to clear snow, they get paid OT (so long as they hit at least 40 hours that week).

Heather Forgione

Supervisor of Facilities

Haverhill Public Schools

978-971-7018

heather.forgione@haverhill-ps.prg

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Haverhill used to be that way, and then they split the two. Now, years later, the city side does not have its own maintenance department. There is talk of moving the school department maintenance department over to report to the city instead, so that we cover all city owned buildings. Not sure what will become of that, but considering I have one plumber, one electrician and 3 general maintenance personnel, it’s not looking good; they can barely keep up with repairs to the 17 school buildings we have. Most of them are pre-1980 construction and many are late 1800s and early 1900s. Adding another fleet of aging and deteriorated buildings to their to-do list isn’t going to improve matters. If they doubled my staff, it might give them a fighting chance.

Heather Forgione

Supervisor of Facilities

Haverhill Public Schools

978-971-7018

heather.forgione@haverhill-ps.org

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Apparently years ago, the city of Haverhill had a Public Property department; it was run by the city and had maintenance staff which handled both city and school department buildings. Back about 10 years ago, they split and had two sides of the house — city side repairs were coordinated by a person who split their time between procurement and maintenance director; school side all custodians and maintenance staff reported to the Supervisor of Facilities. I came on board at the schools as Supervisor 2 years ago. Rumor has it they are trying to move us back over to city side.

Out of curiosity — for the maintenance folks that make repairs at the schools, do most of you work for the city or directly for the superintendent/ school department/ school committee? The reason they split them years ago, so I’m told, is because the schools were not getting enough attention and the school committee wanted the school department to have more direct control over maintenance.

Right now, our set up is that I manage the custodial staff in all 17 buildings and our 5 maintenance guys. Maintenance handles schools first, but we also do repairs at the fire departments, city hall and DPW building when we are able. Otherwise, those departments contact vendors/ contractors directly, or we make the initial contact and they take it from there. I report to the assistant superintendent. We are trying to get a feel for whether most cities and towns have a school department run facilities department or whether you have one overall department run by the city.

 

Thanks!

Heather Forgione

Supervisor of Facilities

Haverhill Public Schools

978-971-7018

heather.forgione@haverhill-ps.org

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi Ed,

We pay time and 1/2 over 40 M-Sun, Dbl Time 1/2 for Holidays, Sick time is not included and it would then be straight time unless a doctors note is given. We pay Dbl time on Sundays if it is not School related. I have a shift supervisor for 1st and 2nd and they are salary.

In the event that the Superintendent closes the district due to weather, then the custodians would receive DBL time.

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi again everyone,

I wanted to remind folks about all the regional chapter meetings that MFAA will be hosting this week. I’ve posted them all up on our calendar of events with addresses and info. We have set these up regionally and have them a couple of times a year to help connect with everyone by reducing the travel time. If you can’t make one of the meetings for some reason you are of course welcome to attend any of the other meeting locations.

Take care and hope to see you all at some location this week.

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Need to make a correction for Western MA meeting location. School Restaraunt closed that day so new location for meeting

Western Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 11:30 am, Westwood Restaurant, 94 North Elm St., Westfield, MA 01085

See you all next week,

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Jon,

First of all, I don’t allow walk ins, waste my time, I waste theirs, chances of them getting a sale on an unannounced hope to meet and greet sales pitch does not happen, less than 5% on the odds.

Just have the Secretary ask if the person has an appointment, if not, would they like to make one for a future meeting or take their business card and you will get back to them. We are all busy and they should respect that, if they can’t respect it, there is no sale to be had. Besides if this is one of your regular sales person, they should know.

Mike, Monty Tech

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Steve,

Here at MT,

The Custodians earn a rate of 1.25 days per month of continual service up to 15 days per year for sick time, 3 for PT and out of the 15 days, they can have 5  deemed Family Sick days to tend to a family member. Vacation time is accrued yearly after the first full year up to 5 days for the first year, then 1 day added for every additional year up to 10 years, then 25 Days after 20 years of service. Only 2 Custodians per shift allowed time off at the same time.  We have black out days of ‘ Last week of School and week before school starts. February and April school vacation are blacked out but can be taken if approved by myself. Seniority determines when time is taken in the summer up until May 1, at that time is open to request by all custodians.

Mike Gormley

Montachusett Reg Voc Tech school

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Thanks for the responses and sorry for being so vague. I understand the complexity and variability of the project, but my superintendent wants a number by the end of the week to throw at the wall. No company that I’ve talked to will ballpark it and I don’t blame them. Bottom line is I’m still working though a poorly planned capital project list.

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

In all the excitement last week we forgot to draw the raffle for early registration. I would like to congratulate Sandra Cashen for being the lucky winner of this year’s early registration prize!

Couldn’t have gone to more deserving person!

Congrats and I’ll be in contact with you directly.

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Joe,

Did you find a Athletic Field Contractor? I’m in need of a couple to get quotes on baseball field repairs.

Mike

Montachusett Reg Voc Tech School

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Try using a product called Zud. The green is from copper oxidizing. Of course all brand new piping. Use the powder with a green scrub pad.

Mike Gormley

Monty Tech

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Just bought you a couple of days. DoubleTree has extended the deadline to Wednesday for our discounted rooms.

Don’t wait and miss out.

Thanks,

Ken