[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Joe,

Here is the link to the state contract for custodial services. You can likely procure straight from this for what you are looking for services.

http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/osd/uguide/fac81.pdf

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi Maria,

We will be offering this again as our annual custodial training during the April vacation and June.

April locations will be Hudson and Canton.

Last week in June will be likely Plymouth and Northampton.

2 hour awareness/refresher…

Thanks
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Info from MASBO meeting yesterday’s presentation from Nancy White (Playground Inspections of NE) http://www.playgroundinspectionsne.com/

MAAB exceeds Federal guidelines and enacted their policy in 2007. Law is finally catching up and MAAB are issuing fines and citations when concerned citizens call to notify them of non-compliant surfacing.

As it stands you only have 3 options: Rubber tile, synthetic turf, and poured in place rubber. UNITARY MATERIALS ONLY!

Rule of thumb is this is typically 10X the cost of Engineered Fibar mulch.

Schools that have currently been pinched are looking at re-configuring their playgrounds so that so spread out to reduce the amount of surfacing.

No easy answer other than we all need to start putting this into our capital plans and work with our PTOs who typically have donated funds for playgrounds that the new regs also required unitary materials. Maybe PTO funds playground town funds capital improvement for surfacing, who knows.

We are all in a pickle on this one. Just start planning my friends.

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

MASBO having a presentation on this Wednesday. I’ll find out and share what I learn.

Hold tight…..

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Checking on this with some of our fiber suppliers….. Did you contact MAAB?

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hey Bob,

Avoid the dude with the pickup truck and magnetic sign!!!

Green Communities has some guidance:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/eap/audit-recommendations-for-ma-municipalities.pdf

I would also call your utility and ask them for some support on the RFP. I’m sure you will tapping into their funds on this and they should be able to help you avoid the energy snake oil salesman.

You may also want to contact Mass Clean Energy Center.
http://www.masscec.com/heatsmart-mass

They me able to also provide some guidance on this as well.

Keep us posted how you make out.

Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Hi everyone,

Just got off the phone with Steve Sampson today. We have been playing phone tag for 3 weeks now. After all my chasing, he isn’t the right contact….. even though the fines say contact him…..

Not Steve’s fault, he is actually a good guy and is going to look at putting together a presentation for us at our next conference about elevator inspection best practices etc.

Steve is forwarding my contact along to the person in charge of the fines. Hope to hear from them this week and will update you all.

Thanks
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

We just wrapped up and accelerated repair roof for an elementary school with them. They performed OK. No reasons to disqualify or anything.

Sloppy on ramp up, wrote them up for keeping a messy site a couple of times, really rocky 1st 1/2 of project then it settled down and they wrapped up on time.

They are ok but make sure you keep an eye on the project start up and that they are hitting their schedule and have enough bodies to finish on time for you.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Sharon has had an opening for almost 2 years now. Nobody wants to work for $30 per hour when construction is booming in Boston and around Metro area.

I’ve priced out outsourcing HVAC and it is cost prohibitive to get same amount of service. 4X the cost in most cases.

We continue to post and interview candidates while bleeding our HVAC budget dry from call ins that our plumber, electrician, or myself can’t figure out.

Never easy. Geographically you might be in a better spot to find some help being the commute to work might allow more interested tradespeople.

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

I have a call in to Steve Sampson and hope to meet with him tomorrow to see what is going on. Will keep you all posted.

Thanks.
Ken Wertz
MFAA Exec

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

I have a call in to Steve Sampson and hope to meet with him tomorrow to see what is going on. Will keep you all posted.

Thanks.
Ken Wertz
MFAA Exec

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Sharon was back in 2012. We went keyed both sides and teachers all have lockdown key with them that can lock any door, accept mechanical electrical and elevator machine rooms.

Jim Harper help me with my design when he was with Assa Abloy. He is now with Dugmore Duncan and would be a good person to reach out to for a chat about what the most current trends are.

jharper@dugmore.com

Sounds like you just added a topic for our next 1/2 day training!!!

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

First I’ve heard of any. Those were supposed to be washed away. Call and keep us posted.

http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/government/oca-agencies/dpl-lp/opsi/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/elevators/elevators.html

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

Sharon the DPW Grounds and Forestry handle it for us and do a great job. Takes so much time with all the multiple sports they need to line…..

Good luck,
Ken

[Ken Wertz, MFAA Exec]

We use classroom locks, you need the key to unlock or lock. All of our classroom doors stay locked throughout the day. We have installed an Anti Latch device on the doors from a company called Global Innovations. There web site is globalinnovationsco.com. Basically if we have an intruder the teacher only has to flip down the lever and the door will lock

Mike
MRVTS