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Updated: 8/31/10

Maine-ly Specs

The Newsletter of the Maine Chapter

Volume 42   No 1                                                 September  2010

* * *

IN MEMORIUM The Maine Chapter recently lost a good friend and Chapter Meeting Speaker, Denis Pratt, architect for Alpha One. On more than one occasion, Denis presented a Chapter Meeting program or spoke at a Chapter Seminar to help the Maine Chapter Members better understand the issues related to accessible design. Denis, you will be missed The Chapter also will miss Mori Mitsui, FCSI, a former NE Region Institute Director and former member of the New Hampshire Chapter. Some may remember him from the Region Conference hosted by the NH Chapter in Portsmouth.  Mori died on August 26, 2010 after a brief illness.

* * *

EMPLOYMENT WANTED

This section provides an opportunity for any Maine Chapter Member to post a brief informational statement if the member is looking for employment.  This is a free service provided by the Maine Chapter to its Members -

Valerie Paquin-Gould, CSI-S, CDT, LEED AP BD+C
designvpg@gmail.com
Ph: 207-541-9022
Cell: 617-620-9143
 
Valerie is currently a student at USM in Construction Management. She has over eight years experience including work at Hannaford Brothers in Store Planning and the A/E firm SMMA. Her experience includes specifications and contract documents creation, marketing, AutoCad, SketchUp and CS4. She is currently looking for work in Southern Maine. For full resume please send an email to designvpg@gmail.com

CSI's Career Center

The Institute website includes a "Career Center" that includes both job opportunities and a place for firms to post information about job openings. "Click Here to reach this feature. This feature does require the member to log-in to the Institute site.

Northeast Region Job Search & Job Openings

For Job Openings - Click Here

For Job Searches - Click Here

* * *

Maine Concrete Technicians Certification

Are your interested in taking the exam to become certified to perform Field or Plant Concrete Testing in Maine? If so "Click Here" to learn when and where the Exams will be given and to download an exam application form.

* * *

August Board Meeting

Board Meeting Minutes of Maine Chapter of CSI
August 3, 2010
Home of Dave Early, Scarborough, ME

Prepared by Keith Lowell

Attendees:  Dave Early, Bill Charland, Dick Eustis, Brad Armstrong, Denis Lemieux, Steve Dunn, Mark Stillman, Keith Lowell, Linda Lowell, Dick Dolby and Lori Rohr.

Bill opened the meeting at 1:25 p.m. and thanked all for attending.

Secretaries Report: Minutes of May Board meeting were approved.

Treasure's Report: Denis presented the final report for FY 2010 and a proposed budget for FY 2011.

1. The cost of functions at the Muddy Rudder is more than the cost of meals collected and we should be aware of this when scheduling meetings there. Only $200 shows as collected from Table Tops. Linda Lowell and Keith Lowell will watch this for the next fiscal year. There was brief discussion on Pay Pal that would help collect from those who registered but did not show.
2. The proposed budget for FY 2011 was discussed.
3. The proposed budget for FY 2011 was approved as modified. See attached budget sheet.

Committee Reports: There were several changes to committee chairs as follows:

1. General: Bill Charland requested each committee prepare a written report for their work in FY 2010 and submit them at the September meeting.
2. Academic Affairs Committee: Dave Early will chair committee and see if Rob Sherman will co-chair.
3. Awards Committee: Steve Dunn will chair committee and Bill Charland will co-chair.
4. Bylaws Committee: Dick Eustis will chair committee.
5. Certification Committee: Lori Rohr will continue to chair committee.
6. Education Committee: Jeff Larimer will continue to chair committee.
7. Electronic Committee: Dick Eustis will continue to chair committee.
8. Finance Committee: Is vacant at this time. John Rasmussen wants to continue to chair committee but has not confirmed.
9. Historian: Denis continues to collect and store relevant information for the chapter.
10. Membership Committee: Steve report that we have been losing members this spring and summer. The economy has taken its toll on some.
11. Ads & Billing Committee: Keith Lowell will continue to chair committee and indicated that the invoices for web ads have been sent out.
12. Newsletter Editor (Hard Copy): Keith Lowell will continue to chair committee and indicated that the board needs to do a better job about getting information to Dick Eustis on time for Newsletters. Several issues were not printed last year because of lack of timely information.
13. Nomination Committee: Ken Brann wants to be replaced as chair. Keith Lowell will chair committee and Brad Armstrong will co-chair along with Denis Lemieux.
14. Planning Committee: Chapter board and officers serve as committee.
15. Product Show/Seminar: Vacant.
16. Program Committee: Mark Stillman will serve as committee chair.
17. Scholarship Committee: Dick Eustis will continue to chair committee.
18. Social Committee: Steve Dunn will chair committee, Bill Charland will co-chair.
19. Table Tops Committee: Linda Lowell will chair committee and Keith Lowell will co-chair. This committee has already met this summer and plans at least one Table Top per meeting this year.
20. Technical Committee: Mark Stillman will continue to chair committee.
21. Concrete Board: Ken Brann will continue to be the Maine Chapter CSI representative on the Concrete Board.

Unfinished Business:
 
Vacant 1st Vice President position: The nominating committee and Bill Charland have made attempts to find someone to fill the position without success to this point. Bill suggested that he meet again with the Board to try and find someone to fill the position.

Monthly Programs:

September 7, 2010: Make arrangements to hold meeting at Muddy Rudder in Yarmouth. Linda Lowell or Lori Rohr will prepare program.
October 5, 2010: Make arrangements to hold meeting at Verrillo’s in Portland. Linda Lowell or Lori Rohr will prepare program.
November 2, 2010: Keith Lowell will make arrangements with UM Augusta for meeting. Keith will prepare a program on Hazardous Waste.
December, 2010: All Industry Meeting, location and date to be determined.
January 4, 2011: Dave Early to set up joint meeting with the New Hampshire chapter. Location and program to be determined.
February 1, 2011: Dave Early to set up meeting location at UM in Gorham. Program to be determined.
March 1, 2011: Denis Lemieux and Brad Armstrong to set up a tour of Maine Wood Treaters plant in Mechanic Falls. Location to be determined.
April 5, 2011: Bill Charland will make arrangements at the Seadogs in Bangor. Program to be determined.
May 3, 2011: Denis Lemieux and Dick Dolby to prepare All-Day Seminar on the most current Maine State Building and Energy Codes for both residential and commercial projects, location likely to be Ramada Inn in Lewiston.
June 7, 2011: Annual Awards Banquet. Location to be determined.
September 6, 2011: Make arrangements to hold meeting at Muddy Rudder in Yarmouth.

Member Profiles: Mark Stillman to encouraging member to provide profiles.

Membership: Discussion on how to increase membership. Board members urged to invite other individuals to meetings.

Pay-Pal: Dave Early, Denis Lemieux and Bill Charland to set up account.

New Business:

Northeast Region Leader Workshop and Board Meeting to be held in Sturbridge MA, August 21 and 22. Mark Stillman will look into attending.

Reimbursement to members for attending Region and National Meetings was discussed as part of the budget.

Dave Early suggested that the Maine Chapter of CSI purchase and donate a copy of the CDEP to help Phil Dunn prepare his class for the CDT exam. Board voted to approve purchase.

Lori Rohr will provide a notice for the fall Study Group. Dick Eustis will assist and Mark Stillman is happy to provide location.

Keith Lowell indicated that the Board needs to find a replacement for Robin Lowell. Keith will pursue replacement.

Meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm.

Board members enjoyed Dave Early’s home, BBQ and refreshments after meeting.

Maine Chapter CSI   BUDGET for FY2011

Income	Budget FY10	Actual FY10	Budget FY11
Income
Dues	$3,700	$3,802.00	$3,700
Newsletter Ads	1,200	0.00	1,200
Meeting Income - Registrations	7,000	6,615.00	7,000
Other Income - Table Tops	1,500	200.00	1,000
Seminars	5,000	0.00	5,000
Interest	10	7.44	10
Miscellaneous Income	0	40.00	50
Pin Fins	25	50.00	25
TOTAL INCOME	$18,435	$10,714.44	$17,985
Expenses
Northeast Region Assessment	$2,000	$1,660.00	$2,000
Meeting Expense	7,000	7,073.26	7,000
Pin Fine Winners	500	0.00	500
Awards Committee	400	139.48	400
Web Site	200	0.00	200
Travel & Registration	3,000	3,070.13	3,500
Admin. Planning Meeting	200	142.83	200
NERC Journal Ad	500	0.00	500
Dues - Student & Retired Members	200	92.00	200
Printing & Postage	100	44.00	100
Committee Expense	250	0.00	200
Miscellaneous Expense	2,585	1,006.59	685
Seminar	1,500	0.00	2,500
CDEP	0	0.00	500
TOTAL EXPENSE	$18,435	$13,228.29	17,985
Balance - June 30, 2008	$10,519.74
Balance - June 30, 2009	$14,037.23
Balance - June 30, 2010	$11,523.38

* * *

FY2010 Ralph Knowlton Memorial Award Winner
Joyce Newman

Maine Chapter Outstanding Chapter Award - 2010

  

Other Maine Chapter Awards

Organizational Certificate of Merit and Appreciation

Cianbro Eastern Manufacturing Facility - For your outstanding March 2, 2010 technical program consisting of a tour of the Brewer Maine Module Fabrication Facility and presentations on the application of 3-D modeling and its application to the development of detailed work packages and Modular Unit Construction you are presented the Certificate of Merit and Appreciation from the Maine Chapter Construction Specifications Institute on the 1st day of June 2010

Certificates of Merit and Appreciation

David Early, CSI, CCCA - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as President, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

William Charland, CSI, CCCA, MAI - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as President-elect and 1st Vice President, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

James Beaulieu, CSI, CDT, LEED - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as 2nd Vice President, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Keith Lowell, CSI, CCS, SCIP - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as Secretary, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Denis Lemieux, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as Treasurer, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Jeffrey Larimer, CSI, AIA - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as Advisor to the Board, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Linda Lowell, CSI - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as a Director, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Lori Rohr, CSI, CDT - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as a Director, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Mark Stillman, CSI, CDT - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as a Director, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Stephen Dunn, CSI - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as Membership Chairman, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Brad Armstrong, CSI, CCPR - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as the Maine Chapter Region Director, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

Jeffrey Larimer, CSI, AIA - For your devoted and selfless personal contribution to the Chapter while serving as the Maine Chapter Member of the Region Nominating Committee, July 2009 to June 2010, you are presented the Certificate of Merit and appreciation on the 1st day of June 2010

* * *

News of our Members

Dick Eustis, PE, FCSI, CCCA, CSC was recognized at the 2010 CSC Convention for 15 years of continuous membership in CSC.

Valerie Paguin-Gould, CSI-S, CCCA, LEED AP received the Maine CSI Chapter Scholarship that is awarded annual to a University of Maine System student based on an application process established by the Maine Chapter when they endowed a scholarship several years ago.  The amount of the Annual Award is somewhat dependent upon the income generated by the endowment, this year the award is for $2,000. This is the first year in which a Maine Chapter Member received a Chapter scholarship. 

Member Profile - Richard A. Dolby, CSI

A Maine native, I was raised in Saco, graduating from Thornton Academy.

I can say I tried a year at Bentley College, (no fun at all, what ever made me think of being an accountant).

I offered my services to the Marines, (they were kind enough to train me as an electrical optical repairman). On returning to Maine I join the State Fire Marshal’s Office as a Fire Inspector, attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and was assigned to Washington County. I came to Augusta to take on a position as “Plans Examiner”, where I remainder for most of my fourteen years with the Department of Public Safety.

I was fortunate to meet my wife Billiann in 1977, and soon after we built a home in Windsor and began raising our three children Josh, Andrew and Molly.

I accepted a position as the Director of Code Enforcement with the City of Augusta where I expanded my knowledge of fire codes to include building, plumbing and land use regulations unfortunately zoning was part of the program too. During my career I earned an associates degree in fire science from SMVTI in South Portland and have been an instructor with the community college system for over twenty years.

The Guard/Reserves program permitted me to remain active first as an Army Drill Instructor, and then as a senior leadership instructor eventually retiring with over twenty-two years of combined service.

All three of our children have attended USM earning degrees in Sociology, Philosophy, Communications and Economics.

Retiring from Augusta in 2009, I hit the books to become a weatherization technician and energy auditor instructor with KVCC. A temporary position with the Town of Kennebunk was soon followed with a return to state service, again with the Department of Public Safety, this time as Director of Building Codes and Standards.

My passion is and always will be the family my wonderful wife and children have created. A Master Maine Guide, if I am not in the woods, I am thinking of how and when to get back there; occasionally with a paying client….

My wife and I now reside in Hallowell, in a great neighborhood, Billiann is with Kennebec Savings Bank where she has enjoyed a career of just under fifteen years.

* * *

Curmudgeon's Corner - Go-to Guys

 
By Sheldon Wolfe, RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA (Former NC Region Institute Director)

I recently received an e-mail from my local IMI (International Masonry Institute) representative, saying that she would be retiring in a few weeks. Even though I had known her all the twenty-plus years I have been a CSI member, and knew we were about the same age, it was a bit of a shock. After trying to convince her not to retire (not very hard), I thought about other favorite product reps - my go-to guys, some of whom retired or lost their jobs in the past couple of years.

Specifiers have a simple job: to know everything about everything. Which is interesting, given that they not only must try to keep up with new products and changes in old ones, but must somehow divine what it is that the rest of the project team has in mind. Of course it's impossible to know everything, so what they do know is phone numbers for their go-to guys. These are the people who have the right answer or know where to get it, help extract information from manufacturers' labyrinthine websites, respond quickly, and appear to remain unfazed by calls made just days - or hours - before bidding documents are issued. They're the ones who know not only their own products but those of competitors, and are able to offer advice about installation, maintenance, potential problems, and corrective measures for defects or failures beyond their control.

Thanks to years of experience, both good and bad, when I meet new reps I quickly develop a feel for their experience and knowledge, and my BS meter occasionally warns me that I'm not likely to get the straight scoop from a particular rep. I may call them later, but I remain uncertain about the value of what they say.

One thing that gives new product reps, if not instant credibility, a big step in that direction, is three letters on their business cards. You might think I mean CSI, but what I look for first is CDT; if I see both CSI and CDT, we're ready to rock! If the CDT isn't there, before they leave, they get a quick and friendly lecture about the value of CDT to a specifier. And if they are CDTs, I tell them how much I appreciate their efforts to understand construction documents. Although my go-to guys don't have to be CDT or CSI members, most of them are.

Not all of my go-to guys are product reps. Many of them are specifiers, architects, engineers, and others whom I trust in the same way as the product reps. Some of them I know only through online forums, but, as is the case with the product reps, most of them are CSI members.

I often am amazed at how personal business can be. In theory, you can get good information from any product rep, from any company's customer service department, or from any company's literature or website. And, also in theory, you'll get the same excellent support from those same sources. That being the case, I find it strange that a particular brand of hardware or roofing, for example, is dominant in one area while virtually unused in another. If one hospital or university believes it is the best option, why is it dismissed elsewhere?

The answer, unfortunately, is something that can't successfully be specified, but is realized only through personal relationships. It's the experience, knowledge, and trust that come from knowing that the person you're dealing with is someone you'll work with again, and will be there when needed. It's easy to specify that a manufacturer must have 24-hour service, or maintain a local parts center, but once the final payment has been made there isn't much an owner can do if those post-completion requirements disappear.

Perhaps more important is the confidence that this person will be not only honest, but will tell the whole truth. There are few things that will build credibility more quickly than a suggestion that the manufacturer's product may not be the right one for the job.

Just a few days ago, I put my network to the test. I got a call from one of our construction administrators, something about fireproofing. I thought I knew the answer, but to make sure I called my fireproofing go-to guy. She was on vacation, but answering machine included the name and phone number of someone who would fill in for her. A nice touch, better than the usual "press zero and take your chances."

At this point, one of Murphy's laws kicked in; the less time you have to get an answer, the more difficult it will be to find a person with the answer. I called the back-up person and got another answering machine, this one telling me only that the person I called was not available; no indication of when he would be back or how to contact anyone else. My next move was to pull up CSI's online member database, and search for people who worked for the fireproofing company. Several names appeared, and I recognized one of them as a person I had worked with several years ago and, fortunately, one of my go-to guys from that time. He was in, and was able to confirm my belief immediately.

Another recent experience, which also started with a call from a construction administrator, confirmed the value of go-to guys. This one involved a proposed substitution for a specified joint sealant. Again, my go-to guy wasn't available, but this time, instead of looking for another CSI member, I called the manufacturer's customer service number. During the conversation, the person who took the call told me several interesting things; among them that the company does not provide information about expected life of their products, and that there is little difference between polyurethane and silicone sealants. I asked for a recommendation for use with masonry, and was given the name of a specific product. While we were talking, I pulled up the data sheet from the manufacturer's website, and found that it made no mention of staining masonry, while another product specifically said that it was recommended for masonry. I asked about the second product, and was told, "Oh, you could use that one, too."

About then, I saw that I had another call coming in, from my go-to guy, so I took his call. He provided all the information I did not get from talking with the factory rep, recommended specific products, and discussed at length the differences between them. I couldn't help but compare my experience with the factory rep to that of buying a camera or computer from Target. The sales people are friendly and helpful, but their knowledge extends no further than the information printed on the outside of the box. Most calls I've made to manufacturers were much more satisfying, but I'll always prefer talking with someone I know to talking to a faceless person who might have started the same day.

There are times when I don't know anyone who is familiar with a given product. When that happens, my first stop is the member database, where I look first for certified members. When I find a likely source, I call and start by identifying myself as a CSI member, then go on to say that I found the person's name in the member database. Does that get me a better or faster answer? I'm not naïve enough to believe that every CDT or CSI member is going to be the go-to guy I need, but thus far I have not been put off or disappointed. The longer I do this job, the more I know how much I don't know. So here's to the go-to guys who make it possible!

© 2010, Sheldon Wolfe

* * *

Alternate Bids are for Sissies

By: Joe Ostwald, CSI, Director of the Planning, Design & Construction Division of the State's Bureau of General Services

I have never had the pleasure of pulling together a bid for a construction project. So I can only imagine the joy a contractor, subcontractor or supplier must have in seeing the blanks on the bid forms for Alternate Bids 1 through 21e. It must be fun figuring the right dollar amount for each item that you feel may be the determining factor in winning the contract. The bidder wonders: Should I write $245 or $250 on Alternate number 12g for the fifty-three euonymus shrubs on this 23 million dollar High School project? How should I bid on the kitchen equipment, knowing they can't operate the building without accepting the alternate?

Wait a minute. If this is a trend in bidding documents, are we witnessing a positive trend in competitive bidding of state projects? I don't think so.

Planning, Design & Construction Division (PDCD) works in an advisory capacity to state agencies and public schools on public improvement projects. By statute1 we approve Architect/Engineer procurement and plans for public improvements. So you can see that PDCD has some say in how the bid documents are developed, but we sometimes have things working against our preferences. Even though the documents on which a contractor bids should be clear, unambiguous and appropriate to the project, we have seen a number of complicated bid forms. Some of the problem is in the Alternate Bid items. Sometimes there are late "strategies" implemented just before (or during!) the bid period.
One way that PDCD assists our clients is by advising them on a preferred approach for creating Alternate Bids. We offer these guiding principles:

* Scope. An alternate should include only a scope of work that is not necessary for the completion of the project. For example, the heating system should not be an alternate. The Architect should design the Base Bid to include all of the functions of a complete project. Necessity should not compel the Owner to accept alternates in order to create a complete, functioning facility.

* Quantity. The alternates should be few in number, depending on the project, perhaps no more than seven alternates for a large project. The alternates should not create an undue burden on the bidders to engage in multiple estimating calculations in addition to those required for the Base Bid. Some alternates are minimally effective as competitively bid items given that some work can be incorporated in a project by Change Order after the contract is awarded.

* Cost. The dollar value an alternate should not be small and insignificant relative to the Base Bid. The estimated construction cost of the alternates should not exceed the available bid contingency.

* Complexity. To the extent possible, alternates should involve only one, or a select few trades. Where alternates are proposed in addition to work in the Base Bid, the work of the alternate should be uncomplicated in terms of coordination relative to Base Bid work and potential Alternate Bid work. Where alternates are proposed in lieu of an item in the Base Bid, the bid documents should also be very clear as to the scope that is replaced as well as the scope included in the alternate.

* Selection. The Owner shall not purposely create an undue advantage for one particular bidder regarding the award of a contract due to alternates being chosen or not chosen. Selections of alternates are made relative to available funding and the value of the individual Alternate Bid.

* Priority. Alternates more highly desired than others, are generally placed in order before those less desired. However, the order of alternates on a bid form does not obligate the Owner to select one alternate before another. Each alternate is judged independently by the Owner.

Some of the benefits of careful consideration of alternates are a smooth bidding period, bid well, and a smooth bid evaluation period. After all, don't we want to award this project without undue stress? We also cannot underestimate the appreciation of the contractors, subcontractors and suppliers who choose to bid our projects.

Next time, I'll discuss the BGS boilerplate documents. Your comments are welcome. Thank you. ~Joe Ostwald

* * *

From Our History

The following is a brief excerpt from a copy of "Maine-ly Specs" from the issue listed as "dateline".  These are offered to allow current members to get a small glimpse of our past history.
 
Dateline - First published in December 1970 Maine Chapter Newsletter

President Howard McCartney, in his “President’s Message, included the following comments about attending the Institute Convention in Chicago:

“Niran C. Bates, Robert Armitage and I made it to Chicago and back safely. It certainly was an experience to attend a National Convention. The numbers involved and the magnitude of such an undertaking was quite impressive. (NOTE: in 1970, there were 265 Exhibit Booths and 2,752 registered for the Convention)

The theme of the Convention was built around Continuing Revolution in Construction Communications. A great deal of time was devoted to this subject. Many of the seminars dealt with the experience and the mechanics of attempting to utilize mass reproduction media in the preparation of specifications. The specifications industry is relatively new as an organization and is apparently undergoing a period of review and change. The complete nature of this change is at present difficult to discern and adequately predict. We in Maine will be a part of the movement and hopefully we may play our part in helping to shape the future of CSI.”

* * *

Per-SPEC-tives

By: Ralph Liebling, RA, CSI, CDT; Cincinnati, Ohio

Why Do We Keep Doing This?

You tell me-- why do we keep doing this? Writing specs, that is!

Clients and owners too often perceive or see this work as unnecessary and added costs for no value returned! Contractors still persist in ignoring them [doors still need to be propped open, etc.], obviating them, complaining about them, or purely violating them [as a challenge to us to justify them in view of schedule intrusions, unnecessary costs, convoluted construction, etc. and so on!!!] They persist in seeing them as intrusive, conniving and convolutions aimed at minimizing profit or putting them out of business.ork

Manufacturers have their own little gems that often say too much of what need not be said at all. Suppliers gasp at what we require as opposed to what they “could” provide. Corporations see them as needless in view of their own “engineering standards” [whoa!!!!!]. Code agencies dismiss them as impediments to their “expeditious” processes and “extra” work caused them because of opening the books and looking for information. And of course, BIM has its insidious side to render us obsolete and inadequate to the required database [which they fill with overly verbose and questionable data]. Everybody has their own second agenda, another way to do this and an excuse to obviate use of the specs. Nobody wants them; yet everybody needs them!

So why do we keep doing them? Sure some of us make a living out of doing them for others; even where the contractors dispel them in favor of how they “could” do the same projects “better-faster-CHEAPER” [let’s not get into the cheaper part too deeply]. Why do some organizations still require them, and hire us to do them? Why do in-house writers still exist? Is there an inherent value in specifications that needs validation, airing, discussion and open support of their contribution as Contract Documents [i.e., as you well know, perfectly valid and necessary companions to the drawings enumerated in most contracts-- they are to be and cannot be ignored, etc.!]

It really seems like a slippery slope of benign neglect since specifications appear to really serve no “real” purpose, until, of course, a good lady or gentleman climbs onto the bench, and bangs the gavel to start the trial of the lawsuit. Then, the very first document reached for, by the attorneys, is...... THE SPECS!!!!!! What if they aren’t there????

Whatever argument you choose to develop and no matter how fast your convictions, I think we may need NEW AND DIFFERENT! With all their words, specs cannot speak for themselves or defend their value, contribution and “honor”; they exist in the silence of needed but misunderstood! We need, sad as it may be, to re-establish specs as the important and requisite “third” CD; their interrelationship to the drawings, their function as contract documents; and the necessary information they convey. What other way is there to move information to the field, when everything cannot be reduced to a drawing? Specs are a necessity, like it or not! They are not “game pieces”; busy work; ego trips, impediments, or creative nuisances to befuddle and impair! Simply, they are part on the in-place system-- period! We need new tactics to bring specifications to higher profile, better understanding by others including allied disciplines and to all users.

Even with the cloud of BIM and whatever else hanging over us, we still need to be; to produce good, valid specs, and to contribute to quality in projects, by having it required and built-in. Our clients despite their lack of full understanding still want the “biggest bang for their buck”. that we can produce, and we can defend [is that the right word?] our professional insight and expertise in that. We just need a new game plan, with a bigger game face, a wider audience and new larger megaphone. Maybe we can’t do informative advertising, per se, [why not?] or attract attention in other ways, but we can do much better for specifications than we have been.

We really do need to do this!!!-- up, down and all around us, far and wide, to all even remotely effected audiences. Besides, we really love to keep doing specs!

* * *

Certification Exams and Study Groups

By; Lori Rohr, CSI, CDT - Maine Chapter Certification Chair

The Institute has announce the spring exams for 2010 for the Construction Documents Technology (CDT) Certificate, the Certified Construction Specifier (CCS), Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) and Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR). As in the past few years, the exams will be given electronically at the Prometric sites in South Portland and Bangor.

The 2010 exams will be updated to include questions on Building Information Modeling (BIM), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Green Building, which will cover GreenFormat and Sustainabliity.

The Maine Chapter of CSI will be offering a free study group for the CDT exam. It will be taught by Dick Eustis, FCSI at the Bangor offices of WBRC with a direct link to the Portland office while Dick is teaching. Dick is very acknowledgeable about CSI and we are very lucky to have him volunteer his time. No dates or time have been established yet, but the study group typically starts in mid-November and runs every other week until mid-March. People interested in joining the study group should contact either Dick Eustis at eustis@infionline.net or Lori Rohr at lrohr@brannspecs.com.

There has also been a request for Dick to teach a study group for the Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) exam. The Facilities Group at the University of Maine Orono has volunteered a conference room for the study group if there is enough interest for this. People interested in this study group should also contact either Dick or Lori.

The exams will be given at Prometric test centers for a weeklong period of time. Candidates can register for the exam at a time that is convenient for them during this period of time. There are two exam sites in Maine and they are:

Prometric Test Center, 101 Foden Road, #20 Atlantic Place, South Portland.
Prometric Test Center, 1460 Outer Hammond Street, Unit 8, Bangor.

All exams will be offered for a week in the spring and again for a week in the fall. The Institute has announced the exam dates and the registration period for the spring exams. They are as follows:

Spring 2010 National Exams: March 29 - April 3, 2010
Early Registration Deadline: January 29, 2010
Final Registration Deadline: February 26, 2010

The cost of the exams are based on when you register and on whether you are a CSI member or not or if you are a student (CDT Exam only). The rates are as follows:

	Members	Non-Mem	Students
CDT Exam Costs
Early Registration	$235	$370	$105
Final Registration	$295	$430	$105
CCS, CCCA & CCPR Exam
Early Registration	$275	$410	N/A
Final Registration	$340	$475	N/A

There is a savings for being a member of CSI and those wishing to join the Maine Chapter are welcome. The chairpersons of the Membership Committee are Steve Dunn, steve_dunn@ici.com, Bill Charland, bill.charland@umit.maine.edu, and Linda Lowell, linda@capozzaflooring.com. They will be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding membership.

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From the Chapter Education Committee

By: Jeff Larimer, CSI, AIA - Maine Chapter Education Chair

The February meeting of Maine CSI was well attended by a wide cross section of people as the topic of the program was beneficial to all of us in the design and construction industry. Dick Lambert, Code Enforcement Officer for Saco, and Dick Dolby, former code Enforcement Officer for Augusta and newly appointed interim Director of Building Codes and Standards, gave a very informative update on the new Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code that goes into effect this year. The Technical Advisory Board has been working diligently for over a year to bring the new code to realization.

Architects, engineers and contractors in Maine have for years had to deal with a myriad of building codes simply because cities and towns throughout Maine used various editions of building codes, if they used one at all. Dubbed by the Bookings Institute as “Code Chaos”, the Maine legislature finally decided to change that. Beginning on June 1, 2010, the new Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code will go into effect in all Maine cities and towns that have a population greater than 2,000 people.

There will be a six month grace period until December 1, 2010 before the new code becomes official meaning that cities or towns that have an existing building code in effect can continue using that code or switch to the new code. After December 1, 2010, the only code that will be in effect statewide will be the new Maine building code. Finally, the design and construction industry will have a consistent building code to follow in Maine.

The basis for the new building codes is the 2009 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). Other standards that have been adopted are the 2007 editions of ASHRAE 90.1, 62.1 and 62.2 and the 2008 edition of ASTM E-1465. While the State Fire Marshal’s office will continue to use NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, one of the tasks of the Board was to resolve conflicts between NFPA 101 and the IBC to make the code review process easier and more uniform.

As was stated by our presenters, it may not be perfect and it may be messy, but at least it’s a start in the right direction. Thanks to both Dick Lambert and Dick Dolby for an interesting and timely presentation.

* * *

From the Chapter Membership Committee

BY: Steve Dunn, CSI - Chapter Membership Chair

MEMBERSHIP 2010- 2011

Warning! Warning! Warning!

Our membership is on the decline. Since May we have lost 7 members and we are under 100 for the first time in a long time. We need the current membership to seek new blood to grow the Maine Chapter. These new members may people you work with as vendors for your specifications. They may be acquaintances in your career. They may also be friends that share you interests. We have a very large geographic region from which to draw from. Our dinner meetings are topics that the membership are interested in and are current for the times. It goes without saying how powerful the networking in our chapter is for conducting business. So I (we) need you to help in finding people that understand the benefit of membership to the Maine Chapter of CSI. I will be working on pulling in the student members that start this year at school. But everyone needs to help.

Thanks!