PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Well summer is here (at least the heat)
and I hope your summer is filled with lots of fun summer things. We have a
lot happening with PACO and we look forward to advancing our organization on
a number of fronts:
Training: More training is on the line for the rest of the year and the Board and Officers are working hard to insure we obtain the best programming that is available. We have programming in place for fireplace construction, and the International Residential Code and tentative programming for the fall that will include Fire Alarm Systems and Plumbing. We will encourage PCCA to hold a BCO program in this area and work on any other training that the membership may desire. Notification and additional information will be provided so watch your mail. While we are on training the ICC Conference this year is in Salt Lake City and will feature and extensive offering of training because we are between code change cycles and they will not be holding Code Change Hearings. I look forward to seeing many of you there this year.
ACT 45: Is on the move!! April 9th was the effective date for the state and hopefully you are well on your way to adoption of the Uniform Construction Code. Don’t forget to file your Municipal Election Form with the state after your governing body has taken action on adoption.
You must notify the state of your intentions by July 8th and the absolute last date for easy adoption is August 7th, 2004. If you miss this window you are looking at a 6-month adoption process with full L&I review of your ordinance. Good luck and if you have any questions call me or one of the other members that have been through adoption. Lets use our combined knowledge to help each other.
Registration & Certification: Registration is closed. If you haven’t registered by now you can not get grand fathered. Certification is a separate process with separate forms and fees. If your municipality intends to enforce and you are going to do Accessibility in house you must be Certified. So download those forms from L&I ‘s web site and make sure you are ready for enforcement in this area.
Well that’s enough summer fun for you to ponder in this newsletter and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a SAFE VACATION SEASON. Watch your mailbox for registration information on upcoming training programs. Be sure to keep an eye on our web site for updated information. www.PACO-71.org .
Lee Milligan
President
SUMMER MEETING
The Pennsylvania Association of Code Officials
will hold its quarterly business meeting on Thursday June 17, 2004 at 9:00
A.M. at the Montgomery Fire Academy at 1175 Conshohocken Road, in
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Immediately following the meeting there will be
a presentation on “Gas Hearth Systems”. The education session will cover
installation & inspection for public safety, which includes a comprehensive
overview of the wide array of gas burning fireplace products and venting
systems. The fee is $10.00 for this 4-hour seminar and lunch is included.
For more information please contact Brian Gallagher at 610-334-5017.
PACO OFFICERS FOR 2004-2005
ICC Representative Stephen Schiperrio was in
attendance at the PACO Spring Forum to induct the Officers into office.
C. Lee Milligan, C.B.O. who is from Upper Providence Township
will serve his second term as PACO President. Jeff Gentile, P.E.
who is the Director of License and Inspections at Upper Darby Township, will
serve his second term as Vice-President, and Brian Gallagher,
from East Caln Township, will handle his second term in the Secretary
position. Calvin Bonenberger, Jr., from Yeadon Borough, will
take the helm as the Treasurer for 2004-2005. The Immediate Past President
is Robert Duncan, Director of Building and Zoning for Lower
Merion Township. The Board of Directors for the 2003-2004 term, are
Robert Loeper Jr., M.C.O. from Radnor Township, Mark Zadroga,
C.B.I. who is Building Official for Upper Merion Township,
Robert Neely from Lower Merion Township, Kevin Pezzano C.B.I/C.F.I.
from Plymouth Township, and Glen Holt from West Chester
Borough. Congratulations to all officers and best of luck in the upcoming
years.
PACO
2004-2005 Officers; from left to right is
C. Bonenberger Jr., L. Milligan, ICC Rep Stephen Shaperrio J Gentile, and B.
Gallagher.
SPRING FORUM 2004
The 3rd annual PACO Spring Forum was recently held in Fort Washington, PA
from April 25 to April 28th. The forum opened with a golf tournament, which
was held at Mainland Golf Course. After the golf tournament it was a time to
meet old friends and make new friends at the dinner event. Monday was the
start to the two days of training courses. At the Forum participants had the
ability to take exams for certification. On Monday was the Building Code
Official Certification Course which covered the UCC and the certification
and training regulations in the administrative regs of Act 45. On Wednesday
there was a full house for the two
examinations being offered. The Accessibility Inspector / Plans Examiner and the Commercial International Energy Conservation Code exams were offered. To those who participated and passed, congratulations. To those of you who did not, better luck next time.
PACO 2004 Spring Forum
The PACO Forum Committee wishes to thank everyone who made this years forum possible. Thank you to all those who sponsored the golf fund raiser by selling or purchasing signs. The proceeds will be used towards quality education programs that PACO sponsors.
SENATE BILL NO. 1139
Recently a new senate bill was introduced in Harrisburg, which would amend
the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). The bill was referred to Labor &
Industry on May 26, 2004, and the new addition to the UCC would include
another exclusion to the Act. The UCC would not apply to repairs or
renovations to residential buildings in which the support structure is not
altered and the cost for labor and materials does not exceed $5,000.00.
The PACO Board of Directors have pulled their resources together for the
Association and contacted all of our local state representatives to let our
voice be heard in reference to this bill. Contact you local representative
and ask for support of the UCC and to vote against this Senate Bill. There
is a group trying to have the UCC repealed, and it appears that there is mis-information
about enforcement of the UCC. PACO will continue to work on getting the word
out and educate our local representatives. The PACO Board of Directors will
pay close attention to these types of amendments when they arise. To find a
copy of the Senate Bill No. 1139 (printer No. 1648) log onto
www.legis.state.pa.us.