Volume 21 March/April 2007 Issue 2 Delegate Paul Stull addresses the crowd at the annual legislative luncheon in Annapolis. Senator Brinkley, and Delegates Clagett, Elliott, Hecht, and Weldon, were also on hand to discuss FCBA members concerns. CHESAPEAKE BAY GREEN FUND HAS BUILDERS SEEING RED HB 1220 & SB 901 TOP MSBA’S HIT LIST FOR 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION ulletin HARRY T. DEMOLL, CHAIRMAN, LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HB409 (Indemnity Mortgages). Would impose recordation taxes on the filing of Indemnity SB901 (Chesapeake Bay Green Fund). Mortgages. Perhaps the most costly bill for the development industry (both residential and commercial) ever HB786 (Stormwater Management Act of 2007). This proposed by the Legislature. This bill would impose a bill has received MBSA’s minus three (-3) rating B $2.00 per square foot “impervious surface fee” on due to its financial impact and the fact that many of development outside of existing “Priority Funding the standards have already been enacted by the Areas” (PFA’s) and a $0.25 per square foot inside local jurisdictions. existing PFA’s. It is estimated that the initial cost to the consumer of a single-family house would be $1,375.00 HB1053 (Business Organization Filing Fees). This inside a PFA and $20,000.00 for a single-family house would increase your filing fee for the annual personal outside a PFA. And they wonder what happened to property report for your Corporation or LLC from “affordable housing”? Only the super rich will be able $300.00 to $1,000.00. Another example of business to afford a home in Maryland if this bill passes. This friendly Maryland. fee would apply not only to private projects, but also SB498 (PFA’s Rural Counties) & SB499 (Water to government projects such as schools, roads, etc. Appropriation Permit – Recharge Area). Two bills SB65, SB159, HB31, HB34. Are among the “Standing sponsored by State Senator Brinkley which deserve Bills” which expands the population who have the our strong support. SB498 would allow small right (“standing”) to oppose your project. municipalities (population less than 6,000) to receive state funding as a priority funding area for SB591 (Municipal Corporations – Building Excise improvements to their water and sewer systems. uilder Tax). Would authorize municipalities to impose a SB499 would require the Department of The building excise tax on all types of building Environment to include certain land such as public construction. parks and state owned land within the groundwater recharge area for a municipality or county. SB616 (Land Preservation and School Construction Assistance Act of 2007). The hidden agenda in this SUMMARY. The 2007 Legislative Session is turning bill is to impose recordation and transfer taxes on out to be a stick-it to the developer/builder session. B the transfer of controlling interests (stock, The problem is: the big guys will just pull-up stakes membership in an LLC) in real estate. and head south. BUILDER BULLETIN MARCH/APRIL 2007 PAGE 2 DICK JOHNSON FREDERICK COUNTY yors • Land urve scap • S e A rs rc e hi FCBA PRESIDENT e te in c BUILDERS ASSOCIATION g t n s E • • BOARD OF DIRECTORS Time flies when you are having fun. We L a s n t n d a lt had our Strategic Planning Session at the Pl www.clsi-civileng.com u an ns ni Co ng al 2007 Ceresville Mansion. The session was quite & Environment frank and resulted in a lot of good ideas. However, one day was not enough time to RICHARD M. JOHNSON ENGINEERING President conclude with a viable plan. We had LAND PLANNING NAHB Director another meeting on February 15 and the SURVEYING results will be forthcoming shortly. ENVIRONMENTAL ROBERT WORMALD First Vice President Some of the new programs and committees LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE NAHB Director that we are looking at involve an Educational WATER & WASTEWATER Committee, expansion of the Program MIKE BODNAR committee and various other projects to Second Vice President Frank Roscoe, P.E. help improve and expand the services to our Office Manager HUGH GORDON members and involve more of the Frederick Treasurer membership in the organization. One of the 8445 Progress Drive, Suite BB exciting programs is a Member First Frederick, MD 21701 ANNE-HERBERT ROLLINS Program. (301) 662-1799 • (301) 662-8004 FAX Secretary We need volunteers to serve on the various Martin Hackett committees and help formulate these new TERRE RHODERICK President Westminster Immediate Past President programs. Please e-mail Clasina@ frederickbuilders.org to express interest. 439 East Main Street Westminster, MD 21157 RICH CORTESE I attended the International Builders Show (410) 848-1790 • (410) 848-1791 FAX SALVATORE FIORENTINO in Orlando. There was over 1,000,000 SF of THOMAS LINTON exhibits and an attendance of over 125,000 STEVE McDONALD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE people. You can’t imagine how big the RICHARD RATLIFF BUYERS’ MARKET convention center is and how much walking GREGORY SELDON you do to view the exhibits (13.8 miles) It is The FCBA recently launched a multi-media JENNY SHAW my understanding that some of the exhibits PR campaign to inform prospective ED SMARIGA cost over $1,000,000. homebuyers that now is a “great time to Directors buy a home” with a panel discussion on At the annual Board of Directors meeting Blaine Young’s Saturday morning talk show JERRY CONNELLY several areas were addressed. The most on WFMD. The campaign is patterned after President a model created by NAHB in reaction to the Land Use Council notable were Inclusionary Zoning, and Residential Sprinkler Systems. In addition, confusing messages in the media about the housing market and whether buying a home LAWRENCE C. SCHAFFERT, CGR $3,000,000 was allocated to the It’s a Great is a good investment in today’s economic President Time to Buy campaign. We will follow up Professional Remodelors Org. environment. The materials available on this and see if we qualify for some of this through the NAHB web site www.nahb.org/ money. greattimetobuy are targeted to hesitant consumers to help “reassure their Another program being offered by NAHB J. MAURICE CARLISLE purchasing confidence”. ROBERT HILTON is one to teach basic English to Spanish In addition to advertisements in The JIM MACGILLIVRAY speaking employees. The program is based Frederick News-Post and The Gazette, FRED W. RUDY on LeapFrog technology. Representatives from National will come make a presentation FCBA has scheduled a series of radio DAVID C. SMITH commercials to be broadcast on WFMD, if there is interest. I thought that as a service DOLORES WILSON WFRE, WAFY, and WWEG, and is FCBA Life Directors to our members, we could purchase a half a planning an exhibit at the Home Show. The dozen or a dozen of these programs and campaign also includes a website, HARRY T. deMOLL circulate them around to those of our www.greattimetobuy.org, with pertinent Board Attorney membership that would benefit from such a information for consumers. program. HARRY T. deMOLL The PR campaign will run through the end LAWRENCE C. SCHAFFERT, CGR There will be no General Membership of May and is being underwritten by 22 State Directors meeting in March because of the Home FCBA builder and associate members who Show. I hope all of our members attend and contributed a total of $37,500, as well as a stop by and say hello. $5,000 contribution from FCBA. Builder Bulletin MARCH/APRIL 2007 PAGE 3 WORKPLACE Stairway Safety Maryland Article Section 5-503 * Stairways with four or more risers or ris- “Each employer that hires employees to SAFETY TIPS ing more than 30 inches must be provided operate power equipment must develop and with at least one handrail and one stair rail. carry out an employee training program de- PROVIDED BY PREMIER SAFETY SOLUTIONS * Unprotected sides and edges of stairway signed to inform employees of and train landings need to be provided with a guard- employees in applicable standards for safe OSHA’s Top 10 rail system. operation of power equipment including limi- tations and use; rated load capacities and * EXCEPT during construction of the stair- Most Cited Violations for 2006 special hazards.” 1. Scaffolding way, DO NOT use stairways with metal pan landings and treads until they have been filled 2. Hazard Communication COMAR’s definition of “Power Equipment” 3. Fall Protection with concrete or other material, such as wood. Backhoe 4. Respiratory Protection Required Training For The Safe 5. Lockout/Tagout Bulldozer Use of Stairways and Ladders 6. Powered Industrial Trucks Front End Loader 7. Electrical - Wiring Employers must ensure that each employee Skidsteer 8. Machine Guarding has been trained by a competent person in Gradall 9. Ladders the following areas: Scraper Pan 10. Electrical * The nature of fall hazards in the work area Crane / Hoist * The correct procedures for erecting, main- Does NOT include agricultural taining and disassembling the fall protec- OSHA Forms 300, 300A & 301 equipment that is used in a farm- tion systems to be used Don’t forget to post Form 300A from Febru- ing operation ary 1 through April 30, even if no work-related * The proper construction, use, placement injuries or illnesses occurred during this year. and care in handling of all stairways and Premier Safety Solutions is an FCBA member, ladders providing safety consulting and training for the Remember to keep these forms on file for 5 * The maximum intended load-carrying ca- building industry. Mike or Donna Stecker can be years following the year to which it pertains. pacities of ladders used reached at 301-829-2416. LARRY SCHAFFERT, CGR Strategic Plan Update PROFESSIONAL REMODELORS ORGANIZATION PRESIDENT The FCBA has identified four priorities: Enhance the Value of Membership Happy Home Show month! You never know and met his son-in-law Matt who heads up Improve Industry Image what this month will bring.