The Rhode Island builder Award-Winning Monthlybuilder Magazine of The Rhode Island Builders Association August 2018 FEATURED PRODUCTS AND Infrastructure Grant Program is now law SERVICES By Paul F. Eno Editor and other infrastructure projects that are vital for FOR AUGUST sustainable residential growth. Center SecƟ on In a crucial move for public health, the envi- Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the measure into law ronment, the economy and sustainable residential on July 2nd. Pro-housing growth, the General Assembly passed the Rhode Is- A broad coalition of business and environmental land Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program (MIGP) groups, along with planners and government agen- measures on June 23rd, in the last days of the 2018 session. cies, have long advocated for a state fund to help enacted The program, once it's funded by the General As- municipalities upgrade and expand infrastructure, Before it adjourned for sembly in a future session, would be administered by especially drinking-water and sewer systems, which the year, the Rhode the Dept. of Administration to help fi nance municipal see GRANT PROGRAM...page 29 Island General Assembly enacted several measures important to the state's housing market. Clambake me is here! Page 2 Annual Golf WHEN: Friday, August 10th, noon to 8 p.m. Classic slated WHERE: Francis Farm, 27 Francis Farm Rd., for September Rehoboth, MA 02769 The Rhode Island COST: $40 for the fi rst 300 people, $86 per Builders AssociaƟ on's person after that and for non-members. All 28th Annual Golf Classic, tickets must be paid when making reservations. to benefi t the Builders DEADLINE TO REGISTER: August 1st. Helping Heroes charity, FOR INFORMATION, FOR SPONSORSHIPS is set for September 17th. AND TO REGISTER: Contact Elizabeth Page 6 Carpenter at [email protected], or call Panel fi nds (401) 438-7400. housing act must be rewri en It’s time for the Rhode Island Builders Association’s th A special legislaƟ ve 68 Annual Clambake, a RIBA tradition since 1950, commission fi nds that and tickets are still available! Rhode Island's 27-year- The price includes a full and fabulous day of fun, old Low and Moderate see CLAMBAKE...page 29 Income Housing Act hasn't worked. Page 21 Interview: There are be er places to site solar A well-known zoning expert suggests there are places to put solar farms that can avoid "solar sprawl" in Rhode Island. Page 24 67 Years of Informing Rhode Island’s Residential Construction Industry Spotlight: Legislative Roundup Lawmakers deal with sea-level rise, noƟ ce issue, surveyor shortage By Paul F. Eno Editor Along with the important Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program (see story on page 1), the 2018 General Assembly passed several bills of signifi cant interest to the residential construction industry. Building heights in fl ood zones In a positive move for those living at the coast, House Bill 7741 Sub A and Senate Bill 2413 Sub A amend the defi nition of “building height” in special fl ood-hazard areas. The building height would now be measured from the base fl ood elevation (BFE), and would take effect on March 1, 2019. Relative to sea-level rise, this allows the property owner to use the BFE, rather than the pre-existing grade, to measure compli- The measure was signed by the governor would require that when a proposed text ance with municipal height restrictions. on July 2nd. amendment to a zoning ordinance would The bill was sponsored in the House cause a conforming lot of record to become The Rhode Island by Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi nonconforming by lot area and/or front- (D-Warwick) and Reps. Evan P. Shanley age, the municipality must provide written (D-Warwick), Helder J. Cunha (D-East notice of the public hearing to all affected Builder Providence), Deputy Speaker Charlene property owners. Offi cial publication of the Lima (D-Cranston, Providence) and Major- The bill was sponsored by Reps. Cunha, Rhode Island Builders Association ity Whip John G. Edwards (D-Portsmouth, Shekarchi, Shanley, Michael A. Morin since 1951 Tiverton). (D-Woonsocket) and Jean P. Barros (D- Offi cers of the Rhode Island Builders Association In the Senate, sponsors were Majority Pawtucket). In the Senate, sponsors were Leader Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Warwick), Majority Leader McCaffrey and Majority President .............................. David A. Caldwell Jr. Vice President ....................... Timothy A. Stasiunas Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D- Whip Goodwin. Treasurer .............................. Carol O'Donnell Providence) and Sen. Dawn Euer (D- The governor signed the measures into Secretary .............................. Louis Cotoia Jr. Newport, Jamestown). law on July 2nd. The Rhode Island Builder Report Gov. Raimondo signed these bills into Publishing Director .............. John Marcantonio nd Surveyors Bill Editor ................................... Paul F. Eno law on July 2 . Lawmakers responded to the need for The Rhode Island Builder Report is published monthly by the R.I. The ‘Notice Bills’ more surveyors in Rhode Island by easing Builders Association, 450 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. #301, East Providence, RI 02914, tel. (401) 438-7400, fax (401) 438-7446, e-mail In an important move that would keep unreasonable restrictions on registration. [email protected]. Advertising information is available on the Internet at www.RIBUILDERS.org or from New River Press at landowners apprised of matters concern- House Bill 7939 and Senate Bill 2335 (888) 273-1941 (ext. 1). Claims and representations made in advertising are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Rhode Island Builder ing their own property, House Bill 7767 streamline the application and examina- Report and the R.I. Builders Association neither endorse nor guarantee advertiser claims. Readers may submit articles and photographs of and Senate Bill 2412, both as amended, see LEGISLATION...page 29 interest to the residential building and remodeling industries in Rhode Island, but the publishing director and editor may reject any submission or advertisement. While designed to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subjects covered, The Rhode Island Builder Report DEADLINES FOR THE SEPT. ISSUE and the Rhode Island Builders Association are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional or technical advice or product support. Accordingly, RIBA cannot warrant the accuracy All copy, ads and photos must be to us by of all legal or technical information contained herein and disclaims any and all liability which may result from publication or reliance on the information provided.Unless otherwise noted, articles may not be reprinted without the written permission of the publishing director. The Rhode Island Builder Report is edited, designed and produced by New River Press, 645 Fairmount St., Woonsocket, RI 02895, tel. (401) 250- Friday, August 3 5760 (ext. 1), fax (401) 356-0913, e-mail [email protected]. E-mail material to [email protected] Fax: (401) 356-0913 2/August 2018 www.ribuilders.org Builder/Remodeler Michael Coyle Coyle Contracting 106 Torrey Rd., Wakefi eld, RI 02879 Sponsor: Dean Martineau – Dean W. Martineau Carpentry & Painting Subcontractor Bedayl John Hall Sr. Acorn Custom Woodworking 587 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, RI 02920 Sponsor: Dean Martineau – Dean W. Martineau Carpentry & Painting Mario Abelha Abelha Construction LLC 141 Tremont St, Central Falls, RI 02863 Sponsor: David A. Caldwell Jr. – Caldwell and Johnson Inc. Thomas Miller Eastland Electric 35 Moshassuck Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865 Sponsor: John Bentz – Property Advisory Group Daniel Santos Mystic Flooring 65 Darling St., Central Falls, RI 02863 Sponsor: Timothy A. Stasiunas – The Stasiunas Companies Janelle Photopoulos Blakely Interior Design 650 Ten Rod Rd., North Kingstown, RI 02852 Sponsor: Darren Jodoin – PMC Media Group www.ribuilders.org August 2018/3 RIBA Calendar of Events LOOKING AHEAD! ◊August 10th: 68th Annual RIBA Outing and Clambake - Noon to 8 p.m. at Francis Farm, Rehoboth, Mass. Watch for more informaƟ on. To become a sponsor, contact Elizabeth Carpenter at (401) 438-7400 or ecarpenter@ribuilders. org. Sponsors will have exhibit space at the Clambake. All Ɵ ckets must be paid when making reservaƟ ons. Details on page 1. ◊August 16th: State-Mandated Continuing Education for Contractors - 5 Credit Hours - Topics are Confined Spaces, Asbestos Awareness, Mold Awareness. Details on page 14. ◊August 28th: State-Mandated Continuing Education for Contractors - 5 Credit Hours - Topic is Deck Codes. Details on page 14. ◊September 20th-21st: State-Mandated Continuing Education for Contractors FOR RHODE ISLAND AND MAS- SACHUSETTS - 12 Credit Hours - Topic is Energy Codes.Codes This course will provide 12 credits for those who need to fulfi ll their MassachuseƩ s licensing requirements (renewal every two years). Of the 12 credits, fi ve (presented on September 20th) will count for Rhode Island conƟ nuing-educaƟ on requirements for registraƟ on renewal (every two years). Details on page 14. ◊September TBA: Professional Women in Building Monthly Meeting - For informaƟ on and to register, contact Linda Bohmbach at [email protected]. Watch for more information. Related story on page 8. ◊September 13th: Networking Night - 4:30 to 7 p.m., FREE for members and their guests. ◊ September 17th: 28th Annual RIBA Golf Classic - WannamoiseƩ Country Club, East Providence. Watch for more informaƟ on. To become a sponsor, contact Robin Barlow at (401) 438-7400 or [email protected]. Details on page 6. ◊October TBA: Professional Women in Building Monthly Meeting - Gathering and tour at Reid's Remodeling, 22 Hoxsie Rd., Richmond. To register, contact Linda Bohmbach at [email protected]. Related story on page 8. ◊October 2nd: RIBA Annual Meeting and Election of Officers - Watch for more information. ◊December 14th: Professional Women in Building Monthly Meeting - 11:30 a.m., combined holiday meeƟ ng and dinner with the NaƟ onal AssociaƟ on of Women in ConstrucƟ on, Providence Biltmore Hotel. Watch for more information. More information, registration and payment for most RIBA events is available at RIBUILDERS.org.