Five Borough Electric

Next Meeting:
v     Tues:   Apr. 15th 2008
v     Guest: Amedo Amato… “UNDERSTANDING YOUR UMBRELLA POLICY”
v     Where:   Carosello 162-54 Cross Bay Blvd,    Howard Beach, NY
v     Call for reservations

June 17th Meeting
Special 1 ½ Hour Seminar
v      Negotiating ... Selling During Recessionary Times
                         Adapting to Changing Buyer Behavior
                         20 Commonly Used Tactics and Counter Tactics

President’s Message
At our general meeting on April 15, 2008, Five Boro will reach another milestone: it marks the end of my presidency and the beginning of a new one for Mr. Anthony Reale, who was nominated and unopposed.
I know Anthony will carry on and move forward with all that Five Boro has been involved in under my administration.
I urge all the new officers and board members to work as diligently under his supervision as you have in the past.
As most of you know I was asked to run for the office of president when Ralph Borrelli was unable to accept the position due to personal reasons. Two years ago you elected me and reelected me the following year as your president. I tried to perform as your president with a total commitment to Five Boro and all its causes. I believe I succeeded in doing so and hope you feel the same.
Just as in my first two terms as Five Boro’s president, I have been honored to serve you these last two terms.
I will continue to serve you on the board and help our new officers and board members to continue the growth of Five Boro.

At this month’s meeting we will have our elections. As with every election there are changes. Whenever changes occur some are always for the good. With Anthony Reale as the new president I can foresee a lot of changes. (I’ll save what I know for his president’s message). But I will let you in on a secret; the General Meeting is going to get a facelift.
There will be a concerted effort over the next year to bring a guest to each general meeting that will help you in your everyday business life. At the end of the day we are businessmen. As electrical training goes, 5 Boro will offer continuing education through the Membership Education committee. They will continue to bring you outstanding training. Look to your bulletin for the next round of classes that will be offered.
Do you notice our Website has had a little nip and tuck? I recommend you go there to see what’s new and get all the latest links.
But back to business……Anthony (the new President) as directed me to offer at each general meeting a seminar that is designed to help you run your business better. I am starting in June with the negotiating Seminar. (See above)

In September I am planning to have a law firm that specializes in insurance claims. The topic will be “20 must have items that your insurance policy should contain before you buy it… and how to protect you company from financial loss”.

October’s meeting while not set in stone yet will be a seminar on “Change orders, how to price them to make money”.
Did you know that a change order before the jobs starts cost you less then half way thru the job, and that you should price it accordingly. And in addition, learn why giving the client unit prices will hurt you every time. Find out why and many more interesting facts.

November I am planning a workers compensation meeting. The outline is how to manage your workers compensation policy and how to make it work for you in the long run. In addition to Keevily Spero as the guest speaker I am trying to get someone from the NYS workers compensation Board to balance the program. This will be a working seminar where you will be able to actually see how the numbers are calculated and if you care to you bring a list of your people to actually work up different scenarios you may walk away saving thousands of dollars.

December’s meeting will be a payroll company. They will discuss the benefits, cost and pitfalls of having your payroll outsourced.

So there you have it. A year of seminars designed to sharpen your business skills. I look forward to getting your input back if you have a topic for a meeting or a person who you think might be an interesting guest..

F.Y.I.

Joe Zec is a guest that attends every meeting. You may remember Mr. Zec as an inspector and as chairman of the advisory board. If you have a code question feel free to contact Mr. Zec. His number is 917.379.1298. If you have not already asked Joe a code question then I recommend you do. Personally I never was a NEC code person, and with the changes as confusing as they are I find myself with questions continuously. To have Joe Zec as a resource is priceless. Not to take advantage of his expertise is shameful.

Con Edison

If you are a member of Five Boro electrical Contractors Assn. you can visit our website at www.5boroelectric.com click on members only and participate in the discussion forum for this topic. We need your feedback and help for this to become law!
Kevin J. Breen. 3rd Vice-President

Political Action Committee –
Chmn. Kevin J. Breen
Mike Farella

Employee Free Choice Act
This committee was started to monitor many of the issues that affect our businesses. This past year Mike and I have worked on the fight against the Employee Free Choice Act and with many other contractors throughout the state we successfully help defeat this bill! The employee free choice act would have allowed another association to come into your place of business and tell you, the business owner what to pay your employees! With your help and support, we will continue to combat the REAL issues that affect your business. During the next election, support Kevin J. Breen and Mike Farella

NYC Unlicensed Electrician Felony Law
Mike and I have been met with politicians and continue to call and lobby for support. We have met with Assemblyman Sheldon Silver’s office, State Sen. Marty Golden and we are attempting to educate them on the serious issue affecting the public of unlicensed electrical installations. Unlicensed electrical work poses a very serious detriment to the entire public. Our biggest challenge right now is educating our politicians as to why we need felony legislation to help prevent work performed by unlicensed individuals. This is a REAL issue affecting each of our businesses. We as a committee have been working on this issue and it is our goal to accomplish the same result accomplished by the licensed contractors in the state of New Jersey, “Performing or advertising to perform electrical work without the proper license is a felony crime” We have asked the New York politicians why the folks of New Jersey have laws preventing unlicensed electrical work. We need your support to continue this most important fight. During the next election, support Kevin J. Breen and Mike Farella so we can continue the fight to get this law enacted.

The website has never been better. The website has become a business resource for the membership. The website has the most up to date information from the NYC Dept of Buildings, Con Edison, FDNY, links, resources etc. Here you can download the required forms for license renewal, FDNY fire alarm inspections, Code Interpretations and many many more. The website was set up to be used as any other tool we may need to conduct a profitable business. Visit the site and you will appreciate the amount of information and help available to you.

Member Education
Report submitted by Vincent Logozzo

We had our last scheduled class last night. The new program is set to begin in the fall. We are working on getting more instructors from the industry. Look out for more details in future newsletters.

IAEI

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

Spring Seminar May 30th – June 1st

This year’s seminar is going to be at the Rocking Horse Dude ranch. http://www.rhranch.com/ Come join us for the best family vacation of the year. Visit their website to see what there is to do for the kids and grandkids. It’s a trip you do not want to miss. Cost to be $615.00 per couple for the weekend. This price includes all food and lodging. Each additional child will cost $125.00 for the weekend. Children under 3 are free. Extra days are in the $200.00 range. (Prices to be finalized shortly) If you have questions call Ralph Barba (718-786-9430). The brochures will be out after this meeting. Look for it in the next newsletter. But act fast, we only reserved 25 rooms and when it’s the Rocking horse sell out fast.

Dinner Dance June 27th

This year’s dinner dance is to be held at the El Caribe. Cost of a ticket is $95.00 each. You have not been to the event recently I highly recommend it for a great night of dinner, dance and seeing old friends. Taking a table (10 seats) is a great promotional tool for your business. Bring your favorite clients or make it an office party. Either way we need to see you there.

Please read the two attachments. The 1st is the Harry J. Eisenstein award scholarship fund application form and the 2nd is the Spring Seminar to the Rocking horse Ranch application.

We have our own nominations…… At the next meeting, nominations for Officers and the E board will be taken place. If you are interested in becoming an Officer or E board member ……some things to remember are….

If you want to come on know what position you want and have someone nominate you when that position is called.

And most importantly…. If you get nominated be prepared to work on a committee….. WE NEED NEW FACES….. They don’t necessarily need to be pretty, just new…… and if you are new to the organization and want to serve, get yourself nominate. Too many people have the misconception that the Board is for old timers. Wrong, wrong, extremely wrong. The board is made up of a diverse group, a cross section of the association as a whole. If want to be nominated and don’t know anyone to do it then e mail me before the meeting and I will call you back and go over it with you. It may or may not be right for you. We can talk about it and then you can determine if you want to serve. From there

Come out to the meeting this month, Con Edison will be there to explain the new website and how to file on line. Since we now E file with the DOB you knew Edison would not be far behind. Get all the latest on what you can do to get back that work request back faster.

And in addition you’ll hear important reports by the DOB/ Electrical, Con Ed and Code. The Dinner dance and Spring Seminar are the two up and coming events to be aware of… And the website is jumping… visit us at 5boroelectric.com….

Within 5 Boro, who are the workers? The answer is the Executive board. All the benefits you get from belonging to the association are made possible by the hardworking, under loved and under fed group of miscreants called the E board. They make endless phone calls on your behalf when you get into trouble, they go to endless meetings to solidify 5 Boro’s position in the industry, they go to their pocket financially to represent you all in the name of giving back to the industry. And what do you do? You reap the benefits of knowing that you have an organization behind you should you be unfairly taken advantage of. 5 Boro will come to your aid in a heartbeat. They will go to the mat for you. But you as a member are getting just a little too cushy with this entitlement. You think by paying your dues you are entitled. Well entitlement cost. So it’s time for you to step up.

5 boro needs new members for the E Board. At the March meeting nominations will be held with the election at the April general meeting. EVERYONE is welcome to run for the board as long as they are a member in good standing. If you ever gained one iota of a benefit then it is your duty to run for a position on the board.

In the last few years we have had problems getting members to run. That is an embarrassment. You guys should be honored to run. The E board is not a club. It is not an exclusive group that elects themselves each year. They are the same as everyone else but with a little bit higher sense of duty. It does not matter that you joined the Association this week, last year or 30 years ago. You are needed.

At the April meeting when nominations are being held raise your hand and say you want to run. That’s all there is to it. Your name will be added to the ballot. If you are elected you will be expected to attend the E Board meetings in addition to the General meeting once a month. When it comes time to be assigned a committee you will have the option to work on committees you think you can do the best at.

In closing I hope to see a lot of members at the General Meeting in March and April. IT IS IMPORTANT!!! Tell other members that may not have signed up for this e mail newsletter to come.

Joe Zec is a guest that attends every meeting. You may remember Mr. Zec as an inspector and from the advisory board. If you have a code question feel free to contact Mr. Zec. His number is 917.379.1298. Use this valuable resource. Especially you new members that have code questions.

The executive board met with an attorney in regards to having him on board to help us with our Low Voltage issue. Info will be presented at the next General meeting to determine how we will proceed. This is a major investment in money and time on the part of 5 Boro. We feel we need someone to represent us in this Low voltage issue in regards to how the code will finally be interpreted as and exactly where you as a licensed electrical contractor will wind up. The basis of the argument is listed in the attached code interpretation I received. Our Code Committee is riding point on this issue and will better update you at the next meeting.

On new and rehab jobs, 2-family and over with common areas, you must have a PLP meter, no shared metering. On existing 2-family service upgrade 60 to 100 or 200 amp owner occupied, you can replace existing 2 meters with 2 new meters.

There is a lot going on which will be discussed at the meeting. From “no inpections on Friday”to the “two meter PLP issue”. This is a very hot topic and it is getting hotter everyday.

REMINDER: Con Ed website presentation at the March general meeting, March 18 @ 7:00 pm.

As you know unlicensed electrical work here in NYC has always been a big problem. We are helping to get legislation passed making advertising and performing unlicensed electrical work a felony here in NYC. At the present time, performing unlicensed electrical work here in NYC is a misdemeanor! In order to create a felony law we must educate our political representatives on the seriousness of this issue. Realize that a felony law is created at the state level so we have already reached out and contacted the speaker of the assembly, Sheldon Silver and State senator Marty Golden of Brooklyn.

The state of New Jersey has already passed legislation back in 1999 making the performing or advertising of unlicensed electrical work a felony crime! We need to ask our politicians why the senators and assemblyman of New Jersey had the wisdom to see this bill become law. Are the people of New Jersey entitled to safer electrical installations than the folks of NY?

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

January 2008

Next Meeting:
Tues:   January 15th, 2008
Call for reservations
Guest:   Con Edison (7PM)   Mike Rollins will be speaking about the booklet recently sent out entitled "what contractors must know" (a safety guide for working near overhead or underground electric and gas equipment.)
Where:   Carosello
162-54 Cross Bay Blvd,
Howard Beach, NY

Next Tues is the General Meeting… Try to make it but call the office 1st at 718-846-1102

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank everyone for the great response to our first issue. But this is just the beginning. This newsletter is going to be used to help you the member be more involved. In the near future we are going to be sending out surveys. The information you send back will determine the direction of the association. Will you want more business related or electrical product guest at the general meetings? Do you want the Members Education committee to enlarge the scope of their already successful seminar program?

Do you feel you get your monies worth from your dues? But in the interim you can e mail me here with your thoughts.

As I said in the first issue, this newsletter is new. We need your input to make it better.

This issue has the latest news of the association. It also contains a page about the commercial program for the reduction of parking fines in NYC. It’s a good read. I personally belong and can honestly say that of all the programs I have belonged to in the pas this is by far the best and easiest to keep up with.

In addition, if you press on this link http://www.5boroelectric.com/Main/board.htm It will take you to the committee page of our web site. Here you will find all the committees and the members who serve on them. (Please note for Con Edison that you should call Bill Goldenbaum for Brooklyn and Queens due to Joe DiGangi’s passing) Print it out, save it, carry it around with you. Call any committee with any problem that you may have. Of all your benefits that you receive by being a member this “Helping Hand” is by and far and away the best that 5 Boro has to offer. Because of our involvement in the industry and our relations with the DOB/BEC and Con Ed you can get answers to your problems without having to suffer the agony of the “fighting city hall” syndrome.

And in Addition if you have any code question CALL JOE ZEC 917-379-1298. What other organization that you belong to has a person available to answer your code questions?…….. You do not need to know him or ever have had a conversation with him. All you need to do is call and ask your question. How much simpler can that be. That’s what 5 Boro does. Members are available to you so when you have a question, issue or problem you are not alone.

We need your email addresses. If this was sent to you from another member please take the time and update the office. Or you can respond to this email

Joe Zec is a guest that attends every meeting. You may know Mr. Zec from as an inspector and from the advisory board. If you have a code question feel free to contact Mr. Zec. His number is 917.379.1298

Hiring a lawyer to represent us in the DOB struggle. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

Con Edison… clarification of old and new rules. What’s on the horizon for the New Year?

At each general meeting a Con Ed representative will give a 15 minute mini-seminar on the Blue book. Bring your questions.

There will also be a follow up meeting to 5 Boro’s meeting with Edison detailing our complaints in the near future. The meeting was outlining what members problems are in their day to day encounters with Edison. The problems ranged from phone difficulties to time need to get meters opened.

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

The committee reported 261 members as of this date. We need your help in recruiting new members. Bring a potential member to a meeting. (Call the office for clearance)

Our past president Lou Cotroneo, has been elected President of the Bergen County Electrical Contractors Association.

Getting too many tickets…. Then read below or go here http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/parking/park_commercial_fleet.shtml

The Fleet Program
The Fleet Program helps firms organize and keep track of their parking tickets. Any firm can participate if it has one or more vehicles registered or leased under the company's name and address. Companies in the Fleet Program receive weekly reports listing tickets issued to enrolled plates. They are then given a penalty-free period to address those tickets.

Weekly reports are available on paper, which take 7-10 days to arrive by mail, or by e-mail, which is much faster. When a company enrolls in the Fleet Program, it selects either paper or electronic reports. However, if a company has selected paper reports and later decides that e-mail would be more efficient, the company can submit a request for e-mail Fleet reports, in writing, to the Fleet Unit.

Please include the following information in this request: Company name and address, E-mail address (to which reports will be sent), Name of contact person, and Contact's phone number

Send this request to:
NYC Department of Finance
Fleet/Rental Programs
66 John Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10038

Fee
There is no fee for participating in this program or for adding new plates to the list of vehicles that are enrolled in the Fleet Program.

To Enroll
Complete either application as appropriate or enroll online using E-Z FLEET. Mail applications to Finance at the address indicated on the form.

NYC Delivery Solutions: the Stipulated Fine Program
Eligible participants in the Fleet Program can also agree to waive the right to contest parking tickets and, instead, pay reduced parking fines through NYC Delivery Solutions: the Stipulated Fine Program.

This program requires participating companies to make good-faith efforts to comply with New York City Traffic Rules and waive their right to contest parking tickets. Each parking violation is designated as amenable, partially amenable, or nonamenable based on the severity of the parking infraction and state law. The type of violation determines whether the ticket will be dismissed or reduced. In lieu of contesting their tickets, participants in the program receive the following benefits automatically:

Eligibility
To be eligible, companies must own or lease one or more commercial vehicles that make expeditious pick-ups, deliveries, and/or service calls. Eligible companies must also participate in the Fleet Program (described above). Their weekly Fleet reports of parking tickets will include the reduced, stipulated fine for each ticket.

Fee
There is no fee to participate, either for enrolling in NYC Delivery Solutions or for adding new plates to the list of vehicles that are already enrolled.

Do the fine reductions reflect my company's specific ticket history?
No. There is one fine schedule for all participants in NYC Delivery Solutions, and the fines are based on the severity of the parking violation and State law.

Can I get a copy of the fine schedule?
Every company that is accepted into the NYC Delivery Solutions program receives a copy of the fine schedule when they enroll and updated lists as they occur.

Commercial Abatement Program
Companies enrolled in the Fleet Program that are not eligible for NYC Delivery Solutions (the Stipulated Fine Program) may elect to participate in the Commercial Abatement Program, which also simplifies the response to parking tickets received by companies that have one or more commercial vehicles. Participants in the Commercial Abatement Program agree to pay pre-set, reduced fines for each offense. The reduced fine amounts are published on a list the participant receives upon enrollment in the program and whenever the list is updated.

Fee
There is no fee, either for enrolling in the Commercial Abatement Program or for adding new plates to the list of vehicles that are already enrolled.

Contact Finance
For more information on the Fleet Program, NYC Delivery Solutions, or the Commercial Abatement Program, contact us online.
E-Mail Commercial Collections

Visit a Fleet representative at:
NYC Department of Finance
66 John Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10038
No appointment is needed.

Newsletter

January 2008