Greetings
and best wishes to all MWWCA members for 2008. I am truly honored to
have the opportunity to serve as President of a group of operators,
engineers, scientists and other stewards of the environment who have
dedicated themselves to making MWWCA all we can be in our mission of
“WATER QUALITY OUR MAINE CONCERN”.
Looking back over this past couple of years some of the greatest
experiences I’ve enjoyed are getting to know other MWWCA Officers. I
owe many thanks to 2006 President Andy Rudzinski and 2007 President
MWWCA’s own Dr. Dave Anderson. Their leadership has advanced our
organization and prepared us for the challenges we will face in the
years to come.
Training – The Association will continue
to provide training and networking opportunities at the Spring
Conference in Bangor and the Fall Convention at Sunday River. We
provide support to JETCC for their training programs. I also recommend
that you consider the conferences sponsored by NEWEA and WEF.
State and Federal Funding – Traditionally wastewater capital projects
have been financed by a combination of local, state, and federal
funds. However, federal funding has been reduced and the State
continues to be hesitate about providing matching funds annually for
the State Revolving Fund (SRF). Realizing that we need a strong and
consistent voice on legislative issues, the Executive Committee has
again hired a Legislative Advocate. MWWCA’s Legislative Advocate
Andrew Gilmore is updating and preparing “fact sheets” on SRF funding
and other possible bond issues for the upcoming session. Government
Affairs Committee Chairs David Anderson and Paul Rodriguez are
preparing the association for the upcoming session. We will be again
having a Legislative Breakfast in February to present our case to
members of the State House and Senate. The Government Affairs
Committee will work to keep the funding issue in front of our
Legislators. MWWCA Officers will also be making their annual visit to
Maine’s Congressional delegation in Washington in the spring.
Regulatory – We plan to continue our
good working relationship with the DEP. Brian Kavanah, Water Quality
Division Director, and/or Andy Fisk, Bureau Director, attend every
Executive Committee meeting and provide us with the latest information
from the Department. This relationship has developed over the years to
the point that issues are generally negotiated and compromises reached
that serve the needs of both Wastewater Facilities and the Dept. of
Environmental Protection.
Personnel – A special congratulations
goes out to MWWCA’s OP Challenge Team “Force Maine” who brought home
the Division II National Championship at WEF Tech in San Diego this
fall. May Anne Peck, Travis Peaslee, Dan LaFlame and Brian Cataldo
lead Maine to this exceptional effort.
We often hear about the aging of our workforce and the upcoming
shortage of trained operators. MWWCA will continue to work with
Maine’s community colleges. We need to provide educational
opportunities to those wanting to join our industry or advance within
our field. To continue to elevate our profession MWWCA will work to
make available updated salary information to our members in 2008.
I hope to see you at a committee meeting or at one of our conferences.
The Executive Committee may ask that you contact your state
representative on a financial or regulatory issue and we hope you will
respond. Numbers and voices matter in Augusta.
If you have issues you would like us to consider or would like to
become active in a MWWCA Committee (I promise a rewarding experience)
my email address is wwtp@gardinermaine.com. I am looking forward to
serving you through the Association in 2008.
Yours truly,
Chuck Applebee
President
Maine WasteWater Control Association
