Monmouth County Master Plumbers
Legacy News & Media
12/12/2009 - There is a 32 hour ASSE Backflow Device Inspector course that will be given on January 30th,31st and the following weekend of February 6th and 7th in Burlington. All members interested should contact Chris Kirsten at Kirstchr@yahoo.com for details.
11/23/2009 - On November 23rd, representatives of the Monmouth County Master Plumbers Association with Members of the New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers attended a joint meeting set up by both the Division of Codes and Standards and the Division of Fire Safety at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in Trenton. The New Jersey Plumbing Heating & Cooling Contractors were also in attendance, represented by their President Mike Dolan.
The meeting was called to start a dialog between both master plumbers and fire sprinkler fitters in anticipation of an agreement between both trades regarding the installation of combination fire suppression / potable water systems which is slated to be adopted for single family residences in 2012.
The meeting was chaired by Codes and Standards Director Cynthia Wilk who was joined by John Terry, Mike Whalen and Amy Frank also from Codes and Standards. Director Lawrence Petrillo along with Bill Kramer and Lou Kilmer of the Division of Fire Safety were in attendance and Director Petrillo spoke briefly.
There was progress made and Director Wilk invited everyone to return for another meeting that will tentatively be held on November 23rd.
11/5/2009 - The New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers Executive Board voted unanimously to become an affiliate member of (IAPMO) the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The decision came after IAPMO's Regional Director Sean Cleary, who is also Chairman of the (ASSE) American Society of Sanitary Engineerings Cross Connection Control Board addressed the Executive Board.
10/6/2009 - The State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers approved significant changes on September 2, 2008 to the "Scope of Practice" N.J.A.C. 13:32-1.4) which will broaden and more clearly define the existing scope of practice for Master Plumbers. Included in these sweeping changes are actual citations from various other State agencies and departments. One of the most important additions to the scope of practice is a the addition of an extensive list of HVAC work that will now be included in the regulations. To see the proposed amendments from the New Jersey Register, click here.
7/17/2009 - Legislative & Code Committee met at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division of Codes & Standards today with members of PHCC, the LP Gas Association, members from the State of Examiners of Master Plumbers and DCA staff including Director of Codes & Standards Cynthia Wilk, Tom Pitcherello, Mike Biaer and Michael Ticktin. The meeting was to discuss how Master Plumbers may be exempted from the new certification that is mandated for everyone who installs or repairs LP gas appliances and systems. There will be another meeting scheduled after more research by all sides involved
6/24/2009 - NJSLMP convention starts in Tropicana. See our officers
6/2/2009 - We all offer our best wishes to our own Tony Cacciotti who will assume the office of President this year!
6/1/2009 - 2009 -2011 CEU seminar in East Brunswick for all you procrastinaters. See info below
5/9/2009 - The New Jersey Plumbing Inspectors Association celebrated it's 70th anniversary on Saturday May 9th at the Best Western on route 70 in Lakewood. Among our guests were Tom Pitcherello and Director Cynthia Wilk from DCA Codes & Standards Division. They will also be present at our convention / trade show in Atlantic City this Month at the Tropicana.
5/7/2009 - Tom Pitcherello was awarded "Plumbing Inspector of The Year" at the 2009 Building Safety Conference in Atlantic City. Tom McGonigle, president of the New Jersey Plumbing Inspectors Association presented the award to Mr. Pitcherello. We at the Monmouth chapter, along with the entire State League family wish to extend our thanks and appreciation to Tom for his dedication to our profession and are happy for him recieving this much deserved honor.
5/5/2009 - Tomorrow is the beginning of this years Building Safety Week convention in Atlantic City. Building Safety Week is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Codes & Standards division. Each year, licensed code officials meet to take continuing education seminars, meet other officials from all over the state of New Jersey and congratulate the Plumbing, Building, Fire and Electric inspector of the year. There is also similar recognition given to the Technical Assistant to the Construction Official (TACO) of the year.
5/1/2009 - There will be a final continuing education seminar held on June 6th at the East Brunswick Senior Center located at 3 Civic Center Drive in the municipal complex. Attendees are required to bring a 2006 edition of the National Standard Plumbing Code, your valid Master Plumbers license and another form of identification such as a drivers license in order to sign in.
This is the State mandated bi-annual continuing education seminar for the 2009-2011 term. This seminar is being sponsored by the New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST CONTINUING EDUCATION SEMINAR GIVEN FOR FREE TO MEMBERS FOR THE 2009 - 2011 RENEWAL CYCLE.
The instructor for this seminar will be Thomas Walsh who is accredited by the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers as Instructor #89 and is the Plumbing Subcode Official for the Township of East Brunswick. He is also accredited by the Board as sponsor #30 and is permitted to teach all State licensed Master Plumbers.
A continental breakfast will be served at 8 am with class following immediately afterwards at 9 am. Prior registration is required for the maximum statutory class size. You may call Tommy Walsh at 732-841-5792 to register for this event. For printable directions to the seminar follow this link
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1/28/2009 - Forbes Magazine has written a great artical on the plumbing trade and it's possible high earning potential. To read the article by click here .
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3/20/2009 - We will be holding our second CEU class on April 11th at Ferguson Supply in Lakewood. If you didn't sign up yet, please send email to njslmpmc@yahoo.com with your request to be added to roster. See info in next section below
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11/18/2008 - There is a dangerous Senate bill that we are watching. The bill is #S1909 and it would allow unlicensed, unqualified entities to perform plumbing without a state license. Even worse is the fact that it is for the installation of high hazard devices which protect the potable water supply from contamination and pollution. This is very dangerous for the public and we are extremely concerned that for the sake of political expediency, lives are being put at risk. The State League is in the process of making ALL licensed master plumbers aware of this and was successful at stopping this bill from leaving committee for a vote. However, the bill is not dead and there is time to voice your concerns. We will be letting you know what to do about this very dangerous senate bill very soon.
To read this poorly crafted and dangerous bill Click Here
To read our wake up call to all New Jersey Licensed Master Plumbers click here
12/2/2008 - Barbara Cook, Director of the New Jersey Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers passed away unexpectedly. She went to work for the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs in 1999 and had been there ever since. She
poured herself into her work to where it became her life, and she
truly enjoyed all the people she got to know throughout her career.
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12/18/2008 - A new law regulating the installation and repair of appliances that utilize propane as fuel. Presently the DCA is working on the specifics for the certification qualifications. This should be complete by October when the bill becomes law. Until then, it is business as usual. Individuals with a Master Plumbers license may be exempt from this certification.
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December 20th 2007- Governor Jon Corzine today signed the Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Licensing Act into law. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Vincent Prieto originally passed unanimously in both houses was sent back by the governors conditionally veto for minor changes. After modifications to the bill, the New Jersey Assembly overwhelmingly passed the modified bill and sent it to the Senate for a vote who also passed the minor changes in the bill unanimously. The New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers Legislative and Code Committee were instrumental in seeing this bill become law.
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The new medical gas certification bill is poised to become law by September. The Board of Examiners has approved the new rule proposal without changes and it will now go to the Office of Administrative Law to be put into legal language.
As a master plumber you are already eligible to apply for the certification once you complete the educational requirements. To view the new rule proposal go here
The latest rule change proposal from the NJ Register exempting Master Plumbers from the licensing requirements of the Landscape Irrigation Contractors Licensing Act"
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9/9/2006 Talks between IAPMO & ICC break down on the proposed joint venture to combine plumbing codes. To read Russ Chaney's comments click on this link
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs [Division of Codes and Standards] has just announced that Master Plumbers are now exempt from obtaining a "Home Improvement Contractors" registration for virtually all tasks pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:32-1.4 "Scope of Prctice". To read the latest decision from the UCC Code Communicator
READ THE ARTICLE NOW!
7/26/2006 - Kimberly Ricketts the present Director of the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs will be leaving that position on August 2,2006 for another position in the Department of Law & Public Safety. Steven Nolan will assume responsibilities as acting director of Cnsumer Affairs on Thursday August 3rd.
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Follow the links below to read the new proposed HVAC bill in committee. Take note that the original version of the bill is #A3897 and the newest version with the amendments is #A1016.
A-1016 Amendments
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A-1016 1/10/2006 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee
A-3857 Last Session Bill Number
Primary Sponser:Preito, Vincent
Primary Sponser:Cohen, Neil M.
Primary Sponser:Stack, Brian P.
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6/1/2006 - Below is the the one-man shop proposed legislation that has been referred to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. This is another piece of legislation that the State League of Master Plumbers has been in the forefront of and has been instrumental in:
A-2965 5/11/2006 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
A2965 Permits certain self-employed individuals to purchase small employer health benefits plans.
Primary Sponser:Greenstein, Linda R.
Primary Sponser:Vas, Joseph
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4/18/2006 - Exerpted from 3/23/2006 minutes of the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers:
DIRECTOR KIMBERLY S. RICKETTS
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
DECISION REGARDING GAS PIPING AND HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS
On March 23, 2006, Deputy Attorney General Joseph A. Donofrio advised while in Open Public Session as follows:
Director Ricketts has determined that licensed master plumbers do not have to be separately registered as home improvement contractors (HICs) to work on gas piping on residential property. A contractor not licensed as a master plumber would need to register as an HIC to install, service or maintain gas piping on residential property.
2. CHARLES MANNING - REGULATORY AFFAIRS
* Home Improvement Registration & Gas piping
Recap: On February 23, 2006, the Board held a brief discussion in Open Session regarding recent inquiries concerning these issues. Several Licensed Master Plumbers were objecting to the Home Improvement Registration (HIR) requirement for gas piping. Further, other concerns have been expressed for unqualified individuals performing gas piping under the HIR.
At present, the existing Scope of Practice regulation defines 'gas piping' as one of the many tasks excluded from the scope of practice of the Licensed Master Plumber.
DAG Donofrio confirmed that a modification to the existing regulation is needed to change gas piping as a task included within the Scope of Practice of the Licensed Master Plumber.
Action of March 23, 2006:
Chuck Manning attended this meeting at the Board's request to address changing the Scope of Practice Regulation N.J.A.C. 13:32-1.4(f), by proposal, to clarify that a LMP may perform tasks which are not specifically included within the Scope of Practice {as outlined in 1.4 (d)} -- as long as the LMP performs the task consistent with professional plumbing standards.
Essentially, this change to the regulation will permit the Licensed Master Plumber to perform gas piping without the necessity of the Home Improvement Registration (HIR) card.
A motion was made by Michael Maloney and seconded by Ralph Wetzel to have Chuck Manning prepare a summary for this change. A vote was taken and the motion unanimously passed.
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3/12/2006 - As of Thursday 3/9/2006, Master Plumbers are EXEMPT from the HIC registration for installing, repairing etc. of gas piping systems. This was confirmed on Friday by a phone call with Mr. Thomas Pitcherello at Codes and Standards from Ron Viess . A letter will be drafted from DCA regarding the new decision which will notify municipalities of this change. This is a direct result of the commitment of the New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers to protect our profession. Please note that boilers, HVAC and other work which does not fall under the defined scope of professional practice is NOT EXEMPT YET. We are still working on this and will keep the members apprised of the progress. Congratulations to all those who have worked hard to secure your rights. It should also be noted what can be accomplished when our organization mobilizes and stands together on the tough issues.
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1/16/06 - The membership directory has been updated to reflect the contact info provided by the membership. There will be forms at each meeting that you may submit to edit your information.
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1/13/06 - A letter was drafted to the Attorney General congratulating her on her appointment and introducing our local associations concern for the lack of regulation regarding gasfitting. The state league is also drafting a letter to the Department of Consumer Affairs regarding gasfitting and the "Contractor Registration Act".
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1/12/06 - We are starting a campaign to contact the legislature to move on a "scope of practice" amendment to the regulations. Everyone must reach out to their network and ask them to contact their SENATOR AND TWO CONGRESSMEN and let them know that the new law is hurting plumbers. It will go a long way in assisting our cause. Do not sit back and let your collegues stand alone. It only takes a few minutes to do. It is imperative that EVERYONE, even non members get involved in this campaign.
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1/5/06 - We now have rosters of everyones contact info in our local association. They will be available at our monthly meetings. They are a good way of keeping in touch with each other and sharing ideas in order to better communicate them with our officers and ultimately the State League. If anyone has a particular concern they can contact Tony by email. His email address will be on the updated roster handout.
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1/5/06 - As many of you already know, as of January 1,2006 the State of New Jersey has enacted the ""Contractors Registration Act" P.L. 2004, c.16 (N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq.) which requires that all home improvement contractors be registered. Unfortunately, our "scope of practice" (see bottom of page) as Master Plumbers is silent regarding fuel gas piping, boilers and HVAC among the many other tasks we have been customarily performing throughout our careers.
The State League, along with our local association has committed itself this year to the inclusion of such language that will ensure the practice of gasfitting to the licensed Master Plumber. However, any person or entity who did not apply for the new registration prior to December 31st is in violation of the "Act" if they perform gas piping, maintenance or repairs on gas piping after January 1, 2006.
It should be noted that the "Act" applies to RESIDENTIAL work only, and does not affect commercial work performed. Conversely, if you did not apply for the registration prior to December 31st, you will be in violation if you perform any work that does not fall under the "scope of practice" pursuant to N.J.A.C. 45:14C-2 of the regulations.
If you did register prior to the deadline and you are still waiting for the Department of Consumer Affairs to dig itself out from the mountain of paperwork it has generated and issue you your new shiny registration card, you may file a "certification to obtain municipal permit" which is available at any municipal code enforcement office. You must file one of these certifications with each permit application. I have linked to the Department of Consumer Affairs and you may download a copy of the certification to use as a template to copy as needed
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