March SCECA General Meeting

3/19/26

S.C.E.C.A. General Membership Meeting Minutes

There were approximately 32 members in attendance. Those Officers and Board of Directors present were: Rob Szalay, Mahesh Panchal, Tom Orlando, Jack Morrell, John Ricciardi, and Robert Tschoke.

Excused: Dave Kennedy, Joe Mikulas and Michael Towers.

Called to Order: 7:32 p.m.

Rob Szalay led the Pledge of Allegiance. A motion to accept the General Meeting Minutes of 2/19/26 was made by John Ricciardi and seconded by Rob Tschoke.

**President’s Report:

Nothing to report. Will discuss under the committee reports.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Treasurer’s Report: Tom Orlando

Tom O. reported for the month ending February 2026 the income was $715.34 and the expenses were $6,265.56. We spent money on recording secretary salary, $850 office rent, $200 optimum, $1,371 for this meeting, $1,450 Borg & Borg insurance, etc. It is a business and costs money to run. Everything is quiet until dues time. Rob S. said we are fine fiscally. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Jack Morrell and seconded by Mahesh Panchal.

Secretary’s Report: David Kennedy

Dave was not present.

Legal Counsel: Michael Ganz

Mike was not present. If you want to reach out we have his contact information.

Insurance: Patti Muldoon from Borg & Borg,

Patti is our resident insurance consultant. We also have another insurance company here that will do a program tonight.

PROGRAM(S) Anthony Cardona and Justin Greenfield of Cardona & Company (brokers for insurance companies) did a PowerPoint presentation on what their insurance company can do for you. They went over why health insurance is so expensive, cost saving strategies for your business, understanding the landscape and navigating complexities and what your broker should be doing for you. Healthcare and health insurance are two different things. You can healthcare without health insurance. Fun facts: Starbucks pays more $ for their employee health insurance then they do for their coffee. These companies spend billions of $’s. Our country has 56th highest life expectancy in the world. 90% of healthcare dollars are spent on chronic illnesses that are preventable (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) The cost of healthcare will be directly related to the cost of health insurance. The actual cost of healthcare in our country is $5 trillion annually. It cost about $15,000 a person to keep someone healthy in this country. If we spread that risk throughout the room, it will not be possible to get it cheaper. You cannot lower the cost of health insurance until you lower the cost of healthcare. About 5% of the population spends 50% of that trillion bill. What drives costs up are: medical malpractice – doctors get sued, medical technology, government research, specialized doctors – they charge more, and consolidation of medical groups (like Northwell and Stony Brook). Hospitals get money 3 different ways: Medicaid (lose $), Medicare (breaks even) and health insurance (only way to make $). There are two ways to get insurance – Obamacare or through your employer. Oxford is the biggest carrier they work with groups under 100. Oxford has 3 different networks – Freedom, Liberty and Metro. Freedom is more per visit but less annually, Metro is the least per visit but more annually. Doctors will go with insurance carriers that pay more so the premiums are higher. Under 100 employees in the Suffolk County NY have all the same rates to protect the small business owner. Insurance is the spread of risk. PEO (Professional Employer Organization) is another way to get insurance. They are out of the small business group market rate. Better rates than the small group market rate. They go under their Tax ID # and use their payroll services, worker comp, etc. It is a way for some businesses to find a cheaper insurance health plan. They are becoming more popular. How health insurance works: First is the network – access to doctors, second do you want to pay more in premium or more out of pocket (copay). They look to see who is most competitive and look at each company and each network and then recommends the best product for that company. 80% of PEOs use Aetna. Most of the group insurance are on Oxford. All plans cover emergency services if you are out of your network area. But is has to be an emergency or you can pick a plan with a national network. For international travel insurance you can buy it cheap for the time you are away. They have customer service – someone live answering their phone. They also do disability and life insurance. The disability insurance is important when you are in your own business. One member asked if SCECA can put together a group plan. Anthony answered you would need to be under one Tax ID #. The insurance companies do not want to do that; it is not to their advantage. Only very big associations can do that. That is why they offer PEOs. They can offer dental, vision, life and disability packages to organizations. Just not health insurance. There are vitality programs – your premiums vary based upon your checks on health. Union plans – they are under one Tax ID # and are heavily subsidized by union dues. You can switch insurance carriers once a year. A question-and-answer session followed.

Jim Smith and John Cangemi – Jim brought up on the 2023 code – energy disconnect on 1 and 2 family dwellings regarding service changes as well as new services. If you do a meter main (230.67), you need surge protection. There is an exception – the surge protection shall not be required to be at the service equipment if located at each level downstream of distribution of equipment. You can put the surge protection at the panel board. It is required for each feeder as well (215 & 225). Rob S. brought up an email from Tom DiBella of PSEG concerning emergency service disconnect switches. The requirement was explained that either a fused or non-fused switch and/or circuit breaker could be used as the Emergency Disconnect, even if it is not being used as the Service Disconnect. Jim mentioned at the last general meeting that it is not supposed to be fused; it is not supposed to provide overprotection. The sole purposed of the emergency disconnect is so in an emergency the power can be shut off outside the building. But what we found out at the seminar last week that it does say in the code book it could be fused. That causes issues. Rob S. drafted an email to PSEG stating why it should not be fused. The idea of putting a fuse switch out there is an issue because it results in two overcurrent protection devices in series with the service. In his opinion this could cause incorrect sizing and implementation of fuses and switches for this purpose. It also can cause unnecessary service outages and utility calls caused by such incorrect implementation. It may be in the best interest of both the utility and its’ customer base that PSEG LI make a list of qualified non-fused switches and molded case switches (with enclosures) to choose from such as is done with meter enclosures. This will alleviate the guesswork and misapplication of equipment and also incentivize supply housed to stock the appropriate equipment. Syed Naquji of PSEG said they are aware of this, but that part of the equipment is technically not a utility owned equipment so that falls more on the inspection agency. So, they cannot mandate if he can or cannot be fused. Rob S. said, “but they do not own the meter pan also and they list what meter pans to use. That is the extension of that line of thinking. They do not know what fuse to pick and that will cause more problems for the utility company also. Maybe make a list like you do with meter pans. Syed will bring it up to the meter engineering department. PSEG is aware of this and will try to find the best way to address this.

By-Laws & Nominating: Jack Morrell

Jack reported official nominations open up tonight until April meeting. Every position is open. Slate: President – Rob Szalay, Vice President – Mahesh Panchal, Treasurer – Tom Orlando, Secretary – Dave Kennedy. John Ricciardi and Michael Towers positions are up and they are running again. Anyone interested in running for the Board, let Jack know.

Education/Seminars: Rob Szalay, Mahesh Panchal

Rob S. reported we have 2 spots left in our April 11th CEH class. We do not have a date yet for May and June. We will not be having classes in July and August. Will continue in September.
The E.T.C. had their CEH class March 11th. Rob S. was there. A lot of guys were there. It was well run.

TPSF: Dave was not present. Rob S. reported Dave has the final count, and we did award an applicant. It was much more successful than it has been in the past and we will do it next year as well.

Electrical Safety: Robert Tschoke

Rob T. reported he has not heard anything on electrical safety. If you hear anything or have any pictures send them his way. He also has a safety article he put in the newsletter.

Entertainment: Dave Kennedy, Mahesh Panchal

Dave was not present. Mahesh reported he and Dave are working on the installation dinner in May. The meeting and dinner will be at Smokey Bones not here. Rob S. said everyone is welcome.

Good & Welfare: Joe Mikulas

Joe was not present. Rob S. reported Rich Scrivano, retired from PSEG, passed away 2/23 shoveling snow during the snowstorm. He was a great person, well liked, always tried to help people. If you have good news, please share it with us. Tom Walsh reported Jack from All System Electric passed away as well.

Inspection Agencies:

Certified Electrical Inspectors: #896-A Rob Ceriello was present. He gets asked basic questions like when the code took effect – 1-1-26. He also gets calls from pool companies about the TIA bonding (23.9 NFPA TIA) on how they do this? There has to be a coordination by the electrician and the GC doing the pool. He needs to see evidence of it – a video or being there. That is the only way he can pass the inspection. For Swimming Pools where the perimeter is paved surfaces, the perimeter of the pool will require a 3-foot welded wire mesh to be installed instead of the optional perimeter bonding ring. You have to either extend the rebar out 3 feet or use the reenforcing steel in the concrete or if you use pavers, use reenforced steel below the pavers or the 12” X 12” copper mesh grid. No deeper than 6 inches. The new perimeter bond must extend at least 3 feet horizontally from the interior walls of the pool. You still have to connect to the rebar from the grid or reinforced steel. Still have to bring #8 back to the circulating system. It does not matter if the pool is in the ground or above. If there is paving around it, you have to use the new method. You can only use single #8 if it is unpaved. (TIAs – Tentative Interim Amendments are changes to the already adopted National Electrical Code (NEC) that cannot wait until the next code cycle. – it supersedes what is in the code book.) You can look it up on the NFPA website, but you cannot print it out unless you are a member, but you can take a screenshot of it.
EII: NYBFU: #1109-A Philip Goehring was not present. Rich Jendzo was present.
Suffolk Bureau of Electrical Insp.: #856-A Gene Surdi was not present.
Southampton Town: Ron Linsalato was not present.
Alliance Electrical Inspect. Ltd.: Michael Dumitru was not present.

Licensing: Michael Towers, Jack Morrell, Rob Szalay

Rob S. did not receive his email for renewal of his license. He called and they sent it to him; they were very helpful. If your license is coming up and you did not get an email, call them. You can do it online, but he was told to mail it or drop it off this time. Jack said hopefully by the end of the year they will be sending out reminders by text instead of email.

PSEG Representatives: Joe Mikulas, Jack Morrell, Rob Szalay

Syed reported they have a lot of open positions. They are hiring interns. If anyone has kids interested in engineering, reach out to us. They have gotten requests about Redbook classes. They are working on it. They usually do it at BOCES.

Membership/Plaques & Awards, Skills USA: Robert Tschoke/Jack Morrell

SCECA East: Rob T. announced the SCECA East meeting is next Wednesday, March 25th at the VFW Hall post # 5350 101 Old Riverhead Rd., Westhampton Beach 11978 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Ed from East End inspection agency giving a discussion which will be mainly on code changes for the newly adopted 2023 code. We will also be having a representative from one of our electrical supply houses out east with raffles and giveaways. Put the word out. Talk it up.

Plaques & Awards: Rob T. presented member Tom Walsh his 25-year plaque. He is also a past president of NEL and a great supporter of SCECA. Mahesh took a picture for the newsletter.

Rob S. introduced a guest from Eastern Suffolk BOCES – Chris Silva – he teaches electrical and alternative energy program out at Riverhead. He met Jack yesterday at the Skills contest.

Skills USA: Rob S. reported they were at the Skills USA event yesterday. There is an increase in applicants. Jack said on a good year they would have 13. This year they had 21. Next year they are anticipating 24. Times are changing where going to a trade school is growing like crazy. Ten years ago, they had trouble filling one class. More people are going into the trades. In his company he had 20 to 30 kids that went through the BOCES program. They are smart and eager and want to work. You can train them to how to you want things done. Rob C. said they are opening in Hicksville a tech school for welding, HVAC and electrical. Rob S. added that some school districts are starting their own program.

Nassau Electric League: Mahesh Panchal, Tom Orlando
Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at Knights of Columbus Hall in Hicksville

Tom Walsh reported they are having their Ladies’ night on 5/29 at the same place as last year in Westbury. Looking forward to working with SCECA on the Expo.

IAEI: (Independent Alliance for the Electrical Industry) Mahesh Panchal, John Ricciardi, Tom Orlando
Meetings are 1st Wednesday of the month in Farmingdale (45 Motor Ave.) at Allen Park Town Hall building at 7:00 pm. Meeting dates: 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6, 9/2, 10/7, 11/4. Rob Ceriello – President.

Rob Ceriello reported they have a meeting 4/1 at Leviton in Melville on energy code changes by an engineer with Leviton. They need to know who is coming into their building. The count is at 10 now. Starts at 7 pm. Mahesh started a sign-in sheet with name, email address and phone number so Rob C. can forward it to Christie Adams of Leviton. You need ID to get into the building.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS: (Rob Szalay and Jack Morrell)
Joe Mikulas, Editor – “Light,”

Rob S. reported we are doing some enhancements on our website. Will have as members’ only portion. Working on getting supply houses to offer discounts. If you go on the website right now the general public has access to see what we are about. In the future you will need to use your SCECA ID # to access supply discounts and technical information.

“The Light” – Joe was not present.

Energy Expo: Rob Szalay, Jack Morrell, Dave Kennedy

Rob reported we will have it again next year with NEL in October. Hopefully bigger and better than last year.

Legislative Review: Jack Morrell

Jack reported they are still pushing PLAs (project labor agreement). There was a very good article about it in Newsday no matter what side you are on.

Old Business:

Nothing to report.

New Business:

Member Steve Danielson asked if anyone heard of a new panel called Span panel. Tom O. said it is not new. He did a job with someone and did 5 span panels in one house. He asked this person if he was sure if the span panels could be mounted upside down. He said yes, he took the training online. After the work was done he found out you couldn’t mount them upside down. They are very difficult to work with. Lots of electronics inside and you can break parts inside. Add extra $ for the job. They still worked it just wasn’t UL approved to be upside down. The customer was unhappy because the name and number was upside down. One was right side up and it was top fed. The other four were bottom fed. It cost $10,000 to get out of that mess.

Raffles:

3 – $60 cash prizes were won by Rob Tschoke, Brian Kosin and Mahesh Panchal.
1 – $55 cash prize was won by Patti Muldoon.

$100 attendance award was drawn for Bryan Comerford (#1153-C) who was not present to win.

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. was made by John Ricciardi and seconded by Tom Walsh.

Respectfully submitted,

APPROVED BY:
3/27/26
Barbara George Dave Kennedy
Recording Secretary Secretary