September SCECA General Meeting

9/17/26

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

There were approximately 52 members in attendance.  Those Officers and Board of Directors present were: Rob Szalay, Mahesh Panchal, Tom Orlando, Dave Kennedy, Joe Mikuas, Jack Morrell John Ricciardi, and Rob Tschoke.

Excused: Michael Towers.

Called to Order: 7:21 p.m.

Rob Szalay led the Pledge of Allegiance.  A motion to accept the General Meeting Minutes of 4/16/26 was made by Mahesh Panchal and seconded by Robert Tschoke.

**President’s Report:

Rob Szalay announced we have the Electrical Training Center students here tonight.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Treasurer’s Report: Tom Orlando

Tom O. reported we have catch up to do because we didn’t have a meeting in May for the reports.  So, he has May, June, July and August.  For the month ending May 2026 the income was $1,825.35 and the expenses were $4,769l58, for the month ending June 2026 the income was $6,008.67 and the expenses were $3,541.70, for the month ending July the income was $13,01531 and the expenses were $3,157.34 and for the month ending August the income was $7,705.33 and the expenses were $3,592.30.  We have 31 unpaid members as of tonight. If we want to keep the dues low, show up for other events – like the Expo. If we do not have people to show up, we won’t have vendors next year so if you want to keep your dues down, show up.  A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Jack Morrell and seconded by Mahesh Panchal.

 Secretary’s Report: David Kennedy

Dave had nothing major to report.  Basically, what Tom said show up for the Expo.  We put a lot of work into it especially Rob S.  Show support.  The vendors have prizes if you put your name in at their table.  Rob S. mentioned it is not just SCECA it is a joint effort with the Nassau Electric League.  We have been doing it together for 3 years.  Dave said if you know any vendors, now is the time to tell them to take a table at the Expo.  A motion to accept the Secretary’s Report was made by Mahesh Panchal and seconded by John Ricciardi.

Legal Counsel: Michael Ganz

Mike Ganz reported he is the counsel for SCECA.  He is a construction lawyer and an engineer before that.  If any member has simple questions about payment issues or liens, or anything else, he will answer you at no charge.  A contract that gets more involved, he will look at.  He usually puts an article in the newsletter on something of general interest to electricians.  If you want him to write about something specific, you can email him, he will try to get back to you in a day or so.

 Insurance: Patti Jost from Borg & Borg,

Patti was not present tonight.

PROGRAM(S) PSEG LI – Redbooks are in print and there are copies on the tables for the members.  Rich Inserra introduced Will McMahn from the Greenlawn office, Syed Naqui from the Brentwood office, Christopher Hawks and Tyler Hawks from the Bridgehampton office.  Chris was the chief architect in the revision of the Redbook.  It hasn’t been updated since 2017. Changes from 2017 are shaded in gray and everything on the website has been updated.  Chris will have a cheat sheet for the next meeting on changes.  There weren’t major changes.  If you do a job, check with your inspector first to make sure everyone is on the same page.  A lengthy discussion on service disconnects ensued and Chris went over the Redbook page by page.  PSEG does not read meters anymore.  They do it electronically.  Syed went over the biggest violations.  Jack reported sometime in the spring PSEG sent out card that said you had one week to notify PSEG if you wanted to be a 180 or a 194 customer.  Anyone that had solar, if they did not call up and say in that week they wanted to remain 180, they were switched to 194 and their bill went up.  PSEG were telling customers they were not allowed to change it back because they missed the 1 week window.  Tell your customers if they have solar to call and say they want to stay on 180.  Look for the #180 or #194 on the front of your bill.  With the 194 rate no matter what time your solar is being used, they charge the 194 rate the whole time.  It is 7 cents a watt when you sell back.  The credit is good for 20 years.  A question and answer session followed.

By-Laws & Nominating: Jack Morrell

Nothing on by-laws.  Nominations are opening up in March.  Whoever wants to run for office, see someone on the Board.

Education/Seminars: Rob Szalay, Mahesh Panchal

Rob S. reported our next CEH class is 10/10

 TPSF:

Rob S. reported we are still doing the scholarship.  The website is being revamped.  The $1,000 will go to the school for a student that is going to be an electrician.

Electrical Safety: Robert Tschoke

Rob T. looked on the National Electrical Safety Board website for recalls or safety issues.  It is a good resource to look into.  He said to make sure you and your employees wear eye protection, dress appropriately; etc.  Safety is everything.  Jack said the most important thing is to protect your eyes.  You cannot replace them.  Rob T. says if he feels anything in his eye he stops working and uses the eye wash he keeps in his van.

 Enterainment: Dave Kennedy, Mahesh Panchal

Mahesh reported they are still working on the holiday party.  We may have the holiday party here at the hotel.

Good & Welfare: Joe Mikulas

Joe reported it is good to have member Ralph back.  We appreciate his warnings he provided about getting checked.  Ralph said to listen to your body.  If you think anything is wrong, don’t be afraid to go to the doctor.  Ralph contributed a safety issue in the hospital.  He had looked at a fan out of his hospital window and noticed it was wired wrong.

Inspection Agencies: 

 Certified Electrical Inspectors: #896-A Rob Ceriello was present.  He reported all 7 inspection agencies got together and agreed on how to do pool bonding.  This can be discussed next month with Jim Smith.  We have to follow the rules of the Towns. We have to do proper inspections.  If you have a problem with an inspector, ask what article they are citing.

East End Inspection Agency: #1193-A Ed Seltenrich

EII: NYBFU: #1109-A Philip Goehring was not present.  Rich Jendzo was not 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.

Electrical Inspection Service (of East Patchogue)

 Licensing: Michael Towers, Jack Morrell, Rob Szalay

 Jack reported the Licensing Board is getting stricter with licensing.  No one is getting a license or unshelving a license without coming in front of the Licensing Board to hear the rules and to see if they are farming out their license.  We do not do enforcement.  This last year we refused an abundance of guys coming in for licenses because they were getting cash or 1099s as payment.  You need to provide a W-2 for 7 out of 10 years in order to get your electrical license.  The County is now starting to go after contractors that do not supply affidavits.  It is illegal to hire someone to do electric work and pay them with a 1099.  Any contractor that signs an affidavit has to be paid with W-2s.  Some contractors are having their licenses pulled if they did not get a W-2.

 PSEG Representatives: Joe Mikulas, Jack Morrell, Rob Szalay

Done as a program.

Membership/Plaques & Awards, Skills USA: Robert Tschoke, Michael Towers, John Ricciardi/Jack Morrell

3 new members: #1290-C Jonathan Smith of Harbor Systems Group in Northport, #1292-C Robert Schulz of RedCap Electric in Bethpage and #1293-C Roger Evans of Megalectric in Holtsville.  Robert Schulz was not present.  Rob T. swore in Jonathan Smith and Roger Evans.  Jack took their pictures for the newsletter.

 SCECA East: Rob T. reported the SCECA East meeting is Wednesday, 9/23 at Turtle in Riverhead.  He read his email that was sent to members. “Greetings everyone!  Hope all is well and your summer was enjoyable.

Can’t believe that summer is over and fall is here.  This is the start of the SCECA East meetings out on the East End.  We will be having our next East End meeting this September at Turtle 104 Kroemer Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901.  Turtle has been so generous to allow us to have our meeting in the new facility in Riverhead. This will be a great meeting!  Klein will be our vendor and there will be great raffles and tools being given out.

Don’t miss it!!!  Ed Seltenreich will be there from East End Inspection Agency giving his code updates.  PSEG reps and our board members will be present.  Please put the word out and tell everyone we need to step up these meetings and get a greater attendance.  Food will be served along with drinks and refreshments.  The meeting will start at 5 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.  Hope to see you all there! Remember, we at SCECA are doing these East End meetings for you East End electrical contractors.  Please take advantage of this and promote. This is what you asked for, and we’ve given it to you.  Together let’s make this grow.” He added Chris Hawks from PSEG will be there.  Hope everyone will be there.  We are trying to accommodate the east end contractors because they asked for it.  Let Turtle know if you are attending.  Use their QR code.  They need a count of how many people are coming.

  Nassau Electric League: Mahesh Panchal, Tom Orlando

Meets 2^nd Wednesday of the month at Knights of Columbus Hall in Hicksville

Mahesh reported PSEG went over the Redbook and inspectors going over meters.

IAEI: (Independent Alliance for the Electrical Industry) Mahesh Panchal, John Ricciardi, Tom Orlando

Meetings are 1^st Wednesday of the month in Farmingdale (45 Motor Ave.) at Allen Park Town Hall building at 7:00 pm.  Meeting dates: 10/7, 11/4.  Rob Ceriello – President.

Rob Ceriello reported they had their meeting 9/2 and Neal Slattery went over the Redbook and pool bonding.  It is up to the electrician to make sure the pool contractor is doing the bonding correctly and you need proof it was done right.  Rob C. is ok with a video.  Next meeting is 10/7 and going over the Redbook.  They are trying to get new people and students.  We need someone to replace Neal Slattery because this is his last year; he is retiring.  Chris Hawk may attend.  We are trying to get an inspector challenge going to see if the inspectors have the same answers.  They are also looking for a Treasurer.  They have a new Secretary.  They have 3 meetings in the fall and 5 in the spring.  We have to step up and follow the rules of Suffolk County.  We meet with them on 10/7.  Oyster Bay, North Hempstead and West Hempstead are going after people that are unlicensed.  It is a major challenge to go after people that are unlicensed.  They are working on it with the Towns in Nassau County.  Member Dan Sherry asked if you have to go in to renew your license with Oyster Bay.  Rob C. said you have to go in personally and get a picture for every renewal for Oyster Bay.

 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS: (Rob Szalay and Jack Morrell)

Joe Mikulas, Editor – “Light,”

Nothing to report

“The Light” – Joe reported if you are not getting the newsletter, please make sure Barbara has your email address.  This month’s newsletter hopefully you will have seen Ganz ad.  Any ad in their supports SCECA.  Frequent them.  If you see the proprietor, thank them because they offset our costs.  Joe put in a picture of a service upgraded by a licensed electrician in a Levit house.  DETAILS: A Levit house had the original panel in the kitchen above the range. The panel was moved with new feed from the meter pan to new location. The original panel became a splice box.  QUESTIONS: Is Arc Fault protection required on the relocated circuits? Would the job pass inspection as is?  Your answers are welcome for possible inclusion in the October newsletter.  If you see a job, whatever it may be, please submit it to our email address SCECAelect@gmail.com so we can put it in the “Light.”

Energy Expo: Rob Szalay, Jack Morrell, Dave Kennedy

 Rob S. reported it is important to come out to the Expo – It is on 10/21 at the Raddison in Hauppauge.  We have electrical suppliers, HVAC suppliers and other energy professionals there.  We will have programs throughout the day and a 4-hour Generac program in the morning.  The Electrical Training Center will have programs running throughout the day also.  It is free and worth coming to.

 Legislative Review: Jack Morrell

Nothing to report.

 Old Business: 

Nothing to report.

 New Business:

Jack reported we have heard over the last year that a bunch of people are not happy with the a lot of inspection agencies; they feel they are not doing the right job. There was a case he got through PSEG in the Babylon area for a house rise.  The meter was a foot from the window, 13 ½ feet high and no platform.  And it was signed off with a certificate from the inspection agency.   So, on the first Wednesday in October every inspection agency is coming down to the Licensing Board and is doing ½ hour meeting to go over ethics and all the rules and regulations.

Raffles:            

 2 – $90 cash prize were won by Fred Solino and Tom Orlando.

$100 attendance award was drawn for Daniel Araujo (#278-25YC) who was not present to win.

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m. was made by Mahesh Panchal and seconded by Tom Orlando.

Respectfully submitted,

APPROVED BY:   

                                                                                                9/23/26

Barbara George                                                                      Dave Kennedy

Recording Secretary                                                             Secretary