September SCECA General Meeting

9/19/24

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

There were approximately 38 members in attendance.  Those Officers and Board of Directors present were:  Rob Tschoke, Tom Orlando, David Kennedy, Ralph Lambiase, Joe Mikulas, Mahesh Panchal, John Ricciardi, Rob Szalay, Michael Towers.

Excused: Jack Morrell.

Called to Order:  7:12 p.m.

Rob Tschoke led the Pledge of Allegiance.  A motion to accept the General Meeting Minutes of 5/16/24 was made by David Kennedy and seconded by Michael Towers.

**President’s Report:

He is glad to see everyone here – PSEG, inspection agencies, E.T.C., insurance.  His president’s report is in the newsletter.  He sees a lot of former presidents of the association here – Rob S., Dave, Tom T., Mike T., Joe, John McGinn.  He is dedicated to the association.  The only way it is going to grow is to get the word out there.  His door is always open.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Treasurer’s Report:  Tom Orlando

Tom O. reported for the month ending June 2024 the income was $3,301.96 and the expenses were $5,885.61.  For the month ending July 2024 the income was $7,334.91 and the expenses were $2,880.77.  For the month ending August 2024 the income was $31,160.39 and the expenses were $3,696.04. A lot of the income from July and August is from dues.  We paid out $1,000 to the TPS winner, Jaylen Taylor, and the money went to the Electrical Training Center.  Due were sent out twice by email and once by regular mail.  Please pay your dues if you have not.  You can always donate to the TPSF.  A motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made by Ralph Lambiase and seconded by Tom Thomas.

Secretary’s Report:  David Kennedy

Dave reported he is redoing the requirements on the TPSF.  Instead of an essay, he is making it multiple choice.  It seems the essay was too much and made it harder.  It should be out next month.  A motion to accept the Secretary’s Report was made by Mahesh Panchal and seconded by John Ricciardi.

Legal Counsel:  Michael Ganz

Mike Ganz was not present.

Insurance: Patti Muldoon from Borg & Borg, Wally Boorum from Sunrise Benefits Solutions

Wally and Patti were not present.

PROGRAMS:

Paul DiBenedetto, PSEG Certified Energy Manager gave a presentation on EV rebate program.  They will be at the Energy Expo and other events including Energize Long Island on 11/7.  They are giving rebates on charging stations.  Makes your business stand out, way for customers to stay longer, increase value of your property, added amenity at your places of employment, beaches and parks.  He went over 3 levels of charging.  Level 1 – you get it with a purchase of an EV, uses a household outlet.  Slowest from of charging.  Level 2 residence or commercial uses a 240 line.  Level 3 uses 3 phase power at commercial business. Tesla charger.   Fastest chargers.  You can get an adapter to use a Tesla charger.  Went over NY goals for EVs.  EV Make Read Program is expanding.  The incentive for Level 2 is $30,000, The DC fast charger is $370,000.  They have a Fleet Made Ready program for municipalities, school districts, nonprofits, police, etc.  For residential charger rebates program, they will have sign up classes later this year.  $200/$300 rebate for residential.  There is a federal tax credit.  He can email the program.  A question-and-answer session followed.

 Doug Cahill of PSEG, Senior Energy Consultant for energy efficiency.  They are still doing lighting energy efficiency in buildings.  They have extended their rebate program with enhanced 25% on every project that can be installed by 12/9.  Areas that participate in the program will get a 50% in a calculated rebate.  On some projects they will pay up to 100%.  This is commercial only – replacing existing stuff or new.  These lighting rebates will be going away in 2026.  A lengthy question-and-answer session followed.

Brian LaDonne of PS Digital can help your business generate more leads.  He recommends Google business profile page.  When people look you up online, it is important that your Google business page is the first page to show up on Google.  That is because 90% of the traffic is coming in via Google.  Every business had a free Google listing.  It is your job to claim it and utilize it.  Make sure you have complete access to your business profile page so you can reply to reviews and use it as a lead generation tool on a hyper-local level.  You can incorporate and embed those reviews on your website.  You can also link to Google guarantee.  He will help you if you do not have access.  Also, pay attention to your website.  Make sure it looks good on the mobile version and it is formatted correctly.  A question-and-answer session followed.

Rob T. introduced the vendor the month – Rafael and Brian from N&S Electric.  They sponsored all our food.  Brian, who is in Nassau County, said it is good we work together – supply houses and electricians.  We can help each other.  If you ever need anything, please reach out.  A lot of supply houses are running into shortages.  We are not.  Raphael is the Suffolk guy.  We have 320-meter pans in stock.  We do have the new Kidde smoke and CO alarms in the UL 9^th edition.  They recalled many detectors.  We have been in business for 77 years and have 4 locations – Mineola, Bay Shore, Huntington and Freeport.

By-Laws & Nominating:  Ralph Lambiase

Ralph read the first reading of the by-law changes.  Dave explained why we are skipping the June meeting.  It is always poorly attended.

Education/Seminars:  Rob Szalay, Mahesh Panchal, Ralph Lambiase

CEH class is on 10/12.

Electrical Safety:  Robert Tschoke, Ralph Lambiase

Ed Seltenreich reported two years ago two girls died in a construction fire.  He now can talk about it.  The people that owned the home were charged and convicted.  They renovated it without permits and inspections and then rented it out.  A high-profile family rented it and two girls died and a third girl was badly injured.  The foundation of the charge and conviction was electrical.  The couple was charged with criminally negligent homicide.  In November they will find out their fate of these charges.  For 37 years we have been complaining about homeowners doing their own electrical work.  Until someone dies, nothing will be done about it.  The homeowner admitted he did his own electrical work and it was atrocious.  We can take this case as an industry and go to Suffolk County legislature and say somebody died because they did their own electrical work.  We may be able to make a change because of this tragedy if we ban together.

Rob T. said Jack Morrell also referenced  a Blue Point man who admitted to obstructing an investigation into a deadly construction accident.  We want to make changes but the only way it can be done is if we ban together and do it the right way.  We cannot just talk.  Gene Surdi added that homeowners are the worst and they are unlicensed.  A discussion ensued.

Ralph reported he bought four fire blankets.  They are good to keep in the kitchen, camping, truck sparking, etc.  John Cangemi said they had a situation with candles that went on fire and the fire extinguisher made a mess.  Thinks the blankets would work better.  Ralph reported they have online from OSHA called Toolbox talks.  They are short, printed safety meetings.  You can print them out and have meetings with your workers on safety.  There a many different safety topics.  There are also a couple of recalls on LED string lights from Globelit and Bonito that present a serious risk of electric shock.  Be careful what you buy.  You can look it up online.

 Entertainment:  Dave Kennedy, Scott Eastman, Mahesh Panchal

Dave reported he has been tasked by the Board to come up with a new end of year dinner dance, no more “Lucky Louie.”  We have not come up with anything yet.  He asked the members for ideas.  Some ideas mentioned:  bowling, fishing boat.  Tom O. said they discussed the boat but the food will suck.  Top Golf – a little pricy.  Rob T. said we want to do something to get together and include the wives.  Boat out of Montauk was mentioned also.

 Good & Welfare: Joe Mikulas

Joe welcomed back our Treasurer.  Tom Orlando took a dive from a 10-foot ladder and is still standing.  Tom said he broke his femur, his hip, 8 ribs, his wrist and has a rod put in his leg nine weeks ago.  Joe said to show his dedication he is speaking to Joe from the hospital bed and said the meds are starting to wear off I think I can do the work.  And he did!  We are lucky to have him back.  He went up to the 9^th step to change a lightbulb, he couldn’t reach it and went down to the 8^th step and the ladder wobbled.  The lightbulb was still in his hand.  It took weeks to get it out.  He was working alone and it took a half hour to find him.  He was working alone.  Joe also announced that Wally Boorum from Sunrise Solutions will be retiring and his business will probably be taken over so we may have another representative coming in.  Also, member John Pollak has retired.  Joe said Rob Tschoke mentioned historian and since he is the oldest person sitting on the Board, that has become his task.  Rob T. mentioned past presidents in the room tonight.  He mentioned Tom Thomas and one of his claims to fame when we were told no way we could get a SCECA website going and Tom T. got the SCECA website going.  Michael Towers who has come back on the board has made us proud getting on the Licensing board and in his day promoting Electrical Safety week where we offered a contest for the Boy and Girl Scouts to do safety posters.  They were recognized by the County.  Not sure if Dave Kennedy was president at the time but it was when the TOI wanted to prohibit us from working on 100,000 square foot and above unless you had an apprenticeship program.  Dave carried the ball and therefore to this day we are able to work in this setting.  John Cangemi is retired but he still contributes.  We have inspection agencies.  Rich and Tom from PSEG have been with us for a long time and we are grateful for their participation.  Joe needs anecdotes and stories from the membership because there are things he won’t remember.

Inspection Agencies: 

 Certified Electrical Inspectors: #896-A   Rob Ceriello was not present.  Eric Dauersa reported pools have been a bit of a problem. Guys are taking bond and bringing it into the pool panel as a ground.  Education is important.

East End Inspection Agency:  #1193-A Ed Seltenreich was present.  Ed reported he had 26 callouts for people shocked in pools because of bad grounding.

EII: NYBFU:  #1109-A Philip Goehring was not present and Rich Jendzo was present.  Rich reported a section meeting next week from Wed. to Sunday.  It is a good seminar and you will get CEUs.  Bonding is supposed to be no deeper than 6 inches.  It has  to be up to the grade.  A discussion ensued.

A member asked about a new code change.  John Cangemi said to teach what is current.  NYS is on 2017 except NYC.  Still waiting for the effective date.  It seems we will go to the 2023 with selected sections from other editions.

Suffolk Bureau of Electrical Insp.: #856-A Gene Surdi was present.  Gene introduced Tommy Nunez –  new Chief Inspector.  Asked if anyone got a letter from Oyster Bay, Hempstead, North Hempstead that they are on the lookout for coverage – if you hold a Nassau license and are covering non-licensed individuals of Nassau County.  Also requiring agencies to check affidavits of the license holder on record of the job and need copy of a building permit otherwise we have to pause the inspection.

Southampton Town:  Ron Linsalato was not present.

Alliance Electrical Inspect.  Ltd.: Michael Dumitru was not present.

Mahesh has a question for the inspectors.  Romex copper coated aluminum wiring.  He noticed it has being used everywhere.  Are we allowed to use it?  John Cangemi said Romex is a tradename.  It is non-metallic sheathed cable manufactured by Southwire.  Non-metallic sheathed cable was in the code.  It has been around a long time.  Copper coated aluminum wire no one was using it in small branch circuit sizes because of its behavior.  but the code said never said you cannot.  Individual villages may stop it.  Copper started getting expensive so a new manufacturer came out with copper around aluminum.  But you have to be careful because of several issues: aluminum has higher resistance compared to copper which can lead to overheating, and different rates of expansion and contraction when exposed to heat and electrical current.

Just be aware of it.  John had a sample piece of the copper coated aluminum wire. The terminal has to be marked suitable for copper coated aluminum use.  David asked about wire nuts.  John said the wire nuts have to be rated for size.  There are wire nuts suitable for equipment grounding conductors and ones suited for copper to aluminum (purple).  Rob T. said they are doing this in other states.  Mahesh said they are doing it in condos.  Ed said to check with  the municipality first.  A discussion ensued.

Licensing: Michael Towers, Jack Morrell, Rob Szalay

Michael reported there is nothing too new but Jack wanted it mentioned that the County is doing enforcement through the web now.  They are looking for people that are advertising.  It is easier than driving around.  Unfortunately, they do not have the manpower to go out.  We are always pushing for that on the Board level.  They are also calling in a lot of applicants now if there is one little problem with it.  This is to make sure they are qualified.  All unshelving requests are called in.  We want to make sure they are not farming out their license.  We are very much interested in stopping the contractors that do it as their weekend job.  The law says that you have to be full time in the business to hold the license.  You can’t work for a school district and then do electrical work on the weekend.  You would have to shelve your license.  We want to make sure we have good, qualified people and that is their main business.  Just wanted to mention about what Joe was talking about with the historian.  His first meeting was in 1994 and Ed Seltenreich was arguing with Russ Calemmo about licensing enforcement. Hopefully, some day we will get that resolved.

 PSEG Representatives:  Joe Mikulas, Jack Morrell, Rob Szalay

Rich Inserra is with District design group he in Riverhead.  Tom DeBella is in Brentwood and some people from metering services group are here also.  They are having a Redbook revision coming up.  It has been 7 years since the last revision.  If anyone wants any changes or clarification, please let the board know and we will solicit comments from them.  Rob T. said to send him an email and he will make sure Rich and Tom get it.  Rich said when homeowners do their owns electric service, his guys have to go out and inspect those jobs 3 or 4 times.  You have to walk them through it; almost design the job for them.  We do not like those jobs.  Hopefully, Suffolk County can enact that law.  Also, when you have a larger service 400/600/800/amps trans s or switch gear, we are experiencing a shortage of CTs.  We have orders in for 1500 to 2000.  The manufacturers are delaying it.  We do not have any to put in.  We are putting jumpers into switch gears and getting estimated bills on similar houses in the area and will give customer an estimated bill until we get the CTs in.  After we get them and install them, we will adjust the costs.  The customer will get reimbursed the difference if they use less; if they use more we will not bill for the difference.  Joe Mikulas heard a rumor the new smart meters are overheating.  Is it true?  Bob said the rumors are unfounded.  It turns out the meter is baking in the sun all day and the temperature monitor is picking that up.  But the meter is not overheating.  The new meters are rated for 200 amps.  And then everything else has to be rated for 200 amps.  A lengthy question-and answer session on the meters and service procedures followed.  Rob S. said we will outline the procedure and send it to everyone to make it clear.  Rich said we will also get TRS to come to explain.

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

Rob T. called up the 5 new members:  #1257 Brian Duffy of BD Electric in Bellmore, #1258 Anthony Randazzo of Allo Electrical Services Group in Plainview, #1259-C Harjinder Singh of Singh Electrical Contractors in Central Islip, #1260-C Joe Nappi of Energy Systems in Bohemia and #1261-C Conroy Simpson of ACS Electrical Corp. in Hempstead and 1 Rejoined member: #1193-A Ed Seltenreich of East End Inspection Agency in East Quogue.

Anthony Randazzo, Joe Nappi and Ed Seltenreich were present.  Joe took picture for the newsletter.  David Kennedy swore them in.

Rob T. announced we are having a SCECA meeting out east.  It will be on Thursday, October 10 at 5:30 pm.  This is our first east end meeting.  It will be a shorter meeting and we are doing it as a convenience for the members out east.  Ed Seltenreich is promoting it.  It will be at Revco in Southampton.  We will still have our regular general meeting on October 17^th.   We plan on doing it every 3^rd month.  We will see how the turnout goes.  Rob T. and some board members are going.  We will send out an email blast.  Rich from PSEG will be there.  Inspector Larry from Southampton and Ed will be there.

Nassau Electric League:  Mahesh Panchal, Ralph Lambiase, Tom Orlando

 Mahesh reported they had the same program we had today at NEL last week.  We had smoke detector program from Kidde.

IAEI: (Independent Alliance for the Electrical Industry)  Mahesh Panchal, Ralph Lambiase, Tom Orlando

Mahesh reported they went over code.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS: (Rob Szalay, Brian McAuliff – Co-chairs, and Jack Morrell)

Joe Mikulas, Editor – “Light,”

Rob S. had nothing to report.

Joe told members if they did not received the newsletter to make sure their email address is current.  We have gone totally digital.  We are not putting newsletters on supply house counters anymore.  We want to make sure the Supply houses are getting the emails.  The east end meeting on 10/10 is mentioned in the newsletter.

 Energy Expo:  Rob Szalay, Jack Morrell, Dave Kennedy

Joe reported Rob Szalay has worked very hard on the Expo last year and this year.  It is important you attend and support it.  Bring in potential vendors.  It is on Wednesday, October 23.  Rob T. said come out to it and make the effort  to do the walkthrough.

Rob S. said last year was banner.  It will run from 2 pm to 8 pm.  It is at the Radisson again.  We are also having classes during the Expo:  HVAC, solar, generators, battery storage, PSEG.  If you are a project manager, engineer or architect, we will have some classes where you can get your PE accreditation.  If you have any questions, email us and we will get back to you.  Everyone will get emails about it.

Joe mentioned Janelle Tschoke has been kind enough to do photographs for the Expo last year and some of our other events.  She does advertise in the newsletter if you need her services.

 Legislative Review:  Jack Morrell

Rob T. reported Jack is not present but said he will keep an eye on new proposals for apprenticeship laws and new OSHA regulations.

Old Business: 

Dave mentioned that since we are going through the by-law changes, if anyone has any input, now is the time to tell us.

 New Business:

Ralph announced he has 400 new Satco 2X2 LED flat panels for $10 each in the box.  They sent him the wrong ones.  Call him if you are interested.

Raffles:            

3 – $85 cash prizes were won by Glen Ayasse, Rick Hollborn, and Carlos Altagracia.

1- $90 cash prizes were won by Ed Seltenreich.

1 – $100 cash prize donated by Michael Towers of Long Island Emergency Power was won by Anthony Randazzo.

$100 attendance award was drawn for James Dougherty (#1054-CR) who was not present to win.

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 p.m. was made by Dave Kennedy and seconded by Mahesh Panchal.

Respectfully submitted,

APPROVED BY:   

                                                                                                9/29/2024

Barbara George                                                                 Dave Kennedy

Recording Secretary                                                   Secretary